Thus it happened he became neither musician nor poet- if
we use this latter term in its every-day acceptation. Or it might have
been that he neglected to become either, merely in pursuance of his
idea that in contempt of ambition is to be found one of the
essential principles of happiness on earth. Is it not indeed, possible
that, while a high order of genius is necessarily ambitious, the
highest is above that which is termed ambition? And may it not thus
happen that many far greater than Milton have contentedly remained
"mute and inglorious?" I believe that the world has never seen- and
that, unless through some series of accidents goading the noblest
order of mind into distasteful exertion, the world will never see-
that full extent of triumphant execution, in the richer domains of
art, of which the human nature is absolutely capable.
Ellison became neither musician nor poet; although no man lived more
profoundly enamored of music and poetry. Under other circumstances
than those which invested him, it is not impossible that he would have
become a painter. Sculpture, although in its nature rigorously
poetical was too limited in its extent and consequences, to have
occupied, at any time, much of his attention. And I have now mentioned
all the provinces in which the common understanding of the poetic
sentiment has declared it capable of expatiating.
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