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SUCCESS AND FAILURE. 107
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Chapter I. Two Men Sat Together In A Sin...
targets are not to be trusted . You fancy you have reached it . But how be sure of it ? Where is the proof ? "
" The strongest belief of all does not admit of mathematical proof . But what evidence would you have ?"
" Practical proof , Wyndham , the sale of the poem ; your name bespattered with praise in laudatory reviews , raved against in
denunciatory ones ; anonymous letters from women who have fallen in love with you ; invitations to dinner—in shortuniversal success . "
,, " Notoriety , fame itself , is not success . Success I consider to be simply fulfilment . If you sow a seed , and it grows into a plant ,
though no eye but your own should see it , it is success . " " But it is no less soif thousands admire it with you . "
" As much , but no more , . The plant will not grow better . The admiration of others is a collateral circumstance . "
" Give me , then , the collateral circumstances . Five years ago I commenced this careerfriendless and unknown ; now I have a
certain literary standing , , and am on the step of the ladder which leads to fortune . In twenty years I shall be a minister or
ambassador ; " Arthur ' s eyes flashed as he spoke . " In twenty years" said Wyndham calmly" I trust I shall
, , have worked well for England , for mankind , and for myself . If the studies I am now occupied withlead to the results I anticipate
, , Our historical criticism will be based on an entirely new and more correct foundationand the influence will be felt more particularly
, in that science of political economy on which depends— " . " The greatest happiness of the greatest number , " interrupted
Arthur . '' Meanwhile—' 6 C I am much as I wasyou would say . Outwardlyyes ; but I
have made progress mentall , y . " , " So have I ; I can do more work and do it better . I have more
savoir faire " " So much gainedit is true ; but after all it is the work itself
to which genius must in be ' The our test Prop , . he There te , ' but is savoirjuire will it stand which by D almost on Giovanni amounts V
We admire ' Domenichino , ' but we adore Perugino . ' " " We shall never agreeI know ; " said Arthurrisin . " You
have such one-sided notions , but I love old fellow , . g Hold me in your heart alwaysand write , offcen I beseech you , you . "
The young men shook , hands cordially and separated . Wyndham sat a short time with his head resting on his hand
after Arthur had left . He was affectionate , and felt saddened by the parting , the more so from his knowledge of his friend . Arthur
was easily influenced by surrounding circumstances ; he lived almost wholly in the presentunless occupied by ambitious schemes for the
future ; the past , therefore , , was not likely to retain a very vivid hold upon him . Wyndham felt that without being absolutelforgotten
the chances were that their friendship would fade into y a memory , , rather than exist as a fact .
VOL . I IT . I 2
Success And Failure. 107
SUCCESS AND FAILURE . 107
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Citation
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English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), April 1, 1859, page 107, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01041859/page/35/
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