22–28 December 1834

A good chapter might be writ of Optical De- ceptions. A sort of disappointment is felt by an ingenious man on hearing opinions and truths congenial to his own announced with effect in con- versation. They are so near to his own thought or expression that he thinks he ought to have spoken first. That is an Optical Deception of the mind. If they had not been uttered by this other, he would not have uttered them. It is merely under the influence of this magnet that he be- comes intensely magnetic. Take it away, and this eiFect will subside in him. Perhaps I shall never write of Shakspear's sonnets, yet let any critic execute that work, and I should go to law with him for assault and battery.

Him I call rich, that soul I call endowed, whether in man or woman, who by poverty or affliction or love has been driven home so far as to make acquaintance with the spiritual dominion of every human mind. Henceforward he is in- troduced into sublime society, henceforward he can wave the hand of adieu to all the things he coveted most. Henceforward he is above com- passion. He may, it is true, seldom look at his treasure ; he may, like one who has brought home his bride, go apart and compose himself and only take furtive glances at his good with a fearful joy, from the very assurance of confirmed bliss, but him I leave in his heaven, and all others I call miserably poor.