ABSTRACT
Inclination to forsake the field of assured success, and seek distinction in untried paths, has shown itself a controlling impulse in many an artistic mind. Examples are most frequent, probably, amongst actors, whose eagerness to shine in unexpected situations, and to demonstrate merits apart from those by which they have achieved prominence, is a common characteristic. For reasons sufficiently obvious, these efforts of theatrical aspiration are seldom satisfactory; nor would they be likely to win applause, even if based upon sound judgment and sustained by positive ability. The actor, as a rule, must be content with fame in a single branch of his vocation, unless he is prepared to undertake a fresh career in regions where his person and his precedents are unknown. In other arts ambition is subject to no such restraints. If the
powerofversatilityexists,itisfairlysureofrecognition.ADoremay desertthenarrowerchannelofhisearlyfortune,andenlargehisfame inproportiontothebreadthofhisspreadingcanvas.Rossini,witha reputationfoundedupondozensofdazzlingcomicoperas,couldnot rest,inhisoldage,untilhehadproducedasolemnmasswhichmight standbesidethegraveworksofmoremajesticcomposers.Scott,after securingeminenceenoughtocontenthismodestnaturethroughthe exerciseofonegift,builthimselfsecretlyahigherrenownbymeansof another.Bulwer'slessbrilliantlightshonewithastillgreatervariety ofrays.The'deed'maynotinallcasesbeequaltothe'attempt,'but theevidencesofdeterminedendeavortoestablishthissortofmanifold claimuponpublicattentionandregardhavealwaysbeenabundant, andwillbeaslongastheimaginationofme11canbeturnedtocreative account.
