[13] As these artificial associations, like the topics invented by the Roman rhetoricians, have been ridiculed by those who have probably formed their notions from unskilful versions, I select a few which might enter into the philosophy of the human mind. They denote a literature far advanced in critical refinement, and appear to have been composed from the sixth to the twelfth century.
“The three foundations of genius; the gift of God, human exertion, and the events of life.”
“The three first requisites of genius; an eye to see nature, a heart to feel it, and a resolution that dares follow it.”
“The three things indispensable to genius; understanding, meditation, and perseverance.”
“The three things that improve genius; proper exertion, frequent exertion, and successful exertion.”
“The three qualifications of poetry; endowment of genius, judgment from experience, and felicity of thought.”
“The three pillars of judgment; bold design, frequent practice, and frequent mistakes.”
“The three pillars of learning; seeing much, suffering much, and studying much.” See Turner’s “Vindication of the Ancient British Bards.”—Owen’s “Dissertation on Bardism, prefixed to the Heroic Elegies of Llywarç Hen.”
