These stimulations of honest rivalry are, perhaps, the chief effects of academies and societies; for whatever be the bulk of their joint labours, every single piece is always the production of an individual, that owes nothing to his colleagues but the contagion of diligence, a resolution to write, because the rest are writing, and the scorn of obscurity while the rest are illustrious[g].
[g] It may not be uninteresting to place in immediate comparison with this finished paper its first rough draught as given in Boswell, vol. i. "Confederacies difficult; why.
"Seldom in war a match for single persons—nor in peace; therefore kings make themselves absolute. Confederacies in learning—every great work the work of one. Bruy. Scholars friendship like ladies. Scribebamus, &c. Mart. The apple of discord—the laurel of discord—the poverty of criticism. Swift's opinion of the power of six geniuses united. That union scarce possible. His remarks just;—man a social, not steady nature. Drawn to man by words, repelled by passions. Orb drawn by attraction, rep. [repelled] by centrifugal.
"Common danger unites by crushing other passions—but they return. Equality hinders compliance. Superiority produces insolence and envy. Too much regard in each to private interest;—too little.
"The mischiefs of private and exclusive societies.—The fitness of social attraction diffused through the whole. The mischiefs of too partial love of our country. Contraction of moral duties. <gr>> Oi filoi, o<u?> filos>.
"Every man moves upon his own centre, and therefore repels others from too near a contact, though he may comply with some general laws.
Of confederacy with superiors every one knows the inconvenience. With equals no authority;—every man his own opinion—his own interest.
"Man and wife hardly united;—scarce ever without children.
Computation, if two to one against two, how many against five?
If confederacies were easy—useless;—many oppresses many.—If
possible only to some, dangerous. Principum amicitias."
No. 50. SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1753
Quincunque turpi fraude semel innotuit,
Etiamsi verum dicit, amittit fidem.