'Of Genius', in The Occasional Paper, and Preface to The Creation

An energetic Augustan essay, this work treats “genius” less as a mysterious spark and more as a blend of innate talent and disciplined study. Its author argues that true ability—whether in the mechanical trades or the fine arts—flourishes when judgment and common sense are cultivated through proper education. By foregrounding the role of conscious effort, the piece offers a practical guide for nurturing one’s natural gifts.

Beyond its instructional tone, the essay celebrates the striking variety of human temperaments, suggesting that each person is born with a specific bent toward a particular vocation. While acknowledging that favorable circumstances can amplify a talent, it insists that fundamental aptitudes cannot be reshaped into entirely new capacities. This early 18th‑century perspective hints at the later Romantic fascination with originality, yet remains rooted in a worldview that sees individual differences as part of a divinely ordered social body.