A blind man's offering.

  • Bowen, B. B. (Benjamin B.), 1819-1905
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A blind man's offering. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    per is his passport. There is genius in his frank, open countenance and laughing eye, that finds a ready welcome to every heart; of such a one it may indeed be said, he isa model man. But what shall be said of him whose pigmy thoughts circle perpetually around his little self? Who never speaks to another but to report some ache or pain; who is forever recounting his own sorrows? You may know him by the dull, stupid glance, the sluggish gait, the inexpressive face, the whining tone, the alto- gether forbidding aspect. He goes forth into the world in search of sympathy, but never thinks of imparting it. His greatest misery is to witness the happiness of others. He is ever croaking about the wretched- ness of life, but does nothing to diminish it; dis- satisfied with everything, pleased only with his dis- content. Much of the dissatisfaction of those who perpetually look upon the dark side of life, is dignified with the appellation of sentimentality, and even takes to ex- pressing itself in poetry. ‘The spoiled beauty will often weep big tears over a decayed dandelion flower, in a wine-glass upon the centre-table, but beholds, unmoved, the most appalling suffering which exists every where in society. Sentimentality, forsooth! No, call it by its right name, — abject selfishness. ‘This is the true origin of most of the discontent in the world. The deepest, truest sorrow utters no plaint. ‘The heart that is its subject never murmurs or repines, for it is conscious that by suffering alone it can be purified and elevated to a higher and holier life. ‘This simper- ing and wimpering, this silly and sickly sentimentality breathed forth in much of our common-place poetry, emanates from weak heads and little hearts, and is the