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Some Private Views by James Payn
page 68 of 196 (34%)
On the other hand, 'The Literary Calling' is not a title that satisfies
me. For the word 'calling' implies a certain fitness; in the religious
sense it has even more significance; and it cannot be denied that there
are a good many persons who devote--well, at least, their time to
literature, who can hardly be said to have 'a call' in that direction,
nor even so much as a whisper. At the same time I will venture to
observe, notwithstanding a great deal of high-sounding twaddle talked
and written to the contrary, that it is not necessary for a man to feel
any miraculous or even extraordinary attraction to this pursuit to
succeed in it very tolerably. I remember a now distinguished personage
(in another line) who had written a very successful work, expressing his
opinion to me that unless a certain divine afflatus animated a man, he
should never take up his pen to address the public. The writing for pay,
he added (he had at least £5,000 a year of his own), was the degradation
of literature. As I had written about a dozen books myself at the time,
and most decidedly with an eye to profit, and had never experienced much
afflatus, this remark discouraged me very much. However, as the
gentleman in question did essay another volume, which was so absolute
and distinct a failure that he promptly took up another line of business
(far above that of Burgesses), it is probable he altered his views.

Nature of course is the best guide in the matter of choosing a pursuit.
When she says 'This is your line, stick to it,' she seldom or never
makes a mistake. But, on the other hand, her speech must be addressed to
mature ears. For my part, I do not much believe in the predilections of
boyhood. I was never so simple as to wish to go to sea, but I do
remember (when between seven and eight) having a passionate longing to
become a merchant. I had no notion, however, of the preliminary stages;
the high stool in the close street; luncheon at a counter, standing (I
liked to have my meals good, plentiful, often, and in comfort, even
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