use of flimsy, cheerless bark wigwams, were far behind the beaver or
oriole as regards dwellings; in this respect the Indian indicated mere
instinct of a low order, as all do who live in circles of mere
tradition.

Now to advance what seems a paradox, it is evident that even what we
regard as inspired genius comes to man in a great measure from
Instinct, though as I noted before it is aided by reflection. As the
young bird listens to its mother and then sings till as a grown
nightingale it pours forth a rich flood of varying melody; so the poet
or musician follows masters and models, and then, like them,
_creates_, often progressing, but is never _entirely_ spontaneous or
original. When the artist thinks too little he lacks sense, when he
thinks too much he loses fire. In the very highest and most strangely
mysterious poetical flights of SHELLEY and KEATS, or WORDSWORTH, I
find the very same Instinct which inspires the skylark and
nightingale, but more or less allied to and strengthened by Thought or
Consciousness. If human Will or Wisdom alone directed _all_ our work,
then every man who had mere patience might be a great original genius,
and it is indeed true that Man can do inconceivably more in following
and imitating genius than has ever been imagined. However, thus far
the talent which enables a man to write such a passage as that of
TENNYSON,

"The tides of Music's golden sea
Setting towards Eternity,"

results from a development of Instinct, or an intuitive perception of
the Beautiful, such as Wordsworth believed existed in all things which
enjoy sunshine, _life_, and air. The poet himself cannot _explain_ the