one may call geniuses, commonly think nothing of the main chance, till
they get a tap on the shoulder with a writ; and a solid lad, that knows
three times five is fifteen, will get the better of them in the long
run. But as to arguing with gentlemen of that sort, where's the good of
it? You can never bring them to the point, say what you will; all you
can get from them, is a farrago of fine words, that you can't
understand without a dictionary."

"I am inclinable to think," said Mr Simkins, "that the young gentleman
is rather of opinion to like pleasure better than business; and, to be
sure, it's very excusable of him, because it's more agreeabler. And I
must needs say, if I may be so free, I'm partly of the young
gentleman's mind, for business is a deal more trouble."

"I hope, however," said Cecilia to Belfield, "your present situation is
less irksome to you?"

"Any situation, madam, must be less irksome than that which I quitted:
to write by rule, to compose by necessity, to make the understanding,
nature's first gift, subservient to interest, that meanest offspring of
art!--when weary, listless, spiritless, to rack the head for invention,
the memory for images, and the fancy for ornament and illusion; and
when the mind is wholly occupied by its own affections and affairs, to
call forth all its faculties for foreign subjects, uninteresting
discussions, or fictitious incidents!--Heavens! what a life of struggle
between the head and the heart! how cruel, how unnatural a war between
the intellects and the feelings!"

"As to these sort of things," said Mr Hobson, "I can't say I am much
versed in them, by reason they are things I never much studied; but if