'But if there be in glory aught of good, It may by means far different be attain'd, Paradise Regained, b. iii. 88-93. IT is said that all books find their level sooner or later; and indeed one would not willingly believe that anything of the highest worth can in the end be rejected by the judgment of men. Yet some great works there undoubtedly are which never seem likely to win their due place in general repute. How it is that they miss of fame it were hard to say; but some cross chance has nevertheless thrown them out of the straight way to it which we should have thought natural for them to take, and triumph; and time, that sets to right so much, forgets to settle their account with the celebrities and publicities of their day. Some books, like some men, seem to have come into the world with the brand of mischance on them for birthmark. Otherwise it would hardly be needful to refer any reader, at the distance of more than half a century, to an early sonnet of Keats for introduction to the name of Mr. Wells. This sonnet, written before the author's friend had himself come forward as a poet, remains almost the only indication extant, |