# 'Of Genius', in The Occasional Paper, and Preface to The Creation

Author: Hill, Aaron, 1685-1750; Pahl, Gretchen Graf [Commentator]

Genre: Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches

Language: English

License: Public domain

Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/15870

Amazon editions: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=%27Of+Genius%27%2C+in+The+Occasional+Paper%2C+and+Preface+to+The+Creation+Hill&tag=cyberlibrar00-20

## Summary

The anonymous essay "Of Genius," which appeared in the _Occasional Paper_ of 1719, still considers "genius" largely a matter of aptitude or talent, and applies the term to the "mechanick" as well as the fine arts. The work is, in fact, essentially a pamphlet on education. The author's main concern is training, and study, and conscious endeavor. Naturally enough, his highest praise--even where poetry is in question--is reserved for those solid Augustan virtues of "judgment" and "good sense."

## Chapters

- [Chapter 2](https://www.cyberlibrary.org/en/books/of-genius-in-the-occasional-paper-and-preface-to-the-creation-15870/chapters/2/index.md)
- [Chapter 3](https://www.cyberlibrary.org/en/books/of-genius-in-the-occasional-paper-and-preface-to-the-creation-15870/chapters/3/index.md)
- [Chapter 1](https://www.cyberlibrary.org/en/books/of-genius-in-the-occasional-paper-and-preface-to-the-creation-15870/chapters/1/index.md)
- [Chapter 4](https://www.cyberlibrary.org/en/books/of-genius-in-the-occasional-paper-and-preface-to-the-creation-15870/chapters/4/index.md)