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THE MORALITY OF THE PROFESSION OF LETTERS {11}
The profession of letters has been lately debated in the public
prints; and it has been debated, to put the matter mildly, from a
point of view that was calculated to surprise high-minded men, and
bring a general contempt on books and reading. Some time ago, in
particular, a lively, pleasant, popular writer {12} devoted an
essay, lively and pleasant like himself, to a very encouraging view
of the profession. We may be glad that his experience is so
cheering, and we may hope that all others, who deserve it, shall be
as handsomely rewarded; but I do not think we need be at all glad
to have this question, so important to the public and ourselves,
debated solely on the ground of money. The salary in any business
under heaven is not the only, nor indeed the first, question. That
you should continue to exist is a matter for your own
consideration; but that your business should be first honest, and
second useful, are points in which honour and morality are
concerned. If the writer to whom I refer succeeds in persuading a
number of young persons to adopt this way of life with an eye set
singly on the livelihood, we must expect them in their works to
follow profit only, and we must expect in consequence, if he will
pardon me the epithets, a slovenly, base, untrue, and empty
literature. Of that writer himself I am not speaking: he is
diligent, clean, and pleasing; we all owe him periods of
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