Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

THE FLYING PEN. 125
suits, though his rapidity of pen was almost marvellous.
I remember he considered thirty-two columns, a whole
printed sheet, as an ordinary day's work, which might
be accomplished without the slightest fatigue or
stress." This rapidity accounts for much of the
tumult and rush of their proceedings. They were
carried away by the flow of easy and delightful
power. There was no talk in these days of over-
work, no fear of shattered nerves or brain exhaus-
tion. It was fortunately the fashion to be robust in
mind as well as in body. They needed no artificial
hush about them. Perhaps it may be allowed they
would have done better for themselves and their after
fame if they had been a little more bound by these
restraints. As for their audience, it was the sweep
and fulness, the very torrent of young strength,
impetuosity, and daring, which moved it to a kind
of rapture.
The position of the sober man of business, who was
like themselves in swiftness of mind and readiness
of spirit, and whose keen eye saw the advantage
to be reaped from the very disadvantages, the reckless
imprudence and dash, which are instruments in a cool
and steady hand as good as any—is at this moment
very curious. He withheld and subdued, when it was
necessary, with great unconscious skill, with the
constant steadiness and sense which always have their
influence—and which were strengthened even by his
faculty of being carried away and moved to enthusiasm
by the flow of wit and genius, the only things that
ever went to his head. He would have been more
than mortal if he had not been delighted with the