Page:Life of William Blake, Gilchrist.djvu/350

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LIFE OF WILLIAM BLAKE.
[1808—1810.

Now, too, was established for him the damaging reputation 'Mad,' by which the world has since agreed to recognise William Blake. And yet it is one—and let the reader note this—which none who knew the visionary man intimately, at any period of his life, thought of applying to him. And, in his time, he was known to, and valued by, many shrewd, clear-headed men; of whom suffice it to mention Fuseli, Flaxman, Linnell. More on this point hereafter.