thority, finds himself all at once, most often unforeseen, raised above a multitude infinitely larger than the small circle which, in spite of its insignificant dimensions, nevertheless hid him entirely from the view; and I believe that I did not exaggerate when I called the height dizzying, which indeed reminds one of the position of one who is seized with vertigo on unexpectedly seeing a precipice in front of him, or of the blindness that strikes us when we are rapidly transferred from complete darkness into dazzling light. The nerves of sight and brain are not proof against such transitions, however extraordinarily strong they might otherwise be.
If then the appointment as Governor-General often carries in its very nature the causes of corruption, even for those who excel in intellect and in heart, what then may be expected from persons who, before their appointment, have already many shortcomings? And assuming for a moment that the King is always correctly advised when he signs his exalted name under the deed in which he expresses himself convinced of the “faithfulness, zeal and ability” of the appointed Lieutenant; assuming that the new Viceroy is zealous, faithful and able, it still remains the question whether that zeal, and especially that ability, are found in him to a degree sufficiently raised above mediocrity to satisfy the requirements of his high calling.
For the question cannot be whether the man who at The Hague leaves the King’s cabinet as a newly made Governor-General possesses at that moment the ability that will be necessary for his new office . . . such a thing is impossible! The expression of confidence in his ability can only mean that in an entirely new career, at a given moment, as it were by inspiration, he will know what he cannot have learned at The Hague. In other words, that he is a genius, a genius who must all at once have the knowledge and the power of execution, neither of which he possessed before. Such genius is rare, even among persons who enjoy the favour of Kings.
As I am speaking of geniuses, one realizes that I wish to pass
