The blessing would be if one could find in experience a quality of
joy which should be independent of natural high spirits altogether,
a cheerful tranquillity of outlook, which should become almost
instinctive through practice, a mood which one could at all events
evoke in such a way as to serve as a shield and screen to one's own
private troubles, or which at least would prevent one from allowing
the shadow of our discontent from falling over others. But it must
be to a certain extent temperamental. Just as high animal spirits
in some people are irrepressible, and bubble up even under the
menace of irreparable calamity, so gloom of spirit is a very
contagious thing, very difficult to dissimulate. Perhaps the best
practical thing for a naturally melancholy person to try and do, is
to treat his own low spirits, as Charles Lamb did, ironically and
humorously; and if he must spin conversation incessantly, as Dr.
Johnson said, out of his own bowels, to make sure that it is the
best thread possible, and of a gossamer quality.
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