The wits of these happy days have discovered a way to fame, which the dull caution of our laborious ancestors durst never attempt; they cut the knots of sophistry which it was formerly the business of years to untie, solve difficulties by sudden irradiations of intelligence, and comprehend long processes of argument by immediate intuition.

They were streaked with translucent irradiations of light, which at one time appeared sharp like the points of swords, at another, blunt like broken swords.