Most of the world would be surprised to know how few of our thoughts are really original with ourselves. What we write and say is, for the most part, a kind of mosaic interweaving of ideas and recollections gathered together out of other people’s talk or books. The combination and rearrangement of them is about all we can call our own. When a man does really evolve an original thought out of his own mind, it is the exception, rather than the rule. It is usually the fruit, either of patient study, or of fresh and vivid experience.
Judge Miller Portrait by William J. Weaver
c. 1818-1820
Oil painting on wooden panel of Judge Elijah Miller as a young man. Painted by William J Weaver (1759-1817), an artist born in London who came into prominence in North America. He is most famous for his painting of Alexander Hamilton which hangs in the United States State Department.
