Read Boz's first sketches of "London Life" and compare them with "Sydney Carton" or "David Copperfield" and you will see what time and hard work will do to develop genius.
I suppose you will wonder why I am moved to say all this?
It is, I think, because of your saying "the article sent to St.

Nicholas was the best you would be able to do for years to come" and I saw you were going to make it a crucial test of your ability.

That is, forgive me, nothing but nonsense.

Whatever the article may be, you may write one infinitely superior to it next week or month.

Just in proportion as you feel more deeply, or notice more keenly, and as you acquire the faculty of expressing your feelings or observations more delicately and powerfully which faculty must come into practice.