Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 11, 1895 - Miscellanies, Volume III

ON FALLING IN LOVE
desirable a fellow-creature. And all the while their
acquaintances look on in stupor, and ask each other,
with almost passionate emphasis, what so-and-so
can see in that woman, or such-an-one in that man.
I am sure, gentlemen, I cannot tell you. For my
part, I cannot think what the women mean. It
might be very well, if the Apollo Belvedere should
suddenly glow all over into life, and step forward
from the pedestal with that godlike air of his. But
of the misbegotten changelings who call themselves
men, and prate intolerably over dinner-tables, I
never saw one who seemed worthy to inspire love —
no, nor read of any, except Leonardo da Vinci, and
perhaps Goethe in his youth. About women 1
entertain a somewhat different opinion ; but there,
I have the misfortune to be a man.
There are many matters in which you may way-
lay Destiny, and bid him stand and deliver. Hard
work, high thinking, adventurous excitement, and a
great deal more that forms a part of this or the
other person's spiritual bill of fare, are within the
reach of almost any one who can dare a little and
be patient. But it is by no means in the way of
every one to fall in love. You know the difficulty
Shakespeare was put into when Queen Elizabeth
asked him to show FalstafF in love. I do not believe
that Henry Fielding was ever in love. Scott, if it
were not for a passage or two in Rob Roy, would
give me very much the same effect. These are
great names, and (what is more to the purpose)
strong, healthy, high-strung, and generous natures,
37