This confidence of a stupid man in his own talents has been wonderfully depicted by Gogol in the amazing character of Pirogoff. Pirogoff has not the slightest doubt of his own genius⁠—nay, of his superiority of genius⁠—so certain is he of it that he never questions it. How many Pirogoffs have there not been among our writers⁠—scholars, propagandists? I say “have been,” but indeed there are plenty of them at this very day.