Two men crossing a stream by night, representing Common sense and Genius. Etching by C. Heath after T. Stothard.

The man representing Common Sense is barefoot, wears a cloak, and crosses safely with a walking stick, while Genius, who is elegantly dressed and gazes dreamily in the sky, is about to fall into the water while wearing shoes and stockings, leading to his early death

Illustration of a poem by Thomas Moore, Common sense and Genius, in his 'National airs', no. II

[Dublin] (34, Strand) : J. Power, 1. Jan. 1820.

1 print : etching, with engraving ; image 13.1 x 17.6 cm

Common sense, and Genius. One his eye ne'er rais'd from the path before him t'other idly gaz'd on each night cloud o'er him. While I touch &c. &c. Drawn by Thos. Stothard, R.A., engraved by Cha. Heath.

John Heath, The Heath family engravers 1779-1878, Aldershot 1993, vol. 2, pp. 180-181

Wellcome Collection 38957i