[Yarmark]

I'm not sure I believe in a spark. Do you mean an aptitude, or a determination? I think more or less, we're all the same, maybe some of us are further ahead at certain things due to past experiences, or physical attributes. I think talent can only get you so far, then it's hard work, no matter who you are. I think for someone in the old days with less aptitude as a beginner would learn pretty quick under the pressure, expectation to succeed, and a rigourous daily training schedule. Also, beginners in that era were probably all young kids, with more years ahead to learn and grow, so probably the least apt would end up with some level of competency, but maybe be relegated to more clerical jobs, or like the subject says, they died in their first engagement.