TO RICHARD HEBER, ESQ. ΕΟΝΤΑΙΝING CRITICAL REMARKS ON THE SERIES OF NOVELS BEGINNING WITH "WAVERLEY," AND ANY ATTEMPT TO ASCE AN ATTEMPT TO ASCERTAIN THEIR AUTHOR. If thou be'st a man, shew thyself in thy likeness: if thou be'st a devil, BOSTON: SAMUEL H. PARKER, NO. 12, CORNHILL. 1822. CONTENTS. Resemblance between the novelist and poet in their tastes, studies and habits of life, as illustrated by their works. Both Scotchmen-Habitual residents in Edinburgh-Poets-An- tiquaries-German and Spanish scholars-Equal in classical attainments-Deeply read in British history-Lawyers- Fond offield Sports-Of Dogs-Acquainted with most man. Subject of Letter II. continued-The novelist is, like the poet, sonages. The novelist quotes and praises most contemporary poets, ex- Comparison of the works themselves-All distinguished by good morals and good sense-The latter particularly shewn in the management of character.-Prose Style-Its general features-Plainness and facility-Grave banter-Instances, -Manner of telling a short story-Negligence-Scoticisms Dialogue in the novels and Poems-Neat colloquial turns im the former, such as cannot be expected in romantic poetry -Happy adaptation of dialogue to character, whether merely natural, or artificially modified, as by profession, local habits,&c.-Instances-Faults of dialogue as connected with character of speakers-Quaintness of language and thought-Bookish air in conversation-Historical persona- ges alluding to their own celebrated acts and sayings-Un- successful attempts at broad vulgarity-Beauties of compo- sition peculiar to the dialogue-Terseness and spirit--In- The Poetry of the author of Marmion generally characterized ously picturesque-Subjects for painters-Effects of light LETTER VIL Stories of the two writers compared-These are generally con- Comparative unimportance of heroes-Various causes of this Long periods of time abruptly passed over-Surprises, unex- LETTER VIIL. Comparison of particular passages-Descriptions-Miscel- |
