Inthecoversofthefirsteditionwereannouncementsofthe"EarthlyParadise":thatvastcollectionoftheworld'soldtalesretold。Onemightalmostconjecturethat"Jason"hadoriginallybeenintendedforapartofthe"EarthlyParadise，"andhadoutgrownitslimits。Thetoneismuchthesame，thoughthe"criticismoflife"islessformallyandexplicitlystated。
ForMr。Morriscameatlasttoa"criticismoflife。"ItwouldnothavesatisfiedMr。MatthewArnold，anditdidnotsatisfyMr。
Morris!Theburdenoftheselongnarrativepoemsisvanitasvanitatum:thefleeting，perishable，unsatisfyingnatureofhumanexistence，thedream"roundedbyasleep。"Thelessondrawnistomakelifeasfullandasbeautifulasmaybe，bylove，andadventure，andart。ThehideousnessofmodernindustrialismwasoppressingtoMr。Morris；thathideousnesshewasdoinghisbesttorelieveandredeem，bypoetry，andbyallthemanyartsandcraftsinwhichhewasamaster。Hisnarrativepoemsare，indeed，partofhisindustryinthisfield。Hewasnotborntoslaymonsters，hesays，"theidlesingerofanemptyday。"Later，hesetaboutslayingmonsters，likeJason，orunlikeJason，scatteringdragon'steethtoraiseforceswhichhecouldnotlay，andcouldnotdirect。
Ishallgonofurtherintopoliticsoragitation，andIsaythismuchonlytoprovethatMr。Morris's"criticismoflife，"andprolonged，wistfuldwellingonthethoughtofdeath，ceasedtosatisfyhimself。Hisownlaterpart，asapoetandanallyofSocialism，provedthistobetrue。Itseemstofollowthatthepeculiarlylevel，lifeless，decorativeeffectofhisnarratives，whichremindusratherofglorioustapestriesthanofpictures，wasnolongerwhollysatisfactorytohimself。Thereisplentyofcharmedanddelightfulreading——"Jason"andthe"EarthlyParadise"
areliteratureforTheCastleofIndolence，butwedomissastrenuousrenderingofactionandpassion。TheseMr。Morrishadrenderedin"TheDefenceofGuinevere":nowhegaveussomethingdifferent，somethingbeautiful，butsomethingdeficientindramaticvigour。ApolloniusRhodiusis，nodoubt，muchofapedant，aliterarywriterofepic，inanageofCriticism。Hedealtwiththetaleof"Jason，"andconceivablyhemayhaveborrowedfromolderminstrels。ButtheMedeaofApolloniusRhodius，inherlove，hertenderness，herregretforhome，inallhermaidenwordsandways，isundeniablyacharactermoreliving，morehuman，morepassionate，andmoresympathetic，thantheMedeaofMr。Morris。Icouldalmostwishthathehadcloselyfollowedthatclassicaloriginal，thefirsttruelovestoryinliterature。InthesamewayIpreferApollonius'sspellforsoothingthedragon，asmuchterserandmoresomniferousthanthespellputbyMr。MorrisintothelipsofMedea。ScholarswillfinditpleasanttocomparethesepassagesoftheAlexandrineandoftheLondonpoets。Asabrickoutofthevastpalaceof"Jason"wemayselectthesongoftheNereidtoHylas——Mr。MorrisisalwayshappywithhisNymphsandNereids:-
"Iknowalittlegarden-closeSetthickwithlilyandwithrose，WhereIwouldwanderifImightFromdewydawntodewynight，Andhaveonewithmewandering。
Andthoughwithinitnobirdssing，Andthoughnopillaredhouseisthere，AndthoughtheappleboughsarebareOffruitandblossom，wouldtoGod，Herfeetuponthegreengrasstrod，AndIbeheldthemasbefore。
Therecomesamurmurfromtheshore，Andintheplacetwofairstreamsare，Drawnfromthepurplehillsafar，Drawndownuntotherestlesssea；
Thehillswhoseflowersne'erfedthebee，Theshorenoshiphaseverseen，Stillbeatenbythebillowsgreen，WhosemurmurcomesunceasinglyUntotheplaceforwhichIcry。
ForwhichIcrybothdayandnight，ForwhichIletslipalldelight，Thatmakethmebothdeafandblind，Carelesstowin，unskilledtofind，Andquicktolosewhatallmenseek。
YettotteringasIam，andweak，StillhaveIleftalittlebreathToseekwithinthejawsofdeathAnentrancetothathappyplace，ToseektheunforgottenfaceOnceseen，oncekissed，oncerestfrommeAnighthemurmuringofthesea。"
"Jason"is，practically，averylongtalefromthe"EarthlyParadise，"asthe"EarthlyParadise"isanimmensetreasureofshortertalesinthemannerof"Jason。"Mr。Morrisrevertedforanhourtohisfourteenthcentury，aperiodwhenLondonwas"clean。"
Thisisapoeticlicense；manyaplaguefoundmediaevalLondonabominablydirty!ACelthimself，nodoubt，withtheCelt'sproverbialwayofbeingimpossibiliumcupitor，Mr。MorriswasinfullsympathywithhisBretonSquire，who，inthereignofEdwardIII。，setsforthtoseektheEarthlyParadise，andthelandwhereDeathnevercomes。Muchmoredramatic，Iventuretothink，thananypassageof"Jason，"isthatwherethedreamyseekersofdreamland，BretonandNorthman，encounterthestoutKingEdwardIII。，whosekingdomisofthisworld。Actionandfantasyaremet，andthewanderersexplainthenatureoftheirquest。Oneofthemspeaksofdeathinmanyaform，andoftheflightfromdeath:-
"Hiswordsnighmademeweep，butwhilehespokeInotedhowamockingsmilejustbrokeThethinlineofthePrince'slips，andheWhocarriedtheafore-namedarmouryPuffedouthiswind-beatcheeksandwhistledlow:
ButtheKingsmiled，andsaid，'Canitbeso？
Iknownot，andyetwainaresuchasfindThethingswheretooldkingsmustneedsbeblind。
Foryoutheworldiswide——butnotforme，WhooncehaddreamsofonegreatvictoryWhereinthatworldlayvanquishedbymythrone，Andnow，thevictorinsomanyanone，FindthatinAsiaAlexanderdiedAndwillnotliveagain；theworldiswideForyouIsay，——formeanarrowspaceBetwixtthefourwallsofafightingplace。
Poorman，whyshouldIstaythee？livethyfillOfthatfairlife，whereinthouseestnoillButfearofthatfairrestIhopetowinOneday，whenIhavepurgedmeofmysin。
Farewell，ityetmayhapthatIakingShallberememberedbutbythisonething，ThatonthemornbeforeyecrossedtheseaYegaveandtookincommontalkwithme；
Butwiththisringkeepmemorywiththemorn，OBreton，andthouNorthman，bythishornRememberme，whoamofOdin'sblood。'"
Allthisencounterisapassageofhighinvention。TheadventuresinAnahuacaresuchasBishopEriemayhaveachievedwhenhesetouttofindVinlandtheGood，andcamebacknomore，whetherhewasorwasnotrememberedbytheAztecsasQuetzalcoatl。ThetaleofthewandererswasMr。Morris'sown；alltherestareofthedatelessheritageofourrace，fairytalescomingtous，now"softlybreathedthroughtheflutesoftheGrecians，"nowtoldbySagamenofIceland。Thewholeperformanceisastonishinglyequable；wemoveonahightableland，wherenotallpeaksofParnassusaretobeclimbed。Oncemoreliteraturehasanarrator，onthewholemuchmoreakintoSpenserthantoChaucer，Homer，orSirWalter。Humourandactionarenotsoprominentascontemplationofapageantreflectedinafairymirror。ButMr。
Morrishassaidhimself，abouthispoem，whatIamtryingtosay:-
"Deathhavewehated，knowingnotwhatitmeant；
Lifehaveweloved，throughgreenleafandthroughsere，Thoughstillthelessweknewofitsintent；
TheEarthandHeaventhroughcountlessyearonyear，Slowchanging，weretousbutcurtainsfair，Hungroundaboutalittleroom，whereplayWeepingandlaughterofman'semptyday。"
Mr。Morrishadshown，invariousways，thestrengthofhissympathywiththeheroicsagasofIceland。Hehadrenderedoneintoverse，in"TheEarthlyParadise，"aboveall，"GrettirtheStrong"and"TheVolsunga"hehaddoneintoEnglishprose。Hisnextgreatpoemwas"TheStoryofSigurd，"apoeticrenderingofthethemewhichis，totheNorth，whattheTaleofTroyistoGreece，andtoalltheworld。Mr。Morristooktheformofthestorywhichismostarchaic，andbearsmostbirthmarksofitssavageorigin——theversionofthe"Volsunga，"nottheGermanshapeofthe"Nibelungenlied。"Heshowedextraordinaryskill，especiallyinmakinghumanandintelligiblethestoryofRegin，Otter，Fafnir，andtheDwarfAndvari'sHoard。
"ItwasReidmartheAncientbegatme；andnowwashewaxenold，Andacovetousmanandaking；andhebade，andIbuilthimahall，Andagoldenglorioushouse；andtheretohissonsdidhecall，Andhebadethembeevilandwise，thathiswillthroughthemmightbewrought。
ThenhegaveuntoFafnirmybrotherthesoulthatfearethnought，Andthebrowofthehardenediron，andthehandthatmayneverfail，Andthegreedyheartofaking，andtheearthathearsnowail。
"ButnextuntoOttermybrotherhegavethesnareandthenet，Andthelongingtowendthroughthewild-wood，andwadethehighwayswet；
Andthefootthatneverresteth，whileaughtbeleftaliveThathathcunningtomatchman'scunningormightwithhismighttostrive。
"Andtome，theleastandtheyoungest，whatgiftfortheslayingofease？
Savethegriefthatremembersthepast，andthefearthatthefuturesees；
Andthehammerandfashioning-iron，andthelivingcoaloffire；
Andthecraftthatcreatethasemblance，andfailsoftheheart'sdesire；
Andthetoilthateachdawningquickens，andthetaskthatisneverdone；
Andtheheartthatlongethever，norwilllooktothedeedthatiswon。
"Thusgavemyfatherthegiftsthatmightneverbetakenagain；
FarworsewerewenowthantheGods，andbutlittlebetterthanmen。
Butyetofourancientmightonethinghadweleftusstill:
Wehadcrafttochangeoursemblance，andcouldshiftusatourwillIntobodiesofthebeast-kind，orfowl，orfishescold；
Forbelikenofixedsemblancewehadinthedaysofold，TilltheGodswerewaxenbusy，andallthingstheirformmusttakeThatknewofgoodandevil，andlongedtogatherandmake。"
ButwhenweturntothepassageoftheeclaircissementbetweenSigurdandBrynhild，thatmostdramaticandmostMODERNmomentintheancienttragedy，themomentwherethecloudsofsavagefancyscatterinthelightofahopelesshumanlove，then，Imustconfess，Ipreferthesimple，briefproseofMr。Morris'stranslationofthe"Volsunga"tohisratherperiphrasticparaphrase。Everystudentofpoetrymaymakethecomparisonforhimself，anddecideforhimselfwhethertheoldorthenewisbetter。Again，inthefinalfightandmassacreinthehallofAtli，IcannotbutprefertheSlayingoftheWooers，atthecloseofthe"Odyssey，"orthelastfightofRolandatRoncesvaux，ortheproseversionofthe"Volsunga。"Allthesearetheworkofmenwhowerewar-smithsaswellassong-smiths。Hereisapassagefromthe"murdergrimandgreat":-
"Sohesaithinthemidstofthefoemenwithhiswar-flamerearedonhigh，ButallaboutandaroundhimgoesupabittercryFromtheironmenofAtli，andthebickeringofthesteelSendsaroaruptotheroof-ridge，andtheNiblungwar-ranksreelBehindthesteadfastGunnar:butlo，haveyeseenthecorn，Whileyetmengrindthesickle，bythewindstreakoverborneWhenthesuddenrainsweepsdownward，andsummergrowethblack，Andthesmittenwood-sideroareth'neaththedrivingthunder-wrack？
Sobeforethewise-heartHognishrankthechampionsoftheEastAshisgreatvoiceshookthetimbersinthehallofAtli'sfeast，Therehesmoteandbeheldnotthesmitten，andbynoughtwerehisedgesstopped；
Hesmoteandthedeadwerethrustfromhim；ahandwithitsshieldhelopped；
TheremethimAtli'smarshal，andhisarmattheshoulderheshred；
Threeswordswereuprearedagainsthimofthebestofthekinofthedead；
Andhestruckoffaheadtotherightward，andhisswordthroughathroathethrust，Butthethirdstrokefellonhishelm-crest，andhestoopedtotheruddydust，AnduproseastheancientGiant，andbothhishandswerewet:
Redthenwastheworldtohiseyen，ashishandtothelabourheset；
Swordsshookandfellinhispathway，hugebodiesleaptandfell；
Harshgridedshieldandwar-helmlikethetempest-smittenbell，Andthewar-criesrantogether，andnomanhisbrotherknew，Andthedeadmenloadedtheliving，ashewentthewar-woodthrough；
Andman'gainstmanwashuddled，tillnoswordrosetosmite，AndclearstoodthegloriousHogniinanislandofthefight，Andthereranariverofdeath'twixttheNiblungandhisfoes，AndtherefromtheterrorofmenandthewrathoftheGodsarose。"
IadmitthatthisdoesnotaffectmeasdoesthefigureofOdysseusraininghisdartsofdoom，orthecourtesyofRolandwhentheblindedOliversmiteshimbymischance，and，indeed，theKeepingoftheStairbyUmslopogaasappealstomemorevigorouslyasastrenuouspictureofwar。TobejusttoMr。Morris，letusgivehisrenderingofpartoftheSlayingoftheWooers，fromhistranslationofthe"Odyssey":-
"Ande'enasthewordheuttered，hedrewhiskeenswordoutBrazen，oneachsideshearing，andwithafearfulshoutRushedonhim；butOdysseusthatverywhileletflyAndsmotehimwiththearrowinthebreast，thepaphardby，Anddrovetheswiftshafttotheliver，andadowntothegroundfelltheswordFromoutofhishand，anddoubledhehungabovetheboard，Andstaggered；andwhirlinghefell，andthemeatwasscatteredaround，Andthedoublecupmoreover，andhisforeheadsmotetheground；
Andhisheartwaswrungwithtorment，andwithbothfeetspurninghesmoteThehigh-seat；andoverhiseyendidthecloudofdarknessfloat。
"AndthenitwasAmphinomus，whodrewhiswhettedswordAndfellon，makinghisonrush'gainstOdysseusthegloriouslord，Ifperchancehemightgethimout-doors:butTelemachushimforewent，Andacastofthebrazenwar-spearfrombehindhimtherewithsentAmidmostofhisshoulders，thatdravethroughhisbreastandout，Andclatteringhefell，andtheearthallthebreadthofhisforeheadsmote。"
ThereisnoneedtosaymoreofMr。Morris's"Odysseus。"ClosetotheletteroftheGreekheusuallykeeps，butwherearethesurgeandthunderofHomer？Apparentlywemustaccentthepenultimatein"Amphinomus"ifthelineistoscan。IselectapassageofpeacefulbeautyfromBookV。:-
"Butallaboutthatcaverntheregrewablossomingwood，Ofalderandofpoplarandofcypresssavouringgood；
Andfowlthereinwing-spreadingwerewonttoroostandbe，Forowlswerethereandfalcons，andlong-tonguedcrowsofthesea，AnddeedsoftheseatheydealwithandthereoftheyhaveacareButroundthehollowcaverntherespreadandflourishedfairAvineofgardenbreeding，andinitsgrapeswasglad；
Andfourwellsofthewhitewatertheirheadstogetherhad，Andflowingoninorderfourwaystheythencedidget；
Andsoftwerethemeadowsbloomingwithparsleyandviolet。
Yea，ifthitherindeedhadcomee'enoneoftheDeathless，e'enheHadwonderedandgladdenedhisheartwithallthatwastheretosee。
AndthereinsoothstoodwonderingtheFlitter，theArgus-bane。
Butwheno'erallthesemattersinhissoulhehadmarvelledamain，Thenintothewidecavewenthe，andCalypso，Godhead'sGrace，Failednowisetheretoknowhimasshelookeduponhisface；
ForneverunknowntoeachotheraretheDeathlessGods，thoughtheyApartfromoneanothermaybedwellingfaraway。
ButOdysseusthemighty-heartedwithinhemetnotthere，Whoonthebeachsatweeping，asofthewaswonttowearHissoulwithgriefandgroaning，andweeping；yea，andheAsthetearshewaspouringdownwardyetgazedo'ertheuntilledsea。"
ThisiscloseenoughtotheGreek，but"Andflowingoninorderfourwaystheythencedidget"
isnotpreciselymusical。WhyisHermes"TheFlitter"？ButIhaveoftenventuredtoremonstrateagainstthesearchaisticpeculiarities，whichtosomeextentmarourpleasureinMr。
Morris'stranslations。InhisversionoftherichVirgilianmeasuretheyareespeciallyoutofplace。The"AEneid"isrenderedwitharoughnesswhichmightbetterbefitatranslationofEnnius。
ThusthereaderofMr。Morris'spoeticaltranslationshasinhishandsversionsofalmostliteralcloseness，andwhatisextremelyrareversionsofpoetrybyapoet。ButhisacquaintancewithEarlyEnglishandIcelandichasaddedtothepoetastrainofthephilologist，andhisEnglishinthe"Odyssey，"stillmoreinthe"AEneid，"isoccasionallymoreARCHAICthantheGreekof900B。C。
SoatleastitseemstoareadernotunversedinattemptstofittheclassicalpoetswithanEnglishrendering。Butthetruetestisintheappreciationoftheloversofpoetryingeneral。
Tothem，astoallwhodesiretherestorationofbeautyinmodernlife，Mr。Morrishasbeenabenefactoralmostwithoutexample。
Indeed，wereadequateknowledgemine，Mr。Morris'spoetryshouldhavebeencriticisedasonlyapartofthevastindustryofhislifeinmanycraftsandmanyarts。HisplaceinEnglishlifeandliteratureisuniqueasitishonourable。Hedidwhathedesiredtodo——hemadevastadditionstosimpleandstainlesspleasures。
CHAPTERVI:MRS。RADCLIFFE'SNOVELS
DoesanyonenowreadMrs。Radcliffe，oramItheonlywandererinherwindycorridors，listeningtimidlytogroansandhollowvoices，andshieldingtheflameofalamp，which，Ifear，willpresentlyflickerout，andleavemeindarkness？Peopleknowthenameof"TheMysteriesofUdolpho；"theyknowthatboyswouldsaytoThackeray，atschool，"Oldfellow，drawusVivaldiintheInquisition。"ButhavetheypenetratedintothechillgalleriesoftheCastleofUdolpho？HavetheyshudderedforVivaldiinfaceofthesable-cladandmaskedInquisition？CertainlyMrs。Radcliffe，withinthememoryofman，hasbeenextremelypopular。Thethickdouble-columnedvolumeinwhichIperusetheworksoftheEnchantressbelongstoapubliclibrary。Itisquitethedirtiest，greasiest，mostdog's-eared，andmostbescribbledtomeinthecollection。Manyofthebookshaveremained，duringthelasthundredyears，uncut，eventothisday，andIhavehadtoapplythepaperknifetomanyanauthor，fromAlciphron1790toMr。MaxMuller，andDr。BirkbeckHill'seditionofBozzy's"LifeofDr。
Johnson。"ButMrs。Radcliffehasbeenreaddiligently，andcopiouslyannotated。
Thisladywas，inaliterarysense，andthough，likethesireofEvelina，hecastheroff，thedaughterofHoraceWalpole。JustwhenKingRomanceseemedasdeadasQueenAnne，WalpoleproducedthatGothictale，"TheCastleofOtranto，"in1764。InthatveryyearwasbornAnneWard，who，in1787，marriedWilliamRadcliffe，Esq。，M。A。，Oxon。In1789shepublished"TheCastlesofAthlinandDunbayne。"Thescene，shetellsus，islaidin"themostromanticpartoftheHighlands，thenorth-eastcoastofScotland。"Oncastles，anywhere，shedoted。Walpole，notSmollettorMissBurney，inspiredherwithapassionforthesehomesofoldromance。
Butthenorth-eastcoastofScotlandishardlypartoftheHighlandsatall，andisfarfrombeingveryromantic。Theperiodis"thedarkages"ingeneral。YetthecaptiveEarl，when"thesweettranquillityofeveningthrewanairoftendermelancholyoverhismind……composedthefollowingsonnet，whichhavingcommittedittopaperhethenexteveningdroppedupontheterrace。Hehadthepleasuretoobservethatthepaperwastakenupbytheladies，whoimmediatelyretiredintothecastle。"ThesewerenotthemannersofthelocalMackays，oftheSinclairs，andof"thesmallbutfierceclanofGunn，"inthedarkages。
ButthiswasMrs。Radcliffe'sway。Shedelightedindescriptionsofscenery，themoreromanticthebetter，andusuallydrawnentirelyfromherinnerconsciousness。HerheroineswritesonnetswhichneverbutonceAREsonnetsandotherlyrics，oneveryoccasion。WithhisusualgenerosityScottpraisedherlandscapeandherlyrics，but，indeed，theyare，asSirWaltersaidofMrs。
Hemans，"toopoetical，"andprobablytheywereskipped，evenbyhercontemporarydevotees。"TheCastlesofAthlinandDunbayne"
franklydonotpermitthemselvestoberead，anditwasnottill1790，with"ASicilianRomance，"thatMrs。Radcliffe"foundherself，"andherpublic。Afterreading，withbreathlesshaste，through，"ASicilianRomance，"and"TheRomanceoftheForest，"inasingleday，itwouldillbecomemetospeaklightlyofMrs。
Radcliffe。LikeCatherineMorland，Ilovethislady'stenderyetterrificfancy。
Mrs。Radcliffedoesnotalwayskeeponherhighestlevel，butwemustrememberthatherlastromance，"TheItalian，"isbyfarherbest。Shehadbeenfeelingherwaytothispitchofexcellence，and，whenshehadattainedtoit，shepublishednomore。Thereasonisuncertain。ShebecameaWoman'sRightswoman，andwrote"TheFemaleAdvocate，"notanovel!Scottthinksthatshemayhavebeenannoyedbyherimitators，orbyhercritics，againstwhomhedefendsherinanadmirablepassage，tobecitedlater。MeanwhileletusfollowMrs。Radcliffeinherupwardcourse。
The"SicilianRomance"appearedin1790，whentheauthor'sagewastwenty-six。Thebookhasatrebleattraction，foritcontainsthegermof"NorthangerAbbey，"andthegermof"JaneEyre，"and——thegermofByron!Like"JosephAndrews，""NorthangerAbbey"beganasaparodyofMrs。Radcliffeanddevelopedintoarealnovelofcharacter。SotooByron'sgloomyscowlingadventurers，withtheirdarklingpast，aremererepetitionsinrhymeofMrs。Radcliffe'sSchedoni。Thisissoobviousthat，whendiscussingMrs。
Radcliffe'sSchedoni，Scottadds，inanote，parallelpassagesfromByron's"Giaour。"SirWalterdidnotmeantomock，hemerelycomparedtwokindredspirits。"Thenoblepoet""keptonthebusinessstill，"andbrokeintooctosyllabics，borrowedfromScott，hisdescriptionsofmiscreantsborrowedfromMrs。Radcliffe。
"ASicilianRomance"hasitssceneinthepalaceofFerdinand，fifthMarquisofMazzini，onthenortherncoastofSicily。Thetimeisabout1580，butthereisnothinginthemannersorcostumetoindicatethat，oranyotherperiod。Such"localcolour"wasunknowntoMrs。Radcliffe，astoClaraReeve。InHoraceWalpole，however，acharactergoessofarinthemediaevalwayastosay"bymyhalidome。"
TheMarquisMazzinihadonesonandtwodaughtersbyhisfirstamiableconsort，supposedtobelongdeadwhenthestoryopens。
ThesonistheoriginalofHenryTilneyin"NorthangerAbbey，"andinGeneralTilneydoesCatherineMorlandrecogniseamodernMarquisofMazzini。ButtheMarquis'swife，tobesure，isNOTdead；likethefirstMrs。Rochestersheisconcealedaboutthebackpremises，and，asin"JaneEyre，"itishermovements，andthoseofhergaolers，thatproducemystery，andmakethereadersupposethat"theplaceishaunted。"Itis，ofcourse，onlythemysteryandthe"machinery"ofMrs。RadcliffethatMissBronteadapted。Thesepassagesin"JaneEyre"havebeencensured，butitisnoteasytoseehowthenovelcoulddowithoutthem。Mrs。Radcliffe'staleentirelydependsonitsmachinery。HerwickedMarquis，havingsecretlyimmuredNumberOne，hasnowanewandbeautifulNumberTwo，whosecharacterdoesnotbearinspection。Thisdomesticposition，asNumberTwo，weknow，wasdeclinedbytheausterevirtueofJaneEyre。
"Phenomena"begininthefirstchapterof"ASicilianRomance，"
mysteriouslightswanderaboutuninhabitedpartsofthecastle，andarevainlyinvestigatedbyyoungFerdinand，sonoftheMarquis。
ThisHippolytustheChaste，lovedallinvainbythereigningMarchioness，isadoredby，andadores，herstepdaughter，Julia。
Jealousyandrevengeareclearlyindicated。But，inchasingmysteriouslightsandfiguresthroughmoulderingtowers，FerdinandgetsintotheveryundesirablepositionofDavidBalfour，whenheclimbs，inthedark，thebrokenturretstairinhisuncle'shouseofShawsin"Kidnapped"。HereisaFOURTHauthorindebtedtoMrs。Radcliffe:herdisciplesareMissAusten，Byron，MissBronte，andMr。LouisStevenson!Ferdinand"begantheascent。Hehadnotproceededveryfar，whenthestonesofastepwhichhisfoothadjustquittedgaveway，and，draggingwiththemthoseadjoining，formedachasminthestaircasethatterrifiedevenFerdinand，whowaslefttotteringonthesuspendedhalfofthesteps，inmomentaryexpectationoffallingtothebottomwiththestoneonwhichherested。Intheterrorwhichthisoccasioned，heattemptedtosavehimselfbycatchingatakindofbeamwhichsuspendedoverthestairs，whenthelampdroppedfromhishand，andhewasleftintotaldarkness。"
Cananythingbemore"amazinghorrid，"aboveallastherearemysteriousfiguresinandaboutthetower？Mrs。Radcliffe'slampsalwaysfall，orareblownout，inthenickoftime，anexpedientalreadyusedbyClaraReeveinthatverymildbutoncepopularghoststory，"TheOldEnglishBaron"1777。Allauthorshavesuchfavouritedevices，andIwonderhowmanyfightsMr。StanleyWeyman'sheroeshavefought，fromthecellartotheirfavouritetiltingground，theroofofastrangehouse!
Ferdinandhungontothebeamforanhour，whentheladiescamewithalight，andhescrambledbacktosolidearth。Inhisnextnocturnalresearch，"asullengroanarosefrombeneathwherehestood，"andwhenhetriedtoforceadoortherearescoresofsuchweirddoorsinMrs。Radcliffe"agroanwasrepeated，morehollowanddreadfulthanthefirst。Hiscourageforsookhim"——andnowonder!Ofcoursehecouldnotknowthattheauthorofthegroanswas，infact，hislong-lostmother，immuredbyhisfather，thewickedMarquis。WeneednotfollowthenarrativethroughthedarklingcrimesandcrumblinggalleriesofthisterriblecastleonthenorthcoastofSicily。Everybodyisalways"gazinginsilentterror，"andallthelocksarerusty。"Asavageanddexterousbanditti"playaprominentpart，andtheimprisonedFerdinand"didnothesitatetobelievethatthemoansheheardcamefromtherestlessspiritofthemurdereddellaCampo。"Noworkinghypothesiscouldseemmoreplausible，butitwaserroneous。Mrs。
Radcliffedoesnotdealinasingleavowedghost。Shefinallyexplainsaway，bynormalcauses，everythingthatshedoesnotforgettoexplain。Atthemost，sheindulgesherselfinapremonitorydream。Onthispointsheistruetocommonsense，withoutquiteadoptingthephilosophyofDavidHume。"Idonotsaythatspiritshaveappeared，"sheremarks，"butifseveraldiscreetunprejudicedpersonsweretoassuremethattheyhadseenone——I
shouldnotbeboldorproudenoughtoreply，itisimpossible!"
ButHumeWASboldandproudenough:hewentfurtherthanMrs。
Radcliffe。
ScottcensuresMrs。Radcliffe'semploymentofexplanations。Heisinfavourof"boldlyavowingtheuseofsupernaturalmachinery，"orofleavingthematterinthevague，asintheappearanceofthewraithofthedyingAlicetoRavenswood。But，inMrs。Radcliffe'sday，commonsensewassotyrannical，thatthepoorlady'sromanceswouldhavebeenexcludedfromfamilies，ifshehadnotprovidednormalexplanationsofhergroans，moans，voices，lights，andwanderingfigures。Theghost-huntinthecastlefinallybringsJuliatoadoor，whosebolts，"strengthenedbydesperation，sheforcedback。"Therewasamiddle-agedladyintheroom，who，aftersteadilygazingonJulia，"suddenlyexclaimed，'Mydaughter!'andfaintedaway。"Juliabeingaboutseventeen，andMadameMazzini，hermamma，havingbeenimmuredforfifteenyears，weobserve，inthisrecognition，theforceofthematernalinstinct。
ThewickedMarquiswaspoisonedbythepartnerofhisiniquities，whoanonstabbedherselfwithaponiard。ThevirtuousJuliamarriesthechasteHippolytus，and，saystheauthor，"inreviewingthisstory，weperceiveasingularandstrikinginstanceofmoralretribution。"
Wealsoremarkthefutilityoflockingupaninconvenientwife，fabledtobedefunct，inone'sowncountryhouse。HadMr。
Rochester，in"JaneEyre，"studiedthe"SicilianRomance，"hewouldhaveshunnedanobsoletesystem，inconvenientatbest，andapt，inthelongrun，tobedisastrous。
Inthe"RomanceoftheForest"1791，Mrs。RadclifferemainedtruetoMr。StanleyWeyman'sfavouriteperiod，theendofthesixteenthcentury。Buttherearenohistoricalcharactersorcostumesinthestory，andallthepersons，asfaraslanguageanddressgo，mighthavebeenalivein1791。
Thestoryrunsthus:onedelaMotte，whoappearstohavefallenfromdissipationtoswindling，is，onthefirstpage，discoveredflyingfromParisandthelaw，withhiswife，inacarriage。Lostinthedarkonamoor，hefollowsalight，andentersanoldlonelyhouse。Heisseizedbyruffians，lockedin，andexpectstobemurdered，whichheknowsthathecannotstand，forheistimidbynature。Infact，aruffianputsapistoltoLaMotte'sbreastwithonehand，whilewiththeotherhedragsalongabeautifulgirlofeighteen。"SwearthatyouwillconveythisgirlwhereImayneverseehermore，"exclaimsthebully，andLaMotte，withtheyounglady，istakenbacktohiscarriage。"Ifyoureturnwithinanhouryouwillbewelcomedwithabraceofbullets，"istheruffian'spartingthreat。
SoLaMotte，MadameLaMotte，andthebeautifulgirldriveaway，LaMotte'sonedesirebeingtofindaretreatsafefromthepoliceofanoffendedjustice。
Isthisnotaveryoriginal，striking，andaffectingsituation；
provocative，too，oftheutmostcuriosity？Afugitivefromjustice，inastrange，small，dark，ancienthouse，isseized，threatened，andpresentedwithayoungandlovelyfemalestranger。
Inthisopeningwerecognisethehandofamastergenius。ThereMUSTbeanexplanationofproceedingssohighlyunconventional，andwhatcanthereasonbe？Thereaderisempoigneinthefirstpage，andeagerlyfollowstheflightofLaMotte，alsoofPeter，hiscoachman，anattached，comic，andfamiliardomestic。Afterafewdays，thepartyobserve，intherecessesofagloomyforest，theremainsofaGothicabbey。Theyenter；bythelightofaflickeringlamptheypenetrate"horriblerecesses，"discoveraroomhandsomelyprovidedwithatrapdoor，anddeterminetoresideinadwellingsocongenial，though，asLaMottejudiciouslyremarks，"notinallrespectsstrictlyGothic。"Afterafewdays，LaMottefindsthatsomebodyisinquiringforhiminthenearesttown。Heseeksforahiding-place，andexploresthechambersunderthetrapdoor。Herehefinds，inalargechest——whatdoyousupposehefinds？Itwasahumanskeleton!Yetinthisawfulvicinityheandhiswife，withAdelinethefairstrangerconcealthemselves。ThebraveAdeline，whenfootstepsareheard，andafigureisbeheldintheupperrooms，accoststhestranger。Hiskeeneyepresentlydetectsthepracticabletrapdoor，heraisesit，andthecoweringLaMotterecognisesinthedreadedvisitor——hisownson，whohadsoughthimoutoffilialaffection。
AlreadyMadameLaMottehasbecomejealousofAdeline，especiallyasherhusbandisoddlymelancholy，andapttowithdrawintoaglade，wherehemysteriouslydisappearsintotherecessesofagenuineGothicsepulchre。This，tothewatchfuleyesofawife，isproofoffaithlessnessonthepartofahusband。Astheson，Louis，reallyfallsinlovewithAdeline，MadameLaMottebecomesdoublyunkindtoher，andAdelinenowcomposesquantitiesofpoemstoNight，toSunset，totheNocturnalGale，andsoon。
Inthisuncomfortablesituation，twostrangersarriveinaterrificthunderstorm。Oneisyoung，theotherisaMarquis。Onseeingthisnobleman，"LaMotte'slimbstrembled，andaghastlypalenessoverspreadhiscountenance。TheMarquiswaslittlelessagitated，"
andwas，atfirst，decidedlyhostile。LaMotteimploredforgiveness——forwhat？——andtheMarquiswho，infact，ownedtheAbbey，andhadashootinglodgenotfaroffwasmollified。Theyallbecameratherfriendly，andAdelineaskedLaMotteaboutthestoriesofhauntings，andamurdersaidtohavebeen，atsometime，committedintheAbbey。LaMottesaidthattheMarquiscouldhavenoconnectionwithsuchfables；still，thereWAStheskeleton。
Meanwhile，AdelinehadconceivedaflameforTheodore，theyoungofficerwhoaccompaniedhiscolonel，theMarquis，ontheirfirstvisittothefamily。Theodore，whoreturnedherpassion，hadvaguelywarnedherofanimpendingdanger，andthenhadfailedtokeeptrystwithher，oneevening，andhadmysteriouslydisappeared。
ThenunhappyAdelinedreamedaboutaprisoner，adyingman，acoffin，avoicefromthecoffin，andtheappearancewithinitofthedyingman，amidsttorrentsofblood。Thechamberinwhichshesawthesevisionswasmostvividlyrepresented。NextdaytheMarquiscametodinner，and，THOUGHRELUCTANTLY，consentedtopassthenight:Adeline，therefore，wasputinanewbedroom。
Disturbedbythewindshakingthemoulderingtapestry，shefoundaconcealeddoorbehindthearrasandasuiteofrooms，ONEOFWHICH
WASTHECHAMBEROFHERDREAM!Onthefloorlayarustydagger!
Thebedstead，beingtouched，crumbled，anddisclosedasmallrollofmanuscripts。Theywerenotwashingbills，likethosediscoveredbyCatherineMorlandin"NorthangerAbbey。"Returningtoherownchamber，AdelineheardtheMarquisprofessingtoLaMotteapassionforherself。Conceiveherhorror!Silencethenreigned，tillallwassuddennoiseandconfusion；theMarquisflyinginterrorfromhisroom，andinsistingoninstantdeparture。Hisemotionwaspowerfullydisplayed。
Whathadoccurred？Mrs。Radcliffedoesnotsay，buthorror，whethercausedbyaconscienceillatease，orbyeventsofaterrificandsupernaturalkind，isplainlyindicated。Indaylight，theMarquisaudaciouslypressedhisunholysuit，andevenofferedmarriage，ahollowmockery，forhewaswellknowntobealreadyamarriedman。ThescenesofAdeline'sflight，capture，retentioninanelegantvillaofthelicentiousnoble，renewedflight，rescuebyTheodore，withTheodore'sarrest，andwoundingofthetyrannicalMarquis，areallofbreathlessinterest。Mrs。Radcliffeexcelsinnarrativesofromanticescapes，atopicalwaysthrillingwhenwellhandled。AdelineherselfiscarriedbacktotheAbbey，butLaMotte，whohadrathernotbeavillainifhecouldavoidit，enablesheragaintosecureherfreedom。HeisclearlyinthepoweroftheMarquis，andhislifehasbeenunscrupulous，butheretainstracesofbetterthings。AdelineisnowsecretlyconveyedtoapeacefulvalleyinSavoy，thehomeofthehonestPeterthecoachman，whoaccompaniesher。HereshelearnstoknowandvaluethefamilyofLaLuc，thekindredofherTheodorebyaromanticcoincidence，and，intheadorablesceneryofSavoy，shethrowsmanyaballadtotheMoon。
LaMotte，onthediscoveryofAdeline'sflight，wascastintoprisonbytherevengefulMarquis，for，infact，soonaftersettlingintheAbbey，ithadoccurredtoLaMottetocommencehighwayman。
HisveryfirstvictimhadbeentheMarquis，and，duringhismysteriousretreatstoatombinagladeintheforest，hehad，inshort，beencontemplatinghisbooty，jewelswhichhecouldnotconvertintoreadymoney。Consequently，whentheMarquisfirstenteredtheAbbey，LaMottehadeveryreasonforalarm，andonlypacifiedthevindictivearistocratbyyieldingtohiscruelschemesagainstthevirtueofAdeline。
HappilyforLaMotte，awitnessappearedathistrial，whocastaluridlightonthecharacteroftheMarquis。Thatvillain，tobeplain，hadmurderedhiselderbrothertheskeletonoftheAbbey，andhadbeenanxioustomurder，itwasadded，hisownnaturaldaughter——thatis，Adeline!Hishiredfelons，however，placedherinaconvent，and，laterratherthankillher，onwhichtheMarquisinsisted，simplythrustherintothehandsofLaMotte，whohappenedtopassbythatway，aswesawintheopeningofthisromance。Thus，inmakinglovetoAdeline，hisdaughter，theMarquiswas，unconsciously，inanawkwardposition。Onfurtherexaminationofevidence，however，thingsprovedotherwise。AdelinewasNOTthenaturaldaughteroftheMarquis，buthisniece，thelegitimatedaughterandheiressofhisbrothertheskeletonoftheAbbey。TheMS。foundbyAdelineintheroomoftherustydaggeraddeddocumentaryevidence，foritwasanarrativeofthesufferingsofherfatherlatertheskeleton，writtenbyhimintheAbbeywherehewasimprisonedandstabbed，andwherehisboneswerediscoveredbyLaMotte。ThehastynocturnalflightoftheMarquisfromtheAbbeyisthusaccountedfor:hehadprobablybeenthevictimofaterrifichallucinationrepresentinghismurderedbrother；whetheritwasveridicalormerelysubjectiveMrs。
Radcliffedoesnotdecide。Ratherthanfacetheoutragedjusticeofhiscountry，theMarquis，aftertheserevelations，tookpoison。
LaMottewasbanished；andAdeline，nowmistressoftheAbbey，removedthepaternalskeletonto"thevaultofhisancestors。"
TheodoreandAdelinewereunited，andvirtuouslyresidedinavillaonthebeautifulbanksoftheLakeofGeneva。
Suchisthe"RomanceoftheForest，"afictioninwhichcharacterissubordinatetoplotandincident。ThereisanattemptatcharacterdrawinginLaMotte，andinhiswife；theheroandheroinearenotdistinguishablefromJuliaandHippolytus。ButMrs。Radcliffedoesnotaimatpsychologicalniceties，andwemustnotblameherforwithholdingwhatitwasnopartofherpurposetogive。"TheRomanceoftheForest"was，sofar，infinitelythemostthrillingofmodernEnglishworksoffiction。"Everyreaderfelttheforce，"saysScott，"fromthesageinhisstudy，tothefamilygroupinmiddlelife，"andnobodyfeltitmorethanScotthimself，thenayounggentlemanofnineteen，who，whenaskedhowhistimewasemployed，answered，"IreadnoCivilLaw。"HedidreadMrs。
Radcliffe，and，in"TheBetrothed，"followedherexampleinthestoryofthehauntedchamberwheretheheroinefacesthespectreattachedtoherancientfamily。
"TheMysteriesofUdolpho，"Mrs。Radcliffe'snextandmostcelebratedwork，isnotinthejudgmentofthisreader，atleast
hermasterpiece。ThebooksellerspaidherwhatScott，erroneously，calls"theunprecedentedsumof500pounds"fortheromance，andtheymusthavemadeaprofitablebargain。"Thepublic，"saysScott，"rusheduponitwithalltheeagernessofcuriosity，androsefromitwithunsatedappetite。"Iarisewithathoroughlysatedappetitefromthe"MysteriesofUdolpho。"Thebook，asSirWaltersaw，is"TheRomanceoftheForest"raisedtoahigherpower。Wehaveasimilarandsimilarlysituatedheroine，cruellydetachedfromheryoungman，andimmuredinahowlingwildernessofabrigandcastleintheApennines。InplaceoftheMarquisisamiscreantonalargerandmoreferociousscale。Theusualmysteriesofvoices，lights，secretpassages，andinnumerabledoorsareprovidedregardlessofeconomy。Thegreatquestion，whichI
shallnotanswer，is，WHATDIDTHEBLACKVEILCONCEAL？NOT"thebonesofLaurentina，"asCatherineMorlandsupposed。
HereisEmily'sadventurewiththeveil。"Shepausedagain，andthen，withatimidhand，liftedtheveil；butinstantlyletitfall——perceivingthatwhatithadconcealedwasnopicture，andbeforeshecouldleavethechambershedroppedsenselessonthefloor。Whensherecoveredherrecollection，……horroroccupiedhermind。"Countlessmysteriescoagulatearoundthisveil，andthereaderisapttobedisappointedwhentheawfulcurtainiswithdrawn。Buthehasenjoyed，forseveralhundredpages，thepleasuresofanticipation。Apedanticcensormayremarkthat，whilethedateofthestoryis1580，allthevirtuouspeopleliveinanidyllicfashion，likecreaturesofRousseau，existingsolelyforlandscapeandtheaffections，writingpoetryonNature，animateandinanimate，includingthecommonBat，anddrawinginwatercolours。Inthoseelegantavocationsbegan，andinthese，afteranintervalofadventures"amazinghorrid，"concludedthecareerofEmily。
Mrs。Radcliffekeepsthemanyentangledthreadsofhercomplexwebwellinhand，andincidentswhichpuzzleyouatthebeginningfallnaturallyintoplacebeforetheend。Thecharacteroftheheroine'ssilly，vain，unkind，andunreasonableauntisvividlydesignedthatEmilyshouldmistakethecorseofamoustachedbanditforthatofherauntisanincidenthardtodefend。
Valancourtisnotanordinaryspotlesshero，butsowshiswildoats，andreapstheusualharvest；andAnnetteisagoodsampleoftheusualsoubrette。WhenonehassaidthatthelandscapesandbanditsofthisromanceareworthyofPoussinandSalvatorRosa，fromwhomtheywereprobablytranslatedintowords，notmuchremainstobeadded。SirWalter，afterrepeatedperusals，considered"Udolpho""astepbeyondMrs。Radcliffe'sformerwork，highasthathadjustlyadvancedher。"Butheadmitsthat"personsofnomeanjudgment"preferred"TheRomanceoftheForest。"WiththeseamateursIwouldberanked。Theingenuityandoriginalityofthe"Romance"aregreater:ourfriendtheskeletonisbetterthanthatThingwhichwasbehindtheBlackVeil，theescapesofAdelinearemorethrillingthantheescapeofEmily，andthe"Romance"isnotnearlysolong，notnearlysoprolixas"Udolpho。"
TheroofandcrownofMrs。Radcliffe'sworkis"TheItalian"
1797，forwhichshereceived800pounds。{6}ThesceneisNaples，thedateabout1764；thetopicisthethwartedlovesofVivaldiandEllena；thevillainistheadmirableSchedoni，theprototypeofByron'sluridcharacters。
"TheItalian"isanexcellentnovel。ThePrelude，"thedarkandvaultedgateway，"isnotunworthyofHawthorne，who，Isuspect，hadstudiedMrs。Radcliffe。Thethemeismorelikeathemeofthisworldthanusual。Theparentsofayoungnoblemightwelltrytopreventhimfrommarryinganunknownandpennilessgirl。TheMarcheseVivaldionlyadoptstheordinarypaternalmeasures；theMarchesa，andherconfessorthedark-souledSchedoni，gofarther——
asfarasassassination。ThecasuistrybywhichSchedonibringstheladytothispass，whilerepresentingherastheoriginatorofthescheme，isreallysubtle，andthescenesbetweenthepairshowanextraordinaryadvanceonMrs。Radcliffe'searlierart。ThemysteriousMonkwhocounteractsSchedoniremainsanunsolvedmysterytome，butofthatIdonotcomplain。HeisasgoodastheDwellerintheCatacombswhohauntsMiriaminHawthorne's"MarbleFaun。"TheInquisition，itscells，anditstribunalsarecoloured"AswhensomegreatpainterdipsHispencilinthegloomofearthquakeandeclipse。"
Thecomicvalet，Paulo，whoinsistsonbeinglockedupinthedungeonsoftheInquisitionmerelybecausehismasteristhere，remindsoneofSamuelWeller，heisaNeapolitanSamivel。TheescapesareMrs。Radcliffe'smostexcitingescapes，andtosaythatistosayagooddeal。Poetryisnotwritten，ornotoften，bytheheroine。ThesceneinwhichSchedonihashisdaggerraisedtomurderEllena，whenhediscoversthatsheishisdaughter，"isofanew，grand，andpowerfulcharacter"Scott，whileitisevenmoresatisfactorytolearnlaterthatEllenawasNOTSchedoni'sdaughterafterall。
WhyMrs。Radcliffe，havingreachedsuchapitchofsuccess，neveragainpublishedanovel，remainsmoremysteriousthananyofherMysteries。Scottjustlyremarksthathercensorsattackedher"byshowingthatshedoesnotpossesstheexcellencespropertoastyleofcompositiontotallydifferentfromthatwhichshehasattempted。"Thisistheusualwayofreviewers。TalesthatfascinatedScott，Fox，andSheridan，"whichpossesscharmsforthelearnedandunlearned，thegraveandgay，thegentlemanandclown，"
donotdeservetobedismissedwithasneerbypeoplewhohaveneverreadthem。FollowingHoraceWalpoleinsomedegree，Mrs。
RadcliffepavedthewayforScott，Byron，Maturin，Lewis，andCharlotteBronte，justasMissBurneyfilledthegapbetweenSmollettandMissAusten。Mrs。Radcliffe，inshort，kepttheLampofRomanceburningmuchmoresteadilythanthelampswhich，inhernovels，arealwaysblownout，inthemomentofexcitedapprehension，bythenightwindwalkinginthedankcorridorsofhauntedabbeys。Butmarkthecrueltyofanintellectualparent!
HoraceWalpolewasMrs。Radcliffe'sfatherinthespirit。Yet，onSeptember4，1794，hewrotetoLadyOssory:"Ihavereadsomeofthedescriptiveverbosetales，ofwhichyourLadyshipsaysIwasthepatriarchbyseveralmothers"MissReeveandMrs。Radcliffe？。
"AllIcansayformyselfisthatIdonotthinkmyconcubineshaveproducedissuemorenaturalforexcludingtheaidofanythingmarvellous。"
CHAPTERVII:ASCOTTISHROMANTICISTOF1830
Thefindingofararebookthatyouhavewantedlongisoneofthehappiermomentsinlife。Whateverwemaythinkoflifewhenwecontemplateitasawhole，itisadelighttodiscoverwhatonehassoughtforyears，especiallyifthebookbeabookwhichyoureallywanttoread，andnotathingwhosevalueisgivenbythefashionofcollecting。PerhapsnobodyevercollectedbeforeTHE
DEATH-WAKE，ORLUNACY
ANECROMAUNT
InThreeChimerasBYTHOMAST。STODDART。
"Is'tlikethatleadcontainsher？-
ItweretoogrossToribhercereclothintheobscuregrave。"-
Shakespeare。
EDINBURGH:
PrintedforHENRYCONSTABLE，Edinburgh，AndHURST，CHANCE，&CO。，London。
MDCCCXXXI。
Thisismyrarebook，anditisrareforanexcellentgoodreason，aswillbeshown。Butfirstoftheauthor。Mr。ThomasTodStoddartwasbornin1810。Hediedin1880。Throughallhispilgrimageofthree-scoreyearsandten，his"rodandstaffdidcomforthim，"astheScottishversionofthePsalmshasit；nay，hisstaffwashisrod。He"wasanangler，"asheremarkedwhenafriendasked:"Well，Tom，whatareyoudoingnow。"Hewasthepatriarch，theFatherIzaak，ofScottishfishers，andhesleeps，accordingtohisdesire，likeScott，withinhearingoftheTweed。
Hismemoir，publishedbyhisdaughter，in"Stoddart'sAnglingSongs"Blackwood，isanadmirablebiography，quofitutomnisVotivapateatvelutidescriptatabellaVitasenis。
Butitiswiththe"youngTomStoddart，"thepoetoftwenty，notwiththeoldanglingsage，thatwehavetodo。MissStoddarthasdiscreetlyrepublishedonlytheAnglingSongsofherfather，thepickofthembeingclassicalintheirway。Now，asMr。Arnoldwrites:-
"TwodesirestossaboutThepoet'sfeverishblood，Onedriveshimtotheworldwithout，Andonetosolitude。"
TheyoungStoddart'stwodesireswerepoetryandfishing。Hebeganwithpoetry。"Attheageoftenhiswholedesirewastoproduceanimmortaltragedy……Bloodandbattlewerethepowerswithwhichheworked，andwithnomeanertool。Everyotherdramaticformhedespised。"Itiscurioustothinkoftheschoolboy，thebornRomanticist，labouringatthesethings，whileGerarddeNerval，andVictorHugo，andTheophileGautier，andPetrusBorelwereboysalso——boysofthesameambitions，andwithmuchthesameromantictastes。Stoddarthad，luckily，anotherlovebesidestheMuse。
"WiththespringandtheMayfly，thedaggerdippedingorepaledbeforethesupplerod，andthedaintymidge。"Finally，therodandmidgeprevailed。
"Weedour-lookinghooksarethething，Mousebodyandlaverockwing。"
Butbeforehequiteabandonedallpoetrysavefishingditties，hewroteandpublishedthevolumewhosetitle-pagewehaveprinted，"TheDeathWake。"Theladwhodrovehomefromananglingexpeditioninahearsehadanoddwayofcombininghisamusements。
Helivedamongpoetsandcriticswhowereanglers——Hogg，theEttrickShepherdwhocastbutaheavyline，theysay，inYarrow，Aytoun，ChristopherNorth，DeQuincey-
"NofisherButawell-wisherTothegame，"
asScotthasit——thesewerehiscompanions，olderoryounger。Noneofthese，certainlynotWilson，norHogg，norAytoun，werefriendsoftheRomanticschool，asillustratedbyKeatsandShelley。NoneofthemprobablyknewmuchofGautier，DeNerval，Borel，lelycanthrope，andtheotherboysinthatboyishmovementof1830。