ItwasonlyStoddart，unconsciouslyinsympathywithParis，andcensuredbyhisliteraryfriends，whoproducedtheoneBritishRomanticworkof1830。Thetitleitselfshowsthathewaspartlylaughingathisownperformance；hehasthemockeryofLesJeunesFranceinhim，aswellasthewormyandobituaryjoysofLaComediedelaMort。Thelittlebookcameout，inspiredby"allthepoetasters。"ChristopherNorthwrote，fouryearslater，inBlackwood'sMagazine，atardyreview。Hestyledit"aningeniouslyabsurdpoem，withaningeniouslyabsurdtitle，writteninastrange，namby-pambysortofstyle，betweentheweakestofShelleyandthestrongestofBarryCornwall。"Thebook"felldeadfromthePress，"farmoredeadthan"OmarKhayyam。"Nay，misfortunepursuedit，MissStoddartkindlyinformsme，anditwasdoomedtotheflames。The"remainder，"thebulkoftheedition，wasreturnedtothepoetinsheets，andbyhimwasdepositedinagarret。Thefamilyhadacook，oneBetty，adescendant，perhaps，of"thatunhappyBettyorElizabethBarnes，cookofMr。Warburton，SomersetHerald，"whoburned，amongotherquartos，Shakespeare's"HenryI。，"
"HenryII。，"and"KingStephen。"Truetoherinheritedinstincts，Mr。Stoddart'sBetty，slowly，relentlessly，throughfortyyears，used"TheDeathWake"fortheneedsandprocessesofherart。Thewholeoftheedition，exceptprobablyafew"presentationcopies，"
perishedinthekitchen。Asforthatfellcook，letushopethat"TheBiblioclasticDeadHavediversepainstobrook，TheybreakAffliction'sbreadWithBettyBarnes，theCook，"
astheauthorof"TheBirdBride"sings。
MissStoddarthadjustinformedmeofthisdisaster，whichleftonealmosthopelessofeverowningacopyof"TheDeathWake，"whenI
foundabrownpaperparcelamongmanythatcontainedto-day'sminorpoetry"withtheauthor'scompliments，"andlo，inthisunpromisingparcelwasthelong-soughtvolume!Eversinceonewasasmallboy，readingStoddart's"ScottishAngler，"andoldBlackwood's，onehadpinedforasightof"TheNecromaunt，"andhere，cleaninits"purepurplemantle"ofsmoothcloth，laythedesiredone!
"LikeDian'skiss，unasked，unsought，Itgaveitself，andwasnotbought，"
being，indeed，thediscoveryandgiftofafriendwhofishesandstudiestheLacustrineMuses。
Thecopyhasapeculiarinterest；itoncebelongedtoAytoun，thewriterof"TheScottishCavaliers，"of"TheBonGaultierBallads，"
andof"Firmilian，"thescourgeoftheSpasmodicSchool。Mr。
Aytounhasadornedthemarginswithnotesandwithcaricaturesofskullsandcross-bones，whilethefly-leavesbearasonnettotheauthor，andalyricindoggerel。Surelythisis，indeed，aliterarycuriosity。Thesonnetrunsthus:-
"OwormyThomasStoddart，whoinheritestRichthoughtsandloathsome，nauseouswordsandrare，Tellme，myfriend，whyisitthatthouferretestAndgropestineachdeath-corruptedlair？
Seek'stthouformaggotssuchashaveaffinityWiththoseinthineownbrain，ordostthouthinkThatallissweetwhichhathahorridstink？
WhydostthoumakeHaut-goutthysoledivinity？
HereisenoughofgeniustoconvertViledungtopreciousdiamondsandtospare，Thenwhytransformthediamondintodirt，Andchangethymind，whichshouldberichandfair，Intoamedleyofcreationsfoul，AsifaSeraphwouldbecomeaGhoul？"
NodoubtMr。Stoddart'sotherpassionforangling，inwhichheusedaScottishlatitudeconcerningbait，{7}impelledhimtosearchfor"wormsandmaggots":-
"Fireandfaggots，Wormsandmaggots，"
asAytounwritesontheotherfly-leaf，areindeedthematterof"TheDeathWake。"
Then，why，someonemayask，writeabout"TheDeathWake"atall？
Whyrouseagainthenightmareofaboyoftwenty？CertainlyIamnottosaythat"TheDeathWake"isapearlofgreatprice，butitdoescontainpassagesofpoetry——ofpoetryverycuriousbecauseitisfullofthenewnote，thenewmelodywhichyoungMr。Tennysonwasbeginningtowaken。ItanticipatesBeddoes，itcoincideswithGautierandLesChimeresofGerard，itanswerstheaccents，thenunheardinEngland，ofPoe。SomeAmericanwhoreadoutofthewaythings，andwasnottooscrupulous，recognised，androbbed，abrotherinTomStoddart。Elevenyearsafter"TheDeathWake"
appearedinEngland，itwaspublishedinGraham'sMagazine，as"Agatha，aNecromauntinThreeChimeras，"byLouisFitzgeraldTasistro。NowPoewascloselyconnectedwithGraham'sMagazine，andafter"ArthurGordonPym，""LouisFitzgeraldTasistro"doessuggestEdgarAllenPoe。ButPoewasnotTasistro。
SomuchfortheliteraryhistoryoftheLunacy。
Thepoembegins——ChimeraI。begins:-
"Ananthemofasisterchoristry!
And，likeawindwardmurmurofthesea，O'ersilvershells，sosolemnlyitfalls!"
Theanthemaccompaniesaprocessionofholyfatherstowardsabier；
"AgatheWasonthelid——aname。Andwho？Nomore!
'TwasonlyAgathe。"
Asolitarymonkisprowlingaroundinthemoonlitcathedral；hehasabrowofstonymarble，hehasravenhair，andhefaltersoutthenameofAgathe。Hehassaidadieutothatfairone，andtohersisterPeace，thatliethinhergrave。Hehasloved，andloves，thesilentAgathe。HewasthesonofaCrusader，"AndJuliohadfainHavebeenawarrior，buthisverybrainGrewfeveredatthesicklythoughtofdeath，Andtobestrickenwithawantofbreath。"
Onthewholehedidwellnottoentertheservice。Mr。Aytounhasherewritten——"ArumCoveforahussar。"
"AndhewouldsayAcursebeontheirlaurels。
AndanonWasJulioforgottenandhisline-
Nowonderforthisfrenziedtaleofmine。"
How？asksAytoun，norhasthegrammaticalenigmayetbeenunriddled。
"Oh!hewasweariedofthispassingscene!
ButlovednotDeath；hispurposewasbetweenLifeandthegrave；anditwouldvibratethereLikeawildbirdthatfloatedfarandfairBetwixtthesunandsea!"
So"hebecamemonk，"andwassorryhehaddoneso，especiallywhenhemetaprettymaid，"AndthiswasAgathe，youngAgathe，Amotherlessfairgirl，"
whosefatherwasakindofDombey，for"WhenshesmiledHebadenofather'swelcometothechild，Buteventoldhiswish，andwill'ditdone，Forhertobesad-hearted，andanun!"
Soshe"tookthedrearyveil。"
TheymetlikeablightedIsabellaandLorenzo:
"TheymetmanyatimeInthelonechapelsaftervesperchime，Theymetinloveandfear。"
Then，oneday，"Hehearditsaid:
PoorJulio，thyAgatheisdead。"
Shedied"LiketoastarwithinthetwilighthoursOfmorning，andshewasnot!SomehavethoughtTheLadyAbbessgaveheramaddraught。"
HereMr。Aytoun，withsympathy，writes"Damnher!"theLadyAbbess，thatisandsuggeststhatthoughtmustberead"thaft。"
Through"thearrasofthegloom"arrasisgood，thepalebreezesaremoaning，andJulioiswanasstarsunseenforpaleness。
However，heliftsthetombstone"asitwerelightsomeasasummergladness。""Asummergladness，"remarksMr。Aytoun，"maypossiblyweighabouthalf-an-ounce。"Juliocameonaskull，ahaggardone，inthegrave，andMr。Aytounkindlydesignsaskeleton，ringingabell，andcrying"Dustho!"
Nowgo，andgiveyourpoemstoyourfriends!
FinallyJuliounburiesAgathe:-
"Thoumustgo，Mysweetbetrothed，withme，butnotbelow，Wherethereisdarkness，dream，andsolitude，Butwhereislight，andlife，andonetobroodAbovethee，tillthouwakest。Ha，IfearThouwiltnotwakeforever，sleepinghere，Wheretherearenonebutthewindstovisitthee。
AndConventfathers，andachoristryOfsisterssayingHush!ButIwillsingRaresongstothypurespirit，wanderingDownonthedewstohearme；IwilltuneTheinstrumentoftheetherealmoon，Andallthechoirofstars，toriseandfallInharmonyandbeautymusical。"
Isthisnotmelodiousmadness，andisthispictureofthedistraughtpriest，settingforthtosailtheseaswithhisdeadlady，notaninventionthatNanteuilmighthaveillustrated，andtheclanofBousingotsapproved？
TheSecondChimeraopensnobly:-
"Acurse!acurse!{8}thebeautifulpalewingOfasea-birdwaswornwithwandering，And，onasunnyrockbesidetheshore，Itstood，thegoldenwatersgazingo'er；
AndtheywerenearingabrownamberflowOfweeds，thatglitteredgloriouslybelow!"
JulioappearswithAgatheinhisarms，andwhatensuesisexcellentofitskind:-
"Hedroptuponarock，andbyhimplaced，Overabedofsea-pinksgrowingwaste，Thesilentladye，andhemutter'dwild，Strangewordsaboutamotherandnochild。
"AndIshallwedthee，Agathe!althoughOursbenoGod-blestbridal——evenso!"
Andfromthesandhetookasilvershell，ThathadbeenwastedbythefallandswellOfmanyamoon-bornetideintoaring-
Arude，rudering；itwasasnow-whitething，WherealonehermitlimpetsleptanddiedInagesfaraway。'Thouartabride，SweetAgathe!Wakeup；wemustnotlinger!'
Hepress'dtheringuponherchillyfinger，Andtothesea-birdonitssunnystoneShouted，'PalepriestthatliestallaloneUponthyoceanaltar，rise，awayToourgladbridal!'anditswingsofgrayAlllazilyitspread，andhover'dbyWithawildshriek——amelancholycry!
Then，swoopingslowlyo'ertheheavingbreastOftheblueocean，vanishedinthewest。"
Juliosangamadsongofamadpriesttoadeadmaid:……
"Arosaryofstars，love!aprayerasweglide，Andawhisperonthewind，andamurmuronthetide，Andwe'llsayafairadieutotheflowersthatareseen，Withshellsofsilversowninradiancybetween。
"Arosaryofstars，love!thepuresttheyshallbe，Likespiritsofpalepearlsinthebosomofthesea；
Nowhelpthee，{9}VirginMother，withablessingaswego，Uponthelaughingwatersthatarewanderingbelow。"
OnecanreadilybelievethatPoeadmiredthismusicalsadsong，if，indeed，heeversawthepoem。
Onemaygivetoomanyextracts，andthereisscantroomfortheextraordinarywitcheryofthemidnightseaandsky，wherethedeadandthedistraughtdriftwandering，"Andthegreatocean，liketheholyhall，WheresleptaSeraphhostmaritimal，Wasgorgeouswithwingsofdiamond"-
itwasasea"Ofradiantandmoon-breastedemerald。"
Therefollowsanothersong-
"'Tislighttolovetheeliving，girl，whenhopeisfullandfair，Inthespringtideofthybeauty，whenthereisnosorrowthereNosorrowonthybrow，andnoshadowonthyheart，When，likeafloatingsea-bird，brightandbeautifulthouart……
"Butwhenthebrowisblighted，likeastaratmorningtideAndfadedisthecrimsonblushuponthecheekbeside，Itistoloveasseldomlovethebrightestandthebest，Whenourlovelieslikeadewupontheonethatisatrest。"
Weoughttodistrustourownadmirationofwhatisrare，odd，noveltous，foundbyusinasense，andespeciallyonemustdistrustone'slikingfortheversesofaTweedsideangler，ofapoetwhoseforebearslieinthegreenkirkyardofYarrow。But，allowingforallthis，Icannotbutthinktheseverymusical，accomplished，and，intheirplace，appropriateverses，tohavebeenwrittenbyaboyoftwenty。Norisitacommonimagination，thoughbusyinthisvulgarfieldofhorrors，thatliftsthepallidbridetolookuponthemirrorofthesea-
"Andbidshergazeintothestartledsea，Andsays，'Thineimage，frometernity，Hathcometomeetthee，ladye!'andanonHebadethecoldcorsekisstheshadowyoneThatshookamidthewaters。"
Thepictureofthemadnessofthirst，alliedtothediseaseofthebrain，isextremelypowerful，thedeliriousmonktellsthesaltseawaves"Thatyehavepower，andpassion，andasoundAsoftheflyingofanangelroundThemightyworld；thatyeareonewithtime!"
Here，Ican'tbutthink，isimagination。
Mr。Aytoun，however，notednoneofthosepassages，northatwhere，intempestandthunder，ashipwreckedsailorswimstothestrangeboat，seestheLivingLoveandtheDead，andfallsbackintothetroughofthewave。ButeventhefriendlypencilofBonGaultierapprovesthepassagewhereanislerisesabovethesea，andtheboatislightlystrandedontheshoreofpureandsilvershells。
Thehorrorsofcorruption，intheThirdChimera，maybeleftunquoted，Aytounparodies-
"Thechalk，thechalk，thecheese，thecheese，thecheeses，Andstraightwaydroppedhedownuponhiskneeses。"
Juliocomesbacktoreason，hatesthedreadfulbride，andfeedsonlimpets，"bythemass，hefeastethwell!"
Therewasaholyhermitontheisle，"Iweenlikeotherhermits，sowashe。"
HeisAgathe'sfather，andhehasretiredtoaneligibleislandwherehemayrepenthiscrueltytohisdaughter。Juliotellshistale，andgoesmadagain。TheapostrophetoLunacywhichfollowsismarked"Beautiful"byAytoun，andisinthespiritofCharlesLamb'sremarkthatmadnesshaspleasuresunknowntothesane。
"Thouart，thouartalone，Apure，purebeing，buttheGodonhighIswiththeeeverasthougoestby。"
JuliowatchesagainbesidetheDead，tillmorningcomes，bringing"Amurmurfarandfar，ofthosethatstirredWithinthegreatencampmentofthesea。"
Thetidesweepsthemadandthedeaddowntheshores。"Heperishedinadream。"AsfortheHermit，heburiedthem，notknowingwhotheywere，butonalaterdayfoundandrecognisedthegoldencrossofAgathe，"ForlongagohegavethatblessedcrossTohisfairgirl，andknewtherelicstill。"
SotheHermitdiedofremorse，andonecannotsay，withWalton，"andIhopethereaderissorry。"
The"otherpoems"arevaguememoriesofShelley，oranticipationsofPoe。Oneofthemiscuriouslystyled"Her，aStatue，"andcontainsapassagethatremindsusofarubaiyatofOmar's，"ShemightseeAlove-wing'dSeraphglideingloryby，Strikingthetentofitsmortality。
"ButthatisbutatentwhereinmayrestASultantotherealmofDeathaddrest；
TheSultanrises，andthedarkFerrashStrikes，andpreparesitforanotherguest。"
MostakintoPoeisthe"HymntoOrion，"
"Dostthou，inthyvigil，hailArcturusonhischariotpale，Leadinghimwithafieryflight-
Overthehollowhillofnight？"
This，then，isahastysketch，andincomplete，ofabookwhich，perhaps，isonlyacuriosity，butwhich，Iventuretothink，gavepromiseofapoet。Whereistheladoftwentywhohaswrittenaswellto-day——nay，whereisthematurepersonofforty？Therewasawindofpoetryabroadin1830，blowingoverthebarricadesofParis，breathingbythesedgesofCam，stirringtheheatheronthehillsofYarrow。Hugo，Mr。Browning，LordTennyson，caughtthebreezeintheirsails，andwereborneadowntheTigrisofromance。
ButthebreaththatstirredthelochwhereTomStoddartlayandmusedinhisboat，soonbecametohimmerelythecurlonthewatersofloneSt。Mary'sorLochSkene，andhebegancastingoverthegreatuneducatedtroutofahappiertime，forgetfuloftheMuse。
Hewroteanotherpiece，withasonorousanddelightfultitle，"AjalonoftheWinds。"Whereis"AjalonoftheWinds"？MissStoddartknowsnothingofit，butIfancythatthethrice-loathedBettycouldhavetoldatale。
MALIMCONVIVISQVAMPLACVISSECOQVIS。
Weneednot，perhaps，regretthatMr。Stoddartwithdrewfromthestrugglesandcompetitionsofpoeticliterature。Noveryhighplace，noverygloriouscrown，onefancies，wouldhavebeenhis。
Hiswouldhavebeenanxiety，doubtofself，disappointment，or，ifhesucceeded，thehatred，andenvyings，andlieswhicheventhendoggedthestepsofthevictor。Itwasbettertobequietandgoa-fishing。
"Sorrow，sorrowspeedawayToourangler'squietmound，Withtheoldpilgrim，twilightgray，Enterthroughtheholyground；
TherehesleepswhoseheartistwinedWithwildstreamandwanderingburn，WooerofthewesternwindWatcheroftheAprilmorn!"
CHAPTERVIII:THECONFESSIONSOFSAINTAUGUSTINE
MycopyoftheConfessionsisadarklittlebook，"asizeuncumbersometothenicesthand，"intheformatofanElzevir，boundinblackmorocco，andadornedwith"blind-tooled，"thatisungilt，skullsandcrossbones。Ithaslostthetitle-pagewiththedate，butretainsthefrontispiece，engravedbyHuret。SaintAugustine，inhismitreandotherepiscopalarray，withaquillinhishand，sitsunderafloodofinspiringsunshine。Thedumpybookhasbeenmuchread，wasatsometimethepropertyofMr。JohnPhilips，andbearsonetouchingmanuscriptnote，ofwhichmorehereafter。Itis，Ipresume，acopyofthetranslationbySirTobyMatthew。TheauthorofthePrefacedeclares，withtruth，thatthetranslator"hathconsultedsocloselyandearnestlywiththesaintthatheseemethtohavelightedhistorchatthisfire，andtospeakinthebestandmostsignificantEnglish，whatandhowhewouldhavedonehadheunderstoodourlanguage。"
TherecanbenobetterEnglishversionofthisfamousbook，inwhichSaintAugustinetellsthestoryofhiseagerandpassionateyouth——ayouthtossedaboutbythecontendingtidesofLove，humananddivine。Readingitto-day，withamundanecuriosity，wemayhalfregretthespacewhichhegivestotheologicalmetaphysics，andhisbrieftantalisingglimpsesofwhatmostinterestsusnow——
thecommonlifeofmenwhentheChurchwasbecomingmistressoftheworld，whentheoldReligionsweredyingofallegoryandmoralinterpretationsandoccultdreams。But，evenso，SaintAugustine'sinterestinhimself，intheveryobscureoriginsofeachhumanexistence，inthepsychologyofinfancyandyouth，inschooldisputes，andmagicalpretensions；hisardentaffections，hisexultations，andhisfaults，makehismemoirsimmortalamongtheunveilingsofthespirit。Hehasstudiedbabies，thathemayknowhisdarkbeginnings，andtheseedsofgraceandofevil。"Then，bydegrees，IbegantofindwhereIwas；andIhadcertaindesirestodeclaremywilltothosebywhomitmightbeexecuted。ButIcouldnotdoit，……thereforewouldIbetossingmyarms，andsendingoutcertaincryes，……andwhentheyobeyedmenot……Iwouldfallintoarage，andthatnotagainstsuchasweremysubjectsorservants，butagainstmyEldersandmybetters，andIwouldrevengemyselfuponthembycrying。"Hehasobservedthatinfants"begintolaugh，firstsleeping，andthenshortlywaking；"acuriousnote，buthedoesnotaskwhereforethesenseofhumour，ortheexpressionofit，comestochildrenfirstintheirslumber。Ofwhatdobabiesdream？Andwhatdothenestedswallowschirruptoeachotherintheirsleep？
"SuchhaveIunderstoodthatsuchinfantsareasIcouldknow，andsuchhaveIbeentoldthatIwasbythemwhobroughtmeup，thougheventheymayratherbeaccountednottoknow，thantoknowthesethings。"Onethingheknows，"thateveninfancyissubjecttosin。"Fromthewombwearetouchedwithevil。"Myselfehaveseeneandobservedsomelittlechild，whocouldnotspeake；andyethewasallinanenviouskindofwrath，lookingpalewithabittercountenanceuponhisfoster-brother。"Inanenviouskindofwrath!
Isitnotthemotiveofhalfourpolitics，andtoomuchofourcriticism？Suchisman'sinbornnature，nottobecuredbylawsorreforms，nottobewashedoutofhisveins，though"bloodbeshedlikerain，andtearslikeamist。"For"aninfantcannotendureacompaniontofeedwithhiminafountainofmilkwhichisrichlyaboundingandoverflowing，althoughthatcompanionbewhollydestitute，andcantakenootherfoodbutthat。"ThisistheOriginalSin，inherited，innate，unacquired；forthisare"babesspan-long"tosuffer，asthefamousorinfamouspreacherdeclared。
"Where，oratwhattime，wasIeverinnocent？"hecries，andhearsnoanswerfrom"thedarkbackwardandabysm"ofthepre-natallife。
ThentheSaintdescribesachild'slearningtospeak；howheamassesverbaltokensofthings，"havingtamed，and，asitwere，brokenmymouthtothepronouncingofthem。""AndsoIbegantolaunchoutmoredeeplyintothetempestuoustraffiqueandsocietyofmankind。"Tempestuousenoughhefoundormadeit——thischildofaPaganfatherandaChristiansaint，Monica，thesaintofMotherhood。Thepastgenerationshad"chalkedoutcertainlaboriouswaysoflearning，"and，perhaps，SaintAugustineneverforgavethefloggingpedagogue——theplagosusOrbiliusofhisboyhood。Longbeforehisdayhehadfoundoutthatthesorrowsofchildren，andtheirjoys，arenolessseriousthanthesorrowsofmatureage。"Isthere，Lord，anymanofsogreatamindthathecanthinklightlyofthoseracks，andhooks，andothertorments，fortheavoidingwhereofmenprayuntoTheewithgreatfearfromoneendoftheworldtotheother，asthathecanmakesportatsuchasdoemostsharplyinflictthesethingsuponthem，asourparentslaughedatthetormentswhichwechildrensusteynedatourmaster'shands？"CanwesupposethatMonicalaughed，orwasitonlytheheathenfatherwhoapprovedof"roughingit？""Beingyetachilde，IbegantobegThyaydeandsuccour；andIdidloosentheknotsofmytongueinprayingThee；andIbegged，beingyetalittleone，withnolittledevotion，thatImightnotbebeatenattheschoole。"OneisremindedofTomTulliver，whogaveupevenprayingthathemightlearnonepartofhiswork:"PleasemakeMr——saythatIamnottodomathematics。"
TheSaintadmitsthathelackedneithermemorynorwit，"buthetookdelightinplaying。""Theplaysandtoysofmenarecalledbusiness，yet，whenchildrenfalluntothem，thesamemenpunishthem。"Yettheschoolmasterwas"morefeduponbyrage，"ifbeateninanylittlequestionoflearning，thantheboy；"ifinanymatchatBallIhadbeenmaisteredbyoneofmyplayfellows。"He"aspiredproudlytobevictoriousinthematcheswhichhemade，"
andIseriouslyregrettosaythathewouldbuyamatch，andpayhisopponenttolosewhenhecouldnotwinfairly。Helikedromancesalso，"tohavemyneearesscratchedwithlyingfables"——a"lazy，idleboy，"likehimwhodalliedwithRebeccaandRowenaintheholidaysofCharterHouse。
SaintAugustine，likeSirWalterScottattheUniversityofEdinburgh，was"TheGreekDunce。"Bothofthesegreatmen，totheirsorrowandloss，absolutelyandtotallydeclinedtolearnGreek。"ButwhatthereasonwaswhyIhatedtheGreekelanguage，whileIwastaughtit，beingachild，Idonotyetunderstand。"
TheSaintwasfarfrombeingaloneinthatdistaste，andhewhowritesloathedGreeklikepoison——tillhecametoHomer。LatintheSaintloved，except"whenreading，writing，andcastingofaccountswastaughtinLatin，whichIheldnotforlessepaynefullorpenalthantheveryGreeke。IweptforDido'sdeath，whomadeherselfeawaywiththesword，"hedeclares，"andevenso，thesayingthattwoandtwomakesfourewasanungratefulsonginmineears；
whereasthewoodenhorsefullofarmedmen，theburningofTroy，andtheveryGhostofCreusa，wasamostdelightfulspectacleofvanity。"
Inshort，theSaintwasaregularBoy——ahigh-spirited，clever，sportive，andwilfulcreature。Hewasasfondasmostboysofthemythicaltales，"andforthatIwasaccountedtobeatowardlyboy。"MeanwhilehedoesnotrecordthatMonicadislikedhislearningthefoolishdearoldheathenfables——"thatfloodofhell!"
Boyhoodgaveplacetoyouth，and，allowingforthevanityofself-
accusation，therecanbelittledoubtthattheyouthofSaintAugustinewasunejeunesseorageuse。"AndwhatwasthatwhereinI
tookdelightbuttoloveandtobebeloved。"Therewasevermuchsentimentandaffectioninhisamours，buthissoul"couldnotdistinguishthebeautyofchastlovefromthemuddydarknessoflust。Streamsofthemdidconfusedlyboylinme"——inhisAfricanveins。"Witharestlesskindofweariness"hepursuedthatOtherSelfofthePlatonicdream，neglectingtheLoveofGod:
"Oh，howlateartthoucome，OmyJoy!"
Thecourseofhiseducation——fortheBar，asweshouldsay——carriedhimfromhometoCarthage，whereherapidlyforgotthepurecounselsofhismother"asoldwife'sconsailes。""Andwedelightedindoingill，notonlyforthepleasureofthefact，butevenfortheaffectionofprayse。"EvenMonica，itseems，justifiedthesaying:
"EverywomanisatheartaRake。"
Marriagewouldhavebeenhismaking，SaintAugustinesays，"butshedesirednoteventhatsoverymuch，lestthecloggsofawifemighthavehinderedherhopesofme……Inthemeantimethereinswereloosedtomebeyondreason。"Yetthesinwhichheregretsmostbitterlywasnothingmoredreadfulthantherobberyofanorchard!
Pearshehadinplenty，nonethelesshewent，withabandofroisterers，andpillagedanotherman'speartree。"Ilovedthesin，notthatwhichIobtainedbythesame，butIlovedthesinitself。"Therelaythestingofit!Theywerenotevenunusuallyexcellentpears。"APearetreetherwas，neereourvineyard，heavyloadenwithfruite，whichtemptednotgreatlyeitherthesightortast。Totheshakingandrobbingthereof，certainemostwickedyoutheswhereofIwasonewentlateatnight。Wecarriedawayhugeburthensoffruitfromthence，notforourowneeating，buttobecastbeforethehoggs。"
Oh，moonlitnightofAfrica，andorchardbythesewildseabankswhereonceDidostood；oh，laughterofboysamongtheshakenleaves，andsoundoffallingfruit；howdoyoulivealoneoutofsomanynightsthatnomanremembers？ForCarthageisdestroyed，indeed，andforsakenofthesea，yetthatonehourofsummeristobeunforgottenwhilemanhasmemoryofthestoryofhispast。
Nothingofthis，tobesure，isinthemindoftheSaint，butalongremorseforthisgreatsin，whichheearnestlyanalyses。Norishesopenitentbutthatheisclear-sighted，andfindsthespringofhismis-doingintheSenseofHumour!"Itwasadelightandlaughterwhichtickledus，evenattheveryhart，tofindthatwewereuponthepointofdeceivingthemwhofearednosuchthingfromus，andwho，iftheyhadknownit，wouldearnestlyhaveprocuredthecontrary。"
SaintAugustineadmitsthathelivedwithafastset，aspeoplesaynow——"theDepravers"or"Destroyers"；thoughhelovedthemlittle，"whoseactionsIeverdidabhor，thatis，theirDestructionofothers，amongstwhomIyetlivedwithakindofshamelessbashfulness。"Inshort，the"Hell-FireClub"ofthatdaynumberedareluctantSaintamongitsmembers!ItwasnoChristiangospel，buttheHortensiusofCicerowhichwonhimfromthisperiloussociety。"Italteredmyaffection，andmademeaddressmyprayerstoThee，OLord，andgavemeotherdesiresandpurposesthanIhadbefore。Allvainhopesdidinstantlygrowbaseinmyneeyes，andI
did，withanincredibleheatofhart，aspiretowardstheImmortalityofWisdom。"Thusitwasreally"SaintTully，"andnotthemysticcallofTolle!Lege!that"converted"Augustine，divertingthecurrentofhislifeintothechannelofRighteousness。"HowwasIkindledthen，oh，myGod，withadesiretoflyfromearthlythingstowardsThee。"
TherenowremainedonlythechoiceofaRoad。SaintAugustinedateshisownconversionfromthedayofhisturningtothestraitChristianorthodoxy。EventhePlatonicwritings，hadheknownGreek，wouldnothavesatisfiedhisdesire。"ForwherewasthatCharitythatbuildethuponthefoundationofHumility，whichisChristJesus？……Thesepages"ofthePlatonists"carriednotinthemthiscountenanceofpiety——thetearsofconfession，andthatsacrificeofThinewhichisanafflictedspirit，acontriteandhumbledheart，thesalvationofThypeople，theSpouse，theCity，thepledgeofThyHolySpirit，theCupofourRedemption。Nomandoththerethusexpresshimself。ShallnotmysoulbesubjecttoGod，forofHimismysalvation？ForHeismyGod，andmysalvation，myprotectour；Ishallneverbemoved。Nomandoththereoncecallandsaytohim:'Comeuntomeallyouthatlabour。'"
TheheathendoctorshadnotthegracewhichSaintAugustineinstinctivelyknewhelacked——thegraceofHumility，northeComfortthatisnotfromwithinbutfromwithout。Totheseheaspired；letusfollowhimonthepathbywhichhecamewithintheirinfluence；butletusnotforgetthattheguideonthewaytotheCitywaskind，clever，wordy，vainoldMarcusTulliusCicero。
ItistotheCitythatallourfacesshouldbeset，ifweknewwhatbelongstoourpeace；thitherwecastfond，hopeless，backwardglances，evenifwebeofthosewhomTertulliancalls"SaintSatan'sPenitents。"Here，inAugustine，wemeetamanwhofoundthepath——oneofthefewwhohavefoundit，ofthefewwhohavewonthatLovewhichisouronlyrest。Itmaybeworthwhiletofollowhimtothejourney'send。
ThetreatiseofCicero，then，inflamedAugustine"tothelovingandseekingandfindingandholdingandinseparablyembracingofwisdomitself，wheresoeveritwas。"Yet，whenhelookedforwisdomintheChristianScriptures，alltheliteraryman，therhetoricianinhim，wasrepelledbythesimplicityofthestyle。WithoutgoingfurtherthanMr。Pater'sbook，"Marius，theEpicurean，"andhisaccountofApuleius，anEnglishreadermaylearnwhatkindofstylealearnedAfricanofthatdatefoundnottoosimple。ButCicero，ratherthanApuleius，wasAugustine'sideal；thatverboseandsonorouseloquencecaptivatedhim，asitdidtheearlyscholarswhenlearningrevived。AugustinehaddalliedalittlewiththesectoftheManichees，whichappearstohavegrievedhismothermorethanhiswildlife。
Butshewascomfortedbyavision，whenshefoundherselfinawood，andmet"agloriousyoungman，"whoinformedherthat"whereshewasthereshouldhersonbealso。"CuriousitistothinkthatthisverysemblanceofagloriousyoungmanhauntsthemagicaldreamsofheathenRedIndians，advisingthemwheretheyshallfindgame，andwasbeheldinsuchecstasiesbyJohnTanner，awhitemanwholivedwiththeIndians，andadoptedtheirreligion。TheGreekswouldhavecalledthisappearanceHermes，eveninthisguiseOdysseusmethimintheoakwoodofCirce'sIsle。ButAugustinewasnotyetinhismother'sfaith；hestilltaughtandstudiedrhetoric，contendingforitsprizes，butdecliningtobeaidedbyacertainwizardofhisacquaintance。Hehadenteredasacompetitorfora"Tragicallpoeme，"butwastoosportsmanliketoseekvictorybyartnecromantic。YethefollowedafterAstrologers，becausetheyusednosacrifices，anddidnotpretendtoconsultspirits。
EventhederisionofhisdearfriendNebridiuscouldnotthenmovehimfromthoseabsurdspeculations。Hisfrienddied，and"hiswholeheartwasdarkened；""mineeyeswouldbelookingforhiminallplaces，buttheyfoundhimnot，andIhatedallthingsbecausetheytoldmenonewsofhim。"Hefellintoanextremewearinessoflife，andnolessfearofdeath。Helivedbutbyhalves；havinglostdimidiumanimaesuae，andyetdreadeddeath，"LesthemightchancetohavewholydyedwhomeIextremelyloved。"SohereturnedtoCarthageforchange，andsoughtpleasureinotherfriendships；
but"BlessedisthemanthatlovesTheeandhisfriendinTheeandhisenemyforThee。Forheonlyneverlosethadearfriendtowhomallmenaredear，forHissake，whoisneverlost。"
Here，onthemarginoftheoldbook，besidethesethoughts，sobeautifulifsohelpless，likeallwords，toconsole，somereaderlongdeadhaswritten:-
"Prayforyourpoorservant，J。M。"
Andagain，"Prayforyourpoorfriend。"
Doubtless，someCatholicreader，himselfbereaved，isimploringtheprayersofadearfrienddead；andsureweneedtheirpetitionsmorethantheyneedours，whohaveleftthisworldoftemptation，andareatpeace。
AfterthislossSaintAugustinewenttoRome，hisambitionurginghim，perhaps，butmorehisdisgustwiththeviolentandriotouslifeofstudentsinCarthage。Toleavehismotherwasdifficult，but"Ilyedtomymother，yea，suchamother，andsoescapedfromher。"Andnowhehadadangeroussickness，andafterwardsbetookhimselftoconversewiththeorthodox，forexampleatMilanwithSaintAmbrose。InMilanhismotherwouldwillinglyhavecontinuedintheAfricanritual——aPagansurvival——carryingwineandfoodtothegravesofthedead；butthisSaintAmbroseforbade，andsheobeyedhimforhim"shedidextremelyaffectfortheregardofmyspirituallgood。"
FromMilanhisfriendAlipiusprecededhimtoRome，andthere"wasdamnablydelighted"withthegladiatorialcombats，being"madedrunkwithadelightinblood。"AugustinefollowedhimtoRome，andtherelostthegirlofhisheart，"sothatmyheartwaswounded，asthattheveryblooddidfollow。"Theladyhadmadeavowofeternalchastity，"havingleftmewithasonbyher。"Buthefelltoanewloveastheoldonewasdeparted，andyettheancientwoundpainedhimstill"afteramoredesperateanddoggedmanner。"
Haeretletalisarundo!
Bythesepassionshisconversionwasdelayed，thecarnalandspiritualwillsfightingagainsteachotherwithinhim。"Givemechastityandcontinency，OLord，"hewouldpray，"butdonotgiveityet，"andperhapsthisisthefrankestoftheconfessionsofSaintAugustine。Inthemidstofthiswarofthespiritandtheflesh，"BeholdIheardavoyce，asifithadbeenofsomeboyorgirlfromsomehousenotfarreoff，utteringandoftenrepeatingthesewordsinakindofsingingvoice，"Tolle，Lege；Tolle，Lege，Takeupandread，takeupandread。"
SohetookupaTestament，and，openingitatrandom，afterthemannerofhisVirgilianlots，read:-
"Notinsurfeitingandwantonness，notincausalityanduncleanness，"withwhatfollows。"NeitherwouldIreadanyfurther，neitherwasthereanycausewhyIshould。"SaintAugustinedoesnot，perhaps，meanustounderstandashistranslatordoes，thathewas"miraculouslycalled。"Heknewwhatwasrightperfectlywellbefore；thetextonlyclinchedaresolvewhichhehasfounditveryhardtomake。Perhapstherewasatrifleofsuperstitioninthematter。Weneverknowhowsuperstitiousweare。Atallevents，henceforth"Ineitherdesiredawife，norhadIanyambitiouscareofanyworldlything。"Hetoldhismother，andMonicarejoiced，believingthatnowherprayerswereanswered。
SuchisthestoryoftheconversionofSaintAugustine。Itwasthematuringofanoldpurpose，andlongdeferred。MuchstrangerstoriesaretoldofBunyanandColonelGardiner。Hegaveuprhetoric；anothermanwasengaged"tosellwords"tothestudentsofMilan。Beingnowconverted，theSaintbecomeslessinteresting，exceptforhisaccountofhismother'sdeath，andofthatecstaticconversetheyheld"sheandIalone，leaningagainstawindow，whichhadaprospectuponthegardenofourlodgingatOstia。"
They"Cameonthatwhichis，andheardThevastpulsationsoftheworld。"
"Andwhilestwethusspake，andpantedtowardsthedivine，wegrewabletotakealittletastethereof，withthewholestrifeofourhearts，andwesighedprofoundly，andleftthere，confined，theverytopandflowerofoursoulsandspirits；andwereturnedtothenoyseoflanguageagain，wherewordsarebegunandended。"
ThenMonicafellsicktodeath，andthoughshehadeverwishedtoliebesideherhusbandinAfrica，shesaid:"LaythisBodywhereyouwill。Letnotanycareofitdisquietyou；onlythisI
entreat，thatyouwillremembermeatthealtaroftheLord，wheresoeveryoube。""Butupontheninthdayofhersickness，inthesix-and-fiftiethyearofherage，andthethree-and-thirtiethofmine，thatreligiousandpioussoulwasdischargedfromtheprisonofherbody。"
ThegriefofAugustinewasnotlesskeen，itseems，thanithadbeenatthedeathofhisfriend。Buthecouldrememberhow"sherelatedwithgreatdearnessofaffection，howsheneverheardanyharshorunkindwordtobedartedoutofmymouthagainsther。"
Andtothisconsolationwasaddedwhoknowswhatofconfidenceandtendernessofcertainhope，orakindofdeadness，perhaps，thatmaylightenthepainofaheartveryoftentriedandinuredtoeverypain。Foritiscertainthat"thisgreenwound"wasgreenandgrievousforabriefertimethantheagonyofhisearliersorrows。Hehimself，soearnestinanalysinghisownemotions，isperplexedbytheshortdateofhistears，andhissharpestgrief:
"Lethimreaditwhowill，andinterpretitasitpleasethhim。"
So，withthedeathofMonica，wemayleaveSaintAugustine。Themosthumanofbooks，the"Confessions，"nowstraysintotheology。
Ofallbooksthatwhichitmostoddlyresembles，tomyfancyatleast，isthepoemsofCatullus。Thepassionandthetenderhearttheyhaveincommon，andincommonthewaroffleshandspirit；theshamefulinappeasableloveofLesbia，oroftheworldlylife；sodelightfulanddeartothepoetandtothesaint，sodespisedinothermoodsconqueredandvictoriousagain，amongthebattlesofthewarinourmembers。TheverywordsinwhichtheVeroneseandtheBishopofHippodescribedthepleasureandgaietyofanearlyfriendshiparealmostthesame，andwefeelthat，bornfourhundredyearslater，theloverofLesbia，thesingerofSirmiomightactuallyhavefoundpeaceinreligion，andexchangedtheearthlyfortheheavenlylove。
CHAPTERIX:SMOLLETT
ThegreatEnglishnovelistsoftheeighteenthcenturyturnedthecourseofEnglishLiteratureoutofitsolderchannel。HerstreamshaddescendedfromthedoublepeaksofParnassustoirrigatetheenamelledfieldsandelegantparterresofpoetryandthedrama，asthecriticsoftheperiodmighthavesaid。ButRichardson，Fielding，Smollett，andSterne，divertedthewaters，frompoetryandplays，intotheregionofthenovel，whithertheyhavebroughtdownacopiousalluvialdeposit。ModernauthorsdolittlebuttillthisfertileDelta:thedramaisnowinthedesert，poetryisadrug，andfictionisliterature。Amongthewriterswhomadethisrevolution，Smollettis，personally，theleastwellknowntotheworld，despitethegreatpartwhichautobiographyandconfessionsplayinhiswork。Heisalwaystalkingabouthimself，andintroducinghisownexperiences。Butthereislittleevidencefromwithout；hisextantcorrespondenceisscanty；hewasnotinDr。
Johnson'scircle，muchlesswasheinthatofHoraceWalpole。Hewasnotapopularman，andprobablyhehaslongceasedtobeapopularauthor。About1780thevendorsofchildren'sbooksissuedabridgmentsof"TomJones"and"Pamela，""Clarissa"and"JosephAndrews，"adaptedtotheneedsofinfantminds。Itwasacuriousenterprise，certainly，butthebooksellersdonotseemtohaveproduced"EveryBoy'sRoderickRandom，"or"PeregrinePicklefortheYoung。"Smollett，inshort，islessknownthanFieldingandSterne，evenThackeraysaysbutawordabouthim，inthe"EnglishHumorists，"andhehasnoplaceintheseriesof"EnglishMenofLetters。"
WhatweknowofSmollettrevealsathoroughlytypicalScotofhisperiod；aScotofthespeciesabsolutelyopposedtoSirPertinaxMacsycophant，andratherakintothespeciesofRobertBurns。
"Ratherakin，"wemaysay，forSmollett，likeBurns，wasahumorist，andinhishumourfarfromdainty；hewasapersonalsatirist，andasatiristfarfromchivalrous。LikeBurns，too，hewasapoetofindependence；likeBurns，andevenmorethanBurns，inatimeofpatronagehewasrecalcitrantagainstpatrons。But，unlikeBurns，hewasfarouchetoanextremedegree；and，unlikeBurns，hecarriedveryfarhisprejudicesabouthis"gentrice，"hisgentlebirth。Hereinheisattheoppositepolefromthegreatpeasantpoet。
Twopotentcharacteristicsofhiscountrywereatwarwithinhim。
Therewas，first，thebeliefin"gentrice，"inanaturaldifferenceofkindbetweenmenofcoatarmourandmenwithoutit。ThusRoderickRandom，thestarvingcadetofalineofsmalllairds，acceptsthealmostincredibleself-denialanddevotionofStrapasmerelyhisdue。PrinceCharlescouldnothavetakenthedevotionofHenryGoring，orofNeilMacEachain，moreentirelyasamatterofcourse，involvingnoconsiderationinreturn，thanRodericktooktheunparalleledself-sacrificeofhisbarberfriendandschool-
mate。Scotthasremarkedonthiscontemptuousandungratefulselfishness，andhascontrasteditwiththerelationsofTomJonesandPartridge。Ofcourse，itisnottobeassumedthatSmollettwouldhavebehavedlikeRoderick，when，"findingthefireinmyapartmentalmostextinguished，IventedmyfuryuponpoorStrap，whoseearIpinchedwithsuchviolencethatheroaredhideouslywithpain……"TobesureRoderickpresently"feltunspeakableremorse……foamedatthemouth，andkickedthechairsabouttheroom。"NowStraphadrescuedRoderickfromstarvation，hadbestowedonhimhundredsofpounds，andhadcarriedhisbaggage，anddinedonhisleavings。ButStrapwasnotgentlyborn!
Smollettwouldnot，probably，haveactedthus，buthedidnotconsidersuchconductathingoutofnature。
OntheothersidewasSmollett'sScottishspiritofindependence。
Asearlyas1515，JamesIngles，chaplainofMargaretTudor，wrotetoAdamWilliamson，"Youknowtheuseofthiscountry……Themanhathmorewordsthanthemaster，andwillnotbecontentexceptheknowthemaster'scounsel。Thereisnoorderamongus。"Straphadtheinstinctoffeudalloyaltytoadescendantofalaird。ButSmollettboaststhat，beingatthetimeabouttwenty，andhavingburdenedanoblemanwithhisimpossibleplay，"TheRegicide，"
"resolvedtopunishhisbarbarousindifference，andactuallydiscardedmyPatron。"HEwasnotgivento"booing"inthesenseofbowing，buthad，ofallknownScots，themost"cantyconceito'
himsel'。"Thesequalities，withaviolenceoftemperwhichtooktheformofbeatingpeoplewhenonhistravels，cannothavemadeSmollettapopularcharacter。Heknewhisfaults，asheshowsinthededicationof"Ferdinand，CountFathom，"tohimself。"Ihaveknownyoutrifling，superficial，andobstinateindispute；meanlyjealousandawkwardlyreserved；rashandhaughtyinyourresentment；andcoarseandlowlyinyourconnections。"
Hecould，itistrue，onoccasion，forgiveevenwherehehadnotbeenwronged，andcouldcompensate，inmildermoods，forthefierceattacksmadeinhourswhenhewas"meanlyjealous。"Yet，inearlylifeatleast，heregardedhisownRoderickRandomas"modestandmeritorious，"strugglingnoblywiththedifficultieswhichbeseta"friendlessorphan，"especiallyfromthe"selfishness，envy，malice，andbaseindifferenceofmankind。"Roderickhimselfis，infact，theincarnationofthebasestselfishness。Inoneofhisadventuresheisguiltyofthatextremeinfamywhichthed'Artagnanof"TheThreeMusketeers"andofthe"Memoirs"
committed，andforwhichthed'ArtagnanofLeVicomtedeBragelonnetookshametohimself。Whileengagedinavirtuouspassion，Rodericknotonlybehaveslikeavulgardebauchee，butpursuesthemeanestartsofthefortune-hunterwhoisreadytomarryanywomanforhermoney。Suchisthemodestandmeritoriousorphan，andmankindnowcarriesits"baseindifference"sofar，thatSmollett'sbiographer，Mr。Hannay，says，"ifRoderickhadbeenhanged，I，formypart，shouldhaveheardthetidingsunmoved……Smollettobviouslydiedwithoutrealisinghownearlythehero，whowasinsomesortaportraitofhimself，cametobeingaruffian。"
Dr。Carlyle，in1758，beinginLondon，foundSmollett"muchofahumorist，andnottobeputoutofhisway。"A"humorist，"here，meansanoverbearinglyeccentricperson，suchasSmollett，wholivedmuchinasocietyofliterarydependants，wasapttobecome。
ButDr。Carlylealsofoundthat，thoughSmollett"describedsowellthecharactersofruffiansandprofligates，"hedidnotresemblethem。Dr。Robertson，thehistorian，"expressedgreatsurpriseathispolishedandagreeablemanners，andthegreaturbanityofhisconversation。"Hewashandsomeinperson，ashisportraitshows，buthis"nervoussystemwasexceedinglyirritableandsubjecttopassion，"ashesaysintheLatinaccountofhishealthwhich，in1763，hedrewupforthephysicianatMontpellier。Though，whenhechose，hecouldbehavelikeamanofbreeding，andthoughheundeniablyhadawarmheartforhiswifeanddaughter，hedidnotalwayschoosetobehavewell。ExceptDr。Moore，hisbiographer，heseemstohavehadfewrealfriendsduringmostofhiscareer。
Astopersonswhomhechosetoregardashisenemies，hewasbeyondmeasurerancorousanddangerous。Fromhisfirstpatron，LordLyttelton，tohislast，hepursuedthemwithunscrupulousanimosity。Ifhedidnotmeanactuallytodrawportraitsofhisgrandfather，hiscousins，hisschool-master，andtheapothecarywhosegallipotsheattended——in"RoderickRandom，"——yethelefttheoriginalswhosuggestedhischaractersinaveryawkwardsituation。
Forassuredlyhedidentertainaspiteagainsthisgrandfather:
andasmanyoftheincidentsin"RoderickRandom"wereautobiographical，thepublicreadilyinferredthatotherswerefoundedonfactTheoutlinesofSmollett'scareerarefamiliar，thoughgapsinourknowledgeoccur。Perhapstheymaypartlybefilledupbytheaidofpassagesinhisnovels，plays，andpoems:inthese，atallevents，hedescribesconditionsandsituationsthroughwhichhehimselfmay，ormust，havepassed。
Bornin1721，hewasayoungersonofArchibald，ayoungersonofSirJamesSmollettofBonhill，ahouseonthenowpollutedLeven，betweenLochLomondandtheestuaryoftheClyde。Smollett'sfathermadeanimprudentmarriage:thegrandfatherprovidedasmall，butcompetentprovisionforhimandhisfamily，duringhisownlife。Thefather，Archibald，died；thegrandfatherleftnothingtothemotherofTobiasandherchildren，buttheywereassistedwithscrimpdecencybytheheirs。HencetheattacksonthegrandfatherandcousinsofRoderickRandom:but，later，Smollettreturnedtokinderfeelings。
InsomewaysTobiasresembledhisoldgrandsire。About1710thatgentlemanwroteaMemoirofhisownlife。HencewelearnthatHE，inchildhood，likeRoderickRandom，wasregardedas"aclogandburden，"andwasneglectedbyhisfather，ill-usedbyhisstep-
mother。ThusTobiashadnotonlyhisownearlypovertytoresent，buthadahereditarygrudgeagainstfortune，and"thebaseindifferenceofmankind。"Theoldgentlemanwaslodged"withveryhardandpenuriouspeople，"atGlasgowUniversity。Heroseintheworld，andwasagoodPresbyterianWhig，but"hadnoliberty"tohelptoforfeitJamesII。"Thepuirchild，hisson"JamesIII。
andVIII。，"ifhewasreallysuch，wasinnocent，anditwerehardtodoanythingthatwouldtouchthesonforthefather'sfault。"
Theoldgentleman，therefore，thoughaMemberofParliament，evadedattendingthefirstParliamentaftertheUnion:"Ihadnofreedomtodoit，becauseIunderstoodthatthegreatbusinesstobeagitatedthereinwastomakelawsforabjuringthePretender……
whichIcouldnotgoinwith，beingalwaysofopinionthatitwashardtoimposeoathsonpeoplewhohadnotfreedomtotakethem。"
Thiswasuncommonlyliberalconduct，inaWhig，andourSmollett，thoughnoJacobite，wasindistinctandcourageoussympathywithJacobiteScotland。Indeed，hewasaspatrioticasBurns，orashisownLismahago。Theseweretimes，wemustremember，inwhichScottishpatriotismwasmorethanamerehistoricalsentiment。
Scotlandwasinconceivablypoor，andScots，inEngland，werethereforeridiculous。Thecountryhad，sofar，gainedverylittlebytheUnion，andtheUnionwasdetestedevenbyScottishWhigEarls。ItisrecordedbyMoorethat，whileattheDumbartonGrammarSchool，Smollettwrote"versestothememoryofWallace，ofwhomhebecameanearlyadmirer，"havingread"BlindHarry'stranslationoftheLatinpoemsofJohnBlair，"chaplaintothathero。ThereprobablyneverwereanysuchLatinpoems，butSmollettbeganwiththesamehero-worshipasBurns。HehadtheattachmentofaScottohisnativestream，theLeven，whichlaterhewastocelebrate。NowifSmolletthadcreditedRoderickRandomwiththeserural，poetical，andpatriotictastes，hisherowouldhavebeenmuchmorehumanandamiable。TherewasmuchgoodinSmollettwhichisabsentinRandom。Butforsomereason，probablybecauseScotlandwasunpopularaftertheForty-Five，Smollettmerelydescribesthewoes，illusage，andretaliationsofRoderick。ThathesufferedasRandomdidistothelastdegreeimprobable。HehadafairknowledgeofLatin，andwasnotdestituteofGreek，whilehismaster，aMr。Love，boreagoodcharacterbothforhumanityandscholarship。HemusthavestudiedtheclassicsatGlasgowUniversity，wherehewasapprenticedtoMr。Gordon，asurgeon。