Gordon，again，wasanexcellentman，appreciatedbySmolletthimselfinafterdays，andtheodiousPotionof"RoderickRandom"
　　must，likehisrival，Crab，havebeenmerelyafancysketchofmeanness，hypocrisy，andprofligacy。Perhapsthegoodsurgeonbecamethevictimofthat"onecontinuedstringofepigrammaticsarcasms，"suchasMr。ColquhountoldRamsayofOchtertyre，Smollettusedtoplayoffonhiscompanions，"forwhichnotalentscouldcompensate。"JudgingbyDr。Carlyle'sMemoirsthisintolerablekindofdisplaywasnotunusualinCaledonianconversation:butitwasnotlikelytomakeTobiaspopularinEngland。
　　Thitherhewentin1739，withverylittlemoney，"andaverylargeassortmentoflettersofrecommendation:whetherhisrelativesintendedtocompensateforthescantinessoftheonebytheirprofusionintheotherisuncertain；buthehasoftenbeenheardtodeclarethattheirliberalityinthelastarticlewasprodigious。"
　　TheSmollettswerenot"kinlessloons"；theyhadconnections:butwho，inScotland，hadmoney？Tobiashadpassedhismedicalexaminations，butherathertrustedinhisMS。tragedy，"TheRegicide。"Tragicalwereitsresultsfortheauthor。InspiredbyGeorgeBuchanan'sLatinhistoryofScotland，Smolletthadproducedaplay，inblankverse，onthemurderofJamesI。Thataboy，evenaScottishboy，shouldhaveanoverweeningpassionforthisunluckypiece，thatheshouldexpectbysuchaworktoclimbasteponfortune'sladder，isnowadaysamazing。Fortenyearsheclungtoit，modifiedit，polished，improvedit，andthenpublisheditin1749，afterthesuccessof"RoderickRandom。"Twicehetoldthestoryofhistheatricalmishapsanddisappointments，whichweresuchasoccurtoeverywriterforthestage。Hewailedoverthemin"RoderickRandom，"inthestoryofMr。Melopoyn；heprolongedhiscry，intheprefaceto"TheRegicide，"andprobablythenoblewhomhe"lashed"veryindecentlyinhistwosatires"Advice，"
　　1746，"Reproof，"1747，andin"RoderickRandom"wasthepatronwhocouldnotgetthetragedyacted。First，in1739，hehadapatronwhomhe"discarded。"ThenhewenttotheWestIndies，and，returningin1744，heluggedouthistragedyagain，andfellfoulagainofpatrons，actors，andmanagers。Whatbefellhimwasthecommonfate。Peopledidnot，probably，hastentoreadhisplay:
　　managersand"superciliouspeers"postponedthatentertainment，or，atleast，thenoblemencouldnotmakethemanagersacceptitiftheydidnotwantit。OurtastedifferssomuchfromthatofthetimewhichadmiredHome's"Douglas，"and"TheRegicide"wassooftenalteredtomeetobjections，thatwecanscarcelycriticiseit。Ofcourseitisabsolutelyunhistorical；ofcourseitisemptyofcharacter，andrepletewithfustian，andineffablytedious；butperhapsitisnotmuchworsethanotherluckiertragediesoftheage。Naturallyalovercallshiswoundedlady"thebleedingfair。"
　　Naturallysheexclaims-
　　"CelestialpowersProtectmyfather，showeruponhis——oh!"Dies。
　　Naturallyheradoreranswerswith-
　　"SomayourminglingsoulsToblisssupernalwingourhappy——oh!"Dies。
　　Weareremindedof-
　　"Alas，myBom!"Dies。
　　"'Bastes'hewouldhavesaid!"
　　Thepiece，ifpresented，musthavebeendamned。ButSmollettwassoangrywithonepatron，LordLyttelton，thatheburlesquedthepoorman'sdirgeonthedeathofhiswife。HewassoangrywithGarrickthathedraggedhiminto"RoderickRandom"asMarmozet。
　　Later，obligedbyGarrick，andforgivingLyttelton，hewroterespectfullyaboutboth。But，in1746in"Advice"，hehadassailedthe"proudlord，whosmilesagraciouslie，"and"thevarnishedruffiansoftheState。"BecauseTobias'splaywasunacted，peoplewhotriedtoaidhimwereliarsandruffians，andagreatdealworse，forinhissatire，asinhisfirstnovel，Smollettchargesmenofhighrankwiththeworstofunnamablecrimes。PollioandLordStrutwell，whoevertheymayhavebeen，wereprobablyrecognisablethen，andwereundeniablylibelled，thoughtheydidnotappealtoajury。ItisimprobablethatSirJohnCopehadevertriedtoobligeSmollett。HisignobleattackonCope，afterthatunfortunateGeneralhadbeenfairlyandhonourablyacquittedofincompetenceandcowardice，was，then，whollydisinterested。Copeis"acourtierApe，appointedGeneral。"
　　"ThenPug，aghast，fledfasterthanthewind，Nordeign'd，inthree-scoremiles，tolookbehind；
　　Whileeverybandforordersbleatinvain，Andfallinslaughteredheapsupontheplain，"-
　　ofPrestonPans。
　　Nothingcouldbemoreremotefromthetruth，ormoreunjustlycruel。Smolletthadnothereeventheexcuseofpatriotism。SirJohnCopewasnoButcherCumberland。Infactthepoet'sfriendisnotwrong，when，in"Reproof，"hecallsSmollett"aflagrantmisanthrope。"TheworldwasoutofjointforthecadetofBonhill:
　　bothbeforeandafterhisverytryingexperiencesasashipsurgeonthemanagerswouldnotaccept"TheRegicide。"ThiswasreasongoodwhySmollettshouldtrytomakealittlemoneyandnotorietybypenningsatires。Theyarefierce，foul-mouthed，andpointless。
　　ButSmollettwaspoor，andhewasangry；hehadtheexamplesofPopeandSwiftbeforehim；which，asfarastruculencewent，hecouldimitate。Aboveall，itwasthenthefixedbeliefofmenoflettersthatsomepeerorotheroughttoaidandsupportthem；and，asnopeerdidsupportSmollett，obviouslytheywere"varnishedruffians。"Heerredashewouldnoterrnow，fortimes，andwaysofgoingwrong，arechanged。But，atbest，howdifferentarehisangrycoupletsfromtheloftymelancholyofJohnson'ssatires!
　　Smollett's"smallsumofmoney"didnotpermithimlongtopushthefortunesofhistragedy，in1739；andasforhis"verylargeassortmentoflettersofrecommendation，"theyonlyprocuredforhimthepostofsurgeon'smateintheCumberlandoftheline。Herehesawenoughofthehorrorsofnavallife，enoughofmisery，brutality，andmismanagement，atCarthagena1741，tosupplymaterialsforthesalutaryandsickeningpagesonthatthemein"RoderickRandom。"Healsosawandappreciatedthesterlingqualitiesofcourage，simplicity，andgenerosity，whichhehasmadeimmortalinhisBowlingsandTrunnions。
　　Itispartofanovelist'sbusinesstomakeonehalfoftheworldknowhowtheotherhalflives；andinthisprovinceSmollettanticipatedDickens。Helefttheserviceassoonashecould，whenthebeatenfleetwasrefittingatJamaica。Inthatisleheseemstohavepractisedasadoctor；andhemarried，orwasbetrothedto，aMissLascelles，whohadasmallandfarfromvaluableproperty。
　　Therealdateofhismarriageisobscure:moreobscureareSmollett'sresourcesonhisreturntoLondon，in1744。HousesinDowningStreetcanneverhavebeencheap，butwefind"Mr。
　　Smollett，surgeoninDowningStreet，Westminster，"and，in1746，hewaslivinginMayFair，notaregionforslenderpurses。Histragedywasnowbringinginnothingbuttrouble，tohimselfandothers。Hissatirescannothavebeenlucrative。AsadwellerinMayFairhecouldnotsupporthimself，likehisMr。Melopoyn，bywritingballadsforstreetsingers。Probablyhepractisedinhisprofession。In"CountFathom"hemakeshisadventurer"purchaseanoldchariot，whichwasnewpaintedfortheoccasion，andlikewisehireafootman……Thisequipage，thoughmuchmoreexpensivethanhisfinancescouldbear，hefoundabsolutelynecessarytogivehimachanceofemployment……Awalkingphysicianwasconsideredasanobscurepedlar。"Achariot，Smollettinsists，wasnecessaryto"everyrawsurgeon"；whileBobSawyer'sexpedientof"beingcalledfromchurch"wasalreadyvieuxjeu，inthewayofadvertisement。
　　Suchthingshadbeen"injudiciouslyhackneyed。"InthispassageofFathom'sadventures，Smollettproclaimshisinsightintomethodsofgettingpractice。Aphysicianmustingratiatehimselfwithapothecariesandladies'maids，or"acquireinterestenough"tohaveaninfirmaryerected"bythevoluntarysubscriptionsofhisfriends。"HereSmollettdenounceshospitals，which"encouragethevulgartobeidleanddissolute，byopeninganasylumtothemandtheirfamilies，fromthediseasesofpovertyandintemperance。"
　　Thisisoddmoralityforonewhosufferedfrom"thebaseindifferenceofmankind。"Heoughttohaveknownthatpovertyisnotaviceforwhichthepooraretobeblamed；andthatintemperanceisnottheonlyothercauseoftheirdiseases。
　　PerhapstheunfeelingpassageisamereparadoxinthestyleofhisownLismahago。
　　Withorwithoutachariot，itisprobablethatTobiashadnotaninsinuatingstyle，or"agoodbedsidemanner"；friendstosupportahospitalforhisrenownhehadnone；but，somehow，hecouldliveinMayFair，and，in1746，couldmeetDr。CarlyleandStewart，sonoftheProvostofEdinburgh，andotherScots，attheGoldenBallinCockspurStreet。Theretheywereenjoying"afrugalsupperandalittlepunch，"whenthenewsofCullodenarrived。CarlylehadbeenaWhigvolunteer:he，probably，washappyenough；butStewart，whosefatherwasinprison，grewpale，andlefttheroom。SmollettandCarlylethenwalkedhomethroughsecludedstreets，andweresilent，lesttheirspeechshouldbewraythemforScots。"JohnBull，"quothSmollett，"isashaughtyandvaliantto-day，ashewasabjectandcowardlyontheBlackWednesdaywhentheHighlanderswereatDerby。"
　　"Weep，Caledonia，weep!"hehadwritteninhistragedy。Nowhewrote"Mourn，haplessCaledonia，mourn。"Scotthasquoted，fromGrahamofGartmore，thestoryofSmollett'swritingverses，whileGartmoreandotherswereplayingcards。Hereadthemwhathehadwritten，"TheTearsofScotland，"andaddedthelastverseonthespot，whenwarnedthathisopinionsmightgiveoffence。
　　"Yes，spiteofthineinsultingfoe，Mysympathisingverseshallflow。"
　　The"Tears"arebetterthanthe"OdetoBlue-EyedAnn，"probablyMrs。Smollett。Butthecourageousauthorof"TheTearsofScotland，"hadmanifestlybrokenwithpatrons。HealsobrokewithRich，themanageratCoventGarden，forwhomhehadwrittenanoperalibretto。Hehadfailedasdoctor，andasdramatist；nor，assatirist，hadhesucceeded。Yethemanagedtowearwigandsword，andtobeseeningoodmen'scompany。Perhapshiswife'slittlefortunesupportedhim，till，in1748，heproduced"RoderickRandom。"ItiscertainthatweneverfindSmollettinthedeepdistressesofDr。JohnsonandGoldsmith。Novelswerenowinvogue；
　　"Pamela"wasrecent，"JosephAndrews"wasyetmorerecent，"ClarissaHarlowe"hadjustappeared，andFieldingwaspublishing"TomJones。"Smollett，too，triedhishand，and，atlast，hesucceeded。
　　Hisideasofthenovelareofferedinhispreface。TheNovel，forhim，isadepartmentofSatire；"themostentertaininganduniversallyimproving。"ToSmollett，"RoderickRandom"seemedan"improving"work!Ouledidacticismevat'ilsenicher？Romance，hedeclares，"aroseinignorance，vanity，andsuperstition，"anddeclinedinto"theludicrousandunnatural。"ThenCervantes"convertedromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining，bymakingitassumethesock，andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife。"Romancewastoreviveagainsometwentyyearsafteritsfuneralorationwasthusdelivered。AsforSmolletthimself，heprofessedly"followstheplan"ofLeSage，in"GilBlas"aplanasoldasPetroniusArbiter，andthe"GoldenAss"ofApuleius；buthegivesmoreplaceto"compassion，"soasnottointerferewith"generousindignation，whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld。"Asacontrasttosordidvice，wearetoadmire"modestmerit"inthatexemplaryorphan，Mr。Random。ThisgentlemanisaNorthBriton，becauseonlyinNorthBritaincanapoororphangetsuchaneducationasRoderick's"birthandcharacterrequire，"andforotherreasons。
　　Now，asforRoderick，theschoolmaster"gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImade，"but，"shouldendeavour，withGod'shelp，topreventmyfutureimprovement。"ItmusthavebeenatGlasgowUniversity，then，thatRodericklearned"Greekverywell，andwasprettyfaradvancedinthemathematics，"andherehemusthaveusedhisgeniusforthebelleslettres，intheinterestofhis"amorouscomplexion，"by"lampooningtherivals"oftheyoungladieswhoadmiredhim。
　　Sucharethehappybeginnings，accompaniedbypracticaljokes，ofthisinterestingmodel。Smollett'sheroes，oneconceives，wereintendedtobefine，thoughnotfaultlessyoungfellows；men，notplasterimages；brave，generous，free-living，but，asRoderickfindsonce，whenexamininghisconscience，purefromseriousstainsonthatimportantfaculty。Toustheseheroesoftenappearnobetterthanruffians；PeregrinePickle，forexample，ratherexcelstheinfamyofFerdinand，CountFathom，incertainrespects；thoughFerdinandisprofessedly"oftentheobjectofourdetestationandabhorrence，"andisleftinaverybad，but，as"HumphreyClinker"
　　shows，inbynomeansahopelessway。Yet，throughout，Smollettregardedhimselfasamoralist，awriterofimprovingtendencies；
　　onewho"lashedthevicesoftheage。"Hewasbynomeanswhollymistaken，butweshouldprobablywrongtheeighteenthcenturyifweacceptedallSmollett'scensuresasentirelydeserved。Theviceswhichhelashedarethosewhichhedetected，orfanciedthathedetected，inpeoplewhoregardedamodestandmeritoriousScottishorphanwithbaseindifference。Unluckilythegreaterpartofmankindwasguiltyofthiscrime，andconsequentlywascapableofeverything。
　　EnoughhasprobablybeensaidabouttheutterlydistastefulfigureofSmollett'shero。InChapterLX。wefindhimlivingontheresourcesofStrap，thenlosingallStrap'smoneyatplay，andthen"Ibilkmytaylor。"Thatis，Roderickordersseveralsuitsofnewclothes，andsellsthemforwhattheywillfetch。MeanwhileStrapcanlivehonestlyanywhere，whilehehashistenfingers。Roderickrescueshimselffrompovertybyengaging，withhisuncle，intheslavetrade。Weareapttoconsiderthiscommerceinfamous。But，in1763，theEvangelicaldirectorwhohelpedtomakeCowper"acastaway，"wrote，astotheslaver'sprofession:"Itis，indeed，accountedagenteelemployment，andisusuallyveryprofitable，thoughtomeitdidnotproveso，theLordseeingthatalargeincreaseofwealthcouldnotbegoodforme。"Thereverendgentlemanhad，doubtless，oftensung-
　　"Timeforustogo，Timeforustogo，Andwhenwe'dgotthehatchesdown，'Twastimeforustogo!"
　　Roderick，apartfrom"blackivory，"isaidedbyhisuncleandhislonglostfather。Thebaseworld，inthepersonsofStrap，Thompson，theuncle，Mr。Sagely，andotherpeople，treatshiminfinitelybetterthanhedeserves。HisveryloveasalwaysinSmollettisonlyananimalappetite，vigorouslyinsisteduponbytheauthor。Byanaturalreaction，Scott，muchasheadmiredSmollett，introducedhisownblamelessheroes，andevenThackeraycouldonlyhintatthedefectsofyouth，in"Esmond。"Thackerayisaccusedofmakinghisgoodpeoplestupid，ortoosimple，oreccentric，andotherwisecontemptible。Smollettwentfurther:
　　Strap，amodelofbenevolence，isludicrousandacoward；evenBowlinghasthestageeccentricitiesofthesailor。Mankindwascertain，inthelongrun，todemandheroesmoreamiableandworthyofrespect。Ourinclinations，asScottsays，arewith"theopen-
　　hearted，good-humoured，andnoble-mindedTomJones，whoselibertinismoneparticularomittedisperhapsrenderedbuttooamiablebyhisgoodqualities。"TobesureRoderickdoesbefriend"areclaimedstreet-walker"inherworstneed，butwhymakehertheconfidanteofthevirginalNarcissa？WhyrewardStrapwithherhand？Fieldingdecidedly，asScottinsists，"placesbeforeusheroes，andespeciallyheroines，ofamuchhigheraswellasmorepleasingcharacter，thanSmollettwasabletopresent。"
　　"ButthedeepandfertilegeniusofSmollettaffordedresourcessufficienttomakeupforthesedeficiencies……IfFieldinghadsuperiortaste，thepalmofmorebrilliancyofgenius，moreinexhaustiblerichnessofinvention，mustinjusticebeawardedtoSmollett。Incomparisonwithhissphere，thatinwhichFieldingwalkedwaslimited……"ThesecondpartofScott'sparallelbetweenthemenwhomheconsideredthegreatestofournovelists，qualifiesthefirst。Smollett'sinventionwasnotricherthanFielding's，butthesphereinwhichhewalked，thecircleofhisexperience，wasmuchwider。Onedivisionoflifetheyknewaboutequallywell，thecategoryofrakes，adventurers，card-sharpers，unhappyauthors，peopleofthestage，andladieswithoutreputations，ineverydegree。Therewereconditionsofhighersociety，ofEnglishruralsociety，andofclericalsociety，whichFielding，bybirthandeducation，knewmuchbetterthanSmollett。
　　ButSmolletthadtheadvantageofhisearlyyearsinScotland，thenaslittleknownasJapan；withthe"nauticalmultitude，"fromcaptaintoloblollyboy，hewasintimatelyfamiliar；withtheWestIndieshewasacquainted；andhelaterresidedinParis，andtravelledinFlanders，sothathehadmoreexperience，certainly，ifnotmoreinvention，thanFielding。
　　In"RoderickRandom"heusedScottish"localcolour"verylittle，buthislifehadfurnishedhimwithasurprisingwealthof"strangeexperiences。"Innswere，wemustbelieve，thefavouritehomeofadventures，andSmollettcouldringendlesschangesonmistakesaboutbedrooms。NoneofthemissoinnocentlydivertingastheaffairofMr。Pickwickandtheladyinyellowcurl-papers；buttheabsenceofthatinnocencewhichheightensMr。Pickwick'sdistresseswaswelcometoadmirersofwhatLadyMaryWortleyMontagucalls"gayreading。"
　　Shewrotefromabroad，in1752，"ThereissomethinghumorousinR。
　　Random，thatmakesmebelievethattheauthorisH。Fielding"——herkinsman。Herladyshipdidhercousinlittlejustice。Shedidnotcomplainofthemoralsof"R。Random，"butthought"Pamela"and"Clarissa""likelytodomoregeneralmischiefthantheworksofLordRochester。"Probably"R。Random"didlittleharm。Hiscareeristooobviouslyideal。Toomanyupsanddownsoccurtohim，andfeworphansofmeritcouldsetbeforethemselvestheidealofbilkingtheirtailors，gamblingbywayofaprofession，dealingintheslavetrade，andwheedlingheiresses。
　　Thevarietyofcharacterinthebookisvast；inMorganwehaveanexcellent，fiery，Welshman，ofthestagetype；thedifferentminormiscreantsareallvividlydesigned；theeccentricladyauthormayhavehadarealoriginal；MissSnapperhasmuchvivacityasawit；
　　theFrenchadventuresinthearmyare，intheirrudebarbaricway，aforecastofBarryLyndon's；and，generally，bothScottandThackerayoweagooddealtoSmollettinthewayofsuggestions。
　　Smollett'sextraordinaryloveofdilatingonnoisomesmellsandnoisomesights，thatintenseaffectionforthephysicallynauseous，whichhesharedwithSwift，isratherlessmarkedin"Roderick"
　　thanin"HumphreyClinker，"and"TheAdventuresofanAtom。"ThescenesintheMarshalseamusthavebeenfamiliartoDickens。TheterriblehistoryofMissWilliamsisHogarth'sHarlot'sProgressdoneintounsparingprose。Smollettguidesusatabriskpacethroughtheshadyandbrutalsideoftheeighteenthcentury；hisvivacityisasunflaggingasthatofhisdisagreeablerattleofahero。Thepassionusuallyunderstoodasloveis，tobesure，oneofwhichheseemstohavenoconception；heregardsawomanmuchasagreedypersonmightregardasirloinofbeef，or，atleast，aplateofortolans。Athermarriageabrideis"dishedup；"thatisall。
　　Thusthis"gaywriting"nolongermakesusgay。Inreading"PeregrinePickle"and"HumphreyClinker，"amanmayfindhimselflaughingaloud，buthardlyinreading"RoderickRandom。"Thefunisofthecruelprimitivesort，arisingmerelyfromthecontemplationofsomebody'spainfuldiscomfiture。BowlingandRattlinmayberegardedwithaffectionaterespect；butRoderickhasonlyphysicalcourageandvivacitytorecommendhim。WhetherSmollett，inFlaubert'sdeliberateway，purposelyabstainedfrommoralisingonthemanyscenesofphysicaldistresswhichhepainted；orwhetherhemerelyregardedthemwithoutemotion，hasbeendebated。Itseemsmoreprobablethathethoughttheycarriedtheirownmoral。ItisthemostsympathetictouchinRoderick'scharacter，thathewritesthusofhismiserablecrewofslaves:
　　"Ourshipbeingfreedfromthedisagreeableladingofnegroes，TO
　　WHOMINDEEDIHADBEENAMISERABLESLAVESINCEOURLEAVINGTHE
　　COASTOFGUINEA，Ibegantoenjoymyself。"Smollettwasaphysician，andhadthepitifulnessofhisprofession；thoughweseehowcasuallyhemakesRandomtouchonhisownunwontedbenevolence。
　　Peoplehadnotbeguntoknowtheextentoftheirownbrutalityintheslavetrade，butSmollettprobablydidknowit。Ifacuriouspropheticletterattributedtohim，andpublishedmorethantwentyyearsafterhisdeath，begenuine；hehadthestrongestopinionsaboutthisformofcommercialenterprise。Buthedidnotwearhisheartonhissleeve，whereheworehisirritablenervoussystem。
　　Itisprobableenoughthathefeltforthevictimsofpoverty，neglect，andoppressiondespitehisremarksonhospitalsaskeenlyasDickens。WemightregardhisoffensivelyungratefulRoderickasapurelydramaticexhibitionofayoungman，ifhisotherheroeswerenotasbad，orworse；iftheirfewredeemingqualitieswerenotstuckoninpatches；andifhehadomittedhisremarkaboutRoderick's"modestmerit。"Ontheotherhand，thegoodsideofMatthewBrambleseemstobedrawnfromSmollett'sowncharacter，and，ifthatbethecase，hecanhavehadlittlesympathywithhisownhumorousBarryLyndons。ScottandThackerayleanedtothefavourableview:Smollett，hisnervoussystemapart，wasmanlyandkindly。
　　Asregardsplot，"RoderickRandom"isamerestringofpicturesqueadventures。Itisattheoppositepolefrom"TomJones"inthematterofconstruction。Thereisnoreasonwhyitshouldeverstopexcepttheconvenienceofprintersandbinders。Perhapswelaytoomuchstressonthesomewhatmechanicalartofplot-building。
　　FieldingwasthensettingthefirstandbestEnglishexampleofacraftinwhichtheverygreatestauthorshavebeenweak，orofwhichtheywerecareless。Smollettwasalwaysrathermoreincapable，orrathermoreindifferent，inplot-weaving，thangreatermen。
　　Inourdayofroyalties，andgossipaboutthegainsofauthors，itwouldbeinterestingtoknowwhatmannerandsizeofachequeSmollettreceivedfromhispublisher，thecelebratedMr。Osborne。
　　Wedonotknow，butSmollettpublishedhisnextnovel"oncommission，""printedfortheAuthor"；soprobablyhewasnotwellsatisfiedwiththepecuniaryresultof"RoderickRandom。"Thereby，saysDr。Moore，he"acquiredmuchmorereputationthanmoney。"Sohenowpublished"TheRegicide""bysubscription，thatmethodofpublicationbeingthenmorereputablethanithasbeenthoughtsince"1797。Of"TheRegicide，"anditsunluckypreface，enough，ormore，hasbeensaid。Thepublicsidedwiththemanagers，notwiththemeritoriousorphan。
　　Forthesakeofpleasure，orofnewexperiences，orofeconomy，SmollettwenttoParisin1750，wherehemetDr。Moore，laterhisbiographer，thepoeticalDr。Akenside，andanaffectedpainter。Heintroducedthepoetandpainterinto"PeregrinePickle"；andmakesslightuseofagroupofexiledJacobites，includingMr。HunterofBurnside。In1750，therewereJacobitesenoughintheFrenchcapital，allwonderingverymuchwherePrinceCharlesmightbe，andquiteunconsciousthathewastheirneighbourinaconventintheRueSt。Dominique。ThoughMooredoesnotsaysoheisprovokinglyeconomicalofdetail，wemaypresumethatSmollettwentwanderinginFlanders，asdoesPeregrinePickle。ItiscuriousthatheshouldintroduceaCapucin，aJew，andablack-eyeddamsel，allintheGhentdiligence，whenweknowthatPrinceCharlesdidliveinGhent，withtheblack-eyedMissWalkenshaw，didgoaboutdisguisedasaCapucin，andwastrackedbyaJewishspy，whiletheotherspy，YoungGlengarry，styledhimself"Pickle。"Butallthoseeventsoccurredaboutayearafterthenovelwaspublishedin1751。
　　BeforethatdateSmolletthadgotanM。D。degreefromAberdeenUniversity，and，afterreturningfromFrance，hepractisedforayearortwoatBath。Buthecouldnotexpecttobesuccessfulamongfashionableinvalids，and，in"HumphreyClinker，"hemakeMatthewBramblegivesuchanaccountoftheBathwatersasM。Zolamightenvy。Hewasstilltryingtogaingroundinhisprofession，when，inMarch1751，Mr。D。Wilsonpublishedthefirsteditionof"PeregrinePickle""fortheAuthor，"unnamed。Ihaveneverseenthisfirstedition，whichwas"verycuriousanddisgusting。"
　　Smollett，inhisprefacetothesecondedition，talksof"theartandindustrythatwereusedtostiflehiminthebirth，bycertainbooksellersandothers。"Henow"reformedthemanners，andcorrectedtheexpressions，"removedormodifiedsomepassagesofpersonalsatire，andheldhimselfexemptfrom"thenumerousshaftsofenvy，rancour，andrevenge，thathavelately，bothinprivateandpublic，beenlevelledathisreputation。"Whowerethesebaseandpitilessdastards？Probablyeveryonewhodidnotwritefavourablyaboutthebook。PerhapsSmollettsuspectedFielding，whomheattacksinseveralpartsofhisworks，treatinghimasakindofJonathanWild，athief-taker，andanassociatewiththieves。WhySmollettthusmisconductedhimselfisaproblem，unlesshewaseither"meanlyjealous，"orhadtakenoffenceatsomeremarksinFielding'snewspaper。Smollettcertainlybeganthewar，inthefirsteditionof"PeregrinePickle。"Hemadeakindofpalinodetothe"tradingjustice"later，asotherpeopleofhiskindhavedone。
　　Apointin"PeregrinePickle"easilyassailedwasthelongepisodeaboutaLadyofQuality:thebeautifulLadyVane，whosememoirsSmollettintroducedintohistale。HoraceWalpolefoundthatshehadomittedtheonlyfeatureinhercareerofwhichshehadjustreasontobeproud:thenumberofherlovers。NobodydoubtedthatSmollettwaspaidforcastinghismantleoverLadyVane:moreover，hemightexpectasuccessofscandal。Theromanaclefisalwayspopularwithscandal-mongers，butitsauthorscanhardlyhopetoescaperebuke。
　　Itwasnottill1752thatLadyMaryWortleyMontagu，inItaly，received"Peregrine，"withotherfashionableromances——"PompeytheLittle，""TheParishGirl，""Eleanora'sAdventures，""TheLifeofMrs。TheresaConstantiaPhipps，""TheAdventuresofMrs。Loveil，"
　　andsoon。Mostofthemcontainedportraitsofrealpeople，and，nodoubt，mostofthemwerethereforesuccessful。Butwherearetheynow？LadyMarythoughtLadyVane'spartof"Peregrine""moreinstructivetoyoungwomenthananysermonthatIknow。"SheregardedFieldingaswithCongreve，theonly"original"ofherage，butFieldinghadtowriteforbread，andthatis"themostcontemptiblewayofgettingbread。"Shedidnot，atthistime，evenknowSmollett'sname，butsheadmiredhim，and，later，callshim"mydearSmollett。"ThisladythoughtthatFieldingdidnotknowwhatsorryfellowshisTomJonesandCaptainBoothwere。NotnearsosorryasPereginePicklewerethey，forthisgentlemanisafarmoreatrociousruffianthanRoderickRandom。
　　Nonetheless"Peregrine"isSmollett'sgreatestwork。Nothingissorichinvarietyofcharacter，scene，andadventure。Wearecarriedalongbytheswiftandcopiousvolumeofthecurrent，carriedintoveryqueerplaces，andintotheoddestmiscellaneouscompany，butwecannotescapefromSmollett'svigorousgrasp。SirWalterthoughtthat"Roderick"excelleditssuccessorin"easeandsimplicity，"andthatSmollett'ssailors，in"Pickle，""borderoncaricature。"Nodoubttheydo:theeccentricitiesofHawserTrunnion，Esq。，areexaggerated，andPipesislesssubduedthanRattlin，thoughalwaysdelightful。ButTrunnionabsolutelymakesonelaughoutaloud:whetherheiscriticisingthesisterofMr。
　　GamalielPickleinthatgentleman'spresence，atapot-house；orridingtothealtarwithhissquadronofsailors，tackinginanunfavourablegale；orbeingrunawayintoapackofhounds，andclearingahollowroadoverawaggoner，whoviewshimwith"unspeakableterrorandamazement。"Mr。WinkleasanequestrianisnotmoreentirelyacceptabletothemindthanTrunnion。Wemayspeakof"caricature，"butifanauthorcanmakeussobwithlaughter，tocriticisehimsolemnlyisungrateful。
　　ExceptFieldingoccasionally，andSmollett，andSwift，andSheridan，andtheauthorsof"TheRovers，"onedoesnotrememberanywritersoftheeighteenthcenturywhoquiteupsetthegravityofthereader。Thesceneofthepedant'sdinnerafterthemanneroftheancients，doesnotseemtomyselfsocomicastheadventuresofTrunnion，whilethebrideisatthealtar，andthebridegroomistackingandveeringwithhisconvoyaboutthefields。Oneseeshowthedinnerisdone:withaknowledgeofAthenaeus，Juvenal，Petronius，andHorace，manymencouldhavewrittenthissetpiece。
　　ButTrunnionisquiteinimitable:heisachildofhumourandofthehighestspirits，likeMr。Wellertheelder。TillScottcreatedMauseHeadrig，noCaledonianhadeverproducedanythingexcept"Tamo'Shanter，"thatcouldbeapendanttoTrunnion。Hispathosispossiblyjustatrifleoverdone，thoughthatisnotmyownopinion。
　　DearTrunnion!hemakesmeoverlookthegambolsofhisdetestableprotege，thehero。
　　Thatscoundrelisnotanimpossiblecaricatureofanobstinate，vain，cruellibertine。PeregrinewaspreciselythemantofallinlovewithEmiliapourlebonmotif，andthenattempttoruinher，thoughshewasthesisterofhisfriend，bydevicesworthyofLovelaceathislastandloweststage。Peregrine'soverwhelmingvanity，swollenbyfacileconquests，wouldinevitablyhavedegradedhimtothisabyss。Theintriguewasonlytheworstofthoseinfamouspracticaljokesofhis，inwhichSmolletttakesacruelandunholydelight。Peregrine，infact，isaheroofnaturalisme，exceptthathisfitsofgenerosityaremerepatchesdaubedon，andthathisreformationisafarce，inwhichamodernnaturalistewouldhavedisdainedtoindulge。Emilia，inherscenewithPeregrineinthebougetowhichhehascarriedher，risesmuchaboveSmollett'sheroines，andwecouldlikeher，ifshehadneverforgivenbehaviourwhichwasbeneathpardon。
　　Peregrine'seducationatWinchesterbearsoutLordElcho'sdescriptionofthatacademyinhislatelypublishedMemoirs。ItwasapttodevelopPeregrines；andLordElchohimselfmighthavefurnishedSmollettwithsuitableadventures。TherecanbenodoubtthatCadwalladerCrabtreesuggestedSirMalachiMalagrowthertoScott，andthatHatchwayandPipes，takinguptheirabodewithPeregrineintheFleet，gaveahinttoDickensforSamWellerandMr。Pickwickinthesameabode。That"Peregrine""doesfarexcel'JosephAndrews'and'Amelia'，"asScottdeclares，fewmodernreaderswilladmit。Theworldcoulddomuchbetterwithout"Peregrine"thanwithout"Joseph"；whileAmeliaherselfaloneisastudygreatlypreferabletothewholeworksofSmollett:such，atleast，istheopinionofadeclaredworshipperofthatpeerlesslady。Yet"Peregrine"isakindofOdysseyoftheeighteenthcentury:anepicofhumourandofadventure。
　　InFebruary1753，Smollett"obligedthetown"withhis"AdventuresofFerdinand，CountFathom，"acosmopolitanswindlerandadventurer。ThebookisSmollett's"BarryLyndon，"yetashisherodoesnottellhisownstory，butisperpetuallyheldupasa"dreadfulexample，"thereisnoneofThackeray'sirony，noneofhissubtlety。"Hereisareallybadman，aforeignertoo，"Smollettseemstosay，"donotbemisled，ohmaidens，bythewilesofsuchaCount!Impetuousyouth，playnotwithhimatbilliards，basset，orgleek。Fathers，onsucharogueshutyourdoors:collectors，handlenothisnefariousantiques。LetallavoidthepathandshuntheexampleofFerdinand，CountFathom!"
　　SuchisSmollett'ssermon，but，afterall，FerdinandishardlyworsethanRoderickorPeregrine。Thesonofaterribleoldsutlerandcamp-follower，arobberandslayerofwoundedmen，Ferdinandhadtolivebyhiswits，andhewashardlylessscrupulous，afterall，thanPeregrineandRoderick。Thedaubsofcasualgenerositywerenotlaidon，andthatisallthedifference。AsSophiaWesternwasmistakenforMissJennyCameron，soFerdinandwasarrestedasPrinceCharles，who，infact，causedmuchinconveniencetoharmlesstravellers。Peoplewereoftenarrestedas"ThePretender'sson"abroadaswellasinEngland。
　　ThelifeanddeathofFerdinand'smother，shotbyawoundedhussarinhermomentofvictory，makeperhapsthemostoriginalandinterestingpartofthishero'sadventures。Therestismuchakintohisearliernovels，butthehistoryofRinaldoandMonimiahasapassagenotquitealientotheveinofMrs。Radcliffe。SomeremarksinthefirstchaptershowthatSmollettfeltthecensuresonhisbrutalityand"lowness，"andhepromisestoseek"thatgoalofperfectionwherenatureiscastigatedalmosteventostilllife……wheredecency，divestedofallsubstance，hoversaboutlikeafantasticshadow。"
　　Smollettneverreachedthatgoal，andeventheshadowofdecencyneverhauntedhimsoastomakehimafraidwithanyamazement。
　　Smollettaversthathe"hashadthecouragetocallinquestionthetalentsofapseudo-patron，"andsoischargedwith"insolence，rancour，andscurrility。"Ofallthesethings，andofworse，hehadbeenguilty；hisoffencehadneverbeenlimitedto"callinginquestionthetalents"ofpersonswhohadbeenunsuccessfulingettinghisplayrepresented。RemonstrancemerelyirritatedTobias。Hisnewnovelwasbutafainterechoofhisoldnovels，apanoramaofscoundrelism，withthemelodramaticfortunesofthevirtuousMonimiaforafoil。Ifreadto-day，itisreadasasketchofmanners，orwantofmanners。ThesceneinwhichthebumpkinsquirerookstheaccomplishedFathomathazard，inParis，isprettilyconceived，andSmollett'sindignationattheBritishsystemofpewsinchurchisedifying。ButwhenMonimiaappearstoherloverasheweepsathertomb，andprovestobenophantom，buta"warmandsubstantial"Monimia，capableofbeing"dishedup，"
　　likeanyotherSmollettianheroine，thereaderissensiblyannoyed。
　　Tobiasasunromantiqueisabsolutelytooabsurd；"nothere，ohTobias，arehauntsmeetforthee。"
　　Smollett'snextnovel，"SirLauncelotGreaves，"wasnotpublishedtill1761，afterithadappearedinnumbers，inTheBritishMagazine。Thiswasasixpennyserial，publishedbyNewbery。Theyearsbetween1753and1760hadbeenoccupiedbySmollettinquarrelling，gettingimprisonedforlibel，editingtheCriticalReview，writinghis"HistoryofEngland，"translatingoradaptingoldtranslationsof"DonQuixote，"anddrivingateamofliteraryhacks，whoselabourshesuperintended，andtowhomhegaveaweeklydinner。TheseexploitsaredescribedbyDr。Carlyle，andbySmolletthimself，in"HumphreyClinker。"Hedidnottreathisvassalswithmuchcourtesyorconsideration；butthentheyexpectednosuchtreatment。Wehavenorighttotalkofhisdoingsas"ablood-suckingmethod，literarysweating，"likearecentbiographerofSmollett。Nottospeakoftheoddlymixedmetaphor，wedonotknowwhatSmollett'srelationstohisretainersreallywere。Asaneditorhehadtoseehiscontributors。Theworkofothershemayhaverecommended，as"reader"topublishers。Othersmayhavemadetranscriptsforhim，ortranslations。ThatSmollett"sweated"men，orsuckedtheirblood，orboth，seemsacrudewayofsayingthathefoundthememployment。NobodysaysthatJohnson"sweated"thepersonswhohelpedhimincompilinghisDictionary；orthatMr。
　　Jowett"sweated"thefriendsandpupilswhoaidedhiminhistranslationofPlato。Authorshaveaperfectrighttoprocureliteraryassistance，especiallyinlearnedbooks，iftheypayforit，andacknowledgetheirdebttotheirallies。Onthesecondpoint，Smollettwasprobablynotinadvanceofhisage。
　　"SirLauncelotGreaves"is，accordingtoChambers，"asorryspecimenofthegeniusoftheauthor，"andMr。OliphantSmeatoncallsit"decidedlytheleastpopular"ofhisnovels，whileScottastonishesusbypreferringitto"JonathanWild。"Certainlyitisinferiorto"RoderickRandom"andto"PeregrinePickle，"butitcannotbesoutterlyunrealas"TheAdventuresofanAtom。"I，forone，venturetoprefer"SirLauncelot"to"Ferdinand，CountFathom。"Smollettwasreallytryinganexperimentinthefantastic。JustasMr。AnsteyGuthrietransfersthemediaevalmythofVenusandtheRing，ortheArabiantaleofthebottled-upgeniordjinnintomodernlife，soSmolletttransferredDonQuixote。
　　Hishero，ayoungbaronetofwealth，andofabenevolentandgeneroustemper，iscrossedinlove。Thoughnotmad，heiseccentric，andcommencesknight-errant。Scott，andothers，objecttohisarmour，andsaythat，inhisordinaryclothes，andwithhiswell-filledpurse，hewouldhavebeenmoresuccessfulinrightingwrongs。Certainly，butthenthecomicfantasyofthearmedknightarrivingattheale-house，andjanglingabouttherose-hunglanesamongtheastonishedfolkoftownandcountry，wouldhavebeenlost。Smollettiscertainlylessunsuccessfulinwildfantasy，thanintheridiculousromanticsceneswherethesubstantialphantomofMonimiadisportsitself。TheimitationoftheknightbythenauticalCaptainCroweanexcellentSmollettianmarinerisentertaining，andSirLauncelot'scrustySanchoisapleasantvarietyinsquires。Thevariousformsofoppressionwhichtheknightresistsareofhistoricalinterest，asalsoisthecontestedelectionbetweenarusticToryandasmoothMinisterialist:
　　"sincerelyattachedtotheProtestantsuccession，indetestationofapopish，anabjured，andanoutlawedPretender。"Theheroine，AureliaDarrel，ismoreofalady，andlessofaluxury，thanperhapsanyotherofSmollett'swomen。ButhowSmollettmakeslove!"Teawascalled。Theloverswereseated；helookedandlanguished；sheflushedandfaltered；allwasdoubtanddelirium，fondnessandflutter。"
　　"Allwasgasandgaiters，"saidtheinsaneloverofMrs。Nickleby，withequaldelicacyandpoint。
　　ScottsaysthatSmollett，whenonavisittoScotland，usedtowritehischapterof"copy"inthehalf-hourbeforethepostwentout。Scottwasverycapableofhavingthesamethinghappentohimself。"SirLauncelot"ishurriedly，butvigorouslywritten:
　　thefantasywasnotunderstoodasSmollettintendedittobe，andthebookisblotted，asusual，withloathsomemedicaldetails。ButpeopleinMadameduDeffand'scircleusedopenlytodiscussthesametopics，totheconfusionofHoraceWalpole。Astheheroofthisbookisagenerousgentleman，asthemostofitiskindandmanly，andthehumourprovocativeofanhonestlaugh，itisbynomeanstobedespised，whilethemanners，ifcaricatured，arebasedonfact。
　　Itiscurioustonotethatin"SirLauncelotGreaves，"wefindacharacter，Ferret，whofranklyposesasastrugforlifeur。M。
　　Daudet'sstrugforlifeurhadheardofDarwin。Mr。FerrethadreadHobbes，learnedthatmanwasinastateofnature，andinferredthatweoughttopreyuponeachother，asapikeeatstrout。MissBurney，too，atBath，about1780，metaperfectlyemancipatedyoung"NewWoman。"ShehadreadBolingbrokeandHume，believedinnothing，andwasreadytobea"WomanwhoDid。"Ourancestorscouldbejustasadvancedasweare。
　　Smollettwentoncompiling，andsupportinghimselfbyhiscompilations，andthoseofhisvassals。In1762heunluckilyeditedapapercalledTheBritonintheinterestsofLordBute。
　　TheBritonwassilencedbyWilkes'sNorthBriton。Smollettlosthislastpatron；hefellill；hisdaughterdied；hetravelledangrilyinFranceandItaly。His"Travels"showthecholericnatureoftheman，andhewasespeciallyblamedfornotadmiringtheVenusdeMedici。Moderntaste，enlightenedbytheworksofabetterperiodofGreekart，hascomeroundtoSmollett'sopinions。
　　But，inhisownday，hewasregardedasaVandalandaheretic。
　　In1764，hevisitedScotland，andwaswarmlywelcomedbyhiskinsman，thelairdofBonhill。In1769，hepublished"TheAdventuresofanAtom，"astupid，foul，andscurrilouspoliticalsatire，inwhichLordBute，havingbeenhispatron，was"lashed"inSmollett'susualstyle。In1768，SmollettleftEnglandforever。
　　Hedesiredaconsulship，butnoconsulshipwasfoundforhim，whichisnotsurprising。HediedatMonteNova，nearLeghorn，inSeptemberotherssayOctober1771。Hehadfinished"HumphreyClinker，"whichappearedadayortwobeforehisdeath。
　　Thackeraythought"HumphreyClinker"themostlaughablebookthateverwaswritten。CertainlynobodyistobeenviedwhodoesnotlaughovertheepistlesofWinifredJenkins。Thebookistoowellknownforanalysis。ThefamilyofMatthewBramble，Esq。，areontheirtravels，withhisnephewandniece，youngMelfordandLydiaMelford，withMissJenkins，andthesquire'start，greedy，andamorousoldmaidofasister，TabithaBramble。Thislady'spersistentamoursandmeanavaricescarcelystrikemodernreadersasamusing。Smollettgaveaspectsofhisowncharacterinthecholeric，kind，benevolentMatthewBramble，andinthepatrioticandparadoxicalLieutenantLismahago。Bramble，agoutyinvalid，isasfullofmedicalabominationsasSmolletthimself，asreadytofight，andasgenerousandopen-handed。ProbablytheauthorsharedLismahago'scontemptoftrade，hisdislikeoftheUnion1707，hisfieryindependenceyetheDOESmarryTabitha!，andthoseopinionsinwhichLismahagoheraldssomeofthesocialnotionsofMr。
　　Ruskin。
　　Melfordisanhonourablekindof"walkinggentleman"；Lydia，thoughenamoured，ismodestanddignified；ClinkerisaworthysonofBramble，withabundantgoodhumour，andapleasingveinofWesleyanMethodism。Butthegrotesquespelling，ruralvanity，andnaiveteofWinifredJenkins，withheraffectionforherkitten，makeherthemostdelightfulofthiswanderingcompany。AfterbeholdingthehumoursandpartakingofthewatersofBath，theyfollowSmollett'sownScottishtour，andeachcharactergiveshispictureofthecountrywhichSmolletthadleftatitslowestebbofindustryandcomfort，andfoundsomuchmoreprosperous。Thebookisamineforthehistorianofmannersandcustoms:thenovel-readerfindsCountFathommetamorphosedintoMr。Grieve，anexemplaryapothecary，"asincereconverttovirtue，"and"unaffectedlypious。"
　　Apparentlyawaveofgood-naturecameoverSmollett:heforgaveeverybody，hisownrelationseven，andhereclaimedhisvillain。A
　　patronmighthaveplayedwithhim。HemellowedinScotland:
　　Matthewtherebecamelesstart，andmoretolerant；anactualEnglishMatthewwouldhavebehavedquiteotherwise。"HumphreyClinker"isanastonishingbook，astheworkofanexiled，poor，anddyingman。NoneofhisworksleavessoadmirableanimpressionofSmollett'svirtues:nonehassofewofhislessamiablequalities。
　　WiththecadetofBonhill，outwornwithliving，andwithlabour，diedtheburly，brawling，picturesqueoldEnglishnovelofhumourandoftheroad。Wehavenothingnotableinthismanner，beforethearrivalofMr。Pickwick。AnexceptionwillscarcelybemadeintheinterestofRichardCumberland，who，asScottsays，"hasoccasionally……becomedisgusting，whenhemeanttobehumorous。"AlreadyWalpolehadbegunthenew"Gothicromance，"andthe"CastleofOtranto，"withMissBurney'snovels，wastoleaduptoMrs。RadcliffeandScott，toMissEdgeworthandMissAusten。
　　CHAPTERX:NATHANIELHAWTHORNE
　　Sainte-Beuvesayssomewherethatitisimpossibletospeakof"TheGermanClassics。"PerhapshewouldnothaveallowedustotalkoftheAmericanclassics。Americanliteratureistoonearlycontemporary。Timehasnottriedit。But，ifAmericapossessesaclassicauthorandIamnotdenyingthatshemayhaveseveral，thatauthorisdecidedlyHawthorne。Hisrenownisunimpeached:
　　hisgreatnessisprobablypermanent，becauseheisatoncesuchanoriginalandpersonalgenius，andsuchajudiciousanddeterminedartist。
　　Hawthornedidnotsethimselfto"competewithlife。"Hedidnotmaketheeffort——theproverbiallytediouseffort——tosayeverything。Tohismind，fictionwasnotamirrorofcommonplacepersons，andhewasnottheanalystoftheminutestamongtheirordinaryemotions。Nordidhemakeamoral，orsocial，orpoliticalpurposetheendandaimofhisart。Moralasmanyofhispiecesnaturallyare，wecannotcallthemdidactic。Hedidnotexpect，norintend，tobetterpeoplebythem。HedrewtheRev。
　　ArthurDimmesdalewithouthopingthathisAwfulExamplewouldpersuadereadersto"makeacleanbreast"oftheiriniquitiesandtheirsecrets。Itwasthemoralsituationthatinterestedhim，nottheedifyingeffectofhispictureofthatsituationuponthemindsofnovel-readers。
　　HesethimselftowriteRomance，withadefiniteideaofwhatRomance-writingshouldbe；"todreamstrangethings，andmakethemlookliketruth。"Nothingcanbemoreremotefromthemodernsystemofreportingcommonplacethings，inthehopethattheywillreadliketruth。Asallpaintersmustdo，accordingtogoodtraditions，heselectedasubject，andthenplaceditinadeliberatelyarrangedlight——notinthefullglareofthenoondaysun，andinthedisturbancesofwind，andweather，andcloud。
　　Moonshinefillingafamiliarchamber，andmakingitunfamiliar，moonshinemixedwiththe"faintruddinessonwallsandceiling"offire，wasthelight，oraclearbrowntwilightwasthelightbywhichhechosetowork。Sohetellsusintheprefaceto"TheScarletLetter。"Theroomcouldbefilledwiththeghostsofolddwellersinit；faint，yetdistinct，allthelifethathadpassedthroughitcameback，andspokewithhim，andinspiredhim。Hekepthiseyesonthesefigures，tangledinsomerareknotofFate，andofDesire:thesehepainted，notattendingmuchtothebustleofexistencethatsurroundedthem，notpermittingsuperfluouselementstominglewiththem，andtodistracthim。
　　ThemethodofHawthornecanbemoreeasilytracedthanthatofmostartistsasgreatashimself。Pope'sbrilliantpassagesanddisconnectedtrainsofthoughtareexplainedwhenwerememberthat"paper-sparing，"ashesays，hewrotetwo，orfour，orsixcoupletsonodd，straybitsofcasualwritingmaterial。Thesehehadtojointogether，somehow，andbetweenhis"OrientPearlsatRandomStrung"thereisoccasionally"toomuchstring，"asDickensoncesaidonanotheropportunity。Hawthorne'smethodisrevealedinhispublishednote-books。Inthesehejottedthegermofanidea，thefirstnotionofasingular，perhapssupernaturalmoralsituation。
　　Manyoftheseheneverusedatall，onothershewoulddream，anddream，tillthepersonsinthesituationsbecamecharacters，andthethingwasevolvedintoastory。Thushemayhaveinventedsuchaproblemasthis:"Theeffectofagreat，suddensinonasimpleandjoyousnature，"andthencecameallthesubstanceof"TheMarbleFaun""Transformation"。Theoriginalandgerminalideawouldnaturallydivideitselfintoanother，astheprotozoareproducethemselves。Anotherideawastheeffectofnearnesstothegreatcrimeonapureandspotlessnature:hencethecharacterofHilda。Intheprefaceto"TheScarletLetter，"Hawthorneshowsushowhetried，byreflectionanddream，towarmthevaguepersonsofthefirstmerenotionorhintintosuchlifeascharactersinromanceinherit。WhilehewasintheCivilServiceofhiscountry，intheCustomHouseatSalem，hecouldnotdothis；heneededfreedom。Hewasdismissedbypoliticalopponentsfromoffice，andinstantlyhewashimselfagain，andwrotehismostpopularand，perhaps，hisbestbook。Theevolutionofhisworkwasfromtheprimenotionwhichheconfessedthathelovedbestwhen"strange"
　　totheshortstory，andthencetothefullandroundednovel。Allhisworkwasleisurely。Allhislanguagewaspicked，thoughnotwithaffectation。Hedidnotstrivetomakeastyleoutoftheuseofoddwords，oroffamiliarwordsinoddplaces。Almostalwayshelookedfor"akindofspiritualmedium，seenthroughwhich"hisromances，liketheOldManseinwhichhedwelt，"hadnotquitetheaspectofbelongingtothematerialworld。"
　　Thespiritualmediumwhichheliked，hewaspartlyborninto，andpartlyhecreatedit。ThechildofaracewhichcamefromEngland，robustandPuritanic，hehadinhisveinsthebloodofjudges——ofthosejudgeswhoburnedwitchesandpersecutedQuakers。HisfancyisasmuchinfluencedbytheoldfancifultraditionsofProvidence，ofWitchcraft，ofhauntingIndianmagic，asScott'sisinfluencedbylegendsofforayandfeud，byballad，andsong，andoldwives'
　　tales，andrecordsofconspiracies，fire-raisings，tragiclove-
　　adventures，andborderwars。LikeScott，Hawthornelivedinphantasy——inphantasywhichreturnedtotheromanticpast，whereinhisancestorshadbeennotablemen。Itisacommonplace，butaninevitablecommonplace，toaddthathewasfilledwiththeideaofHeredity，withthebeliefthatweareallonlynewcombinationsofourfathersthatwerebeforeus。Thishasbeenmadeintoakindofpseudo-scientificdoctrinebyM。Zola，inthelongseriesofhisRougon-Macquartnovels。Hawthornetreateditwithamoredelicateandaserenerartin"TheHouseoftheSevenGables。"
　　ItiscurioustomarkHawthorne'sattemptstobreakawayfromhimself——fromthemanthatheredity，andcircumstance，andthedivinegiftofgeniushadmadehim。Henaturally"hauntsthemoulderinglodgesofthepast"；butwhenhecametoEnglandwheresuchlodgesareabundant，hewasill-pleasedandcross-grained。
　　Heknewthatalongpast，withmysteries，darkplaces，malisons，curses，historicwrongs，wastheproperatmosphereofhisart。Butakindofconscientiousdesiretobesomethingotherthanhimself——
　　somethingmoreordinaryandpopular——makehimthankHeaventhathischosenatmospherewasrareinhisnativeland。Hegrumbledatit，whenhewasinthemidstofit；hegrumbledinEngland；andhowhegrumbledinRome!HepermittedtheAmericanEagletomakehernestinhisbosom，"withthecustomaryinfirmityoftemperthatcharacterisesthisunhappyfowl，"ashesaysinhisessay"TheCustomHouse。""Thegeneraltruculencyofherattitude"seemsto"threatenmischieftotheinoffensivecommunity"ofEurope，andespeciallyofEnglandandItaly。
　　PerhapsHawthornetravelledtoolate，whenhishabitsweretoomuchfixed。ItdoesnotbecomeEnglishmentobeangrybecauseavoyagerisannoyedatnotfindingeverythingfamiliarandcustomaryinlandswhichheonlyvisitsbecausetheyarestrange。ThisisaninconsistencytowhichEnglishtravellersareparticularlyprone。
　　Butitis，inHawthorne'scase，perhaps，anotherinstanceofhisconscientiousattemptstobe，whathewasnot，verymuchlikeotherpeople。HisunexpectedexplosionsofPuritanism，perhaps，arecausedbythesenseofbeingtoomuchhimself。Hespeaksof"theSqueamishloveoftheBeautiful"asiftheloveoftheBeautifulweresomethingunworthyofanable-bodiedcitizen。Insomearts，asinpaintingandsculpture，histastewasveryfarfrombeingathome，ashisItalianjournalsespeciallyprove。Inshort，hewasanartistinacommunityforlongmostinartistic。Hecouldnotdowhatmanyofusfindverydifficult——hecouldnottakeBeautywithgladnessasitcomes，neithershrinkingfromitasimmoral，norgettinggirlishlydrunkuponit，intheaestheticfashion，andscreamingoveritinanintoxicationofsurprise。HistendencywastoberathershyandafraidofBeauty，asapleasantbutnotimmaculatelyrespectableacquaintance。Or，perhaps，hewasmerelydeferringtoAnglo-Saxonpublicopinion。
　　Possiblyhewastryingtoweanhimselffromhimself，andfromhisowngenius，whenheconsortedwithoddamateursocialistsinfarm-
　　work，andwhenhemixed，atConcord，withthe"queer，strangely-
　　dressed，oddly-behavedmortals，mostofwhomtookuponthemselvestobeimportantagentsoftheworld'sdestiny，yetweresimpleboresofaveryintensewater。"TheyhauntedMr。EmersonastheyhauntedShelley，andHawthornehadtoseemuchofthem。Buttheyneithermadeaconvertofhim，norirritatedhimintoresentment。
　　Hislong-enduringkindnesstotheunfortunateMissDeliaBacon，anearlybelieverinthenonsenseaboutBaconandShakespeare，wasamodelofmanlyandgenerousconduct。Hewas，indeed，anadmirablecharacter，andhisgoodnesshadthebloomonitofacourteousandkindlynaturethatlovedtheMuses。But，asonehasventuredtohint，thedevelopmentofhisgeniusandtastewashamperednowandthen，apparently，byadesiretoputhimselfonthelevelofthegeneralpublic，andoftheirideas。This，atleast，ishowoneexplainstooneselfvariousremarksinhisprefaces，journals，andnote-books。Thismayaccountforthemoralallegorieswhichtooweirdlyhauntsomeofhisshort，earlypieces。EdgarPoe，inapassagefullofveryhonestandwell-chosenpraise，foundfaultwiththeallegoricalbusiness。
　　Mr。Hutton，fromwhose"LiteraryEssays"IborrowPoe'sopinion，says:"PoeboldlyassertedthattheconspicuouslyidealscaffoldingsofHawthorne'sstorieswerebutthemonstrousfruitsofthebadtranscendentalatmospherewhichhebreathedsolong。"
　　ButIhopethiswayofputtingitisnotPoe's。"Idealscaffoldings，"areoddenough，butwhenscaffoldingsturnouttobe"fruits"ofan"atmosphere，"andmonstrousfruitsofa"badtranscendentalatmosphere，"thebrainreelsinthefumesofmixedmetaphors。"Lethimmendhispen，"criedPoe，"getabottleofvisibleink，comeoutfromtheOldManse，cutMr。Alcott，"and，infact，writeaboutthingslessimpalpable，asMr。Mallock'sheroinepreferredtobeloved，"inamorehumansortofway。"
　　Hawthorne'swaywasnevertooruddilyandrobustlyhuman。Perhaps，evenin"TheScarletLetter，"wefeeltoodistinctlythatcertaincharactersaremoralconceptions，notwarmedandwakenedoutoftheallegoricalintothereal。Thepersonsinanallegorymayberealenough，asBunyanhasprovedbyexamples。Butthatculpableclergyman，Mr。ArthurDimmesdale，withhislarge，whitebrow，hismelancholyeyes，hishandonhisheart，andhisgeneralresemblancetotheHighChurchCurateinThackeray's"OurStreet，"ishereal？