Itisstrange——itseemstomedeplorable——thatDickenshimselfwasnotcontenttoleavehiswonderfulhypocrite——onewhoshouldstandimperishableincomedy——inthetwodimensionsofhisownadmirableart。AfterhehadenjoyedhisownPecksniff，tastinghimwiththe"strenuoustongue"ofKeats’svoluptuarybursting"joy’sgrapesagainsthispalatefine，"DickensmostunfairlygiveshimselftheotherandincompatiblejoyofgraspinghisPecksniffinthethirddimension，seizeshim"intheround，"horsewhipshimoutofallkeeping，andfinallykickshimoutofasplendidartoffictionintoasorryartof"poeticaljustice，"aPecksniffnotonlydefeatedbutundone。
　　AndyetDickens’sretributionuponsinnersisalessfaultthanhisreformingthem。Itistrulyanactdenotingexcessivesimplicityofmindinhim。Heneververitablyallowshisresponsibilityasamantolapse。Menoughttobegood，orelsetobecomegood，andhedoesviolencetohisownexcellentart，andyieldsituptohissenseofmorality。Ah，canwemeasurebyyearsthetimebetweenthatdayandthis？Isthefastidious，theimpartial，thenon-moralnovelistonlythegrandchild，andnottheremoteposterity，ofDickens，whowouldnotleaveScroogetohisegoism，orGradgrindtohisfacts，orMercyPecksnifftoherabsurdity，orDombeytohispride？Nay，whomakesMicawberfinallytoprosper？Truly，themostunpardonablethingDickensdidinthosedeplorablelastchaptersofhiswastheprosperityofMr。Micawber。"Ofason，indifficulties"——theperfectMicawbernatureisrespectedastohisorigin，andthenpervertedastohisend。ItisapitythatMr。PeggottyevercamebacktoEnglandwithsuchtidings。AndourlastglimpseoftheemigrantshadbeenmadejoyousbythesightoftheyoungMicawbersontheeveofemigration；"everychildhaditsownwoodenspoonattachedtoitsbodybyastrongline，"inpreparationforColoniallife。AndthenDickensmustneedsgobehindthegayscenes，andtellusthatthelonganduntiringdelightofthebookwasover。
　　Mr。Micawber，intheColonies，wasneveragaintomakepunchwithlemons，inacrisisofhisfortunes，and"resumehispeelingwithadesperateair"；nortoobservetheexpressionofhisfriends’facesduringMrs。Micawber’smasterlyexpositionofthefinancialsituationorofthepossibilitiesofthecoaltrade；nortoeatwalnutsoutofapaperbagwhattimethediewascastandallwasover。Alas！nothingwasoveruntilMr。Micawber’specuniaryliabilitieswereover，andtheperfectcomedyturnedintodulness，thejoyousimpossibilityofafigureofimmortalfunintocoldimprobability。
　　Thereareseveralsuchlateorlastchaptersthatonewouldgladlycutaway：thatofMercyPecksniff’spathos，forexample；thatofMr。Dombey’sinstallationinhisdaughter’shome；thatwhichundeceivesusastoMr。Boffin’santicdisposition。Buthowtrueandhowwholeaheartitwasthaturgedtheseunluckyconclusions！
　　Howshallweventuretocomplain？ThehandthatmadeitsPecksniffinpurewit，hasitnottherighttobelabourhiminearnest——albeitakindofearnestthatdisappointsus？AndMr。DombeyisDickens’sownDombey，andhemustdowhathewillwiththatfinelywroughtfigureofpride。ButthereisalittleironyinthefactthatDickensleavesmorethanonevillaintohisorderlyfateforwhomwecarelittleeitherway；itisnothingtous，whomCarkerneverconvinced，thatthetrainshouldcatchhim，northatthemanwiththemoustacheandthenose，whodidbutwearyus，shouldbecrushedbythefallinghouse。Heretheendholdsgoodinart，buttheartwasnotgoodfromthefirst。Butthen，again，neitherdoesBillSikesexperienceachangeofheart，norJonasChuzzlewit；andtheendofeachismostexcellentlytold。
　　GeorgeMeredithsaidthatthemostdifficultthingtowriteinfictionwasdialogue。Butthereissurelyonethingatleastasdifficult——athingsorarelywelldonethatamerereadermightthinkittobemoredifficultthandialogue；andthatisthetellingWHATHAPPENED。Somethingofthefatallanguorandpreoccupationthatpersistbeneathalltheviolenceofourstage——ournationalundramaticcharacter——isperceptibleinthenarrativeofourliterature。Thethingstheusualmodernauthorsaysareproportionatelymoreenergeticallyproducedthanthosehetells。
　　ButDickens，beingsimpleanddramaticandcapableofonethingatatime，andthatthingwhole，tellsuswhathappenedwithaperfectspeedwhichhasneitherhurrynordelays。Thosewhosawhimactfoundhimafineactor，andthiswemightknowbyreadingthemurderinOliverTwist，themurderinMartinChuzzlewit，thecomingofthetrainuponCarker，thelongmomentofrecognitionwhenPipseeshisguest，theconvict，revealhimselfinhischambersatnight。Theswiftspirit，thehammeringblowofhisnarrative，drivethegreatstorminDavidCopperfieldthroughthepoorestpartofthebook——
　　Steerforth’sstory。Thereissurelynogreatergaletobereadofthanthis：fromthefirstwords，"’Don’tyouthinkthat，’Isaidtothecoachman，’averyremarkablesky？’"totheendofamagnificentchapter。"Flyingcloudstossedupintomostremarkableheaps，suggestinggreaterheightsinthecloudsthanthereweredepthsbelowthem……Therehadbeenawindallday；anditwasrisingthenwithanextraordinarygreatsound……Longbeforewesawthesea，itsspraywasonourlips……Thewaterwasoutovertheflatcountry，andeverysheetandpuddlelasheditsbanks，andhaditsstressoflittlebreakers。Whenwecamewithinsightofthesea，thewavesonthehorizon，caughtatintervalsabovetheboilingabyss，werelikeglimpsesofanothershore，withtowersandbuildings……Thepeoplecametotheirdoorsallaslant，andwithstreaminghair。"Daviddreamsofacannonade，whenatlasthe"fell——offatoweranddownaprecipice——intothedepthsofsleep。"
　　Inthemorning，"thewindmighthavelulledalittle，thoughnotmoresensiblythanifthecannonadingIhaddreamedofhadbeendiminishedbythesilencingofhalfadozengunsoutofhundreds。"
　　"Itwentfrommewithashock，likeaballfromarifle，"saysDavidinanotherplace，afterthevisitofadeliriousimpulse；hereisthevolleyofdeparture，theshockofpassionvanishingmoreperceptiblythanitcame。
　　ThetempestinDavidCopperfieldcombinesDickens’sdramatictragedyofnarrativewithhiswonderfulsenseofseaandland。Butherearelandscapesinquietness："Therehasbeenrainthisafternoon，andawintryshuddergoesamongthelittlepoolsinthecracked，unevenflag-stones……Someoftheleaves，inatimidrush，seeksanctuarywithinthelow-archedcathedraldoor；buttwomencomingoutresistthem，andcastthemoutwiththeirfeet："Theautumnleavesfallthick，"butneverfast，fortheycomecirclingdownwithadeadlightness。"Again，"Nowthewoodssettleintogreatmassesasiftheywereoneprofoundtree。"Andyetagain，"Iheldmymotherinmyembrace，andsheheldmeinhers；andamongthestillwoodsinthesilenceofthesummerdaythereseemedtobenothingbutourtwotroubledmindsthatwasnotatpeace。"Yet，withathousandgreatfelicitiesofdiction，DickenshadnoBODYofstyle。
　　Dickens，havingthesingleandsimpleheartofamoralist，hadalsothesimpleeyesofafreeintelligence，andthelightheart。Hegavehissensestheirway，andwelldidtheyservehim。Thushiseyes——andnomoremodernmaninanxioussearchof"impressions"waseversosimpleandsomasterly："Mr。Vholesgauntlystalkedtothefire，andwarmedhisfunerealgloves。""’Ithankyou，’saidMr。
　　Vholes，puttingouthislongblacksleeve，tochecktheringingofthebell，’notany。’"Mr。andMrs。Tope"aredaintilystickingsprigsofhollyintothecarvingsandsconcesofthecathedralstalls，asiftheywerestickingthemintothebutton-holesoftheDean&Chapter。"ThetwoyoungEurasians，brotherandsister，"hadacertainairuponthemofhunterandhuntress；yetwithalacertainairofbeingtheobjectsofthechaseratherthanthefollowers。"
　　Thisphraselackselegance——andDickensisnotofteninelegant，asthosewhodonotreadhimmaybesurprisedtolearn——buttheimpressionisadmirable；soisthatwhichfollows："Anindefinablekindofpausecomingandgoingontheirwholeexpression，bothoffaceandform。"Hereispure，mereimpressionagain："MissMurdstone，whowasbusyatherwriting-desk，gavemehercoldfinger-nails。"LadyTippins’shandis"richinknuckles。"Andhereisvisionwithgreatdignity："Allbeyondhisfigurewasavastdarkcurtain，insolemnmovementtowardsonequarteroftheheavens。"
　　Withthatsinglenessofsight——andhiswholebodywasfullofthelightofit——hehadalsothesinglehearing；thesceneisintheCourtofChanceryonaLondonNovemberday："Leavingthisaddressringingintheraftersoftheroof，theverylittlecounseldrops，andthefogknowshimnomore。""Mr。Vholesemergedintothesilencehecouldscarcelybesaidtohavebroken，sostifledwashistone。""Withinthegrill-gateofthechancel，upthestepssurmountedloominglybythefast-darkeningorgan，whiterobescouldbedimlyseen，andonefeeblevoice，risingandfallinginacrackedmonotonousmutter，couldatintervalsbefaintlyheard……untiltheorganandthechoirburstforthanddrowneditinaseaofmusic。Thentheseafell，andthedyingvoicemadeanotherfeebleeffort；andthenthesearosehighandbeatitslifeout，andlashedtheroof，andsurgedamongthearches，andpiercedtheheightsofthegreattower；andthentheseawasdryandallwasstill。Andthisishowalisteneroverheardmentalkinginthecathedralhollows："Theword’confidence，’shatteredbytheechoes，butstillcapableofbeingpiecedtogether，isuttered。"
　　Wit，humour，derision——toeachofthesewordsweassignbycustomapartinthecomedyofliterature；and（again）thosewhodonotreadDickens——perhapseventhosewhoreadhimalittle——mayacclaimhimasahumouristandnotknowhimasawit。Butthatwriterisawit，whateverhishumour，whotellsusofamemberoftheTiteBarnaclefamilywhohadheldasinecureofficeagainstallprotest，that"hediedwithhisdrawnsalaryinhishand。"ButletitbegrantedthatDickensthehumouristisforemostandmostprecious。ForwemightwellsparethephraseofwitjustquotedratherthantheonedescribingTraddles（whosehairstoodup），asonewholooked"asthoughhehadseenacheerfulghost。"Orratherthanthis：-
　　Hewassowoodenamanthatheseemedtohavetakenhiswoodenlegnaturally，andrathersuggestedtothefancifulobserverthathemightbeexpected——ifhisdevelopmentreceivednountimelycheck——tobecompletelysetupwithapairofwoodenlegsinaboutsixmonths。
　　Orratherthantheincidentofthebutcherandthebeef-steak。Hegentlypressesit，inacabbageleaf，intoTomPinch’spocket。
　　"’Formeat，’hesaidwithsomeemotion，’mustbehumoured，notdrove。’"
　　Ageneration，betweenhisownandthepresent，thoughtDickenstobevulgar；ifthecauseofthatjudgementwasthathewroteaboutpeopleinshops，thecauseisdiscreditednowthatshopsarethescenesofthenovelist’sresearch。"Highlife"andmostwretchedlifehavenowgivenplacetothelittleshopanditsparlour，duringayearortwo。ButDr。Brown，theauthorofRabandHisFriends，thoughtthatDickenscommittedvulgaritiesinhisdiction。"AgoodmanwasRobin"isrightenough；but"Hewasagoodman，wasRobin"
　　isnotsowell，andwemustownthatitisDickensian；butassuredlyDickenswritessuchphrasesasitweredramatically，playingthecockney。IknowofbuttwowordsthatDickenshabituallymisuses，andCharlesLambmisusesoneofthempreciselyinDickens’smanner；
　　itisnotworthwhiletoquotethem。ButforthesehisEnglishisadmirable；hechooseswhatisgoodandknowswhatisnot。AlittlerepresentativecollectionofthebadorfoolishEnglishofhisdaymightbemadebygatheringupwhatDickensforboreandwhathederided；forinstance，Mr。Micawber’sportlyphrase，"gratifyingemotionsofnocommondescription，"andLittimer’sreportthat"theyoungwomanwaspartialtothesea。"Thiswasthepolitelanguageofthattime，asweconcludewhenwefindittobethelanguagethatCharlotteBronteshookoff；butbeforesheshookitoffsheusedit。
　　Dickens，too，hadsomethingtothrowoff；inhisearlierbooksthereisaninflation——roundedwordsfilltheinappropriatemouthofBillSikeshimself——buthediscardedthemwithasplendidlaugh。TheyarechargeduponMr。Micawberinhisowncharacterasauthor。SeehimashesitsbytohearCaptainHopkinsreadthepetitioninthedebtors’prison"fromHisMostGraciousMajesty’sunfortunatesubjects。"Mr。Micawberlistened，weread，"withalittleofanauthor’svanity，contemplating（notseverely）thespikesupontheoppositewall。"ItshouldberememberedthatwhenDickensshookhimselffreeofeverythingthathamperedhisgeniushewasnotsomuchbelovedorsomuchapplaudedaswhenhegavetohiscordialreadersmatterforfacilesentimentandforhumourofthesecondorder。Hispublicwereeagertobemovedandtolaugh，andhegavethemLittleNellandSamWeller；helovedtopleasethem，anditisevidentthathepleasedhimselfalso。Mr。Micawber，Mr。Pecksniff，Mrs。Nickleby，Mrs。Chick，Mrs。Pipchin，Mr。AugustusModdle，Mrs。
　　Jellyby，Mrs。Plornish，arenotsofamousasSamWellerandLittleNell，norisTraddles，whosehairlookedasthoughhehadseenacheerfulghost。
　　WearetoldofthedelightoftheJapanesemaninachancefindingofsomethingstrange-shaped，anasymmetrythathasanaccidentalfelicity，aninterest。Ifhefindssuchagraceordisproportion——
　　whatevertheinterestmaybe——inastoneoratwigthathascaughthisambiguouseyeattheroadside，hecarriesittohishometoplaceitinitsirregularlyhappyplace。Dickensseemstohavehadalikejoyinthingsmisshapenorstrangelyshapen，uncommonorgrotesque。Hesaddledevenhisheroes——thoseheroesare，perhaps，hisworstwork，youngmenatonceconventionalandimprobable——withwhimsicallyuglynames；whilehisinventednamesarewhimsicallyperfect：thatofVholesforthepredatorysilentmaninblack，andthatofTopeforthecathedralverger。AsuggestionofdarkandvagueflightinVholes；somethingofoldfloors，somethingrespectablyfurtiveandmusty，inTope。InDickens，theloveoflurking，unusualthings，humanandinanimate——hewroteofhisdiscoveriesdelightedlyinhisletters——washypertrophied；andithasitspartinthesimplestandthemostfantasticofhishumours，especiallythosethatareduetohischild-likeeyesight；letusread，forexample，oftherooksthatseemedtoattenduponDr。
　　Strong（lateofCanterbury）inhisHighgategarden，"asiftheyhadbeenwrittentoabouthimbytheCanterburyrooksandwereobservinghimcloselyinconsequence"；andofMasterMicawber，whohadaremarkableheadvoice——"OnlookingatMasterMicawberagainIsawthathehadacertainexpressionoffaceasifhisvoicewerebehindhiseyebrows"；andofJoeinhisSundayclothes，"ascarecrowingoodcircumstances"；andofthecook’scousinintheLifeGuards，withsuchlonglegsthat"helookedliketheafternoonshadowofsomebodyelse"；andofMrs。Markleham，"whostaredmorelikeafigure-headintendedforashiptobecalledtheAstonishment，thananythingelseIcanthinkof。"Butthereisnoreaderwhohasnotathousandsuchexhilaratinglittlesightsinhismemoryofthesepages。FromthegentlygrotesquetothefantasticrunDickens’senchantedeyes，andinQuilpandMissMowcherhetakeshisjoyintheextremeofdeformity；andaspontaneouscombustionwasanaccidentmuchtohismind。
　　Dickenswroteforaworldthateitherwasexceedinglyexcitableandsentimental，orhadtheconventionortraditionofgreatsentimentalexcitability。Allhispeople，suddenlysurprised，losetheirpresenceofmind。Evenwhenthesurpriseisnotextraordinarytheiractionsarewild。WhenTomPinchcallsuponJohnWestlockinLondon，afternoverylongseparation，John，welcominghimatbreakfast，putstherollsintohisboots，andsoforth。Andthiskindofdistractioncomesuponmenandwomeneverywhereinhisbooks——distractionsoflaughteraswell。Allthisseemsartificialto-day，whereasDickensinhisbestmomentsisthesimplest，asheisthemostvigilant，ofmen。Buthispublicwasaspresenttohimasanactor’saudienceistotheactor，andIcannotthinkthatthisimmediateresponsewasgoodforhisart。Assuredlyheisnotsolitary。Weshouldnotwishhimtobesolitaryasapoetis，butwemaywishthatnowandagain，evenwhilestandingapplaudedandacclaimed，hehadappraisedtheapplausemorecoollyandmorejustly，andwithinhisinnermind。
　　ThosecriticswhofindwhattheycallvulgarismsthinktheymaysafelygoontoaccuseDickensofbadgrammar。Thetruthisthathisgrammarisnotonlygoodbutstrong；itisfarbetterinconstructionthanThackeray’s，theeaseofwhosephrasesometimesexceedsandisslack。Lately，duringtherecentcentenarytime，awriteraverredthatDickens"mightnotalwaysbeparsed，"butthatwelovedhimforhis，etc。，etc。Dickens’spageistobeparsedasstrictlyasanyman’s。Itis，apartfromthematterofgrammar，awonderfulthingthathe，withhislittleeducation，shouldhavesoexcellentadiction。Inaletterthatrecordshisreluctancetoworkduringaholiday，theword"wave"seemstomeperfect：
　　"Imaginarybutchersandbakerswavemetomydesk。"Inhisexquisiteuseoftheword"establishment"inthefollowingphrase，wefindhisownperfectsenseoftheuseofwordsinhisownday；
　　butinthesecondquotationgiventhereisamostbeautifulsignofeducation。"Undertheweightofmywickedsecret"（thelittleboyPiphadsuccouredhisconvictwithhisbrother-in-law’sprovisions）
　　"IponderedwhethertheChurchwouldbepowerfulenoughtoshieldme……ifIdivulgedtothatestablishment。"Andthisisthephrasethatmayremindusoftheeighteenth-centurywritersofprose，andamongthosewritersofnonesoreadilyasofBolingbroke：itoccursinthatpassageofEsther’slifeinwhich，havinglostherbeauty，sheresolvestoforegoaloveunavowed。"Therewasnothingtobeundone；nochainforhimtodragorformetobreak。"
　　IfDickenshadhadtheeducationwhichhehadnot，hisEnglishcouldnothavebeenbetter；butifhehadhadtheusagedumondewhichasayoungmanhehadnot，therewouldhavebeenadifference。Hewouldnot，forinstance，havegivenusthepreposterousscenesinNicholasNicklebyinwhichpartsareplayedbyLordFrederickVerisopht，SirMulberryHawke，andtheirfriends；thesceneofthehero’sluncheonatarestaurantandthedreadfuldescriptionofthemirrorsandothersplendourswouldnothavebeenwritten。Itisaverylittlethingtoforgivetohimwhomwehavetothankfor——well，notperhapsforthe"housefulloffriends"forthegiftofwhomastranger，oftenquoted，onceblessedhiminthestreet；wemaynotwishforMr。Feeder，orMajorBagstock，orMrs。Chick，orMrs。
　　Pipchin，orMr。AugustusModdle，orMr。F。’saunt，orMr。Wopsle，orMr。Pumblechook，asaninmateofourhomes。Lackofknowledgeofthepoliteworldis，Isay，averylittlethingtoforgivetohimwhomwethankmostchieflyforshowingustheseinterestingpeoplejustnamedasinmatesofthecomedyhomesthatarenotours。Wethankhimbecausetheyarecomedyhomes，andcouldnotbeoursoranyman’s；thatis，wethankhimforhisadmirableart。
　　SWINBURNE’SLYRICALPOETRY
　　Themakersofepigrams，ofphrases，ofpages——ofallmoreorlessbriefjudgements——assuredlywastetheirtimewhentheysumupanyoneofallmankind；andhowdotheysquanderitwhentheirmatterisapoet！Theymayhardlydescribehim；norshallanystudent’scare，orpsychologist’sformula，orman-of-letters’summary，orwit’ssentencedefinehim。Definitions，becausetheymustnotbeinexactorincomprehensive，sweeptoowide，andthepoetisnotheldwithinthem；andoutofthemeredescriber’srangeandcapturehemayescapebyasmanydoorsasthereareoutletsfromaforest。Butmuchready-madeplatitudebringsabouttheworld’sguessesatapoet，andfalseandflatthoughtliesbehinditsepigrams。Itisnotlongsincethegeneralguess-workassignedmelancholy，withoutauthority，toapoetlatelydeceased。Realpoets，itwassaid，areunhappy，andthiswasoneexceptionallyreal。Howunhappymusthe，then，certainlyhavebeen！AndtheblessedBlakehimselfwasincidentallycitedasoneofthecompanyofdepressionanddespair！
　　Itis，perhaps，alikingforsymmetrythatpromptsthesefutilesyllogisms；perhaps，also，itisthefearofhumanmystery。Thebiographerusedtosee"thefingerofGod"patinthehistoryofaman；heinsistsnowthatheshallatanyrateseethefingerofalaw，orratherofarule，acustom，agenerality。LawIwillnotcallit；thereisnointelligiblelawthat，forexample，atruepoetshouldbeanunhappyman；buttheobserverthinkshehasnoticedacustomorhabittothateffect，andBlake，wholivedanddiedinbliss，isnamedatignorantrandom，ratherthanthatanexampleofthecustomshouldbelost。
　　Butitisnotonlysuchaplatitudeofobservation，suchacheapgenerality，thatissilencedinthepresenceofthepoetwhosenameisattheheadofthesepages。ForifeverNatureshowedusapoetinwhomourphrases，andthejudgementstheyrecord，shouldbedenied，defeated，andconfused，Swinburneishe。Wepredicateofapoetagreatsincerity，agreatimagination，agreatpassion，agreatintellect；thesearethemasterqualities，andyetwearecompelledtoseehere——ifwewouldnotwilfullybeblindorblindfold——apoet，yes，atruepoet，withaperfervidfancyratherthananimagination，apoetwithpunypassions，apoetwithnomorethanthemomentaryandimpulsivesincerityofaninfirmsoul，apoetwithsmallintellect——andthriceapoet。
　　And，assuredly，ifthecreativeartsaredulyhumbledintheuniversalcontemplationofNature，iftheyareaccused，iftheyareweighed，iftheyarefoundwanting；iftheyareexcusedbynothingbutourintimatehumansympathywithdearandinterestingimperfection；ifpoetrystandsoutdonebythepassionandexperienceofaninarticulatesoul，andpaintingbythesplendouroftheday，andbuildingbytheforestandthecloud，thereisanotherartalsothathastobehumiliated，andthisistheartandscienceofcriticism，confoundedbyitscontemplationofsuchapoet。Poorlittleartofexaminationandformula！Themiracleofdayandnightandimmortalityareneededtorebukethenoblerarts；butourart，thecritic’s，mineto-day，isbroughttobook，anditsheartisbroken，anditssinceritydisgraced，bytheparadoxesofthetruth。
　　Notintheheavensnorinthesub-celestiallandscapedoesthisminorartfinditsrefutation，butinthepuzzlebetweenamanandhisgift；andinpartthemanisignobleandleadsusbydistastefulpaths，andcompelsustoareluctantworkofliterarydetection。
　　Usefulisthecriticalspirit，butitlosesheartwhen（totakeaverydefiniteinstance）ithastoaskwhatliterarysincerity——whatvalueforartandletters——livedinSwinburne，whohailedacertainoldfriend，inadedication，as"poetandpainter"whenhewaspleasedwithhim，anddeclaredhim"poetasteranddauber"whensomethinginthatdeadman’sposthumousautobiographyoffendedhisownself-love；when，Isay，criticismfindsitselfcalledupon，amiditsadmiration，todosuchscavengerwork，itlosesheartaswellastheclue，andwouldgladlygooutintothefreeairofgreaterarts，and，withthem，takeexteriorNature’snoblerreprobation。
　　Ihavetocitethisinstanceofachangeofmind，oroftermsandtitles，inSwinburne’sestimateofartandletters，becauseitisall-importanttomyargument。Itisachangehemakesinpublishedprint，and，therefore，noprivatematter。AndIciteit，notasasignofmoralfault，withwhichIhavenobusiness，butasasignofamostsignificantliteraryinsensibility——insensibility，whethertothequalityofapoetasterwhenhewrote"poet；’ortothatofapoetwhenhewrote"poetaster，"isofnomatter。
　　RatherthanjustifythethingsIhaveventuredtoaffirmastoSwinburne’slittleintellect，andpaltrydegreeofsincerity，andrachiticpassion，andtumidfancy——judgement-confoundingthingstopredicateofapoet——Iturntothehappiertaskofpraise。AvividwriterofEnglishwashe，andwouldhavebeenoneoftherecurringrenewersofouroften-renewedandincomparablelanguage，hadhiswordsnotbecomehabitualtohimself，sothattheyquicklylostthelight，thebreeze，thebreath；onewhosefondnessforbeautydeservedtheseriousnameoflove；onewhombeautyattimesfavouredandfilledsovisibly，bysuchobviousvisitsandpossessions，favourssomanifest，thatinevitablyweforgetwearespeakingfictionsandallegories，andimagineheravisitingpowerexteriortoherpoet；aman，moreover，ofaless，notmore，thanmanlyreceptivenessandappreciation，sothathewasentirelyandeasilypossessedbyadmirations。Lessthanmanlywemustcallhisextraordinaryrecklessnessofappreciation；itis，asitwere，ideallyfeminine；itispossible，however，thatnowomanhasyetbeencapableofsoentireanemotionalimpulseandimpetus；morethanmanlyitmighthavebeenbutforthelackofaresponsibleintellectinthatimpulse；haditpossessedsuchanintellectualsanction，Swinburne’sadmirationofVictorHugo，Mazzini，Dickens，Baudelaire，andTheophileGautiermighthaveaddedonetothegreatgenerositiesoftheworld。
　　WeareinclinedtocomplainofsuchanobjectiontoSwinburne’spoetryaswasprevalentathisearlierappearanceandmaybefoundincriticismsofthetime，beforethelaterfashionofpraisesetin——theobviousobjectionthatitwasasindigentinthoughtasaffluentinwords；for，thoughatruth，itisaninadequatetruth。
　　Itmightbeaffirmedofmanyaverse-writerofnotunusualtalentandinsignificance，whoseaffluenceofwordswasinselectiveandmerelyabundant，andwhosepovertyofthoughtwassomethinglessthananationaldisaster。Swinburne’sfailureofintellectwas，inthefullestandmostserioussense，anationaldisaster，andhisinstinctforwordswasanationalsurprise。ItisintheirbeautythatSwinburne’sartfindsitsabsolutionfromtheobligationsofmeaning，accordingtothevulgarjudgement；andwecanhardlywonder。
　　Iwishitwerenotcustomarytowriteofoneartinthetermsofanother，andIusethewords"music"and"musical"underprotest，becausetheworldhasbeensodelightedtocallanyversepleasanttotheear"musical，"thatithasnotsupplieduswithanotherandmorespecialisedandappropriateword。Swinburneisacompletemasteroftherhythmandrhyme，thetimeandaccent，thepause，thebalance，theflowofvowelandclashofconsonant，thatmakethe"music"forwhichverseispopularandprized。Weneednotcomplainthatitisforthetuneratherthanforthemelody——ifwemustusethosealienterms——thatheischieflyadmired，andevenforthejingleratherthanforthetune：hegavehisreadersallthree，andallthreeinperfection。NineteenoutoftwentywhotakepleasureinthisartofhiswillquoteyoufirstWhenthehoundsofSpringareonwinter’stracesTheMotherofmonths，inmeadowandplain，andtherestofthebuoyantfamiliarlines。Iconfessthereissomethingtooobvious，insistent，emphatic，toodapper，togivememorethanaslightpleasure；butitispossiblethatIamprejudicedbyadislikeofEnglishanapaests（IamawarethattheclassictermsarenotreallyapplicabletoourEnglishmetres，butthereaderwillunderhandthatImeanthemetreofthelinesjustquoted。）IdonotfindtheseanapaestsintheElizabethanorintheseventeenth-
　　centurypoets，ormostrarely。Theyweredeartotheeighteenthcentury，and，muchmorethantheheroiccouplet，arethedistinctivemetreofthatage。Theyswagger——or，worse，theystrut——initslighterverse，fromitsfirstyeartoitslast。Swinburne’sanapaestsarefartoodelicateforswaggerorstrut；butforalltheirdance，alltheirspring，alltheirflight，alltheirflutter，wearecompelledtoperceivethat，asitwere，theyPERFORM。IlovetoseeEnglishpoetrymovetomanymeasures，tomanynumbers，butchieflywiththesimpleiambicandthesimpletrochaicfoot。Thosetwoareenoughfortheinfinitevariety，theepic，thedrama，thelyric，ofourpoetry。Itis，accordingly，intheseoldtraditionalandprovedmetresthatSwinburne’smusicseemstomemostworthy，mostcontrolled，andmostlovely。THEREishisbestdignity，andthereforehisbestbeauty。Forevenbeautyisnottobethrustuponus；sheisnottosolicitusorofferherselfthustothefirstcomer；andinthemostadmiredofthoseflyinglyricssheisthusimmoderatelylavishofherself。"Helayshimselfout，"wroteFrancisThompsoninananonymouscriticism，"todelightandseduce。
　　Thegreatpoetsenticebyagloriousaccident……butallurement，inMr。Swinburne’spoetry，isthealphaandomega。"Thisistrueofallthathehaswritten，butitistrue，inamorefatalsense，ofthesefamoustunesofhis"music。"Nay，delicateastheyare，weareconvincedthatitisthelessdelicateearthatmostsurelytakesmuchpleasureinthem，thedullearthatchieflytheydelight。
　　Comparewithsuchluxuriouscanteringsthegravermovementofthis"VisionofSpringinWinter"：
　　Sunriseitseesnot，neithersetofstar，Largenightfall，norimperialplenilune，Norstrongsweetshapeofthefull-breastednoon；
　　Butwherethesilver-sandalledshadowsare，Toosoftforarrowsofthesuntomar，Moveswiththemildgaitofanungrownmoon。
　　EvenmorevaluablethanthisexquisiterhymedstanzaistheblankversewhichSwinburnereleasedintonewenergies，newliberties，andnewmovements。Milton，itneedhardlybesaid，isthemasterofthosewhoknowhowtoplaceanddisplacethestressandaccentoftheEnglishheroiclineinepicpoetry。Hismostmajestichandundidthemechanicalbondsofthenationallineandmadeitobeytheunwrittenlawsofhisgenius。Hisblankversemarches，pauses，lingers，andcharges。Itfeelsthestrain，ityields，itresists；
　　itisall-expressive。Butifthepracticeofsomeofthepoetssucceedinghimhadtendedtomakeitrigidandtameagain，Swinburnewasanewliberator。Hewrites，whenheought，withafinelyappropriateregularity，asinthelovelylineontheforestgladesThatfearthefaun’sandknowthedryad’sfoot，inwhichtheruleiscompletelykept，everystepofthefivesteppingfromtheunaccentedplacetotheaccentedwithoutatremor。
　　（ImustagainprotestthatIusetheword"accent"inasensethathascometobeadaptedtoEnglishprosody，becauseitissousedbyallwritersonEnglishmetre，andisthereforeunderstoodbythereader，butIthink"stress"thebetterword。）ButhavingwrittenthisperfectEnglish-iambiclinesowonderfullyfitforthesensitivequietofthewoods，heturnsthepagetotheonslaughtofsuchlines——heroiclineswithadifference——asreporttheshort-
　　breathedmessenger’sreplytoAlthea’squestionbywhosehandstheboarofCalydonhaddied：
　　Amaiden’sandaprophet’sandthyson’s。
　　ItislamentablethatinhislatestblankverseSwinburneshouldhavemadeatrickandamannerofthatmostenergeticdeviceofhisbywhichheleadsthelineatarushfromthefirstsyllabletothetenth，andontothefirstofthelinesucceeding，withagreatrecoiltofollow，asthoughariderbroughtahorsetohishaunches。
　　Itisinthesameboarhunt：
　　Andfierywithinvasiveeyes，Andbristlingwithintolerablehair，Plunged；-
　　SometimeswemaybetroubledwithamisgivingthatSwinburne’sfinenarrative，aswellashisdescriptivewritingofotherkinds，hasacounterpartintheprogramme-musicofsomenowby-gonecomposers。
　　Itiseventoodescriptive，tooimitativeofthings，andseemstoout-runtheprovinceofwords，somewhatasthatdidtheprovinceofnotes。But，thoughthishunting，andchecking，andfloating，andflyinginmetremaybetostraintheartsofprosodyanddiction，withhowmasterlyahandisthestrainingaccomplished！Thespear，thearrow，theattack，thecharge，thefootfall，thepinion，nay，theverysteppingofthemoon，thewalkofthewind，aremimickedinthisenchantingverse。Liketoprogramme-musicwemustcallit，butIwishtheconcert-platformhadeverjustifiedthisslightperversionofaim，thisexcess——almostcorruption——ofonekindofskill，thusmiraculouslywell。
　　Now，ifSwinburne’sexceptionalfacultyofdictionledhimtoimmoderateexpressiveness，toimmodestsweetness，toajugglery，andprestidigitation，andconjuringofwords，totransformationsandtransmutationsofsound——if，Isay，hisextraordinarygiftofdictionbroughthimtothisexaggerationofthemanner，whatapartdoesitnotplayinthematterofhispoetry！Sooverweeningaplacedoesittakeinthisman’sartthatIbelievethewordstoholdandusehismeaning，ratherthanthemeaningtocompassandgraspandusetheword。IbelievethatSwinburne’sthoughtshavetheirsource，theirhome，theirorigin，theirauthorityandmissioninthosetwoplaces——hisownvocabularyandthepassionofothermen。Thisisagravecharge。
　　First，then，inregardtothepassionofothermen。IhavegiventohisownemotionthepuniestnameIcouldfindforit；Ihavenonoblernameforhisintellect。Butothermenhadthoughts，othermenhadpassions；political，sexual，natural，noble，vile，ideal，gross，rebellious，agonising，imperial，republican，cruel，compassionate；andwiththesehefedhisverses。Upontheseandtheirlifehesustained，hefattened，heenrichedhispoetry。
　　MazziniinItaly，GautierandBaudelaireinFrance，ShelleyinEngland，madeforhimabaseofpassionateandintellectualsupplies。Withthemhekepttheall-necessarylineofcommunication。Wecease，asweseetheiractiveheartspossesshisactiveart，tothinkaquestionastohissincerityseriouslyworthasking；whatsincerityhehasissoabsorbedintheoneexcitedactofreceptivity。That，indeed，heperformswithallthewill，alltheprecipitation，alltherush，allthesurrender，allthewholeheartedweaknessofhissubservientandimpetuousnature。I
　　havenotnamedtheGreeks，northeEnglishBible，norMilton，ashisinspirers。Thesehewouldclaim；theyarenothis。Hereceivedtoopartial，toofragmentary，tooarbitraryaninheritanceoftheGreekspirit，tooillusoryanideaofMilton，oftheEnglishBiblelittlemorethanatone；——thispoetofeager，opencapacity，thispoetwhoislittlemore，intellectually，thanatoo-ready，too-vacantcapacity，forthosethreeaugustseventieshasnotroomenough。
　　Charged，then，withothermen’spurposes——thisman’sItalianpatriotism；thisman’sloveofsin（bythatname，forsinhasbeendenied，asafiction，butSwinburne，followingBaudelaire，acknowledgesittoloveit）；thisman’sdespiteagainsttheThirdEmpireorwhatnot；thisman’scryforapoliticallibertygrantedorgainedlongago——acrygrownvain；thisman’scontemptfortheBoers——nay，wasitsomuchasaman，withaman’seviltoanswerfor，thatfurnishedhimhere；wasitnotratherthatlessguiltyjudge，thecrowd？——thisman’s——nay，thisboy’s——eroticsickness，orhiscruelty——chargedwithallthese，Swinburne’spoetryisprimed；
　　itexplodeswiththunderandfire。Butsuchsharingissomewhattoofamiliarfordignity；suchcommunityofgoodsparodiestheFranciscans。Asonefriargoesdarnedforanother’srending，havingnopropertyincassockorcowl，sodoesmanyapoet，notinhumility，butinaparadoxofpride，boastofthepastofothers。
　　Andyetonemightratherchoosetomakeuseofone’sfellow-men’soldshoesthantoputtheiroldsecretstousufruct，anddresspoetryinamotleyofshedpassions，twicecorrupt。Promiscuityoflovewehaveheardof；Popewasaccused，byLordHervey’sindignationandwit，ofpromiscuityofhatred，andofscatteringhisdisfavoursinthestewsofanindiscriminatemalignity；andhereisanotherpromiscuity——thatofmemories，andofalicencepartaken。
　　Butbytheunanimouspoets’splendidloveofthelandscapeandtheskies，bythisalsowasSwinburnepossessed，andinthishetriumphed。Bythis，indeed，heprofited；herehejoinedaninnumerablecompanyofthatheavenlyhostofearth。Letusacknowledgethenhishonourablealacrityhere，hisquickfellowship，hisagileadoption，andhisfilialtenderness——nay，hisfraternalunionwithhispoets。Notourist’sadmirationforallthingsFrench，notourist’spoliticsinItaly——andSwinburne’sFrenchandItalianadmirationshavethetouristmannerofenthusiasm——promptshimhere。HereheaspirestobrotherhoodwiththesupremepoetsofsupremeEngland，withthesixteenthcentury，theseventeenth，andthenineteenth，theimpassionedcenturiesofsong。Happyishetobeadmittedamongthese，happyishetomeritbyhiswonderfulvoicetosingtheirraptures。Hereisnohumiliationinready-madelendings；theirecstasybecomeshim。Heisgloriouswiththem，andwecanimaginethisbenignandindulgentNatureconfoundingtogetherthesonssheembraces，andmakingherpoets——theprimaryandthesecondary，thegreaterandthelesser——allequalsinherarms。Letusseehiminthatcompanywherehelooksnobleamongstthenoble；
　　letusnotlookuponhiminthecompanyoftheignoble，wherehelooksignoblerstill，beingserviletothem；letuslookuponhimwiththelyricalShakespeare，withVaughan，Blake，Wordsworth，Patmore，Meredith；notwithBaudelaireandGautier；withthepoetsoftheforestandthesun，andnotwiththoseofthealcove。Wecanmakepeacewithhimforloveofthem；wecanimaginethemthankfultohimwho，poorandperverseinthoughtinsomanypages，couldyetjointheminsuchasongasthis：
　　AndherheartspranginIseult，andshedrewWithallherspiritandlifethesunrisethrough，AndthroughherlipsthekeentriumphantairSea-scented，sweeterthanland-roseswere，AndthroughhereyesthewholerejoicingeastSun-satisfied，andalltheheavenatfeastSpreadforthemorning；andtheimperiousmirthOfwindandlightthatmovedupontheearth，Makingthespring，andallthefruitfulmightAndstrongregenerationofdelightThatswellstheseedlingleafandsaplingman。
　　He，nevertheless，whowasable，inhighcompany，tohailtheseawithsuchfineverse，wasnotashamed，inlowcompany，tosingthefamousabsurditiesabout"theliliesandlanguorsofvirtueandtherosesandrapturesofvice，"withmanyandmanyapassageoflikecharacter。Ithinkitmoregenerous，seeingIhavedifferedsomuchfromtheNineteenthCentury’schorusofexcessivepraise，toquotelittlefromthevacant，thepaltry，thesilly——nowordissofitasthatlastlittleword——amonghispages。Therefore，Ihavejustifiedmypraise，butnotmyblame。Itisforthereadertoturntothejustifyingpages：to"ASongofItaly，""LesNoyades，"
　　"Hermaphroditus，""SatiateSanguine，""KissingherHair，""AnInterlude，""InaGarden，"orsuchastanzaastheonebeginningOthoughtillimitableandinfiniteheartWhosebloodislifeinlimbsindissoluteThatallkeepheartlessthineinvisiblepartAndinextirpablethyviewlessrootWhenceallsweetshaftsofgreenandeachthydartOfsharpeningleafandbudresunderingshoot。
　　Itisforthereaderwhohaspreservedrectitudeofintellect，sincerityofheart，dignityofnerves，unhurriedthoughts，anunexcitedheart，andanardourforpoetry，tojudgebetweensuchpoemsandanauthenticpassion，betweensuchpoemsandtruth，Iwilladdbetweensuchpoemsandbeauty。
　　Imageryisagreatpartofpoetry；butout，alas！vocabularyhasheretootheupperhand。Forinwhatisstillsometimescalledthemagnificentchorusin"Atalanta"thewordshaveswallowednotthethoughtonlybuttheimagery。Thepoet’sgrievanceisthatthepleasantstreamsflowintothesea。Whatwouldhehave？Thestreamsturnedlooseallovertheunfortunatecountry？Thereis，itistrue，theriverMoleinSurrey。ButIamnotsurethatsomefoolishimageryagainstthepeaceoftheburrowingrivermightnotbeduefromapoetoffacility。Iamnotcensuringanyinsincerityofthought；Iamcomplainingoftheinsincerityofapaltry，shaky，andunvisionaryimage。
　　Havinghadrecoursetothepassionofstrongermindsforhisprovisionofemotions，Swinburnehaddirectrecoursetohisownvocabularyasakindof"safe"whereinhestoredwhatheneededforasong。Claudiusstolethepreciousdiademofthekingdomfromashelfandputitinhispocket；Swinburnetookfromtheshelfofliterature——tookwithwhatart，whattouch，whatcunning，whatcompleteskill！——thetreasureofthelanguage，andputitinhispocket。
　　Heisurgentwithhisbootyofwords，forhehasnoothertreasure。
　　Intohispockethethrustsahandgropingforhatred，anddrawsforth"blood"or"Hell"——generally"Hell，"forIhavecountedmany"Hells"inaquiteshortpoem。Insearchofwrathhetakesholdof"fire"；anxiousforwildnesshetakes"foam，"forsweetnesshebringsout"flower，"muchlinked，sothat"flower-soft"hasalmostbecomehis，andnotShakespeare’s。ForinthatcompoundhelabourstoexaggerateShakespeare，andbyhisinsistenceanditerationgoesabouttospoilforusthe"flower-softhands"ofCleopatra’srudder-
　　maiden；butheshallnotspoilShakespeare’sphraseforus。Andbehold，inallthisfundamentalfumblingSwinburne’scriticssawonlya"mannerism，"iftheysaweventhusmuchoffence。
　　Oneofthechiefpocket-wordswas"Liberty。"OLiberty！whatverseiscommittedinthyname！Or，tociteMadameRolandmoreaccurately，OLiberty，howhavethey"run"thee！
　　Who，ithasbeenwellaskedbyacitizenofamodernfreecountry，isthoroughlyfreeexceptafish？Etencore——eventhe"silentandfootlessherds"mayhavemoreinter-accommodationthanweareaware。
　　Butinthepocketofthesecondarypoethoweasyandhowreadyawordisthis，awordimplyingoldandtrueheroisms，butsignificanthereofanexcitablepoet’seconomies。Yes，economiesofthoughtandpassion。Thispoet，whoisconspicuouslythepoetofexcess，isindeepertruththepoetofpenuryanddefect。
　　Andhereisapocket-wordwhichmighthaveastonishedushadwenotknownhowlittleanywayitsignified。ItoccursinsomethingcustomaryaboutItaly：
　　Hearestthou，Italia？Tho’deafslothhathsealedthineears，Theworldhasheardthychildren——andGodhears。
　　Waseverthoughtsopouched，soproduced，sosurelyahandfulofloot，asthelastthoughtofthisverse？
　　What，finally，ishisinfluenceuponthelanguagehehasransacked？
　　Atemporarylaying-waste，undoubtedly。Thatis，thecontemporaryuseofhisvocabularyisspoilt，hisbeautifulwordsarewasted，spent，squandered，gaspilles。Thecontemporaryuse——Iwillnotsaythefutureuse，fornocriticshouldprophesy。Butthepasthehasnotbeenabletoviolate。Hehashadnopowertoroboftheirfreshnessthesixteenth-centuryflower，theseventeenth-centuryfruit，orbyhisviolencetoshakefromeitheradropoftheirdews。
　　AttheoutsetIwarnedthejudgesandthepronouncersofsentenceshowthispoet，withotherpoetsofquitedifferentcharacter，wouldescapetheirsummaries，andhehasindeedrefutedthatmaximwhichI
　　hadlearnedatillustriousknees，"Youmaynotdissociatethematterandmannerofanyofthegreatestpoets；thetwoaresofusedbyintegrityoffire，whetherintragedyorepicorinthesimplestsong，thatthesunderingisthevainesttaskofcriticism。"ButI
　　cannotreadSwinburneandnotbecompelledtodividehissecondhandandenfeebledandexcitedmatterfromthesuccessfulartofhisword。OfthatwordFrancisThompsonhassaidagain，"Itimposesalawonthesense。"Therefore，hetooperceivedthatfataldivision。
　　Is，then，thewisdomofthemaximconfounded？OrisSwinburne’sa"singleandexceptedcase"？Exceptedbyathousanddegreesoftalentfromanygeneralityfittingtheobviouslylesserpoets，but，possibly，alsoexceptedbyanessentialinferiorityfromthisgreatmaximfittingonlythegreatest？
　　CHARLOTTEANDEMILYBRONTE
　　ThecontroversyhereiswiththosewhoadmireCharlotteBrontethroughouthercareer。Shealteredgreatly。Shedid，infact，inheritamannerofEnglishthathadbeenstrainedbeyondrestoration，fatiguedbeyondrecovery，bythe"corruptfollowing"ofGibbon；andtherewaswithinherasenseofproprietythatcausedhertoconform。Straitenedandseriouselderdaughterofhertime，shekeptthehouseofliterature。Shepractisedthoseverbs，toevince，toreside，tointimate，toperuse。Shewrote"communicatinginstruction"forteaching；"anextensiveandeligibleconnexion"；"asmallcompetency"；"anestablishmentontheContinent"；"Itoperatedasabarriertofurtherintercourse"；andofachild（withasingularunfitnesswithchildhood）"Forthetoyshepossessesheseemstohavecontractedapartialityamountingtoaffection。"I
　　havebeenalreadyreproachedforawordonGibbonwrittenbywayofparenthesisinthecourseofanappreciationofsomeotherauthor。
　　Letme，therefore，repeatthatIamwritingofthecorruptfollowingofthatapostleandnotofhisownstyle。Gibbon’sgrammarisfrequentlyweak，butthecorruptfollowershavesomethingworsethanpoorgrammar。Gibbonsetthefashionof"thelatter"and"theformer。"OurliteraturewasforatleasthalfacenturystrewnwiththewreckageofGibbon。"AftersuppressingacompetitorwhohadassumedthepurpleatMentz，herefusedtogratifyhistroopswiththeplunderoftherebelliouscity，"writesthegreathistorian。
　　WhenMr。Micawberconfesses"gratifyingemotionsofnocommondescription"heconformstoaloftyandadistantGibbon。SodoesMr。Pecksniffwhenhesaysofthecopper-founder’sdaughterthatshe"hasshedavisiononmypathrefulgentinitsnature。"Andwhenanauthor，inaworkon"TheDivineComedy，"recentlytoldusthatPaoloandFrancescaweretoreceivefromDante"suchalleviationascircumstanceswouldallow，"thatalsoisashattered，awasteGibbon，awaifofGibbon。ForJohnsonlessthanGibboninflatedtheEnglishourfathersinherited；becauseJohnsondidnothabituallyoroftenuseimagery，whereasGibbondidusehabitualimagery，andsuchuseiswhatdeprivesalanguageofelasticity，andleavesiteitherrigidorlanguid，oftenerlanguid。EncumberedbythisdriftandrefuseofEnglish，CharlotteBronteyetachievedthemiracleofhervocabulary。Itislesswonderfulthatsheshouldhaveappearedoutofsuchaparsonagethanthatsheshouldhavearisenoutofsuchalanguage。
　　Are-readingofherworksisalwaysanewamazingofherreaderwhoturnsbacktoreviewtheharvestofherEnglish。Itmusthavebeenwithrapturethatsheclaimedherownsimplicity。Andwithwhatamoderation，howtemperately，andhowseldomsheusedhermastery！
　　Tothelastshehasanoccasionalattachmenttoherbonds；forshewasnotonlyfireandair。Inonepassageofherlifeshemayremindusofthelittlecolourlessandthriftyhen-birdthatLowellwatchednest-buildingwithhermate，andcuttingshorttheflutteringsandbillingswherewithhewouldjoyouslyinterruptthebusiness；Charlotte’snestingbirdwasaclergyman。Hecame，latelyaffianced，foraweek’svisittoherparsonage，andshewrotetoherfriendbeforehisarrival："MylittleplanshavebeendisarrangedbyanintimationthatMr。——iscomingonMonday"；andafterwards，inreferencetohersewing，"hehinderedmeforafullweek。"
　　InalternatepagesVilletteisabookofspiritandfire，andanovelofilliberalrancour，ofungenerous，uneducatedanger，ungentle，ignoble。Inordertoforgiveitsoffences，wehavetorememberinitsauthor’sfavournotherpurestylesetfree，nothersplendourinliterature，butrathertheimmeasurablesorrowofherlife。Toreadofthatsorrowagainistoopenoncemoreawoundwhichmostmenperhaps，certainlymostwomen，receivedintotheirheartsinchildhood。FortheLifeofCharlotteBronteisoneofthefirstbooksofbiographyputintothehandsofachild，towhomJaneEyreisallowedonlyinpassages。Weareyoungwhenwefirsthearinwhatnarrowbeds"thethreearelaid"——thetwosistersandthebrother——andinwhatabedoflivinginsufferablememoriestheoneleftlayalone，reviewingthehoursoftheirdeath——aloneinthesealedhousethatwasonlylessnarrowthantheirgraves。Therichmaysetapartanddedicatearoom，thepoorchangetheirstreet，butCharlotteBronte，intheclosecaptivityofthefortunesofmediocrity，restedinthechairthathadbeenherdyingsister’s，andheldhermelancholybridalsinthediningroomthathadbeenthesceneofterribleandreluctantdeath。
　　Butcloserthantheconscioushousewastheconsciousmind。Lockedwithintricatewardswithintheunrelaxingandunlapsingthoughtsofthislonelysister，dweltasorrowinconsolable。Itiswellfortheperpetualfellowshipofmankindthatnochildshouldreadthislifeandnottaketherefromaperdurablescar，albeitherheartwassomewhatfrigidtowardschildhood，andshediedbeforehermotherhoodcouldbeborn。
　　Mistressofsomeofthebestproseofhercentury，CharlotteBrontewassubjecttoaLewes，aChorley，aMissMartineau：thatis，shesufferedwhatinItalianiscalledSOGGEZIONEintheirpresence。
　　Whenshehadmetsixminorcontemporarywriters——by-productsofliterature——atdinner，shehadaheadacheandasleeplessnight。