第4章

Inthecoversofthefirsteditionwereannouncementsofthe"EarthlyParadise":thatvastcollectionoftheworld"soldtalesretold。Onemightalmostconjecturethat"Jason"hadoriginallybeenintendedforapartofthe"EarthlyParadise，"andhadoutgrownitslimits。Thetoneismuchthesame，thoughthe"criticismoflife"islessformallyandexplicitlystated。

ForMr。Morriscameatlasttoa"criticismoflife。"ItwouldnothavesatisfiedMr。MatthewArnold，anditdidnotsatisfyMr。

Morris!Theburdenoftheselongnarrativepoemsisvanitasvanitatum:thefleeting，perishable，unsatisfyingnatureofhumanexistence，thedream"roundedbyasleep。"Thelessondrawnistomakelifeasfullandasbeautifulasmaybe，bylove，andadventure，andart。ThehideousnessofmodernindustrialismwasoppressingtoMr。Morris；thathideousnesshewasdoinghisbesttorelieveandredeem，bypoetry，andbyallthemanyartsandcraftsinwhichhewasamaster。Hisnarrativepoemsare，indeed，partofhisindustryinthisfield。Hewasnotborntoslaymonsters，hesays，"theidlesingerofanemptyday。"Later，hesetaboutslayingmonsters，likeJason，orunlikeJason，scatteringdragon"steethtoraiseforceswhichhecouldnotlay，andcouldnotdirect。

Ishallgonofurtherintopoliticsoragitation，andIsaythismuchonlytoprovethatMr。Morris"s"criticismoflife，"andprolonged，wistfuldwellingonthethoughtofdeath，ceasedtosatisfyhimself。Hisownlaterpart，asapoetandanallyofSocialism，provedthistobetrue。Itseemstofollowthatthepeculiarlylevel，lifeless，decorativeeffectofhisnarratives，whichremindusratherofglorioustapestriesthanofpictures，wasnolongerwhollysatisfactorytohimself。Thereisplentyofcharmedanddelightfulreading——"Jason"andthe"EarthlyParadise"

areliteratureforTheCastleofIndolence，butwedomissastrenuousrenderingofactionandpassion。TheseMr。Morrishadrenderedin"TheDefenceofGuinevere":nowhegaveussomethingdifferent，somethingbeautiful，butsomethingdeficientindramaticvigour。ApolloniusRhodiusis，nodoubt，muchofapedant，aliterarywriterofepic，inanageofCriticism。Hedealtwiththetaleof"Jason，"andconceivablyhemayhaveborrowedfromolderminstrels。ButtheMedeaofApolloniusRhodius，inherlove，hertenderness，herregretforhome，inallhermaidenwordsandways，isundeniablyacharactermoreliving，morehuman，morepassionate，andmoresympathetic，thantheMedeaofMr。Morris。Icouldalmostwishthathehadcloselyfollowedthatclassicaloriginal，thefirsttruelovestoryinliterature。InthesamewayIpreferApollonius"sspellforsoothingthedragon，asmuchterserandmoresomniferousthanthespellputbyMr。MorrisintothelipsofMedea。ScholarswillfinditpleasanttocomparethesepassagesoftheAlexandrineandoftheLondonpoets。Asabrickoutofthevastpalaceof"Jason"wemayselectthesongoftheNereidtoHylas——Mr。MorrisisalwayshappywithhisNymphsandNereids:-

"Iknowalittlegarden-closeSetthickwithlilyandwithrose，WhereIwouldwanderifImightFromdewydawntodewynight，Andhaveonewithmewandering。

Andthoughwithinitnobirdssing，Andthoughnopillaredhouseisthere，AndthoughtheappleboughsarebareOffruitandblossom，wouldtoGod，Herfeetuponthegreengrasstrod，AndIbeheldthemasbefore。

Therecomesamurmurfromtheshore，Andintheplacetwofairstreamsare，Drawnfromthepurplehillsafar，Drawndownuntotherestlesssea；

Thehillswhoseflowersne"erfedthebee，Theshorenoshiphaseverseen，Stillbeatenbythebillowsgreen，WhosemurmurcomesunceasinglyUntotheplaceforwhichIcry。

ForwhichIcrybothdayandnight，ForwhichIletslipalldelight，Thatmakethmebothdeafandblind，Carelesstowin，unskilledtofind，Andquicktolosewhatallmenseek。

YettotteringasIam，andweak，StillhaveIleftalittlebreathToseekwithinthejawsofdeathAnentrancetothathappyplace，ToseektheunforgottenfaceOnceseen，oncekissed，oncerestfrommeAnighthemurmuringofthesea。"

"Jason"is，practically，averylongtalefromthe"EarthlyParadise，"asthe"EarthlyParadise"isanimmensetreasureofshortertalesinthemannerof"Jason。"Mr。Morrisrevertedforanhourtohisfourteenthcentury，aperiodwhenLondonwas"clean。"

Thisisapoeticlicense；manyaplaguefoundmediaevalLondonabominablydirty!ACelthimself，nodoubt，withtheCelt"sproverbialwayofbeingimpossibiliumcupitor，Mr。MorriswasinfullsympathywithhisBretonSquire，who，inthereignofEdwardIII。，setsforthtoseektheEarthlyParadise，andthelandwhereDeathnevercomes。Muchmoredramatic，Iventuretothink，thananypassageof"Jason，"isthatwherethedreamyseekersofdreamland，BretonandNorthman，encounterthestoutKingEdwardIII。，whosekingdomisofthisworld。Actionandfantasyaremet，andthewanderersexplainthenatureoftheirquest。Oneofthemspeaksofdeathinmanyaform，andoftheflightfromdeath:-

"Hiswordsnighmademeweep，butwhilehespokeInotedhowamockingsmilejustbrokeThethinlineofthePrince"slips，andheWhocarriedtheafore-namedarmouryPuffedouthiswind-beatcheeksandwhistledlow:

ButtheKingsmiled，andsaid，"Canitbeso？

Iknownot，andyetwainaresuchasfindThethingswheretooldkingsmustneedsbeblind。

Foryoutheworldiswide——butnotforme，WhooncehaddreamsofonegreatvictoryWhereinthatworldlayvanquishedbymythrone，Andnow，thevictorinsomanyanone，FindthatinAsiaAlexanderdiedAndwillnotliveagain；theworldiswideForyouIsay，——formeanarrowspaceBetwixtthefourwallsofafightingplace。

Poorman，whyshouldIstaythee？livethyfillOfthatfairlife，whereinthouseestnoillButfearofthatfairrestIhopetowinOneday，whenIhavepurgedmeofmysin。

Farewell，ityetmayhapthatIakingShallberememberedbutbythisonething，ThatonthemornbeforeyecrossedtheseaYegaveandtookincommontalkwithme；

Butwiththisringkeepmemorywiththemorn，OBreton，andthouNorthman，bythishornRememberme，whoamofOdin"sblood。""

Allthisencounterisapassageofhighinvention。TheadventuresinAnahuacaresuchasBishopEriemayhaveachievedwhenhesetouttofindVinlandtheGood，andcamebacknomore，whetherhewasorwasnotrememberedbytheAztecsasQuetzalcoatl。ThetaleofthewandererswasMr。Morris"sown；alltherestareofthedatelessheritageofourrace，fairytalescomingtous，now"softlybreathedthroughtheflutesoftheGrecians，"nowtoldbySagamenofIceland。Thewholeperformanceisastonishinglyequable；wemoveonahightableland，wherenotallpeaksofParnassusaretobeclimbed。Oncemoreliteraturehasanarrator，onthewholemuchmoreakintoSpenserthantoChaucer，Homer，orSirWalter。Humourandactionarenotsoprominentascontemplationofapageantreflectedinafairymirror。ButMr。

Morrishassaidhimself，abouthispoem，whatIamtryingtosay:-

"Deathhavewehated，knowingnotwhatitmeant；

Lifehaveweloved，throughgreenleafandthroughsere，Thoughstillthelessweknewofitsintent；

TheEarthandHeaventhroughcountlessyearonyear，Slowchanging，weretousbutcurtainsfair，Hungroundaboutalittleroom，whereplayWeepingandlaughterofman"semptyday。"

Mr。Morrishadshown，invariousways，thestrengthofhissympathywiththeheroicsagasofIceland。Hehadrenderedoneintoverse，in"TheEarthlyParadise，"aboveall，"GrettirtheStrong"and"TheVolsunga"hehaddoneintoEnglishprose。Hisnextgreatpoemwas"TheStoryofSigurd，"apoeticrenderingofthethemewhichis，totheNorth，whattheTaleofTroyistoGreece，andtoalltheworld。Mr。Morristooktheformofthestorywhichismostarchaic，andbearsmostbirthmarksofitssavageorigin——theversionofthe"Volsunga，"nottheGermanshapeofthe"Nibelungenlied。"Heshowedextraordinaryskill，especiallyinmakinghumanandintelligiblethestoryofRegin，Otter，Fafnir，andtheDwarfAndvari"sHoard。

"ItwasReidmartheAncientbegatme；andnowwashewaxenold，Andacovetousmanandaking；andhebade，andIbuilthimahall，Andagoldenglorioushouse；andtheretohissonsdidhecall，Andhebadethembeevilandwise，thathiswillthroughthemmightbewrought。

ThenhegaveuntoFafnirmybrotherthesoulthatfearethnought，Andthebrowofthehardenediron，andthehandthatmayneverfail，Andthegreedyheartofaking，andtheearthathearsnowail。

"ButnextuntoOttermybrotherhegavethesnareandthenet，Andthelongingtowendthroughthewild-wood，andwadethehighwayswet；

Andthefootthatneverresteth，whileaughtbeleftaliveThathathcunningtomatchman"scunningormightwithhismighttostrive。

"Andtome，theleastandtheyoungest，whatgiftfortheslayingofease？

Savethegriefthatremembersthepast，andthefearthatthefuturesees；

Andthehammerandfashioning-iron，andthelivingcoaloffire；

Andthecraftthatcreatethasemblance，andfailsoftheheart"sdesire；

Andthetoilthateachdawningquickens，andthetaskthatisneverdone；

Andtheheartthatlongethever，norwilllooktothedeedthatiswon。

"Thusgavemyfatherthegiftsthatmightneverbetakenagain；

FarworsewerewenowthantheGods，andbutlittlebetterthanmen。

Butyetofourancientmightonethinghadweleftusstill:

Wehadcrafttochangeoursemblance，andcouldshiftusatourwillIntobodiesofthebeast-kind，orfowl，orfishescold；

Forbelikenofixedsemblancewehadinthedaysofold，TilltheGodswerewaxenbusy，andallthingstheirformmusttakeThatknewofgoodandevil，andlongedtogatherandmake。"

ButwhenweturntothepassageoftheeclaircissementbetweenSigurdandBrynhild，thatmostdramaticandmostMODERNmomentintheancienttragedy，themomentwherethecloudsofsavagefancyscatterinthelightofahopelesshumanlove，then，Imustconfess，Ipreferthesimple，briefproseofMr。Morris"stranslationofthe"Volsunga"tohisratherperiphrasticparaphrase。Everystudentofpoetrymaymakethecomparisonforhimself，anddecideforhimselfwhethertheoldorthenewisbetter。Again，inthefinalfightandmassacreinthehallofAtli，IcannotbutprefertheSlayingoftheWooers，atthecloseofthe"Odyssey，"orthelastfightofRolandatRoncesvaux，ortheproseversionofthe"Volsunga。"Allthesearetheworkofmenwhowerewar-smithsaswellassong-smiths。Hereisapassagefromthe"murdergrimandgreat":-

"Sohesaithinthemidstofthefoemenwithhiswar-flamerearedonhigh，ButallaboutandaroundhimgoesupabittercryFromtheironmenofAtli，andthebickeringofthesteelSendsaroaruptotheroof-ridge，andtheNiblungwar-ranksreelBehindthesteadfastGunnar:butlo，haveyeseenthecorn，Whileyetmengrindthesickle，bythewindstreakoverborneWhenthesuddenrainsweepsdownward，andsummergrowethblack，Andthesmittenwood-sideroareth"neaththedrivingthunder-wrack？

Sobeforethewise-heartHognishrankthechampionsoftheEastAshisgreatvoiceshookthetimbersinthehallofAtli"sfeast，Therehesmoteandbeheldnotthesmitten，andbynoughtwerehisedgesstopped；

Hesmoteandthedeadwerethrustfromhim；ahandwithitsshieldhelopped；

TheremethimAtli"smarshal，andhisarmattheshoulderheshred；

Threeswordswereuprearedagainsthimofthebestofthekinofthedead；

Andhestruckoffaheadtotherightward，andhisswordthroughathroathethrust，Butthethirdstrokefellonhishelm-crest，andhestoopedtotheruddydust，AnduproseastheancientGiant，andbothhishandswerewet:

Redthenwastheworldtohiseyen，ashishandtothelabourheset；

Swordsshookandfellinhispathway，hugebodiesleaptandfell；

Harshgridedshieldandwar-helmlikethetempest-smittenbell，Andthewar-criesrantogether，andnomanhisbrotherknew，Andthedeadmenloadedtheliving，ashewentthewar-woodthrough；

Andman"gainstmanwashuddled，tillnoswordrosetosmite，AndclearstoodthegloriousHogniinanislandofthefight，Andthereranariverofdeath"twixttheNiblungandhisfoes，AndtherefromtheterrorofmenandthewrathoftheGodsarose。"

IadmitthatthisdoesnotaffectmeasdoesthefigureofOdysseusraininghisdartsofdoom，orthecourtesyofRolandwhentheblindedOliversmiteshimbymischance，and，indeed，theKeepingoftheStairbyUmslopogaasappealstomemorevigorouslyasastrenuouspictureofwar。TobejusttoMr。Morris，letusgivehisrenderingofpartoftheSlayingoftheWooers，fromhistranslationofthe"Odyssey":-

"Ande"enasthewordheuttered，hedrewhiskeenswordoutBrazen，oneachsideshearing，andwithafearfulshoutRushedonhim；butOdysseusthatverywhileletflyAndsmotehimwiththearrowinthebreast，thepaphardby，Anddrovetheswiftshafttotheliver，andadowntothegroundfelltheswordFromoutofhishand，anddoubledhehungabovetheboard，Andstaggered；andwhirlinghefell，andthemeatwasscatteredaround，Andthedoublecupmoreover，andhisforeheadsmotetheground；

Andhisheartwaswrungwithtorment，andwithbothfeetspurninghesmoteThehigh-seat；andoverhiseyendidthecloudofdarknessfloat。

"AndthenitwasAmphinomus，whodrewhiswhettedswordAndfellon，makinghisonrush"gainstOdysseusthegloriouslord，Ifperchancehemightgethimout-doors:butTelemachushimforewent，Andacastofthebrazenwar-spearfrombehindhimtherewithsentAmidmostofhisshoulders，thatdravethroughhisbreastandout，Andclatteringhefell，andtheearthallthebreadthofhisforeheadsmote。"

ThereisnoneedtosaymoreofMr。Morris"s"Odysseus。"ClosetotheletteroftheGreekheusuallykeeps，butwherearethesurgeandthunderofHomer？Apparentlywemustaccentthepenultimatein"Amphinomus"ifthelineistoscan。IselectapassageofpeacefulbeautyfromBookV。:-

"Butallaboutthatcaverntheregrewablossomingwood，Ofalderandofpoplarandofcypresssavouringgood；

Andfowlthereinwing-spreadingwerewonttoroostandbe，Forowlswerethereandfalcons，andlong-tonguedcrowsofthesea，AnddeedsoftheseatheydealwithandthereoftheyhaveacareButroundthehollowcaverntherespreadandflourishedfairAvineofgardenbreeding，andinitsgrapeswasglad；

Andfourwellsofthewhitewatertheirheadstogetherhad，Andflowingoninorderfourwaystheythencedidget；

Andsoftwerethemeadowsbloomingwithparsleyandviolet。

Yea，ifthitherindeedhadcomee"enoneoftheDeathless，e"enheHadwonderedandgladdenedhisheartwithallthatwastheretosee。

AndthereinsoothstoodwonderingtheFlitter，theArgus-bane。

Butwheno"erallthesemattersinhissoulhehadmarvelledamain，Thenintothewidecavewenthe，andCalypso，Godhead"sGrace，Failednowisetheretoknowhimasshelookeduponhisface；

ForneverunknowntoeachotheraretheDeathlessGods，thoughtheyApartfromoneanothermaybedwellingfaraway。

ButOdysseusthemighty-heartedwithinhemetnotthere，Whoonthebeachsatweeping，asofthewaswonttowearHissoulwithgriefandgroaning，andweeping；yea，andheAsthetearshewaspouringdownwardyetgazedo"ertheuntilledsea。"

ThisiscloseenoughtotheGreek，but"Andflowingoninorderfourwaystheythencedidget"

isnotpreciselymusical。WhyisHermes"TheFlitter"？ButIhaveoftenventuredtoremonstrateagainstthesearchaisticpeculiarities，whichtosomeextentmarourpleasureinMr。

Morris"stranslations。InhisversionoftherichVirgilianmeasuretheyareespeciallyoutofplace。The"AEneid"isrenderedwitharoughnesswhichmightbetterbefitatranslationofEnnius。

ThusthereaderofMr。Morris"spoeticaltranslationshasinhishandsversionsofalmostliteralcloseness，and(whatisextremelyrare)versionsofpoetrybyapoet。ButhisacquaintancewithEarlyEnglishandIcelandichasaddedtothepoetastrainofthephilologist，andhisEnglishinthe"Odyssey，"stillmoreinthe"AEneid，"isoccasionallymoreARCHAICthantheGreekof900B。C。

SoatleastitseemstoareadernotunversedinattemptstofittheclassicalpoetswithanEnglishrendering。Butthetruetestisintheappreciationoftheloversofpoetryingeneral。

Tothem，astoallwhodesiretherestorationofbeautyinmodernlife，Mr。Morrishasbeenabenefactoralmostwithoutexample。

Indeed，wereadequateknowledgemine，Mr。Morris"spoetryshouldhavebeencriticisedasonlyapartofthevastindustryofhislifeinmanycraftsandmanyarts。HisplaceinEnglishlifeandliteratureisuniqueasitishonourable。Hedidwhathedesiredtodo——hemadevastadditionstosimpleandstainlesspleasures。

CHAPTERVI:MRS。RADCLIFFE"SNOVELS

DoesanyonenowreadMrs。Radcliffe，oramItheonlywandererinherwindycorridors，listeningtimidlytogroansandhollowvoices，andshieldingtheflameofalamp，which，Ifear，willpresentlyflickerout，andleavemeindarkness？Peopleknowthenameof"TheMysteriesofUdolpho；"theyknowthatboyswouldsaytoThackeray，atschool，"Oldfellow，drawusVivaldiintheInquisition。"ButhavetheypenetratedintothechillgalleriesoftheCastleofUdolpho？HavetheyshudderedforVivaldiinfaceofthesable-cladandmaskedInquisition？CertainlyMrs。Radcliffe，withinthememoryofman，hasbeenextremelypopular。Thethickdouble-columnedvolumeinwhichIperusetheworksoftheEnchantressbelongstoapubliclibrary。Itisquitethedirtiest，greasiest，mostdog"s-eared，andmostbescribbledtomeinthecollection。Manyofthebookshaveremained，duringthelasthundredyears，uncut，eventothisday，andIhavehadtoapplythepaperknifetomanyanauthor，fromAlciphron(1790)toMr。MaxMuller，andDr。BirkbeckHill"seditionofBozzy"s"LifeofDr。

Johnson。"ButMrs。Radcliffehasbeenreaddiligently，andcopiouslyannotated。

Thisladywas，inaliterarysense，andthough，likethesireofEvelina，hecastheroff，thedaughterofHoraceWalpole。JustwhenKingRomanceseemedasdeadasQueenAnne，WalpoleproducedthatGothictale，"TheCastleofOtranto，"in1764。InthatveryyearwasbornAnneWard，who，in1787，marriedWilliamRadcliffe，Esq。，M。A。，Oxon。In1789shepublished"TheCastlesofAthlinandDunbayne。"Thescene，shetellsus，islaidin"themostromanticpartoftheHighlands，thenorth-eastcoastofScotland。"Oncastles，anywhere，shedoted。Walpole，notSmollettorMissBurney，inspiredherwithapassionforthesehomesofoldromance。

Butthenorth-eastcoastofScotlandishardlypartoftheHighlandsatall，andisfarfrombeingveryromantic。Theperiodis"thedarkages"ingeneral。YetthecaptiveEarl，when"thesweettranquillityofeveningthrewanairoftendermelancholyoverhismind……composedthefollowingsonnet，which(havingcommittedittopaper)hethenexteveningdroppedupontheterrace。Hehadthepleasuretoobservethatthepaperwastakenupbytheladies，whoimmediatelyretiredintothecastle。"ThesewerenotthemannersofthelocalMackays，oftheSinclairs，andof"thesmallbutfierceclanofGunn，"inthedarkages。

ButthiswasMrs。Radcliffe"sway。Shedelightedindescriptionsofscenery，themoreromanticthebetter，andusuallydrawnentirelyfromherinnerconsciousness。Herheroineswritesonnets(whichneverbutonceAREsonnets)andotherlyrics，oneveryoccasion。WithhisusualgenerosityScottpraisedherlandscapeandherlyrics，but，indeed，theyare，asSirWaltersaidofMrs。

Hemans，"toopoetical，"andprobablytheywereskipped，evenbyhercontemporarydevotees。"TheCastlesofAthlinandDunbayne"

franklydonotpermitthemselvestoberead，anditwasnottill1790，with"ASicilianRomance，"thatMrs。Radcliffe"foundherself，"andherpublic。Afterreading，withbreathlesshaste，through，"ASicilianRomance，"and"TheRomanceoftheForest，"inasingleday，itwouldillbecomemetospeaklightlyofMrs。

Radcliffe。LikeCatherineMorland，Ilovethislady"stenderyetterrificfancy。

Mrs。Radcliffedoesnotalwayskeeponherhighestlevel，butwemustrememberthatherlastromance，"TheItalian，"isbyfarherbest。Shehadbeenfeelingherwaytothispitchofexcellence，and，whenshehadattainedtoit，shepublishednomore。Thereasonisuncertain。ShebecameaWoman"sRightswoman，andwrote"TheFemaleAdvocate，"notanovel!Scottthinksthatshemayhavebeenannoyedbyherimitators，orbyhercritics，againstwhomhedefendsherinanadmirablepassage，tobecitedlater。MeanwhileletusfollowMrs。Radcliffeinherupwardcourse。

The"SicilianRomance"appearedin1790，whentheauthor"sagewastwenty-six。Thebookhasatrebleattraction，foritcontainsthegermof"NorthangerAbbey，"andthegermof"JaneEyre，"and——thegermofByron!Like"JosephAndrews，""NorthangerAbbey"beganasaparody(ofMrs。Radcliffe)anddevelopedintoarealnovelofcharacter。SotooByron"sgloomyscowlingadventurers，withtheirdarklingpast，aremererepetitionsinrhymeofMrs。Radcliffe"sSchedoni。Thisissoobviousthat，whendiscussingMrs。

Radcliffe"sSchedoni，Scottadds，inanote，parallelpassagesfromByron"s"Giaour。"SirWalterdidnotmeantomock，hemerelycomparedtwokindredspirits。"Thenoblepoet""keptonthebusinessstill，"andbrokeintooctosyllabics，borrowedfromScott，hisdescriptionsofmiscreantsborrowedfromMrs。Radcliffe。

"ASicilianRomance"hasitssceneinthepalaceofFerdinand，fifthMarquisofMazzini，onthenortherncoastofSicily。Thetimeisabout1580，butthereisnothinginthemannersorcostumetoindicatethat，oranyotherperiod。Such"localcolour"wasunknowntoMrs。Radcliffe，astoClaraReeve。InHoraceWalpole，however，acharactergoessofarinthemediaevalwayastosay"bymyhalidome。"

TheMarquisMazzinihadonesonandtwodaughtersbyhisfirstamiableconsort，supposedtobelongdeadwhenthestoryopens。

ThesonistheoriginalofHenryTilneyin"NorthangerAbbey，"andinGeneralTilneydoesCatherineMorlandrecogniseamodernMarquisofMazzini。ButtheMarquis"swife，tobesure，isNOTdead；likethefirstMrs。Rochestersheisconcealedaboutthebackpremises，and，asin"JaneEyre，"itishermovements，andthoseofhergaolers，thatproducemystery，andmakethereadersupposethat"theplaceishaunted。"Itis，ofcourse，onlythemysteryandthe"machinery"ofMrs。RadcliffethatMissBronteadapted。Thesepassagesin"JaneEyre"havebeencensured，butitisnoteasytoseehowthenovelcoulddowithoutthem。Mrs。Radcliffe"staleentirelydependsonitsmachinery。HerwickedMarquis，havingsecretlyimmuredNumberOne，hasnowanewandbeautifulNumberTwo，whosecharacterdoesnotbearinspection。Thisdomesticposition，asNumberTwo，weknow，wasdeclinedbytheausterevirtueofJaneEyre。

"Phenomena"begininthefirstchapterof"ASicilianRomance，"

mysteriouslightswanderaboutuninhabitedpartsofthecastle，andarevainlyinvestigatedbyyoungFerdinand，sonoftheMarquis。

ThisHippolytustheChaste，lovedallinvainbythereigningMarchioness，isadoredby，andadores，herstepdaughter，Julia。

Jealousyandrevengeareclearlyindicated。But，inchasingmysteriouslightsandfiguresthroughmoulderingtowers，FerdinandgetsintotheveryundesirablepositionofDavidBalfour，whenheclimbs，inthedark，thebrokenturretstairinhisuncle"shouseofShaws(in"Kidnapped")。HereisaFOURTHauthorindebtedtoMrs。Radcliffe:herdisciplesareMissAusten，Byron，MissBronte，andMr。LouisStevenson!Ferdinand"begantheascent。Hehadnotproceededveryfar，whenthestonesofastepwhichhisfoothadjustquittedgaveway，and，draggingwiththemthoseadjoining，formedachasminthestaircasethatterrifiedevenFerdinand，whowaslefttotteringonthesuspendedhalfofthesteps，inmomentaryexpectationoffallingtothebottomwiththestoneonwhichherested。Intheterrorwhichthisoccasioned，heattemptedtosavehimselfbycatchingatakindofbeamwhichsuspendedoverthestairs，whenthelampdroppedfromhishand，andhewasleftintotaldarkness。"

Cananythingbemore"amazinghorrid，"aboveallastherearemysteriousfiguresinandaboutthetower？Mrs。Radcliffe"slampsalwaysfall，orareblownout，inthenickoftime，anexpedientalreadyusedbyClaraReeveinthatverymildbutoncepopularghoststory，"TheOldEnglishBaron"(1777)。Allauthorshavesuchfavouritedevices，andIwonderhowmanyfightsMr。StanleyWeyman"sheroeshavefought，fromthecellartotheirfavouritetiltingground，theroofofastrangehouse!

Ferdinandhungontothebeamforanhour，whentheladiescamewithalight，andhescrambledbacktosolidearth。Inhisnextnocturnalresearch，"asullengroanarosefrombeneathwherehestood，"andwhenhetriedtoforceadoor(therearescoresofsuchweirddoorsinMrs。Radcliffe)"agroanwasrepeated，morehollowanddreadfulthanthefirst。Hiscourageforsookhim"——andnowonder!Ofcoursehecouldnotknowthattheauthorofthegroanswas，infact，hislong-lostmother，immuredbyhisfather，thewickedMarquis。WeneednotfollowthenarrativethroughthedarklingcrimesandcrumblinggalleriesofthisterriblecastleonthenorthcoastofSicily。Everybodyisalways"gazinginsilentterror，"andallthelocksarerusty。"Asavageanddexterousbanditti"playaprominentpart，andtheimprisonedFerdinand"didnothesitatetobelievethatthemoansheheardcamefromtherestlessspiritofthemurdereddellaCampo。"Noworkinghypothesiscouldseemmoreplausible，butitwaserroneous。Mrs。

Radcliffedoesnotdealinasingleavowedghost。Shefinallyexplainsaway，bynormalcauses，everythingthatshedoesnotforgettoexplain。Atthemost，sheindulgesherselfinapremonitorydream。Onthispointsheistruetocommonsense，withoutquiteadoptingthephilosophyofDavidHume。"Idonotsaythatspiritshaveappeared，"sheremarks，"butifseveraldiscreetunprejudicedpersonsweretoassuremethattheyhadseenone——I

shouldnotbeboldorproudenoughtoreply，itisimpossible!"

ButHumeWASboldandproudenough:hewentfurtherthanMrs。

Radcliffe。

ScottcensuresMrs。Radcliffe"semploymentofexplanations。Heisinfavourof"boldlyavowingtheuseofsupernaturalmachinery，"orofleavingthematterinthevague，asintheappearanceofthewraithofthedyingAlicetoRavenswood。But，inMrs。Radcliffe"sday，commonsensewassotyrannical，thatthepoorlady"sromanceswouldhavebeenexcludedfromfamilies，ifshehadnotprovidednormalexplanationsofhergroans，moans，voices，lights，andwanderingfigures。Theghost-huntinthecastlefinallybringsJuliatoadoor，whosebolts，"strengthenedbydesperation，sheforcedback。"Therewasamiddle-agedladyintheroom，who，aftersteadilygazingonJulia，"suddenlyexclaimed，"Mydaughter!"andfaintedaway。"Juliabeingaboutseventeen，andMadameMazzini，hermamma，havingbeenimmuredforfifteenyears，weobserve，inthisrecognition，theforceofthematernalinstinct。

ThewickedMarquiswaspoisonedbythepartnerofhisiniquities，whoanonstabbedherselfwithaponiard。ThevirtuousJuliamarriesthechasteHippolytus，and，saystheauthor，"inreviewingthisstory，weperceiveasingularandstrikinginstanceofmoralretribution。"

Wealsoremarkthefutilityoflockingupaninconvenientwife，fabledtobedefunct，inone"sowncountryhouse。HadMr。

Rochester，in"JaneEyre，"studiedthe"SicilianRomance，"hewouldhaveshunnedanobsoletesystem，inconvenientatbest，andapt，inthelongrun，tobedisastrous。

Inthe"RomanceoftheForest"(1791)，Mrs。RadclifferemainedtruetoMr。StanleyWeyman"sfavouriteperiod，theendofthesixteenthcentury。Buttherearenohistoricalcharactersorcostumesinthestory，andallthepersons，asfaraslanguageanddressgo，mighthavebeenalivein1791。

Thestoryrunsthus:onedelaMotte，whoappearstohavefallenfromdissipationtoswindling，is，onthefirstpage，discoveredflyingfromParisandthelaw，withhiswife，inacarriage。Lostinthedarkonamoor，hefollowsalight，andentersanoldlonelyhouse。Heisseizedbyruffians，lockedin，andexpectstobemurdered，whichheknowsthathecannotstand，forheistimidbynature。Infact，aruffianputsapistoltoLaMotte"sbreastwithonehand，whilewiththeotherhedragsalongabeautifulgirlofeighteen。"SwearthatyouwillconveythisgirlwhereImayneverseehermore，"exclaimsthebully，andLaMotte，withtheyounglady，istakenbacktohiscarriage。"Ifyoureturnwithinanhouryouwillbewelcomedwithabraceofbullets，"istheruffian"spartingthreat。

SoLaMotte，MadameLaMotte，andthebeautifulgirldriveaway，LaMotte"sonedesirebeingtofindaretreatsafefromthepoliceofanoffendedjustice。

Isthisnotaveryoriginal，striking，andaffectingsituation；

provocative，too，oftheutmostcuriosity？Afugitivefromjustice，inastrange，small，dark，ancienthouse，isseized，threatened，andpresentedwithayoungandlovelyfemalestranger。

Inthisopeningwerecognisethehandofamastergenius。ThereMUSTbeanexplanationofproceedingssohighlyunconventional，andwhatcanthereasonbe？Thereaderisempoigneinthefirstpage，andeagerlyfollowstheflightofLaMotte，alsoofPeter，hiscoachman，anattached，comic，andfamiliardomestic。Afterafewdays，thepartyobserve，intherecessesofagloomyforest，theremainsofaGothicabbey。Theyenter；bythelightofaflickeringlamptheypenetrate"horriblerecesses，"discoveraroomhandsomelyprovidedwithatrapdoor，anddeterminetoresideinadwellingsocongenial，though，asLaMottejudiciouslyremarks，"notinallrespectsstrictlyGothic。"Afterafewdays，LaMottefindsthatsomebodyisinquiringforhiminthenearesttown。Heseeksforahiding-place，andexploresthechambersunderthetrapdoor。Herehefinds，inalargechest——whatdoyousupposehefinds？Itwasahumanskeleton!Yetinthisawfulvicinityheandhiswife，withAdeline(thefairstranger)concealthemselves。ThebraveAdeline，whenfootstepsareheard，andafigureisbeheldintheupperrooms，accoststhestranger。Hiskeeneyepresentlydetectsthepracticabletrapdoor，heraisesit，andthecoweringLaMotterecognisesinthedreadedvisitor——hisownson，whohadsoughthimoutoffilialaffection。

AlreadyMadameLaMottehasbecomejealousofAdeline，especiallyasherhusbandisoddlymelancholy，andapttowithdrawintoaglade，wherehemysteriouslydisappearsintotherecessesofagenuineGothicsepulchre。This，tothewatchfuleyesofawife，isproofoffaithlessnessonthepartofahusband。Astheson，Louis，reallyfallsinlovewithAdeline，MadameLaMottebecomesdoublyunkindtoher，andAdelinenowcomposesquantitiesofpoemstoNight，toSunset，totheNocturnalGale，andsoon。

Inthisuncomfortablesituation，twostrangersarriveinaterrificthunderstorm。Oneisyoung，theotherisaMarquis。Onseeingthisnobleman，"LaMotte"slimbstrembled，andaghastlypalenessoverspreadhiscountenance。TheMarquiswaslittlelessagitated，"

andwas，atfirst，decidedlyhostile。LaMotteimploredforgiveness——forwhat？——andtheMarquis(who，infact，ownedtheAbbey，andhadashootinglodgenotfaroff)wasmollified。Theyallbecameratherfriendly，andAdelineaskedLaMotteaboutthestoriesofhauntings，andamurdersaidtohavebeen，atsometime，committedintheAbbey。LaMottesaidthattheMarquiscouldhavenoconnectionwithsuchfables；still，thereWAStheskeleton。

Meanwhile，AdelinehadconceivedaflameforTheodore，theyoungofficerwhoaccompaniedhiscolonel，theMarquis，ontheirfirstvisittothefamily。Theodore，whoreturnedherpassion，hadvaguelywarnedherofanimpendingdanger，andthenhadfailedtokeeptrystwithher，oneevening，andhadmysteriouslydisappeared。

ThenunhappyAdelinedreamedaboutaprisoner，adyingman，acoffin，avoicefromthecoffin，andtheappearancewithinitofthedyingman，amidsttorrentsofblood。Thechamberinwhichshesawthesevisionswasmostvividlyrepresented。NextdaytheMarquiscametodinner，and，THOUGHRELUCTANTLY，consentedtopassthenight:Adeline，therefore，wasputinanewbedroom。

Disturbedbythewindshakingthemoulderingtapestry，shefoundaconcealeddoorbehindthearrasandasuiteofrooms，ONEOFWHICH

WASTHECHAMBEROFHERDREAM!Onthefloorlayarustydagger!

Thebedstead，beingtouched，crumbled，anddisclosedasmallrollofmanuscripts。Theywerenotwashingbills，likethosediscoveredbyCatherineMorlandin"NorthangerAbbey。"Returningtoherownchamber，AdelineheardtheMarquisprofessingtoLaMotteapassionforherself。Conceiveherhorror!Silencethenreigned，tillallwassuddennoiseandconfusion；theMarquisflyinginterrorfromhisroom，andinsistingoninstantdeparture。Hisemotionwaspowerfullydisplayed。

Whathadoccurred？Mrs。Radcliffedoesnotsay，buthorror，whethercausedbyaconscienceillatease，orbyeventsofaterrificandsupernaturalkind，isplainlyindicated。Indaylight，theMarquisaudaciouslypressedhisunholysuit，andevenofferedmarriage，ahollowmockery，forhewaswellknowntobealreadyamarriedman。ThescenesofAdeline"sflight，capture，retentioninanelegantvillaofthelicentiousnoble，renewedflight，rescuebyTheodore，withTheodore"sarrest，andwoundingofthetyrannicalMarquis，areallofbreathlessinterest。Mrs。Radcliffeexcelsinnarrativesofromanticescapes，atopicalwaysthrillingwhenwellhandled。AdelineherselfiscarriedbacktotheAbbey，butLaMotte，whohadrathernotbeavillainifhecouldavoidit，enablesheragaintosecureherfreedom。HeisclearlyinthepoweroftheMarquis，andhislifehasbeenunscrupulous，butheretainstracesofbetterthings。AdelineisnowsecretlyconveyedtoapeacefulvalleyinSavoy，thehomeofthehonestPeter(thecoachman)，whoaccompaniesher。HereshelearnstoknowandvaluethefamilyofLaLuc，thekindredofherTheodore(byaromanticcoincidence)，and，intheadorablesceneryofSavoy，shethrowsmanyaballadtotheMoon。

LaMotte，onthediscoveryofAdeline"sflight，wascastintoprisonbytherevengefulMarquis，for，infact，soonaftersettlingintheAbbey，ithadoccurredtoLaMottetocommencehighwayman。

HisveryfirstvictimhadbeentheMarquis，and，duringhismysteriousretreatstoatombinagladeintheforest，hehad，inshort，beencontemplatinghisbooty，jewelswhichhecouldnotconvertintoreadymoney。Consequently，whentheMarquisfirstenteredtheAbbey，LaMottehadeveryreasonforalarm，andonlypacifiedthevindictivearistocratbyyieldingtohiscruelschemesagainstthevirtueofAdeline。

HappilyforLaMotte，awitnessappearedathistrial，whocastaluridlightonthecharacteroftheMarquis。Thatvillain，tobeplain，hadmurderedhiselderbrother(theskeletonoftheAbbey)，andhadbeenanxioustomurder，itwasadded，hisownnaturaldaughter——thatis，Adeline!Hishiredfelons，however，placedherinaconvent，and，later(ratherthankillher，onwhichtheMarquisinsisted)，simplythrustherintothehandsofLaMotte，whohappenedtopassbythatway，aswesawintheopeningofthisromance。Thus，inmakinglovetoAdeline，hisdaughter，theMarquiswas，unconsciously，inanawkwardposition。Onfurtherexaminationofevidence，however，thingsprovedotherwise。AdelinewasNOTthenaturaldaughteroftheMarquis，buthisniece，thelegitimatedaughterandheiressofhisbrother(theskeletonoftheAbbey)。TheMS。foundbyAdelineintheroomoftherustydaggeraddeddocumentaryevidence，foritwasanarrativeofthesufferingsofherfather(latertheskeleton)，writtenbyhimintheAbbeywherehewasimprisonedandstabbed，andwherehisboneswerediscoveredbyLaMotte。ThehastynocturnalflightoftheMarquisfromtheAbbeyisthusaccountedfor:hehadprobablybeenthevictimofaterrifichallucinationrepresentinghismurderedbrother；whetheritwasveridicalormerelysubjectiveMrs。

Radcliffedoesnotdecide。Ratherthanfacetheoutragedjusticeofhiscountry，theMarquis，aftertheserevelations，tookpoison。

LaMottewasbanished；andAdeline，nowmistressoftheAbbey，removedthepaternalskeletonto"thevaultofhisancestors。"

TheodoreandAdelinewereunited，andvirtuouslyresidedinavillaonthebeautifulbanksoftheLakeofGeneva。

Suchisthe"RomanceoftheForest，"afictioninwhichcharacterissubordinatetoplotandincident。ThereisanattemptatcharacterdrawinginLaMotte，andinhiswife；theheroandheroinearenotdistinguishablefromJuliaandHippolytus。ButMrs。Radcliffedoesnotaimatpsychologicalniceties，andwemustnotblameherforwithholdingwhatitwasnopartofherpurposetogive。"TheRomanceoftheForest"was，sofar，infinitelythemostthrillingofmodernEnglishworksoffiction。"Everyreaderfelttheforce，"saysScott，"fromthesageinhisstudy，tothefamilygroupinmiddlelife，"andnobodyfeltitmorethanScotthimself，thenayounggentlemanofnineteen，who，whenaskedhowhistimewasemployed，answered，"IreadnoCivilLaw。"HedidreadMrs。

Radcliffe，and，in"TheBetrothed，"followedherexampleinthestoryofthehauntedchamberwheretheheroinefacesthespectreattachedtoherancientfamily。

"TheMysteriesofUdolpho，"Mrs。Radcliffe"snextandmostcelebratedwork，isnot(inthejudgmentofthisreader，atleast)

hermasterpiece。ThebooksellerspaidherwhatScott，erroneously，calls"theunprecedentedsumof500pounds"fortheromance，andtheymusthavemadeaprofitablebargain。"Thepublic，"saysScott，"rusheduponitwithalltheeagernessofcuriosity，androsefromitwithunsatedappetite。"Iarisewithathoroughlysatedappetitefromthe"MysteriesofUdolpho。"Thebook，asSirWaltersaw，is"TheRomanceoftheForest"raisedtoahigherpower。Wehaveasimilarandsimilarlysituatedheroine，cruellydetachedfromheryoungman，andimmuredinahowlingwildernessofabrigandcastleintheApennines。InplaceoftheMarquisisamiscreantonalargerandmoreferociousscale。Theusualmysteriesofvoices，lights，secretpassages，andinnumerabledoorsareprovidedregardlessofeconomy。Thegreatquestion，whichI

shallnotanswer，is，WHATDIDTHEBLACKVEILCONCEAL？NOT"thebonesofLaurentina，"asCatherineMorlandsupposed。

HereisEmily"sadventurewiththeveil。"Shepausedagain，andthen，withatimidhand，liftedtheveil；butinstantlyletitfall——perceivingthatwhatithadconcealedwasnopicture，andbeforeshecouldleavethechambershedroppedsenselessonthefloor。Whensherecoveredherrecollection，……horroroccupiedhermind。"Countlessmysteriescoagulatearoundthisveil，andthereaderisapttobedisappointedwhentheawfulcurtainiswithdrawn。Buthehasenjoyed，forseveralhundredpages，thepleasuresofanticipation。Apedanticcensormayremarkthat，whilethedateofthestoryis1580，allthevirtuouspeopleliveinanidyllicfashion，likecreaturesofRousseau，existingsolelyforlandscapeandtheaffections，writingpoetryonNature，animateandinanimate，includingthecommonBat，anddrawinginwatercolours。Inthoseelegantavocationsbegan，andinthese，afteranintervalofadventures"amazinghorrid，"concludedthecareerofEmily。

Mrs。Radcliffekeepsthemanyentangledthreadsofhercomplexwebwellinhand，andincidentswhichpuzzleyouatthebeginningfallnaturallyintoplacebeforetheend。Thecharacteroftheheroine"ssilly，vain，unkind，andunreasonableauntisvividlydesigned(thatEmilyshouldmistakethecorseofamoustachedbanditforthatofherauntisanincidenthardtodefend)。

Valancourtisnotanordinaryspotlesshero，butsowshiswildoats，andreapstheusualharvest；andAnnetteisagoodsampleoftheusualsoubrette。WhenonehassaidthatthelandscapesandbanditsofthisromanceareworthyofPoussinandSalvatorRosa，fromwhomtheywereprobablytranslatedintowords，notmuchremainstobeadded。SirWalter，afterrepeatedperusals，considered"Udolpho""astepbeyondMrs。Radcliffe"sformerwork，highasthathadjustlyadvancedher。"Butheadmitsthat"personsofnomeanjudgment"preferred"TheRomanceoftheForest。"WiththeseamateursIwouldberanked。Theingenuityandoriginalityofthe"Romance"aregreater:ourfriendtheskeletonisbetterthanthatThingwhichwasbehindtheBlackVeil，theescapesofAdelinearemorethrillingthantheescapeofEmily，andthe"Romance"isnotnearlysolong，notnearlysoprolixas"Udolpho。"

TheroofandcrownofMrs。Radcliffe"sworkis"TheItalian"

(1797)，forwhichshereceived800pounds。{6}ThesceneisNaples，thedateabout1764；thetopicisthethwartedlovesofVivaldiandEllena；thevillainistheadmirableSchedoni，theprototypeofByron"sluridcharacters。

"TheItalian"isanexcellentnovel。ThePrelude，"thedarkandvaultedgateway，"isnotunworthyofHawthorne，who，Isuspect，hadstudiedMrs。Radcliffe。Thethemeismorelikeathemeofthisworldthanusual。Theparentsofayoungnoblemightwelltrytopreventhimfrommarryinganunknownandpennilessgirl。TheMarcheseVivaldionlyadoptstheordinarypaternalmeasures；theMarchesa，andherconfessorthedark-souledSchedoni，gofarther——

asfarasassassination。ThecasuistrybywhichSchedonibringstheladytothispass，whilerepresentingherastheoriginatorofthescheme，isreallysubtle，andthescenesbetweenthepairshowanextraordinaryadvanceonMrs。Radcliffe"searlierart。ThemysteriousMonkwhocounteractsSchedoniremainsanunsolvedmysterytome，butofthatIdonotcomplain。HeisasgoodastheDwellerintheCatacombswhohauntsMiriaminHawthorne"s"MarbleFaun。"TheInquisition，itscells，anditstribunalsarecoloured"AswhensomegreatpainterdipsHispencilinthegloomofearthquakeandeclipse。"

Thecomicvalet，Paulo，whoinsistsonbeinglockedupinthedungeonsoftheInquisitionmerelybecausehismasteristhere，remindsoneofSamuelWeller，heisaNeapolitanSamivel。TheescapesareMrs。Radcliffe"smostexcitingescapes，andtosaythatistosayagooddeal。Poetryisnotwritten，ornotoften，bytheheroine。ThesceneinwhichSchedonihashisdaggerraisedtomurderEllena，whenhediscoversthatsheishisdaughter，"isofanew，grand，andpowerfulcharacter"(Scott)，whileitisevenmoresatisfactorytolearnlaterthatEllenawasNOTSchedoni"sdaughterafterall。

WhyMrs。Radcliffe，havingreachedsuchapitchofsuccess，neveragainpublishedanovel，remainsmoremysteriousthananyofherMysteries。Scottjustlyremarksthathercensorsattackedher"byshowingthatshedoesnotpossesstheexcellencespropertoastyleofcompositiontotallydifferentfromthatwhichshehasattempted。"Thisistheusualwayofreviewers。TalesthatfascinatedScott，Fox，andSheridan，"whichpossesscharmsforthelearnedandunlearned，thegraveandgay，thegentlemanandclown，"

donotdeservetobedismissedwithasneerbypeoplewhohaveneverreadthem。FollowingHoraceWalpoleinsomedegree，Mrs。

RadcliffepavedthewayforScott，Byron，Maturin，Lewis，andCharlotteBronte，justasMissBurneyfilledthegapbetweenSmollettandMissAusten。Mrs。Radcliffe，inshort，kepttheLampofRomanceburningmuchmoresteadilythanthelampswhich，inhernovels，arealwaysblownout，inthemomentofexcitedapprehension，bythenightwindwalkinginthedankcorridorsofhauntedabbeys。Butmarkthecrueltyofanintellectualparent!

HoraceWalpolewasMrs。Radcliffe"sfatherinthespirit。Yet，onSeptember4，1794，hewrotetoLadyOssory:"Ihavereadsomeofthedescriptiveverbosetales，ofwhichyourLadyshipsaysIwasthepatriarchbyseveralmothers"(MissReeveandMrs。Radcliffe？)。

"AllIcansayformyselfisthatIdonotthinkmyconcubineshaveproducedissuemorenaturalforexcludingtheaidofanythingmarvellous。"

CHAPTERVII:ASCOTTISHROMANTICISTOF1830

Thefindingofararebookthatyouhavewantedlongisoneofthehappiermomentsinlife。Whateverwemaythinkoflifewhenwecontemplateitasawhole，itisadelighttodiscoverwhatonehassoughtforyears，especiallyifthebookbeabookwhichyoureallywanttoread，andnotathingwhosevalueisgivenbythefashionofcollecting。PerhapsnobodyevercollectedbeforeTHE

DEATH-WAKE，ORLUNACY

ANECROMAUNT

InThreeChimerasBYTHOMAST。STODDART。

"Is"tlikethatleadcontainsher？-

ItweretoogrossToribhercereclothintheobscuregrave。"-

Shakespeare。

EDINBURGH:

PrintedforHENRYCONSTABLE，Edinburgh，AndHURST，CHANCE，&CO。，London。

MDCCCXXXI。

Thisismyrarebook，anditisrareforanexcellentgoodreason，aswillbeshown。Butfirstoftheauthor。Mr。ThomasTodStoddartwasbornin1810。Hediedin1880。Throughallhispilgrimageofthree-scoreyearsandten，his"rodandstaffdidcomforthim，"astheScottishversionofthePsalmshasit；nay，hisstaffwashisrod。He"wasanangler，"asheremarkedwhenafriendasked:"Well，Tom，whatareyoudoingnow。"Hewasthepatriarch，theFatherIzaak，ofScottishfishers，andhesleeps，accordingtohisdesire，likeScott，withinhearingoftheTweed。

Hismemoir，publishedbyhisdaughter，in"Stoddart"sAnglingSongs"(Blackwood)，isanadmirablebiography，quofitutomnisVotivapateatvelutidescriptatabellaVitasenis。

Butitiswiththe"youngTomStoddart，"thepoetoftwenty，notwiththeoldanglingsage，thatwehavetodo。MissStoddarthasdiscreetlyrepublishedonlytheAnglingSongsofherfather，thepickofthembeingclassicalintheirway。Now，asMr。Arnoldwrites:-

"TwodesirestossaboutThepoet"sfeverishblood，Onedriveshimtotheworldwithout，Andonetosolitude。"

TheyoungStoddart"stwodesireswerepoetryandfishing。Hebeganwithpoetry。"Attheageoftenhiswholedesirewastoproduceanimmortaltragedy……Bloodandbattlewerethepowerswithwhichheworked，andwithnomeanertool。Everyotherdramaticformhedespised。"Itiscurioustothinkoftheschoolboy，thebornRomanticist，labouringatthesethings，whileGerarddeNerval，andVictorHugo，andTheophileGautier，andPetrusBorelwereboysalso——boysofthesameambitions，andwithmuchthesameromantictastes。Stoddarthad，luckily，anotherlovebesidestheMuse。

"WiththespringandtheMayfly，thedaggerdippedingorepaledbeforethesupplerod，andthedaintymidge。"Finally，therodandmidgeprevailed。

"Weedour-lookinghooksarethething，Mousebodyandlaverockwing。"

Butbeforehequiteabandonedallpoetrysavefishingditties，hewroteandpublishedthevolumewhosetitle-pagewehaveprinted，"TheDeathWake。"Theladwhodrovehomefromananglingexpeditioninahearsehadanoddwayofcombininghisamusements。

Helivedamongpoetsandcriticswhowereanglers——Hogg，theEttrickShepherd(whocastbutaheavyline，theysay，inYarrow)，Aytoun，ChristopherNorth，DeQuincey-

"NofisherButawell-wisherTothegame，"

asScotthasit——thesewerehiscompanions，olderoryounger。Noneofthese，certainlynotWilson，norHogg，norAytoun，werefriendsoftheRomanticschool，asillustratedbyKeatsandShelley。NoneofthemprobablyknewmuchofGautier，DeNerval，Borel，lelycanthrope，andtheotherboysinthatboyishmovementof1830。