第6章

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"(veryindecently)inhistwosatires("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，in1746(in"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，atCarthagena(1741)，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。Hisverylove(asalwaysinSmollett)isonlyananimalappetite，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，whoselibertinism(oneparticularomitted)isperhapsrenderedbuttooamiablebyhisgoodqualities。"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，andoppression(despitehisremarksonhospitals)askeenlyasDickens。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。ThoughMooredoesnotsayso(heisprovokinglyeconomicalofdetail)，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，"translating(oradaptingoldtranslationsof)"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-upgeni(ordjinn)intomodernlife，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。TheimitationoftheknightbythenauticalCaptainCrowe(anexcellentSmollettianmariner)isentertaining，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，inSeptember(otherssayOctober)1771。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，hisdislikeoftheUnion(1707)，hisfieryindependence(yetheDOESmarryTabitha!)，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，ifAmericapossessesaclassicauthor(andIamnotdenyingthatshemayhaveseveral)，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。Theevolutionofhisworkwasfromtheprimenotion(whichheconfessedthathelovedbestwhen"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"；butwhenhecametoEngland(wheresuchlodgesareabundant)，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？