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。
