Imatges de pàgina
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direction which they tend to give it be just or useful.

It is of importance that this passion should be pure, and should be confined within the limits prescribed by virtue, and by a regard to the welfare of society. And here the narratives in question scem liable to little objection. When compared with those which preceded them, and more particularly with those which, during the last twenty or thirty years, have issued from the French press, they seem entitled even to considerable praise. In the latter point of view, indeed, it may be doubted, whether their merit be not diminished by the too frequent introduction of this pas sion. When it becomes, as these works tend to make it, not the occasional, but the great and constant, business of life, it must be more diflicult to fix it constantly on any one object.

The next point is, that the lover should be well directed in the choice of this object. From the perusal of these works he will naturally be led to seek one possessed of every imaginable degree of perfection: but there

are several dangers with which such a disposition is attended. For, as was formerly observed, though it be very desirable that a nan should aim at this quality in himself, it is by no means equally so that he should require it from others. Allowance must here be made for that imperfection which will ever adhere to humanity. The nature of this perfection, too, consisting chiefly in beauty and superficial accomplishments, will be apt to draw off the attention from more lasting and valuable qualities. That ardour of passion, by which the lover invests his mistress with every perfection, and transforms her even into an object of adoration, can hardly be accompanied with any great degree of judgment and discrimination. Accordingly his love is generally sudden, formed at first sight, without any of the caution and deliberation requisite in a choice that involves so deeply the happiness of his future life.

Another circumstance, no less characteristic of the narratives in question, is that multitude of improbable incidents, unex

pected meetings, and unhoped for deliver ances, with which they are crowded. Upon these, perhaps, rests chiefly their popu larity, and their wide circulation among the tasteless and illiterate. This subject has already been treated at some length; nor did there then appear to be any reason to ap prove of the practice. It tends to inspire a man with false views of human life, visionary expectations, and discontent with the real occurrences of his lot. Though the pleasure it affords is of a very low order, yet none is more apt, when much indulged in, to engross the mind entirely. It tends thus to take away all sensibility to higher beauties, as well as all disposition to apply to severer and more arduous studies.

These observations are not meant to apply peculiarly to the writings of Mrs. Smith, but in general to that class of which they are the most eminent. As it might be going too far, to proscribe this kind of reading entirely, a few of her's may, with propriety be recommended to such as wish to form some acquaintance with it. They possess all the

requisites of this kind of writing in a considerable, though none perhaps in a very high, degree. They are always interesting and amusing, and, except in the particulars above mentioned, completely unexception

able.

From our own country, we may now cast our eyes for a moment towards Germany. That country, long distinguished for heavy industry, and productive only of literary drudges, has of late exerted an extraordinary activity in every direction. Works of imagination have been produced in great profusion, and have excited, in a consider able degree, the admiration of all Europe. Nor is this admiration altogether unmerited; though they are by no means correct, either in point of taste or morals. In general, they display force and wildness of genius; a deep tincture of ferocity; a disposition to trample upon established opinions, and to cany every sentiment to the utmost possible degree of extravagance and excess. Their morality is of a very extraordinary nature.

We have already had occasion to observe the dangerous effect of great faults appearing in a character which, on the whole, commands admiration. This, though extremely common, takes place elsewhere through mere accident or inclination. Here it is done systematically. Some virtue is drawn in the most interesting and attractive form, with the express view of recommending a vice, or even a crime, with which it is united in the same character. This, perhaps, often arises less from any criminal design of perverting the public morals, than from that undistinguishing rage for novelty, which actuates every department of German literature.

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The most eminent in this style of writing are, Schiller, Gothé, and Kotzebue. though all the three have written novels, yet their reputation rests almost entirely on their dramatic performances. We must except the Werter of Gothé, which, for reasons that will appear hereafter, I do not mean at pre

sent to notice.

The best of the German novelists is La

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