Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-29
[For the Phenix Gazette.l

Messrs. Editors: I find that l am again forced
to take up my pen, to reply 10 another arueie
of"C's,'' in behalf of novel reading; and although
have but little more 10 say than what nave
already said, l entertain great hopes, trusting
in the merits of my cause, effectually to combat
the strongest arguments Of my antagonist
These arguments, confess, at first sight, APP
near strong and unanswerable. l think, how
ever, that the following remarks, will sufhce 10
show upon what a slender foundation they gre
built:
He argues that "novels should be reads
Isl. Because they tend to inculcate vir'uous
habits and love for virtuous feelings" As
ha. been before remarked, although virtuous
feelings may sometimes be imbibed from few
of The standard novels, whatever influence they
NAV exert upon the moral character, is more
than counterbalanced by the poison OF fiction by
which they are accompanied. Besides, is vice
always exposed in its horrid deformity, and
virtue arrayed in her most attractive dress!
Cannot fire quent exceptions TO this rule be mel
with, even in the standard novels: But "
denies this, and says that "the fact is, there is
no novel (none, al least, to which reference
is now made) which does not contain moral
But to what novels does he refer! Those which
he mentions in his first conversation with the
lady. and 10 which he gives exclusive prefer
&.
vantes, Fielding, Smollett, Mrs. Radcliffe, Sir
Walter Scott, and our own Cooper" Itwould
be totally unnecessary in this place, 10 enter IN
10 strict investigation of the tendency which
the works Of each Of the aforementioned novel,
lists have had upon the moral interests oil man
kind. As 10 lie Sage aud Cervan;es, am will
ling to admit that the tendency OF their pro-
auctions may have been rather beneficial than
Other wise: although Sir Walter Scott himself
acknowledges, in his Lives al the Novelis's,
,ba, $50 strictly are the pasyp Of Gil Bias con-
Of a more masculine, Stronger, and firmer line
oil morality,SS
also ttkkft still less necessary to give the
reader any information relative to the personal
character Of the author Of "Tom Jones' 1t
would not be difficult to determine the charac-
ter and influence of the works Of notorious Il
5ert,ns. II is true, that Sir Walter Scott, in
his "Lives Of the Novelists," has said much in
defence Of he novels Of Fielding; but it is evil
dent to every reader ofthis biography, that this
defence is mere pretence-a thin veil, design
eddy thrown over in such a manner, that moth
ing should be paiated or concealed With
Smollet-who was The perfect counterpart TO
Fieldlng-Sir Walter is more severe; and most
decidedly condemns the novels of Frederick
Random" and "Peresfine Pickle" 1t is then
absurd to pretend that the productions OF no
.velists, who, / NAV say, were p'orer6iaf for the
looseress of their morals and proHigacy of their
lives. should 'hold up TO scorn and ridicule the
bad passions and principles of our nature, and
the amiable qualities of the heart to the admit
ration of every one;" and in short, are-capabe
Of improving the morals Of men.
OF Mrs. Radcliffe S romances have but little
to say. The same kind ofinterest pervades her
writings with which we were wont to listen 10
the marvellous stories OF ghosts and giants, in
DAYS of early childhood. II is for this reason
that they are so universally popular; and this is
the easiest method Of explaining why a reason
able and enlightened public should so delight
to be gorged upon the wild and improbable 6e-
lions of an overheated imagination.
think that "C's" assertion that "vice is ne
ger represented in favorable point Of view,"
has now been fully proved 10 be incorrect; and
this point being gained, it follows that the whole
force Of "C's" first argument-that "novels
should be read because they tend 10 inculcate
virtuous habits, and love for virtuous feel
ings"-has been totally destroyed. Twill now
proceed TO examine "C's" second and most
plausible Observation-Disclosures they make US
better &C quainted with the manners and customs
Of the people they represent, than history pos
siby can"
From the very terms Of this argument, il is
plain that historical novels are alone alluded to.
Consequently, we are now treating only OF Coop
er's and the Waverly novels. 1t has been al
ready coded, that in this single respect, a good
historical novel possesses decided pre:emi-
hence over any other book. 1t only remains
then to be determined whether historical noveLs,
possessing this advantage, should be rejected
or not To decide this l will appeal to fact
tits plain that the novelist must address the
imagination; since il is chiefly through the me-
dunn of that faculty, that he hopes to please
and delight; and il is no less eyident that in
proportion as the imagination is called into ex-
ercise, Gas it most undoubtedly is in the perusal
of novels) the mind must be neglected. there
fore defy "C'' to poin, out a single instance of
novel reader whose mental faculties have not,
more or less, been injured or impaired.
II is obvious in every division of his subject,
tia, sc" has spoken of, novels, as they should
be, no, as they are: and although this species of
writing still labors Under great abuse, "e ven