Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-10-22
NOVELS A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

r ~.
There was only one novel (sirictly deserY-
ing this nancy published more than a century
ago, 10 which time but adds new attraction
and wider populsrity--in imitlble Robinson
Crn,ot'-the never-tiring delight Of child
hood.--the admiration Of maturer wears, IL
was published ia 1919. But though il met
with ready sale, il conferred no immediate
lame on it, author. There was no daily press
to speak with lis hundred tongues Weekly
Gazette-nor Monthly Magazine-nor Quar-
terly Review, 20 inform reading millions Of the
advent OF new adventurer in the world Of
fiction. Twenty year. ards, Pope could
iamPoon ITS gifted author in his Dunciad;
"Earless on high stands unabashed De Foc;-
little voting that posterity would ascribe TO
che afflicted and prosecuted object Of his
scorn, genius not inferior TO his own. How
The fastidious Bari OF Twickenham would
have shuddercd at this iiea!
But the writings OF dc Foe, and Swift, and
a few others on fictitious subjects arc not adj
taitted by the canons of criticism, anon. the
English novels, Richardson is the true disco
'erer oil this boundless realm Of literature, on
which 40 much genius, learning and industry.
have since been expended: but Pamcla--ihe
virtuous Pamela-did not make her appear
ancc until IVA. hundred years ago, then,
there were no novels; and reader, gentle and
fair IL you were told that the stars did no,
sParkle-the breczes did not murm,n.--thc
flowers shed no pcrfume--eould you conceive
81 world more desolate and cherries; I'm
happy Clarlssa had not yet been tormented by
the reckless Loyeiace; the divine Clemeniina
had not been craZed 10y the conflict of religion
aud love; Sir Charlie. Grandson had not bowed
over the hand of Harriet Byron; Tom Jone,
had not exposed the foibles Of Philosopho-
Square: Roderick Random and Strap had no,
yet visited London; the Vicar OF Wakefield had
not held high converse ON cosmogony with
Mr.. EPhr1im Jenkinson; Uncle Toby had moi
been at the siege Of Dunkirk; the castle OF
CdoiPho was untenanted; the Pyrences had no
Romance; there was no Man Of Feeling
hundred years ago,
What 10 the world did our little grandfather,
and grandmothers talk about,
IL our ancestors were Unconscious Of their
deprivation, what would induce their descen-
dants, TO diyest ourselves Of the recollection,
and associations, connected with the names
which we have somewhat irreverently noticed
The progeny Of genius, is far more familiar "a
Us than the--so called real characters Of his
tory--far more acknowledgement less useful
Yet, are there still brighter names--more won
drous crcation--colors more d1Zzling--in the
magic world Of mountain and moor-i,land
sod lake-eastle and eottage-oamp and court
feast and battle held-whieh rose under the
spells Of the enchanlcr Of Scotland, and which
will never fade.--.1RtTiesa Monthly.
The English papers are commenting
severely on the "state Of society" in
this country, as exemplifed in the re-
cent mobs, outrages, sc. The Liver.
pool Standard, one Of our bittercst re.
vilers, breaks out in the following strain:
THE people Of the United States,
rendered bold by commercial success.
and even impious by liberation. offer
no humble prayer at the throne Of Iner.
cy. They do not look upon homicide
a. a crime. They have robbed 50 long
in the fields Of the rcd Indian that they
consider the power they have usurped
90 &c in accordance with the DEGREES OF
Heaven. This is fearful state Of dc.
lusion. lie who fishes with the long
Inc must expect infringement. The
Americans have done so too long"
Spare your wrath kind sur There
arc things nearer home than the United
States, which might claim a little oi
your holy indignation. We have no
wish TO open the records of history, OF
even 10 point TO existing facts, 20 sup
port our allusion. But "let him that
Is without SIN cast the first stone"
.7ier. Gaz.