Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-05-01
NOVEL, READING.


one TO acknowledge the suggestions which
shall here make. rather fiom observation than
experience, on the subject of" Norel Reading"
twill not be presumed that shall lay down
any dogmas on the subject. which has employ,
ed the criticisms of some Of the wsest Of the
age; but the field of discussion, though so long
open, has never yet been won, and the few
thursts, like child playing with giants fea-
theirs, which | shall make, will certainly not
decide the contest
the several motives, which induce people
TO read, the three most prominent are, curiosity,
instruction, and amusement. To the first of
these, Novel reading is certainly indebted for
its origin; but whether the two last purposes
have been accomplished by the qualification of
that early inspired passion, is yet TO be deter
mined by an investigation of the subject under
consideration. In order to this, it would, per-
haps be best to inquire into the nature of No
1els. A general definition has been given of
them, purportng that Novels are .tfctions or the
truth dressed i'll fiction; but to speak more 10
our present purpose. would say. that Novels
are dramatic representations of human nature,
illustrative of the manners and characters of
different ages and countries, and written with
tire moral view of bring out the most favorable
able light, the good and beautiful parts Of crea-
ton. So far as they are copied from nature,
they present lessons worthy ofbeing studied, as
we ale taught thereby. the various changes in
the tide Of human feeling-the causes which
produces theln-the manner in which they act
and the results thereof. We are, moreover,
melted by the examples set before MS, TO emu
late excelences rendered so attractive, and 10
avoid inconsistencies, which are placed in 50
obvious, and yet so degrading light. The
common error Of Novel writers has been that of
using the Painters license, to cast an invisible
and magic veil overthe defects ofthe landscape; !;
and hence arises the suppositon that Novel
readers look in vain OIL earth, for that perfection
over which they dream in Novels. am aware,
that the minds of some, where warm imas gina.
ton preponderates over weak Judgment, have
been injured in this respect by The superstitious
romances and silly love tales of a former pe-
riod; but q standard NoucL of the present time
is the censor of the age; and placed in the
hands Of discriminating reader, is an excel
lent ''critque" on mind and manners.
Whilst thus urging that Novels are neither
altogether useless nor unsafe, will admit that
their dreamy fascination and abstrac, tendency
have sometimes acted. like the "ignis fatuus,"
in drawing the young mind from the sober
paths Of duty and science; but this defect has
been owing to the natural weakness before
mentioned; and it would be well if such per-
sons were taught TO use them as boy does his
whip and top, only as relaxation from sterner
studies. Thus used they have been known to
produce on the mental corresponding effect
which exercise on the physical system, giving
healthfni tone and vigor 10 the mind. He who
does not stop on the hillside Of science to gath
er few flowers, may reach the top sooner, it
is true, but it will be with rugged brow, and
care worn heart
Perhaps the light attractive guise IN which
Novels are written. is their best recommendn-
ton, inasnuch as they impart lessons of wis.
dom to The amusements of our leisure hours,
Just as in rowing through garden of flowers,
we receive instruction from The hee, aud see n
moral in the butterfly; but their superior exists
in searching the recesses of human thought,
and teaching us the arts by which its workings
may be discovcred-by linking in the chain Of
events the des.lnies Of men. and showing MS
their mutual dependence and relations. Though
history teaches us how men haze acted, Novels
prepare us to anticipate how they ,0iH act by
illustrating the principles Of action after the
most familiar demonstrations II is not to be
denied that there issome danger of forming too
high an estimhte Of mans nature by these re-
presentations, as their imperfections appear on