Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1844-11-07
From the Mothers Magazine for September.
WHO WRITES OUR NOVELS?

l have thought it might be well to look littl,
at the character of the men who write the mos
popular novels OF the day. believe it is the pro-
essed design of most if not all these works 10 teach
some excellent moral or system of morals and. Of
course, we have a right to inquire and ought ia
know what is the standard of the morality of their
writers. The stream that flow from fountain is
as the fountain is, Iand so does the character of
the fountain determine what will be the char
dcter OF its streams. man of loose morals il mot
the best teacher in the world TO give moral lessons
to our children, and never can be, till poison.
ed spring can be made to yield pure and heathful
water.
The most popular writer of modern romance is
perhaps Sir Edward Bulwer; certainly among now
Ell readers OF the highest degree of intellectual re-
hnement, he Is very general favorite. Perhaps
Dickens would dispute the palm with him but,
however this may be, we have no room for Dickens
IN this article. He shall be served when his turn
comes. Bulwer is, unquestionably, the writer of
the most fashionable romances Of the day. His
works are sought after with eagerness, and read
with interest all over the country. A firm of pro-
tossing Christlans-one of the most extensive pub
fishing houses in the country-have lent their in
fuence IN bringing before the American public the
complete works of this author in form so cheap AS
| to place them within the reach of almost every
reader and they may be found in thousands of vr-
tuous families, and seem to be regarded by many
Christian parents as innocent books for children
Bulwer processes to be q moral teacher. Now to
say nothing Of the morals of the heroes of his tales
his works ;ndged If hv 3h ,,ois .i,uai VI
no sscerto;n freSro III; oLnno. ~ ~ rL:.t 'e'
Pable he Is OF teaching morality. After that, per-
haps, we may determine whether it is best to send
| our children to school to him.
An accomplished female writer who has made
mony co.. - .o,a.;H an" wv ieatnsu rom ner
gves vsrv dar, n;otr ~ t s ;'',e characeer'
Tadv Rulwer had heen marr;od - w.. ne IaS
proofs too ncontestible that her brsband sso
ished ,;hort;na XUbar En-; 60 SI:iS was nn'
he ordered II to be sent several les rs was porn Uorm
to be nursed declaring that children were his de-.
testation. When the child was about sx wears old
he procured goyerness. who assumed anihor;tv in
the family, and offered the grossest indignity to
Lady Bulwer. 1t was not long before the latter
discovered that this base woman was one of her
husbands victims. Lady Bulwer, when she could
bear the insults of the governess no longer insisted
upon her discharge: and her brutal husband struck
her to the earth She afterwards declared to him
that either herself the governess must leave the
house. Very WE'LL" said Bulwer, with the most
provoking GOODNESS, !" certainly it shall be as YOU
say. You shall leave-you shall pack off this yery
moment, and the governess shall remain" She
seized her children and poor and unprotected, left
the door of the man who had sworn tosupport and
cherish her and this iend, as he pushed her rude
ly from her home, observed with mock galiantry,
Go Permit me the pleasure, madam, of closing the
door upon YOU !" 1t is unnecessary and too REVOLT
ing to detail the cruelties and indgnities which
this exiled woman suffered from her husband. Snf
fee it to add that when he banisbed her from b;s
house, he said to her, Madam. renembert that von
are fatherless and brotherless, and l will crush
you to atoms :" and while he has continued TO
live with his paramount he has to this day done ali
in his power to execute this inhuman threat with
fidelity
Christian parents will YOU admit such teach
er of morals in your families Can sucb an accom-.
plished scholar in vice be a proper companion for
your children Will yoi, with this knowledge of
his history stop to debate the question whether he
Cd They rest nof alone m me ,sslluo0hG M ,rtp
I.dv 70 show ,xa have alluded They arc motter
NJ Common an;madversion bv the British press.
FucrNr SUE 10 another of The most nonular nov-
al;sts Of tho nresant dav H;s Mvster!ns of p.r;s,
has produced greater sensation among The readers
ofth;s snoc;as az fiction Thai anv,b;ny Of Tho Lnd
wh;cb has anneared for years Two val editions
have heen nrb;shed in this countrv and of one Of
these editions nearly fortv thousand have heen cold
hv J s;naia concern. The ,vorL yve have not road
tIough The criticisms NJ the Americas nrass mon
;ts ,ror,Is arc evceed;nglv severe lie yerv name
a,yas an ;do. NJ ts character The authoy intro.
Smces hs rea6ars r. the haunts If c,;me that 90 A.
bound in thai pleasure loving and vouptuous CAPT.
toll and makes them familiar with the scenes which
| virtue must blush to behold. 1t is not the book,
however, but the man, that we have TO do with at
present.
ris," Is represented by those who are acquainted
with his character, as libertine Of high order,
even for Paris; and that is saying great deal.
We are informed by credible men, that he is a Sc
Queer of female virtue, and an open and reckless
debauchee Hear the testimony Of N. P. Willis
respecting him "When visited him ten years ago,
he was an elegant voluptuary of the first water
| - e.