Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-02-05
TPROPRIETORS.

Christian religion, what admirable knowl-
edge Of the world do all these characters
display what good moral may be drawn
from them by those who will take the trou-
bic to think This. however, is not a task
that the gencrality Of novel-readcrs are dis
posed to take upon Them. and prefer that
their favorite works should contain as li,tle
reflection as possible /; indeed, il is very
probable that Mrs. James. or Miss Mat
thcws might read their own characters as
here described, and pronounce such wri
ting vastly low and unnatural.
But what is especially worthy Of re-
mark is the mastery rnsnner in which the
author paints the good pnr' Of those cqui-
vocal characters that he brings upon his
stage: James has his generosity. and his
silly wife her good nature: Matthews her
starts Of kindness, and Old Bath, in his
sisters dressing gown. cooking possc,s for
her, is really an amiable object. whom we
like while we laugh at him. A great deal
of tenderness and love goes along with
this kind Of laughter. and it was this mixed
feeling that our author lik ed so to indulge
himself in, and knew so well how to excite
in others. Whcneter he has to relate an
action Of benevolencc. honest Fielding
kindles as he writes it: some writers OF
fiction have been accused of falling in q
passion " ith their bad characters these
our author treats with philosophic calm
ness. 1t is when he comes to the good
tha, he grows enthusiastic you fancy that
you see The tears in his manly eyes; nor
does he take care to disguise any Of the
aaec,ionate sympa'hies CT his great. sim
Pile heart This defect in art perhaps,
but very charming one.
For further particulars Of Fielding
life, we recommend the reader to consult
Mr.. Roscoe's biography. Indeed, as much
MS any Of his roDanccs, his own history
illustrates the maxim we have just quoted
from Amelia.
Want. sorrow. and pnin subducd his
body atlast. but his great and noble humor
rode buoyant over them all. and his frank
and manly philosophy ovcrenme them
His generous attachment to his family com
forted him TO the last; and though all tn,
labor, of the poor fellow were only snh
cient 10 keep him and them in n bare com
pctence, yet ii must be remembered, to hi
credit, that he left behind him friene
who valued him SO much as to provide fo
the family he had left destitute. and I,
place them beyond the reach of want.
IS some credit to man 10 have been III,
friend Of Ralph Allen; and Fielding be
fore his death raised monument to hi
friend great deal more lasting thar
bronze or marble, placing his figure in the
romance of Tom Jones under the name
Alworthy. "There is day. SIR" sayi
Fielding in one of his delincntions to Mr.
Allen, "which no man in the kingdom car
tqnk of without fear. but yourself-tht
day of your death" Can there he finer
compliment Nor was Fielding the mar
to pay j; to one whom he thought wa.
undeserving Of it.
Never do Fielding's courage, cheerful
ness, and affection forsake him up to the
last days Of his life lie is laborng still fol
his children. He dies. and is beholdcn Il
the admiration Of forci yner. Monsieur d,
Meryionnet, French consul ut Lisbon. for
a decent grave and tombstone. There he
lies, sleeping after LIES ftful fever. NJ
more care, no more duns, no more rack
ing pain, no moro wild midnight orgies anc
jovial laughter: OF the women who ar,
weeping for him pious friend takes care
Here, indeed. it seems q, if bis sorrow
ended and one hope, and fancics that tn,
poor but noble fellows spirit is at last pure
and serene.