The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-25

DsPsast OE1an.
u [sroa The Es. YORK Rsosrdse DEG; = \
seems to be on che increase. During the season,
thus far, tho city hes been favored with several leo
lures OF high order OF merit Mr.. Bancro0 and
Dr. Hawks have spoken before the Historical Socis-
plated 6re proof bnilding for Its library. Mr. Ben.
croft leetuTed upon Art, and, in 90 doing, gave
some wholesome castsation to the prodig Atty and
corruption of the city fathers Dr.. Hawks spoke
upon the history Of the Mecklenburg Declaration Of
Independence, that most interesting event In the
career of North Carolina. The reality Of this event
has been denied by Mr.. Jefferson. and IL Ia under
stood that Mr. Bancroft has shared, In part the
skepticism of the great virginian on this point
Dr. Hawks went into careful analysis of the abua-
dsnt evidence In favor of the declaration having
been made, and detailed fully the facts connected
with IL. Mr. Bancroft was present. and it can hard
ly be doubted that the able and convincing argu.
ment Of the lecturer will have On influence In mod
flying his convictions on the subject. The rage Of
the town for few weeks, however, has been the
discourse: OF Mr.. Thaekeray upon the Eng
lish comic writer's. They have boon attended
by large audiences, both at the time of their first
delivery and in their repetition. Mr. Thackeray
has great simplicity and terseness Of style. and
writes with an ldiomatc case and freedom which is
as as it is beautiful He has salutsry horror
of all cant and shsms, and visits with just reproba
tion whstever looks like hypocrisy or deceit We
were struck especially, by the absence of all that
straining after effect which s 80 obvious In the most
pie, direct mode Of expression upon the audiences
who have listened to him, has been such as to JUS
tfy his confidence in the good judgment of the pub
lie 1t shows that distinct utterance, direct and
simple style, and plain good sense, form the basis Of
public lecturers success
The manner Of Mr. Thackeray, both in style and
utterance we think better than the subjects which
be has chosen. We regret that he should uso his
fine powers Of thought and expression for the pur-
pose Of giving celebrity and circulation to
of the most objec ionable writers in all English
literature. Wycherly and Congreve, Fielding,
Smolles, and Serne, have been the subject of por-
tion of bis lectures These have been listened to by
large audiences, mainly Of young men and young
women.
How, We ask, are those young ladies who listen to
bis high commend alton of the plays and novels Of
these writer's, to understand his criticism unless
they read them? A critical lecture on "Hamlet,"
or 'Lycidas," or "Ivanhoe," would be stupid and
unntelligible to who had not ad the originals
to that not ope yousr sdy IN Eve 81
those who heard these lectures, had ever read
of CoDgreve's plays or of Fieldng's novels. II she
had done 20 in some sly corner Of . library, she
would not DO very likely to acknowledge il to .
male friend. What, then, will be the natural 70
suit Of these lectures endorsing and even exagge-
rating the literary merit Of some Of the most CD
scene Of En- glfsh writers? It will be to excite
tendency in the minds Of the young to look into
these creations Of prositued genius, that they may
understand the grounds Of tho critics admiration.
Cheap editions Of Smollett's and Fisdings novels
have already been reprinted in this city, aud
told that Mr.. Tbackerays lectures have created for
them an enormous sale We SEQ them in railroad
cars and on booksellers counters, and doubt Ut
that the scenes OF vice which they portray with so
much gusto have been mado familiar to th0us tnds
of young persons Of both sexes who, bat for these
attractive lectures, would never havo thought of
reading these lcentious and immoral tales of past
| age. What father or mother would be willing to
| see son or a daughter engaged upon the pages
OF Congreve or Fielding, that they might be able
too IF tha nd
| nent! Much Indignation few years ago ex-
pressed against large publishing house in this city
for flooding the n;ry with French novels Of Ii
centious and disorganizlng character. But nothing
| that Eugene Sue Paul 6e Kock ever wrote can
compare, for unmitgated filth aud grossuess with
some Of these novels which have been made tho
subject Of critical commendaton in this course of
lectures If Fielding is commended under such
circumstances he win be read.
These lectures have already created market for
these works. and they scattering their insidious
poison in thousands Of families, and sappipg the
virtue Of thousands of young hearts. Genius is no
excuse for perng the dearest interests Of society
1t is said shat Fielding has wit and humor. So
have the blackguards who haunt the low theatres
and drinking houses but shall we risk the virtue
% ssn o 70 sae
NOR IL may be thought that 70 are Hnduly
squoamish ON this point; but We ask any person
aloud play Of Wychcrley, or novel Of Smolett,
to q sister, daughter, or Q son! We care not for
the genius Of these men. They prostit1ted tho
gifts Of God to the bassst purposes. They catered
to the lowest passions of human nature for gain
They were willing to faint virgin purity, and adorn
the proigae by the gf,s of genius. for the paltry
pittance which they often spent upon fallen beings
whom their writings and example had helped to
make vile. We say that man Of genius, like Mr.
Thsckeray, has no right to disnter these loathsoms
books from the graves to which tho public conscience
of psst ago had consigned them, and serve the "a
up as the mental aliment for the young, the i'm
pressible, and the pure.