Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-11-11
THE GAZETTE.
MORNING, NOVEMBER II, 1858.
DICKENS AND IHACkERAY.


1t is the geniality more than the genius
which attracts in the works OF DICKENS
They warm and widen our toscm, even II we
have discovered thousand faults; tor faults
abound. Dickens is neither faithful, iorcl'
Bile painter, nor oonsummate artist. lie Is
q carioaturist; he is o manncrist. In gener-
al. the incidents are impossible, the plot clum'
s;iy constructed, and the characters wooden.
What should be robust and healthy ieeling
ia too often simperiDg twaddl!ne sentimental
ity. The style of Dickens, though IN tho
main mopotonous, is an honest Saxon style.
His books have gained marvellous repu'a-
ton, but they will not have lasting la!n.'
for peniality is not vitality. lie Il. essent'af
" an original writer, and ne has iouhoru
school. lie and his school, however nave
sacrificed too much to the temporar
in the determination to amuse, let tue coe' oe
what il might; and secondly, IN the a'tenp.
20 Nav the reformer A true literary artist
wonld strive to realize bis own ideal OF oeau
~ without thinking Of the plaudits or the
nenoe: and be would leave to the prophet the
work which the prophet can perform SO mucn
better than he. am indebted, however, TO
Dickens for many happy hour, and have
never risen from his pages without more
living and lavish love towards all manKihd
Unlike Dickens, Thackeray has more genius
than genia!ity. Where there is genius Of the
highest kind, the geniaiity will be always IN
nronortion. IA VIC see in the illustrious 10.
stance of Shakespeare. But in genius of
high kind, though not Of the highest, GEM
ality, as in the case Of Dante, may De aito-
gether wanting. Without genius OF tue hign-
est kind, Thsckeray Is as destitute OF sehiai'
ity as it is possible for man OF genius 70 De-
Even more important than faith In u'a Is
faith in human nature. This isith lhacke'
ray does his utmost to destroy. lie paints
he seldom oaricatures. but he seems to delight
in painting only such life as can he seen ID
London clubs and in Paris helis. Every man
has ngly leprous spots III his own nature,
which the avenging deitles continually thrust
before bis eyes. Why, to kill shame, or
hope or nobleness in his soul, should you IN
addition drive him into an atmosphere heavy
with the stencil of all the infamies? lou
make fresh pollution when continually STIR
ring the pollutions. Let the polluhons alone,
unless, like Hercules, you can turn river In
upon them to carry them away. GlancinG
back for hundred and fifty years Thacke-
ray could zee nothing but four detestable
kings CHANGING around, he can see noth-
ing but Palmers that murder, RobsonS that
swiudle, and universal snobbery. dare soy
all the while Tbackeray, as prosperous eu-
thor, and prosperous lecturer. oontrivcs, IN
the midst of this foul and horrible world, to
make himself very comfortable. Your mls'
ansbropist, or pretended misanthrnpist, loves
at least one man well. Quarrelhng with
Thsckeray's oy nicisms, do l likewise quarrel
With bis style? Not as style, for few styles
can be better. l object to it that 1t Is az
elaborate imitation of English style, in the
Addiannian nerind - rite.