Saint Mary's beacon., 1870-07-28
: =. CHARLES DICKENS.

II is true that the fashion Of story-,el-
lers passes away Every history Of liter
atureis body Of dismal proof Of thst
truth. But the influence and the adnira-
ton of the great genius do not pass away. !
T!e mere novelist, the delineator of the
temporary forms Of society and Of persons
as affected by them, viii gradually become
curious as he becomes obsclete. But the
story-teller who deals With human nasure
itself, and who paints human character.
which does not lose its freshness with the
lapse of time. although he may direct his
force at particular and even transitsry
object, is not the prey Of changing FASH
ion nor of whimsical taste .'Uon Quix-
ote' is a story with purpose, but it is,
told by great genius, and therefore il is
dear to every generation of men. II ies
permarien: contribution to the realm ofim-
aginative creations. like the dramas Of
Shakespeare or the tales Of Ckaveer. And
every story-teller, in the degree u his ge-
Mus, has the same hold Of the world
Sterne was not lovable man. He hsd
no especial humanity Certainly there wss
no lofty and generous purpose in Iris,
tam Shandy." But My Uncle Toby ii
enc Of the beautiful fgures that the imas-
ination Of the English-speaking race will
not lose. Stcrne viii not fade from the
common knowledge like Mrs Behn, or
any other story-teller who is already for
gotten. II Is great mistake in those who
read SCOTS novels thirty yefrs ago 70 sup
pose that they are not read now. So our
children will read Dickens. And the
blithe story-telier who has made this gen.
Grafton rejoice, who has touched with 80
mastery hand the deepest springs Of
generous emotion and Of high resolve
who, far more than any other. has been,
the literary minister Of that sentiment of
humanity which is the spirit Of the age,
win not fade from the English heart ike
a fashion. but will rather be, like Chau-
Ger. one Of the dulings Of its permanent
Affection rise en- wg ~. trsw
When it is said that Dickens was the
peoples story-tcller, how much il said =
The word people describes universal
range of sympathy. 1t signifies no class,
but means all classes. Il includes. as tho
old alliterative phrase was. the peer. and
the peasant. And how immense the Ser
vice to the general faith in each other
which we all really wish 70 chsrish, is that
of man who shows, rs Dickens did. that
the greatest aud most universal popularity.
the favor Of the most ignorant and Of the
most educated, may be won without pam
dcring to single mean impulse. without
the least ridicule Of noble and generous
emotion. without any touch Of bascness!
What work is 30 truly lofty as that which,
while morally cheering and strengthening
all men, also inspires and justifics deep
er mutual confidence. This is the services
Of Dickens If he was not great artist,
30 be il. II be was caricaturist. 50 be
| it, II he was not gentleman. again 50
be it. But be was the most popular su-
thor Of time when reading was univer-
sal. and popular without hint Of impdff-
ty. He was more widely loved than any
author has ever beeu in his time and he
left no man living whose death would be
SO sore and personal . griefto the English
speaking race as his has been. sr44.
Farewell, kind master! generus= heart
How many and many in America or in
England, gathering roses in that solemn
week Of June, did not wish that they could
lay them ppcn his grave! For evcs %.
sweet and perennial as june roses full Of
all Summer warmth and beauty. shall be
the memory Of the man whose tender touch
stiIl makes. and will vet make. summer
in t1eusanJ. thousand Iives.-E E,iitcl y
Easy ehair. in Harper's .hagasiae fss 40.
ss~1