The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-12-04
KENEL1I oHILLINGLY.


This is the name of Bulwer's 0ord Lyt-
tom last novel, published since his death.
For this reason, perhaps, we have read it
with deeper interest than we have felt in
reading any of his former productions of
the same kind. 1t is often the case that an
author continues writing after his mental
powers begin to fail, though he, himself,
may not be sensible of the fact. The last
writings of Sir Walter Scott, Thackeray,
and, we think, Dickens, show falling Off
from former heights of literary perfection.
At least, we, ourself, read their earlier eff
forts with greater degree of delight and
enthusiasm. 1t may be said, perhaps, that
tho fault lies with ourseli and not with
these celebrated authors. That growing
old ourself, we did not feel the same degree
of interest which we had formerly taken in
the earlier works of these great writers Of
fiction, who deservedly stand at the head of
all their class, which has done so much to
crafty and charm the century in which
they lived But we think not In the
case of Bulwer it is different To us it
seems that he went on improving to
the last, and, in our judgment, the
novel, the name of which heads
this article, is one of his very best. 1t has
more of philosophy, craftsmanship and pro-
found thought than can be found in any
novel now extant At the same time its
characters are we'll drawn, and invested
with an interest which increases to the last.
The lovers of sensational fiction viii not
like it, of course-it was not intended for
them. 1t contains nothing of the marvel
Gus, nothing of the exeitable, nothing Of
thesvoluptuous. 1t is calm, reflective, we
may say, rather didactic, but full Of quiet
strokes of humor and wit, and showing a
very intimate knowledge of human nature,
as exhibited in English society. Perhaps
one reason why we enjoyed it so much is
that we so entirely agreed in sentiment with
the writer Lord Lytton was one who did
not have much faith in what is generally
denominated modern progress. He believed
that htuCu OA IL, - Aue-ctSN Va Nee NM tA~
movement Of the crab, backwards, and not
an advance towards earthly perfection We
believe the same. BE had reverence for
many Of the institutions Of the past, and
so have we. He was not for ignoring the
wisdom Of his predecessors on the
ground that We, Of the present
age, are so much more enlightened
and intellectual, and in this we agree with
him also. Much Of what he says of the
State Of things in Great Britain win apply,
We think, with equal truth and force TO
this country. We are not wiser than our
forefathcrs, and our progress. morally and
politically, has not been forward. but back-
ward. We have been losing our reverence
for those who were UNNECESSARILY greater
and wiser than we, and who should be stin
looked up 70 as examples worthy Of imita-
ton. But We forbear to pursue this subject
further Just here. We advise all who can
relish sound, thoughtful literature, 70 pur-
chase ana Rad this last production Of one
Of the most accomplished and successful
writers Of the present age. II it should af-
fond them half the pleasure il has given Us.
they win think their money and time vel
expended.