The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1874-05-13

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nored. The triumph ~ fiction seainst
the opposition OF, both the press and the
pulpit can find its only explanation in the
very natufe OF mana nature which was
given BY God. Fiction has triumphed be-
cause human nature demands hctioni and
human nature will always triumph over
opposing dogmss and pro,os.s. &c l.. 4,
This fact our agois compelled to accept.
Trpe, there are bad novels a. we'll ms good
novels, so also are there bad scientific
books and bad men In society. But this
proves nothing. Fiction has become a
constituent,eleniont Of literature, and will
always remain so. Fiction has proved
itself 10 boa legitimate and harmless els-
ment OF literature. Nay, it has became
an instructive elsment--enforcing truths
which otherwise would have received
no notice, giving life to facts which SOL
ence clothes With dry and .iresome names,
explaining doctrines and systems which
men havo hitherto ignored. n Fl. .H
Every Sunday school library gives evi.
acEce Of this. For Christianity has aban-
dopod many OF It's protests and resortsd
for the amusement OF It's children to lcti-
tious stories. These are not always ~
refined and elevated 40 good Judgment
would require. Nay, not only the novel,
but even the drnna has defenders among
men who cannot DO accused ofa want of
either prudence or piety. And :his Is go,
because the novel comes 81 humanity with
anappcal to thoso very eleinonts implanted
by tho Creator. Consulted in every dia-
logus and parable and Allegory and image
of tho scripturss. Tfuss both Me novel
and ahe drama my - perverted u srr9f
{" ths Bibis sissslf 4 AbiAsd. But slss
principles to which, they owe their SUCCESS
are the very principles 20 which the bible
owes its general diffusion and Interest,".
viz, the needs Of human nature. 1t 10,
therefore, tho duty of Christianity TO
selzo and purify agencies so vast and pow
erful--indeed to use fcti0n in the cause
of truth ta.. 7htt .. .. % go
IT, now you will study this history Of the
novels history not yet 200 years old the
originator Of which was Daniel Dcfoe,
whose first prominent work was Robinson
Crusos,-you will perceive that . the
modern novel, mean The novel OF real
merit, ID taking a new place in literature.
Works OF fiction aro developing pur-
pose which is characteristic Of the ago an d
which invests them with now and start
ling interest II is a purpose TO be use.
ful-to improve social cus,oms--to cor
rect social vices--to expose national
wrongs. Utility is their aim-thc great
Aim OF the age In their development Of
this purpose we are reminded Of steam
and Of telegraph. Whom steam was frst
employed in mans service, how littlo did
he imagine that its force was to change
the whole face ofsocloty, to aficc. tho en-
tire history OF tho world. and TO influence
the very dostinies of our race! When
Morse began to experiment with acids
and metals we'll known TO commoa labor
ers, how little did no suspect tia. with
these elements he should cross continents,
oceans, and mako the nations OF the earth
almost a. . single people! And when
Defoo wrote his simple story to smusc
children and repair his wasted fortunes,
he could not have suspected that in loss
than two centuries Statesmen and philos-
ophsrs, lsymen and clergymen, would be
employing fiction as the only possible
raeans Of reaching and moulding the mui.
titude, Had he imagined that diyines
would be found one day preaching ser.
mons, and tho next writing novels, he
would doubtless have coveted exile in the
island home d his own hero. Yet no man
can interpret modern society without re-
cognizing ac!ion Is 8 fac. of gres. .ignil.
cameo. . s1-lr $780,.
/. Isay, a change has taken place in the
purpose Of the novel. For moro than q
century its aim was wholly to please.
Sir Walter Scott does not appear 10 have
q higher aim than tho charm OF his story.
While Dickens and Thsckeray purpose
distinct ends in the correction Of social
evila We lose sight Of tho and in the deep
interest OF the story. Indeed, down to
the time Of Dickens and Thacksrsy, q
novel for . purpose WAS regarded %
foolish failure. BY seeking more than 70
plsase.it was thought to..sacridcs All Crit
les taught that fiction teaching philoso-
ply was neither fiction nor philosophy,
that il had ths dryness of the latter with
out the interest OF fiction.
But this theory of the critics has been
disprovod. Dickens and Thackersy pre-.
pared the way for the noble and heroic
novel ofto-dsy. That way has been pur.
sued and in some instances with varying, |
in othcfs with wonderful success. Per.
haps I can make myself better understood |
by naming two or three novels by way Of
The frat 10, ''Pu. Yourself |
in his Place" by Charles Rsade. This
proposes an assault on a groat social |
abuse. 1t 10 not refined in style; il 10 |
rot skillful in its dslinestion OF character;
i 10 not genial in humor, nor sparkling |
N wit. IL never rises in morality above