The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-03-24

has certainly never oeen advanced
Let US consider the character OF
those who constitute the readers, or
even tho admirers of Scott. This
may, at first sight, seem utterly: :im:4
possible, since his works have been
universally read and re-read for half
q century. But after some, thought
and investigation we affirm that
Scott's readers are not those whom
his delineations could harm. Ifthese
were offspring of talent. they would
have just such hurtful tendency as
they have been supposed to possess.
But being the creations Of genius,
springing from no personal recollec-
tion or experience, each character,
and every word is in the hands OF a
master-workman, one who may de-
clare "thus far shalt thou 90, but no
farther" Scott's erudition, all un-
systematical rs it doubtless was, prov
cd preventive to the inclination to
paint the passions Of tho human
heart, and the effects of their unbri-
died sway. His works possess just
such a solidity, if we may say, as to
cancel their sensualism. His readers
must, therefore, necessarily be those
who desire not only to be amused
but TO some extent edited.
There are probably numbers Of
readers who desire not to be obliged
to make q single intellectual effort
during their perusal. These are the
very class who are harmed by the
union of genius and voluptuousness
which so seldom occurs. They could
therefore, in respect to these works
not only be beyond the pale of evil
influence, but be incapable of being
umbered among their readers. Those
who really do read and delight in
them are persons capable of judg-
ment, discrimination. and appreciation.
They rise from their perusal either to
smile, lament, or ponder over, no.
only the foibles Of human nature. but
it's mysteriousness in being capable of
such strange Inconsistencies. ard
to marvel that the mind of one,
endowed with like passions, could so
faithfully portray them. What lone
lly hours, what sombre lives. how
many sick rooms have these roman
ces cheered and enlivcned ! making
life wear a different hue to many
worn and weary hearts. AS the last
portraits of the manners Of chivalry,
and hcightcning even the charm of
romance itself, we cling 10 these
novels a. to no others.
IF the nineteenth century wakes
mnre and more practical every day
and if, as To all appearances, it seems
| it may never doff its stern and un-
attractive garb Of utilitarianism is it
not incumbent upon those who have
felt the power Of the beautiful to re-
vive an interest, nay, to induce Il
love for all that tends to raise to its
rightIul LirQpe that which "is u JOY
! forever? Shall we not regard him
~ u benefartor Of tho human race
who has spent all that he had in so
doing2 Do not let us adopt the
erroneous iGea that because there are
vsstly higher aud more elcvating
sources of happiness than that OF
novel-reading, it is to be altogether
disregardcd Recreation is rs neccs-
sary to the mind az to the body, ex
cess in either surfci,s, and defeats its
own end. We believe that SCOTS
novels possess the power of sowing
few, if any, evil seeds, and though
they may not prove incentives to
the exercise of virtue, nor cause that
abhorrcnce Of vice, which cannot too
much be insisted upon, yet as Il
means of harmless pleasure, it cannot
be denied that they answer an end OF
our creation, peruscd as thoy are IN
variably by those whom they can
only entertain. All honor therefore
be unto their Author, and lot immor-
tai be the character inscribed npon
their page@ Many have been the
praises awarded ,hcm, but numerous
az they ulready are, the future can
but swell their number. and we yet
await the master mind who may just
ly judge them.
Frederick, Nd.