The Portland daily press., 1878-01-26
MIS-. Weelson,s Lecture.

The twelfth and concluding lecture in the
course on English Literature by Mrs. Abba
Gould Woolson, was delivered in Mercantile
Library room last evening. ''Modern Essay
lists, Historians and Novelsts,' was the branch
of the general subject from which the lecturer
spoke on this occasion. While in the first half
of the century, she said, poems formed the
most prominent feature in English literature,
in the latter half prose writings form that fea-
ture. There is a taste for facts which calls for
historical and scientific works. Scientific re-
search would seem to be outside of the world
of literature, properly so called, but still the
world demands that the results shall be en-
bodied in books This research draws the best
minds away from general literature, but in the
future they will return to it, while there will
meanwhile be laid up rich supply OF material
upon which the poet as well as others may
draw. There is at the present time greater
number of readers in the world than ever be-
fore, but poetry and didactic writing are not
in demand. The style of writing most favored
is that Of narrative. A great many of the read
ers have inactive minds, and seek nothing that
incites to thought. The result is the flood of
novels.
Another class of readers, desiring to obtain
the fruits of thought rather than to think out
problems for themselves, support the many Pc
riodicals which exist at the present time, and
the fact gives to us the essayists of the time,
who are the thinking and educated men of our
day, and are to be classed among the best writ
ers in this class of any period, the American
writers holding a foremost position. Another
feature Of the age is the fact that among the
writers of this half of the century there are SO
many women, who have taken front rank
among writer's of fiction. The great number of
children's books produced at present is another
characteristic of this period 10 literature, and
the fact that early education is one of the most
important branches OF it has induced many of
our best writer's to devote themselves more
or less to the production of works for the
young
Entering into the details of the subject thus
generally introduced Mrs. WOolson considered
first the periodicals of the day, which she d.
vided into three classes, the Reviews the Mag
azines and the Newspapers. The latter she
spoke of as eXerting great power in the form
ing and leading Of public sentiment, which
power she appeared to think is in general WISE
ly exerted. A glance at the history of the
great reviews was next taken, and the maya
zines were spoken of in connection with several
representatives of this class of literature. The
monthly m magazines have great success in this
country, England obtaining the idea here.
The magaznei appeals less to scholars than
does the review, and yetiendeavors to meet the
tastes of all who depend upon them either for
entertainment or information.
In regard to novests, the lecturer said that
the popularity of Scott's poems in their day
was due to their narrative form, and when his
fame as poet began to pale before the rising
star of ByronS genius he turned to prose
writing for which he was better qualified, and
so we have his novels, which, mastery in their
style, have many imitators. The greatest sue
cray and Dickens. The two have been regarded
as rivals, and yet no thinking mind could place
them in that relation with each other, their
writings running in different channels.
Thackeray was described as writer who, back
of his apparent cyniclsm, had warm heart,
at it. Dickens appeared to be, in the lecturers
mind, more genial writer, and was especially
an advocate Of the lower classes. His work
was Christianity made vital and helping the
world. Both writer's were criticised for their
habit of reproducing certain characters, and
Dickens was declared to have been rather more
of q philanthropist than an artist. Scott,
Thackeray and Dickens were accorded by the
lecturer the honor of being the three great
masters in modern fiction. The women chosen
to rank with these were Jane Austin, Char
lotte Bronte and George Eliot. 1t was regret
ted that in the iigntef AID least desirable novels
women are greater producers thah~ nan: The
work of the three women named above was,
commented on in terms of favor. In artistic
method George Sand was pronounced superior
to George Eliot Miss Austin's merit was dwelt
upon with something of enthusiasm. and
complimentary opinions of Scott and Macau-
lay were quoted. Taking up Charlotte Bronte's
writings the lecturer spoke OF Jane Eyre in
a way showing that in her estimation that novel
is work SUI generiS. Miss Bronte's force was
illustrated by illusions to the vivid impressions
left by the narrative and the reality attaching
to the characters. To George Eliot was accord
ed the highest place among the three, but this
writer was criticised for an apparent conscious
ness of expectations on the part of the public
which are to be met on her part. and so she
lacks that artistic merit which belongs to
George Sand.
In speaking of the essaysts Coleridge, Ma
caulay, Charles Lamb, Hazlitt, De Quincy,
Christopher North (Wilson) and Carlyle were
alluded to, and the leading trio in the lecturers
mind was composed of Lamb, Macaulay and
Carlyle. The last named takes for his heroes
the men who have succeeded, and has no SYM
pathy for the weak. His surliness was des-
crbed in plain terms, but his sincerity was
commended. Matthew Arnold was also spoken
of as representative essayist
OF the writing of history the lecturer. stated
that those who engage in it to-day must rein
ties. The leading historical writer's of the
times, whose names were brought up, were
Arnold, Grote, Halam, Lecky, ALI
son, Macaulay, Froude. in England, and Pres
colt, Motley and Bancroft in America. Our
own history was spoken of as being too recent
to be written. yet Bancroft and Hildreth have
devoted some time to it. In conclusion the
lecturer urgedrupon women careful attention to
the developments of science.
At the conclusion of the lecture Mrs. DR..
Devoll arose and spoke in very complimentary
terms Of Mrs. Woolson's lectures. She closed
by expressing hope that at another time the
citizens of Portland might be able to enjoy an
other course of her lectures. Mrs. Devolps
remarks were warmly seconded by the entire
audience present. The speakers desk was
literally covered with rare floral tributes pre-
vious to the lecture.
At the close of her course in Boston George
B. Emerson, LII. D., offered resolution
highly complimentary to Mrs. Woolson as
student of literature and as lecturer, express
ing thanks for the admirable course of lectures
thus brought to close, recommending them to
the public generally, and expressing hope
that they may at some time be repeated. The
resolution was adopted with applause.