The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-06-16

land incidentally OF almost all English
writer's in the fifth book of his His
tory Of English Literature
ILLUSTRATIVE CRITICISM
Looking ut Mr.. Thackeray's writings
as whole. he would bc more truth
fully described as u scntimeuialtst
than as a Cynic. Even when the ne
ceSsities OF his story compel him to
draw bad characters. he gives them as
much good ~ he can. We do no. re-
member in his novels any utterly I'M
redeemed SCoundrel except Sir Francis
ClayeTinE. Even Lord Steyne has
something like genuine sympathy with
Major Pendennis's grief at the Illness
OF his nephew. And II reprOof Is the
main burden OF his discourse. We must
remember that to- rcprovc. not to
praise. Is the business OF the preacher.
Still further. II his reproof appears
sometimes unduly severe. We must re-
member that such severity may spring
from a belief that better things are
possible. Here lies the secret o.
Thackeray's seeming bitterness. His
nature was. I'm the words OF the critic
in LC Temps, 'furieuse d'avoir etc des-
appOintee." He condemns stcrnly men
as they often are. because he had
tl- tut.tA % Whit hAty UlAElL uss ~
feeling OF this contrast runs through
all his writings. He could not have
painted Vanity Fair rs ne has. unless
Eden had been shining brightly before
his eyes" The whole tendency % his
writings. from the first to- the last line
he pennei during a long and active
literary life. has invariably been 20 tn
spirc reverence for manlineSs and
purity and truth. He Is the hc1ithiest
Of writers. In his pages We find no
false stimulus. no pcrniCious ideals. no
vulgar aims. We are led 20 look at
things as they really are. and to
rest satisfied with our place among
them. Each man learns that he can
do much II he preserves moderation:
that u he goes beyond hts proper
sphere ne Is good for nothing. He
teaches Us to find n fitting field for
action in our peculiar studies o. bust
ness. to- reap lasting happiness in the
affections which are common to all.
Our vague longings are quieied: our
foolish ambitions checked: we are
soothed into Contentment with obscu-
rtty.-encouraged In an honest deter
nination to do our duty.-F'roD' Dr.
John HT"IrH's -ssTH oH ''ThIrt"rHgs
Literary Carer
You. above all others. we're and re
main without n rival in your many
sided excellence. and praise Of you
strikes at none OF those who have sur
yived your day. The increase OF time
only mellows your renown. and each
year that passes and brings you no
successor does bu; sharpen the keen
ness OF our sense OF loss. In what
other novelist. since Scott vas worn
down by the burden OF forlnrn en-
deavor. and died for h0noT's sake. has
the world found so many OF the fair
est gifts combined? II We may not call
yuu a poet tfor the first OF English
writers OF light verse did no: seek that
CROWN. and so sane? Thai
the creator OF Colonel Newcome and o.
Henry Esmond was n snarlins cynic:
that he who designed Rachel Esmont
lcould not draw good woman: these
are the chief charges that your admir-.
Iets have to contend against. \ French
critic. NJ. TatI'e. also protests that yor
do preach too much. Did any authnr
but yourself so frequently break thu
thread Seldom q strong thread OF hi,
plot 20 converse with his reader and
moralize his tale. we also might DO Of
Tended. But who that loves NontaiEns
and Pascal. who that likes the -viss
trihiuE Of the one and can bear With
the melancholy OF the other. but pre-.
ters your preaching 90 aup:hfr's play.
ling.
Your thoughts come In. like tho IN,
Prevention OF the Greek Chorus. a. az
Io-uameut AMI source % fresh delight
Like the songs OF the Chorus. they hif
as pause q moment over the wifet
laws and actions % human fate aul
human life. and we turn from yDIt
. persons To- yourself. and again FROM
! yourself 90 your persons. as from -h.
''eS OF Sprh1rlas or A.i@tp1ta-rs "a
the action % th-.r characters on Oh.
stage. Nor. tn uy taste. does tho mfr.
music aud melancholy dignity .1t you
style i1 these passages uf meditation
fai FAR below the highest efforts n
poverty.