The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-13


of his most enjoying and original. DICK
ems. died on the 18th Of June, 1870. and
what loss it was to letters. He pub
lshed Great Expectations in 1861. he
published but two others after this
1.-The monumental Traveller" and our
Mutual Friend" He had begun to write
Edwin Brood" but died some two
months later leaving it but partly writ
ten. If any one has read this, and
relishes Dickens and has not read Great
Expectations" then let me urge MIN not
to postpone indefinitely great pleasure
that awaits him. Critics differ as to
which are the best of Dickens works,
and some are put first that l would
leave out and substitute others. But
there are so many that are superlatively
delightful and fresh and overlooking
with the richest humor, the most boist-
erous, rollicking fun, and the'purest,
most touching pathos. it is really no
easy thing to name safely the cleverest
and best. In mentioning his greatest
creations of genius, I would never omit
David Copperfield," the Tale of Two
Cities,' Martin Chuzzlewit," "Pick-
wick" Great Expectations" "Our Mu-
tual Friend" and perhaps Nicholas
Nickleby." There are other charming
and most original novels, that may not
rank with these. but are rich and crea-
tive, and would then given fame to any
novelist who ever lived. Those that
ever read "Oliver Twist" and ''The Old
Curiosity Shop" and 'Domby and Son"
and BLEAK House can ever forget
them? On Great Expectations" let
me dwell for a few moments. 1t is a
prOdigiously original conception worked
out with consummate skill, and is very
strong in character drawing and in inven-
ton. After you get fairly into the story
it becomes of absorbing interest. and
this grows to the end. We doubt If
Dickens ever produced a more strictly
original novel. 1t is wholly unlike all
other novels. 1t has the peculiar man.
nerisms of the author, but it is full of
power and startling Developments but
how rich in incident, virile in portrayal,
something melodramatic of course, and
yet instinct with life and passion
and power. Many capable readers have
placed it high as we learn from the ia
NOUS British critic quoted above, Prot.
Saintsbury, in his very valuable and
acute History of Nineteenth Century
IL
gard It as the closest attempt at real
modern life with a fantastic admixture
of course), and in its heroine Estella, his
almost sole creation of live girl" He
does not give his own opinion. Andrew
Lang, a many sided author of original
gifts, is sometimes eccentric in his iudg
ments, but as a whole is sane and judic
Gus. He reads Dickens with a relish, but
hoo I
condemns "a Tale of Two Cities" as un-
worthy. To me 1t is novel of great
delight and splendid powers. 1t is not
probably his greatest, but surely one of
the highest expressions of most fertile
Imagination, unexhausted and in a new
and hitherto untrodden field by him.
Lang even wearies of David Copper
field" and thinks it should have been
made much shorter. Strange to say, he
praises much Great Expectations" and
places it among his five" first novels.
He finds 1.-The plot comparatively clear
and Ineligible Indeed. there is no
cloud or doubt about it. 1t may surprise
in it's denouement, but everything works
around with lucidity and intense interest.
He writes that for "a plenty of honest
explosive fun. there Is no later book OF
Dickens like Great Expectations" He
names the most striking characters and
says that "Pip and Pumblechook and
Mr.. Wopsle and 10 are all immortal and
cause laughter inextinguishable." The
plot Is not obscure. whatever may be
sai9 Oh some others by Dickens. II you
love originality and fun, uncommon
characters and scenes, brilliancy
and absolute wealth of creation,
try this really great novel by a
writer whose genius had in no sense de-
cayed. This novel and "Our Mutual
Friend" show conclusively how the old
high gifts were still his, and prove be-
yond doubt that his ease as to writing
grew with his years, and his style was
better and purer than in the best of his
earliest books. He was a conscientious
artist, and aimed at best results. He
has been treated unjustly here by some
critics.
Dickens was never more loved than
now. His works have appeared in five
years in dozens of editions, some OF
them very costly. Some of the later
writers are foolish enough to say,
that they cannot read Dickens. OF course
not. There are recent authors who can
not read Thackeray or Tennyson or
Browning and SO on. Individual taste
asserts itself. How can a man enjoy
Dante or Milton, who really has no
poetic taste and sensibility? How can
fellow relish Mozart or Mendelssohn who
has mo music in his SOUL" The men
who cannot read Dickens can write
fourth-rate sensational novels, and relish
the coarse, immoral, degrading novels
of the day, unredeemed oy one true man
hesitation of genius. They will read
stories in which evi prevails,
the suggestions of impurity abound, and
the details of vice are rampant and
relished. Dickens never offended virtue
or left in the mouth of purity one smack
OF faint His books do not offend the
moral convictions nor minimize crime and
vice. No pure mind waas ever soiled by
the works of Dickens. l have written
rapidly of a great favtorite, but my
language is plain" as Bret Harte put 1T
In the mouth of the "He athen Chinee. "
would like to interest others in the
merits OF both Ruskin and Dickens, two
OF the rarely endowed and most re-
markable authors in the last century SO
rich in writer's of genius and power