The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-10-12

same important autnOf, oif Hditet
Scott, the positive non-such Of all
literature. Many intelligent readers
prefer other novels by Scott to those
mentioned, but I am persuaded that
"Ivanhoe' is really one of his best pro-
auctions and certainly One OF the most
interesting. ] remember that once
cid not him this, but ] do now. LIZ
may be hat my taste in advanced
wears has de~teriorated. 1t has many
fascinating, even dramatic scenes. L
have had occasion not very long SINCE
to refer with special admiration 70
"Kenilwortn.' "Quentin
among his best. 1 like much also
The Fortunes Of Nigel" and some
others not included in the marvellous
Scotch series of superb features. Oh
course | am giving but my own op1n-
ion-setting forth but my oWn judg-
ment n taste, not anothers. Each
person must read and see and admire
or reject for himself. 1t Is not given
to all men to see alike. l remember
that ] had an unusually intelligent
cousin who was never happier tina
when reading a novel by G. p: r.
James. prolific producer of fiction, be
ginning with The Solitary Horse
man" His very gifted, able brother,
the late Gen. Charles p. kingsbury,
L. S. Army, as ] recall It now, once
saw him ~devouring one of the milk
and water limitations Of Scott, when
he asked with some surprise, DO
YOU read James? When the re-
ply came you ought to have seen the
expression of Interpretation, and.
perhaps-contempt-for the taste
manifested. But in fact. James wrote
story-"Philip Augustus" The once
famous and able critic Of Boston, the
late Edwin p. Whipple, in his article
On James, says the writer stood ten
PAGES from the target fired at the
bulls ye, planted a successful shot
and ever afterwards fred through the
same hole. / am quoting from mem
DRY. for / hav not seen or read the
criticism for quite fifty years or more.
George Prince Regent James, his real
name. was an amiable, pleasant a
who for some years was the English
consul at Norfolk, Va.
There AVE been a great many nov
els that had q great man in their his
tory. Warren's Ten Thousand a
Year was a great success in its day.
1t has now scarcely a place in a col
lection of good novels. 1t is very
long, and while not Withou con
siderable interest, it lacks literary
finish as to style constructive
ability perhaps. But il is more than
sixty years since read it. 1t furn-
ished a few nationality characters,
among them Fitebal Fitwise, Quirk,
Cannon and Snap. and perhaps a
few others. There are survivors. no
doubt, who read it long ago, and still
cling to one Of their early loves with
something Of old fervor. Mrs. Gas
kill wrote a masterpiece Of this kind.
and also other novels of which I
have no knowledge. Anthonk I'rot-
lOpe was q popular novelist, but, /
never read but one, and that not one
of his best according to the judgment
of readers. He regarded his Bar
chester Towers" I think, is his best.
I know it has "a good repute as a fine
success. There are twenty or thirty
English novelists with whom [ have
some familiarity whom | have never
drawn when framing a list of tbs
best Wilkie Collins is no ~favorite of
mine. Indeed. l have read but n
of his productions, but he is popular
still and ranks Well among many
readers. l have never found fascina-
ton in him. "Withering Heights"
is a strong, original novel,
and is by Emily Bronte, who is
thought by some to be quite equal in
genius to her better known sister,
Charlotte, who wrote Jane Eyre"
still highly priced by many readers of
culture. These are both strange and
famous as "Voltek." 'Anastasius'. and
"Frankensein,' as such original works
as Caleb Williams, Tristram Shandy,
Vicar of Wakefield n many 9th
ers that might be named and honored,
but l rave already strung out my re-
marks beyond what l contemplated.
Let me say, that The Heir of Red
Cliffe" is one Of the best and most
popular religious novels perhaps, ever
written. Miss Muloch (Miss Craigh)
wrote a fine novel in John Halifax,
Gentleman" in 1856. BulWer,
D'ISraeli, Charles Lever, Charles
ingsley, George Macdonald, Samuel
Lover, Charles Reade and other au-
thors, produced works of rare merit,
and some Of a rank equal almost to
the first. Of course l have lac to
pass over names with which [ am ia
miliar. There are scores of nov
elists not mentioned with whose
productions / am more or less
familiar. But [ ave said enough