ItisnotsowiththePilgrim’sProgress。Thatwonderfulbook，whileitobtainsadmirationfromthemostfastidiouscritics，islovedbythosewhoaretoosimpletoadmireit。Dr。Johnson，allwhosestudiesweredesultory，andwhohated，ashesaid，toreadbooksthrough，madeanexceptioninfavourofthePilgrim’sProgress。Thatworkwasoneofthetwoorthreeworkswhichhewishedlonger。ItwasbynocommonmeritthattheilliteratesectaryextractedpraiselikethisfromthemostpedanticofcriticsandthemostbigotedofTories。InthewildestpartsofScotlandthePilgrim’sProgressisthedelightofthepeasantry。
IneverynurserythePilgrim’sProgressisagreaterfavouritethanJacktheGiant—killer。Everyreaderknowsthestraightandnarrowpathaswellasheknowsaroadinwhichhehasgonebackwardandforwardahundredtimes。Thisisthehighestmiracleofgenius，thatthingswhicharenotshouldbeasthoughtheywere，thattheimaginationsofonemindshouldbecomethepersonalrecollectionsofanother。Andthismiraclethetinkerhaswrought。
Thereisnoascent，nodeclivity，noresting—place，noturn—stile，withwhichwearenotperfectlyacquainted。Thewicket—gate，andthedesolateswampwhichseparatesitfromtheCityofDestruction，thelonglineofroad，asstraightasarulecanmakeit，theInterpreter’shouseandallitsfairshows，theprisonerintheironcage，thepalace，atthedoorsofwhicharmedmenkeptguard，andonthebattlementsofwhichwalkedpersonsclothedallingold，thecross，andthesepulchre，thesteephillandthepleasantarbour，thestatelyfrontoftheHouseBeautifulbythewayside，thechainedlionscrouchingintheporch，thelowgreenvalleyofHumiliation，richwithgrassandcoveredwithflocks，allareaswellknowntousasthesightsofourownstreet。ThenwecometothenarrowplacewhereApollyonstroderightacrossthewholebreadthoftheway，tostopthejourneyofChristian，andwhere，afterwards，thepillarwassetuptotestifyhowbravelythepilgrimhadfoughtthegoodfight。Asweadvance，thevalleybecomesdeeperanddeeper。Theshadeoftheprecipicesonbothsidesfallsblackerandblacker。Thecloudsgatheroverhead。
Dolefulvoices，theclankingofchains，andtherushofmanyfeettoandfro，areheardthroughthedarkness。Theway，hardlydiscernibleingloom，runsclosebythemouthoftheburningpit，whichsendsforthitsflames，itsnoisomesmoke，anditshideousshapestoterrifytheadventurer。Thencehegoeson，amidstthesnaresandpitfalls，withthemangledbodiesofthosewhohaveperishedlyingintheditchbyhisside。Attheendofthelongdarkvalleyhepassesthedensinwhichtheoldgiantsdwelt，amidstthebonesofthosewhomtheyhadslain。
Thentheroadpassesstraightonthroughawastemoor，tillatlengththetowersofadistantcityappearbeforethetraveller;
andsoonheisinthemidstoftheinnumerablemultitudesofVanityFair。Therearethejugglersandtheapes，theshopsandthepuppet—shows。ThereareItalianRow，andFrenchRow，andSpanishRow，andBritishRow，withtheircrowdsofbuyers，sellers，andloungers，jabberingallthelanguagesoftheearth。
Thencewegoonbythelittlehillofthesilvermine，andthroughthemeadowoflilies，alongthebankofthatpleasantriverwhichisborderedonbothsidesbyfruit—trees。Ontheleftbranchesoffthepathleadingtothehorriblecastle，thecourtyardofwhichispavedwiththeskullsofpilgrims;andrightonwardarethesheepfoldsandorchardsoftheDelectableMountains。
FromtheDelectableMountains，thewayliesthroughthefogsandbriarsoftheEnchantedGround，withhereandthereabedofsoftcushionsspreadunderagreenarbour。AndbeyondisthelandofBeulah，wheretheflowers，thegrapes，andthesongsofbirdsnevercease，andwherethesunshinesnightandday。Thenceareplainlyseenthegoldenpavementsandstreetsofpearl，ontheothersideofthatblackandcoldriveroverwhichthereisnobridge。
Allthestagesofthejourney，alltheformswhichcrossorovertakethepilgrims，giants，andhobgoblins，ill—favouredones，andshiningones，thetall，comely，swarthyMadamBubble，withhergreatpursebyherside，andherfingersplayingwiththemoney，theblackmaninthebrightvesture，Mr。Wordly—Wise—manandmyLordHategood，Mr。Talkative，andMrs。Timorous，allareactuallyexistingbeingstous。WefollowthetravellersthroughtheirallegoricalprogresswithinterestnotinferiortothatwithwhichwefollowElizabethfromSiberiatoMoscow，orJeanieDeansfromEdinburghtoLondon。Bunyanisalmosttheonlywriterwhoevergavetotheabstracttheinterestoftheconcrete。Intheworksofmanycelebratedauthors，menaremerepersonifications。Wehavenotajealousman，butjealousy;notatraitor，butperfidy;notapatriot，butpatriotism。ThemindofBunyan，onthecontrary，wassoimaginativethatpersonifications，whenhedealtwiththem，becamemen。Adialoguebetweentwoqualities，inhisdream，hasmoredramaticeffectthanadialoguebetweentwohumanbeingsinmostplays。InthisrespectthegeniusofBunyanboreagreatresemblancetothatofamanwhohadverylittleelseincommonwithhim，PercyByssheShelley。ThestrongimaginationofShelleymadehimanidolaterinhisowndespite。Outofthemostindefinitetermsofahard，cold，dark，metaphysicalsystem，hemadeagorgeousPantheon，fullofbeautiful，majestic，andlife—likeforms。Heturnedatheismitselfintoamythology，richwithvisionsasgloriousasthegodsthatliveinthemarbleofPhidias，orthevirginsaintsthatsmileonusfromthecanvasofMurillo。TheSpiritofBeauty，thePrincipleofGood，thePrincipleofEvil，whenhetreatedofthem，ceasedtobeabstractions。Theytookshapeandcolour。Theywerenolongermerewords;butintelligibleforms，fairhumanities，objectsoflove，ofadoration，oroffear。AstherecanbenostrongersignofaminddestituteofthepoeticalfacultythanthattendencywhichwassocommonamongthewritersoftheFrenchschooltoturnimagesintoabstractions，Venusforexample，intoLove，MinervaintoWisdom，MarsintoWar，andBacchusintoFestivity，sotherecanbenostrongersignofamindtrulypoeticalthanadispositiontoreversethisabstractingprocess，andtomakeindividualsoutofgeneralities。SomeofthemetaphysicalandethicaltheoriesofShelleywerecertainlymostabsurdandpernicious。Butwedoubtwhetheranymodernpoethaspossessedinanequaldegreesomeofthehighestqualitiesofthegreatancientmasters。Thewordsbardandinspiration，whichseemsocoldandaffectedwhenappliedtoothermodernwriters，haveaperfectproprietywhenappliedtohim。Hewasnotanauthor，butabard。Hispoetryseemsnottohavebeenanart，butaninspiration。Hadhelivedtothefullageofman，hemightnotimprobablyhavegiventotheworldsomegreatworkoftheveryhighestrankindesignandexecution。But，alas！
Odaphnisebaroon’eklusedinatonMosaisphilonandra，tonouNumphaisinapekhthi。
ButwemustreturntoBunyan。ThePilgrim’sProgressundoubtedlyisnotaperfectallegory。Thetypesareofteninconsistentwitheachother;andsometimestheallegoricaldisguiseisaltogetherthrownoff。Theriver，forexample，isemblematicofdeath;andwearetoldthateveryhumanbeingmustpassthroughtheriver。
ButFaithfuldoesnotpassthroughit。Heismartyred，notinshadow，butinreality，atVanityFair。HopefultalkstoChristianaboutEsau’sbirthrightandabouthisownconvictionsofsinasBunyanmighthavetalkedwithoneofhisowncongregation。ThedamselsattheHouseBeautifulcatechiseChristiana’sboys，asanygoodladiesmightcatechiseanyboysataSundaySchool。Butwedonotbelievethatanyman，whatevermightbehisgenius，andwhateverhisgoodluck，couldlongcontinueafigurativehistorywithoutfallingintomanyinconsistencies。Wearesurethatinconsistencies，scarcelylessgrossthantheworstintowhichBunyanhasfallen，maybefoundintheshortestandmostelaborateallegoriesoftheSpectatorandtheRambler。TheTaleofaTubandtheHistoryofJohnBullswarmwithsimilarerrors，ifthenameoferrorcanbeproperlyappliedtothatwhichisunavoidable。Itisnoteasytomakeasimilegoonall—fours。Butwebelievethatnohumaningenuitycouldproducesuchacentipedeasalongallegoryinwhichthecorrespondencebetweentheoutwardsignandthethingsignifiedshouldbeexactlypreserved。Certainlynowriter，ancientormodern，hasyetachievedtheadventure。Thebestthing，onthewhole，thatanallegoristcando，istopresenttohisreadersasuccessionofanalogies，eachofwhichmayseparatelybestrikingandhappy，withoutlookingverynicelytoseewhethertheyharmonisewitheachother。ThisBunyanhasdone;and，thoughaminutescrutinymaydetectinconsistenciesineverypageofhistale，thegeneraleffectwhichthetaleproducesonallpersons，learnedandunlearned，provesthathehasdonewell。Thepassageswhichitismostdifficulttodefendarethoseinwhichhealtogetherdropstheallegory，andputsintothemouthofhispilgrimsreligiousejaculationsanddisquisitionsbettersuitedtohisownpulpitatBedfordorReadingthantotheEnchantedGroundortotheInterpreter’sGarden。Yeteventhesepassages，thoughwewillnotundertaketodefendthemagainsttheobjectionsofcritics，wefeelthatwecouldillspare。Wefeelthatthestoryowesmuchofitscharmtotheseoccasionalglimpsesofsolemnandaffectingsubjects，whichwillnotbehidden，whichforcethemselvesthroughtheveil，andappearbeforeusintheirnativeaspect。Theeffectisnotunlikethatwhichissaidtohavebeenproducedontheancientstage，whentheeyesoftheactorwereseenflamingthroughhismask，andgivinglifeandexpressiontowhatwouldelsehavebeenaninanimateanduninterestingdisguise。
ItisveryamusingandveryinstructivetocomparethePilgrim’sProgresswiththeGraceAbounding。Thelatterworkisindeedoneofthemostremarkablepiecesofautobiographyintheworld。Itisafullandopenconfessionofthefancieswhichpassedthroughthemindofanilliterateman，whoseaffectionswerewarm，whosenerveswereirritable，whoseimaginationwasungovernable，andwhowasundertheinfluenceofthestrongestreligiousexcitement。InwhateverageBunyanhadlived，thehistoryofhisfeelingswould，inallprobability，havebeenverycurious。Butthetimeinwhichhislotwascastwasthetimeofagreatstirringofthehumanmind。Atremendousburstofpublicfeeling，producedbythetyrannyofthehierarchy，menacedtheoldecclesiasticalinstitutionswithdestruction。TothegloomyregularityofoneintolerantChurchhadsucceededthelicenceofinnumerablesects，drunkwiththesweetandheadymustoftheirnewliberty。Fanaticism，engenderedbypersecution，anddestinedtoengenderpersecutioninturn，spreadrapidlythroughsociety。
Eventhestrongestandmostcommandingmindswerenotproofagainstthisstrangetaint。AnytimemighthaveproducedGeorgeFoxandJamesNaylor。ButtoonetimealonebelongthefanaticdelusionsofsuchastatesmanasVane，andthehystericaltearsofsuchasoldierasCromwell。
ThehistoryofBunyanisthehistoryofamostexcitablemindinanageofexcitement。Bymostofhisbiographershehasbeentreatedwithgrossinjustice。Theyhaveunderstoodinapopularsenseallthosestrongtermsofself—condemnationwhichheemployedinatheologicalsense。Theyhave，therefore，representedhimasanabandonedwretch，reclaimedbymeansalmostmiraculous，or，tousetheirfavouritemetaphor，\"asabrandpluckedfromtheburning。\"Mr。IvimeycallshimthedepravedBunyanandthewickedtinkerofElstow。SurelyMr。Ivimeyoughttohavebeentoofamiliarwiththebitteraccusationswhichthemostpiouspeopleareinthehabitofbringingagainstthemselves，tounderstandliterallyallthestrongexpressionswhicharetobefoundintheGraceAbounding。Itisquiteclear，asMr。Southeymostjustlyremarks，thatBunyanneverwasaviciousman。Hemarriedveryearly;andhesolemnlydeclaresthathewasstrictlyfaithfultohiswife。Hedoesnotappeartohavebeenadrunkard。Heowns，indeed，that，whenaboy，heneverspokewithoutanoath。Butasingleadmonitioncuredhimofthisbadhabitforlife;andthecuremusthavebeenwroughtearly;
forateighteenhewasinthearmyoftheParliament;andifhehadcarriedtheviceofprofanenessintothatservice，hewoulddoubtlesshavereceivedsomethingmorethananadmonitionfromSerjeantBind—their—kings—in—chains，orCaptainHew—Agag—in—
pieces—before—the—Lord。Bell—ringingandplayingathockeyonSundaysseemtohavebeentheworstvicesofthisdepravedtinker。TheywouldhavepassedforvirtueswithArchbishopLaud。
Itisquiteclearthat，fromaveryearlyage，Bunyanwasamanofastrictlifeandofatenderconscience。\"Hehadbeen，\"saysMr。Southey，\"ablackguard。\"Eventhiswethinktoohardacensure。Bunyanwasnot，weadmit，sofineagentlemanasLordDigby;buthewasablackguardnootherwisethanaseverylabouringmanthateverlivedhasbeenablackguard。IndeedMr。
Southeyacknowledgesthis。\"Suchhemighthavebeenexpectedtobebyhisbirth，breeding，andvocation。Scarcely，indeed，bypossibility，couldhehavebeenotherwise。\"Amanwhosemannersandsentimentsaredecidedlybelowthoseofhisclassdeservestobecalledablackguard。Butitissurelyunfairtoapplysostrongawordofreproachtoonewhoisonlywhatthegreatmassofeverycommunitymustinevitablybe。
ThosehorribleinternalconflictswhichBunyanhasdescribedwithsomuchpoweroflanguageprove，notthathewasaworsemanthanhisneighbours，butthathismindwasconstantlyoccupiedbyreligiousconsiderations，thathisfervourexceededhisknowledge，andthathisimaginationexerciseddespoticpoweroverhisbodyandmind。Heheardvoicesfromheaven。Hesawstrangevisionsofdistanthills，pleasantandsunnyashisownDelectableMountains。Fromthoseabodeshewasshutout，andplacedinadarkandhorriblewilderness，wherehewanderedthroughiceandsnow，strivingtomakehiswayintothehappyregionoflight。Atonetimehewasseizedwithaninclinationtoworkmiracles。Atanothertimehethoughthimselfactuallypossessedbythedevil。Hecoulddistinguishtheblasphemouswhispers。Hefelthisinfernalenemypullingathisclothesbehindhim。Hespurnedwithhisfeetandstruckwithhishandsatthedestroyer。Sometimeshewastemptedtosellhispartinthesalvationofmankind。Sometimesaviolentimpulseurgedhimtostartupfromhisfood，tofallonhisknees，andtobreakforthintoprayer。Atlengthhefanciedthathehadcommittedtheunpardonablesin。Hisagonyconvulsedhisrobustframe。Hewas，hesays，asifhisbreastbonewouldsplit;andthishetookforasignthathewasdestinedtoburstasunderlikeJudas。Theagitationofhisnervesmadeallhismovementstremulous;andthistrembling，hesupposed，wasavisiblemarkofhisreprobation，likethatwhichhadbeensetonCain。Atonetime，indeed，anencouragingvoiceseemedtorushinatthewindow，likethenoiseofwind，butverypleasant，andcommanded，ashesays，agreatcalminhissoul。Atanothertime，awordofcomfort\"wasspokelouduntohim;itshowedagreatword;itseemedtobewritingreatletters。\"Buttheseintervalsofcasewereshort。Hisstate，duringtwoyearsandahalf，wasgenerallythemosthorriblethatthehumanmindcanimagine。\"Iwalked，\"
sayshe，withhisownpeculiareloquence，\"toaneighbouringtown;andsatdownuponasettleinthestreet，andfellintoaverydeeppauseaboutthemostfearfulstatemysinhadbroughtmeto;and，afterlongmusing，Iliftedupmyhead;butmethoughtIsawasifthesunthatshinethintheheavensdidgrudgetogivemelight;andasiftheverystonesinthestreet，andtilesuponthehouses，didbandthemselvesagainstme。Methoughtthattheyallcombinedtogethertobanishmeoutoftheworld。Iwasabhorredofthem，andunfittodwellamongthem，becauseIhadsinnedagainsttheSaviour。Oh，howhappynowwaseverycreaturefortheystoodfast，andkepttheirstation。ButIwasgoneandlost。\"Scarcelyanymadhousecouldproduceaninstanceofdelusionsostrong，orofmiserysoacute。
ItwasthroughthisValleyoftheShadowofDeath，overhungbydarkness，peopledwithdevils，resoundingwithblasphemyandlamentation，andpassingamidstquagmires，snares，andpitfalls，closebytheverymouthofhell，thatBunyanjourneyedtothatbrightandfruitfullandofBeulah，inwhichhesojournedduringthelatterperiodofhispilgrimage。Theonlytracewhichhiscruelsufferingsandtemptationsseemtohaveleftbehindthemwasanaffectionatecompassionforthosewhowerestillinthestateinwhichhehadoncebeen。Religionhasscarcelyeverwornaformsocalmandsoothingasinhisallegory。Thefeelingwhichpredominatesthroughthewholebookisafeelingoftendernessforweak，timid，andharassedminds。ThecharacterofMr。
Fearing，ofMr。Feeble—Mind，ofMr。DespondencyandhisdaughterMissMuch—afraid，theaccountofpoorLittle—faithwhowasrobbedbythethreethievesofhisspendingmoney，thedescriptionofChristian’sterrorinthedungeonsofGiantDespairandinhispassagethroughtheriver，allclearlyshowhowstrongasympathyBunyanfelt，afterhisownmindhadbecomeclearandcheerful，forpersonsafflictedwithreligiousmelancholy。
Mr。Southey，whohasnolovefortheCalvinists，admitsthat，ifCalvinismhadneverwornablackerappearancethaninBunyan’sworks，itwouldneverhavebecomeatermofreproach。Infact，thoseworksofBunyanwithwhichweareacquaintedarebynomeansmoreCalvinisticthanthearticlesandhomiliesoftheChurchofEngland。Themoderationofhisopinionsonthesubjectofpredestinationgaveoffencetosomezealouspersons。Wehaveseenanabsurdallegory，theheroineofwhichisnamedHephzibah，writtenbysomeravingsupralapsarianpreacherwhowasdissatisfiedwiththemildtheologyofthePilgrim’sProgress。Inthisfoolishbook，ifwerecollectrightly，theInterpreteriscalledtheEnlightener，andtheHouseBeautifulisCastleStrength。Mr。SoutheytellsusthattheCatholicshadalsotheirPilgrim’sProgress，withoutaGiantPope，inwhichtheInterpreteristheDirector，andtheHouseBeautifulGrace’sHall。ItissurelyaremarkableproofofthepowerofBunyan’sgenius，thattworeligiousparties，bothofwhichregardedhisopinionsasheterodox，shouldhavehadrecoursetohimforassistance。
Thereare，wethink，somecharactersandscenesinthePilgrim’sProgress，whichcanbefullycomprehendedandenjoyedonlybypersonsfamiliarwiththehistoryofthetimesthroughwhichBunyanlived。ThecharacterofMr。Greatheart，theguide，isanexample。Hisfightingis，ofcourse，allegorical;buttheallegoryisnotstrictlypreserved。Hedeliversasermononimputedrighteousnesstohiscompanions;and，soonafter，hegivesbattletoGiantGrim，whohadtakenuponhimtobackthelions。Heexpoundsthefifty—thirdchapterofIsaiahtothehouseholdandguestsofGaius;andthenhesalliesouttoattackSlay—good，whowasofthenatureofflesh—eaters，inhisden。
Theseareinconsistencies;buttheyareinconsistencieswhichadd，wethink，totheinterestofthenarrative。WehavenottheleastdoubtthatBunyanhadinviewsomestoutoldGreat—heartofNasebyandWorcester，whoprayedwithhismenbeforehedrilledthem，whoknewthespiritualstateofeverydragooninhistroop，andwho，withthepraisesofGodinhismouth，andatwo—edgedswordinhishand，hadturnedtoflight，onmanyfieldsofbattle，theswearing，drunkenbravoesofRupertandLunsford。
EveryageproducessuchmenasBy—ends。Butthemiddleoftheseventeenthcenturywaseminentlyprolificofsuchmen。Mr。
Southeythinksthatthesatirewasaimedatsomeparticularindividual;andthisseemsbynomeansimprobable。AtalleventsBunyanmusthaveknownmanyofthosehypocriteswhofollowedreligiononlywhenreligionwalkedinsilverslippers，whenthesunshone，andwhenthepeopleapplauded。IndeedhemighthaveeasilyfoundallthekindredofBy—endsamongthepublicmenofhistime。HemighthavefoundamongthepeersmyLordTurn—about，myLordTime—server，andmyLordFair—speech;intheHouseofCommons，Mr。Smooth—man，Mr。Anything，andMr。Facing—both—ways;
norwould\"theparsonoftheparish，Mr。Two—tongues，\"havebeenwanting。ThetownofBedfordprobablycontainedmorethanonepoliticianwho，aftercontrivingtoraiseanestatebyseekingtheLordduringthereignofthesaints，contrivedtokeepwhathehadgotbypersecutingthesaintsduringthereignofthestrumpets，andmorethanonepriestwho，duringrepeatedchangesinthedisciplineanddoctrinesoftheChurch，hadremainedconstanttonothingbuthisbenefice。
OneofthemostremarkablepassagesinthePilgrim’sProgressisthatinwhichtheproceedingsagainstFaithfularedescribed。ItisimpossibletodoubtthatBunyanintendedtosatirisethemodeinwhichstatetrialswereconductedunderCharlestheSecond。
Thelicencegiventothewitnessesfortheprosecution，theshamelesspartialityandferociousinsolenceofthejudge，theprecipitancyandtheblindrancourofthejury，remindusofthoseodiousmummerieswhich，fromtheRestorationtotheRevolution，weremerelyformspreliminarytohanging，drawing，andquartering。LordHate—goodperformstheofficeofcounselfortheprisonersaswellasScroggshimselfcouldhaveperformedit。
\"JUDGE。Thourunagate，heretic，andtraitor，hastthouheardwhatthesehonestgentlemenhavewitnessedagainstthee？
\"FAITHFUL。MayIspeakafewwordsinmyowndefence？
\"JUDGE。Sirrah，sirrah！thoudeservesttolivenolonger，buttobeslainimmediatelyupontheplace;yet，thatallmenmayseeourgentlenesstowardsthee，letushearwhatthou，vilerunagate，hasttosay。\"
Nopersonwhoknowsthestatetrialscanbeatalossforparallelcases。Indeed，writewhatBunyanwould，thebasenessandcrueltyofthelawyersofthosetimes\"sinneduptoitstill，\"
andevenwentbeyondit。TheimaginarytrialofFaithful，beforeajurycomposedofpersonifiedvices，wasjustandmerciful，whencomparedwiththerealtrialofAliceLislebeforethattribunalwhereallthevicessatinthepersonofJeffreys。
ThestyleofBunyanisdelightfultoeveryreader，andinvaluableasastudytoeverypersonwhowishestoobtainawidecommandovertheEnglishlanguage。Thevocabularyisthevocabularyofthecommonpeople。Thereisnotanexpression，ifweexceptafewtechnicaltermsoftheology，whichwouldpuzzletherudestpeasant。Wehaveobservedseveralpageswhichdonotcontainasinglewordofmorethantwosyllables。Yetnowriterhassaidmoreexactlywhathemeanttosay。Formagnificence，forpathos，forvehementexhortation，forsubtledisquisition，foreverypurposeofthepoet，theorator，andthedivine，thishomelydialect，thedialectofplainworkingmen，wasperfectlysufficient。ThereisnobookinourliteratureonwhichwewouldsoreadilystakethefameoftheoldunpollutedEnglishlanguage，nobookwhichshowssowellhowrichthatlanguageisinitsownproperwealth，andhowlittleithasbeenimprovedbyallthatithasborrowed。
Cowpersaid，fortyorfiftyyearsago，thathedarednotnameJohnBunyaninhisverse，forfearofmovingasneer。Toourrefinedforefathers，wesuppose，LordRoscommon’sEssayonTranslatedVerse，andtheDukeofBuckinghamshire’sEssayonPoetry，appearedtobecompositionsinfinitelysuperiortotheallegoryofthepreachingtinker。Weliveinbettertimes;andwearenotafraidtosay，that，thoughthereweremanyclevermeninEnglandduringthelatterhalfoftheseventeenthcentury，therewereonlytwomindswhichpossessedtheimaginativefacultyinaveryeminentdegree。OneofthosemindsproducedtheParadiseLost，theotherthePilgrim’sProgress。
LEIGHHUNT
（January1841）
TheDramaticWorksofWYCHERLEY，CONGREVE，VANBRUGH，andFARQUHAR，withBiographicalandCriticalNotices。ByLEIGHHUNT。
8vo。London:1840。
WEhaveakindnessforMr。LeighHunt。Weformourjudgmentofhim，indeed，onlyfromeventsofuniversalnotoriety，fromhisownworks，andfromtheworksofotherwriters，whohavegenerallyabusedhiminthemostrancorousmanner。But，unlesswearegreatlymistaken，heisaveryclever，averyhonest，andaverygood—naturedman。Wecanclearlydiscern，togetherwithmanymerits，manyfaultsbothinhiswritingsandinhisconduct。Butwereallythinkthatthereishardlyamanlivingwhosemeritshavebeensogrudginglyallowed，andwhosefaultshavebeensocruellyexpiated。
InsomerespectsMr。LeighHuntisexcellentlyqualifiedforthetaskwhichhehasnowundertaken。Hisstyle，inspiteofitsmannerism，nay，partlybyreasonofitsmannerism，iswell—suitedforlight，garrulous，desultoryana，halfcritical，halfbiographical。Wedonotalwaysagreewithhisliteraryjudgments;
butwefindinhimwhatisveryrareinourtime，thepowerofjustlyappreciatingandheartilyenjoyinggoodthingsofverydifferentkinds。HecanadoreShakspeareandSpenserwithoutdenyingpoeticalgeniustotheauthorofAlexander’sFeast，orfineobservation，richfancyandexquisitehumourtohimwhoimaginedWillHoneycombandSirRogerdeCoverley。HehaspaidparticularattentiontothehistoryoftheEnglishdrama，fromtheageofElizabethdowntoourowntime，andhaseveryrighttobeheardwithrespectonthatsubject。
Theplaystowhichhenowactsasintroducerare，withfewexceptions，suchas，intheopinionofmanyveryrespectablepeople，oughtnottobereprinted。Inthisopinionwecanbynomeansconcur。Wecannotwishthatanyworkorclassofworkswhichhasexercisedagreatinfluenceonthehumanmind，andwhichillustratesthecharacterofanimportantepochinletters，politics，andmorals，shoulddisappearfromtheworld。Ifweerrinthismatter，weerrwiththegravestmenandbodiesofmenintheempire，andespeciallywiththeChurchofEngland，andwiththegreatschoolsoflearningwhichareconnectedwithher。Thewholeliberaleducationofourcountrymenisconductedontheprinciple，thatnobookwhichisvaluable，eitherbyreasonoftheexcellenceofitsstyle，orbyreasonofthelightwhichitthrowsonthehistory，polity，andmannersofnations，shouldbewithheldfromthestudentonaccountofitsimpurity。TheAthenianComedies，inwhichtherearescarcelyahundredlinestogetherwithoutsomepassageofwhichRochesterwouldhavebeenashamed，havebeenreprintedatthePittPress，andtheClarendonPress，underthedirectionofSyndics，anddelegatesappointedbytheUniversities，andhavebeenillustratedwithnotesbyreverend，veryreverend，andrightreverendcommentators。EveryyearthemostdistinguishedyoungmeninthekingdomareexaminedbybishopsandprofessorsofdivinityinsuchworksastheLysistrataofAristophanesandtheSixthSatireofJuvenal。ThereiscertainlysomethingalittleludicrousintheideaofaconclaveofvenerablefathersoftheChurchpraisingandrewardingaladonaccountofhisintimateacquaintancewithwritingscomparedwithwhichtheloosesttaleinPriorismodest。
But，forourownpart，wehavenodoubtthatthegreatestsocietieswhichdirecttheeducationoftheEnglishgentryhavehereinjudgedwisely。Itisunquestionablethatanextensiveacquaintancewithancientliteratureenlargesandenrichesthemind。ItisunquestionablethatamanwhosemindhasbeenthusenlargedandenrichedislikelytobefarmoreusefultotheStateandtotheChurchthanonewhoisunskilledorlittleskilled，inclassicallearning。Ontheotherhand，wefinditdifficulttobelievethat，inaworldsofulloftemptationasthis，anygentlemanwhoselifewouldhavebeenvirtuousifhehadnotreadAristophanesandJuvenalwillbemadeviciousbyreadingthem。Amanwho，exposedtoalltheinfluencesofsuchastateofsocietyasthatinwhichwelive，isyetafraidofexposinghimselftotheinfluencesofafewGreekorLatinverses，acts，wethink，muchlikethefelonwhobeggedthesheriffstolethimhaveanumbrellaheldoverhisheadfromthedoorofNewgatetothegallows，becauseitwasadrizzlingmorning，andhewasapttotakecold。
Thevirtuewhichtheworldwantsisahealthfulvirtue，notavaletudinarianvirtue，avirtuewhichcanexposeitselftotherisksinseparablefromallspiritedexertion，notavirtuewhichkeepsoutofthecommonairforfearofinfection，andeschewsthecommonfoodastoostimulating。Itwouldbeindeedabsurdtoattempttokeepmenfromacquiringthosequalificationswhichfitthemtoplaytheirpartinlifewithhonourtothemselvesandadvantagetotheircountry，forthesakeofpreservingadelicacywhichcannotbepreserved，adelicacywhichawalkfromWestminstertotheTempleissufficienttodestroy。
Butweshouldbejustlychargeablewithgrossinconsistencyif，whilewedefendthepolicywhichinvitestheyouthofourcountrytostudysuchwritersasTheocritusandCatullus，weweretosetupacryagainstaneweditionoftheCountryWifeortheWifeoftheWorld。TheimmoralEnglishwritersoftheseventeenthcenturyareindeedmuchlessexcusablethanthoseofGreeceandRome。ButtheworstEnglishwritingsoftheseventeenthcenturyaredecent，comparedwithmuchthathasbeenbequeathedtousbyGreeceandRome。Plato，wehavelittledoubt，wasamuchbettermanthanSirGeorgeEtherege。ButPlatohaswrittenthingsatwhichSirGeorgeEtheregewouldhaveshuddered。BuckhurstandSedley，eveninthosewildorgiesattheCockinBowStreetforwhichtheywerepeltedbytherabbleandfinedbytheCourtofKing’sBench，wouldneverhavedaredtoholdsuchdiscourseaspassedbetweenSocratesandPhaedrusonthatfinesummerdayundertheplane—
tree，whilethefountainwarbledattheirfeet，andthecicadaschirpedoverhead。Ifitbe，aswethinkitis，desirablethatanEnglishgentlemanshouldbewellinformedtouchingthegovernmentandthemannersoflittlecommonwealthswhichbothinplaceandtimearefarremovedfromus，whoseindependencehasbeenmorethantwothousandyearsextinguished，whoselanguagehasnotbeenspokenforages，andwhoseancientmagnificenceisattestedonlybyafewbrokencolumnsandfriezes，muchmoremustitbedesirablethatheshouldbeintimatelyacquaintedwiththehistoryofthepublicmindofhisowncountry，andwiththecauses，thenature，andtheextentofthoserevolutionsofopinionandfeelingwhich，duringthelasttwocenturies，havealternatelyraisedanddepressedthestandardofournationalmorality。AndknowledgeofthissortistobeverysparinglygleanedfromParliamentarydebates，fromStatepapers，andfromtheworksofgravehistorians。Itmusteithernotbeacquiredatall，oritmustbeacquiredbytheperusalofthelightliteraturewhichhasatvariousperiodsbeenfashionable。Wearethereforebynomeansdisposedtocondemnthispublication，thoughwecertainlycannotrecommendthehandsomevolumebeforeusasanappropriateChristmaspresentforyoungladies。
Wehavesaidthatwethinkthepresentpublicationperfectlyjustifiable。ButwecanbynomeansagreewithMr。LeighHunt，whoseemstoholdthatthereislittleornogroundforthechargeofimmoralitysooftenbroughtagainsttheliteratureoftheRestoration。Wedonotblamehimfornotbringingtothejudgment—seatthemercilessrigourofLordAngelo;butwereallythinkthatsuchflagitiousandimpudentoffendersasthosewhoarenowatthebardeservedatleastthegentlerebukeofEscalus。Mr。LeighHunttreatsthewholematteralittletoomuchintheeasystyleofLucio;andperhapshisexceedinglenitydisposesustobesomewhattoosevere。
Andyetitisnoteasytobetoosevere。Forintruththispartofourliteratureisadisgracetoourlanguageandournationalcharacter。Itisclever，indeed，andveryentertaining;butitis，inthemostemphaticsenseofthewords，\"earthly，sensual，devilish。\"Itsindecency，thoughperpetuallysuchasiscondemnednotlessbytherulesofgoodtastethanbythoseofmorality，isnot，inouropinion，sodisgracefulafaultasitssingularlyinhumanspirit。WehavehereBelial，notaswhenheinspiredOvidandAriosto，\"gracefulandhumane，\"butwiththeironeyeandcruelsneerofMephistopheles。Wefindourselvesinaworld，inwhichtheladiesarelikeveryprofligate，impudentandunfeelingmen，andinwhichthemenaretoobadforanyplacebutPandaemoniumorNorfolkIsland。Wearesurroundedbyforeheadsofbronze，heartslikethenethermillstone，andtonguessetonfireofhell。
DrydendefendedorexcusedhisownoffencesandthoseofhiscontemporariesbypleadingtheexampleoftheearlierEnglishdramatists;andMr。LeighHuntseemstothinkthereisforceintheplea。Wealtogetherdifferfromthisopinion。Thecrimechargedisnotmerecoarsenessofexpression。Thetermswhicharedelicateinoneagebecomegrossinthenext。ThedictionoftheEnglishversionofthePentateuchissometimessuchasAddisonwouldnothaveventuredtoimitate;andAddison，thestandardofmoralpurityinhisownage，usedmanyphraseswhicharenowproscribed。Whetherathingshallbedesignatedbyaplainnoun—substantiveorbyacircumlocutionismerematteroffashion。
Moralityisnotatallinterestedinthequestion。Butmoralityisdeeplyinterestedinthis，thatwhatisimmoralshallnotbepresentedtotheimaginationoftheyoungandsusceptibleinconstantconnectionwithwhatisattractive。Foreverypersonwhohasobservedtheoperationofthelawofassociationinhisownmindandinthemindsofothersknowsthatwhateverisconstantlypresentedtotheimaginationinconnectionwithwhatisattractivewillitselfbecomeattractive。ThereisundoubtedlyagreatdealofindelicatewritinginFletcherandMassinger，andmorethanmightbewishedeveninBenJonsonandShakspeare，whoarecomparativelypure。Butitisimpossibletotraceintheirplaysanysystematicattempttoassociatevicewiththosethingswhichmenvaluemostanddesiremost，andvirtuewitheverythingridiculousanddegrading。AndsuchasystematicattemptwefindinthewholedramaticliteratureofthegenerationwhichfollowedthereturnofCharlestheSecond。Wewilltake，asaninstanceofwhatwemean，asinglesubjectofthehighestimportancetothehappinessofmankind，conjugalfidelity。WecanatpresenthardlycalltomindasingleEnglishplay，writtenbeforethecivilwar，inwhichthecharacterofaseducerofmarriedwomenisrepresentedinafavourablelight。Weremembermanyplaysinwhichsuchpersonsarebaffled，exposed，coveredwithderision，andinsultedbytriumphanthusbands。SuchisthefateofFalstaff，withallhiswitandknowledgeoftheworld。SuchisthefateofBrisacinFletcher’sElderBrother，andofRicardoandUbaldoinMassinger’sPicture。Sometimes，asintheFatalDowryandLove’sCruelty，theoutragedhonouroffamiliesisrepairedbyabloodyrevenge。Ifnowandthentheloverisrepresentedasanaccomplishedman，andthehusbandasapersonofweakorodiouscharacter，thisonlymakesthetriumphoffemalevirtuethemoresignal，asinJohnson’sCeliaandMrs。
Fitzdottrel，andinFletcher’sMaria。IngeneralwewillventuretosaythatthedramatistsoftheageofElizabethandJamestheFirsteithertreatthebreachOfthemarriage—vowasaseriouscrime，or，iftheytreatitasmatterforlaughter，turnthelaughagainstthegallant。
Onthecontrary，duringthefortyyearswhichfollowedtheRestoration，thewholebodyofthedramatistsinvariablyrepresentadultery，wedonotsayasapeccadillo，wedonotsayasanerrorwhichtheviolenceofpassionmayexcuse，butasthecallingofafinegentleman，asagracewithoutwhichhischaracterwouldbeimperfect。ItisasessentialtohisbreedingandtohisplaceinsocietythatheshouldmakelovetothewivesofhisneighboursasthatheshouldknowFrench，orthatheshouldhaveaswordathisside。Inallthisthereisnopassion，andscarcelyanythingthatcanbecalledpreference。Theherointriguesjustashewearsawig;because，ifhedidnot，hewouldbeaqueerfellow，acityprig，perhapsaPuritan。Alltheagreeablequalitiesarealwaysgiventothegallant。Allthecontemptandaversionaretheportionoftheunfortunatehusband。
TakeDrydenforexample;andcompareWoodallwithBrainsick，orLorenzowithGomez。TakeWycherley;andcompareHornerwithPinchwife。TakeVanbrugh;andcompareConstantwithSirJohnBrute。TakeFarquhar;andcompareArcherwithSquireSullen。TakeCongreve;andcompareBellmourwithFondlewife，CarelesswithSirPaulPlyant，orScandalwithForesight。Inallthesecases，andinmanymorewhichmightbenamed，thedramatistevidentlydoeshisbesttomakethepersonwhocommitstheinjurygraceful，sensible，andspirited，andthepersonwhosuffersitafool，oratyrant，orboth。
Mr。CharlesLamb，indeed，attemptedtosetupadefenceforthiswayofwriting。Thedramatistsofthelatterpartoftheseventeenthcenturyarenot，accordingtohim，tobetriedbythestandardofmoralitywhichexists，andoughttoexistinreallife。Theirworldisaconventionalworld。Theirheroesandheroinesbelong，nottoEngland，nottoChristendom，buttoanUtopiaofgallantry，toaFairyland，wheretheBibleandBurn’sjusticeareunknown，whereaprankwhichonthisearthwouldberewardedwiththepilloryismerelymatterforapealofelvishlaughter。ArealHomer，arealCareless，would，itisadmitted，beexceedinglybadmen。ButtopredicatemoralityorimmoralityoftheHornerofWycherleyandtheCarelessofCongreveisasabsurdasitwouldbetoarraignasleeperforhisdreams。\"Theybelongtotheregionsofpurecomedy，wherenocoldmoralreigns。
Whenweareamongthemweareamongachaoticpeople。Wearenottojudgethembyourusages。Noreverendinstitutionsareinsultedbytheirproceedings，fortheyhavenoneamongthem。Nopeaceoffamiliesisviolated，fornofamilytiesexistamongthem。Thereisneitherrightnorwrong，gratitudeoritsopposite，claimorduty，paternityorsonship。\"
Thisis，webelieve，afairsummaryofMr。Lamb’sdoctrine。Wearesurethatwedonotwishtorepresenthimunfairly。Forweadmirehisgenius;welovethekindnaturewhichappearsinallhiswritings;andwecherishhismemoryasmuchasifwehadknownhimpersonally。Butwemustplainlysaythathisargument，thoughingenious，isaltogethersophistical。
OfcourseweperfectlyunderstandthatitispossibleforawritertocreateaconventionalworldinwhichthingsforbiddenbytheDecalogueandtheStatuteBookshallbelawful，andyetthattheexhibitionmaybeharmless，orevenedifying。Forexample，wesupposethatthemostausterecriticswouldnotaccuseFenelonofimpietyandimmoralityonaccountofhisTelemachusandhisDialoguesoftheDead。InTelemachusandtheDialoguesoftheDeadwehaveafalsereligion，andconsequentlyamoralitywhichisinsomepointsincorrect。Wehavearightandawrongdifferingfromtherightandthewrongofreallife。ItisrepresentedasthefirstdutyofmentopayhonourtoJoveandMinerva。Philocles，whoemployshisleisureinmakinggravenimagesofthesedeities，isextolledforhispietyinawaywhichcontrastssingularlywiththeexpressionsofIsaiahonthesamesubject。ThedeadarejudgedbyMinos，andrewardedwithlastinghappinessforactionswhichFenelonwouldhavebeenthefirsttopronouncesplendidsins。ThesamemaybesaidofMr。Southey’sMahommedanandHindooheroesandheroines。InThalaba，tospeakinderogationoftheArabianimpostorisblasphemy:todrinkwineisacrime:toperformablutionsandtopayhonourtotheholycitiesareworksofmerit。IntheCurseofKehama，KailyaliscommendedforherdevotiontothestatueofMariataly，thegoddessofthepoor。ButcertainlynopersonwillaccuseMr。
SoutheyofhavingpromotedorintendedtopromoteeitherIslamismorBrahminism。
ItiseasytoseewhytheconventionalworldsofFenelonandMr。
Southeyareunobjectionable。Inthefirstplace，theyareutterlyunliketherealworldinwhichwelive。Thestateofsociety，thelawsevenofthephysicalworld，aresodifferentfromthosewithwhichwearefamiliar，thatwecannotbeshockedatfindingthemoralityalsoverydifferent。Butintruththemoralityoftheseconventionalworldsdiffersfromthemoralityoftherealworldonlyinpointswherethereisnodangerthattherealworldwillevergowrong。ThegenerosityanddocilityofTelemachus，thefortitude，themodesty，thefilialtendernessofKailyal，arevirtuesofallagesandnations。AndtherewasverylittledangerthattheDauphinwouldworshipMinerva，orthatanEnglishdamselwoulddance，withabucketonherhead，beforethestatueofMariataly。
ThecaseiswidelydifferentwithwhatMr。CharlesLambcallstheconventionalworldofWycherleyandCongreve。Herethegarb，themanners，thetopicsofconversationarethoseoftherealtownandofthepassingday。Theheroisinallsuperficialaccomplishmentsexactlythefinegentlemanwhomeveryyouthinthepitwouldgladlyresemble。Theheroineisthefineladywhomeveryyouthinthepitwouldgladlymarry。Thesceneislaidinsomeplacewhichisaswellknowntotheaudienceastheirownhouses，inSt。James’sPark，Park，orHydePark，orWestminsterHall。Thelawyerbustlesaboutwithhisbag，betweentheCommonPleasandtheExchequer。ThePeercallsforhiscarriagetogototheHouseofLordsonaprivatebill。Ahundredlittletouchesareemployedtomakethefictitiousworldappearliketheactualworld。Andtheimmoralityisofasortwhichnevercanbeoutofdate，andwhichalltheforceofreligion，law，andpublicopinionunitedcanbutimperfectlyrestrain。
Inthenameofart，aswellasinthenameofvirtue，weprotestagainsttheprinciplethattheworldofpurecomedyisoneintowhichnomoralenters。Ifcomedybeanimitation，underwhateverconventions，ofreallife，howisitpossiblethatitcanhavenoreferencetothegreatrulewhichdirectslife，andtofeelingswhicharecalledforthbyeveryincidentoflife？IfwhatMr。
CharlesLambsayswerecorrect，theinferencewouldbethatthesedramatistsdidnotintheleastunderstandtheveryfirstprinciplesoftheircraft。Purelandscape—paintingintowhichnolightorshadeenters，pureportrait—paintingintowhichnoexpressionenters，arephraseslessatvariancewithsoundcriticismthanpurecomedyintowhichnomoralenters。
Butitisnotthefactthattheworldofthesedramatistsisaworldintowhichnomoralenters。Moralityconstantlyentersintothatworld，asoundmorality，andanunsoundmorality;thesoundmoralitytobeinsulted，derided，associatedwitheverythingmeanandhateful;theunsoundmoralitytobesetofftoeveryadvantage，andinculcatedbyallmethods，directandindirect。Itisnotthefactthatnoneoftheinhabitantsofthisconventionalworldfeelreverenceforsacredinstitutionsandfamilyties。
Fondlewife，Pinchwife，everypersoninshortofnarrowunderstandinganddisgustingmanners，expressesthatreverencestrongly。Theheroesandheroines，too，haveamoralcodeoftheirown，anexceedinglybadone，butnot，asMr。CharlesLambseemstothink，acodeexistingonlyintheimaginationofdramatists。Itis，onthecontrary，acodeactuallyreceivedandobeyedbygreatnumbersofpeople。WeneednotgotoUtopiaorFairylandtofindthem。Theyarenearathand。EverynightsomeofthemcheatatthehellsintheQuadrant，andotherspacethePiazzainCoventGarden。WithoutflyingtoNephelococcygiaortotheCourtofQueenMab，wecanmeetwithsharpers，bullies，hard—
heartedimpudentdebauchees，andwomenworthyofsuchparamours。
ThemoralityoftheCountryWifeandtheOldBacheloristhemorality，not，asMr。CharlesLambmaintains，ofanunrealworld，butofaworldwhichisagreatdealtooreal。Itisthemorality，notofachaoticpeople，butoflowtown—rakes，andofthoseladieswhomthenewspaperscall\"dashingCyprians。\"
Andthequestionissimplythis，whetheramanofgeniuswhoconstantlyandsystematicallyendeavourstomakethissortofcharacterattractive，byunitingitwithbeauty，grace，dignity，spirit，ahighsocialposition，popularity，literature，wit，taste，knowledgeoftheworld，brilliantsuccessineveryundertaking，doesordoesnotmakeanilluseofhispowers。Weownthatweareunabletounderstandhowthisquestioncanbeansweredinanywaybutone。
Itmust，indeed，beacknowledged，injusticetothewritersofwhomwehavespokenthusseverely，thattheyweretoagreatextentthecreaturesoftheirage，Andifitbeaskedwhythatageencouragedimmoralitywhichnootheragewouldhavetolerated，wehavenohesitationinansweringthatthis，greatdepravationofthenationaltastewastheeffectoftheprevalenceofPuritanismundertheCommonwealth。
Topunishpublicoutragesonmoralsandreligionisunquestionablywithinthecompetenceofrulers。Butwhenagovernment，notcontentwithrequiringdecency，requiressanctity，itoverstepstheboundswhichmarkitsproperfunctions。Anditmaybelaiddownasauniversalrulethatagovernmentwhichattemptsmorethanitoughtwillperformless。A
lawgiverwho，inordertoprotectdistressedborrowers，limitstherateofinterest，eithermakesitimpossiblefortheobjectsofhiscaretoborrowatall，orplacesthematthemercyoftheworstclassofusurers。Alawgiverwho，fromtendernessforlabouringmen，fixesthehoursoftheirworkandtheamountoftheirwages，iscertaintomakethemfarmorewretchedthanhefoundthem。Andsoagovernmentwhich，notcontentwithrepressingscandalousexcesses，demandsfromitssubjectsferventandausterepiety，willsoondiscoverthat，whileattemptingtorenderanimpossibleservicetothecauseofvirtue，ithasintruthonlypromotedvice。
Forwhatarethemeansbywhichagovernmentcaneffectitsends？
Twoonly，rewardandpunishment;powerfulmeans，indeed，forinfluencingtheexterioract，butaltogetherimpotentforthepurposeoftouchingtheheart。ApublicfunctionarywhoistoldthathewillbepromotedifheisadevoutCatholic，andturnedoutofhisplaceifheisnot，willprobablygotomasseverymorning，excludemeatfromhistableonFridays，shrivehimselfregularly，andperhapslethissuperiorsknowthathewearsahairshirtnexthisskin。UnderaPuritangovernment，apersonwhoisapprisedthatpietyisessentialtothrivingintheworldwillbestrictintheobservanceoftheSunday，or，ashewillcallit，Sabbath，andwillavoidatheatreasifitwereplague—
stricken。Suchashowofreligionasthisthehopeofgainandthefearoflosswillproduce，ataweek’snotice，inanyabundancewhichagovernmentmayrequire。Butunderthisshow，sensuality，ambition，avarice，andhatredretainunimpairedpower，andtheseemingconverthasonlyaddedtothevicesofamanoftheworldallthestilldarkerviceswhichareengenderedbytheconstantpracticeofdissimulation。Thetruthcannotbelongconcealed。Thepublicdiscoversthatthegravepersonswhoareproposedtoitaspatternsaremoreutterlydestituteofmoralprincipleandofmoralsensibilitythanavowedlibertines。
ItseesthatthesePhariseesarefartherremovedfromrealgoodnessthanpublicansandharlots。And，asusual，itrushestotheextremeoppositetothatwhichitquits。Itconsidersahighreligiousprofessionasasuremarkofmeannessanddepravity。Ontheveryfirstdayonwhichtherestraintoffearistakenaway，andonwhichmencanventuretosaywhattheythink，afrightfulpealofblasphemyandribaldryproclaimsthattheshort—sightedpolicywhichaimedatmakinganationofsaintshasmadeanationofscoffers。
ItwasthusinFranceaboutthebeginningoftheeighteenthcentury。LewistheFourteenthinhisoldagebecamereligious:hedeterminedthathissubjectsshouldbereligioustoo:heshruggedhisshouldersandknittedhisbrowsifheobservedathisleveeornearhisdinner—tableanygentlemanwhoneglectedthedutiesenjoinedbytheChurch，andrewardedpietywithblueribands，invitationstoMarli，governments，pensions，andregiments。
ForthwithVersaillesbecame，ineverythingbutdress，aconvent。
Thepulpitsandconfessionalsweresurroundedbyswordsandembroidery。TheMarshalsofFranceweremuchinprayer;andtherewashardlyoneamongtheDukesandPeerswhodidnotcarrygoodlittlebooksinhispocket，fastduringLent，andcommunicateatEaster。MadamedeMaintenon，whohadagreatshareintheblessedwork，boastedthatdevotionhadbecomequitethefashion。A
fashionindeeditwas;andlikeafashionitpassedaway。NosoonerhadtheoldkingbeencarriedtoSt。DenisthanthewholeCourtunmasked。Everymanhastenedtoindemnifyhimself，bytheexcessoflicentiousnessandimpudence，foryearsofmortification。Thesamepersonswho，afewmonthsbefore，withmeekvoicesanddemurelooks，hadconsulteddivinesaboutthestateoftheirsouls，nowsurroundedthemidnighttablewhere，amidsttheboundingofchampagnecorks，adrunkenprince，enthronedbetweenDuboisandMadamedeParabere，hiccoughedoutatheisticalargumentsandobscenejests。TheearlypartofthereignofLewistheFourteenthhadbeenatimeoflicence;butthemostdissolutemenofthatgenerationwouldhaveblushedattheorgiesoftheRegency。