Atlength，inreturnforallthemiserywhichshehadundergone，andforthehealthwhichshehadsacrificed，anannuityofonehundredpoundswasgrantedtoher，dependentontheQueen’spleasure。
Thentheprisonwasopened，andFranceswasfreeoncemore。
Johnson，asBurkeobserved，mighthaveaddedastrikingpagetohispoemontheVanityofHumanWishes，ifhehadlivedtoseehislittleBurneyasshewentintothepalaceandasshecameoutofit。
Thepleasures，solonguntasted，ofliberty，offriendship，ofdomesticaffection，werealmosttooacuteforhershatteredframe。ButhappydaysandtranquilnightssoonrestoredthehealthwhichtheQueen’stoiletteandMadameSchwellenberg’scard—tablehadimpaired。Kindandanxiousfacessurroundedtheinvalid。Conversationthemostpolishedandbrilliantrevivedherspirits。Travellingwasrecommendedtoher;andsherambledbyeasyjourneysfromcathedraltocathedral，andfromwatering—
placetowatering—place。ShecrossedtheNewForest，andvisitedStonehengeandWilton，thecliffsofLyme，andthebeautifulvalleyofSidmouth。ThenceshejourneyedbyPowderhamCastle，andbytheruinsofGlastonburyAbbeytoBath，andfromBath，whenthewinterwasapproaching，returnedwellandcheerfultoLondon。
Thereshevisitedherolddungeon，andfoundhersuccessoralreadyfaronthewaytothegrave，andkepttostrictduty，frommorningtillmidnight，withasprainedankleandanervousfever。
AtthistimeEnglandswarmedwithFrenchexiles，drivenfromtheircountrybytheRevolution。AcolonyoftheserefugeessettledatJuniperHall，inSurrey，notfarfromNorburyPark，whereMr。Lock，anintimatefriendoftheBurneyfamily，resided。
FrancesvisitedNorbury，andwasintroducedtothestrangers。Shehadstrongprejudicesagainstthem;forherToryismwasfarbeyond，wedonotsaythatofMr。Pitt，butthatofMr。Reeves;
andtheinmatesofJuniperHallwereallattachedtotheconstitutionof1791，andwerethereforemoredetestedbytheroyalistsofthefirstemigrationthanPetionorMarat。ButsuchawomanasMissBurneycouldnotlongresistthefascinationofthatremarkablesociety。ShehadlivedwithJohnsonandWindham，withMrs。MontagueandMrs。Thrale。Yetshewasforcedtoownthatshehadneverheardconversationbefore。Themostanimatedeloquence，thekeenestobservation，themostsparklingwit，themostcourtlygrace，wereunitedtocharmher。ForMadamedeStaelwasthere，andM。deTalleyrand。TheretoowasM。deNarbonne，anoblerepresentativeofFrencharistocracy;andwithM。deNarbonnewashisfriendandfollowerGeneralD’Arblay，anhonourableandamiableman，withahandsomeperson，franksoldierlikemanners，andsometasteforletters。
TheprejudiceswhichFranceshadconceivedagainsttheconstitutionalroyalistsofFrancerapidlyvanished。ShelistenedwithrapturetoTalleyrandandMadamedeStael，joinedwithM。
D’ArblayinexecratingtheJacobinsandinweepingfortheunhappyBourbons，tookFrenchlessonsfromhim，fellinlovewithhim，andmarriedhimonnobetterprovisionthanaprecariousannuityofonehundredpounds。
HeretheDiarystopsforthepresent。Wewill，therefore，bringournarrativetoaspeedyclose，byrapidlyrecountingthemostimportanteventswhichweknowtohavebefallenMadameD’Arblayduringthelatterpartofherlife。
M。D’Arblay’sfortunehadperishedinthegeneralwreckoftheFrenchRevolution;andinaforeigncountryhistalents，whatevertheymayhavebeen，couldscarcelymakehimrich。Thetaskofprovidingforthefamilydevolvedonhiswife。Intheyear1796，shepublishedbysubscriptionherthirdnovel，Camilla。Itwasimpatientlyexpectedbythepublic;andthesumwhichsheobtainedforitwas，webelieve，greaterthanhadeveratthattimebeenreceivedforanovel。Wehaveheardthatsheclearedmorethanthreethousandguineas。Butwegivethismerelyasarumour。Camilla，however，neverattainedpopularitylikethatwhichEvelinaandCeciliahadenjoyed;anditmustbeallowedthattherewasaperceptiblefallingoff，notindeedinhumourorinpowerofportrayingcharacter，butingraceandinpurityofstyle。
Wehaveheardthat，aboutthistime，atragedybyMadameD’Arblaywasperformedwithoutsuccess。Wedonotknowwhetheritwaseverprinted;norindeedhavewehadtimetomakeanyresearchesintoitshistoryormerits。
DuringtheshorttrucewhichfollowedthetreatyofAmiens，M。
D’ArblayvisitedFrance。LauristonandLaFayetterepresentedhisclaimstotheFrenchGovernment，andobtainedapromisethatheshouldbereinstatedinhismilitaryrank。M。D’Arblay，however，insistedthatheshouldneverberequiredtoserveagainstthecountrymenofhiswife。TheFirstConsul，ofcourse，wouldnothearofsuchacondition，andorderedthegeneral’scommissiontobeinstantlyrevoked。
MadameD’ArblayjoinedherhusbandinParis，ashorttimebeforethewarof1803brokeout，andremainedinFrancetenyears，cutofffromalmostallintercoursewiththelandofherbirth。Atlength，whenNapoleonwasonhismarchtoMoscow，shewithgreatdifficultyobtainedfromhisMinisterspermissiontovisitherowncountry，incompanywithherson，whowasanativeofEngland。Shereturnedintimetoreceivethelastblessingofherfather，whodiedinhiseighty—seventhyear。In1814shepublishedherlastnovel，theWanderer，abookwhichnojudiciousfriendtohermemorywillattempttodrawfromtheoblivionintowhichithasjustlyfallen。InthesameyearhersonAlexanderwassenttoCambridge。Heobtainedanhonourableplaceamongthewranglersofhisyear，andwaselectedafellowofChrist’sCollege。ButhisreputationattheUniversitywashigherthanmightbeinferredfromhissuccessinacademicalcontests。HisFrencheducationhadnotfittedhimfortheexaminationsoftheSenateHouse;but，inpuremathematics，wehavebeenassuredbysomeofhiscompetitorsthathehadveryfewequals。HewentintotheChurch，anditwasthoughtlikelythathewouldattainhigheminenceasapreacher;buthediedbeforehismother。Allthatwehaveheardofhimleadsustobelievethathewasasonassuchamotherdeservedtohave。In1832，MadameD’ArblaypublishedtheMemoirsofherfather;andonthesixthofJanuary，1840，shediedinhereighty—eighthyear。
WenowturnfromthelifeofMadameD’Arblaytoherwritings。
Therecan，weapprehend，belittledifferenceofopinionastothenatureofhermerit，whateverdifferencesmayexistastoitsdegree。ShewasemphaticallywhatJohnsoncalledher，acharacter—monger。Itwasintheexhibitionofhumanpassionsandwhimsthatherstrengthlay;andinthisdepartmentofartshehad，wethink，verydistinguishedskill。
But，inorderthatwemay，accordingtoourdutyaskingsatarms，versedinthelawsofliteraryprecedence，marshalhertotheexactscattowhichsheisentitled，wemustcarryourexaminationsomewhatfurther。
Thereis，inonerespect，aremarkableanalogybetweenthefacesandthemindsofmen。Notwofacesarealike;andyetveryfewfacesdeviateverywidelyfromthecommonstandard。AmongtheeighteenhundredthousandhumanbeingswhoinhabitLondon，thereisnotonewhocouldbetakenbyhisacquaintanceforanother;
yetwemaywalkfromPaddingtontoMileEndwithoutseeingonepersoninwhomanyfeatureissooverchargedthatweturnroundtostareatit。Aninfinitenumberofvarietiesliesbetweenlimitswhicharenotveryfarasunder。Thespecimenswhichpassthoselimitsoneitherside，formaverysmallminority。
Itisthesamewiththecharactersofmen。Here，too，thevarietypassesallenumeration。Butthecasesinwhichthedeviationfromthecommonstandingisstrikingandgrotesque，areveryfew。Inonemindavaricepredominates;inanother，pride;inathird，loveofpleasure;justasinonecountenancethenoseisthemostmarkedfeature，whileinothersthechiefexpressionliesinthebrow，orinthelinesofthemouth。Butthereareveryfewcountenancesinwhichnose，brow，andmouthdonotcontribute，thoughinunequaldegrees，tothegeneraleffect;andsothereareveryfewcharactersinwhichoneovergrownpropensitymakesallothersutterlyinsignificant。
Itisevidentthataportraitpainter，whowasableonlytorepresentfacesandfiguressuchasthosewhichwepaymoneytoseeatfairs，wouldnot，howeverspiritedhisexecutionmightbe，takerankamongthehighestartists。Hemustalwaysbeplacedbelowthosewhohaveskilltoseizepeculiaritieswhichdonotamounttodeformity。Theslighterthosepeculiarities，thegreateristhemeritofthelimnerwhocancatchthemandtransferthemtohiscanvas。TopaintDanielLambertorthelivingskeleton，thepig—facedladyortheSiamesetwins，sothatnobodycanmistakethem，isanexploitwithinthereachofasign—painter。Athird—rateartistmightgiveusthesquintofWilkes，andthedepressednoseandprotuberantcheeksofGibbon。
ItwouldrequireamuchhigherdegreeofskilltopainttwosuchmenasMr。CanningandSirThomasLawrence，sothatnobodywhohadeverseenthemcouldforamomenthesitatetoassigneachpicturetoitsoriginal。Herethemerecaricaturistwouldbequiteatfault。Hewouldfindinneitherfaceanythingonwhichhecouldlayholdforthepurposeofmakingadistinction。Twoamplebaldforeheads，tworegularprofiles，twofullfacesofthesameovalform，wouldbafflehisart;andhewouldbereducedtothemiserableshiftofwritingtheirnamesatthefootofhispicture。Yettherewasagreatdifference;andapersonwhohadseenthemoncewouldnomorehavemistakenoneofthemfortheotherthanhewouldhavemistakenMr。PittforMr。Fox。Butthedifferencelayindelicatelineamentsandshades，reservedforpencilsofarareorder。
Thisdistinctionrunsthroughalltheimitativearts。Foote’smimicrywasexquisitelyludicrous，butitwasallcaricature。Hecouldtakeoffonlysomestrangepeculiarity，astammeroralisp，aNorthumbrianburroranIrishbrogue，astooporashuffle。\"Ifaman，\"saidJohnson，\"hopsononeleg，Footecanhopononeleg。\"Garrick，ontheotherhand，couldseizethosedifferencesofmannerandpronunciation，which，thoughhighlycharacteristic，areyettooslighttobedescribed。Foote，wehavenodoubt，couldhavemadetheHaymarkettheatreshakewithlaughterbyimitatingaconversationbetweenaScotchmanandaSomersetshireman。ButGarrickcouldhaveimitatedaconversationbetweentwofashionablemen，bothmodelsofthebestbreeding，LordChesterfield，forexample，andLordAlbemarle，sothatnopersoncoulddoubtwhichwaswhich，althoughnopersoncouldsaythat，inanypoint，eitherLordChesterfieldorLordAlbemarlespokeormovedotherwisethaninconformitywiththeusagesofthebestsociety。
Thesamedistinctionisfoundinthedramaandinfictitiousnarrative。Highestamongthosewhohaveexhibitedhumannaturebymeansofdialogue，standsShakspeare。Hisvarietyislikethevarietyofnature，endlessdiversity，scarcelyanymonstrosity。
Thecharactersofwhichhehasgivenusanimpression，asvividasthatwhichwereceivefromthecharactersofourownassociates，aretobereckonedbyscores。Yetinallthesescoreshardlyonecharacteristobefoundwhichdeviateswidelyfromthecommonstandard，andwhichweshouldcallveryeccentricifwemetitinreallife。Thesillynotionthateverymanhasonerulingpassion，andthatthisclue，onceknown，unravelsallthemysteriesofhisconduct，findsnocountenanceintheplaysofShakspeare。Theremanappearsasheis，madeupofacrowdofpassions，whichcontendforthemasteryoverhim，andgovernhiminturn。WhatisHamlet’srulingpassion？OrOthello’s？OrHarrytheFifth’s？OrWolsey’s？OrLear’s？OrShylock’s？OrBenedick’s？
OrMacbeth’s？OrthatofCassius？OrthatofFalconbridge？Butwemightgoonforever。Takeasingleexample，Shylock。Ishesoeagerformoneyastobeindifferenttorevenge？Orsoeagerforrevengeastobeindifferenttomoney？OrsobentonbothtogetherastobeindifferenttothehonourofhisnationandthelawofMoses？Allhispropensitiesaremingledwitheachother，sothat，intryingtoapportiontoeachitsproperpart，wefindthesamedifficultywhichconstantlymeetsusinreallife。A
superficialcriticmaysay，thathatredisShylock’srulingpassion。Buthowmanypassionshaveamalgamatedtoformthathatred？Itispartlytheresultofwoundedpride:Antoniohascalledhimdog。Itispartlytheresultofcovetousness:Antoniohashinderedhimofhalfamillion;and，whenAntonioisgone，therewillbenolimittothegainsofusury。Itispartlytheresultofnationalandreligiousfeeling:AntoniohasspitontheJewishgaberdine;andtheoathofrevengehasbeenswornbytheJewishSabbath。Wemightgothroughallthecharacterswhichwehavementioned，andthroughfiftymoreinthesameway;foritistheconstantmannerofShakspearetorepresentthehumanmindaslying，notundertheabsolutedominionofonedespoticpropensity，butunderamixedgovernment，inwhichahundredpowersbalanceeachother。Admirableashewasinallpartsofhisart，wemostadmirehimforthis，thatwhilehehasleftusagreaternumberofstrikingportraitsthanallotherdramatistsputtogether，hehasscarcelyleftusasinglecaricature。
Shakspearehashadneitherequalnorsecond。Butamongthewriterswho，inthepointwhichwehavenoticed，haveapproachednearesttothemannerofthegreatmaster，wehavenohesitationinplacingJaneAusten，awomanofwhomEnglandisjustlyproud。
Shehasgivenusamultitudeofcharacters，all，inacertainsense，commonplace，allsuchaswemeeteveryday。Yettheyareallasperfectlydiscriminatedfromeachotherasiftheywerethemosteccentricofhumanbeings。Thereare，forexample，fourclergymen，noneofwhomweshouldbesurprisedtofindinanyparsonageinthekingdom，Mr。EdwardFerrers，Mr。HenryTilney，Mr。EdmundBertram，andMr。Elton。Theyareallspecimensoftheupperpartofthemiddleclass。Theyhaveallbeenliberallyeducated。Theyalllieundertherestraintsofthesamesacredprofession。Theyareallyoung。Theyareallinlove。Notoneofthemhasanyhobbyhorse，tousethephraseofSterne。Notonehasarulingpassion，suchaswereadofinPope。Whowouldnothaveexpectedthemtobeinsipidlikenessesofeachother？Nosuchthing。HarpagunisnotmoreunliketoJourdain，JosephSurfaceisnotmoreunliketoSirLuciusO’Trigger，thaneveryoneofMissAusten’syoungdivinestoallhisreverendbrethren。Andalmostallthisisdonebytouchessodelicate，thattheyeludeanalysis，thattheydefythepowersofdescription，andthatweknowthemtoexistonlybythegeneraleffecttowhichtheyhavecontributed。
Alinemustbedrawn，weconceive，betweenartistsofthisclass，andthosepoetsandnovelistswhoseskillliesintheexhibitingofwhatBenJonsoncalledhumours。ThewordsofBenaresomuchtothepurposethatwewillquotethem:
\"WhensomeonepeculiarqualityDothsopossessaman，thatitdothdrawAllhisaffects，hisspirits，andhispowers，Intheirconfluxionsalltorunoneway，Thismaybetrulysaidtobeahumour。\"
Thereareundoubtedlypersons，inwhomhumourssuchasBendescribeshaveattainedacompleteascendency。TheavariceofElwes，theinsanedesireofSirEgertonBrydgesforabaronytowhichhehadnomorerightthantothecrownofSpain，themalevolencewhichlongmeditationonimaginarywrongsgeneratedinthegloomymindofBellingham，areinstances。ThefeelingwhichanimatedClarksonandothervirtuousmenagainsttheslave—
tradeandslavery，isaninstanceofamorehonourablekind。
Seeingthatsuchhumoursexist，wecannotdenythattheyarepropersubjectsfortheimitationsofart。Butweconceivethattheimitationofsuchhumours，howeverskilfulandamusing，isnotanachievementofthehighestorder;and，assuchhumoursarerareinreallife，theyought，weconceive，tobesparinglyintroducedintoworkswhichprofesstobepicturesofreallife。
Nevertheless，thewritermayshowsomuchgeniusintheexhibitionofthesehumoursastobefairlyentitledtoadistinguishedandpermanentrankamongclassics。Thechiefseatsofall，however，theplacesonthedaisandunderthecanopy，arereservedforthefewwhohaveexcelledinthedifficultartofportrayingcharactersinwhichnosinglefeatureisextravagantlyovercharged。
Ifwehaveexpoundedthelawsoundly，wecanhavenodifficultyinapplyingittotheparticularcasebeforeus。MadameD’Arblayhasleftusscarcelyanythingbuthumours。Almosteveryoneofhermenandwomenhassomeonepropensitydevelopedtoamorbiddegree。InCecilia，forexample，Mr。Delvileneveropenshislipswithoutsomeallusiontohisownbirthandstation;orMr。
Briggs，withoutsomeallusiontothehoardingofmoney;orMr。
Hobson，withoutbetrayingtheself—indulgenceandself—importanceofapurse—proudupstart;orMr。Simkins，withoututteringsomesneakingremarkforthepurposeofcurryingfavourwithhiscustomers;orMr。Meadows，withoutexpressingapathyandwearinessoflife;orMr。Albany，withoutdeclaimingaboutthevicesoftherichandthemiseryofthepoor;orMrs。Belfield，withoutsomeindelicateeulogyonherson;orLadyMargaret，withoutindicatingjealousyofherhusband。Morriceisallskipping，officiousimpertinence，Mr。Gosportallsarcasm，LadyHonoriaalllivelyprattle，MissLarollesallsillyprattle。IfeverMadameD’Arblayaimedatmore，wedonotthinkthatshesucceededwell。
Weare，therefore，forcedtorefusetoMadameD’Arblayaplaceinthehighestrankofart;butwecannotdenythat，intheranktowhichshebelonged，shehadfewequals，andscarcelyanysuperior。Thevarietyofhumourswhichistobefoundinhernovelsisimmense;andthoughthetalkofeachpersonseparatelyismonotonous，thegeneraleffectisnotmonotony，butaverylivelyandagreeablediversity。Herplotsarerudelyconstructedandimprobable，ifweconsidertheminthemselves。Buttheyareadmirablyframedforthepurposeofexhibitingstrikinggroupsofeccentriccharacters，eachgovernedbyhisownpeculiarwhim，eachtalkinghisownpeculiarjargon，andeachbringingoutbyoppositiontheodditiesofalltherest。Wewillgiveoneexampleoutofmanywhichoccurtous。AllprobabilityisviolatedinordertobringMr。Delvile，Mr。Briggs，Mr。Hobson，andMr。
Albanyintoaroomtogether。Butwhenwehavethemthere，wesoonforgetprobabilityintheexquisitelyludicrouseffectwhichisproducedbytheconflictoffouroldfools，eachragingwithamonomaniaofhisown，eachtalkingadialectofhisown，andeachinflamingalltheothersaneweverytimeheopenshismouth。
MadameD’Arblaywasmostsuccessfulincomedy，andindeedincomedywhichborderedonfarce。Butweareinclinedtoinferfromsomepassages，bothinCeciliaandCamilla，thatshemighthaveattainedequaldistinctioninthepathetic。Wehaveformedthisjudgment，lessfromthoseambitiousscenesofdistresswhichlienearthecatastropheofeachofthosenovels，thanfromsomeexquisitestrokesofnaturaltendernesswhichtakeushereandtherebysurprise。Wewouldmentionasexamples，Mrs。Hill’saccountofherlittleboy’sdeathinCecilia，andthepartingofSirHughTyroldandCamilla，whenthehonestbaronetthinkshimselfdying。
ItismelancholytothinkthatthewholefameofMadameD’Arblayrestsonwhatshedidduringtheearlierhalfofherlife，andthateverythingwhichshepublishedduringtheforty—threeyearswhichprecededherdeath，loweredherreputation。Yetwehavenoreasontothinkthatatthetimewhenherfacultiesoughttohavebeenintheirmaturity，theyweresmittenwithanyblight。IntheWanderer，wecatchnowandthenagleamofhergenius。EvenintheMemoirsofherfather，thereisnotraceofdotage。Theyareverybad;buttheyareso，asitseemstous，notfromadecayofpower，butfromatotalperversionofpower。
Thetruthis，thatMadameD’Arblay’sstyleunderwentagradualandmostperniciouschange，achangewhich，indegreeatleast，webelievetobeunexampledinliteraryhistory，andofwhichitmaybeusefultotracetheprogress。
WhenshewroteherletterstoMr。Crisp，herearlyjournals，andherfirstnovel，herstylewasnotindeedbrilliantorenergetic;
butitwaseasy，clear，andfreefromalloffensivefaults。WhenshewroteCeciliasheaimedhigher。ShehadthenlivedmuchinacircleofwhichJohnsonwasthecentre;andshewasherselfoneofhismostsubmissiveworshippers。Itseemsnevertohavecrossedhermindthatthestyleevenofhisbestwritingswasbynomeansfaultless，andthatevenhaditbeenfaultless，itmightnotbewiseinhertoimitateit。PhraseologywhichisproperinadisquisitionontheUnities，orinaprefacetoaDictionary，maybequiteoutofplaceinataleoffashionablelife。Oldgentlemendonotcriticisethereigningmodes，nordoyounggentlemenmakelove，withthebalancedepithetsandsonorouscadenceswhich，onoccasionsofgreatdignity，askilfulwritermayusewithhappyeffect。
InanevilhourtheauthorofEvelinatooktheRamblerforhermodel。ThiswouldnothavebeenwiseevenifshecouldhaveimitatedherpatternaswellasHawkesworthdid。Butsuchimitationwasbeyondherpower。Shehadherownstyle。Itwasatolerablygoodone;andmight，withoutanyviolentchange，havebeenimprovedintoaverygoodone。Shedeterminedtothrowitaway，andtoadoptastyleinwhichshecouldattainexcellenceonlybyachievinganalmostmiraculousvictoryovernatureandoverhabit。ShecouldceasetobeFannyBurney;itwasnotsoeasytobecomeSamuelJohnson。
InCeciliathechangeofmannerbegantoappear。ButinCeciliatheimitationofJohnson，thoughnotalwaysinthebesttaste，issometimeseminentlyhappy;andthepassageswhicharesoverboseastobepositivelyoffensive，arefew。TherewerepeoplewhowhisperedthatJohnsonhadassistedhisyoungfriend，andthatthenovelowedallitsfinestpassagestohishand。Thiswasmerelythefabricationofenvy。MissBurney’srealexcellenceswereasmuchbeyondthereachofJohnson，ashisrealexcellenceswerebeyondherreach。HecouldnomorehavewrittentheMasqueradescene，ortheVauxhallscene，thanshecouldhavewrittentheLifeofCowleyortheReviewofSoameJenyns。ButwehavenotthesmallestdoubtthatherevisedCecilia，andthatheretouchedthestyleofmanypassages。Weknowthathewasinthehabitofgivingassistanceofthiskindmostfreely。Goldsmith，Hawkesworth，Boswell，LordHailes，Mrs。Williams，wereamongthosewhoobtainedhishelp。Nay，heevencorrectedthepoetryofMr。Crabbe，whom，webelieve，hehadneverseen。WhenMissBurneythoughtofwritingacomedy，hepromisedtogiveherhisbestcounsel，thoughheownedthathewasnotparticularlywellqualifiedtoadviseonmattersrelatingtothestage。WethereforethinkitinthehighestdegreeimprobablethathislittleFanny，whenlivinginhabitsofthemostaffectionateintercoursewithhim，wouldhavebroughtoutanimportantworkwithoutconsultinghim;and，whenwelookintoCecilia，weseesuchtracesofhishandinthegraveandelevatedpassagesasitisimpossibletomistake。Beforeweconcludethisarticle，wewillgivetwoorthreeexamples。
WhennextMadameD’Arblayappearedbeforetheworldasawriter，shewasinaverydifferentsituation。ShewouldnotcontentherselfwiththesimpleEnglishinwhichEvelinahadbeenwritten。Shehadnolongerthefriendwho，weareconfident，hadpolishedandstrengthenedthestyleofCecilia。ShehadtowriteinJohnson’smannerwithoutJohnson’said。Theconsequencewas，thatinCamillaeverypassagewhichshemeanttobefineisdetestable;andthatthebookhasbeensavedfromcondemnationonlybytheadmirablespiritandforceofthosescenesinwhichshewascontenttobefamiliar。
Buttherewastobeastilldeeperdescent。AfterthepublicationofCamilla，MadameD’ArblayresidedtenyearsatParis。DuringthoseyearstherewasscarcelyanyintercoursebetweenFranceandEngland。Itwaswithdifficultythatashortlettercouldoccasionallybetransmitted。AllMadameD’Arblay’scompanionswereFrench。Shemusthavewritten，spoken，thought，inFrench。
OvidexpressedhisfearthatashorterexilemighthaveaffectedthepurityofhisLatin。Duringashorterexile，GibbonunlearnedhisnativeEnglish。MadameD’ArblayhadcarriedabadstyletoFrance。Shebroughtbackastylewhichwearereallyatalosstodescribe。ItisasortofbrokenJohnsonese，abarbarouspatois，bearingthesamerelationtothelanguageofRasselas，whichthegibberishofthenegroesofJamaicabearstotheEnglishoftheHouseofLords。Sometimesitremindsusofthefinest，thatistosay，thevilestparts，ofMr。Galt’snovels;sometimesoftheperorationsofExeterHall;sometimesoftheleadingarticlesoftheMorningPost。ButitmostresemblesthepuffsofMr。RowlandandDr。Goss。Itmattersnotwhatideasareclothedinsuchastyle。ThegeniusofShakspeareandBaconunited，wouldnotsaveaworksowrittenfromgeneralderision。
ItisonlybymeansofspecimensthatwecanenableourreaderstojudgehowwidelyMadameD’Arblay’sthreestylesdifferedfromeachother。
ThefollowingpassagewaswrittenbeforeshebecameintimatewithJohnson。ItisfromEvelina:
\"Hissonseemsweakerinhisunderstanding，andmoregayinhistemper;buthisgaietyisthatofafoolishovergrownschoolboy，whosemirthconsistsinnoiseanddisturbance。Hedisdainshisfatherforhiscloseattentiontobusinessandloveofmoney，thoughheseemshimselftohavenotalents，spirit，orgenerositytomakehimsuperiortoeither。Hischiefdelightappearstobeintormentingandridiculinghissisters，whoinreturnmostcordiallydespisehim。MissBranghton，theeldestdaughter，isbynomeansugly;butlooksproud，ill—tempered，andconceited。Shehatesthecity，thoughwithoutknowingwhy;foritiseasytodiscovershehaslivednowhereelse。MissPollyBranghtonisratherpretty，veryfoolish，veryignorant，verygiddy，and，I
believe，verygood—natured。\"
Thisisnotafinestyle，butsimple，perspicuous，andagreeable。
WenowcometoCecilia，writtenduringMissBurney’sintimacywithJohnson;andweleaveittoourreaderstojudgewhetherthefollowingpassagewasnotatleastcorrectedbyhishand:
\"Itisratheranimaginarythananactualevil，andthoughadeepwoundtopride，nooffencetomorality。ThushaveIlaidopentoyoumywholeheart，confessedmyperplexities，acknowledgedmyvainglory，andexposedwithequalsinceritythesourcesofmydoubts，andthemotivesofmydecision。Butnow，indeed，howtoproceedIknownot。ThedifficultieswhichareyettoencounterI
feartoenumerate，andthepetitionIhavetourgeIhavescarcecouragetomention。Myfamily，mistakingambitionforhonour，andrankfordignity，havelongplannedasplendidconnectionforme，towhich，thoughmyinvariablerepugnancehasstoppedanyadvances，theirwishesandtheirviewsimmoveablyadhere。Iambuttoocertaintheywillnowlistentonoother。Idread，therefore，tomakeatrialwhereIdespairofsuccess。Iknownothowtoriskaprayerwiththosewhomaysilencemebyacommand。\"
TakenowaspecimenofMadameD’Arblay’slaterstyle。Thisisthewayinwhichshetellsusthatherfather，onhisjourneybackfromtheContinent，caughttherheumatism。
\"Hewasassaulted，duringhisprecipitatedreturn，bytherudestfiercenessofwintryelementalstrife;throughwhich，withbadaccommodationsandinnumerableaccidents，hebecameapreytothemercilesspangsoftheacutestspasmodicrheumatism，whichbarelysufferedhimtoreachhishome，ere，longandpiteously，itconfinedhim，atorturedprisoner，tohisbed。Suchwasthecheekthatalmostinstantlycurbed，thoughitcouldnotsubdue，therisingpleasureofhishopesofenteringuponanewspeciesofexistence——thatofanapprovedmanofletters;foritwasonthebedofsickness，exchangingthelightwinesofFrance，Italy，andGermany，fortheblackandloathsomepotionsoftheApothecaries’
Hall，writhedbydartingstitches，andburningwithfieryfever，thathefeltthefullforceofthatsublunaryequipoisethatseemsevermoretohangsuspendedovertheattainmentoflong—
soughtanduncommonfelicity，justasitisripeningtoburstforthwithenjoyment。\"
HereisasecondpassagefromEvelina:
\"Mrs。Selwynisverykindandattentivetome。Sheisextremelyclever。Herunderstanding，indeed，maybecalledmasculine;butunfortunatelyhermannersdeservethesameepithet;for，instudyingtoacquiretheknowledgeoftheothersex，shehaslostallthesoftnessofherown，Inregardtomyself，however，asI
haveneithercouragenorinclinationtoarguewithher，Ihaveneverbeenpersonallyhurtatherwantofgentleness，avirtuewhichneverthelessseemssoessentialapartofthefemalecharacter，thatIfindmyselfmoreawkwardandlessatcasewithawomanwhowantsitthanIdowithaman。\"
Thisisagoodstyleofitskind;andthefollowingpassagefromCeciliaisalsoinagoodstyle，thoughnotinafaultlessone。
Wesaywithconfidence，eitherSamJohnsonortheDevil:
\"EventheimperiousMr。DelvilewasmoresupportableherethaninLondon。Secureinhisowncastle，helookedroundhimwithaprideofpowerandpossessionwhichsoftenedwhileitswelledhim。Hissuperioritywasundisputed:hiswillwaswithoutcontrol。Hewasnot，asinthegreatcapitalofthekingdom，surroundedbycompetitors。Norivalrydisturbedhispeace;noequalitymortifiedhisgreatness。Allhesawwereeithervassalsofhispower，orguestsbendingtohispleasure。Heabated，therefore，considerablytilesterngloomofhishaughtiness，andsoothedhisproudmindbythecourtesyofcondescension。\"
Wewillstakeourreputationforcriticalsagacityonthis，thatnosuchparagraphasthatwhichwehavelastquoted，canbefoundinanyofMadameD’Arblay’sworksexceptCecilia。Comparewithitthefollowingsampleofherlaterstyle。
\"Ifbeneficencebejudgedbythehappinesswhichitdiffuses，whoseclaim，bythatproof，shallstandhigherthanthatofMrs。
Montagu，fromthemunificencewithwhichshecelebratedherannualfestivalforthosehaplessartificerswhoperformthemostabjectoffices，ofanyauthorisedcalling，inbeingtheactiveguardiansofourblazinghearths？Nottovainglory，then，buttokindnessofheart，shouldbeadjudgedthepublicityofthatsuperbcharitywhichmadeitsjettyobjects，foronebrightmorning，ceasetoconsiderthemselvesasdegradedoutcastsfromallsociety。\"
Weaddoneortwoshortersamples。Sheridanrefusedtopermithislovelywifetosinginpublic，andwaswarmlypraisedonthisaccountbyJohnson。
\"Thelastofmen，\"saysMadameD’Arblay，\"wasDoctorJohnsontohaveabettedsquanderingthedelicacyofintegritybynullifyingthelaboursoftalents。\"
TheClub，Johnson’sClub，diditselfnohonourbyrejectingonpoliticalgroundstwodistinguishedmen，oneaTory，theotheraWhig。MadameD’Arblaytellsthestorythus:\"AsimilarebullitionofpoliticalrancourwiththatwhichsodifficultlyhadbeenconqueredforMr。CanningfoamedovertheballotboxtotheexclusionofMr。Rogers。\"
Anoffencepunishablewithimprisonmentis，inthislanguage，anoffence\"whichproducesincarceration。\"Tobestarvedtodeathis\"tosinkfrominanitionintononentity。\"SirIsaacNewtonis\"thedeveloperoftheskiesintheirembodiedmovements\";andMrs。
Thrale，whenapartyofcleverpeoplesatsilent，issaidtohavebeen\"provokedbythedulnessofataciturnitythat，inthemidstofsuchrenownedinterlocutors，producedasnarcoticatorporascouldhavebeencausedbyadearththemostbarrenofallhumanfaculties。\"Intruth，itisimpossibletolookatanypageofMadameD’Arblay’slaterworkswithoutfindingflowersofrhetoriclikethese。NothinginthelanguageofthosejargonistsatwhomMr。Gosportlaughed，nothinginthelanguageofSirSedleyClarendel，approachesthisnewEuphuism。
ItisfromnounfriendlyfeelingtoMadameD’Arblay’smemorythatwehaveexpressedourselvessostronglyonthesubjectofherstyle。Onthecontrary，weconceivethatwehavereallyrenderedaservicetoherreputation。Thatherlaterworkswerecompletefailures，isafacttoonotorioustobedissembled:andsomepersons，webelieve，haveconsequentlytakenupanotionthatshewasfromthefirstanoverratedwriter，andthatshehadnotthepowerswhichwerenecessarytomaintainherontheeminenceonwhichgoodluckandfashionhadplacedher。Webelieve，onthecontrary，thatherearlypopularitywasnomorethanthejustrewardofdistinguishedmerit，andwouldneverhaveundergoneaneclipse，ifshehadonlybeencontenttogoonwritinginhermothertongue。Ifshefailedwhenshequittedherownprovince，andattemptedtooccupyoneinwhichshehadneitherpartnorlot，thisreproachiscommontoherwithacrowdofdistinguishedmen。Newtonfailedwhenheturnedfromthecoursesofthestars，andtheebbandflowoftheocean，toapocalypticsealsandvials。BentleyfailedwhenheturnedfromHomerandAristophanes，toedittheParadiseLost。InigofailedwhenheattemptedtorivaltheGothicchurchesofthefourteenthcentury。WilkiefailedwhenhetookitintohisheadthattheBlindFiddlerandtheRentDaywereunworthyofhispowers，andchallengedcompetitionwithLawrenceasaportraitpainter。Suchfailuresshouldbenotedfortheinstructionofposterity;buttheydetractlittlefromthepermanentreputationofthosewhohavereallydonegreatthings。
Yetonewordmore。ItisnotonlyonaccountoftheintrinsicmeritofMadameD’Arblay’searlyworksthatsheisentitledtohonourablemention。Herappearanceisanimportantepochinourliteraryhistory。Evelinawasthefirsttalewrittenbyawoman，andpurportingtobeapictureoflifeandmanners，thatlivedordeservedtolive。TheFemaleQuixoteisnoexception。Thatworkhasundoubtedlygreatmerit，whenconsideredasawildsatiricalharlequinade;but，ifweconsideritasapictureoflifeandmanners，wemustpronounceitmoreabsurdthananyoftheromanceswhichitwasdesignedtoridicule。
Indeed，mostofthepopularnovelswhichprecededEvelinaweresuchasnoladywouldhavewritten;andmanyofthemweresuchasnoladycouldwithoutconfusionownthatshehadread。Theverynameofnovelwasheldinhorroramongreligiouspeople。Indecentfamilies，whichdidnotprofessextraordinarysanctity，therewasastrongfeelingagainstallsuchworks。SirAnthonyAbsolute，twoorthreeyearsbeforeEvelinaappeared，spokethesenseofthegreatbodyofsoberfathersandhusbands，whenhepronouncedthecirculatinglibraryanevergreentreeofdiabolicalknowledge。Thisfeelingonthepartofthegraveandreflecting，increasedtheevilfromwhichithadsprung。Thenovelisthavinglittlecharactertolose，andhavingfewreadersamongseriouspeople，tookwithoutscruplelibertieswhichinourgenerationseemalmostincredible。
MissBurneydidfortheEnglishnovelwhatJeremyCollierdidfortheEnglishdrama;andshediditinabetterway。ShefirstshowedthatatalemightbewritteninwhichboththefashionableandthevulgarlifeofLondonmightbeexhibitedwithgreatforce，andwithbroadcomichumour，andwhichyetshouldnotcontainasinglelineinconsistentwithrigidmorality，orevenwithvirgindelicacy。Shetookawaythereproachwhichlayonamostusefulanddelightfulspeciesofcomposition。Shevindicatedtherightofhersextoanequalshareinafairandnobleprovinceofletters。Severalaccomplishedwomenhavefollowedinhertrack。Atpresent，thenovelswhichweowetoEnglishladiesformnosmallpartoftheliterarygloryofourcountry。Noclassofworksismorehonourablydistinguishedbyfineobservation，bygrace，bydelicatewit，bypuremoralfeeling。SeveralamongthesuccessorsofMadameD’Arblayhaveequalledher;two，wethink，havesurpassedher。Butthefactthatshehasbeensurpassedgivesheranadditionalclaimtoourrespectandgratitudefor，intruth，weowetohernotonlyEvelina，Cecilia，andCamilla，butalsoMansfieldParkandtheAbsentee。
MOORE’SLIFEOFLORDBYRON
（June1831）
LettersandJournalsofLordByron;withNoticesofhisLife。ByTHOMASMOORE，Esq。2vols。4to。London:1830。
WEhavereadthisbookwiththegreatestpleasure。Consideredmerelyasacomposition，itdeservestobeclassedamongthebestspecimensofEnglishprosewhichouragehasproduced。Itcontains，indeed，nosinglepassageequaltotwoorthreewhichwecouldselectfromtheLifeofSheridan。But，asawhole，itisimmeasurablysuperiortothatwork。Thestyleisagreeable，clear，andmanly，andwhenitrisesintoeloquence，riseswithouteffortorostentation。Noristhematterinferiortothemanner。
Itwouldbedifficulttonameabookwhichexhibitsmorekindness，fairness，andmodesty。Ithasevidentlybeenwritten，notforthepurposeofshowing，what，however，itoftenshows，howwellitsauthorcanwrite，butforthepurposeofvindicating，asfarastruthwillpermit，thememoryofacelebratedmanwhocannolongervindicatehimself。Mr。MooreneverthrustshimselfbetweenLordByronandthepublic。Withthestrongesttemptationstoegotism，hehassaidnomoreabouthimselfthanthesubjectabsolutelyrequired。
Agreatpart，indeedthegreaterpart，ofthesevolumes，consistsofextractsfromthelettersandjournalsofLordByron;anditisdifficulttospeaktoohighlyoftheskillwhichhasbeenshownintheselectionandarrangement。Wewillnotsaythatwehavenotoccasionallyremarkedinthesetwolargequartosananecdotewhichshouldhavebeenomitted，aletterwhichshouldhavebeensuppressed，anamewhichshouldhavebeenconcealedbyasterisks，orasteriskswhichdonotanswerthepurposeofconcealingthename。Butitisimpossible，onageneralsurvey，todenythatthetaskhasbeenexecutedwithgreatjudgmentandgreathumanity。WhenweconsiderthelifewhichLordByronhadled，hispetulance，hisirritability，andhiscommunicativeness，wecannotbutadmirethedexteritywithwhichMr。Moorehascontrivedtoexhibitsomuchofthecharacterandopinionsofhisfriend，withsolittlepaintothefeelingsoftheliving。
TheextractsfromthejournalsandcorrespondenceofLordByronareinthehighestdegreevaluable，notmerelyonaccountoftheinformationwhichtheycontainrespectingthedistinguishedmanbywhomtheywerewritten，butonaccountalsooftheirraremeritascompositions。Theletters，atleastthosewhichweresentfromItaly，areamongthebestinourlanguage。TheyarelessaffectedthanthoseofPopeandWalpole;theyhavemorematterinthemthanthoseofCowper。Knowingthatmanyofthemwerenotwrittenmerelyforthepersontowhomtheyweredirected，butweregeneralepistles，meanttobereadbyalargecircle，weexpectedtofindthemcleverandspirited，butdeficientinease。Welookedwithvigilanceforinstancesofstiffnessinthelanguageandawkwardnessinthetransitions。Wehavebeenagreeablydisappointed;andwemustconfessthat，iftheepistolarystyleofLordByronwasartificial，itwasarareandadmirableinstanceofthathighestartwhichcannotbedistinguishedfromnature。
Ofthedeepandpainfulinterestwhichthisbookexcitesnoabstractcangiveajustnotion。Sosadanddarkastoryisscarcelytobefoundinanyworkoffiction;andwearelittledisposedtoenvythemoralistwhocanreaditwithoutbeingsoftened。
TheprettyfablebywhichtheDuchessofOrleansillustratedthecharacterofhersontheRegentmight，withlittlechange，beappliedtoByron。Allthefairies，saveone，hadbeenbiddentohiscradle。Allthegossipshadbeenprofuseoftheirgifts。Onehadbestowednobility，anothergenius，athirdbeauty。Themalignantelfwhohadbeenuninvitedcamelast，and，unabletoreversewhathersistershaddonefortheirfavourite，hadmixedupacursewitheveryblessing。IntherankofLordByron，inhisunderstanding，inhischaracter，inhisveryperson，therewasastrangeunionofoppositeextremes。Hewasborntoallthatmencovetandadmire。Butineveryoneofthoseeminentadvantageswhichhepossessedoverotherswasmingledsomethingofmiseryanddebasement。Hewassprungfromahouse，ancientindeedandnoble，butdegradedandimpoverishedbyaseriesofcrimesandfollieswhichhadattainedascandalouspublicity。Thekinsmanwhomhesucceededhaddiedpoor，and，butformercifuljudges，wouldhavedieduponthegallows。Theyoungpeerhadgreatintellectualpowers;yettherewasanunsoundpartinhismind。
Hehadnaturallyagenerousandfeelingheart:buthistemperwaswaywardandirritable。Hehadaheadwhichstatuarieslovedtocopy，andafootthedeformityofwhichthebeggarsinthestreetsmimicked。Distinguishedatoncebythestrengthandbytheweaknessofhisintellect，affectionateyetperverse，apoorlord，andahandsomecripple，herequired，ifevermanrequired，thefirmestandthemostjudicioustraining。But，capriciouslyasnaturehaddealtwithhim，theparenttowhomtheofficeofforminghischaracterwasintrustedwasmorecapriciousstill。
Shepassedfromparoxysmsofragetoparoxysmsoftenderness。Atonetimeshestifledhimwithhercaresses;atanothertimesheinsultedhisdeformity。Hecameintotheworld;andtheworldtreatedhimashismotherhadtreatedhim，sometimeswithfondness，sometimeswithcruelty，neverwithjustice。Itindulgedhimwithoutdiscrimination，andpunishedhimwithoutdiscrimination。Hewastrulyaspoiledchild，notmerelythespoiledchildofhisparent，butthespoiledchildofnature，thespoiledchildoffortune，thespoiledchildoffame，thespoiledchildofsociety。Hisfirstpoemswerereceivedwithacontemptwhich，feebleastheywere，theydidnotabsolutelydeserve。Thepoemwhichhepublishedonhisreturnfromhistravelswas，ontheotherhand，extolledfaraboveitsmerit。Attwenty—four，hefoundhimselfonthehighestpinnacleofliteraryfame，withScott，Wordsworth，Southey，andacrowdofotherdistinguishedwritersbeneathhisfeet。Thereisscarcelyaninstanceinhistoryofsosuddenarisetosodizzyaneminence。
Everythingthatcouldstimulate，andeverythingthatcouldgratifythestrongestpropensitiesofournature，thegazeofahundreddrawing—rooms，theacclamationsofthewholenation，theapplauseofapplaudedmen，theloveoflovelywomen，allthisworldandallthegloryofitwereatonceofferedtoayouthtowhomnaturehadgivenviolentpassions，andwhomeducationhadnevertaughttocontrolthem。Helivedasmanymenlivewhohavenosimilarexcusetopleadfortheirfaults。Buthiscountrymenandhiscountrywomenwouldlovehimandadmirehim。Theywereresolvedtoseeinhisexcessesonlytheflashandoutbreakofthatsamefierymindwhichglowedinhispoetry。Heattackedreligion;yetinreligiouscircleshisnamewasmentionedwithfondness，andinmanyreligiouspublicationshisworkswerecensuredwithsingulartenderness。HelampoonedthePrinceRegent;yethecouldnotalienatetheTories。Everything，itseemed，wastobeforgiventoyouth，rank，andgenius。
Thencamethereaction。Society，capriciousinitsindignationasithadbeencapriciousinitsfondness，flewintoaragewithitsfrowardandpetteddarling。Hehadbeenworshippedwithanirrationalidolatry。Hewaspersecutedwithanirrationalfury。
Muchhasbeenwrittenaboutthoseunhappydomesticoccurrenceswhichdecidedthefateofhislife。Yetnothingis，nothingeverwas，positivelyknowntothepublic，butthis，thathequarrelledwithhislady，andthatsherefusedtolivewithhim。Therehavebeenhintsinabundance，andshrugsandshakingsofthehead，and\"Well，well，weknow，\"and\"Wecouldanifwewould，\"
and\"Ifwelisttospeak，\"and\"Therebethatmightantheylist。\"Butwearenotawarethatthereisbeforetheworldsubstantiatedbycredible，orevenbytangibleevidence，asinglefactindicatingthatLordByronwasmoretoblamethananyothermanwhoisonbadtermswithhiswife。TheprofessionalmenwhomLadyByronconsultedwereundoubtedlyofopinionthatsheoughtnottolivewithherhusband。Butitistoberememberedthattheyformedthatopinionwithouthearingbothsides。Wedonotsay，wedonotmeantoinsinuate，thatLadyByronwasinanyrespecttoblame。Wethinkthatthosewhocondemnherontheevidencewhichisnowbeforethepublicareasrashasthosewhocondemnherhusband。Wewillnotpronounceanyjudgment，wecannot，eveninourownminds，formanyjudgment，onatransactionwhichissoimperfectlyknowntous。Itwouldhavebeenwellif，atthetimeoftheseparation，allthosewhoknewaslittleaboutthematterthenasweknowaboutitnow，hadshownthatforbearancewhich，undersuchcircumstances，isbutcommonjustice。
WeknownospectaclesoridiculousastheBritishpublicinoneofitsperiodicalfitsofmorality。Ingeneral，elopements，divorces，andfamilyquarrels，passwithlittlenotice。Wereadthescandal，talkaboutitforaday，andforgetit。Butonceinsixorsevenyearsourvirtuebecomesoutrageous。Wecannotsufferthelawsofreligionanddecencytobeviolated。Wemustmakeastandagainstvice。WemustteachlibertinesthattheEnglishpeopleappreciatetheimportanceofdomesticties。
Accordinglysomeunfortunateman，innorespectmoredepravedthanhundredswhoseoffenceshavebeentreatedwithlenity，issingledoutasanexpiatorysacrifice。Ifhehaschildren，theyaretobetakenfromhim。Ifhehasaprofession，heistobedrivenfromit。Heiscutbythehigherorders，andhissedbythelower。Heis，intruth，asortofwhipping—boy，bywhosevicariousagoniesalltheothertransgressorsofthesameclassare，itissupposed，sufficientlychastised。Wereflectverycomplacentlyonourownseverity，andcomparewithgreatpridethehighstandardofmoralsestablishedinEnglandwiththeParisianlaxity。Atlengthourangerissatiated。Ourvictimisruinedandheart—broken。Andourvirtuegoesquietlytosleepforsevenyearsmore。
Itisclearthatthoseviceswhichdestroydomestichappinessoughttobeasmuchaspossiblerepressed。Itisequallyclearthattheycannotberepressedbypenallegislation。Itisthereforerightanddesirablethatpublicopinionshouldbedirectedagainstthem。Butitshouldbedirectedagainstthemuniformly，steadily，andtemperately，notbysuddenfitsandstarts。Thereshouldbeoneweightandonemeasure。Decimationisalwaysanobjectionablemodeofpunishment。Itistheresourceofjudgestooindolentandhastytoinvestigatefactsandtodiscriminatenicelybetweenshadesofguilt。Itisanirrationalpractice，evenwhenadoptedbymilitarytribunals。Whenadoptedbythetribunalofpublicopinion，itisinfinitelymoreirrational。Itisgoodthatacertainportionofdisgraceshouldconstantlyattendoncertainbadactions。Butitisnotgoodthattheoffendersshouldmerelyhavetostandtherisksofalotteryofinfamy，thatninety—nineoutofeveryhundredshouldescape，andthatthehundredth，perhapsthemostinnocentofthehundred，shouldpayforall。WeremembertohaveseenamobassembledinLincoln’sInntohootagentlemanagainstwhomthemostoppressiveproceedingknowntotheEnglishlawwastheninprogress。Hewashootedbecausehehadbeenanunfaithfulhusband，asifsomeofthemostpopularmenoftheage，LordNelsonforexample，hadnotbeenunfaithfulhusbands。Werememberastillstrongercase。Willposteritybelievethat，inanageinwhichmenwhosegallantrieswereuniversallyknown，andhadbeenlegallyproved，filledsomeofthehighestofficesintheStateandinthearmy，presidedatthemeetingsofreligionsandbenevolentinstitutions，werethedelightofeverysociety，andthefavouritesofthemultitude，acrowdofmoralistswenttothetheatre，inordertopeltapooractorfordisturbingtheconjugalfelicityofanalderman？Whattherewasinthecircumstanceseitheroftheoffenderorofthesufferertovindicatethezealoftheaudience，wecouldneverconceive。Ithasneverbeensupposedthatthesituationofanactorispeculiarlyfavourabletotherigidvirtues，orthatanaldermanenjoysanyspecialimmunityfrominjuriessuchasthatwhichonthisoccasionrousedtheangerofthepublic。Butsuchisthejusticeofmankind。