ItiscurioustoobservethetendencywhichthedialogueofLordByronalwayshastoloseitscharacterofadialogue，andtobecomesoliloquy。ThescenesbetweenManfredandtheChamois—
hunter，betweenManfredandtheWitchoftheAlps，betweenManfredandtheAbbot，areinstancesofthistendency。Manfred，afterafewunimportantspeeches，hasallthetalktohimself。
Theotherinterlocutorsarenothingmorethangoodlisteners。
TheydropanoccasionalquestionorejaculationwhichsetsManfredoffagainontheinexhaustibletopicofhispersonalfeelings。IfweexaminethefinepassagesinLordByron’sdramas，thedescriptionofRome，forexample，inManfred，thedescriptionofaVenetianrevelinMarinoFaliero，theconcludinginvectivewhichtheolddogepronouncesagainstVenice，weshallfindthatthereisnothingdramaticinthesespeeches，thattheyderivenoneoftheireffectfromthecharacterorsituationofthespeaker，andthattheywouldhavebeenasfine，orfiner，iftheyhadbeenpublishedasfragmentsofblankversebyLordByron。
ThereisscarcelyaspeechinShakspeareofwhichthesamecouldbesaid。NoskilfulreaderoftheplaysofShakspearecanenduretoseewhatarecalledthefinethingstakenout，underthenameof\"Beauties，\"orof\"ElegantExtracts，\"ortohearanysinglepassage，\"Tobeornottobe，\"forexample，quotedasasampleofthegreatpoet。\"Tobeornottobe\"hasmeritundoubtedlyasacomposition。Itwouldhavemeritifputintothemouthofachorus。ButitsmeritasacompositionvanisheswhencomparedwithitsmeritasbelongingtoHamlet。ItisnottoomuchtosaythatthegreatplaysofShakspearewouldloselessbybeingdeprivedofallthepassageswhicharecommonlycalledthefinepassages，thanthosepassageslosebybeingreadseparatelyfromtheplay。Thisisperhapsthehighestpraisewhichcanbegiventoadramatist。
Ontheotherhand，itmaybedoubtedwhetherthereis，inallLordByron’splays，asingleremarkablepassagewhichowesanyportionofitsinterestoreffecttoitsconnectionwiththecharactersortheaction。Hehaswrittenonlyonescene，asfaraswecanrecollect，whichisdramaticeveninmanner——thescenebetweenLuciferandCain。Theconferenceisanimated，andeachoftheinterlocutorshasafairshareofit。Butthisscene，whenexamined，willbefoundtobeaconfirmationofourremarks。Itisadialogueonlyinform。Itisasoliloquyinessence。Itisinrealityadebatecarriedonwithinonesingleunquietandscepticalmind。Thequestionsandtheanswers，theobjectionsandthesolutions，allbelongtothesamecharacter。
Awriterwhoshowedsolittledramaticskillinworksprofessedlydramatic，wasnotlikelytowritenarrativewithdramaticeffect。
Nothingcouldindeedbemorerudeandcarelessthanthestructureofhisnarrativepoems。Heseemstohavethought，withtheherooftheRehearsal，thattheplotwasgoodfornothingbuttobringinfinethings。Histwolongestworks，ChildeHaroldandDonJuan，havenoplanwhatever。Eitherofthemmighthavebeenextendedtoanylength，orcutshortatanypoint。ThestateinwhichtheGiaourappearsillustratesthemannerinwhichallByron’spoemswereconstructed。Theyareall，liketheGiaour，collectionsoffragments;and，thoughtheremaybenoemptyspacesmarkedbyasterisks，itisstilleasytoperceive，bytheclumsinessofthejoining，wherethepartsforthesakeofwhichthewholewascomposedendandbegin。
ItwasindescriptionandmeditationthatByronexcelled。
\"Description，\"ashesaidinDonJuan，\"washisforte。\"Hismannerisindeedpeculiar，andisalmostunequalled;rapid，sketchy，fullofvigour;theselectionhappy，thestrokesfewandbold。InspiteofthereverencewhichwefeelforthegeniusofMr。Wordsworthwecannotbutthinkthattheminutenessofhisdescriptionsoftendiminishestheireffect。Hehasaccustomedhimselftogazeonnaturewiththeeyeofalover，todwelloneveryfeature，andtomarkeverychangeofaspect。Thosebeautieswhichstrikethemostnegligentobserver，andthosewhichonlyacloseattentiondiscovers，areequallyfamiliartohimandareequallyprominentinhispoetry。TheproverbofoldHesiod，thathalfisoftenmorethanthewhole，iseminentlyapplicabletodescription。ThepolicyoftheDutch，whocutdownmostoftheprecioustreesintheSpiceIslands，inordertoraisethevalueofwhatremained，wasapolicywhichpoetswoulddowelltoimitate。ItwasapolicywhichnopoetunderstoodbetterthanLordByron。Whateverhisfaultsmightbe，hewasnever，whilehismindretaineditsvigour，accusedofprolixity。
Hisdescriptions，greataswastheirintrinsicmerit，derived。
theirprincipalinterestfromthefeelingwhichalwaysmingledwiththem。Hewashimselfthebeginning，themiddle，andtheend，ofallhisownpoetry，theheroofeverytale，thechiefobjectineverylandscape。Harold，Lara，Manfred，andacrowdofothercharacters，wereuniversallyconsideredmerelyaslooseincognitosofByron;andthereiseveryreasontobelievethathemeantthemtobesoconsidered。Thewondersoftheouterworld，theTagus，withthemightyfleetsofEnglandridingonitsbosom，thetowersofCintraoverhangingtheshaggyforestofcork—treesandwillows，theglaringmarbleofPentelicus，thebanksoftheRhine，theglaciersofClarens，thesweetLakeofLeman，thedellofEgeriawithitssummer—birdsandrustlinglizards，theshapelessruinsofRomeovergrownwithivyandwall—flowers，the，stars，thesea，themountains，allweremereaccessories，thebackgroundtoonedarkandmelancholyfigure。
Neverhadanywritersovastacommandofthewholeeloquenceofscorn，misanthropy，anddespair。ThatMarahwasneverdry。Noartcouldsweeten，nodraughtscouldexhaust，itsperennialwatersofbitterness。NeverwastheresuchvarietyinmonotonyasthatofByron。Frommaniaclaughtertopiercinglamentation，therewasnotasinglenoteofhumananguishofwhichhewasnotmaster。
Yearafteryear，andmonthaftermonth，hecontinuedtorepeatthattobewretchedisthedestinyofall;thattobeeminentlywretchedisthedestinyoftheeminent;thatallthedesiresbywhichwearecursedleadaliketomisery，iftheyarenotgratified，tothemiseryofdisappointment;iftheyaregratified，tothemiseryofsatiety。Hisheroesaremenwhohavearrivedbydifferentroadsatthesamegoalofdespair，whoaresickoflife，whoareatwarwithsociety，whoaresupportedintheiranguishonlybyanunconquerableprideresemblingthatofPrometheusontherockorofSatanintheburningmarl，whocanmastertheiragoniesbytheforceoftheirwill，andwhotothelastdefythewholepowerofearthandheaven。Healwaysdescribedhimselfasamanofthesamekindwithhisfavouritecreations，asamanwhosehearthadbeenwithered，whosecapacityforhappinesswasgoneandcouldnotberestored，butwhoseinvinciblespiritdaredtheworstthatcouldbefallhimhereorhereafter。
Howmuchofthismorbidfeelingsprangfromanoriginaldiseaseofthemind，howmuchfromrealmisfortune，howmuchfromthenervousnessofdissipation，howmuchwasfanciful，howmuchwasmerelyaffected，itisimpossibleforus，andwouldprobablyhavebeenimpossibleforthemostintimatefriendsofLordByron，todecide。Whetherthereeverexisted，orcaneverexist，apersonansweringtothedescriptionwhichhegaveofhimselfmaybedoubted;butthathewasnotsuchapersonisbeyondalldoubt。
Itisridiculoustoimaginethatamanwhosemindwasreallyimbuedwithscornofhisfellow—creatureswouldhavepublishedthreeorfourbookseveryyearinordertotellthemso;orthatamanwhocouldsaywithtruththatheneithersoughtsympathynorneededitwouldhaveadmittedallEuropetohearhisfarewelltohiswife，andhisblessingsonhischild。InthesecondcantoofChildeHarold，hetellsusthatheisinsensibletofameandobloquy:
\"Illmaysuchcontestnowthespiritmove，Whichheedsnorkeenreproofnorpartialpraise。\"
Yetweknowonthebestevidencethat，adayortwobeforehepublishedtheselines，hewasgreatly，indeedchildishly，elatedbythecomplimentspaidtohismaidenspeechintheHouseofLords。
Wearefar，however，fromthinkingthathissadnesswasaltogetherfeigned。Hewasnaturallyamanofgreatsensibility;
hehadbeenill—educated;hisfeelingshadbeenearlyexposedtosharptrials;hehadbeencrossedinhisboyishlove;hehadbeenmortifiedbythefailureofhisfirstliteraryefforts;hewasstraitenedinpecuniarycircumstances;hewasunfortunateinhisdomesticrelations;thepublictreatedhimwithcruelinjustice;
hishealthandspiritssufferedfromhisdissipatedhabitsoflife;hewas，onthewhole，anunhappyman。Heearlydiscoveredthat，byparadinghisunhappinessbeforethemultitude，heproducedanimmensesensation。Theworldgavehimeveryencouragementtotalkabouthismentalsufferings。Theinterestwhichhisfirstconfessionsexcitedinducedhimtoaffectmuchthathedidnotfeel;andtheaffectationprobablyreactedonhisfeelings。Howfarthecharacterinwhichheexhibitedhimselfwasgenuine，andhowfartheatrical，itwouldprobablyhavepuzzledhimselftosay。
Therecanbenodoubtthatthisremarkablemanowedthevastinfluencewhichheexercisedoverhiscontemporariesatleastasmuchtohisgloomyegotismastotherealpowerofhispoetry。Wenevercouldveryclearlyunderstandhowitisthategotism，sounpopularinconversation，shouldbesopopularinwriting;orhowitisthatmenwhoaffectintheircompositionsqualitiesandfeelingswhichtheyhavenot，imposesomuchmoreeasilyontheircontemporariesthanonposterity。TheinterestwhichthelovesofPetrarchexcitedinhisowntime，andthepityingfondnesswithwhichhalfEuropelookeduponRousseau，arewellknown。Toreadersofourage，theloveofPetrarchseemstohavebeenloveofthatkindwhichbreaksnohearts，andthesufferingsofRousseautohavedeservedlaughterratherthanpity，tohavebeenpartlycounterfeited，andpartlytheconsequencesofhisownperversenessandvanity。
WhatourgrandchildrenmaythinkofthecharacterofLordByron，asexhibitedinhispoetry，wewillnotpretendtoguess。Itiscertain，thattheinterestwhichheexcitedduringhislifeiswithoutaparallelinliteraryhistory。Thefeelingwithwhichyoungreadersofpoetryregardedhimcanbeconceivedonlybythosewhohaveexperiencedit。Topeoplewhoareunacquaintedwithrealcalamity，\"nothingissodaintysweetaslovelymelancholy。\"Thisfaintimageofsorrowhasinallagesbeenconsideredbyyounggentlemenasanagreeableexcitement。Oldgentlemenandmiddle—agedgentlemenhavesomanyrealcausesofsadnessthattheyarerarelyinclined\"tobeassadasnightonlyforwantonness。\"Indeedtheywantthepoweralmostasmuchastheinclination。Weknowveryfewpersonsengagedinactivelife，who，eveniftheyweretoprocurestoolstobemelancholyupon，andweretositdownwithallthepremeditationofMasterStephen，wouldbeabletoenjoymuchofwhatsomebodycallsthe\"ecstasyofwoe。\"
Amongthatlargeclassofyoungpersonswhosereadingisalmostentirelyconfinedtoworksofimagination，thepopularityofLordByronwasunbounded。Theyboughtpicturesofhim;theytreasuredupthesmallestrelicsofhim;theylearnedhispoemsbyheart，anddidtheirbesttowritelikehim，andtolooklikehim。Manyofthempractisedattheglassinthehopeofcatchingthecurloftheupperlip，andthescowlofthebrow，whichappearinsomeofhisportraits。Afewdiscardedtheirneck—clothsinimitationoftheirgreatleader。ForsomeyearstheMinervapresssentforthnonovelwithoutamysterious，unhappy，Lara—likepeer。Thenumberofhopefulundergraduatesandmedicalstudentswhobecamethingsofdarkimaginings，onwhomthefreshnessoftheheartceasedtofalllikedew，whosepassionshadconsumedthemselvestodust，andtowhomthereliefoftearswasdenied，passesallcalculation。Thiswasnottheworst。Therewascreatedinthemindsofmanyoftheseenthusiastsaperniciousandabsurdassociationbetweenintellectualpowerandmoraldepravity。FromthepoetryofLordByrontheydrewasystemofethics，compoundedofmisanthropyandvoluptuousness，asysteminwhichthetwogreatcommandmentswere，tohateyourneighbour，andtoloveyourneighbour’swife。
Thisaffectationhaspassedaway;andafewmoreyearswilldestroywhateveryetremainsofthatmagicalpotencywhichoncebelongedtothenameofByron。Tousheisstillaman，young，noble，andunhappy。Toourchildrenhewillbemerelyawriter;
andtheirimpartialjudgmentwillappointhisplaceamongwriters;withoutregardtohisrankortohisprivatehistory。
Thathispoetrywillundergoaseveresifting，thatmuchofwhathasbeenadmiredbyhiscontemporarieswillberejectedasworthless，wehavelittledoubt。Butwehaveaslittledoubtthat，aftertheclosestscrutiny，therewillstillremainmuchthatcanonlyperishwiththeEnglishlanguage。
MR。ROBERTMONTGOMERY
（April1830）
1。TheOmnipresenceoftheDeity:aPoemByROBERTMONTGOMERY。
EleventhEdition。London。1830。
2。Satan:aPoemByROBERTMONTGOMERY。SecondEdition。London:
1830。
THEwisemenofantiquitylovedtoconveyinstructionunderthecoveringofapologue;andthoughthispracticeisgenerallythoughtchildish，weshallmakenoapologyforadoptingitonthepresentoccasion。AgenerationwhichhasboughteleveneditionsofapoembyMr。RobertMontgomerymaywellcondescendtolistentoafableofPilpay。
ApiousBrahmin，itiswritten，madeavowthatonacertaindayhewouldsacrificeasheep，andontheappointedmorninghewentforthtobuyone。Therelivedinhisneighbourhoodthreerogueswhoknewofhisvow，andlaidaschemeforprofitingbyit。Thefirstmethimandsaid，\"OhBrahmin，wiltthoubuyasheep？I
haveonefitforsacrifice。\"\"Itisforthatverypurpose，\"saidtheholyman，\"thatIcameforththisday。\"Thentheimpostoropenedabag，andbroughtoutofitanuncleanbeast，anuglydog，lameandblind。ThereontheBrahmincriedout，\"Wretch，whotouchestthingsimpure，andutterestthingsuntrue;callestthouthatcurasheep？\"\"Truly，\"answeredtheother，\"itisasheepofthefinestfleece，andofthesweetestflesh。OhBrahmin，itwillbeanofferingmostacceptabletothegods。\"\"Friend，\"saidtheBrahmin，eitherthouorImustbeblind。\"
Justthenoneoftheaccomplicescameup。\"Praisedbethegods，\"
saidthesecondrogue，\"thatIhavebeensavedthetroubleofgoingtothemarketforasheep！ThisissuchasheepasI
wanted。Forhowmuchwiltthousellit？\"WhentheBrahminheardthis，hismindwavedtoandfro，likeoneswingingintheairataholyfestival。\"Sir，\"saidhetothenewcomer，\"takeheedwhatthoudost;thisisnosheep，butanuncleancur。\"\"OhBrahmin，\"
saidthenewcorner，\"thouartdrunkormad！\"
Atthistimethethirdconfederatedrewnear。\"Letusaskthisman，\"saidtheBrahmin，\"whatthecreatureis，andIwillstandbywhatheshallsay。\"Tothistheothersagreed;andtheBrahmincalledout，\"Ohstranger，whatdostthoucallthisbeast？\"
\"Surely，ohBrahmin，\"saidtheknave，\"itisafinesheep。\"ThentheBrahminsaid，\"Surelythegodshavetakenawaymysenses\";
andheaskedpardonofhimwhocarriedthedog，andboughtitforameasureofriceandapotofghee，andofferedituptothegods，who，beingwrothatthisuncleansacrifice，smotehimwithasorediseaseinallhisjoints。
Thus，ornearlythus，ifwerememberrightly，runsthestoryoftheSanscritAesop。Themoral，likethemoralofeveryfablethatisworththetelling，liesonthesurface。Thewriterevidentlymeanstocautionusagainstthepracticesofpuffers，aclassofpeoplewhohavemorethanoncetalkedthepublicintothemostabsurderrors，butwhosurelyneverplayedamorecuriousoramoredifficulttrickthanwhentheypassedMr。RobertMontgomeryoffupontheworldasagreatpoet。
Inanageinwhichtherearesofewreadersthatawritercannotsubsistonthesumarisingfromthesaleofhisworks，nomanwhohasnotanindependentfortunecandevotehimselftoliterarypursuits，unlessheisassistedbypatronage。Insuchanage，accordingly，menofletterstoooftenpasstheirlivesindanglingattheheelsofthewealthyandpowerful;andallthefaultswhichdependencetendstoproduce，passintotheircharacter。Theybecometheparasitesandslavesofthegreat。Itismelancholytothinkhowmanyofthehighestandmostexquisitelyformedofhumanintellectshavebeencondemnedtotheignominiouslabourofdisposingthecommonplacesofadulationinnewformsandbrighteningthemintonewsplendour。HoraceinvokingAugustusinthemostenthusiasticlanguageofreligiousveneration;Statiusflatteringatyrant，andtheminionofatyrant，foramorselofbread;Ariostoversifyingthewholegenealogyofaniggardlypatron;Tassoextollingtheheroicvirtuesofthewretchedcreaturewholockedhimupinamadhouse:
thesearebutafewoftheinstanceswhichmighteasilybegivenofthedegradationtowhichthosemustsubmitwho，notpossessingacompetentfortune，areresolvedtowritewhentherearescarcelyanywhoread。
Thiseviltheprogressofthehumanmindtendstoremove。Asatasteforbooksbecomesmoreandmorecommon，thepatronageofindividualsbecomeslessandlessnecessary。Inthemiddleofthelastcenturyamarkedchangetookplace。Thetoneofliterarymen，bothinthiscountryandinFrance，becamehigherandmoreindependent。Popeboastedthathewasthe\"onepoet\"whohad\"pleasedbymanlyways\";hederidedthesoftdedicationswithwhichHalifaxhadbeenfed，assertedhisownsuperiorityoverthepensionedBoileau，andgloriedinbeingnotthefollower，butthefriend，ofnoblesandprinces。Theexplanationofallthisisverysimple。PopewasthefirstEnglishmanwho，bythemeresaleofhiswritings，realisedasumwhichenabledhimtoliveincomfortandinperfectindependence。JohnsonextolshimforthemagnanimitywhichheshowedininscribinghisIliad，nottoaministerorapeer，buttoCongreve。Inourtimethiswouldscarcelybeasubjectforpraise。NobodyisastonishedwhenMr。
MoorepaysacomplimentofthiskindtoSirWalterScott，orSirWalterScotttoMr。Moore。Theideaofeitherofthosegentlemenlookingoutforsomelordwhowouldbelikelytogivehimafewguineasinreturnforafulsomededicationseemslaughablyincongruous。YetthisisexactlywhatDrydenorOtwaywouldhavedone;anditwouldbehardtoblamethemforit。Otwayissaidtohavebeenchokedwithapieceofbreadwhichhedevouredintherageofhunger;and，whetherthisstorybetrueorfalse，hewasbeyondallquestionmiserablypoor。Dryden，atnearseventy，whenattheheadoftheliterarymenofEngland，withoutequalorsecond，receivedthreehundredpoundsforhisFables，acollectionoftenthousandverses，andofsuchversesasnomanthenliving，excepthimself，couldhaveproduced，Pope，atthirty，hadlaidupbetweensixandseventhousandpounds，thefruitsofhispoetry。Itwasnot，wesuspect，becausehehadahigherspiritoramorescrupulousconsciencethanhispredecessors，butbecausehehadalargerincome，thathekeptupthedignityoftheliterarycharactersomuchbetterthantheyhaddone。
FromthetimeofPopetothepresentdaythereadershavebeenconstantlybecomingmoreandmorenumerous，andthewriters，consequently，moreandmoreindependent。Itisassuredlyagreatevilthatmen，fittedbytheirtalentsandacquirementstoenlightenandcharmtheworld，shouldbereducedtothenecessityofflatteringwickedandfoolishpatronsinreturnforthesustenanceoflife。But，thoughweheartilyrejoicethatthisevilisremoved，wecannotbutseewithconcernthatanotherevilhassucceededtoit。Thepublicisnowthepatron，andamostliberalpatron。AllthattherichandpowerfulbestowedonauthorsfromthetimeofMaecenastothatofHarleywouldnot，weapprehend，makeupasumequaltothatwhichhasbeenpaidbyEnglishbooksellerstoauthorsduringthelastfiftyyears。Menoflettershaveaccordinglyceasedtocourtindividuals，andhavebeguntocourtthepublic。Theyformerlyusedflattery。Theynowusepuffing。
Whethertheoldorthenewvicebetheworse，whetherthosewhoformerlylavishedinsincerepraiseonothers，orthosewhonowcontrivebyeveryartofbeggaryandbriberytostunthepublicwithpraisesofthemselves，disgracetheirvocationthemoredeeply，weshallnotattempttodecide。Butofthiswearesure，thatitishightimetomakeastandagainstthenewtrickery。
Thepuffingofbooksisnowsoshamefullyandsosuccessfullycarriedonthatitisthedutyofallwhoareanxiousforthepurityofthenationaltaste，orforthehonouroftheliterarycharacter，tojoinindiscountenancingthepractice。AllthepensthateverwereemployedinmagnifyingBish’sluckyoffice，Romanis’sfleecyhosiery，Packwood’srazorstrops，andRowland’sKalydor，alltheplacard—bearersofDr。Eady，allthewall—
chalkersofDayandMartin，seemtohavetakenservicewiththepoetsandnovelistsofthisgeneration。Deviceswhichinthelowesttradesareconsideredasdisreputableareadoptedwithoutscruple，andimproveduponwithadespicableingenuity，bypeopleengagedinapursuitwhichneverwasandneverwillbeconsideredasameretradebyanymanofhonourandvirtue。Abutcherofthehigherclassdisdainstotickethismeat。Amercerofthehigherclasswouldbeashamedtohanguppapersinhiswindowinvitingthepassers—bytolookatthestockofabankrupt，allofthefirstquality，andgoingforhalfthevalue。Weexpectsomereserve，somedecentpride，inourhatterandourbootmaker。Butnoartificebywhichnotorietycanbeobtainedisthoughttooabjectforamanofletters。
Itisamusingtothinkoverthehistoryofmostofthepublicationswhichhavehadarunduringthelastfewyears。Thepublisherisoftenthepublisherofsomeperiodicalwork。Inthisperiodicalworkthefirstflourishoftrumpetsissounded。Thepealisthenechoedandre—echoedbyalltheotherperiodicalworksoverwhichthepublisher，ortheauthor，ortheauthor’scoterie，mayhaveanyinfluence。ThenewspapersareforafortnightfilledwithpuffsofallthevariouskindswhichSheridanenumerated，direct，oblique，andcollusive。Sometimesthepraiseislaidonthickforsimple—mindedpeople。\"Pathetic，\"
\"sublime，\"\"splendid，\"\"graceful，\"\"brilliantwit，\"\"exquisitehumour，\"andotherphrasesequallyflattering，fallinashowerasthickandassweetasthesugarplumsataRomancarnival。
Sometimesgreaterartisused。Asinecurehasbeenofferedtothewriterifhewouldsuppresshiswork，orifhewouldevensoftendownafewofhisincomparableportraits。Adistinguishedmilitaryandpoliticalcharacterhaschallengedtheinimitablesatiristofthevicesofthegreat;andthepufferisgladtolearnthatthepartieshavebeenboundovertokeepthepeace。
Sometimesitisthoughtexpedientthatthepuffershouldputonagraveface，andutterhispanegyricintheformofadmonition。
\"Suchattacksonprivatecharactercannotbetoomuchcondemned。
Eventheexuberantwitofourauthor，andtheirresistiblepowerofhiswitheringsarcasm，arenoexcusesforthatutterdisregardwhichhemanifestsforthefeelingsofothers。Wecannotbutwonderthatawriterofsuchtranscendenttalents，awriterwhoisevidentlynostrangertothekindlycharitiesandsensibilitiesofournature，shouldshowsolittletendernesstothefoiblesofnobleanddistinguishedindividuals，withwhomitisclear，fromeverypageofhiswork，thathemusthavebeenconstantlyminglinginsociety。\"Thesearebuttameandfeebleimitationsoftheparagraphswithwhichthedailypapersarefilledwheneveranattorney’sclerkoranapothecary’sassistantundertakestotellthepublicinbadEnglishandworseFrench，howpeopletietheirneckclothsandeattheirdinnersinGrosvenorSquare。Theeditorsofthehigherandmorerespectablenewspapersusuallyprefixthewords\"Advertisement，\"or\"FromaCorrespondent，\"tosuchparagraphs。Butthismakeslittledifference。Thepanegyricisextracted，andthesignificantheadingomitted。ThefulsomeeulogymakesitsappearanceonthecoversofalltheReviewsandMagazines，withTimesorGlobeaffixed，thoughtheeditorsoftheTimesandtheGlobehavenomoretodowithitthanwithMr。Goss’swayofmakingoldrakesyoungagain。
Thatpeoplewholivebypersonalslandershouldpractisetheseartsisnotsurprising。Thosewhostooptowritecalumniousbooksmaywellstooptopuffthem;andthatthebasestofalltradesshouldbecarriedoninthebasestofallmannersisquiteproperandasitshouldbe。Buthowanymanwhohastheleastself—
respect，theleastregardforhisownpersonaldignity，cancondescendtopersecutethepublicwiththisRagfairimportunity，wedonotunderstand。Extremepovertymay，indeed，insomedegree，beanexcuseforemployingtheseshifts，asitmaybeanexcuseforstealingalegofmutton。Butwereallythinkthatamanofspiritanddelicacywouldquiteassoonsatisfyhiswantsintheonewayasintheother。
Itisnoexcuseforanauthorthatthepraisesofjournalistsareprocuredbythemoneyorinfluenceofhispublishers，andnotbyhisown。Itishisbusinesstotakesuchprecautionsasmaypreventothersfromdoingwhatmustdegradehim。Itisforhishonourasagentleman，and，ifheisreallyamanoftalents，itwilleventuallybeforhishonourandinterestasawriter，thathisworksshouldcomebeforethepublicrecommendedbytheirownmeritsalone，andshouldbediscussedwithperfectfreedom。Ifhisobjectsbereallysuchashemayownwithoutshame，hewillfindthattheywill，inthelong—run，bebetterattainedbysufferingthevoiceofcriticismtobefairlyheard。Atpresent，wetoooftenseeawriterattemptingtoobtainliteraryfameasShakspeare’susurperobtainssovereignty。ThepublisherplaysBuckinghamtotheauthor’sRichard。Somefewcreaturesoftheconspiracyaredexterouslydisposedhereandthereinthecrowd。
Itisthebusinessofthesehirelingstothrowuptheircaps，andclaptheirhands，anduttertheirvivas。Therabbleatfirststareandwonder，andatlastjoininshoutingforshouting’ssake;andthusacrownisplacedonaheadwhichhasnorighttoit，bythehuzzasofafewserviledependants。
Theopinionofthegreatbodyofthereadingpublicisverymateriallyinfluencedevenbytheunsupportedassertionsofthosewhoassumearighttocriticise。Noristhepublicaltogethertoblameonthisaccount。Mostevenofthosewhohavereallyagreatenjoymentinreadingareinthesamestate，withrespecttoabook，inwhichamanwhohasnevergivenparticularattentiontotheartofpaintingiswithrespecttoapicture。Everymanwhohastheleastsensibilityorimaginationderivesacertainpleasurefrompictures。Yetamanofthehighestandfinestintellectmight，unlesshehadformedhistastebycontemplatingthebestpictures，beeasilypersuadedbyaknotofconnoisseursthattheworstdaubinSomersetHousewasamiracleofart。Ifhedeservestobelaughedat，itisnotforhisignoranceofpictures，butforhisignoranceofmen。Heknowsthatthereisadelicacyoftasteinpaintingwhichhedoesnotpossess，thathecannotdistinguishhands，aspractisedjudgesdistinguishthem，thatheisnotfamiliarwiththefinestmodels，thathehasneverlookedatthemwithcloseattention，andthat，whenthegeneraleffectofapiecehaspleasedhimordispleasedhim，hehasnevertroubledhimselftoascertainwhy。When，therefore，people，whomhethinksmorecompetenttojudgethanhimself，andofwhosesincerityheentertainsnodoubt，assurehimthataparticularworkisexquisitelybeautiful，hetakesitforgrantedthattheymustbeintheright。Hereturnstotheexamination，resolvedtofindorimaginebeauties;and，ifhecanworkhimselfupintosomethinglikeadmiration，heexultsinhisownproficiency。
Justsuchisthemannerinwhichninereadersoutoftenjudgeofabook。Theyareashamedtodislikewhatmenwhospeakashavingauthoritydeclaretobegood。Atpresent，howevercontemptibleapoemoranovelmaybe，thereisnottheleastdifficultyinprocuringfavourablenoticesofitfromallsortsofpublications，daily，weekly，andmonthly。Inthemeantime，littleornothingissaidontheotherside。Theauthorandthepublisherareinterestedincryingupthebook。Nobodyhasanyverystronginterestincryingitdown。Thosewhoarebestfittedtoguidethepublicopinionthinkitbeneaththemtoexposemerenonsense，andcomfortthemselvesbyreflectingthatsuchpopularitycannotlast。Thiscontemptuouslenityhasbeencarriedtoofar。Itisperfectlytruethatreputationswhichhavebeenforcedintoanunnaturalbloomfadealmostassoonastheyhaveexpanded;norhaveweanyapprehensionsthatpuffingwilleverraiseanyscribblertotherankofaclassic。Itisindeedamusingtoturnoversomelatevolumesofperiodicalworks，andtoseehowmanyimmortalproductionshave，withinafewmonths，beengatheredtothepoemsofBlackmoreandthenovelsofMrs。
Behn;howmany\"profoundviewsofhumannature，\"and\"exquisitedelineationsoffashionablemanners，\"and\"vernal，andsunny，andrefreshingthoughts，\"and\"highimaginings，\"and\"youngbreathings，\"and\"embodyings，\"and\"pinings，\"and\"minglingswiththebeautyoftheuniverse，\"and\"harmonieswhichdissolvethesoulinapassionatesenseoflovelinessanddivinity，\"theworldhascontrivedtoforget。ThenamesofthebooksandofthewritersareburiedinasdeepanoblivionasthenameofthebuilderofStonehenge。Someofthewell—puffedfashionablenovelsofeighteenhundredandtwenty—nineholdthepastryofeighteenhundredandthirty;andothers，whicharenowextolledinlanguagealmosttoohigh—flownforthemeritsofDonQuixote，will，wehavenodoubt，linethetrunksofeighteenhundredandthirty—one。But，thoughwehavenoapprehensionsthatpuffingwilleverconferpermanentreputationontheundeserving，westillthinkitsinfluencemostpernicious。Menofrealmeritwill，iftheypersevere，atlastreachthestationtowhichtheyareentitled，andintruderswillbeejectedwithcontemptandderision。Butitisnosmallevilthattheavenuestofameshouldbeblockedupbyaswarmofnoisy，pushing，elbowingpretenders，who，thoughtheywillnotultimatelybeabletomakegoodtheirownentrance，hinder，inthemeantime，thosewhohavearighttoenter。Allwhowillnotdisgracethemselvesbyjoiningintheunseemlyscufflemustexpecttobeatfirsthustledandshoulderedback。Somemenoftalents，accordingly，turnawayindejectionfrompursuitsinwhichsuccessappearstobearnoproportiontodesert。Othersemployinself—defencethemeansbywhichcompetitors，farinferiortothemselves，appearforatimetoobtainadecidedadvantage。Therearefewwhohavesufficientconfidenceintheirownpowersandsufficientelevationofmind，towaitwithsecureandcontemptuouspatience，whiledunceafterduncepressesbeforethem。Thosewhowillnotstooptothebasenessofthemodernfashionaretoooftendiscouraged。Thosewhodostooptoitarealwaysdegraded。
Wehaveoflateobservedwithgreatpleasuresomesymptomswhichleadustohopethatrespectableliterarymenofallpartiesarebeginningtobeimpatientofthisinsufferablenuisance。Andwepurposetodowhatinusliesfortheabatingofit。Wedonotthinkthatwecanmoreusefullyassistinthisgoodworkthanbyshowingourhonestcountrymenwhatthatsortofpoetryiswhichpuffingcandrivethrougheleveneditions，andhoweasilyanybellmanmight，ifabellmanwouldstooptothenecessarydegreeofmeanness，becomea\"master—spiritoftheage。\"WehavenoenmitytoMr。RobertMontgomery。Weknownothingwhateverabouthim，exceptwhatwehavelearnedfromhisbooks，andfromtheportraitprefixedtooneofthem，inwhichheappearstobedoinghisverybesttolooklikeamanofgeniusandsensibility，thoughwithlesssuccessthanhisstrenuousexertionsdeserve。Weselecthim，becausehisworkshavereceivedmoreenthusiasticpraise，andhavedeservedmoreunmixedcontempt，thananywhich，asfarasourknowledgeextends，haveappearedwithinthelastthreeorfouryears。HiswritingbearsthesamerelationtopoetrywhichaTurkeycarpetbearstoapicture。TherearecoloursintheTurkeycarpetoutofwhichapicturemightbemade。TherearewordsInMr。Montgomery’swritingwhich，whendisposedincertainordersandcombinations，havemade，andwillagainmake，goodpoetry。But，astheynowstand，theyseemtobeputtogetheronprincipleinsuchamannerastogivenoimageofanything\"intheheavensabove，orintheearthbeneath，orinthewatersundertheearth。\"
ThepoemontheOmnipresenceoftheDeitycommenceswithadescriptionofthecreation，inwhichwecanfindonlyonethoughtwhichhastheleastpretensiontoingenuity，andthatonethoughtisstolenfromDryden，andmarredinthestealing:
\"Last，softlybeautiful，asmusic’sclose，Angelicwomanintobeingrose。\"
Theall—pervadinginfluenceoftheSupremeBeingisthendescribedinafewtolerablelinesborrowedfromPope，andagreatmanyintolerablelinesofMr。RobertMontgomery’sown。Thefollowingmaystandasaspecimen:
\"ButwhocouldtraceThineunrestrictedcourse，ThoughFancyfollowedwithimmortalforce？
There’snotablossomfondledbythebreeze，There’snotafruitthatbeautifiesthetrees，There’snotaparticleinseaorair，Butnatureownsthyplasticinfluencethere！
Withfearfulgaze，stillbeitminetoseeHowallisfill’dandvivifiedbyThee;
Uponthymirror，earth’smajesticview，TopaintThyPresence，andtofeelittoo。\"
ThelasttwolinescontainanexcellentspecimenofMr。RobertMontgomery’sTurkeycarpetstyleofwriting。ThemajesticviewofearthisthemirrorofGod’spresence;andonthismirrorMr。
RobertMontgomerypaintsGod’spresence。Theuseofamirror，wesubmit，isnottobepaintedupon。
Afewmorelines，asbadasthosewhichwehavequoted，bringustooneofthemostamusinginstancesofliterarypilferingwhichweremember。Itmightbeofusetoplagiariststoknow，asageneralrule，thatwhattheystealis，toemployaphrasecommoninadvertisements，ofnousetoanybuttherightowner。Weneverfellin，however，withanyplundererwhosolittleunderstoodhowtoturnhisbootytogoodaccountasMr。Montgomery。LordByron，inapassagewhicheverybodyknowsbyheart，hassaid，addressingthesea，\"Timewritesnowrinkleonthineazurebrow。\"
Mr。RobertMontgomeryverycoollyappropriatestheimageandreproducesthestolengoodsinthefollowingform:
\"AndthouvastOcean，onwhoseawfulfaceTime’sironfeetcanprintnoruin—trace。\"
Somaysuchill—gotgainseverprosper！
TheeffectwhichtheOceanproducesonAtheistsisthendescribedinthefollowingloftylines:
\"Oh！neverdidthedark—soul’dATHEISTstand，Andwatchthebreakersboilingonthestrand，And，whileCreationstagger’dathisnod，MockthedreadpresenceofthemightyGod！
WehearHiminthewind—heavedocean’sroar，HurlingherbillowycragsupontheshoreWehearHimintheriotoftheblast，Andshake，whilerushtheravingwhirlwindspast！\"
IfMr。RobertMontgomery’sgeniuswerenotfartoofreeandaspiringtobeshackledbytherulesofsyntax，weshouldsupposethatitisatthenodoftheAtheistthatcreationstaggers。ButMr。RobertMontgomery’sreadersmusttakesuchgrammarastheycanget，andbethankful。
Afewmorelinesbringustoanotherinstanceofunprofitabletheft。SirWalterScotthastheselinesintheLordoftheIsles:
\"Thedewthatonthevioletlies，Mocksthedarklustreofthineeyes。\"
Thisisprettytakenseparately，and，asisalwaysthecasewiththegoodthingsofgoodwriters，muchprettierinitsplacethancanevenbeconceivedbythosewhoseeitonlydetachedfromthecontext。NowforMr。Montgomery:
\"Andthebrightdew—beadonthebramblelies，Likeliquidraptureuponbeauty’seyes。\"
Thecomparisonofaviolet，brightwiththedew，toawoman’seyes，isasperfectasacomparisoncanbe。SirWalter’slinesarepartofasongaddressedtoawomanatdaybreak，whenthevioletsarebathedindew;andthecomparisonisthereforepeculiarlynaturalandgraceful。Dewonabrambleisnomorelikeawoman’seyesthandewanywhereelse。ThereisaveryprettyEasterntaleofwhichthefateofplagiaristsoftenremindsus。
Theslaveofamagiciansawhismasterwavehiswand，andheardhimgiveorderstothespiritswhoaroseatthesummons。Theslavestolethewand，andwavedithimselfintheair;buthehadnotobservedthathismasterusedthelefthandforthatpurpose。
Thespiritsthusirregularlysummonedtorethethieftopiecesinsteadofobeyinghisorders。ThereareveryfewwhocansafelyventuretoconjurewiththerodofSirWalter;andMr。RobertMontgomeryisnotoneofthem。
Mr。Campbell，inoneofhismostpleasingpieces，hasthisline，\"Thesentinelstarssettheirwatchinthesky。\"
Thethoughtisgood，andhasaverystrikingproprietywhereMr。
Campbellhasplacedit，inthemouthofasoldiertellinghisdream。But，thoughShakspeareassuresusthat\"everytrueman’sapparelfitsyourthief，\"itisbynomeansthecase，aswehavealreadyseen，thateverytruepoet’ssimilitudefitsyourplagiarist。LetusseehowMr。RobertMontgomeryusestheimage。
\"Yequenchlessstars！soeloquentlybright，Untroubledsentriesoftheshadowynight，Whilehalftheworldislapp’dindownydreams，Androundthelatticecreepyourmidnightbeams，Howsweettogazeuponyourplacideyes，Inlambentbeautylookingfromtheskies。\"
Certainlytheideasofeloquence，ofuntroubledrepose，ofplacideyes，ofthelambentbeautyonwhichitissweettogaze，harmoniseadmirablywiththeideaofasentry。
Wewouldnotbeunderstood，however，tosay，thatMr。RobertMontgomerycannotmakesimilitudesforhimself。Averyfewlinesfurtheron，wefindonewhichhaseverymarkoforiginality，andonwhich，wewillbebound，noneofthepoetswhomhehasplunderedwilleverthinkofmakingreprisals\"Thesoul，aspiring，pantsitssourcetomount，Asstreamsmeanderlevelwiththeirfount。\"
Wetakethistobe，onthewhole，theworstsimilitudeintheworld。Inthefirstplace，nostreammeanders，orcanpossiblymeander，levelwithitsfount。Inthenextplace，ifstreamsdidmeanderlevelwiththeirfounts，notwomotionscanbelesslikeeachotherthanthatofmeanderinglevelandthatofmountingupwards。
WehavethenanapostrophetotheDeity，couchedintermswhich，inanywriterwhodealtinmeanings，weshouldcallprofane，buttowhichwesupposeMr。RobertMontgomeryattachesnoideawhatever:
\"YesIpauseandthink，withinonefleetinghour，HowvastauniverseobeysThypower;
Unseen，butfelt，ThineinterfusedcontrolWorksineachatom，andpervadesthewhole;
Expandstheblossom，anderectsthetree，Conductseachvapour，andcommandseachsea，Beamsineachray，bidswhirlwindsbeunfurl’d，Unrolsthethunder，andupheavesaworld！\"
Nofield—preachersurelyevercarriedhisirreverentfamiliaritysofarastobidtheSupremeBeingstopandthinkontheimportanceoftheinterestswhichareunderHiscare。Thegrotesqueindecencyofsuchanaddressthrowsintoshadethesubordinateabsurditiesofthepassage，theunfurlingofwhirlwinds，theunrollingofthunder，andtheupheavingofworlds。
Thencomesacuriousspecimenofourpoet’sEnglish:
\"YetnotalonecreatedrealmsengageThyfaultlesswisdom，grand，primevalsage！
ForallthethrongingwoestolifealliedThymercytempers，andthycaresprovide。\"
Weshouldbegladtoknowwhattheword\"For\"meanshere。Ifitisapreposition，itmakesnonsenseofthewords，\"Thymercytempers。\"Ifitisanadverb，itmakesnonsenseofthewords，\"Thycaresprovide。\"
Thesebeautieswehavetaken，almostatrandom，fromthefirstpartofthepoem。Thesecondpartisaseriesofdescriptionsofvariousevents，abattle，amurder，anexecution，amarriage，afuneral，andsoforth。Mr。RobertMontgomeryterminateseachofthesedescriptionsbyassuringusthattheDeitywaspresentatthebattle，murder，execution，marriageorfuneralinquestion。
Andthispropositionwhichmightbesafelypredicatedofeveryeventthateverhappenedoreverwillhappen，formstheonlylinkwhichconnectsthesedescriptionswiththesubjectorwitheachother。
Howthedescriptionsareexecutedourreadersareprobablybythistimeabletoconjecture。Thebattleismadeupofthebattlesofallagesandnations:\"red—mouthedcannons，uproaringtotheclouds，\"and\"handsgraspingfirmtheglitteringshield。\"
Theonlymilitaryoperationsofwhichthispartofthepoemremindsus，arethosewhichreducedtheAbbeyofQuedlinburghtosubmission，theTemplarwithhiscross，theAustrianandPrussiangrenadiersinfulluniform，andCurtiusandDentatuswiththeirbattering—ram。Weoughtnottopassunnoticedtheslainwar—
horse，whowillnomore\"Rollhisredeye，andrallyforthefight\";
ortheslainwarriorwho，while\"lyingonhisbleedingbreast，\"
contrivesto\"stareghastlyandgrimlyontheskies。\"Astothislastexploit，wecanonlysay，asDantedidonasimilaroccasion，\"Forseperforzagiadi’parlasiaSistravolsecosialcundeltuttoMaionolvidi，necredochesia。\"
Thetempestisthusdescribed:
\"Butlo！aroundthemarsh’llingcloudsunite，Likethickbattalionshaltingforthefight;
Thesunsinksback，thetempestspiritssweepFiercethroughtheairandflutteronthedeep。
Tillfromtheircavernsrushthemaniacblasts，Teartheloosesails，andsplitthecreakingmasts，Andthelash’dbillows，rollinginatrain，Reartheirwhiteheads，andracealongthemain\"
What，weshouldliketoknow，isthedifferencebetweenthetwooperationswhichMr。RobertMontgomerysoaccuratelydistinguishesfromeachother，thefiercesweepingofthetempest—spiritsthroughtheair，andtherushingofthemaniacblastsfromtheircaverns？Andwhydoestheformeroperationendexactlywhenthelattercommences？
WecannotstopovereachofMr。RobertMontgomery’sdescriptions。
Wehaveashipwreckedsailor，who\"visionsaviewlesstempleintheair\";amurdererwhostandsonaheath，\"withashylips，incoldconvulsionspread\";apiousman，towhom，asheliesinbedatnight，\"Thepanoramaofpastlifeappears，Warmshispuremind，andmeltsitintotears\":
atraveller，wholoseshisway，owingtothethicknessofthe\"cloud—battalion，\"andthewantof\"heaven—lamps，tobeamtheirholylight。\"Wehaveadescriptionofaconvictedfelon，stolenfromthatincomparablepassageinCrabbe’sBorough，whichhasmademanyaroughandcynicalreadercrylikeachild。Wecan，however，conscientiouslydeclarethatpersonsofthemostexcitablesensibilitymaysafelyventureuponMr，RobertMontgomery’sversion。Thenwehavethe\"poor，mindless，pale—
facedmaniacboy，\"who\"RollshisvacanteyeTogreettheglowingfanciesofthesky。\"
Whataretheglowingfanciesofthesky？Andwhatisthemeaningofthetwolineswhichalmostimmediatelyfollow？
\"Asoullessthing，aspiritofthewoods，Helovestocommunewiththefieldsandfloods。\"
Howcanasoullessthingbeaspirit？ThencomesapanegyricontheSunday。Abaptismfollows;afterthatamarriage:andwethenproceed，induecourse，tothevisitationofthesick，andtheburialofthedead。
OftenasDeathhasbeenpersonified，Mr。Montgomeryhasfoundsomethingnewtosayabouthim:
\"0Death！thoudreadlessvanquisherofearth，TheElementsshrankblastedatthybirth！
Careeringroundtheworldliketempestwind，Martyrsbefore，andvictimsstrew’dbehindAgesonagescannotgrapplethee，Draggingtheworldintoeternity！\"
Iftherebeanyonelineinthispassageaboutwhichwearemoreinthedarkthanabouttherest，itisthefourth。Whatthedifferencemaybebetweenthevictimsandthemartyrs，andwhythemartyrsaretoliebeforeDeath，andthevictimsbehindhim，aretousgreatmysteries。
Wenowcometothethirdpart，ofwhichwemaysaywithhonestCassio，\"Why，thisisamoreexcellentsongthantheother。\"Mr。
RobertMontgomeryisverysevereontheinfidels，andundertakestoprove，that，asheelegantlyexpressesit，\"OnegreatEnchanterhelm’dtheharmoniouswhole。\"
Whatanenchanterhastodowithhelming，orwhatahelmhastodowithharmony，hedoesnotexplain。Heproceedswithhisargumentthus:
\"AnddaremendreamthatdismalChancehasframedAllthattheeyeperceives，ortonguehasnamedThespaciousworld，andallitswonders，bornDesignless，self—created，andforlorn;
Liketotheflashingbubblesonastream，Firefromthecloud，orphantominadream？\"
WeshouldbesorrytostakeourfaithinahigherPoweronMr。