ThisisthecaseagainstGreekputaspowerfullyasonecanstateit.Ontheotherside，wemaysay，thoughtheremarkmayseemabsurdatfirstsight，thattohavemasteredGreek，evenifyouforgetit，isnottohavewastedtime.Itreallyisaneducationalandmentaldiscipline.Thestudyissoseverethatitneedstheearnestapplicationofthemind.Thestudyisaversetoindolentintellectualways;itwillnotputupwitha\"thereorthereabouts，\"
anymorethanmathematicalideasadmitofbeingmadetoseem\"extremelyplausible.\"Hewhowrites，andwhomayventuretoofferhimselfasanexample，isnaturallyofamostslovenlyandslatternlymentalhabit.Itishisconstanttemptationto\"scamp\"
everykindofwork，andtosay\"itwilldowellenough.\"Hehatestakingtroubleandverifyingreferences.Andhecanhonestlyconfessthatnothinginhisexperiencehassohelped，inacertaindegree，tocounteractthosetendencies——asthelabourofthoroughlylearningcertainGreektexts——thedramatists，Thucydides，someofthebooksofAristotle.ExperiencehassatisfiedhimthatGreekisofrealeducationalvalue，and，apartfromtheacknowledgedandunsurpassedmeritofitsliterature，isasevereandlogicaltrainingofthemind.Thementalconstitutionisstrengthenedandbracedbythelabour，evenifthelanguageisforgotteninlaterlife.
Itismanifest，however，thatthispartofeducationisnotforeverybody.TherealeducationalproblemistodiscoverwhatboysGreekwillbegoodfor，andwhatboyswillonlywastetimeanddawdleoverit.Certainlytomenofaliteraryturn（averyminutepercentage），Greekisofaninestimablevalue.Greatpoets，even，maybeignorantofit，asShakespeareprobablywas，asKeatsandScottcertainlywere，asAlexandreDumaswas.ButDumasregrettedhisignorance;Scottregrettedit.WeknownothowmuchScott’sadmittedlaxityofstyleandhurriedcarelesshabitmighthavebeenmodifiedbyaknowledgeofGreek;howmuchofgrace，permanence，andgenerallyofart，hisgeniusmighthavegainedfromthelanguageandliteratureofHellas.ThemostHomericofmodernmencouldnotreadHomer.AsforKeats，hewasbornaGreek，ithasbeensaid;buthadhebeenbornwithaknowledgeofGreek，henever，probably，wouldhavebeenguiltyofhischiefliteraryfaults.Thisisnotcertain，forsomemodernmenoflettersdeeplyreadinGreekhaveallthequalitiesoffustianandeffusivenesswhichLonginusmostdespised.
GreekwillnotmakealuxuriouslyAsiaticmindHellenic，itiscertain;butitmay，atleast，helptorestraineffusiveandrhetoricalgabble.OurAsiaticrhetoriciansmightperhapsbeevenmorebarbarousthantheyareifGreekwereasealedbooktothem.
Howeverthismaybe，itis，atleast，welltofindoutinaschoolwhatboysareworthinstructingintheGreeklanguage.Now，oftheirworthiness，oftheirchancesofsuccessinthestudy，Homerseemsthebesttouchstone;andheiscertainlythemostattractiveguidetothestudy.
AtpresentboysareintroducedtothelanguageoftheMusesbypedanticallywrittengrammars，fullofthequeerestandmostaridmetaphysicalandphilologicalverbiage.TheveryEnglishinwhichthesedeplorablebooksarecomposedmaybescientific，maybecomprehensiblebyandusefultophilologists，butisutterlyheart—
breakingtoboys.
Philologymightbemadefascinating;thehistoryofaword，andoftheprocessesbywhichitsdifferentforms，indifferentsenses，weredeveloped，mightbemadeasinterestingasanyotherstoryofevents.Butgrammarisnottaughtthus：boysareintroducedtoajargonaboutmattersmeaningless，andtheyarenaturallyasmuchenchantedasiftheywerelisteningtoachimaerabombinansinvacuo.Thegrammar，tothem，isamerebuzzinachaosofnonsense.
Theyhavetolearnthebuzzbyrote;andapleasantprocessthatis—
—aseductiveinitiationintothemysteries.WhentheystrugglesofarastobeallowedtotrytoreadapieceofGreekprose，theyareonlyliketheMarchionessinherexperienceofbeer：sheoncehadasipofit.TenlinesofXenophon，narratinghowhemarchedsomanyparasangsandtookbreakfast，donotamounttomorethanaveryunrefreshingsipofGreek.NobodyeventellstheboyswhoXenophonwas，whathedidthere，andwhatitwasallabout.Nobodygivesabriefandinterestingsketchofthegreatmarch，ofitshistoryandobjects.TheboysstragglealongwithXenophon，knowingnotwhenceorwhither：
\"Theystraythroughadesolateregion，Andoftenarefaintonthemarch.\"
Onebyonetheyfalloutoftheranks;theymutinyagainstXenophon;
theymurmuragainstthatcommander;theydeserthisflag.TheydeterminethatanythingisbetterthanGreek，thatnothingcanbeworsethanGreek，andtheymovethetenderheartsoftheirparents.
TheyareputtolearnGerman;whichtheydonotlearn，unluckily，butwhichtheyfinditcomparativelyeasytoshirk.Inbrief，theyleaveschoolwithouthavinglearnedanythingwhatever.
UptoacertainagemyexperiencesatschoolwerepreciselythosewhichIhavedescribed.Ourgrammarwasnotsophilological，abstruseandaridastheinstrumentsoftortureemployedatpresent.
ButIhatedGreekwithadeadlyandsickeninghatred;Ihateditlikeabullyandathiefoftime.Theverbsin[Greektext]
completedmyintellectualdiscomfiture，andXenophonroutedmewithhorriblecarnage.Icouldhaverunawaytosea，butforastrongimpressionthatalifeontheoceanwave\"didnotsetmygenius，\"asAlanBrecksays.ThenwebegantoreadHomer;andfromtheveryfirstwords，inwhichtheMuseisaskedtosingthewrathofAchilles，Peleus’son，mymindwasaltered，andIwasthedevotedfriendofGreek.Herewassomethingworthreadingabout;hereoneknewwhereonewas;herewasthemusicofwords，herewerepoetry，pleasure，andlife.Wefortunatelyhadateacher（Dr.Hodson）whowasnotwildlyenthusiasticaboutgrammar.HewouldsetuslongpiecesoftheIliadorOdysseytolearn，and，whentheday’staskwasdone，wouldmakeusreadon，adventuringourselvesin\"theunseen，\"andconstruingasgallantlyaswemight，withoutgrammarordictionary.Onthefollowingdaywesurveyedmorecarefullythegroundwehadpioneeredorskirmishedover，andthenadvancedagain.
Thus，tochangethemetaphor，wetookHomerinlargedraughts，notinsips：insipsnoepiccanbeenjoyed.WenowrevelledinHomerlikeKeatsinSpenser，likeyounghorsesletlooseinapasture.
Theresultwasnotthemakingofmanyaccuratescholars，thoughafewweremade;othersgotnothingbetterthanenjoymentintheirwork，andthefirmbelief，opposedtothatofmostschoolboys，thattheancientsdidnotwritenonsense.ToloveHomer，asSteelesaidaboutlovingafairladyofquality，\"isaliberaleducation.\"
Judgingfromthisexample，Iventureveryhumblytothinkthatanyonewho，evenattheageofCato，wantstolearnGreek，shouldbeginwhereGreekliterature，whereallprofaneliteraturebegins——withHomerhimself.Itwasthus，notwithgrammarsinvacuo，thatthegreatscholarsoftheRenaissancebegan.ItwasthusthatAschamandRabelaisbegan，byjumpingintoGreekandsplashingabouttilltheylearnedtoswim.First，ofcourse，apersonmustlearntheGreekcharacters.ThenhisorhertutormaymakehimreadadozenlinesofHomer，markingthecadence，thesurgeandthunderofthehexameters——amusicwhich，likethatoftheSirens，fewcanhearwithoutbeingluredtotheseasandislesofsong.Thenthetutormighttranslateapassageofmovinginterest，likePriam’sappealtoAchilles;first，ofcourse，explainingthesituation.Thentheteachermightgooversomelines，minutelypointingouthowtheGreekwordsareetymologicallyconnectedwithmanywordsinEnglish.
Next，hemighttakeasubstantiveandaverb，showingroughlyhowtheirinflectionsaroseandweredeveloped，andhowtheyretainformsinHomerwhichdonotoccurinlaterGreek.Thereisnoreasonwhyeventhispartofthelessonshouldbeuninteresting.Bythistimeapupilwouldknow，moreorless，wherehewas，whatGreekis，andwhattheHomericpoemsarelike.HemightthusbelievefromthefirstthattherearegoodreasonsforknowingGreek;thatitisthekeytomanyworldsoflife，ofaction，ofbeauty，ofcontemplation，ofknowledge.Then，afterafewmoreexercisesinHomer，thegrammarbeingjudiciouslyworkedinalongwiththeliteratureoftheepic，ateachermightdiscernwhetheritwasworthwhileforhispupilstocontinueinthestudyofGreek.Homerwouldbetheirguideintothe\"realmsofgold.\"
ItisclearenoughthatHomeristhebestguide.HisistheoldestextantGreek，hismatteristhemostvariousanddelightful，andmostappealstotheyoung，whoareweariedbyscrapsofXenophon，andwhocannotbeexpectedtounderstandtheTragedians.ButHomerisapoetforallages，allraces，andallmoods.TotheGreekstheepicswerenotonlythebestofromances，therichestofpoetry;notonlytheiroldestdocumentsabouttheirownhistory，——theywerealsotheirBible，theirtreasuryofreligioustraditionsandmoralteaching.WiththeBibleandShakespeare，theHomericpoemsarethebesttrainingforlife.Thereisnogoodqualitythattheylack：
manliness，courage，reverenceforoldageandforthehospitablehearth;justice，piety，pity，abraveattitudetowardslifeanddeath，areallconspicuousinHomer.Hehastowriteofbattles;
andhedelightsinthejoyofbattle，andinallthemovementofwar.Yethedelightsnotless，butmore，inpeace：inprosperouscities，hearthssecure，inthetenderbeautyofchildren，intheloveofweddedwives，inthefranknobilityofmaidens，inthebeautyofearthandskyandsea，andseawardmurmuringriver，insunandsnow，frostandmistandrain，inthewhisperedtalkofboyandgirlbeneathoakandpinetree.
Livinginanagewhereeverymanwasawarrior，whereeverycitymightknowtheworstofsackandfire，wherethenoblestladiesmightbeledawayforslaves，tolightthefireandmakethebedofaforeignmaster，Homerinevitablyregardslifeasabattle.Toeachmanonearthcomes\"thewickeddayofdestiny，\"asMaloryunconsciouslytranslatesit，andeachmanmustfaceitashardilyashemay.
Homerencouragesthembyallthemaximsofchivalryandhonour.Hisheartiswiththebraveofeitherside——withGlaucusandSarpedonofLycianolessthanwithAchillesandPatroclus.\"Ah，friend，\"criesSarpedon，\"ifonceescapedfromthisbattlewewereforevertobeagelessandimmortal，neitherwouldImyselffightnowintheforemostranks，norwouldIurgetheeintothewarsthatgiverenown;butnow——forassuredlytenthousandfatesofdeathoneverysidebesetus，andthesemaynomanshun，nornoneavoid——forwardnowletusgo，whetherwearetogivegloryortowinit！\"Andforththeygo，togiveandtakerenownanddeath，alltheshieldsandhelmsofLyciashiningbehindthem，throughthedustofbattle，thesingingofthearrows，thehurtlingofspears，therainofstonesfromtheLocrianslings.Andshieldsaresmitten，andchariot—horsesrunwildwithnomantodrivethem，andSarpedondragsdownaportionoftheAchaeanbattlement，andAiasleapsintothetrenchwithhisdeadlyspear，andthewholebattleshiftsandshinesbeneaththesun.Yethewhosingsofthewar，andseesitwithhissightlesseyes，seesalsotheTrojanwomenworkingattheloom，cheatingtheiranxiousheartswithbroideryworkofgoldandscarlet，orraisingthesongtoAthene，orheatingthebathforHector，whoneveragainmaypasswithinthegatesofTroy.Heseesthepoorweavingwoman，weighingthewool，thatshemaynotdefraudheremployers，andyetmaywinbreadforherchildren.Heseesthechildren，thegoldenheadofAstyanax，hisshrinkingfromthesplendourofthehero’shelm.HeseesthechildOdysseus，goingwithhisfatherthroughtheorchard，andchoosingoutsomeappletrees\"forhisveryown.\"ItisinthemouthoftheruthlessAchilles，thefatal，thefated，theswift—footedherowiththehandsofdeath，thatHomerplacesthetenderestofhissimiles.
\"Whereforeweepestthou，Patroclus，likeafondlittlemaid，thatrunsbyhermother’sside，prayinghermothertotakeherup，snatchingathergown，andhinderingherasshewalks，andtearfullylookingathertillhermothertakesherup？——likeher，Patroclus，dostthousoftlyweep.\"
ThisiswhatChesterfieldcalls\"theporter—likelanguageofHomer’sheroes.\"SucharethemoodsofHomer，sofullofloveoflifeandallthingsliving，sorichinallhumansympathies，soreadilymovedwhenthegreathoundArguswelcomeshismaster，whomnoneknewaftertwentyyears，butthehoundknewhim，anddiedinthatwelcome.
Withallthisloveofthereal，whichmakeshimdwellsofondlyoneverydetailofarmour，ofimplement，ofart;onthedivers—colouredgold—workoftheshield，onthemakingoftiresforchariot—wheels，ontheforgingofiron，ontherose—tintedivoryoftheSidonians，oncookingandeatingandsacrificing，onpetdogs，onwaspsandtheirways，onfishing，ontheboarhunt，onscenesinbathswherefairmaidenslavewaterovertheheroes，onundiscoveredisleswithgoodharboursandrichland，onploughing，mowing，andsowing，onthefurnitureofhouses，onthegoldenvaseswhereinthewhitedustofthedeadislaid，——withallthisdelightinthereal，Homeristhemostromanticofpoets.HewalkswiththesurestfootinthedarklingrealmofdreadPersephone，beneaththepoplarsonthesolemnlastbeachofOcean.HehasheardtheSiren’smusic，andthesongofCirce，chantingasshewalkstoandfro，castingthegoldenshuttlethroughtheloomofgold.HeentersthecaveoftheManEater;heknowstheunsunnedlandoftheCimmerians;inthesummeroftheNorthhehaslooked，fromthefiordoftheLaestrygons，ontheMidnightSun.HehasdweltonthefloatingisleofAEolus，withitswallofbronzeunbroken，andhassailedonthosePhaeacianbarksthatneednohelpofhelmoroar，thatfearnostresseitherofwindortide，thatcomeandgoandreturnobedienttoathoughtandsilentasadream.HehasseenthefourmaidensofCirce，daughtersofwellsandwoods，andofsacredstreams.Heisthesecond—sightedman，andbeholdstheshroudthatwrapsthelivingwhoaredoomed，andthemysticdrippingfromthewallsofbloodyetunshed.HehaswalkedinthegardenclosesofPhaeacia，andlookedonthefaceofgodswhofarethither，andwatchtheweavingofthedance.Hehaseatenthehoney—sweetfruitofthelotus，andfromthehandofHelenhebringsusthatEgyptiannepenthewhichputsallsorrowoutofmind.HisrealworldisasrealasthatinHenryV.，hisenchantedislesarecharmedwiththemagicoftheTempest.HisyoungwooersareasinsolentasClaudio，asflushedwithyouth;hisbeggar—menarebrethrenofEdieOchiltree;hisNausicaaissistertoRosalind，withadifferentcharmofstatelypurityinlove.Hisenchantressesholdusyetwiththeirsorceries;hisHelenisveryBeauty：shehasallthesweetnessofidealwomanhood，andherrepentanceiswithoutremorse.HisAchillesisyouthitself，glorious，cruel，pitiful，splendid，andsad，ardentandloving，andconsciousofitsdoom.
Homer，intruth，istobematchedonlywithShakespeare，andofShakespearehehasnottheoccasionalwilfulness，freakishness，andmodishobscurity.Heisapoetallofgold，universalashumanity，simpleaschildhood，musicalnowastheflowofhisownrivers，nowastheheavyplungingwaveofhisownOcean.
Such，then，asfarasweakwordscanspeakofhim，isthefirstandgreatestofpoets.ThisishewhomEnglishboysaretobeignorantof，ifGreekbeoustedfromourschools，oraretoknowonlyinthedistortingmirrorofaversified，orinthepaleshadowofaprosetranslation.TranslationsaregoodonlyasteacherstobringmentoHomer.Englishversehasnomeasurewhichevenremotelysuggeststhevariousflowofthehexameter.TranslatorswhoemployversegiveusafeebleHomer，dashedwiththeirownconceits，andmouldedtotheirownstyle.Translatorswhoemployprose\"tellthestorywithoutthesong，\"but，atleast，theyaddnotwopenny\"beauties\"
andcheapconceitsoftheirown.
Iventuretoofferafewexamplesoforiginaltranslation，inwhichthemannerismsofpoetswhohave，orhavenot，translatedHomer，areparodied，and，ofcourse（exceptinthecaseofPope），exaggerated.
ThepassageisthespeechoftheSecond—sightedMan，beforetheslayingofthewooersinthehall：—
\"Ah！wretchedmen，whatillisthisyesuffer？Innightareswathedyourheads，yourfaces，yourknees;andthevoiceofwailingiskindled，andcheeksarewetwithtears，andwithblooddripthewalls，andthefairmainbeamsoftheroof，andtheporchisfullofshadows，andfullisthecourtyard，ofghoststhathastenhellwardbelowthedarkness，andthesunhasperishedoutofheaven，andanevilmistsweepsupoverall.\"
SomuchforHomer.ThefirstattemptatmetrictranslationheregivenismeanttobeinthemannerofPope：
\"Caitiffs！\"hecried，\"whatheaven—directedblightInvolveseachcountenancewithcloudsofnight！
Whatpearlydroptheashencheekbedews！
Whydothewallswithgoutsensanguinedooze？
Thecourtisthrongedwithghoststhat’neaththegloomSeekPluto’srealm，andDis’sawfuldoom;
IneboncurtainsPhoebushideshishead，Andsablemistcreepsupwardfromthedead.\"
Thisappearsprettybad，andnearlyasun—Homericasatranslationcouldpossiblybe.ButPope，aidedbyBroomeandFenton，managedtobemuchlessHomeric，muchmoreabsurd，andinfinitelymore\"classical\"inthesenseinwhichPopeisclassical：
\"Oracetodeathdevote！withStygianshadeEachdestinedpeerimpendingfatesinvade;
Withtearsyourwandistortedcheeksaredrowned;
Withsanguinedropsthewallsarerubiedround：
Thickswarmsthespacioushallwithhowlingghosts，TopeopleOrcusandtheburningcoasts！
Norgivesthesunhisgoldenorbtoroll，Butuniversalnightusurpsthepole.\"
WhocouldhaveconjecturedthatevenPopewouldwanderawaysofarfromhismatchlessoriginal？\"Wretches！\"criesTheoclymenus，theseer;andthatbecomes，\"Oracetodeathdevote！\"\"Yourheadsareswathedinnight，\"turnsinto\"WithStygianshadeeachdestinedpeer\"（peerisgood！）\"impendingfatesinvade，\"whereHomersaysnothingaboutStyxnorpeers.TheLatinOrcustakestheplaceofErebus，and\"theburningcoasts\"arederivedfrommodernpopulartheology.Theverygrammardetainsordefiesthereader;isitthesunthatdoesnotgivehisgoldenorbtoroll，orwho，orwhat？
Theonlyplacewherethelatter—dayBroomeorFentoncanflatterhimselfthatherivalsPopeathisowngameis—
\"Whatpearlydroptheashencheekbedews！\"
Thisis，ifpossible，MOREclassicalthanPope’sown—
\"Withtearsyourwandistortedcheeksaredrowned.\"
ButPopenoblyrevindicateshisunparalleledpoweroftranslatingfunnily，when，inplaceof\"thewallsdripwithblood，\"hewrites—
\"Withsanguinedropsthewallsarerubiedround.\"
Homerdoesnotappeartohavebeenacquaintedwithrubies;butwhatofthat？Andhownoble，howeminentlyworthyofPopeitistoaddthattheghosts\"howl\"！Itriedtomakethemgibber，butghostsDO
gibberinHomer（thoughnotinthispassage），soPope，Fenton，Broome，andCo.，makethemhowl.
No，Popeisnotlightlytoberivalledbyamoderntranslator.Thefollowingexample，afar—offfollowingofanotedcontemporarypoet，maybeleftunsigned—
\"Wretches，thebanehathbefallen，thenightandtheblightofyoursinSweepslikeashroudo’erthefacesandlimbsthatweregladsometherein;
Andthedirgeofthedeadbreakethforth，andthefacesofallmenarewet，Andthewallsarebesprinkledwithblood，andtheghostsinthegatewayaremet，Ghostsinthecourtandthegatewayaregathered，Hellopensherlips，Andthesuninhissplendourisshrouded，andsickensinspasmofeclipse.\"
Thenextislongerandslower：thepoethasadifficultyintellinghisstory：
\"Wretches，\"hecried，\"whatdoomisthis？whatnightClingslikeaface—clothtothefaceofeach，—
Sweepslikeashroudo’erkneesandhead？forlo！
Thewindywailofdeathisup，andtearsOneverycheekarewet;eachshiningwallAndbeauteousinterspaceofbeamandbeamWeepstearsofblood，andshadowsinthedoorFlicker，andfilltheportalsandthecourt—
Shadowsofmenthathellwardsyearn——andnowThesunhimselfhathperishedoutofheaven，Andallthelandisdarkenedwithamist.\"
ThatcouldneverbemistakenforaversionbytheLaureate，asperhapsanycontemporaryhack’sworksmighthavebeentakenforPope’s.Thedifficulty，perhaps，lieshere：anyoneknowswheretohavePope，anyoneknowsthathewillevadethemotpropre，thoughthepreciseevasionhemayselectishardtoguess.ButtheLaureatewouldkeepclosetohistext，andyetwouldwritelikehimself，verybeautifully，butnotwithanHomericswiftnessandstrength.Whoistoimitatehim？AstoMr.WilliamMorris，hemightbefabledtorender[Greektext]\"nidderingwights，\"butbeyondthat，conjectureisbaffled.{2}OrisTHISthekindofthing？—
\"Nidderingwights，whatabanedoyebear，foryourkneesinthenight，Andyourheadsandyourfaces，areshrouded，andclamourthatknowsnotdelightRings，andyourcheeksarebegrutten，andbloodisbesprentonthewalls，Bloodonthetapestryfairwoven，andbarrow—wightswalkinthehalls.
FetchesandwraithsofthechosenoftheNorns，andthesunfromtheliftShudders，andoverthemidgarthandswan’sbaththecloud—shadowsdrift.\"
Itmaybearguedthat，thoughthisisperhapsatranslation，itisnotEnglish，neverwas，andneverwillbe.ButitisquiteaslikeHomerastheperformanceofPope.
Suchasthese，ornotsoverymuchbetterthantheseasmightbewished，areoureffortstotranslateHomer.FromChapmantoAvia，orMr.WilliamMorris，theyarealleminentlyconscientious，anderroneous，andfutile.ChapmanmakesHomerafanciful，euphuistic，obscure，andgarrulousElizabethan，butChapmanhasfire.Popemakeshimawit，spirited，occasionallynoble，fullofpoints，andepigrams，andqueerrocococonventionalisms.Cowpermakeshimslow，lumbering，aMiltonwithoutthemusic.MaginnmakeshimpipeanIrishjig：—
\"ScarcelyhadshebeguntowashWhenshewasawareofthegrislygash！\"
LordDerbymakeshimrespectableandponderous.LordTennysonmakeshimnotless，butcertainlynotmore，thanTennysonian.Homer，intheLaureate’sfewfragmentsofexperiment，isstillapoet，butheisnotHomer.Mr.Morris，andAvia，makehimIcelandic，andarchaistic，andhardtoscan，thoughvigorousinhisfettersforallthat.Bohnmakeshimacrib;andofothertranslatorsinproseithasbeensaid，withahumourwhichoneofthemappreciates，thattheyrenderHomerintoalikenessoftheBookofMormon.
Homerisuntranslatable.NoneofuscanbendthebowofEurytus，andmakethebow—string\"ringsweetlyatthetouch，liketheswallow’ssong.\"Theadventureisnevertobeachieved;and，ifGreekistobedismissedfromeducation，nottheleastofthesorrowsthatwillensueisEnglishignoranceofHomer.
THELASTFASHIONABLENOVEL
TheeditorofagreatAmericannewspaperonceofferedtheauthoroftheselinesacommissiontoexplorealostcountry，theseatofafallenandforgottencivilisation.ItwasnotinYucatan，orCentralAfrica，orThibet，orKafiristan，thisdesolateregion，oncesopopular，sogaudy，somuchfrequentedanddesired.ItwasonlythefashionablenovelsoftheForties，sayfrom1835to1850，thatI
wasrequestedtoexamineandreportupon.ButIshrankfromthecolossaltask.IamnoMr.Stanley;andthelength，thedifficulties，thearduousnessofthelabourappalledme.Besides，I
donotknowwherethatlandlies，thelandoftheoldFashionableNovel，theKorofwhichThackeray’sLadyFannyFlummeryistheAyesha.Whatwerethenamesoftheoldnovels，andwhoweretheauthors，andinthecirculatinglibraryofwhatundiscoverablewatering—placearetheytobefound？WehaveheardofMrs.Gore，wehaveheardofTremayne，andEmiliaWyndham，andtheBacheloroftheAlbany;andmanyofushavereadPelham，orknowhimoutofCarlyle’sart，andthosegreatcurseswhichhespoke.Butwhowastheoriginal，orwhoweretheoriginals，thatsatfortheportraitofthe\"FashionableAuthoress，\"LadyFannyFlummery？andofwhatworkisLordsandLiveriesaparody？TheauthorisalsocreditedwithDukesandDejeuners，MarchionessesandMilliners，etc.Could，anycandidateinaliteraryexaminationnametheprototypes？\"Letmantua—makerspuffher，butnotmen，\"saysThackeray，speakingofLadyFannyFlummery，\"andtheFashionableAuthoressisnomore.
Blessed，blessedthought！Nomorefiddle—faddlenovels！Whenwillyouarrive，OhappyGoldenAge！\"
Well，ithasarrived，thoughwearenonethehappierforallthat.
TheFashionableNovelhasceasedtoexist，andtheplaceofthefashionableauthoressknowshernomore.ThackerayplainlydetestedLadyFanny.Hewritesabouther，herbooks，hercritics，hersuccesses，withacertainbitterness.CanitbepossiblethataworldwhichratherneglectedBarryLyndonwasdevotedtoMarchionessesandMilliners？LadyFannyisrepresentedashavingeditorsandreviewersatherfeet;shesitsamongtheflowers，liketheSirens，andaroundherarethebonesofcriticscorruptindeath.Sheispuffedforthesakeofherbouquets，herdinners，heraffabilitiesandcondescensions.Shegivesarevieweragreatgarnetpin，adornedwherewithhepacesthetown.Heradorerscompareherto\"himwhosleepsbyAvon.\"InoneofMr.Black’snovelsthereisaladyofthiskind，whocaptivatesthetribeof\"LogRollers，\"asMr.Blackcallsthem.ThisladyappearstomyselftobeaquiteimpossibleShe.Onehasnevermetherwithherwiles，norcomeacrosshertrack，even，andseenthebodiesandthebonesofthosewhoperishedinpuffingher.Somepersonsofrankandfashionhaveatasteforthesocietyofsomemenofletters，butnothinginthewayofliterarypufferyseemstocomeofit.Ofcoursemanycriticsliketogivetheirfriendsandacquaintancesanapplausivehand，andamongtheiracquaintancesmaybeladiesoffashionwhowritenovels;butwereadnowheresuchextraordinaryadulationsasAugustusTimsonbestowedonLadyFanny.Thefashionableauthoressisnearlyextinct，thoughsomepersonswritewellalbeittheyarefashionable.Thefashionablenovelisasdeadasadoornail：Lothairwasnearlythelastofthespecies.Therearenovelistswhowriteabout\"Society，\"tobesure，likeMr.
Norris;buttheirtoneisquitedifferent.TheydonotspeakasifDukesandEarlsweresomestrangesuperiorkindofbeings;theirmanneristhatofmenaccustomedtoandundazzledbyEarls，writingforreaderswhodonotcarewhethertheheroisalordoracommoner.Theyare\"atease，\"thoughnotterribly\"inZion.\"
Thackerayhimselfintroducesplentyofthepeerage，butitcannotbesaidthatheisalwaysateaseintheirsociety.Heremembersthattheyarelords，andisonhisguard，veryoften，andsuspiciousandsarcastic，except，perhapswhenhedealswithagentlemanlikeLordKew.HeexaminesthemlikecuriouswildanimalsintheJardindesPlantes.Heisanaccomplishednaturalist，andnotafraidofthelion;butheremembersthattheanimalisroyal，andhasatitle.
Mr.Norris，forinstance，showsnothingofthismood.Mr.TrollopewasnotafraidofhisDukes：hethoughtnonetheworseofamanbecausehewasthehighandpuissantprinceofOmnium.Asformostnovelists，theynolongerpaintfashionablesocietywithenthusiasm.
Mr.HenryJameshasremarkedthatyoungBritishpeersfavourtheword\"beastly，\"——apointwhichdoesnotalwaysimpressitselfintootherpeoplesokeenlyasintoMr.HenryJames.InreadinghimyoudonotforgetthathisTuftsareTufts.ButthenTuftsarereallystrangeanimalstothedenizensoftheGreatRepublic.PerhapsthemodernrealismhasmadenovelistsdeserttheworldwhereDukesandDowagersabound.Novelistsdonotknowverymuchaboutit;theyarenotwonttohauntthegildedsaloons，andtheyprefertowriteaboutthemannerswhichtheyknow.Averygoodnovel，inthesestrangeruinoustimes，mightbewrittenwithaDukeforhero;butnobodywritesit，and，ifanybodydidwriteitinthemodernmanner，itwouldnotintheleastresembletheoldfashionablenovel.
Hereacuriouspointarises.WehaveallstudiedtheingeniousladywhocallsherselfOuida.Now，isOuida，orratherwasOuidainherearlystatesublime，thelastoftheoldfashionablenovelists，ordidThackerayunconsciouslyprophesyofherwhenhewrotehisburlesqueLordsandLiveries？ThinkoftheyoungearlofBagnigge，\"whowasneverheardtoadmireanythingexceptacoulisdedindonneauelaSt.Menehould，orthebouquetofaflaskofMedoc，ofCarbonnell’sbestquality，oragoutteofMarasquin，fromthecellarsofBriggsandHobson.\"WehavemetsuchyoungpatriciansinUnderTwoFlagsandIdalia.Butthenthereisadifference：Ouidanevertellsusthatherherowas\"blestwithamotherofexcellentprinciples，whohadimbuedhisyoungmindwiththatmoralitywhichissosuperiortoallthevainpompsoftheworld.\"ButaheroofOuida’smighteasilyhavehadafatherwho\"wasstruckdownbythesideofthegallantCollingwoodintheBayofFundy.\"Theheroesthemselvesmayhave\"lookedatthePyramidswithoutawe，attheAlpswithoutreverence.\"Theydosay\"CorpodiBacco，\"andtheDucadeMontepulcianodoesreply，\"E’bellissimacertamente.\"Andtheircreatormightconceivablyremark\"Noncuiviscontigit.\"ButLadyFannyFlummery’sladiescouldnotdressasOuida’sladiesdo：theycouldnotquotePetroniusArbiter;theyhadneverheardofSuetonius.Noagereproducesitself.ThereismuchofouroldfashionableauthoressinOuida’searliertales;thereisplentyofthePeerage，plentyofqueerFrenchinoldnovelsandLatinyetmorequeer;butwhereistheelanwhichtakesarchaeologywitharush，whichsticksatnoadventure，howevernoblyincredible？
whereisthepathos，thesimplicity，thepurplesplendourofOuida’smanner，ormanners？No，thespiritoftheworld，mirroringitselfinthemindsofindividuals，simpered，andthatsimperwasLadyFannyFlummery.Butitdidmanythingsmoreportentousthansimpering，whenitreflecteditselfinOuida.
Isitthatwedonolongergapeonthearistocracyadmiringly，andwriteofthemcuriously，asiftheywerecreaturesinaParadise？
IsitthatThackerayhasconvertedus？Inpart，surely，wearejustassnobbishasever，thoughthegodsofouradorationtottertotheirfall，and\"ahideoushum\"fromthemoboutsidethrillsthroughthetemples.Infiction，ontheotherhand，theworldoffashionis\"playedout.\"Nobodycarestoreadorwriteaboutthedearduchess.
Ifapeercomesintoanovelhecomesin，notasacoronetedcuriosity，butasaman，justasifhewereadentist，orastockbroker.Hisrankisanaccident;itusedtobetheessenceofhisluminousapparition.IscarcerememberalordinallthemanyworksofMr.Besant，nordotheypeopletheromancesofMr.Black.
Mr.Kiplingdoesnotdealinthem，norMr.GeorgeMeredithmuch;Mr.
Haggardhardlygetsbeyondabaronet，andHEwearschainmailinCentralAfrica，andtoolswithanaxe.Mrs.OliphanthasaScotchpeer，butheislessinterestingandprominentthanhisfamilyghost.No，wehaveonlyOuidaleft，andMr.Norris——whowritesaboutpeopleoffashion，indeed，butwhohasnothinginhimoftheoldfashionablenovelist.
IsittoaRepublic，toFrance，thatwemustlookforourfashionablenovels——toFranceandtoAmerica.EverythirdpersoninM.GuydeMaupassant’staleshasa\"de，\"andisaMarquisoraVicomte.AsforM.PaulBourget，onereallycanbehappywithhiminthefearlessoldfashion.WithhimwemeetLordHenryBohun，andM.DeCasal（aVicomte），andalltheMarquisesandMarquises;andallthepaleblueboudoirs，andsentimentalDuchesses，whoseheartsareonlytoogood，andwhogetintothemostcomplicatedamorousscrapes.ThatyoungRepublican，M.Bourget，sincerelylovesablason，apedigree，diamonds，lace，silverdressingcases，silverbaths，essences，pomatums，legrandluxe.SodoesGyp：apartfromherwit，Gypisdelightfultoread，introducingustotheverybestofbadcompany.EvenM.FortuneduBoisgobeylikesaVicomte，andispartialtothenoblesse，whileM.GeorgesOhnetisaccusedofenteringthegoldenworldofrank，likeamanwithoutaweddinggarment，andofbeinglostandatseaamonghisaristocrats.TheyorderthesethingsbetterinFrance：theystillappealtothefineoldnaturaltasteforrankandluxury，splendourandrefinement.
WhatisGypbutaLadyFannyFlummeryreussie，——LadyFannywiththetriflingadditionalqualitiesofwitanddaring？ObservehernoblescornofM.GeorgeOhnet：itisafashionablearrogance.
Tomymind，Iconfess，thedecayoftheBritishfashionablenovelseemsoneofthemostthreateningsignsofthetimes.EveninFranceinstitutionsaremuchmorepermanentthanhere.InFrancetheyhavefashionablenovels，andverygoodnovelstoo：nomanofsensewilldenythattheyarefarbetterthanourdilettantismoftheslums，orourreligiousandsocialtractsinthedisguiseofromance.Ifthereisnonewtaleoftreasureandbanditsandfightsandlionshandy，mayIhaveafashionablenovelinFrenchtofallbackupon！EvenCountTolstoidoesnotdisdainthegenre.ThereissomeuncommonlyhighlifeinAnnaKarenine.Headdsagreatdealofpsychology，tobesure;sodoesM.PaulBourget.Buthetakesyouamongsmartpeople，whohaveeverythinghandsomeaboutthem——titles，andlands，andrents.IsitnotahardthingthatanhonestBritishsnob，ifhewantstomoveinthehighestcirclesoffiction，mustturntoFrenchnovelists，orRussian，orAmerican？AstotheAmericannovelsoftheeliteandthebeaumonde，theireleganceisobscuredtoEnglisheyes，becausethatwhichmakesoneNewYorkerbetterthananother，thatwhichcreatestheUpperTenThousand（dearphrase！）ofNewYork，issoinconspicuous.Forexample，thescientificinquirermayventurehimselfamongthenovelsoftwoyoungAmericanauthors.FewEnglishstudentsmakethisvoyageofexploration.Buttheromancesoftheseingeniouswritersarereally，orreallytrytobe，akindoffashionablenovels.Itisaqueerdomainoffashion，tobesure，peopledbythestrangestaborigines，whotalkandaretalkedaboutinalanguagemostinterestingtothephilologist.HerepoorLadyFannyFlummerywouldhavebeensadlytoseek，forhercharacters，thoughnoble，weremoral，andherpenwaswieldedonthesideofChurchandState.Butthesewesternfashionableshavemoralsandalingooftheirown，madeinequalpartsoftheAmericanidiomsandofexpressionstransferredfromthejargonofDecadenceandtheParnassiculetContemporain.Asoneperusesthesenovelsonethinksofanewtaletobetold——TheLastoftheFashionables，whodiedaway，likethebuffaloandthegrislybear，insomecanonorforestoftheWildWest.Ithinkthisdistinguishedbeing，Ultimushominumvenustiorum，willfindthelastremnantsoftheGentlemanlyPartyinsomeIndiantribe，ApachesorSioux.Iseehimraisedtotherankofchief，andleadingthered—skinnedandpaintedcavaliersonthewar—pathagainsttheVulgariansoftheultimateDemocracy.TodepictthisdandychiefwouldrequiretheartatonceofaCooperandaOuida.Letmeattempt—
THELASTFIGHTOFFOURHAIR—BRUSHES
BythistimetheSiouxwereflyinginalldirections，moweddownbythefireofGatlingandMaximguns.ThescrubofLittleBigHornCreekwasstrewnwiththebodiesofwrithingbraves.OnthelividandvolcanicheightsofMountBuncombe，thepaintedtentswereblazingmerrily.Butonamoundabovethecreek，anancientfortressofsomelong—forgottenpeople，asmallgroupofIndianhorsemen，mightbeobserved，steadyasrocksintherefluenttideofwar.ThefirefromtheirWinchesterrepeatersblazedoutlikethestreamersoftheNorthernLights.AgainandagainthefloweroftheUnitedStatesarmyhadchargedupthemound，onlytorecoilinflight，ortolinethecliffwiththeircorpses.TheFirstIrishCuirassiershadbeenannihilated：Parnell’sown，alas！intheheatofthecombathadturnedtheirfratricidalblack—thornsonM’Carthy’sbrigade，andthesetwogallantsquadronsweremixedandbroken，fallingbeneaththeblowsofbrothersestranged.
ButatlastthefirefromtheRedmenonthebluffslackenedandgrewsilent.Theammunitionwasexhausted.Therewasamovementinthegroupofbraves.CrazyHorseandBaldCoyoteturnedtoFourHair—
Brushes，whosathissteedAtalanta，lastwinnerofthelastGrandNational，withalltheoldcarelesseleganceoftheRow.
\"FourHair—Brushes，\"saidCrazyHorse（andatearrolleddownhispaintedcheek），\"noughtisleftbutflight.\"
\"Thenfly，\"saidFourHair—Brushes，languidly，lightingacigarette，whichhetookfromadiamond—studdedgoldetui，thegiftoftheKaiserinolddays.
\"Nay，notwithouttheWhiteChief，\"saidBaldCoyote;andheseizedthereinsofFourHair—Brushes，toleadhimfromthatstrickenfield.
\"Vousetestropvieuxjeu，monami，\"murmuredFourHair—Brushes，\"jenesuisniEdouardII.，niCharlesEdouardeCulloden.Quatre—
brossesmeurt，maisilneserendpas.\"
TheIndianreleasedhishold，baffledbytheeruditionandthecalmcourageofhiscaptain.
\"Imaketracks，\"hesaid;and，swingingroundsothathishorseconcealedhisbody，hegallopeddownthebluff，andthroughtheAmericancavalry，scatteringdeathfromthearrowswhichheloosedunderhishorse’sneck.
FourHair—Brusheswasalone.
Unarmed，asever，hesat，saveforthehunting—whipinhisrighthand.
\"Scalphim！\"yelledtheFriendlyCrows.
\"Nay，takehimalive：aseemlierknightneverbackedsteed！\"criedthegallantAmericans.
Fromtheirmidstrodeacourteouscavalier，CaptainJohnBarry，thescholar，theheroofswordandpen.
\"Yieldthee，SirKnight！\"hesaid，doffinghiskepiinmartialcourtesy.
FourHair—Brushesrepliedtohissalute，andwasopeninghiscurvedanddelicatelipstospeak，whenachancebulletstruckhimfullinthebreast.Hethrewuphisarms，reeled，andfell.ThegallantAmerican，leapingfromsaddletoground，rushedtoraisehishead.
Throughthewar—paintherecognisedhim.
\"GreatHeaven！\"hecried，\"itis——\"
\"Hush！\"whisperedFourHair—Brushes，withawearysmile：\"letAnnesleydeVereoftheBluesdieunnamed.TellthemthatIfellinharness.\"
Hedid，indeed.UnderhisfeatheredandpaintedcloakBarryfoundthatAnnesley，evercarefulofhisfigure，everloyalinlove，thelastoftheDandies，yetworethecorsetofMadamedeTelliere.Itwaswetwithhislife—blood.
\"Sodies，\"saidBarry，\"thelastEnglishgentleman.\"
THACKERAY
\"Ithoughthowsomepeople’stoweringintellectsandsplendidcultivatedgeniusesriseuponsimple，beautifulfoundationshiddenoutofsight.\"Thus，inhisLetterstoMrs.Brookfield，Mr.
Thackeraywrote，aftervisitingthecryptofCanterburyCathedral，withits\"charming，harmonious，powerfulcombinationofarchesandshafts，beautifulwhicheverwayyouseethemdeveloped，likeafinemusic.\"Thesimileappliestohisowncharacterandgenius，tohisownandperhapstothatofmostgreatauthors，whoseworksareourpleasureandcomfortinthistroublesomeworld.Therearecriticswhoprofessadesiretohearnothing，oraslittleasmaybe，ofthelivesofgreatartists，whethertheirinstrumentofartwasthepen，orthebrush，orthechisel，orthestringsandreedsofmusic.
Withthosecriticsperhapsmostofusagree，whenwereadbooksthatgossipaboutShelley，orColeridge，orByron.\"Giveustheirpoetry，\"wesay，\"andleavetheircharactersalone：wedonotwanttattleaboutClaireandchatteraboutHarriet;wewanttobehappywith’TheSkylark’or’TheCloud.’\"Possiblythisinstinctiscorrect，wheresuchapoetasShelleyisconcerned，whoselife，likehispoetry，wasas\"thelifeofwindsandtides，\"whosegenius，unliketheskylark’s，wasmoretruetothepointofheaventhanthepointofhome.Butreflectionshowsusthatonthewhole，asMr.
Thackeraysays，aman’sgeniusmustbebuildedonthefoundationsofhischaracter.Wherethatgeniusdealswiththemingledstuffofhumanlife——sorrow，desire，love，hatred，kindness，meanness——thenthefoundationofcharacterisespeciallyimportant.PeoplearesometimesgladthatweknowsolittleofShakespearetheman;yetwhocandoubtthatatruerevelationofhischaracterwouldbenotlessworthy，nobleandcharmingthanthegeneraleffectofhispoems？Inhim，itiscertain，weshouldalwaysfindanexampleofnobility，ofgenerosity，ofcharityandkindnessandself—
forgetfulness.Indeed，wefindthesequalities，asarule，inthebiographiesofthegreatsympatheticpoetsandmenofgeniusofthepen——Idonotsayinthelivesofrebelsofgenius，\"meteoricpoets\"
likeByron.Thesamebasis，thesamefoundationsofrectitude，ofhonour，ofgoodness，ofmelancholy，andofmirth，underlietheartofMoliere，ofScott，ofFielding，andashiscorrespondenceshows，ofThackeray.
ItseemsprobablethatacompletebiographyofThackeraywillneverbewritten.Itwashiswishtoliveinhisworksalone：thatwishhisdescendantsrespect;andwemustprobablyregardtheLetterstoMr.andMrs.Brookfieldasthelastprivateandauthenticrecordofthemanwhichwillbegiven，atleasttothisgeneration.IntheseLettersallsympatheticreaderswillfindthemantheyhavelongknownfromhiswritings——themanwithaheartsotenderthattheworldoftendrovehimbackintoabitternessofopposition，intoanassumedhardnessanddefensivecynicism.TherearereaderssounluckilyconstitutedthattheycanseenothinginThackeraybutthisbitterness，thiscruelsenseofmeannessandpowerofanalysingshabbyemotions，sneakingvanities，contemptibleambitions.Allofusmustoftenfeelwithregretthatheallowedhimselftobemadetoounhappybythespectacleoffailingssocommonintheworldheknewbest，thathedweltonthemtoolongandlashedthemtoocomplacently.Onehopesnevertoread\"LoveltheWidower\"again，andonegladlyskipssomeofthespeechesoftheOldCampaignerin\"TheNewcomes.\"Theyareterrible，butnotmoreterriblethanlife.
YetitishardtounderstandhowMr.Ruskin，forexample，canletsuchscenesandcharactershidefromhisviewthekindness，gentleness，andpityofThackeray’snature.TheLettersmustopenalleyesthatarenotwilfullyclosed，andshouldatlastovercomeeveryprejudice.
IntheLettersweseeamanliterallyhungeringandthirstingafteraffection，afterlove——amancutoffbyacruelstrokeoffatefromhisnaturalsolace，fromthecentreofahome.
\"Godtookfrommealadydear，\"
hesays，inthemosttouchingmedleyofdoggerelandpoetry，made\"insteadofwritingmyPunchthismorning.\"Losing\"aladydear，\"
hetakesrefugeashemay，hefindscomfortashecan，inalltheaffectionswithinhisreach，inthesocietyofanoldcollegefriendandofhiswife，intheloveofallchildren，beginningwithhisown;inagenerouslikingforallgoodworkandforallgoodfellows.
DidanymanoflettersexceptScotteverwriteofhisrivalsasThackeraywroteofDickens？Artistsareajealousrace.\"Potterhatespotter，andpoethatespoet，\"asHesiodsaidsolongago.
Thisjealousyisnotmereenvy，itisreallyastrongsenseofhowthingsoughttobedone，inanyart，touchedwithanaturalpreferenceforaman’sownwayofdoingthem.Now，whatcouldbemoreunlikethanthe\"ways\"ofDickensandThackeray？Thesubjectschosenbythesegreatauthorsarenotmorediversethantheirstyles.Thackeraywriteslikeascholar，notinthenarrowsense，butratherasastudentandamasterofalltherefinementsandresourcesoflanguage.Dickenscopiesthechaffofthestreet，orheroamsintomelodramatics，\"dropsintopoetry\"——blankverseatleast——andtouchesallwithpeculiarities，wemightsaymannerisms，ofhisown.Ihaveoftenthought，andeventriedtoactonthethought，thatsomeamusingimaginarylettersmightbewritten，fromcharactersofDickensaboutcharactersofThackeray，fromcharactersofThackerayaboutcharactersofDickens.Theymightbesupposedtomeeteachotherinsociety，anddescribeeachother.CanyounotfancyCaptainCostiganonDickSwiveller，BlancheAmoryonAgnes，PenonDavidCopperfield，andthat\"tiger\"Steerforth？Whatwouldthefamilysolicitorof\"TheNewcomes\"havetosayofMr.