ThuswereallymustnotbedeludedbytheprofessionsofMr.
Kingsley’ssentimentalbuccaneer，withhispityfor\"theIndianfolkofold.\"
ExceptDenisScott，aworthybanditinhisday，CaptainHenryMorganisthefirstrenownedBritishbuccaneer.HewasayoungWelshman，who，afterhavingbeensoldasaslaveinBarbadoes，becameasailoroffortune.WithaboutfourhundredmenheassailedPuertoBello.
\"Ifournumberissmall，\"hesaid，\"ourheartsaregreat，\"andsoheassailedthethirdcityandplaceofarmswhichSpainthenpossessedintheWestIndies.Theentranceoftheharbourwasprotectedbytwostrongcastles，judgedas\"almostimpregnable，\"whileMorganhadnoartilleryofanyavailagainstfortresses.MorganhadthelucktocaptureaSpanishsoldier，whomhecompelledtoparleywiththegarrisonofthecastle.Thishestormedandblewup，massacringallitsdefenders，whilewithitsgunshedisarmedthesisterfortress.
Whenallbutdefeatedinanewassault，thesightoftheEnglishcoloursanimatedhimafresh.Hemadethecaptivemonksandnunscarrythescalingladders;inthisunwontedexploitthepoorreligiousfolklostmanyoftheirnumbers.Thewallwasmounted，thesoldiersweredefeated，thoughtheGovernorfoughtlikeaSpaniardoftheoldschool，slewmanypirateswithhisownhand，andpistolledsomeofhisownmenforcowardice.Hediedathispost，refusingquarter，andfallinglikeagentlemanofSpain.Morgan，too，wasnotwantinginfortitude：heextorted100，000pieces—of—
eightfromtheGovernorofPanama，andsenthimapistolasasampleofthegunwherewithhetooksogreatacity.HeaddedthathewouldreturnandtakethispistoloutofPanama;norwashelessgoodthanhisword.InCubahedivided250，000pieces—of—eight，andagreatbootyinothertreasure.Afewweekssawitallinthehandsofthetavern—keepersandwomenoftheplace.
Morgan’snextperformancewasanewsackofMaracaibo，nowmuchstrongerthanL’Olonnoishadfoundit.Afterthemostappallingcruelties，notfittobetold，hereturned，passingthecastlesatthemouthoftheportbyaningeniousstratagem.Runningboatloadafterboatloadofmentothelandside，hebroughtthembackbystealth，leadingthegarrisontoexpectanattackfromthatquarter.
Thegunsweremassedtolandward，andnosoonerwasthisdonethanMorgansailedupthroughthechannelwithbutlittleloss.WhytheSpaniardsdidnotclosethepassagewithaboomdoesnotappear.
ProbablytheyweregladtobequitofMorganonanyterms.
AgreatSpanishfleetheroutedbytheingeniousemploymentofafire—ship.Inalaterexpeditionastrongplacewastakenbyacuriousaccident.Oneofthebuccaneerswasshotthroughthebodywithanarrow.Hedrewitout，wrappeditincotton，fireditfromhismusket，andsosetlighttoaroofandburnedthetown.
HisraidonPanamawasextraordinaryfortheenduranceofhismen.
Fordaystheylivedontheleatherofbottlesandbelts.\"Some，whowereneveroutoftheirmothers’kitchens，mayaskhowthesepiratescouldeatanddigestthesepiecesofleather，sohardanddry？WhomIanswer——thatcouldtheyonceexperiencewhathunger，orratherfamineis，theywouldfindtheway，asthepiratesdid.\"ItwasatthecloseofthismarchthattheIndiansdrovewildbullsamongthem;buttheycaredverylittleforthesenewalliesoftheSpaniards：beef，inanyform，wasonlytoowelcome.
MorganburnedthefaircedarhousesofPanama，butlosttheplateshipwithallthegoldandsilveroutofthechurches.Howhetorturedapoorwretchwhochancedtowearapairoftaffetytrousersbelongingtohismaster，withasmallsilverkeyhangingout，itisbetternottorepeat.Themenonlygottwohundredpieces—of—eighteach，afteralltheirtoil，fortheirWelshmanwasindeedathief，andbilkedhiscrews，nolessthanheplunderedtheSpaniards，withoutremorse.Finally，hesneakedawayfromthefleetwithashiportwo;anditistobefearedthatCaptainMorganmaderatheragoodthingbydintofhisincrediblecrueltyandvillainy.
AndsoweleaveMr.Esquemeling，whomCaptainMorganalsodeserted;
forwhowouldlingerlongwhenthereisnotevenhonouramongthieves？Alluringasthepirate’sprofessionis，wemustnotforgetthatithadaseamyside，andwasbynomeansallrumandpieces—of—
eight.Andthereissomethingrepulsivetoagenerousnatureinroastingmenbecausetheywillnotshowyouwheretostealhogs.
THESAGAS
\"Thegeneralreader，\"saysafrankcritic，\"hatestheverynameofaSaga.\"Thegeneralreader，inthatcase，istobepitied，and，ifpossible，converted.But，justasPascaladmitsthatthescepticcanonlybecomereligiousbylivingasifheWEREreligious——bystupefyinghimself，asPascalplainlyputsit，withholywater——soitistobefearedthatthereisbutasinglewayofwinningoverthegeneralreadertotheSagas.Preachingandexample，asinthisbriefessay，willnotavailwithhim.HemusttakePascal’sadvice，andliveforanhourortwoasifhewerealoverofSagas.Hemust，inbrief，givethatoldliteratureafairchance.Hehasnowhisopportunity：Mr.WilliamMorrisandMr.EirikrMagnussonarepublishingaseriesofcheaptranslations——cheaponlyincoinoftherealm——aSagaLibrary.Ifageneralreadertriesthefirsttaleinthefirstvolume，storyof\"HowardtheHalt，\"——ifhetriesithonestly，andstillcanmakenowaywithit，thenlethimtakecomfortinthedoctrineofInvincibleIgnorance.Lethimgobacktohisfavouriteliteratureofgossipingreminiscence，orofrealisticnovels.Wehaveall，probably，adropoftheNorthmen’sbloodinus，butinthatgeneralreaderthebloodisdormant.
WhatisaSaga？Itisneitherquiteapieceofhistorynorwhollyaromance.Itisaveryoldstoryofthingsandadventuresthatreallyhappened，buthappenedsolongago，andintimessosuperstitious，thatmarvelsandmiraclesfoundtheirwayintothelegend.ThebestSagasarethoseofIceland，andthose，intranslations，arethefinestreadingthatthenaturalmancandesire.Ifyouwanttruepicturesoflifeandcharacter，whicharealwaysthesameatbottom，ortruepicturesofmanners，whicharealwayschanging，andofstrangecustomsandlostbeliefs，intheSagastheyaretobefound.Orifyouliketalesofenterprise，offightingbylandandsea，fightingwithmenandbeasts，withstormsandghostsandfiends，theSagasarefullofthisentertainment.
ThestoriesofwhichwearespeakingwerefirsttoldinIceland，perhapsfrom950to1100B.C.WhenNorwayandSwedenwerestillheathen，athousandyearsago，theywerepossessedbyfamiliesofnoblebirth，owningnomaster，andoftenatwarwitheachother，whenthemenwerenotsailingtheseas，torobandkillinScotland，England，France，Italy，andawayeastasfarasConstantinople，orfarther.Thoughtheywerewildsearobbersandwarriors，theyweresturdyfarmers，greatshipbuilders;everymanofthem，howeverwealthy，couldbehisowncarpenter，smith，shipwright，andploughman.Theyforgedtheirowngoodshortswords，hammeredtheirownarmour，ploughedtheirownfields.Inshort，theylivedlikeOdysseus，theheroofHomer，andwereequallyskilledintheartsofwarandpeace.Theyweremightylawyers，too，andhadamostcuriousandminutesystemoflawsonallsubjects——land，marriage，murder，trade，andsoforth.Theselawswerenotwritten，thoughthepeoplehadakindofletterscalledrunes.Buttheydidnotusethemmuchfordocuments，butmerelyforcarvinganameonasword—
blade，oratombstone，orongreatgoldringssuchastheyworeontheirarms.Thusthelawsexistedinthememoryandjudgmentoftheoldestandwisestandmostrighteousmenofthecountry.Themostimportantwasthelawofmurder.Ifonemanslewanother，hewasnottriedbyajury，butanyrelationofthedeadkilledhim\"atsight，\"whereverhefoundhim.EveninanEarl’shall，KaristrucktheheadoffoneofhisfriendNjal’sBurners，andtheheadboundedontheboard，amongthetrenchersofmeatandthecupsofmeadorale.Butitwaspossible，iftherelationsofaslainmanconsented，fortheslayertopayhisprice——everymanwasvaluedatsomuch——andthenrevengewasnottaken.But，asarule，onerevengecalledforanother.SayHrutslewHrap，thenAtlislewHrut，andGislislewAtli，andKarislewGisli，andsoontillperhapstwowholefamilieswereextinctandtherewaspeace.Thegodswerenotoffendedbymanslaughteropenlydone，butwereangrywithtreachery，cowardice，meanness，theft，perjury，andeverykindofshabbiness.
ThiswasthestateofaffairsinNorwaywhenakingarose，HaroldFair—Hair，whotriedtobringalltheseproudpeopleunderhim，andtomakethempaytaxesandlivemoreregularlyandquietly.Theyrevoltedatthis，andwhentheyweretooweaktodefythekingtheysetsailandfledtoIceland.Thereinthelonelynorth，betweenthesnowandfire，thehot—watersprings，thevolcanoofHecla，thegreatriversfullofsalmonthatrushdownsuchfallsasGoldenFoot，theretheylivedtheirold—fashionedlife，cruisingaspiratesandmerchants，takingforeignserviceatMickleGarth，orinEnglandorEgypt，fillingtheworldwiththesoundoftheirswordsandtheskywiththesmokeoftheirburnings.FortheyfearedneitherGodnormannorghost，andwerenolesscruelthanbrave;thebestofsoldiers，laughingatdeathandtorture，liketheZulus，whoareakindofblackVikingsofAfrica.Onsomeofthem\"Bersark’sgang\"
wouldfall——thatis，theywouldbecomeinawaymad，slayingallandsundry，bitingtheirshields，andpossessedwithafuriousstrengthbeyondthatofmen，whichleftthemasweakaschildrenwhenitpassedaway.TheseBersarkswereoutlaws，allmen’senemies，andtokillthemwasreckonedagreatadventure，andagooddeed.Thewomenwereworthyofthemen——bold，quarrelsome，revengeful.Somewereloyal，likeBergthora，whoforesawhowallhersonsandherhusbandweretobeburned;butwhowouldnotleavethem，andperishedintheburningwithoutacry.SomewereasbraveasHoward’swife，whoenabledherhusband，oldandchildless，tooverthrowthewealthybully，theslayerofhisonlyson.Someweretreacherous，asHalgerdatheFair.Threehusbandsshehad，andwasthedeathofeverymanofthem.HerlastlordwasGunnarofLithend，thebravestandmostpeacefulofmen.Onceshedidameanthing，andheslappedherface.Sheneverforgavehim.Atlastenemiesbesiegedhiminhishouse.Thedoorswerelocked——allwasquietwithin.Oneoftheenemiesclimbeduptoawindowslit，andGunnarthrusthimthroughwithhislance.\"IsGunnarathome？\"saidthebesiegers.\"Iknownot——buthislanceis，\"saidthewoundedman，anddiedwiththatlastjestonhislips.ForlongGunnarkeptthematbaywithhisarrows，butatlastoneofthemcutthearrowstring.\"Twistmeastringwiththyhair，\"hesaidtohiswife，Halgerda，whoseyellowhairwasverylongandbeautiful.\"Isitamatterofthylifeordeath？\"sheasked.\"Ay，\"hesaid.\"ThenI
rememberthatblowthougavestme，andIwillseethydeath.\"SoGunnardied，overcomebynumbers，andtheykilledSamr，hishound，butnotbeforeSamrhadkilledaman.
Sotheylivedalwayswithswordoraxeinhand——sotheylived，andfought，anddied.
ThenChristianitywasbroughttothemfromNorwaybyThangbrand，andifanymansaidhedidnotbelieveawordofit，Thangbrandhadtheschoolboyargument，\"Willyoufight？\"Sotheyfoughtaduelonaholmorisland，thatnobodymightinterfere——holm—gangtheycalledit——andThangbrandusuallykilledhisman.InNorway，SaintOlafdidthelike，killingandtorturingthosewhoheldbytheoldgods——
Thor，Odin，andFreya，andtherest.So，partlybyforceandpartlybecausetheyweresomewhattiredofbloodshed，horsefights，andtherest，theyreceivedthewordofthewhiteChristandwerebaptised，andlivedbywrittenlaw，anddidnotavengethemselvesbytheirownhands.
TheywereChristiansnow，buttheydidnotforgettheoldtimes，theoldfeudsandfightingsandBersarks，anddealingswithghosts，andwithdeadbodiesthataroseandwroughthorriblethings，hauntinghousesandstranglingmen.TheIcelandicghostswereable—bodied，well\"materialised，\"andGrettirandOlafHoward’ssonfoughtthemwithstrengthofarmandedgeofsteel.TRUEstoriesoftheancientdaysweretoldatthefiresideintheendlesswinternightsbystorytellersorScalds.Itwasthoughtasinforanyonetoaltertheseoldstories，butasgenerationspassedmoreandmorewonderfulmatterscameintothelegend.ItwasbelievedthatthedeadGunnar，thefamedarcher，sangwithinhiscairnor\"Howe，\"themoundwhereinhewasburied，andhisfamousbillorcuttingspearwassaidtohavebeenmadebymagic，andtosinginthenightbeforethewoundingofmenandthewakingofwar.Peoplewerethoughttobe\"second—
sighted\"——thatis，tohavepropheticvision.ThenightwhenNjal’shousewasburnedhiswifesawallthemeatonthetable\"onegoreofblood，\"justasinHomertheprophetTheoclymenusbeheldbloodfallingingoutsfromthewalls，beforetheslayingoftheWooers.
TheValkyries，theChoosersoftheslain，andtheNornswhowovethefatesofmenataghastlyloomwereseenbylivingeyes.InthegraveswheretreasureswerehoardedtheBarrowwightsdwelt，ghoststhatweresentinelsoverthegold：witchwiveschangedthemselvesintowolvesandothermonstrousanimals，andformanyweekstheheroesSignyandSinfjotliranwildintheguiseofwolves.
TheseandmanyothermarvelscreptintotheSagas，andmadethelistenersfeelashudderofcoldbesidethegreatfirethatburnedinthecentreoftheskaliorhallwherethechiefsat，givingmeatanddrinktoallwhocame，wherethewomenspanandtheSagamantoldthetalesoflongago.Finally，attheendofthemiddleages，theseSagaswerewrittendowninIcelandic，andinLatinoccasionally，andmanyofthemhavebeentranslatedintoEnglish.
Unluckily，thesetranslationshavehithertobeenexpensivetobuy，andwerenotalwaystobehadeasily.Forthewiseworld，whichreadsnewspapersalldayandhalfthenight，doesnotcaremuchforbooks，stilllessforgoodbooks，leastofallforoldbooks.YoucanmakenomoneyoutofreadingSagas：theyhavenothingtosayaboutstocksandshares，noraboutPrimeMinistersandpolitics.
Norwilltheyamuseaman，ifnothingamuseshimbutaccountsofracesandmurders，orgossipaboutMrs.Nokes’snewnovel，Mrs.
Stokes’snewdresses，orLadyJones’sdiamonds.TheSagasonlytellhowbravemen——ofourownbloodverylikely——lived，andloved，andfought，andvoyaged，anddied，beforetherewasmuchreadingorwriting，whentheysailedwithoutsteam，travelledwithoutrailways，andwarredhand—to—hand，notwithhiddendynamiteandsunktorpedoes.But，forstoriesofgallantlifeandhonestpurpose，theSagasareamongthebestintheworld.
OfSagasinEnglishoneofthebestisthe\"Volsunga，\"thestoryoftheNiflungsandVolsungs.Thisbook，thankstoMr.WilliamMorris，canbeboughtforashilling.Itisastrangetaleinwhichgodshavetheirparts，thetaleofthatoldestTreasureHunt，theHuntforthegoldofthedwarfAndvari.Thiswasguardedbytheserpent，Fafnir，whohadoncebeenaman，andwhowaskilledbytheheroSigurd.ButAndvarihadcursedthegold，becausehisenemiesrobbedhimofittotheverylastring，andhadnopity.ThenthebraveSigurdwasinvolvedintheevilluck.Heitwaswhorodethroughthefire，andwokethefairenchantedBrynhild，theShield—maiden.
Andshelovedhim，andheher，withalltheirhearts，alwaystothedeath.Butbyillfateshewasmarriedtoanotherman，Sigurd’schieffriend，andSigurdtoanotherwoman.Andthewomenfelltojealousyandquarrellingaswomenwill，andtheydraggedthefriendsintothefeud，andonemanslayingafteranotherbefell，tillthatgreatmurderofmenintheHallofAtli，theKing.Thecursecameononeandallofthem——acurseofblood，andofevilloves，andofwitchworkdestroyinggoodandbad，allfearless，andallfalleninoneredruin.
The\"VolsungaSaga\"hasthisuniqueandunparalleledinterest，thatitgivesthespectacleofthehighestepicgenius，strugglingoutofsavageryintocompleteandfreeandconscioushumanity.Itisamarkofthesavageintellectnottodiscriminateabruptlybetweenmanandtheloweranimals.Inthetalesofthelowerpeoples，thecharactersarejustasoftenbeastsasmenandwomen.Now，intheearlierandwilderpartsofthe\"VolsungaSaga，\"ottersanddragonsplayhumanparts.Signyandhisson，andthemotheroftheirenemy，putontheskinsofwolves，becomewolves，andpassthroughhideousadventures.Thestoryreekswithblood，andravinswithlustofblood.ButwhenSigurdarrivesatfullyearsofmanhood，thebarbarismyieldsplace，theSagabecomeshumanandconscious.
Theselegendsdeallittlewithlove.Butinthe\"VolsungaSaga\"thepermanentinterestisthetrueanddeathlessloveofSigurdandBrynhild：theirseparationbymagicarts，therevivaloftheirpassiontoolate，theman’sresignedandheroicacquiescence，thefiercerpassionofthewoman，whowillneitherbearherfatenoracceptherblissatthepriceofhonourandherplightedword.
Thesituation，thenodus，isneitherancientmerelynormodernmerely，butofalltime.Sigurd，havingatlastdiscoveredthenetinwhichhewastrapped，wascontenttomakethebestofmarriageandoffriendship.Brynhildwasnot.\"Theheartsofwomenaretheheartsofwolves，\"saystheancientSanskritcommentaryontheRigVeda.Buttheshe—wolf’sheartbroke，likeawoman’s，whenshehadcausedSigurd’sslaying.Bothmanandwomanfacelife，astheyconceiveit，witheyesperfectlyclear.
Themagicandthesupernaturalwilesareaccidental，thehumanheartisessentialandeternal.ThereisnoscenelikethisintheepicsofGreece.ThisisapassionthatHomerdidnotdwellupon.IntheIliadandOdysseytherepentanceofHelenisfacile;shetakeslifeeasily.Clytemnestraisnotbroughtonthestagetospeakforherself.InthisrespecttheepicoftheNorth，withoutthecharmandthedelightfulnessoftheSouthernepic，excelsit;inthisandinacertainbareveracity，butinnothingelse.WecannotputtheGermaniclegendontheleveloftheGreek，forvariety，formany—
sidedwisdom，forchangingbeautyofathousandcolours.Butinthisonepassionoflovethe\"VolsungaSaga\"excelstheIliad.
TheGreekandtheNorthernstoriesarealikeinonething.Fateisall—powerfulovergodsandmen.OdincannotsaveBalder;norThetis，Achilles;norZeus，Sarpedon.ButintheSagasfateismoreconstantlypresenttothemind.Muchisthoughtofbeing\"lucky，\"
or\"unlucky.\"Howard’s\"goodluck\"istobereadinhisfacebythewise，evenwhen，tothecommongaze，heseemsahalf—paralyticdotard，dyingofgriefandage.
FateandevilluckdogtheheroesoftheSagas.Theyseldom\"endwell，\"aspeoplesay，——unless，whenabravemanliesdowntodieonthebedhehasstrewnofthebodiesofhisfoes，youcallTHAT
endingwell.SodiedGrettirtheStrong.Evenfromaboyhewasstrongandpassionate，shortoftemper，quickofstroke，butloyal，brave，andalwaysunlucky.HisworstluckbeganafterheslewGlam.
ThisGlamwasawickedheathenherdsman，whowouldnotfastonChristmasEve.Soonthehillshisdeadbodywasfound，swollenasgreatasanox，andasblueasdeath.
Whatkilledhimtheydidnotknow.Buthehauntedthefarmhouse，ridingtheroof，kickingthesideswithhisheels，killingcattleanddestroyingallthings.ThenGrettircamethatway，andhesleptinthehall.AtnightthedeadGlamcamein，andGrettirarose，andtoittheywent，strugglinganddashingthefurnituretobits.GlamevendraggedGrettirtothedoor，thathemightslayhimunderthesky，andforallhisforceGrettiryieldedground.ThenontheverythresholdhesuddenlygavewaywhenGlamwaspullinghardest，andtheyfell，Glamundermost.ThenGrettirdrewtheshortsword，\"Kari’sloom，\"thathehadtakenfromahauntedgrave，andstabbedthedeadthingthathadlivedagain.But，asGlamlaya—dyingintheseconddeath，themoonfellonhisawfuleyes，andGrettirsawthehorrorofthem，andfromthathourhecouldnotenduretobeinthedark，andheneverdaredtogoalone.Thiswashisdeath，forhehadanevilcompanionwhobetrayedhimtohisenemies;butwhentheysetonGrettir，thoughhewastiredandsickofawound，manydiedwithhim.NomandiedlikeGrettirtheStrong，norslewsomanyinhisdeath.
BesidesthoseSagas，thereisthebestofall，butthelongest，\"Njala\"（pronounced\"Nyoula\"），thestoryofBurntNjal.Thatistoolongtosketchhere，butittellshow，throughthehardheartsandjealousyofwomen，ruincameatlastonthegentleGunnar，andtherecklessSkarphedinoftheaxe，\"TheOgressofWar，\"andhowNjal，thewisest，themostpeaceful，themostrighteousofmen，wasburnedwithallhishouse，andhowthatevildeedwasavengedontheBurnersofKari.
ThesiteofNjal’shouseisyettobeseen，aftertheseninehundredyears，andthelittleglenwhereKarihidwhenheleapedthroughthesmokeandtheflamethatmadehissword—bladeblue.Yes，theveryblacksandthatBergthoraandhermaidsthrewonthefireliesthereyet，andremnantsofthewheytheycastontheflames，whenwaterfailedthem.TheywerestilltherebeneaththeearthwhenanEnglishtravellerdugupsomeofthegroundlastyear，anditissaidthatanAmericangentlemanfoundagoldringinthehouseofNjal.Thestoryofhimandofhisbravesons，andofhisslaves，andofhiskindred，andofQueensandKingsofNorway，andofthecomingofthewhiteChrist，areallinthe\"Njala.\"ThatandtheotherSagaswouldbearbeingshortenedforgeneralreaders;oncetheywereallthatthepeoplehadbywayofbooks，andtheylikedthemlong.But，shortenedornot，theyarebravebooksformen，fortheworldisaplaceofbattlestill，andlifeiswar.Theseoldheroesknewit，anddidnotshirkit，butfoughtitout，andlefthonourablenamesandaglorythatwidensyearbyyear.ForthestoryofNjalandGunnarandSkarphedinwastoldbyCaptainSpeedytotheguardsofTheodore，KingofAbyssinia.Theylikeditwell;
andwithqueeralterednamesandchangesofthetale，thatSagawillbetoldinAbyssinia，andthencecarriedallthroughAfricawherewhitemenhaveneverwandered.Sowide，solong—enduringarenowncouldbegivenbyanamelessSagaman.
CHARLESKINGSLEY
WhenIwasveryyoung，adistinguishedReviewwasstillyounger.I
rememberreadingoneoftheearliestnumbers，beingthenmyselfaboyoften，andcomingonareviewofanovel.Never，asitseemedtome，orseemstomymemory，wasapoornovelmoreheavilyhandled：
andyetIfeltthatthebookmustbeabooktoreadontheveryearliestopportunity.Itwas\"WestwardHo！\"themostfamous，andperhapsthebestnovel，ofCharlesKingsley.Oftenonehasreaditsince，anditisanexampleofthoselarge，rich，well—fedromances，atwhichyoucancutandcomeagain，asitwere，layingitdown，andtakingituponoccasion，withthecertaintyofbeingexcited，amused——andpreachedat.
LatelyIhavere—read\"WestwardHo！\"andsomeofKingsley’sotherbooks，\"Hypatia，\"\"HerewardtheWake，\"andthepoems，overagain.
Theoldpleasureinthemisnotgoneindeed，butitismodified.
OnemustbeaboytothinkKingsleyahumourist.Attheageoftwelveortenyoutakethecomicpassageswhichheconscientiouslyprovides，withoutbeingvexedoroffended;youtakethemmerelyinthewayofbusiness.Betterthingsarecoming：struggleswiththeInquisition，stormsatsea，duels，theArmada，wanderingsintheLotuslandofthetropicalwest;andforthesakeofallthisaboyputsupgood—naturedlywithKingsley’shumour.PerhapsheevengrinsoverAmyas\"buryingalternatelyhisfaceinthepastyandthepastyinhisface，\"orhetriestofeeldivertedbytheElizabethanwaggeriesofFrank.Butthereisnofuninthem——theyaremechanical;theyareworsethanthehumoursofScott’sSirPercyShafto，whicharenotfine.
Thesamesenseofeverythingnotbeingquitesoexcellentasonerememberedithauntsonein\"HerewardtheWake，theLastoftheEnglish.\"Kingsleycallshim\"theLastoftheEnglish，\"butheisreallythefirstoftheliteraryVikings.IntheessayontheSagashereIhavetriedtoshow，veryimperfectly，whattheNorsemenwereactuallylike.TheycaughtKingsley’sfancy，andhis\"Hereward，\"
thoughbornonEnglishsoil，isreallyNorse——notEnglish.ButKingsleydidnotwriteabouttheVikings，norabouthisElizabethanheroesin\"WestwardHo！\"inaperfectlysimple，straightforwardway.
Hewasalwaysthinkingofourowntimesandreferringtothem.ThatiswhyeventheratherruffianlyHerewardissogreatanenemyofsaintsandmonks.Thatiswhy，in\"Hypatia\"（whichopenssowell），wehavethoseprodigiouslydull，stupid，pedantic，andconceitedreflectionsofRaphaelBenEzra.Thatiswhy，inallKingsley’snovels，heisperpetuallyexcitinghimselfindefenceofmarriageandthefamilylife，asifanymonkishideasabouttheblessednessofbachelorhoodwereeverlikelytodrivethegreatAnglo—Saxonraceintoconventsandmonasteries.Thatistheverylastthingwehavetobeafraidof;butKingsleywasafraidofit，andwaseternallyattackingeverythingPopishandmonkish.
Boysandyoungpeople，then，canread\"WestwardHo！\"and\"Hypatia，\"
and\"HerewardtheWake，\"withfarmorepleasurethantheirelders.
Theyhurryonwiththeadventures，anddonotstoptoaskwhatthemoralisingsmean.TheyforgivethehumourofKingsleybecauseitiswellmeant.Theyget，inshort，therealgoodofthisreallygreatandnobleandmanlyandblunderinggenius.Theytakepleasureinhisloveofstrongmen，gallantfights，desperateencounterswithhumanfoes，withragingseas，withpestilence，orinhauntedforests.Forinallthatisgoodofhistalent——inhiscourage，hisfrankspeech，hisloveofsport，hiscleareyes，hisdevotiontofieldandwood，river，moor，sea，andstorms——Kingsleyisaboy.Hehasthebrave，ratherhasty，andnotoverwell—informedenthusiasmofsixteen，forpersonsandforcauses.Hesawanopponent（itmightbeFatherNewman）：hisheartlustedforafight;hecalledhisopponentnames，hethrewhiscapintothering，hetookhiscoatoff，hefought，hegotaterriblescientificdrubbing.Itwaslikeasixth—formboymatchinghimselfagainstthechampion.Andthenheborenomalice.Hetookhisdefeatbravely.Nay，arewenotleftwithaconfusedfeelingthathewasnotfarinthewrong，thoughhehadsomuchtheworseofthefight？
SuchwasKingsley：amanwithaboy’sheart;ahaterofcrueltyandinjustice，andalsowithabrave，indomitablebeliefthathisowncountryandhisowncauseweregenerallyintheright，whateverthequarrel.HelovedEnglandlikeamistress，andhatedherenemies，SpainandthePope，thougheveninthemhesawthegood.HeisforeverscoldingtheSpanishfortheircrueltiestotheIndians，buthedefendsourdoingstotheIrish，which（atthattime）wereneithermorenorlessoppressivethantheSpanishperformancesinAmerica.
\"Goit，ourside！\"youalwayshearthisgoodKingsleycrying;andone’sheartgoesouttohimforit，inanagewheneverybodyoftenproveshisowncountrytobeinthewrong.
Simple，brave，resolute，manly，alittlegivento\"robustiousness，\"
Kingsleytransfiguredallthesequalitiesbypossessingthesoulandtheheartofapoet.Hewasnotaverygreatpoet，indeed，butatruepoet——oneoftheverysmallbandwhoarecutoff，byagulfthatcanneverbepassed，frommerewritersofverse，howeverclever，educated，melodious，ingenious，amiable，andrefined.Hehadtherealsparkoffire，thetruenote;thoughthesparkmightseldombreakintoflame，andthenotewasnotalwaysclear.Neverletusconfusetruepoetswithwritersofverse，stilllesswithwritersof\"poeticprose.\"Kingsleywroteagreatdealofthat—
perhapstoomuch：hisdescriptionsofscenesarenotalwaysasgoodasinHereward’srideroundtheFens，orwhenthetall，SpanishgalleonstaggersfromtherevengeofmantothevengeanceofGod，toherdoomthroughthemist，toherrestinthesea.Perhapsonlyapoetcouldhavewrittenthatprose;itiscertainnowriterof\"poeticprose\"couldhavewrittenKingsley’spoems.
Hissongsarehisbestthings;theyreallyaresongs，notmerelylyricpoems.Theyhavethemeritofbeingtrulypopular，whethertheyareromantic，like\"TheSandso’Dee，\"whichactuallyreproducesthebestqualitiesoftheoldballad;orwhethertheyarepathetic，likethe\"Doll’sSong，\"in\"WaterBabies\";orwhethertheyattackanabuse，asinthesongof\"TheMerryBrownHares\";orwhethertheysoarhigher，asin\"Deep，deepLove，withinthineownabyssabiding\";orwhethertheyaremerenoblenonsense，asin\"LorraineLoree\"：—
\"ShemasteredyoungVindictive;oh，thegallantlasswasshe，Andkepthimstraightandwontherace，asnearasnearcouldbe;
Buthekilledheratthebrookagainstapollardwillowtree;
Oh，hekilledheratthebrook，thebrute，foralltheworldtosee，AndnoonebutthebabycriedforpoorLorraineLoree.\"
ThetruthaboutCharlesKingsleyseemstobethatherathermadeabraveandcheerynoiseinthisnight—battleofmodernlife，thanthathedirectedanymovementofforces.Hekeptcheering，asitwere，andwavinghisswordwithacontagiousenthusiasm.Beingapoet，andamanbothofheartandofsentiment，hewasequallyattachedtothebestthingsoftheoldworldandtothebestofthenewworld，asfarasonecanforecastwhatitistobe.HelovedthestatelyhomesofEngland，theancientgraduatedorderofsociety，thesportsofthepast，themilitarytriumphs，thepatrioticglories.Buthewasalsoonthesideofthepoor：as\"ParsonLot\"heattemptedtobeaChristianSocialist.
Now，theSocialistsarethepeoplewhowanttotakeeverything;theChristiansarethepersonswhodonotwanttogivemorethantheyfindconvenient.Kingsleyhimselfwasreadytogive，anddidgive，histime，hislabour，hishealth，andprobablyhismoney，tothepoor.ButhewasbynomeansmindedthattheyshouldswallowuptheoldEnglandwithchurchandcastle，manor—houseandtower，wealth，beauty，learning，refinement.Themanwhowrote\"AltonLocke，\"thestoryofthestarvedtailor—poet，wasthemanwhonearlyweptwhenheheardafoxbark，andreflectedthatthedaysoffox—huntingwerenumbered.Hehadapoet’spolitics，ColonelNewcome’spolitics.HewasforEngland，forthepoor，fortherich，forthestoriedhousesofthechivalrouspast，forthecottage，forthehall;andwasdeadagainsttheideasofManchester，andofMr.JohnBright.\"Myfather，\"hesaysinaletter，\"wouldhaveputhishandtoaspadeoranaxewithanyman，andsocouldIprettywell，too，whenIwasinmyprime;andmyeldestsonisnowworkingwithhisownhandsatfarming，previoustoemigratingtoSouthAmerica，wherehewilldothedrudgeryofhisowncattle—pensandsheepfolds;andifIweretwenty—fourandunmarriedIwouldgoouttheretoo，andworklikeanEnglishman，andlivebythesweatofmybrow.\"
ThiswastherightsideofhisloveoftheVikings;itwasthusTHEY
lived，whennotatwar——thusthateverygentlemanwhohasyouthandhealthshouldwork，winningnewworldsforhisclass，inplaceofthismiserable，over—crowded，brawlingEngland.This，Ithink，was，orshouldhavebeen，thereallessonandmessageofKingsleyforthegenerationstocome.LikeScottthescionofanoldknightlyline，hehadthatdropofwildbloodwhichdrivesmenfromtownintotheairandthedesert，wherevertherearesavagelandstoconquer，beaststohunt，andahardylifetobelived.Buthewasthesonofaclergyman，andaclergymanhimself.Thespiritthatshouldhavegoneintoactionwentintotalking，preaching，writing——allsourcesofgreatpleasuretothousandsofpeople，andsonotwasted.YetthesewerenotthenaturaloutletsofKingsley’slife：heshouldhavebeenasoldier，oranexplorer;atleast，wemaybelievethathewouldhavepreferredsuchfortune.Hedidhisbest，thebestheknew，anditisallonthesideofmanliness，courage，kindness.
Perhapshetriedtoomanythings——science，history，fairytales，religiousandpoliticaldiscussions，romance，poetry.Poetrywaswhathedidbest，romancenext;hisscienceandhishistoryareentertaining，butwithoutauthority.
This，whenonereadsitagain，seemsacold，unfriendlyestimateofamansoardentandsogenuine，awritersovivaciousandcourageousasKingsley.Eventheelderlyreviewerbearstohim，andtohisbrotherHenry，adebtheowestofewoftheirgeneration.ThetruthisweshouldREADKingsley;wemustnotcriticisehim.Wemustaccepthimandbegladofhim，asweacceptawindy，sunnyautumnday——beautifulandblusterous——tobeenjoyedandstruggledwith.Ifoncewestopandreflect，andhesitate，heseemstopreachtoomuch，andwithaconfidencewhichhisknowledgeoftheworldandofhistorydoesnotjustify.TobeatonewithKingsleywemustbeboysagain，andthatmomentarychangecannotbutbegoodforus.
Soonenough——toosoon——weshalldropbackonmanhood，andonallthedifficultiesanddragonsthatKingsleydroveawaybyablastonhischivalrousandcheeryhorn.
CHARLESLEVER：HISBOOKS，ADVENTURESANDMISFORTUNES
Surelyitisapleasantthingthattherearebooks，likeotherenjoyments，forallages.Youwouldnothaveaboypreferwhisttofives，nortobaccototoffee，norTolstoitoCharlesLever.TheancientsreckonedTyrtaecusafinepoet，notthathewasparticularlymelodiousorreflective，butthathegavemenhearttofightfortheircountry.CharlesLeverhasdoneasmuch.Inhisbiography，byMr.Fitzpatrick，itistoldthatawidowladyhadbutoneson，andforhimsheobtainedanappointmentatWoolwich.Theboywastimidandnervous，andshefanciedthatshemustfindforhimsomeotherprofession——perhapsthatofliterature.ButheonedaychancedonLever’snovels，andtheyputsomuchheartintohimthathischaracterquitealtered，andhebecamethebravestofthebrave.
Levermaynotdoasmuchforeveryone，buthedoesteachcontemptofdanger，orrather，delightinit：agay，spontaneous，boyishkindofcourage——Irishcourageatitsbest.Wemaygetmoregoodfromthatthanharmfromallhistalesofmuchpunchandmanydrinkingbouts.Thesearenolongerinfashionandarenotverygayreading，perhaps，buthisstoriesandsongs，hisduelsandbattlesandhuntingscenesareasmerryandasgoodasever.Wildastheyseeminthereading，theyarenotfarfromthetruth，asmaybegatheredoutof\"Barrington’sMemoirs，\"andtheirtalesoftherecklessIrishlifesomeeightyyearsago.
ThereweretwomeninCharlesLever——agladmanandasadman.Thegaietywasforhisyouth，whenhepouredouthis\"Lorrequers\"and\"O’Malleys，\"allthemirthandmemoriesofhisboyhood，allthetalesoffightingandfeastinghegleanedfrombattered，seasonedoldwarriors，likeMajorMonsoon.Eventhen，Mr.Thackeray，whoknewhim，andlikedandlaughedathim，recognisedthroughhismerriment\"thefundofsadnessbeneath.\"\"Theauthor’scharacterisNOThumour，butsentimentextremedelicacy，sweetnessandkindlinessofheart.Thespiritsaremostlyartificial，thefondissadness，asappearstometobethatofmostIrishwritingandpeople.\"Evenin\"CharlesO’Malley，\"whatatrue，darkpicturethatisoftheduelbesidethebroad，angryriveronthelevelwasteunderthewidegreysky！Charleshasshothisopponent，Bodkin，andwithConsidine，hissecond，ismakinghisescape.\"Considinecriedoutsuddenly，’Tooinfamous，byJove：wearemurderedmen！’\"
\"’Whatdoyoumean？’saidI.
\"’Don’tyouseethat？’saidhe，pointingtosomethingblackwhichfloatedfromapoleattheoppositesideoftheriver.
\"’Yes;whatisit？’
\"’It’shiscoatthey’veputuponanoar，toshowthepeoplehe’skilled——that’sall.Everymanhere’shistenant;andlookthere！
they’renotgivingusmuchdoubtastotheirintentions.’
\"Hereatremendousyellburstforthfromthemassofpeoplealongtheshore，which，risingtoaterrificcry，sankgraduallydowntoalowwailing，thenroseandfellseveraltimes，astheIrishdeath—
cryfilledtheair，androsetoheaven，asifimploringvengeanceonamurderer.\"
Passageslikethis，andthatwhichfollows——thedangerousvoyagethroughthestormonthefloodedShannon，andthroughthereefs——arewhatMr.ThackeraymayhavehadinhismindwhenhespokeofLever’sunderlyingmelancholy.Likeothermenwithveryhighspirits，hehadhoursofgloom，andthesadnessandthethoughtfulnessthatwereinhimcameforththenandinformedhislaterbooks.Thesearefarmorecarefullywritten，farmorecunninglyconstructed，thantheoldchapterswrittenfrommonthtomonthasthefittookhim，withnomoreplanorpremeditationthan\"Pickwick.\"Butitistheearlystoriesthatweremember，andthathelivesby——thepagesthrownoffataheat，whenhewasalivelydoctorwithfewpatients，andwasnotover—attentivetothem.ThesewerethedaysofHarryLorrequerandTomBurke;charactersthatranawaywithhim，andtooktheirownpaththroughamerryworldofdiversion.LiketheknightsinSirThomasMalory，theseheroes\"rideatadventure，\"rideamazinghorsesthatdreadnoleap，beitanIrishstonewallonamountaincrest，orbeitthebayonetsofaFrenchsquare.
Mr.Lever’sbiographerhasnotbeenwhollysuccessfulinpleasingthecritics，andhedoesnotseemtoaffectverycriticalairshimself，buthetellsastraightforwardtale.ThelifeofCharlesLeveristhenaturalcommentaryonhisnovels.HewasbornatDublinin1806，thesonofabuilderorarchitect.Atschoolhewasverymuchflogged，andtheoddsarethathedeservedtheseattentions，forhehadhighspiritsbeyondthepatienceofdominies.
Handsome，merryandclever，hereadnovelsinschoolhours，worearing，andsetupasadandy.Eventhenhewasinlovewiththeyoungladywhomhemarriedintheend.Atafightwithboysofanotherschool，heandafriendplacedamineunderthegroundoccupiedbytheenemy，andblewthem，moreorless，intotheair.
Manyaneyebrowwassingedoffonthatfatalday，when，fortheonlytime，thisromancerofthewars\"smelledpowder.\"Heafterwardspleadedforhispartybeforetheworthypolicemagistrate，andshowedgreatpromiseasabarrister.AtTrinityCollege，Dublin，hewasfullofhisfun，madeballads，sangthemthroughthestreetsindisguise（likeFergusson，theScottishpoet），andonenightcollectedthirtyshillingsincoppers.
TheoriginalofFrankWebber，in\"CharlesO’Malley，\"wasachumofhis，andhetookpartinthewonderfulpracticaljokeswhichhehasmadeimmortalinthatnovel.
FromTrinityCollege，Dublin，LeverwenttoGottingen，wherehefoundfunandfightingenoughamongtheGermanstudents.Fromthathourhebecameacitizenoftheworld，or，atleast，ofEurope，andperhaps，liketheprophets，wasmosthonouredwhenoutofhisowncountry.HereturnedtoDublinandtookhisdegreeinmedicine，afterplayingafamouspracticaljoke.Acertainmedicalprofessorwaswonttolectureinbed.Onenighthelefttownunexpectedly.
Lever，bychance，cameearlytolecture，foundtheProfessorabsent，slippedintohisbed，putonhisnightcap，andtooktheclasshimself.OnanotherdayhewasstandingoutsidetheFoundlingHospitalwithafriend，asmallman.Now，akindofstonecradleforfoundlingswasbuiltoutsidethedoor，and，whenababywasplacedtherein，abellrang.Leverlifteduphisfriend，poppedhimintothecradle，andhadthejoyofseeingthepromisinginfantpickedoutbytheporter.
Itseemsaqueereducationforamanofletters;but，likeSirWalterScottwhenrevellinginLiddesdale，he\"wasmakinghimselfallthetime.\"Hewascollectingmyriadsofoddexperiencesandtreasuresofanecdotes;hewaslearningtoknowmenofallsorts;
andlater，asacountrydoctor，hehadexperiencesofmesstables，ofhunting，andofallthewaysofhisremarkablecountrymen.Whencholeravisitedhisdistricthestucktohisworklikeamanofheartandcourage.Buttheusualtasksofacountrydoctorweariedhim;heneglectedthem，hebecameunpopularwiththeauthorities，hemarriedhisfirstloveandreturnedtoBrussels，wherehepractisedasaphysician.Hehadalreadybegunhisfirstnotablebook，\"HarryLorrequer，\"intheUniversityMagazine.ItismerelyastringofIrishandotherstories，good，bad，andindifferent——apicturegalleryfullofportraitsofpriests，soldiers，peasantsandoddcharacters.Theplotisofnoimportance;wearenotinterestedinHarry’sloveaffairs，butinhisscrapes，adventures，duelsathomeandabroad.Hefightspeoplebymistakewhomhedoesnotknowbysight，heappearsonparadewithhisfaceblackened，hewinslargepilesattrenteetquarante，hedisposesofcoopersofclaretandbowlsofpunch，andthesheeponathousandhillsprovidehimwithdevilledkidneys.Thecriticsandtheauthorsthoughtlittleofthemerrymedley，butthepublicenjoyedit，anddefiedthereviewers.
Onepaperpreferredthebooktoawildernessof\"Pickwicks\";andasthisopinionwasadvertisedeverywherebyM’Glashan，thepublisher，Mr.Dickenswasverymuchannoyedindeed.Authorsareeasilyannoyed.ButLeverwritesutplaceatpueris，andtherewasatremendousfightatRugbybetweentwoboys，the\"SloggerWilliams\"
and\"TomBrown\"oftheperiod，forthepossessionof\"HarryLorrequer.\"WhenanauthorhastheboysofEnglandonhisside，hecanlaughatthecritics.NotthatLeverlaughed：he，too，waseasilyvexed，andmuchdepressed，whenthereviewsassailedhim.
Nexthebegan\"CharlesO’Malley\";andifanymanreadsthisessaywhohasnotreadthe\"IrishDragoon，\"lethimbeginatonce.
\"O’Malley\"iswhatyoucanrecommendtoafriend.Hereiseveryspeciesofdiversion：duelsandsteeplechases，practicaljokesatcollege（goodpracticaljokes，notboobytrapsandapple—piebeds）;
hereisfightinginthePeninsula.Ifanystudentisindoubt，lethimtrychapterxiv.——thebattleontheDouro.Thisis，indeed，excellentmilitarywriting，andneednotfearcomparisonasartwithNapier’sfamoushistory.Leverhaswarmedtohiswork;hisheartisinit;hehadthebestinformationfromaneye—witness;andthebriefbeginning，onthepeaceofnaturebeforethestrifeofmen，isadmirablypoetical.
ToreachtheFrench，underSoult，WellesleyhadtocrossthedeepandrapidDouro，infaceoftheirfire，andwithoutregulartransport.\"Hedaredthedeed.Whatmusthavebeenhisconfidenceinthemenhecommanded！whatmusthavebeenhisrelianceonhisowngenius！\"
Youholdyourbreathasyouread，whileEnglishandGermanscharge，tillatlastthefieldiswon，andthedustoftheFrenchcolumnsretreatinginthedistanceblowsdowntheroadtoSpain.
TheGreatDukereadthispassage，andmarvelledhowLeverknewcertainthingsthathetells.Helearnedthis，andmuchmore，thehumoursofwar，fromtheoriginalofMajorMonsoon.Falstaffisaloneintheliteratureoftheworld，butifevertherecamealaterFalstaff，Monsoonwastheman.AndwherehaveyousuchanIrishSanchoPanzaasMickyFree，thatindependentminstrel，orsuchanIrishDiVernonasBabyBlake？ThecriticsmaypraiseLever’sthoughtfulandcarefullaternovelsastheywill，but\"CharlesO’Malley\"willalwaysbethepatternofamilitaryromance.Theanecdoteof\"avirtuousweakness\"inO’Shaughnessy’sfather’scharacterwouldalonemakethefortuneofmanyastory.Thetruthis，itisnoteasytolaydown\"CharlesO’Malley，\"toleaveoffreadingit，andgetonwiththeaccountofLever.
Hisexcellentanddelightfulnovelscarcelyreceivedonefavourablenoticefromthepress.Thismayhavebeenbecauseitwassopopular;butLeverbecamesonervousthathedidnotliketolookatthepapers.WhenhewentbacktoDublinandeditedamagazinethere，hewasmorefiercelyassailedthanever.ItisdifficultforanIrishmantowriteabouttheIrish，orforaScottowriteabouttheScottish，withouthurtingthefeelingsofhiscountrymen.Whiletheirliterarybrethrenarealivetheyarenotverydeartothenewspaperscribesofthesegallantnations;andthusJeffreywasmoreseveretoScottthanheneedhavebeen，whiletheIrishpress，itappears，madeanonslaughtonLever.Mr.ThackeraymetLeverinDublin，andhementionsthisunkindbehaviour.\"Lorrequer’smilitarypropensitieshavebeenobjectedtostronglybyhissqueamishHibernianbrethrenButisLorrequertheonlymaninIrelandwhoisfondofmilitaryspectacles？WhydoestheNationpublishtheseedifyingandChristianwarsongs？AndwhoisitthatpratesabouttheIrishatWaterloo，andtheIrishatFontenoy，andtheIrishatSeringapatam，andtheIrishatTimbuctoo？IfMr.
O’Connell，likeawiserhetorician，chooses，andveryproperly，toflatterthenationalmilitarypassion，whynotHarryLorrequer？\"
Whynot，indeed？ButMr.LeverwasasuccessfulIrishmanofletters，andagoodmanyotherIrishgentlemenofletters，honestDoolanandhisfriends，werenotsuccessful.Thatisthehumourofit.
Thoughyou，myyouthfulreader，ifIhaveone，donotdetestJonesbecauseheisintheEleven，norBrownbecausehehas\"gothiscap，\"
norSmithbecausehedoesGreekIambicslikeSophocles;thoughyouratheradmireandapplaudthesechampions，youmayfeelverydifferentlywhenyoucometothirtyyearsormore，andseeothermendoingwhatyoucannotdo，andgainingprizesbeyondyourgrasp.Andthen，ifyouareareviewer，you\"willfindfaultwithabookforwhatitdoesnotgive，\"asthus，totakeMr.Thackeray’sexample：—
\"LadySmigsmag’snovelisamusing，butlamentablydeficientingeologicalinformation.\"\"Mr.Lever’snovelsaretrashyandworthless，forhisfactsarenotborneoutbyanyauthority，andhegivesusnoinformationaboutthepoliticalstateofIreland.’Oh！
ourcountry，ourgreenandbeloved，ourbeautifulandoppressed？’\"
andsoforth.