ThegoldenbeesaresilentonthethymyHymettus；andtheknellinghornofAurora’slovenomoreshallscatterawaythecoldtwilightonthetopofHymettus。Theforegroundofoursubjectisagrassysunburntbank，brokenintoswellsandhollowslikewaves（asortofland-breakers），renderedmoreunevenbymanyfoot-trippingrootsandstumpsoftreesstockeduntimelybytheaxe，whichareagainthrowingoutlight-greenshoots。Thisbankrisesrathersuddenlyontherighttoaclusteringgrove，penetrabletonostar，attheentranceofwhichsitsthestunnedThessalianking，holdingbetweenhiskneesthativory-brightbodywhichwas，butaninstantagone，partingtheroughboughswithhersmoothforehead，andtreadingalikeonthornsandflowerswithjealousy-stungfoot-nowhelpless，heavy，voidofallmotion，savewhenthebreezeliftsherthickhairinmockery。
Frombetweentheclosely-neighbouredbolesastonishednymphspressforwardwithloudcries-
Anddeerskin-vestedsatyrs，crownedwithivytwists，advance；
Andputstrangepityintheirhornedcountenance。
Laelapsliesbeneath，andshowsbyhispantingtherapidpaceofdeath。Ontheothersideofthegroup，VirtuousLovewith’vansdejected’holdsforththearrowtoanapproachingtroopofsylvanpeople，fauns，rams，goats，satyrs，andsatyr-mothers，pressingtheirchildrentighterwiththeirfearfulhands，whohurryalongfromtheleftinasunkenpathbetweentheforegroundandarockywall，onwhoselowestridgeabrook-guardianpoursfromherurnhergrief-tellingwaters。AboveandmoreremotethantheEphidryad，anotherfemale，rendingherlocks，appearsamongthevine-festoonedpillarsofanunshorngrove。Thecentreofthepictureisfilledbyshadymeadows，sinkingdowntoariver-mouth；beyondis’thevaststrengthoftheoceanstream，’fromwhosefloortheextinguisherofstars，rosyAurora，drivesfuriouslyupherbrine-
washedsteedstobeholdthedeath-pangsofherrival。
Werethisdescriptioncarefullyre-written，itwouldbequiteadmirable。Theconceptionofmakingaprosepoemoutofpaintisexcellent。Muchofthebestmodernliteraturespringsfromthesameaim。Inaveryuglyandsensibleage，theartsborrow，notfromlife，butfromeachother。
Hissympathies，too，werewonderfullyvaried。Ineverythingconnectedwiththestage，forinstance，hewasalwaysextremelyinterested，andstronglyupheldthenecessityforarchaeologicalaccuracyincostumeandscene-painting。’Inart，’hesaysinoneofhisessays，’whateverisworthdoingatallisworthdoingwell’；andhepointsoutthatonceweallowtheintrusionofanachronisms，itbecomesdifficulttosaywherethelineistobedrawn。Inliterature，again，likeLordBeaconsfieldonafamousoccasion，hewas’onthesideoftheangels。’HewasoneofthefirsttoadmireKeatsandShelley-’thetremulously-sensitiveandpoeticalShelley，’ashecallshim。HisadmirationforWordsworthwassincereandprofound。HethoroughlyappreciatedWilliamBlake。
Oneofthebestcopiesofthe’SongsofInnocenceandExperience’
thatisnowinexistencewaswroughtspeciallyforhim。HelovedAlainChartier，andRonsard，andtheElizabethandramatists，andChaucerandChapman，andPetrarch。Andtohimalltheartswereone。’Ourcritics，’heremarkswithmuchwisdom，’seemhardlyawareoftheidentityoftheprimalseedsofpoetryandpainting，northatanytrueadvancementintheseriousstudyofoneartco-
generatesaproportionateperfectionintheother’；andhesayselsewherethatifamanwhodoesnotadmireMichaelAngelotalksofhisloveforMilton，heisdeceivingeitherhimselforhislisteners。Tohisfellow-contributorsintheLONDONMAGAZINEhewasalwaysmostgenerous，andpraisesBarryCornwall，AllanCunningham，Hazlitt，Elton，andLeighHuntwithoutanythingofthemaliceofafriend。SomeofhissketchesofCharlesLambareadmirableintheirway，and，withtheartofthetruecomedian，borrowtheirstylefromtheirsubject：-
WhatcanIsayoftheemorethanallknow？thatthouhadstthegaietyofaboywiththeknowledgeofaman：asgentleaheartaseversenttearstotheeyes。
Howwittilywouldhemistakeyourmeaning，andputinaconceitmostseasonablyoutofseason。Histalkwithoutaffectationwascompressed，likehisbelovedElizabethans，evenuntoobscurity。
Likegrainsoffinegold，hissentenceswouldbeatoutintowholesheets。Hehadsmallmercyonspuriousfame，andacausticobservationontheFASHIONFORMENOFGENIUSwasastandingdish。
SirThomasBrownewasa’bosomcronie’ofhis；sowasBurton，andoldFuller。InhisamorousveinhedalliedwiththatpeerlessDuchessofmany-folioodour；andwiththeheydaycomediesofBeaumontandFletcherheinducedlightdreams。Hewoulddelivercriticaltouchesonthese，likeoneinspired，butitwasgoodtolethimchoosehisowngame；ifanotherbeganevenontheacknowledgedpetshewasliabletointerrupt，orratherappend，inamodedifficulttodefinewhetherasmisapprehensiveormischievous。OnenightatC-’s，theabovedramaticpartnerswerethetemporarysubjectofchat。Mr。X。commendedthepassionandhaughtystyleofatragedy（Idon’tknowwhichofthem），butwasinstantlytakenupbyElia，whotoldhim’THATwasnothing；thelyricswerethehighthings-thelyrics！’
Onesideofhisliterarycareerdeservesespecialnotice。Modernjournalismmaybesaidtoowealmostasmuchtohimastoanymanoftheearlypartofthiscentury。HewasthepioneerofAsiaticprose，anddelightedinpictorialepithetsandpompousexaggerations。TohaveastylesogorgeousthatitconcealsthesubjectisoneofthehighestachievementsofanimportantandmuchadmiredschoolofFleetStreetleader-writers，andthisschoolJANUSWEATHERCOCKmaybesaidtohaveinvented。Healsosawthatitwasquiteeasybycontinuedreiterationtomakethepublicinterestedinhisownpersonality，andinhispurelyjournalisticarticlesthisextraordinaryyoungmantellstheworldwhathehadfordinner，wherehegetshisclothes，whatwineshelikes，andinwhatstateofhealthheis，justasifhewerewritingweeklynotesforsomepopularnewspaperofourowntime。Thisbeingtheleastvaluablesideofhiswork，istheonethathashadthemostobviousinfluence。Apublicist，nowadays，isamanwhoboresthecommunitywiththedetailsoftheillegalitiesofhisprivatelife。
Likemostartificialpeople，hehadagreatloveofnature。’I
holdthreethingsinhighestimation，’hesayssomewhere：’tositlazilyonaneminencethatcommandsarichprospect；tobeshadowedbythicktreeswhilethesunshinesaroundme；andtoenjoysolitudewiththeconsciousnessofneighbourhood。Thecountrygivesthemalltome。’HewritesabouthiswanderingoverfragrantfurzeandheathrepeatingCollins’s’OdetoEvening，’justtocatchthefinequalityofthemoment；aboutsmotheringhisface’inawaterybedofcowslips，wetwithMaydews’；andaboutthepleasureofseeingthesweet-breathedkine’passslowlyhomewardthroughthetwilight，’andhearing’thedistantclankofthesheep-bell。’Onephraseofhis，’thepolyanthusglowedinitscoldbedofearth，likeasolitarypictureofGiorgioneonadarkoakenpanel，’iscuriouslycharacteristicofhistemperament，andthispassageisratherprettyinitsway：-
Theshorttendergrasswascoveredwithmarguerites-’suchthatmencalledDAISIESinourtown’-thickasstarsonasummer’snight。Theharshcawofthebusyrookscamepleasantlymellowedfromahighduskygroveofelmsatsomedistanceoff，andatintervalswasheardthevoiceofaboyscaringawaythebirdsfromthenewly-sownseeds。Thebluedepthswerethecolourofthedarkestultramarine；notacloudstreakedthecalmaether；onlyroundthehorizon’sedgestreamedalight，warmfilmofmistyvapour，againstwhichthenearvillagewithitsancientstonechurchshowedsharplyoutwithblindingwhiteness。IthoughtofWordsworth’s’LineswritteninMarch。’
However，wemustnotforgetthatthecultivatedyoungmanwhopennedtheselines，andwhowassosusceptibletoWordsworthianinfluences，wasalso，asIsaidatthebeginningofthismemoir，oneofthemostsubtleandsecretpoisonersofthisoranyage。
Howhefirstbecamefascinatedbythisstrangesinhedoesnottellus，andthediaryinwhichhecarefullynotedtheresultsofhisterribleexperimentsandthemethodsthatheadopted，hasunfortunatelybeenlosttous。Eveninlaterdays，too，hewasalwaysreticentonthematter，andpreferredtospeakabout’TheExcursion，’andthe’PoemsfoundedontheAffections。’Thereisnodoubt，however，thatthepoisonthatheusedwasstrychnine。Inoneofthebeautifulringsofwhichhewassoproud，andwhichservedtoshowoffthefinemodellingofhisdelicateivoryhands，heusedtocarrycrystalsoftheIndianNUXVOMICA，apoison，oneofhisbiographerstellsus，’nearlytasteless，difficultofdiscovery，andcapableofalmostinfinitedilution。’Hismurders，saysDeQuincey，weremorethanwereevermadeknownjudicially。
Thisisnodoubtso，andsomeofthemareworthyofmention。Hisfirstvictimwashisuncle，Mr。ThomasGriffiths。Hepoisonedhimin1829togainpossessionofLindenHouse，aplacetowhichhehadalwaysbeenverymuchattached。IntheAugustofthenextyearhepoisonedMrs。Abercrombie，hiswife’smother，andinthefollowingDecemberhepoisonedthelovelyHelenAbercrombie，hissister-in-
law。WhyhemurderedMrs。Abercrombieisnotascertained。Itmayhavebeenforacaprice，ortoquickensomehideoussenseofpowerthatwasinhim，orbecauseshesuspectedsomething，orfornoreason。ButthemurderofHelenAbercrombiewascarriedoutbyhimselfandhiswifeforthesakeofasumofabout18，000pounds，forwhichtheyhadinsuredherlifeinvariousoffices。Thecircumstanceswereasfollows。Onthe12thofDecember，heandhiswifeandchildcameuptoLondonfromLindenHouse，andtooklodgingsatNo。12ConduitStreet，RegentStreet。Withthemwerethetwosisters，HelenandMadeleineAbercrombie。Ontheeveningofthe14ththeyallwenttotheplay，andatsupperthatnightHelensickened。Thenextdayshewasextremelyill，andDr。
Locock，ofHanoverSquare，wascalledintoattendher。ShelivedtillMonday，the20th，when，afterthedoctor’smorningvisit，Mr。
andMrs。Wainewrightbroughthersomepoisonedjelly，andthenwentoutforawalk。WhentheyreturnedHelenAbercrombiewasdead。
Shewasabouttwentyyearsofage，atallgracefulgirlwithfairhair。Averycharmingred-chalkdrawingofherbyherbrother-in-
lawisstillinexistence，andshowshowmuchhisstyleasanartistwasinfluencedbySirThomasLawrence，apainterforwhoseworkhehadalwaysentertainedagreatadmiration。DeQuinceysaysthatMrs。Wainewrightwasnotreallyprivytothemurder。Letushopethatshewasnot。Sinshouldbesolitary，andhavenoaccomplices。
Theinsurancecompanies，suspectingtherealfactsofthecase，declinedtopaythepolicyonthetechnicalgroundofmisrepresentationandwantofinterest，and，withcuriouscourage，thepoisonerenteredanactionintheCourtofChanceryagainsttheImperial，itbeingagreedthatonedecisionshouldgovernallthecases。Thetrial，however，didnotcomeonforfiveyears，when，afteronedisagreement，averdictwasultimatelygiveninthecompanies’favour。ThejudgeontheoccasionwasLordAbinger。
EGOMETBONMOTwasrepresentedbyMr。ErleandSirWilliamFollet，andtheAttorney-GeneralandSirFrederickPollockappearedfortheotherside。Theplaintiff，unfortunately，wasunabletobepresentateitherofthetrials。Therefusalofthecompaniestogivehimthe18，000poundshadplacedhiminapositionofmostpainfulpecuniaryembarrassment。Indeed，afewmonthsafterthemurderofHelenAbercrombie，hehadbeenactuallyarrestedfordebtinthestreetsofLondonwhilehewasserenadingtheprettydaughterofoneofhisfriends。Thisdifficultywasgotoveratthetime，butshortlyafterwardshethoughtitbettertogoabroadtillhecouldcometosomepracticalarrangementwithhiscreditors。HeaccordinglywenttoBoulogneonavisittothefatheroftheyoungladyinquestion，andwhilehewasthereinducedhimtoinsurehislifewiththePelicanCompanyfor3000pounds。Assoonasthenecessaryformalitieshadbeengonethroughandthepolicyexecuted，hedroppedsomecrystalsofstrychnineintohiscoffeeastheysattogetheroneeveningafterdinner。Hehimselfdidnotgainanymonetaryadvantagebydoingthis。Hisaimwassimplytorevengehimselfonthefirstofficethathadrefusedtopayhimthepriceofhissin。Hisfrienddiedthenextdayinhispresence，andheleftBoulogneatonceforasketchingtourthroughthemostpicturesquepartsofBrittany，andwasforsometimetheguestofanoldFrenchgentleman，whohadabeautifulcountryhouseatSt。
Omer。FromthishemovedtoParis，whereheremainedforseveralyears，livinginluxury，somesay，whileotherstalkofhis’skulkingwithpoisoninhispocket，andbeingdreadedbyallwhoknewhim。’In1837hereturnedtoEnglandprivately。Somestrangemadfascinationbroughthimback。Hefollowedawomanwhomheloved。
ItwasthemonthofJune，andhewasstayingatoneofthehotelsinCoventGarden。Hissitting-roomwasonthegroundfloor，andheprudentlykepttheblindsdownforfearofbeingseen。Thirteenyearsbefore，whenhewasmakinghisfinecollectionofmajolicaandMarcAntonios，hehadforgedthenamesofhistrusteestoapowerofattorney，whichenabledhimtogetpossessionofsomeofthemoneywhichhehadinheritedfromhismother，andhadbroughtintomarriagesettlement。Heknewthatthisforgeryhadbeendiscovered，andthatbyreturningtoEnglandhewasimperillinghislife。Yethereturned。Shouldonewonder？Itwassaidthatthewomanwasverybeautiful。Besides，shedidnotlovehim。
Itwasbyamereaccidentthathewasdiscovered。Anoiseinthestreetattractedhisattention，and，inhisartisticinterestinmodernlife，hepushedasidetheblindforamoment。Someoneoutsidecalledout，’That’sWainewright，theBank-forger。’ItwasForrester，theBowStreetrunner。
Onthe5thofJulyhewasbroughtupattheOldBailey。ThefollowingreportoftheproceedingsappearedintheTIMES：-
BeforeMr。JusticeVaughanandMr。BaronAlderson，ThomasGriffithsWainewright，agedforty-two，amanofgentlemanlyappearance，wearingmustachios，wasindictedforforgingandutteringacertainpowerofattorneyfor2259pounds，withintenttodefraudtheGovernorandCompanyoftheBankofEngland。
Therewerefiveindictmentsagainsttheprisoner，toallofwhichhepleadednotguilty，whenhewasarraignedbeforeMr。SerjeantArabininthecourseofthemorning。Onbeingbroughtbeforethejudges，however，hebeggedtobeallowedtowithdrawtheformerplea，andthenpleadedguiltytotwooftheindictmentswhichwerenotofacapitalnature。
ThecounselfortheBankhavingexplainedthattherewerethreeotherindictments，butthattheBankdidnotdesiretoshedblood，thepleaofguiltyonthetwominorchargeswasrecorded，andtheprisoneratthecloseofthesessionsentencedbytheRecordertotransportationforlife。
HewastakenbacktoNewgate，preparatorytohisremovaltothecolonies。Inafancifulpassageinoneofhisearlyessayshehadfanciedhimself’lyinginHorsemongerGaolundersentenceofdeath’
forhavingbeenunabletoresistthetemptationofstealingsomeMarcAntoniosfromtheBritishMuseuminordertocompletehiscollection。Thesentencenowpassedonhimwastoamanofhiscultureaformofdeath。Hecomplainedbitterlyofittohisfriends，andpointedout，withagooddealofreason，somepeoplemayfancy，thatthemoneywaspracticallyhisown，havingcometohimfromhismother，andthattheforgery，suchasitwas，hadbeencommittedthirteenyearsbefore，which，tousehisownphrase，wasatleastaCIRCONSTANCEATTENUANTE。Thepermanenceofpersonalityisaverysubtlemetaphysicalproblem，andcertainlytheEnglishlawsolvesthequestioninanextremelyrough-and-readymanner。
Thereis，however，somethingdramaticinthefactthatthisheavypunishmentwasinflictedonhimforwhat，ifwerememberhisfatalinfluenceontheproseofmodernjournalism，wascertainlynottheworstofallhissins。
Whilehewasingaol，Dickens，Macready，andHablotBrownecameacrosshimbychance。TheyhadbeengoingovertheprisonsofLondon，searchingforartisticeffects，andinNewgatetheysuddenlycaughtsightofWainewright。Hemetthemwithadefiantstare，Forstertellsus，butMacreadywas’horrifiedtorecogniseamanfamiliarlyknowntohiminformeryears，andatwhosetablehehaddined。’
Othershadmorecuriosity，andhiscellwasforsometimeakindoffashionablelounge。Manymenofletterswentdowntovisittheiroldliterarycomrade。Buthewasnolongerthekindlight-heartedJanuswhomCharlesLambadmired。Heseemstohavegrownquitecynical。
Totheagentofaninsurancecompanywhowasvisitinghimoneafternoon，andthoughthewouldimprovetheoccasionbypointingoutthat，afterall，crimewasabadspeculation，hereplied：
’Sir，youCitymenenteronyourspeculations，andtakethechancesofthem。Someofyourspeculationssucceed，somefail。Minehappentohavefailed，yourshappentohavesucceeded。Thatistheonlydifference，sir，betweenmyvisitorandme。But，sir，IwilltellyouonethinginwhichIhavesucceededtothelast。Ihavebeendeterminedthroughlifetoholdthepositionofagentleman。
Ihavealwaysdoneso。Idosostill。Itisthecustomofthisplacethateachoftheinmatesofacellshalltakehismorning’sturnofsweepingitout。Ioccupyacellwithabricklayerandasweep，buttheyneveroffermethebroom！’WhenafriendreproachedhimwiththemurderofHelenAbercrombieheshruggedhisshouldersandsaid，’Yes；itwasadreadfulthingtodo，butshehadverythickankles。’
FromNewgatehewasbroughttothehulksatPortsmouth，andsentfromthereintheSUSANtoVanDiemen’sLandalongwiththreehundredotherconvicts。Thevoyageseemstohavebeenmostdistastefultohim，andinaletterwrittentoafriendhespokebitterlyabouttheignominyof’thecompanionofpoetsandartists’
beingcompelledtoassociatewith’countrybumpkins。’Thephrasethatheappliestohiscompanionsneednotsurpriseus。CrimeinEnglandisrarelytheresultofsin。Itisnearlyalwaystheresultofstarvation。Therewasprobablynooneonboardinwhomhewouldhavefoundasympatheticlistener，orevenapsychologicallyinterestingnature。
Hisloveofart，however，neverdesertedhim。AtHobartTownhestartedastudio，andreturnedtosketchingandportrait-painting，andhisconversationandmannersseemnottohavelosttheircharm。
Nordidhegiveuphishabitofpoisoning，andtherearetwocasesonrecordinwhichhetriedtomakeawaywithpeoplewhohadoffendedhim。Buthishandseemstohavelostitscunning。Bothofhisattemptswerecompletefailures，andin1844，beingthoroughlydissatisfiedwithTasmaniansociety，hepresentedamemorialtothegovernorofthesettlement，SirJohnEardleyWilmot，prayingforaticket-of-leave。Inithespeaksofhimselfasbeing’tormentedbyideasstrugglingforoutwardformandrealisation，barredupfromincreaseofknowledge，anddeprivedoftheexerciseofprofitableorevenofdecorousspeech。’Hisrequest，however，wasrefused，andtheassociateofColeridgeconsoledhimselfbymakingthosemarvellousPARADISARTIFICIELS
whosesecretisonlyknowntotheeatersofopium。In1852hediedofapoplexy，hissolelivingcompanionbeingacat，forwhichhehadevincedatextraordinaryaffection。
Hiscrimesseemtohavehadanimportanteffectuponhisart。Theygaveastrongpersonalitytohisstyle，aqualitythathisearlyworkcertainlylacked。InanotetotheLIFEOFDICKENS，Forstermentionsthatin1847LadyBlessingtonreceivedfromherbrother，MajorPower，whoheldamilitaryappointmentatHobartTown，anoilportraitofayoungladyfromhiscleverbrush；anditissaidthat’hehadcontrivedtoputtheexpressionofhisownwickednessintotheportraitofanice，kind-heartedgirl。’M。Zola，inoneofhisnovels，tellsusofayoungmanwho，havingcommittedamurder，takestoart，andpaintsgreenishimpressionistportraitsofperfectlyrespectablepeople，allofwhichbearacuriousresemblancetohisvictim。ThedevelopmentofMr。Wainewright’sstyleseemstomefarmoresubtleandsuggestive。Onecanfancyanintensepersonalitybeingcreatedoutofsin。
ThisstrangeandfascinatingfigurethatforafewyearsdazzledliteraryLondon，andmadesobrilliantaDEBUTinlifeandletters，isundoubtedlyamostinterestingstudy。Mr。W。CarewHazlitt，hislatestbiographer，towhomIamindebtedformanyofthefactscontainedinthismemoir，andwhoselittlebookis，indeed，quiteinvaluableinitsway，isofopinionthathisloveofartandnaturewasamerepretenceandassumption，andothershavedeniedtohimallliterarypower。Thisseemstomeashallow，oratleastamistaken，view。Thefactofamanbeingapoisonerisnothingagainsthisprose。Thedomesticvirtuesarenotthetruebasisofart，thoughtheymayserveasanexcellentadvertisementforsecond-rateartists。ItispossiblethatDeQuinceyexaggeratedhiscriticalpowers，andIcannothelpsayingagainthatthereismuchinhispublishedworksthatistoofamiliar，toocommon，toojournalistic，inthebadsenseofthatbadword。Hereandthereheisdistinctlyvulgarinexpression，andheisalwayslackingintheself-restraintofthetrueartist。Butforsomeofhisfaultswemustblamethetimeinwhichhelived，and，afterall，prosethatCharlesLambthought’capital’hasnosmallhistoricinterest。
Thathehadasincereloveofartandnatureseemstomequitecertain。Thereisnoessentialincongruitybetweencrimeandculture。Wecannotre-writethewholeofhistoryforthepurposeofgratifyingourmoralsenseofwhatshouldbe。
Ofcourse，heisfartooclosetoourowntimeforustobeabletoformanypurelyartisticjudgmentabouthim。ItisimpossiblenottofeelastrongprejudiceagainstamanwhomighthavepoisonedLordTennyson，orMr。Gladstone，ortheMasterofBalliol。Buthadthemanwornacostumeandspokenalanguagedifferentfromourown，hadhelivedinimperialRome，oratthetimeoftheItalianRenaissance，orinSpainintheseventeenthcentury，orinanylandoranycenturybutthiscenturyandthisland，wewouldbequiteabletoarriveataperfectlyunprejudicedestimateofhispositionandvalue。Iknowthattherearemanyhistorians，oratleastwritersonhistoricalsubjects，whostillthinkitnecessarytoapplymoraljudgmentstohistory，andwhodistributetheirpraiseorblamewiththesolemncomplacencyofasuccessfulschoolmaster。
This，however，isafoolishhabit，andmerelyshowsthatthemoralinstinctcanbebroughttosuchapitchofperfectionthatitwillmakeitsappearancewhereveritisnotrequired。NobodywiththetruehistoricalsenseeverdreamsofblamingNero，orscoldingTiberius，orcensuringCaesarBorgia。Thesepersonageshavebecomelikethepuppetsofaplay。Theymayfilluswithterror，orhorror，orwonder，buttheydonotharmus。Theyarenotinimmediaterelationtous。Wehavenothingtofearfromthem。Theyhavepassedintothesphereofartandscience，andneitherartnorscienceknowsanythingofmoralapprovalordisapproval。AndsoitmaybesomedaywithCharlesLamb’sfriend。AtpresentIfeelthatheisjustalittletoomoderntobetreatedinthatfinespiritofdisinterestedcuriositytowhichweowesomanycharmingstudiesofthegreatcriminalsoftheItalianRenaissancefromthepensofMr。
JohnAddingtonSymonds，MissA。MaryF。Robinson，MissVernonLee，andotherdistinguishedwriters。However，Arthasnotforgottenhim。HeistheheroofDickens’sHUNTEDDOWN，theVarneyofBulwer’sLUCRETIA；anditisgratifyingtonotethatfictionhaspaidsomehomagetoonewhowassopowerfulwith’pen，pencilandpoison。’Tobesuggestiveforfictionistobeofmoreimportancethanafact。
THECRITICASARTIST-WITHSOMEREMARKSUPONTHEIMPORTANCEOF
DOINGNOTHING
ADIALOGUE。PartI。Persons：GilbertandErnest。Scene：thelibraryofahouseinPiccadilly，overlookingtheGreenPark。
GILBERT（atthePiano）。MydearErnest，whatareyoulaughingat？
ERNEST（lookingup）。AtacapitalstorythatIhavejustcomeacrossinthisvolumeofReminiscencesthatIhavefoundonyourtable。
GILBERT。Whatisthebook？Ah！Isee。Ihavenotreadityet。
Isitgood？
ERNEST。Well，whileyouhavebeenplaying，Ihavebeenturningoverthepageswithsomeamusement，though，asarule，Idislikemodernmemoirs。Theyaregenerallywrittenbypeoplewhohaveeitherentirelylosttheirmemories，orhaveneverdoneanythingworthremembering；which，however，is，nodoubt，thetrueexplanationoftheirpopularity，astheEnglishpublicalwaysfeelsperfectlyatitseasewhenamediocrityistalkingtoit。
GILBERT。Yes：thepubliciswonderfullytolerant。Itforgiveseverythingexceptgenius。ButImustconfessthatIlikeallmemoirs。Ilikethemfortheirform，justasmuchasfortheirmatter。Inliteraturemereegotismisdelightful。ItiswhatfascinatesusinthelettersofpersonalitiessodifferentasCiceroandBalzac，FlaubertandBerlioz，ByronandMadamedeSevigne。Wheneverwecomeacrossit，and，strangelyenough，itisratherrare，wecannotbutwelcomeit，anddonoteasilyforgetit。
HumanitywillalwaysloveRousseauforhavingconfessedhissins，nottoapriest，buttotheworld，andthecouchantnymphsthatCelliniwroughtinbronzeforthecastleofKingFrancis，thegreenandgoldPerseus，even，thatintheopenLoggiaatFlorenceshowsthemoonthedeadterrorthatonceturnedlifetostone，havenotgivenitmorepleasurethanhasthatautobiographyinwhichthesupremescoundreloftheRenaissancerelatesthestoryofhissplendourandhisshame。Theopinions，thecharacter，theachievementsoftheman，matterverylittle。HemaybeascepticlikethegentleSieurdeMontaigne，orasaintlikethebittersonofMonica，butwhenhetellsushisownsecretshecanalwayscharmourearstolisteningandourlipstosilence。ThemodeofthoughtthatCardinalNewmanrepresented-ifthatcanbecalledamodeofthoughtwhichseekstosolveintellectualproblemsbyadenialofthesupremacyoftheintellect-maynot，cannot，Ithink，survive。
Buttheworldwillneverwearyofwatchingthattroubledsoulinitsprogressfromdarknesstodarkness。ThelonelychurchatLittlemore，where’thebreathofthemorningisdamp，andworshippersarefew，’willalwaysbedeartoit，andwhenevermenseetheyellowsnapdragonblossomingonthewallofTrinitytheywillthinkofthatgraciousundergraduatewhosawintheflower’ssurerecurrenceaprophecythathewouldabideforeverwiththeBenignMotherofhisdays-aprophecythatFaith，inherwisdomorherfolly，sufferednottobefulfilled。Yes；autobiographyisirresistible。Poor，silly，conceitedMr。SecretaryPepyshaschatteredhiswayintothecircleoftheImmortals，and，consciousthatindiscretionisthebetterpartofvalour，bustlesaboutamongtheminthat’shaggypurplegownwithgoldbuttonsandloopedlace’
whichheissofondofdescribingtous，perfectlyathisease，andprattling，tohisownandourinfinitepleasure，oftheIndianbluepetticoatthatheboughtforhiswife，ofthe’goodhog’shars-
let，’andthe’pleasantFrenchfricasseeofveal’thathelovedtoeat，ofhisgameofbowlswithWillJoyce，andhis’gaddingafterbeauties，’andhisrecitingofHAMLETonaSunday，andhisplayingoftheviolonweekdays，andotherwickedortrivialthings。Eveninactuallifeegotismisnotwithoutitsattractions。Whenpeopletalktousaboutotherstheyareusuallydull。Whentheytalktousaboutthemselvestheyarenearlyalwaysinteresting，andifonecouldshutthemup，whentheybecomewearisome，aseasilyasonecanshutupabookofwhichonehasgrownwearied，theywouldbeperfectabsolutely。
ERNEST。ThereismuchvirtueinthatIf，asTouchstonewouldsay。
ButdoyouseriouslyproposethateverymanshouldbecomehisownBoswell？WhatwouldbecomeofourindustriouscompilersofLivesandRecollectionsinthatcase？
GILBERT。Whathasbecomeofthem？Theyarethepestoftheage，nothingmoreandnothingless。Everygreatmannowadayshashisdisciples，anditisalwaysJudaswhowritesthebiography。
ERNEST。Mydearfellow！
GILBERT。Iamafraiditistrue。Formerlyweusedtocanoniseourheroes。Themodernmethodistovulgarisethem。Cheapeditionsofgreatbooksmaybedelightful，butcheapeditionsofgreatmenareabsolutelydetestable。
ERNEST。MayIask，Gilbert，towhomyouallude？
GILBERT。Oh！toalloursecond-rateLITTERATEURS。Weareoverrunbyasetofpeoplewho，whenpoetorpainterpassesaway，arriveatthehousealongwiththeundertaker，andforgetthattheironedutyistobehaveasmutes。Butwewon’ttalkaboutthem。Theyarethemerebody-snatchersofliterature。Thedustisgiventoone，andtheashestoanother，andthesoulisoutoftheirreach。Andnow，letmeplayChopintoyou，orDvorek？ShallIplayyouafantasybyDvorek？Hewritespassionate，curiously-colouredthings。
ERNEST。No；Idon’twantmusicjustatpresent。Itisfartooindefinite。Besides，ItooktheBaronessBernsteindowntodinnerlastnight，and，thoughabsolutelycharmingineveryotherrespect，sheinsistedondiscussingmusicasifitwereactuallywrittenintheGermanlanguage。Now，whatevermusicsoundslikeIamgladtosaythatitdoesnotsoundinthesmallestdegreelikeGerman。
Thereareformsofpatriotismthatarereallyquitedegrading。No；
Gilbert，don’tplayanymore。Turnroundandtalktome。Talktometillthewhite-horneddaycomesintotheroom。Thereissomethinginyourvoicethatiswonderful。
GILBERT（risingfromthepiano）。Iamnotinamoodfortalkingto-night。Ireallyamnot。Howhorridofyoutosmile！Wherearethecigarettes？Thanks。Howexquisitethesesingledaffodilsare！
Theyseemtobemadeofamberandcoolivory。TheyarelikeGreekthingsofthebestperiod。WhatwasthestoryintheconfessionsoftheremorsefulAcademicianthatmadeyoulaugh？Tellittome。
AfterplayingChopin，IfeelasifIhadbeenweepingoversinsthatIhadnevercommitted，andmourningovertragediesthatwerenotmyown。Musicalwaysseemstometoproducethateffect。Itcreatesforoneapastofwhichonehasbeenignorant，andfillsonewithasenseofsorrowsthathavebeenhiddenfromone’stears。
Icanfancyamanwhohadledaperfectlycommonplacelife，hearingbychancesomecuriouspieceofmusic，andsuddenlydiscoveringthathissoul，withouthisbeingconsciousofit，hadpassedthroughterribleexperiences，andknownfearfuljoys，orwildromanticloves，orgreatrenunciations。Andsotellmethisstory，Ernest。Iwanttobeamused。
ERNEST。Oh！Idon’tknowthatitisofanyimportance。ButI
thoughtitareallyadmirableillustrationofthetruevalueofordinaryart-criticism。ItseemsthataladyoncegravelyaskedtheremorsefulAcademician，asyoucallhim，ifhiscelebratedpictureof’ASpring-DayatWhiteley’s，’or，’WaitingfortheLastOmnibus，’orsomesubjectofthatkind，wasallpaintedbyhand？
GILBERT。Andwasit？
ERNEST。Youarequiteincorrigible。But，seriouslyspeaking，whatistheuseofart-criticism？Whycannottheartistbeleftalone，tocreateanewworldifhewishesit，or，ifnot，toshadowforththeworldwhichwealreadyknow，andofwhich，Ifancy，wewouldeachoneofusbeweariedifArt，withherfinespiritofchoiceanddelicateinstinctofselection，didnot，asitwere，purifyitforus，andgivetoitamomentaryperfection。Itseemstomethattheimaginationspreads，orshouldspread，asolitudearoundit，andworksbestinsilenceandinisolation。Whyshouldtheartistbetroubledbytheshrillclamourofcriticism？Whyshouldthosewhocannotcreatetakeuponthemselvestoestimatethevalueofcreativework？Whatcantheyknowaboutit？Ifaman’sworkiseasytounderstand，anexplanationisunnecessary……
GILBERT。Andifhisworkisincomprehensible，anexplanationiswicked。
ERNEST。Ididnotsaythat。
GILBERT。Ah！butyoushouldhave。Nowadays，wehavesofewmysterieslefttousthatwecannotaffordtopartwithoneofthem。ThemembersoftheBrowningSociety，likethetheologiansoftheBroadChurchParty，ortheauthorsofMr。WalterScott’sGreatWritersSeries，seemtometospendtheirtimeintryingtoexplaintheirdivinityaway。WhereonehadhopedthatBrowningwasamystictheyhavesoughttoshowthathewassimplyinarticulate。
Whereonehadfanciedthathehadsomethingtoconceal，theyhaveprovedthathehadbutlittletoreveal。ButIspeakmerelyofhisincoherentwork。Takenasawholethemanwasgreat。HedidnotbelongtotheOlympians，andhadalltheincompletenessoftheTitan。Hedidnotsurvey，anditwasbutrarelythathecouldsing。Hisworkismarredbystruggle，violenceandeffort，andhepassednotfromemotiontoform，butfromthoughttochaos。Still，hewasgreat。Hehasbeencalledathinker，andwascertainlyamanwhowasalwaysthinking，andalwaysthinkingaloud；butitwasnotthoughtthatfascinatedhim，butrathertheprocessesbywhichthoughtmoves。Itwasthemachineheloved，notwhatthemachinemakes。Themethodbywhichthefoolarrivesathisfollywasasdeartohimastheultimatewisdomofthewise。Somuch，indeed，didthesubtlemechanismofmindfascinatehimthathedespisedlanguage，orlookeduponitasanincompleteinstrumentofexpression。Rhyme，thatexquisiteechowhichintheMuse’shollowhillcreatesandanswersitsownvoice；rhyme，whichinthehandsoftherealartistbecomesnotmerelyamaterialelementofmetricalbeauty，butaspiritualelementofthoughtandpassionalso，wakinganewmood，itmaybe，orstirringafreshtrainofideas，oropeningbymeresweetnessandsuggestionofsoundsomegoldendooratwhichtheImaginationitselfhadknockedinvain；
rhyme，whichcanturnman’sutterancetothespeechofgods；rhyme，theonechordwehaveaddedtotheGreeklyre，becameinRobertBrowning’shandsagrotesque，misshapenthing，whichattimesmadehimmasqueradeinpoetryasalowcomedian，andridePegasustoooftenwithhistongueinhischeek。Therearemomentswhenhewoundsusbymonstrousmusic。Nay，ifhecanonlygethismusicbybreakingthestringsofhislute，hebreaksthem，andtheysnapindiscord，andnoAtheniantettix，makingmelodyfromtremulouswings，lightsontheivoryhorntomakethemovementperfect，ortheintervallessharsh。Yet，hewasgreat：andthoughheturnedlanguageintoignobleclay，hemadefromitmenandwomenthatlive。HeisthemostShakespeariancreaturesinceShakespeare。IfShakespearecouldsingwithmyriadlips，Browningcouldstammerthroughathousandmouths。Evennow，asIamspeaking，andspeakingnotagainsthimbutforhim，thereglidesthroughtheroomthepageantofhispersons。There，creepsFraLippoLippiwithhischeeksstillburningfromsomegirl’shotkiss。There，standsdreadSaulwiththelordlymale-sapphiresgleaminginhisturban。
MildredTreshamisthere，andtheSpanishmonk，yellowwithhatred，andBlougram，andBenEzra，andtheBishopofSt。Praxed’s。ThespawnofSetebosgibbersinthecorner，andSebald，hearingPippapassby，looksonOttima’shaggardface，andloathesherandhisownsin，andhimself。Paleasthewhitesatinofhisdoublet，themelancholykingwatcheswithdreamytreacherouseyestooloyalStraffordpassforthtohisdoom，andAndreashuddersashehearsthecousinswhistleinthegarden，andbidshisperfectwifegodown。Yes，Browningwasgreat。Andaswhatwillheberemembered？
Asapoet？Ah，notasapoet！Hewillberememberedasawriteroffiction，asthemostsupremewriteroffiction，itmaybe，thatwehaveeverhad。Hissenseofdramaticsituationwasunrivalled，and，ifhecouldnotanswerhisownproblems，hecouldatleastputproblemsforth，andwhatmoreshouldanartistdo？ConsideredfromthepointofviewofacreatorofcharacterheranksnexttohimwhomadeHamlet。Hadhebeenarticulate，hemighthavesatbesidehim。TheonlymanwhocantouchthehemofhisgarmentisGeorgeMeredith。MeredithisaproseBrowning，andsoisBrowning。Heusedpoetryasamediumforwritinginprose。
ERNEST。Thereissomethinginwhatyousay，butthereisnoteverythinginwhatyousay。Inmanypointsyouareunjust。
GILBERT。Itisdifficultnottobeunjusttowhatoneloves。Butletusreturntotheparticularpointatissue。Whatwasitthatyousaid？
ERNEST。Simplythis：thatinthebestdaysofarttherewerenoart-critics。
GILBERT。Iseemtohaveheardthatobservationbefore，Ernest。Ithasallthevitalityoferrorandallthetediousnessofanoldfriend。
ERNEST。Itistrue。Yes：thereisnouseyourtossingyourheadinthatpetulantmanner。Itisquitetrue。Inthebestdaysofarttherewerenoart-critics。Thesculptorhewedfromthemarbleblockthegreatwhite-limbedHermesthatsleptwithinit。Thewaxersandgildersofimagesgavetoneandtexturetothestatue，andtheworld，whenitsawit，worshippedandwasdumb。Hepouredtheglowingbronzeintothemouldofsand，andtheriverofredmetalcooledintonoblecurvesandtooktheimpressofthebodyofagod。Withenamelorpolishedjewelshegavesighttothesightlesseyes。Thehyacinth-likecurlsgrewcrispbeneathhisgraver。Andwhen，insomedimfrescoedfane，orpillaredsunlitportico，thechildofLetostooduponhispedestal，thosewhopassedby，[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]，becameconsciousofanewinfluencethathadcomeacrosstheirlives，anddreamily，orwithasenseofstrangeandquickeningjoy，wenttotheirhomesordailylabour，orwandered，itmaybe，throughthecitygatestothatnymph-hauntedmeadowwhereyoungPhaedrusbathedhisfeet，and，lyingthereonthesoftgrass，beneaththetallwind-whisperingplanesandfloweringAGNUSCASTUS，begantothinkofthewonderofbeauty，andgrewsilentwithunaccustomedawe。Inthosedaystheartistwasfree。Fromtherivervalleyhetookthefineclayinhisfingers，andwithalittletoolofwoodorbone，fashioneditintoformssoexquisitethatthepeoplegavethemtothedeadastheirplaythings，andwefindthemstillinthedustytombsontheyellowhillsidebyTanagra，withthefaintgoldandthefadingcrimsonstilllingeringabouthairandlipsandraiment。
Onawalloffreshplaster，stainedwithbrightsandyxormixedwithmilkandsaffron，hepicturedonewhotrodwithtiredfeetthepurplewhite-starredfieldsofasphodel，one’inwhoseeyelidslaythewholeoftheTrojanWar，’Polyxena，thedaughterofPriam；orfiguredOdysseus，thewiseandcunning，boundbytightcordstothemast-step，thathemightlistenwithouthurttothesingingoftheSirens，orwanderingbytheclearriverofAcheron，wheretheghostsoffishesflittedoverthepebblybed；orshowedthePersianintrewsandmitreflyingbeforetheGreekatMarathon，orthegalleysclashingtheirbeaksofbrassinthelittleSalaminianbay。
Hedrewwithsilver-pointandcharcoaluponparchmentandpreparedcedar。Uponivoryandrose-colouredterracottahepaintedwithwax，makingthewaxfluidwithjuiceofolives，andwithheatedironsmakingitfirm。Panelandmarbleandlinencanvasbecamewonderfulashisbrushsweptacrossthem；andlifeseeingherownimage，wasstill，anddarednotspeak。Alllife，indeed，washis，fromthemerchantsseatedinthemarket-placetothecloakedshepherdlyingonthehill；fromthenymphhiddeninthelaurelsandthefaunthatpipesatnoon，tothekingwhom，inlonggreen-
curtainedlitter，slavesboreuponoil-brightshoulders，andfannedwithpeacockfans。Menandwomen，withpleasureorsorrowintheirfaces，passedbeforehim。Hewatchedthem，andtheirsecretbecamehis。Throughformandcolourhere-createdaworld。
Allsubtleartsbelongedtohimalso。Heheldthegemagainsttherevolvingdisk，andtheamethystbecamethepurplecouchforAdonis，andacrosstheveinedsardonyxspedArtemiswithherhounds。Hebeatoutthegoldintoroses，andstrungthemtogetherfornecklaceorarmlet。Hebeatoutthegoldintowreathsfortheconqueror’shelmet，orintopalmatesfortheTyrianrobe，orintomasksfortheroyaldead。OnthebackofthesilvermirrorhegravedThetisbornebyherNereids，orlove-sickPhaedrawithhernurse，orPersephone，wearyofmemory，puttingpoppiesinherhair。
Thepottersatinhisshed，and，flower-likefromthesilentwheel，thevaseroseupbeneathhishands。Hedecoratedthebaseandstemandearswithpatternofdaintyolive-leaf，orfoliatedacanthus，orcurvedandcrestedwave。Theninblackorredhepaintedladswrestling，orintherace：knightsinfullarmour，withstrangeheraldicshieldsandcuriousvisors，leaningfromshell-shapedchariotoverrearingsteeds：thegodsseatedatthefeastorworkingtheirmiracles：theheroesintheirvictoryorintheirpain。Sometimeshewouldetchinthinvermilionlinesuponagroundofwhitethelanguidbridegroomandhisbride，withEroshoveringroundthem-anEroslikeoneofDonatello’sangels，alittlelaughingthingwithgildedorwithazurewings。Onthecurvedsidehewouldwritethenameofhisfriend。[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]tellsusthestoryofhisdays。Again，ontherimofthewideflatcuphewoulddrawthestagbrowsing，orthelionatrest，ashisfancywilledit。Fromthetinyperfume-
bottlelaughedAphroditeathertoilet，and，withbare-limbedMaenadsinhistrain，Dionysusdancedroundthewine-jaronnakedmust-stainedfeet，while，satyr-like，theoldSilenussprawleduponthebloatedskins，orshookthatmagicspearwhichwastippedwithafrettedfir-cone，andwreathedwithdarkivy。Andnoonecametotroubletheartistathiswork。Noirresponsiblechatterdisturbedhim。Hewasnotworriedbyopinions。BytheIlyssus，saysArnoldsomewhere，therewasnoHigginbotham。BytheIlyssus，mydearGilbert，therewerenosillyartcongressesbringingprovincialismtotheprovincesandteachingthemediocrityhowtomouth。BytheIlyssustherewerenotediousmagazinesaboutart，inwhichtheindustriousprattleofwhattheydonotunderstand。Onthereed-
grownbanksofthatlittlestreamstruttednoridiculousjournalismmonopolisingtheseatofjudgmentwhenitshouldbeapologisinginthedock。TheGreekshadnoart-critics。
GILBERT。Ernest，youarequitedelightful，butyourviewsareterriblyunsound。Iamafraidthatyouhavebeenlisteningtotheconversationofsomeoneolderthanyourself。Thatisalwaysadangerousthingtodo，andifyouallowittodegenerateintoahabityouwillfinditabsolutelyfataltoanyintellectualdevelopment。Asformodernjournalism，itisnotmybusinesstodefendit。ItjustifiesitsownexistencebythegreatDarwinianprincipleofthesurvivalofthevulgarest。Ihavemerelytodowithliterature。
ERNEST。Butwhatisthedifferencebetweenliteratureandjournalism？
GILBERT。Oh！journalismisunreadable，andliteratureisnotread。
Thatisall。ButwithregardtoyourstatementthattheGreekshadnoart-critics，Iassureyouthatisquiteabsurd。ItwouldbemorejusttosaythattheGreekswereanationofart-critics。
ERNEST。Really？