And what Briton can read without enjoyment the works of James, so admirable for terseness; and the playful humour and dazzling offhand lightness of Ainsworth? Among other humourists, one might glance at a Jerrold, the chivalrous advocate of Toryism and Church and State; an a Beckett, with a lightsome pen, but a savage earnestness of purpose; a Jeames, whose pure style, and wit unmingled with buffoonery, was relished by a congenial public.
Speaking of critics, perhaps there never was a review that has done so much for literature as the admirable QUARTERLY.It has its prejudices, to be sure, as which of us has not? It goes out of its way to abuse a great man, or lays mercilessly on to such pretenders as Keats and Tennyson; but, on the other hand, it is the friend of all young authors, and has marked and nurtured all the rising talent of the country.It is loved by everybody.
There, again, is BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE--conspicuous for modest elegance and amiable satire; that review never passes the bounds of politeness in a joke.It is the arbiter of manners; and, while gently exposing the foibles of Londoners (for whom the BEAUX ESPRITS of Edinburgh entertain a justifiable contempt), it is never coarse in its fun.The fiery enthusiasm of the ATHENAEUMis well known: and the bitter wit of the too difficult LITERARY GAZETTE.The EXAMINER is perhaps too timid, and the SPECTATOR too boisterous in its praise--but who can carp at these minor faults? No, no; the critics of England and the authors of England are unrivalled as a body; and hence it becomes impossible for us to find fault with them.
Above all, I never knew a man of letters ASHAMED OF HISPROFESSION.Those who know us, know what an affectionate and brotherly spirit there is among us all.Sometimes one of us rises in the world: we never attack him or sneer at him under those circumstances, but rejoice to a man at his success.If Jones dines with a lord, Smith never says Jones is a courtier and cringer.Nor, on the other hand, does Jones, who is in the habit of frequenting the society of great people, give himself any airs on account of the company he keeps; but will leave a duke's arm in Pall Mall to come over and speak to poor Brown, the young penny-a-liner.
That sense of equality and fraternity amongst authors has always struck me as one of the most amiable characteristics of the class.It is because we know and respect each other, that the world respects us so much;that we hold such a good position in society, and demean ourselves so irreproachably when there.
Literary persons are held in such esteem by the nation that about two of them have been absolutely invited to court during the present reign; and it is probable that towards the end of the season, one or two will be asked to dinner by Sir Robert Peel.
They are such favourites with the public, that they are continually obliged to have their pictures taken and published; and one or two could be pointed out, of whom the nation insists upon having a fresh portrait every year.Nothing can be more gratifying than this proof of the affectionate regard which the people has for its instructors.
Literature is held in such honour in England, that there is a sum of near twelve hundred pounds per annum set apart to pension deserving persons following that profession.And a great compliment this is, too, to the professors, and a proof of their generally prosperous and flourishing condition.They are generally so rich and thrifty, that scarcely any money is wanted to help them.
If every word of this is true, how, I should like to know am I to write about Literary Snobs?
