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