SECRETS OF THE BOOK TRADE. 185 



poetical attempts invite every Christian to hold out the right hand of 

 fellowship to his brother. 



Publisher. If they did, their left hand would soon be at each other's 

 throat. Sir, it will never do : liberality in religion would be a sort 

 of satire, in which it would not suit me to be concerned. Could you 

 not write a novel ? Nothing sells better. 



Author. If I made the attempt, I would not imitate any of my 

 predecessors, for it seems to me, that there is room for great improve- 

 ment in this species of composition. Why should we go on, year 

 after year, stringing tales of mere amusement, like so many Arabian 

 Nights' Entertainments in English, which, with a few exceptions, 

 not being calculated to make the world either wiser or better in any 

 one particular, are thrown aside and forgotten as soon as they are 

 read. A department of literature so popular should aim at higher 

 objects, and by addressing itself to the momentous subjects that now 

 engross public attention, should forward the march of society, adopt 

 the spirit of the age, and lend itself to the great cause of human im- 

 provement. 



Publisher. Would'nt sell, sir ; would'nt sell. People like novels, 

 precisely because they are free from all such topics because they are 

 a mere recreation, and amuse rather than instruct. Any other 

 amendments ? 



Author. Yes; I would have justice done to the lower orders, 

 whom our novel-writers either neglect altogether or shamefully mis- 

 represent, by introducing none but ignorant and vicious characters, to 

 be made the butt of their ridicule and reproach. This is not less im- 

 politic than illiberal ; for, instead of fomenting the differences between 

 the two classes, already sufficiently irritated against each other, a 

 lover of his country and of truth would assign their fair share of 

 knowledge and virtue to the inferior orders, endeavouring to impress 

 upon all, a sense of their mutual dependence, and to excite a feeling 

 of reciprocal esteem and respect. Novel writers have started up in 

 France, who devote themselves almost exclusively to scenes and cha- 

 racters of humble life, and the illustration of popular manners. 



Publisher. Very likely, sir, but it would never do in England, 

 where we pay the poor rates, and subscribe to charities cheerfully 

 enough, but desire not to make any further acquaintance, even in our 

 reading, with the class beneath us. What has exploded Crabbe's 

 poetry, in spite of its fidelity and beauty, but that it makes us con- 

 versant with those objects of our dislike with peasants and paupers, 

 with mendicants and mechanics ? And now, sir, as you seem to be in 

 a hurry, I beg to wish you good morning. 



Author. Oh ! good morning, sir. [Exit Author.^ 



Publisher. I suspect that fellow to be radically speaking, a dan- 

 gerous character. 



M. M. No. 85. R 



