334 MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND ART. 



be meted with the measure of ordinary men. At the head of a school 

 of his own founding he stands alone, and even his faults of style seem 

 in our eyes as but lesser beauties. For depth of imagination, power- 

 ful conception of character, and intense nervousness of expression, he 

 has few, if any, equals in the language. He is never stiff nor pom- 

 pous. He is all easy expression and familiarity. The style of his 

 writings may be placed in opposition to Johnson's ; although he lacks 

 the terseness and knowledge of the world peculiar to the colossal 

 moralist. 



The Author of " Mary de Clifford" commenced his literary reign 

 more than half a century ago, and his maiden production is yet in our 

 esteem as fresh as Spring. His " Censoria Literari" is still to us the 

 inexhaustible mine of information it always has been. We thank him, 

 too, for his editions of the <e Theatrum Poetarum," and of Collins 

 they stand on our shelves duly honoured. 



It is delicious to read Sir Egerton's familiar Colloquial Essays. 

 The nineteenth century passes away, and we converse on terms of 

 brotherhood with the splendid galaxy of talent that thronged the 

 senates, and dignified the courts of the days of other years. We see 

 them not, " as in a glass, darkly/' but the (f very thoughts and intents 

 of their hearts" are developed to us by his keen and delicate pen. We 

 observe his Autobiography is announced among our forthcoming no- 

 velties. It must be one of the most racy treats that has yet been given 

 to the world. Much adventure we do not look for. Sir Egerton has 

 been somewhat of a fireside author ; but the bitter experiences and 

 disappointments of a high and lofty heart will form a history, and af- 

 ford a lesson from which all may profit. 



In the work before us, an idea, en passant, similar to the imaginary 

 conversations of Savage Landor, but treated with finer skill. Sir 

 Egerton has displayed all the qualifications for which we have just 

 given him credit, in an especial manner. We are admirers of Collins 

 and Gray, and Raleigh and Falkland, and like their conversation 

 passing well from the pen of Brydges. That between Gray and 

 Walpole is admirably managed. To each dialogue the Author has 

 prefixed a short biographical account of what their lives might have 

 been ; thus filling up, in a pleasing manner, the wide gaps in the vrai 

 lives of these " children of light." We would adopt them as real if 

 we dared, so true and unsophisticated do they appear. 



It has long been our notion that Sir Egerton is, in an eminent de- 

 gree, qualified for continuing s from the days of Johnson to the present 

 era, the Critical Lives of the English Poets. Such a work has long 

 been wanted, and we know not where we could discover a more fitting 

 Biographer. The brilliant chain, beginning with the stern lexico- 

 grapher himself, and ending with THE LAST MINSTREL, would form 

 a work second only to that of which it is an idea. 



We dismiss these volumes to the public with a full confidence that 

 they will have a long and a popular career. It is some relief to turn 

 from the vapid trash that is daily forced upon our nauseating palates 

 to the sterling effusions of a fe lion of literature ;" and for two hours' 

 high pleasure we subscribe ourselves Sir Egerton's obliged debtor. 



