1792. on En^li/h novels. 13 j 



fame than Henry Feilding, and there are few metf 

 of letters who are not conversant with his wri- 

 tings. 



The most striking peculiarity in Feilding's works, 

 is the remarkable fertility of his invention, the jus- 

 tice and ingenuity of his observations, and his tho- 

 rough knowledge of the human heart. As a novelist, 

 we are charmed with the interesting texture of his 

 story; and his acute and satirical remarks on the 

 manner and the mind of man, iconvince us of the source 

 from which such merit could flow. His originality 

 of genius has never been, nor ever can be disputed, 

 since he has struck out for himself a path entirely 

 new. For propriety of language, or natural charac- 

 ters, he certainly bears away the palm from every 

 novelist, SmoUet always excepted, in Britain. 



His Joseph Andrews abounds with the most exqui- 

 site humour, and poignant satire. It was profefsedly 

 an imitation of Cervantes ; and in drawing humo- 

 rous scenes he has often at least equalled his mast- 

 ter. 



The learning of parson Adams, his entire igno- 

 rance of the world, the goodnefs and the simplicty of 

 his heart, are drawn with the nicest judgement. The 

 modesty and good sense of Joseph, and the refined senti- 

 ments of Fanny, are truly the copyings of nature. As 

 for his Foundling, I venture to affirm, that it is the most 

 complete novel in the Englilh lang'uagc ; and for the 

 perspicuity of style, and variety of incident, has ne- 

 ver been surpafsed. Nb characters can be more ori- 

 ginal than those of Jones, Allv/orthy, and Partridge. 

 From the hero of the piece, to the lov/cst character, 



