LIFE OF WILSON. 



taming his own wife, who had given evidence of a shrewish 

 disposition. The experiment being made by Watty, Meg is 

 brought to terms. She solemnly promises to keep her temper 

 never again to scold her husband never to follow him to 

 the beer-house never to put drunken to his name never to 

 look sad when he shall come home late never to kick his 

 shins, or pull his hair; and lastly she consents, with tears, that 

 their hard earnings shall be kept solely by himself. The hus- 

 band, rejoiced at this evidence of her humility and contrition, 

 kisses her, and so the story ends. 



In the management of this tale there is little art displayed; 

 there is some natural description, it is true; but the laws of po- 

 etical justice are but ill observed, when misconduct so glaring 

 as that of Watty's is passed over without censure; and he is 

 allowed to triumph over the subjection of a poor woman, whose 

 temper had become soured by his idleness and debauchery. 



Such stories are not calculated to do good; on the contrary 

 they may promote vice; and surely the vice of intemperance is 

 no trifling evil in society. To blend instruction with amuse- 

 ment, we are told, should be the aim of all writers of fiction, 

 particularly poets, whose influence over the mind has always 

 been predominant. It is justly remarked, by an elegant wri- 

 ter,* that " there seems to be something in poetry that raises 

 the possessors of that very singular talent far higher in the es- 

 timation of the world in general, than those who excel in any 

 other of the refined arts. " Then let poets take heed lest they 

 misapply those talents, which, if properly directed, may be 

 made subservient to the best interests of society. 



In justice to our author I would remark, that though fond of 

 describing scenes of low life, with which his education and ha- 

 bits had rendered him familiar, yet he appeared to have es- 

 caped the contaminating influence of vulgar associates, when 

 arrived at manhood. His conduct, in this country, was truly 

 exemplary. This observation, though out of place, I here 



* Melmoth's Fitzosborne, letter 53. 



