Romances and Novels. 165 



bis Moral Tales, which, being less prolix than the 

 common novel, combine instruction and amuse- 

 ment in a very pleasing degree. Many of them, 

 however, it must be owned, are indelicate, and 

 corrupting in their tendency, and ought to be con- 

 sidered as especiallv unfit to be put, as they fre- 

 quently are, into the hands of children and young 

 persons. 



But, among all the French novelists, J. J. 

 Rousseau unquestionably holds the first place as 

 a man of genius. His Nouvelle Heloise is one of 

 the most remarkable productions of the age. Elo- 

 quent, tender, and interesting in the highest de- 

 gree; yet full of inconsistency, of extravagance, 

 of licentious principle, and of voluptuous, seduc- 

 ing description. Poison lurks in every page; but 

 concealed from the view of many readers by the 

 wonderful fascination which is thrown around 

 every object. Of the dangerous tendency of his 

 w r ork, indeed, the author was himself fully sen- 

 sible, and speaks freely. A circumstance which 

 forms one among the many grounds of imputation 

 against the morality of that singular man.'" 



The writings of the distinguished novelists above 

 mentioned produced, in every part of Europe, an 

 host of imitators and adventurers in the regions of 

 fiction. To give even a general sketch of the nu- 

 merous classes of those who have written under the 



•y The character of Rousseau perhaps exhibits the most singular and 

 humiliating contrasts that were ever displayed in a human being. Exalted 

 genius and grovelling folly alternately characterized his mind. At some 

 periods he appeared to be under the influence of the most pure and sublime 

 moral feelings; while, at others/the lowest propensities, and most detesta- 

 ble passions, possessed and governed him. Oftentimes, when speaking of 

 morality and religion, one would imagine that sentiments of the most ele- 

 vated benevolence and piety were habitual to him ; but the tenor of his life, 

 and, indeed, his own Confessions demonstrate, that an unnatural compound 

 of vanity, meanness, and contemptible self-love, a suspicious, restless tem- 

 per, bordering on insanity, and a prostration of every principle and duty, 

 to his own aggrandisement and gratification, were the real predominant 

 characteristics of this strange phenomenon in human nature. 



