NOVEMBER 113 



also Southey's "Life of Wesley." It is not very easy 

 to get it, but I am sure it would well repay you for 

 reading. Among lighter books, I will mention Scott's 

 "Lives of the Novelists." It is not only a very 

 interesting book, but there is a great deal of sound 

 criticism in it — particularly, for instance, in his lives of 

 Richardson and Fielding — and it would be well if the 

 generality of novel -readers had some fixed and firm 

 certain principles of taste by which to judge of the 

 merits of what they read. I was much struck, I assure 

 you, with your remarks upon the "Admiral's Daughter" 

 to my sister. The criticism seemed to me as just as it 

 was well expressed. What I had objected to in the 

 work was the intention of placing the man of intellect 

 and of cultivation in unfavourable contrast with the 

 man of impulse and feeling. You will say that religion 

 made the difference ; but I am not aware that anything 

 which is good in the good man is supposed to arise from 

 the presence of religion. But I will not write you a 

 letter, though I feel as if I could go on for ever. No. 

 I fear, for so long as yon desire it, all direct communica- 

 tion must cease between us. I doubt not you are right. 

 Heaven grant that it may be renewed at no distant 

 time and under happy circumstances ! May God for 

 ever bless and protect you ! ' 



In 1835 they were married, and had eight short years 

 of great happiness. This was constantly described to 

 me in a way to make a deep impression on a child's 

 mind, and to account for a sentimental vein in me that 

 was perhaps beyond what was usual even in the days 

 when a very different tone was prevalent among girls 

 than at present. Though my recollection of my father 

 was of the faintest, my hero-worship for him amounted 

 almost to idolatry all through my childhood. I so ven- 



