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Indiana University Studies 



The Rambler. At the very beginning of Cecilia one notes the ''big 

 words". In Camilla the tendency is still more pronounced: 



"The delicacy of your highly cultivated mind awes even the passion 

 which you inspire." » 



Thruout The Wanderer this trait invariably appears : 



"And has our atmosphere, Elinor, no purifying particles, that in defiance 

 of its occasional mists, render it salubrious?" 9 



In the second place, the later style is turgid and verbose. A casual 

 glance thru Cecilia shows the simplest statements expressed with an 

 inflated circumlocution : 



Yet her natural benevolence, which partial convenience never lulled to 

 sleep, impressing her with an apprehension that her services might be wanted, 

 she was induced to write to Miss Belfield, though she forbore to visit her.^o 



The same trait appears in The Wanderer in a more exaggerated form : 



"How shall I ever endure myself again, should Miss Ellis withdraw her 

 kind promise of communication, in resentment of an acquiescence in quitting 

 her, for which already I begin almost to disdain myself?"" 



In the third place, the later style abounds in balance, or contrast. 

 Words set against words, or clauses against clauses, the contrast is 

 far-fetched, and strikes the reader as a fantastic conceit. These 

 extracts show its nature : 



"Ill-usage," answered he, "is as hard to relate as to be endured. . . . 

 Those who give the offence, by the worthy few may be hated, but those who 

 receive it, by the world at large will be despised. "13 



Thither, immediately everybody flocked, with as much speed and avidity 

 as if they had learnt to appreciate the blessing of plenty, by the experience of 

 want. 14 



Harleigh reluctantly, yet instantly desisted; but the pleasure of so 

 unhoped a reception still beat at his heart, though it no longer sparkled in her 

 eyes: and though the enchanting animation of her manner, was altered into 

 the most repressing gravity, the blushes which still tingled, still dyed her 

 cheeks, betrayed that all within was not chilled, however all without might 

 seem cold. 15 



These are the chief Johnsonian characteristics in Madame 

 D'Arblay's later novels. That each of these qualities is well defined 



8 Camilla, I, 272. 



9 The Wanderer, I, 17. 



10 Cecelia, I, 232. 



11 The Wanderer, IV, 25. 



12 Sometimes the balance itself is artificial, as when a phrase, subordinate to 

 another, is so placed as to appear antithetic to it (cf . second illustration) . 



13 Cecilia, II, 200. 

 " Camilla, I, 214. 



IB The Wanderer. II. 346. 



