r opinion of an author from opinions put by him
into the mouths of the characters drawn in a work of fiction, forgetting
that in these instances it is not the author who speaks, but the
individuals which his imagination has conjured up; and that the opinions
expressed by these creatures of his brain, although perfectly in keeping
with the character, and necessary to produce that _vraisemblance_ which
is the great merit of fiction, may be entirely opposed to the real
sentiments of the author. The true merit of fiction, and that which is
essential to its success, is the power of the author at the time that he
is writing to divest himself, as it were, of himself, and be for the
time the essence of the character which he is delineating. It is
therefore a great injustice to an author to accuse him of being an
infidel because his infidel character is well portrayed, particularly
as, if he is equally fortunate in describing a character which is
perfect, the public do not ever give him the credit for similar
perfection. That is quite another affair. Again, Edward Bulwer says,
in opposition to the poverty of the _mine_:--

"A man is, I suspect, but of a second-rate order whose genius is not
immeasurably above his works,--who does not feel within him an
inexhaustible affluence of thoughts, feelings, and invention, which he
never will have leisure to embody in print. He will die and leave only
a thousandth part of his wealth to posterity, which is his heir."

I like to bring all in juxtaposition. There is excitement in making
mischief, and that is the reason why people are so fond of it. Still,
the question at issue ought to be fairly decided; and, as in case of
arbitration, when the disputants cannot agree, a third party is called
in by mutual consent, I shall venture to take upon myself that office,
and will fairly argue the point, as there is more dependent upon it
than, upon the first view, the question may appear to merit.

If we turn back to the last century, in what position shall we find
authors?--looking up to patrons among the aristocracy, and dedicating
their works to them in panegyrics, fulsome from their obsequiousness and
flattery. At that period the aristocracy and the people were much wider
apart than they are at present.

Gradually the people have advanced; and, as they have advanced, so have
the authors thrown off the trammels of servitude, and have attacked the
vices and follies as well as the privile