AMERICAN LITERATURE—DR. CHANNING
This review is stated to be Hazlitt’s in the volume of Selections from the Correspondence of the late Macvey Napier, p. 70 note. Jeffrey writes to Napier, Nov. 23, 1829 (Ibid. pp. 69–70): ‘Your American reviewer is not a first-rate man, a clever writer enough, but not deep or judicious, or even very fair. I have no notion who he is. If he is young he may come to good, but he should be trained to a more modest opinion of himself, and to take a little more pains, and go more patiently and thoroughly into his subject.’ Carlyle, on the other hand, writes, Jan. 27. 1830 (Ibid. p. 78): ‘I liked the last [number] very well; the review of Channing seemed to me especially good.’ It is very strange that Jeffrey should not have recognised Hazlitt’s manner. Procter (An Autobiographical Fragment, p. 261) quotes a letter from Jeffrey of May 12, 1826, in which he says, ‘Can you tell me anything of our ancient ally Hazlitt?’
PAGE [310]. Mr. Brown. Charles Brockden Brown (1771–1810), one of the earliest of American writers, author of Wieland (1798), Ormond (1799), Arthur Mervyn (1800), Edgar Huntley (1801), Clara Howard (1801), and Jane Talbot (1804). The first four of these are mentioned by Peacock as amongst the books ‘which took the deepest root in Shelley’s mind, and had the strongest influence on the formation of his character.’ [310]. Mr. Cooper. James Fenimore Cooper (1789–1851), whose most famous novel, The Last of the Mohicans, had appeared in 1826. [311]. An ample tribute of respect. See reviews in the Edinburgh of The Sketch Book (Aug. 1820), and Bracebridge Hall (Nov. 1822). Both were written by Jeffrey. Frankenstein. Mrs. Shelley’s novel (1818). ‘Of Brownies,’ etc. ‘Of Brownies and of bogillis full this buke.’ Gawin Douglas, Aeneis, VI. Prol. 18. They hoot the Beggar’s Opera, etc. Cf. vol. VIII. (Dramatic Essays), p. 473 and note. [312]. Our own unrivalled novelist. Sir Walter Scott. [313]. The historiographer of Brother Jonathan. Hazlitt refers to John Neal’s Brother Jonathan: or the New Englanders. 3 vols. Edinburgh, 1825. His Pilot. 1823. ‘To suffer,’ etc. The Tempest, Act I. Sc. 2. [314]. ‘Line upon line,’ etc. Isaiah, xxviii. 10. Franklin. Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790). Poor Robin. Poor Richard’s Almanac, begun by Franklin in 1732, and continued with great success for twenty-five years. 1754. This apparently should be 1764. ‘Metre-ballad-mongering.’ Cf. Henry IV., Part I. Act III. Sc. 1. [315]. Jonathan Edwards. Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758), whose Freedom of the Will appeared in 1754. Cf. Hazlitt’s philosophical lectures in vol. XI. ‘An honest method.’ Hamlet, Act II. Sc. 2. [316]. Dr. Channing. William Ellery Channing (1780–1842), minister of a Congregational church in Boston from 1803. He had visited England in 1822. Hazlitt is here reviewing Sermons and Tracts: including Remarks on the Character and Writings of Milton, and of Fenelon; and an analysis of the Character of Napoleon Bonaparte, 1829. [320]. In answer to Fenelon. Channing’s ‘Remarks’ were upon a volume of Selections from Fénelon, published in Boston, 1829. [323]. Bishop Butler’s Sermons. 1726. [325]. ‘Wise above what is written.’ Cf. 1 Corinthians, iv. 6. ‘With authority,’ etc. S. Matthew, vii. 29. [326]. ‘As having something,’ etc. The Advancement of Learning, Book II. iv. 2. [327]. ‘The father of lies.’ Cf. Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, Partition I. Sec. IV. Member i. Subsection 4. [328]. Fielding’s character of Mr. Abraham Adams. Joseph Andrews, Book III. chap. 5. [329]. ‘No babies.’ ‘I am no baby.’ Titus Andronicus, Act V. Sc. 3.