Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1904 — Thackeray as a Critic. [ARTICLE]

Thackeray as a Critic.

It cannot be contended that Thackeray was a great critic. Indeed, there is not doubt that, as a rule, he preferred second rate hooks of the first class to the greatest. For instance, while, ns a matter of course, he admitted that Milton was a great poet, he added that “he was such a bore that no one could read him.” Whatever one may think of the discernment of a man who says that, it is impossible to doubt his honesty. He was often led away by the character of the author whose works he was criticising. lie disapproved of Swift and Sterne and rather grudgingly admitted their qualities, but he gladly praised Pope, whom he loved because of his infirmity and because of the love the poet bore his mother. Ilis judgments came from the heart rather than the intellect. It was fortunate when these coincided.—Lewis Melville in Fortnightly.