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    J^ttary 31, 1857.] THE LEADER. 113

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    HORACE WALPOLE'S LETTERS. \ . The Letter...

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    QUARTERLY ESSAYS. Descriptive Essays, co...

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    phantasmagoric representation , that it is only when you come to examine narrowly that you perceive this History to he as rernarkahle for its veracity as for its word-painting . Opinions there are which the student of history will by no means adopt , but there are no statements for which positive authority cannot be produced . It was our task formerly to examine very minutely the course of events during the French Revolution ; and the result of this comparison of historians with documentary evidence was that Carlyle was not only the most accurate of historians who had then wri tten on the subject , but the only one who was uniformly accurate . Now if we consider this fact in conjunction with his strange fantastic mode of representation , we shall be led to explore the secret of his success , for we shall discover a similar constrast in all his writings : on the one hand , a solid basis of knowledge ; on the other , a most conspicuously , eccentric representation . It is because he sees clearly , that he writes effectively ; he does not produce

    effects by mere combination of words . His pictures will be found full of minute details , no detail introduced merely because it is picturesque , but every detail drawn from reality , and presented so as to call up the reality before our eyes . Very useful it would be to draw a parallel between Macaulay and Carlyle as painters , both abounding in details , both celebrated for their exaggerations . It would be found that Macaulay uses details whenever he can get them , with little solicitude as to their truth , provided they serve the purpose of the picture ; whereas Carlyle , so concrete and so hungry for details , uses none but those for which chapter and verse can be given . It would be found that the exaggeration of Macaulay is in statement—in the fact stated—his manner being calm , and wearing the severe air of historical truth ; whereas the exaggeration of Carlyle is wholly in the manner , the fact stated being severely true . It may sound paradoxical , but we deliberately say that the leading characteristic of Carlyle ' s writing is veracity , as the leading characteristic of his mode of representation is concreteness—which is also veracity .

    J^Ttary 31, 1857.] The Leader. 113

    J ^ ttary 31 , 1857 . ] THE LEADER . 113

    Horace Walpole's Letters. \ . The Letter...

    HORACE WALPOLE'S LETTERS . \ . The Letters of Horace Walpole , Earl of Orford . Edited by Peter Cunningham . Now First Chronologically Arranged . Vol . I . Bentley There are ten prefaces to tins chronological collection of the Walpole letters . ' That is to say , Mr . Cunningham bas thought it right to preserve all th « critical heraldry of Walpole ' s various editors . There are , besides , several different sets of annotations—borrowed from former issues , or added by the copious * Cunningham' himself , who is careful to identify himself by something more distinct than the vague modesty of the initial C . Of some of these notes the value is at least questionable . They are largely derived from " The Peerage , " and are sometimes mere superfluities of remark , not very elegantly penned . We miss , in fact , the vigour and precision of style characteristic of some of Mr . Cunningham's writings . Moreover , though tediously minute , he is not always minutely accurate , as when he misnames one of Walpole ' s commentators , Mr . Vernon Smith . But these are

    unimportant defects . The most serious fault in Mr . Cunningham ' s method of editing the letters consists , we think , of his tendency to multiply unnecessary notes on points irrelevant or trivial . Many of these have the appearance of being designed to illustrate , not Horace Walpole , but his editor . We do not say that these venial indiscretions on Mr . Cunningham ' s part detract from the value of his edition of Walpole's letters ; hut they certainly do not enhance its utility . What is not serviceable to the reader is not creditable to the editor . Since we have to make this remark upon Mr . Cunningham ' s plan , which he amended in the

    may forthcoming volumes , it is due to him to say that he has arranged the whole series of Walpole ' s letters , in chronological order , with great care , and has often annotated them with considerable judgment . The edition promises , therefore , to be unique and complete ; some of the correspondence is now printed for the Erst time ; much of it had not previously been collected from the memoirs of Hume , Robertson , and Warton . Mr . Cunningham has obtained the official and private letters to the Bedfords , Walpole's deputies in the Exchequer ; and these disclose many amiable traits of character not commonly associated with the selfish epicureanism of Horace Walpole .

    The new letters in this volume are not numerous , but they are interesting . The first is to the Rev . Joseph Spence , the friend of Pope , and author of the "Anecdotes . Walpole described him as more like a silver penny than a genius , yet owns him to have been his master in the antique . " 1 will never let anything break in upon my reverence for you , " he said , though he afterwards wrote of him with the utmost flippancy , not to sav " irreverence " Tho second new letter is to the Hon . II . fc } . Conway , and * is dated June , 1744 . It is lull of gossip on public affairs , but concludes with a paragraph of town gossip singularly Wafpolean : —

    I hat you may not think I employ my time as idly a *> the great men I have been talking of , you must be informed , that every night constantly I go to Ranelagh : winch has totally beat Vauxhall . Nobody goes anywhere else-everybody goes there . My lord ^ Chesterfield 1 S so fond of it , that he says ho has ordered all his letters to be directed thither . If you had nuVer scon it , I would make you a most pompous descriptionof » t , and tol you how the floor is all of beaten princcB-that you can ' t set your foot without treading on a Prince of Wales or Duke of Cumberland . The company is universal : there is from his Grace of Grafton down to children out of the loundlmg Hospital—from my Lady Tovnsliend to the kitten-from my Lord Sandys to your humble couain and sincere friend . J *

    This constitutes a really notable addition to the Walpole letters Far more remarkable , however , arc those of Sir Edward Walpole to Ilorice on election matters . What cool traflic in suffrages ; what contempt of renro-| sbntation ! Castle-Rising was a beggarly little borough in Norfolk , whicli , I up to May , 1745 , had conferred a scat in Parliament on old tieneral j Churchill . Upon Churchill ' s death , Sir Edward Walpole wrote to his \ brother Horace : — " Sir , —Castle-Rising is a family borough . Lord Orford'a S eoa ought to be brought in there preferably to anybody . Next to him I , I and then you . My uncle and his children have the next claim , then the ¦» Aownshends and tho Hammonds . " He went on to complain of the con-¦ temptuous and arrogant behaviour of Horace , who had put forward , sue

    cessfully as it proved , a candidate of his own , and concluded a very unhrotherly letter by saying , « I must be excused if I beg it of you as a favour , never to be kind ; to me again . " To which Horace wrote a reply in . a sarcastic- and reproachful strain , beginning : — Brother , I am sorry you won ' t let me say , Dear Brother ; but tilWou Imve still farther proved how impossible it is for you to have any affection for me I -will never begin , my letters as you do— " Sir . " ' We follow -with some of the quotations and comments in this extraordinary letter : — Whose birth and seniority give me so just and natural a pretension . To my father ' s estate before me , to nothing else that I know of . You have , I must confess , showed a great disposition to me and to my children at all times . Thank you . Goodnature , which I think and say you jpossess in a great degree . Dear brother , I wish I could think the same of you .

    You nave assumed to yourself a pre-eminence , from an imaginary disparity between us in point of abilities and character . Who told you so ? not your eyes , but your jealousy . I'll tell you , brother , the only superiority I ever pretended over you , was in my temper . Although you are a very great man . I leave that expression to support itself upon its own force , meaning , and elegance . You conclude-with disclaiming all friendship with , and relation to , me . After the vain pains I have taken to deserve that friendship , and the regard I have in vain had to that relation , I don't know whether I ought not readily to embrace this entire rupture . However , as I think you are good-natured when you are cool , and must have repented the unmerited ill-treatment , I can forgive you , and for this last time offer you my friendship ; at the same time assuring you that I despise yoiir anger , and if you persist m disclaiming my brotherhood , the only cover that you have for your abuse I must tell you that you shall treat me like a gentleman . ' ' Yours or not , as you please , Hob . Waupo-le .

    The passages in italics are quoted from Sir Edward ' s epistle particular . The next letter , from Horace , however , is generous and fraternal : — . Deab Brotheb , May 17 , 1745 . lou have used me very ill without any provocation or any pretence . I have always made it my study to deserve your friendship , as you yourself own , and by a submission -which I did not owe you . For consulting you in -what you had nothing to do , I certainly did not , nor ever will , while you profess so much aversion for me . I am still ready to live with you upon any terms of friendship and equality ; but I don't mind your anger , which can only hurt yourself , when you come to reflect with what strange passion you have treated me , who have always loved you , have always tried to please you , have always spoken of you -with regard , and who will yet be , you will let me , Your affectionate brother and humble servanf ,

    Hob . Wawoue . It is pleasant to learn that this was the repl y really sent to Sir Edward ; Horace locked up the more elaborate composition in his desk . The first , perhaps was the more sincere , but the second was more natural . It-was one of Walpole ' s ingenuities to affect an absence of affectation . Most persons , probably , have read ' their Walpole , ' as they have read their Scott or Byron ; but there are few who -will not be glad to con over the letters , as collected by Mr . Cunningham , in serial order ; while to private and public libraries the new edition -will be indispensable . It is well printed , on excellent paper ; the eight volumes -will form a handsome set * for the binder . Horace Walpole , indeed , deserves to be 1 commemorated in wellbound editions . He is the reflex of an age ; he knew the great world familiarly , and described it with a lighter vivacity than is natural to the English pen ; he was feeble , egotistic , vicious—all that Mr . Macaulay says he wasbut we could not have spared his letters from the literature of the eighteenth century 3 rich as that century was in productions of a monumental character .

    Quarterly Essays. Descriptive Essays, Co...

    QUARTERLY ESSAYS . Descriptive Essays , contributed to the " Quarterly Review . " By Sir Francis B . Head , Bart . 2 vols . Murray It is not known to all readers how many persons are engaged in making their own reputations . Of course , everyone ambitious of a reputation , ought to make it for himself , but not in the sense we mean . The individuals referred to are those happy lovers of themselves who , having the command of certain literary media , praise their own performances , their own books , their ovrn ideas , or , indirectly , puff themselves by perpetually alluding to subjects on which they have written—subjects , perhaps , which are not considered of so much importance elsewhere . Our word may be taken for it , that more than a . little notoriety is manufactured by a process of this kind .

    It is easy in itself , and its results arc agreeable . In fact , it would not be a difficult , if it were a pleasant task , to cite a variety of authentic cases iu proof ; but the example in hand is enough . Sir Francis B . Head , most people know , is u Baronet , and as most people also know , a Quarterly Reviewer ; but not everyone was aware that those particular articles in the Quarterly Review , which dwelt so long and so lovingly upon the administrative and political prowess of Sir Francis B . Head , were written by Sir Francis B . Head liimself . Sometimes he is veiled under a periphrasis , as an assistant commissioner whom " we" accompanied ; sometimes he is broadly quoted as a " competent authority ; " continually in certain of the essays his name flourishes in flattering paragraphs connected with homo and colonial affairs .

    I hat was bir l ' rancis 13 . Head ' s method of malcing himself known ; he aspired , and the Review was the instrument of his promotion . And why not V Men loss distinguished than he are in the habit of referring to themselves as the eminent , the well-known , tho influential . Sir Francis B . Head only joins a chorus , in which every singer is loud in self-exalting eulogy . The only remarkable circumstance is , that tho Baronet should so candidly reprint the articles , and say , " I am Sir Francis 13 . Head , tho writer in tho Quarterly lleoiew , who considered that the sayings and doings of Sir Francis B . Head were deserving of so much attention from an apathetic country . " Wow , in as far as this writer has claims upon tho general gratitude of mankind , we think they have been fully recognized . Fortune made him a Quarterly Reviewer , instead of a Penny Encyclopaedist ; his natty descriptions

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 31, 1857, page 17, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_31011857/page/17/