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    Mrtrts- the maxims of economy and in-^ rr the principles of truth , justice , fl jjy agection and religion , which it inculcates by striking examples , and by exquisite strokes of pathos , mixed with humour , arc independent of all local peculiarity of manner or language , and operate upon the feelings of every class

    of readers , in all countries . In Ireland in particular , the history of " the Cottagers of Glenburnie" has been read with peculiar avidity ; and it has probably done as much good to the Irish as to the Scotch . While the Irish have seized and enjoyed the opportunity

    it afforded of a good-humoured laugh at their Scotch neighbours , they have secretly seen , through shades of difference , a resemblance to themselves ; and are conscious that , changing the names , the tale might be told of them . In this tale , both the difference and

    the resemblance between Scottish and Hibernian faults or foibles are adt antageohs to its popularity in Ireland . The difference is sufficient to give an air of novelty that awakens curiosity ; while the resemblance fixes attention , and creates a new species of interest . Besides this , the self-love of the

    Hibernian reader being happily relieved from all apprehension that the lesson was intended for him , his good sense takes and profits by the advice that is offered to another . The humour in

    this book is peculiarly suited to the Irish , because it is , in every sense of the word , good humour * The satife , if satire it can be called / is benevolent ; its object is to mend , and not wound , the heart . Even the Scotch themselves , however national they are supposed to be , can bear " the Cottagers of Glenburnie . " Nations , like individuals ,

    can with decent patience endure to be told of their faults , if those faults , instead of being represented as forming weir established unchangeable charac-Jw > are considered as arising , as in fact « ey Usually do arise , from those jtassrog ci rcumstances which characterize j « ner a certain period of civilization l any particular people . If our

    Slvu faults aTe pointed out as inrr stains , inherent in the texture ? character , from which it cannot ^ art or tini e be bleached or pu rified ^ J * " * justl y provoked and offended ; ^ ira friend warns us of some little r ^ tytal spots , which we had / per-** *** Wriooked , and which we can ,

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    at a moment ' s notice , eflace , we smile , and are grateful . Jn " the Modern Philosophers , " where the spirit of system and party interfered with tRe design of the work , it was difficult to preserve throughout the

    tone of good-humoured raillery and candour : this could scarcely have been accomplished by any talents or prudence , had not the habitual temper and real disposition of the writer been

    candid and benevolent . . Though this work is a professed satire upon a system , yet it avoids all satire of individuals ; and it shews none of that cynical contempt of the human race which some satirists seem to feel , or affect , in order

    to give poignancy to their wit . Our author has none of that misanthropy which derides the infirmities of human nature , and which laughs while it cauterizes . There appears always some adequate object for any pain that she inflicts ; it is done with a steady view to future good , and with a humane and tender , as well as with a skilful and

    courageous hafid . The object of ¦ " the Modern Philo ^ sophers" was to expose those whose theory ancj practice differ ; to point out the difficulty of applying high-flown principles to the ordinary , but necessary , concerns of human life ; and to

    shew the danger of trusting every man to become his own moralist and legislator . When this novel first appeared , it was ^ perhaps , more read , ana more admired , than any of Mrs . Hamilton ' s work 8 : the name and character of

    Brigettina Botheram passed into every company , and became a standing jest —a proverbial point in conversation * The ridicule answered its purpose ; it reduced to measure and reason- those who , in the novelty and zeal of system t had overleaped the bounds of common

    sense . " The Modern Philosophers , " « the Cottagers of Glenburnie , " and " the Letters of the Hindoo Rajah , " the first book , we believe , that our author

    published , have all been highlyand steadily approved by the public . jThese works , alike in principle and in benevolence of design , yet with each a different grace ' of style and invention , hav « established Mrs . Hamilton ' s character as an

    original , agreeable and successful write ! of fiction . Bat her claims to literary reputation , as a usefUl , philosophic , mora ) anjl feligipus author , are 1 > € a

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    Ql $ tuary .- — ~ Mr $ , iZiizabetk Hamilton . 559

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1816, page 555, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2456/page/55/