CHAPTER XV.

MRS. ADDLEPATE AND THE AUTHOR.

MRS. ADDLEPATE, having handsome property, and nothing particular to do, finds employment in driving about in her elegant pony chaise, in reading new and strange books, and in making her pencil annotations in the margins; in gossiping with her neighbours; in giving them the earliest information of any new works that very much interest her, either with pain or pleasure. Being very loquacious, she is not without her use as to exciting or alarming her friends about any extraordinary publication they have not seen, and which she thinks they should see by all In fact, with all her peculiarities, she is a good advertising medium.

means.

Having read some of our publications, and not being satisfied with them, she resolves to make a call. Here we are.

Mrs. A.-" Sir, my name is Addlepate. Excuse my boldness, but having read some of your works, and heard a deal about you, and read some hextrodinary incomiums in newspapers and warious periodicals, I could not satisfy my mind till I had got an interview."

Author.-Pray be seated, madam.

Mrs. A.-"I think one of your books is called the Poppelarity of Christian Ministers."

Author.-"Yes, madam, and that book has long been out of print; a new edition is wanted."

Mrs. A.—“ Why look you, now, how could you make such queer remarks about ministers getting diplomers? It was cruel on yer to do so."

Author." Whatever I have said, ma'am, on that delicate and difficult subject, I have said from a serious conviction of duty. My opinions are those of a multitude of ministers, and men of learning in this kingdom. Certainly it was a very bold, and doubtless would be deemed a very eccentric undertaking in me, to publish my thoughts on a subject, from which, perhaps, all writers in the world refrain, whatever they say about it in private."

Mrs. A.-"Dear me; I should think you got a fine dressing in the magazines. Did not the heditors come down upon you, eh?"

All the

Author.-"Just the reverse, madam. reviews handed to me, were favourable and laudatory, very far beyond my expectations."

Mrs. A.-"Well, I never !—Did you ever!"

Author." More than that, madam, I was strongly importuned, by a venerable minister, the Rev. R. R-long before the publication of that little book, to address the annual assembly on the subject of diplomas. This, I of course declined. But the book contains quite as many hints as are needed, and too many for those good men, who having accepted their titles, cannot dispense with them if they would. But, if you please, madam, we will change the subject."

Mrs. A.-"With all my art. But I must just say, I am greatly astonidged. My mind is now relieved, I see you did not go to work rashly and of your own head, but had the coincidence of an aged father on the subject. Well, I think better of the book now. O blessings! how we may get enlightened by consideren the old addidge-odee altumcum partum.† My dear father, who know'd Latin, always impressed this inwalleable motto on my tender mind."

Author."Yes, madam, it is important to bear it in mind, as serious injury has been done by speaking and writing on one sided reports."

Mrs. A.-" I find you have also Ramblins of a Evangelist, and people tell me there is many silly tales in it about your riding on whales in the sea, and biling eggs, and holloren out when they was done, and sich like stuff and nonsense."

Author."Get the book, madam, and judge for yourself. I never write either silly tales, or stuff and nonsense. But ignorant readers, who cannot understand me, or perceive the point of my peculiar illustrations, are apt to condemn and be angry with me; but it is as much out of my power to give them good sense, as it is to sweeten their tempers."

Mrs. A. 66
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Tempers! Ah, that reminds me of another of your publications, I think it is about peevishness."

* Concurrence.

† Audi alterum partum. Hear both sides.

Author.-"Yes, madam, I recommend that little book to your serious perusal."

Mrs. A.-"Well, I will get it, for when I am tempted by our great grandfather, dear me, I mean our great adversary, the devil, I am cross, and slams the doors, and scolds the servants, but I pray for grace."

Author."I hope your prayer will be answered, madam, as peevishness is remarkably inconsistent with professions of holiness; and it is with an ill grace that bad tempered saints censure and condemn the eccentric. Some peevish people are very rude and insolent. I have witnessed frequent instances of this; and it does indeed require grace, as you say, bear their conduct patiently."

to

Mrs. A.-" And you have other works?" Author.-"Yes, madam, all duly advertised." Mrs. Addlepate bids good morning, and retires. Having had much conversation at times with literary men, I have found that they, like ourselves, their inferiors, sometimes suffer for handsome reviews and private commendation. "Woe unto you when all men speak well of you." This woe is happily escaped. Crotchety critics, Addlepates, and Sniveltons, will try to give annoyance, and should authors attach any importance to their censures, they must uncomfortably feel them. This is sometimes the case, and thus they pay for their popularity, a tax in the way of inward vexation. I have no reason myself to complain of reviewers. One good man did indeed find

fault with my little book on "Punctuality," but then, as if thinking that possibly I might be right after all, he closed his review with a strong recommendation. Another, in a provincial newspaper, made a little mistake in saying that the title of "Rambles of an Evangelist," was "misleading," and yet this discovery was not made by the London Reviewers; all other critics have treated me nobly, and deserve, and have my warmest thanks. It is a happy thing when a reviewer takes a book on its own abstract merits, apart from all considerations of the position of the writer, or the community to which he belongs, except, indeed, the writer has written as a mere partisan."

It is a happy thing when authors preserve self possession, and good temper, under the censures of a reviewer. To contemplate reply and retaliation is for the most part impolitic. The book and the review are both before the public. Should the book be really objectionable as a whole, nothing the author can say to the reviewer, however ingenious and clever, will ever be likely to conciliate either him or the public. If the book in the main is a good one, and the reviewer has dealt unfairly with it, the public, at least the discerning part of it, will soon discover this also. Some reviewers are perfectly aware with what ease a talented author could write an effective reply to their animadversions, but expecting no reply they take liberties. Besides this, the reviewer's safety often consists in the author's poverty. The author cannot afford the pecuniary risk of printing, and so