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SKETCHES. 369
The great development which romance literature has at-
tained during this century, is a proof according to my
opinion of the great huinanizing development of the age ;
and the fact that romance or novel-reading has become a
favorite study throughout all classes of society, shows their
sound taste and clear eye. We are here ready to say with
Madame de Sévigné, “ Mon ami, le public a bon nez et ne se
méprend guére.”
The question of the value of the romance in general
ought to be restricted to a question of the value of such or
such a romance in relation to its purport as a romance,
as the epic poem of mankind.?
We do not deny that the romance has frequently mis-
taken its aim;‘that it has often carried darkness and
poison in its leaves instead of light and healing life.
This constitutes its sin. But this sin ought to be as
little ascribed to the whole race of romances, as Nero’s
abominations ought to be laid at the door of mankind.
Far more frequently the romance has carried pleasure,
comfort, hope, strength, healing life to man’s heart. It will
do so in a far greater measure when it has learnt better to
understand ztse/f and its mission.
Rousseau’s “ Héloise,” Richardson’s “ Pamela,’ St.
Pierre’s “ Chaumiére Indienne,” and in later times “ Con-
suelo,” by Madame Du Devant, are beautiful human epic
poems, justly admired by all nations and models of the
Epos of our time. Higher still than they stands “ Uncle
Tom’s Cabin,” the book of our own days, which is being
read most and is most liked; for not only does nature,
family life, and life’s moral questions group themselves
round the man who is the centre of the narrative, , but the
1 We can discover in romance literature two leading tendencies, like
those which in painting are called the Italian and the Flemish school. The
former tries to represent the ideal, the latter strives more to show a vigor-
ous and pithy reality. Our Swedish literature has to thank Mrs. Emilie
Carlén for exquisite pictures of this latter kind; pictures which have
scarcely been equaled.
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