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The Gentle Reader
The Gentle Reader
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CONTENTS
PAGE
THE GENTLE READER 1
THE ENJOYMENT OF POETRY 35
THE MISSION OF HUMOR 64
CASES OF CONSCIENCE CONCERNING WITCHCRAFTS 101
THE HONORABLE POINTS OF IGNORANCE 135
THAT HISTORY SHOULD BE READABLE 167
THE EVOLUTION OF THE GENTLEMAN 201
THE HINTER-LAND OF SCIENCE 227
THE GENTLE READER'S FRIENDS AMONG THE CLERGY 243
QUIXOTISM 271
INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE AND DELIGHT 303
The Gentle Reader
What has become of the Gentle Reader? One does not like to think that he
has passed away with the stagecoach and the weekly news-letter; and that
henceforth we are to be confronted only by the stony glare of the
Intelligent Reading Public. Once upon a time, that is to say a
generation or two ago, he was very highly esteemed. To him books were
dedicated, with long rambling prefaces and with episodes which were
their own excuse for being. In the very middle of the story the writer
would stop with a word of apology or explanation addressed to the Gentle
Reader, or at the very least with a nod or a wink. No matter if the fate
of the hero be in suspense or the plot be inextricably involved.
"Hang the plot!" says the author. "I must have a chat with the Gentle
Reader, and find out what he thinks about it."
And so confidences were interchanged, and there was gossip about the
Universe and suggestions in regard to the queerness of human nature,
until, at last, the author would jump up with, "Enough of this, Gentle
Reader; perhaps it's time to go back to the story."
The thirteenth book of Tom Jones leaves the heroine in the greatest
distress. The last words are, "Nor did this thought once suffer her to
close her eyes during the whole succeeding night." Had Fielding been
addressing the Intelligent Modern Public he would have intensified the
interest by giving an analysis of Sophia's distress so that we should
all share her insomnia. But not at all! While the dear girl is
recovering her spirits it is such an excellent opportunity to have
uninterrupted discourse with the Gentle Reader, who doesn't take these
things too hard, having long since come to "the years that bring the
philosophic mind." So the next chapter is entitled An Essay to prove
that an author will write better for having some knowledge of the
subject on which he treats. The discussion is altogether irrelevant;
that is what the Gentle Reader likes.
"It is a paradoxical statement you make," he says, trying to draw the
author out. "What are your arguments?"
Then the author moderates his expressions. "To say the truth I require
no more than that an author should have some little knowledge of the
subject of which he treats."
"That sounds more reasonable," says the Gentle Reader. "You know how
much I dislike extreme views. Let us admit, for the sake of argument,
that a writer may know a little about his subject. I hope that this may
not prove the opening wedge for erudition. By the way, where was it we
left the sweet Sophy; and do you happen to know anything more about that
scapegrace Jones?"
PAGE
THE GENTLE READER 1
THE ENJOYMENT OF POETRY 35
THE MISSION OF HUMOR 64
CASES OF CONSCIENCE CONCERNING WITCHCRAFTS 101
THE HONORABLE POINTS OF IGNORANCE 135
THAT HISTORY SHOULD BE READABLE 167
THE EVOLUTION OF THE GENTLEMAN 201
THE HINTER-LAND OF SCIENCE 227
THE GENTLE READER'S FRIENDS AMONG THE CLERGY 243
QUIXOTISM 271
INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE AND DELIGHT 303
The Gentle Reader
What has become of the Gentle Reader? One does not like to think that he
has passed away with the stagecoach and the weekly news-letter; and that
henceforth we are to be confronted only by the stony glare of the
Intelligent Reading Public. Once upon a time, that is to say a
generation or two ago, he was very highly esteemed. To him books were
dedicated, with long rambling prefaces and with episodes which were
their own excuse for being. In the very middle of the story the writer
would stop with a word of apology or explanation addressed to the Gentle
Reader, or at the very least with a nod or a wink. No matter if the fate
of the hero be in suspense or the plot be inextricably involved.
"Hang the plot!" says the author. "I must have a chat with the Gentle
Reader, and find out what he thinks about it."
And so confidences were interchanged, and there was gossip about the
Universe and suggestions in regard to the queerness of human nature,
until, at last, the author would jump up with, "Enough of this, Gentle
Reader; perhaps it's time to go back to the story."
The thirteenth book of Tom Jones leaves the heroine in the greatest
distress. The last words are, "Nor did this thought once suffer her to
close her eyes during the whole succeeding night." Had Fielding been
addressing the Intelligent Modern Public he would have intensified the
interest by giving an analysis of Sophia's distress so that we should
all share her insomnia. But not at all! While the dear girl is
recovering her spirits it is such an excellent opportunity to have
uninterrupted discourse with the Gentle Reader, who doesn't take these
things too hard, having long since come to "the years that bring the
philosophic mind." So the next chapter is entitled An Essay to prove
that an author will write better for having some knowledge of the
subject on which he treats. The discussion is altogether irrelevant;
that is what the Gentle Reader likes.
"It is a paradoxical statement you make," he says, trying to draw the
author out. "What are your arguments?"
Then the author moderates his expressions. "To say the truth I require
no more than that an author should have some little knowledge of the
subject of which he treats."
"That sounds more reasonable," says the Gentle Reader. "You know how
much I dislike extreme views. Let us admit, for the sake of argument,
that a writer may know a little about his subject. I hope that this may
not prove the opening wedge for erudition. By the way, where was it we
left the sweet Sophy; and do you happen to know anything more about that
scapegrace Jones?"
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