OR THE Castle of Niolo. A ROMANCE. BY ROBERT HUISH Esq. AUTHOR OF "Kelly's celebrated Memoirs of Her late Royal Highness the Princess I have no brother-I am no brother- ་ And this word Love, which greybeards call divine. But not in me,-I am-myself alone. SHAKSPEARE. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM EMANS, 7-12-53 MFE? G.L. INTRODUCTION. THERE is not certainly any thing more pleasing in the hour of relaxation from severer studies, or when the mind seeks relief from a constant and rigid attention to the worldly affairs of the day, than the perusal of a moral and entertaining novel. Nothing indeed can be considered as more unfounded nor invidious than the outcry which has been so unjustly raised by a certain class of individuals against that particular species of literature, and the severe injunctions which have been issued against the introduction of a novel into the hands of the rising generation, is the mere effect of the grossest prejudice, and the most narrow minded illiberality. A well written novel is a faithful picture of human life, with all its lights and shades, its sun-shines and its storms, and although at times some grotesque figure may be delineated, which not only borders on caricature, but resembles some hideous nondescript on the boards of a Theatre, yet with the endless diversity of human character, who will pretend to affirm that its prototype is not to be found. The mariner who is kept in ignorance of the rocks on which his vessel may be wrecked, resembles the individual who is launched upon the dangerous ocean of life, without the chart of experience to guide him, and wholly a stranger to the snares which beset him at every step, to subvert his principles and his virtue. In this respect, the uses and advantages of a novel are very apparent; the vices which disfigure human nature are there exposed in all their native deformity, and the virtues, the practice of which throws such an enlivening charm over human society, are held forth as the only rule of moral action, from which real happiness can possibly emanate. If it be urged, that the general tendency of a novel is to pourtray vice triumphant, and virtue persecuted, we have only to turn our eyes to the actual scenes of life, to discover, that it is perfectly consistent with truth, and conformable to the actual condition of man, as established by his Maker, which consists in a severe and incessant state of trial, and in which he is exposed to continual temptation, in order that he may overcome it,. for therein consists the dignity of human nature. The virtue which has not undergone the ordeal of temptation, is but a negative virtue at best, and although in the novel as in life, virtue may be for a time assailed, persecuted and oppressed, the time will come, when the hideous front of vice will be exposed, and virtue reap the just reward of its noble struggle. On these principles are founded the scenes of the "Brothers," and if on their perusal any one should say-" this is meant for me," -the wish of the Author will be fulfilled, if by the delineation of the consequences resulting from a career of vice, the individual should commence the reformation of himself, and at the end of his earthly sojourn, he should sleep the sleep of the virtuous, and die in the fullest hope of forgiveness from his God. |
