第6章

ThuswereallymustnotbedeludedbytheprofessionsofMr.

Kingsley’ssentimentalbuccaneer，withhispityfor"theIndianfolkofold."

ExceptDenisScott，aworthybanditinhisday，CaptainHenryMorganisthefirstrenownedBritishbuccaneer.HewasayoungWelshman，who，afterhavingbeensoldasaslaveinBarbadoes，becameasailoroffortune.WithaboutfourhundredmenheassailedPuertoBello.

"Ifournumberissmall，"hesaid，"ourheartsaregreat，"andsoheassailedthethirdcityandplaceofarmswhichSpainthenpossessedintheWestIndies.Theentranceoftheharbourwasprotectedbytwostrongcastles，judgedas"almostimpregnable，"whileMorganhadnoartilleryofanyavailagainstfortresses.MorganhadthelucktocaptureaSpanishsoldier，whomhecompelledtoparleywiththegarrisonofthecastle.Thishestormedandblewup，massacringallitsdefenders，whilewithitsgunshedisarmedthesisterfortress.

Whenallbutdefeatedinanewassault，thesightoftheEnglishcoloursanimatedhimafresh.Hemadethecaptivemonksandnunscarrythescalingladders;inthisunwontedexploitthepoorreligiousfolklostmanyoftheirnumbers.Thewallwasmounted，thesoldiersweredefeated，thoughtheGovernorfoughtlikeaSpaniardoftheoldschool，slewmanypirateswithhisownhand，andpistolledsomeofhisownmenforcowardice.Hediedathispost，refusingquarter，andfallinglikeagentlemanofSpain.Morgan，too，wasnotwantinginfortitude：heextorted100，000pieces—of—

eightfromtheGovernorofPanama，andsenthimapistolasasampleofthegunwherewithhetooksogreatacity.HeaddedthathewouldreturnandtakethispistoloutofPanama;norwashelessgoodthanhisword.InCubahedivided250，000pieces—of—eight，andagreatbootyinothertreasure.Afewweekssawitallinthehandsofthetavern—keepersandwomenoftheplace.

Morgan’snextperformancewasanewsackofMaracaibo，nowmuchstrongerthanL’Olonnoishadfoundit.Afterthemostappallingcruelties，notfittobetold，hereturned，passingthecastlesatthemouthoftheportbyaningeniousstratagem.Runningboatloadafterboatloadofmentothelandside，hebroughtthembackbystealth，leadingthegarrisontoexpectanattackfromthatquarter.

Thegunsweremassedtolandward，andnosoonerwasthisdonethanMorgansailedupthroughthechannelwithbutlittleloss.WhytheSpaniardsdidnotclosethepassagewithaboomdoesnotappear.

ProbablytheyweregladtobequitofMorganonanyterms.

AgreatSpanishfleetheroutedbytheingeniousemploymentofafire—ship.Inalaterexpeditionastrongplacewastakenbyacuriousaccident.Oneofthebuccaneerswasshotthroughthebodywithanarrow.Hedrewitout，wrappeditincotton，fireditfromhismusket，andsosetlighttoaroofandburnedthetown.

HisraidonPanamawasextraordinaryfortheenduranceofhismen.

Fordaystheylivedontheleatherofbottlesandbelts."Some，whowereneveroutoftheirmothers’kitchens，mayaskhowthesepiratescouldeatanddigestthesepiecesofleather，sohardanddry？WhomIanswer——thatcouldtheyonceexperiencewhathunger，orratherfamineis，theywouldfindtheway，asthepiratesdid."ItwasatthecloseofthismarchthattheIndiansdrovewildbullsamongthem;buttheycaredverylittleforthesenewalliesoftheSpaniards：beef，inanyform，wasonlytoowelcome.

MorganburnedthefaircedarhousesofPanama，butlosttheplateshipwithallthegoldandsilveroutofthechurches.Howhetorturedapoorwretchwhochancedtowearapairoftaffetytrousersbelongingtohismaster，withasmallsilverkeyhangingout，itisbetternottorepeat.Themenonlygottwohundredpieces—of—eighteach，afteralltheirtoil，fortheirWelshmanwasindeedathief，andbilkedhiscrews，nolessthanheplunderedtheSpaniards，withoutremorse.Finally，hesneakedawayfromthefleetwithashiportwo;anditistobefearedthatCaptainMorganmaderatheragoodthingbydintofhisincrediblecrueltyandvillainy.

AndsoweleaveMr.Esquemeling，whomCaptainMorganalsodeserted;

forwhowouldlingerlongwhenthereisnotevenhonouramongthieves？Alluringasthepirate’sprofessionis，wemustnotforgetthatithadaseamyside，andwasbynomeansallrumandpieces—of—

eight.Andthereissomethingrepulsivetoagenerousnatureinroastingmenbecausetheywillnotshowyouwheretostealhogs.

THESAGAS

"Thegeneralreader，"saysafrankcritic，"hatestheverynameofaSaga."Thegeneralreader，inthatcase，istobepitied，and，ifpossible，converted.But，justasPascaladmitsthatthescepticcanonlybecomereligiousbylivingasifheWEREreligious——bystupefyinghimself，asPascalplainlyputsit，withholywater——soitistobefearedthatthereisbutasinglewayofwinningoverthegeneralreadertotheSagas.Preachingandexample，asinthisbriefessay，willnotavailwithhim.HemusttakePascal’sadvice，andliveforanhourortwoasifhewerealoverofSagas.Hemust，inbrief，givethatoldliteratureafairchance.Hehasnowhisopportunity：Mr.WilliamMorrisandMr.EirikrMagnussonarepublishingaseriesofcheaptranslations——cheaponlyincoinoftherealm——aSagaLibrary.Ifageneralreadertriesthefirsttaleinthefirstvolume，storyof"HowardtheHalt，"——ifhetriesithonestly，andstillcanmakenowaywithit，thenlethimtakecomfortinthedoctrineofInvincibleIgnorance.Lethimgobacktohisfavouriteliteratureofgossipingreminiscence，orofrealisticnovels.Wehaveall，probably，adropoftheNorthmen’sbloodinus，butinthatgeneralreaderthebloodisdormant.

WhatisaSaga？Itisneitherquiteapieceofhistorynorwhollyaromance.Itisaveryoldstoryofthingsandadventuresthatreallyhappened，buthappenedsolongago，andintimessosuperstitious，thatmarvelsandmiraclesfoundtheirwayintothelegend.ThebestSagasarethoseofIceland，andthose，intranslations，arethefinestreadingthatthenaturalmancandesire.Ifyouwanttruepicturesoflifeandcharacter，whicharealwaysthesameatbottom，ortruepicturesofmanners，whicharealwayschanging，andofstrangecustomsandlostbeliefs，intheSagastheyaretobefound.Orifyouliketalesofenterprise，offightingbylandandsea，fightingwithmenandbeasts，withstormsandghostsandfiends，theSagasarefullofthisentertainment.

ThestoriesofwhichwearespeakingwerefirsttoldinIceland，perhapsfrom950to1100B.C.WhenNorwayandSwedenwerestillheathen，athousandyearsago，theywerepossessedbyfamiliesofnoblebirth，owningnomaster，andoftenatwarwitheachother，whenthemenwerenotsailingtheseas，torobandkillinScotland，England，France，Italy，andawayeastasfarasConstantinople，orfarther.Thoughtheywerewildsearobbersandwarriors，theyweresturdyfarmers，greatshipbuilders;everymanofthem，howeverwealthy，couldbehisowncarpenter，smith，shipwright，andploughman.Theyforgedtheirowngoodshortswords，hammeredtheirownarmour，ploughedtheirownfields.Inshort，theylivedlikeOdysseus，theheroofHomer，andwereequallyskilledintheartsofwarandpeace.Theyweremightylawyers，too，andhadamostcuriousandminutesystemoflawsonallsubjects——land，marriage，murder，trade，andsoforth.Theselawswerenotwritten，thoughthepeoplehadakindofletterscalledrunes.Buttheydidnotusethemmuchfordocuments，butmerelyforcarvinganameonasword—

blade，oratombstone，orongreatgoldringssuchastheyworeontheirarms.Thusthelawsexistedinthememoryandjudgmentoftheoldestandwisestandmostrighteousmenofthecountry.Themostimportantwasthelawofmurder.Ifonemanslewanother，hewasnottriedbyajury，butanyrelationofthedeadkilledhim"atsight，"whereverhefoundhim.EveninanEarl’shall，KaristrucktheheadoffoneofhisfriendNjal’sBurners，andtheheadboundedontheboard，amongthetrenchersofmeatandthecupsofmeadorale.Butitwaspossible，iftherelationsofaslainmanconsented，fortheslayertopayhisprice——everymanwasvaluedatsomuch——andthenrevengewasnottaken.But，asarule，onerevengecalledforanother.SayHrutslewHrap，thenAtlislewHrut，andGislislewAtli，andKarislewGisli，andsoontillperhapstwowholefamilieswereextinctandtherewaspeace.Thegodswerenotoffendedbymanslaughteropenlydone，butwereangrywithtreachery，cowardice，meanness，theft，perjury，andeverykindofshabbiness.

ThiswasthestateofaffairsinNorwaywhenakingarose，HaroldFair—Hair，whotriedtobringalltheseproudpeopleunderhim，andtomakethempaytaxesandlivemoreregularlyandquietly.Theyrevoltedatthis，andwhentheyweretooweaktodefythekingtheysetsailandfledtoIceland.Thereinthelonelynorth，betweenthesnowandfire，thehot—watersprings，thevolcanoofHecla，thegreatriversfullofsalmonthatrushdownsuchfallsasGoldenFoot，theretheylivedtheirold—fashionedlife，cruisingaspiratesandmerchants，takingforeignserviceatMickleGarth，orinEnglandorEgypt，fillingtheworldwiththesoundoftheirswordsandtheskywiththesmokeoftheirburnings.FortheyfearedneitherGodnormannorghost，andwerenolesscruelthanbrave;thebestofsoldiers，laughingatdeathandtorture，liketheZulus，whoareakindofblackVikingsofAfrica.Onsomeofthem"Bersark’sgang"

wouldfall——thatis，theywouldbecomeinawaymad，slayingallandsundry，bitingtheirshields，andpossessedwithafuriousstrengthbeyondthatofmen，whichleftthemasweakaschildrenwhenitpassedaway.TheseBersarkswereoutlaws，allmen’senemies，andtokillthemwasreckonedagreatadventure，andagooddeed.Thewomenwereworthyofthemen——bold，quarrelsome，revengeful.Somewereloyal，likeBergthora，whoforesawhowallhersonsandherhusbandweretobeburned;butwhowouldnotleavethem，andperishedintheburningwithoutacry.SomewereasbraveasHoward’swife，whoenabledherhusband，oldandchildless，tooverthrowthewealthybully，theslayerofhisonlyson.Someweretreacherous，asHalgerdatheFair.Threehusbandsshehad，andwasthedeathofeverymanofthem.HerlastlordwasGunnarofLithend，thebravestandmostpeacefulofmen.Onceshedidameanthing，andheslappedherface.Sheneverforgavehim.Atlastenemiesbesiegedhiminhishouse.Thedoorswerelocked——allwasquietwithin.Oneoftheenemiesclimbeduptoawindowslit，andGunnarthrusthimthroughwithhislance."IsGunnarathome？"saidthebesiegers."Iknownot——buthislanceis，"saidthewoundedman，anddiedwiththatlastjestonhislips.ForlongGunnarkeptthematbaywithhisarrows，butatlastoneofthemcutthearrowstring."Twistmeastringwiththyhair，"hesaidtohiswife，Halgerda，whoseyellowhairwasverylongandbeautiful."Isitamatterofthylifeordeath？"sheasked."Ay，"hesaid."ThenI

rememberthatblowthougavestme，andIwillseethydeath."SoGunnardied，overcomebynumbers，andtheykilledSamr，hishound，butnotbeforeSamrhadkilledaman.

Sotheylivedalwayswithswordoraxeinhand——sotheylived，andfought，anddied.

ThenChristianitywasbroughttothemfromNorwaybyThangbrand，andifanymansaidhedidnotbelieveawordofit，Thangbrandhadtheschoolboyargument，"Willyoufight？"Sotheyfoughtaduelonaholmorisland，thatnobodymightinterfere——holm—gangtheycalledit——andThangbrandusuallykilledhisman.InNorway，SaintOlafdidthelike，killingandtorturingthosewhoheldbytheoldgods——

Thor，Odin，andFreya，andtherest.So，partlybyforceandpartlybecausetheyweresomewhattiredofbloodshed，horsefights，andtherest，theyreceivedthewordofthewhiteChristandwerebaptised，andlivedbywrittenlaw，anddidnotavengethemselvesbytheirownhands.

TheywereChristiansnow，buttheydidnotforgettheoldtimes，theoldfeudsandfightingsandBersarks，anddealingswithghosts，andwithdeadbodiesthataroseandwroughthorriblethings，hauntinghousesandstranglingmen.TheIcelandicghostswereable—bodied，well"materialised，"andGrettirandOlafHoward’ssonfoughtthemwithstrengthofarmandedgeofsteel.TRUEstoriesoftheancientdaysweretoldatthefiresideintheendlesswinternightsbystorytellersorScalds.Itwasthoughtasinforanyonetoaltertheseoldstories，butasgenerationspassedmoreandmorewonderfulmatterscameintothelegend.ItwasbelievedthatthedeadGunnar，thefamedarcher，sangwithinhiscairnor"Howe，"themoundwhereinhewasburied，andhisfamousbillorcuttingspearwassaidtohavebeenmadebymagic，andtosinginthenightbeforethewoundingofmenandthewakingofwar.Peoplewerethoughttobe"second—

sighted"——thatis，tohavepropheticvision.ThenightwhenNjal’shousewasburnedhiswifesawallthemeatonthetable"onegoreofblood，"justasinHomertheprophetTheoclymenusbeheldbloodfallingingoutsfromthewalls，beforetheslayingoftheWooers.

TheValkyries，theChoosersoftheslain，andtheNornswhowovethefatesofmenataghastlyloomwereseenbylivingeyes.InthegraveswheretreasureswerehoardedtheBarrowwightsdwelt，ghoststhatweresentinelsoverthegold：witchwiveschangedthemselvesintowolvesandothermonstrousanimals，andformanyweekstheheroesSignyandSinfjotliranwildintheguiseofwolves.

TheseandmanyothermarvelscreptintotheSagas，andmadethelistenersfeelashudderofcoldbesidethegreatfirethatburnedinthecentreoftheskaliorhallwherethechiefsat，givingmeatanddrinktoallwhocame，wherethewomenspanandtheSagamantoldthetalesoflongago.Finally，attheendofthemiddleages，theseSagaswerewrittendowninIcelandic，andinLatinoccasionally，andmanyofthemhavebeentranslatedintoEnglish.

Unluckily，thesetranslationshavehithertobeenexpensivetobuy，andwerenotalwaystobehadeasily.Forthewiseworld，whichreadsnewspapersalldayandhalfthenight，doesnotcaremuchforbooks，stilllessforgoodbooks，leastofallforoldbooks.YoucanmakenomoneyoutofreadingSagas：theyhavenothingtosayaboutstocksandshares，noraboutPrimeMinistersandpolitics.

Norwilltheyamuseaman，ifnothingamuseshimbutaccountsofracesandmurders，orgossipaboutMrs.Nokes’snewnovel，Mrs.

Stokes’snewdresses，orLadyJones’sdiamonds.TheSagasonlytellhowbravemen——ofourownbloodverylikely——lived，andloved，andfought，andvoyaged，anddied，beforetherewasmuchreadingorwriting，whentheysailedwithoutsteam，travelledwithoutrailways，andwarredhand—to—hand，notwithhiddendynamiteandsunktorpedoes.But，forstoriesofgallantlifeandhonestpurpose，theSagasareamongthebestintheworld.

OfSagasinEnglishoneofthebestisthe"Volsunga，"thestoryoftheNiflungsandVolsungs.Thisbook，thankstoMr.WilliamMorris，canbeboughtforashilling.Itisastrangetaleinwhichgodshavetheirparts，thetaleofthatoldestTreasureHunt，theHuntforthegoldofthedwarfAndvari.Thiswasguardedbytheserpent，Fafnir，whohadoncebeenaman，andwhowaskilledbytheheroSigurd.ButAndvarihadcursedthegold，becausehisenemiesrobbedhimofittotheverylastring，andhadnopity.ThenthebraveSigurdwasinvolvedintheevilluck.Heitwaswhorodethroughthefire，andwokethefairenchantedBrynhild，theShield—maiden.

Andshelovedhim，andheher，withalltheirhearts，alwaystothedeath.Butbyillfateshewasmarriedtoanotherman，Sigurd’schieffriend，andSigurdtoanotherwoman.Andthewomenfelltojealousyandquarrellingaswomenwill，andtheydraggedthefriendsintothefeud，andonemanslayingafteranotherbefell，tillthatgreatmurderofmenintheHallofAtli，theKing.Thecursecameononeandallofthem——acurseofblood，andofevilloves，andofwitchworkdestroyinggoodandbad，allfearless，andallfalleninoneredruin.

The"VolsungaSaga"hasthisuniqueandunparalleledinterest，thatitgivesthespectacleofthehighestepicgenius，strugglingoutofsavageryintocompleteandfreeandconscioushumanity.Itisamarkofthesavageintellectnottodiscriminateabruptlybetweenmanandtheloweranimals.Inthetalesofthelowerpeoples，thecharactersarejustasoftenbeastsasmenandwomen.Now，intheearlierandwilderpartsofthe"VolsungaSaga，"ottersanddragonsplayhumanparts.Signyandhisson，andthemotheroftheirenemy，putontheskinsofwolves，becomewolves，andpassthroughhideousadventures.Thestoryreekswithblood，andravinswithlustofblood.ButwhenSigurdarrivesatfullyearsofmanhood，thebarbarismyieldsplace，theSagabecomeshumanandconscious.

Theselegendsdeallittlewithlove.Butinthe"VolsungaSaga"thepermanentinterestisthetrueanddeathlessloveofSigurdandBrynhild：theirseparationbymagicarts，therevivaloftheirpassiontoolate，theman’sresignedandheroicacquiescence，thefiercerpassionofthewoman，whowillneitherbearherfatenoracceptherblissatthepriceofhonourandherplightedword.

Thesituation，thenodus，isneitherancientmerelynormodernmerely，butofalltime.Sigurd，havingatlastdiscoveredthenetinwhichhewastrapped，wascontenttomakethebestofmarriageandoffriendship.Brynhildwasnot."Theheartsofwomenaretheheartsofwolves，"saystheancientSanskritcommentaryontheRigVeda.Buttheshe—wolf’sheartbroke，likeawoman’s，whenshehadcausedSigurd’sslaying.Bothmanandwomanfacelife，astheyconceiveit，witheyesperfectlyclear.

Themagicandthesupernaturalwilesareaccidental，thehumanheartisessentialandeternal.ThereisnoscenelikethisintheepicsofGreece.ThisisapassionthatHomerdidnotdwellupon.IntheIliadandOdysseytherepentanceofHelenisfacile;shetakeslifeeasily.Clytemnestraisnotbroughtonthestagetospeakforherself.InthisrespecttheepicoftheNorth，withoutthecharmandthedelightfulnessoftheSouthernepic，excelsit;inthisandinacertainbareveracity，butinnothingelse.WecannotputtheGermaniclegendontheleveloftheGreek，forvariety，formany—

sidedwisdom，forchangingbeautyofathousandcolours.Butinthisonepassionoflovethe"VolsungaSaga"excelstheIliad.

TheGreekandtheNorthernstoriesarealikeinonething.Fateisall—powerfulovergodsandmen.OdincannotsaveBalder;norThetis，Achilles;norZeus，Sarpedon.ButintheSagasfateismoreconstantlypresenttothemind.Muchisthoughtofbeing"lucky，"

or"unlucky."Howard’s"goodluck"istobereadinhisfacebythewise，evenwhen，tothecommongaze，heseemsahalf—paralyticdotard，dyingofgriefandage.

FateandevilluckdogtheheroesoftheSagas.Theyseldom"endwell，"aspeoplesay，——unless，whenabravemanliesdowntodieonthebedhehasstrewnofthebodiesofhisfoes，youcallTHAT

endingwell.SodiedGrettirtheStrong.Evenfromaboyhewasstrongandpassionate，shortoftemper，quickofstroke，butloyal，brave，andalwaysunlucky.HisworstluckbeganafterheslewGlam.

ThisGlamwasawickedheathenherdsman，whowouldnotfastonChristmasEve.Soonthehillshisdeadbodywasfound，swollenasgreatasanox，andasblueasdeath.

Whatkilledhimtheydidnotknow.Buthehauntedthefarmhouse，ridingtheroof，kickingthesideswithhisheels，killingcattleanddestroyingallthings.ThenGrettircamethatway，andhesleptinthehall.AtnightthedeadGlamcamein，andGrettirarose，andtoittheywent，strugglinganddashingthefurnituretobits.GlamevendraggedGrettirtothedoor，thathemightslayhimunderthesky，andforallhisforceGrettiryieldedground.ThenontheverythresholdhesuddenlygavewaywhenGlamwaspullinghardest，andtheyfell，Glamundermost.ThenGrettirdrewtheshortsword，"Kari’sloom，"thathehadtakenfromahauntedgrave，andstabbedthedeadthingthathadlivedagain.But，asGlamlaya—dyingintheseconddeath，themoonfellonhisawfuleyes，andGrettirsawthehorrorofthem，andfromthathourhecouldnotenduretobeinthedark，andheneverdaredtogoalone.Thiswashisdeath，forhehadanevilcompanionwhobetrayedhimtohisenemies;butwhentheysetonGrettir，thoughhewastiredandsickofawound，manydiedwithhim.NomandiedlikeGrettirtheStrong，norslewsomanyinhisdeath.

BesidesthoseSagas，thereisthebestofall，butthelongest，"Njala"（pronounced"Nyoula"），thestoryofBurntNjal.Thatistoolongtosketchhere，butittellshow，throughthehardheartsandjealousyofwomen，ruincameatlastonthegentleGunnar，andtherecklessSkarphedinoftheaxe，"TheOgressofWar，"andhowNjal，thewisest，themostpeaceful，themostrighteousofmen，wasburnedwithallhishouse，andhowthatevildeedwasavengedontheBurnersofKari.

ThesiteofNjal’shouseisyettobeseen，aftertheseninehundredyears，andthelittleglenwhereKarihidwhenheleapedthroughthesmokeandtheflamethatmadehissword—bladeblue.Yes，theveryblacksandthatBergthoraandhermaidsthrewonthefireliesthereyet，andremnantsofthewheytheycastontheflames，whenwaterfailedthem.TheywerestilltherebeneaththeearthwhenanEnglishtravellerdugupsomeofthegroundlastyear，anditissaidthatanAmericangentlemanfoundagoldringinthehouseofNjal.Thestoryofhimandofhisbravesons，andofhisslaves，andofhiskindred，andofQueensandKingsofNorway，andofthecomingofthewhiteChrist，areallinthe"Njala."ThatandtheotherSagaswouldbearbeingshortenedforgeneralreaders;oncetheywereallthatthepeoplehadbywayofbooks，andtheylikedthemlong.But，shortenedornot，theyarebravebooksformen，fortheworldisaplaceofbattlestill，andlifeiswar.Theseoldheroesknewit，anddidnotshirkit，butfoughtitout，andlefthonourablenamesandaglorythatwidensyearbyyear.ForthestoryofNjalandGunnarandSkarphedinwastoldbyCaptainSpeedytotheguardsofTheodore，KingofAbyssinia.Theylikeditwell;

andwithqueeralterednamesandchangesofthetale，thatSagawillbetoldinAbyssinia，andthencecarriedallthroughAfricawherewhitemenhaveneverwandered.Sowide，solong—enduringarenowncouldbegivenbyanamelessSagaman.

CHARLESKINGSLEY

WhenIwasveryyoung，adistinguishedReviewwasstillyounger.I

rememberreadingoneoftheearliestnumbers，beingthenmyselfaboyoften，andcomingonareviewofanovel.Never，asitseemedtome，orseemstomymemory，wasapoornovelmoreheavilyhandled：

andyetIfeltthatthebookmustbeabooktoreadontheveryearliestopportunity.Itwas"WestwardHo！"themostfamous，andperhapsthebestnovel，ofCharlesKingsley.Oftenonehasreaditsince，anditisanexampleofthoselarge，rich，well—fedromances，atwhichyoucancutandcomeagain，asitwere，layingitdown，andtakingituponoccasion，withthecertaintyofbeingexcited，amused——andpreachedat.

LatelyIhavere—read"WestwardHo！"andsomeofKingsley’sotherbooks，"Hypatia，""HerewardtheWake，"andthepoems，overagain.

Theoldpleasureinthemisnotgoneindeed，butitismodified.

OnemustbeaboytothinkKingsleyahumourist.Attheageoftwelveortenyoutakethecomicpassageswhichheconscientiouslyprovides，withoutbeingvexedoroffended;youtakethemmerelyinthewayofbusiness.Betterthingsarecoming：struggleswiththeInquisition，stormsatsea，duels，theArmada，wanderingsintheLotuslandofthetropicalwest;andforthesakeofallthisaboyputsupgood—naturedlywithKingsley’shumour.PerhapsheevengrinsoverAmyas"buryingalternatelyhisfaceinthepastyandthepastyinhisface，"orhetriestofeeldivertedbytheElizabethanwaggeriesofFrank.Butthereisnofuninthem——theyaremechanical;theyareworsethanthehumoursofScott’sSirPercyShafto，whicharenotfine.

Thesamesenseofeverythingnotbeingquitesoexcellentasonerememberedithauntsonein"HerewardtheWake，theLastoftheEnglish."Kingsleycallshim"theLastoftheEnglish，"butheisreallythefirstoftheliteraryVikings.IntheessayontheSagashereIhavetriedtoshow，veryimperfectly，whattheNorsemenwereactuallylike.TheycaughtKingsley’sfancy，andhis"Hereward，"

thoughbornonEnglishsoil，isreallyNorse——notEnglish.ButKingsleydidnotwriteabouttheVikings，norabouthisElizabethanheroesin"WestwardHo！"inaperfectlysimple，straightforwardway.

Hewasalwaysthinkingofourowntimesandreferringtothem.ThatiswhyeventheratherruffianlyHerewardissogreatanenemyofsaintsandmonks.Thatiswhy，in"Hypatia"（whichopenssowell），wehavethoseprodigiouslydull，stupid，pedantic，andconceitedreflectionsofRaphaelBenEzra.Thatiswhy，inallKingsley’snovels，heisperpetuallyexcitinghimselfindefenceofmarriageandthefamilylife，asifanymonkishideasabouttheblessednessofbachelorhoodwereeverlikelytodrivethegreatAnglo—Saxonraceintoconventsandmonasteries.Thatistheverylastthingwehavetobeafraidof;butKingsleywasafraidofit，andwaseternallyattackingeverythingPopishandmonkish.

Boysandyoungpeople，then，canread"WestwardHo！"and"Hypatia，"

and"HerewardtheWake，"withfarmorepleasurethantheirelders.

Theyhurryonwiththeadventures，anddonotstoptoaskwhatthemoralisingsmean.TheyforgivethehumourofKingsleybecauseitiswellmeant.Theyget，inshort，therealgoodofthisreallygreatandnobleandmanlyandblunderinggenius.Theytakepleasureinhisloveofstrongmen，gallantfights，desperateencounterswithhumanfoes，withragingseas，withpestilence，orinhauntedforests.Forinallthatisgoodofhistalent——inhiscourage，hisfrankspeech，hisloveofsport，hiscleareyes，hisdevotiontofieldandwood，river，moor，sea，andstorms——Kingsleyisaboy.Hehasthebrave，ratherhasty，andnotoverwell—informedenthusiasmofsixteen，forpersonsandforcauses.Hesawanopponent（itmightbeFatherNewman）：hisheartlustedforafight;hecalledhisopponentnames，hethrewhiscapintothering，hetookhiscoatoff，hefought，hegotaterriblescientificdrubbing.Itwaslikeasixth—formboymatchinghimselfagainstthechampion.Andthenheborenomalice.Hetookhisdefeatbravely.Nay，arewenotleftwithaconfusedfeelingthathewasnotfarinthewrong，thoughhehadsomuchtheworseofthefight？

SuchwasKingsley：amanwithaboy’sheart;ahaterofcrueltyandinjustice，andalsowithabrave，indomitablebeliefthathisowncountryandhisowncauseweregenerallyintheright，whateverthequarrel.HelovedEnglandlikeamistress，andhatedherenemies，SpainandthePope，thougheveninthemhesawthegood.HeisforeverscoldingtheSpanishfortheircrueltiestotheIndians，buthedefendsourdoingstotheIrish，which（atthattime）wereneithermorenorlessoppressivethantheSpanishperformancesinAmerica.

"Goit，ourside！"youalwayshearthisgoodKingsleycrying;andone’sheartgoesouttohimforit，inanagewheneverybodyoftenproveshisowncountrytobeinthewrong.

Simple，brave，resolute，manly，alittlegivento"robustiousness，"

Kingsleytransfiguredallthesequalitiesbypossessingthesoulandtheheartofapoet.Hewasnotaverygreatpoet，indeed，butatruepoet——oneoftheverysmallbandwhoarecutoff，byagulfthatcanneverbepassed，frommerewritersofverse，howeverclever，educated，melodious，ingenious，amiable，andrefined.Hehadtherealsparkoffire，thetruenote;thoughthesparkmightseldombreakintoflame，andthenotewasnotalwaysclear.Neverletusconfusetruepoetswithwritersofverse，stilllesswithwritersof"poeticprose."Kingsleywroteagreatdealofthat—

perhapstoomuch：hisdescriptionsofscenesarenotalwaysasgoodasinHereward’srideroundtheFens，orwhenthetall，SpanishgalleonstaggersfromtherevengeofmantothevengeanceofGod，toherdoomthroughthemist，toherrestinthesea.Perhapsonlyapoetcouldhavewrittenthatprose;itiscertainnowriterof"poeticprose"couldhavewrittenKingsley’spoems.

Hissongsarehisbestthings;theyreallyaresongs，notmerelylyricpoems.Theyhavethemeritofbeingtrulypopular，whethertheyareromantic，like"TheSandso’Dee，"whichactuallyreproducesthebestqualitiesoftheoldballad;orwhethertheyarepathetic，likethe"Doll’sSong，"in"WaterBabies";orwhethertheyattackanabuse，asinthesongof"TheMerryBrownHares";orwhethertheysoarhigher，asin"Deep，deepLove，withinthineownabyssabiding";orwhethertheyaremerenoblenonsense，asin"LorraineLoree"：—

"ShemasteredyoungVindictive;oh，thegallantlasswasshe，Andkepthimstraightandwontherace，asnearasnearcouldbe;

Buthekilledheratthebrookagainstapollardwillowtree;

Oh，hekilledheratthebrook，thebrute，foralltheworldtosee，AndnoonebutthebabycriedforpoorLorraineLoree."

ThetruthaboutCharlesKingsleyseemstobethatherathermadeabraveandcheerynoiseinthisnight—battleofmodernlife，thanthathedirectedanymovementofforces.Hekeptcheering，asitwere，andwavinghisswordwithacontagiousenthusiasm.Beingapoet，andamanbothofheartandofsentiment，hewasequallyattachedtothebestthingsoftheoldworldandtothebestofthenewworld，asfarasonecanforecastwhatitistobe.HelovedthestatelyhomesofEngland，theancientgraduatedorderofsociety，thesportsofthepast，themilitarytriumphs，thepatrioticglories.Buthewasalsoonthesideofthepoor：as"ParsonLot"heattemptedtobeaChristianSocialist.

Now，theSocialistsarethepeoplewhowanttotakeeverything;theChristiansarethepersonswhodonotwanttogivemorethantheyfindconvenient.Kingsleyhimselfwasreadytogive，anddidgive，histime，hislabour，hishealth，andprobablyhismoney，tothepoor.ButhewasbynomeansmindedthattheyshouldswallowuptheoldEnglandwithchurchandcastle，manor—houseandtower，wealth，beauty，learning，refinement.Themanwhowrote"AltonLocke，"thestoryofthestarvedtailor—poet，wasthemanwhonearlyweptwhenheheardafoxbark，andreflectedthatthedaysoffox—huntingwerenumbered.Hehadapoet’spolitics，ColonelNewcome’spolitics.HewasforEngland，forthepoor，fortherich，forthestoriedhousesofthechivalrouspast，forthecottage，forthehall;andwasdeadagainsttheideasofManchester，andofMr.JohnBright."Myfather，"hesaysinaletter，"wouldhaveputhishandtoaspadeoranaxewithanyman，andsocouldIprettywell，too，whenIwasinmyprime;andmyeldestsonisnowworkingwithhisownhandsatfarming，previoustoemigratingtoSouthAmerica，wherehewilldothedrudgeryofhisowncattle—pensandsheepfolds;andifIweretwenty—fourandunmarriedIwouldgoouttheretoo，andworklikeanEnglishman，andlivebythesweatofmybrow."

ThiswastherightsideofhisloveoftheVikings;itwasthusTHEY

lived，whennotatwar——thusthateverygentlemanwhohasyouthandhealthshouldwork，winningnewworldsforhisclass，inplaceofthismiserable，over—crowded，brawlingEngland.This，Ithink，was，orshouldhavebeen，thereallessonandmessageofKingsleyforthegenerationstocome.LikeScottthescionofanoldknightlyline，hehadthatdropofwildbloodwhichdrivesmenfromtownintotheairandthedesert，wherevertherearesavagelandstoconquer，beaststohunt，andahardylifetobelived.Buthewasthesonofaclergyman，andaclergymanhimself.Thespiritthatshouldhavegoneintoactionwentintotalking，preaching，writing——allsourcesofgreatpleasuretothousandsofpeople，andsonotwasted.YetthesewerenotthenaturaloutletsofKingsley’slife：heshouldhavebeenasoldier，oranexplorer;atleast，wemaybelievethathewouldhavepreferredsuchfortune.Hedidhisbest，thebestheknew，anditisallonthesideofmanliness，courage，kindness.

Perhapshetriedtoomanythings——science，history，fairytales，religiousandpoliticaldiscussions，romance，poetry.Poetrywaswhathedidbest，romancenext;hisscienceandhishistoryareentertaining，butwithoutauthority.

This，whenonereadsitagain，seemsacold，unfriendlyestimateofamansoardentandsogenuine，awritersovivaciousandcourageousasKingsley.Eventheelderlyreviewerbearstohim，andtohisbrotherHenry，adebtheowestofewoftheirgeneration.ThetruthisweshouldREADKingsley;wemustnotcriticisehim.Wemustaccepthimandbegladofhim，asweacceptawindy，sunnyautumnday——beautifulandblusterous——tobeenjoyedandstruggledwith.Ifoncewestopandreflect，andhesitate，heseemstopreachtoomuch，andwithaconfidencewhichhisknowledgeoftheworldandofhistorydoesnotjustify.TobeatonewithKingsleywemustbeboysagain，andthatmomentarychangecannotbutbegoodforus.

Soonenough——toosoon——weshalldropbackonmanhood，andonallthedifficultiesanddragonsthatKingsleydroveawaybyablastonhischivalrousandcheeryhorn.

CHARLESLEVER：HISBOOKS，ADVENTURESANDMISFORTUNES

Surelyitisapleasantthingthattherearebooks，likeotherenjoyments，forallages.Youwouldnothaveaboypreferwhisttofives，nortobaccototoffee，norTolstoitoCharlesLever.TheancientsreckonedTyrtaecusafinepoet，notthathewasparticularlymelodiousorreflective，butthathegavemenhearttofightfortheircountry.CharlesLeverhasdoneasmuch.Inhisbiography，byMr.Fitzpatrick，itistoldthatawidowladyhadbutoneson，andforhimsheobtainedanappointmentatWoolwich.Theboywastimidandnervous，andshefanciedthatshemustfindforhimsomeotherprofession——perhapsthatofliterature.ButheonedaychancedonLever’snovels，andtheyputsomuchheartintohimthathischaracterquitealtered，andhebecamethebravestofthebrave.

Levermaynotdoasmuchforeveryone，buthedoesteachcontemptofdanger，orrather，delightinit：agay，spontaneous，boyishkindofcourage——Irishcourageatitsbest.Wemaygetmoregoodfromthatthanharmfromallhistalesofmuchpunchandmanydrinkingbouts.Thesearenolongerinfashionandarenotverygayreading，perhaps，buthisstoriesandsongs，hisduelsandbattlesandhuntingscenesareasmerryandasgoodasever.Wildastheyseeminthereading，theyarenotfarfromthetruth，asmaybegatheredoutof"Barrington’sMemoirs，"andtheirtalesoftherecklessIrishlifesomeeightyyearsago.

ThereweretwomeninCharlesLever——agladmanandasadman.Thegaietywasforhisyouth，whenhepouredouthis"Lorrequers"and"O’Malleys，"allthemirthandmemoriesofhisboyhood，allthetalesoffightingandfeastinghegleanedfrombattered，seasonedoldwarriors，likeMajorMonsoon.Eventhen，Mr.Thackeray，whoknewhim，andlikedandlaughedathim，recognisedthroughhismerriment"thefundofsadnessbeneath.""Theauthor’scharacterisNOThumour，butsentimentextremedelicacy，sweetnessandkindlinessofheart.Thespiritsaremostlyartificial，thefondissadness，asappearstometobethatofmostIrishwritingandpeople."Evenin"CharlesO’Malley，"whatatrue，darkpicturethatisoftheduelbesidethebroad，angryriveronthelevelwasteunderthewidegreysky！Charleshasshothisopponent，Bodkin，andwithConsidine，hissecond，ismakinghisescape."Considinecriedoutsuddenly，’Tooinfamous，byJove：wearemurderedmen！’"

"’Whatdoyoumean？’saidI.

"’Don’tyouseethat？’saidhe，pointingtosomethingblackwhichfloatedfromapoleattheoppositesideoftheriver.

"’Yes;whatisit？’

"’It’shiscoatthey’veputuponanoar，toshowthepeoplehe’skilled——that’sall.Everymanhere’shistenant;andlookthere！

they’renotgivingusmuchdoubtastotheirintentions.’

"Hereatremendousyellburstforthfromthemassofpeoplealongtheshore，which，risingtoaterrificcry，sankgraduallydowntoalowwailing，thenroseandfellseveraltimes，astheIrishdeath—

cryfilledtheair，androsetoheaven，asifimploringvengeanceonamurderer."

Passageslikethis，andthatwhichfollows——thedangerousvoyagethroughthestormonthefloodedShannon，andthroughthereefs——arewhatMr.ThackeraymayhavehadinhismindwhenhespokeofLever’sunderlyingmelancholy.Likeothermenwithveryhighspirits，hehadhoursofgloom，andthesadnessandthethoughtfulnessthatwereinhimcameforththenandinformedhislaterbooks.Thesearefarmorecarefullywritten，farmorecunninglyconstructed，thantheoldchapterswrittenfrommonthtomonthasthefittookhim，withnomoreplanorpremeditationthan"Pickwick."Butitistheearlystoriesthatweremember，andthathelivesby——thepagesthrownoffataheat，whenhewasalivelydoctorwithfewpatients，andwasnotover—attentivetothem.ThesewerethedaysofHarryLorrequerandTomBurke;charactersthatranawaywithhim，andtooktheirownpaththroughamerryworldofdiversion.LiketheknightsinSirThomasMalory，theseheroes"rideatadventure，"rideamazinghorsesthatdreadnoleap，beitanIrishstonewallonamountaincrest，orbeitthebayonetsofaFrenchsquare.

Mr.Lever’sbiographerhasnotbeenwhollysuccessfulinpleasingthecritics，andhedoesnotseemtoaffectverycriticalairshimself，buthetellsastraightforwardtale.ThelifeofCharlesLeveristhenaturalcommentaryonhisnovels.HewasbornatDublinin1806，thesonofabuilderorarchitect.Atschoolhewasverymuchflogged，andtheoddsarethathedeservedtheseattentions，forhehadhighspiritsbeyondthepatienceofdominies.

Handsome，merryandclever，hereadnovelsinschoolhours，worearing，andsetupasadandy.Eventhenhewasinlovewiththeyoungladywhomhemarriedintheend.Atafightwithboysofanotherschool，heandafriendplacedamineunderthegroundoccupiedbytheenemy，andblewthem，moreorless，intotheair.

Manyaneyebrowwassingedoffonthatfatalday，when，fortheonlytime，thisromancerofthewars"smelledpowder."Heafterwardspleadedforhispartybeforetheworthypolicemagistrate，andshowedgreatpromiseasabarrister.AtTrinityCollege，Dublin，hewasfullofhisfun，madeballads，sangthemthroughthestreetsindisguise（likeFergusson，theScottishpoet），andonenightcollectedthirtyshillingsincoppers.

TheoriginalofFrankWebber，in"CharlesO’Malley，"wasachumofhis，andhetookpartinthewonderfulpracticaljokeswhichhehasmadeimmortalinthatnovel.

FromTrinityCollege，Dublin，LeverwenttoGottingen，wherehefoundfunandfightingenoughamongtheGermanstudents.Fromthathourhebecameacitizenoftheworld，or，atleast，ofEurope，andperhaps，liketheprophets，wasmosthonouredwhenoutofhisowncountry.HereturnedtoDublinandtookhisdegreeinmedicine，afterplayingafamouspracticaljoke.Acertainmedicalprofessorwaswonttolectureinbed.Onenighthelefttownunexpectedly.

Lever，bychance，cameearlytolecture，foundtheProfessorabsent，slippedintohisbed，putonhisnightcap，andtooktheclasshimself.OnanotherdayhewasstandingoutsidetheFoundlingHospitalwithafriend，asmallman.Now，akindofstonecradleforfoundlingswasbuiltoutsidethedoor，and，whenababywasplacedtherein，abellrang.Leverlifteduphisfriend，poppedhimintothecradle，andhadthejoyofseeingthepromisinginfantpickedoutbytheporter.

Itseemsaqueereducationforamanofletters;but，likeSirWalterScottwhenrevellinginLiddesdale，he"wasmakinghimselfallthetime."Hewascollectingmyriadsofoddexperiencesandtreasuresofanecdotes;hewaslearningtoknowmenofallsorts;

andlater，asacountrydoctor，hehadexperiencesofmesstables，ofhunting，andofallthewaysofhisremarkablecountrymen.Whencholeravisitedhisdistricthestucktohisworklikeamanofheartandcourage.Buttheusualtasksofacountrydoctorweariedhim;heneglectedthem，hebecameunpopularwiththeauthorities，hemarriedhisfirstloveandreturnedtoBrussels，wherehepractisedasaphysician.Hehadalreadybegunhisfirstnotablebook，"HarryLorrequer，"intheUniversityMagazine.ItismerelyastringofIrishandotherstories，good，bad，andindifferent——apicturegalleryfullofportraitsofpriests，soldiers，peasantsandoddcharacters.Theplotisofnoimportance;wearenotinterestedinHarry’sloveaffairs，butinhisscrapes，adventures，duelsathomeandabroad.Hefightspeoplebymistakewhomhedoesnotknowbysight，heappearsonparadewithhisfaceblackened，hewinslargepilesattrenteetquarante，hedisposesofcoopersofclaretandbowlsofpunch，andthesheeponathousandhillsprovidehimwithdevilledkidneys.Thecriticsandtheauthorsthoughtlittleofthemerrymedley，butthepublicenjoyedit，anddefiedthereviewers.

Onepaperpreferredthebooktoawildernessof"Pickwicks";andasthisopinionwasadvertisedeverywherebyM’Glashan，thepublisher，Mr.Dickenswasverymuchannoyedindeed.Authorsareeasilyannoyed.ButLeverwritesutplaceatpueris，andtherewasatremendousfightatRugbybetweentwoboys，the"SloggerWilliams"

and"TomBrown"oftheperiod，forthepossessionof"HarryLorrequer."WhenanauthorhastheboysofEnglandonhisside，hecanlaughatthecritics.NotthatLeverlaughed：he，too，waseasilyvexed，andmuchdepressed，whenthereviewsassailedhim.

Nexthebegan"CharlesO’Malley";andifanymanreadsthisessaywhohasnotreadthe"IrishDragoon，"lethimbeginatonce.

"O’Malley"iswhatyoucanrecommendtoafriend.Hereiseveryspeciesofdiversion：duelsandsteeplechases，practicaljokesatcollege（goodpracticaljokes，notboobytrapsandapple—piebeds）;

hereisfightinginthePeninsula.Ifanystudentisindoubt，lethimtrychapterxiv.——thebattleontheDouro.Thisis，indeed，excellentmilitarywriting，andneednotfearcomparisonasartwithNapier’sfamoushistory.Leverhaswarmedtohiswork;hisheartisinit;hehadthebestinformationfromaneye—witness;andthebriefbeginning，onthepeaceofnaturebeforethestrifeofmen，isadmirablypoetical.

ToreachtheFrench，underSoult，WellesleyhadtocrossthedeepandrapidDouro，infaceoftheirfire，andwithoutregulartransport."Hedaredthedeed.Whatmusthavebeenhisconfidenceinthemenhecommanded！whatmusthavebeenhisrelianceonhisowngenius！"

Youholdyourbreathasyouread，whileEnglishandGermanscharge，tillatlastthefieldiswon，andthedustoftheFrenchcolumnsretreatinginthedistanceblowsdowntheroadtoSpain.

TheGreatDukereadthispassage，andmarvelledhowLeverknewcertainthingsthathetells.Helearnedthis，andmuchmore，thehumoursofwar，fromtheoriginalofMajorMonsoon.Falstaffisaloneintheliteratureoftheworld，butifevertherecamealaterFalstaff，Monsoonwastheman.AndwherehaveyousuchanIrishSanchoPanzaasMickyFree，thatindependentminstrel，orsuchanIrishDiVernonasBabyBlake？ThecriticsmaypraiseLever’sthoughtfulandcarefullaternovelsastheywill，but"CharlesO’Malley"willalwaysbethepatternofamilitaryromance.Theanecdoteof"avirtuousweakness"inO’Shaughnessy’sfather’scharacterwouldalonemakethefortuneofmanyastory.Thetruthis，itisnoteasytolaydown"CharlesO’Malley，"toleaveoffreadingit，andgetonwiththeaccountofLever.

Hisexcellentanddelightfulnovelscarcelyreceivedonefavourablenoticefromthepress.Thismayhavebeenbecauseitwassopopular;butLeverbecamesonervousthathedidnotliketolookatthepapers.WhenhewentbacktoDublinandeditedamagazinethere，hewasmorefiercelyassailedthanever.ItisdifficultforanIrishmantowriteabouttheIrish，orforaScottowriteabouttheScottish，withouthurtingthefeelingsofhiscountrymen.Whiletheirliterarybrethrenarealivetheyarenotverydeartothenewspaperscribesofthesegallantnations;andthusJeffreywasmoreseveretoScottthanheneedhavebeen，whiletheIrishpress，itappears，madeanonslaughtonLever.Mr.ThackeraymetLeverinDublin，andhementionsthisunkindbehaviour."Lorrequer’smilitarypropensitieshavebeenobjectedtostronglybyhissqueamishHibernianbrethrenButisLorrequertheonlymaninIrelandwhoisfondofmilitaryspectacles？WhydoestheNationpublishtheseedifyingandChristianwarsongs？AndwhoisitthatpratesabouttheIrishatWaterloo，andtheIrishatFontenoy，andtheIrishatSeringapatam，andtheIrishatTimbuctoo？IfMr.

O’Connell，likeawiserhetorician，chooses，andveryproperly，toflatterthenationalmilitarypassion，whynotHarryLorrequer？"

Whynot，indeed？ButMr.LeverwasasuccessfulIrishmanofletters，andagoodmanyotherIrishgentlemenofletters，honestDoolanandhisfriends，werenotsuccessful.Thatisthehumourofit.

Thoughyou，myyouthfulreader，ifIhaveone，donotdetestJonesbecauseheisintheEleven，norBrownbecausehehas"gothiscap，"

norSmithbecausehedoesGreekIambicslikeSophocles;thoughyouratheradmireandapplaudthesechampions，youmayfeelverydifferentlywhenyoucometothirtyyearsormore，andseeothermendoingwhatyoucannotdo，andgainingprizesbeyondyourgrasp.Andthen，ifyouareareviewer，you"willfindfaultwithabookforwhatitdoesnotgive，"asthus，totakeMr.Thackeray’sexample：—

"LadySmigsmag’snovelisamusing，butlamentablydeficientingeologicalinformation.""Mr.Lever’snovelsaretrashyandworthless，forhisfactsarenotborneoutbyanyauthority，andhegivesusnoinformationaboutthepoliticalstateofIreland.’Oh！

ourcountry，ourgreenandbeloved，ourbeautifulandoppressed？’"

andsoforth.