Download File

54
PEACOCK
known, as also their author, for having helped
to raise the tone of novel-writing at a critical
juncture in its development, by introducing
into his tales instruction and information " ?
It is only fair to add that this bit of criticism
occurs in his " Inaugural Dissertation presented
to the Philosophical Faculty of the University
of Freiburg im Breisgau for the Asquisition of
the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy."
In calling Peacock a great writer we have
raised a claim that needs some support. His
exquisite style with its Tacitean flavour,
the perfection of his lyrics, his wit, and that
intellectual brilliancy which sparkles from all
the facets of his satire, parody, and epigram,
suffice to endear him to the small, fastidious
world whose approval is best worth having,
and also, perhaps, to justify our opinion.
But, unless we mistake, the appeal of his
novels goes farther than the frontiers of good
taste. Peacock's mind was original ; he
thought about many things
and he did his
own thinking. He is the other side to every
at life is a
question his ; way of looking
perpetual challenge ; and a man without a
vestige of humour or taste may read him
with profit
for his point of view.
Peacock belongs to no school or age. He
has been called a man of the eighteenth