“There is, however, one defect, and to my thinking a
very important one, with which I have of course not meddled, but shall point
out for the reconsideration of the author; though I am aware that the remedying
of it will involve considerable difficulty. I allude to his mode of commencing
the tale, by the introduction of a character (Beauclerk), who has nothing whatever to do with the main story,
or the per-![]()
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sons by whose agency it is subsequently worked
out. The introduction of this character (to my mind, at least) produces a very
awkward and unpleasant effect; not exactly at the opening of the story (for
there it is of little consequence)—but the recollection of this person obtrudes
itself upon the reader all through the volume at intervals, and interferes with
that unity of feeling which should, and which otherwise would, prevail
throughout.
“You are, of course, aware that I am speaking only of
the effect produced on me throughout the first volume. What use, if any, may be
made of Beauclerk afterwards is, of course,
more than I can anticipate. But I feel certain that his introduction can at
best only be got over skilfully as a difficulty, not
turned to any good account in heightening the interest, or otherwise furthering
the purposes, of the main story. * *
“Why should not the book begin in the natural
way—namely, at the precise period when the story begins?
Why should several years of De Vere’s
life be anticipated, and then cut off again, without any
counterba-![]()
![]()
lancing advantage being gained (that I can
perceive) by this artificial management of the narrative? Nothing can be more
objectionable in its effects, as far as they extend, than thus bringing a hero
to life before his time, and producing upon the mind of the reader certain
specific impressions, both mental and personal, concerning him, and then
expecting us to get rid of all these impressions at once, on transferring him
to another period of his life; or (still worse) permitting or compelling us to
keep those impressions, and letting them interfere at every step (as they most
decidedly do in the case in question) with others which should be simple,
distinct, and, above all,
progressive.
“The author of ‘De Vere’ will not suppose me ignorant
of the occasional good effect of plunging in medias
res. But he will also recollect the Giant Molineau’s advice about
‘beginning at the beginning;’ and though he may very
fairly say that each of these modes of commencing a story has its advantages,
he will, I think, on consideration, admit that they cannot well be united.
“But we have, in fact, not merely one re-![]()
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trograde movement in the story, but two. First, there is
the ‘Editor’s Preface,’ which dates back I know not how far.
Then the ‘Introductory’ matter, bringing us up to the visit of
Beauclerk to Talbois. And then the
story recommences a third time. All this strikes me as being at best
superfluous. But I am certain that the circumstance of our
first impression of De Vere being
given and studiously fixed upon us, when he is a man of thirty, interferes very
mischievously with all the after impressions we are called upon to receive of
him. And for anything I can at present see to the contrary, this injurious
effect is likely to recur at intervals all through the work.
* * *
“I will only add that if, for any reason connected with
those subsequent portions of the story which I have not yet seen, the. author
should still determine to retain the introductory ‘Tour’ of
Beauclerk, it seems desirable that it should at least be disconnected from the
main narrative, and come expressly as an ‘introductory’
chapter.” * * *
