"Sir Charles Grandison, and the Honourable Miss Byron, in a
Series of Letters," published in 1753, was the third and last
of Samuel Richardson's novels. Like its predecessors, it is of
enormous length (it first appeared in seven volumes) and is
written in the form of a series of letters. The idea of the
author was to "present to the public, in Sir Charles
Grandison, the example of a man acting uniformly well through
a variety of trying scenes, because all his actions are
regulated by one steady principle--a man of religion and
virtue, of liveliness and spirit, accomplished and agreeable,
happy in himself and a blessing to others." Such a portrait of
"a man of true honour" provoked the highest enthusiasm in the
eighteenth century; but to-day we have little patience for the
faultless diction and exemplary conduct of Sir Charles, and,
of the two, Miss Byron, the heroine, is by far the more
interesting. The "advertisement" to the edition of 1818
proclaimed the book "the most perfect work of its kind that
ever appeared in this or any other language," and we may
accept that verdict without admiring "the kind."
_I.--Miss Lucy Selby to Her Cousin, Miss Harriet Byron_
_Ashby-Cannons, January 10._ Your resolution to accompany your cousin,
Mrs. Reeves, to London, has greatly alarmed your three lovers, and two
of them, at least, will let you know that it has. Such a lovely girl as
my Harriet must expect to be more accountable for her steps than one
less excellent and less attractive.
Mr. Greville, in his usual resolute way, threatens to follow you to
London; and there, he says, he will watch the motions of every man who
approaches you; and, if he finds reason for it, will _early_ let such
man know _his_ pretensions, and the danger he may run into if he pretend
to be his competitor. But let me not do him injustice; though he talks
of a rival thus harshly, he speaks of you more highly than man ever
spoke of woman.
Mr. Fenwick, in less determined manner, declares that he will follow you
to town, if you stay there above _one_ fortnight.
The gentle Orme sighs his apprehensions, and wishes you would change
your purpose. Though hopeless, he says, it is some pleasure to him that
he can think himself in the same county with you; and, much more, that
he can tread in your footsteps to and from church every Sunday, and
behold you there. He wonders how your grandmamma, your aunt, your uncle,
can spare you. Your cousin Reeves's surely, he says, are very happy in
their influences over us all.
Each of the gentlemen is afraid that by increasing the number of your
admirers, you will increase his difficulties; but what is that to them,
I asked, when they already know that you are not inclined to favour any
of the three?
Adieu, my dearest Harriet. May angels protect and guide you withersoever
you go!