Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 5
Yes,novels;forIwillnotadoptthatungenerousandimpoliticcustomsocommonwithnovel-writers,ofdegradingbytheircontemptuouscensuretheveryperformances,tothenumberofwhichtheyarethemselvesadding—joiningwiththeirgreatestenemiesinbestowingtheharshestepithetsonsuchworks,andscarcelyeverpermittingthemtobereadbytheirownheroine,who,ifsheaccidentallytakeupanovel,issuretoturnoveritsinsipidpageswithdisgust.Alas!Iftheheroineofonenovelbenotpatronizedbytheheroineofanother,fromwhomcansheexpectprotectionandregard?Icannotapproveofit.Letusleaveittothereviewerstoabusesucheffusionsoffancyattheirleisure,andovereverynewnoveltotalkinthreadbarestrainsofthetrashwithwhichthepressnowgroans.Letusnotdesertoneanother;weareaninjuredbody.Althoughourproductionshaveaffordedmoreextensiveandunaffectedpleasurethanthoseofanyotherliterarycorporationintheworld,nospeciesofcompositionhasbeensomuchdecried.Frompride,ignorance,orfashion,ourfoesarealmostasmanyasourreaders.Andwhiletheabilitiesofthenine-hundredthabridgeroftheHistoryofEngland,orofthemanwhocollectsandpublishesinavolumesomedozenlinesofMilton,Pope,andPrior,withapaperfromtheSpectator,andachapterfromSterne,areeulogizedbyathousandpens—thereseemsalmostageneralwishofdecryingthecapacityandundervaluingthelabourofthenovelist,andofslightingtheperformanceswhichhaveonlygenius,wit,andtastetorecommendthem
