Excerpt from The British Novelists, Vol. 23: With an Essay and Prefaces, Biographical and Critical
Sir,
My design being to speak in behalf of novel-writing, I know not to whom I can address myself with so much propriety as to yourself, who unquestionably stand foremost in this species of composition. To convey instruction in a pleasant manner, and mix entertainment with it, is certainly a commendable undertaking, perhaps more likely to be attended with success than graver precepts; and where amusement is chiefly consulted, there is merit in making people laugh, when it is done without giving offence to religion, virtue, or good manners. If the laugh be not raised at the expense of innocence or decency, good humour bids us indulge it, and we cannot laugh too often.
Can we help wondering, therefore, at the contempt with which many people affect to talk of this sort of composition? They seem to think it degrades the dignity of their understandings, to be found with a novel in their hands, and take great pains to let you know that they never read them. They are people of too great importance to spend their time in so idle a manner, and much too wise to be amused.
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