They flourished, roughly speaking, about 1830. This year saw the starting of the celebrated Fraser's Magazine, which gave a great fillip to periodical literature and numbered among its contributors, at one time or another, most of the literary leaders of the day.

Most prominent, perhaps, of these leaders before Dickens and Thackeray were LORD LYTTON and BENJAMIN DISRAELI. Both were statesmen and men of letters; but while the former was primarily a writer, Disraeli aimed rather at political honors. Lord Lytton was baptized Edward George Earl Lytton Bulwer; afterwards he became Sir Edward Lytton Bulwer, and finally Lord Lytton. He was born in 1803, was educated at Cambridge, and entered Parliament. He gained some distinction during a long political career in both Houses. But his work as a novelist was of more importance. That work was characterized by the most remarkable versatility. Novels of every kind came from his pen; crime, fashion, mystery, the classical and historical fieldall these were by turns laid under contribution. And it is a proof of his wonderful talent that his books never lack interest. This diversity is seen in the widely different subjects treated in such novels as The Last Days of Pompeii (1834), Eugene Aram, The Coming Race (1871), and A Strange Story, (1861). But the fault throughout is a certain hardness and glitter, "the glare of innumerable gas lamps, the rays from the footlights to which he

was about to betake himself." His characters are not real, he fails to breathe into them the breath of life; The genius of Lord Lytton disported itself also in the rays of footlights that were not metaphorical. He wrote several dramas, one of which -The Lady of Lyons, 1838-has retained its popularity to the present day. He responded in a remarkable manner to the demands of his time. The novels of crime and those touching historical epochs were in answer to the requirements of the public, and about 1850, when Dickens and Thackeray had created a new line in taste, Lytton wrote a group (of which The Caxtons was the first) entering the quieter field of domestic life. It is more wholesome and sane than any of his previous work. He was on the whole a man of great talent, falling short of genius; one of those who win wide fame while they live, but leave behind only a scant legacy of good. He died in 1873.

Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield (18041881), had a very brilliant political career. His predilections for statecraft are reflected in his novels. His earliest book was Vivian Grey, published 18261827. He entered Parliament in 1837, and in 1852 became leader of the House of Commons. Most of his literary work was done prior to that year, and its best portion lies before 1837. A unique interest is possessed by Coningsby (1844), Sybil (1845), and Tancred (1847). They shadow forth the writer's political opinions and foretell certain political events,

and they also advocate reforms which their author afterwards agitated in Parliament. The charge of insincerity has been made against him, both in literature and in life; but here at least is a marked consistency. The striking personality of Disraeli gave added interest to his novels. But in themselves they are generally attractive—and always clever. Yet it must be admitted that he belongs to the political sphere rather than to that of litera ture.

The names of HARRISON AINSWORTH (1805-82) and G. P. R. JAMES (1801–1860) should not be passed by. Both were imitators of Scott to a degree. Both also were exceedingly prolific writers, Ainsworth is remembered chiefly by The Tower of London (1840) and Old St. Paul's (1841). James is said to have written over one hundred novels, and he paid the natural penalty by seldom rising above dead level. Some of them were Richelieu, Darnley, and Mary of Burgundy.

Of greater importance are THOMAS LOVE PEACOCK (1785-1866) and GEORGE BORROW (1803–81). Each was singular, not to say eccentric, in character. Peacock was one of the best classical scholars of his time, though without any special advantages in education. He was an intimate friend of Shelley, and his executor. Headlong Hall, Nightmare Abbey, and Crotchet Castle are titles that give an idea of the line he took in writing. His novels all belong to the "fantastic satirical" order. Peacock wrote

some jovial and witty verse. Borrow is best known as the Gipsy novelist, his books Lavengro (1851), and The Romany Rye (1857), based upon some youthful experiences, giving remarkable glimpses into the life of that irresponsible folk. Of unique interest is The Bible in Spain, 1843, which hangs a good deal of quite irrelevant matter upon the thread of narrative evolved by his wanderings as colporteur for the Bible Society. Borrow's style, like his personality, is peculiar and winning.

Totally different was the range of FREDERICK Marryat. His early life was picturesque, and he has left a pretty complete record of it in his first novel, Frank Mildmay, 1829. He entered the Navy in 1806, at the age of fourteen, and saw a good deal of active service, both by sea and land. His duty took him eastward to Burmah and westward to the American coast. And he had plenty of opportunity to face danger that was not of war, for during his career in the Navy he saved upwards of twenty lives at the risk of his own. He won satisfactory promotion, becoming commander in 1815; and, by the time he was thirty-four, a post captain and a C.B.-about as much as any man could hope for. In 1830 he resigned his ship and left the sea. From then on to his death (1848) he devoted himself to writing, which vocation he found not less busy than profitable. His novels reached upwards of a score, and, while some are dull in parts, all possess marks of merit. Marryat was certainly the most

natural and original novelist of those who have been mentioned so far in the present chapter. His qualities are seen at their best in Peter Simple, 1831, Jacob Faithful, 1834, and Midshipman Easy, 1836. These qualities are energy, humor, and a fine tang of salt-water throughout. Perhaps his chief value is the striking picture which he paints of the old Navy that has now passed away forever. As a naval novelist Marryat is unsurpassed, because his characters are drawn from life and presented with literary skill.

Beside him may be placed the chief military novelist of England-CHARLES LEVER, best known by his soldier stories, though not confined to that field. Lever was an Irishman, born 1806 and educated at Trinity College, Dublin; travelled on the Continent and in America, then (1837) became physician to the British Embassy at Brussels. He remained in diplomatic life, rising to a Vice-Consulship at Spezzia in 1852, and a Consulship at Trieste in 1867, where he died five years later. Lever will always be best known by his first three novels, Harry Lorrequer, begun serially in 1837, Charles O'Malley (1840), and Tom Burke of Ours (1844). The first derived its name from the "rollicking" character of its author, a character which is reflected in all three. They belong to the period of his life at Brussels-a time when the Continent was crowded with veterans of the Napoleonic wars and had scarcely settled down into regular limits. This