John Halifax, Gentleman [antikvár]

The growth and development of the Növel forms one of the most distinctive characteristics of the literature of the Victorian era, and probably no work of fiction issued during this period has stimulated that development to such an extent, and at the same time cast so pure and so ennobling an influence over all classes of readers, as John Halifax, Gentleman. From its publication, in the now out-of-date three volume form, in 1856 to the present time it has been in steady and constant demand. The first cheap edition, with its familiar steel engraving, after Sir J. E. Millais, of Ursula giving a piece of bread to a friendless boy, has been a welcome guest in almost every English household. The book has alsó gladdened the hearts and influenced for good the lives of many entering upon that stage of maturer life at which the mysteries of the future appear unfathomable, whilst to younger hearts swayed alternately by hope and fear, and subject to those noble aspirations of which our humán nature is capable, it has proved a veritable guide, philosopher, and friend. Happy are those who can anticipate, and happier still who realize, such a married life as was the unión of John Halifax and Ursula March, which upon its threshold is thus described by Mrs. Craik :- " He was twenty-one, and she eighteen. It was very young-too young, perhaps, prudent people might say : and yet sometimes I think a double blessing falls on unions like this. A right and holy marriage, a true love-marriage, be it early or late, is-must be-sanctified and happy; yet those have the best chance of happiness, who, meeting on the very threshold of life, enter upon its duties together ; with free, fresh hearts, easily moulded the one to the other, rich in all the riches of youth, acute to enjoy, brave and hopeful to endure." In this story is portrayed a true picture of that English home-life, so marked a characteristic of our country, where all that makes for the greatest happiness is fostered and stimulated, and within whose confines the most cherished ideals are often realixed.