In speaking of the Beggar's Opera, and its alleged influence on the lower orders of the people, Dr. Johnson remarks, that probably the objection is unfounded; for that no young idler of the audience will be tempted to go on the highway, and hope to escape with impunity, merely because Macheath is reprieved on the stage. Were the magistrates of London and Westminster consulted, they could, I imagine, contradict this supposition of Dr. Johnson. But allowing the conjecture of the critic to be just, with respect to the abovenamed opera, nothing similar can be

offered in extenuation of Tom Jones, or Roderick Random, or Peregrine Pickle. The dramatic robber is indeed reprieved (it would be difficult to say why), and, his poetical life once terminated, we hear no more of him: he is dismissed as he came forth, a bold and impenitent ruffian; and we are left at liberty to conclude that he returns to the road and the bagnio. But the heroes of Fielding and Smollet are, as has been observed of the tragedies of Otway, a seducing poison: they intrigue, and fight, and gamble; and revel in each variety of licentious

ness; and their lawless career is accompanied by eclat, and rewarded with prosperity.

Where is the young man of lively sensibilities, and constitutional energy, who, uncontrolled, can resist the lure? His powers of reflection and self-restraint must be inconceivably great, if he can withstand the invitation to pleasure, which tells him that he may riot in security amidst illicit enjoyments, and ultimately reap a richer harvest than tame and timid prudence can hope for!

The first ambition of the inexpe

rienced youth who reads these delete

rious memoirs is, to emulate the principal personage; and, finding it much

more easy to copy foibles and follies than laudable actions, he gives himself credit at least for a capability of being amiable; discovers that to fall into error is not difficult, and that its effects are not fatal; that though propriety may be outraged, the punishment is but temporary; that debts imprudently contracted may be discharged, an angry mistress be appeased, and the best gifts of fortune be heaped unexpectedly on him; and that finally he may retire, with health, youth, riches, and reputation, into the bosom of felicity.

It is needless to insist on what is likely to ensue, when the experiment is made, and this theory reduced to practice. The similitude to the hero or heroine is closely preserved, as far as it respects criminality and folly; but fails most lamentably in the catastrophe, and finishes in ruin. This may pretty safely be considered as an abridgement of the novel of Tom Jones, and of the fates of many of its juvenile admirers.

The names of Fielding and Smollet have, I know, become venerable; they have passed the ordeal of criticism, and their claim to eminence as novel writers no one ventures to dispute. It would