ABSTRACT
The abundant promise of future excellence contained in the former writings of Mr Collins led us to anticipate a brilliant success when he should again make his appearance in the lists. That he has not yet achieved it is less owing to any want of imaginative excellence, than to an unfortunate selection of material. The writing by which Basil is distinguished, eloquent and graceful as it is, affords another proof that the author is qualified to take a high place among his contemporaries. It is beside our purpose to enter into a discussion as to the limitations and restrictions which bound the province of fiction. The taste of the age has settled the point, that its proper office is to elevate and purify, as well as to amuse; and unless the writer keep this object constantly before him, he can never hope to win a lasting popularity.
