The epistolary novel: its origin, development, decline, and residuary influence. PDF
Preview The epistolary novel: its origin, development, decline, and residuary influence.
THE EPISTOLARY NOVEL THE EPISTOLARY NOVEL ITS ORIGIN , DEVELOPMENT, DECLINE, AND RESIDUARY INFLUENCE GODFREY FRANK SINGER NEW YORK RUSSELL RUSSELL · INC & 1963 ; - sco 3 FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1933 ? REISSUED , 1963, BY RUSSELL & RUSSELL , INC. L.C.CATALOG CARD NO :63- 9508 PRINTED IN THEUNITED STATESOFAMERICA 300ass - 18 To J. . . . . S AND L F S r with heartfelt thanks fotheir great generosity and many indulgences FOREWORD THAT the English novel first grew into solid form in the eighteenth century is a fact too well established to need more than passing mention . In the course of that century various types of the novel, various schools ” of writing grew up,someofwhich have been segregated and described in de tail in various critical works. Of utmost importance among these groups,both in achievement and as a " type” of fiction , is the novel cast in letter form . It is the purpose of the fol lowing dissertation to presentas complete a survey as possi ble of that form of fiction . That it was of great importance will be seen from a consideration both of its quality and of itsquantity.In order toshow the continuity ofthat form and to take cognizance of its periodical mutations,Ihave used and examined several hundred novels,constituting amajor y it ofthe novels in that form now extant.This has notbeen done with any hope ofdiscovering lost masterpiece.s Ithas, however,revealed many sensible,pleasant,and workmanlike books,which hardly deserve the oblivion into which they have fallen.For the vivid flashes which they not infrequently cast upon the manners ofthe period alone they would be worthy ofattention. Taken together with the great mass of writing in the same form during aperiod offully half a cen tury they present to the thoughtful mind an exceedingly interesting spectacle ofthe working out ofa literary cycle according tothe laws ofnature and to thematerials of itsown composition . y Much ofthesurvey has been made possible bapossession ofthe books themselves.It isappropriate,however, to men tion at once the palpable indebtedness to the invaluable suggestions found in theworks ofD.r Charlotte Morgan and Professor Helen Sard Hughes n the history offiction before i the publication ofPamela with the attention which they have vii viii FOREWORD given to the forms and movements of seventeenth -century and early eighteenth -century prose. Such hints have been further supplemented by references to the Reviews of the period and have sometimes had additions from the long and curious lists of other books on sale by the publisher, which are occasionally found attached to his several volumes . This work was undertaken at the suggestion of Professor John C.Mendenhall who, patient and analytic critic that he is,has given the friendly guidance and unflagging assistance necessary to the very existence of this study. To him ,to Dr. Ralph B. Allen , for help with proof, to Dr. Beaumont S. Bruestle , for help with the index, to certain members of the Department of English ofthe University of Pennsylvania who have guided mystudies and fostered my appreciation during many years, and to my friends my gratitude can hardly be expressed with adequacy . Without their support this study could never have achieved even such slight merit as it may possess . Let this be in no smallmeasure such praise asmay be due;theshortcomings aremy own. . . . G F S Philadelphia , November 10, 1932. CONTENTS PAGE Foreword CHAPTER I The Development of the Literary Epistle II The Letter-Writer III The Vitalization of the Letter IV The Fictional Outposts and the Pre-Richardsonian Letter Story V Samuel Richardson and His Development of the Epistolary Novel VI TheEpistolary Novel from Richardson to 1800 99 6 VII TheEpistolary Novel in England since 1800 15 e VIII Epistolary Fiction (Particularly th Nove)l in Franceand Italy 181 IX Epistolary Fiction in America 195 Conclusion 215 Bibliography 217 Index 256
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