best historical novels and tales(乔纳森尼尔德历史小说故事精选).-第4章
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（for example）； or the unbounded egotism of Napoleon； be brought more
vividly before our mindsand this may be done by suggestion as well as
by exact relation； then； I would maintain； we are to some extent educated
historically； using the word in a large though perfectly legitimate sense。
I recently read a work which here presents itself as admirably
illustrating my meaning。 In her too little known 〃Adventures of a
Goldsmith〃 Miss M。 H。 Bourchier has contrived to bring forcibly before
us the period when Napoleon； fast approaching the zenith of his power；
was known in France as the 〃First Consul。〃 The 〃man of destiny〃
himselfappearing on the scene for little more than a brief momentcan
in no sense be described as one of the book's characters； and yet the whole
plot is so skilfully contrived as to hinge on his personality。 We are made
to feel the dominating influence of that powerful will upon the fears and
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hopes of a time brimming over with revolutionary movement。 Whether
the Chouan revolt is in this particular story accurately depicted for us in all
its phases； or whether the motives which impelled certain public
characters are therein interpreted arightboth in regard to these and other
points there may be room for doubt； but at least the general forces of the
period are placed before us in such a way as to drive home the conviction
that； be the historical inaccuracies of detail what they may in the eyes of
this or that specialist； the picture as a whole is one which； while it rivets
our attention as lovers of romance； does no injury to the strictest Historic
sense。
I know well that numerous novels might be cited which； besides
abounding in anachronisms； are harmful in that they present us with a
misleading conception of some personality or period； moreover； I
acknowledge that this defect is by no means confined to romances of an
inferior literary order。 That Cromwell has been unreasonably vilified；
and Mary Queen of Scots misconceived as a saintly martyr how often are
these charges brought against not a few of our leading exponents of
Historical Fiction。 Let this be fully granted； it remains to askTo whom
were our novelists originally indebted for these misconceptions？ Were
not the historians of an earlier generation responsible for these wrong
judgments？ True； the real Science of Historythe sifting of evidence；
and the discovery and unravelling of ancient documentsmay be
described as an essentially modern attainment； so it would be
unreasonable to blame our older historians for errors which it was largely；
if not wholly； beyond their power to overe。 And it is just here that I
would emphasise my defence of the Romancist。 If Historians themselves
have differed （and still differ）！ may it not be pleaded on behalf of the
Historical Novelist that he also must be judged according to the
possibilities of his time？ For； while he may have too readily adopted
false conceptions in the past； there is no necessity why； in the future； he
alsoprofiting by the growth of Critical investigationshould not have
due regard； in the working out of his Historical background； for all the
latest 〃results。〃 And； I would further add； even though it be true that Scott
and others have misled us in certain directions； this does not prevent our
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acknowledgment that； given their aspect of a particular period； it was only
fitting that the scheme of their novels should be in harmony with it。 If
〃Bloody Mary〃 was a cruel hypocrite； then our reading of her period will
be influenced by that real （or supposed） fact； but； if further investigation
reverses this severe judgment on the woman herself； then； in Heaven's
name； let us mould our general conception afresh。 The fountains of
Romance show no sign of running dry； and； though we may look in vain at
the moment for a genius of the very highest type； the Future has
possibilities within it which the greatest literary pessimist among us
cannot wholly deny。 If； then； fault can be found with the older
Romancists for the spreading here and there of false historical notions； let
us look to future workers in the same sphere for adjustment。 I believe；
however； that one notable critic has pronounced the mischief already done
to be quite irreparable； seeing that the only 〃History〃 at all widely spread
is that derived from those very romances in which errors are so interwoven
with the sentimental interest of the plot itself that readers inevitably 〃hug
their delusions！〃 But I think that this danger need not be contemplated
seriously。 The Historical Novel exists primarily as Fiction； and； even
though in our waking moments we may be persuaded of the unreality of
that 〃dream〃 which a Scott or a Dumas has produced for us； we shall still
be able to place ourselves again and again under the spell of their
delightful influence。 Moreover； while admitting Dumas' carelessness of
exact detail； it would hardly be contended by the most sceptical that his
works （still less those of Scott） are without any background of Historic
suggestiveness。 Scott； indeed； shows signs of having possessed
something of that 〃detachment〃 which is one important qualification in the
Historian proper； there is a fairness and prevision in his historical
judgments which we look for in vain when reading the works of his
contemporaries。
And； having thus touched on what I believe to be the true relation
between Romance and History； I may note； as a last word； the use of the
Historical Tale to those who have the training of young folk。 That 〃desire
to know；〃 which is an essential for all true learning； is sometimes best
fostered by methods outside the ordinary School routine。 Thus； as
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regards History； where the text…book fails in arousing interest； the tale may
succeed； and； once the spirit of inquiry has been stimulated； half the battle
is gained。 In saying this I am far from wishing to imply that the reading
of romances can ever take the place of genuine historical study。 I know
well that such a book as Green's 〃Short History of the English People〃
may prove to some more fascinating than any novel。 There are； however；
cases in which recourse may be had to a high…class work of fiction for the
attainment of a truer historic sense； while； taken only as supplement to
more strictly Academic reading； such a work may prove to have its uses。
Considerable discrimination is requiredas I have already hintedin the
choice of suitable books； and； as a help in this direction； I have made out
（vide 〃Suggested courses of Reading〃 at the end of this volume） two
special lists for Boys and Girls respectively； which will； I trust； be found
useful。 If； besides being of help to teachers； my remendations should
lead in any degree to further appreciation of the great masters of Romance；
the labour （by no means inconsiderable） expended on this little
pilation will be amply rewarded。
J。 N。
January； 1902。
NOTEthe order in which the books are placed is； on the whole；
according to the periods dealt with； occasionally the grouping decided on
has prevented absolute correctness in this respect。
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