ts strength. In hardly
any other instance known to me can we trace so clearly the influence of
a suitable medium and form on the genius of the artist. There are some
writers--Dryden is perhaps the greatest of them--to whom form and medium
seem almost indifferent, their all-round craftsmanship being such that
they can turn any kind and every style to their purpose. There are
others, of whom I think our present author is the chief, who are
never really at home but in one kind. In Fielding's case that kind was
narrative of a peculiar sort, half-sentimental, half-satirical, and
almost wholly sympathetic--narrative which has the singular gift of
portraying the liveliest character and yet of admitting the widest
disgression and soliloquy.

Until comparatively late in his too short life, when he found this
special path of his (and it is impossible to say whether the actual
finding was in the case of Jonathan or in the case of Joseph), he did
but flounder and slip. When he had found it, and was content to walk
in it, he strode with as sure and steady a step as any other, even the
greatest, of those who carry and hand on the torch of literature through
the ages. But it is impossible to derive full satisfaction from his
feats in this part of the race without some notion of his performances
elsewhere; and I believe that such a notion will be supplied to the
readers of his novels by the following volumes, in a very large number
of cases, for the first time.

THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE TO LISBON

DEDICATION TO THE PUBLIC

Your candor is desired on the perusal of the following sheets, as
they are the product of a genius that has long been your delight and
entertainment. It must be acknowledged that a lamp almost burnt out does
not give so steady and uniform a light as when it blazes in its full
vigor; but yet it is well known that by its wavering, as if struggling
against its own dissolution, it sometimes darts a ray as bright as ever.
In like manner, a strong and lively genius will, in its last struggles,
sometimes mount aloft, and throw forth the most striking marks of its
original luster.

Wherever these are to be found, do you, the genuine patrons of
extraordinary capacities, be as liberal in your applauses of him who is
now no more as you were of him whilst he was yet amongst you. And, on
the other hand, if in this little work there should appear any traces of
a weakened and decayed life, let your own imaginations