ARTICLE XV. FIELDING'S MISS MATTHEWS. THE novels of Fielding, (an acute observer, and a faithful, though, on the whole, a coarse painter of human nature,) abound in combinations which no system of mental science, Phrenology excepted, can explain. His characters, generally speaking, are much less the creatures of his imagination than transcripts of those men and women whom he actually saw and conversed with in the world. They are, therefore, very mixed beings, and hardly ever act in a uniform manner, like the personages in most other novels; but seem to be influenced by different passions at different times, and consequently display very different aspects and appearances. These re marks apply particularly to Amelia, the last of his novels, which, on this very account, will be highly appreciated as a study by a phrenological reader. Some critics have ventured to speak lightly of it, as inferior to his earlier productions; but not to urge, what no one will question, that it may, nevertheless, be an able and an interesting work, there are not wanting individuals who would give it the preference, on the grounds of the greater range and variety of its characters, the singular unhesitating fidelity with which their failings and vices are delineated, and, above all things, a sobriety of judgment as to the world, and a diffusion of tenderness and delicacy, both in sentiment and delineation, which would entitle Fielding to a more elevated rank as a moralist than can possibly be procured for him by the conjoined merits of all its predecessors. Even Mr Murphy, who says of it, that "it has indeed the marks of genius, but of a genius beginning to fall into its decay," almost concurs in the opinion now expressed, while he is endeavouring to substantiate the correctness of his observation as to its comparative inferiority. "The author's invention in this performance does not appear to "have lost its fertility; his judgment, too, seems as strong as "ever; but the warmth of imagination is abated; and, in his "landscapes or his scenes of life, Mr Fielding is no longer the "colourist he was before. The personages of the piece delight "too much in narratives, and their characters have not those "touches of singularity, those specific differences, which are so beautifully marked in our author's former works: of course the "humour, which consists in happy delineations of the caprices and "predominant foibles of the human mind, loses much of its high "flavour and relish. And yet Amelia holds the same propor"tion to Tom Jones that the Odyssey of Homer bears, in the es"timation of Longinus, to the Iliad. A fine vein of morality "runs through the whole; many of the situations are affecting " and tender; the sentiments are delicate; and, upon the whole, "it is the Odyssey, the moral and pathetic work of Henry "Fielding." The reason why the characters have not "those touches of singularity, those specific differences, which are so beauti"fully marked in Fielding's former works," is held to be one not disadvantageous in the eyes of a reader who wishes rather genuine portraits than caricatures, and whose object is to understand human nature, not merely to amuse himself with the fictions of a humourist. As to the remark, that "in his landscapes, or his scenes of life, Mr Fielding, in his "Amelia, is no longer the colourist he was before,” the very contrary judgment which Mr Chalmers has pronounced may be quoted as a perfectly satisfactory answer in a question of taste, dependent greatly on diversities of constitutions :— "Those who have seen much," says he," and thought much of "the errors and distresses of domestic life, will probably feel that our author's colouring in this work is more just, as well as "more chaste, than in any of his other novels. The appeals to "the heart are, in my opinion, far more forcible. The whole "of Miss Matthews' narrative abounds with exquisite touches of nature and passion; but what may be referred to with most "confidence, are chap. vi. of book x., and chap. viii. of book xi. "Where do we find the consequences of imprudence or guilt represented with such irresistible tenderness?" A few examples of the combinations to be met with in Amelia, and some illustrations of them in Fielding's own words, from which we may deduce his views of human nature, will probably afford both amusement and edification to the reader. He will discover them to be decidedly phrenological. In the character of Miss Matthews, to which we shall at present confine ourselves, we find Amativeness, Adhesiveness, Destructiveness, Firmness, Self-esteem, and Benevolence, largely displayed, and appearing either in succession or collision, sometimes with fearful effects. Mr Booth, who had known her in early life, is introduced to her in prison, where she, under the name of Vincent, was confined on a premature accusation of having murdered her seducer; Booth himself, besides some pecuniary difficulties, being charged with beating a watchman in the execution of his office and breaking his lantern. The account of their recognition is striking enough to be transcribed; its phrenological bearings are very obvious and decisive. Perhaps the pen of the novelist has rarely brought out a more impassioned and varied scene; and it deserves the more attention, because the discordant elements displayed in it are roused into commotion by apparently slight excitements, rather of inter nal origin than from without, and consequently indicating great mental activity. Benevolence and Adhesiveness are excited by the presence of Booth, and the latter principle is evidently much aided in its manifestation by the combination which leads to bewitching softness, and the full efficacy of which Booth himself had soon after the misfortune to experience. Then her Self-esteem and Love of Approbation, awakened and wounded by the idea of the odious. place in which she finds herself, have scarcely time to be quieted by the respectful attentions of Booth, when, in alliance with Adhesiveness, and, in some degree, Benevolence, Conscientiousness, and Veneration, they are again excited and pained to the uttermost by the associations connected with the name of her father. The perfect sincerity of her passion on this occasion is beyond question. Again recovering, and feeling gratified by the tenderness and sympathy of Booth, from which her Self-› esteem and Love of Approbation prompt her to anticipate a large increase of pleasing concern, she is prepared for his suggesting a topic, which, in an individual, especially, a female, in whom Destructiveness was not very powerful, whatever Self-esteem, might be, and however a sense of justice or necessity might moderate repugnance and self-reproach, would be sure to produce a feeling of horror. Very different was the case of Miss Matthews, who positively exults in the recollection of the bloody act for which she was committed, with a fervour and luxuriance to be sought for only in a tiger, or the most ferocious of Indian savages. Her firmness is apparent throughout, but becomes peculiarly energetic in contemplating the issue of her life. "Eight or nine years had passed since any interview be"tween Mr Booth and Miss Matthews; and their meeting now "in so extraordinary a place affected both of them with an equal surprise. After some immaterial ceremonies, the lady acquainted Mr B. that having heard there was a person in "the prison who knew her by the name of Matthews, she had "great curiosity to inquire who he was, whereupon he had "been shown to her from the window of the house; that she immediately recollected him, and being informed of his disVOL. I.-No IV. 2 R "tressful situation, for which she expressed great concern, she "had sent him that guinea which he had received the day be"fore; and then proceeded to excuse herself for not having "desired to see him at that time, when she was under the 'greatest disorder and hurry of spirits. 66 "Booth made many handsome acknowledgments of her favour; and added, that he very little wondered at the disorder "of her spirits, concluding, that he was heartily concerned at "seeing her there; but I hope, Madam, said he, Here he "hesitated; upon which, bursting into an agony of tears, she "cried out, O captain! captain! many extraordinary things "have past since last I saw you. O gracious heaven! did I ever expect that this would be the next place of our meet'ing!' She then flung herself into her chair, where she gave "a loose to her passion, whilst he, in the most affectionate and "tender manner, endeavoured to sooth and comfort her; but "passion itself did probably more for its own relief than "all his friendly consolations. Having vented this in a large "flood of tears, she became pretty well composed; but Booth "unhappily mentioning her father, she again relapsed into an agony, and cried out, Why, why will you repeat the name "of that dear man? I have disgraced him, Mr Booth. I am unworthy the name of his daughter. Here passion "again stopped her words, and discharged itself in tears. When "she had recovered her faculties, she perceived Booth standing "silent, with a mixture of concern and astonishment in his "countenance; then addressing herself to him with an air of "most bewitching softness, of which she was a perfect mistress, "she said, I do not wonder at your amazement, Captain Booth, nor indeed at the concern which you so plainly dis cover for me; for I well know the goodness of your nature; "but O, Mr Booth! believe me, when you know what hath happened since our last meeting, your concern will be raised, "" however your astonishment may cease. O, Sir! you are a : stranger to the cause of my sorrows.' I hope I am, Ma"'dam,' answered he, for I cannot believe what I have heard ""in this prison-surely murder,'-at which words she started "from her chair, repeating murder! Oh! it is music in my ears!-You have heard then the cause of my commitment, my glory, my delight, my reparation:-Yes, my old friend, "this is the hand, this is the arm that drove the penknife to "his heart. Unkind fortune, that not one drop of his blood ""reached my hand. Indeed, Sir, I would never have washed it from it. But though I have not the happiness to see it on "my hand, I have the glorious satisfaction of remembering I "saw it run in rivers on the floor; I saw it forsake his cheeks. "I saw him fall a martyr to my revenge. And is the killing "a villain to be called murder? perhaps the law calls it so."Let it call it what it will, or punish me as it pleases."Punish me !-no, no,-that is not in the power of man,—not |