THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN.

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by an adjective. Its presence is the author’s diploma of style, his degree of master in the service of beauty. The French are the successors of the Greeks in the arts, and their literary technique makes their fiction supreme in the “ attraction of form ” and in description of human passion, but it seldom has the largeness that considers responsibility as well as passion. A novel is written “ with a certain largeness ” when we are shown passion not only in its relation to individuals, but also to their social environment and to our universal humanity. This largeness was the greatness of George Elliot.

While foreign fiction may have an emotional and artistic fascination, we cherish our English novels for more reasons than those of entertainment. It is the history of the manners and customs and daily life of the English speaking people here and in the mother country. On its pages are recorded all our current thoughts and debates, and all our dreams and despairs. It tells of the happiness of love, and of the anguish of bereavement, of secret wrestling with temptation and of the weary questioning of the mysteries of life and death. It also reflects the moral force and philanthropy of our race, which is striving to make tomorrow nobler than today.

We are fortunate to live in this blessed modern age when electric science writes the minds of men, and when the spirit’s subtle sympathy makes us one in heart. What Mrs. Browning says of the poet is true of the novelist:

“Oh delight

And triumph of the poet, who would say A man’s mere ‘ yes ’ a woman’s common * no,’

A little human hope of that or this,

And say the word so that it burns you through.

With special revelation speaks the heart Of all the men and women in the world.”