The sketches of _Cranford_ are very agreeable and very admirable performances in the manner first definitely thrown out by Addison, and turned to consummate perfection in the way of the regular novel (which be it remembered _Cranford_ is not) by Miss Austen.

But the mere mention of the last name kills them.

The author of _Emma_ would have treated Miss Matty and the rest much less lovingly, but she would have made them persons.

Mrs.
Gaskell has left them mere types of amiable country-townishness in respectable if not very lively times.

Excessive respectability cannot be charged against _Mary Barton_ and _Ruth_, but here the "problem"-- the "purpose"-- interposes its evil influence: and we have got to take a side with men or with masters, with selfish tempters of one class and deluded maidens of another.