CHAPTER IX.
THACKERAY'S STYLE AND MANNER OF WORK.
A novel in style should be easy, lucid, and of course grammatical.

The same may be said of any book; but that which is intended to recreate should be easily understood,--for which purpose lucid narration is an essential.

In matter it should be moral and amusing.

In manner it may be realistic, or sublime, or ludicrous;--or it may be all these if the author can combine them.

As to Thackeray's performance in style and matter I will say something further on.