For the sublime we look rather to poetry than to prose, and though I will give one or two instances just now in which it has been used with great effect in prose fiction, it does not come home to the heart, teaching a lesson, as does the realistic.

The girl who reads is touched by Lucy Ashton, but she feels herself to be convinced of the facts as to Jeanie Deans, and asks herself whether she might not emulate them.
Now as to the realism of Thackeray, I must rather appeal to my readers than attempt to prove it by quotation.

Whoever it is that speaks in his pages, does it not seem that such a person would certainly have used such words on such an occasion?
If there be need of examination to learn whether it be so or not, let the reader study all that falls from the mouth of Lady Castlewood through the novel called _Esmond_, or all that falls from the mouth of Beatrix.

They are persons peculiarly situated,--noble women, but who have still lived much out of the world.
The former is always conscious of a sorrow; the latter is always striving after an effect;--and both on this account are difficult of management.

A period for the story has been chosen which is strange and unknown to us, and which has required a peculiar language.