Taine, Hyppolite Adolphe : Az angol irodalom története 5. kötet - A MTA Könyvkiadó Vállalata 27. (Budapest,1885)

II. Thackeray

Kísérteibe jövünk félreérteni e szavakat, s hogy meg­értsük, szükséges eszünkbe juttatni, hogy az aristokratikus és kalmári társadalomban, a pénztisztelet és rangimádás alatt a szegény és pór tehetséggel úgy bánnak, mint sze­gény és pór volta megérdemli.8 Tartóssága még erősebbé has a hump-back, and kis nose and chin are more crooked than those features in the Apollo or Antinous, which we are accusto­med to consider as our standards of beauty ; does this argue malice on my part towards Mr. Punch ? Not in the least. It is the critic’s duty to point out defects as well as merits, and he inva­riably does his duty with the utmost gentleness and candour. That sense of equality and fraternity amongst Authors has always struck me as one of the most amiable characteristics of the class. It is because we know and respect each other, that the world respects us so much; that we hold such a good position in society, and demean ourselves so irreproachably when there. Literary persons are held in such esteem by the nation, that about two of them have been absolutely invited to Court during the present reign: and it is probable that towards the end of the season, one or two will be asked to dinner by sir Ro­bert Peel. They are such favourites with the public, that they are con­tinually obliged to have their pictures taken and published; and one or two could be pointed out, of whom te nation insists upon having a fresh portrait every year. Nothing can be more gra­tifying than this proof of the affectionnate regard which the people has for its instructors. Literature is held in such honour in England, that there is a sum of near twelve hundred pounds per annum set apart to pension deserving persons following that profession. And a great compliment this is, too, to the professors, and a proof of their generally prosperous and flourishing condition. They are generally so rich and thrifty, that scarcely any money is wanted to help them. (The Snobs of England, p. 201.) 8 «L’esprit et le génié perdent vint-cinq pour cent de leur valeur en abordant en Angleterre.» (Stendhal.)

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