Page:Margaret Fuller by Howe, Julia Ward, Ed. (1883).djvu/241

226 weapon, as "the champion of poverty, innocence, and humanity against superstition, selfishness, and prejudice." His works, she thinks, with all their strong points and brilliant decorations, may ere long be forgotten. Still, the writer's name shall be held in imperishable honour as the teacher of the ignorant, the guardian of the weak." She sums up thus the merits of the two: "Balzac is the heartless surgeon, « probing the wounds and describing the delirium of suffering men for the amusement of his students. Sue, a bold and glittering crusader, with endless ballads jingling in the silence of night before the battle." She finds both of them much right and a good deal wrong," since their most virtuous personages arc allowed to practise stratagems, falsehood, and violence—a taint, she thinks, of the old régime under which "La belle France has worn rouge so long, that the purest mountain air will not restore the natural hues to her complexion"

Two ideal sketches, "The Rich Man" and "The Poor Man," are also preserved in this volume, and are noticeable as treating of differences and difficulties which have rather become aggravated than diminished since Margaret's time. The "Rich Man" is a merchant, who "sees in commerce a representation of most important interests, a grand school that may teach the heart and soul of the civilised world to a willing, thinking mind. He plays his part in the game, but not for himself alone. He sees the interests of all mankind engaged with his, and remembers them while he furthers his own." In regard of his social status she says:

"Our nation is not silly in striving for an aristocracy. Humanity longs for its upper classes. The