Page:Literary studies by Joseph Jacobs.djvu/57

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'THEOPHRASTUS SUCH'
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prominence than in the last chapter of the book 'The Modern Hep! Hep! Hep!' (the rallying cry of the persecutions of the Jews by the Crusaders). That George Eliot should feel tempted to defend her choice of a subject in Daniel Deronda is only natural; but the striking thing is how far inferior is this defence, appealing to the intellect, when compared with exactly the same arguments as urged by the passionate rhetoric of Mordecai in the book itself. Ignorance of, and want of sympathy with, modern Judaism may blind the reader to the extraordinary power of Mordecai's orations, perhaps the greatest tour de force of their author; but any one can see how much more effective, even from an argumentative point of view, are the passionate utterances of the latest prophet than the calm reasoning of his creator.

We have dealt with Impressions of Theophrastus Such in comparison with its author's other works, and it is clear that it cannot, in conception, style, or effectiveness, stand the test. It may consequently appear somewhat unfair to upbraid the book for failing to be what it does not profess to be. But a great artist owes duties to the world as much as deserves gratitude from it. When one who has it in her power to add to the world's wealth of beauty turns aside from the arduous