Page:Undine (Lumley).djvu/37

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xxiv
PREFACE.

the heart,—set off at times by the exhibition of the darker and more repulsive traits of human character, (held up, however, only to be avoided,)—find in the writings of our author their happy and appropriate exemplification. The noble, courteous Christian knight—the tender, modest, but high-minded maiden—the affectionate spouse—the aged man, in all the commanding dignity of years and wisdom—the pious peasant—the faithful domestic,—are all mingled in the goodly array of characters which they present to us. And as the fair procession passes before us, and its magic colours float around the imagination and linger in the memory, who does not feel the best sympathies and aspirations of his heart irresistibly drawn forth?—who, too, will refuse his tribute of love and admiration to the gifted—and now, alas! deceased—author, the impress of whose own calm and beautiful mind they so fully bear?