SOURCE: "Richardson's Novels," in Hours in a Library, Smith, Elder, & Co., 1874, pp. 59-112.
In the following essay, Stephen argues that Richardson 's integration of "feminine " characteristics into his style—namely, propensities for letter-writing, flattery, idle chatter, and "the delicate perception, the sensibility to emotion, and the interest in small details"—is responsible for both the merits and defects of his works.
This is a free excerpt of 61 words. There are 12,534 words (approx.
42 pages at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our Samuel Richardson 1689–1761: Critical Essay by Leslie Stephen Access Pass.
