“ It is a paradoxical statement you make,” he says, trying to draw the author out. The discussion is altogether irrelevant that is what the Gentle Reader likes. But not at all! While the dear girl is recovering her spirits it is such an excellent opportunity to have uninterrupted discourse with the Gentle Reader, who does n’t take these things too hard, having long since come to “ the years that bring the philosophic mind.” So the next chapter is entitled An Essay to prove that an author will write better for having some knowledge of the subject on which he treats. The last words are, “ Nor did this thought once suffer her to close her eyes during the whole succeeding night.” Had Fielding been addressing the Intelligent Modern Public he would have intensified the interest by giving an analysis of Sophia’s distress so that we should all share her insomnia. The thirteenth book of Tom Jones leaves the heroine in the greatest distress. “ I must have a chat with the Gentle Reader, and find out what he thinks about it.”Īnd so confidences were interchanged, and there was gossip about the Universe and suggestions in regard to the queerness of human nature, until, at last, the author would jump up with, “ Enough of this, Gentle Reader perhaps it’s time to go back to the story.” No matter if the fate of the hero be in suspense or the plot be inextricably involved. In the very middle of the story the writer would stop with a word of apology or explanation addressed to the Gentle Reader, or at the very least with a nod or a wink. To him books were dedicated, with long rambling prefaces and with episodes which were their own excuse for being. Once upon a time, that is to say a generation or two ago, he was very highly esteemed.

WHAT has become of the Gentle Reader ? One does not like to think that he has passed away with the stagecoach and the weekly news-letter and that henceforth we are to be confronted only by the stony glare of the Intelligent Reading Public.

Gentle reader artwork