"It is a plain narrative of facts; but the facts are themselves such that they give a new coloring to the facts of our own life.

They are in such profound antithesis to European ways that we consider them as being written merely to indicate that difference.

It is like the Germania of Tacitus, which many critics still hold to be a satire on Roman ways, while as a matter of fact it is simply a narrative of German manners and customs." "I hope," cried Melick, "that you do not mean to compare this awful rot and rubbish to the Germania of Tacitus ?" "By no means," said Oxenden; "I merely asserted that in one respect they were analogous.

You forced on the allusion to the Germania by calling this 'rot and rubbish' a satirical romance." "Oh, well," said Melick, "I only referred to the intention of the writer.

His plan is one thing and his execution quite another.