It is quite possible to lay too much stress on it, as distinguishing the novel from the romance: and the present writer is of opinion that too much stress has actually been laid.

The real difference between romance _per se_ and novel _per se_ (so far as they are capable of distinct existence) is that the romance depends more on incident and the novel more on character.

Now this minute analysis and exhibition, though it is one way of drawing or constructing character, is not the only, nor even a necessary, one.

It can be done without: but it has impressed the vulgar, and even some who are not the vulgar, from Dr.Johnson to persons whom it is unnecessary to mention.

They cannot believe that there is "no deception"-- that the time is correctly told--unless the works of the watch are bared to them: and this Richardson most undoubtedly does.