Cecilia has a little more individuality.

But the great strength of the former book lies in the admirable lower middle-class pictures of the Branghtons and Mr.Smith, whom Fanny had evidently studied from the life in the queer neighbourhood of Poland Street: as also in the justness and verisimilitude of the picture of the situation, which in different ways both books present--that of the introduction of a young girl to the world.[13] In these points, as in others which there is neither space nor need to particularise, Miss Burney showed that she had hit upon--stumbled upon one may almost say--the real principle and essence of the novel as distinguished from the romance--its connection with actual ordinary life--life studied freshly and directly "_from_ the life," and disguised and adulterated as little as possible by exceptional interests and incidents.

It is scarcely too much to say that one great reason why the novel was so long coming into existence was precisely this--that life and society so long remained subject to these exceptional interests and incidents.

It is only within the last century or so that the "life of 'mergency" (to adapt Mr.Chucks slightly) ceased to be the ordinary life.

Addison's "Dissenter's Diary" with its record of nothing but constitutionals and marrow-bones, and Mr.Nisby's opinions, has simply amused half a dozen generations.