Peacock was essentially a scholar (though a non-academic one) and essentially a humorist.

In the progress of his books from _Headlong Hall_ (1816) to _Gryll Grange_ (1860)--the last separated from the group to which the first belongs by more than twice as many years as were covered by that group itself--he mellowed his tone, but altered his scheme very little.

Except in _Maid Marian_ and _The Misfortunes of Elphin_, where the Scott influence is evident, though Peacock was himself a rebel to Scott, the plan is always the same.

_Headlong Hall_ and _Nightmare Abbey, Melincourt_ and _Crotchet Castle_ (1831), as well as _Gryll Grange_ itself, all have the uniform, though by no means monotonous, canvas of a party of guests assembled at a country-house and consisting of a number of "originals," with one or more common-sense but by no means commonplace characters to serve as contrast.

It is in the selection and management of these foils that one of Peacock's principal distinctions lies.