_Dombey and Son_ will not readily be forgotten.
It was necessary to take a comprehensive view of novel literature, and--although in the merest outline--still to look at it in its historical connection, in order to find the suitable niche for a book which claims an important place in its European development; for it is precisely in the class last described--that which undertakes faithfully, and yet in a poetic spirit, to represent the real condition of our most peculiar and intimate social relations--that our author has chosen to enroll himself.

With what a full appreciation of this high end, and with what patriotic enthusiasm he has entered on his task, the admirable dedication of the work at once declares, which is addressed to a talented and liberal-minded prince, deservedly beloved and honored throughout Germany.

In the work itself, besides, there occur repeated pictures of these relations, which display at once a clear comprehension of the social problem, and a poetic power which keeps pace with the power of life-like description.

To come more closely to the point, however, what is that reality which is exhibited in the story of our novel?
We should very inadequately describe it were we to say, the nobility of labor and the duties of property, particularly those of the proprietor of land.

This is certainly the key-note of the whole conservative-social, or Dickens school, to which the novel belongs.