How do you judge a writer who has a spark of genius but almost no talent or skill? That's my dilemma with Charles Brockden Brown.įirst the genius part. He derived the additional name of Brockden from his uncle Charles Brockden, so respectfully mentioned by Franklin in his life, who, to avoid the vengeance of conspirators, whose secret conversations he had accidentally overheard, fled to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where his industry and abilities finally raised him to an important office, which he filled with distinguished reputation. Their principles, moral, religious, and political, coincided with those of their pious and illustrious leader. The impartiality of criticism cannot but confirm the anticipations of affection.Ĭharles Brockden Brown was the highly-gifted descendant of ancestors originally English, who came over to this country with the wise and benevolent Penn, and landed from the same ship on the banks of the Delaware. It is no less the duty than the pleasure of friendship to fortify and sustain these claims. The reputation of an author in whom these qualities are united may be circumscribed during life but its rise and extension after death prove that his claims to distinction are well founded. Genius and knowledge command respect but superior genius and profound knowledge, combined with exalted moral purity, cannot fail to excite unmingled admiration. Excerpt from Wieland or the Transformation
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