THE HISTORY OF  SIR
      CHARLES GRANDISON

           Samuel Richardson's last important work was The History of Sir Charles Grandison, in which he presented his ideal of a true Christian gentleman; this novel was published between 1753 and 1754. Fielding's Tom Jones had achieved great success in 1749, and though there is little evidence that Richardson really knew it, and much that if he did, he misunderstood it, it seems likely that Grandison was written to show what a really good man was like in contrast to Fielding's hero. Though it shows deeply felt ideals, it has only glimpses of the imaginative genius of Clarissa. Its hero behaves with undeviating rectitude and benevolence, in all kinds of awkward situations, including the ultimate one of a triangular relationship with two beautiful and good women, Harriet Byron and Clementina della Porretta, whom merit his respect. He is used to illustrate his creator's conviction that the foundation of morality is goodness of heart, and the truest human pleasure flows from virtued and benevolence. Both ideas, ironically, are very close to Fielding's.
            The novel illustrates Richardson's longing to extend the family beyond the mere accident of blood, as his men and women develop the friendship into a deeper brotherhood and sisterhood on a base of profound moral harmony and love (in real life, he offered brotherhood and fatherhood to his admirers. It also shows his liberal attitude to religious differences, and his championship of a more liberal attitude to women).
            With all this, however, the novel has a deadness at the core. If the reader find Sir Charles priggish it is because he is never forced into the abysses of  his being as Pamela and Clarissa are. But good things remain. The lively description of Harriet Byron's first experiences of London are a reminder of Richardson's influence on Fanny Burney and Jane Austen. Into the mental conflicts of Harriet and Clementina the proving imagination of the author of Clarissa has entered, if not with the same sombre resonance, yet with life-giving and revealing power.