it-by-itself-it

Updated: May 7, 2025

In fact, even in the two mighty men of genius whom we have just been discussing, there may be seen at their beginnings at least something of that irresolution, uncertainty, and want of reliance on the powers of the novel, it-by-itself-it, which we have noticed before: and which the unerring craftsmanship of Scott had already pointed out in the "Conversation of the Author of Waverley with Captain Clutterbuck" more than once referred to.

George Saintsbury - The English Novel