The Man of Feeling: And Julia De Roubigne, a Tale

Henry Mackenzie was an 18th century Scottish writer known as "Addison of the North." Mackenzie was an attorney for the crown in Scotland. Mackenzie tried getting The Man of Feeling published even to the point of offering it as a gift. He finally published it himself anonymously. Harley is the "Man of Feeling," He is a weak creature, dominated by a futile benevolence, who travels to London and falls into the hands of people who exploit his innocence. Harley helps the down-trodden, looses in love and is unsuccessful. Mackenzie asks the reader to decide whether sentimentality is morally correct or a luxury for the rich? Is morality possible in a complex commercial environment? The reader must decide for himself whether Harley is a saint or a fool.