The Scottish Enlightenment of the late eighteenth century stands as a testament to a remarkable intellectual awakening, prominently featuring figures from diverse fields such as chemistry, geology, economics, and philosophy. Yet, it was the literary lawyers and sentimental novelists who provided a unique bridge to the romantic ideals that would dominate the nineteenth century. Among such figures, Henry Mackenzie stands out as a pivotal contributor, particularly through his novel The Man of Feeling.

The Philosophical Context of the Scottish Enlightenment

The Enlightenment in Scotland was marked by a rich tapestry of intellectual endeavors. Notable personalities such as Joseph Black, James Hutton, Adam Smith, and William Robertson led advances in their respective fields. However, the realm of imaginative literature initially lagged, with only a few standout figures like James Macpherson and Tobias Smollett making their mark, though Smollett's career blossomed largely in England.

Philosophers, straddling roles akin to today’s scientists, found early acceptance and access to print culture. As time progressed, a cohort of literary lawyers emerged, bringing to their writing the analytical precision demanded by their legal training. Among them was Henry Mackenzie, whose influence on Edinburgh's literary scene was profound. He was a critical supporter of Robert Burns and played a pivotal role in encouraging Sir Walter Scott.

Henry Mackenzie: The Literary Arbiter

Henry Mackenzie, renowned for his roles as a critic, editor, poet, and playwright, was a significant figure in Edinburgh’s cultural landscape. He contributed essays to literary periodicals, was active in the Highland Society, and managed the multidisciplinary Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1785. Despite his pragmatic approach to life, which starkly contrasted with the protagonist of his famed novel, Mackenzie left an indelible mark on literary culture.

The novel The Man of Feeling epitomizes Mackenzie’s literary legacy. Though recognized today as a quintessential sentimental novel, it languished as a manuscript for years before captivating the public with its publication. The Man of the World and Julia de Roubigné, Mackenzie’s subsequent works, further explored the sentimental genre, with the latter often considered his finest work, drawing inspiration from Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s novel Julie: Or, The New Eloise.

Navigating the Novelistic Landscape

Mackenzie’s contributions to literature are situated between the early narrative styles of Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding, and Tobias Smollett, and the subsequent transformations introduced by Jane Austen and Walter Scott. Although his significance may seem lesser compared to these giants, Mackenzie’s novels experimented with form and sentiment, influenced by Richardson’s focus on emotion, Fielding’s embrace of human diversity, and Rousseau’s critique of societal norms.

Unlike his predecessors, Mackenzie’s work, particularly The Man of Feeling, diverged in tone, lacking the ironic detachment and playful naughtiness of Lawrence Sterne’s Tristram Shandy. Instead, Mackenzie’s narrative centered on the profound depth of sentiment, blending Christian benevolence with an innate sense of human goodness.

Sentimentality and Social Critique

While Mackenzie’s work resonates with proto-Romantic sentimentality, it should not be fully assimilated into the Romantic paradigm. The protagonist, Harley, embodies a performative sentimentality, a trait admired but distinct from the unrestrained emotional outpourings celebrated by later Romantic writers. Readers are encouraged to appreciate Harley’s emotional depth but not to emulate his life entirely, especially given his tragic ending.

The novel critiques the inequalities of its time, aligning with the broader Enlightenment discourse on nascent capitalism, yet standing in stark opposition to the economic optimism of figures like Adam Smith. Harley's story illustrates the struggles of individual altruism against the growing tide of self-interest, serving as a vivid social critique wrapped in a sentimental narrative.

Mackenzie’s Lasting Impact

The Man of Feeling is not merely a sentimental novel; it is a lens through which the contradictions of eighteenth-century society are examined. While Harley’s excessive sentimentality offers a critique of the society that undervalues genuine compassion, the novel itself serves as a bridge to the evolving literary and philosophical ideas that would define the Romantic era. Mackenzie’s narrative explores the tension between self-interest and altruism, reflecting broader societal dynamics and offering insights still relevant today.