midnight
Nevertheless , the fact remains that at almost all times , both in ancient literature and since the revival of letters , as well as in some probably more spontaneous forms during the Middle Ages themselves , -LSB- 130 -RSB- pastorals have been popular with the vulgar , and practised by the elect ; while within the very last hundred years such a towering genius as Shelley 's , and such a manifold and effectual talent as Mr. Arnold 's , have selected it for some of their very best work . Such adoption , moreover , had , for the writer of prose fiction , some peculiar and pretty obvious inducements . It has been noticed by all careful students of fiction that one of the initial difficulties in its way , and one of those which do not seem to get out of that way very quickly , is diffidence on the writer 's part `` how to begin . '' It may be said that this is not peculiar to fiction ; but extends from the poet who never can get beyond the first lines of his epic to the journalist who sits for an hour gazing at the blank paper for his article , and returns home at midnight , if not like Miss Bolo `` in a flood of tears and a sedan chair , '' at any rate in a tornado of swearing at himself and -LRB- while there were such things -RRB- a hansom cab . Pastoral gives both easy beginning and supporting framework . -LSB- Sidenote : Its beginnings in France . -RSB- -LSB- Sidenote : Minor romances preceding the _ Astrée _ . -RSB-