Smollett’s novel Peregine Pickle contains doubtful and inferior matter. For one thing, many of its situations, “are half plagiarism of the main situations of Pamella and Clarissa “(Sainsbury). Many of its inset stories have no connection what ever with the main story.
One cannot help suspecting that they have been introduced to provide the author an occasion for pornography. The grossness and obscenity of the book is revolting. Despite these drawbacks, Peregrine Pickle is a great novel; it is a great sea-novel. It is also remarkable for its racy fun and sparkling wit. As Sainsbury puts is, “Peregrine Pickle can never be thrown to the wolves. English literature cannot do without it.”