Abstract: Henry Mackenzie's The Man of Feeling, once derided as an oversentimental novel, is actually a self-reflective text set against the Scottish commercial development in the 18^th century in response to some theoretical discussions on sentiment and morality during the Scottish Enlightenment. Taking the advantage of the form of sentimental novel, it attempts to turn issues like sentimental expression, commercial development, and moral concept into subjects of scrutiny. Thereby, the novel becomes a self-reflective text on sentimentality, in which the characters release their sentimental criticism toward the commercial activities, such as land leasing and colonial economy, but their criticism is reexamined and their role as the model of morality is questioned. The novel shows the inevitable commercialization in the Scottish society and inspires an in-depth reflection over literature's significance in moral education and social function.

Key words: Henry Mackenzie, The Man of Feeling, sentimentality, commerce, morality