A History of English Literature [antikvár]

PREFACE It may be of use to explain briefly the principles underlying the construction of this book. In the first place the aim has been to make the book comprehensive. All first-class and nearly all second-class authors (so far as such classification is generally accepted) have been included. Due proportion between the two groups has been attempted by giving the more important authors greater space and larger type. The complete index should assist in making the book a handy volume of reference as well as a historical sketch. In accordance with the plan of making the volume as comprehensive as possible, a chapter has been added dealing with modem writers. An attempt of this kind has certain obvious drawbacks ; but it has at least the double advantage of demonstrating the living nature of our literature, and of setting modern authors to scale against the larger historical background. Secondly, the endeavour has been to make the book practical. Discussion has been avoided ; facts, so far as they are known and verifiable, are simply stated ; dates are quoted whenever it is possible to do so, and where any doubt exists as to these the general opinion of the best authorities has been taken ; there are frequent tabulated summaries to assist the mind and eye ; and, lastly, there are the exercises. It would be as easy to overpraise as it is to underestimate the value of the exercises. But in their favour one can at least point out that they enable the student to work out for himself some simple literary and historical problems ; that they supply a collection of ohiter dicta by famous critics ; and that they are a storehouse of many additional extracts. The index to all the 5