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PREFACE.

The design of this book is to encourage an acquaintance with the masters of English Literature. To this end the compiler has attempted to present specimens which fairly represent the versatility of the authors, and which illustrate the peculiarities of their several styles. It is, of course, impossible to present dramas, epics, histories, and essays in their entirety, but wherever possible the endeavor has been made to offer some entire poem of the writer. It is hoped that any student of any age may be enabled by the use of this book to begin an acquaintance with the authors, and be led by his interest to use the Index as direction for further reading. An attempt has been made to present authorized texts and through the Glossary to supply such explanations as are not accessible through Webster's Unabridged; on the other hand, it has been considered injurious to explain what the student may easily ascertain for himself without access to any library, but a dictionary. The compiler has, in his capacity of instructor, been made very familiar with what is ordinarily attainable with young students, and has been guided in his selections and glossary by this experience.

In the case of writers like Swift, Shelley, and Byron, certain characteristic selections are excluded by the fact that coarseness, immature views, and sensuality should not be emphasized even when among the qualities of an author.

The Index presents the date of publication of the first work, which, taken in connection with dates of birth and death, seems to be the nearest approach that one can make towards marking the contemporaneousness of authors. The compiler has consulted all reputable editions, but in making his selections has not

been content to appropriate the work of others, but has re-read all the authors mentioned in this manual.

The compiler does not believe that any book can continue to live unless it fills a useful office; nor does he think that a book is valueless because it does not meet the wants of everybody. He therefore trusts that as the work has been done neither carelessly nor without an attempt at adequate preparation, it may meet with acceptance upon the part of those who have yet to acquire an acquaintance with English literature.

INDEX TO AUTHORS AND SELECTIONS,

TOGETHER WITH REFERENCES FOR FURTHER READINGS.

ADDISON, JOSEPH. b. Milston, England, 1672; d. London, 1719; pub-
lished The Campaign, 1704.

1. Cato, Act V., Scene I. Cato's Soliloquy, 133.

2. Psalm 23d, 135.

3. The Spectator: No. 470, Criticism, 128.

4. The Spectator: No. 303, Criticism on Paradise Lost, 131.
5. The Spectator: No. 275, Dissection of a Beau's Head, 125.
Further References: A Great Book a Great Evil; Omnipresence of

Deity; Importance of Time; The Medal; Cato, Act I., Scene VI.,

and Act II., Scene V.; The Spectator (Criticisms on Paradise Lost;
Sir Roger de Coverley at the Theatre; The Spectator's Account of
Himself; The Vision of Mirza).

1. Essays: Discourse, 39.

2. Essays: Studies, 42.

3. Essays: Travel, 40.

4. Introduction to Novum Organum, 43.

Further References: The various chapters of The Advancement
of Learning, omitting B. III., ch. 4 and 5, B. IV., ch. 1, 2, and 3, B.
V., ch. 1-5, B. VI., ch. 2, and B. 9.

BEAUMONT, FRANCIS. b. Leicestershire, 1586;

d. London, 1615;

BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER (continued).

5. To Sleep, 70.

Further References: Beggar's Bush, Act IV., Scenes I. and VI.;
The Maid's Tragedy, Act IV., Scene I., and Act V., Scene IV.; On
the Tombs in Westminster Abbey (Beaumont).

BROWNING, ELIZABETH BARRETT. b. Ledbury, Herefordshire, 1809; d.
Florence, Italy, 1861; An Essay on Mind, 1826.

1. Cowper's Grave, 347.

2. First News from Villafranca, 346.

3. The Cry of the Children, 350.
4. The Sleep, 355.

Further References: Chorus of Spirits (Drama of Exile); The Sera-
phim; A Vision of Poets; Lay of the Brown Rosary; Bertha in the
Lane; Lady Geraldine's Courtship; A Musical Instrument; King
Victor Emanuel entering Florence; Pan is Dead; Sonnets from the
Portuguese; Casa Guida Windows; De Profundis; Only a Curl; A
False Step; My Kate; Song for the Ragged Schools; The Book of
the Poets; House of Cloud; Mother and Poet; Aurora Leigh; Wine
of Cyprus; A Lament for Adonis.

BROWNING, ROBERT. b. Camberwell, London, 1812; Paulinea Frag-
menta, 1833.

1. A Face, 393.

2. Incident of the French Camp, 393.

3. My Last Duchess, 395.

Further References: One Word More; Pied Piper of Hamelin; A
Soul's Tragedy; A Blot on the Scutcheon; Cavalier Songs; Ratisbon;
The Lost Leader; Hervè Rièl; Pippa Passes; Colombe's Birthday;
Dramatis Personæ.

BURNS, ROBERT. b. Ayr, Scotland, 1759; d. Dumfries, Scotland,
1796; Poems, 1786.

1. Auld Lang Syne, 232.

2. Bannockburn, 232.

3. Coming Through the Rye, 231.

4. For a' that and a' that, 235.

5. John Anderson, 229.

6. Tam O'Shanter, 223.

7. To a Mouse, 229.

8. Unco Guid, 231.

Further References: The Jolly Beggars; Lament for Culloden; Ye
Banks and Braes of Bonie Doon; Highland Mary; To a Mountain
Daisy; Address to the Deil; Cotter's Saturday Night; To Mary in
Heaven.

BYRON, LORD (GEORGE GORDON). b. London, 1788; d. Missolonghi,
Greece, 1824; Hours of Idleness, 1807.

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Further References: Darkness; Destruction of Sennacherib; Greek
War Song; Lara, II., 8; Marino Faliero; Know Ye the Land (Bride
of Abydos); The Corsair, II., 10; Siege of Corinth, XXI.-XXXIII. ;
Mazeppa, X., XI.; Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (C. I., st. 13, 35–43; C.
III., st. 21-28, 67, 69–75; C. IV., st. 1-26, 78-98, 140, 141, 175–184);
Childe Harold (The Ocean, Waterloo); Manfred (Song of the Spirits,
and Scene IV.); To Thomas Moore; Ode on Venice.

CAMPBELL, THOMAS. b. Glasgow, Scotland, 1777; d. Boulogne, France,
1844; The Pleasures of Hope, 1799.

1. Song of the Greeks, 285.

2. The Last Man, 288.

3. Ye Mariners of England, 286.

4. The Evening Star, 290.

Further References: Battle of the Baltic; Lord Ullin's Daughter;
The Soldier's Dream; Lochiel's Warning; Hohenlinden; Gertrude of
Wyoming; Pleasures of Hope; Hallowed Ground.

CARLYLE, THOMAS. b. Ecclefechan, Scotland, 1795; Translation of
Goëthe's Wilhelm Meister, 1824.

1. Labor, 332.

Further References: Heroes and Hero Worship; Burns; Frederick
the Great; Marie Antoinette; The Reign of Terror.

CHAUCER, GEOFFREY. b. London, 1328 (1340?); d. London, 1400;
The Assembly of Fowls, 1358 (?).

1. Chaucer's A B C, 2.

2. Fle fro the Pres, 1.

3. Gentilnesse, 2.

4. Legende of Goode Women: Cleopatra, 5.

5. Prologue to the Canterbury Tales, 8.

Further References: The Parliament of Fowles, 1. 172 to end; The
Dethe of Blaunche the Duchesse; The House of Fame, B. I., c. 3, ll.
79-1080; Legende of Goode Women (Prologue and Lucretia of Rome,
Martyr, 11. 15-206); Balade sent to King Richard; Good Counsel of
Chaucer; L'Envoy de Chaucer à Scogan; Canterbury Tales (The

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