AUTHOR OF "DEVELOPMENT OF ENGLISH LITERATURE AND CHICAGO: S. C. GRIGGS AND COMPANY. 1890. WQR 19 FEB 36 PREFACE. THIS book was the last production that came from its author's hand. Indeed, before it had received the final touches which he intended to bestow upon it, his hand ceased from its labor and laid down the pen forever. It goes forth to the public under the supervision of his devoted wife, who had assisted him during the whole progress of the work, and to whose charge he committed it in his last hours. Like his former books, this one grew out of his experience as a teacher. He prepared it because he believed that such a compendium would be useful to the student of English literature, and would facilitate the labors of the instructor. It is less requisite now than formerly to suggest to the student the importance of referring each production that he reads to the time. of its origin, and of reconstructing in his own mind the environment in which it had its birth. It is often impossible even to comprehend the meaning of an author, it is always impossible to appreciate his spirit, unless we transport ourselves in thought to the country and the period in which he lived, revive the characters and |