appeared in 1849. His historical works were published at varying intervals, during the rest of his life. "The History of the Conspiracy of Pontiac," 1851, was the first; and “A Half-Century of Conflict," 1893, the last. They take up different aspects and episodes of the long story; as, "Pioneers of France in the New World," 1865, "The Jesuits in North America," 1867, "Montcalm and Wolfe," 1884, and others. Each work is complete in itself, and together they form a complete account of a phase of history not generally familiar, but exceedingly important, and abounding in the most picturesque and exciting incidents. Parkman's style is the perfection of historical narrative. He is more impartial than Motley. While his sympathies are strongly with his own race, the story is to a great extent that of the relations of the French with the Indians; and, so far, does not involve his national feeling. And the gallantry of the French adventurers and the incredible devotion of the Jesuit missionaries, with their self-sacrificing courage, compel the admiration of the most intense Anglo-Saxon or the most fervent Protestant. His style is not so pictorial as that of Motley; events and characters are presented more in the white light of reality. But it is clear and forcible; and he knows so well how to give the results of his studies without intruding the processes upon us, that the story seems to be enacted before us as we read.

John Fiske is distinguished among the later writers of history for the combination of an attractive style

born in

died in

with accurate scholarship. His works on American John Fiske, History may well be associated with Parkman's. His Connecticut, method is like the latter's in that he deals with 1842; periods, in works each of which is complete in itself, Massachusetts, 1901. but which together constitute an ordered series, carrying the reader from the discovery of America to the adoption of the Constitution of the United States. Fiske's studies in Science and in Philosophy, in which fields his work was important, enabled him to treat historical topics in a broadly philosophical way and in perfect sympathy with the modern scientific spirit. At the same time, the fact that his historical work was largely prepared with first reference to its use in popular lectures doubtless aided his natural gift of clear expression. He is unique among writers of philosophical tendencies for the perfect clarity of his style and its adaptation to the mind of the average reader.

QUESTIONS

Describe Melville's writings. Some facts of the early life of Hawthorne. How connected with Brook Farm? His earliest works. Date of the Scarlet Letter. Name the later works. Analyze his ethical teaching. Point out the special beauties of style in selection. Out of what agitation did "Uncle Tom's Cabin" arise ? Criticise its Narrative qualities. Compare the novelists of this period with those of the preceding. Compare Motley, Parkman, and Fiske as to style and subject matter.

Ralph Waldo
Emerson.

CHAPTER XII

PERIOD OF THE LATER NINETEENTH CENTURY,

1850-1900

PROSE. EXPOSITION

In this period, expository writing, especially in the form of the essay, reaches a position of great importance. Some of the strongest work done by our writers during these years is in this class. The number of those who have gained distinction, and whose work deserves to be remembered, is so large that it is difficult to treat them with any satisfactory approach to completeness, without falling into the catalogue style. Doubtless time will sift the heap; and the student fifty years hence will not find so many names to trouble him. But the judgments of the future cannot be anticipated; and the best that can be done is to group the authors, and gain some idea of their relative merits and importance. Naturally we begin with the very interesting group of the "Transcendentalists," with the two names at its head, so different in their suggestions, and yet equally certain always to be memorable names in our literary history, Emerson and Thoreau.

Emerson's fame rests more securely upon his 'Essays" than upon his poetry. As has been inti