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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.

QUESTIONS

Describe the writings of Herman Melville.

Give some of the facts of the early life of Nathaniel Hawthorne. What was his connection with the "Brook Farm" community? What were some of his earliest publications? When was "The Scarlet Letter" written? What were his later works? Give an analysis of the ethical teaching of his most important books. What is the quality of his style? Point out the illustrations of some of the special beauties of Hawthorne in the selection from "The Scarlet Letter."

What were the chief events of Mrs. Stowe's earlier life? What were some of her early writings? Out of what public agitation did "Uncle Tom's Cabin" arise? What are some of its chief characteristics as a narrative? What were the most important of Mrs. Stowe's later works? Characterize briefly the other writers of fiction mentioned. Of what type of writing was Edward Eggleston a pioneer? In general, what changes are to be noted in the fiction of this period as compared with that of the former? Characterize briefly the first four historical writers mentioned. What was Motley's public career? What were his chief historical works? What is his style as a historian? What was Parkman's field of historical study? Compare his style with that of Motley.

Ralph Waldo
Emerson.

CHAPTER XII

PERIOD OF THE LATER NINETEENTH CENTURY,

1850-1880

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

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