TO AMERICAN LITERATURE INCLUDING ILLUSTRATIVE SELECTIONS WITH NOTES BY F. V. N. PAINTER., A.M., D.D., Litt.D. PROFESSOR OF PEDAGOGY IN ROANOKE COLLEGE 99.66 AUTHOR OF A HISTORY OF EDUCATION," HISTORY OE ENGLISH LITERA- REVISED EDITION POETS LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MAY 29 1911 Pres O COPYRIGHT, 1897, BY LEACH, SHEWELL & SANBORN COPYRIGHT, 1903, 1911, BY SIBLEY & COMPANY PREFACE. THIS work is intended to be a companion volume to the "Introduction to English Literature," which has been cordially received by teachers in all parts of our country. As will be seen on examination, it follows substantially the same plan, though its limited field makes a fuller treatment desirable and feasible. What was said in the preface to that work about teaching literature may be substantially repeated here. Literature cannot be learned from the ordinary manuals. While they furnish many bare facts about literature, they do not present literature itself. As a result, the student knows nothing by his own investigation, and his literary training is reduced to an exercise of memory. The present work aims to introduce the student to American literature itself, with such helps as will give him an intelligent appreciation of it. The introductory chapter contains, it is hoped, some helpful observations. The "General Survey" of each period presents the conditions under which the various authors wrote. The sketches of the representative writers give with considerable fulness the leading biographical facts, together with a critical estimate of their works. The selections for special study, which are chosen to illustrate the distinguishing characteristics of each author, are supplied with explanatory notes. In this way, it may fairly be claimed, the student will gain a clear and satisfactory knowledge of our best authors. But in pursuing this method, another important result is obtained. In addition to this knowledge of our principal writers, the student learns something of the manner in which any author is to be studied. His literary taste is developed; and in his subsequent studies in literature, he will be capable, in some measure at least, of forming an intelligent and independent judgment. 218949 It should not be forgotten that this book, as its name indicates, is but an introduction to American literature. It is not intended to be a comprehensive manual of reference. It treats only of the leading periods and principal writers. In using the book in the class-room, for which it is chiefly designed, it is not necessary that the students be restricted to the texts supplied. If time permits, and the proper books of reference are at hand, the teacher may profitably supplement what is here presented by assigning subjects for the student's independent investigation. To this end a list of topics, which is intended to serve merely the purpose of suggestion, has been appended to the several periods and the discussion of each principal writer. The present revised and somewhat enlarged edition will be found, it is hoped, a distinct improvement over its predecessors. Greater prominence has been given to the writers of the South and the West. Besides the study lists already referred to, paragraph titles have been inserted, which make the order and matter of the treatment apparent at a glance. In conclusion the author is profoundly grateful for the cordial reception that has been accorded the book in all parts of our country. F. V. N. PAINTER. ROANOKE COLLEGE, December, 1910. |