In many cases a similarity of thought and style may be traced, as between Goldsmith and Irving, Scott and Cooper, Carlyle and Emerson. But this resemblance has not risen from feeble or conscious imitation; it has not interfered with the individuality of our authors, nor impaired the excellence of their works.

The literary history of our country may be divided into several periods, the general character of which is more or less sharply defined, though their limits naturally shade into one another by almost imperceptible degrees. The first period, which includes nearly the whole of the seventeenth century, may be called the First Colonial Period. The principal productions of this period represent, not American, but English, culture, and are concerned chiefly with a description of the New World, with the story of its colonization, or with a discussion of the theological questions that grew out of the great Protestant Reformation in Europe. The next period, beginning with the eighteenth century, and extending to the Revolution, may be known as the Second Colonial Period. In the literature of this period, American life is reflected more fully, and two writers, Franklin and Edwards, stand out with great prominence. Then follows what we may designate the Revolutionary Period, extending from the Revolution to the War of 1812. The dominant influence in this period was the establishment of a new and independent government. Here belong the names of Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison, and Jay. This was followed by an era of literary bloom, which may be characterized as the First National Period. It covers the time lying between the War of 1812 and the Civil War, and furnishes the beginning of what is called polite literature, or belles-lettres, in

this country. To this period belong the greatest names of our literary history, Irving, Cooper, Bryant, Hawthorne, Longfellow, and others. Lastly, we have the present period, which for convenience may be called the Second National Period. It begins with the Civil War, and exhibits a broad cosmopolitan tendency. Though it has produced but few writers of pre-eminent ability, it is characterized by unexampled literary activity, and by great excellence of literary form.

WILLIAM STRACHEY, born 1585; secretary of the Virginia Colony 1610–

1612. Wrote "Wracke and Redemption of Sir Thomas Gates," and Historie of Travaile into Virginia."

GEORGE SANDYS (1577-1644). Removed to America in 1621, and became treasurer of the Virginia Colony. Translated in Virginia ten books of Ovid's "Metamorphoses."

WILLIAM BRADFORD (1588-1657). One of the Mayflower colonists, governor of Plymouth for many years. History of Plymouth Colony" from 1620 to 1647.

JOHN WINTHROP (1588–1649).

governor for many years. to 1649.

JOHN COTTON (1585-1652).

Came to Massachusetts in 1630, and was
History of New England" from 1630

Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. Migrated to Boston in 1633, and became pastor of the First Church. A distinguished preacher. "Singing of Psalms a Gospel Ordinance." EDWARD JOHNSON (1599–1672). Came to New England in 1630. Was a representative in the General Court or legislature of Massachusetts for several terms. "Wonder-working Providence of Zion's Saviour in New England."

JOHN ELIOT (1604-1690). Graduated at Cambridge in 1623, and came to Boston in 1631. "The Apostle to the Indians," into whose language he translated the Bible. In 1660 he published in England, "The Christian Commonwealth; or, The Civil Policy of the Rising Kingdom of Jesus Christ."

ANNE BRADSTREET (1612-1672). Wife of Governor Bradstreet. The earliest writer of verse in America. Her first volume was published in England under the title, "The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung up in America."

INCREASE MATHER (1638-1723). Graduated at Harvard in 1656; took his M.A. degree at Trinity College, Dublin. Pastor of Second Church in Boston; for six years (1685-1701) president of Harvard College. His publications number one hundred and sixty.