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HALLECKS'S NEW ENGLISH LITERATURE

by REUBEN POST HALLECK, M.A., LL.D.

Author of "History of English Literature" and "History of American
Literature"


PREFACE

In this _New English Literature_ the author endeavors to preserve the
qualities that have caused his former _History of English Literature_
to be so widely used; namely, suggestiveness, clearness, organic
unity, interest, and the power to awaken thought and to stimulate the
student to further reading.

The book furnishes a concise account of the history and growth of
English literature from the earliest times to the present day. It lays
special emphasis on literary movements, on the essential qualities
that differentiate one period from another, and on the spirit that
animates each age. Above all, the constant purpose has been to arouse
in the student an enthusiastic desire to read the works of the authors
discussed. Because of the author's belief in the guide-book function
of a history of literature, he has spent much time and thought in
preparing the unusually detailed _Suggested Readings_ that follow each
chapter.

It was necessary for several reasons to prepare a new book. Twentieth
century research has transformed the knowledge of the Elizabethan
theater and has brought to light important new facts relating to the
drama and to Shakespeare. The new social spirit has changed the
critical viewpoint concerning authors as different as Wordsworth,
Keats, Ruskin, Dickens, and Tennyson. Wordsworth's treatment of
childhood, for instance, now requires an amount of space that would a
short time ago have seemed disproportionate. Later Victorian writers,
like Meredith, Hardy, Swinburne, and Kipling, can no longer be
accorded the usual brief perfunctory treatment. Increased modern
interest in contemporary life is also demanding some account of the
literature already produced by the twentieth century. An entire
chapter is devoted to showing how this new literature reveals the
thought and ideals of this generation.

Other special features of this new work are the suggestions and
references for a literary trip through England, the historical
introductions to the chapters, the careful treatment of the modern
drama, the latest bibliography, and the new illustrations, some of
which have been specially drawn for this work, while others have been
taken from original paintings in the National Portrait Gallery,
London, and elsewhere. The illustrations are the result of much
individual research by the author during his travels in England.

The greater part of this book was gradually fashioned in the
classroom, during the long period that the author has taught this
subject. Experience with his classes has proved to him the
reasonableness of the modern demand that a textbook shall be definite
and stimulating.

The author desires to thank the large number of teachers who have
aided him by their criticism. Miss Elizabeth Howard Spaulding and Miss
Sarah E. Simons deserve special mention for valuable assistance. The
entire treatment of Rudyard Kipling is the work of Miss Mary Brown
Humphrey. The greater part of the chapter, _Twentieth-Century
Literature_, was prepared by Miss Anna Blanche McGill. Some of the
best and most difficult parts of the book were written by the author's
wife. R.P.H.


CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION--LITERARY ENGLAND

CHAPTERS:

   I.  FROM 449 A.D. TO THE NORMAN CONQUEST, 1066

  II.  FROM THE NORMAN CONQUEST, 1066, TO CHAUCER'S DEATH 1400

 III.  FROM CHAUCER'S DEATH 1400, TO THE ACCESSION OF ELIZABETH, 1558

  IV.  THE AGE OF ELIZABETH 1558-1603

   V.  THE PURITAN AGE, 1603-1660

  VI.  FROM THE RESTORATION, 1660, TO THE PUBLICATION OF PAMELA, 1740

 VII.  THE SECOND FORTY YEARS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY, 1740-1780

VIII.  THE AGE OF ROMANTICISM, 1780-1837

  IX.  THE VICTORIAN AGE, 1837-1900

   X.  TWENTIETH-CENTURY LITERATURE


SUPPLEMENTARY LIST OF AUTHORS AND THEIR CHIEF WORKS

INDEX

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS:

  1. Woden.
  2. Exeter Cathedral.
  3. Anglo-Saxon Gleeman. (From the tapestry designed by H.A. Bone).
  4. Facsimile of beginning of Cotton MS. of Beowulf.(British Museum).
  5. Facsimile of Beginning of Junian MS. of Caedmon.
  6. Anglo-Saxon Musicians. (From illuminated MS., British Museum).
  7. The Beginning of Alfred's Laws. (From illuminated MS., British
     Museum).
  8. The Death of Harold at Hastings. (From the Bayeux tapestry).
  9. What Mandeville Saw. (From Edition of 1725).
 10. John Wycliffe. (From an old print).
 11. Treuthe's Pilgryme atte Plow. (From a MS. in Trinity College,
     Cambridge