Sidney's Defense of Poesy.

Edited with an Introduction and Notes by ALBERT S. Cook, Professor of English in Yale University. 12mo. Cloth. xlv+103 pages. By mail, 90 cents; for introduction, 80 cents.

As a classic text-book of literary æsthetics, Sidney's Defense

has enduring interest and value; but there is another good reason for the marked attention received by this book. The whole conception of the editor's work differs from the conventional idea. The notes are not mere items of learning, illustrative only of details. They are intended so to supplement the text of the author and the Introduction that the study of the connected whole, on lines indicated by the Specimen Questions and Topics, shall be a cumulative process, expanding and enriching the mind of the student, as well as informing it regarding the views of a distinguished and representative man who lived in one of the most vital periods in the history of our literature. This idea will make itself manifest as the cumulative process is carried on. Something of the character of Sidney as a man, of the grandeur of his theme, of the significance of poetry, of sound methods of profiting by poetry and of judging it, — ought to be disclosed by study of the book. Everything is considered with reference to the learner, as far as possible; and the point of view is not exclusively that of the grammarian, the antiquary, the rhetorician, or the explorer of Elizabethan literature, but has been chosen to include something of all these, and more.

George L. Kittredge, Prof. of F. B. Gummere, Prof. of English English, Harvard University: It is extremely well done, and ought to be extremely useful.

William Minto, Prof. of Literature, University of Aberdeen: It seems to me to be a very thorough and instructive piece of work. The interests of the student are consulted in every sentence of the Introduction and Notes, and the paper of questions is admirable as a guide to the thorough study of the substance of the essay. There is no surplusage, no flabbiness.

and German, Haverford College: It is a wholly admirable piece of work, and has already done good service in my class.

John F. Genung, Professor of Rhetoric, Amherst College: It is the work of a true scholar, who at every step is mindful not only of the interest of the work as a monument of the past, but of its value for all time as an exposition of the art of poetry. Introduction and notes are alike excellent, and the tasteful print and binding leave nothing to be desired.

The Best Elizabethan Plays.

Edited with an Introduction by WILLIAM R. THAYER. 12mo. Cloth. 611 pages. By mail, $1.40; for introduction, $1.25.

THE selection comprises The Jew of Malta, by Marlowe; The Alchemist, by Ben Jonson; Philaster, by Beaumont and Fletcher; The Two Noble Kinsmen, by Fletcher and Shakespeare; and The Duchess of Malfi, by Webster. It thus affords not only the best specimen of the dramatic work of each of the five Elizabethan poets who rank next to Shakespeare, but also a general view of the development of English drama from its rise in Marlowe to its last strong expression in Webster. The necessary introduction to the reading of each play is concisely given in the Preface. Great care has been used in expurgating the text.

This book has long been needed, and seems to be unanimously welcomed and recommended by the professors of English literature.

Felix E. Schelling, Assist. Prof. | ume, undisfigured by the coarseness of English, University of Pennsyl- of expression which occasionally sulvania: This has proved invaluable lied the pages of the original edito me in my Seminar. All profes- tions, and which we are less willing sors of English literature must wel- than the Elizabethans to condone, in come such intelligent and scholarly view of the vigor and high imaginaeditions of our enduring classics. tion in which the dramas of this period abound.

use.

Charles F. Richardson, Prof. of English, Dartmouth College: The James A. Harrison, Prof. of Engbook is an excellent one, intelligently lish, Washington and Lee Univeredited, equipped with brief and sen- sity: It strikes me as admirable. sible notes, and introduced by a We have long wanted such a compreface of real critical insight. Alto- panion volume to our Shakespeares. gether, it is well fitted for college I. N. Demmon, Prof. of English, University of Michigan: The idea of the book is in every way commendable, and the execution praiseworthy. The study of Shakespeare has become so general in the schools that this important aid should meet with a hearty welcome alike from teacher and student.

Albert S. Cook, Prof. of English, Yale College: It will naturally be the book first resorted to by those who have gained some familiarity with Shakespeare, and who wish to compare and contrast him with his great, though lesser, rivals. It is to this edition they will turn, because they can nowhere else find the same masterpieces, or so large a number of equally fine ones, in so cheap, convenient, and well-printed a vol

The Critic, New York: It is a most commendable attempt to introduce these fine old plays to students and teachers in a cheap and convenient form.

Synopsis of English and American Literature.

By G. J. SMITH, Instructor in English, Washington (D.C.) High School. 8vo. Cloth. 125 pages. By mail, 90 cents; for introduction, 80 cents.

NOW that our literature is studied not from a single text-book,

but by reading the authors, such a general survey as this is very necessary. One finds here in every case the author's full name, the dates of birth and death, the class of writers to which he belongs, the chronological place of that class in the development of literature, his most important works, his most distinguished contemporaries, the leading events of the time, and, in most cases, a few clear words of explanation or criticism. The general characteristics of the various periods are briefly stated. The skilful use of different kinds of type conduces to clearness.

W. B. Chamberlain, Prof. of understand literature apart from Rhetoric, Oberlin College: Its clear- history. How strange that teachers ness, compactness, and readiness for have been so long learning this fact! reference must make it one of the The only thing in the way of perfect most useful tools for either teacher pleasure in using the book is lack of or student. It gives a vast amount a full packed library of all the literof most valuable information in the ary works mentioned. most economical manner possible. A very valuable feature is its correla

tion of literary with political and general historical events. I regard Smith's work as a decided success.

S. G. Barnes, Prof. of English, Iowa College: As a collection, the book is certainly sufficiently complete, is carefully indexed, and shows honest work. It is well adapted for use as a place to enter notes and references of a literary

T. C. Karns, Prof. of English, University of Tennessee: Its plan is excellent. We cannot possibly character.

The Philosophy of American Literature.

By GREENOUGH WHITE, A.M. 12mo. Flexible cloth.
By mail, 35 cents; for introduction, 30 cents.

iv +66 pages.

THIS essay aims, in sketching the course of our literature, to

point out the connection between our literature and our history, and to show how new forms in letters and arts have arisen as advancing thought required, a task not attempted hitherto.

New England Journal of Educa-¡ature, showing the freedom, energy, tion: This is a vigorous, independent and completeness with which it has study of the philosophy of our liter-developed.

A Chart of English Literature.

With References.

Edited by GEORGE E. MACLEAN, Professor of English in the University of Minnesota. 20 pages, 8 in. by 12 in., with 12 blank pages for notes. Teachers' and Introduction Price, 30 cents.

THIS includes the entire field of English literature; and, presupposing the topical and laboratory method, seeks to help the student combine the advantages arising from the various ways of pursuing the study, viz., the linguistic, historical, biographical, literary, and philosophical. Prose and poetry are on opposite pages. The authors are grouped in periods, eras, and ages, and the philosophy of the development of English literature lies before the eye.

Ohio Educ. Monthly: It is a treas- | to every teacher of English literature ure in epitome, and as indispensable as an atlas is to a teacher of history.

A Method of English Composition.

By T. WHITING BANCROFT, Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature in Brown University. 12mo. Cloth. 101 pages. Mailing Price, 55 cents; Introduction Price, 50 cents; Allowance, 18 cents.

Notes on English Literature.

By FRED PARKER EMERY, Instructor in English in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston. 12mo. Cloth. 152 pages. By mail, $1.10; for introduction, $1.00.

THIS book is a departure from the ordinary mode of teaching

English literature. It follows the critical, comparative, and philosophical method of the best universities, and combines the advantages of the tabulated synopsis of authors and books with those of the critical literary history. History, politics, society, and religion are studied with the proper perspective in relation to literature, and are made to show why literature is necessarily characteristic of the age that produced it.

The book is not only in itself a thorough and compact history of English literature, but it is suggestive of facts and criticisms that the teacher may carry to the neight of his own powers. It follows a plan of study that has repeatedly proved successful, and is well fitted for a course of one year in High Schools and Academies. On the completion of such a course the student must not merely know about literature, but know literature itself.

Hudson's Expurgated Shakespeare.

For Schools, Clubs, and Families. Revised and enlarged Editions of twenty-three Plays. Carefully expurgated, with Explanatory Notes at the bottom of the page, and Critical Notes at the end of each volume. By H. N. HUDSON, LL.D., Editor of The Harvard Shakespeare. One play in each volume Square 16mo. Varying in size from 128-253 pages. Mailing Price of each: Cloth, 50 cents; Paper, 35 cents. Introduction Price: Cloth, 45 cents; Paper, 30 cents. Per set (in box), $12.00. (To Teachers, $10.00.) For list see next page.

SOME of the special features of this edition are the convenient

size and shape of the volumes; the clear type, superior presswork, and attractive binding; the ample introductions: the explanatory notes, easily found at the foot of the page; the critical notes for special study; the judicious expurgation, never mangling either style or story; the acute and sympathetic criticism that has come to be associated with Dr. IIUDSON's name; and, finally, the reasonableness of the price.

Oliver Wendell Holmes: An edi- very mind and heart of "the thoution of any play of Shakespeare's to | sand-souled Shakespeare." which Mr. Hudson's name is affixed

does not need a line from anybody to

commend it.

Cyrus Northrop, President University of Minnesota: They are convenient in form and edited by Hudson, -two good things which I can see at a glance.

Hiram Corson, Prof. of Rhet. and Eng. Lit., Cornell University: I consider them altogether excellent. The notes give all the aid needed for an understanding of the text, without waste and distraction of the student's mind. The introductory matter to the several plays is especially worthy of approbation. (Jan. 28, 1887.)

C. F. P. Bancroft, Prin. of Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.: Mr. Hudson's appreciation of Shakespeare amounted to genius. His editing accordingly exhibits more than learning and industry, -it reveals insight, sympathy, and conviction. He leads the pupil into the

Byron Groce, Master in Public Latin School, Boston: The amended text is satisfactory; the typography is excellent; the notes are brief, always helpful, not too numerous, and put where they will do the most good; the introductions are vigorous, inspiriting, keenly and soundly critical, and very attractive to boys, especially on account of their directness and warmth, for all boys like enthusiasm. (Jan. 22, 1887.)

C. T. Winchester, Prof. of English, Wesleyan University: The notes and comments in the school edition are admirably fitted to the need of the student, removing his difficulties by stimulating his interest and quickening his perception. (Feb. 10, 1887.)

A. C. Perkins, Prin. of Adelphi Academy, Brooklyn: In the preparation of the School Shakespeare, Mr. Hudson met fully the capacities and needs of students in our schools and colleges. (Feb. 4, 1887.)