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    • Chapter

      LONGFELLOW

      LONGFELLOW Cover
      by LovelyMay In a heartfelt letter to Walter Mainwaring, Esq., of Lothian College, Oxford, the author shares his reluctance to join a discussion on Browning's "Sordello," preferring to visit during the May races. This preference leads him into a nostalgic journey through his bookshelves, particularly revisiting Longfellow's poetry, which he had not explored in two decades. Through Longfellow's writings, the author is transported back to his youth, experiencing a flood of memories that remind him of the profound impact…
    • Chapter

      FIELDING

      FIELDING Cover
      by LovelyMay Dear Mrs. Goodhart, Thank you for sharing with me the fascinating statistics on book-buying in the Upper Mississippi Valley. It's intriguing to learn that Rev. E. P. Roe triumphs in popularity over Henry Fielding, signaling unique regional tastes. While I have not delved into Roe's works, it's apparent that your community might be missing out on the richness of Fielding's contributions, despite acknowledged coarseness. Dr. Johnson's critique of "Tom Jones" as a "vicious book" contrasts sharply with…
    • OF MODERN ENGLISH POETRY Cover
      by LovelyMay My dear Wincott, The recent publication of a book by an American lady, showcasing the modern poets of both England and America, illuminates the challenge in discussing contemporary English poetry. The tally of eighteen English poets to sixty American offers a daunting landscape for a single critic. I prefer to narrow my focus to three living poets, in addition to those previously discussed. These include Mr. Swinburne, Mr. William Morris, and a lesser-known Mr. Robert Bridges, whose poetic paths have…
    • INTRODUCTORY:  OF MODERN ENGLISH POETRY Cover
      by LovelyMay In his letter to Mr. Arthur Wincott of Topeka, Kansas, the author broaches the topic of modern English poetry, responding to a request for letters aimed at living authors—a task he deems inappropriate due to potential impertinence. However, he elevates the notion of utilizing the epistolary style for literary critique, akin to the methods of the Tatler and Spectator, allowing for a blend of personal taste and perhaps prejudice within his observations on poetry. Poetry, he observes, holds a venerable…
    • Letters on Literature Cover
      by LovelyMay Letters on Literature by Susan Fenimore Cooper is a collection of insightful essays and personal letters that explore a wide range of literary topics, offering reflections on the art of writing, the role of literature in society, and the works of notable authors, all framed within the context of 19th-century American culture.
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