Again, I have
omitted the literature of the Anglo-Saxon period, which is written in a
language nearly as hard for a modern Englishman to read as German is, or
Dutch. Caedmon and Cynewulf are no more a part of English literature than
Vergil and Horace are of Italian. I have also left out the vernacular
literature of the Scotch before the time of Burns. Up to the date of the
union Scotland was a separate kingdom, and its literature had a
development independent of the English, though parallel with it.
In dividing the history into periods, I have followed, with some
modifications, the divisions made by Mr. Stopford Brooke in his
excellent little _Primer of English Literature_. A short reading course
is appended to each chapter.
HENRY A. BEERS.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
FROM THE CONQUEST TO CHAUCER, 1066-1400
CHAPTER II.
FROM CHAUCER TO SPENSER, 1400-1599
CHAPTER III.
THE AGE OF SHAKSPERE, 1564-1616
CHAPTER IV.
THE AGE OF MILTON, 1608-1674
CHAPTER V.
FROM THE RESTORATION TO THE DEATH OF POPE, 1660-1744
CHAPTER VI.
FROM THE DEATH OF POPE TO THE FRENCH REVOLUTION, 1744-1789
CHAPTER VII.
FROM THE FRENCH REVOLUTION TO THE DEATH OF SCOTT, 1789-1832
CHAPTER VIII.
FROM THE DEATH OF SCOTT TO THE PRESENT TIME, 1832-1893
APPENDIX
LIST OF PORTRAITS.
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