The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-11-25

Csssp~na sr Essssssh Literature.
a Csmperd ef English Litersfure; chronology
calIy arranged, from Sir John Mandeville Il
Cowper; consisting of Biographical sketches
Of the Authors, choice selections from theil
works, with notes, explanatory and iilustra
tive, and directing to the best editions and
to various criticisms. By CHAlLEs DExrrI
CLrvrLAxp. Philadelphia: E. C. & J. Biddls
lS47. ~ mo. PIP. 7O2.
We ow, the respected author an apology fol
not noticing earlier his excellent work, q copy
Of which We received some months ago, through
Mr.. ]. F. Desilver, of Cincinnati We have
given the title at large. as the best description
Of the objects, contents and character Of the
book, and after careful; examination, take Ples
sure in saying that ii, promise Is amply redeem.
cd, and that all. biography, selections and crit
icisms) is exceedingly well done. The extracts
in the main. are judciously selected, the cfiti.
cisms tasteful and feeling, with high mora
tone. and the facts are well chosen and condsn-
sed. The whole Is not only honorable to the
author, one Of the first scholars and teachers in
this country, but supplies an important-a most
important dssideraium In our list Of education
al works, ind courses Of education. The author
states 1--WE give his remarks in justice to him.
that the work was chiefly compiled and publish
ed long before Chamber CyclopsdiaO Of English
Literature was issued. of which some might
suppose II an abridgement.
OF course, work Of this kind may be en-
pected to have faults, and In selections especial
ly, no two minds would exactly agree. We
should have much preferred good deal more Of
Chaucer, Shakespeare. Spenser. Gray, and other
men Of the first order Of genius, with histor.
ical outline Of the history Of the literature, and
a continuation to later day, advantages
which would have been cheaply purchased by
less Of Johnson, Akenside. Junius, and DIR.
Watts, and none at all of Hawkesworth, Booth,
Grove. Dodsley and King, concerning whom
there 10 no longer any curiosity extant among
men. The length Of the extracts from Hawkes.
worth and Watts, particularly surprise us, ss-
pecialIy when we have no specimens Of Gray's
admirable letters and other prose, and but one
letter Of Cowper. Altogether we think, in q
compend Of this kind, where so little can be
given, and SO much DO omitted, II il better to
give an adequate idea Of the really great names.
with full view Of the general course of the
literature, and let the small ones off with but Q
brief and general mention. Even In these re-
spects, however, the work is no more liable to
criticism, than the invaluable volumes Of Cham
bers'; but as We perceive il Is not stereotyped,
We suggest them respectfully to the author,
with view to the new edition which must soon
be called for. As II Is the only work Of the
kind, suited At all TO Academic instruction, il
must speedily make its way into general use.
and We know Il ID doing service to Western
teachers and private studenss to spprise them Of
its existence and character.
The great obstacle, hitherto, to the study Of
English I1sersture In our Academies and Col
lesss. has besn, we ssppose, the want of a suit
able man,aai Until the issue of Chambers
work, thuso w no one from which connect.
ed and insdligibis view of our literature could
be Obtained, and we trust the rapid sale of that
largs and costly publication, and the subsequent
issue Of this, indicate feeling abroad that such
deficieney in instruction should no longer be.
unques'ionably such adeficiency Is disgrscefal;
j. is "mosi intolerable and not to be endured !"
that young men should leave college .fter hav-
ing spent years in the study Of the writings Of
Greek and Latin authors. with no knowisdre
Of the grssi wrisssssf oar own ssnsas; un.b,s
10 tell wlsa Bssen iiourishsi, and whs&hsr
Milton wss bst0ss or slasr skakspsSss sks1
y,sss issIiss shoald b lAzllIssr wisk he lsst
~ nosss, sad svsn lAr ssns II ths dssi lam
Eusgss. aad k~Ov adding - Adalssa, Cowpes
and wss&swssshs Nssx66s CA longer be al
issst fosssehsss>ansf things and We TRAN
VIII spesdiiy rs6Iu1usa. May thu ws.s uh,sk'
vilt ana b fkss bs.ns leagsr tolsrahas. b
e'esEsasetsa' and ssns happy gsaias. worthy
ne - glvs ~ seoa.pless history Of Englisb
EitseAnrs.l thatnay deserve to Sand BY the
sim5ar wa'sks Of Germany, Francs and lialy.
:. -. -"