New-York tribune., 1878-09-27
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


FHE FAMIRR F5uER 4BFAhhs Id Th pr PREsENT TINE Eded
JGMEs T. FIELDS aDq EDWIN P. WHPFLE. SVo' pp' S'o'
HOughtOn, OsgoOd Co.
The magnificent collection of British poetry
presented to the public in this volume viii not dsap-
pont the expectations that called forth by the an
neunoement Of the Of the editors n the OFghai
prospectus Few Of American scholars eOmDine' IN
40 high degree the qualities essential TO the sueeeslu
preparation Of work Of this character Thoroughly
yersed in the poetry both Of earlier and later day IN
English literature uniting the habit OF studious research
with the digent practice of the literary art trained 10
the exercise of the critical faculty in the spirit OF gehe
ous and wise appreciation rather than Of cynical ana
suen Encouragement aud with the nne sense OF spirit
ual beauty In its most delicate and subtle expires
SION, which is az once the condition ana tne
evidence OF high mental culture, the Editors ha'o
produced a volume which gave large scope 10 these
traits and which presents noble example OF ther iec
ous application The work extends from the middle OF
the fourteenth century the present year. including
epecimens OF the wonderful development OF poetic
genius in its snguarlY varied forms from Chaucer 70
ewinburne which has illustrated that pregnant period
Of the intellectual life and activity Of the British Islands
In the arrangement of the materials, the Editors nave
followed the chronological order, presenting con-
secutive view of English poetry in connection with Eng
lsh history "The passions Of human nature as OF Eng
lisn nature" they apy remark, ever the same IN
essence sti the poetic expression of them varies IN
different periods with the habits manners, and ideals OF
period universal passion US love Wol-
derfuy varied in expression by poets Of different times
and countries who celebrate the passion under widely
different circumstances OF race climate, and cOnven-
tional fashions lover Of the OF Chaueer OF spen
SER of Shakespeare of Carew OF Dryden, OF Pope OF
Thomson, expresses what he calls his flame in very
different way from the lover who, in the nineteenth cen
fury, told the story of 'Genevieve,' or cee-
brated The Phantom Of Delight drew
the character of Haidee, made a curiously
intellectual generation thrill to the description of such
simple maiden Maud" In the opinion of the Editors,
from the time Of Chaucer to that Of Wordsworth there
have five great original poets, Chaucer, Spenser
Shakespeare Milton and Wordsworth. But the inferior
poets they insist are also worthy attention and they
have accordingly given sufficient number Of examples
from their productions to illustrate their character
Nor DO they the limited view OF the functions OF
verse which was forth by Wordsworth, that feel
ing Of poetry the absolute condition OF the love OF
human nature and reverence for God Hence they have
Included in their collection the light and playful as well
as the deep and serious elements Of humanity which are
found throughout the wide range OF English Scotush
and Irish poetry. Indeed, there is scarcely possible
mood OF the human mind which is not signahzed in
some these poems. The comprehensive plan OF the
work embraces four hundred poets who have
commemorated their experiences Of life and nature,
under various conditions Of genius, culture external
circumstances and individual character In addition to
the celebrated masterpieces of English verse, the
editors have admitted the efusiOns Of the minor
humorists and rhymers who have hit tho fancy
of the public by careless stroke, and whose
few lucky stanzas have become as immortal as the
grander efforts Of the nObles poets No pains have been
spared to text Of the various poes and
in popular pieces have been rected in
the present version. Although IL has not been at
tempted to enrich the volume with elaborate critical or
biographical notices, occasional footnote is intro
duced, which will always pique the curiosity Of the
reader by oppOrtuneness Of suggestion and often by
Its raeness of expression The neat turns of many Of
these annOtations show pungent humOr. less than
keen judicial sense. Taken a whole, the volume may
be commended almost without reserve, as worthy OF
choice place the family bOOktabe and the shelves
OF the student or Of the glorious Of Eng
sh verse. To temper ardent but sincere praise
must pick bone with the Editors for the omission Of
Thaekeray's Ballad Of Bouilabase." that most mar
yeOus compound Of masculine humor intense realism,
and tender pathos in any language.