National Republican., 1883-02-27
Literary Notes,

Messrs. Harper & Brothers will soon publish
most interesting work by Thomas Sergeant Perry,
entitled English Literature In the Eight eenth
Century" Mr. Perry's purpose in preparing this
treatise has been not to write history, but TO dis
close as far as possible the principles involved In
the formation of English literature during the last
century. Guided by full and intelligent recog-
milton of the requirements Of such an undertak-
ing, he has endeavored to accomplish 1t not only
by an examination Of the general condition Of
thought and life In England during that period
but also by discussion of the antecedent aud
conemporaneous development Of literature in
the great continental naions-France, Italy, Ger
many, and Spain-and by an analysis of their
more notable and representative literary produc.
tions these countries being fellow workers With
England IN the urgent task of clearing away the
barbarism bequeathed TO the world by the Middle
Ages. In very important sense, therefore, this
work is study of the lawswhich controlled the
course and determined the character of European
literature during the eighteenth century, with
English literature as the center of interest In his
treatment of this main topic Mr.. Perry has sue
ceeded in distinguishing with considerable pro-
clsion the various steps by which the intellectual
life of Englanced advanced from the exaggerated
artiaCiality of the commencement OF the period
under review to the vgor and versatility of its
close. This progress he justly regards as concl-
gence of the people at large. He gives a very
instructive description of the extreme enerva.
ton which, at the beginning of the century, had
taken the place of the enthusiasm and conscious
strength of the renaissance, maniicsting itself
In the Tepugnance felt for natural force, whether
displayed In the works OF the human mind or OF
physical nature, and In the preference everywhere
professed for objects or forms that, even II un-
worthy or unsatsiying in themselves, could yet
boast superficial refinement and the authority
of conventional or classic law. Mr.. Perry calls
special attention to the extent to which the de.
pressing effect Of the reaction was intensified by
the fact that, owing to the absence Of Il reading
public literary men were compelled, for the sake
of lvlihood, to debase their pens by asystematic
fattery of the great, or by subservloncy to the
selfish or sectarian aims of statesmen or polite.
iaus. Great stress is therefore laid upon the i'm
portant service performed by such men as Add.
son and Steele when theyproJected works-like
the Spectdtor-addressed to u wider audience
which, being skilfully adapted to the varying
tastes and capacities Of large classes ofreaders
gradually prepared the way for the independence
Of writers, and for the elevation Of the people Ia
higher plane of knowledge and culture. These
objects thus effected, the author shows how the
scope of literature itself expanded-how II was
enabled TO cast off the trammels of caprioous and
arbitrary literary tenets imposed upon II by the
necessities Of It's former condition, and TO assume
forms and to pursue ideals which appealed d.
rccty TO the popular heart. Mr.. Perry's work
cannot fail to be of great use to the student, aud
a source Of enjoyment to the general reader. II
Is the result Of patient industry In the examine
tion and comparison of the literary production,
Of many ages and countries, aided by keen crit
ica sense, a cultivated taste, and entire familiar.
lily with the writings Of competent observers and
scholars upon the subject with which 1t is con
ceTned
HAIRS Journal Of Health, which has a guaranteed
circulation of 100000 copies IN twelve months, Il
now In its thirtieth year,