The sun., 1908-02-16

OF putting together in compendious and
easily accessible form the outcome Of the
latest inquiries that Che book beforeuS was
undertaken. The three volumes contain
sight chapters bearing upon the life and
writings OF Chaucer. These chapters con-
stitute eight distinct essays. or rather
monographs. Bound together AZ they all
are by the unity Of common interest, there
is a certain natural sequence in the order
in which the subjects are taken up.
The first chapter is called A Life Of
Chaucer." though the author Acknowledges
that strictly speaking the title is mis-
nomer. What ordinarily goes under that
name consists Of little besides Q small num-
Der Of dates and a large number OF con-
lectures. Prof Lounsbury has endeavored
70 give in this chapter a clear and connected
account Of the series Of isolated facts which
We are actually sure Of in the poets per
sonal history. He has here refTained en-
tirely from inserting what was once thought
to be known but is now known TO be thought.
The second chapter. while independent OF
the first. is in a certain sense It's compile
ment. 1t relates the legendary biography
which grew up about Chaucer and follows
this mythical story into all its ramifications,
not 10 show merely the nature Of the mis-
statements made but also the time when,
the place where and the circumstances
under which they originated.
The third chapter Of the work consists,
first, Of discussion OF the general and
special dangers that threatened the integrity
Of the text Of Chauoer during the period
when its preservation was entirely in the
hands Of the scribes by whom manuscript :
were copied. An account is then gwen
OF the changes which the text underwent
in various editions after the introduction OF
printing down TO the publication Of the
sixth text Of the edition Of the Chauoer
Society. The fourth chapter is taken up
with an attempt to ascertain precisely
what the genuine writings Of ChAucer
are. One section OF this monograph is
taken up entirely with a. discussion OF
the genuineness OF the English version
Of the Romance Of the Rose The sub
ject Of the fifth chapter or monograph is
the accuracy and extent Of Chaucer's learn
ing. In it Prof. Lounsbury has sought
% include every author with any Of whose
works there Ii reason TO suppose the poet
10 have been acquainted. The chapter
Ia divided into two sections. The first il
concerned only with the writers Of ancient
or mediSvsl times who are still read by
students Of literature. or at least by students
OF sEecial hteratures. The second section
INCLUDES writer's now almost unknown,
Aearly all OF them belonging to the Middle
FAges. In it Prof. Lounsbury has taken
pains TO give not only a slight account Of
these obscure authors themselves but also
some general idea OF the works written by
them which Chaucer read.
The purpose Of the sixth chapter is to
show Chaucer's relations to the English
language, about which many contradictory
statements continue TO be made; and in the
second place 70 ascertain what is the most
probable view Of the nature Of his relig Ous
opinions. The subject Of the seventh mon
oSraph is the history OF Chaucer's literary
reputation. The eighth and final chapter
In a critical study Of Chaucer's art and OF
the attitude which he himself occupied
toward il.
We should here note that in most in
stances the extracts that are introduced
from Chaucer's writings appear in our
present spelling. The authors reasons
for adopting this course are given at the
end Of the seventh chapter. but he has no
expectation that what he has there said will
be regarded as satisfactory by all special
students OF the poet. For the benefit, how
ever. OF those who are entirely unfamiliar
with Chaucer's poetry in its earlier garb
Prof. Lounsbury decided to follow a method
by which he may be read without III difSlculty.
This he has esssyed to accomplish by the
use Of two characters. The grave accent
~ he uses il indicates pronunciation amply
A vowel or syllable over which it is placed
is TO be pronounced lightly as a separate
syllable. The acute accent indicates stress
of voice. For example. -time" and stones"
would be pronounced az words OF two
syllables. Again, nation" and creature
would appear as words Of three syllables.
In the former word the vowel Il" would con-
stitute distinct syllable; in the latter the
vowel "a In both instances the final sylla-
bles -on- and -ure' would be more heavily
accented than they are at present.
No fewer than l22 pages are devoted by
Prof. Lounsbury to the little that we actually
know about Chaucers life. The really
veri1able facts may be stated far more
briefly. Georrey Chaucer was the son OF
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