Cleveland, Charles. A Compendium of English Literature, chronologically arranged, from Sir John Mandeville to William Cowper, consisting of biographical sketches of the authors, selections from their works, with notes, explanatory, illustrative, and directing to the best editions and to various criticisms. Designed as a text-book for the highest classes in schools and for junior classes in colleges, as well as for private reading. Philadelphia: E. C. & J. Biddle, 1849. copyright 1848.
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
The following work is, perhaps, as much the offspring of necessity as of a love for the subject. In 1834, very soon after I opened my School for Young Ladies in this city, I felt greatly that want of a book to give my first or “finishing” class a knowledge of the best British Poets and Prose writers, arranged in a chronological order, to show the progress of the English language, with short accounts of the authors and their works, and such notes as would direct the reader to the best editions of the writers, to the various criticisms upon them, and to other books upon kindred subjects which might be read with profit. But such a work I could not find. Accordingly, in 1838, I printed, solely for the use of my pupils, a small syllabus of the names of most of the British authors, with the dates of their birth and death, arranged under the different sovereigns. From this syllabus I delivered a series of lectures, from time to time, until I had gone through the reign of Elizabeth, when I determined, about four years ago, to prepare, as soon as I could, a work like the present. But numerous avocations have, until now, prevented me from completing my design.
I have felt it to be a duty to myself to give this brief history of my book, lest it should be supposed that this hint of it was taken from Chamber’s “Cyclopedia of English Literature,” recently reprinted in this country. On the contrary, it is apparent, that, years before that work was published, I had matured the plan of this, and had gathered materials for it. Besides, the “Cyclopedia,” excellent as it is, is on a different plan, and far too voluminous for the object for which the “Compendium” is intended: yet the two, so far from conflicting with each other, may be mutual aids; for I should hope that my own work would give the reader a greater longing to extend his inquiries into the same most interesting subject—one so rich in every thing that can refine the taste, enlarge the understanding, and improve the heart.
In making selections for my work, I have not been prevented from inserting many pieces because they had previously been selected by others; for I did not deem myself to be wiser, or to possess better taste, than hundreds who have gleaned from the same rich field. Hence, while much, to the generality of readers, will be new, some extracts may also be found that will be familiar. But, like old friends, their re-appearance, I hope, will be hailed with pleasure. Besides, I have constantly endeavored to bear in mind a truth, which even those engaded in education may sometimes forget, that what is well know to us, must be new to every successive generation; and, therefore, that all books of selections designed for them, should contain a portion of such pieces as all of any pretensions to taste have united to admire. Milton’s “Invocation to Light,” Pope’s “Messiah,” Goldsmith’s “Village Pastor,” and Gray’s “Elegy” are illustrations of my meaning.
But if any one should miss some favorite piece, let him reflect that I could not put in every thing, and be assured that often, very often I have felt no little pain in being compelled, from my narrow limits, to reject pieces of acknowledged beauty and merit. Let him but purpose himself, too, the task of bringing the beauties of English Literature into a duodecimo of seven hundred pages, and I am sure he will be little inclined to censure my deficiencies. I say not this to deprecate criticism. On the contrary, I invite it, and shall be glad to have all the faults of the work—both of omission and commission—faithfully pointed out.
In the preparation of this work, I trust I have not been unmindful of the great, solemn responsibility that reasts upon him who is preparing a book which may form the taste, direct the judgment, and mould the opinions of thousands of the rising generation; and I hope and pray that it may contain not one line which, “dying, I might wish to blot;”—but that, on the contrary, it may render good service to the cause of sound education; may exert, wherever read, a wholesome moral influence; and impress upon the mids of the young, principles essential to their well-being and happiness for time and for eternity—principles in harmony with everlasting truth.
Charles D. Cleveland
Philadelphia, November 2, 1847.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
Though it is but ten moths since the first edition of fifteen hundred copies of the “Compendium” was published, it is now exhausted. For the great favor with which it has been received, I am truly grateful, and have felt that I could return my thanks in no way more suitable than by endeavoring to make the second edition (now to be in a permanent form) as much better as my experience in the use of the first edition, further reading and research, and the suggestions of my literary friends would enable me to do. Accordingly, the present stereotyped edition will be found to be considerably enlarged, and I would hope materially improved. To state all the additions, however, would be impracticable in the limits of a preface. I must therefore confine myself to the most important.
First. There are in this edition numerically seventy-six more pages than in the first. [. . .]
Second. Thirty-five new authors have been added. [. . .]
Third. Many new selections will be found from the prose writing of the poets given in the first edition. [. . .]
Fourth. Many more specimens of the English female mind will be found in this edition. The reader, however, must bear in mind that the most distinguished female writers of England have been during the present century, into which it was not my purpose to enter.
Fifth. This edition will be found to be enriched also with many more specimens of epistolary correspondence.
The changes that have been made in a few of the authors were not made without substantial reasons, which I think it proper to concisely state. [. . .]
Such are the most important additions and alterations which have been made in the second edition. But there is hardly an author that remains precisely as before. In almost every one, some additional notes will be found, and the number of verbal alterations is very great. This is owing to the fact that the second proof of this edition I have read very carefully with a most experienced and critical proof-reader, by the best original edition of each author. One would be surprised to see how many errors have crept into the various reprints. To give but two specimens: the fourth line of the “Emigrants,” of Marvell, reads in the common editions, “The listening winds received their song.” It should be “this song;” and then the song follows, and not in verses as usually printed. The last line but one of Cowper’s eulogy on John Bunyan usually reads, “And not with curses on his heart:” it should be—“And not with curses on his art, who stole / The gem of truth from his unguarded soul.”
Numerous cases of similar character might be cited; but I have already said quite enough of my own efforts to improve this edition: the Publishers, it will be seen, have done their part in a style of unusual beauty; so that, I believe, scarcely any book has been offered to the public at so moderate a price, if the amount of reading matter and the style of mechanical execution be taken into view.
Philadelphia, September 2, 1848 C.D.C.
Table of Contents (8 pages; jpg files)