Murray, John O’Kane, M. A., M. D. Lessons in English Literature. With a short dictionary of British, Irish, and American authors. Baltimore: John Murphy & Co., 1884.

Preface

The title of this little volume scarcely conveys an adequate idea of the wide range of subjects discussed between its covers. The work is divided into four Books. Book I. gives a brief history of the English Language, a birds-eye view of its composition and a history of English Literature from Caedmon to Chaucer. Book II. covers the English Literature of Great Britain from Chaucer to the present time. Book III. treats of the Literature of Ireland – Celtic and English. Book IV. embraces in brief a the English Literature of America, and ends with a Short Dictionary of authors.

The Historical Introductions – each of which should be carefully read before proceeding to the lessons that follow – give a rapid view of British, Irish and American history, with special reference to the progress of letters, learning, and civilization. Literature takes a color from the times in which it is produced. It is best studied in connection with history.

I have omitted long extracts. In a work of this nature they serve no good purpose. A literary masterpiece should be read from the first word to the last – or not at all. The whole should never be judged by a part. How silly and illogical it is to represent Julius Caesar or Evangeline by two or three pages! The quotations I have scattered here and there are so many gems to be fixed in the mind as an exercise of taste and memory.

My book has grown by degrees during the last ten years. It has been prepared with a high, well-defined purpose, and has cost me much earnest, patient labor. The final chapters, I may be permitted to say, were written during periods of painfully poor health. It now goes forth on its mission, and may that be ad majorem Dei gloriam! I hope it will be found a pleasant guide equally safe and suitable for the class-room and the home-circle.

JOHN O’KANE MURRAY

1734 Oxford Street

Philadelphia, July 22, 1884.

Table of Contents (1 page; jpg file)