PREFACE. During the last three years the author has written a series of articles on the study of the English Classics, for the NATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. The unexpected favor with which they were received by the readers of this paper, together with the fact that the method which we have advocated has been, wholly or in part, adopted in numerous schools, has encouraged the author to revise and rearrange these articles, and publish them in a permanent form. An Introduction on teaching English Literature has been added, together with much additional material, all of which, it is to be hoped, will in a measure supply a need long felt in this branch of study. This little book is especially designed as a practical manual for young and inexperienced teachers and students of our literature, to be used in connection with the study of the texts of various standard authors. There are several ways in which this book may be used to advantage : I. Simply as a book of reference. II. As a text-book to be used in connection with a manual and book of selections, as with Gilman, Shaw, and Brooke, for manuals, and with Cleveland, Hunt, and Underwood for selections. III. The entire course may be based upon this book, taking up in detail the "Introduction," illustrating every point by selections and examples from the school reading-books, or works from the public or school library, and filling in orally whatever may be necessary. For instance, let the |