"ONE is enabled, even in reading remarks which for criticism, for their immediate subject, have no valuewhich are far too personal in spirit, far too immoderate in temper, and far too heavy-handed in style for the delicate matter they have to treat-still to gain light and confirmation for a serious idea, and to follow the Baconian injunction, semper aliquid addiscere, always to be adding to one's stock of observation and knowledge." PREFACE TO STUDIES OF FIVE LIVING POETS. IN the following six essays the writer has endeavoured to discuss poetry in the one way by which such attempts can be made profitable; that is, by looking at poetry from a purely literary point of view. Those writers who, while seeming to treat of literature, are really thinking of something else, inevitably lose delicacy and clearness; and of all writing, literary criticism should be the most clear, the most delicate, and the most simple; it will not lend itself to prejudices, theories, party views, or personal rancour. A writer who cannot free |