following the recognised literary periods, indicated by the great epoch-forming names, as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, &c., (a principle of division not essential to a collection such as this, and which would of necessity reduce some periods to the compass of a very few years, and enlarge others to a disproportionate extent,) the poems are arranged as follows:Period first extends from the time of Richard Rolle (cir. 1340), an early English divine of whom little is known, but who was either an immediate predecessor or a contemporary of Chaucer, to that of James Wedderburn of Dundee (1500-1564). Period second begins with Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, (151520-1546-7,) and ends with Dr. John Donne (15731631). Period third ranges from the times of Ben Jonson (1574-1637) to those of James Shirley (1594-1666); and Period fourth from Sir Thomas Browne, author of the "Religio Medici," &c., (1605-1682,) to John Norris, metaphysician and poet, (1657-1711.) To readers who receive gladly these gifts from the old times, we promise a future volume, which will be gathered mainly from our own century; for these times also have their own peculiar music. W. K. |
