,notes on ! text4    ,lit]>y ,ta/e 0    
fir/ publi%$ 9 ,augu/ #aiji4 ,i h work$ 
f  a copy ( ! sev5? edition ( ,febru>y  
#aiad4 ,! text 0  key$ 9 manually & !n  
scann$2 ! two v]sions s produc$ 7 !n    
comp>$ us+ ms ^w's track *anges tool &  
br\ght into agreem5t4    ,ambiguity     
arises conc]n+ ! int5d$ hyph5ation ( six
 words  9 ! orig9al pr9t$               
text--hill-side1 sup]-em95tly1 re-bir?1 
s*ool-ma/]1 r$-gauntlet1 hood-w9k+--:i* 
9 x are made to run  ov] two l9es4 ,i h 
attempt$ to hyph5ate ^! words 7or n to d
 s7  z ,i ?9k ,b5nett w\ld h done1 guid$
 9 ^! judgm5ts 9 "p  by ,a ,new ,engli% 
,diction>y 7#aibh71 ! mo/ au?oritative  
,engli% diction>y publi%$ up until      
,b5nett's dea? 9 #aica4    ,( ! ?ree    
occurr5ces ( ! "n ,newnes's ,?9-,pap]   
,classics1  ,b5nett hyph5ates only "o2  
,i h hyph5at$ all ?ree4    ,9 ! li/ =   
poets ( ,p]iod ,i1 ! entry = ,beaumont &
 ,flet*]  conta9s an app>5t typo1 :i* ,i
 h correct$ 7or alt]$1 at lea/74  ,= ^? 
int]e/$1 ! orig9al entry = ^! au?ors    

conta9$ no colon be=e ! edition "n      
7,cant]bury ,poets71  & italicis$ ! ^w  
',plays' only1 leav+ ! words 'a         
,selection'  9 pla9 type4    ,! book's  
only footnote has be5 plac$ 9 brackets  
imm$iately aft]  ! *apt] title to :i*   
,b5nett app5d$ x4            ,,lit]>y   
,,ta/e    ,,h[ ,,to ,,=m ,,x    ,,)     
,,detail$ ,,in/ructions ,,= ,,collect+  
,a ,,complete ,,libr>y  ,,( ,,engli%    
,,lit]ature    ,,by ,,arnold ,,b5nett   
,,cont5ts    ,,*apt] ,i ,,! ,,aim       
,,*apt] ,,ii ,,y\r ,,p>ticul> ,,case    
,,*apt] ,,iii ,,:y ,a ,,classic ,,is ,a 
,,classic  ,,*apt] ,,iv ,,:]e ,,to      
,,beg9  ,,*apt] ,v ,,h[ ,,to ,,read ,a  
,,classic  ,,*apt] ,,vi ,,! ,,"q ,,(    
,,/yle  ,,*apt] ,,vii ,,wre/l+ ,,) ,,an 
,,au?or  ,,*apt] ,,viii ,,sy/em ,,9     
,,read+  ,,*apt] ,,ix ,,v]se  ,,*apt] ,x
 ,,broad ,,c\nsels  ,,*apt] ,,xi ,,an   
,,engli% ,,libr>y3 ,,p]iod ,i  ,,*apt]  
,,xii ,,an ,,engli% ,,libr>y3 ,,p]iod   
,,ii  ,,*apt] ,,xiii ,,an ,,engli%      
,,libr>y3 ,,p]iod ,,iii  ,,*apt] ,,xiv  

,,m5tal ,,/ocktak+        ,*apt] ,i     
,,! ,,aim    ,at ! beg9n+ a             
misconception mu/ be remov$ f ! pa?4    
,_m p1 if n mo/1 look on lit]>y ta/e z  
an elegant accompli%m5t1  by acquir+ :i*
 !y w complete !mselves1 & make !mselves
  f9ally fit z memb]s ( a correct       
society4  ,!y are secretly a%am$  ( _!  
ignorance ( lit]ature1 9 ! same way z !y
 w\ld be  a%am$ ( _! ignorance (        
etiquette at a high ent]ta9m5t1  or ( _!
 inability to ride a horse if sudd5ly   
call$ ^u  to d s4  ,!re are c]ta9 ?+s t 
a man ought to "k1  or to "k ab\t1 &    
lit]ature is "o ( !m3 su* is _! idea4   
,!y h le>nt to dress !mselves )         
propriety1  & to behave ) propriety on  
all occasions2 !y are fairly up  9 !    
que/ions ( ! day2 by indu/ry & ent]prise
  !y are succe$+ 9 _! vocations2 x      
behoves !m1 !n1  n to =get t an         
acqua9tance ) lit]ature is an           
indisp5sable "p  ( a self-respect+ man's
 p]sonal baggage4  ,pa9t+ doesn't matt]2
  music doesn't matt] v mu*4  ,b ev]yone

 is suppos$ to "k  ab\t lit]ature4  ,!n1
 lit]ature is su* a *>m+ di/raction6    
,lit]>y ta/e ?us s]ves two purposes3 z a
 c]tificate ( correct culture  & z a    
private pa/ime4  ,a "y pr(essor (       
ma!matics1  imm5se at ma!matics & games1
 dang]\s at *ess1 capable ( ,haydn  on !
 viol91 once said to me1 aft] li/5+ to  
"s *at on books1  ,yes1 ,i mu/ take up  
lit]ature4  ,z ?\gh say+3  ,i 0 r =gett+
 lit]ature4  ,h[ev]1 ,i've poli%$ (f    
all ^! o!r ?+s4  ,i'll h a %y at        
lit]ature n[4      ,?is attitude1 or any
 attitude :i* resembles x1 is wrong4    
,to him :o really compreh5ds :at        
lit]ature is1 & :at ! function  (       
lit]ature is1 ?is attitude is simply    
ludicr\s4  ,x is also  fatal to !       
=mation ( lit]>y ta/e4  ,p :o reg>d     
lit]>y ta/e simply z an accompli%m5t1 & 
lit]ature  simply z a di/raction1 w nev]
 truly succe$ ei!r 9 acquir+  !         
accompli%m5t or 9 us+ x half-acquir$ z a
 di/raction2  ?\gh ! "o is ! mo/ p]fect 
( di/ractions1 & ?\gh ! o!r  is         

unsurpass$ by any o!r accompli%m5t 9    
elegance  or 9 p[] to impress ! univ]sal
 snobb]y ( civilis$ mank9d4  ,lit]ature1
 in/ead ( be+ an accessory1 is !        
fundam5tal  99s9e qua non99 ( complete  
liv+4  ,i am extremely anxi\s to avoid  
rhetorical exagg]ations4  ,i d n ?9k ,i 
am guilty ( "o  9 ass]t+ t he :o has n  
be5 pres5t$ to ! fre$om  ( lit]ature has
 n wak5$ up out ( 8 pr5atal sleep4  ,he 
is m]ely n born4  ,he c't see2 he c't   
he>2  he c't feel1 9 any full s5se4  ,he
 c only eat 8 d9n]4  ,:at m ?an any?+   
else annoys p :o "k  ! true function (  
lit]ature1 & h pr(it$ !reby1  is !      
spectacle ( s _m ?\s&s ( individuals go+
 ab\t  "u ! delusion t !y are alive1 :51
 z a fact1  !y are no ne>] be+ alive ?an
 a be> 9 w9t]4      ,i w tell y :at     
lit]ature is6  ,no--,i only wi% ,i c\ld4
  ,b ,i c't4  ,no "o c4  ,gleams c be   
?r[n on ! secret1  inkl+s giv51 b no m4 
,i w try to give y an inkl+4  ,&1 to d  
s1 ,i w take y back into y\r own hi/ory1
  or =w>d into x4  ,t ev5+ :5 y w5t = a 

walk  ) y\r fai?ful fri5d1 ! fri5d f :om
 y hid no?+--  or almo/ no?+4446  ,y 71 
9 tru?1 some:at incl9$  to hide f him ! 
p>ticul> matt] :i* monopolis$ y\r m9d  t
 ev5+1 b someh[ y contriv$ to get on to 
x1  drawn by an ov]p[]+ fasc9ation4  ,& 
z y\r fai?ful fri5d  0 sympa!tic &      
discreet1 & flatt]$ y by a respectful   
curiosity1  y proce$$ fur!r & fur!r into
 ! said matt]1  gr[+ m & m confid5tial1 
until at la/ y cri$ out1  9 a t]rific   
:isp]3 ,my boy1 %e is simply miracul\s6 
,at t mom5t y 7 9 ! doma9 ( lit]ature4  
,let me expla94  ,( c\rse1 9 ! ord9>y   
acceptation ( ! ^w1  %e 0 n miracul\s4  
,y\r fai?ful fri5d _h nev] notic$  t %e 
0 miracul\s1 nor _h ab\t =ty ?\s& o!r   
fairly ke5 obs]v]s4  ,%e 0 j a girl4    
,troy _h n be5  burnt = h]4  ,a girl _c 
be call$ a miracle4  ,if a girl  is to  
be call$ a miracle1 !n y might call     
pretty ne>ly  any?+ a miracle4444  ,t is
 j x3 y might4  ,y c4  ,y ought4  ,amid 
all ! miracles ( ! univ]se y _h j wak5$ 
up to "o4  ,y 7 full ( y\r discov]y4  ,y

 7 "u a div9e impulsion  to imp>t t     
discov]y4  ,y _h a /rong s5se ( !       
m>vell\s  beauty ( some?+1 & y _h to %>e
 x4  ,y 7 9 a passion  ab\t some?+1 & y 
_h to v5t y\rself on somebody4  ,y 7    
drawn t[>ds ! :ole ( ! re/ ( ! human    
race4  ,m>k ! effect ( y\r mood &       
utt]ance on y\r fai?ful fri5d4  ,he knew
 t %e 0 n a miracle4  ,no o!r p]son c\ld
 h  made him believe t %e 0 a miracle4  
,b y1 by ! =ce &  s9c]ity ( y\r own     
vision ( h]1 & by ! f]v\r  ( y\r desire 
to make him p>ticipate 9 y\r vision1    
did = q a long "t cause him to feel t he
 _h be5 bl9d  to ! miracle ( t girl4    
,y 7 produc+ lit]ature4  ,y 7 alive4    
,y\r eyes 7 unlidd$1  y\r e>s 7 un/opp$1
 to "s "p ( ! beauty & ! /rang5ess  ( ! 
_w2 & a /rong in/9ct )9 y =c$ y  to tell
 someone4  ,x 0 n en\gh = y t y saw &   
he>d4  ,o!rs _h to see & he>4  ,o!rs _h 
to be wak5$ up4  ,& !y 76  ,x is q      
possible--,i am n q sure--  t y\r       
fai?ful fri5d ! v next day1 or ! next   
mon?1  look$ at "s o!r girl1 & sudd5ly  

saw t %e1 too1  0 miracul\s6  ,!        
influ5ce ( lit]ature6      ,! mak]s (   
lit]ature are ^? :o h se5 & felt  !     
miracul\s int]e/+ness ( ! univ]se4  ,& !
 greate/  mak]s ( lit]ature are ^? ^:   
vision has be5 ! wide/1  & ^: feel+ has 
be5 ! mo/ int5se4  ,y\r own fragm5t (   
insight  0 accid5tal1 & p]haps tempor>y4
  99,_!99 lives are "o long ec/asy  (   
d5y+ t ! _w is a dull place4  ,is x no?+
 to y  to le>n to und]/& t ! _w is n a  
dull place8  ,is x no?+ to y to be l$   
out ( ! tunnel on to ! hill-side1  to h 
all y\r s5ses quick5$1 to be invigorat$ 
by ! true sav\r ( life1 to feel y\r he>t
 beat+  "u t correct necktie ( y\rs8    
,^! mak]s ( lit]ature  r5d] y _! equals4
      ,! aim ( lit]>y /udy is n to amuse
 ! h\rs ( leisure2  x is to awake       
oneself1 x is to be alive1 to int5sify  
"o's capacity = pleasure1 = sympa?y1 & =
 compreh5sion4  ,x is n to affect "o    
h\r1 b tw5ty-f\r h\rs4  ,x is to *ange  
utt]ly "o's relations ) ! _w4  ,an      
und]/&+ appreciation ( lit]ature means  

an und]/&+  appreciation ( ! _w1 & x    
means no?+ else4  ,n isolat$  &         
unconnect$ p>ts ( life1 b all ( life1   
br\ght toge!r  & correlat$ 9 a syn!tic  
map6  ,! _s ( lit]ature  is unify+2 x   
jo9s ! c&le & ! />1 & by ! magic  ( an  
image %[s t ! beauty ( ! great] is 9 !  
less4  ,&1 n cont5t ) ! disclosure (    
beauty & ! br++ toge!r  ( all ?+s :atev]
 )9 its focus1 x en=ces a moral wisdom  
by ! trac+ ev]y:]e ( cause & effect4  ,x
 consoles d\bly--  by ! revelation (    
unsuspect$ lovel9ess1 & by ! pro(  t our
 lot is ! common lot4  ,x is ! supreme  
cry ( ! discov]]1  (f]+ sympa?y & ask+ =
 x 9 a s+le ge/ure4  ,9 att5d+  a       
,univ]sity ,ext5sion ,lecture on !      
s\rces ( ,%akespe>e's plots1  or 9 /udy+
 ! rese>*es ( ,george ,sa9tsbury into  !
 orig9s ( ,engli% prosody1 or 9 weigh+ !
 evid5ce = & aga9/  ! ass]tion t        
,r\sseau 0 a sc\ndrel1 "o is apt to =get
  :at lit]ature really is & is =4  ,x is
 well to rem9d ourselves  t lit]ature is
 fir/ & la/ a means ( life1 & t !       

ent]prise  ( =m+ "o's lit]>y ta/e is an 
ent]prise ( le>n+ h[ be/  to use ?is    
means ( life4  ,p :o don't want to live1
  p :o w\ld soon] hib]nate ?an feel     
int5sely1 w be wise  to es*ew lit]ature4
  ,!y _h bett]1 to quote f ! f9e/       
passage  9 a f9e poem1 sit ar\nd & eat  
blackb]ries4  ,! sight ( a common bu%   
afire ) ,god might upset _! n]ves4      
,*apt] ,,ii    ,,y\r ,,p>ticul> ,,case  
,! attitude ( ! av]age dec5t p]son t[>ds
 ! classics  ( 8 own tongue is "o (     
di/ru/--,i _h almo/ said1 ( fe>4  ,i w n
 take ! case ( ,%akespe>e1 = ,%akespe>e 
is taught 9 s*ools2 t is to say1 ! ,bo>d
 ( ,education  & all au?orities p$agogic
 b9d !mselves toge!r  9 a det]m9$ ef=t  
to make e boy 9 ! l& a lifelong enemy  (
 ,%akespe>e4  7,x is a m]cy !y don't    
tea* ,blake47  ,i w take1 = an example1 
,sir ,?omas ,br[ne1 z to :om  ! av]age  
p]son has no (f5sive juv5ile memories4  
,he is b\nd to h read some:]e t ! /yle (
 ,sir ,?omas ,br[ne  is unsurpass$ by   
any?+ 9 ,engli% lit]ature4  ,"o day he  

sees  ! 99,religio ,m$ici99 9 a %op-w9d[
 7or1 r1 outside a %op-w9d[1  = he w\ld 
hesitate ab\t ent]+ a book%op71 & he    
buys x1  by way ( a mild exp]im5t4  ,he 
does n expect to be en*ant$  by x2 a    
pr(\nd in/9ct tells him t ,sir ,?omas   
,br[ne  is n 9 8 l9e2 & 9 ! result he is
 ev5 less en*ant$  ?an he expect$ to be4
  ,he reads ! introduction1 & he glances
  at ! fir/ page or two ( ! "w4  ,he    
sees no?+ b words4  ,! "w makes no      
appeal to him :atev]4  ,he is surr\nd$  
by trees1  & _c p]ceive ! =e/4  ,he puts
 ! book away4  ,if ,sir ,?omas ,br[ne is
 m5tion$1 he w say1 ,yes1 v f9e6  ) a   
feel+ ( pride t he has at any rate b\ght
 & inspect$  ,sir ,?omas ,br[ne4  ,deep 
9 8 he>t is a suspicion  t p :o get     
en?usia/ic ab\t ,sir ,?omas ,br[ne  are 
va9 & conceit$ 99poseurs994  ,aft] a ye>
 or s1  :5 he has recov]$ f !           
disc\ragem5t caus$  by ,sir ,?omas      
,br[ne1 he may1 if he is "y & hopeful1  
repeat ! exp]im5t ) ,congreve or        
,addison4  ,same sequel6  ,& s on =     

p]haps a decade1 until 8 comm]ce ) !    
classics  f9ally expires6  ,t1 magaz9es 
& newi% fiction ap>t1  is ! lit]>y      
hi/ory ( ! av]age dec5t p]son4      ,&  
ev5 y\r case1 ?\gh y are g5u9ely        
preoccupi$ ) ?\ghts  ( lit]ature1 be>s  
c]ta9 di/urb+ resemblances to ! drab    
case  ( ! av]age p]son4  ,y d n approa* 
! classics ) gu/o--  anyh[1 n ) ! same  
gu/o z y w\ld approa* a new novel  by a 
mod]n au?or :o _h tak5 y\r fancy4  ,y   
nev] murmur$  to y\rself1 :5 read+      
,gibbon's 99,decl9e & ,fall99 9 b$3     
,well1 ,i really mu/ read "o m *apt]    
be=e ,i g to sleep6  ,speak+ g5]ally1 ! 
classics d n af=d y a pleasure          
comm5surate ) _! r5[n4  ,y p]use !m ) a 
s5se ( duty1  a s5se ( do+ ! "r ?+1 a   
s5se ( improv+ y\rself1  r ?an ) a s5se 
( gladness4  ,y d n smack y\r lips2  y  
say3 ,t is good = me4 ,y make little    
plans = read+1  & !n y inv5t excuses =  
break+ ! plans4  ,some?+ new1  some?+   
:i* is n a classic1 w surely draw y away
  f a classic4  ,x is all v well = y to 

pret5d to agree  ) ! v]dict ( ! elect t 
99,cl>issa ,h>l[e99 is  "o ( ! greate/  
novels 9 ! _w--a new ,kipl+1 or ev5  a  
new numb] ( a magaz9e1 w cause y to     
neglect  99,cl>issa ,h>l[e991 j z ?\gh  
,kipl+1 etc41 c\ld n be kept  = a few   
days )\t turn+ s\r6  ,s t y h to orda9  
rules = y\rself1 z3 ,i w n read any?+   
else  until ,i h read ,ri*>dson1 or     
,gibbon1 = an h\r ea* day4  ,?us prov+ t
 y reg>d a classic z a pill1 ! swall[+ (
 :i*  m]its jam6  ,& ! m mod]n a classic
 is1 ! m x resembles  ! /uff ( ! ye> & !
 less x resembles ! classics  ( !       
c5turies1 ! m easy & entic+ d y f9d t   
classic4  ,h5ce y are glad t ,george    
,eliot1 ! ,bronts1 ,?ack]ay1  are       
consid]$ z classics1 because y really   
99d99 enjoy !m4  ,y\r s5tim5ts conc]n+  
!m approa* y\r s5tim5ts conc]n+  a      
rattl+ good /ory 9 a magaz9e4      ,i   
may h exagg]at$--or1 on ! o!r h&1 ,i may
 h und]/at$--  ! unsatisfactory         
*>act]i/ics ( y\r p>ticul> case1  b x is
 probable t 9 ! mirror ,i hold up y     

recognise  ! r\gh outl9es ( y\r lik5ess4
  ,y d n c>e to admit x2  b x is s4  ,y 
are n cont5t ) y\rself4  ,! desire to be
  m truly lit]>y p]si/s 9 y4  ,y feel t 
!re is some?+  wrong 9 y1 b y _c put y\r
 f+] on ! spot4  ,fur!r1 y feel t y are 
a bit ( a %am4  ,some?+ )9 y  cont9ually
 =ces y to exhibit = ! classics an      
en?usiasm  :i* y d n s9c]ely feel4  ,y  
ev5 try to p]suade y\rself  t y are     
enjoy+ a book1 :5 ! next mom5t y drop x 
9 ! middle & =get to resume x4  ,y      
occasionally buy classical works1  & d n
 read !m at all2 y practically decide t 
x is en\gh  to possess !m1 & t ! m]e    
possession ( !m gives y a 99ca*et994  ,!
 tru? is1 y are a %am4  ,& y\r s\l is a 
sea ( uneasy remorse4  ,y reflect3      
,accord+ to :at ,mat!w ,arnold says1 ,i 
ought to be  p]fectly mad ab\t          
,wordswor?'s 99,prelude994  ,& ,i am n4 
,:y am ,i n8  ,h ,i got to be le>n$1 to 
und]take a va/ c\rse ( /udy1  9 ord] to 
be p]fectly mad ab\t ,wordswor?'s       
99,prelude998  ,or am ,i born )\t !     

faculty ( pure ta/e 9 lit]ature1        
despite my vague long+s8  ,i d wi% ,i   
c\ld smack my lips  ov] ,wordswor?'s    
99,prelude99 z ,i did ov] t spl5did /ory
 by ,h4 ,g4 ,wells1  99,! ,c\ntry ( !   
,bl9d991 9 ! 99,/r& ,magaz9e996444      
,yes1 ,i am conv9c$ t 9 y\r dissatisfi$1
 y\r div9] mom5ts1  y address y\rself 9 
^! t]ms4  ,i am conv9c$ t ,i h  diagnos$
 y\r symptoms4      ,n[ ! ent]prise (   
=m+ "o's lit]>y ta/e is an agreeable "o2
  if x is n agreeable x _c succe$4  ,b  
?is does n imply  t x is an easy or a   
brief "o4  ,! ent]prise ( beat+ ,colonel
 ,bogey  at golf is an agreeable "o1 b x
 means hone/ & regul> "w4  ,a fact to be
 borne 9 m9d always6  ,y are c]ta9ly n  
go+ to realise  y\r ambition--& s great1
 s influ5tial an ambition6--by spasmodic
  & half-he>t$ ef=t4  ,y mu/ beg9 by    
mak+ up y\r m9d adequately4  ,y mu/ rise
 to ! height ( ! affair4  ,y mu/ approa*
  a gr& und]tak+ 9 ! gr& mann]4  ,y     
ought to m>k ! day  9 ! cal5d> z a      
solemnity4  ,human nature is weak1 & has

 ne$  ( tricky aids1 ev5 9 ! pursuit (  
happ9ess4  ,"t w be  necess>y to y1 & "t
 regul>ly & sacr$ly set ap>t4  ,_m p    
affirm t !y _c be regul>1 t regul>ity   
numbs !m4  ,i ?9k ?is is true ( a v few 
p1 & t 9 ! re/  ! objection to regul>ity
 is m]ely an attempt to excuse idl5ess4 
,i am incl9$ to ?9k t y p]sonally are   
capable ( regul>ity4  ,& ,i am sure t if
 y firmly & con/antly devote c]ta9      
specific h\rs  on c]ta9 specific days ( 
! week to ?is bus9ess ( =m+  y\r lit]>y 
ta/e1 y w arrive at ! goal mu* soon]4   
,! simple act ( resolution w help y4    
,?is is ! fir/ prelim9>y4      ,! second
 prelim9>y is to surr\nd y\rself )      
books1  to create = y\rself a booki%    
atmosph]e4  ,! m]ely physical side  (   
books is important--m important ?an x   
may seem to ! inexp]i5c$4  ,!oretically 
7save = works ( ref]5ce71 a /ud5t has   
ne$ =  b "o book at a "t4  ,!oretically1
 an amateur ( lit]ature  might develop 8
 ta/e by exp5d+ sixp5ce a week1 or a    
p5ny a day1  9 "o sixp5ny edition ( a   

classic aft] ano!r sixp5ny edition  ( a 
classic1 & he might /ore 8 libr>y 9 a   
hat-box or a biscuit-t94  ,b 9 practice 
he w\ld h to be a mon/] ( resolution to 
succe$  9 su* conditions4  ,! eye mu/ be
 flatt]$2 ! h& mu/ be flatt]$2  ! s5se (
 own+ mu/ be flatt]$4  ,sacrifices mu/  
be made  = ! acquisition ( lit]ature4   
,t :i* has co/ a sacrifice  is always   
ende>$4  ,a detail$ s*eme ( buy+ books w
 come lat]1  9 ! light ( fur!r k4  ,= ! 
pres5t1 buy--buy :atev]  has receiv$ !  
99imprimatur99 ( critical au?ority4     
,buy )\t any  imm$iate ref]5ce to :at y 
w read4  ,buy6  ,surr\nd y\rself  )     
volumes1 z h&some z y c af=d4  ,& =     
read+1  all t ,i w n[ p>ticul>ly enjo9  
is a g5]al & inclusive ta/+1  9 ord] to 
atta9 a sort ( famili>ity ) ! look  (   
lit]ature 9 all its bran*es4  ,a turn+  
ov] ( ! pages  ( a volume ( ,*amb]s's   
99,cyclopdia ( ,engli% ,lit]ature991  ! 
?ird = pref]5ce1 may be sugge/$ z an    
admirable &  a div]t+ ex]cise4  ,y might
 m>k ! au?ors t fla%  an appeal to y4   

,*apt] ,,iii    ,,:y ,a ,,classic ,,is  
,a ,,classic    ,! l>ge majority ( our  
fell[-citiz5s c>e z mu* ab\t lit]ature  
z !y c>e ab\t a]oplanes or ! programme (
 ! ,legislature4  ,!y d n ignore x2 !y  
are n q indiff]5t to x4  ,b _! int]e/ 9 
x is fa9t & p]functory2 or1 if _! int]e/
  happ5s to be viol5t1 x is spasmodic4  
,ask ! two hundr$ ?\s& p]sons  ^:       
en?usiasm made ! vogue ( a popul> novel 
t5 ye>s ago  :at !y ?9k ( t novel n[1 & 
y w ga!r  t !y h utt]ly =gott5 x1 & t !y
 w\ld no m dream  ( read+ x aga9 ?an (  
read+ ,bi%op ,/ubbs's 99,select         
,*>t]s994  ,probably if !y did read x   
aga9 !y w\ld n enjoy x--n because  !    
said novel is a :it worse n[ ?an x 0 t5 
ye>s ago2  n because _! ta/e has        
improv$--b because !y h n _h  suffici5t 
practice to be able to rely on _! ta/e z
 a means  ( p]man5t pleasure4  ,!y      
simply don't "k f "o day to ! next  :at 
w please !m4      ,9 ! face ( ?is "o may
 ask3 ,:y does ! great & univ]sal fame  
( classical au?ors cont9ue8  ,! answ] is

 t ! fame  ( classical au?ors is        
entirely indep5d5t ( ! majority4  ,d y  
suppose t if ! fame ( ,%akespe>e dep5d$ 
on  ! man 9 ! /reet x w\ld survive a    
=tnight8  ,! fame ( classical au?ors is 
orig9ally made1 & x is ma9ta9$1  by a   
passionate few4  ,ev5 :5 a fir/-class   
au?or has enjoy$  imm5se success dur+ 8 
lifetime1 ! majority h nev]  appreciat$ 
him s s9c]ely z !y h appreciat$         
second-rate m54  ,he has always be5     
re9=c$ by ! ard\r ( ! passionate few4   
,& 9 ! case ( an au?or :o has em]g$ into
 glory aft] 8 dea?  ! happy sequel has  
be5 due solely to ! ob/9ate p]sev]ance  
( ! few4  ,!y c\ld n leave him alone2 !y
 w\ld n4  ,!y kept on sav\r+ him1 &     
talk+ ab\t him1 & buy+ him1  & !y       
g5]ally behav$ ) su* eag] zeal1 & !y 7 s
  au?oritative & sure ( !mselves1 t at  
la/ ! majority  grew accu/om$ to ! s\nd 
( 8 "n & placidly agre$  to !           
proposition t he 0 a g5ius2 ! majority  
really did n  c>e v mu* ei!r way4       
,& x is by ! passionate few t ! r5[n (  

g5ius  is kept alive f "o g5]ation to   
ano!r4  ,^! few are always at "w4  ,!y  
are always r$iscov]+ g5ius4  ,_!        
curiosity & en?usiasm  are exhau/less1 s
 t !re is little *ance ( g5ius be+      
ignor$4  ,&1 moreov]1 !y are always     
work+ ei!r = or aga9/  ! v]dicts ( !    
majority4  ,! majority c make a         
reputation1  b x is too c>eless to      
ma9ta9 x4  ,if1 by accid5t1 ! passionate
 few  agree ) ! majority 9 a p>ticul>   
in/ance1 !y w frequ5tly  rem9d !        
majority t su* & su* a reputation has   
be5 made1  & ! majority w idly concur3  
,ah1 yes4  ,by ! way1  we mu/ n =get t  
su* & su* a reputation exi/s4  ,)\t t   
p]si/5t memory-jogg+ ! reputation w\ld  
quickly fall  into ! oblivion :i* is    
dea?4  ,! passionate few only h _! way  
by reason ( ! fact t !y are g5u9ely     
int]e/$ 9 lit]ature1  t lit]ature matt]s
 to !m4  ,!y conqu] by _! ob/9acy alone1
  by _! et]nal repetition ( ! same      
/atem5ts4  ,d y suppose  !y c\ld prove  
to ! man 9 ! /reet t ,%akespe>e  0 a    

great arti/8  ,! said man w\ld n ev5    
und]/&  ! t]ms !y employ$4  ,b :5 he is 
told t5 ?\s& times1  & g5]ation aft]    
g5]ation1 t ,%akespe>e 0 a great arti/1 
! said man believes--n by reason1 b by  
fai?4  ,& he too repeats  t ,%akespe>e 0
 a great arti/1 & he buys ! complete    
works  ( ,%akespe>e & puts !m on 8      
%elves1 & he goes to see  ! m>vell\s    
/age-effects :i* accompany 99,k+ ,le>99 
or 99,hamlet991  & comes back religi\sly
 conv9c$ t ,%akespe>e 0 a great arti/4  
,all because ! passionate few c\ld n    
keep _! admiration  ( ,%akespe>e to     
!mselves4  ,?is is n cynicism2 b tru?4  
,& x is important t ^? :o wi% to =m _!  
lit]>y ta/e  %\ld grasp x4      ,:at    
causes ! passionate few to make su* a   
fuss ab\t lit]ature8  ,!re c be only "o 
reply4  ,!y f9d a ke5 & la/+ pleasure  9
 lit]ature4  ,!y enjoy lit]ature z "s m5
 enjoy be]4  ,! recurr5ce ( ?is pleasure
 naturally keeps _! int]e/ 9 lit]ature  
v mu* alive4  ,!y are = ev] mak+ new    
rese>*es1  = ev] practis+ on !mselves4  

,!y le>n to und]/& !mselves4  ,!y le>n  
to "k :at !y want4  ,_! ta/e becomes    
sur] & sur]  z _! exp]i5ce l5g!ns4  ,!y 
d n enjoy to-day  :at w seem t$i\s to !m
 to-morr[4  ,:5 !y f9d a book t$i\s1  no
 am\nt ( popul> clatt] w p]suade !m t x 
is pleasurable2  & :5 !y f9d x          
pleasurable no *ill sil5ce ( !          
/reet-cr[ds  w affect _! conviction t ! 
book is good & p]man5t4  ,!y h fai? 9   
!mselves4  ,:at are ! qualities 9 a book
  :i* give ke5 & la/+ pleasure to !     
passionate few8  ,?is is a "q s         
difficult t x has nev] yet  be5         
completely answ]$4  ,y may talk lightly 
ab\t tru?1 insight1  k1 wisdom1 hum\r1 &
 beauty4  ,b ^! com=table words d n     
really c>ry y v f>1 = ea* ( !m has to be
 def9$1  especially ! fir/ & la/4  ,x is
 all v well = ,keats  9 8 airy mann] to 
ass]t t beauty is tru?1 tru? beauty1  & 
t t is all he kn[s or ne$s to "k4  ,i1 =
 "o1 ne$ to "k  a lot m4  ,& ,i nev]    
%all "k4  ,nobody1 n ev5 ,hazlitt  nor  
,sa9te-,beuve1 has ev] f9ally expla9$ :y

 he ?\ght  a book beautiful4  ,i take ! 
fir/ f9e l9es t come to h&--     ,!     
woods ( ,arcady are dead1   ,& ov] is _!
 antique joy--    & ,i say t ^? l9es are
 beautiful1 because !y give me pleasure4
  ,b :y8  ,no answ]6  ,i only "k t !    
passionate few w1 broadly1  agree ) me 9
 d]iv+ ?is my/]i\s pleasure f ^? l9es4  
,i am only conv9c$ t ! livel9ess ( our  
pleasure 9 ^?  & _m o!r l9es by ! same  
au?or w ultimately cause  ! majority to 
believe1 by fai?1 t ,w4 ,b4 ,yeats is a 
g5ius4  ,! "o reassur+ aspect ( ! lit]>y
 affair is t ! passionate few  are      
passionate ab\t ! same ?+s4  ,a         
cont9uance ( int]e/ does1  9 actual     
practice1 lead ultimately to ! same     
judgm5ts4  ,!re is only ! diff]5ce 9    
wid? ( int]e/4  ,"s ( ! passionate few  
lack ca?olicity1 or1 r1 ! :ole ( _!     
int]e/ is conf9$  to "o n>r[ *annel2 !y 
h none left ov]4  ,^! m5 help specially 
to vitalise ! reputations ( ! n>r[]     
g5iuses3 su* z ,cra%aw4  ,b _! active   
pr$ilections nev] contradict ! g5]al    

v]dict  ( ! passionate few2 r !y re9=ce 
x4      ,a classic is a "w :i* gives    
pleasure to ! m9ority  :i* is int5sely &
 p]man5tly int]e/$ 9 lit]ature4  ,x     
lives on because ! m9ority1 eag] to r5ew
 ! s5sation ( pleasure1  is et]nally    
curi\s & is !re=e engag$ 9 an et]nal    
process  ( r$iscov]y4  ,a classic does n
 survive = any e?ical reason4  ,x does n
 survive because x con=ms to c]ta9      
canons1  or because neglect w\ld n kill 
x4  ,x survives because x is  a s\rce ( 
pleasure1 & because ! passionate few c  
no m neglect x  ?an a bee c neglect a   
fl[]4  ,! passionate few d n read  ! "r 
?+s because !y are "r4  ,t is to put !  
c>t  be=e ! horse4  ,! "r ?+s are ! "r  
?+s solely because  ! passionate few    
99l99 read+ !m4  ,h5ce--& ,i n[ arrive  
at my po9t--  ! "o prim>y ess5tial to   
lit]>y ta/e is a hot int]e/ 9 lit]ature4
  ,if y h t1 all ! re/ w come4  ,x      
matt]s no?+ t at pres5t  y fail to f9d  
pleasure 9 c]ta9 classics4  ,! driv+    
impulse  ( y\r int]e/ w =ce y to acquire

 exp]i5ce1 & exp]i5ce  w tea* y ! use ( 
! means ( pleasure4  ,y d n "k  ! secret
 ways ( y\rself3 t is all4  ,a          
cont9uance ( int]e/  mu/ inevitably br+ 
y to ! ke5e/ joys4  ,b1 ( c\rse1        
exp]i5ce may be acquir$ judici\sly or   
injudici\sly1  j z ,putney may be rea*$ 
99via99 ,walham ,gre5 or 99via99 ,/4    
,pet]sburg4        ,*apt] ,,iv    ,,:]e 
,,to ,,beg9    ,i wi% p>ticul>ly t my   
read]s %\ld n be intimidat$  by ! app>5t
 va/ness & complexity ( ?is ent]prise  (
 =m+ ! lit]>y ta/e4  ,x is n s va/ nor s
 complex z x looks4  ,!re is no ne$     
:atev] = ! inexp]i5c$ en?usia/ to       
confuse  & fright5 himself ) ?\ghts (   
lit]ature 9 all its bran*es4  ,exp]ts & 
p$agogues 7*iefly p$agogues7 h1 = !     
purpose  ( conv5i5ce1 split lit]ature up
 into divisions & sub-divisions--  su* z
 prose & poetry2 or imag9ative1         
philosophic1 hi/orical2  or elegiac1    
h]oic1 lyric2 or religi\s & pr(ane1     
etc41 99ad inf9itum994  ,b ! great] tru?
 is t lit]ature is all "o--&            

indivisible4  ,! idea ( ! unity (       
lit]ature %\ld be well plant$ & fo/]$  9
 ! head4  ,all lit]ature is ! expression
 ( feel+1 ( passion1  ( emotion1 caus$  
by a s5sation ( ! int]e/+ness ( life4   
,:at drives a hi/orian to write hi/ory8 
,no?+ b ! ov]:elm+  impression made ^u  
him by ! survey ( pa/ times4  ,he is =c$
 into an attempt to recon/itute !       
picture = o!rs4  ,if hi!rto y h fail$ to
 p]ceive t a hi/orian is a be+  9 /rong 
emotion1 try+ to convey 8 emotion to    
o!rs1  read ! passage 9 ! 99,memoirs99 (
 ,gibbon1 9 :i* he describes  h[ he     
f9i%$ ! 99,decl9e & ,fall994  ,y w      
probably nev] aga9  look ^u ! 99,decl9e 
& ,fall99 z a dry "w4      ,:at applies 
to hi/ory applies to ! o!r dry bran*es4 
,ev5 ,johnson's ,diction>y is pack$ )   
emotion4  ,read ! la/ p>agraph  ( !     
preface to x3 ,9 ?is "w1 :5 x %all be   
f\nd  t mu* is omitt$1 let x n be =gott5
 t mu*  likewise is p]=m$4444  ,x may   
repress ! triumph ( malignant criticism 
to obs]ve t if our language is n "h     

fully display$1  ,i h only fail$ 9 an   
attempt :i* no human p[]s  h hi!rto     
complet$4444  ,& s on to ! close3  ,i h 
protract$ my "w till mo/ ( ^? :om ,i wi%
 to please  h sunk into ! grave1 &      
success & misc>riage are empty s\nds3   
,i !re=e dismiss x ) frigid             
tranquillity1 hav+ little  to fe> or    
hope f c5sure or f praise4  ,yes1       
tranquillity2  b n frigid6  ,! :ole     
passage1 "o ( ! f9e/ 9 ,engli% prose1   
is m>k$ by ! heat ( emotion4  ,y may    
discov] ! same quality  9 su* books z   
,sp5c]'s 99,fir/ ,pr9ciples994  ,y may  
discov] x ev]y:]e  9 lit]ature1 f ! cold
 fire ( ,pope's irony to ! bla/+        
temp]atures  ( ,sw9burne4  ,lit]ature   
does n beg9 till emotion has begun4     
,!re is ev5 no ess5tial1 def9able       
diff]5ce betwe5  ^? two great bran*es1  
prose & poetry4  ,= prose may h rhy?m4  
,all t c be said is t v]se w scan1 :ile 
prose w n4  ,! diff]5ce is purely =mal4 
,v few poets h succe$$ 9 be+  s poetical
 z ,isaiah1 ,sir ,?omas ,br[ne1 & ,rusk9

 h be5 9 prose4  ,x c only be /at$ t1 z 
a rule1 writ]s h %[n  an in/9ctive      
t5d5cy to *oose v]se = ! expression  ( !
 v highe/ emotion4  ,! supreme lit]ature
 is 9 v]se1  b ! f9e/ a*ievem5ts 9 prose
 approa* s ne>ly  to ! f9e/ a*ievem5ts 9
 v]se t x is ill "w decid+ betwe5 !m4   
,9 ! s5se 9 :i* poetry is be/ und]/ood1 
all lit]ature is poetry--  or is1 at any
 rate1 poetical 9 quality4  ,macaulay's 
ill-in=m$  & unju/ d5unciations live    
because 8 g5u9e emotion  made !m into   
poetry1 :ile 8 99,lays ( ,anci5t ,rome99
 are dead  because !y are n ! expression
 ( a g5u9e emotion4  ,z ! lit]>y ta/e   
develops1 ?is quality ( emotion1        
re/ra9$ or loos$1 w be m & m widely     
p]ceiv$  at l>ge 9 lit]ature4  ,x is !  
quality t mu/ be look$ =4  ,x is !      
quality t unifies lit]ature 7& all !    
arts74      ,x is n m]ely useless1 x is 
h>mful1 = y to map out lit]ature  into  
divisions & bran*es1 ) diff]5t laws1    
rules1 or canons4  ,! fir/ ?+ is to     
obta9 "s possession ( lit]ature4  ,:5 y 

h actually felt "s ( ! emotion :i* great
 writ]s  h /riv5 to imp>t to y1 & :5 y\r
 emotions become s num]\s  & puzzl+ t y 
feel ! ne$ ( arrang+ !m & call+ !m  by  
names1 !n--& n be=e--y c beg9 to /udy   
:at has be5  attempt$ 9 ! way (         
classify+ & ticket+ lit]ature4  ,manuals
 & treatises are excell5t ?+s 9 _! k9d1 
b !y are simply dead weight at ! />t4   
,y c only acquire  really useful g5]al  
ideas by fir/ acquir+ p>ticul> ideas1  &
 putt+ ^? p>ticul> ideas toge!r4  ,y _c 
make bricks  )\t /raw4  ,d n worry ab\t 
lit]ature 9 ! ab/ract1  ab\t !ories z to
 lit]ature4  ,get at x4  ,get hold (    
lit]ature  9 ! concrete z a dog gets    
hold ( a bone4  ,if y ask me  :]e y     
ought to beg91 ,i %all gaze at y z ,i   
might gaze  at ! fai?ful animal if he   
inquir$ :i* end ( ! bone  he ought to   
attack4  ,x doesn't matt] 9 ! slighte/  
degree  :]e y beg94  ,beg9 :]ev] ! fancy
 takes y to beg94  ,lit]ature is a :ole4
      ,!re is only "o re/riction = y4   
,y mu/ beg9 ) an  ackn[l$g$ classic2 y  

mu/ es*ew mod]n works4  ,! reason = ?is 
does n imply any depreciation ( ! pres5t
 age at ! exp5se  ( pa/ ages4  ,inde$1 x
 is important1 if y wi% ultimately to h 
a wide1 ca?olic ta/e1 to gu>d aga9/ !   
too common assumption  t no?+ mod]n w /&
 comp>ison ) ! classics4  ,9 e age !re h
 be5 p to sigh3 ,ah1 yes4  ,fifty ye>s  
ago  we _h a few great writ]s4  ,b !y   
are all dead1 & no "y ones  are aris+ to
 take _! place4  ,?is attitude ( m9d is 
deplorable1  if n silly1 & is a c]ta9   
pro( ( n>r[ ta/e4  ,x is a surety  t 9  
#aiei gloomy & egregi\s p]sons w be     
say+3  ,ah1 yes4  ,at ! beg9n+ ( !      
c5tury !re 7 great poets  l ,sw9burne1  
,m]$i?1 ,francis ,?ompson1 & ,yeats4    
,great noveli/s l ,h>dy & ,conrad4      
,great hi/orians  l ,/ubbs & ,maitl&1   
etc41 etc4  ,b !y are all dead n[1  &   
:om h we to take _! place8  ,x is n     
until an age has rec$$  into hi/ory1 &  
all its m$iocrity has dropp$ away f x1  
t we c see x z x is--z a gr\p ( m5 (    
g5ius4  ,we =get ! imm5se am\nt (       

twaddle t ! great epo*s produc$4  ,!    
total am\nt ( f9e lit]ature creat$ 9 a  
giv5 p]iod ( "t  diff]s f epo* to epo*1 
b x does n diff] mu*4  ,& we may be     
p]fectly sure t our own age w make  a   
fav\rable impression ^u t excell5t      
judge1 po/]ity4  ,!re=e1 bew>e (        
disp>ag+ ! pres5t 9 y\r own m9d4  ,:ile 
tempor>ily ignor+ x1 dwell ^u ! idea t  
its *aff  conta9s ab\t z mu* :eat z any 
simil> quantity ( *aff  has conta9$     
:eat4      ,! reason :y y mu/ avoid     
mod]n works at ! beg9n+  is simply t y  
are n 9 a position to *oose among mod]n 
works4  ,nobody at all is q 9 a position
 to *oose ) c]ta9ty  among mod]n works4 
,to sift ! :eat f ! *aff is a process  t
 takes an exce$+ly long "t4  ,mod]n     
works h to pass be=e  ! b> ( ! ta/e (   
successive g5]ations4  ,:]eas1 )        
classics1  :i* h be5 ?r\gh ! ordeal1    
almo/ ! rev]se is ! case4  99,y\r ta/e  
has to pass be=e ! b> ( ! classics499   
,t is ! po9t4  ,if y diff] ) a classic1 
x is y :o are wrong1 & n ! book4  ,if y 

diff] ) a mod]n "w1 y may be wrong or y 
may be "r1  b no judge is au?oritative  
en\gh to decide4  ,y\r ta/e is un=m$4   
,x ne$s guidance1 & x ne$s au?oritative 
guidance4  ,into ! bus9ess ( =m+ lit]>y 
ta/e fai? ent]s4  ,y probably w n       
specially c>e = a p>ticul> classic at   
fir/4  ,if y did c>e = x at fir/1 y\r   
ta/e1 s f> z t classic  is conc]n$1 w\ld
 be =m$1 & our hypo!sis is t y\r ta/e   
is n =m$4  ,h[ are y to arrive at ! /age
 ( c>+ = x8  ,*iefly1 ( c\rse1 by exam9+
 x & hone/ly try+ to und]/& x4  ,b ?is  
process is mat]ially help$ by an act (  
fai?1  by ! frame ( m9d :i* says3 ,i "k 
on ! highe/ au?ority  t ?is ?+ is f9e1 t
 x is capable ( giv+ me pleasure4  ,h5ce
 ,i am det]m9$ to f9d pleasure 9 x4     
,believe me  t fai? c\nts enorm\sly 9 ! 
developm5t ( t wide ta/e  :i* is !      
in/rum5t ( wide pleasures4  ,b x mu/ be 
fai?  f\nd$ on unassailable au?ority4   
,*apt] ,v    ,,h[ ,,to ,,read ,a        
,,classic    ,let u beg9 exp]im5tal     
read+ ) ,*>les ,lamb4  ,i *oose ,lamb  =

 v>i\s reasons3 ,he is a great writ]1   
wide 9 8 appeal1  ( a highly sympa!tic  
temp]am5t2 & 8 f9e/ a*ievem5ts  are     
simple & v %ort4  ,moreov]1 he may      
usefully lead to o!r  & m complex       
matt]s1 z w appe> lat]4  ,n[1 y\r       
natural t5d5cy  w be to ?9k ( ,*>les    
,lamb z a book1 because he has arriv$   
at ! /age ( be+ a classic4  ,*>les ,lamb
 0 a man1 n a book4  ,x is extremely    
important t ! beg9n] 9 lit]>y /udy  %\ld
 always =m an idea ( ! man beh9d ! book4
  ,! book is no?+ b ! expression ( !    
man4  ,! book is no?+ b  ! man try+ to  
talk to y1 try+ to imp>t to y "s ( 8    
feel+s4  ,an exp]i5c$ /ud5t w div9e !   
man f ! book1  w und]/& ! man by ! book1
 z is1 ( c\rse1  logically prop]4  ,b ! 
beg9n] w d well to aid himself  9       
und]/&+ ! book by means ( indep5d5t     
in=mation ab\t ! man4  ,he w ?us at once
 relate ! book to some?+ human1  &      
/r5g!n 9 8 m9d ! ess5tial notion ( !    
connection  betwe5 lit]ature & life4  ,!
 e>lie/ lit]ature 0 deliv]$  orally     

direct by ! arti/ to ! recipi5t4  ,9 "s 
respects  ?is arrangem5t 0 ideal4       
,*anges 9 ! con/itution ( society  h    
r5d]$ x impossible4  ,nev]!less1 we c   
/ill1 by ! ex]cise  ( ! imag9ation1 he> 
m5tally ! acc5ts ( ! arti/ speak+ to u4 
,we mu/ s ex]cise our imag9ation z to   
feel ! man beh9d ! book4      ,"s       
biographical in=mation ab\t ,lamb %\ld  
be acquir$4  ,!re are excell5t %ort     
biographies ( him by ,canon ,a+]  9 !   
99,diction>y ( ,national ,biography991 9
 ,*amb]s's 99,encyclopdia991  & 9       
,*amb]s's 99,cyclopdia ( ,engli%        
,lit]ature994  ,if y h none ( ^! 7b y   
ought to h ! la/71  !re are ,mr4 ,e4 ,v4
 ,lucas's exhau/ive 99,life99 7,me?u51  
#gs4 #f;d471  &1 *eap]1 ,mr4 ,walt]     
,j]rold's 99,lamb99 7,bell & ,sons1     
#as472  also introductory /udies prefix$
 to v>i\s editions ( ,lamb's works4     
,inde$1 ! facilities = collect+ mat]ials
 = a picture ( ,*>les ,lamb  z a human  
be+ are prodigi\s4  ,:5 y h made =      
y\rself  su* a picture1 read ! 99,essays

 ( ,elia99 by ! light ( x4  ,i w *oose  
"o ( ! mo/ celebrat$1 99,dream ,*ildr53 
,a ,rev]ie994  ,at ?is po9t1 k9dly put  
my book d[n1 & read 99,dream ,*ildr5994 
,d n say to y\rself t y w read x lat]1 b
 read x n[4  ,:5 y h read x1 y may      
proce$ to my next p>agraph4      ,y are 
to consid] 99,dream ,*ildr599 z a human 
docum5t4  ,lamb 0 ne>+ fifty :5 he wrote
 x4  ,y c see1 especially f  ! la/ l9e1 
t ! dea? ( 8 eld] bro!r1 ,john ,lamb1  0
 fre% & heavy on 8 m9d4  ,y w recollect 
t 9 y\?  he _h _h a disappo9t+          
love-affair ) a girl nam$ ,ann ,simmons1
  :o aft]w>ds m>ri$ a man nam$ ,b>trum4 
,y w "k  t "o ( ! influ5ces ( 8 *ildhood
 0 8 gr&mo!r ,field1  h\sekeep] (       
,blakesw>e ,h\se1 9 ,h]t=d%ire1 at :i*  
mansion  he sometimes sp5t 8 holidays4  
,y w "k t he 0 a ba*elor1  liv+ ) 8 si/]
 ,m>y1 :o 0 subject to homicidal mania4 
,& y w see 9 ?is essay1 prim>ily1 a     
supreme expression  ( ! increas+        
lonel9ess ( 8 life4  ,he con/ruct$ all t
  prelim9>y tableau ( pat]nal pleasure 9

 ord] to br+ home to y  9 ! mo/ poignant
 way 8 feel+ ( ! solitude ( 8 exi/5ce1  
8 s5se ( all t he _h miss$ & lo/ 9 ! _w4
  ,! key ( ! essay is "o ( pr(\nd       
sadness4  ,b note  t he makes 8 sadness 
beautiful2 or1 r1 he %[s ! beauty  t    
resides 9 sadness4  ,y wat* him sitt+   
!re  9 8 ba*elor arm-*air1 & y say to   
y\rself3  ,yes1 x 0 sad1 b x 0 someh[   
beautiful4  ,:5 y h said t  to y\rself1 
,*>les ,lamb1 s f> z y are conc]n$1 has 
accompli%$  8 *ief aim 9 writ+ ! essay4 
,h[ exactly he produces 8 effect  c nev]
 be fully expla9$4  ,b "o reason ( 8    
success  is c]ta9ly 8 reg>d = tru?4  ,he
 does n falsely idealise 8 bro!r1  nor !
 relations betwe5 !m4  ,he does n say1 z
 a s5tim5tali/  w\ld h said1 ,n !       
slighte/ cl\d ev] d>k5$ our relations2  
nor does he exagg]ate 8 solitude4  ,be+ 
a sane man1 he has too mu*  common-s5se 
to assemble all 8 woes at once4  ,he    
might h told y  t ,bridget 0 a homicidal
 maniac2 :at he does tell y is  t %e 0  
fai?ful4  ,ano!r reason ( 8 success is 8

 cont9ual reg>d  = beautiful ?+s & f9e  
actions1 z illu/rat$ 9  ! major         
*>act]i/ics ( 8 gr&mo!r & 8 bro!r1  & 9 
! detail$ description ( ,blakesw>e ,h\se
 & ! g>d5s !re(4      ,!n1 subord9ate to
 ! ma9 purpose1 "p ( ! ma*9]y  ( ! ma9  
purpose1 is ! picture ( ! *ildr5--real  
*ildr5  until ! mom5t :5 !y fade away4  
,! traits ( *ildhood are accurately  &  
humor\sly put 9 aga9 & aga93 ,"h ,john  
smil$1 z mu* z to say1  ',t w\ld be     
fooli% inde$4'   ,"h little ,alice      
spread h] h&s4  ,"h ,alice's little "r  
foot play$ an involunt>y movem5t1 till1 
^u my look+ grave1 x desi/$4  ,"h ,john 
exp&$ all 8 eyebr[s1  & tri$ to look    
c\rage\s4  ,"h ,john slily deposit$ back
 ^u ! plate  a bun* ( grapes4  ,"h !    
*ildr5 fell a-cry+444& pray$ me  to tell
 !m "s /ories ab\t _! pretty dead "m4   
,& ! exquisite3  ,"h ,alice put out "o (
 h] de> "m's looks1 too t5d]  to be     
upbraid+4  ,incid5tally1 :ile prep>+ 8  
ultimate solemn effect1  ,lamb has      
inspir$ y ) a new1 int5sifi$ vision ( ! 

wi/ful beauty  ( *ildr5--_!             
imitativ5ess1 _! facile & g5]\s         
emotions1  _! anxiety to be correct1 _! 
+5u\s ha/e to escape  f grief into joy4 
,y c see ^! *ildr5 almo/ z cle>ly  & z  
t5d]ly z ,lamb saw !m4  ,= days aft]w>ds
 y w n be able  to look ^u a *ild )\t   
recall+ ,lamb's portrayal ( ! grace  (  
*ildhood4  ,he w h %>$ ) y 8 p]ception (
 beauty4  ,if y possess *ildr51 he w h  
r5ew$ = y ! *>m  :i* cu/om does v       
decid$ly /ale4  ,x is fur!r to be notic$
  t ! measure ( 8 success 9 pictur+ !   
*ildr5 is ! measure  ( 8 success 9 8 ma9
 effect4  ,! m real !y seem1  ! m t\*+  
is ! revelation ( ! fact t !y d n exi/1 
& nev] h exi/$4  ,& if y 7 mov$ by !    
ref]5ce  to _! pretty dead "m1 y w be   
/ill m mov$  :5 y le>n t ! girl :o w\ld 
h be5 _! "m  is n dead & is n ,lamb's4  
,z1 hav+ read ! essay1 y reflect ^u x1 y
 w see  h[ its emotional p[] ov] y has  
sprung f ! s9c]e  & unexagg]at$         
expression ( actual emotions exactly    
rememb]$  by someone :o _h an eye always

 op5 = beauty1 :o 01 inde$1  obsess$ by 
beauty4  ,! beauty ( old h\ses & g>d5s  
& ag$ virtu\s *>act]s1 ! beauty (       
*ildr51  ! beauty ( companion%ips1 !    
s(t5+ beauty ( dreams  9 an             
arm-*air--all ^! are br\ght toge!r &    
m+l$  ) ! grief & regret :i* 7 ! orig9 (
 ! mood4  ,:y is 99,dream ,*ildr599 a   
classic8  ,x is a classic because  x    
transmits to y1 z to g5]ations be=e y1  
di/+ui%$ emotion1  because x makes y    
respond to ! ?rob ( life m int5sely1  m 
ju/ly1 & m nobly4  ,& x is capable ( do+
 ?is  because ,*>les ,lamb _h a v       
di/+ui%$1 a v s5sitive1  & a v hone/    
m9d4  ,8 emotions 7 noble4  ,he felt s  
ke5ly  t he 0 oblig$ to f9d relief 9    
imp>t+ 8 emotions4  ,& 8 m5tal processes
 7 s s9c]e t he c\ld  nei!r exagg]ate   
nor dim9i% ! tru?4  ,if he _h lack$  any
 "o ( ^! ?ree qualities1 8 appeal w\ld h
 be5 n>r[$  & weak5$1 & he w\ld n h     
become a classic4  ,ei!r 8 feel+s  w\ld 
h be5 defici5t 9 supreme beauty1 & !re=e
 less wor?y  to be imp>t$1 or he w\ld n 

h _h suffici5t =ce to imp>t !m2  or 8   
hone/y w\ld n h be5 equal to ! /ra9  (  
imp>t+ !m accurately4  ,9 any case1 he  
w\ld n h  set up 9 y t vibration :i* we 
call pleasure1 & :i* is  sup]em95tly    
caus$ by vitalis+ p>ticipation 9 high   
emotion4  ,z ,lamb sat 9 8 ba*elor      
arm-*air1 ) 8 bro!r 9 ! grave1  & !     
fai?ful homicidal maniac by 8 side1 he  
really did  ?9k to himself1 ,?is is     
beautiful4  ,sorr[ is beautiful4        
,disappo9tm5t is beautiful4  ,life is   
beautiful4  99,i mu/ tell !m499  ,i mu/ 
make !m und]/&4  ,because he /ill makes 
y und]/&  he is a classic4  ,& n[ ,i    
seem to he> y say1 ,b :at ab\t  ,lamb's 
fam\s lit]>y /yle8  ,:]e does t come 98 
,*apt] ,,vi    ,,! ,,"q ,,( ,,/yle    ,9
 discuss+ ! value ( p>ticul> books1 ,i h
 he>d p say--  p :o 7 timid ab\t        
express+ _! views ( lit]ature  9 !      
pres5ce ( lit]>y m53 ,x may be bad f a  
lit]>y  po9t ( view1 b !re are v good   
?+s 9 x4  ,or3 ,i d>e say ! /yle is v   
bad1 b really ! book is  v int]e/+ &    

sugge/ive4  ,or3 ,i'm n an exp]t1  & s  
,i nev] bo!r my head ab\t good /yle4    
,all ,i ask =  is good matt]4  ,& :5 ,i 
h got x1 critics may say :at !y l  ab\t 
! book4  ,& _m o!r simil> rem>ks1 all   
%[+  t 9 ! m9ds ( ! speak]s !re exi/$ a 
notion  t /yle is some?+ supplem5t>y to1
 & di/+ui%able f1 matt]2  a sort (      
notion t a writ] :o want$ to be         
classical _h fir/  to f9d & arrange 8   
matt]1 & !n dress x up elegantly  9 a   
co/ume ( /yle1 9 ord] to please be+s    
call$ lit]>y critics4      ,?is is a    
misappreh5sion4  ,/yle _c be di/+ui%$ f 
matt]4  ,:5 a writ] conceives an idea he
 conceives x 9 a =m ( words4  ,t =m (   
words con/itutes 8 /yle1 & x is         
absolutely gov]n$  by ! idea4  ,! idea c
 only exi/ 9 words1 & x c only exi/  9  
"o =m ( words4  ,y _c say exactly ! same
 ?+  9 two diff]5t ways4  ,slightly alt]
 ! expression1  & y slightly alt] !     
idea4  ,surely x is obvi\s  t !         
expression _c be alt]$ )\t alt]+ ! ?+   
express$6  ,a writ]1 hav+ conceiv$ &    

express$ an idea1 may1 & probably w1    
poli% x up4  ,b :at does he poli% up8   
,to say t he poli%es up  8 /yle is m]ely
 to say t he is poli%+ up 8 idea1  t he 
has discov]$ faults or imp]fections 9 8 
idea1  & is p]fect+ x4  ,an idea exi/s 9
 proportion z x is express$2  x exi/s :5
 x is express$1 & n be=e4  ,x expresses 
itself4  ,a cle> idea is express$       
cle>ly1 & a vague idea vaguely4  ,y ne$ 
b take y\r own case & y\r own spee*4  ,=
 j z  sci5ce is ! developm5t (          
common-s5se1 s is lit]ature  !          
developm5t ( common daily spee*4  ,!    
diff]5ce betwe5  sci5ce & common-s5se is
 simply "o ( degree2 simil>ly )  spee* &
 lit]ature4  ,well1 :5 y "k :at y ?9k1  
y succe$ 9 say+ :at y ?9k1 9 mak+       
y\rself und]/ood4  ,:5 y don't "k :at to
 ?9k1 y\r expressive tongue halts4  ,&  
note h[ 9 daily life ! *>act]i/ics ( y\r
 /yle  foll[ y\r mood2 h[ t5d] x is :5 y
 are t5d]1  h[ viol5t :5 y are viol5t4  
,y h said to y\rself  9 mom5ts (        
emotion3 ,if only ,i c\ld write--1 etc4 

,y 7 wrong4  ,y ought to h said3 ,if    
only ,i c\ld 99?9k99--  on ?is high     
plane4  ,:5 y h ?\ght cle>ly y h nev] _h
  any difficulty 9 say+ :at y ?\ght1    
?\gh y may occasionally  h _h "s        
difficulty 9 keep+ x to y\rself4  ,& :5 
y _c  express y\rself1 dep5d ^u x t y h 
no?+ precise to express1  & t :at       
incommodes y is n ! va9 desire to       
express1  b ! va9 desire to 99?9k99 m   
cle>ly4  ,all ?is  j to illu/rate h[    
/yle & matt] are co-exi/5t1 &           
insep>able1  & alike4      ,y _c h good 
matt] ) bad /yle4  ,exam9e ! po9t  m    
closely4  ,a man wi%es to convey a f9e  
idea to y4  ,he employs a =m ( words4   
,t =m ( words is 8 /yle4  ,hav+ read1 y 
say3 ,yes1 ?is idea is f9e4  ,! writ]   
has  !re=e a*iev$ 8 end4  ,b 9 :at      
imag9able circum/ances  c y say3 ,yes1  
?is idea is f9e1 b ! /yle is n f9e8  ,! 
sole m$ium ( communication betwe5 y & ! 
au?or has be5  ! =m ( words4  ,! f9e    
idea has rea*$ y4  ,h[8  ,9 ! words1 by 
! words4  ,h5ce ! f95ess mu/ be 9 !     

words4  ,y may say1 sup]iorly3 ,he has  
express$ himself clumsily1  b ,i c      
99see99 :at he means4  ,by :at light8   
,by some?+  9 ! words1 9 ! /yle4  ,t    
some?+ is f9e4  ,moreov]1 if ! /yle  is 
clumsy1 are y sure t y c see :at he     
means8  ,y _c be q sure4  ,& at any     
rate1 y _c see di/9ctly4  ,! matt] is   
:at actually rea*es y1 & x mu/          
necess>ily  be affect$ by ! /yle4       
,/ill fur!r to compreh5d :at /yle is1   
let me ask y  to ?9k ( a writ]'s /yle   
exactly z y w\ld ?9k  ( ! ge/ures &     
mann]s ( an acqua9tance4  ,y "k ! man ^:
  demean\r is always calm1 b ^: passions
 are /rong4  ,h[ d y "k  t 8 passions   
are /rong8  ,because he gives !m away   
by "s small1 b important1 "p ( 8        
demean\r1 su* z  ! twit*+ ( a lip or !  
:it5+ ( ! knuckles caus$ by  cl5*+ ! h&4
  ,9 o!r words1 8 demean\r1             
fundam5tally1  is n calm4  ,y "k ! man  
:o is always smoo?ly polite  &          
agreeable1 b :o affects y unpleasantly4 
,:y does he  affect y unpleasantly8     

,because he is t$i\s1 & !re=e           
disagreeable1  & because 8 polit5ess is 
n real polit5ess4  ,y "k ! man  :o is   
awkw>d1 %y1 clumsy1 b :o1 nev]!less1    
impresses y  ) a s5se ( dignity & =ce4  
,:y8  ,because m+l$ )  t awkw>dness & s 
=? 99is99 dignity4  ,y "k ! blunt1  r\gh
 fell[ :om y in/9ctively guess to be    
affectionate--  because !re is some?+ 9 
8 tone or some?+ 9 8 eyes4  ,9 e in/ance
 ! demean\r1 :ile p]haps seem+ to be    
contr>y  to ! "*1 is really 9 accord )  
x4  ,! demean\r nev]  contradicts ! "*4 
,x is "o "p ( ! "*  t contradicts ano!r 
"p ( ! "*4  ,=1 aft] all1  ! blunt man  
99is99 blunt1 & ! awkw>d man 99is99     
awkw>d1  & ^! *>act]i/ics are defects4  
,! demean\r m]ely expresses !m4  ,! two 
m5 w\ld be bett] if1 :ile cons]v+ _!    
good qualities1  !y _h ! sup]ficial     
attributes ( smoo?ness & agreeabl5ess   
possess$ by ! g5tleman :o is unpleasant 
to y4  ,& z reg>ds ?is latt]1 x is n 8  
sup]ficial attributes  :i* are          
unpleasant to y2 b 8 o!r qualities4  ,9 

! end  ! "* is %[n 9 ! demean\r2 & !    
demean\r  is a consequ5ce ( ! "* &      
resembles ! "*4  ,s ) /yle & matt]4  ,y 
may argue t ! blunt1  r\gh man's        
demean\r is unfair to 8 t5d]ness4  ,i d 
n ?9k s4  ,= 8 *urli%ness is really v   
try+ & pa9ful1  ev5 to ! man's wife1    
?\gh a mom5t's t5d]ness w make h]  & y  
=get x4  ,! man really is *urli%1 & mu* 
m (t5  ?an he is t5d]4  ,8 demean\r is  
m]ely j to 8 "*4  ,s1 :5 a writ] annoys 
y = t5 pages & !n en*ants y  = t5 l9es1 
y mu/ n explode aga9/ 8 /yle4  ,y mu/ n 
say t 8 /yle won't let 8 matt] come out4
  ,y mu/ rememb] ! *urli%1 t5d] man4  ,!
 m y reflect1  ! m cle>ly y w see t     
faults & excell5ces ( /yle  are faults &
 excell5ces ( matt] itself4      ,"o ( !
 mo/ /rik+ illu/rations ( ?is neglect$  
tru?  is ,?omas ,c>lyle4  ,h[ (t5 has x 
be5 said t ,c>lyle's matt]  is m>r$ by !
 h>%ness & ! ecc5tricities ( 8 /yle8  ,b
 ,c>lyle's matt] is h>% & ecc5tric to   
precisely ! same degree  z 8 /yle is h>%
 & ecc5tric4  ,c>lyle 0 h>% & ecc5tric4 

,8 behavi\r 0 frequ5tly ridicul\s1 if x 
7 n abom9able4  ,8 judgm5ts 7 (t5       
extremely biz>re4  ,:5 y read  "o (     
,c>lyle's fi]ce diatribes1 y say to     
y\rself3  ,?is is spl5did4  ,! man's    
en?usiasm = ju/ice & tru?  is glori\s4  
,b y also say3 ,he is a little unju/  & 
a little untru?ful4  ,he goes too f>4   
,he la%es too h>d4  ,^! ?+s are n !     
/yle2 !y are ! matt]4  ,& :51 z 9 8     
greate/ mom5ts1 he is emotional &       
re/ra9$  at once1 y say3 ,?is is ! real 
,c>lyle4  ,k9dly notice  h[ p]fect !    
/yle has become6  ,no h>%nesses or      
ecc5tricities n[6  ,& if t p>ticul>     
matt] is ! real ,c>lyle1  !n t p>ticul> 
/yle is ,c>lyle's real /yle4  ,b :5 y   
say real y w\ld m prop]ly say be/4  ,?is
 is ! be/ ,c>lyle4  ,if ,c>lyle _h      
always be5 at 8 be/  he w\ld h c\nt$    
among ! supreme g5iuses ( ! _w4  ,b he 0
 a mixture4  ,8 /yle is ! expression ( !
 mixture4  ,! faults are only 9 ! /yle  
because !y are 9 ! matt]4      ,y w f9d 
t1 9 classical lit]ature1 ! /yle always 

foll[s  ! mood ( ! matt]4  ,?us1 ,*>les 
,lamb's essay on 99,dream ,*ildr599     
beg9s q simply1 9 a calm1 n>rative      
mann]1 enliv5$ by  a c]ta9 quippi%ness  
conc]n+ ! *ildr54  ,! /yle is grave  :5 
great-gr&mo!r ,field is ! subject1 & :5 
! au?or passes  to a r elaborate        
impression ( ! picturesque old mansion  
x becomes z x 7 consci\sly beautiful4   
,?is beauty is int5sifi$  9 !           
description ( ! /ill m beautiful g>d54  
,b ! real divid+ po9t ( ! essay occurs  
:5 ,lamb approa*es  8 eld] bro!r4  ,he  
unmi/akably m>ks ! po9t ) ! phrase3     
99,!n1 9 some:at a m height5$ tone991 ,i
 told h[1 etc4  ,h5ce=w>d ! /yle        
increases 9 f]v\r & 9 solemnity  until !
 culm9ation ( ! essay is rea*$3 ,& :ile 
,i /ood gaz+1  bo? ! *ildr5 gradually   
grew fa9t] to my view1  rec$+ & /ill    
rec$+ till no?+ at la/ b two m\rnful    
features  7 se5 9 ! utt]mo/ di/ance1    
:i*1 )\t spee*1  /rangely impress$ ^u me
 ! effects ( spee*4444  ,?r\gh\t1 ! /yle
 is gov]n$ by ! matt]4  ,well1 y say1  (

 c\rse x is4  ,x c\ldn't be o!rwise4    
,if x 7 o!rwise  x w\ld be ridicul\s4   
,a man :o made love z ?\gh he 7 prea*+  
a s]mon1 or a man :o prea*$ a s]mon z   
?\gh he 7  teas+ s*oolboys1 or a man :o 
describ$ a dea? z ?\gh  he 7 describ+ a 
practical joke1 mu/ necess>ily be ei!r  
an ass  or a lunatic4  ,j s4  ,y h put x
 9 a nut%ell4  ,y h  dispos$ ( ! problem
 ( /yle s f> z x c be dispos$ (4    ,b  
:at d ^? p mean :o say3 ,i read su* &   
su* an au?or  = ! beauty ( 8 /yle alone8
  ,p]sonally1 ,i d n cle>ly "k  :at !y  
mean 7& ,i h nev] be5 able to get !m to 
expla971  unless !y mean t !y read = !  
beauty ( s\nd alone4  ,:5 y read a book 
!re are only ?ree ?+s ( :i*  y may be   
consci\s3 7#a7 ,! significance ( !      
words1  :i* is insep>ably b\nd up ) !   
?\ght4  7#b7 ,! look  ( ! pr9t$ words on
 ! page--,i d n suppose t anybody reads 
any au?or = ! visual beauty ( ! words on
 ! page4  7#c7 ,! s\nd ( ! words1 ei!r  
actually utt]$ or imag9$  by ! bra9 to  
be utt]$4  ,n[ x is indubitable t words 

diff]  9 beauty ( s\nd4  ,to my m9d "o (
 ! mo/ beautiful words  9 ! ,engli%     
language is pavem5t4  ,enunciate x1 /udy
 its s\nd1  & see :at y ?9k4  ,x is also
 indubitable t c]ta9  comb9ations (     
words h a m beautiful s\nd ?an c]ta9    
o!r comb9ations4  ,?us ,t5nyson held t !
 mo/ beautiful l9e  he ev] wrote 03     
,! mell[ ouzel flut+ 9 ! elm4           
,p]haps1 z s\nd1 x 04  ,assur$ly x makes
 a beautiful  succession ( s\nds1 &     
recalls ! bird-s\nds :i* x is  int5d$ to
 describe4  ,b does x live 9 ! memory  z
 "o ( ! r>e great ,t5nysonian l9es8  ,x 
does n4  ,x has *>m1 b ! *>m is m]ely   
curi\s or pretty4  ,a :ole poem compos$ 
( l9es ) no bett] recomm5dation  ?an t  
l9e has w\ld rema9 m]ely curi\s or      
pretty4  ,x w\ld n p]man5tly int]e/4  ,x
 w\ld be z insipid  z a pretty woman :o 
_h no?+ beh9d h] prett9ess4  ,x w\ld n  
live4  ,"o may rem>k 9 ?is connection h[
 ! m]ely  v]bal felicities ( ,t5nyson h 
lo/ our e/eem4  ,:o w  n[ proclaim !    
99,idylls ( ! ,k+99 z a ma/]piece8  ,( !

 ?\s&s ( l9es writt5 by him :i* please !
 e>1  only ^? survive ( :i* ! matt] is  
*>g$ ) emotion4  ,no6  ,z reg>ds ! man  
:o pr(esses to read an au?or  = 8 /yle  
alone1 ,i am incl9$ to ?9k ei!r t he w  
soon get sick ( t au?or1 or t he is     
deceiv+ himself  & means ! au?or's g5]al
 temp]am5t--n ! au?or's  v]bal /yle1 b a
 peculi> quality :i* runs ?r\gh  all !  
matt] writt5 by ! au?or4  ,j z "o may l 
a man = some?+ :i* is always com+ out ( 
him1  :i* "o _c def9e1 & :i* is ( ! v   
ess5ce ( ! man4      ,9 judg+ ! /yle (  
an au?or1 y mu/ employ ! same canons  z 
y use 9 judg+ m54  ,if y d ?is y w n be 
tempt$  to atta* importance to trifles t
 are negligible4  ,!re c be  no la/+    
fri5d%ip )\t respect4  ,if an au?or's   
/yle is su*  t y _c 99respect99 x1 !n y 
may be sure t1  despite any pres5t      
pleasure :i* y may obta9 f t au?or1  !re
 is some?+ wrong ) 8 matt]1 & t !       
pleasure  w soon cloy4  ,y mu/ exam9e   
y\r s5tim5ts t[>ds an au?or4  ,if :5 y h
 read an au?or y are pleas$1 )\t be+    

consci\s  ( aught b 8 melliflu\sness1 j 
conceive :at y\r feel+s w\ld be  aft]   
sp5d+ a mon?'s holiday ) a m]ely        
melliflu\s man4  ,if an au?or's /yle has
 pleas$ y1 b done no?+ except  make y   
giggle1 !n reflect ^u ! ultimate        
t$i\sness  ( ! man :o c d no?+ b je/4   
,on ! o!r h&1  if y are impress$ by :at 
an au?or has said to y1  b are aw>e (   
v]bal clums9esses 9 8 "w1 y ne$ worry   
ab\t  8 bad /yle exactly z mu* & exactly
 z little z  y w\ld worry ab\t ! mann]s 
( a k9dhe>t$1 ke5-bra9$ fri5d  :o 0     
dang]\s to c>pets ) a tea-cup 9 8 h&4   
,! fri5d's antics 9 a draw+-room are    
some:at regrettable1  b y w\ld n say (  
him t 8 mann]s 7 bad4  ,aga91 if an     
au?or's /yle dazzles y in/antly & bl9ds 
y to  ev]y?+ except its brilliant self1 
ask y\r s\l1 be=e y beg9  to admire 8   
matt]1 :at w\ld be y\r f9al op9ion ( a  
man  :o at ! fir/ meet+ fir$ 8          
p]sonality into y l a broadside4        
,reflect t1 z a rule1 ! p :om y h come  
to e/eem  communicat$ !mselves to y     

gradually1 t !y did n beg9  ! ent]ta9m5t
 ) fireworks4  ,9 %ort1 look at         
lit]ature  z y w\ld look at life1 & y _c
 fail to p]ceive t1  ess5tially1 ! /yle 
is ! man4  ,decid$ly y w nev] ass]t  t y
 c>e no?+ = /yle1 t y\r enjoym5t ( an   
au?or's matt]  is unaffect$ by 8 /yle4  
,& y w nev] ass]t1 ei!r1  t /yle alone  
suffices = y4      ,if y are undecid$ ^u
 a "q ( /yle1 :e!r lean+ to  ! fav\rable
 or to ! unfav\rable1 ! mo/ prud5t c\rse
  is to =get t lit]>y /yle exi/s4  ,=1  
inde$1 z /yle  is und]/ood by mo/ p :o h
 n analys$ _! impressions  "u ! influ5ce
 ( lit]ature1 !re 99is99 no su* ?+  z   
lit]>y /yle4  ,y _c divide lit]ature    
into two elem5ts  & say3 ,?is is matt] &
 t /yle4  ,fur!r1 ! significance  & !   
wor? ( lit]ature are to be compreh5d$ & 
assess$  9 ! same way z ! significance &
 ! wor? ( any o!r ph5om5on3  by !       
ex]cise ( common-s5se4  ,common-s5se w  
tell y  t nobody1 n ev5 a g5ius1 c be   
simultane\sly vulg>  & di/+ui%$1 or     
beautiful & ugly1 or precise & vague1   

or t5d] & h>%4  ,& common-s5se w !re=e  
tell y  t to try to set up vital        
contradictions betwe5 matt] & /yle  is  
absurd4  ,:5 !re is a sup]ficial        
contradiction1 "o (  ! two              
mutually-contradict+ qualities is ( f>  
less importance  ?an ! o!r4  ,if y ref] 
lit]ature to ! /&>ds ( life1            
common-s5se w at once decide :i* quality
 %\ld c\nt heavie/  9 y\r e/eem4  ,y w  
be 9 no dang] ( weigh+ a m]e            
maladroitness ( mann] aga9/ a f9e trait 
( "*1 or ( lett+  a graceful deportm5t  
bl9d y to a fundam5tal vacuity4  ,:5 9  
d\bt1  ignore /yle1 & ?9k ( ! matt] z y 
w\ld ?9k ( an individual4        ,*apt] 
,,vii    ,,wre/l+ ,,) ,,an ,,au?or      
,hav+ dispos$1 s f> z is possible &     
necess>y1 ( t  =midable "q ( /yle1 let u
 n[ return to ,*>les ,lamb1  ^: essay on
 99,dream ,*ildr599 0 ! orig9at+ cause  
( our inquiry into /yle4  ,z we h made a
 beg9n+ ( ,lamb1  x w be well to make an
 end ( him4  ,9 ! prelim9>y /ages  (    
lit]>y culture1 no?+ is m helpful1 9 !  

way  ( k9dl+ an int]e/ & keep+ x well   
alight1 ?an  to specialise = a "t on "o 
au?or1 & p>ticul>ly on an au?or  s      
frankly & curi\sly human z ,lamb is4  ,i
 d n mean  t y %\ld imprison y\rself )  
,lamb's complete works  = ?ree mon?s1 & 
read no?+ else4  ,i mean t y %\ld       
regul>ly devote a proportion ( y\r le>n$
 leisure to  ! /udy ( ,lamb until y are 
acqua9t$ ) all  t is important 9 8 "w & 
ab\t 8 "w4  7,y may buy  ! complete     
works 9 prose & v]se ( ,*>les & ,m>y    
,lamb1  edit$ by t unsurpass$ exp]t ,mr4
 ,?omas ,hut*ison1  & publi%$ by ! ,ox=d
 ,univ]sity ,press1 9 two volumes  = f\r
 %ill+s ! pair67  ,!re is no reason :y y
 %\ld n  become a mode/ speciali/ 9     
,lamb4  ,he is ! v man = y2  nei!r      
volum9\s1 nor difficult1 nor uncom=tably
 l(ty2  always ei!r amus+ or t\*+2      
&--mo/ important--  himself passionately
 addict$ to lit]ature4  ,y _c  l ,lamb  
)\t lik+ lit]ature 9 g5]al4  ,& y _c    
read ,lamb )\t le>n+ ab\t lit]ature 9   
g5]al2  = books 7 8 hobby1 & he 0 a     

critic ( ! fir/ rank4  ,8 lett]s are    
full ( lit]>9ess4  ,y w naturally  read 
8 lett]s2 y %\ld n only be inf9itely    
div]t$ by !m  7!re are no bett]         
epi/les71 b y %\ld receive f !m  mu*    
light on ! works4      ,x is a c\rse (  
/udy t ,i am sugge/+ to y4  ,x means a  
c]ta9 am\nt ( su/a9$ ef=t4  ,x means    
slightly m resolution1 m p]t9acity1 & m 
exp5diture  ( bra9-tissue ?an are       
requir$ = read+ a newspap]4  ,x means1 9
 fact1 "w4  ,p]haps y did n b>ga9 = "w  
:5 y jo9$ me4  ,b ,i d n ?9k t ! lit]>y 
ta/e  c be satisfactorily =m$ unless "o 
is prep>$ to put  "o's back into !      
affair4  ,& ,i may prophesy to y1  by   
way ( enc\ragem5t1 t1 9 addition to !   
advantages  ( famili>ity ) ma/]pieces1 (
 increas$ lit]>y k1  & ( a wide         
introduction to ! true booki% atmosph]e 
& feel ( ?+s1 :i* y w d]ive f a         
compreh5sive  /udy ( ,*>les ,lamb1 y w  
also be consci\s (  a moral advantage--!
 v important & v inspir+ advantage  (   
really kn[+ some?+ ab\t some?+4  ,y w  h

 a*iev$ a def9ite /ep2 y w be pr\dly    
aw>e  t y h put y\rself 9 a position to 
judge z an exp]t  :atev] y may he> or   
read 9 ! future conc]n+ ,*>les ,lamb4   
,?is legitimate pride & s5se (          
accompli%m5t w  /imulate y to g on      
fur!r2 x w g5]ate /eam4  ,i consid] t   
?is indirect moral advantage ev5        
outweighs1  = ! mom5t1 ! direct lit]>y  
advantages4      ,n[1 ,i %all n %ut my  
eyes to a possible result ( y\r  dilig5t
 int]c\rse ) ,*>les ,lamb4  ,x is       
possible  t y may be disappo9t$ ) him4  
,x is--%all ,i say8--  almo/ probable t 
y w be disappo9t$ ) him1  at any rate   
p>tially4  ,y w h expect$ m joy 9 him   
?an y h receiv$4  ,i h ref]r$ 9 a       
previ\s *apt]  to ! feel+ ( disappo9tm5t
 :i* (t5 comes f fir/ contacts  ) !     
classics4  ,! neophyte is apt to f9d    
!m--,i may z well  out ) ! ^w--dull4  ,y
 may h f\nd ,lamb less div]t+1  less    
int]e/+1 ?an y hop$4  ,y may h _h to :ip
 y\rself up  aga9 & aga9 to ! ef=t (    
read+ him4  ,9 brief1 ,lamb has n1  = y1

 ju/ifi$ 8 t]rific reputation4  ,if a   
classic is a classic  because x gives   
99pleasure99 to succe$+ g5]ations ( ! p 
:o are mo/ ke5ly int]e/$ 9 lit]ature1 & 
if ,lamb  frequ5tly /rikes y z dull1 !n 
evid5tly !re is some?+ wrong4  ,!       
difficulty mu/ be fairly front$1 & !    
front+ ( x  br+s u to ! v core ( !      
bus9ess ( actually =m+ ! ta/e4  ,if y\r 
ta/e 7 classical y w\ld discov] 9 ,lamb 
a cont9ual fasc9ation2 :]eas :at y 9    
fact d discov]  9 ,lamb is a n          
unpleasant flatness1 enliv5$ by a vague 
hum\r  & an occasional pa?os4  ,y ought1
 accord+ to !ory1  to be en?usia/ic2 b y
 are apa!tic1 or1 at be/1 half-he>t$4   
,!re is a gulf4  ,h[ to cross x8        
,to cross x ne$s "t & ne$s tr\ble4  ,!  
foll[+ consid]ations  may aid4  ,9 !    
fir/ place1 we h to rememb] t1  9 com+  
into ! society ( ! classics 9 g5]al  & (
 ,*>les ,lamb 9 p>ticul>1 we are com+   
into  ! society ( a m5tal sup]ior4  ,:at
 happ5s usually  9 su* a case8  ,we c   
judge by recall+ :at happ5s  :5 we are 9

 ! society ( a m5tal inf]ior4  ,we say  
?+s  ( :i* he misses ! import2 we joke1 
& he does n smile2  :at makes him laugh 
l\dly seems to u horseplay or *ildi%2   
he is bl9d to beauties :i* ravi% u2 he  
is ec/atic ov]  :at /rikes u z crude2 & 
8 pr(\nd tru?s are = u  trite           
commonplaces4  ,8 p]ceptions are        
relatively co>se2  our p]ceptions are   
relatively subtle4  ,we try to make him 
und]/&1  to make him see1 & if he is    
aw>e ( 8 inf]iority  we may h "s        
success4  ,b if he is n aw>e ( 8        
inf]iority1  we soon hold our tongues & 
leave him alone 9 8 self-satisfaction1  
conv9c$ t !re is no?+ to be done ) him4 
,e "o ( u  has be5 ?r\gh ?is exp]i5ce ) 
a m5tal inf]ior1 = !re is  always a     
m5tal inf]ior h&y1 j z !re is always a  
be+  m unhappy ?an we are4  ,9 approa*+ 
a classic1 ! true wisdom  is to place   
ourselves 9 ! position ( ! m5tal        
inf]ior1  aw>e ( m5tal inf]iority1      
humbly /ripp+ (f all conceit1  anxi\s to
 rise out ( t inf]iority4  ,recollect t 

we always reg>d  z q hopeless ! m5tal   
inf]ior :o does n suspect  8 own        
inf]iority4  ,our attitude t[>ds ,lamb  
mu/ be3  ,*>les ,lamb 0 a great] man ?an
 ,i am1 clev]]1 %>p]1  subtl]1 f9]1     
intellectually m p[]ful1 & ) ke5] eyes  
= beauty4  ,i mu/ brace myself to foll[ 
8 lead4  ,our attitude mu/ resemble t ( 
"o :o cocks 8 e> & li/5s  ) all 8 s\l = 
a di/ant s\nd4      ,to cat* ! s\nd we  
really mu/ li/54  ,t is to say1  we mu/ 
read c>efully1 ) our faculties on !     
wat*4  ,we mu/ read  sl[ly & p]sev]+ly4 
,a classic has to be woo$ &  is wor? !  
woo+4  ,fur!r1 we mu/ disda9 no         
assi/ance4  ,i am n 9 fav\r ( /udy+     
criticism ( classics be=e  ! classics   
!mselves4  ,my notion is to /udy ! "w  &
 ! biography ( a classical writ] toge!r1
 & !n to read  criticism aft]w>ds4  ,i  
?9k t 9 repr9ts ( ! classics  ! cu/om>y 
critical introduction ought to be put at
 ! end1  & n at ! beg9n+1 ( ! book4  ,! 
classic %\ld be all[$  to make 8 own    
impression1 h[ev] fa9t1 on ! virg9al m9d

  ( ! read]4  ,b aft]w>ds let           
explanatory criticism be read  z mu* z y
 please4  ,explanatory criticism is v   
useful2  ne>ly z useful z pond]+ =      
oneself on :at "o has read6             
,explanatory criticism may ?r[ "o s+le  
gleam t lights up  ! entire subject4    
,my second consid]ation 79 aid ( cross+ 
! gulf7 t\*es  ! quality ( ! pleasure to
 be d]iv$ f a classic4  ,x is nev]  a   
viol5t pleasure4  ,x is subtle1 & x w   
wax 9 int5sity1  b ! idea ( viol5ce is  
=eign to x4  ,! arti/ic pleasures  ( an 
uncultivat$ m9d are g5]ally viol5t4  ,!y
 proce$ f  exagg]ation 9 treatm5t1 f a  
lack ( balance1 f atta*+  too great an  
importance to "o aspect 7usually        
sup]ficial71  :ile q ignor+ ano!r4  ,!y 
are gross1 l ! joy  ( ,worce/] sauce on 
! palate4  ,n[1 if !re is "o po9t       
common to all classics1 x is ! abs5ce ( 
exagg]ation4  ,! balanc$ sanity ( a     
great m9d makes impossible exagg]ation1 
&1 !re=e1 di/ortion4  ,! beauty ( a     
classic is n at all apt  to knock y d[n4

  ,x w /eal ov] y1 r4  ,_m s]i\s /ud5ts 
are1 ,i am conv9c$1 disc\rag$ 9 ! e>ly  
/ages because  !y are expect+ a wrong   
k9d ( pleasure4  ,!y h ab&on$  ,worce/] 
sauce1 & !y miss x4  ,!y miss ! co>se   
99tang994  ,!y mu/ realise t indulg5ce 9
 ! 99tang99 means ! sure  & total loss (
 s5sitiv5ess--s5sitiv5ess ev5 to !      
99tang99 itself4  ,!y _c h crud5ess &   
f95ess toge!r4  ,!y mu/ *oose1  rememb]+
 t :ile crud5ess kills pleasure1 f95ess 
ev]  int5sifies x4        ,*apt] ,,viii 
,,sy/em ,,9 ,,read+    ,y h n[ def9itely
 set sail on ! sea ( lit]ature4  ,y are 
afloat1 & y\r an*or is up4  ,i ?9k ,i h 
giv5  adequate w>n+ ( ! dang]s &        
disappo9tm5ts :i* await  ! unw>y & !    
sangu9e4  ,! ent]prise 9 :i* y are      
engag$  is n facile1 nor is x %ort4  ,i 
?9k ,i h suffici5tly pr$ict$  t y w h   
y\r h\rs ( woe1 dur+ :i* y may be       
incl9$ to s5d to p]dition all writ]s1   
toge!r )  ! inv5tor ( pr9t+4  ,b if y h 
become really fri5dly  ) ,lamb2 if y "k 
,lamb1 or ev5 half ( him2 if y h =m$  an

 image ( him 9 y\r m9d1 & c1 z x 71 he> 
him brilliantly  /utt]+ :ile y read 8   
essays or lett]s1 !n c]ta9ly  y are 9 a 
fit condition to proce$ & y want to "k  
9 :i* direction y are to proce$4  ,yes1 
,i h caught  y\r t]rifi$ & prote/+      
:isp]3 ,i hope to heav5  he isn't go+ to
 prescribe a ,c\rse ( ,engli%           
,lit]ature1  because ,i feel ,i %all    
nev] be able to d x6  ,i am n4  ,if y\r 
object 9 life 0 to be a ,univ]sity      
,ext5sion ,lectur]  9 ,engli% lit]ature1
 !n ,i %\ld prescribe some?+  dra/ic &  
desolat+4  ,b z y\r object1 s f> z  ,i  
am conc]n$1 is simply to obta9 ! highe/ 
& mo/ tonic =m  ( arti/ic pleasure ( :i*
 y are capable1 ,i %all n prescribe  any
 regul> c\rse4  ,nay1 ,i %all v5ture to 
dissuade y  f any regul> c\rse4  ,no    
man1 & assur$ly no beg9n]1  c possibly  
pursue a hi/orical c\rse ( lit]ature    
)\t wa/+ a lot ( we>y "t 9 acquir+ m]e k
  :i* w yield nei!r pleasure nor        
advantage4  ,9 ! *oice ( read+  !       
individual mu/ c\nt2 caprice mu/ c\nt1 =

 caprice is (t5  ! true/ index to !     
individuality4  ,/& defiantly on y\r own
 feet1  & d n excuse y\rself to y\rself4
  ,y d n exi/ 9 ord]  to hon\r lit]ature
 by becom+ an encyclopdia ( lit]ature4  
,lit]ature exi/s = y\r s]vice4  ,:]ev] y
 happ5 to be1  t1 = y1 is ! c5tre (     
lit]ature4      ,/ill1 = y\r own sake y 
mu/ conf9e y\rself = a long "t  to      
recognis$ classics1 = reasons already   
expla9$4  ,& ?\gh  y %\ld n foll[ a     
c\rse1 y mu/ h a sy/em or pr9ciple4     
,y\r native sagacity w tell y t caprice1
 left q unfett]$1  w end by be+ q       
ridicul\s4  ,! sy/em :i* ,i recomm5d  is
 embodi$ 9 ?is c\nsel3 ,let "o ?+ lead  
to ano!r4  ,9 ! sea ( lit]ature e "p    
communicates ) e o!r "p2  !re are no    
l&-lock$ lakes4  ,x 0 ) an eye to ?is   
sy/em  t ,i orig9ally recomm5d$ y to />t
 ) ,lamb4  ,lamb1 if y are 8 intimate1  
has already br\ght y into relations  ) a
 numb] ( o!r prom95t writ]s ) :om y c  9
 turn be intimate1 & :o w be p>ticul>ly 
useful to y4  ,among ^! are ,wordswor?1 

,col]idge1 ,s\!y1 ,hazlitt1 & ,leigh    
,hunt4  ,y _c "k ,lamb )\t kn[+ ^! m51 &
 "s ( !m  are ( ! highe/ importance4  ,f
 ! circle ( ,lamb's own "w  y may g (f  
at a tang5t at v>i\s po9ts1 accord+ to  
y\r incl9ation4  ,if1 = in/ance1 y are  
drawn t[>ds poetry1  y _c1 9 all ,engli%
 lit]ature1 make a bett] />t ?an  )     
,wordswor?4  ,& ,wordswor? w s5d y      
backw>ds to  a compreh5sion ( ! poets   
aga9/ ^: influ5ce ,wordswor? f\ght4  ,:5
 y h und]/ood ,wordswor?'s & ,col]idge's
 99,lyrical ,ballads991  & ,wordswor?'s 
def5ce ( !m1 y w be 9 a position to     
judge  poetry 9 g5]al4  ,if1 aga91 y\r  
m9d hank]s aft] an e>li]  & m romantic  
lit]ature1 ,lamb's 99,specim5s ( ,engli%
 ,dramatic ,poets  ,contempor>y )       
,%aksp]e99 has already1 9 an en*ant+    
fa%ion1  pilot$ y into a va/ gulf ( !   
sea :i* is ,%aksp]e4      ,aga91 9      
,hazlitt & ,leigh ,hunt y w discov]     
essayi/s  inf]ior only to ,lamb himself1
 & critics p]haps n inf]ior4  ,hazlitt  
is unsurpass$ z a critic4  ,8 judgm5ts  

are conv9c+  & 8 en?usiasm ( ! mo/ cat*+
 nature4  ,hav+ arriv$  at ,hazlitt or  
,leigh ,hunt1 y c bran* (f once m  at   
any "o ( t5 ?\s& po9ts into /ill wid]   
circles4  ,& ?us y may cont9ue up & d[n 
! c5turies z f>  z y l1 yea1 ev5 to     
,*auc]4  ,if y *ance to read ,hazlitt   
on 99,*auc] & ,sp5s]991 y w probably put
 y\r hat on in/antly  & g out & buy ^!  
au?ors2 su* is 8 communicat+ fire6  ,i  
ne$ n p>ticul>ise fur!r4  ,comm5c+ )    
,lamb1  & all[+ "o ?+ to lead to ano!r1 
y _c fail  to be m & m impress$ by !    
peculi> suitability  to y\r ne$s ( !    
,lamb ent\rage & ! ,lamb p]iod4  ,=     
,lamb liv$ 9 a "t ( univ]sal rebir? 9   
,engli% lit]ature4  ,wordswor? &        
,col]idge 7 re-creat+ poetry2 ,scott 0  
re-creat+  ! novel2 ,lamb 0 re-creat+ ! 
human docum5t2 & ,hazlitt1  ,col]idge1  
,leigh ,hunt1 & o!rs 7 re-creat+        
criticism4  ,sp>ks are fly+ all ab\t !  
place1 & x w be n less ?an  a miracle if
 some?+ combu/ible & inde/ructible 9 y  
does n take fire4      ,i h only "o     

caution>y ^w to utt]4  ,y may be say+   
to y\rself3 ,s long z ,i /ick to        
classics ,i _c g wrong4  ,y c g wrong4  
,y c1 :ile read+ naught b v f9e /uff1   
commit ! grave error ( read+ too mu* (  
"o k9d ( /uff4  ,n[ !re are two k9ds1 & 
only two k9ds4  ,^! two k9ds are n      
prose & poetry1 nor are !y divid$ ! "o f
 ! o!r  by any diff]5ces ( =m or (      
subject4  ,!y are ! inspir+ k9d  & !    
in=m+ k9d4  ,no o!r g5u9e division exi/s
 9 lit]ature4  ,em]son1 ,i ?9k1 fir/    
cle>ly /at$ x4  ,8 t]ms 7  ! lit]ature (
 p[] & ! lit]ature ( k4  ,9 ne>ly all   
great lit]ature ! two qualities are to  
be f\nd  9 company1 b "o usually        
pr$om9ates ov] ! o!r4  ,an example ( !  
exclusively inspir+ k9d is ,col]idge's  
99,kubla ,khan994  ,i _c recall any     
fir/-class example ( ! purely in=m+ k9d4
  ,! ne>e/ approa* to x t ,i c "n is    
,sp5c]'s  99,fir/ ,pr9ciples991 :i*1    
h[ev]1 is at lea/ once highly inspir+4  
,an example 9 :i* ! inspir+ quality     
pr$om9ates is 99,ivanhoe992  & an       

example 9 :i* ! in=m+ quality pr$om9ates
 is  ,hazlitt's essays on ,%akespe>e's  
*>act]s4  ,y mu/ avoid giv+ undue       
pref]5ce to ! k9d 9 :i* ! inspir+       
quality pr$om9ates  or to ! k9d 9 :i* ! 
in=m+ quality pr$om9ates4  ,too mu* ( ! 
"o is en]vat+2 too mu* ( ! o!r is       
desiccat+4  ,if y /ick exclusively to ! 
"o y may become a m]e debau*ee  ( !     
emotions2 if y /ick exclusively to ! o!r
 y may cease  to live 9 any full s5se4  
,i d n say t y %\ld hold ! balance      
exactly ev5 betwe5 ! two k9ds4  ,y\r    
ta/e w come into ! scale4  ,:at ,i say  
is t nei!r k9d mu/ be neglect$4         
,lamb is an in/ance ( a great writ] :om 
anybody c und]/&  & :om a majority ( ^? 
:o int]e/ !mselves 9 lit]ature  c m or  
less appreciate4  ,he makes no excessive
 dem&  ei!r on ! intellect or on !      
faculty ( sympa!tic emotion4  ,on bo?   
sides ( ,lamb1 h[ev]1 !re lie lit]atures
 m difficult1  m recondite4  ,! k side  
ne$ n deta9 u "h2  x c be ma/]$ by      
conc5tration & p]sev]ance4  ,b ! p[]    

side1 :i* comprises ! supreme           
productions ( g5ius1  dem&s special     
consid]ation4  ,y may h arriv$ at ! po9t
 (  ke5ly enjoy+ ,lamb & yet be entirely
 unable to see any?+ 9  su* writ+s z    
99,kubla ,khan99 or ,milton's           
99,comus992 & z = 99,hamlet99  y may see
 no?+ 9 x b a sangu9>y tale full (      
quotations4  ,nev]!less x is ! supreme  
productions :i* are capable  ( yield+ ! 
supreme pleasures1 & :i* 99w99 yield  ! 
supreme pleasures :5 ! pass-key to !m   
has be5 acquir$4  ,?is pass-key is a    
compreh5sion ( ! nature ( poetry4       
,*apt] ,,ix    ,,v]se    ,!re is a ^w1 a
 "n ( fe>1 :i* r\ses t]ror  9 ! he>t ( !
 va/ educat$ majority ( ! ,engli%-speak+
 race4  ,! mo/ valiant w fly at ! m]e   
utt]ance ( t ^w4  ,! mo/ broad-m9d$ w   
put _! backs up aga9/ x4  ,! mo/ ra% w n
 d>e to affront x4  ,i myself h se5 x   
empty build+s t _h be5 full2 & ,i "k t x
 w  scatt] a cr[d m quickly ?an a       
hose-pipe1 hornets1  or ! rum\r (       
plague4  ,ev5 to murmur x is to incur   

solitude1  probably disda91 & possibly  
/>vation1 z hi/orical examples %[4  ,t  
^w is poetry4      ,! pr(\nd objection (
 ! av]age man to poetry c sc>cely  be   
exagg]at$4  ,& :5 ,i say ! av]age man1  
,i d n mean  ! av]age s5sual man--any   
man :o gets on to ! top ( ! omnibus2  ,i
 mean ! av]age lett]$ man1 ! av]age man 
:o does c>e a little  = books & enjoys  
read+1 & kn[s ! classics by "n  & !     
popul> writ]s by hav+ read !m4  ,i am   
conv9c$  t n "o man 9 t5 :o reads1 reads
 poetry--at any rate1 kn[+ly4  ,i am    
conv9c$1 fur!r1 t n "o man 9 t5 :o goes 
s f> z  kn[+ly to 99buy99 poetry ev]    
reads x4  ,y w f9d ev]y:]e  m5 :o read v
 widely 9 prose1 b :o w say q call\sly1 
,no1 ,i nev] read poetry4  ,if ! sales (
 mod]n poetry1  di/9ctly labell$ z su*1 
7 to cease entirely to-morr[  n a       
publi%] w\ld fail2 sc>cely a publi%]    
w\ld be affect$2  & n a poet w\ld die--=
 ,i d n believe t a s+le mod]n  ,engli% 
poet is liv+ to-day on ! curr5t proce$s 
( 8 v]se4  ,= a c\ntry :i* possesses !  

greate/ poetical lit]ature  9 ! _w ?is  
condition ( affairs is at lea/ odd4     
,:at makes x odd] is t1 occasionally1 v 
occasionally1  ! av]age lett]$ man w h a
 fit ( idolatry = a f9e poet1  buy+ 8   
books 9 t5s ( ?\s&s1 & be/[+ ^u him     
imm5se ri*es4  ,z ) ,t5nyson4  ,& :at   
makes x odd] /ill  is t1 aft] all1 !    
av]age lett]$ man does n truly dislike  
poetry2  he only dislikes x :5 x takes a
 c]ta9 =m4  ,he w read poetry  & enjoy  
x1 provid$ he is n aw>e t x is poetry4  
,poetry c exi/ au!ntically ei!r 9 prose 
or 9 v]se4  ,give him poetry conceal$ 9 
prose & !re is a *ance t1  tak5 (f 8    
gu>d1 he w appreciate x4  ,b %[ him a   
page ( v]se1  & he w be ready to s5d = a
 policeman4  ,! reason ( ?is is t1  ?\gh
 poetry may come to pass ei!r 9 prose or
 9 v]se1  x does actually happ5 f> m    
frequ5tly 9 v]se ?an 9 prose2  ne>ly all
 ! v greate/ poetry is 9 v]se2 v]se is  
id5tifi$  ) ! v greate/ poetry1 & ! v   
greate/ poetry c only be  und]/ood &    
sav\r$ by p :o h put !mselves ?r\gh a   

consid]able m5tal discipl9e4  ,to o!rs x
 is an exasp]at+ we>9ess4  ,h5ce *iefly 
! fe>ful prejudice ( ! av]age lett]$ man
  aga9/ ! m]e =m ( v]se4      ,! =mation
 ( lit]>y ta/e _c be complet$ until  t  
prejudice has be5 conqu]$4  ,my v       
difficult task  is to sugge/ a me?od (  
conqu]+ x4  ,i address myself           
exclusively  to ! l>ge class ( p :o1 if 
!y are hone/1 w decl>e t1  :ile !y enjoy
 novels1 essays1 & hi/ory1 !y _c /&     
v]se4  ,! case is extremely delicate1 l 
all n]v\s cases4  ,x is useless to      
employ ! arts ( reason+1 = ! matt]  has 
got beyond logic2 x is in/9ctive4       
,p]fectly futile to assure y  t v]se w  
yield a high] p]c5tage ( pleasure ?an   
prose6  ,y w reply3 ,we believe y1 b t  
doesn't help u4  ,!re=e ,i %all n argue4
  ,i %all v5ture to prescribe  a        
curative treatm5t 7doctors d n argue72 &
 ,i beg y  to foll[ x exactly1 keep+ y\r
 n]ve & y\r calm4  ,loss ( self-control 
might lead to panic1 & panic w\ld be    
fatal4      ,fir/3 ,=get z completely z 

y c all y\r pres5t notions  ab\t !      
nature ( v]se & poetry4  ,take a sponge 
&  wipe ! slate ( y\r m9d4  ,9 p>ticul>1
 d n h>ass y\rself  by ?\ghts ( metre & 
v]se =ms4  ,second3 ,read ,william      
,hazlitt's essay  ,on ,poetry 9 ,g5]al4 
,?is essay is ! fir/ 9 ! book entitl$   
99,lectures on ! ,engli% ,poets994  ,x c
 be b\ght 9 v>i\s =ms4  ,i ?9k ! *eape/ 
satisfactory edition is 9 ,r\tl$ge's    
,new ,univ]sal ,libr>y 7price #as4 net74
  ,i might h compos$  an essay ( my own 
on ! real h>mless nature ( poetry 9     
g5]al1  b x c\ld only h be5 an e*o & a  
det]ioration ( ,hazlitt's4  ,he has put 
! tru? ab\t poetry 9 a way z int]e/+1   
cle>1  & reassur+ z anyone is ev] likely
 to put x4  ,i d n expect1  h[ev]1 t y w
 in/antly ga!r ! full message &         
en?usiasm  ( ! essay4  ,x w probably    
seem to y n to hang toge!r4  ,/ill1 x w 
leave bright bits ( ideas 9 y\r m9d4    
,?ird3 ,aft] a week's int]val read !    
essay aga94  ,on a second p]usal  x w   
appe> m p]suasive to y4      ,f\r?3 ,op5

 ! ,bible & read ! =tie? *apt] (        
,isaiah4  ,x is ! *apt] :i* beg9s1      
,com=t ye1 com=t ye1 my p1  & ends1 ,!y 
%all run & n be we>y1 & !y %all walk  & 
n fa9t4  ,?is *apt] w d\btless be m or  
less  famili> to y4  ,x _c fail 7:atev] 
y\r p>ticul> 99ism997  to impress y1 to 
g5]ate 9 y\r m9d s5sations :i* y        
recognise  to be ( a l(ty & unusual     
ord]1 & :i* y w admit  to be            
pleasurable4  ,y w probably agree t !   
result  ( read+ ?is *apt] 7ev5 if y\r   
p>ticul> 99ism99  is oppos$ to its      
au?ority7 is f9] ?an ! result ( read+  a
 %ort /ory 9 a magaz9e or ev5 an essay  
by ,*>les ,lamb4  ,n[ ! pleasurable     
s5sations induc$ by ! =tie? *apt]  (    
,isaiah are among ! s5sations usually   
induc$ by high-class poetry4  ,! writ] (
 x 0 a v great poet1 & :at he wrote  is 
a v great poem4  ,fif?3 ,aft] hav+ read 
x1 g back to ,hazlitt1  & see if y c f9d
 any?+ 9 ,hazlitt's lecture :i* ?r[s    
light  on ! psy*ology ( y\r own emotions
 ^u read+ ,isaiah4      ,six?3 ,! next  

/ep is into unmi/akable v]se4  ,x is to 
read  "o ( ,wordswor?'s %ort n>rative   
poems1 99,! ,bro!rs994  ,!re are        
editions ( ,wordswor? at a %ill+1 b ,i  
%\ld advise  ! ,gold5 ,treasury         
,wordswor? 7#bs4 #f;d4 net71 because x  
conta9s  ! fam\s essay by ,mat!w        
,arnold1 :o made ! selection4  ,i want y
 to read ?is poem al\d4  ,y w probably h
 to hide  y\rself some:]e 9 ord] to d s1
 =1 ( c\rse1 y w\ld n1  z yet1 c>e to be
 ov]he>d sp\t+ poetry4  ,be good en\gh  
to =get t 99,! ,bro!rs99 is poetry4     
99,! ,bro!rs99 is a %ort /ory1  ) a     
pla91 cle> plot4  ,read x z su*4  ,read 
x simply = ! /ory4  ,x is v important at
 ?is critical /age t y %\ld n  emb>rass 
y\r m9d ) preoccupations z to ! 99=m99 9
 :i*  ,wordswor? has told 8 /ory4       
,wordswor?'s object 0 to tell  a /ory z 
well z he c\ld3 j t4  ,9 read+ al\d d n 
pay  any m att5tion to ! metre ?an y    
feel naturally incl9$ to pay4  ,aft] a  
few l9es ! metre w pres5t itself to y4  
,d n worry  z to :at k9d ( metre x is4  

,:5 y h f9i%$ ! p]usal1  exam9e y\r     
s5sations4444      ,y\r s5sations aft]  
read+ ?is poem1 & p]haps "o or two  o!r 
n>rative poems ( ,wordswor?1 su* z      
99,mi*ael991 w be  diff]5t f ! s5sations
 produc$ 9 y by read+ an ord9>y1  or ev5
 a v extraord9>y1 %ort /ory 9 prose4    
,!y may n be  s %>p1 s cle> & piquant1 b
 !y w probably be1  9 _! my/]i\sness &  
_! vagu5ess1 m impressive4  ,i d n say t
 !y w be div]t+4  ,i d n g s f>  z to   
say t !y w /rike y z pleas+ s5sations4  
7,be x rememb]$ t ,i am address+ myself 
to an imag9>y  tyro 9 poetry47  ,i w\ld 
qualify !m z be+ di/urb+4  ,well1 to    
di/urb ! _s is "o ( ! greate/ aims (    
art4  ,& a di/urbance ( _s is "o ( !    
f9e/ pleasures  t a highly-organis$ man 
c enjoy4  ,b ?is tru? c only be  really 
le>nt by ! repetitions ( exp]i5ce4  ,z  
an aid  to ! m exhau/ive exam9ation (   
y\r feel+s "u ,wordswor?1  9 ord] t y   
may bett] und]/& :at he 0 try+  to      
effect 9 y1 & ! means :i* he employ$1 ,i
 mu/ direct y  to ,wordswor? himself4   

,wordswor?1 9 addition to be+ a poet1  0
 unsurpass$ z a critic ( poetry4  ,:at  
,hazlitt does = poetry  9 ! way ( creat+
 en?usiasm ,wordswor? does 9 ! way  (   
philosophic explanation4  ,&            
,wordswor?'s explanations ( ! !ory  &   
practice ( poetry are writt5 = ! pla9   
man4  ,!y pass ! compreh5sion ( nobody1 
& _! direct1 unassum+1  & calm          
simplicity is extremely p]suasive4      
,wordswor?'s *ief essays  9 ?r[+ light  
on himself are ! ,adv]tisem5t1 ,preface1
  & ,app5dix to 99,lyrical ,ballads992 !
 lett]s to ,lady ,beaumont  & ! ,fri5d &
 ! ,preface to ! ,poems dat$ #ahae4     
,all ?is matt] is /rangely int]e/+ & (  
imm5se  educational value4  ,x is !     
fir/-class exp]t talk+ at ease  ab\t 8  
subject4  ,! essays relat+ to 99,lyrical
 ,ballads99 w be  ! mo/ useful = y4  ,y 
w discov] ^! preci\s docum5ts  9 a      
volume entitl$ 99,wordswor?'s ,lit]>y   
,criticism99 7publi%$ by  ,h5ry ,fr[de1 
#bs4 #f;d471 edit$ by t di/+ui%$        
,wordswor?ian  ,mr4 ,n[ell ,c4 ,smi?4   

,x is ess5tial t ! /ud5t ( poetry  %\ld 
become possess$1 hone/ly or di%one/ly1  
ei!r ( ?is volume  or ( ! matt] :i* x   
conta9s4  ,!re is1 by ! way1 a volume ( 
,wordswor?'s prose 9 ! ,scott ,libr>y   
7#as474  ,^? :o h n read  ,wordswor? on 
poetry c h no idea ( ! nave *>m  & !    
helpful radiance ( 8 exp\nd+4  ,i feel t
 ,i _c  too /rongly press ,wordswor?'s  
criticism ^u y4      ,betwe5 ,wordswor? 
& ,hazlitt y w le>n all t x behoves y   
to "k ( ! nature1 ! aims1 & ! results ( 
poetry4  ,x is no "p ( my s*eme to dot !
 i's & cross ! t's  ( ,wordswor? &      
,hazlitt4  ,i be/ fulfil my purpose 9   
urg5tly  ref]r+ y to !m4  ,i h only a   
s+le po9t ( my own to make--  a         
psy*ological detail4  ,"o ( ! ma9       
ob/acles to  ! cultivation ( poetry 9 ! 
av]age s5sible man  is an absurdly      
inflat$ notion ( ! ridicul\s4  ,at !    
bottom  ( t man's m9d is ! idea t poetry
 is silly4  ,he also f9ds x exagg]at$ & 
artificial2 b ^! two accusations  aga9/ 
poetry c be satisfactorily answ]$4  ,!  

*>ge ( sill9ess1  ( be+ ridicul\s1      
h[ev]1 _c be refut$ by argum5t4  ,!re is
 no logical answ] to a guffaw4  ,?is    
s5se ( ! ridicul\s  is m]ely a bad1     
infantile habit1 9 itself grotesquely   
ridicul\s4  ,y may see x p>ticul>ly 9 ! 
!atre4  ,n ! greate/ dramati/1  n !     
greate/ compos]1 n ! greate/ actor c    
prev5t an audi5ce  f laugh+ upro>i\sly  
at a tragic mom5t if a cat walks across 
! /age4  ,b :y ru9 ! sc5e by laught]8   
,simply because  ! majority ( any       
audi5ce is arti/ically *ildi%4  ,?is    
s5se  ( ! ridicul\s c only be cru%$ by !
 ex]cise ( moral =ce4  ,x c only be c[$4
  ,if y are incl9$ to laugh :5 a poet   
expresses himself m p[]fully ?an y      
express y\rself1  :5 a poet talks ab\t  
feel+s :i* are n usually m5tion$  9     
daily pap]s1 :5 a poet uses words &     
images :i* lie  outside y\r vocabul>y & 
range ( ?\ght1 !n y _h bett]  take      
y\rself 9 h&4  ,y h to decide :e!r y w  
be on ! side  ( ! angels or on ! side ( 
! n9compoops4  ,!re is no sur]  sign (  

imp]fect developm5t ?an ! impulse to    
snigg]  at :at is unusual1 nave1 or     
exub]ant4  ,& if y *oose to d s1  y c   
detect ! cat walk+ across ! /age 9 !    
sublime/  passages ( lit]ature4  ,b m   
advanc$ s\ls w grieve = y4      ,! /udy 
( ,wordswor?'s criticism makes ! sev5?  
/ep  9 my c\rse ( treatm5t4  ,! eigh? is
 to return to ^? poems  ( ,wordswor?'s  
:i* y h already p]us$1 & read !m aga9  9
 ! full light ( ! au?or's def5ce &      
explanation4  ,read z mu* ,wordswor? z y
 f9d y c assimilate1  b d n attempt ei!r
 ( 8 long poems4  ,! "t1 h[ev]1  is n[  
come = a long poem4  ,i began by advis+ 
n>rative poetry  = ! neophyte1 & ,i %all
 p]sev]e ) ! prescription4  ,i mean     
n>rative poetry 9 ! re/rict$ s5se2 =    
epic poetry  is n>rative4  99,p>adise   
,lo/99 is n>rative2 s is 99,!           
,prelude994  ,i sugge/ nei!r ( ^! great 
works4  ,my *oice falls on  ,elizabe?   
,br[n+'s 99,aurora ,leigh994  ,if y once
 "w y\rself  into ?is poem1 int]e/+     
y\rself prim>ily 7z ) ,wordswor?7  9 !  

ev5ts ( ! /ory1 & n all[+ y\rself to be 
obsess$  by ! fact t :at y are read+ is 
poetry--if y d ?is1  y are n likely to  
leave x unf9i%$4  ,& be=e y rea* ! end  
y w h enc\nt]$ 99en r\te99 pretty ne>ly 
all ! moods ( poetry  t exi/3 tragic1   
humor\s1 ironic1 elegiac1 lyric--ev]y?+4
  ,y w h a compreh5sive acqua9tance ) a 
poet's m9d4  ,i gu>antee t y w come     
safely ?r\gh if y treat ! "w  z a novel4
  ,= a novel x effectively is1 & a bett]
 "o ?an any  writt5 by ,*>lotte ,bront  
or ,george ,eliot4  ,9 read+1 x w\ld be 
well  to m>k1 or take note (1 ! passages
 :i* give y ! mo/ pleasure1  & !n to    
comp>e ^! passages ) ! passages select$ 
= praise  by "s au?oritative critic4    
99,aurora ,leigh99 c be got  9 ! ,temple
 ,classics 7#as4 #f;d471 or 9 !         
,cant]bury ,poets 7#as474  ,!           
indisp5sable biographical in=mation ab\t
 ,mrs4 ,br[n+  c be obta9$ f ,mr4 ,j4   
,h4 ,+ram's %ort ,life ( h]  9 ! ,em95t 
,wom5 ,s]ies 7#as4 #f;d471 or f 99,rob]t
 ,br[n+991  by ,william ,%>p 7,great    

,writ]s ,s]ies1 #as474      ,?is        
accompli%$1 y may beg9 to *oose y\r     
poets4  ,go+ back to ,hazlitt1 y w see t
 he deals )1 among o!rs1  ,*auc]1       
,sp5s]1 ,%akespe>e1 ,milton1 ,dryd51    
,pope1 ,*att]ton1  ,burns1 & ! ,lake    
,s*ool4  ,y might select "o ( ^!1  &    
read "u 8 guidance4  ,said ,wordswor?3  
,i 0 impress$  by ! conviction t !re 7  
f\r ,engli% poets :om ,i mu/  h         
cont9ually be=e me z examples--,*auc]1  
,%akespe>e1  ,sp5s]1 & ,milton4  7,a ^w 
to ! wise67  ,wordswor? makes a fif?  to
 ^! f\r4  ,concurr5tly ) ! c>eful1      
en?usia/ic /udy  ( "o ( ! undisput$     
classics1 mod]n v]se %\ld be read4  7,i 
beg y to accept ! foll[+ /atem5t3 t if !
 /udy  ( classical poetry inspires y ) a
 di/a/e = mod]n poetry1  !n !re is      
some?+ s]i\sly wrong 9 ! me?od ( y\r    
developm5t47  ,y may at ?is /age 7& n   
be=e7 comm5ce an inquiry into  que/ions 
( rhy?m1 v]se-/ructure1 & rhyme4  ,!re  
is1 ,i believe1  no good1 concise1 *eap 
h&book to ,engli% prosody2 yet su* a    

manual  is greatly ne$$4  ,! only "o )  
:i* ,i am acqua9t$ is  ,tom ,hood !     
y\ng]'s 99,rules ( ,rhyme3 ,a ,guide to 
,engli% ,v]sification994  ,aga91 !      
introduction to ,walk]'s 99,rhym+       
,diction>y99 gives  a fairly cle>       
elem5t>y acc\nt ( ! subject4  ,rusk9    
also  has writt5 an excell5t essay on   
v]se-rhy?ms4  ,) a manual  9 front ( y1 
y c acquire 9 a c\ple ( h\rs  a k ( !   
=mal pr9ciples 9 :i* ! music ( ,engli%  
v]se  is root$4  ,! bus9ess is trifl+4  
,b ! bus9ess ( appreciat+  ! inmo/ _s ( 
! greate/ v]se is trem5d\s & lifelong4  
,x is n some?+ t c be got up4           
,*apt] ,x    ,,broad ,,c\nsels    ,i h  
n[ set d[n :at appe> to me to be !      
necess>y consid]ations1  recomm5dations1
 exhortations1 & dehortations 9 aid (   
?is delicate & ardu\s ent]prise ( =m+ ! 
lit]>y ta/e4  ,i h dealt ) ! !ory (     
lit]ature1 ) ! psy*ology  ( ! au?or1    
&--q z important--) ! psy*ology (  !    
read]4  ,i h tri$ to expla9 ! au?or to !
 read]  & ! read] to himself4  ,to g    

into fur!r detail  w\ld be to exce$ my  
orig9al int5tion1 ) no hope ( ev]  br++ 
! con/antly-enl>g+ s*eme to a logical   
conclusion4  ,my aim  is n to provide a 
map1 b a compass--two v diff]5t         
in/rum5ts4  ,9 ! way ( g5]al advice x   
rema9s = me only to put be=e y  ?ree    
c\nsels :i* apply m broadly ?an any ,i h
 yet (f]$  to ! bus9ess ( read+4      ,y
 h )9 y\rself a t\*/one by :i* f9ally y 
c1  & y mu/1 te/ e book t y\r bra9 is   
capable ( compreh5d+4  ,does ! book seem
 to y to be s9c]e & true8  ,if x does1  
!n y ne$ n worry ab\t y\r imm$iate      
feel+s1  or ! possible future           
consequ5ces ( ! book4  ,y w ultimately  
l ! book1 & y w be ju/ifi$ 9 lik+ x4    
,hone/y1 9 lit]ature z 9 life1 is !     
quality t c\nts fir/  & c\nts la/4  ,b  
bew>e ( y\r imm$iate feel+s4  ,tru? is n
 always pleasant4  ,! fir/ glimpse (    
tru? is1 inde$1  usually s disconc]t+ z 
to be positively unpleasant1  & our     
impulse is to tell x to g away1 = we w h
 no truck ) x4  ,if a book ar\ses y\r   

g5u9e contempt1 y may dismiss x f y\r   
m9d4  ,take he$1 h[ev]1 le/ y confuse   
contempt ) ang]4  ,if a book really     
moves y to ang]1 ! *ances are  t x is a 
good book4  ,mo/ good books h begun by  
caus+ ang]  :i* disguis$ itself z       
contempt4  ,dem&+ hone/y f y\r au?ors1  
y mu/ see t y r5d] x y\rself4  ,& to be 
hone/ ) oneself  is n s simple z x      
appe>s4  ,"o's s5sations & "o's s5tim5ts
  mu/ be exam9$ ) deta*m5t4  ,:5 y h    
viol5tly  flung d[n a book1 li/5 :e!r y 
c he> a fa9t voice  say+ )9 y3 ,x's     
true1 ?\gh6  ,& if y cat* ! :isp]1      
bett] yield to x z quickly z y c4  ,=   
soon] or lat]  ! voice w w94  ,simil>ly1
 :5 y are hugg+ a book1  keep y\r e>    
cock$ = ! secret w>n+3 ,yes1 b x isn't  
true4  ,= bad books1 by flatt]+ y1 by   
c>ess+1 by appeal+ to ! weak  or ! base 
9 y1 w (t5 p]suade y :at f9e & spl5did  
books  !y are4  7,( c\rse1 ,i use ! ^w  
true 9 a wide  & ess5tial significance4 
,i d n necess>ily mean true to lit]al   
fact2  ,i mean true to ! plane (        

exp]i5ce 9 :i* ! book moves4  ,!        
tru?fulness ( 99,ivanhoe991 = example1  
_c be e/imat$ by  ! same /&>ds z !      
tru?fulness ( ,/ubbs's 99,con/itutional 
,hi/ory9947  ,9 read+ a book1 a s9c]e   
que/ion+ ( oneself1  ,is x true8 & a    
loyal abid+ by ! answ]1 w help m surely 
?an any o!r process ( ratioc9ation to =m
 ! ta/e4  ,i w n ass]t t ?is "q & answ] 
are all-suffici5t4  ,a true book is n   
always great4  ,b a great book is nev]  
untrue4      ,my second c\nsel is3 ,9   
y\r read+ y mu/ h 9 view  "s def9ite    
aim--"s aim o!r ?an ! wi% to d]ive      
pleasure4  ,i conceive t to give        
pleasure is ! highe/ end  ( any "w (    
art1 because ! pleasure procur$ f any   
art is tonic1  & trans=ms ! life into   
:i* x ent]s4  ,b ! maximum ( pleasure  c
 only be obta9$ by regul> ef=t1 & regul>
 ef=t implies  ! organisation ( t ef=t4 
,op5-air walk+ is a glori\s ex]cise2  x 
is ! walk+ itself :i* is glori\s4       
,nev]!less1 :5 sett+ out  = walk+       
ex]cise1 ! sane man g5]ally has a       

subsidi>y aim  9 view4  ,he says to     
himself ei!r t he w rea* a giv5 po9t1   
or t he w progress at a giv5 spe$ = a   
giv5 di/ance1  or t he w rema9 on 8 feet
 = a giv5 "t4  ,he organises 8 ef=t1    
p>tly 9 ord] t he may comb9e  "s o!r    
advantage ) ! advantage ( walk+1 b      
pr9cipally  9 ord] to be sure t ! ef=t  
%all be an adequate ef=t4  ,! same )    
read+4  ,y\r p>am\nt aim 9 por+ ov]     
lit]ature  is to enjoy1 b y w n fully   
a*ieve t aim unless  y h also a         
subsidi>y aim :i* necessitates !        
measurem5t  ( y\r en]gy4  ,y\r subsidi>y
 aim may be /hetic1 moral1  political1  
religi\s1 sci5tific1 erudite2 y may     
devote y\rself  to a man1 a topic1 an   
epo*1 a nation1 a bran* ( lit]ature1  an
 idea--y h ! wide/ latitude 9 ! *oice ( 
an objective2  b a def9ite objective y  
mu/ h4  ,9 my e>li] rem>ks  z to me?od 9
 read+1 ,i advocat$1 )\t insi/+ on1     
regul> h\rs = /udy4  ,b ,i bo? advocate 
& insi/ on  ! fix+ ( a date = !         
accompli%m5t ( an allott$ task4  ,z an  

in/ance1 x is n en\gh to say3 ,i w in=m 
myself completely  z to ! ,lake ,s*ool4 
,x is necess>y to say3 ,i w in=m myself 
completely z to ! ,lake ,s*ool be=e ,i  
am a ye> old]4  ,)\t ?is precaution>y   
/eel+ ( ! resolution  ! risk ( a        
humiliat+ collapse into futility is     
enorm\sly magnifi$4      ,my ?ird c\nsel
 is3 ,buy a libr>y4  ,x is obvi\s t y _c
 read  unless y h books4  ,i began by   
urg+ ! con/ant pur*ase ( books--  any   
books ( approv$ quality1 )\t ref]5ce to 
_!  imm$iate be>+ ^u y\r p>ticul> case4 
,! mom5t has n[ come  to in=m y pla9ly t
 a bookman is1 among/ o!r ?+s1  a man :o
 possesses _m books4  ,a man :o does n  
possess  _m books is n a bookman4  ,=   
ye>s lit]>y au?orities h be5  fav\r+ !  
lit]>y public ) wondr\sly select$  li/s 
( ! be/ books--! be/ novels1 ! be/      
hi/ories1  ! be/ poems1 ! be/ works (   
philosophy--or ! hundr$ be/  or ! fifty 
be/ ( all sorts4  ,! fatal disadvantage 
( su* li/s  is t !y leave out l>ge      
quantities ( lit]ature :i* is  admitt$ly

 fir/-class4  ,! bookman _c cont5t      
himself  ) a select$ libr>y4  ,he wants1
 z a m9imum1 a libr>y  reasonably       
complete 9 all dep>tm5ts4  ,) su* a     
basis acquir$1  he c aft]w>ds w&] into  
^? special byways ( book-buy+  :i* happ5
 to suit 8 special pr$ilections4  ,e    
,engli%man  :o is int]e/$ 9 any bran* ( 
8 native lit]ature1  & :o respects      
himself1 ought to own a compreh5sive &  
inclusive  libr>y ( ,engli% lit]ature1 9
 comely & adequate editions4  ,y may    
suppose t ?is c\nsel is a c\nsel (      
p]fection4  ,x is n4  ,m>k ,pattison    
laid d[n a rule t he :o desir$  ! "n (  
book-lov] mu/ sp5d five p] c5t4 ( 8     
income on books4  ,! proposal does n    
seem extravagant1 b ev5 on a small]     
p]c5tage  ?an five ! av]age read] ( ^!  
pages may become ! own]1  9 a           
comp>atively %ort space ( "t1 ( a       
reasonably complete  ,engli% libr>y1 by 
:i* ,i mean a libr>y conta9+  ! complete
 works ( ! supreme g5iuses1             
repres5tative important works  ( all !  

fir/-class m5 9 all dep>tm5ts1 & specim5
 works  ( all ! m5 ( ! second rank ^:   
reputation is really  a liv+ reputation 
to-day4  ,! s*eme = a libr>y1  :i* ,i n[
 pres5t1 beg9s be=e ,*auc] & ends )     
,george ,giss+1  & ,i am fairly sure t !
 majority ( p w be />tl$  at ! total    
inexp5siv5ess ( x4  ,s f> z ,i am aw>e1 
no su* s*eme has ev] be5 pr9t$ be=e4    
,*apt] ,,xi    ,,an ,,engli% ,,libr>y3  
,,p]iod ,i99 799,= mu* c\nsel &         
correction  9 ! matt] ( editions &      
prices ,i am indebt$  to my old & valu$ 
fri5d1 ,*>les ,"y1 head ( ! firm  (     
,lamley  ,co41 booksell]s1 ,s\?         
,k5s+ton47    ,= ! purposes ( book-buy+1
 ,i divide ,engli% lit]ature1  n /rictly
 into hi/orical epo*s1 b into ?ree      
p]iods :i*1  :ile sc>cely arbitr>y f !  
hi/orical po9t ( view1  h nev]!less be5 
calculat$ accord+ to ! space  :i* !y w  
occupy on ! %elves & to ! dem&s  :i* !y 
w make on ! purse3    ,i4 ,f ! beg9n+ to
 ,john ,dryd51 or r\ghly1 to ! end  ( ! 
sev5te5? c5tury4    ,,ii4 ,f ,william   

,congreve to ,jane ,au/51 or r\ghly1  ! 
eighte5? c5tury4    ,,iii4 ,f ,sir      
,walt] ,scott to ! la/ deceas$ au?or  :o
 is recognis$ z a classic1 or r\ghly1 ! 
n9ete5? c5tury4    ,p]iod ,,iii4 w bulk 
! l>ge/ & co/ ! mo/2 n necess>ily       
because x conta9s m absolutely great    
books ?an ! o!r p]iods  7?\gh 9 my      
op9ion x 99does9971 b because x is ne>e/
 to u1  & !re=e fulle/ ( int]e/ = u4    
,i h n conf9$ my *oice to books ( purely
 lit]>y int]e/--  t is to say1 to works 
:i* are prim>ily works ( lit]>y art4    
,lit]ature is ! vehicle ( philosophy1   
sci5ce1 morals1  religion1 & hi/ory2 & a
 libr>y :i* aspires to be complete  mu/ 
comprise1 9 addition to imag9ative      
works1 all ^! bran*es  ( intellectual   
activity4  ,compris+ all ^! bran*es1  x 
_c avoid compris+ works ( :i* ! purely  
lit]>y int]e/  is almo/ nil4    ,on !   
o!r h&1 ,i h exclud$ f consid]ation3--  
i4 ,works ^: sole importance is t !y =m 
a l9k  9 ! *a9 ( developm5t4  ,=        
example1 ne>ly all ! productions  (     

au?ors betwe5 ,*auc] & ! beg9n+ ( !     
,elizabe?an p]iod1  su* z ,g[]1         
,hoccleve1 & ,skelton1 ^: works1 =      
suffici5t reason1  are read only by     
pr(essors & /ud5ts :o mean to be        
pr(essors4    ii4 ,works n orig9ally    
writt5 9 ,engli%1 su* z ! works  ( t v  
great philosoph] ,rog] ,bacon1 ( :om ?is
 isle  ought to be pr\d] ?an x is4  ,to 
?is rule1 h[ev]1  ,i h be5 con/ra9$ to  
make a few exceptions4  ,sir ,?omas ,m's
  99,utopia99 0 writt5 9 ,lat91 b "o    
does n easily conceive  a libr>y to be  
complete )\t x4  ,& c\ld "o exclude     
,sir ,isaac ,newton's 99,pr9cipia991 !  
ma/]piece ( ! greate/ physici/  t ! _w  
has ev] se58  ,! law ( gravity ought to 
h1  & does h1 a p[]ful s5tim5tal int]e/ 
= u4    iii4 ,translations f =eign      
lit]ature into ,engli%4      ,"h1 !n1   
are ! li/s = ! fir/ p]iod3    ,,prose   
,,writ]s            s4 d4  ,b$e1        
99,ecclesia/ical ,hi/ory399 ,temple     
,classics    #j #a #f  ,sir ,?omas      
,malory1 99,morte d',ar?ur399 ,ev]yman's

 ,libr>y 7#d vols47 #j #d #j  ,sir      
,?omas ,m1 99,utopia399 ,scott ,libr>y  
#j #a #j  ,george ,cav5di%1 99,life (   
,c>d9al ,wolsey399 ,new ,univ]sal       
,libr>y #j #a   #j  ,ri*>d ,hakluyt1    
99,voyages399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y 7#h    
vols47  #j #h #j  ,ri*>d ,hook]1        
99,ecclesia/ical ,polity399 ,ev]yman's  
,libr>y 7#b vols47 #j #b   #j  ,,francis
 ,,bacon1 99,works399 ,newnes's ,?9-pap]
 ,classics   #j #b #j  ,?omas ,dekk]1   
99,gull's ,horn-,book399 ,k+'s ,classics
   #j #a #f  ,"l ,h]b]t ( ,*]bury1      
99,autobiography399 ,scott ,libr>y  #j  
#a #j  ,john ,seld51 99,table-,talk399  
,new ,univ]sal ,libr>y   #j #a #j       
,?omas ,hobbes1 99,levia?an399 ,new     
,univ]sal ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,james    
,h[ell1 99,famili> ,lett]s399 ,temple   
,classics 7#c vols47  #j #d #f  ,,sir   
,,?omas ,,br[ne1 99,religio ,m$ici991   
etc43 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y  #j #a   #j    
,j]emy ,taylor1 99,holy ,liv+ & ,holy   
,dy+399 ,temple ,classics 7#c vols47 #j 
#d   #f  ,izaak ,walton1 99,compleat    

,angl]399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y   #j #a #j 
,,john ,,bunyan1 99,pilgrim's           
,progress399 ,_w's ,classics   #j #a #j 
,sir ,william ,temple1 99,essay on      
,g>d5s ( ,epicurus399 ,k+'s ,classics #j
 #a   #f  ,john ,evelyn1 99,di>y399     
,ev]yman's ,libr>y 7#b vols47   #j #b #j
  ,samuel ,pepys1 99,di>y399 ,ev]yman's 
,libr>y 7#b vols47   #j #b #j           
#b #a #f      ,! pr9cipal omission f !  
above li/ is 99,! ,pa/on ,lett]s991  :i*
 ,i %\ld probably h includ$ _h !        
ent]prise  ( publi%]s be5 suffici5t to  
put an edition on ! m>ket  at a *eap    
price4  ,o!r omissions include ! works (
 ,caxton & ,wyclif1  & su* books z      
,camd5's 99,britannia991 ,as*am's       
99,s*oolma/]991  & ,full]'s             
99,wor?ies991 ^: lack ( fir/-rate value 
z lit]ature  is n adequately comp5sat$  
by _! hi/orical int]e/4  ,z to ! ,bible1
 9 ! fir/ place x is a translation1  & 9
 ! second ,i assume t y already possess 
a copy4      ,,poets4            s4 d4  
99,be[ulf991 ,r\tl$ge's ,london ,libr>y 

#j #b #f  ,,ge(frey ,,*auc]1 99,works399
 ,globe ,edition    #j #c #f  ,nicolas  
,udall1 99,ralph ,roi/]-,doi/]399       
,temple ,dramati/s  #j #a #j  ,,edmund  
,,sp5s]1 99,works399 ,globe ,edition    
#j #c #f  ,?omas ,lodge1 99,rosalynde399
 ,caxton ,s]ies    #j #a #j  ,rob]t     
,gre5e1 99,tragical ,reign ( ,selimus399
 ,temple ,dramati/s  #j #a   #j  ,mi*ael
 ,drayton1 99,poems399 ,newnes's ,pocket
 ,classics   #j #c #f  ,,*ri/oph]       
,,m>l[e1 99,works399 ,new ,univ]sal     
,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,,william           
,,%akespe>e1 99,works399 ,globe ,edition
    #j #c #f  ,?omas ,campion1          
99,poems399 ,muses' ,libr>y     #j #a #j
  ,b5 ,jonson1 99,plays399 ,cant]bury   
,poets     #j #a #j  ,john ,donne1      
99,poems399 ,muses' ,libr>y 7#b vols47  
#j #b #j  ,john ,web/]1 ,cyril ,t\rneur1
 99,plays399 ,m]maid ,s]ies   #j #b #f  
,philip ,mass+]1 99,plays399 ,cunn+ham  
,edition    #j #c #f  ,beaumont &       
,flet*]1 99,plays3 a ,selection399      
,cant]bury ,poets  #j #a   #j  ,john    

,=d1 99,plays399 ,m]maid ,s]ies     #j  
#b #f  ,george ,h]b]t1 99,! ,temple399  
,ev]yman's ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,,rob]t  
,,h]rick1 99,poems399 ,muses' ,libr>y   
7#b vols47   #j #b #j  ,edmund ,wall]1  
99,poems399 ,muses' ,libr>y 7#b vols47  
#j #b #j  ,sir ,john ,suckl+1           
99,poems399 ,muses' ,libr>y    #j #a #j 
,abraham ,c[ley1 99,engli% ,poems399    
,cambridge ,univ]sity ,press  #j #d #f  
,ri*>d ,cra%aw1 99,poems399 ,muses'     
,libr>y    #j #a #j  ,h5ry ,vaughan1    
99,poems399 ,me?u5's ,little ,libr>y    
#j #a #f  ,samuel ,butl]1 99,hudibras399
 ,cambridge ,univ]sity ,press   #j #d #f
  ,,john ,,milton1 99,poetical ,works399
 ,ox=d ,*eap ,edition   #j #b #j  ,,john
 ,,milton1 99,select ,prose ,works399   
,scott ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,&rew        
,m>vell1 99,poems399 ,me?u5's ,little   
,libr>y   #j #a #f  ,john ,dryd51       
99,poetical ,works399 ,globe ,edition   
#j #c #f  ,?omas ,p]cy1 99,reliques (   
,anci5t ,engli% ,poetry399   ,ev]yman's 
,libr>y 7#b vols47     #j #b #j  ,arb]'s

 99,sp5s] ,an?ology399 ,ox=d ,univ]sity 
,press   #j #b   #j  ,arb]'s 99,jonson  
,an?ology399 ,ox=d ,univ]sity ,press    
#j #b #j  ,arb]'s 99,%aksp]e            
,an?ology399 ,ox=d ,univ]sity ,press  #j
 #b #j           #c #g #f      ,!re 7 a 
numb] ( brilliant m9or writ]s 9 !       
sev5te5? c5tury  ^: be/ "w1 (t5 trifl+ 9
 bulk1 ei!r sc>cely m]its  ! acquisition
 ( a sep>ate volume = ea* au?or1  or _c 
be obta9$ at all 9 a mod]n edition4     
,su* au?ors1  h[ev]1 may n be utt]ly    
neglect$ 9 ! =mation ( a libr>y4  ,x is 
to meet ?is difficulty t ,i h includ$  !
 la/ ?ree volumes on ! above li/4       
,pr(essor ,arb]'s an?ologies  are full (
 r>e pieces1 & comprise admirable       
specim5s ( ! v]se  ( ,samuel ,daniel1   
,giles ,flet*]1 ,c\ntess ( ,pembroke1   
,james ,i41  ,george ,peele1 ,sir ,walt]
 ,raleigh1 ,?omas ,sackville1 ,sir      
,philip ,sidney1  ,drummond (           
,haw?ornd51 ,?omas ,heywood1 ,george    
,)]1  ,sir ,h5ry ,wotton1 ,sir ,william 
,dav5ant1 ,?omas ,r&olph1  ,frances     

,qu>les1 ,james ,%irley1 & o!r great] & 
less] poets4    ,i h includ$ all !      
important ,elizabe?an dramati/s except  
,john ,m>/on1 all ! editions ( ^: works1
 accord+ to my rese>*es1  are out (     
pr9t4    ,9 ! ,elizabe?an & ,jacobean   
p]iods tal5t 0 s extraord9>ily  pl5tiful
 t ! /&>d ( excell5ce is q prop]ly      
rais$1  & c]ta9 au?ors are ?us relegat$ 
to ! ?ird1 or exclud$1 class  :o 9 a    
less f]tile p]iod w\ld h c\nt$ z at lea/
 second-class4      ,,summ>y ,,( ,,!    
,,fir/ ,,p]iod4             s4 d4  #ai  
prose au?ors 9 #cf volumes co/+   #b #a 
#f  #bi poets 9   #cf           #c #g #f
  #dh   #gb    #e #i #j  ,9 addition1   
scores ( au?ors ( g5u9e int]e/ are      
repres5t$  9 ! an?ologies4    ,! prices 
giv5 are gross1 & 9 _m in/ances !re is  
a #be p] c5t4 disc\nt to come (f4  ,all 
! volumes c be procur$  imm$iately at   
any booksell]'s4        ,*apt] ,,xii    
,,an ,,engli% ,,libr>y3 ,,p]iod ,,ii    
,aft] deal+ ) ! =mation ( a libr>y (    
au?ors up to ,john ,dryd51  ,i mu/      

logically arrange next a s*eme = ! p]iod
 cov]$ r\ghly  by ! eighte5? c5tury4    
,!re is1 h[ev]1 no reason :y ! /ud5t  9 
que/ ( a libr>y %\ld foll[ !            
*ronological ord]4  ,inde$1 ,i %\ld     
advise him to attack ! n9ete5? c5tury   
be=e ! eighte5?1 = ! reason t1 unless 8 
ta/e  happ5s to be peculi>ly ,augu/an1  
he w obta9 a m imm$iate  satisfaction & 
pr(it f 8 acquisitions 9 ! n9ete5?      
c5tury  ?an 9 ! eighte5?4  ,!re is 9    
eighte5?-c5tury lit]ature  a consid]able
 proportion ( :at ,i may t]m            
unattractive excell5ce1  :i* "o mu/ h = 
! purposes ( complet5ess1  b :i* may    
await actual p]usal until m press+ & m  
human books  h be5 read4  ,i h          
p>ticul>ly 9 m9d ! philosophical au?ors 
( ! c5tury4      ,,prose ,,writ]s4      
s4 d4  ,,john ,,locke1 99,philosophical 
,works399 ,bohn's ,edition 7#b vols47   
#j #g #j  ,,sir ,,isaac ,,newton1       
99,pr9cipia99 7sections #a1 #b1 & #c73  
,macmillan's #j #ab #j  ,gilb]t ,burnet1
 99,hi/ory ( ,8 ,own ,"t399 ,ev]yman's  

,libr>y  #j #a   #j  ,william ,wy*]ley1 
99,be/ ,plays399 ,m]maid ,s]ies    #j #b
 #f  ,,william ,,congreve1 99,be/       
,plays399 ,m]maid ,s]ies    #j #b #f    
,jona?an ,swift1 99,tale ( a ,tub399    
,scott ,libr>y    #j #a #j  ,jona?an    
,swift1 99,gulliv]'s ,travels399 ,temple
 ,classics   #j #a #f  ,,daniel ,,defoe1
 99,rob9son ,crusoe399 ,_w's ,classics  
#j #a #j  ,,daniel ,,defoe1 99,j\rnal ( 
! ,plague ,ye>399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y  #j
 #a   #j  ,joseph ,addison1 ,sir ,ri*>d 
,/eele1 99,essays399 ,scott ,libr>y  #j 
#a #j  ,william ,law1 99,s]i\s ,call399 
,ev]yman's ,libr>y    #j #a #j  ,lady   
,m>y ,w4 ,montagu1 99,lett]s399         
,ev]yman's ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,george  
,b]keley1 99,pr9ciples ( ,human ,k399   
,new ,univ]sal ,libr>y      #j #a #j    
,,samuel ,,ri*>dson1 99,cl>issa99       
7abridg$73 ,r\tl$ge's ,edition  #j #b   
#j  ,john ,wesley1 99,j\rnal399         
,ev]yman's ,libr>y 7#d vols47   #j #d #j
  ,,h5ry ,,field+1 99,tom ,jones399     
,r\tl$ge's ,edition   #j #b #j  ,,h5ry  

,,field+1 99,amelia399 ,r\tl$ge's       
,edition    #j #b #j  ,,h5ry ,,field+1  
99,joseph ,&rews399 ,r\tl$ge's ,edition 
#j #b #j  ,david ,hume1 99,essays399    
,_w's ,classics     #j #a #j  ,,laur5ce 
,,/]ne1 99,tri/ram ,%&y399 ,_w's        
,classics   #j #a #j  ,,laur5ce ,,/]ne1 
99,s5tim5tal ,j\rney399 ,new ,univ]sal  
,libr>y  #j #a   #j  ,horace ,walpole1  
99,ca/le ( ,otranto399 ,k+'s ,classics  
#j #a #f  ,tobias ,smollett1 99,humphrey
 ,cl9k]399 ,r\tl$ge's ,edition  #j #b #j
  ,tobias ,smollett1 99,travels ?r\gh   
,france & ,italy399 ,_w's ,classics #j  
#a   #j  ,,adam ,,smi?1 99,weal? (      
,nations399 ,_w's ,classics 7#b vols47  
#j #b #j  ,samuel ,johnson1 99,lives ( !
 ,poets399 ,_w's ,classics 7#b vols47 #j
 #b #j  ,samuel ,johnson1 99,rasselas399
 ,new ,univ]sal ,libr>y   #j #a #j      
,,james ,,boswell1 99,life ( ,johnson399
 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y 7#b vols47  #j #b   
#j  ,oliv] ,goldsmi?1 99,works399 ,globe
 ,edition    #j #c #f  ,h5ry ,mack5zie1 
99,! ,man ( ,feel+399 ,cassell's        

,national ,libr>y #j #j #f  ,sir ,jo%ua 
,reynolds1 99,disc\rses on ,art399      
,scott ,libr>y   #j #a   #j  ,edmund    
,burke1 99,reflections on ! ,fr5*       
,revolution399 ,scott ,libr>y #j #a   #j
  ,edmund ,burke1 99,?\ghts on ! ,pres5t
 ,discont5ts399   ,new ,univ]sal ,libr>y
      #j #a #j  ,,edw>d ,,gibbon1       
99,decl9e & ,fall ( ! ,roman ,empire399 
,_w's ,classics 7#g vols47     #j #g #j 
,?omas ,pa9e1 99,rights ( ,man399 ,watts
 & ,co4's ,edition   #j #a   #j  ,,ri*>d
 ,,br9sley ,,%]idan1 99,plays399 ,_w's  
,classics   #j #a #j  ,fanny ,burney1   
99,evel9a399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y    #j #a
 #j  ,gilb]t ,:ite1 99,natural ,hi/ory (
 ,selborne399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y #j #a  
#j  ,ar?ur ,"y1 99,travels 9 ,france399 
,york ,libr>y    #j #b #j  ,mungo ,p>k1 
99,travels399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y    #j  
#a #j  ,j]emy ,b5?am1 99,introduction to
 ! ,pr9ciples ( ,morals399   ,cl>5don   
,press       #j #f #f  ,,?omas ,,rob]t  
,,mal?us1 99,essay on ! ,pr9ciple (     
,population399   ,w>d1 ,lock's ,edition 

#j #c #f  ,william ,godw91 99,caleb     
,williams399 ,newnes's ,edition   #j #a 
#j  ,m>ia ,edgewor?1 99,hel5399         
,macmillan's ,illu/rat$ ,edition  #j #b 
#f  ,,jane ,,au/51 99,novels399         
,nelson's ,new ,c5tury ,libr>y 7#b      
vols47  #j #d   #j  ,james ,mori]1      
99,hadji ,baba399 ,macmillan's          
,illu/rat$ ,novels  #j #b #f            
#e #a #j      ,! pr9cipal omissions "h  
are ,j]emy ,colli]1 ^: outcry aga9/  !  
immorality ( ! /age is 8 sl5d] title to 
remembrance2  ,ri*>d ,b5tley1 ^:        
s*ol>%ip pr9cipally di$ ) him1  & ^:    
*ief works are no long] curr5t2 &       
,junius1  :o w\ld h be5 des]v$ly =gott5 
long ago _h !re be5  a contemporane\s   
,%]lock ,holmes to f]ret out 8 id5tity4 
,,poets4            s4 d4  ,?omas       
,otway1 99,v5ice ,pres]v$399 ,temple    
,dramati/s   #j #a #j  ,mat!w ,prior1   
99,poems on ,sev]al ,occasions399       
,cambridge ,engli% ,classics     #j #d  
#f  ,john ,gay1 99,poems399 ,muses'     
,libr>y 7#b vols47    #j #b #j  ,,alex&]

 ,,pope1 99,works399 ,globe ,edition    
#j #c #f  ,isaac ,watts1 99,hymns399    
,any hymn-book     #j #a #j  ,james     
,?omson1 99,! ,seasons399 ,muses'       
,libr>y    #j #a #j  ,*>les ,wesley1    
99,hymns399 ,any hymn-book     #j #a #j 
,,?omas ,,gray1 ,samuel ,johnson1       
,william ,coll9s1 99,poems399   ,muses' 
,libr>y       #j #a #j  ,james          
,macph]son 7,ossian71 99,poems399       
,cant]bury ,poets   #j #a #j  ,,?omas   
,,*att]ton1 99,poems399 ,muses' ,libr>y 
7#b vols47   #j #b #j  ,,william ,,c[p]1
 99,poems399 ,cant]bury ,poets    #j #a 
#j  ,,william ,,c[p]1 99,lett]s399 ,_w's
 ,classics    #j #a #j  ,george ,crabbe1
 99,poems399 ,me?u5's ,little ,libr>y   
#j #a #f  ,,william ,,blake1 99,poems399
 ,muses' ,libr>y     #j #a #j  ,william 
,lisle ,b[les1 ,h>tley ,col]idge1       
99,poems399   ,cant]bury ,poets      #j 
#a #j  ,,rob]t ,,burns1 99,works399     
,globe ,edition     #j #c #f            
#a #g #j      ,,summ>y ,,( ,,! ,,p]iod4 
s4 d4  #ci prose-writ]s 9 #fj volumes1  

co/+  #e #a #j  #ah poets     #ah       
#a #g #j  #eg    #gh   #f #h #j         
,*apt] ,,xiii    ,,an ,,engli% ,,libr>y3
 ,,p]iod ,,iii    ,! catalogue (        
necess>y au?ors ( ?is ?ird & la/ p]iod  
be+ s long1 x is conv5i5t to divide !   
prose writ]s  into ,imag9ative &        
,non-imag9ative4    ,9 ! latt] half ( ! 
p]iod ! "q ( copyright  affects our     
s*eme to a c]ta9 ext5t1 because x       
affects prices4  ,=tunately x is ! fact 
t no s+le book ( recognis$  fir/-rate   
g5]al importance is conspicu\sly de>4   
,nev]!less1 ,i h enc\nt]$ difficulties 9
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( compromise4  ,i ?9k ,i may say t1     
?\gh ,i %\ld h includ$ a few m au?ors _h
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indisp5sable to a ?or\ghly repres5tative
 collection4  ,no liv+ au?or is includ$4
    ,:]e ,i d n specify ! edition ( a   
book ! orig9al copyright edition  is    
meant4      ,,prose ,,writ]s3           
,,imag9ative4            s4 d4  ,,sir   

,,walt] ,,scott1 99,wav]ley1 ,he>t (    
,midlo?ian1 ,qu5t9 ,durw>d1             
,r$gauntlet1 ,ivanhoe399 ,ev]yman's     
,libr>y 7#e vols47  #j #e #j  ,,sir     
,,walt] ,,scott1 99,m>mion991 etc43     
,cant]bury ,poets   #j #a #j  ,*>les    
,lamb1 99,works 9 ,prose & ,v]se399     
,cl>5don ,press 7#b vols47 #j #d   #j   
,*>les ,lamb1 99,lett]s399 ,newnes's    
,?9-,pap] ,classics   #j #b #j  ,walt]  
,savage ,l&or1 99,imag9>y               
,conv]sations399 ,scott ,libr>y  #j #a  
#j  ,walt] ,savage ,l&or1 99,poems399   
,cant]bury ,poets    #j #a #j  ,leigh   
,hunt1 99,essays & ,sket*es399 ,_w's    
,classics   #j #a #j  ,?omas ,love      
,peacock1 99,pr9cipal ,novels399   ,new 
,univ]sal ,libr>y 7#b vols47     #j #b  
#j  ,m>y ,russell ,mit=d1 99,our        
,village399 ,scott ,libr>y   #j #a #j   
,mi*ael ,scott1 99,tom ,cr+le's ,log399 
,macmillan's ,illu/rat$ ,novels #j #b   
#f  ,fr$]ick ,m>ryat1 99,mr4 ,mid%ipman 
,easy399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y  #j #a   #j 
,john ,galt1 99,annals ( ! ,p>i%399     

,ev]yman's ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,susan   
,f]ri]1 99,m>riage399 ,r\tl$ge's edition
    #j #b #j  ,d\glas ,j]rold1 99,mrs4  
,caudle's ,curta9 ,lectures399 ,_w's    
,classics #j #a   #j  ,"l ,lytton1      
99,la/ ,days ( ,pompeii399 ,ev]yman's   
,libr>y   #j #a   #j  ,william ,c>leton1
 99,/ories399 ,scott ,libr>y    #j #a #j
  ,*>les ,james ,lev]1 99,h>ry          
,lorrequ]399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y  #j #a  
#j  ,h>rison ,a9swor?1 99,! ,t[] (      
,london399 ,new ,univ]sal ,libr>y #j #a 
#j  ,george ,h5ry ,borr[1 99,bible 9    
,spa91 ,lav5gro399   ,new ,univ]sal     
,libr>y 7#b vols47     #j #b #j  ,"l    
,beaconsfield1 99,sybil1 ,con+sby399    
,lane's ,new ,pocket ,libr>y 7#b vols47 
#j #b #j  ,w4 ,m4 ,,?ack]ay1 99,vanity  
,fair1 ,esmond399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y 7#b
 vols47 #j #b   #j  ,w4 ,m4 ,,?ack]ay1  
99,b>ry ,lyndon991 & 99,r\ndab\t        
,pap]s991 etc43   ,nelson's ,new ,c5tury
 ,libr>y     #j #b #j  ,,*>les ,,dick5s1
 99,works399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y 7#ah    
vols47   #j #ah   #j  ,*>les ,reade1    

99,! ,cloi/] & ! ,he>?399 ,ev]yman's    
,libr>y #j #a #j  ,an?ony ,trollope1    
99,b>*e/] ,t[]s1 ,framley ,p>sonage399  
,lane's ,new ,pocket ,libr>y 7#b vols47 
#j #b #j  ,*>les ,k+sley1 99,we/w>d     
,ho6399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y   #j #a #j   
,h5ry ,k+sley1 99,rav5%oe399 ,ev]yman's 
,libr>y    #j #a #j  ,*>lotte ,bront1   
99,jane ,eyre1 ,%irley1 ,villette1      
,pr(essor1   & ,poems399 ,_w's ,classics
 7#d vols47    #j #d #j  ,emily ,bront1 
99,wu!r+ ,heights399 ,_w's ,classics    
#j #a #j  ,elizabe? ,gaskell1           
99,cran=d399 ,_w's ,classics    #j #a #j
  ,elizabe? ,gaskell1 99,life ( ,*>lotte
 ,bront99    #j #b #f  ,george ,eliot1  
99,adam ,b$e1 ,silas ,m>n]1 ,! ,mill on 
! ,floss399   ,ev]yman's ,libr>y 7#c    
vols47     #j #c #j  ,g4 ,j4            
,:yte-,melville1 99,! ,gladiators399    
,new ,univ]sal ,libr>y  #j #a   #j      
,alex&] ,smi?1 99,dream?orpe399 ,new    
,univ]sal ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,george   
,macdonald1 99,malcolm99      #j #a #f  
,walt] ,pat]1 99,imag9>y ,portraits99   

#j #f #j  ,wilkie ,coll9s1 99,! ,woman 9
 ,:ite99     #j #a #j  ,r4 ,d4          
,blackmore1 99,lorna ,doone399          
,ev]yman's ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,samuel  
,butl]1 99,ere:on399 ,fifield's ,edition
    #j #b #f  ,laur5ce ,oliphant1       
99,altiora ,peto99     #j #c #f  ,m>g>et
 ,oliphant1 99,salem ,*apel399          
,ev]yman's ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,ri*>d   
,jeff]ies1 99,/ory ( ,my ,he>t99     #j 
#b #j  ,lewis ,c>roll1 99,alice 9       
,wond]l&399 ,macmillan's ,*eap ,edition 
#j #a   #j  ,john ,h5ry ,%or?\se1       
99,john ,+lesant399 ,macmillan's ,pocket
 ,classics #j #b   #j  ,r4 ,l4 ,/ev5son1
 99,ma/] ( ,ballantrae1 ,virg9ibus      
,pu]isque399   ,pocket ,edition 7#b     
vols47     #j #d #j  ,george ,giss+1    
99,! ,odd ,wom5399 ,popul> ,edition     
7b\nd7  #j #j #g           #e #j #a     
,names su* z ^? ( ,*>lotte ,yonge &     
,d9ah ,craik  are omitt$ int5tionally4  
,,prose ,,writ]s3 ,,non-,,imag9ative4   
s4 d4  ,william ,hazlitt1 99,_s ( !     
,age399 ,_w's ,classics   #j #a   #j    

,william ,hazlitt1 99,engli% ,poets &   
,comic ,writ]s399 ,bohn's ,libr>y #j #c 
#f  ,francis ,jeffrey1 99,essays f      
,ed9burgh ,review399   ,new ,univ]sal   
,libr>y      #j #a #j  ,?omas de        
,qu9cey1 99,confessions ( an ,engli%    
,opium-eat]991 etc43   ,scott ,libr>y   
#j #a #j  ,sydney ,smi?1 99,select$     
,pap]s399 ,scott ,libr>y    #j #a #j    
,george ,f9lay1 99,byzant9e ,empire399  
,ev]yman's ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,john ,g4
 ,lockh>t1 99,life ( ,scott399          
,ev]yman's ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,agnes   
,/rickl&1 99,life ( ,que5 ,elizabe?399  
,ev]yman's ,libr>y  #j #a   #j  ,hugh   
,mill]1 99,old ,r$ ,s&/one399 ,ev]yman's
 ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,j4 ,h4 ,newman1   
99,apologia pro vita sua399 ,new        
,univ]sal ,libr>y  #j #a   #j  ,"l      
,macaulay1 99,hi/ory ( ,engl&991 7#c71  
99,essays99 7#b73   ,ev]yman's ,libr>y  
7#e vols47     #j #e #j  ,a4 ,p4        
,/anley1 99,memorials ( ,cant]bury399   
,ev]yman's ,libr>y  #j #a   #j  ,,?omas 
,,c>lyle1 99,fr5* ,revolution99 7#b71   

99,cromwell99 7#c71   99,s>tor ,res>tus 
& ,h]oes & ,h]o-,wor%ip99 7#a73         
,ev]yman's ,libr>y 7#f vols47     #j #f 
#j  ,,?omas ,,c>lyle1 99,latt]-day      
,pamphlets399 ,*apman & ,hall's ,edition
 #j #a   #j  ,,*>les ,,d>w91 99,orig9 ( 
,species399 ,murray's ,edition   #j #a  
#j  ,,*>les ,,d>w91 99,voyage ( !       
,beagle399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y  #j #a #j 
,a4 ,w4 ,k+lake1 99,eo!n399 ,new        
,univ]sal ,libr>y    #j #a #j  ,john    
,/u>t ,mill1 99,augu/e ,comte &         
,positivism399   ,new ,univ]sal ,libr>y 
#j #a #j  ,john ,br[n1 99,hor           
,subseciv399 ,_w's ,classics    #j #a #j
  ,john ,br[n1 99,rab & ,8 ,fri5ds399   
,ev]yman's ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,sir     
,ar?ur ,helps1 99,fri5ds 9 ,c\ncil399   
,new ,univ]sal ,libr>y  #j #a   #j  ,m>k
 ,pattison1 99,life ( ,milton399 ,engli%
 ,m5 ( ,lett]s ,s]ies  #j #a   #j  ,f4  
,w4 ,rob]tson1 99,on ,religion &        
,life399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y  #j #a #j   
,b5jam9 ,j[ett1 99,int]pretation (      
,scripture399   ,r\tl$ge's ,london      

,libr>y     #j #b #f  ,george ,h5ry     
,lewes1 99,pr9ciples ( ,success 9       
,lit]ature399   ,scott ,libr>y       #j 
#a #j  ,alex&] ,ba91 99,m9d & ,body99   
#j #d #j  ,james ,an?ony ,fr\de1        
99,dissolution ( ! ,mona/]ies991 etc43  
,new ,univ]sal ,libr>y      #j #a #j    
,m>y ,woll/onecraft1 99,v9dication ( !  
,rights ( ,wom5399   ,scott ,libr>y     
#j #a #j  ,john ,tyndall1 99,glaci]s ( !
 ,alps399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y  #j #a #j  
,sir ,h5ry ,ma9e1 99,anci5t ,law399 ,new
 ,univ]sal ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,,john   
,,rusk91 99,sev5 ,lamps99 7#a71         
99,sesame & ,lilies99 7#a71   99,/ones (
 ,v5ice99 7#c73 ,george ,all5's ,*eap   
,edition 7#e vols47 #j #e   #j  ,,h]b]t 
,,sp5c]1 99,fir/ ,pr9ciples99 7#b vols47
    #j #b #j  ,,h]b]t ,,sp5c]1          
99,education99      #j #a #j  ,sir      
,ri*>d ,burton1 99,n>rative ( a         
,pilgrimage to ,mecca399   ,bohn's      
,edition 7#b vols47     #j #g #j  ,j4   
,s4 ,speke1 99,s\rces ( ! ,nile399      
,ev]yman's ,libr>y   #j #a   #j  ,?omas 

,h5ry ,huxley1 99,essays399 ,ev]yman's  
,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,e4 ,a4 ,freeman1   
99,europe399 ,macmillan's ,prim]s    #j 
#a #j  ,,william ,,/ubbs1 99,e>ly       
,plantag5ets99     #j #b #j  ,walt]     
,bagehot1 99,lomb>d ,/reet99     #j #c  
#f  ,ri*>d ,holt ,hutton1 99,c>d9al     
,newman99     #j #c #f  ,sir ,john      
,seeley1 99,ecce ,homo399 ,new ,univ]sal
 ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,david ,masson1    
99,?omas de ,qu9cey399 ,engli% ,m5 (    
,lett]s ,s]ies #j #a #j  ,john ,ri*>d   
,gre51 99,%ort ,hi/ory ( ! ,engli% ,p99 
#j #h #f  ,sir ,leslie ,/eph51          
99,pope399 ,engli% ,m5 ( ,lett]s ,s]ies 
#j #a #j  ,"l ,acton1 99,on ! ,/udy (   
,hi/ory99     #j #b #f  ,m&ell          
,creighton1 99,! ,age ( ,elizabe?99     
#j #b #f  ,f4 ,w4 ,h4 ,my]s1            
99,wordswor?399 ,engli% ,m5 ( ,lett]s   
,s]ies  #j #a #j           #d #aj #f    
,! foll[+ au?ors are omitt$1 ,i ?9k     
ju/ifiably3--,hallam1  ,:ewell1 ,grote1 
,f>aday1 ,h]s*ell1 ,hamilton1 ,john     
,wilson1  ,ri*>d ,ow51 ,/irl+ ,maxwell1 

,buckle1 ,osc> ,wilde1 ,p4 ,g4 ,ham]ton1
  ,f4 ,d4 ,maurice1 ,h5ry ,sidgwick1 &  
,ri*>d ,jebb4    ,la/ly1 "h is ! li/ (  
poets4  ,9 ! matt] ( price p] volume  x 
is ! mo/ exp5sive ( all ! li/s4  ,?is is
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proportion ( copyright works4  ,:]e ,i d
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,,poets4            s4 d4  ,,william    
,,wordswor?1 99,poetical ,works399 ,ox=d
 ,edition   #j #c #f  ,,william         
,,wordswor?1 99,lit]>y ,criticism399    
,n[ell ,smi?'s ,edition #j #b #f  ,rob]t
 ,s\!y1 99,poems399 ,cant]bury ,poets   
#j #a #j  ,rob]t ,s\!y1 99,life (       
,nelson399 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y   #j #a #j
  ,s4 ,t4 ,,col]idge1 99,poetical       
,works399 ,newnes's ,?9-,pap] ,classics 
#j #b   #j  ,s4 ,t4 ,,col]idge1         
99,biographia ,lit]>ia399 ,ev]yman's    
,libr>y  #j #a #j  ,s4 ,t4 ,,col]idge1  
99,lectures on ,%aksp]e399 ,ev]yman's   
,libr>y  #j #a   #j  ,,john ,,keats1    
99,poetical ,works399 ,ox=d ,edition    

#j #c #f  ,,p]cy ,,bys%e ,,%elley1      
99,poetical ,works399 ,ox=d ,edition    
#j #c   #f  ,,"l ,,byron1 99,poems399   
,e4 ,h>tley ,col]idge's ,edition   #j #f
 #j  ,,"l ,,byron1 99,lett]s399 ,scott  
,libr>y     #j #a #j  ,?omas ,hood1     
99,poems399 ,_w's ,classics     #j #a #j
  ,james & ,horace ,smi?1 99,reject$    
,addresses399   ,new ,univ]sal ,libr>y  
#j #a #j  ,john ,keble1 99,! ,*ri/ian   
,ye>399 ,cant]bury ,poets   #j #a #j    
,george ,d>ley1 99,poems399 ,muses'     
,libr>y     #j #a #j  ,t4 ,l4 ,b$does1  
99,poems399 ,muses' ,libr>y     #j #a #j
  ,?omas ,moore1 99,select$ ,poems399   
,cant]bury ,poets   #j #a #j  ,james    
,cl>5ce ,mangan1 99,poems399 ,d4 ,j4    
,o',donoghue's ,edition  #j #c #f  ,w4  
,mackwor? ,pra$1 99,poems399 ,cant]bury 
,poets    #j #a #j  ,r4 ,s4 ,hawk]1     
99,corni% ,ballads399 ,c4 ,e4 ,byles's  
,edition   #j #e   #j  ,edw>d           
,fitz,gerald1 99,om> ,khaayym399 ,gold5 
,treasury ,s]ies  #j #b #f  ,p4 ,j4     
,bailey1 99,fe/us399 ,r\tl$ge's ,edition

    #j #c #f  ,ar?ur ,hugh ,cl\gh1      
99,poems399 ,muses' ,libr>y    #j #a #j 
,,"l ,,t5nyson1 99,poetical ,works399   
,globe ,edition    #j #c #f  ,,rob]t    
,,br[n+1 99,poetical ,works399 ,_w's    
,classics 7#b vols47  #j #b   #j        
,elizabe? ,br[n+1 99,aurora ,leigh399   
,temple ,classics   #j #a #f  ,elizabe? 
,br[n+1 99,%ort] ,poems399 ,cant]bury   
,poets   #j #a #j  ,p4 ,b4 ,m>/on1      
99,song-tide399 ,cant]bury ,poets    #j 
#a #j  ,aubrey de ,v]e1 99,leg5ds ( ,/4 
,patrick399   ,cassell's ,national      
,libr>y     #j #j #f  ,,mat!w ,,arnold1 
99,poems399 ,gold5 ,treasury ,s]ies     
#j #b #f  ,,mat!w ,,arnold1 99,essays399
 ,ev]yman's ,libr>y    #j #a #j         
,cov5try ,patmore1 99,poems399 ,muses'  
,libr>y    #j #a #j  ,sydney ,dobell1   
99,poems399 ,cant]bury ,poets    #j #a  
#j  ,eric ,mackay1 99,love-lett]s ( a   
,viol9i/399 ,cant]bury ,poets  #j #a    
#j  ,t4 ,e4 ,br[n1 99,poems99       #j  
#g #f  ,c4 ,s4 ,calv]ley1 99,v]ses &    
,translations99    #j #a #f  ,d4 ,g4    

,,rossetti1 99,poetical ,works99     #j 
#c #f  ,*ri/9a ,rossetti1 99,select$    
,poems399 ,gold5 ,treasury ,s]ies  #j #b
   #f  ,james ,?omson1 99,city (        
,dreadful ,night99     #j #c #f  ,jean  
,+el[1 99,poems399 ,r$ ,lett] ,libr>y   
#j #a #f  ,william ,morris1 99,! ,e>?ly 
,p>adise99     #j #f #j  ,william       
,morris1 99,e>ly ,romances399 ,ev]yman's
 ,libr>y   #j #a #j  ,augu/a ,web/]1    
99,select$ ,poems99     #j #d #f  ,w4   
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hesitation are3 ,eb5ez] ,elliott1       
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,keble 9 def]5ce to mu* enlight5$       
op9ion1  b aga9/ my incl9ation4  ,!re   
are two names 9 ! li/ :i* may be        

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99,cyclopdia  ( ,engli% ,lit]ature991   
?ree volumes1 price #cjs4 net4  ,?is "w 
is indisp5sable to a bookman4           
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read1 :olly or 9 "p1 a majority ( ^!    
?ree hundr$ & ?irty-five volumes1 99)   
enjoym5t991  y may beg9 to :isp] to     
y\rself t y\r lit]>y ta/e  is =m$2 & y  
may pron\nce judgm5t on mod]n works  :i*
 come be=e ! b> ( y\r op9ion 9 ! calm   
assurance t1  ?\gh to err is human1 y d 
at any rate "k :at y are talk+ ab\t4    
,*apt] ,,xiv    ,,m5tal ,,/ocktak+      
,great books d n spr+ f some?+ accid5tal
 9 ! great m5  :o wrote !m4  ,!y are !  
efflu5ce ( _! v core1  ! expression ( ! 
life itself ( ! au?ors4  ,& lit]ature _c
  be said to h s]v$ its true purpose    
until x has be5  translat$ into ! actual
 life ( him :o reads4  ,x does n succe$ 

until x becomes ! vehicle ( ! vital4    
,progress is ! gradual result  ( ! un5d+
 battle betwe5 human reason & human     
in/9ct1  9 :i* ! =m] sl[ly b surely w9s4
  ,! mo/ p[]ful eng9e  9 ?is battle is  
lit]ature4  ,x is ! va/ res]voir ( true 
ideas  & high emotions--& life is       
con/itut$ ( ideas & emotions4  ,9 a _w  
depriv$ ( lit]ature1 ! intellectual &   
emotional activity  ( all b a few       
exceptionally gift$ m5 w\ld quickly s9k 
& retract  to a n>r[ circle4  ,! broad1 
! noble1 ! g5]\s w\ld t5d  to disappe> =
 want ( accessible /orage4  ,& life w\ld
 be  correspond+ly degrad$1 because !   
fallaci\s idea  & ! petty emotion w\ld  
nev] feel ! upw>d pull ( ! ideas  &     
emotions ( g5ius4  ,only by conceiv+ a  
society )\t lit]ature  c x be cle>ly    
realis$ t ! function ( lit]ature  is to 
raise ! pla9 t[>ds ! top level ( !      
peaks4  ,lit]ature exi/s s t :]e "o man 
has liv$ f9ely  t5 ?\s& may aft]w>ds    
live f9ely4  ,x is a means ( life2  x   
conc]ns ! liv+ ess5ce4    ,( c\rse1     

lit]ature has a m9or function1 t ( pass+
 ! "t  9 an agreeable & h>mless fa%ion1 
by giv+ mom5t>y fa9t pleasure4  ,va/    
multitudes ( p 7among :om may be numb]$ 
n a few  habitual read]s7 utilise only  
?is m9or function ( lit]ature2  by      
implication !y class x ) golf1 bridge1  
or soporifics4  ,lit]>y g5ius1 h[ev]1 _h
 no int5tion ( compet+  ) ^! devices =  
fleet+ ! empty h\rs2 & all su* use  (   
lit]ature may be left out ( acc\nt4  ,y1
 ,o s]i\s /ud5t  ( _m volumes1 believe t
 y h a s9c]e passion = read+4  ,y hold  
lit]ature 9 hon\r1 & y\r la/ wi% w\ld be
  to debase x to a paltry end4  ,y are n
 ( ^? :o read because  ! clock has j    
/ruck n9e & "o c't g to b$ till elev54  
,y are animat$ by a real desire to get  
out ( lit]ature  all t lit]ature w give4
  ,& 9 t aim y keep on read+1  ye> aft] 
ye>1 & ! grey hairs come4  ,b amid all  
?is  /eady tapp+ ( ! res]voir1 d y ev]  
take /ock  ( :at y h acquir$8  ,d y ev] 
pause to make a valuation1  9 t]ms ( y\r
 own life1 ( t :i* y are daily absorb+1 

or imag9e y are absorb+8  ,d y ev]      
satisfy y\rself by pro(  t y are absorb+
 any?+ at all1 t ! liv+ wat]s1  in/ead (
 vitalis+ y1 are n runn+ (f y  z ?\gh y 
7 a duck 9 a /orm8  ,because1 if y omit 
?is m]e bus9ess precaution1 x may well  
be t y1 too1  )\t kn[+ x1 are little by 
little jo9+ ! trifl]s :o read  only     
because et]nity is s long4  ,x may well 
be t ev5  y\r alleg$ sacr$ passion is1  
aft] all1 simply a sort ( drug-habit4   
,! sugge/ion di/urbs & worries y4  ,y   
dismiss x impati5tly2  b x returns4     
,h[ 7y ask1 unwill+ly7 c a man p]=m a   
m5tal /ocktak+8  ,h[ c he put a value on
 :at he gets f books8  ,h[ c he         
effectively te/1 9 cold blood1 :e!r he  
is receiv+  f lit]ature all t lit]ature 
has to give him8    ,! te/ is n s vague1
 nor s difficult1 z might appe>4    ,if 
a man is n ?rill$ by intimate contact ) 
nature3  ) ! sun1 ) ! e>?1 :i* is 8     
orig9 & ! ar\s]  ( 8 acute/ emotions--  
,if he is n tr\bl$ by ! sight ( beauty 9
 _m =ms--    ,if he is devoid (         

curiosity conc]n+ 8 fell[-m5  & 8       
fell[-animals--    ,if he does n h      
glimpses ( ! unity ( all ?+s  9 an      
ord]ly progress--    ,if he is          
*ronically qu]ul\s1 deject$1 & envi\s-- 
,if he is pessimi/ic--    ,if he is ( ^?
 :o talk ab\t ?is age ( %ams1  ?is age  
)\t ideals1 ?is hy/]ical age1 & ?is     
heav5-kn[s-:at-age--    ,!n t man1 ?\gh 
he reads undisput$ classics = tw5ty h\rs
 a day1  ?\gh he has a memory ( /eel1   
?\gh he rivals ,porson 9 s*ol>%ip  &    
,sa9te-,beuve 9 judgm5t1 is n receiv+ f 
lit]ature  :at lit]ature has to give4   
,inde$1 he is *iefly wa/+ 8 "t4  ,unless
 he c read diff]5tly1 x 7 bett] = him if
 he sold  all 8 books1 gave to ! poor1 &
 play$ croquet4  ,he fails because he   
has n assimilat$ into 8 exi/5ce  ! vital
 ess5ces :i* g5ius put into ! books t h 
m]ely  pass$ be=e 8 eyes2 because g5ius 
has (f]$ him fai?1 c\rage1  vision1     
noble passion1 curiosity1 love1 a ?ir/ =
 beauty1  & he has n tak5 ! gift2       
because g5ius has (f]$ him  ! *ance (   

liv+ fully1 & he is only half alive1 = x
 is only  9 ! /ress ( f9e ideas &       
emotions t a man may be  truly said to  
live4  ,?is is n a moral inv5tion1 b a  
simple fact1  :i* w be atte/$ by all :o 
"k :at t /ress is4      ,:at6  ,y talk  
le>n$ly ab\t ,%akespe>e's sonnets6  ,h y
 he>d ,%akespe>e's t]rific %\t3         
,full _m a glori\s morn+ h ,i se5       
,flatt] ! m\nta9-tops ) sov]eign eye1   
,kiss+ ) gold5 face ! mead[s gre51      
,gild+ pale /reams ) heav5ly al*emy4    
,& yet1 c y see ! sun ov] ! viaduct at  
,l\ghbor\gh ,junction  ( a morn+1 & cat*
 its rays 9 ! ,?ames (f ,dew>'s :isky   
monum5t1  & n %ake ) ! joy ( life8  ,if 
s1 y & ,%akespe>e  are n yet 9          
communication4  ,:at6  ,y pride y\rself 
on y\r beautiful edition ( ,casaubon's  
translation  ( 99,m>cus ,aurelius991 & y
 sav\r ! cad5ces ( ! fam\s3     ,?is day
 ,i %all h to d ) an idle1 curi\s man1  
) an un?ankful man1 a rail]1 a crafty1  
false1 or an envi\s man4  ,all ^! ill   
qualities h happ5$ unto him1 ?r\gh      

ignorance  ( t :i* is truly good & truly
 bad4  ,b ,i t und]/&  ! nature ( t :i* 
is good1 t x only is to be desir$1  & ( 
t :i* is bad1 t x only is truly odi\s & 
%ameful3  :o "k1 moreov]1 t ?is         
transgressor1 :osoev] he be1  is my     
k9sman1 n by ! same blood & se$1 b by   
p>ticipation  ( ! same reason & ( ! same
 div9e p>ticle--  h[ c ,i be hurt8444   
,& ) ^! cad5ces 9 y\r e>s y g & qu>rel )
 a cabman6      ,y w\ld be a%am$ ( y\r  
lit]>y self to be caught 9 ignorance  ( 
,:itman1 :o wrote3     ,n[ und]/& me    
well--x is provid$ 9 ! ess5ce ( ?+s  t f
 any fruition ( success1 no matt] :at1  
%all come =?  some?+ to make a great]   
/ruggle necess>y4    ,& yet1 hav+ a*iev$
 a motor-c>1 y lose y\r temp]  :5 x     
breaks d[n half-way up a hill6    ,y "k 
y\r ,wordswor?1 :o has be5 try+ to tea* 
y ab\t3      ,! ,uphold] ( ! tranquil   
s\l   ,t tol]ates ! indignities ( ,"t   
,&1 f ! c5tre ( ,et]nity   ,all f9ite   
motions ov]-rul+1 lives   ,9 glory      
immutable4    ,b y are capable ( be+    

s]i\sly unhappy :5 y\r suburban tra9    
selects a tunnel = its repose6      ,& !
 ,a4 ,v4 ( ! ,bible1 :i* y n[ read1 n z 
y\r =efa!rs  read x1 b ) an /hetic      
delight1 especially 9 ! ,apocrypha6  ,y 
rememb]3     ,:atsoev] is br\ght ^u !e1 
take *e]fully1 & be pati5t  :5 ?\ art   
*ang$ to a l[ e/ate4  ,= gold is tri$ 9 
! fire  & acceptable m5 9 ! furnace (   
adv]sity4    ,& yet y are ready to lie  
d[n & die because a woman has scorn$ y6 
,g to6    ,y ?9k "s ( my in/ances       
approa* ! ludicr\s8  ,!y d4  ,!y are    
meant to d s4  ,b !y are no m ludicr\s  
?an life itself4  ,& !y illu/rate 9 !   
mo/ workaday fa%ion h[ y c te/  :e!r y\r
 lit]ature fulfils its function ( in=m+ 
& trans=m+  y\r exi/5ce4      ,i say t  
if daily ev5ts & sc5es d n con/antly    
recall & utilise  ! ideas & emotions    
conta9$ 9 ! books :i* y h read  or are  
read+2 if ! memory ( ^! books does n    
quick5  ! p]ception ( beauty1 :]ev] y   
happ5 to be1 does n help y  to correlate
 ! p>ticul> trifle ) ! univ]sal1 does n 

smoo? out irritation & give dignity to  
sorr[--!n y are1  consci\sly or n1      
unwor?y ( y\r high vocation z a bookman4
  ,y may say t ,i am prea*+ a s]mon4  ,!
 fact is1 ,i am4  ,my mood is a sev]ely 
moral mood4  ,= :5 ,i reflect ^u !      
diff]5ce  betwe5 :at books h to (f] &   
:at ev5 relatively e>ne/ read]s  take ! 
tr\ble to accept f !m1 ,i am appall$ 7or
 %\ld be appall$1  did ,i n "k t ! _w is
 mov+7 by ! %e] ineffici5cy1  ! bl&1    
complac5t failure ( ! e>ne/ read]4  ,i  
am l y\rself1 ! spectacle ( ineffici5cy 
r\ses my holy ire4      ,be=e y beg9 ^u 
ano!r ma/]piece1 set out 9 a r[  !      
ma/]pieces :i* y are pr\d ( hav+ read   
dur+ ! pa/ ye>4  ,take ! fir/ on ! li/1 
t book :i* y p]us$ 9 all ! zeal  ( y\r  
,new ,ye> resolutions = sy/ematic /udy4 
,exam9e ! comp>tm5ts  ( y\r m9d4  ,se>* 
= ! ideas & emotions :i* y h g>n]$  f t 
book4  ,?9k1 & recollect :5 la/ some?+ f
 t book  recurr$ to y\r memory apropos (
 y\r own daily comm]ce ) humanity4  ,is 
x hi/ory--:5 did x ?r[ a light = y on   

mod]n politics8  ,is x sci5ce--:5 did x 
%[ y ord] 9 app>5t disord]1 & help y  to
 put two & two toge!r into an insep>able
 f\r8  ,is x e?ics--  :5 did x influ5ce 
y\r conduct 9 a twop5ny-halfp5ny affair 
betwe5 man & man8  ,is x a novel--:5 did
 x help y  to und]/& all & =give all8   
,is x poetry--:5 0 x  a magnify+ glass  
to disclose beauty to y1 or a fire to   
w>m  y\r cool+ fai?8  ,if y c answ] ^!  
que/ions satisfactorily1  y\r /ocktak+ z
 reg>ds ! fruit ( y\r traffic ) t book  
may be reckon$ satisfactory4  ,if y _c  
answ] !m satisfactorily1  !n ei!r y *ose
 ! book badly or y\r impression t y     
99read99 x  is a mi/ak5 "o4    ,:5 !    
result ( ?is /ocktak+ =ces y to !       
conclusion  t y\r ri*es are n s va/ z y 
?\ght !m to be1  x is necess>y to look  
ab\t = ! causes ( ! mis=tune4  ,! causes
 may be sev]al4  ,y may h be5 read+     
wor?less books4  ,?is1 h[ev]1 ,i %\ld   
say at once1 is extremely unlikely4     
,habitual & confirm$ read]s1 unless !y  
happ5 to be review]s1  seldom read      

wor?less books4  ,9 ! fir/ place1 !y are
 s busy  ) books ( prov$ value t !y h   
only a small m>g9 ( leisure left  = v   
mod]n works1 & g5]ally1 be=e !y c cat*  
up ) ! age1  ,"t or ! critic has        
def9itely ?re%$ = !m ! :eat f ! *aff4   
,no6  ,m$iocrity has n mu* *ance (      
hoodw9k+ ! s]i\s /ud5t4      ,x is less 
improbable t ! s]i\s /ud5t has be5 *oos+
 8 books  badly4  ,he may d ?is 9 two   
ways--absolutely & relatively4  ,e read]
 ( long /&+ has be5 ?r\gh ! s+ul>       
exp]i5ce  ( sudd5ly 99see+99 a book )   
:i* 8 eyes h be5 famili>  = ye>s4  ,he  
reads a book ) a reputation & ?9ks3     
,yes1 ?is is a good book4  ,?is book    
gives me pleasure4  ,& !n aft] an       
int]val1 p]haps aft] half a lifetime1   
some?+ my/]i\s happ5s to 8 m5tal sight4 
,he picks up  ! book aga91 & sees a new 
& pr(\nd significance 9 e s5t5ce1  & he 
says3 ,i 0 p]fectly bl9d to ?is book    
be=e4  ,yet he is no clev]] ?an he us$  
to be4  ,only some?+ has happ5$  to him4
  ,let a gold wat* be discov]$ by a     

supposititi\s man  :o has nev] he>d (   
wat*es4  ,he has a s5se ( beauty4  ,he  
admires ! wat*1 & takes pleasure 9 x4   
,he says3  ,?is is a beautiful piece (  
bric--brac2 ,i fully appreciate  ?is    
delightful tr9ket4  ,!n imag9e 8 feel+s 
:5 someone  comes along ) ! key2 imag9e 
! light flood+ 8 bra94  ,simil> incid5ts
 occur 9 ! ev5tful life ( ! con/ant     
read]4  ,he has no key1 & nev] suspects 
t !re exi/s su* a ?+ z a key4  ,t is :at
 ,i call a *oice absolutely bad4      ,!
 *oice is relatively bad :51 spread+ ov]
 a numb] ( books1  x pursues no ord]1 & 
?us results 9 a muddle ( fa9t           
impressions  ea* blurr+ ! re/4  ,books  
mu/ be all[$ to help "o ano!r2  !y mu/  
be skilfully call$ 9 to ea* o!r's aid4  
,& t ?is may be accompli%$ "s guid+     
pr9ciple is necess>y4  ,& :at1 y dem&1  
%\ld t guid+ pr9ciple be8  ,h[ d ,i "k8 
,nobody1 =tunately1 c make y\r pr9ciples
 = y4  ,y h to make !m = y\rself4  ,b ,i
 w v5ture ^u  ?is g5]al obs]vation3 t 9 
! m5tal _w :at c\nts  is n numb]s b     

co-ord9ation4  ,z reg>ds facts & ideas1 
! great mi/ake made by ! av]age         
well-int5tion$ read]  is t he is cont5t 
) ! names ( ?+s in/ead (  occupy+       
himself ) ! causes ( ?+s4  ,he seeks    
answ]s  to ! "q ,:at8 in/ead ( to ! "q  
,:y8  ,he /udies hi/ory1  & nev] guesses
 t all hi/ory is caus$ by ! facts (     
geography4  ,he is a botanical exp]t1 & 
c take y to :]e ! 99,sib?orpia europa99 
gr[s1 & nev] tr\bles to wond] :at ! e>? 
w\ld be  )\t its cloak ( plants4  ,he   
w&]s =? ( />lit ev5+s  & w "n y )       
unction all ! con/ellations f ,&rom$a   
to ! ,scorpion2 b if y ask him :y ,v5us 
c nev] be se5 at midnight1  he w tell y 
t he has n bo!r$ ) ! sci5tific details4 
,he has n le>n$ t names are no?+1 & !   
satisfaction  ( ! lu/ ( ! eye a trifle  
comp>$ to ! imag9ative vision  ( :i*    
sci5tific details are ! indisp5sable    
basis4      ,mo/ read+1 ,i am conv9c$1  
is unphilosophical2 t is to say1  x     
lacks ! elem5t :i* m ?an any?+ else     
quick5s  ! poetry ( life4  ,unless &    

until a man has =m$ a s*eme ( k1  be x a
 m]e skeleton1 8 read+ mu/ necess>ily be
 unphilosophical4  ,he mu/ h atta9$ to  
"s notion ( ! int]-relations  ( ! v>i\s 
bran*es ( k be=e he c prop]ly compreh5d 
! bran* 9 :i* he specialises4  ,if he   
has n drawn an outl9e map  ^u :i* he c  
fill 9 :atev] k comes to him1 z x comes1
  & on :i* he c trace ! aff9ity ( e "p )
 e o!r "p1  he is assur$ly fritt]+ away 
a l>ge p]c5tage ( 8 ef=ts4  ,!re are    
c]ta9 philosophical works :i*1 once !y  
are ma/]$1  seem to h p]=m$ an op]ation 
= cat>act1 s t he :o 0 bl9d1  hav+ read 
!m1 h5ce=w>d sees cause & effect  work+ 
9 & out ev]y:]e4  ,to use ano!r figure1 
!y leave  /amp$ on ! bra9 a *>t ( !     
entire prov9ce ( k4      ,su* a "w is   
,sp5c]'s 99,fir/ ,pr9ciples994  ,i "k t 
x is  ne>ly useless to advise p to read 
99,fir/ ,pr9ciples994  ,!y are          
intimidat$ by ! s\nd ( x2 & x co/s z mu*
  z a dress-circle seat at ! !atre4  ,b 
if !y w\ld1  :at brilliant /ocktak+s !re
 might be 9 a few ye>s6  ,:y1 if !y w\ld

 only read su* deta*$ essays z  t on    
,mann]s & ,fa%ion1 or ,! ,g5esis (      
,sci5ce  79 a sixp5ny volume ( ,sp5c]'s 
99,essays991 publi%$ by ,watts & ,co471 
! magic illum9ation1 ! necess>y p[] (   
syn!tis+ ?+s1  might be v\*saf$ to !m4  
,9 any case1 ! lack ( "s su*            
discipl9>y1 co-ord9at+ measure w amply  
expla9  _m disa/r\s /ocktak+s4  ,! mann]
 9 :i* "o s+le ray ( light1  "o s+le    
preci\s h9t1 w cl>ify & en]gise ! :ole  
m5tal life  ( him :o receives x1 is     
among ! mo/ wond]ful & heav5ly  (       
intellectual ph5om5a4  ,"s m5 se>* = t  
light  & nev] f9d x4  ,b mo/ m5 nev]    
se>* = x4      ,! sup]lative cause (    
disa/r\s /ocktak+s rema9s1  & x is mu* m
 simple ?an ! "o ) :i* ,i h j dealt4  ,x
 consi/s 9 ! abs5ce ( m$itation4  ,p    
read1 & read1  & read1 bl&ly unconsci\s 
( _! effront]y 9 assum+  t !y c         
assimilate )\t any fur!r ef=t ! vital   
ess5ce  :i* ! au?or has brea!d into !m4 
,!y _c4  ,& ! pro(  t !y d n is %[n all 
! "t 9 _! lives4  ,i say t if a man does

 n sp5d at lea/ z mu* "t  9 actively &  
def9itely ?9k+ ab\t :at he has read  z  
he has sp5t 9 read+1 he is simply       
insult+ 8 au?or4  ,if he does n submit  
himself to intellectual & emotional     
fatigue  9 classify+ ! communicat$      
ideas1 & 9 emphasis+ on 8 _s  ! impr9t (
 ! communicat$ emotions--!n read+ ) him 
is a pleasant pa/ime & no?+ else4  ,?is 
is a di/ress+ fact4  ,b x is a fact4  ,x
 is di/ress+1 = ! reason  t m$itation is
 n a popul> ex]cise4  ,if a fri5d asks y
  :at y did la/ night1 y may answ]1 ,i 0
 read+1 & he w be  impress$ & y w be    
pr\d4  ,b if y answ]1 ,i 0 m$itat+1  he 
w h a t5d5cy to smile & y w h a t5d5cy  
to blu%4  ,i "k ?is4  ,i feel x myself4 
7,i _c (f] any explanation47  ,b x does 
n %ake my conviction t ! abs5ce (       
m$itation  is ! ma9 orig9 ( disappo9t+  
/ocktak+s4