BY ABBY WILLIS HOWES A PRIMER OF ENGLISH LITERATURE 12 portraits, 200 pages A PRIMER OF AMERICAN LITERATURE 14 portraits, 158 pages D. C. HEATH & CO., PUBLISHERS BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO PREFACE LIKE its companion, A Primer of English Literature, this book sets before the reader the most important names in each literary period. To show the extent of literary growth, a few lesser names also are given brief mention, and a list of names at the end of each period calls attention not only to the authors mentioned in the text, but to many others. The aim of the book is to be simple, orderly, and clear; to tell a few facts in such a way that there need be no confusion in the mind of the reader. While it is hoped that the subject-matter of the book has intrinsic value, a knowledge of literature obviously comes only from study of the literature itself; therefore, primarily the book will have its greatest usefulness when taken as a guide. With this thought in view, suggestions for reading, intended mainly for students in secondary schools, are given at the ends of the chapters. More mature minds will naturally read the books mentioned in the text. |