A HISTORY

OF

ENGLISH PROSE FICTION

PREFACE.

It is attempted in this volume to trace the gradual progress of EnglishProse Fiction from the early romance to the novel of the present day,in such connection with the social characteristics of the epochs towhich these works respectively belong, as may conduce to a bettercomprehension of their nature and significance.

As many of the earlier specimens of English fiction are of a characteror a rarity which makes any acquaintance with them difficult to thegeneral public, I have endeavored so to describe their style andcontents that the reader may obtain, to some degree, a personalknowledge of them.

The novels of the nineteenth century are so numerous and so generallyfamiliar, that, in the chapter devoted to this period, I have soughtrather to point out the great importance which fiction has assumed, andthe variety of forms which it has taken, than to attempt any exhaustivecriticism of individual authors—a task already sufficiently performedby writers far more able to do it justice.

THE AUTHOR.

"The Benedick."
NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 1882.

B.T.

CONTENTS