PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. In the four years which have passed since the first publication of this volume, many new authors have challenged attention; George Ticknor, whose life-poem I was permitted to announce as nearly completed in 1847, has vindicated a title to the most enduring fame by that masterly History of Spanish Literature; Dr. William R. Williams, Dr. Bushnell, Dr. Alexander, Henry James, and others, have brought the highest qualities of learning, judgment, and genius to the illustration of religious philosophy; Herman Mellville has reflected seas before unknown in art, in one of the most remarkable series of modern romances; Mr. Mitchell, as Ik. Marvel and as John Timon, has won twice the fame of an original and classical essayist; Mr. Briggs has published the wittiest of American novels; Miss Cooper one of the pleasantest books ever suggested by the observation of nature; Mr. Judd his Margaret; Mr. Kimball his St. Leger; Dr. Mayo Kaloolah and The Berber; and Mr. Sumner his Orations. I could not give these works fit consideration in this Survey of our Prose Writers, without very greatly enlarging it; and therefore defer for another occasion such reviewals of them as I have in contemplation. Meanwhile, the notices of authors previously included are generally brought down to the present time. NEW-YORK, March 1, 1851. PORTRAIT OF RALPH WALDO EMERSON From a Picture by Mrs. KILDRETH, in possession of Mrs. EMERSON. PORTRAIT OF CHARLES FENNO HOFFMAN......................... From a Picture by HENRY INMAN, in possession of Miss GRATE. |