American Literature ; an Historical Sketch, 1620-1880 |
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Page 15
... turn . One of their own authors confesses that the " common New England life is still a lean , impoverished life in distinction from a rich and suggestive one ; ' but it is there , almost alone , that the speculative and artistic ...
... turn . One of their own authors confesses that the " common New England life is still a lean , impoverished life in distinction from a rich and suggestive one ; ' but it is there , almost alone , that the speculative and artistic ...
Page 18
... vitality and aspira- tions , its scant performance and large promise , we must turn to New England . Its defects and merits are those of the INFLUENCES OF CLIMATE . 19 national character as developed in 18 AMERICAN LITERATURE .
... vitality and aspira- tions , its scant performance and large promise , we must turn to New England . Its defects and merits are those of the INFLUENCES OF CLIMATE . 19 national character as developed in 18 AMERICAN LITERATURE .
Page 21
... turn , exaggerated by writers , who from Emerson to Walt Whitman - have tried to glorify every mode of human life , from the ascetic to the semi - brutish . The habit of instability is fostered by the rapid vicissitudes of commerce and ...
... turn , exaggerated by writers , who from Emerson to Walt Whitman - have tried to glorify every mode of human life , from the ascetic to the semi - brutish . The habit of instability is fostered by the rapid vicissitudes of commerce and ...
Page 28
... turn is great enough to receive , and , it may be , in process of time to harmonise , the elements of discord in the Old . As regards literature , the best advice is that of the gentlest , finest , most cosmopolitan spirit of the West ...
... turn is great enough to receive , and , it may be , in process of time to harmonise , the elements of discord in the Old . As regards literature , the best advice is that of the gentlest , finest , most cosmopolitan spirit of the West ...
Page 33
... turn ; but these last neither disturbed the loyalty , nor seriously affected the manners , of the colony . " The Merry Monarch " has been credited with a clemency largely due to indifferentism : he tolerated Milton and esteemed Marvell ...
... turn ; but these last neither disturbed the loyalty , nor seriously affected the manners , of the colony . " The Merry Monarch " has been credited with a clemency largely due to indifferentism : he tolerated Milton and esteemed Marvell ...
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Common terms and phrases
American appeared artistic beauty become believe called century character claim close common criticism death descriptions early Emerson England English equally eyes fact faith feeling force frequent genius give half hand Hawthorne heart House human idea imagination inspired interest Italy John land later leading leave less letters liberty light lines literature living look manner mean mind moral nature never once original passages passed patriotic perhaps period poet political popular practical Puritan Quakers race record reference regard remarkable represented respects romance says seems sense side society sometimes soul South speech spirit story strong style success sympathy things thought tion touch turn Union universal verse volume whole writes written
Popular passages
Page 222 - And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days; Then Heaven tries the earth if it be in tune, And over it softly her warm ear lays; Whether we look, or whether we listen, We hear life murmur, or see it glisten; Every clod feels a stir of might, •An instinct within it that reaches and towers, And, groping blindly above it for light, Climbs to a soul in grass and flowers...
Page 80 - And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
Page 250 - ... CHAMBERED NAUTILUS. THIS is the ship of pearl, which, poets feign, Sails the unshadowed main, — The venturous bark that flings On the sweet summer wind its purpled wings In gulfs enchanted, where the siren sings, And coral reefs lie bare ; Where the cold sea-maids rise to sun their streaming hair. Its webs of living gauze no more unfurl, — Wrecked is the ship of pearl ! And every chambered cell, Where its dim dreaming life was wont to dwell...
Page 239 - Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on.
Page 199 - Down the dark future, through long generations, The echoing sounds grow fainter and then cease; And like a bell, with solemn, sweet vibrations, I hear once more the voice of Christ say, "Peace !" Peace ! and no longer from its brazen portals The blast of War's great organ shakes the skies ! But beautiful as songs of the immortals, The holy melodies of love arise.
Page 212 - O Captain ! my Captain ! rise up and hear the bells ; Rise up — for you the flag is flung — for you the bugle trills, For you bouquets and...
Page 166 - ... rapidly widened — there came a fierce breath of the whirlwind — the entire orb of the satellite burst at once upon my sight— my brain reeled as I saw the mighty walls rushing asunder — there was a long tumultuous shouting sound like the voice of a thousand waters — and the deep and dank tarn at my feet closed sullenly and silently over the fragments of the "HOUSE OF USHER.
Page 219 - IN THE greenest of our valleys, By good angels tenanted, Once a fair and stately palace — Radiant palace — reared its head. In the monarch Thought's dominion — It stood there! Never seraph spread a pinion Over fabric half so fair.
Page 247 - And so beside the Silent Sea I wait the muffled oar ; No harm from Him can come to me On ocean or on shore. I know not where His islands lift Their fronded palms in air ; I only know I cannot drift Beyond His love and care.
Page 198 - Were half the power that fills the world with terror, Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and courts, Given to redeem the human mind from error, There were no need of arsenals or forts: The warrior's name would be a name abhorred!