HOMES OF OLD ENGLISH WRITERS. BY THE REV. S. W. CHRISTOPHERS, Author of "Hymn Writers and their Hymns.” PREFACE. OMES of old English writers! What charms have they? Little or none for any but true lovers of the English language, English scenery, and pure English character. A word with such. England may boast of a large and distinguished school of old writers, whose precious "remains" enrich every department of literature. Their homes have hallowed our native soil, and have consecrated for us, in almost every province of the kingdom, some ancient street or quiet village, some homestead, cottage, or hall, some hill-side or river-bank, some sea-board nook, upland valley, lowland orchard, or field, or wood. It need not be said that this volume neither offers an introduction to the entire circle of these old English writers, nor pretends to afford a glance at every old English literary home. No one volume could do that, even were its writer's knowledge of the men, their dwellings, and their works, equal to such a task. One class only of literary worthies has been selected in this case: a class which, on the whole, is most worthy of taking the lead, one most remarkable for variety of interest, richness, power, and purity of influence. It is our old English divinity class. This class in itself is so large that a life might be spent in seeking an acquaintance with all its members. It would be happier to choose a favourite here and there from its ranks, and thus form a round of closer friendships, so limited and yet so various as to be always enjoyable. To such a limited circle this volume is intended to be an introduction. The few writers are chosen, not because of their popularity, but for their solid worth. Some of the names are well known, others have been undeservedly obscure. Each name may represent a variety in this class of literature. The reader must not look for a critical review of any one of these authors' entire works, nor for any complete biography, or formal estimates of character. But if he likes to wander hither and thither among the scenes where these great and good men wrote and spoke,-if he can enjoy a look now and then at their faces and forms, or a passing glance at the features of their character,-if it is pleasant for him to hear them talk by the way, or to peep in upon them in their moments of quiet freedom, or occasionally to linger and listen to a few of their public utterances,if, indeed, he wishes to escape at intervals from times and things that jade his spirits, and to refresh himself by sauntering for an hour among the serene old haunts of genius and goodness, or by a free and easy chat with or about the men whose writings are living blessings to the world,—then this volume offers to help him; and if the help afforded be enough to make him more agreeably familiar with a few favourite old English writers and their homes, these pages will have fulfilled their design. S. W. C. |