Professor H. Morley has added a fifth and completing volume
to his "Library of English Literature," under the title of Sketches of Larger Works in English Verse and Prose" (Cassell and Co.) He begins with " Beowulf " and "Brut," among the poems, and ends with Cowper's "Task." In prose, a commencement is made with "Utopia," and an end with "The Vicar of Wakefield." There is added, however, a summary, consisting of somewhat more than fifty pages, giving an account of the chief literary work of the nine- teenth century. It is needless to say that Professor Morley's work, while it is the outcome of a very thorough and complete knowledge of his subject, is done with taste and skill. We cannot give an entire adherence to all his views, thinking, for instance, that he estimates too highly the morality of" Tom Jones." It may be that "no coarse scene is introduced for pleasure in its coarseness," but some seem to be introduced quite gratuitously, and to have no bearing whatever either on the story or the development of character. As to the general plan of the book, the only adverse criticism that occurs is one that has no real force. It is quite true that no one would read "The Vicar of Wakefield" in an outline ; but, then, are there many books given here which most people will read in this way only, and in no other. Such a book is "Brut ;" such, again, for nineteen out of twenty, is Sir T. More's "Utopia." And if these are given, the greater and more popular works cannot be omitted. We may con- gratulate Professor Morley on completing successfully a most valu- able contribution to the study of English literature.
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