English Writers. By Henry Morley, LL D. Vol. VIII. (Cassell
and Co.)—" From Surrey to Spenser" expresses the range of subject which this volume includes. It is not, however, inclusive as far as the lower limit is concerned. Spenser is mentioned only, the full treatment of his life and work being reserved for another volume. The first chapter is given to Surrey, but the most interesting part of it is the vindication of the poet's relation to "Geraldine." Geraldine was nine years old when Surrey first saw her. " He took his part in the now fashionable way of writing love verses, but made his position very clear to those about him by adopting for the lady of his rhymes a hapless little girl of royal blood, to whom it was, with many of the courtiers, a pleasure to be kind." Chapter iii. is given to the " courtly makers" of Henry VIII.'s reign, the king himself being one of them. Professor Morley next deals with " Masques and Interludes —rise of the English Drama—the first English Cowedy." This " first comedy " was Nicholas Udall's "Ralph Roister Doistpr," the " Miles Gloriosus" of our stage. Our literature then becomes strongly theological, though Leland and Lindsay in Scotland busied themselves about other things. Literature took a vast start with the accession of Elizabeth. There was still much religious controversy, but the drama, among other things, was rapidly developing. The writing of chronicles, too, became an occupation, as the names of Stow, Grafton, and Camden will show. Among the later glories of the century are Philip Sidney and Raleigh.
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