Transcriber’s Notes
Simple typographical errors were corrected.
Punctuation, hyphenation, and spelling were made consistent when a predominant preference was found in the original book; otherwise they were not changed.
About This Book
A collection of essays that examines literary taste, the shrinking place of humor in criticism, and the argument for wit and amusement in letters. The pieces range from readings of English love-songs and popular fiction to reflections on how books shape and sometimes hinder readers, and on familiar literary shibboleths. Several essays consider the moral role of fiction and defend pleasure against censorious attitudes. Other contributions offer economical and historical sketches, including a portrait of Scanderbeg and a critique of English railway fiction.