
audiobook
Transcriber's Notes:
EPHEMERA CRITICA - OR PLAIN TRUTHS ABOUT CURRENT LITERATURE
PREFACE
LIST OF CONTENTS
THE PRESENT FUNCTIONS OF CRITICISM
ENGLISH LITERATURE AT THE UNIVERSITIES - I. LANGUAGE VERSUS LITERATURE AT OXFORD
ENGLISH LITERATURE AT THE UNIVERSITIES - II. TEXT BOOKS
ENGLISH LITERATURE AT THE UNIVERSITIES - III. TEXT BOOKS
OUR LITERARY GUIDES - I. A SHORT HISTORY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE
OUR LITERARY GUIDES - II. A SHORT HISTORY OF MODERN ENGLISH LITERATURE
At the turn of the twentieth century a restless scholar confronts the state of modern literature, arguing that its institutions lag far behind the disciplined vigor of contemporary science. He paints a vivid picture of universities and learned societies that nurture scientific progress, while literary circles drift in chaos, unchecked by rigorous standards or coherent curricula. The opening pages set the stage for a forceful call to re‑evaluate how literature is taught, published, and respected.
Drawing on examples of recent university neglect and the proliferation of careless publications, the writer proposes a series of radical reforms aimed at restoring intellectual honesty and critical discipline to the field. His tone mixes scholarly reference with earnest indignation, offering readers both historical context and a blueprint for change. Listeners will find a thought‑provoking blend of cultural history and persuasive argument that challenges the complacency of the literary establishment.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (494K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Hannah Joy Patterson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
Nov 19, 2010
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1848–1908
A lively Victorian critic, editor, and lecturer, he built his reputation on sharp literary judgment and an energetic defense of serious reading. His work ranges from studies of writers like Voltaire, Swift, and Shakespeare to essays that helped shape English literature as a university subject.
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