PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION. THIS edition of Taine's History of English Literature has been carefully revised and compared with the original. All the quotations have been collated and verified anew, and no trouble has been spared to make it as accurate as possible. For the favourable reception this translation has met with from the press and the public, I feel much indebted. THE ACADEMY, EDINBURGH. 439128 H. VAN LAUN. CONTENTS. The state and the actions of the inner and invisible man Chief causes of thoughts and feelings. Their historical PAGE 2 6 History is a mechanical and psychological problem. Within certain limits man can foretell Production of the results of a primordial cause. Law of formation of a group. Examples and indications. 30 IIL Their original country-Soil, sea, sky, climate- Noble instincts in Germany-The individual-The family-The state-Religion - The Edda- Tragi-heroic conception of the world and of man- Noble instincts in England-Warrior and chieftain Pagan poems-Kind and force of sentiments-Bent of mind and speech-Force of impression; harsh- Christian poems-Wherein the Saxons are predis- VIL Why Latin culture took no hold on the Saxons— - - - 82 VII. Contrast of German and Latin races-Character of PAGE 92 The Norman invasion; character of the Normans Bent of the French genius-Two principal charac- teristics; clear and consecutive ideas-Psycho- logical form of French genius-Prosaic histories ; lack of colour and passion, ease and discursive- ness-Natural logic and clearness, soberness, grace and delicacy, refinement and cynicism- Order and charm-The nature of the beauty and of the ideas which the French have introduced. 104 The Normans in England-Their position and their - |