This volume, READINGS IN ENGLISH PROSE, forms the prose part of READINGS IN ENGLISH LITERATURE. The poetical part is also published separately, under the title of READINGS IN ENGLISH POETRY. Both volumes are designed as Reading-Books for upper classes in Schools, while the complete work forms a suitable companion to such manuals as the History of the English Language and Literature in Chambers's Educational Course.* The introduction to the present volume contains a series of short specimens from English writers, în prose and poetry, from the earliest times to ' 1558 A:D. The value of these, as shewing the progress of the English language, will not fail to be appreciated by the Teacher. The Readings are arranged in chronological order, and are introduced by a short biographical notice of each author. The foot-notes contain explanations Edited by * History of the English Language and Literature. R. Chambers, LL.D. 304 pages, price 28. of difficulties in the text, and meanings of words not found in a school-dictionary. A detailed Table of Contents, an Index of Prose Writers classified, and an Alphabetical Index of Writers, are prefixed to the volume. ** The Publishers beg to return their best thanks to the different Publishers and Authors, proprietors of the copyright extracts that occur in this volume, for their kindness in allowing them to appear. PAGB Extract from The Tale of Melibeus, Extract from his translation of John Gower : 1325—1408. Boethius's work on the Consola- tion of Philosophy, . . . 2 Amantis, . . . . Extract from his Paschal Homily, 2 The Magnificat. From his Trans- King James I. of Scotland : 1394—1437. Extract from The King's Quhair, Extract from, · · · · 3 Description of a Sylvan Retreat. Layamon : between 1155 and 1200. Account of the Proceedings at William Dunbar : 1465—1520. King Arthur's Coronation. From his translation of Wace's Brut Proclamation of Henry III. : 1258. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey : 1517–1547. Extract from his Rhyming Chronicle, 4 The Magnificat. From his Trans- lation of the New Testament, . 12 Extract from The Vision of Pierce Anecdote of Lady Jane Grey. Extract from his Travels, 5! From The School Master, 10 PAGE | Joseph Hall : 1574-1656. Sir Philip Sidney : 1554-1586. A Stag Hunt. From Arcadia, . 15 | acters of Virtues and Vices, 24 Thomas Hobbes : 1588-1679. Necessity of Precision in Using Of Law. From Ecclesiastical Polity, 17 | Laughter. From Treatise on Hu- Sir Walter Raleigh : 1552–1618. The Battle of Thermopylæ. From Ol Studies. From his Essays, .. PROSE WRITERS: 1649–1689. The Value of a Book. From Areo- Christian in the hands of Giant Liberty of the Press. From Areo- pagitica, . . . . . Thankfulness for Worldly Bless- The Excellency of the Christian ings. From The Complete Angler, 36 Analer 36 Religion, . . . . . 56 Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon : 1608 John Dryden : 1631--1700. Character of Lord Falkland. From History of the Rebellion, . . 39 | John Tillotson : 1630—1694. Advantages of Truth and Sincerity, 60 Reading. From The Conduct of the Of Obscurity. From his Essays, 44 | The Saints' Rest. From The Saints' Mr Pepys sets up a Carriage. From The Great Fire in London. From | The State of Man before the Fall, 66 his Diary, . . . Death and Character of Edward VI. Praise of Poetry and Music. From From The History of the Refor- Essay on Poetry, . . 51 1 mation, . |