THIS series aims at presenting in an attractive form English
texts which have not only intrinsic merit as literature but which
are also valuable as manifestations of the spirit of the age in
which they were written. The plan was inspired by the desire
to break away from the usual annotated edition of English
classics and to provide a series of books illustrating some of the
chief developments in English civilization since the Middle
Ages. Each volume will have a substantial introduction, which
will relate writers to the main currents of contemporary life
and thought, and which will be an important part of the book.
Notes, where given, will be brief, stimulating, and designed to
encourage the spirit of research in the student. It is believed
that these books will be of especial value to students in
universities and the upper forms of schools, and that they will
also appeal very much to the general reader.

Grateful acknowledgment is made of the valuable help
given to the series in its early stages by Mr S. E. Buckley.

VIVIAN DE SOLA PINTO
General Editor

-5-