A century of English essays

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

32267

Title

A century of English essays

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Curated by Ernest Rhys and Lloyd Vaughan, this anthology spans four centuries of English prose, from Caxton to R.L. Stevenson. It captures the personal, meditative style of the essay through works on travel, nature, society, and philosophy. The collection offers a vivid glimpse into English life, manners, and customs, celebrating writers who blend wit, observation, and lyrical temperament.

Summary up to 500 words

A Century of English Essays, curated by Ernest Rhys and Lloyd Vaughan, offers a rich tapestry of prose that illustrates life, manners, and the English countryside. Spanning from the earliest fragments of Chaucer and Caxton to contemporary voices like W.B. Yeats, the volume traces the evolution of the essay genre. It moves beyond the formalized structures established by Montaigne and Bacon to embrace a style that is personal, conversational, and deeply rooted in individual experience. The collection features diverse contributors who bring distinct idiosyncrasies to the form. Jonathan Swift provides satirical wit in pieces like 'A Meditation upon a Broomstick,' while Oliver Goldsmith's charming sketches of 'Sir Roger de Coverley' capture the essence of social observation. Charles Lamb's nostalgic 'Essays of Elia' and Robert Louis Stevenson's contributions offer intimate reflections, whereas Edward Thomas's 'The Pilgrims' Way' and Hilaire Belloc's 'On a Great Wind' ground the essays in vivid rural imagery and philosophical inquiry into nature. Themes range widely, exploring the philosophy of wind and travel, social commentary on poverty and education, and profound meditations on human nature. The essays vary in length from brief aphorisms to extended meditations, yet they maintain an engaging tone that balances personal reflection with broader intellectual inquiry. A defining characteristic of this anthology is its avoidance of literary pretension; instead, it favors clarity and entertainment, making the art of personal expression accessible to everyday readers. The book acknowledges that while the essayist must not be overly bookish, a delight in old authors can enrich the text. It celebrates writers who were also poets or who possessed a lyrical temperament, viewing them as 'dilute lyrists' pursuing a rhythm too subtle for verse. Ultimately, this volume honors the tradition of the essay as a vehicle for gossip, real experience, and the graceful whimsicality of human character, ensuring relevance through the inclusion of living writers while preserving the historical growth of English prose.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Essays
• English Literature