-------------------- Transcriber’s Note: This text uses UTF-8 (Unicode) file encoding for Greek and other non-ASCII characters such as Œ. If they don't appear correctly, you may need to change your browser settings. Make sure that your browser's "character set" or "file encoding" is set to Unicode (UTF-8). For clarity, some footnotes have been placed under the chapter headings where they are referenced. Other footnotes will be found at the end of each chapter. Typographical errors corrected are listed at the end of the text. -------------------- EPHEMERA CRITICA OR PLAIN TRUTHS ABOUT CURRENT LITERATURE BY JOHN CHURTON COLLINS Non verebor nominare singulos, quo facilius, propositis exemplis, appareat, quibus gradibus fracta sit et deminuta eloquentia. _--Dial. de Orat._ αινεων αινητα, μομφαν δι’ επισπειρων αλιτροις. _--Pindar_ FOURTH EDITION NEW YORK E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE AND CO LTD 2 WHITEHALL GARDENS, WESTMINSTER 1902 BUTLER & TANNER, THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS, FROME, AND LONDON. PREFACE It is time for some one to speak out. When we compare the condition and prospects of Science in all its branches, its organization, its standards, its aims, its representatives with those of Literature, how deplorable and how humiliating is the contrast! In the one we see an ordered realm, in the other mere chaos. The one, serious, strenuous, progressive, is displaying an energy as wonderful in what it has accomplished as in what it promises to accomplish; the other, without soul, without conscience, without nerve, aimless, listless and decadent, appears to be stagnating, almost entirely, into the monopoly of those who are bent on futilizing and degrading it.