Any one who makes an original study of American literature will not be a mere apologist for it. He will marvel at the greatness of the moral lesson, at the fidelity of the presentation of the thought which has molded this nation, and at the peculiar aptness which its great authors have displayed in ministering to the special needs and aspirations of Americans. He will realize that the youth who stops with the indispensable study of English literature is not prepared for American citizenship, because our literature is needed to present the ideals of American life. There may be greater literatures, but none of them can possibly take the place of ours for citizens of this democracy. The moral element, the most impressive quality in American literature, is continuous from the earliest colonial days until the present. Teachers should be careful not to obscure this quality. As the English scientist, John Tyndall, has shown in the case of Emerson, this moral stimulus is capable of adding immeasurably to the achievement of the young. The temptation to slight the colonial period should be resisted. It has too often been the fashion to ask, Why should the student not begin the study of American literature with Washington Irving, the first author read for pure pleasure? The answer is that the student would not then comprehend the stages of growth of the new world ideals, that he would not view our later literature through the proper atmosphere, and that he would lack certain elements necessary for a sympathetic comprehension of the subject. The seven years employed in the preparation of this work would have been insufficient, had not the author been assisted by his wife, to whom he is indebted not only for invaluable criticism but also for the direct authorship of some of the best matter in this book. R. P. H. CONTENTS CHAPTER I COLONIAL LITERATURE CHAPTER II THE EMERGENCE OF A NATION CHAPTER III THE NEW YORK GROUP CHAPTER IV THE NEW ENGLAND GROUP CHAPTER V SOUTHERN LITERATURE CHAPTER VI WESTERN LITERATURE CHAPTER VII THE EASTERN REALISTS A GLANCE BACKWARD * * * * * SUPPLEMENTARY LIST OF AUTHORS AND THEIR CHIEF WORKS INDEX [Transcriber's note: Index not included in this electronic version.] HISTORY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE CHAPTER I COLONIAL LITERATURE