ΑΝ

OUTLINE SKETCH

OF

AMERICAN LITERATURE.

BY

HENRY A. BEERS,

Professor of English in Yale College.

AUTHOR OF "AN OUTLINE SKETCH OF ENGLISH Literature,” “A
CENTURY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE," "LIFE OF N. P.
WILLIS," "THE Thankless Muse," Etc.

NEW YORK:
CHAUTAUQUA PRESS,

C. L. S. C. Department,

805 BROADWAY.

1887.

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674919

The required books of the C. L S. C. are recom-
mended by a Council of six. It must, however, be
understood that recommendation does not involve
an approval by the Council, or by any member of
it, of every principle or doctrine contained in the
book recommended.

Copyright 1887, by PHILLIPS & HUNT, 805 Broadway, New York.

PREFACE.

THIS little volume is intended as a companion to the Outline Sketch of English Literature, published last year for the Chautauqua Circle. In writing it I have followed the same plan, aiming to present the subject in a sort of continuous essay rather than in the form of a "primer" or elementary manual. I have not undertaken to describe or even to mention every American author or book of importance, but only those which seemed to me of most significance. Nevertheless I believe that the sketch contains enough detail to make it of some use as a guide-book to our literature. Though meant to be mainly a history of American belles-lettres it makes some mention of historical and political writings,