AN OUTLINE SKETCH OF AMERICAN LITERATURE. BY HENRY A. BEERS, Professor of English in Yale College. AUTHOR OF "AN OUTLINE SKETCH OF ENGLISH LITERATURE,” “A WILLIS," "THE THANKLESS MUSE," ETC. NEW YORK: C. L. S. C. Department, 805 BROADWAY, 1887. PS. 92 .BY ADUAT SITY EDUCATION The required books of the C. L. S. C. are recommended 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, |