Brander Matthews’ introduction to this historic anthology examines the relationship between American and British literature, arguing that while they share a common language, they possess distinct national flavors shaped by different social atmospheres. He notes that American literature, though younger, has produced authors of cosmopolitan fame who have won wide popularity outside the English-speaking world.
The volume presents typical and characteristic examples of the American essay form. Matthews discusses the history of the essay, tracing its lineage from Montaigne and Bacon to Steele and Addison, and highlights the discursive and whimsical nature of the genre. He explains the principles that guided his selection, noting the exclusion of purely literary criticism and set orations, while embracing pieces originally prepared as lectures.
The collection includes Benjamin Franklin’s playful and philosophical pieces, such as 'The Ephemera' and 'The Whistle,' along with his famous dialogue with the Gout. These writings reveal Franklin's characteristic wisdom as a man of the world, offering practical reflections on human life, happiness, and the tendency of mankind to pay too much for unnecessary things.
Francis Hopkinson contributes a humorous look at domestic life with 'Consolation for the Old Bachelor,' recounting the disasters of a family journey from Philadelphia to New York. The narrative portrays the petty vexations of travel, the friction of family relationships, and the inevitable return to the comfort of home and work.
Washington Irving’s 'John Bull' personifies English national characteristics through the figure of a sturdy, corpulent old fellow with a three-cornered hat and stout cudgel. Irving explores the humor, prejudices, generosity, and domestic establishments of the English people, contrasting their love of tradition with the difficulties of modern reform.
In 'The Mutability of Literature,' Irving presents a colloquy in Westminster Abbey, conversing with an old quarto volume that laments the neglect of ancient authors. The dialogue reflects on the fleeting nature of literary fame, the constant changes in language, and the enduring power of works rooted in the unchanging principles of human nature.
Richard Henry Dana’s essay on Kean’s acting captures the power and sincerity of the great actor. Dana describes how Kean’s simplicity and earnestness made the theater a school of nature, analyzing his distinct portrayals of Shakespearean characters like Richard, Hamlet, Lear, and Othello with detailed critical insight.
