The following essays appeared in the _Forum_ of New York, and
simultaneously in London, during the years 1894-95. They have been
carefully revised and partly re-written, after due consideration of
various suggestions and criticisms both in England and in America. The
aim of the writer was to attempt a mature estimate of the permanent
influence and artistic achievement of some of the principal prose
writers in the earlier half of the reign of our Queen. The work of
living authors has not been touched upon, nor any book of poetry,
philosophy, or science.