PREFACE.

A

SI became interested in the subject-matter

of this volume, there grew upon me a fear that it would run to inordinate length-except some bounds were fixed; hence, no writer is dwelt upon whose birth-date belongs in the present century. This limit shuts off a distinguished group of authors - born in the first decade of this century whose names come to the thought of all intent upon American literary work. The critics will say, with the justice always distinguishing them-the book should have been longer and covered more names; or, shorter and dealt