The Cambridge History of English and American Literature in Eighteen Volumes (1907–21).
Volume XII. The Romantic Revival.

Preface.


THE LAST three volumes of this History will deal with the literature of the nineteenth century as a whole, it being understood that living authors do not fall within the scope of our work. Though the present volume is published in advance of Volumes XIII and XIV, it is not to be regarded as in any other respect separated from them. In the case of chapters treating of subjects more or less outside the range of what is usually included in a history of literature, we have endeavoured, in gathering up several threads, to complete the subject in so far as it could be completed in a single chapter, without observing what might be deemed to be the chronological limits of the particular volume—for example, in the present volume, the Oxford movement, the growth of liberal theology and the sections devoted to scholarship of various kinds. On the other hand, we have not scrupled to assign distinct portions of the same general subject—ancient and modern history, for instance—to different volumes. We hope to publish Volumes XIII and XIV together, with as little delay as possible; but, under existing circumstances, we cannot bind ourselves to a definite date. In more ways than one, the war has delayed the appearance of the present volume. The University Press has been working under great difficulties, caused by the part taken by a very large proportion of its members in the service of the country. We have been deprived of the co-operation of Mr. H. V. Routh; two chapters which he had kindly undertaken to write for the last volumes have had to be placed in other hands, in consequence of his absence at the front.   1
  With the exception of a few bibliographies in the present volume, we have been obliged to forgo the careful services of Mr. A. T. Bartholomew, considerations of health compelling him to limit his labours. The History and several contributors to it have been much indebted to his assistance in the past. Mr. G. A. Brown’s help has been as valuable as usual, and we hope he may be able to continue it to the end of the work. We owe many thanks to Professor J. G. Robertson, of the University of London, for kindly looking over some bibliographies in the present volume more particularly concerned with the productions of continental literatures; to Canon S. L. Ollard, for the bibliography of the chapter on the Oxford movement; and to Mr. Stephen Wheeler for generous help in the Landor bibliography.   2
  Our last two volumes will contain chapters on education, scientific writers, daily, weekly and university journalism and changes in the language, besides an account of Irish, and short summaries of Anglo-Indian, Canadian, Australian and South African, literature, in addition to sections on later nineteenth century writers.
A. W. W.    
A. R. W.    

        2 August, 1915.		   3