Milton’s handling of supernatural beings in his poetry.

His art of communicating his meaning through succession of associated ideas.

Other contrasts between Milton and Dante—­the mysterious and the picturesque in their verse.

Milton’s fiends wonderful creations, not metaphysical abstractions.

Moral qualities of Milton and Dante.

The Sonnets simple but majestic records of the poet’s feelings.

Milton’s public conduct that of a man of high spirit and powerful intellect.

Eloquent champion of the principles of freedom.

His public conduct to be esteemed in the light of the times, and of its great question whether the resistance of the people to Charles I. was justifiable or criminal.

Approval of the Great Rebellion and of Milton’s attitude towards it.

Eulogium on Cromwell and approval of Milton’s taking office (Latin
Secretaryship) under him.

The Puritans and Royalists, or Roundheads and Cavaliers.

The battle Milton fought for freedom of the human mind.

High estimate of Milton’s prose works.

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE.

Germany’s greatest writer.

By Frederic Henry Hedge.

Fills highest place among the poets and prose-writers of Germany.

Influences that made the man.

Self-discipline and educational training.

Counsellor to Duke Karl August at Weimar, where he afterwards resides.

Visits Italy; makes Schiller’s acquaintance; Goethe’s personal appearance.

His unflagging industry; defence of the poet’s personal character.

The “Maerchen,” its interpretation and the light it throws on Goethe’s political career.

Lyrist, dramatist, novelist, and mystic seer.

His drama “Goetz von Berlichingen,” and “Sorrows of Werther”.

Popularity of his ballads; his elegies, and “Hermann und Dorothea”.

“Iphigenie auf Tauris;” his stage plays “Faust” (First Part) and “Egmont”.

The prose works “Wilhelm Meister” and the “Elective Affinities”.

His skill in the delineation of female character.

“Faust;” contrasts in spirit and style between the two Parts.

Import of the work, key to or analysis of the plot.

ALFRED (LORD) TENNYSON.

The spirit of modern poetry.

By G. Mercer Adam.

Tennyson’s supreme excellence—­his transcendent art.

His work the perfection of literary form; his melody exquisite.

Representative of the age’s highest thought and culture.

Keen interpreter of the deep underlying spirit of his time.

Contemplative and brooding verse, full of rhythmic beauty.