This is a reprint of the collection of essays originally published in book form in 1910. The first impression the book makes, on re-reading its interesting and at times brilliant criticisms, is the ever changing meaning of the word "modern." We are sure that if Professor Phelps were issuing such a book to-day, his choice of subjects would differ, both in omission and inclusion, from the list as here given. De Morgan, Bjornson, Sienkiewicz, and Blackmore would probably disappear, and those who could take their places would more than fill the volume. For, to mention only one, the greatest of "modern novelists," Mrs. Wharton, is not here, although The House of Mirth was published in 1905. Professor Phelps gives sound and discriminating criticism on Hardy, Howells, Mark Twain, Stevenson, Kipling, and Sudermann. He does not, we think, appreciate Mrs. Humphry Ward's portrayal of the atmosphere in which she places her characters, but he puts his finger on her weaknesses. He rightly protests against the Continental criticism of English and American novels on account of their reticence, for it is not a question of morality only, it is a question of the proper proportions in which one draws life. An interesting appendix contains his plea for the study of contemporary literature and an account of his experiences when he began to give a course on "The Modern Novel" at Yale about 1896. We remember the surprise we felt at that time, when this course was hailed as a great novelty, for we had taken a course in modern fiction at Pennsylvania with Professor Schelling several years before; but this essay, read now, proves again how fast time flies. Courses in modern literature are given everywhere now, and Professor Phelps can rightly be congratulated on being one of the pioneers in bringing trained academic judgment where it is vitally needed, that is, to the reading public who have to be told constantly what they should or should not read. -Educational Review, Vol. 64

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This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.