TO THOMAS R. LOUNSBURY YALE UNIVERSITY My dear Lounsbury*—In reading over the proof-sheets of these pages, I have happened on your name more often than I thought I had written it, and yet not so often by once as I wish to write it. So I set it here, in the forefront of this little book, to bear witness that much of what may be good in these essay lets of mine is due to help given by you, either directly by word of mouth or indirectly by the printed page. And that is why I take pleasure now in subscribing myself as Yours gratefully, Brander Matthews Columbia College CONTENTS Page AMERICANISMS AND BRITICISMS .... I AS TO "AMERICAN SPELLING" .... 32 THE LITERARY INDEPENDENCE OF THE THE CENTENARY OF FENIMORE COOPER . Sij IGNORANCE AND INSULARITY .... I03 THE WHOLE DUTY OF CRITICS . . . . I 14 THREE AMERICAN ESSAYISTS: . . . .135 I. OF MARK TWAIN'S BEST STORY. . 151 |