University of Virginia Library

LITERATURE.

In the Class of Literature, attention is confined to the study
of the English Language and its Literature, including the general
principles of Criticism. The origin, growth and philological
peculiarities of the language will be considered; the various
influences, domestic and external, by which it has been brought
to its present condition will be explained; the lives of its most
eminent authors will be studied in their historical order and connection;
and the critical examination and appreciation of their
principal productions will occupy the larger portion of the time.
In addition to this, the Class will be required to practice literary
composition.

Text books are more deficient in this branch of study than
even in history. The following will be used for the present:

Spalding's History of English Literature; Jamieson's Grammar
of Rhetoric; Montgomery's Lectures on Poetry; Hume's
History of England, abridged; Shaw's Outlines of General
Literature; Shakspeare; Aiken's British Poets.