tion>Arthur Quiller-Couch
Adventures in Criticism
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4057664642639
Table of Contents
THE POPULAR CONCEPTION OF A POET
THE ATTITUDE OF THE PUBLIC TOWARDS LETTERS
A CASE OF BOOKSTALL CENSORSHIP
THE POOR LITTLE PENNY DREADFUL
CHAUCER
March 17, 1894. Professor Skeat's Chaucer.
After twenty-five years of close toil, Professor Skeat has completed his great edition of Chaucer.[A] It is obviously easier to be dithyrambic than critical in chronicling this event; to which indeed dithyrambs are more appropriate than criticism. For when a man writes Opus vitæ meæ at the conclusion of such a task as this, and so lays down his pen, he must be a churl (even if he be also a competent critic) who will allow no pause for admiration. And where, churl or no churl, is the competent critic to be found? The Professor has here compiled an entirely new text of Chaucer, founded solely on the manuscripts and the earliest printed editions that are accessible. Where Chaucer has translated, the originals have been carefully studied: "the requirements of metre and grammar have been carefully considered throughout": and "the phonology and spelling of every word have received particular attention." We may add that all the materials for a Life of Chaucer have been sought out, examined, and pieced together with exemplary care.
