Literary Sketches

H. S. Salt

• Publisher: Swan Sonnenschein & Co., London
• Published: 1888
• Length: 235
• Format: Hardback

Summary

Literary Sketches by Henry S. Salt is a collection of literary essays and critiques that originally appeared in several prominent publications, including Progress, Temple Bar, To-day, The Gentleman’s Magazine, and Time, with some minor revisions and additions. The book reflects Salt’s thoughtful engagement with the works of various authors, focusing on those he admires rather than offering harsh critiques. His essays explore both the artistry and ideas of writers such as James Thomson and Alfred Lord Tennyson.

The collection features essays on prominent literary figures including Percy Bysshe Shelley, Henry D. Thoreau, William Godwin, De Quincey, James Thomson (“B.V.”), Edgar Poe, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Salt’s approach to criticism is measured, never overly critical, and always appreciative of the authors he discusses. For instance, in his essay on Tennyson’s philosophy, while he critiques some aspects of the poet’s religious themes, he praises the elegance of Tennyson’s expression.

Other notable essays delve into the elusive quality of lyricism in poetry, and Salt even makes the case that prose can achieve the same lyrical heights as poetry. His writings are rich in thoughtful observation but never sensational, making this collection an insightful companion for those who enjoy reflective literary analysis.

Content

• Two Kinds of Genius
• Shelley as a Teacher
• The Tennysonian Philosophy
• The Words of James Thomson ("B.V")
• On Certain Lyric Poets, and Their Critics
• Edgar Poe's Writings
• Henry D. Thoreau
• William Godwin
• Nathaniel Hawthorne's Romances
• Some Thoughts on De Quincey

Reviews

• Literary Sketches To-day, 1888