26, p. 191. In speaking of these small matters, it is assumed that, other things being equal, a text representing Johnsonian usage will be preferred to one which represents the caprice of the editor or of the typesetter.1 2. The Introduction. · Three short essays have been placed at the beginning of the book. One, a sketch of Johnson's life, is for students who cannot by any possibility get access to other and more extensive biographical materials; a second, on methods of study, is intended to be suggestive to teachers and to encourage them to exercise independence in the planning of classroom work; a third, on aids to the study of "Rasselas," will, it is hoped, be found of service to teacher and student alike wherever proper library facilities are not lacking. 3. The Notes. These, purposely reduced to very small compass, have been made still more compact, where possible, by grouping together cognate subjects under a single head. Johnson's peculiarities of diction, for example, have been arranged in alphabetical order and called Note 1. The references are made by means of raised figures in the text. It is coming to be evident 1 The existence of no less than five hundred errors of the grossest character in a popular edition of "Rasselas" which appears under the sanction of a noted English scholar, should emphasize the value of a trustworthy text. to all progressive teachers of English literature that the introduction of reference libraries into our high schools is bringing about a rapid shrinkage in the value of miscellaneous annotation. The notes of the present volume may be taken as representing one stage in the process of eliminating waste material. ANN ARBOR, MICH., November 15, 1891. FRED N. SCOTT. 26, p. 191. In speaking of these small matters, it is assumed that, other things being equal, a text representing Johnsonian usage will be preferred to one which represents the caprice of the editor or of the typesetter.1 2. The Introduction. Three short essays have been placed at the beginning of the book. One, a sketch of Johnson's life, is for students who cannot by any possibility get access to other and more extensive biographical materials; a second, on methods of study, is intended to be suggestive to teachers and to encourage them to exercise independence in the planning of classroom work; a third, on aids to the study of "Rasselas," will, it is hoped, be found of service to teacher and student alike wherever proper library facilities are not lacking. 3. The Notes. These, purposely reduced to very small compass, have been made still more compact, where possible, by grouping together cognate subjects under a single head. Johnson's peculiarities of diction, for example, have been arranged in alphabetical order and called Note 1. The references are made by means of raised figures in the text. It is coming to be evident 1 The existence of no less than five hundred errors of the grossest character in a popular edition of "Rasselas" which appears under the sanction of a noted English scholar, should emphasize the value of a trustworthy text. to all progressive teachers of English literature that the introduction of reference libraries into our high schools is bringing about a rapid shrinkage in the value of miscellaneous annotation. The notes of the present volume may be taken as representing one stage in the process of eliminating waste material. ANN ARBOR, MICH., November 15, 1891. FRED N. SCOTT. |