Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from El Alcalde De Zalamea
Spain is a country still too little known, and it is important that we should arrive at a more sympathetic understanding Of her, as of other nations. What, therefore, various scholars have done for French and German literary works, I am attempting for a Spanish drama. I am convinced from long experience that the knowledge of a country is an enormous aid towards the fuller appreciation Of its literature; con sequently it has been my special aim to give in the space available some perception Of the atmosphere which Calderon breathed, and the conditions under which he worked. Of necessity much has been omitted, which students will, I hope, find later in the editions Of other works. Help in historical grammar and in philology must be sought elsewhere, nor do I hold with those, who in past years have made the works of men of genius mere stepping-stones to such know ledge.
It is generally recognised that the teaching Of literature, or the attempt in writing to inspire others with an enthusiasm for it, is one of peculiar difficulty. I am sure, however, that the main thing is to awaken this enthusiasm, and not to deaden it by an over-accumulation of mere facts. In addressing myself, more especially, to the students of Universities or the upper forms of schools, I have, therefore, endeavoured to tell my tale in a simple and direct fashion, and to make them realise as vividly as may be the beauty of the drama given for study, and something of the land that gave it birth.
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