On the Study of Celtic Literature.

Arnold (Matthew)

On the Study of Celtic Literature.

Description: FIRST EDITION, half-title present, a few spots on half-title, pp. [iv], xviii, [ii], 181, [1],2, 8vo, original reddish brown cloth, lettered in gilt on the upper cover within border multiple plain rule borders, spine lettered in gilt, slight wear to extremities, very good, with an Autograph Letter Signed, with initials, and 'in great haste', by Arnold loosely inserted, on Education Department headed paper, dated Feb. 21st, 1868, 1 page, 8vo, integral blank, to an unknown recipient (name illegible), listing the divisions of a French educational establishment

Publication Details: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1867

Notes: Previously published in the Cornhill Magazine. The book reflects the substance of four lectures delivered by Arnold in 1865 and 1866, as Professor of Poetry in Oxford. Arnold is proclaimed Professor of Poetry on the title-page, but the letter-head tells of his 'day job' as a school inspector. The inspecting was not confined to the home country, he also visited schools in France, Germany and Switzerland. A tour in 1865 resulted in Schools and Universities on the Continent, 1868. 'Arnold looked to another source to leaven the stolidity of English sensibilities in the little book he published in...morePreviously published in the Cornhill Magazine. The book reflects the substance of four lectures delivered by Arnold in 1865 and 1866, as Professor of Poetry in Oxford. Arnold is proclaimed Professor of Poetry on the title-page, but the letter-head tells of his 'day job' as a school inspector. The inspecting was not confined to the home country, he also visited schools in France, Germany and Switzerland. A tour in 1865 resulted in Schools and Universities on the Continent, 1868. 'Arnold looked to another source to leaven the stolidity of English sensibilities in the little book he published in 1867 entitled On the Study of Celtic Literature. He was drawn to the lushly imaginative and sentimental strains of Irish literary tradition (he was also more sympathetic than most of his English contemporaries to the economic and ecclesiastical grievances of Catholic Ireland), and his work encouraged the founding of the first chair of Celtic at Oxford in 1877' (ODNB)A nice copy of a book prone to cracked inner hinges. HIDE

Bibliography: (Smart 53)