Synthesized answer
The prospectus identifies the absence of an "educated class supremely devoted to the study of Continental Classics" as a key challenge [1]. To overcome this, the series targets readers who find foreign languages difficult and translations "thankless" [1, 3]. Its approach is to present the great writers of Italy, France, Germany, and Spain in a way that makes it "plain to him what and how they wrote, something of how they lived, and more or less of their position and influence upon the literature of their country" [1, 4].
Regarding the depth of understanding, the passages indicate the series aims to provide "such an account of" these authors as to bring them "within the acquaintance of the English reader" [3]. The stated goals are to convey what and how they wrote, something of their lives, and their position and influence [1]. However, the passages do not specify the *depth* of understanding this approach can foster, nor do they discuss any limitations or implications for depth. The series is presented as a means of gaining acquaintance with these works, comparable to the advantages of foreign travel in "enlarging the mind" [2], but the passages do not address whether this…
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
the often thankless study of translations, and whose readings in a foreign language are not easy enough to be pleasant. We are aware that there are difficulties in our way in this attempt which did not lie in the path of the former Series, since in the section of the world for which we write there are many more readers of French and German than of Greek and Latin; but, on the other hand, there is no educated class supremely devoted to the study of Continental Classics, as is the case in respect to the Ancient; and even the greatest authority in the learned matter of a Greek text might be…
uaintance with their names, without much knowledge of their works, or their place in the literature of the modern world. The Classics of Italy, France, Germany, and Spain are nearer to us in time, and less separated in sentiment, than the still more famous Classics of antiquity; and if foreign travel is, as everybody allows, a great means of enlarging the mind, and dispersing its prejudices, an acquaintance with those works in which the great nations who are our neighbours have expressed their highest life, and by which their manners of thinking have been formed, cannot but possess equal…
ntal characteristics of the nation be comprehended without Voltaire , Molière , Rousseau , and other great names beside. Neither is Germany herself without Goethe and Schiller : nor Spain recognisable deprived of that noble figure of Cervantes , in whom lives the very genius of the nation. This great band it is our design to give such an account of as may bring them within the acquaintance of the English reader, whose zeal may not carry him the length of the often thankless study of translations, and whose readings in a foreign language are not easy enough to be pleasant.
ote, something of how they lived, and more or less of their position and influence upon the literature of their country. The following volumes are in preparation for the Series of Foreign Classics for English Readers, and will be published at short intervals:— VOLTAIRE, by Col. E. B. Hamley, C.B. PASCAL , by Rev. Principal Tulloch . GOETHE , by A. Hayward , Esq., Q.C. PETRARCH , by H. Reeve , Esq., C.B. CERVANTES , by the Editor. MONTAIGNE , by the Rev. W. Lucas Collins , M.A. Foreign Classics for English Readers EDITED BY MRS OLIPHANT VOLTAIRE VOLTAIRE BY COLONEL HAMLEY PHILADELPHIA J.…
← Voltaire ( 1877 ) by Edward Bruce Hamley , edited by Margaret Oliphant Oliphant HIS BOYHOOD → related portals : Biography , French literature Edward Bruce Hamley 4222422 Voltaire 1877 Margaret Oliphant Oliphant Foreign Classics for English Readers EDITED BY MRS OLIPHANT PROSPECTUS. T he cordial reception given by the public to the Series of "Ancient Classics for English Readers" has confirmed the intention of the Publishers to carry out a kindred Series, which it is believed will not be less useful or less welcome, and in which an attempt will be made to introduce the great writers of…
More questions about this book
- The text posits that understanding a nation's "highest life" and "manners of thinking" requires knowing its great writers. How would you explain this assertion to someone who believes travel alone suffices for cultural understanding, using specific examples from the text to elaborate on the *nature* of the knowledge gained?
- The editors distinguish between Ancient and Continental Classics, stating the latter are "nearer to us in time, and less separated in sentiment." How might this perceived proximity influence the *kind* of "enlarging the mind" and "dispersing prejudices" that the series aims to achieve for English readers, compared to the Ancient Classics series?
- Choose one author mentioned (e.g., Voltaire, Dante, Cervantes) and explain, as if to a peer, *how* their literary contributions specifically illuminate the "national mind and its capabilities" or "mental characteristics of the nation" in a way that simply knowing *about* the country would not.
- Beyond simply introducing names and works, what underlying belief about the role of literature in fostering international understanding or shaping collective identity is implicitly expressed by the editors' endeavor to connect English readers with the "great nations who are our neighbours"?