M R. DE SELINCOURT’S object has been to show that, when all deductions have been made and elements of crudeness, reaction and extravagance fully allowed for, Whitman’s contribution to literature has the uniqueness and the solidity claimed for it by his admirers and by himself. The book differs from others in endeavouring more explicitly to exhibit the relation of Whitman’s form and style to those of conventional literature and to justify his apparent anomalies. Whitman’s peculiar use of language, his love of specification and cataloguing, etc., are explained in reference to the underlying purposes of language generally. His identification as a man with humanity, as an artist with America, are shown to have been genuine forces in him, available for expression and the real spring of his work.
Demy Octavo (9 in. by 5½ in.)
With Portrait. Price 7s. 6d. net.
Dramatic Portraits
By P. P. HOWE
T HROUGHOUT this book a particular point of view has been adhered to, from which the drama is looked upon as a separate art from literature, and from which especial attention is paid to the manner of its practice. Thus nearly all the plays of the dramatists passed under review are to be studied in book form, but they are spoken of here, as far as possible, in terms of their actual presentation in the theatre. The dramatists include Pinero, Henry Arthur Jones, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, Bernard Shaw, Barrie, Granville Barker, Hankin, Galsworthy and Masefield. It is a book for all playgoers who have done their playgoing in the English theatre of the past twenty-five years. The portraits which illustrate it are from camera studies by Mr. E. O. Hoppé, reproduced by a new process which does full justice to his original prints.
Crown Octavo (7½ in. by 5 in.)
Illustrated. Price 5s. net.
Speculative Dialogues
By LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE