Some of the most valuable criticism of Browning’s Poetry has been produced and published by The Browning Society of London, founded in 1881 by Dr. F. J. Furnivall, and still in active operation. Dr. Furnivall’s ‘Bibliography of Robert Browning’, occupying Part I. of ‘The Browning Society’s Papers’, and continued in Part II., is a storehouse of valuable information, of all kinds, pertaining to Browning’s Poetry, and to Browning the man. Every Browning student should possess a copy of it. The following papers, among others, have been published by the Society:—
Introductory Address to the Browning Society. By the Rev. J. Kirkman, M.A., Queen’s Coll., Cambridge, Oct. 28, 1881.
On ‘Pietro of Abano’ and the leading ideas of ‘Dramatic Idyls’, second series, 1880. By the Rev. J. Sharpe, M.A. Read Nov. 25, 1881.
On Browning’s ‘Fifine at the Fair’. By J. T. Nettleship, Esq. Read Feb. 24, 1882.
Notes on the Genius of Robert Browning. By James Thomson.
Read Jan. 27, 1882.
Browning’s Philosophy. By John Bury, Trin. Coll., Dublin. Read April 28, 1882.
On ‘Bishop Blougram’s Apology’. By the Rev. Prof. E. Johnson, M.A. Read May 26, 1882.
The Idea of Personality, as embodied in Robert Browning’s Poetry. By Prof. Hiram Corson, LL.D., Cornell University. Read June 23, 1882. (Contained in this volume.)