Eighteenth Century Prose Author:Bredvold, root & Sherburn (eds.) (from the preface) It is the purpose of this book to present in a single volume a generous and varied selection of the most important English prose of the eighteenth century. it is generous enough in its proportions to offer those who use it a considerable latitude of choice, according as their interest may chiefly center in the development of i... more »deas and theories of the eighteenth centure, in its social manners and customs, in the intimate revelation of human personalities, or in the artistic quality of vigorous and graceful English prose. In its pages the reader will find richly exemplified all the varied types of eighteenth century prose (except the novel and the drama), -- social satire, the familiar essay, biography and memoirs, the personal letter, the philosophical essay and the philosophical romance, history, and political theory. The selections consist as a rule either of entire works, or of entire chapters or other unitary subdivisions of a work. Wherever omissions are made, they are indicated.« less