Excerpt from The English Nation, or a History of England in the Lives of Englishmen, Vol. 3 Sir Hyde Parker, 73 Dunning, Lord Ashburton, 739 660. 661. 662. 663. 664. 665. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Technically speaking, slavery was not legal in the English-speaking world before the mid-seventeenth century. But long before race-based slavery was entrenched in law and practice, English men and women were well aware of the various forms of human bondage practiced in other nations and, in less systematic ways, their own country. They understood the legal and philosophic rationale of slavery in different cultural contexts and, for good reason, worried about the possibility of their own enslavement by foreign Catholic or Muslim powers. While opinions about the benefits and ethics of the institution varied widely, the language, imagery, and knowledge of slavery were a great deal more widespread in early modern England than we tend to assume. In wide-ranging detail, Slaves and Englishmen demonstrates how slavery shaped the ways the English interacted with people and places throughout the Atlantic world. By examining the myriad forms and meanings of human bondage in an international context, Michael Guasco illustrates the significance of slavery in the early modern world before the rise of the plantation system or the emergence of modern racism. As this revealing history shows, the implications of slavery were closely connected to the question of what it meant to be English in the Atlantic world.

Excerpt from The English Nation, or a History of England in the Lives of Englishmen, Vol. 1 If the mind of our reader turns to any period in our annals, and longs for a living display Of the national characteristics by which it was distinguished, he has but to turn to the lives Of the master spirits, who gave it not only its complexion, but were the appointed instruments in the hand of providence of all its changes and wonders. Whether the man Of business at his desk, the mechanic in his workshop, the idler on his couch, or the man Of letters in his study, he has but to turn to them for a brief interval, and he will behold, for every period and age, the very embroidered and moving scene that he has been seeking to understand and to sympathise with, in a way, so far as the effect and the cause are concerned, not unlike that which Shakspeare's Historical Plays, and Sir Walter Scott's Historical Romances produce upon the vivid imagination. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Hippolyte Taine's 'History of English Literature' is a monumental work in three volumes that delves deep into the literary landscape of England. Taine provides a comprehensive analysis of different periods of English literature, from the early medieval works to the Victorian era. His approach combines literary criticism, cultural history, and sociological analysis to offer a unique perspective on the development of English literature. Taine's writing style is academic and thought-provoking, making this book a valuable resource for students and scholars alike. His detailed examination of key literary figures and movements provides readers with a rich understanding of the evolution of English literature. Hippolyte Taine, a renowned French philosopher and critic, was known for his interdisciplinary approach to literary studies. His background in philosophy and history influenced his methodical analysis of literature, making him a respected figure in the field. Taine's expertise in cultural analysis and his keen insight into the social context of literature shine through in 'History of English Literature'. For those interested in a comprehensive study of English literature that combines literary criticism with sociological and historical context, Hippolyte Taine's 'History of English Literature' is a must-read. Taine's scholarly approach and insightful analysis make this work an invaluable resource for anyone looking to explore the richness and diversity of English literary tradition.