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I would have included more of the English greats in essay writing: Charles Lamb (Whose 'Essays of Elia' might perhaps be be the finest collection of essays in t

I would have included more of the English greats in essay writing: Charles Lamb (Whose 'Essays of Elia' might perhaps be be the finest collection of essays in the English language, Macaulay( whose essay on Warren Hastings is a masterpiece of English prose), William Hazlitt, even Dr Johnson (His 'Lives of the poets' is essentially a large collection of brilliant essays) and Joseph Addison.

yesenadam 8y ago
I did mention Hazlitt several times on the page. He's in my pantheon (Emerson, Chesterton, Stevenson, Hazlitt). I do have a page dedicated to Johnson http://www.adamponting.com/sayings-of-johnson/ http://www.adamponting.com/sayings-of-johnson/ , he's a favourite of mine who I frequently return to. I had a period of enthusiasm for the Rambler etc, but his Latinate essay style is, let's face it, awful compared with the Johnson of Boswell's Life, Mrs Thrale's book about him etc. I don't know most of his writing about poets or Shakespeare so well, I should have another look. Lamb and Addison I tried long ago, they seemed too..literary, too fictional, or style-focused. I prefer those (who tend to be on the philosophy/essays boundary) who have something to say, and just incidentally say it well. Could you mention some particular essays that would be at the top of your list? Thanks.
- billfruit 8y ago
  Of Lamb; "The Old Benchers of the Inner Temple" and "The Praise of Chimney-Sweepers".Lamb tries to express his awe and wonder and curiousity to the reader very effectively. Johnson of the Lives, is much, different, much more lively than the Johnson of the Rambler, esp his sense of humor is on full display. I greatly recommend the "Life of Savage" and "Life of Addison" from the lives. I think Macaulay is exceptional, his essays like "Warren Hastings", "Samuel Johnson" (Which he wrote for Encyclopedia Britannica), "Ranke's History of the Pope's", etc are such stunning works, the reader shall find it very difficult to put them down once they start.

yesenadam 8y ago

I did mention Hazlitt several times on the page. He's in my pantheon (Emerson, Chesterton, Stevenson, Hazlitt). I do have a page dedicated to Johnson http://www.adamponting.com/sayings-of-johnson/ http://www.adamponting.com/sayings-of-johnson/ , he's a favourite of mine who I frequently return to. I had a period of enthusiasm for the Rambler etc, but his Latinate essay style is, let's face it, awful compared with the Johnson of Boswell's Life, Mrs Thrale's book about him etc. I don't know most of his writing about poets or Shakespeare so well, I should have another look. Lamb and Addison I tried long ago, they seemed too..literary, too fictional, or style-focused. I prefer those (who tend to be on the philosophy/essays boundary) who have something to say, and just incidentally say it well. Could you mention some particular essays that would be at the top of your list? Thanks.

billfruit 8y ago
Of Lamb; "The Old Benchers of the Inner Temple" and "The Praise of Chimney-Sweepers".Lamb tries to express his awe and wonder and curiousity to the reader very effectively. Johnson of the Lives, is much, different, much more lively than the Johnson of the Rambler, esp his sense of humor is on full display. I greatly recommend the "Life of Savage" and "Life of Addison" from the lives. I think Macaulay is exceptional, his essays like "Warren Hastings", "Samuel Johnson" (Which he wrote for Encyclopedia Britannica), "Ranke's History of the Pope's", etc are such stunning works, the reader shall find it very difficult to put them down once they start.