More introduction (definitely actually by Eliot this time)

After reading last night's guide, I looked around in the TF5SOB for the lists and reading orders that were mentioned. I started in the back, with Volume 51, but that's a bunch of critical essays on the other materials. Going back one, Volume 50 contains a pair of introductions that actually appear to have been written by Eliot, unlike the probably marketing copy from last night. I'm not going to paste the whole thing in, mostly for space and formatting reasons. They're actually referenced (by quote or by paraphrase) several times in last night's selection. I browsed some of the courses, and I think I'm more likely to work through the set by volume, pausing occasionally between large selections for some of the smaller ones. Some shorter/lighter stuff to break up the long ones will be nice. And I don't want to read all 4 or 5 volumes of poetry back to back. For tonight, I want to take a minute with a quote that pairs with the one I pulled last night.

Although a good part of the reading provided in The Harvard Classics may fairly be called interesting, there are also volumes or portions of volumes which make hard reading, even for a practised student. In the literature of other days some of the topics treated are unfamiliar, and, moreover, the state of mind of the authors is apt to be strange to the present generation. The sentiments and opinions these authors express are frequently not acceptable to present-day readers, who have to be often saying to themselves: "This is not true, or not correct, or not in accordance with our beliefs." It is, however, precisely this encounter with the mental states of other generations which enlarges the outlook and sympathies of the cultivated man, and persuades him of the upward tendency of the human race. The Harvard Classics, as a whole, require close attention and a resolute spirit on the part of the reader. Nevertheless large parts of the collection were undoubtedly composed just to give delight, or to show people how to win rational pleasures. Thus, the real values of almost all the tales, dramas, fiction, and poetry in the series are esthetic, not didactic, values. The interested reader ought to gain from them enjoyment and new power to enjoy

 I like the combination of vague trigger warning, admonition to engage with unfamiliar/disagreeable content, and lack of "good ol' days"ism here. Yes, the old stuff might be gross, wrong, etc., but it can still be worth reading, if only to show how we've improved. Also, always down for shitting on didactism. 

Tomorrow, probably some more Ben Franklin.