More Historians
For the illustrated edition of "Social England," published in 1901–4, the work was reset in a larger page, but the number of volumes was six, as before. It was illustrated in colour, as well as in black and white, and was as sumptuous in style as it was valuable historically.
Another historical work of the 'nineties was Dean Spence's "History of the Church of England." This also was illustrated in part from original sources, and on a lavish scale, but the text, it must be conceded, lacked attractiveness, and the work was only a partial success.
In the previous decade the House had published, in three volumes, Charles Alan Fyffe's "History of Modern Europe," which at once gave its author a high place among living historians. The work, based on original research and moulded by much reflection, was produced slowly, and when, in fulfilment of promise, Fyffe would bring John Williams an instalment of "copy" it was often of comically small dimensions. But if rallied upon his slow output he was well able to take care of himself, and his glancing ripostes are still remembered with delight by one who was present at the interviews. The first of the three volumes appeared in 1880 and the last in 1890. Not long afterwards, under a terrible stress to which he was exposed, Fyffe's health broke down, and he died in 1892.
In more recent days the largest historical work undertaken by the House was H. G. Wells's "Outline of History." In this book the most versatile writer of his time broke new literary ground for himself and put forward a new philosophy of history which originated much piquant controversy.
Among other history books a word may be said about the "History of Music," started in 1881 as a serial. It was a translation, by Ferdinand Praeger, one of Wagner's intimates and biographers, of a learned Work by Emil Naumann, and was edited by Rev. Sir F. A. Gore
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