8vo. xx, 302pp., [2]. With a terminal leaf of publisher's advertisements. Original publisher's gilt-decorated brown cloth, lettered in gilt to spine. Rubbed, bumping to corners. Two inked inscriptions to FEP: 'Stopford A. Brooke', 'Send it home at once'.

Stopford Brooke's copy of Matthew Arnold's (1822-1888) Essays in Criticism. In his first series of essays, Arnold sought to broaden the scope of English literary criticism by engaging with European literature and philosophy. Brooke's admiration of Arnold was not altogether reciprocated - although Arnold endorsed Brooke's A Primer on English Literature, he was critical of Brooke for confusing periods of literature with periods of history.