These companion anthologies from the Oxford University Press are prefaced by their editors thus: ". . . We have treated ourselves to many old friends and private prejudices. And this is as it should be. An anthologist, however austere he may prefer to be, however much under the shadow of the classroom, is unlucky if, at the end of his labors, he cannot say, A poor unfavored thing, sir, but mine own." Heaven may forgive his indecision and the falterings of his taste provided he has kept the ardor of his heart . . . "

Such a defense of the personal factor in anthologizing is barely necessary, however, in either of these collections, for with no hesitation at all it can be stated that they are as complete and as discriminatory chosen as they could possibly be. The prose volume, running from Sir Thomas Malory through Popys and Macaulcy down to Chesterton and Galsworthy and Max Beerbolom, contains careful selections from the masterworks of each of the grant English prose writers which not only give an idea of the artists at their best but often attempt honestly to reflect upon all the various facets of his genius. Any anthology will skimp here and there, will give too much space to men its readers may not think highly of individually; it is safe to say that under Professors Whitridge and Dodge this anthology has consistently accorded as much space as seems wise both in the development of English prose and the attraction of their art for the present-day student.