None of the stereotypes of Victorian England narrow minded inhibited moralistic complacent prepares us for the vitality variety and above all extraordinary quality of intellectual life displayed in this volume of essays Selected and annotated by Gertrude Himmelfarb a distinguished historian of Victorian thought the writings address a wide range of subjects religion politics history science art socialism and feminism by eminent figures of the era including Carlyle Mill Macaulay Dickens Eliot Thackeray Newman Arnold and Wilde The selections reflect what Himmelfarb terms the spirit of the age contentious as well as earnest given to high aspirations and convictions and at the same time subject to deep anxieties and doubts  The Victorians undisputed masters of the long serious essay found the genre congenial to the expression of their most compelling and provocative views This volume offers a representative sampling of essays from the early middle and late Victorian periods each accompanied by an introductory note Himmelfarb also introduces the volume with two enlightening essays one on the evolving spirit of the age and the other on the essay as a genre and on the important periodicals that attracted such a large and engaged audience

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