This collection of essays by one of the foremost literary critics of the late nineteenth century covers a range of subjects related to the art of fiction. From the influence of the theater on the novel to the psychology of the reader, Matthews brings a sharp and insightful perspective to the study of literature. With a readable style and a wealth of examples, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the theory and practice of writing. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.