The Life of the Spirit in the Modern English Poets

ne can be studied in its completeness. For democracy with all its might is yet in its childhood. The political revolution may be accomplished; the social revolution is of the future, dimly foreseen by many a prophet, clearly foretold by none. But if the true social revolution be a thing of the future, the scientific revolution is assuredly a thing of the past. That the exclusive power of scientific thought has passed its prime, is evidenced by our present reaction towards mystiTable of Contents CONTENTS; PAGE; INTRODUCTION1; I SCIENCE AND THE MODERN POETS 5; 1 The Might of Science5; Democracy, Science and Art 5; Evolution as Theme 8; Evolution as Influence 12; 2 The Force-Idea14; Force in the Poetry of Nature 14 Force in the Poetry of Character 22 Force in the Poetry of Thought 26; 3 The Unity-Idea28; The Idea Absent28; The Idea Present and Justified 31; 4 The Realistic Temper37; Subjection to the Actual 37; Reverence for Law 41; Passion for Fact 43; 5 Dangers and Safeguards 51; II WORDSWORTH AND THE NEW DEMOCRACY 57; Exponent of the New Order 57; " Lyrical Ballads " and its Promise 60 The Experience of Wordsworth a Prophetic; Summary 64; Loyalty and Despondency 68; Wordsworth and a Social Democracy 73; Wordsworth and Modern Industry 78; Wordsworth and Carlyle 83; Wordsworth, Ruskin, and Morris 87; Wordsworth and the Modern Socialists 90; Phases of the Social