Figures of Several Centuries

"Figures of Several Centuries" by Arthur Symons is a compilation of literary essays that explore various influential people in literature and philosophy. It gives a detailed look at figures like St. Augustine, Charles Lamb, and Edgar Allan Poe, thinking about their effects on the world of writing. Symons mixes his reviews with parts of their lives, helping readers understand these important people from history in many ways. Starting with St. Augustine's "Confessions," he shows it as a special story of someone talking to God. He goes into Augustine's deep look at himself and his spiritual path, relating his thoughts to bigger ideas like sin, kindness, and God. This first essay gets ready for talks about other famous writers, showing how important and complicated their work and lives were. As the story goes on, readers find not just opinions, but also interesting stories that show the personal battles and wins of each writer.