Brazilian literature - Cristo Raul

FOREWORD
Brazil is preparing to commemorate worthily the cen-
tenary of her independence. The world outside is bidden
to the feast, and to beautiful Rio de Janeiro many
nations are sending their envoys with felicitations and
gifts. Our own country, the United States of North
America, is mindful of her duty and her privilege on
this occasion, and accredited delegates are bearing her
congratulations to her ever-faithful associate in the promoting
of peace and fraternity throughout the Western
Hemisphere. Perhaps it will not be taken amiss, if the
scholar and critic add his testimonial to the expressions
of good-will coming from all sides. What more fit-
ting than that a scholar and critic of our United States
should join the chorus and voice an honest appreciation
of Brazilian letters?
Dr. Goldberg, who has already paid ample tribute to
the literary output of Spanish-speaking America, gives
proof now of the catholicity of his interest by surveying
the whole course of literature in Portuguese-speaking
America, the vast land of Brazil, and by analyzing the
compositions of certain outstanding figures among the
writers of the region. He knows at first hand the au-
thors and the works that he treats; he knows what nat-
ive and foreign critics have to say about them; he expresses
unreservedly his own opinion about them. He
gives praise where praise is due, and, in kindly fashion,
he puts stricture upon that which calls for stricture.
On the whole, his pages contain more laudation than
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