in literature, a composition which expresses the views and opinions of the author on some one subject and which is in general shorter and less formal than a treatise. At times, however, the name essay is given by authors to productions which might more accurately be called treatises. In the history of the essay the most important name is that of Montaigne, who may be accounted the originator of this form of composition. Among English writers, Bacon was most influential in the development of the essay. Among other essay writers in English may be mentioned Steele, Addison, Carlyle, Macaulay, Lamb, Matthew Arnold, Emerson, Lowell, Stevenson and Henry Austin Dobson. The following list aims to include only those essays of sufficient strength or influence to possess a present power. The list might easily be doubled and still not include many well-known essays of these and other authors. (See articles on authors mentioned above.) Bacon's Of Studies; Steele's Tatler; Addison's Spectator; Johnson's Rambler; Irving's Salmagundi Papers; Lamb's Essays of Elia; Macaulay's Milton; Carlyle's Sartor Resartus; Emerson's Self-Reliance and Conduct of Life; Holmes's Breakfast Table Series; Thoreau's Walden; Matthew Arnold's Literature and Dogma; Lowell's Among My Books; Stevenson's Virginibus Puerisque; Ruskin's Sesame and Lilies and Crown of Wild Olives.