Reviews

The Providence of Wit is deeply concerned with how waxing and waning eighteenth-century artistic, historical, and ontological assumptions help illumine the form of major works by major authors between about 1660 and 1760. Lucidly written, handsomely illustrated, and critically compelling, The Providence of Wit remains a brilliant exposition of the Christian Humanist point of view. It also remains essential reading for students of the REstoration and the eighteenth century.--Howard D. Weinbrot, Vilas and Quintana Professor, University of Wisconsin, Madison

An erudite, imaginative exploration of intellectual patterns governing early English fiction, The Providence fo Wit remains an indisepnsable text for critics and scholars alike. Utterly persuasive but never overinsistent, Martin Battestin amasses evidence to illuminate the familiar and elucidate the unfamiliar. He has permanently altered our understanding of the English eighteenth century.--Patricia Meyer Spacks, Neil Gray, Jr. Professor of English, Yale University

For almost the first time in Mr. Battestin's book religion has its full innings in the reinterpretation of eighteenth-century literature....Perhaps his greatest contribution is his recovery of a number of divines and their writings and his employment of them as an intellectual rather than a merely antiquarian source.--Paul Fussell "Times Literary Supplement"