| Note: | Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See https://archive.org/details/56010330R.nlm.nih.gov |
“Books that you may carry to the fire, and hold readily in your hand,are the most useful after all. A man will often look at them, and betempted to go on, when he would have been frightened at books of a largersize, and of a more erudite appearance.”—Dr. Johnson.
The proprietors of the Family Library feel themselves stimulated toincreased exertions by the distinguished favour with which it has alreadybeen received.
The volumes now before the public may be confidently appealed toas proofs of zeal on the part of the publishers to present to their readersa series of productions, which, as they are connected, not with ephemeral,but with permanent subjects, may, years hence as well as now, be consultedfor lively amusement as well as solid instruction.
To render this Library still more worthy of patronage, the proprietorspropose incorporating in it such works of interest and value asmay appear in the various Libraries and Miscellanies now preparing inEurope, particularly “Constable’s Miscellany,” the “Edinburgh Cabinet”Library, &c. All these productions, as they emanate from the press,will be submitted to literary gentlemen for inspection; and none will bereprinted but such as shall be found calculated to sustain the exaltedcharacter which this Library has already acquired.
Several well-known authors have been engaged to prepare for it originalworks of an American character, on History, Biography, Travels, &c. &c.
Every distinct subject will in general be comprehended in one volume,or at most in three volumes, which may form either a portion of theseries or a complete work by itself; and each volume will be embellishedwith appropriate engravings.
The entire series will be the production of authors of eminence, whohave acquired celebrity by their literary labours, and whose names, asthey appear in succession, will afford the surest guarantee to the publicfor the satisfactory manner in which the subjects will be treated.
Such is the plan by which it is intended to form an American FamilyLibrary, comprising all that is valuable in those branches of knowledgewhich most happily unite entertainment with instruction. The utmostcare will be taken, not only to exclude whatever can have an injuriousinfluence on the mind, but to embrace every thing calculated to strengthenthe best and most salutary impressions.
With these arrangements and facilities, the publishers flatter themselvesthat they shall be able to present to their fellow-citizens a workof unparalleled merit and cheapness, embracing subjects adapted to allclasses of readers, and forming a body of literature deserving the praiseof having instructed many, and amused all; and above every other speciesof eulogy, of being fit to be introduced, without reserve or exception,by the fat