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HARPER'S FAMILY LIBRARY.

"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 be tempted to go on, when he would have been frightened at books of a larger sire, and of a more erudite appearance."- DR. JOHNSON.

The proprietors of the Family Library feel themselves stimulated to increased exertions by the distinguished favour with which it has already been received.

The volumes now before the public may be confidently appealed to as proofs of zeal on the part of the publishers to present to their readers a series of productions, which, as they are connected, not with ephemeral, but with permanent subjects, may, years hence as well as now, be consulted for lively amusement as well as solid instruction.

To render this Library still more worthy of patronage, the proprietors propose incorporating in it such works of interest and value as may appear in the various Libraries and Miscellanies now preparing in Europe, particularly the "National" and the Edinburgh Cabinet" Libraries. All these productions, as they emanate from the press, will be submitted to a committee of literary gentlemen for inspection; and none will be reprinted but such as shall be found calculated to sustain the exalted character which this Library has already acquired.

Several well-known authors have been engaged to prepare for it original works of an American character, on History, Biography. Travels, &c &c. Every distinct subject will in general be comprehended in one voluine, or at most in three volumes, which may form either a portion of the series or a complete work by itself; and each volume will be embellished with appropriate engravings.

The entire series will be the production of authors of eminence, who have acquired celebrity by their literary labours, and whose names, as they appear in succession, will afford the surest guarantee to the public for the atisfactory manner in which the subjects will be treated.

Such is the plan by which it is intended to form an American Family Library, comprising all that is valuable in those branches of knowledge which most happily unite entertainment with instruction. The utmost care will be taken, not only to exclude whatever can have an injurious influence on the mind, but to embrace every thing calculated to strengthen the best and most salutary impressions.

With these arrangements and facilities, the publishers flatter themselves that they shall be able to present to their fellow-citizens a work of unparalleled merit and cheapness, embracing subjects adapted to all classes of readers, and forming a body of literature deserving the praise of having instructed many, and amused all; and above every other species of eulogy, of being fit to be introduced, without reserve or exception, by the father of a family to the domestic circle. Meanwhile, the very low price at which it is charged renders more extensive patronage necessary for its support and prosecution. The immediate encouragement, therefore, of those who approve its plan and execution is respectfully solicited The work may be obtained in complete sets, or in separate numbers, from the principal booksellers throughout the United States

The following opinions, selected from highly respectable Journals, will enable those who are unacquainted with the Family Library to form an estinate of its merits. Numerous other notices, equally favourable, and from sources equally respectable, might be presented if deemed necessary. "The Family Library.-A very excellent, and always entertaining Mis cellany."-Edinburgh Review, No. 103.

"The Family Library presents, in a compendious and convenient form, well-written histories of popular men, kingdoms, sciences, &c. arranged and edited by able writers, and drawn entirely from the most correct and accredited authorities. It is, as it professes to be, a Family Library, from which, at little expense, a household may prepare themselves for a consideration of those elementary subjects of education and society, without a due acquaintance with which neither man or woman has claim to be well bred, or to take their proper place among those with whom they abide."-Charleston Gazette.

"We have repeatedly borne testimony to the utility of this work. It is one of the best that has ever been issued from the American press, and should be in the library of every fainily desirous of treasuring up useful knowledge."--Boston Statesman.

"The Family Library should be in the hands of every person. Thus far it has treated of subjects interesting to all, condensed in a perspicuous and agreeable style...... We have so repeatedly spoken of the merits of the design of this work, and of the able manner in which it is edited, that on this occasion we will only repeat our conviction, that it is worthy a place in every library in the country, and will prove one of the most useful as it is one of the most interesting publications which has ever issued from the Amer can press."-V. Y. Courier & Enquirer.

"The Family Library is, what its name implies, a collection of various original works of the best kind, containing reading, useful and interesting to the family circle. It is neatly printed, and should be in every family that can afford it--the price being moderate."-New-England Palladiun. "The Family Library is, in all respects, a valuable work."-Pennsyl vania Inquirer.

"We are pleased to see that the publishers have obtained sufficient encouragement to continue their valuable Family Library."-Baltimore Republican.

"We recommend the whole set of the Family Library as one of the cheapest means of affording pleasing instruction, and imparting a proper pride in books, with which we are acquainted."--Philadelphia U. S. Gazette.

"It will prove instructing and amusing to all classes. We are pleased to learn th the works comprising this Library have become, as they ought to be quite popular ainong the heads of Fainilies."-N. Y. Gazette. "It is the duty of every person having a family to put this excellent Library into the hands of his children."-N. Y. Mercantile Advertiser. "We have so often recomme ded this enterprising and useful publica tion (he Family Library), that we can here only dd, that each succes sive numb r appears to confirm its merited popularity."— N. Y. American. "It is so emphatically what it purports to be, that we are anxious to see it in every family.It is alike interesting and useful to all classes of readers."-Albany Evening Journal.

"The little volumes of this series truly comport with their title, and are in themselves a Family Library."-N. Y. Commercial Advertiser.

"We have met with no work more interesting and deservedly popular than this valuable Family Library."--Monthly Repository.

"The plan of the Family Library must be acceptable to the American reading community."-V. Y. Journal of Commerce.

"To all portions of the community the entire series may be warmly recommended."-American Traveller.

"It is a delightful publication."--Truly Toller

To those who are desirous of obtaining a knowledge of the most esteemed authors of Greece and Rome, but possess not the means or eisure for pursuing a regular course of study, the present undertaking musi prove a valuable acquisition.

So diversified are the objects to which general education is at present directed, that sufficient time cannot be allowed, in most instances, 10 lay the foundation of an adequate acquaintance with the most popular authors in the Greek and Latin languages. In those instances even, in when the object has ben attained, where the taste has been formed, and the ab of occasional recurrence to the Classics has been preserved, the facity of reference to a Series of correct and elegant Tanslations must afterd pleasure, and occasional assistance, even to the scholar. To him who, s Dr Kyox observes, although engaged in other pursuits, is still anxious "retain a tincture of that elegance and liberality of sentiment which the mind acquires by the study of the Classics, and which contributes more to form the true gentleman than all the unsubstantial ornaments of modern affectation," such a collection will, it is confidently hoped, prove acceptable.

As the learned languages do not form part of the education of females, the only access which they have to the valuable stores of antiquity is through the medium of correct translation.

The selection is intended to include those authors whose works may with propriety be read by the youth of both sexes; and it will be obvious that the nature of the publication is of so permanent a character, as to prove equally interesting to posterity as to the present generation. The whole will be presented to the public in a cheap. handsome, and uniform size, forming a complete " Family Classical Library," alike useful for the purpose of instruction and amusement. Indeed, as Dr. PARK says, "if you desire your son, though no great scholar. to read and reflect, it is your duty to place in his hands the best translations of the best Classical Authors."

A Biographical Sketch will be prefixed to each author; and notes wil be added, when necessary for the purpose of illustration. Engravings of the authors, and Maps, will be given occasionally.

The importance attached in the present day to translations of the Classic authors, may be estimated by the fact, that a series has been recently published in England, and also in France, and that another in the Russian language is now in pro ress, under the immediate sanction of the Imperial Government.

AN EPITOME OF ENGLISH LITERATURE.

UNDER the above title it is intended to publish, in a new and concentrated form, a series of Standard English Authors. The precise nature of the plan to be adopted in the work will be stated hereafter,-for the present suffice it to observe, that in History no facts, and in Philosophy to reasoning will be omitted or distorted, so as to render a reference to the original author requisite; and thus persons of both sexes may become perfectly acquainted with authors repulsive from bulk alone, at a comparatively little cost of time as well as price. The series will be confined to the popular productions of writers in prose,-such as Burnet, Clarendon, Gibbon, Hume, Robertson, Bacon, Locke, Paley, Addison, Goldsmith, Johnson, Swift, &c. &c., and will be edited by A. J. VALPY, M. A.

HARPER'S FAMILY LIBRARY.-See Prospectus.

LIBRARY OF SELECT NOVELS.-See Prospectus

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