The publishers of the Family Library, anxious to obtain and to deserve
the favourable opinion of the public, with pleasure embrace the
present opportunity to express their warm and sincere thanks for the
liberal patronage which has been bestowed upon their undertaking, and
their determination to do all that lies in their power to merit its
continuance. For some time previous to the commencement of the Family
Library, they had entertained thoughts and wishes of reducing the
quantity of merely fictitious writings, which the reading public had made
it their interest to issue from their press; and they were conscious
that this could only be done by substituting for them works that should
be equally entertaining and more instructive. The difficulty was to
find an adequate supply of books possessing these requisites. At this
time the attention of English philanthropists and authors was strongly
turned to the general dissemination of useful knowledge by means of
popular abridgments, convenient in form, afforded at low prices, and as
much as possible simplified in style, so as to be accessible as well to
the means as to the comprehension of “the people,” in contradistinction
to the educated and the wealthy. The result has been the production of
numerous collections, embracing well written works treating of almost
every department of art and science, and, by their simplicity, clearness,
and entire freedom from technicality, exactly calculated to attract and
compensate the attention of the general reader. From these collections,
with additions and improvements, and such alterations as were necessary
to adapt the work to the taste and wants of the American public, HARPER’S
FAMILY LIBRARY has been composed; and it is with pride and pleasure
that the publishers acknowledge the distinguished favour with which it
has been received. The approbation and support that have already been
bestowed upon it are greater than have ever been conferred upon any work
of a similar character published in the United States; and the sale of
every succeeding volume still demonstrates its continually increasing
popularity. In several instances gentlemen of wealth and of excellent
judgment have been so much pleased with the character of the Library,
that they have purchased numbers of complete sets as appropriate and
valuable gifts to the families of their less opulent relatives; and
others have unsolicited, been active in their endeavours to extend its
circulation among their friends and acquaintances. With these strong
inducements to persevere, the publishers are resolved to prosecute
their undertaking with additional zeal, energy, and circumspection.
What has been done they desire their patrons to consider rather in the
light of an experiment, than a specimen of what they hope and intend to
accomplish: they freely and gratefully acknowledge that the circulation
and popularity of the Family Library are now such as to justify them
in disregarding expense, and to demand from them every care and every
exertion. It shall be their study to make such arrangements as shall
warrant them in assuring the friends and patrons of the Library that the
forthcoming volumes, instead of decreasing in interest and value, will be
found still more deserving of the support and approbation of the public
than those which have preceded them.
In order to render it thus meritorious, the proprietors intend
incorporating in it hereafter, selections of the best productions from
the various other Libraries and Miscellanies now publishing in Europe.
Several well-known authors have been engaged to prepare for it also works
of an American character; and _the Family Library, when completed, will
include a volume on every useful and interesting subject_ not embraced in
the other “Libraries” now preparing by the same publishers. 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 for the satisfactory manner
in which the subjects will be treated.
With these arrangements, the publishers flatter themselves that they will
be able to offer to the American public a work of unparalleled _merit_
and _cheapness_, forming a body of literature which will obtain the
praise of having instructed many, and amused all; and, above every other
species of eulogy, of being fit to be introduced to the domestic circle
without reserve or exception.
THE DRAMATIC SERIES of the Family Library will consist principally of
the works of those Dramatists who flourished contemporaneously with
Shakspeare, in which all such passages as are inconsistent with modern
delicacy will be omitted. The number of volumes will be limited, and
they will be bound and numbered in such a manner as to render it not
essentially necessary to obtain them to complete a set of the Family
Library.
The following opinions, selected from highly respectable Journals, will
enable those who are unacquainted with the Family Library to form an
estimate 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
Miscellany.”—_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 nor 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_ family 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 American press.”—_N. 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
Palladium._
“The Family Library is, in all respects, a valuable work.”—_Pennsylvania
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 that the works comprising this Library have become, as they ought
to be, quite popular among the heads of Families.”—_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 recommended this enterprising and useful publication
(the Family Library), that we can here only add, that each successive
number 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.”—_N. Y. Journal of Commerce._
“To all portions of the community the entire series may be warmly
recommended.”—_American Traveller._
“It is a delightful publication.”—_Truth Teller._