GET THE GREAT BOOKS FIRST. 



There are certain books of certain great authors which one must read, and the 

 discreet book buyer will therefore select first what Lowell calls the " supreme books " — 

 those which all the world deems essential. These will give what is best and what ought 

 to be known of each great author. 



Great Books should be in Tine Bindings. 



When the best books are decided upon they should be bought in bindings that will 

 last more than a lifetime. In the present offer of "The World's Great Books " a 

 handsome buckram binding has been provided that will be an ornament to any library. 



For a choice of the "supreme books," the publishers have not relied wholly 

 on the judgment of any one man or set of men. They have carefully taken into account 

 the lists heretofore prepared by such high authorities as Sir John Lubbock, Kuskin, and 

 Swinburne, and have also availed themselves of the services of the following 



COMMITTEE 

 EDWARD EVERETT HALE. 



OF SELECTION : 



WILLIAM R. HARPER. 

 THOMAS B. REED. AINSWORTH R. SPOFFORD. 



ROSSITER JOHNSON, Editor in Chief. 



DISTINGUISHED ENGLISH AND AMERICAN CONTRIBUTORS. 



Prefatory Articles by great living writers introduce the several authors, giv- 

 ing the reader an insight into the life of each author represented in the series, his place 

 in literature, and the character and value of his work. These articles are from the pens 

 of the scholars or critics best fitted to write on the authors or books of which they 

 treat. For instance : JOSIAH ROYCE, of Harvard, writes on Plato; EDWARD 

 EVERETT HALE on De Foh ; HARRIET PRESCOTT SPOFFORD on Char- 

 lotte Bronte; THOMAS B. REED on " Great Orators"; and FRANK R 

 STOCKTON on "Famous Short Stories." A few of the other contributors are : 

 ANDREW LANG; JOHN P. MAHAFFY, of Trinity College, Dublin; MON- 

 CURE D. CONWAY; WILLIAM E. H. LECKY, the historian; THOMAS 

 WENTWORTH HIGGINSON ; and WILLIAM J. ROLFE, the Shakespearean 

 scholar. 



The World's Great Books will be published in fine library style, printed 

 from new plates, and will contain numerous illustrations, including full-page portraits of 

 the authors. In mechanical execution each volume will approximate perfect bookmak- 

 ing, and the production of the entire series will constitute one of the most extensive and 

 important literary enterprises ever undertaken. 



COMPLETE LIST NOW READY. 



On request, we shall be pleased to send you the final list as decided upon by the 

 Committee of Selection, with full particulars, specimen pages and engravings. 

 We believe that students of literature will agree that this list does not contain one volume 

 that ought to have been omitted. Yet we believe that the books indispensable to every 

 well-selected library are included. 



Those who apply promptly for information will place themselves in a 



position to participate in the introductory distribution of the first edition. First edition 

 subscribers will also receive a reduction from the regular subscription price of the com- 

 pleted work. 



D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 



72 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK. 



