16 THE FAMILY LIBRARY. 



THE LIFE OF PETEE THE GEEAT. 



By JOHN BARROW, Esq., F.R.S., Author of the "Eventful 

 History of the Mutiny of the JBounty." With Portrait. 



The author of this Biographical Memoir has arranged the 

 scattered fragments of Histories, Lives, Anecdotes, and 

 Notices, manuscript or print, of one of the most extraordinary 

 characters that ever appeared in the world, in any age or 

 country ; being full of contradictions, yet consistent ; a 

 promoter of literature, arts, and sciences, yet without educa- 

 tion ; " he gave a polish," says Voltaire, " to his nation, and 

 was himself a savage ;" he taught his people the art of war. 

 of which he was himself ignorant ; from the first glance of 

 a cock-boat, five hundred miles from the sea, he became an 

 expert ship-builder, created a fleet, partly constructed with 

 his own hands, made himself an expert sailor, a skilful pilot, 

 a great captain : in short, he changed the manners, the 

 habits, the laws of the people, and the very face of the 

 country. 



SKETCHES OF IMPOSTUEE, DECEPTION, 

 AND CEEDUL1TY. 



Credulityis so comprehensive aterm,that greater difficulties 

 are encountered in selecting than multiplying examples. 

 These " Sketches " take an extensive range over the Pagan 

 superstitions tell of pretended Messiahs, false prophets, 

 and mock miracles describe Hindoo and other Oriental 

 deceptions in religious worship relate of royal impostors, 

 military stratagem s, literary cheats, and commercial bubbles 

 unfold' the mysteries of thefts and forgeries, and conclude 

 with an interesting account of the delusions of alchemy and 

 medical frauds. The work may be considered as a supple- 

 ment to Scott's " Letters on Demonology," and Brewster's on 

 " Natural Magic." 



THE CHEONICLES OF LONDON BEIDGE. 



By AN ANTIQUARY. Illustrated. 



This is an original work, and the reader will at once per- 

 ceive that the "Nominis umbra" of ." An Antiquary" conceals 

 u mind of no ordinary mould the possessor of no common 

 store of erudition. A velvet cushion has been the nucleus 



