the child onwards, fix his attention, and induce him, sub- 

 sequently, to seek information from other and more re- 

 condite works, which, if put into his hands at the onset, 

 would alarm him, and induce a disgust for that which 

 would appear dry and unintelligible, and of course, un- 

 interesting. 



The intention is not to provide information for any one 

 class, to the exclusion of others, but to disseminate knowl- 

 edge among all classes. The Publishers wish the children 

 of the Farmer, the Merchant, the Manufacturer, the Me- 

 chanic, the Laborer, — all to profit by the lights of science 

 and literature, that they may be rendered the more virtu- 

 ous and happy, and become more useful to themselves, to 

 one another, to the community, and mankind at large. 

 To accomplish this desirable end, the Library will em- 

 brace so wide a range of subjects, that every child may 

 find something which will prove useful and profitable to 

 him, whatever his situation, circumstances, or pursuits, in 

 afterlife may be. 



The project is one of great extent, and vast importance; 

 and, if properly carried out, must become of inestimable 

 value to the young. Whether the anticipations of the 

 Publishers, with regard to it, will be verified, time must 

 determine ; but from the intellectual and moral, theoretical 

 and practical character of those who have engaged to aid 

 in the undertaking, they have good grounds for presuming 

 that much will be accomplished, and that by their united 

 efforts many obstacles, now existing to the mental, moral, 

 and physical improvement of youth, will be removed, or at 

 least be rendered more easily surmountable. 



Among the individuals already engaged as writers for 

 one or both Series, may be mentioned — the Hon. Judge 

 Story, Jared Sparks, Esq., Washington Irving, Esq., Rev. 

 Dr. Wayland, Professor Benjamin Silliman, Professor Den- 

 nison Olmsted, Professor Alonzo Potter, Hon. Judge Buel, 

 Dr. Jacob Bigelow, Dr. Robley Dunglison, Dr. Elisha 

 Bartlctt, Rev. Charles W. Upham, Rev. F. W. P. Green- 

 wood, Rev. Royal Robbins, Rev. Warren Burton, Ar- 

 thur J. Stansbury, Esq., E. C. Wines, Esq., Robert Ran- 

 toul, Jr., Esq., Professor Tucker, and Professor Elton. 



Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, Mrs. E. F. Ellet, Mrs. Emma C. 

 Embury, Mrs. A. H. Lincoln Phelps, Miss E. Robbins, 



