AN INEXPENSIVE LIBRARY OF INDISPENSABLE BOOKS. 



THE 



MINERVA LIBRARY 



OF FAlVtOUS BOOKS. 



Edited by G. T. BETTANY, M.A., B.Sc, F.L.S. 



An Illustrated Series of first-class books, averaging from 400 to 600 pages, 

 strongly and attractively bound in cloth, 



PRICE TWO SHILLINGS EACH VOLUME, 



WITH CUT OR UNCUT EDGES. 



In Half Morocco, marbled sides, gilt top, Price Five Shillings Each Volume. 



The Design and Plan of the MINERVA LIBRARY OF FAMOUS BOOKS 

 have been amply justified by the remarkable favour with which it has been 

 received by the press and the public. The design is to provide at the lowest 

 possible cost books which every intelligent reader will wish to possess, in a form 

 readable, attractive, and lasting. The issue at monthly intervals, not so frequent 

 as to distract, not so intermittent as to lose the advantage of regularity, enables 

 readers to add to their library at an almost imperceptible cost. Thus for about 

 one pound a year, every man may form a library which will afford an ever- 

 increasing source of gratification and cultivation to himself and his family. There 

 will be no doubt, as in buying the novelties of the day, as to whether the new 

 volume will prove to be of permanent value and interest. It will have already 

 stood the test of time and of good critics, though frequently it may have been 

 unattainable except at a heavy cost. The Minerva Library will only include 

 works of widespread popularity, which have proved themselves worthy of a 

 permanent place in literature. 



Variety Will be Studied in the selection of books, so that all classes of the 

 best literature of all nations may be represented. The adoption of the name 

 "Minerva" will be justified by the abundant wisdom, thought, and imaginative 

 and inventive power which the books will be found to contain. 



Each volume Contains an introduction by the Editor, in which a biography 

 of the author, or critical or explanatory notes, place the reader in sympathy with 

 the author and his work. In some of the books additional elucidations and 

 illustrations of the text are given, and in others side-notes indicate the subjects 

 of the paragraphs. 



The number Of separate Plates as well as illustrations in the text forms a 

 marked feature of the series. As far as possible an authentic portrait of every 

 author will be given. An inspection of the books only is needed to make their 

 attractiveness evident. 



