HARPER'S FAMILY LIBRARY. 



- Books that y<m may carry to the fire, a7id hold readily m your hcmd, 

 are the most Jeful after all. A man u;U often ^^f ''l^^^C^^ 

 tf-antti to go on, When he would have been /lightened at lyooks of aUarger 

 vtze,andvfa more erudite appearance:'— D)^. Johnson. 



Thk proprietors of the Family Library feel themselves stimulated t« 

 iiicresse,! exertions by the distmgmsheJ favour witli winch it has already 



^^Tl'v^'^volmnes now before the public may be confidently appealed to 

 as proofs of zeal on the part of the publishers to present to their readers 

 a sene* of productions, which, as they are connected, not with ephemeral, 

 but with permanent subjects, may, years hence as weU as now,^be con- 

 eulted for hvelv amusement as well as solid instruction. 



To render this Library stili more wonliy ol patronage, tt^ pn^ne- 

 tors propose incorporating in it such works of interest and value as 

 nTv api.rr in the various Libraries and Miscellanies now preparing in 

 Eurq.^ Ta^cularty the " National" and the " Edinburgh Cabinet" Libra- 

 ries All these ppxluctions. as they emanate from the press, will be 

 submitted to a committee of literary gentlemen for '"^f ^",'>" ! f"^. "°'^ 

 will be reprinted but such as shall be found calculated to sustain the 

 exalted character which this Library has already acquired. .,..„. 



Several well-known authors have been engaged to prepare for it onginal 

 works of an American character, on History, Biography, Travels, &c. &c. 



Everv distinct subject wUl in general be comprehended in one volume, 

 or at most in three volumes, which nwy form either a portion of the 

 eenes or a complete work by itself; and each volume wiU be embelUsUed 

 with appropriate engravings. , ,_ , • _„ „>,„ 



The entire series will be the production of authors of enunenee, who 

 have acquired celebntv by their literarj- labours, and whose names as 

 thev api^ar in succession, will afford the surest guarantee to the public 

 for 'the satisfactory manner in which the subjects will be treated. 



•Snch is the plan bv which it is intended to form an American Family 

 library, composing all that is valuable in those branches of knowledge 

 which most happily unite entertainment with instruction. The mmo;,t 

 care mil be lakVSi, not only to exclude whatever can have an injurions 

 influence on the mind, but to embrace ever)- thing calculated to strengthen 

 the best and most salutary impressions. 



With these arrangements and facilities, the publishers flatter them 

 Belves that they shall be able to present to their fellow-citizens a worjs 

 of unparalleled merit and cheapness, embracing subjects adapted to all 

 cia.s9es of readers, and forming a body of literature deserving the praise 

 of having instructed many, and amused all ; and above eveo' other spe- 

 cies of eulogv, of being fit to be introduced, without reserv-e or exception, 

 bv tho father'of a familv to the domestic circle. Meanwhile, the very low 

 uflce at which it is charged renders more extensive patronage necei«ary 

 for its support and prosecution. The immediate encouragement there 

 fore of iliose who approve its plan and expedition is respectfully soI:cite<l 

 The wort m^v be ouiained ni complete sets, or m separate miiub«r* 

 »o;n iho paiKiyal boolvwUers throUfciioui the Uiuied Stat**. 



