THE BRITISH LIBRARY. 



of the French, who are constantly sending forth popular impressions of 

 their classics. Attempts have, indeed, been made to supply this omission, 

 in particular departments; and the more frivolous works in the language 

 have been abundantly reprinted. Books of amusement are, undoubtedly, 

 not entirely to be overlooked ; but they ought not to supersede a manlier 

 and more wholesome literature. It would seem, then, hardly to admit of 

 doubt, that an undertaking of this nature, embracing MODERATE PRICE, 



CAREFUL COLLATION, BEAUTIFUL TYPOGRAPHY, aild CONVENIENT SHAPE, must 



obtain extensive patronage. Great advantage would indeed result from 

 republication of the classics, under any form ; but a monthly issue, at a small 

 cost, presents the most extensive and obvious usefulness. Those who regard 

 money less than time, will thus be led insensibly to renew profitable study, 

 and to make up, at leisure moments, the deficiencies of early education ; 



means or avocations, may , .. 



sources of moral worth and intellectual eminence. 



Resting their hopes of success upon these, they trust, legitimate grounds, 

 the Proprietors of the BRITISH LIBRARY propose to publish the Standard 

 British Authors, at a price which shall place the most valuable literature 

 in the world within easy reach of the humblest reader, and in a style which 

 may become the cabinets of the most affluent. 



In farther explanation of their plan, the Proprietors refer to the following 

 particulars : 



I. The works of the principal authors of Great Britain will be published in 

 monthly volumes, foolscap 8vo. each containing from 320 to 400 pages, 

 and occasionally illustrated with plates and woodcuts, for the sum of THREE 

 SHILLINGS, or elegantly boarded and titled, THREE SHILLINGS and SIXPENCE. 



II. A leading object with the Proprietors, and one of the greatest impor- 

 tance to the Public, will be to free the works comprised in the BRITISH 

 LIBRARY, from the numerous errors which abound in even the best editions 

 of our most popular writers, to an extent of which the reader, who passes 

 rapidly over their pages, has often no conception. All such inaccuracies 

 will be corrected by a careful collation of the most approved editions ; 

 various readings will occasionally be introduced, when differences of moment 

 occur ; and, in cases where the lapse of time may have produced obscurity, 

 or the progress of discovery extended or improved our knowledge, notes 

 and illustrations will be added, the text being always preserved PURE 

 AND WITHOUT ABRIDGMENT. All the more important works will be edited by 

 writers who have already obtained the public confidence. 



III. The whole will constitute a series of works, which may be con- 

 nected and arranged by indices, afterwards to be given. The undertaking 

 offers also this peculiar advantage, that the writings of each author will be 

 perfect in themselves, and may be purchased separately. Subscribers may 

 thus either form a complete body of English literature, or select those 

 works which are especially adapted to their taste and pursuits, or the con- 

 dition of their libraries. 



IV. The works of each author will be accompanied with a Biographical 

 Memoir, either selected, or written expressly for the BRITISH LIBRARY. 



V. In the compass of a Prospectus it would be impossible to explain in detail 

 the order and contents of a publication which is intended to embrace all 

 our great classic writers in Divinity, History, Philosophy, Polite Literature, 

 and Fiction. But that subscribers may previously be assured as to the 

 value of the forthcoming works, lists of those in preparation will be 

 appended to each volume. 



