“Books that you may carry to the fire, and hold readily in your hand, are the most useful after all. A man will often look at them, and be tempted1 to go on, when he would have been frightened at books of a larger size, and of a more erudite appearance.”—Dr. Johnson.
The proprietors2 of the Family Library feel themselves stimulated3 to increased exertions4 by the distinguished5 favour with which it has already been received.
The volumes now before the public may be confidently appealed to as proofs of zeal6 on the part of the publishers to present to their readers a series of productions, which, as they are connected, not with ephemeral, but with permanent subjects, may, years hence as well as now, be consulted for lively amusement as well as solid instruction.
To render this Library still more worthy7 of patronage8, the proprietors propose incorporating in it such works of interest and value as may appear in the various Libraries and Miscellanies now preparing in Europe, particularly “Constable’s Miscellany,” the “Edinburgh Cabinet” Library, &c. All these productions, as they emanate9 from the press, will be submitted to literary gentlemen for inspection10; and none will be reprinted but such as shall be found calculated to sustain the exalted11 character which this Library has already acquired.
Several well-known authors have been engaged to prepare for it original works of an American character, on History, Biography, Travels, &c. &c.
Every distinct subject will in general be comprehended in one volume, or at most in three volumes, which may form either a portion of the series or a complete work by itself; and each volume will be embellished12 with appropriate engravings.
The entire series will be the production of authors of eminence13, who have acquired celebrity14 by their literary labours, and whose names, as they appear in succession, will afford the surest guarantee to the public for the satisfactory manner in which the subjects will be treated.
Such is the plan by which it is intended to form an American Family Library, comprising all that is valuable in those branches of knowledge which most happily unite entertainment with instruction. The utmost care will be taken, not only to exclude whatever can have an injurious influence on the mind, but to embrace every thing calculated to strengthen the best and most salutary impressions.
With these arrangements and facilities, the publishers flatter themselves that they shall be able to present to their fellow-citizens a work of unparalleled merit and cheapness, embracing subjects adapted to all classes of readers, and forming a body of literature deserving the praise of having instructed many, and amused all; and above every other species of eulogy15, of being fit to be introduced, without reserve or exception, by the father of a family to the domestic circle. Meanwhile, the very low price at which it is charged renders more extensive patronage necessary for its support and prosecution16. The immediate17 encouragement, therefore, of those who approve its plan and execution is respectfully solicited19. The work may be obtained in complete sets, or in separate numbers, from the principal booksellers throughout the United States.
OPINIONS OF THE FAMILY LIBRARY.
“The publishers have hitherto fully18 deserved their daily increasing reputation by the good taste and judgment20 which have influenced the selections of works for the Family Library.”—Albany Daily Advertiser.
“The Family Library—A title which, from the valuable and entertaining matter the collection contains, as well as from the careful style of its execution, it well deserves. No family, indeed, in which there are children to be brought up, ought to be without this Library, as it furnishes the readiest resources for that education which ought to accompany or succeed that of the boarding-school or the academy, and is infinitely21 more conducive22 than either to the cultivation23 of the intellect.”—Monthly Review.
“It is the duty of every person having a family to put this excellent Library into the hands of his children.”—N. Y. Mercantile Advertiser.
“It is one of the recommendations of the Family Library, that it embraces a large circle of interesting matter, of important information and agreeable entertainment, in a concise24 manner and a cheap form. It is eminently25 calculated for a popular series—published at a price so low, that persons of the most moderate income may purchase it—combining a matter and a style that the most ordinary mind may comprehend it, at the same time that it is calculated to raise the moral and intellectual character of the people.”—Constellation.
“We have repeatedly borne testimony26 to the utility of this work. It is one of the best that has ever been issued from the American press, and should be in the library of every family desirous of treasuring up useful knowledge.”—Boston Statesman.
“We venture the assertion that there is no publication in the country more suitably adapted to the taste and requirements of the great mass of community, or better calculated to raise the intellectual character of the middling classes of society, than the Family Library.”—Boston Masonic Mirror.
“We have so often recommended this enterprising and useful publication (the Family Library), that we can here only add, that each successive number appears to confirm its merited popularity.”—N. Y. American.
“The little volumes of this series truly comport27 with their title, and are in themselves a Family Library.”—N. Y. Commercial Advertiser.
“We recommend the whole set of the Family Library as one of the cheapest means of affording pleasing instruction, and imparting a proper pride in books, with which we are acquainted.”—U. S. Gazette.
“It will prove instructing and amusing to all classes. We are pleased to learn that the works comprising this Library have become, as they ought to be, quite popular among the heads of families.”—N. Y. Gazette.
“The Family Library is, what its name implies, a collection of various original works of the best kind, containing reading useful and interesting to the family circle. It is neatly28 printed, and should be in every family that can afford it—the price being moderate.”—New-England Palladium.
“We are pleased to see that the publishers have obtained sufficient encouragement to continue their valuable Family Library.”—Baltimore Republican.
“The Family Library presents, in a compendious29 and convenient form, well-written histories of popular men, kingdoms, sciences, &c. arranged and edited by able writers, and drawn30 entirely31 from the most correct and accredited32 authorities. It is, as it professes33 to be, a Family Library, from which, at little expense, a household may prepare themselves for a consideration of those elementary subjects of education and society, without a due acquaintance with which neither man nor woman has claim to be well bred, or to take their proper place among those with whom they abide34.”—Charleston Gazette.
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1
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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proprietors
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| n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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emanate
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| v.发自，来自，出自 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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embellished
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| v.美化( embellish的过去式和过去分词 )；装饰；修饰；润色 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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celebrity
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| n.名人，名流；著名，名声，名望 | |
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eulogy
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| n.颂词；颂扬 | |
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prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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solicited
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| v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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conducive
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| adj.有益的，有助的 | |
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cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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concise
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| adj.简洁的，简明的 | |
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eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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comport
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| vi.相称，适合 | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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compendious
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| adj.简要的，精简的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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accredited
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| adj.可接受的；可信任的；公认的；质量合格的v.相信( accredit的过去式和过去分词 )；委托；委任；把…归结于 | |
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professes
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| 声称( profess的第三人称单数 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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