CUMMER SEP 22 1941 PREFACE. N launching another argosy, with rich and varied freight, upon the sea of popu lar favor, it has been the aim of the Editors and Publishers of this Library of Choice Literature to provide for the tastes of the widest circle of intelligent readers. The most largely circulated anthologies are made up of poetical selections mainly; in this, poetry holds a subordinate place to prose. While a just proportion of space has been given to writers on graver themes, the body of the work is made up of Masterpieces, chosen from the most fresh, vigorous and entertaining productions of the most noted authors, living and dead, of Europe and America. It is believed that the people are ready to welcome an enterprise which will give them in the compact form of Eight Volumes of letter press, (or it may be bound in four) elegantly illustrated, A LIBRARY OF LITERATURE, so comprehensive as to include choice specimens from nearly every writer of established fame, representing more than six hundred authors, in nearly two thousand selections. The gems of thought and expression, the exquisite measures of song, the delicate play of fancy, the lofty appeals of patriotism, the choicest bits of description, the delicious sallies of wit and humor, the kindling strains of eloquence-all have their place in these pages. From the best works of the best writers, from novelists and poets, from eloquent orators and judicious publicists, from philosophers and historians, from travellers and voyagers, from biographers and essayists, not forgetting the reviewers and pamphleteers, we have gleaned the Library here presented to the reader. It is hoped that it may be found worthy of a welcome as extensive as its scope. V It has been the ambition of the publishers to produce THE LIBRARY in a style worthy of its contents, and it is commended to the lovers of all good things— in the study, the workshop, or at the family fireside, in the confident belief that its contents, equally instructive and entertaining, represent a substantial share of the sweetness as well as the strength of the world's literature. The special thanks of the publishers and editors are due, and are hereby cheerfully tendered to all American authors and publishers of copyright works, who have kindly placed at our disposal the many valuable selections from their respective publications herein laid before the reader. |