The choice of books

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY

OF CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES

GIFT OF

Kate Gordon Moore

\

i

2

The

Choice of Books

By

Charles F. Richardson

Profesior of English in Danmontb College
Author of ^'A History of Americain Literature," etc.

Authorized Edition^ Revised

Together with

Suggestions for Libraries

Selected Lists of Books of Reference, Hbtory, Biography, and
Literature, with the Best Current Editions
Notes and Pnces

G. P. Putnam's Sons

New York and London

Cbe ftnfcfterbocltet press

1905

Copyright, 1905

BY

CHARLES F. RICHARDSON
For Revised Edition

Ube ftnfclierboclier press, new Vorli

"L

lOOl

PREFACE

THE chapters composing this handbook were
originally printed as weekly contributions
to a literary newspaper in 1880 and 1881,
and were gathered into book form in the latter
year. An English reissue and a Russian trans-
lation soon followed. Owing to an accidental loss
of copyright the many subsequent American edi-
tions, bearing various imprints, have been beyond
the author's control; but he has taken pleasure
in the fact that the treatise has apparently con-
tinued to be helpful, notwithstanding the later
appearance of many excellent works of similar
purpose.

In the present issue many new pages have been
added, while the less essential portions of the
earlier editions have been dropped. The author
has preferred, however, to retain the general plan
and method unchanged, as having proved to be
of practical service. Direct usefulness has been
kept in mind, rather than the endeavour to pre-
sent a sheaf of essays concerning literary themes.

9^A-XS^

iv preface

With this end in view, large use has been made,
as before, of citations from the best authorities,
old and new, so that the work is a sort of treasury
of wise thoughts on books and reading.

" Here then," — in the words of 2 Maccabees,
xxxiii., — " we will begin the narration; let this
be enough by way of a preface; for it is a foolish
thing to make a long prologue and to be short in
the story itself."

Dartmouth Coi,IvEge,
September i, 1905.

CONTENTS

PAGE

The Motive of Reading i

The Reading Habit 9

What Books to Read 25

The Best Time to Read 46

How Much to Read 58

Remembering What One Reads • . • 73

The Use of Note-Books 82

The Cui^tivation of Taste 91

Poetry • , . 106

The Art of Skipping 119

The Use of Translations 127

How TO Read Periodicai^ 136

Reading Au)ud and Reading Ci,ubs . . .145

What Books to Own 159

The Use of Pubwc Libraries . . . .177
The True Service of Reading . , . .195

Index 203

Suggestions for Home Libraries

The Choice of Books

THE MOTIVE OF READING

** •'"X F making many books there is no end,"
I I said the wise man of three thousand
^'"^ years ago; and he added the equally
true statement that "much study" — that is,
much reading — " is a weariness of the flesh." A
fourteenth century commentator, in considering
this text, drew the conclusion that no books may
rightly be read save " the bokis of hooli scrip-
ture," and " other bokis, that ben nedeful to the
understonding of hooli scripture." Modem
readers, reared outside the close atmosphere of
mediaeval cloisters, are of course not so narrow in
their interpretation of this text; but all will agree
that a wise choice must be made from the great
stores of literature that the ages have accumu-
lated, from the days of papyrus scrolls and birch-
bark writings to these times, when scarcely any
country town is without its library.
I

XTbe Cbolce ot IBoohs

It has been estimated — of course by a rough
system of guesswork — that the total number of
volumes in the world is more than three billion,
or two per capita. Mr. Gladstone once said that
we must " bow our heads to the inevitable: the
day of encyclopaedic learning has gone by . . .
A vast, even a bewildering prospect is before us,
for evil or for good; but for good, unless it be our
own fault, far more than evil." Indeed, this
venerable book-lover felt that he would like to do
something to "prevent the population of Great
Britain from being extruded, some centuries
hence, into the surrounding waters by the exorbi-
tant dimensions of their own libraries." Revers-
ing the figure, Felix Adler likens book-making
and periodical-making to a flood: "The present
condition in literature is like that which prevailed,
or is said according to the Bible to have pre-
vailed, on earth immediately after Noah entered
the ark. A deluge has set in. It rains and rains
books and reviews and magazines and pamphlets;
and then there are the newspapers. The flood
rises higher and higher. It comes into our
houses, empties itself on our bookshelves and
loads our tables. We are up to our necks in
it, and in alarm we cry that we shall drown!

XTbe /Dotipe ot IReaMna

. . . The deluge is upon us; but the rock of
safety is at hand. The rock of safety is the
world's best literature, the things that have been
approved in the experience of generations."

Literature is the written record of valuable
thought, having other than a merely technical
purpose. It is the preserved sum-total of the best
ideas of the world's noblest men and women. It
is the tale of " that common humanity whose
sorrowings and sinnings, whose hopes and joys
and little triumphs, constitute the great story
which all the pens of time have tried to tell — the
story which leads back and sets man face to face
with the Undiscoverable. " ' Of all existing oc-
cupations, therefore, none is better than that of
good reading, wisely to be used. It is treasure
laid up for heaven, for the mind endures when
the body is scattered dust. Literature is more real
and more lasting than stocks and bonds, statues
and buildings. ' ' The world of the imagination,' '
says Lowell, " is not the world of abstraction and
nonentity, as some conceive, but a world formed
out of chaos by a sense of the beauty that is in
man and the earth on which he dwells. . . .
Every book we read may be made a round in the
' E. Hough.

Ube Cboice ot Boohs

ever-lengthening ladder by which we climb to
knowledge and to that temperance and serenity
of mind which, as it is the ripest fruit of wisdom,
is also the sweetest. . . . The riches of
scholarship, the benignities of literature, defy
fortune and outlive calamity. They are beyond
the reach of thief or moth or rust. As they can-
not be inherited, so they cannot be alienated."

" The grandest aim of imaginative art," says
Ruskin, " is to give men noble grounds for noble
emotion." I/iterature is but one of the imagina-
tive arts; and it is that art which presupposes a
development of culture, which has been aptly de-
fined as an " interest in the best things said and
written in the world." '

The best things are the remnant, the chosen
few, the selected minority. There were nine
sibylline books, then three were thrown away,
then again three, but the remaining ones were
more valuable than the nine. Literature, says
John Morley, "consists of all the books — and
they are not so many — where moral truth and
human passion are touched with a certain large-
ness, sanity, and attraction of form."

More and more, therefore, is there need of
'The Evening Sun.

XTbe fJbotivc of IRcaMng

James Russell Lowell's advice: " The first lesson
in reading well is that which teaches us to dis-
tinguish between literature and merely printed
matter. The choice lies wholly with ourselves."

" We are now," says Disraeli, " in want of an
art to teach how books are to be read, rather than
to read them; such an art is practicable."

The very first thing to be remembered by him
who would study the art of reading is that no-
thing can take the place of personal enthusiasm
and personal work. However wise may be the
friendly adviser, and however full and perfect the
chosen handbook of reading, neither can do more
than to stimulate and suggest. Nothing can take
the place of a direct familiarity with books them-
selves. To know one good book well is better
than to know something adotif a hundred good
books, at second hand. The taste for reading and
the habit of reading must always be developed
from within; they can never be given from
without.

All plans and systems of reading, then, should
be taken, as far as possible, into one's heart of
hearts, and be made a part of his own mind and
thought. Unless this can be done, they are worse
than useless. Dr. McCosh says: " The book to

Ube Cboicc of 3Boohs

read is not the one that thinks for you, but the
one which makes you think." It is plain, then,
that a " course of reading " may be a great good
or a great evil, according to its use. Bishop
Alonzo Potter, in his day one of the most judicious
of literary helpers, offered to readers this sound
piece of advice : ' ' Do not be so enslaved by any
system or course of study as to think it may not
be altered," However conscious one may be of
his own deficiencies, and however he may feel the
need of outside aid, he should never permit his
own independence and self-respect to be obliter-
ated. " He who reads incessantly," says Milton,

"and to his reading brings not
A spirit and judgment equal or superior,
Uncertain and unsettled still remains,
Deep versed in books, but shallow in himself."

The general agreement of intelligent people as
to the merit of an author or the worth of a book
is, of course, to be accepted until one finds some
valid reason for reversing it. But nothing is to
be gained by pretending to like what one really
dislikes, or to enjoy what one does not find profit-
able, or even intelligible. If a reader is not honest
and sincere in this matter, there is small hope for
him. The lowest taste may be cultivated and

tCbe ADotivc of IReaMng

improved, and radically changed; but pretence
and artificiality can never grow into anything
better. They must be wholly rooted out at the
start. If you dislike Shakespeare's Hamlet, and
greatly enjoy a trashy story, say so with sincerity
and sorrow, if occasion requires, and hope and
work for a reversal of your taste. "It 's guid to
be honest and true," says Bums, and nowhere is
honesty more needed than here.

For honesty's sake, accordingly, let us grant at
the start that the busiest reader must leave unread
all but a mere fraction of the good books in the
world. The reading of a book a fortnight, or say
twenty- five books a year, is quite as much as the
average reader can possibly achieve — a rate at
which only 125c books could be read in half a
century. Since this is so, he must be very
thoughtless or very timid who feels any shame
in confessing that he is wholly ignorant of a great
many books. Be not appalled at the thought of
the thousands of volumes issued yearly, or the
millions in libraries; but be ashamed only of
your own abandonment of time that rightly be-
longs to reading. On the other hand, none but
a very superficial and conceited reader will ven-
ture to express surprise at the deficiencies of

Xlbc Cboice of JSoohs

others, when a little thought would make his own
so clearly manifest. In Cowper's words:

" Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much ;
Wisdom is humble that he knows no more."

THE READING HABIT

THERE are some persons who are so fortu-
nate as to be unable to tell when they
formed the habit of reading; who find it
a constant and ever-increasing advantage and
pleasure, their whole lives long; and who will
not lay it down so long as they live. Their
youth and old age are so bound up in the reading
habit that, if questioned as to its first inception
and probable end, they can only reply, like
Dimple-chin and Grizzled-face, in Mr. Stedman's
pretty poem of " Toujours Amour " : "Ask some
younger lass than I "; "Ask some older sage than
I." Happy are those whose early surroundings
thus permit them unconsciously to associate with
books; whose parents and friends surround them
with good reading; and whose time is so appor-
tioned, in childhood and youth, as to permit them
to give a fair share of it to reading, as well as to
study in school, on the one hand, and physical
labour, on the other. It is plain that a great
duty and responsibility thus rests upon the parents
and guardians and teachers of the young, at the
9

lo Ube Cboice of JSoohs

very outset. It is theirs to furnish the books,
and to stimulate and suggest, in ever)' wise way,
the best methods of reading.

Just where, in this early formation of the read-
ing habit, absolute direction should end and ad-
vice begin, is a matter which the individual
parent or guardian must decide for himself, in
large measure. Perhaps there is greater danger
of too much direction than of too much sugges-
tion. It is well to give the young reader, in
great part, the privilege of forming his own plans
and making his own choice. Of this promotion
of self- development Herbert Spencer says: " In
education the process of self-development should
be encouraged to the fullest extent. Children
should be led to make their own investigations,
and to draw their own inferences. They should
be told a.s little as possible, and induced to discover
as much as possible. Humanity has progressed
solely by self-instruction; and that to achieve the
best results each mind must progress somewhat
after the same fashion, is continually proved by
the marked success of self-made men. Those
who have been brought up under the ordinary
school-drill, and have carried away with them
the idea that education is practicable only in that

TTbe IRcaMng f}abit

style, will think it hopeless to make children their
own teachers. If, however, they will call to mind
that the all-important knowledge of surrounding
objects which a child gets in its early years is got
without help ; if they will remember that the child
is self-taught in the use of its mother's tongue; if
they will estimate the amount of that experience
of life, that out-of-school wisdom which every boy
gathers for himself; if they will mark the unusual
intelligence of the uncared-for London gamin, as
shown in all directions in which his faculties have
been tasked; if, further, they will think how
many minds have struggled up unaided, not only
through the mysteries of our irrationally-planned
curriculum, but through hosts of other obstacles
besides, they will find it a not unreasonable con-
clusion that if the subjects be put before him in
right order and right form, any pupil of ordinary
capacity will surmount his successive difficulties
with but little assistance. Who indeed can watch
the ceaseless observation and inquiry and in-
ference going on in a child's mind, or listen to its
acute remarks on matters within the range of its
faculties, without perceiving that these powers
which it manifests, if brought to bear systemati-
cally upon any studies within the same range,

12 Ube Cbotce of Boofts

would readily master them without help ? This
need for perpetual telling is the result of our stu-
pidity, not of the child's. We drag it away from
the facts in which it is interested, and which it is
actively assimilating of itself; we put before it
facts far too complex for it to understand, and
therefore distasteful to it; finding that it will
not voluntarily acquire these facts, we thrust
them into its mind by force of threats and punish-
ment; by thus denying the knowledge it craves,
and cramming it with knowledge it cannot digest,
we produce a morbid state of its faculties, and a
consequent disgust for knowledge in general; and
when as a result partly of the stolid indifference
we have brought on, and partly of still continued
unfitness in its studies, the child can understand
nothing without explanation, and becomes a mere
passive recipient of our instruction, we infer that
education must necessarily be carried on thus.
Having by our method induced helplessness, we
straightway make the helplessness a reason for
our method."

After making all needed deductions from the
somewhat impatient spirit in which Mr. Spencer
here speaks, it can hardly be questioned that the
young reader — and most of these suggestions

Ube "KeaMna "fcabit 13

apply equally well to those few who begin to read
later in life — will do much for himself; and that,
on the whole, he stands in greater need of a ju-
dicious guide and helper than of a rigorous ruler
and taskmaster. Of course, if he lacks both
guidance and government, the latter is better than
nothing; and there are times when only stern
commandment will avail. But the rule should
be made in accordance with the large purpose of
helpfulness. The reading habit is a growth, a
development, not a creation; and all measures for
its cultivation, whether from without or within,
should be made with this fact in mind. And
where strict and even stern regulation is neces-
sary, the direction will be most profitable that
best succeeds in causing itself to be assimilated in
the mind of the governed, as a part of that mind,
and not as a foreign addition.

The normal child, under right surroundings,
amuses itself " in books, or work, or healthful
play," now one, now another. Whether the
reader, aided by wise counsellors, be young or old,
he should soon become familiar with the advan-
tage of making his reading a part of all his daily
life.

As regards children's reading, parents and

M

Xlbe Cbotce ot Boofts

teachers should use the " presumption of brains."
Take it for granted that they like the good.
Children diislike to be '* talked down to," and it is
as easy to interest them in a Waverley novel as in a
" Henty book." " I can conceive," says lyowell,
"of no healthier reading for a boy, or a girl either,
than Scott's novels, or Cooper's." A pleasant
course in English history may be based solely
upon Scott's novels, as is shown by the following
table, in which each title is followed by the ap-
proximate date and the name of the reigning
monarch :

Count Robert of Paris 1090

The Betrothed 1187

The Talisman 1193

Ivanhoe 1194

Castle Dangerous 1306-7

The Fair Maid of Perth 1402

Quentin Durward 1470

Anne of Geierstein 1474-7

The Monastery 1559

The Abbot 1568

Kenilworth 1575

The Laird's Jock 1600

The Fortunes of Nigel 1620

A Legend of Montrose 1645-6

'Woodstock 1652

Peveril of the Peak 1660

Old Mortality 1679-90 1

William Rufus.
Henry II.
Richard I.
Richard I.
Edward I.
Henry IV.
Edward IV.
Edward IV.
Elizabeth.
Elizabeth.
Elizabeth.
Elizabeth.
James I.
James I.
Commonwealth.
Charles II.
Charles II.
William and Mary.

Ubc 1Reat)ina Dabtt 15

The Pirate 1700 William III. and

Anne.

My Aunt Margaret's Mirror . 1700 William III.

The Bride of Lammermoor. . 1700 William III.

The Black Dwarf 1708 Anne.

Rob Roy 1715 George I.

The Heart of Midlothian. . . 1736-51 George II.

Waverley 1745 George II.

The Highland Widow 1755 George II.

The Surgeon's Daughter 1750-70 George II. and III.

Guy Mannering 1750-70 George II. and III.

The Two Drovers 1765 George III.

Redgauntlet 1770 George III.

The Tapestried Chamber 1780 George III.

The Antiquary 1798 George III.

St. Ronan's Well 1800 George III.

Mr. Ruskiu, too, has spoken of the duty of
brightening the beginnings of education, and of
the evils of cramming, against which, happily,
the tide of the best contemporary thought is now
setting strongly, — never to ebb, let us hope.
" Make your children," he says, " happy ip their
youth; let distinction come to them, if it will,
after well-spent and well-remembered years; but
let them now break and eat the bread of heaven
with gladness and singleness of heart, and send
portions to them for whom nothing is prepared;
and so heaven send you its grace, before meat,
and after it." Of the necessity of making attract-
ive the beginnings of reading, Edward Everett

i6 TLbc Cbotce ot Boofts

Hale says : "In the first place, we must make
this business agreeable. Whichever avenue we
take into the maze must be one of the pleasant
avenues, or else, in a world which the good God
has made very beautiful, the young people will
go a-skating, or a-fishing, or a-swimming, or a-
voyaging, and not a-reading, and no blame to
them," How much can be done by others in
making the literary path pleasant is known to the
full by those whose first steps were guided therein
by a wise father, or mother, or teacher, or friend.
How strongly the lack of the helpful hand is felt,
none who has missed it will need to be told.

But those who must be their own helpers need
not be one whit discouraged. The history of the
world is full of bright examples of the value of
self-training, as shown by the subsequent success
won as readers, and writers, and workers in every
department of life, by those who apparently
lacked both books to read and time to read them,
or even the candle wherewith to light the printed
page. It would be easy to fill this whole series
of chapters with accounts of the way in which the
reading habit has been acquired and followed in
the face of every obstacle. A single bit of per-
sonal reminiscence may be taken as the type of

XTbe IReaMnG "fcabit 17

thousands. It is the story told by Robert Collyer,
who worked his way from the anvil, in a little
English town, up to a commanding position
among American preachers. " Do you want to
know," he asked, " how I manage to talk to you
in this simple Saxon ? I will tell you. I read
Bunyan, Crusoe, and Goldsmith when I was a
boy, morning, noon, and night. All the rest was
task- work; these were my delight, with the stories
in the Bible, and with Shakespeare, when at last
the mighty master came within our doors. The
rest were as senna to me. These were like a well
of pure water, and this is the first step I seem to
have taken of my own free will toward the pulpit.
. . . I took to these as I took to milk, and,
without the least idea what I was doing, got the
taste of simple words into the very fibre of my
nature. There was day-school for me until I was
eight years old, and then I had to turn in and
work thirteen hours a day. . . . From the
days when we used to spell out Crusoe and old
Bunyan there had grown up in me a devouring
hunger to read books. It made small matter
what they were, so they were books. Half a
volume of an old encyclopaedia came along — the
first I had ever seen. How many times I went

i8 Ube Cboice ot Boofts

through that I cannot even guess. I remember
that I read some old reports of the Missionary
Society with the greatest delight. There were
chapters in them about China and Labrador,
Yet I think it is in reading as it is in eating :
when the first hunger is over you begin to be a
little critical, and will by no means take to gar-
bage if you are of a wholesome nature. And I
remember this because it touches this beautiful
valley of the Hudson. I could not go home for
the Christmas of 1839, and was feeling very sad
about it all, for I was only a boy; and sitting by
the fire, an old farmer came in and said: ' I notice
thou 's fond o' reading, so I brought thee summat
to read.' It was Irving's Sketch Book. I had
never heard of the work. I went at it, and was
' as them that dream.' No such delight had
touched me since the old days of Crusoe. I saw
the Hudson and the Catskills, took poor Rip at
once into my heart, as everybody has, pitied
Ichabod while I laughed at him, thought the old
Dutch feast a most admirable thing, and long be-
fore I was through, all regret at my lost Christ-
mas had gone down the wind, and I had found
out there are books and books. That vast hunger
to read never left me. If there was no candle, I

tTbe IRcaMng l)abit 19

poked my head down to the fire; read while I was
eating, blowing the bellows, or walking from one
place to another. I could read and walk four
miles an hour. The world centred in books.
There was no thought in my mind of any good to
come out of it; the good lay in the reading. I
had no more idea of being a minister than you
elder men who were boys then, in this town, had
that I should be here to-night to tell this story.
Now, give a boy a passion like this for anything,
books or business, painting or farming, mechan-
ism or music, and you give him thereby a lever
to lift his world, and a patent of nobility, if the
thing he does is noble. There were two or three
of my mind about books. We became com-
panions, and gave the roughs a wide berth. The
books did their work, too, about that drink, and
fought the devil with a finer fire. I remember
while I was yet a lad reading Macaulay's great
essay on Bacon, and I could grasp its wonderful
beauty. There has been no time when I have
not felt sad that there should have been no chance
for me at a good education and training. I miss
it every day, but such chances as were left lay in
that everlasting hunger to still be reading. I
was tough as leather, and could do the double

20 Tlbe Cboicc ot Boohs

stint, and so it was that, all unknown to myself, I
was as one that soweth good seed in his field."

With young or old, there is no such helper
toward the reading habit as the cultivation of this
warm and undying feeling of the friendliness of
books, — in which subject Frederick Deiiison Mau-
rice found enough to write a whole volume. If a
parent or other guide seems but a taskmaster; if
his rules are those of a statute-book, and his
society like that of an officer of the law, there is
small hope that his help can be made either serv-
iceable or profitable. But with the growth of
the friendly feeling comes a state of mind which
renders all things possible. When one book has
become a friend and fellow, the world has grown
that much broader and more beautiful. Petrarch
said of his books, considered as his friends: " I
have friends whose society is extremely agree-
able to me; they are of all ages, and of every
country. They have distinguished themselves
both in the cabinet and in the field, and obtained
high honours for their knowledge of the sciences.
It is easy to gain access to them, for they are al-
ways at my service, and I admit them to ray
company, and dismiss them from it, whenever I
please. They are never troublesome, but imme-

Xlbe IReaMna "fcabit

diately answer every question I ask them. Some
relate to me the events of the past ages, while
others reveal to me the secrets of nature. Some
teach me how to live, and others how to die.
Some, by their vivacity, drive away my cares and
exhilarate my spirits, while others give fortitude
lo my mind and teach me the important lesson
how to restrain my desires, and to depend wholly
on myself. They open to me, in short, the vari-
ous avenues of all the arts and sciences, and upon
their information I safely rely in all emergencies."
Literature, from Cicero to Andrew Lang, is full
of such tributes to the friendship of books.
Wordsworth's oft-quoted lines were made more
familiar in America by their long-continued use
as the motto of a literary newspaper:

" Dreams, books, are each a world ; and books, we know,
Are a substantial world, both pure and good.
Round these, with tendrils strong as flesh and blood.
Our pastime and our happiness will grow."

" In my study," quaintly said Sir William
Waller, " I am sure to converse with none but
wise men; but abroad it is impossible for me to
avoid the society of fools." Sir John Herschel
called books *' the best society in every period of
history": "Were I to pray for a taste which

22 Ube Cboice ot Boofts

should stand me in stead under every variety of
circumstances, and be a source of happiness and
cheerfulness to me during life, and a shield
against its ills, however things might go amiss,
and the world frown upon me, it would be a taste
for reading. Give a man this taste, and the
means of gratifying it, and you can hardly fail of
making him a happy man; unless, indeed, you
put into his hands a most perverse selection of
books. You place him in contact with the best
society in every period of history — with the wisest,
the wittiest, the tenderest, the bravest, and the
purest characters who have adorned humanity.
You make him a denizen of all nations, a con-
temporary of all ages. The world has been
created for him." Among his books, William
Ellery Chauning could say: ** In the best books,
great men talk to us, with us, and give us their
most precious thoughts. Books are the voices
of the distant and the dead. Books are the true
levellers. They give to all who will faithfully
use them the society and the presence of the best
and greatest of our race. No matter how poor I
am; no matter though the prosperous of my own
time will not enter mj^ obscure dwelling, if learned
men and poets will enter and take up their abode

Ube IReaMnQ ttabit 23

under my roof, — if Milton will cross my threshold
to sing to me of Paradise; and Shakespeare open
to me the world of imagination and the workings
of the human heart; and Franklin enrich me with
his practical wisdom, I shall not pine for intel-
lectual companionship, and I may become a culti-
vated man, though excluded from what is called
the best society in the place where I live. . . .
Nothing can supply the place of books. They
are cheering and soothing companions in solitude,
illness, or affliction. The wealth of both conti-
nents could not compensate for the good they
impart. Let every man, if possible, gather some
good books under his roof, and obtain access for
himself and family to some social library. Al-
most any luxury should be sacrificed to this."
And one cannot wonder that F6nelon said: " If
the crowns of all the kingdoms of the empire
were laid down at my feet in exchange for my
books and my love of reading, I would spurn
them all"; or that the historian Gibbon wrote:
" A taste for books is the pleasure and glory of
my life. I would not exchange it for the glory
of the Indies."

The same thought has been phrased in a
hundred different ways : Addison declared that

84 ^bs Cboice ot JSoofts

" Books are the legacies that a great genius
leaves to mankind, which are delivered down
from generation to generation, as presents to the
posterity of those who are yet unborn"; and a
forgotten but wholesome American writer, George
S. Hillard, concisely reminded us that " Books
are the friends of the friendless, and a library is
the home of the homeless." All these words of
wise readers show that he who rightly cultivates
the reading habit not only can have the best of
friends ever at hand, but can at length say with
all modesty, if he reads aright and remembers
well: " My mind to me a kingdom is."

WHAT BOOKS TO READ

"W 7^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^ read?" This
\/\/ question virtually includes in its
answer the consideration of the
whole world of letters, and is of such manifest
importance that no individual utterance, however
sincere and competent, can entirely cover the
ground. Diflferent tastes and needs call for differ-
ent suggestions. In this chapter, therefore, I
prefer to express my own conclusions principally
in the words of mightier men.

Coming thus definitely to the choice of par-
ticular books, we find that only the smaller and
pettier guides presume to mark out definite
courses of reading. The master minds never for-
get that books were made for readers, not readers
for books. "The best rule of reading," says
Emerson, " will be a method from nature, and
not a mechanical one of hours and pages. It
holds each student to a pursuit of his native aim,
instead of a desultory miscellany. L<et him read
what is proper to him, and not waste his memory
on a crowd of mediocrities. As whole nations
as

26 Ube Cboicc ot Bool?s

have derived their culture from a single book — as
the Bible has been the literature as well as the
religion of large portions of Europe — as Hafiz
was the eminent genius of the Persians, Con-
fucius of the Chinese, Cervantes of the Spaniards;
so, perhaps, the human mind would be a gainer
if all the secondary writers were lost — say, in
England, all but Shakespeare, Milton, and Bacon
— through the profound er study so drawn to those
wonderful minds. With this plot of his own
genius, let the student read one, or let him read
many, he will read advantageously."

As regards the Bible as the only book, it may
be noted that another poet — ^Joaquin Miller in his
Californian mountain home — is willing to make it
his only printed library. " Books, books," said
he to a visitor, " what 's the good of them ? The
book of Nature and the Bible are books enough
for me,"

The advantage of following the common con-
sent of the best critics, as to what are the world's
best books, is further pressed by Mr. Emerson
when he urges us to " be sure to read no mean
books "; and when, in more definite language, he
lays down his three well-known rules: "i. Never
read any book that is not a year old. 2. Never

TRIlbat Sooh0 to lRea& 27

read any but famed books. 3. Never read any

but what you like; or, in Shakespeare's phrase —

' No profit goes where is no pleasure ta'en ;
In brief, sir, study what you most affect.' "

The first of these rules is clearly not to be fol-
lowed in every case. It is, indeed, modified by
the third rule, which must sometimes take pre-
cedence of it. But there can be no question that
the great majority of readers are in much more
danger of wasting their time over books that are
new, than of losing sight of contemporary litera-
ture through an exclusive devotion to the stand-
ard books of past ages.

Carlyle says that all books are to be divided
into two classes, sheep and goats. ' ' Readers are
not aware of the fact," he says, " but a fact it is
of daily increasing magnitude, and already of
terrible importance to readers, that their first
grand necessity in reading is to be vigilantly,
conscientiously select; and to know everywhere
that books, like human souls, are actually divided
into what we may call sheep and goats — the latter
put inexorably on the left hand of the judge, and
tending, every goat of them, at all moments,
whither we know; and much to be avoided; and,
if possible, ignored by all sane creatures."

28 Ube Cboice of Boofts

Ruskin further and more minutely marks the
same distinction by noting the difference between
books of the hour and books of all time. ' ' All
books," says he, " are divisible into two classes,
the books of the hour, and the books of all time.
Mark this distinction — it is not one of quality
only. It is not merely the bad book that does not
last, and the good one that does. It is a distinc-
tion of species. There are good books for the
hour, and good books for all time; bad books for
the hour, and bad ones for all time. I must de-
fine the two kinds before I go farther. The good
book of the hour, then, — I do not speak of the bad
ones, — is simply the useful or pleasant talk of
some person whom you cannot otherwise converse
with, printed for you. . . . These bright ac-
counts of travels; good-humoured and witty dis-
cussions of question; lively or pathetic story- telling
in the form of novel; firm fact- telling by the real
agents concerned in the events of passing history;
all these books of the hour, multiplying among
us as education becomes more general, are a pe-
culiar characteristic and possession of the present
age; we ought to be entirely thankful for them,
and entirely ashamed of ourselves if we make no
good use of them. But we make the worst possi-

TRIlbat Boofts to 1Rea& 29

ble use if we allow them to usurp the place of true
books; for, strictly speaking, they are not books
at all, but merely letters or newspapers in good
print. Our friend's letter may be delightful, or
necessary, to-day; whether worth keeping or not,
is to be considered. The newspaper may be en-
tirely proper at breakfast time; but assuredly it is
not reading for all day. So, though bound up in
a volume, the long letter which gives you so
pleasant an account of the inns, and roads, and
weather last year at such a place, or which tells
you that amusing storj', or gives you the real cir-
cumstances of such and such events, however
valuable for occasional reference, may not be, in
the real sense of the word, a ' book ' at all, nor, in
the real sense, to be 'read.' A book is essentially
not a talked thing, but a written thing; and writ-
ten, not with the view of mere communication,
but of permanence. The book of talk is printed
only because its author cannot speak to thousands
of people at once; if he could, he would — the vol-
ume is mere multiplication of his voice. You
cannot talk to your friend in India; if you could,
you would; you write instead: that is mere con-
veyance of voice. But a book is written, not to
multiply the voice merely, not to carry it merely.

30 Ubc Cboice of Boofts

but to preserve it. The author has something to
say which he perceives to be true and useful, or
helpfully beautiful. So far as he knows, no one
has yet said it; so far as he knows, no one else
can say it; he is bound to say it, clearly and
melodiously if he may, clearly, at all events. In
the sum of his life he finds this to be the thing,
or group of things, manifest to him; this the
piece of true knowledge, or sight, which his share
of sunshine and earth has permitted him to seize.
He would fain set it down for ever; engrave it on
rock, if he could; saying, * This is the best of me;
for the rest, I ate, and drank, and slept, loved,
and hated, like another; my life was as the
vapour, and is not; but this I saw and knew;
this, if anything of mine, is worth your memory.'
That is his * writing ' ; it is, in his small human
way, and with whatever degree of true inspira-
tion is in him, his inscription, or scripture. That
is a ' Book.' "

The real value of any book, to a particular
reader, is to be measured by its serviceableness to
that reader. " My opinion 's this," says a char-
acter in a contemporary novel: " Look, now,
these books, from the lowest to the topmost shelf,
row above row — you can read 'em all through,

Mbat Boohs to 1Rea& 31

and be as stupid and even stupider after it than
you were before. One does n't grow wise from
books, but from the life one lives. " " You should
not," declares a recent aphorist, " read books to
forget life, but to understand it more fully and
enjoy it more keenly." We ought to get susten-
ance, and not a mere tickling of the intellectual
palate, from " the dainties that are bred in a
book."

"There is a literature of knowledge, and a
literature of power," says De Quincey; and
knowledge that can never be transmuted into
power becomes mere intellectual rubbish. The
choice of books would be greatly aided if the
reader, in taking up a volume, would always ask
himself just why he is going to read it, and of
what service it is to be to him. This question,
if sincerely put and truthfully answered, is pretty
sure to lead him to the great books — or at least to
the books that are great for him.

Homer, Plutarch, and Plato; Virgil, Cicero,
and Tacitus; Dante, Tasso, and Petrarch; Cer-
vantes; ^ Kempis; Goethe; Chaucer, Spenser,
Shakespeare, Milton, Bacon, Sir Thomas Browne,
Bunyan, Gray, Scott, and Wordsworth; Haw-
thorne and Emerson — he who reads these, and

32 Xlbc Cboice of Boofts

such as these, is not in serious danger of spending
his time amiss. But not even such a list as this
is to be received as a necessity by every reader.
One may find Cowper more profitable than Words-
worth; to another, the reading of Longfellow may
be more advantageous than that of Emerson;
while a third may gain more immediate and last-
ing good from Kingsley's Hypatia than from a
long and patient attempt to master Grote's His-
tory of Greece or Gibbon's Z><?^//«^ and Fall of the
Romayi Empire. Kach individual reader must try
to determine, first of all, what is best for himself.
In forming his decision let him make the utmost
use of the best guides, not forgetting that the
average opinion of educated men is pretty sure to
be a correct opinion; but let him never put aside
his own honesty and individuality. He must
choose his books as he chooses his friends, be-
cause of their integrity and helpfulness, and
because of the pleasure their society gives
him,

lyists of books, from Lord Avebury's (Sir John
Lubbock's) celebrated catalogue of one hundred
to the eight thousand of the American Library
Association, are of value, provided that they are
used for purposes of intelligent selection, and are

Mbat Koofts to 1Rea& 33

not treated as finalities. It may be doubted
whether any living person, including the com-
pilers, has ever read or ought to have read a
single one of these lists in its entirety. * * To each
his own" is a good motto for the choice of books;
let every reader choose, or be given, the best book
for his age, or need, or degree of intelligence.
The hundred best books for a child are not the
best for a man; there must be one choice for Bos-
ton and another for St. Petersburg. Again, some
books, great landmarks in the history of literature,
have had their day and done their service, never
to be repeated. They may be read about, but
need not be read.

It is proper, then, to put in the same list (of
books for home reading recommended by a con-
ference on college entrance requirements in Eng-
lish) Herodotus and Alice in Wonderland, Sir
Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur and Bayard
Taylor's Views Afoot. In most lists of the sort,
however, one finds the influence of the personal
equation in a dangerous degree, as where a cata-
logue of ''the hundred best British books" in-
cludes Burnaby's Ride to Khiva and I^ear's Book
of Nonsense. Make out your catalogue if you
choose, and then alter it, as I^ord Avebury has

34 ^be Cboice of Boohs

done; but do not pretend to call it final or uni-
versal.

Says James Russell I^owell concerning this gen-
eral topic: "One is sometimes asked by young
people to recommend a course of reading. My
advice would be that they should confine them-
selves to the supreme books in whatever literature,
or, still better, choose some one great author, and
make themselves thoroughly familiar with him.
For, as all roads lead to Rome, so do they like-
wise lead away from it; and you will find that, in
order to understand perfectly and weigh exactly
any vital piece of literature, you will be gradually
and pleasantly persuaded to excursions and ex-
plorations of which you little dreamed when you
began, and you will find yourselves scholars be-
fore you are aware."

Andrew Lang is more impatient, and exclaims,
in his Adveiitures Among Books: "Young men,
especially in iVmerica, write to me and ask me to
recommend a course of reading! Distrust a
course of reading! People who really care for
books read all of them. There is no other course.
Let this be a reply. No other answer shall they
get trom me, the inquiring young men."

Mr. Matthew Arnold, not all of whose advice

XlClbat 3Boofts to tRcab 35

is to be implicitly received, well emphasises the
necessity of reading with one's highest aims in I
view, when he says: " The poor require culture
as much as the rich; and at present their educa-
tion, even when they get education, gives them
hardly anything of it; yet hardly less of it, per-
haps, than the education of the rich gives to the
rich. For when we say that culture is. To know
the best that has been thought and said to the
world, we imply that, for culture, a system
directly tending to this end is necessary in our
reading. Now there is no such system yet pre-
sent to guide the reading of the rich, any more
than of the poor. Such a system is hardly even
thought of ; a man who wants it must make it for
himself. And our reading being so without pur-
pose as it is, nothing can be truer than what
Butler says, that really, in general, no part of our
time is more idly spent than the time spent in
reading. Still, culture is indispensably necessary,
and culture implies reading; but reading with a
purpose to guide it, and with system. He does
a good work who does anything to help this; in-
deed, it is the one essential service now to be ren-
dered to education. And the plea that this or
that man has no time for culture will vanish as

36 Ube Cboice of Boofts

soon as we desire culture so much that we begin
to examine seriously our present use of our time."
" Every book that we take up without a pur-
pose," says Mr. Frederick Harrison, "is an op-
portunity lost of taking up a book with a purpose;
every bit of stray information which we cram into
our heads, without any sense of its importance, is
for the most part a bit of the most useful informa-
tion driven out of our heads and choked off from
our minds. It is so certain that information, that
is, the knowledge, the stored thoughts and observ-
ations of mankind, is now grown to proportions
so utterly incalculable and prodigious, that even
the learned whose lives are given to study can
but pick up some crumbs that fall from the table
of truth. They delve and tend but a plot in that
vast and teeming kingdom, whilst those whom
active life leaves with but a few cramped hours of
study can hardly come to know the very vastness
of the field before them, or how infinitesimally
small is the comer they can traverse at the best.
We know all is not of equal value. We know
that books differ in value as much as diamonds
differ from the sand on the seashore, as much as
our living friend differs from a dead rat. We
know that much in the myriad-peopled world of

Mbat Koofts to lRea& 37

books — very much in all kinds — is trivial, enerv-
ating, inane, even noxious. And thus, where
we have infinite opportunities of wasting our
eflforts to no end, of fatiguing our minds without
enriching them, of clogging the spirit without
satisfying it, there, I cannot but think, the very
infinity of opportunities is robbing us of the actual
power of using them. And thus I come often, in
my less hopeful moods, to watch the remorseless
cataract of daily literature which thunders over
the remnants of the past, as if it were a fresh im-
pediment to the men of our day in the way of
systematic knowledge and consistent powers of
thought; as if it were destined one day to over-
whelm the great inheritance of mankind in prose
and verse."

A reader who is ever seeking for a book that
shall not only be helpful in some sense, but help-
ful in a high sense, is not likely to waste his time
over that which is merely respectable instead of
that which is really great. " I am not pre-
sumptuous enough," says Mr. Harrison further,
" to assert that the larger part of modem litera-
ture is not worth reading in itself, that the prose
is not readable, entertaining, one may say highly
instructive. Nor do I pretend that the verses

38 Ube Cboice of JBoofts

which we read so zealously in place of Milton's
are not good verses. On the contrary, I think
them sweetly conceived, as musical and as grace-
ful as the verse of any age in our history. I say
it emphatically, a great deal of our modern litera-
ture is such that it is exceedingly diflScult to re-
sist it, and it is undeniable that it gives us real
information. It seems perhaps unreasonable to
many to assert that a decent, readable book, which
gives us actual instruction, can be otherwise than
a useful companion, and a solid gain. I dare say
many people are ready to cry out upon me as an
obscurantist for venturing to doubt a genial con-
fidence in all literature simply as such. But the
question which weighs upon me with such really
crushing urgency is this: What are the books
that in our little remnant of reading time it is
most vital for us to know ? For the true use of
books is of such sacred value to us that to be
simply entertained is to cease to be taught, ele-
vated, inspired by books; merely to gather in-
formation of a chance kind is to close the mind
to knowledge of the urgent kind."

This union of freedom with authority — of a
choice for one's self and a willingness to believe
that the world is right in setting Shakespeare

Mbat JBoofts to 1Rea& 39

above the author of the latest " boom-book" — is,
I believe, the true and the only guide in the selec-
tion of books to read. In the long run, nothing ^
but truth, simplicity, purity, and a lofty purpose ;
approves a book to the favour of the ages; and /
nothing else ought to approve it to the individual '
reader. Thus the end is reached and the choice
is made, not by taking a book because a ' * course
of reading ' ' commands you to do so, but because
you come to see for yourself the wisdom of the
selection. The pure and wholesome heart of hu-
manity— that thing which we call conscience — is
the guide of readers as it is of every other class
of workers in life.

In this connection it should be strongly empha-
sised that nothing is so fatal to sound habits of
reading as the loss of hearty enthusiasm, and the
substitution therefor of artificiality and dilettante-
ism. I cannot better put the wide applicability
of this truth, in matters of literature, than by
making another quotation from Mr. Harrison,
who is in some ways one of the wisest and most
helpful of recent literary counsellors. In the
passages I have chosen will be found wholesome
suggestions on other topics connected with the
general subject of reading, — a subject which is

40 Ube Cbotce of Boohs

ever branching out in new directions on this side
and on that. " I have no intention," says Mr.
Harrison, " to moralise or to indulge in a homily
against the reading of what is deliberately evil.
There is not so much need for this now, and I
am not discoursing on the whole duty of man. I
take that part of our reading which is by itself no
doubt harmless, entertaining, and even gently in-
structive. But of this enormous mass of litera-
ture how much deserves to be chosen out, to be
preferred to all the great books of the world, to
be set apart for those precious hours which are
all that the most of us can give to solid reading ?
The vast proportion of books are books that we
shall never be able to read. A serious percentage
of books are not worth reading at all. The really
vital books for us we also know to be a very
trifling portion of the whole. And yet we act as
if every book were as good as any other, as if it
were merely a question of order which we take
up first, as if any book were good enough for us,
and as if all were alike honourable, precious, and
satisfying. Alas! books cannot be more than the
men who write them, and as a large proportion
of the human race now write books, with motives
and objects as various as human activity, books as

TKIlbat Boof^s to IReaD 41

books are entitled a priori, until their value is
proved, to the same attention and respect as
houses, steam-engines, pictures, fiddles, bonnets,
and other thoughtful or ornamental products of
human industry. In the shelves of those libraries
which are our pride, libraries public or private,
circulating or very stationary, are to be found
those great books of the world, * rari nantes in
gurgite vasto, ' those books which are truly * the
precious life-blood of a master spirit.' But the
very familiarity which their mighty fame has
bred in us makes us indifferent; we grow weary
of what every one is supposed to have read, and
we take down something which looks a little ec-
centric, or some author on the mere ground that
we never heard of him before. . , . How
does the trivial, provided it is the new, that which
stares at us in the advertising columns of the day,
crowd out the immortal poetry and pathos of the
human race, vitiating our taste for those exquisite
pieces which are a household word, and weaken-
ing our mental relish for the eternal works of
genius! Old Homer is the very fountain-head of
pure poetic enjoyment, of all that is spontaneous,
simple, native, and dignified in life. He takes us
into the ambrosial world of heroes, of human

42 Ube Cbotce of Boofts

vigour, of purity, of grace. Now Homer is one
of the few poets the life of whom can be fairly
preserved in a translation. Most men and women
can say that they have read Homer, just as most
of us can say that we have studied Johnson's
Dictionary. But how few of us take him up,
time after time, with fresh delight! How few
have ever read the entire Iliad and Odyssey
through! Whether in the resounding lines of
the old Greek, as fresh and ever-stirring as the
waves that tumble on the seashore, filling the
soul with satisfying, silent wonder at its restless
unison; whether in the quaint lines of Chapman,
or the clarion couplets of Pope, or the closer ver-
sions of Cowper, Lord Derby, or Philip Worsley,
or even in the new prose version of the Odyssey,
Homer is always fresh and rich. And yet how
seldom does one find a friend spellbound over the
Greek Bible [Homer] of antiquity, while they
wade through torrents of magazine quotations
from a petty versifier of to-day, and in an idle
vacation will graze, as contentedly as cattle in a
fresh meadow, through the chopped straw of a
circulating library. A generation which will
listen to Pinafore for three hundred nights, and
will read M. Zola's seventeenth romance, can no

XRIlbat JSoohs to lRca& 43

more read Homer than it could read a cuneiform
inscription. It will read about Homer just as it
will read about a cuneiform inscription, and will
crowd to see a few pots which probably came
from the neighbourhood of Troy. But to Homer
and the primeval type of heroic man in his beauty,
and his simpleness, and joj^ousness, the cultured
generation is really dead, as completely as some
spoiled beauty of the ballroom is dead to the
bloom of the heather or the waving of the daffo-
dils in a glade. It is a true psychological problem,
this nausea which idle culture seems to produce
for all that is manly and pure in heroic poetry.
One knows — at least every schoolboy has known
— that a passage of Homer, rolling along in the
hexameter or trumpeted out by Pope, will give one
a hot glow of pleasure and raise a finer throb in
the pulse; one knows that Homer is the easiest,
most artless, most diverting of all poets; that the
fiftieth reading rouses the spirit even more than
the first — and yet we find ourselves (we are all
alike) painfully psha-ing over some new and un-
cut barley-sugar in rhyme, which a man in the
street asked us if we had read; or it may be some
learned lucubration about the site of Troy, by
some one we chanced to meet at dinner. It is an

44 XCbe Cboice of 3Boofts

unwritten chapter in the history of the human
mind, how this literary prurience after new print
unmans us for the enjoyment of the old songs
chanted forth in the sunrise of human imagina-
tion. To ask a man or woman who spends half a
lifetime in sucking magazines and new poems, to
read a book of Homer, would be like asking a
butcher's boy to whistle Adelaida. The noises
and sights and talk, the whirl and volatility of
life around us, are too strong for us, A society
which is for ever gossiping in a sort of perpetual
' drum' loses the very faculty of caring for any-
thing but ' early copies ' and the last tale out.
Thus, like the tares in the noble parable of the
Sower, a perpetual chatter about books chokes
the seed which is sown in the greatest books in
the world. I speak of Homer, but fifty other
great poets and creators of eternal beauty would
serve my argument as well."

Has it not been made clear, in the words of
thoughtful counsellors by which, in this chapter,
I have sought to strengthen and make plain my
own sincerest convictions concerning the proper
selection of books, that the reader must always
search for —

Books that are wholesome;

Mbat JSoohs to lRea5 45

Books that are helpful to him personally; —
and that if, by following these rules, he does not
find that his choice usually falls upon books
which the greatest minds call great, the fault is
more likely to be in himself than in them ?

THE BEST TIME TO READ

IN the choice of time for reading, as in that of
books to read, large liberty must be given to
individual needs and habits. There is no
hour of the twentj^-four which may not, under
certain circumstances, be profitably spent with
books. In the lonely watches of a sleepless night,
the precious hours of early morning, the busy
forenoon, the leisurely afternoon, or the long
winter evenings — whenever the time and inclina-
tion come, then is your time for reading. If the
inclination does not come with the time, if the
mind is weary and the attention hard to fix, then
it is better to lose that special time so far as read-
ing is concerned, and to take up something else.
A much shorter period chosen under more fav-
ourable circumstances — if it is only five min-
utes in a busy day — will more than make up the
loss.

Everybody has some time to read, however
much he may have to do. Many a woman has
read to excellent purpose while mixing bread, or
46

Ube Best Xlime to tRcat> 47

waiting for the meat to brown, or tending the
baby, — simply by reading a sentence when she
could. Men have become well-read at the black-
smith's forge, or the printer's case, or behind the
counter. No time is too short, and no occupation
too mean, to be made to pay tribute to a real de-
sire for knowledge. I know of a woman who
read Paradise Lost, and two or three other stand-
ard works, aloud to her husband in a single
winter, while he was shaving, that being the only
available time, " Whilst you stand deliberating
which book your son shall read first, another
boy has read both; read anything five hours a
day, and you will soon be learned," said Dr.
Johnson. Five hours a day is a large amount of
time, but five minutes a day, spent over good
books, will give a man a great deal of knowledge
worth having, before a year is out. It is the
time thus spent that counts for more, to one's
intellectual self, than all the rest of the day occu-
pied in mere manual labour. " There is nothing
in the recollections of my childhood," says Mary
C. Ware, a wholesome old-time educator, " that
I look back to with so much pleasure as reading
aloud my books to my mother. She was then a wo-
man of many cares, and in the habit of engaging

48 XTbe Cboice of JSoofts

in every variety of household work. Whatever
she might be doing in kitchen, or dairy, or par-
lour she was always ready to listen to me, and to
explain whatever I did not understand. There
was always with her an undercurrent of thought
about other things, mingling with all her domestic
duties, lightening and modifying them, but never
leading her to neglect them, or to perform them
imperfectly. I believe it is to this trait of her
character that she owes the elasticity and ready
social sympathy that still animates her under the
weight of almost fourscore years."

Half an hour a day is John Morley's easy mini-
mum: " It requires no preterhuman force of will
in any young man or woman — unless household
circumstances are unusually vexatious and un-
favourable— to get at least half an hour out of a
solid busy day for good and disinterested reading.
Some will say that this is too much to expect,
and the first persons to say it, I venture to pre-
dict, will be those who waste their time most.
At any rate, if I cannot get half an hour, I will
be content with a quarter. Now, in half an hour
I fancy you can read fifteen or twenty pages of
Burke; or you can read one of Wordsworth's
masterpieces — say the lines on Tintern; or, say.

Ube JSest Utme to IReab 49

one third — if a scholar, in the original, and if not,
in a translation — of a book of the Iliad or the
y^neid. I am not filling the half-hour too full.
But try for yourselves what you can read in half
an hour. Then multiply the half-hour by 365,
and consider what treasures you might have laid
by at the end of the year; and what happiness,
fortitude, and wisdom they would have given you
for a lifetime."

There is a need of a constant mental economy
in the choice of time for reading, be it much or
little. " It is true," says Philip Gilbert Hamer-
ton, " that the most absolute master of his own
hours still needs thrift if he would turn them to
account, and that too many never learn this thrift,
whilst others learn it late. ' ' Nor is it only those
whose pursuits are not distinctly literary who fail
to make the best use of the passing hours. ' ' Few
intellectual men," says Mr. Hamerton, " have
the art of economising the hours of study. The
very necessity, which every one acknowledges,
of giving vast portions of life to attain proficiency
in anything, makes us prodigal where we ought
to be parsimonious, and careless where we have
need of unceasing vigilance. The best time-
savers are a love of soundness in all we learn or
4

so Ube Cboice of 3Boofts

do, and a cheerful acceptance of inevitable limita-
tions. There is a certain point of proficiency at
which an acquisition begins to be of use, and un-
less we have the time and resolution necessary to
reach that point, our labour is as completely
thrown away as that of the mechanic who began to
make an engine but never finished it. Each of
us has acquisitions which remain permanently un-
available from their unsoundness: a language or
two that we can neither speak nor write, a science
of which the elements have not been mastered,
an art which we cannot practise with satisfaction
either to others or to ourselves. Now the time
spent on these unsound accomplishments has been
in great measure wasted; not quite absolutely
wasted, since the mere labour of trying to learn
has been a discipline for the mind, but wasted so
far as the accomplishments themselves are con-
cerned. And this mental discipline, on which so
much stress is laid by those whose interest it is
to encourage unsound accomplishments, might
be obtained more perfectly if the subjects of study
were less numerous and more thoroughly under-
stood."

We are not to understand from this that nothing
is to be studied with which we do not intend to

Ube 3Best Zimc to IReaD 51

become profoundly acquainted, for much know-
ledge must of necessity be fragmentary and incom-
plete. The adviser is merely warning us against
purposeless intellectual trifling.

The Germans, who certainly have great results
to show for the time they spend in reading and
other intellectual pursuits, may profitably teach
us two lessons concerning the best time to read:
that brain-work should be steady and uninter-
rupted while it lasts, and that it should be varied
by periods of rest and changed employment.
* ' In the charming and precious letters of Victor
Jacquemont," says Hamerton, "a man whose life
was dedicated to culture, and who not only lived
for it, but died for it, there is a passage about the
intellectual labours of Germans, which takes due
account of the expenditure of time." Jacque-
mont's letter runs as follows: " Being astonished
at the prodigious variety and at the extent of
knowledge possessed by the Germans, I begged
one of my friends, Saxon by birth, and one of the
foremost geologists in Europe, to tell me how his
countrymen managed to know so many things.
Here is his answer, nearly in his own words: *A
German (except myself, who am the idlest of
men) gets up early, summer and winter, at about

52 Ube Cboice ot Boofts

five o'clock. He works four hours before break-
fast, sometimes smoking all the time, which does
not interfere with his application. His breakfast
lasts about half an hour, and he remains, after-
wards, another half-hour talking with his wife
and playing with his children. He returns to his
work for six hours, dines without hurrying him-
self, smokes an hour after dinner, playing again
with his children, and before he goes to bed he
works four hours more. He begins again every
day, and never goes out. This is how it comes to
pass that Oersted, the greatest natural philosopher
in Germany, is at the same time the greatest
physician; this is how Kant, the metaphysician,
was one of the most learned astronomers in
Europe; and how Goethe, who is at present the
first and most fertile author in Germany in almost
all kinds of literature, is an excellent botanist,
mineralogist, and natural philosopher.' "

This persistency of the German character evokes
grand results even from dull brains, which one
would think were steeped in beer and shrivelled
by excessive smoking. The advantages of per-
sistency and a " change of works," in the choice
of time for brain labour, Mr. Hamerton thus
further presses: "The encouraging inference

Zbc JSest Xlime to IReaD 53

which you may draw from this in reference to
your own case is that, since all intellectual men
have had more than one pursuit, you may set ofif
your business against the most absorbing of their
pursuits, and for the rest be still almost as rich in
time as they have been. You may study litera-
ture as some painters have studied it, or science
as some literary men have studied it. The first
step is to establish a regulated economy of your
time, so that, without interfering with a due at-
tention to business and to health, you may get
two clear hours every day for reading of the best
kind. It is not much; some men would tell you
it is not enough; but I purposelj' fix the expendi-
ture of time at a low figure because I want it to
be always practicable, consistently with all the
duties and necessary pleasures of your life. If I
told you to read four hours every day, I know
beforehand what would be the consequence. You
would keep the rule for three or four days, by an
effort, then some engagement would occur to
break it, and you would have no rule at all.
And please observe that the two hours are to be
given quite regularly, because, when the time
given is not much, regularity is quite essential.
Two hours a day, regularly, make more than

54 tTbe Cboice of Boofts

seven hundred hours in a year, and in seven
hundred hours, wisely and uninterruptedly occu-
pied, much may be done in anything. Permit me
to insist upon that word uninterruptedly. Few
people realise the full evil of an interruption, few
people know all that is implied by it."

Thus to avoid interruption we may properly
separate ourselves at times from the society of our
ordinary companions at home or abroad, when
such separation is essential to sound reading and
thinking. I do not mean that this separation
should be carried, as it too often is, to the extent
of positive discourtesy and selfishness. Some-
times the best possible hour for reading is that
spent over books with husband or w^ife or friend.
But as between time well spent with books, and
time foolishly spent in "society," there can be no
doubt as to the proper choice. Readers must
give up something, and that something often
proves to be an undue devotion to the customs
and rules of fashionable social intercourse, than
which there is no more formidable foe to the
reading habit.

"There is a degree of incompatibility," Mr.
Hamerton says further, " between the fashionable
and the intellectual lives, which makes it neces-

XTbe Best XTime to IReaO 55

sary, at a certain time, to choose one or the other
as our own. There is no hostility, there need not
be any uncharitable feeling on one side or the
other, but there must be a resolute choice between
the two. If you decide for the intellectual life,
you will incur a definite loss to set against your
gain. Your existence may have calmer and pro-
founder satisfactions, but it will be less amusing,
and even in an appreciable degree less human;
less in harmony, I mean, with the common in-
stincts and feelings of humanity. For the fash-
ionable world, although decorated by habits of
expense, has enjoyment for its object, and arrives
at enjoyment by those methods which the experi-
ence of generations has proved most efficacious.
Variety of amusement, frequent change of scenery
and society, healthy exercise, pleasant occupation
of the mind without fatigue — these things do in-
deed make existence agreeable to human nature,
and the science of living agreeably is better
understood in the fashionable society of England
than by laborious students and savants. The
life led by that society is the true heaven of the
natural man, who likes to have frequent feasts
and a hearty appetite, who enjoys the varying
spectacle of wealth, and splendour, and pleasure.

56 Ubc Cbolce ot 3Boohs

who loves to watch, from the Olympus of his per-
sonal ease, the curious results of labour in which
he takes no part, the interesting ingenuity of the
toiling world below. In exchange for these varied
pleasures of the spectator, the intellectual life can
offer you but one satisfaction; for all its promises
are reducible simply to this, that you shall come
at last, after infinite labour, into contact with
some great reality, that you shall know and do
in such sort that you will feel yourself on firm
ground and be recognised — probably not much
applauded, but yet recognised — as a fellow-
labourer by other knowers and doers. Before
you come to this, most of your present accom-
plishments will be abandoned by yourself as un-
satisfactory and insufficient, but one or two of
them will be turned to better account, and will
give you after many years a tranquil self-respect,
and, what is still rarer and better, a very deep
and earnest reverence for the greatness which
is above you. Severed from the vanities of the
illusory, you will live with the realities of know-
ledge, as one who has quitted the painted scenery
of the theatre to listen by the eternal ocean or
gaze at the granite hills."

From all that has been said, the reader has

Ube JSest XTime to IReat) 57

seen how closely the best choice of time for read-
ing is connected with the best use of that time.
If we devote to books the hours or the minutes
we can catch, and choose our reading with a full
sense of the wideness of the field of selection and
the narrowness of the time in which we can work
in that field, we shall hardly go astray in our
decision.

HOW MUCH TO READ

THE amount which it is advisable for one
to read can no more be settled off-hand,
in a general way, than the quantity of his
food or the proper limit of his physical exercise.
Tastes, necessities, and opportunities differ; some
persons can undoubtedly read very much faster
than others, and yet get as much profit from their
reading. And it is hardly necessary to say that
a novel is "quicker reading" than a history of
Greece; or that a clever bit of vers de sociiti need
not occupy the mind so long as a passage of equal
length from Milton or Homer. Then, again, a
clear and luminous writer does not delay the
reader as does an obscure and artificial one.

In general terms, one has passed the proper
limit of reading when he reads without suitable
apprehension, and understanding, and promise
of retention in memory, of the page before him,
whether it be novel or history, humorous poem
or didactic verse. " Reading with me incites to
reflection instantly," says Henry Ward Beecher;
58

Ibow /IDucb to IReaD 59

" I cannot separate the origination of ideas from
the reception of ideas; the consequence is, as I
read I always begin to think in various directions,
and that makes my reading slow." Emerson ad-
vised the closing of any book as soon as it ceased
to move the reader's mind. Dugald Stewart thus
emphasises this duty of thoughtfulness in read-
ing: " Nothing, in truth, has such a tendency to
weaken, not only the powers of invention, but the
intellectual powers in general, as a habit of ex-
tensive and various reading without reflection.
The activity and force of the mind are gradually
impaired in consequence of disuse; and, not un-
frequently, all our principles and opinions come
to be lost in the infinite multiplicity and discord-
ancy of our acquired ideas."

John Locke tells us, in homely but sensible
phrase, that ** Those who have read everything
are thought to understand everything too; but it
is not always so. Reading furnishes the mind
only with the materials of knowledge; it is think-
ing that makes what we read ours. We are of
the ruminating kind, and it is not enough to cram
ourselves with a great load of collections: unless
we chew them over again, they will not give us
strength and nourishment." W. P. Atkinson,

6o Xibe Cbotcc of JBoohs

formerly professor in the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, — in one of the best of the many
treatises on our general subject of reading, — thus
enforces the same lesson: " The most important
question for the good student and reader is not,
amidst this multitude of books which no man can
number, how much he shall read. The really
important questions are, first, what is the quality
of what he does read; and, second, what is his
manner of reading it. There is an analogy which
is more than accidental between physical and
mental assimilation and digestion; and, homely
as the illustration may seem, it is the most forci-
ble I can use. Let two sit down to a table spread
with food: one possessed of a healthy appetite,
and knowing something of the nutritious qualities
of the various dishes before him; the other cursed
with a pampered and capricious appetite, and
knowing nothing of the results of chemical and
physiological investigation. One shall make a
better meal, and go away stronger and better fed,
on a dish of oatmeal, than the other on a dinner
that has emptied his pockets. Shall we study
physiological chemistry and know all about what
is food for the body, and neglect mental chem-
istry, and be utterly careless as to what nutriment

fjow /»ucb to 1Rea& 6i

is contained in the food we give our minds ? I
am not speaking here of vicious literature; we
don't spread our tables with poisons. I speak
only of the varying amount of nutritive matter
contained in books."

The usefulness of books lies not only in them-
selves but in the mind of the reader. Petrarch
says: " Books have brought some men to know-
ledge, and some to madness. As fulness some-
times hurteth the stomach more than hunger, so
fareth it with the wits, and, as of meats, so like-
wise of books, the use ought to be limited accord-
ing to the quality of him that useth them."

Lord Bacon, in his famous essay, wisely says:
" Read not to contradict and confute, nor to be-
lieve and take for granted, nor to find talk and
discourse, but to weigh and consider."

Coleridge concluded, in speaking of the frivolous
and make-believe attention of unworthy readers
to unworthy books: " Some readers are like the
hour-glass — their reading is as the sand. It runs
in and runs out, but leaves not a vestige behind.
Some like a sponge, which imbibes everything,
and returns it in the same state, only a little
dirtier. Some like a jelly-bag, which allows all
that is pure to pass away, and retains only the

62 XTbe Cboice ot Boohs

refuse and dregs. The fourth class may be com-
pared to the slave of Golconda, who, casting away
all that is worthless, preserves only the pure gems. ' '
" To stuff our minds with what is simply trivial,
simply curious, or that which at best has but a
low nutritive power," says Frederick Harrison,
* ' this is to close our minds to what is solid and
enlarging and spiritually sustaining. ... I
think the habit of reading wisely is one of the
most difficult habits to acquire, needing strong
resolution and infinite pains; and I hold the habit
of reading for mere reading's sake, instead of for
the sake of the stuff we gain from reading, to be
one of the worst and commonest and most un-
wholesome habits we have. Why do we still
suffer the traditional hypocrisy about the dignity
of literature, literature I mean in the gross, which
includes about equal parts of what is useful and
what is useless ? Why are books as books, writers
as writers, readers as readers, meritorious and
honourable, apart from any good in them, or
anything that we can get from them ? Why do
we pride ourselves on our powers of absorbing
print, as our grandfathers did on their gifts in
imbibing port, when we know that there is a mode
of absorbing print which makes it impossible we

■fcow nbwcb to 1Rea& 63

can ever learn anything good out of books ? Our
stately Milton said in a passage which is one of
the watchwords of the English race, 'As good
almost kill a man as kill a good book.' But has
he not also said that he would ' have a vigilant
eye how books demean themselves as well as men,
and do sharpest justice on them as malefactors ' ?
Yes! they do kill the good book who deliver up
their few and precious hours of reading to the
trivial book; they make it dead for them; they
do what lies in them to destroy ' the precious
life-blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treas-
ured up on purpose to a life beyond life ' ; they
'spill that seasoned life of man preserved and
stored up in books.' For in the wilderness of
books most men, certainly all busy men, must
strictly choose. If they saturate their minds with
the idler books, the ' good book,' which Milton
calls ' an immortality rather than a life,' is dead
to them: it is a book sealed up and buried."

And just here, even at the risk of repeating
what has been said before, in this series of chap-
ters, I want to quote some words of the German
pessimistic philosopher Schopenhauer: "It is
the case with literature as with life: wherever
we turn we come upon the incorrigible mob of

64 Ube Cbofce of Boofts

humankind, whose name is Legion, swarming
everywhere, damaging everything, as flies in
summer. Hence the multiplicity of bad books,
those exuberant weeds of literature which choke
the true corn. Such books rob the public of
time, money, and attention, which ought properly
to belong to good literature and noble aims, and
they are written with a view merely to make
money or occupation. They are therefore not
merely useless, but injurious. Nine tenths of our
current literature has no other end but to inveigle
a thaler or two out of the public pocket, for which
purpose author, publisher, and printer are leagued
together. A more pernicious, subtler, and bolder
piece of trickery is that by which penny-a-
liners and scribblers succeed in destroying good
taste and real culture. . . . Hence the para-
mount importance of acquiring the art not to
read; in other words, of not reading such books
as occupy the public mind, or even those which
make a noise in the world, and reach several edi-
tions in their first and last years of existence.
We should recollect that he who writes for fools
finds an enormous audience, and we should de-
vote the ever scant leisure of our circumscribed
existence to the master spirits of all ages and

Ibow nbwcb to 1Rea& 65

nations, those who tower over humanity, and
whom the voice of Fame proclaims: only such
writers cultivate and instruct us. Of bad books
we can never read too little; of the good never
too much. The bad are intellectual poison and
undermine the understanding. Because people
insist on reading not the best books written for
all time, but the newest contemporary literature,
writers of the day remain in the narrow circle of
the same perpetually revolving ideas, and the age
continues to wallow in its own mire. . . ,
Mere acquired knowledge belongs to us only like
a wooden leg and wax nose. Knowledge attained
by means of thinking resembles our natural limbs,
and is the only kind that really belongs to us.
Hence the difference between the thinker and the
pedant. The intellectual possession of the inde-
pendent thinker is like a beautiful picture which
stands before us, a living thing with fitting light
and shadow, sustained tones, perfect harmony of
colour. That of the merely learned man may be
compared to a palette covered with bright colours,
perhaps even arranged with some system, but
wanting in harmony, coherence, and meaning.
. . . Only those writers profit us whose under-
standing is quicker, more lucid than our own, by
5

66 Ube Cboice of Boofts

whose brain we indeed think for a time, who
quicken our thoughts, and lead us whither alone
we could not find our way."

When one perceives that he is turning page
after page without noting what is printed thereon,
without reflecting on the information aflforded him,
or without knowing why he is reading at all, it
is time for him to stop, whether he has read one
page or one thousand. We take it for granted,
as was urged in a previous chapter, that every
wise reader will determine first of all why he has
chosen a particular book : whether for instruction,
or guidance, or warning, or mere amusement.
In any case — and this remark applies to books
taken up for amusement and recreation, as well
as to the gravest history or the most abstruse
mathematical treatise — when the book ceases to
perform its legitimate function, it is time to lay
it down and engage in some other occupation.

" Do not read too much at a time," says Ed-
ward E. Hale; " stop when you are tired, and in
whatever way make some review of what you
read, even as you go along."

Here, as in every other division of the general
subject, the duty of attention to purpose should
ever be borne in mind. If your purpose is to

t)o\v /Ducb to 1Rea& 67

learn, read just enough to learn; if to rest your
mind, readjust enough to do that. When a his-
tory becomes a tiresome burden, or a biography
but an idle amusement, or a novel a task, then you
may be quite sure that you have read too much.

Some persons read both too much and too little;
they handle a great many volumes on a vast
number of topics, but, having failed to assimilate
what they have read, they feel at last the dearth
that comes from a dissipation of power.

Bishop Potter advises us to "study subjects
rather than books; therefore compare different
authors on the same subjects; the statements of
authors with information collected from other
sources, and the conclusions drawn by a writer
with the rules of sound logic." Should one thus
regulate his time for intellectual work, he would
find that any essential or habitual deviation from
this plan would be, so far as the plan is con-
cerned, a waste of time, and an ov^erplus of read-
ing. If one is determined to read Green's Short
History of the English People, for instance, he is
reading too much if he sits up half the night to
finish the last ephemeral novel of which a hundred
thousand copies were sold before publication.

If, on the other hand, he is preparing for a

68 Ube Cboice of JSoofts

village reading-club a careful analysis of the gen-
eral method of some worthy novelist, he will be
reading too much if he gives himself a "stint " of
two hundred of Green's pages in a day. What
under certain circumstances would be praise-
worthy and advantageous, under others is blame-
worthy and injurious.

In this connection a word should be said con-
cerning rereading. L,uther says: " All who
would study with advantage, in any art whatso-
ever, ought to betake themselves to the reading
of some sure and certain books oftentimes over;
for to read many books produceth confusion,
rather than learning, like as those who dwell
ever>' where are not anywhere at home." John
Morley, in his address on the popular study of
literature, remarked: " I need not tell you that
you will find that most books worth reading once
are worth reading twice, and — what is most im-
portant of all — the masterpieces of literature are
worth reading a thousand times. It is a great
mistake to think that because you have read a
masterpiece once or twice, or ten times, therefore
you have done with it. Because it is a master-
piece, you ought to live with it, and make it part
of your daily life."

Dow ADucb to lRea& 69

It is of course well to reread good books; al-
most everyone has a favourite author or authors,
to whom he turns with constant delight and
profit, and the habit of a second, or third, or
fourth reading of a good book, or chapter of a
book, greatly aids the understanding and the
memory. But this habit may easily be carried
too far. We must forget something, — much.
God has so ordered our mental powers, and it is
useless for us to quarrel with the ordering.
Therefore we should not attempt to read a few
books constantly, to the entire and virtual neglect
of others. There are too many noble volumes
that we must leave untouched, at the best. Read
carefully and thoughtfully, and reread wisely;
but do not lament unduly your failures of mem-
ory, nor strive to correct them by excessive de-
votion to one little niche in the cathedral of
literature.

As regards the question how much to read,
there is often a sad similarity of mental vacuous-
ness between those who read next to nothing at
all, and those who skim newspapers, magazines,
and books with the same superficial purposeless-
ness. I would that these true words of two emi-
nent English educators could at least be read

70 TEbe Cbolce of Boofts

aloud, if no more, in the hearing of those who
will not read for themselves. R. H. Quick, after
quoting Mark Pattison's statement that " the
dearth of books is only the outward and visible
sign of the mental torpor which reigns in those
destitute regions," — the middle-class homes of
England, — goes on to say: " I much doubt if he
would find more books in the middle-class homes
of the Continent. There is only one kind of
reading that is nearly universal — the reading of
newspapers; and the newspaper lacks the element
of permanence, and belongs to the domain of talk
rather than of literature. Even when we get
among the so-called ' educated,' we find that
those who care for literature form a very small
minority. The rest have of course read Shake-
speare and Milton and Walter Scott and Tenny-
son, but they do not read them. The lion's
share of our time and thoughts and interests must
be given to our business or profession, whatever
that may be; and in few instances is this con-
nected with literature. For the rest, whatever
time or thought a man can spare from his calling
is mostly given to his family, or to society, or to
some hobby which is not literature. And love
of literature is not seen in such reading as is

f)ow /»ucb to 1Rcnt> 71

common. The literary spirit shows itself, as I
said, in appreciating beauty of expression; and
how far beauty of expression is cared for we may
estimate from the fact that few people think of
reading anything a second time. The ordinary
reader is profoundly indifferent about style, and
will not take the trouble to understand ideas.
He keeps to periodicals or light fiction, which
enables the mind to loll in its easy chair (so to
speak), and see pass before it a series of pleasing
images. An idea, as Mark Pattison says, is an
excitant, comes from mind and calls forth mind;
an image is a sedative, and most people, when
they take up a book, are seeking a sedative."

In a "day of uninspired thought and clever
craftsmanship," as our time has been called,
those who read little, or little that is good, dis-
play to all beholders their own mental vacuity.
" You can tell a man by the company he keeps."
" There is a choice in books as in friends," says
Lowell, " and the mind sinks or rises to the level
of its habitual society: is subdued, as Shakespeare
says of the dyer's hand, to what it works in.
Cato's advice. Cum bonis ambula, consort with
the good, is quite as true if we extend it to books,
for they, too, insensibly give away their own

72 XTbe Cboice of Boohs

nature to the mind that converses with them.
They either beckon upwards or drag down."

It is with good books as with true friends:
spend in their company all the time you can
give.

REMEMBERING WHAT ONE READS

SCARCELY anything is more annoying to
readers than the fact that they forget so
much of what they read. In history,
dates and names pass from the mind; poems once
known by heart fade away from recollection; and
the characters, the plots, or perhaps the very titles
of stories which were once familiar depart as ut-
terly as though they had never been known at all.
In connection with this question of the reten-
tion or non-retention of what one reads, it should
never be forgotten, as was remarked in the pre-
ceding chapter, that God has evidently arranged
the powers of the human mind in such a way
that we must forget a great deal, however care-
fully we strive to remember all we can. A large
part of our knowledge, too, is to be considered
as nutriment, or as intellectual exercise; and we
should no more lament its loss than the fact that
we do not remember what we had for breakfast a
year ago to-day, or the exact length of the in-
vigorating walk we took on that breezy morning
73

74 trbe Cboice ot 3Boohs

"week before last. Some books are by no means
read without profit if a part, or even the whole,
of them be forgotten beyond recall. And it is a
consolation to reflect that the very best use to
which some of our past reading can be put is to
be forgotten as speedily as possible. If we have
lost some things that were good and pleasant, we
have luckily blotted from our minds not a little
that was noxious and unattractive.

But a " poor memory " is a thing that can be
materially strengthened ; and after all reservations
have been made, we should not forget the duty
of remembering all we really ought to remember,
so far as the natural powers of our minds permit.
The first and the last aid to a memory is a habit
of paying strict attention to what we read.
" Special efforts should be made to retain what is
gathered from reading," says President Porter,
" if any such efforts are required. Some persons
read with an interest so wakeful and responsive,
and an attention so fixed and energetic, as to
need no appliances and no efforts in order to re-
tain what they read. They look upon a page and
it is imprinted upon the memory. . . . But
there are others who read only to lose and to for-
get. Facts and truths, words and thoughts, are

IRemembering Mbat One lRea&s 75

alike evanescent. We shall not attempt to ex-
plain here the nature of these differences. We
are concerned only to devise the remedy; we in-
sist that those who labour under these difficulties
should use special appliances to avoid or over-
come them. But that upon which we insist most
of all, is that what we read we should seek to
make our own only in the manner and after the
measure of which we are capable." Doctor
Porter then goes on to advise each reader to
follow his natural bent and aptitudes; and not to
worry, if he lacks a good verbal memory, over
his inability to remember choice phrases or strik-
ing stanzas, nor to vex his soul over his failure to
retain names and dates. " When a man reads,"
he says, " he should put himself into the most
intimate intercourse with his author, so that all
his energies of apprehension, judgment, and feel-
ing may be occupied with, and aroused by, what
his author furnishes, whatever it may be. If
repetition or review will aid him in this, as it
often will, let him not disdain or neglect frequent
reviews. If the use of the pen, in brief or full
notes, in catch-words or other symbols, will aid
him, let hira not shrink from the drudgery of the
pen and the commonplace-book. . . . But

76 Ube Cbotce of IBoofts

there is no charm or eflScacy in such mechanism
by itself. It is only valuable as a means to an
end, and that end is to quicken the intellectual
energies by arousing and holding the attention."
Hamerton has expressed an opinion that
what is called a ' ' defective memory " is by no
means an unmixed evil. He says there is such a
thing as a " selecting memory, which is not only
useful for what it retains, but for what it rejects."
What really interests us we can usually retain
without recourse to any elaborate system of
mnemonics. That which does not properly in-
terest us we cannot thus retain. " Had Goethe
been a poor student, bound down to the exclusive
legal studies which did not greatly interest him,
it is likely that no one would ever have suspected
his immense faculty of assimilation. In this way
men who are set by others to load their memories
with what is not their proper intellectual food
never get the credit of having any memory at all,
and end by themselves believing that they have
none. These bad memories are often the best;
they are often the selecting memories. They
seldom win distinction in examinations; but in
literature and art they are quite incomparably
superior to the miscellaneous memories that re-

IRcmembering XRIlbat One IReaDs 77

ceive only as boxes and drawers receive what is
put into them. A good literary or artistic mem-
ory is not like a post-oflBce, that takes in every-
thing, but like a very well edited periodical,
which prints nothing that does not harmonise
with its intellectual life."

I fully believe in training and disciplining and
developing the memory. But I also believe that
the very essence of that training is the cultivation
of a habit of friendliness, kinship, and intimacy
with the printed page. Mere mnemonic devices
have been said to be like tying a frying-pan to
one coat-tail and a child's kite to another. The
true art of memory is the art of perceiving the
relations and uses of things, not their external
characteristics; and above all, not their artificial
relations to some essentially foreign object or
symbol. The purpose of memory is to help us;
when a memory- machine fails to help us, and
cumbers and overshadows that which it pretends
to aid, it is worse than worthless.
' Again, it should be kept in mind that no one
brain has a right to tyrannise over another, or to
lay down laws for it, in this matter of memor5\
For instance, a certain person remembers in-
stinctively, and without efifort, the name of the

78 XTbe Cbotce of 3Boofts

author, publisher, and printer of whatever book
he takes in his hand, and also its size, shape,
colour of binding, and style of typography. Two
or three readings of a college catalogue leave
upon his mind the surnames. Christian names,
and residences of a majority of the persons there
recorded. Guidebooks and city directories are a
rest and recreation to him; the names, locations,
and pastors of the majority of all the churches in
the cities he has visited are retained in mind
without effort; and frequently, when visiting a
town for the first time, this habit of memory leads
him to be considered a local antiquary and spe-
cialist. Now, these things seem so natural to
him, and are acquired so absolutely without effort
of any kind, that he can hardly understand why
everyone else does not remember them equally
well. But he has not the slightest right to pre-
scribe a course of guidebooks, college catalogues,
or city directories for others, any more than they
have to demand that he recite Coleridge's Ancient
Mariner, or give the dates of the Third Punic
War, or the signing of the Magna Charta, or
Braddock's defeat, which he remembers with as
much difficulty as any other reader.
In other words, no one has a right to insist

IRememberina Mbat One 1Rea^s 79

that another person shall remember as or what he
himself remembers. But it should always be de-
manded of every reader that he conscientiously
try to strengthen his memory by seeking to un-
derstand the nature and purpose of what he
reads, its serviceableness to himself, and to the
world through him, and its relations to his par-
ticular mental constitution and his wise intel-
lectual regimen.

This diversity of memories is admirably stated
by Cardinal Newman. " We can," he says,
" form an abstract idea of memory, and call it
one faculty which has for its subject-matter all
past facts of our personal experience; but this is
really only an illusion; for there is no such gift
of universal memory. Of course we all remem-
ber in a way as we reason, in all subject-matters,
but I am speaking of remembering rightly, as I
spoke of reasoning rightly. In real fact, mem-
ory, as a talent, is not one indivisible faculty,
but a power of retaining and recalling the past in
this or that department of our experience, not in
any whatever. Two memories, which are both
specially retentive, may also be incommensurate.
Some men can recite the canto of a poem, or a
good part of a speech, after once reading it, but

8o Ube Cbofce ot 3Boohs

have no head for dates. Others have great ca-
pacity for the vocabulary of languages, but recol-
lect nothing of the small occurrences of the day
or year. Others never forget any statement
which they have read, and can give volume and
page, but have no memory for faces. I have
known those who could, without effort, run
through the succession of days on which Kaster
fell for years back; or could say where they were,
or what they were doing, on a given day in a
given year; or could recollect the Christian names
of friends and strangers; or could enumerate in
exact order the names on all the shops from Hyde
Park corner to the Bank; or had so mastered the
University Calendar as to be able to bear an ex-
amination in the academical history of any M.A.
taken at random. And I believe in most of these
cases the talent, in its exceptional character, did
not extend beyond several classes of subjects.
There are a hundred memories as there are a
hundred virtues."

Phenomenal memory — the power to repeat a
chapter after a single reading or a sermon after
one hearing — is often associated with mental in-
capacity in other lines of effort. The ability to
"quote poetry," or, in the exaggerated phrase,

IRemcmbering Mbat One IReaDs 8i

" to repeat all Shakespeare by heart," is of course
a comfort in sleepless nights, or in travel, or in
age. But, after all, there is no use in trying to
make one's head a reference-library for things
that might as well be left between the covers of
books. The selective memory, that adapts needed
things to its own uses, is the best. Says the his-
torian Rhodes of two self-educated Presidents,
Andrew Johnson and Abraham lyincoln : ' ' John-
son never mastered a book as L,incoln did the
Bible and Shakespeare, weaving the substance
into his mental being."

THE USE OF NOTE-BOOKS

A SEPARATE chapter on the use of note-
books would hardly be necessary, in this
series of papers on right methods of read-
ing, were it not that many people so misappre-
hend the real service of books of memoranda, and
make them a burden rather than a help. Note-
books, like all other aids to reading, reflection,
and the utilisation of knowledge, should be
valued for the true assistance they may render,
and for that alone. But it very often happens
that one who is beginning to read comes to the
conclusion that method in reading, especially in
the preservation of its results, is the one thing
essential, and that nothing is so useful, toward
this end, as an elaborate note-book system.
Therefore he purchases a large alphabetised
blank book, and having begun to read Taine's
English Literature, let us say, he makes elaborate
entries of matters contained in the first few chap-
ters. But as his note-book must also record
everything that impresses him as likely to have
82

XTbe Tllse ot flote*Booft0 83

any future usefulness, he sets down with equal
painstaking the leading points of an article on
English literature in the last number of some
monthly magazine, or copies entire an interesting
paragraph from a daily newspaper. After a few
days, or perhaps weeks, he finds it inconvenient
to hunt up note-book, pen, and ink, every time
he takes a volume in his hand, and so he gradu-
ally lessens the number of entries; and thus the
book soon becomes an unserviceable and unused
chronicle of a few straggling facts,— to be re-
manded to the closet shelf, or to be cut up, at
last, for kindling or scribbling paper. In the
end, such a note-book becomes a weight and an
incumbrance upon the reading habit, rather than
a helper to it.

A note-book should be started upon a plan too
modest rather than too ambitious, and should
never be allowed to get above the humble place
of a servant. One little blank-book, costing a
dime, is far more useful, if employed only for the
entry of important references or memoranda, and
such only, than the most elaborate index rerum
or commonplace-book, if made too cumbersome
to be of real service. And it is generally true
that a note-book should follow the reading habit,

84 Ube Cbofce of Boofts

rather than precede it. If you have not done
something toward filling your brain first, do not
expect to make up the deficiency by your note-
book entries.

Some readers and writers make little use of note-
books, and some find them extremely serviceable.
It has been said that ' ' the brain is the best and
most reliable memorandum book; it is always at
hand, use enlarges its capacity and increases its
usefulness and reliability, and no one can read it
but its owner." I quite agree with this; finding
all sorts of elaborate memorandum books of little
use to me, and employing nothing more than the
most inexpensive pocket blank-books, to be torn
up when their usefulness has passed; or now and
then a series of envelopes, with their special sub-
jects written upon them.

But in this matter no one reader can lay down
the law for another. Some of the wisest of
American authors have pursued to the fullest ex-
tent the plan of using note-books all their lives,
and with admirable results. Mr. Emerson's note-
books are famous the world over, and it is said,
doubtless with entire truth, that some of his most
renowned essays are little more than transcripts
of them. His entries of course included his own

Zbc TDlse of "WotesBoohs 85

conclusions and reflections as well as those of
others. It was my good fortune to be permitted
to see, some years ago, the remarkable and sub-
stantially similar methods by which two other
American authors — A. Bronson Alcott and Ray
Palmer — preserved well-nigh the entire body of
the letters they received in the whole course of
their literary lives. In both cases these valuable
libraries of correspondence became a long file of
volumes; and Mr. Alcott combined with his a
diary of each day's events for a lifetime. Such
collections as these are in a true sense monu-
mental, and are, in a way, valuable contributions
to the intellectual history of the time — though
they must include a great deal of waste matter.

The late William B. Reed, an agreeable, if for-
gotten, American writer of literary essays, says
of the right use of quotation books: "As in every
house, we are told, there is a skeleton, and in
every doctor's shop a case of instruments for
emergencies, mysteriously veiled from vulgar
gaze, so in all libraries, and especially if it be one
of a writer or public speaker, are there corners
where are put away for convenient use not only
commonplace-books, happily out of date, but in-
dexes rerum, and Burtori's A?iatomy, and Mur-

86 Zbc Cboice of JSoofts

rays Handbooks for Geographical Illustration, and
lexicons and concordances (all honours to those
immortal C's, Cruden and Mrs. Cowden Clarke),
a thesaurus or two, and finally ' dictionaries of
quotations.' It depends very much upon their
nature whether such dictionaries are good or bad.
The young student uses them, and for this end
they were first devised, to furnish him with quo-
tations with which to garnish what he writes, and
show his scholarship. This is spurious. It is,
the poet tells us, the page of knowledge which is

* rich with the spoils of time.' It is out of the
depths of a full mind that bright literary illustra-
tions bubble up to the surface, and any critical eye
can detect without fail a got- up quotation, or one
which a mere dictionary supplies. Not so the

* dictionary,' as it were, which aids memory, and,
given a fragment or sometimes even a word,
enables the scholar to find the context. They are
not merely valuable, but, as auxiliaries, they are
essential to complete literary work. So it is with
written note- books; they cannot take the place of
thought; but they can strengthen and arm it."

Professor W. P. Atkinson, in his excellent
lecture on reading, speaks warmly of the proper
use of note-books. " I cannot close," says he,

XCbe Ulse ot flote-JSoolis 87

" without giving you one little piece of purely
practical advice. I advise you all to become what
I am myself, a devoted disciple of Captain Cuttle,
and to bind on your brows his admirable maxim,
'When found, make a note of.' Witty old
Thomas Fuller says: ' Adventure not all thy
learning in one bottom, but divide it between thy
memory and thy note-books. ... A com-
monplace-book contains many notions in garrison,
whence an owner may draw out an army into the
field on competent warning.' This is one of those
notions which I have kept in the garrison of my
note-book for many years. . . . Reading is
only the fuel; and, the mind once on fire, any and
all material will feed the flame, provided only it
have any combustible matter in it. And we can-
not tell from what quarter the next material will
come. The thought we need, the facts we are in
search of, may make their appearance in the
comer of the newspaper, or in some forgotten
volume long ago consigned to dust and oblivion.
Hawthorne, in the parlor of a country inn, on a
rainy day, could find mental nutriment in an old
directory. That accomplished philologist the
late I,ord Strangford could find ample amusement
for an hour's delay at a railway station in tracing

88 Ube Cboice of aBoohs

out the etymology of the names in Bradshaw.
The mind that is not awake and alive will find a
library a barren wilderness. Now, gather up the
scraps and fragments of thought on whatever
subject you may be studying, — for of course by a
note- book I do not mean a mere receptacle for
odds and ends, a literary dust-bin, — but acquire
the habit of gathering everything, whenever and
wherever you find it, that belongs in your line or
lines of study, and you will be surprised to see
how such fragments will arrange themselves into
an orderly whole by the very organising power of
your own thinking, acting in a definite direction.
This is a true process of self-education; but you
see it is no mechanical process of aggregation. It
requires activity of thought, — but without that,
what is any reading but mere passive amuse-
ment? And it requires method. I have myself a
sort of literary book-keeping. I keep a day-
book, and at my leisure I post my literary ac-
counts, bringing together in proper groups the
fruits of much casual reading."

I may appropriately close this chapter with
some words of advice on the use of note-books,
which Mr. Charles A. Durfee, a competent au-
thority on the subject, has written for the benefit

Ube TUse of 'Rote^Boohs 89

of my readers. " Note- books," says Mr. Durfee,
"are to literary men what books of account are to
business men, and are practically useful only as
they are kept systematically and with unity of
purpose. But where a balance-sheet tells the
whole story in business, some methodical plan
must be substituted to render the contents of
note-books available at all times. The natural
desire, on the part of energetic literary men, to
economise time and labour in the taking and
keeping of notes leads to confusion ; and in time
they find themselves surrounded by a mass of
material disheartening to think of, and impossible
to consult with readiness.

" A few suggestions resulting from long ex-
perience may be of value. Note-books should
not be so small as to become too numerous, or so
large as to be cumbersome. Each book should
be paged and have a volume number. An under-
scored heading should precede each note, with
dividing lines between entries. By observing
these precautions the books can be indexed in an
alphabeted blank-book, and consulted as if they
were the successive volumes of any indexed
work. For ordinary purposes such a plan would
be sufl&cient, but those whose lives are devoted

90 Ube Cbofcc of Boofts

to general literature or speciar branches require
to give more attention to details. No blank-book
index can long remain convenient, as the entries
lose their alphabetical place.

' ' To obviate this, for permanent use, a card-
index is indispensable, being always perfect in
arrangement, inasmuch as the newly made cards
are inserted in their precise positions. In the
case of blank-book indexes this is impossible as
soon as a few titles have been interlined, which
defaces and obscures the page. Cards cut from
heavy raanilla paper, arranged in boxes or trays,
separated by lettered divisions of card-board pro-
jecting above the rest, form an index, which, from
its expausiveness, cheapness, and portability,
meets every requirement,

" A card measuring two inches by five inches
has been generall)' adopted in our leading libraries
for such purposes. Such a system renders un-
necessary the keeping of separate note-books for
different subjects, as a properly prepared index
will be classified, under adequate headings, and
serve as a guide and summary to the entire lit-
erary matter, however extensive, of the most in-
dustrious workers."

THE CULTIVATION OF TASTE

TASTE can be cultivated. This remark, one
would say, is of obvious truth, and needs
no discussion whatever; but, in point of
fact, scarcely anything related to the reading
habit is more frequently ignored or practically de-
nied. ' ' I have no taste for poetry " ; "I never
could enjoy history"; " Biography may be very
well, but I never could read it"; "I suppose
Walter Scott and Hawthorne are higher reading
than G. P. R. James or Miss Braddon, but my
taste prefers the latter ' ' ; — such remarks as these
are sure to encounter one who is seeking to raise
the standard of reading. Forgetting that growth
and development are the almost unvarying
method of nature in every line, too many people
profess to believe, and certainly act as though
believing, that a present literary taste is an in-
flexible and unalterable thing, to be accepted
without question, and no more to be changed by
us than our residence upon the earth instead of
upon the moon.

91

92 TLbc Cboice of JSoofts

Ltord Lytton is not an author to whom I am
accustomed to look for the highest conceptions
of life or the wisest rules for its conduct; but on
this subject of the cultivation of taste he puts
some excellent words into the mouth of one of
the characters of his novels, who explains that
good sense and good taste are the result of a con-
stant habit of right thinking and acting, of self-
denial, and of regulation, rather than accident or
natural temperament. "Good sense," says he,
* ' is not a merely intellectual attribute. It is
rather the result of a just equilibrium of all our
faculties, spiritual and moral. The dishonest, or
the toys of their own passions, may have genius;
but they rarely, if ever, have good sense in the
conduct of life. They may often win large prizes,
but it is by a game of chance, not skill. But the
man whom I perceive walking an honourable and
upright career, just to others and also to himself,
. . . is a more dignified representative of his
Maker than the mere child of genius. Of such a
man, we say, he has good sense; yes, but he has
also integrity, self-respect, and self-denial. A
thousand trials which his sense braves and con-
quers are temptations also to his probity, his
temper; in a word, to all the many sides of his

XTbe Cultivation of ^aste 93

complicated nature. Now, I do not think he will
have this good sense any more than a drunkard
will have strong nerves, unless he be in the con-
stant habit of keeping his mind clear from the
intoxication of envy, vanity, and the various
emotions that dupe and mislead us. Good sense
is not, therefore, an abstract quality, or a solitary
talent; it is the natural result of the habit of
thinking justly, and, therefore, seeing clearly,
and is as diflFerent from the sagacity that belongs
to a diplomatist or an attorney as the philosoph}'
of Socrates differed from the rhetoric of Gorgias.
As a mass of individual excellences make up this
attribute in a man, so a mass of such men, thus
characterised give character to a nation. Your
England is, therefore, renowned for its good
sense, but it is renowned also for the excellences
which accompany strong sense in an individual:
high honesty and faith in its dealings, a warm
love of justice and fair play, a general freedom
from the violent crimes common on the Continent,
and the energetic perseverance in enterprise once
commenced, which results from a bold and
healthful disposition."

A bold and healthful disposition, such as Lord
Lytton thus ascribes to his typical Englishman,

94 XTbe Cboice of IBoohs

is ever on the watch for something better rather
than something worse; for something that will
develop and strengthen, rather than something
that will merely pass muster. So it is in the
choice of books. You can ' ' tell a man ' ' by the
books — or nowadays by the newspapers — he
reads. If a person never strives " to look up and
not down," in his selection of books, he need not
expect to see any improvement in his intellectual
faculties, or in his personal character so far as
influenced by those faculties. President Porter
well says: "Inspiration, genius, individual tastes,
elective affinities, do not necessarily include self-
knowledge, self-criticism, or self-control. If the
genius of a man lies in the development of the
individual person that he is, his manhood lies in
finding out by self-study what he is and what he
may become, and in wisely using the means that
are fitted to form and perfect his individuality."
The person who reads as he ought to read, there-
fore, will try to discover what his best intellectual
nature is now, and what it may grow to be in
time to come. He will seek to add strength and
facility to his mind, and he will constantly strive
to correct such tendencies as he finds to be in-
jurious or not positively beneficial, substituting,

Ubc Cultivation ot Uaste 95

therefore, as soon as may be, a higher purpose
and a more creditable achievement.

We must learn to know books as we learn to
know other good things. " Who can over-
estimate the value of good books?" — asks W. P.
Atkinson, — " those ships of thought, as Bacon so
finely calls them, voyaging through the sea of
time, and carrying their precious freight so safely
from generation to generation! Here are the
finest minds giving us the best wisdom of present
and all past ages; here are intellects gifted far
beyond ours, ready to give us the results of life-
times of patient thought; imaginations open to
the beauty of the universe, far beyond what it is
given us to behold; characters whom we can only
vainly hope to imitate, but whom it is one of the
highest privileges of life to know. Here they all
are; and to learn to know them is the privilege
of the educated man."

We cannot come to know them by accident, or
by relying on past habitudes. " When I became
a man," said Saint Paul, " I put away childish
things ' ' ; and so must the manly reader put away
the childish habit of reading story-books alone,
or looking at pictures, or preferring amusement
to instruction and mental development. Too

96 Ube Cboicc of ffioofts

many readers — one is tempted to say the majority
of readers — never get beyond the picture-book
stage; and, indeed, there are men and women in
the world who read fewer books and poorer books
than when they were little children.

The great authors are the good authors, in
whom feebleness, or coarseness, or whimsicality,
or meanness and malice, are accidental rather
than essential. When we are reading the master-
books we need reject little; we can absorb much.
And in our highest and truest moments we may
take pride in feeling that we have earned the
right to share their greatness, and stand, so to
speak, on their level; for it is the apprehension
of greatness that makes it great for us, and this
very apprehension is an. honour to us, and the
measure of our own powers and attainments.
Emerson does not make an overstatement when
he says: " There is something of poverty in our
criticism. We assume that there are few great
men, all the rest are little; that there is but one
Homer, but one Shakespeare, one Newton, one
Socrates. But the soul in her beaming hour does
not acknowledge these usurpations. We should
know how to praise Socrates, or Plato, or Saint
John, without impoverishing us. In good hours

tlbe Cultivation of Uaste 97

we do not find Shakespeare or Homer over great
— only to have been translators of the happy pres-
ent— and every man and woman divine possibili-
ties. 'T is the good reader that makes the good
book; a good head cannot read amiss; in every
book he finds passages which seem confidences
or asides hidden from all else and unmistakably
meant for his ear."

Behind the book stands the author; if the
reader chooses the book or the chapter as he
ought, he shares the author's best self and best
hours; he associates with a hero rather than a
dandy, with an intellectual giant rather than a
dwarf; and thereby he shows to what his own
tastes have grown. There is truth and wisdom
in the aged Victor Hugo's curious and Frenchy,
but grave and deep-felt, preface to an edition of his
complete works: * ' Every man who writes, writes a
book; that book is himself. Whether he knows
it or not, whether he wishes it or not, it is so.
From every work, whatever it may be, mean or
illustrious, there is shaped a figure, that of the
writer. It is his punishment if he be small; it is
his recompense if he be great. If we read of the
siege of Troy, we see Achilles, Hector, Ulysses,

Ajax, Agamemnon; we feel throughout the entire
7

98 Ube Cbotce of Boofts

work a majesty which is that of the writer. Has
Zoilus written ? I^et us examine what he has left.
He was a grammarian, a commentator, a glos-
sarist: in every line we read: Zoilus. But when
the Iliad is open befoie you, you hear the voice
of the centuries say: Homer. In the same
manner appear to us ^^schylus, Aristophanes,
Herodotus, Pindar, Theocritus, Plautus, Virgil,
Horace, Juvenal, Tacitus, Dante. It is the same
with the little; but why name them? The book
exists; it is what the author has made it; it is
history, philosophy, an epic; it belongs to the
loftiest regions of art; it dwells in the lower
regions; it is what he is, uncombined, insulated;
arising for ever by his side, is this shadow of
himself, the figure of the author. Only at the
close of a long life, laborious and stormy, given
wholly to thought and to action, do these truths
reveal themselves. Responsibility, the insepara-
ble companion of liberty, shows itself. The man
who traces these lines comprehends them. He
is calm. As immovable as if before the Infinite,
he is not troubled. To all the questions which
ignorance may propound he has but one reply : I
am a conscience. This reply every man can
make or has made. If he has made it with all

TLbc Cultivation of XTaste 99

the candour of a sincere soul, that sufl5ces. As
to him, feeble, ignorant, confined, but having en-
deavoured to seek the good, he will say without
fear to the great darkness, he will say to the un-
known, he will say to the mystery: I am a con-
science. And he will seem to feel the unity of
the life universal in the complete tranquillity of
that which is most simple before that which is
most profound. There is a supreme talent which
is often given alone, which requires none other,
which is often concealed, and which has often
more power the more it is hidden; this talent is
esteem. Of the value of the work here given in
its entirety to the public, the future must decide.
But that which is certain, that which at present
contents the author, is that in these times where
we are, in this tumult of opinions, in the violence
of prejudice, whatever may be the passions, the
anger, the hate, no reader, whoever he may be,
if he be himself worthy of esteem, can consider
the book without an estimate of the author."

As I have said in a preceding chapter, the cul-
tivation of taste is not hastened, but is seriously
retarded, by pretending that one likes what he
does not like. Sincerity and honesty are essen-
tial, no matter how low may be the present taste,

loo Ube (Tboice of 3Boofts

or how serious the problem of elevating it. No-
thing is gained by attempting to deceive others,
or one's self, in the matter. The very expression
of a low or degraded taste stimulates one to en-
deavour to raise it; whereas deceit or pretense are
prett)'^ sure to be transparent, and are even more
injurious when successful than when they fail to
deceive. A wholesome ignorance can easily be
lifted above its former level; but of silly falsehood
there is much less hope. A recent writer on
"Sham Admiration in lyiterature" has said that
there is a " well-nigh universal habit of literary
lying — of a pretense of admiration for certain
works of which in reality we know very little,
and for which, if we knew more, we should per-
haps care less. There are certain books which
are standard, and as it were planted in the British
soil, before which the majority of us bow the
knee and doff the cap with a reverence that, in its
ignorance, reminds one of fetish worship, and, in
its affectation, of the passion for high art. The
works without which, we are told at book auc-
tions, ' no gentleman's library can be considered
complete,' are especially the objects of this adora-
tion. ... A good deal of this mock worship
is of course due to abject cowardice. A man who

XTbe Cultivation of Uaste

says he does n't like the Rambler runs, with some
folks, the risk of being thought a fool; but he is
sure to be thought that, for something or another,
under any circumstances; and, at all events, why
should he not content himself, when the Rambler
is belauded, with holding his tongue, and smiling
acquiescence ? It must be conceded that there are
a few persons who really have read the Rambler,
a work, of course, I am merely using as a type of
its class. In their young days it was used as a
schoolbook, and thought necessary as a part of
polite education; and as they have read little or
nothing since, it is only reasonable that they
should stick to their colours. Indeed, the French
satirist's boast that he could predicate the views
of any man with regard to both worlds, if he were
only supplied with the simple data of his age and
his income, is quite true, in general, with regard
to literary taste. Given the age of the ordinary
individual — that is to say of the gentleman * fond
of books, but who has really no time for reading '
— and it is easy enough to guess his literary idols.
They are the gods of his youth, and, whether he
has been ' suckled in a creed outworn ' or not,
he knows no other. These persons, however,
rarely give their opinion about literary matters.

I02 Ube Cboice of Boofts

except oil compulsion; they are harmless and
truthful. The tendency of society in general, on
the other hand, is not only to praise the Rambler,
which they have not read, but to express a noble
scorn for those who have read it and don't like
it." This writer goes on to discuss " hypocrisy
in literature " at length, and shows how many
are ignorant of, or do not really like, the authors
of whom everybody talks; and how their social
career is marked by all sorts of equivocations and
falsehoods with reference to those authors, " It
is partly in consequence of this, ' ' he says, ' ' that
works, not only of acknowledged but genuine
excellence, such as those I have been careful to
select, are, though so universally praised, so little
read. The poor student attempts them, but fail-
ing— from many causes no doubt, but also some-
times from the fact of their not being there — to
find those unrivalled beauties which he has been
led to expect in every sentence, he stops short,
where he would otherwise have gone on. He
says to himself, ' I have been deceived,' or * I
must be a born fool ' ; whereas he is wrong in
both suppositions. . . . The habit of mere
adhesion to received opinion in any matter is
most mischievous, for it strikes at the root of in-

TTbe Cultivation of Uaste 103

dependence of thought; and in literature it tends
to make the public taste mechanical." And a
taste that is both mechanical and false is surely
not likely to be beneficial to society at large or to
the individual reader. The remedy proposed by
the writer from whom I have quoted is this: " It
is not everyone, of course, who has an opinion
of his own upon every subject, far less on that
of literature; but everyone can abstain from ex-
pressing an opinion that is not his own."

Certainly I do not know a better starting-point
than this, if one is really desirous of cultivating
his taste: Do not pretend to like what you do
not like. Do not pretend to know what you do
not know. Do not be content with your taste as
it is, but try to improve it; not expecting that you
will ever like all that great men have written.

For, in the cultivation of literary taste, in our-
selves or others, we should not feel that we have
failed if we cannot say that we have learned to
enjoy all the famous masterpieces of the past.
Some books are relatively great — for their time;
others absolutely great — for all time. Books may
be like mechanical inventions that do their work
and then are superseded by better machines.
" It is a mistake," says John Morley, " to think

I04 XTbe (Eboice ot IBoofts

that every book that has a great name in the
history of books or of thought is worth reading.
Some of the most famous books are least worth
reading. Their fame was due to their doing
something that needed in their day to be done.
The work done, the virtue of the book expires."
But the perennial freshness of some books is as
attractive now as it was when they were written.
When one reads Chaucer, "it is as though we
were given a chance to live a day five hundred
years ago. ' ' Shakespeare makes us partners with
all humanity. Therefore we should assume — as
is the case — that children and youth, with their
naturally eager apprehensions, are desirous of
good reading and can assimilate it more readily
than bad. Chaucer and Shakespeare and the
Bible itself are not to be put indiscriminately in
all their parts before every reader at all times;
but they are perpetual proofs that in the develop-
ment of taste we are to start with the fact that
life interests life.

In that development of taste, as in every other
element of mental progress, we cannot get beyond
the truth expressed by lyowell : ' * The better part
of every man's education is that which he gives
himself."

Zbc Cultivation ot XTastc 105

But the most constant question I am asked by
earnest readers is this: " How am I to know
whether a book is good or great ? I know what
I like; sometimes I enjoy books that the critics
do not praise, and sometimes, do the best I can,
it is impossible for me to read works that every
history of English literature calls standard.
What must I do about it ? "

Well, the whole history of civilised man is a
slow attempt to answer this very question, in
many fields. What do we mean by the good,
the true, the beautiful, the valuable ? There *s
no disputing about tastes; and definitions of such
words as these have to do with taste as well as
morals. All we can say about a good or great
book is that it is one that the majority of the best
and wisest readers, for many years, have agreed
to declare good or great. Such judgment, in the
long run, is pretty sure to be right. Conscience
is the illumination of our minds by the best light
we can get from intelligence, experience, advice,
and the accumulated wisdom of the past. Good
taste in the choice of books is simply the literary
conscience applied to the volume in hand.

POETRY

POETRY, said the remarkable singer whose
name consisted of the first three letters of
the word, is the rhythmical creation of
beauty. The definition has never been bettered.
Broadly interpreted, it includes orchestral and
other music, but the inclusion is illustrative of
the origin and of the range of the poetic art.
Poetry was the earliest form of literature; rhyth-
mic stress is the very basis of physical law in
the natural world; and the beat of the foot in the
tribal dance was at one with the accent of the
syllable in verse. Later, when the clash of sword
on armour, or other metallic sound, emphasised
the important word, language had but to in-
troduce alliteration or end-rhyme to produce a
similar effect.

All the way from the simplest song of antiquity
to the most complicated verse-forms of the modern
centuries, poetry combines the music of nature
with the motions of the heart. " The poetry of
earth is never dead."

io6

poetrp 107

" Thou canst not wave thy staff in air,
Or dip the paddle in the lake,
But thou carvest the bow of beauty there.
And the ripples in rhymes the oar forsake."

Poetry is the human cry of love, or exultation, or
despair; it is the melody of war and of worship;
it is man's call of kinship with the eternal.

Some people read a great deal of poetry, with
constant zest and unfailing advantage; others,
though they may be "great readers" of other
classes of literature, find little pleasure or profit
in poetry. Is it a duty to read poetry ? Should
those who seem to have no natural taste for it
endeavour to cultivate a taste, or should they
rest content with the conclusion that some minds
appreciate, and profit by, poetical compositions,
while other minds have no capacity for their
enjoyment ?

It may not be a downright duty to like poetry,
or to try to like it; but certainly it is a misfortune
that so large and lovely a division of the world's
literature should be lost to any reader. The ab-
sence of a poetic taste is a sad indication of a lack
of the imaginative faculty; and without imagina-
tion what is life? "The study and reading of
poetry," says Noah Porter, " exercises and

io8 TTbe Cboice of 3Boofts

cultivates the imagination, and in this way im-
parts intellectual power. It is impossible to read
the products of any poet's imagination without
using our own. To read what he creates is to
recreate in our own minds the images and pictures
which he first conceived and then expressed in
language."

If a reader finds that the ideal has little or no
place in his intellectual life or in his daily pro-
cesses of thought and feeling, then he should
consider, with all soberness, the fact that a God-
given power is slipping away from him — a power
without which his best faculties must become
atrophied; without which he loses the greater
half of the enjoyment of life, day by day; without
which, in very truth, he cannot see all the glory
of the open door of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Children are poets; they see fairyland in a poor
set of toy crockery or in a ragged company of
broken-nosed dolls. Their powers of imagination
ought never to be lost in the humdrum affairs of
a work-a-day world; their habit of finding the
real in the ideal is one which cannot be laid aside
without great detriment to the individual life and
character. There may, then, be persons who
" have no capacity for poetry," and who cannot

poetri? 109

cultivate a taste for it; but this inability, if real,
is to be mourned as a mental blindness and deaf-
ness, shutting out whole worlds from sight and
hearing.

There is, of course, a great deal of imaginative
literature which is not poetry, in the technical
sense; but if one can read Hawthorne with pleas-
ure, he is quite sure to find no stumbling-block
in Coleridge. Between the Scott of Ivanhoe and
the Scott oi Marmion there is really no difference.
It is the poetic spirit that we should recognise
and take to our hearts, whatever be the outward
form in which it may be enshrined.

What is the poetic spirit? Many have been
the attempts to define it; but, after all, we can
only say, in the words Shelley wrote in his Hymn
to the Spirit of Nature : "All feel, yet see thee
never." Or again, is not poetry to be described,
as nearly as we may describe it, in two more lines
from the same fine poem ? —

" Lamp of Earth, where'er thou movest

Its dim shapes are clad with brightness."

In W. P. Atkinson's excellent lecture on read-
ing is a passage concerning poetry, which is both
imaginative and practical. ' ' I have no thought, ' '

no Ube Cboice ot IBoofts

says he, "of attempting here a definition of
poetry, though I should like to come and give
you a lecture on the art of reading it. Whether
we call it, with Aristotle, imitation; whiether we
say more worthily, with Bacon, * that it was ever
thought to have some participation of divineness
because it doth raise and erect the mind by sub-
mitting the shows of things to the desires of the
mind, whereas reason doth buckle and bow the
mind unto the nature of things'; whether, in
more modern times, we define it, with Shelley, as
* the best and happiest thoughts of the best and
happiest minds ' ; or say, with Matthew Arnold,
that ' poetry is simply the most beautiful, impres-
sive and widely efiective mode of saying things ';
and, again, that ' it is to the poetical literature of
an age that we must in general look for the most
perfect and the most adequate interpretation of
that age'; or whether we say, with the greatest
poet of the last generation, that * poetry is the
breath and finer spirit of all knowledge, the im-
passioned expression which is in the countenance
of all science ' — all I am concerned to say here is,
that poetry is that branch of the literature of
power pre-eminently worthy of study, and that
without study we shall know but little about it."

poetri? Ill

We need not think, then, that the reading of
poetry is a matter of whim or accident, to be
undertaken without thought or study. The be-
ginning of its love rests in the individual mind;
for its development he must seek his material
from the treasures around him, and must work
out his methods of utilising that material with
the same care — or even greater — which he applies
to other departments of intellectual exercise. Let
him, if he finds his taste in need of cultivation,
begin with such poems as he likes; read them
more than once; learn their teachings; apprehend
their inner spirit and purpose. Whatever the
beginning, it is sure to lead to something better,
if the reader will but resolutely determine to
know what the writer meant to say; to see the
picture that he portrayed, or to share his enthu-
siasm and warmth of feeling.

Mr. G. J. Goschen, the English banker and
political economist, declared the cultivation of
the imagination to be essential to the highest suc-
cess in politics, in learning, and in the commercial
business of life. No one is too dull, or too pro-
saic, or too much absorbed in the routine of
"practical life" to be absolved from the care
of his imaginative powers; and no one is likely

112 Ube Cboice ot 3Boohs

to find that this care will not repay him even in
a practical sense. He who thinks wisely, he who
perceives quickly that which others do not see at
all, is better equipped for any work than one
whose mind works slowly and feebly, and whose
apprehensions have grown rusty from disuse.

Poetry is not for the few, but for the many, for
all. The world's great poems, almost without
exception, have been poems whose meaning has
been perfectly clear and whose language has been
simple, — poems which have addressed themselves
to the plain and common sense of the ages.
Homer, and Virgil, and Dante, and Goethe, and
Hugo, and Chaucer, and Shakespeare need no
mystical commentary to explain their meaning;
like Mark Antony, they " only speak right on."
If a poet has not made himself clear, it is his fault
and not yours, if you have sincerely endeavoured
to appreciate the noblest things in thought and
life. Sunlight, air, water — these are not for the
few; nor is poetry to be cooped and confined any
more than these.

Principal Shairp thus speaks of this inherent
quality of the best poetry — a quality which all
men may apprehend if they will: " The pure
style is that which, whether it describes a scene,

poetrp 113

a character, or a sentiment, lays hold of its inner
meaning, not its surface; the type which the
thing embodies, not the accidents; the core or
heart of it, not the accessories. . . . Descrip-
tions of this kind, while they convey typical con-
ceptions, yet retain perfect individuality. They
are done by a few strokes, in the fewest possible
words; but each stroke tells, each word goes
home. Of this kind is the poetry of the Psalms
and of the Hebrew prophets. It is seen in the
brief, impressive way in which Dante presents
the heroes or heroines of his nether world, as
compared with Virgil's more elaborate pictures.
In all of Wordsworth that has really impressed
the world, this will be found to be the chief char-
acteristic. It is seen especially in his finest
lyrics and his most impressive sonnets. Take
only three poems that stand together in his
works: Glen Almain, Stepping Westward, The
Solitary Reaper. In each you have a scene and
its sentiment brought home with the minimum
of words, the maximum of power. It is distinc-
tive of the pure style that it relies not on side
eflFects, but on the total impression — that it pro-
duces a unity in which all the parts are sub-
ordinated to one paramount aim. The imagery

1 14 Ube Cbolce ot Boolis

is appropriate, never excessive. You are not dis-
tracted by glaring single lines or too splendid
images. There is one tone, and that all-pervad-
ing— reducing all the materials, however diverse,
into harmony with the one total result designed.
This style in its perfection is not to be attained
by any rules of art. The secret of it lies further
in than rules of art can reach, even in this: that
the writer sees his object, and this only; feels the
sentiment of it, and this only; is so absorbed in
it, lost in it, that he altogether forgets himself and
his style, and cares only in fewest, most vital
words to convey to others the vision his own soul
sees. . . . The ornate style in poetry is alto-
gether different from this. No doubt the multi-
tude of uneducated and half-educated readers,
which every day increases, loves a highly orna-
mented, not to say a meretricious, style both in
literature and in the arts; and if these demand it,
writers and artists will be found to furnish it.
There remains, therefore, to the most educated
the task of counterworking this evil. With them
it lies to elevate the thought and to purify the
taste of less cultivated readers, and so to remedy
one of the evils incident to democracy. To high
thinking and noble living the pure style is

poetry 115

natural. But these things are severe ; require
moral bracing ; minds not luxurious but which
can endure hardness. Softness, self-pleasing,
and moral limpness find their congenial element
in excess of highly-coloured ornamentation. On
the whole, when once a man is master of himself
and of his materials, the best rule that can be
given him is to forget style altogether, and to
think only of the reality to be expressed. The
more the mind is intent on the reality, the sim-
pler, truer, more telling the style will be. The
advice which the great preacher gives for conduct
holds not less for all kinds of writing: 'Aim at
things, and your words will be right without
aiming. Guard against love of display, love of
singularity, love of seeming original. Aim at
meaning what you say, and saying what you
mean.' When a man who is full of his subject
and has matured his powers of expression sets
himself to speak thus simply and sincerely, what-
ever there is in him of strength or sweetness, of
dignity or grace, of humour or pathos, will find
its way out naturally into his language. That
language will be true to his thought, true to the
man himself."

How different is such poetical language from

ii6 Ubc Cboice ot Boofts

the poetry of the obscure, or the mock-senti-
mental, or the positively base! What the Satur-
day Review said of Byron is true of many another
poet: " Even Byron's best passages will not stand
critical examination. They excite rather than
transport, and when the reader examines seri-
ously what he has felt, the impression of a vague
contagious excitement is all that he retains. In
reading Byron, the reader dimly feels that he is
in the presence of a very eloquent person who is,
or would like to be thought, in a state of great
excitement about something, and that it is his
duty to become excited too."

True poetry has a far nobler mission than to
puzzle, or to amuse, or to excite; it is the voice
of all that is best in humanity, speaking from
man to man. Not all of us can thus speak, but
we all can listen to the poet's song, and incorpo-
rate his message in our best and truest life, day
by day.

These remarks apply, of course, to the best of
literature in any form ; but poetry has been, on
the whole, the quintessence of literature. The
prose tale, indeed, has become for the twentieth
century, in its soul and in its form, what poetry
was for the early years of the nineteenth; but

poetr)? 117

when we look at the books of the past we see that
authors, when they have wished to express them-
selves with pecuhar elevation, or strength, or pas-
sion, or beauty, have naturally turned to verse.
"Have you ever rightly considered," says Lowell,
" what the mere ability to read means ? That it
is the key which admits us to the whole world of
thought and fancy and imagination ? to the com-
pany of saint and sage, of the wisest and the
wittiest at their wisest and wittiest moment ?
That it enables us to see with the keenest eyes,
hear with the finest ears, and listen to the sweet-
est voices of all time ? More than that, it annihi-
lates time and space for us; it revives for us
without a miracle the Age of Wonder." To
listen to the sweetest voices of all time — that is
the perennial privilege of the reader of poetry,
especially if, like the men and women of a wiser
generation than ours, he memorises it.

In the opinion of John Morley, " the great
need in modern culture, which is scientific in
method, rationalistic in spirit, and utilitarian in
purpose, is to find some eflfective agency for cher-
ishing within us the ideal. That is, I take it,
the business and function of literature. . . .
After all, the thing that matters most, both for

ii8 XTbe Cboice of IBoohs

happiness and for duty, is that we should habitu-
ally live with wise thoughts and right feelings.
Literature helps us more than other studies to
this most blessed companionship."

To cherish the ideal within us; to live with
wise thoughts and right feelings — that is what
the best poets ask of us, and unweariedly they
proffer their aid toward this noble end. "The
poet in showing the individual must suggest the
universal, in speaking of the seen must seem to
speak also of the unseen, must deal with time as
if he touched eternity." '

' J. C. Bailey, The Anglo-Saxon Review, March, 190 1.

THE ART OF SKIPPING

IT is a fortunate thing that one of the most
hackneyed quotations concerning books and
reading should also be one of the most sensi-
ble: Lord Bacon's saying that " Some books are
to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some
few to be chewed and digested; that is, some
books are to be read only in parts; others to be
read, but not curiously; and some few to be read
wholly, and with diligence and attention."

Following this piece of advice has done a great
deal of good; and no harm is likely to come from
its wise observance. Some people profess to be-
lieve that a book that is worth reading at all is
worth reading straight through, — a piece of fool-
ishness that would be paralleled by an insistence
upon eating a tableful every time one sits down
to a meal. A person who makes up his mind to
read all of a book or none must be fully con-
vinced of the solemn truth of the saying that " a
book 's a book, although there 's nothing in 't."
Against such lack of wisdom the sturdy common-
119

I20 Zbc Cbofce of IBoofts

sense of I^ord Bacon's remark may be put. The
reader need but rest assured of its unquestionable
truth, and spend his time in trying to discover
what books are to be tasted, what swallowed, and
.what digested, rather than vex his soul in ques-
tioning whether the general advice is sound or
not.

A book that is worth reading all through is
pretty sure to make its worth known. There is
something in the literary conscience which tells a
reader whether he is wasting his time or not.
An hour or a minute may be sufi&cient opportu-
nity for forming a decision concerning the worth
or worthlessness of the book. If it is utterly bad
and valueless, then skip the whole of it, as soon
as you have made the discovery. If a part is
good and a part bad, accept the one and reject
the other. If you are in doubt, take warning at
the first intimation that you are misspending
your opportunity and frittering away your time
over an unprofitable book. Reading that is of
questionable value is not hard to find out; it
bears its notes and marks in unmistakable plain-
ness, and it puts forth, all unwittingly, danger
signals of which the reader should take heed.

The art of skipping is, in a word, the art of

Ube art ot Shipping 121

noting and shunning that which is bad, or frivo-
lous, or misleading, or unsuitable for one's indi-
vidual needs. If you are convinced that the
book or chapter is bad, you cannot drop it too
quickly. If it is simply idle and foolish, put it
away on that account, — unless you are properly
seeking amusement from idleness and frivolity.
If it is deceitful and disingenuous, your task is
not so easy, but your literary conscience will give
you warning, and the sharp examination which
should follow will tell you that you are in poor
literary company.

But there are a great many books which are
good in themselves, and yet are not good at all
times or for all readers. No book, indeed, is of
universal value and appropriateness. As has
been said in previous chapters of this series, the
individual must always dare to remember that he
has his own legitimate tastes and wants, and that
it is improper to permit them to be overruled by
the tastes and wants of others. It is right for
one to neglect entirely, or to skip through, pages
which another should study again and again.
Let each reader unconsciously ask himself : Why
am I reading this? What service will it be to
me ? Am I neglecting something else that would

TTbe Cboice ot Boohs

be more benej&cial ? Here, as in every other
question involved in the choice of books, the
golden key to knowledge, a key that will only fit
its own proper doors, is purpose.

Thus the reader is the pupil and the companion
and the fellow-worker of the author, not his slave.
" It is a wise book that is good from title-page to
the end," says A. Bronson Alcott. Such a book
should be read through; but the books that are
wise in spots should be read in spots. Again,
Mr. Alcott says: " I value books for their sug-
gestiveness even more than for the information
they may contain; — volumes that may be taken
in hand and laid aside, read at odd moments,
containing sentences that take possession of my
thought and prompt to the following of them into
their wider relations with life and things." This
suggestiveness of books read at odd moments is
one of the great advantages of judicious skip-
ping. From this habit comes, often, a riper and
wholesomer harvest than would spring from the
most painstaking devotion to regulated and
routine reading and study. One page, one sen-
tence, thus planted in the fertile soil of a receptive
mind, is better than a whole library read from a
mere sense of duty, and without reference to

XLbc Hrt of Sftipplna 123

one's own true welfare, as indicated by his nature
and his needs.

No one thus wisely choosing what he may best
read is in any danger of becoming a superficial
reader. " Did you ever happen to see," asks a
writer whose name I have unfortunately lost, —
"did you ever happen to see, in shrewd old
hard-headed Bishop Whately's annotations on
Lord Bacon's essays, a good passage about what
is and what is not superficiality? It is in the
sentence in Bacon's Essay on Studies, ' Crafty
men contemn studies.' This contempt, says the
bishop, ' whether of crafty men or narrow-minded
men, finds its expression in the word smattering,'
and the couplet is become almost a proverb :

" ' A little learning is a dangerous thing :
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.'

But the poet's remedies for the dangers of a little
learning are both of them impossible. No one
can drink deep enough to be in truth anything
more than superficial; and every human being
that is not a downright idiot must taste. And
the bishop, in his downright way, goes on to give
practical illustrations of the usefulness of a little
knowledge, and proceeds: ' What, then, is the

124 Ube Cboicc of 3Boohs

smattering, the imperfect and superficial know-
ledge that does deserve contempt ? A slight and
superficial knowledge is justly condemned when
it is put in the place of more full and exact know-
ledge. Such an acquaintance with chemistry
and anatomy, for instance, as would be creditable
and not useless to a lawyer, would be contempt-
ible for a physician; and such an acquaintance
with law as would be desirable for him, would be
a most discreditable smattering for a lawyer,' "

Hamerton has some good words on this subject:
" It becomes a necessary part," says he, ** of the
art of intellectual living, so to order our work as
to shield ourselves if possible, at least during a
certain portion of our time, from the evil conse-
quences of hurry. The whole secret lies in a
single word — selection. . . . The art is to
select the reading which will be most useful to
our purpose, and, in writing, to select the words
which will express our meaning with the greatest
clearness in a little space. The art of reading is
to skip judiciously. Whole libraries may be
skipped in these days, when we have the results
of them in our modem culture without going
over the ground again. And even of the books
we decide to read, there are almost always large

tCbe art ot Shtpping 125

portions which do not concern us, and which we
are sure to forget the day after we have read
them. The art is to skip all that does not con-
cern us, whilst missing nothing that we really
need. No external guidance can teach us this;
for nobody but ourselves can guess what the
needs of our intellect may be. But let us select
with decisive firmness, independently of other
people's advice, independently of the authority
of custom.*'

Of course it follows that, to some extent, we
can let others do the work of selection for us,
subject to correction whenever necessary. " In
comparing the number of good books with the
shortness of life, many might well be read by
proxy, if we had good proxies," says Emerson.
Sensible literary guides must be followed to a
large extent, whether in their recommendation of
one book as against another, or of certain poems
or prose extracts in comparison with others.
Books of selection, it is true, sometimes omit
things we would have greatly liked; but who will
pretend to say that he always finds everything
that would have pleased or profited him, even
when he makes his own choice ? As no worker
in any field of labour cau, in this social world,

126 Zbc Cboice ot asoofts

dispense with the help of others, so it is especially
necessary for readers to follow the guidance of
pioneers and wise critics, and to make use of the
selections these critics have made, as well as their
indication of whole books. And sometimes, as
Emerson's remark (which follows Bacon's " Some
books may be read by deputy, and extracts from
them made by others") shows us, we may not
only delegate to others the work of choice and
selection, but also that of reading itself.

THE USE OF TRANSI.ATIONS

A FEW words concerning the use of transla-
tions of the masterpieces of other lan-
guages may properly be given here,
because it is a subject concerning which most
guides to reading have nothing whatever to say
and to which the majority of intelligent readers,
even, have given very little thought. Great as is
the neglect of good reading in one's own lan-
guage, still greater is the lack of attention to
English translations of the noble books of other
literatures than our own.

An intelligent comprehension of one's needs in
the choice of books should certainly include due
attention to the literature of France, or Germany,
or Italy, or Greece, or Spain; — or, in other words,
such a comprehension should never forget that
good literature is not an insular affair, bounded
by the limits of one country, or by the letters of
one language. Of course it is both natural and
proper that the greater part of our reading should
be of books of American or English authorship;
127

128 XTbe Cboice of Boofts

but our culture and training will be greatly im-
poverished if, because of a partial or complete
unfamiliarity with the languages in which they
wrote, we take no account of Homer, Virgil,
Dante, Cervantes, Goethe, Hugo.

Speaking in general terms, the entire body of
the best literature of other lands is accessible in
adequate English translations. And of the use
which may be made of them, let Emerson speak,
in one of the most familiar passages of his essay
on books: "The respectable and sometimes ex-
cellent translations of Bohn's lyibrary have done
for literature what railroads have done for in-
ternal intercourse. I do not hesitate to read
all the books I have named, and all good books,
in translations. What is really best in any book
is translatable — any real insight or broad human
sentiment. Nay, I observe that, in our Bible,
and other books of lofty moral tone, it seems easy
and inevitable to render the rhythm and music
of the original into phrases of equal melody. The
Italians have a fling at translators — i traditori
traduttori ; but I thank them. I rarely read any
Greek, Latin, German, Italian, sometimes not a
French book, in the original, which I can pro-
cure in a good version. I like to be beholden to

XTbe Xttse ot XTransIations 129

the great metropolitan English speech, the sea
which receives tributaries from every region under
heaven. I should as soon think of swimming
across Charles River when I wish to go to Bos-
ton, as of reading all my books in originals, when
1 have them rendered for me in my mother-
tongue."

If such a man as Emerson thus recognises the
utility of translations, surely the average reader
cannot afford to ignore them; whether from his
feeling that he must read books in the original or
not at all, or because he carelessly permits him-
self to forget that vast land which lies beyond the
bounds of his immediate literary horizon.

Mr. Emerson was one of the scholarly men of
his age; an author who in an especial degree
made the wisdom of all times pay tribute to him.
If any contemporary writer could properly be
" above " reading translations, he might be sup-
posed to be that one; and yet he took advanced
ground in the matter, and spoke ten times as
boldly as a mere village pedant would dare to
speak. Let us also hear what Hamerton has to
say on the same subject — bearing in mind that
his testimony is of special value, because he
might well be thought likely to take exactly the

13° XCbe Cboice ot 3Boohs

contrary view, inasmuch as he lived in France
and England, and used the French and English
languages with absolute indifiference. He says:
" Mature life brings so many professional or so-
cial duties that it leaves scant time for culture,
and those who care for culture most earnestly and
sincerely are the very persons who will econo-
mise time to the utmost. Now, to read a lan-
guage that has been very imperfectly mastered is
felt to be a bad economy of time. Suppose the
case of a man occupied in business who has
studied Greek rather assiduously in youth and
yet not enough to read Plato with facility. He
can read the original, but he reads it so slowly
that it would cost him more hours than he can
spare, and this is why he has recourse to a trans-
lation. In this case there is no indifference to
Greek culture; on the contrary, the reader desires
to assimilate what he can of it, but the very
earnestness of his wish to have free access to
ancient thought makes him prefer it in modern
language."

Hamerton also points out eflFectively that even
an intelligent and apparently deep study of an-
other language may not bring with it an insight
into its spirit, or a true knowledge of its richest

XTbe "Clse of ^Translations 131

treasures: "Suppose a society of Frenchmen,
in some secluded little French village, where
no Englishman ever penetrates, and that these
Frenchmen learn English irom dictionaries, and
set themselves to speak English with each other,
without anybody to teach them the colloquial
language or its pronunciation, without ever once
hearing the sound of it from English lips, what
sort of English would they create among them-
selves ? This is a question that I happen to be
able to answer very accurately, because I have
known two Frenchmen who studied English liter-
ature just as the Frenchmen of the sixteenth
century studied the literature of ancient Rome.
One of them, especially, had attained what would
certainly in the case of a dead language be con-
sidered a very high degree of scholarship indeed.
Most of our great authors were known to him,
even down to the close critical comparison of dif-
ferent readings. Aided by the most powerful
memory I ever knew, he had amassed such stores
that the acquisitions even of cultivated English-
men would in many cases have appeared incon-
siderable beside them. But he could not write or
speak English in a manner tolerable to an Eng-
lishman; and although he knew nearly all the

132 XTbe Cbolce of JBoohs

words in the language, it was dictionary know-
ledge, and so diflferent from an Englishman's
apprehension of the same words that it was
only a sort of pseudo-Knglish that he knew, and
not our living tongue. His appreciation of our
authors, especially our poets, differed so widely
from English criticism and feeling that it was
evident that he did not understand them as we
understand them. Two things especially proved
this : he frequently mistook declamatory versifica-
tion for poetry of an elevated order; whilst, on
the other hand, his ear failed to perceive the
music of the musical poets, as Byron and Tenny-
son. How could he hear their music, he to whom
our English sounds were all unknown? Here,
for example, is the way he read Claribel :

" At ev ze bittle bommess

Azvart ze zeeket Ion
At none ze veeld be ommess

A boot ze most edston
At meedneeg ze mon commess

An lokez dovn alon
Ere songg ze lintveet svelless
Ze clirvoiced mavi dvelless

Ze fledgling srost lispess
Ze slombroos vav ootvelless

Ze babblang ronnel creespess
Ze oUov grot replee-ess
Vere Claribel lovlee-ess."

Ube TDlse of translations 133

Plainly, then, " liberally educated " people, as
such, have no right to aflfect superiority over those
persons who venture to assert that English trans-
lations of foreign works are not only permissible
reading, but that they sometimes convey a far bet-
ter idea of foreign literature than may be obtained
from any save the most complete and successful
study of other tongues. The average college
graduate is almost certain to be a mere baby in
his knowledge of the ancient and modern litera-
ture of Europe, though he may have professed to
study Latin six or seven years, Greek four or five
years, and French and German scarcely less. Of
this study, fully nine-tenths has been of gram-
matical forms, and etymological niceties, and
syntactical constructions; and his translating has
been done by piecemeal, in such a way as to de-
stroy pretty effectually all idea of the largeness
and noble quality of the text in hand — and still
more of the literature of which that text is a part.
Etymology is not literature; syntax is not litera-
ture; the conjugation of a verb is not literature.
They may or may not be the gateways of an
adequate knowledge of literature; — more often
they are not, in our usual scheme of college edu-
cation. Whatever advantages may be derived

134 XTbe Cboice ot BooKs

from the grammatical study of a language — and
they are great, perhaps essential — the student
should not imagine that grammatical study, un-
supplemented by something more, is literary
study. I am not decrying grammar. I am only
saying that philology is one thing, and a know-
ledge of the spirit and life of a foreign literature
is quite another thing. There are old and emi-
nent colleges at the North which do far less toward
leading their students toward the literatures of
their own and other languages than is done by
more than one small and feeble institution at the
West or South. So far as literary culture is con-
cerned, then, these venerable and illustrious col-
leges are failures, and these new and feebly
equipped "universities" of newer communities
are successes. An institution of learning which
fetters its classes in chains whose links are mere
grammatical niceties is not to be accounted a
literary institution at all, in comparison with one
which directs its students to the fair fields of
belles-lettres, and strives to imbue them with the
idea that the spirit and life of Homer is some-
thing beyond and above the anatomy of the
Greek verb.
Every reader, whether college bred or not,

ZTbe "Clse ot Tlranslations 135

whether he can read his Bible in half a dozen
languages or in English alone, should therefore
remember that it is his bounden duty to know
somewhat of the world's literature. If he can
know it at first hand, in the original tongue, so
much the better; but if, as must usually happen, .
he must look to English translations, let him not
forget that a Keats, who knew not a word of
Greek, got nearer the heart of Greek literature
than a hundred Porsons could ever do.

HOW TO READ PERIODICAivS

IT is, of course, unadvisable to attempt to
regulate one's plans of reading with the in-
tention of leaving out newspapers and other
periodicals, as " wastes of time." No doubt the
average book is more profitable reading than the
average copy of a newspaper; but it by no means
follows that the best book is at all times a better
thing to read than the best newspaper. In this
age of many periodicals, a large share of the best
literature first appears in them; and, aside from
literature proper, one's scheme of reading is defect-
ive if it takes no account of the news of the day.
A reader has no right to be well acquainted with
ancient history, or with the treasures of poetry or
romance, if such acquaintance has been pur-
chased at the price of ignorance of the great
events and the leading principles of contemporary
life.

In Hamerton's Intellectual Life — a book from
which I have already quoted so many times as to
show my appreciation of it as a sensible helper
136

Uow to IReaD iperioMcals 137

to sound habits of mental regimen on the part of
the average reader — is a chapter addressed " to
a friend (highly cultivated) who congratulated
himself on having entirely abandoned the habit
of reading newspapers." Mr. Hamerton admits
that this friend will have a definite gain to show
for whatever may be his loss; and that some five
hundred hours a year will be saved to him as a
time-income which may be applied to whatever
purpose he may select. " In those five hundred
hours," says he to his friend, " which are now
your own, you may acquire a science, or obtain a
more perfect command over one of the languages
which you have studied. Some department of
your intellectual labours which has hitherto been
unsatisfactory to you, because it was too imper-
fectly cultivated, may henceforth be as orderly
and as fruitful as a well-kept garden. You may
become thoroughly conversant with the works
of more than one great author whom you have
neglected, not from lack of interest, but for want
of time." But against these gains must be set
the loss of political and social intelligence; of the
ability to deal with the practical questions of the
life in which one lives; and of a large part of
that community of knowledge which is so essen-

138 TTbe Cboice of JBoofts

tial to the right development of a mind and of a
character. In a word, total abstinence from the
reading of periodicals must make a person to
some extent both ignorant and selfish. " He
who has not learned to read his daily news-
paper," says W. P. Atkinson, " will hardly read
Gibbon and Grote to any purpose ; he who can-
not see history in the streets of Boston will
trouble himself to no purpose with books about
Rome or Pompeii."

Admitting thus the utility of the reading of
periodicals, and even insisting upon the necessity
and duty of reading them, it must nevertheless be
recognised that an alarming amount of time is
wasted over them, or worse than wasted. When
we have determined that newspapers and maga-
zines ought to be read, let us by no means flatter
ourselves that all our reading of them is com-
mendable or justifiable. I am quite safe in say-
ing that the individual who happens to be reading
these lines wastes more than half the time that
he devotes to periodicals; and that he wastes it
because he does not regulate that time as he
ought. " To learn to choose what is valuable
and to skip the rest " is a good rule tor reading
periodicals; and it is a rule whose observance

f)ow to 1Rea& perfoMcals 139

will reduce by fully one half the time devoted to
them, and will save time and strength for better
intellectual employments, — to say nothing of the
important fact that discipline in this line will pre-
vent the reader from falling into that demoralis-
ing and altogether disgraceful inability to hold
the mind upon any continuous subject of thought
or study, which is pretty sure to follow in the
train of undue or thoughtless reading of periodi-
cals. And when, as too often happens, a man
comes to read nothing save his morning paper at
breakfast or on the train, and his evening paper
after his day's work is over, that man's brain, so
far as reading is concerned, is only half alive. It
cannot carry on a long train of thought or study;
it notes superficial things rather than inner prin-
ciples; it seeks to be amused or stimulated, rather
than to be instructed.

How, then, shall we set to work to put in prac-
tice the important truth that " one should use the
newspaper as a servant and not as a master " ?

In the first place, many periodicals are not
worth reading at all. They neither instruct nor
profitably amuse. If not avowedly addressed to
the semi-criminal class, they assume that their
readers are chiefly interested in murders, divorces,

140 Ubc Cbotce of 3Boofts

and court-room proceedings. In their columns
any real apprehension of the nobility and beauty
of life seems lacking, save when some clergyman
or moralist is induced to write a signed article for
the editorial page. The habitual reading of such
papers is enough, in itself, to lower one's intelli-
gence and moral sense, and to keep them low.
These are strong words; but if the reading of
certain papers I could name, and which my read-
ers could na;me, does not have this eflfect, it is due
to the reader rather than to the newspaper.

In the reading of papers which are worthy of
being read, we should bring every article or item,
so far as may be, before the tribunal of our intel-
lectual conscience, and demand of it what is its
purpose, and what its utility to ourselves. If a
thing is useless to us, then we may advanta-
geously let it alone. A paper or a magazine is
not all for everj^body; some things in it are for
you, some for me, some for others. We can readily
tell what belongs to us and what to somebody
else. Again, in the things which we may prop-
erly read, we should bear it in mind not to exceed
the proper proportion of time to be devoted to a
particular subject. It is often enough to know
that an event has taken place, without reading

■fcow to IReaO iperioMcals 141

all the particulars. Newspapers are pretty sure
to violate the true perspective of events, and
their violation of perspective we must correct for
ourselves. Some of the best of our Saturday or
Sunday dailies, with thirty or forty pages of
really excellent reading matter, need to be
watched on the ground that their ' ' history of the
world for one day ' ' is dangerously diffuse.

James Russell lyowell used to say to his life-
long friend Charles F. Briggs that the reading
of a certain daily newspaper gave him all he
cared to know about current events. Such a
daily — or one of the best weeklies still made up
from the cream of seven daily issues — is enough;
and it need not demand, for its intelligent perusal,
more than half an hour a day. Skip crimes,
athletic news, and unimportant local ' ' intelli-
gence," and you reduce the contents of even the
best of our newspapers from one third to one
half. Mr. Lowell, in a later utterance, the sense
of which excuses his inevitable mixture of meta-
phors, said: "We are apt to wonder at the
scholarship of the men of three centuries ago and
at a certain dignity of phrase that characterises
them. They were scholars because they did not i
read so many things as we. They had fewer!

142 Ube Cboice of 3Boofts

books, but these were of the best. Their speech
was noble, because they lunched with Plutarch
and supped with Plato. We spend as much time
over print as they did, but instead of communing
with the choice thoughts of choice spirits, and
unconsciously acquiring the grand manner of that
supreme society, we diligently inform ourselves,
and cover the continent with a cobweb of tele-
graphs to inform us, of such inspiring facts as
that a horse belonging to Mr. Smith ran away on
Wednesday, seriously damaging a valuable carry-
all; that a son of Mr. Brown swallowed a hickory
nut on Thursday; and that a gravel bank caved
in and buried Mr. Robinson alive on Friday.
Alas, it is we ourselves that are getting buried
alive under this avalanche of earthy impertinence!
It is we who, while we might each in his humble
way be helping our fellows into the right path,
or adding one block to the climbing spire of a
fine soul, are willing to become mere sponges
saturated from the stagnant goose-pond of village
gossip. This is the kind of news we compass
the globe to catch, fresh from Bungtown Centre,
when we might have it fresh from heaven by the
electric lines of poet or prophet ! It is bad
enough that we should be compelled to know so

Dow to 1Rea& ©edoMcals 143

many nothings, but it is downright intolerable
that we must wash so many barrow-loads of
gravel to find a grain of mica after all. And
then to be told that the ability to read makes us
all shareholders in the Bonanza Mine of Univer-
sal Intelligence! "

Tolstoi, late in life, gave up the reading of all
periodicals, saying: "While familiar with our,
newspapers, we neglect the real pabulum of liter-
ature." Thus, in the first two months of absti-
nence, he read from ' ' Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus,
Xenophanes, Socrates, Brahman, Chinese and
Buddhist wisdom, Seneca, Plutarch, Cicero, and,
of the moderns, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Voltaire,
Lessing, Kant, Ivichtenberg, Schopenhauer, Em-
erson, Channing, Parker, Ruskin, and others."

One valuable help toward reducing the time
we spend over newspapers is to keep in check the
attention we are all too ready to give to specula-
tions as to what may happen if certain contin-
gencies arise in the future. "A large proportion
of newspaper writing," says Hamerton, " is occu-
pied with speculations on what is likely to happen
in the course of a few months ; therefore, by
waiting until the time is past, we know the event
without having wasted time in speculations which

144 XTbe Cboice of 3Boofts

could not affect it." We should put ourselves in
the position of one who bears in mind the " long
result of time," as well as the particular duties
and experiences of the day. The cultivation of
this principle will also do much to remove the
dangerous influence of an undue devotion to the
ephemeral excitements and bitterness of partisan
politics, in which newspapers of course play an
active part. Hamerton even goes so far as to
advise the avoidance of all literature that has a
controversial tone. This is urging more than is
practicable, or advisable; but we can at least read
newspapers in such a manner that we need not
be ashamed of ourselves after election-day.

As for the reading of magazines and reviews,
and of newspapers which are devoted to com-
ment and criticism rather than news, it need only
be said that the time spent over them should be
watched somewhat less strictly, and that the fol-
lowing of the same principle of purpose of which
we have spoken so often will make easy the
selection of articles.

READING ALOUD, AND READING CLUBS

" ¥ T OW should we read ? " asks an old-time
I I authority, who proceeds to answer the
question in four replies: "First, thought-
fully and critically; secondly, in company with a
friend, or your family ; thirdly, repeatedly;
fourthly, with pen in hand."

Reading aloud, in the company of others — the
practice commended in the second of these rules
— is in every way advantageous. Its least im-
portant advantage is nevertheless highly salutary,
that it affords valuable means for training in the
elocutionary art — an art in which the modem
American youth is inferior to his grandparents ;
and, aside from this, it promotes thought, it
stimulates one mind by contact with another;
and it almost inevitably calls forth, by discussion,
acts and opinions which otherwise would not
have been considered.

In an over-severe attack on the alleged decline
and inutility of the entire public school system,

lO

145

146 Ubc Choice of JSoofts

the late Richard Grant White offered some sug-
gestions on the training of classes in the art of
reading aloud, which are so sound and sensible
that they may well be repeated here for general
readers as well as educators.

" Of all knowledge and mental training," said
Mr. White, * ' reading is in our day the principal
means, and reading aloud intelligently the un-
mistakable, if not the only, sign. Yet this,
which was so common when the present genera-
tion of mature men were boys, is just what our
highly and scientifically educational educators
seem either most incapable or most neglectful of
teaching. And yet the means by which children
were made intelligent and intelligible readers,
thirty-five or forty years ago, were not so recon-
dite as to be beyond attainment and use by a
teacher of moderate abilities and acquirement,
who set himself earnestly to his work. As I re-
member it, this was the way in which we were
taught to read with pleasure to ourselves and
with at least satisfaction to our hearers: Boys
of not more than seven to nine years old were
exercised in defining words from an abridged dic-
tionary. The word was spelled and the definition
given from memory, and then the teacher asked

IReaOittd Hlout), IReaMna Clubs 147

questions which tested the pupil's comprehension
of the definition that he had given, and the mem-
bers of the class, never more than a dozen or
fourteen in number, were encouraged to give in
their own language their notion of the word and
to distinguish it from so-called synonyms. As to
the amount of knowledge that was thus gained, it
was very little — little, at least, in comparison with
the value of this exercise as education, that is,
of mental training, which was very great. The
same class read aloud every day, and the books
that they read were of sufificient interest to tempt
boys to read them of themselves. . . .

" When the reading began all the class were
obliged to follow the reader, each in his own
book; for any pupil was liable to be called upon
to take up the recitation, even at an unfinished
sentence, and go on with it; and if he hesitated
in such a manner as showed that his eye and
mind were not with the reader's, the effect upon
his mark account was the same as if he himself
had failed in reading. If the reading of any
sentence did not show a just apprehension of
its meaning, the reader was stopped and the
sentence was passed through the class for a
better expression of its sense. Whether this was

148 XTbe Cbotcc ot IBoofts

obtained from the pupils or not, the teacher then
explained the sense or gave some information,
the want of which had caused the failure, and by
repetition of both readings — the bad and the good
— showed by contrast and by comment why the
one was bad and why the other good. Words
were explained; if tHey were compound words
they were analysed; the dififerent shades of mean-
ing which words have in different connections
were remarked upon, and the subject of the
essay, the narration, or the poem which formed
the lesson of the day was explained. The de-
livery of the voice was attended to; not in any
pretentious, artificial, elocutionary way, but with
such regard for good and pleasant speech as was
dictated by common sense and good breeding.
The young readers were not allowed to hang
their heads either over their bosoms or over their
shoulders, but were made to stand up straight,
throw back their shoulders, lift their heads well
up, so that if their eyes were taken from their
books, they would look a man straight in the
face. Only in this position can the voice be well
delivered. The slightest mispronunciation was,
of course, observed and corrected, and not only so,
but bad enunciation was checked, and all slovenly

IRea^ing Hlou&, IReaDing Clubs 149

mumbling was reprehended, and as far as pos-
sible reformed. Yet with all this there was con-
stant caution against a prim, pedantic, and even
a conscious mode of reading. The end sought
was an intelligent, natural, and simple delivery
of every sentence.

" Of course, a lesson in reading like this was
no trifling matter. It was, indeed, the longest
recitation of the session, and the one at which the
instructive powers of the teacher were most
severely tested. But it was the most valuable,
the most important lesson of the day. By it the
pupil was taught not only to read well and speak
well, but to think. His powers of attention and
apprehension were put in exercise, and he was
obliged to discriminate shades of meaning before
he could express them by inflection of voice.
Reading aloud well was then regarded as inferior
in importance to no other ' branch ' of education;
it was practised until pupils were prepared to
enter college, the later reading lessons being
taken from Milton or Pope or Burke, or some
other writers of the highest class, and being again
accompanied by explanation and criticism. In
the earlier years of a boy's school-time any other
recitation would be omitted by the teacher sooner

ISO JLbc Cbofce of Boofts

than that in reading aloud. How it is, or why
it is, that such instruction in reading has fallen
into disuse I do not know. Indeed, I know that
it is disused only by the chorus of complaint that
goes up on all sides, both in England and in the
United States, that children cannot read aloud,
and that they cannot write from dictation. This,
of course, could not be if children were taught in
the manner which I have endeavoured to de-
scribe. A schoolboy of eight or nine years old,
if taught in that way, would know how to read
English aloud decently well, if he knew nothing
else. And it is really more important that he
should know how to do this well, and that he
should learn to do it in some such manner as I
have described, than that he should begin the
study of the arts and sciences."

In this connection there occurs to the mind a
single verse of the Bible, which comprises, in
twenty-three words, a whole treatise on the art
of reading aloud: " So they read in the book in
the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense,
and caused them to understand the reading,"

This is not the place for any long discussion of
the externals, so to speak, of reading aloud. As
we have said, reading in the home circle, or liter-

•ReaMna Hlou^, IRcabino Clubs 151

ary clubs, closely unites mere elocutionary prac-
tice with a new apprehension of the sense of what
is read, and promotes in a high degree the
growth of the culture of all the persons who take
part in it. Fortunately, the habit is being re-
vived of late years, both at home and in associa-
tions of readers. It can be taken up at any time:
nothing is easier than to find listeners more than
willing to be read to; and the custom will prove
to repay cultivation to an unlimited extent. Of
course reading aloud is slower work than reading
to one's self; but the advantages of deliberate
thought, and of a fellowship with the minds of
others, more than make up this loss.

Some helpful hints on social literary work for
women — hints which apply, for the most part,
equally well to men, or to the literary clubs com-
posed of both sexes — may well be reprinted here,
from The Christian Union.

" In every community," says the journal,
" there are intelligent women, with considerable
leisure at their command, who have a desire to
be helpful, and in the same community there is a
class of young women who need intellectual
stimulus and guidance. How shall the two be
brought together, so that the supply shall meet

152 Xlbe Cbotce of 3BooF?s

the demand ? Newspapers, magazines, and pub-
lic libraries all serve an admirable purpose in the
intellectual life of the community, but they are
not sufficient. What is needed is personal influ-
ence and power, and this is just the element
which intelligent women are able to supply.

"Almost every village, certainly every larger
town, contains a number of recent graduates from
high schools and seminaries, who are not able,
for one reason or another, to complete their school
education by a full college course. Now, to girls
of this class, a woman of tact and intelligence can
render the greatest possible service by helping
them to preserve the habits of study they have
already formed and to keep alive the intellectual
interest and curiosity that have been awakened
in them; and by giving them just that impulse
which shall keep them drinking continually at
the running streams of knowledge. The train-
ing of the best schools fails unless it emphasises
the importance of continual and systematic study
as the habit of a lifetime; but it is just this which
large numbers of bright and promising graduates
from the higher schools fail to carry away with
them. They go home from their last term with a
latent desire for fuller knowledge, but that desire

IReaMnQ Hlou&, IReaMng Clubs 153

is not strong enough to carry them through the
interruptions home Ufe brings to a regular course
of study, and what they need is an impulse from
without, and the guidance of some mature and
trained mind. Any intelligent woman can find a
noble work for herself by opening her doors to
girls of this class, and providing in her home a
kind of post-graduate course for them. No study
and no teaching is so delightful as that which is
full of the element of personality, in which teacher
and scholars meet on a social basis, and as friends
mutually interested in the same work, in which
the methods are entirely informal and conversa-
tional, and the result the largest and freest dis-
cussion of the subject. An experiment of this
kind need not be a heavy task on the teacher
either in time or effort. A class may be formed
which shall meet for an hour once or twice a
week, taking any subject for study that has vital
connection with life. . . .

" No subject will be more entertaining in itself
or open up so many paths of private reading and
study as English literature. An excellent plan
would be to take Stopford Brooke's Primer of
English Literature as a connecting thread of
study, and with it as a guide to make the grand

154 Ube Cboice of 3Boofts

tour of English literature, taking each great
author in his turn and making such study of his
life and work as would be within the power of an
ordinarily intelligent person. DifiFerent authors
may be assigned to different members of the class,
who shall specially study up and give account of
them, so that the principal facts of their lives,
the special qualities of their work and the particu-
lar impulse which they imparted to their age may
be made the possession of the whole class. Then
there is the great field of art, which by the aid of
the admirable textbooks now being published
may be intelligently and profitably traversed by
those who have no opportunities for technical
knowledge, but who desire to know art in its
historical aspects, and to be able by knowledge
of its historical development to understand the
school of the present day. These hints will sug-
gest a multiplicity of topics that might with the
utmost profit be studied in this way. Every
woman who desires to make the experiment can
easily settle the question of what subject she shall
take, by consulting her own culture, her own
tastes, and the needs of those whom she wishes
to help. The special knowledge to be imparted
is not of so much value as the habit of study.

lRea&ing aiouO, IReabina Clubs 155

which is to be strengthened and made continuous
in the life of the student."

This is an exact description of what, to my
knowledge, has frequently been done in classes
of young women in villages, — many of whom
have enjoyed slender opportunities for education,
and nearly all of whom have earned their own
living. In these classes, reading aloud by the
members has been a constant feature.

In the formation of classes like those indicated
above, or Shakespeare clubs, or social literary
organisations in general, two things should never
be forgotten: that almost any kind of a begin-
ning is better than none; and that the constitu-
tion and by-laws of the society, if it is deemed
necessary to have any, should be of the simplest
character possible.

Edward Everett Hale says that, in his experi-
ence as a parish minister, he looks back on the
work which reading classes have done with him
with more satisfaction than on any other organ-
ised effort which he has shared for the education
of the young. His most important hints for the
management of such classes are as follows:

** It seems desirable that a class shall be of such
a size that free conversation may be easy. If the

is6 Ube Cboice of IBoofts

number exceeds thirty, the members hardly be-
come intimate with each other, and there is a
certain shyness about speaking out in meeting.
The size of the room has some effect in this matter.
" I think that in the choice of the subject the
range may easily be too large. It seems desirable
that the members of the class shall know at the
beginning what their winter's work is to be so
specifically that they can adjust to it their general
readings. Even the choice of novels for relaxa-
tion, or the selection of what they will read and
what they will not, in newspapers, magazines,
and reviews, depends on this first choice of sub-
ject. The leader of the class should give a good
deal of time to preparation. The more he knows,
the better, of course, but all that is absolutely
necessary is that he shall keep a little in advance
of the class and shall be willing to work and
read. A true man or woman will, of course,
' confess ignorance ' frankly. I would rather
have in a leader good practical knowledge of
books of reference and the way to use public
libraries than large specific knowledge of the
subject in hand. Of course it would be better to
have both. And I think a class is wise in leaving
to its leader the selection of the topic. Granting

IReaMnG HlouD, IRea&tna Clubs 157

these preliminaries, I would urge, and almost
insist, that no one should attend the class who
would not promise to attend to the end. Nothing
is so ruinous as the presence of virgins who have
no oil in their vessels, and are in the outer dark-
ness before the course is half done. I think it is
well to agree in the beginning on a small fee — a
dollar, or half a dollar — which can be expended
in books of reference, or supper, or charity, or
anything else desirable. The real object of the
fee is weeding out unreliable members.

" Every member should have a note-book and
pencil, and those who do not take notes should
be expelled. What is heard at such classes, with
no memorandum to connect it with after-work,
goes in at one ear and out at the other.

" To make sure that each member takes notes,
it is well to keep one class journal. At the end
of each meeting, assign the making up of this
journal to some one of the class, selected by acci-
dent. The length of this journal should be
limited — say to a single page of a writing-book.
Otherwise the ambitious members vie with each
other in making them long, which is in no way
desirable. All you want is the merest brief of the
work done at each meeting. . .

is8 XTbe (Eboice of Boofts

" The leader will very soon get a knowledge of
what the different members of the class can and
will do. Indeed, the consideration of what they
want to do will become an important part of his
arrangements. He should remember that they
are all volunteers, that it is no business of his to
drive up a particular laggard to his work, but
rather to make the class as profitable as he can
for all."

WHAT BOOKS TO OWN

EVERYBODY ought to own books. My
father used to call a house without books
a literary Sahara; and how many of them
there are! We are a "reading people"; but
nothing is easier to find than homes in which the
furniture, the pictures, the ornaments, every-
thing, is an object of greater care and expense
than the library. Is it any wonder that their
inmates, whatever their so-called wealth or com-
fort, are intellectual starvelings ?

One of the best statements concerning books in
the house is by Henry Ward Beecher: " We form
judgments of men," says he, " from little things
about their houses, of which the owner, perhaps,
never thinks. In earlier years, when travelling
in the West, where taverns were scarce, and in
some places unknown, and every settler's house
was a house of entertainment, it was a matter of
some importance and some experience to select
wisely where you should put up. And we always
looked for flowers. If there were no trees for
159

i6o Ube Cboice of Boofts

shade, no patch of flowers in the yard, we were
suspicious of the place. But no matter how rude
the cabin or rough the surroundings, if we saw
that the window held a little trough for flowers,
and that some vines twined about strings let down
from the eaves, we were confident that there was
some taste and carefulness in the log-cabin. In a
new country, where people have to tug for a
living, no one will take the trouble to rear flowers
unless the love of them is pretty strong; and this
taste, blossoming out of plain and uncultivated
people, is itself a clump of harebells growing out
of the seams of a rock. We were seldom misled.
A patch of flowers came to signify kind people,
clean beds, and good bread.

' ' But in other states of society other signs are
more significant. Flowers about a rich man's
house may signify only that he has a good gar-
dener, or that he has refined neighbours, and does
what he sees them do. But men are not accus-
tomed to buy books unless they want them. If
on visiting the dwelling of a man in slender
means we find that he contents himself with
cheap carpets and very plain furniture in order
that he may purchase books, he rises at once in
our esteem. Books are not made for furniture.

Mbat Koofts to ®wn i6i

but there is nothing else that so beautifully fur-
nishes a house. The plainest row of books that
cloth or paper ever covered is more significant of
refinement than the most elaborately carved
dtag^re or sideboard. Give us a house furnished
with books rather than furniture. Both, if you
can, but books at any rate. To spend several
days in a friend's house, and hunger for some-
thing to read, while you are treading on costly
carpets and sitting on luxurious chairs, and
sleeping upon down, is as if one were bribing
your body for the sake of cheating your mind.

" Is it not pitiable to see a man growing rich,
augmenting the comforts of home, and lavishing
money on ostentatious upholstery, upon the table,
upon everything but what the soul needs ? We
know of many and many a rich man's house
where it would not be safe to ask for the common-
est English classics. A few garish annuals on
the table, a few pictorial monstrosities, together
with the stock religious books of his * persuasion,'
and that is all! No poets, no essayists, no his-
torians, no travels or biographies, no select
fiction, no curious legendary lore. But the wall
paper cost three dollars a roll, and the carpet
cost four dollars a yard!

i68 Xlbc Cboice of IBoofts

" Books are the windows through which the
soul looks out. A home without books is like a
room without windows. No man has a right to
bring up his children without surrounding them
with books, if he has the means to buy them. It
is a wrong to his family. He cheats them!
Children learn to read by being in the presence
of books. The love of knowledge comes with
reading and grows upon it. And the love of
knowledge in a young mind is almost a warrant
against the inferior excitement of passions and
vices. I<et us pity these poor rich men who live
barrenly in great bookless houses! Let us con-
gratulate the poor that, in our day, books are so
cheap that a man may every year add a hundred
volumes to his library for the price which his
tobacco and his beer cost him. Among the ear-
liest ambitions to be excited in clerks, workmen,
journeymen, and, indeed, among all that are
struggling up in life from nothing to something,
is that of owning and constantly adding to a
library of good books. A little library growing
larger every year is an honourable part of a
young man's history. It is a man's duty to have
books. A library is not a luxury, but one of the
necessaries of life."

TRabat Boofts to ®wn 163

In this connection, do you remember Chaucer's
Clerk of Oxenford, who stinted himself in every
other way in order that he might have money to
buy books ?

" A Clerk tber was of Oxen ford also,
That unto logik badde longe i-go.
Al-so lene was his hors as is a rake,
And he was not right fat, I undertake.
But lokede holwe, and therto soburly.
Ful thredbare was his overest courtepy,
For he badde nought geten him yet a benefice.
Ne was not worthy to haven an office.
For him was lever have at his beddes heed
Twenty bookes, clothed in blak and reed,
Of Aristotil, and of his philosophie
Than robus riche, or fithul, or sawtrie.

" But al-though he were a philosophre,
Yet hadde he but litul gold in cofre ;
But al that he might gete, and his frendes sende,
On bookes and his leruyng be it spende,
And busily gan for the soules praye,
Of hem that yaf him wherwith to scolaye.
Of studie took he raoste cure and heede.
Not 00 word spak he more than was neede ;
All that he spak it was of heye prudence,
And short and quyk, and ful of gret sentence.
Sownynge in moral manere was his speche,
And gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche."

" To be without books of your own is the abyss
of penury; don't endure it!" exclaims Ruskin.
Lyman Abbott declares that " the home ought

i64 XTbe Cboice of Boofts

no more to be without a library than without a
dining-room and kitchen. If you have but one
room, and it is Hghted by the great wood fire in
the flaming fireplace, as Abraham Lincoln's was,
do as Abraham Lincoln did: pick out one corner
of your fireplace for a library, and use it." Still
another truth is well stated by Sir Arthur Helps
in a few words: "A man never gets so much
good out of a book as when he possesses it."

The influence of the home library upon all the
members of the family, and especially the younger
ones, can hardly be overstated. The biographies
of literary men, and of great men not literary, are
full of testimonies to the value of the neighbour-
hood and society of books in early youth. " I
like books," says Dr. Holmes; " I was born
and bred among them." He has told us, in
an amusing way, what sort of a library he was
"brought up" in; and, great reader though he
was, he lamented that he had not read even more:
" It was very largely theological, so that I was
walled in by solemn folios, making the shelves
bend under the loads of sacred learning. Wal-
ton's Polygot Bible was one of them. Poli-
synopsis was another; a black letter copy of Fox's
Acts and Monuments another, and so on. Higher

Mbat Boofts to ©wn 165

up on the shelves stood Fleury's Ecclesiastical
History, in twentj'-five volumes octavo. In one
of these volumes a book-worm had eaten his way
straight through from beginning to end, leaving
a round hole through every leaf, as if a small
shot had gone through it. My father wrote some
verses about it, I recollect, beginning: ' See here,
my son, what industry can do.' I wish I had
profited better by them. I have not been the
most indolent of mortals, but the industry of
some of my acquaintances . . . makes me
feel as if I had been lazy in comparison. I do
not remember whether I have told this in any of
my books or not; at any rate, the lesson taught
by the book-worm and turned into verse by my
father is one by which any young person may
profit."

Another contemporary writer, Edmond About,
has similarly ascribed his formation of the read-
ing habit to his father's care in collecting a
library : ' ' Reading is assuredly an excellent thing,
and my father never would forego it, after he had
attained some leisure and affluence. By degrees
he had obtained five or six hundred well-chosen
volumes. He constantly turned over the leaves
of the Encyclopcedia of Useful Knowledge and

i66 Ubc Cboice ot Boofts

Boret's manuals; he had even subscribed with
three or four neighbours to a liberal Paris paper;
but he prized far above all the knowledge that he
had gained quite alone. Gently and patiently he
also accustomed me to look and think for myself,
instead oi imposing upon me his ideas, which
my docile, submissive spirit would have blindly
accepted."

In lieu of a thousand similar utterances, per-
haps it will be enough to quote what a veteran
journalist, Charles T. Congdon, wrote concerning
the encouragement of a love and a care for books
on the part of children: " I would early encour-
age in children a reverence for books. The need
of it is the greater because school business so
tends to raggedness and destruction. And this
naturally brings me to a topic which is well worth
considering — I mean the care and preservation of
books. I have known young people who were
highly particular in the conservation of their
small libraries; and I think that this is a ten-
dency which it would be well for parents and
guardians to encourage. I argue well of a child
who carefully conserves its books, covers them,
and ranges them on a little shelf in a little row.
When I encounter this particularity, I see before

TRUbat 3Boofts to ©wn 167

me future collectors and bibliographers in em-
bryo."

Then, after a word on " the immorality which
pervades the ranks of borrowers," he speaks of
the pleasure children will take hereafter in look-
ing back on books which delighted them when
the world was new and small things charming.

I have happened to find some sensible words of
the same sort in a country weekly, the very place
where such expressions are likely to do most
good to the local public: " Nothing is more im-
portant to young people than an early love for
good books. In no way can this love be better
fostered than by the formation of home libraries.
No matter how few or small the books are, to
commence with, they will make a beginning, and
you will wonder at its growth. Don't have the
books scattered about, but collect them. Any
boy can make shelves which are good enough,
and the very act of getting your books together
will form a desire for more. When you have
thus made a beginning make it a rule never to
add a poor or * trashy ' book. A good book is
worth a hundred of the other kind. In this day
of cheap books there is no reason why every boy
. . . need not have something of a library."

1 68 Ube Cboice ot Boohs

Boys may well remember that from such a be-
ginning great results may grow. From no greater
a collection than any young reader can easily
make, the historian Gibbon tells us that he
gradually formed a numerous and select library,
* ' the foundation of ray works, and the best com-
fort of my life, both at home and abroad."

Aside from the reading of books, their mere
society and companionship is of high advantage.
Boswell tells us that Dr. Johnson thought it well
even to look at the backs of books: " No sooner
had we made our bow to Mr. Cambridge, in^s
library, than Johnson ran eagerly to one side of
the room, intent on poring over the backs of the
books. Sir Joshua [Reynolds] observed, aside,
' He runs to the books as I do the pictures; but I
have the advantage, I can see much more of the
pictures than he can of the books.' Mr. Cam-
bridge, upon this, politely said: ' Dr. Johnson, I
am going, with your pardon, to accuse myself,
for I have the same custom which I perceive you
have. But it seems odd that we should have such
a desire to look at the backs of books.' Johnson,
ever ready for contest, instantly started from his
reverie, wheeled about, and answered: ' Sir, the
reason is very plain. Knowledge is of two kinds.

TRUbat JSoofts to ®wn 169

We know a subject ourselves, or we know where
we can find information upon it. When we in-
quire into any subject, the first thing we have to
do is to know what books have treated of it.
This leads us to look at catalogues, and the backs
of books in libraries. ' Sir Joshua observed to me
the extraordinary promptitude with which John-
son flew upon an argument. * Yes,' said I, ' he
has no formal preparations, no flourishing with
his sword; he is through your body in an in-
stant.' "

People who are accustomed to know where
particular books are can fly to them in an emer-
gency; and sometimes a little library at home,
well understood, is a more effective armory than
a great collection, unknown.

"What a place to be in is an old library!"
exclaimed Charles Lamb. One's own library
becomes old, for him, as the years go on, and
each book is a sort of landmark in the history of
his mind. There is the Christmas present given
him on his sixth birthday, and there the Kelm-
scott Chaucer bought with the savings of middle
life. The true owner of books loves his books,
and they come to have real personalities. When
poor Southey, after a life of hard work among

I70 Ubc Cbolcc of 3Boohs

books, lost his mind, and even the power to read
a word, he spent hours and hours in wandering
through his library, feeling his books, and pet-
ting them, and laying his head against them.

So lyongfellow sang, in his fine sonnet My
Books :

"Sadly as some old mediaeval knight

Gazed at the arms he could no longer wield,
The sword two-handed and the shining shield
Suspended in the hall, and full in sight,
While secret longings for the lost delight
Of tourney or adventure in the field
Came over him, and tears but half concealed
Trembled and fell upon his beard of white,
So I behold these books upon their shelf,
My ornaments and arms of other days ;
Not wholly useless, though no longer used,
For they remind me of my other self.
Younger and stronger, and the pleasant ways
In which I walked, now clouded and confused."

It is not necessary to advise buyers to possess
this or that particular book, nor to present to
them a definite list of ten, fifty, a hundred, or a
thousand volumes, and say, * ' Buy these, and you
will have a library." The preceding chapters in
this series have sufiiciently indicated, I trust,
what sort of books one ought to read, and how a
selection of books to own may best be guided and
limited. Any intelligent person, after a certain

Mbat JSoohs to ®wn 171

amount of experience, can tell, when he reads a
catalogue of publications, or visits a book-store,
what are standard books, and what are those
which are good to read. Everyone's conscience,
too, will sooner or later, if wisely developed, tell
him what books to shun. Some volumes are to
be read for a temporary purpose, and not to be
owned. Buy nothing that you are, or will be,
ashamed of, and remember that "art is long, and
time is fleeting." In a word, choose your books
as you would choose your friends and helpers.

The collector of a home library should not be
discouraged because there are so many books in
the world, and he can buy so few. Says Emer-
son: " I visit occasionally the Cambridge library,
and I can seldom go there without renewing the
conviction that the best of it all is already within
the four walls of my study at home. The inspec-
tion of the catalogue brings me continually back
to the few standard writers who are on every
private shelf ; and to these it can afford only the
most slight and casual additions. The crowds
and centuries of books are only commentary and
elucidation, echoes and weakeners of these few
great voices of Time."

In the same strain are these words from an

172 Ubc Cbolce of Boofts

editorial in the Pall Mall Gazette, of London:
" It is some comfort to reflect that without pos-
sessing a library equal to that of the British
Museum, and indeed one which can be coaxed
into a single room of moderate dimensions, one
may have everything in the way of literature
which has been so far produced by the human
race which is still worth reading — not to say a
good deal more. A large collection of English
poets, from Chaucer to Cowper, will go upon a
small shelf; and all that has since been written
of any importance will fail to fill another. Three-
fourths even of that collection is of interest only
in a historical sense. And truly it suggests mel-
ancholy as well as comfort to look round any
decent library; to mark the collected works even
of the greatest; and to remember how small is the
proportion of grain to chaif." My own collection
of twenty-five hundred volumes is enough; the
outside world may have the rest.

As for the choice of editions of books to own, a
remark of Dr. Johnson's is worth remembering,
though, of course, not of universal application:
" Books that you may carry to the fire, and hold
readily in your hand, are the most useful, after
all."

Mbat JSoofts to ©wn 173

The care of the home library should chiefly
consist of keeping its contents accessible and neat.
Books that are imprisoned, or are kept in unfre-
quented rooms, are deprived of half their useful-
ness. It is better to have a book worn out with
use, or faded by sunlight, or kept where it needs
a daily dusting, than to have it preserved like a
stuffed bird in a case. Open shelves are better
than glass-doored book-caseS, and the original
binding of a book is better than a brown-paper
cover. Who would like a friend always dressed
in a " duster " ? or who would enjoy living in one
of those melancholy rooms where all the furniture
is shrouded in linen ? Brown-paper book-covers
may be excusable in public libraries, but never in
private ones.

A few hints on the care of books, selected from
a paper by S. L. Boardman, will be found service-
able : ' ' Whatever the room chosen for the library,
let it be warm and sunny, on the south side of the
house if possible, and plainly furnished, for what
furnishing so gorgeous and attractive as good
books ? An open fire is the only means of warm-
ing that should ever be thought of in a library
room. . . .

" Books have a far more cheerful and social

174 XTbe Cboice of JSoofts

look when you can readily see them, and handle
them, and become acquainted with them, than
when they are locked up as though you were
afraid somebody would read them, or that they
would make somebody happy if he could only
turn over their magic pages. Open cases, then,
for all books in private libraries, especially in
what we call ' working libraries. ' . . .

" Do not put too much money in expensive and
luxuriant bindings. I am not talking to the
wealthy bibliophile, who is able to employ Bed-
ford, or Pawson, or Charles White to bind his
books regardless of cost, but to the average book-
lover or collector. Put the extra money your fine
bindings would cost into more, and more ser\ace-
able, books, and be happy. Choose editions in
plain substantial dress, and leave elaborate gild-
ing, and blind tooling, and silk linings, to your
exquisite fancier. . . .

" Books should never be crowded tightly on the
shelves. They should be so kindly disposed as to
gently support each other. Great injury comes
from placing them too closely together. Books
are generally taken down from their positions by
the top of the back, and in many, many instances
I have seen books, some of which were in their

TRIlbat Boofts to ©wn 175

day strongly bound, completely broken away at
the back from being pulled carelessl)' out of posi-
tion. In removing a book from its place the
proper way is first to loosen the books standing
each side of the one wanted, by giving them a
gentle sideward pressure; then, tipping the book
from you at the top and taking hold of the bot-
tom, gently draw it out. Do not pile books flat-
ways upon the top of those standing upright in
the case. It injures those upon which they rest
very much. Remember the advice of old Richard
De Bury, centuries ago, * never to approach a
volume with uncleanly hands.' Books are easily
soiled, paper and binding retaining the imperfec-
tion of the least pressure of unwashed hands.
Dust off the books every day, and remember that,
like house plants, they need a constant supply of
fresh air. They are dear friends. We become
attached to them from constant intercourse, and
when we remember how much enjoyment we re-
ceive from their silent, tender companionship, we
should in return treat them well, give them the
best room in the house, and teach our children
and visitors to pay to them due respect."

I am often asked whether it is better to buy
standard authors in complete editions, or favourite

176 JLbc Cbotce ot Boohs

selected works. Buy both; let some great writers,
most dear to your heart, stand complete on your
shelves ; for the rest, save your purse and your
book-space by picking up whatsoever volumes
you will, — so long as they are decently readable,
in both senses of the adjective.

Finally, be occasionally extravagant in book-
buying. A volume, or a set, that has cost some
preliminary planning and subsequent economis-
ing may be a lifelong pleasure, from the time
when you first began to wonder whether you
could afford it until the solemn day in which
you bequeath it to some book-lover of the next
generation.

THE USE OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES

EVERY town ought to have a library con-
taining as many volumes as the town has
inhabitants. Such a library becomes at
once the centre of the intellectual life of the town,
and affects the morals and manners of the entire
community, welcoming all to the benefits of high
thought and the friendship of noble minds. And
more, its influence stretches out into the whole
country, wherever its readers may chance to go.
A town with a library can be distinguished easily
from one which lacks any such collection of books;
and those parts of the country in which public
libraries abound are the parts which are most in-
fluential in every department of intellectual and
even material labour. This great work of library
development has dotted all the north-eastern
portion of the United States with buildings and
influences as truly useful as those of our temples
of worship — a development unprecedented in the
world's history and unequalled in other parts of
this or any other country.

la

177

178 Ube Cbofce of Boohs

It is true that the greatest libraries of the world
are not on this side of the Atlantic, America
has, as yet, no collections numerically equalling
those of the Biblioth^que Nationale in Paris or
the British Museum in L,ondon.

In Europe most books go to great public
reference-libraries or large private collections ;
in America they are far more widely distributed
in multiplied smaller libraries for the good of
the people. Truly this is the land of readers:
a land in which, as I once saw in New York,
the very driver of a dump-cart picks a tattered
book from the ashes he carries, and reads it
as he jolts along. It is for us to see that this
reading habit is maintained and purified, and not
to allow it to be said that, in the increasing hurry
of merely materialistic development, busy men
read nothing but sensational dailies, and tired
women nothing but ephemeral novels.

The public library, like most good things in
the world, must be a growth, an evolution. The
idea of growth, and development, and nurture,
which is so closely connected with almost every-
thing in the natural and the spiritual world, bears
an important relation to collections of books, large
or small. A library, whether public or private.

XLbc "Clse ot public Xibrarles 179

should therefore be governed by an intelligent
purpose and a watchful discrimination, propor-
tioned to the important and lasting influence which
it must inevitably assert, for good or for bad.

It is a mere truism to say that a book may play
a conspicuous part in shaping the character of
many readers, long after its purchaser shall have
forgotten its existence, or shall have departed
from this world. The selection of a new book,
therefore, ought to be made with thoughtfulness
and care, and with a full knowledge of its proba-
ble service in the library of which it will be a part.
Not every collection of books, however, gives evi-
dence of a dominating principle on the part of
those who have gathered it. How many preten-
tious homes there are in which the books seem
the most conspicuous accidents that the house
contains! Town libraries are usually chosen with
greater care, but even here librarians or purchas-
ing committees are often unduly influenced by a
desire to get the newest books, or the greatest
number for a given sum of money, or those books
which can be chosen in the shortest time. Many
custodians or purchasers of books, know what
they want and why they want it, but many others
squander their money and their influence, and not

I So tLbc Choice ot IBooUs

only fail to attain the desired good, but put a
positive evil into its place.

No book should ever be bought without a good
reason. If it is to fulfil a temporary use, the
reason may be as honest and as imperative as
though it were purchased for all time. But what-
ever may be the circumstances attending its pur-
chase, it should be able to approve the intelligence
and wisdom of its purchaser. Fifty books hav-
ing a why and a wherefore are better than five
hundred having no plea to make for themselves.
There is no better reason why we should permit
chance, or importunity, or lack of time, to tell us
what books to buy than to allow them to guide
our choice of a church, or a place of residence, or
an occupation in life.

The choice of books for public libraries should
be made with care, but with a full remembrance
of the fact that there are many tastes in the com-
munity, and that, while those tastes can and must
be raised, they must first be reached. " We sup-
pose," says one authority, "all would agree upon
these simple principles — (i) a library must not
circulate bad books; (2) it must, within this limit,
give the public the books it wants; (3) it must
teach it to want better books."

Ube 'Clse of ipublic Xibraries iSi

If a sound purpose is the guiding principle in
the selection of the separate books which make a
library, so also it should govern and shape the
uses to which that library is put. It should place
one book in the hands of one reader, and give
another to another. It should wisely note the
proper time for a certain volume to do a particular
work, and should not forget to ascertain when
that time passes by. It should look both on the
long future years and on the present moment,
and should train up the library in full remem-
brance of the fact that new needs and duties come
with new times.

In this connection it is well to lay stress upon
the duty, in developing a library, — even a public
library, which may properly keep many books for
possible rather than probable use, — of getting rid
of its useless contents. We make mistakes in
book-collecting as well as in everything else — in-
deed, it sometimes seems as though folly in this
line were more conspicuous than in most others.
Why, then, should we keep in sight and posses-
sion our failures in books, any more than in
other matters ? A bad or superannuated book is
no better than an ill-fitting or worn-out shoe, and
has no better right to permanence. Some books

i82 Ube Cbolce of BooKs

are pests and plague-spots, and their proper place
is in the fire. Others are of no use to us or to
anybody else, and may be sent to the rag-man, to
be ground up into fresh paper for new service.
Others have fulfilled their purpose for us, but if
given to new owners would perform fresh and ex-
cellent work for readers unfamiliar with their
contents. Still others may wisely be sold or ex-
changed, and thus bring us new lamps for old.
Selling books may be as legitimate as buying
them. And so, by constantly remembering that
a library is something for use; that it is a treasury,
and not a tomb, of learning and helpful wisdom;
and that it has a life and growth and changing
usefulness, and therefore needs our watchful and
purposeful care as day after day goes by, — we
can greatly increase its possibilities of service,
and make it a living force instead of a waning
memory.

As regards the service of the library to the
community, one should never forget that both
sentimental and practical considerations unite in
calling upon us to pay attention to the possible
working force of books. The attention we be-
stow upon this consideration shows the value we
attach to them.

TEbe xase of public Xlbraries 183

It is the most important item in the utilisation
of books, in public collections or private, in the
largest libraries or the smallest, that they should
be made accessible. Books out of sight or out of
reach of an individual have, for that individual,
no value at all; and certainly those others who
cannot read books with convenience are not likely
to feel that sense of companionship which comes
after familiarity with them. Certain restrictions
are necessary, wherever books are collected for
use, but such restrictions should be reduced to
the lowest number. Wherever possible, readers
should not only be permitted to handle the par-
ticular books they wish to examine with a view
to reading, but should also be allowed to browse,
so to speak, among the shelves. The advantages
of book-using are almost directly proportionate
to the accessibility of the volumes. With this in
mind, they should be well classified, with a view
to the reader's information and convenience.
Who has not spent tedious hours of hunting for
the desired book, even in the smallest collections ?
In large public libraries classification is absolutely
essential, and its absence reduces the collection to
an indistinguishable mass, of whose quality the
reader can judge only by specimens taken at

iS4 XTbe Cboice of Boofts

haphazard. When the books have been made
accessible and wisely classified, their custodian
will hardly need to be reminded to see that they are
neatly kept, both by himself and by other users.
He .should bear in mind, however, that dust is
not the only enemy to be encountered. Insects,
mould, dampness, or the burning of gas are some-
times still more destructive; and it is not safe to
leave books upon the shelves without frequent
removal and examination.

For all larger public libraries an iron stack, or
pile of seven-foot stories, closely filling the in-
terior, is better than a spacious hall, lined with
lofty tiers of books, after a fashion now falling
into disuse; but the smaller library, with less de-
mands on its room, may properly follow what
may be called the hall plan, provided that its
shelves — preferably at right angles with the walls
— for all frequently used books be not beyond the
reach of the hand. In every case, the building
should "be sound and dry, the apartments airy
and with abundant light"; there should be but
one row of books on the .shelf; and the classifica-
tion should be topical, but always for the con-
venience of the user, and not for the slavish fol-
lowing of the Cutter, Dewey, or other system.

Xlbe TDlse ot ipublic Xibraries 185

Ivibraries, like Sabbaths, should be made for men,
and not men for libraries. Do not subdivide too
minutely, or try to remedy chaos by pettiness.

In the handling of a book by the individual, it
is not well to lay down too many minute rules.
Its usefulness is always the principal thing to
be sought, and its preservation and ordinary
treatment are to be made subject to those rules
which shall best secure this end. A book is not
a fetich or an oracle ; and too much fussiness in
its care may defeat the very end for which it was
made. A library is not a museum of curiosities,
but a working force. Some books, to be sure,
fulfil" their purpose if they are infrequently con-
sulted by a patient scholar working in a remote
and comparatively unimportant comer of the field
of learning. Manuscripts in the Bodleian or the
Vatican would not be put to their best use, but
would speedily be destroyed, were they passed
from hand to hand in the community at large.
Nor does the utility of some old law-book de-
pend upon the frequency with which it is found
in readers' hands. But the majority of libraries
in this broad land of general readers, and the
greater part of the books they contain, are not
designed to throw light upon intricate questions,

1 86 Ube Cboice of Boohs

demanding comparison of manuscripts or citation
of decisions. The measure of success must be
that of the greatest good to the greatest number;
and the utility of a library indicates the intelli-
gence with which it is managed.

A great advance has been made in the public
libraries of the United States, of late years, in the
matter of developing and providing for the tastes
of the people. Probably the large libraries are
twice as efficient as they were a quarter of a cent-
ury ago, and the gain has been chiefly due to a
better conception of the duties of the librarian.
Custodians of libraries do not regard themselves
as curators of literary museums, but as professors
of books and reading, with an office and work
every whit as honourable and influential as that
of college professors. Therefore they prepare lists
of books on particular topics, and post them up
for use of readers, especially at times when the
demand is most urgent. Whenever inquiries are
made, they answer them fully and courteously,
and they not only do this, but court such in-
quiries, and strive to stimulate a public taste.
From time to time they print bulletins, or prepare
readers' hand-books or otherwise inform the pub-
lic concerning the resources and work of the

XCbe TUse ot public Xibrartes 187

library. Printed or written lists should, of course,
be used simply as means toward ends. The needs
and tastes of communities vary, and the aim of
the custodians of libraries should be to provide for
the gratification of proper reading-habits, and also
to develop those habits and raise the public taste.
Lists of accessions should be posted and kept
fresh; titles of more important books should be
accompanied by brief characterisations; leading
political and literary events should quickly be
followed by helpful topical summaries, and by
free and stimulating conversation, as far as may
be, with those seeking, or even unconsciously in
need of, aid. The public, too, should be taught
the wise use of the printed or written catalogue,
and of the best bibliographies. All this labour is
as essential to the smallest library, in proportion
to its size, as it is to the largest. There is no
more sense in saying that a little collection of
books should not be worked to its utmost, than
in declaring that a mission church, or a pioneer
community, should be left to grow as best it may,
without any intellectual supervision and stimu-
lating suggestion.

The place and work of the public library must
accordingly depend upon the intelligent foresight

1 88 TLbc Cboice ot Boofts

and the enthusiastic interest of custodians and
users alike. All are on the same footing in the
republic of books; but no republic can long be
left to take care of itself without forethought and
work on the part of its members and friends.

Modern readers do not agree with Sir Anthony
Absolute that ' ' a circulating library in a town is
an evergreen tree of diabolical knowledge." To
us it seems like the large and ever-burning torch
to whose generous flame we can carry our lesser
lamps whenever we would light them anew. I
can sincerely say that I owe more to the library
of my native town (in my boyhood containing
perhaps four thousand volumes) than to my entire
college course. The college gives much, but the
library gives the start.

The greatest work of the public library is
double: to benefit those who know and love
books, and to reach into the byways and hedges
for those whose tastes and capacities are to be dis-
covered and developed. Our great-grandfathers
had their Gradus ad Parnassum ; nor can their
descendants violate the law that nature does
nothing by leaps. The youthful mind, or the
adult mind not hitherto accustomed to the use
of available intellectual wealth, develops its taste

tTbe TUse of ipJubUc Xibraries 189

step by step: by the picture-paper, the magazine,
the juvenile story, the historical novel, the bio-
graphy, or the book of history. In this upward
march even the daily paper has its place; con-
temporary reading is not necessarily superficial
reading. As Edward Freeman said : ' ' History
is past politics, and politics is present history."
After these comes true and artistic literature,
as represented in books of poetry and the higher
prose. The two great blessings of life are ethics
and art, and of the arts literature is the most
widely beneficial.

Horace Greeley once said that he wanted but
three books at his elbow: a dictionary, an atlas,
and a cyclopaedia. All three, in manifold forms,
does the public library provide; but it also leads
through the material to the imaginative; to books
that deal with " the consecration and the poet's
dream," with that beauty which " is its own ex-
cuse for being," with the literature of things "out
of space, out of time," that " eye hath not seen,
nor ear heard," We begin with the easy and the
practical, and end — no, we can never end — with
the struggle for ultimate perfection.

The library is the centre to which we turn; the
radius from which benefits go. For this reason

I90 XLbc Cboice ot Boofts

there should be an intimate and unceasing con-
nection between it and the pubhc schools. The
teacher, aided by the library, should seek to in-
duce the pupil to follow the natural way, and
look for the best models of style to be found in
the writing of the best authors. Teach him to
read first, and then teach him to write with such
naturalness and skill as he can command. Keep
his standard of reading high; he needs literary
reading as a first requisite — masterpieces of great
authors, to which, indeed, bright children turn
with an instinctive recognition of the good. Thus
is a genuine love of books developed at the start;
and it should never be forgotten that seldom in-
deed is the reading habit formed after the age of
childhood.

In training up a library, therefore, and in mak-
ing it work, we must proceed and progress. An
English essayist has told us that the only man he
envies when he is reading a good book is the man
who is reading a better one. By such procedure
we learn to get not only information, but wis-
dom; and out of the rifF-raflf of multiplying books
that are not books we select and assimilate the
few that we really make part of our lives and
characters.

Zbc "dee of {Public Xibrarles 191

All literature (like all Gaul) may be divided
into three parts; good books, pretty good books,
and bad books. The first class is valuable, the
second superfluous, and the third detestable.
And yet, though pretty good books may be super-
fluous in the eyes of those who read the best, let
us not forget that the vast majority of men and
women read little, while a large minority of those
who do read cannot assimilate the very best, save
in discreetly administered portions. How many
of us, indeed, like to take our "classics " in large
instalments? But if we remember the old Latin
motto, Optimum elige : suave et facile illud faciei
consuetudo, — "Choose the best: habit will make it
pleasant and easy," — we can find books that, as
Cicero said, we wish to carry with us by day and
by night, and would transport as our prime
favourites, if we could, to that "desert island"
of which we sometimes dream as the real test of
our literary likes and dislikes. There are volumes
which nourish us and bring us to a new life,
broader and brighter than Dante's; and there are
volumes that are slow poison, or we may almost
say, instant moral death. L,et us study those
historians who broadly show us how " through
the ages one increasing purpose runs." Let us

192 Ubc Cboice of Boofts

learn from those essayists who emphasise indi-
vidual manliness of character and true spiritual
development, lyCt us familiarise ourselves with
that ideal true poetry which, like Shelley's sky-
lark,

" Singing, still dost soar,
And soaring, ever singest."

If we study biography, let it be of true men and
by true men; if books of travel let them instruct
as well as amuse. If we follow the great current
of fiction let us shun the books of an hour, espe-
cially the superficial tales of purposeless people
and pointless talk, turned out semi-annually by
"realists" who are too blind to see that truth
and beauty are one, and that the ideal is more
real than Piccadilly or a Boston boarding-house.
There is fiction and fiction. Let us never waste
time over trash if we have not read Ivanhoe or
such a short story as Hawthorne's Ethan Brand,
uniting the narrative element with the ethical.

Thus far I have spoken of the American circu-
lating library of books for the people. As be-
tween the library for circulation and the library
for reference, however, there need be no rivalry.
Each has its necessary place, and most collections
of books must serve both purposes. As scholar-

XLhc XUse ot {Public Xibraries 193

ship increases, the research library must greatly
develop. Says Mr. Herbert Putnam, the lyibrarian
of Congress:

"Almost all accounts of recent library progress
are of the progress on the popular side. It is to
this chiefly that the attention of the public has
been directed, and it is to this that enthusiasm
has been invited. But there has been a steady,
if less spectacular, progress on the other side
which concerns the serious investigator. It has
consisted in the improvement, if not in the multi-
plication, of research libraries; in the increase of
their collections; and in more liberal facilities for
their use — particularly through interlibrary loans.
The advances toward a higher as well as broader
service on the part of the National Library have
been significant; but the advance has been gen-
eral. To note only one feature of it — there has
been a large increase in special collections for in-
vestigation and research in the material made
available in free libraries.

Such additions as these to libraries where
they will be liberally administered give assurance
that the recent progress in American libraries is
not merely toward the popularisation of literature.
They show that, while it is in one direction a zeal

194 tCbe Cboice of Boohs

for the dififusion of knowledge, it is also, in an-
other, an increasing effort toward the advance-
ment of learning." *

The books gathered within the walls of a library-
are chiefly, indeed only, valuable as they are
transmuted into the life of the community.
" Character, character," were the last words I
ever heard from the lips of Phillips Brooks when,
on his final earthly New Year's day, he adjured
the young men of Boston to high endeavour to-
ward making existence mean something. The
creation of joyous and beautiful character is the
ultimate result of true art, literary or other.
Printed books will outlast us, yet they too will
sometime perish. Some part of their contents,
however, it is sober truth to say, may be made to
pass beyond the visible world when turned into
that mental and spiritual life of the individual
which we believe to be in its nature indestructible.

» The World's Work, July, 1905.

THE TRUE SERVICE OF READING

THE true service of reading is something
more than to aflford amusement for an
idle hour. Most readers will admit this,
although their practice is too often opposed to the
principle whose theoretical correctness they
readily accept. And it is also to be remembered
that the proper end to be sought in reading is
something far more than mere acquirement of
knowledge, or attainment of individual culture.
A wise or a highly cultured person may be one
who has missed the genuine good of reading,
quite as eflfectually as though he were ignorant
and uncultured. The end and aim of all reading i
should be the proper development of a true and I
highly personal character, and the utilising of 1
one's own acquirements in the work of making j
other men nobler and better than they now are.

In this end and aim unwise writers and readers
manifestly have no share. " Literature," says
President Porter, "must respect ethical truth, if it
is to reach its highest achievements or attain that
place in the admiration and love of the human
195

196 TLbc Cboice of IBoofts

race which we call fame. The literature which
does not respect ethical truth ordinarily survives
as literature but a single generation. ' ' But litera-
ture which does respect ethical truth is that which
survives through the centuries, and which plays
its part in the betterment of the world long after
the whole face of civilisation has changed. He
who recognises literature of this class, and takes

I it to his heart, with the resolve to use it as a trust
rather than a selfishly-hoarded possession, gets

• the greatest benefit for himself, and brings the
greatest advantage to others.

The sense of the preciousness and the per-
petuity of good books, in their infiuence on the
world through the ages, is one which very many
writers have expressed in words of reverence.
Keats exclaims, in one of his glowing lyrics:

" Bards of passion and of mirth,
Ye have left your souls on earth !
Have ye souls in heaven too.
Double-lived in regions new? . . .
Thus ye live on high, and then
On the earth ye live again ;
And the souls ye left behind you
Teach us, here, the way to find you,
Where your other souls are joying.
Never slumber'd, never cloying.
Here, your earth-bom souls will speak
To mortals, of their little week ;

tlbe ITrue Service of IReaMng 197

Of their sorrows and delights ;
Of their passions and their spites ;
Of their glory and their shame ;
What doth strengthen and what maim.
Thus ye teach us, every day,
Wisdom, though fled far away.
Bards of passion and of mirth.
Ye have left your souls on earth !
Ye have souls in heaven too,
Double-lived in regions new ! "

' * Of all the things which man can do or make
here below, by far the most momentous, wonderful
and worthy, are the things we call books," says
Carlyle. And again Carlyle declares: "Certainly
the art of writing is the most miraculous of all
things man has devised. Odin's runes were the
first form of the work of a hero; books, written
words, are still miraculous runes, the latest form!
In books lies the soul of the whole past time; the
articulate, audible voice of the past, when the
body and material substance of it has altogether
vanished like a dream. Mighty fleets and armies,
harbours and arsenals, vast cities, high-domed,
many-engined — they are precious, great : but
what do they become? Agamemnon, the many
Agamemnons, Pericleses, and their Greece, all is
gone now to some ruined fragments, dumb,
mournful wrecks and blocks ; but the books of

198 XTbe Cbofce of Boofts

Greece! There Greece, to every thinker, still
very literally lives; can be called up again into
life. No magic rune is stranger than a book.
All that mankind has done, thought, gained, or
been: it is lying in magic preservation in the
pages of books. They are the chosen possession
of men."

In The Spectator is this eloquent passage by
Addison: "As the Supreme Being has expressed,
and as it were printed, his ideas in the creation,
men express their ideas in books, which by this
great invention of these latter ages may last as
long as the sun and moon, and perish only in the
general wreck of nature. . . . There is no
other method of fixing those thoughts which
arise and disappear in the mind of man, and
transmitting them to the last periods of time; no
other method of giving a permanency to our
ideas, and preserving the knowledge of any par-
ticular person, when his body is mixed with the
common mass of matter, and his soul retired into
the world of spirits. Books are the legacies that
a great genius leaves to mankind, which are de-
livered down from generation to generation, as
presents to the posterity of those who are yet
unborn."

Ubc Zxnc Service of IReaMng 199

Herrick wrote to a friend whom he had com-
memorated in verse:

" Looke in my booke, and herein see
Life endless sign'd to thee and me ;
We o're the tombes and fates shall flye,
While other generations die."

And Spenser sung in stately lines:

" For deeds doe die, however noblie donne,
And thoughts of men do as themselves decay ;
But wise wordes, taught in numbers for to runne,
Recorded by the Muses, live for ay ; -
Ne may with storming showers be washt away,
Ne bitter-breathing windes with harmfull blast,
Nor age, nor en vie, shall them ever wast."

Milton said in his noble Areopagitica (or plea
for the freedom of the press) : ' ' Books are not ab-
solutely dead things, but do contain a potency of
life in them to be as active as that soul was whose
progeny they are: nay, they do preserve as in a
vial the purest efficacy and extraction of that liv-
ing intellect that bred them. I know they are as
lively, and as vigorously productive as those
fabulous dragon's teeth; and being sown up and
down, may chance to spring up armed men.
And yet on the other hand, unless wariness be
used, as good almost kill a man as kill a good
book; who kills a man kills a reasonable creature,

200 XTbe Cboicc ot Boohs

God's image; but he who destroys a good book,
kills reason itself, kills the image of God as it
were in the eye. Many a man lives a burden to
the earth; but a good book is the precious life-
blood of a master-spirit, embalmed and treasured
up on purpose to a life beyond life. . . . We
should be wary, therefore, what persecution we
raise against the living labours of public men,
how we spill that seasoned life of man preserved
and stored up in books; since we see a kind of
homicide may be thus committed, sometimes a
martyrdom; and if it extend to the whole im-
pression, a kind of massacre, whereof the execu-
tion ends not in the slaying of an elemental life,
but strikes at that ethereal and fifth essence,
the breath of reason itself; slays an immortality
rather than a life."

Richard Baxter thought the written word more
powerful than the spoken one: " Because God
hath made the excellent, holy writings of his ser-
vants the singular blessing of this land and age;
and many an one may have a good book, even
any day or hour of the week, that cannot at all
have a good preacher; I advise all God's servants
to be thankful for so great a mercy, and to make
use of it, and be much in reading; for reading

Ube ZTrue Service ot IReaMng 201

with most doth more conduce to knowledge than
hearing doth, because you may choose what sub-
jects and the most excellent treatises you please;
and may be often at it, and may peruse again and
again what you forget, and may take time as you
go to fix it on your mind; and with very many it
doth more than hearing also to move the heart."

Coleridge compares books to fruit-trees: *' It is
saying less than the truth to affirm that an excel-
lent book (and the remark holds almost equally
good of a Raphael as of a Milton) is like a well-
chosen and well- tended fruit-tree. Its fruits are
not of one season only. With the due and natural
intervals, we may recur to it year after year, and
it will supply the same nourishment and the same
gratification, if only we ourselves return to it with
the same healthful appetite."

James Freeman Clarke closes an excellent
chapter on reading with these grave words:
" Let us thank God for books. When I consider
what some books have done for the world, and
what they are doing, how they keep up our hope,
awaken new courage and faith, soothe pain, give
an ideal life to those whose homes are hard and
cold, bind together distant ages and foreign lands,
create new worlds of beauty, bring down truths

202 Ube Cbolce of JSoofts

from heaven — I give eternal blessings for this
gift, and pray that we may use it aright, and
abuse it never."

Is it any wonder, then, that John Lyly gave his
son this advice: " My good son, thou art to re-
ceive by my death, wealth, and by my counsel,
wisdom, and I would thou wert as willing to im-
print the one in thy heart, as thou wilt be ready
to bear the other in thy purse: to be rich is the
gift of fortune, to be wise the grace of God.
Have more mind on thy books, than thy bags,
more desire of godliness than gold, greater affec-
tion to die well, than to live wantonly."

" Books are the best of things, well used," says
Emerson; "abused, among the worst. What is
the right use? What is the one end which all
means go to effect ? They are for nothing but to
inspire."

In a word, every reader may well bear upon
his heart, as his guide toward right reading, that
motto which one sometimes sees deeply cut in the
walls of old churches: Ad majorem Dei gloriam,
— " For the greater glory of God."

INDEX

Abbott, Lyman, 163

About, Edraond, 165

Addison, Joseph, 23, 24, 198

Adler, Felix, 2

Alcott, Amos Bronson, 122

Aristotle, no

Arnold, Matthew, 34, 35, no

Art of not reading, 64

Art of skipping, iv)ff.

Atkinson, W. P., 59, 60, 86, 95, 109, no, 138

Authors, greatness of, 96

Bacon, Francis, 61, 95, 119, 123, 126
Bailey, J. C, 118
Baxter, Richard, 200
Beecher, Henry Ward, 58 , 59, 159-162
Bindings, economical, 174
Boardman, Samuel L., 173
Books and diet compared, 73
Books at home, \()iff.
Books, extent of production of, 2, 7
Books for children, 166-168
Books, friendliness of, 20^.
Books measured by serviceableness, 30
Books, nutrition in, 60
Books, selected lists of, 32, 33
Books, selection of, for libraries, 178, 179
Books, treatment of, and respect for, 174, 175
Books, two classes of, 27, 28
203

204 fn^es

Books, what to own, 159 if.

Books, what to read, 25 ff.

Boswell, James, 168

Brooks, Phillips, 194

Biilwer, Sir Edward Lytton, 92-93

Burns, Robert, 7

Butler, Joseph, 35

Candor of opinion commended, 6

Card-indexes for note-books, 90

Carlyle, Thomas, 197

Cato, 71

Channing, William Ellery, 22

Chaucer, Geoffrey, 163

Children and books, 166-168

Children, training of, 9, 10

Choice of time for reading, 46^.

Cicero, 191

Clarke, James Freeman, 201

Classes for reading aloud, 155 ff.

Classics and universities, 133, 134

Clubs and reading aloud, 145^

Coleridge, Samuel Taylor, 61, 201

Collyer, Robert, 17

Commonplace-books, use of, 75, 87, 88

Congdon, Charles T., 166

Cowper, "William, 8

Cramming, 15, 69

Cultivation of taste, 91^.

De Bury, Richard, 175
De Quincey, Thomas, 31
Disraeli, Isaac, 5
Durfee, Charles A., 88

Education and libraries, 186 jf.

IFnbes ao5

Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 25, 26, 59, 96, 125, 128, 129, 171,
189, 202

F^nelon, Archbishop, 23
Freeman, Edward Augustus, 189
Friendliness of books, 20 _^.
Fuller, Thomas, 87

Germans as readers, 51-52
Gibbon, Edward, 23, 168
Gladstone, William Ewart, 2
Goschen, G. J., 11 1
Greeley, Horace, 189

Hale, Edward Everett, 15-16, 66, 155-158

Hamerton, Philip Gilbert, 49-50, 51, 52_^., 76, 124, 129-

132, 136, 137, 143
Harrison, Frederic, 36, 37, 39 if., 62
Helps, Sir Arthur, 164
Herrick, Robert, 199
Herschel, Sir John, 21
Hillard, George Stillman, 24
Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 164-165
Home libraries, 159 ff.
Homer, estimate of, 42-44
Hough, E., 3
Hugo, Victor, 97-99
Hypocrisy in literature, 99^.

Imagination, cultivation of, 107-108
Indexing of note-books, 89-90
Intellectual compensation, 54^.
Interruptions in reading, 54

Jacquemont, Victor, 51-52
Johnson, Samuel, 47, 168-169, 172

io6 InDej

Keats, John, io6, 196

Lamb, Charles, 169

Lang, Andrew, 34

Libraries in homes, 159^.

Libraries, public, use of, 177

Locke, John, 59

Lowell, James Russell, 3, 5, 14, 34, 71, 104, 117

Luther, Martin, 68

Lyly, John, 202

Lytton, see Bui war

McCosh, James, 5

Magazines, reading of, 144

Memory, 72 ff.

Miller, Joaquin, 26

Milton, John, 6, 63, 199

Morley, John, 4, 48, 68, 103-104, 117

Newman, Cardinal, 79
Newspapers as transient literature, 70
Note-books, indexing of — Durfee, 88-90
Note-books of Emerson and Alcott, 84, 85
Note-books, use of, 82^., 157
Nutrition in books, 60

Obscurity in poetry, 112

Pattison, Mark, 70, 71

Paul, St., 95

Periodicals, how to read, 136 jf.

Petrarch, 20, 61

Poe, Edgar Allan, 106

Poetry, 106^.

Poetry, obscurity in, 112

Poetry, reading of, iii

In&ej 207

Porter, Noah, 74-75, 94, 107, 195
Potter, Alonzo, 6, 67
Putnam, Herbert, 193-194

Quick, R. H., 70

Reading aloud and reading clubs, 145 jf.

Reading, art of not, 64

Reading, best time for, 46^,

Reading, economy in, 49

Reading, habit, f)ff.

Reading, how much, 58^

Reading made attractive, 15

Reading, motive of, i ff.

Reading of poetry — Atkinson, 109-110

Reading, rules for, 25, 26

Reading, taste for, 21, 22

Reading, true service of, 195 ff.

Reed, William B., 85-86

Remembering what one reads, ^2)ff.

Re-reading, 68, 69

Rhodes, James Ford, 81

Ruskin, John, 4, 15, 28, 163

Schopenhauer, Arthur, 63-66
Self-training, iSff.
Shairp, J. C, 112-115
Shakespeare, William, 27
Shelley, Percy Bysshe, 109, no, 192
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 188
Skipping, art of, 119^.
Solomon, i

Spencer, Herbert, 10-12
Spenser, Edmund, 199
Stedman, Edmund Clarence, 9
Stewart, Dugald, 59

2o8 irn&es

Taste, cultivation of, 22, 91 ff.
Tolstoi, 143
Town libraries, T-T] ff.
Translations, use of, 127^

Waller, William, 21
Ware, Mary C.,47
Whately, Richard, 123
White, Richard Grant, 146-150
Women, social literary work for, 151-155
Wordsworth, William, 21, 189.

SUQQESTIONS FOR LIBRARIES

Bibliographies are generally so extensive and so elaborate as
to be formidable and puzzling to most persons seeking assist-
ance in making up a library. The ordinary publishers' cata-
logues are often still more puzzling. This little bibliography
comprises a series of lists which will be found of practical use
to any one wishing to select a library of moderate compass.

These lists have been carefully made up with the view of
noting such standard books as should be comprised in any
adequate private library.

They are also believed to include the books best suited to
form the basis of a town Public Library.

The prices are the publishers' catalogue prices for the best
current editions in cloth bindings, except when otherwise
specified. Reductions from these prices can be expected
when a considerable purchase is made.

CONTENTS

A

. Reference Books. Pages j to 24

I.

Cyclopedias.

6. Atlases and Gazetteers

2.

English Dictionaries and

7. Biblical Reference.

Handbooks.

8. Classical Reference.

3.

Dictionaries of Greek,

9. Poetical Anthologies.

Latin, and other Lan-

ID. Books of Quotations.

guages.

II. Literary Reference.

4-

Biographical Reference.

12. Bibliography.

5-

Historical Reference.

13. Miscellaneous.

B. Selected List of Forty-two Essential Reference
Books. Page 2^

Pages 2j to 79

5. History of Civilization.

6. Primitive Society.

7. Ancient History : General

Works.
8-24. Individual Countries.

C. The Best Histories.

1. General Treatises.

2. Series.

3. Collective Historical Es

says.

4. Philosophy of History

Methods of Study.

D. Biography. Pages 79 to 11 j

1. Series.

2. Collective Works and Biographical Studies.

3. Individual Biographies — Historical and Political.

4. Individual Biographies— Literary and Miscellaneous.

E. Selected List of One Hundred Biographical Works

Page 114

F. Literature. Pages 117 to 14J.

Histories of Literature. — Studies of Particular Epochs.
— Critical Essays on Individual Authors. — Literary
Essays.

G. Collected Works of Standard Authors. Page 144
H. Fifty Works of Standard Fiction. Page 160

SUGGESTIONS FOR LIBRARIES

Reference Books,

7. Biblical Reference.

8. Classical Reference.

9. Poetical Anthologies,

10. Books of Quotations.

11. Literary Reference.

12. Bibliography.

13. Miscellaneous.

1. Cyclopedias.

2. English Dictionaries and

Handbooks.

3. Greek, Latin, and other

Dictionaries.

4. Biographical Reference.

5. Historical Reference.

6. Atlases and Gazetteers.
** Changes and substitutions are occasionally advisable, on

account of the issue of new important works.

Cyclopedias.

Encyclopedia Britannica. A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences,

and General Literature. Edited by Prof. T. S. Baynes

and Dr. W. R. Smith. loth edition. (This includes the

9th, and a supplement of 11 vols.) 1902.

35 vols., 4° $175.00 to $250 00

Sets of the cheaper authorized edition (the only other one worth con-
sidering) may be had in good second-hand state for $60 to $120.

Chambers's Encyclopaedia. New Edition of 1900. Re-
written and Enlarged by American and English Editors.
A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge, containing up-
wards of 30,000 articles ; Illustrated by more than 3500
engravings; over 11,000,000 words, and 17,560 columns
of reading matter.
10 vols, imperial 8° $50 00

The most perfect work of its kind ever published in the English
language.

4 SuQgeBtione tot Iboueebolo Xibrarles

Phyfe, W. H. P. — Five Thousand Facts and Fancies.

A Cyclopaedia of Important, Curious, Quaint, and Unique
Information in History, Literature, Science, Art and
Nature.
Half leather. Large 8°, pp. 824, (By mail, $3.40) w^/ $3 00

Chandler's Encyclopedia. An Epitome of Universal

Knowledge.. Edited by Wm. Henry Chandler, Ph.D.,

F.C.S. With maps and engravings.

3 vols., royal 8", pp. 1710 ..... ne( 6 00

A new inexpensive work that has been received with a good deal of
favour.

Champlin's Young Folks' Cyclopedia of Common
Things.

I vol., 8°, pp. 850. Cloth $2 50

Pearl Cyclopedia. A handy compendium of universal in-
formation, edited by E. D. Price, F.G.S.
I vol., 32°, pp. 667 f I 00

Contains a vast amount of interesting information in a small compass.
Carefully and accurately compiled.

English Dictionaries and Handbooks.

Century Dictionary. An Encyclopedic Lexicon of the

English Language, prepared under the superintendence

of William Dwight Whitney, Ph.D., LL.D. (1889-

1891).

6 vols., 4°, pp. 7046 ..... net^/bo CX)

Skeat, Rev. W. W.— Etymological Dictionary of the
English Language. Revised edition.
I vol., 4°, pp. 844 net%\2. 00

Skeat, Rev. W. W. — Concise Etymological Diction-
ary of the English Language. Revised and enlarged
edition.
I vol., 12°, pp. 631 «^/$r 25

Standard Dictionary of the English Language.

I vol., 4°, pp. 2318. Full leather . . «^/$io 00

Suggestions for fjousebolO Xibrarfes 5

Stormonth, James.— A Dictionary of the English Lan-
guage. Pronouncing, Etymological, and Explanatory.
Embracing scientific and other terms, and a copious se-
lection of Old English words.
I vol., 4°, pp. 1234 |5 00

Webster's International Dictionary of the English

Language. Revised and enlarged under the super-
vision of Noah Porter, D.D.

I vol., 4°, pp. 2126. Half morocco . . «^/$i2 oo

Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases.

Classified and arranged so as to facilitate the expression
of ideas, and assist in literary composition. By Peter
Mark Rc^et. Last English edition, much enlarged and
improved, and with a full index, by John Lewis Roget.
I vol., S\ pp. 271 $3 50

Smith, C. J. — Synonyms Discriminated : A Dictionary
of Synonymous Words in the English Language, illus-
trated with quotations from standard writers. With the
author's latest corrections and additions. Edited by
Rev. H. P. Smith,
"i vol., 12°, pp. 780 net %2 00

Soule, Richard. — Dictionary of English Synonyms and

Synonymous, or Parallel, Expressions. Revised by G.

H. Howison, LL.D, Designed as a practical guide to

aptness and variety of phraseology.

1 vol., 8°, pp. 488 $2 00

Dickson, W. B. — Modern Punctuation. A Book for
Stenographers, Business Men, and the General Public.
With a complete vocabulary of business terms, showing
proper orthography, etc.

I vol., 16°, pp. 127 75 cts.

"A most practical and comprehensive little volume." — Observer.

6 Suflgestions tor "fcouscbolO Xlbrarics

Phyfe, W. H. P.— Ten Thousand Words Often Mis-
pronounced. A complete handbook of difficulties in
English pronunciation. Including an unusually large num-
ber of proper names and words from foreign languages.
A Revised and Enlarged Edition, with a Supplement of
3000 Additional Words.
I vol., 16° , net $1 00

Five Thousand Words Commonly Misspelled.

A carefully selected list of words difficult to spell, together
with directions for spelling, and for the division of words
into syllables ; with an appendix containing the rules and
list of amended spellings recommended by the Philologi-
,cal Society of London, and the American Philological
Association.
I vol., 16° 75 cts.

Compton, Alfred G.— Some Common Errors of Speech.

Suggestions for the Avoiding of Certain Classes of Errors,
together with Examples of Bad and Good Usage.
12° 75 cts.

Greek, Latin, French, and other Dictionaries.

Liddell and Scott. — Greek-English Lexicon.

I vol., royal 8°, pp. 1776. Leather . . «^^$io 00

Yonge, C. D.— English-Greek Lexicon.

I vol., royal 8°, pp. 779. Leather . . . «<•/ $4 50

Lewis and Short. — Latin-English Dictionary.

I vol., royal 8°, pp. 2019. Leather . . . ngi$6 50
Based on Andrews's edition of Freund's Dictionary.

White, J. T.— English-Latin Lexicon.

1 vol., 12°. Leather «^/$i 75

Fleming and Tibbins. — Grand dictionaire anglais-
fran^ais et frangais-anglais.

2 vols., royal 8°. Half morocco. . . net %22 00

Suggestions for "fcousebolO Xlbrarics 7

Spiers and Surenne's French and English Pronouncing
Dictionary, composed from the French Dictionaries of
the French Academy, Laveaux, Bescherelle, etc., and
from the English Dictionaries of Webster, Worcester,
Johnson, etc. With a Vocabulary of Names, Mythologi-
cal and Classical, Ancient and Modem.
I vol., 8°, pp. 1320. Half leather . . . $5 oo

Gasc, Ferdinand. — French-English and English-
French Dictionary.

1 vol., 8° $2 25

Fliigel, Dr. Felix.— A Universal English-German and
German- English Dictionary. Two parts in three
volumes. Fourth, entirely remodelled, edition.
3 vols., royal 8", pp. 2739. Half morocco . ml $16 50

Fliigel's German and English Dictionary. Abridged
edition.

2 vols., 8° «^/$6 50

Whitney, W. D.— German-English and English-Ger-
man Dictionary.
I vol., 8° net%2 so

Velazquez, Seoane, Neuman, and Baretti. — A Pro-
nouncing Dictionary of the Spanish and English
Languages, composed from the Spanish Dictionaries of
the Spanish Academy, Terreros, and Salva, and from the
English Dictionaries of Webster, Worcester, and Walker.
Including also Idioms, Familiar Phrases, and Irregular
Verbs. In two parts, Spanish-English and English-
Spanish.

1 vol., 8°, pp. 1290. Half leather . . $5 00

Millhouse — New English and Italian Pronouncing and
Explanatory Dictionary, by John Millhouse, with
many corrections and new additions by Prof. Ferdinand
Bracciforti, LL.D. Seventh edition, 1897.

2 vols., 12°, pp. 731 and 843 . . . . $5 50

8 Suggcetione for 1)oudebold Uibcartes

Biographical Reference.

Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography. Edited
by J. G. Wilson and John Fiske.

7 vols., royal 8°, net%y^ oo

Sixty steel plates and 2000 wood engravings.

Century Cyclopedia of Names. A Pronouncing and Ety-
mological Dictionary of Names in Geography, Biography,
Mythology, History, Ethnology, Art, Archaeology, Fic-
tion, etc. Edited by Benjamin E. Smith, A.M.
I vol., 4°, pp. 1085 net%\o 00

Champlin, John D., Jr. — Young Folks' Cyclopedia of
Persons and Places. Revised edition. 1900.

1 vol., 8°, pp. 936. Illustrated . . . net%2 50

Lippincott's Biographical Dictionary. Universal Pro-
nouncing Dictionary of Biography and Mythology. By
Joseph Thomas, M.D., LL.D. Revised edition.

2 vols., royal 8°, pp. 2550 .... m^/$I500

Stephen, Leslie, and Lee, Sidney.— Dictionary of Na-
tional [English] Biography.

66 vols., 8° «^/|330 00

A monumental work, now complete.

Men and Women of the Time. A Dictionary of Contem-
poraries, containing Biographical Notes of Eminent
Characters of both Sexes. 14th revised edition,
r vol., thick 8°, pp. 1000 $6 00

Who's Who. Edited by Douglas Sladen. An Annual.

I vol., 12°, pp. 1795 $2 00

"There are many kinds of information to be found in Who's Who
which cannot be found in any other book of reference, and it is the first
annual British biographical dictionary."

Who's Who in America. A Biographical Dictionary of
Living Men and Women of the United States. Edited
by John W. Leonard.
I vol., 8", pp. 1669 net%}, 50

Suggeetfoitd for t>oudeboId Xibrartea 9

Historical Reference.

Adams, Prof. C. K. — Manual of Historical Literature.
Comprising brief descriptions of the most important his-
tories. Together with practical suggestions as to methods
and courses of historical study. Revised edition.
I vol., 12°, pp. 720 $2 50

Brewer, Rev. E. Cobham, LL.D. — The Historic Note
Book. With an Appendix of Battles. 1896.
I vol., 8°, pp. 997. Half morocco . . . $3 50

Explains with brevity, allusions to historical eventSj treaties, customs
terms, and phrases, made in books, speeches, ahd famihar conversation.

Harper's Book of Facts. A Classified History of the World
embracing Science, Literature, and Art. Compiled by
Joseph H. Willsey. Edited by Charlton T. Lewis.
I Vol., 8°, pp. 954 net%^ 00

Haydn's Dictionary of Dates. Relating to all Ages and
Nations, for Universal Reference. 24th edition. Con-
taining the History of the World to the Autumn of 1905,
By Benjamin Vincent.
I vol., royal 8", pp. I166 net $6 00

The most comprehensive and reliable book of reference in this depart-
ment ever published.

" A dated cyclopedia, a digested summary of human history. Alto-
gether indispcDsabic."— London Spectator.

Heilprin, Louis.— Historical Reference Book. Com-
prising a Chronological Table of Universal History ; a
Chronological Dictionary of Universal History ; a Bio-
graphical Dictionary with Geographical Notes. For the
use of Students, Teachers, and Readers. Revised edition.
I vol., 8°, pp. 590 $2 00

Labberton, R. H. — Historical Atlas. 3800 b.c. to 1886

A.D.
I vol., royal 8° ...... . nel%i 40

Harper's Encyclopaedia of United States History. From

458 A.D. to 1902.

10 vols., royal 8°, pp. 5000 .... «^/$3i 00

lo Sufigeattons foe "fcousebolO Xibrarlcs

Low, S. J., and Pulling, F. S. — Dictionary of English
History. Revised edition.

I vol., 8°, pp. 1 128 $3 50

An invaluable work for the general reader as well as for the student.

Atlases and Gazetteers.

Bartholomew, J. G.— The Pocket Atlas of the World.

A comprehensive and popular series of maps, illustrating
political and physical geography. 144 maps and plans,
with statistical taBlesand index, nth edition, revised.

I vol., 32° $1 25

A marvellous little book.

• ■ Graphic Atlas and Gazetteer of the World. •

I vol., 4°, 128 maps and 268 pp. Half morocco, «<"/ $3 50

Century Atlas of the World. Prepared under the superin-
tendence of Benjamin E. Smith, editor of the Century
Dictionary.
I vol., large 4° rut%ii 50

Cram's Standard American Railway System Atlas of
the World.
I vol., folio net%i'i 50

This atlas is unattractive mechanically, but is the one that is most
thorough in detail and up-to-date, as to the maps of the United States.

Johnston's Royal Atlas of Modern Geography. Exhib-
iting, in a series of entirely original and authentic maps,
the present condition of geographical discovery and re-
search in the several countries, empires, and states of the
world. By the late Alexander Keith Johnston, Geog-
rapher to the Queen. With additions and corrections to
the present date by F. B. Johnston, with a special index
to each map. Revised edition.
I vol., folio. Half morocco . . . n£(%29 00

The best modern atlas.

Su9gc6tion0 for "fcouseboID Xibrarfee n

The Times Atlas. Containing ii8 pages of maps, com-
prising 175 maps and an alphabetical index of 130,000
names. Published by The London Times.

1 vol., folio. Half morocco . . . net %\C) 50

Perhaps the most satisfactory general atlas at a moderate price. It is
much less cumbersome than any other work of equal fulness. If.it is
desired to have the United States in fullest detail, an American business
atlas is necessary. There is, however, no American atlas thak. is as satis-
factory for the rest of the globe.

Rand and McNally's New Standard Atlas of the
World. Containing large scale maps of every country
and civil division upon the face of the globe, together
with historical, descriptive, and statistical matter relative
to each. Illustrated by colored diagrams, showing area,
population, etc.

2 vol., folio • . . $22 50

Smith, Dr. William, and Grove, George.— Atlas of
Ancient Geography, Biblical and Classical. The

biblical maps from recent surveys, and the classical maps
drawn by Dr. Charles Miller. 43 maps, descriptive text,
and indices.
I vol., folio. Half morocco . . . «^/$40 00

Longman's Gazetteer of the World. Edited by Chis-
holm.
I vol., royal 8°, pp. 1774. Half morocco . »e'/$I5 00

Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World. Revised edition.
I vol., royal 8°, pp. 2635. Half morocco . mi%\o 00

Johnston's Terrestrial Globe. Thirty inches in diameter,

and mounted on high stand with brass meridian.

«^/$i85 00

This is made by the famous Edinburgh geographical publishers. It is
the most accurate and the handsomest globe that is made. Smaller sizes,
18 and t2 inches in diameter, are also made.

12 Suggestions for "fcouscboio Xfbraries

Pocket Gazetteer of the World. Edited by J, G. Barthol-
omew.
I vol., i6°, pp. 630 $1 00

Gives in small, convenient compass a concise and accurate description
of every place of importance in the world.

The number of places mentioned is about 35,000, and great care has
been taken to insure accuracy.

" The most remarkable book that has come to our hands." — Journal
of Education.

Peck, William, F.R.A.S. — Popular Handbook and
Atlas of Astronomy. Containing 44 large plates and
numerous illustrations, diagrams, etc.
I vol., 4°, pp. 173 net%s 50

Proctor, R. A., F.R.S. — Larger Star Atlas. Showing
6000 stars and 1500 objects of interest in 12 circular
maps, with two colored index plates.
I vol., folio ...... «^/ $6 00

Half Hours vrith the Stars. A Plain and Easy

Guide to the Knowledge of the Constellations, showing

in 12 maps the position for the United States of the

principal star groups, night after night throughout the

year.

I vol., 4° $2 CO

" A practical help to the student, and a valuable book of reference to
the scholar." — yournal 0/ Education.

Biblical Reference.

Cruden, Alexander.— A Complete Concordance to the
Old and NeTW Testaments : or a Dictionary and Alpha-
betical Index to the Bible.
I vol., 8°, pp. 720 $1 50

McClintock, J,, and Strong, J. — Cyclopedia of Bibli-
cal, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature.
12 vols., 8°, pp. 12,373 .... net%/bo 00

" This cyclopedia is designed to be a manual of sacred literature for
the use of clergymen, students, and general readers, so complete in itself
that no other work will be necessary for ordinary purposes of reference
in these branches of knowledge. It is the most comprehensive work of
the kind in our language."

Suddeetione for fjousebold Xibrariee 13

Schaff-Herzog. — Religious Encyclopedia ; or, Dictionary
of Biblical, Historical, Doctrinal, and Practical The-
ology. Based on the Real-Encyklopadie of Herzog,
Plitt, and Hauck. Edited by Philip Schaff. Together
with an Encyclopedia of Living Divines and Christian
Workers in Europe and America.
4 vols., royal 8°, pp. 3600 .... net %20 00

Smith, Dr. William, and Fuller, Rev. J. M. — Dictionary
of the Bible. Comprising its Antiquities, Biography,
Geography, and Natural History. New and revised
edition, — practically a new work.

4 vols., royal 8°, pp. Half leather . . net%yi 00

Fully illustrated.

Smith, Dr. William, and Cheetham, Samuel. — Diction-
ary of Christian Antiquities. Comprising the History,
Institution, and Antiquities of the Christian Church, from
the Time of the Apostles to the Age of Charlemagne.
2 vols., royal 8', pp. 2081 .... net %iq 00

Fully illustrated.

Smith, Dr. William, and Wace, Henry. — Dictionary of

Christian Biography, Literature, Sects, and Doctrines

during the First Eight Centuries. Being a continuation

of the Dictionary of the Bible.

4 vols., 8°, pp. Half leather . . . «^/'$32 0o

This work, with the Dictionary of Christian Antiquities, forms a com-
prehensive^ cyclopedia of ecclesiastical history of the first eight centuries
of the Christian era.

Young, Robert, LL.D. — Analytical Concordance to the
Bible. Containing every word in alphabetical order,
with the literal meaning of each. In all about 311,000
references. With full information on Biblical Gec^raphy
and Antiquities.
I vol., 4°, pp. 1 105 «<f/$5 00

14 Suflgcstfone for ■|)ou6cbol5 Xtbtarica

Classical Reference.

Ginn's Classical Atlas in 23 colored maps, with complete
index.
I vol., 8°, 23 maps and 31 pp. .... net%2 00

Harper's Dictionary of Classical Literature and An-
tiquities. Edited by Harry Thurston Peck, M.A.,
Ph.D. Illustrated.

1 vol., 4°, pp. 1 701 net^ 00

The newest and by far the most comprehensive work in a single
volume.

Smith, Dr. William, and others, Editors. — A Dictionary
of Greek and Roman Antiquities. Third edition,
revised and enlarged.

2 vols., 8°, pp. 2120. Half leather . . net%\% 00
950 illustrations.

Smith, Dr. William, Editor. — Dictionary of Greek and
Roman Biography and Mythology.

3 vols., royal 8°, pp. 37CX). Half leather . net%2^ 00
560 illustrations.

Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography.

2 vols., royal 8°, pp. 2500. Half leather net%\b 00

530 illustrations.

Smith, Sir William, and Marindin, G. E. — Classical
Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography, Myth-
ology, and Geography. Based on the larger diction-
aries, revised throughout, and partly rewritten.
I vol., 8°, pp. 1018. Half leather . . . $6 00

Seyffert, Prof. Otto. — Dictionary of Classical Antiqui-
ties, Mythology, Religion, Literature, and Art.
Edited by Prof. Henry Nettleship and Dr. J. E. Sandys.
I vol., 8°, pp. 716 «^/$2 25

Suggedtioiid for 'boueebold Xibraries 15

Poetical Anthologies.

Adams, Estelle Davenport. — The Poets' Praise.

I vol., 8°, qt., pp. 407 net%i oo

From Homer to Swinburne.

Bryant, William Cullen. — A New Library of Poetry
and Song.
I vol., 8° $5 00

Chambers, Edmund K. — English Pastorals.

I vol., 12°, pp. 280 ...*.. fr 50

Chandler, Horace Parker. — The Lovers' Year-Book of

Poetry,
istseries, 2 vols., 12°. Love Prior to Marriage, $2 50
2d series, 2 vols., 12°. Married Life and Child Life, 2 50
3d series, 2 vols., 12°. The After Life 2 50

A collection of love poems for every day in the year.

Coates, Henry T. — The Fireside Encyclopedia of
Poetry.
I vol., 8° $3 50

Dana, Charles A. — The Household Book of Poetry.
I vol., 8°, pp. 862 $5 00

Eggleston, George Cary. — American War Ballads and
Lyrics.
I vol., 16°, pp. 504 $r 50

A collection of the songs and ballads of the Colonial Wars, The Revo-
lution, the War of 1812, the war with Mexico, and the Civil War.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. — Parnassus.

I vol., 8" $3 00

A collection of poetry. With an introductory essay.

Fields, James T., and Whipple, Edwin P.— The Family
Library of British Poetry.
I vol., royal 8°, pp. 1028. . . . . $5 00

From Chaucer to present time.

i6 Suggcstiong for f)OusebolD Xlbrarics

Gilman, Arthur. — The Kingdom of Home.

I vol., 8°, pp. 249 $3 50

Hales, J. W. — Longer English Poems.

. I vol., 16° $1 10

With notes, philological and explanatory, and an introduction on the
teaching of English.

Kendrick, Asahel C. — Our Poetical Favorites.

I vol., 12°, pp. 1025 . . . . . . $2 00

A selection of the best minor poems of the English language.

Lang, Andrew. — The Blue Poetry Book.

1 vol., 12°, pp. 351. Illustrated . . . $2 00

O'Donnell, Jessie F. — Love Poems of Three Centuries.

2 vols., 16° $2 00

English, Scottish, Irish, American.

Palgrave, Francis T. — The Golden Treasury, ist and

2d series.

1st series, i vol., 16°, pp. 382 . . . . $1 00

2d series, i vol., 16°, pp. 275 . . . . i 00

Selected from the best songs and lyrical poems in the English language
and arranged with notes.

The Treasury of Sacred Song.

I vol., 16°, pp. 375 $1 50

Selected from the English lyrical poetry of four centuries.

The Children's Treasury of English Song.

I vol., 16° |i <x>

Percy, Thomas. — Reliques of Ancient English Poetry.

I vol., 12°, pp.610 $1 50

Old heroic ballads, songs, and other pieces of the earlier poets

together with some of later date.

Simonds, Arthur B. — American Song.

I vol., 12", pp. 310 $1 50

A collection of representative American poems, with analytical and
critical studies of the writers.

Suggedtiond for fjousebolD Xtbrariee 17

Stedman, Edmund Clarence. — A Victorian Anthology,

1837-1895.

I vol., 8°, pp. 744 $2 50

Selections illustrating the editor's critical review of British poetry in
the reign of Victoria.

An American Anthology. 178 7-1 899. Selections illus-
trating the editor's critical review of American Poetry in
the 19th Century.
I vol.. 8°, pp. 878 . . . . . . $3 00

Thompson, Slason. — The Humbler Poets.

I vol., crown 8°, pp. 459 . . . . . $2 00
A collection of newspaper and periodical verse, 1870-1885.

Ward, Thomas Humphry. — The English Poets. Selec-
tions with critical introductions by various writers, and
general introduction by Matthew Arnold.
4 vols., 12* $5 00

Whittier, John Greenleaf. — Child Life in Poetry.

I vol., sq. 8°, pp. 263 . ..... $2 00

Songs of Three Centuries. Selected and with

introductory essay.
I vol., 8° $2 50

Quotations.

Allibone, S. A. — Dictionary of Prose Quotations.

Socrates to Macaulay. i vol., 8° . $3 00

Dictionary of Poetical Quotations.

I vol., 8° $3 00

Ballou, M. M. — A Treasury of Thought. .An Encyclo-
pedia of Quotations.
I vol., 8°, pp $3 50

Bartlett, John, Familiar Quotation. A Collection of
Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs. Traced to their Sources
in Ancient and Modern Literature.
Ninth edition, i vol., 8°, pp. 1158 . . . $3 00

i8 Sugflestions for f)ouseboID Xibraries

King, W. F. H.— Classical and Foreign Quotations.

I vol., 12° $2 OO

Wood, Rev. James. — Dictionary of Quotations.

I vol., 8° $2 50

Wood, Katharine B. — Quotations for Occasions.

I vol., 12°, pp. 217 ...... $1 50

Reynolds, Cuyler. Classified Quotations. (A reissue of
" The Banquet Book.") Designed for General Reference
and also as an Aid in the Preparation of the Toast-List,
the After-Dinner Speech, and the Occasional Address,
together with Suggestions Concerning the Menu and
Certain other Details Connected with the Proper Ordering
of the Banquet.
16°. Full leather «(•/ $2 50

Harboth, T. B.— Dictionary of Classical Quotations.

With Author and Subject Indexes.
I vol., 8°, pp. 648 $2 00

Blackman, R. D. — Dictionary of Foreign Phrases and
Classical Quotations : A Treasury of Reference for
Writers and Readers of Current Literature.
I vol., 12°, pp. 262 ...... $1 25

Hoyt, J. K.— Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations, Eng-.

lish, Latin, and Modern Foreign Languages. Names,
Dates, and Nationality of Quoted Authors, with Copious
Indexes. Revised edition.
I vol., 8°, pp. 1 1 78 w^-^fG 00

Literary Reference.

Bartlett, John. — A New and Complete Concordance or
Verbal Index to Words, Phrases, and Passages in
the Dramatic Works of Shakespeare, with a Supple-
mentary Concordance to the Poems. Revised edition.
I vol., 4°, pp. 1910 . . . . . . «^/$7 50

Suddeetioiid for f^ousebold Xibrarted 19

Bradshaw, John. — A Concordance to the Poetical
Works of John Milton.
I vol., 8°, pp. 412 «^/$4 00

Brewer, Rev. E. C. — Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,

giving the Deriviation, Source, or Origin of Common

Phrases, Allusions, and Words that have a Tale to Tell.

New edition, revised and enlarged.

I voL, 8°, pp. 1440. Half leather . . . $3 50

The Reader's Handbook of Allusions, Refer-
ences, Plots, and Stories. With two appendices.
I vol., 8°, pp. 1170. Half morocco . . $3 50

Christy, Robert. — Proverbs and Phrases of All Ages.
Classified by subjects and arranged alphabetically.
I vol., pp. 1267. Full leather . . . ne(%3 50

" If Mr. Christy has not, in his interesting volumes, exhausted the
wisdom of every age and language, he has at least come nearer doing so
than any previous gleaner in nis special field." — Atlantic Monthly.

Matson, H. — References for Literary Workers.

I vol., 8° $2 00

A collection of short essays on representative topics, with numerous
references to fuller sources of^ information.

Reddall, H. F. — Fact, Fancy, and Fable: A new hand-
book for ready reference on subjects commonly omitted
from cyclopedias ; comprising Sobriquets, Phrases, Pseu-
donyms, Political Slang, Contractions, Red-Letter Days,
Technical Terms, Foreign Phrases, Americanisms, etc.
I vol., 8°, pp. 536 $2 00

Dickens Dictionary. A Key to the Characters and Princi-
pal Incidents in the Tales of Charles Dickens. By Gil-
bert A. Pierce, with additions by William A. Wheeler.
I vol., 12°, pp. 573 $2 00

20 Suflacstions for "fcousebolJ) Xibraries

Reid, J. B. — A Complete Word and Phrase Concord-
ance to the Poems and Songs of Robert Burns,

Incorporating a Glossary of Scotch Words, with Notes.
Index, and Appendix of Readings.
I vol., 8°, pp. 561 «^/$8 50

Walsh, W. S. — Handbook of Literary Curiosities.

r vol., 12°, pp. 1 100 $3 50

Contains an immense amount of interesting and amusing information.
A good book to turn to when others fail.

Waverley Dictionary. An Alphabetical Arrangement of
all the Characters in Scott's Novels, with a descriptive
analysis of each character, and illustrative selections from
the texts. By May Rogers.

I vol., 12° , . . |2 00

" Excellently arranged, it entirely fulfills its design." — Nation.

Wheeler, W. A. — Dictionary of the Noted Names of
Fiction. Enlarged edition, with appendix, by C. G.
Wheeler,
r vol., 12° $2 00

Wheeler, W. A. and C. G. — Familiar Allusions. A

Handbook of Miscellaneous Information, including the
Names of Celebrated Statues, Paintings, Palaces, Country
Seats, Ruins, Churches, Ships, Streets, Clubs, Natural
Curiosities, and the like.
I vol., 12° $2 00

Bibliography.

Adams, Oscar Fay. — A Dictionary of American Authors.

Revised edition.
I vol., 8°, pp. 522. Enlai^ed . . . . $3 50

Allibone, S. A. — Critical Dictionary of English Litera-
ture, and of British and American Authors. With
supplement by John Foster Kirk.
5 vols., royal 8° $22 50

Suddeetione (or Dousebold Xtbrariee 2t

The Best Books. A Reader's Guide to the choice of the

Best Available Books in every department of Science,

Art, and Literature, with the dates of the first and last

editions, and the price, size, and publisher's name of each

book, with complete authors' and subjects' index. By

William Swan Sonnenschein. This work is a revised and

rewritten edition of Mr. Sonnenschein's previous books,

"The Best Books" and "A Reader's Guide."

Revised edition, pp. i 4° . . . • $

" It would be difficult to exaggerate the usefulness of this work, or to
praise too highly the industry of the compiler. Turn to what subject we
may, we find the best current books which the reader may consult, and
the prices at which they are published." — London Spectator.

Best Reading. A Classified Bibliography for easy reference.

With hints on the selection of books, on the formation

of libraries, on courses of reading, etc.

1st series, i vol., 12° $1 5°

2d series, 3d series, 4th series . . . Each $1 00

The Library of Literary Criticism of English and

American Authors. Edited by Chas. Wells Moulton.

8 vols., royal 8° ..... . «^/ $40 00

An important addition to critical literature, consisting of literary and

personal criticisms and anecdotes referring to all the important authors

known to English literature, with copious indexes.

Bowker and lies. — Reader's Guide in Economic,
Social, and Political Science. Being a Classified Bib-
liography, with Notes, Indexes, Courses of Reading, etc.
Edited by R. R. Bowker and George lies.
I vol., 12°, pp. 169 net%\ 00

Poole and Fletcher. — Index to Periodical Literature.
Vol. I.. 2 parts, royal 8° [to 1881] . . .m<-/$i6oo

22 Suggestions tot "fcouscbolO Xtbcarics

Poole and Fletcher. — Continued.

Vol. II., royal 8° [1882-87] , . . . net %% 00

Vol. III., royal 8° [1887-92] . . . . «^/ 8 00

Vol. IV., royal 8° [1892-97] . . . . net 10 00

Vol. v., royal 8" [1897-1902] . . . . «<-/ 10 00
Indexes the contents of nearly 150 periodicals.

Index to Periodical Literature. Abridged Edition. iSrs-
1899. Edited by William I. Fletcher and Mary Poole.

Royal 8° «</$i2 00

Nibld, Jonathan. — Guide to the Best Historical Novels.

net%l 75
Miscellaneous.

Authors and Publishers. — A Manual of Suggestions for
Beginners in Literature. Comprising a description of
publishing methods and arrangements, directions for the
preparation of MSS. for the press, explanations of the de-
tails of book manufacturing, instructions for proof-read-
ing, specimens of typography, the text of the United States
Copyright Law, and information concerning International
Copyrights, together with general hints for authors. By
G. H. P. and J. B. P. Seventh edition, rewritten, with
new material.
12° M<f/|i 75

Bent, S. A. — Familiar Short Sayings of Great Men.

I vol., 12° $2 00

Burke, Sir Bernard. — Genealogical and Heraldic Dic-
tionary of the Peerage and Baronetage of Great
Britain and Ireland. 67th edition. Revised 1905.
I vol., royal 8°, pp. 2221 .... net %12 00

An indisi>ensable work to all those desiring full information respecting
the lineage and families of the titled aristocracy of Great Britain.

Brewer, Rev. E, C. — A Dictionary of Miracles. Imi-
tative, realistic, and dogmatic. With illustrations.
I vol., 8', pp. 582. Half leather . . . $2 50

SuflflcetioiiB for Ijouaeboio libraries 23

Champlin, J. D., Jr., and Bostwick, A. E.— The Young
Folks' Cyclopedia of Games and Sports.
1 vol., 8°, pp. 831 $2 50

Hazell's Annual. Edited by Rev. E. D. Price.

I vol., 12° . . net%i 40

An annnaly first appearing in 1886.

The current issue contains 2500 short articles on current political and
social questions, brief biographies, etc.

Lalor, J. J., Editor. — Cyclopedia of Political Science,

Political Economy, and the Political History of the

United States. By the best American and European

writers.

3 vols., 8% pp. 3000 net%i'-) CO

An invaluable work of reference, articles in alphabetical arrangement,
from a few lines to elaborate special treatises.

Mulhall, Michael G. (Fellow of the Koyal Statistical So-
ciety, etc.). — Dictionary of Statistics. Revised and
enlarged edition. With ten colored diagrams.

I vol., 8°, pp. 740 //^/$8 50

" The quintessence of statistics." — Leroy Beaulieu.

Rossiter, W. — An Illustrated Dictionary of Scientific
Terms.

I vol., 12°, pp. 352 $1 75

Accuracy with brevity has been aimed at. Includes about 14,000
entries.

Statesman's Year Book. Edited by Martin, later by
Keltie.
I vol., 12° $3 50

A statistical and historical annual of all States of the civilized world.
First issued in 1863.

Wagner, Leopold. — Names and their Meaning : A
Book for the Curious.

8% pp. 34 + 330 $1 50

" The elucidation of old sobriquets and nicknames will be found par-
ticularly fruitful, and there is no subject treated which does not offer some
enlightenment. Altogether the book is a serviceable one, and must take
its place amone the works of reference which writers and others feel a
frequent need \ot"—N. Y. Tribune, •

24 SuQgcQUone tor 1)oudebolO Xibracied

Walsh, W. S. — Curiosities of Popular Customs and
of Rites, Ceremonies, Observances, and Miscel-
laneous Antiquities.
I vol., 8°, pp. 1018. Half leather . . . $3 50

Whitaker, J. Almanack.

I vol., 12° net$i 00

An annua/, first appearing in 1869.

World Almanac and Encyclopedia.

I vol., 8°, p. 528. Cloth . . . . mr/ft 00
An annuai.

Selected List of Works

Thai are Essential as a Nucleus of Reference Books
for a Household Library.

41 Works. 58 Volumes. Net cost about $250.

1. Chambers's Encyclopsdia. 10 v.

2. Champlin's Young Folk's Cyclopedia, i v.

3. Webster's International Dictionary, i v.

4. Soule's Synonyms, i v.

5. Phyfe's 7,000 Words Mispronounced, i v.

6. Phyfe's 5,000 Words Misspelled, i v.

7. Dickson's Modern Punctuation, i v.

8. Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon, i v.

9. Yonge's English-Greek Lexicon, i v.

10. Lew^is and Short's Latin-English Dictionary, i v.

11. White's English-Latin Dictionary, i v.

12. Fleming and Tibbin's French Dictionary. 2 v.

13. Fliigel's German Dictionary. 3 v.

14. Velasquez's Spanish Dictionary, i v.

15. Millhouse's Italian Dictionary. 2 v.

16. Haydn's Dictionary of Dates, i v.

17. Heilprin's Historical Reference Book, i v.

18. Brewer's Historic Note Book, i v.

19. Adams's Manual of Historical Literature, i ▼.

20. Lippincott's Biographical Dictionary. 2 v.

21. The Times Atlas, i v.

22. Longman's Gazetteer, i v.

23. Peck's Atlas of Astronomy, i v.

24. Labberton's Historical Atlas, i v.

25. Young's Bible Concordance, i v.

26. Ginn's Classical Atlas, i v.

27. Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, i t.

25

26 Suflgestions for "fcoueebolO Xlbractes

28. Palgrave's Golden Treasury. 2 v.

29. Coates's Fireside Cyclopedia of Poetry, i v.

30. Bartlett's Shakespeare Concordance, i v.

31. Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, i v.

32. Hoyt's Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations, i v.

33. Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, i v.

34. Brewer's Reader's Handbook, i v.

35. Christy's Proverbs and Phrases of All Ages. 2 v.

36. Reddall's Fact, Fancy, and Fable, i v.

37. Walsh's Handbook of Literary Curiosities, i v.

38. Walsh's Curiosities of Popular Customs and of
Rites. I V.

39. Sonnenschein's Best Books. 2 v.

40. World Almanac, i v.

41- Mulhall's Dictionary of Statistics, i v.

The Best Histories,

" Quamvis enim melius sit bene facere quam noese, prius tamen est
nosse quam facere." — Charlkmagne.

" History is, as it were, the portrait or lineament and not a bare index
or catalogue of things done ; and without the how or the why, all history
xs jejune and unprofitable." — Life of Lord Keeper Guilford.

This list includes only works in the English language.

The best available current edition is the one usually quoted.
In some instances a cheaper and inferior edition is noted in
brackets.

The prices are for ordinary cloth bindings.

Under some di\'isions a few works are included which are
descriptive rather than historical.

Many of the critical comments are from Adams' Manual of
Historical Literature and Sonnenschen's Best Books.

Roughly, there are 950 volumes, which, it is estimated, can
b« purchased as a whole for about $2250, net. The books
have been divided into three classes, indicated by a, b, and c
prefixed to each title. A buyer who wishes to follow the sug-
gestion of the compiler, and who prefers not to purchase the
entire collection at one time, is recommended to buy the books
in this order. Divided thus, the number of volumes and t'le
cost would be : a, 375 vols., $680 ; b, 280 vols., $630 ; c, 295
vols., $940.

A List of the Best Histories.

1. General Treatises.

2. Series.

3. Collective Historical Es-
says.

4. Philosophy of History.
Methods of Study.

5. History of Civilization.

6. Primitive Society.

7. Ancient History : Gen-
eral Works.

8. The Jews.

9. Egypt.

10. Greece.

11. Rome and Italy.

12. Mediaeval and Modern
Europe.

13. France.

14. Germany.

15. Austria.
Holland.

Spain and Portugal.
Switzerland.
Scandinavia.
Russia.

21. China. Japan.

22. Great Britain.

23. United States.

24. Mexico. South America.
West Indies.

16

17.
18.
19.
20.

37

28 Suggestions tor DousebolD Xibcariee

/. General Treatises.

Adams, Chas. K. {a). — Manual of Historical Literature.

Comprising brief descriptions of the most important his-
tories. Together with practical suggestions as to methods
and courses of historical study.
I vol., 8°, pp. 720 $2 50

Ploetz, Carl {a). — Epitome of Ancient, Mediaeval, and
Modern History. Translated, with extensive additions,
by W. H. Tillinghast.
I vol., 12° $3 00

" The dry bones of universal history have nowhere else been more suc-
cessfully articulated and mounted." — A.

Freeman, E. A. (a). — General Sketch of History.

1 vol., 16° $1 40

" An admirable little book, whose constant aim is to show the connec-
tion in history." — S.

Fisher, G. P. (a). — Outlines of Universal History.

2 vols., 8° [i vol., 12°, $2.50] . . . . $5 00

" This, perhaps, combines more excellencies than are to be found in
any other single work." — A.

Andrews, E. B. {b). — Brief Institutes of General His-
tory.
I vol., 12° $2 00

" A good, concise sketch." — S.

2. Series.

Story of the Nations (a).

Each work in 1 vol., 12°. Per vol. . . . fi 50
Alexander's Empire. By Prof. J. P. Mahaffy.
Assyria. By Z. A. Ragozin.
Austria. By Sidney Whitman.
Bohemia. By C. E. Maurice.
Hungary. By Prof. A. Vambery.
Balkan States. By William Miller,
Barbary Corsairs. By S. Lane-Poole.

Suflgeationa for t>ougebolD Xibrariee 29

Story of the Nations {a). — Continued.

Byzantine Empire. By C. W. C. Oman.
Carthage. By Prof. A. J. Church.
Chaldea. By Z. A. Ragozin.
Crusades. By T. A. Archer.
Eg^pt, Ancient. By Prof. Geo. Rawlinson.
France :

The Franks. By Lewis Sergeant.

Mediaeval France. By Prof. Gustave Masson.

Modern France. By Andre Le Bon.
Germany. By S. Baring-Gould.
Goths. By Henry Bradley.
Great Britain :

Early Britain. By Prof. A. J. Church.

Buildingthe British Empire. By A.T.Story. 2 vols.

Modern England. By Justin McCarthy. 2 vols.

Scotland. By John Mackintosh.

Ireland. By Emily Lawless.

Australasia. By Greville Tregarthen.

Canada. By J. G. Bourinot.

British Rule in India. By R. W. Frazer.

Vedic India. By Z, A. Ragozin.

South Africa. By G. M. Theal.
Greece. By Prof. J. A. Harrison.
Hansa To'wns. By Helen Zimmern.
Holland. By Prof. J. E. Thorold Rogers.
Italy :

Tuscan Republics. By Bella Duffy.

Venice. By Alethea Wiel.

Sicily. By Prof. E. A. Freeman.
Japan. By David Murray
Jews. By Prof. J. K. Hosmer.

Jews under Rome. By W. D. Morrison.
Media. By Z. A. Ragozin.
Mexico. By Susan Hale.
Normans. By Sarah O. Jewett.
Norway. By H. H. Boyesen.

30 Suggesttons for iJousebolD Xibcaries

Story of the Nations (a). — Continued.

Parthia. By Prof. George Rawlinson.
Persia. By S. G. W. Benjamin.
Phoenicia. By Prof. George Rawlinson.
Poland. By W. R. MorfiU.
Portugal. By H. Morse Stephens.
Rome. By Arthur Gilman.

Mediaeval Rome. 1037-1535. By \Vm. Miller.
Russia. By W. R. MorfiU.
Saracens. By Arthur Gilman.
Spain. By E. E. and Susan Hale.

Modern Spain. By M. A. S. Hume.

Moors in Spain. By S. Lane-Poole.

Christian Recovery of Spain. By H, E. Watts.
Switzerland. By Mrs. Arnold Hug and R. Stead.
The Thirteen Colonies. 2 v. By Helen Smith.
Turkey. By S. Lane-Poole.
Wales. By O. M. Edwards.
West Indies. By A. K. Fiske.

3. Collective Historical Essays.

Creasy, E. A. (b). — The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the
World, (B.C. 490-A.D. 181 5).
I vol., 8°. [i vol., 12°, sects.] . . . $6 00

Marathon to Waterloo.

Knox, T. W. (A). — Decisive Battles since Waterloo,
I 824- I 885.

I vol., 8° $2 50

A continuation of Creasy. Ayacucho, Peru, 1824, to Khartoum, 1885.

Freeman, E. A. {c). — Historical Essays, Four Series.
4 vols., 8°; o.p. $1400

Froude, J. A. (c). — Short Studies on Great Subjects.

4 vols., 12° $6 CO

Macaulay, T. B. {a). — Critical and Historical Essays.

ID vols., 12°. [3 vols., 12°, $3.00] . . . $15 00

SwQQe&Uone (or f)ou0ebold Xibrarfes 3t

Dollinger, Dr. J. I. von (<r).— Studies in European His-
tory {trans. ).
I vol., 8° $5 60

Townsend, Meredith. — Asia and Europe : Studies Pre-
senting the Conclusions formed by the Author in a Long
Life Devoted to the Subject of the Relations between
Asia and Europe.
8°. (By mail, $1.65) «^/|i 50

4. Philosophy of History. Methods of Study
in History.

Bagehot, Walter («). — Physics and Politics.

I vol., 12° $r 50

Blackie, Prof. J. S. (a).— What does History Teach ?

I vol., 16° ........ $1 00

Flint, Prof. R. (<-).— The Philosophy of History in
France and Germany.

I vol., 8° . . . .... $6 00

Freeman, Prof. E. A. {c). — Methods of Historical Study.
I vol., 8° $3 00

Harrison, Frederic (a). — The Meaning of History.

I vol., 12° $2 00

Hegel, G. W. F. {c). — Lectures on the Philosophy of
History.
I vol., 12° |t 50

Lecky, W. E. H. (a).— The Political Value of History.

I vol., 12° 75 cts.

Mahan, Capt. A. T. (^).— The Influence of Sea Power
upon History, 1660-1783.
I vol., 8° $4 00

32 Suddeetfons for f)ou0eboiD Xibrariea

Montesquieu, Baron de (c). — The Spirit of Laws.

2 vols. ,12° nei $2 OO

" Lays great stress on the influence of climate and physical surround-
ings on civilization." — S-

Rogers, Prof. J. E. T. {c). — The Economic Interpreta-
tion of History.
I vol., 8° $3 OO

" Prof. Rogers has performed a useful service in drawing attention to
a field hitherto unworted except by himself."

Schlegel, F. von (c). — Lectures on the Philosophy of
History.
I vol., 12° net $1 OO

J. History of Civilization.

Buckle, H. T. (b) — History of Civilization in England

and France, Spain and Scotland.

3 vols., 12° [2 vols., 12", I4.00,] . . . $6 00

" Evolves and explains all possible occurrences and phenomena accord-
ing to an a priori necessity. The author died when he had completed
scarcely more than the introduction of the work he had planned." — S.

Draper, Prof. J. W. (a). — History of the Intellectual

Development of Europe.

2 vols., 12° $3 00

" Maintains that civilization has progressed only as faith has de-
clined."— S.

Guizot, F. P. G. {c). — History of Civilization in Europe.

(a.d. 475-1789.)

2 vols., 12° $4 00

"Capable of stirring earnest and fruitful thought in a thoughtful
student." — A.

Lecky, W. E. H. (^).— History of European Morals.

(Augustus to Charlemagne.)

2 vols., 12" [2 vols., 12°, $3.ooJ . . . . $5 00

" Presents the moral life, first of Pagan, and then of ChristlanRome.
Ends with an essay on the influence ol Cnristianity upon the position of
woman in Europe, — S.

SwQQceUone for 'fcoueebold Xlbraciea 33

6. Frimitive Society.

Clodd, Edward (a).— Childhood of the World : Man in
Early Times.

I vol., 16° $1 00

" Elementary ; very good." — S.

Fig^ier, Louis (c). — Primitive Man.

I vol., 12° $2 50

" A popular summary."— S.

Keary, C. F. (a). — The Dawn of History : An Introduc-
tion to Prehistoric Study.
I vol., 12° $1 50

Lafarg^ue, Paul {c). — The Evolution of Property from
Savagery to Civilization.

I vol., 12" $x 00

Socialistic standpoint.

Laveleye, E. de (<•)• — Primitive Property.

I vol., 8° {out of print and scarce) . . . $4 oo
History of community in property.

Letoumeau, Charles (c). — Property: Its Origin and
Early Development.
I vol., 12° $1 25

" Good compendium of facts of savage life." — S.

Lubbock, Sir John (d). — The Origin of Civilization and
Primitive Condition of Man.

I vol., 8" $5 00

" The mental and social condition of savages." — S.

Maine, Sir H. S. (3). — Village Communities in the East
and West.

I vol., 8° $3 50

" Contains one of the best views of Feudalism that there is." — S.

McLennan, J. F. (c). — Studies in Ancient History.

I vol., 8° net ^ 00

" Finds the origin of society in marriage by capture. A book of curious
and extensive learning" — S.
3

34 SuggesUone for ijoudebolD Xlbrartes

Rawlinson, Canon G. (a). — The Origin of Nations.

I vol., 12° . $1 50

Popular.

Tylor, E. B. (a). — Researches into Early History of
Mankind, and Development of Civilization.

1 vol., 8° $3 50

Gesture-langiiage ; picture-writing ; images ; stone age ; fire, cooking,
and vessels ; traditions and myths.

{c). — Primitive Culture : Researches into Myth-
ology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, Customs, etc.

2 vols., 8° $7 CO

" Fascinating work, full of research. Evolutional point of view." — S.

7. Ancient History : General and Comprehensive
Works.

Boughton, Prof. Willis (a). — History of Ancient
Peoples.

1 vol., 8° . . . . . . ... $2 00

This book is an admirable summary of a considerable body of litera-
ture.

Duncker, Prof. Max (c). — History of Antiquity. Trans-
lated by Dr. Evelyn Abbott.
6 vols., 8° ....... . $48 00

A work of very high reputation and original research ; rather too ex-
pensive perhaps for an ordinary collection.

Layard, Sir A. H. {c). — Discoveries in the Ruins of
Nineveh and Babylon [1845-51].

3 vols. , 8° ...... . net%\i^ 00

The publication of this, the pioneer work of its kind, created a pro-
found sensation. It was ca'.lea the " most extraordinary work of the
present age."

Peters, Rev. J. P., D.D. (c). — Nippur; or Explorations
and Adventures on the Euphrates. The narrative of
the University of Pennsylvania Expedition to Babylonia
in the years 1888-90.

2 vols., 8° $5 00

"_A fit companion for the classic works of Layard and others. It is a
credit to American learning." — Nation.

Suggeetions for fjousebolO libraries 35

Rawlinson, Canon G. (^).

The Five Great Monarchies of the Eastern World.
The Sixth Oriental Monarchy.
The Seventh Oriental Monarchy.

5 vols., 12° $6 25

" Rawlinson's works are full of learnini;, but not wholly trustworthy.
Point of view— the absolute authority of the Hebrew scriptures." — S.

Smith, Philip (<>).— History of the Ancient World,

3 vols. ,8" $6 00

" The ablest and most consecutive English history of antiquity. In-
cludes Greece and Rome." — S.

(<r). — Ancient History of the Ea^t, from the Ear-
liest Times to the Conquest by Alexander the
Great.

I vol., 12' $3 00

An excellent student's book.

8. The yews.

Josephus, Flavins (b). — History of the Jews. Translated

by W. Whiston.
4 vols., 12° . . . . . . . $6 00

By a learned Jew, who lived the latter half of the first century, and
was present at the siege of Jerusalem. Covers the entire history of the
nation to the fall of Jerusalem.

Milman, Dean H. H. (/'). — History of the Jews from the
Earliest Period to Modern Times.

3 vols., 12° $5 25

" A civil and military, rather than a theological, history of the Jews."

—A.

i>- Egypt.

Brugsch-Bey, H. (a). — History of Egypt under the
Pharaohs.

I vol., 8° $5 00

" Based entirely on original authorities, bringing together the results

of modern monumental research."' — A.

36 SuggeetloiiB for ■t)ou0eboI^ llbrariee

Maspero, G. (c). — The Dawn of Civilization : Eg^pt and
Chaldea. Edited by A. H. Sayce.
I vol., royal 8° . . . . . . . $7 50

(i). — Egyptian Archaeology. Translated, with

notes, by Amelia B. Edwards.

t vol., 12° $2 25

The authoritative handbook on the subject.

-~— — (a). — Life in Ancient Egypt. Translated by A. P.
Morton.

I vol., 12° $1 50

" At once popular and leai^ed. Describes every-day life." — S.

Smyth, C. Piazzi (c). — Our Inheritance in the Great

Pyramid.

I vol., 8° $6 50

Wiedemann, Prof. A. (6). — The Religion of the Ancient

Eg^yptians.

1 vol., 8° $3 75

E^pt stands pre-eminent among all the nations of antiquity as the
land in which every civic and public interest was dominated oy relig;ion.

Wilkinson, Sir J. G. (6). — Manners and Customs of the
Ancient Egyptians.

3 vols., 8° $8 00

" No student of ancient Eg^pt can afford to neglect it." — A.

Lane, E. W. (c). — Manners and Customs of the Modern
Egfyptians.

2 vols., 12° ....... $5 00

" A careful and minute account of social conditions and habits." — A.

Edwards, Amelia B. (d). — A Thousand Miles up the
Nile.
I vol., 8° $2 50

10. Greece.
Herodotus {b). — Works. Translated by Rawlinson and Wil-
kinson. With elaborate annotations.

4 vols., 8° [4 vols., 8°, $8.00] .... |i8 00

" The ' Father of ICistory.' Recent researches in the East have tended
to confirm the authority of Herodotus in all matters that came under his
personnl observation," — A.

SuggcBtfons for f)ou0ebolC> Xfbrarice 37

Thucydides (6). — History of the Peloponnesian W«r.
Translated, with Introduction and Notes, by Jowett.

2 vols., 8' $12 00

By all critics in all ages this has been considered one of the most re-
markable pieces of historical composition ever produced.

Xenophon (r).— Whole Works. Translated by H. G.
Dakyns. Anabasis — Hellenica — Cyropaedia — Memora-
bilia— Symposium — Politics, etc.

4 vols., 12° mi $8 75

" More remarkable for literary qualities than for great historical merits.
Not for a moment to be compared with Thucydides." — A.

Pausanias (<r). — Description of Greece. Translated, with

commentary, by J. G. Frazer.

6 vols, 8° nei $30 00

[Translated by Shilleto. 2 vols., 12' . , ne/ 3 00]

A monumental edition, a large proportion of the bulk of which consists
of the elaborate commentary.

"A mine of information on the art, history, and life of ancient Greece."
— S.

Abbott, Evelyn (6). — History of Greece from Earliest
Times to the Thirty Years' Peace, 445 B.C.

3 vols. ,8° |6 75

A careful and thorough work, occupying the place between the ordi-
nary brief histories and the more elaborate works.

Cox, Sir G. W. (a).— General History of Greece. (To

the death of Alexander.)
I vol., 8° $3 00

" Attaches much importance to mythology as a key to the character-
istics of early civilization."— S.

Curtius, Ernst (d). — History of Greece. Translated by
A. W. Ward. (To B.C. 337.)

5 vols., 8° ....... . $10 00

" Scholarly and for scholars. Monarchical in sympathy." — S.

Grote, Georg^e (a). — History of Greece. (To Alexander
the Great.)

10 vols., 12° $17 50

" Possesses nearly every quality^ of an historical work of the very
highest order of ment. Democratic in sympathy." — A.

38 Suggestions for Ijouseboio Xlbraries

Schomann, G. F. (c). — Antiquities of Greece; — the

State. Translated by E. G. Hardy and J. S. Mann.

I vol., 8" $7 oo

" An account of the political assemblies, and of their significance in
the life of the State." — A

(c). — Athenian Constitutional History. Translated

by B. Bosanquet.

I vol., 12° nei $1 50

"Discusses the reforms of Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles." — A.

Freeman, E. A. (c). — History of Federal Government,

from the Foundation of the Achaian League to the

Dissolution of the United States. Vol. I. Greek

Federations.

8° $6 00

A valuable work never completed. The first volume was published in
1863. Possibly the learned author lost interest in the subject when a little
later it became evident that the United States were not " dissolving."

Felton, Prof. C. C. (^). — Greece, Ancient and Modern.
I vol., 8° $5 00

Popular lectures on Greek history, life, language, and literature.
Exceedingly interesting.

Finlay, Dr. George (c). — History of Greece from the
Conquest by the Romans to Present Time. (b.c.
146-A.D. 1848.)

7 vols., 8° «<r/fi7 50

" Learned, accurate, and severely critical." — S.

Schuchart, Dr. C. ((J).— Schliemann's Excavations: An

Archseological and Historical Study.

I vol., 8° «^^$4 00

An admirable summary and orderly arrangement of Schliemann's
epoch-making discoveries.

Gardner, Prof. Percy (d). — New Chapters in Greek His-
tory. An account of the historical results of recent ex-
cavations in Greece and Asia Minor.

I vol., 8° $5 00

"What he purposes to describe is, in a word, the contributions of the
ipade to history. Not a technical but a popular exposition."

Sudgedtfons tor t)ou0ebolCi Xibraries 39

Becker, W. A. (d). — Charicles : Illustrations of the private
life of the ancient Greeks.

I vol., 12° $1 25

Greek life described through a novel.

De Coulanges, F. (a). — The Ancient City: Religion,

laws, and institutions of Greece and Rome.

I vol., 8° $2 50

" The primitive institutions of Greece and Rome as a contribution to
the science of comparative social ethics ; broad and scholarly." — S.

Guhl and Koner {a). — The Life of the Greeks and Ro-
mans from Antique Monuments.

I vol., 8° . . . . . . . $3 00

"Nowhere else can the student find so many facts in illustration of
Greek and Roman methods and manners." — .A

Gladstone, W. E. (3). — Juventus Mundi : Life in the Ho-
meric age.

1 vol., 12° $2 50

Lloyd, W. W. (^).— The Age of Pericles: Politics and
Arts of Greece.

2 vols., 8° $6 00

Democracy, poetry, painting, and music. Scholariy and sound.

Mahafiy, J. P. (a). — Social Life in Greece. (Homer to

Menander.)

I vol., 12° $3 00

" Describes the everyday life vf the Greeks in their homes, temples,
assemblies, journeys." — S.

(a). — Greek Life and Thought. (Alexander to Ro-
man Conquest.)

I vol., 12" $3 50

Sequel to above.

(i). — The Greek World under Roman Sway.

(Polybius to Plutarch.)
I vol., 12° #3 00

Sequel to above.

40 Suggestions tor t)ou0ebolO Xibrariee

Freeman, E. A. {c). — Studies of Travel in Greece.

I vol., i6° 75 cts.

Mainly devoted to archaeological studies. Of special value to the
cultivated traveller.

Sergeant, Lewis (c). — New Greece.

I vol., 8" $3 50

Perhaps the most satisfactory work on modern Greece.

Wordsworth, Bishop C. (i). — Greece ; Pictoral, De-
scriptive, and Historical.

I vol., royal 8° . . . . . . . $12 00

Elaborately illustrated. A book of great interest and first-rate au-
thority.

II. Rome and Italy.

Ammianus Marcellinus (b). — Roman History. Trans-
lated by C. D. Yonge. (Covers the period A.D. 353-
378.)
I vol., 12° ..... . . $3 00

" Gibbon attaches much importance to this authority, whom all critics
regard as accurate, trustworthy, and impartial. Nearly half the original
work, covering the period, 96-353, is lost." — S.

Livy (a). — Roman History. Translated by Spellan and

Edmonds. (To a.d. 39CJ.)

4 vols., 12° «^/ $6 00

" Almost faultless in style, but a ' popular ' history written to gratify the
national vanity of the Romans. Of the 142 books written by Livy only 35
have been preserved," — S.

Tacitus (a). — History. Translated by Church and Brodribb.

I vol., 12° net %2 OQ

Originally from a.d. 68 to a.d. 96, but only first four books (covering
one year) have been preserved.

(c). — Annals. Translated by Church and Broadribb.

I vol., 12° net%2 CO

From death of Augustus, a.d. 14, to death of Nero, a.d. 68. But
portions are lost.

Suggestions for fJOuecbolD Xibrarles 41

Tacitus (<■). — Agricola and Germany. Translated by

Church and Brodribb.

I vol., 12° ........ n£t%2 00

" The Agricola is a valuable piece of biographv. The Germauy is im-
portant for the political and social institutions and religions of the various
German tribes. — S.

Pelham, Prof. H. F. {a). — Outlines of Roman History.

I vol., 12° $1 75

" From earliest beginnings to fall of Western Empire in 476. Intended
for the cultured reader. Strong on the constitutional side. Impartial."
— S.

Merivale, Dr. C. (a). — General History of Rome [b.c.
753-A.D. 476].

I vol., 12° $3 00

" Sketchy but interesting." — S.

Liddell, H. G. (<J).— Students' History of Rome. To
the establishment of the empire.

I vol., 12° net%i 50

"Dry, but accurate." — S.

Bury, Prof. J. B. (<:). — Students' History of the Roman
Empire.

1 vol., 12° nei%i 50

A continuation of Liddell, carrying the history down to where Gibbon
begins.

Duruy, Victor (c). — History of Rome and the Roman
People. Edited by J. P. Mahaffy.
6 vols., royal 8° . . . . . . . $48 00

An elaborate popular work, with 2500 illustrations. The best of its
kind, and of considerable literary merit.

Mommsen, Theodor {b). — History of Rome to the Time

of Augfustus [b.c. 46]. Translated by W. P. Dickson.

4 vols., 8° $8 00

The Roman Provinces [Caesar to Diocletian].

2 vols., 8° $6 00

" Mainly a constittitional history ; prepared for general readers rather
than scholars."— S.

42 Suggestions for "fcouseboIO Xibrarfes

Michelet, J. (<•).— History of the Roman Republic. Trans-
lated by William Hazlitt.
I vol., 12° nfl$i oo

" Its most striking characteristics are its brilliancy and its ingenuity."
— A.

Merivale, Dean C. (c). — History of the Romans under
the Empire [b.c. 6o-a.d. i8o].
8 vols., 12° [4 vols., 12°, $7.00] .... $16 CXJ
" Exactly fills the gap between Mommsen and Gibbon." — S.

Gibbon, Edward {a). — History of the Decline and Fall
of the Roman Empire. Edited by Milman and Smith.
8 vols., 8° [6 vols. , 8°, $12.00] .... I22 50
" Probably the greatest historical work ever written." — A.

Ihne, W. (a). — Early Rome. From the Foundation of the
City to its Destruction by the Gauls.
I vol., 16° ........ $1 00

By one of the most eminent German historians.

Capes, W. W. (6). — The Early Empire. From the As-
sassination of Julius Caesar to that of Domitian.

I vol., 16° $1 00

"Acumen and judicial impartiality." — A.

(i). — The Roman Empire of the Second Century ;

or. The Age of the Antonines.

1 vol., 16° $1 00

" This volume has the same admirable characteristics as its prede-
cessor."— A.

Bury, J. B. (c). — A History of the Later Roman Empire
from Arcadius to Irene [a.d. 395-800].

2 vols., 8° $6 00

Seeley, Prof. J. R. (a). — Roman Imperialism.

I vol., 16° ........ $1 50

Three lectures on the establishment and decline of the empire.

Ramsay, Prof. W. M. (3). — The Church in the Roman
Empire [a.d. 64-170].
I vol., 8° $3 00

" An admirable example of the true method of research."

SixQQCsUone for Ijousebolj) Xlbcarfes 43

Becker, W. A. {i>). — Gallus ; Roman Scenes in the Time
of Augustus.

I vol., 12° |i 25

A companion to Becker's Chtiricles.

Inge, W. R. (a). — Society in Rome under the Caesars.

I vol., 12° ........ $1 50

" A good popular account of the grades of society, education, marriage,
amusements, etc." — S.

Boissier, Gaston {a). — Rome and Pompeii. Archaeologi-
cal Rambles.
I vol., 12° $2 50

(a). — The Country of Horace and Virgil.

I vol., 12° $2 00

(a). — Cicero and His Friends. A Study of Roman

Society in the Time of Caesar.

I vol., 12" . . $1 75

"M. Boissier's brilliant works."

Burn, R. (<-). — Rome and the Campagna.

I vol., 4° net%\i 50

Historical description of ancient Rome.

" Especially designed to connect the early traditions with individual
localities." — A.

Dennie, John (b). — Rome of To-Day and Yesterday :

The Pagan City.

I vol., 8° $3 50

" No better popular introduction to Roman antiquities could be
named." — Nation.

Dyer, Dr. T. H. {c). — The City of Rome : Its History and

Monuments.

I vol., 12' net%\ 50

" Except in his treatment of the earliest history, he shows sagacity,
research, and good judgment." — A.

Lanciani, Prof. R. {c). — Ancient Rome in the Light of
Recent Discoveries.

I vol . 8° $6 00

The author was director of excavations under the Italian Government.

44 Suggedtions for 'E)ou0ebol{) Xibrartes

Middleton, Prof. J. H. (<■). — The Remains of Ancient
Rome.

2 vols., 8° . . . . . , . . $7 oo
A learned and elaborate guide to the archxology of the Eternal City.

Dyer, Dr. T. H. (d). — Pompeii : Its Buildings and An-
tiquities.

1 vol., 12° , . $3 oo

Dennis, George (c). — The Cities and Cemeteries of
Etruria.

2 vols., 8° $12 OO

"Valuable information on Etruscan archaeology." — A.

Freeman, E. A. (6). — Studies of Travel in Italy.

I vol., i6° 75 cts.

Mainly devoted to historical and archaological studies. Of special
value to the cultivated traveller.

Hunt, W. (a).— History of Italy [476-1870].

I vol., 16° ........ $1 00

" As a bird's-eye view it has no superior." — A.

Hodgkin, Dr. Thomas {c). — Italy and Her Invaders
[a.d. 376-553].

6 vols., 8° ne/$22 00

" A summing-up for English readers of the results of modern research

into the civil, social, and political characteristics of the early German and

Asiatic invaders." — A.

Browning, Oscar (i). — Guelfs and Ghibellines.

1 vol., 12° $2 00

" A short history of the p-eat struggle of Church and State, Nationality
and Imperialism, in the Middle Ages [1250-1409]." — S.

Sismondi, J. C. L. de (a). — History of the Italian Re-
publics.

I vol., 16° $1 25

An excellent epitome.

Machiavelli, Niccolo (c). — History of Florence and of

Affairs in Italy [446-1492].

I vol., 12° nef$i 00

" Spirited and picturesque, but not entirely accurate. Goes down to
date 01 Lorenzo the Magnificent."— S.

Suggestions tor 'fcousebold Xtbcariee 45

TroUope, T. A. (c). — History of the Commonwealth of
Florence from the Earliest Independence of the Com-
mune to the Fall of the Republic in 1531.

4 vols., 8° $15 00

The most satisfactory history of Florence in English.

Bent, J. T. (c). — Genoa: How the Republic Rose and Fell.

1 vol., 8° $7 00

Colletta, General Pietro (c).— History of the Kingdom
of Naples 1734-1825, with a Supplementary Chapter,
1825-1856.

2 vols., 8' $6 00

" A brilliant but partisan narrative." — A.

Hazlitt, W. C. ((5).— History of the Venetian Republic.

Her Rise, her Greatness, and her Civilization, 337-1457.

4 vols., 8° $25 CO

" Founded on a careful study of authorities. . . . Clear and often
picturesque in style."— A.

Brown, H. F. (a). — Venice : An Historical Sketch.

I vol., 8" $4 50

" Mr. Brown's History 0/ Venice is the best that has ever come into our
hands." — Nation.

Burckhardt, Jacob (b). — Civilization of the Period of
the Renaissance in Italy.
I vol., 8° $4 50

" Impartial and trustworthy." — S.

Dennistoun, James {c). — Memoirs of the Dukes of Urbino.

Illustrating th6 Anns, Arts, and Literature of Italy from
1440 to 1650.

3 vols., 8° $22 50

" This description of one of the most important duchies on the Adriatic
is a valuable picture of Italian society in the 15th and 16th centuries." — A,

Symonds, J. A. (a). — The Renaissance in Italy. Age of

the Despots ; Revival of Learning ; Fine Arts ; Italian

Literature ; Catholic Reaction.

7 vols., 8° $14 00

" A very important work, rather after the method of Gibbon, each
chapter being a monograph rather than part of a connected whole." — S.

46 Suggcsttons Tor *ft)ou9cbol0 Xtbraries

Probyn, J. W. (a).— Italy from the Fall of Napoleon to
Death of Victor Emanuel [i8 15-1878].

I vol., 12° $2 50

"A lucid account of the rise of Italian liberty." — S.

Amicis, Edmondo de (a). — Military Life in Italy.

I vol., 12° $2 00

Brown, H. F. (a). — Life on the Lagoons.

1 vol., 12° . $2 25

Hare, A. J. C. (i).

Cities of Northern Italy. 2 vols., 12° , $350
Cities of Central Italy. 2 vols., 12° . . 3 50

Cities of Southern Italy and Sicily, i vol., 12°, 2 50
Walks in Rome, i vol., 12° . . . 3 00

Howells, W. D. (^).— Venetian Life.

2 vols., 16° $2 00

Story, W. W. (a).— Roba di Roma.

2 vols., 16° $2 50

Taine, H. A. (l>). — Italy: Florence and ; Venice Rome and
Naples.
2 vols., 12° $5 00

12. Mediceval and Modern Europe.

Bryce, James (a). — The Holy Roman Empire, i vol., 8°

(12°, new and revised edition, «^/$i.5o)

" A portrayal of that singular connection of Rome and Germany during
the Middle Ages, which received the name of ' Holy Roman Empire.' but
of which Voltaire said it was neither holy, nor Roman, nor empire." — A.

Church, Dean R. W. (a).— The Beginnings of the
Middle Ages [a.u. 500-1000].

I vol., 16° $1 00

From the fall of Rome to the breaking up of the Carlovingian Empire

Sudgestiond (or 'boudcbolO Xibrarics 47

Froissart, J. (c). — Chronicles of England, France, and
Spain [i 326-1400]. Translated by T. Johnes.

2 vols., royal 8° $12 00

" A very graphic and faithful picture of 14th century events. As a
view of the most favorable side of chivalry it has no equal." — A.

Hallam, Henry (6). — View of the State of Europe dur-
ing the Middle Ages.

3 vols., 12° (2 vols., 12°, $2.50) . . . . $5 25

Useful as a whole, especially on the subject of chivalry. Very im-
partial.

Maitland, Dr. S. R. (3).— The Dark Ages. Edited by
F. Stokes.

1 vol., 8° $5 00

Essays on the religion and literature of 9th to 13th centuries.

May, Sir T. Ersldne (r). — Democracy in Europe. A
History.

2 vols., 12° $3 00

Sketch of the progress of democratic ideas and methods from the earli-
est ages down to the present time.

Michaud, J. F. (<r). — History of the Crusades. Trans-
lated by W. Robson.

3 vols., 12° $4 50

Best comprehensive work on the subject.

Monstrelet, E. de (<■). — Chronicles. Translated by T.
Johnes. (1400-1467 — continued to 1516.)
2 vols., royal 8° ...... $g 00

Practically a continuation of Froissart.

Abdy, Dr. J. T. (6). — Feudalism: Its rise, prepress, and
consequences.

I vol., 12° $3 00

Lectures delivered at Gresham College.

Cutts, Rev. E. L. (d). — Scenes and Characters of the
Middle Ages.

I vol., 8' $6 00

The monks, the pilgrims, the minstrels, the knights, the merchants.

48 QuQQeetione for •fcouscbolJ) Xlbrariee

Hecker, Dr. J. F. (c). — Epidemics of the Middle Ages.

Translated by Dr. B. C. Babington.

I vol., 12° $2 50

Gives an account of the " Black Death," — by which 25,000,000 per-
sons, or about one quarter of the population of Europe, are supposed to
have died, — and of other plagues.

Lacroix, Paul (3). — Manners, Customs and Dress dur-
ing the Middle Ages.

I vol., royal 8" ....... $io oo

Military and Religious Life in the Middle Ages.

I vol., royal 8° $io oo

Very elaborately illustrated.

Lea, H. C. (a). — History of the Inquisition of the Mid-
dle Ages.
3 vols., 8° $9 oo

" A remarkable example of erudition and good judgment, and by far
the most important authority on the subject." — A.

(a). — Superstition and Force. Essays on The Wager

of Battle, The Wager of Law, The Ordeal, Torture.
I vol., 8° $2 50

" The most complete and best account of the ' methods of administer-
ing injustice ' in the Middle Ages." — A.

D'Aubign6 (J. H. Merle) (f).— History of the Great Re-
formation of the XVL Century in Germany, Switz*
erland, etc.

5 vols., 12° $10 00

" D'Aubign^'s dislikeof the Catholic Church amounted to hatred and
abhorrence. . . . It is simply one side of a great question, presented
with great power by a skilful and brilliant advocate." — A.

Spalding, M. J. (f).— History of the Protestant Reforma-
tion in Germany and S^vitzerland ; and in England,
Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, France, and North-
ern Europe.
I vol., 8° $5 00

" The strongest presentation of the Catholic side of the Reform-
»tion."— A.

SuQQeetions for f30ugebolD Xibraries 49

Seebohm, Frederick (a). — The Era of the Protestant
Revolution.

I vol., 16° $1 00

Good, concise account.

Lea, H. C. (/>).— Historical Sketch of Sacerdotal Celi-
bacy in the Christian Church.

I vol., 8° $3 75

" Throws a great deal of light upon the moral condition of the Middle

Ages. Protestant point of view, but not controversial." — A.

Milman, Dean H. H. {/>). — History of Latin Christianity.

8 vols., 12" [4 vols., 12°, $8.00] . . . $14 00

Includes the Popes to Nicholas V.

" Broad, scholarly, and popular ; an admirable history." — S.

Ranke, Leopold von (i^).— History of the Popes, their
Church and State, and Especially of their Conflicts
with Protestantism in the i6th and 17th Centuries.

3 vols., 8° [3 vols., 12°, «^/$3.oo] . . . $18 00

" The distinguishing characteristic of Ranke is the deep insight with
which he penetrates to the very bottom of affairs, and brings the causes
and springs of action into the light." — A.

Stubbs, Bishop W. (a). — Lectures on the Study of
Mediaeval and Modern History.

I vol., 8" w^/ $3 50

" Abounds in valuable suggestions for the student." — A.

Freeman, E. A. (a). — Historical Geography of Europe.

Text, I vol. Atlas, i vol. 2 vols., 8° ; o. p. and very

scarce net%ii 00

" The great value of the work is not so much in the number of inter-
esting facts brought together, as in the great skill with which the histori-
cal importance of these facts is made to appear." — A.

Gerard, J. W. (/J).— The Peace of Utrecht. An Histori-
cal Review of the Great Treaty of 171 3-14.

I vol., 8° $3 00

" Mr. Gerard has opened up a mine of historical wealth."

Lacroix, Paul (c). — The Eighteenth Century ; Institu-
tions, Customs, and Costumes.

I vol., 8' . \\ii 00

Elaborately illustrated.
4

so SwQQcetlons for 'f)oudebold Xibrariea

Fyffe, C. A. {6). — History of Modern Europe [1792-

1878].

3 vols., 8° $7 50

" Strongly anti-Napoleonic, but regards the government he established
as far better than the one he supplanted." — A.

Andrews, Prof. C. M. (a). — The Historical Development
of Modern Europe. From the Congress of Vienna to
the Present Time.

2 vols., 8° $5 00

Accurate scholarship, and popular treatment.

Maurice, C. E. (a). — The Revolutionary Movement of
1848-49. (Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Germany.)
I vol., 8° $2 50

Mackenzie, Robert (a). — The Nineteenth Century : A
History.
I vol., 12° $1 00

A sketch, or a series of sketches, rather than a history.

Miiller, Wilhelm (a). — Political History of Recent
Times [1816-75]. With special reference to Germany.
Translated, with an appendix covering 1876-81, by John
P. Peters.

I vol., 8° $3 00

" The purpose of the author is to present an account of such events as
have exerted an exceptional influence in shaping modern political affairs."
-A.

ij. France.

Guizot's History of France (a). Abridged by G. Masson.

I vol., 8° I3 00

The best concise work.

Lacombe, Paul {a). — Short History of the French
People. Translated from the French.

I vol., 12° |i 25

Patterned after (a good deal after) Green's England, but very much

briefer, and more elementary.

Sudaeetfone for t>oudebold Xibrariee 51

Duruy, Victor (3).— History of France to 1870. Abridged
and translated from the French by Mrs. M. Carey. With
Introduction and continuation to 1896 by Prof. J. F.
Jameson.

2 vols., 12° $3 GO

Entertaining; and instructive.

Michelet, Jules (^). — History of France. Translated.
(To 1483.)

2 vols., 8° ' . $4 00

" There is, perhaps, no more brilliant historical writing in any language
than some of the writing of Michelet." — A.

Kitchin, G. W. (i) — History of France [to 1793].

3 vols., 12° «<•/ $7 80

" The best general history written by an Englishman. Scholarly, but
dry."- A.

Guizot, F. p. G. (a)— History of France from the Earli-
est Times to 1848. Edited by Mme. DeWitt.
8 vols., royal 8° [8 vols., 12°, $8.00] . . $33 00

The best extensive popular work. Elaborately illustrated. Written
originally for the author's grandchildren.

Baird, H. M. (a). — History of the Rise of the Hug^uenots

of France.

2 vols., 8° $5 00

An account of the Protestant movement in France from the accession
of Francis I., in 1515, to the death of Charles IX , in 1574,

Perkins, J. B. {a), — France under Mazarin. With a
Sketch of the Administration of Richelieu.
2 vols. ,8° $4 00

France under the Regency. With a Review of the

Administration of Louis XIV.

1 vol., 8° $2 00

France under Louis XV.

2 vols., 8° $4 00

" ' France under Richelieu and Mazarin ' will introduce its author into
the rsuiks of the first living historians of our land."

Si &\XQQC6tion6 tot fjousebold Xibraried

Elliot, Frances (a). — Old Court Life in France.

2 vols., 8° M^/$5 oo

An anecdotal history of the French court from Francis I. to Louis XIV.

Taine, H. A. (a). — The Ancient Regime.

1 vol., 8° . , . , . . . , $2 50

" As a revelation of society in its different phases during the hundred
years before the Revolution, the book has no equal." — A.

Jackson, Lady C. C. (3),— The Old R6gime.

2 vols., 8° $3 50

Gives a vivid picture of society under Louis XV.

(/5).— French Court and Society [1754-93].

2 vols., 8° $3 50

Reign of Louis XVI. and the First Empire.

Young, Arthur (3). — Travels in France During the
Years 1787, '88, '89.

2 vols., 12° «^/ $2.00

"A book cited by every historian, and one that, as far as possible,
should be read by every student of the Revolutionary period." — A.

Carlyle, Thomas (a). — History of the French Revo-
lution.

3 vols., 8° [3 vols., 12°, $3.00] . . . . $8 00

" This is truly a marvellous book. But it is not so much a history as a
succession of pictures." — A.

Mahan, Capt. A. T. (a). — The Influence of Sea Power
upon the French Revolution and Empire [1793-1812].

2 vols., 8° $6 00

Taine, H. A. (a). — The Revolution. Translated by John
Durand.

3 vols., 8° . . $7 50

" Its chief strength is in its portrayal of the social condition of the
nation." — A.

Thiers, L. A. (iJ).— History of the French Revolution.

5 vols., 8° [4 vols., 8^ $8.00] . . . . $15 00

" It abounds in looseness of statement and extravagances of expression,
which make it at once popular and untrustworthy." — A.

SvLQQeetione tot l^ousebolD Xibraries 53

Mig^et, F. A. M. (/>). — History of the French Revolu-
tion, 1789-1814.

I vol., 12" mt$i 00

Probably the best brief work.

Lamartine, A. de (c). — History of the Girondists.

3 vols., 12" ffits 00

"A glorification of the revolutionary spirit, and it has probably had

more influence than any other literary production in keeping the revolu-
tionary spirit in France alive." — A.

Rousseau, J. J. (a). — The Social Contract.

I vol., 16° $1 25

Of the utmost importance for a study of the revolutionary period in
France — especially for the Reign of Terror.

Thiers, L. A. (c). — History of the Consulate and the
Empire of France under Napoleon.

12 vols., 8' $36 00

"The standard work on the subject, but there is too much of it, and it
is very French, glorifying the Napoleonic age."— S.

Taine, H. A. (a). — The Modem R^g^ime : Contemporary
France.
I vol., 8' $2 50

" Based on fullest and minutest research ; contains striking and bril-
liant picture of Napoleon's superhuman power." — S.

Lamartine, A. de (c). — History of the Restoration of
Monarchy in France [1815-30].

4 vols., 12' ....... »/'/$4 00

" Brilliant, interesting, and disappointing." — A.

(a). — History of the Revolution of 1848.

I vol., 12" M^/$i 00

"The author was himself in the thick of the struggle." — A.

Hugo, Victor (a).— The History of a Crime.

1 vol., 12° $1 50

Account of the coup d' Hat of December, 1851, by an eye-witness.

Cook, T. A. (a). — Old Touraine : Life and History of the
Famous Chateaux of France.

2 vols., 12' $5 00

" An accurate picture of the old life in the famous chateaux along the
Valley of the Loire." — S.

54 SnQQCStlonB foe 1)OU0ebold %ibtavicB
14.. Germany.

Lew^is, C. T. (a). — A History of Germany from the
Earliest Times. Founded on Dr. David Mttller's
" History of the German People."

I vol., 12° $2 50

The best brief history.

Menzel, Wolfgang {b). — The History of Germany from
the Earliest Period to the Present Time [1848].
Translated Viy Mrs. George Horrocks.

3 vols., 12° ....... net%'i 00

" Epigrammatic and eminently readable." — A.

Tuttle, Herbert {b). — History of Prussia.

1. To the Accession of Frederick the Great [1134-
■■ 1740].

2. Under Frederick the Great [1740-56]. 2 vols.

3. Under Frederick the Great [1756-57].

4 vols., 12° . . . . . $9 00

The author died before the completion of his work.

Whitman, Sidney (a). — Imperial Germany.

I vol., 12° $3 00

" Politics, life, education, aristocracy, women, etc." — S.

De Stael, Mme. (a). — Germany. Translated, with notes,
by O. W. Wight.

1 vol., 12° $3 00

"Perhaps the greatest work of one of the greatest literary geniuses of
her age. In it tne author endeavored to portray the character of the
Germans, and to account for the peculiarities of their social and political
Ufe."— A.

Heine, Heinrich (b). — Germany. Translated by C. G.
Leland.

2 vols., 12° $4 00

Intended to supplement Mme. de Stael's " Germany."
" Full of wit and humor."— S.

Gould, Rev. S. Baring- (a). — Germany, Past and Present.

I vol., 8° $3 00

Contains a good view of the social institutions and customs of Germany.

Suggedtions for t>ou0ebold Xibraries 55

Vizitelly, Henry (r).— Berlin under the New Empire.

2 vols., 8° $12 00

Institutions, industries, social life, etc.

Malleson, Col. G. B. (*).— The Refounding of the Ger-
man Empire.

1 vol., 12' $1 75

A concise account of the events between 1848 and 1870.

Sybel, Dr. Heinrich von {i>). — The Founding of the
German Empire.

7 vols., 8' ....... . $14 00

Based chiefly on Prussian state documents.

Ranke, Leopold von (r). — Memoirs of the House of
Brandenburg and History of Prussia during the
XVIIth and XVIIIth Centuries.

2 vols., 8° {out 0/ print) ^25 CO

" The most valuable account accessible in English of the history of
Brandenburg and Prussia before the outbreak of the Seven Years' War."
—A.

Gindely, Anton (a). — History of the Thirty Years' War.
Translated by Prof. A. Ten Brook.

2 vols., 12° $3 50

" By far the best account we have." — A.

Hozier, Col. H. M. (<i).— The Seven Weeks' War
[1866] : Its Antecedents and its Incidents.

I vol., 12° $2 50

" A graphic picture of a short but momentous war." — A.

Moltke, Marshal Helmuth von (6). — The Franco-
German War. Translated by Mrs. Clara Bell.
I vol., 8° $3 00

ij. Austria.

Coxe, Archdeacon W. {a). — History of the House of
Austria, 1218-1792. With continuation to the Revolu-
tion of 1848 by W. K. Kelly.
4 vols., 12° »<r/$6 CO

" The only complete history of the House of Austria accessible to the
reader of English. —A.

56 Suggestions for "fcouscbolO Xlbraries

Vehse, Dr. E. (c). — Memoirs of the Court, Aristocracy,
and Diplomacy of Austria. Translated from the
German by Franz Demmler.

2 vols., 8" $7 50

"A picture of society and of public characters." — A.

De Worms, Baron Henry (c). — The Austro-Hungarian
Empire. A political sketch of men and events since
1866.

I vol., 8° . $5 c)0

" Historical and descriptive." — A.

id. Holland.

Blok, Prof. P. J. (a).— History of the People of the
Netherlands. Translated by Oscar A. Bierstadt and
Ruth Putnam.

3 vols., 8'' $7 50

To be completed in four parts, of which three have been published.
Of undoubted authority.

Davies, C. M. {c). — History of Holland and the Dutch

[900-1799].
3 vols., 8' $15 GO

" The most useful part of Davies's book is that which treats of Holland
from the wars of Louis XIV. to the French Revolution." — A.

Young, A. (b). — History of the Netherlands.

I vol., 12" $1 50

Chiefly XVIth-XVIIth centuries. Popular.

Motley, J. L. {a). — The Rise of the Dutch Republic.

3 vols., 8° . . . . . . . . $6 00

" A vivid portrayal of one of the most dramatic portions of modem
European history." — A.

(a). — History of the United Netherlands, from

the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve
Years' Truce, 1609.

4 vols., 8° $8 00

" Far more controversial, and therefore less final than his other work."
-S.

Su0gedtion0 for f)oudebold Xibrartes 57

Grattan, T. C. (a).— The History of the Netherlands.

I vol., 12" $2 00

" As a bird's-«ye view it is excellent." — A.

Amicis, Edmondo de (a). — Holland and its People.
I vol., 12° $2 25

" A very bright book, better calculated than any other to give the
reader a vivid and true impression of the country and people." — A.

//. Spain and Portugal.

Dunham, Dr. S. A. {a). — The History of Spain and

Portugal [to 1768],

5 vols., 16° $10 00

"Conscientious and thorough. Not only the best general history of
Spain in English, but one of the best in any language." — A.

Cond^, J. A. (b). — History of the Dominion of the Arabs
in Spain [711-1492]. Translated from the Spanish by
Mrs. J. Foster.
3 vols., 12' ....... net%2 00

" A record of interminable petty wars, and of little else." — A.

Copp6e, Henry ((^).— History of the Conquest of Spain
by the Arab Moors. With a sketch of the civilization
which they achieved and imparted to Europe.
2 vols., 12" ....... $5 00

"The most attractive account of the Moorish conquest of Spain." — A.

Prescott, W. H. (a).— History of the Reign of Ferdi-
nand and Isabella [1479-1516].
2 vols, 8^ [3 vols., 12°, $1.50] . . . . $500

"Conspicuous for thoroughness of research, keenness of insight, im-
partiality of judgment, and correctness and elegance of style." — A.

Irving, Washington {a). — Chronicles of the Conquest of
Granada.
2 vols., 16° [i vol., 16', 75 cts.] . ■. . $2 50

A eraphic account of the great struggle which led to the downfall of

the Moors.

" The almost matchless beauty of iu style."— A.

58 Suggesttons tor DousebolJ) Xlbrarfee

Prescott, W. H. (a). — History of the Reign of Philip
the Second, King of Spain [to 1580].
2 vols., 8° (2 vols , 12°, $3.00) . . . . $5 00

A monument of thorough study and research. Left incomplete by the
death of the author.

Napier, Sir W. F. P. (r).— History of the War in the
Peninsula and the South of France [1808-14J.

6 vols., 12° I15 00

"A model of force, elegance, and accuracy." — S.

Amicis, Edmondo de (a). — Spain and the Spaniards.

I vol., 12" $2 25

" A magician in words."

Crawfurd, Oswald (a). — Portugal, Old and New.

I vol., 8° $3 00

The author was for many years English Consul at Oporto.

iS. Switzerland.

Adams and Cunningham {a). — The Swiss Confedera-
tion.
I vol., 8° $3 75

McCrackan, W. D. (^).— The Rise of the Swiss Re-
public.

I vol., 8° . . . . . . . . $3 00

Mackenzie, Miss H. (b). — The History of Switzerland.

I vol., 12° $1 50

Zschokke, H. (a). — History of Switzerland, with con-
tinuation to 1848 by E. Zschokke.

1 vol., 12° $1 50

jg. Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland.

Du Chaillu, P. B. (.?).— The Viking Age.

2 vols., 8° $7 50

History, manners, customs, etc. 1400 illustrations.

Suggeetione tor 1}ousebolD Xibrarics 59

Keary, C. F. (a). — The Vikings of Western Christen-
dom [789-888].

I vol., 12" $2 50

Historical work of high value.

Wheaton, H. (/>). — History of the Northmen, or Danes
and Normans [to 1066].
I vol., 12° $3 50

A scholarly work of high order.

Dunham, Dr. S. A. (a). — History of Denmark, Sweden,
and Norway.

3 vols., 12" $6 00

" As a brief history these volumes still have no superior." — A.

Ott<, Miss E. C. (6). — Scandinavian History.

I vol., 12'' $2 50

Binding, Prof. Paul C. (a). — History of Scandinavia
from Early Times to the Present Day.
I vol., 12° $2 50

Gould, Rev. S. Baring- (<r). — Iceland : Its Scenes and
Sagas.

I vol., royal 8° $i8 CO

Elaborately illustrated.

Maccoll, Letitia {6). — The Story of Iceland.

I vol., i6° $1 50

Conybeare, C. A. V. (d). — Iceland : Its Place in History
of European Institutions.
I vol., 12° $2 00

20. Russia.

Rambaud, Alfred (a).— The History of Russia from the
Earliest Times to 1877. Translated by N. H. Dole.

3 vols., 8' $6 CO

The best history in English.

6o Suggestions for "fcougebolD Xlbtaries

Leroy-Beaulieu, Anatole (a). — The Empire of the Tsars
and the Russians. Translated by Z. A. Ragozin, with
annotations. The Country and its Inhabitants — The In-
stitutions— The Religion.

3 vols., 8° $9 oo

Contains the best informed, most wisely sympathetic, and soundest
critical judgments of Russia and her people. Unquestionably the fairest
descriptive work on Russia.

Wall&ce, D. M. (a).— Russia.

1 vol., 8" $5 oo

Admirable brief description of Russian people and affairs.

21. China and Japan.

Boulger, D. C. (<r). — A History of China. Revised edi-
tion.

2 vols., 8° $io oo

Williams, S. W. (a). — The Middle Kingdom. A Survey
of the Country, its People, History, etc.
2 vols., 8' $9 oo

Adams, F. O. (<r). — History of Japan, from the Earliest
Period.
2 vols., 8° $17 50

Rein, J. J. (b). — Japan : Travels and Researches. Also
The Industries of Japan, with account of its Arts,
Commerce, Forestry, and Agriculture.

2 vols., royal 8° $17 50

" The best general handbooks of Japan." — Nation.

Norman, H. (3). — Real Japan.

I vol., 12° $1 50

22. Great Britain.

Green, J. R. (a). — A Short History of the English
People [607-1873].

4 vols., royal 8°, elaborately illustrated . . $20 00

[i vol., 8°, M<f/$r.30.]

"A book of extraordinary merits. For the purposes of the general
reader it is superior to all other works of moderate compass," — A.

SnQQeetiowB tor f)oudebolO Xibrariee 6i

Gardiner, S. R. (a). — A Student's History of England
[B.C. 55-A.D. 1885].

3 vols., 12° $4 50

" Clear, yet concise, accurate, yet bright." — S.

Social England (a). — A History of Social Life in England.
A Record of the Progress of the People in Religion,
Laws, Learning, Arts, Science, Literature, Industry,
Commerce, and Manners. From the Earliest Times to
the Present Day. By various writers. Edited by H. D.
Traill.

L To the Accession of Edward I.
U. To the Death of Henry VI L

III. To the Death of Elizabeth.

IV. To the Death of Anne.

V. To the Battle of Waterloo.

VI. To the General Election of 1885,

6 vols., 8° $21 CO

Written by specialists, and occupying an important place in the field
of historical literature. Characterized by broad scholarsnip and editorial
discrimination, and forming a well rounded, continuous narrative.

Hume, David (d). — The History of England from the
Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688.

6 vols., 8° [6 vols., 12°, $3.00] .... $12 00

" In point of clearness, elegance, and simplicity of style it has never
been surpassed. Not considered authoritative by modem scholars." — A.
Of strong Tory bias.

Lingard, John (<). — A History of England from the First

Invasion of the Romans to the Accession of William

and Mary in 1688.

10 vols., S" . $25 00

" The great Roman Catholic authority. More or less biassed, but able
and scholarly." — A.

Knight, Charles (c). — The Popular History of England.

An Illustrated History of Society and Government, from
the Earliest Period to our own Times. Many excellent
illustrations.

9 vols. ,8° $22 50

" Not profound, but very readable, and thoroughly healthful in ton*."

62 SuQQcetions tot fjousebolo Xtbrartea

Low and Pulling (^).— The Dictionary of English His-
tory.
I vol., 8° . $6 CO

"A very useful book."— S.

Hosmer, James K. {a). — Short History of Anglo-Saxon
Freedom.

1 vol., 12° $2 OO

A sketch of constitutional history covering nearly 2000 years.

Gneist, Prof. Rudolph (^).— The History of the English
Constitution. Translated by Philip F. Ashworth.

2 vols., 8° $8 00

A learned work of highest authority. Covers the whole period em-
braced by Stubbs, Hallam, and May.

(i). — The Student's History of the English Par-
liament. Being a popular account of the growth and
development of the English Constitution from 800 to
1887. Translated by Prof. A. H. Keane.

1 vol., 8° . . . . . . . . $3 00

"Admirably done."

Stubbs, Bishop W. {l>). — The Constitutional History of
England : Origin and Development [to 1485].

3 vols., 12° «^/$7 80

" The greatest monument yet reared by English historical scholar-
ship."—Freeman.

Hallam, Henry (c). — The Constitutional History of Eng-
land [X485-1760].
3 vols., 12° [2 vols., 12°, $3.00] . . . . $5 25
" Learned and impartial, but in awkward and laborious style." — S.

May, Sir T. Erskine (c). — The Constitutional History
of England [1760- 1870].

2 vols., 12° $3 50

" More spirited and readable than Hallam. An invaluable political
text-book."— A.

Allen, Grant (a). — Anglo-Saxon Britain.

I vol., 16° $1 25

Suddeetione tor 1)ou6cbold Xibtraried 63

Green, J. R. (<■).

The Making of England.
The Conquest of England.

2 vols. ,8° $5 00

" The most satisfactory description of the Anglo-Saxon conquest and
settlement." — A.

Lappenberg, J. M. (c). — A History of England under the
Anglo-Saxon Kings. Translated from the German by
Benj. Thorpe.

2 vols., 12° $3 00

"A history of events rather than a description of the time." — A.

Palgrave, Sir Francis {c).—The Rise and Progress of
the English Commonwealth : Anglo-Saxon Period.

Containing the Anglo-Saxon Policy, and the Institutions

arising out of Laws and Usages which prevailed before

the Conquest.

2 \oh., 4°, 1S21 {out 0/ print) .... $25 00

" Surpasses every modem work in ingenious and profound antiquarian
erudition relative to English legal antiquities." — Chancellor Kent.

Rhys, J. (a). — Celtic Britain [nth century].

1 vol., 16'' $1 25

Freeman, E. A. (i).

The History of the Norman Conquest of England.

Its Causes and its Results.
7 vols., 8°; o. p. and very scarce . . . net $28 00

The Reign of William Rufus and the Accession

of Henry I.

2 vols. ,8° net $8 00

" The great authority and one of the greatest English historical works

ever written."— S. _ •

Would be more interesting if less diffuse.

Rogers, J. E. Thorold- {i). — Six Centuries of Work and

Wages, The History oi English Labor, 1250-1883.

I vol., 8^ $3 00

Traces the changes in the position of the laboring classes from the
time when many of the peasants were slaves or serfs.

64 Susfle0tioii5 for "fcouseboID Xibrarics

Rogers, J. E. Thorold- (l>). — The Economic Interpre-
tation of History. I vol., 8° $3 oo

An interesting sketch is given of the industrial life of the primitive
village, and then in subsequent chapters is told how the modem laborer,
capitalist, and landlord came into existence.

(c). — The Industrial and Commercial History of

England.

I vol., 8° $3 oo

" Discussed with lucidity and analytical power, and summed up with
painstaking care and a judicial mind."

Pearson, C. H. {/>). — English History in the Fourteenth
Century.

1 vol., 12" $1 50

(c). — History of England during the Early and

Middle Ages.

2 vols., 8" ....... . $10 00

" Distinctively a political history. The author is strongly impressed
with the continuity of British history." — A.

Stubbs, W. {a). — The Early Plantagenets.

I vol., 16° $1 00

" The Great Charter and the founding of the House of Commons are
the events of greatest importance. They have been described by the
author with brevity, but with rare ability and discrimination." — A.

Jusserand, J. J. (a). — English Wayfaring Life in the

Middle Ages. (14th Century.) Translated by Lucy

Toulmin Smith.

I vol., 8° |3 50

" One of the pleasantest and most carefully executed pictures of a side
of English mediaeval life." — Saturday Review.

Hall, Hubert t<^)— Court Life Under the Plantaganets.
I vol., 8° $4 50

Gairdner, James (a). — The Houses of Lancaster and
York, with the Conquest and Loss of France.

I vol., 16° $1 00

Compact and readable.

Suggestions for "fcouscbolD Xlbrarlcs 65

Ramsay, Sir J. H. (6). — Lancaster and York : A Cen-
tury of English History [1399-1485].

2 vols., 8° ....... . ttel%i) 00

" Full of minute and careful independent study." — S.

Fenn, Sir John {b). — Paston Letters, Written during
the Reigns of Henry IV., Edward IV., and Richard
III., by various Persons of Rank and Consequence.

3 vols., 12° $7 50

" 'Ihese letters, passing between the members of a family of some note,
are probably the best account now extant of social life in England during
the latter half of the fifteenth century. ... The great value of the
collection is in the fact that the letters give us a real view of the coarse-
ness of feeline, the rudeness of manners, and the low moral sense that pre-
vailed in England during the century when chivalry is supposed to have
been in its perfection."— A.

Froude, J. A. {b). — History of England, from the Fall of

Wolsey to the Death of Elizabeth [i 529-1 588].

12 vols., 12° $18 00

A work of great brilliancy and enormous popularity. An ingenious
specimen of special pleading in the attempt to reclaim the character of
Henry VIII. The best English scholars have little respect for Mr.
Froude's methods or authority. The coined word " froudacity " repre-
sents their attitude towards him.

More, Sir Thomas {c). — Utopia. Edited by Dibdin.

I vol., 8° [i vol., 12°, $1.50] . . . . $7 50

" Forcibly describes the social evils and abuses of the first half of the
i6th century." — S.

Hall, Hubert (c). — Society in the Elizabethan Age.
I vol., 8° $4 50

Ranke, Leopold von («^).— History of England: princi-
pally in the 17th Century.
6 vols., 8° «(r/$i7 50

" One of the greatest works of the foremost of living historians." — A.
"Specially strong in English foreign relations."— S.

Gardiner, S. R. {().

History of England from the Accession of James I.
to the Outbreak of the Civil War [1603-42].

10 vols., 12' $30 00

5

66 Suggestions for "fcousebolO Xlbcaries

Gardiner, S. R. (c). — Continued.

History of the Great Civil War [1642-49].
4 vols., 12° $10 00

" All of Mr. Gardiner's work is distinguished by its masterly grasp of
facts and its impartial and sober judgment." — S.

Clarendon, Edward, Earl of {c). — History of the Rebel-
lion and Civil Wars in England [1625-60].
7 vols., 8" [7 vols., 16°, $7.00] . . . «^/$i7 50

" Royalist ; by a leading participator in the events." — S.

Gardiner, S. R. {a). — The Puritan Revolution [1603-60].

1 vol., 16° $1 00

Bisset, Andrew {a).

History of the Struggle or Parliamentary Govern-
ment in England.

2 vols., 8° $7 50

History of the Commonwealth of England, from
the Death of Charles I. to the Expulsion of the Long
Parliament.

2 vols., 8° $12 00

From the Parliament side. Very able.

Macaulay, T. B. (a). — The History of England from the
Accession of James II. [1685-1702]. (The Intro-
duction covering 1660-85).
10 vols., 12° [5 vols., 12", $3.75] . . . $15 00

** The most brilliant and the most popular of all English histories."
— A.

Intensely partisan.

Ashton, John (a).— Social Life in the Reign of Queen
Anne.

I vol., 12° ........ $2 25

Burton, J. H. (a).— History of the British Empire dur-
ing the Reign of Queen Anne.

3 vols., 8° $13 50

" Accurate, careful, and very interesting." — S.

Suddcstfoiid tor 'f)oudeboID Xfbrarfee 67

Lecky, W. E. H. (a). — History of England in the
Eighteenth Century [1700-1800].
England, 7 vols. Ireland, 5 vols. 12 vols. $15 00

" Emphasizes national, social, and economic side. Whig." — S.

Stanhope, Earl, Lord Mahon (6). — History of England
from Anne to the Peace of Versailles [1701-83].
9 vols., 12" $18 00

" Impartial and temperate. Tory." — S.

" Has been considered the best history of Eneland during the period
just before and including the Revolutionary War. — A.

•'Junius " Letters [1769-71]. (c) With Woodfall's notes.

2 vols., 12° tut $2 00

Created much sensation on their appearance, owing to their boldness
and apparent acquaintance with State secrets. Authorship never discov-
ered. Attributed by best authorities to Sir Philip Francis.

" To one familiar with the principal events of the period, the Letters
of Junius will be of much value. To all others, uninteresting and point-
less."— A.

Massey, William {c). — A History of England during
the Reig^ of George III.

4 vols., 8° I15 00

" The author's sympathies are with the Whigs, and he criticises the
course of the government in its dealings with the American colonies."— A.

Walpole, Spencer (c). — A History of England from the
Conclusion of the Great War in 1815.

5 vols., 8° $36 00

" Not as popular as McCarthy's history by any means, but has merits
of more solid quality." — S.

Molesworth, W. N. (6) — The History of England, from
the Year 1830 to 1874.

3 vols., 12° $7 50

" A political history, from a liberal point of view. Pervaded with life
and spirit." — A.

McCarthy, Justin (a).— A History of Our Own Times,

from the Accession of Queen Victoria [1837-90].

5 vols., 8° [3 vols.. 12° $4.50] .... $24 00

" The work of a skilful journalist rather than that of a practical histo-
rian. But interesting and agreeable reading." — A.

68 QuQQCStione for iJousebolD Xibrariee

British Orations (a). — A selection of the more important
and representative Political Addresses of the past two
centuries. Edited by Pres. Charles K. Adams.
4 vols., i6° $5 oo

" His chief aim has been to give the great crucial speeches that maric
epochs of constitutional changes. . . . The result is a truly represent-
ative work." — Saturday Review.

Burton, J. H. (f). — The History of Scotland, from Agri-
cola's Invasion to the last Jacobite Insurrection [1748],

8 vols., 12° $25 00

"As a complete record of one of the most turbulent of all histories, it
is eminently successful." — A.

Walpole, C. G. {b). — History of Ireland from the Earliest
Times to the Union [1801].

I vol., 12° . $2 50

Froude, J. A. (3). — The Englisli in Ireland in the i8th
Century.

3 vols., 12° $4 50

"A vivid picture, written with great force ; but ' holding a brief.' " — S.

Two Centuries of Irish History [1691-1870] {h).

I vol., 8° $6 50

" The most complete history of Ireland for the last two centuries." — S.

Mill, James {b). — The History of British India. Edited,
with continuation, by Prof. H. H. Wilson.

9 vols., 8° $27 00

" A work of great ability, and of strong prejudices. Invaluable for
the student of the English policy in the East. — A.

Wheeler, J. T. (a). — India under British Rule : from the
foundation of the East India Company.
1 vol., 12° $3 50

Hunter, Sir W. W. {c), — The Indian Empire : Its People,
History, and Products.

I vol., 8° $12 00

Excellent for its statistics.

Malleson, Col. G. B. (a).— The Indian Mutiny of 1857.
I vol., 12° $1 75

Suggestions tor fjousebolJ) Xtbrariea f^g

Kinglake, A. W. (*). — History of the Invasion of the
Crimea.

9 vols., 12° $22 50

The great length of this work is excused by the fact that it is one of
the most brilliant pieces of historical writing that has appeared in modern
limes.

Sutherland, A. and G. (6). — History of Australia and
New Zealand, from 1606 to 1890.

I vol., 12° $1 25

Dilke, Sir G. W. (a).— Great Britain.

I vol., 8° $2 50

Nearly half the work treats of the Australian colonies.

2j. United States.

Mackenzie, Robert (a). — America : A History.

I vol., 12" . . . . . . , $1 00

" Popular : fairly good." — S.

Smith, Goldwin {a). — The United States : An Outline
of Political History [1492-1871].
1 vol., 12" ....... $2 00

On the whole, the most readable brief work. Fair, judicious, and
philosophical.

Eggleston, Edward (a). — The Household History of
the United States and its People.
I vol., 8" $2 50

Excellent popular work. Well illustrated.

Higginson, T. W. (a). — Young Folks' History of the
United States.
I vol., 12° $1 50

Very readable elementary work.

Johnston, Prof. Alex. (b). — History of the United States.

I vol., 12° ....... $1 50

Written for a text-book.

70 Suflgestlons for DouaebolO Xibcaries

Epochs of American History (12).

The Colonies, 1492-1763. By R. G. Thwaites.
Formation of the Union, 1763-1829. By A. B. Hart.
Division and Re-Union, 1829-1889. By Woodrow
"Wilson.
3 vols., 16° $3 75

Winsor, Justin, Editor (c). — Narrative and Critical
History of America.

8 vols., royal 8° w^/ $44 00

A very elaborate and valuable work. Fully illustrated. With biblio-
graphical and descriptive essays on the sources of American history.

Bryce, James (a). — The American Commonwealth.
2 vols., 8° «^'/$4 00

" Of transcendent importance." —A.

Not a history, but a very thorough and philosophical description of
American institutions and life, and the interrelation and workings of the
various branches of the national, state, and civic governments.

Nadaillac, Marquis de (a). — Prehistoric America. Trans-
lated by N. D'Anvers.
I vol., 8° . . . . . . . . $3 00

" The best book on this subject." — Nation.

Foster, J. W. (c). — Prehistoric Races of the United
States.

I vol., 8° $3 50

The author was an eminent ethnologist and archsologist.

Weise, A. J. {b). — The History of the Discoveries of
America to the Year 1525.

1 vol., 8° $4 50

The work presents the most important information of what was known
by the ancients respecting the Western Hemisphere, together with that
found in the Sagas in relation to the discoveries of the Northmen, and
also that contained in many rare books, manuscripts, and maps descrip-
tive of the early navigators.

Fiske, John (a). — The Discovery of America, with some
account of Ancient America and the Spanish Conquest.

2 vols., 12° $4 00

Suggestions for f)ousebolo Xlbrarfee 71

Doyle, J. A. (i>). — The American Colonies previous to
the Declaration of Independence.
I vol., 12° $2 00

Shows the early characteristics of the colonies and colonial life.

Lodge, H. C. (a). — A Short History of the English
Colonies in America.
I vol., 8° $3 00

" The life, the thought, the manners, and the habits of the people
wdl described." — A.

Doyle, J. A. (c). — The English in America.
Virginia, Maryland, the Carolinas. i vol.
Puritan Colonies. 2 vols.
3 vols., 8° $10 50

Based on documents in the Public Record office.

Palfrey, J. G. {c). — History of New England to the
Beginning of the Revolutionary War.
5 vols., 8° $20 00

" Not only the most satisfactory history of New England we have, but
one of the most admirable historical works ever produced in America." — A.

Fiske, John (a). — The Beginnings of New England;
or, The Puritan Theocracy in its Relations to Civil and
Religious Liberty.
1 vol., 12° . , $2 00

Frothingham, Richard (a). — The Rise of the Republic
of the United States.

I vol., 8° $3 50

"A history of the growth and sentiment of union." — S.

Parkman, Francis (a). — The French in North America.
Pioneers of France in the New World.
The Jesuits in North America.
La Salle and the Discovery of the Great West.
The Oregon Trail.

The Old Regime in Canada under Louis XIV.
Count Frontenac and New France under Louis

XIV.
Montcalm and Wolfe. 2 vols.

72 Suggestions for t>ou0ebolJ) Xibcacics

Parkman, Francis (a). — Continued.

The Conspiracy of Pontiac. 2 vols.

A Half-Century of Conflict. 2 vols.

12 vols., 8° ....... $24 00

A series of works of the very first importance. Written in a spirited
and picturesque style that makes them fascinating reading. Their popu-
larity has been and is enormous, and quite unprecedented for special his-
torical works,

Roosevelt, Theodore {a). — The Winning of the West.
From the Alleghenies to the Mississippi, 1769-83.
2 vols.

The Founding of the Trans-Allegheny Common-
wealths, 1784-90.

Louisiana and the Northwest, 1791-1809.
4 vols., 8° ....... . $10 00

" Written with the impartial soberness of history, warmed and colored
by a lively imagination. . . . Admirably done, and a valuable contribu-
tion to the history of the country." — Spectator.

Fiske, John {a). — The American Revolution.

2 vols., 12° $4 00

It may be said of all of Prof. Fiske's historical works, that they repre-
sent the very best modern scholarship, combined with most delightful and
, interesting style and methods.

(a). — The Critical Period of American History

[1783-89].

I vol., 12° $2 00

As fascinating as an intense novel. Immeasurably superior to any
other work treating of this period.

Bancroft, George {/>). — History of the United States

from the Discovery of the American Continent to

the Close of the Revolutionary War. Also History

of the Formation of the Constitution.

6 vols., 8° $15 00

" The result of fifty years of untirinz and almost uninterrupted labor.
. , . Not simply a narrative of events, Dut a philosophical discussion of
the various principles and ideas that have entered into the structure of
our government and society." — A.

But it is not a work that fascinates the average reader.

Suggesttone tor "fcousebolJ) Xlbraries 73

Roosevelt, Theodore (6). — The Naval War of 1812 ; or,
The History of the United States Navy during the
Last War V7ith Great Britain.

1 vol., 8° $2 50

" The reader of Mr. Roosevelt's book makes up his mind that he is
reading history and not romance, and yet no romance could surpass it in
interest."

McMaster, Prof. J. B. (a).— A History of the People of
the United States,

5 vols., 8" $12 50

Brilliantly written ; deals largely with social history. The first volume
is the most notable.

Four volumes only have appeared. The fifth is expected to bring the
work down to the Civil War.

Hildreth, Richard (<^).— History of the United States
from the Discovery of America to the End of the
1 6th Congress.

6 vols., 8° $12 00

"A history of sterling and permanent value ; somewhat dry but re-
ligiously accurate." — S.

It is a work that belongs with Bancroft.

Schouler, Prof. James (a). — History of the United States

under the Constitution [i 789-1861].

5 vols., 8° $12 50

On the whole the most readable continuous work now available that
covers the whole period from the formation of the Constitution to the be-
ginning of the Civil War.

Hoist, Prof. H. von (c). — The Constitutional and Politi-
cal History of the United States [i 756-1861]. Trans-
lated from the German.
8 vols., 8° «^/$25 00

"Unquestionably the ablest work that has yet been written on our
constitutional and political history. . . . Often shows disregard for
proper perspective. Poor and awkward literary style." — A.

Curtis, G. T. (6). — History of the Origin, Formation,
and Adoption of the Constitution.

2 vols., 8° $6 00

" Mr. Curtis had the advantage of a long and familiar acquaintance
with Daniel Webster, from whom he drew much of the spirit manifested
in the work." — A.

74 SuggeetionB (or 1)OU6ebold Xibraries

Scott, E. G. (a). — The Development of Constitutional
Liberty in the Eng^lish Colonies of America.

I vol., 8^ . . . . . . . . $2 50

" Subject treated thoroughly and with inaght." — Nation.

Constitutional History of the United States as Seen
in the Development of American Law. (a).

1 vol., 8" $2 00

Lectures in University of Michigan by Cooley, Hitchcock, Biddle,

Kent, and Chamberlain.

"A masterly survey of the subject."

Tocqueville, A. de(a). — Democracy in America. Trans-
lated by Henry Reeve.

2 vols., 8° ■ . . $5 cx)

"A work of undoubted genius. It may be described as a book of com-
ments and speculation on our political and social character." — A.

Fiske, John (a).

Civil Government in the United States virith Refer-
ence to Its Origin.

I vol., 12" «/-/$! GO

American Political Idea.

I vol., 12° I 25

Wilson, Woodrow (a) Congressional Government : A
Study of American Politics.

I vol., 12° $1 50

" A brilliant and very valuable book." — A.

Tiedeman, C. G. [6) The Unwritten Constitution of the
United States.

I vol., 12° $1 50

" Cannot be ignored by any student of constitutional history or national
political development."

Lalor, J. J., Editor (a) Cyclopaedia of Political Science,
Political Economy, and of the Political History of
the United States.

3 vols., 8° M<r/$r5 00

" Invaluable to the student of American history." — A.

Sugflcstions for ■|)ouBcbol^ Xlbrarlcs 75

Preston, H. W. (a) Documents Illustrative of American
History 1606-1863.

I vol., 8° $1 50

Thirty-two Documents, from the First Virginia Charter to the Emanci-
pation Proclamation. With notes and introduction. Of peculiar value.

Great Words for Great Americans (a), comprising the
Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, Washing-
ton's Circular Letter, Washington's Inaugurals and Fare-
well Address, Lincoln's Inaugural and Gettysburg Address.

I vol., 12° $1 50

" This admirable collection of immortal papers."

American Orations (a). From the Colonial period to the pres-
ent time. Selected with special reference to their value
in throwing light upon the more important epochs and
issues of American history. Edited by Prof. Alexander
Johnston and by Prof. A. Woodburn.

4 vols., 12° $5 00

" Very intelligently edited, the notes being exceedingly interesting and
valuable."

Johnston, Prof. Alex. (a). — History of Americatr Poli-
tics.
I vol., 16° $1 25

Outline of facts, dates, figures.
" A book of unusual merit." — A.

Cooper and Fenton (c). — American Politics from the
Beginning to the Present Time.

I vol., 8' $5 00

A valuable collection of facts and documents, party platforms, etc.,
embodying a non-partisan history of political parties. A useful reference
book.

Van Buren, Martin (<-). — History of Political Parties in
the United States.
I vol., 8° $3 50

BoUes, A. S. {<:). — Financial History of the United
States [1774-1885].

3 vols., 8" $9 50

Both readable and valuable for reference.

76 Suggestions tor "fcousebolD Xibraries

Drake, F. S. (c). — The Indian Tribes of the United
States.

2 vols., 4°. (Numerous plates) .... $25 00

Historj;, Antiquities, Relieion, Arts, etc.

An abridgement and revision, with additions, of Schoolcraft's work.

Adams, Henry (a). — History of the United States During
the Administrations of Jefferson and Madison
[1801-1817].

9 vols., 12° $18 GO

" Patriotic, but not unduly partisan."— S.

A worl< which has been accorded a very high rank by scholars, but has
not had the popularity it well deserves.

Rhodes, J. F. (c). — History of the United States, from
the compromise of 1850.
4 vols., 8°, each, $2 50

Contents: Vol. I., 1850-1854: Vol. II., 1854-1860: Vol. III., 1860-1862:
Vol. IV., 1862-1864.

The complete work is to extend to Cleveland's inauguration, 1885.

" In no recent contribution to the study of American politics is there so
true a sense of historical perspective as in these volumes."

Wilson, Henry {c) History of the Rise and Fall of the
Slave Power in America.

3 vols., 8° . . . . . . . . $9 00

A subjective history, written with much intensity of feeling.

Benton, T. H {b). — Thirty Years' View ; or, a History of
the Working of the American Government for Thirty
Years, 1820-1850.
2 vols., 8° $6 00

" A book of the greatest consequence. The author was a shrewd ob-
server, and during all the period of which he wrote, he was in the United
States Senate."— A.

Moses, Bernard, Professor of the University of California.

— The Establishment of Spanish Rule in America.

An Introduction to the History and Politics of Spanish

America.

12° $1 25

" A timely and well-prepared book. ... It covers the whole field
of Spanish government il traditions from the time of the crusades." —
Boston Globe.

Suggesttons tor Ijouscboio Xlbrarlcs 77

Greeley, Horace (a). — The American Conflict : A His-
tory of the Great Rebellion in the United States
of America, 1860-64 ; its causes, incidents, and results;
intended to exhibit especially its moral and political
phases, with the drift and progress of American opinion
respecting human slavery, from 1776 to the close of the
war for the Union.

2 vols., 8° $9 00

" The first half of the first volume is perhaps the best existing portrayal
of the cause that led gradually up to the connict." — A.

Draper, J. W. (d). — History of the American Civil War.

3 vols., 8° $10 50

Has an elaborate introduction on the influence of physical causes on
American historj'.

Paris, Comte de (i>). — History of the Civil War in
America. Translated.
4 vols., 8". i^Xot computed.) .... $1400
Chiefly a military history. The author participated in the war.

Johnson and Buell, (Editors) (^). — Battles and Leaders of

the Civil War.

4 vols., royal 8" ...... tiet%io 00

Elaborately illustrated. Comprises articles written by many of the
leading officers.

Stephens, A. H. {a). — A Constitutional View of the War
Between the States. Its Causes, Character, Con-
duct, and Result.
2 vols., 8° . . . . . . , $9 00

" There has probably been no abler presentation of the arguments of
the South."— A.

Johnson, Rossiter {a). — A Short History of the War of
Succession.
I vol., 8° $3 00

Very good brief risumi.

78 Sugaesttone tor fjousebold Xibrariea

Ropes, J. C. (a).— The Story of the Civil War. A con-
cise account of the War in the United States of America.
1861-65. (Will probably be completed in four parts.)
Numerous maps and plans.

Part I. To the Opening of the Campaigns of 1862.
Part II. The Campaigns of 1862.
2 vols., 8° . . . . . . . . $4 00

Hancock, H. Irving. — Life at West Point. The Making

of the American Army Officer : His Studies, Discipline,

and Amusements. With an Introduction by Colonel A.

L. Mills, Superintendent of the U. S. Military Academy.

12°, fully illustrated . , (By mail, $1 50); «^/|i 40

Benjamin, Park. — The United States Naval Aca-
demy. Being the Yarn of the American Midshipman
(Naval Cadet), showing his life in the old Frigates and
Ships-of-the-Line, and then at the Naval School at An-
napolis ; and how that Institution became a famous
Naval College, meanwhile making him into the most ac-
complished and versatile young Seaman in the World ;
together with some Reference to the Boys best suited for
the Navy, and what they must do and know to get into
the Naval Academy, and what they have to Expect while
there ; and also many Pictures all properly stopped to the
Yarn as it is handsomely paid out.
Illustrated, 8°, pp. xvi-|- 486 . . . . $250

Mexico, South America, and West Indies.

Prescott, W. H. (a). — History of the Conquest of
Mexico.

2 vols., 8°. (3 vols., 12°, $1 50) . . . $5 00

Bishop, W. H. {b).—0\A Mexico and Her Lost Pro-
vinces.

I vol., 12° . . $2 CX)

Sugaeetious for t>ou6ebolO Xibraries 79

Bancroft, H. H. (^).— Popular History of the Mexican
People.
I vol., 8' $6 00

Noll, A. H. (-^).— A Short History of Mexico.

I vol., 12° $1 50

Markham, C. R. (a).— A History of Peru.

I vol., 8° $2 50

Hancock, A. U. (a).— A History of Chile.

1 vol., 8° $2 50

Prescott, W. H. {a), — History of the Conquest of Peru.

2 Tols., 8° (2 vols., 12°, |i 00) . . $5 00

Eden, C. H. (a).— The West Indies.
I vol., 12° $1 40

St. John, Sir S. (a).— Hayti ; or, the Black Republic.

I vol., 12° $2 25

Siography.

1. Series.

2. Collective Works and Biographical Studies.

3. Individual Biographies, — Historical.

4. Individual Bic^raphies. — Literary, Artistic, and Miscel-

laneous.

Serifs.

Heroes of the Nations. A series of Bi<^aphical studies of
the lives and work of certain representative historical
characters, about whom have gathered the great traditions
of the Nations to which they belonged, and who have
been accepted, in many instances, as types of the several
National ideals. With the life of each typical character
is presented a picture of the National conditions sur-
rounding him during his career. The series is under the

8o Suggestions for "fcousebolD Xibrariea

Heroes of the Nations. — Continued.

editorial supervision of Evelyn Abbott, M.A., Fell«w of

Balliol College, Oxford.

12°. Each (half leather, $1.75) . . . . $1 50

To each " Hero " is given one volume, handsomely printed and ade-
quately illustrated.

Caesar, Julius [100 B.C.-44 b.c], and the foundation of

the Roman Empire. By W. Warde Fowler.
Cid Campeador, The [1040-99], and the Waning of

the Crescent in the West. By H. Butler Clarke.
Charles XII. [1682-1718], and the Collapse of the

Swedish Empire. By R. Nisbet Bain.
Cicero [106 b.c. -43 b.c] and the Fall of the Roman

Republic. By J. L. Strachan-Davidson.
Columbus, Christopher [1440-1506]. His Life and

Voyages. By Washington Irving.
Grant, Ulysses S. [1822-85], and the Period of

National Preservation and Reconstruction.

By Wm. C. Church.
Gustavus Adolphus [1594-1632], and the Struggle of

Protestantism for Existence. By C. R. L. Fletcher.
Hannibal [247 B.C.-183 b.c] and theCrisisof the Struggle

between Carthage and Rome.

By W. O'Connor Morris.
Henry of Navarre [1553-1610] and the Huguenots in

France. By P. F. Willert.
Henry the Navigator (Prince) [i 394-1463] and the

age of discovery in Europe. By C. R. Beazley.
Jeanne d'Arc [1411-31]. Her Life and Death.

By Mrs. M. O. W. Oliphant.
Julian the Philosopher [331-363] and the Last Struggle

of Paganism against Christianity.

By Alice Gardiner.
Lee, Robert E. [1807-70], and the Southern Confeder-
acy. By Prof. Henry A. White.
Lincoln, Abraham [1809-65], and the Downfall of

American Slavery. By Noah Brooks.

SuggcBtions for •fcouecbolD Xtbraries 8i

Heroes of the Nations. — Continued.

Lorenzo de Medici [1448-92]. By Edward Arm-
strong.

Louis XIV. [1638-1715] and the Zenith of the French
Monarchy. By Arthur Ilassall.

Napoleon [i 769-1821], Warrior and Ruler, and the
Military Supremacy of Revolutionary France.
By W. O'Connor Morris.

Nelson [1758-1805] and the Naval Supremacy of Eng-
land. By W. Clark Russell.

Pericles [492-429 b.c] and the Golden Age of Athens.
By Evelyn Abbott.

Robert the Bruce [i 274-1 329] and the Struggle for
Scottish Independence. By Sir Herbert Maxwell.

Saladin [1137-93] and the Fall of the Kingdom of
Jerusalem. By Stanley Lane-Poole.

Sidney, Sir Philip [1554-86]. Type of Chivalry in
the Elizabethan Age. By H. R. Fox-Bourne.

Theodoric the Goth [455-526]. The Barbarian Cham-
pion of Civilization. By Thomas Hodgkin.

Wyclif, John [1324-84]. Last of the Schoolmen, First
of the English Reformers. By Lewis Sergeant.

Bismarck. By J. W. Headlam.

Alexander the Great. By Benjamin I. Wheeler.

Charlemagne. By H. W. C. Davis.

Oliver Cromwell. By Charles Firth.

Richelieu. By J. B. Perkins.

Daniel O'Connell. By Robert Dunlop.

St. Louis (Louis IX). By Frederick Perry.

William Pitt (Lord Chatham). By W. D.

Owen Glyndwr. By A. G. Bradley .

Henry V. By C. L. Kingsford

Edward Plantagenet. By Edward Jenks,
Plutarch [ist Century]. — Lives of Illustrious Greeks and

Romans. The translation called Dryden's.

Edited by A. 11. Clough.
5 vols., 8° . . . . . . . 10 00

Green.

net $t

35

net I

35

net I

35

82 SuQQcetione for Ijousebold Xibraries

American Men of Letters.

i6°, each $i 25

Bryant, William Cullen [1794-1878].

By John Bigelow.
Cooper, James Fenimore [1789-1851].

By T. R. Lounsbury.
Curtis, George William [1824-92]. By Edward Carey.
Emerson, Ralph Waldo [1803-82].

By O. \V. Holmes.
Franklin, Benjamin [1706-90]. By J. B. McMaster.
Fuller, Margaret [1810-50]. By T. W. Higginson.
Irving, Washington [1783-1859J. By C. D. Warner.
Poe, Edgar Allan [1809-49]. By G. E. Woodberry.
Ripley, George [1809-80]. By O. B. Frothingham.
Simms, William Gilmore [1806-70]. By W. P. Trent.
Taylor, Bayard [1825-78]. By A. H. Smyth.
Thoreau, Henry D. [1817-62]. By F. B. Sanborn.
Webster, Noah [1782-1852]. By H. E. Scudder.
Willis, Nathaniel Parker [1807-67]. By H. A. Beers.

American Statesmen.

16°, each $1.25

Adams, John [1735-1826]. By J. T. Morse, Jr.
Adams, J. Q. [1767-1848]. By J. T. Morse, Jr.
Adams, Samuel [1722-1803]. By J. K. Hosmer.
Benton, Thomas H. [1782-1858].

By Theodore Roosevelt.
Cass, Lewis [1782-1866]. By A. C. McLaughlin.
Calhoun, John O. [1782-1850]. By H. Von Hoist.
Clay, Henry [1777-1852]. 2 vols. By Carl Schurz.
Franklin, Benjamin [1706-90]. By J. T. Morse, Jr.
Gallatin, Albert [1761-1849]. By J. H. Stevens.
Hamilton, Alexander [1757-1804]. By H. C. Lodge.
Henry, Patrick [1736-99]. By M. C. Tyler.
Jackson, Andrew [1767-1845]. By W. G. Sumner.
Jay, John [1745-1829]. By George Pellew.
Jefferson, Thomas [1743-1826]. By J. T. Morse, Jr.

QuQQeetione for "bouaebold Xtbraricd 83

American Statesmen. — Continued.

Lincoln, Abraham [1809-65]. 2 vols.

By J. T. Morse, Jr.
Madison, James [1751-1836]. By S. II. Gay.
Marshall, John [1755-1835]. By A. B. Magruder.
Monroe, James [1758-1831]. By D. C. Gilman.
Morris, Gouveneur [1752-1816J.

By Theodore Roosevelt.
Randolph, John [1773-1833]. By Henry Adams.
Seward, William H. [1801-1872]. T. K. Lothrop.
Van Buren, Martin [1782-1862J. By E. M. Shepard.
Washington, George [1732-1799]. 2 vols.]

By H. C. Lodge.
Webster, Daniel [1782-1852]. By H. C. Lodge.

English Men of Action.

22 vols., 12°, each ...... 75 cts.

Campbell, Colin (Lord Clyde) [1792-1863].

By A. Forbes.
Clive, Robert (Lord) [1725-74].

By Sir Charles Wilson.
Cook, Capt. James [1728-79]. By Walter Besant.
Dampier, William [1652-1715]. By W. Clarke Russell.
Drake, Sir Francis [1540-95. By Julian Corbett.
Dundonald, (Thomas Cochrane) loth Earl of [1775-

1860]. By Hon. J. W. Fortesque.
Gordon, Genl. (Charles George) [1833-85].

By Sir W. Butler.
Havelock, Sir Henry [1795-1857]. By A. Forbes.
Hastings, Warren [1732-1818]. By A. Lyall.
Henry V. (King of England) [1388-1422].

By Rev. A. J. Church.
La'wrence, (Sir John Laird Mair) Lord [1810-79].

By Sir Richard Temple.
Livingston, David [1813-73]. By Thomas Hughes.
Monk, George (Duke of Albermarle) [1608-70].

By Julian Corbett.

84 SuddCBtioitd for 'f)ou0ebold Xlbrades

English Men of Action. — Continued.

Montrose, (James Grahame) Marquis of [1612-50].

By Mowbray Morris.
Napier, Sir Charles John [1786-1860].

By Sir W. Butler.
Nelson, Horatio (Lord) [1758-1805].

By J. K. Laugh ton.
Peterborough, (Charles Mordant) Earl of [1658].

By W. Stabbing.
Rodney, (George Brydges) Lord [1718-92].

By David Hannay.
Strafford (Thomas Wentworth) Earl of [1593-1641].

By H. D. Traill.
Warwick (Richard Nevil) Earl of [1420-71.]

By C. W. Oman.
Wellington, (Arthur Wellesley) Duke of [i 769-1852].

By Geo. Hooper.
Wolfe, James [1726-59]. By A. G. Bradley.

English Men of Letters.

39 vols., 12°, each 75 cts. ..... $29 25

39 vols, in 13 . . . . . 13 00

Addison, Joseph [1672-1714]. By W. J. Courthope.

Bacon, Francis [1561-1626]. By R. W. Church.

Bentley, Richard [1662-1742]. By R. C. Jebb.

Bunyan, John [1628-88]. By J. A. Froude.

Burke, Edmund [1730-97]. By John Morley.

Burns, Robert [1759-96]. By J. C. Schairp.

Byron, (George Gordon Noel) Lord. By John Nichol,

Carlyle, Thomas [1795-1881]. By John Nichol.

Chaucer, Geoffrey [1328-1400]. By A. W. Ward.

Coleridge, Samuel Taylor [1772-1834].
By H. D. Traill.

Cowper, William [1731-1800]. By Goldwin Smith.

DeFoe, Daniel [1661-1731]. By Wm. Minto.

DeQuincey, Thomas [1785-1859]. By David Masson.

Dickens, Charles [1812-70]. By A. W. Ward.

Suggestions for "fcousebolD Xtbraries 85

English Men of Letters. — Continued.

Dryden, John [1631-1700]. By G. Saintsbury.
Fielding, Henry [1707-54]. By Austin Dobson.
Gibbon, Edward [1737-94]. By J. C. Morrison.
Goldsmith, Oliver [1728-74]. By Wm. Black.
Gray, Thomas [1716-71]. By E. W. Gosse.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel [1804-64]. By Henry James.
Hume, David [171 1-76]. By T. H. Huxley.
Johnson, Samuel [1709-84]. Leslie Stephen.
Keats, John [1796-1821J. By Sidney Colvin.
Lamb, Charles [1775-1834]. By Alfred Angler.
Landor, Walter Savage [i 775-1 864J.

By Sidney Colvin.
Locke, John [1632-1704]. By Thomas Fowler.
Macaulay, Thomas B. [1800-59].

By J. Cotter Morrison.
Milton, John [1608-74]. By Mark Pattison.
Pope, Alexander [1688-1744J. By Leslie Stephen.
Scott, Sir Walter [1771-1847]. By R. H. Hutton.
Shelley, Percy Bysshe [1792-1822].

By J. n. Symonds.
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley Butler.

By Mrs. Oliphant.
Sidney, Sir Philip [1554-86]. By J. A. Symonds.
Southey, Robert [1774-1843]. By E. Dowden.
Spenser, Edmund [1553-98]. By R. W. Church.
Sterne, Laurence [1713-68J. By 11. D. Traill.
Swift, Jonathan [1667- 1745]. By Leslie Stephen.
Thackeray, Wm. M. [1811-63]. By Anthony Trollope.
Wordsworth, William [1770-1S50]. By F. Meyers.

Heroes of the Reformation.

Each, I Vol., 12° $1.50

Luther, Martin [1483-1546]. By Henry E. Jacobs.
Erasmus, Desiderius [1467-1536].
By Ephraim Emerton.

86 Sudgestions for f>oudebol& Xibrariee

Heroes of the Reformation. — Continued.
Melanchthon, Philip [1497-1560].

By James W. Richard.
Zwingli, Huldreich [1484-1531].

By Samuel Macauley Jackson. . . . $2 00
Cranmer, Thomas [1489-1556].

By A. F. Pollard . . . . »^/|l 35

Knox^ John [1505-72].

By Henry Cowan.
Calvin, John [1509-64].

By Williston Walker.
Beza, Theodore [1519-1605].

By Henry M. Baird.
Hiibmaier, Balthasar. By Henry C. Vedder.

Queen's Prime Ministers.

9 vols., 12° ...... each $1 00

Aberdeen, (George Hamilton Gordon) Earl of [1784-

1860]. By Sir A. Gordon.
Beaconsfield (Benjamin Disraeli) Earl of [1805-1881].

By J. A. Froude.
Derby (Edward Geoffrey Smith Stanley) 14th Earl of

[ 1 799-1 869]. By George Saintsbury.
Gladstone, The Right Hon. Wm. Ewart [1809-98].

By G. W. E. Russell.
Melbourne (William Lamb) Viscount [1779-1848].

By Henry Dunckley.
Palmerston, (Henry John Temple) Viscount [1784-

1865]. By the Marquis of Lome.
Peel, Sir Robert [17S8-1850J. By Justin McCarthy.
Russell, Lord John [1792-1878]. By Stuart J. Reed].
Salisbury, [Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoigne - Cecil)

Marquis of [1830- J. By H. D. Traill.

Twelve English Statesmen.

12 vols., 12° Each 75 cts.

Chatham, (William Pitt) Earl of [1708-78].

By John Morley.
Cromwell, Oliver [1599-1658]. By Frederic Harrison.

Sudgeetions for 1}oudebold Xtbraries 87

Twrelve English Statesmen. — Continued.

Elizabeth, Queen of England [1533-1603].

By E. S. Beesley.
EdTvard I., King of England [1233-1307].

By J. F. Tout.
Henry II., King of England [1133-89]. By J. R. Green.
Henry VII., King of England [1456-1509].

By James Gardiner.
Peel, Sir Robert [1788-1850J. By J. R. Thursfield.
Pitt, The Right Hon. William [1759-1806].

By Lord Rosebery.
• Walpole, Horace (4th Earl of Oxford) [1717-97]-

By John Morley.
William III., or William Henry, King of England

[1650-1702]. By H. D. Traill.
William the Conqueror [1025-1087].

By E. A. Freeman.
Wolsey, Thomas (Cardinal) [1471-1530].

By Bishop Creighton.

American Men of Energjy Series.

Illustrated, 12" Each $1 50

Benjamin Franklin.
General Israel Putnam.
General Thomas Knox.
Paul Jones.

John J. Audubon »<f/ $1 35

James Lawrence, Captain U. S. N. net i 35

Collective Works and Biographical Studies.

Bayne, Peter, — The Chief Actors in the Puritan Revo-
lution.
I vol $4 80

James I., Laud, Henrietta Maria, Charles I., Charles II., Argyle,
Montrose, Milton, Vane, Cromwell, Clarendon.

Beesly, A. H, — The Gracchi, Marius and Sulla.

I vol., 16' $1 00

8S Susgestiond for t>ou6ebold Xibcariea

Beesley, E. S. — Catiline, Clodius, and Tiberius.

1 vol., 12° $2 40

A defence.

Bourne, H. R. Fox. — English Seamen Under the
Tudors.

2 vols., 8° $8 40

Brougham, Henry, Lord. — Statesmen of the Time of
George III.

1 vol., 12° $2 00

Campbell, Lord. — Lives of the Lord Chancellors [Saxon
to 1838].

10 vols., 12° $17 50

Lives of the Chief Justices [to 1832].

4 vols., 12° . . ^ $7 00

Cox, G. W. — Lives of Greek Statesmen.

2 vols., 16° $2 00

Solon to Themistocles. Pausanias to Hermocrates.

Daly, Dr. J. B. — Radical Pioneers of the Eighteenth
Century.

I vol., 12° $2 50

Wilkes, Home Tooke, Tom Paine, Priestly, Burke, and others,

Dobson, Austin. — Four Frenchwomen.

1 vol., 12° $2 00

Charlotte Corday, Mme. Roland, Princess de Lambelle, Mme. de
Genlis.

Dixon, W. H. — History of Two Queens.

4 vols., 8° 24 00

Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn.

Evirald, A. C. — Representative Statesmen. Political
Studies.

2 vols. $9 60

Stafford, Halifax, Walpole, Chatham, Pitt, Eldon, Canning, Wellington,
Peel, Palmerston.

SuQQeetione for f)ou8ebolO Xibraries 89

Fitzgerald, Percy. — History of Royal Dukes and Prin-
cesses of Family of George III.
2 vols., 8" $12 00

Forster, John. — Lives of Eminent British Statesmen of
Commonwealth.

7 vols., 12° $14 CO

Cromwell, Eliot, Hampden, Martin, Pym, Vane, Wentworth.

The Caesars. The Tragedy of the Caesars.

By S. Baring Gould.

2 vols., royal 8° $7 50

Personal history of the Emperors of the Julian Claudian lines.

Green, Mrs. Mary A. E. — Lives of the Princesses of

England.

6 vols., 12° $25 00

From the Norman Conquest to the four daughters of Charles I. A
companion to Strickland's Queens."

Johnson, Samuel. — Lives of the Poets.

3 vols. . $3 00

Cowley, Milton, Otway, Dryden, Addison, Prior, Congreve, Gay,
Swift, Pope, Gray, Lyttleton, and their contemporaries.

Kavanagh, Julia. — Woman in France in the Eighteenth
Century.

2 vols., 12° $4 GO

English Women of Letters.

2 vols., 12" $7 50

Mme. D'Arblay, Mrs. Radcliffe, Lady Morgan, Mrs. Inchbald, Maria

Edgeworth, Jane Austen.

Little Journeys to the Homes of Famous Persons.

A series of literary studies, edited by Elbert Hubbard.

5 vols., 16°. Portraits and other illustrations . $8 75

" The series is well conceived and excellently sustained. The most
captious critic could not suggest an improvement. Never was there more
satisfactory packing, in more attractive shape, of matter worth at least ten
times the money." — Buffalo Commercial.

go Suggedtions tor f)ou6eboId Xibraries

1. To the Homes of Good Men and Great.

1. Eliot. 5. Turner. g. Thackeray.

2. Carlyle. 6. Swift. 10. Dickens.

3. Ruskin. 7. Hugo. 11. Goldsmith.

4. Gladstone. 8. 'Wordsworth. 12. Shakespeare.

2. To the Homes of American Authors.

1. Emerson. By George 7. Hawthorne. By Geo.

Wm. Curtis. Wm. Curtis.

2. Bryant. By Caroline 8. Audubon. By Parke

M. Kirkland. Godwin.

3. Prescott. By Geo. S. 9. Irving. By H. T.

Hillard. Tuckerman.

4. Lowell. By Charles F. 10. Longfellow. By Geo.

Briggs. Wm, Curtis.

5. Simms. ByWm. Cullen 11. Everett. By Geo. S.

Bryant. Hillard.

6. Walt Whitman. By 12. Bancroft. By Geo. W.

Elbert Hubbard. Green,

3. To the Homes of Famous Women.

1. Elizabeth Barrett 7. Madame de Stael.

Browning.

2. Madame Guyon. 8. Elizabeth Fry.

3. Harriet Martineau. g. Mary Lamb,

4. Charlotte Bronte. 10. Jane Austen.

5. Christina Rossetti. 11. Empress Josephine.

6. Rosa Bonheur. 12. Mary Wollstonecraft

Shelley.

d. To the Homes of American Statesmen.

I. 'Washington. 5. Hancock. 9. Clay.

3. Franklin. 6. Adams (J. Q.) 10. Jay.

3. Hamilton. 7. Jefferson. 11. Seward.

4. Adams (S.) 8. Webster. 12. Lincoln.

5. To the Homes of Eminent Painters.

1. Michael Angelo. 7. Fortuny.

2. Rembrandt. 8. Ary Scheffer.

3. Rubens. 9. Jean Frangois Millet.

4. Meissonier. 10. Joshua Reynolds.

5. Titian. 11. Landseer.

6. Antony Van Dyke. xa. Guatave Doti.

Suddeetions tor t)oudeboId Xibraries 91

Marriott, J. A. R. — The Makers of Modern Italy.

I vol., 12° $2 50

Mazziui, Cavour, Garibaldi.

Oliphant, Mrs. M. O. W.'— Makers of Florence.

I vol., 12'. $2 50

Dante, Giotto, Savonarola, and their city.

Makers of Venice.

I vol., 12° $2 50

Doges, Conquerors, Painters, and Men of Letters.

Makers of Modern Rome.

1 vol., 12° $2 50

I. Honorable Women not a few.

a. The Popes who made the Papacy.

3. Lo Popolo, and the Tribune of tne People.

4. The Popes who made the City.

Rogers, J. E. T. — Historical Gleanings.

2 vols., 12° $4 CO

Montagu, Walpole, Adam Smith, Cobbett, Wicklif, Laud, Wilkes,
Home Tooke.

Smith, Goldwin. — Three English Statesmen.

I vol., 12'' $1 50

Pym, Cromwell, Younger Pitt.

Strickland, Agnes, — Lives of the Seven Bishops Com-
mitted to the Tower in 1668.

Saucroft, Lake, White, Turner, Ken, Lloyd, Trelawny.

Lives of the Queens of England.

8 vols., 8° $16 00

Includes the British and Saxon Queens, and the later Queens from
Matilda to Anne.

Lives of the Tudor and Stuart Princesses.

I vol., 12° . $2 00

Lives of the Queens of Scotland and English

Princesses connected with the Royal Succession of
Great Britain.

8 vols., 12° $3000

92 SviQgcetione tor t)ou0ebold Xibrariea

Suetonius. — Lives of the Twelve Caesars. Translated
by Dr. A. Thomson.

r vol., royal 8° $3 75

A collection of memoirs, anecdotal and personal.

Stephen, Leslie. — Studies of a Biographer.

4 vols., 12° ....... net$boo

Vol. I. : Vol. II. :

National Biography, The Story of Scott's Ruin,

The Evolution of Editors, The Importation of German,

John Byrom, Matthev<^ Arnold,

Johnsoniana, Jovtrett's Life,

Gibbon's Autobiography, Oliver Wendell Holmes,

Arthur Young, Life of Tennyson,

■Wordsworth's Youth. Pascal.

Stephen is one of the soundest of our critics. His cool, shrewd judg-
ment IS refreshing in contrast to the tall talk which has been only too
common with modern biographers.

Timbs, John. — Lives of the Wits and Humorists.

2 vols., 12° $5 OO

Swift, Steele, Foote, Goldsmith, Colman, Sheridan, Porson, Sydney
Smith, Theo. Hook, H. J. Smith.

Vasari. — Lives of Sixty of the Most Eminent Painters,

Sculptors, and Architects. Edited in the light of

recent discoveries by E. H. and E. W. Blashfield and A.

A. Hopkins.

4 vols., 8° $8 OO

Individual Biographies. Historical and Political.

Albert, Prince [Consort of Queen Victoria, 1819-61]. Life.
By Theodore Martin.
5 vols., 12° $10 00

Alexander the Great [b.c. 356-323 J. Life. And the Ex-
tension of Greek Rule and Greek Ideas.
By Benj. I. Wheeler.
I vol., 12' . . . ... . . . |l 50

SttQQCBtione for Ijousebold Xtbraried 93

Alfred the Great [848-901]. Life. By Thomas Hughes.
I vol., 12° $1.75

" One of the most perfect characters to be found on the page of
hutory.**— T.

Anselm, St. [Archbishop of Canterbury, 1034-nog]. Life.
By R. W. Church.

1 vol., 12° $2 00

" Considered as the reviver of metaphysics after the fall of the Roman
Empire." — T.

Bacon, Francis [1561-1626J. Life and Times. By Spedding.

2 vols., 8° $8 40

Bameveldt, John of [1542-1619J. Life and Death.
By J. L. Motley.
2 vols., 8" $4 00

Bayard, Chevalier [1476-1524]. Story of. By G. de Berville

[translated].
I vol., 16° $1 00

" Perhaps no other i)erson who acted so unimportant a part in the
world ever attained so wide and just a renown."

Beaconsfield, Earl of [1805-81]. Life, Character, and
Works. By Geo. Brandes [translated].

1 vol., 12° $4 20

Bismarck, K. O. [1813-98]. Autobiography.

2 vols., 8° $9 00

Becket, Thomas k [Archbishop of Canterbury, 11 17-70].

Life and Times. By J. A. Froude.

I vol., 12° $2 50

The first Saxon Archbishop of Canterbury after the Norman Con-
quest. Assassinated by order of Henry II.

Bright, John [1811-89]. Life and Times. By W. Robertson.
I vol., 12° $3 00

Brougham, Henry [ist], Lord [1779-1868]. Life and
Times. By himself.

3 vols., 12° $6 00

94 Sudgeetione for 130u^eboI^ Xfbrarfes

Bruce, Robert [1274-1329]. And the Struggle for Scottish
Independence. By Sir Herbert Maxwell.

1 vol., 12° $1 50

Bunsen, Baron C. C. J. [1791-1860]. Memoirs. By his
widow.

2 vols., 8° . . . . . . . $12 00

" He acquired a position and an influence in English society which had
never before been possessed by a German diplomatist." — Edinb. Review.

Burr, Aaron [1756-1836J. Life. By James Parton.

2 vols., 8° $6 00

Caesar, Julius [b.c, 100-44]. Life. And the Foundation
of the Roman Empire. By W. Warde Fowler.

I vol., 12" $1 50

"Appreciative, even enthusiastic, but never extravagant." — Academy

Caesar, Julius. A Sketch. By J. A. Froude.

I vol., 12° $1 50

Very eulogistic.

Canning, George [i 770-1827]. Life and Times.
By A. G. Stapleton.

1 vol., 8° $6 40

Carroll, Charles, of CarroUton [1737-1832]. Life, Letters,
and Public Papers. Edited by Kate M. Rowland.

2 vols., 8° net ^ 00

The last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Cellini, Benvenuto [1500-71]. Autobiography. Translated
by J. Addington Symonds.

2 vols., 12° .... . . $3 00

A famous book. The author was a contemporary of Raphael and
Michelangelo, — a worker in metals. Gives an excellent view of the man-
ners and people of the time.

Charles the Bold [Duke of Burgundy, 1433-77]. Life.
ByJ. F. Kirk.

3 vols., 8° $6 00

An excellent picture of the desperate struggle for the establishment and
maintenance of an independent monarchy along the Rhine.

Sudgedtions tor 1)oudebold Xfbraried 95

Charles V. [Don Carlos I. of Spain, afterwards Emperor of
Germany, 1500-58]. History. By W. Robertson.
Edited by Prescott.
3 vols., 12° $4 50

Commines, Philip de [1445-1509]. Memoirs. Containing
the Histories of Louis XI. and Charles VIII., and of
Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.

2 vols., 12° nef$2 CO

The author has been called the father of modern history. He was the
first author of modem times to reason with sagacity on the character of
men and the consequences of their actions. He was chamberlain and
councillor to Charles the Bold, and afterwards to Louis XI.

Cicero, Marcus TuUius [b.c. 106-43]. Life. And the

Fall of the Roman Republic. By J. L. Strachan-Davidson.

I vol., 12° $1 50

" Few biographies have greater charm of manner, and few succeed in
investing the subject with such universal interest." — Public Opinion.

Cobden, Richard [1804-65]. Life. By John Morley.
1 vol., 8° $3 00

Charles XII. [King of Sweden, 1682-1719]. Life. And the
Collapse of the Swedish Empire. By R. N. Bain.
I vol., 12° $1 50

" Cid Campeador " [1040-1090]. Life. And the Waning
of the Crescent in the West. By H. B. Clarke.
I vol., 12° $1 50

Columbus, Christopher [1435-1506]. Life and Voyages;
to which are added those of his Companions.
By Washington Irving.

3 vols., 12° $4 50

Cromw^ell, Oliver [1590-1658]. Life and Speeches. '
By Thomas Carlyle.

4 vols. ,8° $5 00

" Since its appearance, and owing to it, public opinion as to Cromwell
may be said to nave been almost reversed. — S.

96 Suddeetione for f>oudeboId Xibratfed

Crom^vell, Oliver. A History. Comprising a narrative of ,

his Life, with extracts from his Letters and Speeches,

and an account of the Political, Religious, and Military

Affairs of England during his time. By S. H. Church.

I vol., 8° $3 oo

The author, regarding Hume's treatment of Cromwell as unjust be-
cause disparaging, and Carlyle's as unjust because exalting, has en-
deavored to form an impartial opinion of the great Puritan's character.

DeWitt, John [Grand Pensioner of Holland, 1625-72].
Life. By M. A. Pontalis.
2 vols., 8° $Q 00

Period of the Invasion of Louis XIV.

Edward IH. [1312-77]. Life and Times. ByW, Longman.

2 vols., 8° . . $12 00

Evelyn, John [i 620-1 706]. Diary and Correspondence.
4 vols., 12° «^/$6 00

"Covers the period 1641-1705. Evelyn was a devoted royalist." — S.

" Those objects which interested Evelyn were the very things which
Pepys cared least about. In this way the works supplement each other,
and give us the most perfect view we have of the manners and customs
in England during the latter part of the 17th century."— A.

Fox, Charles J. [1749-1806]. Life and Times.
By Lord John Russell.

3 vols., 12° ....... $12 00

" The most accomplished debater that ever appeared on the theatre of
public affairs." — S.

Fox, Charles J. Early History. By G. O. Trevelyan.

I vol., 8" $2 50

" May be regarded as the best history we have of the English govern-
ment from the fall of the Whigs in 1760 to the close of the American war.
. . . As instructive as it is fascinating." — A.

Francis 1. [1494-1547]. Court and Reign. By Julia Pardoe,

3 vols., 8" 15 00

" The father of French literature."

Franklin, Benjamin. Autobiography.

I vol., 16° $1 00

Franklin, Benjamin [1706-go]. Life. By John Bigelow.
3 vols., 12° $4 50

SnQQestions for fjoudebold Xibraries 97

Frederick II. [the Great, 1712-86J, Life.

By Thomas Carlyle.

10 vols., 12° $12 50

" A work of superlative genius, which defies every canon of criticism,
and sets at nouzht every rme of historical composition. It is a succession
of startling flashes and detonations. There is scarcely a paragraph that
does not contain in itself either a poem or a picture."— A.

Garrison, W. L. [1805-79]. The Story of his Life.
By his children,
4 vols., 8° . $12 00

Gladstone, W. E. [1809-98]. Life, By Justin McCarthy.

1 vol., 8' $6 00

Gladstone, W. E. Life. By J. Wemyss Reid.

2 vols., 8° . , , . . . . . ^50

Grant, Ulysses S. [1822-84]. Personal Memoirs.

2 vols., 8" . . $7 00

Greeley, Horace [1811-72]. By James Parton.

I vol., 8^ $2 50

Greville, C. C. F. [1794-1865]. Journal of the Reigns of
George IV., William IV., and Victoria.
8 vols., 12° ....... $16 00

Guesclin, Bertrand du [1314-80] His Life and Times.
By E. V. Stoddard,

I vol., 8° $1 75

" It breathes the old chivalry, and is a romantic and thrilling account

of some of the most stirring episodes of old France."

Guizot, F. P. G. [1787-1874]. Memoirs of His Own Times.

4 vols., 8° $20 00

Comparing him to Burke and Pitt, the Edinburgh Review says:
" Guizot stands before them both in the rare union of the contemplative
and active faculties."

Gustavus Adolphus [1594-1632]. Life, and the Struggle

of Protestantism for Existence. By C. R. Fletcher.

I vol., 12" $1 50

There is no more consistent and intelligible account of one of the mas-
ter spirits of this confused period of European history.

98 SuddCdtione tor 1}oudeboID Xfbraries

Hampden, John [1594-1643]. Memorials, and of bis Times.

By Lord Nugent.

I vol., 12° «//$! 50

" He was possessed with the most absolute spirit of popularity, and the
most absolute faculties to govern the people of any man I ever knew." —
Clarendon.

Hannibal [b.c. 247-183]. Life, and the Crisis of the Strug-
gle between Carthage and Rome.
By W. O'Connor Morris.
I vol., 12° . i $1 50

Hannibal asserted that Alexander was the greatest general the world
had ever seen, Pyrrhus the second, and himself the third.

Henry III. [1551-89]. His Court and Times.
By M. W. Freer.
3 vols., 8° $15 00

" Filled with pictures of the ceremonies and vanities of a pompous but
disgusting reign. The author shows how the king in public could put
himself in chains, kneel in ashes, and wear a chaplet of skulls, while in
private he slept in white satin with embroidered gloves, and his face
smeared with perfumed unguents."

Henry IV. [of Navarre, 1553-1610]. Life, and the Hugue-
nots in France. By P. F. Willert.
I vol., 12° $1 50

A vivid and life-like biography, with a luminous sketch of the re-
ligious struggles of his time.

Jeanne d'Arc [1402-31]. Her Life and Death.
By M. O. W. Oliphant.
I vol., 12° $1 50

Lincoln, Abraham [1809-65]. A History. By Nicolay
and Hay.
ID vols., 8° $20 00

Lincoln, Abraham. Life. By Noah Brooks.

I vol., 12° $1 50

The best brief popular life.

Lincoln, Abraham. A Study. By Carl Schurz.

1 vol., 12° $1 00

A very brilliant essay.

Suggestions for "fcousebolO Xibraries 99

Louis IX. [Saint Louis, 1214-70]. The Good Saint Louis

and his Times. By Mrs. Bray.

I vol., 12° . • $3 00

" Louis was," says Voltaire, " in all respects a model for men. He
made a profound policy agree and concur with exact justice ; and perhaps
he is the only sovereign wno merits this praise."

Louis XL [1423-83]. Memoirs of his reign.
By P. F. Willert.

1 vol., T2° $1 50

The age of Louis XL was not only the time when a new political order
was built up out of the decay of feuaalism, but also the time when physi-
cal force b<^;an to give way before the subtlety of diplomatic methods.

Louis XIV. [1638-1715]. And the Court of France.

By Julia Pardoe.

3 vols., 8° $15 00

Miss Pardoe had an especial gift for seeing the interesting features of
society and events.

Louis XIV. And the Zenith of the French Monarchy.
By Arthur Hassall.

1 vol., 12" $1 50

" No soverei^^," says Macaulay, " has ever represented the majesty of
a great state with more dignity and grace. . . . He was not a great
general ; he was not a great statesman ; but he was, in one sense of the
words, a great king,

Louis XV. [1710-74]. The Old Regime. By Lady C. C.
Jackson.

2 vols., 8° $3 50

Louis XVI. [1754-93]. French Court and Society.
By Lady C. C. Jackson.
2 vols., 8° $3 50

Macchiavelli, Niccolo di [1469-1527]. Life and Times.

By P. Villari. Translated by Lineus Villari.

I vol., 12° $2 so

" His history of Florence is enough to immortalize the name of Mac-
chiavelli. Seldom has a more giant stride been made in any department of
literature than by this judicious, clear, and elegant history."— Hallan.

loo Sudd^stfone tor 'f)ouseboI^ Xibraries

Mahomet and His Successors [570-632]. Life.

By Washington IrVing.

2 vols., 12° . . . . , . . $3 00

" I f_the_ religion of Mahomet was immeasurably inferior to the religion
of Christ, it was in most respects greatly superior to every form of pagan-
ism of which we have any knowledge."

Marie Antoinette [1755-93]. Life. By M. de la Roche-
terie [translated].

2 vols., 8° $7 50

Marie Antoinette, Private Life. By Mme. Campau.
I vol., 12° ........ f 2 50

Marie de Medicis [1573-1642]. Life. By Julia Pardee.

3 vols., 8° $15 CO

Mazarin, Cardinal Jules [1602-61].. Life.
By Gustave Masson.
I vol., 12° $1 50

Medici, Lorenzo de' [the Magnificent, 1448-92]. Life.
By Edmund Armstrong.

1 vol., 12° $1 50

Medici, Lorenzo de'. Life.

By Alfred Von Reumont. Translated from the German.

2 vols., 8° $9 00

Not merely a biography of Lorenzo, but a history of Italy at the time
when Lorenzo was its most important ngure.

Milton, John [1608-74]. Life and Times. By David Masson.

6 vols., 8° $36 CO

" A minute history of the times." — S.

Napoleon [1769-1821]. History. By P. Lanfrey.

4 vols., 8" $9 00

" Impartial but severe ; has revolutionized public opinion about
Napoleon. Left unfinished by author's death." — S,

Suggestiond for 'fcoudebolD Xibrariee loi

Napoleon. Warrior and Ruler, and the Military Supremacy
of France. By W. O'Connor Morris.

1 vol., 12° $1 50

"Interesting and well arranged. Distinctly eulogistic, but not
partisan." — S.

" Certainly the best modern account of Napoleon in the English lan-
guage. ' ' — A cademy.

Napoleon. Memoirs of his Court and Family.
By Mme. Junot (D'esse d'Abrantes).

4 vols., 8° $15 00

Napoleon. Memoirs. By Mme. de Remusat.

2 vols., 8° $3 00

"Graphic picture of his household by one of Josephine's maids of
honor. Exhibits his intense selfishness and egotism."— S.

Nelson, Horatio, Lord [1758-1805J. Life, and the Naval
Supremacy of England. By W, Clark Russell.

1 vol., 12° $1 50

"If there was ever a national hero in the true sense of the termj Nelson
is the man, and a writer more capable of dealing in the proper spirit with
so splendid a theme, it would indeed be hard to find.

Paine, Thomas [1737-1809]. Life. By Moncure D. Conway.

2 vols., 8° $5 00

" Paine's life is now for the first time before us. . . . It seems to us
impossible to doubt that he was a noble-hearted man. ... A work
well done, and well worth the doing." — Churchman.

Palmerston, Viscount [1784-1865]. Life.
By Bulwer and Ashley.

5 vols., 8° $25 00

Peel, Sir Robert [1788-1850]. Memoirs. By F. P. G. Guizot.

1 vol., 8° Is 50

Peter the Great [1672-1725]. History. By E. Schuyler.

2 vols., 8° $9 00

Pepys, Samuel [1532-1703]. Diary, Correspondence and

Life.

9 vols., 12° «^/$i3 50

" Pepys was Secretary of the Navy to Charles II. His Diary forms a
most interestine and amusing account of the social life and doings of the
decade 1659-69. —S.

102 Suggestions for IbousebolO Xlbcaries

Penn, William [1644-1718]. Historical Biography.
• By W. H. Dixon.
I vol., 8° $4 80

Pericles [b.c. 493-429J. And the Golden Age of Athens.
By Evelyn Abbott.

1 vol., 12° $1 50

" Mr. Abbott has treated the subject with a masterly hand."

Pitt, William [the " Great Commoner," 1759-1806]. Life.
By Earl Stanhope.
3 vols., 8° $15 00

Pitt, William [Earl of Chatham, 1708-78]. Memoirs.
By George Tomline.
3 vols., 8° $14 00

Raleigh, Sir Walter [1552-1618]. Life and Letters.
By E. Edwards.

2 vols., 8° $12 00

Randolph, Edmund [1753-1813]. Omitted Chapters of
History, disclosed in the Life and Papers of Edmund
Randolph. By Moncure D. Conway.

I vol., 8° $3 00

" Mr. Conway has rendered a service to students of American history
by his arduous and fruitful labors in a field largely untilled."— /V>/. Set.
Quarterly.

Richelieu, Cardinal [1585-1642]. Life.
By Gustave Masson.
I vol., 12° $1 50

Richard IIL [1450-85]. Life and Reign. By James Gairdner.

1 vol., 8° $4 20

" Supports in the main Shakespeare's view."— S.

Richard III. The Unpopular King. By A. O. Legge.

2 vols., 8° $12 00

A defence.

Suggestions for fjousebolD Xlbrarlcs 103

Stein, H. F. K. Baron von [1757-1831]. Life and Tiroes ;
or, Germany and Prussia in the Napoleonic Age.
By J. R. Seeley.

3 vols., 8° $12 00

" A highly valuable work, based on original materials, judicial in

tone." — S.

Sidney, Sir Philip [1554-86]. Type of Chivalry in the
Elizabethan Age. By H. R. Fox-Bourne.

I vol.. 12° $1 50

" Sidney lives in the history of his country as a rare and finished type
of English character, in which the antiaue honor of chivalry is seen shad-
ing into the grooves of the modern gentleman."

Saladin [1137-93]. And the Fall of the Kingdona of Jeru-
salem. By Stanley Lane-Poole.

1 vol., 12° $1 50

Savonarola, Girolamo [1452-98]. Life and Times.
By P. Villari. Translated by Linda Villari.

2 vols., 8° $6 00

" His absolutely blameless moral character, his wonderful ability, his

command of all the knowledge of his time." — Quarterly Review.

Stockmar, Baron C. F. [i 787-1 863]. Life. By his son.

2 vols., 8° $7 50

Confidential friend and adviser of Prince Albert.

Sully, Duke of [Prime Minister of Henry IV., 1560-1641].
Memoirs. Translated from the French.

4 vols., 12° net %f> 00

The remarkable events of this reign are nowhere more adequately

described.

Talleyrand, C. M., Prince de [i 754-1838]. Memoirs.
Edited, with notes, by the Due de Broglie [translated].

5 vols., 8° $12 50

Introduction by Whitelaw Rcid.

Theodoric the Goth [455-526]. The Barbarian Champion
of Christendom. By Thomas Hodgkin.

I vol., 12° $i 50

** As fascinating as a novel."

I04 Suggestions tor "fcousebolO Xlbraries

Victor, Emmanuel [1820-78]. Life. By G. S. Godkin.
2 vols., 12° $5 00

Walpole, Sir Robert [1676-1745]. Memoirs of his Life
and Administration. By W. Coxe.

1 vol., 8° $5 00

Walpole, Horace [Earl of Oxford, 1847-97]. Letters.

Edited by Peter Cunningham.

9 vols., 8° $36 00

" Will afford unfailing entertainment to the reader, and will leave a
very singular impression on the mind concerning the political practices of
the time." — A.

Washington, George [1732-99]. Life. •
By Washington Irving.
5 vols., 12° $7 50

Webster, Daniel [1782-1852]. Life. By G. T. Curtis.

2 vols., 8° . . . , . . . . $4 00

Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of [1796-1852].
Life. By A. Brialmont [translated].

4 vols., 8° $20 00

" Best and most impartial account." — S.

William IV. [1765-1837]. Life and Times.
By Percy Fitzgerald.

2 vols., 8° $12 00

A good view of the social life and manners during the reign.

Wolsey, Thomas, Cardinal [1471-1530]. Life.
By George Cavendish.

1 /ol., 12° $1 50

William [Prince of Orange, 1533-84] the Silent, the Mod-
erate Man of the XVIth Century. The Story of his Life.
By Ruth Putnam.

2 vols., 8° $3 75

" Shows a vast amount of intelligent research among original docu-
ments."

To William the Silent is due the honor of being the first among Euro-
pean statesmen to make a practical application in government of the prin-
ciples of religious toleration.

Suggcstlona for "fcousebolO Xtbrariee 105

Individual Biographies. Literary, Artistic, and
Miscellaneous.

Agassiz, Louis [1807-73]. Life and "Work. By C. F. Holder.

I vol., 12° $1 50

A profound thinker, an indefatigable worker, and a most lovable
character.

Abelard, Peter [1079-1142]. By Joseph McCabe, author of
" Twelve Years in a Monastery," etc.
12", half vellum »^^$2 00

d'Arblay Mme. [Frances Burney, 1 752-1840]. Diary and
Letters.
4 vols., 8° $10 00

Audubon, John J. [1780-1851]. Life and Journals. Edited
by his widow. _

I vol., 12° fi 75

" A grand story of a grand life."

Austen, Jane [1775-1815]. Story of her Life. ByO.F. Adams.

I vol., 12° |i 25

" A well-told, popular biography." — S.

Barham, R. H. [1788-1845]. Life and Letters.
By R. D. Barham.

I vol., 8° $2 50

Author of the famous " Ingoldsby Legends."

Bacon, Francis [Lord Verulam, 1 561-1626]. Story of his
Life. By W. H. Dixon.

I vol., 8° $3 00

Chiefly literary.

Bronte, Charlotte [1816-55], Life. By Mrs. Gaskell.

1 vol., 12° $1 50

Browning, Robert [i8i2-8g]. Life.
By Mrs. Sutherland Orr.

2 vcls., 12° $4 00

io6 Suggcsttons for "fcouscbolO Xlbrariea

Brown, Dr. John [1810-82]. Memoir. By Dr. John Cairns.
I vol., 12° $3 00

Booth, Edwrin [1833-93]. Life. By his daughter.

1 vol., 8" $3 00

Borrow, George [1803-81]. Life, Writings, and Corre-
spondence.

2 vols., 8° $6 00

" Certainly a marvelously interesting work." — Chicago Post.

" Not only a complete, painstaking, and delightfully readable life of
this curious man, but also a peculiarly inspiring and stimulating piece )f
Hix\\va%." — Boston Herald.

Bryant, W. C. [1794-1878]. Life. By Parke Godwin.
2 vols., 8° $6 00

Buckle, H. T. [1822-62]. Life and Writings.
By A. H. Huth.
2 vols., 12' $4 00

Bunyan, John [1628-88]. His Life, Times, and Work.
By John Brown.
I vol., 12° $3 00

Byron, George G., Lord [1779-1852]. Life and Letters.
By Thomas Moore.

1 vol., 8° $3 00

Byron. The Real Lord Byron : New Views of his Life.
By J. C. JeafTreson.

2 vols., 8° $12 00

Carlyle, Thos. [1795-188 1]. Life." By J. A. Froude.
4 vols., 8° ....... . $to 00

Chaucer [1328-1400J. Life. With sketches of his times.
By William Godwin.
4 vols., 12° $15 00

Chaucer [1328-1400]. Studies in Chaucer. His Life and
Writings. By T. R. Lounsbury.

3 vols., 8° $9 00

QuQQcetione for f)oudebold Xibrarics 107

Clough, A. H. [i8ig-6i]. A monograph. By S. Waddington.
I vol., 12" $3 00

Cowper, William [1731-1800]. Life. By Thomas Wright.

1 vol., 8" $5 00

Cruikshank, George [1794-18]. Life. By B. Jerrold.

2 vols., 12° $5 00

Darwin, Charles [1809-82]. His Life and Works
By. C. F. Holder.

I vol., 12° $1 50

" Just, sympathetic and brief — three good points in a biography.*'

Defoe, Daniel [1663-1731]. Life and Times.
By W. Chadwick.

1 vol., 12° $4 20

De Quincey, Thomas [1785-1859]. Life. By H. A. Page.

2 vols., 12° . . , . . . $4 00
Dickens, Charles [1812-70]. Life. By John Forster.

3 vols., 12° $4 50

Dickens, Charles. Letters. Edited by his daughter.

3 vols., 12° $4 50

Emerson, R. W. [1803-82]. Life. By J. E. Cabot.

4 vols., 12° $4 00

Fulton, Robert [1765-1815]. Life, and the History of
Steam Navigation. By T. W. Knox.

I vol., 12° $1 75

" The best woric of its character ever issued.' ' — Ma^. o/A mer. History.

"George Eliot " [Mary Ann Evans (Cross), 1819-80]. Life.
By J. W. Cross.
I vol., 12° $3 00

Gibbon, Edward [1737-94]. Autobiography.

3 vols., 8° $13 50

Goethe, J. W. von [1749-1832], Life. By G. H. Lewis.
I vol., 8* $6 50

io8 Su^geetions tor Iboudebold Xtbrariea

Goldsmith, Oliver [1728-74]. Life and Times.
By John Forster.
I vol., 12° ........ $3 00

Goldsmith, Oliver. Life. By Washington Irving.

I vol., 12° $1 50

Grote, George [1794-1871]. Personal Life. By Mrs. Grote.

1 vol., 8° $4 50

Hare, A. J. C. [1834- ] Memorials of a Quiet Life.

2 vols., 12°, in I . . . . . $3 00

Hawthorne, Nat'l [1804-64]. And his wife.
By Julian Haw^thome.
2 vols., 12° $4 00

Holmes, O. W. [1809-94]. Life and Letters.
By John T. Morse, Jr.

2 vols., 12" $4 00

Hook, Theod. £. [1788-1841]. Life and Remains.
By R. H. Barham.
I vol., 12° $2 50

Hunt, J. H. Leigh [1784-1859]. Autobiography.

I vol., 12° $1 00

Irving, Washington [1783-1859], Life and Letters.
By Pierre M. Irving.

3 vols., 12° $4 50

Jameson, Mrs. Anna [1797-1860]. Memoirs.
By Geraldine Macpherson.
1 vol., 8° $2 50

Jeflferies, Richard [1848-87]. Eulogy. By Walter Besant.
I vol., 12° $2 50

Jefferson, Joseph [1829- ]. Autobiography.

I vol., 8° . $4 00

Su0ge0tion0 (or f^oudebold Xibrariea 109

Jerrold, Douglas [1803-57]. Life and Remains.
By Blanchard Jerrold.
I vol., 8° $5 00

Johnson, Samuel [1709-84]. Life. By James Boswell.
6 vols., S" $10 00

Keats, John [1796-1821]. Life and Letters.
By Lord Houghton.

1 vol., 12° . . • $3 00

Kingsley, Charles [1819-75]. Life and Letters.
By his Wife.

2 vols., 8° $10 00

Kemble, Frances A. [1811-93]. Records of a Girlhood and
of a Later Life.
2 vols., 8° $5 00

Lamb, Charles [1785-1834]. Life and Letters.
By T. N. Talfourd.
2 vols. 12° $3 00

Landor, W. S. [1775-1864]. A Biography.
By John Forster.

1 vol., 8° $5 00

Lessing, G. E. [1729-81]. Life. By James Sime.

2 vols, 8° $7 00

Lever, Charles [1809-72]. Life. By W. Fitzpatrick,
I vol., 12° . . , . . $2 50

Longfellow, H. W. [1807-82]. Life and Journals.
By Samuel Longfellow,

3 vols., 8° $6 00

Lover, Sam'l [1797-1868]. A Biographical Sketch.
By A. J. Symington.

1 vol., 16" $1 00

Lowell, J. R. [1819-91J. Letters. Edited by C. E. Norton.

2 vols., 8° $8 00

no Suflgeettons for "fcouBebolO Xibrarles

Lytton, Lord E. B. [1805-73]. Life, Letters and Remains.
By his Son,
2 vols., 12° $2 75

Macaulay, T. B. 1800-59]. Life and Letters.
By G. O. Trevelyan.
2 vols., 8° $5 00

Martineau, Harriet [1802-76]. Autobiography.

2 vols., 8° $6 00

Mendelssohn Family [1729-1847]. By S. Hensel.

2 vols., 8° |6 00

Miller, Hugh [1802-56]. Life and Letters.
By Peter Bayne.
2 vols., 8° $12 00

Motley, J, L. [1814-77]. Memoirs. By O, W. Holmes.

1 vol., 12° . . $1 50

Motley, J. L. Correspondence.
Edited by G. W. Curtis.

2 vols., 8° $7 00

Michel Angelo [1474-1564]. Life. By H. Grimm [trans].
2 vols., 8° $6 00

" Not simply the life of a very extraordinary man, but is also a descrip-
tion by an able writer and critic, of the most remarkable period in the
history of art."

Michel Angelo. A Life. By J. A. Symonds.
2 vols., 8° $7 50

Oliphant, Laurence [1829-88]. Life.
By M. O. W. Oliphant.
2 vols., 8" $7 00

Par£, Ambroise [1510-90]. Life and Times.

By Stephen Paget.

I vol., 8° $2 50

" Ambroise Pari is justly esteemed the father of modern surgery.
Every sureeon who knows the history of his art is proud to admit that
Pari IS well worthy to be placed in the illustrious group of the noteworthy
men of his century." — Athenaum.

Suade0tion0 for 'fcousebold Xibrariee m

Parker, Theodore [1810-1S60]. Life.
By O. B. Frothingham.

I vol., 8° $2 00

" A manly, candid narrative of stirring times, and it is a gentle, re6ned

nature whose life is here studied." — Nation.

Presco.tt, W. H. [1796-1859]. Life. By George Ticknor.
I vol., 12° $1 50

Raphael [1483-1520]. His Life, Work, and Times.
By Etigene Muntz [translated].

1 vol., 8° ....... . $14 00

Reade, Charles [1814-84J. Dramatist, Novelist, and Jour-
nalist. By C. L. and C. Reade.

2 vols., 12° $9 60

Rossetti, D. G. [1828-82.] Letters with Memoir.

By William Michael Rossetti. 2 vols., 8° . $9 00

Rousseau, J. J. [1712-78]. Life. By John Morley.

2 vols., 12° $3 00

Ruskin, John [1819- ]. Life and Work.
By W. G. Collingwood.
2 vols., 8° $6 00

Scott, Sir Walter [1771-1832]. Life. By J. G. Lockhart.
10 vols., 12° $12 50

Selwyn, George [1719-91]. And his contemporaries.
By J. H. Jesse.
4 vols., 8° $15 00

Shakespeare, William [1564-1616]. Life. By Sidney Lee.

1 vol., 12° net%\ 75

Shakespeare, William. Outlines of his Life.
By J. O. HalHwell-PhilHps.

2 vols., 8° $7 50

Shakespeare, William. His Life, .\rt, and Character.
By H. N. Hudson.
2 vols., 12° . . . $4 00

112 Suggestions tor f>oudebold Xibrariee

Shelley, P. B. [1792-1822]. Life. By E. Dowden.

1 vol., 8° $5 00

Shelley. The Real Shelley. By J. C. Jeaffreson.

2 vols., 8° ....... . fi2 00

Sheridan, Richard Brinsley [1751-1816]. Life.
By W. Fraser Rae.
2 vols., 8° $7 00

Sheridan, R. B. [1751-1816]. Memoirs. By Thomas Moore,
2 vols., 8" $6 00

Smith, Sydney [1771-1845]. Memoirs. By Lady Holland.
2 vols., 8° $7 50

Stael, Mme. de [i 766-1 821]. Life. By A. Stevens.

2 vols., 12° . . . . . . . $3 00

Steele, Richard [1671-1729]. Life. By G. A. Aitken.
2 vols., 8° $12 00

Stephen, Sir J. F. [1829-94]. Life.

By his brother, Leslie Stephen

I vol., 8" . . $4 50

" Deserves a place among the half dozen biographies of the first order
which have appeared in the last twenty years. It is a real biography ; a
work of art as well as of fraternal affection ; a life-like picture ofa remark-
able man." — London Times.

Sterling, John [1806-44]. Life. By Thomas Carlyle.

1 vol., 12° fi 25

Sterne, Laurence [1713-68]. Life. By Percy Fitzgerald.

2 vols., 8° $9 60

Stowe, Harriet B. [181 1-96]. Life. By Chas. E. Stowe.
I vol., 8° |3 75

Strickland, Ag^es [1801-74]. Life. By her sister.

I vol., 8° $5 00

Swift, Jonathan [1667-1745]. Life. By Henry Craik.
I vol., 8° $7 50

Suageetione for ■|)ou0Cbol& Xibrartcs 113

Swift, Jonathan [1667-1745]. A biographical and critical
study. By J. C. Collins.

1 vol., 8° . . $3 20

Taylor, Bayard [1825-78]. Life and Letters.
By Marie H. Taylor.

2 vols., 12° $4 00

Tennyson, Alfred Lord [1809-92]. Life and Letters.
By his son.
2 vols., 8° n^t$io 00

Tennyson. His Homes, his Friends, and his Work.
By E. L. Gary.

1 vol., 8° $3 75

Based upon the large mass of literature which has come into existence
in r^;ard to the life, tne worlc^ and the environment of the poet laureate.
The work shows good critical judgment, and charming literary style, and
constitutes a permanent contnbution to the better understanding of the
poet.

Ticknor, George [1798-1871]. Life, Letters, and Journals.

2 vols., 12° $4 00

Trollope, Anthony [1815-84]. Autobiography.

2 vols., 8° $7 50

Voltaire, F, A. [1694-1778]. Life. By John Morley.

1 vol., 12' $1 50

Voltaire, F. A. Life. By James Parton.

2 vols., 8° $6 00

Whittier, J. G. [1808-92]. Life and Letters.
By S. T. Pickard.

2 vols., 12" $4 50

Wagner, Richard [1813-1883]. By W. J. Henderson.
Half vellum, 12° net $1 60

Wordsworth. William [1770-1850J. Life.
By William Knight.

3 vols., 12° $4 50

114 Sm&cetione tor Iboueebold Xibraries

Selected List of lOO Biographical Works.

This is a selection of one hundred biographical works from
the preceding lists. It comprises 6i works in historical and
political biography, forming 145 volumes, and 39 in lit-
erary and miscellaneous biography, forming 85 volumes ; a
total of 230 volumes. Costing, at regular price, $600 — at net
price, about $475.

a. — Historical and Political.

Albert, Prince Consort, By Martin. 5 v.
Alfred the Great. By Hughes, i v.
Antoinette, Marie. By Campan. i v.
Bacon, Francis. By Spedding. 2 v.
Barneveld, John of. By Motley. 2 v.
Bayard, Chevalier. By de Berville. i v.
Brougham, Henry. By Himself. 3 v.
Bruce, Robert. By Maxwell, i v.
Bunsen, Baron C. C. J. By his Widow. 2 v.
Caesar, Julius. By Fowler, i v.
Cellini, Benvenuto. Trans, by Symonds. 2 v
Charles the Bold. By Kirk. 3 v.
Charles XII. By Bain, i v.
Cicero, Marcus TuUius. By Davidson, i v.
Cid Campeador. By Clarke, i v.
Clay, Henry. By Schurz. 2 v.
Cobden, Richard. By Morley. i v.
Columbus, Christopher. By Irving. 3 v.
Commines, Philip De. By Himself. 2 v.
Cromwell, Oliver. By Carlyle. 4 v.
Cromwell, Oliver. By Church, i v.
Evelyn, John. By Himself. 4 v.
Fox, Charles J. By Trevelyan. i v.
Francis I. By Pardoe. 3 v.
Franklin, Benjamin. By Bigelow. 3 v.

Suggestions for 1)oudebold Xibraries tis

Gladstone, William Ewart. Edited by Reid. 2 v.

Grant, Ulysses S. By Himself. 2 v.

Guesclin, Bertrand Du. By Stoddard, i v.

Gustavus, Adolphus. By Fletcher, i v.

Hamilton, Alexander. By Lodge, i v.

Hampden, John. By Nugent, i v.

Hannibal. By Morris, i v.

Henry HI. By Freer. 3 v.

Henry IV. By Willert. 1 v.

Jeanne D'Arc. By Oliphant. i v.

Lincoln, Abraham. By Nicolay and Hay. 10 v

Lincoln, Abraham. By Brooks, i v.

Louis XIV. By Hassall. i v.

Macchiavelli, Niccolo Di. By Villari. 2 r.

Mahomet. By Irving. 2 v.

Medici Lorenzo de. By Armstrong, i v.

Milton, John. By Masson. 6 v.

Napoleon I. By Lanfrey. 4 v.

Napoleon, Warrior and Ruler. By Morris, i v.

Nelson, Horatio, Lord. By Russell, i v.

Paine, Thomas. By Conway, 2 v.

Penn, William. By Dixon, i v.

Pepys, Samuel. By Pepys. 10 v.

Pericles. By Abbott, i v.

Peter the Great. By Schuyler. 2 v.

Pitt, William " The Great Commoner." By Stanhope.

3v.
Plutarch. Edited by Clough. 5 v.
Saladin. By Poole, i v.
Savonarola, Girolamo. By Villari. 2 v.
Sidney, Sir Philip. By Bourne, i v.
Stein, H. F. K., Baron von. By Seeley. 3 v.
Sully, Duke of. By Sully. 4 v.
Walpole, Horace. Edited by Cunningham. 9 v.
Washington, George. By Irving. 5 v.
William the Silent. By Putnam. 2 v.
Wolsey, Thomas, Cardinal. By Cavendish, i v.

xi6 Su0de0tion0 for f^ousebolD Xibcariee

b. — Literary and Miscellaneous.

Agassiz, Louis. By Holder, i v,

Angelo, Michael. By Grimm. 2 v.

D'Arblay, Mme. By Herself. 4 v.

Audubon, John J. Edited by his Widow, i v.

Byron, George Gordon, Lord. By Moore, i v.

Carlyle, Thomas. By Froude. 4 v.

Chaucer, Geoffery. By Lounsbury. 3 v.

Darwin, Charles. By Holder, i v.

Dickens, Charles. By Foster. 3 v.

Eliot, George. By Cross, i v.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. By Cabot. 2 v.

Fulton, Robert. By Knox, i v.

Gibbon, Edward. By Himself. 3 v.

Goethe, J. W. von. By Lewes, r v. t

Goldsmith, Oliver. By Irving, i v.

Hare, A. J. C. By Himself, r v.

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. By Hawthorne. 2 v.

Holmes, O. W. By Morse. 2 v.

Irving, Washington. By Irving. 3 v.

Johnson, Samuel. By Boswell. 6 v.

Kingsley, Charles. By his Wife. 2 v,

Longfellow^, H. W. By Samuel Longfellow. 3 v.

Low^ell, James Russell. Edited by Norton. 2 v.

Macaulay, T. B. By Trevelyan. 2 v.

Martineau, Harriet. By Herself. 2 v.

Motley, J. L. Edited by Curtis. 2 v.

Par6, Ambroise. By Paget, i v.

Rousseau, J. J. By Morley. 2 v.

Scott, Sir Walter. By Lockhart. 10 v.

Selwyn, George. By Jesse. 4 v.

Shakespeare, William. By Lee. i v.

Shelley, P. B. By Dowden. i v.

Sheridan, R. B. By Moore. 2 v.

Smith, Sydney. By Holland. 2 v.

Stephen, Sir J. F. By Leslie Stephen, i v.

SuggcBtions tor t)oudebold Xibrartee 117

Sterling, John. By Carlyle. i v.
Tennyson, Alfred, Lord. By his Son. 2 v.
Tennyson, His Homes, etc. By Gary, i v.
Voltaire, F. M. By Morley. 1 v.

lAterature,

Comprising, Histories of Literature — Studies of Particular
Epochs — Critical Essays on Individual Authors.

Ancient and Oriental. ] Spanish.

Greek. | Miscellaneous European.

English.

American.

Gritical and Literary Essays.

Latin.
Italian.
French.
German.

Ancient and Oriental.

Legge, James. — Life and Teachings of Confucius.
I vol., 8^ $4 50

Alexander, G. G. — Lao-tsze, the Great Thinker.

I vol., 8' $2 50

Aston, W. G. — History of Japanese Literature.

I vol., 12" $1 50

Reed, Elizabeth A.— Hindu Literature, the Ancient
Books of India.
I vol., 12° $2 00

Weber, A. — History of Indian Literature.

I vol., 8' $4 50

Frazer, R. W. — Literary History of India.

I vol., 8° $4 00

Wright, W. — Syriac Literature.

I vol., 8° $2 50

Poor, L. E. — Sanscrit and its Kindred Literatures.
I vol., 12' $2 50

ii8 Suggeetioiis tor fjousebolD Xibraries

Arbuthnot, F. F. — Arabic Authors. A Manual of Arabian
History and Literature.
I vol., 8° $5 oo

Reed, Elizabeth A. — Persian Literature, Ancient and
Modern.
I vol., 8° $2 50

Quackenbos, J. D. — Ancient Literature, Oriental and
Classical.
I vol., 12° ttgt$i 20

Sacred Books of the East. Translated by various Oriental

scholars, and edited by F. Max Mliller,

69 vols,, 8°, sold separately ; prices, nei, from $2.75 to $5.25.

Includes : The Upanishads, The Bhagavadgita, The Dhammapada,
Buddhist Suttas, the Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king, The Vedanta Sutras Buddhist
Mahayana Texts.

White, C. A. — Classic Literature, Sanscrit, Greek,
and Roman. With an account of the Persian, Chinese,
and Japanese.
I vol., 12° $2 00

Greek.

Ancient Classics for English Readers.

I vol., 16°, each 50 cts.

Homer : The Iliad. By Collins.
Homer : The Odyssey. By Collins.
Herodotus. By Swayne.
.£schylus. By Coplerton.
Xenophon. By Grant.
Sophocles. By Collins.
Euripides. By Donne.
Aristophanes. By Collins.
Hesiod and Theog^is. By Davies,
Greek Anthology. By Neaves.
Plato. By Collins.

Suggedtiond tor f)ou6ebolO Xlbracies 119

Ancient Classics — Continued.
Lucian. By Collins.
Demosthenes. By Brodribb.
Aristotle. By Grant.
Thucydides. By Collins.
Pindar. By Morice.

Mahafify, J. P.— History of Classical Greek Litera-
ture.
2 vols., 12° $4 00

Perry, T. S. — Greek Literature.

I vol., 8° $4 00

Murray, Gilbert. — History of Ancient Greek Literature

1 vol., 8° $1 50

Symonds, J. A. — Studies of the Greek Poets.

2 vols., 8° $6 00

Campbell, Rev. L.— A Guide to Greek Tragedy for
General Readers.

$1 50

" The book is scholarly without display of needless erudition, as we
should expect from the author of the excellent metrical translations of
i£schylus and Sophocles. Especially suggestive are the frequent com.^
parisons between the Greek and the English drama. The last chapter
contains some good hints on the use of translations, and an interesting ac-
count of the presentation of Greek plays on the modem stage."

Abbott, E. A. — Hellenica. Essays upon Greek
Literature.
I vol., 8" $4 00

Famell, G. S.— The Greek Lyric Poets.

I vol., 8° $5 00

A complete collection of all surviving fragments, with notes, etc.

Campbell, Lewis. — Religion in Greek Literature. A
Sketch in Outline.

I vol., 8° $5 00

Warr, G. C. W.— The Greek Epic.

I vol ., 16° $t 25

Gierke, Agnes M. — Familiar Studies in Homer.

I vol., 8° $1 75

I20 Suddestions tor 'f)OU6eboID libraries

Moulton, R. G. — The Ancient Classical Drama. A

• Study in Literary Evolution.

I vol., 12° tut $2 25

Translations of Homer.

ILIAD.

Buckley, T. A. Literal prose, i vol., 12° . net%\ 00

Butler, Samuel. Prose, i vol., cr. 8° . . $2 50
Lang, Leaf and Meyer. Prose, i vol., 8° . net%i 50
Purves, Jno. Edited by Evelyn Abbott. Prose.

I vol., 8° nei$y 20

Chapman, George. Rhymed verse. 3 vols., 32° $2 25
Pope, Alex. Rhymed verse. 2 vols., 12" . . $2 00
Cordery, J. G. Blank verse, i vol., 8° . . «<?/ $3 00
Derby, Lord. Blank verse, i vol., 8° . . net $4 00

. Blank verse, i vol., 8" . . . . «^/ $1 50

Bryant, W. C. Blank verse. 2 vols., cr. 8° . net $4. 00
Cayley, C. B. V'^erse. i vol., 12° . . . «ir/$5 00
Blackie, Prof. J. S. Verse. 4 vols , 8" . nef$i6 80

Way, A. S. Verse. I vol., sm. 4° . . . net $2 60
Worsley, P. S., and Prof. J. Coningfton.

I vol., cr. 8° «<r/$8 40

ODYSSEY.
Buckley, T. A. Literal prose, i vol., 12° . . «^'/ $1 00
Butcher, Prof. S. H., and Andrew Lang. Prose.

I vol., cr. 8° nei$i 50

Palmer, Prof. G. H. Prose, i vol., 12° . . $1 50
Morris, Wm. Anapaestic hexameter.

I vol., 8° net $2 60

Earl of Carnarvon (books 1-12). Blank verse.

I vol., cr. 8" $2 00

Bryant, W. C. Blank verse. 2 vols., cr. 8" . $4 00
Chapman, George. Rhymed verse. 2 vols., 8" net $4. 00
du Cane, Sir Charles. Verse. i vol., 8" «<f^$5 00

Schomberg, Gen. Verse. 2 vols., 8° . , net^ 60

Sudgeetione foe f^ouseboli) Xibcariee 121

Way, A. S. Verse. i vol., sm. 4°. . . net $3 00

Worsley, P. S. Verse, i vol., cr. 8° . »^'$3 25

HYMNS.

Chapman, George. Rhymed Verse, i vol., 12° »^/$2 00

Latin.

Ancient Classics for English Readers.

1 vol., 16' each 50 cts.

Caesar. By TroUope.

Virgil. By Collins.

Horace. By Martin.

Cicero. By Collins.

Pliny's Letters. By Church and Brodribb.

Juvenal. By Walford.

Plautus and Terence. By Collins.

Tacitus. By Donne.

Livy. By Collins.

Ovid. By Church.

Catullus, Tibullus, and Propertius. By Davies.

Lucretius. By Mallock.

Simcox, G. A. — History of Latin Literature.

2 vols., 12' ....... $4 00

Teuffel, W. S. — History of Roman Literature.
Vol. I. Republican Period.
Vol. IL Imperial Period.
2 vols., 8° ....... . »^/$8 00

Wilkins, W. S. — Primer of Latin Literature.

I vol., 16' ........ net 35 cts.

Sellar, W. Y.— Roman Poets of the Republic.

I vol., 12° net%i 50

Roman Poets of the Augustan Age.

I vol., 12° net%-i 25

122 Siigcicstiond for 'bouaebold Xibraries

Seliar, W. Y.— Continued.

Horace and the Elegiac Poets.

I vol., 12" net^-i 50

Burn, R. — Roman Literature in Relation to Roman Art.
I vol., 8° net%2 2S

Tyrrell, R. Y. — Latin Poetry. Lectures at Johns Hop-
kins University, 1893.

1 vol., 8° $1 50

Nettleship, Henry. — Lectures and Essays on Subjects
Connected with Latin Scholarship and Literature.

2 vols. ,8° $3 80

Swan, C. — Select Tales from the Gesta Romanorum
with Introduction and Notes.
I vol., 16° f I 00

Translations of Virgil.

WORKS
(Aneid, Eclogues and Georgics).

Bryce, Dr. A. H. Literal prose. 6 vols., 16°
Davidson. Literal prose, i vol., 12°
Lonsdale, J. and Sidney Lee. Prose, i vol., 8
Coning^on, Prof. J. Prose, i vol., 8°
Bowen, Sir Chas. (/Eneid and Eclogues).

English hexameters, i vol., 8°
Dryden, John, i vol., crown 8° .
Mackail, J. W. (^neid). i vol., crown 8°
(Eclogues and Georgics). i vol., crown 8'

Conington, Prof. J. Verse, i vol., crown 8°
Morris, Wm. Verse, i vol., p. 8° .
Singleton, Rev. R. C. Verse, i vol., 16°
Thornhill, W. J. Blank verse, i vol., crown
Cranch, C. P. Blank verse. 1 vol., crown 8°

. n€t%i

80

75 cts.

$1

25

$2

00

u

80

%l

00

. net $3

00

$1

75

$2

00

$2

00

. net%Z

00

° net $3

00

|I

50

Suaflcetions for DousebolD Xibrartea 123

C. p. Cranch. — Continued

Blank verse, i vol., crown 8° . . . net%i oo

Rhoades, J. Blank verse. 2 vols., crown 8° . $3 50
ECLOGUES.

Calveriey, C. S. Verse, i vol., crown 8° . . w^-zSs 00
Scott, E. J. L. Heroic verse, i vol., f. 8° . net%i 00

Wilkins. (Eclogues and Georgics). i vol. , crown 8° net $1 00

GEORGICS.
Rhoades, J. Verse, i vol., small 8° . . . net %2 oo

Italian.

Foreigfu Classics for English Readers.

I vol., 16° each $1 00

Dante. By Mrs. Oliphant.
Petrarch. By Reeve.
Tasso. By Hasell.

Snell, F. J. — Primer of Italian Literature.

I vol., 12° ........ «^/90CtS.

Garnett, Richard. — Italian Literature, i vol., 12° $1 50

Symonds, J. A. — The Renaissance in Italy. Italian
Literature. 2 vols. ,8° $4 00

The Revival of Learning, i vol., 8° . $2 00

Pater Walter. — The Renaissance. Studies in Art and
Poetry, i vol., 12' $2 00

Lee, Vernon. — Studies in the Eighteenth Century in
Italy. I vol., 8° $3 00

Symonds, J. A. — Giovanni Boccaccio as Man and
Author. I vol., 8° $3 00

Lee, Vernon. — Renaissance Fancies, i vol., 12° |i 25

124 Suflgestlons for Ijouseboio Xlbrarles

Hewlett, Morris. — Earthwork out of Tuscany.

I vol., 12° ........ net%2 oo

" No more stimulating volume than ' Earthwork out of Tuscany,' can
be found among modern essays by those who love the law, the art and the
literature of mediaeval and renaissance Italy." — The Churchman.

Howells, W. D. — Modern Italian Poets.

I vol., 12° $2 oo

Contents : Alfieri, Monti, Foscolo, Manzoni, Grossi, Niccolini, Leo-
pard!, Giusti, Ongaro, Prati, Aleardi.

Hunt, Leigh. — Stories from the Italian Poets. Dante,
Tasso, Ariosto, Pulci. 2 vols., l6° . . . $i oo

Dante.

Symonds, J. A. — Introduction to the Study of Dante.
I vol., 8° $2 50

Scartazzini, G. A. — Companion to Dante.

I vol., 8' $30

Rossetti, Maria F. — A Shadow of Dante. Being an
Essay towards Studying Himself, his World, and his
Pilgrimage, i vol., 12° $1 50

Blow, Susan A. — A Study of Dante, i vol., 16° $1 25

Wilson, Epiphanius. — Dante Interpreted. A Brief Sum-
mary of the Life, Times, and Character of Dante, with
an Analysis of the Divine Comedy, and Translation in
the Spencerian Stanza, by the Author.
I vol., 12° $r 50

Moore, Edward. — Contribution to the Textual Criti-
cism of the Divina Commedia. i vol., 8° . net%2, 25

Witte, Karl. — Select Essays on Dante

I vol.. 12" $2 50

Sud^edtions (or "boudebold librarted 125

Kuhns, L. O. — The Treatment of Nature in Dante's
Divina Commedia. i vol., 12° . . . $1 50

Baynes, Herbert. Dante and His Ideal.

1 vol., 16° ........ 90 cts.

Translations of Dante.

DIVINE COMEDY
(Inferno, Purgatory and Paradise).

Cary, Rev. H. F. Verse, i vol., 12° . . net%i 00
Cayley, C. B. Verse. 3 vols., 12° . . . net$j 00
Long^elloiv, H. W. Verse. 3 vols., crown 8° . $4 50
Plumtre, Dean E. H. Divine Comedy and Canzoniere.

2 vols., 8° net$j6 80

Vol. I.— Life, Hell, Purgatory.

Vol II. — Paradise, Minor Poems, Studies in Dante.

Wright, J. C. Verse, i vol., 12" . . . mt$i 50
Parsons, T. W. Rhymed verse, i vol., 12° $1 50

Inferno and Purgatory and Fragments of Paradise.

Ramsay, Mrs. Rhymed verse. 3 vols., 12° . net $2 00
Norton, Prof. C. E. Prose. 4 vols., 12 ." . $5 00
Hell, Purgatory, Paradise and New Life.

INFERNO.

Carlyle, Dr. J. A. Literal prose, i vol., 12° . net%i 50
Butler, A. J. Prose, i vol., 8° . . . $3 50

Sullivan, Sir Edward. Prose, i vol., crown 8° net%i 80
Sibbald, J. R. Verse, i vol., 8" . . «^/ $4 80

Musgrave, George. Rhymed verse, i vol., 12° |i 50

PARADISE.

Butler, A. J. Prose, i vol., crown 8° . . $2 50

BANQUET.

Hillard, Katharine, i vol., 8' . . . I3 00

126 Su0flC0tions for Ijousebold Xlbrariee

French.

Foreign Classics for English Readers.

I vol., i6° each ....... $r oo

Voltaire. By Hamley.

Pascal. By Tulloch.

Montaigne. By Collins,

Moli^re. By Oliphant.

Rabelais. By Besant.

St. Simon. By Collins.

Corneille and Racine. By Trollope.

Mme. de Sevign6. By Miss Thackeray.

La Fontaine. By Collins.

Rousseau. By Graham.

Critical Biographicai Studies, i vol., 12° each . $1 00
Balzac. By Wedmore.
Renan. By Espinasse.
Voltaire. By Espinasse.

Van Laun, Henry. — The History of French Literature.

I. From its Origin to the Renaissance.

II. From" the Renaissance to the Close of the
Reign of Louis XIV.

III. From the Reign of Louis XIV. to that of

Napoleon III.

3 vols, in one, 8°, half leather . . . . $3 50

" It is full of keenest interest for every person who knows or wishes to
learn anything of French literature or of French literary history and
biogra^jhy — scarcely any book of recent origin, indeed, is better fitted than
this to win general favor with all classes of persons."

Bruneti^re, Ferdinand. — Manual of the History of
French Literature.
I vol., 8° $2 50

Dowden, Edward. — History of French Literature.
I vol., 12° $1 50

SuflQcstfons tor "boueebolJ) Xibraries 127

Saintsbury, George. — Primer of French Literature.

I vol., 12° . . . . . . 40 cts.

Short History of French Literature.

1 vol., 8° ftei $2 2S

Bruneti^re, Ferdinand. — Essays on French Literature.
I vol., 12° $2 50

James, Henry. — French Poets and Novelists.

I vol., 12°, each $i 50

Saintsbury, George. — Essays on French Novelists,

I vol., 12" $2 00

Dowden, Edward. — Studies in Literature, 1789-1877.
I vol., 8° $2 25

Moore, George. — Impressions and Opinions.

I vol., 12° |r 25

Sainte-Beuve, C. A. — Essays on Men and Women.
I vol., 16° 75 cts.

MeI16, Rosine. — Contemporary French Writers.

I vol., 12° $1 00

Doumic,,Ren^. — Contemporary French Novelists.
I vol., 12° $2 CO

Pelissier, Georges. — The Literary Movement in France
during the Nineteenth Century.
I vol., 8" . $3 50

The eminent French critic, M. Ferdinand Brunetiire, says of this :
" M. Pellissier's work is no less the picture than the history of contempo-
rary French literature. In addition, it is also the philosophy of, or rather
describes, the evolution of the literary movement of our country."

" One of the most important works of the century on the subject of
French literature. . . . The views of the author on the writings of the
great French authors are judicial, reassuring, and invigorating. . . .
The book bears witness of being the work of a man full of mind and ample
information, who is possessed of the spirit of modern inquiry and investi-
gation, and who presents his conclusion in a style admirably clear, direct,
and vigorous."

128 SixQQceUone for 'fcoudcboIO Xtbraried

Bury, Y. B. de. — French Literature of To-day. A study
ot the principal romancers and essayists.
I vol., 12° . . . . . $2 25

Swinburne, A. C. — A Study of Victor Hugo.

1 vol., 12° ........ $2 25

Saltus, E. £. — Balzac, t vol., 12° . . $1 25

German.

Gostwick and Harrison. — Outlines of German Liter-
ature. I vol., 8° $2 50

Scherer, William. — History of German Literature.

2 vols., 12° ........ net%'}, 50

Taylor, Bayard. — Studies in German Literature.

Edited by Marie Taylor. 8' . $200

" The work of a painstaking scholar, who can select with rare discern-
ment what should come to the foreground of attention, and who has the
power of expressing his own views with exceptional grace,"

Dippold, G. T. — The Great Epics of Mediaeval Germany.

An Outline of their Contents and History.

I vol., 12° $x 50

•
Dowden, Edward. — New Studies in Literature.

I vol., 8° $3 00

Five chapters devoted to Goethe.

Hosmer, J. K. — Short History of German Literature.
I vol., 8° $2 00

McLaughlin, E. T. — Studies in Mediaeval Life and
Literature, i vol., 12° $1 25

Boyesen, H. H. — Goethe and Schiller. — Their Lives
and Works. With a commentary on Faust.
I vol., 12° $2 00

Suggestions for "fcousebolD libraries 129

Dudley, M. W.— The Poetry and Philosophy of Goethe.

I vol., 12° $t 50

Foreign Classics for English Readers.

I vol., 16 \ each $i oo

Goethe. By Hayward.
Schiller. By Sime.

Critical Biographical Studies, i vol., 12°, each $1 00
Heine. By Sharp.
Lessing. By Rolleston.
Schopenhauer. By Wallace.

Translations of Goethe's Faust.

Blackie, Prof. J. S. (Part I. only), i vol., crown 8° |i 75
Hayward, A. (Part I. only), i vol., 12° . . net%i 50
McClintock, R. (Part I. only), i vol., sq. 8° . net%\ 20
Swanwick, Anna. 2 vols., 12" . . nel%'2 00

Taylor, Bayard. 2 vols., crown 8" . . $400

Huth, A. H. I vol., 8" $2 00

Martin, Sir Thomas. 4 vols., S' . . . «<'/$3 40
Turner, E. J. and E. D. A. Morshead.

I vol., crown 8° «if/$3 00

Spanish.

Kelly, J. F. M.— Spanish Literature, i vol. 12° $r 50

Ticknor, George. — History of Spanish Literature.
3 vols., 8° $10 00

Clarke, H. B. — Spanish Literature. An Elementary
Handbook, i vol., 12° net%\ to

French, R. C. — Essay on the Life and Genius of
Calderon. 1 vol., 8" $3 00

130 Suggestions for "foousebolD Xibrarics

Kelly, J. F. M. — Biographical Literary Study of Cer-
vantes. I vol., 8° $6 50

Watts, H. E.— Cervantes, his Life and Works,

I vol., 8° $2 50

Foreign Classics for English Readers.

I vol., 16°, each $r 00

Cervantes. By Mrs Oliphant.
Calderon. By Hasell.

Miscellaneous European.

Horn, F. W. — The Literature of Scandinavian North.
I vol., 8° $3 50

Gosse, Edmund. — Studies in the Literature of Northern
Europe, i vol., 8° $3 00

Boyesen, H. H. — Essays on Scandinavian Literature.

I vol., 12° $1 50

Jaeger, Heinrik. — Heinrik Ibsen : A Critical Biography.

I vol., 12° |i 50

Lutzon Count. — Bohemian Literature,

I vol., 12° $1 50

Reich, Emil. — Hungarian Literature. An Historical and
Critical Survey, i vol., 12° . . . . $1 75

Wiener, Leo. — Anthology of Russian Literature.

In two parts, 8°, Each . . . . «^/ $3 00

Morfil, W. R. — Slavonic Literature, i vol. 16° $1 co
Panin, Ivan. — Lectures on Russian Literature.

I vol., 12° $1 50

Pushkin, Gogol, Turgenef, Tolstoi.

SmQcetione for fjousebolD Xibracted 131

English.

English Men of Letters.

Edited by John Morley.

Critical Studies.
I vol. 12° each .

Addison

Bacon

Bentley

Burke

Burns

Bunyan

Byron

Carlyle

Chaucer

Coleridge

Cowper

De Foe

De Quincey

Dickens

Dryden

Fielding

Gibbon

Goldsmith

Gray

Hawthorne

Hume

Johnson

Keats

Lamb

Landor

Locke

75 cts.

Macaulay

Milton

Pope

Scott

Shelley

Sidney

Sheridan

Spenser

Sterne

Swift

Southey

Thackeray

Wordsw^orth

Taine, H. A. — History of English Literature.
4 vols., 8°

$7 50

Jusserand, J. J.— A Literary History of the English
People. From the Earliest Times to the Present Day.
To be completed in three parts, each part forming one
volume. Sold separately.

Part I. — From the Origins to the Renaissance.
With frontispiece. 8°, gilt top . . $3 50

In Preparation :

Part II — From the Renaissance to Pope.

Part III — From Pope to the Present Day.

"Mr. J[usserand's qualificarions for the task which he has undertaken
are of a high order. There are few foreigners, and certainly very few
Frenchmen, who have so intimate a knowtedge of English life ; he has
already gained great distinction as an original investigator in more than
one period of English literary history ; and although his point of view in
the present work is unmistakably that of a Frenchman, he shows a degree
of sympathetic insight which is seldom met with in foreign critics of our
literature." — London Athenaum.

" Thebook bears witness on every page to having been written by one
whose mind was overflowing with information, ana whose heart was in
abounding sympathy with his work. Mr. Jusserand possesses pre-emi-
nently the modem spirit of inquiry, which has for its object the attain-
ment of truth and a comprehension of the beginnings of things and of the
causes that have brought about effects." — Neio York Timet.

132 Suggestions tor fJousebolD Xibracies

Dobson, Austin. — Handbook of English Literature.

I vol.. 12° $2 50

Ryland, Frederic.^ — Chronological Outlines of English
Literature. i vol., 12° ... . ne/$i 40

Gosse, Edmund. — Short History of Modern English
Literature. (Chaucer to Tennyson), i vol., 12° $1 50

Richardson, A. S. — Talks on English Literature from
the Conquest A.D. 449 to 1892. i vol., 8° |i 50

Bascom, John. — Philosophy of English Literature.

I vol., 12" $1 50

" This book is one which cannot be too highly recommended to those
who have begun to think earnestly or care to begin,"

Tuckerman, Bayard. — A History of English Prose
Fiction. From Sir Edward Mallory to George Eliot.

I vol., 8° $1 75

" Mr. Tuckerman's volume is what may be called a history of the evo-
lution of the Anglo-Saxon novel as illustrated by the progress of Anglo-
Saxon civilization and morality. The author's style is easy and simple,
and his book, from its subject and treatment, interesting throughout."

Dunlop, John. — History of Fiction. 2 vols., 12° . «^/ $3 00

Saintsbury, George. — Elizabethan Literature.

I vol., 12° ........ net%i 00

Gosse, Edmund. — History of English Literature in the
i8th Century, i vol., 12° . . . net%i 00

Saintsbury, George. — History of Nineteenth-Century

Literature [1780-1895]. 1 vol., 12° . . 7iet%i 50

Brooke, Stopford A. — History of Early English Litera-
ture. I vol., 12° $2 50

Jusserand, J. J. — Piers Plowman [1363-1399]- A Con-
tribution to the History of English Mysticism.

I vol., 8° $3 50

" This work fills a gap and will be appreciatively welcomed."

Suggegttone tor "fcousebolD Xibraries 133

Earle, John. — Anglo-Saxon Literature.

I vol., 16° $1 00

Washburn, E. W. — Studies in Early English Liter-
ature. I vol., 8' $1 50

'• It has a freshness about it which commends it to the reader interested
in the subject of early English Literature."

Brink, Bemhard ten. — Early English Literature.

3 vols., 12° «^^$6 00

I. — Anglo-Saxon Period to Wyclif.

n. and III. — To the Accession of Elizabeth.

Lounsbury, T. R. — Studies in Chaucer. His Life and
Writings. 3 vols., 8° . . . . . $9 00

Swinburne, A. C. — A Study of Ben Jonson.

I vol., 12° $2 50

Whipple, E. P. — The Literature of the Age of
Elizabeth, i vol., 12° .... $1 50

Ward, A. W. — History of English Dramatic Literature
to the Death of Queen Anne. 3 vols., 8" . net^ 00

Hazlitt, William. — The Literature of the Age of Eliza-
beth, and the Characters of Shakespeare's Plays.
I vol., 12° ' . «^/$i 00

Courthope, W. J. — History of English Poetry.

vols. I and 2, each ...... nei $2 50

I. The Middle Ages.
II. Renaissance and Reformation.

Raleigh, Walter. — The English Novel from its Origin
to Sir Walter Scott.

I vol., 12° «^/$I 25

Lanier, Sidney. — The English Novel.
I vol., 8° $2 00

134 Suddcations toe ttoueebold Xibraries

Jusserand, J. J.— The English Novel in the Time of

Shakespeare. Translated by Elizabeth Lee. Revised

and enlarged by the author.

I vol., 8°, illustrated ...... net^ oo

" We hasten to invite the attention of the reader to one of the brightest
most scholarly, and most interesting volumes of literary history which it
has been our good fortune to meet with for many a long day. — London
Speaker.

Dawson, W. J. — The Makers of Modern English. A

popular handbook of the greater poets of the century.
I vol., 12' $1 75

Oliphant, Mrs. M. O.W.— Literary History of England
During the End of the 1 8th and the Beginning of the
19th Centuries.

3 vols., 12° $3 00

Harrison, Frederic. — Studies in Early Victorian Liter-
ature.

I vol., 12" |i 50

Stedman, E. C. — The Victorian Poets.

I vol., 8" $2 25

SHAKESPEARE.

Gervinus, G. G. Shakesperian Commentaries.

I vol., royal 8" $5 25

Schlegel, A. W. — Lectures on Dramatic Art and
Literature, i vol., 12° . . . $1 00

Boas, F. L. — Shakespeare and his Predecessors in
the English Drama, i vol., 12° . . net%i 50

Brink, Bernhard ten. — Five Lectures on Shakespeare.

I vol., 12° $1 25

Coleridge, S. T. — Lectures on Shakespeare.

I vol., 12° tut %\ OQ

Moulton, R. G. — Shakespeare as a Dramatic Artist.
I vol.. 8° net%\ 90

SuddCdttons tor "fcoudebold Xtbrartes 135

Lewes, Louis., Ph.D. — The Women of Shakespeare.
Translated from the German by Helen Zimmem.
I vol., 8° $2 50

The work comprises: i. A stud}' of the characteristics of the age in
which Shakespeare wrote, a. A brief description of the rise and develop-
ment of dramatic poetry pnor to Shakespeare's appearance. 3. A brief
account of the poet's life. 4. The English stage at the time of Shake-
speare. 5. Critical studies of each one of the female characters in the
plays.

" This is the work of a learned and sensible German who seems to have
devoted thought and study for many years to the plays of Shakespeare
and to have kept himself well informed. . . . The thoughts he puts
before us are sensible."

Jameson, Mrs. — Characteristics of Women. Shakes-
peare's Female Characters.
I vol., 12' fi 50

Symonds, J. A. — Predecessors of Shakespeare.

1 vol., 8° $7 50

Brandes, George. — William Shakespeare. A Critical
Study.

2 vols., 8" «<f/$8 00

Hudson, H. N. — Life, Art, and Characters of Shake-
speare.
2 vols., 12" ....... $5 CO

Dowden, Edw^ard.— Shakespeare. A Critical Study of
his Mind and Art.
1 vol., 12° |i 75

White, R. G. — Studies in Shakespeare.

I vol., 8° $1 75

Swinburne, A. C. — Study of Shakespeare.

I vol., 12' $3 00

Fancit, Helen (Lady Martin). — Some of Shakespeare's
Female Characters.
I vol., 8" $3 00

Dowden, Ed^ivard. — Primer of Shakespeare.

net 35 cts.

136 Suggestions tor tJousebolJ) Xlbraries

Corson, Hiram. — Introduction to the Study of Shake-
speare.
I vol., i6" ........ wf/$i 50

Dyer, T. F. T. — Folk Lore of Shakespeare.

I vol., 12° . $2 50

TENNYSON.

Brooke, Stopford A. — Tennyson. His Art and Relation

to Modern Life.

1 vol., 12° $2 00

"Among the many books of note, criticism, appreciation, and eulogy,
called forth by Tennyson's life and art, this volume by Stopford Br jOke
is the best that we have read. From the opening sentence of the intro-
duction to the final word of the last chapter, the writing is calm, digni-
fied, and crystal clear."

Cary, E. L. — Alfred Tennyson. His Home, his Friends,
and his Work.
I vol., royal 8° $3 75

" Will constitute a permanent contribution to the better understanding
of the poet. The beautiful plates add not a little to its volume."

Van Dyke, Henry. — The Poetry of Tennyson.

I vol., 12° |;2 00

Gurteen, S. H. — The Arthurian Epic. A Comparative
Study of the Cambrian, Breton, and Anglo-Norman ver-
sions of the story, and Tennyson's " Idylls of the King."
I vol., 8° $2 00

" Mr. Gurteen has devoted a great deal of careful and conscientious
study to his subject. . . . His treatment is scholarly, interesting, and
exhaustive, and when you have read it through you have a feeling that
your author has done you a real service, and given you a great many
pleasant hours. The author's enthusiasm takes possession of the reader,
and he finds himself enjoying the stories ... to the top of his bent.'

Littledale, N. — Essays on Lord Tennyson's Idylls of
the King.
I vol., 12° $1 25

BRO^VNING.

Nettleship, T. J. — Robert Browning. Essays and
Thoughts. Portrait.
12° $3 25

Suggestions for "bousebolO Xlbrarles 137

Browning Studies. — Select Papers by Members of the
Browning Society. Edited by Dr. Berdoe.
8° $2 25

Boston Bro'wrning Society Papers.

8° mi $2 00

Berdoe, Ed'ward. — Browning and the Christian Faith.

12° $1 75

Browning Cyclopedia. ^

8" $3 50

Cary, E, L. — Browning, Poet and Man. A Survey,
large 8° $3 75

Cooke, G. W.— A Guide Book to Poetical and Dra-
matical Works of Robert Browning.
8° $2 00

Corson, Hiram. — An Introduction to the Study of
Browning's Poetry
12° $1 50

Jones, Henry. — Brow^ning as a Philosophical and Reli-
gious Teacher,
Crown 8° «^/ $2 25

Fotheringham, J. — Studies in the Mind and Art of
Robert Browning. Revised Edition.
8° net $2 2$

Symons, A. — Introduction to the Study of Bro'wning.
12° 75 cts.

Alexander, W. J. — Introduction to the Poetry of
Browning.
12° Turi$i 00

Orr, Mrs. Sutherland. — Handbook to Robert Brown-
ing's Works. Revised Edition.
12° $1 75

138 Suggestions for DouseboIO Xlbraries

Berdoe, Edward. — Browning's Message to his Time.

Portrait. 16" 90 cts.

Revell, Wm. F. — Brow^ning's Criticism of Life.

Portrait. 16° ....... go cts.

Triggs, Oscar L. — Brow^ning and Whitman. A Study
ill Democracy.
16" ......... 90 cts.

American.

Richardson, C. F. — Primer of American Literature.

1 vol., 16' ....... net 35 cts.

Richardson, C. F. — American Literature, 1 607-1 885.
Part I. — The Development of American Thought.
Part II. — American Poetry and Fiction.

2 vols., 8° (cheaper edition, 2 vols., in I $3.50) . $6 00

" A book that is a credit to the writer and to the nation, and which" has
a grand future."

" It is the most thoughtful and suggestive work on American Litera-
ture that has been published."

" The author has given us a delightful book, as well as a helpful one ;
it stands the supreme test — it is interesting."

" It is acute, intelligent, and original, showing true critical instinct and
a high order of literary culture."

Whitcomb, S, L. — Chronological Outlines of American
Literature.

I vol., 12° . . . . . . . «<r/ $1 25

Matthews, Brander. — Introduction to the Study of
American Literature.
I vol., 12° net%\ CO

Stedman, E. C. — Poets of America.

I vol., 12° $2 25

Contents : Early and Recent Conditions, Growth of American School,
Bryant, Whittier, Emerson, Longfellow, Poe, Holmes, Lowell, Whitman,
Taylor, The Outlook.

Sug0e0tion0 tor f)ou0ebold libraries 139

Tyler, Moses Coit.

A History of American Literature During Colonial

Times. Part I.: 1606-1676. Part II.: 1676-1765.

2 vols., 8° (cheaper edition, 2 vols, in i, $3.00) . $5 00

The Literary History of the American Revolution.

Parti.: 1763-1776. Part II.: 1776-1783.

2 vols., 8" $6 00

"A History of American Literature ample, exact, and highly entertain-
ing. To Professor Tyler every one seriously concerned about American
literature must go. Me is loyal to the past of his country ; and even the
errors of loyalty have something in them from which we may learn." —
Edward Dowden, in The Academy.

" The plan of Professor Tyler's book is so vast and its execution so
fearless, that no_ reader can expect or wish to agree with all its personal
judgments. It is a book truly admirable both in design and general exe-
cution ; the learning great, the treatment wise, the style fresh and vigorous.
Like Parkman, Professor Tyler may almost be said to have created, not
merely his volumes, but their theme. Like Parkman, at any rate, he has
taken a whole department of human history, rescued it from oblivion, and
made it henceforward a matter of deep interest to every thinking mind."
— The Nation.

Critical Literary Essays.

Thackeray, Wm. M. [in Works]. — Eng^lish Humorists
of the Eighteenth Century.

Swift, Congreve and Addison, Steele, Prior, Gay and Pope, Hogarth,
SmoUet and Fielding, Sterne and Goldsmith.

Hazlitt, William. — English Poets and English Comic
Writers. Sketches and Essays.
2 vols., 12°. ....... net%2 00

Hazlitt, William. — The Spirit of the Age : Contempo-
rary Portraits.
X vol., 16° ........ $1 00

Contents : Hazlitt, Godwin, Coleridge, Irving, Scott, Byron, Southey,
Wordsworth, Gilford, Jeffrey, Cobbett, CampTCll and Crabbe, Moore,
Hunt, Elia and Geoffrey Crayon, Knowles.

Curtis, — G. W. — Literary and Social Essays.

I vol., 8° $2 50

Contents : Emerson, Hawthorne, Rachel, Thackeray, Sidney, Long-
fellow, Holmes, Irving.

140 Suggestions for 'boueebolD Xtbrariee

Lowell, J. R. [in Works]. — Literary Essays. 4 vols.

Contents: Moosehead Journal, Cambridge, At Sea, Mediterranean,
Italy, Roman Mosaic, Keats, Old Authors, Emerson, Thoreau, New
England, Two Centuries A^o, Carlyle, Swinburne, Percival, Lessing,
Rousseau, A Great Public Character, Witchcraft, Shakespeare, Dryden,
My Garden Acquaintance, Certain Condescension in Foreigners, Gooa
Work for Winter, Chaucer, Pope, Milton, Dante, Spenser, Wordsworth.

Gurteen, S. H.— The Epic of the Fall of Man. A Com-

. parative Study of Caedmon, Dante, and Milton.

I vol., 8° $2 50

This volume contains, in addition to the subject matter proper, a new
translation in blank verse of that part of Csedmon's Paraphrase which
treats of the Fail of Man. Also fac-similes of twenty-three illuminations
of the Junian Manuscript in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, England,
and a fac-simile of the first page of the Manuscript.

Stevenson, R. L. — Essays.

4 vols., 12° $5 00

Across the Plains.

Familiar Studies of Men and Books.

Virginibus Puerisque.

Memories and Portraits.

Birrell, Augustine. — Obiter Dicta. Res Judicatse.
Men, Women, and Books. Literary Essays.
4 vols., 16° ....... $4 00

Stearns, F. P. — Modern English Prose Writers.

I vol., 12" $1 50

Macaulay, Carlyle, Froude, Scott, Thackeray, Dickens, George Eliot,
Ruskin, MuUer, Arnold.

" His essays have a delightful flavor, and show fresh original ob-
servation."

Dowden, Ed'ward. — Studies in Literature, 1789 — 1877.

I vol., 8° $2 25

Contents:. French Revolution, Transcendental Movement, Scientific
Movement, Wordsworthj Landor, Tennyson, Browning, Eliot, Lamen-
nais, Quinet, French Writers of Verse (1830-77), Hugo, Whitman.

Hutton, R. H. — Criticism on Contemporary Thought
and Thinkers.
I vol., 12° $3 00

Carlyle, Emerson, Mill, Arnold, Tyndall, Church, Ruskin, Stephen,

Suflgestiojts for "fcouscbolO Xtbraries mi

Saintsbury, George. — Essays in English Literature,
1780-1860.

I vol., 8° . . . , . . . . $2 CO

Contents: Crabb«, HogK, Sydney Smith, Jeffrey, Hazlitt, Moore,
Hunt, Peacock, Wilson, DeQuincey, Lockhart, Praed, Borrow.

Saintsbury, George. — Corrected Impressions : Essays
on Victorian Writers.

I vol., 12° $1 25

Stephen, Leslie. — Hours in a Library. Critical Essays.
4 vols., 12° net%k 00

Contents: DeFoe, Richardson, Pope, Scott, Hawthorne. Balzac, De
Quincey, Browne, Edwards, Walpole, Johnson, Crabbe, Hazlitt, Disraeli,
Massinger, Fielding, Cowper and Rousseau, First Edinburgh Reviewers,
Wordsworth, Landor, Macaulay, Bronte, Kinesley, Godwin and Shelley,
Gray, Country Books, Eliot, Autobiography, Carlyle, State Trials,
Coleridge.

" There is little critical writing in the English language that can be
compared with these essays for keenness and breadth of view. . . .
One may search far and wide before finding estimates more discrimi-
nating, penetrating, and withal judicial. . . . His essays are most
instructive sind delightful." — Boston Literary World.

"... Mr. Stephen is a fair-minded and brilliant critic, whose
views, like Lessing's, are always illuminating and distinctly advance our
knowledge of men and things. — The Critic.

Hudson, W. H. — Studies in Interpretation.

I vol., 12° $1 25

Keats, Arnold, Clough.

Dowden, Edward. — New Studies in Literature.

I vol., 8° $3 00

Contents: Meredith, Bridges, Donne, Amours de Voyage, Goethe,
Coleridge, Scherer, Library Criticism in France, Teaching of English
Literature.

James Henry. — Partial Portraits.

I vol., 12° $1 75

Emerson, Eliot, Trollop>e, Stevenson, Du Maurier, Woolson, Daudet,
Maupassant, Turgenef.

Pater, Walter. — Appreciation.

I vol., 12° net%\ 75

Wordsworth, Coleridge, Lamb, Browne, Rossetti, Shakespeare.

142 Suggestioitd tor f)oudeboId Xibracfee

Mabie, H. W. — Essays in Literary Interpretation.

1 vol., 12° $t 25

Modern Literature, Personality in Literary Work, Modern Criticism,
D. G. Rossetti, Robert Browning, Keats, Dante, Humor.

Saintsbury, George. — Essays in English Literature,
I 780- I 860.

2 vols., 8° $4 00

Henley, W. E. — Views and Reviews.

I vol., 12° $1 00

Contents.- Dickens, Thackeray, Disraeli, Dumas, Meredith, Byron,
Hugo, Heine, Arnold, Rabelais, Homer and Theocritus, Shakespeare,
Sidney, Toumeur, Walton, Herrick, Locker, Banville, Dobson, Berloiz,
George Eliot, Borrow, Belzac, Labiche, Champfleury: Longfellow, Tenny-
son, Hake, Landor, Hood, Lever, Jefferies, Gay, Essays and Essayists,
Boswell, Congreye, Arabian Nights, Richardson, Tolstoi, Fielding.

Whipple, E. P. — American Literature and Other Papers.

I vol., 8° $1 50

American Literature, Emerson and Carlyle, Emerson as a Poet, Starr
King.

Tyler, Moses Coit. — Three Men of Letters (Berkeley,
Dwight, Joel Barlow).

I vol., 12° $1 25

" Models of literary excellence."

Gosse, Edmund. — Seventeenth Century Studies. A

contribution to the history of English poetry.

1 vol., 12° $1 50

Contents : Lodge, Webster, Rowlands, Capt. Dover's Gotswold Games,
Herrick, Crashaw, Cowley The Matchless Orinda, Etheredge, Otway.

Whipple, E. P. — Essays and Reviews.

2 vols., 12° $3 00

Contents : Macaulay, Talfourd, James, Smith, Wordsworth, Byron,
Shelley, Scott, Coleridge, Southey, Moore, Campbell, Tennyson, Proctor,
Keats, Eliot, E. Barrett, Bailey, Poets of America, Old English Drama-
tists, Shakespeare's Cntics, Fielding, Sheridan, Hood, Hunt, Carlyle,
British Critics, Prescott, Dana, Choate.

Fields, James T. — Yesterdays with Authors.

I vol., 12° $2 CX3

Contents : Thackeray, Hawthorne, Dickens, Wordsworth, Miss Mit-
ford, Barry Cornwall and his Friends.

Suagcdtione for Doueebold Xlbraries 143

Ritchie, Anne Thackeray. — Records of Tennyson,
Browning, and Ruskin.

1 vol., 8° $2 00

Swinburne, A. C. — Essays and Studies, Miscellanies,
Studies in Prose and Poetry.

3 vols., 12° $12 00

Bagehot, Walter. — Literary Studies.

3 vols., 12° $3 75

Contents : Coleridge, Shakespeare, Cowper, First Edinburgh Review-
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