[267b] Clarissa should be read in nine of the twenty volumes of Richardson’s Novels, published by Chapman & Hall—a very dainty well-printed book. “I love these large, still books,” said Lord Tennyson.
[267c] The greatest of all novels, Tom Jones, is obtainable in several Library Editions of Fielding’s Works. A cheap well-printed form is that of the Works of Henry Fielding in 12 volumes, published by Gay & Bird. Here The Story of Tom Jones a Foundling is in 4 volumes. The book is in 2 volumes in Bohn’s Library—an excellent edition.
[267d] Johnson’s Rasselas has frequently been reprinted, but there is no edition for a book-lover at present in the bookshops. It is included in Classic Tales in a volume of Bohn’s Standard Library. The wise course is to look out for one of the earlier editions with copper plates that are constantly to be found on second-hand bookstalls. But Johnson’s Works should be bought in a fine octavo edition.
[268a] Goldsmith’s Vicar of Wakefield should be possessed in the edition which Mr. Hugh Thomson has illustrated and Mr. Austin Dobson has edited for the Macmillans. There is a good edition of Goldsmith’s Works in Bohn’s Library.
[268b] Sterne’s Sentimental Journey is also a volume for the second-hand bookstall, although that and the equally fine Tristram Shandy may be obtained in many pretty forms. I have two editions of Sterne’s books, but they are both fine old copies.
[268c] There are two very good editions of Peacock’s delightful romances. Nightmare Abbey forms a volume of J. M. Dent’s edition in 9 volumes, edited by Dr. Garnett; and the whole of Peacock’s remarkable stories are contained in a single volume of Newnes’ “Thin Paper Classics.”
[268d] Sir Walter Scott’s novels are available in many forms equally worthy of a good library. The best is the edition published by Jack of Edinburgh. The Temple Library of Scott (J. M. Dent) may be commended for those who desire pocket volumes, while Mr. Andrew Lang’s Introductions give an added value to an edition published by the Macmillans, Scott’s twenty-eight novels are indispensable to every good library, and every reader will have his own favourite.
[268e] Balzac’s novels are obtainable in a good translation by Ellen Marriage, edited by George Saintsbury, published in New York by the Macmillan Company and in London by J. M. Dent.
[269a] A translation of Dumas’ novels in 48 volumes is published by Dent. The Three Musketeers is in 2 volumes. There are many cheap one volume editions.
[269b] Thackeray’s Vanity Fair is pleasantly read in the edition of his novels published by J. M. Dent. His original publishers, Smith, Elder & Co., issue his works in many forms.