The Design and Plan of the MINERVA LIBRARY OF FAMOUS BOOKS have been amply justified by the remarkable favour with which it has been received by the press and the public. The design is to provide at the lowest possible cost books which every intelligent reader will wish to possess, in a form readable, attractive, and lasting. The issue at monthly intervals, not so frequent as to distract, not so intermittent as to lose the advantage of regularity, enables readers to add to their library at an almost imperceptible cost. Thus for about one pound a year, every man may form a library which will afford an ever-increasing source of gratification and cultivation to himself and his family. There will be no doubt, as in buying the novelties of the day, as to whether the new volume will prove to be of permanent value and interest. It will have already stood the test of time and of good critics, though frequently it may have been unattainable except at a heavy cost. The Minerva Library will only include works of widespread popularity, which have proved themselves worthy of a permanent place in literature.
Variety will be studied in the selection of books, so that all classes of the best literature of all nations may be represented. The adoption of the name "Minerva" will be justified by the abundant wisdom, thought, and imaginative and inventive power which the books will be found to contain.
Each volume contains an introduction by the Editor, in which a biography of the author, or critical or explanatory notes, place the reader in sympathy with the author and his work. In some of the books additional elucidations and illustrations of the text are given, and in others side-notes indicate the subjects of the paragraphs.
The number of separate Plates as well as illustrations in the text forms a marked feature of the series. As far as possible an authentic portrait of every author will be given. An inspection of the books only is needed to make their attractiveness evident.
Every Englishman who reads and thinks, and wishes to possess the BEST BOOKS, should have every book in the Minerva library.
The Youth beginning to form a Library of books for lifelong companionship cannot do better than subscribe to the Minerva Library.
Schools, Mechanics, and Village Libraries, and literary institutions of all kinds, should provide themselves with a number of copies of this inexpensive library of indispensable books.
The Artisan and the Shop-assistant will find their means and opportunities consulted in this series. They cannot buy the best books in the English language in a better and cheaper form combined.
Naturally every Englishman wants to possess the choice works of the greatest Englishmen; and to complete his ideas as a citizen of the world, he needs a selection of the greatest writings of the geniuses of other countries. Both these wants it is the object of the Minerva Library to supply.
VOLUME I.—EIGHTH EDITION.