University of Virginia Library

“Mr. Valpy has projected a Family Classical Library. The idea is
excellent, and the work cannot fail to be acceptable to youth of both sexes,
as well as to a large portion of the reading community, who have not had
the benefit of a learned education.”

“We have here the commencement of another undertaking for the more
general distribution of knowledge, and one which, if as well conducted
as we may expect, bids fair to occupy an enlarged station in our immediate
literature. The volume before us is a specimen well calculated to
recommend what are to follow. Leland's Demosthenes is an excellent
work.”

“This work will be received with great gratification by every man who
knows the value of classical knowledge. All that we call purity of taste,
vigour of style, and force of thought has either been taught to the modern
world by the study of the classics, or has been guided and restrained by
those illustrious models. To extend the knowledge of such works is to
do a public service.”

“The Family Classical Library is another of those cheap, useful, and
elegant works, which we lately spoke of as forming an era in our publishing
history.”

“The present era seems destined to be honourably distinguished in
literary history by the high character of the works to which it is succes
sively giving birth. Proudly independent of the fleeting taste of the day,
they boast substantial worth which can never be disregarded; they put
forth a claim to permanent estimation. The Family Classical Library is
a noble undertaking, which the name of the editor assures us will be executed
in a style worthy of the great originals.”

“This is a very promising speculation; and as the taste of the day runs
just now very strongly in favour of such Miscellanies, we doubt not it
will meet with proportionate success. It needs no adventitions aid, however
influential; it has quite sufficient merit to enable it to stand on
its own foundation, and will doubtless assume a lofty grade in public
favour.”

“This work, published at a low price, is beautifully got up. Though
to profess to be content with translations of the Classics has been denounced
as `the thin disguise of indolence,' there are thousands who
have no leisure for studying the dead languages, who would yet like to
know what was thought and said by the sages and poets of antiquity.
To them this work will be a treasure.”

“This design, which is to communicate a knowledge of the most
esteemed authors of Greece and Rome, by the most approved translations,
to those from whom their treasures, without such assistance, would be
hidden, must surely be approved by every friend of literature, by every
lover of mankind. We shall only say of the first volume, that as the
execution well accords with the design, it must command general approbation.”

“We see no reason why this work should not find its way into the
boudoir of the lady, as well as into the library of the learned. It is cheap,
portable, and altogether a work which may safely be placed in the hands
of persons of both sexes”