 | Paul Fane, or, Parts of a life else untold |  |
BOOKS PUBLISHED BY CHAS. SCRIBNER.
An Important National Work.
CYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN LITERATURE:
Embracing Personal and Critical Notices of Authors, and Selections from their Writings,
from the earliest period to the present day. By E. A. Duyckinck and George L.
Duyckinck. 2 Vols., 8vo. With 225 Portraits, 425 Autographs, and 75 Views of Colleges,
Libraries, and Residences of Authors, and elegant Steel Engravings or James
Fennimore Cooper and Benjamin Franklin. $7 00. In half calf, $10 00. Morocco
Extra, $16 00.
The whole is included in two royal octavo volumes, in all 1,500 pages, printed on
superfine paper, from new type, cast expressly for the work.
The engravings are from original and authentic sources, and the portraits of many
of the authors are now for the first time presented to the public.
The work is arranged in chronological order, and treats fully of the great colonial
period, containing full specimens of the early historic, poetical, and social literature in
all parts of the country. It also embraces a great variety of matter now first brought
together, relating to the era of the Revolution, including a new collection and arrangement
of Revolutionary Ballads.
It includes illustrations of the Pulpit, the Bar, and other Professional Writers, of the
Political Oratory, the Educational Institutions, and
THE GENERAL LITERATURE OF THE COUNTRY.
The Personal Biography is full and minute, and the selections comprehend a large
portion of the best Literature of America. The latter are made particularly with reference
to their completeness and to their permanent historical interest, and display every
variety of talent from every portion of the country. In this respect the work (the contents
of which will equal six ordinary octavo volumes) may be regarded as no inconsiderable
AMERICAN LIBRARY IN ITSELF.
From Washington Irving, Esq.
“It would be difficult to speak too highly of the value to the student of American literature
of a work which brings together, in two ample volumes, so much rare and scattered
information, concerning the authors of our country, and enables him, in one comprehensive
glance, to grasp the degree and forms of her mental progress and development.
The work is executed with marked ability, and evinces the fine culture, critical insight,
and amiable spirit for which the Messrs. Duyckinck are so favorably known. I commend
it most heartily to the reading public, for I consider it not merely a desideratum, but,
in some sort, a necessity, to every well-furnished American library.”
From George Bancroft, Esq.
“The `Cyclopedia of American Literature' is one of the most remarkable productions
which have appeared from the American press. As an instance of the affectionate
coöperation of two brothers, it is almost unexampled. Both of the Messrs. Duyckinck
are distinguished by rare talent; both are indefatigable. I have given attention chiefly
to the first volume, and find it a storehouse of information, to me invaluable. The critical
skill of the writers, their spirit and research, their candor and comprehensiveness, are
admirable, and they have brought together a mass of interesting matter, which no inquirer
can dispense with, or use without gratitude.”
From George Ticknor, Esq.
“It is the only work worth naming on American Literary History; and I am much surprised
that the Messrs. Duyckinck have been able to muster at once so numerous an array
of American authors; and still more, that they should have collected such an immense
amount of facts, small and great, relating to persons generally so little known. In these
respects, it is certainly a very remarkable book, and does its authors great credit—for
few American readers can open it without finding curious or interesting matter to
attract their attention.”
From Hon. Edward Everett.
“As far as I have been able to form an opinion, it is an extremely valuable publication,
prepared with great diligence and research, and executed with much discretion and
ability. On the only occasion which I have had to consult it, for a practical purpose, I
have found it highly satisfactory.”
From Jared Sparks, Esq.
“The biographical sketches of authors, and the notices of their various compositions,
give evidence of a thorough research; and the critical remarks indicate a spirit of candor
and impartiality, which add to their weight. The selections are various and instructive,
as illustrating the progress of thought and letters in this country, during the last two hundred
years. In this respect, and in others, the work has a historical as well as a literary
value, and is adapted to the instruction and entertainment of every class of readers.”
From the North American Review.
“We cannot too highly commend the spirit in which the extensive and laborious work
before us has been conceived and executed. The chastened taste and familiar knowledge
of the scholar are visible in the whole design; while in treating of contemporaneous subjects,
the true instinct of the gentleman is equally discernible....... The value
of the Cyclopedia consists primarily in the abundance, reliableness, and interest of the
facts relating to the intellectual development of the country, for the first time collated,
arranged, and illustrated in these volumes. They will become indispensable for reference.”
From Putnam's Monthly.
“American literature has found a complete and felicitous chronicle in these volumes.
The editors have brought to its preparation an enlightened love of letters, rare personal
accomplishments, a genial antiquarian enthusiasm, and untiring fidelity and patience of
research. It is remarkable for the compactness with which it crowds the different epochs
of our literature into a comprehensive space, without falling into a meagre and unfruitful
brevity. In turning over its leaves, we are often tempted to stop and admire the ingenuity
of the editors, who have been able to impart such a rich variety of incidental literary
information, besides the leading notices which appropriately introduce the selections from
various authors.
“Tracing the progress of intellectual culture in this country, from the first dawn of
literature among the Puritan exiles, to the latest productions of the present day, it exhibits
a complete map, or rather a finished miniature sketch of the development and performances
of American talent in the field of letters.”
From the Knickerbocker Magazine.
“It displays immense research, carried up to the very sources of American literature;
much curious investigations into regions not easily accessible to the general reader.
* * * It is not so much a cyclopedia as a biographical dictionary, full of interest, containing
extensive records of literature during two centuries in the North American colonies
and States. The sketches of lives are succinctly and often admirably done.”
From the Church Journal.
“No portion of the country, and no school of its writers, is passed over in silence, or
slighted in treatment. With calm, equal, careful, and affectionate impartiality, all have
their place; the best points and qualities of each are brought out; the selections and
specimens of their work are the most piquant and characteristic; and a feeling of unity is
given to the whole, which, to a true American, is delightfully gratifying.”
Headley's Illustrated Life of Washington.
THE LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON.
BY J. T. HEADLEY,
AUTHOR OF “WASHINGTON AND HIS GENERALS,” “NAPOLEON AND HIS MARSHALS.”
1 vol., 8vo., with Forty-two full page Engravings from Original Designs. Price, $3 00.
From Preface.—“My design is to popularize the life of Washington, by confining
myself to events and incidents intimately connected with him and his movements, and
thus make the work less voluminous than it would be if it embraced a more detailed history
of concurrent events. Recent collections of documents throwing new light on the
War of the Revolution make such a work desirable. All of Rufus Putnam's papers and
correspondence, and diary have also been put into my hands, which shed an entirely new
light on some of the most interesting events of the Revolution, and movements of Washington.
The reader will therefore find a vast number of facts in this work which have
never before appeared in any life of Washington, but which add greatly to the interest
which surrounds his character.”
NINE SUPERB STEEL ENGRAVINGS.
Portrait of Washington, from an Original Painting by Stuart. Portrait of Washington
at the age of forty, from an Original Painting. Washington crossing the Alleghany.
Putnam receiving the Intelligence of the Battle of Lexington. Lafayette's last Interview
with Louis Sixteenth and Marie Antoinette, before his departure for America. Washington
at Valley Forge. Mercer mortally wounded at Princeton. Capture of Major André.
THIRTY-TWO ELEGANT (FULL PAGE) WOOD ENGRAVINGS.
Washington and his Mother. Death of Jumonville. Defeat of Braddock. Burial of
Braddock. Planting of the Royal Flag on the Ruins of Fort Duquesne. Chairing Colonel
Wood as proxy for Washington. Washington's Wedding. Washington dragging the
Poacher Ashore. Descending the Ohio. Christening the Liberty Tree. Duche's Prayer
in Congress. Scene at Stockbridge, on receiving news of the Battle of Lexington. The
Bellman informed of the Passage of the Declaration of Independence. Knox entering
Camp with Artillery. Evacuation of Boston. Tearing down the Statue of George III.
Young Callender Fighting his Gun. Washington endeavoring to rally the Fugitives.
Quaker Lady detaining the English General. Washington and Captain Forest inquiring
for the Hessian Picket. Washington at Princeton. Countrymen joining the Army under
Gates. Night Attack at Paoli. Washington urging the Countryman to greater speed.
Abandoning the Vessels at Gloucester. Attack on Fort Mifflin. Moll Pitcher at Monmouth.
Washington and Lee at Monmouth. Washington taking leave of the Army
Washington at the Death-bed of young Custis. Washington taking leave of his Mother.
Washington as a Farmer.
“Mr. Headley's peculiarities as an author are universally known. He is one of the
most vigorous and spirit-stirring writers of the day.”
—N. Y. Courier & Enquirer.
“His descriptions are graphic, his history correct, and his summing up of character
scarcely suffers by comparison with similar pages in Tacitus.”
—N. Y. Evening Post.
“He speaks heartily, earnestly, truthfully, and the warm heart answers to his voice.”
—N. Y. Observer.
| Paul Fane, or, Parts of a life else untold | |