In the literary world, or What to read; a cyclopedia of literary people

Front matter

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Preface

S HE AIM AND SCOPE of this volume is to bring its readers into closer relation with their favorite authors,—to widen their acquaintance among literary people by presenting many of the writers of today, as well as to be of practical assistance in deciding what books to read. A library, though small, if carefully selected, will be a source of profit and pleasure; but, alas! how many collections of books cannot properly be called libraries. This volume is intended as a guide,—a help in determining what books should be pur¬ chased to make up a library to suit the taste and fancy of the purchaser. We have viewed the literary world as a bounteous harvest; have visited and marked the most fertile spots, making it easy for those who glean to choose the tallest, ripest grain.

Believing that ofttimes a new and deeper meaning is given to an author’s writings when we see his face and can study his features, we have added to the text the portraits of many of the popular writers, especial care having been taken to present our

PREFACE.

American writers and give them due prominence. It is not long until they become as acquaintances, and peeping at us from between the pages, beckon us on to a closer perusal of their books.

To the teacher or student the volume will be an aid as a book of reference. To the parents it will be of inestimable value, as it will place their children on the road to good literature.

With the hope that it may encourage the gathering together of good books in the home and a cultivation of a desire for a closer acquaintance with these men and women of noblest, grand¬ est and purest thoughts, this book is started on its mission with a “God-speed.”

DAPHNE DALE.

Contents

Addison, Joseph Agassiz, Louis J. B.

Alcott, Louisa May Alcott, Thomas Bailey Arnold, Edwin Audubon, John James

Bancroft, George Black, William Boker George H.