The World’s Library of Best Books

THIS work is meant to be something more than a mere anthology, or a collection of beautiful or striking passages from favourite authors. The main purpose the Editor has had in view has been to give representative selections from the World's Great Books, with such introductory notes, as will convey to the reader's mind something of the content, the significance and the quality of individual master-pieces of literature. Some great writers are represented by two or more pas-sages, to be found in different parts of this work.

To make acquaintance with the world's best books to read them through from first to last is beyond the reach of any man. Yet where is the reader with a sense of culture who would not choose to bring his mind into contact with the best and finest minds of every age and race? There is one way of doing this and one way only and that is by the study of well selected passages from the writings of these master minds, so chosen as to throw into the clearest light their aims and message, their methods and their style. In this collection the great writers of all times and countries-poets, novelists, biographers, dramatists -will be represented.