THE publishers of the Family Library have the pleasure of presenting to its patrons and readers a work of more than common excellence. The poetical reputation of Mr. Montgomery has long been very great; and his appointment as one of the lecturers before the London Institution, was equally honourable to himself and to the taste and judgment of the directors. The discourses read by him in that capacity were listened to by most numerous auditories, and the publication drew forth from the critics of Great Britain the warmest expressions of delight and approbation. The publishers of the Family Library are confident that their reception in America will be not less favourable; and that to the student, the scholar, and the general reader, they will afford the highest gratification.

The publishers of the Family Library with pleasure seize this opportunity to express their grateful sense of the encouragement and support that have been bestowed upon their publication. It is but little more than three years since the first number of the Library was published; the undertaking was of a character as yet untried in the United States, and many entertained serious doubts of its success. By the liberal patronage bestowed upon it from the very first, it has grown within that short period of time into a collection of sixty-four volumes, comprising a great variety of subjects; indeed, it may be said to contain almost the whole circle of the sciences, and very many of the departments of literature; and it is with pride that the publishers feel themselves imboldened by the unanimous and reiterated voice of the press throughout the country, to assert that the ability and value of the several works, are equal to the variety and interest of the subjects. These volumes are now indeed a Family Library, in the most expressive signification of the term; full of entertainment and instruction, and alike captivating and important as well to the opening mind of youth as to the matured intellect of riper years. No care, labour, or expense has been spared to procure the best materials; and the publishers are confident that, judging from the past, their friends and patrons will have faith in their assurance that there will be no relaxation in their efforts for the future.

From among the almost innumerable testimonials of every form and character with which they have been favoured, the publishers cannot deny themselves the gratification of selecting and laying before the public, the following extracts from letters received by them within the last few weeks, and written by gentlemen of high character for learning, judgment, and intelli

gence