"The best book of its kind in the English language. The new matter is extremely curious, and occasionally far more characteristic and entertaining than the old. The writer is seen in a clearer light, and the reader is taken into his inmost soul. Pepys" Diary is the ablest picture of the age in which the writer lived, and a work of standard importance in English literature."--_Athenaeum._
"There is much in Pepys" Diary that throws a distinct and vivid light over the picture of England and its government during the period succeeding the Restoration. If, quitting the broad path of history, we look for minute information concerning ancient manners and customs, the progress of arts and sciences, and the various branches of antiquity, we have never seen a mine so rich as these volumes. The variety of Pepys"
tastes and pursuits led him into almost every department of life. He was a man of business, a man of information, a man of whim, and, to a certain degree, a man of pleasure. He was a statesman, a _bel-esprit_, a virtuoso, and a connoisseur. His curiosity made him an unwearied, as well as an universal, learner, and whatever he saw found its way into his tables."--_Quarterly Review._
"We owe Pepys a debt of grat.i.tude for the rare and curious information he has bequeathed to us in this most amusing and interesting work. His Diary is valuable, as depicting to us many of the most important characters of the times. Its author has bequeathed us the records of his heart, the very reflection of his energetic mind; and his quaint but happy narrative clears up numerous disputed points, throws light into many of the dark corners of history, and lays bare the hidden substratum of events which gave birth to, and supported the visible progress of, the nation."--_Tait"s Magazine._
"Of all the records that have ever been published, Pepys" Diary gives us the most vivid and trustworthy picture of the times, and the clearest view of the state of English public affairs and of English society during the reign of Charles II. We see there, as in a map, the vices of the Monarch, the intrigues of the Cabinet, the wanton follies of the Court, and the many calamities to which the nation was subjected during the memorable period of fire, plague, and general licentiousness. In the present edition all the suppressed pa.s.sages have been restored, and a large amount of valuable explanatory notes have been added. Thus this third edition stands alone as the only complete one. Lord Braybrooke has efficiently performed the duties of editor and annotator, and has conferred a lasting favour on the public by giving them Pepys" Diary in its integrity."--_Morning Post._
DIARY AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JOHN EVELYN, F.R.S., Author of the "Sylva," &c.
A NEW EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED WITH NUMEROUS ADDITIONAL NOTES.
UNIFORM WITH THE NEW EDITION OF PEPYS" DIARY.
In 4 vols., post 8vo., price 10s. 6d. each, with Ill.u.s.trations.
N.B.--The First Two Volumes, comprising "The Diary," are now ready.
The Diary and Correspondence of John Evelyn has long been regarded as an invaluable record of opinions and events, as well as the most interesting exposition we possess of the manners, taste, learning, and religion of this country, during the latter half of the seventeenth century. The Diary comprises observations on the politics, literature, and science of his age, during his travels in France and Italy; his residence in England towards the latter part of the Protectorate, and his connexion with the Courts of Charles II. and the two subsequent reigns, interspersed with a vast number of original anecdotes of the most celebrated persons of that period. To the Diary is subjoined the Correspondence of Evelyn with many of his distinguished contemporaries; also Original Letters from Sir Edward Nicholas, private secretary to King Charles I., during some important periods of that reign, with the King"s answers; and numerous letters from Sir Edward Hyde (Lord Clarendon) to Sir Edward Nicholas, and to Sir Richard Brown, Amba.s.sador to France, during the exile of the British Court.
A New Edition of this interesting work having been long demanded, the greatest pains have been taken to render it as complete as possible, by a careful re-examination of the original Ma.n.u.script, and by ill.u.s.trating it with such annotations as will make the reader more conversant with the numerous subjects referred to by the Diarist.
"It has been justly observed that as long as Virtue and Science hold their abode in this island, the memory of Evelyn will be held in the utmost veneration. Indeed, no change of fashion, no alteration of taste, no revolution of science, have impaired, or can impair, his celebrity.
The youth who looks forward to an inheritance which he is under no temptation to increase, will do well to bear the example of Evelyn in his mind, as containing nothing but what is imitable, and nothing but what is good. All persons, indeed, may find in his character something for imitation, but for an English gentleman he is the perfect model."--_Quarterly Review._
ANECDOTES OF THE ARISTOCRACY, AND EPISODES IN ANCESTRAL STORY.
By J. BERNARD BURKE, Esq.,
Author of "The History of the Landed Gentry," "The Peerage and Baronetage," &c.
SECOND EDITION, 2 vols., post 8vo., 24s. bound.
The memoirs of our great families are replete with details of the most striking and romantic interest, throwing light on the occurrences of public as well as domestic life, and elucidating the causes of many important national events. How little of the personal history of the Aristocracy is generally known, and yet how full of amus.e.m.e.nt is the subject! Almost every eminent family has some event connected with its rise or greatness, some curious tradition interwoven with its annals, or some calamity casting a gloom over the brilliancy of its achievements, which cannot fail to attract the attention of that sphere of society to which this work more particularly refers, and must equally interest the general reader, with whom, in this country, the records of the higher cla.s.ses have always possessed a peculiar attraction. The anecdotes of the Aristocracy here recorded go far to show that there are more marvels in real life than in the creations of fiction. Let the reader seek romance in whatever book, and at whatever period he may, yet nought will he find to surpa.s.s the unexaggerated reality here unfolded.
"Mr. Burke has here given us the most curious incidents, the most stirring tales, and the most remarkable circ.u.mstances connected with the histories, public and private, of our n.o.ble houses and aristocratic families, and has put them into a shape which will preserve them in the library, and render them the favourite study of those who are interested in the romance of real life. These stories, with all the reality of established fact, read with as much spirit as the tales of Boccaccio, and are as full of strange matter for reflection, and amazement."--_Britannia._
"Two of the most interesting volumes that have ever issued from the press. There are no less than one hundred and twenty-three of the most stirring and captivating family episodes we ever remember to have perused. The "Anecdotes of the Aristocracy" will be read from the palace to the hamlet; and no one can rise from these volumes without deriving a useful knowledge of some chapter of family history, each connected with one or other of the great houses of the kingdom."--_British Army Despatch._
"We cannot estimate too highly the interest of Mr. Burke"s entertaining and instructive work. For the curious nature of the details, the extraordinary anecdotes related, the strange scenes described, it would be difficult to find a parallel for it. It will be read by every one."--_Sunday Times._
COMPLETION OF THE LIVES OF THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND.
BY AGNES STRICKLAND.
DEDICATED, BY PERMISSION, TO HER MAJESTY.
The ELEVENTH and TWELFTH VOLUMES, completing this interesting Work, being now published, Purchasers are recommended to give immediate orders to their Booksellers for the completion of their sets, to prevent disappointment.
"These volumes have the fascination of a romance united to the integrity of history. The work is written by a lady of considerable learning, indefatigable industry, and careful judgment. All these qualifications for a biographer and an historian she has brought to bear upon the subject of her volumes, and from them has resulted a narrative interesting to all, and more particularly interesting to that portion of the community to whom the more refined researches of literature afford pleasure and instruction. The whole work should be read, and no doubt will be read, by all who are anxious for information. It is a lucid arrangement of facts, derived, from authentic sources, exhibiting a combination of industry, learning, judgment, and impartiality, not often met with in biographers of crowned heads."--_Times._
"This remarkable, this truly great historical work, is now brought to a conclusion. In this series of biographies, in which the severe truth of history takes almost the wildness of romance, it is the singular merit of Miss Strickland that her research has enabled her to throw new light on many doubtful pa.s.sages, to bring forth fresh facts, and to render every portion of our annals which she has described an interesting and valuable study. She has given a most valuable contribution to the history of England, and we have no hesitation in affirming that no one can be said to possess an accurate knowledge of the history of the country who has not studied her "Lives of the Queens of England.""--_Morning Herald._
"A most valuable and entertaining work. There is certainly no lady of our day who has devoted her pen to so beneficial a purpose as Miss Strickland. Nor is there any other whose works possess a deeper or more enduring interest. Miss Strickland is to our mind the first literary lady of the age."--_Chronicle._
"We must p.r.o.nounce Miss Strickland beyond all comparison the most entertaining historian in the English language. She is certainly a woman of powerful and active mind, as well as of scrupulous justice and honesty of purpose."--_Morning Post._
"Miss Strickland has made a very judicious use of many authentic MS.
authorities not previously collected, and the result is a most interesting addition to our biographical library."--_Quarterly Review._
"A valuable contribution to historical knowledge. It contains a ma.s.s of every kind of historical matter of interest, which industry and research could collect. We have derived much entertainment and instruction from the work."--_Athenaeum._
KING ARTHUR.
BY SIR E. BULWER LYTTON, BART.,
Author of "The New Timon."
Second Edition, 1 vol., post 8vo., 10s. 6d. bound.
"King Arthur aims at relating one of the most fascinating of all national and chivalrous legends. It is a valuable addition to the poetical treasures of our language, and we regard it as not only worthy, but likely, to take its place among those fine, though not faultless performances which will hereafter represent the poetical literature of England in the first half of the nineteenth century. The author is, we think, right in believing this to be the least perishable monument of his genius."--_Edinburgh Review._
"This grand epic of "King Arthur" must henceforth be ranked amongst our national masterpieces. In it we behold the crowning achievement of the author"s life. His ambition cannot rise to a greater alt.i.tude. He has accomplished that which once had its seductions for the deathless and majestic mind of Milton. He has now a.s.sumed a place among the kings of English poetry."--_Sun._
"We see in "King Arthur" a consummate expression of most of those higher powers of mind and thought which have been steadily and progressively developed in Sir Bulwer Lytton"s writings. Its design is a lofty one, and through all its most varied extremes evenly sustained. It comprises a national and a religious interest. It animates with living truth, with forms and faces familiar to all men, the dim figures of legendary lore.
It has an earnest moral purpose, never lightly forgotten or thrown aside. It is remarkable for the deep and extensive knowledge it displays, and for the practical lessons of life and history which it reflects in imaginative form. We have humour and wit, often closely bordering on pathos and tragedy; exploits of war, of love, and of chivalrous adventure, alternate with the cheerful lightness and pleasantry of _la gaie science_."--_Examiner._
"The great national subject of "King Arthur," which Milton for a long time hesitated whether he should not choose in preference to that of the "Fall of Man," has been at last in our own day treated in a way which we think will place "King Arthur" among the most remarkable works of genius. It will be the delight of many future generations. It is one of the most entrancing poems we have ever read; full of great and rare ideas--conceived in the plenary spirit of all-believing romance--strange and wonderful in incident--national through and through--a real plant of this soil, so purely the tree of England"s antiquity that we love it for kind"s sake."--_Morning Post._
THE NEW TIMON: A POETICAL ROMANCE.
FOURTH EDITION, 1 vol., post 8vo., 6s. bound.
"One of the most remarkable poems of the present generation."--_Sun._
THE REV. R. MILMAN"S LIFE OF Ta.s.sO.
2 vols., post 8vo., 21s. bound.