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"We are glad to possess, in this form, portions of many authors whose entire works we should never own, and if we did should probably never find time to read. We confess our obligations to the author for the personal information concerning them which he has collected in the memoirs prefixed to their writings. These are written in a manner creditable to the research, ability, and kindness of the author."—.

"An important and interesting contribution to our national literature. The range of authors is very wide; the biographical notices full and interesting. I am surprised that the author has been able to collect so many particulars in this way. The selections appear to me to be made with discrimination, and the criticisms show a sound taste and a correct appreciation of the qualities of the writers, as well as I can judge."—

The present edition has been thoroughly revised, every page has been gone over, and notice of authors who have passed away since the previous editions were published, have been revised and continued to the period of their decease, and long and critical articles on the authors of the present day have been added, making the work complete in every respect to the present time. It should occupy a prominent place in the library of every cultivated American.

"There is no book accessible to the English or American reader which can furnish so comprehensive and symmetrical a view of German literature to the unitiated [sic]: and those already conversant with German classics will find here valuable and edifying extracts from works to which very few in the country can gain access."—

“This valuable volume contains selections from about three hundred and sixty authors, translated from ten languages,—the Anglo-Saxon, Icelandic, Danish, Swedish, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. Mr. Longfellow himself gives us translations from all of these languages but two. Among the other translators are Bowring, Felton, Herbert, Costello, Taylor, Jamieson, Breeks, Adamson, Thorpe, &c."—, vol. ii.