's is easily the most successful. He does not overload his
narrative with antiquarian details, and the story moves rapidly to its
great climax. It is a brilliant and imaginative picture of the later
Roman civilization.

The Cloister and the Hearth. CHARLES READE.

There are many who think this the greatest of all historical novels,
and it is certain that there are few better. It is not a story so much
as a vast and varied transcript of life. It is also a delightful
romance, and Gerard and Margaret are among the immortals of fiction.

John Halifax, Gentleman. Mrs. CRAIK.

This simple and candid study of one who lived up to the standard of
truth and honour and courtesy which an earlier age defined by the word
"gentleman" is one of the most popular novels of last century, and
there is no sign that its attraction is waning.

Cranford. Mrs. GASKELL.

To praise _Cranford_ at this time of day is an idle task. After being
overshadowed for a little, it has taken its place finally among the
masterpieces of English fiction, along with Jane Austen and the _Vicar
of Wakefield_. There has never been a more delightful and tender study
of English village life, or one in which insight is so joined with
kindliness.

East Lynne, Mrs. HENRY WOOD.
The Channings.

Mrs. Wood has long been the most popular of writers, and the
publishers are glad to be able to add her two chief novels to their
series. The whole world is familiar with her characters.

The Deerslayer, FENIMORE COOPER.
The Last of the Mohicans, "
The Pathfinder. "

Fenimore Cooper was the Scott of America, the man who, by turning his
own history into great romance, gave it immortality. Many years have
passed since the first publication of these books, and there have been
many imitators, but their merits still remain unsurpassed.

The Three Musketeers. ALEXANDRE DUMAS.

Dumas is, after Scott, the foremost of historical novelists, and _The
Three Musketeers_ is, by universal consent, his masterpiece. It tells
of a great companionship in arms, and the names of Athos, Porthos,
Aramis, and D'Artagnan are among the most familiar to all lovers of
good fiction. No man had so generous an imagination, so great a sense
of drama, so boyish a love of high enterprises, or so masterly a power
of narrative.

Villette. CHARLOTTE BRONTE.

From an artistic point of view, the