TO THE READER. IN offering to the public a work at once novel and attractive, and so widely differing in point of design and execution from any of a similar class hitherto announced, few observations will, it is hoped, be deemed necessary. Its character and pretensions will best be explained by simply referring to the names of the artists, its conductorsto the style of the embellishments themselves—and, as regards its literary illustrations, to the judgment of the general reader. On this last point only it may be proper to state, that the author has been deeply indebted to the valuable suggestions and other assistance of several talented individuals*, to whom he is bound to offer his warmest acknowledg ments. Among others, in particular, to the author of the "Castilian." |