Author: BEAUTIES.
Title: The Beauties of English Prose: Being a Select Collection of Moral, Critical, and Entertaining Passages, Disposed in the Manner of Essays.... The whole tending to cultivate the Mind, and promote the Practice of Virtue.
Description: London: Printed for Howes Clarke and Collins, S. Crowder, B. Law, and G. Robinson..., 1772. FIRST EDITION. 4 volumes. 12mo, 161 x 96 mms., pp.xi [xii blank], 264; [iv], 263 [264 blank]; [iv], 288; [iv], 288, including half title in each volume, contemporary calf, spines richly gilt in compartments, red and green morocco labels; several nicks and chips on binding, but generally a very good and attractive set. The (so far) anonymous compiler gives the classic reason for this collection: "designed chiefly for the instruction and improvement of the British Youth of both sexes..."; the work can also find a place in the "libraries of Gentlemen and Scholars, to whom they may occasionally afford some assistance, by present them...with the most admired Writers in the English language, upon subjects of Taste, Learning, and Morality." The Monthly Review for 1772 commented on the popularity of collections like this one, but asserted of this one that, "the collection appears to be, on the whole, judiciously and carefully executed, and is adapted both to entertain and improve...." The Critical Review more-or-less concurred: "The articles which compose this large collection, are, in general, the most ingenious and approved passages of the English prose writers of great eminence.... The literary fame of the authors from whom these volumes are extracted, is so respectable, that probably from that circumstance alone, the public will be inclined to form a presumptive opinion of the work; and we shall only observe, that, in this case, their judgment will not be misguided by such a predilection...."

Keywords: beauties anthology prose


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