THE

PREMIUM;

A PRESENT FOR ALL SEASONS:

CONSISTING OF

ELEGANT SELECTIONS

FROM

BRITISH AND AMERICAN WRITERS

OF THE

NINETEENTH CENTURY.

PHILADELPHIA:

CAREY, LEA & BLANCHARD.

1833.

LEC

8 23 1201

Duplicate money

ENTERED according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1833, by CAREY, LEA & BLANCHARD, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

1529

43-182

PREFACE.

Or the many books which are now used as presents to the young, there is a large proportion whose contents are rather of a light and frivolous character; and very few of which the composition may be regarded as truly classical. The editor of the Premium, having frequent occasion to present books to those who are under his care, has learnt that it is no easy matter always to find such a volume as is exactly suited to his purpose.

He deems it important that a premium should contain solid matter-such as may be read frequently without losing its interest-matter which may serve to form the taste, aid the reader in the art of composition, at the same time that it furnishes valuable information; and precepts for

the conduct of life. In short, that the volume

may be fit to preserve and peruse in mature life.

If the production now offered to the public shall be considered as having in any good degree maintained this character, the editor's design will have been fully accomplished.