Text: John L. O'Sullivan, “[Review of Wiley & Putnam's Library, with The Raven and Other Poems],” Democratic Review (New York, NY), vol. XVII, no. 6, whole no. 90, December 1845, p. 479

[page 479, column 2, continued:]

WILEY & PUTNAM'S LIBRARY.

Since our last, several valuable and attractive numbers have been added to this popular series of books, Hazlitt's English Poets and Comic writers, are perhaps of all his writings, the two works most strongly marked by the peculiarities of his genius and the felicities of his style. Whether the reader agrees or not with his critical opinions, these essays form the most delightful medium for renewing acquaintance with the classic authors of our native tongue. We have before enlarged on the acuteness and zest of Hazlitt's comments on life and books, and the necessity of adopting his views with caution, while we enjoy his appreciation of what his mind was fitted to analyze. Mr. Poe's Poems appear in this series; and we doubt not the popularity of “The Raven,” will give them a large sale, as we hear copies of that spirited and ingenious poem continually demanded. At this season, the juvenile books issued by the same house, are worthy of notice. They publish four of the best of Peter Parley's books, the most attractive primer we have seen, Tales of the Kings of England, Bingley's Stories from Instinct, Glimpses of the Wonderful Short and Simple Prayers, and Naturalist's Rambles — forming an excellent and beautiful set of children's books.