Text: Edgar Allan Poe (?), Literary, Broadway Journal (New York), September 6, 1845, vol. 2, no. 9, p. ???, col. ?

[page 137, column 1, continued:]

Appleton's Literary Melange: a Series of Books for Popular Reading. No. I. Gertrude; a Tale. By the author of “Amy Herbert.” Edited by the Rev. W. Sewell, M.A. New York: D. Appleton & Co.

The great success of Messrs. Wiley & Putnam's “Library of Choice Reading” has, we presume, stirred up the Mess. Appletons to the present laudable enterprise. We make an extract from their advertisement:

“The publishers of the proposed “Literary Melange,” believing that there is still ample space for a uniform series of superior productions in the less erudite department of popular literature, which shall fie distinctly characterized as combining amusement and instruction With moral benefit, therefore have resolved to present to their friends and the public, a miscellaneous library adapted for popular reading, equally suited for the recreation of the scholar and the man of business, after their more arduous toil has ended; and to edify and enlarge the mind of their junior domestic associates. The limits of selection will be uncircumscribed; and the choice will be decided entirely by the manifest excellence of the work, the importance of the topics, or the proofs of genius and talent developed. The lite only of those numerous tomes which are appropriate to the general design will be incorporated in this miscellany.

“Gertrude,” with which the series commences, is an interesting, although by no means a “powerful” story of ordinary life. It inculcates the homely and domestic virtues — is well written in every respect — and has been greatly praised [column 2:] by the more decorous and influential of the British journals. The neat manner in which the volume is issued, speaks well for the success of the series.