Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 53311-h.htm or 53311-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53311/53311-h/53311-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53311/53311-h.zip) Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See https://archive.org/details/56010330R.nlm.nih.gov THE LIFE OF SIR ISAAC NEWTON. * * * * * * HARPER’S FAMILY LIBRARY. DESIGNED FOR ADULT PERSONS. “_Books that you may carry to the fire, and hold readily in your hand, are the most useful after all. A man will often look at them, and be tempted to go on, when he would have been frightened at books of a larger size, and of a more erudite appearance._”—DR. JOHNSON. The proprietors of the Family Library feel themselves stimulated to increased exertions by the distinguished favour with which it has already been received. The volumes now before the public may be confidently appealed to as proofs of zeal on the part of the publishers to present to their readers a series of productions, which, as they are connected, not with ephemeral, but with permanent subjects, may, years hence as well as now, be consulted for lively amusement as well as solid instruction. To render this Library still more worthy of patronage, the proprietors propose incorporating in it such works of interest and value as may appear in the various Libraries and Miscellanies now preparing in Europe, particularly “Constable’s Miscellany,” the “Edinburgh Cabinet” Library, &c. All these productions, as they emanate from the press, will be submitted to literary gentlemen for inspection; and none will be reprinted but such as shall be found calculated to sustain the exalted character which this Library has already acquired. Several well-known authors have been engaged to prepare for it original works of an American character, on History, Biography, Travels, &c. &c. Every distinct subject will in general be comprehended in one volume, or at most in three volumes, which may form either a portion of the series or a complete work by itself; and each volume will be embellished with appropriate engravings. The entire series will be the production of authors of eminence, who have acquired celebrity by their literary labours, and whose names, as they appear in succession, will afford the surest guarantee to the public for the satisfactory manner in which the subjects will be treated. Such is the plan by which it is intended to form an _American Family Library_, comprising all that is valuable in those branches of knowledge which most happily unite entertainment with instruction. The utmost care will be taken, not only to exclude whatever can have an injurious influence on the mind, but to embrace every thing calculated to strengthen the best and most salutary impressions.