The object of this undertaking is, to furnish readers of taste and sentiment with a series of the most beautiful Novels, Tales, and Romances, derived from the French, the German, the Italian, the Spanish, and the Oriental languages, not hitherto translated; interspersed with superior original Works by eminent English Writers.

Every Story will be finished within the Volume; and, when the Pieces are short, two or more will be given complete within the same Number: or, when long, an extra quantity of letter-press will be introduced, at the same price.

The attractions of such a periodical work, and its sources of novelty and originality, are sufficiently obvious. Independent of the moral pleasure which it is expressly calculated to dispense to the elegant mind, it will afford opportunities to the grave and philosophical, of comparing the various powers and peculiarities of national taste and genius; and supply the scrupulous with an early view of a class of publications which have acquired, perhaps of all the productions of the Press, the greatest influence on the manners and heart.

The Proprietor therefore deems it unnecessary to point out any of the minor advantages inherent in the plan, such as furnishing literary amateurs with an opportunity of publishing the recreations of their taste, in a manner that will ensure immediate and extensive attention, whilst it opens the means of giving to the Public all those spirited essays of original imagination, which are often the happiest productions of genius, and as supplying Libraries and Book Societies with a perpetual succession of interesting novelties at a cheap rate.