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A book which hath been culled from the flowers of all books.

GEORGE ELIOT.

They have been at a great feast of languages and stolen the scraps.

SHAKESPEARE.

The art of quotation requires more delicacy in the practice than those conceive who can see nothing more in a quotation than an extract.

Exchange

ISAAC DISKA ELI.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881,

By I. K. FUNK & Co.,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

PREFACE.

The Cyclopædia of Practical Quotations' now presented to the public, claims to be a novelty only in the abundance of its matter, and the peculiarities of its arrangement. Being, in a large measure, an outgrowth of literary needs, the Editors adopted the word "practical" as expressive of what they believe will be the mission of the book to others; a practical assistant in composition, and a useful addition to every library where books of reference hold a place. Many years of labor have been spent in gathering, proving and arranging the quotations in this volume, and great care has been given to the various indexes. Such explanations as may be necessary to facilitate search are herewith presented.

1. The English and Latin quotations are arranged under subject heads, and it will be noted that, throughout, the arrangement is alphabetical: the subjects first, then the authors, and lastly, the quotations under each name. Those who need merely suggestive thoughts will readily find what they wish under one of the numerous heads, and the same may possibly be the result when a definite quotation is sought, but otherwise a reference to the concordance will be necessary.

2. With each quotation is given the Name of the Writer and the Place where it may be found, thus enabling the reader, if he so desires, to ascertain the context. Very few books of quotations are so complete, in this respect, as the present.

3. The grouping of certain prominent subjects will be found new, attractive and useful. No collections such as those under "Birds,” “Flowers," "Months," "Occupations," "Seasons," "Trees," etc., have ever before been made, and their practical value will, we ere sure, be appreciated.

If the subjects in the Appendix do not cover quotations, strictly speaking, they certainly do cover much proverbial philosophy, and items of information that are far oftener wanted than found. The object has not been to treat exhaustively any one topic, but to glean what is likely to be most wanted, by popular writers and readers, in the ordinary current of life and work. Here, as elsewhere, usefulness has been studied rather than profuseness. Not a line has been knowingly added merely to expand the book.

INDEXES.

It has been wisely said that no good book is complete without an Index, and the compilers of this volume have a right to claim that, if a good index indicates quality, this book must be very good indeed. The concordance to the English quotations is very full and accurate, and the same may be said of the English translations of the Latin. They are a guide to those not perfectly familiar with that tongue, but who wish to illustrate modern thoughts by ancient wisdom. Any remembered word of prominence will almost surely bring a desired passage to light. A complete alphabetical Latin index is also given.

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