Half Hours With The Best Authors - Walter Scot, Lord Byron, Wordsworth, Cowper and more
Edited by Charles Knight
Published by Frederick Warne & Co: London c1875
2 Volume Set
"Half Hours with the Best Authors, edited by Charles Knight and published by Frederick Warne & Co. in London around 1875, is an engaging two-volume anthology presenting carefully selected passages from the finest writers in English literature. Designed to provide readers with brief yet enriching encounters with great works, the collection includes prose and poetry by Walter Scott, Lord Byron, William Wordsworth, William Cowper, and many other distinguished authors. Knight's editorial approach emphasizes moral reflection, intellectual improvement, and the cultivation of literary taste, making the set both instructive and entertaining. Each extract is accompanied by thoughtful introductions or contextual notes, offering readers insight into the authors' lives and the enduring beauty of their language.
Originally conceived as a treasury for home and educational reading, this Victorian edition reflects the 19th-century belief in literature as a civilizing force accessible to all. Its elegant typography and quality binding make it a fine example of Warne's mid-century craftsmanship. The set endures as a classic collection of English letters and will appeal to admirers of 19th-century literary anthologies, collectors of Victorian publishing, and readers seeking a window into the moral and poetic spirit of the age."
