POPULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA of the Sports and Pastimes of Youth,-a companion for all holidays,-THE BOY'S OWN Book,-unmixed with aught that was not highly interesting to himself, had long been a desideratum; to supply which, he was usually led to become his own caterer, and purchase publications of an objectionable character, merely because their low price placed them within his reach. The present Work was an attempt to obviate this inconvenience, by enabling those, who had the guardianship of youth, to present their young protegés, in the form of a Holiday or Birth-day Present, with a concentration of all that usually delights them, executed in such a manner as their own more matured judgment would approve, and much more amusing and instructive to the juvenile mind, than the cheap trash on which the hoarded shilling had been usually expended. The event has fully justified the expectations of the publishers; it has, in fact,

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attained the dignity of a standard work, and become, as one of its critics happily defined it, "The Justinian of the play-ground;" and few books have met with so flattering a reception from the press and the public, as a sale of TWENTY EDITIONS, comprising EIGHTY THOUSAND COPIES, fully testifies. This extraordinary success has naturally stimulated to fresh exertions; as new editions have been called for, the value of the book has been increased by successive improvements, and it has thus been rendered as distinguished for the style of its production as it was formerly attractive for its novelty.

A few words may, perhaps, be allowed on the enlarged and improved appearance which it now assumes, as the improvements will be found when compared with former editions, to be of a very marked and extensive character: not only has every article undergone a careful and competent revision, but several subjects have been entirely re-written; and, by a considerable increase in the number of pages, many new ones have been introduced. The MINOR SPORTS have been augmented by novel and interesting games; and, among the ATHLETIC EXERCISES, Riding and Driving will now be found included; whilst Rowing and Sailing have been added to the AQUATIC RECREATIONS. The FANCIER has been enlarged by an increase in the variety of Singing Birds, and by the addition of the mode of rearing Gold Fish, Squirrels, Fancy Fowls, &c. Amusing experiments in Electricity, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, and Acoustics, have also been attached to the SCIENTIFIC RECREATIONS; and the whole of the articles have been enriched by a copious number of additional embellishments: in short, neither labour nor expense has been spared; it being the ambition of the publishers to render the work, in every respect, deserving of the popularity with which it has been honoured.

On viewing the entire plan of the work, as at present ar anged, it will be found that a wider field than has been taken cannot well be imagined. It embraces the amusements of all minds, and of all seasons,-in winter and in summer,-at home and abroad. The robust and the delicate,-the contemplative and the ingenious,-have each their tastes provided for. The sports and exercises of out-door enjoyment,—the pastimes of a winter's fire-side, and the recreations of science, are copiously detailed in our pages: