We think fit likewise to assure the Reader, That we shall be so far from giving an Account of Books that are Trifling, or contrary Titles.
Then , as to the Management of the Work in general, it is our design to keep a Medium betwixt tedious Extracts , and superfi
cial Catalogues , made up only of Title and Preface ; the former being tiresom to the Reader, as well as injurious to the Sale of
the Books; and the latter being a meer Imposition on the Pub lick . Therefore we shall take particular care to give such an Account of Books, as the Reader may thence be able to form a
perfect Idea of the Design, Method and Principal Topicks insisted upon by the Authors." 12 It is evident that this standard of perfection set up in 1699 includes principles of literary reviewing that have had a fluc tuating acceptance, as it also suggests some of the stumbling blocks that have always been found in the path of both reviewer
and publishers. The great English reviews in particular have in a measure been controlled by their publishers rather than by their editors ; they have sometimes been concerned not to give
offence to the authorities of church and state and they have noted the effect on sales of adverse criticism of books. Literary criticism is indeed not altogether the simple matter it is often assumed to be; it covers the whole field from advance notices
sent out by publishers and continued on jacket covers 13 to the more permanent and more genuine criticism of the great critical quarterly reviews. It involves not only the points anticipated
by the virtuous publishers of the History of the Works of the Learned , but it has a history of its own, themain points of which must be familiar to those using criticism and the book review as historicalmaterial. 19 The Preface of The History of the Works of the Learned : or, An Impartial Account of Books Lately Printed in all parts of Europe. With a Particular Relation of the State of Learning In each Country. Done by several Hands. For the Month of January, 1699.
Cave, some years later, in his Introduction to the Gentleman's Magazine, proposed " to give monthly a view of all the pieces of wit, humour, or intelligence , daily offered to the Public in the Newspapers,” and to " join therewith some other matters of use or amusement that will be communi
cated to us."
13 Louis Untermeyer, “ Paper-Jacket Problems,” The Dial, June 20 , 1
