Knight decided to select and arrange, with short biographical and critical notices, pieces from what he considered to be the best authors. These pieces were to be "of sufficient length to occupy half an hour's ordinary reading". the authors include Coleridge, Wordsworth, Jane Austen, Macaulay, Swift, Ben Jonson and so many more. There is a little shelf wear to the cover, but the books are tight and complete. This is a splendid set to get acquainted with the classics. In green leather with gold raised lettering, and marbled boards.