Gleanings from the Harvest-fields of Literature - A Melange of Excerpta, Curious, Humorous, and Instructive

First published in the late 19th century, Gleanings from the Harvest-fields of Literature was compiled by Charles Carroll Bombaugh, a physician and journalist with a keen interest in the curiosities of the written word. The volume was created as an ambitious anthology intended to entertain and educate readers by collecting obscure anecdotes, witticisms, and literary fragments that might otherwise have been forgotten, reflecting the Victorian penchant for miscellanies and parlor-room entertainment.

The design of the collection leans into the era's appreciation for dense, encyclopedic organization, aiming to serve as a comprehensive reference for those seeking literary variety. It was received as a charming and helpful resource for the inquisitive reader, providing a structured approach to the vast, often overwhelming scope of literature. Bombaugh’s effort remains a notable example of the nineteenth-century urge to categorize and preserve the lighter, more whimsical side of intellectual history.