Calavar, or, The knight of the conquest :: :: University of Virginia Library

This work will form a popular compendium of whatever is useful, instructive,
and interesting, in the circle of human knowledge. A novel plan of publication
and arrangement has been adopted, which presents peculiar advantages. Without
fully detailing the method, a few of these advantages may be mentioned.

Each volume will contain one or more subjects uninterrupted and unbroken,
and will be accompanied by the corresponding plates or other appropriate illustrations.
Facility of reference will be obtained without fettering the work by
a continued alphabetical arrangement. A subscriber may omit particular volumes
or sets of volumes, without disintegrating his series. Thus each purchaser
may form from the “Cabinet” a Cyclopædia, more or less comprehensive, as
may suit his means, taste, or profession. If a subscriber desire to discontinue
the work at any stage of its publication, the volumes which he may have received
will not lose their value by separation from the rest of the work, since
they will always either be complete in themselves, or may be made so at a trifling
expense.

The purchasers will never find their property in this work destroyed by the
publication of a second edition. The arrangement is such that particular volumes
may be re-edited or re-written without disturbing the others. The “Cabinet
Cyclopædia” will thus be in a state of continual renovation, keeping pace
with the never-ceasing improvements in knowledge, drawing within its circle
from year to year whatever is new, and casting off whatever is obsolete, so as to
form a constantly modernized Cyclopædia. Such are a few of the advantages
which the proprietors have to offer to the public, and which they pledge themselves
to realize.

Treatises on subjects which are technical and professional will be adapted,
not so much to those who desire to attain a practical proficiency, as to those
who seek that portion of information respecting such matters which is generally
expected from well-educated persons. An interest will be imparted to what is
abstract by copious illustrations, and the sciences will be rendered attractive, by
treating them with reference to the most familiar objects and occurrences.

The unwieldly bulk of Encyclopædias, not less than the abstruse discussions
which they contain, has hitherto consigned them to the library, as works of only
occasional reference. The present work, from its portable form and popular style,
will claim a place in the drawing-room and the boudoir. Forming in itself a
Complete Library, affording an extensive and infinitely varied store of instruction
and amusement, presenting just so much on every subject as those not professionally
engaged in it require, convenient in size, attractive in form, elegant
in illustrations, and most moderate in expense, the “Cabinet Cyclopædia” will,
it is hoped, be found an object of parmount interest in every family.

To the heads of schools and all places of public education the proprictors trust
that this work will particularly recommend itself.

It seems scarcely necessary to add, that nothing will be admitted into the
pages of the “Cabinet Cyclopædia” which can have the most remote tendency
to offend public or private morals. To enforce the cultivation of religion and
the practice of virtue should be a principal object with all who undertake to
inform the public mind; but with the views just explained, the conductor of this
work feels these considerations more especially pressed upon his attention.
Parents and guardians may, therefore, rest assured that they will never find it
necessary to place a volume of the “Cabinet” beyond the reach of their children
or pupils.

Considerable progress having been made in this work, the publishers
wish to direct the attention of the public to the advantages by which it
is distinguished from other similar monthly publications.

It is not intended that the Cabinet Cyclopædia shall form an interminable
series, in which any work of interest which may present itself from
time to time can claim a place. Its subjects are classified according to
the usual divisions of literature, science, and art. Each division is distinctly
traced out, and will consist of a determinate number of volumes. Although
the precise extent of the work cannot be fixed with certainty, yet
there is a limit which will not be exceeded; and the subscribers may look
forward to the possession, within a reasonable time, of a complete library
of instruction, amusement, and general reference, in the regular form of
a popular Cyclopædia.

The several classes of the work are—1, NATURAL PHILOSOPHY; 2,
The USEFUL and FINE ARTS; 3, NATURAL HISTORY; 4, GEOGRAPHY;
5, POLITICS and MORALS; 6, GENERAL LITERATURE
and CRITICISM; 7, HISTORY; 8, BIOGRAPHY.

In the above abstruse and technical departments of knowledge, an attempt
has been made to convey to the reader a general acquaintance with
these subjects, by the use of plain and familiar language, appropriate
and well-executed engravings, and copious examples and illustrations,
taken from objects and events with which every one is acquainted.

The proprietors formerly pledged themselves that no exertion should
be spared to obtain the support of the most distinguished talent of the age.
They trust that they have redeemed that pledge. Among the volumes
already published in the literary department, no less than four have been
the production of men who stand in the first rank of literary talent,—Sir
James Mackintosh and Sir Walter Scott. In the scientific department, a
work has been produced from the pen of Mr. Herschel, which has been
pronounced by the highest living authority on subjects of general philosophy,
to contain “the noblest observations on the value of knowledge
which have been made since Bacon,” and to be “the finest work of philosophical
genius which this age has seen.”

The following is a selection from the list of Contributors.

The Right Honorable Sir JAMES MACKINTOSH, M.P.
The Right Rev The Lord Bishop of Cloyne.
Sir WALTER SCOTT, Bart.
JOHN FREDERICK WILLIAM HERSCHEL, Esq.
THOMAS MOORE, Esq.
J. B. BIOT, Member of the French Institute.
ROBERT SOUTHEY, Esq. Poet Laureate.
The Baron CHARLES DUPIN, Member of the Royal Institute and
Chamber of Deputies.

THOMAS CAMPBELL, Esq. T. B. MACAULEY, Esq. M.P.
DAVID BREWSTER, LL.D. J. C. L. SISMONDI, of Geneva.
Capt. HENRY KATER, Vice President of the Royal Society.
The ASTRONOMER ROYAL DAVIES GILBERT, Esq. M.P.
S. T. COLERIDGE, Esq. JAMES MONTGOMERY, Esq.
The Right Hon. T. P. COURTENAY, M.P.
J. J. BERZELIUS, of Stockholm, F.R.S., &c.
The Rev. G. R. GLEIG.
T. PHILLIPS, Esq. Prof. of Painting, R.A.
Rev. C. THIRLWALL, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.
ANDREW URE, M.D. F.R.S. &c. &c. &c.

“BOOKS THAT YOU MAY CARRY TO THE FIRE, AND HOLD READILY IN YOUR
HAND, ARE THE MOST USEFUL AFTER ALL. A MAN WILL OFTEN LOOK AT
THEM, AND BE TEMPTED TO GO ON, WHEN HE WOULD HAVE BEEN FRIGHTENED
AT BOOKS OF A LARGER SIZE, AND OF A MORE ERUDITE APPEARANCE.”

Dr. Johnson.

“We advisedly call the Cabinet Cyclopædia a great undertaking, because we
consider, that in its effects on the tone and habits of thought of what is known
by the phrase, `the reading public,' it will be, if carried through in the spirit of
its projection and commencement, one of the most invaluable productions of
modern literature. * *
“But these advantages, eminent as they undoubtedly are, are not the sole nor
the chief recommendations of the Cabinet Cyclopædia. Neither is it on the extreme
cheapness of the publication, not the federal independence—if we may so
speak—of its several volumes, that we rest our prediction of its influence on the
tone of thinking of the present, and on the literature of the next generation—
but on the promise, amounting almost to a moral certainty, of the great excellence
of its execution. A multitude of persons eminent in literature and science
in the United kingdom are employed in this undertaking; and, indeed, no others
should be employed in it; for it is a truth that the profound and practised writer
alone is capable of furnishing a `popular compendium.'
“What parent or guardian that throws his eye over the list of its contributors
but must be rejoiced by meeting the names of those who are in themselves a
guarantee of intellectual and moral excellence?”

—Literary Gazette.

“The plan of the work appears well adapted to the purpose it is proposed to
fulfil—that of supplying a series of publications, embracing the whole range of
literature and science, in a popular and portable form; while the excellence of
the execution is guarantied by the judgment displayed in the selection of writers.
The list of authors employed in this ambitious undertaking comprises some of
the most eminent men of the present age.”

—Atlas.

“The Cyclopædia, when complete, will form a valuable work of reference, as
well as a most entertaining and instructive library. It is an essential principle
in every part of it, that it should be clear and easily understood, and that an
attempt should everywhere be made to unite accurate information with an
agreeable manner of conveying it. It is an experiment to try how much science
may be taught with little crabbed or technical language, and how far the philosophical
and poetical qualities of history may be preserved in its more condensed
state. It possesses also the most indispensable of all the qualities of a work
intended for general instruction—that of cheapness. Whatever the plan might
be, it was evident that the grand difficulty of Dr. Lardner was to unite a body
of writers in its execution, whose character or works afforded the most probable
hope that they were fitted for a task of which the peculiarity, the novelty, and
even the prevalent relish for such writings greatly enhance the difficulty. We
do not believe, that in the list of contributors, there is one name of which the
enlightened part of the public would desire the exclusion.
“In science, the list is not less promising. The names of the President, Vice-Presidents,
and most distinguished Fellows of the Royal Society, are contained
in it. A treatise on astronomy, by Herschel; on optics, by Brewster; and on
mechanics, by Lardner; need by only recommended by the subjects and the writers.
An eminent Prelate, of the first rank in science, has undertaken a noble
subject which happily combines philosophy with religion. Twelve of the most
distinguished naturalists of the age. Fellows of the Linnæan and Zoological
Societies, are preparing a course of natural history. Others not less eminent in
literature and science, whose names it is not needful yet to mention, have shown
symptoms of an ambition to take a place among such fellow-laborers.”

—Times.

“The topics, as may be supposed, are both judiciously selected and treated
with ability. To general readers, and as part of a family library, the volumes
already published possess great recommendations. For the external beauties of
good printing and paper they merit equal commendation.”

—Balt. American.

“The uniform neatness of these volumes, their very moderate price, and the
quantity of information which they contain, drawn from the best and most
attractive sources, have given them deserved celebrity, and no one who desires
to possess such information, should hesitate a moment to add them to his
library.”

—Fed. Gazette.

“This excellent work continues to increase in public favor, and to receive
fresh accessions of force to its corps of contributors”

—Lit. Gazette.

“Its plan and arrangement are entitled to our best commendations.”

—Gent
. Mag.

HISTORY OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT
STATE OF THE SILK MANUFACTURE; with numerous
engravings.

“It contains abundant information in every department of this interesting
branch of human industry—in the history, culture, and manufacture of silk.”

—Monthly Magazine.

“There is a great deal of curious information in this little volume.”

—Lit. Gaz.

HISTORY OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLICS; being a View of
the Rise, Progress, and Fall of Italian Freedom. By J. C. L.
De Sismondi.

“The excellencies, defects, and fortunes of the governments of the Italian
commonwealths, form a body of the most valuable materials for political philosophy.
It is time that they should be accessible to the American people, as
they are about to be rendered in Sismondi's masterly abridgment. He has done
for his large work, what Irving accomplished so well for his Life of Columbus.”

—National Gazette.

HISTORY OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT
STATE OF THE MANUFACTURES OF PORCELAIN AND
GLASS. With numerous Wood Cuts.

“In the design and execution of the work, the author has displayed considerable
judgment and skill, and has so disposed of his valuable materials as to render
the book attractive and instructive to the general class of readers.”

—Sat. Evening Post.

“The author has, by a popular treatment, made it one of the most interesting
books that has been issued of this series. There are, we believe, few of the
useful arts less generally understood than those of porcelain and glass making.
These are completely illustrated by Dr. Lardner, and the various processes of
forming differently fashioned utensils, are fully described.”

BIOGRAPHY OF BRITISH STATESMEN; containing the
Lives of Sir Thomas More, by Sir James Mackintosh;
Cardinal Wolsey, Archbishop Cranmer, and Lord Burleigh.

“A very delightful volume, and on a subject likely to increase in interest
as it proceeds. * * * We cordially commend the work both for its design and
execution.”

—London Lit. Gazette.

The HISTORY OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. In 5 vols.

“A general History of the Spanish and Portuguese Peninsula, is a great desideratum
in our language, and we are glad to see it begun under such favorable
auspices. We have seldom met with a narrative which fixes attention more
steadily, and bears the reader's mind along more pleasantly.”
“In the volumes before us, there is unquestionable evidence of capacity for
the task, and research in the execution.”

—U. S. Journal.

“Of course this work can be but an abridgment; but we know not where so
much ability has been shown in condensation. It is unequalled, and likely
long to remain so. * * We were convinced, on the publication of the first volume,
that it was no common compilation, manufactured to order; we were prepared
to announce it as a very valuable addition to our literature. * * * Our
last words must be, heartily to recommend it to our readers.”

—Athenæum.

HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND.

“Like the preceding historical numbers of this valuable publication, it
abounds with interesting details, illustrative of the habits, character, and political
complexion of the people and country it describes; and affords, in the small
space of one volume, a digest of all the important facts which, in more elaborate
histories, occupy five times the space.”

—Evening Post.

“IT IS NOT EASY TO DEVISE A CURE FOR SUCH A STATE OF THINGS (THE DECLINING
TASTE FOR SCIENCE;) BUT THE MOST OBVIOUS REMEDY IS TO PROVIDE
THE EDUCATED CLASSES WITH A SERIES OF WORKS ON POPULAR AND PRACTICAL
SCIENCE, FREED FROM MATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS AND TECHNICAL TERMS,
WRITTEN IN SIMPLE AND PERSPICUOUS LANGUAGE, AND ILLUSTRATED BY FACTS
AND EXPERIMENTS, WHICH ARE LEVEL TO THE CAPACITY OF ORDINARY MINDS.”

—Quarterly Review.

PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE ON THE OBJECTS, ADVANTAGES,
AND PLEASURES OF THE STUDY OF NATURAL
PHILOSOPHY. By J. T. W. Herschel, A. M. late Fellow
of St. John's College, Cambridge.

“Without disparaging any other of the many interesting and instructive volumes
issued in the form of cabinet and family libraries, it is, perhaps, not too
much to place at the head of the list, for extent and variety of condensed information,
Mr. Herchel's discourse of Natural Philosophy in Dr. Lardner's Cyclopædia.”

—Christian Observer.

“The finest work of philosophical genius which this age has seen.”

—Mackintosh's
England.

“By far the most delightful book to which the existing competition between
literary rivals of great talent and enterprise has given rise.”

—Monthly Review.

“Mr. Herschel's delightful volume. * * * We find scattered through the
work instances of vivid and happy illustration, where the fancy is usefully called
into action, so as sometimes to remind us of the splendid pictures which crowd
upon us in the style of Bacon.”

—Quarterly Review.

“It is the most exciting volume of the kind we ever met with.”

—Monthly
Magazine.

“One of the most instructive and delightful books we have ever perused.”

—U. S. Journal.

A TREATISE ON MECHANICS. By Capt. Kater, and the
Rev. Dionysius Lardner. With numerous engravings.

“A work which contains an uncommon amount of useful information, exhibited
in a plain and very intelligible form.”

—Olmsted's Nat. Philosophy.

“This volume has been lately published in England, as a part of Dr. Lardner's
Cabinet Cyclopædia, and has received the unsolicited approbation of the most
eminent men of science, and the most discriminating journals and reviews, in
the British metropolis.—It is written in a popular and intelligible style, entirely
free from mathematical symbols, and disencumbered as far as possible of technical
phrases.”

—Boston Traveller.

“Admirable in development and clear in principles, and especially felicitous in
illustration from familiar subjects.”

—Monthly Mag.

“Though replete with philosophical information of the highest order in mechanics,
adapted to ordinary capacities in a way to render it at once intelligible
and popular.”

—Lit. Gazette.

“A work of great merit, full of valuable information, not only to the practical
mechanic, but to the man of science.”

—N. Y. Courier and Enquirer.

A TREATISE ON HYDROSTATICS AND PNEUMATICS.
By the Rev. D. Lardner. With numerous engravings.

“It fully sustairs the favorable opinion we have already expressed as to this
valuable compendium of modern science.”

—Lit. Gazette.

“Dr. Lardner has made a good use of his acquaintance with the familiar facts
which illustrate the principles of science.”

—Monthly Magazine.

“It is written with a full knowledge of the subject, and in a popular style,
abounding in practical illustrations of the abstruse operations of these important
sciences.”

—U. S. Journal.

HISTORY OF ENGLAND. By Sir James Mackintosh. In
8 Vols. Vols. 1, 2 and 3 published.

“In the first volume of Sir James Mackintosh's History of England, we
find enough to warrant the anticipations of the public, that a calm and luminous
philosophy will diffuse itself over the long narrative of our British History.”

—Edinburgh Review.

“In this volume Sir James Mackintosh fully developes those great powers,
for the possession of which the public have long given him credit. The result
is the ablest commentary that has yet appeared in our language upon some
of the most important circumstances of English History.”

—Atlas.

“Worthy in the method, style, and reflections, of the author's high reputation.
We were particularly pleased with his high vein of philosophical sentiment,
and his occasional survey of contemporary annals.”

—Nat. Gazette.

“If talents of the highest order, long experience in politics, and years of
application to the study of history and the collection of information, can command
superiority in a historian, Sir James Machintosh may, without reading
this work, be said to have produced the best history of this country. A perusal
of the work will prove that those who anticipated a superior production,
have not reckoned in vain on the high qualifications of the author.”

—Courier.

THE HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, to the Battle of
Waterloo. By T. C. Grattan.

“It is but justice to Mr. Grattan to say that he has executed his laborious
task with much industry and proportionate effect. Undisfigured by pompous
nothingness, and without any of the affectation of philosophical profundity,
his style is simple, light, and fresh—perspicuous, smooth, and harmonious.”

—La Belle Assemblee.

“Never did work appear at a more fortunate period. The volume before us
is a compressed but clear and impartial narrative.”

—Lit. Gaz.

HISTORY OF FRANCE. By Eyre Evans Crowe. In 3 vols.

“His history of France is worthy to figure with the works of his associates,
the best of their day, Scott and Mackintosh.”

—Monthly Mag.

“For such a task Mr. Crowe is eminently qualified. At a glance, as it were,
his eye takes in the theatre of centuries. His style is neat, clear, and pithy;
and his power of condensation enables him to say much, and effectively, in a
few words, to present a distinct and perfect picture in a narrowly circumscribed
space.”

—La Belle Assemblee.

HISTORY OF SCOTLAND. By Sir Walter Scott. In 2 Vols.

“The History of Scotland, by Sir Walter Scott, we do not hesitate to declare,
will be, if possible, more extensively read, than the most popular work
of fiction, by the same prolific author, and for this obvious reason: it combines
much of the brilliant coloring of the Ivanhoe pictures of by-gone manners,
and all the graceful facility of style and picturesqueness of description
of his other charming romances, with a minute fidelity to the facts of history,
and a searching scrutiny into their authenticity and relative value, which
might put to the blush Mr. Hume and other professed historians. Such is the
magic charm of Sir Walter Scott's pen, it has only to touch the simplest incident
of every-day life, and it starts up invested with all the interest of a scene
of romance; and yet such is his fidelity to the text of nature, that the knights
and serfs, and collared fools with whom his inventive genius has peopled so
many volumes, are regarded by us as not mere creations of fancy, but as real
flesh and blood existences, with all the virtues, feelings and errors of common-place
humanity.”

—Lit. Gazette.

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