THE PEOPLE'S LIBRARY.
"The editors and publishers should receive the thanks of the present generation, and the gratitude of
tenty, for being the first to prepare in this language what deserves to be entitled not the ENCYCLOPÆDIA
AMERICANA, but the PEOPLE'S LIBRARY."—N. Y. Courier and Enquirer.
Just Published, by Carey, Lea, & Blanchard,
And sold in Philadelphia by E. L. Carey & A. Hart; in New York by G. & C. & H. Carvill; in Boston
Carter & Hendee; in Baltimore by E. J. Coale, & W. & J. Neal; in Washington by Thompson & Homans;
Richmond by J. H. Nash; in Savannah by W. T. Williams; in Charleston by W. H. Berrett; in New-Orleans
W. M. Kean; in Mobile by Odiorne & Smith; and by the principal booksellers throughout the Union,
THE
ENCYCLOPÆDIA AMERICANA:
A
POPULAR DICTIONARY
OF
ARTS, SCIENCES, LITERATURE, HISTORY, AND POLITICS,
BROUGHT DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME, AND INCLUDING A COPIOUS COLLECTION OF ORIGINAL ARTICLES IN
AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY:
On the basis of the Seventh Edition of the German
CONVERSATIONS-LEXICON.
Edited by FRANCIS LIEBER,
assisted by
EDWARD WIGGLESWORTH and T. G. BRADFORD, Esqrs.
IN THIRTEEN LARGE VOLUMES, OCTAVO, PRICE TO SUBSCRIBERS, BOUND IN CLOTH,
TWO DOLLARS AND A HALF EACH.
EACH VOLUME CONTAINS BETWEEN 600 AND 700 PAGES.
"THE WORLD-RENOWNED CONVERSATIONSLEXICON."—Edinburgh
Review.
"To supersede cumbrous Encyclopædias, and put within
to reach of the poorest man, a complete library, equal to
out forty or fifty good-sized octavos, embracing every
trouble subject of interest to the number of 20,000 in all—
provided he can spare either from his earnings or his extravagance
twenty cents a week, for three years, a library
contrived, as to be equally suited to the learned and
unlearned,—the mechanic—the merchant, and the professional
man."—N. Y. Courier and Inquirer.
"The reputation of this valuable work has augmented
th each volume, and if the unanimous opinion of the
ess, uttered from all quarters, be true, which in this
instance happens to be the case, it is indeed one of the
t of publications. It should be in the possession of
ry intelligent man, as it is a library in itself, comps
an immense mass of lore upon almost every possible
subject, and in the cheapest possible form."—N. Y. Mirror.
"Witnesses from every part of the country concurred
declaring that the Encyclopædia Americana was in a
r way to degrade the dignity of learning, and especially
e learning of Encyclopædias, by making it too chsap—
at the multitudes of all classes were infatuated with it
saying in so many words from the highest to the low-
`the more we see of the work the better we like it.' "
—N. Y. Courier and Inquirer.
"The articles in the present volume appear to us to
nce the same ability and research which gained so
favorable a reception for the work at its commencement.
The Appendix to the volume now before us, containing an
account of the Indian Languages of America, must prove
ghly interesting to the reader in this country; and it is
once remarkable as a specimen of history and philology.
The work altogether, we may again be permitted to obviate
reflects distinguished credit upon the literary and
entc character, as well as the scholarship of our
country."—Charleston Courier.
"The copious information which this work affords on
American subjects, fully justifies its title of an American
dictionary; while at the same time the extent, variety,
and felicitous disposition of its topics, make it the most
convenient and satisfactory Encyclopædia that we have
never seen."—National Journal.
"If the succeeding volumes shall equal in merit the
me before us, we may confidently anticipate for the work
reputation and usefulness which ought to secure for it
he most flattering encouragement and patronage."—Federal
Gazette.
"A compendious library, and invaluable book of reference."—N.
Y. American.
"The variety of topics is of course vast, and they are
treated in a manner which is at once so full of information
and so interesting, that the work, instead of being
merely referred to, might be regularly perused with as
much pleasure as profit."—Baltimore American.
"We view it as a publication worthy of the age and of
the country, and cannot but believe the discrimination of
our countrymen will sustain the publishers, and well reward
them for this contribution to American Literature."
—Baltimore Patriot.
"It reflects the greatest credit on those who have been
concerned in its production, and promises, in a variety of
respects, to be the best as well as the most compendious
dictionary of the arts, sciences, history, politics, biography,
&c. which has yet been compiled. The style of the
portion we have read is terse and perspicuous; and it is
really curious how so much scientific and other information
could have been so satisfactorily communicated in
such brief limits."—N. Y. Evening Post.
"Those who can, by any honest modes of economy,
reserve the sum of two dollars and fifty cents quarterly,
from their family expenses, may pay for this work as fast
as it is published; and we confidently believe that they
will find at the end that they never purchased so much
general, practical, useful information at so cheap a rate."
—Journal of Education.
"If the encouragement to the publishers should correspond
with the testimony in favor of their enterprise, and
the beautiful and faithful style of its execution, the hazard
of the undertaking, bold as it was, will be well compensated;
and our libraries will be enriched by the most generally
useful encyclopedic dictionary that has been offered
to the readers of the English language. Full enough for
the general scholar, and plain enough for every capacity,
it is far more convenient, in every view and form, than
its more expensive and ponderous predecessors."—American
Farmer.
"The high reputation of the contribution to this work,
will not fail to insure it a favorable reception, and its
own merits will do the rest."—Silliman's Journ.
"The Encylopædia Americana is a prodigious improvement
upon all that has gone before it; a thing for our
country, as well as the country that gave it birth, to be
proud of, an inexhaustible treasury of useful, pleasant,
and familiar learning on every possible subject, so arranged
as to be speedily and safely referred to on emergency, as
well as on deliberate inquiry; and better still, adapted to
the understanding, and put within the reach of the multitude.
* * * The Encyclopædia Americana is a work
without which no library worthy of the name can hereafter
be made up."—Yankee.
"The work will be a valuable possession to every family
or individual that can afford to purchase it; and we take
pleasure, therefore, in extending the knowledge of its
merits."—National Intelligencer.
"This work appears to improve as it issues from the
press. The number of able writers, who contribute original
matter in all the departments of literature and science
is amply sufficient to give it celebrity and high character.
To men engaged in the active pursuits of life—
whose time is precious—this popular dictionary is a most
valuable and ready mode of reference. It embraces brief
views and sketches of all the late discoveries in science—
and the present condition of literature, politics, &c &c.
Every merchant's counting-room—every lawyer's library
—every mechanic—every farmer ought to possess a copy
of this useful and valuable work."—Courier.
"From the specimen which has already been given, we
have no hesitation in saying, that in regard to intelligence,
skill, and faithful diligence, it is a work of the very
highest order. We know of no similar publication that
can beat any comparison with it for the rich variety of
valuable information, which it condenses within so small
a compass. It is free from all the narrowness of English
prejudice, it contains many important and interesting
details which can be found in no English production, and
is a work which could be written by none but German
scholars, more than two hundied of whom were employed
in the original compilation."—Boston Observer.
"This cannot but prove a valuable addition to the literature
of the age."—Mer Advertiser.
"The vast circulation this work has had in Europe,
where it has already been reprinted in four or five languages,
not to speak of the numerous German editions,
of which SEVEN have been published, speaks loudly in
favor of its intrinsic merit, without which such a celebrity
could never have been attained. To every man engaged
in public business, who needs a correct and ample book
of reference on various topics of science and letters, the
Encyclopædia Americana will be almost invaluable. To
individuals obliged to go to situations where books are
neither numerous nor easily procured, the rich contents
of these twelve volumes will prove a mine which will
amply repay its purchaser, and be with difficulty exhausted;
and we recommend it to their pationage in the full
conviction of its worth. Indeed, it is difficult to say to
what class of readers such a book would not prove useful,
nay, almost indispensable, since it combines a great
amount of valuable matter in small compass, and at
moderate expense, and is in every respect well suited to
augment the reader's stock of ideas, and powers of conversation,
without severely taxing time or fatiguing
attention."—Am. Daily Advertiser.
"The department of American Biography, a subject of
which it should be disgraceful to be ignorant, to the degree
that many are, is, in this work, a prominent feature,
and has received the attention of one of the most indefatigable
writers in this department of literature, which
the present age can furnish."—Boston Courier.
"According to the plan of Dr. Lieber, a desideratum
will be supplied; the substance of contemporary knowledge
will be brought within a small compass;—and the
character and uses of a manual will be imparted to a
kind of publication heretofore reserved, on strong shelves,
for eccasional reference. By those who understand the
German language, the Conversation Lexicon is consulted
ten times for one application to any English Encyclopædia."—National
Gazette.
"The volume now published is not only highly honorable
to the taste, ability, and industry of its editors and
publishers, but furnishes a proud sample of the accuracy
and elegance with which the most elaborate and important
literary enterprises may now be accomplished in our
country. Of the manner in which the editors have thus
far completed their task, it is impossible, in the course of
a brief newspaper article, to speak with adequate justice."
—Boston Bulletin.
"It continues to be particularly rich in the departments
of Biography and Natural History. When we look
at the large mass of miscellaneous knowledge spread
before the reader, in a form which has never been equalled
for its condensation, and conveyed in a style that cannot
be surpassed for propriety and perspicuity we cannot but
think that the American Encyclopædia deserves a place in
every collection, in which works of reference form a portion"—Southern
Patriot.
"By far the best work of the kind ever offered for sale
in this country."—U.S. Gal
Nearly all of the volumes of this work an
now before the public, and the reception they have
met with is the best evidence that the publishers have
fulfilled the promises made at its outset. They have
now only to promise, for the editors and themselves
that no exertion shall be spared to render the remaining
volumes equal to those already published, and
thus sustain the reputation it has acquired. The subscription
is large, and increasing; and in those quarters
where its circulation is greatest, and where it
best known, there is a constantly increasing demand.
The publishers invite the attention of those who may
not already have possessed themselves of it, or may
not have had an opportunity to become acquainted
with its merits, to the following account of the original
work, upon which it is based, and which is
termod by the Edinburgh Review—
THE WORLD-RENOWNED LEIPZIG CONVERSATIONSLEXICON.
It was intended to supply a want occasioned by
the character of the age, in which the sciences, arts
trades, and the various forms of knowledge and of
active life, had become so much extended and diversified,
that no individual engaged in business could
become well acquainted with all subjects of general
interest; while the wide diffusion of information rendered
such knowledge essential to the character of
an accomplished man. This want, no existing works
were adequate to supply. Books treating of particular
branches, such as gazetteers, &c. were too confined
in character; while voluminous Encyclopædias were
too learned, scientific, and cumbrous, being usually
elaborate treatises, requiring much study or previous
acquaintance with the subject discussed. The conductors
of the Conversation Lexicon endeavored
to select from every branch of knowledge what was
necessary to a well-informed mind, and to give popular
views of the more abstruse branches of learning
and science; that their readers might not be incommoded,
and deprived of pleasure or improvement, by
ignorance of facts or expressions used in books or conversation.
Such a work must obviously be of great
utility to every class of readers. It has been found
so much so in Germany, that it is met with everywhere,
among the learned, the lawyers, the military,
artists, merchants, mechanics, and men of all stations.
The reader may judge how well it is adapted to its
object, from the circumstance, that though it now
consists of twelve volumes, seven editions, comprising
about ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND COPIES, have been
printed in less than fifteen years. It has been translated
into the Swedish, Danish and Dutch languages,
and a French translation is now preparing in Paris.
In the preparation of the American edition, no expense
has been spared to secure the ablest assistance,
and the editors have been aided by many gentlemen
of distinguished ability.
The American Biography, which is very extensive,
has been furnished by Mr. Walsh, who has long paid
particular attention to that branch of our literature,
and from materials in the collection of which he has
been engaged for some years. For obvious reasons,
the notices of distinguished Americans are confined
to deceased individuals: the European biography
contains notices of all distinguished living characters,
as well as those of past times.
The articles on Zoology and the various branches
of Natural Science, and those on Chemistry and
Mineralogy, have been prepared expressly for this
work by gentlemen distinguished in the several departments.
In relation to the Fine Arts, the work is exceedingly
rich. Great attention was given to this in the German
work, and the Editors have been anxious to render it,
by the necessary additions, as perfect as possible.
To gentlemen of the Bar, the work will be peculiarly
valuable, as in cases where legal subjects are
treated, an account is given of English, French, German
and American Law.
