8 Parts, 2s. 6d. each, or Half Vols., 11s., forming six large Volumes Royal Svo: £6, while the American edition costs in this country £8 8s., being a reduction ition of Plates, and superior typography. iginally published in Germany about fifteen years ago, under the superintenliterati: and such has been its popularity, that although a Work consisting y gone through SEVEN EDITIONS in that country. It has also been translated an, and French Languages, and is altogether the most popular Work, of an Nor is its reputation greater than its merits: for in completeness of informaof opinion, and elegance of language, it is equalled by no work of a similar cyclopedias, it does not pay a disproportioned attention to the Sciences and 1 and all of its subjects according to their relative importance. It partakes, which is said to distinguish the German character, being universal in its symIn Biography, History, Geography, Statistics, Commerce, and the Fine Arts, nds in articles upon familiar and fire-side subjects, which are not to be found upon the Work a peculiar charm and interest. which has attained such unprecedented popularity on the Continent Europe Publishers have spared no exertion or expense to render it worthy of British to present the public with a faithful edition of the original, for it is upon that, publication to distinction must eventually rest. No work of similar dimenity in Europe as the Conversations Lexicon; and with the knowledge of this iety of retaining in their edition almost the entire original, in the persuasion, elsewhere, can scarcely prove valueless in this country. The recommendalicable to every quarter. This they felt more particularly when they came he information which it contained they found to be so new and complete iness of source that of any British publication;-the method of arrangeso unexceptionable-that they considered it would be worse than useless , and that any affectation of doing so would be its condemnation. They, fully to the original; and they are thus enabled to present the British ish edition of the Conversations Lexicon. Their publication, which has been ertised more than a year ago, differs essentially from the penny Cyclopedias ed on the basis of the Conversations Lexicon, but which are so arranged that ited work. inent German writers contributed to the original Work; and the American id, has been improved by a variety of original articles from eminent Ameribine the excellencies both of the original and translated copies. To render it specially to suit it to the wants and interests of this country, it is carefully are considered necessary for the English reader. These, of themselves, will so that, independent of its cosmopolitan character, the reader may count on in all subjects connected with the British empire. In addition, the Publishers Dissertations on Science, Literature, and the Fine Arts, by distinguished Ane title of The Popular Encyclopedia, the Publishers consider themselves Work, which is in every respect popular, being adapted to all tastes and arity, which exceeds that of any other work of the kind in Europe. More been sold i). Germany alone, and it is making equal progress throughout the This fact may be considered as a guarantee of its usefulness; esent edition acceptable, it will be illustrated with Plates and diahaving been found the only desideratum in the former editions of the work, e terms of publication) at a more moderate price than even the American k in its paper and typography. of A fle The following are a few of the notices which have been taken of the present edition :— "I completed on its present plan, it will be one of the most useful works of reference that persons who have not time for deep study can require."-Athenæum. versations Lexicon,' and which obtained great fame in that and in other countries of Europe. This part is elegantly got up, the typography is clear, the engravings excellent, and the articles generally of a high order of "We have looked over the two numbers already published. They contain much useful and interesting know-merit."-Leeds Mercury. ledge in a small compass; and the possession of this work, when completed, will preclude the necessity of referring to scientific and biographical dictionaries, whose office it is well fitted to fulfill."-Scottish Guardian. "It appears to us to be the best Encyclopedia that has yet been projected or offered to the people of this country. It is beautifully printed, the illustrations are in a superior style, while the arrangements of the work are simple and correct, and we feel confident, that in recommending the Popular Encyclopedia to the attention of the public, we are doing nothing more than our duty."-Glasgow Free Press. "IN our opinion, the Conversations Lexicon' is by far the most useful and complete work of the kind which has ever been given to the world. It is concise and plain, without being imperfect or superficial. The edition before us is enriched by numerous additions, and in point of typography, &c. is altogether calculated to secure for the work, in this country, even a higher degree of success than it has met with elsewhere.”—Edinburgh Evening Post. "WE consider our city honoured by the reproduction of a work of so much utility, in a style of extreme neatness, and at a cheap price. Unlike other Encyclopedias, it does not pay a disproportioned attention to the sciences and their technicalities, but disposes of each and all its subjects according to their relative importance. In Biography, History, Geography, Statistics, Commerce, and the Fine Arts, it is particularly complete; and it abounds in articles upon familiar and fireside subjects, which are not to be found treated of elsewhere, and which bestow upon the work a particular charm and interest. We have examined these numbers with some care, and they appear to us to contain ample evidence of the redemption of the publishers' pledge of revisions and additions. If the work, in short, progresses as it has begun, it deserves, and will, we hope, meet with success adequate to the enterprise of its spirited publishers."-Scots Times. "WE have looked through the articles carefully, and we find those treated exactly in the manner that a person seeking for information would wish, of course every subject as it is brought upon the tapis is not exhausted. As a book merely of reference, it is invaluable as it is amusing. The accompanying engravings are clearly cut, and are equal to the letter-press that they so beautifully elucidate. If this enterprise do not prove successful, we certainly shall think that in England good taste It would be a work of supererogation at this time of has retrograded, and that even the progress of civilization day to attempt to praise the general plan and execu- has made something like a pause."— Metropolitan Mag. tion of this celebrated Dictionary * * * In this era of "For a book of reference we know of none equal to cheap publication, it would be unfair to close our notice it. We are sure that it must win its way to popularwithout stating what are the pretensions of the Popularity."-Metropolitan Mag. (Second notice.) Encyclopedia in this respect. It is got up in a handsome style, and must prove an ornament, extrinsically, to a gentleman's library, being well printed, on good paper, in royal octavo, and yet so economical in point of price, as to be easily within the reach of the largest and most important class of our population, to whom the knowledge it communicates may be invaluable. The essential addition, in such works, of illustrative engravings, is also supplied, though wanting in former editions; and we know of nothing which the spirited publishers have left undone to merit approbation, and the highest success of which their undertaking is susceptible."-Greenock Avertiser. "THIS work is well calculated to supply an important desideratum in the literature of the country, namely, a condensed family library; and as it comes within the range of almost every man's means, we doubt not it will be purchased with avidity."-Greenock Intelligencer. ་ "AN undertaking like this cannot fail to meet with the most ample encouragement, and if the publishers proceed as they have begun, the Popular Encyclopedia will be an indispensable requisite in every family where the English language is understood, and the value of rational learning is duly appreciated.”—Liberator. "A PART of this publication now lies before us, and whether we speak of the clear and enlightening descriptive matter which it contains, or notice the beauty and elegance of the plates, two of which are given with each Part, we cannot too much extol the spirit and ability of the conductors of it, nor too warmly recommend the work to the public as one of the best and cheapest Encyclopedias which has yet appeared. A complete and very superior family library may thus be obtained for the small sum of six pounds. This is worthy the consideration of every literary man."-York Herald. "THIS Popular Encyclopedia is now submitted to the public, in a cheaper form than any former edition of it. Every body may now possess himself of one of the best Encyclopedias ever published."-Montrose Review. "OF Encyclopedias it has been justly remarked, that they are generally too scientific for the unlearned reader, and not enough so for the learned: this characteristic, however, does not attach itself to the present Popular Encyclopedia, which has had conferred upon it the flattering, but just distinction of World-Renowned.'". Aberdeen Journal. "THIS is the reprint in Scotland of a valuable work, ariginally published in Germany, under the title of 'Con- · "It must prove an excellent standard book."--Tait's Mag. "THIS is a reprint from the American Edition of the Conversations Lexicon,' with such additions and corrections as bring it down to the latest period, and render it suitable to this country. It has two new features-the introduction of plates and diagrams, and the addition of a series of original Dissertations on Science, Literature, and the Fine Arts.-On SCIENCE, from the pen of Dr Thomson, the distinguished Professor of Chemistry, in the University of Glasgow. ON THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF LITERATURE, by Sir Daniel K. Sandford, Professor of Greek in the same University. Such names would stamp any work as sterling.'*** The first three parts of the Popular Encyclopedia' are before us. They are carefully edited, and very neatly printed. Besides wood cuts and diagrams there are expensive steel engravings illustrative of Architecture, Astronomy, Aeronautics, Anatomy, Amphitheatre, Agriculture, and Aqueduct. These articles struck us as being extremely well written-particularly Architecture, on which there is an elaborate essay. We are also much pleased with the notices of Africa, (including Lander's discoveries, and the colony of Liberia) Academy, Emperor Alexander, Angling (the best remarks on this head we ever met), Arabian Literature, and Sir Richard Arkwright. -These three parts comprise from A to Augereau, occupying 334 pages. In conclusion, we must say that this is one of the best Encyclopedias ever published, and at a price so low that nothing but a very great sale can repay the publishers."-Chesterfield Gazette. "WITH this Number of the Conversations Lexicon is presented the commencement of a Discourse on the Progress of Physical Science by Professor Thomson of Glasgow. So far as it has yet proceeded, we must pronounce it at once an able and comprehensive treatise on the interesting subject to which the professor has directed his studies. It is written in a plain and popular manner, and while it conveys ample seientific details, it cannot fail to be intelligible to the general reader at the same time. Indeed it is composed precisely in the style which ough to characterize all the articles of a Popular Encyclopedia. |—Edinburgh Evening Post. (Second notice.) The following Extracts, from Reviews of the American Edition, will show in what estimation the work is held in that country. A few Letters from eminent individuals are also given. It may be proper to apprise the reader that the title bestowed on the American edition is "ENCYCLOPÆDIA AMERICANA." ONE of the best Encyclopedias ever published. This Work deserves to be recommended to the great body of our people, as a library of itself;-cheap, compre hensive, exceedingly well executed, and of the highest authority. There can be little doubt that it fully deserves the reputation it enjoys. A work, which has passed through so many editions at home, and has been translated into so many languages abroad, must be-it cannot be otherwise of great value, not only in the country in which it first appeared, but in every other, where it has been allowed to re-appear. Men do not enter into such expensive undertakings without deliberation. They are unlike all others; and they cannot continue, year after year, unless they have something else to depend upon, than merely popular favour. Perhaps two hundred thousand ropies of the criginal work have been distributed through Europe, in different languages, since its publication, in 1812; while probably not more than twenty-five thousand copies of the Library of Useful Knowledge have been disposed off. This fact alone is sufficient to convince us, that this age has produced nothing better fitted to the wants of society at large-to the necessities rather-for its circulation could not have been so extended, unless it had been regarded almost as a necessary of life.-North American Review. The high reputation of the contributors to this work, will not fail to insure it a favourable reception, and its own merits will do the rest.-Silliman's Journal. The appearance of the first volume of this valuable work in this country, is an event not less creditable to its enterprising publishers, than it is likely to prove lastingly beneficial to the public. When completed, according to the model presented by the first volume, it will deserve to be regarded as the spirit of all the best Encyclopædias; since it comprises whatever is really desirable and necessary in them, and, in addition, a large proportion of articles entirely original, or expressly written for its pages. This is the condition of all the articles of American Biography, by Mr Walsh; those on Zoology, by Dr Godman; and those on Mineralogy and Chemistry, by a gentleman of Boston, distinguished for his successful devotion to those studies. The work abounds with interesting and useful matter, presented in a condensed and perspicuous style; nor is it one of its least commendations that it is to be comprised in twelve octavo volumes, which may be placed on an office table, or occupy a shelf in the parlour, ever ready for immediate reference, instead of requiring almost a room to itself, like its ponderous predecessors, the Britannica, Edinburgensis, &c. 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, speak loudly in favour 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 patronage 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. These, at least, are our conclusions, after a close and candid examination of the first volume-Am. Doily Advertiser. A compendious library, and invaluable book of reference.-N. Y. American. This cannot but prove a valuable addition to the literature of the age.-Amer. Adv. 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 Intell. We have seen and carefully examined the first volume of the Encyclopædia Americana, just published by Carey, Lea, and Carey, and think our readers may be congratulated upon the opportunity of making such a valuable accession to their libraries.-Aurora. The Encyclopædia 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 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 country men will sustain the publishers, and well reward them for this contribution to American literature.— Baltimore Patriot. The great number of Biographical Dictionaries and extensive Encyclopædias already in the libraries of opulent individuals or well-endowed literary institutions, might by some be urged as an argument against the necessity of such a work as the Encyclopædia Americana; but it appears to us, that, for the very purposes for which Biographical Dictionaries were compiled and Encyclopæ dias written, this work is pre-eminently fitted: viz.as a book of frequent and ready reference. It is a fact, that most of the Encyclopædias are such heavy tomes, that they lie upon the shelves, monuments of physical and literary gravity, like the Stone Henges of England, to be gazed at for their size, and to excite admiration, less as to their usefulness than how they came there. In forming the Encyclopædia Americana, care has been taken to insert all that would be likely to arrest the attention in connection with general reading. Where the whole of a science would be necessary, the reader, instead of finding a superficial sketch, is referred at once to the proper treatise; but that species of information which is so often the subject of inquiry, and which becomes necessary to the proper understanding of a great portion of general reading, is gathered into the Encyclopædia Americana, and enriches every page that we have examined. The parts of the work that relate to American geography, biography, history, natural and physical, botany, &c. have been written in this country, by gentlemen of acknowledged talent and literary taste. We cannot doubt that the succeeding volumes will equal the first, and we hence warmly recommend the work to the patronage of the public, as being by far the best work of the kind ever offered for sale in this country.-7. 8. Gazette. The work appears to abound in that sort of information most necessary for frequent reference.-Daily Chronicle. We entertain no fear that our ingenuousness or judg ment will be called in question for our praising, in warm terms, the plan, and, as far as may be judged by the one volume, the execution, both literary, scientific, and me chanical, of the Encyclopædia Americana. The volume before us includes the whole of the letter A, and B, as far as the word battle. We have been at the pains to compare it with Rees' Cyclopædia to the same extent, and feel no hesitation in saying that, while it embraces all the most important subjects to be found in that very voluminous and expensive Dictionary of the Arts and Sciences, they are treated with perfect perspicuity, and if not so much, certainly with sufficient minuteness. Without reference to the fact, that scarcely a copy of Rees' Cyclopædia is to be obtained, we cannot but consider the mere circumstance, that what in the one extends through so many quartos, and costs such a large sum, is in the other to be comprised In twelve volumes, at the moderate price of 2; dollars Dr Lieber, coincides entirely with the views which this gentleman and several eminent literary men of this country have already expressed. The Dictionary for Conver sation owes its excellence, as well as its signal success, We are glad to see the unanimity with which the principally to this circumstance, that in Germany every American editors bear evidence to the value of the new one who aims at distinction in any science or art, comEncyclopædia Americana, which is edited by Dr Lieber, monly devotes himself almost exclusively to his particular at Boston, with the aid of Mr Wigglesworth. These pursuit. This devotedness to a single object is apt to be gentlemen are eminently competent to the extensive and attended with a very imperfect acquaintance with other useful task which they have undertaken. We regard branches of knowledge, and it is this defect which occathem both as literati of considerable attainments, indefa- sioned the editing of a work which brought within the tigable zeal, and sound judgment. Dr Lieber is a Ger- reach of every one the most interesting results of all the man scholar sufficiently acquainted with our tongue to do different departments of learning and industry. On the justice to that part of the work which is to be derived other hand, the profound knowledge contained in the from the popular Conversations Lexicon, the most recent works of those who have made a particular pursuit the German Encyclopædia, of which more than eighty thou-object of their life, has enabled the compilers of that Dicsand copies have been sold in Germany, and translations tionary to present to the public, in a concise manner, a already made into several of the continental languages. great number of articles which are generally interesting, It must be known to all general readers, that English without being superficial. It is satisfactory not only to bibliography embraces no good" Popular Dictionary of the general reader and scholar, to the philosopher and the Arts, Sciences, Literature, History, Politics, and Bio-historian, but to those also who are engaged in any partigraphy, brought down to the present time,"-none with- cular business or profession, as farmers, mechanics, merout abundant rubbish or surplusage,-none that furnishes chants, physicians, lawyers, or theologians. Those arti. accurate and compendious information on all the topics cles of the work which do not fully deserve this praise, likely to occupy the attention of intelligent individuals and will certainly be improved in usefulness and interest for enlightened circles. The compilation of Rees is too this country, by the translator and those literary men who voluminous; much of its ingredients may be regarded as are expected to assist him in this useful and patriotic obsolete, and a number of its articles are excessively copi- undertaking. ous and heavy. According to the plan of Dr Lieber, a CHARLES FOLLEN. 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 occasional reference. By those who understand the German language, the Conversations Lexicon is consulted ten times for one application to any English Encyclopædia. It is not the mere multitude of heads, or the length and depth of treatises, which constitute the chief or proper worth of such productions; their merit and usefulness may lie principally in the judicious exclusion of matters rarely emergent, and the skilful compression of whatever belongs to the active fund of theory, fact, and illustration. The possessor of the Encyclopædia should be enabled by it to understand all that he may peruse or hear in the ordinary routine of life; to satisfy that curiosity or need which may be casually created.National Gazette. Letter from GEORGE TICKNOR, Esq. of Boston. BOSTON, Nov. 25, 1827. SIR,-I am not acquainted with any book in a foreign language, which, I think, may be translated into English and published in the United States, with the needful alterations, with so much success as the Conversations Lexicon, of which so many editions have been published in Germany. It seems to me to be suited, in a particular manner, to the present condition and wants of this country, because it contains more of that information which is useful and interesting to well-educated persons of all classes, than any other work with which I am conversant. It has made the fortunes of its publishers in Germany. It is about to be adapted to the wants of the rest of the Continent, in a French translation just undertaken at Brussels; and I do not doubt, a similar adaptation of it to the United States, would be as fortunate and as successful as was the original work; because, the class of persons to whom it would be interesting is much greater in this country than it is in Germany. DR FRANCIS LIEBER. GEORGE TICK NOR. From GEORGE BANCROFT, Esq. one of the Principals of Round-Hill Seminary, Northampton. NORTHAMPTON, Dec. 22, 1827. SIR,-I am very glad to hear that you seriously propose I remain, with best wishes and sincere regards, From EDWARD EVERETT, Esq. Member of the house of Representatives of the United States. WINTER-HILL, CHARLESTON, Nov. 17, 1827. I ENTIRELY Concur in the opinion expressed in the foregoing pages, of the merit of the Lexicon for Conversation. It is somewhat of the nature of an Encyclopædia, intended, however, for convenient and popular use. Although, of the great number of articles contained in it, all are not equally well executed, no work, that I am acquainted with, contains such an amount and variety of information, in a form so accessible and commodious. The alterations proposed by Dr Lieber, seem to me calculated to render it still more valuable in this country; and with them, it will be, in my opinion, the best work for convenient Letter from DR CHARLES FOLLEN, Instructor in general reference, in the English language. So deeply German in Harvard University. CAMBRIDGE, Nov. 23, 1827. STR,-My opinion with respect to the translation, of the impressed have I been with the merit of the work, that without having heard of Dr Lieber's proposal to undertake a translation, I had determined to recommend to some of the principal booksellers to endeavour to procure a translator of it. EDWARD EVERETT |