The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-15 00:00:00

the present." The rivals alluded to have, however, not been with-
out their use. They have, no doubt, stimulated the proprietors of
the Post Office Directory" to that kind of prompt and vigilant
exertion from which perfection alone can spring ; and we have now
a book of reference as unique in its characteristics as in its worth.
The divisions of the book are the same as they have hitherto been.
The separate Directories amount to twelve; by uhich arrangement
any particular search may be achieved, •either by reference to the
name of the person sought for, the street he lives in, er the occupa-
tion he follows. We have, thus, a 'Directory of Government
officials ; of streets ; of tradesmen ; of trades ; of law ; of fashion ;
of Parlament ; of the Post Office ; of the City ; of conveyances ;
of banking•houses ; and of the assurance offices. These are again
subdivided where necessary ; and every conceivable facility is
after led to the inquirer, by means of sectional indices, &c ,to save
both his time and trouble. But we need not further particularise.
The " fifty-third publication" of the " Post Office Directory" more
than equ4s any of its numerous predecessors ; . and when we say
this, the amount of labour bestowed upon it, the diversity of its
classifications, the variety of its information, and its Uniform exact-
ness, will be at once appreciated. Every sort of specific knowledge
that it concerns the merchant, the trader, the professional man, the
idler, or the urtisan, to be acquainted with, may here be found; and
that the corrections come down to the latest date, may be inferred
from such entries as the elections of Lord Dunsandle and Captain
Duncombe, both of which to.)k plats nv further back than the 7th
instant.
MORNING POST, OCTOBER 22, 1851.
This remarkablevolmne has attained its fifty-third year, and now
contains 2,085 closely printed pages. In this immense mass of in-
formation, the most searching scrutiny wilt find nothing useless or
Unnecessary ; and.the extreme accuracy which is observable in the
most minute details, renders the " Post Office London Directory'
one of the marvels of the age. Its early publication is accounted
for by the circumstance that the edition for 1851 is out of print.
and the proprietors have taken great care that all necessary cor-
rections should be made up to the latest moment. We have been
at some p ,ins to test the accuracy of the present edition, by reference
to instances of recent change within our own knowledge, and in no
single case have we found any mistake. The insertion of Lord
Dunsandle, wlpese election took place in September, amongst the
Irish representative Peers, and the alterations rendered necessary
by the-death of Lord Donieuglimxe, on the 1 fib September, are two,
amongst many, proofs of slue dill am:tigers-11M: rifich this In-
valuable 'work h s besTs prepared. Even the minor official changes,
such as the appointment of Queen's couusel, police magbtrates, and
the Eke, are also noted with unfailing correctness. The arrange-
ment and distribution of the several parts of the work afford the-
utmost facilities for reference ; so that the labyrinth of this vast
metropolitan population is threaded as readily as the population of
the most insignificant village, and official situations, trades, profes-
sions, residences, as easily discovered. It is not surprising that such
a work, so useful to all, and so indispensable to those engaged in
business, should find a demand proportioned to the labour bestowed
upon it. It has now, we conceive, reached the highest pitch of
perfection of which such a production is Capable ; and it will UNUCS-
thnably continue to receive that large share of public patronage by
which it has hitherto been deservedly supported. Not evare the
Great Exhibition itself could convey to foreigners a grander or more
just idea of the vast resources of British capital and enterprise ; and
certainly no guide book in the world could give half as accurate a
notion of the wealth, industry, and pursuits of the Londoners as is
contained in this imposing and instructive volume. The obligation
which the public owe to Messrs. Kelly is certainly not confined to
the mere counting house utility of their labours. They have collected
an amount of statistical information, the quantity of which is only
equalled by its value ; and it atlords us sincere pleasure to bear our
testimony to the merits of their present edition.

MORNING ADVERTISER, OCTOBER 22, 1851.
The fifty-third annual impression of this wonderful and ever-
increasing book is before us. On the present occasion it is marked
by a more early appearance than usual—a proof of increased dili-
gence iu compiling the immense lists of names, trades, and profes-
sions, as welt as a further enhancement of its value and accuracy.
For it must be evident, upon reflection, that the nearer in point of
time to the completion of information so varied, evanescent, and
perpetually changing, the issue of the work 'containing it shall be,
so will its faithfulness be increased. Death, bankruptcy, retirement,
sales, emigration, mere removal, prevent the permanency of such
information, in the recency of which lies its whole value. Now,
living ourselves in this current of change, and of necessity observant
of many mutations, we have appliectto the " Pest Office Directory"
the severest of tests, by a reference to a few of the most recent fluc-
tuations in the world of London and of commerce. This it has stood
triumphantly. In this vast mass of matter (over 2,000 pages), in all
parts of the ponderous volume, is the same actuality of present truth-
fulness. Official appointments and promotions, changes of firms,
removals, alterations of postal times, of mail routes and arrivals, or
steam-packets, the evictions and changes consequent neon street-
widening!, Sec., &e., &e., are all noted, so as, in poetic phrase, to
" Fix the flying Cynthia of the minute ;"
or, rather, to render, so far as modern Babylon is concerned, " the
very age and body of the time, its form and pressure." Among the
notabilia of the world's metropolis, this record of its actual state is
one of the most useful and wondrous.

DAILY NEWS, OCTOBER 14, 1851.
The " Post Office Directory" for 185 e has beet' published, un-
usually early this year. The portly volume is now before us. The
proprietors thus explain their reasons for this earlier issue of their
volume:—" The Exhibition having occasioned a demand greater
than usual, the edit on for the ,urrent year became exhausted; to
prevent the inconvenience of the work being out of print, every
exertion has been made to produce the new edition at the earliest
periol compatible with accuracy." That this has not been sacrificed
to speed, a scrutiny will amply show ; and in proof that the cor-
rections have been made to the latest possible period, they instance
the acceleration of papers by the day mail, under the head of
"delivery of letters in London," at page 1761. The ff•st day on
which the mails arrived so as to admit of the complete carrying out
of the arrangement was on Saturday last, the llth instant. The
insertion, too, in the " Parliaulentary Directory" of the Christian
names of the present Lord Stafford, whose father's death was an-
nounced on the 6th instant, is ano her instance, amongseveral which
might be adduced to show how clasely the corrections have ,been
made up to the moment of issue.

GLO3E, OCTOBER 18, 1851.
Among the many interests affected by the Great Exhibition is that
of the " London Directory;" the demand for the edition of 1851
being so great, In consequence of the crowds congregating to the
metropolis, that it was deemed advisable to have an early publica-
tion of that for 1852. The comparatively early appearance of the
work will, however be foiled to have derogated little, if at all, from
its accuracy and excellence, as every change that has taken place
up to the last few days is carefully recorded in its pages. As in-
stances, we may state that the Hon. Arthur Duncombe is given as
the Member for the East Riding of Yorkshire, for which county he
was elected as late as the 7th instant; and that the present Lords
Stafford and liolingbroke are named as the possessors of their re-
spective titles, although they succeeded to them only within the cur-
rent month. In every respect the edition for 1852 is quite equal to
its predecessors. -Indeed, when one considers the immense amount
of information in the work—the perfect accuracy which charac-
terises it—and the excellent classification adopted, Eby which any
piece of information required can be pounced on i❑ a moment, the
" London Directory" seems little short of a marvellous work, and
on' which could only have been p'tt together by the most indefati-
gable perseverance and scrupulous care. It would have been indeed
worthy of a place in that noble collection of the monuments of the
industry and intelligence of the world, which we have but a day or
two since looked on fur the last time.

STANDARD, OcToms. 21, 1851.
The fifty-third annual publication of this extraordinary volume is
now before us. The projector of such an opus magnum must have
been a bold man, but no one can observe its singular completeness
without coming to the conclusion that it has been the work of many
years to bring to perfection such a guide-took to the first city in the
worl I. The labour and diligence which must have been bestowed
on Messrs. Kelly's book is quite inconceivable, and the proprietor.
must be gratified that thdlr efforts have been appreciated by the
rubl.c. Every merchant's house, every place of business in London,
or even in the conntry, has its " Post Office London Directory,"
The enormous circulation thus attained has enabled the proprietors
to offer it for sale at a price that no book less universally purchased
could bo sold for. Upwards of two thousand closely-printed pages,
comprising the most extensive and miscellaneous information in one
volume, and sold at the price at which it is offered, Is a
feel triumph
roud. of
skill and diligence of which the proprietors may well p
They wbo look further, may see, in the success of the " London
Post Ofßce Directory," the foreshadowing of results yet more im-
portant to the community even than the accurate knowledge of the
persons, occupations, and things, so skilfully set before us la this vo-
lume, of the busy metropolis. It is unnecessary to recommend the
" Directory ;" such a book is always itself its own best recom-
mendation.

SKIPPING AND MERCANTILE GAZETTE, OCTOBEa 18, 1851.
The adnual volume of this stupendous work appears with 1851
The
punctuality. The plan originally laid down is carried out
with increased completeness in the publication for 1352, which, like
its predecessors, is a signal monument of method, enterprise, and per-
severance. It is not possible that any work. devoted to London and
its statistics can furnish so clear and definite a record of the per-
sonal an commercial contents of the metropolis as this mammoth
book, tne swelling bulk of which denotes that It keeps pace with the
increase of population and the several developments of industry.
No one can turn over its pages without being struck with the ini-
meniity of labour which its compilation must have entailed upon
those engaged in it. Every line is the record or a specific fact—a
fact in every case liable to change, and, consequently, involving
periodical justification throughout. The machinery devised by the
Messrs. Kelly for securing this annual revision is now as perfect
as it is possible to make it; and the corrections are brought down to
the latest date. The separate Directories embrace the usual fields
of lamination. Trades and tradesmen, professionals and officials,
streets and conveyances, banking-houses and post offices, are here
regulated to their particular heads, and, besides the mere catalogue
of names, enriched with every sort of collateral information which
the exigencies of business or curiosity may require. Our former
emnineialations may be repeated now. The accuracy aimed at by
the editors half a century ago has been severely tested since the
book has been in existence ; and it not only repels accusation on
this score, but challenges fresh panegyric as every succeeding
volume emerges from the press. The counting-house of the merchant
and the trader could now as ill spare the ahnanack as the "Post
°thee Directory."
WEEKLY DISPATCH, OCTOBER 19, 1851.
It Is difficult to remark upon a work that, presenting the same
phases, has so often laid claim to public notice and patronage. The
flfty•third annual volume is now before us; and, as heretofore, it
embodies (certainly in a very bulky form) an amount of 'mend in-
formation which might be sought tor In vain at any other source.
It is, in fact, as the preface states, a "hand-book to the commerce
of the first commercial city in the world." As usual, the volume
contains, among other information, an " Offb 'al Directory," a
" Street Directory," a " Trades' Directory," a " Law Directory," a
"Court Directory," a "Parliamentary Directory," a " Postal Di-
rectory," a' City Directory," a "Conveyance Directory," a " flank-
ing Directory," and a finely-executed Map of London and its en-
virons. The work, alike indispensable to the commercial man amid
to individuals unconnected with trade, reflects great credit upon the
proprietor for his industry and Untiring perseverance, and is an ho-
nour to the country in which it appears. The whole is printed in a
c.ear, distinct type, and on excellent paper, and the " getting ni),,
altogether is unexceptionable. While such care and zeal continue
to be exerted, to render the book in its several departments com-
let and make it really and truly a hand-book of commerce, it
piste, e,
need not fear any rival.

1831.
aBsmhonth earlier than
the fact of the great de-
mandsion consequent on the crowds at the
for last year's inning
usMuarl.t.Khallyye'sarg.
r lion
fovri sal toprrsopeeorui
rad
pnroetssidoon booftttie, r,
1 a Enl
t'
Xh
1 ji
Is
i ri
1 sel Mc
t°
accounted'takes°cftßohTbfiyellBd
magnitude and wonders
citye with it. wo
T thousa osely-
(1
thanlea Great
resort Lit
to IMe nr
;.
Kelly'seed ceefr compttanol i
no other record of them to comp
rotessions, and persons, express
they w. ere visiting. doe ossess
printed pages of streets, trades, Pes what a mighty mass of human
better than the most eloquent
book of Mr. Kelly's is not one,
to
oentt - gee
Ise
oy
viarenaps niti
sowtdvivarieties!thin
eftcongregatedhhautmi to
ipattiml 1 sreeea sx.sips otit
)etftncalledeeOften
and
eLhioaarts
vdeeor
interests
tasd andli
occasiona
eh ac
etii
nn
toe-
say, and may now repeat, that this
ibtutteaticloeztzt:Defireeveetryoriescla.sslttshactlemarayandbe
ssiiccpeieyns,ced,t,
oalfrikiiaeienlyagrly
of such information. There is a et
mo
haveeta need
s
containing the names of more t'llsoo pages,
number of pages nearly the
same
two thousand trades.
'There is an Alphabetical Directory, containing in the same
There is a classification of more than
hundred
num thousandber
of npaeompel es..
Street
gTehnetrleeris
ealasesoeusr.t Guide to
is
saomtaw2s,oooOuidoef
;whaat
Directory of Post-
Outdo ; a Guide to all the Public Offices; a la,ararlicaamllettarthye
To rill 3 and Postages all over the world; a list of all the
and inn throughout the country ; and, under separate
whatever a person can be supposed to have any need to know re-
and agencies, or about assurance companies,
specting city buildings, comPardes, churches, chapels, Publications,anti
D chief
i r e cto hotels
r:. e s ,
conveyances of all kinds from, to, or in the mettaeropkoileigs. beAumsetsof
various matter so unexampled in bulk and extent depends obviously
upon nrrangement, acid facility and completene e The
its practical worth and value in a readily available sons e,
hook before us seems quite a model of such arrangement. It cen-
taurs nothing that may not at once be found—not a street, trade,
profession, or person, which the easest search does not bring into
ss of reference, for
view, and, as far as we have been able to judge, wills unerring ac-
curacy. Though it is hardly the middle of October when we have
it now before us complete, we yet find proofs of a scrupulous cor-
rectness of revision that must have dated so recently as the close of
the first week in October. But tve have said enough to commend a
volume which we cannot but regard as a marvel of compiirtion
most creditable to every one engaged in its production, and which
has doubtless now become indispensable to all that have ever had
occasion habitually to resort to it.

SPECTATOR, OCTOBER 18, 1851.
That gigantic volume, " Toe Post (Alice Di •ectory," MalotaLns
its character as a fitting representative of the largest city in the
world ; excelling all boots in bulk, as London excels in towns. And
as the Metropolis contains various other districts besides the CRY,
so does the Directory contain many directories, yet all an-
swering some specific purpose. There is the " Official Directoe--
and, by-the-bye, it is curious to Lee how often the same name oc-
curs together, as if public employment .were too good a thing to let
out of tee family. There is the "Street Directory," where we may
find the man if 'ffe knew hit realdenee, but haye fol gotten big name ;