The Portland daily press., 1867-07-25
JohnsSa,s Family Atlas.

We have already spoken briefly of the mer-
its of this work. A careful examination more
than confirms our first impressions Oh i's eA-
cellence 1t is justly described on 'ne title
maze, as the largest best executed, most acea-
ratio and only illustrated and complete town.
,hi, o,,os of the world. Its size is what is
k,aun ne impeli al folio, ani most of the maps
coyor tu, paees Its execution is So nice that
\ maenifying glass is needed to illustrate the
perfection of its details. For its accuracy, it is
only necessary to say that Mr. johnson is the
successor of Mr. j. III. Cotton, and that most
Of the maps have been compiled, drawn and
engraved under Mr.. Coton's personal super
vision. 1t contains over hundred maps and
nearly three hundred illustrations. The only
fault we have TO find with the maps is, that the
coloring is little too intense
For an American atlas, the United States
naturally invite and require fuller treatment
than any other portion Of the world EVERY
town, village and posi- office in the States ana
Territories is laid down in its proper place.
An index gives in alphabetical order 'h0
names of the places with reference 10 'ne
State and county in which they are W pe
found The mans of the British Provinces are
eoualIv full and exact, but lack the index.
The man of North America gives the subdivis-
ions of the United States and Oh Mexico as ac-
curately as the special maps of the two Repub-
lies. and on the northwestern corner of the
continent, wnere last year stood the Russian
Possessions, we read "United States Terrific
ry." Mr.. Seward will have to get up very
early in the morning, to get ahead of Mr. John
son.
Everywhere there is the same completeness
The provinces of China and Japan, for exam
pie, are laid down as accurately and carefully
as the Territories of the United States. The
boundaries OF Prussia conform to the cha nges
wrought at Sadowa last Summer. The minor
maps are frequently very useful-such as the
maps of Montreal and vicinity, and the Mag
ara river. The plans of New York and Brook
lyn, and Washington, form a new feature in {
work of this kind, and the map of Richmond
and vicinity, to Illustrate the Peninsular camp
align, will be referred to with interest by many
returned soldiers of the Army of the Potomac
There is also map of the Roman Empire, fo
students of Caesars campaigns.
The text is as fresh as the maps. There is
treatise on physical geography, which touche
upon the glacial theory, gives the theory of tn
tides, and the latest results of meteorology
and treats upon the distribution of animals ant
plants, and the races of men, everywhere show
ing an acquaintance with the latest results o
scientific investigation. This part of the worl
is prepared by DIR. r. s. Fisher, author of tn,
Gazetteer of the United States and other stat
| istical works, and is profusely illustrated
| There are besides, charts of ocean currents ant
| river systems, meteorological charts and colt
dial charts, and charts representing the distri
button OF the animal and vegetable kingdom
| and of the products of human industry. Ii
| short the book is an encyclopedia.
We have not yet mentioned the Statistical
tables-of religions, populations and the like
and on the whole we think we won't; it i
necessary to stop somewhere. We simply adj
that there is a minute chronological history @
the Rebellion, mentioning under the prope
date every important event from the inception
to the close of that memorable struggle.
The book is recommended by the president
| and professors Of Yale, Amherst, Hamilton
Middlebury, Bowdoin and other colleges; b
the school commissioners of Ohio, Michigan
and North Carolina; by the governors of hal
a dozen states; by Chief Justice Chase; b,
John d. Philbrick, superintendent of the Bos
ton Public Schools; and many others-but i
is its own best recommendat ton after all; or i
it needs any other, sufficient recommends
ton will be found in the character of Rev
James III. Palmer, of Biddeford, who is tn,
special agent of the publishers in this vicinity
The book is sold only by subscription. Thos,
of cur readers who desire to see it, will have
it brought to them by leaving name and
address for Mr.. Palmer, at the Preble House