Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-08-04

pOSeQ entirely Oh SLaLemeDLS Oh IdCt
| requiring the most accurate investi
CATION, and tie most studied clear
ness of explanation that its com
position requires the widest reading.
and research of the most painstaking
kind that, when once written, it
passes through six different revisions,
and though the various printing stages
of "galley"-proofs, page proofs,
and proofs from the plates; that
illustrations maps, and diagrams
have to be made and arranged for it
with the greatest care. Bearing
these things in mind, even the me-
chanical statement Of the amount of
labor done indicates an activity and
energy that is little understood by
the majority of readers.
This statement is, of course, mere
ly interesting as showing the perfec-
ton Of the routine in which the work
is carried on it is only by review
of the intellectual results of so much
lobor that we can fairly see what it
is worth; and to make such review
justly would, of course be far be-
yond the power of a brief notice.
1t is only most general glance that
we can give here at the contents Of
the book thus far but, to one or two
points and leading characteristics of
the work, we may at least call atten-
| ton.
4
Ordinarily, in works of this nature,
the reputation of a few great leaders
in different branches of learning is
left to carry" the book; and under
the cover of a few famous names and
brilliant articles is concealed the fact
that the general information, con-
veyed in minor articles in which
specialists have no share, is faulty
and careless. A vast amount of error
may be foated by the addition of
one or two papers by writer's whose
names are security for their own work
only.
The special point to which we
would call attention in THE AMERI-
CAN CYBLoPKDIA is the entire abb
sence of any attempt to do this.
Perhaps the greatest merit of this
book is its remarkable fuliness and
accuracy in what are called little
thin gs-which are really the subjects
on which cyclopadia is consulted a
hundred times where it would be
only once referred to for a compli
Gated special question. While its
staff of Notwithstanding scientific
men, theologia1s, and others--in-
cIudes the very foremost names, its
hundreds Of general articles, bio
graphies, historical and geographical
titles, and so on, are handled in the
the Office with an accurate care that
almost defes criticism. The bring
ing into a literary undertaking OF
the chef men in their several spaci-
aities, is very great triumph for
editors and publishers, but the cars
rying of accuracy and perpetual
vigilance into the minuteSt details of
work that has been too often left to
careless hands. seems to us some
thing of which they have right TO
be at least equally proud.
The consistent way in which the
plan Of the work, as announced in
the prefqce. is carried out: the ex-
cellent fullness with which articles on
kindred subjects supplement one
another: the use which is made OF
every possible opportunity to bring
down the facts to the very time OF
: publication: and the entire absence
of expressions of personal opinion or
: partially in any form-these are mer-
J its which have already been noted by
many writers during the progress OF
this new edition: but they are re-
markable enough and sufficiently I'M
usal to deserve another mention, and
indeed many more.
The seven volumes extend rom
, the letter A to the letter G A to
: Glasock). A list of even the more
f prominent articles they coHtain
S would be impossible here: but there
: are several of very marked and
/ peculiar value. Such are, from the
! acknowledged authority of their writ
2 ers, DIR. Shea's articles on the Ameri-
can Indians, and on the variou;
e tribes under their different titles
r Mr.. Squier's American Antiquite:S!
Professor Whitney's 'Aryau Race
Y and Language and Languages o
k Africa etc.: Mr.. Henry Carey
Y Baird's article on Banks COun
Pourtales's papers on THE Atlantic
, ocean, Dredging ETC.. etc MIR
k ProctOr's Astronomy and astronomi
n cal articles: Professor Youmans'
Atomic Theory 'EvoIution.' 'Cor
n relation and Conservation of Forces ::
S DR.. Flint's and DIR. Dalton's medi-
! cal and surgical articles: }onsul
n General Seward's article on China,
t and the article on Chinese Language
t and literature on Chinese Language
: aud litera ture, prepared by DR.. Wyh'
: with the revision of DIR 5 Well
d Williams, thus combining the worl
e of two of the greatest sinologues
o Professor Cleveland Abbes meteor
II illogical articles, and the botanica
/, articles Of Professor Thorber. Nor
r, it is impossible tc specify in spac'
: SO limited: but, if names were need
II ed to bear testimony to the merit
e of the book thus far, they could b
z given in much greater numbers
h Fortunately. it is not upon thes
alone that The work, like so many
;, depends each vo ume. in the min
: utest detail. of its contents, Is 1t
: OWN best commehdation.
: A Virginia paper says that will
. the Southern people may not hanke
n after the old flag. they discharge a
= tie demands of good citizenship.
e How about these forty-eight mIlltl