The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-11-04
* workofsGreat Value.


dia q pretty fall and critical examina-
tion, more 90 than we usually bestow-
upon books which we are called upon
to notice and we have no hesitation
in saying that it is work which de-
serves to be caaefully examined by
every business and professional man
who NAV be requested to inspect it,
and we believe that any one who will
give it such examination will need no
further commentator of its superior
merits ever any other work Of the
kind extant. We need not say that a
complete reliable Cyclopedia is valu-
BILE acquisition to any library, and
without which meme is complete. In
deed, it is . library in and Of itself
The idea Of the publisher was sug-
gested BY the great journalist, Horace
Greeley, who is reported to have said
in 1870. II want just three books con-
stantly at my elbow when am writ
ing. Johnson's Family Atlas of the
World, Webster's Dictionary and an
Edcyclopedia Of not more than four
velumes-three would be better-and
this book should have every general
article abridged as much As possible,
OF, as they say in Vermont, boiled
down. 1 don't care upon whose
shoulders Humboldt's cloak may have
fallen, or if he had one even; but l
simply want to know when and where
he was born, what he did and when he
died. The rest would be good fer
nothing except to lumber up the book.
The lives and labers OF men are the
best kind of history, but lengthy des-
sertation upon them in book Of ref
erences would be misplaced" In
short, the excellent motto of the great
journalist was, "Give me the facts, 1
will furnish the words" Acting upon
this suggestion, Mr.. A. J. johnson,
who stands among the most reputa-
BILE pablishers Of New York, under-
stood this great work, and has adhered
faithfully to the principle of compress
ing the largest number Of facts or
truths into the smallest possible COM
pass compatible scith accuracy and
completeness. 1t may be said that he
has undertaken the crystalization of
the ideas of Mr.. Greeley as to the
wants of the public for q comprehen-
sive cycIepedia of biography, geogra-
ply, history, literature, art, science,
and miscellaneous matters. And all
this is to be comprehended in four
volumes, of 17OO pages each, elegantly
bound and neatly illustrated with nu-
merous and appropriate engravings.
The work is not mere condensa-
ton or compilation from other au-
thors and authorities, but is in great
part original and in that particular its
articles are contributed by those who
have a special fitness and qualification
to treat comprehensively and fairly OF
the subjects upon which they severally
write. The editors-in- chief are Fred
erick A, 2. Barnard, President of Co.
lnmbis College, New York, and Ar
mold Guyet, Professor of Geology and
Physical Geography in Princeton Col
lege-two as distinguished scholars as
our country affords. Added to these
are more than score of associate and
assistant editors of the highest order
of talent, and each attaching his name
to the article he contributes, thus in
suring perfection in his special depart
ment and dispelling all doubt Of its
authenticity. The following are
among the principal contributors in
the various departments:
Prof. Woolsey, Prof. Dwight, Hon.
Mr.. Marsh, Prof. Drisler, Prof. Hitch
cock, Hon. Mr.. Harris, Prof. Halde-
man, Pres. Chaplin, Hon. A. III.
Stephens, Rev. Mr.. rockingham, Prof.
Schaf, Prof Henry, Gen. Bernard,
Prof. Gill, Prof. Trow bridge, Prof.
Chandler, Prof. Gray, Prof. ewberry,
DR.. Parker, Pres Anderson, Prof.
Seelye, Prof, Krauth, DR.. Summers,
DR.. Stevens, and among the latest
writings Of Horace Greeley were con-
trlbutiens to this work. In the brie f
space of fourteen pages he has faith
fully given the substance of his great
work entitled "The American Conflict
The Assistant Editors are Porter, e.
.Bliss, Linus r. Brockett, Charles 6.
Leland, Clemens Peterson, and Henry
Wurtz.
The distinguishing characteristics of
the work are conpactness, absolute
authenticity, literal exactness, thor
eugh fullness and the careful bringing
of all information down to the date of
publication, features, the Importance
of which Will be readily recognized by
all. ssaa lu
When the highest encomiums are
bestowed upon the work by the most
distinguished literary and scientific
men of this country and Europe
scholars like Professor Stillman, Pro-
fessor Hitchcock, Hon. Hamilton Fish
John G. Whittier, Professor Whitney,
Gen. Brialmont, of Belgium Hon. p.
Caland, of Holland /; and many others
who speak in unreserved praise of it
we scarcely need do more than call the
attention Of our readers to it and to
the fact that an opportunity is offered
them to obtain it. Hrf
Good books are net merely a matter
of ornament, but in this enlightened
age are almost as much of a necessity
as food and raiment. But in invest-
ing i'll them one should exercise the
same sound discretion as in purchas-
ing anything else, and always be sure
to place his money "where it will dc
The most good" and this he will do in
purchasing reliable Encyclopedia, as
| we are confident the nne hafnre ns is