The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-07-20
.Wnn, sool. IA. america Produced r'
FROM TIE REV. DE. SAMUEL cowErL

FROM TIE REV. DE. SAMUEL cowEL-
'.In my Judgment JoAnsoa's Cyelopadia is the best
work of the kind ever published Ii Is more con-
densed than the britannica, and is much aeeu-
rate than AgpleOns'. One has but to compare them
to learn this. The maps and Illustrations are very
beautiful, and the long array of names among the
contributors guarantees the intrinsic value of the
work. Cyelopedas dictionaries, gaLetteers, ETC.,
the man Of letters what tools are to the me
chanic every intelligent man wants them within
reach. Histories, novels, poetry, ETC.. he can often
dispense with but these works he consults constant
~; they form a library complete in themselves full
of pleasing information and timely thoughts john
sons Cyeloprdid appears to be truly an American
work and just this country is leading the rest OF
the world In agricultural machines musical lnstru
ments sewing machines clocks, watches, telescopes,
and the like as witnessed at international eHhbi-
ITEMS il is bearing of the palm in books that are
of practical to the million The howl of deris-
ion which once rose from another shore, What book
has America produced 7 if not answered before, Is
fully answered to-day. U ons can afford to buy but
a single work for his library, let hun buy tins. III
he has other eyelopodias, he should by all means
compare them with this great work, which will al
most surely result in his buying il"
Rev. N. F. HOWE, of Atchison, Kansas, gives
Johnson,s Cyclornd;a the following high endorse
ment:
ArCHIsoS. KAH., March Is 1882.
Geo. W. Hoss Co.-Dear Sirs:
Yours of the 18th inst. is received, and contents
noted. have recently made repeated and careful
with others Especially Appleton,sl and the truth
compels me TO say that regard Johnson's rs supe-
rior on the whole, and in almost all respects made
special note of the following particulars:
Fir-t-The number and high character Of its edi-
tors and contributors. The work which has Pres.
Barnard, of Columbia College, and Prof Guyot, Of
Princeton College it's chief editors and includes
in its editorial staff such men Pres Roswell, ID.
Hitchcock Prof. Philip Sehaf, and more than thirty
others Of like standing which includes hundreds Of
the leading specialists in America and Europe, in
every science among its contributors does not
to me to be a fraud or sham.
Second-The variety Of articles is much greater
H. fl..,rf hvaIn-
pedia, the Appletons announces their intention to
omit all controvcrted subjects. Thus we find that
"Frse Trade" q controyerted political subject,
"Darwinism," q controversial scientific subject:
"Cavanisin,' "Arminianism, etc, controverted
theological subjects left out. Whether the edi
tors meant to include God in the list Of the CON
troyerted subjects, do not know, but looked in
vain for treatment ofthis topic under any heading.
In Geology, Chemistry, Medicine, Law: in fact. in
articles which found in Johnson's is very con
spicuous. The leading articles in Johnsons in al
most every science. longer, better illustrated,
when they require illustration, and at the same time
better condensed While there is more matter in
Johnsons, the same amount Of matter ordinarily
conveys much more information, which leafs me to
say:
Thrdly-That better Judgment il shown in John
sons in expanding and eOndensing in the right place.
II the article on Free Trade, Geology, or Inter
national Law, is comparatively long, il il because il
gives cOmpendious and systematic view of the
whole subject, and not a meagre partial discus
sion Of it. If the biographical geographical no
information and seem TO me to 90 upon juster view
of what should be attempted in such work, name
ly, compendous information, all else being lumber
in a book of general reference.
Fourthly-JohnsOn's is much more full on Ameri-
can topics.
Fifthly-The writing in Johnson's being mainly
done by specialists il is much more accurate.
SlNthly-lts illustrative cuts subOrdinated to
the letter press and really furnish large Of
information to the reader, while Appletons to
20 further in the way of adornment than of instruc
ton.
Seventhly-The price is much lower than that of
Appleton's.
Eighthy-The plates Of Johnson's original articles
revised and brought close to date practical
bic. Thus the articles agree with the date the
title page. AppletOns, like many other such works,
change the date the title page from year to year,
and thus virtually assert that the work is brought
up to date while the original plates actually remain
unchanged, and the information is several years be-
hind the times They did, indeed. add few supple
mentary articles last year. and have given the vol
umes since issued the misleading title of THE edi
ton of 81" the entire original work being without
change.
While this is by no means an exhaustive compari-
son, think it perfectly fair far il goes These
and similar reasons, have induced me to subscribe
for JOhnson's, and far know. the general
tment here agrees with my own.-N. T. Borrie, Pas
tor Pres Church.