The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-12

first hands which it is the province Of
Mr.. I.arned's work to give. The work
comes in between the encyclopedia and
the dictionary, and occupies field
never before occupied. There have
been poetical compilations. and collec-
tiOns Of American and English litera-
ture. and there is now coming out a
large library of universal literature.
but nothing but this to cover the lltera-
ture of history, and this was therefore
both history and literature.
When we see such an array OF prom
inent men that have expressed them
selves so emphatically in behalf of this
great work we congratulate not only
the author but the publishers that this
unique production has received its just
deserts
We cannot begin to tell the merits
Of the work. 1t would fill all the col
ulnns OF any Of our issues to attempt
to reproduce the favorable criticisms
that have appeared in the most prom
inent periodicals in the country, which
have spoken of this work as of no other.
For the family. the busy business man.
for the overwOrked student Or pastor,
the lawyer, and especially for the
teacher and the school this work comes
to aid, to inform. to save labor and at
the same time delight as no other has
ever done. Quotations from some 5000
volumes are given therein and refer
enceS to some 1000 more. and all are 50
arranged that items in history can he
found as quickly as a chapter and n
verse in the Bible. The work is pub
lished by The G.. A. Nichols Co., of
Springfield. one of the oldest and most
reliable subscription book publishers
in the country. The volumes, II should
tot tnl hn
side press. q guarantee of most excel
lent work In printing and binding.
We give herewith the opinions OF
some that our readers may see that we
have not stated the matter with undue
force, or allowed our enthusiasm to pass
beyond the bounds of the strictest truth
with regard thereto: DR.. John Fiske
saws Il am quite sure 1t Is one Of the
most valuable reference books in exist :
ence." Albert Shaw. editor of the Re
view of Reviews. speaks of 1.-The incom-
parable usefulness of the work.
Scores of librarians have testified to
its great value. Charles Orr. of Cleve-
land, saying it is the best book ever
published in the country by subscrip-
ton" Professor Moses Colt Tyler says
ut stands alone" Rev Mr.. Mears says
"Whoever canvasses for it Is public
benefactor." Bishop John II. Vincent
says where the dictionary. goes this
history should go. The two books come
nearer making a complete library than
any other two books in the world"
Our own local librarian. Mr.. Henry j.
Carr. in speaking of this work says:
Fortune has favored me by an
acquaintance with Mr.. j. n. Larned.
the compiler of History for Ready
Reference and Topical Reading,
through the past fourteen years. Dur
ing that time l have had occasion to
learn good deal regarding his excep-
tional qualifications and marked abil-
tiles for the production of such work.
Therefore I speak understandingly in
rating 1t as one of the monumental
compositions of present times. and do
not feel 1t can well be too highly COM
mended. AS q work touching every
possible phase of history, both for ref
erence and reading, it bids fair to be-
come the one best reliance of the busy
person or the student on all subjects.
In fact other than for recreative or
scientific reading, l believe that the
volumes of Mr.. Larned's History for
Ready Reference" comes nearer taking
the place of full library than any
other one literary production access
sible."
The Boston Transcript. after several
extended criticisms upon the early VOL
umes. had the following upon the issue
of the last volume: This monumental
work. in its completed form. will take
its place in the homes and libraries of
the country as the quickest. most con-
venient, and most authoritative book
of historical reference ever yet made
available to readers of the English Ian
guage."
We note with satisfaction that the
work is receiving the large patronage
it deserves among the discriminating
people of Scranton, and we venture to
express the hope that the students Of
all our schools where history is taught
may have placed within their reach