The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-27
THE NEW INTERNATIONAL ENCY-


An age that produces new dictionaries
shows growth of language, and one that
produces new encyclopedias shows progress
of knowledge and increasing demand for
information. The encyclopedia is typical OF
twentieth century progress In that ii aims
10 present for a busy world the condensed
results OF current knowledge on all topics.
It follows. of course, that each new en-
cyclopedia, provided IL be well planned,
well edited and well carried out, must be
an Improvement on all previous ones. This
idea is ~exempliied in a new encyclopedia
work published by Dodd. Mead & Co., of
New York, entitled THE New Interna-
.tional Encyclopedia" 1t is impossible in
limited space to give more than an outline
Of the character of this work. 1t is the
kind of a book that every student, every
teacher, every literary man and every fam
fly needs. The publishers seem TO have
taken a broad view Of the public demand
for a work of the kind and TO have planned
1t on broad lines. Its preparation during
several years past has been in charge OF
DIR. Daniel Colt Gilman. Prof. Harry
Thurston Peek and Prof. Frank Moore
Colby. DIR. Gilman interest in education
and success as President of Johns Hopkins
University have made him an international
character; his selection as president OF the
new Carnegie Institution, Washington,
places him practically at the head of the
highest educational interests of this coun-
try. Mr.. Peck's connection with the en-
cyclopedia during the past ten years has
given him a practical knowledge of the
requisites for a working encyclopedia
which eminently fits him for the work. The
selection Of Prof. Frank Moore Colby, of
Nam VorIr T-pfxrarcffu most forfInatp.
for several years past he has been editor
in-chief of the international Year Book.
which is now regarded as the best perma-
nent record OF the years events and by
librarians throughout the country is con-
sidered standard. Every important college
in the United States is represented in the
corps of editors or contributors. In addf-
ton hundreds Of articles have been written
by men who, while not connected with any
educational institution, have been selected
because of their practical knowledge OF the
subject. The collaborated efforts of such a
corps of editors and contributors as this
should produce valuable results, and In this
case they have done so. The ideal encyclo-
pedia is one that combines four attributes:
First. accuracy of statement; second, COM
prehensiveness of scope; third, clearness
n attractiveness of presentation, and,
fourth, convenience of arrangement. 1t is
claimed that 1.-The New International En-
cyclopedia" embodies all these features in
a higher degree than any previous one.
There may be other encyclopedias that ex-
eel IL in particular respects, but there is
probably none that equals it in all. A nota-
bic feature of the work is its adaptability
TO latest demands. The rapid march of
science during the last few years, the new
inventions and discoveries that have been
made, the political and social changes that
have been effected and the multitude Of
new interests that have arisen in almost
every department of human activity have
added an immense mass of topics to the list
with which former encyclopedias have had
to deal. In this work these new topics
have received adequate and accurate atten-
ton. The latest developments of geog-
raphy. in which some important changes
have been made during the last few years,
are carefully noted. The articles bearing
upon the several departments of biology.
botany. education and psychology, the me-
chanicaI arts. physics. military and naval
science, sociology and biography are par
ticuIarly full. In biography, especially, 1t
is safe to say that no encyclopedia refer
ence book published in the English lam
guage is as full and complete and up to
date as this. Under what might be called
miscellaneous information one finds a
wealth of facts concerning the authorship
and contents of famous books, the names
of the important characters in imaginative
literature, the explanation Of political
nicknames and popular illusions and many
other things not found in other encyclo-
pedias. These headings are in addition to
the more serious historical and scientific
ones which are usually found in reference
books. and which are here treated with un-
usual fullness. The entire work will con-
sist OF seventeen volumes, and even that
space requires intelligent condensation of
the immense amount of information it con-
tains. TIL literary ability of the editors is
shown as much in the condensation as it is
in the comprehensiveness OF the work. 1t
is quite conceivable that no one who has
not been connected with the making of a
great encyclopedia can fully understand
the difficulties which are inherent in such a
task and which have been so successfully
overcome in this work. 1t is well named,
for 1t is neither an American nor an Eng
lish encyclopedia, but an international
one-a worlds book OF worlds knowledge
of the kind demanded by twentieth century
people Every one of the seventeen vol
umes will contain many maps. colored
plates and engravings illustrative of the
text. The first three volumes are now out
and the others will follow. TIL work will
be sold at first by subscription. the volumes
being delivered as published. at the rate of
one each month. and at monthly payments
E at S. to s. per volume. according to binding.
The volumes at hand show a fine quality of
book work. and their typographical and
mechanical features are in keeping with
the text.
CAPTAIN MAHAN'S ESSAYS.
Under the title of the first article, Retro
spect and Prospect" a book of essays has