The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-12-12
none whatever; the reading matter having
been entirely incorporated in the text,

past and present residents Of Belfast and tbe;,
descendants, but to students of New England
History and genealogists, and to libraries and
Historical societies everywhere.
1t may not be out of place to note here. that
the British Museum at London. the largest and
most important modern library in the world,
was found upon examination some years ago
70 contain copies. not only Of the first volume
OF the History of Belfast, but of every book
and pamphlet comprising the long list of pub
hcations by the late Judge williamson 1t was
truly said in an editorial at the time of his
death, that with his decease Belfast had lost
her most widely known citizen.
Books Of the nature of town histories, for
"nicn there Is OF necessity comparatively
small market, and which must appear in limit
ed editions. can only be sold at a relatively
nigh price, If enough is to be realized to pay
even the bare expenses of their publication
Not only are they usually printed at loss, by
INDIVIDUALS, or by associations of public
spirited nature, but the people who compile
and write them and promote their sale, seldom
receive any adequate money compensation for
their labors. It has been said that the Der
sonal loss to Mr.. Williamson in publishing the
nrst volume was in the neighborhood of one
thousand dollars, and yet he Immediately be-
gan work on the second
In fact. this second volume has from its first
conception been entirely "labor of love-"
For all his painstaking, tireless research, for
his care in grasping and correlating significant
details, and for his accurate, scholarly work in
compiling the results into mastery exposition,
or interesting narrative history,-tasks which
extended over period of twenty five years.
the late Judge Williamson neither received
nor expected to receive cent. Further, the
surviving members of his family have not only
allowed the free use of the manuscript, but
have contributed generously in money toward
its publication, and have put their counsel and
family papers and documents unreservedly at
the disposal of the committee, whenever asked
to do so; and at the same time. they have with
rare courtesy, left the committee free hand
in every respect
Upwards of seventy present and former
residents, or descendants of such, have come
forward with generosity that would seem al
most unprecedented, and have cheerfully ad-
vanced sum of money that insures the pub
ilcatlon OF the book in form thoroughly in
keeping with the dignity and correct scholar
ship which everywhere characterize its con-
tents. While these loyal sons and daughters
OF Belfast have voluntarily assumed all risk of
loss, yet the committee cannot, according to
the terms of the agreement, regard their sub
scriptions otherwise than as loans, to be re-
turned to them when the sale of the volume
shall have. been consumated.
| To aid them IN paying this debt, the commit
tee asks the help of every person, both at home
and abroad, who shares the common interest
in the welfare of Belfast.
1t. therefore invites and urges all who posi-
bly, can to subscribe to the book at once, and
to forward their subscriptions in advance of
the publication to the Treasurer, Mr.. Alfred
Johnson, IA Arlington street, Boston, Mass, or
to hand them to any member of the History
committee whose names appear below or to
Mrs. James c. Durham, IL Church street, Bel
fast; or to Miss Dora Newell, who will begin
at once house to house canvass of the City
of Belfast for the sale of the book.
1t is partly in appreciation of the help
which these advance subscriptions will be, not
only in forming some idea as to how many
cc pies will be needed. thus avoiding the danger
of printing an unnecessarily large edition of
the book, which would be sure to result in a
heavy loss, but also in allowing the committee
to effect an early settlement of its accounts
with the subscribers that the price to such
purchasers and to those who order now,
whether or not they pay in advance, has been
reduced from $500 the selling price of Volume
l to four dollars ($40 00) with free delivery in
Belfast, elsewhere than in Belfast it will be
necessary to ch; rye for delivery, making the
price postpaid $4.25).
1t is confidently hoped to have the volume
ready for delivery in the spring, after which
time the price will be fixed by the publishers
The Houghton Mfflin Company, Park street
Boston, at five dollars ($5O0) net per copy.
Neither time nor labor, nor research MOI
correspondence have been spared to make this
history as complete, accurate and as useful as
possible to the citizens of Belfast, and to pub.
lish it in form accessible to them all.
The columns of The Republican Journal have
from the very first most generously announced
the different stages IN It's development, anC
now that the book is nearly ready to be launch.
ed, it only remains for the citizens of Belfast
to show their interest and appreciation in it
by ordering copies at once.
Those who will fill out the attached order
blank and mail it, will aid greatly in reducing
the correspondence Of the committee, a hel
which will be fully appreciated.
GEORGE A. QUIMBY,
JAMES H. HowEs,
BEN d. FIELD,
JAMES &. DURHAM
ALFRED JOHNSON,
Committee of the Williamson's History Asso-
citation.
ORDER BLANK.
Mr. ALFRED JOHNSON,
Managing Editor and Treasurer of
The Williamson's History Association,
Ia Arlington street,
Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir:
hereby subscribe for........copy or....
copies of the Second Volume of Wlliamson's
History Of Belfast, at the special price of s4.OC
per copy elsewhere than in Belfast $4.25 post.
paid) and herewith enclose check Tor money
order) for $.........to cover same. The volume
or volumes to be delivered to me about Apri
l. 1913 at the address below