PREFACE. 



IT is now many years since CHAMBERS'S INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE first issued from the 

 press. The cheapness of the work, its novelty, and the varied mass of useful knowledge 

 which was embraced, rendered it a popular favourite. Without adventitious aid, its sale 

 was immense. Since that time it has undergone numerous improvements both as regards 

 matter and general appearance. Again, from the constant and rapid advance in every branch 

 of science and art, it has been deemed necessary to recast the work in adaptation to the 

 existing state of human knowledge. Hence the present, or FIFTH EDITION, which has been 

 revised under the able Editorship of ANDREW FINDLATER, LL.D. 



Designed in an especial manner for the People, though adapted for all classes, the work 

 will be found to comprise those subjects on which information is of the most importance ; 

 such as the more interesting branches of science physical, mathematical, and moral ; natural 

 history, political history, geography, and literature ; together with a few miscellaneous papers, 

 which seem to be called for by peculiar circumstances affecting the British people. Thus 

 everything is given that is requisite for a generally well informed man in the less highly 

 educated portions of society, and nothing omitted appertaining to intellectual cultivation, 

 excepting subjects of professional or local interest. It will be understood, then, that the 

 INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE is not an encyclopaedia, in the comprehensive meaning of 

 the word, but rather one embracing only the more important departments of general know- 

 ledge. The ruling object, indeed, has been to afford the means Q{ self -education, and to intro- 

 duce into the mind, thus liberated and expanded, a craving after still further advancement 



It may well be said of the present edition, as was said of the last, that the improvements 

 are very considerable. The scientific treatises have, in general, been carefully remodelled, 

 with due attention to recent discoveries. Subjects the interest of which is past have been 

 omitted or greatly condensed, and others of a more enduring and important nature have 

 taken their place. In the Indexes will be found a reference to almost every subject 

 necessary in ordinary circumstances to be known. 



In one important respect that of the pictorial illustrations and embellishments it must 

 be obvious, to the most cursory observation, that a very great improvement has been effected. 



W. & R. C 



