ENCYCLOP-^DIA AMERICANA. 



" The work will be a valuable possession to every family 

 or individual that can afford to purchase it ; and we take 

 pleasure, therefore, in extending the knowledge of its 

 ments."—J\rational Intelligencer. 



" This work appears to improve as it issues from the 

 press. The number of able writers, who contribute ori- 

 ginal matter in all the departments of literature and sci- 

 ence is amply sufficient to give it celebrity and high char- 

 acter. To men engaged in the active pursuits of life — 

 whose time is precious — this popular dictionary is a most 

 valuable and ready mode of reference. It embraces brief 

 views and sketches of all the late discoveries in science — 

 and the present condition of literature, politics, &c. &c. 

 Every merchant's counting-room — every lawyer's library 

 — every mechanic — every farmer ought to possess a copy 

 of this useful and valuable -work."— Courier. 



"From the specimen which has already been given, we 

 have no hesitation in saying, that in regard to intelli- 

 gence, skill, and faithful diligence, it is a work of the very 

 highest order. We know of no similar publication that 

 can bear any comparison with it for the rich variety of 

 valuable information, which it condenses within so small 

 a compass. It is free from all the narrowness of English 

 prejudice, it contains many important and interesting 

 details which can be found in no English production, and 

 is a work which could be written by none but German 

 scholars, more than two hundred of whom were employed 

 in the original compilation." — Boston Observer. 



" This cannot but prove a valuable addition to the lite- 

 rature of the age." — Mer. Advertiser. 



" The vast circulation this work has had in Europe, 

 where it has already been reprinted in four or five lan- 

 guages, not to speak of the numerous German editions, 

 of which SEVEN have been published, speaks loudly in 

 favor of its intrinsic merit, without which such a celebrity 

 could never have been attained. To every m,an engaged 

 in public business, who needs a correct and ample book 

 of reference on various topics of science and letters, the 

 Encyclopaedia Americana will be almost invaluable. To 

 individuals obliged to go to situations where books are 

 neither numerous nor easily procured, the rich contents 

 of these twelve volumes will prove a miqe which will 

 amply repay its purchaser, and be with difficulty exhaust- 

 ed ; and we recommend it to their patronage in the full 

 conviction of its worth. Indeed, it is difficult to say to 

 what class of readers such a book would not prove useful, 

 nay, almost indispensable, since it combines a great 

 amount of valuable matter in small compass, and at 

 moderate expense, and is in every, respect well suited to 

 augme)it the reader's stock of ideas, and powers of con- 

 versation, without severely -taxing time or fatiguing 

 attention." — Am, Daily Advertiser. 



"The department of American Biography, a subject of 

 which it should be disgraceful to be ignorant, to the de- 

 gree that many are, is, in this work, a prominent feature, 

 and has received the attention of one of the most inde- 

 fatigable writers in this department of literature, which 

 the present age can furnish." — Boston Courier. 



" According to the plan of Dr. Lieber, a desideratum 

 will be supplied; the substance of contemporary know- 

 ledge will be brought within a small compass; — and the 

 character and uses of a manual will be imparted to a 

 kind of publication heretofore reserved, on strong shelves, 

 fur occasional reference. By those who understand the 

 German language, the Conversation Lexicon is consulted 

 ten times for one application to any English Encyclopss- 

 dia." — JVational Gazette. 



" The volume now published is not only highly honor- 

 able to the taste, ability, and industry of its editors and 

 publishers, but furnishes a proud sample of the accuracy 

 and elegance with which the most elaborate and impor- 

 tant literary enterprises may now be accomplished in our 

 country. Of the manner in which the editors have thus 

 far completed their task, it is impossible, in the course of 

 a brief newspaper article, to speak with adequate justice.' 

 — Bostoji Bulletin. 



" It continues to be particularly rich in the depart 

 ments of Biography and Natural History. When we look 

 at the large mass of miscellaneous knowledge spread 

 before the reader, in a form which has never been equalled 

 for its condensation, and conveyed in a style that cannot 

 be surpassed for propriety and perspicuity, we cannot but 

 think that the American Encycloptedia deserves a place ir 

 every collection, in which works of reference form a por 

 uon." — Southern Patriot. 



" By far the best work of the kind ever offered for sale 

 in this country."— 17. S. Gaz. 



Nearly all of the volumes of this work are 

 now before the pubUc, and the reception they have 

 met with is the best evidence that the publishers have 

 fulfilled the promises made at its outset. They have 

 now only to promise, for the editors and themselves, 

 that no exertion shall be spared to render the remain- 

 ing volumes equal to those already published, and 

 thus sustain the reputation it has acquired. The sub- 

 scription is large, and increasing ; and in those quar- 

 ters where its circulation is greatest, and where it is 

 best known, there is a constantly increasing demand. 

 The publishers invite the attention of those who may 

 not already have possessed themselves of it, or may 

 not have had an opportunity to become acquainted 

 with its merits, to the following account of the ori- 

 ginal work, upon which it is based, and which is 

 termed by the Edinburgh Review — 



THK WORLD-RENOWNED LEIPZIG CONVERSATIONS- 

 LEXICON. 



It was intended to supply a want occasioned by 

 the character of the age, in which the sciences, arts, 

 trades, and the various forms of knowledge and of 

 active life, had become so much extended and di- 

 versified, that no individual engaged in business could 

 become well acquainted with all subjects of general 

 interest; while the wide diffusion of information ren- 

 dered such knowledge essential to the character of 

 an accomplished man. This want, no existing works 

 were adequate to supply. Books treating of particular 

 branches, such as gazetteers, &c. were too confined 

 in character ; while voluminous Encyclopaedias were 

 too learned, scientific, and cumbrous, being usually 

 elaborate treatises, requiring much study or previous 

 acquaintance with the subject discussed. The con- 

 ductors of the Conversation Lexicon enaeavored 

 to select from every branch of knowledge what was 

 necessary to a well-informed mind, and to give popu- 

 lar views of the more abstruse branches of learning 

 and science ; that their readers might not be incom- 

 moded, and deprived of pleasure or improvement, by 

 ignorance of facts or expressions used in books or con- 

 versation. Such a work must obviously be of great 

 utihty to every class of readers. It has been found 

 so much so in Germany, that it is met with every- 

 where, among the learned, the lawyers, the military, 

 artists, merchants, mechanics, and men of all stations. 

 The reader may judge how well it is adapted to its 

 object, from the circumstance, that though it now 

 consists of twelve volumes, seven editions, comprising 

 about ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND COPIES, have been 

 printed in less than fifteen years. It has been trans- 

 lated into the Swedish, Danish and Dutch languages, 

 and a French translation is now preparing in Paris. 



In the preparation of the American edition, no ex- 

 pense has been spared to secure the ablest assistance, 

 and the editors have been aided by many gentlemen 

 of distinguished ability. 



The American Biography, which is very extensive, 

 has been furnished by Mr. Walsh, who has long paid 

 particular attention to that branch of our hterature, 

 and from materials in the collection of which he has 

 been engaged for some years. For obvious reasons, 

 the notices of distinguished Americans are con- 

 fined to deceased individuals : the European biogra- 

 phy contains notices of all distinguished living char- 

 acters, as well as those of past times. 



The articles on Zoology and the various branches 

 of Natural Science, and those on Chemistry and 

 Mineralogy, have been prepared expressly for this 

 work by gentlemen distinguished in the several de- 

 partments. 



In relation to the Fine Arts, the work is exceedingly 

 rich. Great attention was given to this in the German 

 work, and the Editors haye been anxious to render it, 

 by the necessary additions, as perfect as possible. 



To gentlemen of the Bar, the work will be pecu- 

 liarly valuable, as in cases where legal subjects are 

 treated, an account is given of English, French, Ger- 

 man and American Law. 



