4 ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA. 
This cannot but prove a valuable addition to the literature of the ag e.^Mer 
Advertiser. 
The appearance of the first volume of this valuable work in this country, is 
an event not less creditable to its enterprising publishers, than it is likely to 
prove lastingly beneficial to the public. When completed, according to the 
model presented by the first volume, it will deserve to be regarded as the spirit 
of all the best Encyclopedias, since it comprises whatever is really desirable 
and necessary in them, and in addition, a large proportion of articles entirely 
original, or expressly written for its pages. "This is the condition of all the 
articles of American Biography, by Mr. Walsh ; those on Zoology, by Dr. God- 
man ; and those on Mineralogy and Chemistry, by a gentleman of Boston, 
distinguished for his successful devotion to those studies. The work abounds 
witli interesting and useful matter, presented in a condensed and perspicuous 
style ; nor is it one of its least commendations that it is to be comprised in 
twelve octavo volumes, which may be placed on an office table, or occupy a 
shelf in the parlor, ever ready for immediate reference, instead of requiring 
almost a room to itself, like its ponderous predecessors, the Britannica, Edin- 
burgensis, &c. / 
The vast circulation this work has had in Europe, where it has already been 
reprinted in four or five languages, not to speak of the numerous German edi- 
tions, of which seven have been published, speaks loudly in favor of its in- 
trinsic merit, without which such a celebrity could never have been attained. 
To every man engaged in public business, wlio needs a correct and ample book 
of reference on various topics of science and letters, the Encyclopaedia Ameri- 
cana 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 mine which will amply repay its purchaser, 
and be with difficulty exhausted, 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 mode- 
rate expense, and is in every respect well suited to augment the reader’s stock 
of ideas, and powers of conversation, without severely "taxing time or fatiguing 
attention. These, at least, are our conclusions after a close and candid ex- 
amination of the first volume. — dm. Daily Advertiser. 
We have seen and carefully examined the first volume of the Encyclopedia 
Americana, just published by Carey, Lea and Carey, and think our readers may 
be congratulated upon the opportunity of making such a valuable accession to 
their libraries. — Aurora. 
The department of American Biography, a subject of which it should be 
disgraceful to be ignorant, to the degree that many are, is, in this work, a 
prominent feature, and has received the attention of one of the most indefati- 
gable writers in this department of literature, which the present age can fur- 
nish.— Boston Courier. 
According to the plan of Dr. Lieber, a desideratum will be supplied ; the sub- 
stance of contemporary knowledge will be brought within a small compass ; — 
and the character and uses of a manual will be imparted to a kind of publica- 
tion heretofore reserved, on strong shelves, for occasional reference. By those 
who understand the German language, the Conversation Lexicon is consulted 
ten times for one application to any English Encyclopfedia. — National Gaz . 
The volume now published is not only highly honorable 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 important 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.— Boston Bulletin. 
We have looked at the contents, generally, of the second volume of this 
work, and think it merits the encomiums which have, been bestowed on it in 
the northern papers. It continues to be particularly rich in the departments 
of Biography and Natural History. When we look at the large mass of mis- 
cellaneous 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 Ency- 
clopaedia deserves a place f si every collection, in which works of reference form 
a portion.”— Southern Patriot. 
