Notice* 
biography does not comport with the intention of the work ; inas- 
much as it must preclude more useful, because practical 'matter— 
so the engravings of such characters are merely added as ornamen- 
tal additions, to afford the indulgence of a natural inclination to 
view the features of men, who have in their day and generation 
given a spring to numerous branches of art and science. As the 
biography of such men is in general to be found in the Encyclo- 
paedia, to it the Editor must refer for details respecting them : and 
as these portraits will be found not to encroach upon the num- 
ber of engravings more especially connected with the work, as 
promised in the prospectus ; the Editor requests his subscribers 
will rather regard them as expressive of the great respect 
with which he estimates their favourable reception of the work 
itself and of the desire he has of making it still more agreeable 
to them : for they will readily perceive that the proprietor has 
spared no expence to render it worthy of support ; since few works 
of foreign or domestic origin, will be found to exceed it in the num- 
ber or execution of those engravings. 
It cannot but be evident, that every succeeding volume must ren- 
der the work more and more useful, by the greater variety of the 
subjects embraced; as much practical matter has here been intro- 
duced as one volume is capable of affording ; and it is hoped that a 
few years, will enable the editor to condense into a small compass, a 
vast collection of the most important subjects to the United States. 
P/iiladelfihia , October 1st , 1812. 
