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Brought down to the present time, on the basis of the seventh
edition of the German CONVERSATION LEXICON; and
including a copious collection of original articles in AMERICAN
BIOGRAPHY. Edited by Dr. Francis Lieber, assisted
by Edward Wigglesworth, Esq. To be completed in
twelve large volumes octavo. Price $2 50 each.

The necessity for instruction was never more universally
felt than at the present period, when desire
for knowledge pervades every department of society.
Hence have resulted attempts to satisfy the demand
by numerous Encyclopedic publications in different
countries, the merits of which works we shall not discuss,
as they have generally been either exclusively
devoted to certain branches of the tree of knowledge,
or engaged in purely scientific examinations of select
topics, better suited to particular classes than to the
great mass of readers. Of the whole number, but one
appears to be directed to the end we have in view, that
of presenting a sufficient amount of easily accessible
information to those desirous of learning, together with
agreeable and useful remembrances to such as are already
instructed.

The work we thus prefer, is the Encyclopedic Dictionary
published in Germany a few years since, by
an association of distinguished literary and scientific
men, with the unpretending title of the Conversation
Lexicon. It presents almost all that a man ought to
know, in order to have a fair general acquaintance
with the present state of human knowledge: in proof
of this, its success in Germany and elsewhere may be
stated, seven editions having been published within a
few years, each of which has been an improvement
upon its immediate precursor.

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The American publishers therefore believe, that in
naturalizing this Encyclopædia, in such a manner as
to adapt it to the peculiar condition, differences of
taste and habits of our country, they are rendering an
acceptable service to the community; such a work being
admirably adapted to extend and gratify that thirst
for knowledge which distinguishes and facilitates the
advances of civilization.

In the work now presented to the American public,
all that is of general interest and enduring value in
the German work, has been extracted, without being,
however, restrained to a servile imitation: it has served
as a mould or basis rather than been rigidly copied.
For articles of local interest, others suited to our people
and circumstances have been substituted; subjects
slightly sketched in the German have been drawn up
in an ample form, by experienced hands, for the American
work; modifications, abridgments, and additions,
bring down the original articles to the actual
state of knowledge; new discoveries, recently observed
facts, and improvements in various departments have
been inserted; and, finally, neither exertion nor expense
have been spared to render it worthy of the success
of its distinguished European prototype.

The Conversation Lexicon, of which the seventh
edition in twelve volumes has lately been published in
Germany, originated about fifteen years since. 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 diversified, that no individual
engaged in business could become acquainted
with all subjects of general interest; while the wide
diffusion of information rendered 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 gazeteers,
&c. were too confined in character, while
voluminous Encyclopædias were too learned, scientific,
and cumbrous, being usually elaborate treatises,
requiring much study or previous acquaintance with
the subject discussed. The conductors of the Conversation
Lexicon endeavoured to select from every branch

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of knowledge what was necessary to a well informed
mind, and to give popular views of the more abstruse
branches of learning and science; that their readers
might not be incommoded, and deprived of pleasure or
improvement, by ignorance of facts or expressions
used in books or conversation. Such a work must obviously
be of great utility 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. A French translation is now
preparing in Brussels.

A great advantage of this work is its liberal and impartial
character; and there can be no doubt that a book
like the Encyclopædia Americana will be found peculiarly
useful in this country, where the wide diffusion
of the blessings of education, and the constant intercourse
of all classes, create a great demand for general
information.

The publishers feel satisfied, that by the efforts of
the Editors, the work will be so prepared for publication,
as to justify in this country the reputation it has
obtained in Europe. Dr. Leiber is connected with
many of the principal men of letters in Germany; he
has resided for a considerable period in England, and
is possessed of the talents, knowledge, and industry,
needful to carry on such a work with success. Mr.
Wigglesworth is a gentleman of ability and acquirements,
acquainted with the condition and wants of his
own country, and with the literature of Europe; and
the publishers feel assured he is fully competent to
give all needful assistance in fitting the work to the
present condition of the United States. But, while
they feel confident that the task of translating and arranging
the Conversation Lexicon for publication in
America, is in safe and suitable hands, they have not
neglected, and will not neglect any other means that
may come within their power, to make it as complete
as possible.

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In the preparation of the work thus far, the editors
have been aided by many gentlemen of distinguished
ability, and for the continuation, no efforts shall be
spared to secure the aid of all who can, in any way,
contribute to render it worthy of patronage.

The American Biography, which is very extensive,
will be furnished by Mr. Walsh, who has long paid
particular attention to that branch of our literature;
and from materials in the collection of which he has
been engaged for some years. For obvious reasons,
the notices of distinguished Americans will be confined
to deceased individuals: the European biography contains
notices of all distinguished living characters, as
well as those of past times.

The articles on Zoology have been written expressly
for the present edition, by Dr. John D. Godman.
Those on Chemistry and Mineralogy, by a gentleman
deeply versed in these departments.

In relation to the Fine Arts, the work will be exceedingly
rich. Great attention was given to this in
the German work, and the editors have been anxious
to render it, by the necessary additions, as perfect as
possible.

To gentlemen of the bar, the work will be peculiarly
valuable, as in cases where legal subjects are treated,
an account is given of the provisions of American,
English, French, Prussian, Austrian and civil law.

The publishers believe it will be admitted, that this
work is one of the cheapest ever published in this
country. They have been desirous to render it worthy
of a place in the best libraries, while at the same time,
they have fixed the price so low, as to put it within the
reach of all who read.

CONDITIONS OF PUBLICATION.

I. It will be completed in twelve volumes, of from
six to seven hundred pages each, handsomely printed
on fine paper.

II. The second volume will appear in December,
1829; and a volume will be published every three
months, until completed. The work is now so far advanced,
as to enable the publishers to assure the subscribers,
that no delay shall take place.

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III. The price to subscribers will be two dollars
and a half per volume, strongly done up in muslin.

Extract of a Letter from George Ticknor, Esq. of Boston.

Boston, Nov. 25, 1827.—Sir, I am not acquainted
with any book in a foreign language, which, I think,
may be translated into English, and published in the
United States, with the needful alterations, with so
much success as the Conversation Lexicon, of which
so many editions have been published in Germany.

Extract from George Bancroft, Esq., one of the Principals of
Round-Hill Seminary, Northampton.

Northampton, Dec. 22, 1827.—Sir, I am very glad
to hear that you seriously propose to publish the Conversation
Lexicon among us. It is the most convenient
book for general reference, with which I am acquainted;
and as for its popularity, the sale of more
than seventy or a hundred thousand copies of it in
Germany, establishes that point.

Extract from Edward Everett, Esq., Member of the House of Representatives
of the United States.

Winter-Hill, Charleston, Nov. 17, 1827.—So
deeply impressed have I been with the merit of the
work, that, without having heard of Dr. Lieber's proposal
to undertake a translation, I had determined to
recommend to some of the principal booksellers, to
endeavour to procure a translator of it.

Extract from a Letter from Joseph Story, Esq., one of the Judges
of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Salem, April 26, 1826.—Dear Sir, I wish every
success to your excellent undertaking. It will supply
a desideratum in our libraries, which I have almost
despaired of seeing supplied in my day. Please
to consider me a subscriber to the work.

We cannot doubt that the succeeding volumes will
equal the first, and we hence warmly recommend the
work to the patronage of the public, as being by far
the best work of the kind ever offered for sale in this
country.—United States Gazette.

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