INTRODUCTION

The aim of the Publisher of "The National Encyclopædia" is to produce a Standard Work of Reference, which for conciseness and accuracy of information in every department of knowledge, literary, scientific, artistic, and commercial, will be of essential service to every one who desires trustworthy information on every subject which may arise in his daily business or profession. The need of such a standard work of reference is constantly felt by business men, whose home and foreign connections render it necessary for them to have a work at hand which will furnish information on the Imports and Exports of every important article of merchandise, the Population, Revenue, Commerce, and Shipping of every civilised country, as well as other subjects which naturally occur in the course of their transactions. And not only with regard to the connections of commerce will "The National Encyclopædia" be found to be of intrinsic value, but on all topics of permanent interest its information will be found to supply a want, which is increasing as the nations of the world are being so rapidly brought into vital connection with Great Britain, as the natural centre and pioneer of civilisation. The daily press, which is epitomising the news of the world, and conveying with telegraphic speed every event of national importance, has created the desire for fuller and more ample knowledge on the various subjects which are of necessity so briefly treated, rendering such a book as "The National Encyclopædia" an absolute necessity to every man, who in the press of his business or profession desires to keep himself abreast with the intelligence of the age; while, for family use, it will also be found indispensable.

To carry out in a satisfactory and thoroughly reliable manner the object which he had in view, the Publisher of "The National Encyclopædia" has been aided by a staff of Contributors, whose names are a sufficient guarantee that the great variety of subjects embraced in an Encyclopædia will be treated by them in such a manner as will maintain and enhance their reputation.

In Science, the researches and discoveries of our leading Astronomers, Botanists, Chemists, Geologists, and Zoologists, will be fully indicated. In Geography, the discoveries of Livingstone, Stanley, Speke, Baker, Kane, Wills, Leichardt, Palgrave, and Burton, will be summarized. In History, special attention has been given to the remarkable changes in Europe since the wars between Prussia and Austria in 1864, and between Germany and France in 1870-71. On Agricultural, Biographical, Medical, Juridical, Topographical, Literary, and Social subjects, great care has been bestowed, and the leading inventions in Art, Science, and Manufactures have been prominently noticed. In addition to which the valuable results of the census of 1871 will form an important feature of the Work.

To render "The National Encyclopædia" complete in every department, careful attention has been given to its illustrations, of which there will be upwards of 500 pages of Engraved Plates, besides numerous Woodcuts to illustrate the Text, and a series of beautifully Coloured Maps of the principal countries of the world.

The purchaser of "The National Encyclopædia" will thus find himself possessed of a summary of Modern Knowledge on every topic of public interest and general importance, and no subject can suggest itself in his reading, conversation, or business, but will be found to be fully explained and copiously illustrated, while references are given to works in which the subjects are exhaustively treated.

"The National Encyclopædia" will be published in volumes, each comprising, on an average, about 520 pages of Letterpress, Forty-two pages of beautifully engraved Plates, and numerous Woodcut Illustrations. The Work will be completed in Thirteen Volumes, cloth elegant, antique, cut edges, price Twelve Shillings each.