The New American Cyclopaedia

lar Dictionary of General Knowledge. Edted by George Riplky and Charles A. Dana, aided by a nuinerous select corps of writers in all branches of Science, Art, and titerature, 16 volumes; two-colunm royal octavo. New York; D. Appleton & Co. This great work, begun in 1857, and pushed fonvard as fast as the employoient of a large corps of writers aud the resources of an extensive publishing house would permit, has reached completion, and the final volume, the 16th, is on our table. This volume includes a portion of the letter U, with the letters V, W, X, y and Z, and the subjects embrace many important ones. To it is also added a supplement, bringing down some of the subjects to a later date, especially in the department of liicraphy, in which is found a large list of names of persons who have taken prominent part in the great events now transpiring in nur own country. The subjects, like those oí the preceding volumes, are treated not with reference to rhetorical flourishand effect, but to biing the greatest amount of facts into the smallest compass. Henee, the language is clear and concise, and yet devoid of abruptness, and the articles are models of tersness and brevity. Now that the work is complete a more general notice may not be amiss. The sixteen tolumes contain 13,804, royal octavo pages, with closely but neatly printed test on clear white paper. About 27 ,000 subjects are treated of, covering the wide range of literature, science, art, biography, history, etc, etc. The history of the various nations of the earth is briefly sketched, the lives of the worid's great men reproduced, while scien, mechauics, iventions, discoveries, &c, are traced through the ages to the present. In fact the searcher for knowledge can find something to the poíñt upon every conceivable topic, not something speculative loose and guissy, but full of fact -the kernel itself. Twenty-flve writers have been constantly employed, and a vast number of articles are the voluntary contributions of a great number of the best writers of the day ; and these articles have all been carefully revised, at a cost of$20,000, in order that dates, stati6tica' tables, and facts, may be made as correct as possiblo. As a work of reference it is invaluable to the general reader, and even the closest studeut may turn its pages with profit. The following figures will give something of an idea of the magnitude of the work : " The publishers have invested $415,000 in thia great literary venture. The amount paid to coutributors and for making the stereotype platea, up to December 12th was 143,700. The expenses, on 217,550 volumes prjnted, of the flrsi fifteen volumes, vete; for paper, $111,000; advertising, circulare, &c, $20,000.- Addto this the cost of paper, printing and binding 10,000 copies of volume sixteen, $10,500, and au item denominated " sundries," $1,800, aud we have a grand total of $415,000. That this liberal expenditure is appreciated it is only neceesary to say that the work has been furnished to over 17000 subscribers, and has found its way into the best public and private libraries in the country. But there are yet niany who should purchase it. Since the great advance in paper and other printing' materials, the price of the work has been raised, and the several editions are now: ■Oloth, per volume, $3,50 Sheep, $4,00 ; half Russia, $5,00. Tue Anxual Amf.rican CyCLOPjDiA, and Register of Important events of the year 1661. Uniform in eizo and print with the New American Cylopaedia. New York: D. Appletox fc Co. The concïption of the annual Cyclopadia, for the purpose of keeping their New American Cyclopaedia always new, that is "upto the limes," was a happy one of the publishers; and the volume before us gives assuranee that it will be oarried out ia the most liberal manner. The first of the series, for 1861, hronieles the important eventa of the year at home and abroad, in politics, arts, science and Hterature ; of nations and individuals. As the eyes of the world were fixed upon our own country during the year, so the volume smoatly takeu up with matter which con3cm Americana. The history of the nation, and of the several States, and ',í individuáis, is resumed where tlie eeveral volumes of the New American Cyelopajdia left them, and are brought down to the end of 1861, with perhaps a litile too much repetition upon iotne points.-and yet none too much to bring the sut.ject properly before the reader who may not have ready acecss to the general work. The papers upon the United States, the Confedérate States, the Congress of the two governments, the Peace Congress of 18G1, tlieArmyand Navy, Diplomatic correspon.denee, Documcntary history of the yeararmy movements, battle fields, etc , are full and replete with information, reproducing the fiicts of history without evulenee of partisanhip.ot even that expression of opinión that is expecU'd of a historian, but is uot the provine of the Cycloprcdian 431 aitielea are given, of greater or loss length, many of 'hem being biographieal sketches of men now promioently bofore our people, both in civil and military life.aud of those whohave"passed nway" in our own or others lauds. ft is a valuable volume, and if future ones WC kept up to the standard they will find a place in the best libraries of the country - That for 1SÍG2 is already out and will be noticcd aa soonas wq peceie it. Unasimous yiEDicn.-wThe most rigid analysis by good chemits bas failed to discover anything in the Chemical Saleratus whioh can, when properly used, be in the least degree detrituental to health. - Wliile the womon of our country entertain seu iments widely different upon otljer matters, all coueur in a verdict that tbc Chemical Saleralus is the onlv infalliblo article in use for light and sweet bread.