Encyclopædia Perthensis
Encyclopedia
The Encyclopaedia Perthensis or "Universal Dictionary of KNOWLEDGE collected from every source and intended to supersede the use of all other English books of reference" was published in Perth, Scotland
by C. Mitchel and Co. It has twenty-three 8vo
volumes with plates and maps. The plates
and maps
were intended to be bound in to the main text as described in the directions for placing the plates.
The majority of the 370 plates and maps claimed by the second edition, where credited, are signed T Clerk Sculpt. Edinr. Two other artists, J Stewart and J Frasier, have signed plates. Interestingly, though 370 plates and maps are claimed on the title pages, there are only directions for the placement of 348 plates, of which only one could be described as a map, a plan of Washington, D.C.
in 1800 by Andrew Ellicott
.
As can be seen below, the main contributor and editor was one Alexander Aitchison
, a Member of the Royal Physical Society. However, a note dated 1810 records the death on April 14, 1809 of Mr J. Morrison of Perth, "Editor and Publisher of this Encyclopedia – a teacher of religion of the Society of Glasgites". This is presumably the same man referred to in the National Library of Scotland
's Scottish Book Trade Index as James Morison printer though his date of death is given as February 20.
A supplement was published in 1816; printed in Edinburgh
by John Brown.
; and, still improving, they collected under alphabetical arrangement in ONE book – this book, at first a little volume, gradually improved and enlarged into the Encyclopaediae of the present day; and the incredible number of copies of the different works bearing this title which have been sold, and are daily selling, affords a better proof of the utility of such laborious compilations than any reasoning.
The most voluminous and best arranged LIBRARY is not so useful or convenient for consultation, upon any branch or term of science, to the majority of Readers, as a complete and well arranged Encyclopaedia.
In forming the plan of this work, the properties as well as the defects of similar compilations, were taken into consideration. As the foundation of all Science, and the acquisition of all knowledge, depend upon a just conception of the proper meaning of WORDS, it was considered as the most essential requisite of an UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY OF KNOWLEDGE, that it should contain an accurate definition and illustration of EVERY word in the English Language, in all its various senses. In following out this idea, Dr JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY appeared to be the most correct standard that could be adopted: but it was soon discovered, that however complete when published, that Work was deficient in many WORDS
since introduced into our language by the best authors. It was also necessary to insert various words which, though now obsolete, are sanctioned by Chaucer, Spenser
, and the other classical writers. The Doctor's accents were omitted, on account of the uncertainty and fluctuation of Pronunciation, in all living languages.
As the ARTS
and SCIENCES
, properly so called, are far from comprehending every necessary subject of inquiry, a considerable proportion of the work is allotted to HISTORY
, BIOGRAPHY
and GEOGRAPHY
, in all their branches; so that the Compiler flatters himself, that it will be found upon consultation, that there is not a word in the English Language; a technical term in any Art or Science, an event of any importance in the history of mankind; a city
, town
, kingdom
, republic
, or empire
, in the Known World; an opinion in Religion
; an article in Mythology
; a system of Philosophy
; or a great or learned character in the annals of Biography, that is not mentioned or described in the Encyclopaedia Perthesis.
On the strength of such assertions, the Proprietors have been so bold as to denominate their Work an UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY OF KNOWLEDGE. It has indeed been intended to supersede the use of all Books of Reference by that of the ENCYCLOPAEDIA PERTHENSIS alone, and the Proprietors trust, the Compiler has been successful.
Much original matter has been furnished from a variety of quarters. The names of the contributors, where not prohibited to be published, are announced, with the proper thanks: but the merit of the Compilation of the whole, as well as the contribution of much original matter, belongs to Mr ALEXANDER AITCHISON, Member of the Royal Physical, and other Societies, of Edinburgh.
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
by C. Mitchel and Co. It has twenty-three 8vo
Octavo
Octavo to is a technical term describing the format of a book.Octavo may also refer to:* Octavo is a grimoire in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett...
volumes with plates and maps. The plates
Lithography
Lithography is a method for printing using a stone or a metal plate with a completely smooth surface...
and maps
MAPS
Maps is the plural of map, a visual representation of an area.As an acronym, MAPS may refer to:* Mail Abuse Prevention System, an organisation that provides anti-spam support...
were intended to be bound in to the main text as described in the directions for placing the plates.
The majority of the 370 plates and maps claimed by the second edition, where credited, are signed T Clerk Sculpt. Edinr. Two other artists, J Stewart and J Frasier, have signed plates. Interestingly, though 370 plates and maps are claimed on the title pages, there are only directions for the placement of 348 plates, of which only one could be described as a map, a plan of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
in 1800 by Andrew Ellicott
Andrew Ellicott
Andrew Ellicott was a U.S. surveyor who helped map many of the territories west of the Appalachians, surveyed the boundaries of the District of Columbia, continued and completed Pierre Charles L'Enfant's work on the plan for Washington, D.C., and served as a teacher in survey methods for...
.
As can be seen below, the main contributor and editor was one Alexander Aitchison
Alexander Aitchison
Alexander Aitchison was the first full-time fire chief for the city of Hamilton, Ontario.- Early life :Alexander Aitchison was born on May 20, 1850 at Binghamton, New York to parents William and Janet. Although the family moved to Hamilton, Ontario in 1853, Alexander returned to New York upon...
, a Member of the Royal Physical Society. However, a note dated 1810 records the death on April 14, 1809 of Mr J. Morrison of Perth, "Editor and Publisher of this Encyclopedia – a teacher of religion of the Society of Glasgites". This is presumably the same man referred to in the National Library of Scotland
National Library of Scotland
The National Library of Scotland is the legal deposit library of Scotland and is one of the country's National Collections. It is based in a collection of buildings in Edinburgh city centre. The headquarters is on George IV Bridge, between the Old Town and the university quarter...
's Scottish Book Trade Index as James Morison printer though his date of death is given as February 20.
A supplement was published in 1816; printed in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
by John Brown.
Description
In all the affairs of man, nothing contributes so much to his comfort as ARRANGEMENT. It is the saviour of much time, trouble and expense; and the author of much ease and convenience. The application of such remarks to literature, is obvious and natural; but for the arrangement of Geography into Gazetteers, or of Biography into Dictionaries, how many days might be occupied in ascertaining the site of a city, or the aera of a name? Such books being found absolutely necessary therefore, every Art and Science gradually obtained its DictionaryDictionary
A dictionary is a collection of words in one or more specific languages, often listed alphabetically, with usage information, definitions, etymologies, phonetics, pronunciations, and other information; or a book of words in one language with their equivalents in another, also known as a lexicon...
; and, still improving, they collected under alphabetical arrangement in ONE book – this book, at first a little volume, gradually improved and enlarged into the Encyclopaediae of the present day; and the incredible number of copies of the different works bearing this title which have been sold, and are daily selling, affords a better proof of the utility of such laborious compilations than any reasoning.
The most voluminous and best arranged LIBRARY is not so useful or convenient for consultation, upon any branch or term of science, to the majority of Readers, as a complete and well arranged Encyclopaedia.
In forming the plan of this work, the properties as well as the defects of similar compilations, were taken into consideration. As the foundation of all Science, and the acquisition of all knowledge, depend upon a just conception of the proper meaning of WORDS, it was considered as the most essential requisite of an UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY OF KNOWLEDGE, that it should contain an accurate definition and illustration of EVERY word in the English Language, in all its various senses. In following out this idea, Dr JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY appeared to be the most correct standard that could be adopted: but it was soon discovered, that however complete when published, that Work was deficient in many WORDS
Word
In language, a word is the smallest free form that may be uttered in isolation with semantic or pragmatic content . This contrasts with a morpheme, which is the smallest unit of meaning but will not necessarily stand on its own...
since introduced into our language by the best authors. It was also necessary to insert various words which, though now obsolete, are sanctioned by Chaucer, Spenser
Spenser
Spenser is an alternative spelling of the British surname Spencer. It may refer to:Geographical places with the name Spenser:* Spenser Ecological District in New Zealand* Spenser Mountains, a range in the northern part of South Island, New Zealand...
, and the other classical writers. The Doctor's accents were omitted, on account of the uncertainty and fluctuation of Pronunciation, in all living languages.
As the ARTS
The arts
The arts are a vast subdivision of culture, composed of many creative endeavors and disciplines. It is a broader term than "art", which as a description of a field usually means only the visual arts. The arts encompass visual arts, literary arts and the performing arts – music, theatre, dance and...
and SCIENCES
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, properly so called, are far from comprehending every necessary subject of inquiry, a considerable proportion of the work is allotted to HISTORY
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, BIOGRAPHY
Biography
A biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. More than a list of basic facts , biography also portrays the subject's experience of those events...
and GEOGRAPHY
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
, in all their branches; so that the Compiler flatters himself, that it will be found upon consultation, that there is not a word in the English Language; a technical term in any Art or Science, an event of any importance in the history of mankind; a city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
, town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
, kingdom
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
, republic
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
, or empire
Empire
The term empire derives from the Latin imperium . Politically, an empire is a geographically extensive group of states and peoples united and ruled either by a monarch or an oligarchy....
, in the Known World; an opinion in Religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
; an article in Mythology
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
; a system of Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
; or a great or learned character in the annals of Biography, that is not mentioned or described in the Encyclopaedia Perthesis.
On the strength of such assertions, the Proprietors have been so bold as to denominate their Work an UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY OF KNOWLEDGE. It has indeed been intended to supersede the use of all Books of Reference by that of the ENCYCLOPAEDIA PERTHENSIS alone, and the Proprietors trust, the Compiler has been successful.
Much original matter has been furnished from a variety of quarters. The names of the contributors, where not prohibited to be published, are announced, with the proper thanks: but the merit of the Compilation of the whole, as well as the contribution of much original matter, belongs to Mr ALEXANDER AITCHISON, Member of the Royal Physical, and other Societies, of Edinburgh.