PROPOSALS

BY OLIVER EVERETT FOR PUBLISHING AN

INDEX

TO THE FIRST TWENTY VOLUMES

OF THE

NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW.

THE plan on which the North American Re-
view has been conducted, and the great variety
of subjects which it has embraced, make it a
work of useful reference to all persons desirous
of becoming familiar with the political and lite-
rary progress of this country. In combining
criticism with discussion, historical narrative with
political investigation, and literary remark with
the selection of important facts, it becomes a
repository of knowledge not more valuable to
the scholar, than to the general inquirer. It has
been the object of the conductors of the work
from the beginning, to confine its pages as

closely as possible to the events, doings, and interests of this country.

Our literature is not, perhaps, sufficiently exuberant as yet to supply all the materials for such a work; but in resorting to foreign sources, it has always been the aim to choose such topics, as would have an essential value for the American public, either in communicating desirable information, exhibiting just and liberal principles, or improving the taste. Considerable attention has been paid to the literature of the continent of Europe, because it is locked up from the mass of readers among us in unknown tongues, and because we learn little concerning it through the channel of England.

On the importance of a General Index to a work, whose materials are so various, and so abundant in historical details and facts, nothing needs be said. This must be sufficiently obvious to every person, whose experience has ever led him to estimate the immense value of expedients and facilities in acquiring knowledge. The present number of the North American Review closes the Nineteenth Volume, and as soon as the next volume shall be printed, an Index of the whole work will be prepared, and

3

put immediately to press, should the number of copies subscribed for warrant the undertaking.

As an index can be valuable only to the subscribers for the work, its sale must necessarily be limited to those persons. The publisher has not the encouragement, therefore, usual in similar cases, of looking forward to profits from future sales. Hence, very few copies more than the number actually subscribed for will be printed; and as all the subscribers will see this notice, it is presumed that every one, who desires a copy of the Index, will forward his name accordingly. It is thought proper to make this statement distinctly, that every person may be fully apprised of the circumstance, and that there may be no disappointment from neglect, or an unseasonable application.

To persons, who have begun with the work at any stage of its progress, the Index will be equally valuable, as each reference will indicate both the volume and the page, methodically arranged, in which the incident or passage referred to is contained.

The work will be printed in the same style of execution, as the current numbers of the North American Review. It will make a volume con

taining from 450 to 500 pages, and will be delivered in boards to subscribers at $3 a copy.

Persons living at a distance may become subscribers, by leaving their names with any of the agents of the North American Review, or sending them by mail or otherwise to the publisher, OLIVER EVERETT, 13 CORNHILL, BOSTON.

BOSTON, JUNE, 1824.

MESSRS. WELLS & LILLY

WILL PUBLISH BY SUBSCRIPTION,

A SYSTEM

OF

UNIVERSAL GEOGRAPHY,

BY M. MALTE-BRUN,

EDITOR OF THE "ANNALES DES VOYAGES," &c.

Persons disposed to patronize this valuable Work, will please send in their names to Messrs. WELLS & LILLY, A

THIS work is to be completed in seven large 8vo. volumes-containing over 650 pages each.

The English translation is published in London in parts, or half volumes. Eight have already appeared. The American edition will be an exact copy of the English, elegantly printed on fine paper, and put to subscribers at the low price of $1 50 per Number.

The first number of the American edition is now in the press, and the remainder will follow in regular succession.

There can be no doubt of the great value of the work, and that it is by far the most extensive, accurate, and interesting work which has ever been published upon the subject of Geography. The literary journals of Europe universally bear testimony to the great merit of the author.

The Geography of the United States will be carefully revised, and such corrections and additions made as may appear

necessary.

The History and Theory of Geography, and the description of Asia Africa, and of the Continent of Europe, will be corrected and improved by the Author, expressly for this Translation.-The description of the British Empire, and of North and South America, is to be revised by Gentlemen belonging to these Countries, whose access to official documents will enable them to supply such important and valua ble information as will render this part of the work in a great measure original.

A

COMPLETE geographical work should comprise the substance of whatever is most interesting and authentic in the relations of voyagers and travellers-in the topographical works published in different countriesand in the statistical inquiries which have occasionally been made, by governments, societies, or individuals. It should describe, with accuracy, the situation, soil, and climate, raw and manufactured products, religious and political institutions, of the 'different countries of the world, and should give its readers every information respecting the number and social condition of their inhabitants. The extreme difficulty of properly executing