EXTRACTS-TESTIMONIALS AND COMPARISONS CONTINUED.

From Rev. C. S. Blackwell, Pastor Christian Church, St. Louis, Mo.

As an editor, teacher, and preacher I have had access to the three largest cyclopædias before the people-Appletons' American, the Britannica, and JOHNSON's. Could I own but one of these, I would unhesitatingly purchase JOHNSON'S.

From Prof. E. J. H. Beard, Superintendent of Public Schools, Maryville, Mo.

I have examined with care the cyclopædia published by A. J. JOHNSON & CO., and I do not hesitate to express my belief that it far surpasses in real merit any work of the kind published in America.

From Rev. Dr. John Mathews, Pastor Washington St. M. E. Church South, Kansas City, Mo. After a consideration of the work itself and the remarkable testimonials of so many scholars of world-wide reputation, it affords me pleasure to add my feeble testimony to the great value of JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA. It is the most satisfactory work of the kind ever passing under my eye. As far as I have examined, its fairness strikes me as one of its essential features; its scope and spirit are in the interest of both exact information and truth. While there are outlying provinces of unexplored knowledge, the publishers covered the entire range of the mental discoveries of sixty centuries; the past having poured the wealth of its knowledge into the lap of the present, we have in a nutshell what the general reader, as well as the scholar, needs to know. True it is no human production can be perfect, yet this work approaches completeness as nearly as possible, and therefore more nearly satisfies all schools of thought than any other cyclopædia extant. The clearness with which it presents its topics satisfies scientist, theologian, lawyer, physician, historian, and philosopher as no other work of like nature has done. I have taken advantage of the opportunity to purchase a set for my library.

A man's faith is best seen through his works. When he will give a cyclopædia that cost him a hundred or a hundred and fifty dollars for one that cost half that sum, or less, it means a revolution in the cyclopædia business. Hear these gentlemen: From R. T. Bond, Ex-President of Pritchett Institute, Glasgow, Mo. (Who exchanged his Britannica for JOHNSON'S).

I have been using JOHNSON's for several years, and endorse all that Pres. Kendall has said concerning it.

From Rev. W. G. Cowan, Pastor M. E. Church of Marshall, Mo.

An examination of JOHNSON'S CYCLOPEDIA convinces me that it is all the publishers claim for it. I believe it to be the best reference-book for the American student. In accordance with the above opinion, I have exchanged my Appletons' American for JOHNSON'S.

From Prof. T. Berry Smith, of Pritchett Institute, Glasgow, Mo.
(Who exchanged his American for JOHNSON'S).

Having given JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA a somewhat extended examination, I must say that I found it very full in respect to the number of subjects treated-even more so than either Appletons' American or the Britannica. I like JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA very much.

From Prof. T. G. Mumpower, Central College, Fayette, Mo.

I am fully convinced that JOHNSON'S CYCLOPEDIA is superior to the American (Appletons') in many respects. The arrangement of the subjects, the superiority of the engravings, and the general plan of the work tend to make it the best. I consider it so far superior that I have exchanged my American (Appletons') for JOHNSON'S.

From the Hon. W. A. Jacobs, State Senator of Missouri.

After a careful and satisfactory examination of JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA, and a comparison with Appletons' American, I am so fully convinced of the superiority of JOHNSON'S that I cheerfully exchange my American even for JOHNSON'S, and consider myself fortunate in the exchange.

From Rev. E. McNair, Pastor Presbyterian Church, Liberty, Mo.

After owning and using Appletons' American Cyclopædia for years, I exchanged it even for JOHNSON's, because I thought JOHNSON'S superior to the American. And now, after using JOHNSON'S for a year, I am well satisfied with my exchange.

From Prof. T. E. Spencer, Superintendent of Marshall Schools.
(Who exchanged his American for JOHNSON'S).

It gives me pleasure after an examination of JOHNSON'S CYCLOPEDIA to recommend it as the most complete, modern, and reliable book of reference that has come to my notice. Its low price will make it popular, and its reliability will keep it so. From Rev. J. H. Ledbetter, Pastor M. E. Church South, Fayette, Mo.

(Who exchanged his American (Appletons'] for JOHNSON'S).

JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA, revised and brought up to a recent date, is for the American citizen the best, all things considered It combines several advantages not to be met with in others.

From Rev. D. G. Young, Pastor Baptist Church, Greenfield, Mo.

After a somewhat careful examination and comparison of Appletons' with JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA, I gladly gave in and changed my Appletons' for JOHNSON's.

From Dr. J. F. Lyngar, Greenfield, Mo.

A careful examination of JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA convinces me of its superiority to Appletons' in many respects, and I therefore gladly exchange my Appletons' for JOHNSON'S.

From Rev. J. A. Mumpower, Pastor M. E. Church, Glasgow, Mo.

I like JOHNSON's so much better that I have exchanged my American for it.

From S. P. Dunlap, Pastor Congregational Church, Hannibal, Mo.

My exchange of the Britannica for JOHNSON'S has proved entirely satisfactory to me.

From Rev. R. A. Austin, Carrollton, Mo.

I own a full set of JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA, and can frankly say that the mechanical work is first class, while the intrinsic merit as a cyclopædia surpasses any other that I have used. With this work, Webster's Dictionary, and the Bible you have a No 1 library, worth a car-load of ordinary books.

From W. D. Dobson, Superintendent Carrollton Public Schools, Carrollton, Mo.

I had in my library the American Cyclopædia, but upon examination of JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPEDIA one year ago I made au exchange for the same, and am well pleased with the trade. I regard JOHNSON'S as the best ready-reference cyclopædia extant, and am satisfied that it should be in every household.

From Rev. J. R. Thompson, Newburgh, N. Y.

After comparing JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPEDIA (revised edition) with the Britannica (Scribner issue), which I have had in my library for some time, I have exchanged the latter for the latest complete edition of the former.

I made this exchange because I am satisfied that JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA treats of a greater variety of subjects, is up to the present time in the discussion of the various articles, is more condensed in form, and for all practical purposes is more valuable 10 me, than the Britannica.

To those who wish a good cyclopædia (and no family should be without one) I most cheerfully recommend JOHNSON's as upon the whole better adapted to the reading public than any one that is now in the market.

19

[OVER]

From Rev. Arthur Jones, Pastor First Baptist Church, Newburgh, N. Y.

I have examined JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA (revised edition), and am delighted with it. That it is the best reference work in the market I think is beyond question. I was very glad to exchange my Chambers', though in expensive binding (subscription price $80.00), in part payment for your work.

From Rev. R. H. Bosworth, Pastor Reformed Episcopal Church, Newburgh, N. Y.

I take pleasure in expressing my high appreciation of JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA (revised edition), for which I have subscribed, giving several volumes (10) of the Encyclopædia Britannica (Scribner issue) in exchange as part payment. If one has not as yet invested in the Encyclopædia Britannica, by subscribing for JOHNSON'S he may secure both, if desired, at about the same price which must be paid for the foreign work alone at regular subscription rates. Hence, if one desires the Britannica, he may as well add JOHNSON'S, which is incomparable in my judgment as a modern, reliable, practical, and thoroughly American work.

From Benj. T. Hathaway, Principal City Schools, Northfield, Minn. During the past ten years I have used many cyclopædias, the Britannica, Appletons', Chambers', Zell's, People's, and JOHNSON's, and while all of them are of course excellent, and each would become invaluable if no other could be secured, yet for a choice of a single one give me JOHNSON'S. For the past year I have used it side by side with the Appleton, have often compared it with the latter, and I consult it far more often than I do the Appleton or any other cyclopædia. The feature of this work that impresses me most at first view is its division into some thirty or more departments, each of which has at its head a recognized authority upon all subjects pertaining to that department. The long list of authors who have contributed to this work, and the distinction won by each of them in his own special department, render it no exaggeration to say that the best intellects in this country and Europe have given their personal efforts and attention to this work, and have spared no pains to make it in reality as well as in name a universal cyclopædia. As a reference work in school and for my own private library, in preference to all others give me JOHNSON'S.

Please send me at an early date a set of the revised edition of this work for use in the city schools.

From D. V. Barto, Educator, Ithaca, N. Y.

A few days ago I received the first five volumes of JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA. I have the latest edition of Appletons', and was very much attached to it and believed it to be the best work of the kind published. I have carefully compared JOHNSON'S and Appletons', and am thoroughly convinced of the superiority of JOHNSON'S. To my surprise, I find that JOHNSON'S contains more matter, more subjects, and those subjects which are of the most interest to all students are treated in a more masterly and comprehensive manner by men who are acknowledged as the highest authority on those subjects. I think any person has only to compare JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA with others to become satisfied that it is a superior work. I agree to exchange my Appletons', twenty-three volumes, for JOHNSON'S, eight volumes (revised).

From I. P. Church, Prof. Civil Engineering, Ithaca, N. Y.

I hereby gladly add my testimonial to those of many others in saying that JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA (revised edition) is by far the best general cyclopædia in the English language for the use of both students and instructors.

From A. E. Goodnough, Esq., Ithaca, N. Y.

I have used many of the standard cyclopædias. I now have in my library both JOHNSON'S and Britannica; but as a work for ready reference I consider JOHNSON's superior to all others. I use it constantly, and I feel that I could not work without it. From Rev. Robert T. Jones, Pastor Park Baptist Church, Ithaca, N. Y.

I have carefully examined the JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA, and am sufficiently satisfied of its superiority to exchange my Appleton of seventeen volumes for it. It is nearest to date, most authoritative as to matter, and in the end the cheapest.

From Solomon Palmer, Supt. of Education, Montgomery, Ala.

JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA (revised edition) is admirably adapted to the use of the masses. The plan is comprehensive, the arrangement simple, and the definitions clear and concise. I find nothing to suggest in the way of improvement.

From Rev. Simpson Ely, Evangelist in the Christian Church, Kirksville, Mo.

It affords me pleasure to commend JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA (revised edition) to the reading public. All others suffer in comparison with it. In its variety of articles and the thoroughness with which they are treated it is superior to all others. Its self-indexing is so conveniently arranged that any subject desired may be easily found. All the important articles are edited by men who are eminent in the respective fields of research of which the subjects treat, and the name of the writer appears with the article. It bears the impress of authority, and this is not a minor consideration.

Those who desire to purchase a cyclopædia will make a great mistake if they purchase any other. I have no selfish interest in the matter, but I feel that if a man owns JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA he will find it a whole library in itself.

From Rev. Henry J. Patrick, Pastor of Congregational Church, West Newton, Mass.

In my examination of JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA (revised edition) I am impressed with its superiority over any other cyclopædia for practical use. Its points of excellence are its accuracy and compactness of statement, its latest information, its more numerous titles of important subjects, making it the best book for ready reference.

From Rev. J. B. Seabury, Pastor of Congregational Church, Dedham, Mass.

I wish to bear testimony to the value of JOHNSON'S CYCLOPEDIA (revised edition); for comprehensiveness, conciseness, and yet breadth of discussion, it is hardly to be surpassed. It would be difficult to find, within the limits of such a work, so vast an amount of knowledge so amply illustrated. I have exchanged my Chambers' for JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA, and am satisfied. From Prof. John J. Brown, LL.D., Professor of Chemistry and Physics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N. Y.

After carefully examining JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA (revised edition), I have exchanged my volumes of Encyclopædia Britannica (Scribner issue), which cost me $7.00 per volume, even, for it. I did so because I regard JOHNSON's as taking the highest rank as a working cyclopædia. It is full, compact, accurate, abounds in information on living men and on American subjects, and is brought down to date.

From Rev. T. E. Fleming, Pastor M. E. Church, Fayette, Iowa.

An examination of the revised edition of JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA ought to satisfy any one that it is not only a very valu able work, but that it stands in the front rank of cyclopædias. It has an advantage over the Britannica in that it is American; over other cyclopedias, in that its treatment of subjects is neither too long nor too short; and over former editions of the same work, not only in being brought down to date, but in the more convenient size of the volumes. A splendid list of specialists in the various departments makes it certainly a standard authority.

Believing the above, I have exchanged my Britannica for JOHNSON'S.

From Rev. R. H. Van Pelt, Trumansburg, N. Y.

I am pleased to say as follows: I have examined with considerable care the 1886 edition of JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA (8 vols.), and especially in comparison with other cyclopædias before the public. As the result thereof, I do not hesitate to say that I believe it to be best of all the American cyclopædias, and the best general Cyclopædia of which I have any knowledge. Out of all the pressing solicitations of agents of other works that I have received, this one only has secured my subscription and convinced me that I could have something better than that which I before possessed. The price of JOHNSON'S puts the $80 to $150 cyclopædias to the blush, and I have verified the fact that it is sold only on subscription at $48 for cloth and $56 for half morocco binding.

Whosoever purchases may for the next decade politely dismiss all future representatives of cyclopædias without words or the 20 [OVER]

loss of time.

EXTRACTS-TESTIMONIALS AND COMPARISONS CONTINUED.

From Benson J. Lossing, LL.D., the Historian, New York.

I have been acquainted with the high character of JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA for several years, but, having in use the latest edition of Chambers' and Appletons', I have refrained from exchanging the latter for it until recently. Its superiority to any other work of the kind with which I am acquainted is conspicuously manifest after a brief examination. I am amazed at its comprehensiveness and completeness. It is an admirable epitome of the knowledge of all past ages until now; and I can heartily endorse the words of the Faculty of Yale College: "It is practically a geographical gazetteer, a biographical dictionary, a medical and legal manual." The name of its editor-in-chief (President Barnard, of Columbia College) and his able assistants form a sufficient guarantee for its excellence. That guarantee is strengthened by the assumption of the authors of all the principal articles-among the best writers of the country in their respective branches of learning-of the accuracy of their work by having their names printed in full at the end of their productions. The maps-all brought down in their construction to the present time-and the other illustrations, especially of scientific subjects, greatly enhance the intrinsic value of the work. I cannot but regard JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA as far more valuable as a wise instructor for a family, or for persons in any pursuit, than any average library of thousands of volumes. I have exchanged my Appletons' (1883 edition) for JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA.

From John D. Beck, LL.B., Wellington, Kansas.

I have used Appletons' Cyclopædia for some years, but on comparing it carefully with JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPEDIA (revised edition) I have discovered the following points of difference:

1st. Jousson's gives full information with statistics down to date, while the latest date in Appletons' is 1875, and in many cases, no information is given later than 1870.

2d. The most important inventions, explorations, discoveries, etc., of the last ten years are fully treated in JOHNSON'S, while they are not so much as mentioned in Appletons'.

3d. JOHNSON's has more subject-matter in fewer volumes.

4th. JOHNSON's is more authentic, more reliable, more concise and more comprehensive, and treats a much greater number of subjects.

Wishing to keep abreast of the times, I have exchanged my complete set of Appletons' for JOHNSON'S REVISED UNIVERSAL, and have no hesitancy in pronouncing it the best work of reference in our language.

From B. B. Freeman, M. D., Wellington, Kansas.

I have recently had the pleasure of examining JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPEDIA (revised edition), and am surprised at finding so much reliable information. Its superiority over all its competitors and its comparative cheapness make it a boon to the reading public.

I count myself fortunate in being able to dispose of my Appletons' and thereby securing JOHNSON's.

From John McLeod, Superintendent of Schools, Humboldt County, Iowa. After examining JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA and comparing it with other noted works of the same class, I have chosen it, from among them all, as my counsellor and guide. As its name—“UNIVERSAL"-implies, it is comprehensive and complete. It contains the latest, the soundest, the safest information on the subjects of which it treats. In its classification and arrangement of subjects it is scientific, convenient, excellent. The various departments of the work are under the supervision of men of the highest authority in those departments. Each subject is written by an eminent specialist, who speaks as one having authority, and hence whose utterances are accepted as an end of controversy on the subject of which he treats. In short, it is a richly freighted compendium of the latest and best knowledge, embracing the whole circle of knowledge, answering all questions with fulness and clearness, yet with that admirable conciseness which should characterize a book of reference. These are a few of the reasons which have determined my choice of JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA.

From C. P. Colgrove, Principal Normal Dept. of the Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa. I have examined JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA (revised edition), and can most heartily recommend it to every student and professional man as a valuable reference-full, reliable, AMERICAN, practical, unprejudiced, and up to date on all subjects. A careful examination of this work will convince any one that it is the cheapest as well as the best work of its kind published. As compared with the Britannica and Appletons' Cyclopædias, I consider it superior on all American subjects, and sufficiently comprehensive on all foreign topics.

From E. L. Corthell, C. E., Chief Engineer of Mississippi River Jetties. JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA (revised edition) will be a great and needed addition to the library of any man who desires to have the best and latest.

From Prof. S. B. Laid, Superintendent of Public Schools, East Tawas, Mich.

I have used JOHNSON'S CYCLOPEDIA for years, and find its statements clear, concise, and well classified. Each writer is a specialist in the department of knowledge to which he contributes, and in nearly every instance is of the very highest authority. I feel satisfied in my own mind that it is the best and most useful work-all things considered-that can be obtained at any price. From Prof. S. L. Philbrick, Superintendent of Public Schools, Oscoda, Mich. Written by distinguished specialists, whose eminent ability and fitness for the work are beyond question, I consider JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL CYCLOPÆDIA (revised edition) superior to anything of the kind I have ever seen.

From Richard G. Boone, Superintendent City Schools, Frankfort, Indiana.

In the Frankfort schools there are nine sets of cyclopædias-nearly seventy volumes-and I have no hesitation in commending JOHNSON's as being for all purposes, regardless of price or size, the best and most frequently consulted of all. Families need the cyclopædia to supplement the newspaper; schools need it to supplement the teacher and the text-book. A cyclopædia bought is money well invested.

From Rev. C. C. Stratton, President University of the Pacific.

JOHNSON'S CYCLOPÆDIA is a treasure for busy men and hard-worked students, who want the freshest and most condensed information on questions of science and the industrial arts. The guarantee given by the list of its coutributors is amply fulfilled in the high character of the work.

From H. B. Norton, of the State Normal School, California.

As a general reference-book it is unsurpassed by any rival.

From the Rev. J. H. Acton, formerly Pastor M. E. Church, Portland, Or. Possessing a strong prejudice in favor of Appletons' American Cyclopædia, I have taken some pains to examine JOHNSON'S UNIVERSAL in comparison with it, and my judgment is that, upon the whole, as a book of reference, JOHNSON's is not equalled in this country, if, indeed, anywhere in the world. Among others, I note the following excellences in which I think the work is superior to Appletons' : (1) Low cost; (2) Great range of topics; (3) Freedom from sectarian bias; (4) An array of contributors which for known ability, literary integrity, and variety of talent certainly has never been equalled in any single work published in this country. It should be in every public school in the land.

From T. V. Finney, Esq., Virginia, III.

Having compared quite a number of articles in Appletons' American Cyclopædia with JOHNSON'S, and, after an examination of the latter work, I am convinced that, in its compactness, convenience of reference, and classification, it is far superior to the American. Its every subject is so classified and treated under its proper heading that my children can readily find the information wanted; while with the American they are compelled first to search the index, and second to examine several volumes before finding the subject-matter needed; and finally, the cost of JOHNSON's, being one half less than the American, recommends it to every one who feels the need of such a work; and to show my sincerity and appreciation of the work, I have, at a great sacrifice, made arrangements to exchange my American for JOHNSON'S. 21

[OVER]

22

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS-Continued.

23