- Encyclopædia Perthensis
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 byC. Mitchel and Co . It has twenty-three8vo volumes with plates and maps. Theplates andmaps 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. in1800 byAndrew Ellicott .As can be seen below, the main contributor and editor was one
Alexander Aitchison , a Member of theRoyal Physical Society . However, a note dated1810 records the death onApril 14 th1809 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 theNational Library of Scotland 'sScottish Book Trade Index as James Morison "printer" though his date of death is given asFebruary 20 th.A supplement was published in
1816 ; printed inEdinburgh byJohn 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 itsDictionary ; 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; acity ,town , kingdom,republic , orempire , in the Known World; an opinion inReligion ; an article inMythology ; a system ofPhilosophy ; 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.
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