Encyclopædia Perthensis

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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 14th 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 20th.

A supplement was published in 1816; printed in Edinburgh by John Brown.

[edit] 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 Dictionary; 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.

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