Fifth and Improved Edition.

The earliest effort of W. & R. Chambers to communicate popular instruction, after having commenced their Journal, was to issue a series of sheets under the title of Chambers's Information for the People. That was in 1833. The work, the first of its kind, was eminently successful; the circulation was immense. From time to time, it was deemed necessary to issue new and revised editions. The latest of these was the Fourth Edition, issued in 1857.

After a lapse of fourteen years, it has again become necessary, from the constant and rapid advance of every branch of Science and Art, that the work should undergo a further revision. This has been effected with the assistance of Dr. A. Findlater, who rendered such valuable aid in the preparation of Chambers's Encyclopædia. The various treatises and articles have accordingly been recast, so as to be adapted as nearly as possible to the present state of human knowledge.

Designed in an especial manner for the People, though adapted for all classes, the work will be found to comprise those subjects on which information is of the most importance; such as the more interesting branches of science—physical, mathematical, and moral; natural history, political history, geography, and literature; together with a few miscellaneous papers, which seem to be called for by peculiar circumstances affecting the British people. Thus everything is given that is requisite for a generally well-informed man in the less highly educated portions of society, and nothing omitted appertaining to intellectual cultivation, excepting subjects of professional or local interest. It will be understood, then, that the Information for the People is not an encyclopædia in the comprehensive meaning of the word, but rather one embracing only the more important departments of general knowledge. The ruling object, indeed, has been to afford the means of self-education, and to introduce into the mind, thus liberated and expanded, a craving after still further advancement.

It may well be said of the present edition, as was said of the last, that the improvements are very considerable. The scientific treatises have, in general, been carefully remodelled, with due attention to recent discoveries. Subjects, the interest of which is past, have been omitted or greatly condensed, and others of a more enduring and important nature have taken their place. In the Indexes will be found an explanation of, or reference to, almost every subject necessary in ordinary circum-stances to be known.

The work, as hitherto, will possess pictorial illustrations and embellishments, in which an improvement has been effected.

This new edition is issued in weekly sheets at three-halfpence, and in monthly parts at sevenpence.

No. 1 (Astronomy), Price was issued on Nov. 30; Part I. Price 7d. on Dec. 31.