The great political revolutions of the last decade, with the natural result of the lapse of time, have brought into public view a multitude of new men, whose names are in every one's mouth, and of whose lives every one is curious to know the particulars. Great battles have been fought, and important sieges maintained, of which the details are as yet preserved only in the newspapers, or in the transient publications of the day, but which ought now to take their place in permanent and authentic history. In preparing the present edition for the press, it has accordingly been the aim of the editors to bring down the information to the latest possible dates, an to furnish an accurate account of the most recent discoveries in science, of every fresh production in literature, and the newest inventions in the practical arts, as well as to give a succinct and original record of the progress of political and historical events. The work has been begun after long and careful preliminary labor, and with the most ample resources for carrying it on to a successful termination. None of the original stereotype plates have been used, but every page has been printed on new type, forming in fact a new Cyclopædia, with the same plan and compass as its predecessor, but with a far greater pecuniary expenditure, and with such improvements in its composition as have been suggested by longer experience and enlarged knowledge. The illustrations, which are introduced for the first time in the present edition, have been added not for the sake of pictorial effect, but to give greater lucidity and force to the explanations in the text. They embrace all branches of science and of natural history, and depict the most famous and remarkable features of scenery, architecture, and art, as well as the various processes of mechanics and manufactures. Although intended for instruction rather than embellishment, no pains have been spared to insure their artistic excellence; the cost of their execution is enormous, and it is believed that they will find a welcome reception as an admirable feature of the Cyclopædia, and worthy of its high character. This work is sold to subscribers only, payable on delivery of each volume. It is now completed in sixteen large octavo volumes, each containing over 800 pages, fully illustrated with several thousand Wood Engravings, and with numerous colored Lithographic Maps. PRICE AND STYLE OF BINDING. _In extra cloth, per vol._ $5.00 _In library leather, per vol._ 6.00 _In half turkey morocco, per vol._ 7.00 _In half russia, extra gilt, per vol._ $8.00 _In full morocco antique, gilt edges, per vol._ 10.00 _In full russia, per vol._ 10.00 Specimen pages of the AMERICAN CYCLOPÆDIA, showing type, illustrations, etc., will be sent gratis, on application. D. APPLETON & CO., PUBLISHERS, 549 & 551 Broadway, New York. THE PRESIDENTIAL COUNTS: A COMPLETE OFFICIAL RECORD