In the course of ten years--as we find from the
'Encyclopaedia Metropolitana'--there were twenty of Applegath &
Cowper's machines, worked by two five-horse engines. From these
presses were issued the numerous admirable volumes and
publications of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful
Knowledge; the treatises on 'Physiology,' by Roget, and 'Animal
Mechanics,' by Charles Bell; the 'Elements of Physics,' by Neill
Arnott; 'The Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties,' by G. L.
Craik, a most fascinating book; the Library of Useful Knowledge;
the 'Penny Magazine,' the first illustrated publication; and the
'Penny Cyclopaedia,' that admirable compendium of knowledge and
science.
These publications were of great value. Some of them were
printed in unusual numbers. The 'Penny Magazine,' of which
Charles Knight was editor, was perhaps too good, because it was
too scientific. Nevertheless, it reached a circulation of
200,000 copies. The 'Penny Cyclopaedia' was still better. It
was original, and yet cheap. The articles were written by the
best men that could be found in their special departments of
knowledge. The sale was originally 75,000 weekly; but, as the
plan enlarged, the price was increased from 1d. to 2d., and then
to 4d. At the end of the second year, the circulation had fallen
to 44,000; and at the end of the third year, to 20,000.
It was unfortunate for Mr.
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