now erected. There his
business transactions assumed a form of unprecedented magnitude, and
kept pace with the great demand for popular information which set in
with such force about fifty years ago. 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. Knight to be so much under the influence of
his Society. Had the Cyclopaedia been under his own superintendence,
it would have founded his fortune. As it was, he lost over 30,000L. by
the venture. The 'Penny Magazine' also went down in circulation, until
it became a non-paying publication, and then it was discontinued. It
is curious to contrast the fortunes of William Chambers of Edinburgh
with those of Charles Knight of London. 'Chambers's Edinburgh Journal'
was begun in February, 1832, and the 'Penny Magazine' in March, 1832.

Chambers was perhaps shrewder than Knight. His journal was as good,
though without illustrations; but he contrived to mix up amusement with
useful knowledge. It may be a weakness, but the public like to be
entertained, even while they are feeding upon better food. Hence
Chambers succeeded, while Knight failed. The 'Penny