Page 7 Advertisements Column 2

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6678, 28 November 1908, Page 7

On October 1 Oth last The Times [London] announced the opening in New Zealand of the subscription list for the purchase of the Historians’ History of the World at a very low price, and upon easy terms of payment. From the first it was pointed out that this subscription offer was introductory to the sale of the book at a permanently higher price, and could only remain open for a short while. In order that there shall be no possible misunderstanding on this head nor any loophole for disappointment THE TIMES NOW GIVES NOTICE THAT the Subscription List for the sale of the History CLOSES DEC. 24. Subscription Offer: What it is. The Historians’ History of the World is so important, and has been gfteted with such superlatives of commendation, because it performs three services, each of them greatly On the face of it, the introductory price offers at the rate of only 7/II each, books that would ordinarily be published at a guinea and cost 25/in New Zealand. In reality, however, and judging by the number of words contained in the volumes, one finds that at the introductory price, the History costs, not one-third, but one-sixth of the usual price for books. This price was intended to be, and is, a record in bookselling. It was named as a challenge to other publishers, and in protest against their practice of issuing new books of general interest at prices which only a few can afford to pay. Not content with cutting the usual price in halves, and the half in halves again, and then taking some 40 per cent, from the remaining quarter, The Times went further and split up this low price into payments of only 7/6. Upon receipt of one of these payments, the complete 25 volumes will be delivered (with book-case if required) free to any port or railway station, and to most addresses in the Dominion. The remaining payments of 7/6 may be made monthly, i.e., the purchase of the History costs just 3d. a day. This would be a small sum to pay for the hire of the 25 volumes, and yet, when he has completed his purchase at this, rate,, the subscriber will have paid less than a quarter of the usual price for his books. Although £70,000 has been invested in the making of the History, The Times confidently names its extraordinary low-price upon a principle which would not be considered novel in any trade but that of publishing. Instead of looking to recoup this outlay by the sale of a few thousand copies at a high price, The Times, knowing that it has made a standard work, much needed, and without a] rival, confidently looks to a sale of ten times as many copies as the ordinary publisher would issue, and at a. price correspondingly smaller;-- The minimum price, as it stands to-day, is charged to those who purchase promptly. It is not necessary to pay the price, small though it be, within the stated time; - but it is necessary to apply for a copy before the list closes, An application only entails sending a postal order for 7/6, and commits the subscriber to nothing more onerous than a series of payments of only 7/6 a month. In return for this payment of 7/6, the subscriber obtains free delivery of the entire 25 volumes, with oak bookcase if desired. needed. In supplying readers of English with the first world-history they have had for 140 years, and, incidentally, with such a complete and detailed history of every country as did not hitherto exist in the case of any country, this intensely interesting historical library restores history to its proper place as the most interesting, as it is certainly the most instructive, branch of literature for the general reader. Of the manner in which the History performs these three services you may form a trustworthy judgement for yourself from the 84 pages of the descriptive pamphlet (see inquiry form below), meanwhile the opinions formed of the work by those who have bought and used, it afford testimony .of the most direct and practical kind. From among the hundreds of enthusiastic letters received by The Times a few are printed below, arranged, as far as possible, according to the particular points which the various writer? single out for praise. Is it Interesting to Read? “I could not wish for a better companion for the rest of my reading days and nights than this splendid compendium of the history of all ages and of all nations.”— T. P. O’Connor, M.P, " It is a book of reference for the whole round of history, and there is scarcely a page which is not instinct with life, and therefore eminently readable. The amount of careful planning it evinces is marvellous, and deserves the highest commendation." Rev, T, M. Lindsay, D.D., Principal of the United Free Church College, Glasgow. "I have been looking through The Historians' History of the World with the greatest possible attention and interest, 'and could not help being struck with the wonderful care and thought with which the work has been compiled. It will delight the casual reader, please the more earnest student, and to the writer of historical romances will prove a useful and charming fund of information.”— The Baroness Orczy, author of “ The Scarlet Pimpernel." "The great world-history just issued by the The Times is a first-rate idea splendidly carried out. To give the history of the world as a continuous whole in a form likely to interest the man in the street and induce him to read history was in itself an enormous contribution to our national education; but it required a vast amount of capital and great organising power to carry this idea into fruition. That is what The Times has done; it has realised this fine idea thoroughly in the narrative, the illustrations, the biographies, and in the chapters by noted experts. The Historians' History gives everything that the average reader .can possibly want, It is a fine, interesting, popular history. Moreover, the cheap price at which the book has been produced absolutely astonishes me. It is calculated to bring this great educative and entertaining work into the possession of men who have hitherto regarded large books as quite beyond their means" —Robert Blatohford, the celebrated Socialist Author. Does it Fill a Reed? "During the last few days I have had an opportunity of examining the volumes of the Historians’ History of the World, and I can truthfully say I am delighted with them. Quite apart from the form, binding, printing and general character of the bookmaker's art displayed—.which is delightful—the books themselves are a valuable addition to my library. In a very real sense they represent a long felt want."— Sir Gilbert Parker, M.P,, author of •• The Seats of the Mighty." "I am greatly pleased with the Historians’ History of the World, for I have long felt that a work of this kind was needed to bring the best results of modern historical research within reach of the general public. The work is admirably planned, and fully deserves the success with which it is evidently meeting.”— Rov, R, J, Campbell, M.A., Minister of the City Temple. •• There was a want in English literature that now, at last, has been admirably filled by the History of the World brought out by The Times and written by men of the first competence, and brought up to date in all that has been acquired by patient research.” — Rev, S, Baring* Gould, author of “ Mehalah." “The work is obviously a treasure-house of inexhaustible wealth—a constant source of hope and confidence—for the student, who feels he has only got to ask, at any time and on any subject, and the information shall be forthwith vouchsafed upon the strongext authority—a wonderful possession ! "—Egorton Castle, Author of "Young April," " The Historians' History of the World, published by The Times in twenty-five volumes, and edited by Henry Smith Williams, LL.D., grows upon me the longer I look at it. It is a work that can be recommended without any reservation. Whoever buys it—and it is offered on amazingly easy terms —will find in it a lifelong treasure. This magnificent series of volumes should be in every household. The result of reading them will appear hereafter in a thousand ways."— Dr. Robertson Nicol, Editor of the " British Weekly." ” To be able to turn quickly to the history of any of the world’s nations, ancient or modern, is an enormous advantage to the busy man as well as the student. And in your volumes one turns to the best minds and authorities in every epoch. The books are tastefully bound, the print is large, the illustrations modern and a valuable addition to the text. One cannot praise too highly the service you have done to literature in this series.” —Winston Churchill, Author of "The Crisis." Is it Impartial? “A week’s examination of the Historians' History of the World has satisfied me that the book will be the most useful work in my library. " No reader can fail to appreciate the impartiality with which the opposing views of writers on all controversial questions are stated. I name three instances—the innocence or guilt of Anne Boleyn, the identity of the Man in the Iron Mask, and the shooting of the Delhi Princes in 1857.” — FieldMarshal Sir Evelyn Wood, v.C. “ It seems to me to be absolutely impartial without being dry and uninteresting ; that it gives a terse and vivid account of the leading events, opinion, ideas, and. ambitions which have led to the rise and decline of nations, and that it will be a most useful and reliable guide for those who occupy their spare time in the fascinating study of history.” Admiral Ponroso Fitzgerald, Does it open New Fields? *'lt is difficult to over-praise the result. hft>t only is the mental vision feasted to repletion, yet not cloyed—for the variety of entertainment is extraordinary—but the physical eye is also made to understand.’ No one as yet whose opinions I have read seems to have praised sufficiently the admirable illustrations. What I like about it especially is the way in which it explores dark cornet s and periods of history for the benefit of the very imperfectly educated Englishman, who, until all the history of the world worth considera-' tion was placed within reach of his extended right hand and given to him in excellent print and his own lucid mother tongue, was probably totally ignorant of the struggles, adventures, romances, disasters, tragedies, and glories of the history of Portugal, of Servia, Persia, Turkey, Scandinavia, Naples and Poland, and Modern Greece."— Sir Harry Johnson, G.C.M.Gp Founder ej British Central Africa Protectorate. Is it a Handsome Book? For those who like to read history in a large and handsome book the format of the volumes is ideal. But though large they are not in the least heavy or cumbersome in the hand. The paper and typeography are both good, and the illustrations are generally well chosen and well printed. The text is fully up to the high standard of its material presentation. It is marvellous in how full and comprehensive and deeply interesting a manner the great panorama of the world's history is unfolded in the pages of the work."— Sir John Carrington, K. 8., C.M.G., late Chief Justice, Hong Kong. Is it a Book for Women as well as for,Men7 " I find the Historians’ History of the World a daily increasing pleasure. The interest of the historical part goes without saying, but Us artistic merits are just as great, and from a feminine point of view the costumes are of the greatest service for whatever is the fashion of the moment. I look upon it as one of the happiest investments of my Vile."—Lady Georglana Logger. Is it politically valuable 7 •• When we consider what a perilous amount of ungnidod impulse holds power among any modern people armed with political liberty, yet remaining ignorant of the achievements and ill fortunes of earlier civilisations and of the theories: and missteps which have produced them, how can the value of historical knowledge be overestimated ? And if history has such inestimable value, how shall we overpraise an enterprise and a result which gives ns. superbly systemised, the history of all mankind, from the pens of all the world’s greatest masters of history in all the ages, as their noblest pages have endured the assay of scientific and literary criticism."— G. W, Cable Author of “ The Grandissimes." ' Is it valuable for reference 7 “ An excellent work of reference."— Th® Duko of Argyll. " These admirable volumes are a treasurehouse of fact, incident, and suggestion for writers and speakers. , All the subjects are treated from a purely impartial point of view; and in view of that fact the evidently transcendent superiority of Christianity to all other religions is all the more remarkable. Those clergy who are able to possess themselves of this great work will find it to be an inexhaustible mine, of reference and illustration, by means of the | well-arranged syllabus of the different subjects, the bibliography of the different countries and peoples, and the full and careful index. The amount of information and guidance on the life-story of every nation of the world, lining or dead, which is provided is in a remarkable degree comprehensive, vivid, and inspiring,"— The Archdeacon Sinclair, D.D. " Of the form that the general grouping together of The World's History as issued by The Times takes, one cannot speak too highly, as formerly one had to dive in all directions to find what was wanted, and then probably found the historian so biassed by some political consideration as to present one view of events only." —Admiral Sir, John Ommaney Hopkins, G.C.B. What do working men think of it ? “ I like the History very much ; the more I read it the greater the interest I feel. It seems to me a great privilege to read history, substantiated by the highest and latest authorities. It is a wonderful opportunity for a working man to' improve his education, and to make his acquaintance with the histories of countries, that are generally inaccessible to men of limited means. I feel that my life is enriched by the possession of it, and I anticipate many more happy evenings with your monumental work.’* —G, Dennis, 2 Strode Cottages, Street, Somerset. Is it cheap ? <• I am more than satisfied with my ‘Historans* History of the world.' How such a work could have been compiled and published at the price is a marvel! . The more one becomes acquainted with it the more one feels how very sorry one would be not to possess it.”— Canon H. D. Jones, ' [ To-day the book which has been accorded so unanimous and enthusiastic a welcome is obtainable at a price so low and upon terms so easy that the purchase of it need not be a matter of consideration, even to the man of the most modest means. But the introductory offer has now not a month longer to run. If you have not yet received the descriptive pamphlet, write for it ‘at once, and form your own judgment while the work, should you wish to have it, is still so cheap and so easy to buy. I INQUIRY FORM, To The Times (London), H.Z. Office, 2 Harris St„ Wellington. I Please send me, post free. Si-page pamphlet describing the \ Historians' History, with subscription farm showing terms of I introductory ofjer which closes Dec. 24, | Name —. —-o I Xu