Excerpt from The Jeffersonian Cyclopedia: A Comprehensive Collection of the Views of Thomas Jefferson, Classified and Arranged in Alphabetical Order Under Nine Thousand Titles Why and wherefore the publication of this volume now? The answer is this: More than three-quarters of a century ago, one of the earlier biogra phers of Jefferson wrote: It would be a happy circumstance for America and for the mass of mankind if the works of Jefl'erson could obtain a circula tion which would place them in the hands of every individual. Unfortunately, the form in which they have appeared is not the most advantageous to the accomplishment of this desirable purpose. The publication is too voluminous, and consequently too expensive; to admit of a general introduction among all classes, nor is the mode of arrangement (lie best adapted to it: rcct'on into ordinary use as a work of reference. From that distant day to the present time, no attempt has been made to arrange and classify the theories and principles of Jefierson, so as to make them available in ready reference form. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.