Page:A history of booksellers, the old and the new.djvu/312

272 272 CHAMBERS, KNIGHT, AND CASSELL. encourager of the reading than of the writing world ; but among the works claiming originality as well as cheapness, the History of England s perhaps the best ; the Natural History is well printed, well illustrated, and, as far as regards the more legitimate depart- ment of the publisher's trade, worthy of praise ; the " letter-press," or literary portion, has, however, been much criticised. The Family Paper and the Quiver attained a very wide circulation, and while the latter is still one of the most favourite distinctly religious serials of the day, the former, until it was changed into the Magazine, held faithfully to its promise of pure and wholesome literature. In furtherance of his various schernes, Cassell often travelled, particularly to France, where he was well known, and where he was thus enabled to effect a very considerable business in the exchange and pur- chase of illustrations for his various works. In 1859 he visited America, and, with the reputation that pre- ceded him, met with a very flattering reception. On his return, with the energy that distinguished his character he started a company for the manufacture of petroleum, which was the first in England to recognise the value of the new discovery. He also published a series of articles entitled " America as it is," in which the contest between North and South was discussed with a keenness of vision that results proved to be correct and almost prophetic. Among the important items of his business, and according to popular repute one of the most profita- ble, was the issue of weekly papers, which, the outer pages being left blank for local news, were circulated under various titles throughout the United Kingdom. But the greatest venture of the firm was undoubtedly