CHAMBERS, WILLIAM and ROBERT, the editors and publishers of this Eneyelopadia And other works; b. at Peebles, W. in 1800, R. in 1802. Bearing up against the diffi culties of his early life, W. C. began business as a bookseller in Edinburgh, 1819; afterivards adding printing to his business. Between 1825 and 1830, he wrote the Gazetteer of Scotland, 1 vol.; and the Book of Seotland,1 vol. R. C. also began business as a bookseller in Edinburgh, and from 1823 to 1830 wrote successively the Traditions of Edinburgh, 2 vols.; Popular Rhymes of Scotland, 1 vol.; Picture of Scotland, 2 vols.; and Histories of Rebellions in Scotland, and Life of James I., 5 vols. Next, he edited Scottish Ballads and Songs, 3 vols.; and Biography of Distinguished Scotehmen, 4 vols. His Tht •ditions of Edinburgh procured him the friendship of sir Walter Scott, who contributed various memoranda for the work. W. C. projected Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, and that periodical was commenced on the 4th of Feb., 1832, about six weeks in advance of the Penny Magazine, and may be considered the pioneer of that class of cheap and popular periodicals of a wholesome kind now so generally diffused. The success of the Journal was materially promoted by the essays, moral and humorous, of R. C., who from the first was an able collaborateur. United from this period in the peculiar pro fession of writing, editing, printing, and publishing, W. and R. C. issued a series of works designed for popular instruction, including the Journal (now amounting, in its different series, to 65 vols.). Among these works are Chambers's Information for the People, 2 vols.; Chambers's Educational Course, 150 vols.; Cyelopadia of English Literature, 2 vols. ; Miscellany of Useful and Entertaining Tracts, 20 vols.; Papers for the People, 12 ; and the present Eneyelopadia, 10 vols. In conducting these laborious under takings, they necessarily depended on a number of accomplished literary assistants. In 1849, W. C. acquired the estate of Glenormiston in Pecblesshire, and a few years afterwards he founded and endowed an Institution in his native town for purposes of social improvement (see PEEBLEASIIIRE), Ms later productions are—Things as they are in America, 1 vol. (the result of a visit to the United States in 1853); the Youth's Com
panion, and Counselor, 1 v ol.; history of Peeblesshire, 1 vol. 8vo (1864); pamphlets on Improved Dwellings and Co-operation among the Working Classes; Wintering at Mentone, written from personal knowledge of the place during two successive visits; France: its History and Revolutions, 1 vol (1871); Memoir of Robert (Ambers, with Autobiographic Reminiscences; and Ai2ie Gilroy, a story. More lately, Stories of Remarkable Persons, Stories of Old Families, and the Story of St. Giles' (1879). Twice elected lord provost of Edinburgh, W. C. occupied that office for four years (186549), during which he promoted several important public acts, including one for the improvement of the older part of the -city. R. C. latterly wrote a work on Ancient Sea Margins; after which appeared his ' Domestic Annals of Scotland, 3 vols. He also edited the Life and 'Karig-Ail Robert Burns, 4 vols. A collection of his historical and miscellaneous papers was issued under the title of Select Writings of Robert Chambers, 7 vols. His latest production was the Book of Days, a most elaborate and exhaustive work in two large volumes, the preparation of which so injured his health, that he relinquished all further literary exertion. In 1803, he received from the university of St. Andrews the honorary distinction of LL.D. H. C. died at St. Andrews, 17th Mar., 1871, leaving a high character for literary application, integrity, and geniality of disposition. In 1872, 1V. C. received the honorary distinction of LL.D. from the university of Edinbur_gh. Engaged in miscellaneous literary labor, he remains head of the firm of W. and R. C. which owns an extensive printing and publishing establishment in Edinburgh, and a publishing establishment in London. The whole of the works issued by 1V. and H. C. aim at popular instruction, free of all political or sectarian bias. Perhaps their greatest effort in these respects has been the present Eneyelopcedia.