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readers who are chiefly anxious about the moral and intellectual character of books, and who would learn from what sources they can obtain information on particular subjects. It is for such readers that this manual has been compiled. The undertaking is in a considerable degree novel, but it is believed that, in the present state of the world, and especially of our own country, it will not be regarded as untimely or unimportant. Indeed, the want of some such handbook as the present, combining comprehensiveness and cheapness, is generally recognised; and the compiler will feel abundantly satisfied if he shall seem to have succeeded, even partially, in supplying the want. No one can be more sensible than he is that the work will be found imperfect, and that, in the estimation of many, it will seem to have omitted some of the most important contributors to literature. To say nothing of the difficulty of making selections from the immense mass of works that invite attention, it should be remembered that a great part of the work is intended for a specific purpose; that this purpose requires regard primarily to the moral spirit and tendency of books; and that this manual does not profess to exhibit a complete enumeration even of the best works in our own language. On professional subjects it touches but incidentally, and enters with no great fulness into those of a scientific, ecclesiastical, or technical nature. Though not designed entirely for general readers, it must be considered that this is its main object.

I add the names of some of the principal works in general and special Bibliography, to which the student should have recourse :

1. Brunet's Manuel de Libraire.

2. Gesner's Bibliotheca Universalis, published about A.D. 1550.

3. Peignot's Dictionnaire raisonné de Bibliologie. 4. Lownde's Bibliographer's Manual of Books published in, or relating to Great Britain and Ireland. 5. Watt's Bibliotheca Britannica.

6. Orme's Bibliotheca Biblica and Theologica. 7. Walchius' Bibliotheca Theologica.

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11. Haller's Bibliotheca Botanica, Anatomica, &c. 12. Murhard's Mathematica and Physica. 13. Horne's (Thos. H.) Introduction to the Study of Bibliography. 14. A good, though brief medical Bibliography will be found in Dr. Dunglisson's "Medical Student." 15. Bibliotheca Americana.

16.

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(continued by O. Rich.) 17. Reed's Bibliotheca Nova Legum Anglica.

To these may be added, Dupin's History of Ecclesiastical Writers, Marsh and Campbell's Lectures on the Study of Divinity, Hoffman's Course of Legal Study, Moss's Classical Bibliography, Dr. Adam Clarke's Bibliography (principally of Oriental and Sacred Literature), the several Bibliothecæ of Fabricius, and Eschenburg's Classical Manual, translated and edited by Professor Fisk.

It is proper to state, in closing this introduction, that most of the critical notices of books in this volume have been selected, under the compiler's general superintendence, by Mr. Victor G. Benne, a graduate

of the Military School, Hanover (Germany), and a gentleman of much intelligence and worth. This labour would have been so irksome, and would have interfered so seriously with other engagements, that it probably would never have been performed but for Mr. B.'s aid; and to him, therefore, the reader will be indebted for any assistance or gratification that this part of the work may afford. Considerable reluctance has been felt at admitting so many selected notices,* some of which, of course, are not sufficiently discriminating, while others may appear too laudatory. In regard, however, to many works which the compiler had never carefully examined, it was necessary that he should avail himself of the assistance of others; while, in regard to others, it was desirable that his own opinions should be enforced by what the reader would be apt to regard as higher authority. In some instances he has found it necessary to modify these selected notices, and in such cases the name of the original critic has been withheld; nor is it to be supposed that in every case those which have been retained express accurately or fully the opinion of the compiler.

The synchronistic tables, at the end of the volume, have been prepared by Mr. Benne, and will be found useful and interesting.

*Notices not credited are, with a few exceptions, from the hand of the compiler.

PART I.

COURSES

OF

READING AND STUDY.

"I here present thee with a hive of bees, laden, some with wax, and some with honey. Fear not to approach! There are no wasps, there are no hornets here. If some wanton bee should chance to buzz about thine ears, stand thy ground, and hold thy hands; there's none will sting thee if thou strike not first. If any do, she hath honey in her bag will cure thee too."-QUARLES.

B

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