PREFACE.

I KNOW not whether the readers of this work, the few who interest themselves about the literary antiquities of their country, will regret to learn that this volume closes the BRITISH BIBLIOGRAPHER. The Editors regret it, because the materials for its continuance are in more ample abundance before them than they ever were before. Increased friends, increased aid, and the rich stores of the Bodleian, unfolded to them through channels as well calculated to interest and gratify public curiosity as flattering to themselves; the treasures of Mr. Heber, Mr. Bindley, Mr. Utterson, Mr. Bolland, Mr. Phelps, and many others, always most kindly open to their researches, cause them some pain at quitting the task of communicating what is thus liberally offered to their hands. But reasons of a private nature, and a change of employment and incompatible engagements in those with whom the risk, and the profit if any, was placed, have led to this conclusion.

Minds of different talents and different pursuits will necessarily have various opinions of the utility of such publications. Perhaps the Editors are not more blind than their most witty or most bitter censurers to all the dullness and all the defects of the present work. The sole question is, whether it performs that which it undertakes; and whether that undertaking is in itself useful? He, who thinks all reading dull or repulsive but modern books, who likes no language but that of the last fashion,

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fashion, will undoubtedly, in the supremacy of his ignorant conceit, look upon the uncouth phraseology of former centuries with unqualified scorn! But perhaps the self-applauding confidence of this vivacious critic will weigh but a little in the determination of the question! The value depends on other qualities than he can apprehend; and other principles of judgment than his powers can reach !

In what single library, private or public, can be found all the curious volumes which the BRITISH BIBLIOGRAPHER has recorded? Or if they could all be found concentered in one rich depository, is there no use in extending two-hundred-fold notices of their titles, and specimens of their contents?

It is not impossible that the greater part of the volumes here registered may be already known to some of those who have for years constantly frequented sale-rooms of books in the metropolis; but of those who are inquisitive on these subjects, how few have leisure or opportunity to frequent sale-rooms; and of these few how small a portion have the desire or the talent to collect for any other than a selfish gratification!

When the writer of this preface looks back on the curious contents of these volumes, (of which he may be entitled thus to speak because scarcely any of them proceeded from himself, he cannot refrain from pointing out with some satisfaction, that patient and indefatigable industry, which could by laborious transcription rescue specimens of so many rare books, before they passed into libraries, where it might be difficult to consult, and whither it might sometimes be not easy even to trac them. For many valuable tracts, besides those which luckily pass into the hands of known collectors, float for

a day on the market, and then pass into some secret treasure house, where perhaps they lie hidden to all but the retired owner.

"And if all these things, with all that the Bibliographer and Censura Literaria have endeavoured to rescue from a just oblivion; if all that the black-letter has stained with its ugly impression," eries some pert wit ling, "were burnt in the next clearing fire of the metropolis, what would literature lose?" I leave him to enjoy the triumphant wisdom of his question; or to seek for other answerers than him who has spent nine years* in the toil of these pursuits!

Hereafter as these relics of ancient genius and ancient learning, or ancient pedantry, these examples of the progress of language, these memorials of long past manners and customs, become every day more rare and difficult of access, the BRITISH BIBLIOGRAPHER, which has collected so many notices and extracts of them, will at least continue to possess an interest and an use, of which, they, whose approbation is most to be coveted, have already had the candour to give it the credit.

If the Editors, attracted by the curiosity of the subject, have dealt rather in extracts than in original criticisms, they do not think they have performed a less useful, because it has been a more humble task. As long as the materials forced themselves in such abundance on their hands, their time has been too much occupied in gathering, to allow them leisure to build with them. Let those who find these pages dry and repulsive, and devoid of data for interesting reflection, keep aloof from them! They are not arrived at that degree of mental cultivation and curiosity which fits them for these studies!

The Censura Literaria commenced with the year 1805.

For

For the Bibliography of old English poetry, which had been begun by William Oldys, had been pursued by Thomas Warton and Bishop Percy, been continued by George Steevens and Edmund Malone, and taken up with minute labour and dry perseverance by Joseph Ritson, very ample and not easily exhausted matter may be found in the Censura Literaria, and in the present work.

During the period that these works have been passing the press, the spirit of research in this line has increased to a degree which has excited much wonder, and some ridicule. The mania may, in some instances, raise a well-founded smile; but that its effects have been altogether beneficial to literature, I cannot doubt. An undistinguishing admiration of that which is old, and a desire of possessing rarities, which arises from a mean vanity, are foibles which may be condemned, but are of little injury to the public. On the other hand, the advantages to literature, derivable from this curiosity, are numerous and permanent. If the labours of the present Editors have contributed to that curiosity, the retrospect will amply repay them for the years consumed in the pursuit.

If ever a full Bibliographical Catalogue of English Literature, up to the close of the 17th century, which is at present a most important desideratum, shall be executed, the Censura Literaria, combined with the labours of Wood, Tanner, Ames, Herbert, Warton, and Dibdin, will go far in furnishing the necessary materials.

Nor will a candid and reflecting judgment refuse to admit, that something has been added to our national stores of intellect by the entire reprints which have formed part of the present miscellany. The Paradise of