ever, though I promise nothing, I decline nothing, and may, after a sufficient respite, be tempted to re-enter the Bibliographical arena.

The present Volume, though called an Appendix to Lowndes, is of an entirely different character, and to some extent an independent work. The information contained in it is for the most part new in a collective form, and has cost a vast amount of labour and anxiety, notwithstanding that the Secretaries of the various literary and scientific bodies have, with but little exception, readily communicated whatever was required of them.

The Notices or Advertisements prefixed to the previous ten Parts have acquainted the reader with nearly all I have to say in respect to my revision of the original matter. I will only observe that although a great deal has been added throughout the work, the latter portion of it is much more completely worked up than the earlier, owing to my having relied, at the outset, too implicitly on an accredited amanuensis. And this gives me occasion to observe that Bibliographical knowledge alone is not sufficient for producing a satisfactory Manual—it requires unremitting industry and perseverance.

My thanks are due to numerous literary friends, and especially to gentlemen connected with our public libraries, but as many decline to have their names mentioned, I think it best to omit all. I cannot, however, permit my old friend, Mr. David Laing, of the Signet Library, Edinburgh, to pass without another distinct recognition of his constant and valuable services.

It behoves me to say something of Mr. Lowndes, the original compiler of the work which I have been labouring

to improve. He was the eldest son of a long-established dramatic publisher residing in Bedford Street, Covent Garden, in the house afterwards occupied by the late indefatigable Mr. Thorpe. Having much leisure, he was encouraged to undertake what was then a manifest desideratum, a Bibliographical Manual of English Literature on the plan of Brunet, and the leading booksellers and collectors promised and gave him constant assistance. Among the most practically useful to him were those intelligent booksellers, the late Mr. Thomas Rodd and Mr. William Pickering; the latter his publisher as well as his supporter during the fourteen years progress of the work. But every other member of the trade contributed willingly whatever in him lay. Mr. Lowndes spent the latter years of his life in my service as a Cataloguer, but his long course of Bibliographical drudgery had reduced him, both in body and mind, to a mere wreck of his former self. He died in 1843, and in his own history realised a fact, of which he was always conscious, that Bibliography has no recognised status in England.

4 and 5, York Street, Covent Garden.

November 25, 1864.

HENRY G. BOHN.

TO THE BINDER.

Ir is recommended that parts 1 to 10, containing the Bibliographical Alphabet, should be bound in 5 Vols., and that part 11, containing the Appendix (though not quite equal in bulk), should form a 6th volume. Titles for this arrangement are accordingly given herewith.

But as some will prefer having the book bound in as few volumes as possible, the following suggestions are offered.

To bind the whole in 4 volumes.

Vol. 1. to end at page

Vol. 2.

Vol. 3.

1712,

850, A to F
G to N

2564, O to S

Vol. 4. to include the remainder T to Z and Appendix.

As the pages, however, run consecutively through the whole 10 parts, and there are abundant breaks throughout the Alphabet, the divisions are optional. In the uncertainty of what arrangement may be preferred, it will be inconvenient to provide more than one set of titles, but the original part titles, with the binders' lettering on the backs, will be sufficient for any division.