THE Editor most sincerely thanks the subscribers and the public, for their very favourable and flattering reception of the first Volume of the Bibliographical Dictionary. In return he can assure them, that he has exerted his utmost diligence to render the work still more worthy of their patronage. He has availed himself of the most recent information which he could obtain, either at home or from the continent, to make every article as far as he has proceeded as perfect as possible; and hopes to remit nothing in labour and industry to keep up the work in a state of progressive improvement. Some apology should be made for the delay of this Volume; and two reasons may be assigned for it:-1st, The work required more time than the Editor was aware of; so that he found it impossible to furnish it as soon as he intended: but, 2dly, that delay was increased by the paper manufacturers, who, by their remissness and delay in executing the order given them, kept the press standing for a whole month. The Fac Simile of Coster's Horarium, which should have accompanied the first Volume, is now sent. And to account for this delay, the Editor is obliged to inform the public, that the first engraver he employed, did his work so inaccurately, that he was obliged to employ another, and get a new plate cut, which could not be got ready in time. The delay however is beneficial to the purchasers the plate is now executed in such a manner as to make it a credit to the work and to the artist. The reader will observe, that the article COLLECTION has proceeded to a considerable length; but this the Editor hopes will not be considered a defect. The Editions of the Greek and Latin Classics, published by eminent ADVERTISEMENT. eminent printers, scholars, &c. he judged best to be arranged under this head: and the purchaser will not be displeased to find, in this early stage of the work, the most perfect Collections the Editor could procure of the Barbou, Baskerville, Bipont, Bodoni, Cominus, Delphin, Elzevir, Manheim, Maittaire, and Variorum Classics. Several other important Collections are here introduced for the conveniency of the student; and, lest the work should be unnecessarily swelled out, the articles of which these are composed, when they occur in their alphabetical order, shall be in general referred back to, and thus unnecessary repetition will be prevented. With the prices of different articles the Editor has been often perplexed. They change so frequently, and are a matter subject to so much caprice, that no kind of standard can be fixed. Several articles have both risen and fallen in their value, since the commencement of this work. However, where the prices could be satisfactorily ascertained, they are still introduced. The Editor begs leave to return hearty thanks to the several clergymen and gentlemen, who have favoured him with communications on the subject of his work. Accounts of scarce Editions, interesting bibliographical facts and anecdotes, &c. directed to the Editor, at the Publisher's, Mr. Baynes, shall be gratefully acknowledged, and carefully attended to. It has been said before, that mistakes in such a work are unavoidable. A proper notice of the most important shall be taken, and exhibited at the end of the work. It is intended to add a Supplement to the last Volume, in which deficiencies shall be supplied, and the principal errors corrected: till then, the candid reader will be able to suspend his censure. Α BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY, &c. BI AN APPENDIX, Containing further Particulars relative to Walton's POLYGLOTT BIBLE, and Castel's HEPTAGLOTT LEXICON. DR. BRIAN WALTON, having in the long rebel lion lost all his preferments for his adherence to monarchy and episcopacy, had for some years spent part of his time in collecting and adjusting proper materials for a Polyglott Bible. And after communicating his intentions to, and taking the advice of most of the English bishops then living, in the year 1652, having already obtained private subscriptions to the value of near 4000l. he published printed Proposals, with a Letter annexed to them, both which are here subjoined: "IT cannot be unknown to you, what great benefit the church of God hath reaped by the care of learned men in publishing the holy Scriptures ac B BI cording to the best copies, in the original, and other learned tongues, with the most ancient and approved translations, which have been of great authority and use. And altho', among others, those famous editions of the Complutense, Antwerp, and the late Paris Bibles, be justly had in high esteem and veneration; yet, without any derogation from the just praise of the publishers, it may be truly said, that much may be added to make the editions more complete and useful, by the diligence of others, and yet the price very much lessened, whereby they may become more common, and fit for private libraries. To this end, there is a description of a more perfect edition than any hitherto extant, (as we conceive,) drawn up with a Specimen thereof, which, as it hath been approved by the most judicious and learned men of this church, so, in regard the charge will exceed the ability of a private purse, it hath been thought fit to desire the assistance of such noble and public-spirited persons, as are able to advance Moneys to wards the Printing, who may receive Copies according to the Sums by them expended. Wherein, as diverse Persons of Worth have already subscribed and promised considerable Sums, amounting to above half the Charge; so it is hoped, that others, to whom it shall be offered, will be ready, both by their own examples, according to their abilities, and by stirring up such well-affected persons, as they are acquainted with, to further a work so much tending to the Glory of God, the public Good of Religion and Learning, and the Honour of our |