value, or sought after for their rarity, and I undertook, from time to time, to give such a description of them and their contents, as might be interesting and useful both to the Student and Collector. I thought I should perform no unimportant office in communicating to the Student the place where he might find what he wanted, and in representing to the Collector the genuine marks by which he might ascertain the object of his curious pursuit.

The Museum contains great treasures of this kind, and most particularly in old English Literature, which had ever been a favourite branch of my occasional investigation, and which I knew, at this particular time, to be an object of very earnest research. Such was the foundation, and such the motive of my commencing the present undertaking. But on announcing my plan and design among my Literary friends, I had the satisfaction of discovering that my ideas were

generally

generally approved, and I almost immediately received such countenance and assistance, that I was not only confirmed in my determination, but induced to believe that I should be able to produce a Miscellaneous Volume once in every year. I had the grateful opportunity of reversing the exclamation of Teucer in Sophocles.

Πολλοὶ μὲν ἐχθροὶ παῦρα δ ̓ ὠφελήσιμοι.

I had no discouragement, but every thing to stimulate me in persevering in my purpose.

I cannot have a better opportunity to make my acknowledgements where they are so eminently due.

I begin with the Marquis of Stafford, who with great kindness admitted me to his valuable library, where my excellent friend, Mr. Todd, eagerly and anxiously facilitated my researches.

8

To

To the learned Bishop of Rochester I have not only to express my obligation for the use of many rare and curious books from his valuable Collection, but for his kind and friendly attention to me under a misfortune as unforeseen as it was severe.

Mr. Barnard, the King's Librarian, whom I have long known and esteemed, admitted me to the innumerable rarities under his custody.

When I name Mr. Douce, and call him, as I am allowed to do, my friend, it may seem superfluous to add another word concerning the value of his aid. It is sufficient to say, that his most curious and valuable library is easily accessible, and that his information, when required, on any subject of Literature, is alike prompt and satisfactory, interesting and elegant.

With

With great respect and sincere attachment I also introduce, among those to whom I am essentially indebted, the venerable Mr. Isaac Reed. He is far above my praise, but I can never forget the free use of many curious articles in his collection, the clearness, the precision, and the kindness of his various communications on many subjects of Early English Literature, concerning which, I was either ignorant or imperfectly acquainted.

No

With Mr. John Kemble I have long and happily enjoyed a familiar intercourse. man knows more, or better, whatever relates to the History of the Drama; no man possesses more copious, or more valuable materials; no man communicates what he knows and possesses, to his friends, with greater or more agreeable facility.

When I intimated to Mr. Malone the purpose I had in view, with the greatest

politeness

sistance in his

politeness he exhibited his literary curiosities to my examination, afforded me every aspower, and gave me much and important information. We differed, indeed, in one point, which, I trust, however, he will easily forgive. It was part of

my plan to trace and point out the progressive changes of the value of rare books; of this he did not entirely approve, thinking it might increase to professed collectors, the difficulty of acquiring them. I confess, this did not appear to me an argument of sufficient weight to induce me to deviate from the plan I had adopted.

Mr. Chalmers, of the Office of Trade, is also entitled to my warmest acknowledgements. The zeal, activity and kindness he has demonstrated towards me, the unreserved use of his valuable collection, the accuracy of his information, the frank and manly sympathy he has on all occasions avowed in my behalf, have made an im

pression