the author hopes that each guest will here find some refreshment which will reward him for his delay, and perhaps strengthen him anew for the journey of human life.

in some cases only one line-which will be found | beyond the ambition even of a literary Lucullus, yet scattered up and down on our pages. Those who estimate the usefulness of an article by its length, would banish those short records from our volume; but the intelligent critic will reply, with Dr. Johnson, that all knowledge tends to profit, and that "it is of use to a man only to know that there is such a place as Kamschatka."

In conclusion, we would once more labour to impress upon our readers the duty of the zealous pursuit of those paths of learning and science which The result of an important lawsuit, the adjustment lead to usefulness, happiness, and honour. Be not of a disputed boundary, the settlement of a weighty dismayed by the apparently unattractive character literary controversy, may often depend upon the of much of the scenery through which you must pass. knowledge of the title, or date, of a book to be found Persevere; and distaste will soon yield to pleasure, in the conclusion of a "paltry line," ridiculed by the and repugnance give place to enjoyment. An ever ignorant for its brevity. And as regards the com- present and influential sense of the importance of parative value of information, each reader can judge the goal, will do wonders in overcoming the diffifor himself, but no one can prescribe for his fellow. culties of the way. To those Israelites whose hearts The few lines devoted to the consideration of an anti- fainted for a sight of their beloved Temple, the sands quarian tract, which you grudge from the poetical of the desert, and the perils of the road, presented article which precedes them, will be valued by some no obstacles which their energy and their faith could neighbouring "Oldbuck" above all the poetry since not surmount. The arid "Valley of Baca" to them the days of Homer. Whilst to spread a repast which became a well-for, in the beautiful language of the shall satisfy the appetite of all, is a consummation | Psalmist, "The rain also filleth the pools."

TO THE READER.

It will be observed that the limit of the Literary printed,) but the bibliographer-the only one likely History contained in this work is stated to be "The to be curious in such matters-will know where to Middle of the Nineteenth Century." Our pages, how-look for the details which our limits forbid us to ever, bear constant evidence of researches carried introduce. down to the day of publication; and in many cases we have felt at liberty to announce literary enterprises which may not see the light until long after our own labours have been submitted to the public.

1. As regards the places of publication of the works enumerated in this Dictionary, it will be understood that the place affixed to the first book noticed in an article applies also to all the books which occur before the mention of another place in the same article. There are some exceptions to this rule, (it is not known, for instance, where some books were

2. It will be understood that the fact of the publication of Sermons properly suggests (in this Dictionary) the prefix Rev. to the name of the author, save in the few cases where such productions are from the pens of laymen,-which fact is always stated in the article.

3. At the end of the Dictionary the reader will find forty copious Indexes of subjects, by the means of which he can at once refer to all the authors who have written upon any given department of letters.

PHILADELPHIA, September, 1854.

Introduction to Early English Literary History,

WITH

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLES OF PROMINENT AUTHORS AND THEIR WORKS,

FROM A.D. 500 TO A. D. 1850,

AND

Some Directions for a Course of English Reading.

READING is that art by which I am enabled to avail them, secundas mensas et bellaria, the second course and myself of the recorded wisdom of mankind.

junkets, because they were usually read at noblemen's feasts. Who is not earnestly affected with a passionate speech, well penned, an elegant poem, or some pleasant bewitching discourse, like that of Heliodorus, ubi oblectatio quædam placide fuit, cum hilaritate conjuncta? Julian, the sophister, that, as he confesseth, he could not be quiet the Apostate, was so taken with an oration of Libanius, till he had read it all out. Legi orationem tuum magna

As the results of Deliberation, the achievements of Enterprise, the conclusions of Judgment, and the excursions of Fancy, have, to a large extent, been recorded by the pen and diffused by the Press, each individual may profit by the labour of others, and, without diminishing the common stock, be enriched from the Public Treasury of Intellectual Wealth. We have already enlarged upon the duty of mental acquisition, and to this effect shown the necessity of careful selection, that we may not waste valuable time, which should be devoted to mental and moral improvement, in the perusal of that which is unprofitable, perhaps positively injurious, in its tendency. (See PREFACE.) So anxious are we to make a durable impression upon the mind of the reader, that we shall.... credi mihi (saith one) extingui dulce erit Mathereënforce the arguments we have already urged to induce him to become a diligent student, by the citation of some weighty opinions as to the value of good books, and the inestimable rewards attendant upon literary research and intellectual cultivation.

ex parte, hesterna die ante prandium, pransus vero sine ulla intermissione totam absolvi. O argumenta! O compositionem! [I read a considerable part of your speech before dinner, but after I had dined I finished it completely. Oh what arguments, what eloquence!] . . To most kind of men it is an extraordinary delight to study. For what a world of books offers itself, in all subjects, arts and sciences, to the sweet consent and capacity of the reader!

maticarum artium studio, I could even live and die with such meditations, and take more delight, true content of how rich soever thou art. . . . . The like pleasure there mind in them, than thou hast in all thy wealth and sport, is in all other studies, to such as are truly addicted to them; ea suavitas (one holds) ut cum quis ea degustaveThat eccentric philosopher, ROBERT BURTON, after rit, quasi poculis Circeis captus, non possit unquam ab illis a review of the various devices which are used to ex- divelli; the like sweetness, which as Circe's cup bewitcheth orcise the "foul fiend," Melancholy, thus continues: a student, he cannot leave off, as well may witness those "But amongst those exercises, or recreations of the mind many laborious hours, days and nights, spent in the vowithin doors, there is none so general, so aptly to be ap- luminous treatises written by them; the same content. plied to all sorts of men, so fit and proper to expel idleness.... Whoever he is therefore, that is overrun with and melancholy, as that of STUDY: Studia senectutem oblectant, ad olescentiam alunt, secundas res ornant, adversis perfugium et solatium præbant, domi delectant, &c. [Study is the delight of old age, the support of youth, the ornament of prosperity, the solace and refuge of adversity, the comfort of domestic life, &c.]; find the rest in Tully pro Archia Poeta. Who is he that is now wholly overcome with idleness, or otherwise involved in a labyrinth of worldly care, troubles, and discontents, that will not be much lightened in his mind by reading of some enticing story, true or feigned, where, as in a glass, he shall observe what our forefathers have done; the beginnings, ruins, falls, periods of commonwealths, private men's actions, displayed to the life, &c.? Plutarch therefore calls

solitariness, or carried away with pleasing melancholy and
vain conceits, and for want of employment knows not how
to spend his time, or crucified with worldly care,
I can pre-
scribe him no better remedy than this of study, to compose
himself to the learning of some art or science. . . . .
So sweet is the delight of study, the more learning they
have, the more they covet to learn, and the last day is
prioris discipulus.”

"If I were not a King, I would be a University man; and if it were so that I must be a prisoner, if I might have my wish, I would desire to have no other prison than that library, and to be chained together with so many good authors, et mortuis magister.”—Speech of JAMES I.: Visit to the Bodleian Library, 1605.

spective; the home Traveller's Ship, or Horse, the busie man's best Recreation, the Opiate of Idle weariness; the mind's best Ordinary; Nature's Garden and Seed-plot of Immortality. Time spent (needlessly) from them, is consumed, but with them, twice gain'd. Time captivated and snatched from thee, by Incursions of business, Thefts of Visitants, or by thy own Carelessnesse lost, is by these, redeemed in life; they are the soul's Viaticum; and against

The reader will find in D'ISRAELI's Curiosities of death its Cordiall. In a true verdict, no such Treasure as

"Books are standing counsellors and preachers, always at hand, and always disinterested; having this advantage over oral instructors, that they are ready to repeat their lesson as often as we please."-ANON.

"In England, where there are as many new books published, as in all the rest of Europe put together, a spirit of freedom and reason reigns among the people; they have been often known to act like fools, they are generally found to think like men. . . . . An author may be considered as a merciful substitute to the legislature. He acts not by punishing crimes, but by preventing them."-GOLDSMITH. "Next to acquiring good friends, the best acquisition is that of good books."-COLTON.

vial, the purest efficacy and extraction of that living intel- | again; for, like true friends, they will never fail us,-never lect that bred them. I know they are as lively and as cease to instruct,-never cloy."-Joineriana. vigorously productive as those fabulous dragon's teeth; and, being sown up and down, may chance to spring up armed men. As good almost to kill a man, as kill a good book: who kills a man, kills a reasonable creature-God's image; but he who destroys a good book, kills reason itself-kills the image of God, as it were, in the eye. Many a man lives a burden to the earth; but a good book is the precious life-blood of a master-spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life."-JOHN MILTON. "Here is the best solitary company in the world, and in this particular, chiefly excelling any other, that in my study I am sure to converse with none but wise men; but abroad it is impossible for me to avoid the society of fools. What an advantage have I, by this good fellowship, that, besides the help which I receive from hence, in reference to my life after this life, I can enjoy the life of so many ages fore I lived! That I can be acquainted with the passages of three or four thousand years ago, as if they were the weekly occurrences. Here, without travelling so far as Endor, I can call up the ablest spirits of those times, the learnedest philosophers, the wisest counsellors, the greatest generals, and make them serviceable to me. I can make bold with the best jewels they have in their treasury, with the same freedom that the Israelites borrowed of the Egyptians, and, without suspicion of felony, make use of them as mine own."-SIR WILLIAM WALLER: Meditation upon the Contentment I have in my Books and Study.

"That place that does

Contain my books, the best companions, is
To me a glorious court, where hourly I
Converse with the old sages and philosophers;
And sometimes for variety, I confer

With kings and emperors, and weigh their counsels,
Calling their victories, if unjustly got,

Unto a strict account; and in my fancy,
Deface their ill-placed statues. Can I then
Part with such constant pleasures, to embrace
Uncertain vanities? No: be it your care
To augment a heap of wealth; it shall be mine
To increase in knowledge."

be

FLETCHER.

"Books should to one of these four ends conduce, For wisdom, piety, delight, or use." DENHAM.

"To divert, at any time, a troublesome fancy, run to thy Books. They presently fix thee to them, and drive the other out of thy thoughts. They always receive thee with

the same kindness."-FULler.

“It is manifest that all government of action is to be gotten by knowledge, and knowledge, best, by gathering many knowledges, which is READING."-SIR PHILIP SIDNEY.

"Education begins the gentleman, but READING, good company, and reflection, must finish him."-LOCKE.

"Books are part of man's prerogative;

In formal ink they thought and voices hold,
That we to them our solitude may give,
And make time present travel that of old.
Our life, Fame pieceth longer at the end,
And Books it farther backward doth extend."
SIR THOMAS OVERBURY.

"Young men should not be discouraged from buying books: much may depend upon it. It is said of Whiston, that the accidental purchase of Tacquet's own Euclid at an auction, first occasioned his application to mathematical studies."-Biography of Whiston.

"The foundation of knowledge must be laid by reading. General principles must be had from books; which, however, must be brought to the test of real life. In conversation, you never get a system. What is said upon a subject, is to be gathered from a hundred people. The parts which a man gets thus, are at such a distance from each other, that he never attains to a full view."-DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON.

"Books are men of higher stature,
And the only men that speak aloud for future times to hear."
ELIZABETH B. BARRETT.

"The past but lives in words; a thousand ages
Were blank, if books had not evoked their ghosts.
And kept the pale unbodied shades to warn us
From fleshless lips."
E. L. BULWer.

"It is books that teach us to refine our pleasures when young, and which, having so taught us, enable us to recall them with satisfaction when old."-LEIGH HUNT.

ING.

"Were I to pray for a taste which should stand me in stead under every variety of circumstances, and be a source of happiness and cheerfulness to me during life, and a shield against its ills, however things might go amiss, and the world frown upon me, it would be A TASTE FOR READGive a man this taste, and the means of gratifying it, and you can hardly fail of making him a happy man; unless, indeed, you put into his hands a most perverse selection of Books. You place him in contact with the best society in every period of history,—with the wisest, the wittiest, the tenderest, the bravest, and the purest characters who have adorned humanity. You make him a denizen of all nations, a contemporary of all ages. The world has been created for him!"-SIR JOHN HERSCHEL: Address at the Opening of the Eton Library, 1833.

"In the best Books great men talk to us, with us, and give us their most precious thoughts. Books are the voices of the distant and the dead. Books are the true levellers. They give to all who will faithfully use them, the society and the presence of the best and greatest of our race. No matter how poor I am; no matter, though the prosperous of my own time will not enter my obscure dwelling; if LEARNED MEN AND POETS will enter and take up their abode under my roof-if MILTON will cross my threshold to sing to me of Paradise; and SHAKSPEARE open to me the worlds of imagination, and the workings of the human "Like friends, we should return to Books again and heart; and FRANKLIN enrich me with his practical wisdom,

"Knowledge of Books in a man of business, is as a torch in the hands of one who is willing and able to show those who are bewildered the way which leads to prosperity and welfare."-Spectator.

Of the language of this people we know but little : 'Though the Britains or Welch were the first possessors of this island whose names are recorded, and are therefore in civil history always considered as the predecessors of the present inhabitants; yet the deduction of the English language, from the earliest times of which we have any knowledge, to its present state, requires no mention of them: for we have so few words which can, with any probability, be referred to British roots, that we justly regard the Saxons and Welch, as nations totally distinct."-DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON.

"The language of Britain differed very little from that of the Gaul. Some of the British tribes seem to have come from Celtic, and others from Belgic, Gaul; but it is probable, as indeed Strabo distinctly assures us, that the Celts and the Belgians spoke merely two slightly differing dialects of the same tongue. The evidence of the most ancient names of localities throughout the whole of South Britain confirms this account; everywhere these names appear to belong to one language, and that the same which is still acces-spoken by the native Irish, and the Scotch Highlanders ; the latter of whom call themselves, to this day, Gaels or

2. The Roman Period, B. C. 55, A. D. 449.
3. The Anglo-Saxon Period, A. D. 449, A. D. 1066.
4. The Anglo-Norman Period: from the invasion of
William the Conqueror, A. D. 1066, to the
sion of Henry the Third, A. D. 1216.

5. From the accession of Henry III., A. D. 1216, to Gauls."-History of England.

6. From the accession of Elizabeth, A. D. 1558, to the or Gothic, which is the mother-tongue of many diamiddle of the nineteenth century.