Y., 1825, 2 vols., 8vo. Testamenta Vetusta, by Nicolas. Lon., 1826, 2 vols., 8vo. Mills's Literature, &c., of Great Britain, etc. N. Y., 1851, 2 vols., 8vo. Readings in Poetry. Lon., 1853, 18mo. Readings in English Prose Literature. Lon., 1849, 18mo. Readings in Biography. Lon., 1852, 18mo. Wat-lish Antiquities. Lon., 1847, 8vo. Chambers's kins's Biographical Dictionary. Lon., 1807, 8vo. Life and Letters of Thomas Campbell, by Dr. Beattie. N. Y., 1850, 2 vols., 12mo. Goodrich's Popular Biography. N. Y., 1852, 12mo. Autobiography of Leigh Hunt. N. Y., 1850, 2 vols., 12mo. Men, Women, and Books, by Leigh Hunt. N. Y., 1847, 2 vols., 12mo. Cambridge Prize Poems. Camb., 1808, 2 vols., 12mo. Mitford's Recollections of a Literary Life. N. Y., 1850, 12mo. Howitt's Homes and Haunts of the British Poets. N. Y., 1851, 2 vols., 12mo. The Literati, by Edgar A. Poe. N. Y., 1850, 12mo.

without mutual concessions and compromises, of which the public must bear the cost. That this is no picture of the imagination, the literary reader will bear us witness. In this work, the author has declined many proffers of assistance, in order that he might pursue his own plans without interruption, and feel, as he added stone after stone to the edifice, that the literary monument, when erected, would be the work of his own hands.

Lon., 1837, 2 vols., 8vo. The Book Rarities of the University of Cambridge. Lon., 1829, 8vo. Fry's Bibliographical Memoranda. Bristol, 1816, sm. 4to. Alphabetical Register of Authors, by Reuss. Berlin, 1791. Buckingbam's Reminiscences. Boston, 1852, 2 vols., 12mo. Munsell's Typographical Miscellany. Albany, 1850, 8vo. Soanes's New Curiosities of Literature. Lon., 1849, 2 vols., 12mo. Encyclopædia Britannica. 7th edit., 24 vols., Lon., 1842, etc., 4to. Matthias's Pursuits of Literature. Lon., Whilst thus claiming all responsibility which at1812, R. 4to. Spence's Anecdotes. 1820, imp. fol. taches to the preparation of this volume, we have Blair's Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres, 4to. pleasure in expressing our obligations to the numeCollier's Great Historical and Poetical Dictionary. rous correspondents in Great Britain and Americs Lon., 1701, etc., 8 vols., fol. Harleian Miscellany. who have furnished us information respecting their Lon., 1744-6, 8 vols., 4to. Platt's Universal Bio-own literary biography or that of other writers. If graphy. Lon., 1826, 5 vols., 8vo. Gentleman's Maga- we have not always profited by the well-meant sug zine, 1731-1854, about 220 vols. Universal Maga- gestions of our advisers, it must be remembered in zine, 1747-1803, 112 vols. London Monthly Review, our defence that he alone who, from the advantages 1749-1842, about 225 vols. Edinburgh Review, of his position, can take in at one survey the mate1802-1854, 104 vols. London Retrospective Review, rials of which he is to compose his edifice, can intelli1820-8, 16 vols. London Quarterly Review, 1809-1854, gently judge as to the best disposition of the parts 96 vols. Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, 1817–1854. and the most suitable style of architecture. Littell's Living Age. Also the London Literary Gazette; London Athenæum; North British Review; Westminster Review; Edinburgh Annual Register; London Christian Observer; London Monthly Reposi--he claims no infallibility, and must expect to entory; British Magazine; London Notes and Queries; and a large collection of bibliography, including catalogues of many of the most celebrated English libraries, from Dr. Mede's to Dawson Turner's.

The reader will observe that only those works have been named which profess to record biographical or bibliographical information. It is hardly necessary to say, that in a city like Philadelphia, the author has not been restricted to his own library, for the purpose of literary research; although the above list, perhaps, evinces some zeal in the collection of appropriate works. It is, however, proper to state that the Critical Dictionary now submitted to the public, IS BY NO MEANS A MERE SERVILE COMPILATION FROM EXISTING AUTHORITIES. Great pains and much time have been devoted to the sifting of statements, the comparison of opposing records, and the authentication of dates.

The many errors to be found in compilations of this character, are partly attributable to the fact, that, in most instances, a number of authors, often without unity of counsel, have combined their labours in the production of one work. Yet the advantages of such combination in a compendium of general biography, are too great to be sacrificed to the hope of perhaps unattainable perfection. But it is believed that a work of the character now presented to the public, restricted to one class-authors-and British and American authors only, can be better prepared by one author than by many. In such unions, each colabourer brings to the common stock, preconceived partialities and antipathies, and a scientific or literary esprit du corps, which can hardly be reconciled

With regard to those matters in which the author has been obliged to adjudicate-the opposing versions connected with biographical and literary details

counter occasional dissent. Yet a timely caution against hasty and superficial criticism, may save mortification to that class of commentators who so often excite commiseration by mistaking crude speculations, and the rash confidence of unconscious igno rance, for the results of learned investigation, and the modest assurance of intelligent deliberation. When such critics feel disposed to charge us with error, from our want of coincidence with their preconceived opinions, it will be only modest to ask themselves, if it be quite certain that they are right, and ourselves in the wrong? Unless the disputed question be one within their own personal knowledge

We may

which it, of course, seldom can be-their charge of error at our door, can only mean that they prefer some opposing version to that which they criticise;but may not their authority have been the subject of our consideration, also?-have been carefully scrutinized, and deliberately rejected? not, indeed, explicitly refer to the dictum to which our critic so deferentially bows, for it is impossible in our limited space to give aught but the conclusions of our researches, but this omission afford. no proof of our ignorance of such opposing authori ties. Whatever may be the faults and imperfections of our work, we prefer to fall into the hands of the learned, who can appreciate both merits and defects, rather than trust to the tender mercies of the literary charlatan, whose coinmendation and censure are alike worthless.

It is not the erudite bibliographer, for instance, who will object to the introduction into a work of this kind, of the many brief articles of a few lines

in some cases only one line-which will be found | beyond the ambition even of a literary Lucullus, yet

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.

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.

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 reenforce 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.

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 ex parte, hesterna die ante prandium, pransus vero sine ulla intermissione totam absolvi. O argumenta! O composi tionem! [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! .... credi mihi (saith one) extingui dulce erit Mathematicarum artium studio, I could even live and die with such meditations, and take more delight, true content of mind in them, than thou hast in all thy wealth and sport,

....

....

is in all other studies, to such as are truly addicted to how rich soever thou art. . . . . The like pleasure there 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 crcise 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 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 laby- | rinth 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

.

.. Whoever he is therefore, that is overrun with 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 prescribe 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.

"I no sooner come into the library, but I bolt the door to me, excluding lust, ambition, avarice, and melancholy herself, and in the very lap of eternity, amongst so many divine souls, I take my seat with so lofty a spirit and sweet content, that I pity all our great ones, and rich men that know not this happiness."-HEINSIUS, Keeper of the Library at Leyden: Epist. Primiero. Vide BURTON's Anatomy of Melancholy.

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 againet

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

Literature an imitation of RANTZAU's classical address

to his books-Salvete aureoli mei libelli, &c.:

"Golden volumes! richest treasures!

Objects of delicious pleasures!

You my eyes rejoicing please,
You my hands in rapture seize!
Brilliant wits, and musing sages,
Lights who beam'd through many ages;
Left to your conscious leaves their story,
And dared to trust you with their glory;
And now their hope of fame achieved,

Dear volumes! you have not deceived!"

The friends of the recluse of Vaucluse apologized to him for the length of time between their visits:

"It is impossible for us to follow your example: the life you lead is contrary to human nature. In winter, you sit like an owl, in the chimney corner. In summer, you are running incessantly about the fields."

PETRARCH Smiled at these observations:

"These people," said he, "consider the pleasures of the world as the supreme good, and cannot bear the idea of renouncing them. I have FRIENDS, whose society is extremely agreeable to me: they are of all ages, and of every country. They have distinguished themselves both in the cabinet and in the field, and obtained high honours for their knowledge of the sciences. It is easy to gain access to them; for they are always at my service, and I admit them to my company, and dismiss them from it, whenever I please. They are never troublesome, but immediately answer every question I ask them. Some relate to me the events of past ages, while others reveal to me the secrets Some teach me how to live, and others how to die. Some, by their vivacity, drive away my cares and ex

of nature.

a Library."

Good old Bishop HALL is eloquent on the same theme:

MEDITATION ON THE SIGHt of a large library,

..

"What a world of thought is here packed up together. I know not whether this sight doth more dismay, or com. fort me. It dismays me to think that here is so much that I cannot know; it comforts me to think that this variety affords so much assistance to know what I should. . . . What a happiness is it, that without the aid of necromancy, I can here call up any of the ancient worthies of learning, whether human or divine, and confer with them upon all of reverend fathers and acute doctors from all the coasts my doubts; that I can at pleasure summon whole synods of the earth, to give their well-studied judgments in all doubtful points which I propose. Nor can I cast my eye casually upon any of these silent masters, but I must learn somewhat. It is a wantonness to complain of choice. No law binds us to read all; but the more we can take in and digest, the greater will be our improvement.

"Books, as Dryden has aptly termed them, are specta cles to read Nature. Eschylus and Aristotle, Shakspeare, and Bacon, are Priests who preach and expound the mys teries of Man and the Universe. They teach us to understand and feel what we see, to decipher and syllable the hieroglyphics of the senses."—HARE.

The advice of Lord BACON to Chief Justice COKE

hilarate my spirits, while others give fortitude to my mind, should be pondered by every one desirous of mental

and teach me the important lesson how to restrain my desires, and to depend wholly on myself. They open to me, in short, the various avenues of all the arts and sciences, and upon their information I safely rely, in all emergencies. In return for all these services, they only ask me to accommodate them with a convenient chamber in some corner of my humble habitation, where they may repose in peace: for these friends are more delighted by the tranquillity of retirement, than with the tumults of society."

Is not this an exquisite picture of the mine of boundless wealth, of the unfailing luxurious repast, which that man possesses who has a taste for Reading and Study?

“Bookes lookt on as to their Readers or Authours, do at the very first mention, challenge Preheminence above the Worlds admired fine things. Books are the Glasse of Counsell to dress ourselves by. They are lifes best business: Vocation to these hath more Emolument coming in, than all the other busie Termes of life. They are Feelesse Counsellours, no delaying Patrons, of easie Accesse, and kind Expedition, never sending away empty any Client or Petitioner. They are for Company, the best Friends; in doubts, Counsellours; in Damp, Comforters; Time's Per

improvement:

"For Friends, although your Lordship be scant, yet I hope you are not altogether destitute; if you be, do but look upon good Books: they are true Friends, that will neither flatter nor dissemble: be you but true to yourself, applying that which they teach unto the party grieved, and you shall need no other comfort nor counsel. To them, and to God's Holy Spirit directing you in the reading of them, I commend your Lordship."

"Let us consider how great a commodity of doctrine exists in books; how easily, how secretly, how safely they expose the nakedness of human ignorance, without putting it to shame. These are the masters who instruct us without rods and ferrules, without hard words and anger, without clothes or money. If you approach them, they are not asleep; if investigating you interrogate them, they conceal nothing; if you mistake them, they never grumble; if you are ignorant, they cannot laugh at you."-RICHARD DE BURY: Philobiblian.

"Books are not absolutely dead things, but do contain a progeny of life in them, to be as active as that soul was, whose progeny they are; nay, they do preserve, as in a