PREFACE. XI. 



in the Appendix, It was deemed more advantageous to give such information there, 

 than to withhold it altogether. The general body of the work, and the Appendix, will 

 therefore be together regarded as one whole, and as containing all the printed books in 

 the Library at this date. 



Immediately after the Appendix, the Manuscripts are entered. The Catalogue of 

 these is, from the nature of the case, more or less descriptive. They will all be found 

 under the heads of English, Latin, Oriental, and Wodrow Manuscripts. Superadded to 

 all, although not noticed in the Title-page, is the Catalogue of Books attached to the 

 class of Natural Science, but which do not belong to the General Library of the New 

 College. 



I have to express my obligations to Dr. THOMAS SMITH for aid rendered to me in 

 cataloguing some of the Oriental books ; and to Dr. DUNCAN for a like assistance given 

 in the case of the Oriental manuscripts. 



In conclusion, I have great pleasure in acknowledging my special obligations to 

 SAMUEL HALKETT, Esquire, Keeper of the Advocates' Library. I never had occasion to 

 consult him without deriving the benefit of his sound judgment, his large experience, 

 and his bibliographical knowledge, remarkable alike for its extent and its accuracy. 



JOHN LAING, 



Acting-Librarian. 



NEW COLLEGE LIBRARY, EDINBURGH, 

 March, 1868. 



