x PREFACE. 



and during seven years in which the work has been in progress, 

 his ardour never for a moment abated. It is now for the 

 public to judge of the result of his efforts ; and the Editor, 

 who has so often benefited by his bibliographical knowledge, 

 cannot deny himself the pleasure of expressing a hope that 

 he to whose taste and exertions these volumes owe nearly all 

 their value, may derive from them the credit which he so well 

 deserves. 



N. HARRIS NICOLAS. 



