UFIVJIESIT? 



PREFACE. 



THK experience of more than a century lias eminently 

 proved the advantages of such works as exhibit, under an 

 alphabetical arrangement, the complete circle of human 

 knowledge. Dictionaries of language, of general terms, 

 and of particular branches of science and art, have been 

 multiplied by the labours of men fully qualified to display 

 the subjects they have undertaken to discuss ; and the 

 first characters in the various nations of Europe have 

 been proud to rank their names and unite their exertions 

 in the production of immense works, containing every 

 subject which can engage the intellectual research or ac- 

 tive occupation of man. The order of the alphabet has 

 been so skilfully combined with that order which is in- 

 dicated by the natural relations of the materials, that 

 works of this description have been received with the 

 most striking approbation; and, notwithstanding the great 

 labour and expense required to keep pace with the rapid 

 improvements and discoveries of modern times, the num- 

 ber of Dictionaries of all descriptions have been so great, 

 that it would be difficult, and perhaps useless, even to 

 name them, and point out their respective merits. 



From the great Encyclopedias, each of which may be 

 said to constitute an entire library, to those smaller com- 

 positions intended for mere reference : from the hurried 

 compilations of book-makers to those elaborate and lu- 

 minous works, in which men of the highest reputation 



