PREFACE. xi 



We have appended a very copious index to the persons and 

 places mentioned, and, as a further aid to our readers, have entered 

 therein the titles of all anonymous works, denuded only of the 

 particles, A, An and The. 



And now we have only to perform the pleasant task of 

 thanking those who have given us their aid and co-operation in 

 the course of our labours ; and first amongst such, the owners of 

 libraries that have been thrown open to us. Of Mr. Denison we 

 have already spoken. We have next to acknowledge our obliga- 

 tion to Mr. Joseph Grego, whose large collection, principally of 

 old English books, gathered with patient care, during the past 

 fifty years, and remarkable for the multiplicity of editions and 

 the condition of the books themselves, has been always open to 

 us, and has yielded many scarce volumes, which we have not met 

 with elsewhere. Since our examination of this collection it 

 has found a new owner in the United States. 



To Mr. Alfred Wallis, of Derby, we are indebted for constant 

 and assiduous help and counsel. His great and special knowledge 

 of the subject has been most generously afforded us throughout 

 the progress of the work, and his choicest treasures entrusted to 

 our hands. Mr. Joseph Crawhall, of Newcastle has communicated 

 his rarest books and given us the advantage of his minute know- 

 ledge of North Country literature. 



The Rev. M. G. Watkins, besides lending us his books, has 

 rendered us unnumbered services ; and Mr. W. R. Wilson of the 

 British Museum has placed his extensive and precise knowledge 

 of books at our service, and there are few sheets in our work, that 

 have not by his means been enriched with a fact, or preserved 

 from a blemish. 



Among the numerous American correspondents who have 

 given us their sympathy and assistance, two may be singled out 

 for special acknowledgement : Mr. Frederick Mather, of pisci- 

 cultural celebrity, and Mr. John Bartlett, of Boston, whose 

 admirable catalogue, recently issued, of his own valuable col- 

 lection, forms a choice volume, which many will covet, though 

 few can hope to possess. 



Mr. Francis Francis must rejoice at the completion of a work, 

 which has caused incessant appeals to his good offices appeals, 

 let us add, that have never failed to meet with courteous and 

 prompt response. But far above his unflagging zeal on our 

 behalf, do we rate the sympathetic manner in which it has 

 been exercised. 



The rest we must dismiss in a single paragraph for space fails 

 to give to each his meed of praise and thanks. They are 



