( * 5 



/enhances the expence of publication, it has been found neeeffary to 

 leffen a little the originally propofed fize of the volumes, though in 

 a degree that is far from being fufficient to compenfate for the addi- 

 tional expence ariffing from the engravings ; and, purpofely to 

 diminifh, as much as poffible, the magnitude of the work, a fmaller 

 type, and a much larger page, have been employed, than are ordi- 

 narily ufed in works of this kind. 



The conditions, as now finally fettled, are thefe : — The work, as 

 nearly as can be calculated, will confift of four volumes ; to be pu- 

 blished in fucceffive half volumes, as faft as the neceffary attention 

 to correctnefs will allow : — Each half volume will be illuftrated with 

 feveral plates, and will be delivered in boards, to fubfcribers, at half 

 a guinea : — A general introduction, giving a view of the iubject, and 

 of the various fources from which the additional information has 

 been derived, together with proper title pages, will be delivered 

 .^tlong with the laft -half volume ; and copious indexes will be affixed 

 to each clafs. 



As, from the uncommon nature of the mechanical part of the 

 'work, and the yet uncertain extent of the additions, in its prefenc 

 unfiniihed fiate, it has been found impoffible to divide it properly, 

 the fubfcribers are requeued not to bind up the feveral parts, till the 

 whole is completed, when proper inftruclions will be given for the 

 bookbinders. 



Those who are difpofed to give their countenance and patronage 

 to this undertaking, are requefted to tranfmit their orders for fub- 

 fcription, to the editor, as foon as poffible, with directions how their 

 copies are to be forwarded ; and bookfellers, or others, in poffefTion 

 of fubfcriptions, are entreated to do the fame, that no delay may oc- 

 cur in taking the neceffary fteps for carrying on the remaining parts 



of 



