PREFACE. 



The accomjjanyiiig Catalogue describes the Col- 

 lection of Books made during the lapse of more than 

 a half century, and from many sources. 



Originating with the Society for the Encourage- 

 ment of Agriculture and the Arts, the Ibrming Li- 

 brary gained new additions when the union with 

 the Lyceum of Natural History was elfected ; ijiit 

 the principal enlargement has heen made during 

 the existence of the Albany Institute. It is in th(^ 

 main the result of Donations, and this will account 

 lor its miscellaneous character. The volumes of 

 Pamphlets (exceeding live hundred in number) 

 comprehend portions of various Collections mmlv 

 by eminent individuals, among whom nitiv he spe- 

 cified Sir James Mackintosh, De AVitt Clinlon, and 

 Stephen Van Itcnsselaer. Various members of tlie 

 Institute— the late Col. J. B. Van Schaick, the late 

 M. H. AVebster, Richard Varick De AVitt and John 

 A . L. Pruyn, Esqs., of A lbany, and Protessor Henry 

 of AV^ashington City — purchased largely of Pam- 

 phlet Collections and presented them to the In- 

 stitute. 



