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X PREFACE. 



dex, and some other requisite matters, with perhaps an appendix 

 comprehending stragglers of various classes, will probably com- 

 plete the whole. 



The publication of an original work of this kind in this coun- 

 try has been attended with difficulties, great, and, it must be con- 

 fessed, sometimes discouraging to the author, whose only reward 

 hitherto has been the favourable opinion of his fellow citizens, and 

 the pleasure of the pursuit. The support, however, which he has 

 uniformly received from the artists and others engaged in the work 

 has fully equalled his expectations, and demands his public and 

 grateful acknowledgments. The engravings will be a lasting mo- 

 nument to the merits of Messrs. Lawson, Murray and Warnicke; 

 and the elegance of the letter press, which even in Europe has ex- 

 cited admiration, does the highest honor to the taste of the foun- 

 ders, Messrs. Binney & Ronaldson, as well as to the professional 

 talents and constant attention of the printers, Messrs. R. & W. 

 Carr; while the unrivalled excellence of the paper, from the ma- 

 nufactory of Mr. Amies, proves what American ingenuity is ca- 

 pable of producing when properly encouraged. 



Let but the generous hand of patriotism be stretched forth to 

 assist and cherish the rising arts and literature of our country, and 

 both will most assuredly, and that at no remote period, shoot forth, 

 increase and flourish with a vigor, a splendor and usefulness infe- 

 rior to no other on earth. 



ALEXANDER WILSON, 



Philadelphia^ Feb. 12th, 1812. 



