PRE FACE. 
information mom the best sources. Yet in this work there is much original composition; and such 
is the progress of science, that it contains scarcely any articles of importance which are to be found in 
any similar publication. 
In order aiso to facilitate as much as possible the study of the sciences, every attention, consistent 
wi*u the nature of toe work, has been paid to method; and the student will not be much at a loss to 
^distinguish the order in which the several parts ot each science are to be read. Thus, under Natural 
lii.'-tory, ^ ie a synopsis of the several branches, the classes and orders, and under these the 
names of the genera ; under Zoology, again, he will not only meet the classes and orders, but also an 
immediate reference to the genera. Under Chemistry, he will find the outlines of the science, and 
references to the different branches, which are treated more at large in other parts of the work. Thus 
under Furnace and Laboratory, is included the whole of the apparatus; and lie will then turn to 
Air, and the simple substances as they stand enumerated there, or under the word Elements. Astro- 
nomy and Mineralogy, he will see, have similar references. Electricity, Hydrostatics, Hydraulics, 
Magnetism, Mechanics, Meteorology, Optics, Pneumatics, and the Med ical Branches, are complete 
in themselves. Those articles which relate to the Arts are also complete. Those which treat of 
the different subjects of Trade and Commerce are also complete, and contain all the new information 
which could be obtained on those important topics. 
I iie Editor cannot conclude this address without frankly stating, that whatever may be thought of 
the merits of the new Dictionary ot Arts and Sciences, they are more ito be attributed to the very 
able assistance with which he has been favoured from different quarters, than to his own exertions, 
lie wishes he could make his acknowledgments in terms equal to his sense of the obligation. To 
Ins industrious and truly able coadjutor, the Rev. Mr. Joyce, he is indebted for much general 
.assistance, aim foi the exclusive superintendance of all the mathematical ' and astronomical articles. 
A similar acknowledgment is due to his friend and neighbour, Luke Howard, Esq. particularly 
lor his attention to all those articles connected with the almost new, and important science, 
Me'eorology. 
Ihe public will estimate better than he can point out the extent of his and their obligations to 
Mr. Grellier, of the Royal Exchange Assurance-Office, when he mentions, that all the articles rcla- 
tne to Dade, Commerce, Political Economy, Finance, and Revenue, were drawn up by that 
gentleman. 
J hc Medical and Physiological articles were written by Dr. Uwins, of Somers Town; Husbandry 
and Surveying by Mr. Crocker, of Froome ; Rhetoric by Dr. Thomson, well known as the Con- 
tinea tor or Y, atstm s History; Architecture by Mr. Henderson, the plates by Mr. Moore ; Exchanges 
by Mr. I". ilamsbrow ; Farriery by Mr. Lawrence; and Anatomy by Mr. A. Walker. 
r x hose articles which are connected with History and Antiquities, have been furnished by a dis- 
tinguished scholar, as will be easily perceived ; those relative to the Fine Arts, by a gentleman well 
known in the literary world; Poetry by a lady, who, like Vida, has asserted her title to the character 
<ji a critic, by having excelled in the art itself; the Military articles are the production of a 
literary gentleman who was educated in that profession; and some of the principal Law articles 
are by a member of one of the inns of court. Besides these, the editor has been favoured with single 
communications from Dr. Mayor, Mr. M. Smart, and several correspondents who desire their names 
to be concealed. 
