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TO THE FIRST VOLUME. 
IT is long since the Editor of this Work conceived that a Dictionary of Arts and 
Sciences in a compendious form, sufficiently copious without being prolix, accurate but not 
diffuse, divested of all superfluous matter, compressing rather than copying what had been done 
by others, and exhibiting a clear but concise view of the present state of the various branches of 
human knowledge, was nofbnly a most desirable object to the English reader, but an object per- 
fectly practicable. He considered that a Dictionary is properly a work of reference and not of 
detail ; and that those who wish to become adepts in any one art or science, will scarcely study it 
exclusively from, an Encyclopaedia. 
The progress of the work has fully convinced him that he was not mistaken in his opinion. 
One half of the publication, according to the usual division of books of this nature, is now 
before the Public, and the reader will perceive that every science of real importance is given 
as completely as in more bulky publications, and in some instances even more at large. It is 
therefore with some degree of additional confidence that the Editor now re-states to the Public 
the following as the advantages which will result from the present new Dictionary of Arts and 
Sciences. 
First, It will exhibit a compendium of all human knowledge, the more luminous because 
cleared of all extraneous matter ; rather practical than speculative; and in which particular at- 
tention will be paid to the most useful branches. 
Second, It will be of a convenient and comparatively portable size, calculated to lie on the 
table of every studious person as a book of constant reference. 
Third, It will be printed so as to correspond with the quarto edition of Dr. Johnson s Dic- 
tionary ; and the possessors of both works will thus have in four quarto volumes, and at a mode- 
rate expence, all the literary aid which the Englisn student or reader can possibly rcquiie. 
