PREFACE. 
XI 
It is now a year since the Proprietors and Conductors 
of this work solicited the public encouragement, with a 
full determination to spare no exertions in performing 
the duties required in their arduous undertaking. The 
event, they trust, has gratified their expectation. The 
British Encyclopedia was commenced, has been regu- 
larly continued, and is now completed in six handsome 
volumes, agreeably to the Prospectus. In the typogra- 
phical execution of this Dictionary, and in the engrav- 
ings with which it is illustrated, they feel confident they 
may claim a superiority over every other work of the 
same kind. An extensive sale has already given proof 
of the approbation they have laboured to deserve ; and 
they trust, that as the British Encyclopedia continues 
to increase in circulation, it will maintain the reputa- 
tion it has already acquired. , 
December 21 , 1808 . 
