PREFACE. 
T he experience of more than a century has eminently 
proved the advantages of such works as exhibit, under 
an alphabetical arrangement, the complete circle of 
human knowledge. Dictionaries of language, of gene- 
ral terms, and of particular branches of science and art, 
have been multiplied by the labours of men fully quali- 
fied to display the subjects they have undertaken to dis- 
cuss: and the first characters in the various nations of 
Europe have been proud to rank their names and unite 
their exertions in the production of immense works, con- 
taining every subject which can engage the intellectual 
research or active occupation of man. The order of 
the alphabet has been so skilfully combined with that 
order which is indicated by the natural relations of the 
materials, that works of this description have been 
received with the most striking approbation ; and, not- 
withstanding the great labour and expense required to 
keep pace with the rapid improvements and discoveries 
of modern times, the number of Dictionaries of all 
descriptions has been so great, that it would be difficult, 
and perhaps useless, even to name them, and point out 
their respective merits. 
