THE COMPILER TO THE READER. THE CATALOGUE which is now presented to the Public, has been prepared with a view to accomplish two objects. One, to offer an inventory of all the books on the shelves of the Reference Department of the Manchester Free Library: the other, to supply, for the accommodation of all classes of Readers, a ready Key both to the subjects of the books, and to the names of the authors. The first object has been carried out by means of a List of Principal Entries, each consisting of matter transcribed literatim from the title page of the work referred to, only omitting whatever was considered unnecessary for Catalogue purposes. The omissions, when of mottoes and devices, are, according to a received rule, denoted by three stars, when of other matter, by three dots placed thus . . . To each entry has been prefixed, for the purpose of alphabetical arrangement, a heading selected from the title, and printed in large capitals for the sake of distinction. This, as a general rule, consists of the name of the author. When the name does not appear on the title page, but could be ascertained on sufficient authority, it has been supplied, either in the title, between brackets, or immediately after in a note printed in Italics. With regard to anonymous works, the entries have been headed under words (selected, whenever it was possible, from the titles) which indicate the subject-matter of the books to which they refer. Where nothing is said in the title pages respecting the subject-matter, the deficiency has been supplied as above, either in the body of the titles, between brackets, or in notes printed in Italics. Annotations have also been occasionally appended as a means of furnishing such additional information as was thought to be desirable, and also for the purpose of recording duplicates, different editions, continuations, &c., of the same work, in a summary way and, as it were, soluta oratione, in lieu of repeating the same title over and over again. Finally, the entries have been numbered progressively for future reference. The other object has been effected by a compilation of 'Subject-matter Entries' expressed in short titles, each consisting of the author's name, the THE COMPILER TO THE READER. ger, and the imprint of the book, concluding with the number referring 1. the coregoading Principal Entry of the same book. These short titles we & rerout of the Principal Entries in all their essential points, but in an auvre set form. Every Principal Entry has been thus reproduced as many tute there are different topics of reference contained in the full title, dat un ve of the annotation, if any, appended to it. Though this part is, in principle, an Index to subjects, in point of fact, it uum, in Alphabetical Catalogue of the names of all the writers which appear me Principal Entries, but which could not there be included amongst the my well headings-as, for instance, the names of co-authors, when the zla by more than one author, the names of editors, commentators, transwine, be A In general, all topics having already an alphabetical heading in the PrinEntries, have been left out in the Index as an unnecessary repetition, the Reader is guided to the same only by cross-references. The compilation of the 'Subject-matter Entries' follows out each author's www definition of his book. The result of this simple plan is a self-classified Cage, which extends over the names of all the Sciences and Arts, with 4. multitudinous branches and related topics, as actually displayed in the estants of the Library. Any other system of classification, not based on a concordance of titles, moid have failed to satisfy all the purposes of study and reference. In the continuous march of human knowledge, almost every succeeding day brings fight new truths and new discoveries, having no place prepared for them in artificial and limited classifications, which, however learnedly designed they may be, have more often afforded matter for angry disputes, than answered the purpose for which they were intended. The system here adopted is that which has been successfully applied to the British Catalogue' in an Index, a copy of which, in the British Museum, B. nequired the significant distinction of being the most used, though the yngest book of reference in the Reading Room of that National Institution. An alphabetical collection of titles under authors' names does not by itself Sostitute a catalogue, any more than a collection of men is of necessity an The men, when recruited, must be organised for warlike operations— le, when gathered together, to be useful as a catalogue, must be further winged for purposes of reference and study. This is what has been attempted in the 'Subject-matter Entries. Everying in the full titles, which was considered likely to be an object of research, has been picked out and collected together in an alphabetical consulting Index, where, it is hoped, the Reader and the Student will find all that they may seek. In following out the principles which have led to the construction of the present Catalogue in the twofold form just described, the Compiler has only carried out, to the best of his abilities, the directions of the Library Committee, whose object was to provide a printed guide to the Library, which should stand the practical test of the Reader's research, and be in harmony with the requirements of the present day. They have welcomed every proposal which tended to this end, and provided every facility which was necessary to secure its attainment. The Preface must not be concluded without a special acknowledgment to James Crossley, Esq., the eminent President of the Chetham Society, and the possessor of an extensive and remarkable Library collected by himself, for his great kindness in revising the printed proofs of the Principal Entries, the groundwork of the Catalogue. His corrections and suggestions have added much to the value of this part, and the Compiler rejoices to have this opportunity of publicly testifying his gratitude for the favour itself, and for the kind and courteous manner in which it was bestowed. It remains to be observed to the Readers, for whose advantage this work has been undertaken, that the Library, thus laid open before them, may well, for practical utility and adaptation to its purpose, and for just distribution among all the departments of Science and the Arts, challenge comparison with any of its size in the world. It is a proud monument of the enlightened liberality of those gentlemen by whom the Library was originally founded, and of the corporation by whom it has since been not only maintained, but considerably increased. Nothing can more effectually conduce to the rapid progress of knowledge, and the consequent well-being of mankind, than an efficient aid to the search of what has previously been written on any given subject. It is now generally admitted that the most varied, rich, and comprehensive hints towards real human advancement are deposited in Pamphlets, and remain unproductive for want of a ready means of finding them when required. The Manchester Free Library contains a collection of them, particularly valuable on all the most important matters which affect society at large. Those inquirers who are engaged in investigating the great social questions of the age, will here experience the gratification which results from the discovery of a mine of rich and unsuspected variety, and those who seek the cultivation of their understanding, will perhaps find something which may not only assist the studies of willing minds, but awaken a latent genius, and induce a noble ambition to become useful to their fellow-creatures, whilst they will secure for themselves the enduring pleasures of knowledge and virtue. April 1864. A. CRESTADORO. |