Beykaneer or Bicanere

IX.

Of Bibliography in general.

It

was our object in this article, to institute such a division of the general subject, as should enable us to point out the best sources of instruction and in formation in regard to all its branches ; and in order to complete our view, we have still to notice some of those works which treat generally of' all matters appertaining to Bibliography. We do not know any Book that presents a well written, judicious, and comprehensive digest of these matters I but there are several, nevertheless, which contain much curious and useful information in regard to them. 1. The Introduction to the Knowledge of Books ( Einleitung is iltscherkancle), by M. Denis, whose Supplement to 'Maittaire, and Bibliographical system, we have al ready mentioned, is of this description. The last edi tion, published at Vienna in 1796, consists of two.vo lumes quarto. It has never been translated from the original German; and it is to be observed, that though it treats of the substances, forms, and classification of Books, it cannot be considered as a merely Biblio graphical work, a large portion of it bein•devoted to the general History of Learning. The author, who was long principal Librarian of the Imperial Library at Vienna, died in 1808. In Germany he ranks high, not only as a Bibliographer and general Scholar, but as a Poet. He was the first who made his coen hymen acquainted with the Poems of Ossian, by means of a poetical translation, which he published in 1768. His own poetry has much of the spirit and manner of the ancient Bards of the North ; but be unfortunately chose hexameters for his transla tion of Ossian,--it form of verse not at all suited to the genius of the poetry which bears the name of that Bard. We are told, that his brother Poet, Alxinger, who died a year or two before him, had - bequeathed his Head to augment the craniological stores and science of Dr Gall ; a destination which Denis appears not at all to have relished for his own head, and to have feared that it might yet take it; for, by his testament, he enjoined his executors, in very positive terms, to see his body inhumed without dismemberment.* Bibliographique, ou Ra ni sur la connoissance des byres, des formats, doi editions, la maniere de composer une Bibliodieque, etc. ; par G. Peignot, published in 1800. 8. Dic tionnaire raisonne de Bibliologie, contenant rexplica tion des principaux termes relatih a la Bibliographic; des notices sur les phis celebres Bibliographes ; et !exposition des differeus systemes Bibliographiques in 3 vols. 8vo; by the same author. Bibliography is

oertainly indebted tothis industrious compiler; but his vague and extravagant notions of its objects and rank have too often led him into confusion in his Books.

4. Cours de Bibliographic, as la science du Bi bliothecaire ; par C. F. Achard, in 3 vols. 8vo, pub lished at Marseille in 1807. The chief value of this compilation consists in its details of the dif: ferent systems which have been proposed for classi fying Books. We learn from the Introduction, that M. Francois de Neufchateau, when Minister of the Interior, gave orders that the Librarians of all the Departments should deliver Lectures on Bibliogra phy; but that the plan, which indeed savours some what of Bibliontania, entirely failed ; these Librarians having been found quite incapable to prelect upon their vocation. S. Introduction to the Study of Bi bliography, to which is prefixed a Memoir on the pub lic Libraries of the Ancients ; by Thomas Hartwell Horne, in 2 volumes 8vo, published at London in 1814. This, which is the only English Book of its kind, is chiefly translated and compiled from the French Bibliographical Works, and will be found use ful to those who have not access to them. It con tains full lists of Writers on Bibliography and Lite rary History ; and the fullest account we have seen of Catalogues of Libraries both British and Foreign. The specimens of early Typography, and of the Vignettes and Monograms of the early Printers, are very neatly executed.

We do not understand what this writer means, when he describes his Book as intended for " an In troduction to the infant. Science of Bibliography:* He seems to have allowed himself to he imposed up. on, by the vague verbiage of those French Writers, who claim for this branch of knowledge a character of vastness which does not belong to it. Bibliography certainly presents a pretty wide field of inquiry, and in which there is yet room for many useful works ; but it must appear evident from the details contained in the present article, that this field has in almost every part been long cultivated; if not alwayg with perfect taste and judgment, yet with great industry, and so as to yield very profitable returns to the Commonwealth of Learning.