To the learned Bishop of Rochester I have not only to express my obligation for the use of many rare and curious books from his valuable Collection, but for his kind and friendly attention to me under a misfortune as unforeseen as it was severe.

Mr. Barnard, the King's Librarian, whom I have long known and esteemed, admitted me to the innumerable rarities under his custody.

When I name Mr. Douce, and call him, as I am allowed to do, my friend, it may seem superfluous to add another word concerning the value of his aid. It is sufficient to say, that his most curious and valuable library is easily accessible, and that his information, when required, on any subject of Literature, is alike prompt and satisfactory, interesting and elegant.

With

With

great respect and sincere attachment I also introduce, among those to whom I am essentially indebted, the venerable Mr. Isaac Reed. He is far above my praise, but I can never forget the free use of many curious articles in his collection, the clearness, the precision, and the kindness of his various communications on many subjects of Early English Literature, concerning which, I was either ignorant or imperfectly acquainted.

With Mr. John Kemble I have long and happily enjoyed a familiar intercourse. No man knows more, or better, whatever relates to the History of the Drama; no man possesses more copious, or more valuable materials; no man communicates what he knows and possesses, to his friends, with greater or more agreeable facility.

When I intimated to Mr. Malone the purpose I had in view, with the greatest

politeness

politeness he exhibited his literary curiosities

to my examination, afforded me every as

sistance in his

power, and

gave me much and

important information. We differed, indeed,

in one point, which, I trust, however, he will easily forgive. It was part of

my plan to trace and point out the progressive changes of the value of rare books; of this he did not entirely approve, thinking it might increase to professed collectors, the difficulty of acquiring them. I confess, this did not appear to me an argument of sufficient weight to induce me to deviate from the plan I had adopted.

Mr. Chalmers, of the Office of Trade, is also entitled to my warmest acknowledgements. The zeal, activity and kindness he has demonstrated towards me, the unreserved use of his valuable collection, the accuracy of his information, the frank and manly sympathy he has on all occasions. avowed in my behalf, have made an im

pression

pression upon my heart which can never be obliterated.

I have also received from Sion College some curious articles, which however, as I am, from my local connection, intitled to the benefit of them, I should not have mentioned, except that it affords me an opportunity of expressing my esteem for Mr. Watts, the worthy Librarian of the College, who, in every undertaking which has the benefit of Literature in view, is always prompt and kind in his assistance.

Lastly, I must introduce the name of Mr. Nares. The intimate and affectionate connection which I have enjoyed with him for a long series of years, has ever been my pride, and is sufficiently known to the world. I may presume to add, that the literary labours, which at a most perilous period we commenced in concert, and have long and successfully prosecuted together,

have

have been allowed, by those best qualified to judge, to have rendered important benefit to our religious as well as our civil constitution. It is, therefore, almost useless to declare, that as I could not engage in an Literary pursuits without the sanction of his a probation and the concurrence of his aid, the volumes now given to the public have had their full share of both. I am indebted to him for some curious articles, and I am cheered by the confidence, that what has received his approbation cannot entirely fail of success with the public.

Thus was I engaged, and with these resources and these aids, in an occupation, of all others, the most grateful to my taste, and most in conformity with my habits, when a dark and sudden tempest arose, which menaced my little bark with inevitable destruction. While I was basking in the sunshine of a fair fame, with the fond hope, and strong