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has been remarked that "a preface is the history of a book;" it may therefore be expedient to lay before the reader an ingenuous account of the origin and design of the present publication.

In April, 1828, that portion of the work which now forms the introduction, was delivered as one of two lectures, before the Warwick and Leamington Literary and Scientific Institution; and the very flattering commendations then bestowed, induced me to pursue the subject further, as a means both of self-instruction and amusement for my leisure hours. From that time to the present, scarcely any other object has engrossed more of my attention than that of obtaining every information relative to. Not aware of the labours that others had performed, and without an assistant, I had many obstacles to contend with; and soon became well convinced, that the design I had formed was above the bibliographical acquirements of a journeyman printer. Stimulated, however, to proceed, I continued my researches with increased ardour; and though conscious of not having made the work what it might have been under more favourable circumstances, yet I trust some merit may be thought due for the attempt; and shall feel gratified if placed in the field of literature only as a pioneer, to induce some abler hand to improve the work, and make it more worthy of the literary world, and the profession of which it treats.

Those who are conversant with the history of printing, cannot be unacquainted with the learning, virtue, honourable exertions, and ardent and daring