D. Similar collations, or descriptions, of editions of the New Testament and parts thereof. E. Specimens of translation from several of the most rare editions of the Psalms. [These are double the number of those which were given in the first edition of this List.] F. Bibliographical Descriptions of many editions of the Psalms. G. A detailed account of Wells' Paraphrase of the Old and New Testament. This work was published at various periods, in many small parts, some of which were reprinted with slight variations. Owing to these circumstances, the sets are very often found to be incomplete; and I have endeavoured here to obviate that inconvenience, by giving as full particulars of the work as I could obtain. H. Some editions of Bibles, Testaments, and Psalms, enumerated in the Catalogue of the celebrated Biblical collection of the Duke of Wirtemburg; the first part of which was printed, in 1787. 4o. and a MS. copy of the second is in the Bodleian. The editions named are such as I have not been able to verify, by finding copies in this country: therefore, although I have little doubt that many of them exist and are properly described; yet I have not at present admitted them into the series, well knowing that a Catalogue is not always to be implicitly trusted, in the seemingly minute and unimportant particulars of date and size. It is satisfactory to me to find, that the number of these has been reduced nearly one half, by the discovery of editions in our own libraries, since the publication of my former List. The Public was pleased to receive with favor my first attempt in this department, many years ago, notwithstanding its numerous imperfections; and to give me credit for diligence and a desire to make information on these matters more generally accessible than it had been previously. Since that period, I have made it my business to take every occasion of correcting errors and obtaining additional information; so that I can confidently offer the present volume as more full and accurate than its predecessor. Still, I quite feel, that no one man can hope to bring a work of this kind to anything like completeness; but must be content if he can lay the foundation sure and safe, so that others may venture to build on it hereafter. In the prosecution of these researches during a long course of years, I have been indebted to so many sources of information;-to the treasures of so many Public Libraries, and to the kind assistance of so many private friends;-that it would be a vain task to attempt a particular acknowledgment of all favours. I feel it due no less to the national character than to the obliging kindness of individuals, to bear a willing testimony that in every quarter I have met with the most liberal reception, and have found the utmost readiness to communicate whatever information was desired. I feel the full value of all that personal kindness; and have endeavoured to make it serviceable to the public, in the present work. If by chance the remark may be made hereafter, that I have not fully kept pace with the general advance in literary information which has distinguished the last quarter of a century; I have only to plead the fact, that my own opportunities of learning have not increased, but have greatly diminished, during that time. Thirty year ago, I lost the advantage of daily access to the Bodleian Library, which had been previously at my command; and went to reside in country parts of the south of Ireland; where scarcely one single black-letter book is to be found within forty miles; and where I cannot, at this day, purchase a copy even of the last printed edition of the authorized version of our Bible! Yet I neglected no opportunity of correcting and adding to my former List: and, during occasional visits to Dublin and to England, have endeavoured to make the best use of my time, by searching out and examining any edition, which I had not previously seen, or had described incorrectly. But every one, who is experienced in these matters, knows the unsatisfactory nature of those intermittent and hurried snatches: and I think he will agree with me, that a compilation of this kind cannot be carried on effectually, except by a person who habitually resides within daily reach of such richly furnished repositories, as London or the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge alone can supply. If I had continued to be so situated, doubtless this book would have been more full, and probably more minutely accurate. But even now, I confidently trust, that I have supplied some links which were wanting in the chain of information, have satisfied. some doubts, and pointed out paths which may lead to more successful inquiries. Happy, if in any instance I may have made a taste for this department of Literature lead onwards to a higher object if I may have induced a single Collector, while he was chiefly intent on adding to his library some particularly rare and curious edition, to look more closely and attentively into the contents of that HOLY VOLUME, which, in every shape, and every edition, is invaluable to the Christian. HENRY COTTON. Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, 22d May, 1852. Specimens of Translations from the New Testament. · New Testament, Tyndale's....... A. D. 1525. 12o. Page 252. 260 |