AN INTRODUCTION TO THE Study of Bibliography. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED A MEMOIR ON THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES OF THE ANTIENTS. BY THOMAS HARTWELL HORNE. ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS. VOL. I. LONDON: PRINTED BY G. WOODFALL, FOR T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES, STRAND. 1814. with Bibliography. It comprises, first, a summary account of the materials used for writing in different ages and countries: next in order succeed the origin and progress of writing and printing, the mechanism of the art, with comparative observations on the typographical execution of early printed books. This division is followed by remarks on the forms of books,-different styles of bookbinding in various ages,—the knowledge of books, and the causes of their relative value and scarcity, together with the best methods of preserving and repairing them. The principles, on which the classification of a library should be conducted, are then explained, and illustrated by a copious system for its arrangement. The last and most extensive division of the work is appropriated to a notice of the principal writers, who have treated on the different branches of Bibliography. With regard to the engravings which are inserted, while the author hopes they will be found sufficient for the purpose of elucidating his work, it were unjust not to notice the fidelity and spirit with which they have been executed by a young artist*, particularly the fac-similes of the Books of Images. *Mr. J. Lee. |