particular science would have justly subjected him to the charge of having capriciously deviated from his plan; but to have entered equally at large into all the sciences, would have been to make a work totally different from the one proposed. Nothing remained, therefore, but, by following one uniform plan, to comprehend whatever would be most generally useful. It was presumed that no one would refer to a work of this kind for information on a subject in which he was a proficient; but, as few persons are perfectly versed in more than one art or science, they will of course find it serviceable to refer to on subjects with which they are less familiar; and those who wish for more information than what it immediately affords, may gratify their curiosity by consulting the original authors referred to in the body, and at the end, of the Dictionary; by the insertion of which, the Compiler's second principal object has been attained. It would have been very agreeable to him, if, in every instance, he could have rendered his definitions and explanations correct and distinct; but, owing to the scanty information to be derived from ancient sources, and the vague, fluctuating, and often contradictory representations of modern writers, he has not been enabled always to succeed to the extent of his wishes. In some sciences, as Chemistry, both the nomenclature of the science, and the science itself, are subject to such changes, as to render the most general statements necessary in order to guard against falling into contradictions: in Botany, and other branches of Natural History, writers have made so free with the nomenclature, by coining terms of their own, that they have involved the whole in a labyrinth of words, from which no one could extricate himself, but by adopting some such course as that which has been pursued throughout this work,of translating all the synonymous appellations of different writers into one language, like that of Linnæus, which has justly acquired a higher degree of authority than that of any other writer of the same date. The Compiler feels it, however, necessary to add, that he has made these remarks less with a view of casting a censure on others, than of pointing out the difficulties to which he himself has been exposed. There is one more particular, in respect to the plan of this work, which may demand some explanation in order to guard against disappointment; namely, that, although this work professes to embrace the whole circle of the Arts and Sciences, yet the proper names of particular persons and places are excluded from the number, on the ground that they admit of description rather than definition, and are, therefore, more fitted for an Historical than a Technological Dictionary. But the names of communities, sects, &c. were not considered of this sort; because, being given on the ground of some general principle, or common property, they admitted of a precise explanation like other common names. Although the Compiler has thought proper to say thus much by way of explanation, he For the purpose of preserving an orderly arrangement, and assisting the reader in finding the particular application of any word, each definition has been headed by the name of the science to which it belongs, put in an abbreviated form; of which the following is an In the reference to the Plate of Printing (56), fig. 5, referring to the Press, should be 6. ASTRONOMY; the Satellites Saturn are five in number, tes of read the Satellites of Saturn are seven in number. AURUM, Gold, the heaviest of all metals BELUEDERE the heaviest of all the metals except Platina. BELVEDERE. There are also some inaccuracies in the Greek accentuation in the former part of the work, which unfortunately escaped the press; but, being of a nature not the least calculated to mislead any who take an interest in this part of the subject, it has not been deemed necessary to notice them as Errata. N. B. The Binder will place Plates 1 to 36 inclusive at the end of the first volume, in their numerical order, and Plates 37 to 60 at the end of the second in like manner. 1 ADDRESS. THAT the public may be fully apprized of the nature of the work now offered to their notice, the Compiler begs it may be distinctly understood, that his object has been to give a faithful though succinct account of the first principles of every Science as they have been defined by writers, ancient and modern, without advancing any opinions of his own, or offering animadversions from any quarter whatever on the subjects that are treated of. Should any one, therefore, look upon particular parts as superfluous, because they do not accord with the opinions and practice of the present day, he is requested to bear in mind that this is a Dictionary, not for any distinct class of readers, but for persons of every description, who may wish to be informed on the meanings of words that have been employed by writers of different ages. If, however, any definitions on modern sciences should appear not perfectly satisfactory to particular individuals, the Compiler deprecates the severity of criticism by stating that he has defined no words on his own authority, but on that of writers, who are now held in general esteem. At the same time, having studiously endeavoured to give the definitions in the precise terms of the writers themselves, he trusts he has executed this part of his task with as much fidelity as was consistent with the brief and familiar form of explanation which the scope of the work required. For unintentional omissions or inaccuracies that are unavoidable in a compilation of this multifarious nature, he has no doubt of meeting with that kind indulgence which has never been denied to him, or others who have striven to merit the approbation of the public. Feb. 21, 1822. |