Description of Works Relating to America Published between the Years 1492 and 1551

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I

3Stfoiioti)eca

\

Americana Setusttsstma

DESCRIPTION OF WORKS RELATING TO

AMERICA PUBLISHED BETWEEN THE TEJRS

i49 2 an d

doit auoir cette confederation

ill

de rcgardcr J

au choix det

font les premiers qul t eft e compofe* fur la matiere de laquelle t raifient, farce quil eft de la doElrint des es,

horn mes

helh

,

comme de

ils

eau y qui

iamais plut yu afafourcc. G. NAUDE, Advis povr dreffer vne Bibliotheqve; pp. 48-49.

plus claire

l

& plus

GEO. P. PHILES, PUBLISHER

MDCCCLXVI

n"eft

nette

sw

ROYAL OCTAVO, FOUR HUNDRED COPIES PRINTED IN

TEN

NINETY-NINE COPIES PRINTED IN QUARTO, ON HOLLAND PAPER

COPIES PRINTED IN OJJARTO

FOR PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION). (THE LATTER

No.

2,04

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by HENRY HARRISSE, In the Clerk s Office of the District Court of the United States for the Northern District of New York.

BRADSTREET PRESS,

NEW

YOKK.

SAMUEL

L. OF

THIS

M. BARLOW

NEW YORK

WORK, UNDERTAKEN AT IS

DEDICATED BY

HIS

HIS

SUGGESTION,

FRIEND

HENRY HARRISSE

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION. Artts etfcientitf confiftunt in libris, quorum emolumenta nulla metis fufficcrtt enarrarc. R. DE BURY, Philobiblion, cap. xv.

I.

HE

abnegation practiced by true scholars in every branch of knowledge is one of the most interest ing and striking features of the age in live.

With

the recognition

daily

which we

more and more

of the inter-dependence of the sciences, and abnegation has come to be the test of scholastic worth absolute

this

loyalty.

As Herbert Spencer admirably

expresses

it,

every single fact

of observation and discovery now has u to be digested by the organism of the sciences" ere it can be made available for the

development of the work to which its special discoverer or And observer may give the glory and strength of his life.

we

and see with a just pride in the intellectual eleva tion of our epoch, the scholars and students of the world practice hence

see,

a degree of self-denial hitherto

most uncommon, revere

a reli

all members gion of science which teaches us that we are one of another," and cause studies apparently the most dissimilar "

scope and objects to converge upon the genesis of a all scientific elegeneral science, not yet perfected, but wherein in

their

A

Introduction.

ii

ments may one day

find their absolute connection,

and assume

a true philosophical character.

it

In this praiseworthy communion, it becomes as practicable as is necessary at once to subdivide every field of inquiry, and to

unite and concentrate

Nor

a positive kind.

upon investigations of every teacher and student

separate efforts

all

less

by

it

is

strengthened to resist the fatal seductions of that inner voice

which

is forever lifting itself rebelliously against the limits imposed upon human knowledge by human nature, and forever prompting

hypotheses which really minister only to individual vanity and weakness, while they delay the genuine advance of learning. To accept and exercise this virtue of our age is, it must be

For while every day opens new horizons to our gaze, the very basis upon which we strive to build our systems and erect our hypotheses is perpetually giving confessed, comparatively easy.

way under sults in

consensus

that incessant accumulation of materials

which

re

every direction of inquiry from the increasingly active of all the sciences. Nevertheless, let all fit honor be

who

paid to those

practice this virtue,

who

control the constant

unknowable, who select for of modest labor, and who give to the ex sphere

aspirations of the

themselves a

mind

after the

haustive investigation of a single class or order of facts

Not, indeed, that we tained by so

all

their

time and their energy.

talents, their

many

fully share the

dazzling hopes enter

earnest inquirers, especially in that vast field

of historical studies, one secondary section of which we have made it our duty to till, with what results this volume must attest.

It

shall ever

lyzed, a

which

seems to us, find

new

for instance, over-bold to assert that

in historical facts,

latent

power adequate

to

bring forth a science

shall unfold the universal force

supreme,

always present, active and and shall exhibit, humanity, through the similitudes, a progressive march of mankind

in the history of

medium of historical

we

when accumulated and ana

toward a necessary end

no longer undefined and mysterious.

Introduction.

Hi i

But even

we

abandon the hope of so surpassing a result of our patience and our perseverance, noble A clearer understanding of the prizes still remain to be won. if

secret workings of

are required to

human

ciation of the disparity

nature, a juster and a wiser appre

which

exists between our mental powers and the most imposing of the problems which mankind so pas sionately yearns to solve, may compel us to put aside, and for

questions which concern primary and final But there will yet be left to us crucial problems worthy

years to come, causes.

of the

all

within the grasp of with fraught great teachings, and fit to engage in their solution the united efforts of all men truly devoted to loftiest

intellect, lying incontestably

human mind,

the

scientific studies.

Pascal says that 1 "non seulement chacun des hommes s avance de jour en jour dans les sciences, mais tous les hommes ensemble

y font un continuel progres, a mesure que

This proposition implies

1

univers

vieillit."

Let the

a progress already achieved.

historian, then, describe this curious and necessary evolution in

the history of light O

man

not by hypothetical generalities, but by the

of well-ascertained facts,7 and in the real order of succession.

The march

of mankind, from Engis 2 to Athens, is surely exten This prog sive enough to satisfy the most ambitious inquirer !

ress

seems to involve a development

tainable laws.

It is

in

accordance with ascer-

the province of the historian to set forth

the premises from which these laws can be deduced and

demon

Such a development must have necessarily taken place forms varied and multifarious, running sometimes parallel,

strated. in

The historian may show its though with unequal rapidity. and resting-places, its divergences starting-points, land-marks and its return to homogeneity he may assay for us the modicum ;

of truth which underlies our sternest

beliefs,

and

rivet

anew

the

links of a chain disconnected by ignorance or superstition. Preface sur k Traitedu Vide, in Pensees, Fragments, &c., de Pascal, publics par M. P. FAUGERE; Paris, 1844, 8vo, Vol. i, p. 98. 1

Vide the

LYELL, and

late

works of HUXLEY and

especially the lectures delivered by VOGT in 1862-4.

Introduction.

ii

find their absolute connection,

ments may one day

and assume

a true philosophical character.

In this praiseworthy it is

communion,

it

becomes

necessary at once to subdivide every

unite and concentrate

Nor

a positive kind.

separate efforts

all

less

by

it

is

as practicable as

of inquiry, and to upon investigations of

field

every teacher and student

strengthened to resist the fatal seductions of that inner voice is

which

forever lifting itself rebelliously against the limits imposed

upon human knowledge by human nature, and forever prompting hypotheses which really minister only to individual vanity and weakness, while they delay the genuine advance of learning. To accept and exercise this virtue of our age is, it must be

For while every day opens new horizons to our gaze, the very basis upon which we strive to build our systems and erect our hypotheses is perpetually giving confessed, comparatively easy.

way under

that incessant accumulation of materials

sults in every direction

consensus

of

all

paid to those

which

re

of inquiry from the increasingly active Nevertheless, let all fit honor be

the sciences.

who

practice this virtue,

mind

aspirations of the

after the

who

control the constant

unknowable, who

select for

themselves a sphere of modest labor, and who give to the ex haustive investigation of a single class or order of facts all their talents, their

time and their energy.

Not, indeed, tained by so

we

that

many

fully share the

dazzling hopes enter

earnest inquirers, especially in that vast field

of historical studies, one secondary section of which we have made it our duty to till, with what results this volume must attest.

It

seems to

us, for instance, over-bold to assert that

we

ever find in historical facts, when accumulated and ana lyzed, a new latent power adequate to bring forth a science which shall unfold the universal force always present, active and shall

supreme, in the history of humanity, and

medium of historical

shall exhibit,

similitudes, a progressive

toward a necessary end

through the

march of mankind

no longer undefined and mysterious.

in

Introduction.

But even

we

abandon the hope of so surpassing a result of our patience and our perseverance, noble A clearer understanding of the prizes still remain to be won. if

are required

to

workings of human nature, a juster and a wiser appre which exists between our mental powers and the most imposing of the problems which mankind so pas secret

ciation of the disparity

sionately yearns to solve,

years to causes.

of the the

come, But there

may compel

us to put aside, and for

questions which concern primary and

all

will yet be left to us crucial

final

problems worthy

intellect, lying incontestably within the grasp of mind, fraught with great teachings, and fit to engage

loftiest

human

in their solution the united efforts

of

all

men

truly devoted to

scientific studies.

Pascal says that 1

"non

hommes s avance hommes ensemble

seulement chacun des

de jour en jour dans les sciences, mais tous les y font un continuel progres, a mesure que

1

univers

vieillit."

This proposition implies a progress already achieved. Let the historian, then, describe this curious and necessary evolution in

man

not by hypothetical generalities, but by the and in the real order of succession. light of well-ascertained facts, The march of mankind, from Engis 2 to Athens, is surely exten the history of

sive ress

This prog enough to satisfy the most ambitious inquirer seems to involve a development in accordance with ascer-

tainable laws.

!

It is

the province of the historian to set forth

the premises from which these laws can be deduced and

demon

Such a development must have necessarily taken place strated. in forms varied and multifarious, running sometimes parallel,

The historian may show its though with unequal rapidity. and resting-places, its divergences starting-points, land-marks and its return to homogeneity he may assay for us the modicum ;

of truth which underlies our sternest beliefs, and rivet anew the links of a chain disconnected by ignorance or superstition. Preface sur U Traitedu Vide, in Pcnsets, Fragments, &c.,de Pascal, publics far M.P. FAUGERE; Paris, 1844, 8vo, Vol. i, p. 98. 1

Vide the

LYELL, and

late

works of HUXLEY and

especially the ered by VOGT in 1862-4.

lectures deliv-

Introduction.

iv

If any important results have already been attained in studies of this character, it is due to the subdivision of each and every field

But the work of analysis must be carried

of inquiry.

still

No subject should be deemed too insignificant to enlist further. the entire attention of series and successions of students ; and consequence, and as the glorious reward of this con centration of labor, the subject so investigated again exhibits an

when,

in

opening for a new division, this, in its turn, must be probed by new men and with adequate means. It is thus that in the exact and natural sciences such marvelous progress has been accom History,

plished.

we know,

is

not based upon the observation of

phenomena, and no one, therefore, as we have already suggested, can hope to see this science keep pace with Chemistry,

identical

Astronomy or Natural Philosophy but from a union of all the pursuits which have the least bearing on man, his past and his ;

place in creation,

we may

possibly find that several of the ques

which have so long exercised the ingenuity of the most acute And when we con thinkers, will eventually admit of a solution. tions

sider these sciences philosophically,

easily they

questions.

may

are surprised to find

Geology and Palaeontology enable us

his first stage not

ment

we

how

be connected with a view to the solution of such to see

man

in

only of physical but of intellectual develop

Archaeology brings to light his earliest efforts in art Philology gives us the history of his origin and migrations ;

;

;

Literature reveals to us his dearest traditions, and the primitive aspirations of his poetical genius.

But each of these sciences

is

complex and extensive. Divide and subdivide them into many and as minute sections as the mind can conceive,

in itself

as

and every fragment will yet require the use of all the means to the survey and analysis they require.

which we can apply

From

every such subdivision, indeed, arises a new necessity, de manding a still greater abnegation ; for the task, in proportion as its field is enlarged, becomes ever more and more thankless.

This

is

eminently true in reference to the study of the mechan-

v

Introduction. ical

means which the

votaries of these sciences

who

the pursuits of those

must possess

;

to

devote themselves to devise and per

fect instruments to alleviate the efforts

of synthetic philosophers

modest callings which aim at placing within the reach of others, whosoever they may be, appliances which BIBLIOGRAPHY rarely fail to impart method, logic and precision. and historians

;

to the

concerned with one great class of these appliances, and we may be pardoned, perhaps, a few words in regard to the imme

is

diate bearing of this science

on the subject now before

us.

II.

The

assertion of Caspar

Thurmann*

"

:

Notitia librorum est

studiorum," has not been considered an exaggeration of the claims of bibliography by historians who strive to elucidate

dimidium

facts in lieu

of ventilating theories and reinforcing opinions. All from the past of positive knowledge has been

that survives to us

preserved in books and manuscripts.

Traditions, even among semi-barbarous races, are no longer intrusted to the memory of those who cherish the remembrance of their ancestors and of their deeds

when we

:

And

they find a lasting shrine in the printed word.

consider that

we have

inherited at least forty centuries

of recorded facts, and that annals hitherto engraved on stone are now transferred into books, which are thus carrying back the accessible history of

man

ness and mystery,

will easily be admitted that he

it

who

to periods heretofore shrouded in dark

can seize, without a

is

no

trust

of gratitude, the worthy hand which alone may lead him unerringly through so vast an The science of Bibliography limits accumulation of materials. historian

its

8

thrill

claims to this right and duty. apud Abbe RIVE, Prospectus fun ou-

vrage public par souscrip tion

I2mo,

p.

59, notes.

;

Paris,

1782,

See also

COTTON

DES HOUSSAYES

course, in Bulletin du Bibliophile,

3d

series, p.

488.

Dis-

No. II,

Introduction.

vi

A bibliography certain library

;

not necessarily a

is

but even

when

list

of books contained in a

limited by this modest definition,

which subsists, and is available, long after yet possesses a value the books described may have been scattered or destroyed. it

A

mere

frequently supplies the historian with the link which

title

This

alone can impart a logical connection to this work.

may

lead

him

title

which was perhaps unknown to the same line of investigation, and from this

to study a book,

his predecessors in

study he may often acquire a knowledge of certain facts which shall cause him to alter the entire plan of his work4 Viewed, .

indeed, in

its

proper light, a well-constructed catalogue of books

luminous chronology of intellectual facts, and there no Bibltotheca Philosophica which does not exhibit, in a more

simply a

is

is

or less striking degree, the history of the

human mind.

useful teachings.

We

see in

them

at a

But

glance the attempts and

theories, often teeming with errors, which have paved the for the discovery of those great truths never to be

from our grasp.

Do

not the quaint

it is

with their most

in the exact sciences that catalogues are fraught

titles affixed

wrung to the

way again

works

of Lulli, Paracelsus, Agricola, Bruno, or Cardan, give us an insight into that curious process from which arose in due time

4

We

may

here

cite, as

an instance in

point, the greatest historical composition of

modern

times,

AUGUSTIN THIERRY

S

His-

Conquetc dt rAnghterre par les Normands, Our readers doubtless recollect

toire de la

work the author dethe history of the vanquished, and finds in Thomas a Becket the personification of the Anglo-Saxon race and the champion of its rights against the Nor-

a catalogue of modern books, which had escaped his notice, was handed him by a friend. It contained the title of a work

which purported to give a faithful tranof the Lambeth and Fitz-Stephen

script

that in this immortal

manuscript.

picts in vivid colors

was

This

single

advertisement frame-

sufficient to destroy the entire

work of Thierry

s Thomas a History Becket, the bold protector of the AngloSaxon race, was no longer himself an Anglo-Saxon, but disappeared in Thomas :

man dynasty. The ninth chapter is considered the keystone of the history, as it relates exclusively to the memorable struggle

The

between Henry II and the Archbishop of

Augustin Thierry

Canterbury, who, to his dying moments, remains the champion of an oppressed THIERRY was preparing a new people. edition of his work for the press, when

by his love for truth, which was dearer to him than all his theories, he intended to

Bequet, a

Norman

by birth and parentage upon the mind of !

discovery preyed

for years, but,

prompted

remodel his History ; unfortunately he died without accomplishing his work.

Introduction.

vii %

the only true science?

We

grant that the meaning suggested

by a mere name can only be appreciated by him who brings to its observation a certain degree of knowledge, which no succinct catalogue of books can ever give set forth, will teach the reader at

thought, acter.

now The

accomplished

repeated at a later period shows a progress

;

but

marks

a positive char

diffusion

its

;

the

importance; and accordingly as disappears altogether from subse

identifies

it

assumed

its

its

place in them, the student

what extent

its

may,

influence continues

felt.

Information of this character list

first

a succession of editions

comparison, ascertain to to be

properly

that a given

title ;

work which

still

title, if

was

and unnoticed,

quent records, or maintains

by

it

trite

controversies which follow, the

but a

;

what time

when

may

be derived from a mere

the works are classified in the order of subjects, bearing of great import.

the divisions assume a philosophical

Our

which

utility

tions

aware

are

readers

that, independently of the

from a methodical arrangement,

arises

pertain to metaphysics.

Aristotle,

Bacon,

immediate classifica

D Alembert,

Daunou, Ampere, have made classification the object of their yet there is no bibliographer who is not required highest efforts ;

wake, and to impart to the frame-work of a bib liography the philosophical character which these great thinkers Aldus Librl graci impressi may be considered failed to perfect. to follow in their

a

mere

printer his

catalogue, intended solely to invite the public to

s

books

purchase forth, and which

;

yet, in the primitive classification

it

sets

composed of only five sections (Grammatica, Poetica, Logica, Philosophia, Sacra Scriptura)^ we see an evidence is

of the necessity which forces a liographer to go beyond

itself

upon every enlightened bib

mere enumeration or index.

The

Pandectarum of Conrad Gesner, and the Tableaux of Christofle de Savigny, which may have served as a model for Bacon s divisions,

show

that Bibliography requires of

thing more than perseverance and

attention.

its

votaries

Even when

some these

Introduction.

which the bibliographer can bring

are the only faculties

to bear

to ascertain frequently interrogated

upon the science, he is was the originator of an

idea, the discoverer of a fact,

who

or the

inventor of a system, History, Literature, Science or because his compilation gives an Philosophy ; and this simply How many with accuracy. a book describes or date exact either in

have been shown to be erroneous by a single popular traditions 5 reference to catalogues of this description !

Bibliography as an indispensable means to explore the sources of literature and of the historical leads conscientious sciences, or as the competent guide which

But whether we

critics to the

discuss,

it is

extended.

consider

knowledge of the subjects they are evident that

There

is

its

sphere of usefulness

called

upon

may be

to

greatly

no reason why the bibliographer should

limit his efforts to a faithful transcription of titles,

coupled with

He may, without trespassing upon the prov of ince Belles-Lettres, give the history of the book, enumerate its its contents, ascertain precise place in the chronology of minute collations.

literature, state the references

which mark

its

influence in the

the opinions expressed by preparation of other works, quote competent critics, divulge its author or editor when published

anonymously, and, if it be devoid of imprint, discover the date at which, and the place where, it was printed, and by what

He must, furthermore, describe the typographical pecu of the book, the changes they inaugurate, and their Nor should he bearing upon the history of the art of printing. neglect to group around each title the data which may enable

printer.

liarities

6

"Quand on saura que le Don

biblio-

Paris,

Introduction.

1

degree than any example in our power to give.

we

could

cite, or description

which

it is

Whatever may be the natural impartiality of an author s mind, his works must always bear the impress of the circumstances which surround him, and of

his times.

It is

necessary, there

as well as that of his epoch, fore, to study his personal history and of the social center in which he lived, that we may form a

correct estimate of the credence to fact,

views

his

is

entitled.

In

modified by such external influences

may have been

and no historian will

to appreciate the facilities offered

fail

;

him

who

groups around each title references to the works in which information in regard to these illustrative

by the bibliographer all

which he

we know of no better means to ascertain to what extent

subjects

may

the Scriptures vitarum

Bunau catalogue of researches

comes under

How thankful have we not

be found.

to

the

felt for

eruditorum particulares in the celebrated

Nor

!

often

should the bibliographer limit this class of the author of each work which

life

He must

his notice.

also contribute towards elu

characters cidating the history of the principal

who

figure in the

books, by adding such authorities as may have escaped the notice of the writer himself, or as may have come to light subsequently to the publication of his work.

The

requisites

more onerous and

which we have already mentioned are much difficult to fulfill

are inclined to believe 15?

;

yet, they

than the majority of readers

by no means constitute the

whole task which devolves upon the bibliographer. Every demands which must be special bibliography special requisites,

Our own province is only to adequate to its particular object. state those which pertain to a bibliography of works relating to

antiquary,

When the twenty-five titles, illusof his bibliographical attainments, were put into the hands of a competent librarian for examination, it was discovered that they contained almost every possible error which can be committed in

how

cataloguing

149 See in the Edinburgh Re-view for October, 1850, a curious account of the mishaps experienced during the discussions, of the British Museum Commis-

sion,

by a well-known English scholar and who had attempted to show the Museum catalogue should be

made.

trative

"

books."

Introduction.

America.

Now,

and

ical

historical,

assume

fore,

a Bibliotbeca Americana

to

an

essentially geograph

the

extent

full

of

its

to the study of

it

must, there

compass the geography and history. original

consist in a critical survey of certain documents, and in

connect certain data in view of an ultimate conclu

effort to

The main

sion.

is

and whoever would compose

obligations which pertain

These

li

difference

between history and bibliography,

this respect, is that the latter is limited to printed

whilst the data

But

teristics.

it

in

documents,

furnishes refer chiefly to their external charac

this does not

rapher must be confined

imply that the labors of the bibliog and

to a correct statement of the title

of a book, or to tables exhibiting the chronology of its various editions and translations. think that after these size

We

have been

fulfilled, the bibliographer must show of these editions present differences, and trace to their original sources the changes introduced. Years some times elapse between successive editions of the same work.

requisites

wherein the

texts

Meanwhile, new documents are published, exhibiting a discovery

made

or a progress accomplished.

developments, the author, in a

By

when he possessed no

to ascertain the truth of his statements.

We

hold

the duty of bibliographers not only, as it were, to label such alterations, but to mark the sources from which the

that all

means

new

later edition, modifies the opinions

or corrects the errors set forth at a time better

the light of these

it

is

motive which prompted the author in each instance was derived. Withal, we must not be understood to advocate the insertion of elaborate essays in connection with every in

any bibliography whatsoever.

mount

book described or

cited

This course would be tanta

to blending Bibliography and Literary History together.

We only advocate the addition

of succinct indications of a most

trustworthy and suggestive character, paving the way for ulterior researches, which the bibliographer may be supposed to have

which he only gives what is called in In fine, the bibliogchapter and verse."

instituted himself, but of

common

parlance

"the

Introduction.

Hi

s whole duty will be done, as we conceive it, only when he has presented the synthetic historian with the means of con comparing and weighing the authorities which he needs

rapher

trolling,

to consult,

that

we

as

well as with the fullest possible

Within

list

of those

be seen, therefore, a relation to the historian not assign to bibliographers

authorities.

certain limits,

it

will

unlike that which exists at the British bar between the attorney

who

prepares the brief and the barrister

Each has

a

most serious and important task

will the honest historian hesitate to

own

who

labor are necessarily

more

admit that

pleads the case. to

if

perform

;

nor

the results of his

splendid than the modest efforts

who precedes him and prepares his way, the duties of the bibliographer may probably enlist scientific faculties of a left often high order, and strenuous exertions which, although

of the student

unrewarded, are deserving of praise and recompense.

We

are

aware that the present work by no means

well

presents a perfect

illustration

of the bibliographical

principles

But we cannot honestly take upon ourselves the whole responsibility of this untoward fact. In the preparation of such an elaborate bibliography, the great con

which we have endeavored

dition precedent

is

a free,

to set forth.

untrammeled, and repeated access to

the books which the bibliographer intends to describe.

He

should

examine them, not one by one, but all together, reference frequently, and with a large collection of works of These facilities it has been denied to us to com at his elbow. be

at liberty to

We

have, indeed, enjoyed the freedom of one admirable library, but this did not contain all the books needed to establish Other collections, in which these sup necessary comparisons.

mand.

plementary books could be found, were located, some of them in distant cities, whilst others, existing within a stone s throw of our study, belonged to bibliophiles who hesitated to extend to us the facilities required by the nature of our task, although they

Introduction.

liii

number of valuable books, which had been actually removed from the shelves for our special

often enabled us to examine a

But whilst

inspection.

this

was

acknowledgment, every reader ical

researches

knows

full

a

great

advantage, meriting with bibliograph

at all familiar

well that unless the inquirer

is

gifted

Mezzomemory fanti, it is impossible for him to commence his investigations with a competent knowledge of all the works which are to come within the range of his researches. Book openeth book," with the erudition of a Mabillon and the

of a

"

says Dibdin; and this wise saying

graphical and

is

still

more

true of biblio

inquiries than of any other class of an indefinite number of useful suggestions is investigations, as the first result of untrammeled access to the alcoves of every historical

opulent library. Nor is this all. However careful in his collations a conscientious bibliographer may be ; however numerous and detailed may be the memoranda which he never fails to make,

he

is

be beset with excruciating doubts to achieve his task at a distance from the

nevertheless sure

when he

sits

down

books which he notes and

manner,

is

memory.

to

to

describe with

These notes

no other help than

his

are taken too often in a hasty

for fear of exhausting the patience of the unconfiding

proprietor,

who

frequently considers and treats the student as a

purloiner in disguise,

an intruder or a parasite.

Hurrying back

to his solitary cell, the painstaking bibliographer peruses the notes

so onerously obtained.

As he

dwells upon his

memoranda

at leis

ure, innumerable new ideas and suggestions arise out of them ; but these new ideas and suggestions remain sterile because they

need to be controlled and fructified by fresh references to works examined for a different purpose, and long before the germination of these tardy but welcome notions. So far as we, ourselves, we feel constrained to state that could we have

are concerned,

spent no

more than four days

certain libraries, even with

in the undisturbed

our hands manacled,

examination of it

would have

saved us fully six months of most arduous researches.

Introduction.

liv

As

to the

works of reference which we had

to consult,

we

over the country, not a few, for exam found them scattered ple, being discovered by us in the dusty garret of a dilapidated all

church, where

we .were

so unfortunate as to pore over

the thermometer stood below zero.

Others,

them when

less accessible still,

we

heard of as lying snugly coffined in comfortable bookcases, never to be disturbed by mortal eye. goodly number were picked up and purchased at book-stalls, while many more could

A

be consulted only bridge,

where

New York

at the price

of journeys to Boston or

librarians dispense to students a hospitality

has yet to emulate.

We

Cam which

enter into these details,

not for the purpose of working upon the sympathies of the reader, but simply to explain the shortcomings which he will not fail to note in this, our first and last attempt in American Bibliography. H. H.

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS, May i$tA, 1866.

Bifcltort)eca

Americana

etu0ttsstma*

Btftltotfjecaam

TURY. COLUMBUS (CHRISTOPHER)-(L IHptftola

i.