Preface.

NOTWITHSTANDING the playful vein of

ironical satire that characterizes the ensuing pages, I think it expedient to acquaint my readers that the information they contain is not the mere result of a few months enquiry, but owes its foundation to many years research into, and connexion with, the Mysteries of Chalcographian and other Manias.

From the nature of this work, it may very naturally be inferred, that I have been a constant attendant at print, and book sales, and

am perfectly well versed in all the intricacies

of Collecting, than which nothing is more 'certain, as I am not only personally known to the living tribe of Chalcographians, but was very closely connected with all the most celebrated personages that have figured in the Drama of Collecting, but who have now paid the last. debt of nature, leaving the produce of their labours to the British Museum, or consigning them to the fate of the Hammer.

As secrecy is the main object, which I am desirous to accomplish, in offering this volume to the public, I must confess I have not only found it very difficult to select a channel applicable to my purpose, but was equally perplexed in adopting a style of writing that

was likely to veil me in obscurity.

This

work, trifling as it may appear, was written over two successive times prior to its being

decked in the present costume, but for very cogent reasons, I thought it most advisable to cancel such manuscripts, in order to produce the present ebullition of my fancy, which may thus stand a chance of being palmed upon some poetaster of the day, leaving me in the full enjoyment of that enviable pleasure which results from mingling unsuspected with the numerous conjecturers that will hazard their opinions in consequence of the present publication.

As the shaft of ridicule is divested of its poignant sting, when hazarded at the expence

of sterling truth, I deem it most essentially necessary to assure the public, that upon the score of veracity my several statements are so strictly in unison with absolute matter of fact, that I would most willingly subject the reputation of my work on this head, to the decision of any unbiassed individual long acquainted with Gentlemen Collectors and the Printselling Trade; being thoroughly convinced that such fiat would prove in accordance with the several

assertions herein contained.

It is almost superfluous to remark, that in a work like the present (to use a metaphoric mode of expression) the shoe will very frequently pinch the wearer; a species of infliction which nothing but the most urgent neces

sity could have prompted me to adopt; but, when a disease is found next to irremediable, the administration of lenient prescriptions is not likely to effect a radical cure, as in such cases it is absolutely necessary that the instrument should probe in order to cleanse the gangrened wound; wherefore, like an experienced operator, I have felt the urgent necessity of administering caustic to the afflicted part.

Being by nature a very quiet inoffensive man, I should act with injustice to myself were I not thus publicly to assure the community at large, that I harbour no animosity whatsoever towards any particular individual thus blazoned on my page; and with this assurance, I shall now close my laconic Preface, quoting the ener