The ensuing pages would never have seen the light, but that, on shewing them in MS. to a neighbouring friend–who lives just across the moor–he was pleased to express a very favourable opinion of their probable good tendency, if given to the world; adding, that a few notes, which he would cheerfully supply, might perhaps help to promote the object in view. As I knew him to be well versed in the arcana both of black-letter and of modern publications, and most regular in his annual visits to the Metropolis, I thankfully accepted his offer. I hope therefore that the text and notes together may prove acceptable to the kind-hearted reader, who cannot but sympathize with their author in the present melancholy prevalence of the disease of Bibliophobia; which is altogether new in its characteristics, and ominous of the most direful results.