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WWW. DAVID IRVING, LL.D. Edinburgh.

*A. L. THOMAS YOUNG, M.D. F.R.S. Secretary to the Board of Longitude, and Corresponding Member of the Royal Institute of France.

* The figures in brackets in the first column of the Table of Contents are the same as those in the second column of the Table of Contents. The figures in the first column of the Table of Contents are the same as those in the second column of the Table of Contents.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA forms a General Dictionary, not only of Arts and Sciences, but of every branch of Human Knowledge. It was the first work of this class which aspired to embrace all the departments of Learning, and it was also the first which gave the example of a connected and coherent method of treating the Sciences. In its plan, it has received the decided approbation of most of those who have turned their attention to the subject; and as the work has now gone through Five extensive editions, it cannot be doubted, that, both in arrangement and execution, it has met the general approbation of the public.

As there is no material difference in the text of the two last editions, the present work is thus rendered equally applicable to both. It was undertaken with the view of supplying omissions,—of remedying the defects of imperfect execution,—and of exhibiting the Arts and Sciences in their latest state of improvement. It will also afford an opportunity of continuing the leading Historical articles to the present time,—of adapting the Geographical and Statistical information to the altered state of the world;—and, in short, of reviewing and augmenting every department of knowledge embraced by the Encyclopædia.

The utility of such a work must appear abundantly obvious. By means of it, the Encyclopædia Britannica will be rendered more complete as a Book of Reference, and raised to a level with the improved knowledge and spirit of the age. Though more immediately connected with the two last editions, it must also prove a valuable sequel to the Third; and indeed the nature of the work is such, as to extend its utility to a much wider circle; as it will of itself afford a comprehensive view of the progress and present state of all the more interesting departments of Human Knowledge.

This SUPPLEMENT will extend to Five Volumes. In the General Preface, to be given on its completion, the Editor will explain, at some length, the views by which he has been guided, in the arduous task of selecting and adjusting its Articles and Treatises; and he hopes, with some confidence, to be able to show, that to have confined the Work within narrower limits, would have materially interfered with every useful object proposed by its publication. In the meantime he may observe, that the same number of Supplementary Volumes was thought necessary to complete the French Encyclopédie,—a work planned, conducted, and written by the most eminent authors of the country which produced it.

The Dissertation prefixed to this Half-Volume forms the first of a series of similar Discourses, with one of which each Volume of the Work will commence; and whose object is, to exhibit a rapid view of the progress made since the Revival of Letters, first, in those branches of knowledge which relate to MIND, and next, in those which relate to MATTER. In so far as regards the Philosophy of Mind, and its kindred branches, this historical sketch is brought down, in the present Dissertation, to the beginning of the last century; and the inquiry will be concluded in another Dissertation, to be prefixed to the Third Volume. The Second Volume will commence with a similar view of the progress of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences, during the same period, by PROFESSOR PLAYFAIR; who will in like manner conclude the history of these sciences in another Discourse, to be given with the Fourth Volume. This series will be closed by a Dissertation on the History of Chemical Discovery, and Chemical Theory, by MR WILLIAM THOMAS BRANDE, to be prefixed to the Last Volume.

Of the particular merits of that portion of this historical survey with which the present Volume is enriched, this is not the place to speak; but of these Discourses generally, the Editor may here be permitted to observe, that they form a novel feature in the Encyclopædias of this Country; and, that every Encyclopædia must be in so far incomplete, which does not furnish a connected view of the Progress of the Sciences, as well as the details of their Present State.

The Editor has much pleasure in enumerating the names of those who have engaged to honour the Work with their co-operation :