Arabic Dictionary: AN ARABIC-ENGLISH AND ENGLISH-ARABIC DICTIONARY, by JOSEPH CATAFAGO, of Aleppo, Syria, 2 vols. in 1, sm. 8vo. vi and 1096 pp. double columns, much matter compressed into a small space, all the Arabic words with the pronunciation in Roman letters, £2. 1873 The work comprises nearly 1100 pp., compressed into a portable volume, and representing the only Arabic-English and English-Arabic Dictionary now in existence. "On the whole the work is a most acceptable contribution to Oriental literature; and the English and Arabic part especially will be an invaluable aid to travellers in the East, and to all Englishmen who have occasion to study Arabic."—Athenæum, Jan. 29, '59. Arabic Grammar, new edition : FARIS Ash-Shidydq's PRACTICAL GRAMMAR OF THE ARABIC LANGUAGE, with Interlineal Reading Lessons, Dialogues and Vocabulary. Third Edition revised from the Second Edition, by the Rev. H. A. Williams, 12mo. pp. ii and 242, cloth, 7s 6d 1883 The best and cheapest method of acquiring the Language spoken in Syria, Egypt, Arabia, and by the Arabs in all parts of the World. "This ingenious little book deserves the favour with which it has been received; for the Author has made a bold attempt to simplify that very complex subject, Arabic Grammar. The book is strong in Dialogues, to which forty-four pages are given. This is the part of the book which has found favour with the public; and the Syrian author is here quite at home. The Dialogues are decidedly good, consisting simply of colloquial sentences on various subjects, to be learnt by heart, and used as needed. Faris Ash-Shidyâq ends his book with a vocabulary containing about 3000 very common, and therefore very useful, words. We can certainly say of Fâris that his book is good, as far as it goes."—Allen's Indian Mail. Badger's (G. P.) in which the equivalents for English words and sentences are rendered into This is the counterpart to Lane's great Arabic-English Lexicon. ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY.-Monday, Nov. 19, 1883. 1881 Sir BARTLE FRERE in the chair.-Mr. Habib A. Salmone read a paper on "The Importance to Great Britain of the Study of Arabic." After calling attention to the fact that the study of Arabic was greatly neglected in England as compared with what was done abroad (the Roman Propaganda maintaining a constant succession of pupils in various Eastern languages, Russia having its college for the same purpose at Kazan, Austria its college at Vienna, and France its "Ecole pour les Langues orientales vivantes "), he showed that the Queen of England sways over a far greater number of Mussulmans (whose rule of faith and code of laws is the Koran) than any other potentate. He then remarked that, when in the East, he had always noticed how much it pleased the natives to be addressed by a European in their own language-the inference being that a British official so qualified would more readily obtain important information, and would more favourably impress the people than one unacquainted with their vernacular. A knowledge of Arabic, he thought, would have more weight with Orientals than that of French or Italian with Frenchmen or Italians. Again, after a military success had been obtained by military skill, a knowledge by the conquerors of the language of the conquered would tend to lubricate, so to speak, much of the friction which hostilities would naturally have engendered. Surely the readiest method of conciliating national prejudices is to secure the free communication of a common language between the ruler and the ruled. It seems, therefore, astonishing that England, with her vast and complex interests in the East, should be the last, instead of the first, to supply instruction in Arabic in her civil, military, and naval institutions. It ought never to be forgotten that Western learning owes much to the zeal of the mediæval Arabs, who collected and translated the works of eminent Greek authors, from Aristotle to Apollonius; and, further, as Dr. Badger has observed, that many modern Oriental languages, such as Persian, Turkish, and Hindustani, are permeated by Arabic. In conclusion, Mr. Salmone remarked that a truth may be generally known without meeting with the consideration it deserves; and that, though the facts adduced regarding the importance of the study of Arabic are extensively known in this country, it is still desirable that such a recognition of admitted facts be obtained as may be st lead to practical results. If (said Mr. Salmone) French is accepted as the general language of Europe, Arabic is entitled to be called "the French of the East." Architecture: GOODWIN'S DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE, a series of Designs for Mansions, Villas, Parsonage-Houses, Park-Gate Lodges, Cottages, and other Residences in the Grecian, Italian, and Old English styles of Architecture, with specifications and accurate estimates to each Design, with 12 supplementary plans of Labourers' Cottages, 3rd edition, 2 vols. 1850 roy. 4to. 96 plates, cloth, £1. 1s the same, 2 vols. 4to. with the plates coloured (pub. £8. 88), hf. Roxburghe, £2. 28 1850 The late Mr. Goodwin established a deservedly high reputation for the elegance of his designs, which are familiar to those who have travelled through the Midland Counties and Ireland. Lissadell Court, the details of which are included in the volumes, was built by him. TAYLOR (G. L. Architect) AUTO-BIOGRAPHY of an octogenarian ARCHITECT; being a record of his studies on the Cathedrals of England, France and Italy; the Temples of Rome, Greece, and Sicily, 2 vols. large 4to. with above 200 plates, cloth; a rare work, issued for Subscribers only, £2. 168 1870-72 Very rare; only 150 copies were produced. The Author is best known, in conjunction with another Architect, by the celebrated book :-Taylor and Cresy's Architectural Antiquities of Rome, 2 vols. folio, 1821. Ars Moriendi: FACSIMILE EDITION OF THE BLOCK BOOK. THE ARS MORIENDI (editio princeps, circa 1450), a reproduction of the copy in the British Museum, edited by W. H. Rylands; with an introduction by G. BULLEN, Keeper of the Printed Books in the British Museum, 4to., 24 artistically reproduced facsimiles, eleven of them exquisite full-page designs, of the original Block Book, by F. C. Price (pub. at £1. 11s 6d), cloth, 24s Holbein Society, 1881 "This Block Book consists of twelve separate sheets of two leaves each, printed on the inner side only, so that the recto of folios 1, 3, 5, etc., and the verso of folios 2, 4, 6, etc., are left blank, and folios 2 and 3, 4 and 5, etc., could be pasted together to form respectively a single leaf. The impression was taken in pale brown ink, by rubbing. There are eleven illustrations, each occupying a whole page, on the verso of folios 3, 5, 7, etc.; the explanatory letterpress being given on the recto of folios 4, 6, 8, etc. Folio 1 verso and 2 recto contain the introduction, in 30 and 29 lines respectively. Every leaf is surrounded by a border of 3 lines, of which the top and right sides are shaded on folios 1-13, 15, 17, 19-23, the bottom and left on folios 14, 16, 18, and the top and left on folio 24. Without title-page or pagination. Folio 13 verso has in the corner the sign 7. which is the only signature occurring in the book. On folios 14, 16, 18, 24 (text) the letter u is always written u. This edition is believed by Weigel and others to be the first edition of this often-repeated work, by reason of the beauty and originality of the designs, and the sharpness of outline, which proves the impression to be an early one." The above is a reproduction of Block this Book, executed in facsimile with the pen, by Mr. F. C. Price, and transferred to the stones, from which it has been printed. As a specimen of facsimile art it is a perfect marvel, and shows at once the superiority of this kind of reproduction to the photographic process; as any one may see by comparing it with the photographic reproduction of the present work, published by Weigel himself in 1869. Among the treasures acquired by the British Museum at the Weigel Sale, at Leipsic, in 1872, by far the most important was this celebrated copy of the "Ars Moriendi," a Block Book executed in the best style of art prevalent at the time of its production, perfect as to the number of its leaves, and in a marvellous state of preservation. For this remarkable production the trustees paid the sum of £1072. 10s, exclusive of commission, being the highest price ever paid by them for any single xylographic or printed work. Armorial China: No work has yet appeared giving in colour an illustrated account of the specimens of Armorial China which still remain in the possession of many of the Nobility and Gentry of this Country. It has been suggested that a work containing coloured Facsimiles of some of the finest examples, would be of interest to many. Several of these have already been placed at my disposal by Miss ffarington, G. Leveson Gower, Esq., F.S.A., A. W. Franks, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., and J. J. Howard, Esq., LL.D., F.S.A. The first series will consist of six parts, containing Four Plates each, with a short description of each example. The number of copies will be strictly limited to one hundred and ten, one hundred only of which will be for sale, at 68 per part. The work will be numbered and registered. Subscribers' names received by BERNARD QUARITCH. Arundel Society: A COMPLETE SET OF THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE ARUNDEL SOCIETY, consisting chiefly of chromolithographs and engravings of Italian Fresco Paintings of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, as issued to the FIRST ANNUAL SUBSCRIBERS since the beginning in 1849 down to and including 1881, consisting of 79 beautiful chromolithographs, 76 steel, copper, and wood engravings, and 13 vols. of critical and biographical text, the plates enclosed in a strong portfolio, £63. 1849-81 This series of "First" Publications includes many fine plates now very scarce, such as: "View of the interior of the Arena Chapel," after GIOTTO; " Virgin and Child," after OTTAV. NELLI; "St. Catherine borne by Angels to the Tomb," after LUINI ; "Ecstasy of St. Catherine," after BAZZI; "The Adoration of the Lamb," with the side panels of the same subject, after the Brothers VAN EYCK; "The Crucifixion," after PERUGINO, 3 very large plates, forming one; "The Death of St. Francis" and "The Last Supper," after GHIRLANDAIO; The "Adoration," "Nativity," "Presentation," etc. by MEMLING, from the triptych at Bruges, etc. etc. ASTLE ON WRITING: The ORIGIN and PROGRESS of WRITING, as well 1876 edition, Plates 1 to 218, 220 to 223, 226 to 248, 251 to 260, 262, 264 to 268, 270 to 272, 274 to 287, 289 to 292, 294 to 296, 299 and 300;-in all 287 magnificent plates, all finely coloured, £80. The above comprises nearly three-quarters of the entire work. 1827, etc. Barrett's the Magus, or Celestial Intelligencer; being a complete system of Occult Philosophy; in three Books: containing the Ancient and Modern Practice of the Cabalistic Art, Natural and Celestial Magic, &c.; showing the wonderful Effects that may be performed by a Knowledge of the Celestial Influences, the occult Properties of Metals, Herbs and Stones, and the application of Active to Passive Principles. Exhibiting the Sciences of Natural Magic; Alchymy, or Hermetic Philosophy; also the Nature, Creation, and Fall of Man; his natural and supernatural Gifts; the magical Power inherent in the Soul, &c. with a great variety of rare Experiments in Natural Magic: the Constellatory Practice, or Talismanic Magic; the Nature of the Elements, Stars, Planets, &c. ; the Construction and Composition of all Sorts of Magic Seals, Images, Rings, Glasses, &c.; the Virtue and Efficacy of Numbers, Characters, and Figures, of goodand evil Spirits; all kinds of Cabalistic Figures, Tables, Seals, and Names, with their Use, &c. The Times, Bonds, Offices, and Conjuration of Spirits. To which is added Biographia Antiqua, or the Lives of the most eminent Philosophers, Magi, &c. By Francis Barrett, F.R.C., Professor of Chemistry, Natural and Occult Philosophy, the Cabala, &c. &c. 4to. with 23 curious engravings, comprising coloured portraits of Apollyon, Belial, Ophis, Antichrist, Asmodeus, Astaroth, Abaddon, and other diabolical Spirits, magical and cabalistical figures, &c. hf. morocco, Roxburghe style, gilt top, £1.5s 1801 An absolutely necessary book for all who believe or think they believe in a communication between the spiritual and material worlds. "In the eighteenth century books of magic are few and unimportant, and we have probably said enough to give an idea of their contents in the preceding period, which changed little, and to be able to pass on to a very notable contribution to the literature of the subject, which appeared in the first year of the nineteenth century. This was The Magus or Celestial Intelligencer,' by Francis Barret (London, 1801). Written in the true spirit and style of the magician, it is a resumé of all that has preceded it in the occult sciences. It is curious to see in comparatively modern type, all the old familiar signs and phrases, for none are wanting. It gives the system of alchemy, with its array of chemical and metallurgical terms, of astrology and cabalistic magic, and even of magnetism, which was then in its infancy and still partook of the miraculous. The work is illustrated with plates giving various formulæ, and with coloured portraits of fallen angels, such as Apollyon and Belial, evil spirits such as Ophis, Antichrist, Ashtaroth, Abaddon and Mammon, all of whom were conjured by witches. It is a monument to the ingenuity of mankind in building up a science to suit the desire after foresight which is inherent in it. If any one were seized with a wish to make himself acquainted with the whole study (for the occult sciences are not acquired without much labour), no better work could be recommended to him. The book ranges over a wide field: it shows that natural magic is Divine character, it teaches the power of talismans, and the way and the times in which they are to be used, showing that the spirit of a human being is the real agent in imparting virtue to an inanimate object. "It describes all the instruments used by the old magicians, and sets forth the power of numbers when arranged mathematically. It illustrates the mysteries of the Cabala, by which a man may be a recipient of Divine light and knowledge and be able to heal diseases. "At the end there is a 'Magical Biography,' which gives, in an exaggerated form the lives of a few celebrated philosophers. This, we believe, is the last work of its kind."-The Bibliographer, March, 1884. Bartsch (C.) le Peintre-graveur, 21 vols. in 11, 8vo. the early volumes reprinted at Leipzig, with numerous plates, with the text and the oblong 4to. Atlas of 16 EXTRA PLATES, half morocco, top edges gilt, £12. 12s Vienna and Leipsic, 1803-21-54 This is the best Hand-book for Print-collectors. Copies are getting scarce. The oblong 4to. Atlas of 16 extra plates, separately, 10s WEIGEL (R.) Suppléments au Peinture-graveur, Tome I: Peintres et Dessinateurs Néerlandais, sm. 8vo. sd. 78 6d Leipzig, 1843 Beechey's (Capt. F. W.) Zoology of his Voyage TO THE PACIFIC: MAMMALIA, edited by Dr. RICHARDSON; ORNI- 1839 Bhagavad-Gita (The); or a Discourse between Krishna and Arjuna on Divine Matter, a Sanskrit philosophical poem, translated with notes, and an introduction on Sanskrit Philosophy, by J. Cockburn Thomson, square small 8vo. original unabridged edition, pp. cxix and 155, cloth, 6s 6d Hertford, 1855 The Bhagavad Gita, which was written probably some time before the birth of Christ, and was inserted in the great epic poem Mahabharata, is not only a poem but also the greatest philosophical work which India has produced. It belongs to the Sankhya system-the most important of Hindu schools of philosophy-and is Pantheistic in its character. When we consider that the busy intellect of mankind has been engaged upon metaphysical inquiries for thousands of years, and that no advance has been made in real discovery, the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita is as valuable now as it ever has been, and offers a study as attractive as any other which exists for the student of the History of Religions. The introduction by Mr. Thomson, which gives with admirable condensation an analysis of the doctrines of all the Hindu systems of Philosophy, has long been acknowledged to be a masterpiece. Binns (R.W.) Century of Pottery in the City of Worcester, being the History of the Royal Porcelain Works, from 17511851; to which is added a short account of the Celtic, Roman and Mediæval Pottery of Worcestershire; SECOND EDITION, with 109 plates and woodcuts, hf. morocco, £2. 12s 6d 1877 the same, 4to. LARGE PAPER, with 12 extra photographic plates, only 12 copies printed for sale, £7. 78 1877 |