British Topography, and the
catalogue forms a convenient handbook.[21]

The Catalogue of the Patent Office Library is by no means a model, but the
second volume forms a good book of reference.[22] Many other catalogues
might be mentioned, but these will be sufficient for our present purpose.
There is great want of a good Handbook of Literature, with the prices of
the different books. Until this want is supplied good booksellers'
catalogues will be found the most trustworthy guides. Pre-eminent among
these are the catalogues of Mr. Quaritch, and the "Catalogue of upwards
of fifty thousand volumes of ancient and modern books," published by
Messrs. Willis and Sotheran in 1862. Mr. Quaritch's catalogues are
classified with an index of subjects and authors.[23] A previous General
Catalogue was issued in 1874, and a Supplement 1875-77 (pp. iv. 1672). Now
Mr. Quaritch is issuing in sections a new Catalogue on a still larger
scale, which is of the greatest value.

For the study of early printed books, Hain,[24] Panzer,[25] and
Maittaire's[26] books are indispensable.

For general literature Brunet's Manual[27] stands pre-eminent in its
popularity. It has held its own since 1810, when it was first published in
three volumes, demy octavo. Graesse's Tresor[28] is less known out of
Germany, but it also is a work of very great value. Ebert's work[29] is
somewhat out of date now, but it still has its use. Watt's Bibliotheca[30]
is one of the most valuable bibliographies ever published, chiefly on
account of the index of subjects which gives information that cannot be
found elsewhere. The titles were largely taken from second-hand sources,
and are in many instances marred by misprints. Every one who uses it must
wish that it was brought down to date, but it is scarcely likely that any
one will sacrifice a life to such labour as would be necessary. Moreover,
the popular feeling is somewhat adverse to universal bibliographies, and
it is thought that the literature of his own country is sufficiently large
a subject for the bibliographer to devote his time to.

English literature has not been neglected by English bibliographers,
although a full bibliography of our authors is still a crying want.
Complete lists of the works of some of our greatest authors have still to
be made, and it is to be hoped that all those who have the cause of
bibliography at heart will join to remedy the great evil. It would be
quite possible to compile a real