PROPOSALS FOR A BIBLIOGRAPHY
OF
NATIONAL HISTORY.
A Paper read at the Plymouth Meeting of the Library
Association, 1885.
BY *. i
HENRY R. TEDDER, F.S.A.
sibrarian of the Atbeitaum.
LONDON :
J. DAvy & SONS, DRYDEN PRESS, 137, LONG ACRE.
I886.










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PROPOSALS FOR A BIBLIOGRAPHY
OF
NATIONAL HISTORY.
A Paper read at the Plymouth Meeting of the Library
Association, 1885.
BY
HENRY R. TEDDER, F.S.A.
Žibrarian of the Athenæum.
LONDON :
J. DAVY & SONS, DRYDEN PRESS, 137, LONG ACRE.
I886.


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&
!
:-
ſ:
DRYDEN PRESS :
J. DAVY AND SONS, 137, LONG ACRE, LONDON, W.C.








PROPOSALS FOR A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF NATIONAL HISTORY.1
By HENRY R. TEDDER, Librarian of the Athenaeum.
O European State can point to a continuous history of such varied dignity as
| that of the United Kingdom, and few countries are able to show an historical
literature at once so extensive and so important. From the Saxon Chronicle
and Domesday down to the publications now being issued by the Master
of the Rolls, we possess an almost unrivalled series of national documents, and we may
well be proud of our national historians from Baeda to Stubbs. Voluminous as this
literature has now become, it remains unanalysed and unarranged. The student has
to be his own bibliographer, and grope his way through unclassified catalogues. In
this respect we are still in arrear of almost every other civilized country. Foreign
scholars like Meusel, Lenglet du Fresnoy, Ersch and Oettinger have industriously
applied themselves to the entire range of historical study in a more or less complete
manner. We possess only the much less comprehensive works of Wheare, Prideaux
and Hearne in the same department. We have nothing like the valuable treatises
of Potthast and Chevalier for the history of the middle ages, like the works of Dahlmann
for German history, and Lelong and Franklin for that of France. Even Portugal has
produced at least three good historical bibliographies within the last forty years. It is
a slur upon English bibliography and upon English historical research that “our island
story” told in so many ways, and by so many writers, should be yet without an adequate
record of its literature. No more fitting body than this Association, representing as it
does every library of importance in the kingdom, could be found to discuss the subject,
and I will, therefore, proceed to place before you,
1st. A brief review of the general treatises on historical bibliography.
2nd. A sketch of the chief special bibliographies of the history of other countries.
3rd. A somewhat more detailed account of the various attempts made for our own
historical literature. - -
4th and lastly. My own proposals.
I. THE GENERAL TREATISES.
It is beyond my purpose to give a complete view of all the general bibliographies
of history, but it will be convenient to call attention to the most characteristic of them.
* Read at the Plymouth Meeting of the Association, 1885,


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Foremost comes the Bibliotheca Historica of B. G. Struve. The book was first published
in 1705. It ran through many editions, was augmented by C. G. Buder in 1756,
and was finally reformed and much increased by J. G. Meusel (Leipzig, 1782-98, 9 vols.
8vo). It is extremely valuable as far as it goes, but complete only as regards ancient
history. Among modern nations we find France and Spain dealt with but not Great
Britain. Next in order of importance comes the well-known work of N. Lenglet du
Fresnoy, Méthode pour étudier Phistoire, avec un catalogue des principaux historiens et des
zemarques sur la bonté de Zeurs ouvrages et sur le choix des meilleures éditions. The best
edition is that edited by Drouet, 1772, 15 vols. Sm. 8vo. Both of these books are
largely made up of literary criticism. To distinguish between the office of the critic
and the bibliographer is a difficult one; I shall venture to submit my views on the
subject later on. - -
An octavo volume by G. W. Zapf, Ziteratur der alten und neuern Geschichte was
published at Lemgo in 1781. The others I have to mention are almost exclusively
of a bibliographical character. Two more Germans furnished classified lists of works
from the middle of the 18th century—during a period of about eighty years: the
Aibliotheca Historico-geographica, 1750-1824, of T. C. F. Enslin (Berlin, 1825) a book-
seller's list of German literature, and the Literatur der Geschichte und deren Hillſ;zvissen-
schafen, 1750-1827, of J. S. Ersch (Leipzig, 1827) treating that of all countries. The
laborious E. M. Oettinger published at Carlsruhe in 1841, an octavo volume which
may still be consulted with fruit—Historisches Archiv: archives historiques contenant tºne
classification chronologique de 17,ooo ouvrages pour servir à l'étude de l'histoire de tous
ſes siècles et de foutes les nations. Of similar scope is the Bibliografta storica, ossia collezione
delle migliori e pill recent; opere di ogmi nazione informo ai principali periodi e personaggi
della storia universale (Milano, 1862, 8vo.) of Prof. G. Branca. A more limited range
is taken in the Repertorio Bibliografico delle opere stampate in Italia mel secolo XIX, of
Gius. Bertocci, in which history occupies the first two volumes (Roma, 1876-80.) Of
considerable usefulness are the two volumes of W. Koner's A&epertorium (Berlin, 1852-6),
indexing all articles on history and the allied sciences which had appeared in every kind
of German and foreign periodicals and transactions of societies from the year 1800 to
1850. A continuation brought down to the present time would be extremely valuable.
. The annual German booksellers’ list, the Bibliotheca Historica, has been regularly issued
for the last thirty-four years. The Jahresherichte der Geschichtswissenschaft is of an
essentially scholarly and critical character. It was started under the auspices of the
Historical Society of Berlin in 1880. The volume for that year dealing with the litera-
ture of 1878 was edited by Drs. F. Abraham, J. Hermann, and Edm. Meyer. The
fifth part (for 1882) has been published. Two well-known treatises on the middle
ages deserve special mention. The first is the Bibliotheca historica medii aevi of A.
Potthast (Berlin 1862-8, 2 pts. 8vo.), which must be daily handled by every librarian
who has to do with readers occupied in learned research. The other is the Répertoire
des sources historiques du moyen àge of C. U. J. Chevalier. When completed, the latter
will be in three parts, one devoted to persons, the second to localities and facts, and
the third to literary works. Only the first (the biographical) portion has yet appeared
(Paris, 1877-83, 8vo). It contains a very lengthy list of names (with the sources where
information about them may be obtained) ranging from the time of the establishment
of Christianity down to the year 1500. H. Oesterley's Wegweiser durch die Literatur
der Urkundensammlungen (Berlin, 1885-6, 2 vols. 8vo.), is a guide for research among
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archives and original documents. Finally we must not forget the various periodicals
specially devoted to history, among which it is sufficient to mention Sybel’s Historische
Zeitschrift, the Archivio Storico Italiano, the Rezſista Storica Italiana, the Rezue
Historique, and the English Historical Review.
We will now consider the general works (original and translated) on the study of
history which have appeared in English from the 17th century. The first we come to
is the famous Zectiones Hiemales of Degory Wheare, first issued in Latin in 1623 and
frequently reprinted. It was translated into English in 1694 under the title of Zhe
method and order of reading both civil and ecclesiastica/histories, in which the most excellent
historians are reduced into the order in which they are successively to be read and the
fudgments of learned men concerning each of them subjoymed: to which is added an appendix
concerning the historians of particular nations, ancient and modern, by Micholas Horseman,
with Mr. Dodwell's invitation to gentlemen to acquaint themselves with ancient /history;
made English and enlarged by Ed. Bohun. J. C. Neu published at Tubingen in 17oo
(and again in 1703, 1704, 1708, &c.) Accessiones ad Deg. Wheari Relectiones //females.
In 1648 Matthias Prideaux wrote An easy and compendious introduction for the reading
of all sorts of histories, of which several editions were published. Prideaux devotes a
considerable section to this country. The next was a translation of Rapin's short
treatise by the voluminous hackwriter, Davies of Kidwelly, Instructions for History,
zeith a character of the most considerable historians, ancient and madern (1680). Two
opinions are worth quoting: “The Germans have vast projects upon their history,
but nothing reduced within the natural order which an exact designe would require,”
(see p. 134); and “We find in most of the Spaniards a spirit of partiality for their
country which renders them very suspicious.” Another translation from the French
was the little volume Of the art both of writing and of judging of history; with reflections
upon ancient as well as modern historians, by Father Ze Moyne; translated (London,
1695). Hearne's Ductor Historicus first came out in 1704. It contains a catalogue of
authorities, among whom the English are not altogether omitted, although treated with
more meagreness than might have been expected from the fame of the writer as an
English antiquary and historian. This was followed by an English version of The
Oniversal Zibrary of Historians (1709) of L. Ellies Dupin. The work of Lenglet du
Fresnoy, already referred to, was translated by Richard Rawlinson, and published at
London (1728-30, 2 vols. 8vo.): A new method of studying history, geography and
chronology, with the whole apparatus necessary to form a £erfect historian, and a catalogue
of the chief historians of all nations. The second volume is wholly occupied with the
“catalogue;” forty pages being devoted to Great Britain. One of the best of the
orthodox answers to Gibbon, Zetters on the prevalence of Christianity, with observations
on a late history of the decline of the Roman Empire, by East Apthorp (London, 1778,
8vo.) contains a useful and well arranged list of civil and ecclesiastical historians.
There is also the Chart of ancient historians, or a delineation of the periods of which they
severally treat, by the Rev. Ch. Taunton (1807). The most recent of these general
works in English is the Manual of historical literature, comprising brief descriptions
of the most important histories in English, French and German, together with practical
suggestions as to methods and courses of historical study (1882), by Charles Kendall Adams,
Professor of History in the University of Michigan. The selection is good, although
perhaps too much space is given to literature of an elementary character. The notes
might also be shortened with advantage, but Prof. Adams has compiled a useful volume.
i.
( 6 )
II. THE HISTORICAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES OF OTHER COUNTRIES."
Before dealing with our own history, let us see what has been done by other
countries. It would be unnecessary waste of time to refer to all the general national
bibliographies and classified catalogues of libraries which have no particular reference
to history; and the innumerable county and provincial bibliographies, like Boase and
Courtney's Bibliotheca Cornubiensis, De Marsy's Bibliographie Moyonnaise, Walther's
Aandbuch für Geschichte und Zandeskunde von Hessen, &c., are not sufficiently restricted
to history to bring them within our plan. Neither is it necessary to chronicle every
foreign historical bibliography, large and small, good, bad and indifferent. We will
merely glance at the more noteworthy of them, for purposes of comparison with
English efforts in the same direction. -
France is the mother country of bibliography, and in this, as in almost every other
department, she stands first and foremost. The first edition of the memorable
Bibliothèque historique de la France, contenant le catalogue de tous les ouvrages qui
traitent de l'histoire de ce royaume, of Father Jacques Lelong, librarian of the Oratory
in Paris, was printed in 1719. This and his Bibliotheca Sacra (both of which have
been vastly improved by later editors) will always keep the name of Lelong green in
the memory of his brethren. A new and greatly enlarged issue of the Bibliothèque
historique was published by Fevret de Fontette in 1768-78, 5 vols. folio. In spite of
errors and omissions this immense work is still the most important of its class. It deals
with ecclesiastical as well as political and social history, and describes MSS., prints,
drawings, portraits, &c., as well as printed books. Here and there are brief but
sufficient descriptive notes. The fifth volume includes excellent indexes. Paul Lacroix
issued a couple of Dissertations sur la Bibliothèque Historique (1838), pointing out
some inaccuracies and pleading for a new edition, and S. Lieutaud a Ziste de portraits
français jusque l'année 1775 (2° 6d. 1847, 8vo.), which should be procured to complete
the original work. The National Library of France is so rich as regards the literature
of the country that the printed Catalogue de l'histoire de France of the Bibliothèque
Nationale goes far to complete Lelong as regards printed sources. The first volume
of this useful catalogue, which is minutely classified, was published in 1855. The
titles of the books are given with commendable fulness and precision. Down to 1879
eleven handsome quartos had appeared. It was then felt that the expense of type was
too great, and two Supplements (vols. 12 and 13) were issued in the same form but
lithographed. Of more limited scope is the Bibliographie générale des Gaules, répertoire
systèmatique et alphabétique des ouvrages, mémoires et notices concernant "histoire, Za
topographie, la religion et le langage de la Gaule jusqu’à la fin du V* siècle (1880, &c.)
of C. E. Ruelle. The titles are in classified order, without notes. The work is still
in progress. Alfred Franklin's Sources de l'histoire de France: notices bibliographiques
et analytiques des inventaires et des recueils de documents relatifs à l'histoire de France
(Paris, 1877, 8vo), is devoted to printed documents and collections, and classified,
with full indexes. The useful Bibliographie historique et topographique de la France
(1845) of A. Girault de Saint-Fargeau, is almost exclusively topographical. The
Société de l’Histoire de France furnishes annually in its Amnuaire-Bulletin a review
of the literature relating to the history of the country. This idea has been further
developed by the Ministry of Public Instruction, which began in 1883 to supply an
elaborate yearly report, entitled Répertoire des travaux historiques contenant /'analyse
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des publications faites en France et d l'étranger sur l'histoire, les monuments, et ſa langue
de la France pendant Pannée 1882 (Paris, 1883, 8vo.), an invaluable help to students
and bibliographers. A distinguished body of French scholars have undertaken the
work, which is to be continued upon a scale of extraordinary completeness. The
same Department is also bringing out in parts a Bibliographie des travaux historiques et
archéologiques publiés far les sociétés savantes de la France (1885, &c.).
Other literatures must be passed over in a very cursory manner. The recent
Geschichte der deutschen Historiographie of Dr. F. X. von Wegele (München, 1885,
8vo.) is a valuable work of criticism. F. C. Dahlmann's Quellemãunde der Zeutschen
Geschichte, of which the fourth edition was edited by G. W. Waitz (Göttingen,
1875, 8vo.), is elaborately classified and indexed, and is full of information.
C. J. Weber's Zitteratur der Deutschen Staatengeschächte, (Leipzig, 1800) contains
a general section as well as one specially devoted to Austria, Bohemia and Bavaria.
Austrian history is also cared for in J. N. de Vogel's Specimen bibliothecae Germaniae
Austriacae (Viennae, 1779-85, 2 vols. 8vo.), and C. Schmit von Tavera's Biblio-
graphie zur Geschichte des 6sferreichischen Kaiserstaates (Wien, 1858, &c.). P. A. F.
Walther's Repertorium (Darmstadt, 1845, 8vo.) describes the publications of German
historical societies, and should be supplemented by a work now being issued in
parts—-Die zwissenschaftlichen Vereine u. Gesellschaffen Deutschlands im 19. /a/irh., von
J. Müller (Berlin, 1885-6, pts. I-9, 4to.) The German provincial bibliographies are
very numerous. Holland is fortunate in the possession of S. de Wind's Bibliotheek der
Mederlandsche Geschiedschryvers (1835) and the Repertorium der Verhandelingen en
Bydragen, befreſfende de Geschiedenis des Waterlands, in Menge/werken en Złjdschriften
fot of 1860 verschenen (Leiden, 1863, 8vo.) by R. Fruin and others. There is also a
book of P. A. Tiele on the pamphlets issued from 1500 to 1672 (Amst. 1858-60,
2 vols. 4to.), one by J. T. Bodel Nijenhuis on topographical engravings (Amst. 1862,
8vo.), and one by J. C. Hooykaas on the Dutch colonial literature from 1595 to 1865
(Amst. 1874, 8vo). For Italian history the Bibliografia dei lavori pubblicati in Germania
sulla storia d’Italia (Berlin, 1863, 8vo.) of A. Reumont must be consulted. Portugal has
the works of J. C. Pinto de Sousa (Lisbon, 1801), J. C. de Figaniere (1850) and M.
Bernardes Branco (1879); and Spain the Diccionario (Madrid, 1855) of T. Muñoz y
Romero. The Bibliotheca historica sueco-gothica of C. G. Warmholtz (Stockholm,
1782-1817, 15 vols. 8vo.) is a useful guide. Swiss history is well provided for in G. E.
von Haller's Bibliothek (Bern, 1785-7), G. R. L. von Sinner's Bibliographie, 1786-1851,
(1851), and E. F. von Muelinen's Prodromus (1874). The catalogues of the Imperial
Library of St. Petersburg and the bibliographical works of Minzloff and Mejoff give
everything that can be desired for Russia. The numerous bibliographies of other
quarters of the globe compiled by Europeans do not call for special attention from our
point of view.
III. THE LITERATURE OF ENGLISH HISTORICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY,
Having thus briefly referred to the chief treatises of foreign writers who have
laboured to arrange the historical literature of their respective countries, I will now
offer a more detailed review of what has already been done for our national history
before submitting any new proposals. As I have said before, it is not necessary
to increase the extensive boundary I have put to my proposals by referring to general

( IO )
“Authorities,” condensed by Mr. J. Bass Mullinger from his larger treatise, as well as
brief articles on Scotland, Ireland and Wales. A lecture by Mr. O. Airy, Books on
English History (Birm. Ref. Lib. Lect.) with lists of books, deserves to be noticed.
The history of the British colonies must not be forgotten. Canada, the Cape and
India have bibliographies whence matter may be gleaned. The Free Public Library
of Sydney published in 1878 a list of works on New South Wales, edited by R. C.
Walker, and there is also G. B. Barton's Ziterature in New South Wales (1866).
Ternaux-Compans, Rich, Sabin, Harrisse, Stevens and others have devoted themselves
to American literature in general ; H. O. Ludewig (1846) and F. B. Perkins (1876)
are authorities for local history of the United States, and T. W. Field (1873) for the
North American Indians. Perhaps the work which most specially refers to our
inquiries is J. Winsor's Reader's Handbook of the American Revolution, 1761-83 (1880).
This does not profess to be a complete account of every attempt to draw up
more or less complete lists of books on English history, but it is believed that nothing
of importance has been omitted. No reference has been made to books like those of
Upcott and Anderson, who treat of topographical literature; or that of Moule, who is
concerned with heraldry, genealogy, and kindred matters.
IV. PROPOSALS FOR A NEW BIBLIOGRAPHY OF NATIONAL HISTORY.
I have now placed before you a short description of the chief general and foreign
special historical bibliographies, as well as a more detailed account of those relating
to English history. We have seen how much has been done by other countries and
how inadequate have been the feeble efforts made by ourselves.
A bibliography of our national history should be drawn up on the most compre-
hensive scale consistent with practical attainment, and should include the history of
England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland from the earliest to recent times. The colonies,
India and foreign possessions would have to be treated from the so-called “imperial”
point of view, so as to avoid a mass of literature purely of local interest. This is
particularly the case with countries which, like Canada and India, possess whole
libraries of books connected with affairs which happened before the British dominion.
In the same way the United States would seldom concern us after the Declaration of
Independence. Having thus roughly defined the area to be covered, I will at once
say that I propose to include not merely a selection of the best works, but all the
books, pamphlets, pieces in collections, and articles in periodicals and transactions of
societies, connected with the subject. To be as complete as the Bibliothèque Historique
of Lelong one should include MSS., prints, portraits and drawings, and the enormously .
increased size of the work by taking this course is the only excuse I have to offer for
their omission. With regard to unprinted authorities, we already possess Sir T. D.
Hardy's invaluable, but unfinished, ZXescriptive catalogue of materials relating to the
history of Great Britain and Ireland: Roman period to A.D. 1327 (1862-71, 4 parts
in 3 vols. 8vo.), and the Reports of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts.
Some day or other we may hope for a new edition of H. Bromley's Catalogue of
Engraved British Portraits (1793). -
To define exactly what is, and what is not history, is exceedingly difficult; but
broadly speaking, the Bibliography should contain everything printed relating to national
and general, as opposed to local or special history. It is impossible to omit the early
history of the law. The various inquisitions grouped under the title of Domesday and

( II )
other ancient records of a more personal character also come within our province.
Social and ecclesiastical history should be included, as well as travels in this country
by natives and foreigners, illustrating social manners and customs. Lives of individuals
of no public importance should be omitted, as well as archaeology, numismatics,
heraldry and genealogy, except when the books on these subjects have a special
bearing upon general affairs. Geography, topography, and the history of literature,
science, and the fine and useful arts, must also be treated with a sparing hand.
In dealing with periods of great political activity like the Civil War, which have
produced an immense cloud of pamphlets, one would have to throw aside those
merely of a controversial and personal bearing. The contributions of foreigners
would be especially sought for, as well as articles in periodicals, transactions, and
collective essays. The work should be systematically and chronologically classified
with complete alphabetical indexes. The titles should invariably be taken from
the books, &c., themselves whenever possible. I am greatly in favour of giving
full titles always, but some latitude must be allowed in order not to extend incon-
veniently the size of the work. I should also like to see mentioned every edition
of a frequently printed book, but in the same way it might be found necessary only
to describe the first and the last or best state of such books. Further completeness
would be attained by indicating the number of pages in books in single volumes. I
am strongly of opinion that the work to be of practical value should be accompanied
with notes. A mere transcript of the title seldom gives an exact idea of the scope
of a book, and when one endeavours to furnish a complete bibliography and not only
a selection of the most meritorious literature, some guide to the investigator appears
to be absolutely necessary. This view is supported by the fact that such information
has been thought desirable by Lelong, Potthast, Mullinger, Flaherty, and many
others in this field. Advice as to editions, editors, and points of bibliographical
obscurity should be supplied, and to this I would add now and then estimates of a
critical nature. All these observations would be very brief and restricted to matters
not of ordinary knowledge. Commonplaces on well-known books and authors would
be obviously out of place. I do not consider that the work of the bibliographer is at
an end when he has copied a title page and arranged it with others in some kind
of order. That is the labour of a mere cataloguer. De Bure, Brunet, Lowndes,
Graesse, and many other distinguished bibliographers who might be mentioned, have
not limited themselves to such a narrow view of their duty. There are few special
bibliographies of greater value than the unfinished Bibliographie des Beaux-Arts of
Vinet, whose notes contain a store of hitherto unrecorded facts. The only cogent
argument against notes is that they would unduly increase the size of the Bibliography,
but they must be used sparingly and not consist of trite observations to be found in
every book of reference. Should the proposed work ever be attempted, I sincerely
hope that such notes as I here suggest may form a special feature in its plan.
I have only been able to give a general idea of the lines upon which the Biblio-
graphy should be based. To enter into full particulars would occupy too much time ;
but I have said enough to show that it would be an extremely extensive and laborious
undertaking. The preparation would involve a very considerable expenditure of time
and money, and the work could only be satisfactorily accomplished with the active
sympathy of the custodians of our great public libraries. The main part of the labour
would have to be done from the shelves of the British Museum, supplemented by the
( I2 )
Bodleian and Cambridge University Libraries. Trinity College, Dublin, would supply
deficiencies in Irish, and the Advocates' Library, in Scottish history. The Biblio-
thèque Nationale, and the Royal Library at Berlin, as well as other public and private
Collections, would also have to be ransacked. Specific letters attached to each title,
such as B for British Museum, O for Bodleian, C for Cambridge University, D for
Trinity College, Dublin, and E for the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh, might be used
to indicate what books were to be found in each or any of these libraries, which
would thus be furnished with a joint-catalogue of their works on English history.
This would be in return for their active collaboration. Were they unable to consent
to this course, and the labour fell upon individual effort, I respectfully submit that it
might be considered to come within the province of the series of publications issued
by the Master of the Rolls, who might be asked favourably to consider the proposal.
The actual cost of the completion, at a low estimate of remuneration for time and the
expenditure for necessary assistance, I reckon at about 4.5oo. It could not be
finished under three or four years, and would extend to perhaps a couple of volumes
equal to the Calendars of State Papers.
I have not thought it necessary to enlarge upon the pressing necessity of a full
record of our rich and important historical literature. This may be taken for granted,
and the immensity of the task ought not to deter the attempt. England must no
longer lag behind every other country in this department of bibliographical research,
and a vigorous effort should be made to possess, within a reasonable period, an ade-
quate Bibliography of National History.