The opening of Preface
This Dictionary was commenced as an amended edition of that written by M. Ernest Bosc, architect of Paris, and contains the 450 engravings published in the French work, to which about 250 more have been added. Little or nothing, however, of the text of M. Bosc’s work has been left standing; his definitions having, in the process of revision under reference to original works, almost entirely disappeared. The whole work, as it now stands, has been drawn from, or carefully corrected by, the best authorities in each of its special branches. Considerable prominence has been given to ARCHITECTURE, from the French original corrected from English writers; to CHRISTIAN ANTIQUITIES from Martigny, and the Dictionary of Dr. Smith and Professor Cheetham, and other authorities; to MEDIÆVAL ARMOUR, and terms of CHIVALRY, chiefly from Meyrick’s Ancient Armour; to COSTUME from Planché and Fairholt; to HERALDRY from Boutell’s and Mrs. Bury Palliser’s works; to POTTERY, the substance of the articles on this subject being derived from M. Jacquemart’s work; to NEEDLEWORK, IVORIES, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, GOLDSMITHS’ WORK, PAINTERS’ MATERIALS AND PROCESSES ANCIENT AND MODERN, COLOUR, &c., with references to the several authorities referred to.