“O Blessed Virgin, this pen, the interpreter of my mind, which soared up as high as the sky; which searched the most hidden recesses of land and sea; which always applied itself to learning, prudence and wisdom; which dared to write a treatise on constancy; which explained civil and military matters, and such as relate to the taking of cities; which described, O Rome, thy greatness; which variously illustrated and cleared up the writings of the ancients,--that pen is now, O Blessed Virgin, consecrated to thee by Lipsius, for by thy assistance have they all been completed. Let thy kind influence constantly attend me for the future; and in return for that vanishing fame which my pen gained, vouchsafe to grant, O Divine Lady, a continual joy and life to your devoted servant, Lipsius.” H. W. K. _New York, February, 1907_ FOOTNOTES: [1] _Teissier, Additions aux Éloges de M. de Thou, ii. 381, 432; Bullart, Académie des Sciences, ii. 190; Balliet, Enfans Célèbres, 184._ [2] _Ed._ 1. _De Bibliothecis Syntagma_, Antwerp, 1602; _Ed._ 2. Helmstadt, 1620; _Ed._ 3. Antwerp, 1629. _In his Opera Omnia_, 1610-30, 1637, 1675. TRANSLATOR’S NOTE TRANSLATOR’S NOTE This translation has been made from the second edition, “the last from the author’s hand,” Antwerp, Plantin Press, John Moretus, 1602. The French version by Gabriel Peignot, in his _Manuel Bibliographique_, Paris, 1800, was found very helpful in translating Lipsius’s rather crabbed Latin; I was greatly aided also by a first draught of an English translation kindly made for me by Miss I. McD. Howell, of the Newark, New Jersey, Free Public Library. Mr. W. W. Bishop, reference librarian in the library of Princeton University, gave most valuable assistance, both on difficult points in the Latin and on many historical allusions. I am, of course, responsible for all errors. J. C. D. _Newark, January, 1907_ TO THE READER TO THE READER _You have before you my brief outline of the history of libraries, that is, of books. Where shall we who are constantly making use of books look for a worthier subject for our pen? Yet I never should have dreamed of writing this outline had I not been inspired thereto by the zeal in such matters of the noble Prince to whom I have just dedicated it._ _That such as he should labour to encourage and inspire men to good deeds and high endeavour--this I think a thing most helpful to us all. And how few do give themselves generously to this task! All thoughts seem now to turn to low and sordid things. Scorning the ancient and holy truths, how eagerly to-day do men search out doctrines whose only charm is that they seem new!_