Although this criticism is to a great extent true, it does not do justice to Dibdin's book, which contains much interesting and valuable matter, for if the Library Companion is used not as a Guide to be followed, but as a book for reference, it will be found of considerable use.
William Goodhugh's English Gentleman's Library Manual, or a Guide to the Formation of a Library of Select Literature, was published in 1827. It contains classified lists of library books, but these are not now of much value, except for the notes which accompany the titles, and make this work eminently readable. There are some literary anecdotes not to be found elsewhere.
A most valuable work of reference is Mr. Edward Edwards's Report on the formation of the Manchester Free Library, which was printed in 1851. It is entitled, "Librarian's First Report to the Books Sub-Committee on the Formation of the Library, June 30, 1851, with Lists of Books suggested for purchase." The Lists are arranged in the following order:—
1. Works—collective and miscellaneous—of Standard British authors; with a selection of those of the Standard authors of America.
2. Works relative to the History, Topography, and Biography of the United Kingdom, and of the United States of America.
3. Works relative to Political Economy, Finance, Trade, Commerce, Agriculture, Mining, Manufactures, Inland Communication, and Public Works.
4. Works relating to Physics, Mathematics, Mechanics, Practical Engineering, Arts, and Trades, etc.
5. Voyages and Travels.
6. Works on Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, and Geology.
7. Periodical Publications and Transactions of Learned Societies (not included in Lists 2, 3, or 6), Collections, Encyclopædias, Gazetteers, Atlases, Dictionaries, Bibliographies, Indexes, etc.