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[Illustration]
The Book-Lover's Library.
Edited by
Henry B. Wheatley, F.S.A.
=By the Same Author.=
_Tastefully printed and bound in cloth_, =4s. 6d.=; _in Roxburgh_, =7s.
6d.= _Large Paper_, =21s.=
_HOW TO FORM A LIBRARY._
"An admirable guide to the best bibliographies and books of
reference.... It is altogether a volume to be desired."--_Globe._
"Everything about this book is satisfactory--paper, type, margin,
size--above all, the contents."--_St. James's Gazette._
_HOW TO CATALOGUE A LIBRARY._
"Every collector of books knows how many and difficult are the problems
that present themselves in connection with cataloguing. Mr. Wheatley
deals with all patiently, wisely, and exhaustively."--_British Weekly._
"Mr. Wheatley's volume is unique. It is written with so much care and
such profound knowledge of the subject that there can be no doubt that
it will satisfactorily meet all requirements."--_Bristol Mercury._
ELLIOT STOCK,
62, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.
HOW TO MAKE
AN INDEX
BY
HENRY B. WHEATLEY, F.S.A.
AUTHOR OF "HOW TO CATALOGUE A LIBRARY"
"HOW TO FORM A LIBRARY," ETC., ETC.
"M. Bochart ... me prioit surtout d'y faire un Index, etant,
disoit-il, l'ame des gros livres."--_Menagiana._
LONDON
ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW
1902
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_PREFACE._
[Illustration: _I]n 1878 I wrote for the Index Society, as its first
publication, a pamphlet entitled "What is an Index?" The present little
book is compiled on somewhat similar lines; but, as its title suggests,
it is drawn up with a more practical object. The first four chapters are
"Historical," and the other four are "Practical"; but the historical
portion is intended to lead up to the practical portion by showing what
to imitate and what to avoid._
_There has been of late years a considerable change in public opinion
with respect to the difficulties attending the making of both indexes
and catalogues. It was once a common opinion that anyone without
preparatory knowledge or experience could make an index. That that
opinion is not true is amply proved, I hope, in the chapter on the "Bad
Indexer."_
_I have attempted to describe the best way of setting to work on an
index. To do this with any hope of success it is necessary to give
details that may to some seem puerile, but I have ventured on
particulars for which I hope I may not be condemned._
_I must also ask the forbearance of my readers for the constant use of
the personal pronoun. If I could have left it out, I would gladly have
done so; but to a great extent this book relates to the experiences of
an old indexer. They must be taken for what they are worth, and I hope
forgiveness will be extended to me for the form in which these
experiences are related._
H. B. W.
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CONTENTS.
_HISTORICAL._
PAGE
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION
The So-called Evils of Index Learning--Glanville and
Swift--Thomas Fuller's Defence of the Index--Advantages of
saving the Brain by knowing where to find what is
wanted--Dr. Johnson's Division of Necessary
Knowledge--Gradual Introduction of the Word
"Index"--Synonyms--Final Triumph of Index--Interesting
Indexes--Prynne's Index to his _Histrio-Mastix_--Index to
Richardson's Novels--David Hume an Indexer--Sir James Paget
enjoyed making Indexes--Amusing Blunder in Musical Index 1