Daubuz C., Lancaster P. A symbolical dictionary: in which, agreeably to the nature and principles of the symbolical character and language of the eastern nations in the first ages of the world, the general signification of the prophetic symbols, especially those of the Apocalypse

Daubuz Charles; Lancaster, Peter Habershon Matthew.
London: J. Nisbet & Co., 1842. — 254 p.The Editor has, for many years past, had a deep conviction of the value of this work. When he commenced the study of Prophecy, he had not proceeded far, when he found, in the chief authors which fell in his way, frequent reference to Daubuz on the subject of Symbols ; and he therefore took an early opportunity of procuring a copy of his work. It is, however, very remarkable, that, notwithstanding it is the principal work of the kind in the English language, or indeed in any other, it is not even mentioned in the Title page of the Book of which it originally formed a part: and hence it happens, that, as a Symbolical Dictionary, it is not to be found in any Catalogue of literature. From this circumstance its very existence is unknown, except unto the few who are acquainted with Daubuz"s other writings.Daubuz's work is entitled, A perpetual Commentary on the Revelation of St, John, with a Preliminary Discourse concerning the principles upon which the said Revelation is to be understood.' It was published in 1720, three years after his death. This is a performance of uncommon merit : it manifests extraordinary research ; and sheds a flood of light upon the pages of Prophecy. It is, however, of so large a size, and abounds with such a variety of learning, as makes it in a great measure useless to the generality of readers. This inconvenience, Mr. Lancaster, Yicar of Bowden in Cheshire, endeavoured to remedy, by reducing the work into a much less compass, and setting it in such a light as to render it plain to the meanest capacity.In executing this task, Mr. Lancaster followed a most judicious method : he collected the symbolical matter, in which Daubuz's commentary is exceedingly rich, and formed it into a Dictionary, constituting the first or introductory part of his abridgment, which was published in IJSO, ten years after the original work.
The merit of the arrangement therefore is due to Mr. Lancaster, but the matter is Daubuz^s. It has never gone through a second edition, and consequently is become very scarce and expensive.