The first catalogue of the House of Commons' Library, a library that was founded in 1818 and for which a building was created by Sir John Soane and money was allocated (2,000l.) to buy books. The building was completed in 1828 but unfortunately the library and much of the mediaeval Palace of Westminster, to which it was added, was destroyed by fire in 1834 and a considerable part of the books were lost. This catalogue in whose preface is noted: "A Catalogue therefore is become necessary for shewin in what manner this sum has been applied, and at the same time to enable Members to make full use of the Books purchased for their accomodation", therefore records a mass of material which was lost in that destructive fire. The books are arranged according to classification, with an alphabetical index at the end.