[6] The above brochure consists of two Letters; each to an anonymous
bibliographical "Confrere:" one is upon the subject of M. Crapelet's
version--the other, upon that of M. Licquet's version--of a portion of
the Tour. The notice of the Works of the Author of the Tour; a list of
the prices for which the Books mentioned in it have been sold; a
Notice of the "Hours of Charlemagne" (see vol. ii. 199) and some
account of the late Mr. Porson "Librarian of the London
Institution"--form the remaining portion of this little volume of
about 160 pages. For the "Curiosités Bibliographiques," consult the
_Bibliomania_, pp. 90, 91, &c. &c.
[7] This letter accompanied another Work of M. Peignot, relating to
editions and translations of the Roman Classics:--and as the reader
will find, in the ensuing pages, that I have been sometime past
labouring under the frightful, but popular, mania of AUTOGRAPHS, I
subjoin with no small satisfaction a fac-simile of the Autograph of
this enthusiastic and most diligent Bibliographer.
[Autograph: Votre tres humble et obéissant serviteur, G. Peignot]
[8] See page xviii.--ante.
[9] M. Licquet goes on to afford an exemplification of this precipitancy of
conjecture, in my having construed the word _Allemagne_--a village
near to Caen--by that of _Germany_. I refer the reader to p. 168 post,
to shew with what perfect frankness I have admitted and corrected this
"_hippopotamos_" error.
[10] More especially at pages 82, 100, 367.
[11] "Sharp" as they may be, they are softened, in some measure, by the
admission of my bitterest annotator, M. Crapelet, that "I speak and
understand the French language well." vol. ii. p. 253. It is painful
and unusual with me to have recourse to such apparently
self-complimentary language; but when an adversary drives one into a
corner, and will not allow of fair space and fair play, one must fight
with feet as well as with hands ... "manibus pedibusque" ...
[12] This _hiatus_ must not be filled by the Author: ... "haud equidem
tali me dignor honore."
[13] See vol. ii. p. 210-11.
[14] See vol. i. p. 186, vol. ii. pp. 49, 296, 392. The other fresh plates
are, _Portrait of the Author_, frontispiece; Bird's-eye views of the
_Monasteries of St. Peter's, Salzburg, and of Molk:_ vol. iii. pp.
195, 248, 381, _Black Eagle Inn_, Munich, p. 156. But the Reader will
be pleased to examine the _List of Plates prefixed_--in a preceding
page.
[15] Among these distinguished Literati, I here enrol with peculiar
satisfaction the names of the MARQUIS DE CHATEAUGIRON and Mons. DURAND
DE LANCON. No opportunity having occurred in the subsequent pages to
incorporate fac-similes of the Autographs of these distinguished
_Bibliophiles_, they are annexed in the present place.
[Autographs: M. de Chateaugiron, D. de Lancon]
[16] It is more than a negative consolation to me, to have lived to see the
day, that, although comparatively impoverished, _others_ have
been enriched by my labours. When I noticed a complete set of my
lucubrations on LARGE PAPER, valued at 250_l_. in a bookseller's
catalogue, (Mr. Pickering's) and afterwards learnt that this set had
found a PURCHASER, I had reason to think that I had "deserved well" of
the Literature of my country: and I resolved to live "mihi carior" in
consequence.