[Footnote 133: The chief labours of Fabricius ("Vir [Greek:

ellênichôtatos]"--as Reimannus truly calls him), connected

with the present object of our pursuit, have the following

titles: 1. "_Bibliotheca Græca, sive Notitia Scriptorum

Græcorum, &c._," Hamb. 1705-8-14-18, &c., 4to., 14 vols.--of

which a new edition is now published by HARLES, with great

additions, and a fresh arrangement of the original matter:

twelve volumes have already been delivered to the public. 2.

_Bibliotheca Latina_; first published in one volume,

1703--then in three volumes, 1721, and afterwards in two

volumes, 1728, 4to.;--but the last and best edition is that

of 1773, in three vols. 8vo., published by Ernesti at

Leipsic--and yet not free from numerous errors. 3.

_Bibliographia Antiquaria_, 1716, 4to.: a new edition of

Schaffshausen, in 1760, 4to., has superseded the old one. A

work of this kind in our own language would be very useful,

and even entertaining. Fabricius has executed it in a

masterly manner. 4. _Bibliotheca Ecclesiastica, in quâ

continentur variorum authorum tractatus de scriptoribus

ecclesiasticis_, Hamb., 1718, folio. An excellent work; in

which the curious after theological tracts and their authors

will always find valuable information. It is generally

sharply contended for at book-auctions. 5. _Bibliotheca

Latina Mediæ et Infimæ Ætatis, &c._, Leipsic, 1734, 6 vols.

8vo.--again, with Schoettgenius's supplement, in 1754, 4to.,

6 vols. in 3. This latter is in every respect the best

edition of a work which is absolutely indispensable to the

philologist. A very excellent synopsis or critical account

of Fabricius's works was published at Ams., 1738, in 4to.,

which the student should procure. Let me here recommend the

_Historia Bibliothecæ Fabricianæ_, compiled by JOHN

FABRICIUS, 1717-24, 6 vols. 4to., as a necessary and

interesting supplement to the preceding works of John Albert

Fabricius. I have often gleaned some curious bibliographical

intelligence from its copious pages. The reader may consult

_Bibl. Crevenn._, vol. v., 272-3.]

[Footnote 134: He is noticed here only as the author of

"_Idea Bibliothecæ Publicæ secundum classes scientiarum

ordinandæ, fusior et contractior_," and of the "_Scriptores

Rerum Brunswicarum_," Hanov., 1707, fol., 3 vols. "The

antiquarian, who blushes at his alliance with Thomas Hearne,

will feel his profession ennobled by the name of LEIBNITZ.

That extraordinary genius embraced and improved the whole

circle of human science; and, after wrestling with Newton

and Clark in the sublime regions of geometry and

metaphysics, he could descend upon earth to examine the

uncouth characters and barbarous Latin of a chronicle or

charter." Gibbon: _Post. Works_, vol. ii., 712. Consult also

_Mem. de l'Inst._, vol. v., 648.]

[Footnote 135: I will not pretend to enumerate all the

learned works of BURCHARD GOTTHLIEB STRUVIUS. His

"_Bibliotheca Librorum Rariorum_" was published in 1719,

4to. The first edition of the _Bibliotheca Historica_

appeared as early as 1705: a very valuable one was published

by Buder, in 1740, 2 vols.: but the last, and by far the

most copious and valuable, is that which exhibits the joint

editorial labours of BUDER and MEUSEL, in eleven octavo

volumes, 1782, 1802--though I believe it does not contain

every thing which may be found in the edition of the _Bibl.

Hist. Selecta_, by Jugler, 1754, three vols. 8vo.: vide pp.

iv. and vii. of the preface of Meusel's edition. The _Bibl.

Hist. Select._, by Jugler, was formerly published under the

title of _Introd. in notitiam rei literariæ et usum

Bibliothecæ_. Jugler's edition of it contains a stiff

portrait of himself in a finely embroidered satin waistcoat.

The first volume, relating to foreign libraries, is very

interesting: but, unluckily, the work is rare. Of Struvius's

_Bibl. Saxonica_, 1736, 8vo., I never saw a copy.]

PHIL. You are advancing towards the middle of the 18th century, in

enumerating foreign publications, without calling to mind that we

have, at home, many laudable publications relating to typography and

bibliography, which merit at least some notice, if not commendation.

LYSAND. I thank you for the reproof. It is true, I was running

precipitately to introduce a crowd of foreigners to your notice,

without paying my respects, by the way, to the _Historical Libraries_

of Bishop NICOLSON, the _Bibliotheca Literaria_ of WASSE, and the

_Librarian_ of WILLIAM OLDYS. Nor should I omit to mention the still

more creditable performance of Bishop TANNER: while the typographical

publications of WATSON, PALMER, and MIDDLETON,[136] may as well be

admitted into your libraries, if you are partial to such works;

although upon this latter subject, the elegant quarto volume of AMES

merits particular commendation.

[Footnote 136: Let us go gently over this _British_ ground,

which Lysander depictures in rather a flowery manner. The

first edition of BISHOP NICOLSON'S _English Historical

Library_ was published in the years 1696, 1697, and

1699--comprehending the entire three parts. In 1702, came

forth the _Scottish_ Historical library; and in 1724, the

_Irish_ Historical Library. These three libraries, with the

author's letter to Bishop Kennet in defence of the same, are

usually published in one volume; and the last and best

editions of the same are those of 1736, fol., and 1776, 4to.

Mr. John Nichols has recently published an entertaining

posthumous work of the bishop's _Epistolary Correspondence_,

in two octavo volumes, 1809. Some of these letters throw

light and interest upon the literature of the times. As to

the authority of Bishop Nicolson, in his historical matters,

I fear the sharp things which are said of his libraries by

Tyrrell (Pref. to _Hist. Engl._, vol. ii., p. 5.), and Wood

(_Athen. Brit._, vol. ii., col. 980, ed. 1721), all which

authorities are referred to by Mr. Nichols, are sufficiently

founded upon truth. He was a violent and wrong-headed writer

in many respects; but he had acumen, strength, and fancy.

The _Bibliotheca Literaria_ of WASSE (although his name does

not appear as the professed editor) is a truly solid and

valuable publication; worthy of the reputation of the

learned editor of Sallust. The work was published in

numbers, which were sold at one shilling each; but, I

suppose from the paucity of classical readers, it could not

be supported beyond the 10th number (1724); when it ceased

to be published. Some of the dissertations are very

interesting as well as erudite. OLDYS'S _British Librarian_

was published in six numbers, during the first six months of

the year 1737; forming, with the index, an octavo volume of

402 pages. It is difficult to say, from the conclusion (p.

373-4), whether the work was dropped for want of

encouragement, or from the capriciousness or indolence of

the author: but I suspect that the ground was suffered "to

lie fallow" (to use his own words) till it was suffocated

with weeds--owing to the _former_ cause: as Oldys never

suffered his pen to lie idle while he could "put money in

his purse" from his lucubrations. We shall speak of him more

particularly in PART V. Meanwhile, the reader is informed

that the _British Librarian_ is a work of no common

occurrence, or mean value. It is rigidly correct, if not

very learned, in bibliographical information. I once sent

three guineas to procure a copy of it, according to its

description, upon LARGE PAPER; but, on its arrival, I found

it to be not quite so large as my own tolerably

amply-margined copy. Bishop TANNER'S _Bibliotheca

Britanico-Hibernica_, which cost the author forty years'

labour, was published in 1748, folio; with a preface by Dr.

Wilkins. We must receive it with many thanks, imperfect and

erroneous as many parts of it are; but I hope the period is

not very remote when a literary friend, living, as he

constantly is, in an inexhaustible stock of British

literature of all kinds, will give us a new edition, with

copious additions and corrections, translated into our

native tongue. _The History of the Art of Printing_ by

WATSON, Edit., 1713, 8vo., is at best but a meagre

performance. It happens to be rare, and, therefore,

bibliomaniacs hunt after it. My copy of it, upon LARGE

PAPER, cost me 1_l._ 8_s._ It was formerly Paton's, of

Edinburgh, a knowing antiquary in Scottish printing. The

_History of Printing_, by PALMER, 1733, 4to., and Dr.

MIDDLETON'S _Dissertations upon the same_, 1735, 4to., have

been particularly treated by me, as well as the similar

works of AMES and HERBERT, in the first volume of my new

edition of Herbert's _British Typographical Antiquities_;

and the public is too well acquainted with the merits and

demerits of each to require their being pointed out in the

present place. I will close this note by observing that the

_Censuria Literaria_, in ten volumes octavo; and the

_British Bibliographer_ (now publishing) which grew out of

it; Mr. BELOE'S _Anecdotes of Literature and Scarce Books_,

six volumes, 8vo.; and Mr. Savage's continuation of _The

British Librarian_; are works which render the list of

English publications, relating to typography and curious

books, almost complete. I believe I may safely affirm that

the period is not very distant when some of these latter

publications, from the comparatively few copies which were

struck off, will become very rare.]

LIS. I am glad to hear such handsome things said of the performances

of our own countrymen. I was fearful, from your frequent sly

allusions, that we had nothing worth mentioning. But proceed with your

Germans, Italians, and Frenchmen.

LYSAND. You draw too severe a conclusion. I have made no sly

allusions. My invariable love of truth impels me to state facts as

they arise. That we have philosophers, poets, scholars, divines,

lovers and collectors of books, equal to those of any nation upon

earth is most readily admitted. But bibliography has never been, till

now, a popular (shall I say fashionable?) pursuit amongst the English.

LIS. Well, if what you call bibliography has produced such eminent

men, and so many useful works, as those which have been just

enumerated, I shall begin to have some little respect for this

department of literature; and, indeed, I already feel impatient to go

through the list of your bibliographical heroes.--Who is the next

champion deserving of notice?

LYSAND. This confession gives me sincere pleasure. Only indulge me in

my rambling manner of disquisition, and I will strive to satisfy you

in every reasonable particular.

If ever you should be disposed to form a bibliographical collection,

do not omit securing, when it comes across you, the best edition of Du

Fresnoy's[137] _Methode pour étudier l'Histoire_: it is rare, and

sought after in this country. And now--softly approach, and gently

strew the flowers upon, the tomb of worthy NICERON:[138] Low lies the

head, and quiescent has become the pen, of this most excellent and

learned man!--whose productions have furnished biographers with some

of their choicest materials, and whose devotion to literature and

history has been a general theme of admiration and praise. The mention

of this illustrious name, in such a manner, has excited in my mind a

particular train of ideas. Let me, therefore, in imagination, conduct

you both to yonder dark avenue of trees--and, descending a small

flight of steps, near the bottom of which gushes out a salient

stream--let us enter a spacious grotto, where every thing is cool and

silent; and where small alabaster busts, of the greater number of

those bibliographers I am about to mention, decorate the niches on

each side of it. How tranquil and how congenial is such a resting

place!--But let us pursue our inquires. Yonder sharp and well turned

countenances, at the entrance of the grotto, are fixed there as

representations of CARDINAL QUIRINI[139] and GOUJET; the _Bibliothéque

Françoise_ of the latter of whom--with which I could wish book

collectors, in general, to have a more intimate acquaintance--has

obtained universal reputation.[140] Next to him, you may mark the

amiable and expressive features of DAVID CLEMENT:[141] who, in his

_Bibliothéque Curieuse_, has shown us how he could rove, like a bee,

from flower to flower; sip what was sweet; and bring home his

gleanings to a well-furnished hive. The principal fault of this bee

(if I must keep up the simile) is that he was not sufficiently choice

in the flowers which he visited; and, of course, did not always

extract the purest honey. Nearly allied to Clement in sprightliness,

and an equally gossipping bibliographer, was PROSPER MARCHAND;[142]

whose works present us with some things no where else to be found,

and who had examined many curious and rare volumes; as well as made

himself thoroughly acquainted with the state of bibliography previous

to his own times.

[Footnote 137: The last edition of this work is the one

which was printed in fifteen volumes, crown 8vo., at Paris,

1772: with a copious index--and proportionable improvements

in corrections and additions. It is now rare. I threw out

the old edition of 1729, four vols., 4to., upon LARGE PAPER;

and paid three guineas to boot for the new one, neatly

bound.]

[Footnote 138: It is quite delightful to read the account,

in the _Dict. Hist._, published at Caen, 1789, (vol. vi., p.

475) of JEAN PIERRE NICERON; whose whole life seems to have

been devoted to bibliography and literary history. Frank,

amiable, industrious, communicative, shrewd, and

learned--Niceron was the delight of his friends, and the

admiration of the public. His "_Memoires pour servir à

l'Histoire des Hommes Illustres, &c., avec un Catalogue

raisonné de leur Ouvrages_," was published from the years

1729 to 1740, in forty crown 8vo. volumes. A supplement of

three volumes, the latter of which is divided into _two

parts_, renders this very useful, and absolutely necessary,

work complete in 44 volumes. The bibliomaniac can never

enjoy perfect rest till he is in possession of it!]

[Footnote 139: QUIRINI published his "_Specimen variæ

Literaturæ quæ in urbe Brixiæ ejusque Ditione paulo post

Typographiæ incunabula florebat_," _&c._, at Brescia, in

1739; two vols., 8vo.: then followed "_Catalogo delle Opere

del Cardinale Quirini uscite alla luce quasi tuttee da'

Torchi di mi Gian Maria Rizzardi Stampatore in Brescia_,"

8vo. In 1751, Valois addressed to him his "_Discours sur les

Bibliothéques Publiques_," in 8vo.: his Eminence's reply to

the same was also published in 8vo. But the Cardinal's chief

reputation, as a bibliographer, arises from the work

entitled "_De Optimorum Scriptorum Editionibus_." Lindaugiæ,

1761, 4to. This is Schelhorn's edition of it, which is

chiefly coveted, and which is now a rare book in this

country. It is a little surprising that Lysander, in his

love of grand national biographical works, mingled with

bibliographical notices, should have omitted to mention the

_Bibliotheca Lusitana_ of Joaov and Barbosa, published at

Lisbon, 1741, in four magnificent folio volumes. A lover of

Portuguese literature will always consider this as "opus

splendidissimum et utilissimum."]

[Footnote 140: _La Bibliothéque Françoise, ou Histoire de la

Littérature Françoise_, of CLAUDE PIERRE GOUJET, in eighteen

volumes, crown 8vo., 1741, like the similar work of Niceron,

is perhaps a little too indiscriminate in the choice of its

objects: good, bad, and indifferent authors being enlisted

into the service. But it is the chéf-d'oeuvre of Goujet,

who was a man of wonderful parts; and no bibliographer can

be satisfied without it. Goujet was perhaps among the most

learned, if not the "facile princeps," of those who

cultivated ancient French literature. He liberally assisted

Niceron in his Memoires, and furnished Moreri with 2000

corrections for his Dictionary.]

[Footnote 141: The "_Bibliothèque Curieuse, Historique et

Critique, ou Catalogue raisonné de Livres difficiles à

trouver_," of DAVID CLEMENT, published at Gottingen,

Hanover, and Leipsic, in 9 quarto volumes, from the year

1750 to 1760--is, unfortunately, an unfinished production;

extending only to the letter H. The reader may find a

critique upon it in my _Introduction to the Greek and Latin

Classics_, vol. i., p. 370; which agrees, for the greater

part, with the observations in the _Bibl. Crevenn._, vol.

v., 290. The work is a _sine quâ non_ with collectors; but

in this country it begins to be--to use the figurative

language of some of the German bibliographers--"scarcer than

a white crow,"--or "a black swan." The reader may admit

which simile he pleases--or reject both! But, in sober

sadness, it is very rare, and unconscionably dear. I know

not whether it was the same CLEMENT who published "_Les cinq

Années Littéraires, ou Lettres de M. Clément, sur les

ouvrages de Littérature, qui ont parus dans les Années

1748--á 1752_;" Berlin, 1756, 12mo., two volumes. Where is

the proof of the assertion, so often repeated, that Clement

borrowed his notion of the above work from WENDLER'S

_Dissertatio de variis raritatis librorum impressorum

causis_, Jen., 1711, 4to.?--Wendler's book is rare among us:

as is also BERGER'S _Diatribe de libris rarioribus, &c._,

Berol. 1729, 8vo.]

[Footnote 142: The principal biographical labours of this

clever man have the following titles: "_Histoire de

l'Imprimerie_," La Haye, 1740, 4to.--an elegant and

interesting volume, which is frequently consulted by

typographical antiquaries. Of MERCIER'S supplement to it,

see note in the ensuing pages under the word "Mercier." His

"_Dictionnaire Historique, ou Memoires Critiques et

Littéraires_," in two folio volumes, 1758, was a posthumous

production; and a very extraordinary and amusing

bibliographical common-place book it is! My friend Mr.

Douce, than whom few are better able to appreciate such a

work, will hardly allow any one to have a warmer attachment

to it, or a more thorough acquaintance with its contents,

than himself--and yet there is no bibliographical work to

which I more cheerfully or frequently turn! In the editor's

advertisement we have an interesting account of Marchand:

who left behind, for publication, a number of scraps of

paper, sometimes no bigger than one's nail; upon which he

had written his remarks in so small a hand-writing that the

editor and printer were obliged to make use of a strong

magnifying glass to decypher it--"et c'est ici (continues

the former) sans doute le premier livre qui n'ait pu être

imprimé sans le secours continuel du Microscope." Marchand

died in 1753, and left his MSS. and books, in the true

spirit of a bibliomaniac, to the University of Leyden. I

see, from the conclusion of this latter authority, that a

new edition of Marchand's History of Printing was in

meditation to be published, after the publication of the

Dictionary. Whether Mercier availed himself of Marchand's

corrected copy, when he put forth his supplement to the

latter's typographical history, I have no means of

ascertaining. Certainly there never was a second edition of

the _Histoire de l'Imprimerie_, by Marchsnd [Transcriber's

Note: Marchand].]

Perhaps I ought to have noticed the unoccupied niche under which the

name of VOGT[143] is inscribed; the title of whose work has been

erroneously considered more seductive than the contents of it. As we

go on, we approach FOURNIER; a man of lively parts, and considerable

taste. His works are small in size, but they are written and printed

with singular elegance.[144] See what a respectable and almost

dignified air the highly finished bust of the pensionary MEERMAN[145]

assumes! Few men attained to greater celebrity in his day; and few

men better deserved the handsome things which were said of him.

Polite, hospitable, of an inquisitive and active turn of

mind--passionately addicted to rare and curious books--his library was

a sort of bibliographical emporium, where the idle and the diligent

alike met with a gracious reception. Peace to the manes of such a man!

Turn we now round to view the features of that truly eminent and

amiable bibliographer, DE BURE!

[Footnote 143: The earliest edition of VOGT'S _Catalogus

Librorum Rariorum_ was published in 1732; afterwards in

1737; again in 1748; again in 1752, much enlarged and

improved; and, for the last time, greatly enlarged and

corrected, forming by far the "editio optima," of the

work--at Frankfort and Leipsic, 1793, 8vo.--We are told, in

the new preface to this last edition, that the second and

third impressions were quickly dispersed and anxiously

sought after. Vogt is a greater favourite with me than with

the generality of bibliographers. His plan, and the

execution of it, are at once clear and concise; but he is

too prodigal of the term "rare." Whilst these editions of

Vogt's amusing work were coming forth, the following

productions were, from time to time, making their

appearance, and endeavouring perhaps to supplant its

reputation. First of all BEYER put forth his _Memoriæ

Historico-Criticæ Librorum Rariorum_. Dresd. and Lips.,

1734, 8vo.; as well has [Transcriber's Note: as] his _Arcana

Sacra Bibliothecarum Dresdensium_, 1738, 8vo.--with a

continuation to the latter, preceded by an epistle

concerning the electoral library, separately published in

the same year. Then ENGEL (in Republicâ Helveto-Bernensi

Bibliothecarius primus) published his _Bibliotheca

selectissima, sive Catalogus librorum in omni genere

scientiarum rarissimorum_, &c., Bernæ, 1743, 8vo.; in which

work some axioms are laid down concerning the rarity of

books not perhaps sufficiently correct; but in which a great

deal of curious matter, very neatly executed, will repay the

reader for any expense he may incur in the purchase of it.

Afterwards FREYTAG'S _Analecta Literaria de libris

rarioribus_, Lips., 1750, two vols. 8vo.;--and his

_Adparatus Literarius ubi libri partim antiqui partim rari

recensentur_, Lipsiæ, 1755, three volumes 8vo., highly

gratified the curious in bibliography. In the former work

the books are described alphabetically, which perhaps is the

better plan: in the latter, they are differently arranged,

with an alphabetical index. The latter is perhaps the more

valuable of the two, although the former has long been a

great favourite with many; yet, from Freytag's own

confession, he was not then so knowing in books, and had not

inspected the whole of what he described. They are both

requisite to the collector; and their author, who was an

enthusiast in bibliography, ranks high in the literature of

his country. In the last place we may notice the

_Florilegium Historico-Criticum Librorum Rariorum, cui multa

simul scitu jucunda intersperguntur_, &c., of DANIEL GERDES;

first published at Groningen, in 1740; but afterwards in

1763, 8vo., at the same place, the third and best edition.

It was meant, in part, to supply the omission of some rare

books in Vogt: and under this title it was published in the

_Miscellaneæ Groninganæ_, vol. ii., and vol. iii. This work

of Gerdes should have a convenient place in every

bibliographical cabinet. I will close this attempt to supply

Lysander's omission of some very respectable names connected

with bibliography by exhorting the reader to seize hold of a

work (whenever it comes across him, which will be rarely)

entitled _Bibliotheca Librorum Rariorum Universalis_, by

JOHN JACOB BAUER, a bookseller at Nuremberg, and printed

there in 1770, 8vo., two vols.; with three additional

volumes by way of Supplement, 1774-1791, which latter are

usually bound in one. It is an alphabetical Dictionary, like

Vogt's and Fournier's, of what are called rare books. The

descriptions are compendious, and the references

respectable, and sometimes numerous. My copy of this scarce,

dear, and wretchedly-printed, work, which is as large and

clean as possible, and bound in pale Russia, with marbled

edges to the leaves--cost me 5_l._ 5_s._]

[Footnote 144: We are indebted to PIERRE SIMON FOURNIER le

jeune, for some very beautiful interesting little volumes

connected with engraving and printing. 1. _Dissertation sur

l'Origine et les Progrés de l'art de Graver en Bois, &c._,

Paris, 1758, 8vo. 2. _De l'Origine et des Productions de

l'Imprimerie primitive en taille de bois_, Paris, 1759, 8vo.

3. _Traité sur l'Origine et les Progrés de l'Imprimerie_,

Paris, 1764. 4. _Observations sur un Ouvrage intitulé

Vindiciæ Typographicæ_, Paris, 1760. These treatises are

sometimes bound in one volume. They are all elegantly

printed, and rare. We may also mention--5. _Epreuves de deux

petits caractères nouvellement gravès, &c._, Paris, 1757;

and especially his chef-d'oeuvre. 6. _Manuel

Typographique_, Paris, 1764-6, 8vo., two vols.: of which

some copies want a few of the cuts: those upon LARGE PAPER

(there is one of this kind in the Cracherode collections)

are of the first rarity. Fournier's typographical manual

should be in every printing office: his types "are the

models (says his namesake,) of those of the best printed

books at Paris at this day." _Dict. Port. de Bibliogr._, p.

218, edit. 1706.]

[Footnote 145: The _Origines Typographicæ_ of MEERMAN, which

was published at the Hague in two handsome quarto volumes,

1765, (after the plan or prospectus had been published in

1761, 8vo.), secured its author a very general and rather

splendid reputation, till the hypothesis advanced therein,

concerning Laurence Coster, was refuted by Heinecken. The

reader is referred to a note in the first volume of my new

edition of the _Typographical Antiquities of Great Britain_,

p. xxxi. It is somewhat singular that, notwithstanding

Meerman's hypothesis is now exploded by the most knowing

bibliographers, his dissertation concerning the claims of

Haerlem should have been reprinted in French, with useful

notes, and an increased catalogue of all the books published

in the Low Countries, during the 15th century. This latter

work is entitled "_De l'Invention de l'Imprimerie, ou

analyse des deux ouvrages publiés sur cette matière par M.

Meerman, &c.; suivi d'une notice chronologique et raisonnée

des livres avec et sans date_," Paris, 1809, 8vo. The author

is Mons. Jansen. Prefixed there is an interesting account,

of Meerman. Lysander might have noticed, with the encomium

which it justly merits the _Vindiciæ Typographicæ_ of

SCHOEPFLIN, printed at Strasburg, in 1760, 4to.; where the

claimes of Gutenburg (a native of the same city) to the

invention of the typographic art are very forcibly and

successfully maintained.]

LIS. You absolutely transport me! I see all these interesting busts--I

feel the delicious coolness of the grotto--I hear the stream running

over a bed of pebbles--The zephyrs play upon my cheeks--O dolt that I

was to abuse----

PHIL. Hear him, hear him![146]

[Footnote 146: Vide note at p. 37, ante.]

LYSAND. From my heart I pity and forgive you. But only look upon the

bust of DE BURE; and every time that you open his _Bibliographie

Instructive_,[147] confess, with a joyful heart, the obligations you

are under to the author of it. Learn, at the same time, to despise the

petty cavils of the whole Zoilean race; and blush for the Abbé

RIVE,[148] that he could lend his name, and give the weight of his

example, to the propagation of coarse and acrimonious censures.

[Footnote 147: The works of GUILLAUME-FRANÇOIS DE BURE

deserve a particular notice. He first published his _Musæum

Typographicum_, Paris, 1755, 12mo.; of which he printed but

TWELVE copies, and gave away every one of them (including

even his own) to his book-loving friends. It was published

under the name of G.F. Rebude. Peignot is very particular in

his information concerning this rare morçeau of

bibliography--see his _Bibliographie Curieuse_, p. 21.

Afterwards appeared the _Bibliographie Instructive_, in

seven volumes, 8vo., 1763-68--succeeded by a small volume of

a catalogue of the anonymous publications, and an essay upon

Bibliography: this 8th volume is absolutely necessary to

render the work complete, although it is frequently missing.

Fifty copies of this work were printed upon LARGE PAPER, of

a quarto size. Its merits are acknowledged by every candid

and experienced critic. In the third place, came forth his

_Catalogue des Livres, &c., de L.J. Gaignat, Paris_, 1769,

8vo., two vols.: not, however, before he had published two

brochures--"_Appel aux Savans_," _&c._, 1763, 8vo.--and

"_Reponse à une Critique de la Bibliographie Instructive_,"

1763, 8vo.--as replies to the tart attacks of the Abbé RIVE.

The Catalogue of Gaignat, and the fairness of his answers to

his adversary's censures, served to place De Bure on the

pinnacle of bibliographical reputation; while Rive was

suffered to fret and fume in unregarded seclusion. He died

in the year 1782, aged 50: and was succeeded in his

bibliographical labours by his cousin WILLIAM; who, with

Mons. Van-Praet, prepared the catalogue of the Duke de la

Valliere's library, in 1783, and published other valuable

catalogues as late as the year 1801. But both are eclipsed,

in regard to the _number_ of such publications, by their

predecessor GABRIEL MARTIN; who died in the year 1761, aged

83--after having compiled 148 catalogues since the year

1705. This latter was assisted in his labours by his son

Claude Martin, who died in 1788. See Peignot's _Dict. de

Bibliologie_, vol. i., 221, 422: vol iii., 277.]

[Footnote 148: The mention of De Bure and the Abbé RIVE

induces me to inform the reader that the _Chasse aux

Bibliographes_, Paris, 1789, 8vo., of the latter, will be

found a receptacle of almost every kind of gross abuse and

awkward wit which could be poured forth against the

respectable characters of the day. It has now become rare.

The Abbé's "_Notices calligraphiques et typographiques_," a

small tract of 16 pages--of which only 100 copies were

printed--is sufficiently curious; it formed the first number

of a series of intended volumes (12 or 15) "_des notices

calligraphiques de manuscrits des differens siécles, et des

notices typographiques de livres du quinziéme siécle_," but

the design was never carried into execution beyond this

first number. The other works of Rive are miscellaneous; but

chiefly upon subjects connected with the belles lettres. He

generally struck off but few copies of his publications; see

the _Bibliographie Curieuse_, pp. 58-9; and more

particularly the _Dictionnaire de Bibliologie_, vol. iii.,

p. 277, by the same author, where a minute list of Rive's

productions is given, and of which Fournier might have

availed himself in his new edition of the _Dict. Portatif de

Bibliographie_. From Peignot, the reader is presented with

the following anecdotes of this redoubted champion of

bibliography. When Rive was a young man, and curate of

Mollèges in Provence, the scandalous chronicle reported that

he was too intimate with a young and pretty Parisian, who

was a married woman, and whose husband did not fail to

reproach him accordingly. Rive made no other reply than that

of taking the suspicious Benedick in his arms, and throwing

him headlong out of the window. Luckily he fell upon a

dunghill! In the year 1789, upon a clergyman's complaining

to him of the inflexible determination of a great lord to

hunt upon his grounds--"_Mettez-lui une messe dans le

ventre_"--repiled [Transcriber's Note: replied] Rive. The

clergyman expressing his ignorance of the nature of the

advice given, the facetious Abbé replied, "Go and tear a

leaf from your _mass book_, wrap a musket-ball in it, and

discharge it at the tyrant." The Duke de la Valliere used to

say--when the knowing ones at his house were wrangling about

some literary or bibliographical point--"Gentlemen, I'll go

and let loose my bull dog,"--and sent into them the Abbé,

who speedily put them all to rights. Rive died in the year

1791, aged seventy-one. He had great parts and great

application; but in misapplying both he was his own

tormentor. His library was sold in 1793.]

Next to the bust of De Bure, consider those of the five Italian

bibliographers and literati, HAYM, FONTANINI, ZENO, MAZZUCHELLI, and

TIRABOSCHI; which are placed in the five consecutive niches. Their

works are of various merit, but are all superior to that of their

predecessor DONI. Although those of the first three authors should

find a place in every bibliographical collection, the productions of

Mazzuchelli,[149] and especially of the immortal Tiraboschi, cannot

fail to be admitted into every judicious library, whether vast or

confined. Italy boasts of few literary characters of a higher class,

or of a more widely-diffused reputation than TIRABOSCHI.[150] His

diligence, his sagacity, his candour, his constant and patriotic

exertions to do justice to the reputation of his countrymen, and to

rescue departed worth from ill-merited oblivion, assign to him an

exalted situation: a situation with the Poggios and Politians of

former times, in the everlasting temple of Fame! Bind his _Storia

della Letteratura Italiana_ in the choicest vellum, or in the stoutest

Russia; for it merits no mean covering!

[Footnote 149: We may first observe that "_La Libraria del_

DONI _Fiorentino_;" Vinegia, 1558, 8vo., is yet coveted by

collectors as the most complete and esteemed of all the

editions of this work. It is ornamented with many portraits

of authors, and is now rare. Consult _Bibl. Crevenn._, vol.

v., p. 275. Numerous are the editions of HAYM'S _Biblioteca

Italiana_; but those of Milan, of the date of 1771, 4to., 2

vols., and 1803, 8vo. 4 vols., are generally purchased by

the skilful in Italian bibliography. The best edition of

FONTANINI'S _Biblioteca dell' Eloquenza Italiana_ is with

the annotations of ZENO, which latter are distinguished for

their judgment and accuracy. It was published at Venice in

1753, 4to., 2 vols.; but it must be remembered that this

edition contains only the _third_ book of Fontanini, which

is a library of the principal Italian authors. All the three

books (the first two being a disquisition upon the orgin

[Transcriber's Note: origin] and progress of the Italian

language) will be found in the preceeding [Transcriber's

Note: preceding] Venice edition of 1737, in one volume 4to.

In the year 1753-63, came forth the incomparable but

unfinished work of COUNT MAZZUCHELLI, in two folio volumes,

[the latter vol. being divided into four thick parts]

entittled [Transcriber's Note: entitled]: _Gli Scrittori

d'Italia, cioé Notizie Storiche e Critiche intorno alle Vite

e agli Scritti dei Letterati Italiani_. The death of the

learned author prevented the publication of it beyond the

first two letters of the alphabet. The Count, however, left

behind ample materials for its execution according to the

original plan, which lay shamefully neglected as late as the

year 1776. See _Bibl. Crevenn._, vol. v., p. 274. This work

is rare in our own country. If the lover of Italian

philology wishes to increase his critico-literary stores,

let him purchase the _Biblioteca degli Autori Antichi Greci,

e Latini volgarizzati_, &c., of PAITONI, in five quarto

volumes, 1766: the _Notizie Istorico-Critiche &c., degli

Scrittori Viniziani_, [Transcriber's Note: corrected printer

error in original; 'degli' was misplaced on preceding line]

of AGOSTINI, Venez., 1752, 4to., 2 vols.: and the

_Letteratura Turchesca of_ GIAMBATISTA TODERINI, Venez.,

1787, 8vo., 3 vols.--works nearly perfect of their kind, and

(especially the latter one) full of curious matter.]

[Footnote 150: The best edition of his _Letteratura

Italiana_ is that of Modena, 1787-94, 4to., in fifteen

volumes, as it contains his last corrections and additions,

and has the advantage of a complete index. An excellent

account of the life and labours of its wonderful author

appeared in the fifth volume of the _Athenæum_, to the

perusal of which I strongly recommend the reader.]

The range of busts which occupies the opposite niches represents

characters of a more recent date. Let us begin with MERCIER;[151] a

man of extraordinary, and almost unequalled, knowledge in every thing

connected with bibliography and typography; of a quick apprehension,

tenacious memory, and correct judgment; who was more anxious to

detect errors in his own publications than in those of his fellow

labourers in the same pursuit; an enthusiast in typographical

researches--the Ulysses of bibliographers! Next to him stand the

interesting busts of SAXIUS and LAIRE;[152] the latter of whom has

frequently erred, but who merited not such a castigation as subsequent

bibliographers have attempted to bestow upon him: in the number of

which, one is sorry to rank the very respectable name of

AUDIFFREDI[153]--whose bust, you observe, immediately follows that of

Laire. Audiffredi has left behind him a most enviable reputation: that

of having examined libraries with a curious eye, and described the

various books which he saw with scrupulous fidelity. There are no

lively or interesting sallies, no highly-wrought, or tempting

descriptions--throughout his two quarto volumes: but, in lieu of this,

there is sober truth, and sound judgment. I have mentioned Audiffredi

a little out of order, merely because his name is closely connected

with that of Laire: but I should have first directed your attention to

the sagacious countenance of HEINECKEN;[154] whose work upon ancient

printing, and whose _Dictionary of Engravers_ (although with the

latter we have nothing just now to do) will never fail to be justly

appreciated by the collector. I regret, Lisardo, for your own sake--as

you are about to collect a few choice books upon typography--that you

will have so much to pay for the former work, owing to its extreme

rarity in this country, and to the injudicious phrenzy of a certain

class of buyers, who are resolved to purchase it at almost any price.

Let me not forget to notice, with the encomiums which they deserve,

the useful and carefully compiled works of SEEMILLER, BRAUN,

WURDTWEIN, DE MURR, ROSSI, and PANZER, whose busts are arranged in

progressive order. All these authors[155] are greatly eminent in the

several departments which they occupy; especially Panzer--whose

_Annales Typographici_, in regard to arrangement and fulness of

information, leaves the similar work of his precedessor, Maittaire,

far behind. It is unluckily printed upon wretched paper--but who

rejects the pine-apple from the roughness of its coat? Get ready the

wherry; man it with a choice bibliomanical crew, good Lisardo!--and

smuggle over in it, if you can, the precious works of these latter

bibliographers--for you may saunter "from rise to set of sun," from

Whitechapel to Hyde-Park Corner--for them--in vain!

[Footnote 151: Barthelemy, MERCIER DE ST. LEGER, died in the

year 1800, and in the sixty-sixth of his age, full of

reputation, and deeply regretted by those who knew the

delightful qualities of his head and heart. It is not my

intention to enumerate _all_ his publications, the titles of

which may be found in the _Siécles Littéraires_, vol. iv.,

p. 350: but, in the present place, I will only observe that

his "_Supplement à l'Histoire de l'Imprimerie, par P.

Marchand_," was first published in 1773, and afterwards in

1775, 4to., a rare and curious work; but little known in

this country. His _Bibliothéque des Romans, traduit de

Grec_, was published in 1796, 12 vols. 12mo. His letter

concerning De Bure's work, 1763, 8vo., betrayed some severe

animadversions upon the _Bibliogr. Instruct._: but he got a

similar flagellation in return, from the Abbé Rive, in his

_Chasse aux Bibliographes_--who held him and De Bure, and

all the bibliographical tribe, in sovereign contempt. His

letter to Heinecken upon the rare editions of the 15th

century, 1783, 8vo., and his other works, I never saw in any

collection. The imperial library at Paris purchased his copy

of Du Verdier's and La Croix du Maine's Bibliothéques,

covered with his marginal annotations, as well as his copy

of Clement's _Bibl. Curieuse_. Le Blond, member of the

Institute, obtained his copy of De Bure's _Bibliographie

Instructive_, also enriched with MS. notes. Mr. Ochéda, Lord

Spencer's librarian, who knew well the Abbé de St. Leger,

informed me that he left behind him ample materials for a

History of Printing, in a new edition of his Supplement to

Marchand's work, which he projected publishing, and which

had received from him innumerable additions and corrections.

"He was a man," says Mr. Ochéda, "the most conversant with

editions of books of all kinds, and with every thing

connected with typography and bibliography, that I ever

conversed with." The reader may consult Peignot's _Dict. de

Bibliologie_, vol. i., p. 452, vol. iii., p. 212.]

[Footnote 152: The _Onomasticon Literarium_ of CHRISTOPHER

SAXIUS, _Traject. ad Rhenum_, 1775-90, seven vols. 8vo.,

with a supplement, or eighth volume, published in 1803, is

considered as a work of the very first reputation in its

way. The notices of eminent men are compendious, but

accurate; and the arrangement is at once lucid and new. An

elegantly bound copy of this scarce work cannot be obtained

for less than six and seven guineas. The first

bibliographical production of the Abbé LAIRE was, I believe,

the _Specimen Historicum Typographiæ Romanæ, xv. seculi,

Romæ_, 1778, large 8vo.; of which work, a copy printed UPON

VELLUM (perhaps unique) was sold at the sale of M.

d'Hangard, in 1789, for 300 livres. _Dictionn. Bibliogr._,

vol. iv., p. 250. In my Introduction, &c., to the Greek and

Latin Classics, some account of its intrinsic merit will be

found: vol. i., p. xviii. In the year 1784 Laire published a

"_Dissertation sur l'origine et Progrès de l'Imprimerie en

Franche-Comté_," 8vo.; and, in the year 1791, came forth his

Catalogue Raisonné of the early printed books in the library

of Cardinal de Lomenie de Brienne; under the title of

"_Index Librorum ab Inventa Typographia, ad annum 1500_," in

two octavo volumes. See the article "LOMENIE," in the list

of foreign catalogues, post. Laire was also the author of a

few other minor bibliographical productions. All the books

in his library, relating to this subject, were covered with

marginal notes; some of them very curious. See Peignot's

_Dict. de Bibliologie_, vol. i., p. 330: and _Les Siecles

Littéraires_, (1801, 8vo.) vol. iv., p. 75.]

[Footnote 153: The works and the merits of AUDIFFREDI have

been before submitted by me to the public; and Mr. Beloe, in

the third volume of his "_Anecdotes of Literature_," &c.,

has justly observed upon the latter. In Lord Spencer's

magnificent library at Althorpe, I saw a copy of the

"_Editiones Italicæ_," sec. xv., 1793, 4to., upon LARGE

PAPER. It is much to be wished that some knowing

bibliographer upon the Continent would complete this

unfinished work of Audiffredi. His _Editiones Romanæ_, sec.

xv., 1783, 4to., is one of the most perfect works of

bibliography extant: yet Laire's "_Index Librorum_," &c.

(see preceeding note), is necessary to supply the omission

of some early books printed at Rome, which had escaped even

this keen bibliographer!]

[Footnote 154: HEINECKEN'S name stands deservedly high

(notwithstanding his tediousness and want of taste) among

bibliographical and typographical antiquaries. Of his

"_Nachrichten von Kunstlern und Kunst-Sachen_," Leipzig,

1768, 8vo., two vols., (being "New Memoirs upon Artists and

the objects of Art"--and which is frequently referred to by

foreigners,) I never saw a copy. It was again published in

1786. His "_Idée Générale d'une Collection complette

d'Estampes_," &c., Leips., 1771, 8vo., is a most curious and

entertaining book; but unconscionably dear in this country.

His "_Dictionnaire des Artistes dont nous avons des

Estampes_," &c., Leips. 1778, 8vo., four vols., is an

unfinished performance, but remarkably minute as far as it

goes. The remainder, written in the German language,

continues in MS. in the Electorate library at Dresden,

forming twelve volumes. Of the character of Heinecken's

latter work, consult Huber's _Manuel, &c., des Amateurs de

l'Art_, Zurich, 1797, 8vo.: and a recent work entitled

"_Notices des Graveurs_," Paris, 1804, 8vo., two vols.

Heinecken died at the advanced age of eighty.]

[Footnote 155: We will discuss their works _seriatim_, as

Lisardo has said above. SEEMILLER'S _Bibliothecæ

Incolstadiensis Incunabula Typographica_, contains four

parts, or fasciculi: they are bound in one volume, quarto,

1787, &c.; but, unfortunately for those who love curious and

carefully executed works, it is rather rare in this country.

The _Notitia Historico-Critica de libris ab art typog.

invent._, by PLACID BRAUN, in two parts, or volumes, 1788,

4to., with curious plates, has long been a desideratum in my

own collection; and my friend Mr. Beloe, who is luckily in

possession of a copy, enjoys his triumph over me when he

discovers it not in my bibliographical boudoir. The same

author also published his "_Notitia Historico-Literaria de

cod. MSS. in Bibl. Monast. ord. S. Bened. ad SS. Vidal. et

Afram Augustæ ex tantibus_," Aug. Vindel., 1791, 4to., two

vols. _Cat. de Santander_, vol. iv., p. 170. I know not how

any well versed bibliographer can do without the

"_Bibliotheca Moguntina libris sæculo primo Tpyographico

[Transcriber's Note: Typographico] Moguntiæ impressis

instructa_;" 1787, 4to., of WURDTWEIN. It has some curious

plates of fac-similes, and is rarely seen in the Strand or

King-street book-markets.----C.T. DE MURR published a work

of some interest, entitled, "_Memorabilia Bibliothecarum

Publicarum Norimbergensium_," Norimb., 1786-91, three parts

or vols. 8vo.; which is also rare.----ROSSI'S valuable work

concerning the annals of Hebrew typography: _Annales

Hebræo-Typographici, à 1475, ad 1540_, Parmæ, 1795, 1799,

4to., two separate publications, is prettily printed by

Bodoni, and is an indispensable article in the collection of

the typographical antiquary. See the _Dict. de Bibliologie_,

vol. iii., p. 286.----PANZER'S _Annales Typographici_, in

eleven quarto volumes (1793-1803) is a work of the very

first importance to bibliographers. Its arrangement, after

the manner of Orlandi's, is clear and most convenient; and

the references to authorities, which are innumerable, are,

upon the whole, very faithful. The indexes are copious and

satisfactory. This work (of which I hear there are only

three copies upon LARGE PAPER) contains an account of books

which were printed in all parts of Europe from the year

1457, to 1536, inclusive; but it should be remembered that

the author published a distinct work in the year 1788, 4to.,

relating to books which were printed, within the same

period, in the _German Language_; and this should always

accompany the eleven Latin volumes. I will just add from it,

as a curiosity, the title and colophon (translated into

English) of the first printed book in the German

language:--"THE PUBLICATION OF DIETHERS, ELECTOR OF MAYENCE,

AGAINST COUNT ADOLPHUS OF NASSAU; _given out under our

impressed seal on Tuesday, after the fourth Sunday in

Advent, anno Domini 1462_." Consult also Wurdtwein's _Bibl.

Mogunt._, p. 80; and the authorities there referred to. It

seems doubtful whether this curious little brochure, of

which scarcely any thing more than a fragment now remains,

was printed by Fust and Schoeffer, or by Gutenberg.]

What countenances are those which beam with so much quiet, but

interesting, expression? They are the resemblances of DENIS and

CAMUS:[156] the former of whom is better known from his _Annalium

Typographicorum Maittaire Supplementum_; and the latter very generally

respected abroad, although our acquaintance with him in this country

is exceedingly slight. If I mistake not, I observe the mild and modest

countenance of my old acquaintance, HERBERT, in this bibliographical

group of heads? Do not despise his toil[157] because it is not

sprinkled with gay conceits, or learned digressions: he wrote to be

useful, not to be entertaining; and so far as he went, his work was

such an improvement upon his predecessor's plan as to place it quite

at the head of NATIONAL TYPOGRAPHY. See yonder the sensible

countenance of HARWOOD![158] the first writer in this country who

taught us to consider the respective merits and demerits of the

various editions of Greek and Latin authors.

[Footnote 156: MICHAEL DENIS, the translator of Ossian, and

a bibliographer of justly established eminence, was

principal librarian of the Imperial library at Vienna, and

died in the year 1800, at the age of 71. His _Supplement to

Maittaire's Typographical Annals_, in two parts or volumes,

1789, 4to., is a work of solid merit, and indispensable to

the possessor of its precursor. The bibliographical

references are very few; but the descriptions of the volumes

are minutely accurate. The indexes also are excellent. In

the year 1793, Denis published the first volume (in three

thick parts in folio) of his _Codices Manuscripti Theologici

Bibl. Palat. Vindob._; a production which the reader will

find somewhat fully described in the ensuing pages. The

second volume appeared after his death in 1801. In 1795-6,

came forth his second edition of an _Introduction to the

Knowledge of Books_, in two quarto volumes; unfortunately

written in the German language--but mentioned with

approbation in the first volume of the _Mem. de l'Inst._, p.

648. Consult also Peignot's _Dict. de Bibliologie_, vol. i.,

p. 122; ii., 232.----ARMAND GASTON CAMUS is a bibliographer

of very first rate reputation. The reader has only to peruse

the following titles of some of his works, and he will

certainly bewail his ill fortune if they are not to be found

in his library. 1. _Observations sur la distribution et le

classement des livres d'une Bibliothéque_: 2. _Additions aux

mêmes_; 3. _Memoire sur un livre Allemand_ (which is the

famous TEWRDANNCKHS; and about which is to be hoped that Mr.

Douce will one day favour us with his curious remarks): 4.

_Addition au même_: 5. _Memoire sur l'histoire et les

procédés du Polytypage et de la Stéréotypie_: 6. _Rapport

sur la continuation de la Collection des Historiens de

France, et de celle des Chartres et Diplomes_: 7. _Notice

d'un livre imprimé à Bamberg en 1462_. All these works are

thus strung together, because they occur in the first three

volumes of the _Memoires de l'Institut_. This curious book,

printed at Bamberg, was discovered by a German clergyman of

the name of Stenier, and was first described by him in the

_Magasin Hist.-Litt., bibliogr._ Chemintz, 1792: but Camus's

memoir is replete with curious matter, and is illustrated

with fac-simile cuts. In the "_Notices et Extraits des MSS.

de la Bibl. Nationale_," vol. vi., p. 106, will be found a

most interesting memoir by him, relating to two ancient

manuscript bibles, in two volumes folio, adorned with a

profusion of pictures: of some of which very elegant

fac-similes are given. These pictures are 5152 in number!

each of them having a Latin and French verse beautifully

written and illuminated beneath.--Camus supposes that such a

work could not now be executed under 100,000 francs!--"Where

(exclaims he) shall we find such modern specimens of

book-luxury?" In the year 1802, he published an admirable

"_Mémoire sur la collection des grands et petits voyages, et

sur la Collection des Voyages des Melchesedech Thevenot_,"

4to., with an excellent "Table des Matières." Of his own

journey into the Low Countries, recently published, I never

met with a copy. All the preceding works, with the exception

of the last, are in my own humble collection.]

[Footnote 157: A short bibliographical memoir of HERBERT

will be found in the first volume of my edition of the

_Typographical Antiquities of Great Britain_. Since that was

published, I have gleaned a few further particulars relating

to him, which may be acceptable to the reader. Shortly after

the appearance of his third volume, he thus speaks in a

letter to Mr. Price, librarian of the Bodleian library, "If

at any time you meet with any book of which I have not taken

notice, or made any mistake in the description of it, your

kind information will be esteemed a favour; as I purpose to

continue collecting materials for a future publication, when

enough shall be collected to make another volume." This was

in April, 1790. In the ensuing month he thus addresses his

old friend Mr. White, of Crickhowell, who, with himself, was

desperately addicted to the black-letter. "To morrow my wife

and self set out for Norfolk to take a little relaxation for

about a fortnight. I hope my labours will in some good

measure answer the expectation of my friends and subscribers

in general. Sure I am my best endeavours have been exerted

for that purpose. I have been 24 years collecting materials;

have spent many a fair pound, and many a weary hour; and it

is now ten years since the first part was committed to the

press. I purpose to continue collecting materials in order

to a fourth volume, &c.;--yet by no means will I make myself

debtor to the public when to publish: if it shall please God

to take me to himself, Isaac will in due time set it forth.

However I shall keep an interleaved copy for the purpose."

In a letter to a Mr. John Banger Russell (in Dorsetshire),

written in the ensuing month of June, the same sentiments

and the same intention are avowed. Thus ardent was the

bibliomaniacal spirit of Herbert in his 72d year! The

_interleaved copy_ here alluded to (which was bound in six

volumes 4to., in Russia binding, and for which Mr. Gough had

given Herbert's widow 52_l._ 10_s._) is now in my

possession; as well as the yet more valuable acquisition of

some numerous MS. addenda to his History of Printing--both

of these articles having been purchased by me at the sale of

Mr. Gough's MSS. and printed books, A.D. 1810.]

[Footnote 158: Dr. EDWARD HARWOOD published the fourth and

last edition of his "_View of the various editions of the

Greek and Roman Classics_," in the year 1790, 8vo. A work

which, in the public estimation, has entitled its author's

memory to very considerable respect in the classical world;

although the late Professor Porson, in the fly leaf of a

copy of my second edition of a similar publication, was

pleased to call the Doctor by a name rather unusually harsh

with _him_, who was "Criticus et lenis et acutus;" censuring

also my dependance upon my predecessor. In the year 1808,

was published my third edition of "_An introduction to the

knowledge of rare and valuable editions of the Greek and

Latin Classics_," two volumes 8vo.: in which, if I may

presume to talk of anything so insignificant, I have

endeavoured to exhibit the opinions--not of Dr. Harwood

alone, but of the most eminent foreign critics and

editors--upon the numerous editions which, in a

chronological series, are brought before the reader's

attention. The remarks of the first bibliographers in Europe

are also, for the first time in a English publication,

subjoined; so that the lover of curious, as well as of

valuable, editions may be equally gratified. The

authorities, exceedingly numerous as well as respectable,

are referred to in a manner the most unostentatious; and a

full measure of text, and to be really useful, was my design

from the beginning to the end of it. To write a long and

dull homily about its imperfections would be gross

affectation. An extensive sale has satisfied my publishers

that its merit a little counterbalances its defects.]

LIS. You are, no doubt, a fond and partial critic in regard to the

works of Herbert and Harwood: but I am glad to recognise my fellow

countrymen in such an illustrious assemblage. Go on.

LYSAND. We are just at the close. But a few more busts, and those very

recently executed, remain to be noticed. These are the resemblances of

LA SERNA SANTANDER, CAILLEAU, and OBERLIN;[159] while several vacant

niches remain to be filled up with the busts of more modern

bibliographers of eminence: namely, of VAN-PRAET, FISCHER, LAMBINET,

RENOUARD, PEIGNOT, FOURNIER, BARBIER, BOUCHER, and BRUNET.[160]

[Footnote 159: DE LA SERNA SANTANDER will always hold a

distinguished place amongst bibliographers, not only from

the care and attention with which he put forth the catalogue

of his own books--the parting from which must have gone near

to break his heart--but from his elegant and useful work

entitled, "_Dictionnaire Bibliographique choisi du quinzieme

Siécle_," 1805, &c., 8vo., in three parts or volumes. His

summary of researches, upon the invention of printing, Mr.

Edwards told me, he read "with complete satisfaction"--this

occupies the first part or volume. The remaining volumes

form a necessary, as well as brilliant, supplement to De

Bure. Just at this moment, I believe that Mr. Beloe's, and

my own, copy of the work, are the only ones in this

country.----CAILLEAU has the credit of being author of the

_Dictionnaire Bibliographique_, &c., in three volumes,

octavo, 1790--of which there are a sufficient number of

counterfeited and faulty re-impressions; but which, after

all, in its original shape, edit. 1790, is not free from

gross errors; however useful it is in many respects. I

suspect, however, that the Abbé DUCLOS had the greater share

in this publication: but, be this as it may, the fourth

supplemental volume (by the younger Brunet) is, in every

respect, a more accurate and valuable performance. OBERLIN,

librarian of the central school or college at Strasbourg, is

author of a bibliographical treatise particularly deserving

of the antiquary's attention: namely, _Essai d'annales de la

vie de Jean Gutenburg [Transcriber's Note: Gutenberg], &c._,

Stasb. [Transcriber's Note: Strasb.], an. ix., 8vo. His

other numerous (belles-lettres) works are minutely specified

by Peignot in his _Dict. de Bibliologie_, vol. iii., p. 230.

His edition of Horace, Argent., 1788, 4to., is both elegant

and correct.]

[Footnote 160: Let us go quietly through the modern French

school of bibliography.----Mons. JOSEPH VAN-PRAET is

principal librarian of the Imperial collection at Paris, and

is justly called, by some of his fellow-labourers in the

same career, "one of the first bibliographers in Europe." He

is known to me, as a bibliographical writer, only by the

part which he took, and so ably executed, in the Valliere

catalogue of 1783. Peignot informs us that M. Van-Praet is

now busy in composing a little work--which I am sure will

rejoice the hearts of all true bibliomaniacs to be apprised

of--called a _Catalogue raisonné_ of books PRINTED UPON

VELLUM; for which he has already prepared not fewer than

2000 articles! See the _Curiosités Bibliogr._, p. iij. Among

these VELLUM articles, gentle reader, I assure thee that

thine eyes will be blest with the description of "THE SHYP

OF FOOLES," printed by Pynson, 1509! The urbanity and

politeness of this distinguished librarian are equal to his

knowledge.----GOTTHELF FISCHER, a Saxon by birth, and

librarian of the public collection at Mentz, has given us

the following interesting treatises, of which, I believe,

not five copies are to be found in this country:

namely--_Essai sur les Monumens Typographiques de Jean

Gutenberg, &c._, an. x. [1801], 4to.: and _Descriptions de

raretés typographiques et de Manuscrits remarquables, &c._,

Nuremb., 1801, 8vo.--the latter is in the German language,

and has cuts--with a portrait of Fust. By this time, the

work has most probably been translated into French, as it is

frequently referred to and highly spoken of by foreigners.

Peignot [_Dict. de Bibliologie_, vol. iii., p. 128] refers

us to the fine eulogy pronounced upon Fisher [Transcriber's

Note: Fischer] (not yet 40 years of age) by Camus, in his

"Voyage dans les departemens réunis," p. 12.----LAMBINET

will always be remembered and respected, as long as printing

and bibliography shall be studied, by his "_Recherches

Historiques Littéraires et Critiques, sur l'Originè de

L'Imprimerie; particulièrement sur les premiers

établissemens au_ XVme _siécle dans la Belgique_," &c.,

Brux., an. vii. (1798), 8vo. It is, indeed, a very

satisfactory performance: the result of judgment and

taste--rare union!----In like manner, RENOUARD has procured

for himself a bibliographical immortality by his _Annales de

l'Imprimerie des Aide_, 1803, 8vo., two vols.: a work almost

perfect of its kind, and by many degrees superior to

Bandini's dry _Annales Typog. Juntarum._, Lucæ, 1761. In

Renouard's taste, accuracy and interest are delightfully

combined; and the work is printed with unrivalled beauty.

There were only six copies of it printed upon LARGE PAPER;

one of which I saw in the fine collection of the Rt. Hon. T.

Grenville.----Few modern bibliographers have displayed so

much diligence as GABRIEL PEIGNOT: from whom we have, 1.

_Dictionnaire Raisonné de Bibliologie_, Paris, 1802, 8vo.,

two vols., with a third, by way of supplement (1804). With

necessary corrections and additions, this work would answer

many useful purposes in an English translation. 2. _Essai de

Curiosités Bibliographiques_, 1804, 8vo. This is a very

amusing (but scarce and unconscionably dear) book. It

contains elaborate descriptions of many curious and

sumptuous works, which were sold for 1000 and more livres at

public sales. 3. _Dictionnaire, &c., des principaux livres

condamnés au feu, supprimés ou censurés_, Paris, 1806, 8vo.,

2 vols. The very title of such a work must sharpen the edge

of curiosity with those bibliomaniacs who have never seen

it. 4. _Bibliographie Curieuse, ou Notice Raisonnée des

livres imprimés a cent exemplaires au plus, suivie d'une

notice de quelques ouvrages tirés sur papier de couleur_,

Paris, 1808, 8vo. Only one hundred copies of this thin

volume were struck off: of which I possess the 86th copy,

according to Peignot's notification. Indeed I am fortunate

in having all his preceding works. Let us wish long life and

never-failing success to so brave a book-chevalier as

Gabriel Peignot.----FRANÇOIS IGNACE FOURNIER, at 18 years of

age, published an elegantly printed little volume, entitled

_Essai Portatif de Bibliographie_, 1796, 8vo., of which only

26 copies were struck off. In the year 1805, this essay

assumed the form of a Dictionary, and appeared under the

title of _Dictionnaire portatif de Bibliographie, &c._,

8vo., comprising 17,000 articles, printed in a very small

character. Last year, in the month of May, Fournier put

forth a new edition of this _Dictionnaire_, considerably

augmented; but in which (such is the fate of bibliographical

studies) notwithstanding all the care of the author, Brunet

tells us that he has discovered not fewer than five hundred

errors! Let not Fournier, however be discouraged; in a few

years he will achieve something yet more worthy of his

laudable seal in bibliography.----ANTOINE-ALEXANDRE BARBIER,

librarian of the Council of State, has favoured us with an

admirably well executed work, entitled _Dictionnaire des

Ouvrages Anonymes et Pseudonymes, composés, traduits ou

publiés en Français, &c., accompagneé de notes historiques

et critiques_, Paris, _Imprimis Bibliogr._, 1806, 8vo., two

vols. See also art. "Conseil d'Etat," in the list of French

Catalogues, post. From these the reader will judge of the

warm thanks to which this eminent bibliographer is entitled

for his very useful labours.----G. BOUCHER de la Richarderie

has, in an especial manner, distinguished himself by his

_Bibliothéque Universelle des Voyages_, Paris, 1808, 8vo.,

six vols.: a work executed with care, minuteness, and

considerable interest. Some of its extracts are, perhaps,

unnecessarily long. The index to the sixth volume will lead

the reader to consult an account of some of the most

ancient, rare, and curious publications of voyages which

have ever appeared: and Boucher "has deserved well" of the

book world by this truly valuable and almost indispensable

performance.----BRUNET Le Fils. This able writer, and

enthusiastic devotee to bibliography, has recently published

an excellent and copious work which would appear greatly to

eclipse Fournier's; entitled "_Manuel du Libraire et de

l'Amateur de Livres, contenant, 1. Un Nouveau Dictionnaire

Bibliographigue, 2. Une Table en forme de Catalogue

Raisonnée_," Paris, 1810, 8vo., 3 vols.: in which he tells us

he has devoted at least thirty years to the examination of

books. The first two volumes form a scientific arrangement:

the latter is an alphabetical one, referring to one or the

other of the preceding volumes for a more copious account of

the work. It must be confessed that Brunet has, in this

publication, executed a difficult task with great ability.]

LIS. I am quite anxious to possess the publications of these moderns:

but you say nothing of their comparative value with the ancients.

LYSAND. Generally speaking, in regard to discoveries of rare books and

typographical curiosities, the moderns have the advantage. They have

made more rational conclusions, from data which had escaped their

predecessors: and the sparkling and animated manner in which they

dress out the particular objects that they describe renders the

perusal of their works more pleasant and gratifying. I am not sure

that they have the learning of the old school: but their works are, in

general, less ponderous and repulsive. The ancient bibliographers were

probably too anxious to describe every thing, however minute and

unimportant: they thought it better to say too much than too little;

and, finding the great mass of readers in former times, uninstructed

in these particular pursuits, they thought they could never exhaust a

subject by bringing to bear upon it every point, however remotely

connected! They found the plain, it is true, parched and sandy; but

they were not satisfied with pouring water upon it, 'till they had

converted it into a deluge.[161]

[Footnote 161: What Denis says, in the preface to his

_Catalog. Cod. MSS. Bibl. Palat. Vindob._ (of which see p.

65, ante) is very just; "media incedendum via; neque nudis

codicum titulis, ut quibusdam bibliothecis placuit, in

chartam conjectis provehi multum studia, neque _doctis, quæ

superioris seculi fuit intemperantia, ambagibus et

excursibus_."--This is certainly descriptive of the OLD

SCHOOL of bibliography.]

LIS. Let me ask you, at this stage of our inquiries, what you mean by

bibliographical publications?--and whether the works of those authors

which you have enumerated are sufficient to enable a novice, like

myself, to have pretty accurate notions about the rarity and intrinsic

value of certain works?

LYSAND. By bibliographical publications, I mean such works as give us

some knowledge of the literary productions, as well as of the life,

of certain learned men; which state the various and the best editions

of their lucubrations; and which stimulate us to get possession of

these editions. Every biographical narrative which is enriched with

the mention of curious and rare editions of certain works is, to a

great extent, a bibliographical publication. Those works which treat

professedly upon books are, of course, immediately within the pale of

bibliography.

LIS. But am I to be satisfied with the possession of those works

already recommended?

PHIL. I suppose Lisardo has heard of certain valuable CATALOGUES, and

he wishes to know how far the possession of these may be requisite in

order to make him a bibliographer?

LYSAND. At present I will say nothing about the catalogues of the

collections of our own countrymen. As we have been travelling

principally abroad, we may direct our attention to those which relate

to foreign collections.

And first, let us pay a due tribute of praise to the published

Catalogues of Libraries collected by the JESUITS: men of shrewd

talents and unabating research, and in derogation of whose merits

Voltaire and D'Alembert disgraced themselves by scribbling the most

contemptible lampoons. The downfall of this society led, not very

indirectly, to the destruction of the ancient French monarchy. Men

seemed to forget that while the most shameless depredations were

committed within the libraries of the Jesuits, the cause of learning,

as well as of liberty, suffered,--and the spoils which have glittered

before our eyes, as the precious relics of these collections, serve to

afford a melancholy proof how little those men stick at any thing who,

in raising the war-whoop of liberty and equality, tear open the very

bowels of order, tranquillity, peace, and decorum! But, to the

subject. Let the catalogues of PUBLIC COLLECTIONS, when they are well

arranged, be received into your library. Of foreign PRIVATE

COLLECTIONS, the catalogues[162] of DU FRESNE, CORDES, HEINSIAS,

BALUZE, COLBERT, ROTHELIN, DE BOZE, PREFOND, POMPADOUR, GAIGNAT,

GOUTTARD, BUNAU, SOUBISE, LA VALLIERE, CREVENNA, LAMOIGNON, and of

several other collections, with which my memory does not just now

serve me, will enable you to form a pretty correct estimate of the

_marketable value_ of certain rare and sumptuous publications.

Catalogues are, to bibliographers, what _Reports_ are to lawyers: not

to be read through from beginning to end--but to be consulted on

doubtful points, and in litigated cases. Nor must you, after all,

place too strong a reliance upon the present prices of books, from

what they have produced at former sales; as nothing is more

capricious and unsettled than the value of books at a public auction.

But, in regard to these catalogues, if you should be fortunate enough

to possess any which are printed upon _Large Paper, with the Names of

the Purchasers, and the Prices_ for which each set of books was sold,

thrice and four times happy may you account yourself to be, my good

Lisardo!

[Footnote 162: As it would have required more breath than

usually falls to the lot of an individual, for Lysander to

have given even a rough sketch of the merits, demerits, and

rarity of certain foreign catalogues of public and private

collections--in his discourse with his friends--I have

ventured to supply the deficiency by subjoining, in the

ensuing _tolerably copious_ note, a list of these

catalogues, alphabetically arranged; as being, perhaps, the

most convenient and acceptable plan. Such an attempt is

quite novel; and must be received, therefore, with many

grains of allowance. Although I am in possession of the

greater number (at least of two thirds) of the catalogues

described, I am aware that, in regard to the description of

those not in my own library, I subject myself to the lash of

P. Morhof. "Inepti sunt, qui librorum catalogos scribunt e

catalogis. Oculata fides et judicium præsens requiritur."

_Polyhist. Literar._, vol. i., 230. But the weight of my

authorities will, I trust, secure me from any great violence

of critical indignation. To render so dry a subject (the

very "_Hortus Siccus_" of bibliography) somewhat palatable,

I have here and there besprinkled it with biographical

anecdotes of the collectors, and of the state of French

literature in the last century and a half.----D'AGUESSEAU.

_Catalogue des Livres Imprimés et Manuscrits de la

Bibliothéque de feu Monsieur D'Aguesseau_, &c., Paris, 1785,

8vo. "Anxious to enrich his collection, (says the compiler

of this catalogue) the Bibliomaniac sees with delight the

moment arrive when, by the sale of a library like this, he

may add to his precious stores. It is, in truth, a grand

collection; especially of history, arts, and sciences, and

jurisprudence. The famous Chancellor D'Aguesseau laid the

foundation of this library, which was as universal as his

own genius." It would appear that the son, to whom the

collection latterly belonged, was gracious in the extreme in

the loan of books; and that, in consequence, a public

advertisement was inserted at the foot of the "Avis

preliminaire," to entreat those, who had profited by such

kindness, to return their borrowed (shall I say stolen?)

goods? For want of these volumes, many sets of books were

miserably defective.----ANONYMIANA. _Catalogus Bibliothecæ

Anonymianæ, in quo libri rariores recensentur, una cum notis

litterariis_, Norimb., 1738, 8vo. This is a catalogue of

value, and may be well ranged with its brethren upon the

bibliographer's shelf. Another "_Bibliotheca Anonymiana_,"

was published ten years preceding the present one; at the

Hague, in three parts, one vol., 8vo.: which, in the _Bibl.

Solger._, vol iii., no. 1388, is said to contain many

rare books: see also no. 1370, _ibid._----D'ARTOIS.

_Catalogue des Livres du Cabinet de Monseigneur Le Compte

D'Artois_, Paris, 1783, 8vo. Very few copies of this

catalogue, which is printed in a wide octavo page,

resembling that of a quarto, were struck off: according to

Fournier's _Dict. Portat. de Bibliogr._, p. 120, edit. 1809.

See also _Cat. de Boutourlin_, no. 3876.----AUGUSTANA.

_Catalogus Bibliothecæ inclytæ Reipubl. Augustanæ utriusque

linguæ tum Græcæ tum Latinæ librorum et impressorum et manu

exaratorum._ Aug. Vindel., 1600, fol. Morhof informs us that

this catalogue, of which Hoeschelius was the compiler,

contains an account of some manuscripts which have never

been printed, as well as of some which Marcus Velserus

published. It is, moreover, full of precious bibliographical

matter; but unfortunately (the possessor of it may think

otherwise) only ONE HUNDRED COPIES were struck off.

_Polyhist. Literar._, vol. i., 211. I find, however, some

little difficulty about distinguishing this catalogue of the

Augsbourg library from the impression of 1633, fol., which

Vogt mentions at p. 323, and of which he also talks of 100

copies being printed. It should not be forgotten that

Hoeschelius published an admirable catalogue of the Greek

MSS. in the library of Augsbourg, 1595, and again 1605, in

4to. Colomiés pronounces it a model in its way. _Bibl.

Choisie_, p. 194-5. The catalogue of the Greek MSS. in the

library of the Duke of Bavaria, at Munich, was published

about the same period; namely, in 1602: the compiler was a

skilful man, but he tells us, at the head of the catalogue,

that the MSS. were open to the inspection of every one who

had any work in hand, provided he were a _Roman Catholic_!

This was being very kind to protestants! _Jugemens des

Savans_, vol. ii., part i., p. 215, edit. 1725. See also

Vogt's _Catalog. Libror. Rarior._, p. 232.----AUGUSTANA.

_Notitia historica-literaria de libris ab artis typographicæ

inventione usque ad annum, 1478, impressis, in Bibliotheca

Monasterii ad SS. Udalricum et Afram Augustæ extantibus._

August, Vindel, 1788, 4to. This volume, which I have no

doubt would gratify the curious bibliographer, it has never

been my good fortune to meet with. It is here introduced

upon the authority of the _Cat. du Cardinal de Loménie_,

no. 2647: ed. 1797. I ought not to close this account of

the Augsbourg catalogues of books, without remarking, on the

authority of Reimannus, that the _first_ published catalogue

of books is that which Villerius, a bookseller at Augsburg,

put forth in the year 1564. See the _Bibl. Acroam._, p.

5.----AURIVILLIUS. _Catalogus Bibliothecæ quam collegerat

Carolus Aurivillius_, sectio [Transcriber's Note: section]

i. and ii., Upsal, 1787, 8vo. This catalogue contains a

plentiful sprinkling of short literary and bibliographical

notes; according to _Bibl. Krohn_, p. 256, no.

3582.----BADENHAUPT. _Bibliotheca selectissima; sive

Catalogus librorum magnam partem philologicorum, quos inter

eminent. Auctores Græci et Romani classica quos collegit

E.F. Badenhaupt_, Berol, 1773, 8vo. The pithy

bibliographical notes which are here and there scattered

throughout this catalogue, render it of estimation in the

opinion of the curious.----BALUZE. _Bibliotheca Balusiana;

seu catalogus librorum bibliothecæ D.S. Baluzii, A. Gab.

Martin_, Paris, 1719, 8vo., two vols. Let any enlightened

bibliographers read the eulogy upon the venerable Baluze

(who died in his eighty-eighth year, and who was the great

Colbert's librarian), in the preface of the _Bibl.

Colbertina_ (vide post), and in the _Dict. Hist._ (Caen,

1789, vol. i., p. 443-4), and he will not hesitate a moment

about the propriety of giving this volume a conspicuous

place upon his shelf. From the _Bibl. Mencken_, p. 10, it

would appear that a third volume, containing translations of

some MSS. in the royal library, is wanting to make this

catalogue complete. This third volume is

uncommon.----BARBERINI. _Index Bibliothecæ Francisci

Barberini Cardinalis. Romæ, Typis Barberinis_, 1681, fol.,

three vols. in two. The widely spread celebrity of Cardinal

Barberini suffers no diminution from this publication of the

riches contained within his library. The authors are

arranged alphabetically, and not according to classes.

Although it be not the most luminous in its arrangement, or

the most accurate in its execution, this finely printed

catalogue will never remain long upon a bookseller's shelf

without a purchaser. It were much to be desired that our own

noblemen, who have fine collections of books, would put

forth (after the example of Cardinal Barberini) similar

publications.----BARTHELEMY. _Catalogue des Livres de la

Bibliothéque de M. l'Abbé Barthelemy, par M. Bernard_, 1800,

8vo. The high reputation of the owner of this collection

will always secure purchasers for this catalogue of useful

and interesting books.----BIBLIOGRAPHIE _des Pays Bas, avec

quelques notes. Nyon, en Suisse_, 1783, 4to. Only fifty

copies of this work were printed. It is a pity that Peignot,

who gives us this information, does not accompany it with

some account of the nature and merits of the work--which

probably grew out of the _Histoire Littéraire des Pays

Blas_, 1725, in three folio volumes. _Bibl. Curieuse_, p.

10.----BODLEIAN. _Catalog. Libr. Bibl. Publ., &c., in Acad.

Oxon._, 1605, 4to. _Catal. Libr. Impr._, 1674, fol.

_Catalogi Libror. MSS. Angl. et Hibern._, 1697, fol.

_Catalogus Impress. Libror. Bibl. Bodl._, 1733, fol., two

vols. Although none but catalogues of foreign public and

private collections were intended to be noticed in this

list, the reader will forgive a little violation of the rule

laid down by myself, if I briefly observe upon the

catalogues of the Bodleian library and the British Museum.

[For the latter, vide 'MUSEUM.'] The first of these Bodleian

catalogues contains an account of the MSS. It was prepared

by Dr. James, the editor of the Philobiblion of De Bury

(vide p. 30, ante), and, as it was the first attempt to

reduce to "lucid order" the indigested pile of MSS.

contained in the library, its imperfections must be

forgiven. It was afterwards improved, as well as enlarged,

in the folio edition of 1697, by Bernard; which contains the

MSS. subsequently bequeathed to the library by Selden,

Digby, and Laud, alone forming an extensive and valuable

collection. The editor of Morhof (vol. i., 193, n.) has

highly commended this latter catalogue. Let the purchaser of

it look well to the frontispiece of the portraits of Sir

Thomas Bodley and of the fore-mentioned worthies, which

faces the title-page; as it is frequently made the prey of

some prowling Grangerite. The first catalogue of the

_Printed Books_ in the Bodleian library was compiled by the

celebrated orientalist, Dr. Hyde: the second by Fisher: of

these, the latter is the more valuable, as it is the more

enlarged. The plan adopted in both is the same: namely, the

books are arranged alphabetically, without any reference to

their classes--a plan fundamentally erroneous: for the chief

object in catalogues of public collections is to know what

works are published upon particular subjects, for the

facility of information thereupon--whether our inquiries

lead to publication or otherwise: an alphabetical index

should, of course, close the whole. It is with reluctance my

zeal for literature compels me to add that a _Catalogue

Raisonnée of the Manuscripts and Printed Books in the

Bodleian Library_ is an urgent desideratum--acknowledged by

every sensible and affectionate son of ALMA MATER. Talent

there is, in abundance, towards the completion of such an

honourable task; and the only way to bring it effectually

into exercise is to employ heads and hands enough upon the

undertaking. Let it be remembered what Wanley and Messrs.

Planta and Nares have done for the Cottonian and Harleian

MSS.--and what Mr. Douce is now doing for those of the

Lansdowne collection! One gentleman alone, of a very

distinguished college, in whom the acuteness and solidity of

Porson seem almost revived, might do wonders for the Greek

MSS., and lend an effectual aid towards the arrangement of

the others. The printed books might be assigned, according

to their several classes, to the gentlemen most conversant

with the same; and the numerous bibliographical works,

published since the catalogue of 1733, might be occasionally

referred to, according to the plan observed in the _Notitia

Editionum vel Primariæ, &c., in Bibl. Bodl. Oxon._, 1795,

8vo.; which was judiciously drawn up by the Bishop of

London, and the Rev. Dr. William Jackson. I am aware that

the aged hands of the present venerable librarian of the

Bodleian library can do little more than lay the

foundation-stone of such a massive superstructure; but even

this would be sufficient to enrol his name with the

Magliabecchis and Baillets of former times--to entitle him

to be classed among the best benefactors to the library--and

to shake hands with its immortal founder, in that place

where are

et amoena vireta

Fortunatorum nemorum, sedesque beatæ.