things respecting _Typography_ and _Bibliography_; and seems
to have had considerable influence with that distinguished
corps, composed of Hearne, Bagford, Middleton, Anstis, and
Ames, &c. His life has been written by the Rev. Robert
Masters, Camb., 1784, 8vo.; and from the "Catalogue of
forty-two folio volumes of MS. collections by Mr.
Baker"--given to the library of St. John's College,
Cambridge--which the biographer has printed at the end of
the volume--there is surely sufficient evidence to warrant
us in concluding that the above-mentioned Thomas Baker was
no ordinary bibliomaniac. To Hearne in particular (and
indeed to almost every respectable author who applied to
him) he was kind and communicative; hence he is frequently
named by the former in terms of the most respectful
admiration: thus--"Vir amicissimus, educatus optime,
emendatus vitâ, doctrinâ clarus, moribus singularis et
perjucundus, exemplum antiquitatis, cujus judicio plurimum
esse tribuendum mecum fatebuntur litterati:" _Vita Mori_, p.
XVIII. In his preface to the _Antiquities of Glastonbury_,
p. CXXX., Hearne calls him "that great man;" and again, in
his _Walter Hemingford_, vol. i., p. XVII.--"amicus
eruditissimus, mihi summe colendus; is nempe, qui è scriniis
suis MSS. tam multa meam in gratiam deprompsit." Indeed,
Hearne had good occasion to speak well of the treasures of
Baker's "_scrinia_;" as the Appendix to his _Thomas de
Elmham_ alone testifies. Of Baker's abilities and private
worth, we have the testimonies of Middleton (_Origin of
Printing_, p. 5) and Warburton. The latter thus mentions
him: "Good old Mr. Baker, of St John's College, has indeed,
been very obliging. The people of St. John's almost adore
the man." _Masters's Life of Baker_, p. 94. This authority
also informs us that "Mr. Baker had, for many years before
his death, been almost a recluse, and seldom went farther
than the college walks, unless to a coffee-house in an
evening, after chapel, where he commonly spent an hour with
great chearfulness, conversing with a select number of his
friends and acquaintance upon literary subjects," p. 108.
Every thing the most amiable, and, I had almost said,
enviable, is here said of the virtues of his head and heart;
and that this venerable bibliomaniac should have reached his
80th year is at least a demonstration that tarrying amongst
folios and octavos, from morn till night (which Baker used
to do, in St. John's Library, for nearly 20 years together),
does not unstring the nerves, or dry up the juices, of the
human frame. Yet a little further extension of this note,
gentle reader, and then we bid adieu to Thomas Baker, of
ever respectable book-memory. Among the MSS., once the
property of Herbert, which I purchased at the late sale of
Mr. Gough's MSS., I obtained a volume full of extracts from
original letters between Baker and Ames; containing also the
_Will_ of the former, which is not inserted in Master's Life
of him, nor in the _Biographia Britannica_. The original
documents are in his Majesty's library, and were bought at
the sale of Mr. Tutet's books, A.D. 1786; no. 375. From
this will, as Herbert has copied it, the reader is presented
with the following strong proofs of the bibliomaniacal
"ruling passion, strong in death," of our illustrious
antiquary. But let us not omit the manly tone of piety with
which this Will commences. "In the name of God, Amen! I,
THOMAS BAKER, ejected Fellow of St. John's college,
Cambridge, do make my last will and testament, as follows:
First, I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God (my
most gracious and good God), my faithful Creator and
merciful Redeemer, and, in all my dangers and difficulties,
a most constant protector. Blessed for ever be his holy
name." "As to the temporal goods which it hath pleased the
same good God to bestow upon me (such as all men ought to be
content with) and are, I bless God, neither poverty nor
riches--I dispose of them in the following manner." Here
follow a few of his book bequests, which may be worth the
attention of those whose pursuits lead them to a particular
examination of these authors. "Whereas I have made a deed of
gift or sale for one guinea, of 21 volumes in folio, of my
own hand-writing, to the Right Honourable EDWARD EARL OF
OXFORD, I confirm and ratify that gift by this my last will.
And I beg his lordship's acceptance of 'em, being sensible
that they are of little use or value, with two other volumes
in fol., markt Vol. 19, 20, since convey'd to him in like
manner. To my dear cosin, George Baker, of Crook, Esq., I
leave the _Life of Cardinal Wolsey_, noted with my own hand,
_Lord Clarendon's History_, with cuts and prints; and
_Winwood's Memorials_, in three volumes, fol., with a five
pound (Jacobus) piece of gold, only as a mark of respect and
affection, since he does not want it. To my worthy kinsman
and Friend Mr. George Smith, I leave _Godwin de Præsulibus
Angliæ_, and _Warræus de Præsulibus Hibernia_, both noted
with my own hand. To St. John's College Library I leave all
such books, printed or MSS., as I have and are wanting
there: excepting that I leave in trust to my worthy friend,
Dr. Middleton, for the University Library, _Archbishop
Wake's State of the Church_, noted and improved under his
own hand; _Bp. Burnet's History of the Reformation_, in
three volumes, noted in my hand; and _Bp. Kennett's Register
and Chronicle_ (for the memory of which three great
prelates, my honoured friends, I must always have due
regard). To these I add Mr. Ansty's, my worthy friend,
_History of the Garter_, in two vols., fol. _Wood's Athenæ
Oxon._; and _Maunsell's Catalogue_; both noted with my own
hand--and _Gunton's and Patrick's History of The Church of
Peterburgh_, noted (from Bishop Kennett) in my hand; with
fifteen volumes (more or less) in fol., all in my own hand;
and three volumes in 4to., part in my own hand." Let us
conclude in a yet more exalted strain of christian piety
than we began. "Lastly, I constitute and appoint my dear
nephew, Richard Burton, Esq., my sole executor, to whom I
leave every thing undisposed of, which I hope will be enough
to reward his trouble. May God Almighty bless him, and give
him all the engaging qualities of his father, all the
vertues of his mother, and none of the sins or failings of
his uncle, which God knows are great and many:--and humbly,
O my God, I call for mercy! In testimony of this my will, I
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 15th day of
October, 1739.
THO. BAKER.
And now, O my God, into thy hands I contentedly resign
myself: whether it be to life or death, thy will be done!
Long life I have not desired (and yet thou hast given it
me). Give me, if it be thy good pleasure, an easy and happy
death. Or if it shall please thee to visit me sorely, as my
sins have deserved, give me patience to bear thy correction,
and let me always say (even with my dying breath) Thy will
be done, Amen, Amen." Subjoined was this curious memorandum:
"At the making of this will, I have, in the corner of my
outer study, next my chamber, 170 guineas; and on the other
side of the study towards the river, 100 guineas, more or
less, in several canvass bags, behind the shelves, being
more secret and hidden, to prevent purloyning. One or more
of the shelves markt G. among the latter is a five pound
(Jacobus) piece of gold."]
LOREN. Never fear. He is an old acquaintance of mine; for, when
resident at St. John's, Cambridge, I was frequently in the habit of
conversing with his spirit in the library, and of getting curious
information relating to choice and precious volumes, which had escaped
the sagacity of his predecessors, and of which I fear his successors
have not made the most proper use.
PHIL. This is drawing too severe a conclusion. But Baker merits the
thanks of a book-loving posterity.
LYSAND. He is satisfied with this mention of his labours; for see, he
retreats--and THEOBALD[374] and Tom Rawlinson rush forward to claim a
more marked attention: although I am not much disposed to draw a
highly finished picture of the editor of Shakespeare.
[Footnote 374: Notwithstanding Pope has called THEOBALD by
an epithet which I have too much respect for the ears of my
readers to repeat, I do not scruple to rank the latter in
the list of bibliomaniacs. We have nothing here to do with
his edition of Shakspeare; which, by the bye, was no
despicable effort of editorial skill--as some of his notes,
yet preserved in the recent editions of our bard,
testify--but we may fairly allow Theobald to have been a
lover of Caxtonian lore, as his curious extract in _Mist's
Journal_, March 16, 1728, from our old printer's edition of
Virgil's Æneid, 1490, sufficiently testifies. While his
gothic library, composed in part of "Caxton, Wynkyn, and De
Lyra," proves that he had something of the genuine blood of
bibliomaniacism running in his veins. See Mr. Bowles's
edition of _Pope's Works_, vol. v., 114, 257.]
LIS. Is THOMAS RAWLINSON[375] so particularly deserving of
commendation, as a bibliomaniac?
[Footnote 375: Let us, first of all, hear Hearne discourse
rapturously of the bibliomaniacal reputation of T.
Rawlinson: "In his fuit amicus noster nuperus THOMAS
RAWLINSONUS; cujus peritiam in supellectile libraria,
animique magnitudinem, nemo fere hominum eruditorum unquam
attigit, quod tamen vix agnoscet seculum ingratum. Quanquam
non desunt, qui putent, ipsius memoriæ statuam deberi, idque
etiam ad sumptus Bibliopolarum, quorum facultates mire
auxerat; quorum tamen aliqui (utcunque de illis optime
meritus fuisset) quum librorum Rawlinsoni auctio fieret, pro
virili (clandestinò tamen) laborabant, ut minus auspicatò
venderentur. Quod videntes probi aliquot, qui rem omuem
noverant, clamitabant, ô homines scelestos! hos jam oportet
in cruciatum hinc abripi! Quod hæc notem, non est cur vitio
vertas. Nam nil pol falsi dixi, mi lector. Quo tempore vixit
Rawlinsonus (et quidem perquam jucundum est commemorare),
magna et laudabilis erat æmulatio inter viros eruditos,
aliosque etiam, in libris perquirendis ac comparandis, imo
in fragmentis quoque. Adeo ut domicilia, ubi venales id
genus res pretiosæ prostabant, hominum coetu frequenti
semper complerentur, in magnum profecto commodum eorum, ad
quos libri aliæque res illæ pertinebant; quippe quod
emptores parvo ære nunquam, aut rarissime, compararent."
_Walter Hemingford, præfat._, p. CIV. In his preface to
_Alured de Beverly_, pp. v. vi., the copious stores of
Rawlinson's library, and the prompt kindness of the
possessor himself, are emphatically mentioned; while in the
preface to _Titi Livii Foro-Juliensis Vit. Henrici V._, p.
xi., we are told, of the former, that it was "plurimis
libris rarissimis referta:" and, in truth, such a
"Bibliotheca refertissima" was perhaps never before beheld.
Rawlinson was introduced into the Tatler, under the name TOM
FOLIO. His own house not being large enough, he hired
_London House_, in Aldersgate Street, for the reception of
his library; and there he used to regale himself with the
sight and the scent of innumerable black letter volumes,
arranged in "sable garb," and stowed perhaps "three deep,"
from the bottom to the top of his house. He died in 1725;
and catalogues of his books for sale continued, for nine
succeeding years, to meet the public eye. The following is,
perhaps, as correct a list of these copious and
heterogeneously compiled catalogues, as can be presented to
the reader. I am indebted to the library of Mr. Heber for
such a curious bibliographical morçeau. I. _A Catalogue of
choice and valuable Books in most Faculties and Languages;
being part of the Collection made by Thomas Rawlinson,
Esq._, which will begin to be sold by auction at Paul's
Coffee House, the West-end of St. Paul's, 4th Dec., 1721,
beginning every evening at 5, by Thomas Ballard, bookseller,
at the Rising Sun, Little Britain. 12mo. Price 1s. 144
pages.----II. _A Catalogue_, &c., being the 2nd part of the
Collection by T. Rawlinson, Esq., to be sold by auction at
Paul's Coffee-House, 7th March, 1721-2, every evening at 5,
by T. Ballard. 12mo. Price 1s., paged on from the last, pp.
145 to 288. [These two parts contain together 1438 8vo.
lots; 1157 in 4to., 618 in folio.]----III. _A Catalogue_,
&c., being the third part of the Collection by T. Rawlinson,
Esq., to be sold by auction at Paul's Coffee-House, 17th
Oct., 1722, every evening at 5, by T. Ballard. 12mo. Price
1s. (no paging or printer's letter.)----IV. _A Catalogue_,
&c., being the 4th part of the Collection by T. Rawlinson,
Esq., to be sold by auction at Paul's Coffee-House, 2nd
April, 1723, every evening at 5, by T. Ballard, 12mo. Price
1s. (no paging or printer's letter.)----V. & VI. _A
Catalogue_, &c., being the 5th part of the Collection by T.
Rawlinson, Esq., to be sold by auction at Paul's
Coffee-House, 20th Jan. 1723, every evening at 5, by T.
Ballard. 12mo. Price 1s. Altho' this vol. seems to have been
the last of only one sale--yet it may be collected, from the
concurrent testimony of his notes in more copies than
one--that it was divided and sold at two different times;
the latter part commencing about the middle of the volume,
with the _Libri Theologici_. In folio.--Test. Nov. 1588,
being the first article. This collection began to be sold in
Feb. 2. [1724?]--VII. _A Catalogue_, &c., being the 6th part
of the Collection made by T. Rawlinson, Esq., _Deceased_,
which will begin to be sold by auction at London-House, in
Aldersgate Street, 2nd March, 1726, every evening at 5, by
Charles Davis, bookseller. 12mo. Price 2_s._ 6_d._ (no
paging--printer's mark at bottom irregularly continued from
1 to 35.)--VIII. _Bibliotheca Rawlinsoniana_, being a Cat.
of part the Val. Libr. of Tho. Rawlinson, Esq., Deceased:
which will begin to be sold by auction at the Bedford
Coffee-House, in the great Piazza, Covent Garden, the 26th
of this present April [1727] every evening at 5, by Charles
Davis, bookseller. 8vo. Price 6_d._ (20 days' sale--2600
lots.)----IX. _Bibliothecæ Rawlinsonianæ, &c., Pars_ IX.
being a Cat. of part of the Libr. of Th. Rawlinson, Esq.,
Deceased, to be sold by auction at St. Paul's Coffee-House,
16th Oct., 1727, every evening at 6, by T. Ballard. 8vo.
Price 1_s._ (20 days' sale, 3200 lots.)----X. _Bibliothecæ
Rawlinsonianæ, &c., Pars altera_, being a Cat. of part of
Lib. of Th. Rawlinson, Esq., Deceased, to be sold by auction
at St. Paul's Coffee-House, 22d Nov., 1727, every evening at
6, by Th. Ballard. 8vo. Price 1_s._ (22 days' sale, 3520
articles.)----XI. _Bibliothecæ Rawlinsonianæ, Pars altera_,
being a Catalogue of part of the Library of T. Rawlinson,
Esq., deceased, to be sold by auction at St. Paul's
Coffee-House, 22d Jan. 1727-8, every evening, Saturdays
excepted, at 6. 8vo. Price 1_s._ (22 days' sale, 3520
lots.)----XII. _Bibliothecæ Rawlinsonianæ, Pars altera_,
being a Cat. of part of the Library of Th. Rawlinson, Esq.,
deceased, to be sold by auction at St. Paul's Coffee-House,
18th March, 1727-8, every evening at 5, by T. Ballard. Price
1_s._ (8vo. 24 days' sale, 3840 lots.)----XIII. _Bibliothecæ
Rawlinsonianæ, Pars altera_, being a Cat. of part of the
Library of Th. Rawlinson, Esq., deceased, to be sold by
auction at St. Paul's Coffee-House, 21st April, 1729, every
evening at 5, by T. Ballard. Price 1_s._ (8vo. 26 days'
sale, 4161 lots.)----XIV. _Bibliothecæ Rawlinsonianæ, Pars
altera_, being a Cat. of part of the Library of T.
Rawlinson, Esq., deceased, to be sold by auction at St.
Paul's Coffee-House, 24 Nov. 1729, every evening at 5, by T.
Ballard. Price 1_s._ (8vo. 18 days' sale, 2700 lots.)----XV.
_Bibliothecæ Rawlinsonianæ, Pars altera_, being a Cat. of
part of the Library of T. Rawlinson, F.R.S., deceased, to be
sold by auction 13th Nov., 1732, at St. Paul's Coffee-House,
every evening at 5, by Tho. Ballard. Price 1_s._ (8vo. 26
days' sale, 3456 lots.)----XVI. _Codicum Manuscriptorum
Bibliothecæ Rawlinsonianæ Catalogus--cum appendice
Impressorum_--to be sold 4th March, 1733-4, at St. Paul's
Coffee-House, every night at 6, by T. Ballard. Price 1_s._
(8vo., 16 days' sale, MSS. 1020 lots--appendix 800). To
these may be added, _Picturæ Rawlinsonianæ_--being the
collection of original paintings of T. Rawlinson, Esq.,
F.R.S., by the best masters--part of which were formerly the
Earl of Craven's Collection. To be sold by auction, at the
Two Golden Balls, in Hart Street, Covent Garden, 4th April,
1734, at 11. 8vo. (117 lots.) Now let any man, in his sober
senses, imagine what must have been the number of volumes
contained in the library of the above-named THOMAS
RAWLINSON? Does he imagine that the tomes in the Bodleian,
Vatican, and British Museum were, in each single collection,
more numerous than those in the _Aldersgate Street_
repository?--Or, at any rate, would not a view of this
Aldersgate Street collection give him the completest idea of
the _ne plus ultra_ of BOOK-PHRENSY in a private collector?
Rawlinson would have cut a very splendid figure, indeed,
with posterity, if some judicious catalogue-maker, the
Paterson of former times, had consolidated all these
straggling _Bibliothecal_ corps into one compact wedge-like
phalanx. Or, in other words, if one thick octavo volume,
containing a tolerably well classed arrangement of his
library, had descended to us--oh, then we should all have
been better able to appreciate the extraordinary treasures
of SUCH A COLLECTION! The genius of Pearson and Crofts would
have done homage to the towering spirit of Rawlinson.]
LYSAND. If the most unabating activity and an insatiable appetite--if
an eye, in regard to books, keen and sparkling as the ocean-bathed
star--if a purse, heavily laden and inexhaustible--if store-rooms
rivalled only by the present warehouses of the East-India Company--if
a disposition to spread far and wide the influence of the BIBLIOMANIA,
by issuing a _carte blanche_ for every desperately smitten antiquary
to enter, and partake of the benefits of, his library--be criteria of
BOOK-PHRENSY--why then the resemblance of this said Tom Rawlinson
ought to form a principal ornament in the capital of that gigantic
column, which sustains the temple of BOOK FAME! He was the _Tom Folio_
of the Tatler, and may be called the _Leviathan_ of book-collectors
during nearly the first thirty years of the eighteenth century.
LIS. I suppose, then, that Bagford, Murray, and Hearne, were not
unknown to this towering bibliomaniac?
LYSAND. On the contrary, I conclude, for certain, that, if they did
not drink wine, they constantly drank coffee, together: one of the
huge folio volumes of Bleau's Atlas serving them for a table.
But see yonder the rough rude features of HUMPHREY WANLEY[376] peering
above the crowd! All hail to thy honest physiognomy--for thou wert a
rare _Book-wight_ in thy way! and as long as the fame of thy patron
Harley shall live, so long, honest Humphrey, dost thou stand a sure
chance of living "for aye," in the memory of all worthy bibliomaniacs.
[Footnote 376: Lysander is well warranted in borrowing the
pencil of Jan Steen, in the above bold and striking portrait
of WANLEY: who was, I believe, as honest a man, and as
learned a librarian, as ever sat down to morning chocolate
in velvet slippers. There is a portrait of him in oil in the
British Museum, and another similar one in the Bodleian
Library--from which latter it is evident, on the slightest
observation, that the inestimable, I ought to say immortal,
founder of the _Cow Pox system_ (my ever respected and
sincere friend, Dr. JENNER) had not then made known the
blessings resulting from the vaccine operation: for poor
Wanley's face is absolutely _peppered_ with _variolous_
indentations! Yet he seems to have been a hale and hearty
man, in spite of the merciless inroads made upon his visage;
for his cheeks are full, his hair is cropt and curly, and
his shoulders have a breadth which shew that the unrolling
of the HARLEIAN MSS. did not produce any enervating effluvia
or mismata [Transcriber's Note: miasmata]. Our poet, Gay, in
his epistle to Pope, _ep._ 18, thus hits off his
countenance:
O WANLEY, whence com'st thou with _shorten'd hair_,
And _visage_, from thy shelves, _with_ dust besprent?
But let us hear the testimony of a friend and fellow
bibliomaniac, called Thomas Hearne. The following desultory
information is translated from the preface to the _Annales
Prioratûs de Dunstable_--wherein, by the bye, there is a
good deal of pleasant information relating to Wanley. We are
here told that Wanley was "born at Coventry; and, in his
younger days, employed his leisure hours in turning over
ancient MSS., and imitating the several hands in which they
were written. Lloyd, Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry, in
one of his episcopal visitations, was the first who noticed
and patronized him. He demanded that Wanley should be
brought to him; he examined him "suis ipsius, non alterius,
oculis;" and ascertained whether what so many respectable
people had said of his talents was true or false--'A few
words with you, young man,' said the Bishop. Wanley
approached with timidity--'What are your pursuits, and where
are the ancient MSS. which you have in your possession?'
Wanley answered readily; exhibited his MSS., and entered
into a minute discussion respecting the ancient method of
painting." Hearne then expatiates feelingly upon the
excessive care and attention which Wanley devoted to ancient
MSS.; how many pieces of vellum he unrolled; and how,
sometimes, in the midst of very urgent business, he would
lose no opportunity of cultivating what was useful and
agreeable in his particular pursuit. His hobby horse seems
to have been the discovery of the ancient method of
colouring or painting--yet towards BRITISH HISTORY and
ANTIQUITIES he constantly cast a fond and faithful eye. How
admirably well-calculated he was for filling the situation
of librarian to Lord Oxford is abundantly evinced by his
catalogue of the Harleian MSS.; vide p. 89, ante. Of his
attachment to the Bibliomania there are innumerable proofs.
Take this, _inter alia_; "I spoke to Mr. Wanley, who is not
unmindful of his promise, but says he will not trouble you
with a letter, till he has something better to present you,
which he doubts not he shall have this winter _among Mr.
Harley's MSS._ Mr. Wanley has the greatest collection of
_English Bibles, Psalters, &c._, that ever any one man had.
They cost him above 50_l._, and he has been above twenty
years in collecting them. He would part with them, I
believe, but I know not at what price." _Masters's Life of
Baker_, p. 27. Consult also the preface to the _Catalogue of
the Harleian MSS._, 1808, 3 vols., folio, p. 6.]
A softer noise succeeds; and the group becomes calm and attentive, as
if some grand personage were advancing. See, 'tis HARLEY, EARL OF
OXFORD![377]
[Footnote 377: There was an amusing little volume, printed
in 1782, 8vo., concerning the library of the late King of
France; and an equally interesting one might have been
composed concerning the HARLEIAN COLLECTION--but who can now
undertake the task?--who concentrate all the rivulets which
have run from this splendid reservoir into other similar
pieces of water? The undertaking is impracticable. We have
nothing, therefore, I fear, left us but to sit down and
weep; to hang our harps upon the neighbouring willows, and
to think upon the Book "SION," with desponding sensations
that its foundations have been broken up, and its wealth
dissipated. But let us adopt a less flowery style of
communication. Before HARLEY was created a peer, his library
was fixed at Wimple, in Cambridgeshire, the usual place of
his residence; "whence he frequently visited his friends at
Cambridge, and in particular Mr. BAKER, for whom he always
testified the highest regard. This nobleman's attachment to
literature, the indefatigable pains he took, and the large
sums he expended in making the above collection, are too
well known to stand in need of any further notice."
_Masters's life of Baker_, p. 107. The eulogies of Maittaire
and Hearne confirm every thing here advanced by Masters; and
the testimony of Pope himself, that Harley "left behind him
one of the finest libraries in Europe," warrants us, if
other testimonies were not even yet daily before our eyes,
to draw the same conclusion. In a periodical publication
entitled _The Director_, to which I contributed all the
intelligence under the article "BIBLIOGRAPHIANA," there
appeared the following copious, and, it is presumed, not
uninteresting, details respecting the Earl of Oxford, and
his Library. After the sale of Mr. Bridges's books, no event
occurred in the bibliographical world, worthy of notice,
till the sale of the famous _Harleian Library_, or the books
once in the possession of the celebrated HARLEY, EARL OF
OXFORD. This nobleman was not less distinguished in the
political than in the literary world; and "was a remarkable
instance of the fickleness of popular opinion, and the
danger of being removed from the lower to the upper house of
parliament." (Noble's _Continuation of Granger_, vol. ii.,
23.) He was born in the year 1661, was summoned to the house
of Lords by the titles of Earl of Oxford and Mortimer, in
1711; declared minister and lord high treasurer in the same
year; resigned, and was impeached, in the year 1715;
acquitted, without being brought to a trial, in 1717; and
died at his house in Albemarle Street, in 1724. A character
so well known in the annals of this country needs no
particular illustration in the present place. The _Harleian
Collection of MSS._ was purchased by government for
10,000_l._, and is now deposited in the British Museum (vide
p. 89, ante). The _Books_ were disposed of to THOMAS
OSBORNE, of Gray's Inn, bookseller;--to the irreparable
loss, and, I had almost said, the indelible disgrace, of the
country. It is, indeed, for ever to be lamented that a
collection so extensive, so various, so magnificent, and
intrinsically valuable, should have become the property of
one who necessarily, from his situation in life, became a
purchaser, only that he might be a vender, of the volumes.
Osborne gave 13,000_l._ for the collection; a sum which must
excite the astonishment of the present age, when it is
informed that Lord Oxford gave 18,000_l._ for the _Binding_
only, of the least part of them. (From Oldys's _interleaved
Langbaine_. See Brydges's _Cens. Literar._, vol. i., p.
438.) In the year 1743-4 appeared an account of this
collection, under the following title, _Catalogus
Bibliothecæ Harleianæ, &c._, in four volumes (the 5th not
properly appertaining to it). Dr. Johnson was employed by
Osborne to write the preface, which, says Boswell, "he has
done with an ability that cannot fail to impress all his
readers with admiration of his philological attainments."
_Life of Johnson_, vol. i., 81, edit. 4to. In my humble
apprehension, the preface is unworthy of the doctor: it
contains a few general philological reflections, expressed
in a style sufficiently stately, but is divested of
bibliographical anecdote and interesting intelligence. The
first two volumes are written in Latin by Johnson; the third
and fourth volumes, which are a repetition of the two
former, are composed in English by Oldys: and,
notwithstanding its defects, it is the best catalogue of a
large library of which we can boast. It should be in every
good collection. To the volumes was prefixed the following
advertisement: "As the curiosity of spectators, before the
sale, may produce disorder in the disposition of the books,
it is necessary to advertise the public that there will be
no admission into the library before the day of sale, which
will be on Tuesday, the 14th of February, 1744." It seems
that Osborne had charged the sum of 5_s._ to each of his
first two volumes, which was represented by the booksellers
"as an avaricious innovation;" and, in a paper published in
"_The Champion_," they, or their mercenaries, reasoned so
justly as to allege that "if Osborne could afford a very
large price for the library, he might therefore afford to
_give away_ the catalogue." _Preface to_ vol. iii., p. 1. To
this charge Osborne answered that his catalogue was drawn up
with great pains, and at a heavy expense; but, to obviate
all objections, "those," says he, "who have paid five
shillings a volume shall be allowed, at any time within
three months after the day of sale, either to return them in
exchange for books, or to send them back, and receive their
money." This, it must be confessed, was sufficiently
liberal. Osborne was also accused of _rating his books at
too high a price_: to this the following was his reply, or
rather Dr. Johnson's; for the style of the Doctor is
sufficiently manifest: "If, therefore, I have set a high
value upon books--if I have vainly imagined literature to be
more fashionable than it really is, or idly hoped to revive
a taste well nigh extinguished, I know not why I should be
persecuted with clamour and invective, since I shall only
suffer by my mistake, and be obliged to keep those books
which I was in hopes of selling."--_Preface to the 3d
volume._ The fact is that Osborne's charges were extremely
moderate; and the sale of the books was so very slow that
Johnson assured Boswell "there was not much gained by the
bargain." Whoever inspects Osborne's catalogue of 1748 (four
years after the Harleian sale), will find in it many of the
most valuable of Lord Oxford's books; and, among them, a
copy of the Aldine Plato of 1513, _struck off upon vellum_,
marked at 21_l._ only: for this identical copy Lord Oxford
gave 100 guineas, as Dr. Mead informed Dr. Askew; from the
latter of whose collections it was purchased by Dr. Hunter,
and is now in the Hunter Museum. There will also be found,
in Osborne's catalogues of 1748 and 1753, some of the
scarcest books in English Literature, marked at 2, or 3, or
4_s._, for which three times the number of _pounds_ is now
given.
ANALYSIS OF THE HARLEIAN LIBRARY.
I shall take the liberty of making an arrangement of the
books different from that which appears in the Harleian
catalogue; but shall scrupulously adhere to the number of
departments therein specified. And first of those in
1. _Divinity._
In the _Greek_, _Latin_, _French_, and _Italian_ languages,
there were about 2000 theological volumes. Among these, the
most rare and curious were Bamler's bible of 1466,
beautifully illuminated, in 2 volumes: Schæffer's bible of
1472. The famous Zurich bible of 1543, "all of which, except
a small part done by Theodoras Bibliander, was translated
from the Hebrew by a Jew, who styled himself Leo Judæ, or
the Lion of Judah. The Greek books were translated by Petrus
Cholinus. The New Testament is Erasmus's." The Scrutinium
Scripturarum of Rabbi Samuel, Mant., 1475; a book which is
said "to have been concealed by the Jews nearly 200 years:
the author of it is supposed to have lived at a period not
much later than the destruction of Jerusalem." The Islandic
bible of 1664, "not to be met with, without the utmost
difficulty, and therefore a real curiosity." The works of
Hemmerlin, Basil: 1497; "the author was ranked in the first
class of those whose works were condemned by the church of
Rome." The Mozarabic Missal printed at Toledo, in 1500--of
which some account is given at p. 161, ante. The collection
of _English_ books in Divinity could not have amounted to
less than 2500 volumes. Among the rarest of these, printed
in the fifteenth century, was "The Festyvall, begynning at
the fyrst Sonday of Advent, in worship of God and all his
Sayntes," &c., printed at Paris, in 1495. There was ten
books printed by Caxton, and some exceedingly curious ones
by Wynkyn de Worde and Pynson.
2. _History and Antiquities._
There appear to have been, on the whole, nearly 4000 volumes
in this department: of which, some of those relating to
Great Britain were inestimable, from the quantity of MS.
notes by Sir William Dugdale, Archbishop Parker, Thomas
Rawlinson, Thomas Baker, &c. The preceding number includes
600 relating to the history and antiquities of Italy; 500 to
those of France. (This part of the catalogue deserves
particular attention, as it contains a larger collection of
pieces relating to the history of France than was, perhaps,
ever exposed to sale in this nation; here being not only the
ancient chronicles and general histories, but the memoirs of
particular men, and the genealogies of most of the families
illustrious for their antiquity. See _Bibl. Harl._, vol.
iii., p. 159.) 150 to those of Spain; and about 250 relating
to Germany and the United Provinces.
3. _Books of Prints, Sculpture, and Drawings._
In this department, rich beyond description, there could not
have been fewer than 20,000 articles, on the smallest
computation: of which nearly 2000 were original drawings by
the great Italian and Flemish masters. The works of CALLOT
were preserved in 4 large volumes, containing not fewer than
_nine hundred and twelve prints_. "All choice impressions,
and making the completest set of his works that are to be
seen." See _Bibl. Harl._, vol. iii., no. 562, "HOLLAR'S
works, consisting of all his pieces, and bound in 12 folio
volumes, in morocco. One of the completest and best sets in
the world, both as to the number and goodness of the
impressions." Vid. _ibid._, no. 468. It is now in the
library of the Duke of Rutland. "One hundred and
thirty-three heads of illustrious men and women, after
VANDYKE. This set of Vandyke's heads may be said to be the
best and completest that is to be met with any where: there
being the 12 heads which he etched himself, as likewise 79
worked off by Martin Vanden Enden: and what adds still to
the value of them is that the greater part were collected by
the celebrated Marriette at Paris, his name being signed on
the back, as warranting them good proofs." Tne
[Transcriber's Note: The] engravings from RAPHAEL'S
paintings, upwards of 200 in number, and by the best foreign
masters, were contained in 4 splendid morocco volumes. The
works of the SADELERS, containing upwards of 959 prints, in
8 large folio volumes, were also in this magnificent
collection: and the Albert Durers, Goltziuses, Rembrandts,
&c., innumerable!
4. _Collection of Portraits._
This magnificent collection, uniformly bound in 102 large
folio volumes, contained a series of heads of illustrious
and remarkable characters, to the amount of nearly 10,000 in
number. It is said, in the catalogue, to be "perhaps the
largest collection of heads ever exposed to sale." We are
also informed that it "was thought proper, for the
accommodation of the curious, to separate the volumes."
Eheu! Eheu!
5. _Philosophy, Chemistry, Medicine, &c._
Under this head, comprehending anatomy, astronomy,
mathematics, and alchemy, there appear to have been not
fewer than 2500 volumes in the foreign languages, and about
600 in the English: some of them of the most curious kind,
and of the rarest occurrence.
6. _Geography, Chronology, and General History._
There were about 290 volumes on these subjects, written in
the Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish languages: and about
300 volumes in our own language. Some of the scarcest books
printed by Caxton were among the latter.
7. _Voyages and Histories relating to the East and West
Indies._
About 800 volumes:--nearly equally divided into the English
and foreign languages. Among the English, were Caxton's
"Recuyell of the historys of Troye," 1471 (supposed to be
the first book printed in this country;) and his "Siege and
conquest of Jherusalem," 1481.
8. _Civil, Canon, and Statute Law._
At least 800 volumes: 300 in the foreign languages, and the
remaining in English.
9. _Books of Sculpture, Architecture, &c._
Not fewer than 900 volumes, comprehending every thing
published up to that period which was valuable or rare. Of
these, more than 700 were written in Latin, Italian, French,
or Spanish--and embellished with every beauty of graphic
illustration.
10. _Greek and Latin Classics; Grammars and Lexicons._
This very valuable body of Grecian and Roman literature
could not have included fewer than 2400 volumes--and, among
these, almost every work of rarity and excellence. In the
article of "Cicero" alone, there were 115 volumes printed in
the _fifteenth century_; every subsequent edition of that
and other authors, then distinguished for its accuracy or
erudition, may also, I believe, be discovered in the
catalogue. Most book-collectors know the sumptuous manner in
which the Harleian copies are bound.
11. _Books printed upon Vellum._
In this interesting department of typography, there were
about 220 volumes--upwards of 70 in folio, 40 in quarto, and
100 in octavo. Of the former, the most curious and rare
articles were the Mentz bible of 1462, 2 vols., and the
travels of Breydenbachus, printed at Mentz in 1486. "This
book is an uncommon object of curiosity, as it is, perhaps,
the first book of travels that was ever printed, and is
adorned with maps and pictures very remarkable. The view of
_Venice_ is more than five feet long, and the map of the
_Holy Land_ more than three; there are views of many other
cities. It is printed in the Gothic character." See _Bibl.
Harl._, vol. iii., no. 3213. The octavos were chiefly
"Heures à l'usage," so common at the beginning of the 16th
century: but, if the catalogue be correctly published, there
appears to have been one of these books printed at Paris, as
early as the year 1466, "extremely beautiful cuts." See the
_Bibl. Harl._, vol. iv., no. 18406. Now, if this were
true, it would make known a curious fact in Parisian
typography--for the usually received opinion among
bibliographers is that no printed book appeared in France
before the year 1467, when the art was first introduced at
_Tours_; and none at _Paris_ before the year 1469-70--when
Crantz and Friburger were engaged to print there.
12. _English Poetry, Romances, and Novels._
There could not have been fewer than 900 volumes in this
amusing department; and among them some editions of the
rarest occurrence. Every thing printed by Caxton on these
subjects, including a complete and magnificent copy of
_Morte d'Arthur_, was in the collection--and, in respect to
other curious works, it will be sufficient to mention only
the following, as a specimen. "Kynge-Richarde Cuer du Lyon,
W. de Worde, 1528: Gascoigne's Poesies, 1575--Spenser's
Shepheardes Calenders, 1586: Webbe's Discourse of English
Poetrie, 1586: Nash's Art of English Poesie, 1589." Some of
these volumes were afterwards marked by Osborne, in his
catalogues, at 3 or 4 shillings!
13. _Livres François, Ital., et Hispan._
There might have been 700 volumes in these foreign
languages, of which nearly 500 related to _poetry_
(exclusively of others in the foregoing and following
departments).
14. _Parliamentary Affairs and Trials._
Upwards of 400 volumes.
15. _Trade and Commerce._
About 300 volumes.
It will be seen from the preceding divisions, and from the
gradual diminution of the number of volumes in each, that I
have gone through the principal departments of the Harleian
collection of books: and yet there remain _fifty
departments_ to be enumerated! These are the following: 16.
_Critici et Opera collecta._ 17. _Vultus et Imagines Illust.
Virorum._ 18. _Pompæ, Ceremoniæ, et Exequiæ._ 19. _De re
Militari, de Arte Equestri, et de re Navali._ 20.
_Heraldica._ 21. _Epistolæ, Panegyrici, et Orationes._ 22.
_Bibliothecarii et Miscellanei._ 23. _Tractatus Pacis et
Politici._ 24. _Traductions des Auteurs Gr. et Latin._ 25.
_Translations from Greek and Latin Authors._ 26. _Laws,
Customs, &c., of the City of London._ 27. _Military, Naval
affairs, and Horsemanship._ 28. _Heraldry._ 9.
[Transcriber's Note: 29.] _Husbandry, Gardening,
Agriculture._ 30. _Magic, Sorcery, Witchcraft._ 31.
_Miraculous, Monstrous, and Supernatural._ 32. _Lives of
Eminent Persons._ 33. _Laws and Customs of divers Places._
34. _Tythes, Sacrilege, and Non-residence, &c._ 35. _Cases
of divers Persons._ 36. _Prisons and Prisoners._ 37. _Lives
of Murderers, Highwaymen, Pirates, &c._ 38. _Speeches of
Persons executed for divers Offences._ 39. _Justices,
Juries, and Charges._ 40. _Poor, and Charitable Uses._ 41.
_Matrimony, Divorce, &c._ 42. _Universities._ 43.
_Allegiance, Supremacy, Non Resistance, &c._ 44. _Bank and
Bankers._ 45. _Funds, Taxes, Public Credit, Money, Coin,
&c._ 46. _War and Standing Armies._ 47. _Admiralty and
Navy._ 48. _Letters on various Subjects._ 49. _Treatises of
Peace, Royal Prerogative, &c._ 50. _Navigation._ 51.
_Education, Grammar and Schools._ 52. _Ludicrous,
Entertaining, Satirical, and Witty._ 53. _English
Miscellanies._ 54. _Ecclesiastical and Civil History of
Scotland._ 55. _Do. of Ireland._ 56. _Grammars and
Dictionnaries._ 57. _Plays, and relating to the Theatre._
58. _Mathematics._ 59. _Astrology, Astronomy, and
Chymistry._ 60. _Horsemanship._ 61. _Cookery._ 62.
_Convocation._ 63. _Sieges, Battles, War, &c._ 64. _Pomp and
Ceremony._ 65. _Books relating to Writing and Printing._ 66.
_Essays on various Subjects._ It will probably be no very
unreasonable computation to allow to each of these remaining
divisions 80 volumes: so that multiplying the whole 50
divisions by 80 there will be the additional number of 4000
volumes to make the library complete. I ought to mention
that, in my account of this extensive library, I have not
included the _Pamphlets_. Of these alone, according to Mr.
Gough (_Brit. Topog._ v., i., 669), there were computed to
be 400,000! We will now say a few words about the private
character of Lord Oxford, and conclude with a brief account
of Osborne. Every body has heard of the intimacy which
subsisted between POPE and the Earl of Oxford. In the year
1721, when the latter was at his country seat, Pope sent him
a copy of Parnell's poems (of which he had undertaken the
publication on the decease of Parnell), with a letter in
poetry and prose. It seems that Pope wished to prefix his
own verses to the collection; and thus alludes to them, in
his letter to Lord Harley of the date of 1721: "Poor
Parnell, before he died, left me the charge of publishing
those few remains of his: I have a strong desire to make
them, their author, and their publisher, more considerable,
by addressing and dedicating them all to you, &c. All I
shall say for it is that 'tis the only dedication I ever
writ, and shall be the only one, whether you accept it or
not: for I will not bow the knee to a less man than my Lord
Oxford, and I expect to see no greater in my time."
The following is the latter part of the _Poetical Epistle_
here alluded to:
And sure, if aught below the seats divine
Can touch immortals, 'tis a soul like thine:
A soul supreme, in each hard instance tried,
Above all pain, all passion, and all pride;
The rage of power, the blast of public breath,
The lust of lucre, and the dread of death.
In vain to deserts thy retreat is made;
The muse attends thee to thy silent shade:
'Tis her's the brave man's latest steps to trace,
Rejudge his acts, and dignify disgrace.
When int'rest calls off all her sneaking train,
And all th' obliged desert, and all the vain;
She waits, or to the scaffold, or the cell,
When the last lingering friend has bid farewell.
Ev'n now, she shades thy evening walk with bays,
(No hireling she, no prostitute of praise)
Ev'n now, observant of the parting ray,
Eyes the calm sun-set of thy various day;
Thro' fortune's cloud ONE truly great can see,
Nor fears to tell that MORTIMER is he!
_Pope's Works_, vol. ii., p. 320-3. Bowles's edit.
The following was the reply of the Earl of Oxford to Mr.
Pope.
SIR,
I received your packet, which could not but give me great
pleasure to see you preserve an old friend in your memory;
for it must needs be very agreeable to be remembered by
those we highly value. But then, how much shame did it cause
me when I read your very fine verses inclosed! My mind
reproached me how far short I came of what your great
friendship and delicate pen would partially describe me. You
ask my consent to publish it: to what straits doth this
reduce me! I look back, indeed, to those evenings I have
usefully and pleasantly spent with Mr. Pope, Mr. Parnell,
Dean Swift, the Doctor (Arbuthnot), &c. I should be glad the
world knew you admitted me to your friendship; and since
your affection is too hard for your judgment, I am contented
to let the world know how well Mr. Pope can write upon a
barren subject. I return you an exact copy of the verses,
that I may keep the original, as a testimony of the only
error you have been guilty of. I hope, very speedily, to
embrace you in London, and to assure you of the particular
esteem and friendship wherewith I am your, &c.,
OXFORD.
Of TOM OSBORNE I have in vain endeavoured to collect some
interesting biographical details. What I know of him shall
be briefly stated. He was the most celebrated bookseller of
his day; and appears, from a series of his catalogues in my
possession, to have carried on a successful trade from the
year 1738 to 1768. What fortune he amassed, is not, I
believe, very well known: his collections were truly
valuable, for they consisted of the purchased libraries of
the most eminent men of those times. In his stature he was
short and thick; and, to his inferiors, generally spoke in
an authoritative and insolent manner. "It has been
confidently related," says Boswell, "that Johnson, one day,
knocked Osborne down in his shop with a folio, and put his
foot upon his neck. The simple truth I had from Johnson
himself. 'Sir, he was impertinent to me, and I beat him. But
it was not in his shop: it was in my own chamber.'" 4to.
edit., i., 81. Of Osborne's philological attainments, the
meanest opinion must be formed, if we judge from his
advertisements, which were sometimes inserted in the London
Gazette, and drawn up in the most ridiculously vain and
ostentatious style. He used to tell the public that he
possessed "all the pompous editions of Classicks and
Lexicons." I insert the two following advertisements,
prefixed, the one to his catalogue of 1748, the other to
that of 1753, for the amusement of my bibliographical
readers, and as a model for Messrs. Payne, White, Miller,
Evans, Priestley, and Cuthell. "This catalogue being very
large, and of consequence very expensive to the proprietor,
he humbly requests that, if it falls into the hands of any
gentleman _gratis_, who chooses not himself to be a
purchaser of any of the books contained in it, that such
gentleman will be pleased to recommend it to any other whom
he thinks may be so, or to return it." To his catalogue of
1753 was the following: "To the Nobility and Gentry who
please to favour me with their commands. It is hoped, as I
intend to give no offence to any nobleman or gentleman, that
do me the honour of being my customer, by putting a price on
my catalogue, by which means they may not receive it as
usual--it is desired that such nobleman or gentleman as have
not received it, would be pleased to send for it; and it's
likewise requested of such gentleman who do receive it,
that, if they chuse not to purchase any of the books
themselves, _they would recommend it to any bookish
gentleman of their acquaintance, or to return it_, and the
favour shall be acknowledged by, their most obedient and
obliged,
T. OSBORNE."
I shall conclude with the following curious story told of
him, in Mr. Nichols's _Anecdotes of Bowyer_ the Printer.
"Mr. David Papillon, a gentleman of fortune and literary
taste, as well as a good antiquary (who died in 1762)
contracted with Osborne to furnish him with an 100_l._ worth
of books, at _threepence a piece_. The only conditions were,
that they should be perfect, and that there should be no
duplicate. Osborne was highly pleased with his bargain, and
the first great purchase he made, he sent Mr. P. a large
quantity; but in the next purchase, he found he could send
but few, and the next, still fewer. Not willing, however, to
give up, he sent books worth _five shillings_ a piece; and,
at last, was forced to go and beg to be let off the
contract. Eight thousand books would have been wanted!"--See
p. 101-2, note [symbol: double dagger].]
LIS. Let us rise to pay him homage!
PHIL. Lisardo is now fairly bewitched. He believes in the existence
of the group!--Help, ho! Fetters and warder for--
LOREN. Philemon loves to indulge his wit at his friend's expense. Is't
not so, Lisardo?
LIS. I forgive him. 'Twas a "glorious fault." But, indeed, I would
strip to the skin, if this said nobleman longed for my coat,
waistcoat, small clothes, and shirt, to form him a cushion to sit
upon! I have heard such wonderful things said of his library!--
LYSAND. And not more wonderful than its reputation justifies. Well
might Pope be enamoured of such a noble friend--and well might even
Dr. Mead bow to the superior splendour of such a book-competitor!
While the higher order of bibliomaniacs, reposing upon satin sofas,
were quaffing burgundy out of Harley's curiously cut goblets, and
listening to the captivating tale of Mead or Folkes, respecting a
VELLUM _Editio Princeps_--the lower order, with Bagford at their head,
were boisterously regaling themselves below, drinking ale round an
oaken table, and toasting their patron, till the eye could no longer
discover the glass, nor the tongue utter his name. Aloft, in mid air,
sat the soothed spirits of Smith and North; pointing, with their thin,
transparent fingers, to the apotheosis of CAXTON and ALDUS! Suddenly,
a crowd of pipy fragrance involves the room: these ærial forms cease
to be visible; and broken sounds, like the retiring tide beneath Dover
cliff, die away into utter silence. Sleep succeeds: but short is the
slumber of enthusiastic bibliomaniacs! The watchman rouses them from
repose: and the annunciation of the hour of "two o'clock, and a
moonlight morning," reminds them of their cotton night-caps and flock
mattrasses. They start up, and sally forwards; chaunting, midst the
deserted streets, and with eyes turned sapiently towards the moon,
"Long life to the King of Book-Collectors, HARLEY, EARL OF OXFORD!"
LOREN. A truce, Lysander! I entreat a truce!
LYSAND. To what?
LOREN. To this discourse. You must be exhausted.
PHIL. Indeed I agree with Lorenzo: for Lysander has surpassed, in
prolixity, the reputation of any orator within St. Stephen's chapel.
It only remains to eclipse, in a similar manner, the speeches which
were delivered at Hardy's trial--and then he may be called the
_Nonpareil_ of orators!
LYSAND. If you banter me, I am dumb. Nor did I know that there was any
thing of eloquence in my chit-chat. If Lisardo had had my experience,
we might _then_ have witnessed some glittering exhibitions of
imagination in the book-way!
LIS. My most excellent friend, I will strive to obtain this
experience, since you are pleased to compliment me upon what I was not
conscious of possessing--But, in truth, Lysander, our obligations to
you are infinite.
LYSAND. No more; unless you are weary of this discourse--
PHIL. LIS. Weary!?
LOREN. Let me here exercise my undeniable authority. A _sandwich_,
like the evening rain after a parching day, will recruit Lysander's
exhausted strength. What say you?
LYSAND. "I shall in all things obey your high command." But hark--I
hear the outer gate bell ring! The ladies are arrived: and you know my
bashfulness in female society. Adieu, BIBLIOMANIA! 'till the morrow.
LOREN. Nay, you are drawing too dismal conclusions. My sisters are not
sworn enemies to this kind of discourse.
* * * * *
The arrival of ALMANSA and BELINDA, the sisters of Lorenzo put a stop
to the conversation. So abrupt a silence disconcerted the ladies; who,
in a sudden, but, it must be confessed, rather taunting, strain--asked
whether they should order their bed-chamber candlesticks, and retire
to rest?
LIS. Not if you are disposed to listen to the most engaging
book-anecdote orator in his majesty's united realms!
ALMAN. Well, this may be a sufficient inducement for us to remain. But
why so suddenly silent, gentlemen?
LOREN. The conversation had ceased before you arrived. We were
thinking of a _hung-beef sandwich_ and a glass of madeira to recruit
Lysander's exhausted powers. He has been discoursing ever since
dinner.
BELIND. I will be his attendant and cup-bearer too, if he promises to
resume his discourse. But you have probably dispatched the most
interesting part.
LYSAND. Not exactly so, I would hope, fair Lady! Your brother's
hospitality will add fresh energy to my spirit; and, like the renewed
oil in an exhausted lamp, will cause the flame to break forth with
fresh splendour.
BELIND. Sir, I perceive your ingenuity, at least, has not forsaken
you--in whatever state your memory may be!--
* * * * *
Here the _sandwiches_ made their appearance: and Lorenzo seated his
guests, with his sisters, near him, round a small circular table. The
repast was quickly over: and Philemon, stirring the sugar within a
goblet of hot madeira wine and water, promised them all a romantic
book-story, if the ladies would only lend a gracious ear. Such a
request was, of course, immediately complied with.
PHIL. The story is short--
LIS. And sweet, I ween.
PHIL. That remains to be proved. But listen.
You all know my worthy friend, FERDINAND: a very _Helluo Librorum_. It
was on a warm evening in summer--about an hour after sunset--that
Ferdinand made his way towards a small inn, or rather village
alehouse, that stood on a gentle eminence, skirted by a luxuriant
wood. He entered, oppressed with heat and fatigue; but observed, on
walking up to the porch "smothered with honey-suckles" (as I think
Cowper expresses it), that every thing around bore the character of
neatness and simplicity. The holy-oaks were tall and finely variegated
in blossom: the pinks were carefully tied up: and roses of all colours
and fragrance stood around, in a compacted form, like a body-guard,
forbidding the rude foot of trespasser to intrude. Within, Ferdinand
found corresponding simplicity and comfort.
The "gude" man of the house was spending the evening with a neighbour;
but poached eggs and a rasher of bacon, accompanied with a flagon of
sparkling ale, gave our guest no occasion to doubt the hospitality of
the house, on account of the absence of its master. A little past ten,
after reading some dozen pages in a volume of Sir Egerton Brydges's
_Censura Literaria_, which he happened to carry about him, and
partaking pretty largely of the aforesaid eggs and ale, Ferdinand
called for his candle, and retired to repose. His bed-room was small,
but neat and airy: at one end, and almost facing the window, there was
a pretty large closet, with the door open: but Ferdinand was too
fatigued to indulge any curiosity about what it might contain.
He extinguished his candle, and sank upon his bed to rest. The heat of
the evening seemed to increase. He became restless; and, throwing off
his quilt, and drawing his curtain aside, turned towards the window,
to inhale the last breeze which yet might be wafted from the
neighbouring heath. But no zephyr was stirring. On a sudden, a broad
white flash of lightning--(nothing more than summer heat) made our
bibliomaniac lay his head upon his pillow, and turn his eyes in an
opposite direction. The lightning increased--and one flash, more vivid
than the rest, illuminated the interior of the closet, and made
manifest--_an old mahogany Book-Case_, STORED WITH BOOKS. Up started
Ferdinand, and put his phosphoric treasures into action. He lit his
match, and trimmed his candle, and rushed into the closet--no longer
mindful of the heavens--which now were in a blaze with the summer
heat.
The book-case was guarded both with glass and brass wires--and the
key--no where to be found! Hapless man!--for, to his astonishment, he
saw _Morte d'Arthur_, printed by _Caxton_--_Richard Coeur de Lyon_,
by _W. de Worde_--_The Widow Edyth_, by _Pynson_--and, towering above
the rest, a LARGE PAPER copy of the original edition of _Prince's
Worthies of Devon_; while, lying transversely at top, reposed _John
Weever's Epigrams_, "The spirit of Captain Cox is here revived"--exclaimed
Ferdinand--while, on looking above, he saw a curious set of old plays,
with _Dido, Queen of Carthage_, at the head of them! What should he
do? No key: no chance of handling such precious tomes--'till the
morning light, with the landlord, returned! He moved backwards and
forwards with a hurried step--prepared his pocket knife to cut out the
panes of glass, and untwist the brazen wires--but a "_prick of
conscience_" made him desist from carrying his wicked design into
execution. Ferdinand then advanced towards the window; and throwing it
open, and listening to the rich notes of a concert of nightingales,
forgot the cause of his torments--'till, his situation reminding him
of "_The Churl and the Bird_," he rushed with renewed madness into the
cupboard--then searched for the bell--but, finding none, he made all
sorts of strange noises. The landlady rose, and, conceiving robbers to
have broken into the stranger's room, came and demanded the cause of
the disturbance.
"Madam," said Ferdinand, "is there no possibility of inspecting the
_books_ in the _cupboard_--where is the key?" "Alack, sir," rejoined
the landlady, "what is there that thus disturbs you in the sight of
those books? Let me shut the closet-door and take away the key of it,
and you will then sleep in peace." "Sleep in _peace_!" resumed
Ferdinand--"sleep in _wretchedness_, you mean! I can have no peace
unless you indulge me with the key of the book-case. To whom do such
gems belong?" "Sir, they are not stolen goods."--"Madam, I ask
pardon--I did not mean to question their being honest property--but"--"Sir,
they are not mine or my husband's." "Who, madam, who is the lucky
owner?" "An elderly gentleman of the name of--Sir, I am not at liberty
to mention his name--but they belong to an elderly gentleman." "Will
he part with them--where does he live? Can you introduce me to
him?"--The good woman soon answered all Ferdinand's rapid queries, but
the result was by no means satisfactory to him.
He learnt that these uncommonly scarce and precious volumes belonged
to an ancient gentleman, whose name was studiously concealed; but who
was in the habit of coming once or twice a week, during the autumn, to
smoke his pipe, and lounge over his books: sometimes making extracts
from them, and sometimes making observations in the margin with a
pencil. Whenever a very curious passage occurred, he would take out a
small memorandum book, and put on a pair of large tortoise-shell
spectacles, with powerful magnifying glasses, in order to insert this
passage with particular care and neatness. He usually concluded his
evening amusements by sleeping in the very bed in which Ferdinand had
been lying.
Such intelligence only sharpened the curiosity, and increased the
restlessness, of poor Ferdinand. He retired to this said
bibliomaniacal bed, but not to repose. The morning sun-beams, which
irradiated the book-case with complete effect, shone upon his pallid
countenance and thoughtful brow. He rose at five: walked in the
meadows till seven; returned and breakfasted--stole up stairs to take
a farewell peep at his beloved _Morte d'Arthur_--sighed "three times
and more"--paid his reckoning; apologised for the night's adventure;
told the landlady he would shortly come and visit her again, and try
to pay his respects to the anonymous old gentleman. "Meanwhile," said
he, "I will leave no bookseller's shop in the neighbourhood unvisited,
'till I gain intelligence of his name and character." The landlady
eyed him steadily; took a pinch of snuff with a significant air; and,
returning, with a smile of triumph, to her kitchen, thanked her stars
that she had got rid of such a madman!
Ladies and gentlemen, I have done.
LIS. And creditably done, too!
ALMAN. If this be a specimen of your previous conversation, we know
not what we have lost by our absence. But I suspect, that the
principal ingredient of poetry, fiction, has a little aided in the
embellishment of your story.
BELIN. This is not very gallant or complimentary on your part,
Almansa. I harbour no suspicion of its verity; for marvellous things
have been told me, by my brother, of the whimsical phrensies of
book-fanciers.
LOREN. If you will only listen a little to Lysander's _sequel_, you
will hear almost equally marvellous things; which I suspect my
liberally minded sister, Almansa, will put down to the score of
poetical embellishment. But I see she is conscious of her treasonable
aspersions of the noble character of bibliomaniacs, and is only
anxious for Lysander to resume.
ALMAN. Sir, I entreat you to finish your HISTORY OF BIBLIOMANIACS.
Your friend, Philemon, has regaled us with an entertaining episode,
and you have probably, by this time, recovered strength sufficient to
proceed with the main story.
LYSAND. Madam, I am equally indebted to your brother for his care of
the body, and to my friend for his recreation of the mind. The
midnight hour, I fear, is swiftly approaching.
LOREN. It is yet at a considerable distance. We have nearly reached
the middle of the eighteenth century, and you may surely carry on your
reminiscential exertions to the close of the same. By that time, we
may be disposed for our nightcaps.
LYSAND. Unheeded be the moments and hours which are devoted to the
celebration of eminent BOOK-COLLECTORS! Let the sand roll down the
glass as it will; let "the chirping on each thorn" remind us of
Aurora's saucy face peering above the horizon! in such society, and
with such a subject of discussion, who--
LIS. Lysander brightens as his story draws to a close: his colouring
will be more vivid than ever.
BELIND. Tell me--are bibliographers usually thus eloquent? They have
been described to me as a dry, technical race of mortals--quoting only
title-pages and dates.
LYSAND. Madam, believe not the malicious evidence of book-heretics.
Let ladies, like yourself and your sister, only make their appearance
with a choice set of bibliomaniacs, at this time of night, and if the
most interesting conversation be not the result--I have very much
under-rated the colloquial powers of my brethren. But you shall hear.
We left off with lauding the bibliomaniacal celebrity of Harley, Earl
of Oxford. Before the dispersion of his grand collection, died JOHN
BRIDGES,[378] a gentleman, a scholar, and a notorious book-collector.
The catalogue of his books is almost the first classically arranged
one in the eighteenth century: and it must be confessed that the
collection was both curious and valuable. Bridges was succeeded by
ANTHONY COLLINS,[379] the Free Thinker; a character equally strange
and unenviable. Book-fanciers now and then bid a few shillings, for a
copy of the catalogue of his library; and some sly free-thinkers, of
modern date, are not backward in shewing a sympathy in their
predecessor's fame, by the readiness with which they bid a
half-guinea, or more, for a _priced copy_ of it.
[Footnote 378: _Bibliothecæ Bridgesianæ Catalogus_: or a
Catalogue of the Library of JOHN BRIDGES, Esq., consisting
of above 4000 books and manuscripts in all Languages and
Faculties; particularly in Classics and History; and
especially the History and Antiquities of Great Britain and
Ireland, &c., London, 1725, 8vo. Two different catalogues of
this valuable collection of books were printed. The one was
analysed, or a _catalogue raisonné_, to which was prefixed a
print of a Grecian portico, &c., with ornaments and statues:
the other (expressly for the sale) was an indigested and
extremely confused one--to which was prefixed a print,
designed and engraved by A. Motte, of an oak felled, with a
number of men cutting down and carrying away its branches;
illustrative of the following Greek Motto inscribed on a
scroll above--[Greek: Dryos pesousês pas anêr xyleuetai];
"An affecting momento (says Mr. Nichols, very justly, in his
_Anecdotes of Bowyer_, p. 557) to the collectors of great
libraries, who cannot, or do not, leave them to some public
accessible repository." My friend, Dr. Gosset, was once so
fortunate as to pick up for me a _large paper_ copy of the
analysed catalogue, bound in old blue morocco, and ruled
with red lines, for 4_s._!--"Happy day!"]
[Footnote 379: In the year 1730-1, there was sold by auction
at St. Paul's Coffee House, in St. Paul's Church Yard
(beginning every evening at five o'clock), the library of
the celebrated Free Thinker, ANTHONY COLLINS, Esq.
"Containing a collection of several thousand volumes in
Greek, Latin, English, French, and Spanish; in divinity,
history, antiquity, philosophy, husbandry, and all polite
literature: and especially many curious travels and voyages;
and many rare and valuable pamphlets." This collection,
which is divided into _two parts_ (the first containing 3451
articles, the second 3442), is well worthy of being
consulted by the theologian who is writing upon any
controverted point of divinity; as there are articles in it
of the rarest occurrence. The singular character of its
owner and of his works is well known: he was at once the
friend and the opponent of Locke and Clarke, who both were
anxious for the conversion of a character of such strong,
but misguided, talents. The former, on his death-bed, wrote
Collins a letter to be delivered to him after his decease,
which was full of affection and good advice.]
We may here but slightly allude to the bibliographical reputation of
MAITTAIRE, as so much was said of him the day before yesterday.[380]
[Footnote 380: The reader will find some account of
MAITTAIRE'S bibliographical labours at p. 47, ante; and of
his editions of the ancient Classics, at p. 442, vol. ii.,
of my _Introduction to the Knowledge of rare and valuable
editions of the Greek and Latin Classics_. He need here only
be informed that Maittaire's books were sold by auction in
November, 1748, and January, 1749; the catalogue of them
forming _two parts_, with one of these dates affixed to
each. The collection must have been uncommonly numerous; and
of their intrinsic value the reader will best judge by the
following extract from the "Advertisement," by Cock the
auctioneer, at the back of the title-page: "tho' the books,
in their present condition, make not the most ostentatious
appearance, yet, like the late worthy possessor of them,
however plain their outside may be, they contain within an
invaluable treasure of ingenuity and learning. In fine, this
is (after fifty years' diligent search and labour in
collecting) THE ENTIRE LIBRARY OF MR. MAITTAIRE; whose
judgement in the choice of books, as it ever was confessed,
so are they, undoubtedly, far beyond whatever I can attempt
to say in their praise. In exhibiting them thus to the
public, I comply with the will of my deceased friend; and in
printing the catalogue from his OWN COPY just as he left it
(tho' by so doing it is the more voluminous) I had an
opportunity, not only of doing the justice I owe to his
memory, but also of gratifying the curious." I incline
strongly to think there were no copies of this catalogue
printed upon large paper. When priced, the usual copy brings
a fair round sum.]
BELIN. All this may be very learned and just. But of these gentlemen I
find no account in the fashionable necrologies.
LOREN. Only wait a little, and Lysander will break forth with the
mention of some transcendental bibliomaniac.
LYSAND. Yes, ever renowned RICHARD MEAD![381] thy _pharmacopæal_
reputation is lost in the blaze of thy _bibliomaniacal_ glory!
Æsculapius may plant his herbal crown round thy brow, and Hygeia may
scatter her cornucopia of roses at thy feet--but what are these
things compared with the homage offered thee by the Gesners,
Baillets, and Le Longs, of old? What avail even the roseate blushes of
thousands, whom thy medical skill, may have snatched from a premature
grave--compared with the life, vigour, animation and competition which
thy example infused into the BOOK-WORLD!
[Footnote 381: It is almost impossible to dwell on the
memory of THIS GREAT MAN, without emotions of
delight--whether we consider him as an eminent physician, a
friend to literature, or a collector of books, pictures, and
coins. Benevolence, magnanimity, and erudition were the
striking features of his character. His house was the
general receptacle of men of genius and talent, and of every
thing beautiful, precious, and rare. His curiosities,
whether books, or coins, or pictures, were freely laid open
to the public; and the enterprising student, and experienced
antiquary, alike found amusement and a courteous reception.
He was known to all foreigners of intellectual distinction,
and corresponded both with the artisan and the potentate.
The great patron of literature, and the leader of his
profession, it was hardly possible, as Lysander has well
observed, "for modest merit if properly introduced to him,
to depart unrewarded or ungratified." The clergy, and, in
general, all men of learning, received his advice
gratuitously; and his doors were open every morning to the
most indigent, whom he frequently assisted with money.
Although his income, from his professional practice, was
very considerable, he died by no means a rich man--so large
were the sums which he devoted to the encouragement of
literature and the fine arts! The sale of Dr. Mead's _Books_
commenced on the 18th of November, 1754, and again on the
7th of April, 1755: lasting together 57 days. The sale of
the _prints_ and _drawings_ continued 14 nights. The _gems_,
_bronzes_, _busts_, and _antiquities_, 8 days.
His books produced £5496 15 0
Pictures 3417 11 0
Prints and drawings 1908 14 0
Coins and medals 1977 17 0
Antiquities 3246 15 0
------------
Amount of all the sales £16,047 12 0
------------
It would be difficult to mention, within a moderate compass,
all the rare and curious articles which his library
contained--but the following are too conspicuous to be
passed over. The _Spira Virgil_, of 1470, _Pfintzing's
Tewrdanchk's_, 1527, _Brandt's Stultifera Navis_, 1498, and
the _Aldine Petrarch_, of 1501, ALL UPON VELLUM. The large
paper _Olivet's Cicero_ was purchased by Dr. Askew, for
14_l._ 14_s._, and was sold again at his sale for 36_l._
15_s._ The King of France bought the editio princeps of
_Pliny Senior_ for 11_l._ 11_s._: and Mr. Wilcock, a
bookseller, bought the magnificently illuminated _Pliny by
Jenson_, of 1472, for 18_l._ 18_s._: of which Maittaire has
said so many fine things. The _French_ books, and all the
works upon the _Fine Arts_, were of the first rarity and
value, and bound in a sumptuous manner. Winstanley's
_Prospects of Audley End_ brought 50_l._ An amusing account
of some of the pictures will be found in Mr. Beloe's
_Anecdotes of Literature and scarce Books_, vol. i., 166,
71. But consult also _Nichols's Anecdotes of Bowyer_, p.
225, &c. Of the catalogue of Dr. Mead's books, there were
only six copies printed upon _large paper_. See _Bibl.
Lort_, no. 1149. I possess one of these copies, uncut and
priced. Dr. MEAD had parted, in his life-time, to the
present king's father, with several miniature pictures of
great value (Walpole Anec., vol. i., 165) by Isaac Oliver
and Holbein, which are now in his majesty's collection. Dr.
Askew had purchased his Greek MSS. for 500_l._ Pope has
admirably well said,
"Rare _monkish manuscripts_ for HEARNE alone,
And _Books_ FOR MEAD, and _butterflies_ for SLOANE."
_Epistle_ iv.
Upon which his commentator, Warburton, thus observes: "These
were two eminent physicians; the one had an excellent
library, the other the finest collection in Europe of
natural curiosities." For nearly half a century did Dr. Mead
pursue an unrivalled career in his profession. He was
(perhaps "thrice") presented with the presidentship of the
College of Physicians, which he ("thrice") refused. One year
it is said he made 7000_l._, a great sum in his time! His
regular emoluments were between 5000_l._ and 6000_l._ per
annum. He died on the 25th of February, 1754, in the 81st
year of his age. On his death, Dr. ASKEW, who seems to have
had a sort of filial veneration for his character, and whose
pursuits were in every respect congenial with Dr. Mead's,
presented the College of Physicians with a marble bust of
him, beautifully executed by Roubilliac, and for which he
paid the sculptor 100_l._ A whimsical anecdote is connected
with the execution of this bust. Roubilliac agreed with Dr.
Askew for 50_l._: the doctor found it so highly finished
that he paid him for it 100_l._ The sculptor said this was
not enough, and brought in a bill for 108_l._ 2_s._ Dr.
Askew paid this demand, even to the odd shillings, and then
enclosed the receipt to Mr. Hogarth, to produce at the next
meeting of artists. Nichols's _Anec. of Bowyer_, p. 580. "I
cannot help," says Mr. Edwards, the late ornithologist,
"informing succeeding generations that they may see the
_real features_ of Dr. Mead in this bust: for I, who was as
well acquainted with his face as any man living, do
pronounce this bust of him to be so like that, as often as I
see it, my mind is filled with the strongest idea of the
original." Hearne speaks of the MEADEAN FAMILY with proper
respect, in his _Alured de Beverly_, p. XLV.; and in _Walter
Hemingford_, vol. i., XXXV. In his _Gulielmus Nubrigensis_,
vol. iii., p. 744 (note), he says of our illustrious
bibliomaniac:--"that most excellent physician, and truly
great man, Dr. Richard Mead, to whom I am eternally
obliged." There is an idle story somewhere told of Dr.
Mead's declining the acceptance of a challenge to fight with
swords--alleging his want of skill in the art of fencing:
but this seems to be totally void of authority. Thus far,
concerning Dr. Mead, from the first edition of this work,
and the paper entitled "The Director." The following
particulars, which I have recently learnt of the MEAD
FAMILY, from John Nicholl, Esq., my neighbour at Kensington,
and the maternal grandson of the Doctor, may be thought well
worth subjoining. MATTHEW MEAD, his father, was a clergyman.
He gave up his living at Stepney in 1662; which was
afterwards divided into the four fine livings now in the
gift of Brazen-Nose College, Oxford. His parishioners built
him a chapel; but he retired to a farm in the country, and
had the reputation of handling a bullock as well as any
butcher in the county. He went abroad in the reign of James
II., and had his sons, Samuel and Richard, educated under
Grævius. SAMUEL MEAD, _his brother_, was a distinguished
Chancery barrister, and got his 4000_l._ per ann.; his
cronies were Wilbraham and Lord Harcourt. These, with a few
other eminent barristers, used to meet at a coffee-house,
and drink their favourite, and then fashionable,
liquor--called _Bishop_, which consisted of red wine, lemon,
and sugar. Samuel was a shy character, and loved privacy. He
had a good country house, and handsome chambers in Lincoln's
Inn, and kept a carriage for his sister's use, having his
coachmaker's arms painted upon the panel. What is very
characteristic of the modesty of his profession, he
pertinaciously refused a silk gown! A word or two remains to
be said of our illustrious bibliomaniac RICHARD. His brother
left him 30,000_l._, and giving full indulgence to his noble
literary feelings, the Doctor sent Carte, the historian, to
France, to rummage for MSS. of _Thuanus_, and to restore the
castrated passages which were not originally published for
fear of offending certain families. He made Buckley, the
editor, procure the best _ink and paper_ from Holland, for
this edition of Thuanus, which was published at his own
expense; and the Doctor was remarkably solicitous that
nothing of exterior pomp and beauty should be wanting in the
publication. The result verified his most sanguine
expectation; for a finer edition of a valuable historian has
never seen the light. Dr. Ward, says Mr. Nichols, is
supposed to have written Mead's Latin, but the fact is not
so; or it is exclusively applicable to the _later_ pieces of
Mead. The Doctor died in his 83rd year (and in full
possession of his mental powers), from a fall occasioned by
the negligence of a servant. He was a great _diagnostic_
physician; and, when he thought deeply, was generally
correct in judging of the disorder by the appearance of the
countenance.]
The tears shed by virtuous bibliomaniacs at Harley's death were
speedily wiped away, when the recollection of thine, and of thy
contemporary's, FOLKES'S[382] fame, was excited in their bosoms.
Illustrious Bibliomaniacs! your names and memories will always live in
the hearts of noble-minded Literati: the treasures of your Museums and
Libraries--your liberal patronage and ever-active exertions in the
cause of VIRTU--whether connected with coins, pictures, or books--can
never be banished, at least, from my grateful mind:--And if, at this
solemn hour, when yonder groves and serpentine walks are sleeping in
the quiet of moon-light, your spirits could be seen placidly to flit
along, I would burst from this society--dear and congenial as it
is--to take your last instructions, or receive your last warnings,
respecting the rearing of a future age of bibliomaniacs! Ye were, in
good earnest, noble-hearted book-heroes!--but I wander:--forgive me!
[Footnote 382: "_A Catalogue of the entire and valuable
library of_ MARTIN FOLKES, Esq., President of the Royal
Society, and Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at
Paris, lately deceased; which will be sold by auction, by
Samuel Baker, at his house in York Street, Covent-Garden. To
begin on Monday, February 2, 1756, and to continue for forty
days successively (Sundays excepted). Catalogues to be had
at most of the considerable places in Europe, and all the
booksellers of Great Britain and Ireland. Price sixpence."
This collection was an exceedingly fine one; enriched with
many books of the choicest description, which Mr. Folkes had
acquired in his travels in Italy and Germany. The works on
natural history, coins, medals, inscriptions, and on the
fine arts in general, formed the most valuable
department--those on the Greek, Latin, and English classics
were comparatively of inferior importance. It is a great
pity the catalogue was not better digested; or the books
classed according to the nature of their contents. The
following prices, for some of the more rare and interesting
articles, will amuse a bibliographer of the present day. The
chronicles of Fabian, Hall, and Grafton, did not,
altogether, bring quite 2_l._, though the copies are
described as perfect and fair. There seems to have been a
fine set of Sir Wm. Dugdale's Works (Nos. 3074-81) in 13
vols., which, collectively, produced about 30 guineas! At
the present day, they are worth about 250_l._--In _Spanish
literature_, the history of South America, by John Duan and
Ant. di Ulloa, Madr., fol., in 5 vols., was sold for 5_l._:
a fine large paper copy of the description of the monastery
of St. Lorenzo, and the Escorial, Madr., 1657, brought 1_l._
2_s._; de Lastanosa's Spanish medals, Huesca, fol., 1645,
2_l._ 2_s._--In _English_, the first edition of Shakspeare,
1623, which is now what a French bibliographer would say,
"presque introuvable," produced the sum of 3_l._ 3_s._; and
Fuller's Worthies, 18_s._!----_Fine Arts, Antiquities, and
Voyages._ Sandrart's works, in 9 folio volumes (of which a
fine perfect copy is now rarely to be met with, and of very
great value) were sold for 13_l._ 13_s._ only: Desgodetz
Roman edifices, Paris, 1682, 4_l._ 10_s._ Galleria
Giustiniano, 2 vols., fol., 13_l._ 13_s._ Le Brun's Voyages
in Muscovy, &c., in large paper, 4_l._ 4_s._ De Rossi's
Raccolta de Statue, &c., Rom., 1704, 6_l._ 10_s._ Medailles
du Regne de Louis le Grand: de l'Imp. Roy. 1. p. fol., 1702,
5_l._ 15_s._ 6_d._----The works on _Natural History_ brought
still higher prices: but the whole, from the present
depreciation of money, and increased rarity of the articles,
would now bring thrice the sums then given.--Of the _Greek
and Latin Classics_, the Pliny of 1469 and 1472 were sold to
Dr. Askew, for 11_l._ 11_s._ and 7_l._ 17_s._ 6_d._ At the
Doctor's sale they brought 43_l._ and 23_l._, although the
first was lately sold (A.D. 1805) among some duplicates of
books belonging to the British Museum, at a much lower
price: the copy was, in fact, neither large nor beautiful.
Those in Lord Spencer's, and the Hunter and Cracherode
collections, are greatly superior, and would each bring more
than double the price. From a priced copy of the sale
catalogue, upon _large paper_, and uncut, in my possession,
I find that the amount of the sale, consisting of 5126
articles, was 3091_l._ 6_s._ The _Prints, and Drawings_ of
Mr. Folkes occupied a sale of 8 days: and his _pictures_,
_gems_, _coins_, and _mathematical instruments_, of five
days. Mr. MARTIN FOLKES may justly be ranked among the most
useful, as well as splendid, literary characters, of which
this country can boast. He appears to have imbibed, at a
very early age, an extreme passion for science and
literature; and to have distinguished himself so much at the
University of Cambridge, under the able tuition of Dr.
Laughton, that, in his 23rd year, he was admitted a Fellow
of the Royal Society. About two years afterwards he was
chosen one of the council; and rose in succession to the
chair of the presidentship, which, as Lysander above truly
says, he filled with a credit and celebrity that has since
never been surpassed. On this occasion he was told by Dr.
Jurin, the Secretary, who dedicated to him the 34th vol. of
the Transactions, that "the greatest man that ever lived
(Sir Isaac Newton) singled him out to fill the chair, and to
preside in the society, when he himself was so frequently
prevented by indisposition; and that it was sufficient to
say of him that he was _Sir Isaac's friend_." Within a few
years afterwards, he was elected President of the Society of
Antiquaries. Two situations, the filling of which may be
considered as the _ne plus ultra_ of literary distinction.
Mr. Folkes travelled abroad, with his family, about two
years and a half, visiting the cities of Rome, Florence, and
Venice--where he was noticed by almost every person of rank
and reputation, and whence he brought away many a valuable
article to enrich his own collection. He was born in the
year 1690, and died of a second stroke of the palsy, under
which he languished for three years, in 1754. He seems to
have left behind him a considerable fortune. Among his
numerous bequests was one to the Royal Society of 200_l._,
along with a fine portrait of Lord Bacon, and a large
cornelian ring, with the arms of the society engraved upon
it, for the perpetual use of the president and his
successors in office. The MSS. of his own composition, not
being quite perfect, were, to the great loss of the learned
world, ordered by him to be destroyed. The following
wood-cut portrait is taken from a copper-plate in the
_Portraits des Hommes Illustres de Denmark_, 4to., 7 parts,
1746: part 4th, a volume which abounds with a number of
copper-plate engravings, _worked off_ in a style of uncommon
clearness and brilliancy. Some of the portraits themselves
are rather stiff and unexpressive; but the vignettes are
uniformly tasteful and agreeable. The seven parts are rarely
found in an equal state of perfection.
[Illustration]
Dr. Birch has drawn a very just and interesting character of
this eminent man, which may be found in Nichols's _Anecdotes
of Bowyer_, pp. 562-7. Mr. Edwards, the late ornithologist,
has described him in a simple, but appropriate, manner. "He
seemed," says he, "to have attained to universal knowledge;
for, in the many opportunities I have had of being in his
company, almost every part of science has happened to be the
subject of discourse, all of which he handled as an adept.
He was a man of great politeness in his manners, free from
all pedantry and pride, and, in every respect, the real,
unaffected, fine gentleman."]
ALMAN. Pray keep to this earth, and condescend to notice us mortals of
flesh and blood, who have heard of Dr. Mead, and Martin Folkes, only
as eminently learned and tasteful characters.
LYSAND. I crave your forgiveness. But Dr. Mead's cabinet of coins,
statues, and books, was so liberally thrown open for the public
inspection that it was hardly possible for modest merit, if properly
made known to him, to depart unrewarded or ungratified. Nor does the
renowned President of the Royal and Antiquarian Societies--Martin
Folkes--merit a less warm eulogy; for he filled these distinguished
situations with a credit which has never since been surpassed.
But there is yet an illustrious tribe to be recorded. We have, first,
RICHARD RAWLINSON,[383] brother of the renowned _Tom Folio_, whose
choice and tasteful collection of books, as recorded in auctioneering
annals, is deserving of high commendation. But his name and virtues
are better known in the University, to which he was a benefactor, than
to the noisy circles of the metropolis. The sale of ORATOR HENLEY'S
books "followed hard upon" that of Richard Rawlinson's; and if the
spirit of their owner could, from his "gilt tub," have witnessed the
grimaces and jokes which marked the sale--with the distorted
countenances and boisterous laughter which were to be seen on every
side--how it must have writhed under the smart of general ridicule, or
have groaned under the torture of contemptuous indignation! Peace to
Henley's[384] vexed _manes_!--and similar contempt await the efforts
of all literary quacks and philosophical knaves!
[Footnote 383: "BIBLIOTHECA RAWLINSONIANA, _sive Catalogus
Librorum Richardi Rawlinson_, LL.D. Qui prostabunt Venales
sub hasta, Apud Samuelem Baker, In Vico dicto York-street,
Covent Garden, Londoni, Die Lunæ 29 Marti MDCCLVI." With the
following whimsical Greek motto in the title-page:
[Greek: Kai gar o taôs dia to spanion thaumazetai].
EUBULUS.
("The peacock is admired on account of its rarity.")
This valuable library must have contained nearly 25,000
volumes, multiplying the number of articles (9405) by 3--the
usual mode of calculation. Unfortunately, as was the case
with Dr. Mead's and Mr. Folkes's, the books were not
arranged according to any particular classification. Old
black-letter English were mixed with modern Italian, French,
and Latin; and novels and romances interspersed with
theology and mathematics. An _alphabetical_ arrangement, be
the books of whatever kind they may, will in general obviate
the inconvenience felt from such an undigested plan; and it
were "devoutly to be wished," by all true bibliographers,
that an act of parliament should pass for the due observance
of this alphabetical order. We all know our A, B, C, but
have not all analytical heads; or we may differ in our ideas
of analysis. The scientific and alphabetical _united_ is
certainly better; like Mr. Harris's excellent catalogue,
noticed at p. 99, ante. The "_Méthode pour dresser une
bibliothéque_," about which De Bure, Formey, and Peignot
have so solemnly argued, is not worth a moment's discussion.
Every man likes to be his own librarian, as well as "his own
broker." But to return to Dr. Rawlinson's collection. On
examining a priced catalogue of it, which now lies before
me, I have not found any higher sum offered for a work than
4_l._ 1_s._ for a collection of fine prints, by Aldegrever.
(No. 9405.) The Greek and Latin Classics, of which there
were few _Editiones Principes_, or on _large paper_, brought
the usual sums given at that period. The old English
black-letter books, which were pretty thickly scattered
throughout the collection, were sold for exceedingly low
prices--if the copies were perfect. Witness the following:
£ _s._ _d._
The Newe Testament in English, 1500 0 2 9
The Ymage of both Churches, after the Revelation
of St. John, by Bale, 1550 0 1 6
The boke called the Pype or Tonne of Perfection,
by Richard Whytforde, 1553 0 1 9
The Visions of Pierce Plowman, 1561 0 2 0
The Creede of Pierce Plowman, 1532 0 1 6
The Bookes of Moses, in English, 1530 0 3 9
Bale's Actes of English Votaryes, 1550 0 1 3
The Boke of Chivalrie, by Caxton 0 11 0
The Boke of St. Alban's, by W. de Worde 1 1 0
These are only very few of the rare articles in English
literature; of the whole of which (perhaps upwards of 200 in
number) I believe the boke of St. Albans brought the highest
sum. Hence it will be seen that this was not the age of
curious research into the productions of our ancestors.
Shakspeare had not then appeared in a proper _variorum
edition_. Theobald, Pope, and Warburton, had not
investigated the =black-letter= lore of ancient English
writers for the illustration of their favourite author. This
was reserved for Capell, Farmer, Steevens, Malone, Chalmers,
Reed, and Douce: and it is expressly to these latter
gentlemen (for Johnson and Hanmer were very sparing, or very
shy, of the black-letter), that we are indebted for the
present spirit of research into the works of our ancestors.
The sale of the _books_ lasted 50 days. There was a second
sale of _pamphlets, books of prints, &c._, in the following
year, which lasted 10 days: and this was immediately
succeeded by a sale of the doctor's _single prints and
drawings_, which continued 8 days. Dr. Rawlinson's
benefactions to Oxford, besides his Anglo-Saxon endowment at
St. John's College, were very considerable; including,
amongst other curiosities, _a series of medals of the
Popes_, which the Doctor supposed to be one of the most
complete collections in Europe; and a great number of
valuable MSS., which he directed to be safely locked up, and
not to be opened till seven years after his decease. He died
on the 6th of April, 1755. To St. John's College, where he
had been a gentleman commoner, Dr. Rawlinson left the bulk
of his estate, amounting to near 700_l._ a year: _a plate of
Abp. Laud_, 31 volumes of _Parliamentary Journals and
Debates_, a set of _Rymer's Foedera_, his _Greek_,
_Roman_, and _English coins_, not given to the Bodleian
Library; all his plates engraved at the expense of the
Society of Antiquaries; his diploma, and his _heart_; which
latter is placed in a beautiful urn against the chapel wall,
with this inscription:
Urbi thesaurus, ibi cor.
RIC. RAWLINSON, LL.D. & ANT. S.S.
Olim hujus collegii superioris ordinis
commensalis.
Obiit. vi. Apr. MDCCLV.
Hearne speaks of him, in the preface of his _Tit. Liv. For.
Jul. vita Hen. V._, p. xvi., as "vir antiquis moribus
ornatus, perque eam viam euns, quæ ad immortalem gloriam
ducit."]
[Footnote 384: This gentleman's library, not so remarkable
for the black-letter as for whimsical publications, was sold
by auction, by Samuel Paterson (the earliest sale in which I
find this well known book-auctioneer engaged), in June,
1759, and the three ensuing evenings. The title of the Sale
Catalogue is as follows:----"_A Catalogue of the original
MSS. and manuscript collections of the late_ Reverend Mr.
JOHN HENLEY, A.M., Independent Minister of the Oratory, &c.,
in which are included sundry collections of the late Mons.
des Maizeaux, the learned editor of Bayle, &c., Mr. Lowndes,
author of the Report for the Amendment of Silver coins, &c.,
Dr. Patrick Blair, Physician at Boston, and F.R.S., &c.
Together with original letters and papers of State,
addressed to Henry d'Avenant, Esq., her Britannic Majesty's
Envoy at Francfort, from 1703 to 1708 inclusive." Few
libraries have contained more curious and remarkable
publications than did this. The following articles, given as
notable specimens, remind us somewhat of Addison's memoranda
for the Spectator, which the waiter at the coffee-house
picked up and read aloud for the amusement of the
company.----No. 166. God's Manifestation by a Star to the
Dutch. A mortifying Fast-Diet at Court. On the Birth Day of
the first and oldest young Gentleman. All corrupt: none
good; no, not one.----168. General Thumbissimo. The Spring
reversed, or the Flanderkin's Opera and Dutch Pickle
Herrings. The Creolean Fillip, or Royal Mishap. A Martial
Telescope, &c. England's Passion Sunday, and April
Changelings.----170. Speech upon Speech. A Telescope for
Tournay. No Battle, but worse, and the True Meaning of it.
An Army beaten and interred.----174. Signs when the P. will
come. Was Captain Sw-n, a Prisoner on Parole, to be
catechised? David's Opinion of like Times. The Seeds of the
plot may rise though the leaves fall. A Perspective, from
the Blair of Athol. The Pretender's Popery. Murder! Fire!
Where! Where!----178. Taking Carlise, catching an eel by the
tail. Address of a Bishop, Dean, and Clergy. Swearing to the
P----r, &c. Anathema denounced against those parents,
Masters, and Magistrates, that do not punish the Sin at
Stokesley. A Speech, &c. A Parallel between the Rebels to K.
Charles I. and those to his successor. _Jane Cameron_ looked
killing at _Falkirk_.----179. Let Stocks be knighted, write,
Sir Bank, &c., the Ramhead Month. A Proof that the Writers
against Popery, fear it will be established in this Kingdom.
A Scheme wisely blabbed to root and branch the Highlanders.
Let St. Patrick have fair Play, &c.----Of ORATOR HENLEY I
have not been able to collect any biographical details, more
interesting than those which are to be found in Warburton's
notes to Pope's Dunciad: He was born at Melton Mowbray, in
Leicestershire, in 1692, and was brought up at St. John's
College, in the University of Cambridge. After entering into
orders, he became a preacher in London, and established a
lecture on Sunday evenings, near Lincoln's-Inn Fields, and
another on Wednesday evenings, chiefly on political and
scientific subjects. Each auditor paid one shilling for
admission. "He declaimed," says Warburton, "against the
greatest persons, and occasionally did our poet (Pope) that
honour. When he was at Cambridge, he began to be uneasy; for
it shocked him to find he was commanded to believe against
his own judgment in points of religion, philosophy, &c.: for
his genius leading him freely to _dispute all propositions_,
and _call all points to account_, he was impatient under
those fetters of the free-born mind." When he was admitted
into priest's orders, he thought the examination so short
and superficial that he considered it "_not necessary to
conform to the Christian religion_, in order either to be a
deacon or priest." With these quixotic sentiments he came to
town; and "after having, for some years, been a writer for
the booksellers, he had an ambition to be so for ministers
of state." The only reason he did not rise in the church, we
are told, "was the envy of others, and a disrelish
entertained of him, because _he was not qualified to be a
complete spaniel_." However, he offered the service of his
pen to two great men, of opinions and interests directly
opposite: but being rejected by both of them, he set up a
new project, and styled himself, "_The restorer of ancient
eloquence._" Henley's pulpit, in which he preached, "was
covered with velvet, and adorned with gold." It is to this
that Pope alludes, in the first couplet of his second book
of the Dunciad:
High on a gorgeous seat, that far outshone
HENLEY'S _gilt tub_----
"He had also an altar, and placed over it this extraordinary
inscription, '_The primitive Eucharist._'" We are told by
his friend Welsted (narrative in Oratory Transact. No. 1)
that "he had the assurance to form a plan, which no mortal
_ever thought of_; he had success against all opposition;
challenged his adversaries to fair disputations, and _none
would dispute with him_: he wrote, read, and studied, twelve
hours a day; composed three dissertations a week on all
subjects; undertook to teach in _one year_ what schools and
universities teach in _five_: was not terrified by menaces,
insults, or satires; but still proceeded, matured his bold
scheme, and put the church and _all that in danger_!" See
note to Dunciad, book iii., v. 199. Pope has described this
extraordinary character with singular felicity of
expression:
But, where each science lifts its modern type,
Hist'ry her Pot, Divinity her Pipe,
While proud philosophy repines to shew,
Dishonest sight! his breeches rent below;
Imbrown'd with native bronze, lo! Henley stands,
Tuning his voice and balancing his hands.
How fluent nonsense trickles from his tongue!
How sweet the periods, neither said nor sung!
Still break the benches, Henley! with thy strain,
While SHERLOCK, HARE, and GIBSON, preach in vain.
Oh great restorer of the good old stage,
Preacher at once, and zany of thy age,
Oh worthy thou, of Egypt's wise abodes,
A decent priest, where monkeys were the gods!
But fate with butchers plac'd thy priestly stall,
Meek modern faith to murder, hack, and mawl;
And bade thee live, to crown Britannia's praise,
In TOLAND'S, TINDAL'S, and in WOOLSTON'S days.
_Dunciad_, b. iii., v. 190, &c.
Bromley, in his catalogue of engraved Portraits, mentions
_four_ of orator Henley: two of which are inscribed, one by
Worlidge "The Orator of Newport Market;" another (without
engraver's name) "A Rationalist." There is a floating story
which I have heard of Henley. He gave out that he would shew
a new and expeditious method of converting a pair of boots
into shoes. A great concourse of people attended, expecting
to see something very marvellous; when Henley mounted his
"tub," and, holding up a boot, he took a knife, and _cut
away the leg part of the leather_!]
There are, I had almost said, innumerable contemporaneous
bibliomaniacal characters to be described--or rather, lesser stars or
satellites that move, in their now unperceived orbits, around the
great planets of the book world--but, at this protracted hour of
discussion, I will not pretend even to mention their names.
LIS. Yet, go on--unless the female part of the audience be weary--go
on describing, by means of your great telescopic powers, every little
white star that is sprinkled in this bibliomaniacal _Via Lactea_![385]
[Footnote 385: With great submission to the "reminescential"
talents of Lysander, he might have devoted one _minute_ to
the commendation of the very curious library of JOHN HUTTON,
which was disposed of, by auction, in the same year (1764)
in which Genl. Dormer's was sold. Hutton's library consisted
almost entirely of _English Literature_: the rarest books in
which are printed in the italic type. When the reader is
informed that "_Robinsons Life, Actes, and Death of Prince
Arthur_," and his "_ancient order, societie, and unitie,
laudable of the same_," 1583, 4to. (see no. 2730;
concerning which my worthy friend, Mr. Haslewood, has
discoursed so accurately and copiously: _British
Bibliographer_, vol. i., pp. 109; 125), when he is informed
that this produced only 9_s._ 6_d._--that
"_Hypnerotomachia_," 1592, 4to. (no. 2755), was sold for
only 2_s._--the _Myrrour of Knighthood_, 1585, 4to. (no.
2759), only 5_s._--_Palmerin of England_, 3 pts. in 3 vols.
1602, 1639, 4to. (no. 2767), 14_s._--_Painter's Palace of
Pleasure_, 2 vols. in 1, 1566-7, 4to. (no. 2770)--when, I
say, the tender-hearted bibliomaniac thinks that all these
rare and precious black letter gems were sold, collectively,
for only 2_l._ 16_s._ 6_d._!--what must be his reproaches
upon the lack of spirit which was evinced at this sale!
Especially must his heart melt within him, upon looking at
the produce of some of these articles at the sale of George
Steevens' books, only 36 years afterwards! No depreciation
of money can account for this woful difference. I possess a
wretchedly priced copy of the _Bibl. Huttoniana_, which I
purchased, without title-page or a decent cover, at the sale
of Mr. Gough's books, for 11_s._ Lysander ought also to have
noticed in its chronological order, the extensive and truly
valuable library of ROBERT HOBLYN; the catalogue of which
was published in the year 1769, 8vo., in two parts: pp. 650.
I know not who was the author of the arrangement of this
collection; but I am pretty confident that the judicious
observer will find it greatly superior to every thing of its
kind, with hardly even the exception of the _Bibliotheca
Croftsiana_. It is accurately and handsomely executed, and
wants only an index to make it truly valuable. The
collection, moreover, is a very sensible one. My copy is
upon _large paper_; which is rather common.]
ALMAN. Upon my word, Lisardo, there is no subject however barren, but
what may be made fruitful by your metaphorical powers of imagination.
LIS. Madam, I entreat you not to be excursive. Lysander has taken a
fresh sip of his nectar, and has given a hem or two--preparing to
resume his narrative.
LYSAND. We have just passed over the bar that separates the one half
of the 18th century from the other: and among the ensuing eminent
collectors, whose brave fronts strike us with respect, is GENERAL
DORMER:[386] a soldier who, I warrant you, had faced full many a
cannon, and stormed many a rampart, with courage and success. But he
could not resist the raging influence of the Book-Mania: nor could all
his embrasures and entrenchments screen him from the attacks of this
insanity. His collection was both select and valuable.
[Footnote 386: "_A Catalogue of the genuine and elegant
Library of the late_ Sir C.C. DORMER, collected by
Lieutenant General James Dormer; which will be sold, &c., by
Samuel Baker, at his house in York-Street, Covent Garden; to
begin on Monday, February the 20th, 1764, and to continue
the nineteen following evenings." At the end of the
catalogue we are told that the books were "in general of the
best editions, and in the finest condition, many of them in
_large paper_, bound in morocco, gilt leaves," &c. This was
a very choice collection of books; consisting almost
entirely of French, Greek, Latin, Italian, and Spanish. The
number of articles did not exceed 3082; and of volumes,
probably not 7000. The catalogue is neatly printed, and
copies of it on _large paper_ are exceedingly scarce. Among
the most curious and valuable articles are the
following:----no. 599. Les Glorieuses Conquestes de Louis
le Grand, par Pontault, _en maroquin_. Paris, 1678. ("_N.B.
In this copy many very fine and rare portraits are added,
engraved by the most eminent masters._")----no. 604.
Recueil des Maisons Royales, fort bien gravés par Sylvestre,
&c. (N.B. In the book was the following note. "_Ce recueil
des Maisons Royales n'est pas seulement complet, en toutes
manières, mais on y a ajouté plusieurs plans, que l'on ne
trouvent que très rarement._")----no. 731. Fabian's
Chronicle, 1559.----752, Hall's ditto. 1548.----751.
Higden's Polychronicon. 1527. (I suspect that Dr. Askew
purchased the large paper Hutchinson's Xenophon, and
Hudson's Thucydides. nos. 2246, 2585.)----no. 2249.
Don Quixote, por Cervantes. Madr., 4to., 1605. In hoc libro
hæc nota est. "_Cecy est l'edition originale; il y a une
autre du mesme année, imprimée en quarto à Madrid, mais
imprimée apres cecy. J'ay veu l'autre, et je les ay comparez
avec deux autres editions du mesme année, 1605; une imprimée
à Lisbonne, en 4to., l'autre en Valentia, en_
8vo."----no. 2590. Thuanus by Buckley, on _large paper_,
in 14 volumes, folio; a magnificent copy, illustrated with
many beautiful and rare portraits of eminent characters,
mentioned by De Thou. (N.B. This very copy was recently sold
for 74_l._)----From no. 2680 to the end of the Catalogue
(401 articles) there appears a choice collection of Italian
and Spanish books.]
We have before noticed the celebrated diplomatic character, CONSUL
SMITH, and have spoken with due respect of his library: let us here,
therefore, pass by him,[387] in order to take a full and complete
view of a _Non-Pareil_ Collector: the first who, after the days of
Richard Smith, succeeded in reviving the love of black-letter lore and
of Caxtonian typography--need I say JAMES WEST?[388]
[Footnote 387: The reader has had a sufficiently particular
account of the book-collections of CONSUL SMITH, at p. 95,
ante, to render any farther discussion superfluous. As these
libraries were collected _abroad_, the catalogues of them
were arranged in the place here referred to.]
[Footnote 388: I am now to notice, in less romantic manner
than Lysander, a collection of books, in _English
Literature_, which, for rarity and value, in a proportionate
number, have never been equalled; I mean the library of
JAMES WEST, Esq., _President of the Royal Society_. The sale
commenced on March 29, 1773, and continued for the
twenty-three following days. The catalogue was digested by
Samuel Paterson, a man whose ability in such undertakings
has been generally allowed. The title was as follows:
"BIBLIOTHECA WESTIANA; _A Catalogue of the curious and truly
valuable library of the late_ JAMES WEST, Esq., _President
of the Royal Society, deceased_; comprehending a choice
collection of books in various languages, and upon most
branches of polite literature: more especially such as
relate to the history and antiquities of Great Britain and
Ireland; their early navigators, discoverers, and improvers,
and the _ancient English literature_: of which there are a
great number of uncommon books and tracts, elucidated by MS.
notes and original letters, and embellished with scarce
portraits and devices, rarely to be found: including the
works of Caxton, Lettou, Machlinia, the anonymous St. Albans
school-master, Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, and the rest of the
old English typographers. Digested by Samuel Paterson, and
sold by Messrs. Langfords." The title-page is succeeded by
the
PREFACE.
"The following catalogue exhibits a very curious and
uncommon collection of printed books and tracts. Of British
History and Antiquities, and of _Rare Old English
Literature_, the most copious of any which has appeared for
several years past; formed with great taste, and a thorough
knowledge of authors and characters, by that judicious
critic and able antiquary the late JAMES WEST, Esq.,
President of the Royal Society. Several anonymous writers
are herein brought to light--many works enlarged and further
explained by their respective authors and editors--and a far
greater number illustrated with the MS. notes and
observations of some of our most respectable antiquaries:
among whom will be found the revered names of Camden,
Selden, Spelman, Somner, Dugdale, Gibson, Tanner, Nicolson,
Gale, Le Neve, Hearne, Anstis, Lewis, St. Amand, Ames,
Browne, Willis, Stukely, Mr. West, &c. But, above all, the
intense application and unwearied diligence of the admirable
Bishop White Kennett, upon the ecclesiastical, monastical,
constitutional, and topographical history of Great Britain,
so apparent throughout this collection, furnish matter even
to astonishment; and are alone sufficient to establish the
reputation, and to perpetuate the memory, of this
illustrious prelate, without any other monuments of his
greatness." "In an age of general inquiry, like the present,
when studies less interesting give place to the most
laudable curiosity and thirst after investigating every
particular relative to the history and literature of our own
country, nothing less than an elaborate digest of this
valuable library could be expected; and, as a supplement to
the history of English literature, more desired." "That task
the Editor has cheerfully undertaken: and, he flatters
himself, executed as well as the short time allowed would
permit. He further hopes, to the satisfaction of such who
are capable of judging of its utility and importance." "The
lovers of engraved English portraits (a species of modern
connoisseurship which appears to have been first started by
the late noble Earl of Oxford, afterwards taken up by Mr.
West, Mr. Nicolls, editor of Cromwell's State-Papers, Mr.
Ames, &c., and since perfected by the Muse of
Strawberry-Hill, the Rev. Wm. Granger, and some few more
ingenious collectors) may here look to find a considerable
number of singular and scarce heads, and will not be
disappointed in their search." Thus much Paterson; who, it
must be confessed, has promised more than he has performed:
for the catalogue, notwithstanding it was the _second_ which
was published (the first being by a different hand, and most
barbarously compiled) might have exhibited better method and
taste in its execution. Never were rare and magnificent
books more huddled together and smothered, as it were, than
in this catalogue. Let us now proceed to an analysis of Mr.
West's Collection.
1. _Volumes of Miscellaneous Tracts._
These volumes extend from no. 148 to 200, from 915 to
992, from 1201 to 1330, and from no. 1401 to 1480.--Among
them are some singularly choice and curious articles. The
following is but an imperfect specimen.
NO. 154. Atkyns on Printing, _with the frontispiece_, &c.,
&c., 4to.
164. G. Whetstone's Honorable Profession of a Soldier, 1586,
&c., 4to.
179. Life and death of Wolsey, 1641, &c.
183. Nashe's Lenten Stuffe, with the Praise of the Red
Herring, 1599, &c. 4to. (the three articles together did not
exceed) £0 12_s._ 0_d._
188. A Mornynge Remembrance, had at the Moneth Mynde of the
Noble Prynces Countesse of Rychmonde, &c. Wynkyn de Worde,
&c. 4to. 2 2 0
194. Oh! read over Dr. John Bridges, for it is a worthie
Worke, &c. bl. letter, &c. 4to. Strange and fearful Newes
from Plasto, near Bow, in the house of one Paul Fox, a Silk
Weaver, where is daily to be seene throwing of Stones,
Bricbats, Oyster-shells, Bread, cutting his Work in Pieces,
breaking his Windows, &c. _No date_, 4to. 0 12 6
1477. Leylande's Journey and Serche, given of hym as a Newe
Yeares Gyfte to K. Henry 8th, enlarged by Bale, bl. letter,
1549, 8vo., (with three other curious articles.) 0 17 6
1480. A disclosing of the great Bull and certain Calves that
he hath gotten, and especially the Monster Bull that roared
at my Lord Byshop's gate. Bl. letter, pr. by Daye. No date.
4to.
The preceding affords but a very inadequate idea of the
"pithie, pleasant, and profitable" discourses mid tracts
which abounded among the miscellaneous articles of Mr.
West's library. Whatever be the defects of modern
literature, it must be allowed that we are not _quite so
coarse_ in the _title pages_ of our books.
2. _Divinity._
This comprehended a vast mass of information, under the
following general title. Scarce Tracts: Old and New
Testaments (including almost all the first English editions
of the New Testament, which are now of the rarest
occurrence): Commentators: Ecclesiastical History: Polemics:
Devotions, Catholic and Calvinistical: Enthusiasm:
Monastical History: Lives of Saints: Fathers: Missionaries:
Martyrs: Modern Divines and Persons of eminent piety: Free
Thinkers: Old English Primers: Meditations: Some of the
earliest Popish and Puritanical Controversy: Sermons by old
English Divines, &c. In the whole 560 articles: probably
about 1200 volumes. These general heads are sufficient to
satisfy the bibliographer that, with such an indefatigable
collector as was Mr. West, the greater part of the
theological books must have been extremely rare and curious.
From so _many Caxtons_, _Wynkyn de Wordes_, _Pynsons, &c._,
it would be difficult to select a _few_ which should give a
specimen of the value of the rest. Suffice it to observe
that such a cluster of _Black Letter Gems_, in this
department of English literature, has never since been seen
in any sale catalogue.
3. _Education, Languages, Criticism, Classics, Dictionaries,
Catalogues of Libraries, &c._
There were about 700 volumes in these departments. The
catalogues of English books, from that of Maunsell in 1595,
to the latest before Mr. West's time, were nearly complete.
The treatises on education, and translations of the ancient
classics, comprehended a curious and uncommon collection.
The Greek and Latin Classics were rather select than rare.
4. _English Poetry, Romances, and Miscellanies._
This interesting part of the collection comprehended about
355 articles, or probably about 750 volumes: and, if the
singularly rare and curious books which may be found _under
these heads alone_ were now to be concentrated in one
library, the owner of them might safely demand 4000 guineas
for such a treasure! I make no doubt but that his MAJESTY is
the fortunate possessor of the greater number of articles
under all the foregoing heads.
5. _Philosophy, Mathematics, Inventions, Agriculture, and
Horticulture, Medicine, Cookery, Surgery, &c._
Two hundred and forty articles, or about 560 volumes.
6. _Chemistry, Natural History, Astrology, Sorcery,
Gigantology._
Probably not more than 100 volumes. The word "Gigantology,"
first introduced by Mr. Paterson, I believe, into the
English language, was used by the French more than two
centuries ago. See no. 2198 in the catalogue.
7. _History and Antiquities._
This comprehended a great number of curious and valuable
productions, relating both to foreign and domestic
transactions.
8. _Heraldry and Genealogy._
An equal number of curious and scarce articles may be found
under these heads.
9. _Antient Legends and Chronicles._
To the English antiquary, few departments of literature are
more interesting than this. Mr. West seems to have paid
particular attention to it, and to have enriched his library
with many articles of this description of the rarest
occurrence. The lovers of Caxton, Fabian, Hardyng, Hall,
Grafton, and Holinshed, may be highly gratified by
inspecting the various editions of these old chroniclers. I
entreat the diligent bibliographer to examine the first 8
articles of page 209 of the catalogue. Alas! when will such
gems again glitter at one sale? The fortunate period for
collectors is gone by: a knowledge of books almost every
where prevails. At York, at Exeter, at Manchester, and at
Bristol, as well as in London, this knowledge may be found
sometimes on the dusty stall, as well as in the splendid
shop. The worth of books begins to be considered by a
different standard from that of the quantity of gold on the
exterior! We are now for "_drinking deep_," as well as
"_tasting_!" But I crave pardon for this digression, and
lose sight of Mr. West's _uniques_.
10. _Topography._
Even to a veteran like the late Mr. Gough, such a collection
as may be found from p. 217 to 239 of the catalogue, would
be considered a very first-rate acquisition. I am aware that
the Gothic wainscot and stained glass windows of _Enfield
Study_ enshrined a still more exquisite topographical
collection! But we are improved since the days of Mr. West;
and every body knows to _whom_ these improvements are, in a
great measure, to be attributed! When I call to mind the
author of "_British Topography_" and "_Sepulchral
Monuments_," I am not insensible to the taste, diligence,
and erudition of the "par nobile fratrum," who have
gratified us with the "_Environs of London_," and the three
volumes of "_Magna Britannia_!" Catalogues of Mr. West's
library, with the sums for which the books were sold, are
now found with difficulty, and bring a considerable price.
The late Mr. G. Baker, who had a surprisingly curious
collection of priced catalogues, was in possession of the
_original sale_ one of West's library. It is interleaved,
and, of course, has the prices and names of the purchasers.
Mr. Heber has also a priced copy, with the names, which was
executed by my industrious and accurate predecessor, William
Herbert, of typographico-antiquarian renown. The number of
articles, on the whole, was 4653; and of the volumes as many
articles were single, probably about 8000. _Ample_ as some
"pithy" reader may imagine the foregoing analysis to be, I
cannot find it in my heart to suffer such a collection, as
was the _Bibliotheca Westiana_, to be here dismissed in so
_summary_ a manner. Take, therefore, "pleasaunt" reader, the
following account of the _prices_ for which some of the
aforesaid book-gems were sold. They are presented to thee as
a matter of curiosity only; and not as a criterion of their
present value. And as MASTER CAXTON has of late become so
popular amongst us, we will see, inter alios, what some of
the books printed by so "simple a person" produced at this
renowned sale.
NO. 564. Salesbury (Wyllyam) his Dictionary in Englyshe and
Welshe, moste necessary to all such Welshemen as wil spedly
learne the English tongue, &c. _Printed by Waley_, 1547,
4to. £0 17_s._ 0_d._
566. Mulcaster (Rich.) of the right writing of our English
Tung. _Imp. by Vautrollier_, 1582, 4to. 0 2 6
575. Florio's Frutes to be gathered of 12 trees of divers
but delyghtfule tastes to the Tongues of Italians and
Englishmen, also his Garden of Recreation, &c., 1591, 4to. 0
6 6
580. Eliot's Indian Grammar, _no title_. 0 4 0
Thus much for GRAMMATICAL TRACTS.
808. The fyve Bokes of Moses, wythe the Prologes of Wyllyam
Tyndale, b.b. 1534, _printed in different characters at
different periods_, 8vo. 4 4 0
813. The Actes of the Apostles translated into Englyshe
metre, by Chrystofer Tye, Doctor in musyke, with notes to
synge, and also to play upon the lute. _Printed by Seres_,
1553, 12mo. 0 11 6
819. The Newe Testament, with the Prologes of Wyllyam
Tyndale, cuts, printed at Andwarp, &c., 1534, 12mo. 0 18 0
820. The same, with the same cuts, emprynted at Antwerpe, by
M. Crom, 1538, _a fine copy, in morocco binding_ (title
wanting). 2 4 0
1341. The Gospels of the fower Evangelists, translated in
the olde Saxons Tyme, &c. Sax. and Eng. Imprinted by Daye,
1571, 4to. 1 12 0
1383. The Discipline of the Kirk of Scotlande, subscribet by
the Handes off Superintendentes, one parte off Ministers,
and scribet in oure generalle Assemblies ad Edenbourg, 28
Decemb., 1566. _No title._ 4to. 1 3 0
1714. The most sacred Bible, recognised with great diligence
by Richard Taverner, &c., _printed by Byddell for Barthelet,
1539, in russia_. 3 5 0
1716. The Byble in Englyshe of the largest and greatest
volume, &c. _Printed by Grafton_, 1541, Folio. 1 3 0
1870. Speculum Vite Christi, the Booke that is cleped the
Myrroure of the blessed Lyf of Jhesu Cryste, _emprynted by
Caxton_, fol., _no date, fine copy in morocco_. 9 9 0
1871. The prouffytable Boke for Mannes Soule, &c.,
_emprynted by Caxton_, fol., no date, a fine copy in
morocco. 5 0 0
1873. Cordyale, or of the fowre last Thynges, &c.,
_emprynted by Caxton_, 1480, fol., _fine copy in morocco_.
14 0 0
1874. The Pylgremage of the Sowle, &c., 1483, folio,
_emprynted by Caxton_. 8 17 6
1875. The Booke entytled and named Ryal, &c., _translated
and printed by Caxton_, 1484, _fine morocco copy_. 10 0 0
1876. The Arte and Crafte to knowe well to dye; _translated
and prynted by Caxton_, 1490, folio. 5 2 6
So take we leave of DIVINITY!
1047. Hall's Virgidemiarum, lib. vi. 1599, 1602, 12mo. "Mr.
Pope's copy, who presented it to Mr. West, telling him that
he esteemed them the best poetry and truest satire in the
English language." (N.B. These satires were incorrectly
published in 1753, 8vo.: a republication of them, with
pertinent notes, would be very acceptable.) 0 18 0
1658. Churchyard's Works; 3 vols. in 1, _very elegant_, bl.
letter. 3 13 6
1816. The Passe Tyme of Pleasure, &c., _printed by Wynkyn de
Worde_, 1517, 4to., fine copy. 3 3 0
1821. Merie conceited Jests of George Peele, Gent. 1607,
4to. Robin the Devil, his two penni-worth of Wit in half a
penni-worth of paper, &c., 1607, 4to. 0 18 6
1846. The Hye Waye to the Spyttell Hous; printed by the
compyler Rob. Copland, no date. 0 6 6
1847. Another copy of the Spyttell House; "A thousande fyve
hundredth fortye and foure," no printer's name, mark, or
date, 4to. Here begynneth a lytell propre Jest, called
Cryste Crosse me spede, a b c. 1 11 6
2274. Chaucer's Work; first edition, _emprentyd by Caxton_,
folio, _in russia_. 47 15 6
2280. ---- Troylus and Creseyde, _printed b [Transcriber's
Note: by] Caxton_, folio. 10 10 0
2281. ---- Booke of Fame, _printed by Caxton_, folio. 4 5 0
2297. Gower de Confessione Amantis; _printed by Caxton_,
1483, folio, _in morocco_. 9 9 0
2282. The Bokys of Haukyng and Hunting; _printed at Seynt
Albons_, 1486, _folio: fine copy in morocco_. 13 0 0
And here farewell POETRY!
1678. The Booke of the moste victoryouse Prynce, Guy of
Warwick. _Impr. by W. Copland_, 4to. 1 1 0
1683. The Historye of Graunde Amoure and la bell Pucel, &c.
_Impr. by John Wayland_, 1554, 4to. 1 2 0
1685. The Historye of Olyver of Castylle, &c. _Impr. by
Wynkyn de Worde_, 1518, 4to. 1 12 0
1656. The Booke of the Ordre of Chyvalry or Knyghthode.
_Translated and printed by William Caxton_; no date, a fine
copy in russia, 4to. 5 5 0
(Shall I put one, or one hundred marks--not of admiration
but of astonishment--at this price?! but go on kind reader!)
2480. The Boke of Jason: _emprynted by Caxton_, folio. 4 4 0
2481. The Boke of Fayttes of Armes and of Chyvalrye,
_emprynted by Caxton_, 1489, folio. 10 10 0
2582. Thystorye, &c., of the Knyght Parys, and of the fayre
Vyenne, &c. 1485, fol., _translated and printed by Caxton_.
14 0 0
[Illustration: CAXTON.]
But why should I go on tantalising the S----s, H----s,
S----s, R----s, and U----s, of the day, by further specimens
of the _enormous_ sums here given for such _common_ editions
of old ROMANCES? Mr. George Nicol, his majesty's bookseller,
told me, with his usual pleasantry and point, that he got
abused in the public papers, by Almon and others, for his
having purchased nearly the whole of the Caxtonian volumes
in this collection for his Majesty's library. It was said
abroad that "a Scotchman had lavished away the king's money
in buying old black-letter books." A pretty specimen of
_lavishing_ away royal money, truly! There is also another
thing, connected with these _invaluable_ (I speak as a
bibliomaniac--and, perhaps, as a metaphysician may think--as
a fool! but let it pass!) with these invaluable
purchases:--his Majesty, in his directions to Mr. Nicol,
forbade any competition with those purchasers who wanted
books of science and belles-lettres for their _own
professional_ or _literary_ pursuits: thus using, I ween,
the powers of his purse in a manner at once merciful and
wise.--"O si sic"--may we say to many a heavy-metalled
book-auction bibliomaniac of the present day!--Old Tom
Payne, the father of the respectable Mr. Payne, of
Pall-Mall, used to tell Mr. Nichol--_pendente hastâ_--that
he had been "raising all the CAXTONS!" "Many a copy," quoth
he, "hath _stuck_ in my shop at two guineas!" Mr. NICHOLS,
in his amusing biography of Bowyer, has not devoted so large
a portion of his pages to the description of Mr. West's
collection, life, and character, as he has to many
collectors who have been less eminently distinguished in the
bibliographical world. Whether this was the result of the
paucity, or incongruity, of his materials, or whether, from
feelings of delicacy he might not choose to declare all he
knew, are points into which I have neither right nor
inclination to enquire. There seems every reason to conclude
that, from youth, West had an elegant and well-directed
taste in matters of literature and the fine arts. As early
as the year 1720, he shewed the munificence of his
disposition, in these respects, by befriending Hearne with a
plate for his _Antiquities of Glastonbury_; see p.
285--which was executed, says Hearne, "Sumptibus ornatissimi
amicissimique Juvenis (multis sane nominibus de studiis
nostris optime meriti) JACOBI WEST," &c. So in his pref. to
_Adam de Domerham de reb. gest. Glaston_:--"antiquitatum ac
historiarum nostrarum studiosus in primis--Jacobus West." p.
xx. And in his _Walter Hemingford_, we have:--"fragmentum,
ad civitatem Oxoniensem pertinens, admodum egregium, mihi
dono dedit amicus eximius Jacobus West--is quem alibi
juvenem ornatissimum appellavi," &c., p. 428. How the
promise of an abundant harvest, in the mature years of so
excellent a young man, was realized, the celebrity of West,
throughout Europe, to his dying day, is a sufficient
demonstration. I conclude with the following; which is
literally from Nichols's _Anecdotes of Bowyer_. "James West,
of Alscott, in the county of Warwick, Esq., M.A., of Baliol
College, Oxford, (son of Richard West, said to be descended,
according to family tradition, from Leonard, a younger son
of Thomas West, Lord Delawar, who died in 1525) was
representative in parliament for St. Alban's, in 1741; and
being appointed one of the joint Secretaries of the
Treasury, held that office till 1762. In 1765 or 1766, his
old patron the Duke of Newcastle, obtained for him a pension
of 2000_l._ a year. He was an early member, and one of the
Vice Presidents, of the Antiquary Society; and was first
Treasurer, and afterwards President, of the Royal Society.
He married the daughter and heiress of Sir Thomas Stephens,
timber merchant, in Southwark, with whom he had a large
fortune in houses in Rotherhithe; and by whom he had a son,
James West, Esq., now (1782) of Alscott, one of the Auditors
of the Land-Tax, and sometime Member of Parliament for
Boroughbridge, in Yorkshire (who in 1774 married the
daughter of Christopher Wren, of Wroxhall in Warwickshire,
Esq.), and had two daughters. Mr. West died in July, 1772.
His large and valuable collection of MANUSCRIPTS was sold to
the _Earl of Shelburne_, and is now deposited in the British
Museum."]
LOREN. All hail to thee--transcendant bibliomaniac of other times!--of
times, in which my father lived, and procured, at the sale of thy
precious book-treasures, not a few of those rare volumes which have so
much gladdened the eyes of Lisardo.