Love, C.T.--F.D., _printed by Caxton_, folio. [See my
edition of the _Typograhical [Transcriber's Note:
Typographical] Antiquities_, vol. i. p. 346.]
274. Hawkyng, Huntyng, and Fyshyng, (from Juliana Barnes)
B.L. _woodcuts. Lond. Toye, and W. Copland_, 4to. _See MS.
notes prefixed._
275. Hawys's Compendions Story, or Exemple of Vertue,
B.L.--C.R. _wood-cuts_, _ib._ _Wynkyn de Worde_, 1533.
276. ---- Passe-Tyme of Pleasure, B.L. _wood-cuts ib. by W.
de Worde_, 1517, 4to.
306. Spenser's Shephearde's Calendar. C.T.--F.D.,
_wood-cuts: first edition, ib._ Singleton, 1579, 4to.
308. Taylor, the water poet (fifteen different pieces by)
all of posterior date to the collection of his works. Among
them is the Life of Old Par, with Par's head, and 31 plates
of curious needle-work. The volume also contains some
replies to Taylor. A written list of all the contents is
prefixed. Lond. and Oxford, 4to.
330. Tulle of Old Age (translated by William Botoner, or of
Worcester) _pr. by Caxton_, 1481. folio.
---- of Friendship, translated by Tiptoft, Earl of
Worcester; to which is added another tract written by the
same Earl, C.R.--F.D.--L.R. _Explicit per Caxton_, folio.]
How shall I talk of thee, and of thy wonderful collection, O RARE
RICHARD FARMER?[408]--and of thy scholarship, acuteness, pleasantry,
singularities, varied learning, and colloquial powers! Thy name will
live long among scholars in general; and in the bosoms of virtuous and
learned bibliomaniacs thy memory shall ever be enshrined! The walls of
Emanuel College now cease to convey the sounds of thy festive
wit--thy volumes are no longer seen, like Richard Smith's "bundles of
sticht books," strewn upon the floor; and thou hast ceased, in the
cause of thy beloved Shakspeare, to delve into the fruitful ore of
black-letter literature. Peace to thy honest spirit; for thou wert
wise without vanity, learned without pedantry, and joyous without
vulgarity!
[Footnote 408: There is but a scanty memorial of this
extraordinary and ever respectable bibliomaniac, in the
_Gentleman's Magazine_; vol. lxvii. pt. ii. p. 805: 888: nor
is it noticed, among Farmer's theologico-literary labours,
that he was author of an ingenious essay upon the
_Demoniacs_ mentioned in scripture; in which essay he took
up the idea of Mede, that these Demoniacs were _madmen_. Dr.
Farmer's essay upon the _Learning of Shakespeare_ is, in
respect to the materials, arguments, and conclusions--what
the late Bishop of Salisbury's [Douglas] was upon
_Miracles_--original, powerful, and incontrovertible. Never
was there an octavo volume, like Farmer's upon
Shakespeare--which embraced so many, and such curious,
points, and which displayed such research, ingenuity, and
acuteness--put forth with so little pomp, parade, or
pedantry. Its popularity was remarkable; for it delighted
both the superficial and deeply-versed reader in
black-letter lore. Dr. Parr's well applied Ciceronian
phrase, in lauding the "ingenious and joy-inspiring
language" of Farmer, gives us some notion of the colloquial
powers of this acute bibliomaniac; whose books were
generally scattered upon the floor, as Lysander above
observes, like old Richard Smith's "stitched bundles."
Farmer had his foragers; his jackalls: and his
avant-couriers: for it was well known how dearly he loved
every thing that was interesting and rare in the literature
of former ages. As he walked the streets of London--careless
of his dress--and whether his wig was full-bottomed or
narrow-bottomed--he would talk and "mutter strange speeches"
to himself; thinking all the time, I ween, of some curious
discovery he had recently made in the aforesaid precious
black-letter tomes. But the reader is impatient for the
_Bibliotheca Farmeriana_: the title to the catalogue whereof
is as follows. "_Bibl. Farm. A Catalogue of the curious,
valuable, and extensive Library in print and manuscript, of
the late_ REV. RICHARD FARMER, _D.D., Canon Residentiary of
St. Paul's; Master of Emanuel College: Librarian to the
University of Cambridge; and Fellow of the Royal & Antiquary
Societies_ (deceased, &c.) Sold by Auction by Mr. King; May,
1798," 8vo. [8199 articles]. The collection is justly said,
in the title page, to contain the "most rare and copious
assemblage of _Old English Poetry_ that, perhaps, was ever
exhibited at one view; together with a great variety of _Old
Plays_, and early printed books, English and Foreign, in the
black-letter." The reader has already (p. 324 ante) had some
intimation of the source to which Dr. Farmer was chiefly
indebted for these poetical and dramatical treasures; of
some of which, "hereafter followeth" an imperfect specimen:
NO. 5950. Marbecke (John) the book of Common Prayer, noted,
1550. 4to. See Dr. Burney's long account of this very scarce
book in his History of Musick, vol. ii. p. 578, &c. £2 6_s._
0_d._
6127. Skinner's Discovery and Declaration of the Inquisition
of Spayne, _imp. J. Daye_, 1569, 4to. 6128. Shippe of
Fooles, by Brant, wood cuts, _imp. Wynkyn de Worde_, 1517,
4to. 1 16 0
6194. Brunswyke's Medical Dictionary, translated by Huet,
_imp. by Treveris_, 1525. folio. 3 10 0
6195. Customs of the Citie of London, or Arnold's Chronicle,
with the Nut-Brown Mayde, _1st edition_, 1502, folio. 0 19 0
6386. Annalia Dubrensia, or Robert Dover's Olimpic Games
upon Cotswold-Hills, _with frontispiece_, 1636. 1 14 0
6387. Barley-breake, or a Warning for Wantons, by W.N. 1607,
4to. 0 5 0
6395. Britton's Bowre of Delights, by N.B. 1597. 4to. 1 13 0
6413. Byrd's (Will.) Psalmes, Sonets, and Songs of Sadnes
and Pietie made into Musicke of 5 partes. 1588. Ditto Sacræ
Cantiones, 2 parts; and various Madrigals and Canzonets, by
Morley, Weelkes, Wilbye, Bateson, &c. 4to. 0 15 0
6608. Copie of a Letter sent from the roaring Boyes in
Elizium, to the two arrant Knights of the Grape in Limbo,
Alderman Abel and M. Kilvert, the two projectors for wine;
with their portraits. 5 5 0
6785. Turbervile's (George) Epitaphs, Epigrams, Songs and
Sonets, with a Discourse of the freendly affections of
Tymetes to Pyndara his ladie, b.l. 1570, _imp. by Denham_,
8vo. 1 16 0
6804. Virgil's Æneis, the first foure bookes, translated
into English heroicall verse, by Richard Stanyhurst, with
other poetical devises thereunto annexed; _impr. by
Bynneman_, 1583, 8vo. 2 17 0
6826. Essayes of a Prentise in the Divine Art of Poesie
(King James VI.) _Edinburgh, by Vautrollier_, 1585, 8vo. 1
13 0
6846. Fulwell's (Ulpian) Flower of Fame, or bright Renoune
and fortunate Raigne of King Henry VIII. b.l. with curious
wood cuts: _imp. by Will. Hoskin_, 1575, 4to. 1 11 6
6847. Flytting (the) betwixt Montgomerie and Polwarte,
_Edin._, 1629, 4to. 2 5 0
7058. Horace's Art of Poetrie, Pistles, and Satyrs,
English'd by Drant, b.l. _Imp. by Marshe_, 1566, 4to. 0 7 6
7066. Humours Ordinarie, where a man may be verie merrie and
exceeding well used for his sixpence, 1607, 4to. 0 14 6
7187. Mastiffe Whelp, with other ruff-island-like curs
fetcht from among the Antipodes, which bite and barke at the
fantasticall humourist and abuses of the time. 0 19 0
7199. Merry Jest of Robin Hood, and of his Life, with a new
Play for to be plaied in May-Games; very pleasant and full
of pastime, b.l. _imp. by Edward White_, 4to. 3 13 6
7200. Milton's Paradise Lost, in 10 books, 1st _edit._ 1667.
0 11 0
7201. ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- _2nd title page_, 1668.
0 11 0
7202. ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- _3rd title page_,
1669.--"N.B. The three foregoing articles prove that there
were no less than three different title-pages used, to force
the sale of the first edition of this matchless poem." S.
P[aterson.] 0 7 0
7232. Paradyse of Daynty Devises, b.l. extremely scarce,
_imp. by Henry Disle_, 1576, 4to. 6 0 0
7240. Peele's (G.) Device of the Pageant borne before
Woolstone Dixie, Lord Mayor of London, Oct. 29, 1585, b.l.
See Dr. F.'s note; as probably the only copy. 4to. 1 11 6
7241. Percy's (W.) Sonnets to the fairest Cælia, 1594. 4to.
1 12 0
7249. Psalter (the whole) translated into English Metre,
which containeth an Hundreth and Fifty Psalms. The title and
first page written. _Imp. by John Daye_, 1567. "This
translation was by Archbishop Parker, and is so scarce that
Mr. Strype tells us he could never get a sight of it." See
Master's History of C.C.C.C. Mr. Wharton supposes it never
to have been published, but that the Archbishop's wife gave
away some copies. "It certainly (he adds) is at this time
extremely scarce, and would be deservedly deemed a fortunate
acquisition to those capricious students who labour to
collect a Library of Rarities." Hist. of Eng. Poetry, vol.
iii. 186. It has a portrait of the Archbishop. 4to. 3 6 0
7828. Somner's (Henry) Orpheus and Eurydice, 1740. 4to. 0 1 6
7829. Shakespeare's Works, _1st edition, in folio, wants
title, last leaf written from the_ 4to. 1623. 7 0 0
8062. Metrical Romances, written in the reign of Richard
IId. or rather about the end of the reign of Henry IIId. or
beginning of Edward I. (See note,) _purchased at Dr. Monro's
Auction by Dr. Farmer_, for 29_l._ 4 14 0
8080. These Booke is called Ars moriendi, of William Baron,
Esq., to remayne for ever to the Nonnye of Deptford; _on
vellum, bound in purple velvet_. 2 3 0
6451. Chaucer's noble and amorous auncyent Hystory of
Troylus and Cresyde, in fyve Bokes, _imprynted by Wynkyn de
Worde_, 1517.
Here begynneth the Temple of Glass, _imp. by Wynkyn de
Worde_.
The Castell of Pleasure, _imp. by ditto_.
Here begynneth a lyttell Treatise cleped La Conusauce
D'Amours. _imp. by Pynson_.
The Spectacle of Lovers, _imp. by Wynkyn de Worde_.
History of Tytus and Gesippus, translated out of Latin into
Englyshe, by Wyllyam Walter, sometime servaunte to Syr Henry
Marney, Cnyght, Chaunceler of the Duchy of Lancastre, _imp.
by ditto_.
The Love and Complayntes betwene Mars and Venus.
The Fyrst Fynders of the VII Scyences Artificiall, _printed
by Julian Notarye_.
Guystarde and Sygysmonde, translated by Wyllyam Walter,
_imp. by Wynkyn de Worde_, 1532.
The Complaynte of a Lover's Lyfe, _imp. by ditto_.
Here begynneth a lytel Treatyse, called The Disputacyon of
Complaynte [of] the Harte, thorughe perced with the lokynge
of the Eye, _imp. by Wynkyn de Worde_.
This Boke is named the Beaultie of Women, translated out of
French into Englyshe, _imp. by Wier_.
Here begynneth a lytel Treatise, called the Controverse
betwene a Lover and a Jaye, lately compyled, _imp. by Wynkyn
de Worde_.
_The above 12 very rare and ancient pieces of poetry are
bound_ in one vol. _with curious wood-cuts, and in fine
preservation._
'The Temple of Glass alone was sold for 3_l._ 15_s._ and the
present vol. may, with propriety, be deemed matchless.' All
in quarto. 26 5 0
[N.B. _These articles should have preceded_ no. 6608; at
p. 423, ante.]
And here, benevolent reader, let us bid farewell to RICHARD
FARMER of transcendant bibliomaniacal celebrity! It is in
vain to look forward for the day when book-gems, similar to
those which have just been imperfectly described from the
_Bibl. Farmeriana_, will be disposed of at similar prices.
The young collector may indulge an ardent hope; but, if
there be any thing of the spirit of prophecy in my humble
predictions, that hope will never be realised. Dr. Farmer's
copies were, in general, in sorry condition; the possessor
caring little (like Dr. Francis Bernard; vide p. 316, ante)
for large margins and splendid binding. His own name,
generally accompanied with a bibliographical remark, and
both written in a sprawling character, usually preceded the
title-page. The science (dare I venture upon so magnificent
a word?) of bibliography was, even in Farmer's latter time,
but jejune, and of limited extent: and this will account for
some of the common-place bibliographical memoranda of the
owner of these volumes. We may just add that there are some
few copies of this catalogue printed on _large paper_, on
paper of a better quality than the small; which latter is
sufficiently wretched. I possess a copy of the former kind,
with the _prices_ and _purchasers' names_ affixed--and
moreover, _uncut_!]
A poor eulogy, this, upon Farmer!--but my oratory begins to wax faint.
For this reason I cannot speak with justice of the friend and
fellow-critic of Farmer--GEORGE STEEVENS[409]--of Shakspearian renown!
The Library of this extraordinary critic and collector was sold by
auction in the year 1800; and, being formed rather after the model of
Mason's, than of Farmer's, it was rich to an excess in choice and rare
pieces. Nor is it an uninteresting occupation to observe, in looking
among the prices, the enormous sums which were given for some volumes
that cost Steevens not a twentieth part of their produce:--but which,
comparatively with their present worth, would bring considerably
higher prices! What arduous contention, "_Renardine shifts_," and bold
bidding; what triumph on the one part, and vexation on the other,
were exhibited at the book-sale!--while the auctioneer, like Jove
looking calmly down upon the storm which he himself had raised, kept
his even temper; and "ever and anon" dealt out a gracious smile
amidst all the turbulence that surrounded him! Memorable æra!--the
veteran collector grows young again in thinking upon the valour he
then exhibited; and the juvenile collector talks "braggartly" of other
times--which he calls the golden days of the bibliomania--when he
reflects upon his lusty efforts in securing an _Exemplar
Steevensianum_!
[Footnote 409: If Lysander's efforts begin to relax--what
must be the debilitated mental state of the poor annotator,
who has accompanied the book-orator thus long and thus
laboriously? Can STEEVENS receive justice at _my_
hands--when my friends, aided by hot madeira, and beauty's
animating glances, acknowledge their exhausted state of
intellect?! However, I will make an effort:
'nothing extenuate
Nor set down aught in malice.'
The respectable compiler of the _Gentleman's Magazine_, vol.
lxx. p. 178, has given us some amusing particulars of
Steevens's literary life: of his coming from Hampstead to
London, at the chill break of day, when the overhanging
clouds were yet charged with the 'inky' purple of night--in
order, like a true book-chevalier, to embrace the first dank
impression, or proof sheet, of his own famous octavo edition
of _Shakspeare_; and of Mr. Bulmer's sumptuous impression of
the text of the same. All this is well enough, and savours
of the proper spirit of BIBLIOMANIACISM: and the edition of
our immortal bard, in fifteen well printed octavo volumes,
(1793) is a splendid and durable monument of the researches
of George Steevens. There were from 20 to 25 copies of the
octavo edition printed upon LARGE PAPER; and Lord Spencer
possesses, by bequest, Mr. Steevens' own copy of the same,
illustrated with a great number of rare and precious prints;
to which, however, his Lordship, with his usual zeal and
taste, has made additions more valuable even than the gift
in its original form. The 8vo. edition of 1793 is covetted
with an eagerness of which it is not very easy to account
for the cause; since the subsequent one of 1803, in 21
octavo volumes, is more useful on many accounts: and
contains Steevens's corrections and additions in every play,
as well as 177, in particular, in that of Macbeth. But I am
well aware of the stubbornness and petulancy with which the
previous edition is contended for in point of superiority,
both round a private and public table; and, leaving the
collector to revel in the luxury of an uncut, half-bound,
morocco copy of the same, I push onward to a description of
the _Bibliotheca Steevensiana_. Yet a parting word
respecting this edition of 1803. I learn, from
unquestionable authority, that Steevens stipulated with the
publishers that they should pay Mr. Reed 300_l._ for
editorship, and 100_l._ to Mr. W. Harris, Librarian of the
Royal Institution, for correcting the press: nor has the
editor in his preface parted from the truth, in
acknowledging Mr. Harris to be 'an able and vigiland
[Transcriber's Note: vigilant] assistant.' Mr. H. retained,
for some time, Steevens' corrected copy of his own edition
of 1793, but he afterwards disposed of it, by public
auction, for 28_l._ He has also at this present moment, Mr.
Josiah Boydell's copy of Mr. Felton's picture of our
immortal bard; with the following inscription, painted on
the back of the pannel, by Mr. Steevens:
_May, 1797._
_Copied by Josiah Boydell, at my
request, from the remains of the
only genuine Portrait of William
Shakspeare._ GEORGE STEEVENS.
The engraved portrait of Shakspeare, prefixed to this
edition of 1803, is by no means a faithful resemblance of
Mr. Boydell's admirably executed copy in oil. The expenses
of the edition amounted to 5844_l._; but no copies now
remain with the publishers. We will now give rather a
copious, and, as it must be acknowledged, rich, sprinkling
of specimens from the _Bibliotheca Steevensiana_, in the
departments of rare OLD POETRY and THE DRAMA. But first let
us describe the title to the catalogue of the same. _A
Catalogue of the curious and valuable Library of_ GEORGE
STEEVENS, _Esq., Fellow of the Royal and Antiquary Societies
(Lately deceased). Comprehending an extraordinary fine
Collection of Books, &c._, sold by auction by Mr. King, in
King Street, Covent Garden, May, 1800. 8vo. [1943 articles:
amount of sale 2740_l._ 15_s._]
OLD POETRY.
NO. 867. Gascoigne's (Geo.) Workes, or a Hundreth sundrie
Flowers bounde in one small Poesie, (including) Supposes,
com. from Ariosto; Jocosta, Tr. from Euripides, &c. b.l.
_first edition. Lond. impr. by Bynneman_, 1572, 4to. £1
19_s._ 0_d._
'With MS. notes respecting this copy and edition by Mr.
Steevens.'
868. Another copy, 2d edition (with considerable additions);
among other, the Princely Pleasures of Kenilworth Castle,
the Steele Glass, the Complainte of Phylomene, b.l. _ib.
impr. by Abell Jeffes_, 1587, 4to., _with MS. references, by
Messrs. Bowles and Steevens._ 4 4 0
869. Another copy, including all the aforementioned, and a
Delicate Diet for Daintie Mouthde Droonkardes, b.l. _Lond.
impr. by Rich. Jhones_, 1576, 8vo.
The Glasse of Gouernement, 4to. _b.l. russia, with MS.
references_.
The Droome of Doomesday, 3 parts, b.l. _ib._ 1576, 4to. 'The
above two volumes are supposed to comprise the compleatest
collection of Gascoigne's works extant.' 5 15 6
876. Googe (Barnabe) Eglogs, Epytaphes, and Sonnettes newly
written, b.l., _small 8vo. fine copy in Russia, Lond. impr.
by Tho. Colwell for Raffe Newbery, dwelynge in Fleet Streete
a little above the Conduit, in the late shop of Tho.
Bartelet_. See Mr. Steevens's note to the above; in which he
says there is no scarcer book in the English language, and
that Dr. Farmer, Messrs. T. Warton and Js. Reed, had never
seen another copy. 10 15 0
949. Lodge (Tho.) Life and death of William Longbeard, the
most famous and witty English traitor, borne in the citty of
London, accompanied with manye other most pleasant and
prettie Histories, 4to. _b.l. printed by Rich. Yardley and
Peter Short_, 1593. [cost Mr. Steevens 1_s._ 9_d._!] 4 7 0
995. The Paradyse of Dainty Devises, MS. a fac-simile of the
first edition, in 1576, _finished with the greatest neatness
by Mr. Steevens, 4to. in russia_. 5 15 0
996. The Paradice of Dainty Devises, devised and written for
the most part by M. Edwardes, sometime of her Majestie's
Chappell; the rest by sundry learned Gentlemen, both of
Honor and worship. _Lond. printed by Edwd. Allde_, 1595,
4to. 4 6 0
997. The Paradice of Daintie Devises, b.l. interleaved, _ib.
printed for Edw. White_, 1600, 4to.
Breton (Nich.) Workes of a young Wyt, trust up with a
Fardell of Prettie Fancies, profitable to young Poetes,
prejudicial to no Man, and pleasant to every Man, to pass
away Idle Tyme withal, _b.l. 4to. interleaved with a MS.
list of the Author's Works by Messrs. Steevens, Ritson, and
Park: impr. at Lond. nigh unto the Three Cranes in the
Vintree, by Tho. Dawson, and Tho. Gardyner_.
Soothern's Odes, 4to. b.l. interleaved with copious MS.
Notes, and an Extract from the European Magazine relative to
the Author: _wants title, no date_.
Watson (Tho.) Passionate Centurie of Love, 4to. b.l.
interleaved: the 12 first sonnets, and the latter ones, from
78, in MS. _Lond. impr. by John Wolfe_.
"The above curious Collection of Old Poems are bound
together in russia, with border of gold, and may be deemed
with propriety, _Matchless_." 21 10 6
1037. Puttenham's Arte of English Poesie, in 3 bookes, with
a wood-cut of Queen Elizabeth; _choice copy, in morocco,
4to. ib. printed by Rich. Field_, 1589. 7 10 0
1073. Roy (Will.) Satire on Cardinal Wolsey, a Poem; _b.l.
sm._ 8vo. _russia, no date nor place_. 7 7 0
1078. Skelton (Jo.) Poet Laureat, lyttle Workes, viz. Speake
Parot. The Death of the Noble Prynce, King Edwarde the
Fourthe. A Treatyse of the Scottes. Ware the Hawke, The
Tunnynge of Elynoure Rummyng, sm. 8vo. b.l. _Impr. at Lond.
in Crede Lane, Jhon Kynge, and Thomas Marshe_, no date.
12mo.
Hereafter foloweth a lyttle Booke, called Colyn Clout, _b.l.
impr. by John Wyght_, 12mo.
Hereafter foloweth a little Booke of Phyllip Sparrow, _b.l.
impr. by Robert Tob._ 12mo.
Hereafter foloweth a little Booke which has to name, Whi
come ye not to Courte, _b.l. impr. by John Wyght_. 12mo. 4 5 0
1079. Skelton (Master, Poet Laureat) Merie Tales, b.l. 12mo.
_Lond. impr. by Tho. Colwell, no date._ 5 15 6
"See Note, in which Mr. Steevens says he never saw another
copy."
1119. Warren (Will.) A pleasant new Fancie of a Foundling's
Device intitled and cald the Nurcerie of Names, with wood
borders, b.l. 4to. _ib. impr. by Rich. Jhones_, 1581. 2 16 0
1125. Watson (Tho.) Passionate Centurie of Love; _b.l. 4to.
the title, dedication, and index, MS. by Mr. Steevens_.
"Manuscript Poems, transcribed from a Collection of Ancient
English Poetry, in the possession of Sam. Lysons, Esq.,
formerly belonging to Anne Cornwallis, by Mr. Steevens." 5
10 0
1126. ---- Passionate Centurie of Love, divided into two
parts, b.l. 4to. _russia. Lond. impr. by John Wolfe_. 5 18 0
1127. England's Helicon, collected by John Bodenham, with
copious additions, and an index in MS. by Mr. Steevens, 4to.
_russia, ib. printed by J.R._ 1600. 11 15 0
1128. Weblee [Webbe] (Will.) Discourse of English Poetrie,
together with the author's judgment, touching the
Reformation of our English Verse, _b.l._ 4to. _russia, ib.
by John Charlewood_, 1586. 8 8 0
THE DRAMA; AND EARLY PLAYS OF SHAKESPEARE.
1216. The Plot of the Plays of Frederick and Basilea, and of
the Deade Man's Fortune, the original papers which hung up
by the side scenes in the playhouses, for the use of the
prompter and the acter, earlier than the time of Shakspeare.
11 0 0
1218. Anonymous, a pleasant Comedie, called Common
Conditions, _b.l. imperf. 4to. in russia._
"Of this Dramatick Piece, no copy, except the foregoing
mutilated one, has hitherto been discovered: with a long
note by Mr. Steevens, and references to Kirkman, Langbaine,
Baker, Reed," &c. 6 10 0
1221. Bale (John) Tragedie, or Enterlude, manifesting the
chiefe Promises of God unto Man, compyled An. Do. 1538, b.l.
4to. _now first impr. at Lond. by John Charlewood_, 1577. 12
15 0
1248. Marlow (Chr.) and Tho. Nash, Tragedie of Dido, Queene
of Carthage, played by the Children of her Majesties'
Chappell, 4to. _russia, Lond. printed by the Widdowe Owin_,
1594. 17 0 0
1259. Peele (Geo.) The Old Wives Tale, a pleasant conceited
Comedie played by the Queene's Majesties' Players; 4to. _in
russia; ib. impr. by John Danter_, 1595. 12 0 0
"N.B. A second of the above is to be found in the Royal
Library; a third copy is unknown." Steevens' note.
EARLY PLAYS OF SHAKSPEARE.
1263. The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, no title,
4to. _Lond._ 1611. _With MS. notes, &c., by Mr. Steevens._ 2
2 0
1264. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, 4to. _ib.
printed by R. Young_, 1637. 0 7 0
1265. The History of Henrie the Fourth, with the Battell of
Shrewsburie, &c.; with the famous conceits of Sir John
Falstaffe, part I. 4to. _ib. printed by S.S._ 1599. 3 10 0
1266. The same, _ib. printed for Mathew Lay_, 1608, 4to. 1 7 0
1267. The same, _ib. printed by W.W._ 1613. _With MS. notes,
&c. by Mr. Steevens._ 1 2 0
1268. The same, _ib. printed by Norton_, 1632. 0 10 0
1259. The 2d part of Henry the Fourth, continuing to his
Death, and Coronation of Henrie the Fift, with the Humours
of Sir John Falstaffe and Swaggering Pistoll, as acted by
the Lord Chamberlayne his Servants. _First Edit. 4to. ib.
printed by V.S._ 1600. 3 13 0
1270. The same, _ib. 4to. printed by Val. Simmes_, 1600. 2
15 0
1271. The Chronicle History of Henry the Fift, with his
Battell fought at Agincourt in France, together with
Auntient Pistoll, as playd by the Lord Chamberlayne his
servants. _First Edit._ 4to. _inlaid on large paper, ib.
printed by Thomas Creede_, 1600. 27 6 0
1272. The Chronicle History of Henry the Fift, &c. 4to.
_Lond._ 1608. 1 1 0
1273. The true Tragedie of Richarde, Duke of Yorke, and the
Death of good King Henrie the Sixt, as acted by the Earle of
Pembroke his Servants, 4to. _inlaid on large paper, ib.
printed by W.W._ 1600. 1 16 0
1274. The whole contention betweene the two famous Houses,
Lancaster and Yorke, with the Tragicall Ends of the good
Duke Humphrey, Richard, Duke of Yorke, and King Henrie the
Sixt, _divided into 2 parts_, 4to. _ib. no date_. 1 5 0
1275. The first and second part of the troublesome Raigne of
John, King of England, with the discoverie of King Richard
Cordelion's Base sonne (vulgarly named the Bastard
Fauconbridge) also the Death of King John at Swinstead
Abbey, as acted by her Majesties Players, 4to. _Lond. impr.
by Val. Simmes_, 1611. 1 18 0
1276. The first and second part of the troublesome Raigne of
John, King of England, &c., _ib. printed by Aug. Matthews_,
1622. 1 1 0
1277. The True Chronicle History of the Life and Death of
King Lear, and his three Daughters, with the unfortunate
Life of Edgar, Sonne and Heire to the Earl of Glocester, and
his sullen and assumed Humour of Tom of Bedlam, by his
Majestie's servants. _First Edit._ 4to. _ib._ 1608. 28 0 0
1578. [Transcriber's Note: 1278] Another Edition, differing
in the title-page and signature of the first leaf. 4to.
_ib._ 1608. 2 2 0
1279. The most excellent Historie of the Merchant of Venice,
with the extreme crueltie of Shylocke the Jew towards the
sayd Merchant, in cutting a just pound of his flesh: and the
obtayning of Portia by his choyce of three chests, as acted
by the Lord Chamberlaine his servants, _First Edit. inlaid
oil large paper; 4to. at London, printed by John Roberts_,
1600. 2 0 0
1280. The excellent History of the Merchant of Venice, with
the extreme crueltie of Shylocke the Jew; _First Edit. 4to.
inlaid on large paper, printed by John Roberts_, 1600. 2 2 0
1281. A most pleasant and excellent conceited Comedie of Syr
John Falstaffe and the Merrie Wives of Windsor, as acted by
the Lord Chamberlaine's Servants. _First Edit. 4to. Lond.
printed by T.C._ 1602. 28 0 0
1282. A most pleasant and excellent conceited Comedy of Sir
John Falstaffe and the Merry Wives of Windsor, with the
swaggering vaine of Antient Pistoll and Corporal Nym, _4to.
inlaid. Lond._ 1619. 1 4 0
1283. The Merry Wives of Windsor, with the Humours of Sir
John Fallstaffe, also the swaggering Vaine of Ancient
Pistoll and Corporal Nym, 4to. _Lond. printed by T.H._ 1630.
0 10 6
1284. A Midsommer Night's Dreame, as acted by the Lord
Chamberlaine's Servantes, First Edit. _impr. at Lond. for
Thos. Fisher_, 4to. 1600, _part of one leaf wanting_. 25 10 0
1285. Another copy, _First Edit. inlaid, ib._ 1600. 1 15 0
1286. Much adoe about Nothing, as acted by the Lord
Chamberlaine his Servants, _First Edit._ 4to. _ib. printed
by Val. Simmes_, 1600. 25 10 0
1287. The Tragedy of Othello the Moore of Venice, as acted
at the Globe and at the Black Friers, by his Majesties
Servants, 4to. _Lond. printed by N.O._ 1622, _with MS. notes
and various readings by Mr. Steevens_. 29 8 0
1288. The Tragedy of Othello the Moore of Venice, as acted
at the Globe and at the Black Friers, 4to. _Lond. printed by
A.M._ 1630. 0 13 0
1289. Tragedie of Othello; _4th Edit._ 4to. _ib._ 1665. 0 4 0
1290. The Tragedie of King Richard the Second, as acted by
the Lord Chamberlaine his Servants, 4to. Lond. _printed by
Val. Simmes_, 1598. 4 14 6
1291. Tragedie of King Richard the Second, as acted by the
Lord Chamberlaine his Servants, 4to. _printed by W.W._ 1608.
10 0 0
1292. The Tragedie of King Richard the Second, with new
Additions of the Parliament Scene, and the deposing of King
Richard, as acted by his Majestie's Servants at the Globe,
4to. _Lond._ 1615, _with MS. notes, &c. by Mr. Steevens_. 1
12 0
1293. The Life and Death of King Richard the Second, with
new Additions of the Parliament Scene, and the deposing of
King Richard, as acted at the Globe by his Majesties
Servants, 4to. _Lond._ 1634. 0 5 0
1294. The Tragedie of King Richard the Third, as acted by
the Lord Chamberlain his Servants, 4to. Lond. _printed by
Tho. Creede_. 1602. _Defective at the end._ 0 10 0
1295. The Tragedie of King Richard the Third, containing his
treacherous Plots against his Brother Clarence, the pitiful
murther of his innocent Nephews, his tirannical usurpation,
with the whole course of his detested Life, and most
deserved Death, as acted by his Majesties Servants, 4to.
_Lond. printed by Tho. Creede_, 1612, _with notes and
various readings by Mr. Steevens._ 1 5 0
1296. The same, 4to. _ib._ 1629. 0 7 0
1297. Tragedie of King Richard the Third, as acted by the
King's Majesties Servants, 4to. _ib._ 1634. 0 6 0
1298. The most excellent and lamentable Tragedie of Romeo
and Juliet, 4to. _A fragment. Lond._ 1599. 0 5 6
1299. The same, compleat, inlaid on large paper, 4to. _ib.,
impr. by Tho. Creede_, 1599. [_Second Edition._] 6 0 0
1300. The same, 4to. Lond. 1609, _with MS. notes and
readings by Mr. Steevens_. 2 2 0
1301. The same, 4to. _ib. printed by R. Young_, 1637. 0 9 0
1302. A pleasant conceited Historie, called the Taming of
the Shrew, as acted by the Earle of Pembroke's Servants.
_First Edit._ 4to. _inlaid on large paper, ib., printed by
V.S._ 1607. 20 0 0
1303. A wittie and pleasant Comedie, called the Taming of a
Shrew, as acted by his Majesties Servants, at the Blacke
Friers and the Globe, 4to., _ib., printed by W.S._ 1631. 0
11 0
1304. The most lamentable Tragedie of Titus Andronicus, as
plaide by the King's Majesties Servants, 4to. _inlaid, ib.,
printed for Edward White_, 1611. 2 12 6
1305. The History of Troylus and Cresseide, as acted by the
King's Majesties Servants at the Globe. _First. Edit._ 4to.,
_ib., imp. by G. Alde_, 1609. 5 10 0
1306. The lamentable Tragedie of Locrine, the eldest sonne
of King Brutus, discoursing the Warres of the Brittaines and
Hunnes, with ther discomfiture, 4to. _ib., printed by Thomas
Creede_, 1595. 3 5 0
1307. The London Prodigall, as plaide by the King's
Majesties Servants, 4to. _ib., printed by T.C._ 1705. 1 9 0
1308. The late and much admired Play called Pericles, Prince
of Tyre, with the true relation of the whole Historie and
Fortunes of the said Prince, as also the no lesse strange
and worthy accidents in the Birth and Life of his Daughter
Marianna, acted by his Majesties Servants at the Globe on
the Banck-side, 4to. _ib._, 1609. 1 2 0
1309. Another edition, 4to. _ib._ 1619. 0 15 0
1310. The first part of the true and honourable History of
the Life of Sir John Old-castle, the good Lord Cobham, as
acted by the Earle of Nottingham his servants, 4to. _Lond._
1600. 0 10 0
1311. A Yorkshire Tragedy, not so new, as lamentable and
true, 4to. Lond. 1619. 0 9 0
1312. (Twenty Plays) published by Mr. Steevens, 6 vols.
_large paper, ib._, 1766. _Only 12 copies taken off on large
paper_ 5 15 6
EDITIONS OF SHAKSPEARE'S WORKS.
1313. Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies, published
according to the true originall copies, by John Heminge and
Hen. Condell, _fol. russia. Lond. printed by Isaac Juggard
and Edwd. Blount_. 1623; _with a MS. title, and a fac-simile
drawing of the portrait by Mr. Steevens_. 22 0 0
1314. The same: 2d edit. folio, fine copy morocco, gilt
leaves, _ib._ 1632. _In this book is the hand writing of
King Charles I. by whom it was presented to Sir Tho.
Herbert, Master of the Revels._ 18 18 0
1315. The same: 3d edit. with the 7 additional Plays, fol.,
neat and scarce, _ib._ 1664. See _Note by Mr. Steevens_. 8 8 0
1316. The same: 4th edit. 1685, folio. 2 12 6
1326. Hammer's (Sir Tho.) edition; 9 vols. 18mo. _Lond._
1748. 1 13 0
1327. The same: with cuts, 6 vols. 4to. _elegantly bound in
hog-skin_.
1328. Pope and Warburton, 8 vols. 8vo. _Lond._ 1747. 1 0 0
1329. ---- 8 vols. 12mo., with Sir Thos. Hammer's Glossary.
_Dub._ 1747. 0 15 0
1330. Capell, (Edw.) 10 vols. 8vo. Lond. _printed by Dryden
Leach_, 1768. 2 6 0
1331. Johnson, (Sam.) 8 vols. 8vo. _Lond._ 1765. 1 19 0
1332. ---- and Geo. Steevens, 10 vols. 8vo. _ib._ 1773. 2 14 0
1333. ---- in single Plays, 31 vols. _boards, ib._ 1 11 0
1334. Johnson and Steevens: 10 vols. 2d edit. with Malone's
Supplement, 2 vols., and the plates from Bell's edition,
_ib._ 1778. 4 16 0
1335. ---- 10 vols. 3d edit. _ib._ 1785. 3 5 0
1336. ---- 4th edit. with a glossarial Index, 15 vols. 8vo.
_ib._ 1793. 6 16 6
1337. Malone, (Edm.) 11 vols. 8vo. _ib._ 1790. 4 8 0
1338. ---- Another copy, 11 vols. 8vo. _ib._ 4 18 0
1339. Ran (Jos.) 6 vols. 8vo. Oxf. 1786. 1 11 6
1340. ---- with Ayscough's Index, 2 vols. 8vo. russia,
marbled leaves, published by Stockdale, _ib._ 1784-90. 0 15 6
1341. Eccles, 2 vols. 8vo. _ib._ 1794. 1 11 0
1342. From the Text of Mr. Malone's edit. by Nichols, 7
vols. 12mo. Lond. 1790. 0 18 0
1343. From the Text of Mr. Steevens, last edit. 8 vols.
12mo. _ib._ 1797. 1 0 0
1344. ---- 9 vols. 12mo. _ib._ 1798. 1 3 0
1345. ---- 9 vols. 12mo. Birm. by R. Martin. 1 1 0
1346. ---- 9 vols. Bell's edit. no plates. Lond. 1774. 0 18 0
1347. ---- 20 vols. 18mo. with annotations, Bell's edit.
fine paper, with plates, beautiful impressions, _ib._ 1788.
8 13 6
1348. ---- 20 vols. 12mo. Bell's edition; _large paper_,
finest possible impressions of the plates, superbly bound in
green turkey, double bands, gilt leaves, _ib._ 17 17 0
1349. The Dramatic Works of; Text corrected by Geo.
Steevens, Esq.; published by Boydell and Nichol, in large
4to., 15 nos. with the large and small plates; first and
finest impressions, 1791, &c. N.B. Three more numbers
complete the work. 36 4 6
1348. Harding, no. 31, l.p. containing 6 prints, with a
portrait of Lewis Theobald, as published by Richardson, and
some account of him, by Mr. Steevens. 0 4 6
1349. Ditto, ditto. 0 4 6
1350. Traduit de l'Anglois, 2 toms. Par. 1776. 0 6 0
1351. In German, 13 vols. 12mo. Zurich, 1775. 0 16 0
1352. King Lear, Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, and Julius Cæsar,
by Jennings, Lond. 1770. 0 11 0
1353. Macbeth, with Notes by Harry Rowe, 12mo. York, 1797. 0
1 6
1354. ---- 8vo. 2d edit. _ib._ 1799. 0 5 0
1355. Antony and Cleopatra, by Edw. Capell; 8vo. Lond. 1758.
0 1 0
1356. The Virgin Queen; a Drama, attempted as a Sequel to
Shakspeare's Tempest, by G.F. Waldron, 8vo. 1797.
1357. ---- Annotations on As You Like it, by Johnson and
Steevens, Bell's edit. 0 1 0
1358. ---- Another copy
1359. Shakspeare's Sonnets, never before imprinted, 4to. at
Lond. by G. Ald, 1609. 3 10 0
1360. ---- Poems, 8vo. _ib._ 1640. 0 4 6
1361. ---- Venis [Transcriber's Note: Venus] and Adonis, 8vo.
_ib._ 1602. 1 11 6
1362. Rymer (Tho.) Short View of Tragedy, with Reflection on
Shakspeare, &c. 8vo. b. 1698. 0 1 6
1363. Shakspeare restored, by Lewis Theobald, 4to. _ib._
1726. 0 4 6
1364. Whalley's (Peter) on the Learning of; _ib._ 1748.
Remarks on a late edition of Shakspeare, by Zach. Grey,
_ib._ 1755, and other Tracts. 0 8 6
1365. Morris (Corbyn) Essay towards fixing the true Standard
of Wit, Humour, &c. 8vo. _ib._ 1744. 0 8 0
1366. Critical Observations on, by John Upton; 8vo. 2d edit.
Lond. 1748. 0 1 6
1367. ---- Illustrated, by Charlotte Lennox; 3 vols. 12mo.
_ib._ 1754. 0 9 0
1368. Notes on Shakspeare, by Zachary Grey; 2 vols. 8vo.
_ib._ 1734. 0 3 0
1369. Beauties of Shakspeare, by William Dodd, 2 vols. 12mo.
_ib._ 1757. 0 3 6
1370. Beauties of Shakspeare, by Wm. Dodd; 3 vols. 12mo.
_ib._ 1780. 0 6 0
1371. ---- (Revival of) Text, by Heath, 8vo. _ib._ 1765. 0 1 0
1372. Observations and Conjectures on some passages of, by
Tho. Trywhit [Transcriber's Note: Tyrwhitt]; 8vo. Oxford,
1766. 0 5 0
1373. Farmer (Rich) on the Learning of; 8vo. morocco. Camb.
1767. _Only 12 copies on this paper._ 0 16 0
1374. ---- London. 8vo. 1789, with Mr. Capell's
Shakspeariana, 8vo., _only 20 copies printed_, 1779. 0 1 6
1375. Malone (Edm.) Letter on, to Dr. Farmer; 8vo. _ib._
1792. 0 4 6
1376. Letter to David Garrick (on a Glossary to) by Rich.
Warner, 8vo. _ib._ 1768. 0 2 6
There were copies of the Catalogue of Steeven's books struck
off on LARGE PAPER, on bastard _royal octavo_, and in
_quarto_.
It remains to say a few words of the celebrated collector of
this very curious library. The wit, taste, and classical
acquirements of GEORGE STEEVENS are every where recorded and
acknowledged. As an editor of his beloved Shakspeare, he
stands unrivalled; for he combined, with much recondite
learning and indefatigable research, a polish of style, and
vigour of expression, which are rarely found united in the
same person. His definitions are sometimes both happy and
singular; and his illustrations of ancient customs and
manners such as might have been expected from a head so
completely furnished, and a hand so thoroughly practised. I
will not say that George Steevens has evinced the learning
of Selden upon Drayton, or of Bentley upon Phalaris; nor did
his erudition, in truth, rise to the lofty and commanding
pitch of these his predecessors: nor does there seem much
sense or wit in hunting after every _pencil-scrap_ which
this renowned bibliomaniac committed to paper--as some sadly
bitten book-collectors give evidence of. If I have not
greatly misunderstood the characteristics of Steevens's
writings, they are these--wit, elegance, gaiety, and satire,
combined with almost perfect erudition in English dramatic
antiquities. Let us give a specimen of his classical
elegance in dignifying a subject, which will be relished
chiefly by GRANGERITES. Having learnt that a copy of
Skelton's Verses on Elinour Rummin, the famous Ale-wife of
England, with her portrait in the title-page, was in the
Library of the Cathedral of Lincoln (perhaps, formerly,
Captain Coxe's copy; vide p. 266, ante), he prevailed on the
late Dean, Sir Richard Kaye, to bring the book to London;
but as it was not suffered to go from the Dean's possession,
Mr. S. was permitted to make a _fac-simile_ drawing of the
title, at the Dean's house in Harley-street. This drawing he
gave to Richardson, the printseller, who engraved and
published it among the copies of scarce portraits to
illustrate Granger. The acquisition of this rarity produced
from him the following _Jeu d'Esprit_; the merit of which
can only be truly appreciated by those who had the pleasure
of knowing the eminent PORTRAIT COLLECTORS therein
mentioned, and whose names are printed in capital letters.
ELEONORA REDIVIVA.
To seek this Nymph among the glorious dead,
Tir'd with his search on earth, is GULSTON fled:--
Still for these charms enamoured MUSGRAVE sighs;
To clasp these beauties ardent BINDLEY dies:
For these (while yet unstaged to public view,)
Impatient BRAND o'er half the kingdom flew;
These, while their bright ideas round him play,
From Classic WESTON force the Roman lay:
Oft too, my STORER, Heaven has heard thee swear,
Not Gallia's murdered Queen was half so fair:
"A new Europa!" cries the exulting BULL,
"My Granger now, I thank the gods, is full:"--
Even CRACHERODE'S self, whom passions rarely move,
At this soft shrine has deign'd to whisper love.--
Haste then, ye swains, who RUMMING'S form adore,
Possess your Eleanour, and sigh no more.
It must be admitted that this is at once elegant and happy.
* * * * *
We will now say somewhat of the man himself. Mr. Steevens
lived in a retired and eligibly situated house, just on the
rise of Hampstead Heath. It was paled in; and had,
immediately before it, a verdant lawn skirted with a variety
of picturesque trees. Formerly, this house has been a
tavern, which was known by the name of the _Upper Flask_:
and which my fair readers (if a single female can have the
courage to peruse these bibliomaniacal pages) will recollect
to have been the same to which Richardson sends Clarissa in
one of her escapes from Lovelace. Here Steevens lived,
embosomed in books, shrubs, and trees: being either too coy,
or too unsociable, to mingle with his neighbours. His habits
were indeed peculiar: not much to be envied or imitated; as
they sometimes betrayed the flights of a madman, and
sometimes the asperities of a cynic. His attachments were
warm, but fickle both in choice and duration. He would
frequently part from one, with whom he had lived on terms of
close intimacy, without any assignable cause; and his
enmities, once fixed, were immovable. There was, indeed, a
kind of venom in his antipathies; nor would he suffer his
ears to be assailed, or his heat to relent, in favour of
those against whom he entertained animosities, however
capricious and unfounded. In _one_ pursuit only was he
consistent: _one_ object only did he woo with an inflexible
attachment; and that object was _Dame_ DRAMA.
I have sat behind him, within a few years of his death, and
watched his sedulous attention to the performances of
strolling players, who used to hire a public room in
Hampstead; and towards whom his gallantry was something more
substantial than mere admiration and applause: for he would
make liberal presents of gloves, shoes, and
stockings--especially to the female part of the company. His
attention, and even delight, during some of the most
wretched exhibitions of the dramatic art, was truly
surprising; but he was then drooping under the pressure of
age, and what passed before him might serve to remind him of
former days, when his discernment was quick and his judgment
matured. It is, however, but justice to this distinguished
bibliomaniac to add that, in his literary attachments he was
not influenced by merely splendid talents or exalted rank.
To my predecessor HERBERT (for whose memory I may be
allowed, at all times, to express a respectful regard)
Steevens seems to have shewn marked attention. I am in
possession of more than a dozen original letters from him to
this typographical antiquary, in which he not only evinces
great friendliness of disposition, but betrays an unusual
solicitude about the success of Herbert's labours; and,
indeed, contributes towards it by nearly a hundred notices
of rare and curious books which were unknown to, or
imperfectly described by, Herbert himself. At the close of a
long letter, in which, amongst much valuable information,
there is a curious list of CHURCHYARD'S _Pieces_--which
Steevens urges Herbert to publish--he thus concludes:
"DEAR SIR,
"I know not where the foregoing lists of Churchyard's Pieces
can appear with more propriety than in a work like yours;
and I therefore venture to recommend them as worth
republication. If you publish, from time to time, additions
to your book, you may have frequent opportunity of doing
similar service to old English literature, by assembling
catalogues of the works of scarce, and therefore almost
forgotten, authors. By occasional effusions of this kind you
will afford much gratification to literary antiquaries, and
preserve a constant source of amusement to yourself: for in
my opinion, no man is so unhappy as he who is at a loss for
something to do. Your present task grows towards an end, and
I therefore throw out this hint for your consideration."
(_July_ 27, 1789.)
A little further he adds: "In your vol. ii. p. 1920, you
have but an imperfect account of TYRO'S '_Roaring Megge_,'
&c. I shall therefore supply it underneath, as the book now
lies before me. I have only room left to tell you I am
always your very faithfully, G. STEEVENS." But the
bibliomanical spirit of the author of this letter, is
attested by yet stronger evidence:
_Hampstead Heath_, August 42th [Transcriber's Note: 12th],
1780.
"SIR,
"I have borrowed the following books for your use--Dr.
Farmer's copy of Ames, with MS. notes by himself, and an
interleaved Maunsell's Catalogue, with yet more considerable
additions by Baker the antiquary. The latter I have promised
to return at the end of this month, as it belongs to our
University Library. I should not choose to transmit either
of these volumes by any uncertain conveyance; and therefore
shall be glad if you will let me know how they may be safely
put into your hands. If you can fix a time when you shall be
in London, my servant shall wait on you with them; but I
must entreat that our library book may be detained as short
a time as possible. I flatter myself that it will prove of
some service to you, and am,
"Your very humble Servant,
"G. STEEVENS."
The following was Herbert's reply.
"_Cheshunt_, August 20th, 1780.
"SIR,
"As it must give you great satisfaction to know that the
books were received safe by me last night, it affords me
equal pleasure to send you the earliest assurance of it. I
thank you sincerely for the liberty you have allowed me of
keeping them till I come to London, on Monday, the 4th of
September; when I shall bring them with me, and hope to
return them safe at Mr. Longman's, between 10 and 11
o'clock; where, if it may be convenient to you, I shall be
very happy to meet you, and personally to thank you for the
kind assistance you have afforded me. If that may not suit
you, I will gladly wait on you where you shall appoint by a
line left there for me; and shall ever esteem myself,
"Your most obliged humble Servant,
"W. HERBERT."
The following, and the last, epistolary specimen of the
renowned G. Steevens--with which I shall treat my reader--is
of a general gossipping black-letter cast; and was written
two years before the preceding.
_Hampstead Heath_, June 26th, 1788.
"DEAR SIR,
"A desire to know how you do, and why so long a time has
elapsed since you were seen in London, together with a few
queries which necessity compels me to trouble you with, must
be my apology for this invasion of your retirement. Can you
furnish me with a transcript of the title-page to Watson's
Sonnets or Love Passions, 4to. bl. l.? As they are not
mentioned by Puttenham, in 1589, they must, I think, have
appeared after that year. Can you likewise afford me any
account of a Collection of Poems, bl. l., 4to. by one John
Southern? They are addressed 'to the ryght honourable the
Earle of Oxenforde;' the famous Vere, who was so much a
favourite with Queen Elizabeth. This book, which contains
only four sheets, consists of Odes, Epitaphs, Sonnets to
Diana, &c. I bought both these books, which seem to be
uncommonly rare, at the late sale of Major Pearson's
Library. They are defective in their title-pages, and
without your assistance must, in all probability, continue
imperfect. Give me leave to add my sincere hope that your
long absence from London has not been the result of
indisposition, and that you will forgive this interruption
in your studies, from
"Your very faithful and obedient Servant,
"GEO. STEEVENS."
"P.S. I hope your third volume is in the press, as it is
very much enquired after."
It is now time to bid farewell to the subject of this
tremendous note; and most sincerely do I wish I could 'draw
the curtain' upon it, and say 'good night,' with as much
cheerfulness and satisfaction at [Transcriber's Note: as]
Atterbury did upon the close of his professional labours.
But the latter moments of STEEVENS were moments of mental
anguish. He grew not only irritable, but outrageous; and, in
full possession of his faculties, he raved in a manner which
could have been expected only from a creature bred up
without notions of morality or religion. Neither complacency
nor 'joyful hope' soothed his bed of death. His language
was, too frequently, the language of imprecation; and his
wishes and apprehensions such as no rational Christian can
think upon without agony of heart. Although I am not
disposed to admit the whole of the testimony of the good
woman who watched by his bed-side, and paid him, when dead,
the last melancholy attentions of her office--although my
prejudices (as they may be called) will not allow me to
believe that the windows shook, and that strange noises and
deep groans were heard at midnight in his room--yet no
creature of common sense (and this woman possessed the
quality in an eminent degree) could mistake oaths for
prayers, or boisterous treatment for calm and gentle usage.
If it be said--why
"draw his frailties from their drear abode?"
the answer is obvious, and, I should hope, irrefragable. A
duty, and a sacred one too, is due TO THE LIVING. Past
examples operate upon future ones: and posterity ought to
know, in the instance of this accomplished scholar and
literary antiquary, that neither the sharpest wit, nor the
most delicate intellectual refinement, can, alone, afford a
man 'PEACE AT THE LAST.' The vessel of human existence must
be secured by other anchors than these, when the storm of
death approaches!]
LOREN. You have seen a few similar copies in the library; which I
obtained after a strenuous effort. There was certainly a very great
degree of Book-Madness exhibited at the sale of Steevens's
library--and yet I remember to have witnessed stronger symptoms of
the Bibliomania!
LIS. Can it be possible? Does this madness
'Grow with our growth, and strengthen with our strength?'
Will not such volcanic fury burn out in time?
PHIL. You prevent Lysander from resuming, by the number and rapidity
of your interrogatories. Revert to your first question.
LIS. Truly, I forget it. But proceed with your history, Lysander; and
pardon my abruptness.
LYSAND. Upon condition that you promise not to interrupt me again this
evening?
LIS. I pledge my word. Proceed.
LYSAND. Having dispatched our account of the sale of the
last-mentioned distinguished book-collector, I proceed with my
historical survey: tho', indeed, it is high time to close this
tedious bibliomaniacal history. The hour of midnight has gone by:--and
yet I will not _slur over_ my account of the remaining characters of
respectability.
The collections of STRANGE[410] and Woodhouse are next, in routine, to
be noticed. The catalogue of the library of the former is a great
favourite of mine: the departments into which the books are divided,
and the compendious descriptions of the volumes, together with the
extent and variety of the collection, may afford considerable
assistance to judicious bibliomaniacs. Poor WOODHOUSE:[411] thy zeal
outran thy wit: thou wert indefatigable in thy search after rare and
precious _prints and books_; and thy very choice collection of both is
a convincing proof that, where there is wealth and zeal,
opportunities in abundance will be found for the gratification of that
darling passion, or insanity, now called by the name of Bibliomania!
[Footnote 410: _Bibliotheca Strangeiana; A Catalogue of the
general, curious, and extensive Library of that
distinguished naturalist and lover of the fine arts, the
late_ JOHN STRANGE, Esq., L.L.D. F.R.S. and S.A., many years
his Britannic Majesty's resident at the Republic of Venice.
Comprehending an extraordinary fine collection of books and
tracts, in most languages and sciences, to the number of
upwards of _four-score thousand, &c._ Digested by Samuel
Paterson. Sold by auction by Leigh and Sotheby, March 16,
1801, 8vo., 1256 articles. This is a plain, unaffected, but
exceedingly well-digested, catalogue of a very extraordinary
collection of books in all departments of literature. I do
not know whether it be not preferable, in point of
arrangement, to any catalogue compiled by Paterson. It has,
however, a wretched aspect; from the extreme indifference of
the paper.]
[Footnote 411: We will first give the title to the Catalogue
of the late Mr. WOODHOUSE'S Collection of Prints. "_A
Catalogue of the choice and valuable Collection of Antient
and Modern Prints, &c._, selected with the highest taste
from all the collections at home and abroad, &c. Sold by
auction by Mr. Christie; January, 1801." The _first part_
ends with the 5th day's sale; the second commences with the
sixth day's sale and concludes on the sixteenth, with the
Malborough [Transcriber's Note: Marlborough] Gems. Although
we may have to give specimens of some of the _rare and
precious_ prints contained in this collection, in the course
of PART VI. of this work, yet the reader, I would fain hope,
will not be displeased with the following interesting
extract, with the annexed prices, of the prints from the
MARLBOROUGH GEMS.
[_This assemblage, the result of twenty years' collecting,
contains a greater number than ever has been at one time
offered to the public.--The first volume is complete, and
may be accounted unique, as all the impressions are before
the numbers, the artists' names, or proofs without any
letters, as in the presentation copies: the subject of Cupid
and Psyche is with variations, and the whole may be regarded
as a great rarity. Those of the second volume are few in
number, but in point of curiosity, no ways inferior._]
LOT. £ _s._ _d._
72. _One._ Cæsar in the Temple of Venus.
_Proof before any letters._ 3 13 6
73. _Two._ no. 1. Scipio Africanus. 2 0 0
no. 2. Lucius C. Sylla.
74. _Two._ no. 3. Julias Cæsar; caput laureatum. 5 15 0
[Transcriber's Note: Julius]
no. 4. Marcus Junius Brutus.
75. _Two._ no. 5. Marcus Junius Brutus; cum
caduceo. 2 17 6
no. 6. Lepidus; cum lituo.
76. _Two._ no. 7. Augusti caput; cum corona
radiata. 4 14 6
no. 8. Augusti Pontificis maximi
insign. &c.
77. _Two._ no. 9. Marcellii Octaviæ, filii
Augusti nepotis caput: opus
elegantissimum. 3 0 0
no. 10. Liviæ protome: cum capite
laureato et velato pectore:
simul Tiberii pueri prope
adstantis caput arboris ignotæ
foliis redimitum.
78. _Two._ no. 11. Tiberii caput juvenile. 3 3 0
no. 12. Germanici togati protome; cum
capite laureato, facie plena,
&c.
79. _Two._ no. 13. Agrippinæ majoris uxoris
Germanici & Caligulæ matris
caput laureatum; sub effigie
Dianæ. 5 5 0
no. 14. Ejusdem Agrippinæ: sub effigie
Cereris.
80. _Two._ no. 15. Galbæ caput laureatum. 1 19 0
no. 16. Ejusdem Galbæ caput.
81. _Two._ no. 17. Nervæ togati protome; cum
capite laureato, plena facie;
opus pulcherrimum. 4 4 0
no. 18. Ejusdem Nervæ caput.
82. _Two._ no. 19. Marcianæ, Trajani sororis,
caput. 10 10 0
no. 20. Sabinæ Hadriani uxoris caput.
83. _Two._ no. 21. Antinoi caput, cum pectore
velato. 5 0 0
no. 22. Caracalla togati protome facie
plena.
84. _Two._ no. 23. Caracallæ caput laureatum. 1 18 0
no. 24. Juliæ Domnæ, Severi uxoris,
caput.
85. _Two._ no. 25. Laocoontes caput. 7 7 0
no. 26. Semiramidis, vel potius Musæ,
caput cum pectore.
86. _Three._ no. 27. Minervæ Alcidiæ caput
galeatum; operis egregii,
edit. var. 3 8 0
87. _Two._ no. 28. Phocionis caput. 3 3 0
no. 29. Jovis et Junonis capita
jugata.
88. _Three._ no. 30. Veneris caput. 4 14 6
no. 31. Bacchæ caput var.
89. _Two._ no. 32. Hercules Bibax, stans. 15 4 6
no. 33. Bacchus, stans.
90. _Two._ no. 34. Faunus tigridis pelli
insidens, cauda, &c. 9 9 0
no. 35. Athleta, stans, qui dextra
manus trigelem, &c.
91. _Two._ no. 36. Mercurius stans. 4 14 6
no. 37. Mars, stans, armatus.
92. _Two._ no. 38. Miles de rupe descendens,
eximii sculptoris Græci
opus. 7 0 0
no. 39. Diomedes Palladio potitus cum
Ulysse altercatione contendit.
93. _Two._ no. 40. Dei Marini natantes. 5 10 0
no. 41. Miles vulneratus a militibus
duobus sustentatur.
94. _Two._ no. 42. Miles militi vulnerato
opitulato. 3 3 0
no. 43. Mulier stolata cum virgine.
95. _Two._ no. 44. Faunus pelle caprina ex
humeris pendente vestitus;
pedem super suggestum ignotæ
figuræ figit et infantem genu
sustinet.
no. 45. Alexandri magni effigies.
96. _Two._ no. 46. Æneam Diomedes a saxo
percussum conservat. 8 18 0
no. 47. Pompeiæ cujusdam ob victoriam
partam descriptio.
97. _Two._ no. 48. Amazon Amazonem morientem }
sustinet juxta equus. } 6 16 6
}
98. no. 49. Fragmen Gemmæ Bacchi, &c. }
99. _One._ no. 50. Nuptiæ Psyches et Cupidonis,
_Rariss._ 4 14 6
100. _One._ no. 50. Ditto, Ditto, _Rariss._ 8 8 0
101. _One._ Frontispiece to SECOND VOLUME; _Proof,
before the inscription on the arms;
very rare_. 5 5 0
102. _Two._ no. 1. Ptolomæus. }
} 1 10 0
103. no. 2. Metrodorus. }
104. _Two._ no. 3. Socrates et Plato. 3 3 0
no. 5. Sappho.
105. _Two._ no. 8. Ignotum caput Scyllacis opus. 2 0 0
no. 9. Ignotum caput.
106. _Two._ no. 11. Medusa. 3 3 0
no. 18. Hercules et Iole.
107. _Two._ no. 19. L. Junius Brutus. 2 2 0
no. 20. Annibal.
108. _Two._ no. 22. Mecænes. 1 18 0
no. 25. Drusus Tiberii filius.
109. _Two._ no. 31. Caput ignotum, Antonini forsan
junioris. 2 2 0
no. 36. Equi.
110. _Two._ no. 38. Mercurii templum. 3 3 0
no. 40. Coronis.
111. _Two._ no. 41. Cupidonis. 2 12 6
no. 45. Faunus.
112. _Three._ no. 46. Omphale incedens. 3 13 5
no. 48. Biga, var.
113. _Two._ no. 50. Silenus, tigris, &c. var. 3 0 0
114. _Two._ The vignette to the second volume;
_Proof, very fine, and etching,
perhaps, unique_. 7 10 0
For an interesting account of the engravings of the
DEVONSHIRE GEMS--the rival publication of those from the
Marlborough collection--the reader may consult Mr. Beloe's
_Anecdotes of Literature and Scarce Books_; vol. I. 182-6.
The entire collection of Mr. Woodhouse's prints produced
3595_l._ 17_s._ 6_d._
We will now make handsome mention of the BIBLIOTHECA
WOODHOUSIANA. _A Catalogue of the entire, elegant, and
valuable Library of John Woodhouse, Esq., comprising a rich
and extensive collection of books, &c. Sold by auction by
Leigh and Sotheby, December, 1803._ 8vo. The collection was
rather choice and rich, than extensive: having only 861
articles. Some of the rarest editions in old English
Literature were vigorously contended for by well-known
collectors: nor did the Library want beautiful and useful
works of a different description. The following specimens
will enable the reader to form a pretty correct estimate of
the general value of this collection.
no. 8. Antonie (the Tragedie of) doone into English by
the Countesse of Pembroke, R.M. g.l. Lond. 1595. 12mo. £5
5_s._ 0_d._
24. Barnabee's Journal, with Bessie Bell, _First Edit. B.M.
g.l._ 1648. 12mo. 2 10 0
30. Bastard's (Thomas) Chrestoleros, seven Bookes of
Epigrammes, _G.M. g.l._ 1598. 12mo. 5 15 6
76. Chaucer, by Tyrwhitt, with the Glossary, G.M. g.l. 5
vol. 1775. 8vo. 6 0 0
82. Cokain's (Sir Aston) Poems and Plays, _with head_, R.M.
g.l. 2 vol. 1662. 8vo. 4 0 0
97. A Paire of Turtle Doves, or the History of Bellora and
Fidelio, bl. l. 4to. _see MS. note by Steevens_, 1606. 5 5 0
160. Burnet's History of his own Times, _large paper_, R.M.
g.l. 2 vol. 1724. 4to. 5 15 6
198. Dodsley's Collection of Old Plays, _large paper_, 12
vols. 1780. 8vo. _Only six copies printed in this manner._
14 14 0
313. Latham's General Synopsis of Birds, with Index, 9 vols.
with reverse plates, elegantly painted by Miss Stone, now
Mrs. Smith: R.M. g.m.l. 4to. 'N.B. _Of the above set of
books, there are only_ 6 copies.' 40 0 0
314. Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, with his Life,
large paper, 4 vols. _boards, uncut_, 1707, 1750, fol. 15 15 0
350. Heath's Chronicle, _frontispiece and heads_, R.M. g.l.
1663. 2 vols. 8vo. 5 5 0
394. Knight's Life of Colet, _large paper_; plates, elegant,
in light brown calf, g.l.m. 1724, 8vo. 5 10 0
395. Knight's Life of Erasmus, _large paper_, plates,
elegant, in light brown calf, g.l.m. 1726, 8vo. 9 9 0
431. Lewin's Birds of Great Britain, with the Eggs
accurately figured, elegantly painted with back ground, 7
vols. in 3. _A superb copy, in g.m. g.m.l._ 1789, 4to. 28 7 0
473. Martyn's Universal Conchologist; English Entomologist:
and Aranei, or Natural History of Spiders, 4 vols. elegantly
coloured. _A superb copy_, in R.M. g.m.l. 1789, 92, and 93,
4to. 33 12 0
490. Harrison's Seven Triumphal Arches, in honor of James
I., all the [seven] parts complete; _curious and very rare_,
R.M. g.l. 1604. folio. 27 6 0
493. Hearne and Bryne's Antiquities and Views in Great
Britain, _proof impressions_, M. g.l. 1786, oblong folio. 16
0 0
586. Skelton's (Mayster) Poems: Colyn Clout, _Lond. by John
Whygte_. Whi come ye not to Courte; _Lond. by John Whygte_.
Phillyp Sparow; Speak Parot; Death of the Noble Prynce, &c.
See note. _Lond. by John Kynge and Thomas Marshe_. Merie
Tales; _unique_, see note. _Lond. by Thomas Colwell_, 5 vol.
bl. l. R.M. g.l. 12mo. 23 0 0
624. Monument of Matrons, containing seven severall lamps of
Virginitie, by Thomas Bentley; bl. l. R. 3 vols. 1582, 4to.
16 5 6
632. Nychodemus Gospell, wood-cuts, bl. l. g.l. R.M. _Lond.
Wynkyn de Worde_, 1511, 4to. 6 16 6
640. Pennant's History of Quadrupeds, boards, _uncut, large
paper, proof plates_, 1793, 4to. 6 6 0
692. The late Expedition in Scotlande, made by the Kinges
Hyhnys Armye, under the conduit of the Ryht Honourable the
Earl of Hertforde, the yere of our Lorde God, 1544. bl. l.
R.M. g.l. _Lond. by Reynolde Wolfe_, 1554, 8vo. 16 16 0
762. Sommers's (Lord) Collection of scarce and valuable
Tracts, 19 vols. R. g.l. 1748, 50, 51, 52, folio. 85 1 0
780. Temple of Glas, bl. l. See notes by G. Mason. _Wynkyn
de Worde, no date_, 4to. 8 8 0
795. Tour (A) through the South of England, Wales, and part
of Ireland, in 1791, large paper, proof plates, coloured,
1793. N.B. "Of the above book only six copies were printed."
8 8 0
806. Vicar's England's Parliamentary Chronicle, R. g.l.
complete, 4 parts, 3 vols. 1646, 4to. 12 0 0
829. Speed's Theatre of Great Britain, maps, R. g.l. m.l. _A
remarkable fine copy_, 1611. 11 11 0
836. The Myrrour and Dyscrypcyon of the Worlde, with many
Mervaylles, wood-cuts, B.M. g.l. _Emprynted by me Lawrence
Andrewe_, 1527, folio. 26 0 0
837. The Recuile of the Histories of Troie, translated into
English by William Caxton, very fair, B.M. g.l. _Imprynted
at London by W. Copland_, 1553, fol. 23 0 0
852. The Myrroure of Golde for the Synfull Soule, bl. l.
wood-cuts. _Imprynted at Lond. in the Fleete-strete, at the
sygne of the Sun, by Wynkyn de Worde_, 1526, 4to. 12 1 6
856. Barclay's (Alexander) Egloges, out of a Boke named in
Latin, Miserie Curialium, compyled by Eneas Sylvius, Poete
and Oratour, bl. l. _woodcuts, five parts, and complete_,
G.M. _Imprynted by Wynkyn de Worde_, 4to. 25 0 0
859. Holy Life and History of Saynt Werburge, very frutefull
for all Christian People to rede. Poems, bl. l. G.M. _Imp.
by Richard Pynson_, 1521, 4to. 31 10 0
Amount of the sale, 3135_l._ 4_s._]
PHIL. I attended the sale of Woodhouse's prints and books; and
discovered at it as strong symptoms of the madness of which we are
discoursing as ever were exhibited on a like occasion. I have the
catalogue upon fine paper, which, however, is poorly printed; but I
consider it rather a curious bibliographical morçeau.
LYSAND. Make the most of it, for it will soon become scarce. And
now--notwithstanding my former boast to do justice to the remaining
bibliomaniacal characters of respectability--as I find my oral powers
almost exhausted, I shall barely mention the sales, by auction, of the
collections of WILKES, RITSON, and BOUCHER[412]--although I ought to
mention the _Bibliotheca Boucheriana_ with more respect than its two
immediate predecessors; as the collector was a man endowed with
etymological acumen and patience; and I sincerely wish the public
were now receiving the benefit of the continuation of his Dictionary;
of which the author published so excellent a specimen, comprehending
only the letter A. Dr. Jamieson has, to be sure, in a great measure
done away the melancholy impression which lexicographical readers
would otherwise have experienced--by the publication of his own
unrivalled "_Scottish Dictionary_;" yet there is still room enough in
the literary world for a continuation of Boucher.
[Footnote 412: It did not, perhaps, suit Lysander's notions
to make mention of book-sales to which no collectors' names
were affixed; but, as it has been my office, during the
whole of the above conversation, to sit in a corner and take
notes of what our book-orator has said, as well to correct
as to enlarge the narrative, I purpose, gentle reader,
prefacing the account of the above noticed three collections
by the following bibliomaniacal specimen: '_A Catalogue of a
capital and truly valuable Library, the genuine property of
a Gentleman of Fashion, highly distinguished for his fine
taste_,' &c.: sold by auction by Mr. Christie, May, 1800,
8vo. 326 articles: amount of the sale, 1828_l._ 18_s._;
being nearly 6_l._ an article. Now for the beloved
specimens:
NO. 35. Baptistæ Portæ de Humanâ Physiognomia, _with
wood-cuts. Hanoviæ_, 1593, et Johannis Physiophili Opuscula.
_Aug. Vin._ 1784, 8vo. £0 19_s._ 0_d._
38. Officium Beatæ Virginis. _This unique_ MANUSCRIPT _on
vellum of the 14th century, is enriched with highly finished
Miniature Paintings, and is one of the most perfect and best
preserved missals known in England._ 20 9 6
40. A complete set of the Barbou Classics, 68 vols.
_elegantly bound in green_ (_French_) morocco, with gilt
leaves, 8vo. 35 14 0
94. Gesta et Vestigia Danorum extra Daniam, 3 v. _large
paper, with a portrait in satin of the Prince to whom it is
dedicated, Lips: et Hafn_: 1740, 4to. _Black morocco, gilt
leaves._ N.B. 'It is supposed that the Rolliad was taken
from this work.' 10 10 0
133. Brittania, Lathmon, et villa Bromhamensis, poëmatia;
_Bodoni, Parma_, 1792, _red morocco_, folio. 9 19 6
211. Contes des Fées; Paris, 1781, 8vo. 4 vols. IMPRIMÉE SUR
VELIN. This unique copy is ornamented with nineteen original
drawings, and was made for the late Madame Royale:
_elegantly bound in blue morocco and enclosed in a morocco
case_. 35 14 0
237. Memoires du Comte de Grammont. _Edition printed for the
Comte d'Artois._ _Par._ 1781. 8vo. This beautiful small
work, from the text of which Harding's edition was copied,
is adorned with several high finished portraits in
miniature, painted by a celebrated artist, and is elegantly
bound in green morocco, with morocco case. 15 15 3
317. L'antiquité Expliquée, par Montfaucon, with fine
plates; _large paper copy_, 15 vol. red (French) _morocco,
with gilt leaves_; and Monarchie Françoise, 5, v. l. p.
_correspondently bound_, folio. 63 0 0
318. Anacreontis Carmina, Gr. et Lat. from a MS. in the
Vatican of the tenth century: with _beautiful coloured
miniatures by Piale, appropriate to each ode, in rich
morocco binding_. _Romæ_, 1781. folio. 56 14 0
Early in the year in which this collection was disposed of,
the very beautiful choice, and truly desirable library of
GEORGE GALWAY MILLS, Esq. was sold by auction by Mr.
Jeffery, in February, 1800. My copy of this well-executed
catalogue is upon _large paper_; but it has not the prices
subjoined. Meanwhile let the sharp-sighted bibliomaniac look
at no. 28, 68, 85, 106, 181, 412, 438, only. Thus it will
be seen that the year 1800 was most singularly distinguished
for _Book-Auction Bibliomaniacism_!
We now proceed to notice the sales of the libraries of those
bibliomaniacs above mentioned by Lysander. _A catalogue of
the very valuable Library of the late_ JOHN WILKES, Esq.,
M.P., _&c., sold by auction by Leigh and Sotheby, in
November_, 1802, 8vo.: 1478 articles. There are few
articles, except the following deserving of being extracted.
NO. 139. Bernier Theologie Portatif, Lond. 1768--Boulanger
Recherches sur l'Origine du Despotisme Oriental, morocco,
gilt leaves. Lond. 1763, 8vo. 'N.B. The "Recherches" were
printed by Mr. Wilkes, at his own private printing press, in
Great George Street, Westminster, in 1763.'
383. Catullus, recensuit Johannes Wilkes; _impress. in
Membranis_, red morocco, gilt leaves. Lond. ap. Nichols,
1788, 4to.
395. Copies taken from the Records of the C. of K.B. 1763.
"Note in this book--printed by P.C. Webe, one of the
solicitors to the Treasury, never published," &c.
1441. Theophrasti Characteres: Græce, Johannes Wilkes,
recensuit. _Impress. in Membranis_, Lond. 1790, 4to.
1460. Wilkes's History of England, no. I. 1768, 4to.
Next comes the account of the Library of that redoubted
champion of ancient lore, and anti-Wartonian critic, Joseph
Ritson. His books, upon the whole, brought very moderate
sums. _A Catalogue of the entire and curious Library and
Manuscripts of the late_ JOSEPH RITSON, Esq., _&c., sold by
auction by Leigh and Sotheby, December_ 5, 1803, 8vo.
NO. 521. Skelton's (Maister) Workes, MS. notes, and lists of
the different editions of Skelton's Works, and likewise of
those never printed; and of these last, in whose possession
many of them are, 1736, 8vo. £0 18_s._ 0_d._
600. Jeffrey of Monmouth's British History, by Thompson; a
great number of MS. notes, on separate papers, by Mr.
Ritson. Lond. 1718, 8vo. 1 5 0
950. The Sevin Seages. Translatit out of Paris in Scottis
meter, be Johne Rolland in Dalkeith, with one Moralitie
after everie Doctouris Tale, and siclike after the Emprice
Tale, togidder with one loving landaude to everie Doctour
after his awin Tale, and one Exclamation and outcrying upon
the Emprerouris Wife after his fals contrusit tale.
_Imprentit at Edinburgh, be Johne Ros, for Henrie
Charteris_, 1578, 4to. "Note in this book by Mr. Ritson; No
other copy of this edition is known to exist, neither was it
known to Ames, Herbert," &c. &c. 31 10 0
964. A new Enterlude, never before this tyme imprinted,
entreating of the Life and Repentance of Marie Magadelene
[Transcriber's Note: Magdalene], not only godlie, learned
and fruitfull, but also well furnished with pleasant myrth
and pastime, very delectable for those which shall heare or
reade the same, _made by the learned Charke [Transcriber's
Note: Clarke] Lewis Wager--printed_ 1567, MS. 1 11 6
985. Bibliographia Scotica; Anecdotes biographical and
literary of Scotish Writers, Historians, and Poets, from the
Earliest account to the nineteenth century, in two parts,
intended for publication. 45 3 0
986. Shakspeare, by Johnson and Steevens, 8 vols. containing
a great number of manuscript notes, corrections, &c. &c.
together with 3 vols. of manuscript notes, by Mr. Ritson,
prepared by him for the press, intending to publish it. 110
0 0
The year ensuing (of which Lysander has, very negligently,
taken no notice) was distinguished for the sale of a
collection of books, the like unto which had never been
seen, since the days of the dispersion of the Parisian
collection. The title of the auction catalogue was, in part,
as follows: _A Catalogue of a most splendid and valuable
collection of Books, superb missals, original drawings, &c.
the genuine property of a Gentleman of distinguished taste,
retiring into the country, &c._ Sold by auction by Mr.
Christie, April, 1804, 8vo. 339 articles: total amount,
4640_l._--being almost 14_l._ an article. I attended both
days of this sale and the reader shall judge of my own
satisfaction, by that which _he_ must receive from a perusal
of the following specimens of this _Bibliotheca
Splendidissima_.
NO. 221. A most complete set of Sir William Dugdale's Works,
containing Monasticon Anglicanum, in 5 vols. 1655;
Monasticon, vol. 1, editio secunda, 2 vols.; Monasticon, in
English, with Steevens's Continuation, 3 vols.;
Warwickshire, first edition; Warwickshire, second edition,
by Thomas, 2 vols.; St. Paul's, first and second edition, 2
vols.; Baronage, 2 vols.; History of Imbanking, first and
second editions, 2 vols.; Origines Juridiciales, third
edition; View of the Troubles; Summons of the Nobility;
Usage of Arms and office of Lord Chancellor. _This fine set
of Dugdale is elegantly bound in Russia leather in 23
volumes._ £136 10_s._ 0_d._
(Now worth 250_l._)
222. Biographia Britannica, 7 vols. 1747, folio. A matchless
set illustrated with portraits, fine and rare, and
_elegantly bound in Russia leather_. 99 15 0
223. Homeri Ilias et Odyssea, 4 vols. Glasgow, 1756, fol. An
unique copy, on _large paper_, illustrated with Flaxman's
plates to the Iliad, and original drawings, by Miss Wilkes,
to the Odyssey; _superbly bound in blue Turkey_. 39 18 0
225. Milton's Poetical Works, large paper, Tonson, 1695.
Milton's Historical Works, &c., by Birch, 2 vols. large
paper, 1738, 3 vols. _elegantly bound in Russia leather_. 5
10 0
229. Ogilby's Historical Works, containing Britannia, China,
2 vols. Japan, Asia, Africa, and America, with fine plates
by Hollar, 7 vols. folio, _fine copy in Russia_. 18 18 0
234. Lord Clarendon's History of the Grand Rebellion, 6
vols. folio, _large paper, splendidly bound in morocco_,
1702. 49 7 0
235. Winwood's Memorials of Affairs of State, 3 vols. 1725.
_Large Paper, elegantly bound, and gilt leaves_. 5 18 0
239. Wood's Athenæ Oxonienses, 2 vols. best edition, 1721.
_A fine copy on Large Paper, elegantly bound in Russia, with
gilt leaves_, Fol. 7 17 6
From no. 292 to 307, inclusive (only 14 volumes), there
was a set of "_Painted Missals and curious manuscripts_,"
which were sold for 724_l._ Among them, was Mr. John
Towneley's matchless missal, decorated by the famous
Francesco Veronese--"one of the finest productions of the
kind ever imported from Italy:" see no. 296. For an
account of the books PRINTED UPON VELLUM in this collection,
see PART VI. Let us close this note with the _Bibliotheca
Boucheriana_; of which such respectable mention is above
justly made by Lysander. "_A Catalogue of the very valuable
and extensive Library of the late_ REV. JONATHAN BOUCHER,
_A.M., F.R.S., Vicar of Epsom, Surrey. Comprehending a fine
and curious collection in Divinity, History, &c.: sold by
auction by Leigh and Sotheby; in February_, 1806." _First
part_, 6646 articles: _Second part_, 1933 articles: _Third
part_, published in 1809: 857 articles. I attended many days
during this sale; but such was the warm fire, directed
especially towards divinity, kept up during nearly the whole
of it, that it required a heavier weight of metal than I was
able to bring into the field of battle to ensure any success
in the contest. I cannot help adding that these catalogues
are wretchedly printed.]
Ah, well-a-day!--have I not come to the close of my BOOK-HISTORY? Are
there any other bibliomaniacs of distinction yet to notice? Yes!--I
well remember the book-sale events of the last four years. I well
remember the curiosity excited by the collections of the MARQUIS OF
LANSDOWNE, JOHN BRAND, ISAAC REED, RICHARD PORSON, ALEXANDER
DALRYMPLE, and RICHARD GOUGH,[413] and with these I must absolutely
make my bibliomaniacal peroration! Illustrious men!----
[Footnote 413: For the same reason as has been adduced at p.
427, ante, and from a strong wish to render this _List of
Book Auctions_ as perfect as my opportunities will allow, I
shall persevere, at the foot of Lysander's narrative, in
submitting to the attention of the curious reader a still
further account of sales than those above alluded to in the
text. As this will be the last note in PART V., I hope,
however late the hour, or exhausted his patience, that the
reader will also persevere to the close of it, and then wish
the author "good night," along with his friends, whose
salutations are above so dramatically described. At the very
opening of the year in which Mr. Boucher's books were sold,
the magnificent collection of the Marquis of Lansdowne was
disposed of. I well remember the original destination of
this numerous library: I well remember the long, beautiful,
and classically ornamented room, in which, embellished and
guarded by busts, and statues of gods and heroes, the books
were ranged in quiet and unmolested order, adjoining to the
noblest mansion in London. If the consideration of external,
or out-of-door, objects be put out of the question, this
Library-room had not its superior in Great Britain. Let us
now come to particulars: "_Bibliotheca Lansdowniana. A
Catalogue of the entire Library of the late most noble
William_ MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE; _sold by auction by Leigh and
Sotheby, &c. January_, 1806." 8vo. The following is but a
slender specimen of the printed books in the Lansdowne
collection.
NO. 359. Arthur Kynge (the story of the most noble and
Worthy) the whiche was fyrst of the worthyes christen, and
also of his noble and valyaunt knyghtes of the Round Table;
_newly imprynted and corrected, black letter, title-page
emblazoned, Turkey. Imp. at Lond. by Wyllyam Coplande_,
1557, folio. In the collection of Mr. Dent. £25 0_s._ 0_d._
361. Ashmole's (Elias) Institution, Laws, and Ceremonies of
the Order of the Garter, plates by Hollar, _L. Paper, green
morocco, border of gold, gilt leaves_, 1672, folio. 10 10 0
1384. Chronica del Rey Don Alonso el Onzeno, Roy de
Castilla, &c. _Liter. Goth. Mar. verd. Volladolid
[Transcriber's Note: Valladolid]._ 1551, folio. 11 11 0
1385. ---- del Rey Don Pedro. D. Enrrique [Transcriber's
Note: Enrique], y D. Juan, _Pampl._ 1591, folio. 5 15 6
1386. ---- des Reys de Portugal, D. Joanno I. D. Duarte, e
D. Alfonso, _Lisboa_, 1543, folio. 4 2 0
2499. Gazette, London, from the beginning, 1665 to 1722
inclusive, 73 vol. folio. 84 0 0
3438. Leyes del Reyno, del Don Philippe II. Recopilacion de
las, 2 tom. Alcala, 1581. folio. 1 5 0
3439. ---- de los Reynos de las Indias, del Don Carlos II. 2
tom. Madrid, 1681, folio. 3 10 0
4108. Money; a very curious Collection of Single Sheets,
&c., and with several MS. Memorandums and Papers on that
Subject, bound in one volume. 10 10 0
5544. Somers' (Lord) Tracts, 16 vol. Lond. 1748, 52. 63 0 0
5786. Stuart's (James) Antiquities of Athens, plates, 3 vol.
1787, 94, folio. 16 16 0
5787. Stukeley's (Wm.) Itinerary, cuts, _Russia_, 2 vol. in
vol. 1, 1776, folio. 21 0 0
5916. A very rare collection of Tracts, Documents, and
Pamphlets, consisting of above 280 volumes, tending to
illustrate the History of the French Revolution--together
with more than 49 volumes relative to the transactions in
the Low Countries, between the years 1787 and 1792, and
their separation from the house of Austria:--amongst the
above will be found the following works.
Des Etats Generaux, &c. Par. 1789. 18 vol.
Process Verbaux de la première Assemblée, 75 vol.
Ditto de la seconde 16 vol.
Ditto de la Convocation 32 vol.
Revolution Françoise, 20 vol. from 1790 to 1803, wanting
vol. 1, 2, and 13.
La Bastile Devoilée. Par. 1789.
Sir James M'Intosh's Vindiciæ Gallicæ, and numerous pieces
relative to the Constitution and Administration of the
French Government, in its Executive, Legislative, Judicial,
and Financial Departments, by Messrs. Mirabeau, Turgot,
Barrere, Calonne, Necker, &c. 168 0 0
I should observe that the PRINTS or ENGRAVINGS of the
Marquis, together with the _printed prices_ for which they,
and the foregoing library, were sold, are usually added to
the Catalogue of the Books. In the spring of 1807, the
MANUSCRIPTS belonging to the same noble collector were
catalogued to be sold by public auction. These manuscripts,
in the preface of the _first_ volume of the Catalogue, are
said to 'form one of the noblest and most valuable private
collections in the kingdom.' It is well known that the
collection never came to the hammer; but was purchased by
parliament for 6000_l._, and is deposited in the British
Museum. A catalogue of it is now _sub prelo_; vide p. 89,
ante. We are next to notice the sale by auction of the
library of the late Rev. John Brand. The first part of this
collection was disposed of in the Spring of 1807; and the
catalogue had this title: _Bibliotheca Brandiana. A
Catalogue of the unique, scarce, rare, curious, and numerous
collection of Works, &c., being the entire Library of the
late_ REV. JOHN BRAND, _Fellow and Secretary of the
Antiquarian Society, Author of the History of Newcastle,
Popular Antiquities, &c. Sold by auction by Mr. Stewart_,
May, 1807. This first part contained 8611 articles, or lots,
of printed books; exclusively of 243 lots of manuscripts.
Hereafter followeth, gentle reader, some specimens, selected
almost at random, of the 'unique, scarce, rare, and curious'
books contained in the said library of this far-famed
Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries.
NO. 67. _Ane Compendious Booke of Godly and Spiritual
Songs_, bl. lett. 8vo. Edinb. 1621. £4 4_s._ 0_d._
69. Academy of Pleasure, with portraits of Drayton, G.
Withers, F. Quarles, and B. Jonson, Lon. 1656, 8vo. 2 17 6
109. A Curtaine Lecture, _rare and curious_, frontispiece,
Lond. 1637, 8vo. 0 15 0
110. A Banquet of Jests, or Change of Cheare, with portrait
of Archee, the King's jester. _Rare._ Lond. 1659, 8vo. 4 10 0
227. Arnold's Chronicle of the Customs of London, a fine
copy, perfect, _printed by Pynson_, fol. 1521. 18 18 0
241. An Alvearie, or Quadruple Dictionarie, by Baret.
Francof. fol. 1580. 3 5 0
242. Dyalogue of Dives and Pauper, _that is to say, the Rich
and the Pore, fructuously tretyng upon the Ten
Commandments_, black-letter, printed by Pynson, fol. 1493. 4
3 0
272. Allot's England's Parnassus, 8vo. 1600. 2 10 0
282. A Booke of Fishing, with hooke and line, 1600, 8vo. A
Booke of Engines and Traps to take Polcats, Buzzards, Rats,
Mice, &c. cuts, _very rare_, [See p. 305, ante.] 3 3 0
283. Archy's Dream, sometimes jester to his Majestie, but
expelled the court by Canterbury's malice, _very rare_, 8vo.
1 13 0
337. A new Dialogue between the Angell of God and Shepherdes
in the Felde, black-letter. _Pr. by Day_, 8vo. 2 10 0
381. A Dialogue betweene two Neighbours, concernyng
Ceremonyes in the first year of Queen Mary, black-letter,
with portrait of Mary, by Delarum, from Roane, by
Michelwood, 1554, 8vo. 2 12 6
417. A short Inuentory of certayne idle Inventions,
black-letter, _very rare_. 2 15 0
418. A Juniper Lecture, with the Description of all Sorts of
Women, good and bad, _very rare_. Lond. 1639, 8vo. 1 16 0
454. A Quip for an Upstart Courtier; or a Quaint Dispute
betweene Velvet Breeches and Cloth Breeches, wherein is set
Downe the Disorders in all Estates and Trades, _with
portraits_. Lond. printed by G.P., 1620, 4to. 2 16 0
462. Articles to be enquired into by various Bishops, &c.,
in their Visitations; upwards of one hundred; _a very
curious, scarce, and unique collection_, 4to. 2 2 0
802. Barbiere (John) the famous Game of Chesse Play, cuts,
1673. The most ancient and learned play, The Philosopher's
Game, invented for the Honourable Recreation of the
Studious, by W.F., black-letter, 1563, 4to. 2 4 0
1300. A Plaister for a Galled Horse, _very rare_, 1548, 4to.
[See Herbert's Ames, vol. i. 581: and p. 239; ante.] 3 17 6
1312. A Counter Blaste to Tobacco. Lond. 1604, 4to. 0 17 0
1326. Bentley's (Thos.) Monument of Matrons, containing
seven severall Lamps of Virginitie, or Distinct Treatises,
collated and perfect, a very fine copy, extremely rare and
curious, _imprinted at London, by Thomas Dawson, for William
Seres, extremely rare_, black-letter, 1582, 4to. 8 18 6
1334. Bert (Edmund) an approved Treatise of Hawkes and
Hunting. Lond. 1619, 4to. 1 10 0
1540. Burton (Wm.) Seven Dialogues, black-letter. Lond.
1606. George Whetstone's Mirrour for Magistrates of cities,
b.l., printed by Richard Jones, 1584, 4to. 3 13 6
1542. Byshop's (John) beautifull Blossomes, black-letter,
imprinted by Henrie Cockyn, 1577, 4to. 4 10 0
1754. Characters (viz.) The Surfeit to A.B.C. Lond. 1656.
Dr. Lupton's London and Country carbonadoed and quartered
into Seuerall Characters, 1632. Essayes and Characters, by
L.G., 1661, 8vo. 4 7 0
2069. England's Jests refined and improved, 1660, 8vo. 2 14 0
2326. Catharo's Diogenes in his Singularitie, wherein is
comprehended his merrie Baighting fit for all men's
benefits: christened by him a _Nettle for Nice Noses_, by
L.T., black-letter, 1591, 4to. 2 10 0
3523. Fages (Mrs.) Poems, Fames Roule, &c., _rare_, Lond.
1637, 4to. 5 15 6
7817. Stukeley's (Wm.) Itinerarium Curiosum; 2 _vols. in_ 1,
_Russia_, folio. 14 14 0
8211. The blazon of Jealousie, written in Italian, by
Varchi. Lond. 1615, 8vo. 2 6 0
8223. Tracts: Dial of Witches, 1603; Lancaster Witches,
1613; Trial of Yorkshire Witches, 1612; The Golden Fleece,
1626; Cage of Diabolical Possession, 4to. 2 8 0
8224. The most strange and admirable Discoverie of the three
witches of Warboys, arraigned, convicted, and executed at
the last assizes at Huntington; for bewitching the five
daughters of Robert Throckmorton, Esq., and divers other
persons, with sundrie devilish and grievous torments; and
also for bewitching to death the Lady Crumwell. _Extra
rare_, 4to. 4 0 0
8230. Witches apprehended, examined, and executed for
notable villanies, by them committed both by land and water,
with a strange and most true triall how to know whether a
woman be a witch or not: _with the plate_. _Extra rare_,
4to. 3 5 0
8269. The Pleasure of Princes, the Art of Angling, together
with the Ordering and Dieting of the Fighting Cocke, 1635,
4to. 2 5 0
8296. The Knyght of the Toure; _a perfect and fine specimen
of the father of English Printers_, 1484, folio. The reader
(if he pleases) may consult my first volume, p. 202, of the
_Typographical Antiquities of Great Britain_, for some
account of this edition. 111 6 0
My copy of this first part of the Catalogue of Brand's books
is upon _large paper, with the prices inserted in the
margin_. The _second part_ of the BIBLIOTHECA BRANDIANA,
containing duplicates and Pamphlets, was sold in February,
1808, by Mr. Stewart. There were 4064 articles. Few
collections attracted greater attention before, and during,
the sale than did the library of the late Mr. Isaac Reed: a
critic and literary character of very respectable
second-rate reputation. The public Journals teemed, for a
time, with book-anecdotes concerning this collection; and
the _Athenæum_, _Monthly Mirror_, _Censura Literaria_,
_European Magazine_, struck out a more bold outline of the
Bibliotheca Reediana than did the generality of their fellow
Journals. Reed's portrait is prefixed to the European
Magazine, the Monthly Mirror, and the Catalogue of his own
Books: it is an indifferently stippled scraping, copied from
a fine mellow mezzotint, from the characteristic pencil of
Romney. This latter is a private plate, and, as such, is
rare. To return to the Library. The preface to the Catalogue
was written by the Rev. H.J. Todd. It is brief, judicious,
and impressive; giving abundant proof of the bibliomaniacal
spirit of the owner of the library--who would appear to have
adopted the cobler's well-known example of applying one room
to almost every domestic purpose: for Reed made his library
'his parlour, kitchen, and hall.' A brave and enviable
spirit this!--and, in truth, what is comparable with it? But
the reader is beginning to wax impatient for a more
particular account. Here it is: _Bibliotheca Reediana. A
Catalogue of the curious and extensive Library of the late
Isaac Reed, Esq., of Staple Inn, deceased. Comprehending a
most extraordinary collection of books in English
Literature, &c.: sold by auction, by Messrs. King and
Lochée: November_, 1807, _8vo._ The following specimens of
some of Reed's scarce volumes are copied, in part, from the
account which was inserted in the _Athenæum_, vol. iii., pp.
61, 157, under the extraordinary signatures of W. Caxton and
W. de Worde.
NO. 5867. A Portfolio of single-sheet Ballads. £15 15_s._
0_d._
6661. Colman (W.) Death's Duel, 8vo., _frontispiece_. 7 15 0
6685. Barnefield's Affectionate Shepherd, _very rare_, 4to.
1594. 15 10 0
6713. A musical Concort of Heavenly Harmonie, called
Churchyard's charitie. _See MS. notes in Churchyard's
Pieces, by Steevens, Reed_, &c., 1595, 4to. 8 15 0
6714. Churchyard's lamentable and pitiable Description of
the woeful Warres in Flanders, 1578, 4to. 4 19 0
6715. ---- a true Discourse of the succeeding Governors in
the Netherlands, and the Civil Warres there begun in 1565,
4to.
6716. ---- a light Bundle of Lively Discourses, called
Churchyard's Charge, presented as a New Year's Gift to the
Earl of Savoy, 1589, 4to. 11 5 0
6717. ---- Challenge, b.l., 1580, with a copious Manuscript
account of his works, by J. Reed, and a small octavo Tract,
called A Discourse of Rebellion, 1570, 4to. 17 10 0
6755. Gascoigne (George) whole workes, _fine copy in
Russia_, 4to., b.l., 1567. 15 5 0
6777. Cynthia, with certain Sonnets, _rare_, 1595, 8vo. 12 5 0
7479. Whetstone (George) Mirror of true Honor, and Christain
[Transcriber's Note: Christian] Nobilitie, exposing the
Life, Death, and Divine Vertues of Francis Earl of Bedford,
b.l., 1585, 4to. 7 0 0
7705. Beaumont and Fletcher's Philaster; or Love lies a
bleeding, _frontispiece_, 4to., 1620. 24 0 0
8536. Shakspeariana, a Large Assemblage of Tracts by various
authors, relative to Shakspeare, neatly bound in 9 vols.
8vo. 23 0 0
8561. Stillingfleet (Benj.) Plays, never either finished or
published. _The only copy ever seen by Mr. Reed._ 3 13 6
8676. A volume of unpublished and unprinted Fables, by John
Ellis, scrivener and translator of Maphaeus. _Note by Mr.
Reed:_ 'It was given to me by Mr. John Sewell, bookseller,
to whom Mr. Ellis bequeathed his Manuscripts. See my account
of Mr. Ellis in the European Magazine, Jan. 1792: large
4to.' The volume is enriched with fine engravings,
appropriate to each Fable. 6 0 0
8833. Notitia Dramatica, both printed and manuscript;
containing a Chronological Account of the chief Incidents
relating to the English Theatres, from Nov. 1734, to 31st
Dec. 1785. "Collected from various sources, but chiefly the
Public Advertisers, which were lent me by Mr. Woodfall for
the purpose. This volume contains the most material facts
relating to the Theatres for the last fifty years, and will
be useful to any person who may wish to compile a History of
the Stage." Isaac Reed, Staple's Inn, Aug. 6. 1784. 41 0 0
Of this Catalogue, there are _only twelve copies_ printed
upon LARGE PAPER; which were all distributed previous to the
sale of the books. The common paper copies are very
indifferently executed. The late Mr. George Baker had the
completest _l.p._ copy of this catalogue in existence.
Before we proceed to give an account of subsequent
book-sales, it may be as well to pause for a few
minutes--and to take a retrospective view of the busy scene
which has been, in part, described: or rather, it may be no
incurious thing to lay before the reader for a future
century (when the ashes of the author shall have long
mouldered into their native dust) a statement of the
principal book-sales which took place from November, 1806,
to November, 1807--at Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby's King and
Lochée's, and Mr. Stewart's. The minor ones carried on under
Covent-Garden Piazza, Tom's Coffee-house, &c., are not
necessary to be noticed. In calculating the number of
volumes, I have considered one article, or lot, with the
other, to comprehend three volumes. The result is as
follows.
_Book-Sales by Messrs._ LEIGH _and_ SOTHEBY.
Volumes.
Rev. Edward Bowerbank's library. 2200
Earl of Halifax's 2000
Mr. John Voigt's 6000
Sutton Sharpe's, Esq. 4000
George Mason's, ditto 3800
Mr. Burdon's 14000
Charles Bedford's, Esq. 3500
Rev. Charles Bathurst's 3000
Sir John Sebright's, Bt. (duplicates). 3300
Bishop Horsley's 4400
Mr. E. Edward's 1100
Lieut. Col. Thos. Velley's 2200
_Four miscellaneous_ 6000
------
55,500
_Book-Sales by_ KING _and_ LOCHÉE.
Volumes.
R. Foster's, Esq. library 5000
Dr. John Millar's 3500
Mr. C. Martin's 1000
Mr. Daniel Waldron's 1200
Rev. Thomas Towle's 3000
Mr. Brice Lambert's 2000
C. Dilly's 3000
Isaac Reed's 30000
_Six miscellaneous_ 8400
------
57,100
_Book-Sales by_ Mr. STEWART.
Mr. Law's library 4000
Lord Thurlow's 3000
Mr. William Bryant's 4500
Rev. W.W. Fitzthomas's 2000
Rev. John Brand's 17000
George Stubbs, Esq. 1800
_Three miscellaneous_ 4300
------
36,600
TOTAL
Sold by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby 55500
Messrs. King and Lochée 57100
Mr. Stewart 36600
-------
149,200
Such has been the circulation of books, within the foregoing
period, by the hands of _three Auctioneers only_; and the
prices which a great number of _useful_ articles brought is
a sufficient demonstration that books are esteemed for their
_intrinsic value_, as well as for the adventitious
circumstances which render them _rare_ or _curious_. But
prosterity [Transcriber's Note: posterity] are not to judge
of the prevalence of knowledge in these times by the
criterion of, what are technically called, _book-sales_
only. They should be told that, within the same twelve
months, thousands and tens of thousands of books of all
sorts have been circulated by the _London Booksellers_; and
that, without travelling to know the number disposed of at
Bristol, Liverpool, York, Manchester, or Exeter, it may be
only necessary to state that _one distinguished House_
alone, established not quite a furlong from the railings of
St. Paul's Cathedral, sold not far short of _two hundred
thousand volumes_ within the foregoing period! If learning
continue thus to thrive, and books to be considered as
necessary furniture to an apartment; if wealthy merchants
are resolved upon procuring Large Paper copies, as well as
Indian spices and Russian furs; we may hail, in
anticipation, that glorious period when the book-fairs of
_Leipsic_ shall be forgotten in the superior splendour of
those of _London_! But to return to our chronological order:
The ensuing year, 1808, was distinguished for no small
mischief excited in the bibliomaniacal world by the sales of
many curious and detached libraries. The second part of Mr.
Brand's collection which was sold in the spring of this
year, has been already noticed. The close of the year
witnessed the sales, by auction, of the books of SAMUEL
EWER, Esq. (retiring into the country), and of Mr. MACHEL
STACE, bookseller. The former collection was very strong in
bibliography; and the latter presented a singularly valuable
'Collection of rare and select' books, relating to old
English Literature elegantly bound: containing 2607
articles. Mr. Stace had published, the preceding year, '_A
Catalogue of curious and scarce Books and Tracts_:' which,
with the preceding, merit a snug place upon the
bibliographer's shelf. We now enter upon a more busy year of
sales of books by auction. The Bibliomania had only
increased by the preceding displays of precious and
magnificent volumes. And first came on, in magnitude and
inportance [Transcriber's Note: importance], the sales of
ALEXANDER DALRYMPLE and PROFESSOR PORSON. Of these in turn.
_A Catalogue of the extensive and valuable Library of Books:
Part I. Late the property of_ ALEX. DALRYMPLE, Esq. F.R.S.,
_deceased_. Hydrographer to the Board of Admiralty, and the
Hon. East India Company, &c., sold by auction by King and
Lochée, May 29, 1809, 8vo.--7190 articles: _A Catalogue,
&c., Part II. of the same: sold by auction by the same_:
Nov. 1809.--8897 articles. I should add that there is a
stippled engraving of Dalrymple, with fac-simile of his
hand-writing, which faces the title page to _Part First_ of
this extraordinary and numerous collection; of books of
Geography, Voyages, and Travels. I strongly recommend copies
of these catalogues to be in every library of extent and
utility. We are now to notice: _A Catalogue of Part of the
Library of the late Richard Porson, A.M., Greek Professor of
the University of Cambridge_, &c.: sold by auction by Leigh
and Sotheby, June 16th, 1809, 8vo.--1391 articles: amount of
the books, 1254_l._ 18_s._ 6_d._ The subjoined is rather a
rich, though brief, specimen of some of the valuable books
contained in the library of this profound Greek scholar; in
whom the acuteness of Bentley, and the erudition of
Hemsterhusius, were more than revived.
NO. 116. Biblia Græca, et Novum Testamentum Græce,
lectionibus D.J.J. Griesbach, 2 vols., boards, uncut, MS.
notes at the beginning of each vol. Hal. Sax. 1796-1806,
8vo. £8 15_s._ 0_d._
The notes amounted to the correction of 9 typographical
errors and 1 addition to a note of Griesbach's, consisting
of authorities he ought to have added.
182. Athenæus, Gr. Lat., cum animadversionibus I. Casauboni,
2 vols., MS. notes, Lugduni, 1612, folio. 7 10 0
330. Chariton de Amor. Chaeræ et Callirrhoe, Gr. Lat. cum
animadversionibus, J.P. d'Orville--Amst. 1750, 4to. 2 5 0
Porson's note in the beginning. 'Opus plenum eruditionis,
judicii et sagacitatis non item.'
559. Homeri Ilias et Odyssea (the Grenville edition) boards,
uncut, with the original portrait. Oxoniæ, 4to., _large
paper_: 4 vols. 87 3 0
601. Eustathius in Homerum, 4 vols., morocco, gilt leaves,
Par. 1550, fol. 55 0 0
1078. Shakspeare's (William) Plays by Johnson and Steevens,
15 vols., boards, uncut, 1793, 8vo. 12 15 0