has given a very pompous account of what ought to be the
talents and duties of a bibliographer. It would be difficult
indeed to find such qualifications, as he describes, united
in one person! De Bure, in the eighth volume of his
_Bibliographie Instructive_, has prefixed a "Discourse upon
the Science of Bibliography, and the Duties of a
Bibliographer," which is worth consulting: but I know of
nothing which better describes, in few words, such a
character, than the following: "In eo sit multijuga
materiarum librorumque notitia, ut saltem potiores eligat et
inquirat: fida et sedula apud exteras gentes procuratio, ut
eos arcessat; summa patientia ut rarè venalis expectet;
peculium semper præsens et paratum, ne, si quando occurrunt,
emendi, occasio intercidat: prudens denique auri argentique
contemptus, ut pecuniis sponte careat quæ in bibliothecam
formandam et nutriendam sunt insumendæ. Si forte vir
literatus eo felicitatis pervenit ut talem thesaurum
coacervaverit, nec solus illo invidiose fruatur, sed usam
cum eruditis qui virgilias suas utilitati publicæ
devoverunt, liberaliter communicet;" &c.--_Bibliotheca
Hulsiana_, vol. i. Præfat. p. 3, 4. Morhof abounds with
sagacious reflections upon this important subject: but are
there fifty men in Great Britain who love to read the
_Polyhistor Literarius_? The observations of Ameilhon and
Camus, in the _Memoires de l'Institut_, are also well worth
consultation; as are those of Le Long, and his editor,
prefixed to the last edition of the _Bibliotheca Sacra_.]
LIS. Excellent!--Treat copiously upon this my darling subject.
BELIN. You speak with the enthusiasm of a young convert; but I should
think the study of Bibliography a sure means of increasing the
violence of the book-disease.
LYSAND. The encouragement of _the Study of Bibliography_, in its
legitimate sense, and towards its true object, may be numbered among
the most efficacious cures for this destructive malady. To place
competent Librarians over the several departments of a large public
Library; or to submit a library, on a more confined scale, to one
diligent, enthusiastic, well-informed, and well-bred Bibliographer or
Librarian (of which in this metropolis we have so many examples), is
doing a vast deal towards directing the channels of literature to flow
in their proper courses. And thus I close the account of my recipes
for the cure of the Bibliomania. A few words more and I have done.
It is, my friends, in the erection of Libraries as in literary
compositions, the task is difficult, and will generally meet with
opposition from some fastidious quarter,[468] which is always
betraying a fretful anxiety to bring every thing to its own ideal
standard of perfection. To counteract the unpleasant effect which such
an impression must necessarily produce, be diligent and faithful, to
your utmost ability, in whatsoever you undertake. You need not evince
the fecundity of a German[469] author; but only exert your best
endeavours, and leave the issue to a future generation. Posterity will
weigh, in even scales, your merits and demerits, when all present
animosities and personal prejudices shall have subsided; and when the
utility of our labours, whether in promoting wisdom or virtue, shall
be unreservedly acknowledged. You may sleep in peace before this
decision take place; but YOUR CHILDREN may live to witness it; and
your name, in consequence, become a passport for them into circles of
learning and worth. Let us now retreat; or, rather, walk round
Lorenzo's grounds. We have had _Book-Discussion_ enough to last us to
the end of the year.[470] I begin to be wearied of conversing.
[Footnote 468: My favourite author, Morhof, has spoken
'comme un brave homme' upon the difficulty of literary
enterprizes, and the facility and venom of detraction: I
support his assertion 'totis viribus'; and to beg to speak
in the same person with himself. 'Non ignotum mihi est,
quantæ molis opus humeris meis incumbat. Oceanum enim
ingressus sum, in quo portum invenire difficile est,
naufragii periculum à syrtibus et scopulis imminet. Quis
enim in tanta multitudine rerum et librorum omnia
exhauriret? Quis non alicubi impingeret? Quis salvum ab
invidia caput retraheret, ac malignitatis dentes in
liberiore censura evitaret? Præterea ut palato et gustu
differunt convivæ, ita judiciis dissident lectores, neque
omnium idem de rebus sensus est, hoc præsertim tempore, quo
plures sunt librorum judices, quam lectores, et è lectoribus
in lictores, ubique virgas et secures expedituros, multi
degenerant.' _Præf. Morhof._--Even the great Lambecius (of
whom see p. 41, ante) was compelled to deliver his
sentiments thus:--'laborem hunc meum non periculosum minus
et maglignis liventium _Zoilorum_ dentibus obnoxium, quam
prolixum foro et difficilem.' Prod. Hist. Lit. _Proleg._ One
of the Roman philosophers (I think it was Seneca) said, in
his last moments, 'Whether or not the Gods will be pleased
with what I have done, I cannot take upon me to pronounce:
but, this I know--it has been my invariable object to please
them.' For 'the Gods' read 'the Public'--and then I beg
leave, in a literary point of view, to repeat the words of
Seneca.]
[Footnote 469: 'From the last catalogue of the fair of
Lepisic [Transcriber's Note: Leipsic], it would appear that
there are now in Germany _ten thousand two hundred and forty
three authors_, full of _health_ and _spirit_, and each of
whom publishes at least _once a year_!' _American Review_,
Jan. 1811, p. 172.]
[Footnote 470: Through the favour of Dr. Drury, the Editor
is enabled to present the reader with an original letter,
enclosing a list of books directed to be purchased by
BENJAMIN HEATH, Esq.; also his portrait. This document would
have been better inserted, in point of chronological order,
in part V., but, as the Editor did not receive it till long
after that part was printed, he trusts it will be thought
better late than never.
THE DIRECTION.
[Illustration: [handwritten]
To
Mr John Mann
at the Hand in Hand
Fire Office in Angel Court
on Snow Hill
[illegible]
in
London]
Exeter, 21st March, 1738.
Dear Sir,
I take the liberty presuming upon the Intimacy of our
Acquaintance to employ you in a pretty troublesome Affair.
Fletcher Gyles, Bookseller in Holbourn, with whom I had some
Dealings about two years ago, has lately sent me Down a
Catalogue of a Library which will begin to be sold by
Auction at his house next Monday Evening. As I have scarce
laid out any Money in Books for these two years past, the
great number of Valuable Books contained in this Collection,
together with the tempting prospect of getting them cheaper
in an Auction than they are to be had in a Sale, or in any
other way whatsoever, has induced me to lay out a Sum of
mony this way, at present, which will probably content my
Curiosity in this kind, for several years to come. Mr. Gyles
has offered himself to act for me, but as I think 'tis too
great a Trial of his Honesty to make him at the same time
both Buyer & Seller, & as Books are quite out of my
Brother's Way, I have been able to think of no Friend I
could throw this trouble upon but you. I propose to lay out
about £60 or £70, and have drawn up a List of the Books I am
inclined to, which you have in the First Leaf, with the
Price to each Book, which I would by no means exceed, but as
far as which, with respect to each single Book, I would
venture to go; though I am persuaded upon the whole they are
vastly overvalued. For my Valuation is founded in proportion
upon what I have been charged for Books of this kind, when I
have sent for them on purpose from London, and I have had
too many proofs that the Booksellers make it a Rule to
charge near double for an uncommon Book, when sent for on
purpose, of what they would take for it in their own Shops,
or at a Sale. So that, though the Amount of the Inclosed
List is above £120, yet, when Deductions are made for the
Savings by the Chance of the Auction, & for the full rate of
such Books as I may be over bid in, I am satisfied it will
come within the sum I propose. Now, Sir, the Favour which I
would beg of you is to get some Trusty Person (& if you
should not be able readily to think of a proper Person
yourself, Mr. Hinchcliffe or Mr. Peele may probably be able
to recommend one) to attend this Auction, in my behalf, from
the beginning to the end, & to bid for me agreeably to the
inclosed List & (as the Additional Trouble of it over and
above the Attendance would not be great) to mark in the
Catalogue, which you may have of Mr. Gyles for a shilling,
the price Every Book contained in the Catalogue is sold at,
for my future Direction in these Matters. For this Service I
would willingly allow 3 Guineas, which, the Auction
continuing 24 Days, is 3 shillings over and above half a
Crown a Day; or, if that is not sufficient, whatever more
shall be thought necessary to get my Commission well
Executed. It may be necessary to observe to you that the
Auction requires the Attendance of the whole day, beginning
at Eleven in the Morning, and ending at two and at five in
the Afternoon, and Ending at Eight. It may also be proper to
inform the Person you shall Employ that he is not to govern
his first bidding by the valuation in my list for many of
the Books will very probably be sold for less than half what
I have marked them at; he is therefore, in every Instance,
to bid Low at first, and afterwards to continue advancing
just beyond the other Bidders, till he has either bought the
Book, or the price I have fixed it at is exceeded. There are
many Books in the List which have several numbers before
them; the meaning of which is that the very same Book is in
several places of the Catalogue; and in that Case, I would
have the first of them bought, if it be in very good
condition, otherwise let the person Employed wait till the
other comes up. I would desire him also not to buy any book
at all that is both Dirty & ragged; but, though the Binding
should not be in very good Order, that would be no Objection
with me, provided the Book was clean. I would also desire
him not to bid for any Number in the Catalogue that is not
expressly mentioned in my List, upon a supposition that it
may be the same Book with some that are mentioned in it; nor
to omitt any Book that is actually upon the List, upon an
Imagination, from the Title, that it may be there more than
once; for I have drawn it up upon an Exact consideration of
the Editions of the Books, insomuch that there is no Book
twice upon the List, but where there is a very great
difference in the Editions; nor is any of the Books in my
List oftener in the Catalogue than is expressly specified in
it. By the Conditions of Sale, the Auction is constantly
adjourned from Fryday night to Monday Morning, the Saturday
being appointed for fetching away, at the Expence of the
buyer, the Books bought the week before, & for payment of
the Mony. This part of the trouble I must beg you to charge
yourself with; &, in order to enable you, as to the payment,
I shall send you up, either by the next Post, or, however,
time enough for the Saturday following, Fifty Pounds. I
would beg the Favour of you to let me hear from you, if
possible, by the Return of the Post; & also to give me an
Account by every Saturday night's post what Books are bought
for me, and at what price. As to which you need only mention
the Numbers without the Titles, since I have a Catalogue by
me. When the Auction is Ended, I shall take the Liberty of
giving you farther Directions about Packing up the Books, &
the way I would have them sent down. When I drew up my List,
I had not observed one of the Conditions of Sale, which
imports that no Person is to advance less than a shilling
after twenty shillings is bid for any book. Now you will
find a pretty many Books which I have valued at more than
twenty shillings marked at an Odd Sixpence; in all which
Cases, I would have the Bidder add Sixpence more to the
Price I have fixed, in order to make it Even Money, &
conformable to the Conditions of the Auction. And now, Dear
Sir, another Person would make a thousand Apologies for
giving you all this trouble; all which superfluous
tediousness I shall spare you, being persuaded I shall do
you a great pleasure in giving you an Opportunity of being
serviceable to me, as I am sure it would be a very sensible
one to me, if I ever had it in my power to be of any use to
you. Mine and my Wive's humble respects wait upon Mrs. Mann,
and you will be so good to present my hearty services to all
our Friends.
I am most sincerely,
Dear Sir,
[Illustration: [handwritten] Your Faithful & Affectionate
humble Servt.
Benj Heath]
[Illustration: HIS SEAL.]
£ _s._ _d._
Octavo 5 Pet. Angeli Bargæi Poemata 0 5 6
40 Hieron. Fracastorij Poemata 0 7 6
47 or 455, or 1546, Joan. Leonis
Africæ Desc. 0 3 6
68 Christ. Longolij Orationes et
Epistolæ 0 6 6
78 Pierij Valeriani Hexametri 0 4 6
Quarto 46 Diogenes Laertius 1 12 6
Octavo 164 or 624, Scaligerana 0 2 6
201 or 1280, Car. Ogerij Iter
Danicum 0 3 0
Quarto 66 Plautus Taubmanni 0 11 6
Octavo 282 Hen. Lornenij Itinerarium 0 3 0
Quarto 132 Marcus Antonius de Dominis 0 2 6
143 Hen. Stephani Dialogus 0 4 6
157 Ausonii Opera 0 9 6
178 Anacreon and Sappho 0 8 6
180 Excerpta ex Polybio 0 8 6
181 Sophocles and Eschylus 1 2 6
------------
Carried Forward £6 16 0
£ _s._ _d._
Brought Forward 6 16 0
Octavo 405 or 2413, or 2953, Historia Gothorum 0 6 6
435 or 1488, or 1688, Lucretius Gifanij 0 5 6
436 Is Casaubon de Satyrica Poesi 0 3 6
Quarto 198 or 344, Iamblicus de Vita Pythag. 0 11 6
275 Aulus Gellius Gronovij 0 18 6
280 Statij quæ Extant Barthij 0 18 6
Octavo 700 or 1093, Martial Scriverij 0 6 6
Quarto 302 Juvenal Henninij 0 18 6
314 Manilij Astronomicon 0 11 6
316 Poetriarum Octo 0 6 6
Folio 170 Fam. Strada da Bello Belgico 1 13 6
Octavo 739 Virgilius Illustratus 0 3 6
752 Paulli Manutij Epistolæ 0 3 0
Folio 206 or 235, or 590, Io. Leunclavij
Annales 1 2 6
Octavo 989 Senecæ Tragediæ Scriverij 0 4 6
9191 1088 Pontani Opera 0 8 6
Folio 264 Demosthenis et Æschinis Opera 2 17 6
301 Thucydides Wasse 2 9 6
306 Platonis Opera 4 5 6
308 Herodoti Historia 1 7 6
Quarto 503 Pauli Collomesij Opera 0 9 0
543 566 Bern. Pensini Vita Baronij 0 3 0
Octavo 1239 or 2831, Poesis Philosophica 0 3 6
Folio 270 Philostrati Opera 1 7 6
376 Historiæ Romanæ Scriptores 1 11 6
386 Plutarchi Opera 5 7 6
Octavo 1519 Caninij Hellenismus 0 2 6
1608 or 2705, Virgilius Hiensij 0 3 6
Folio 426 Geo. Buchanani Opera 1 11 6
443 Plautus Lambini 0 13 6
448 Horatius Turnebi et Lambini 0 18 6
Octavo 1650 Dom. Baudij Amores 0 3 0
Folio 476 Æschyli Tragediæ 0 16 6
Octavo 1814 Lud. Kusterus de vero Usu, &c. 0 3 6
Quarto 871 Gab. Faerni Fabulæ Centum 0 6 6
Folio 477 Luciani Opera 1 7 6
-------------
Carried Forward £42 7 0
£ _s._ _d._
Brought Forward 42 7 0
479 Dionis Cassij Historia 1 12 6
485 Diodorus Siculus 2 18 6
490 Appiani Historia 0 11 6
491 Palladius de Gentibus Indiæ 0 5 6
498 Isocratij Orationes 1 3 6
Quarto 908 Papin. Statij Opera 0 9 6
921 Claudian Cum Animad. Barthij 0 11 6
Folio 529 Maffæi Historia Indica 0 8 6
509 546 Saxonis Grammatici Historia 0 17 6
Octavo 2101 Huntingtoni Epistolæ 0 3 6
Quarto 1018 And. Nangerij Opera 0 9 6
1023 Tho. Hyde Historia Relig. Vett.
Pers. 0 18 6
1047 Claud. Salmasij Epistolæ 0 3 6
1088 Theocriti Moschi Bionis 0 16 6
1089 Hesiodus Græce 0 18 6
Folio 627 Rerum Moscoviticarum Coment. 0 11 6
638 Angeli Politiani Opera 0 18 6
Octavo 2354 Ausonius 0 7 6
2362 Mythographi Latini 0 6 6
Quarto 1139 Aristotelis Opera 3 4 6
Octavo 2481 Fabricij Bibliotheca Latina 0 11 6
Quarto 1192 Sannazarij Poemata 0 11 6
Octavo 2526 Meursij Elegantiæ 0 5 6
2559 Statij Opera 0 4 6
2578 Is Casauboni Comment. 0 3 0
2597 Maximi Tyrij Dissertationes 0 4 0
Folio 698 Nic. Antonij Bibliotheca Hispan. 2 4 6
Octavo 2712 Ovidij Opera 0 15 6
Folio 765 Nic. Antonij Bibliotheca Hisp. Vetus 1 7 6
Octavo 2891 Pet. Dan. Huetij Comentarius 0 2 6
3098 Sir John Suckling's Plays, &c. 0 3 6
3099 Dr. Downe's Poems 0 4 0
Quarto 1498 Lord's Discovery of the Banian
Religion 0 5 6
Folio 857 or 896, Burnet's Theory of ye Earth 0 9 6
Octavo 3364 Milton's Poems 0 2 0
3374 King's British Merchant 0 12 6
-------------
Carried Forward £68 11 0
£ _s._ _d._
Brought Forward 68 11 0
3379 Milton's Paradise Regained 0 2 6
Folio 912 Wheeler's Journey into Greece 0 13 0
Octavo 3463 or 3473, Grevil's Life Of Sir
P. Sidney 0 3 0
3466 Jobson Debes's Description of Feroe 0 2 0
3529 Terry's Voyage to the East Indies 0 3 6
Quarto 1672 Description de l'Egypte 0 13 6
1692 Apologie de M. Castar 0 4 0
1694 Replique de M. Girac 0 3 6
Octavo 3538 Geddes's History of the Church, &c. 0 3 0
3600 Songs by the Earl Of Surrey 0 3 6
3741 or 4112, Oeuvres de Sarasin 0 4 0
3854 or 3859, Scaligerana 0 2 6
Quarto 1873 Viaggi di Pietro della Valli 1 5 0
1875 Opera di Annibale Caro 0 8 0
1876 Orlando Inamorato 0 12 6
1879 or 2070, Pastor Fido 0 12 6
1884 or 1977, Morgante Maggiore 0 9 0
1920 or 1965, La Gerusalemme Liberata 1 2 6
1928 Il Verato 0 3 6
1953 Orlando Inamorato 0 9 6
1957 Historia della Guerre Civili 0 17 6
1967 Scritti nella Causa Veniziana 0 4 6
1980 Historia della Sacra Inquisitione 0 5 6
1983 Examinatione sopra la Rhetorica 0 5 6
1990 or 2037, Istoria Diplomatica 0 11 6
1995 Fasti Consolari di Salvini 0 9 6
1998 Satire del Menzini 0 7 6
Folio 1109 Bibliotheca Napolitana di Toppi 1 1 6
1123 Orlando Furioso 1 2 6
Quarto 2005 or 2039, Dialoghi del Speroni 0 7 6
2015 Poetica di Aristotele Volgarizzata 0 6 6
2024 Poetica di Aristotele di Piccolomini 0 4 6
2031 Della Difesa della Comedia di Dante 0 13 0
2033 Squittinio della Liberta Veneta 0 5 6
2049 Il Goffredo col. Comento di Beni 0 9 6
2050 Dante di Daniello 0 9 6
-------------
Carried Forward £84 13 0
£ _s._ _d._
Brought Forward 84 13 0
Folio 1129 Historia del Regno di Napoli 0 14 6
1132 Historia del Consilio Tridentino 2 13 6
1137 Vocabularia della Crusca 8 4 6
Octavo 4268 Voyage de Bachanmont, &c. 0 2 6
4295 or 4330, or 4339, or 4511,
Ragionamenti del Aretino 0 11 6
4305 Prose Fiorentine 0 3 6
4309 Lettre Volgari 0 3 6
4321 Gravina della Ragione Poetica 0 5 6
4322 Battaglie di Mugio 0 3 6
4331 or 4527, La Comedia di Dante 0 11 6
Quarto 2053 Degli Raguagli di Parnaso 0 8 6
2067 Il Decameron di Boccaccio 2 5 6
2076 or 2168, Lezioni di Varchi 0 8 6
2098 L'Amadigi di Tasso 0 8 6
Folio 1154 L'Adone del Marino 0 11 6
1154 Il Libro del Cortegiano 0 13 6
1162 Istoria del Concilio di Trento 2 4 6
1164 La Historia di Italia di
Guicciardini 0 17 6
Octavo 4354 Rime Diverse del Mutio 0 4 6
4363 L'Amorosa Fiametta 0 4 6
4371 Compendio del Historie di Nap. 0 5 6
4379 Opere di Guilio Cammillo 0 4 6
4384 L'Aminta di Tasso 0 6 6
4385 L'Opere Poetiche di Guarin 0 5 6
4387 Comedie di M. Agnolo Firenz. 0 5 6
4415 Notize de Libri Rari 0 4 6
4416 Satire e Rime di Aristo 0 5 6
4417 Delle Eloquenza Italiana 0 6 6
4423 Comedie Varie 0 3 6
4438 Labarinto d'Amore di Boccac. 0 4 6
4443 Opere di Redi 1 1 0
Quarto 2100 Lettere di Vincenzio Martelli 0 8 6
2103 or 2154, Ameto di Boccaccio 0 4 6
2104 or 2161, Le Rime di Petrarca 0 8 6
2114 Ragionamento dell' Academico 0 8 6
--------------
Carried Forward £111 17 0
£ _s._ _d._
Brought Forward 111 17 0
2124 Poesie Liriche del Testi 0 8 6
Octavo 4452 Il Petrarca 0 11 6
4456 or 4550, Lettre di Paolo Sarpi 0 3 6
4460 Opere Burleschi di Berni 0 6 6
4464 or 4485, Prose di M. Agnolo
Firenz. 0 3 6
4471 Commento di Ser Agresto 0 3 6
4475 L'Aminta di Tasso 0 6 6
4483 La Secchia Rapita 0 5 6
4486 or 4627, Comedie di Aretino 0 5 6
4496 Trattato delle Materie Benef. 0 4 6
4531 Il 2do Libro delle Opere
Burlesch. 0 6 6
Quarto 2149 Annotationi e Discorsi 0 16 6
2159 Gyrone il Cortese 0 9 6
2164 Il Decamerone di Boccaccio 0 14 6
2169 Historia della Cose passate 0 5 6
2171 Apologia degli Academia 0 9 6
2176 Della Guerra di Fiandra 2 2 6
2178 Rime e Prose di Maffei 0 13 6
2182 Discorsi Poetichi 0 5 6
Octavo 4561 La Libreria del Doni 0 4 6
4591 La Cassaria 0 2 6
4592 Teatro Italiano 1 1 6
4614 La Divina Comedia di Dante 1 1 6
4615 La Rime di Angelo di Cestanzo 0 7 6
4625 Tutte le Opere di Bernia 0 6 6
--------------
£124 3 6
--------------]
* * * * *
Lysander concluded; when Lorenzo rose from his seat, and begged of us
to walk round his grounds. It was now high noon; and, after a
pleasant stroll, we retreated again to THE ALCOVE, where we found a
cold collation prepared for our reception. The same day we all dined
at Lisardo's; and a discussion upon the pleasures and comparative
excellences of _Music_ and _Painting_ succeeded to the conversation
which the foregoing pages have detailed. A small concert in the
evening recreated the exhausted state of Lysander's mimd
[Transcriber's Note: mind].
The next day, my friends left me for their respective places of
destination. Lorenzo and his sisters were gathered round my outer
gate; and Lisardo leapt into the chaise with Lysander and Philemon;
resolved to equal, if not eclipse, his bibliographical tutor in the
ardour of book researches. "Adieu," said Lysander, putting his hand
out of the chaise--"remember, in defence of my bibliomaniacal
gossipping, that SIMILIS never knew happiness _till he became
acquainted with_ BOOKS."[471] The postillion smacked his whip; and the
chaise, following the direction of the road to the left, quickly
disappeared. The servant of Lysander followed gently after, with his
Master's and Philemon's horses: taking a near direction towards
Lysander's home.
[Footnote 471: 'It is reported that a certain man, of the
name of SIMILIS, who fought under the Emperor Hadrian,
became so wearied and disgusted with the number of
troublesome events which he met with in that mode of life,
that he retired and devoted himself wholly to leisure and
_reading_, and to meditations upon divine and human affairs,
after the manner of Pythagoras. In this retirement, Similis
was wont frequently to exclaim that '_now_ he began to
_live_:' at his death, he desired the following inscription
to be placed upon his tomb.
[Greek: SIMILIS
EN TAUTHA KEITAI
BIOUE MEN ETÊ EBDOMÊKONTA
ZÊSAS DE ETÊ EPTA]
_Here lies Similis;
In the seventieth year of his age
But only the seventh of his Life._
This story is related by Dion Cassius; and from him told by
Spizelius in his _Infelix Literarius_; p. 167.]
Lorenzo and his sisters returned with me to the Cabinet. A gloom was
visible upon all our countenances; and the Ladies confessed that the
company and conversation of my departed guests, especially of
Lysander, were such as to leave a void which could not easily be
supplied. For my part, from some little warmth each sister betrayed in
balancing the solid instruction of Lysander and the humorous vivacity
of Lisardo, against each other, I thought the former had made a
powerful impression upon the mind of Belinda, and the latter upon that
of Almansa: for when the probability of a speedy revisit from both of
them was mentioned the sisters betrayed unusual marks of sensibility;
and upon Lorenzo's frankly confessing, though in a playful mood, that
such brothers-in-law would make him "as happy as the day was
long"--they both turned their faces towards the garden, and appeared
as awkward as it was possible for well-bred ladies to appear.
It was in vain that I turned to my library and opened a large paper,
illustrated, copy of Daulby's _Catalogue of Rembrandt's Prints_, or
Mr. Miller's new edition of the _Memoirs of Count Grammont_, or even
the _Roman de la Rose_, printed by Galliot du Pré, UPON VELLUM....
Nothing produced a kind look or a gracious word from them. Silence,
sorrow, and indifference, succeeded to loquacity, joy, and enthusiasm.
I clearly perceived that some _other_ symptom, wholly different from
any thing connected with the Bibliomania, had taken possession of
their gentle minds.
But what has a BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ROMANCE to do with _Love_ and
_Marriage_? Reader Adieu!--When thou hast nothing better deserving of
perusal before thee, take up these pages; and class the author of
them, if thou wilt, with the BOSTONS, or SMITHS, or NORTHS, of "other
times;" with those who have never wished to disturb the peaceful
haunts of intellectual retirement; and whose estate, moreover, like
Joseph Scaliger's, lies chiefly under his hat.
[Illustration]
* * * * *
p. 57. To the list of useful bibliographical works, published about
the period here designated, I might have added the _Lexicon
Literarium_ of THEOPHILUS GEORGIUS; _cum Suppl. ad an._ 1750. _Leips._
1742-50, folio; two thick and closely printed volumes, with an
excellent chronological arrangement. It is not common in this country.
p. 69. The Abbé Rive was also the author of--1. _Notice d'un Roman
d'Artus Comte de Bretagne_: Paris, 1779, 4to. _pp._ 20. 2. _Etrennes
aux Joueurs de cartes, ou Eclaircissemens historiques et critiques
sur l'invention des cartes à jouer; Paris_, 1780, 12mo. _pp._ 43.
These works are slightly commended in the "Advertissement" to the
Vallière Catalogue, 1783, pp. xxv-vj. They are reviewed by a rival
author.
p. 216. Since writing the first note, concerning the "_Assertio Septem
Sacramentorum_," &c., I have seen a magnificent copy of the same,
printed UPON VELLUM, in the library of Earl Spencer; which redeems the
coldness of my opinion in regard to books printed by Pynson upon
vellum. The painted ornaments, in Lord Spencer's copy, were, in all
probability, executed abroad. The art, in our own country, was then
too rude for such elegance of decoration.
p. 404. I was right in my prediction about these _Garlands_ being
swallowed up by some "hungry book-fish!" I saw them, a few days after,
in the well-furnished library of ATTICUS: who exhibited them to me in
triumph--grasping the whole of them between his finger and thumb! They
are marvellous well-looking little volumes--clean, bright, and
"rejoicing to the eye!"--many of them, moreover, are first editions!
The severest winter cannot tarnish the foliage of such "Garlands!"
p. 328. Among the ILLUSTRATED GRANGERS I forgot to notice the ample
and magnificent copies belonging to the Marquis of Bute and Mr. John
Towneley.
[Illustration: DR. BENJAMIN HEATH.]
SUPPLEMENT.
[Illustration]
THE SUPPLEMENT.
PART I.
THE EVENING WALK.
The scenery and the dialogue of this Part are more especially
_Waltonian_. The characters are few; but LYSANDER must of necessity be
the Author--as he is the principal actor in the scene, and throughout
the entire work the principal intelligence is derived from his lips.
The scene itself is not absolutely ideal. At the little village of
----, upon the upper grounds, near Marlow, and necessarily commanding
a sweep of the Thames in one of its most richly wooded windings, there
lived a Mr. Jacobs, the friend of the adjoining Rector, whose table
was as bounteous as his heart was hospitable; and whose frequent
custom it was, in summer months, to elicit sweet discourse from his
guests, as they sauntered, after an early supper, to inhale the
fragrance of "dewy eve," and to witness the ascendancy of the moon in
a cool and cloudless sky. I have partaken more than once of these
"Tusculan" discussions; and have heard sounds, and witnessed
happiness, such as is not likely to be my lot again. PHILEMON is at
rest in his grave, as well as MENANDER and SICORAX. The two latter, it
is well known, were Tom Warton and Joseph Ritson. "The husband of poor
Lavinia" was a most amiable gentleman, but timid to a morbid excess.
Without strong powers of intellect, he was tenacious of every thing
which he advanced, and yet the farthest possible from dogmatic
rudeness. There are cankers that eat into the _heart_ as well as the
cheek; and because Mr. Shacklewell (the NICAS of my text) happened to
discover a few unimportant errors in that husband's last performance,
the latter not only thought much and often about it, but seemed to
take it seriously to heart, and scarcely survived it a twelvemonth.
GONZALO, mentioned at page 12, was a Mr. Jessop; an exceedingly
lively, inoffensive, but not over wise gentleman; a coxcomb to excess
in every thing; but not without vivacious parts, which occasionally
pleased, from the _manner_ in which they were exhibited. Of handsome
person and fluent speech, he was generally acceptable to the fair sex;
but he made no strong _individual_ impression, as he was known to use
the same current phrases and current compliments to all. Just possible
it was that his personal attractions and ready utterance were
beginning to strike a _root_ or two in some one female bosom; but it
was impossible for these roots to penetrate deeply, and take an
_exclusive_ hold. I believe Mr. Jessop quitted the neighbourhood of
Marlow shortly after the publication of the Bibliomania, to return
thither no more. ALFONSO was a Mr. Morell; a name well known in
Oxfordshire. He was always in the _same_ false position, from the
beginning to the end; but I am not sure whether this be not better
than a perpetually shifting false position. Disguise it as you may, an
obstinate man is preferable to a _trimmer_; be he a common man, or an
uncommon man; a layman or a clergyman; "in crape," or "in lawn."
The compliment paid by Lysander (at pages 18, 19) to Dr. VINCENT, late
Dean of Westminster, and head master of Westminster School, were
acknowledged by that venerable and most worthy, as well as erudite,
character, in a letter to me, which I deemed it but an act of justice
to its author to publish in the _Bibliographical Decameron_, vol. iii.
p. 353. Poor Mr. BARKER (Edmund Henry), who is handsomely mentioned in
the Dean's letter, has very lately taken his departure from us, for
_that_ quiet which he could not find upon earth. "Take him for all in
all" he was a very extraordinary man. Irritable to excess; but ardent
and ambitious in his literary career. His industry, when, as in former
days, it was at its height, would have killed half the scholars of the
time. How he attained his fiftieth year, may be deemed miraculous;
considering upon what a tempestuous sea his vessel of life seemed to
be embarked. Latterly, he took to politics; when--"farewell the
tranquil mind!"
PART II.
THE CABINET.
This portion of the "Bibliomania," embracing about fourscore pages,
contains a _Précis_, or review of the more popular works, then extant,
upon BIBLIOGRAPHY. It forms an immense mass of materials; which, if
expanded in the ordinary form of publication, would alone make a
volume. I have well nigh forgotten the names of some of the more
ancient heroes of bibliographical renown, but still seem to cling with
a natural fondness to those of Gesner, Morhof, Maittaire, and
Fabricius: while Labbe, Lambecius, and Montfauçon, Le Long, and
Baillet, even yet retain all their ancient respect and popularity. As
no _fresh characters_ are introduced in this second part of the
Bibliomania, it may be permitted me to say a word or two upon the
substance of the materials which it contains.
The immense note upon the "_Catalogue of Libraries_," alphabetically
arranged, from page 72 to page 99, is now, necessarily, imperfect;
from the number of libraries which have been subsequently sold or
described. Among the _latter_, I hope I may naturally, and
justifiably, make mention of the BIBLIOTHECA SPENCERIANA; or, A
descriptive Catalogue of the early printed Books of the late George
John Earl Spencer, K.G.; comprising, in the whole, seven volumes; with
the addition of the Cassano Library, or books purchased of the Duke of
Cassano, by the noble Earl, when at Naples, in the year 1819. In the
"_Reminiscences of my Literary Life_," I have given a sort of graphic
description of this extensive work, and of the circumstances attending
its publication. _That_ work now rests upon its own particular, and, I
will fearlessly add, solid, basis. For accuracy, learning, splendour,
and almost interminable embellishment, it may seem at once to command
the attention, and to challenge the commendation, of the most
fastidious: but it is a flower which blooms more kindly in a foreign,
than in its native, soil. It has obtained for me the notice and the
applause of learned _foreigners_; and when I travelled abroad I
received but too substantial proofs that what was slighted _here_ was
appreciated in _foreign_ parts. Our more popular Reviews, which seem
to thrive and fatten best upon lean fare, passed this magnificent work
over in a sort of sly or sullen silence; and there is no record of its
existence in those of our Journals which affect to strike the key-note
only of what is valuable in science, literature, and the fine arts.
Painful as it must ever be to my feelings to contrast the avidity of
former purchasers to become possessed of it with the caprice and
non-chalance which have marked the conduct of those possessors
themselves, I will yet hope that, in the bosom of the SUCCESSOR to
this matchless Library--as well as to the name and fortunes of its
late owner--there will ever remain but _one feeling_, such as no
misconception and no casualty will serve to efface. It is pleasing,
yea, soothing, 'midst the buffetting surges of later life, to be able
to keep the anchor of one's vessel _well bit_ in the interstices of
granite.
Much later than the publication last alluded to, were the sale
catalogues of the Libraries of Sir MARK MASTERMAN SYKES, Bart.,
deceased; the Rev. HENRY DRURY; GEORGE HIBBERT, Esq., deceased; and
Sir FRANCIS FREELING, Bart., deceased. They were all sold by Mr.
Evans, of Pall Mall; as well indeed as was the Library of the late
Duke of Marlborough, when Marquis of Blandford. What books! And what
prices! It should seem that "there were giants," both in purse and
magnitude of metal, "in those days!" But a mighty "man in valour" has
recently sprung up amongst us; who, spurning the acquisition of
solitary _lots_, darts down upon a whole _Library_, and bears it off
"at one fell swoop." Long life to the spirit which possesses him! It
is almost a national redemption.
PART III.
THE AUCTION-ROOM.
We are here introduced into one of the most bustling and
spirit-stirring portions of the whole Work. It is full of
characters--alas! now, with only _two_ exceptions, mouldering in their
coffins! Philemon (who was one of my earliest and steadiest friends)
introduces us to a character, which, under the name of ORLANDO, made
some impression upon the public, as it was thought to represent
MICHAEL WODHULL, Esq., of Thenford Hall, near Banbury; an admirable
Greek scholar (the translator of Euripides), and perhaps the most
learned bibliographer of his age. The conjecture of Orlando being the
representative of Mr. Wodhull was not a vain conjecture; although
there were, necessarily (I will not say _why_), parts that slightly
varied from the original. Mr. Wodhull re-appears, in his natural
person, in the _Bibliographical Decameron_, vol. iii. p. 363-6. Since
the publication of that work, a curious history attaches to his
memory. Within a twelvemonth of the expiration of the statute of
limitation, an action at law, in the shape of an ejectment, was set on
foot by a neighbouring family, to dispossess the present rightful
occupant, S.A. SEVERNE, Esq., of the beautiful domain of Thenford; to
ransack the Library; to scatter abroad pictures and curiosities of
every description; on the alleged ground of insanity, or incompetency
to make a will, on the part of Mr. Wodhull. As I had been very minute
in the account of Mr. Wodhull's person, in the work just alluded to, I
became a _witness_ in the cause; and, as it was brought into Chancery,
my deposition was accordingly taken. I could have neither reluctance
nor disinclination to meet the call of my excellent friend, Mr.
Severne; as I was abundantly confident that the charge of
"incompetency to make a will" could not rest upon the slightest
foundation. It was insinuated, indeed, that the sister-in-law, Miss
Ingram, had forged Mr. Wodhull's name to the will.
Such a conspiracy, to defraud an honourable man and legitimate
descendant of his property, is hardly upon record; for, waiting the
accidents that might occur by death, or otherwise, in the lapse of
twenty years, the cause was brought into the Vice Chancellor's Court
with the most sanguine hope of success. I was present during one of
the days of argument, and heard my own letter read, of which I had
(contrary to my usual habits) taken a copy. The plaintiffs had written
to me (suppressing the fact of the intended action), requesting to
have my opinion as to Mr. Wodhull's capability. I returned such an
answer as truth dictated. The Counsel for the plaintiffs (_ut mos
est_) showered down upon the defendant every epithet connected with
base fraud and low cunning, of which the contents of the brief seemed
to warrant the avowal. In due course, Sir Knight Bruce, now one of the
supernumerary Vice Chancellors, rose to reply. His speech was one
undisturbed stream of unclouded narrative and irresistible reasoning.
The Vice Chancellor (Shadwell) gave judgment; and my amiable and
excellent friend, Mr. Severne, was not only to return in triumph to
the mansion and to the groves which had been built and planted by his
venerable ancestor, Mr. Wodhull, but he was strongly advised, by the
incorruptible judge on the bench, to bring an action against the
plaintiffs for one of the foulest conspiracies that had ever been
developed in a court of justice. The defendant might have transported
the whole kit of them. But the _giving_ advice, and the _following_ it
when given, are two essentially different things. A THOUSAND GUINEAS
had been already expended on the part of Mr. Severne! When does my
Lord Brougham _really_ mean to reform the law? A recent publication
("Cranmer, a Novel") has said, "that he applies _sedatives_, when he
should have recourse to _operations_."
But the reader must now hurry with me into "The Auction Room." Of the
whole group there represented, full of life and of action, TWO ONLY
remain to talk of the conquests achieved![472] And Mr. Hamper,
too--whose note, at p. 117, is beyond all price--has been lately
"gathered to his fathers." "Ibimus, ibimus!" But for our book-heroes
in the Auction Room.
[Footnote 472: Before mention made of the Auction Room,
there is a long and particular account of the "_Lectionum
Memorabilium et Reconditarum Centenarii XVI._" by John Wolf,
in 1600, folio; with a fac simile, by myself, of the
portrait of the Author. It had a great effect, at the time,
in causing copies of this work to be sedulously sought for
and sold at extravagant prices. I have known a fine copy of
this ugly book bring £8 8_s._]
The first in years, as well as in celebrity, is LEPIDUS; the
representative of the late Rev. Dr. GOSSET. In the _Bibliographical
Decameron_, vol. iii. p. 5, ample mention is made of him; and here it
is, to me, an equally grateful and delightful task to record the
worth, as well as the existence, of his two sons, Isaac and Thomas,
each a minister of the Church of England. The former is covered with
_olive branches_ as well as with reputation; while the latter,
declining the "branches" in question, rests upon the stem of his own
inflexible worth, and solid scholastic attainments. Mrs. Gardiner, the
wife of a Major Gardiner, is the only daughter of Dr. Gosset; a wife,
but not a mother. The second in the ranks is MUSTAPHA. Every body
quickly found out the original in Mr. Gardiner, a bookseller in Pall
Mall; who quickly set about repelling the attack here made upon him,
by a long note appended to the article "Bibliomania," in one of his
catalogues. Gardiner never lacked courage; but, poor man! his brains
were under no controul. We _met_ after this reply, and, to the best of
my recollection, we exchanged ... _smiles_. The catalogue in question,
not otherwise worth a stiver, has been sold as high as 15s., in
consequence of the Dibdinian flagellation. Poor Gardiner! his end was
most deplorable.
We approach BERNARDO, who was intended to represent the late Mr.
JOSEPH HASLEWOOD; and of whose book-fame a very particular, and I
would hope impartial, account will be found in the "_Literary
Reminiscences of my Literary Life_." There is no one portion of that
work which affords me more lively satisfaction on a re-perusal. The
cause of the _individual_ was merged in the cause of _truth_. The
strangest compound of the strangest materials that ever haunted a
human brain, poor Bernardo was, in spite of himself, a man of _note_
towards his latter days. Every body wondered what was in him; but
something, certainly worth the perusal; oozed out of him in his
various motley performances; and especially in his edition of Drunken
Barnaby's Tour, which exhibited the rare spectacle of an accurate
Latin (as well as English) text, by an individual who did not know the
dative singular from the dative plural of _hic, hæc, hoc_! Haslewood,
however, "hit the right nail upon the head" when he found out the
_real_ author Barnaby, in Richard Brathwait; from the unvarying
designation of "_On the Errata_," at the end of Brathwait's pieces,
which is observable in that of his "_Drunken Barnaby's Tour_." It was
an [Greek: eurêcha] [Transcriber's Note: [Greek: eurêka]] in its way;
and the late Mr. Heber used to shout aloud, "stick to _that_,
Haslewood, and your fame is fixed!" He was always proud of it; but
lost sight of it sadly, as well as of almost every thing else, when he
composed "_The Roxburghe Revels_." Yet what could justify the cruelty
of dragging this piece of private absurdity before the public
tribunal, on the death of its author? Even in the grave our best
friends may be our worst foes.
At page 196 we are introduced to QUISQUILIUS, the then intended
representative of Mr. George Baker, of St. Paul's Churchyard; whose
prints and graphic curiosities were sold after his death for several
thousand pounds. Mr. Baker did not survive the publication of the
Bibliomania; but it is said he got scent of his delineated character,
which ruffled every feather of his plumage. He was thin-skinned to
excess; and, as far as that went, a _Heautontomorumenos_! Will this
word "re-animate his clay?"
The "short gentleman," called ROSICRUSIUS, at page 127, must
necessarily be the author of the work. He has not grown _taller_ since
its publication, and his coffers continue to retain the same stinted
condition as his person. Yet what has he not _produced_ since that
representation of his person? How has it pleased a gracious Providence
to endow him with mental and bodily health and stamina, to prosecute
labours, and to surmount difficulties, which might have broken the
hearts, as well as the backs, of many a wight "from five to ten inches
taller than himself!" I desire to be grateful for this prolongation of
labour as well as of life; and it will be my heart-felt consolation,
even to my dying hour, that such "labour" will be acceptable to the
latest posterity.
Yet a word or two by way of epilogue. The "Reminiscences" contain a
catalogue raisonné of such works as were published up to the year
1836. Since then the author has not been idle. The "_Tour into the
North of England and Scotland_," in two super-royal octavos, studded
with graphic gems of a variety of description--and dedicated to the
most illustrious female in Europe, for the magnificence of a library,
the fruit chiefly of her own enterprise and liberality--has at least
proved and maintained the spirit by which he has been long actuated.
To re-animate a slumbering taste, to bring back the gay and gallant
feelings of past times, to make men feel as gentlemen in the
substitution of _guineas_ for _shillings_, still to uphold the beauty
of the press, and the splendour of marginal magnitude, were, alone,
objects worthy an experiment to accomplish. But this work had other
and stronger claims to public notice and patronage; and it did not
fail to receive them. Six hundred copies were irrevocably fixed in the
course of the first eighteen months from the day of publication, and
the price of the large paper has attained the sum of £12. 12_s._
Strange circumstances have, however, here and there, thrown dark
shadows across the progress of the sale.
If it were pleasing to the Author, in the course of his Journey, to
receive attentions, and to acknowledge hospitalities, from the gay and
the great, it were yet more pleasing to hope and to believe that such
attentions and hospitalities had been acknowledged with feelings and
expressions becoming the character of a gentleman. They have been so;
as the pages of the work abundantly testify. But English courtesy is
too frequently _located_. It is a coin with a feeble impress, and
seems subject to woful attrition in its circulation. The countenance,
which beams with complacency on receiving a guest to enliven a dull
residence, in a desolate neighbourhood, is oftentimes overcharged with
sadness, or collapses into rigidity, if the same guest should come
under recognizance in a populous city. When I write "Instructions for
an Author on his travels," I will advise a measured civility and a
constrained homage:--to criticise fearlessly, and to praise sparingly.
There are hearts too obtuse for the operations of gratitude. The
Scotch have behaved worthy of the inhabitants of the "land of cakes."
In spirit I am ever present with them, and rambling 'midst their
mountains and passes. If an Author may criticise his own works, I
should say that the preface to the Scotch Tour is the best piece of
composition of which I have been ever guilty.
How little are people aware of the pleasure they sometimes
unconsciously afford! When Mr. James Bohn, the publisher of the Scotch
Tour, placed me, one day, accidentally, opposite a long list of
splendidly bound books, and asked me "if I were acquainted with their
author?" I could not help inwardly exclaiming ... "NON OMNIS
MORIAR!"[473] I am too poor to present them to my "Sovereign Mistress,
the Queen Victoria;" but I _did_ present her Majesty, in person, with
a magnificently bound copy of the _Scotch Tour_; of which the
acceptance was never acknowledged from the royal quarter; simply
because, according to an etiquette which seems to me to be utterly
incomprehensible, books presented _in person_ are not acknowledged by
the Donee. I will not presume to quarrel with what I do not exactly
understand; but I will be free to confess that, had I been _aware_ of
this mystery, I should have told her Majesty, on presenting the
volume, that "I had the greater pleasure in making the offering, as
her illustrious Father had been among the earliest and warmest patrons
of my book-career; and that the work in question contained no
faithless account of one of the most interesting portions of her
dominions." This copy for the Queen had a special vellum page, on
which the Dedication, or Inscription, was printed in letters of gold.
[Footnote 473: This magnificent set of books, not _all_ upon
large paper, was valued at £84. It has been since sold to
Lord Bradford.]
At length we approach the once far-famed ATTICUS: the once illustrious
RICHARD HEBER, Esq., the self-ejected member of the University of
Oxford. Even yet I scarcely know how to handle this subject, or to
expatiate upon a theme so extraordinary, and so provocative of the
most contradictory feelings. But it were better to be brief; as, in
fact, a very long account of Mr. Heber's later life will be found in
my _Reminiscences_, and there is little to add to what those pages
contain. It may be here only necessary to make mention of the sale of
his wonderful library; wonderful in all respects--not less from the
variety and importance of its contents, than from the unparalleled
number of _duplicate volumes_--even of works of the first degree of
rarity. Of the latter, it may suffice to observe that, of the editio
princeps of _Plato_, there were not fewer than _ten_ copies; and of
that of _Aristotle_, five or six copies: each the production of the
Aldine Press. Several of these Platonic copies were, to my knowledge,
beautiful ones; and what more than _one_ such "beautiful copy" need
mortal man desire to possess? I believe the copy of the Plato bought
at the sale of Dr. Heath's library in 1810 was, upon the whole, the
most desirable.[474] Both works are from the press of the elder Aldus.
[Footnote 474: The Rt. Hon. Thomas Grenville possesses a
copy of this first edition (from the library of the Rev.
Theodore Williams) in an _uncut_ state. It may defy all
competition. There is, however, in the Spencer library, at
Althorp, described by me in the second volume of the
Bibliotheca _Spenceriana_, a very beautiful copy, delicately
ruled with red lines, which may be pronounced as almost in
its primitive state. The leaves "discourse most eloquently"
as you turn them over: and what sound, to the ears of a
thorough bred bibliomaniac, can be more "musical?"]
It may be observed, as mere preliminary matter, that it was once in
contemplation to publish the literary life of Mr. Heber; and an
impression comes across my mind that I had tendered my services for
the labour in question. The plan was however abandoned--and perhaps
wisely. There was also to have been a portrait prefixed, from the
pencil of Mr. Masquerier, the _only_ portrait of him--in later
life--but the strangest whims and vagaries attended the surrendering,
or rather the _not_ surrendering, of the portrait in question. I am in
possession of a correspondence upon this subject which is perfectly
_sui generis_. The library of Mr. Heber was consigned to the care and
discretion of Messrs. Payne and Foss--booksellers of long established
eminence and respectability. It was merely intended to be an
alphabetical, sale catalogue, with no other bibliographical details
than the scarcity or curiosity of the article warranted. It was also
of importance to press the sale, or sales, with all convenient
dispatch: but the mass of books was so enormous that two years
(1834-6) were consumed in the dispersion of them, at home; to say
nothing of what was sold in Flanders, at Paris, and at Neuremberg. I
have of late been abundantly persuaded that the acquisition of
books--anywhere, and of whatever kind--became an ungovernable passion
with Mr. Heber; and that he was a BIBLIOMANIAC in its strict as well
as enlarged sense. Of his library at Neuremberg he had never seen a
volume; but he thought well of it, as it was the identical collection
referred to by Panzer, among his other authorities, in his
Typographical Annals. Of the amount of its produce, when sold, I am
ignorant.
I have said that the Catalogue, which consisted of XII parts
(exclusively of a portion of foreign books, which were sold by the
late Mr. Wheatley) was intended merely to be a sale catalogue, without
bibliographical remarks; but I must except Parts II, IV, and XI: the
first of these containing the _Drama_, the second the _English
Poetry_, and the third the _Manuscripts_--which, comparatively,
luxuriate in copious and apposite description. "Si sic omnia!" but it
were impracticable. I believe that the Manuscript Department,
comprised in about 1720 articles, produced upwards of £5000. It may
not be amiss to subjoin the following programme.
Part. I. 7486 articles; Sold by Sotheby
II. 6590 ---- Ditto
III. 5056 ---- Ditto
IV. 3067 ---- Sold by Evans
V. 5693 ---- Sold by Wheatley
VI. 4666 ---- Sold by Evans
VII. 6797 ---- Ditto
VIII. 3170 ---- Ditto
IX. 3218 ---- Sold by Sotheby
X. 3490 ---- Ditto
XI. 1717 ---- Sold by Evans
XII. 1690 ---- Sold by Wheatley
From which it should seem, first that the total number of _articles_
was nearly _fifty three thousand_--a number that almost staggers
belief; and places the collections of Tom Rawlinson and the Earl of
Oxford at a very considerable distance behind; although the latter,
for _condition_ (with ONE exception), has never been equalled, and
perhaps will probably never be surpassed. Secondly, if it be a
_legitimate_ mode of computation--taking two books for each article,
one with another, throughout the entire catalogue--it will follow that
the entire library of Mr. Heber, in England, contained not fewer than
_one hundred and five thousand volumes_. The _net_ amount of the SALE
of this unparalleled mass of books is said to have been £55,000: a
large sum, when the deductions from commissionship and the
government-tax be taken into consideration.[475] Dr. Harwood thought
that the sale of Askew Library was a remarkable one, from its bringing
a guinea per article--one with another--of the 4015 articles of which
the library was composed. The _history_ of the Heber Sale might
furnish materials for a little jocund volume, which can have nothing
to do here; although there is more than _one_ party, mixed up with the
tale, who will find anything but cause of _mirth_ in the recital. That
such a MONUMENT, as this library, should have been suffered to crumble
to pieces, without a syllable said of its owner, is, of all the
marvellous occurrences in this marvellous world, one of the most
marvellous: and to be deprecated to the latest hour. Yet, who was
surrounded by a larger troop of friends than the Individual who raised
the Monument?
[Footnote 475: These deductions, united, are about 17 per
cent.: nearly £10,000 to be deducted from the gross
proceeds.]
One anecdote may be worth recording. The present venerable and deeply
learned President of Magdalen College, Oxford, told me that, on
casting up the number of odd--or appendant volumes, (as 2 or 12 more)
to the several articles in the catalogue--he found it to amount to
_four thousand_. Now, primâ facie, it seems hardly credible that
there should have been _such_ a number, in _such_ a library, not
deserving of mention as distinct articles: but it must be taken into
consideration that Mr. Heber bought _many_ lots for the sake of _one_
particular book: and, considering the enormous extent of his library,
it is not a very violent supposition, or inference, that these 4000
volumes were scarcely deserving of a more particular notice.
PONTEVALLO was the late JOHN DENT, Esq., whose library was sold in
1827; and of which library that of the late Robert Heathcote formed
the basis. It contained much that was curious, scarce, and delectable;
but the sale of it exhibited the first grand melancholy symptoms of
the decay of the Bibliomania. The Sweynheym and Pannartz Livy of 1469,
UPON VELLUM, was allowed to be knocked down for £262! Mr. Evans, who
had twice before sold that identical volume--first, in the sale of Mr.
Edwards's library (see _Bibliographical Decameron_, vol. iii. p.--)
and secondly in that of the late Sir M.M. Sykes, Bart, (who had
purchased the book for £782)--did all that human powers could do, to
obtain a higher bidding--but Messrs. Payne and Foss, with little more
than the _breathing_ of competition, became the purchasers at the very
moderate sum first mentioned. From them it seemed to glide naturally,
as well as necessarily, into the matchless collection of the Rt. Hon.
Thomas Grenville. I yet seem to hear the echo of the clapping of Sir
M.M. Sykes's hands, when I was the herald of the intelligence of his
having become the purchaser! These echoes have all died away _now_:
unless indeed they are likely to be revived by a HOLFORD or a
BOTTFIELD.
Hortensius was the late Sir WILLIAM BOLLAND, Knt.: and, a few years
before his death, one of the Barons of his Majesty's Exchequer. He
died in his 68th year. He was an admirable man in all respects. I
leave those who composed the domestic circle of which he was the
delightful focus, to expatiate upon that worth and excellence of which
they were the constant witnesses and participators--
"He best shall _paint_ them who shall _feel_ them most."
To me, the humbler task is assigned of recording what is only more
particularly connected with BOOKS and VIRTU. And yet I may, not very
inappositely, make a previous remark. On obtaining a seat upon the
bench, the first circuit assigned to him was that of "the Oxford." It
proved to be heavy in the criminal Calendar: and Mr. Baron Bolland had
to pass sentence of death upon three criminals. A maiden circuit is
rarely so marked; and I have reason to believe that the humane and
warm-hearted feelings of the Judge were never before, or afterwards,
subjected to so severe a trial. It was a bitter and severe struggle
with all the kindlier feelings of his heart. But our theme is BOOKS.
His library was sold by public auction, under Mr. Evans's hammer, in
the autumn of 1840. One anecdote, connected with his books, is worth
recording. In my Decameron, vol. iii. p. 267, mention will be found of
a bundle of poetical tracts, belonging to the Chapter-library at
Lincoln, round which, on my second visit to that library, I had, in
imitation of Captain Cox (see page -- ante), entwined some whip-cord
around them--setting them apart for the consideration of the Dean and
Chapter, whether a _second_ time, I might not become a purchaser of
some of their book-treasures? I had valued them at fourscore guineas.
The books in question will be found mentioned in a note at page 267 of
the third volume of the Bibliographical Decameron.
I had observed as follows in the work just referred to, "What would
Hortensius say to the gathering of such flowers, to add to the
previously collected _Lincoln Nosegay_?" The reader will judge of my
mingled pleasure and surprise (dashed however with a few grains of
disappointment on not becoming the proprietor of them _myself_) when
the Baron, one day, after dining with him, led me to his book-case,
and pointing to these precious tomes, asked me if I had ever seen them
_before_? For a little moment I felt the "Obstupui" of Æneas. "How is
this?" exclaimed I. "The secret is in the vault of the Capulets"--replied
my Friend--and it never escaped him. "Those ARE the identical books
mentioned in your Decameron." Not many years afterwards I learnt from
the late Benjamin Wheatley that _he_ had procured them on a late visit
to Lincoln; and that _my_ price, affixed, was taken as their just
value. Of these Linclonian [Transcriber's Note: Lincolnian] treasures,
one volume alone--the Rape of Lucrece--brought ONE HUNDRED GUINEAS at
the sale of the Judge's library, beginning on the 18th of November,
1840. See No. 2187; where it should seem that only four other perfect
copies are known.
The library of the late Mr. Baron Bolland, consisting of 2940
articles, brought a trifle _more_ than a guinea per article. It was
choice, curious, and instructively miscellaneous. Its owner was a man
of taste as well as a scholar; and the crabbed niceties of his
profession had neither chilled his heart nor clouded his judgment. He
revelled in his small cabinet of English Coins; which he placed, and
almost worshipped, among his fire-side lares. They were, the greater
part of them, of precious die--in primitive lustre; and he handled
them, and expatiated on them, with the enthusiasm of a Snelling, and
the science of a Foulkes. His walls were covered with modern pictures,
attractive from historical or tasteful associations. There was nothing
but what seemed to
"point a moral, or adorn a tale."
His passion for books was of the largest scale and dimensions, and
marked by every species of almost enviable enthusiasm. His anecdotes,
engrafted on them, were racy and sparkling; and I am not quite sure
whether it was not in contemplation by him to build a small
"_oratoire_" to the memories of Caxton and Wynkyn De Worde. He
considered the folios of the latter, in the fifteenth century, to be
miracles of typographical execution; and, being a poet himself, would
have been in veritable ecstacies had he lived to see the UNIQUE
CHAUCER of 1498, which it was my good luck to obtain for the library
of the Rt. Hon. Thomas Grenville. I will add but a few specimens of
his library--
No. £ _s._ _d._
26 Armony of Byrdes, printed by Wyght.
12mo., a poem, in six line stanzas.
Mr. Heber's copy. A little volume of
indescribable rarity 12 15 0
221 Arnold's Chronicle, 4to., printed at Antwerp,
by Doesborch (1502)? 9 2 6
406 Boccus and Sydracke, printed by Godfray,
at the wits and charge of Robert
Saltousde, Monke of Canterbury, 4to. 5 8 6
1092 Cicero de Officiis, Ulric Zel 11 11 0
1156 Chaucer's Troylus and Cresseyde, printed
by Pynson. (1526.) Folio. This volume
had been successively in the
libraries of Hubert, the Duke of Roxburghe,
and Mr. Herbert. It was in
parts imperfect 25 0 0
1255 Marston's Scourge of Villanie. (1598.)
12mo. First edition: of terrific rarity 18 5 0
1624 Glanville, de Proprietatibus Rerum.
Printed by W. de Worde. Folio 17 0 0
1848 Holland's Heroologia Anglica. (1620.)
Folio. So tall a copy that it had the
appearance of large paper 8 2 6
2138 Shakspeare's Venus and Adonis. (1596.)
12mo. Third edition 91 0 0
2187 Shakspeare's Lucrece. First edition.
1594. Quarto 105 0 0
(This was the Lincoln-Chapter copy.)
The entire produce of the sale was £3019.
ULPIAN, the associate of Hortensius, was, and _is_ (I rejoice to add)
a Barrister-at-Law, and one of the six Clerks in Chancery. In the
_Decameron_, vol. iii. p. --, he appears under the more euphonous as
well as genial name of PALMERIN: but the "hermitage" there described
has been long deserted by its master and mistress--who have
transferred their treasures and curiosities to the sea-girt village,
or rather town, of Ryde and its vicinity: where stained-glass windows
and velvet bound tomes are seen to yet greater advantage. LEONTES,
mentioned at page 133, was the late JAMES BINDLEY, Esq.--of whom a few
interesting particulars will be found in the third volume of my
_Bibliographical Decameron_. He died before the publication of this
latter work. Sir TRISTREM was the late Sir WALTER SCOTT--then in the
effulgence of poetical renown! PROSPERO was the late FRANCIS DOUCE,
Esq. My Reminiscences make copious mention of these celebrated
characters.
AURELIUS was intended as the representative of the late GEORGE
CHALMERS, Esq.--the most learned and the most celebrated of all the
Antiquarians and Historians of Scotland. His CALEDONIA is a triumphant
proof of his giant-powers. Never before did an author encounter such
vast and various difficulties: never was such thick darkness so
satisfactorily dispersed. It is a marvellous work, in four large
quarto volumes; but so indifferently printed, and upon such wretched
paper, that within the next century, perhaps, not six copies of it
will be found entire. The less laborious works of Mr. Chalmers were
statistical and philological. Of the latter, his tracts relating to
_Shakspeare_, and his Life of _Mary Queen of Scots_ may be considered
the principal.
On the death of Mr. George Chalmers in 1823, his nephew became
possessed of his library; and on the death of the nephew, in 1841, it
was placed by the executors in the hands of Mr. Evans, who brought
the first part to sale on the 27th of September, 1841. It consisted
of 2292 articles, and produced the sum of £2190. The Second Part was
brought to the same hammer, on February 27, 1842, and produced the sum
of £1918 2_s._ 6_d._ It is on the _latter_ part that I am disposed to
dwell more particularly, because it was so eminently rich in
Shakspearian lore; and because, at this present moment, the name of
our immortal dramatist seems to be invested with a fresh halo of
incomparable lustre. The first edition of his smaller works has
acquired most extraordinary worth in the book-market. The second part
of Mr. Chalmers's collection shews that the _Sonnets_ of 1595 produced
a hundred guineas; while the _Rape of Lucrece_ (which, perhaps, no
human being has ever had the perseverance to read through) produced
£105 in a preceding sale: see page 591. The _Venus and Adonis_ has
kept close pace with its companions.
We may now revel among the rarities of the FIRST PART of this
extraordinary collection--
No. £ _s._ _d._
123 Bale's Comedy concernynge thre Lawes
of Nature, Moses and Christ, corrupted
by the Sodomytes, Pharisees and Papystes
most wicked, wants the title, first
edition, curious portrait of the Author,
excessively rare. Inprented per Nicholaum
Bamburgensem, 1538 10 0 0
488 Wilkins' Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ et
Hiberniæ, 4 vols. 1737. Folio 25 0 0
[Such a price is one among the few _harmless_ fruits of the Puseian
Controversy!]
958 Churchyard's Worthiness of Wales, first
edition, very rare, 1587. Quarto 24 0 0
[In my earlier days of Book-collecting, I obtained a copy of this most
rare volume, in an _uncut state_, from a Mr. Keene, of Hammersmith,
who asked me "if I thought _half-a-guinea_ an extravagant price for
it?" I unhesitatingly replied in the negative. Not long after, the
late Mr. Sancho, who succeeded Mr. Payne, at the Mews Gate, went on
his knees to me, to purchase it for _two guineas_! His attitude was
too humble and the tone of his voice too supplicatory to be resisted.
He disposed of it to his patron-friend, the Hon. S. Elliott, for five
pounds five shillings. Mr. Elliott had a very choice library; and was
himself a most amiable and incomparable man. It is some twenty-five
years since I first saw him at the late Earl Spencer's, at Althorp.]
960 Churchyard. The Firste of Churchyardes
Chippes, containinge Twelue seuerall
Labours, green morocco, gilt
leaves, 1578 0 0 0
The Second Part of Churchyard's Chips was never published.
961 Churchyard's Generall Rehearsall of
Warres, called Churchyardes Choise,
imprinted by White, 1579 7 7 0
The latter part of this Work is in Verse, and some have supposed that
Churchyard intended it to form the Second Part of his Chips.
1146 Gascoyne's Delicate Diet for Daintie
Mouthde Droonkardes, excessively rare;
only one other copy known, namely, that
which was in the Libraries of G. Steevens
and R. Heber.--See Heber's Catalogue,
part iv. no. 771. Imprinted by Johnes,
1576 11 11 0
1182 ---- Wolsey's Grammar. Rudimenta
Grammatices et Docendi Methodus
Scholæ Gypsuichianæ per Thomam Cardinalem
Ebor, institutam, &c., rare,
Antv. 1536 4 19 0
The Preface, containing directions for the Conduct of the School, is
written by Cardinal Wolsey. The Grammar is by Dean Colet and Lilly.
1295 The Complete History of Cornwall, Part
II., being the Parochial History, (by
William Hals,) extremely rare 15 0 0
This is one of the rarest books in the class of British Topography.
The first part was never printed, it has therefore no general title. A
copy is in the library of the Right Hon. Thomas Grenville.
1314 Patrick Hannay's Nightingale, Sheretine,
Happy Husband, Songs, Sonnets,
&c., with the frontispiece, including the
extremely rare Portrait of Patrick Hannay,
an excessively rare volume when
perfect, 1622 13 5 0
We believe only one other perfect copy is known, that which was
successively in the Libraries of Bindley, Perry, Sykes, and Rice. No
poetical volume in the libraries of these celebrated collectors
excited a more lively interest, or a keener competition. This was
obtained by Mr. Chalmers at Pinkerton's sale in 1812. The Portrait of
Hannay is a great desideratum to the Granger Collectors.
1436 Hutton's (Henry Dunelmensis) Follic's
Anatomie, or Satyrs and Satyricall
Epigrams, 1629. 12mo. 11 11 0
1461 De Foe. Review of the Affairs of France
and of all Europe, as influenced by that
Nation, with Historical Observations on
Public Affairs, and an entertaining part
in every sheet (by Defoe), 8 vols., excessively
rare. The most perfect copy
known, 1705 41 0 0
This is the great desideratum of all the collectors of De Foe's works.
It is the most perfect copy known; that which approaches it the
nearest is the copy in the British Museum; but that only extends to 6
vols.
1508 Cronycle of Englonde wyth the Frute of
Tymes, compyled by one somtyme
Mayster of Saynt Albons. Newly enprynted
by Wynkyn de Worde, 1497.
The Descrypcyon of Englonde (in
Prose), also the Descrypcyon of the
Londe of Wales, in verse, emprynted by
me Wynkyn de Worde, 1498, 2 vols. in 1.
The first editions by Wynkyn de Worde,
extremely rare 48 0 0
1738 Fulwell's (Ulpian) Flower of Fame, containing
the bright renowne and most
fortunate raigne of King Henry VIII.,
wherein is mentioned of matters, by the
rest of our Cronographers ouerpassed, in
verse and prose, extremely rare, imprinted
by Hoskins, 1575 9 2 0
See an account of this very curious work in the Censura Literaria,
vol. 5, p. 164 to 168, written by Gilchrist. It was described from the
late Mr. Neunberg's Copy, which was sold for £30. 9_s._
1739 Fulwell (Ulpian). The First Parte of the
Eighth Liberall Science: entituled Ars
Adulandi, the Arte of Flatterie, first edition,
excessively rare, title mended, a
piece wanting in the centre. 4to. Imprinted
by Jones, 1579 17 0 0
1877 (Marlowe) the true Tragedie of
Richarde Duke of Yorke, and the Death
of Good King Henrie the Sixt, with the
whole contention betweene the two
Houses Lancaster and Yorke, as it was
sundrie times acted by the Right Honourable
the Earle of Pembroke, his
servants, first edition, excessively rare,
and believed to be unique, very fine
copy, printed at London by P.S. 1595.
4to. 131 0 0
[I refer with pleasure to Mr. Evans' long, learned, and satisfactory
note upon this most precious volume; which I had the satisfaction of
seeing in the Bodleian Library, for which it was purchased by Mr.
Rodd, the bookseller.]
1965 Greene in Conceipt. New raised from his
grave to write the Tragique History of
Faire Valeria of London, by J. D(ickenson),
very rare. 4to. 1598 15 15 0
1983 Hake, of Gold's Kingdom, described in
sundry poems, 1604, 12mo. 13 0 0
1984 Hakluyt. Divers Voyages touching the
Discoverie of America, and the Islands
adjacent unto the same, made first of all
by our Englishmen, and afterwards by
the Frenchmen and Britons, with both
the maps, excessively rare, only one
other copy known to contain the two
maps. Imprinted by Woodcocke, 1582.
4to. 25 0 0
2209 Hogarde (Myles) 19 5 0
"A Mirrour of Loue,
Which such light doth giue,
That all men may learne,
How to loue and liue."
Imprinted by Caly, 1555.
PART II.
163 Fraunce's (Abraham) Lamentations of
Amintas for the death of Phillis, a Poem;
excessively rare 20 10 0
164 Fyssher's (Jhon, Student of Oxford)
Poems written in Dialogue, wants the
title and part of a leaf, extremely rare.
Imprinted by John Tisdale, 1558 9 9 0
171 Gascoigne's Whole Woorkes, with the
Comedy of Supposes and the Steele
Glasse, best edition, very fine copy, in
Russia. Imprinted by Jesse, 1587 10 15 0
At the end of the Volume there is a Tract by Gascoigne, entitled
"Certain Notes of Instruction concerning the Making of verses, or
Rimes, in English." The Tract is not mentioned in the list of contents
on the title, and the four leaves very rarely occur.
450 Marshall's (George) Compendious Treatise,
in Metre, declaring the Firste Originall
of Sacrifice, and of the buylding of
Aultars and Churches, a Poem, extremely
rare. Cawood, 1534 20 10 0
479 Harvey's (Gabriel) Foure Letters and
certaine Sonnets, especially touching
Robert Greene and other Parties by him
abused. Printed by Wolfe, 1592 10 10 0
Gabriel Harvey was the intimate friend of Spenser. The immediate
occasion of Harvey's writing these letters was to resent Greene's
attack on his Father; but the permanent value of the Volume is the
very interesting notices Harvey gives of his literary contemporaries.
The work concludes with a Sonnet of Spenser, addressed to Harvey.
470 Meeting of Gallants at an Ordinarie, or
the Walkes of Powles, very scarce, 1604.
12mo. 15 15 0
This scarce and curious little volume is not mentioned by Lowndes. The
work commences with a Poetical Dialogue between Warre, Famine, and
Pestilence. The Tales of my Landlord then follow, "Where the Fatte
Host telles Tales at the upper ende of the Table." Mine host, however,
does not have all the conversation to himself. The guests take a very
fair share. One of the interlocutors, Gingle-Spur, alludes to one of
Shakspeare's Plays. "This was a prettie Comedy of Errors, my round
Host."
[I shall place all the SHAKSPEARIAN ARTICLES consecutively; that the
Reader may observe in what a rapid ratio their pecuniary value has
increased. Of the sonnets, the Right Hon. Thomas Grenville possesses
one copy, and Thomas Jolley, Esq., another. The History of the
acquisition of the _latter_ copy is one of singular interest; almost
sufficient to add _another_ day to a Bibliographical Decameron. This
copy is in pristine condition, and looks as if snatched from the
press. Mr. Jolley also possesses a very fine and perfect copy of the
first edition of Shakspeare's Works, in folio; but a similar copy, in
the library of the Right Honourable Thomas Grenville, will, perhaps,
always continue UNRIVALLED.]
558 Shakspeare's Venus and Adonis; unique.
Edinburgh, by John Writtoun, and are
to bee sold in his shop, a little beneath
the Salt Trone, 1627 37 10 0
We are always extremely cautious in using the designation unique; but
we think we may safely do so upon the present occasion. We have made
very extensive inquiries on the subject, and have recently written to
David Laing, Esq., Keeper of the Library of the Writers to the
Signet, from whom we have received a confirmation of our belief.
Beloe, in describing this copy, says "it must be considered as an
indubitable proof that at a very early period the Scotch knew, and
admired, the genius of Shakspeare." He might have continued, its
proceeding from the press of Writtoun, was an additional proof, as he
only published small Popular Tracts. Beloe has erroneously given the
date 1607, and Lowndes has copied his error. The first books printed
by Writtoun were about 1624. His will is printed in the Bannatyne
Miscellany. The second edition of this precious Poem, printed in 1596,
produced the sum of £91, at the sale of Baron Bolland's library: see
page 591, ante.
974 [Transcriber's Note: 934]
Shakespeare's Comedies, Tragedies, and
Histories, first edition. The title a reprint,
but the Portrait Original. With
the Verses of Ben Jonson, original, but
inlaid, blue morocco, 1623 41 0 0
935 Shake-Speares Sonnets, neuer before imprinted,
extremely rare, most beautiful
copy, in Russia. London, by G. Eld for
T.T. and are to be solde by William
Apsley, 1609 105 0 0
936 Shakspeare's Most Excellent Historie of
the Merchant of Venice, with the Extreame
Crueltie of Shylock the Jew,
first edition, extremely rare, printed by
J. R(oberts) for Thomas Heyes, 1600 10 0 0
937 Another Copy, second edition, very scarce,
printed by J. Roberts, 1600 0 0 0
938 Another Copy, 1637 0 0 0
939 Shakspeare's Midsommer Nights Dreame,
second edition, printed by James Roberts,
1600 105 0 0
940 Shakspeare's Most Lamentable Tragedie
of Titus Andronicus, second edition, very
scarce, 1611 15 0 0
Only one perfect copy of the first edition is known.
941 Shakspeare, his True Chronicle History
of the Life and Death of King Lear and
his Three Daughters, second edition,
printed for N. Butter, 1608 14 14 0
942 Shakspeare's Famous Historie of Troylus
and Cresseid, with the Conceited Wooing
of Pandoras Prince of Licia, first edition,
extremely rare, imprinted by G. Eld, 1609 12 15 0
948 Shakspeare's Richard the Second, with
new additions of the Parliament Scene,
and the deposing of King Richard 5 0 0
[There were many other early editions of the Plays of Shakspeare, but
the preceding were the most prominent.]
688 Ovid. The Flores of Ouide de Arte
Amandi, with their Englysshe afore them
and two Alphabete Tablys, extremely
rare, very fine copy Wynandus de Worde,
1513 10 15 0
[This edition was wholly unknown to me.]
659 Newton's (T.) Atropeion Delion, or the
Death of Delia, (Queen Elizabeth) with
the Teares of her Funerall, very scarce,
1603 10 15 0
565 Hilarie (Hughe) The Resurrection of the
Masse, with the Wonderful Vertues of the
Same, a Poem, excessively rare, imprinted
at Strasburgh in Elsas, 1554 18 0 0
This is a very bitter satire on the Ceremonies, Doctrines, and
Ministers of the Roman Catholic Church.
567 Skelton. Here after foloweth certaine
Bokes complyed by Mayster Skelt[=o], Poet
Laureat, Speake Parot, Ware the Hawke,
Tunnynge of Eleanoure Rummyne, &c.,
Imprinted by Kynge and Marche. Here
after foloweth a little boke called Colyn
Clout, by Master Skelton Poete Laureate,
imprynted by Veale. Here after foloweth
a little boke, Why come ye not to
Courte, by Mayster Skelton, Poet Laureate.
This is Skelton's celebrated Satire
against Cardinal Wolsey, imprinted by
Veale. A little Boke of Philip Sparow,
by Mayster Skelton, Poete Laureate, imprinted
by Walley--a very curious collection
of Poems by Skelton, each very
rare, in Bussia [Transcriber's Note: Russia] 23 10 0
In D'Israeli's recent Work, the Amenities of Literature, there is an
excellent article upon Skelton, which contains many acute and original
observations. Speaking of the Skeltonical Verse, D'Israeli says, "In
the quick-returning rhymes, the playfulness of the diction, and the
pungency of New Words, usually ludicrous, often expressive, and
sometimes felicitous, there is a stirring spirit, which will be best
felt in an audible reading. The velocity of his verse has a carol of
its own. The chimes ring in the ear, and the thoughts are flung about
like wild Coruscations." See vol. 2, p. 69 to 82. Octavo.
845 Pierce Plowman. Newes from the
North, otherwise called the Conference
between Simon Certain and Pierce Plowman,
faithfully collected by T.F. Student,
extremely rare. E. Allde, 1585 13 0 0
916 S. (R.) The Phoenix Nest, built up with
the most rare and refined workes of
noblemen, woorthy knightes, gallant
gentlemen, masters of arts and braue
schollers, full of varietie, excellent
invention and singular delight, never
before this time published, set foorth by
R.S. of the Inner Temple, Gentleman,
excessively rare. Imprinted by John
Jackson, 1593 40 0 0
Mr. Heber had written in his Copy, "Mr. Malone has a copy bought at
Dr. Farmer's Sale, (now in the Bodleian Library,) but I know of no
other." We may add, those two copies, and the present, are the only
perfect copies known.
1086 Sidney's (Sir Phillip) Apologie for
Poetrie, first edition, excessively rare.
Printed for Henry Olney, 1595 15 5 0
"Foure Sonnets written by Henrie Constable to Sir Philip Sidneys
Soule" are prefixed. These have not been reprinted in the subsequent
editions. Only three other copies of the first edition of this elegant
and valuable Treatise are known. One of which is in the British
Museum, and one in the Bridgewater Library.
The Third Part of Mr. Chalmers's library--abundantly rich in Scotch
literature, and containing much valuable illustration of the HISTORY
OF PRINTING IN SCOTLAND, will probably quickly succeed the publication
of this Work. Mr. Chalmers had frequently expressed to me his
intention as well as inclination to give a complete History of the
SCOTISH PRESS; and if the materials collected by him find their way
into his native country, it is to be hoped that some enterprising
spirit, like that which animates the present Librarian of the Signet
Library, will find sufficient encouragement to bring them before the
public. I bargain for a _Quarto_.
MENALCAS (whose fame expands more largely in the _Bibliographical
Decameron_ and _Reminiscences_) was my old and "very singular good
friend" the Rev. HENRY JOSEPH THOMAS DRURY, Rector of Fingest, and
Second Master of Harrow School; second, because he declined to become
the _first_. His library, so rich and rare in classical
lore--manuscript as well as printed--was sold by Mr. Evans in 1827.
The catalogue contained not fewer than 4729 articles. The bindings,
chiefly in Lewisian calf and morocco, were "de toute beauté;" and the
"oblong cabinet" sparkled as the setting sun shot its slanting rays
down the backs of the tomes. Of this catalogue there were 35 copies
only printed upon writing paper, for presents.
This library was strikingly illustrative of the character of its LATE
owner; for it is little more than a twelvemonth since he has been
called away from that numerous and endearing circle, in the midst of
which I saw him sitting, about a twelvemonth before his departure--the
happiest of the happy--on the day of the nuptials of his youngest
daughter but one, with Captain Beavan. His books were in fine
condition throughout--gaily attired in appropriate bindings of calf or
morocco, as the character and condition might be. His love of old
classical _Manuscripts_ was properly and greatly beyond that of
printed books: but each class was so marked and identified by his
calligraphical MS. notes, that you were in a moment convinced his
books were not purchased for the mere sake of gorgeous furniture. So
entirely were his classical feelings mixed up with his Library, that
he prefixed, over the entrance door of his oblong cabinet, in printed
letters of gold, the following lines--of which the version is supplied
from the "_Arundines Cami_," edited by his eldest son, the Rev. Henry
Drury.
IN MUSEI MEI ADITU.
Pontificum videas penetralibus eruta lapsis
Antiquas Monachum vellera passa manus,
Et veteres puncto sine divisore Papyros,
Quæque fremit monstris litera picta suis:
Ætatis decimæ spectes Industria Quintæ:
Quam pulcra Archetypos imprimat arte Duces
ALDINAS ædes ineuns et limina JUNTÆ
Quosque suos Stephanus vellet habere Lares.
H.I.T.D.
OVER THE THRESHOLD OF MY LIBRARY.
From mouldering Abbey's dark Scriptorium brought,
See vellum tomes by Monkish labour wrought;
Nor yet the comma born, Papyri see,
And uncial letters wizard grammary;
View my _fifteeners_ in their rugged line;
What ink! what linen! only known long syne--
Entering where ALDUS might have fixed his throne,
Or Harry Stephens covetted his own.
H.D.
They were part and parcel of the _Owner_ himself. His mind was
traceable in many a fly leaf. His latinity was perspicuity and
accuracy itself. He was, in all respects, a ripe and a good scholar;
and the late Provost of Eton (The Rev. Dr. Goodall) told me, on an
occasion which has been, perhaps, too _emphasised_ in certain
bibliographical pages,[476] that "England could not then produce a
better Greek metrical scholar than his friend Henry Drury." What was
remarkable, he never assumed an _ex Cathedrâ_ position in society. In
bringing forward or pressing quotations, whatever fell from him, came
easily and naturally, but rarely. Accustomed for many years to be the
favourite of the _Harrovians_, he never affected the airs of the
pedagogue. How he _could_ criticise, sufficiently appears in an
article on the _Musæ Edinburgenses_ in an early number of the
Quarterly Review.
[Footnote 476: _Bibliographical Decameron._ Dr. Goodall
always appeared to me to _affect_ irascibility upon the
subject alluded to. The contents might have been published
at Charing Cross.]
Yet this may be considered secondary matter; and I hasten to record
the qualities of his heart and disposition. They were truly
Christian-like; inasmuch as a fond and large spirit of benevolence was
always beating in his bosom, and mantling over a countenance of
singular friendliness of expression. He had the _power_ of saying
sharp and caustic things, but he used his "giant-strength" with the
gentleness of a child. His letters, of which many hundreds have fallen
to my lot, are a perfect reflex of his joyous and elastic mind. There
was not a pupil under his care who looked forward to a _holiday_ with
more unqualified delight than _he_; and when we strayed together
beneath, or upon the heights of, the Dover Cliffs (where I _last_ saw
him, in the summer of 1840) he would expatiate, with equal warmth and
felicity, upon the Abbey of St. Rhadagund, and the Keep of Dover
Castle. Our visit to Barfreston Church, in the neighbourhood, can
never be effaced from my mind. His mental enthusiasm and bodily
activity could not have been exceeded by that of the Captain of Harrow
School. He took up my meditated "History of the Dover" as if it were
his own work; and his success, in cause of subscription, in most
instances, was complete.
And now, after an intimacy (minutely recorded in my _Reminiscences_)
of thirty-three years, it has pleased God to deprive me of his genial
and heart-stirring society. His last moments were of those of a
Christian--"rooted and built up" in THAT belief, which alone sustains
us in the struggle of parting from those whom we cherish as the most
idolised objects upon earth! It was towards sun-set that I first
paused upon his tomb, in the church-yard, near the summit of Harrow
Hill. For a few moments I was breathless--but _not_ from the steepness
of the ascent. The inscription, I would submit, is too much in the
"minor key." It was the production of his eldest son, who preferred
to err from under-rating, rather than over-rating, the good qualities
of his parent. For myself--
"As those we love decay, we die in part;
String after string is severed from the heart!"
&c. &c. &c.
THOMSON.
On the death of Mr. Drury, his small library, the remains of his
former one, was sold by auction; and those classical books,
interleaved, and enriched with his manuscript notes, brought large
prices. One manuscript, of especial celebrity--_Childe Harold_--given
him by the Author, his pupil, Lord Byron--became the property of its
publisher, Mr. Murray; who purchased it upon terms at once marking his
high sense of the talents of the author, and his respect for the
family where it had been placed. It may be doubtful whether the
autograph of any poem, since Paradise Lost, would have obtained a
larger sum--had it been submitted to public sale.
RINALDO.--Rinaldo was the late Mr. EDWARDS; of the sale of whose
library an extended account will be found in my Decameron. It remains,
briefly, but emphatically, to remark, that of all the book heroes,
whose valorous achievements are here recorded, TWO only have survived
the lapse of thirty years. Let _half_ of another similar course of
time roll on, and where will the SURVIVORS be? If not at rest in their
graves, they will in all probability be "sans teeth, sans eyes, sans
everything:"--at least, very far beyond "the lean and slippered
pantaloon." Leaving my surviving friends to fight their own battles, I
think I may here venture to say, in quiet simplicity and singleness of
heart, that books, book-sales, and book-men, will then--if I am
spared--pass before me as the faint reflex of "the light of OTHER
DAYS!" ... when literary enterprise and literary fame found a
proportionate reward; and when the sickly sentimentality of the
novelist had not usurped the post of the instructive philologist. But
enough of ROSICRUSIS.
[Illustration: CONSTANTIA LABORE ET]
PART IV.
THE LIBRARY.
This Part embraces the _History of Literature_, in the formation of
Libraries, from the Conquest to the commencement of the reign of Henry
VIII., and undoubtedly contains much that is curious and instructive.
Two new characters only are introduced: LORENZO and NARCOTTUS. The
former was intended to represent the late Sir Masterman Mark Sykes,
Bart.: the latter, a William Templeman, Esq., of Hare Hatch,
Berkshire. Sir Mark Sykes was not less known than respected for the
suavity of his manners, the kindness of his disposition, and the
liberality of his conduct on all matters connected with _books_ and
_prints_. A long and particular account of his library, and of many of
his book-purchases, will be seen in the third volume of the
_Bibliographical Decameron_; and at pages 321, 373 of my _Literary
Reminiscences_. His library and his prints brought, each, pretty much
the same sum: together, £60,000--an astounding result! Sir Mark is the
last great bibliomaniacal Sun that has shed its golden, as well as
parting, rays, upon a terribly chap-fallen British public! Mr.
Templeman, represented as Narcottus, was a great Chess-player: and
although Caxton's "Game at Chess" is a mere dull morality, having
nothing to do with the game strictly so called, yet he would have
everything in his library where the word "Chess" was introduced. In
the words of the old catch, he would "add the night unto the day" in
the prosecution of his darling recreation, and boasted of having once
given a signal defeat to the Rev. Mr. Bowdler, after having been
defeated himself by Lord Henry Seymour, the renowned chess-champions
of the Isle of Wight. He said he once sat upon Phillidor's knee, who
patted his cheek, and told him "there was nothing like Chess and
English roast beef."
The notice of poor George Faulkner at page 199--one of the more
celebrated book-binders of the day, is amplified at page 524 of the
second volume of the Decameron; where the painful circumstances
attending his death are slightly mentioned. He yet lives, and lives
strongly, in my remembrance. Since then, indeed within a very few
years, the famous CHARLES LEWIS--of whose bibliopegistic renown the
Decameronic pages have expatiated fully--has ceased to be. He was
carried off suddenly by an apoplectic seizure. His eldest son--a sort
of "spes altera Romæ," in his way--very quickly followed the fate of
his father. The name of LEWIS will be always held high in the
estimation of bibliopegistic Virtuosi. But the art of Book-binding is
not deteriorating: and I am not sure whether JOHN CLARKE, of Frith
Street, Soho, be not as "mighty a man" in his way as any of his
predecessors. There is a solidity, strength, and squareness of
workmanship about his books, which seem to convince you that they may
be tossed from the summit of Snowdon to that of Cader Idris without
detriment or serious injury. His gilding is first rate; both for
choice of ornament and splendour of gold. Nor is his coadjutor,
WILLIAM BEDFORD, of less potent renown. He was the great adjunct of
the late Charles Lewis--and imbibes the same taste and the same spirit
of perseverance. Accident brought me one morning in contact with a set
of the New Dugdale's Monasticon, bound in blue morocco, and most
gorgeously bound and gilded, lying upon the table of Mr. James Bohn--a
mountain of bibliopegistic grandeur! A sort of irrepressible awe kept
you back even from turning over the coats or covers! And what a
WORK--deserving of pearls and precious stones in its outward
garniture! "Who was the happy man to accomplish such a piece of
binding?"[477] observed I. "Who BUT John Clarke?"--replied the
Bibliopole.
[Footnote 477: Good binding--even Roger-Payne-binding--is
gadding abroad every where. At Oxford, they have "a spirit"
of this description who loses a night's rest if he haplessly
shave off the sixteenth part of an inch of a rough edge of
an uncut Hearne. My friend, Dr. Bliss, has placed volumes
before me, from the same mintage, which have staggered
belief as an indigenous production of Academic soil. At
Reading, also, some splendid leaves are taken from the same
_Book_. Mr. Snare, the publisher, keeps one of the most
talented bookbinders in the kingdom--from the school of
Clarke; and feeds him upon something more substantial than
rose leaves and jessamine blossoms. He is a great man for a
halequin's jacket: and would have gone crazy at the sight of
some of the specimens at Strawberry Hill. No man can put a
varied-coloured morocco coat upon the back of a book with
greater care, taste, and success, than our Reading
Bibliopegist.]
PART V.
THE DRAWING-ROOM.
This Part is a copious continuation of the History of Book Collectors
and Collections up to the year 1810. There is nothing to add in the
way of CHARACTER; and the subject itself is amply continued in the
tenth day of the _Bibliographical Decameron_. In both works will be
found, it is presumed, a fund of information and amusement, so that
the Reader will scarcely demand an extension of the subject. Indeed, a
little volume would hardly suffice to render it the justice which it
merits; but I am bound to make special mention of the untameable
perseverance, and highly refined taste, of B.G. Windus, Esq., one of
my earliest and steadiest supporters; and yet, doth he not rather take
up a sitting in the ALCOVE--amongst _Illustrators of fine Works_?
[Illustration: THE CAVE OF DESPAIR.
_Drawn by J. Thurston.--Engraved by Robert Branston._]
PART VI.
THE ALCOVE.
A word only:--and that respecting _Illustrated Copies_. Leaving Mr.
Windus in full possession of his Raphael Morghens, William Woollets,
William Sharpes, &c.--and allowing him the undisturbed relish of
gazing upon, and pressing to his heart's core, his _grey_ TURNERS--let
me only introduce to the reader's critical attention and admiration
the opposite subject, executed by the late Mr. Branston, and
exhibiting _The Cave of Despair_ from Spenser's Fairy Queen. The
figures were drawn on the blocks by the late J. Thurston, Esq.
=Illustrated Copies.=
Under the _Illustration_-Symptom of Bibliomania, a fund of amusing
anecdote, as well as of instructive detail, presents itself. We may
travel in a carriage and four--from morn 'till night--and sweep county
after county, in pursuit of all that is exquisite, and rare, and
precious, and unattainable in other quarters: but I doubt if our
horses' heads can be turned in a direction better calculated to answer
all the ends in view than in front of
[Illustration: RAVENSBURY LODGE, LOWER MITCHAM,]
the residence of the late proprietor of this work. There we once
beheld such a copy of the best of all existing _Encyclopædias_--that
of the late Dr. REES--as is no where else to be found. It was upon
_large_ and _fine_ paper--bound in fourscore volumes--with separately
executed title pages, in a style of pure art--and _illustrated_ with
not fewer than TEN THOUSAND EXTRA PLATES. The reader may, and will,
naturally enough, judge of the wide, if not boundless, field for
illustration--comprehending in fact (as the title of the work
denounces) the circle of all knowledge, arts and sciences; but he can
have no idea of the _manner_ in which this fertile and illimitable
field is filled up, till he gazes upon the copy in question. Here then
was not only a _reading_, but a _graphic_, LIBRARY IN ITSELF. Whatever
other works _profusely_ dilate upon was here _concentrated_--and
deeply impressed upon the mind by the charm, as well as the
intelligence, of graphical ornament. You seemed to want nothing, as,
upon the turning over of every leaf, the prodigality of art ennobled,
while it adorned, the solidity of the text. You have kept your horses
already waiting three hours--and they are neighing and snorting for
food: and you must turn them into the stable for suitable
provender--for the owner of this production would tell you that you
had scarcely traversed through one-third of the contents of the
volumes. He orders an additional fowl to be placed on the spit, and an
extra flagon of Combe and Delafield's brightest ale to be
forth-coming: while his orchard supplies the requisite addenda of
mulberries, pears, and apples, to flank the veritable Lafitte. You
drink and are merry. Then comes the Argand Lamp; and down with the
Encyclopedistic volumes. The plates look brighter and more beautiful.
There is no end of them--nor limits to your admiration. Be it summer
or winter, there is food for sustenance, and for the gratification of
the most exquisite palate. To contemplate SUCH a performance, the
thorough-bred book-votary would travel by torch-light through
forty-eight hours of successive darkness!...: But the horses are again
neighing--for their homes. You must rouse the slumbering post-boy: for
"The bell of the church-clock strikes ONE."
* * * * *
P.S.--The late Mr. WALMSLEY--who employed me to print this present
edition--narrowly watched all our movements, and was much gratified by
the appearance of the work, so far as it had gone before his
death--frequently urged me to append a short account of the progress
of our art during the last thirty years--i.e. since the publication of
the former edition of _Bibliomania_.
The subject is too diffuse for a mere note: and during the life-time
of so many able printers as now exercise their calling in the
metropolis, it would be invidious to particularize eminence in our
profession (whereas among our immediate predecessors it is, perhaps
just to say that there were only _two_ printers of great celebrity,
the late _Mr. Bulmer_ and my late father). I shall therefore merely
mention some events which have had such influence on our art as that
the case is now very different to what it was thirty years ago, when
the good execution of printing at once testified to the skill and
industry of the printer--as he could command neither good _presses_,
_types_, nor _ink_, &c.--paper being then almost the only matter to be
had in perfection.
We have _now_ excellent and powerful iron presses--Stanhopes,
Columbians, Imperials, &c. _Then_ the celebrated specimens of
typography were produced by _miserable_ wooden presses. We have _now_
ink of splendid lustre, at a fourth of the cost of fabrication
_then_--for both Mr. Bulmer and my father were perpetually trying
expensive experiments--and not always succeeding: our ink is now to be
depended on for _standing_, it works freely, and can be had at
reasonable prices at the extensive factory of Messrs. SHACKELL and
LYONS, Clerkenwell, who made the ink used for this work.
There are several eminent engineers who make the best of presses. Our
_letter_ may safely be pronounced, if not perfect, as near perfection
as it will ever reach--and while the celebrated type-foundries of
Messrs. CASLON, Chiswell Street, and Messrs. FIGGINS, West Street, are
within the reach of the metropolitan printers, there can be no excuse
for failing to execute good printing on the score of inferior type.
The substitution of the _inking roller_, instead of the cumbrous and
inconvenient old balls, has much eased the labours of the pressman and
facilitated the regularity of colour. The inking roller at the hand
press was adopted, and offered to the printers generally, by my
friend, Mr. APPLEGATH, shortly after _steam-printing_ was introduced
by my father--about which so much has been said in periodical
publications, &c., that it is needless here to enlarge on the
subject--more especially as it is principally applicable to work of
inferior character, newspapers, reviews, magazines, &c.; and, further,
it is not a very tempting subject to the son of him who was led to
devote the energies of the latter years of his active life, and the
well-earned fortune which his great typographical celebrity had
secured, to the adoption of a mode of printing which, how much soever
it may benefit newspaper proprietors and others--certainly has done
any thing but benefit his family; and has thus added another instance
to the many on record of the ill success attending the patronage of
inventors.
B. BENSLEY.
_Woking, Surrey, June_ 18, 1842.
* * * * *
FINIS.
INDEXES.
CHRONOLOGICAL, BIBLIOGRAPHICAL,
AND
GENERAL.
CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX.
Lovers and Collectors of Books in Great Britain.
SEVENTH CENTURY.
THEODORE, Archbishop of Canterbury, 165
BENEDICT, BISHOP, Abbot of Weremouth, 165, 166
VENERABLE BEDE, 166
EIGHTH CENTURY.
INA, King of the West Saxons, 166
ALOUIN, Abbot of Tours, 167
NINTH CENTURY.
SCOTUS ERIGENA, 168
KING ALFRED, 169, 170
KING ATHELSTAN, 170
ST. DUNSTAN, Archbishop of Canterbury, 171
ELEVENTH CENTURY.
KING CANUTE, 172
INGULPH, Abbot of Croyland, 172
LANFRANC, Archbishop of Canterbury, 173
ANSELM, Archbishop of Canterbury, 173, 174
GIRALDUS, Archbishop of York, 174
TWELFTH CENTURY.
HERMAN, Bishop of Salisbury, 175
THOMAS À BECKET, Archbishop of Canterbury, 175-177
THIRTEENTH CENTURY.
GIRALDUS CAMBRENSIS, Bishop of St. David's, 178, 179
ROGER BACON, 180-183
FOURTEENTH CENTURY.
KING EDWARD THE FIRST, 183
KING EDWARD THE THIRD, 184
RICHARD DE BURY, Bishop of Durham, 185-187
FIFTEENTH CENTURY.
JOHN BOSTON, 189, 190
JOHN PLANTAGENET, First Duke of Bedford, 190, 191
THOMAS COBHAM, Bishop of Worcester, 192
ROBERT REDE, Bishop of Chichester, 192
HUMPHREY PLANTAGENET, First Duke of Gloucester, 193
SIR WALTER SHERINGTON, 194
JOHN TIPTOFT, Earl of Worcester, 198
GEORGE NEVILLE, Archbishop of York, 200
KING HENRY THE SEVENTH, 202, 205, 206
SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
THE EARL OF SURREY--SIR THOMAS WYATT, 14
KING HENRY THE EIGHTH, 215-217
JOHN COLET, Dean of St. Paul's, 14, 218-220
SIR THOMAS MORE, 220-222
ERASMUS, 222-224
CARDINAL WOLSEY, 225-228
ROBERT WAKEFIELD, 235
JOHN LELAND, 242-246
JOHN BALE, Bishop of Ossory, 246, 247
THOMAS CRANMER, Archbishop of Canterbury, 248, 249
QUEEN ELIZABETH, 249-254
ROGER ASCHAM, 254, 255
WILLIAM CECIL, First Earl of Burleigh, 256
MATTHEW PARKER, Archbishop of Canterbury, 257-261
DR. JOHN DEE, 261, 265
CAPTAIN COX, 266
SIR ROBERT COTTON, 267-269
SIR THOMAS BODLEY, 270-278
SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
KING JAMES THE FIRST, 281
THOMAS CORYATE, 281
HENRY PEACHAM, 282
ROBERT BURTON, 286
JOHN, LORD LUMLEY, 287
HENRY HASTINGS, 287-288
JOHN CLUNGEON, 288
JOHN WARD, 289
THE FERRAR FAMILY, 289-292
ELIAS ASHMOLE, Windsor Herald, 292-296
WILLIAM LAUD, Archbishop of Canterbury, 297, 298
HENRY DYSON, 302
RICHARD SMITH, 302, 303
DR. SEAMAN, 304
FRANCIS NORTH, Lord-Keeper, 309
HON. AND REV. JOHN NORTH, D.D., 310
ANTHONY À WOOD, 312-315
FRANCIS BERNARD, M.D., 316, 317
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
JOHN FELL, Bishop of Oxford, 317, 318
JOHN MORE, Bishop of Ely, 318
SAMUEL PEPYS, 320
JOHN CHURCHILL, First Duke of Marlborough, 321
PRINCE EUGENE, 322
NARCISSUS LUTTRELL, 323
EDWARD WYNNE, 323
HENRY HERBERT, NINTH EARL OF PEMBROKE, 324, 325
JOHN BAGFORD, 326-331
JOHN MURRAY, 331
THOMAS BRITTON, 331-333
THOMAS HEARNE, 333-336
JOHN ANSTIS, Garter King of Arms, 337
REV. JOHN LEWIS, 338-340
JOSEPH AMES--WILLIAM HERBERT, 340
THOMAS BAKER, 341-343
LEWIS THEOBALD, 343
THOMAS RAWLINSON, 343-346
HUMPHREY WANLEY, 346
ROBERT HARLEY, First Earl of Oxford, 347-354
THOMAS OSBORNE, 354, 355
JOHN BRIDGES, 362
ANTHONY COLLINS, 363
MICHAEL MAITTAIRE, 363
RICHARD MEAD, M.P., 364-367
MARTIN FOLKES, 367-369
RICHARD RAWLINSON, 369-371
JOHN (Orator) HENLEY, 371-373
GENERAL JAMES DORMER, 375
JAMES WEST, 376
THOMAS MARTIN, 384-386
SERJEANT WILLIAM FLEETWOOD, 386
ANTHONY ASKEW, M.D., 387-391
JOHN RATCLIFFE, 392, 393
HON. TOPHAM BEAUCLERK, 394
REV. THOMAS CROFTS, 396-398
MARK CEPHAS TUTET, 399, 400
RICHARD WRIGHT, M.D., 401
JOHN HENDERSON, 402
WILLIAM FILLINGHAM, 403
MAJOR THOMAS PEARSON, 403-406
REV. MICHAEL LORT, D.D., 411-413
RIGHT HON. DENIS DALY, 414, 415
CHARLES CHAUNCY, M.D. }
NATHANIEL CHAUNCY, } 416, 417
JOHN MUNRO, M.D., 417
REV. RICHARD SOUTHGATE, 419
GEORGE MASON, 419-423
REV. RICHARD FARMER, D.D., 423-427
GEORGE STEEVENS, 427-440
JOHN STRANGE, 441
JOHN WOODHOUSE, 441
GEORGE GALWAY MILLS, 447
JOHN WILKES, 447, 448
JOSEPH RITSON, 448
REV. JONATHAN BOUCHER, 450
WILLIAM PETTY, First Marquess of Lansdowne, 450, 451
REV. JOHN BRAND, 452-454
ISAAC REED, 454-456
ALEXANDER DALRYMPLE, 458
RICHARD PORSON, 458, 459
JOHN MADDISON, 459
EMPEROR JOHN ALEXANDER WOODFORD, 459
RICHARD GOUGH, 460
REV. BENJAMIN HEATH, 460, 554-561
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
LIST OF WORKS CONSULTED OR REFERRED TO:--CRITICISMS ON THEIR INTRINSIC
VALUE BEING OCCASIONALLY INTRODUCED IN THE FOREGOING PAGES.
AGOSTINI (Lionardo). _Notizie Istorico-Critiche, &c., Scritt. Viniz._,
60
Agrippa (Cornelius). _Vanity of Human Sciences_, 19
_Occult Philosophy_, _ib._
Ames (Joseph). _Typographical Antiquities_, 52
_The same_; by Herbert, 66