LIS. Yet, go on—unless the female part of the audience be weary—go on describing, by means of your great telescopic powers, every little white star that is sprinkled in this bibliomaniacal Via Lactea![385]

[Footnote 385: With great submission to the "reminescential" talents of Lysander, he might have devoted one minute to the commendation of the very curious library of JOHN HUTTON, which was disposed of, by auction, in the same year (1764) in which Genl. Dormer's was sold. Hutton's library consisted almost entirely of English Literature: the rarest books in which are printed in the italic type. When the reader is informed that "Robinsons Life, Actes, and Death of Prince Arthur," and his "ancient order, societie, and unitie, laudable of the same," 1583, 4to. (see no. 2730; concerning which my worthy friend, Mr. Haslewood, has discoursed so accurately and copiously: British Bibliographer, vol. i., pp. 109; 125), when he is informed that this produced only 9s. 6d.—that "Hypnerotomachia," 1592, 4to. (no. 2755), was sold for only 2s.—the Myrrour of Knighthood, 1585, 4to. (no. 2759), only 5s.—Palmerin of England, 3 pts. in 3 vols. 1602, 1639, 4to. (no. 2767), 14s.—Painter's Palace of Pleasure, 2 vols. in 1, 1566-7, 4to. (no. 2770)—when, I say, the tender-hearted bibliomaniac thinks that all these rare and precious black letter gems were sold, collectively, for only 2l. 16s. 6d.!—what must be his reproaches upon the lack of spirit which was evinced at this sale! Especially must his heart melt within him, upon looking at the produce of some of these articles at the sale of George Steevens' books, only 36 years afterwards! No depreciation of money can account for this woful difference. I possess a wretchedly priced copy of the Bibl. Huttoniana, which I purchased, without title-page or a decent cover, at the sale of Mr. Gough's books, for 11s. Lysander ought also to have noticed in its chronological order, the extensive and truly valuable library of ROBERT HOBLYN; the catalogue of which was published in the year 1769, 8vo., in two parts: pp. 650. I know not who was the author of the arrangement of this collection; but I am pretty confident that the judicious observer will find it greatly superior to every thing of its kind, with hardly even the exception of the Bibliotheca Croftsiana. It is accurately and handsomely executed, and wants only an index to make it truly valuable. The collection, moreover, is a very sensible one. My copy is upon large paper; which is rather common.]

ALMAN. Upon my word, Lisardo, there is no subject however barren, but what may be made fruitful by your metaphorical powers of imagination.

LIS. Madam, I entreat you not to be excursive. Lysander has taken a fresh sip of his nectar, and has given a hem or two—preparing to resume his narrative.

LYSAND. We have just passed over the bar that separates the one half of the 18th century from the other: and among the ensuing eminent collectors, whose brave fronts strike us with respect, is GENERAL DORMER:[386] a soldier who, I warrant you, had faced full many a cannon, and stormed many a rampart, with courage and success. But he could not resist the raging influence of the Book-Mania: nor could all his embrasures and entrenchments screen him from the attacks of this insanity. His collection was both select and valuable.

[Footnote 386: "A Catalogue of the genuine and elegant Library of the late Sir C.C. DORMER, collected by Lieutenant General James Dormer; which will be sold, &c., by Samuel Baker, at his house in York-Street, Covent Garden; to begin on Monday, February the 20th, 1764, and to continue the nineteen following evenings." At the end of the catalogue we are told that the books were "in general of the best editions, and in the finest condition, many of them in large paper, bound in morocco, gilt leaves," &c. This was a very choice collection of books; consisting almost entirely of French, Greek, Latin, Italian, and Spanish. The number of articles did not exceed 3082; and of volumes, probably not 7000. The catalogue is neatly printed, and copies of it on large paper are exceedingly scarce. Among the most curious and valuable articles are the following:——no. 599. Les Glorieuses Conquestes de Louis le Grand, par Pontault, en maroquin. Paris, 1678. ("N.B. In this copy many very fine and rare portraits are added, engraved by the most eminent masters.")——no. 604. Recueil des Maisons Royales, fort bien graves par Sylvestre, &c. (N.B. In the book was the following note. "Ce recueil des Maisons Royales n'est pas seulement complet, en toutes manieres, mais on y a ajoute plusieurs plans, que l'on ne trouvent que tres rarement.")——no. 731. Fabian's Chronicle, 1559.——752, Hall's ditto. 1548.——751. Higden's Polychronicon. 1527. (I suspect that Dr. Askew purchased the large paper Hutchinson's Xenophon, and Hudson's Thucydides. nos. 2246, 2585.)——no. 2249. Don Quixote, por Cervantes. Madr., 4to., 1605. In hoc libro haec nota est. "Cecy est l'edition originale; il y a une autre du mesme annee, imprimee en quarto a Madrid, mais imprimee apres cecy. J'ay veu l'autre, et je les ay comparez avec deux autres editions du mesme annee, 1605; une imprimee a Lisbonne, en 4to., l'autre en Valentia, en 8vo."——no. 2590. Thuanus by Buckley, on large paper, in 14 volumes, folio; a magnificent copy, illustrated with many beautiful and rare portraits of eminent characters, mentioned by De Thou. (N.B. This very copy was recently sold for 74l.)——From no. 2680 to the end of the Catalogue (401 articles) there appears a choice collection of Italian and Spanish books.]

We have before noticed the celebrated diplomatic character, CONSUL SMITH, and have spoken with due respect of his library: let us here, therefore, pass by him,[387] in order to take a full and complete view of a Non-Pareil Collector: the first who, after the days of Richard Smith, succeeded in reviving the love of black-letter lore and of Caxtonian typography—need I say JAMES WEST?[388]

[Footnote 387: The reader has had a sufficiently particular account of the book-collections of CONSUL SMITH, at p. 95, ante, to render any farther discussion superfluous. As these libraries were collected abroad, the catalogues of them were arranged in the place here referred to.]

[Footnote 388: I am now to notice, in less romantic manner than Lysander, a collection of books, in English Literature, which, for rarity and value, in a proportionate number, have never been equalled; I mean the library of JAMES WEST, Esq., President of the Royal Society. The sale commenced on March 29, 1773, and continued for the twenty-three following days. The catalogue was digested by Samuel Paterson, a man whose ability in such undertakings has been generally allowed. The title was as follows: "BIBLIOTHECA WESTIANA; A Catalogue of the curious and truly valuable library of the late JAMES WEST, Esq., President of the Royal Society, deceased; comprehending a choice collection of books in various languages, and upon most branches of polite literature: more especially such as relate to the history and antiquities of Great Britain and Ireland; their early navigators, discoverers, and improvers, and the ancient English literature: of which there are a great number of uncommon books and tracts, elucidated by MS. notes and original letters, and embellished with scarce portraits and devices, rarely to be found: including the works of Caxton, Lettou, Machlinia, the anonymous St. Albans school-master, Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, and the rest of the old English typographers. Digested by Samuel Paterson, and sold by Messrs. Langfords." The title-page is succeeded by the

PREFACE.

"The following catalogue exhibits a very curious and uncommon collection of printed books and tracts. Of British History and Antiquities, and of Rare Old English Literature, the most copious of any which has appeared for several years past; formed with great taste, and a thorough knowledge of authors and characters, by that judicious critic and able antiquary the late JAMES WEST, Esq., President of the Royal Society. Several anonymous writers are herein brought to light—many works enlarged and further explained by their respective authors and editors—and a far greater number illustrated with the MS. notes and observations of some of our most respectable antiquaries: among whom will be found the revered names of Camden, Selden, Spelman, Somner, Dugdale, Gibson, Tanner, Nicolson, Gale, Le Neve, Hearne, Anstis, Lewis, St. Amand, Ames, Browne, Willis, Stukely, Mr. West, &c. But, above all, the intense application and unwearied diligence of the admirable Bishop White Kennett, upon the ecclesiastical, monastical, constitutional, and topographical history of Great Britain, so apparent throughout this collection, furnish matter even to astonishment; and are alone sufficient to establish the reputation, and to perpetuate the memory, of this illustrious prelate, without any other monuments of his greatness." "In an age of general inquiry, like the present, when studies less interesting give place to the most laudable curiosity and thirst after investigating every particular relative to the history and literature of our own country, nothing less than an elaborate digest of this valuable library could be expected; and, as a supplement to the history of English literature, more desired." "That task the Editor has cheerfully undertaken: and, he flatters himself, executed as well as the short time allowed would permit. He further hopes, to the satisfaction of such who are capable of judging of its utility and importance." "The lovers of engraved English portraits (a species of modern connoisseurship which appears to have been first started by the late noble Earl of Oxford, afterwards taken up by Mr. West, Mr. Nicolls, editor of Cromwell's State-Papers, Mr. Ames, &c., and since perfected by the Muse of Strawberry-Hill, the Rev. Wm. Granger, and some few more ingenious collectors) may here look to find a considerable number of singular and scarce heads, and will not be disappointed in their search." Thus much Paterson; who, it must be confessed, has promised more than he has performed: for the catalogue, notwithstanding it was the second which was published (the first being by a different hand, and most barbarously compiled) might have exhibited better method and taste in its execution. Never were rare and magnificent books more huddled together and smothered, as it were, than in this catalogue. Let us now proceed to an analysis of Mr. West's Collection.

1. Volumes of Miscellaneous Tracts.

These volumes extend from no. 148 to 200, from 915 to 992, from 1201 to 1330, and from no. 1401 to 1480.—Among them are some singularly choice and curious articles. The following is but an imperfect specimen.

NO. 154. Atkyns on Printing, with the frontispiece, &c., &c., 4to.

164. G. Whetstone's Honorable Profession of a Soldier, 1586, &c., 4to.

179. Life and death of Wolsey, 1641, &c.

183. Nashe's Lenten Stuffe, with the Praise of the Red Herring, 1599, &c. 4to. (the three articles together did not exceed) L0 12s. 0d.

188. A Mornynge Remembrance, had at the Moneth Mynde of the Noble Prynces Countesse of Rychmonde, &c. Wynkyn de Worde, &c. 4to. 2 2 0

194. Oh! read over Dr. John Bridges, for it is a worthie Worke, &c. bl. letter, &c. 4to. Strange and fearful Newes from Plasto, near Bow, in the house of one Paul Fox, a Silk Weaver, where is daily to be seene throwing of Stones, Bricbats, Oyster-shells, Bread, cutting his Work in Pieces, breaking his Windows, &c. No date, 4to. 0 12 6

1477. Leylande's Journey and Serche, given of hym as a Newe Yeares Gyfte to K. Henry 8th, enlarged by Bale, bl. letter, 1549, 8vo., (with three other curious articles.) 0 17 6

1480. A disclosing of the great Bull and certain Calves that he hath gotten, and especially the Monster Bull that roared at my Lord Byshop's gate. Bl. letter, pr. by Daye. No date. 4to.

The preceding affords but a very inadequate idea of the "pithie, pleasant, and profitable" discourses mid tracts which abounded among the miscellaneous articles of Mr. West's library. Whatever be the defects of modern literature, it must be allowed that we are not quite so coarse in the title pages of our books.

2. Divinity.

This comprehended a vast mass of information, under the following general title. Scarce Tracts: Old and New Testaments (including almost all the first English editions of the New Testament, which are now of the rarest occurrence): Commentators: Ecclesiastical History: Polemics: Devotions, Catholic and Calvinistical: Enthusiasm: Monastical History: Lives of Saints: Fathers: Missionaries: Martyrs: Modern Divines and Persons of eminent piety: Free Thinkers: Old English Primers: Meditations: Some of the earliest Popish and Puritanical Controversy: Sermons by old English Divines, &c. In the whole 560 articles: probably about 1200 volumes. These general heads are sufficient to satisfy the bibliographer that, with such an indefatigable collector as was Mr. West, the greater part of the theological books must have been extremely rare and curious. From so many Caxtons, Wynkyn de Wordes, Pynsons, &c., it would be difficult to select a few which should give a specimen of the value of the rest. Suffice it to observe that such a cluster of Black Letter Gems, in this department of English literature, has never since been seen in any sale catalogue.

3. Education, Languages, Criticism, Classics, Dictionaries, Catalogues of Libraries, &c.

There were about 700 volumes in these departments. The catalogues of English books, from that of Maunsell in 1595, to the latest before Mr. West's time, were nearly complete. The treatises on education, and translations of the ancient classics, comprehended a curious and uncommon collection. The Greek and Latin Classics were rather select than rare.

4. English Poetry, Romances, and Miscellanies.

This interesting part of the collection comprehended about 355 articles, or probably about 750 volumes: and, if the singularly rare and curious books which may be found under these heads alone were now to be concentrated in one library, the owner of them might safely demand 4000 guineas for such a treasure! I make no doubt but that his MAJESTY is the fortunate possessor of the greater number of articles under all the foregoing heads.

5. Philosophy, Mathematics, Inventions, Agriculture, and Horticulture, Medicine, Cookery, Surgery, &c.

Two hundred and forty articles, or about 560 volumes.

6. Chemistry, Natural History, Astrology, Sorcery, Gigantology.

Probably not more than 100 volumes. The word "Gigantology," first introduced by Mr. Paterson, I believe, into the English language, was used by the French more than two centuries ago. See no. 2198 in the catalogue.

7. History and Antiquities.

This comprehended a great number of curious and valuable productions, relating both to foreign and domestic transactions.

8. Heraldry and Genealogy.

An equal number of curious and scarce articles may be found under these heads.

9. Antient Legends and Chronicles.

To the English antiquary, few departments of literature are more interesting than this. Mr. West seems to have paid particular attention to it, and to have enriched his library with many articles of this description of the rarest occurrence. The lovers of Caxton, Fabian, Hardyng, Hall, Grafton, and Holinshed, may be highly gratified by inspecting the various editions of these old chroniclers. I entreat the diligent bibliographer to examine the first 8 articles of page 209 of the catalogue. Alas! when will such gems again glitter at one sale? The fortunate period for collectors is gone by: a knowledge of books almost every where prevails. At York, at Exeter, at Manchester, and at Bristol, as well as in London, this knowledge may be found sometimes on the dusty stall, as well as in the splendid shop. The worth of books begins to be considered by a different standard from that of the quantity of gold on the exterior! We are now for "drinking deep," as well as "tasting!" But I crave pardon for this digression, and lose sight of Mr. West's uniques.

10. Topography.

Even to a veteran like the late Mr. Gough, such a collection as may be found from p. 217 to 239 of the catalogue, would be considered a very first-rate acquisition. I am aware that the Gothic wainscot and stained glass windows of Enfield Study enshrined a still more exquisite topographical collection! But we are improved since the days of Mr. West; and every body knows to whom these improvements are, in a great measure, to be attributed! When I call to mind the author of "British Topography" and "Sepulchral Monuments," I am not insensible to the taste, diligence, and erudition of the "par nobile fratrum," who have gratified us with the "Environs of London," and the three volumes of "Magna Britannia!" Catalogues of Mr. West's library, with the sums for which the books were sold, are now found with difficulty, and bring a considerable price. The late Mr. G. Baker, who had a surprisingly curious collection of priced catalogues, was in possession of the original sale one of West's library. It is interleaved, and, of course, has the prices and names of the purchasers. Mr. Heber has also a priced copy, with the names, which was executed by my industrious and accurate predecessor, William Herbert, of typographico-antiquarian renown. The number of articles, on the whole, was 4653; and of the volumes as many articles were single, probably about 8000. Ample as some "pithy" reader may imagine the foregoing analysis to be, I cannot find it in my heart to suffer such a collection, as was the Bibliotheca Westiana, to be here dismissed in so summary a manner. Take, therefore, "pleasaunt" reader, the following account of the prices for which some of the aforesaid book-gems were sold. They are presented to thee as a matter of curiosity only; and not as a criterion of their present value. And as MASTER CAXTON has of late become so popular amongst us, we will see, inter alios, what some of the books printed by so "simple a person" produced at this renowned sale.

NO. 564. Salesbury (Wyllyam) his Dictionary in Englyshe and Welshe, moste necessary to all such Welshemen as wil spedly learne the English tongue, &c. Printed by Waley, 1547, 4to. L0 17s. 0d.

566. Mulcaster (Rich.) of the right writing of our English Tung. Imp. by Vautrollier, 1582, 4to. 0 2 6

575. Florio's Frutes to be gathered of 12 trees of divers but delyghtfule tastes to the Tongues of Italians and Englishmen, also his Garden of Recreation, &c., 1591, 4to. 0 6 6

580. Eliot's Indian Grammar, no title. 0 4 0

Thus much for GRAMMATICAL TRACTS.

808. The fyve Bokes of Moses, wythe the Prologes of Wyllyam Tyndale, b.b. 1534, printed in different characters at different periods, 8vo. 4 4 0

813. The Actes of the Apostles translated into Englyshe metre, by Chrystofer Tye, Doctor in musyke, with notes to synge, and also to play upon the lute. Printed by Seres, 1553, 12mo. 0 11 6

819. The Newe Testament, with the Prologes of Wyllyam Tyndale, cuts, printed at Andwarp, &c., 1534, 12mo. 0 18 0

820. The same, with the same cuts, emprynted at Antwerpe, by M. Crom, 1538, a fine copy, in morocco binding (title wanting). 2 4 0

1341. The Gospels of the fower Evangelists, translated in the olde Saxons Tyme, &c. Sax. and Eng. Imprinted by Daye, 1571, 4to. 1 12 0

1383. The Discipline of the Kirk of Scotlande, subscribet by the Handes off Superintendentes, one parte off Ministers, and scribet in oure generalle Assemblies ad Edenbourg, 28 Decemb., 1566. No title. 4to. 1 3 0

1714. The most sacred Bible, recognised with great diligence by Richard Taverner, &c., printed by Byddell for Barthelet, 1539, in russia. 3 5 0

1716. The Byble in Englyshe of the largest and greatest volume, &c. Printed by Grafton, 1541, Folio. 1 3 0

1870. Speculum Vite Christi, the Booke that is cleped the Myrroure of the blessed Lyf of Jhesu Cryste, emprynted by Caxton, fol., no date, fine copy in morocco. 9 9 0

1871. The prouffytable Boke for Mannes Soule, &c., emprynted by Caxton, fol., no date, a fine copy in morocco. 5 0 0

1873. Cordyale, or of the fowre last Thynges, &c., emprynted by Caxton, 1480, fol., fine copy in morocco. 14 0 0

1874. The Pylgremage of the Sowle, &c., 1483, folio, emprynted by Caxton. 8 17 6

1875. The Booke entytled and named Ryal, &c., translated and printed by Caxton, 1484, fine morocco copy. 10 0 0

1876. The Arte and Crafte to knowe well to dye; translated and prynted by Caxton, 1490, folio. 5 2 6

So take we leave of DIVINITY!

1047. Hall's Virgidemiarum, lib. vi. 1599, 1602, 12mo. "Mr. Pope's copy, who presented it to Mr. West, telling him that he esteemed them the best poetry and truest satire in the English language." (N.B. These satires were incorrectly published in 1753, 8vo.: a republication of them, with pertinent notes, would be very acceptable.) 0 18 0

1658. Churchyard's Works; 3 vols. in 1, very elegant, bl. letter. 3 13 6

1816. The Passe Tyme of Pleasure, &c., printed by Wynkyn de Worde, 1517, 4to., fine copy. 3 3 0

1821. Merie conceited Jests of George Peele, Gent. 1607, 4to. Robin the Devil, his two penni-worth of Wit in half a penni-worth of paper, &c., 1607, 4to. 0 18 6

1846. The Hye Waye to the Spyttell Hous; printed by the compyler Rob. Copland, no date. 0 6 6

1847. Another copy of the Spyttell House; "A thousande fyve hundredth fortye and foure," no printer's name, mark, or date, 4to. Here begynneth a lytell propre Jest, called Cryste Crosse me spede, a b c. 1 11 6

2274. Chaucer's Work; first edition, emprentyd by Caxton, folio, in russia. 47 15 6

2280. —— Troylus and Creseyde, printed b [Transcriber's Note: by] Caxton, folio. 10 10 0

2281. —— Booke of Fame, printed by Caxton, folio. 4 5 0

2297. Gower de Confessione Amantis; printed by Caxton, 1483, folio, in morocco. 9 9 0

2282. The Bokys of Haukyng and Hunting; printed at Seynt Albons, 1486, folio: fine copy in morocco. 13 0 0

And here farewell POETRY!

1678. The Booke of the moste victoryouse Prynce, Guy of Warwick. Impr. by W. Copland, 4to. 1 1 0

1683. The Historye of Graunde Amoure and la bell Pucel, &c. Impr. by John Wayland, 1554, 4to. 1 2 0

1685. The Historye of Olyver of Castylle, &c. Impr. by Wynkyn de Worde, 1518, 4to. 1 12 0

1656. The Booke of the Ordre of Chyvalry or Knyghthode. Translated and printed by William Caxton; no date, a fine copy in russia, 4to. 5 5 0

(Shall I put one, or one hundred marks—not of admiration but of astonishment—at this price?! but go on kind reader!)

2480. The Boke of Jason: emprynted by Caxton, folio. 4 4 0

2481. The Boke of Fayttes of Armes and of Chyvalrye, emprynted by Caxton, 1489, folio. 10 10 0

2582. Thystorye, &c., of the Knyght Parys, and of the fayre Vyenne, &c. 1485, fol., translated and printed by Caxton. 14 0 0



But why should I go on tantalising the S——s, H——s, S——s, R——s, and U——s, of the day, by further specimens of the enormous sums here given for such common editions of old ROMANCES? Mr. George Nicol, his majesty's bookseller, told me, with his usual pleasantry and point, that he got abused in the public papers, by Almon and others, for his having purchased nearly the whole of the Caxtonian volumes in this collection for his Majesty's library. It was said abroad that "a Scotchman had lavished away the king's money in buying old black-letter books." A pretty specimen of lavishing away royal money, truly! There is also another thing, connected with these invaluable (I speak as a bibliomaniac—and, perhaps, as a metaphysician may think—as a fool! but let it pass!) with these invaluable purchases:—his Majesty, in his directions to Mr. Nicol, forbade any competition with those purchasers who wanted books of science and belles-lettres for their own professional or literary pursuits: thus using, I ween, the powers of his purse in a manner at once merciful and wise.—"O si sic"—may we say to many a heavy-metalled book-auction bibliomaniac of the present day!—Old Tom Payne, the father of the respectable Mr. Payne, of Pall-Mall, used to tell Mr. Nichol—pendente hasta—that he had been "raising all the CAXTONS!" "Many a copy," quoth he, "hath stuck in my shop at two guineas!" Mr. NICHOLS, in his amusing biography of Bowyer, has not devoted so large a portion of his pages to the description of Mr. West's collection, life, and character, as he has to many collectors who have been less eminently distinguished in the bibliographical world. Whether this was the result of the paucity, or incongruity, of his materials, or whether, from feelings of delicacy he might not choose to declare all he knew, are points into which I have neither right nor inclination to enquire. There seems every reason to conclude that, from youth, West had an elegant and well-directed taste in matters of literature and the fine arts. As early as the year 1720, he shewed the munificence of his disposition, in these respects, by befriending Hearne with a plate for his Antiquities of Glastonbury; see p. 285—which was executed, says Hearne, "Sumptibus ornatissimi amicissimique Juvenis (multis sane nominibus de studiis nostris optime meriti) JACOBI WEST," &c. So in his pref. to Adam de Domerham de reb. gest. Glaston:—"antiquitatum ac historiarum nostrarum studiosus in primis—Jacobus West." p. xx. And in his Walter Hemingford, we have:—"fragmentum, ad civitatem Oxoniensem pertinens, admodum egregium, mihi dono dedit amicus eximius Jacobus West—is quem alibi juvenem ornatissimum appellavi," &c., p. 428. How the promise of an abundant harvest, in the mature years of so excellent a young man, was realized, the celebrity of West, throughout Europe, to his dying day, is a sufficient demonstration. I conclude with the following; which is literally from Nichols's Anecdotes of Bowyer. "James West, of Alscott, in the county of Warwick, Esq., M.A., of Baliol College, Oxford, (son of Richard West, said to be descended, according to family tradition, from Leonard, a younger son of Thomas West, Lord Delawar, who died in 1525) was representative in parliament for St. Alban's, in 1741; and being appointed one of the joint Secretaries of the Treasury, held that office till 1762. In 1765 or 1766, his old patron the Duke of Newcastle, obtained for him a pension of 2000l. a year. He was an early member, and one of the Vice Presidents, of the Antiquary Society; and was first Treasurer, and afterwards President, of the Royal Society. He married the daughter and heiress of Sir Thomas Stephens, timber merchant, in Southwark, with whom he had a large fortune in houses in Rotherhithe; and by whom he had a son, James West, Esq., now (1782) of Alscott, one of the Auditors of the Land-Tax, and sometime Member of Parliament for Boroughbridge, in Yorkshire (who in 1774 married the daughter of Christopher Wren, of Wroxhall in Warwickshire, Esq.), and had two daughters. Mr. West died in July, 1772. His large and valuable collection of MANUSCRIPTS was sold to the Earl of Shelburne, and is now deposited in the British Museum."]

LOREN. All hail to thee—transcendant bibliomaniac of other times!—of times, in which my father lived, and procured, at the sale of thy precious book-treasures, not a few of those rare volumes which have so much gladdened the eyes of Lisardo.

BELIN. I presume you mean, dear brother, some of those black-looking gentlemen, bound in fancifully marked coats of morocco, and washed and ironed within (for you collectors must have recourse to a woman's occupation) with so much care and nicety that even the eyes of our ancient Rebecca, with "spectacle on nose" to boot, could hardly detect the cunning' conceit of your binder!

LOREN. Spare my feelings and your own reputation, if you wish to appreciate justly the noble craft of book-repairing, &c.—But proceed, dear Lysander.

LYSAND. You cannot have a greater affection towards the memory of the collector of the Bibliotheca Westiana than myself. Hark—! or is it only a soft murmur from a congregation of autumnal zephyrs!—but methought I heard a sound, as if calling upon us to look well to the future fate of our libraries—to look well to their being creditably catalogued—"For" (and indeed it is the voice of West's spirit that speaks) "my collection was barbarously murdered; and hence I am doomed to wander for a century, to give warning to the ——, ——, and ——, of the day, to execute this useful task with their own hands! Yes; even the name of PATERSON has not saved my collection from censure; but his hands were then young and inexperienced—yet I suffer from this innocent error!" Away, away, vexed spirit—and let thy head rest in peace beneath the sod!

ALMAN. For heaven's sake, into what society are we introduced, sister? All mad—book mad! but I hope harmless.

LYSAND. Allay your apprehensions; for, though we may have the energies of the lion, we have the gentleness of the "unweaned lamb." But, in describing so many and such discordant characters, how can I proceed in the jog-trot way of—"next comes such a one—and then follows another—and afterwards proceeds a third, and now a fourth!?"

ALMAN. Sir, you are right, and I solicit your forgiveness. If I have not sufficient bookish enthusiasm to fall down and worship your CAXTONIAN DEITY, JAMES WEST, I am at least fully disposed to concede him every excellent and amiable quality which sheds lustre upon a literary character.

LYSAND. All offence is expiated: for look, the spirit walks off calmly—and seems to acknowledge, with satisfaction, such proper sentiments in the breast of one whose father and brother have been benefited by his book treasures.

The rapturous, and, I fear you will think, the wild and incoherent, manner in which I have noticed the sale of the Bibliotheca Westiana had nearly driven from my recollection that, in the preceding, the same, and subsequent, year, there was sold by auction a very curious and extraordinary collection of books and Prints belonging to honest TOM MARTIN,[389] of Palgrave, in Suffolk: a collector of whom, if I remember rightly, Herbert has, upon several occasions, spoken with a sort of veneration. If Lavater's system of physiognomy happen to receive your approbation, you will conclude, upon contemplating Tom's frank countenance—of which a cut precedes the title-page of the first catalogue—that the collector of Palgrave must have been "a fine old fellow." Martin's book-pursuits were miscellaneous, and perhaps a little too wildly followed up; yet some good fortune contributed to furnish his collection with volumes of singular curiosity.

[Footnote 389: "Hereafter followeth" rather a rough outline of the contents of honest Tom Martin's miscellaneous and curious collection. To the IVth part I have added a few prices, and but a few. I respect too much the quiet and comfort of the present race of bibliomaniacs, to inflame their minds by a longer extract of such tantalizing sums given for some of the most extraordinary volumes in English Literature.——I. A Catalogue of the Library of Mr. THOMAS MARTIN, of Palgrave, in Suffolk, lately deceased. Lynn, Printed by W. Whittingham, 1772, 8vo. With a portrait engraved by Lamborn, from a painting of Bardwell. 5240 articles; with 15 pages of Appendix, containing MSS.——no. 86. Juliana Barnes on Hawking, &c., black-letter, wants a leaf, folio. 56. Chauncey's History of Hertfordshire, with marginal notes, by P. Le Neve, Esq., 1700, folio. 757. Scriptores Rerum Brunsvicensium, 3 vols. folio, 1707. ("N.B. Only 3 sets in England at the accession of Geo. III.")——II. A Catalogue of the very curious and numerous collection of Manuscripts of THOMAS MARTIN, Esq., of Suffolk, lately deceased. Consisting of Pedigrees, Genealogies, Heraldic Papers, Old Deeds, Charters, Sign Manuals, Autographs, &c., likewise some very rare old printed books. Sold by auction by Baker and Leigh, April 28, 1773, 8vo. The MSS. (of many of which Edmonson was a purchaser) consisted of 181 articles, ending with "The 15 O's, in old English verse—St. Bridget." Among the 19 volumes only of "Scarce Printed Books" were the following:—no. 188. Edwards' Paradyse of daynty Devices, 1577. 196. The Holy Life of Saynt Werburge, printed by Pynson, 1521. The Lyfe of Saynte Radegunde, by Pynson. Lyfe of Saynt Katherine, printed by Waley, 4to.——III. A Catalogue of the remaining Part of the valuable Collection of the late well known Antiquary, Mr. MARTIN, of Palgrave, Suffolk: consisting of many very valuable and ancient Manuscripts on vellum, early printed black-letter Books, and several other scarce Books; his Law Library, Deeds, Grants, and Pedigrees; a valuable collection of Drawings and Prints, by the best masters—and his Collection of Greek, Roman, Saxon, and English Coins—with some curiosities. Sold by auction by Baker and Leigh, 18th May, 1774. 8vo. This collection consisted of 537 articles, exclusively of the coins, &c., which were 75 in number. Among the printed books were several very curious ones; such as——no. 88. The Death and Martyrdom of Campione the Jesuite, 1581, 8vo. 124. Heywood's "If you know not me, you know nobody," 1623, 4to. "This has a wood-cut of the whole length of Q. Elizabeth, and is very scarce." 183. Fabyan's Chronicle. This I take it was the first edition. 186. Promptuarium Parvulorum. Pynson, folio, 1499. See Hearne's Peter Langtoft, vol. ii., 624-5. 228. Dives et Pauper; yis Tretyys ben dyvydit into elevene partys, and ev'ry part is dyvidit into chapitalis. "The above extremely curious and valuable Manuscript on vellum is wrote on 539 pages. Vide Leland, vol. ii., 452: Bale, 609. Pits, 660. MS., 4to." 236. Original Proclamations of Q. Elizabeth, folio. "A most rare collection, and of very great value: the Earl of Oxford once offered Mr. Martin one hundred guineas for them, which he refused." Qu. what they sold for? 237. The Pastyme of the People; the Cronycles of dyvers Realmys, and most specyally of the Realme of Englond, &c., by John Rastell. An elegant copy, in the original binding, large folio, black-letter, London, 1529. "Supposed to be only two or three copies existing;" but see page 337, ante. The folio Manuscripts, extending to no. 345, are very curious; especially the first 60 numbers.——IV. Bibliotheca Martiniana. A Catalogue of the entire Library of the late eminent Antiquary Mr. THOMAS MARTIN, of Suffolk. Containing some thousand volumes in every Language, Art, and Science, a large collection of the scarcest early Printers, and some hundreds of Manuscripts, &c., which will begin to be sold very cheap, on Saturday, June 5 (1773). By Martin Booth and John Berry, Booksellers, at their Warehouse in the Angel Yard, Market Place, Norwich, and continue on sale only two months: 8vo. This Catalogue is full of curious, rare, and interesting books; containing 4895 articles; all priced. Take, as a sample, the following:

NO. 4071. Wynkyn de Worde's reprint of Juliana Berners' book of Hawking, &c., 1496, folio, 1l. 11s. 6d.: no. 4292. Copland's ditto of ditto, fair 7s. 6d.

4099. A collection of Old Romances in the Dutch Language, with wood-cuts, very fair, 1544 to 1556, folio 10 6

4169. Horace's Art of poetry, by Drant, 1567, 4to. 3 6

4234. A certayne Tragedye, &c., entitled, Freewil, wants title, very fair and scarce, 4to. 5 0

4254. Historie of Prince Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, 1634, 4to. 7 6

4336. The Life off the 70 Archbishopp off Canterbury presentlye sittinge, &c. Imprinted in 1574, 8vo., neat 10 6

A severe satire against Parker, Abp. of Canterbury, for which 'tis said the author was punished with the loss of his arm.

4345. Amorous Tales, by James Sanforde, very rare, printed by Bynneman, 1567, 12mo. (or small 8vo. perhaps) 5 0

4432. Hereafter followeth a little boke whyche hath to name Whye come ye not to court: by Mayster Skelton; printed by Anthony Kytson, no date. A little boke of Philip Sparrow, compiled by Mayster Skelton; printed by Ant. Veale, no date, very fair, both 8vo. 7 6

"This is a most extraordinarily scarce edition of Skelton's Pieces, and has besides these, some other fragments of his by various early printers."]

But I proceed. The commotions excited in the book world, by means of the sales of the Bibliotheca Westiana and Martiniana, had hardly ceased, when a similar agitation took place from the dispersion of the Monastic Library which once belonged to SERJEANT FLETEWODE;[390] a bibliomaniac who flourished in full vigour during the reign of Elizabeth. The catalogue of these truly curious books is but a sorry performance; but let the lover of rare articles put on his bathing corks, and swim quietly across this ocean of black-letter, and he will be abundantly repaid for the toil of such an aquatic excursion.

[Footnote 390: The year following the sale of Mr. West's books, a very curious and valuable collection, chiefly of English literature, was disposed of by auction, by Paterson, who published the catalogue under the following title: "BIBLIOTHECA MONASTICO-FLETEWODIANA." "A Catalogue of rare books and tracts in various languages and faculties; including the Ancient Conventual Library of Missenden Abbey, in Buckinghamshire; together with some choice remains of that of the late eminent Serjeant at Law, WILLIAM FLETEWODE, Esq., Recorder of London, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth; among which are several specimens of the earliest typography, foreign and English, including Caxton, Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, and others: a fine collection of English history, some scarce old law books, a great number of old English plays, several choice MSS. upon vellum, and other subjects of literary curiosity. Also several of the best editions of the classics, and modern English and French books. Sold by auction by S. Paterson, December," 1774, 8vo., 3641 lots, or articles. I am in possession of a priced catalogue of this collection, with the names of the purchasers. The latter were principally Herbert, Garrick, Dodd, Elmsley, T. Payne, Richardson, Chapman, Wagstaff, Bindley, and Gough. The following is a specimen of some curious and interesting articles contained in this celebrated library:

NO. 172. Bale's brefe Chronycle relating to Syr Johan Oldecastell, 1544. The Life off the 70th Archbishop off Canterbury, presentlye sittinge, 1574, &c. Life of Hen. Hills, Printer to O. Cromwell, with the Relation of what passed between him and the Taylor's Wife in Black Friars, 1688, 8vo., &c. L0 7s. 9d.

Purchased by Mores.

361 to 367. Upwards of thirty scarce Theological Tracts, in Latin and English. 1 5 0

746 to 784. A fine collection of early English Translations, in black letter, with some good foreign editions of the classics. Not exceeding, in the whole 10 10 0

837, 838. Two copies of the first edition of Bacon's Essays, 1597. MIRABILE DICTU! 0 0 6

The reader will just glance at no. 970, in the catalogue, en passant, to

1082. (1l. 2s.) and 1091 (12s.) but more particularly to

1173. The Boke of Tulle of Olde Age, &c. Emprynted by Caxton, 1481, folio 8 0 0

1174. The Boke which is sayd or called Cathon, &c. printed by the same, 1483, folio. Purchased by Alchorne 5 0 0

1256. The Doctrinal of Sapyence, printed by the same, 1489, folio. Purchased by Alchorne 6 6 0

1257. The Booke named the Cordyal, printed by the same, 1479, folio 6 12 6

But there is no end to these curious volumes. I will, however, only add that there were upwards of 150 articles of Old Plays, mostly in quarto. See page 73. Of Antiquities, Chronicles, and Topography, it would be difficult to pitch upon the rarest volumes. The collection, including very few MSS., contained probably about 7000 volumes. The catalogue, in a clean condition, is somewhat uncommon.]

You will imagine that the BOOK-DISEASE now began to be more active and fatal than ever; for the ensuing year (namely, in 1775) died the famous ANTHONY ASKEW, M.D. Those who recollect the zeal and scholarship of this illustrious bibliomaniac,[391] and the precious volumes with which his library was stored, from the choice collections of De Boze, Gaignat, Mead, and Folkes, cannot but sigh, with grief of heart, on reflecting upon such a victim! How ardently, and how kindly (as I remember to have heard one of his intimate friend [Transcriber's Note: friends] say) would Askew unlock the stores of his glittering book-treasures!—open the magnificent folio, or the shining duodecimo, printed upon vellum, and embossed with golden knobs, or held fast with silver clasps! How carefully would he unrol the curious manuscript, decipher the half effaced characters—and then, casting an eye of ecstacy over the shelves upon which similar treasures were lodged, exult in the glorious prospect before him! But death—who, as Horace tells us, equally exercises the knocker of the palace and cottage-door, made no scruple to rap at that of our renowned Doctor—when Askew, with all his skill in medicine and knowledge of books, yielded to the summons of the grim tyrant—and died lamented, as he lived beloved!

[Footnote 391: Lysander is now arrived, pursuing his chronological order, at a very important period in the annals of book-sales. The name and collection of Dr. ASKEW are so well known in the bibliographical world that the reader need not be detained with laboured commendations on either: in the present place, however, it would be a cruel disappointment not to say a word or two by way of preface or prologue. Dr. ANTHONY ASKEW had eminently distinguished himself by a refined taste, a sound knowledge, and an indefatigable research, relating to every thing connected with Grecian and Roman literature. It was to be expected, even during his life, as he was possessed of sufficient means to gratify himself with what was rare, curious, and beautiful, in literature and the fine arts, that the public would one day be benefited by such pursuits: especially as he had expressed a wish that his treasures might be unreservedly submitted to sale, after his decease. In this wish the doctor was not singular. Many eminent collectors had indulged it before him: and, to my knowledge, many modern ones still indulge it. Accordingly, on the death of Dr. Askew, in 1774, appeared, in the ensuing year, a catalogue of his books for sale, by Messrs. Baker and Leigh, under the following title: "BIBLIOTHECA ASKEVIANA, sive Catalogus Librorum Rarissimorum Antonii Askew, M.D., quorum Auctio fiet apud S. Baker et G. Leigh, in Vico dicto York Street, Covent Garden, Londini, Die Lunae, 13 Februarii, MDCCLXXV, et in undeviginti sequentes dies." A few copies were struck off on large paper, which are yet rather common. My own copy is of this kind, with the prices, and names of the purchasers. We are told, by the compiler of the catalogue, that it was thought "unnecessary to say much with respect to this library of the late Dr. Anthony Askew, as the collector and the collection were so well known in almost all parts of Europe." Afterwards it is observed that "The books in general are in very fine condition, many of them bound in morocco, and russia leather, with gilt leaves." "To give a particular account," continues the compiler, "of the many scarce editions of books in this catalogue would be almost endless, therefore the first editions of the classics, and some extremely rare books, are chiefly noticed. The catalogue, without any doubt, contains the best, rarest, and most valuable collection of GREEK and LATIN BOOKS that was ever sold in England, and the great time and trouble of forming it will, it is hoped, be a sufficient excuse for the price put to it." (1s. 6d. the small paper, and 4s. the large.) This account is not overcharged. The collection in regard to Greek and Roman literature was unique in its day. Enriched with many a tome from the Harleian, Dr. Mead's, Martin Folkes's, and Dr. Rawlinson's library, as well as with numerous rare and splendid articles from foreign collections (for few men travelled with greater ardour, or had an acuter discrimination than Dr. Askew), the books were sought after by almost every one then eminent for bibliographical research. HIS MAJESTY was a purchaser, says Mr. J. Nichols, to the amount of about 300l.; Dr. Hunter, to the amount of 500l.; and De Bure (who had commissions from the King of France and many foreign collectors, to the amount of 1500l.) made purchases to the same amount; Dr. Maty was solicited by the trustees of the British Museum not to be unmindful of that repository; and accordingly he became a purchaser to a considerable amount. The late worthy and learned Mr. M. CRACHERODE, whose library now forms one of the most splendid acquisitions of the British Museum, and whose bequest of it will immortalize his memory, was also among the "Emptores literarii" at this renowned sale. He had enriched his collection with many an "Exemplar Askevianum;" and, in his latter days, used to elevate his hands and eyes, and exclaim against the prices now offered for EDITIONES PRINCIPES. The fact is, Dr. Askew's sale has been considered a sort of era in bibliography. Since that period, rare and curious books in Greek and Latin literature have been greedily sought after, and obtained (as a recent sale abundantly testifies) at most extravagant prices. It is very well for a veteran in bibliographical literature, as was Mr. Cracherode, or as are Mr. Wodhull, and Dr. Gosset—whose collections were, in part, formed in the days of De Bure, Gaignat, Askew, Duke de la Valliere, and Lamoignon—it is very well for such gentlemen to declaim against modern prices! But what is to be done? Classical books grow scarcer every day, and the love of literature, and of possessing rare and interesting works, increases in an equal ratio. Hungry bibliographers meet, at sales, with well-furnished purses, and are resolved upon sumptuous fare! Thus the hammer vibrates, after a bidding of FORTY POUNDS, where formerly it used regularly to fall at FOUR! But we lose sight of Dr. Askew's rare editions, and large paper copies. The following, gentle reader, is but an imperfect specimen!

NO. 168. Chaucer's Works, by Pynson, no date L7 17s. 6d.

172. Cicero of Old Age, by Caxton, 1481 13 13 0

518. Gilles (Nicole) Annales, &c., de France. Paris, fol. 1520, 2 tom. SUR VELIN 31 10 6

647. Aeginetae (Pauli) Praecepta Salubria; Paris, quarto, 1510. On VELLUM 11 0 0

666. Aesopi Fabulae. Edit. Princeps circ. 1483 6 6 0

684. Boccacio, il Teseide, Ferar., 1475. Prima Edizione 85 0 0

[This copy, which is called, "probably unique," was once, I suspect, in Consul Smith's library. See Bibl. Smith, p. lxiii. The reader will find some account of it in Warton's History of Engl. Poetry, vol. i., 347. It was printed, as well as the subsequent editions of 1488, and 1528, "with some deviations from the original, and even misrepresentations of the story." His majesty was the purchaser of this precious and uncommon book.]

708. Cornelius Nepos, 1471. Edit. Prin. 11 11 0

713. Alexander de Ales, super tertium Sententiar. 1474, ON VELLUM 15 15 0

817. Anthologia Graeca. Edit. Prin. 1494, ON VELLUM 28 7 0

In Dr. Hunter's Museum.

856. Ammianus Marcellinus, 1474. Edit. Prin. 23 0 0

1332. Ciceronis Opera omnia, Oliveti, 9 vols. quarto, 1740, Charta Maxima 36 15 0

1389. Ejusdem Officia, 1465. Edit. Prin. 30 0 0

1433. Catullus, Tibullus, et Propertius; Aldi, 8vo., 1502. IN MEMBRANIS 17 10 0

This copy was purchased by the late Mr. M.C. Cracherode, and is now, with his library, in the British Museum. It is a beautiful book; but cannot be compared with Lord Spencer's Aldine VELLUM Virgil, of the same size.

1576. Durandi Rationale, &c., 1459. IN MEMBRANIS 61 0 0

The beginning of the 1st chapter was wanting. Lord Spencer has a perfect copy of this rare book, printed upon spotless VELLUM.

2656. Platonis Opera, apud Aldum; 2 vols., fol., 1513. Edit. Prin. ON VELLUM. 55 13 0

Purchased by the late Dr. William Hunter; and is, at this moment, with the Doctor's books and curiosities, at Glasgow. The reader can have no idea of the beauty of these vellum leaves. The ink is of the finest lustre, and the whole typographical arrangement may be considered a masterpiece of printing. If I could forget the magnificent copy which I have seen (but not upon vellum) of the "Etymologicum magnum," in the Luton Library, I should call this the chef-d'oeuvre of the ALDINE PRESS.

2812. Plinii Hist. Natural; apud Spiram, fol., 1469. Edit. Princeps. 43 0 0

This copy has been recently sold for a sum considerably less than it brought. It bears no kind of comparison with the copy in Lord Spencer's, Dr. Hunter's, and the Cracherode, collections. These latter are giants to it!

2813. Id. cum notis Harduini; 1723, 3 vols., ON VELLUM 42 0 0

3345. Tewrdranckhs; Poema Germanica, Norimb. fol., 1517, ON VELLUM. 21 0 0

This is a book of uncommon rarity. It is a poetical composition on the life and actions of the Emperor Maximilian I., and was frequently reprinted; but not with the same care as were the earlier editions of 1517 and 1519—the latter, at Augsburg, by John Schouspergus. Koellerus, who purchased a copy of this work on vellum, for 200 crowns, has given a particularly tempting description of it. See Schelhorn's "Amoenitates Literarae [Transcriber's Note: Literariae]," tom. ii., 430-iii., 144. Dr. Hunter purchased Dr. Askew's copy, which I have seen in the Museum of the former: the wood-cuts, 118 in number, justify every thing said in commendation of them by Papillon and Heinecken. Probably Dr. Askew purchased the above copy of Osborne; for I find one in the Bibl. Harleian, vol. iii., no. 3240. See, too, Bibl. Mead, p. 239, no. 43; where a VELLUM copy, of the edition of 1527, was sold for 9l. 9s. My friend, Mr. Douce, has also beautiful copies of the editions of 1517 and 1519, upon paper of the finest lustre. It has been a moot point with bibliographers whether the extraordinary type of this book be wood, and cut in solid blocks, or moveable types of metal. No one is better able to set this point "at rest," as lawyers call it, than the gentleman whose name is here last mentioned.

3337. Terentianus Maurus de Literis, Syllabis, et Metris Horatii. Mediol. fol., 1497 12 12 0

"This is judged to be the only copy of this edition in England, if not in the whole world. Dr. Askew could find no copy in his travels over Europe, though he made earnest and particular search in every library which he had an opportunity of consulting." Note in the catalogue. It was purchased by Dr. Hunter, and is now in his Museum. Originally it belonged to Dr. Taylor, the editor of Lysias and Demosthenes, who originally procured it from the Harleian Library, for four guineas only. We are told that, during his life, one hundred guineas would not have obtained it!

* * * * *

Rare and magnificent as the preceding articles may be considered, I can confidently assure the reader that they form a very small part of the extraordinary books in Dr. ASKEW'S library. Many a ten and twenty pounder has been omitted—many a prince of an edition passed by unregarded! The articles were 3570 in number; probably comprehending about 7000 volumes. They were sold for 4000l. It remains only to add that Dr. ASKEW was a native of Kendal, in Westmorland; that he practised as a physician there with considerable success, and, on his establishment in London, was visited by all who were distinguished for learning, and curious in the fine arts. Dr. Mead supported him with a sort of paternal zeal; nor did he find in his protege an ungrateful son. (See the Director, vol. i., p. 309.) Few minds were probably more congenial than were those of MEAD and ASKEW: the former had, if I may so speak, a magnificence of sentiment which infused into the mind of the latter just notions of a character aiming at solid intellectual fame; without the petty arts and dirty tricks which we now see too frequently pursued to obtain it. Dr. ASKEW, with less pecuniary means of gratifying it, evinced an equal ardour in the pursuit of books, MSS., and inscriptions. I have heard from a very worthy old gentleman, who used to revel 'midst the luxury of ASKEW'S table, that few men exhibited their books and pictures, or, as it is called, shewed the Lions, better than did the Doctor. Of his attainments in Greek and Roman literature it becomes not me to speak, when such a scholar as Dr. PARR has been most eloquent in their praise. I should observe that the MSS. of Dr. ASKEW were separately sold in 1781, and produced a very considerable sum. The Appendix to Scapula, published in an 8vo. volume, in 1789, was compiied [Transcriber's Note: compiled] from one of these MSS.]

After an event so striking and so melancholy, one would think that future Virtuosi would have barricadoed their doors, and fumigated their chambers, in order to escape the ravages of the Book-Pest:—but how few are they who profit by experience, even when dearly obtained! The subsequent HISTORY OF THE BIBLIOMANIA is a striking proof of the truth of this remark: for the disease rather increased, and the work of death yet went on. In the following year (1776) died JOHN RATCLIFFE;[392] a bibliomaniac of a very peculiar character. If he had contented himself with his former occupation, and frequented the butter and cheese, instead of the book, market—if he could have fancied himself in a brown peruke, and Russian apron, instead of an embroidered waistcoat, velvet breeches, and flowing periwig, he might, perhaps, have enjoyed greater longevity; but, infatuated by the Caxtons and Wynkyn de Wordes of the West and Fletewode collections, he fell into the snare; and the more he struggled to disentangle himself, the more certainly did he become a victim to the disease.

[Footnote 392: BIBLIOTHECA RATCLIFFIANA; or, "A Catalogue of the elegant and truly valuable Library of JOHN RATCLIFFE, Esq., late of Bermondsey, deceased. The whole collected with great judgment and expense, during the last thirty years of his life: comprehending a large and most choice collection of the rare old English black-letter, in fine preservation, and in elegant bindings, printed by Caxton, Lettou, Machlinia, the anonymous St. Alban's Schoolmaster, Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, Berthelet, Grafton, Day, Newberie, Marshe, Jugge, Whytchurch, Wyer, Rastell, Coplande, and the rest of the Old English Typographers: several missals and MSS., and two pedigrees on vellum, finely illuminated." The title-page then sets forth a specimen of these black-letter gems; among which our eyes are dazzled with a galaxy of Caxtons, Wynkyn de Wordes, Pynsons, &c., &c. The sale took place on March 27, 1776; although the year is unaccountably omitted by that renowned auctioneer, the late Mr. Christie, who disposed of them. If ever there was a unique collection, this was one—the very essence of Old Divinity, Poetry, Romances, and Chronicles! The articles were only 1675 in number; but their intrinsic value amply compensated for their paucity. The following is but an inadequate specimen:

NO. 1315. Horace's Arte of Poetrie, Pistles, and Satyres, by Durant, 1567. First English. Edition L0 16s. 0d.

1321. The Shepard's Calendar, 1579. Whetstone's Castle of Delight, 1576 1 2 0

1392. The Pastyme of People, printed by Rastell. Curious wood-cuts 4 7 0

1393. The Chronicles of Englande, printed by Caxton, fine copy, 1480 5 5 0

1394. Ditto, printed at St. Albans, 1483. Purchased by Dr. Hunter, and now in his Museum (which copy I have seen) 7 7 0

1403. Barclay's Shyp of Folys, printed by Pynson, 1508, first edit., a fine copy 2 10 0

1426. The Doctrinal of Sapyence, printed by Caxton, 1489 8 8 0

1427. The Boke called Cathon, ditto, 1483. Purchased by Dr. Hunter, and now in his Museum 5 5 0

1428. The Polytyque Boke, named Tullius de Senectute, in Englyshe, printed by Caxton, 1481 14 0 0

1429. The Game of Chesse Playe. No date. Printed by Caxton 16 0 0

1665. The Boke of Jason, printed by Caxton 5 10 0

1669. The Polychronicon of Ranulph Higden, translated by Trevisa, 1482. Printed by the same, and purchased by Dr. Hunter 5 15 6

1670. Legenda Aurea, or the Golden Legende. Printed by the same, 1483 9 15 0

1674. Mr. Ratcliffe's MS. Catalogue of the rare old black-letter and other curious and uncommon books, 4 vols. 7 15 0

[This would have been the most delicious article to my palate. If the present owner of it were disposed to part with it, I could not find it in my heart to refuse him compound interest for his money. As is the wooden frame-work to the bricklayer, in the construction of his arch, so might Mr. Ratcliffe's MS. Catalogues be to me in the compilation of a certain magnum opus!]

I beg pardon of the manes of "John Ratcliffe, Esq.," for the very inadequate manner in which I have brought forward his collection to public notice. The memory of such a man ought to be dear to the "black-letter-dogs" of the present day: for he had (mirabile dictu!) upwards of THIRTY CAXTONS! I take the present opportunity of presenting the reader with the following engraving of the Ratcliffe Library, Oxon.



If I might hazard a comparison between Mr. James West's and Mr. John Ratcliffe's collections, I should say that the former was more extensive; the latter more curious. Mr. West's, like a magnificent champagne, executed by the hand of Claude or Both, and enclosing mountains, meadows, and streams, presented to the eye of the beholder a scene at once luxuriant and fruitful: Mr. Ratcliffe's, like one of those confined pieces of scenery, touched by the pencil of Rysdael or Hobbima, exhibited to the beholder's eye a spot equally interesting, but less varied and extensive: the judgment displayed in both might be the same. The sweeping foliage and rich pasture of the former could not, perhaps, afford greater gratification than the thatched cottage, abrupt declivities, and gushing streams of the latter. To change the metaphor—Mr. West's was a magnificent repository; Mr. Ratcliffe's, a cabinet of curiosities. Of some particulars of Mr. Ratcliffe's life, I had hoped to have found gleanings in Mr. Nichols's Anecdotes of Bowyer; but his name does not even appear in the index; being probably reserved for the second forth-coming enlarged edition. Meanwhile, it may not be uninteresting to remark that, like Magliabechi, (vide p. 86, ante) he imbibed his love of reading and collecting from the accidental possession of scraps and leaves of books. The fact is, Mr. Ratcliffe once kept a chandler's shop in the Borough; and, as is the case with all retail traders, had great quantities of old books brought to him to be purchased at so much per lb.! Hence arose his passion for collecting the black-letter, as well as Stilton cheeses: and hence, by unwearied assiduity, and attention to business, he amassed a sufficiency to retire, and live, for the remainder of his days, upon the luxury of OLD ENGLISH LITERATURE!]

It is with pain that I trace the ravages of the BOOK-MANIA to a later period. Many a heart yet aches, and many a tear is yet shed, on a remembrance of the mortality of this frightful disease. After the purchasers of Ratcliffe's treasures had fully perused, and deposited in fit places within their libraries, some of the scarcest volumes in the collection, they were called upon to witness a yet more splendid victim to the Bibliomania: I mean, the Honourable TOPHAM BEAUCLERK.[393] One, who had frequently gladdened JOHNSON in his gloomy moments; and who is allowed, by that splenetic sage and great teacher of morality, to have united the elegant manners of a gentleman with the mental accomplishments of a scholar. Beauclerk's Catalogue is a fair specimen of the analytico-bibliographical powers of Paterson: yet it must be confessed that this renowned champion of catalogue-makers shines with greater, and nearly perfect, splendour, in the collection of the REV. THOMAS CROFTS[394]—a collection which, taking it "for all in all," I know not whether it be exceeded by any which this country has recorded in the shape of a private catalogue. The owner was a modest, careful, and acutely sagacious bibliomaniac: learned, retired, yet communicative: and if ever you lay hold of a large paper copy of a catalogue of his books, which, as well as the small, carries the printed prices at the end, seize it in triumph, Lisardo, for it is a noble volume, and by no means a worthless prize.

[Footnote 393: There are few libraries better worth the attention of a scholarlike collector than was the one of the distinguished character above noticed by Lysander. The Catalogue of Beauclerk's books has the following title: "Bibliotheca Beauclerkiana; A Catalogue of the large and valuable Library of the late Honourable TOPHAM BEAUCLERK, F.R.S., deceased; comprehending an excellent choice of books, to the number of upwards of 30,000 volumes, &c. Sold by auction, by Mr. Paterson, in April, 1781," 8vo. The catalogue has two parts: part I. containing 230; part ii. 137, pp. The most magnificent and costly volume was the largest paper copy of Dr. Clarke's edition of Caesar's Commentaries, 1712, fol., which was sold for 44l.; and of which the binding, according to Dr. Harwood's testimony, cost 5l. 5s. There is nothing, in modern times, very marvellous in this price of binding. Of the two parts of the Beauclerk collection, the second is the most valuable to the collector of English Antiquities and History, and the first to the general scholar. But let not the bibliomaniac run too swiftly over the first, for at nos. 3450, 3453, he will find two books which rank among the rarest of those in old English poetry. At the close of the second part, there are a few curious manuscripts; three of which are deserving of a description here.

PART II.

3275. Thomas of Arundel, his Legend in old English verse; VII parts, with the Entre, or Prologue: written A.D. M.C.VII. upon vellum, the Capitals illuminated, fol. Here follows a specimen of the verse L1 18s. 0d.

ye fyrst pt of ys yt es of mon and of his urechednes.

ye secounde pte folowyng es of ye worldes unstabillnes.

ye yyrdde pt yt is of deth & of peyn yt wt hy geth.

the ferthe parte is of purgatorye yere soules ben clensed of her folye.

ye fyfte pt of ys dey of doom & of tokens yt byfore shul coom.

ye syxte pt of ys boke to telle yt speketh of ye peynes of helle.

ye seventhe part of joys in heven yat bene more yenne tong may neuen.

3276. The Life and Acts of St. Edmond, King and Martyr, by John Lydgate, Monk of Bury, fol.: a choice MS. upon vellum, illuminated throughout, and embellished with 52 Historical Miniatures. For a specimen of the verse, take the first stanza: 22 1 0

The noble stoory to putte in remembraunce Of Seynt Edmond mayd martre and kyng With his suppoor: my style i wyl avaunce ffirst to compyle afftre my konnyng his gloryous lyff his birthe and his gynnying And by discent how he was soo good Was in Saxonye borne of the royal blood.

3288. The Armes, Honours, Matches, and Issues of the auncient and illustrious FAMILY OF VEER: described in the honourable progeny of the Earles of Oxenford and other branches thereof. Together with a genealogical deduction of this noble family from the blood of 12 forreyne princes: viz. 3 Emperours, 3 Kings, 3 Dukes, and 3 Earles, &c. Gathered out of History, Recordes, and other Monuments of Antiquity, by Percivall Goulding, Gent. The Arms illuminated, folio. 9 0 0

I will just add that this catalogue is creditably printed in a good size octavo volume, and that there are copies upon large paper. The arrangement of the books is very creditable to the bibliographical reputation of Paterson.]

[Footnote 394: When the reader is informed that Paterson tells us, in the preface of this volume, that "In almost every language and science, and even under the shortest heads, some one or more rare articles occur; but in the copious classes, such as follow, literary curiosity is gratified, is highly feasted"—and that the author of this remark used, in his latter days, to hit his knee hard with his open hand, and exclaim—"By G——, Crofts' Catalogue is my chef d'oeuvre, out and out"—when he reflects, I say, for a minute upon these two bibliographical stimuli, he will hasten (if he have it not already) to seize upon that volume of which the following is but an imperfect specimen of the treasures contained in it: "Bibliotheca Croftsiana: A Catalogue of the curious and distinguished Library of the late Reverend and Learned THOMAS CROFTS, A.M., &c. Sold by auction, by Mr. Paterson, in April, 1783," 8vo. This collection, containing 8360 articles, although not quite so generally useful as the preceding, is admirably well arranged; and evinces, from the rarity of some of the volumes in the more curious departments of literature, the sound bibliographical knowledge and correct taste of Mr. Crofts: who was, in truth, both a scholar and bibliomaniac of no ordinary reputation. I hasten to treat the reader with the following Excerpta Croftsiana: being a selection of articles from this catalogue, quite according with the present prevailing fashion of Book-Collecting:

NO. 2741. Raccolta de Poeti Provenzali MS. antiq. Supermembr., 8vo., cor. turc. avec une table des noms des troubadours contenu dans ce MS. L5 7s. 6d.

4920. Les cent nouvelles nouvelles, Lettres Gothiques, fig. fol., velin Paris, imprimees par Nic. Desprez. M.D.V. 2 15 0

4921. Le Chevalier de la Tour. Et le guidon des guerres; lettres Gothiques, fig. fol. maroq. rouge, imprime a Paris, pour Guil. Eustace. M.D.XIV. 2 17 0

4922. Le premier, second, et tiers volume de Lancelot du Lac; nouvellement imprime a Paris. L'an mil cinq cens et xx, pour Michel le Noir; Lettres Gothiques, fig. fol. maroq. rouge 10 15 0

4923. Le premier et le second volume du Sainct Greaal, contenant la conqueste dudict Sainct Greaal, faicte par Lancelot du Lac, Galaad Perceval et Boors; Lettres Gothiques, fig. fol. maroq. rouge, Paris, imprime par Phel le Noir, M.D.XXIII 5 7 6

"Ce volume est un des plus rares de la classe des Romans de Chevalerie. T.C."

4924. Ci Commence Guy de Warwick chevalier Dangleterre qui en son tems fit plusieurs prouesses et conquestes en Allemaigne, Ytalie, et Dannemarche. Et aussi sur les infidelles ennemys de la Crestiente; Lettres Gothiques, fig. fol. maroq. rouge. Paris, imprime par Ant. Couteau, M.D.XXV. 1 18 0

4925. Le premier et le second volume de Merlin, qui est le premier livre de la table ronde, avec plusieurs choses moult recreative: aussi les Prophecies de Merlin, qui est le tierce partie et derniere: Lettres Gothiques, 2 tom. 4to., maroq. rouge, Paris, M.D.XXVIII. 1 18 0

4926. La treselegante, delicieuse, melliflue, et tresplaisante Hystoire du tresnoble, victori, et excellentissime roy Perceforest, Roy de la Grand Bretaigne, fundateur du Francpalais et du temple du souverain Dieu. En laquelle lecture pourra veoir la source et decoration de toute Chevalerie, culture de vraye Noblesse, Prouesses, &c. Avecques plusieurs propheties, Comptes Damans, et leur divers fortunes. Lettres Gothiques, 6 tom. en 3 fol., Paris, chez Galliot du Pre, M.D.XXVIII. 7 0 0

4927. Le tiers, quart, cinquiesme, sixiesme, et dernier volumes des Anciennes Croniques Dangleterre, faictz et gestes du trespreux et redoubte en chevalerie, le noble roy Perceforest: imprime a Paris pour Egide Gourmont et Phil. le Noir, M.D.XXXII. 2 tom. folio 0 11 6

4298. Le Parangon des Nouvelles, honestes et delectables a tous ceulx qui desirent voir et ouyr choses nouvelles et recreatives soubz umbre et couleur de joyeuste, 8vo. fig. maroq. rouge. Imprimez a Lyon, par Denys de Harsy, 1532. Les Parolles joyeuses et Dicts memorables des nobles et saiges Homes anciens, redigez par le gracieulx et honeste Poete Messire Francoys Petrarcque, fig. ib. 1532 2 5 0

4929. L'Histoire de Isaie le triste filz de Tristan de leonnoys, jadis Chevalier de la table ronde, et de la Royne Izeut de Cornouaille, ensemble les nobles prouesses de chevallerie faictes par Marc lexille filz. au dict Isaye: Lettres Gothiques, avec fig., 4to., maroq. rouge. On les vend a Paris par Jehan Bonfons, 1535 2 12 6

"There is no direct date either at the beginning or end, nor any privilege annexed to this rare Romance. Mr. Crofts, though extremely accurate, for the most part, has made no remark; neither has the industrious Mr. de Bure taken notice of this particular edition. The date is, nevertheless, obvious, according to my conjecture. After the words filz du dict Isaye, in the general title, at some distance, stand these numerals lxv. c. At first I apprehended they referred to the work, as containing so many chapters; but upon examining the table, I found the Romance to consist of 92 chapters: I conclude they must relate to the date of the book, and are to be read lxv. ante M.D.C., or 1535. S.P."

4932. Meliadus de Leonmoys. Du present Volume sont contenus les nobles faictz darmes du vaillant roy Meliadus. Ensemble plusieurs autres nobles proesses de Chevalerie faictes tant par le roy Artus, Palamedes, &c., &c. Lettres Gothiques, fig., fol., maroq. bleu, Paris, chez Galliot du Pre 3 10 0

4933. Lhystoire tresrecreative, traictant des faictz et gestes du noble et vaillant Chevalier Theseus de Coulongne, par sa proesse Empereur de Rome. Et aussi de sons fils Gadifer, Empereur de Grece. Pareillement des trois enfans de Gadifer, cestassavoir Regnault, Reynier, et Regnesson, &c. Lettres Gothiques, avec fig. 4to., en peau russe. Paris, pour Jehan Bonfons, s.a. 5 0 0

4938. L'Histoire Palladienne, traitant des gestes et genereux Faitz d'armes et d'armour de plusieurs Grandz Princes et Seigneurs, specialement de Palladien filz du roy Milanor d'Angleterre, et de la belle Selenine, &c.; par feu Cl. Colet Champenois, fig., fol., maroquin jaune. Paris, de l'imprimerie d'Estien. Goulleau, 1555 1 18 0

4945. Hist. du noble Tristan Prince de Leonnois, Chevalier de la table ronde, et d'Yseulte, Princesse d'Yrlande, Royne de Cornouaille; fait Francois par Jean Maugin, dit l'Angevin, fig., 4to., maroq. rouge, Rouen. 1586 1 5 0

4953. L'Hist. du noble et vaillant Chevalier Paris et la belle Vienne, 4to., Rouen 3 10 0

4961. Histoires Prodigieuses, extractes de plusieurs fameux Autheurs, Grecs et Latins, par Pier Boaisteau, Cl. de Tesserant, F. de Belleforest, Rod. Hoyer, &c., fig. 6 tom. en 3, 12mo., maroq. rouge. Par chez la Verfue Cavellat, 1598 2 9 0

4964. Valentine and Orson, cuts, black letter, 4to. London; no date. (Not sold.)

7276. Hollinshed's (Raphe) and William Harrison's Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, continued by John Hooker, alias Vowell, and others; black letter, 3 vols. fol., large paper, in Russia, 1586 13 2 6

7399. Lynch (Jo.) Seu Gratiani Lucii Hiberni Cambrensis Eversus, seu potius Historica fides, in Rebus Hibernicis, Giraldo Cambrensi abrogata, fol. Impress. An. 1662. Sine Loco aut Nomine Impressoris 3 4 0

"Liber inter Historicos Hibernicos rarissimus et inventu difficilimus, quippe cujus pars maxima exemplarium in incendio periit Londinensi. Sub Lucii Gratiani nomine latet verus autor Johannes Lynch (Tuamensis Archidiaconus) qui post Gallvae deditionem, Exul in Gallia hocce opus patriae vindex composuit. T.C."

This catalogue contains 8360 articles. There are printed lists of the prices for which each set of books was sold: but I am afraid that an arrant bibliomaniac, like myself (for thus my friends are cruel enough to call me!) will be content only with a large paper copy of it, with the prices neatly penned in the margin. I conclude that Lysander recommends the volume in this shape to all tasteful collectors.]

LIS. But there are surely other large paper——

ALMAN. What can there possibly be in a large paper copy of a Catalogue of Books which merits the appellation of "nobleness" and "richness?"

LOREN. You are a little out of order. Such a question cuts the heart of a bibliographer in twain. Pray let Lysander pursue his narrative.

LYSAND. I have no sort of objection to such interruptions. But I think the day is not very far distant when females will begin to have as high a relish for large paper copies of every work as their male rivals. Now let us go on quietly towards the close of my long-winded bibliomaniacal history. And first let us not fail to pay due respect to the cabinet of literary bijoux collected by that renowned bibliomaniac, MARK CEPHAS TUTET.[395] His collection was distinguished by some very uncommon articles of early date, both of foreign and British typography; and, if you take a peep into Lorenzo's priced copy of the catalogue containing also the purchasers' names, you will find that most notorious modern bibliomaniacs ran away with the choicest prizes. Tutet's catalogue, although drawn up in a meagre and most disadvantageous style, is a great favourite with me; chiefly for the valuable articles which it exhibits.

[Footnote 395: A Catalogue of the genuine and valuable Collection of printed Books and Manuscripts of the late MARK CEPHAS TUTET, Esq., to be sold by auction by Mr. Gerard, on Wednesday, the 15th of February, 1786, 8vo. This library evinces the select taste and accurate judgment of its collector. There were only 513 articles, or lots; but these in general were both curious and valuable. I will give a specimen or two of the TUTET CABINET of books.

NO. 10. Various Catalogues of Curiosities, elegantly bound in 14 volumes, and a few loose: most of them priced, with the purchasers' names. A.D. 1721 to 1783, 8vo. L3 16s. 0d.

55. Two volumes of ancient and modern cards, eleg. in russia 5 5 0

[These volumes were purchased by Mr. Payne's father, and of him by Mr. Gough. At the sale of the MSS. of the latter (1810) they were purchased by Mr. Robert Triphook, bookseller, of St. James's Street; with a view of making them instrumental to a work which he is projecting, Upon the History and Antiquity of Playing Cards.]

86. Broughton's Concent of Scripture: printed upon vellum 1 2 0

118. Snelling's Silver Coinage,—1762; ditto Gold Coinage, 1763; ditto Copper Coinage, 1768; ditto Miscellaneous Views, 1769; ditto Jettons, 1769: all in folio 7 0 0

"These form a complete set of Snelling's works in folio, and are interspersed with a great number of very useful and interesting notes and observations, by Mr. Tutet."

126. The Byble, &c. Printed by Grafton and Whitchurch, 1537, folio 3 3 0

[There is a note here by Tutet which does not evince any profound knowledge of English etymology.]

168. Rede me and be not wroth, 12mo., no place nor date 1 11 6

175. Servetus de Trinitatis erroribus, cor. tur., 1531, 12mo. 3 14 0

316. —— de Trinitate divina, Lond., 1723, 4to. 1 12 0

329. The Arte and Crafte to know well to dye. Printed by Caxton, 1490, folio 2 2 0

337. Hautin, Figures des Monnoyes de France, 1619, folio 6 0 0

364. Parker de Antiq. Brit. Ecclesiae, 1572, folio. A long and curious note is here appended 4 4 0

371. The Boke of Hawkinge, Huntynge, and Fysshynge, 1496, fol. 2 9 0

372. Sancta Peregrinatio in Mont. Syon, &c. 1486, folio 7 7 0

["This is the first book of travels that was ever printed. The maps are very remarkable; that of the Holy Land is above 4 feet long."]

463. Spaccio della Bestia trionfante. Paris, 1584, 8vo. 7 7 0

477. Expositio Sancti Jeronimi in Symbolum Apostolorum, cor. maur. Oxon., 1468, 4to. 16 5 0

479. Polychronycon; printed by Caxton, 1482, 4to. 4 12 0

480. Pfintzing (Melchoir [Transcriber's Note: Melchior]) His German Poem of the Adventures of the Emperor Maximilian, under the name of Tewrdanckh's. Nuremb., 1517, folio 5 7 6

481. Initial Letters, Vignettes, Cul de Lampes, &c., 2 vols., elegantly bound in russia. [These beautiful books are now in the possession of Mr. Douce] 4 6 0

483. Bouteroue, Recherches curieuses des Monnoyes de France: in morocco, gilt, Paris, 1666, folio 5 0 0

486. Froissart's Chronicles; printed by Pynson, 1523, folio, 2 vols. A beautiful copy elegantly bound. 16 0 0

487. Recule of the Hystoryes of Troye; printed by Caxton, (1471) Folio. A very fine copy, and quite complete. 21 0 0

490. Ciceronis Officia, 1466, 4to. On paper. 25 10 0

And thus we take leave of that judicious and tasteful bibliomaniac, MARK CEPHAS TUTET!

Three months after the sale of the preceding library, appeared the Bibliotheca Universalis Selecta of SAMUEL PATERSON; containing a collection to be sold by auction in May, 1786. To this catalogue of 8001 articles, there is a short (I wish I could add "sweet") preface, which has been extracted in the Gentleman's Magazine, vol. lvi., p. 334; and in the Censura Literaria, vol. ii., p. 252—but, whatever accidental reputation the volume may have received from the notice of it in these periodical works, I deem both the preface and the work itself quite unworthy of Paterson's credit. There is an alphabetical index (not always very correct); and a few bibliographical notes are subjoined to the specification of the titles; and these considerations alone will give the book a place in the library of the bibliomaniac. The collection is, in fact, neither universal nor select: and the preface is written in the worst of all styles, containing the most commonplace observations.]

The following year, was sold, in a similar way, the select and very curious collection of RICHARD WRIGHT, M.D.;[396] the strength of which lay chiefly in publications relating to the Drama and Romances. It is, in my humble opinion, a most judicious, as well as neatly printed, little catalogue; and not more than a dozen copies of it, I think, were printed upon large paper. Secure this volume, Lisardo, if you wish to add to your riches in English bibliography.

[Footnote 396: Lysander has not drawn too strong an outline in his picture of the Bibliotheca Wrightiana. The collection was elegant and select. Let us say a little more about it. "A Catalogue of the Library of RICHARD WRIGHT, M.D. &c., consisting of an elegant and extensive collection of books in every branch of learning, &c., many of the scarcest editions of the Old English Poets, Novels, and Romances; also a most singular assemblage of Theatrical Writers, including the rarest productions of the English Drama." Sold by auction by T. and J. Egerton, April 23rd, 1787, 8vo. The volume is neatly printed, and the books in the collection are arranged in alphabetical order under their respective departments. We will now fill up a little of the aforementioned strong outline of the picture of Wright's library: which contained 2824 articles.

917, 920, 921-4-5-6-7, 931-2-3, exhibit a glorious specimen of the ancient English Chronicles—which, collectively, did not produce a sum above L45 0s. 0d.

1223. England's Parnassus, 1600, 8vo. 0 14 0

1333. Churchyarde's Choice, 1579, 4to. 2 14 0

1334. —— first part of his Chippes, 1575, 4to. 3 13 6

1343. Robert Greene's Works, 2 vols., elegantly bound, 4to. (containing 17 pieces.) 5 19 0

1374. Shyp of Folys. Printed by Pynson, 1508, fol. 3 13 0

1384. Skelton's Works: 1568, 8vo. 0 14 0

1398. Turberville's epitaphs, epigrams, songs and sonnets, 1567, 8vo.

My copy has no price to this article.

1493. Thomas Nashe's Works, in three vols. 4to., containing 21 pieces 12 15 0

1567 to 2091, comprehends The English Theatre.

These numbers exhibit almost every thing that is rare, curious, and valuable in this popular department. I know not how to select stars from such a galaxy of black-letter lustre—but the reader may follow me to the ensuing numbers, which will at least convince him that I am not insensible to the charms of dramatic bijoux, nos. 1567-9: 1570-6-8: 1580: 1595-6-8-9: 1606: 1626: 1636-7-8: 1712 (Dekker's Pieces: 15 in number—sold for 3l. 3s. EHEU!) 1742: 1762. (Heywood's 26 plays, 3l. 4s.) 1776.—1814: (Marston's 9 pieces, 3l. 4s.) 1843. (Tragedie of Dido, 1594, 16l. 16s. EUGE!) 1850. (Middleton; 13 pieces: 4l. 5s.) 1873-5. (George Peele's: 7l. 7s.) 1902: (Sackville's Ferrex and Porrex: 2l. 4s.)—But—"quo Musa tendis?" I conclude, therefore, with the following detailed seriatim.

1960. Shakspeare's Works; 1623, folio. First edition; bound in Russia leather, with gilt leaves. 10 0 0

1961. The same; 1632. Second impression. 2 9 0

1962. The same; 1632. The same. 1 6 0

1963. The same; 1663. Third Edit. in Russia. 1 1 0

1964. The same; 1683. Fourth Edition. 1 1 0

My copy of this catalogue is upon large paper, beautifully priced by a friend who "hath an unrivalled pen in this way;" and to whom I owe many obligations of a higher kind in the literary department—but whose modesty, albeit he was born on the banks of the Liffey, will not allow me to make the reader acquainted with his name. Therefore, "STAT NOMINIS UMBRA:" viz. ——!]

LOREN. Was Wright's the only collection disposed of at this period, which was distinguished for its dramatic treasures? I think HENDERSON'S[397] library was sold about this time?

[Footnote 397: A Catalogue of the Library of JOHN HENDERSON, Esq. (late of Covent Garden Theatre), &c. Sold by auction by T. and J. Egerton, on February, 1786, 8vo. Do not let the lover of curious books in general imagine that Henderson's collection was entirely dramatical. A glance at the contents of page 12 to page 22, inclusively, will shew that this library contained some very first-rate rarities. When the dramatic collector enters upon page 23, (to the end of the volume, p. 71) I will allow him to indulge in all the mania of this department of literature, "withouten ony grudgynge." He may also ring as many peals as it pleaseth him, upon discovering that he possesses all the copies of a dramatic author, ycleped George Peele, that are notified at nos. 923-4! Henderson's library was, without doubt, an extraordinary one. As we are upon Dramatic Libraries, let us, for fear Lysander should forget it, notice the following, though a little out of chronological order. "A Catalogue, &c., of the late Mr. JAMES WILLIAM DODD, of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, &c. Sold by auction by Leigh and Sotheby, Jan. 19, 1797, 8vo., 2435 lots." There was more of the Drama in this than in Henderson's collection. Mr. Kemble purchased the dearest volume, which was "Whetstone's Promos and Cassandra," 1578, 4to. (no. 2396) for 7l. 10s. Mr. George Nicol (for the late Duke of Roxburgh) kept up a tremendous fire at this sale! Akin to Dodd's, was the "Curious and Valuable Library of GEORGE SMYTH, Esq.—sold by Leigh and Sotheby, June 2, 1797, 8vo." There were many uncommon books in this collection, exclusively of those appertaining to the Drama; and when I mention, in this latter department—Hughes's Misfortunes of Prince Arthur, &c., printed by Robinson, 1587, 4to. (no. 1376; 16l. 15s.), both the parts of Shakespeare's Henry the Fourth (1599-1600, 4to., nos. 1436-7; 18l. 18s.), his Much Ado about Nothing, 1600, 4to., (no. 1438; 7l. 10s.)—I say enough to sharpen the collector's appetite to obtain, if he have it not, possession of this curious but barbarously printed catalogue. To these, let me add the "Catalogue of a portion of the Library of WILLIAM FILLINGHAM, Esq., consisting of old quarto plays, early English Poetry, and a few scarce Tracts, &c., sold by Leigh and Sotheby, April 1805, 8vo." The arrangement of this small catalogue is excellent. Many of the books in it are of the rarest occurrence; and, to my knowledge, were in the finest preservation. The collector is no more! He died in India; cut off in the prime of life, and in the midst of his intellectual and book-collecting ardour! He was a man of exceedingly gentlemanlike manners, and amiable disposition; and his taste was, upon the whole, well cultivated and correct. Many a pleasant, and many a profitable, hour have I spent in his "delightsome" library!!!]

LYSAND. It was; and if you had not reminded me of it, I should have entirely forgotten it. Catalogues of dramatic Libraries, well arranged, are of great service to the cause of the Bibliomania.

LIS. I wish we could procure some act of parliament to induce the dramatic collectors—by a fair remuneration—to give a well analysed account of their libraries. We should then have the Bibliotheca Roxburghiana, Bibliotheca Maloniana, and what say you to the Bibliotheca Kembleiana.

LYSAND. You are running wild. Let me continue my bibliomaniacal history.

We may now advance directly to the exquisite—and shall I say, unparalleled?—library of MAJOR PEARSON![398] a gentleman, who has far eclipsed the bibliomaniacal reputation of his military predecessor, General Dormer. This extraordinary collection was sold by auction the very next year ensuing the sale of Dr. Wright's books and so thickly and richly is it sprinkled with the black-letter, and other curious lore—so varied, interesting, and valuable, are the departments into which it is divided—that it is no wonder his present Majesty, the late Duke of Roxburgh, and George Steevens, were earnest in securing some of the choicest gems contained in the same. Such a collection, sold at the present day—when there is such a "qui vive" for the sort of literature which it displays—what would it produce? At least four times more, than its sum total, two and twenty years ago!

[Footnote 398: If the reader attend only to the above flourishing eulogy, by Lysander, upon the extraordinary collection of Major, or Thomas, Pearson, I fear he will not rise from the perusal of these pages impressed with very accurate notions of the same. To qualify such ardent panegyric, and at the same time to please the hearts of all honest bibliomaniacs, I here subjoin something like a sober analysis of the Bibliotheca Pearsoniana. The title to the Sale Catalogue is as follows: "Biblioth. Pearson. A Catalogue of the Library of THOMAS PEARSON, Esq. Containing a very extensive Collection of the best and rarest books in every branch of English Literature, &c. Sold by Auction by T. and J. Egerton, in April, 1788," 8vo. Like all the sale catalogues put forth by the Egertons, the present is both judiciously arranged and neatly printed. It is said that there are only twelve copies upon large paper; but I doubt the smallness of this number. My own is of this kind, superbly bound, and priced with a neatness peculiar to the calligraphical powers of the 'forementioned friend. It may not be amiss to prefix an extract from a newspaper of the day; in which this sale was thus noticed: "The Black-lettero-mania, which raged so furiously in the course of last Spring at the Sale of Dr. WRIGHT'S Books, has broken out with still greater violence at the present auction of MAJOR PEARSON'S Library. This assertion may be countenanced by the following examples." Then follow a few specimens of the prices given. The reader is now presented with copious specimens, selected according to their numerical order: the addenda, between inverted commas, being copied from the said newspaper.

1888. Webbe's Discourse of English Poetrie, 1586, 4to. L3 5s. 0d.

"Bought by Mr. Steevens versus Mr. Malone."

1889. Puttenham's Art of English Poesie, 1589, 4to. 1 12 0

1900. The fyrst Boke of the Introduction to Knowledge, &c.; Printed by W. Copland, no date, 4to. 4 15 0

"By the Rev. Mr. Brand versus Lord Charlemont."

1910. The Castell of Laboure; Emprynted by Pynson, 4to., no date. 2 2 0

1926. Dekker's Miscellaneous Pieces, 1604, &c., 4to. 2 2 0

1932. A curious collection of sundry rare pieces, 4to. 3 4 0

1951. Drollery's (eleven) 1661, &c., 8vo. 5 6 6

These droll pieces are now much coveted by knowing bibliomaniacs. Mr. Heber and Mr. Hill have each a copious collection of them; and Mr. Gutch of Bristol, a bookseller of great spirit in his trade, and of equal love of general literature, recently gratified the curious by exhibiting, in his catalogue of 1810, a number of "Garlands;" which ere now, have, in all probability, proved a successful bait for some hungry book fish.

2035. Sir John Harrington's most elegant and witty Epigrams, with portrait, 1618, 8vo. 2 3 0

2090. Flowers of Epigrammes, &c. Impr. by Shepperd, 1577, 12mo. 1 14 0

2130. The Paradise of Dainty Devises, &c., printed for E. White, 1600, 4to. The workes of a Young Wit, by N.B. b.l. printed by Thomas Dawson, no date. Watson's Mistresse, &c., and Sonnets, b.l. imperf. Diana, by the Earl and Countess of Oxenford, printed for J. Roberts, wanting title, 4to. 9 12 6

"Bought by Mr. Steevens versus Mr. Malone."

2131. England's Helicon, 1600, 4to. 5 10 0

"By ditto versus ditto."

2147. The Example of Vertu; printed by W. de Worde, 4to.

"Bought by Mr. Mason versus Mr. Malone."

2162. A Mirrour of Mysterie; finely written upon, vellum, with two very neat drawings with pen and ink, 1557, 4to. 2 0 0

2186. Manley's Affliction and Deliverance of Saints, portr. 1652, 8vo. 1 12 0

2190. Tragedie of Sir Richard Grenvile, Knt. printed by J. Roberts, 1595, 8vo. 0 15 6

2289. Laquei Ridiculosi, or Springes for Woodcocks, by Henry Parrot, 1613, 8vo. 0 4 6

N.B. This little volume was sold for as many guineas at the sale of Mr. Reed's books in 1807.

2373. Lyf of St. Ursula; Impr. by Wynkyn de Worde, no date, 4to. 1 10 0

2374. Lyf and History of Saynt Werburge. Printed by Pynson, 1521, 4to. 1 3 0

N.B. This volume was sold for 18l. 18s. at the last mentioned sale.

2575. This lot comprehends a cluster of precious little black-letter pieces, which were purchased at the sale of West's books, by Major Pearson. Eight in the whole: executed before the year 1540. 3 19 0

2421. The Goodly Garlande, or Chaplet of Laurell, by Maister Skelton; Impr. by Fawkes, 1523, 4to. See here a long note upon the rarity and intrinsic worth of this curious little volume. "Purchased by Brand versus the King." 7 17 6

2710. Ancient Songs and Ballads; written on various subjects, and printed between the years 1560 and 1700; chiefly collected by Robert Earl of Oxford, and purchased at the sale of the library of James West, Esq., in 1773 (for 20l.): increased by several additions: 2 volumes bound in Russia leather. 26 4 6

"Bought by Mr. Nicol for the Duke of Roxburgh, versus Messrs. Arnold and Ritson." "N.B. The preceding numerous and matchless collection of Old Ballads are all printed in the black-letter, and decorated with many hundred wooden prints. They are pasted upon paper, with borders (printed on purpose) round each ballad: also, a printed title and index to each volume. To these are added the paragraphs which appeared in the public papers respecting the above curious collection, at the time they were purchased at Mr. West's." Thus far Messrs. Egerton. I have to add that the late DUKE OF ROXBURGH became the purchaser of these "matchless" volumes. Whilst in Major Pearson's possession, "with the assistance of Mr. Reed, the collection received very great additions, and was bound in two very large volumes; in this state (says Mr. Nicol,) it was bought by the Duke of Roxburghe. After the industrious exertions of two such skilful collectors as Major Pearson and Mr. Reed, the Duke did not flatter himself with ever being able to add much to the collection; but, as usual, he undervalued his own industry. Finding that his success far exceeded his expectations, he determined to add a third volume to the collection. Among these new acquisitions are some very rare ballads; one quoted by Hamlet, of which no other copy is known to exist." Preface to the Roxburgh Catalogue, p. 5. The ballad here alluded to may be seen in Mr. Evans's recent edition of his father's Collection of Old Ballads; vol. i., p. 7.