Chapter VI: Conclusion: Of the Account of the Royal Library. the Library of the Arsenal (2)

St. Léger, at twenty years of age, returned to Paris. The celebrated Pingré was chief librarian of the Ste. GENEVIEVE COLLECTION; and St. Léger attached himself with ardour and affection to the society and instructions of his Principal. He became joint SECOND LIBRARIAN in 1759; when Pingré, eminent for astronomy, departing for India to observe the transit of Venus over the sun's disk, St. Léger was appointed to succeed him as CHIEF--and kept the place till the year 1772. These twelve years were always considered by St. Léger as the happiest and most profitable of his life. During this period he lent a helping hand in abridging the _Journal de Trevoux_. In September, 1764, Louis XV. laid the foundation-stone, with great pomp and ceremony, of the new church of Ste. Geneviève. After the ceremony, he desired to see the library of the old establishment--in which we have both been so long tarrying. Mercier spread all the more ancient and curious books upon the table, to catch the eye of the monarch: who, with sundry Lords of the bed-chamber, and his _own_ librarian BIGNON, examined them with great attention, and received from Mercier certain information respecting their relative value, and rarity. Every now and then Louis turned round, and said to Bignon, "Bignon, have I got that book in my library?" The royal librarian ... answered not a word--but hiding himself behind CHOISEUL, the prime minister, seemed to avoid the sight of his master. Mercier, however, had the courage and honesty to reply, "No, Sire, that book is _not_ in your library." The king spent about an hour in examining the books, chatting with the librarian, (Mercier) and informing himself on those points in which he was ignorant. It was during this conversation, that the noble spirit of Mercier was manifested. The building of the library of St. Victor was in a very crazy state: it was necessary to repair it, but the public treasury could not support that expense. "I will tell your Majesty, (said Mercier) how this may be managed without costing you a single crown. The headship of the Abbey of St. Victor is vacant: name a new Abbot; upon condition, each year, of his ceding a portion of his revenue to the reparation of the Library." If the king had had one spark of generous feeling, he would have replied by naming Mercier to the abbey in question, and by enjoining the strict fulfilment of his own proposition. But it was not so. Yet the scheme was carried into effect, although others had the glory of it. However, the king had not forgotten Mercier, nor the bibliographical lesson which he had received in the library of Ste. Geneviève. One of these lessons consisted in having the distinctive marks pointed out of the famous _Bible of Sixtus V_. published in 1590. A short time after, on returning from mass, along the great gallery of Versailles, Louis saw the head librarian of Ste. Geneviève among the spectators.. and turning to his prime minister, exclaimed "Choiseul, how can one distinguish the _true_ Bible of Sixtus V.?" "Sire, (replied the unsuspecting minister) I never was acquainted with that book." Then, addressing himself to Mercier, the king repeated to him--without the least hesitation or inaccuracy--the lesson which he had learnt in the library of Ste. Geneviève. There are few stories, I apprehend, which redound so much to this king's credit.

Louis gave yet more substantial proofs of his respect for his bibliographical master, by appointing him, at the age of thirty-two, to the headship of the abbey of _St. Léger de Soissons_--and hence our hero derives his name. In 1772 Mercier surrendered the Ste. Geneviève library to Pingré, on his return from abroad--and in the privacy of his own society, set about composing his celebrated _Supplément à l'Histoire de l'Imprimerie par Prosper Marchand_--of which the second edition, in 1775, is not only more copious but more correct. The Abbé Rive, who loved to fasten his teeth in every thing that had credit with the world, endeavoured to shake the reputation of this performance.. but in vain. Mercier now travelled abroad; was received every where with banqueting and caresses; a distinction due to his bibliographical merits--and was particularly made welcome by Meerman and Crevenna. M. Ochéda, Earl Spencer's late librarian--and formerly librarian to Crevenna--has often told me how pleased he used to be with Mercier's society and conversation during his visit to Crevenna. On his return, Mercier continued his work, too long suspended, upon the LATIN POETS OF THE MIDDLE AGE. His object was, to give a brief biography of each; an analysis of their works, with little brilliant extracts and piquant anecdotes; traits of history little known; which, say Chardon De La Rochette and M. Barbier, (who have read a great part of the original MS.) "are as amusing as they are instructive."

But the Revolution was now fast approaching, and the meek spirit of Mercier could ill sustain the shock of such a frightful calamity. Besides, he loved his country yet dearer than his books. His property became involved: his income regularly diminished; and even his privacy was invaded. In 1792 a decree passed the convention for issuing a "Commission for the examination of monuments." Mercier was appointed one of the thirty-three members of which the commission was composed, and the famous Barrère was also of the number. Barrère, fertile in projects however visionary and destructive, proposed to Mercier, as a _bright thought_, "to make a short extract from every book in the national library: to have these extracts superbly printed by Didot;--and to ... BURN ALL THE BOOKS FROM WHICH THEY WERE TAKEN!" It never occurred to this revolutionising idiot that there might be a _thousand_ copies of the _same work_, and that some hundreds of these copies might be OUT of the national library! Of course, Mercier laughed at the project, and made the projector ashamed of it.[98] Robespierre, rather fiend than man, now ruled the destinies of France. On the 7th of July, 1794, Mercier happened to be passing along the streets when he saw _sixty-seven human beings_ about to undergo the butchery of the GUILLOTINE. Every avenue was crowded by spectators--who were hurrying towards the horrid spectacle. Mercier was carried along by the torrent; but, having just strength enough to raise his head, he looked up ... and beheld his old and intimate friend the ex-abbé ROGER ... in the number of DEVOTED VICTIMS! That sight cost him his life. A sudden horror ... followed by alternate shiverings, and flushings of heat ... immediately seized him. A cold perspiration hung upon his brow. He was carried into the house of a stranger. His utterance became feeble and indistinct, and it seemed as if the hand of death were already upon him.

Yet he rallied awhile. His friends came to soothe him. Hopes were entertained of a rapid and perfect recovery. He even made a few little visits to his friends in the vicinity of Paris. But ... his fine full figure gradually shrunk: the colour as gradually deserted his cheek--and his eye sensibly lacked that lustre which it used to shed upon all around. His limbs became feeble, and his step was both tremulous and slow. He lingered five years ... and died at ten at night, on the 13th of May 1799, just upon the completion of his jubilee of his bibliographical toil. What he left behind, as annotations, both in separate papers, and on the margins of books, is prodigious. M. Barbier shewed me his projected _third_ edition of the _Supplément to Marchand_, and a copy of the _Bibliothèque Françoise of De La Croix du Maine_, &c. covered, from one end to the other, with marginal notes by him.[99] That amiable biographer also gave me one of his little bibliographical notices, as a specimen of his hand writing and of his manner of pursuing his enquiries.[100]

Such are the feelings, and such the gratifications; connected with a view of the LIBRARY of STE. GENEVIÈVE. Whenever I visit it, I imagine that the gentle spirit of MERCIER yet presides there; and that, as it is among the most ancient, so is it among the most interesting, of BOOK LOCALS in Paris.

Come away with me, now, to a rival collection of books--in the MAZARINE COLLEGE, or Institute. Of the magnificence of the exterior of this building I have made mention in a previous letter. My immediate business is with the interior; and more especially with that portion of it which relates to _paper_ and _print_. You are to know, however, that this establishment contains _two Libraries_; one, peculiar to the Institute, and running at right angles with the room in which the members of that learned body assemble: the other, belonging to the College, to the left, on entering the first square--from the principal front.

The latter is the _old_ collection, of the time of Cardinal Mazarin, and with _that_ I begin. It is deposited chiefly on the first floor; in two rooms running at right angles with each other: the two, about 140 feet long. These rooms may be considered very lofty; certainly somewhat more elevated than those in the Royal Library. The gallery is supported by slender columns, of polished oak, with Corinthian capitals. The general appearance is airy and imposing. A huge globe, eight feet in diameter, is in the centre of the angle where the two rooms meet. The students read in either apartment: and, as usual, the greatest order and silence prevail. But not a _Fust and Schoiffher_--nor a _Sweynheym and Pannartz_--nor an _Ulric Han_--in this lower region ... although they say the collection contains about 90,000 volumes. What therefore is to be done? The attendant sees your misery, and approaches: "Que desirez vous, Monsieur?" That question was balm to my agitated spirits. "Are the old and more curious books deposited here?" "Be seated, Sir. You shall know in an instant." Away goes this obliging creature, and pulls a bell by the side of a small door. In a minute, a gentleman, clothed in black--the true bibliographical attire--descends. The attendant points to me: we approach each other: "A la bonne heure--je suis charmé...." You will readily guess the remainder. "Donnez vous la peine de monter." I followed my guide up a small winding stair-case, and reached the topmost landing place. A succession of small rooms--(I think _ten_ in number) lined with the _true_ furniture, strikes my astonished eye, and makes warm my palpitating heart. "This is charming"--exclaimed I, to my guide, Monsieur Thiebaut--"this is as it should be." M. Thieubaut bowed graciously.

The floors are all composed of octagonal, deeply-tinted red, tiles: a little too highly glazed, as usual; but cool, of a good picturesque tint, and perfectly harmonising with the backs of the books. The first little room which you gain, contains a plaster-bust of the late Abbé HOOKE,[101] who lived sometime in England with the good Cardinal----. His bust faces another of Palissot. You turn to the right, and obtain the first foreshortened view of the "ten little chambers" of which I just spoke. I continued to accompany my guide: when, reaching the _first_ of the last _three_ rooms, he turned round and bade me remark that these last three rooms were devoted exclusively to "books printed in the _Fifteenth Century_: of which they possessed about fifteen hundred." This intelligence recruited my spirits; and I began to look around with eagerness. But alas! although the crop was plentiful, a deadly blight had prevailed. In other words, there was number without choice: quantity rather than quality. Yet I will not be ill-natured; for, on reaching the third of these rooms, and the last in the suite, Monsieur Thiebaut placed before me the following select articles.

BIBLIA LATINA. _Printed by Fust and Schoiffher: Without Date, but supposed to be in the year 1455 or 1456_. Folio. 2 vols. For the last dozen years of my life, I had earnestly desired to see this copy: not because I had heard much of its beauty, but because it is the _identical_ copy which gave rise to the calling of this impression the MAZARINE BIBLE.[102] Certainly, all those copies which I had previously seen--and they cannot be fewer than ten or twelve--were generally superior; nor must this edition be henceforth designated as "of the very first degree of rarity."

BIBLIA LATINA. _Printed by the Same_, 1462. Folio. 2 vols. A fair, sound, large copy: UPON VELLUM. The date is printed in red, at the end of each volume--a variety, which is not always observable. This copy is in red morocco binding.

BIBLIA ITALICA. _Printed by Vindelin de Spira, Kalend. August. 1471_. Folio. 2 vols. A fine copy of an extremely rare edition; perhaps the rarest of all those of the early Italian versions of the Bible. It is in calf binding, but cropt a little.

LEGENDA SANCTORUM. Italicè. "_Impresse per Maestro Nicolo ienson, &c. Without Date_. Folio. The author of the version is _Manerbi_: and the present is the _first impression_ of it. It is executed in double columns, in the usually delicate style of printing by Jenson: and this volume is doubtless among the rarer productions of the printer.

SERVIUS IN VIRGILIUM. _Printed by Ulric Han. Without Date_. Folio. This is a volume of the most unquestionable rarity; and _such_ a copy of it as that now before me, is of most uncommon occurrence.[103] Can this be surprising, when I tell you that it once belonged to Henri II. and Diane de Poictiers! The leaves absolutely talk to you, as you turn them over. Yet why do I find it in my heart to tell you that, towards the middle, many leaves are stained at the top of the right margin?! There are also two worm holes towards the end. But what then? The sun has its spots.

PLAUTUS. 1472. Folio. Editio Princeps. Although _this_ volume came also from the collection of the _illustrious Pair_ to whom the previous one belonged, yet is it unworthy of such owners. I suspect it has been cropt in its second binding. It is stained all through, at top, and the three introductory leaves are cruelly repellent.

CÆSAR. 1469. Folio. Editio Princeps. A very fine, genuine copy; in the original binding--such as all Sweynheym and Pannartz's _ought_ to be. It is tall and broad: but has been unluckily too much written upon.

LACTANTIUS. 1470. _By the same Printers_. Perhaps, upon the whole, the finest copy of this impression which exists. Yet a love of truth compels me to observe--only in a very slight sound, approaching to a whisper--that there are indications of the ravages of the worm, both at the beginning and end; but very, very trivial. It is bound like the preceding volume; and measures thirteen inches and nearly three quarters, by about nine inches and one eighth.

CICERO DE OFFICIIS. 1466. 4to. Second Edition, upon paper; and therefore rare. But this copy is sadly stained and wormed.

CICERO DE NATURA DEORUM, &c. _Printed by Vindelin de Spiraa_. 1471. Folio. A fine sound copy, in the original binding.

SILIUS ITALICUS. _Printed by Laver_. 1471. Folio. A good, sound copy; and among the very rarest books from the press of Laver, in such condition.

CATULLUS, TIBULLUS, ET PROPERTIUS. 1472. Folio. The knowing, in early classical bibliography, are aware that this _Editio Princeps_ is perhaps to be considered as only _one_ degree below the first impressions of Lucretius and Virgil in rarity. The longest life may pass away without an opportunity of becoming the purchaser of such a treasure. The present is a tall, fair copy; quite perfect. In red morocco binding.

DANTE. _Printed by Numeister_. 1472. Folio. Considered to be the earliest impression. This is rather a broad than a tall copy; and not free from stain and the worm. But it is among the very best copies which I have seen.

* * * * *

It will not be necessary to select more flowers from this choice corner of the tenth and last room of the upper suite of apartments: nor am I sure that, upon further investigation, the toil would be attended with any very productive result. Yet I ought not to omit observing to you that this Library owes its chief celebrity to the care, skill, and enthusiasm of the famous _Gabriel Naudé_, the first librarian under the Cardinal its founder. Of Naudé, you may have before read somewhat in certain publications;[104] where his praises are set forth with no sparing hand. He was perhaps never excelled in activity, bibliographical _diplomacy_, or zeal for his master; and his expressive countenance affords the best index of his ardent mind. He purchased every where, and of all kinds, of bodies corporate and of individuals. But you must not imagine that the _Mazarine Library_, as you now behold it, is precisely of the same dimensions, or contains the same books, as formerly. If many rare and precious volumes have been disposed of, or are missing, or lost, many have been also procured. The late librarian was LUCAS JOSEPH HOOKE, and the present is Mons. PETIT RADEL.[105] We will descend, therefore, from these quiet and congenial regions; and passing through the lower rooms, seek the _other_ collection of books attached to this establishment.

The library, which is more immediately appropriated to the INSTITUTE OF FRANCE, may consist of 20,000 volumes,[106] and is contained in a long room--perhaps of one hundred feet--of which the further extremity is supposed to be _adorned_ by a statue of VOLTAIRE. This statue is raised within a recess, and the light is thrown upon it from above from a concealed window. Of all deviations from good taste, this statue exhibits one of the most palpable. Voltaire, who was as thin as a hurdle, and a mere bag of bones, is here represented as an almost _naked_ figure, sitting: a slight mantle over his left arm being the only piece of drapery which the statue exhibits. The poet is slightly inclining his head to the left, holding a pen in his right hand. The countenance has neither the fire, force, nor truth, which Denon's terra-cotta head of the poet seems to display. The extremities are meagre and offensive. In short, the whole, as it appears to me, has an air approaching the burlesque. Opposite to this statue are the colossal busts of LA-GRANGE and MALESHERBES; while those of PEIRESC and FRANKLIN are nearly of the size of nature. They are all in white marble. That of Peiresc has considerable expression.

This may be called a collection of _Books of Business_; in other words, of books of almost every day's reference--which every one may consult. It is particularly strong in _Antiquities_ and _History_: and for the latter, it is chiefly indebted to Dom Brial--the living father of French history[107]--that excellent and able man (who is also one of the Secretaries of the Institute) having recommended full two-thirds of the _long sets_ (as they are called) which relate to ancient history. The written catalogue is contained in fourteen folio volumes, interleaved; there being generally only four articles written in a page, and those four always upon the recto of each leaf. This is a good plan: for you may insert your acquisitions, with the greatest convenience, for a full dozen years to come. No _printed_ catalogue of either of these libraries, or of those of the Arsenal and Ste. Geneviève, exists: which I consider to be a _stain_--much more frightful than that which marks the copy of the "_Servius in Virgilium_," just before described!

It remains now to make mention of a _third_ Collection of Books--which may be considered in the light both of a public and a private Library. I mean, the Collection appropriated more particularly for the _King's private use_,[108] and which is deposited beneath the long gallery of the Louvre. Its local is as charming as it is peculiar. You walk by the banks of the Seine, in a line with the south side of the Louvre, and gain admittance beneath an archway, which is defended by an iron grating. An attendant, in the royal livery, opens the door of the library--just after you have ascended above the entresol. You enquire "whether Monsieur BARBIER, the chief Librarian, be within?" "Sir, he is never absent. Be pleased to go straight forward, as far as you can see."[109] What a sight is before me! Nothing less than _thirteen_ rooms, with a small arched door in the centre, through which I gaze as if looking through a tube. Each of these rooms is filled with books; and in one or the other of them are assembled the several visitors who come to read. The whole is perfectly magical. Meanwhile the nephew of M. Barbier walks quickly, but softly, from one room to another, to take down the several volumes enquired after. At length, having paced along upwards of 200 feet of glazed red tile, and wondering when this apparently interminable suite of apartments will end, I view my estimable friend, the HEAD LIBRARIAN deeply occupied in some correction of Bayle or of Moreri--sitting at the further extremity. His reception of me is more than kind. It is hearty and enthusiastic.

"Now that I am in this magical region, my good friend, allow me to inspect the famous PRAYER BOOK of CHARLEMAGNE?"--was my first solicitation to Mons. Barbier. "Gently,"--said my guide. "You are almost asking to partake of forbidden fruit. But I suppose you must not be disappointed." This was only sharpening the edge of my curiosity--for "wherefore this mystery, good M. Barbier?" "_That_ you may know another time. The book is here: and you shall immediately inspect it."--was his reply. M. Barbier unlocked the recess in which it is religiously preserved; took off the crimson velvet in which it is enveloped; and springing backward only two feet and a half, exclaimed, on presenting it, "Le voilà--dans toute sa beauté pristine." I own that I even forgot _Charles the Bald_--and eke his imperial brother _Lotharius_,[110]--as I gazed upon the contents of it. With these contents it is now high time that you should be made acquainted.

EVANGELISTARIUM, or PRAYER BOOK--once belonging to CHARLEMAGNE. Folio. The subject-matter of this most precious book is thus arranged. In the first place, there are five large illuminations, of the entire size of the page, which are much discoloured. The first four represent the _Evangelists_: each sitting upon a cushion, not unlike a bolster. The fifth is the figure of our SAVIOUR. The back ground is purple: the pillow-like seat, upon which Christ sits, is scarlet, relieved by white and gold. The upper garment of the figure is dark green: the lower, purple, bordered in part with gold. The foot-stool is gold: the book, in the left hand, is red and gold: the arabesque ornaments, in the border, are blue, red, and gold. The hair of our Saviour is intended to be flaxen.

The text is in double columns, upon a purple ground, within an arabesque border of red, purple, yellow, and bluish green. It is uniformly executed in letters of gold, of which the surface is occasionally rather splendid. It consists of a series of gospel extracts, for the whole year, amounting to about two hundred and forty-two. These extracts terminate with "_Et ego resuscitabo eum in novissimo die. Amen_"

Next comes a Christian Calendar, from the dominical year Dcclxxv. to Dccxcvii. On casting the eye down these years, and resting it on that of Dcclxxxi, you observe, in the columns of the opposite leaf, this very important entry, or memorandum--in the undoubted writing of the time: "_In isto Anno ivit Dominus_, REX KAROLUS, _ad scm Petrvm et baptisatus est filius eius_ PIPPINUS _a Domino Apostolico_;" from which I think it is evident (as is observed in the account of this precious volume in the _Annales Encyclopédiques_, vol. iii. p. 378) that this very book was commanded to be written chiefly to perpetuate a notice of the baptism, by Pope Adrian, of the emperor's son PIPPIN.[111] There is no appearance whatever of fabrication, in this memorandum. The whole is coeval, and doubtless of the time when it is professed to have been executed. The last two pages are occupied by Latin verses, written in a lower-case, cursive hand; but contemporaneous, and upon a purple ground. From these verses we learn that the last scribe, or copyist, of the text of this splendid volume, was one GODESCALE, or GODSCHALCUS, a German. The verses are reprinted in the _Décades Philosophiques_.

This MS. was given to the _Abbey of St. Servin_, at Toulouse; and it was religiously preserved there, in a case of massive silver, richly embossed, till the year 1793; when the silver was stolen, and the book carried off, with several precious relics of antiquity, by order of the President of the Administration, (Le Sieur S*****) and thrown into a magazine, in which were many other vellum MSS. destined ... TO BE BURNT! One's blood curdles at the narrative. There it lay--- expecting its melancholy fate; till a Monsieur de Puymaurin, then detained as a prisoner in the magazine, happened to throw his eye upon the precious volume; and, writing a certain letter about it, to a certain quarter--(which letter is preserved in the fly leaves, but of which I was denied the transcription, from motives of delicacy--) an order was issued by government for the conveyance of the MS. to the metropolis. This restoration was effected in May 1811.[112] I think you must admit, that, in every point of view, THIS MS. ranks among the most interesting and curious, as well as the most ancient, of those in the several libraries of Paris.

But this is the _only_ piece of antiquity, of the book kind, in the Library. Of modern performances, I ought to mention a French version of OSSIAN, in quarto, which was the favourite reading book of the ex-Emperor; and to which Isabey, at his express command, prefixed a frontispiece after the design of Gérard. This frontispiece is beautifully and tenderly executed: a group of heroes, veiled in a mist, forms the back-ground. The only other modern curiosity, in this way, which I deem it necessary to notice, is a collection of ORIGINAL DRAWINGS of flowers, in water colours, by RÉDOUTÉ, upon vellum: in seven folio volumes; and which cost 70,000 francs.[113] Nothing can exceed--and very few efforts of the pencil can equal--this wonderful performance. Such a collection were reasonable at the fore-mentioned price.

And now, my good friend, suppose I furnish you with an outline of the worthy head-librarian himself? A.A. BARBIER has perhaps not long "turned the corner" of his fiftieth year. Peradventure he may be fifty three.[114] In stature, he is above the middle height, but not very tall. In form, he is robust; and his countenance expressive of great conciliatoriness and benignity. There is a dash of the "old school" about the attire of M. Barbier, which I am Goth enough to admire: while his ardour of conversation, and rapidity of utterance, relieved by frequent and expressive smiles, make his society, equally agreeable and instructive. He is a literary bibliographer to the very back bone; and talks of what he has done, and of what he purposes to do, with a "gaieté de coeur" which is quite delightful. He is now engaged in an _Examen Critique et Complément des Dictionnaires Historiques les plus repandus_;[115] while his _Dictionnaire des Auteurs Anonymes et Pseudonymes_, in 4 vols. 8vo., and his _Bibliothéque d'un Homme de gout_," in five similar volumes, have already placed him in the foremost rank of French bibliographers. Such is his attention to the duties of his situation, as Librarian, that from one year's end to the other, with the exception of Sundays, he has _no holiday_. His home-occupations, after the hours of public employment (from twelve to four) are over, are not less unintermitting--in the pursuits of literary bibliography.

It was at this home, that M. Barbier shewed me, in his library, some of the fruits of his long and vigorously pursued "travail." He possesses Mercier Saint Léger's own copy of his intended _third_ edition of the _Supplement to Marchand's History of Printing_. It is, in short, the second edition, covered with ms. notes in the hand-writing of Mercier himself.[117] He also possesses (but as the property of the Royal Library) the same eminent bibliographer's copy of the _Bibliothèque Française De La Croix du Maine_, in six volumes, covered in like manner with ms. notes by the same hand. To a man of M. Barbier's keen literary appetite, this latter must prove an inexhaustible feast. I was shewn, in this same well-garnished, but unostentatious collection, GOUJET'S own catalogue of his own library. It is in six folio volumes; well written; with a ruled frame work round each page, and an ornamental frontispiece to the first volume. Every book in the catalogue has a note subjoined; and the index is at once full and complete.[118] M. Barbier has rather a high notion, and with justice, of Goujet: observing to me, that _five_ volumes, out of the _ten_ of the last edition of Moreri's Dictionary--which were edited by Goujet--as well as his _Bibliothéque Française_, in eighteen duodecimo volumes--entitled him to the lasting gratitude of posterity. On my remarking that the want of an index, to this _latter_ work, was a great drawback to the use which might be derived from it, M.B. readily coincided with me--and hoped that a projected new edition would remedy this defect. M.B. also told me that Goujet was the editor of the _Dictionnaire de Richelet_, of 1758, in three folio volumes--which had escaped my recollection.

My first visit to M. Barbier was concluded by his begging my acceptance of a copy of the _first edition of Phædrus_, in 1596, 12mo.; which contained, bound up with it, a copy of the _second_ edition of 1600; with various readings to the _latter_, from a MS. which was burnt in 1774. This gift was expressly intended for Lord Spencer's library, and in a few months from hence (as I have previously apprized his Lordship) it shall "repose upon the shelves" of his Collection.[119]

It is now high time to relieve you; as you must begin to be almost wearied with BIBLIOGRAPHY. You have indeed, from the tenor of these five last letters, been made acquainted with some of the chief treasures in the principal libraries of Paris. You have wandered with me through a world of books; and have been equally, with myself, astonished and delighted with what has been placed before you. Here, then, I drop the subject of bibliography--only to be resumed as connected with an account of book-men.

[91] [Because I have said that M. FLOCON was "from home" at the time I
visited the library, and that M. Le CHEVALIER was rarely to be found
abroad, M. Crapelet lets loose such a tirade of vituperation as is
downright marvellous and amusing to peruse. Most assuredly I was not
to know M. Flocon's bibliographical achievements and distinction by
_inspiration_; and therefore I hasten to make known both the one and
the other--in a version of a portion of the note of my sensitive
translator: "M. Flocon is always at work; and one of the most zealous
Librarians in Paris: he has worked twenty years at a Catalogue of the
immense Library of Ste. Geneviève, of which the fruits are,
twenty-four volumes--ready for press. Assuredly such a man cannot be
said to pass his life away from his post." CRAPELET, vol iv. p. 3, 4.
Most true--and who has said that HE DOES? Certainly not the Author of
this Work. My translator must have here read without his spectacles.]

[92] _Editiones Italicæ_; 1793. _Præf._

[93] Vol. i. p. 63-7. It is there observed that "there does not seem to be
any reason for assigning this edition, to a _Roman_ press."

[94] See page 116 ante

[95] See page 139 ante.

[96] See page 145 ante.

[97] [Now the property of the Right Hon. T. Grenville; having been
purchased at the sale of Mr. Dent's Library for 107_l_.]

[98] M. Crapelet doubts the truth of this story. He need not.

[99] [See the account of M. Barbier, post.]

[100] It is on a small piece of paper, addressed to M. Barbier: "Cherchez
dans les depôts bien soigneusement, tous les ouvrages d'ANDRE CIRINE:
entr'autres ses _De Venatione libri ii: Messanæ_ 1650. 8vo. _De natura
et solertia Canum; Panormi_, 1653. 4to. _De Venatione et Natura
Animalium Libri V. ibid_, 1653. 3 vol. in 4to.--tous avec figures
gravées en bois. Peut être dans la _Bibl. des Théatres_ y étoient-ils.
Je me recommande toujours à M, Barbier pour la _Scala Coeli_, in
folio, pour les _Lettres de Rangouge_, et pour les autres livres qu'il
a bien voulu se charger de rechercher pour moy." ST. LEGER.

[101] The Abbé Hooke preceded the abbé Le Blond; the late head librarian.
The present head librarian M. PETIT RADEL, has given a good account of
the Mazarine Library in his _Recherches sur les Bibliotheques_, &c.
1819, 8vo.; but he has been reproached with a sort of studied omission
of the name of Liblond--who, according to a safe and skilful writer,
may be well considered the SECOND FOUNDER of the Mazarine Library. The
Abbé Liblond died at St. Cloud in 1796. In M. Renouard's Catalogue of
his own books, vol. ii. p. 253, an amusing story is told about Hooke's
successor, the Abbé Le Blond, and Renouard himself.

[102] _Bibl. Spenceriana_, vol. i. p. 3, &c. and page 154 ante.

[103] When Lord Spencer was at Paris in 1819, he told MM. Petit Radel and
Thiebaut, who attended him, that it was "the finest copy he had ever
seen." Whereupon, one of these gentlemen wrote with a pencil, in the
fly-leaf, "Lord Spencer dit que c'est le plus bel exemplaire qu'il ait
vu." And well might his Lordship say so.

[104] _Bibliomania_, p. 50. _Bibliographical Decameron_, vol. ii.
p. 493.

[105] Mons. Petit-Radel has lately (1819) published an interesting octavo
volume, entitled "_Recherches sur les Bibliothéques anciennes et
modernes,&c._ with a "_Notice Historique sur la Bibliothéque
Mazarine_: to which latter is prefixed a plate, containing portraits
in outline, of Mazarin, Colbert, Naudé and Le Blond." At the end, is a
list of the number of volumes in the several public libraries at
Paris: from which the following is selected.

ROYAL LIBRARY _Printed Volumes_ about 350,000
_Ditto, as brochures_, &c. 350,000
Manuscripts 50,000

LIBRARY OF THE ARSENAL Printed Volumes 150,000
Manuscripts 5,000

LIBRARY OF ST. GENEVIEVE Printed Volumes 110,000
Manuscripts 2,000

MAZARINE LIBRARY Printed Volumes 90,000
Manuscripts 3,500

LIBRARY OF THE PREFECTURE
(Hotel de la Ville) Printed Volumes 15,000

------- INSTITUTE Printed Volumes 50,000

This last calculation I should think very incorrect. M. Petit Radel
concludes his statement by making the WHOLE NUMBER OF ACCESSIBLE
VOLUMES IN Paris amount to _One Million, one hundred and twenty-five
thousand, four hundred and thirty-seven_. In the several DEPARTMENTS
OF FRANCE, collectively, there is _more_ than that number. But see the
note ensuing.

[106] [Mons. Crapelet says, 60,000 volumes: but I have more faith in the
first, than in the second, computation: not because it comes from
myself, but because a pretty long experience, in the numbering of
books, has taught me to be very moderate in my numerical estimates. I
am about to tell the reader rather a curious anecdote connected with
this subject. He may, or he may not, be acquainted with the Public
Library at Cambridge; where, twenty-five years ago, they boasted of
having 90,000 volumes; and now, 120,000 volumes. In the year 1823, I
ventured to make, what I considered to be, rather a minute and
carefull calculation of the whole number: and in a sub note in the
_Library Companion_, p. 657, edit. 1824, stated my conviction of that
number's not exceeding 65,000 volumes, including MSS. In the following
year, a very careful estimate was made, by the Librarians, of the
whole number:--and the result was, that there were only.... 64,800
volumes!]

[107] Now, numbered with THE DEAD. Vide post.

[108] [The translation of the whole of the concluding part of this letter,
beginning from above, together with the few notes supplied, as seen in
M. Crapelet's publication, is the work of M. Barbier's nephew.]

[109] [For M. Barbier Junior's note, which, in M. Crapelet's publication,
is here subjoined, consult the end of the Letter.]

[110] See pages 65-7 ante.

[111] [This conclusion is questioned with acuteness and success by M.
Barbier's nephew. It seems rather that the MS. was finished in 781, to
commemorate the victories of Charlemagne over his Lombardic enemies in
774.]

[112] [This restoration, in the name of the City of Toulouse, was made in
the above year--on the occasion of the baptism of Bonaparte's son. But
it was not placed in the King's private library till 1814. BARBIER
Jun.]

[113] [Now complete in 8 volumes--at the cost of 80,000 francs!]

[114] [The latter was the true guess: for M. Barbier died in 1825, in his
60th year.]

[115] It was published in 1821. In one of his recent letters to me, the
author thus observes--thereby giving a true portraiture of himself--
"Je sais, Monsieur, quelle est votre ardeur pour le travail: je sais
aussi que c'est le moyen d'être heureux: ainsi je vous félicite d'être
constamment occupé." M. Barbier is also one of the contributors to the
_Biographie Universelle_,[116] and has written largely in the _Annales
Encyclopédiques_. Among his contributions to the latter, is a very
interesting "_Notice des principaux écrits relatifs à la personne et
aux ouvrages de J.J. Rousseau_." His "_Catalogue des livres dans la
Bibliothéque du Conseil d'Etat_, transported to Fontainbleau in 1807,
and which was executed in a handsome folio volume, in 1802, is a
correct and useful publication. I boast with justice of a copy of it,
on fine paper, of which the author several years ago was so obliging
as to beg my acceptance. [From an inscription in the fly-leaf of this
Catalogue, I present the reader with a fac-simile of the hand-writing
of its distinguished author.]

[Autograph]

[116] [I "ALONE am responsible for this Sin. _Suum Cuique_."
BARBIER, Jun.]

[117] [These volumes form the numbers 1316 and 1317 of the Catalogue of M.
Barbier's library, sold by auction in 1828.]

[118] [Consult _Bibl. Barbier_: Nos. 1490, 1491, 1861.]

[119] [The agreeable and well instructed Bibliographer, to the
praises of whom, in the preceding edition of this work, I was too
happy to devote the above few pages, is now NO MORE. Mons. Barbier
died in 1825, and his library--the richest in literary bibliography in
Paris,--was sold in 1828. On referring to page 197 ante, it will be
seen that I have alluded to a note of M. Barbier's nephew, of which
some mention was to be made in this place. I will give that note in
its _original language_, because the most felicitous version of it
would only impair its force. It is subjoined to these words of my
text: "Be pleased to go strait forward as far as you can see."
"L'homme de service lui-même ne ferait plus cette rêponse aujourd'hui.
Peu de temps après l'impression du Voyage de M. Dibdin, ce qu'on
appelle une _organisation_ eut lieu. Après vingt-sept ans de travaux
consacrés à la bibliographique et aux devoirs de sa place, M. Barbier,
que ses fonctions paisibles avoient protégés contre les terribles
dénonciations de 1815, n'a pu régister, en 1822, aux délations
mensongères de quelque commis sous M. Lauriston.

_Insere nunc, Meliboee, pyros; pone ordine vites_!

J'ai partagé pendant vingt ans les travaux de mon oncle pour former la
bibliothéque de la couronne, et j'ai du, ainsi que lui, être mis a la
retraite au moment de la promotion du nouveau Conservateur." CRAPELET,
vol. iv. p. 45.

I will not pretend to say _what_ were the causes which led to such a
disgraceful, because wholly unmerited, result. But I have reason to
BELIEVE that a dirty faction was at work, to defame the character of
the Librarian, and in consequence, to warp the judgment of the
Monarch. Nothing short of infidelity to his trust should have moved
SUCH a Man from the Chair which he had so honourably filled in the
private Library of Louis XVIII. But M. Barbier was beyond suspicion on
this head; and in ability he had perhaps, scarcely an equal--in the
particular range of his pursuits. His _retreating_ PENSION was a very
insufficient balm to heal the wounds which had been inflicted upon
him; and it was evident to those, who had known him long and well,
that he was secretly pining at heart, and that his days of happiness
were gone. He survived the dismissal from his beloved Library only
five years: dying in the plenitude of mental vigour. I shall always
think of him with no common feelings of regret: for never did a kinder
heart animate a well-stored head. I had hoped, if ever good fortune
should carry me again to Paris, to have renewed, in person, an
acquaintance, than which none had been more agreeable to me, since my
first visit there in 1818: But ... "Diis aliter visum est." There is
however a mournful pleasure in making public these attestations to the
honour of his memory; and, in turn, I must be permitted to quote from
the same author as the nephew of M. Barbier has done....

His saltem accumulem donis, et fungar inani
Munere....

Perhaps the following anecdote relating to the deceased, may be as
acceptable as it is curious. Those of my readers who have visited
Paris, will have constantly observed, on the outsides of houses, the
following letters, painted in large capitals:

MACL:

implying--as the different emblems of our Fire Offices imply--

"M[aison] A[ssurée] C[ontre] L'[incendie]:"

in plain English, that such houses are insured against fire. Walking
one afternoon with M. Barbier, I pointed to these letters, and said,
"You, who have written upon _Anonymes_ and _Pseudonymes_, do you know
what those letters signify?" He replied, "Assuredly--and they can have
but _one_ meaning." "What is that?" He then explained them as I have
just explained them. "But (rejoined I) since I have been at Paris, I
have learnt that they also imply _another_ meaning." "What might that
be?" Stopping him, and gently touching his arm, and looking round to
see that we were not overheard, I answered in a suppressed tone:--

"M[es] A[mis] C[hassez] L[ouis]."

He was thunderstruck. He had never heard it before: and to be told it
by a stranger! "Mais (says he, smiling, and resuming his steps) "voila
une chose infiniment drole!"

Let it be remembered, that this HERETICAL construction upon these
Initial Capitals was put at a time when the _Bonaparte Fever_ was yet
making some of the pulses of the Parisians beat 85 strokes to the
minute. _Now_, his Majesty Charles X. will smile as readily at this
anecdote as did the incomparable Librarian of his Regal Predecessor.

[INTRODUCTION TO LETTER VIII.]

Before entering upon the perusal of this memorable Letter--which, in the previous edition, was numbered LETTER XXX,--(owing to the Letters having been numbered consecutively from the beginning to the end) I request the Reader's attention to a few preliminary remarks, which may possibly guide him to form a more correct estimate of its real character. MONS. LICQUET having published a French version of my Ninth Letter, descriptive of the Public Library at Rouen, (and to which an allusion has been made in vol. i. p. 99.) MONS. CRAPELET (see p. 1, ante) undertook a version of the _ensuing_ Letter: of which he printed _one hundred copies_. Both translations were printed in M. Crapelet's office, to arrange, in type and form of publication, as much as possible with my own; so that, if the _intrinsic_ merit of these versions could not secure purchasers, the beauty of the paper and of the press work (for both are very beautiful) might contribute to their circulation. To the version of M. Crapelet[120] was prefixed a _Preface_, combining such a mixture of malignity and misconception, that I did not hesitate answering it, in a privately printed tract, entitled "A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER." Of this Tract, "only _thirty-six copies were printed_." "So much the better for the Author"--says M. Crapelet. The sequel will shew.

In the publication of the _entire_ version of my Tour, by M.M. Licquet and Crapelet, the translation of this VIIIth Letter appears as it did in the previous publication--with the exception of the omission of the _Preface_: but in lieu of which, there is another and a short preface, by M. Crapelet, to the third volume, where, after telling his readers that his previous attempt had excited my "holy wrath," he seems to rejoice in the severity of those criticisms, which, in certain of our _own_ public Journals, have been passed upon my subsequent bibliographical labours. With these criticisms I have here nothing to do. If the authors of them can reconcile them to their own good sense and subsequent reflections, and the Public to their own INDEPENDENCE of JUDGMENT, the voice of remonstrance will be ineffectual. Time will strike the balance between the Critic and the Author: and without pretending to explore the mysteries of an occasional _getting-up_ of Reviews of particular articles, I think I can speak in the language of justice, as well as of confidence, of the Author of ONE of these reviews, by a quotation from the _Ajax Flagellifer_ of SOPHOCLES.

[Greek: Blepô gar echthron phôta, kai tach' an kakois Gelôn, ha dê kakourgos exikoit' anêr.--]

To return to M. Crapelet; and to have done with him. The _motive_ for his undertaking the version of this memorable Letter, about "BOOKSELLERS, PRINTERS, and BOOKBINDERS at Paris," seems to be wholly inconceivable; since the logic of the undertaking would be as follows. BECAUSE I have spoken favourably of the whole typographical fraternity--and because, in particular, of M. Crapelet, his _Ménage_, and Madame who is at the head of it--_because_ I have lauded his Press equally with his Cellar--THEREFORE the "_un_holy wrath" of M. Crapelet is excited; and he cannot endure the freedom taken by the English traveller. It would be abusing the confidence reposed in me by written communications, from characters of the first respectability, were I to make public a few of the sentiments contained in them--expressive of surprise and contempt at the performance of the French typographer. But in mercy to my adversary, he shall be spared the pain of their perusal.

[120] [A young stranger, a Frenchman--living near the mountainous solitudes
between Lyons and the entrance into Italy--and ardently attached to
the study of bibliography--applied himself, under the guidance of a
common friend--dear to us both from the excellence of his head and
heart--to a steady perusal of the _Bibliographical Decameron_, and the
_Tour_. He mastered both works within a comparatively short time. He
then read _A Roland for an Oliver_--and voluntarily tendered to me his
French translation of it. How successfully the whole has been
accomplished, may be judged from the following part--being the version
of my preface only.

OBSERVATION PRELIMINAIRE.

"La production de M. Crapelet rappelée, dans le titre précédent, sera
considérée comme un phénomène dans son genre. Elle est, certes, sans
antécédent et, pour l'honneur de la France, je desire qu'elle n'ait
pas d'imitateurs. Quiconque prendra la peine de lire la trentième
lettre de mon voyage, soit dans l'original, soit dans la version de M.
Crapelet, en laissant de coté les notes qui appartiennent an
traducteur, conviendra facilement que cette lettre manifeste les
sentimens les plus impartiaux et les plus honorables à l'état actuel
de la librairie et de l'imprimerie à Paris. Dans plusieurs passages,
où l'on compare l'éxécution typographique, dans les deux pays, la
supériorité est décidée en faveur de la France. Quant a _l'esprit_ qui
a dicté cette lettre, je déclare, comme homme d'honneur, ne l'avoir
pas composée, dans un systême d'opposition, envers ceux qu'elle
concerne plus particulièrement.

"Cependant, il n'en a pas moins plu à M. Crapelet, imprimeur de Paris,
l'un de ceux dont il y est fait plus spécialement l'éloge,
d'accompagner sa traduction de cette lettre, de notes déplacées et
injurieuses pour le caractère de l'auteur et de son ouvrage. Par suite
probablement du peu d'étendue de ses idées et de l'organisation
vicieuse de ses autres sens, ce typographe s'est livré a une séries
d'observations qui outragent autant la raison que la politesse, et qui
décèlent hautement sa malignité et sa noirceur. Les formes de son
procédé ne sont pas moins méprisables que le fond. Avec la prétention
avouée de ne répandre que partiellement sa version,

(Voulant blesser et cependant timide pour frapper)

il s'est servi de ses propres presses et il a imprimé le texte et les
notes avec des caractères et sur un papier aussi semblables que
possible à ceux de l'ouvrage qu'il venait de traduire. Il en a
surveillé, a ce qu'on assure, l'impression, avec l'attention
personelle la plus scrupuleuse, en sorte qu'il n'est aucune _epreuvé
égarée_, qui ait été soumise à d'autres yeux que les siens. Il a prit
soin, en outre, d'en faire tirer, au moins, cent exemplaires, et de
les répandre.[C] Comme ces cent exemplaires seront probablement lus
par dix fois le même nombre de personnes, il y aurait eu plus de
franchisé et peut-être plus de bon sens de la part de M. Crapelet à
diriger publiquement ses coups contre moi que de le faire sous la
couverture d'un _pamphlet privé_. Il a fait choix de ce genre
d'attaque; il ne me reste plus qu'à adopter une semblable méthode de
défense: si ce n'est, qu'au lieu de cent exemplaires, ces remarques ne
seront véritablement imprimée qu'a _trente six_. Ce procédé est certes
plus délicat que celui de mon adversaire; mais soit que M. Crapelet
ait préféré l'obscurité à la lumière, il n'en est pas moins évident
que son intention a été d'employer tous ses petits moyens, a renverser
la réputation d'un ouvrage, dont il avoue lui-même avoir à peine lu la
cinquantième partie!

"Par le contenu de ses notes, on voit qu'il a cherché, avec une
assiduité condamnable, a recueillir le mal qu'il me suppose avoir eu
l'intention de dire des personnes que j'ai citées, et cependant, après
tout ce travail, a peine a-t-il pû découvrir l'ombre d'une seule
allusion maligne. Jamais on ne fit un usage plus déplorable de son
tems et de ses peines, car toutes les phrases de cette production sont
aussi obscures que tirées de loin.

"Il est difficile, ainsi que je l'ai déjà observé, de se rendre compte
des motifs d'une telle conduite. Mais M. Crapelet n'a fait part de son
secret à personne, et d'après l'échantillon dont il s'agit ici, je
n'ai nulle envie de le lui demander.

T.F.D.

"J'avais eu d'abord l'intention de relever chacunes des notes de M.
Crapelet, mais de plus mûres réfléxions m'ont fait connaitre
l'absurdité d'une telle enterprise. Je m'en suis donc tenu à la
préface, sans toutefois, ainsi que le lecteur pourra s'en appercevoir,
laisser tomber dans l'oubli le mérite des notes. Encore un mot; M.
Crapelet m'a attaqué et je me suis défendu. Il peut récommencer, si
cela lui fait plaisir; mais désormais je ne lui répondrai que par le
silence et le mépris."

[C] "M. Crapelet, en sa qualité de critique, a mis ici du
raffinement; car je soupçonne qu'il y a eu au moins vingt cinq
exemplaires tirés sur papier vélin. C'est ainsi qu'il sait dorer
sa pillule, pour la rendre plus présentable aux dignes amis de
l'auteur, les bibliophiles de Paris. Mais ces Messieurs ont trop
bon gout pour l'accepter.

_LETTER VIII._

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LATE ABBÉ RIVE. BOOKSELLERS. PRINTERS. BOOK-BINDERS.

I make no doubt that the conclusion of my last letter has led you to expect a renewal of the BOOK THEME: but rather, I should hope, as connected with those Bibliographers, Booksellers, and Printers, who have for so many years shed a sort of lustre upon _Parisian Literature_. It will therefore be no unappropriate continuation of this subject, if I commence by furnishing you with some particulars respecting a Bibliographer who was considered, in his life time, as the terror of his acquaintance, and the pride of his patron: and who seems to have never walked abroad, or sat at home, without a scourge in one hand, and a looking-glass in the other. Droll combination!-- you will exclaim. But it is of the ABBÉ RIVE of whom I now speak; the very _Ajax flagellifer_ of the bibliographical tribe, and at the same time the vainest and most self-sufficient. He seems, amidst all the controversy in which he delighted to be involved, to have always had _one_ never-failing source of consolation left:--that of seeing himself favourably reflected-- from the recollection of his past performances--in the mirror of his own conceit! I have before[121] descanted somewhat upon probably the most splendid of his projected performances, and now hasten to a more particular account of the man himself.