Chapter X: Part II: =The Cabinet.= (5)

MIRABEAU. _Catalogue de la Bibliotheque de Mirabeau l'aîné,
par Rozet_, 1792, 8vo. A fine collection of books; some of
them very curious and uncommon. At the head of the choice
things contained in it must be noticed the "Recueil de
Calques, ou dessins des titres et figure d'un grand nombre
des plus anciens ouvrages, gravés en bois, ou imprimés en
caractères mobiles, depuis l'origine de l'imprimerie," &c.
These designs were 226 in number; of which a description is
given at the head of the catalogue. They were purchased for
1105 livres, and again sold, with the same description
prefixed, at the last Crevenna sale of 1793 (see p. 79,
ante). Consult the _Curiosités Bibliographiques_ of Peignot,
p. 139.----MIROMENIL. _Catalogue des Livres de la
Bibliothéque de M. Hüe de Miromenil, garde des sceaux de
France_, Paris, 1781, 4to. "It appears, from the catalogue
of M. de Coste, that this is a rare book, of which only few
copies were printed, and those never sold." _Bibliogr.
Curieuse_, p. 33.----MONTFAUÇON. _Diarium Italicum; sive
Monumentorum Veterum, Bibliothecarum, Musæorum Notitiæ
Singulares a D. Bernardo de Montfauçon_, Paris, 1702, 4to.
_Bibliotheca Bibliothecarum Manuscriptorum nova, autore De
Bern. de Montfauçon_, Paris, 1739, folio, two vols. These
are the bibliographical works (which I thought would be
acceptable if placed in this list of Catalogues) of the
illustrious Montfauçon; whose publications place him on the
summit of antiquarian fame. So much solid sense, careful
enquiry, curious research, and not despicable taste, mark
his voluminous productions! The bibliographer may rest
assured that he will not often be led into confusion or
error in the perusal of the above curious and valuable
volumes, which have always been considered precious by the
philologist.----MORELLI. _Jacobi Morellii Bibliothecæ Regiæ
divi Marci Venetiarum Custodis, Bibliotheca Manuscripta
Græca et Latina._ Tom. prim. Bassani, 8vo. Morelli was the
amiable and profoundly learned librarian of St. Mark's at
Venice; and this catalogue of his Greek and Latin MSS. is
given upon the authority of Peignot's _Curiosités
Bibliographiques_, p. lix.----MUSEUM BRITISH. _Catalogus
Librorum Manuscript. Bibl. Cotton._, Oxon., 1696, fol. _A
Catalogue of the Manuscripts in the Cottonian Library_,
Lond. 1777, 8vo. _A Catalogue of the same_, 1802, fol. _A
Catalogue of the Harleian Manuscripts, &c._, Lond., 1759,
fol., 2 vols. _A Catalogue of the same_, Lond., 1808, fol.,
3 vols. _A Catalogue of the MSS. of the Kings Library, &c._,
1734, 4to. _A Catalogue of the MSS., &c., hitherto
undescribed_, Lond., 1782, 4to., two vols. _Catalog. Libror.
Impress., &c._, Lond., 1787, folio, 2 vols. These are the
published catalogues of the literary treasures, in
manuscript and in print, which are contained in the British
Museum. The _first Cottonian_ catalogue has a life of Sir
Robert Cotton, and an account of his library prefixed to it.
The _second_, by Samuel Hooper, was intended "to remedy the
many defects" in the preceding catalogue, and "the
injudicious manner" in which it was compiled; but it is of
itself sufficiently confused and imperfect. The _third_,
which is the most copious and valuable, with an index (and
which has an abridged account of Sir Robert Cotton, and of
his Library), was drawn up by Mr. Planta, the principal
librarian of the British Museum. A great part of the first
catalogue of the _Harleian MSS._ was compiled by the
celebrated Humphrey Wanley, and a most valuable and ably
executed publication it is! The _Second_ is executed by the
Rev. R. Nares: it contains the preface of the first, with an
additional one by himself, and a copious index; rendering
this the most complete catalogue of MSS. which has ever yet
appeared in our own country; although one regrets that its
typographical execution should not have kept pace with its
intrinsic utility. The two latter catalogues of MSS. above
described give an account of those which were presented by
royal munificence, and collected chiefly by Sir Hans Sloane
and Dr. Birch. The catalogue of 1734 (which is now rare) was
compiled by David Casley: that of 1782, by Samuel Ascough.
Of the catalogue of _Printed Books_, it would be unfair to
dwell upon its imperfections, since a new, and greatly
enlarged and improved, impression of it is about going to
press, under the editorial care and inspection of Messrs. H.
Ellis and Baber, the gentlemen to whom the printed books are
at present intrusted. Mr. Douce, who has succeeded Mr. Nares
as head librarian of the MSS., is busily employed in
examining the multifarious collection of the _Lansdowne
MSS._ (recently purchased by the Trustees of the Museum),
and we may hope that the day is not very far distant when
the public are to be congratulated on his minute and
masterly analysis of these treasures.----PARIS. _Catalogue
de la Bibliothéque de M. Paris de Meyzieux_, Paris, 1779,
8vo. _Bibliotheca elegantissima Parisina, par M. Lourent_,
1790, 8vo. _The same_: Lond., 1791, 8vo. Since the days of
Gaignat and the Duke de la Valliere, the longing eyes of
bibliographers were never blessed with a sight of more
splendid and choice books than were those in the possession
of M. PARIS DE MEYZIEUX. The Spira Virgil of 1470, UPON
VELLUM, will alone confer celebrity upon the _first_
catalogue--but what shall we say to the _second_? It
consists of only 635 articles, and yet, as is well observed
in the preface, it was never equalled for the like number.
Happy is that noviciate in bibliography who can forget the
tedium of a rainy day in sitting by the side of a log-wood
fire, and in regaling his luxurious fancy, by perusing the
account of "fine, magnificent, matchless, large paper," and
"vellum" copies which are thickly studded from one end of
this volume to the other. Happier far the veteran, who can
remember how he braved the _perils of the sale_, in
encountering the noble and heavy metalled competitors who
flocked, from all parts of the realm, to partake of these
_Parisian_ spoils! Such a one casts an eye upon his
well-loaded shelves, and while he sees here and there a
yellow morocco Aldus, or a Russian leather Froben, he
remembers how bravely he fought for each, and with what
success his exertions were crowned! For my own part, gentle
reader, I frankly assure thee that--after having seen the
"HEURES DE NOTRE DAME," written by the famous Jarry, and
decorated with SEVEN small exquisite paintings of the Virgin
and Christ--and the _Aldine Petrarch_ and _Virgil_ of 1501,
all of them executed upon SNOW-WHITE VELLUM--after having
seen only these books out of the Paris collection, I hope to
descend to my obscure grave in perfect peace and
satisfaction! The reader may smile; but let him turn to
nos. 14, 201, 328, of the _Bibl. Paris_: no. 318 of
the _Cat. de la Valliere_; and _Curiositès
Bibliographiques_, p. 67. This strain of "ètourderie
bibliographique," ought not to make me forget to observe
that we are indebted to the enterprising spirit and correct
taste of Mr. Edwards for these, as well as for many other,
beautiful books imported from the Continent. Nor is it yet
forgotten that some thorough-bred bibliomaniacs, in their
way to the sale, used to call for a glass of ice, to allay
the contagious inflammation which might rage in the
auction-room. And now take we leave of Monsieur Paris de
Meyzieux. Peace to the ashes of so renowned a
book-chevalier.----PETAU ET MANSART. _Bibliotheca Potavina
et Mansartiana; ou Catalogue des Bibliothéques de Messrs.
Alexander Petau, et François Mansart; auxquells on a ajouté
le Cabinet des MSS. de Justus Lipsius._ Haye, 1722, 8vo. A
catalogue not very common, and well worth the
bibliographer's consultation.----PINELLI. _Bibliotheca
Maphæi Pinelli Veneti, &c. A Jacobo Morellio._ Venetiis,
1787, 6 vols., 8vo. _Bibliotheca Pinelliana: a catalogue of
the magnificent and celebrated library of Maffæi Pinelli,
late of Venice_, &c., London, 1789, 8vo. There can be no
question about the priority, in point both of typographical
beauty and intrinsic excellence, of these catalogues; the
latter being only a common sale one, with the abridgment of
the learned preface of Morelli, and of his bibliographical
notices. This immense collection (of the ancient owners of
which we have a short sketch in Morhof, vol. i., pp. 28,
202) was purchased by Messrs. Edwards and Robson: the Greek
and Latin books were sold for 6786_l._, the Italian, for
2570_l._--which barely repaid the expenses of purchase,
including duties, carriage, and sale. Although, as Dr.
Harwood has observed, "there being no dust in Venice, this
most magnificent library has in general lain reposited for
some centuries, in excellent preservation,"--yet the copies
were not, upon the whole, in the choicest condition. There
are copies of the catalogue of 1789 upon LARGE PAPER. The
catalogue of 1787 (with an elegant portrait of Pinelli
prefixed) has, at first sight, the aspect of a work printed
in small quarto.----POMPADOUR. _Catalogue des Livres de la
Bibliothéque de feue Madame La Marquise de Pompadour, Dame
du Palais de la Reine_, Paris, 1765, 8vo. The name of Madame
de Pompadour will be always respected by bibliographers, on
account of the taste and judgment which are displayed in
this elegant collection. The old popular romances form the
leading feature; but there is an ample sprinkling of the
belles-lettres and poetry. An animated eulogium is
pronounced upon Mad. de Pompadour by Jardé, in his "Précis
sur les Bibliothéques;" prefixed to the last edition of
Fournier's _Dictionnaire Portatif de Bibliographie_, p.
vij.----PRÉFOND. _Catalogue des Livres du Cabinet de M.D.P.
(Girardot de Préfond) Par Guillaume F. De Bure_, Paris,
1757, 8vo. An excellent collection; not wanting in rare and
magnificent productions. The owner of it was distinguished
for many solid, as well as splendid, qualifications. Only
six copies of it were printed upon LARGE PAPER. See _Cat. de
Gaignat_, vol. ii., no. 3467.----RANDON DE BOISSET.
_Catalogue des livres du cabinet de feu M. Randon du
Boisset. Par Guil. de Bure, fils aîné_, Paris, 1777, 12mo.
Although the generality of catalogue collectors will be
satisfied with the usual copy of this well-digested volume,
yet I apprehend the curious will not put up with any thing
short of a copy of it upon strong WRITING PAPER. Such a one
was in the Gouttard collection. See _Cat. de Gouttard_,
no. 1546.----_Reimannus._ _J.F. Reimanni Catalogus
Bibliothecæ Theologicæ Systematico-Criticus._ Hildes. 1731,
8vo., two vols. _Ejusdem accessiones uberiores ad Catalogum
Systematico-Criticum, editæ a Jo. W. Reimannus_, Brunsv.,
1747, 8vo. I have before given the character of this work in
the introductory part of my "Knowledge of the Greek and
Latin Classics." Every thing commendatory of it may be here
repeated.----RENATI. _Bibliothecæ Josephi Renati Imperialis,
&c., Cardinalis Catalogus, &c._ Romæ, 1711, fol. This
excellent catalogue, which cost the compiler of it,
Fontanini, nine years of hard labour, is a most useful and
valuable one; serving as a model for catalogues of large
libraries. See the more minute criticism upon it in _Cat. de
Santander_, no. 6315. My copy, which wants the
title-page, but luckily contains the Latin preface, was
formerly Ruddiman's. The volume has 738 pages: this is
noticed because all the appendixes and addenda are
comprehended in the same.----REVICKZKY. _Bibliotheca Græca
et Latina, complectens auctores fere omnes Græcia et Latii
veteris, &c., cum delectu editionum tam primariarum, &c.,
quam etiam optimarum, splendidissimarum, &c., quas usui meo
paravi._ PERIERGUS DELTOPHILUS (the feigned name for
REVICKZKY), Berolini, 1784: 1794, 8vo. It was the delight of
Count Revickzky, the original owner of this collection, to
devote his time and attention to the acquisition of scarce,
beautiful, and valuable books; and he obtained such fame in
this department of literature as to cause him to be ranked
with the Vallieres, Pinellis, and Loménies of the day. He
compiled, and privately disposed of, the catalogue of his
collection, which bears the above title; and to some few of
which are prefixed a letter to M. L' A.D. [enini] (Member of
the French Academy) and a preface. _Three Supplements_ to
this catalogue were also, from time to time, circulated by
him; so that the purchaser must look sharply after these
acquisitions to his copy--as some one or the other of them
are generally missing. Peignot supposes there are only _two_
supplements. _Bibl. Curieuse_, p. 58. When Count Revickzky
came over to England, he made an offer to Earl Spencer to
dispose of the whole collection to his lordship, for a
certain "round sum" to be paid immediately into his hands,
and to receive, in addition, a yearly sum by way of annuity.
So speaks fame. Shortly after this contract was closed, the
Count died; and Earl Spencer, in consequence, for a
comparatively small sum (the result of an immediate and
generous compliance with the Count's wishes!), came into the
possession of a library which, united with his previous
magnificent collection, and the successful ardour with which
he has since continued the pursuit, places him quite at the
head of all the collectors in Europe--for early, rare,
precious, and beautiful, books. Long may he possess such
treasures!--and fleeing from the turbulence of politics, and
secluded as he is, both in the metropolis and at Althorp,
from the stunning noise of a city, may he always exclaim,
with Horace, as the Count did before him--

Sit mihi, quod nunc est, etiam minus; ut mihi vivam
Quod superest ævi, si quid superesse volunt Dí.
Sit bona librorum et provisæ frugis in annum
Copia, ne fluitem dubiæ spe pendulus horæ.

_Epist. Lib._ i.: _Epist._ xviii. v., 107.

Sir M.M. Sykes, Bart., has a copy of the edition of 1784
[which is in every respect the better one], printed upon
FINE VELLUM PAPER. A similar copy of the edition of 1794 is
noticed in the _Cat. de Caillard_,(1808) no. 2572. At the
sale of M. Meon's books, in 1804, a copy of the first
edition, charged with MS. notes of the celebrated Mercier
St. Leger, was sold for 30 livres.----RIVE. _Catalogue de la
Bibliothéque de l'Abbé Rive, par Archard_, Marseille, 1793,
8vo. A catalogue of the books of so sharp-sighted a
bibliographer as was the Abbé Rive cannot fail to be
interesting to the collector.----DU ROI [Louis XV.]
_Catalogus Codicum Manuscriptorum Bibliothecæ Regiæ (studio
et labore Anicetti Mellot). Paris, e Typog. Reg._, 1739,
folio, four vols.----DU ROI. _Des Livres imprimés de la même
Bibliothéque Royale. (Disposè par Messrs. les Abbés Sallier
et Boudot, &c.) Paris, De L'Imprim. Royale_, 1739-53, folio,
six vols. The most beautiful and carefully executed
catalogue in the world: reflecting a truly solid lustre upon
the literary reputation of France! The first four volumes,
written in Latin, comprehend an account of MSS.: the six
last, written in French, of printed works in THEOLOGY,
JURISPRUDENCE, and BELLES-LETTRES; the departments of
HISTORY and the ARTS AND SCIENCES still remaining to be
executed. De Bure told us, half a century ago, that the
"Gens de Lettres" were working hard at the completion of it;
but the then complaints of bibliographers at its imperfect
state are even yet continued in Fournier's last edition of
his _Dictionnaire Portatif de Bibliographie_, p. 468. So
easy it is to talk; so difficult to execute! I believe,
however, that M. Van-Praet, one of the principal librarians,
is now putting all engines to work to do away the further
disgrace of such unaccountably protracted negligence. My
copy of this magnificent set of books is bound in red
Morocco, gilt leaves, and was a presentation one from the
King "au Comte de Neny, comme une marque de son estime,
1770." I should add that the first volume of "Theology"
contains a history of the rise and progress of the royal
library, which was reprinted in 8vo., 1782.----DU ROI.
_Notices et Extraits des Manuscrits de la Bibliothéque du
Roi, Paris. De l'Imprim. Roy._ 1787, 4to., seven vols. It
will be obvious to the candid reader that this work could
not be better introduced than in the present place; and a
most interesting and valuable one it is! My copy of it,
which is only in six volumes [but a seventh is mentioned in
_Cat. de Boutourlin_, no. 3845, and in Caillot's _Roman
Bibliographique_, p. 195], was purchased by me of Mr. Evans
of Pall-Mall, who had shewn it to several lovers of
bibliography, but none of whom had courage or curiosity
enough to become master of the volumes. How I have profited
by them, the Supplement to my first volume of the
"Typographical Antiquities of Great Britain," may in part
shew. The public shall be made acquainted with still more
curious excerpts. In my humble judgment the present work is
a model of extraction of the marrow of old MSS. It may be
worth adding, the plates in the sixth volume are singular,
curious and beautiful.----DU ROI. _Accounts and Extracts of
the Manuscripts in the Library of the King of France.
Translated from the French_, London, 1789, 8vo., two vols.
"The French Monarch [Louis XVI.], in the publication now
before us, has set an example to all Europe, well worthy to
be followed"--says the opening of the translator's preface.
The present volumes contain a translation of only twenty-two
articles from the preceding work; and very strongly may they
be recommended to the curious philologist, as well as to the
thorough-bred bibliomaniac.----RÖVER. _Bibliotheca
Röveriana, sive Catalogus Librorum qui studiis inservierunt
Matthiæ Röveri._ Lug. Bat. 1806, 8vo., _two parts_. From the
elegant and pleasing Latin preface to this most carefully
compiled catalogue, we learn that the owner of the books
lived to his 82d year--and [what must be a peculiar
gratification to Bibliomaniacs] that he beat Pomponius
Atticus in the length of time during which he never had
occasion to take physic; namely, 50 years! Röver's life
seemed to glide away in rational tranquillity, and in total
seclusion from the world; except that he professed and
always shewed the greatest kindness to his numerous, and
many of them helpless, relatives--"vix in publicum prodiit,
nisi cultus Divini externi aut propinquorum caussâ," p. xv.
His piety was unshaken. Like the venerable Jacob Bryant, his
death was hastened in consequence of a contusion in his leg
from a fall in endeavouring to reach a book.----ROTHELIN.
_Catalogue des livres de feu M'L. Abbé D'Orleans de
Rothelin. Par G. Martin_, Paris, 1746, 8vo. This catalogue
of the library of the amiable and learned Abbé Rothelin,
"known (says Camus) for his fine taste for beautiful books,"
is judiciously drawn up by Martin, who was the De Bure of
his day. A portrait of its owner faces the title-page. It
was the Abbé Rothelin who presented De Boze with the
celebrated '_Guirlande de Julie_'--a work which afterwards
came into the Valliere collection, and was sold for 14,510
livres,--"the highest price (says Peignot) ever given for a
modern book." Consult his _Curiosités Bibliographiques_, pp.
62, 67; and _Bibl. Curieuse_, p. 61.----SARRAZ. _Bibliotheca
Sarraziana._ Hag. Com., 1715, 8vo. This catalogue, which is
frequently referred to by bibliographers, should not escape
the collector when he can obtain it for a few shillings. A
tolerably good preface or diatribe is prefixed, upon the
causes of the rarity of Books, but the volume itself is not
deserving of all the fine things in commendation of it which
are said in the _Bibl. Reiman_, pt. ii., p. 671,
&c.----SARTORI. _Catalogus Bibliographicus Librorum
Latinorum et Germanicorum in Bibliotheca Cæsar. reg. et
equestris Academiæ Theresianæ extantium, cum accessionibus
originum typographicarum. Vindobonensium, et duobus
supplementis necnon, indice triplici, systematico,
bibliographico, et typographico; auctore Josepho de
Sartori._ Vindobonæ, 1801-3, 4to. Vol. i., ii., iii. Of this
very curious and greatly-to-be-desired catalogue, which is
to be completed in eight volumes, it is said that only ONE
HUNDRED copies are struck off. Peignot has a long and
interesting notice of it in his _Bibliographie Curieuse_, p.
64.----SCHALBRUCK. _Bibliotheca Schalbruchiana; sive
Catalogus exquisitissimorum rarissimorumque librorum, quos
collegit Joh. Theod. Schalbruch._ Amst. 1723, 8vo. A very
fine collection of rare and curious books. From a priced
copy of the catalogue, accidentally seen, I find that some
of them produced rather large sums.----SCHWARTZ. _Catalogus
Librorum continens codd. MSS. et libros sæculo_ xv.
_impressos, quos possedit et notis recensuit A.G.
Schwarzius_, Altorf. 1769, 8vo. The name of Schwartz is so
respectable in the annals of bibliography that one cannot
help giving the present catalogue a place in one's
collection. According to _Bibl. Solger._, vol. iii., no.
1459, a first part (there said to be printed upon LARGE
PAPER) was published in 1753. Schwartz's treatise, "_De
Orig. Typog. Document. Primar._" Altorf, 1740, 4to., should
have been noticed at p. 41, ante.----SCRIVERIUS.
_Bibliothecæ Scriverianæ Catalogus_, Amst., 1663,
4to.--"exquisitissimus est: constat enim selectissimus
omnium facultatum et artium autoribus." This is the strong
recommendatory language of Morhof: _Polyhist. Literar._,
vol. i., 212.----SERNA SANTANDER. _Catalogue des livres de
la Bibliothéque de M.C. De La Serna Santander; redigé et mis
en ordre par lui même; avec des notes bibliographiques et
littèraires_, &c. Bruxelles, 1803, 8vo., five volumes. An
extensive collection of interesting works; with a
sufficiently copious index at the end of the fourth volume.
The fifth volume contains a curious disquisition upon the
antiquity of signatures, catchwords, and numerals; and is
enriched with a number of plates of watermarks of the paper
in ancient books. This catalogue, which is rarely seen in
our own country, is well worth a place in any library. It is
a pity the typographical execution of it is so very
indifferent. For the credit of a bibliographical taste, I
hope there were a few copies struck off upon LARGE
PAPER.----SION COLLEGE. _Catalogus universalis librorum
omnium in Bibliotheca Collegii Sionii apud Londinenses_;
Londini, 1650, 4to. _Ejusdem Collegii librorum Catalogus,
&c., Cura Reading_, Lond., 1724, fol. As the first of these
catalogues (of a collection which contains some very curious
and generally unknown volumes) was published before the
great fire of London happened, there will be found some
books in it which were afterwards consumed, and therefore
not described in the subsequent impression of 1724. This
latter, which Tom Osborne, the bookseller, would have called
a "pompous volume," is absolutely requisite to the
bibliographer: but both impressions should be procured, if
possible. The folio edition is common and cheap.----SMITH
[CONSUL]. _Bibliotheca Smithiana, seu Catalogus Librorum
D.J. Smithii Angli, per cognomina Authorum dispositus._
Venetiis, 1755, 4to. _A Catalogue of the curious, elegant,
and very valuable library of Joseph Smith, Esq., His
Britannic Majesty's Consul at Venice, lately deceased_,
1773, 8vo. These are the catalogues of the collections of
books occasionally formed at Venice, by Mr. Joseph Smith,
during his consulship there. The quarto impression contains
a description of the books which were purchased "en masse"
by his present majesty. It is singularly well executed by
Paschali, comprehending, by way of an appendix, the prefaces
to those volumes in the collection which were printed in the
fifteenth century. I possess a brochûre of 71 pages,
containing a catalogue of books printed in the fifteenth
century, which has Consul Smith's arms at the beginning,
and, at the end, this subscription, "Pretiosissima hæc
librorum collectio, cujusvis magni principis Bibliotheca
dignissima, constat voluminibus ccxlviii." The title-page
has no date. I suspect it to be the same catalogue of books
which is noticed at p. 77, ante, and which probably the
Consul bought: forming the greater part of his own library
of early printed books. See too the _Bibliogr. Miscellany_,
vol. ii., 72. The collection of 1773 was sold by auction,
for Mr. Robson, by Messrs. Baker and Leigh--and a fine one
it was. Among these books, the Spira Virgil of 1470, printed
UPON VELLUM, was purchased for _only twenty-five guineas_!

Excidat ille dies ævo--ne postera credant
Sæcula--!

----SOLGER. _Bibliotheca sive Supellex Librorum Impressorum,
&c., et Codicum Manuscriptorum, quos per plurimos annos
collegit, &c., Adamus Rudolphus Solger._ Norimb., 1760,
8vo., three parts or vols. I should almost call this
publication "facile princeps Catalogorum"--in its way. The
bibliographical notices are frequent and full; and saving
that the words "rarus, rarior, et rarissimus," are sometimes
too profusely bestowed, nothing seems to be wanting to
render this a very first rate acquisition to the collector's
library. I am indebted to the bibliomanical spirit of honest
Mr. Manson, of Gerard-street, the bookseller, for this
really useful publication.----SOUBISE. _Catalogue des livres
imprimés et manuscrits, &c., de feu Monseigneur Le Prince de
Soubise (par feu Le Clerc)_, Paris, 1788, 8vo. A short
history of this collection will be the best inducement to
purchase the present catalogue, whenever it comes in the way
of the collector. The foundation of this splendid library
was that of the famous De Thou's [vide Art. THUANUS, post],
which was purchased by the Cardinal de Rohan, who added it
to his own grand collection--"the fruit of a fine taste and
a fine fortune." It continued to be augmented and enriched
'till, and after, it came into the possession of the PRINCE
DE SOUBISE--the last nobleman of his name--who dying in
January, 1789, the entire collection was dispersed by public
auction: after it had been offered for the purchase of one
or two eminent London booksellers, who have repented, and
will repent to their dying day, their declining the offer.
This catalogue is most unostentatiously executed upon very
indifferent paper; and, while an excellent index enables us
to discover any work of which we may be in want, the
beautiful copies from this collection which are in the
Cracherode library in the British Museum, give
unquestionable proof of the splendour of the books. For the
credit of French bibliography, I hope there are some few
copies upon LARGE PAPER.----TELLIER. _Bibliotheca
Tellereana, sive Catalogus Librorum Bibliotheca Caroli
Mauritii Le Tellier, Archiepiscopi Ducis Remensis. Parisiis,
e Typographia Regia_, 1693, fol. A finely engraved portrait
of Tellier faces the title-page. This is a handsome volume,
containing a numerous and well-chosen collection of
books.----THUANUS. [DE THOU] _Bibliothecæ Thuanæ Catalogus_,
Parisiis, 1679, 8vo. "Three particular reasons," says
Baillet, "should induce us to get possession of this
catalogue; first, the immortal glory acquired by De Thou in
writing his history, and in forming the most perfect and
select library of his age: and secondly, the abundance and
excellence of the books herein specified; and, thirdly, the
great credit of the bibliographers Du Puys and Quesnel, by
whom the catalogue was compiled." _Jugemens des Savans_,
vol. ii., p. 144, &c. Morhof is equally lavish in
commendation of this collection. See his _Polyhist.
Literar._, vol. i., 36, 211. The Books of De Thou, whose
fame will live as long as a book shall be read, were
generally in beautiful condition, with his arms stamped upon
the exterior of the binding, which was usually of Morocco;
and, from some bibliographical work (I think it is
Santander's catalogue), I learn that this binding cost the
worthy president not less than 20,000 crowns. De Thou's copy
of the editio princeps of Homer is now in the British
Museum; having been presented to this national institution
by the Rev. Dr. Cyril Jackson, who has lately resigned the
deanery of Christ Church College, Oxford,--"and who is now
wisely gone to enjoy the evening of life in repose,
sweetened by the remembrance of having spent the day in
useful and strenuous exertion." For an account of the
posterior fate of De Thou's library, consult the article
"SOUBISE," ante. I should add that, according to the _Bibl.
Solgeriana_, vol. iii., p. 243, no. 1431, there are
copies of this catalogue upon LARGE PAPER.----UFFENBACH.
_Catalogus universalis Bibliothecæ Uffenbachinæ librorum tam
typis quam manu exaratorum._ Francof. ad Moen, 1729, 8vo.,
4 vols. This catalogue is no mean acquisition to the
bibliographer's library. It rarely occurs in a perfect and
clean condition.----VALLIERE (DUC DE LA). _Catalogue des
Livres provenans de la Bibliothéque de M.L.D.D.L.V._, (M. le
Duc de la Valliere) _disposé et mis en ordre par Guill.
Franc. De Bure le Jeune._ Paris, 1767, 8vo., 2 vols.--_Des
Livres de la même Bibliothéque._ Paris, 1772, 8vo.--_Des
Livres et Manuscrits de la même Bibliothéque_, Paris, 1783,
8vo., 3 vols.--_Des Livres de la même Bibliothéque_, Paris,
1783, 6 vols. 8vo. These twelve volumes of catalogues of
this nobleman's library impress us with a grand notion of
its extent and value--perhaps never exceeded by that of any
private collection! It would seem that the Duke de la
Valliere had two sales of part of his books (of which the
two first catalogues are notifications) during his
life-time: the two latter catalogues of sales having been
put forth after his decease. Of these latter (for the former
contain nothing remarkable in them, except that there are
copies of the first on LARGE PAPER, in 4to.), the impression
of 1783, which was compiled by Van Praet and De Bure, is the
most distinguished for its notices of MSS. and early printed
books: and in these departments it is truly precious, being
enriched with some of the choicest books in the Gaignat
Collection. Those printed UPON VELLUM alone would form a
little library! Of the impression of 1783, which has a
portrait of the owner prefixed, there were fifty copies
printed upon LARGE PAPER, in 4to., to harmonize with the
_Bibliographie Instructive_, and _Gaignat's Catalogue_. See
_Bibliographical Miscell._, vol. ii., 66. Twelve copies were
also printed in royal 8vo., upon fine stout VELLUM PAPER; of
which the Rt. Hon. T. Grenville has a beautiful uncut copy
in six volumes. See also _Cat. de Loménie_ [1797], no.
2666. The last publication of 1788 was put forth by Nyon
l'aîné; and although the bibliographical observations are
but few in comparison with those in the preceding catalogue,
and no index is subjoined, yet it is most carefully
executed; and presents us with such a copious collection of
French topography, and old French and Italian poetry and
romances, as never has been, and perhaps never will be,
equalled. It contains 26,537 articles. The Count D'Artois
purchased this collection "en masse;" and it is now
deposited in the "bibliothéque de l'Arsenal." See _Dictionn.
Bibliographique_, vol. iv., p. 133. It was once offered for
purchase to a gentleman of this country--highly
distinguished for his love of Virtû. Mr. Grenville has also
a similar large paper copy of this latter edition, of the
date of 1784.----VIENNA. _Codices Manuscripti Theologici.
Bibl. Palat. Vindob. Latini aliarumque Occidentis
Linguarum_, vol. i. (in tribus partibus.) _Recens._, &c.,
_Michael Denis._ Vindob. 1793, folio. Some mention of this
work has been made at page 65, ante. It may be here
necessary to remark that, from the preface, it would appear
to contain a ninth additional book to Lambecius's well-known
Commentaries (vide, p. 41, ante) which Kollarius had left
unpublished at his death. The preface is well worth perusal,
as it evinces the great pains which Denis has taken; and the
noble, if not matchless, munificence of his patron--"qui
præter augustam Bibliothecæ fabricam in ipsos libros
centenis plura Rhenensium expendit millia."--This catalogue
is confined to a description of Latin, with some few notices
of Oriental Manuscripts; as the preceding work of Lambecius
and Kollarius contained an account of the Greek MSS. These
three parts, forming one volume, are closed by an excellent
index. The second volume was published in 1801. Upon the
whole, it is a noble and highly useful publication; and
places its author in the foremost rank of
bibliographers.----VOLPI. _Catalogo della Libreria de
Volpi_, &c. _Opera di Don Gaetano Volpi._ Padova, 1756, 8vo.
The Crevenna library was enriched with a great number of
valuable books which came from the library of the celebrated
Vulpii; of which the present is a well-arranged and uncommon
catalogue. Annexed to it there is an account of the press of
the Comini, which belonged to the owners of this collection.
The reader may consult _Bibl. Crevenn._, vol. v., pp. 302-3;
and Dr. Clarke's _Bibliogr. Miscell._, vol. ii.,
72.----VOYAGE _de deux Français dans le nord de l'Europe, en
1790-92, (par M. de Fortia)_ Paris, 1796, 8vo., 5 vols. That
the collector of catalogues may not scold me for this
apparent deviation from the subject discussed in this note,
I must inform him, upon the authority of Peignot, that these
interesting volumes contain "some account of the most
beautiful and curious books contained in the Libraries of
the North, and in those of Italy, Spain, Holland, &c."
_Curiosités Bibliographiques_, p. lviii.----DE WITT.
_Catalogus Bibliothecæ Joannis De Witt_, Dordraci, 1701,
12mo. The preface to this catalogue, (from which an extract
was given in the _first_ edition of my "_Introduction to the
Editions of the Greek and Latin Classics_," 1802, 8vo.,)
gives us a pleasing account of an ardent and elegant young
man in the pursuit of every thing connected with Virtû. De
Witt seems to have been, in books and statues, &c., what his
great ancestor was in politics--"paucis comparandus." A
catalogue of the library of a collector of the same name was
published at Brussels, in 1752, by De Vos. See _Cat. de
Santander_, vol. iv., no. 6334.----ZURICH. _Catalogus
librorum Bibliothecæ Tigurinæ._ Tiguri, 1744, 8vo., 4 vols.
Although the last, this is not the most despicable,
catalogue of collections here enumerated. A reading man, who
happens to winter in Switzerland, may know, upon throwing
his eyes over this catalogue, that he can have access to
good books at Zurich--the native place of many an
illustrious author! The following, which had escaped me, may
probably be thought worthy of forming an