Chapter XI: Appendix: To the Preceding Note

BERN. _Cat. Codd. MSS. Bibl. Bernensis. Cum annotationibus,
&c. Curante Sinner._ Bernæ, 1760, 8vo. A very curious and
elegantly printed Catalogue with three plates of
fac-similes.----PARKER [ABP.] _Catalog. Libror. MSS. in
Bibl. Coll. Corporis Christi in Cantab., quos legavit M.
Parkerus Archiepiscop. Cant._ Lond., 1722, fol.; _Eorundem
Libror. MSS. Catalogus. Edidit J. Nasmith._ Cantab., 1777,
4to. Of these catalogues of the curious and valuable MSS.
which were bequeathed to Corpus College (or Bennet College,
as it is sometimes called) by the immortal Archbishop
Parker, the first is the more elegantly printed, but the
latter is the more copious and correct impression. My copy
of it has a fac-simile etching prefixed, by Tyson, of the
rare print of the Archbishop, which will be noticed in PART
V., post.----ROYAL INSTITUTION. _A Catalogue of the Library
of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, &c. By William
Harris, Keeper of the Library._ Lond., 1809, 8vo. If a lucid
order, minute and correct description of the volumes of an
admirably chosen library, accompanied with a copious and
faithful alphabetical index, be recommendations with the
bibliographer, the present volume will not be found wanting
upon his shelf. It is the most useful book of its kind ever
published in this country. Let the bibliomaniac hasten to
seize one of the five remaining copies only (out of the
_fifty_ which were printed) upon LARGE PAPER!----WOOD
(ANTHONY). _A Catalogue of Antony-a-Wood's Manuscripts in
the Ashmolean Museum; by W. Huddesford_, Oxon, 1761, 8vo.
The very name of _old Anthony_ (as it delights some
facetious book-collectors yet to call him!) will secure
respect for this volume. It is not of common occurrence.]

[Footnote C: In Part VI. of this work will be found a List
of Books printed here. The armorial bearings of Lord Orford
are placed at p. 100.]

LIS. You have so thoroughly animated my feelings, and excited my curiosity, in regard to BIBLIOGRAPHY, that I can no longer dissemble the eagerness which I feel to make myself master of the several books which you have recommended.

LYSAND. Alas, your zeal will most egregiously deceive you! _Where_ will you look for such books? At what bookseller's shop, or at what auction, are they to be procured? In this country, my friend, few are the private collections, however choice, which contain two third parts of the excellent works before mentioned. Patience, vigilance, and personal activity, are your best friends in such a dilemma.

LIS. But I will no longer attend the sale of Malvolio's busts and statues, and gaudy books. I will fly to the Strand, or King-street: peradventure--

PHIL. Gently, my good Lisardo. A breast thus suddenly changed from the cold of Nova Zembla to the warmth of the torrid zone requires to be ruled with discretion. And yet, luckily for you--

LIS. Speak--are you about to announce the sale of some bibliographical works?

PHIL. Even so. To morrow, if I mistake not, GONZALVO'S choice gems, in this way, are to be disposed of.

LIS. Consider them as my own. Nothing shall stay me from the possession of them.

LYSAND. You speak precipitately. Are you accustomed to attend book-auctions?

LIS. No; but I will line my pockets with pistoles, and who dare oppose me?

PHIL. And do you imagine that no one, but yourself, has his pockets "lined with pistoles," on these occasions?

LIS. It may be so--that other linings are much warmer than my own:--but, at any rate, I will make a glorious struggle, and die with my sword in my hand.

PHIL. This is _Book-Madness_ with a vengeance! However, we shall see the issue. When and how do you propose going?

LIS. A chaise shall be at this door by nine in the morning. Who will accompany me?

LYSAND. Our friend and Philemon will prevent your becoming absolutely raving, by joining you. I shall be curious to know the result.

LIS. Never fear. _Bibliomania_ is, of all species of insanity, the most rational and praise-worthy. I here solemnly renounce my former opinions, and wish my errors to be forgotten. I here crave pardon of the disturbed manes of the Martins, De Bures, and Patersons, for that flagitious act of _Catalogue-Burning_; and fondly hope that the unsuspecting age of boyhood will atone for so rash a deed. Do you frankly forgive--and will you henceforth consider me as a worth [Transcriber's Note: worthy] "_Aspirant_" in the noble cause of bibliography?

LYSAND. Most cordially do I forgive you; and freely admit you into the fraternity of Bibliomaniacs. Philemon, I trust, will be equally merciful.

PHIL. Assuredly, Lisardo, you have my entire forgiveness: and I exult a little in the hope that you will prove yourself to be a sincere convert to the cause, by losing no opportunity of enriching your bibliographical stores. Already I see you mounted, as a book chevalier, and hurrying from the country to London--from London again to the country--seeking adventures in which your prowess may be displayed--and yielding to no competitor who brandishes a lance of equal weight with your own!

LIS. 'Tis well. At to-morrow's dawn my esquire shall begin to burnish up my armour--and caparison my courser. Till then adieu!

* * * * *

Here the conversation, in a connected form, ceased; and it was resolved that Philemon and myself should accompany Lisardo on the morrow.