Chapter XXV: Part V: =The Drawing Room.= (8)

In short, he was an extraordinary and very valuable man,
much admired by the gentry; even those of the best quality,
and by all others of the more inferior rank, that had any
manner of regard for probity, sagacity, diligence, and
humility. I say humility, because, though he was so much
famed for his knowledge, and might, therefore, have lived
very reputably without his trade, yet he continued it to his
death, not thinking it to be at all beneath him. Mr. BAGFORD
and he used frequently to converse together, and when they
met _they seldom parted very soon_. Their conversation was
very often about OLD MSS. and the havock made of them. They
both agreed to retrieve what fragments of antiquity they
could, and, upon that occasion, they would frequently divert
themselves in talking of OLD CHRONICLES, which both loved to
read, though, among our more late Chronicles printed in
English, Isaackson's was what they chiefly preferred for a
general knowledge of things; a book which was much esteemed
also by those two eminent Chronologers, Bishop Lloyd and Mr.
Dodwell. By the way, I cannot but observe that Isaackson's
Chronicle is really, for the most part, Bishop Andrews's;
Isaackson being amanuensis to the bishop." _Hemingi
Chartular. Eccles. Wigornien._, vol. ii., 666-9, Edit.
Hearne. See also, _Robert of Glocester's Chronicle_, vol.
i., p. LXXII. We will close our account of this perfectly
_unique_ bibliomaniac by subjoining the title of the
_Catalogue of his Books_; for which I am indebted to the
ever-active and friendly assistance of Mr. Heber. The volume
is so rare that the late Mr. Reed told Mr. H. he had never
seen another copy: but another has recently been sold, and
is now in the curious collection of Mr. R. Baker. "The
Library of Mr. THOMAS BRITTON, Small-coal man, Deceas'd:
who, at his own charge, kept up a Concort of Musick above 40
years, in his little Cottage. Being a curious Collection of
every Ancient and Uncommon book in Divinity, History,
Physick, Chemistry, Magick, &c. Also a Collection of MSS.
chiefly on vellum. _Which will be sold by auction at Paul's
Coffee House, &c., the 24th day of January, 1714-15, at Five
in the Evening._ By Thomas Ballard, Esq., 8vo., p. 30.
Containing 102 articles in folio--274 in 4to.--664 in
octavo--50 pamphlets--and 23 MSS." A few of the works, in
octavo, were sufficiently amatory. The third and last
character above mentioned, as making this illustrious
bibliomaniacal triumvirate complete, is THOMAS HEARNE. That
Pope, in the verses which Lysander has quoted, meant this
distinguished antiquary seems hardly to be questioned; and
one wonders at the Jesuitical note of Warburton, in striving
to blow the fumes of the poet's satire into a different
direction. They must settle upon poor Hearne's head: for
WANLEY'S antiquarian talents were equally beyond the touch
of satire and the criticism of the satirist. Warton has,
accordingly, admitted that HEARNE was represented under the
character of WORMIUS; and he defends the character of Hearne
very justly against the censures of Pope. His eulogy will be
presently submitted to the reader. Gibbon, in his
_Posthumous Works_, vol. ii., 711, has aimed a deadly blow
at the literary reputation of Hearne; and an admirer of this
critic and historian, as well as an excellent judge of
antiquarian pursuits, has followed up Gibbon's mode of
attack in a yet more merciless manner. He calls him "Thomas
Hearne, of black-letter memory, _carbone notandus_"--"a
weaker man (says he) never existed, as his prefaces, so
called, lamentably show." He continues in this hard-hearted
strain: but I have too much humanity to make further
extracts. He admits, however, the utility of most of
Hearne's publications--"of which he was forced to publish a
few copies, at an extravagant subscription." The remarks of
this (anonymous) writer, upon the neglect of the cultivation
of ENGLISH HISTORY, and upon the want of valuable editions
of OUR OLD HISTORIANS, are but too just, and cannot be too
attentively perused. See _Gentleman's Magazine_, vol. 58,
pt. 1, 196-8 (A.D. 1788). Thus far in deterioration of poor
Hearne's literary fame. Let us now listen to writers of a
more courteous strain of observation. Prefixed to Tanner's
_Bibliotheca Britannico-Hibernica_, there is a preface, of
which Dr. Wilkins is the reputed author. The whole of
Hearne's publications are herein somewhat minutely
criticised, and their merits and demerits slightly
discussed. It is difficult to collect the critic's summary
opinion upon Hearne's editorial labours; but he concludes
thus: "Quia autem leporis est mortuis insultare leonibus,
cineres celeberrimi hujus et olim mihi amicissimi viri
turbare, neutiquam in animum inducere possum," p. xlvii. Mr.
Gough, in his _British Topography_, vol. ii., p. 579, calls
Hearne an "acute observer;" but, unluckily, the subject to
which the reader's attention is here directed discovers our
antiquary to have been in error. J. Warton, in the passage
before alluded to, observes: "In consideration of the many
very accurate and very elegant editions which Hearne
published of our valuable old chronicles, which shed such a
light on English history, he (Hearne) ought not to have been
so severely lashed as in these bitter lines," (quoted in the
text, p. 327, ante) _Pope's Works_, edit. Bowles; vol. v.,
232. Let the reader consult also Dr. Pegge's _Anonymiana_,
in the passages referred to, in the truly valuable index
attached to it, concerning Hearne. Thus much, I submit, may
be fairly said of our antiquary's labours. That the greater
part of them are truly useful, and absolutely necessary for
a philological library, must on all sides be admitted. I
will mention only the _Chronicles of Langtoft and Robert of
Gloucester_; _Adam de Domerham, de rebus Glastoniensibus_;
_Gulielmus Neubrigensis_; _Forduni Scotichronicon_; and all
his volumes appertaining to _Regal Biography_:--these are,
surely, publications of no mean importance. Hearne's
prefaces and appendices are gossiping enough; sometimes,
however, they repay the labour of perusal by curious and
unlooked-for intelligence. Yet it must be allowed that no
literary cook ever enriched his dishes with such little
piquant sauce, as did Hearne: I speak only of their
_intrinsic_ value, for they had a very respectable
exterior--what Winstanley says of Ogilvey's publications
being, applicable enough to Hearne's;--they were printed on
"special good paper, and in a very good letter." We will now
say a few words relative to Hearne's habits of study and
living--taken from his own testimony. In the preface
prefixed to _Roper's Life of Sir Thomas More_, p. xix.
(edit. 1716), he describes himself "as leading the life of
an ascetic." In the preface to the _Annals of Dunstable
Priory_, his bibliographical diligence is evinced by his
saying he had "turned over every volume in the Bodleian
Library." In one of his prefaces (to which I am not able
just now to refer) he declares that he was born--like our
British tars--"for action:" and indeed his activity was
sufficiently demonstrated; for sometimes he would set about
transcribing for the press papers which had just been put
into his hands. Thus, in the _Antiquities of Glastonbury_,
p. 326, he writes, "the two following old evidences were
lent me _to-day_ by my friend the Hon. Benedict Leonard
Calvert, Esq." His excessive regard to fidelity of
transcription is, among many other evidences that may be
brought forward, attested in the following passage: "Have
taken particular care (saith Mr. Harcourt, in his letter to
me from Aukenvyke, Sep. 25, 1734) in the copying; well
knowing your exactness." _Benedict Abbas_, vol ii., 870. But
this servility of transcription was frequently the cause of
multiplying, by propagating, errors. If Hearne had seen the
word "faith" thus disjointed--"fay the"--he would have
adhered to this error, for "faythe." As indeed he has
committed a similar one, in the _Battle of Agincourt_, in
the appendix to Thomas de Elmham: for he writes "breth
reneverichone"--instead of "brethren everichone"--as Mr.
Evans has properly printed it, in his recent edition of his
father's _Collection of Old Ballads_, vol. ii., 334. But
this may be thought trifling. It is certainly not here meant
to justify capriciousness of copying; but surely an obvious
corruption of reading may be restored to its genuine state:
unless, indeed, we are resolved to consider antiquity and
perfection as synonymous terms. But there are some traits in
Hearne's character which must make us forgive and forget
this blind adherence to the errors of antiquity. He was so
warm a lover of every thing in the shape of a BOOK that, in
the preface to _Alured of Beverley_, pp. v. vi., he says
that he jumped almost out of his skin for joy, on reading a
certain MS. which Thomas Rawlinson sent to him ("vix credi
potest qua voluptate, qua animi alacritate, perlegerim,"
&c.). Similar feelings possessed him on a like occasion:
"When the pious author (of the _Antiquities of Glastonbury_)
first put it (the MS.) into my hands, I read it over with as
much delight as I have done anything whatsoever upon the
subject of antiquity, and I was earnest with him to print
it," p. lxxviii. Hearne's horror of book-devastations is
expressed upon a variety of occasions: and what will
reconcile him to a great portion of _modern_ readers--and
especially of those who condescend to read this account of
him--his attachment to the black-letter was marvelously
enthusiastic! Witness his pathetic appeal to the English
nation, in the 26th section of his preface to _Robert of
Gloucester's Chronicle_, where he almost predicts the
extinction of "right good" literature, on the disappearance
of the _black-letter_! And here let us draw towards the
close of these HEARNEANA, by contemplating a wood-cut
portrait of this illustrious Bibliomaniac; concerning whose
life and works the reader should peruse the well-known
volumes published at Oxford in 1772, 8vo.: containing the
biographical memoirs of Leland, Bale, Hearne, and Wood.

_Deut. xxxii: 7. Remember the days of old._]

The library of Hearne was sold in February, 1736, by Osborne
the book-seller; "the lowest price being marked in each
book." The title-page informs us of what all bibliomaniacs
will be disposed to admit the truth, that the collection
contained "a very great variety of uncommon books, and
scarce ever to be met withal," &c. There is, at bottom, a
small wretched portrait of Hearne, with this well known
couplet subjoined:

Pox on't quoth _Time_ to _Thomas Hearne_,
Whatever I _forget_ you learn.

Let the modern collector of Chronicles turn his eye towards
the 15th page of this catalogue--nos. 384, 390--and see
what "compleat and very fair" copies of these treasures were
incorporated in Hearne's extensive library!]

A little volume of book chit-chat might be written upon the marvellous discovesies [Transcriber's Note: discoveries] and voluminous compilations of Bagford and Hearne: and to these, we may add another _unique_ bibliomaniac, who will go down to posterity under the distinguished, and truly enviable, title of "_The Musical Small-Coal Man_;" I mean, master THOMAS BRITTON. Yes, Lisardo; while we give to the foregoing characters their full share of merit and praise; we admit that Bagford's personal activity and manual labour have hardly been equalled--while we allow John Murray to have looked with sharper eyes after black-letter volumes than almost any of his predecessors or successors--while we grant Thomas Hearne a considerable portion of scholarship, an inflexible integrity, as well as indefatigable industry, and that his works are generally interesting, both from the artless style in which they are composed, and the intrinstic utility of the greater part of them, yet let our admiration be [Transcriber's Note: superfluous 'be'] "be screwed to its sticking place," when we think upon the wonderous genius of the aforesaid Thomas Britton; who, in the midst of his coal cellars, could practise upon "fiddle and flute," or collate his curious volumes; and throwing away, with the agility of a harlequin, his sombre suit of business-cloths, could put on his velvet coat and bag-wig, and receive his concert visitors, at the stair-head, with the politeness of a Lord of the Bedchamber!

LOREN. In truth, a marvellous hero was this _Small-Coal Man_! Have you many such characters to notice?

LYSAND. Not many of exactly the same stamp. Indeed, I suspect that Hearne, from his love of magnifying the simple into the marvellous, has a little caricatured the picture. But Murray seems to have been a quiet unaffected character; passionately addicted to old books of whatever kind they chanced to be; and, in particular, most enthusiastically devoted to a certain old English Chronicle, entitled _Rastell's Pastime of (the) People_.

PHIL. I observed a notification of the re-appearance of this Chronicle in some of the Magazines or Reviews: but I hope, for the benefit of general readers, the orthography will be modernized.

LOREN. I hope, for the sake of consistency with former similar publications,[369] the ancient garb will not be thrown aside. It would be like--what Dr. Johnson accuses Pope of having committed--"clothing Homer with Ovidian graces."

[Footnote 369: The ANCIENT CHONICLES of the history of our
country are in a progressive state of being creditably
reprinted, with a strict adherence to the old phraseology.
Of these Chronicles, the following have already made their
appearance: HOLINSHED, 1807, 4to., 6 vols.; HALL, 1809,
4to.; GRAFTON, 1809, 4to., 2 vols.; FABIAN, 1811, 4to. This
latter is not a mere reprint of the first edition of Fabian,
but has, at the bottom, the various readings of the
subsequent impressions. The index is copious and valuable.
Indeed, all these re-impressions have good indexes. The
public will hear, with pleasure, that ARNOLD, HARDING, and
LORD BERNERS' translation of FROISSARD, and RASTELL, are
about to bring up the rear of these popular Chroniclers.]

LYSAND. Much may be said on both sides of the question. But why are we about to make learned dissertations upon the old English Chronicles?

LIS. Proceed, and leave the old chroniclers to settle the matter themselves. Who is the next bibliomaniac deserving of particular commendation?

LYSAND. As we have sometimes classed our bibliomaniacs in tribes, let me now make you acquainted with another _Trio_, of like renown in the book-way: I mean Anstis, Lewis, and Ames. Of these in their turn.

ANSTIS[370] stands deservedly the first in the list; for he was, in every respect, a man of thorough benevolent character, as well as a writer of taste and research. I do not know of any particulars connected with his library that merit a distinct recital; but he is introduced here from his connection with the two latter bibliographers. LEWIS[371] is known to us, both as a topographer and bibliographical antiquary. His _Life of Caxton_ has been reprinted with additions and corrections; and, in particular, his edition of _Wicliffe's New Testament_ has been recently put forth by the Rev. Mr. Baber, in a handsome quarto volume, with valuable emendations. Lewis was a sharp censurer of Hearne, and was somewhat jealous of the typographical reputation of Ames. But his integrity and moral character, as well as his love of rare and curious books, has secured for him a durable reputation. Of AMES, and here--though a little out of order--I may add HERBERT--the public has already heard probably "more than enough." They were both, undoubtedly, men of extraordinary mental vigour and bodily activity in the darling pursuit which they cultivated.[372] Indeed, Herbert deserves high commendation; for while he was rearing, with his own hands, a lofty pyramid of typographical fame, he seems to have been unconscious of his merits; and, possessing the most natural and diffident character imaginable, he was always conjuring up supposed cases of vanity and arrogance, which had no foundation whatever but in the reveries of a timid imagination. His _Typographical Antiquities_ are a mass of useful, but occasionally uninteresting, information. They are as a vast plain, wherein the traveller sees nothing, immediately, which is beautiful or inviting; few roses, or cowslips, or daisies; but let him persevere, and walk only a little way onward, and he will find, in many a shelter'd recess, "flowers of all hue," and herbs of all qualities: so that fragrance and salubrity are not wanting in this said plain, which has been thus depicted in a style so marvellously metaphorical!

[Footnote 370: The reader will be pleased to consult the
account of Earl Pembroke, p. 325, ante, where he will find a
few traits of the bibliomaniacal character of ANSTIS. He is
here informed, from the same authority, that when Anstis
"acquainted BAGFORD that he would find in Rymer a commission
granted to Caxton, appointing him ambassador to the Duchess
of Burgundy, he (Bagford) was transported with joy." Of
HEARNE he thus speaks: "I am ashamed that Mr. Hearne hath
made so many mistakes about the translation of _Boetius,
printed at Tavistock_; which book I had, and gave it to the
Duke of Bedford." But in another letter (to Lewis) Anstis
says, "I lent this book to one Mr. Ryder, who used me
scurvily, by presenting it, without my knowledge, to the
Duke of Bedford." There are some curious particulars in this
letter about the abbey of Tavistock. Anstis's _Order of the
Garter_ is a valuable book; and will one day, I
prognosticate, retrieve the indifferent credit it now
receives in the book-market. The author loved rare and
curious volumes dearly; and was, moreover, both liberal and
prompt in his communications. The reader will draw his own
conclusions on Anstis's comparative merit with Lewis and
Ames, when he reaches the end of the second note after the
present one.]

[Footnote 371: Concerning the Rev. JOHN LEWIS, I am enabled
to lay before the reader some particulars now published for
the first time, and of a nature by no means uninteresting to
the lovers of literary anecdote. His printed works, and his
bibliographical character, together with his conduct towards
Ames, have been already sufficiently described to the
public: _Typographical Antiquities_, vol. i., 30-3. And
first, the aforesaid reader and lovers may peruse the
following extract from an original letter by Lewis to Ames:
"I have no other design, in being so free with you, than to
serve you, by doing all I can to promote your credit and
reputation. I take it, that good sense and judgment,
attended with care and accuracy in making and sorting a
collection, suits every one's palate: and that they must
have none at all who are delighted with trifles and play
things fit only for fools and children: such, for the most
part, as THOMAS HEARNE dished out for his chaps, among whom
I was so silly as to rank myself." Again, to the same
person, he thus makes mention of LORD OXFORD and Hearne: "I
can truly say I never took ill any thing which you have
written to me: but heartily wish you well to succeed in the
execution of your projects. I han't sense to see, by the
death of Lord Oxford, how much more you are likely to make
your account better. But time will shew. I don't understand
what you mean by his having a love to surprize people with
his vast communications. Dr. R(awlinson, qu.?) tells me he
knew nobody who had so free a use of his Lordship's rarities
as T. Hearne, a sure proof of the exactness and solidity of
his Lordship's judgment. But Hearne answered, perhaps, his
Lordship's design of making the world have a very great
opinion of his collections, and setting an inestimable value
on them. And this Hearne attempted; but his daubing is, I
think, too coarse, and the smoke of his incense troublesome
and suffocating." But it is to the loan of a copy of Lewis's
folio edition of the _History of the Translations of the
Bible_, belonging to my friend Mr. G.V. Neunburg, that I am
indebted for the following further, and more interesting,
particulars. This valuable copy, illustrated with some rare
prints, and charged with numerous MS. memoranda, contains
some original letters to Lewis by the famous Dr. White
Kennet, Bishop of Peterborough: from which these extracts
are taken. "Jan. 23, 1720-1. Dear Sir; I thank you for your
kind acceptance of the advice to my clergy: well meant, I
pray God well applied. I have wisht long to see your _Life
of Wiclif_, and shall now impatiently expect it. I am not
surprised that a man of dignity, near you, should be jealous
of publishing an impartial account of that good old
evangelical author, &c. I have a mighty veneration for
Wicliff, and am the more angry with Mr. Russell for
deceiving the world in his promise of the Bible, after
proposals given and money taken. But he has in other
respects behaved so very basely that, forgiving him, I have
done with him for ever. I would not have you discouraged, by
an ungrateful world, or by a sharp bookseller. Go on, and
serve truth and peace what you can, and God prosper your
labours." Signed "Wh. Peterbor." "Feb. 20, 1720-1. You
perceive your own unhappiness in not being able to attend
the press. I cannot but importune you to revise the whole,
to throw the additions and corrections into their proper
places, to desire all your friends and correspondents to
suggest any amendments, or any new matter; in order to
publish a new correct edition that will be a classic in our
history, &c.--If the booksellers object against a second
edition till the full disposal of the first, I hope we may
buy them off with subscription for a new impression; wherein
my name should stand for six copies, and better example I
hope would be given by more able friends. I pray God bless
your labours and reward them." Several letters follow, in
which this amiable prelate and learned antiquary sends Lewis
a good deal of valuable information for his proposed second
edition of the Life of Wicliffe; but which was never put to
press. One more extract only from the Bishop of
Peterborough, and we bid farewell to the Rev. John Lewis: a
very respectable bibliomaniac. "Rev. Sir; In respect to you
and your good services to the church and our holy religion,
I think fit to acquaint you that, in the _Weekly Journal_,
published this day, Oct. 28 (1721), by _Mr. Mist_, there is
a scandalous advertisement subscribed M. Earbury, beginning
thus: 'Whereas a pretended _Vindication of John Wickliffe_
has been published under the name of one Lewis of Margate,
by the incitement, as the preface asserts, of the Archbishop
of Canterbury, and in the same I am injuriously reflected
upon as a scurrilous writer, this is to inform the public
that I shall reserve the author for a more serious whipping
in my leisure hours, and in the meantime give him a short
correction for his benefit, if he has grace and sense to
take it'--and ending thus--'Why does this author persuade
the world the late Archbishop of Canterbury could have any
veneration for the memory of one who asserts God ought to
obey the devil; or that he could be desirous to open the
impure fountains from whence the filth of Bangorianism has
been conveyed to us? M. EARBURY." "I confess (proceeds the
bishop) I don't know that, in the worst of causes, there has
appeared a more ignorant, insolent, and abandoned writer
than this Matth. Earbury. Whether you are to answer, or not
to answer, the F. according to his folly, I must leave to
your discretion. Yet I cannot but wish you would revise the
Life of Wickliffe; and, in the preface, justly complain of
the spiteful injuries done to his memory, and, through his
sides, to our Reformation. I have somewhat to say to you on
that head, if you think to resume it. I am, in the mean
time, your affectionate friend and brother, WH. PETESBOR."]

[Footnote 372: It is unnecessary for me to add any thing
here to the copious details respecting these eminent
bibliomaniacs, AMES and HERBERT, which have already been
presented to the public in the first volume of the new
edition of the _Typographical Antiquities_ of our own
country. See also p. 66, ante; and the note respecting the
late GEORGE STEEVENS, post.]

By mentioning Herbert in the present place, I have a little inverted the order of my narrative. A crowd of distinguished bibliomaniacs, in fancy's eye, is thronging around me, and demanding a satisfactory memorial of their deeds.

LOREN. Be not dismayed, Lysander. If any one, in particular, looks "frowningly" upon you, leave him to me, and he shall have ample satisfaction.

LYSAND. I wish, indeed, you would rid me of a few of these book-madmen. For, look yonder, what a commanding attitude THOMAS BAKER[373] assumes!

[Footnote 373: THOMAS BAKER was a learned antiquary in most
things respecting _Typography_ and _Bibliography_; and seems
to have had considerable influence with that distinguished
corps, composed of Hearne, Bagford, Middleton, Anstis, and
Ames, &c. His life has been written by the Rev. Robert
Masters, Camb., 1784, 8vo.; and from the "Catalogue of
forty-two folio volumes of MS. collections by Mr.
Baker"--given to the library of St. John's College,
Cambridge--which the biographer has printed at the end of
the volume--there is surely sufficient evidence to warrant
us in concluding that the above-mentioned Thomas Baker was
no ordinary bibliomaniac. To Hearne in particular (and
indeed to almost every respectable author who applied to
him) he was kind and communicative; hence he is frequently
named by the former in terms of the most respectful
admiration: thus--"Vir amicissimus, educatus optime,
emendatus vitâ, doctrinâ clarus, moribus singularis et
perjucundus, exemplum antiquitatis, cujus judicio plurimum
esse tribuendum mecum fatebuntur litterati:" _Vita Mori_, p.
XVIII. In his preface to the _Antiquities of Glastonbury_,
p. CXXX., Hearne calls him "that great man;" and again, in
his _Walter Hemingford_, vol. i., p. XVII.--"amicus
eruditissimus, mihi summe colendus; is nempe, qui è scriniis
suis MSS. tam multa meam in gratiam deprompsit." Indeed,
Hearne had good occasion to speak well of the treasures of
Baker's "_scrinia_;" as the Appendix to his _Thomas de
Elmham_ alone testifies. Of Baker's abilities and private
worth, we have the testimonies of Middleton (_Origin of
Printing_, p. 5) and Warburton. The latter thus mentions
him: "Good old Mr. Baker, of St John's College, has indeed,
been very obliging. The people of St. John's almost adore
the man." _Masters's Life of Baker_, p. 94. This authority
also informs us that "Mr. Baker had, for many years before
his death, been almost a recluse, and seldom went farther
than the college walks, unless to a coffee-house in an
evening, after chapel, where he commonly spent an hour with
great chearfulness, conversing with a select number of his
friends and acquaintance upon literary subjects," p. 108.
Every thing the most amiable, and, I had almost said,
enviable, is here said of the virtues of his head and heart;
and that this venerable bibliomaniac should have reached his
80th year is at least a demonstration that tarrying amongst
folios and octavos, from morn till night (which Baker used
to do, in St. John's Library, for nearly 20 years together),
does not unstring the nerves, or dry up the juices, of the
human frame. Yet a little further extension of this note,
gentle reader, and then we bid adieu to Thomas Baker, of
ever respectable book-memory. Among the MSS., once the
property of Herbert, which I purchased at the late sale of
Mr. Gough's MSS., I obtained a volume full of extracts from
original letters between Baker and Ames; containing also the
_Will_ of the former, which is not inserted in Master's Life
of him, nor in the _Biographia Britannica_. The original
documents are in his Majesty's library, and were bought at
the sale of Mr. Tutet's books, A.D. 1786; no. 375. From
this will, as Herbert has copied it, the reader is presented
with the following strong proofs of the bibliomaniacal
"ruling passion, strong in death," of our illustrious
antiquary. But let us not omit the manly tone of piety with
which this Will commences. "In the name of God, Amen! I,
THOMAS BAKER, ejected Fellow of St. John's college,
Cambridge, do make my last will and testament, as follows:
First, I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God (my
most gracious and good God), my faithful Creator and
merciful Redeemer, and, in all my dangers and difficulties,
a most constant protector. Blessed for ever be his holy
name." "As to the temporal goods which it hath pleased the
same good God to bestow upon me (such as all men ought to be
content with) and are, I bless God, neither poverty nor
riches--I dispose of them in the following manner." Here
follow a few of his book bequests, which may be worth the
attention of those whose pursuits lead them to a particular
examination of these authors. "Whereas I have made a deed of
gift or sale for one guinea, of 21 volumes in folio, of my
own hand-writing, to the Right Honourable EDWARD EARL OF
OXFORD, I confirm and ratify that gift by this my last will.
And I beg his lordship's acceptance of 'em, being sensible
that they are of little use or value, with two other volumes
in fol., markt Vol. 19, 20, since convey'd to him in like
manner. To my dear cosin, George Baker, of Crook, Esq., I
leave the _Life of Cardinal Wolsey_, noted with my own hand,
_Lord Clarendon's History_, with cuts and prints; and
_Winwood's Memorials_, in three volumes, fol., with a five
pound (Jacobus) piece of gold, only as a mark of respect and
affection, since he does not want it. To my worthy kinsman
and Friend Mr. George Smith, I leave _Godwin de Præsulibus
Angliæ_, and _Warræus de Præsulibus Hibernia_, both noted
with my own hand. To St. John's College Library I leave all
such books, printed or MSS., as I have and are wanting
there: excepting that I leave in trust to my worthy friend,
Dr. Middleton, for the University Library, _Archbishop
Wake's State of the Church_, noted and improved under his
own hand; _Bp. Burnet's History of the Reformation_, in
three volumes, noted in my hand; and _Bp. Kennett's Register
and Chronicle_ (for the memory of which three great
prelates, my honoured friends, I must always have due
regard). To these I add Mr. Ansty's, my worthy friend,
_History of the Garter_, in two vols., fol. _Wood's Athenæ
Oxon._; and _Maunsell's Catalogue_; both noted with my own
hand--and _Gunton's and Patrick's History of The Church of
Peterburgh_, noted (from Bishop Kennett) in my hand; with
fifteen volumes (more or less) in fol., all in my own hand;
and three volumes in 4to., part in my own hand." Let us
conclude in a yet more exalted strain of christian piety
than we began. "Lastly, I constitute and appoint my dear
nephew, Richard Burton, Esq., my sole executor, to whom I
leave every thing undisposed of, which I hope will be enough
to reward his trouble. May God Almighty bless him, and give
him all the engaging qualities of his father, all the
vertues of his mother, and none of the sins or failings of
his uncle, which God knows are great and many:--and humbly,
O my God, I call for mercy! In testimony of this my will, I
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 15th day of
October, 1739.

THO. BAKER.

And now, O my God, into thy hands I contentedly resign
myself: whether it be to life or death, thy will be done!
Long life I have not desired (and yet thou hast given it
me). Give me, if it be thy good pleasure, an easy and happy
death. Or if it shall please thee to visit me sorely, as my
sins have deserved, give me patience to bear thy correction,
and let me always say (even with my dying breath) Thy will
be done, Amen, Amen." Subjoined was this curious memorandum:
"At the making of this will, I have, in the corner of my
outer study, next my chamber, 170 guineas; and on the other
side of the study towards the river, 100 guineas, more or
less, in several canvass bags, behind the shelves, being
more secret and hidden, to prevent purloyning. One or more
of the shelves markt G. among the latter is a five pound
(Jacobus) piece of gold."]

LOREN. Never fear. He is an old acquaintance of mine; for, when resident at St. John's, Cambridge, I was frequently in the habit of conversing with his spirit in the library, and of getting curious information relating to choice and precious volumes, which had escaped the sagacity of his predecessors, and of which I fear his successors have not made the most proper use.

PHIL. This is drawing too severe a conclusion. But Baker merits the thanks of a book-loving posterity.

LYSAND. He is satisfied with this mention of his labours; for see, he retreats--and THEOBALD[374] and Tom Rawlinson rush forward to claim a more marked attention: although I am not much disposed to draw a highly finished picture of the editor of Shakespeare.

[Footnote 374: Notwithstanding Pope has called THEOBALD by
an epithet which I have too much respect for the ears of my
readers to repeat, I do not scruple to rank the latter in
the list of bibliomaniacs. We have nothing here to do with
his edition of Shakspeare; which, by the bye, was no
despicable effort of editorial skill--as some of his notes,
yet preserved in the recent editions of our bard,
testify--but we may fairly allow Theobald to have been a
lover of Caxtonian lore, as his curious extract in _Mist's
Journal_, March 16, 1728, from our old printer's edition of
Virgil's Æneid, 1490, sufficiently testifies. While his
gothic library, composed in part of "Caxton, Wynkyn, and De
Lyra," proves that he had something of the genuine blood of
bibliomaniacism running in his veins. See Mr. Bowles's
edition of _Pope's Works_, vol. v., 114, 257.]

LIS. Is THOMAS RAWLINSON[375] so particularly deserving of commendation, as a bibliomaniac?

[Footnote 375: Let us, first of all, hear Hearne discourse
rapturously of the bibliomaniacal reputation of T.
Rawlinson: "In his fuit amicus noster nuperus THOMAS
RAWLINSONUS; cujus peritiam in supellectile libraria,
animique magnitudinem, nemo fere hominum eruditorum unquam
attigit, quod tamen vix agnoscet seculum ingratum. Quanquam
non desunt, qui putent, ipsius memoriæ statuam deberi, idque
etiam ad sumptus Bibliopolarum, quorum facultates mire
auxerat; quorum tamen aliqui (utcunque de illis optime
meritus fuisset) quum librorum Rawlinsoni auctio fieret, pro
virili (clandestinò tamen) laborabant, ut minus auspicatò
venderentur. Quod videntes probi aliquot, qui rem omuem
noverant, clamitabant, ô homines scelestos! hos jam oportet
in cruciatum hinc abripi! Quod hæc notem, non est cur vitio
vertas. Nam nil pol falsi dixi, mi lector. Quo tempore vixit
Rawlinsonus (et quidem perquam jucundum est commemorare),
magna et laudabilis erat æmulatio inter viros eruditos,
aliosque etiam, in libris perquirendis ac comparandis, imo
in fragmentis quoque. Adeo ut domicilia, ubi venales id
genus res pretiosæ prostabant, hominum coetu frequenti
semper complerentur, in magnum profecto commodum eorum, ad
quos libri aliæque res illæ pertinebant; quippe quod
emptores parvo ære nunquam, aut rarissime, compararent."
_Walter Hemingford, præfat._, p. CIV. In his preface to
_Alured de Beverly_, pp. v. vi., the copious stores of
Rawlinson's library, and the prompt kindness of the
possessor himself, are emphatically mentioned; while in the
preface to _Titi Livii Foro-Juliensis Vit. Henrici V._, p.
xi., we are told, of the former, that it was "plurimis
libris rarissimis referta:" and, in truth, such a
"Bibliotheca refertissima" was perhaps never before beheld.
Rawlinson was introduced into the Tatler, under the name TOM
FOLIO. His own house not being large enough, he hired
_London House_, in Aldersgate Street, for the reception of
his library; and there he used to regale himself with the
sight and the scent of innumerable black letter volumes,
arranged in "sable garb," and stowed perhaps "three deep,"
from the bottom to the top of his house. He died in 1725;
and catalogues of his books for sale continued, for nine
succeeding years, to meet the public eye. The following is,
perhaps, as correct a list of these copious and
heterogeneously compiled catalogues, as can be presented to
the reader. I am indebted to the library of Mr. Heber for
such a curious bibliographical morçeau. I. _A Catalogue of
choice and valuable Books in most Faculties and Languages;
being part of the Collection made by Thomas Rawlinson,
Esq._, which will begin to be sold by auction at Paul's
Coffee House, the West-end of St. Paul's, 4th Dec., 1721,
beginning every evening at 5, by Thomas Ballard, bookseller,
at the Rising Sun, Little Britain. 12mo. Price 1s. 144
pages.----II. _A Catalogue_, &c., being the 2nd part of the
Collection by T. Rawlinson, Esq., to be sold by auction at
Paul's Coffee-House, 7th March, 1721-2, every evening at 5,
by T. Ballard. 12mo. Price 1s., paged on from the last, pp.
145 to 288. [These two parts contain together 1438 8vo.
lots; 1157 in 4to., 618 in folio.]----III. _A Catalogue_,
&c., being the third part of the Collection by T. Rawlinson,
Esq., to be sold by auction at Paul's Coffee-House, 17th
Oct., 1722, every evening at 5, by T. Ballard. 12mo. Price
1s. (no paging or printer's letter.)----IV. _A Catalogue_,
&c., being the 4th part of the Collection by T. Rawlinson,
Esq., to be sold by auction at Paul's Coffee-House, 2nd
April, 1723, every evening at 5, by T. Ballard, 12mo. Price
1s. (no paging or printer's letter.)----V. & VI. _A
Catalogue_, &c., being the 5th part of the Collection by T.
Rawlinson, Esq., to be sold by auction at Paul's
Coffee-House, 20th Jan. 1723, every evening at 5, by T.
Ballard. 12mo. Price 1s. Altho' this vol. seems to have been
the last of only one sale--yet it may be collected, from the
concurrent testimony of his notes in more copies than
one--that it was divided and sold at two different times;
the latter part commencing about the middle of the volume,
with the _Libri Theologici_. In folio.--Test. Nov. 1588,
being the first article. This collection began to be sold in
Feb. 2. [1724?]--VII. _A Catalogue_, &c., being the 6th part
of the Collection made by T. Rawlinson, Esq., _Deceased_,
which will begin to be sold by auction at London-House, in
Aldersgate Street, 2nd March, 1726, every evening at 5, by
Charles Davis, bookseller. 12mo. Price 2_s._ 6_d._ (no
paging--printer's mark at bottom irregularly continued from
1 to 35.)--VIII. _Bibliotheca Rawlinsoniana_, being a Cat.
of part the Val. Libr. of Tho. Rawlinson, Esq., Deceased:
which will begin to be sold by auction at the Bedford
Coffee-House, in the great Piazza, Covent Garden, the 26th
of this present April [1727] every evening at 5, by Charles
Davis, bookseller. 8vo. Price 6_d._ (20 days' sale--2600
lots.)----IX. _Bibliothecæ Rawlinsonianæ, &c., Pars_ IX.
being a Cat. of part of the Libr. of Th. Rawlinson, Esq.,
Deceased, to be sold by auction at St. Paul's Coffee-House,
16th Oct., 1727, every evening at 6, by T. Ballard. 8vo.
Price 1_s._ (20 days' sale, 3200 lots.)----X. _Bibliothecæ
Rawlinsonianæ, &c., Pars altera_, being a Cat. of part of
Lib. of Th. Rawlinson, Esq., Deceased, to be sold by auction
at St. Paul's Coffee-House, 22d Nov., 1727, every evening at
6, by Th. Ballard. 8vo. Price 1_s._ (22 days' sale, 3520
articles.)----XI. _Bibliothecæ Rawlinsonianæ, Pars altera_,
being a Catalogue of part of the Library of T. Rawlinson,
Esq., deceased, to be sold by auction at St. Paul's
Coffee-House, 22d Jan. 1727-8, every evening, Saturdays
excepted, at 6. 8vo. Price 1_s._ (22 days' sale, 3520
lots.)----XII. _Bibliothecæ Rawlinsonianæ, Pars altera_,
being a Cat. of part of the Library of Th. Rawlinson, Esq.,
deceased, to be sold by auction at St. Paul's Coffee-House,
18th March, 1727-8, every evening at 5, by T. Ballard. Price
1_s._ (8vo. 24 days' sale, 3840 lots.)----XIII. _Bibliothecæ
Rawlinsonianæ, Pars altera_, being a Cat. of part of the
Library of Th. Rawlinson, Esq., deceased, to be sold by
auction at St. Paul's Coffee-House, 21st April, 1729, every
evening at 5, by T. Ballard. Price 1_s._ (8vo. 26 days'
sale, 4161 lots.)----XIV. _Bibliothecæ Rawlinsonianæ, Pars
altera_, being a Cat. of part of the Library of T.
Rawlinson, Esq., deceased, to be sold by auction at St.
Paul's Coffee-House, 24 Nov. 1729, every evening at 5, by T.
Ballard. Price 1_s._ (8vo. 18 days' sale, 2700 lots.)----XV.
_Bibliothecæ Rawlinsonianæ, Pars altera_, being a Cat. of
part of the Library of T. Rawlinson, F.R.S., deceased, to be
sold by auction 13th Nov., 1732, at St. Paul's Coffee-House,
every evening at 5, by Tho. Ballard. Price 1_s._ (8vo. 26
days' sale, 3456 lots.)----XVI. _Codicum Manuscriptorum
Bibliothecæ Rawlinsonianæ Catalogus--cum appendice
Impressorum_--to be sold 4th March, 1733-4, at St. Paul's
Coffee-House, every night at 6, by T. Ballard. Price 1_s._
(8vo., 16 days' sale, MSS. 1020 lots--appendix 800). To
these may be added, _Picturæ Rawlinsonianæ_--being the
collection of original paintings of T. Rawlinson, Esq.,
F.R.S., by the best masters--part of which were formerly the
Earl of Craven's Collection. To be sold by auction, at the
Two Golden Balls, in Hart Street, Covent Garden, 4th April,
1734, at 11. 8vo. (117 lots.) Now let any man, in his sober
senses, imagine what must have been the number of volumes
contained in the library of the above-named THOMAS
RAWLINSON? Does he imagine that the tomes in the Bodleian,
Vatican, and British Museum were, in each single collection,
more numerous than those in the _Aldersgate Street_
repository?--Or, at any rate, would not a view of this
Aldersgate Street collection give him the completest idea of
the _ne plus ultra_ of BOOK-PHRENSY in a private collector?
Rawlinson would have cut a very splendid figure, indeed,
with posterity, if some judicious catalogue-maker, the
Paterson of former times, had consolidated all these
straggling _Bibliothecal_ corps into one compact wedge-like
phalanx. Or, in other words, if one thick octavo volume,
containing a tolerably well classed arrangement of his
library, had descended to us--oh, then we should all have
been better able to appreciate the extraordinary treasures
of SUCH A COLLECTION! The genius of Pearson and Crofts would
have done homage to the towering spirit of Rawlinson.]

LYSAND. If the most unabating activity and an insatiable appetite--if an eye, in regard to books, keen and sparkling as the ocean-bathed star--if a purse, heavily laden and inexhaustible--if store-rooms rivalled only by the present warehouses of the East-India Company--if a disposition to spread far and wide the influence of the BIBLIOMANIA, by issuing a _carte blanche_ for every desperately smitten antiquary to enter, and partake of the benefits of, his library--be criteria of BOOK-PHRENSY--why then the resemblance of this said Tom Rawlinson ought to form a principal ornament in the capital of that gigantic column, which sustains the temple of BOOK FAME! He was the _Tom Folio_ of the Tatler, and may be called the _Leviathan_ of book-collectors during nearly the first thirty years of the eighteenth century.

LIS. I suppose, then, that Bagford, Murray, and Hearne, were not unknown to this towering bibliomaniac?

LYSAND. On the contrary, I conclude, for certain, that, if they did not drink wine, they constantly drank coffee, together: one of the huge folio volumes of Bleau's Atlas serving them for a table.

But see yonder the rough rude features of HUMPHREY WANLEY[376] peering above the crowd! All hail to thy honest physiognomy--for thou wert a rare _Book-wight_ in thy way! and as long as the fame of thy patron Harley shall live, so long, honest Humphrey, dost thou stand a sure chance of living "for aye," in the memory of all worthy bibliomaniacs.

[Footnote 376: Lysander is well warranted in borrowing the
pencil of Jan Steen, in the above bold and striking portrait
of WANLEY: who was, I believe, as honest a man, and as
learned a librarian, as ever sat down to morning chocolate
in velvet slippers. There is a portrait of him in oil in the
British Museum, and another similar one in the Bodleian
Library--from which latter it is evident, on the slightest
observation, that the inestimable, I ought to say immortal,
founder of the _Cow Pox system_ (my ever respected and
sincere friend, Dr. JENNER) had not then made known the
blessings resulting from the vaccine operation: for poor
Wanley's face is absolutely _peppered_ with _variolous_
indentations! Yet he seems to have been a hale and hearty
man, in spite of the merciless inroads made upon his visage;
for his cheeks are full, his hair is cropt and curly, and
his shoulders have a breadth which shew that the unrolling
of the HARLEIAN MSS. did not produce any enervating effluvia
or mismata [Transcriber's Note: miasmata]. Our poet, Gay, in
his epistle to Pope, _ep._ 18, thus hits off his
countenance:

O WANLEY, whence com'st thou with _shorten'd hair_,
And _visage_, from thy shelves, _with_ dust besprent?

But let us hear the testimony of a friend and fellow
bibliomaniac, called Thomas Hearne. The following desultory
information is translated from the preface to the _Annales
Prioratûs de Dunstable_--wherein, by the bye, there is a
good deal of pleasant information relating to Wanley. We are
here told that Wanley was "born at Coventry; and, in his
younger days, employed his leisure hours in turning over
ancient MSS., and imitating the several hands in which they
were written. Lloyd, Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry, in
one of his episcopal visitations, was the first who noticed
and patronized him. He demanded that Wanley should be
brought to him; he examined him "suis ipsius, non alterius,
oculis;" and ascertained whether what so many respectable
people had said of his talents was true or false--'A few
words with you, young man,' said the Bishop. Wanley
approached with timidity--'What are your pursuits, and where
are the ancient MSS. which you have in your possession?'
Wanley answered readily; exhibited his MSS., and entered
into a minute discussion respecting the ancient method of
painting." Hearne then expatiates feelingly upon the
excessive care and attention which Wanley devoted to ancient
MSS.; how many pieces of vellum he unrolled; and how,
sometimes, in the midst of very urgent business, he would
lose no opportunity of cultivating what was useful and
agreeable in his particular pursuit. His hobby horse seems
to have been the discovery of the ancient method of
colouring or painting--yet towards BRITISH HISTORY and
ANTIQUITIES he constantly cast a fond and faithful eye. How
admirably well-calculated he was for filling the situation
of librarian to Lord Oxford is abundantly evinced by his
catalogue of the Harleian MSS.; vide p. 89, ante. Of his
attachment to the Bibliomania there are innumerable proofs.
Take this, _inter alia_; "I spoke to Mr. Wanley, who is not
unmindful of his promise, but says he will not trouble you
with a letter, till he has something better to present you,
which he doubts not he shall have this winter _among Mr.
Harley's MSS._ Mr. Wanley has the greatest collection of
_English Bibles, Psalters, &c._, that ever any one man had.
They cost him above 50_l._, and he has been above twenty
years in collecting them. He would part with them, I
believe, but I know not at what price." _Masters's Life of
Baker_, p. 27. Consult also the preface to the _Catalogue of
the Harleian MSS._, 1808, 3 vols., folio, p. 6.]

A softer noise succeeds; and the group becomes calm and attentive, as if some grand personage were advancing. See, 'tis HARLEY, EARL OF OXFORD![377]