Chapter XXVI: Part V: =The Drawing Room.= (9)

[Footnote 377: There was an amusing little volume, printed
in 1782, 8vo., concerning the library of the late King of
France; and an equally interesting one might have been
composed concerning the HARLEIAN COLLECTION--but who can now
undertake the task?--who concentrate all the rivulets which
have run from this splendid reservoir into other similar
pieces of water? The undertaking is impracticable. We have
nothing, therefore, I fear, left us but to sit down and
weep; to hang our harps upon the neighbouring willows, and
to think upon the Book "SION," with desponding sensations
that its foundations have been broken up, and its wealth
dissipated. But let us adopt a less flowery style of
communication. Before HARLEY was created a peer, his library
was fixed at Wimple, in Cambridgeshire, the usual place of
his residence; "whence he frequently visited his friends at
Cambridge, and in particular Mr. BAKER, for whom he always
testified the highest regard. This nobleman's attachment to
literature, the indefatigable pains he took, and the large
sums he expended in making the above collection, are too
well known to stand in need of any further notice."
_Masters's life of Baker_, p. 107. The eulogies of Maittaire
and Hearne confirm every thing here advanced by Masters; and
the testimony of Pope himself, that Harley "left behind him
one of the finest libraries in Europe," warrants us, if
other testimonies were not even yet daily before our eyes,
to draw the same conclusion. In a periodical publication
entitled _The Director_, to which I contributed all the
intelligence under the article "BIBLIOGRAPHIANA," there
appeared the following copious, and, it is presumed, not
uninteresting, details respecting the Earl of Oxford, and
his Library. After the sale of Mr. Bridges's books, no event
occurred in the bibliographical world, worthy of notice,
till the sale of the famous _Harleian Library_, or the books
once in the possession of the celebrated HARLEY, EARL OF
OXFORD. This nobleman was not less distinguished in the
political than in the literary world; and "was a remarkable
instance of the fickleness of popular opinion, and the
danger of being removed from the lower to the upper house of
parliament." (Noble's _Continuation of Granger_, vol. ii.,
23.) He was born in the year 1661, was summoned to the house
of Lords by the titles of Earl of Oxford and Mortimer, in
1711; declared minister and lord high treasurer in the same
year; resigned, and was impeached, in the year 1715;
acquitted, without being brought to a trial, in 1717; and
died at his house in Albemarle Street, in 1724. A character
so well known in the annals of this country needs no
particular illustration in the present place. The _Harleian
Collection of MSS._ was purchased by government for
10,000_l._, and is now deposited in the British Museum (vide
p. 89, ante). The _Books_ were disposed of to THOMAS
OSBORNE, of Gray's Inn, bookseller;--to the irreparable
loss, and, I had almost said, the indelible disgrace, of the
country. It is, indeed, for ever to be lamented that a
collection so extensive, so various, so magnificent, and
intrinsically valuable, should have become the property of
one who necessarily, from his situation in life, became a
purchaser, only that he might be a vender, of the volumes.
Osborne gave 13,000_l._ for the collection; a sum which must
excite the astonishment of the present age, when it is
informed that Lord Oxford gave 18,000_l._ for the _Binding_
only, of the least part of them. (From Oldys's _interleaved
Langbaine_. See Brydges's _Cens. Literar._, vol. i., p.
438.) In the year 1743-4 appeared an account of this
collection, under the following title, _Catalogus
Bibliothecæ Harleianæ, &c._, in four volumes (the 5th not
properly appertaining to it). Dr. Johnson was employed by
Osborne to write the preface, which, says Boswell, "he has
done with an ability that cannot fail to impress all his
readers with admiration of his philological attainments."
_Life of Johnson_, vol. i., 81, edit. 4to. In my humble
apprehension, the preface is unworthy of the doctor: it
contains a few general philological reflections, expressed
in a style sufficiently stately, but is divested of
bibliographical anecdote and interesting intelligence. The
first two volumes are written in Latin by Johnson; the third
and fourth volumes, which are a repetition of the two
former, are composed in English by Oldys: and,
notwithstanding its defects, it is the best catalogue of a
large library of which we can boast. It should be in every
good collection. To the volumes was prefixed the following
advertisement: "As the curiosity of spectators, before the
sale, may produce disorder in the disposition of the books,
it is necessary to advertise the public that there will be
no admission into the library before the day of sale, which
will be on Tuesday, the 14th of February, 1744." It seems
that Osborne had charged the sum of 5_s._ to each of his
first two volumes, which was represented by the booksellers
"as an avaricious innovation;" and, in a paper published in
"_The Champion_," they, or their mercenaries, reasoned so
justly as to allege that "if Osborne could afford a very
large price for the library, he might therefore afford to
_give away_ the catalogue." _Preface to_ vol. iii., p. 1. To
this charge Osborne answered that his catalogue was drawn up
with great pains, and at a heavy expense; but, to obviate
all objections, "those," says he, "who have paid five
shillings a volume shall be allowed, at any time within
three months after the day of sale, either to return them in
exchange for books, or to send them back, and receive their
money." This, it must be confessed, was sufficiently
liberal. Osborne was also accused of _rating his books at
too high a price_: to this the following was his reply, or
rather Dr. Johnson's; for the style of the Doctor is
sufficiently manifest: "If, therefore, I have set a high
value upon books--if I have vainly imagined literature to be
more fashionable than it really is, or idly hoped to revive
a taste well nigh extinguished, I know not why I should be
persecuted with clamour and invective, since I shall only
suffer by my mistake, and be obliged to keep those books
which I was in hopes of selling."--_Preface to the 3d
volume._ The fact is that Osborne's charges were extremely
moderate; and the sale of the books was so very slow that
Johnson assured Boswell "there was not much gained by the
bargain." Whoever inspects Osborne's catalogue of 1748 (four
years after the Harleian sale), will find in it many of the
most valuable of Lord Oxford's books; and, among them, a
copy of the Aldine Plato of 1513, _struck off upon vellum_,
marked at 21_l._ only: for this identical copy Lord Oxford
gave 100 guineas, as Dr. Mead informed Dr. Askew; from the
latter of whose collections it was purchased by Dr. Hunter,
and is now in the Hunter Museum. There will also be found,
in Osborne's catalogues of 1748 and 1753, some of the
scarcest books in English Literature, marked at 2, or 3, or
4_s._, for which three times the number of _pounds_ is now
given.

ANALYSIS OF THE HARLEIAN LIBRARY.

I shall take the liberty of making an arrangement of the
books different from that which appears in the Harleian
catalogue; but shall scrupulously adhere to the number of
departments therein specified. And first of those in

1. _Divinity._

In the _Greek_, _Latin_, _French_, and _Italian_ languages,
there were about 2000 theological volumes. Among these, the
most rare and curious were Bamler's bible of 1466,
beautifully illuminated, in 2 volumes: Schæffer's bible of
1472. The famous Zurich bible of 1543, "all of which, except
a small part done by Theodoras Bibliander, was translated
from the Hebrew by a Jew, who styled himself Leo Judæ, or
the Lion of Judah. The Greek books were translated by Petrus
Cholinus. The New Testament is Erasmus's." The Scrutinium
Scripturarum of Rabbi Samuel, Mant., 1475; a book which is
said "to have been concealed by the Jews nearly 200 years:
the author of it is supposed to have lived at a period not
much later than the destruction of Jerusalem." The Islandic
bible of 1664, "not to be met with, without the utmost
difficulty, and therefore a real curiosity." The works of
Hemmerlin, Basil: 1497; "the author was ranked in the first
class of those whose works were condemned by the church of
Rome." The Mozarabic Missal printed at Toledo, in 1500--of
which some account is given at p. 161, ante. The collection
of _English_ books in Divinity could not have amounted to
less than 2500 volumes. Among the rarest of these, printed
in the fifteenth century, was "The Festyvall, begynning at
the fyrst Sonday of Advent, in worship of God and all his
Sayntes," &c., printed at Paris, in 1495. There was ten
books printed by Caxton, and some exceedingly curious ones
by Wynkyn de Worde and Pynson.

2. _History and Antiquities._

There appear to have been, on the whole, nearly 4000 volumes
in this department: of which, some of those relating to
Great Britain were inestimable, from the quantity of MS.
notes by Sir William Dugdale, Archbishop Parker, Thomas
Rawlinson, Thomas Baker, &c. The preceding number includes
600 relating to the history and antiquities of Italy; 500 to
those of France. (This part of the catalogue deserves
particular attention, as it contains a larger collection of
pieces relating to the history of France than was, perhaps,
ever exposed to sale in this nation; here being not only the
ancient chronicles and general histories, but the memoirs of
particular men, and the genealogies of most of the families
illustrious for their antiquity. See _Bibl. Harl._, vol.
iii., p. 159.) 150 to those of Spain; and about 250 relating
to Germany and the United Provinces.

3. _Books of Prints, Sculpture, and Drawings._

In this department, rich beyond description, there could not
have been fewer than 20,000 articles, on the smallest
computation: of which nearly 2000 were original drawings by
the great Italian and Flemish masters. The works of CALLOT
were preserved in 4 large volumes, containing not fewer than
_nine hundred and twelve prints_. "All choice impressions,
and making the completest set of his works that are to be
seen." See _Bibl. Harl._, vol. iii., no. 562, "HOLLAR'S
works, consisting of all his pieces, and bound in 12 folio
volumes, in morocco. One of the completest and best sets in
the world, both as to the number and goodness of the
impressions." Vid. _ibid._, no. 468. It is now in the
library of the Duke of Rutland. "One hundred and
thirty-three heads of illustrious men and women, after
VANDYKE. This set of Vandyke's heads may be said to be the
best and completest that is to be met with any where: there
being the 12 heads which he etched himself, as likewise 79
worked off by Martin Vanden Enden: and what adds still to
the value of them is that the greater part were collected by
the celebrated Marriette at Paris, his name being signed on
the back, as warranting them good proofs." Tne
[Transcriber's Note: The] engravings from RAPHAEL'S
paintings, upwards of 200 in number, and by the best foreign
masters, were contained in 4 splendid morocco volumes. The
works of the SADELERS, containing upwards of 959 prints, in
8 large folio volumes, were also in this magnificent
collection: and the Albert Durers, Goltziuses, Rembrandts,
&c., innumerable!

4. _Collection of Portraits._

This magnificent collection, uniformly bound in 102 large
folio volumes, contained a series of heads of illustrious
and remarkable characters, to the amount of nearly 10,000 in
number. It is said, in the catalogue, to be "perhaps the
largest collection of heads ever exposed to sale." We are
also informed that it "was thought proper, for the
accommodation of the curious, to separate the volumes."
Eheu! Eheu!

5. _Philosophy, Chemistry, Medicine, &c._

Under this head, comprehending anatomy, astronomy,
mathematics, and alchemy, there appear to have been not
fewer than 2500 volumes in the foreign languages, and about
600 in the English: some of them of the most curious kind,
and of the rarest occurrence.

6. _Geography, Chronology, and General History._

There were about 290 volumes on these subjects, written in
the Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish languages: and about
300 volumes in our own language. Some of the scarcest books
printed by Caxton were among the latter.

7. _Voyages and Histories relating to the East and West
Indies._

About 800 volumes:--nearly equally divided into the English
and foreign languages. Among the English, were Caxton's
"Recuyell of the historys of Troye," 1471 (supposed to be
the first book printed in this country;) and his "Siege and
conquest of Jherusalem," 1481.

8. _Civil, Canon, and Statute Law._

At least 800 volumes: 300 in the foreign languages, and the
remaining in English.

9. _Books of Sculpture, Architecture, &c._

Not fewer than 900 volumes, comprehending every thing
published up to that period which was valuable or rare. Of
these, more than 700 were written in Latin, Italian, French,
or Spanish--and embellished with every beauty of graphic
illustration.

10. _Greek and Latin Classics; Grammars and Lexicons._

This very valuable body of Grecian and Roman literature
could not have included fewer than 2400 volumes--and, among
these, almost every work of rarity and excellence. In the
article of "Cicero" alone, there were 115 volumes printed in
the _fifteenth century_; every subsequent edition of that
and other authors, then distinguished for its accuracy or
erudition, may also, I believe, be discovered in the
catalogue. Most book-collectors know the sumptuous manner in
which the Harleian copies are bound.

11. _Books printed upon Vellum._

In this interesting department of typography, there were
about 220 volumes--upwards of 70 in folio, 40 in quarto, and
100 in octavo. Of the former, the most curious and rare
articles were the Mentz bible of 1462, 2 vols., and the
travels of Breydenbachus, printed at Mentz in 1486. "This
book is an uncommon object of curiosity, as it is, perhaps,
the first book of travels that was ever printed, and is
adorned with maps and pictures very remarkable. The view of
_Venice_ is more than five feet long, and the map of the
_Holy Land_ more than three; there are views of many other
cities. It is printed in the Gothic character." See _Bibl.
Harl._, vol. iii., no. 3213. The octavos were chiefly
"Heures à l'usage," so common at the beginning of the 16th
century: but, if the catalogue be correctly published, there
appears to have been one of these books printed at Paris, as
early as the year 1466, "extremely beautiful cuts." See the
_Bibl. Harl._, vol. iv., no. 18406. Now, if this were
true, it would make known a curious fact in Parisian
typography--for the usually received opinion among
bibliographers is that no printed book appeared in France
before the year 1467, when the art was first introduced at
_Tours_; and none at _Paris_ before the year 1469-70--when
Crantz and Friburger were engaged to print there.

12. _English Poetry, Romances, and Novels._

There could not have been fewer than 900 volumes in this
amusing department; and among them some editions of the
rarest occurrence. Every thing printed by Caxton on these
subjects, including a complete and magnificent copy of
_Morte d'Arthur_, was in the collection--and, in respect to
other curious works, it will be sufficient to mention only
the following, as a specimen. "Kynge-Richarde Cuer du Lyon,
W. de Worde, 1528: Gascoigne's Poesies, 1575--Spenser's
Shepheardes Calenders, 1586: Webbe's Discourse of English
Poetrie, 1586: Nash's Art of English Poesie, 1589." Some of
these volumes were afterwards marked by Osborne, in his
catalogues, at 3 or 4 shillings!

13. _Livres François, Ital., et Hispan._

There might have been 700 volumes in these foreign
languages, of which nearly 500 related to _poetry_
(exclusively of others in the foregoing and following
departments).

14. _Parliamentary Affairs and Trials._

Upwards of 400 volumes.

15. _Trade and Commerce._

About 300 volumes.

It will be seen from the preceding divisions, and from the
gradual diminution of the number of volumes in each, that I
have gone through the principal departments of the Harleian
collection of books: and yet there remain _fifty
departments_ to be enumerated! These are the following: 16.
_Critici et Opera collecta._ 17. _Vultus et Imagines Illust.
Virorum._ 18. _Pompæ, Ceremoniæ, et Exequiæ._ 19. _De re
Militari, de Arte Equestri, et de re Navali._ 20.
_Heraldica._ 21. _Epistolæ, Panegyrici, et Orationes._ 22.
_Bibliothecarii et Miscellanei._ 23. _Tractatus Pacis et
Politici._ 24. _Traductions des Auteurs Gr. et Latin._ 25.
_Translations from Greek and Latin Authors._ 26. _Laws,
Customs, &c., of the City of London._ 27. _Military, Naval
affairs, and Horsemanship._ 28. _Heraldry._ 9.
[Transcriber's Note: 29.] _Husbandry, Gardening,
Agriculture._ 30. _Magic, Sorcery, Witchcraft._ 31.
_Miraculous, Monstrous, and Supernatural._ 32. _Lives of
Eminent Persons._ 33. _Laws and Customs of divers Places._
34. _Tythes, Sacrilege, and Non-residence, &c._ 35. _Cases
of divers Persons._ 36. _Prisons and Prisoners._ 37. _Lives
of Murderers, Highwaymen, Pirates, &c._ 38. _Speeches of
Persons executed for divers Offences._ 39. _Justices,
Juries, and Charges._ 40. _Poor, and Charitable Uses._ 41.
_Matrimony, Divorce, &c._ 42. _Universities._ 43.
_Allegiance, Supremacy, Non Resistance, &c._ 44. _Bank and
Bankers._ 45. _Funds, Taxes, Public Credit, Money, Coin,
&c._ 46. _War and Standing Armies._ 47. _Admiralty and
Navy._ 48. _Letters on various Subjects._ 49. _Treatises of
Peace, Royal Prerogative, &c._ 50. _Navigation._ 51.
_Education, Grammar and Schools._ 52. _Ludicrous,
Entertaining, Satirical, and Witty._ 53. _English
Miscellanies._ 54. _Ecclesiastical and Civil History of
Scotland._ 55. _Do. of Ireland._ 56. _Grammars and
Dictionnaries._ 57. _Plays, and relating to the Theatre._
58. _Mathematics._ 59. _Astrology, Astronomy, and
Chymistry._ 60. _Horsemanship._ 61. _Cookery._ 62.
_Convocation._ 63. _Sieges, Battles, War, &c._ 64. _Pomp and
Ceremony._ 65. _Books relating to Writing and Printing._ 66.
_Essays on various Subjects._ It will probably be no very
unreasonable computation to allow to each of these remaining
divisions 80 volumes: so that multiplying the whole 50
divisions by 80 there will be the additional number of 4000
volumes to make the library complete. I ought to mention
that, in my account of this extensive library, I have not
included the _Pamphlets_. Of these alone, according to Mr.
Gough (_Brit. Topog._ v., i., 669), there were computed to
be 400,000! We will now say a few words about the private
character of Lord Oxford, and conclude with a brief account
of Osborne. Every body has heard of the intimacy which
subsisted between POPE and the Earl of Oxford. In the year
1721, when the latter was at his country seat, Pope sent him
a copy of Parnell's poems (of which he had undertaken the
publication on the decease of Parnell), with a letter in
poetry and prose. It seems that Pope wished to prefix his
own verses to the collection; and thus alludes to them, in
his letter to Lord Harley of the date of 1721: "Poor
Parnell, before he died, left me the charge of publishing
those few remains of his: I have a strong desire to make
them, their author, and their publisher, more considerable,
by addressing and dedicating them all to you, &c. All I
shall say for it is that 'tis the only dedication I ever
writ, and shall be the only one, whether you accept it or
not: for I will not bow the knee to a less man than my Lord
Oxford, and I expect to see no greater in my time."

The following is the latter part of the _Poetical Epistle_
here alluded to:

And sure, if aught below the seats divine
Can touch immortals, 'tis a soul like thine:
A soul supreme, in each hard instance tried,
Above all pain, all passion, and all pride;
The rage of power, the blast of public breath,
The lust of lucre, and the dread of death.

In vain to deserts thy retreat is made;
The muse attends thee to thy silent shade:
'Tis her's the brave man's latest steps to trace,
Rejudge his acts, and dignify disgrace.
When int'rest calls off all her sneaking train,
And all th' obliged desert, and all the vain;
She waits, or to the scaffold, or the cell,
When the last lingering friend has bid farewell.
Ev'n now, she shades thy evening walk with bays,
(No hireling she, no prostitute of praise)
Ev'n now, observant of the parting ray,
Eyes the calm sun-set of thy various day;
Thro' fortune's cloud ONE truly great can see,
Nor fears to tell that MORTIMER is he!

_Pope's Works_, vol. ii., p. 320-3. Bowles's edit.

The following was the reply of the Earl of Oxford to Mr.
Pope.

SIR,

I received your packet, which could not but give me great
pleasure to see you preserve an old friend in your memory;
for it must needs be very agreeable to be remembered by
those we highly value. But then, how much shame did it cause
me when I read your very fine verses inclosed! My mind
reproached me how far short I came of what your great
friendship and delicate pen would partially describe me. You
ask my consent to publish it: to what straits doth this
reduce me! I look back, indeed, to those evenings I have
usefully and pleasantly spent with Mr. Pope, Mr. Parnell,
Dean Swift, the Doctor (Arbuthnot), &c. I should be glad the
world knew you admitted me to your friendship; and since
your affection is too hard for your judgment, I am contented
to let the world know how well Mr. Pope can write upon a
barren subject. I return you an exact copy of the verses,
that I may keep the original, as a testimony of the only
error you have been guilty of. I hope, very speedily, to
embrace you in London, and to assure you of the particular
esteem and friendship wherewith I am your, &c.,

OXFORD.

Of TOM OSBORNE I have in vain endeavoured to collect some
interesting biographical details. What I know of him shall
be briefly stated. He was the most celebrated bookseller of
his day; and appears, from a series of his catalogues in my
possession, to have carried on a successful trade from the
year 1738 to 1768. What fortune he amassed, is not, I
believe, very well known: his collections were truly
valuable, for they consisted of the purchased libraries of
the most eminent men of those times. In his stature he was
short and thick; and, to his inferiors, generally spoke in
an authoritative and insolent manner. "It has been
confidently related," says Boswell, "that Johnson, one day,
knocked Osborne down in his shop with a folio, and put his
foot upon his neck. The simple truth I had from Johnson
himself. 'Sir, he was impertinent to me, and I beat him. But
it was not in his shop: it was in my own chamber.'" 4to.
edit., i., 81. Of Osborne's philological attainments, the
meanest opinion must be formed, if we judge from his
advertisements, which were sometimes inserted in the London
Gazette, and drawn up in the most ridiculously vain and
ostentatious style. He used to tell the public that he
possessed "all the pompous editions of Classicks and
Lexicons." I insert the two following advertisements,
prefixed, the one to his catalogue of 1748, the other to
that of 1753, for the amusement of my bibliographical
readers, and as a model for Messrs. Payne, White, Miller,
Evans, Priestley, and Cuthell. "This catalogue being very
large, and of consequence very expensive to the proprietor,
he humbly requests that, if it falls into the hands of any
gentleman _gratis_, who chooses not himself to be a
purchaser of any of the books contained in it, that such
gentleman will be pleased to recommend it to any other whom
he thinks may be so, or to return it." To his catalogue of
1753 was the following: "To the Nobility and Gentry who
please to favour me with their commands. It is hoped, as I
intend to give no offence to any nobleman or gentleman, that
do me the honour of being my customer, by putting a price on
my catalogue, by which means they may not receive it as
usual--it is desired that such nobleman or gentleman as have
not received it, would be pleased to send for it; and it's
likewise requested of such gentleman who do receive it,
that, if they chuse not to purchase any of the books
themselves, _they would recommend it to any bookish
gentleman of their acquaintance, or to return it_, and the
favour shall be acknowledged by, their most obedient and
obliged,

T. OSBORNE."

I shall conclude with the following curious story told of
him, in Mr. Nichols's _Anecdotes of Bowyer_ the Printer.
"Mr. David Papillon, a gentleman of fortune and literary
taste, as well as a good antiquary (who died in 1762)
contracted with Osborne to furnish him with an 100_l._ worth
of books, at _threepence a piece_. The only conditions were,
that they should be perfect, and that there should be no
duplicate. Osborne was highly pleased with his bargain, and
the first great purchase he made, he sent Mr. P. a large
quantity; but in the next purchase, he found he could send
but few, and the next, still fewer. Not willing, however, to
give up, he sent books worth _five shillings_ a piece; and,
at last, was forced to go and beg to be let off the
contract. Eight thousand books would have been wanted!"--See
p. 101-2, note [symbol: double dagger].]

LIS. Let us rise to pay him homage!

PHIL. Lisardo is now fairly bewitched. He believes in the existence of the group!--Help, ho! Fetters and warder for--

LOREN. Philemon loves to indulge his wit at his friend's expense. Is't not so, Lisardo?

LIS. I forgive him. 'Twas a "glorious fault." But, indeed, I would strip to the skin, if this said nobleman longed for my coat, waistcoat, small clothes, and shirt, to form him a cushion to sit upon! I have heard such wonderful things said of his library!--

LYSAND. And not more wonderful than its reputation justifies. Well might Pope be enamoured of such a noble friend--and well might even Dr. Mead bow to the superior splendour of such a book-competitor! While the higher order of bibliomaniacs, reposing upon satin sofas, were quaffing burgundy out of Harley's curiously cut goblets, and listening to the captivating tale of Mead or Folkes, respecting a VELLUM _Editio Princeps_--the lower order, with Bagford at their head, were boisterously regaling themselves below, drinking ale round an oaken table, and toasting their patron, till the eye could no longer discover the glass, nor the tongue utter his name. Aloft, in mid air, sat the soothed spirits of Smith and North; pointing, with their thin, transparent fingers, to the apotheosis of CAXTON and ALDUS! Suddenly, a crowd of pipy fragrance involves the room: these ærial forms cease to be visible; and broken sounds, like the retiring tide beneath Dover cliff, die away into utter silence. Sleep succeeds: but short is the slumber of enthusiastic bibliomaniacs! The watchman rouses them from repose: and the annunciation of the hour of "two o'clock, and a moonlight morning," reminds them of their cotton night-caps and flock mattrasses. They start up, and sally forwards; chaunting, midst the deserted streets, and with eyes turned sapiently towards the moon, "Long life to the King of Book-Collectors, HARLEY, EARL OF OXFORD!"

LOREN. A truce, Lysander! I entreat a truce!

LYSAND. To what?

LOREN. To this discourse. You must be exhausted.

PHIL. Indeed I agree with Lorenzo: for Lysander has surpassed, in prolixity, the reputation of any orator within St. Stephen's chapel. It only remains to eclipse, in a similar manner, the speeches which were delivered at Hardy's trial--and then he may be called the _Nonpareil_ of orators!

LYSAND. If you banter me, I am dumb. Nor did I know that there was any thing of eloquence in my chit-chat. If Lisardo had had my experience, we might _then_ have witnessed some glittering exhibitions of imagination in the book-way!

LIS. My most excellent friend, I will strive to obtain this experience, since you are pleased to compliment me upon what I was not conscious of possessing--But, in truth, Lysander, our obligations to you are infinite.

LYSAND. No more; unless you are weary of this discourse--

PHIL. LIS. Weary!?

LOREN. Let me here exercise my undeniable authority. A _sandwich_, like the evening rain after a parching day, will recruit Lysander's exhausted strength. What say you?

LYSAND. "I shall in all things obey your high command." But hark--I hear the outer gate bell ring! The ladies are arrived: and you know my bashfulness in female society. Adieu, BIBLIOMANIA! 'till the morrow.

LOREN. Nay, you are drawing too dismal conclusions. My sisters are not sworn enemies to this kind of discourse.

* * * * *

The arrival of ALMANSA and BELINDA, the sisters of Lorenzo put a stop to the conversation. So abrupt a silence disconcerted the ladies; who, in a sudden, but, it must be confessed, rather taunting, strain--asked whether they should order their bed-chamber candlesticks, and retire to rest?

LIS. Not if you are disposed to listen to the most engaging book-anecdote orator in his majesty's united realms!

ALMAN. Well, this may be a sufficient inducement for us to remain. But why so suddenly silent, gentlemen?

LOREN. The conversation had ceased before you arrived. We were thinking of a _hung-beef sandwich_ and a glass of madeira to recruit Lysander's exhausted powers. He has been discoursing ever since dinner.

BELIND. I will be his attendant and cup-bearer too, if he promises to resume his discourse. But you have probably dispatched the most interesting part.

LYSAND. Not exactly so, I would hope, fair Lady! Your brother's hospitality will add fresh energy to my spirit; and, like the renewed oil in an exhausted lamp, will cause the flame to break forth with fresh splendour.

BELIND. Sir, I perceive your ingenuity, at least, has not forsaken you--in whatever state your memory may be!--

* * * * *

Here the _sandwiches_ made their appearance: and Lorenzo seated his guests, with his sisters, near him, round a small circular table. The repast was quickly over: and Philemon, stirring the sugar within a goblet of hot madeira wine and water, promised them all a romantic book-story, if the ladies would only lend a gracious ear. Such a request was, of course, immediately complied with.

PHIL. The story is short--

LIS. And sweet, I ween.

PHIL. That remains to be proved. But listen.

You all know my worthy friend, FERDINAND: a very _Helluo Librorum_. It was on a warm evening in summer--about an hour after sunset--that Ferdinand made his way towards a small inn, or rather village alehouse, that stood on a gentle eminence, skirted by a luxuriant wood. He entered, oppressed with heat and fatigue; but observed, on walking up to the porch "smothered with honey-suckles" (as I think Cowper expresses it), that every thing around bore the character of neatness and simplicity. The holy-oaks were tall and finely variegated in blossom: the pinks were carefully tied up: and roses of all colours and fragrance stood around, in a compacted form, like a body-guard, forbidding the rude foot of trespasser to intrude. Within, Ferdinand found corresponding simplicity and comfort.

The "gude" man of the house was spending the evening with a neighbour; but poached eggs and a rasher of bacon, accompanied with a flagon of sparkling ale, gave our guest no occasion to doubt the hospitality of the house, on account of the absence of its master. A little past ten, after reading some dozen pages in a volume of Sir Egerton Brydges's _Censura Literaria_, which he happened to carry about him, and partaking pretty largely of the aforesaid eggs and ale, Ferdinand called for his candle, and retired to repose. His bed-room was small, but neat and airy: at one end, and almost facing the window, there was a pretty large closet, with the door open: but Ferdinand was too fatigued to indulge any curiosity about what it might contain.

He extinguished his candle, and sank upon his bed to rest. The heat of the evening seemed to increase. He became restless; and, throwing off his quilt, and drawing his curtain aside, turned towards the window, to inhale the last breeze which yet might be wafted from the neighbouring heath. But no zephyr was stirring. On a sudden, a broad white flash of lightning--(nothing more than summer heat) made our bibliomaniac lay his head upon his pillow, and turn his eyes in an opposite direction. The lightning increased--and one flash, more vivid than the rest, illuminated the interior of the closet, and made manifest--_an old mahogany Book-Case_, STORED WITH BOOKS. Up started Ferdinand, and put his phosphoric treasures into action. He lit his match, and trimmed his candle, and rushed into the closet--no longer mindful of the heavens--which now were in a blaze with the summer heat.

The book-case was guarded both with glass and brass wires--and the key--no where to be found! Hapless man!--for, to his astonishment, he saw _Morte d'Arthur_, printed by _Caxton_--_Richard Coeur de Lyon_, by _W. de Worde_--_The Widow Edyth_, by _Pynson_--and, towering above the rest, a LARGE PAPER copy of the original edition of _Prince's Worthies of Devon_; while, lying transversely at top, reposed _John Weever's Epigrams_, "The spirit of Captain Cox is here revived"--exclaimed Ferdinand--while, on looking above, he saw a curious set of old plays, with _Dido, Queen of Carthage_, at the head of them! What should he do? No key: no chance of handling such precious tomes--'till the morning light, with the landlord, returned! He moved backwards and forwards with a hurried step--prepared his pocket knife to cut out the panes of glass, and untwist the brazen wires--but a "_prick of conscience_" made him desist from carrying his wicked design into execution. Ferdinand then advanced towards the window; and throwing it open, and listening to the rich notes of a concert of nightingales, forgot the cause of his torments--'till, his situation reminding him of "_The Churl and the Bird_," he rushed with renewed madness into the cupboard--then searched for the bell--but, finding none, he made all sorts of strange noises. The landlady rose, and, conceiving robbers to have broken into the stranger's room, came and demanded the cause of the disturbance.

"Madam," said Ferdinand, "is there no possibility of inspecting the _books_ in the _cupboard_--where is the key?" "Alack, sir," rejoined the landlady, "what is there that thus disturbs you in the sight of those books? Let me shut the closet-door and take away the key of it, and you will then sleep in peace." "Sleep in _peace_!" resumed Ferdinand--"sleep in _wretchedness_, you mean! I can have no peace unless you indulge me with the key of the book-case. To whom do such gems belong?" "Sir, they are not stolen goods."--"Madam, I ask pardon--I did not mean to question their being honest property--but"--"Sir, they are not mine or my husband's." "Who, madam, who is the lucky owner?" "An elderly gentleman of the name of--Sir, I am not at liberty to mention his name--but they belong to an elderly gentleman." "Will he part with them--where does he live? Can you introduce me to him?"--The good woman soon answered all Ferdinand's rapid queries, but the result was by no means satisfactory to him.

He learnt that these uncommonly scarce and precious volumes belonged to an ancient gentleman, whose name was studiously concealed; but who was in the habit of coming once or twice a week, during the autumn, to smoke his pipe, and lounge over his books: sometimes making extracts from them, and sometimes making observations in the margin with a pencil. Whenever a very curious passage occurred, he would take out a small memorandum book, and put on a pair of large tortoise-shell spectacles, with powerful magnifying glasses, in order to insert this passage with particular care and neatness. He usually concluded his evening amusements by sleeping in the very bed in which Ferdinand had been lying.

Such intelligence only sharpened the curiosity, and increased the restlessness, of poor Ferdinand. He retired to this said bibliomaniacal bed, but not to repose. The morning sun-beams, which irradiated the book-case with complete effect, shone upon his pallid countenance and thoughtful brow. He rose at five: walked in the meadows till seven; returned and breakfasted--stole up stairs to take a farewell peep at his beloved _Morte d'Arthur_--sighed "three times and more"--paid his reckoning; apologised for the night's adventure; told the landlady he would shortly come and visit her again, and try to pay his respects to the anonymous old gentleman. "Meanwhile," said he, "I will leave no bookseller's shop in the neighbourhood unvisited, 'till I gain intelligence of his name and character." The landlady eyed him steadily; took a pinch of snuff with a significant air; and, returning, with a smile of triumph, to her kitchen, thanked her stars that she had got rid of such a madman!

Ladies and gentlemen, I have done.

LIS. And creditably done, too!

ALMAN. If this be a specimen of your previous conversation, we know not what we have lost by our absence. But I suspect, that the principal ingredient of poetry, fiction, has a little aided in the embellishment of your story.

BELIN. This is not very gallant or complimentary on your part, Almansa. I harbour no suspicion of its verity; for marvellous things have been told me, by my brother, of the whimsical phrensies of book-fanciers.

LOREN. If you will only listen a little to Lysander's _sequel_, you will hear almost equally marvellous things; which I suspect my liberally minded sister, Almansa, will put down to the score of poetical embellishment. But I see she is conscious of her treasonable aspersions of the noble character of bibliomaniacs, and is only anxious for Lysander to resume.

ALMAN. Sir, I entreat you to finish your HISTORY OF BIBLIOMANIACS. Your friend, Philemon, has regaled us with an entertaining episode, and you have probably, by this time, recovered strength sufficient to proceed with the main story.

LYSAND. Madam, I am equally indebted to your brother for his care of the body, and to my friend for his recreation of the mind. The midnight hour, I fear, is swiftly approaching.

LOREN. It is yet at a considerable distance. We have nearly reached the middle of the eighteenth century, and you may surely carry on your reminiscential exertions to the close of the same. By that time, we may be disposed for our nightcaps.

LYSAND. Unheeded be the moments and hours which are devoted to the celebration of eminent BOOK-COLLECTORS! Let the sand roll down the glass as it will; let "the chirping on each thorn" remind us of Aurora's saucy face peering above the horizon! in such society, and with such a subject of discussion, who--

LIS. Lysander brightens as his story draws to a close: his colouring will be more vivid than ever.

BELIND. Tell me--are bibliographers usually thus eloquent? They have been described to me as a dry, technical race of mortals--quoting only title-pages and dates.

LYSAND. Madam, believe not the malicious evidence of book-heretics. Let ladies, like yourself and your sister, only make their appearance with a choice set of bibliomaniacs, at this time of night, and if the most interesting conversation be not the result--I have very much under-rated the colloquial powers of my brethren. But you shall hear.

We left off with lauding the bibliomaniacal celebrity of Harley, Earl of Oxford. Before the dispersion of his grand collection, died JOHN BRIDGES,[378] a gentleman, a scholar, and a notorious book-collector. The catalogue of his books is almost the first classically arranged one in the eighteenth century: and it must be confessed that the collection was both curious and valuable. Bridges was succeeded by ANTHONY COLLINS,[379] the Free Thinker; a character equally strange and unenviable. Book-fanciers now and then bid a few shillings, for a copy of the catalogue of his library; and some sly free-thinkers, of modern date, are not backward in shewing a sympathy in their predecessor's fame, by the readiness with which they bid a half-guinea, or more, for a _priced copy_ of it.

[Footnote 378: _Bibliothecæ Bridgesianæ Catalogus_: or a
Catalogue of the Library of JOHN BRIDGES, Esq., consisting
of above 4000 books and manuscripts in all Languages and
Faculties; particularly in Classics and History; and
especially the History and Antiquities of Great Britain and
Ireland, &c., London, 1725, 8vo. Two different catalogues of
this valuable collection of books were printed. The one was
analysed, or a _catalogue raisonné_, to which was prefixed a
print of a Grecian portico, &c., with ornaments and statues:
the other (expressly for the sale) was an indigested and
extremely confused one--to which was prefixed a print,
designed and engraved by A. Motte, of an oak felled, with a
number of men cutting down and carrying away its branches;
illustrative of the following Greek Motto inscribed on a
scroll above--[Greek: Dryos pesousês pas anêr xyleuetai];
"An affecting momento (says Mr. Nichols, very justly, in his
_Anecdotes of Bowyer_, p. 557) to the collectors of great
libraries, who cannot, or do not, leave them to some public
accessible repository." My friend, Dr. Gosset, was once so
fortunate as to pick up for me a _large paper_ copy of the
analysed catalogue, bound in old blue morocco, and ruled
with red lines, for 4_s._!--"Happy day!"]

[Footnote 379: In the year 1730-1, there was sold by auction
at St. Paul's Coffee House, in St. Paul's Church Yard
(beginning every evening at five o'clock), the library of
the celebrated Free Thinker, ANTHONY COLLINS, Esq.
"Containing a collection of several thousand volumes in
Greek, Latin, English, French, and Spanish; in divinity,
history, antiquity, philosophy, husbandry, and all polite
literature: and especially many curious travels and voyages;
and many rare and valuable pamphlets." This collection,
which is divided into _two parts_ (the first containing 3451
articles, the second 3442), is well worthy of being
consulted by the theologian who is writing upon any
controverted point of divinity; as there are articles in it
of the rarest occurrence. The singular character of its
owner and of his works is well known: he was at once the
friend and the opponent of Locke and Clarke, who both were
anxious for the conversion of a character of such strong,
but misguided, talents. The former, on his death-bed, wrote
Collins a letter to be delivered to him after his decease,
which was full of affection and good advice.]

We may here but slightly allude to the bibliographical reputation of MAITTAIRE, as so much was said of him the day before yesterday.[380]

[Footnote 380: The reader will find some account of
MAITTAIRE'S bibliographical labours at p. 47, ante; and of
his editions of the ancient Classics, at p. 442, vol. ii.,
of my _Introduction to the Knowledge of rare and valuable
editions of the Greek and Latin Classics_. He need here only
be informed that Maittaire's books were sold by auction in
November, 1748, and January, 1749; the catalogue of them
forming _two parts_, with one of these dates affixed to
each. The collection must have been uncommonly numerous; and
of their intrinsic value the reader will best judge by the
following extract from the "Advertisement," by Cock the
auctioneer, at the back of the title-page: "tho' the books,
in their present condition, make not the most ostentatious
appearance, yet, like the late worthy possessor of them,
however plain their outside may be, they contain within an
invaluable treasure of ingenuity and learning. In fine, this
is (after fifty years' diligent search and labour in
collecting) THE ENTIRE LIBRARY OF MR. MAITTAIRE; whose
judgement in the choice of books, as it ever was confessed,
so are they, undoubtedly, far beyond whatever I can attempt
to say in their praise. In exhibiting them thus to the
public, I comply with the will of my deceased friend; and in
printing the catalogue from his OWN COPY just as he left it
(tho' by so doing it is the more voluminous) I had an
opportunity, not only of doing the justice I owe to his
memory, but also of gratifying the curious." I incline
strongly to think there were no copies of this catalogue
printed upon large paper. When priced, the usual copy brings
a fair round sum.]

BELIN. All this may be very learned and just. But of these gentlemen I find no account in the fashionable necrologies.

LOREN. Only wait a little, and Lysander will break forth with the mention of some transcendental bibliomaniac.

LYSAND. Yes, ever renowned RICHARD MEAD![381] thy _pharmacopæal_ reputation is lost in the blaze of thy _bibliomaniacal_ glory! Æsculapius may plant his herbal crown round thy brow, and Hygeia may scatter her cornucopia of roses at thy feet--but what are these things compared with the homage offered thee by the Gesners, Baillets, and Le Longs, of old? What avail even the roseate blushes of thousands, whom thy medical skill, may have snatched from a premature grave--compared with the life, vigour, animation and competition which thy example infused into the BOOK-WORLD!

[Footnote 381: It is almost impossible to dwell on the
memory of THIS GREAT MAN, without emotions of
delight--whether we consider him as an eminent physician, a
friend to literature, or a collector of books, pictures, and
coins. Benevolence, magnanimity, and erudition were the
striking features of his character. His house was the
general receptacle of men of genius and talent, and of every
thing beautiful, precious, and rare. His curiosities,
whether books, or coins, or pictures, were freely laid open
to the public; and the enterprising student, and experienced
antiquary, alike found amusement and a courteous reception.
He was known to all foreigners of intellectual distinction,
and corresponded both with the artisan and the potentate.
The great patron of literature, and the leader of his
profession, it was hardly possible, as Lysander has well
observed, "for modest merit if properly introduced to him,
to depart unrewarded or ungratified." The clergy, and, in
general, all men of learning, received his advice
gratuitously; and his doors were open every morning to the
most indigent, whom he frequently assisted with money.
Although his income, from his professional practice, was
very considerable, he died by no means a rich man--so large
were the sums which he devoted to the encouragement of
literature and the fine arts! The sale of Dr. Mead's _Books_
commenced on the 18th of November, 1754, and again on the
7th of April, 1755: lasting together 57 days. The sale of
the _prints_ and _drawings_ continued 14 nights. The _gems_,
_bronzes_, _busts_, and _antiquities_, 8 days.

His books produced £5496 15 0
Pictures 3417 11 0
Prints and drawings 1908 14 0
Coins and medals 1977 17 0
Antiquities 3246 15 0
------------
Amount of all the sales £16,047 12 0
------------

It would be difficult to mention, within a moderate compass,
all the rare and curious articles which his library
contained--but the following are too conspicuous to be
passed over. The _Spira Virgil_, of 1470, _Pfintzing's
Tewrdanchk's_, 1527, _Brandt's Stultifera Navis_, 1498, and
the _Aldine Petrarch_, of 1501, ALL UPON VELLUM. The large
paper _Olivet's Cicero_ was purchased by Dr. Askew, for
14_l._ 14_s._, and was sold again at his sale for 36_l._
15_s._ The King of France bought the editio princeps of
_Pliny Senior_ for 11_l._ 11_s._: and Mr. Wilcock, a
bookseller, bought the magnificently illuminated _Pliny by
Jenson_, of 1472, for 18_l._ 18_s._: of which Maittaire has
said so many fine things. The _French_ books, and all the
works upon the _Fine Arts_, were of the first rarity and
value, and bound in a sumptuous manner. Winstanley's
_Prospects of Audley End_ brought 50_l._ An amusing account
of some of the pictures will be found in Mr. Beloe's
_Anecdotes of Literature and scarce Books_, vol. i., 166,
71. But consult also _Nichols's Anecdotes of Bowyer_, p.
225, &c. Of the catalogue of Dr. Mead's books, there were
only six copies printed upon _large paper_. See _Bibl.
Lort_, no. 1149. I possess one of these copies, uncut and
priced. Dr. MEAD had parted, in his life-time, to the
present king's father, with several miniature pictures of
great value (Walpole Anec., vol. i., 165) by Isaac Oliver
and Holbein, which are now in his majesty's collection. Dr.
Askew had purchased his Greek MSS. for 500_l._ Pope has
admirably well said,

"Rare _monkish manuscripts_ for HEARNE alone,
And _Books_ FOR MEAD, and _butterflies_ for SLOANE."

_Epistle_ iv.

Upon which his commentator, Warburton, thus observes: "These
were two eminent physicians; the one had an excellent
library, the other the finest collection in Europe of
natural curiosities." For nearly half a century did Dr. Mead
pursue an unrivalled career in his profession. He was
(perhaps "thrice") presented with the presidentship of the
College of Physicians, which he ("thrice") refused. One year
it is said he made 7000_l._, a great sum in his time! His
regular emoluments were between 5000_l._ and 6000_l._ per
annum. He died on the 25th of February, 1754, in the 81st
year of his age. On his death, Dr. ASKEW, who seems to have
had a sort of filial veneration for his character, and whose
pursuits were in every respect congenial with Dr. Mead's,
presented the College of Physicians with a marble bust of
him, beautifully executed by Roubilliac, and for which he
paid the sculptor 100_l._ A whimsical anecdote is connected
with the execution of this bust. Roubilliac agreed with Dr.
Askew for 50_l._: the doctor found it so highly finished
that he paid him for it 100_l._ The sculptor said this was
not enough, and brought in a bill for 108_l._ 2_s._ Dr.
Askew paid this demand, even to the odd shillings, and then
enclosed the receipt to Mr. Hogarth, to produce at the next
meeting of artists. Nichols's _Anec. of Bowyer_, p. 580. "I
cannot help," says Mr. Edwards, the late ornithologist,
"informing succeeding generations that they may see the
_real features_ of Dr. Mead in this bust: for I, who was as
well acquainted with his face as any man living, do
pronounce this bust of him to be so like that, as often as I
see it, my mind is filled with the strongest idea of the
original." Hearne speaks of the MEADEAN FAMILY with proper
respect, in his _Alured de Beverly_, p. XLV.; and in _Walter
Hemingford_, vol. i., XXXV. In his _Gulielmus Nubrigensis_,
vol. iii., p. 744 (note), he says of our illustrious
bibliomaniac:--"that most excellent physician, and truly
great man, Dr. Richard Mead, to whom I am eternally
obliged." There is an idle story somewhere told of Dr.
Mead's declining the acceptance of a challenge to fight with
swords--alleging his want of skill in the art of fencing:
but this seems to be totally void of authority. Thus far,
concerning Dr. Mead, from the first edition of this work,
and the paper entitled "The Director." The following
particulars, which I have recently learnt of the MEAD
FAMILY, from John Nicholl, Esq., my neighbour at Kensington,
and the maternal grandson of the Doctor, may be thought well
worth subjoining. MATTHEW MEAD, his father, was a clergyman.
He gave up his living at Stepney in 1662; which was
afterwards divided into the four fine livings now in the
gift of Brazen-Nose College, Oxford. His parishioners built
him a chapel; but he retired to a farm in the country, and
had the reputation of handling a bullock as well as any
butcher in the county. He went abroad in the reign of James
II., and had his sons, Samuel and Richard, educated under
Grævius. SAMUEL MEAD, _his brother_, was a distinguished
Chancery barrister, and got his 4000_l._ per ann.; his
cronies were Wilbraham and Lord Harcourt. These, with a few
other eminent barristers, used to meet at a coffee-house,
and drink their favourite, and then fashionable,
liquor--called _Bishop_, which consisted of red wine, lemon,
and sugar. Samuel was a shy character, and loved privacy. He
had a good country house, and handsome chambers in Lincoln's
Inn, and kept a carriage for his sister's use, having his
coachmaker's arms painted upon the panel. What is very
characteristic of the modesty of his profession, he
pertinaciously refused a silk gown! A word or two remains to
be said of our illustrious bibliomaniac RICHARD. His brother
left him 30,000_l._, and giving full indulgence to his noble
literary feelings, the Doctor sent Carte, the historian, to
France, to rummage for MSS. of _Thuanus_, and to restore the
castrated passages which were not originally published for
fear of offending certain families. He made Buckley, the
editor, procure the best _ink and paper_ from Holland, for
this edition of Thuanus, which was published at his own
expense; and the Doctor was remarkably solicitous that
nothing of exterior pomp and beauty should be wanting in the
publication. The result verified his most sanguine
expectation; for a finer edition of a valuable historian has
never seen the light. Dr. Ward, says Mr. Nichols, is
supposed to have written Mead's Latin, but the fact is not
so; or it is exclusively applicable to the _later_ pieces of
Mead. The Doctor died in his 83rd year (and in full
possession of his mental powers), from a fall occasioned by
the negligence of a servant. He was a great _diagnostic_
physician; and, when he thought deeply, was generally
correct in judging of the disorder by the appearance of the
countenance.]