Chapter XXVIII: Preface

"The following catalogue exhibits a very curious and
uncommon collection of printed books and tracts. Of British
History and Antiquities, and of _Rare Old English
Literature_, the most copious of any which has appeared for
several years past; formed with great taste, and a thorough
knowledge of authors and characters, by that judicious
critic and able antiquary the late JAMES WEST, Esq.,
President of the Royal Society. Several anonymous writers
are herein brought to light--many works enlarged and further
explained by their respective authors and editors--and a far
greater number illustrated with the MS. notes and
observations of some of our most respectable antiquaries:
among whom will be found the revered names of Camden,
Selden, Spelman, Somner, Dugdale, Gibson, Tanner, Nicolson,
Gale, Le Neve, Hearne, Anstis, Lewis, St. Amand, Ames,
Browne, Willis, Stukely, Mr. West, &c. But, above all, the
intense application and unwearied diligence of the admirable
Bishop White Kennett, upon the ecclesiastical, monastical,
constitutional, and topographical history of Great Britain,
so apparent throughout this collection, furnish matter even
to astonishment; and are alone sufficient to establish the
reputation, and to perpetuate the memory, of this
illustrious prelate, without any other monuments of his
greatness." "In an age of general inquiry, like the present,
when studies less interesting give place to the most
laudable curiosity and thirst after investigating every
particular relative to the history and literature of our own
country, nothing less than an elaborate digest of this
valuable library could be expected; and, as a supplement to
the history of English literature, more desired." "That task
the Editor has cheerfully undertaken: and, he flatters
himself, executed as well as the short time allowed would
permit. He further hopes, to the satisfaction of such who
are capable of judging of its utility and importance." "The
lovers of engraved English portraits (a species of modern
connoisseurship which appears to have been first started by
the late noble Earl of Oxford, afterwards taken up by Mr.
West, Mr. Nicolls, editor of Cromwell's State-Papers, Mr.
Ames, &c., and since perfected by the Muse of
Strawberry-Hill, the Rev. Wm. Granger, and some few more
ingenious collectors) may here look to find a considerable
number of singular and scarce heads, and will not be
disappointed in their search." Thus much Paterson; who, it
must be confessed, has promised more than he has performed:
for the catalogue, notwithstanding it was the _second_ which
was published (the first being by a different hand, and most
barbarously compiled) might have exhibited better method and
taste in its execution. Never were rare and magnificent
books more huddled together and smothered, as it were, than
in this catalogue. Let us now proceed to an analysis of Mr.
West's Collection.

1. _Volumes of Miscellaneous Tracts._

These volumes extend from no. 148 to 200, from 915 to
992, from 1201 to 1330, and from no. 1401 to 1480.--Among
them are some singularly choice and curious articles. The
following is but an imperfect specimen.

NO. 154. Atkyns on Printing, _with the frontispiece_, &c.,
&c., 4to.

164. G. Whetstone's Honorable Profession of a Soldier, 1586,
&c., 4to.

179. Life and death of Wolsey, 1641, &c.

183. Nashe's Lenten Stuffe, with the Praise of the Red
Herring, 1599, &c. 4to. (the three articles together did not
exceed) £0 12_s._ 0_d._

188. A Mornynge Remembrance, had at the Moneth Mynde of the
Noble Prynces Countesse of Rychmonde, &c. Wynkyn de Worde,
&c. 4to. 2 2 0

194. Oh! read over Dr. John Bridges, for it is a worthie
Worke, &c. bl. letter, &c. 4to. Strange and fearful Newes
from Plasto, near Bow, in the house of one Paul Fox, a Silk
Weaver, where is daily to be seene throwing of Stones,
Bricbats, Oyster-shells, Bread, cutting his Work in Pieces,
breaking his Windows, &c. _No date_, 4to. 0 12 6

1477. Leylande's Journey and Serche, given of hym as a Newe
Yeares Gyfte to K. Henry 8th, enlarged by Bale, bl. letter,
1549, 8vo., (with three other curious articles.) 0 17 6

1480. A disclosing of the great Bull and certain Calves that
he hath gotten, and especially the Monster Bull that roared
at my Lord Byshop's gate. Bl. letter, pr. by Daye. No date.
4to.

The preceding affords but a very inadequate idea of the
"pithie, pleasant, and profitable" discourses mid tracts
which abounded among the miscellaneous articles of Mr.
West's library. Whatever be the defects of modern
literature, it must be allowed that we are not _quite so
coarse_ in the _title pages_ of our books.

2. _Divinity._

This comprehended a vast mass of information, under the
following general title. Scarce Tracts: Old and New
Testaments (including almost all the first English editions
of the New Testament, which are now of the rarest
occurrence): Commentators: Ecclesiastical History: Polemics:
Devotions, Catholic and Calvinistical: Enthusiasm:
Monastical History: Lives of Saints: Fathers: Missionaries:
Martyrs: Modern Divines and Persons of eminent piety: Free
Thinkers: Old English Primers: Meditations: Some of the
earliest Popish and Puritanical Controversy: Sermons by old
English Divines, &c. In the whole 560 articles: probably
about 1200 volumes. These general heads are sufficient to
satisfy the bibliographer that, with such an indefatigable
collector as was Mr. West, the greater part of the
theological books must have been extremely rare and curious.
From so _many Caxtons_, _Wynkyn de Wordes_, _Pynsons, &c._,
it would be difficult to select a _few_ which should give a
specimen of the value of the rest. Suffice it to observe
that such a cluster of _Black Letter Gems_, in this
department of English literature, has never since been seen
in any sale catalogue.

3. _Education, Languages, Criticism, Classics, Dictionaries,
Catalogues of Libraries, &c._

There were about 700 volumes in these departments. The
catalogues of English books, from that of Maunsell in 1595,
to the latest before Mr. West's time, were nearly complete.
The treatises on education, and translations of the ancient
classics, comprehended a curious and uncommon collection.
The Greek and Latin Classics were rather select than rare.

4. _English Poetry, Romances, and Miscellanies._

This interesting part of the collection comprehended about
355 articles, or probably about 750 volumes: and, if the
singularly rare and curious books which may be found _under
these heads alone_ were now to be concentrated in one
library, the owner of them might safely demand 4000 guineas
for such a treasure! I make no doubt but that his MAJESTY is
the fortunate possessor of the greater number of articles
under all the foregoing heads.

5. _Philosophy, Mathematics, Inventions, Agriculture, and
Horticulture, Medicine, Cookery, Surgery, &c._

Two hundred and forty articles, or about 560 volumes.

6. _Chemistry, Natural History, Astrology, Sorcery,
Gigantology._

Probably not more than 100 volumes. The word "Gigantology,"
first introduced by Mr. Paterson, I believe, into the
English language, was used by the French more than two
centuries ago. See no. 2198 in the catalogue.

7. _History and Antiquities._

This comprehended a great number of curious and valuable
productions, relating both to foreign and domestic
transactions.

8. _Heraldry and Genealogy._

An equal number of curious and scarce articles may be found
under these heads.

9. _Antient Legends and Chronicles._

To the English antiquary, few departments of literature are
more interesting than this. Mr. West seems to have paid
particular attention to it, and to have enriched his library
with many articles of this description of the rarest
occurrence. The lovers of Caxton, Fabian, Hardyng, Hall,
Grafton, and Holinshed, may be highly gratified by
inspecting the various editions of these old chroniclers. I
entreat the diligent bibliographer to examine the first 8
articles of page 209 of the catalogue. Alas! when will such
gems again glitter at one sale? The fortunate period for
collectors is gone by: a knowledge of books almost every
where prevails. At York, at Exeter, at Manchester, and at
Bristol, as well as in London, this knowledge may be found
sometimes on the dusty stall, as well as in the splendid
shop. The worth of books begins to be considered by a
different standard from that of the quantity of gold on the
exterior! We are now for "_drinking deep_," as well as
"_tasting_!" But I crave pardon for this digression, and
lose sight of Mr. West's _uniques_.

10. _Topography._

Even to a veteran like the late Mr. Gough, such a collection
as may be found from p. 217 to 239 of the catalogue, would
be considered a very first-rate acquisition. I am aware that
the Gothic wainscot and stained glass windows of _Enfield
Study_ enshrined a still more exquisite topographical
collection! But we are improved since the days of Mr. West;
and every body knows to _whom_ these improvements are, in a
great measure, to be attributed! When I call to mind the
author of "_British Topography_" and "_Sepulchral
Monuments_," I am not insensible to the taste, diligence,
and erudition of the "par nobile fratrum," who have
gratified us with the "_Environs of London_," and the three
volumes of "_Magna Britannia_!" Catalogues of Mr. West's
library, with the sums for which the books were sold, are
now found with difficulty, and bring a considerable price.
The late Mr. G. Baker, who had a surprisingly curious
collection of priced catalogues, was in possession of the
_original sale_ one of West's library. It is interleaved,
and, of course, has the prices and names of the purchasers.
Mr. Heber has also a priced copy, with the names, which was
executed by my industrious and accurate predecessor, William
Herbert, of typographico-antiquarian renown. The number of
articles, on the whole, was 4653; and of the volumes as many
articles were single, probably about 8000. _Ample_ as some
"pithy" reader may imagine the foregoing analysis to be, I
cannot find it in my heart to suffer such a collection, as
was the _Bibliotheca Westiana_, to be here dismissed in so
_summary_ a manner. Take, therefore, "pleasaunt" reader, the
following account of the _prices_ for which some of the
aforesaid book-gems were sold. They are presented to thee as
a matter of curiosity only; and not as a criterion of their
present value. And as MASTER CAXTON has of late become so
popular amongst us, we will see, inter alios, what some of
the books printed by so "simple a person" produced at this
renowned sale.

NO. 564. Salesbury (Wyllyam) his Dictionary in Englyshe and
Welshe, moste necessary to all such Welshemen as wil spedly
learne the English tongue, &c. _Printed by Waley_, 1547,
4to. £0 17_s._ 0_d._

566. Mulcaster (Rich.) of the right writing of our English
Tung. _Imp. by Vautrollier_, 1582, 4to. 0 2 6

575. Florio's Frutes to be gathered of 12 trees of divers
but delyghtfule tastes to the Tongues of Italians and
Englishmen, also his Garden of Recreation, &c., 1591, 4to. 0
6 6

580. Eliot's Indian Grammar, _no title_. 0 4 0

Thus much for GRAMMATICAL TRACTS.

808. The fyve Bokes of Moses, wythe the Prologes of Wyllyam
Tyndale, b.b. 1534, _printed in different characters at
different periods_, 8vo. 4 4 0

813. The Actes of the Apostles translated into Englyshe
metre, by Chrystofer Tye, Doctor in musyke, with notes to
synge, and also to play upon the lute. _Printed by Seres_,
1553, 12mo. 0 11 6

819. The Newe Testament, with the Prologes of Wyllyam
Tyndale, cuts, printed at Andwarp, &c., 1534, 12mo. 0 18 0

820. The same, with the same cuts, emprynted at Antwerpe, by
M. Crom, 1538, _a fine copy, in morocco binding_ (title
wanting). 2 4 0

1341. The Gospels of the fower Evangelists, translated in
the olde Saxons Tyme, &c. Sax. and Eng. Imprinted by Daye,
1571, 4to. 1 12 0

1383. The Discipline of the Kirk of Scotlande, subscribet by
the Handes off Superintendentes, one parte off Ministers,
and scribet in oure generalle Assemblies ad Edenbourg, 28
Decemb., 1566. _No title._ 4to. 1 3 0

1714. The most sacred Bible, recognised with great diligence
by Richard Taverner, &c., _printed by Byddell for Barthelet,
1539, in russia_. 3 5 0

1716. The Byble in Englyshe of the largest and greatest
volume, &c. _Printed by Grafton_, 1541, Folio. 1 3 0

1870. Speculum Vite Christi, the Booke that is cleped the
Myrroure of the blessed Lyf of Jhesu Cryste, _emprynted by
Caxton_, fol., _no date, fine copy in morocco_. 9 9 0

1871. The prouffytable Boke for Mannes Soule, &c.,
_emprynted by Caxton_, fol., no date, a fine copy in
morocco. 5 0 0

1873. Cordyale, or of the fowre last Thynges, &c.,
_emprynted by Caxton_, 1480, fol., _fine copy in morocco_.
14 0 0

1874. The Pylgremage of the Sowle, &c., 1483, folio,
_emprynted by Caxton_. 8 17 6

1875. The Booke entytled and named Ryal, &c., _translated
and printed by Caxton_, 1484, _fine morocco copy_. 10 0 0

1876. The Arte and Crafte to knowe well to dye; _translated
and prynted by Caxton_, 1490, folio. 5 2 6

So take we leave of DIVINITY!

1047. Hall's Virgidemiarum, lib. vi. 1599, 1602, 12mo. "Mr.
Pope's copy, who presented it to Mr. West, telling him that
he esteemed them the best poetry and truest satire in the
English language." (N.B. These satires were incorrectly
published in 1753, 8vo.: a republication of them, with
pertinent notes, would be very acceptable.) 0 18 0

1658. Churchyard's Works; 3 vols. in 1, _very elegant_, bl.
letter. 3 13 6

1816. The Passe Tyme of Pleasure, &c., _printed by Wynkyn de
Worde_, 1517, 4to., fine copy. 3 3 0

1821. Merie conceited Jests of George Peele, Gent. 1607,
4to. Robin the Devil, his two penni-worth of Wit in half a
penni-worth of paper, &c., 1607, 4to. 0 18 6

1846. The Hye Waye to the Spyttell Hous; printed by the
compyler Rob. Copland, no date. 0 6 6

1847. Another copy of the Spyttell House; "A thousande fyve
hundredth fortye and foure," no printer's name, mark, or
date, 4to. Here begynneth a lytell propre Jest, called
Cryste Crosse me spede, a b c. 1 11 6

2274. Chaucer's Work; first edition, _emprentyd by Caxton_,
folio, _in russia_. 47 15 6

2280. ---- Troylus and Creseyde, _printed b [Transcriber's
Note: by] Caxton_, folio. 10 10 0

2281. ---- Booke of Fame, _printed by Caxton_, folio. 4 5 0

2297. Gower de Confessione Amantis; _printed by Caxton_,
1483, folio, _in morocco_. 9 9 0

2282. The Bokys of Haukyng and Hunting; _printed at Seynt
Albons_, 1486, _folio: fine copy in morocco_. 13 0 0

And here farewell POETRY!

1678. The Booke of the moste victoryouse Prynce, Guy of
Warwick. _Impr. by W. Copland_, 4to. 1 1 0

1683. The Historye of Graunde Amoure and la bell Pucel, &c.
_Impr. by John Wayland_, 1554, 4to. 1 2 0

1685. The Historye of Olyver of Castylle, &c. _Impr. by
Wynkyn de Worde_, 1518, 4to. 1 12 0

1656. The Booke of the Ordre of Chyvalry or Knyghthode.
_Translated and printed by William Caxton_; no date, a fine
copy in russia, 4to. 5 5 0

(Shall I put one, or one hundred marks--not of admiration
but of astonishment--at this price?! but go on kind reader!)

2480. The Boke of Jason: _emprynted by Caxton_, folio. 4 4 0

2481. The Boke of Fayttes of Armes and of Chyvalrye,
_emprynted by Caxton_, 1489, folio. 10 10 0

2582. Thystorye, &c., of the Knyght Parys, and of the fayre
Vyenne, &c. 1485, fol., _translated and printed by Caxton_.
14 0 0

But why should I go on tantalising the S----s, H----s,
S----s, R----s, and U----s, of the day, by further specimens
of the _enormous_ sums here given for such _common_ editions
of old ROMANCES? Mr. George Nicol, his majesty's bookseller,
told me, with his usual pleasantry and point, that he got
abused in the public papers, by Almon and others, for his
having purchased nearly the whole of the Caxtonian volumes
in this collection for his Majesty's library. It was said
abroad that "a Scotchman had lavished away the king's money
in buying old black-letter books." A pretty specimen of
_lavishing_ away royal money, truly! There is also another
thing, connected with these _invaluable_ (I speak as a
bibliomaniac--and, perhaps, as a metaphysician may think--as
a fool! but let it pass!) with these invaluable
purchases:--his Majesty, in his directions to Mr. Nicol,
forbade any competition with those purchasers who wanted
books of science and belles-lettres for their _own
professional_ or _literary_ pursuits: thus using, I ween,
the powers of his purse in a manner at once merciful and
wise.--"O si sic"--may we say to many a heavy-metalled
book-auction bibliomaniac of the present day!--Old Tom
Payne, the father of the respectable Mr. Payne, of
Pall-Mall, used to tell Mr. Nichol--_pendente hastâ_--that
he had been "raising all the CAXTONS!" "Many a copy," quoth
he, "hath _stuck_ in my shop at two guineas!" Mr. NICHOLS,
in his amusing biography of Bowyer, has not devoted so large
a portion of his pages to the description of Mr. West's
collection, life, and character, as he has to many
collectors who have been less eminently distinguished in the
bibliographical world. Whether this was the result of the
paucity, or incongruity, of his materials, or whether, from
feelings of delicacy he might not choose to declare all he
knew, are points into which I have neither right nor
inclination to enquire. There seems every reason to conclude
that, from youth, West had an elegant and well-directed
taste in matters of literature and the fine arts. As early
as the year 1720, he shewed the munificence of his
disposition, in these respects, by befriending Hearne with a
plate for his _Antiquities of Glastonbury_; see p.
285--which was executed, says Hearne, "Sumptibus ornatissimi
amicissimique Juvenis (multis sane nominibus de studiis
nostris optime meriti) JACOBI WEST," &c. So in his pref. to
_Adam de Domerham de reb. gest. Glaston_:--"antiquitatum ac
historiarum nostrarum studiosus in primis--Jacobus West." p.
xx. And in his _Walter Hemingford_, we have:--"fragmentum,
ad civitatem Oxoniensem pertinens, admodum egregium, mihi
dono dedit amicus eximius Jacobus West--is quem alibi
juvenem ornatissimum appellavi," &c., p. 428. How the
promise of an abundant harvest, in the mature years of so
excellent a young man, was realized, the celebrity of West,
throughout Europe, to his dying day, is a sufficient
demonstration. I conclude with the following; which is
literally from Nichols's _Anecdotes of Bowyer_. "James West,
of Alscott, in the county of Warwick, Esq., M.A., of Baliol
College, Oxford, (son of Richard West, said to be descended,
according to family tradition, from Leonard, a younger son
of Thomas West, Lord Delawar, who died in 1525) was
representative in parliament for St. Alban's, in 1741; and
being appointed one of the joint Secretaries of the
Treasury, held that office till 1762. In 1765 or 1766, his
old patron the Duke of Newcastle, obtained for him a pension
of 2000_l._ a year. He was an early member, and one of the
Vice Presidents, of the Antiquary Society; and was first
Treasurer, and afterwards President, of the Royal Society.
He married the daughter and heiress of Sir Thomas Stephens,
timber merchant, in Southwark, with whom he had a large
fortune in houses in Rotherhithe; and by whom he had a son,
James West, Esq., now (1782) of Alscott, one of the Auditors
of the Land-Tax, and sometime Member of Parliament for
Boroughbridge, in Yorkshire (who in 1774 married the
daughter of Christopher Wren, of Wroxhall in Warwickshire,
Esq.), and had two daughters. Mr. West died in July, 1772.
His large and valuable collection of MANUSCRIPTS was sold to
the _Earl of Shelburne_, and is now deposited in the British
Museum."]

LOREN. All hail to thee--transcendant bibliomaniac of other times!--of times, in which my father lived, and procured, at the sale of thy precious book-treasures, not a few of those rare volumes which have so much gladdened the eyes of Lisardo.

BELIN. I presume you mean, dear brother, some of those _black-looking_ gentlemen, bound in fancifully marked coats of morocco, and _washed_ and _ironed_ within (for you collectors must have recourse to a woman's occupation) with so much care and nicety that even the eyes of our ancient Rebecca, with "spectacle on nose" to boot, could hardly detect the cunning' conceit of your binder!

LOREN. Spare my feelings and your own reputation, if you wish to appreciate justly the noble craft of book-repairing, &c.--But proceed, dear Lysander.

LYSAND. You cannot have a greater affection towards the memory of the collector of the _Bibliotheca Westiana_ than myself. Hark--! or is it only a soft murmur from a congregation of autumnal zephyrs!--but methought I heard a sound, as if calling upon us to look well to the future fate of our libraries--to look well to their being _creditably catalogued_--"For" (and indeed it _is_ the voice of West's spirit that speaks) "my collection was barbarously murdered; and hence I am doomed to wander for a century, to give warning to the ----, ----, and ----, of the day, to execute this useful task with their own hands! Yes; even the name of PATERSON has not saved my collection from censure; but his hands were then young and inexperienced--yet I suffer from this innocent error!" Away, away, vexed spirit--and let thy head rest in peace beneath the sod!

ALMAN. For heaven's sake, into what society are we introduced, sister? All mad--book mad! but I hope harmless.

LYSAND. Allay your apprehensions; for, though we may have the energies of the lion, we have the gentleness of the "unweaned lamb." But, in describing so many and such discordant characters, how can I proceed in the jog-trot way of--"next comes such a one--and then follows another--and afterwards proceeds a third, and now a fourth!?"

ALMAN. Sir, you are right, and I solicit your forgiveness. If I have not sufficient bookish enthusiasm to fall down and worship your CAXTONIAN DEITY, JAMES WEST, I am at least fully disposed to concede him every excellent and amiable quality which sheds lustre upon a literary character.

LYSAND. All offence is expiated: for look, the spirit walks off calmly--and seems to acknowledge, with satisfaction, such proper sentiments in the breast of one whose father and brother have been benefited by his book treasures.

The rapturous, and, I fear you will think, the wild and incoherent, manner in which I have noticed the sale of the _Bibliotheca Westiana_ had nearly driven from my recollection that, in the preceding, the same, and subsequent, year, there was sold by auction a very curious and extraordinary collection of books and Prints belonging to honest TOM MARTIN,[389] _of Palgrave_, in Suffolk: a collector of whom, if I remember rightly, Herbert has, upon several occasions, spoken with a sort of veneration. If Lavater's system of physiognomy happen to receive your approbation, you will conclude, upon contemplating Tom's frank countenance--of which a cut precedes the title-page of the first catalogue--that the collector of Palgrave must have been "a fine old fellow." Martin's book-pursuits were miscellaneous, and perhaps a little too wildly followed up; yet some good fortune contributed to furnish his collection with volumes of singular curiosity.

[Footnote 389: "Hereafter followeth" rather a rough outline
of the contents of honest Tom Martin's miscellaneous and
curious collection. To the IVth part I have added a few
prices, and but a few. I respect too much the quiet and
comfort of the present race of bibliomaniacs, to inflame
their minds by a longer extract of such tantalizing sums
given for some of the most extraordinary volumes in English
Literature.----I. _A Catalogue of the Library of_ Mr. THOMAS
MARTIN, _of Palgrave, in Suffolk, lately deceased. Lynn,
Printed by W. Whittingham_, 1772, 8vo. With a portrait
engraved by Lamborn, from a painting of Bardwell. 5240
articles; with 15 pages of Appendix, containing
MSS.----no. 86. Juliana Barnes on Hawking, &c.,
black-letter, wants a leaf, folio. 56. Chauncey's History of
Hertfordshire, with marginal notes, by P. Le Neve, Esq.,
1700, folio. 757. Scriptores Rerum Brunsvicensium, 3 vols.
folio, 1707. ("N.B. Only 3 sets in England at the accession
of Geo. III.")----II. _A Catalogue of the very curious and
numerous collection of Manuscripts of_ THOMAS MARTIN, Esq.,
_of Suffolk, lately deceased_. Consisting of Pedigrees,
Genealogies, Heraldic Papers, Old Deeds, Charters, Sign
Manuals, Autographs, &c., likewise some very rare old
printed books. Sold by auction by Baker and Leigh, April 28,
1773, 8vo. The MSS. (of many of which Edmonson was a
purchaser) consisted of 181 articles, ending with "The 15
O's, in old English verse--St. Bridget." Among the 19
volumes only of "Scarce Printed Books" were the
following:--no. 188. Edwards' Paradyse of daynty Devices,
1577. 196. The Holy Life of Saynt Werburge, printed by
Pynson, 1521. The Lyfe of Saynte Radegunde, by Pynson. Lyfe
of Saynt Katherine, printed by Waley, 4to.----III. _A
Catalogue of the remaining Part of the valuable Collection
of the late well known Antiquary_, Mr. MARTIN, _of Palgrave,
Suffolk_: consisting of many very valuable and ancient
Manuscripts on vellum, early printed black-letter Books, and
several other scarce Books; his Law Library, Deeds, Grants,
and Pedigrees; a valuable collection of Drawings and Prints,
by the best masters--and his Collection of Greek, Roman,
Saxon, and English Coins--with some curiosities. Sold by
auction by Baker and Leigh, 18th May, 1774. 8vo. This
collection consisted of 537 articles, exclusively of the
coins, &c., which were 75 in number. Among the printed books
were several very curious ones; such as----no. 88. The
Death and Martyrdom of Campione the Jesuite, 1581, 8vo. 124.
Heywood's "If you know not me, you know nobody," 1623, 4to.
"This has a wood-cut of the whole length of Q. Elizabeth,
and is very scarce." 183. Fabyan's Chronicle. This I take it
was the first edition. 186. Promptuarium Parvulorum. Pynson,
folio, 1499. See Hearne's Peter Langtoft, vol. ii., 624-5.
228. Dives et Pauper; yis Tretyys ben dyvydit into elevene
partys, and ev'ry part is dyvidit into chapitalis. "The
above extremely curious and valuable Manuscript on vellum is
wrote on 539 pages. Vide Leland, vol. ii., 452: Bale, 609.
Pits, 660. MS., 4to." 236. Original Proclamations of Q.
Elizabeth, folio. "A most rare collection, and of very great
value: the Earl of Oxford once offered Mr. Martin one
hundred guineas for them, which he refused." Qu. what they
sold for? 237. The Pastyme of the People; the Cronycles of
dyvers Realmys, and most specyally of the Realme of Englond,
&c., by John Rastell. An elegant copy, in the original
binding, large folio, black-letter, London, 1529. "Supposed
to be only two or three copies existing;" but see page 337,
ante. The folio Manuscripts, extending to no. 345, are
very curious; especially the first 60 numbers.----IV.
_Bibliotheca Martiniana. A Catalogue of the entire Library
of the late eminent Antiquary_ Mr. THOMAS MARTIN, _of
Suffolk_. Containing some thousand volumes in every
Language, Art, and Science, a large collection of the
scarcest early Printers, and some hundreds of Manuscripts,
&c., which will begin to be sold very cheap, on Saturday,
June 5 (1773). By Martin Booth and John Berry, Booksellers,
at their Warehouse in the Angel Yard, Market Place, Norwich,
and continue on sale only two months: 8vo. This Catalogue is
full of curious, rare, and interesting books; containing
4895 articles; all priced. Take, as a sample, the following:

NO. 4071. Wynkyn de Worde's reprint of Juliana Berners' book
of Hawking, &c., 1496, folio, 1_l._ 11_s._ 6_d._: no.
4292. Copland's ditto of ditto, fair 7_s._ 6_d._

4099. A collection of Old Romances in the Dutch Language,
with wood-cuts, very fair, 1544 to 1556, folio 10 6

4169. Horace's Art of poetry, by Drant, 1567, 4to. 3 6

4234. A certayne Tragedye, &c., entitled, Freewil, wants
title, very fair and scarce, 4to. 5 0

4254. Historie of Prince Arthur and his Knights of the Round
Table, 1634, 4to. 7 6

4336. The Life off the 70 Archbishopp off Canterbury
presentlye sittinge, &c. Imprinted in 1574, 8vo., neat 10 6

A severe satire against Parker, Abp. of Canterbury, for
which 'tis said the author was punished with the loss of his
arm.

4345. Amorous Tales, by James Sanforde, very rare, printed
by Bynneman, 1567, 12mo. (or small 8vo. perhaps) 5 0

4432. Hereafter followeth a little boke whyche hath to name
Whye come ye not to court: by Mayster Skelton; printed by
Anthony Kytson, no date. A little boke of Philip Sparrow,
compiled by Mayster Skelton; printed by Ant. Veale, no date,
very fair, both 8vo. 7 6

"This is a most extraordinarily scarce edition of Skelton's
Pieces, and has besides these, some other fragments of his
by various early printers."]

But I proceed. The commotions excited in the book world, by means of the sales of the _Bibliotheca Westiana_ and _Martiniana_, had hardly ceased, when a similar agitation took place from the dispersion of the _Monastic Library_ which once belonged to SERJEANT FLETEWODE;[390] a bibliomaniac who flourished in full vigour during the reign of Elizabeth. The catalogue of these truly curious books is but a sorry performance; but let the lover of rare articles put on his bathing corks, and swim quietly across this ocean of black-letter, and he will be abundantly repaid for the toil of such an aquatic excursion.

[Footnote 390: The year following the sale of Mr. West's
books, a very curious and valuable collection, chiefly of
English literature, was disposed of by auction, by Paterson,
who published the catalogue under the following title:
"BIBLIOTHECA MONASTICO-FLETEWODIANA." "_A Catalogue of rare
books and tracts in various languages and faculties;
including the Ancient Conventual Library of Missenden Abbey,
in Buckinghamshire_; together with some choice remains of
that of the late eminent Serjeant at Law, WILLIAM FLETEWODE,
Esq., Recorder of London, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth;
among which are several specimens of the earliest
typography, foreign and English, including Caxton, Wynkyn de
Worde, Pynson, and others: a fine collection of English
history, some scarce old law books, a great number of old
English plays, several choice MSS. upon vellum, and other
subjects of literary curiosity. Also several of the best
editions of the classics, and modern English and French
books. Sold by auction by S. Paterson, December," 1774,
8vo., 3641 lots, or articles. I am in possession of a
_priced catalogue_ of this collection, with the names of the
purchasers. The latter were principally Herbert, Garrick,
Dodd, Elmsley, T. Payne, Richardson, Chapman, Wagstaff,
Bindley, and Gough. The following is a specimen of some
curious and interesting articles contained in this
celebrated library:

NO. 172. Bale's brefe Chronycle relating to Syr Johan
Oldecastell, 1544. The Life off the 70th Archbishop off
Canterbury, presentlye sittinge, 1574, &c. Life of Hen.
Hills, Printer to O. Cromwell, with the Relation of what
passed between him and the Taylor's Wife in Black Friars,
1688, 8vo., &c. £0 7_s._ 9_d._

Purchased by Mores.

361 to 367. Upwards of thirty _scarce Theological Tracts_,
in Latin and English. 1 5 0

746 to 784. A fine collection of early English Translations,
in black letter, with some good foreign editions of the
classics. Not exceeding, in the whole 10 10 0

837, 838. Two copies of the _first edition_ of Bacon's
Essays, 1597. MIRABILE DICTU! 0 0 6

The reader will just glance at no. 970, in the catalogue,
en passant, to

1082. (1_l._ 2_s._) and 1091 (12_s._) but more particularly
to

1173. The Boke of Tulle of Olde Age, &c. _Emprynted by
Caxton_, 1481, folio 8 0 0

1174. The Boke which is sayd or called Cathon, &c. _printed
by the same_, 1483, folio. Purchased by Alchorne 5 0 0

1256. The Doctrinal of Sapyence, _printed by the same_,
1489, folio. Purchased by Alchorne 6 6 0

1257. The Booke named the Cordyal, _printed by the same_,
1479, folio 6 12 6

But there is no end to these curious volumes. I will,
however, only add that there were upwards of 150 articles of
_Old Plays_, mostly in quarto. See page 73. Of
_Antiquities_, _Chronicles_, and _Topography_, it would be
difficult to pitch upon the rarest volumes. The collection,
including very few MSS., contained probably about 7000
volumes. The catalogue, in a clean condition, is somewhat
uncommon.]

You will imagine that the BOOK-DISEASE now began to be more active and fatal than ever; for the ensuing year (namely, in 1775) died the famous ANTHONY ASKEW, M.D. Those who recollect the zeal and scholarship of this illustrious bibliomaniac,[391] and the precious volumes with which his library was stored, from the choice collections of De Boze, Gaignat, Mead, and Folkes, cannot but sigh, with grief of heart, on reflecting upon such a victim! How ardently, and how kindly (as I remember to have heard one of his intimate friend [Transcriber's Note: friends] say) would Askew unlock the stores of his glittering book-treasures!--open the magnificent folio, or the shining duodecimo, _printed upon vellum_, and embossed with golden knobs, or held fast with silver clasps! How carefully would he unrol the curious _manuscript_, decipher the half effaced characters--and then, casting an eye of ecstacy over the shelves upon which similar treasures were lodged, exult in the glorious prospect before him! But death--who, as Horace tells us, equally exercises the knocker of the palace and cottage-door, made no scruple to rap at that of our renowned Doctor--when Askew, with all his skill in medicine and knowledge of books, yielded to the summons of the grim tyrant--and died lamented, as he lived beloved!

[Footnote 391: Lysander is now arrived, pursuing his
chronological order, at a very important period in the
annals of book-sales. The name and collection of Dr. ASKEW
are so well known in the bibliographical world that the
reader need not be detained with laboured commendations on
either: in the present place, however, it would be a cruel
disappointment not to say a word or two by way of preface or
prologue. Dr. ANTHONY ASKEW had eminently distinguished
himself by a refined taste, a sound knowledge, and an
indefatigable research, relating to every thing connected
with Grecian and Roman literature. It was to be expected,
even during his life, as he was possessed of sufficient
means to gratify himself with what was rare, curious, and
beautiful, in literature and the fine arts, that the public
would one day be benefited by such pursuits: especially as
he had expressed a wish that his treasures might be
unreservedly submitted to sale, after his decease. In this
wish the doctor was not singular. Many eminent collectors
had indulged it before him: and, to my knowledge, many
modern ones still indulge it. Accordingly, on the death of
Dr. Askew, in 1774, appeared, in the ensuing year, a
catalogue of his books for sale, by Messrs. Baker and Leigh,
under the following title: "BIBLIOTHECA ASKEVIANA, _sive
Catalogus Librorum Rarissimorum Antonii Askew, M.D., quorum
Auctio fiet apud S. Baker et G. Leigh, in Vico dicto York
Street, Covent Garden, Londini, Die Lunæ, 13 Februarii_,
MDCCLXXV, _et in undeviginti sequentes dies_." A few copies
were struck off on _large paper_, which are yet rather
common. My own copy is of this kind, with the prices, and
names of the purchasers. We are told, by the compiler of the
catalogue, that it was thought "unnecessary to say much with
respect to this library of the late Dr. Anthony Askew, as
the collector and the collection were so well known in
almost all parts of Europe." Afterwards it is observed that
"The books in general are in very fine condition, many of
them bound in morocco, and russia leather, with gilt
leaves." "To give a particular account," continues the
compiler, "of the _many scarce editions_ of books in this
catalogue would be almost endless, therefore the _first
editions_ of the classics, and some _extremely rare books_,
are chiefly noticed. The catalogue, without any doubt,
contains the best, rarest, and most valuable collection of
GREEK and LATIN BOOKS that was ever sold in England, and the
great time and trouble of forming it will, it is hoped, be a
sufficient excuse for the price put to it." (1_s._ 6_d._ the
small paper, and 4_s._ the large.) This account is not
overcharged. The collection in regard to Greek and Roman
literature was _unique_ in its day. Enriched with many a
tome from the Harleian, Dr. Mead's, Martin Folkes's, and Dr.
Rawlinson's library, as well as with numerous rare and
splendid articles from foreign collections (for few men
travelled with greater ardour, or had an acuter
discrimination than Dr. Askew), the books were sought after
by almost every one then eminent for bibliographical
research. HIS MAJESTY was a purchaser, says Mr. J. Nichols,
to the amount of about 300_l._; Dr. Hunter, to the amount of
500_l._; and De Bure (who had commissions from the King of
France and many foreign collectors, to the amount of
1500_l._) made purchases to the same amount; Dr. Maty was
solicited by the trustees of the British Museum not to be
unmindful of _that repository_; and accordingly he became a
purchaser to a considerable amount. The late worthy and
learned Mr. M. CRACHERODE, whose library now forms one of
the most splendid acquisitions of the British Museum, and
whose _bequest_ of it will immortalize his memory, was also
among the "Emptores literarii" at this renowned sale. He had
enriched his collection with many an "_Exemplar
Askevianum_;" and, in his latter days, used to elevate his
hands and eyes, and exclaim against the prices _now_ offered
for EDITIONES PRINCIPES. The fact is, Dr. Askew's sale has
been considered a sort of _era_ in bibliography. Since that
period, rare and curious books in Greek and Latin literature
have been greedily sought after, and obtained (as a recent
sale abundantly testifies) at most extravagant prices. It is
very well for a veteran in bibliographical literature, as
was Mr. Cracherode, or as are Mr. Wodhull, and Dr.
Gosset--whose collections were, in part, formed in the days
of De Bure, Gaignat, Askew, Duke de la Valliere, and
Lamoignon--it is very well for such gentlemen to declaim
against _modern prices_! But what is to be done? Classical
books grow scarcer every day, and the love of literature,
and of possessing rare and interesting works, increases in
an equal ratio. Hungry bibliographers meet, at sales, with
well-furnished purses, and are resolved upon sumptuous fare!
Thus the hammer _vibrates_, after a bidding of FORTY POUNDS,
where formerly it used regularly to _fall_ at FOUR! But we
lose sight of Dr. Askew's _rare editions_, and _large paper
copies_. The following, gentle reader, is but an imperfect
specimen!

NO. 168. Chaucer's Works, by _Pynson_, no date £7 17_s._
6_d._

172. Cicero of Old Age, by Caxton, 1481 13 13 0

518. Gilles (Nicole) Annales, &c., de France. Paris, fol.
1520, 2 tom. SUR VELIN 31 10 6

647. Æginetæ (Pauli) Præcepta Salubria; Paris, quarto, 1510.
On VELLUM 11 0 0

666. Æsopi Fabulæ. _Edit. Princeps circ._ 1483 6 6 0

684. Boccacio, il Teseide, _Ferar._, 1475. _Prima Edizione_
85 0 0

[This copy, which is called, "_probably unique_," was once,
I suspect, in Consul Smith's library. See _Bibl. Smith_, p.
lxiii. The reader will find some account of it in Warton's
History of Engl. Poetry, vol. i., 347. It was printed, as
well as the subsequent editions of 1488, and 1528, "with
some deviations from the original, and even
misrepresentations of the story." His majesty was the
purchaser of this precious and uncommon book.]

708. Cornelius Nepos, 1471. _Edit. Prin._ 11 11 0

713. Alexander de Ales, super tertium Sententiar. 1474, ON
VELLUM 15 15 0

817. Anthologia Græca. _Edit. Prin._ 1494, ON VELLUM 28 7 0

In Dr. Hunter's Museum.

856. Ammianus Marcellinus, 1474. _Edit. Prin._ 23 0 0

1332. Ciceronis Opera omnia, Oliveti, 9 vols. quarto, 1740,
_Charta Maxima_ 36 15 0

1389. Ejusdem Officia, 1465. _Edit. Prin._ 30 0 0

1433. Catullus, Tibullus, et Propertius; Aldi, 8vo., 1502.
IN MEMBRANIS 17 10 0

This copy was purchased by the late Mr. M.C. Cracherode, and
is now, with his library, in the British Museum. It is a
beautiful book; but cannot be compared with Lord Spencer's
Aldine VELLUM Virgil, of the same size.

1576. Durandi Rationale, &c., 1459. IN MEMBRANIS 61 0 0

The beginning of the 1st chapter was wanting. Lord Spencer
has a perfect copy of this rare book, printed upon spotless
VELLUM.

2656. Platonis Opera, apud Aldum; 2 vols., fol., 1513.
_Edit. Prin._ ON VELLUM. 55 13 0

Purchased by the late Dr. William Hunter; and is, at this
moment, with the Doctor's books and curiosities, at
_Glasgow_. The reader can have no idea of the beauty of
these vellum leaves. The ink is of the finest lustre, and
the whole typographical arrangement may be considered a
masterpiece of printing. If I could forget the magnificent
copy which I have seen (but not upon vellum) of the
"Etymologicum magnum," in the Luton Library, I should call
_this_ the chef-d'oeuvre of the ALDINE PRESS.

2812. Plinii Hist. Natural; apud Spiram, fol., 1469. _Edit.
Princeps._ 43 0 0

This copy has been recently sold for a sum considerably less
than it brought. It bears no kind of comparison with the
copy in Lord Spencer's, Dr. Hunter's, and the Cracherode,
collections. These latter are _giants_ to it!

2813. Id. cum notis Harduini; 1723, 3 vols., ON VELLUM 42 0 0

3345. Tewrdranckhs; Poema Germanica, Norimb. fol., 1517, ON
VELLUM. 21 0 0

This is a book of uncommon rarity. It is a poetical
composition on the life and actions of the Emperor
Maximilian I., and was frequently reprinted; but not with
the same care as were the earlier editions of 1517 and
1519--the latter, at Augsburg, by John Schouspergus.
Koellerus, who purchased a copy of this work on vellum,
for 200 crowns, has given a particularly tempting
description of it. See Schelhorn's "_Amoenitates Literaræ
[Transcriber's Note: Literariæ]_," tom. ii., 430-iii., 144.
Dr. Hunter purchased Dr. Askew's copy, which I have seen in
the Museum of the former: the wood-cuts, 118 in number,
justify every thing said in commendation of them by Papillon
and Heinecken. Probably Dr. Askew purchased the above copy
of Osborne; for I find one in the _Bibl. Harleian_, vol.
iii., no. 3240. See, too, _Bibl. Mead_, p. 239, no.
43; where a VELLUM copy, of the edition of 1527, was sold
for 9_l._ 9_s._ My friend, Mr. Douce, has also beautiful
copies of the editions of 1517 and 1519, upon paper of the
finest lustre. It has been a moot point with bibliographers
whether the extraordinary type of this book be _wood_, and
cut in solid blocks, or moveable types of _metal_. No one is
better able to set this point "at rest," as lawyers call it,
than the gentleman whose name is here last mentioned.

3337. Terentianus Maurus de Literis, Syllabis, et Metris
Horatii. _Mediol._ fol., 1497 12 12 0

"This is judged to be the only copy of this edition in
England, if not in the whole world. Dr. Askew could find no
copy in his travels over Europe, though he made earnest and
particular search in every library which he had an
opportunity of consulting." Note in the catalogue. It was
purchased by Dr. Hunter, and is now in his Museum.
Originally it belonged to Dr. Taylor, the editor of Lysias
and Demosthenes, who originally procured it from the
Harleian Library, for _four_ guineas only. We are told that,
during his life, _one hundred_ guineas would not have
obtained it!

* * * * *

Rare and magnificent as the preceding articles may be
considered, I can confidently assure the reader that they
form a very small part of the extraordinary books in Dr.
ASKEW'S library. Many a _ten_ and _twenty pounder_ has been
omitted--many a _prince_ of an edition passed by unregarded!
The articles were 3570 in number; probably comprehending
about 7000 volumes. They were sold for 4000_l._ It remains
only to add that Dr. ASKEW was a native of Kendal, in
Westmorland; that he practised as a physician there with
considerable success, and, on his establishment in London,
was visited by all who were distinguished for learning, and
curious in the fine arts. Dr. Mead supported him with a sort
of paternal zeal; nor did he find in his _protegé_ an
ungrateful son. (See the Director, vol. i., p. 309.) Few
minds were probably more congenial than were those of MEAD
and ASKEW: the former had, if I may so speak, a magnificence
of sentiment which infused into the mind of the latter just
notions of a character aiming at _solid intellectual_ fame;
without the petty arts and dirty tricks which we now see too
frequently pursued to obtain it. Dr. ASKEW, with less
pecuniary means of gratifying it, evinced an equal ardour in
the pursuit of books, MSS., and inscriptions. I have heard
from a very worthy old gentleman, who used to revel 'midst
the luxury of ASKEW'S table, that few men exhibited their
books and pictures, or, as it is called, _shewed the Lions_,
better than did the Doctor. Of his attainments in Greek and
Roman literature it becomes not me to speak, when such a
scholar as Dr. PARR has been most eloquent in their praise.
I should observe that the MSS. of Dr. ASKEW were separately
sold in 1781, and produced a very considerable sum. The
Appendix to Scapula, published in an 8vo. volume, in 1789,
was compiied [Transcriber's Note: compiled] from one of
these MSS.]

After an event so striking and so melancholy, one would think that future _Virtuosi_ would have barricadoed their doors, and fumigated their chambers, in order to escape the ravages of the _Book-Pest_:--but how few are they who profit by experience, even when dearly obtained! The subsequent HISTORY OF THE BIBLIOMANIA is a striking proof of the truth of this remark: for the disease rather increased, and the work of death yet went on. In the following year (1776) died JOHN RATCLIFFE;[392] a bibliomaniac of a very peculiar character. If he had contented himself with his former occupation, and frequented the butter and cheese, instead of the book, market--if he could have fancied himself in a brown peruke, and Russian apron, instead of an embroidered waistcoat, velvet breeches, and flowing periwig, he might, perhaps, have enjoyed greater longevity; but, infatuated by the _Caxtons_ and _Wynkyn de Wordes_ of the West and Fletewode collections, he fell into the snare; and the more he struggled to disentangle himself, the more certainly did he become a victim to the disease.

[Footnote 392: BIBLIOTHECA RATCLIFFIANA; or, "_A Catalogue
of the elegant and truly valuable Library of_ JOHN
RATCLIFFE, _Esq., late of Bermondsey, deceased_. The whole
collected with great judgment and expense, during the last
thirty years of his life: comprehending a large and most
choice collection of the rare old English _black-letter_, in
fine preservation, and in elegant bindings, printed by
Caxton, Lettou, Machlinia, the anonymous St. Alban's
Schoolmaster, Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, Berthelet, Grafton,
Day, Newberie, Marshe, Jugge, Whytchurch, Wyer, Rastell,
Coplande, and the rest of the _Old English Typographers_:
several missals and MSS., and two pedigrees on vellum,
finely illuminated." The title-page then sets forth a
specimen of these black-letter gems; among which our eyes
are dazzled with a galaxy of Caxtons, Wynkyn de Wordes,
Pynsons, &c., &c. The sale took place on March 27, 1776;
although the _year_ is unaccountably omitted by that
renowned auctioneer, the late Mr. Christie, who disposed of
them. If ever there was a _unique_ collection, this was
one--the very essence of Old Divinity, Poetry, Romances, and
Chronicles! The articles were only 1675 in number; but their
intrinsic value amply compensated for their paucity. The
following is but an inadequate specimen:

NO. 1315. Horace's Arte of Poetrie, Pistles, and Satyres, by
Durant, 1567. _First English. Edition_ £0 16_s._ 0_d._

1321. The Shepard's Calendar, 1579. Whetstone's Castle of
Delight, 1576 1 2 0

1392. The Pastyme of People, _printed_ by Rastell. Curious
wood-cuts 4 7 0

1393. The Chronicles of Englande, _printed by Caxton_, fine
copy, 1480 5 5 0

1394. Ditto, _printed at St. Albans_, 1483. Purchased by Dr.
Hunter, and now in his Museum (which copy I have seen) 7 7 0

1403. Barclay's Shyp of Folys, printed by Pynson, 1508,
_first edit._, a fine copy 2 10 0

1426. The Doctrinal of Sapyence, _printed by Caxton_, 1489 8
8 0

1427. The Boke called Cathon, _ditto_, 1483. Purchased by
Dr. Hunter, and now in his Museum 5 5 0

1428. The Polytyque Boke, named Tullius de Senectute, in
Englyshe, _printed by Caxton_, 1481 14 0 0

1429. The Game of Chesse Playe. No date. _Printed by Caxton_
16 0 0

1665. The Boke of Jason, _printed by Caxton_ 5 10 0

1669. The Polychronicon of Ranulph Higden, translated by
Trevisa, 1482. _Printed by the same_, and purchased by Dr.
Hunter 5 15 6

1670. Legenda Aurea, or the Golden Legende. _Printed by the
same_, 1483 9 15 0

1674. Mr. Ratcliffe's MS. Catalogue of the _rare old
black-letter and other curious and uncommon books_, 4 vols.
7 15 0

[This would have been the most delicious article to _my_
palate. If the present owner of it were disposed to part
with it, I could not find it in my heart to refuse him
_compound interest_ for his money. As is the wooden
frame-work to the bricklayer, in the construction of his
arch, so might Mr. Ratcliffe's MS. Catalogues be to me in
the compilation of a certain _magnum opus_!]

I beg pardon of the _manes_ of "John Ratcliffe, Esq.," for
the very inadequate manner in which I have brought forward
his collection to public notice. The memory of such a man
ought to be dear to the "_black-letter-dogs_" of the present
day: for he had (mirabile dictu!) _upwards of_ THIRTY
CAXTONS! I take the present opportunity of presenting the
reader with the following engraving of the Ratcliffe
Library, Oxon.

If I might hazard a comparison between Mr. James West's and
Mr. John Ratcliffe's collections, I should say that the
former was more extensive; the latter more curious. Mr.
West's, like a magnificent _champagne_, executed by the hand
of Claude or Both, and enclosing mountains, meadows, and
streams, presented to the eye of the beholder a scene at
once luxuriant and fruitful: Mr. Ratcliffe's, like one of
those confined pieces of scenery, touched by the pencil of
Rysdael or Hobbima, exhibited to the beholder's eye a spot
equally interesting, but less varied and extensive: the
judgment displayed in both might be the same. The sweeping
foliage and rich pasture of the former could not, perhaps,
afford greater gratification than the thatched cottage,
abrupt declivities, and gushing streams of the latter. To
change the metaphor--Mr. West's was a magnificent
repository; Mr. Ratcliffe's, a cabinet of curiosities. Of
some particulars of Mr. Ratcliffe's life, I had hoped to
have found gleanings in Mr. Nichols's _Anecdotes of Bowyer_;
but his name does not even appear in the index; being
probably reserved for the second forth-coming enlarged
edition. Meanwhile, it may not be uninteresting to remark
that, like Magliabechi, (vide p. 86, ante) he imbibed his
love of reading and collecting from the accidental
possession of scraps and leaves of books. The fact is, Mr.
Ratcliffe once kept a _chandler's shop_ in the Borough; and,
as is the case with all retail traders, had great quantities
of old books brought to him to be purchased at so much _per
lb._! Hence arose his passion for collecting the
_black-letter_, as well as _Stilton cheeses_: and hence, by
unwearied assiduity, and attention to business, he amassed a
sufficiency to retire, and live, for the remainder of his
days, upon the luxury of OLD ENGLISH LITERATURE!]

It is with pain that I trace the ravages of the BOOK-MANIA to a later period. Many a heart yet aches, and many a tear is yet shed, on a remembrance of the mortality of this frightful disease. After the purchasers of Ratcliffe's treasures had fully perused, and deposited in fit places within their libraries, some of the scarcest volumes in the collection, they were called upon to witness a yet more splendid victim to the Bibliomania: I mean, the Honourable TOPHAM BEAUCLERK.[393] One, who had frequently gladdened JOHNSON in his gloomy moments; and who is allowed, by that splenetic sage and great teacher of morality, to have united the elegant manners of a gentleman with the mental accomplishments of a scholar. Beauclerk's Catalogue is a fair specimen of the analytico-bibliographical powers of Paterson: yet it must be confessed that this renowned champion of catalogue-makers shines with greater, and nearly perfect, splendour, in the collection of the REV. THOMAS CROFTS[394]--a collection which, taking it "for all in all," I know not whether it be exceeded by any which this country has recorded in the shape of a private catalogue. The owner was a modest, careful, and acutely sagacious bibliomaniac: learned, retired, yet communicative: and if ever you lay hold of a _large paper_ copy of a catalogue of his books, which, as well as the small, carries the printed prices at the end, seize it in triumph, Lisardo, for it is a noble volume, and by no means a worthless prize.

[Footnote 393: There are few libraries better worth the
attention of a scholarlike collector than was the one of the
distinguished character above noticed by Lysander. The
Catalogue of Beauclerk's books has the following title:
"_Bibliotheca Beauclerkiana; A Catalogue of the large and
valuable Library of the late Honourable_ TOPHAM BEAUCLERK,
F.R.S., _deceased_; comprehending an excellent choice of
books, to the number of upwards of 30,000 volumes, &c. Sold
by auction, by Mr. Paterson, in April, 1781," 8vo. The
catalogue has two parts: part I. containing 230; part _ii._
137, pp. The most magnificent and costly volume was the
largest paper copy of Dr. Clarke's edition of Cæsar's
Commentaries, 1712, fol., which was sold for 44_l._; and of
which the binding, according to Dr. Harwood's testimony,
cost 5_l._ 5_s._ There is nothing, in _modern_ times, very
marvellous in this price of binding. Of the _two parts_ of
the Beauclerk collection, the _second_ is the most valuable
to the collector of English Antiquities and History, and the
_first_ to the general scholar. But let not the bibliomaniac
run too swiftly over the first, for at nos. 3450, 3453, he
will find two books which rank among the rarest of those in
old English poetry. At the close of the second part, there
are a few curious manuscripts; three of which are deserving
of a description here.