Chapter XXXII: Part IV (1)

[Transcriber's Note: In this section, no prices are given in
the original.]

37. Kendall's Flowers of Epigrams, B.L.--C.R. _Leaf 93 is
wanting_, 12mo.

47. M(arloe)'s Ovid's Elegies and Epigrams, by J. D(avies of
Hereford). (Ovid's head engraved by W.M.) C.T.--F.D.
_Middlebourg_, 12mo.

57. Observations on Authors, Ancient and Modern, 2 vol.
Lond. 1731-2. "This was Dr. Jortin's own copy, who has
written the name of each author to every piece of criticism,
and added a few marginal remarks of his own," 8vo.

150. Valentine and Orson, B.L. cuts. _Wants title, two
leaves in one place, and a leaf in another_, 4to.

152. La Morte D'Arthur, B.L. _wood-cuts_, Lond. _Thomas
East._ _Wants one leaf in the middle of the table._ See _MS.
note prefixed_.

153. Barnes's (Dame Juliana) Boke of Haukynge, Huntynge, and
Cootarmuris, C.T.--F.D. _Seynt Albon's_, folio, 1486. "This
perhaps is the only perfect copy of this original edition,
which is extant. Its beginning with sig. a ii is no kind of
cantradiction [Transcriber's Note: contradiction] to its
being perfect; the registers of many Latin books at this
period mention the first leaf of A as quite blank. The copy
of the public library at Cambridge is at least so worn or
mutilated at the bottom of some pages that the bottom lines
are not legible." [This copy is now in the matchless
collection of Earl Spencer.]

157. Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, C.R. _woodcuts, Pynson_,
folio, "This is Pynson's original edition, and probably the
first book he printed. See a long MS. note prefixed. Bound
up at the end of this copy are two leaves of a MS. on
vellum, which take in the conclusion of the Miller's
Prologue, and beginning of his Tale. One of these pages is
illuminated, and has a coloured drawing of the Miller on his
mule."

166. Mort D'Arthur, B.L. _woodcuts. Lond. W. Copland._ See
MS. notes at the beginning and end, folio.

175. Roy's _Rede me and be not wrothe,
For I say nothing but trothe._

"This is the famous satire against Cardinal Wolsey, printed
some years before his fall. See Herbert, p. 1538, 8vo." [The
reader may look for one minute at page 225, ante.]

263. Boetius, (The Boke of Comfort, by) translated into
Englishe Tonge (in verse) _Emprented in the exempt Monastery
of Taverstock, in Denshire, by me, Thomas Rycharde, Monke of
the said Monastery_, 1525, 4to.

261. Caxton's Blanchardyn and Eglantine, or Proude Lady of
Love, C.T.--F.D., _printed by Caxton_, folio. [See my
edition of the _Typograhical [Transcriber's Note:
Typographical] Antiquities_, vol. i. p. 346.]

274. Hawkyng, Huntyng, and Fyshyng, (from Juliana Barnes)
B.L. _woodcuts. Lond. Toye, and W. Copland_, 4to. _See MS.
notes prefixed._

275. Hawys's Compendions Story, or Exemple of Vertue,
B.L.--C.R. _wood-cuts_, _ib._ _Wynkyn de Worde_, 1533.

276. ---- Passe-Tyme of Pleasure, B.L. _wood-cuts ib. by W.
de Worde_, 1517, 4to.

306. Spenser's Shephearde's Calendar. C.T.--F.D.,
_wood-cuts: first edition, ib._ Singleton, 1579, 4to.

308. Taylor, the water poet (fifteen different pieces by)
all of posterior date to the collection of his works. Among
them is the Life of Old Par, with Par's head, and 31 plates
of curious needle-work. The volume also contains some
replies to Taylor. A written list of all the contents is
prefixed. Lond. and Oxford, 4to.

330. Tulle of Old Age (translated by William Botoner, or of
Worcester) _pr. by Caxton_, 1481. folio.

---- of Friendship, translated by Tiptoft, Earl of
Worcester; to which is added another tract written by the
same Earl, C.R.--F.D.--L.R. _Explicit per Caxton_, folio.]

How shall I talk of thee, and of thy wonderful collection, O RARE RICHARD FARMER?[408]--and of thy scholarship, acuteness, pleasantry, singularities, varied learning, and colloquial powers! Thy name will live long among scholars in general; and in the bosoms of virtuous and learned bibliomaniacs thy memory shall ever be enshrined! The walls of Emanuel College now cease to convey the sounds of thy festive wit--thy volumes are no longer seen, like Richard Smith's "bundles of sticht books," strewn upon the floor; and thou hast ceased, in the cause of thy beloved Shakspeare, to delve into the fruitful ore of black-letter literature. Peace to thy honest spirit; for thou wert wise without vanity, learned without pedantry, and joyous without vulgarity!

[Footnote 408: There is but a scanty memorial of this
extraordinary and ever respectable bibliomaniac, in the
_Gentleman's Magazine_; vol. lxvii. pt. ii. p. 805: 888: nor
is it noticed, among Farmer's theologico-literary labours,
that he was author of an ingenious essay upon the
_Demoniacs_ mentioned in scripture; in which essay he took
up the idea of Mede, that these Demoniacs were _madmen_. Dr.
Farmer's essay upon the _Learning of Shakespeare_ is, in
respect to the materials, arguments, and conclusions--what
the late Bishop of Salisbury's [Douglas] was upon
_Miracles_--original, powerful, and incontrovertible. Never
was there an octavo volume, like Farmer's upon
Shakespeare--which embraced so many, and such curious,
points, and which displayed such research, ingenuity, and
acuteness--put forth with so little pomp, parade, or
pedantry. Its popularity was remarkable; for it delighted
both the superficial and deeply-versed reader in
black-letter lore. Dr. Parr's well applied Ciceronian
phrase, in lauding the "ingenious and joy-inspiring
language" of Farmer, gives us some notion of the colloquial
powers of this acute bibliomaniac; whose books were
generally scattered upon the floor, as Lysander above
observes, like old Richard Smith's "stitched bundles."
Farmer had his foragers; his jackalls: and his
avant-couriers: for it was well known how dearly he loved
every thing that was interesting and rare in the literature
of former ages. As he walked the streets of London--careless
of his dress--and whether his wig was full-bottomed or
narrow-bottomed--he would talk and "mutter strange speeches"
to himself; thinking all the time, I ween, of some curious
discovery he had recently made in the aforesaid precious
black-letter tomes. But the reader is impatient for the
_Bibliotheca Farmeriana_: the title to the catalogue whereof
is as follows. "_Bibl. Farm. A Catalogue of the curious,
valuable, and extensive Library in print and manuscript, of
the late_ REV. RICHARD FARMER, _D.D., Canon Residentiary of
St. Paul's; Master of Emanuel College: Librarian to the
University of Cambridge; and Fellow of the Royal & Antiquary
Societies_ (deceased, &c.) Sold by Auction by Mr. King; May,
1798," 8vo. [8199 articles]. The collection is justly said,
in the title page, to contain the "most rare and copious
assemblage of _Old English Poetry_ that, perhaps, was ever
exhibited at one view; together with a great variety of _Old
Plays_, and early printed books, English and Foreign, in the
black-letter." The reader has already (p. 324 ante) had some
intimation of the source to which Dr. Farmer was chiefly
indebted for these poetical and dramatical treasures; of
some of which, "hereafter followeth" an imperfect specimen:

NO. 5950. Marbecke (John) the book of Common Prayer, noted,
1550. 4to. See Dr. Burney's long account of this very scarce
book in his History of Musick, vol. ii. p. 578, &c. £2 6_s._
0_d._

6127. Skinner's Discovery and Declaration of the Inquisition
of Spayne, _imp. J. Daye_, 1569, 4to. 6128. Shippe of
Fooles, by Brant, wood cuts, _imp. Wynkyn de Worde_, 1517,
4to. 1 16 0

6194. Brunswyke's Medical Dictionary, translated by Huet,
_imp. by Treveris_, 1525. folio. 3 10 0

6195. Customs of the Citie of London, or Arnold's Chronicle,
with the Nut-Brown Mayde, _1st edition_, 1502, folio. 0 19 0

6386. Annalia Dubrensia, or Robert Dover's Olimpic Games
upon Cotswold-Hills, _with frontispiece_, 1636. 1 14 0

6387. Barley-breake, or a Warning for Wantons, by W.N. 1607,
4to. 0 5 0

6395. Britton's Bowre of Delights, by N.B. 1597. 4to. 1 13 0

6413. Byrd's (Will.) Psalmes, Sonets, and Songs of Sadnes
and Pietie made into Musicke of 5 partes. 1588. Ditto Sacræ
Cantiones, 2 parts; and various Madrigals and Canzonets, by
Morley, Weelkes, Wilbye, Bateson, &c. 4to. 0 15 0

6608. Copie of a Letter sent from the roaring Boyes in
Elizium, to the two arrant Knights of the Grape in Limbo,
Alderman Abel and M. Kilvert, the two projectors for wine;
with their portraits. 5 5 0

6785. Turbervile's (George) Epitaphs, Epigrams, Songs and
Sonets, with a Discourse of the freendly affections of
Tymetes to Pyndara his ladie, b.l. 1570, _imp. by Denham_,
8vo. 1 16 0

6804. Virgil's Æneis, the first foure bookes, translated
into English heroicall verse, by Richard Stanyhurst, with
other poetical devises thereunto annexed; _impr. by
Bynneman_, 1583, 8vo. 2 17 0

6826. Essayes of a Prentise in the Divine Art of Poesie
(King James VI.) _Edinburgh, by Vautrollier_, 1585, 8vo. 1
13 0

6846. Fulwell's (Ulpian) Flower of Fame, or bright Renoune
and fortunate Raigne of King Henry VIII. b.l. with curious
wood cuts: _imp. by Will. Hoskin_, 1575, 4to. 1 11 6

6847. Flytting (the) betwixt Montgomerie and Polwarte,
_Edin._, 1629, 4to. 2 5 0

7058. Horace's Art of Poetrie, Pistles, and Satyrs,
English'd by Drant, b.l. _Imp. by Marshe_, 1566, 4to. 0 7 6

7066. Humours Ordinarie, where a man may be verie merrie and
exceeding well used for his sixpence, 1607, 4to. 0 14 6

7187. Mastiffe Whelp, with other ruff-island-like curs
fetcht from among the Antipodes, which bite and barke at the
fantasticall humourist and abuses of the time. 0 19 0

7199. Merry Jest of Robin Hood, and of his Life, with a new
Play for to be plaied in May-Games; very pleasant and full
of pastime, b.l. _imp. by Edward White_, 4to. 3 13 6

7200. Milton's Paradise Lost, in 10 books, 1st _edit._ 1667.
0 11 0

7201. ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- _2nd title page_, 1668.
0 11 0

7202. ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- _3rd title page_,
1669.--"N.B. The three foregoing articles prove that there
were no less than three different title-pages used, to force
the sale of the first edition of this matchless poem." S.
P[aterson.] 0 7 0

7232. Paradyse of Daynty Devises, b.l. extremely scarce,
_imp. by Henry Disle_, 1576, 4to. 6 0 0

7240. Peele's (G.) Device of the Pageant borne before
Woolstone Dixie, Lord Mayor of London, Oct. 29, 1585, b.l.
See Dr. F.'s note; as probably the only copy. 4to. 1 11 6

7241. Percy's (W.) Sonnets to the fairest Cælia, 1594. 4to.
1 12 0

7249. Psalter (the whole) translated into English Metre,
which containeth an Hundreth and Fifty Psalms. The title and
first page written. _Imp. by John Daye_, 1567. "This
translation was by Archbishop Parker, and is so scarce that
Mr. Strype tells us he could never get a sight of it." See
Master's History of C.C.C.C. Mr. Wharton supposes it never
to have been published, but that the Archbishop's wife gave
away some copies. "It certainly (he adds) is at this time
extremely scarce, and would be deservedly deemed a fortunate
acquisition to those capricious students who labour to
collect a Library of Rarities." Hist. of Eng. Poetry, vol.
iii. 186. It has a portrait of the Archbishop. 4to. 3 6 0

7828. Somner's (Henry) Orpheus and Eurydice, 1740. 4to. 0 1 6

7829. Shakespeare's Works, _1st edition, in folio, wants
title, last leaf written from the_ 4to. 1623. 7 0 0

8062. Metrical Romances, written in the reign of Richard
IId. or rather about the end of the reign of Henry IIId. or
beginning of Edward I. (See note,) _purchased at Dr. Monro's
Auction by Dr. Farmer_, for 29_l._ 4 14 0

8080. These Booke is called Ars moriendi, of William Baron,
Esq., to remayne for ever to the Nonnye of Deptford; _on
vellum, bound in purple velvet_. 2 3 0

6451. Chaucer's noble and amorous auncyent Hystory of
Troylus and Cresyde, in fyve Bokes, _imprynted by Wynkyn de
Worde_, 1517.

Here begynneth the Temple of Glass, _imp. by Wynkyn de
Worde_.

The Castell of Pleasure, _imp. by ditto_.

Here begynneth a lyttell Treatise cleped La Conusauce
D'Amours. _imp. by Pynson_.

The Spectacle of Lovers, _imp. by Wynkyn de Worde_.

History of Tytus and Gesippus, translated out of Latin into
Englyshe, by Wyllyam Walter, sometime servaunte to Syr Henry
Marney, Cnyght, Chaunceler of the Duchy of Lancastre, _imp.
by ditto_.

The Love and Complayntes betwene Mars and Venus.

The Fyrst Fynders of the VII Scyences Artificiall, _printed
by Julian Notarye_.

Guystarde and Sygysmonde, translated by Wyllyam Walter,
_imp. by Wynkyn de Worde_, 1532.

The Complaynte of a Lover's Lyfe, _imp. by ditto_.

Here begynneth a lytel Treatyse, called The Disputacyon of
Complaynte [of] the Harte, thorughe perced with the lokynge
of the Eye, _imp. by Wynkyn de Worde_.

This Boke is named the Beaultie of Women, translated out of
French into Englyshe, _imp. by Wier_.

Here begynneth a lytel Treatise, called the Controverse
betwene a Lover and a Jaye, lately compyled, _imp. by Wynkyn
de Worde_.

_The above 12 very rare and ancient pieces of poetry are
bound_ in one vol. _with curious wood-cuts, and in fine
preservation._

'The Temple of Glass alone was sold for 3_l._ 15_s._ and the
present vol. may, with propriety, be deemed matchless.' All
in quarto. 26 5 0

[N.B. _These articles should have preceded_ no. 6608; at
p. 423, ante.]

And here, benevolent reader, let us bid farewell to RICHARD
FARMER of transcendant bibliomaniacal celebrity! It is in
vain to look forward for the day when book-gems, similar to
those which have just been imperfectly described from the
_Bibl. Farmeriana_, will be disposed of at similar prices.
The young collector may indulge an ardent hope; but, if
there be any thing of the spirit of prophecy in my humble
predictions, that hope will never be realised. Dr. Farmer's
copies were, in general, in sorry condition; the possessor
caring little (like Dr. Francis Bernard; vide p. 316, ante)
for large margins and splendid binding. His own name,
generally accompanied with a bibliographical remark, and
both written in a sprawling character, usually preceded the
title-page. The science (dare I venture upon so magnificent
a word?) of bibliography was, even in Farmer's latter time,
but jejune, and of limited extent: and this will account for
some of the common-place bibliographical memoranda of the
owner of these volumes. We may just add that there are some
few copies of this catalogue printed on _large paper_, on
paper of a better quality than the small; which latter is
sufficiently wretched. I possess a copy of the former kind,
with the _prices_ and _purchasers' names_ affixed--and
moreover, _uncut_!]

A poor eulogy, this, upon Farmer!--but my oratory begins to wax faint. For this reason I cannot speak with justice of the friend and fellow-critic of Farmer--GEORGE STEEVENS[409]--of Shakspearian renown! The Library of this extraordinary critic and collector was sold by auction in the year 1800; and, being formed rather after the model of Mason's, than of Farmer's, it was rich to an excess in choice and rare pieces. Nor is it an uninteresting occupation to observe, in looking among the prices, the enormous sums which were given for some volumes that cost Steevens not a twentieth part of their produce:--but which, comparatively with their present worth, would bring considerably higher prices! What arduous contention, "_Renardine shifts_," and bold bidding; what triumph on the one part, and vexation on the other, were exhibited at the book-sale!--while the auctioneer, like Jove looking calmly down upon the storm which he himself had raised, kept his even temper; and "ever and anon" dealt out a gracious smile amidst all the turbulence that surrounded him! Memorable æra!--the veteran collector grows young again in thinking upon the valour he then exhibited; and the juvenile collector talks "braggartly" of other times--which he calls the golden days of the bibliomania--when he reflects upon his lusty efforts in securing an _Exemplar Steevensianum_!

[Footnote 409: If Lysander's efforts begin to relax--what
must be the debilitated mental state of the poor annotator,
who has accompanied the book-orator thus long and thus
laboriously? Can STEEVENS receive justice at _my_
hands--when my friends, aided by hot madeira, and beauty's
animating glances, acknowledge their exhausted state of
intellect?! However, I will make an effort:

'nothing extenuate
Nor set down aught in malice.'

The respectable compiler of the _Gentleman's Magazine_, vol.
lxx. p. 178, has given us some amusing particulars of
Steevens's literary life: of his coming from Hampstead to
London, at the chill break of day, when the overhanging
clouds were yet charged with the 'inky' purple of night--in
order, like a true book-chevalier, to embrace the first dank
impression, or proof sheet, of his own famous octavo edition
of _Shakspeare_; and of Mr. Bulmer's sumptuous impression of
the text of the same. All this is well enough, and savours
of the proper spirit of BIBLIOMANIACISM: and the edition of
our immortal bard, in fifteen well printed octavo volumes,
(1793) is a splendid and durable monument of the researches
of George Steevens. There were from 20 to 25 copies of the
octavo edition printed upon LARGE PAPER; and Lord Spencer
possesses, by bequest, Mr. Steevens' own copy of the same,
illustrated with a great number of rare and precious prints;
to which, however, his Lordship, with his usual zeal and
taste, has made additions more valuable even than the gift
in its original form. The 8vo. edition of 1793 is covetted
with an eagerness of which it is not very easy to account
for the cause; since the subsequent one of 1803, in 21
octavo volumes, is more useful on many accounts: and
contains Steevens's corrections and additions in every play,
as well as 177, in particular, in that of Macbeth. But I am
well aware of the stubbornness and petulancy with which the
previous edition is contended for in point of superiority,
both round a private and public table; and, leaving the
collector to revel in the luxury of an uncut, half-bound,
morocco copy of the same, I push onward to a description of
the _Bibliotheca Steevensiana_. Yet a parting word
respecting this edition of 1803. I learn, from
unquestionable authority, that Steevens stipulated with the
publishers that they should pay Mr. Reed 300_l._ for
editorship, and 100_l._ to Mr. W. Harris, Librarian of the
Royal Institution, for correcting the press: nor has the
editor in his preface parted from the truth, in
acknowledging Mr. Harris to be 'an able and vigiland
[Transcriber's Note: vigilant] assistant.' Mr. H. retained,
for some time, Steevens' corrected copy of his own edition
of 1793, but he afterwards disposed of it, by public
auction, for 28_l._ He has also at this present moment, Mr.
Josiah Boydell's copy of Mr. Felton's picture of our
immortal bard; with the following inscription, painted on
the back of the pannel, by Mr. Steevens:

_May, 1797._
_Copied by Josiah Boydell, at my
request, from the remains of the
only genuine Portrait of William
Shakspeare._ GEORGE STEEVENS.

The engraved portrait of Shakspeare, prefixed to this
edition of 1803, is by no means a faithful resemblance of
Mr. Boydell's admirably executed copy in oil. The expenses
of the edition amounted to 5844_l._; but no copies now
remain with the publishers. We will now give rather a
copious, and, as it must be acknowledged, rich, sprinkling
of specimens from the _Bibliotheca Steevensiana_, in the
departments of rare OLD POETRY and THE DRAMA. But first let
us describe the title to the catalogue of the same. _A
Catalogue of the curious and valuable Library of_ GEORGE
STEEVENS, _Esq., Fellow of the Royal and Antiquary Societies
(Lately deceased). Comprehending an extraordinary fine
Collection of Books, &c._, sold by auction by Mr. King, in
King Street, Covent Garden, May, 1800. 8vo. [1943 articles:
amount of sale 2740_l._ 15_s._]

OLD POETRY.

NO. 867. Gascoigne's (Geo.) Workes, or a Hundreth sundrie
Flowers bounde in one small Poesie, (including) Supposes,
com. from Ariosto; Jocosta, Tr. from Euripides, &c. b.l.
_first edition. Lond. impr. by Bynneman_, 1572, 4to. £1
19_s._ 0_d._

'With MS. notes respecting this copy and edition by Mr.
Steevens.'

868. Another copy, 2d edition (with considerable additions);
among other, the Princely Pleasures of Kenilworth Castle,
the Steele Glass, the Complainte of Phylomene, b.l. _ib.
impr. by Abell Jeffes_, 1587, 4to., _with MS. references, by
Messrs. Bowles and Steevens._ 4 4 0

869. Another copy, including all the aforementioned, and a
Delicate Diet for Daintie Mouthde Droonkardes, b.l. _Lond.
impr. by Rich. Jhones_, 1576, 8vo.

The Glasse of Gouernement, 4to. _b.l. russia, with MS.
references_.

The Droome of Doomesday, 3 parts, b.l. _ib._ 1576, 4to. 'The
above two volumes are supposed to comprise the compleatest
collection of Gascoigne's works extant.' 5 15 6

876. Googe (Barnabe) Eglogs, Epytaphes, and Sonnettes newly
written, b.l., _small 8vo. fine copy in Russia, Lond. impr.
by Tho. Colwell for Raffe Newbery, dwelynge in Fleet Streete
a little above the Conduit, in the late shop of Tho.
Bartelet_. See Mr. Steevens's note to the above; in which he
says there is no scarcer book in the English language, and
that Dr. Farmer, Messrs. T. Warton and Js. Reed, had never
seen another copy. 10 15 0

949. Lodge (Tho.) Life and death of William Longbeard, the
most famous and witty English traitor, borne in the citty of
London, accompanied with manye other most pleasant and
prettie Histories, 4to. _b.l. printed by Rich. Yardley and
Peter Short_, 1593. [cost Mr. Steevens 1_s._ 9_d._!] 4 7 0

995. The Paradyse of Dainty Devises, MS. a fac-simile of the
first edition, in 1576, _finished with the greatest neatness
by Mr. Steevens, 4to. in russia_. 5 15 0

996. The Paradice of Dainty Devises, devised and written for
the most part by M. Edwardes, sometime of her Majestie's
Chappell; the rest by sundry learned Gentlemen, both of
Honor and worship. _Lond. printed by Edwd. Allde_, 1595,
4to. 4 6 0

997. The Paradice of Daintie Devises, b.l. interleaved, _ib.
printed for Edw. White_, 1600, 4to.

Breton (Nich.) Workes of a young Wyt, trust up with a
Fardell of Prettie Fancies, profitable to young Poetes,
prejudicial to no Man, and pleasant to every Man, to pass
away Idle Tyme withal, _b.l. 4to. interleaved with a MS.
list of the Author's Works by Messrs. Steevens, Ritson, and
Park: impr. at Lond. nigh unto the Three Cranes in the
Vintree, by Tho. Dawson, and Tho. Gardyner_.

Soothern's Odes, 4to. b.l. interleaved with copious MS.
Notes, and an Extract from the European Magazine relative to
the Author: _wants title, no date_.

Watson (Tho.) Passionate Centurie of Love, 4to. b.l.
interleaved: the 12 first sonnets, and the latter ones, from
78, in MS. _Lond. impr. by John Wolfe_.

"The above curious Collection of Old Poems are bound
together in russia, with border of gold, and may be deemed
with propriety, _Matchless_." 21 10 6

1037. Puttenham's Arte of English Poesie, in 3 bookes, with
a wood-cut of Queen Elizabeth; _choice copy, in morocco,
4to. ib. printed by Rich. Field_, 1589. 7 10 0

1073. Roy (Will.) Satire on Cardinal Wolsey, a Poem; _b.l.
sm._ 8vo. _russia, no date nor place_. 7 7 0

1078. Skelton (Jo.) Poet Laureat, lyttle Workes, viz. Speake
Parot. The Death of the Noble Prynce, King Edwarde the
Fourthe. A Treatyse of the Scottes. Ware the Hawke, The
Tunnynge of Elynoure Rummyng, sm. 8vo. b.l. _Impr. at Lond.
in Crede Lane, Jhon Kynge, and Thomas Marshe_, no date.
12mo.

Hereafter foloweth a lyttle Booke, called Colyn Clout, _b.l.
impr. by John Wyght_, 12mo.

Hereafter foloweth a little Booke of Phyllip Sparrow, _b.l.
impr. by Robert Tob._ 12mo.

Hereafter foloweth a little Booke which has to name, Whi
come ye not to Courte, _b.l. impr. by John Wyght_. 12mo. 4 5 0

1079. Skelton (Master, Poet Laureat) Merie Tales, b.l. 12mo.
_Lond. impr. by Tho. Colwell, no date._ 5 15 6

"See Note, in which Mr. Steevens says he never saw another
copy."

1119. Warren (Will.) A pleasant new Fancie of a Foundling's
Device intitled and cald the Nurcerie of Names, with wood
borders, b.l. 4to. _ib. impr. by Rich. Jhones_, 1581. 2 16 0

1125. Watson (Tho.) Passionate Centurie of Love; _b.l. 4to.
the title, dedication, and index, MS. by Mr. Steevens_.

"Manuscript Poems, transcribed from a Collection of Ancient
English Poetry, in the possession of Sam. Lysons, Esq.,
formerly belonging to Anne Cornwallis, by Mr. Steevens." 5
10 0

1126. ---- Passionate Centurie of Love, divided into two
parts, b.l. 4to. _russia. Lond. impr. by John Wolfe_. 5 18 0

1127. England's Helicon, collected by John Bodenham, with
copious additions, and an index in MS. by Mr. Steevens, 4to.
_russia, ib. printed by J.R._ 1600. 11 15 0

1128. Weblee [Webbe] (Will.) Discourse of English Poetrie,
together with the author's judgment, touching the
Reformation of our English Verse, _b.l._ 4to. _russia, ib.
by John Charlewood_, 1586. 8 8 0

THE DRAMA; AND EARLY PLAYS OF SHAKESPEARE.

1216. The Plot of the Plays of Frederick and Basilea, and of
the Deade Man's Fortune, the original papers which hung up
by the side scenes in the playhouses, for the use of the
prompter and the acter, earlier than the time of Shakspeare.
11 0 0

1218. Anonymous, a pleasant Comedie, called Common
Conditions, _b.l. imperf. 4to. in russia._

"Of this Dramatick Piece, no copy, except the foregoing
mutilated one, has hitherto been discovered: with a long
note by Mr. Steevens, and references to Kirkman, Langbaine,
Baker, Reed," &c. 6 10 0

1221. Bale (John) Tragedie, or Enterlude, manifesting the
chiefe Promises of God unto Man, compyled An. Do. 1538, b.l.
4to. _now first impr. at Lond. by John Charlewood_, 1577. 12
15 0

1248. Marlow (Chr.) and Tho. Nash, Tragedie of Dido, Queene
of Carthage, played by the Children of her Majesties'
Chappell, 4to. _russia, Lond. printed by the Widdowe Owin_,
1594. 17 0 0

1259. Peele (Geo.) The Old Wives Tale, a pleasant conceited
Comedie played by the Queene's Majesties' Players; 4to. _in
russia; ib. impr. by John Danter_, 1595. 12 0 0

"N.B. A second of the above is to be found in the Royal
Library; a third copy is unknown." Steevens' note.

EARLY PLAYS OF SHAKSPEARE.

1263. The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, no title,
4to. _Lond._ 1611. _With MS. notes, &c., by Mr. Steevens._ 2
2 0

1264. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, 4to. _ib.
printed by R. Young_, 1637. 0 7 0

1265. The History of Henrie the Fourth, with the Battell of
Shrewsburie, &c.; with the famous conceits of Sir John
Falstaffe, part I. 4to. _ib. printed by S.S._ 1599. 3 10 0

1266. The same, _ib. printed for Mathew Lay_, 1608, 4to. 1 7 0

1267. The same, _ib. printed by W.W._ 1613. _With MS. notes,
&c. by Mr. Steevens._ 1 2 0

1268. The same, _ib. printed by Norton_, 1632. 0 10 0

1259. The 2d part of Henry the Fourth, continuing to his
Death, and Coronation of Henrie the Fift, with the Humours
of Sir John Falstaffe and Swaggering Pistoll, as acted by
the Lord Chamberlayne his Servants. _First Edit. 4to. ib.
printed by V.S._ 1600. 3 13 0

1270. The same, _ib. 4to. printed by Val. Simmes_, 1600. 2
15 0

1271. The Chronicle History of Henry the Fift, with his
Battell fought at Agincourt in France, together with
Auntient Pistoll, as playd by the Lord Chamberlayne his
servants. _First Edit._ 4to. _inlaid on large paper, ib.
printed by Thomas Creede_, 1600. 27 6 0

1272. The Chronicle History of Henry the Fift, &c. 4to.
_Lond._ 1608. 1 1 0

1273. The true Tragedie of Richarde, Duke of Yorke, and the
Death of good King Henrie the Sixt, as acted by the Earle of
Pembroke his Servants, 4to. _inlaid on large paper, ib.
printed by W.W._ 1600. 1 16 0

1274. The whole contention betweene the two famous Houses,
Lancaster and Yorke, with the Tragicall Ends of the good
Duke Humphrey, Richard, Duke of Yorke, and King Henrie the
Sixt, _divided into 2 parts_, 4to. _ib. no date_. 1 5 0

1275. The first and second part of the troublesome Raigne of
John, King of England, with the discoverie of King Richard
Cordelion's Base sonne (vulgarly named the Bastard
Fauconbridge) also the Death of King John at Swinstead
Abbey, as acted by her Majesties Players, 4to. _Lond. impr.
by Val. Simmes_, 1611. 1 18 0

1276. The first and second part of the troublesome Raigne of
John, King of England, &c., _ib. printed by Aug. Matthews_,
1622. 1 1 0

1277. The True Chronicle History of the Life and Death of
King Lear, and his three Daughters, with the unfortunate
Life of Edgar, Sonne and Heire to the Earl of Glocester, and
his sullen and assumed Humour of Tom of Bedlam, by his
Majestie's servants. _First Edit._ 4to. _ib._ 1608. 28 0 0

1578. [Transcriber's Note: 1278] Another Edition, differing
in the title-page and signature of the first leaf. 4to.
_ib._ 1608. 2 2 0

1279. The most excellent Historie of the Merchant of Venice,
with the extreme crueltie of Shylocke the Jew towards the
sayd Merchant, in cutting a just pound of his flesh: and the
obtayning of Portia by his choyce of three chests, as acted
by the Lord Chamberlaine his servants, _First Edit. inlaid
oil large paper; 4to. at London, printed by John Roberts_,
1600. 2 0 0

1280. The excellent History of the Merchant of Venice, with
the extreme crueltie of Shylocke the Jew; _First Edit. 4to.
inlaid on large paper, printed by John Roberts_, 1600. 2 2 0

1281. A most pleasant and excellent conceited Comedie of Syr
John Falstaffe and the Merrie Wives of Windsor, as acted by
the Lord Chamberlaine's Servants. _First Edit. 4to. Lond.
printed by T.C._ 1602. 28 0 0

1282. A most pleasant and excellent conceited Comedy of Sir
John Falstaffe and the Merry Wives of Windsor, with the
swaggering vaine of Antient Pistoll and Corporal Nym, _4to.
inlaid. Lond._ 1619. 1 4 0

1283. The Merry Wives of Windsor, with the Humours of Sir
John Fallstaffe, also the swaggering Vaine of Ancient
Pistoll and Corporal Nym, 4to. _Lond. printed by T.H._ 1630.
0 10 6

1284. A Midsommer Night's Dreame, as acted by the Lord
Chamberlaine's Servantes, First Edit. _impr. at Lond. for
Thos. Fisher_, 4to. 1600, _part of one leaf wanting_. 25 10 0

1285. Another copy, _First Edit. inlaid, ib._ 1600. 1 15 0

1286. Much adoe about Nothing, as acted by the Lord
Chamberlaine his Servants, _First Edit._ 4to. _ib. printed
by Val. Simmes_, 1600. 25 10 0

1287. The Tragedy of Othello the Moore of Venice, as acted
at the Globe and at the Black Friers, by his Majesties
Servants, 4to. _Lond. printed by N.O._ 1622, _with MS. notes
and various readings by Mr. Steevens_. 29 8 0

1288. The Tragedy of Othello the Moore of Venice, as acted
at the Globe and at the Black Friers, 4to. _Lond. printed by
A.M._ 1630. 0 13 0

1289. Tragedie of Othello; _4th Edit._ 4to. _ib._ 1665. 0 4 0

1290. The Tragedie of King Richard the Second, as acted by
the Lord Chamberlaine his Servants, 4to. Lond. _printed by
Val. Simmes_, 1598. 4 14 6

1291. Tragedie of King Richard the Second, as acted by the
Lord Chamberlaine his Servants, 4to. _printed by W.W._ 1608.
10 0 0

1292. The Tragedie of King Richard the Second, with new
Additions of the Parliament Scene, and the deposing of King
Richard, as acted by his Majestie's Servants at the Globe,
4to. _Lond._ 1615, _with MS. notes, &c. by Mr. Steevens_. 1
12 0

1293. The Life and Death of King Richard the Second, with
new Additions of the Parliament Scene, and the deposing of
King Richard, as acted at the Globe by his Majesties
Servants, 4to. _Lond._ 1634. 0 5 0

1294. The Tragedie of King Richard the Third, as acted by
the Lord Chamberlain his Servants, 4to. Lond. _printed by
Tho. Creede_. 1602. _Defective at the end._ 0 10 0

1295. The Tragedie of King Richard the Third, containing his
treacherous Plots against his Brother Clarence, the pitiful
murther of his innocent Nephews, his tirannical usurpation,
with the whole course of his detested Life, and most
deserved Death, as acted by his Majesties Servants, 4to.
_Lond. printed by Tho. Creede_, 1612, _with notes and
various readings by Mr. Steevens._ 1 5 0

1296. The same, 4to. _ib._ 1629. 0 7 0

1297. Tragedie of King Richard the Third, as acted by the
King's Majesties Servants, 4to. _ib._ 1634. 0 6 0

1298. The most excellent and lamentable Tragedie of Romeo
and Juliet, 4to. _A fragment. Lond._ 1599. 0 5 6

1299. The same, compleat, inlaid on large paper, 4to. _ib.,
impr. by Tho. Creede_, 1599. [_Second Edition._] 6 0 0

1300. The same, 4to. Lond. 1609, _with MS. notes and
readings by Mr. Steevens_. 2 2 0

1301. The same, 4to. _ib. printed by R. Young_, 1637. 0 9 0

1302. A pleasant conceited Historie, called the Taming of
the Shrew, as acted by the Earle of Pembroke's Servants.
_First Edit._ 4to. _inlaid on large paper, ib., printed by
V.S._ 1607. 20 0 0

1303. A wittie and pleasant Comedie, called the Taming of a
Shrew, as acted by his Majesties Servants, at the Blacke
Friers and the Globe, 4to., _ib., printed by W.S._ 1631. 0
11 0

1304. The most lamentable Tragedie of Titus Andronicus, as
plaide by the King's Majesties Servants, 4to. _inlaid, ib.,
printed for Edward White_, 1611. 2 12 6

1305. The History of Troylus and Cresseide, as acted by the
King's Majesties Servants at the Globe. _First. Edit._ 4to.,
_ib., imp. by G. Alde_, 1609. 5 10 0

1306. The lamentable Tragedie of Locrine, the eldest sonne
of King Brutus, discoursing the Warres of the Brittaines and
Hunnes, with ther discomfiture, 4to. _ib., printed by Thomas
Creede_, 1595. 3 5 0

1307. The London Prodigall, as plaide by the King's
Majesties Servants, 4to. _ib., printed by T.C._ 1705. 1 9 0

1308. The late and much admired Play called Pericles, Prince
of Tyre, with the true relation of the whole Historie and
Fortunes of the said Prince, as also the no lesse strange
and worthy accidents in the Birth and Life of his Daughter
Marianna, acted by his Majesties Servants at the Globe on
the Banck-side, 4to. _ib._, 1609. 1 2 0

1309. Another edition, 4to. _ib._ 1619. 0 15 0

1310. The first part of the true and honourable History of
the Life of Sir John Old-castle, the good Lord Cobham, as
acted by the Earle of Nottingham his servants, 4to. _Lond._
1600. 0 10 0

1311. A Yorkshire Tragedy, not so new, as lamentable and
true, 4to. Lond. 1619. 0 9 0

1312. (Twenty Plays) published by Mr. Steevens, 6 vols.
_large paper, ib._, 1766. _Only 12 copies taken off on large
paper_ 5 15 6

EDITIONS OF SHAKSPEARE'S WORKS.

1313. Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies, published
according to the true originall copies, by John Heminge and
Hen. Condell, _fol. russia. Lond. printed by Isaac Juggard
and Edwd. Blount_. 1623; _with a MS. title, and a fac-simile
drawing of the portrait by Mr. Steevens_. 22 0 0

1314. The same: 2d edit. folio, fine copy morocco, gilt
leaves, _ib._ 1632. _In this book is the hand writing of
King Charles I. by whom it was presented to Sir Tho.
Herbert, Master of the Revels._ 18 18 0

1315. The same: 3d edit. with the 7 additional Plays, fol.,
neat and scarce, _ib._ 1664. See _Note by Mr. Steevens_. 8 8 0

1316. The same: 4th edit. 1685, folio. 2 12 6

1326. Hammer's (Sir Tho.) edition; 9 vols. 18mo. _Lond._
1748. 1 13 0

1327. The same: with cuts, 6 vols. 4to. _elegantly bound in
hog-skin_.

1328. Pope and Warburton, 8 vols. 8vo. _Lond._ 1747. 1 0 0

1329. ---- 8 vols. 12mo., with Sir Thos. Hammer's Glossary.
_Dub._ 1747. 0 15 0

1330. Capell, (Edw.) 10 vols. 8vo. Lond. _printed by Dryden
Leach_, 1768. 2 6 0

1331. Johnson, (Sam.) 8 vols. 8vo. _Lond._ 1765. 1 19 0

1332. ---- and Geo. Steevens, 10 vols. 8vo. _ib._ 1773. 2 14 0

1333. ---- in single Plays, 31 vols. _boards, ib._ 1 11 0

1334. Johnson and Steevens: 10 vols. 2d edit. with Malone's
Supplement, 2 vols., and the plates from Bell's edition,
_ib._ 1778. 4 16 0

1335. ---- 10 vols. 3d edit. _ib._ 1785. 3 5 0

1336. ---- 4th edit. with a glossarial Index, 15 vols. 8vo.
_ib._ 1793. 6 16 6

1337. Malone, (Edm.) 11 vols. 8vo. _ib._ 1790. 4 8 0

1338. ---- Another copy, 11 vols. 8vo. _ib._ 4 18 0

1339. Ran (Jos.) 6 vols. 8vo. Oxf. 1786. 1 11 6

1340. ---- with Ayscough's Index, 2 vols. 8vo. russia,
marbled leaves, published by Stockdale, _ib._ 1784-90. 0 15 6

1341. Eccles, 2 vols. 8vo. _ib._ 1794. 1 11 0

1342. From the Text of Mr. Malone's edit. by Nichols, 7
vols. 12mo. Lond. 1790. 0 18 0

1343. From the Text of Mr. Steevens, last edit. 8 vols.
12mo. _ib._ 1797. 1 0 0

1344. ---- 9 vols. 12mo. _ib._ 1798. 1 3 0

1345. ---- 9 vols. 12mo. Birm. by R. Martin. 1 1 0

1346. ---- 9 vols. Bell's edit. no plates. Lond. 1774. 0 18 0

1347. ---- 20 vols. 18mo. with annotations, Bell's edit.
fine paper, with plates, beautiful impressions, _ib._ 1788.
8 13 6

1348. ---- 20 vols. 12mo. Bell's edition; _large paper_,
finest possible impressions of the plates, superbly bound in
green turkey, double bands, gilt leaves, _ib._ 17 17 0

1349. The Dramatic Works of; Text corrected by Geo.
Steevens, Esq.; published by Boydell and Nichol, in large
4to., 15 nos. with the large and small plates; first and
finest impressions, 1791, &c. N.B. Three more numbers
complete the work. 36 4 6

1348. Harding, no. 31, l.p. containing 6 prints, with a
portrait of Lewis Theobald, as published by Richardson, and
some account of him, by Mr. Steevens. 0 4 6

1349. Ditto, ditto. 0 4 6

1350. Traduit de l'Anglois, 2 toms. Par. 1776. 0 6 0

1351. In German, 13 vols. 12mo. Zurich, 1775. 0 16 0

1352. King Lear, Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, and Julius Cæsar,
by Jennings, Lond. 1770. 0 11 0

1353. Macbeth, with Notes by Harry Rowe, 12mo. York, 1797. 0
1 6

1354. ---- 8vo. 2d edit. _ib._ 1799. 0 5 0

1355. Antony and Cleopatra, by Edw. Capell; 8vo. Lond. 1758.
0 1 0

1356. The Virgin Queen; a Drama, attempted as a Sequel to
Shakspeare's Tempest, by G.F. Waldron, 8vo. 1797.

1357. ---- Annotations on As You Like it, by Johnson and
Steevens, Bell's edit. 0 1 0

1358. ---- Another copy

1359. Shakspeare's Sonnets, never before imprinted, 4to. at
Lond. by G. Ald, 1609. 3 10 0

1360. ---- Poems, 8vo. _ib._ 1640. 0 4 6

1361. ---- Venis [Transcriber's Note: Venus] and Adonis, 8vo.
_ib._ 1602. 1 11 6

1362. Rymer (Tho.) Short View of Tragedy, with Reflection on
Shakspeare, &c. 8vo. b. 1698. 0 1 6

1363. Shakspeare restored, by Lewis Theobald, 4to. _ib._
1726. 0 4 6

1364. Whalley's (Peter) on the Learning of; _ib._ 1748.
Remarks on a late edition of Shakspeare, by Zach. Grey,
_ib._ 1755, and other Tracts. 0 8 6

1365. Morris (Corbyn) Essay towards fixing the true Standard
of Wit, Humour, &c. 8vo. _ib._ 1744. 0 8 0

1366. Critical Observations on, by John Upton; 8vo. 2d edit.
Lond. 1748. 0 1 6

1367. ---- Illustrated, by Charlotte Lennox; 3 vols. 12mo.
_ib._ 1754. 0 9 0

1368. Notes on Shakspeare, by Zachary Grey; 2 vols. 8vo.
_ib._ 1734. 0 3 0

1369. Beauties of Shakspeare, by William Dodd, 2 vols. 12mo.
_ib._ 1757. 0 3 6

1370. Beauties of Shakspeare, by Wm. Dodd; 3 vols. 12mo.
_ib._ 1780. 0 6 0

1371. ---- (Revival of) Text, by Heath, 8vo. _ib._ 1765. 0 1 0

1372. Observations and Conjectures on some passages of, by
Tho. Trywhit [Transcriber's Note: Tyrwhitt]; 8vo. Oxford,
1766. 0 5 0

1373. Farmer (Rich) on the Learning of; 8vo. morocco. Camb.
1767. _Only 12 copies on this paper._ 0 16 0

1374. ---- London. 8vo. 1789, with Mr. Capell's
Shakspeariana, 8vo., _only 20 copies printed_, 1779. 0 1 6

1375. Malone (Edm.) Letter on, to Dr. Farmer; 8vo. _ib._
1792. 0 4 6

1376. Letter to David Garrick (on a Glossary to) by Rich.
Warner, 8vo. _ib._ 1768. 0 2 6

There were copies of the Catalogue of Steeven's books struck
off on LARGE PAPER, on bastard _royal octavo_, and in
_quarto_.

It remains to say a few words of the celebrated collector of
this very curious library. The wit, taste, and classical
acquirements of GEORGE STEEVENS are every where recorded and
acknowledged. As an editor of his beloved Shakspeare, he
stands unrivalled; for he combined, with much recondite
learning and indefatigable research, a polish of style, and
vigour of expression, which are rarely found united in the
same person. His definitions are sometimes both happy and
singular; and his illustrations of ancient customs and
manners such as might have been expected from a head so
completely furnished, and a hand so thoroughly practised. I
will not say that George Steevens has evinced the learning
of Selden upon Drayton, or of Bentley upon Phalaris; nor did
his erudition, in truth, rise to the lofty and commanding
pitch of these his predecessors: nor does there seem much
sense or wit in hunting after every _pencil-scrap_ which
this renowned bibliomaniac committed to paper--as some sadly
bitten book-collectors give evidence of. If I have not
greatly misunderstood the characteristics of Steevens's
writings, they are these--wit, elegance, gaiety, and satire,
combined with almost perfect erudition in English dramatic
antiquities. Let us give a specimen of his classical
elegance in dignifying a subject, which will be relished
chiefly by GRANGERITES. Having learnt that a copy of
Skelton's Verses on Elinour Rummin, the famous Ale-wife of
England, with her portrait in the title-page, was in the
Library of the Cathedral of Lincoln (perhaps, formerly,
Captain Coxe's copy; vide p. 266, ante), he prevailed on the
late Dean, Sir Richard Kaye, to bring the book to London;
but as it was not suffered to go from the Dean's possession,
Mr. S. was permitted to make a _fac-simile_ drawing of the
title, at the Dean's house in Harley-street. This drawing he
gave to Richardson, the printseller, who engraved and
published it among the copies of scarce portraits to
illustrate Granger. The acquisition of this rarity produced
from him the following _Jeu d'Esprit_; the merit of which
can only be truly appreciated by those who had the pleasure
of knowing the eminent PORTRAIT COLLECTORS therein
mentioned, and whose names are printed in capital letters.

ELEONORA REDIVIVA.

To seek this Nymph among the glorious dead,
Tir'd with his search on earth, is GULSTON fled:--
Still for these charms enamoured MUSGRAVE sighs;
To clasp these beauties ardent BINDLEY dies:
For these (while yet unstaged to public view,)
Impatient BRAND o'er half the kingdom flew;
These, while their bright ideas round him play,
From Classic WESTON force the Roman lay:
Oft too, my STORER, Heaven has heard thee swear,
Not Gallia's murdered Queen was half so fair:
"A new Europa!" cries the exulting BULL,
"My Granger now, I thank the gods, is full:"--
Even CRACHERODE'S self, whom passions rarely move,
At this soft shrine has deign'd to whisper love.--
Haste then, ye swains, who RUMMING'S form adore,
Possess your Eleanour, and sigh no more.

It must be admitted that this is at once elegant and happy.

* * * * *

We will now say somewhat of the man himself. Mr. Steevens
lived in a retired and eligibly situated house, just on the
rise of Hampstead Heath. It was paled in; and had,
immediately before it, a verdant lawn skirted with a variety
of picturesque trees. Formerly, this house has been a
tavern, which was known by the name of the _Upper Flask_:
and which my fair readers (if a single female can have the
courage to peruse these bibliomaniacal pages) will recollect
to have been the same to which Richardson sends Clarissa in
one of her escapes from Lovelace. Here Steevens lived,
embosomed in books, shrubs, and trees: being either too coy,
or too unsociable, to mingle with his neighbours. His habits
were indeed peculiar: not much to be envied or imitated; as
they sometimes betrayed the flights of a madman, and
sometimes the asperities of a cynic. His attachments were
warm, but fickle both in choice and duration. He would
frequently part from one, with whom he had lived on terms of
close intimacy, without any assignable cause; and his
enmities, once fixed, were immovable. There was, indeed, a
kind of venom in his antipathies; nor would he suffer his
ears to be assailed, or his heat to relent, in favour of
those against whom he entertained animosities, however
capricious and unfounded. In _one_ pursuit only was he
consistent: _one_ object only did he woo with an inflexible
attachment; and that object was _Dame_ DRAMA.

I have sat behind him, within a few years of his death, and
watched his sedulous attention to the performances of
strolling players, who used to hire a public room in
Hampstead; and towards whom his gallantry was something more
substantial than mere admiration and applause: for he would
make liberal presents of gloves, shoes, and
stockings--especially to the female part of the company. His
attention, and even delight, during some of the most
wretched exhibitions of the dramatic art, was truly
surprising; but he was then drooping under the pressure of
age, and what passed before him might serve to remind him of
former days, when his discernment was quick and his judgment
matured. It is, however, but justice to this distinguished
bibliomaniac to add that, in his literary attachments he was
not influenced by merely splendid talents or exalted rank.
To my predecessor HERBERT (for whose memory I may be
allowed, at all times, to express a respectful regard)
Steevens seems to have shewn marked attention. I am in
possession of more than a dozen original letters from him to
this typographical antiquary, in which he not only evinces
great friendliness of disposition, but betrays an unusual
solicitude about the success of Herbert's labours; and,
indeed, contributes towards it by nearly a hundred notices
of rare and curious books which were unknown to, or
imperfectly described by, Herbert himself. At the close of a
long letter, in which, amongst much valuable information,
there is a curious list of CHURCHYARD'S _Pieces_--which
Steevens urges Herbert to publish--he thus concludes:

"DEAR SIR,

"I know not where the foregoing lists of Churchyard's Pieces
can appear with more propriety than in a work like yours;
and I therefore venture to recommend them as worth
republication. If you publish, from time to time, additions
to your book, you may have frequent opportunity of doing
similar service to old English literature, by assembling
catalogues of the works of scarce, and therefore almost
forgotten, authors. By occasional effusions of this kind you
will afford much gratification to literary antiquaries, and
preserve a constant source of amusement to yourself: for in
my opinion, no man is so unhappy as he who is at a loss for
something to do. Your present task grows towards an end, and
I therefore throw out this hint for your consideration."
(_July_ 27, 1789.)

A little further he adds: "In your vol. ii. p. 1920, you
have but an imperfect account of TYRO'S '_Roaring Megge_,'
&c. I shall therefore supply it underneath, as the book now
lies before me. I have only room left to tell you I am
always your very faithfully, G. STEEVENS." But the
bibliomanical spirit of the author of this letter, is
attested by yet stronger evidence:

_Hampstead Heath_, August 42th [Transcriber's Note: 12th],
1780.

"SIR,

"I have borrowed the following books for your use--Dr.
Farmer's copy of Ames, with MS. notes by himself, and an
interleaved Maunsell's Catalogue, with yet more considerable
additions by Baker the antiquary. The latter I have promised
to return at the end of this month, as it belongs to our
University Library. I should not choose to transmit either
of these volumes by any uncertain conveyance; and therefore
shall be glad if you will let me know how they may be safely
put into your hands. If you can fix a time when you shall be
in London, my servant shall wait on you with them; but I
must entreat that our library book may be detained as short
a time as possible. I flatter myself that it will prove of
some service to you, and am,

"Your very humble Servant,

"G. STEEVENS."

The following was Herbert's reply.

"_Cheshunt_, August 20th, 1780.

"SIR,

"As it must give you great satisfaction to know that the
books were received safe by me last night, it affords me
equal pleasure to send you the earliest assurance of it. I
thank you sincerely for the liberty you have allowed me of
keeping them till I come to London, on Monday, the 4th of
September; when I shall bring them with me, and hope to
return them safe at Mr. Longman's, between 10 and 11
o'clock; where, if it may be convenient to you, I shall be
very happy to meet you, and personally to thank you for the
kind assistance you have afforded me. If that may not suit
you, I will gladly wait on you where you shall appoint by a
line left there for me; and shall ever esteem myself,

"Your most obliged humble Servant,

"W. HERBERT."

The following, and the last, epistolary specimen of the
renowned G. Steevens--with which I shall treat my reader--is
of a general gossipping black-letter cast; and was written
two years before the preceding.

_Hampstead Heath_, June 26th, 1788.

"DEAR SIR,

"A desire to know how you do, and why so long a time has
elapsed since you were seen in London, together with a few
queries which necessity compels me to trouble you with, must
be my apology for this invasion of your retirement. Can you
furnish me with a transcript of the title-page to Watson's
Sonnets or Love Passions, 4to. bl. l.? As they are not
mentioned by Puttenham, in 1589, they must, I think, have
appeared after that year. Can you likewise afford me any
account of a Collection of Poems, bl. l., 4to. by one John
Southern? They are addressed 'to the ryght honourable the
Earle of Oxenforde;' the famous Vere, who was so much a
favourite with Queen Elizabeth. This book, which contains
only four sheets, consists of Odes, Epitaphs, Sonnets to
Diana, &c. I bought both these books, which seem to be
uncommonly rare, at the late sale of Major Pearson's
Library. They are defective in their title-pages, and
without your assistance must, in all probability, continue
imperfect. Give me leave to add my sincere hope that your
long absence from London has not been the result of
indisposition, and that you will forgive this interruption
in your studies, from

"Your very faithful and obedient Servant,

"GEO. STEEVENS."

"P.S. I hope your third volume is in the press, as it is
very much enquired after."

It is now time to bid farewell to the subject of this
tremendous note; and most sincerely do I wish I could 'draw
the curtain' upon it, and say 'good night,' with as much
cheerfulness and satisfaction at [Transcriber's Note: as]
Atterbury did upon the close of his professional labours.
But the latter moments of STEEVENS were moments of mental
anguish. He grew not only irritable, but outrageous; and, in
full possession of his faculties, he raved in a manner which
could have been expected only from a creature bred up
without notions of morality or religion. Neither complacency
nor 'joyful hope' soothed his bed of death. His language
was, too frequently, the language of imprecation; and his
wishes and apprehensions such as no rational Christian can
think upon without agony of heart. Although I am not
disposed to admit the whole of the testimony of the good
woman who watched by his bed-side, and paid him, when dead,
the last melancholy attentions of her office--although my
prejudices (as they may be called) will not allow me to
believe that the windows shook, and that strange noises and
deep groans were heard at midnight in his room--yet no
creature of common sense (and this woman possessed the
quality in an eminent degree) could mistake oaths for
prayers, or boisterous treatment for calm and gentle usage.
If it be said--why

"draw his frailties from their drear abode?"

the answer is obvious, and, I should hope, irrefragable. A
duty, and a sacred one too, is due TO THE LIVING. Past
examples operate upon future ones: and posterity ought to
know, in the instance of this accomplished scholar and
literary antiquary, that neither the sharpest wit, nor the
most delicate intellectual refinement, can, alone, afford a
man 'PEACE AT THE LAST.' The vessel of human existence must
be secured by other anchors than these, when the storm of
death approaches!]

LOREN. You have seen a few similar copies in the library; which I obtained after a strenuous effort. There was certainly a very great degree of Book-Madness exhibited at the sale of Steevens's library--and yet I remember to have witnessed stronger symptoms of the Bibliomania!

LIS. Can it be possible? Does this madness

'Grow with our growth, and strengthen with our strength?'

Will not such volcanic fury burn out in time?

PHIL. You prevent Lysander from resuming, by the number and rapidity of your interrogatories. Revert to your first question.

LIS. Truly, I forget it. But proceed with your history, Lysander; and pardon my abruptness.

LYSAND. Upon condition that you promise not to interrupt me again this evening?

LIS. I pledge my word. Proceed.