Chapter XXXIII: Part IV (2)

LYSAND. Having dispatched our account of the sale of the last-mentioned distinguished book-collector, I proceed with my historical survey: tho', indeed, it is high time to close this tedious bibliomaniacal history. The hour of midnight has gone by:--and yet I will not _slur over_ my account of the remaining characters of respectability.

The collections of STRANGE[410] and Woodhouse are next, in routine, to be noticed. The catalogue of the library of the former is a great favourite of mine: the departments into which the books are divided, and the compendious descriptions of the volumes, together with the extent and variety of the collection, may afford considerable assistance to judicious bibliomaniacs. Poor WOODHOUSE:[411] thy zeal outran thy wit: thou wert indefatigable in thy search after rare and precious _prints and books_; and thy very choice collection of both is a convincing proof that, where there is wealth and zeal, opportunities in abundance will be found for the gratification of that darling passion, or insanity, now called by the name of Bibliomania!

[Footnote 410: _Bibliotheca Strangeiana; A Catalogue of the
general, curious, and extensive Library of that
distinguished naturalist and lover of the fine arts, the
late_ JOHN STRANGE, Esq., L.L.D. F.R.S. and S.A., many years
his Britannic Majesty's resident at the Republic of Venice.
Comprehending an extraordinary fine collection of books and
tracts, in most languages and sciences, to the number of
upwards of _four-score thousand, &c._ Digested by Samuel
Paterson. Sold by auction by Leigh and Sotheby, March 16,
1801, 8vo., 1256 articles. This is a plain, unaffected, but
exceedingly well-digested, catalogue of a very extraordinary
collection of books in all departments of literature. I do
not know whether it be not preferable, in point of
arrangement, to any catalogue compiled by Paterson. It has,
however, a wretched aspect; from the extreme indifference of
the paper.]

[Footnote 411: We will first give the title to the Catalogue
of the late Mr. WOODHOUSE'S Collection of Prints. "_A
Catalogue of the choice and valuable Collection of Antient
and Modern Prints, &c._, selected with the highest taste
from all the collections at home and abroad, &c. Sold by
auction by Mr. Christie; January, 1801." The _first part_
ends with the 5th day's sale; the second commences with the
sixth day's sale and concludes on the sixteenth, with the
Malborough [Transcriber's Note: Marlborough] Gems. Although
we may have to give specimens of some of the _rare and
precious_ prints contained in this collection, in the course
of PART VI. of this work, yet the reader, I would fain hope,
will not be displeased with the following interesting
extract, with the annexed prices, of the prints from the

MARLBOROUGH GEMS.

[_This assemblage, the result of twenty years' collecting,
contains a greater number than ever has been at one time
offered to the public.--The first volume is complete, and
may be accounted unique, as all the impressions are before
the numbers, the artists' names, or proofs without any
letters, as in the presentation copies: the subject of Cupid
and Psyche is with variations, and the whole may be regarded
as a great rarity. Those of the second volume are few in
number, but in point of curiosity, no ways inferior._]

LOT. £ _s._ _d._

72. _One._ Cæsar in the Temple of Venus.
_Proof before any letters._ 3 13 6

73. _Two._ no. 1. Scipio Africanus. 2 0 0
no. 2. Lucius C. Sylla.

74. _Two._ no. 3. Julias Cæsar; caput laureatum. 5 15 0
[Transcriber's Note: Julius]
no. 4. Marcus Junius Brutus.

75. _Two._ no. 5. Marcus Junius Brutus; cum
caduceo. 2 17 6
no. 6. Lepidus; cum lituo.

76. _Two._ no. 7. Augusti caput; cum corona
radiata. 4 14 6
no. 8. Augusti Pontificis maximi
insign. &c.

77. _Two._ no. 9. Marcellii Octaviæ, filii
Augusti nepotis caput: opus
elegantissimum. 3 0 0
no. 10. Liviæ protome: cum capite
laureato et velato pectore:
simul Tiberii pueri prope
adstantis caput arboris ignotæ
foliis redimitum.

78. _Two._ no. 11. Tiberii caput juvenile. 3 3 0
no. 12. Germanici togati protome; cum
capite laureato, facie plena,
&c.

79. _Two._ no. 13. Agrippinæ majoris uxoris
Germanici & Caligulæ matris
caput laureatum; sub effigie
Dianæ. 5 5 0
no. 14. Ejusdem Agrippinæ: sub effigie
Cereris.

80. _Two._ no. 15. Galbæ caput laureatum. 1 19 0
no. 16. Ejusdem Galbæ caput.

81. _Two._ no. 17. Nervæ togati protome; cum
capite laureato, plena facie;
opus pulcherrimum. 4 4 0
no. 18. Ejusdem Nervæ caput.

82. _Two._ no. 19. Marcianæ, Trajani sororis,
caput. 10 10 0
no. 20. Sabinæ Hadriani uxoris caput.

83. _Two._ no. 21. Antinoi caput, cum pectore
velato. 5 0 0
no. 22. Caracalla togati protome facie
plena.

84. _Two._ no. 23. Caracallæ caput laureatum. 1 18 0
no. 24. Juliæ Domnæ, Severi uxoris,
caput.

85. _Two._ no. 25. Laocoontes caput. 7 7 0
no. 26. Semiramidis, vel potius Musæ,
caput cum pectore.

86. _Three._ no. 27. Minervæ Alcidiæ caput
galeatum; operis egregii,
edit. var. 3 8 0

87. _Two._ no. 28. Phocionis caput. 3 3 0
no. 29. Jovis et Junonis capita
jugata.

88. _Three._ no. 30. Veneris caput. 4 14 6
no. 31. Bacchæ caput var.

89. _Two._ no. 32. Hercules Bibax, stans. 15 4 6
no. 33. Bacchus, stans.

90. _Two._ no. 34. Faunus tigridis pelli
insidens, cauda, &c. 9 9 0
no. 35. Athleta, stans, qui dextra
manus trigelem, &c.

91. _Two._ no. 36. Mercurius stans. 4 14 6
no. 37. Mars, stans, armatus.

92. _Two._ no. 38. Miles de rupe descendens,
eximii sculptoris Græci
opus. 7 0 0
no. 39. Diomedes Palladio potitus cum
Ulysse altercatione contendit.

93. _Two._ no. 40. Dei Marini natantes. 5 10 0
no. 41. Miles vulneratus a militibus
duobus sustentatur.

94. _Two._ no. 42. Miles militi vulnerato
opitulato. 3 3 0
no. 43. Mulier stolata cum virgine.

95. _Two._ no. 44. Faunus pelle caprina ex
humeris pendente vestitus;
pedem super suggestum ignotæ
figuræ figit et infantem genu
sustinet.
no. 45. Alexandri magni effigies.

96. _Two._ no. 46. Æneam Diomedes a saxo
percussum conservat. 8 18 0
no. 47. Pompeiæ cujusdam ob victoriam
partam descriptio.

97. _Two._ no. 48. Amazon Amazonem morientem }
sustinet juxta equus. } 6 16 6
}
98. no. 49. Fragmen Gemmæ Bacchi, &c. }

99. _One._ no. 50. Nuptiæ Psyches et Cupidonis,
_Rariss._ 4 14 6

100. _One._ no. 50. Ditto, Ditto, _Rariss._ 8 8 0

101. _One._ Frontispiece to SECOND VOLUME; _Proof,
before the inscription on the arms;
very rare_. 5 5 0

102. _Two._ no. 1. Ptolomæus. }
} 1 10 0
103. no. 2. Metrodorus. }

104. _Two._ no. 3. Socrates et Plato. 3 3 0
no. 5. Sappho.

105. _Two._ no. 8. Ignotum caput Scyllacis opus. 2 0 0
no. 9. Ignotum caput.

106. _Two._ no. 11. Medusa. 3 3 0
no. 18. Hercules et Iole.

107. _Two._ no. 19. L. Junius Brutus. 2 2 0
no. 20. Annibal.

108. _Two._ no. 22. Mecænes. 1 18 0
no. 25. Drusus Tiberii filius.

109. _Two._ no. 31. Caput ignotum, Antonini forsan
junioris. 2 2 0
no. 36. Equi.

110. _Two._ no. 38. Mercurii templum. 3 3 0
no. 40. Coronis.

111. _Two._ no. 41. Cupidonis. 2 12 6
no. 45. Faunus.

112. _Three._ no. 46. Omphale incedens. 3 13 5
no. 48. Biga, var.

113. _Two._ no. 50. Silenus, tigris, &c. var. 3 0 0

114. _Two._ The vignette to the second volume;
_Proof, very fine, and etching,
perhaps, unique_. 7 10 0

For an interesting account of the engravings of the
DEVONSHIRE GEMS--the rival publication of those from the
Marlborough collection--the reader may consult Mr. Beloe's
_Anecdotes of Literature and Scarce Books_; vol. I. 182-6.
The entire collection of Mr. Woodhouse's prints produced
3595_l._ 17_s._ 6_d._

We will now make handsome mention of the BIBLIOTHECA
WOODHOUSIANA. _A Catalogue of the entire, elegant, and
valuable Library of John Woodhouse, Esq., comprising a rich
and extensive collection of books, &c. Sold by auction by
Leigh and Sotheby, December, 1803._ 8vo. The collection was
rather choice and rich, than extensive: having only 861
articles. Some of the rarest editions in old English
Literature were vigorously contended for by well-known
collectors: nor did the Library want beautiful and useful
works of a different description. The following specimens
will enable the reader to form a pretty correct estimate of
the general value of this collection.

no. 8. Antonie (the Tragedie of) doone into English by
the Countesse of Pembroke, R.M. g.l. Lond. 1595. 12mo. £5
5_s._ 0_d._

24. Barnabee's Journal, with Bessie Bell, _First Edit. B.M.
g.l._ 1648. 12mo. 2 10 0

30. Bastard's (Thomas) Chrestoleros, seven Bookes of
Epigrammes, _G.M. g.l._ 1598. 12mo. 5 15 6

76. Chaucer, by Tyrwhitt, with the Glossary, G.M. g.l. 5
vol. 1775. 8vo. 6 0 0

82. Cokain's (Sir Aston) Poems and Plays, _with head_, R.M.
g.l. 2 vol. 1662. 8vo. 4 0 0

97. A Paire of Turtle Doves, or the History of Bellora and
Fidelio, bl. l. 4to. _see MS. note by Steevens_, 1606. 5 5 0

160. Burnet's History of his own Times, _large paper_, R.M.
g.l. 2 vol. 1724. 4to. 5 15 6

198. Dodsley's Collection of Old Plays, _large paper_, 12
vols. 1780. 8vo. _Only six copies printed in this manner._
14 14 0

313. Latham's General Synopsis of Birds, with Index, 9 vols.
with reverse plates, elegantly painted by Miss Stone, now
Mrs. Smith: R.M. g.m.l. 4to. 'N.B. _Of the above set of
books, there are only_ 6 copies.' 40 0 0

314. Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, with his Life,
large paper, 4 vols. _boards, uncut_, 1707, 1750, fol. 15 15 0

350. Heath's Chronicle, _frontispiece and heads_, R.M. g.l.
1663. 2 vols. 8vo. 5 5 0

394. Knight's Life of Colet, _large paper_; plates, elegant,
in light brown calf, g.l.m. 1724, 8vo. 5 10 0

395. Knight's Life of Erasmus, _large paper_, plates,
elegant, in light brown calf, g.l.m. 1726, 8vo. 9 9 0

431. Lewin's Birds of Great Britain, with the Eggs
accurately figured, elegantly painted with back ground, 7
vols. in 3. _A superb copy, in g.m. g.m.l._ 1789, 4to. 28 7 0

473. Martyn's Universal Conchologist; English Entomologist:
and Aranei, or Natural History of Spiders, 4 vols. elegantly
coloured. _A superb copy_, in R.M. g.m.l. 1789, 92, and 93,
4to. 33 12 0

490. Harrison's Seven Triumphal Arches, in honor of James
I., all the [seven] parts complete; _curious and very rare_,
R.M. g.l. 1604. folio. 27 6 0

493. Hearne and Bryne's Antiquities and Views in Great
Britain, _proof impressions_, M. g.l. 1786, oblong folio. 16
0 0

586. Skelton's (Mayster) Poems: Colyn Clout, _Lond. by John
Whygte_. Whi come ye not to Courte; _Lond. by John Whygte_.
Phillyp Sparow; Speak Parot; Death of the Noble Prynce, &c.
See note. _Lond. by John Kynge and Thomas Marshe_. Merie
Tales; _unique_, see note. _Lond. by Thomas Colwell_, 5 vol.
bl. l. R.M. g.l. 12mo. 23 0 0

624. Monument of Matrons, containing seven severall lamps of
Virginitie, by Thomas Bentley; bl. l. R. 3 vols. 1582, 4to.
16 5 6

632. Nychodemus Gospell, wood-cuts, bl. l. g.l. R.M. _Lond.
Wynkyn de Worde_, 1511, 4to. 6 16 6

640. Pennant's History of Quadrupeds, boards, _uncut, large
paper, proof plates_, 1793, 4to. 6 6 0

692. The late Expedition in Scotlande, made by the Kinges
Hyhnys Armye, under the conduit of the Ryht Honourable the
Earl of Hertforde, the yere of our Lorde God, 1544. bl. l.
R.M. g.l. _Lond. by Reynolde Wolfe_, 1554, 8vo. 16 16 0

762. Sommers's (Lord) Collection of scarce and valuable
Tracts, 19 vols. R. g.l. 1748, 50, 51, 52, folio. 85 1 0

780. Temple of Glas, bl. l. See notes by G. Mason. _Wynkyn
de Worde, no date_, 4to. 8 8 0

795. Tour (A) through the South of England, Wales, and part
of Ireland, in 1791, large paper, proof plates, coloured,
1793. N.B. "Of the above book only six copies were printed."
8 8 0

806. Vicar's England's Parliamentary Chronicle, R. g.l.
complete, 4 parts, 3 vols. 1646, 4to. 12 0 0

829. Speed's Theatre of Great Britain, maps, R. g.l. m.l. _A
remarkable fine copy_, 1611. 11 11 0

836. The Myrrour and Dyscrypcyon of the Worlde, with many
Mervaylles, wood-cuts, B.M. g.l. _Emprynted by me Lawrence
Andrewe_, 1527, folio. 26 0 0

837. The Recuile of the Histories of Troie, translated into
English by William Caxton, very fair, B.M. g.l. _Imprynted
at London by W. Copland_, 1553, fol. 23 0 0

852. The Myrroure of Golde for the Synfull Soule, bl. l.
wood-cuts. _Imprynted at Lond. in the Fleete-strete, at the
sygne of the Sun, by Wynkyn de Worde_, 1526, 4to. 12 1 6

856. Barclay's (Alexander) Egloges, out of a Boke named in
Latin, Miserie Curialium, compyled by Eneas Sylvius, Poete
and Oratour, bl. l. _woodcuts, five parts, and complete_,
G.M. _Imprynted by Wynkyn de Worde_, 4to. 25 0 0

859. Holy Life and History of Saynt Werburge, very frutefull
for all Christian People to rede. Poems, bl. l. G.M. _Imp.
by Richard Pynson_, 1521, 4to. 31 10 0

Amount of the sale, 3135_l._ 4_s._]

PHIL. I attended the sale of Woodhouse's prints and books; and discovered at it as strong symptoms of the madness of which we are discoursing as ever were exhibited on a like occasion. I have the catalogue upon fine paper, which, however, is poorly printed; but I consider it rather a curious bibliographical morçeau.

LYSAND. Make the most of it, for it will soon become scarce. And now--notwithstanding my former boast to do justice to the remaining bibliomaniacal characters of respectability--as I find my oral powers almost exhausted, I shall barely mention the sales, by auction, of the collections of WILKES, RITSON, and BOUCHER[412]--although I ought to mention the _Bibliotheca Boucheriana_ with more respect than its two immediate predecessors; as the collector was a man endowed with etymological acumen and patience; and I sincerely wish the public were now receiving the benefit of the continuation of his Dictionary; of which the author published so excellent a specimen, comprehending only the letter A. Dr. Jamieson has, to be sure, in a great measure done away the melancholy impression which lexicographical readers would otherwise have experienced--by the publication of his own unrivalled "_Scottish Dictionary_;" yet there is still room enough in the literary world for a continuation of Boucher.

[Footnote 412: It did not, perhaps, suit Lysander's notions
to make mention of book-sales to which no collectors' names
were affixed; but, as it has been my office, during the
whole of the above conversation, to sit in a corner and take
notes of what our book-orator has said, as well to correct
as to enlarge the narrative, I purpose, gentle reader,
prefacing the account of the above noticed three collections
by the following bibliomaniacal specimen: '_A Catalogue of a
capital and truly valuable Library, the genuine property of
a Gentleman of Fashion, highly distinguished for his fine
taste_,' &c.: sold by auction by Mr. Christie, May, 1800,
8vo. 326 articles: amount of the sale, 1828_l._ 18_s._;
being nearly 6_l._ an article. Now for the beloved
specimens:

NO. 35. Baptistæ Portæ de Humanâ Physiognomia, _with
wood-cuts. Hanoviæ_, 1593, et Johannis Physiophili Opuscula.
_Aug. Vin._ 1784, 8vo. £0 19_s._ 0_d._

38. Officium Beatæ Virginis. _This unique_ MANUSCRIPT _on
vellum of the 14th century, is enriched with highly finished
Miniature Paintings, and is one of the most perfect and best
preserved missals known in England._ 20 9 6

40. A complete set of the Barbou Classics, 68 vols.
_elegantly bound in green_ (_French_) morocco, with gilt
leaves, 8vo. 35 14 0

94. Gesta et Vestigia Danorum extra Daniam, 3 v. _large
paper, with a portrait in satin of the Prince to whom it is
dedicated, Lips: et Hafn_: 1740, 4to. _Black morocco, gilt
leaves._ N.B. 'It is supposed that the Rolliad was taken
from this work.' 10 10 0

133. Brittania, Lathmon, et villa Bromhamensis, poëmatia;
_Bodoni, Parma_, 1792, _red morocco_, folio. 9 19 6

211. Contes des Fées; Paris, 1781, 8vo. 4 vols. IMPRIMÉE SUR
VELIN. This unique copy is ornamented with nineteen original
drawings, and was made for the late Madame Royale:
_elegantly bound in blue morocco and enclosed in a morocco
case_. 35 14 0

237. Memoires du Comte de Grammont. _Edition printed for the
Comte d'Artois._ _Par._ 1781. 8vo. This beautiful small
work, from the text of which Harding's edition was copied,
is adorned with several high finished portraits in
miniature, painted by a celebrated artist, and is elegantly
bound in green morocco, with morocco case. 15 15 3

317. L'antiquité Expliquée, par Montfaucon, with fine
plates; _large paper copy_, 15 vol. red (French) _morocco,
with gilt leaves_; and Monarchie Françoise, 5, v. l. p.
_correspondently bound_, folio. 63 0 0

318. Anacreontis Carmina, Gr. et Lat. from a MS. in the
Vatican of the tenth century: with _beautiful coloured
miniatures by Piale, appropriate to each ode, in rich
morocco binding_. _Romæ_, 1781. folio. 56 14 0

Early in the year in which this collection was disposed of,
the very beautiful choice, and truly desirable library of
GEORGE GALWAY MILLS, Esq. was sold by auction by Mr.
Jeffery, in February, 1800. My copy of this well-executed
catalogue is upon _large paper_; but it has not the prices
subjoined. Meanwhile let the sharp-sighted bibliomaniac look
at no. 28, 68, 85, 106, 181, 412, 438, only. Thus it will
be seen that the year 1800 was most singularly distinguished
for _Book-Auction Bibliomaniacism_!

We now proceed to notice the sales of the libraries of those
bibliomaniacs above mentioned by Lysander. _A catalogue of
the very valuable Library of the late_ JOHN WILKES, Esq.,
M.P., _&c., sold by auction by Leigh and Sotheby, in
November_, 1802, 8vo.: 1478 articles. There are few
articles, except the following deserving of being extracted.

NO. 139. Bernier Theologie Portatif, Lond. 1768--Boulanger
Recherches sur l'Origine du Despotisme Oriental, morocco,
gilt leaves. Lond. 1763, 8vo. 'N.B. The "Recherches" were
printed by Mr. Wilkes, at his own private printing press, in
Great George Street, Westminster, in 1763.'

383. Catullus, recensuit Johannes Wilkes; _impress. in
Membranis_, red morocco, gilt leaves. Lond. ap. Nichols,
1788, 4to.

395. Copies taken from the Records of the C. of K.B. 1763.
"Note in this book--printed by P.C. Webe, one of the
solicitors to the Treasury, never published," &c.

1441. Theophrasti Characteres: Græce, Johannes Wilkes,
recensuit. _Impress. in Membranis_, Lond. 1790, 4to.

1460. Wilkes's History of England, no. I. 1768, 4to.

Next comes the account of the Library of that redoubted
champion of ancient lore, and anti-Wartonian critic, Joseph
Ritson. His books, upon the whole, brought very moderate
sums. _A Catalogue of the entire and curious Library and
Manuscripts of the late_ JOSEPH RITSON, Esq., _&c., sold by
auction by Leigh and Sotheby, December_ 5, 1803, 8vo.

NO. 521. Skelton's (Maister) Workes, MS. notes, and lists of
the different editions of Skelton's Works, and likewise of
those never printed; and of these last, in whose possession
many of them are, 1736, 8vo. £0 18_s._ 0_d._

600. Jeffrey of Monmouth's British History, by Thompson; a
great number of MS. notes, on separate papers, by Mr.
Ritson. Lond. 1718, 8vo. 1 5 0

950. The Sevin Seages. Translatit out of Paris in Scottis
meter, be Johne Rolland in Dalkeith, with one Moralitie
after everie Doctouris Tale, and siclike after the Emprice
Tale, togidder with one loving landaude to everie Doctour
after his awin Tale, and one Exclamation and outcrying upon
the Emprerouris Wife after his fals contrusit tale.
_Imprentit at Edinburgh, be Johne Ros, for Henrie
Charteris_, 1578, 4to. "Note in this book by Mr. Ritson; No
other copy of this edition is known to exist, neither was it
known to Ames, Herbert," &c. &c. 31 10 0

964. A new Enterlude, never before this tyme imprinted,
entreating of the Life and Repentance of Marie Magadelene
[Transcriber's Note: Magdalene], not only godlie, learned
and fruitfull, but also well furnished with pleasant myrth
and pastime, very delectable for those which shall heare or
reade the same, _made by the learned Charke [Transcriber's
Note: Clarke] Lewis Wager--printed_ 1567, MS. 1 11 6

985. Bibliographia Scotica; Anecdotes biographical and
literary of Scotish Writers, Historians, and Poets, from the
Earliest account to the nineteenth century, in two parts,
intended for publication. 45 3 0

986. Shakspeare, by Johnson and Steevens, 8 vols. containing
a great number of manuscript notes, corrections, &c. &c.
together with 3 vols. of manuscript notes, by Mr. Ritson,
prepared by him for the press, intending to publish it. 110
0 0

The year ensuing (of which Lysander has, very negligently,
taken no notice) was distinguished for the sale of a
collection of books, the like unto which had never been
seen, since the days of the dispersion of the Parisian
collection. The title of the auction catalogue was, in part,
as follows: _A Catalogue of a most splendid and valuable
collection of Books, superb missals, original drawings, &c.
the genuine property of a Gentleman of distinguished taste,
retiring into the country, &c._ Sold by auction by Mr.
Christie, April, 1804, 8vo. 339 articles: total amount,
4640_l._--being almost 14_l._ an article. I attended both
days of this sale and the reader shall judge of my own
satisfaction, by that which _he_ must receive from a perusal
of the following specimens of this _Bibliotheca
Splendidissima_.

NO. 221. A most complete set of Sir William Dugdale's Works,
containing Monasticon Anglicanum, in 5 vols. 1655;
Monasticon, vol. 1, editio secunda, 2 vols.; Monasticon, in
English, with Steevens's Continuation, 3 vols.;
Warwickshire, first edition; Warwickshire, second edition,
by Thomas, 2 vols.; St. Paul's, first and second edition, 2
vols.; Baronage, 2 vols.; History of Imbanking, first and
second editions, 2 vols.; Origines Juridiciales, third
edition; View of the Troubles; Summons of the Nobility;
Usage of Arms and office of Lord Chancellor. _This fine set
of Dugdale is elegantly bound in Russia leather in 23
volumes._ £136 10_s._ 0_d._

(Now worth 250_l._)

222. Biographia Britannica, 7 vols. 1747, folio. A matchless
set illustrated with portraits, fine and rare, and
_elegantly bound in Russia leather_. 99 15 0

223. Homeri Ilias et Odyssea, 4 vols. Glasgow, 1756, fol. An
unique copy, on _large paper_, illustrated with Flaxman's
plates to the Iliad, and original drawings, by Miss Wilkes,
to the Odyssey; _superbly bound in blue Turkey_. 39 18 0

225. Milton's Poetical Works, large paper, Tonson, 1695.
Milton's Historical Works, &c., by Birch, 2 vols. large
paper, 1738, 3 vols. _elegantly bound in Russia leather_. 5
10 0

229. Ogilby's Historical Works, containing Britannia, China,
2 vols. Japan, Asia, Africa, and America, with fine plates
by Hollar, 7 vols. folio, _fine copy in Russia_. 18 18 0

234. Lord Clarendon's History of the Grand Rebellion, 6
vols. folio, _large paper, splendidly bound in morocco_,
1702. 49 7 0

235. Winwood's Memorials of Affairs of State, 3 vols. 1725.
_Large Paper, elegantly bound, and gilt leaves_. 5 18 0

239. Wood's Athenæ Oxonienses, 2 vols. best edition, 1721.
_A fine copy on Large Paper, elegantly bound in Russia, with
gilt leaves_, Fol. 7 17 6

From no. 292 to 307, inclusive (only 14 volumes), there
was a set of "_Painted Missals and curious manuscripts_,"
which were sold for 724_l._ Among them, was Mr. John
Towneley's matchless missal, decorated by the famous
Francesco Veronese--"one of the finest productions of the
kind ever imported from Italy:" see no. 296. For an
account of the books PRINTED UPON VELLUM in this collection,
see PART VI. Let us close this note with the _Bibliotheca
Boucheriana_; of which such respectable mention is above
justly made by Lysander. "_A Catalogue of the very valuable
and extensive Library of the late_ REV. JONATHAN BOUCHER,
_A.M., F.R.S., Vicar of Epsom, Surrey. Comprehending a fine
and curious collection in Divinity, History, &c.: sold by
auction by Leigh and Sotheby; in February_, 1806." _First
part_, 6646 articles: _Second part_, 1933 articles: _Third
part_, published in 1809: 857 articles. I attended many days
during this sale; but such was the warm fire, directed
especially towards divinity, kept up during nearly the whole
of it, that it required a heavier weight of metal than I was
able to bring into the field of battle to ensure any success
in the contest. I cannot help adding that these catalogues
are wretchedly printed.]

Ah, well-a-day!--have I not come to the close of my BOOK-HISTORY? Are there any other bibliomaniacs of distinction yet to notice? Yes!--I well remember the book-sale events of the last four years. I well remember the curiosity excited by the collections of the MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE, JOHN BRAND, ISAAC REED, RICHARD PORSON, ALEXANDER DALRYMPLE, and RICHARD GOUGH,[413] and with these I must absolutely make my bibliomaniacal peroration! Illustrious men!----

[Footnote 413: For the same reason as has been adduced at p.
427, ante, and from a strong wish to render this _List of
Book Auctions_ as perfect as my opportunities will allow, I
shall persevere, at the foot of Lysander's narrative, in
submitting to the attention of the curious reader a still
further account of sales than those above alluded to in the
text. As this will be the last note in PART V., I hope,
however late the hour, or exhausted his patience, that the
reader will also persevere to the close of it, and then wish
the author "good night," along with his friends, whose
salutations are above so dramatically described. At the very
opening of the year in which Mr. Boucher's books were sold,
the magnificent collection of the Marquis of Lansdowne was
disposed of. I well remember the original destination of
this numerous library: I well remember the long, beautiful,
and classically ornamented room, in which, embellished and
guarded by busts, and statues of gods and heroes, the books
were ranged in quiet and unmolested order, adjoining to the
noblest mansion in London. If the consideration of external,
or out-of-door, objects be put out of the question, this
Library-room had not its superior in Great Britain. Let us
now come to particulars: "_Bibliotheca Lansdowniana. A
Catalogue of the entire Library of the late most noble
William_ MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE; _sold by auction by Leigh and
Sotheby, &c. January_, 1806." 8vo. The following is but a
slender specimen of the printed books in the Lansdowne
collection.

NO. 359. Arthur Kynge (the story of the most noble and
Worthy) the whiche was fyrst of the worthyes christen, and
also of his noble and valyaunt knyghtes of the Round Table;
_newly imprynted and corrected, black letter, title-page
emblazoned, Turkey. Imp. at Lond. by Wyllyam Coplande_,
1557, folio. In the collection of Mr. Dent. £25 0_s._ 0_d._

361. Ashmole's (Elias) Institution, Laws, and Ceremonies of
the Order of the Garter, plates by Hollar, _L. Paper, green
morocco, border of gold, gilt leaves_, 1672, folio. 10 10 0

1384. Chronica del Rey Don Alonso el Onzeno, Roy de
Castilla, &c. _Liter. Goth. Mar. verd. Volladolid
[Transcriber's Note: Valladolid]._ 1551, folio. 11 11 0

1385. ---- del Rey Don Pedro. D. Enrrique [Transcriber's
Note: Enrique], y D. Juan, _Pampl._ 1591, folio. 5 15 6

1386. ---- des Reys de Portugal, D. Joanno I. D. Duarte, e
D. Alfonso, _Lisboa_, 1543, folio. 4 2 0

2499. Gazette, London, from the beginning, 1665 to 1722
inclusive, 73 vol. folio. 84 0 0

3438. Leyes del Reyno, del Don Philippe II. Recopilacion de
las, 2 tom. Alcala, 1581. folio. 1 5 0

3439. ---- de los Reynos de las Indias, del Don Carlos II. 2
tom. Madrid, 1681, folio. 3 10 0

4108. Money; a very curious Collection of Single Sheets,
&c., and with several MS. Memorandums and Papers on that
Subject, bound in one volume. 10 10 0

5544. Somers' (Lord) Tracts, 16 vol. Lond. 1748, 52. 63 0 0

5786. Stuart's (James) Antiquities of Athens, plates, 3 vol.
1787, 94, folio. 16 16 0

5787. Stukeley's (Wm.) Itinerary, cuts, _Russia_, 2 vol. in
vol. 1, 1776, folio. 21 0 0

5916. A very rare collection of Tracts, Documents, and
Pamphlets, consisting of above 280 volumes, tending to
illustrate the History of the French Revolution--together
with more than 49 volumes relative to the transactions in
the Low Countries, between the years 1787 and 1792, and
their separation from the house of Austria:--amongst the
above will be found the following works.

Des Etats Generaux, &c. Par. 1789. 18 vol.
Process Verbaux de la première Assemblée, 75 vol.
Ditto de la seconde 16 vol.
Ditto de la Convocation 32 vol.

Revolution Françoise, 20 vol. from 1790 to 1803, wanting
vol. 1, 2, and 13.

La Bastile Devoilée. Par. 1789.

Sir James M'Intosh's Vindiciæ Gallicæ, and numerous pieces
relative to the Constitution and Administration of the
French Government, in its Executive, Legislative, Judicial,
and Financial Departments, by Messrs. Mirabeau, Turgot,
Barrere, Calonne, Necker, &c. 168 0 0

I should observe that the PRINTS or ENGRAVINGS of the
Marquis, together with the _printed prices_ for which they,
and the foregoing library, were sold, are usually added to
the Catalogue of the Books. In the spring of 1807, the
MANUSCRIPTS belonging to the same noble collector were
catalogued to be sold by public auction. These manuscripts,
in the preface of the _first_ volume of the Catalogue, are
said to 'form one of the noblest and most valuable private
collections in the kingdom.' It is well known that the
collection never came to the hammer; but was purchased by
parliament for 6000_l._, and is deposited in the British
Museum. A catalogue of it is now _sub prelo_; vide p. 89,
ante. We are next to notice the sale by auction of the
library of the late Rev. John Brand. The first part of this
collection was disposed of in the Spring of 1807; and the
catalogue had this title: _Bibliotheca Brandiana. A
Catalogue of the unique, scarce, rare, curious, and numerous
collection of Works, &c., being the entire Library of the
late_ REV. JOHN BRAND, _Fellow and Secretary of the
Antiquarian Society, Author of the History of Newcastle,
Popular Antiquities, &c. Sold by auction by Mr. Stewart_,
May, 1807. This first part contained 8611 articles, or lots,
of printed books; exclusively of 243 lots of manuscripts.
Hereafter followeth, gentle reader, some specimens, selected
almost at random, of the 'unique, scarce, rare, and curious'
books contained in the said library of this far-famed
Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries.

NO. 67. _Ane Compendious Booke of Godly and Spiritual
Songs_, bl. lett. 8vo. Edinb. 1621. £4 4_s._ 0_d._

69. Academy of Pleasure, with portraits of Drayton, G.
Withers, F. Quarles, and B. Jonson, Lon. 1656, 8vo. 2 17 6

109. A Curtaine Lecture, _rare and curious_, frontispiece,
Lond. 1637, 8vo. 0 15 0

110. A Banquet of Jests, or Change of Cheare, with portrait
of Archee, the King's jester. _Rare._ Lond. 1659, 8vo. 4 10 0

227. Arnold's Chronicle of the Customs of London, a fine
copy, perfect, _printed by Pynson_, fol. 1521. 18 18 0

241. An Alvearie, or Quadruple Dictionarie, by Baret.
Francof. fol. 1580. 3 5 0

242. Dyalogue of Dives and Pauper, _that is to say, the Rich
and the Pore, fructuously tretyng upon the Ten
Commandments_, black-letter, printed by Pynson, fol. 1493. 4
3 0

272. Allot's England's Parnassus, 8vo. 1600. 2 10 0

282. A Booke of Fishing, with hooke and line, 1600, 8vo. A
Booke of Engines and Traps to take Polcats, Buzzards, Rats,
Mice, &c. cuts, _very rare_, [See p. 305, ante.] 3 3 0

283. Archy's Dream, sometimes jester to his Majestie, but
expelled the court by Canterbury's malice, _very rare_, 8vo.
1 13 0

337. A new Dialogue between the Angell of God and Shepherdes
in the Felde, black-letter. _Pr. by Day_, 8vo. 2 10 0

381. A Dialogue betweene two Neighbours, concernyng
Ceremonyes in the first year of Queen Mary, black-letter,
with portrait of Mary, by Delarum, from Roane, by
Michelwood, 1554, 8vo. 2 12 6

417. A short Inuentory of certayne idle Inventions,
black-letter, _very rare_. 2 15 0

418. A Juniper Lecture, with the Description of all Sorts of
Women, good and bad, _very rare_. Lond. 1639, 8vo. 1 16 0

454. A Quip for an Upstart Courtier; or a Quaint Dispute
betweene Velvet Breeches and Cloth Breeches, wherein is set
Downe the Disorders in all Estates and Trades, _with
portraits_. Lond. printed by G.P., 1620, 4to. 2 16 0

462. Articles to be enquired into by various Bishops, &c.,
in their Visitations; upwards of one hundred; _a very
curious, scarce, and unique collection_, 4to. 2 2 0

802. Barbiere (John) the famous Game of Chesse Play, cuts,
1673. The most ancient and learned play, The Philosopher's
Game, invented for the Honourable Recreation of the
Studious, by W.F., black-letter, 1563, 4to. 2 4 0

1300. A Plaister for a Galled Horse, _very rare_, 1548, 4to.
[See Herbert's Ames, vol. i. 581: and p. 239; ante.] 3 17 6

1312. A Counter Blaste to Tobacco. Lond. 1604, 4to. 0 17 0

1326. Bentley's (Thos.) Monument of Matrons, containing
seven severall Lamps of Virginitie, or Distinct Treatises,
collated and perfect, a very fine copy, extremely rare and
curious, _imprinted at London, by Thomas Dawson, for William
Seres, extremely rare_, black-letter, 1582, 4to. 8 18 6

1334. Bert (Edmund) an approved Treatise of Hawkes and
Hunting. Lond. 1619, 4to. 1 10 0

1540. Burton (Wm.) Seven Dialogues, black-letter. Lond.
1606. George Whetstone's Mirrour for Magistrates of cities,
b.l., printed by Richard Jones, 1584, 4to. 3 13 6

1542. Byshop's (John) beautifull Blossomes, black-letter,
imprinted by Henrie Cockyn, 1577, 4to. 4 10 0

1754. Characters (viz.) The Surfeit to A.B.C. Lond. 1656.
Dr. Lupton's London and Country carbonadoed and quartered
into Seuerall Characters, 1632. Essayes and Characters, by
L.G., 1661, 8vo. 4 7 0

2069. England's Jests refined and improved, 1660, 8vo. 2 14 0

2326. Catharo's Diogenes in his Singularitie, wherein is
comprehended his merrie Baighting fit for all men's
benefits: christened by him a _Nettle for Nice Noses_, by
L.T., black-letter, 1591, 4to. 2 10 0

3523. Fages (Mrs.) Poems, Fames Roule, &c., _rare_, Lond.
1637, 4to. 5 15 6

7817. Stukeley's (Wm.) Itinerarium Curiosum; 2 _vols. in_ 1,
_Russia_, folio. 14 14 0

8211. The blazon of Jealousie, written in Italian, by
Varchi. Lond. 1615, 8vo. 2 6 0

8223. Tracts: Dial of Witches, 1603; Lancaster Witches,
1613; Trial of Yorkshire Witches, 1612; The Golden Fleece,
1626; Cage of Diabolical Possession, 4to. 2 8 0

8224. The most strange and admirable Discoverie of the three
witches of Warboys, arraigned, convicted, and executed at
the last assizes at Huntington; for bewitching the five
daughters of Robert Throckmorton, Esq., and divers other
persons, with sundrie devilish and grievous torments; and
also for bewitching to death the Lady Crumwell. _Extra
rare_, 4to. 4 0 0

8230. Witches apprehended, examined, and executed for
notable villanies, by them committed both by land and water,
with a strange and most true triall how to know whether a
woman be a witch or not: _with the plate_. _Extra rare_,
4to. 3 5 0

8269. The Pleasure of Princes, the Art of Angling, together
with the Ordering and Dieting of the Fighting Cocke, 1635,
4to. 2 5 0

8296. The Knyght of the Toure; _a perfect and fine specimen
of the father of English Printers_, 1484, folio. The reader
(if he pleases) may consult my first volume, p. 202, of the
_Typographical Antiquities of Great Britain_, for some
account of this edition. 111 6 0

My copy of this first part of the Catalogue of Brand's books
is upon _large paper, with the prices inserted in the
margin_. The _second part_ of the BIBLIOTHECA BRANDIANA,
containing duplicates and Pamphlets, was sold in February,
1808, by Mr. Stewart. There were 4064 articles. Few
collections attracted greater attention before, and during,
the sale than did the library of the late Mr. Isaac Reed: a
critic and literary character of very respectable
second-rate reputation. The public Journals teemed, for a
time, with book-anecdotes concerning this collection; and
the _Athenæum_, _Monthly Mirror_, _Censura Literaria_,
_European Magazine_, struck out a more bold outline of the
Bibliotheca Reediana than did the generality of their fellow
Journals. Reed's portrait is prefixed to the European
Magazine, the Monthly Mirror, and the Catalogue of his own
Books: it is an indifferently stippled scraping, copied from
a fine mellow mezzotint, from the characteristic pencil of
Romney. This latter is a private plate, and, as such, is
rare. To return to the Library. The preface to the Catalogue
was written by the Rev. H.J. Todd. It is brief, judicious,
and impressive; giving abundant proof of the bibliomaniacal
spirit of the owner of the library--who would appear to have
adopted the cobler's well-known example of applying one room
to almost every domestic purpose: for Reed made his library
'his parlour, kitchen, and hall.' A brave and enviable
spirit this!--and, in truth, what is comparable with it? But
the reader is beginning to wax impatient for a more
particular account. Here it is: _Bibliotheca Reediana. A
Catalogue of the curious and extensive Library of the late
Isaac Reed, Esq., of Staple Inn, deceased. Comprehending a
most extraordinary collection of books in English
Literature, &c.: sold by auction, by Messrs. King and
Lochée: November_, 1807, _8vo._ The following specimens of
some of Reed's scarce volumes are copied, in part, from the
account which was inserted in the _Athenæum_, vol. iii., pp.
61, 157, under the extraordinary signatures of W. Caxton and
W. de Worde.

NO. 5867. A Portfolio of single-sheet Ballads. £15 15_s._
0_d._

6661. Colman (W.) Death's Duel, 8vo., _frontispiece_. 7 15 0

6685. Barnefield's Affectionate Shepherd, _very rare_, 4to.
1594. 15 10 0

6713. A musical Concort of Heavenly Harmonie, called
Churchyard's charitie. _See MS. notes in Churchyard's
Pieces, by Steevens, Reed_, &c., 1595, 4to. 8 15 0

6714. Churchyard's lamentable and pitiable Description of
the woeful Warres in Flanders, 1578, 4to. 4 19 0

6715. ---- a true Discourse of the succeeding Governors in
the Netherlands, and the Civil Warres there begun in 1565,
4to.

6716. ---- a light Bundle of Lively Discourses, called
Churchyard's Charge, presented as a New Year's Gift to the
Earl of Savoy, 1589, 4to. 11 5 0

6717. ---- Challenge, b.l., 1580, with a copious Manuscript
account of his works, by J. Reed, and a small octavo Tract,
called A Discourse of Rebellion, 1570, 4to. 17 10 0

6755. Gascoigne (George) whole workes, _fine copy in
Russia_, 4to., b.l., 1567. 15 5 0

6777. Cynthia, with certain Sonnets, _rare_, 1595, 8vo. 12 5 0

7479. Whetstone (George) Mirror of true Honor, and Christain
[Transcriber's Note: Christian] Nobilitie, exposing the
Life, Death, and Divine Vertues of Francis Earl of Bedford,
b.l., 1585, 4to. 7 0 0

7705. Beaumont and Fletcher's Philaster; or Love lies a
bleeding, _frontispiece_, 4to., 1620. 24 0 0

8536. Shakspeariana, a Large Assemblage of Tracts by various
authors, relative to Shakspeare, neatly bound in 9 vols.
8vo. 23 0 0

8561. Stillingfleet (Benj.) Plays, never either finished or
published. _The only copy ever seen by Mr. Reed._ 3 13 6

8676. A volume of unpublished and unprinted Fables, by John
Ellis, scrivener and translator of Maphaeus. _Note by Mr.
Reed:_ 'It was given to me by Mr. John Sewell, bookseller,
to whom Mr. Ellis bequeathed his Manuscripts. See my account
of Mr. Ellis in the European Magazine, Jan. 1792: large
4to.' The volume is enriched with fine engravings,
appropriate to each Fable. 6 0 0

8833. Notitia Dramatica, both printed and manuscript;
containing a Chronological Account of the chief Incidents
relating to the English Theatres, from Nov. 1734, to 31st
Dec. 1785. "Collected from various sources, but chiefly the
Public Advertisers, which were lent me by Mr. Woodfall for
the purpose. This volume contains the most material facts
relating to the Theatres for the last fifty years, and will
be useful to any person who may wish to compile a History of
the Stage." Isaac Reed, Staple's Inn, Aug. 6. 1784. 41 0 0

Of this Catalogue, there are _only twelve copies_ printed
upon LARGE PAPER; which were all distributed previous to the
sale of the books. The common paper copies are very
indifferently executed. The late Mr. George Baker had the
completest _l.p._ copy of this catalogue in existence.
Before we proceed to give an account of subsequent
book-sales, it may be as well to pause for a few
minutes--and to take a retrospective view of the busy scene
which has been, in part, described: or rather, it may be no
incurious thing to lay before the reader for a future
century (when the ashes of the author shall have long
mouldered into their native dust) a statement of the
principal book-sales which took place from November, 1806,
to November, 1807--at Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby's King and
Lochée's, and Mr. Stewart's. The minor ones carried on under
Covent-Garden Piazza, Tom's Coffee-house, &c., are not
necessary to be noticed. In calculating the number of
volumes, I have considered one article, or lot, with the
other, to comprehend three volumes. The result is as
follows.

_Book-Sales by Messrs._ LEIGH _and_ SOTHEBY.

Volumes.

Rev. Edward Bowerbank's library. 2200
Earl of Halifax's 2000
Mr. John Voigt's 6000
Sutton Sharpe's, Esq. 4000
George Mason's, ditto 3800
Mr. Burdon's 14000
Charles Bedford's, Esq. 3500
Rev. Charles Bathurst's 3000
Sir John Sebright's, Bt. (duplicates). 3300
Bishop Horsley's 4400
Mr. E. Edward's 1100
Lieut. Col. Thos. Velley's 2200
_Four miscellaneous_ 6000
------
55,500

_Book-Sales by_ KING _and_ LOCHÉE.

Volumes.
R. Foster's, Esq. library 5000
Dr. John Millar's 3500
Mr. C. Martin's 1000
Mr. Daniel Waldron's 1200
Rev. Thomas Towle's 3000
Mr. Brice Lambert's 2000
C. Dilly's 3000
Isaac Reed's 30000
_Six miscellaneous_ 8400
------
57,100

_Book-Sales by_ Mr. STEWART.

Mr. Law's library 4000
Lord Thurlow's 3000
Mr. William Bryant's 4500
Rev. W.W. Fitzthomas's 2000
Rev. John Brand's 17000
George Stubbs, Esq. 1800
_Three miscellaneous_ 4300
------
36,600

TOTAL

Sold by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby 55500
Messrs. King and Lochée 57100
Mr. Stewart 36600
-------
149,200

Such has been the circulation of books, within the foregoing
period, by the hands of _three Auctioneers only_; and the
prices which a great number of _useful_ articles brought is
a sufficient demonstration that books are esteemed for their
_intrinsic value_, as well as for the adventitious
circumstances which render them _rare_ or _curious_. But
prosterity [Transcriber's Note: posterity] are not to judge
of the prevalence of knowledge in these times by the
criterion of, what are technically called, _book-sales_
only. They should be told that, within the same twelve
months, thousands and tens of thousands of books of all
sorts have been circulated by the _London Booksellers_; and
that, without travelling to know the number disposed of at
Bristol, Liverpool, York, Manchester, or Exeter, it may be
only necessary to state that _one distinguished House_
alone, established not quite a furlong from the railings of
St. Paul's Cathedral, sold not far short of _two hundred
thousand volumes_ within the foregoing period! If learning
continue thus to thrive, and books to be considered as
necessary furniture to an apartment; if wealthy merchants
are resolved upon procuring Large Paper copies, as well as
Indian spices and Russian furs; we may hail, in
anticipation, that glorious period when the book-fairs of
_Leipsic_ shall be forgotten in the superior splendour of
those of _London_! But to return to our chronological order:
The ensuing year, 1808, was distinguished for no small
mischief excited in the bibliomaniacal world by the sales of
many curious and detached libraries. The second part of Mr.
Brand's collection which was sold in the spring of this
year, has been already noticed. The close of the year
witnessed the sales, by auction, of the books of SAMUEL
EWER, Esq. (retiring into the country), and of Mr. MACHEL
STACE, bookseller. The former collection was very strong in
bibliography; and the latter presented a singularly valuable
'Collection of rare and select' books, relating to old
English Literature elegantly bound: containing 2607
articles. Mr. Stace had published, the preceding year, '_A
Catalogue of curious and scarce Books and Tracts_:' which,
with the preceding, merit a snug place upon the
bibliographer's shelf. We now enter upon a more busy year of
sales of books by auction. The Bibliomania had only
increased by the preceding displays of precious and
magnificent volumes. And first came on, in magnitude and
inportance [Transcriber's Note: importance], the sales of
ALEXANDER DALRYMPLE and PROFESSOR PORSON. Of these in turn.
_A Catalogue of the extensive and valuable Library of Books: