Chapter XLI: Part II: The Cabinet

This portion of the "Bibliomania," embracing about fourscore pages, contains a _Précis_, or review of the more popular works, then extant, upon BIBLIOGRAPHY. It forms an immense mass of materials; which, if expanded in the ordinary form of publication, would alone make a volume. I have well nigh forgotten the names of some of the more ancient heroes of bibliographical renown, but still seem to cling with a natural fondness to those of Gesner, Morhof, Maittaire, and Fabricius: while Labbe, Lambecius, and Montfauçon, Le Long, and Baillet, even yet retain all their ancient respect and popularity. As no _fresh characters_ are introduced in this second part of the Bibliomania, it may be permitted me to say a word or two upon the substance of the materials which it contains.

The immense note upon the "_Catalogue of Libraries_," alphabetically arranged, from page 72 to page 99, is now, necessarily, imperfect; from the number of libraries which have been subsequently sold or described. Among the _latter_, I hope I may naturally, and justifiably, make mention of the BIBLIOTHECA SPENCERIANA; or, A descriptive Catalogue of the early printed Books of the late George John Earl Spencer, K.G.; comprising, in the whole, seven volumes; with the addition of the Cassano Library, or books purchased of the Duke of Cassano, by the noble Earl, when at Naples, in the year 1819. In the "_Reminiscences of my Literary Life_," I have given a sort of graphic description of this extensive work, and of the circumstances attending its publication. _That_ work now rests upon its own particular, and, I will fearlessly add, solid, basis. For accuracy, learning, splendour, and almost interminable embellishment, it may seem at once to command the attention, and to challenge the commendation, of the most fastidious: but it is a flower which blooms more kindly in a foreign, than in its native, soil. It has obtained for me the notice and the applause of learned _foreigners_; and when I travelled abroad I received but too substantial proofs that what was slighted _here_ was appreciated in _foreign_ parts. Our more popular Reviews, which seem to thrive and fatten best upon lean fare, passed this magnificent work over in a sort of sly or sullen silence; and there is no record of its existence in those of our Journals which affect to strike the key-note only of what is valuable in science, literature, and the fine arts. Painful as it must ever be to my feelings to contrast the avidity of former purchasers to become possessed of it with the caprice and non-chalance which have marked the conduct of those possessors themselves, I will yet hope that, in the bosom of the SUCCESSOR to this matchless Library--as well as to the name and fortunes of its late owner--there will ever remain but _one feeling_, such as no misconception and no casualty will serve to efface. It is pleasing, yea, soothing, 'midst the buffetting surges of later life, to be able to keep the anchor of one's vessel _well bit_ in the interstices of granite.

Much later than the publication last alluded to, were the sale catalogues of the Libraries of Sir MARK MASTERMAN SYKES, Bart., deceased; the Rev. HENRY DRURY; GEORGE HIBBERT, Esq., deceased; and Sir FRANCIS FREELING, Bart., deceased. They were all sold by Mr. Evans, of Pall Mall; as well indeed as was the Library of the late Duke of Marlborough, when Marquis of Blandford. What books! And what prices! It should seem that "there were giants," both in purse and magnitude of metal, "in those days!" But a mighty "man in valour" has recently sprung up amongst us; who, spurning the acquisition of solitary _lots_, darts down upon a whole _Library_, and bears it off "at one fell swoop." Long life to the spirit which possesses him! It is almost a national redemption.