Chapter XLIII: Part II

163 Fraunce's (Abraham) Lamentations of
Amintas for the death of Phillis, a Poem;
excessively rare 20 10 0

164 Fyssher's (Jhon, Student of Oxford)
Poems written in Dialogue, wants the
title and part of a leaf, extremely rare.
Imprinted by John Tisdale, 1558 9 9 0

171 Gascoigne's Whole Woorkes, with the
Comedy of Supposes and the Steele
Glasse, best edition, very fine copy, in
Russia. Imprinted by Jesse, 1587 10 15 0

At the end of the Volume there is a Tract by Gascoigne, entitled "Certain Notes of Instruction concerning the Making of verses, or Rimes, in English." The Tract is not mentioned in the list of contents on the title, and the four leaves very rarely occur.

450 Marshall's (George) Compendious Treatise,
in Metre, declaring the Firste Originall
of Sacrifice, and of the buylding of
Aultars and Churches, a Poem, extremely
rare. Cawood, 1534 20 10 0

479 Harvey's (Gabriel) Foure Letters and
certaine Sonnets, especially touching
Robert Greene and other Parties by him
abused. Printed by Wolfe, 1592 10 10 0

Gabriel Harvey was the intimate friend of Spenser. The immediate occasion of Harvey's writing these letters was to resent Greene's attack on his Father; but the permanent value of the Volume is the very interesting notices Harvey gives of his literary contemporaries. The work concludes with a Sonnet of Spenser, addressed to Harvey.

470 Meeting of Gallants at an Ordinarie, or
the Walkes of Powles, very scarce, 1604.
12mo. 15 15 0

This scarce and curious little volume is not mentioned by Lowndes. The work commences with a Poetical Dialogue between Warre, Famine, and Pestilence. The Tales of my Landlord then follow, "Where the Fatte Host telles Tales at the upper ende of the Table." Mine host, however, does not have all the conversation to himself. The guests take a very fair share. One of the interlocutors, Gingle-Spur, alludes to one of Shakspeare's Plays. "This was a prettie Comedy of Errors, my round Host."

[I shall place all the SHAKSPEARIAN ARTICLES consecutively; that the Reader may observe in what a rapid ratio their pecuniary value has increased. Of the sonnets, the Right Hon. Thomas Grenville possesses one copy, and Thomas Jolley, Esq., another. The History of the acquisition of the _latter_ copy is one of singular interest; almost sufficient to add _another_ day to a Bibliographical Decameron. This copy is in pristine condition, and looks as if snatched from the press. Mr. Jolley also possesses a very fine and perfect copy of the first edition of Shakspeare's Works, in folio; but a similar copy, in the library of the Right Honourable Thomas Grenville, will, perhaps, always continue UNRIVALLED.]

558 Shakspeare's Venus and Adonis; unique.
Edinburgh, by John Writtoun, and are
to bee sold in his shop, a little beneath
the Salt Trone, 1627 37 10 0

We are always extremely cautious in using the designation unique; but we think we may safely do so upon the present occasion. We have made very extensive inquiries on the subject, and have recently written to David Laing, Esq., Keeper of the Library of the Writers to the Signet, from whom we have received a confirmation of our belief. Beloe, in describing this copy, says "it must be considered as an indubitable proof that at a very early period the Scotch knew, and admired, the genius of Shakspeare." He might have continued, its proceeding from the press of Writtoun, was an additional proof, as he only published small Popular Tracts. Beloe has erroneously given the date 1607, and Lowndes has copied his error. The first books printed by Writtoun were about 1624. His will is printed in the Bannatyne Miscellany. The second edition of this precious Poem, printed in 1596, produced the sum of £91, at the sale of Baron Bolland's library: see page 591, ante.

974 [Transcriber's Note: 934]
Shakespeare's Comedies, Tragedies, and
Histories, first edition. The title a reprint,
but the Portrait Original. With
the Verses of Ben Jonson, original, but
inlaid, blue morocco, 1623 41 0 0

935 Shake-Speares Sonnets, neuer before imprinted,
extremely rare, most beautiful
copy, in Russia. London, by G. Eld for
T.T. and are to be solde by William
Apsley, 1609 105 0 0

936 Shakspeare's Most Excellent Historie of
the Merchant of Venice, with the Extreame
Crueltie of Shylock the Jew,
first edition, extremely rare, printed by
J. R(oberts) for Thomas Heyes, 1600 10 0 0

937 Another Copy, second edition, very scarce,
printed by J. Roberts, 1600 0 0 0

938 Another Copy, 1637 0 0 0

939 Shakspeare's Midsommer Nights Dreame,
second edition, printed by James Roberts,
1600 105 0 0

940 Shakspeare's Most Lamentable Tragedie
of Titus Andronicus, second edition, very
scarce, 1611 15 0 0

Only one perfect copy of the first edition is known.

941 Shakspeare, his True Chronicle History
of the Life and Death of King Lear and
his Three Daughters, second edition,
printed for N. Butter, 1608 14 14 0

942 Shakspeare's Famous Historie of Troylus
and Cresseid, with the Conceited Wooing
of Pandoras Prince of Licia, first edition,
extremely rare, imprinted by G. Eld, 1609 12 15 0

948 Shakspeare's Richard the Second, with
new additions of the Parliament Scene,
and the deposing of King Richard 5 0 0

[There were many other early editions of the Plays of Shakspeare, but the preceding were the most prominent.]

688 Ovid. The Flores of Ouide de Arte
Amandi, with their Englysshe afore them
and two Alphabete Tablys, extremely
rare, very fine copy Wynandus de Worde,
1513 10 15 0

[This edition was wholly unknown to me.]

659 Newton's (T.) Atropeion Delion, or the
Death of Delia, (Queen Elizabeth) with
the Teares of her Funerall, very scarce,
1603 10 15 0

565 Hilarie (Hughe) The Resurrection of the
Masse, with the Wonderful Vertues of the
Same, a Poem, excessively rare, imprinted
at Strasburgh in Elsas, 1554 18 0 0

This is a very bitter satire on the Ceremonies, Doctrines, and Ministers of the Roman Catholic Church.

567 Skelton. Here after foloweth certaine
Bokes complyed by Mayster Skelt[=o], Poet
Laureat, Speake Parot, Ware the Hawke,
Tunnynge of Eleanoure Rummyne, &c.,
Imprinted by Kynge and Marche. Here
after foloweth a little boke called Colyn
Clout, by Master Skelton Poete Laureate,
imprynted by Veale. Here after foloweth
a little boke, Why come ye not to
Courte, by Mayster Skelton, Poet Laureate.
This is Skelton's celebrated Satire
against Cardinal Wolsey, imprinted by
Veale. A little Boke of Philip Sparow,
by Mayster Skelton, Poete Laureate, imprinted
by Walley--a very curious collection
of Poems by Skelton, each very
rare, in Bussia [Transcriber's Note: Russia] 23 10 0

In D'Israeli's recent Work, the Amenities of Literature, there is an excellent article upon Skelton, which contains many acute and original observations. Speaking of the Skeltonical Verse, D'Israeli says, "In the quick-returning rhymes, the playfulness of the diction, and the pungency of New Words, usually ludicrous, often expressive, and sometimes felicitous, there is a stirring spirit, which will be best felt in an audible reading. The velocity of his verse has a carol of its own. The chimes ring in the ear, and the thoughts are flung about like wild Coruscations." See vol. 2, p. 69 to 82. Octavo.

845 Pierce Plowman. Newes from the
North, otherwise called the Conference
between Simon Certain and Pierce Plowman,
faithfully collected by T.F. Student,
extremely rare. E. Allde, 1585 13 0 0

916 S. (R.) The Phoenix Nest, built up with
the most rare and refined workes of
noblemen, woorthy knightes, gallant
gentlemen, masters of arts and braue
schollers, full of varietie, excellent
invention and singular delight, never
before this time published, set foorth by
R.S. of the Inner Temple, Gentleman,
excessively rare. Imprinted by John
Jackson, 1593 40 0 0

Mr. Heber had written in his Copy, "Mr. Malone has a copy bought at Dr. Farmer's Sale, (now in the Bodleian Library,) but I know of no other." We may add, those two copies, and the present, are the only perfect copies known.

1086 Sidney's (Sir Phillip) Apologie for
Poetrie, first edition, excessively rare.
Printed for Henry Olney, 1595 15 5 0

"Foure Sonnets written by Henrie Constable to Sir Philip Sidneys Soule" are prefixed. These have not been reprinted in the subsequent editions. Only three other copies of the first edition of this elegant and valuable Treatise are known. One of which is in the British Museum, and one in the Bridgewater Library.

The Third Part of Mr. Chalmers's library--abundantly rich in Scotch literature, and containing much valuable illustration of the HISTORY OF PRINTING IN SCOTLAND, will probably quickly succeed the publication of this Work. Mr. Chalmers had frequently expressed to me his intention as well as inclination to give a complete History of the SCOTISH PRESS; and if the materials collected by him find their way into his native country, it is to be hoped that some enterprising spirit, like that which animates the present Librarian of the Signet Library, will find sufficient encouragement to bring them before the public. I bargain for a _Quarto_.

MENALCAS (whose fame expands more largely in the _Bibliographical Decameron_ and _Reminiscences_) was my old and "very singular good friend" the Rev. HENRY JOSEPH THOMAS DRURY, Rector of Fingest, and Second Master of Harrow School; second, because he declined to become the _first_. His library, so rich and rare in classical lore--manuscript as well as printed--was sold by Mr. Evans in 1827. The catalogue contained not fewer than 4729 articles. The bindings, chiefly in Lewisian calf and morocco, were "de toute beauté;" and the "oblong cabinet" sparkled as the setting sun shot its slanting rays down the backs of the tomes. Of this catalogue there were 35 copies only printed upon writing paper, for presents.

This library was strikingly illustrative of the character of its LATE owner; for it is little more than a twelvemonth since he has been called away from that numerous and endearing circle, in the midst of which I saw him sitting, about a twelvemonth before his departure--the happiest of the happy--on the day of the nuptials of his youngest daughter but one, with Captain Beavan. His books were in fine condition throughout--gaily attired in appropriate bindings of calf or morocco, as the character and condition might be. His love of old classical _Manuscripts_ was properly and greatly beyond that of printed books: but each class was so marked and identified by his calligraphical MS. notes, that you were in a moment convinced his books were not purchased for the mere sake of gorgeous furniture. So entirely were his classical feelings mixed up with his Library, that he prefixed, over the entrance door of his oblong cabinet, in printed letters of gold, the following lines--of which the version is supplied from the "_Arundines Cami_," edited by his eldest son, the Rev. Henry Drury.

IN MUSEI MEI ADITU.

Pontificum videas penetralibus eruta lapsis
Antiquas Monachum vellera passa manus,
Et veteres puncto sine divisore Papyros,
Quæque fremit monstris litera picta suis:
Ætatis decimæ spectes Industria Quintæ:
Quam pulcra Archetypos imprimat arte Duces
ALDINAS ædes ineuns et limina JUNTÆ
Quosque suos Stephanus vellet habere Lares.

H.I.T.D.

OVER THE THRESHOLD OF MY LIBRARY.

From mouldering Abbey's dark Scriptorium brought,
See vellum tomes by Monkish labour wrought;
Nor yet the comma born, Papyri see,
And uncial letters wizard grammary;
View my _fifteeners_ in their rugged line;
What ink! what linen! only known long syne--
Entering where ALDUS might have fixed his throne,
Or Harry Stephens covetted his own.

H.D.

They were part and parcel of the _Owner_ himself. His mind was traceable in many a fly leaf. His latinity was perspicuity and accuracy itself. He was, in all respects, a ripe and a good scholar; and the late Provost of Eton (The Rev. Dr. Goodall) told me, on an occasion which has been, perhaps, too _emphasised_ in certain bibliographical pages,[476] that "England could not then produce a better Greek metrical scholar than his friend Henry Drury." What was remarkable, he never assumed an _ex Cathedrâ_ position in society. In bringing forward or pressing quotations, whatever fell from him, came easily and naturally, but rarely. Accustomed for many years to be the favourite of the _Harrovians_, he never affected the airs of the pedagogue. How he _could_ criticise, sufficiently appears in an article on the _Musæ Edinburgenses_ in an early number of the Quarterly Review.

[Footnote 476: _Bibliographical Decameron._ Dr. Goodall
always appeared to me to _affect_ irascibility upon the
subject alluded to. The contents might have been published
at Charing Cross.]

Yet this may be considered secondary matter; and I hasten to record the qualities of his heart and disposition. They were truly Christian-like; inasmuch as a fond and large spirit of benevolence was always beating in his bosom, and mantling over a countenance of singular friendliness of expression. He had the _power_ of saying sharp and caustic things, but he used his "giant-strength" with the gentleness of a child. His letters, of which many hundreds have fallen to my lot, are a perfect reflex of his joyous and elastic mind. There was not a pupil under his care who looked forward to a _holiday_ with more unqualified delight than _he_; and when we strayed together beneath, or upon the heights of, the Dover Cliffs (where I _last_ saw him, in the summer of 1840) he would expatiate, with equal warmth and felicity, upon the Abbey of St. Rhadagund, and the Keep of Dover Castle. Our visit to Barfreston Church, in the neighbourhood, can never be effaced from my mind. His mental enthusiasm and bodily activity could not have been exceeded by that of the Captain of Harrow School. He took up my meditated "History of the Dover" as if it were his own work; and his success, in cause of subscription, in most instances, was complete.

And now, after an intimacy (minutely recorded in my _Reminiscences_) of thirty-three years, it has pleased God to deprive me of his genial and heart-stirring society. His last moments were of those of a Christian--"rooted and built up" in THAT belief, which alone sustains us in the struggle of parting from those whom we cherish as the most idolised objects upon earth! It was towards sun-set that I first paused upon his tomb, in the church-yard, near the summit of Harrow Hill. For a few moments I was breathless--but _not_ from the steepness of the ascent. The inscription, I would submit, is too much in the "minor key." It was the production of his eldest son, who preferred to err from under-rating, rather than over-rating, the good qualities of his parent. For myself--

"As those we love decay, we die in part;
String after string is severed from the heart!"
&c. &c. &c.

THOMSON.

On the death of Mr. Drury, his small library, the remains of his former one, was sold by auction; and those classical books, interleaved, and enriched with his manuscript notes, brought large prices. One manuscript, of especial celebrity--_Childe Harold_--given him by the Author, his pupil, Lord Byron--became the property of its publisher, Mr. Murray; who purchased it upon terms at once marking his high sense of the talents of the author, and his respect for the family where it had been placed. It may be doubtful whether the autograph of any poem, since Paradise Lost, would have obtained a larger sum--had it been submitted to public sale.

RINALDO.--Rinaldo was the late Mr. EDWARDS; of the sale of whose library an extended account will be found in my Decameron. It remains, briefly, but emphatically, to remark, that of all the book heroes, whose valorous achievements are here recorded, TWO only have survived the lapse of thirty years. Let _half_ of another similar course of time roll on, and where will the SURVIVORS be? If not at rest in their graves, they will in all probability be "sans teeth, sans eyes, sans everything:"--at least, very far beyond "the lean and slippered pantaloon." Leaving my surviving friends to fight their own battles, I think I may here venture to say, in quiet simplicity and singleness of heart, that books, book-sales, and book-men, will then--if I am spared--pass before me as the faint reflex of "the light of OTHER DAYS!" ... when literary enterprise and literary fame found a proportionate reward; and when the sickly sentimentality of the novelist had not usurped the post of the instructive philologist. But enough of ROSICRUSIS.