No. 168. General Thumbissimo. The Spring reversed, or the Flanderkin's Opera and Dutch Pickle Herrings. The Creolean Fillip, or Royal Mishap. A Martial Telescope, &c., England's Passion Sunday, and April Changelings.

No. 170. Speech upon Speech. A Telescope for Tournay. No Battle, but worse, and the True Meaning of it. An Army Beaten and interred.

No. 174. Signs when the P. will come. Was Captain Sw----n a Prisoner on Parole, to be catechised? David's Opinion of like Times. The Seeds of the plot may rise, though the leaves fall. A Perspective, from the Blair of Athol, the Pretender's Popery. Murder! Fire! Where! Where!

No. 178. Taking Carlisle, catching an eel by the tail.

Address of a Bishop, Dean and Clergy. Swearing to the P----r, &c., Anathema denounced against those Parents, Masters, and Magistrates, that do not punish the Sin at Stokesley. A Speech, &c. A parallel between the Rebels to K.

Charles I. and those to his Successor. _Jane Cameron_ looked killing at _Falkirk_.

No. 179. Let stocks be knighted, write, Sir Banks, &c. the Ramhead Month. A Proof that the Writers against Popery fear it will be established in this Kingdom. A Scheme, wisely blabbed to root and branch the Highlanders. Let St. Patrick have fair play, &c.

Of ORATOR HENLEY I have not been able to collect any biographical details more interesting than those which are to be found in Warburton's notes to Pope's Dunciad.]

We are now, my dear Sir, descending rapidly to our own times; and, in a manner sufficiently rough, have traced the _History of the Bibliomania_ to the commencement of the present illustrious reign: when we discover, among its victims, a General, who had probably faced many a cannon, and stormed many a rampart, uninjured. The name of Dormer[42] will remind you of the small but choice library which affords such a melancholy proof of its owners' fate; while the more splendid examples of Smith[43] and West[44] serve to shew the increased ravages of a disease, which seemed to threaten the lives of all, into whose ears (like those of "Visto,") some demon had "whispered" the sound of "TASTE." These three striking instances of the fatality of the Bibliomania occurred--the first in the year 1764; and the latter in 1773. The following year witnessed the sale of the Fletewode[45] library; so that nothing but despair and havoc appeared to move in the train of this pestiferous malady. In the year 1775 died the famous Dr. Anthony Askew, another illustrious victim to the Bibliomania. Those who recollect the zeal and scholarship of this great book-collector, and the precious gems with which his library[46]

was stored from the cabinets of De Boze and Gaignat, as well as of Mead and Folkes, cannot but sigh with grief of heart on the thought of such a victim! How ardently, and how kindly [as I remember to have heard his friend Dr. Burges say], would Askew unfold his glittering stores--open the magnificent folio, or the shining duodecimo, UPON VELLUM, embossed and fast held together with golden knobs and silver clasps! How carefully would he unroll the curious MS.--decipher the half effaced characters--and then, casting an eye of ecstacy over the shelves upon which similar treasures were lodged, exult in the glittering prospect before him! But death--who, as Horace tells us, raps equally at the palaces of kings and cottages of peasants, made no scruple to exercise the knocker of the Doctor's door, and sent, as his avant-courier, THIS DEPLORABLE MANIA! It appeared; and even Askew, with all his skill in medicine and books, fell lifeless before it--bewailed, as he was beloved and respected!

[Footnote 42: "A Catalogue of the genuine and elegant Library of the late Sir C.C. DORMER, collected by Lieutenant-General James Dormer, which will be sold, &c., by Samuel Baker, at his house in York Street, Covent Garden; to begin on Monday, February the 20th, 1764, and to continue the nineteen following evenings." At the end of the catalogue we are told that the books were "in general of the best editions, and in the finest condition, many of them in _large paper_, bound in morocco, gilt leaves, &c."

This was a very choice collection of books, consisting almost entirely of Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish and French. The number of articles did not exceed 3082, and of volumes, probably not 7000. The catalogue is neatly printed, and copies of it on _large paper_ are exceedingly scarce.

Among the most curious and valuable articles were those numbered 599, 604, 2249, 2590; from no. 2680, to the end, was a choice collection of Italian and Spanish books.]

[Footnote 43: In the year 1755 was published at Venice, printed by J.B. Pasquali, a catalogue of the books of JOSEPH SMITH, Esq., Consul at Venice.

The catalogue was published under the following Latin title: "Bibliotheca Smitheana, seu Catalogus Librorum D. Josephi Smithii, Angli, per Cognomina Authorum dispositus, Venetiis, typis Jo. Baptistae Pasquali, M,DCCLV.;" in quarto; with the arms of Consul Smith. The title page is succeeded by a Latin preface of Pasquali, and an alphabetical list of 43 pages of the authors mentioned in the catalogue: then follow the books arranged alphabetically, without any regard to size, language, or subject. These occupy 519 pages, marked with the Roman numerals; after which are 66 pages, numbered in the same manner, of "addenda et corrigenda." The most valuable part of the volume is "The Prefaces and Epistles prefixed to those works in the Library which were printed in the 15th century:" these occupy 348 pages. A Catalogue, (in three pages) of the Names of the illustrious Men mentioned in these prefaces, &c., closes the book.

It would be superfluous to mention to bibliographers the rare articles contained in this collection, which are so generally known and so justly appreciated. They consist chiefly of early editions of _Italian_, _Greek_, and _Latin classics_; and of many copies of both printed UPON VELLUM.

The library, so rich in these articles, was, however, defective in English Literature and Antiquities. There was scarcely any thing of Shakspeare or Dugdale.

On the death of Mr. Smith in 1772, his collection was sold in 1773, 8vo., by Baker and Leigh; and the books were announced to the public, as being "in the finest preservation, and consisting of the very best and scarcest editions of the Latin, Italian, and French authors, from the invention of printing; with manuscripts and missals, upon vellum, finely illuminated." A glance upon the prices for which most of these fine books were sold made Mr. Cuthell exclaim, in my hearing, that "_they were given away_." On these occasions, one cannot help now and then wishing, with father Evander,

"O mihi praeteritos referat si Jupiter annos!"

On comparing Pasquali's, with the sale, catalogue, it will be obvious that a great number of rare and valuable articles was disposed of before the books came to public auction.

Indeed it is known that his present MAJESTY enriched his magnificent collection with many of the Consul's _first editions_, and _vellum copies_, during the life of the latter. The sale continued thirteen days only; and on the last day were sold all the English books in the _black-letter_. Some of these are rather curious.

Of CONSUL SMITH I am unable to present the lover of VIRTU with any particulars more acceptable than the following.

Pasquali (whose Latin preface is curious enough--abounding with as many interrogatories as Hamlet's soliloquies) has told us that "as the Consul himself was distinguished for his politeness, talents, and prudence, so was his house for splendid and elegant decorations. You might there view, says he, the most beautifully painted pictures, and exquisite ornaments, whether gems, vases, or engravings. In short, the whole furniture was so brilliant and classical that you admired at once the magnificence and judgment of the owner."

He tells us, a little further, that he had frequently solicited the Consul to print a catalogue of his books; which proposition his modesty at first induced him to reject; but, afterwards, his liberality, to comply with. He then observes that, "in the compilation of the catalogue, he has studied brevity as much as it was consistent with perspicuity; and that he was once desirous of stating the _value_ and _price_ of the books, but was dissuaded from it by the advice of the more experienced, and by the singular modesty of the Collector."

It must be confessed that Pasquali has executed his task well, and that the catalogue ranks among the most valuable, as well as rare, books of the kind.]

[Footnote 44: "BIBLIOTHECA WESTIANA; A catalogue of the curious and truly valuable library of the late James West, Esq., President of the Royal Society, deceased, &c.

Including the works of CAXTON, LETTOU, MACHLINIA, the anonymous ST. ALBANS SCHOOLMASTE [Transcriber's Note: Schoolmaster], WYNKYN DE WORDE, PYNSON, and the rest of the old English typographers. Digested by Samuel Paterson,"

1773, 8vo.

ANALYSIS OF THE CATALOGUE.

1. _Volumes of Miscellaneous Tracts._

These volumes extend from No. 148 to 200, from 915 to 992, from 1201 to 1330, and from No. 1401 to 1480.

2. _Divinity._

In the whole, 560 articles; probably about 1200 volumes; some of them exceedingly scarce and valuable.

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

There were about 700 volumes in these departments. The catalogues of English books, from that of Maunsell, in 1595, to the latest before Mr. West's time, were very complete.

The treatises on education and translations of the ancient classics comprehended a curious and uncommon collection. The Greek and Latin classics were rather select than rare.

4. _English Poetry, Romance, and Miscellanies._

This interesting part of the collection comprehended about 355 articles, or probably about 750 volumes: and if the singularly rare and curious books which may be found _under these heads alone_ were now concentrated in one library, the owner of them might safely demand 4000 guineas for such a treasure.

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

Two hundred and forty articles, or about 560 volumes.

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

Probably not more than 100 volumes.

7. _History and Antiquities._

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

8. _Heraldry and Genealogy._

A great number of curious and scarce articles may be found under these heads.

9. _Ancient Legends and Chronicles._

To the English antiquary, few departments of literature are more interesting that these. Mr. West seems to have paid particular attention to them, and to have enriched his library with many articles of this description, of the rarest occurrence. The lovers of Caxton, Fabian, Hardyng, Hall, Grafton, and Holinshed, may be highly gratified by inspecting the various editions of these old chroniclers. I entreat the diligent bibliographer to examine the first eight articles of page 209 of the catalogue. Alas, when will all these again come under the hammer at one sale?!

10. _Topography._

Even to a veteran, like the late Mr. GOUGH, such a collection as may be found from p. 217 to p. 239 of this catalogue, would be considered a first-rate acquisition. I am aware that the gothic wainscot, and stained glass windows, of _Enfield Study_ enshrined a still more exquisite topographical collection! But we are improved since the days of Mr. West; and every body knows to _whom_ these improvements are, in a great measure, to be attributed. When I call to mind the author of '_British Topography_' and '_Sepulchral Monuments_,' I am not insensible to the taste, diligence, and erudition of the "par nobile fratrum," who have gratified us with the '_Environs of London_,' '_Roman Remains_,' and the first two volumes of '_Magna Britannia_!'

The preceding is to be considered as a very general, and therefore superficial, analysis of the catalogue of Mr.

West's library; copies of it, with the sums for which the books were sold, are now found with difficulty, and bring a considerable price. I never saw or heard of one on LARGE PAPER!]

[Footnote 45: "A catalogue of rare books and tracts in various languages and faculties; including the _Ancient Conventual Library_ of Missenden-Abbey, in Buckinghamshire; together with some choice remains of that of the late eminent Serjeant at law, WILLIAM FLETEWODE, Esq., Recorder of London, in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth; among which are several specimens of the earliest Typography, foreign and English, including CAXTON, WYNKYN DE WORDE, PYNSON, and others; a fine collection of English Poetry, some scarce old law-books, a great number of old English plays, several choice MSS. upon vellum, and other subjects of literary curiosity. Also several of the best editions of the Classics, and modern English and French books. To begin _December_ 5, 1774, and the 17 following evenings, precisely at half an hour after five."

I am in possession of a _priced Catalogue_ of this collection, which once belonged to Herbert, and which contains all the purchasers' names, as well as the sums given. The purchasers were principally Herbert, Garrick, Dodd, Elmsley, T. Payne, Richardson, Chapman, Wagstaff, Bindley, and Gough. The following is a specimen of some curious and interesting articles contained in this celebrated library, and of the prices for which they once sold!

No. 172. _Bale's brefe Chronycle relating to Syr Johan Oldecastell_, 1544. The Life off the 70th Archbishopp off Canterbury presentleye sittinge, 1574, &c. Life of Hen.

Hills, Printer to O. Cromwell, _with the Relation of what passed between him and the Taylor's Wife in Black Friars_, 1688, _&c._ 0 7_s._ 9_d._