Harwood, at page 338, of his _View of the Editions of the Classics_, speaks of an uncut vellum Aldus, of 1504, 8vo.

"Mr. Quin shewed me a fine copy of it printed in vellum with the _leaves uncut_, which he bought of Mr. Egerton at a very moderate price. It is, perhaps (adds he), the only _uncut_ vellum Aldus in the world." From the joyous strain of this extract, the Doctor may be fairly suspected of having strongly exhibited this second symptom of the Bibliomania!]

BELIN. 'Tis very strange'--as Hamlet says at the walking of his father's ghost! But now for your ILLUSTRATED COPIES!

LYSAND. You have touched a vibrating string indeed!--but I will suppress my own feelings, and spare those of my friend. A passion for books _illustrated_, or adorned with _numerous Prints_[433]

representing characters, or circumstances, mentioned in the work, is a very general and violent symptom of the Bibliomania. The origin, or first appearance, of this symptom, has been traced by some to the publication of the Rev. ---- GRANGER'S "_Biographical History of England_;" but whoever will be at the pains of reading the preface of that work will see that Granger shelters himself under the authorities of EVELYN, ASHMOLE, and others; and that he _alone_ is not to be considered as responsible for all the mischief which this passion for collecting prints has occasioned. Granger, however, was the first who introduced it in the form of a history; and surely "in an evil hour"

was that history published; although its amiable author must be acquitted of "malice prepense."

[Footnote 433: This third symptom has not escaped the discerning eye of the Manchester physician; for thus sings Dr. Ferriar:

He pastes, from injur'd volumes snipt away, His _English Heads_ in chronicled array, Torn from their destin'd page (unworthy meed Of Knightly counsel, and heroic deed), Not _Faithorne's_ stroke, nor _Field's_ own types can save The gallant Veres, and one-eyed Ogle brave.

Indignant readers seek the image fled, And curse the busy fool who _wants a head_.

Proudly he shews, with many a smile elate, The scrambling subjects of the _private plate_ While Time their actions and their names bereaves, They grin for ever in the guarded leaves.

_The Bibliomania_; v. 119-130.

These are happy thoughts, happily expressed. In illustration of v. 123, the author observes,--"three fine heads, for the sake of which, the beautiful and interesting commentaries of Sir Francis Vere have been mutilated by collectors of English portraits." Dr. Ferriar might have added that, when a Grangerian bibliomaniac commences his ILLUSTRATING CAREER, he does not fail to make a desperate onset upon _Speed_, _Boissard_, and the _Heroologia_. Even the lovely prints of _Houbraken_ (in Dr. Birch's account of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain) escape not the ravages of his passion for illustration. The plates which adorn these books are considered among the foundation materials of a Grangerian building. But it is time, according to my plan, to introduce other sarcastic strains of poetry.

THIRD MAXIM.

Who, swearing not a line to miss, Doats on the leaf his fingers kiss, Thanking the _words_ for all his bliss,-- Shall rue, at last, his passion frustrate: _We_ love the page that draws its flavour From Draftsman, Etcher, and Engraver And hint the booby (by his favour) _His_ gloomy copy to "ILLUSTRATE."

_Bibliosophia_; p. v.

At this stage of our inquiries, let me submit a new remedy as an acquisition to the _Materia Medica_, of which many first-rate physicians may not be aware--by proposing a

=Recipe for Illustration.=

Take any passage from any author--to wit: the following (which I have done, quite at random) from SPEED: '_Henry le Spenser_, the warlike _Bishop of Norwich_, being drawn on by _Pope Vrban_ to preach _the Crusade_, and to be General against _Clement_ (whom sundry _Cardinals_ and great _Prelates_ had also elected Pope) having a fifteenth granted to him, for that purpose, by _parliament_,' &c. _Historie of Great Britaine_, p. 721, edit. 1632. Now, let the reader observe, here are _only four_ lines; but which, to be PROPERLY ILLUSTRATED, should be treated thus: 1st, procure all the portraits, at all periods of his life, of _Henry le Spencer_; 2dly, obtain every view, ancient and modern, like or unlike, of the city of _Norwich_; and, if fortune favour you, of _every Bishop of the same see_; 3dly, every portrait of _Pope Vrban_ must be procured; and as many prints and drawings as can give some notion of _the Crusade_--together with a few etchings (if there be any) of _Peter the Hermit_ and _Richard I._, who took such active parts in the Crusade; 4thly, you must search high and low, early and late, for every print of _Clement_; 5thly, procure, or you will be wretched, as many fine prints of _Cardinals_ and _Prelates_, singly or in groups, as will impress you with a proper idea of _the Conclave_; and 6thly, see whether you may not obtain, at some of our most distinguished old-print sellers, views of the _house of Parliament_ at the period (A.D.

1383.) here described!!! The result, gentle reader, will be this: you will have work enough cut out to occupy you for one whole month at least, from rise to set of sun--in parading the streets of our metropolis: nor will the expense in _coach_ hire, or _shoe leather_, be the least which you will have to encounter! The prints themselves may cost _some_thing! Lest any fastidious and cynical critic should accuse me, and with apparent justice, of gross exaggeration or ignorance in this _recipe_, I will inform him, on good authority, that a late distinguished and highly respectable female collector, who had commenced an ILLUSTRATED BIBLE, procured not fewer than _seven hundred prints_ for the illustration of the 20th, 21st, 22d, 23d, 24th, and 25th verses of the 1st chapter of Genesis! The illustrated copy of Mr. Fox's Historical work, mentioned in the first edition of this work, p. 63, is now in the possession of Lord Mountjoy. The similar copy of Walter Scott's edition of Dryden's works, which has upwards of 650 portraits, is yet in the possession of Mr. Miller, the bookseller.]

Granger's work seems to have sounded the tocsin for a general rummage after, and plunder of, old prints. Venerable philosophers, and veteran heroes, who had long reposed in unmolested dignity within the magnificent folio volumes which recorded their achievements, were instantly dragged forth from their peaceful abodes, to be inlaid by the side of some clumsy modern engraving, within an _Illustrated Granger_!

Nor did the madness stop here. Illustration was the order of the day; and _Shakspeare_[434] and _Clarendon_ became the next objects of its attack. From these it has glanced off, in a variety of directions, to adorn the pages of humbler wights; and the passion, or rather this symptom of the Bibliomania, yet rages with undiminished force. If judiciously treated, it is, of all the symptoms, the least liable to mischief. To possess a series of well-executed portraits of illustrious men, at different periods of their lives, from blooming boyhood to phlegmatic old age, is sufficiently amusing; but to possess _every_ portrait, _bad_, _indifferent_, and _unlike_, betrays such a dangerous and alarming symptom as to render the case almost incurable!

[Footnote 434: Lysander would not have run on in this declamatory strain, if it had been _his_ good fortune, as it has been _mine_, to witness the extraordinary copy of an ILLUSTRATED SHAKSPEARE in the possession of Earl Spencer; which owes its magic to the perseverance and taste of the Dowager Lady Lucan, mother to the present Countess Spencer.

For sixteen years did this accomplished Lady pursue the pleasurable toil of illustration; having commenced it in her 50th, and finished it in her 66th year. Whatever of taste, beauty, and judgment in decoration--by means of portraits, landscapes, houses, and tombs--flowers, birds, insects, heraldic ornaments, and devices,--could dress our immortal bard in a yet more fascinating form, has been accomplished by the noble hand which undertook so Herculean a task--and with a truth, delicacy, and finish of execution, which have been rarely equalled! These magnificent volumes (being the folio edition printed by Bulmer) are at once beautiful and secured by green velvet binding, with embossed clasps and corners of solid silver, washed with gold. Each volume is preserved in a silken cover--and the whole is kept inviolate from the impurities of bibliomaniacal miasmata, in a sarcophagus-shaped piece of furniture of cedar and mahogany.

What is the pleasure experienced by the most resolute antiquary, when he has obtained a peep at the inmost sarcophagus of the largest pyramid of Egypt, compared with that which a tasteful bibliomaniac enjoys upon contemplating this illustrated Shakespeare, now reposing in all the classical magnificence and congenial retirement of its possessor?--But why do I surpass Lysander in the warmth and vehemence of narration! And yet, let me not forget that the same noble owner has _another_ illustrated copy of the SAME BARD, on a smaller scale, of which mention has already been made in my account of the donor of it, the late George Steevens. Turn, gentle reader, for one moment, to page 428, ante. The illustrated CLARENDON, above hinted at by Lysander, is in the possession of Mr. H.A. Sutherland; and is, perhaps, a matchless copy of the author: every siege, battle, town, and house-view--as well as portrait--being introduced within the leaves. I will not even hazard a conjecture for how many _thousand pounds_ its owner might dispose of it, if the inclination of parting with it should ever possess him. The British Museum has recently been enriched with a similar copy of PENNANT'S _London_, on large paper. Prints and drawings of all descriptions, which could throw light upon the antiquities of our metropolis, are inserted in this extraordinary copy, which belonged to the late Mr. Crowles; who expended 2000_l._ upon the same, and who bequeathed it, in the true spirit of _virt_, to the Museum. Let CRACHERODE and CROWLES be held in respectful remembrance!]

There is another mode of _illustrating copies_ by which this symptom of the Bibliomania may be known; it consists in bringing together, from different works, [including newspapers and magazines, and by means of the scissars, or otherwise by transcription] every page or paragraph which has any connexion with the character or subject under discussion. This is a useful[435] and entertaining mode of illustrating a favourite author; and copies of works of this nature, when executed by skilful hands, should be deposited in public libraries; as many a biographical anecdote of eminent literary characters is preserved in consequence. I almost ridiculed the idea of an _Illustrated Chatterton_, 'till the sight of your friend BERNARDO'S copy, in eighteen volumes, made me a convert to the utility that may be derived from a judicious treatment of this symptom of the Bibliomania: and indeed, of a rainy day, the same bibliomaniac's similar copy of _Walton's Complete Angler_ affords abundant amusement in the perusal.

[Footnote 435: Numerous are the instances of the peculiar use and value of copies of this kind; especially to those who are engaged in publications of a similar nature. OLDYS'S _interleaved Langbaine_ (of Mr. Reed's transcript of which a copy is in the possession of Mr. Heber) is re-echoed in almost every recent work connected with the belles-lettres of our country. Oldys himself was unrivalled in this method of illustration; if, exclusively of Langbaine, his copy of _Fuller's Worthies_ [once Mr. Steevens', now Mr. Malone's.

See _Bibl. Steevens_, no. 1799] be alone considered! This Oldys was the oddest mortal that ever wrote. Grose, in his _Olio_, gives an amusing account of his having "a number of small parchment bags inscribed with the names of the persons whose lives he intended to write; into which he put every circumstance and anecdote he could collect, and from thence drew up his history." See Noble's _College of Arms_, p. 420.

Thus far the first edition of this work; p. 64. It remains to add that, whatever were the singularities and capriciousness of Oldys, his talents were far beyond mediocrity; as his publication of the _Harleian Miscellany_, and _Raleigh's History of the World_, abundantly prove. To the latter, a life of Raleigh is prefixed; and the number of pithy, pleasant, and profitable notes subjoined shew that Oldys's bibliographical talents were not eclipsed by those of any contemporary. His _British Librarian_ has been more than once noticed in the preceding pages: vide p. 51: 468.

There is a portrait of him, in a full-dressed suit and bag-wig, in one of the numbers of the European Magazine; which has the complete air of a fine gentleman. Let me just observe, in elucidation of what Lysander above means by this latter mode of illustrating copies, that in the Bodleian library there is a copy of _Kuster's edition of Suidas_ filled, from beginning to end, with MS. notes and excerpts of various kinds, by the famous D'Orville, tending to illustrate the ancient lexicographer.]

LIS. Forgive me, if I digress a little. But is not the knowledge of _rare_, _curious_, and _beautiful Prints_--so necessary, it would seem, towards the perfecting of _illustrated copies_--is not this knowledge of long and difficult attainment?

LYSAND. Unquestionably, this knowledge is very requisite towards becoming a complete pupil in the SCHOOL OF GRANGER.[436] Nor is it, as you very properly suppose, of short or easy acquirement.

[Footnote 436: GRANGER'S _Biographical History of England_ was first published, I believe, in 1769, 4to., 2 vols. It has since undergone four impressions; the last being in 1804, 8vo., 4 vols. _A Continuation of the same_, by the Rev. MARK NOBLE, was published in 1807, 8vo., 3 vols.: so that if the lover of rare and curious prints get possession of these volumes, with AMES'S _Catalogue of English Heads_, 1748, 8vo.; and WALPOLE'S _Catalogue of Engravers_, 1775, 8vo.; BROMLEY'S _Catalogue of Engraved Portraits_, 1793, 4to.; together with Catalogues of English Portraits, being the collections of Mr. BARNARD, Sir W. MUSGRAVE, Mr. TYSSEN, Sir JAMES-WINTER LAKE; and many other similar catalogues put forth by Mr. RICHARDSON and Mr. GRAVE; he may be said to be in a fair way to become master of the whole arcana of PRINT-COLLECTING. But let him take heed to the severe warning-voice uttered by ROWE MORES, in his criticism upon the Catalogue of English Heads, published by Ames: 'This performance (says the splenetic and too prophetic critic) is not to be despised: judiciously executed, a work of this sort would be an appendage entertaining and useful to the readers of English biography; and it ought to be done at the common labour, expense, and charges of these _Iconoclasts_--because their depredations are a grand impediment to another who should attempt it: and if this _got_ for prints and thieving continues, let private owners and public libraries look well to their books, for there will not remain a valuable book ungarbled by their connoisseuring villany: for neither honesty nor oaths restrain them. Yet these _fanciers_, if prints themselves are to be collected, instead of being injurious to every body, might make themselves serviceable to posterity, and become a kind of _medalists_ (who, by the bye, are almost as great thieves as themselves, though the hurt they do is not so extensive, as it lies chiefly among themselves, who all hold this doctrine, that "exchange is no robbery;" but, if they could filch without exchanging, no scruple of conscience would prevent them): we say they might render themselves useful to posterity, by gathering together the historical, political, satyrical, anecdotal and temporal pieces, with which the age abounds; adding an explanation of the intent and meaning for the instruction and amusement of times to come. The misfortune is, they must buy the one, but they can steal the other; and steal they will, although watched with the eyes of Argus: unless the valuables, like some other _jocalia_, are shewn to them through a grate; and even _then_, the keeper must be vigilant!' _Of English Founders and Foundries_; p. 85. This extract is curious on account of the tart, but just, sentiments which prevail in it; but, to the bibliomaniac, it is doubly curious, when he is informed that _only eighty copies_ of this Typographical Treatise (of 100 pages--including the Appendix) were printed. The author was a testy, but sagacious, bibliomaniac, and should have been introduced among his brethren in PART V. It is not, however, too late to subjoin the following: _Bibliotheca Moresiana. A Catalogue of the Large and Valuable Library of Printed Books, rare old tracts, Manuscripts, Prints, and Drawings, Copper Plates, sundry Antiquities, Philosophical Instruments, and other Curiosities, of that eminent British Antiquary_, the late Rev. and learned EDWARD ROWE MORES, F.A.S., deceased, &c.

Sold by auction by Mr. Patterson, August 1779. This collection exhibited, like its owner, a strange mixture of what was curious, whimsical, and ingenious in human nature.

There were 2838 lots of printed books. _The rare old black-letter books and tracts_, begin at p. 52.]

ALMAN. How so? A very little care, with a tolerably good taste, is only required to know when a print is _well engraved_.

LYSAND. Alas, Madam! the excellence of engraving is oftentimes but a _secondary_ consideration!

BELIN. Do pray explain.

LYSAND. I will, and as briefly and perspicuously as possible.

There are, first, _all the varieties of the same print_[437] to be considered!--whether it have the _name of the character_, or _artist_, omitted or subjoined: whether the head of the print be without the body, or the body without the head--and whether this latter be finished, or in the outline, or ghostly white! Then you must go to _the dress_ of this supposed portrait:--whether full or plain; court or country-fashioned: whether it have a hat, or no hat; feather, or no feather; gloves, or no gloves; sword, or no sword; and many other such momentous points.

[Footnote 437: The reader, by means of the preceding note, having been put in possession of some of the principal works from which information, relating to PRINT-COLLECTING may be successfully gleaned, it remains for me--who have been described as sitting in a corner to compile notes for Lysander's text-discourse--to add something by way of illustration to the above sweeping satire. One or the other of the points touched upon in the text will be found here more particularly elucidated.

CATALOGUE OF BARNARD'S PRINTS; 1798, 8vo.

7th Day's Sale.

NO. 47. Sir Thos. Isham de Lamport, by Loggan and Valck; _before the names of the artists, very fine_. 5 5_s._ 0_d._

68. King Charles I. on horseback, with the page, by Lombard; _very fine and scarce_. 1 14 0

69. The same plate; _with Cromwell's head substituted for the King's--variation in the drapery_. 3 6 0

70. The same: a curious proof--_the face blank and no inscription at bottom--drapery of the page different_--and other variations. 1 2 0

90. Catharine, queen of K. Charles II.; _in the dress in which she arrived: very scarce_. By Faithorne. 4 16 0

97. Queen Elizabeth; habited in the superb court dress in which she went to St. Paul's to return thanks for the defeat of the Spanish Armada--by Passe; from a painting of Isaac Oliver. 6 12 6

[I have known from 14_l._ to 20_l._ given for a fine impression of this curious print: but I am as well pleased with Mr. Turner's recently published, and admirably executed, facsimile mezzotint engraving of it; a proof of which costs 1_l._ 1_s._ Every member of the two Houses--and every land and sea Captain--ought to hang up this print in his sitting-room.]

Eighth day's Sale.

6. Esther before Ahasuerus: engraved by Hollar; _first impression; with the portraits at top; curious and extremely rare_. 16 0 0

199. Jo. Banfi Hunniades; _proof; very fine and rare_. By the same. 2 7 0

200. The same print, _with variations_. By the same. 3 15 0

202. The Stone-eater; _with his history below_. By the same.

_Very rare._ 4 4 0

248. Sir Thomas Chaloner; by the same. _A proof impression.

One of the scarcest prints in existence._ 59 17 0