Next let us discuss the serious subject of the _background_!--whether it be square or oval; dark or light; put in or put out; stippled or stroked; and sundry other similar, but most important, considerations.

Again; there are engravings of _different sizes_, and _at different periods_, of the same individual, or object: and of these, the varieties are as infinite as of any of those attached to the vegetable system. I will not attempt even an outline of them. But I had nearly forgotten to warn you, in your REMBRANDT _Prints_, to look sharply after _the Burr_!

ALMAN. Mercy on us--what is this _Burr_?!

LYSAND. A slight imperfection only; which, as it rarely occurs, makes the impression more valuable. It is only a sombre tinge attached to the copper, before the plate is sufficiently polished by being worked; and it gives a smeared effect, like smut upon a lady's face, to the impression! But I am becoming satirical. Which is the next symptom that you have written down for me to discourse upon?

LIS. I am quite attentive to this delineation of a _Print Connoisseur_; and will not fail to mark _all the_ REMBRANDT[438]

_varieties_, and take heed to the _Burr_!

[Footnote 438: All the book and print world have heard of DAULBY'S _Descriptive Catalogue of the works of Rembrandt_, &c. Liverpool, 1796, 8vo. The author's collection of Rembrandt's prints (according to a MS. note prefixed to my copy of it, which is upon _large paper_ in 4to.--of which _only fifty_ impressions were struck off) was sold at Liverpool, in 1799, in one lot; and purchased by Messrs.

Colnaghi, Manson, and Vernon, for 610_l._ It was sold in 1800, in separate lots, for 650_l._, exclusively of every expense; after the purchasers had been offered 800_l._ for the same. Some of these prints came into the possession of the late Mr. Woodhouse (vide p. 441, ante); and it is from the Catalogue of _his_ Collection of prints that I present the reader with the following

REMBRANDTIANA;

beseeching him to take due heed to what Lysander has above alluded to by _all the Varieties and the Burr_!

Lot 5 Daulby 30. Abraham entertaining the three angels; _very_ fine, _with the burr, on India paper_. 2 18_s._ 0_d._

10 43. The Angel appearing to the Shepherds; _very fine, presque unique_. 6 0 0

14 56. The flight into Egypt, in the style of Elsheimer; _on India paper, the 1st impression, extremely rare_. 4 16 0

22 75. The Hundred Guilder Piece. This impression on India paper, _with the burr_, is acknowledged by the greatest connoisseurs in this kingdom to be the most brilliant extant. 42 0 0

23 75. Ditto, restored plate, by Capt. Baillie, _likewise on India paper, and very fine_. 2 12 6

25 77. The Good Samaritan; _the 1st impression with the white tail_, most beautifully finished, with a light point, and fine hand; very fine and rare. 6 6 0

27 79. Our Lord before Pilate, _second impression on India paper_, fine _and_ scarce. 5 15 6

28 79. Same subject, third impression, _with the mask, extremely rare_: from the collection of the Burgomaster Six.

4 4 0

30 84. The Descent from the Cross. This print is beautifully executed, the composition is grand, and the head full of character; _1st and most brilliant impression_. 15 15 0

39 117. The Rat-killer; _a most beautiful impression_. 3 3 0

42 126. The Marriage of Jason and Creusa; _a 1st impression, without the crown_, on India paper, very brilliant. 4 10 0

45 152. The Hog; a remarkably fine impression, from Houbraken's collection: _scarce_. 1 14 0

46 154. The Shell. This piece is finely executed, and this impression, _with the white ground, may be regarded as presque unique_. 9 10 0

47 178. Ledikant, or French Bed. _This is the entire plate, and is a very great rarity._ 4 14 6

56 194. The Woman with the Arrow: _very scarce_. 2 15 0

61 204. The Three Trees; _as fine as possible_. 6 10 0

63 209. A Village near a high road, arched: _1st impression on India paper, before the cross hatchings_: scarce. 4 14 6

67 213. A landscape of an irregular form; _1st impression, with the burr, very scarce_. 5 0 0

82 232. Blement de Jonge; _1st impression, the upper bar of the chair is left white, extremely rare_. 2 7 0

83 252. Ditto, _second impression_, very _scarce_. 1 7 0

84 252. Ditto, third impression, _very_ fine. 2 10 0

85 253. Abraham France, _with the curtain, on India paper_.

5 5 0

86 353. [Transcriber's Note: 253.] Ditto: _with the chair_.

3 18 0

87 254. Ditto; _with the figures on the paper which he holds in his wands_. All these impressions are rare and fine. 5 10 0

88 254. Old Haaring or Haring, the Burgo-master; _beautiful impression on India paper, with the burr, extremely rare_. 7 7 0

89 255. Young Haaring, beautiful impression from Houbraken's collection; _scarce_. 6 6 0

90 256. John Lutma; _1st impression before the window_, &c.

_extremely rare_. 4 10 3

93 257. John Aselyn; _1st impression, with the easel, extremely rare_. 9 2 0

97 259. Wtenbogardus, the Dutch Minister; a most beautiful and brilliant impression, oval, on a square plate; _proof, before the pillar, arch, verses, or any inscription: presque unique_. 9 19 6

99 261. The Gold Weigher; _1st impression, with_ THE FACE BLANK, _extremely rare_. 10 10 0

100 261. Ditto; _a most beautiful and brilliant impression; and esteemed the_ finest _extant_. From the collection of Capt. Baillie. 21 0 0

101 262. The Little Coppenol, with the picture; _the second and rarest impression, generally esteemed the 1st_; from the Earl of Bute's collection. 7 7 0

102 262. Ditto; without the picture, very fine. 1 13 0

103 263. The great Coppenol, remarkably fine. 4 14 6

104 265. The Advocate Tol; _a superb impression, extremely rare with the copy_. 54 12 0

145 265. The Burgo-master Six; _a most extraordinary impression, the name and age of the Burgo-master are wanting, and the two middle figures in the date are reversed: a very great rarity_. 36 15 0

Perhaps the finest collection of REMBRANDT'S PRINTS, in great Britain, is that in the possession of Lord Viscount Fitzwilliam, at Richmond; a nobleman of extremely retired habits, and equally distinguished for his taste, candour, and erudition. His Paintings and Books are of the very first class.]

LYSAND. Do so; and attend the shops of Mr. Richardson, Mr. Woodburn, and Mr. Grave, and you may soon have a chance of gratifying your appetite in these strange particulars. But beware of a HOGARTH rage!

LIS. Is that so formidable?