Biblia Sacra Polyglotta; Ximenis; _Complut._ Folio, 1516, &c., 6 vols.

(See page 407, ante; for a brief account of this extraordinary copy.)

Plutarchi Vitae (Lat.); _Venet._ _N. Jenson._ Folio, 1478.

vol. 1.

Aristotelis Opera Varia (Lat.); _Venet._ Folio, 1483.

3 vols.

(This was the Pinelli copy, and was purchased for 73_l._ 10_s._)

Statii Achilles; _Brixiae._ Folio, 1485.

Chroniques de France, dictes de St. Denys; _Paris._ Folio, 1493.

vol. 2 & 3.

Anthologia Graeca; _Florent._ Quarto, 1494.

Lancelot du Lac; _Paris._ _Verard_, Folio, 1494.

vol. 2.

Boccace des nobles Malheureux; _ibid._ Folio, 1494.

Appollonius Rhodius; _Florent._ Quarto, 1496.

Destruction de Troy le Grant; _Paris._ Folio, 1498.

Poliphili Hyperonotomachia; _Venet._ Folio, 1499.

Mer des Histores; _Paris._ Folio, (no date) 2 vols.

Monstrelet Chronique de; _Paris._ Folio, (no date) 3 vols.

Roman de la Rose; _Paris._ _Verard._ Folio, (no date) ---- de Tristan; _ibid._ _id._ (no date) ---- d' Ogier le Danois; _ibid._ _id._ (no date) ---- de Melis et Lenin; _ibid._ _id._ (no date)

I have heard that Count M'Carthy's books do not exceed 4000 in number; and of these, perhaps, no private collector in Europe has an equal number printed upon vellum. In our own country, however, the finest VELLUM LIBRARY in the world might be composed from the collections of His Majesty, the Duke of Marlborough, Earl Spencer, Sir M.M. Sykes, Bart., Mr. Johnes, Mr. Coke, and the Quin collection. Yet let us not forget the finest _vellum copy_ in the world of the first edition of _Aristotle's works_ (wanting one volume) which may be seen in the library of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Of Mr. Edward's _similar_ copy _of the first Livy_, Lysander and myself (vide Part III.) have spoken like honest bibliomaniacs. Earl Spencer possesses the rival volume, printed by the same printers, (Sweynheym and Pannartz) and upon the same material, in his Pliny Senior of 1470--But let all quiet bibliomaniacs wait with patience till the work of Mons. Praet upon this subject, alluded to at p. 68, ante, shall have made its appearance! and then--let us see whether we can prevail upon some Gnome to transport to us, through the 'thin air,' Pynson's '_Ship of Fools_' UPON VELLUM!!]

LIS. Are we as successful in printing upon vellum as were our forefathers?

LYSAND. Certainly not; if we except some of the works from the press of Bodoni--which are oftentimes truly brilliant. But the fault, in general, is rather in the preparation of the vellum than in the execution of the press-work.

LOREN. You have seen, Lisardo, my small volumes of '_Heures_,' or '_Missals_,' as they are called; some of them in MS. and others in print--and what can be more delicate than the texture of the vellum leaves, or more perfect than the execution of penmanship and printing?

ALMAN. I have often set whole hours, my dear brother, in contemplating with rapture the sparkling radiance of these little volumes; and wish in my heart I had a few favourite authors executed in a similar manner! I should like to employ Bodoni[446] for life.

[Footnote 446: It is not because Bodoni printed better than our popular printers--that his books upon vellum are more beautiful than those produced by the London presses--but that the Italian vellum (made of the abortive calf) is, in general, more white and delicate. There is not, perhaps, a lovelier little VELLUM BOOK in existence than the _Castle of Otranto_, printed by Bodoni in 1796, 8vo. A copy of this, with the plates worked on white satin, was in the collection of Mr. G.G. Mills; and sold at the sale of his books in 1800; no. 181; see p. 447, ante. From the former authority it would appear that only six copies were printed in this manner. By the kindness of Mr. Edwards, I am in possession of a '_Lettera Pastorale_' of Fr. Adeodato Turchi--a small tract of 38 pages--printed upon paper, by Bodoni, in a style of uncommon delicacy: having all the finish and picturesque effect of copper-plate execution. But the chef d'oeuvre of Bodoni seems to be an edition of _Homer_, in three great folio volumes, each consisting of 370 pages, with the text only. The artist employed six years in the preparations, and the printing occupied eighteen months. One hundred and forty copies only were struck off.

The copy presented to Bonaparte was UPON VELLUM, of a size and brilliancy altogether unparalleled. _American Review_, no. 1., p. 171. January, 1811. In our admiration of Bodoni, let us not forget DIDOT: who printed a single copy of _Voltaire's Henriade_ UPON VELLUM, in quarto, with a brilliancy of execution, and perfection of vellum, which can never be suppassed [Transcriber's Note: surpassed]. This copy formerly belonged to a Farmer General, one of Didot's most intimate friends, who perished in the Revolution. Didot also printed a number of copies of French translations of English works, upon the same material: so correct, beautiful, and tasteful, that Mr. Bulmer assures me nothing could exceed it. All these small richly-feathered birds were once here, but have now taken their flight to a warmer climate. Our modern books upon vellum are little short of being downright wretched. I saw the _Life of Nelson_, in two large quartos, printed in this manner; and it would have been the first work which I should have recommended a first-rate collector to have thrown out of his library.[G]

Many of the leaves were afflicted with the jaundice beyond hope of cure. The censure which is here thrown out upon others reaches my own doors: for I attempted to execute a single copy of my _Typographical Antiquities_ upon vellum, with every possible attention to printing and to the material upon which it was to be executed. But I failed in every point: and this single wretchedly-looking book, had I presevered [Transcriber's Note: persevered] in executing my design, would have cost me about _seventy-five_ guineas!]

[Footnote G: This book was printed at Bolt Court during the apprenticeship of the printer of this edit. of Biblio., who speaking from remembrance, ventures to suggest that the above remark is rather too strong--although there was confessedly a great deal of trouble in procuring good vellum. He believes only _one_ copy was done; it was the property of Alexander Davidson, Esq. Banker, and, being in his library in Ireland, when the mansion was burned down, it was destroyed. He had insured it for 600--the Insurance office disputed his claim, and a trial at Dublin took place.

The late Mr. Bensley was subpoenaed to give evidence of its value, but, being reluctant to go, he persuaded the parties that Warwick, one of his pressmen, who worked it off, was a better witness; he accordingly went, his evidence succeeding in establishing Mr. Davidson's claim. This same Warwick worked off many of the splendid specimens of typography mentioned in _Bibliomania_, being one of the very best workmen in the Printing business--particularly in wood-cuts. He afterwards became private printer to the late Sir Egerton Bridges, Bart., at Lee Priory--and is long since dead.]

LIS. I could go on, 'till midnight, indulging my wishes of having favourite books printed upon vellum leaves; and at the head of these I would put _Crammer's Bible_ for I want scholarship sufficient to understand the _Complutensian Polyglott of Cardinal Ximenes_.[447]

[Footnote 447: See pages 160, 407, ante.]

BERLIN. [Transcriber's Note: Belin.] So much for the _Vellum Symptom_.

Proceed we now to the _sixth_: which upon looking at my memoranda, I find to be the FIRST EDITIONS. What is the meaning of this odd symptom?

LYSAND. From the time of Ancillon to Askew, there has been a very strong desire expressed for the possesssion [Transcriber's Note: possession] of _original_ or _first published editions_[448] of works; as they are in general superintended and corrected by the author himself, and, like the first impressions of prints are considered more valuable. Whoever is possessed with a passion for collecting books of this kind, may unquestionably be said to exhibit a strong symptom of the Bibliomania: but such a case is not quite hopeless, nor is it deserving of severe treatment or censure. All bibliographers have dwelt on the importance of these editions[449] for the sake of collation with subsequent ones; and of detecting, as is frequently the case, the carelessness displayed by future editors. Of such importance is the _first edition Shakspeare_[450] considered, on the score of correctness, that a fac-simile reprint of it has been recently published. In regard to the Greek and Latin Classics, the possession of these original editions is of the first consequence to editors who are anxious to republish the legitimate text of an author. Wakefield, I believe, always regretted that the first edition of Lucretius had not been earlier inspected by him. When he began _his_ edition, the Editio Princeps was not (as I have understood) in that storehouse of almost every thing which is exquisite and rare in ancient and modern classical literature--need I add the library of Earl Spencer?[451]

[Footnote 448: All German and French bibliographers class these FIRST EDITIONS among rare books; and nothing is more apt to seduce a noviciate in bibliography into error than the tempting manner in which, by aid of capital or italic types, these EDITIONES PRIMARIae or _Editiones Principes_ are set forth in the most respectable catalogues published abroad as well as at home. But before we enter into particulars, we must not forget that this sixth sympton [Transcriber's Note: symptom] of the Bibliomania has been thus pungently described in the poetical strains of an "aspirant!"

SIXTH MAXIM.

Who of Editions recks the least, But, when that hog, his mind would feast Fattens the intellectual beast With old, or new, without ambition,-- I'll teach the pig to soar on high, (If pigs had pinions, by the bye) How'er the _last_ may _satisfy_, The _bonne bouche_ is the "FIRST EDITION."

_Bibliosophia_; p. VI.

These first editions are generally, with respect to foreign works, printed in the fifteenth or in the early part of the sixteenth century: and indeed we have a pretty rich sprinkling of a similar description of first editions executed in our own country. It is not, therefore, without justice that we are described, by foreign bibliographers, as being much addicted to this class of books: "With what avidity, and at what great prices, this character of books is obtained by the Dutch, and _especially by the English_, the very illustrious Zach. Conrad ab Uffenbach shews, in the preface to the second volume of his catalogue." Vogt; p.

xx., edit. 1793. There is a curious and amusing article in Bayle (English edition, vol i., 672, &c.) about the elder Ancillon, who frankly confessed that he "was troubled with the Bibliomania, or disease of buying books." Mr. D'Israeli says that he "always purchased _first editions_, and never waited for second ones," but I find it, in the English Bayle, note D, "he chose _the best_ editions." The manner in which Ancillon's library was pillaged by the Ecclesiastics of Metz (where it was considered as the most valuable curiosity in the town) is thus told by Bayle: "Ancillon was obliged to leave Metz: a company of Ecclesiastics, of all orders, came from every part, to lay hands on this fine and copious library, which had been collected with the utmost care during forty years. They took away a great number of the books together; and gave a little money, as they went out, to a young girl, of twelve or thirteen years of age, who looked after them, that they might have it to say they had _paid for them_. Thus Ancillon saw that valuable collection dispersed, in which, as he was wont to say, his chief pleasure and even his heart was placed!"--Edit. 1734.

A pleasant circumstance, connected with our present subject, occurred to the Rev. Dr. Charles Burney. At a small sale of books which took place at Messrs. King and Lochee's, some few years ago, the Doctor sent a commission, for some old grammatical treatises; and calling with Mr. Edwards to see the success of the commission, the latter, in the true spirit of bibliomaniacism, pounced upon an anciently-bound book, in the lot, which turned out to be--nothing less than the _first edition_ of MANILIUS by Regiomontanus: one of the very scarcest books in the class of those of which we are treating! By the liberality of the purchaser, this _primary bijou_ now adorns the noble library of the Bishop of Ely.]

[Footnote 449: An instance of this kind may be adduced from the _first edition_ of Fabian, printed in 1516; of which Chronicle Messrs. Longman, Hurst, and Co. have just published a new edition, superintended by Mr. H. Ellis, and containing various readings from all the editions at the foot of the text. "The antiquary," says the late Mr. BRAND, "is desired to consult the edition of Fabian, printed by Pynson, in 1516, because there are others, and I remember to have seen one in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, with a continuation to the end of Queen Mary, 1559, in which the language is much modernized." _Shakspeare_, edit. 1803, vol.

xviii., pp. 85, 86. See also what has been before said (p.

233.) of an _after_ edition of Speed.]

[Footnote 450: A singular story is "extant" about the purchase of the late Duke of Roxburgh's copy of the first edition of Shakspeare. A friend was bidding for him in the sale-room: his Grace had retired to one end of the room, coolly to view the issue of the contest. The biddings rose quickly to 20 guineas; a great sum in former times: but the Duke was not to be daunted or defeated. A slip of paper was handed to him, upon which the propriety of continuing the contest was suggested. His Grace took out his pencil; and, with a coolness which would have done credit to Prince Eugene, he wrote on the same slip of paper, by way of reply--

lay on Macduff!

And d----d be he who first cries "Hold, enough!"

Such a spirit was irresistible, and bore down all opposition. The Duke was of course declared victor, and he marched off, triumphantly, with the volume under his arm.

Lord Spencer has a fine copy of this first edition of Shakspeare, collated by Steevens himself.]

[Footnote 451: We raise the column to the hero who has fought our battles by sea or land; and we teach our children to look up with admiration and reverence towards an object so well calculated to excite the best sympathies of the human heart. All this is well; and may it never be neglected! But there are other characters not less noble, and of equal glory to a great nation like our own; and they are those who, to the adventitious splendour of hereditary rank, add all the worth and talent of a private condition, less exposed to temptation, and suited to the cultivation of peaceful and literary pursuits. Such a character is GEORGE JOHN EARL SPENCER! A nobleman, not less upright and weighty in the senate than polished and amiable in private life; who, cool and respected amidst the violence of party, has filled two of the most important offices of state in a manner at once popular and effective; and who, to his general love of the fine arts, and acquaintance with classical literature, has superadded the noble achievement of having collected the finest private library in Europe!

The reader has already met with sufficient mention of this collection to justify what is here said in commendation of it.... In the deepest recess of Althorpe Park--where the larch and laurustinus throw their dark yet pleasing shade--and where

----pinus ingens, albaque populus Umbram hospitalem consociare amant Ramis--

let the Doric Temple be raised, with its white-marbled columns, sacred to the memory of this ILLUSTRIOUS NOBLEMAN!

Let his bust, in basso-relievo, with appropriate embellishments, adorn the most conspicuous compartment within: and peace and virtue, and filial affection, will, I am sure, be the guardians of so cherished a spot!

[Illustration: ARMS OF EARL SPENCER.

DIEU DEFEND LE DROIT]]

It must not, however, be forgotten that, if first editions are, in some instances, of great importance, they are in many respects superfluous, and only incumber the shelves of a collector; inasmuch as the labours of subsequent editors have corrected the errors of their predecessors, and superseded, by a great fund of additional matter, the necessity of consulting them. Thus, not to mention other instances (which present themselves while noticing the present one), all the fine things which Colomies and Reimannus have said about the rarity of La Croix du Maine's Bibliotheque, published in 1584, are now unnecessary to be attended to, since the publication of the ample and excellent edition of this work by De La Monnoye and Juvigny, in six quarto volumes, 1772.

LIS. Upon the whole, I should prefer the best to the first edition; and you, Lorenzo, may revel in the possession of your _first Shakespeare_--but give me the last Variorum edition _in twenty-one volumes_.

LOREN. "Chacun a son gout," yet it may be as well to possess them _both_. Indeed, I not only have these editions, but a great number of the early plays printed in quarto;[452] which are considered the _ne plus ultra_ of Shakspearian bibliomaniacism.

[Footnote 452: A pretty copious list of these valuable early plays will be found at pages 431-2-3-4, ante.]

BELIN. Much good may these wretchedly printed volumes do you! Now let me proceed with my pupil. Tell us, good Lysander, what can you possibly mean by the _seventh symptom_ of the Bibliomania, called TRUE EDITIONS?

LYSAND. My definition of this strange symptom will excite your mirth.[453] Some copies of a work are struck off with deviations from the usually received ones, and although these deviations have generally neither sense nor beauty to recommend them (and indeed are principally _defects_!), yet copies of this description are eagerly sought after by collectors of a certain class. What think you of such a ridiculous passion in the book-way?

[Footnote 453: Observing the usual order of notification, we will first borrow the poetical aid of "an aspirant:"