LYSAND. In the _second place_, the reprinting of scarce and intrinsically valuable works is another means of preventing the propagation of this disorder. Amidst all our present sufferings under the BIBLIOMANIA, it is some consolation to find discerning and spirited booksellers republishing the ancient Chroniclers; and the collections known by the names of "_The Harleian Miscellany_" and "_Lord Somers' Tracts_," and "_The Voyages of Hakluyt_."[464] These are noble efforts, and richly deserve the public patronage.

[Footnote 464: In the _Quarterly Review_ for August, 1810, this my second remedy for curing the disease of the Bibliomania is considered as inefficient. I have a great respect for this Review, but I understand neither the premises nor conclusions therein laid down concerning the subject in discussion. If "those who cannot afford to purchase original publications must be content with entire reprints of them" (I give the very words, though not the entire sentence), it surely tends to lessen the degree of competition for "the original publication." A sober reader, or an economical book-buyer, wants a certain tract on the ground of its utility:--but take my own case--who have very few hundreds per annum to procure food for the body as well as the mind. I wish to consult Roy's tract of "Rede me and be not wroth," (vide p. 226, ante)--or the "Expedition into Scotland" of 1544 (see Mr. Beloe's _Anecdotes of Literature and Scarce Books_, vol. ii., p. 345), because these are really interesting, as well as rare, volumes. There is at present no reprint of either; and can I afford to bid ten or twelve guineas for each of them at a public book-sale?

But--let them be faithfully _reprinted_, and even a golden guinea (if such a coin be now in the pocket of a poor bibliomaniac like myself) would be considered by me as _dear_ terms upon which to purchase the _original_ edition!

The reviewer has illustrated his position by a model of the Pigot diamond; and intimates that this model does not "lessen the public desire to possess the original." Lord Mansfield once observed that nothing more frequently tended to perplex an argument than a simile--(the remark is somewhere in _Burrows's Reports_); and the judge's dictum seems here a little verified. If the glass or crystal model could reflect _all the lustre_ of the original, it would be of equal utility; but it cannot. Now the reprint _does_ impart _all_ the intelligence and intrinsic worth of the original (for "the ugliness of the types" cannot be thought worthy of aiding the argument one way or another) therefore the reprint of Roy's poetical tract is not illustrated by the model of the Pigot diamond: which latter cannot impart the intrinsic value of the original. Let us now say a word about the _Reprints_ above commended by Lysander. When Mr.

Harding went to press with the first volume of the _Harleian Miscellany_, his zeal struggled with his prudence about the number of copies to be printed of so voluminous a work.

Accordingly, he ventured upon only 250 copies. As the work advanced, (and, I would hope, as the recommendation of it, in the last edition of the Bibliomania, promoted its sale) he took courage, and struck off another 250 copies of the earlier volumes: and thus this magnificent reprint (which will be followed up by two volumes of additional matter collected by Mr. Park, its editor) may be pronounced a profitable, as well as generally serviceable, publication to the cause of Literature. The original edition of _Lord Somers' Tracts_ having become exceedingly scarce, and the arrangement of them being equally confused, three spirited booksellers, under the editorial inspection of Mr. Walter Scott, are putting forth a correct, well arranged, and beautiful reprint of the same invaluable work. Five volumes are already published. _The Voyages of Hakluyt_ are republishing by Mr. Evans, of Pall Mall. Four volumes are already before the public; of which only 250 copies of the small, and 75 of the large, are printed. The reprint will contain the whole of Hakluyt, with the addition of several scarce voyages and travels.]

LOREN. I fully coincide with these sentiments; and, as a proof of it, regularly order my London bookseller to transmit to me every volume of the reprint of these excellent works as it is published.

BELIN. Can you find it in your heart, dear brother, to part with your black-letter Chronicles, and Hakluyt's Voyages, for these new publications?

LOREN. I keep the best editions of the ancient Chronicles; but the new Fabian, the Harleian Miscellany, Lord Somers' Tracts, and the Voyages, are unquestionably to be preferred; since they are more full and complete. But proceed with your other probable means of cure.

LYSAND. In the _third place_, the editing of our best ancient authors, whether in prose or poetry,[465] is another means of effectually counteracting the mischievous effects arising from the bibliomaniacal disease; and, on this score, I do think this country stands pre-eminently conspicuous; for we are indefatigable in our attentions towards restoring the corrupted texts of our poets.

[Footnote 465: The last new editions of our standard belles-lettres writers are the following: which should be found in every gentleman's library. _Shakspeare_, 1793, 15 vols., or 1803, 21 vols. (vide p. 427, ante); _Pope_, by _Jos. Warton_; 1795, 8 vols. 8vo.; or by _Lisle Bowles_, 1806, 9 vols. 8vo.; _Spenser_, by _H.J. Todd_, 1805, 8 vols.

8vo.; _Milton_, by _the Same_, 7 vols., 8vo.; _Massinger_, by _W. Gifford_, 1806, 4 vols. 8vo.; _Sir David Lyndsay_, by _George Chalmers_, 1806, 3 vols. 8vo.; _Dryden_, by _Walter Scott_, 1808, 18 vols. 8vo.; _Churchill_, by ----, 1805, 2 vols. 8vo.; _Hudibras_, by _Dr. Grey_, 1744, or 1809, 2 vols. 8vo.; _Ben. Jonson_, by _W. Gifford_ (_sub prelo_); and _Bishop Corbett's Poems_, by _Octavius Gilchrist_, 1807, 8vo.]

PHIL. Yet forgive me if I avow that this same country, whose editorial labours you are thus commending, is shamefully deficient in the cultivation of _Ancient English History_! I speak my sentiments roundly upon this subject: because you know, Lysander, how vigilantly I have cultivated it, and how long and keenly I have expressed my regret at the almost total apathy which prevails respecting it. There is no country upon earth which has a more plentiful or faithful stock of historians than our own; and if it were only to discover how superficially some of our recent and popular historians have written upon it, it were surely worth the labour of investigation to examine the yet existing records of past ages.

LOREN. To effect this completely, you should have a NATIONAL PRESS.

LIS. And why not? Have we here no patriotic spirit similar to that which influenced the Francises, Richlieus, Colberts, and Louises of France?

ALMAN. You are getting into bibliographical politics! Proceed, good Lysander, with your other probable means of cure.

LYSAND. In the _fourth place_, the erection of PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS[466] is of great service in diffusing a love of books for their intrinsic utility, and is of very general advantage to scholars and authors who cannot purchase every book which they find it necessary to consult.

[Footnote 466: The ROYAL, LONDON, SURREY, AND RUSSEL INSTITUTIONS, have been the means of concentrating, in divers parts of the metropolis, large libraries of useful books; which, it is to be hoped, will eventually bring into disgrace and contempt what are called _Circulating Libraries_--vehicles, too often, of insufferable nonsense, and irremediable mischief!]

PHIL. You are right. These Institutions are of recent growth, but of general utility. They are a sort of _intellectual Hospitals_--according to your mode of treating the Bibliomania. Yet I dare venture to affirm that the _News-Paper Room_ is always better attended than the _Library_!

LYSAND. Let us have no sarcasms. I will now give you the _fifth_ and last probable means of cure of the Bibliomania; and that is _the Study of Bibliography_.[467]

[Footnote 467: "UNNE [Transcriber's Note: UNE] BONNE BIBLIOGRAPHIE," says Marchand, "soit generale soit particuliere, soit profane soit ecclesiastique, soit nationale, provinciale, ou locale, soit simplement personelle, en un mot de quelque autre genre que ce puisse etre, n'est pas un ouvrage aussi facile que beaucoup de gens se le pourroient imaginer; mais, elles ne doivent neanmoins nullement prevenir contre celle-ci. Telle qu'elle est, elle ne laisse pas d'etre bonne, utile, et digne d'etre recherchee par les amateurs de l'Histoire Litteraire."

_Diction. Historique_, vol. i. p. 109.

Peignot, in his _Dictionnaire de Bibliologie_, vol. i. 50, has given a very pompous account of what ought to be the talents and duties of a bibliographer. It would be difficult indeed to find such qualifications, as he describes, united in one person! De Bure, in the eighth volume of his _Bibliographie Instructive_, has prefixed a "Discourse upon the Science of Bibliography, and the Duties of a Bibliographer," which is worth consulting: but I know of nothing which better describes, in few words, such a character, than the following: "In eo sit multijuga materiarum librorumque notitia, ut saltem potiores eligat et inquirat: fida et sedula apud exteras gentes procuratio, ut eos arcessat; summa patientia ut rare venalis expectet; peculium semper praesens et paratum, ne, si quando occurrunt, emendi, occasio intercidat: prudens denique auri argentique contemptus, ut pecuniis sponte careat quae in bibliothecam formandam et nutriendam sunt insumendae. Si forte vir literatus eo felicitatis pervenit ut talem thesaurum coacervaverit, nec solus illo invidiose fruatur, sed usam cum eruditis qui virgilias suas utilitati publicae devoverunt, liberaliter communicet;" &c.--_Bibliotheca Hulsiana_, vol. i. Praefat. p. 3, 4. Morhof abounds with sagacious reflections upon this important subject: but are there fifty men in Great Britain who love to read the _Polyhistor Literarius_? The observations of Ameilhon and Camus, in the _Memoires de l'Institut_, are also well worth consultation; as are those of Le Long, and his editor, prefixed to the last edition of the _Bibliotheca Sacra_.]

LIS. Excellent!--Treat copiously upon this my darling subject.

BELIN. You speak with the enthusiasm of a young convert; but I should think the study of Bibliography a sure means of increasing the violence of the book-disease.

LYSAND. The encouragement of _the Study of Bibliography_, in its legitimate sense, and towards its true object, may be numbered among the most efficacious cures for this destructive malady. To place competent Librarians over the several departments of a large public Library; or to submit a library, on a more confined scale, to one diligent, enthusiastic, well-informed, and well-bred Bibliographer or Librarian (of which in this metropolis we have so many examples), is doing a vast deal towards directing the channels of literature to flow in their proper courses. And thus I close the account of my recipes for the cure of the Bibliomania. A few words more and I have done.

It is, my friends, in the erection of Libraries as in literary compositions, the task is difficult, and will generally meet with opposition from some fastidious quarter,[468] which is always betraying a fretful anxiety to bring every thing to its own ideal standard of perfection. To counteract the unpleasant effect which such an impression must necessarily produce, be diligent and faithful, to your utmost ability, in whatsoever you undertake. You need not evince the fecundity of a German[469] author; but only exert your best endeavours, and leave the issue to a future generation. Posterity will weigh, in even scales, your merits and demerits, when all present animosities and personal prejudices shall have subsided; and when the utility of our labours, whether in promoting wisdom or virtue, shall be unreservedly acknowledged. You may sleep in peace before this decision take place; but YOUR CHILDREN may live to witness it; and your name, in consequence, become a passport for them into circles of learning and worth. Let us now retreat; or, rather, walk round Lorenzo's grounds. We have had _Book-Discussion_ enough to last us to the end of the year.[470] I begin to be wearied of conversing.

[Footnote 468: My favourite author, Morhof, has spoken 'comme un brave homme' upon the difficulty of literary enterprizes, and the facility and venom of detraction: I support his assertion 'totis viribus'; and to beg to speak in the same person with himself. 'Non ignotum mihi est, quantae molis opus humeris meis incumbat. Oceanum enim ingressus sum, in quo portum invenire difficile est, naufragii periculum a syrtibus et scopulis imminet. Quis enim in tanta multitudine rerum et librorum omnia exhauriret? Quis non alicubi impingeret? Quis salvum ab invidia caput retraheret, ac malignitatis dentes in liberiore censura evitaret? Praeterea ut palato et gustu differunt convivae, ita judiciis dissident lectores, neque omnium idem de rebus sensus est, hoc praesertim tempore, quo plures sunt librorum judices, quam lectores, et e lectoribus in lictores, ubique virgas et secures expedituros, multi degenerant.' _Praef. Morhof._--Even the great Lambecius (of whom see p. 41, ante) was compelled to deliver his sentiments thus:--'laborem hunc meum non periculosum minus et maglignis liventium _Zoilorum_ dentibus obnoxium, quam prolixum foro et difficilem.' Prod. Hist. Lit. _Proleg._ One of the Roman philosophers (I think it was Seneca) said, in his last moments, 'Whether or not the Gods will be pleased with what I have done, I cannot take upon me to pronounce: but, this I know--it has been my invariable object to please them.' For 'the Gods' read 'the Public'--and then I beg leave, in a literary point of view, to repeat the words of Seneca.]

[Footnote 469: 'From the last catalogue of the fair of Lepisic [Transcriber's Note: Leipsic], it would appear that there are now in Germany _ten thousand two hundred and forty three authors_, full of _health_ and _spirit_, and each of whom publishes at least _once a year_!' _American Review_, Jan. 1811, p. 172.]

[Footnote 470: Through the favour of Dr. Drury, the Editor is enabled to present the reader with an original letter, enclosing a list of books directed to be purchased by BENJAMIN HEATH, Esq.; also his portrait. This document would have been better inserted, in point of chronological order, in part V., but, as the Editor did not receive it till long after that part was printed, he trusts it will be thought better late than never.

THE DIRECTION.

[Illustration: [handwritten]

To Mr John Mann at the Hand in Hand Fire Office in Angel Court on Snow Hill [illegible]

in London]

Exeter, 21st March, 1738.

Dear Sir,

I take the liberty presuming upon the Intimacy of our Acquaintance to employ you in a pretty troublesome Affair.

Fletcher Gyles, Bookseller in Holbourn, with whom I had some Dealings about two years ago, has lately sent me Down a Catalogue of a Library which will begin to be sold by Auction at his house next Monday Evening. As I have scarce laid out any Money in Books for these two years past, the great number of Valuable Books contained in this Collection, together with the tempting prospect of getting them cheaper in an Auction than they are to be had in a Sale, or in any other way whatsoever, has induced me to lay out a Sum of mony this way, at present, which will probably content my Curiosity in this kind, for several years to come. Mr. Gyles has offered himself to act for me, but as I think 'tis too great a Trial of his Honesty to make him at the same time both Buyer & Seller, & as Books are quite out of my Brother's Way, I have been able to think of no Friend I could throw this trouble upon but you. I propose to lay out about 60 or 70, and have drawn up a List of the Books I am inclined to, which you have in the First Leaf, with the Price to each Book, which I would by no means exceed, but as far as which, with respect to each single Book, I would venture to go; though I am persuaded upon the whole they are vastly overvalued. For my Valuation is founded in proportion upon what I have been charged for Books of this kind, when I have sent for them on purpose from London, and I have had too many proofs that the Booksellers make it a Rule to charge near double for an uncommon Book, when sent for on purpose, of what they would take for it in their own Shops, or at a Sale. So that, though the Amount of the Inclosed List is above 120, yet, when Deductions are made for the Savings by the Chance of the Auction, & for the full rate of such Books as I may be over bid in, I am satisfied it will come within the sum I propose. Now, Sir, the Favour which I would beg of you is to get some Trusty Person (& if you should not be able readily to think of a proper Person yourself, Mr. Hinchcliffe or Mr. Peele may probably be able to recommend one) to attend this Auction, in my behalf, from the beginning to the end, & to bid for me agreeably to the inclosed List & (as the Additional Trouble of it over and above the Attendance would not be great) to mark in the Catalogue, which you may have of Mr. Gyles for a shilling, the price Every Book contained in the Catalogue is sold at, for my future Direction in these Matters. For this Service I would willingly allow 3 Guineas, which, the Auction continuing 24 Days, is 3 shillings over and above half a Crown a Day; or, if that is not sufficient, whatever more shall be thought necessary to get my Commission well Executed. It may be necessary to observe to you that the Auction requires the Attendance of the whole day, beginning at Eleven in the Morning, and ending at two and at five in the Afternoon, and Ending at Eight. It may also be proper to inform the Person you shall Employ that he is not to govern his first bidding by the valuation in my list for many of the Books will very probably be sold for less than half what I have marked them at; he is therefore, in every Instance, to bid Low at first, and afterwards to continue advancing just beyond the other Bidders, till he has either bought the Book, or the price I have fixed it at is exceeded. There are many Books in the List which have several numbers before them; the meaning of which is that the very same Book is in several places of the Catalogue; and in that Case, I would have the first of them bought, if it be in very good condition, otherwise let the person Employed wait till the other comes up. I would desire him also not to buy any book at all that is both Dirty & ragged; but, though the Binding should not be in very good Order, that would be no Objection with me, provided the Book was clean. I would also desire him not to bid for any Number in the Catalogue that is not expressly mentioned in my List, upon a supposition that it may be the same Book with some that are mentioned in it; nor to omitt any Book that is actually upon the List, upon an Imagination, from the Title, that it may be there more than once; for I have drawn it up upon an Exact consideration of the Editions of the Books, insomuch that there is no Book twice upon the List, but where there is a very great difference in the Editions; nor is any of the Books in my List oftener in the Catalogue than is expressly specified in it. By the Conditions of Sale, the Auction is constantly adjourned from Fryday night to Monday Morning, the Saturday being appointed for fetching away, at the Expence of the buyer, the Books bought the week before, & for payment of the Mony. This part of the trouble I must beg you to charge yourself with; &, in order to enable you, as to the payment, I shall send you up, either by the next Post, or, however, time enough for the Saturday following, Fifty Pounds. I would beg the Favour of you to let me hear from you, if possible, by the Return of the Post; & also to give me an Account by every Saturday night's post what Books are bought for me, and at what price. As to which you need only mention the Numbers without the Titles, since I have a Catalogue by me. When the Auction is Ended, I shall take the Liberty of giving you farther Directions about Packing up the Books, & the way I would have them sent down. When I drew up my List, I had not observed one of the Conditions of Sale, which imports that no Person is to advance less than a shilling after twenty shillings is bid for any book. Now you will find a pretty many Books which I have valued at more than twenty shillings marked at an Odd Sixpence; in all which Cases, I would have the Bidder add Sixpence more to the Price I have fixed, in order to make it Even Money, & conformable to the Conditions of the Auction. And now, Dear Sir, another Person would make a thousand Apologies for giving you all this trouble; all which superfluous tediousness I shall spare you, being persuaded I shall do you a great pleasure in giving you an Opportunity of being serviceable to me, as I am sure it would be a very sensible one to me, if I ever had it in my power to be of any use to you. Mine and my Wive's humble respects wait upon Mrs. Mann, and you will be so good to present my hearty services to all our Friends.

I am most sincerely,

Dear Sir,

[Illustration: [handwritten] Your Faithful & Affectionate humble Servt.

Benj Heath]

[Illustration: HIS SEAL.]

_s._ _d._

Octavo 5 Pet. Angeli Bargaei Poemata 0 5 6 40 Hieron. Fracastorij Poemata 0 7 6 47 or 455, or 1546, Joan. Leonis Africae Desc. 0 3 6 68 Christ. Longolij Orationes et Epistolae 0 6 6 78 Pierij Valeriani Hexametri 0 4 6 Quarto 46 Diogenes Laertius 1 12 6 Octavo 164 or 624, Scaligerana 0 2 6 201 or 1280, Car. Ogerij Iter Danicum 0 3 0 Quarto 66 Plautus Taubmanni 0 11 6 Octavo 282 Hen. Lornenij Itinerarium 0 3 0 Quarto 132 Marcus Antonius de Dominis 0 2 6 143 Hen. Stephani Dialogus 0 4 6 157 Ausonii Opera 0 9 6 178 Anacreon and Sappho 0 8 6 180 Excerpta ex Polybio 0 8 6 181 Sophocles and Eschylus 1 2 6 ------------ Carried Forward 6 16 0

_s._ _d._

Brought Forward 6 16 0

Octavo 405 or 2413, or 2953, Historia Gothorum 0 6 6 435 or 1488, or 1688, Lucretius Gifanij 0 5 6 436 Is Casaubon de Satyrica Poesi 0 3 6 Quarto 198 or 344, Iamblicus de Vita Pythag. 0 11 6 275 Aulus Gellius Gronovij 0 18 6 280 Statij quae Extant Barthij 0 18 6 Octavo 700 or 1093, Martial Scriverij 0 6 6 Quarto 302 Juvenal Henninij 0 18 6 314 Manilij Astronomicon 0 11 6 316 Poetriarum Octo 0 6 6 Folio 170 Fam. Strada da Bello Belgico 1 13 6 Octavo 739 Virgilius Illustratus 0 3 6 752 Paulli Manutij Epistolae 0 3 0 Folio 206 or 235, or 590, Io. Leunclavij Annales 1 2 6 Octavo 989 Senecae Tragediae Scriverij 0 4 6 9191 1088 Pontani Opera 0 8 6 Folio 264 Demosthenis et aeschinis Opera 2 17 6 301 Thucydides Wasse 2 9 6 306 Platonis Opera 4 5 6 308 Herodoti Historia 1 7 6 Quarto 503 Pauli Collomesij Opera 0 9 0 543 566 Bern. Pensini Vita Baronij 0 3 0 Octavo 1239 or 2831, Poesis Philosophica 0 3 6 Folio 270 Philostrati Opera 1 7 6 376 Historiae Romanae Scriptores 1 11 6 386 Plutarchi Opera 5 7 6 Octavo 1519 Caninij Hellenismus 0 2 6 1608 or 2705, Virgilius Hiensij 0 3 6 Folio 426 Geo. Buchanani Opera 1 11 6 443 Plautus Lambini 0 13 6 448 Horatius Turnebi et Lambini 0 18 6 Octavo 1650 Dom. Baudij Amores 0 3 0 Folio 476 aeschyli Tragediae 0 16 6 Octavo 1814 Lud. Kusterus de vero Usu, &c. 0 3 6 Quarto 871 Gab. Faerni Fabulae Centum 0 6 6 Folio 477 Luciani Opera 1 7 6 ------------- Carried Forward 42 7 0

_s._ _d._

Brought Forward 42 7 0

479 Dionis Cassij Historia 1 12 6 485 Diodorus Siculus 2 18 6 490 Appiani Historia 0 11 6 491 Palladius de Gentibus Indiae 0 5 6 498 Isocratij Orationes 1 3 6 Quarto 908 Papin. Statij Opera 0 9 6 921 Claudian Cum Animad. Barthij 0 11 6 Folio 529 Maffaei Historia Indica 0 8 6 509 546 Saxonis Grammatici Historia 0 17 6 Octavo 2101 Huntingtoni Epistolae 0 3 6 Quarto 1018 And. Nangerij Opera 0 9 6 1023 Tho. Hyde Historia Relig. Vett.

Pers. 0 18 6 1047 Claud. Salmasij Epistolae 0 3 6 1088 Theocriti Moschi Bionis 0 16 6 1089 Hesiodus Graece 0 18 6 Folio 627 Rerum Moscoviticarum Coment. 0 11 6 638 Angeli Politiani Opera 0 18 6 Octavo 2354 Ausonius 0 7 6 2362 Mythographi Latini 0 6 6 Quarto 1139 Aristotelis Opera 3 4 6 Octavo 2481 Fabricij Bibliotheca Latina 0 11 6 Quarto 1192 Sannazarij Poemata 0 11 6 Octavo 2526 Meursij Elegantiae 0 5 6 2559 Statij Opera 0 4 6 2578 Is Casauboni Comment. 0 3 0 2597 Maximi Tyrij Dissertationes 0 4 0 Folio 698 Nic. Antonij Bibliotheca Hispan. 2 4 6 Octavo 2712 Ovidij Opera 0 15 6 Folio 765 Nic. Antonij Bibliotheca Hisp. Vetus 1 7 6 Octavo 2891 Pet. Dan. Huetij Comentarius 0 2 6 3098 Sir John Suckling's Plays, &c. 0 3 6 3099 Dr. Downe's Poems 0 4 0 Quarto 1498 Lord's Discovery of the Banian Religion 0 5 6 Folio 857 or 896, Burnet's Theory of ye Earth 0 9 6 Octavo 3364 Milton's Poems 0 2 0 3374 King's British Merchant 0 12 6 ------------- Carried Forward 68 11 0

_s._ _d._