3. Dibdin's Bibliomania; continued from vol. LXXXI. ii. p. 458. WE are now arrived at the period of Modern Bibliography. "The following work on the Christian Religion, has great merit; but, from the nature of it, required a greater detail in the execution. For, as an antientman, a scholar, and a notorious book writer* has well observed, fit totum et minus plenum, cum tanta rerum multitudo in angustum coaretanda sit; et brevitate ipsd minus clarum, maximè cùm et argumenta plurima et exempla, in quibus lumen est probationum, necesse sit præteriri. However, the plan was ably conceived, and would, without doubt, if the author had lived, have been drawn out to a just extent. For we are told, he had taken great pains in collecting materials for it, and was more assiduous in digesting them, than his health would well allow +. Thus our Addison, like the admirable Pascal, closed his valuable life in meditating a defence of the Christian Religion. One is not surprised to find this agreement in the views of two such men; the one, the sublimest genius, and the other, the most cultivated, of modern times. But there was this lamented difference in their story. The spirit of Jansenism, falling on a temper naturally scrupulous, and a constitution, always infirm, threw a sombrous fanatic air on Pascal's religious speculations, as it did on his life: while our happier countryman, by the benefit of better health, and juster principles, maintained a constant sobriety in the conduct of each." "The Drummer, or the Haunted House, with a Preface by Sir Richard Steele, in an Epistle dedicatory to Mr. Congreve, occasioned by Mr. Tickell's Preface to the four volumes of Mr. Addison's Works." The Works are closed with "A Dis. course on Antient and Modern Learning; on which the Bishop says, "There can be no doubt of the genuineness of this piece. The internal marks of its author are many and unequivocal; as must, I think, appear to every attentive readerwho has anyacquaintance with Mr. Addison's style and manner. But I should guess that it was drawn up by him in his younger days, and that it was not retouched, or at least finished by him. The reason might be, that he had afterwards worked up the principal observations of this piece into his critical papers on Milton." A copious Index is annexed to each of the Volumes. * " Lactantius, Ep. D. J. præf." "Life by Mr. Tickell." "Before the dispersion of his grand collection, died John Bridges, a gentlecollector. The catalogue of his books is almost the first classically arranged one in the eighteenth century: and it must be confessed that the collection was both curious and valuable. Bridges was succeeded by Anthony Collins, the Free Thinker; a character equally strange and unenviable. Book-fanciers now and then bid a few shillings for a copy of the catalogue of his library; and some sly free-thinkers, of modern date, are not backward in shewing a sympathy in their predecessor's fame, by the readiness with which they bid a half-guinea, or more, for a priced copy of it." "Maittaire's collection must have been uncommonly numerous; and of their intrinsic value the reader will best judge by the following extract from the Advertisement,' by Cock the auctioneer, at the back of the title-page: Though the books, in their present condition, make not the most ostentatious appearance, yet, like the late worthy possessor of them, however plain their outside may be, they contain within an invaluable treasure of ingenuity and learning. In fine, this is, (after fifty years' diligent search and labour in collecting) the entire library of Mr. Maittaire; whose judgment in the choice of books, as it ever was confessed, so are they, undoubtedly, far beyond whatever I can attempt to say in their praise. In exhibiting them thus to the publick, I comply with the will of my deceased friend; and in printing the catalogue from his own copy just as he left it (though by so doing it is the more voluminous) I had an opportunity not only of doing the justice I owe to his memory, but also of gratifying the curious." Dr. Mead and Martin Folkes are next introduced: "Yes, ever renowned Richard Mead! thy pharmacopaal reputation is lost in the blaze of thy bibliomaniacal glory! Æsculapius may plant his herbal crown round thy brow, and Hygeia may scatter her cornucopiæ of roses at thy feet-but what are these things compared with the homage offered thee by the Gesners, Baillets, and Le Longs of old? What avail even the roseate blushes of thousands, whom thy medical skill may have snatched from a premature grave compared compared with the life, vigour, anima- tion, and competition which thy example infused into the book-world!-The tears shed by virtuous bibliomaniacs at Harley's death, were speedily wiped away, when the recollection of thine, and of thy contemporary's, Folkes's fame, was excited in their bosoms. Illustrious Bibliomaniacs! your names and memories will always live in the hearts of noble-minded Literati: the treasures of your museums and libraries -your liberal patronage and ever-active exertions in the cause of virtu-whether connected with coins, pictures, or books - can never be banished at least from my grateful mind: - And if, at this solemn hour, when yonder groves and serpentine walks are sleeping in the quiet of moon-light, your spirits could be seen placidly to flit along, I would burst from this society, dear and congenial as it is to take your last instructions, or receive your last warnings, respecting the rearing of a future age of Bibliomaniacs! - Ye were, in good earnest, noble hearted book-heroes!" rare. " It is almost impossible to dwell on the memory of this great man (Mead) without emotions of delight - whether we consider him as an eminent phy sician, a friend to literature, or a collector of books, pictures, and coins. Benevolence, magnanimity, and erudition, were the striking features of his character. His house was the general receptacle of men of genius and talent, and of every thing beautiful, precious, or His curiosities, whether books, or coins, or pictures, were freely laid open to the publick; and the enterprising student, and experienced antiquary, alike found amusement and a courteous reception. He was known to all foreigners of intellectual distinction, and corresponded both with the artisan and the potentate. The great patron of literature, and the leader of his profession, it was hardly possible for modest merit, if properly introduced to him, to depart unrewarded or ungratified. The clergy and, in general, all men of learning, received his advice gratuitously: and his doors were open every morning to the most indigent, whom he frequently assisted with money. Although his income, from his professional practice, was very considerable, he died by no means a rich man-so large were the sums which he devoted to the encouragement of literature and the fine arts!" "The collection of Mr. Folkes was an exceedingly fine one; enriched with many books of the choicest description, which he had acquired in his travels in "But there is yet," says Mr. Dibdin, "an illustrious tribe to be recorded. We have, first, Richard Rawlinson, brother of the renowned Tom Folio, whose choice and tasteful collection of books, as recorded in auctioneering annals, is deserving of high commendation. But his name and virtues are better known in the University to which he was a benefactor, than to the noisy circles of the metropolis. The sale of Orator Henley's books followed hard upon' that of Richard Rawlinson's; and if the spirit of their owner could, from his 'gilt tub, have witnessed the grimaces and jokes which marked the sale - the dis torted countenances and boisterous laughter which were to be seen on all sides-how it must have writhed under the smart of general ridicule, or groaned under the torture of contemptuous indignation. Peace to Henley's vexed manes!- and similar contempt await the efforts of all literary quacks and philosophical knaves !" "We have just passed over the bar that separates the one half of the 18th century from the other: and among the ensuing eminent collectors, whose brave fronts strike us with respect, is General Dormer: a soldier who, I warrant you, had faced many a cannon, and stormed many a rampart, with success. But he could not resist the raging influence of the Book-Mania; nor could all his embrasures and entrenchments screen him from the attacks of this insanity. His collection was select and valuable.We have before noticed a celebrated di plomatic character, Consul Smith, and spoken with due respect of his library. let us here, therefore, pass by him, in order to take a full and complete view of a Non-Pareil Collector: the first who, since the days of Richard Smith, revived the love of black-letter lore and Caxtonian typography-need I say James West? "All hail to thee-transcendent bib liomaniac of other times! of times, in which my father lived, and procured, at the sale of thy precious book-treasures, not a few of those rare volumes. which have so much gladdened the eyes of Lisardo." "In the preceding, the same, and subsequent year, there was sold by auc tion tion a very curious and extraordinary collection of Books and Prints belonging to honest Tom Martin, of Palgrave, in Suffolk; a collector of whom Herbert has, upon several occasions, spoken with a sort of veneration. If Lavater's system of physiognomy happen to receive your approbation, you will conclude, upon contemplating Tom's frank countenance - of which a cut precedes the title-page of the first cataloguethat the collector of Palgrave must have been a fine old fellow.' Martin's book pursuits were miscellaneous, and perhaps a little too wildly followed up: but some good fortune contributed to furnish his collection with volumes of singular curiosity." "The year following the sale of Mr. West's books, a 'very curious and valuable collection, chiefly of English literature, was disposed of by auction, by Paterson, who published the catalogue under the following title: 'Bibliotheca Monastico-Fletewodiana." In noticing Dr. Askew, we stop to correct a small error, He died in "1774," not " 1775." "Those who recollect the zeal and scholarship of this illustrious bibliomaniac, and the precious volumes with which his library was stored, from the choice collections of De Boze, Gaignat, Mead, and Folkes, cannot but sigh with grief of heart on reflecting upon such a victim! How ardently, and how kindly, (as I remember to have heard one of his intimate friends say) would Askew unlock the stores of his glittering booktreasures! -open the magnificent folio, or the shining duodecimo, printed upon vellum, and embossed with golden knobs, or held fast with silver clasps! How carefully would he unrol the curious manuscript, decipher the half effaced characters and then, casting an eye of ecstacy over the shelves upon which similar treasures were lodged, exult in the glorious prospect before him! But Death-who, as Horace tells us, equally exercises the knocker of the palace and cottage-door, made no scruple to rap at that of our renowned Doctor - when Askew, with all his skill in medicine and knowledge of books, yielded to the summons of the grim tyrant-and died lamented, as he lived beloved !" "Dr. Askew had eminently distinguished himself by a refined taste, a sound knowledge, and an indefatigable research, relating to every thing connected with Grecian and Roman literature. It was to be expected, even during his life, as he was possessed of suf ficient means to gratify himself with what was rare, curious, and beautiful in literature and the fine arts, that the publick would, one day, be benefited by such pursuits: especially as he had expressed a wish that his treasures might be unreservedly submitted to sale after his decease. In this wish the Doctor was not singular. Many eminent collectors had indulged it before him: and, to my knowledge, many modern ones still indulge it." "Dr. Askew's sale has been considered a sort of era in bibliography. Since that period, rare and curious books in Greek and Latin literature have been greedily sought after, and obtained [as a recent sale abundantly testifies] at most extravagant prices. It is very well for a veteran in bibliographical literature, as was Mr. Cracherode, or as are Mr. Wodhull, and Dr. Gosset-whose collections were, in part, formed in the days of De Bure, Gaignat, Askew, Duke de la Valliere, and Lamoignon-it is very well for such gentlemen to declaim against modern prices! But what is to be done; Classical books grow scarcer every day, and the love of literature, and of possessing rare and interesting works, increases in an equal ratio. Hungry bibliographers meet, at sales, with wellfurnished purses, and are resolved upon sumptuous fare! Thus the hammer vibrates, after a bidding of forty pounds, where formerly it used regularly to fall at four !" " It remains only to add, that Dr. Askew was a native of Kendal, in Westmoreland; that he practised as a physician there with considerable success, and, on his establishment in London, was visited by all who were distinguished for learning, and curious in the fine arts. Dr. Mead supported him with a sort of paternal zeal; nor did he find in his protegé an ungrateful son. [See the Director, vol. I. p. 309.] Few minds were probably more congenial than were those of Mead and Askew: the former had, if I may so speak, a magnificence of sentiment, which infused into the mind of the latter just notions of a character aiming at solid intellectual fame; without the petty arts and dirty tricks which we now see too frequently pursued to obtain it. Dr. Askew, with less pecuniary means of gratifying it, evinced an equal ardour in the pursuit of books, MSS. and inscriptions. I have heard from a very worthy old gentleman, who used to revel 'midst the luxury of Askew's table, that few men exhibited as it is their books and pictures, or, called, shewed the Lions, better than did the the Doctor. Of his attainments in Greek and Roman literature it becomes not me to speak, when such a scholar as Dr. Parr has been most eloquent in their praise. - I should observe that the MSS. of Dr. Askew were separately sold in 1781, and produced a very considerable sum. The Appendix to Scapula, published in an 8vo volume in 1789, was compiled from one of these MSS." " In 1776 died John Ratcliffe, esq. of Bermondsey, a bibliomaniac of a very peculiar character. If he had contented himself with his former occupation, and frequented the butter and cheese, instead of the book, market-if he could have fancied himself in a brown peruke, and Russian apron, instead of an embroidered waistcoat, velvet breeches, and flowing periwig, he might, perhaps have enjoyed greater longevity; but, infatuated by the Caxtons and Wynkyn de Wordes of the West and Fletewode collections, he fell into the snare; and the more he struggled to disentangle himself, the more certainly did he become a victim to the disease." "The Catalogue was collected with great judgment and expense, during the last thirty years of his life: comprehending a large and most choice collection of the rare old English black-letter, in fine preservation, and in elegant bindings, printed by Caxton, Letton, Machlinia, the anonymous St. Alban's Schoolmaster, Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, Berthelet, Grafton, Day, Newberie, Marshe, Jugge, Whytchurch, Wyer, Rastell, Coplande, and the rest of the Old English Typographers: several missals and MSS. and two Pedigrees, on vellum, finely illuminated. -The titlepage then sets forth a specimen of these black-letter gems; among which our eyes are dazzled with a galaxy of Caxtons, Wynkyn de Wordes, Pynsons, &c. &c. The sale took place on March 27, 1776; although the year is unaccountably omitted by that renowned auctioneer, the late Mr. Christie, who disposed of them. If ever there was a unique collection, this was one - the very essence of Old Divinity, Poetry, Romances, and Chronicles! The articles were only 1675 in number; but their intrinsic value amply compensated for their paucity." "I beg pardon of the manes of ' John Ratcliffe, esq.' for the very inadequate manner in which I have brought forward his collection to public notice. The memory of such a man ought to be dear to the black-letter-dogs' of the present. day; for he had [mirabile dictu!] upwards of Thirty Caxtons! - If I might hazard a comparison between Mr. James West's and Mr. John Ratcliffe's collections, I should say that the former was more extensive, the latter more curious. Mr. West's, like a magnificent champagne, executed by the hand of Claude or Both, and enclosing mountains, meadows, and streams, presented to the eye of the beholder a scene at once luxuriant and fruitful: Mr. Ratcliffe's, like one of those confined pieces of scenery, touched by the pencil of Rysdael or Hobbima, exhibited to the beholder's eye a spot equally interesting, but less varied and extensive: the judgment displayed in both might be the same. The sweeping foliage and rich pasture of the former, could not, perhaps, afford greater gratification than the thatched cottage, abrupt declivities, and gushing streams of the latter. To change the metaphor -Mr. West's was a magnificent repository, Mr. Ratcliffe's, a cabinet of curiosities. Of some particulars of Mr. Ratcliffe's life, I had hoped to have found gleanings in Mr. Nichols's Anecdotes of Bowyer; but his name does not even appear in the index; being probably reserved for the second forth-coming enlarged edition. Meanwhile, it may not be uninteresting to remark that, like Magliabechi, (vide p. 115, ante) he imbibed his love of reading and collecting, from the accidental possession of scraps and leaves of books. The fact is, Mr. Ratcliffe once kept a chandler's shop in the Borough; and, as is the case with all retail traders, had great quantities of old books brought to him to be purchased at so much per pound! Hence arose his passion for collecting the blackletter, as well as Stilton cheeses; and hence, by unwearied assiduity, and attention to business, he amassed a sufficiency to retire, and live, for the remainder of his days, upon the luxury of old English Literature !" Two very illustrious Bibliomaniacs, the Hon. Topham Beauclerk and the Rev. Thomas Crofts, come next on the course. For these we refer to the volume, observing only that "Beauclerk's Catalogue is a fair specimen of the analytico-bibliographical powers of Paterson: yet it must be confessed that this renowned champion of catalogue-makers shines with greater, and nearly perfect, splendor, in the collection of the Rev. Thomas Crofts-a collection, which, taking it for all in all,' I know not whether it be exceeded by any which this country has recorded in the shape of a private catalogue. The owner was a modest, careful, and acutely sagacious bibliomaniac: learned, retired, yet communicative." We We shall for the present dismiss the " Bibliomania" with a remark suggested by an Occasional Correspondent: "I think the ingenious Author has fallen into a mistake respecting the number of large-paper copies which were printed of the first edition of Grey's Hudibras. In p. 600 of Mr. Dibdin's book, he says, 'there were but twelve copies of the first and best edition of Dr. Grey's labours upon Hudibras printed upon largepaper.' I have now lying by me a Subscription copy of that work, containing a list of the subscribers, and in which those whose names are marked with asterisks are stated to be subscribers for Copies on 'royal paper.' They amount in number (including duplicates) to one hundred and thirty one. Possibly there may have been a distinction between the large paper' copies alluded to by Mr. Dibdin, and the 'royal paper' copies which I have just énumerated. If so, there must have been copies on three different sorts of paper. It is somewhat curious that one of these volumes was printed at Cambridge, and the other in London. I wait with impatience for the Reverend Gentleman's forth-coming publication, which is to be intituled 'The Gentleman's Library Companion.' " (TO BE CONTINUED.) 4. The Battles of Talavera. A Poem. Sixth Edition, corrected, with some Additions. 1810; 8vo. pp. 39. Murray. 5. The Battles of the Danube, and Barrosa. 1811; 8vo. pp. 87. Murray. These are the true Tyrtéan strains which invigorate the hearts of Englishmen, and inspire ins even the brave with additional courage. In the first of these elegant Poems the Poet thus describes the British Army and their gallant commander: "Oh, for a blaze from heaven to light The wonders of that gloomy fight The guerdon to bestow, Or by the dying groan: For every Briton slain : A fiercer field must yet be tried, And all in conquest skilled : But never, never yield.' Thus ardent they: but who can tell, Whom with his country's chosen bands. 'Midst cold allies, in foreign lands, Outnumb'ring foes surround; From whom that country's jealous call, Demands the blood, the fame of all; To whom 'twere not enough to fall, Unless with victory crowned. Thy agony of fame! In tides of blood and flame: The honours of thy name. He thinks not of them:-from that height He views the scene of future fight, ways, Each dell and sylvan hold: And all his gallant chiefs around Observant watch, where o'er the ground His eagle glance has rolled. *"The calumniators of Sir Arthur Wellesley have been so industrious in publishing their malignity, that it is unnecessary to recal to the public observation any particular instance of it. In reading their base absurdities, one cannot but recollect the expression of Marshal Villars (I think it was) to Lewis XIV. Sire, je vais combattre vos ennemis, & je vous laisse au milieu des miens.'-Sir Arthur, much worse treated than M. de Villars, says nothing about it, but beats his country's enemies, and despises his own." Few |