1See vol. ii. p. 421.2[Of this PORTRAIT, which may be truly said to enrich the pages of the previous edition of the Tour, a moreliberaluse has been made than I was prepared to grant. My worthy friends, Messrs. Treuttel, Würtz, and Richter were welcome to its republication; but athird editionof it, by another hand, ought not to have been published without permission. The ORIGINAL of this Portrait has ceased to exist. After a laborious life of fourscore years, the learned Schweighæuser has departed--in the fullest maturity of reputation arising from classical attainments; to which must be added, all the excellences of a mild, affable, christian-like disposition. As a husband, a father, and a friend, none went before him: no one displayed these domestic virtues in a more perfect and more pleasing form. As a Greek Scholar and Commentator, he may be said to rank with Hemsterhusius, Wyttenbach, and Heyne. He was equally the boast of Strasbourg and the glory of his age. Never was profound learning more successfully united with "singleness of heart," and general simplicity of character. He ought to have a splendid monument (if he have it not already?) among his Fellow Worthies in the church of St. Thomas at Strasbourg. PEACE TO HIS ASHES!]3For the first time, my bill (which I invariably called for, and settled, every day) was presented to me in a printed form, in theblack letter, within an ornamented border. It was entitled Rechnung von Gottlob Ernst Teichmann, zum Waldhorn in Stuttgart. The printed articles, against which blanks are left, to be filled up according to the quantity and quality of the fare, were these: Fruhstuck, Mittag-Essen, Nacht Essen, Fremder Wein, Ordinarier Wein, Verschiedenes, Logis, Feuerung, Bediente." I must be allowed to add, that the head waiter of the Waldhorn, orHunting Horn, was one of the most respectably looking, and well-mannered, of his species. He spoke French fluently, but with the usual German accent. The master of the inn was coarse and bluff, but bustling and civil. He frequently devoted one of the best rooms in his house to large, roaring, singing, parties--in which he took a decided lead, and kept it up till past midnight.4[The late Duchess of OLDENBURG.]5See vol. ii. p. 356.6[This Public Library is now pulled down, and another erected on the site of it.]7In one of these copies is an undoubtedly coeval memorandum in red ink, thus: "Explicit liber iste Anno domini Millesio quadringentissimo sexagesimosexto(1466)format9arte impssoria p venerabilem viru Johane mentell in argentina," &c. I should add, that, previously to the words "sexagesimosexto" were those of "quiquagesimosexto"-- which have been erased by the pen of the Scribe; but not so entirely as to be illegible. I am indebted to M. Le Bret for the information that this Bible by Mentelin is more ancient than the one, without date or place, &c. (seeBibl. Spencer, vol. i. p. 42, &c.) which has been usually considered to be anterior to it. M. Le Bret draws this conclusion from the comparative antiquity of the language of Mentelin's edition.8This was thesecondcopy, with the same original piece, which I had seen abroad; that in the Library of the Arsenal at Paris being the first. I have omitted to notice this, in my account of that Library, vol. ii. p. 156-7, &c.9[Both volumes will be found particularly described in theÆdes Althorpianæ, vol. ii. p. 285-290.]10Lord Spencer has recently obtained a PERFECT COPY of this most rare edition--by the purchase of the library of the Duke di Cassano, at Naples. See theCassano Catalogue, p. 116.11A very particular description of this rare edition will be found in theBibl. Spencer, vol. ii. p. 141.12See theBibliographical Decameron, vol. i. p. cxcviii.13See vol. ii. p. 73.14SeeOttley's History of Engraving, vol. i. p. 86; where a fac-simile of this cut is given--which, in the large paper copies, is coloured.15See vol. ii. p. 134-5.16The SFORZIADA: See the Catalogue of his Library, no. 7559.17The prologue of this metrical life begins thus:Ecce tuis parui uotis uenerande sacerdosCor quia de vro feruet amore mihiPontificis magna wilbroodi et psulis almusRecurrens titulis inclyta gesta tuisSit lux inferior strepitant cum murmure raucoillius egregi9sermo meus meritisThis life consists of only 11 leaves, having 23 verses in a full page. It is printed in theLect. Antiq. of Canisius, vol. ii. p. 463; and the prose life is printed bySuriusand byMabillon.18Before described in theBibl. Spenceriana; vol. IV. p. 508.19The book in question has the following colophon:Hoc opus exiguum perfecit rite iohannesFabri: cui seruat lingonis alta lares.Ac uoluit formis ipsum fecisse casellis.M.cccc.lxxcii de mense maii.Thesis very singular, being smaller than the other letters, and having a broken effect. This copy, in the Public Library at Stuttgart, is not bound, but in excellent condition.20Afterwards Sir Alexander Allan, Bart. I met him and Captain C * * *, of the Royal Navy, in their way to Inspruck. But Sir Alexander (than whom, I believe a worthier or a braver man never entered the profession of which he was so distinguished an ornament) scarcely survived the excursion two years.21The Queen of Würtemberg survived the levee, above described, only a few months. Her DEATH was in consequence of over-maternal anxiety about her children, who were ill with the measles. The queen was suddenly called from her bed on a cold night in the month of January to the chamber where her children were seriously indisposed. Forgetful of herself, of the hour, and of the season, she caught a severe cold: a violent erysipelatous affection, terminating in apoplexy, was the fatal result--and SHE, who, but a few short-lived months before, had shone as the brightest star in the hemisphere of her own court;--who was the patroness of art;--and of two or three national schools, building, when I was at Stuttgart, at her own expense--was doomed to become the subject of general lamentation and woe. She was admired, respected, and beloved. It was pleasing, as it was quite natural, to see her (as I had often done) and the King, riding out in the same carriage, or phaeton, without any royal guard; and all ranks of people heartily disposed to pay them the homage of their respect. In a letter from M. Le Bret, of the 8th of June 1819, I learnt that a magnificent chapel, built after the Grecian model, was to contain the monument to be erected to her memory. Her funeral was attended by six hundred students from Tubingen, by torch light.22For the sake of juxta-position, I will here mention the SEQUEL, as briefly as may be. The "affair" was far from being at that time "settled." But, on reaching Manheim, about to recross the Rhine, on my return to Paris--I found a long and circumstantial letter from my bibliographical correspondent at Stuttgart, which seemed to bring the matter to a final and desirable issue. "So many thousand francs had been agreed upon--there only wanted a well bound copy of theBibliographical Decameronto boot:--and the Virgils were to be considered as his Lordship's property." Mr. Hamilton, our Chargé d'Affaires, had authority to pay the money--and I ... walked instantly toArtaria's--purchased a copy of the work in question, (which happened to be there, in blue morocco binding,) and desired my valet to get ready to start the next morning, by three or four o'clock, to travel post to Stuttgart: from whence he was not to returnwithoutbringing the VIRGILS, in the same carriage which would convey him and the Decameronic volumes. Charles Rohfritsch immediately prepared to set out on his journey. He left Manheim at three in the morning; travelled without intermission to Stuttgart,--perhaps fourscore or ninety miles from Manheim--put up at his old quarterszum Waldhorn(see p. 17, ante.) waited upon M. Le Bret with a letter, and the morocco tomes--RECEIVED THE VIRGILS--and prepared for his return to Manheim--which place he reached by two on the following morning. I had told him that, at whatever hour he arrived, he was to make his way to my chamber. He did as he was desired. "LES VOILA!"-- exclaimed he, on placing the two volumes hastily upon the table.--"Ma foi, Monsieur, c'est ceci une drôle d'affaire; il y a je ne sçai pas combien de lieues que j'ai traversé pour deux anciens livres qui ne valent pas à mes yeux le tiers d'un Napoleon!" I readily forgave him all this saucy heresy--and almost hugged the volumes ... on finding them upon my table. They were my constant travelling companions through France to Calais; and when I shewed theAdam Virgilto M. Van Praet, at Paris--"Enfin (remarked he, as he turned over the broad-margined and loud-crackling leaves) voilà un livre dont j'ai beaucoup entendu parler, mais que je n'ai jamais vu!" These words sounded as sweet melody to mine ears. But I will unfeignedly declare, that the joy which crowned the whole, was, when I deliveredboththe books ... into the hands of their present NOBLE OWNER: with whom they will doubtless find their FINAL RESTING PLACE. [Such was my bibliographical history--eleven years ago. Since that period NO copy of EITHER edition has found its way into England. "Terque quaterque beatus!"]23[Several years have elapsed since I have received a letter from Mons. Le Bret. Is he alive? If he be living, let him be assured of my unalterable and respectful attachment: and that I have unfeigned pleasure in annexing a fac-simile of his AUTOGRAPH--from a letter to me of the date of June 8th 1819: a letter, which I received on the 17th of the same month following--the very day of ourRoxburghe Anniversary Dinner. Singularly enough, this letter begins in the following strain of bibliographical jocoseness: "Monsieur, et très reverend Frère de Boocace l'Immortel!"]Signature--f.c. Lebret24The predominant religion is the Protestant. Indeed I may say that the number of Catholics is exceedingly limited: perhaps, not an eighth part of the population of the town.25I presume this to be the earliest date which any of his books exhibit. His brother GUNTHER, or GINTHER (for the name is spelt both ways in his colophons) began to print in 1468. Lord Spencer possesses a beautiful copy (which I obtained from the library of St. Peter's Monastery, at Salzbourg) ofBonaventure's Meditations upon the Life of Christ, of the date of 1468, printed by G. Zainer, or (Zeiner) at Augsbourg; and considered to be the first effort of his press.26The note, above mentioned, was written in Latin: the Professor telling me that he preferred that language to the French, as he thought he could write it more grammatically. ALatin notemust be rather a curiosity to my readers: which, as it is purely bibliographical, and in other respects highly characteristic of thebon-hommieof the writer, shall receive a place here. After mentioning the books above specified, the Professor goes on thus:"Haec paucula e pluribus notare libuit, quæ reliqua temporis angustia ostendere non permisit. Habeo enim alias, quas vocant, editiones principes, e.g. Diogenis Laertii, Bas. 1533-4. Josephi, Bas. 1544. fol. Jo. Chrysostomiπερι προνοιασ 1526-8. Ej.περι 'ιερωσυνησ , ib 1525-8. Aliorum Græcorum et Patrum. Calpurnii et Nemesiani Eclogarum editionem, ab. do. Alex. Brassicano curatam editionem ad MS. antiquum factam et Argent. 1519-4. impressam. Præterea aliquot Aldinas et Juntinas editiones, aliquot a Mich. Vascosano, Paris. factas, in quibus Thucydidis Libri III. priores, Paris. 1548. 4. cujus margini Lectt. Varr. e MSto adscriptæ sunt, non memoratæ in editione Bipontina. Æschylus, ex edit. Franc. Robortelli, Venet. 1552. 8. Idem ex ed. Henr. Stephani, ex offic. Henr. Stephani, 1557. 4. Dionysii Halic. Opera Rhet. ex. ed. Rob. Stephani, Par. 1547. Fol. Diodor. Sicul. ex edit. Henr. Stephani, 1559. Fol."Pauculos Codd. MSS. e. gr. Ciceronis de Officiis, Aratoris in Acta App. Fragmenta Liuii et Terentii ostendere tempus non concessit: præter eos habeo aliquot Ciceronis Orationes, Excerpta ex Liuio, duos Historiæ Griseldis, et alios minoris pretii."Maximam collectionis, Bibliothecam appellare non fas est, meæ partem efficit magnus librorum et libellorum numerus ab Ao. 1500. usque ad 1550. editorum a Reformatoribus eorumque aduersariis, qui numerum sex millium superant, in quibus adsunt Serueti de Trinitatis erroribus, eiusdemque Dialogi, Tomi Pasquillorum, Henr. Corn. Agrippæ aliquot opera, Lemnii Epigrammata, aliquot libelli, Lutheri et Melancthonis manu ornati; præterea alia Collectio Documentorum, quorum antiquissimum est ab. A. 1181 et Epistolarumαυτογραφων , a viris doctis Sæculorum XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. conscriptarum, in quibus Henr. Steinhoevvelii, Raym. Peraudi, Lutheri, Melancthonis, Zwinglii, Gruteri, Casauboni, Ludolfi, Camerarii, Patris, Rittershusiorum, Piccarti, aliorumque."Sed nolo longiore enarratione molestus esse, ne vanus esse uidear, a quo vitio nemo me alienior est. Vt divina providentia iter prosperum esse iubeat, est, quod ex animo TIBI, VIR--precaturVlmæ,Aug.MDCCCXVIII.SignatureP.S. Et TIBI præsenti, et superiora heri nocte et somno ingruente scribens referre omiseram, esse mihi ex XXII. librisab Academia Veneta, della Fama dicta, editis XV. Omnes adeo sunt rari, ut vel instructissimæ bibliothecae vix aliquot eorum habeant. Addogermanicam Sixti Papæ Bullæ datæ 1474 versionem,sine dubio Vlmæ eodem anno impressam, et quinque foliis constantem; quam apud me vidisti."The Professor, with the above note, was also so obliging as to present me with a copy of his "Specimen Historico-Litterarium de Academia Veneta. Qua Scholarchæ et Vniversum Gymnasii quod Ulmæ floret Consilium Mæcenates Patronos Fautores ejusdem Gymnasii ad Orationem aditialem A.D. XXIV. Febr. A. 1794, habendam officiose atque decenter invitant."--A Latin brochure of twelve pages: "Ulmæ ex Officina Wagneri, Patris."27[There is an excellent lithographic print of this Rath Haus, which I possess.]28The postboys in the Duchy of Baden, and in the territories of Würtemberg, have also horns; but I never could get any thing, in the character of a tune, performed by either of them. The moment you enter BAVARIA, you observe a greater elasticity of character. [The ARMS of Bavaria head the first page of this third volume of my Tour.]29The reader may try the effect of perusing the following articles (taken from this printed catalogue) upon his own muscles. The performance, as I suspect, is by a native of Augsbourg.75.Portrait of Justus Lipsius by Rembrand. This head of a singulary verity shews of draughts of a man of science: the treatement of Clothing is most perfectful, the respiring of life, the hands all wunder-worthy to be admired. 208.A hunting- pieceof great beauty by Schneyders, the dogs seem to be alife, the wild-fowls, a hare, toils, just as in nature. 341.Queen Marie Christine of Swedenrepresented in a very noble situation of body and tranquility of mind, of a fine verity and a high effect of clair-obscure. By Rembrand. 376.Cromwell Olivier, kit-cat the size of life, a Portrait of the finest carnation, who shews of a perfect likeness and verity, school of Vandyk, perhaps by himself. 398. Portrait ofCharles the first king of England(so many Portraits of famous persons by Classick painters will very seldom be found into a privat collection) good picture by Janson van Miereveld. 399. A large and precious battle piece representing a scene of the famousvictory by Blindheim wonen by Marleboroughover the frensh 1704. We see here the portrait of this hero very resembling, he in a graceful attitude on horsebak, is just to order a movement: a many generals and attendance are arround him. The leaguer, the landscape, the groups, the fighting all with the greatest thruth, there is nothing that does not contribute to embellish this very remarcable picture, painted by a contemporary of the evenement and famous artist in battle pieces, George Philipp Rugendas.30This was no uncommon representation in the early period of art. "In the church of St. Peter the Younger, at Strasbourg, about the year 1515, there was a kind of large printed placard, with figures on each side of it, suspended near a confessional. On one side, was a naked Christ, removing the fire of purgatory with his cross, and sending all those, who came out of the fire, to the Pope--who was seated in his pontifical robes, having letters of indulgence before him. Before him, also, knelt emperors, kings, cardinals, bishops and others: behind him was a sack of silver, with many captives delivered from Mahometan slavery--thanking the supreme Pontiff, and followed by clergymen paying the ransom money to the Turks. There might also be seen captives, at the bottom of a deep well, shut down by bars of iron; and men, women, and children, making all manner of horrible contortions. "Those, says the chronicler Wencker, "who saw such a piteous sight, wept, and gave money liberally--for the possession of indulgences;--of which the money, raised by the sale, was supposed to be applied towards the ransom of Christian captives." HERMANN;Notices Historiques, &c. de Strasbourg: vol. ii. p. 434.31His account of the PRINTED BOOKS in the XVth century, in the monastery above mentioned, was published in 1786, in 2 vols. 4to. That of the MANUSCRIPTS, in the same monastic library, was published in 1791, in 2 vols. or rather perhaps, six parts, 4to.32Among the books in this monastery was an uncut copy of the famous edition of theMeditationes J. de Turrecremata, of the date of 1467, which is now in the Library of Earl Spencer. In Hartmann Schedel'sChronicon Norimbergense, 1493, fol. CLXII, are portraits of the Founders of the Town and Monastery of Eichstadt, or EISTETT; together with a large wood-cut view of the town. This monastery appears to have been situated on a commanding eminence.33[This Abbey was questionless one of the most celebrated and wealthy in Europe. The antiquarian reader will be pleased with the OPPOSITE PLATE--presenting a bird's eye view of it, in the year 1619--(when it stood in its pristine splendour) from theMonasteriologia, attached to theImagines Sanctorum.]34In the BAVARIA SANCTA of RADERUS, 1615-27, 3 vols. folio, will be found a succession of martyrological details--adorned by a series of beautiful engravings byRalph Sadeler. The text is in Latin, and the author has apparently availed himself of all the accessible authorities, in manuscript and print, which were likely to give interest and weight to his narrative. But it seems to have been composed rather for the sake of the ENGRAVINGS--which are generally most admirably executed. Great delicacy and truth of drawing, as well as elegance of grouping, are frequently discernible in them; and throughout the whole of the compositions there is much of the air ofParmegiano'spencil; especially in the females. Sadeler makes his monks and abbots quitegentlemenin their figures and deportment; and some of his miracles are described with great singularity and force of effect.35Such is ZAPF'S work, entitledAnnales Typographiæ Augustanæ, 1778; 4to. republished with copious additions in 1786, two volumes, 4to. The text of the latter is (unfortunately, for the unlearned) printed in the German language.36[This Latin Bible came from the Eichstadt Monastery.]37Bibliographical Decameron, vol. iii. p. 115.38See theBibliographical Decameron, vol. ii. p. 170. &c.39[The first Horace, the Cicero Epist. ad Familiares, 1469, the Latin Bible by Frisner and Sensenschmidt, 1475 and the Polish Bible of 1563, (all so warmly and so justly eulogised in the above pages) have been reposing these last ten years in the library of Earl Spencer: and magnificent and matchless as is that library, it contains no FINER volumes than the four preceding. I conclude this detail by subjoining the Autographs of the two BIBLIOGRAPHICAL WORTHIES who have cut such a conspicuous figure in the scene above described. The latter is now NO MORE.]Autographs40Both the nave and towers appear in Hartmann Schedel's view of Munich, in theNuremberg Chronicleof 1493: see fol. ccxxvi. The "pepper-box" terminations are, I conceive, of a later date.41I take this to be the famous Albert who died in 1500; and who, in Schedel's time, kept lions for his disport--at Munich: "qui sua magnificentia plures nutrit leones"Chron. Norimb.1493.Ibid.42The steeple fell down in the year 1599, and has never been rebuilt.43See p. 87 ante.44See p. 66 ante.45[Sir J. Reynolds criticised these pictures when they were in theDusseldorf Gallery: but I cannot just now lay my hand upon his remarks.]46[It has made, and is yet making, great strides towards the accomplishment of the above-mentioned objects--since the above passage was written.]47[With the exception of the first, (although I do not make this exception withconfidence) all the above-named gentlemen have CEASED TO EXIST. Mr. Bernhard I believe died before the publication of the preceding edition of this work: and I add, with perfect sincerity, thathisdecease, and that ofM. Adam Bartsch(vide post) were, to me, among the bitterest regrets which I ever experienced in my intercourse with foreign literati.48The able editor of the Romance of Sir TRISTREAM, ascribed to Thomas of Ercildoune, appears to have been entirely ignorant of the existence of this highly curious and coeval German version. I regret that I am unable to give the reader a complete analysis of the whole.From this account, I select the following very small portion--of fidelity of version--with a fac-simile of one of the Embellishments.So all his thoughts were wavering:Wilen abe vn wilent an--One while above, and one while down,Er tet wol an im selben schinHe truly on himself made shew,Daz der minnende motThat an amorous mind behavesReht als der vrie fogel totEven as the bird in the open air,Der durch die friheit dier hatWho, by the liberty he enjoys,Vf daz gelimde twi gestatSlightly sits on the lime-twig down;Als er des limes danne entsebetAs soon as he the lime descrys,Vnd er sieh vf ze fluhte hebetAnd rises up to fly in haste,So chlebet er mit den fossen an.His feet are clinging to the twig.This simile of the bird seems expressed in the illumination, of which the outline has been faithfully copied by Mr. Lewis:Illustration by Mr. Lewis49See page 33 ante.50It appeared in the year 1808, and was sold for 2l. 12s. 6d. But a blank space was left in the middle--which, in the original, is occupied by a heavy gothic text. The publication of the continuation by Lucas Cranach appeared in 1818.51Now in the Collection of Henry Perkins, Esq.52SeeBibl. Spenceriana, vol. i. p. xv-xxiii. where fac-similes of some of the cuts will be found.53Where it is fully described, in vol. ii. p. 188, &c. with fac-similes of the type and ornaments. An entire page of it is given at p. 189.54SeeBibl. Spenceriana, vol. i. p. xxxi.55A copy in the public library at Stuttgart has a ms. memorandum in which the same dominical date is entered. See note, at page 21 ante.56It must be mentioned, however, that a fine copy of theGerman edition of Breydenbach's Travels, of 1486, was given into the bargain.57In theBibl. Spencer, vol. i. p. 38-9--where a fac-simile of the type of this edition is given--the impression is supposed to have been executed in "the year 1468 at latest." The inscription of 1468 in the Strasbourg copy (see vol. ii. p. 404.) should seem at least to justify the caution of this conclusion. But, from the above, we are as justified in assigning to it a date of at least two years earlier.58Lord Spencer possesses a copy ofSt. Austin de Civitate Dei, with the Commentary of Trivetus, printed by Mentelin, which was also illuminated by Bamler in the same year as above--1468. The memorandum to this effect, by Bamler, is given in theÆdes Althorpianæ; vol. ii. p. 20.59I will not saypositivelythat the VIRGIL isnotthere; but I am pretty sure of the absence of the two preceding works. My authority was, of course, the obliging and well informed M. Bernhard.60See page 115 ante.61The inscription is this: "Anno dni Millesimo ccccolxviijo. Conparatus est iste Katholicon tpe Iohis Hachinger h9ccclie p tunc imeriti pptti. p. xlviij Aureis R flor9taxatus p. H xxi faciunt in moneta Vsuali xlvj t d." So that it seems a copy of this work, upon vellum, was worth at the time of its publication,forty-six golden florins.62Indicis characterum diversarum manerieru impressioni parataru: Finis. Erhardi Ratdolt Augustensis viri solertissimi: preclaro ingenio & mirifica arte: qua olim Venetijs excelluit celebratissimus. In imperiali nunc vrbe Auguste vindelicorum laudatissime impressioni dedit. Annoq; salutisM.CCCC.LXXXXVI.Cale Aprilis Sidere felici compleuit.63An admirably executed fac-simile of the above curious document appears in the work here referred to: vol. ii. p. 131--where the subject of its probable printer is gone into at considerable length.64The reader, if he have leisure and inclination, may consult a long note in theBibliographical Decameron, vol. i. p. 201, respecting the best authorities to be consulted upon the above very splendid and distinguished performance. Camus is included in the list of authorities referred to.65Seven years have elapsed since the above was written, but no CLASSED CATALOGUE of any portion of the Public Library of Munich has appeared in this country. Speaking ofduplicates, not printed in the fifteenth century, it may be worth observing that they have at Munich not fewer than six copies (double the number of those at Strasbourg;) of the ACTA SANCTORUM; good handsome copies in vellum binding.[Since the first edition of this Tour was published, several copies of this stupendous, but unfortunately imperfect work, have been imported into England: among which, however, none, to my recollection, have found their way from MUNICH. Indeed, the heavy expense of carriage is almost an interdiction: unless the copies were obtained at very moderate prices.]66[See vol. ii. p. 147. Renouard,L'Imprim. des Alde, vol. i. 36- 7. There are however, NOW, I believe, in this country, FIVE copies of this very rare book; of which four are perfect.]67The copy in question had, in 1595, been the property of F. Gregorius, prior of the monastery of Sts. Ulric and Afra at Augsbourg: as that possessor's autograph denotes.68The principal of these "tempting articles" were a fine firstStatiusof 1502,Asconius Pedianus, 1522.Cicero de Officiis, 1517, andLeonicerus de Morbo Gallico--with the leaf of errata: wanting in the copy in St. James's Place. But perhaps rarer than either, theLaurentius MaoliandAverrois, each of 1497--intended forpresents. But Mr. Stoeger had forgotten these intended presents--andchargedthem at a good round sum. I considered his word as his bond--and told him that honest Englishmen were always in the habit of so considering the words of honest Germans. I threatened him with the return of the whole cargo, including even the belovedGreek Hours. Mr. Stoeger seemed amazed: hesitated: relented: and adhered to his original position. Had he done otherwise, I should doubtless have erased the epithet "honestissimus," in all the copies of the sale catalogue above alluded to, which might come within my notice, and placed a marginal emendation of "avidissimus."69It may be a novel, and perhaps gratifying, sight to the reader to throw his eye over a list (of a few out of the fifty articles) like the following:Flor.Kreutz.Liber Moralizat. Biblic. Ulm. 1474. Folio. Fine copy11Biblia Vulg. Hist. Ital. Venet.Giunta 1492. Fol8Horatius. Venet.1494. 4to. Fig. lig. incis.11Cronica del rey don Iuan.Sevilla. 1563. 4to.11Breviarium. Teutonicè. 4to. In MEMBRANIS. A most beautiful and spotless book. It contains only the Pars Hyemalis of the cathedral service.11Dictionarium Pauperum.Colon. 1504. 8vo1Pars quart. Ind. Orient. Francof. 1601.530Fabulæ Æsopicæ.Cura Brandt. 1501. Folio. Perhaps a matchless copy; in original binding of wood. Full of cuts55Thirteen different opuscula, at one florin each; many very curious and uncommon13The Lord's Prayer and Creed--in the German language--printed by "Fricz Crewsner," in 1472: folio:broadside. Perhaps UNIQUE22The florin, at the time of my residence at Munich, was about 1s. 9d.70[However severely I may have expressed myself in a preceding page (105) of the general condition of this huge Inn, yet I cannot but gaze upon the subjoined view of it with no ordinary sensation of delight when I remember that the three-windowed room, on the first floor, to the right--close to the corner--was the room destined to be graced by the BOOK TREASURES above mentioned. This view may also serve as a general specimen of the frontage of the larger Inns in Bavaria.]Bavarian Inn71[All thebook-worldhas heard mention of THE LINCOLNE NOSEGAY, --a small handful of flowers, of choice hues, and vigorous stems, culled within the precincts of one of the noblest cathedrals in Europe. Neither Covent Garden at home, nor the Marché aux Fleurs at Paris, could boast of such a posey. I learn, however, with something approaching to horror, that the Nosegay in question has been counterfeited. Aspuriousedition (got up by some unprincipled speculator, and, I must add, bungling hand--for the typographical discrepancy is obvious) is abroad. Roxburghers, look well to your book-armouries! The foe may have crept into them, and exchanged your steel for painted wood.]72There is something so hearty and characteristic in the Director's last letter to me, that I hope to be pardoned if I here subjoin a brief extract from it. "M. Schérer vient me quitter, et m'annoncer que votre départ est fixé pour demain. Jamais maladie--auxquelles, heureusement, je suis très rarement exposé--m'est survenu aussi mal-à-propos qu'à cette fois-ci. J'avois compté de jouir encore au moins quelques jours, après mon rétablissement, de votre entretien, et jetter les fondemens d'une amitié collegiale pour la future. La nouvelle, que M. Schérer m'apporte, me désole. J'avois formé le plan de vous accompagner pour voir quelqu'uns de nos Institutions rémarquables, principalementLa Lithographie, "Vana Somnia!" Votre résolution de quitter Munich plutôt que je n'avois pensé, détruit mes esperances. N'est-ce-pas possible que vous passiez par Munich à votre retour de Vienne? Utinam! Combien de choses restent, sur lesquelles j'esperais de causer et de traiter avec vous! "I bono alite: pede fausto."Autograph[The author of this Letter is NO MORE!]73See the note, p. 157 ante.74This Engraving appears in theÆdes Althorpianæ, vol. i. p. 246. On my return to England, it was necessary to keep up a correspondence with the amiable and intelligent character in question. I make no apology, either to the reader, or to the author of the Epistle, for subjoining a copy of one of these letters--premising, that it relates to fac-similes of several old copper cuts in the Public Library at Munich, as well as to his own engraving of the above-mentioned portrait. There is something throughout the whole of this letter so hearty, and so thoroughly original, that I am persuaded it will be perused with extreme gratification:Munich, 17 May, 1819.Dear and Reverend Sir;I am a good old fellow, and a passable engraver; but a very bad Correspondent. You are a ... and minister of a religion which forgive all faults of mankind; and so I hope that you will still pardon me the retardation of mine answer. I am now 65 years old, and have never had any sickness in mine life, but I have such an averseness against writing, that only thesightof an ink-horn, pen and paper, make me feeling all sort of fevers of the whole medicinal faculty;-- and so I pray that you would forgive me the brevity of mine letters. Following your order, I send you jointly the first proof prints of those plates still (already) finished. The plate of that beautiful head of an English artist, is not yet so far advanced; but in about six weeks you will have it--and during this time, I expect your answer and direction to whom I shall deliver the whole. I wish and hope heartily that the fac-similes and portraits would be correspondent with your expectation.I hold it for necessary and interesting, to give you a true copy of that old print--"Christ in the lap of God the Father." You'll see that this print is cutten round, and carefully pasted upon another paper on a wooden band of a book: which proves not only a high respect for a precious antiquity, but likewise that this print is much older than the date of 1462--which is written in red ink, over the cutten outlines, of that antique print. You may be entirely assured of the fidelity of both fac-similes. Now I pray you heartily to remember my name to our dear Mr. Lewis, with my friendliest compliments, and told him that the work onLithographyis now finished, and that he shall have it by the first occasion. In expectation of your honorable answer, I assure you of the highest consideration and respect ofYour most obedient humble Servant,Autograph75[This GRAPHIC WORTHY nowceases to exist. He died in his seventy-first year--leaving behind, the remembrance of virtues to be reverenced and of talents to be imitated.]76[Another OBITUARY presses closely upon the preceding--but an Obituary which rends one's heart to dwell upon:--for a kinder, a more diligent, and more faithful Correspondent than was Mr. Nockher, it has never been my good fortune to be engaged with. Almost while writing theabovepassage, this unfortunate gentleman ... DESTROYED himself:--from embarrassment of circumstances!]77See vol. i. p. 199.78It is thus entitled:Bibliothecæ Ingolstadiensis Incunabula Typographica, 1787, 4to.: containing four parts. A carefully executed, and indispensably necessary, volume in every bibliographical collection.79[I rejoice to add, in this edition of my Tour, that the LOST SHEEP has been FOUND. It had not straggled from the fold when I was at Landshut; but had gotpennedso snugly in some unfrequented corner, as not to be perceived.]80[A vision, however, which AGAIN haunts me!]81This copy has since reached England, and has been arrayed in a goodly coat of blue morocco binding. Whether it remain in Cornhill at this precise moment, I cannot take upon me to state; but I can confidently state that there isnot a finer copyof the edition in question in his Britannic Majesty's united dominions. [This copy now--1829-- ceases to exist... in Cornhill.]82On consulting theTypog. Antiquities, vol. ii. p. 510, I found my conjectures confirmed. The reader will there see the full title of the work--beginning thus: "Eruditissimi Viri Guilelmi Rossei opus elegans, doctum, festiuum, pium, quo pulcherrime retegit, ac refellit, insanas Lutheri calumnias," &c.It is a volume of considerable rarity.83The charges were moderate. A bottle of the best red ordinary wine (usually--the best in every respect) was somewhere about 1s. 6d. Our lodgings, two good rooms, including the charge of three wax candles, were about four shillings per day. The bread was excellent, and thecuisinefar from despicable.84We learn from Pez (Austriacar. Rer.vol. ii. col. 185, taken from the Chronicle of the famousAdmont Monastery,) that, in the year 1128, the cathedral and the whole city of Salzburg were destroyed by fire." So, that the antiquity of this, and of other relics, must not be pushed to too remote a period.85Before the reader commences the above account of a visit to this monastery, he may as well be informed that the SUBJOINED bird's-eye view of it, together with an abridged history (compiled from Trithemius, and previous chroniclers) appears in theMonasteriologia of Stengelius, published in 1619, folio.
1See vol. ii. p. 421.
2[Of this PORTRAIT, which may be truly said to enrich the pages of the previous edition of the Tour, a moreliberaluse has been made than I was prepared to grant. My worthy friends, Messrs. Treuttel, Würtz, and Richter were welcome to its republication; but athird editionof it, by another hand, ought not to have been published without permission. The ORIGINAL of this Portrait has ceased to exist. After a laborious life of fourscore years, the learned Schweighæuser has departed--in the fullest maturity of reputation arising from classical attainments; to which must be added, all the excellences of a mild, affable, christian-like disposition. As a husband, a father, and a friend, none went before him: no one displayed these domestic virtues in a more perfect and more pleasing form. As a Greek Scholar and Commentator, he may be said to rank with Hemsterhusius, Wyttenbach, and Heyne. He was equally the boast of Strasbourg and the glory of his age. Never was profound learning more successfully united with "singleness of heart," and general simplicity of character. He ought to have a splendid monument (if he have it not already?) among his Fellow Worthies in the church of St. Thomas at Strasbourg. PEACE TO HIS ASHES!]
3For the first time, my bill (which I invariably called for, and settled, every day) was presented to me in a printed form, in theblack letter, within an ornamented border. It was entitled Rechnung von Gottlob Ernst Teichmann, zum Waldhorn in Stuttgart. The printed articles, against which blanks are left, to be filled up according to the quantity and quality of the fare, were these: Fruhstuck, Mittag-Essen, Nacht Essen, Fremder Wein, Ordinarier Wein, Verschiedenes, Logis, Feuerung, Bediente." I must be allowed to add, that the head waiter of the Waldhorn, orHunting Horn, was one of the most respectably looking, and well-mannered, of his species. He spoke French fluently, but with the usual German accent. The master of the inn was coarse and bluff, but bustling and civil. He frequently devoted one of the best rooms in his house to large, roaring, singing, parties--in which he took a decided lead, and kept it up till past midnight.
4[The late Duchess of OLDENBURG.]
5See vol. ii. p. 356.
6[This Public Library is now pulled down, and another erected on the site of it.]
7In one of these copies is an undoubtedly coeval memorandum in red ink, thus: "Explicit liber iste Anno domini Millesio quadringentissimo sexagesimosexto(1466)format9arte impssoria p venerabilem viru Johane mentell in argentina," &c. I should add, that, previously to the words "sexagesimosexto" were those of "quiquagesimosexto"-- which have been erased by the pen of the Scribe; but not so entirely as to be illegible. I am indebted to M. Le Bret for the information that this Bible by Mentelin is more ancient than the one, without date or place, &c. (seeBibl. Spencer, vol. i. p. 42, &c.) which has been usually considered to be anterior to it. M. Le Bret draws this conclusion from the comparative antiquity of the language of Mentelin's edition.
8This was thesecondcopy, with the same original piece, which I had seen abroad; that in the Library of the Arsenal at Paris being the first. I have omitted to notice this, in my account of that Library, vol. ii. p. 156-7, &c.
9[Both volumes will be found particularly described in theÆdes Althorpianæ, vol. ii. p. 285-290.]
10Lord Spencer has recently obtained a PERFECT COPY of this most rare edition--by the purchase of the library of the Duke di Cassano, at Naples. See theCassano Catalogue, p. 116.
11A very particular description of this rare edition will be found in theBibl. Spencer, vol. ii. p. 141.
12See theBibliographical Decameron, vol. i. p. cxcviii.
13See vol. ii. p. 73.
14SeeOttley's History of Engraving, vol. i. p. 86; where a fac-simile of this cut is given--which, in the large paper copies, is coloured.
15See vol. ii. p. 134-5.
16The SFORZIADA: See the Catalogue of his Library, no. 7559.
17The prologue of this metrical life begins thus:
Ecce tuis parui uotis uenerande sacerdosCor quia de vro feruet amore mihiPontificis magna wilbroodi et psulis almusRecurrens titulis inclyta gesta tuisSit lux inferior strepitant cum murmure raucoillius egregi9sermo meus meritis
This life consists of only 11 leaves, having 23 verses in a full page. It is printed in theLect. Antiq. of Canisius, vol. ii. p. 463; and the prose life is printed bySuriusand byMabillon.
18Before described in theBibl. Spenceriana; vol. IV. p. 508.
19The book in question has the following colophon:
Hoc opus exiguum perfecit rite iohannesFabri: cui seruat lingonis alta lares.Ac uoluit formis ipsum fecisse casellis.M.cccc.lxxcii de mense maii.
Thesis very singular, being smaller than the other letters, and having a broken effect. This copy, in the Public Library at Stuttgart, is not bound, but in excellent condition.
20Afterwards Sir Alexander Allan, Bart. I met him and Captain C * * *, of the Royal Navy, in their way to Inspruck. But Sir Alexander (than whom, I believe a worthier or a braver man never entered the profession of which he was so distinguished an ornament) scarcely survived the excursion two years.
21The Queen of Würtemberg survived the levee, above described, only a few months. Her DEATH was in consequence of over-maternal anxiety about her children, who were ill with the measles. The queen was suddenly called from her bed on a cold night in the month of January to the chamber where her children were seriously indisposed. Forgetful of herself, of the hour, and of the season, she caught a severe cold: a violent erysipelatous affection, terminating in apoplexy, was the fatal result--and SHE, who, but a few short-lived months before, had shone as the brightest star in the hemisphere of her own court;--who was the patroness of art;--and of two or three national schools, building, when I was at Stuttgart, at her own expense--was doomed to become the subject of general lamentation and woe. She was admired, respected, and beloved. It was pleasing, as it was quite natural, to see her (as I had often done) and the King, riding out in the same carriage, or phaeton, without any royal guard; and all ranks of people heartily disposed to pay them the homage of their respect. In a letter from M. Le Bret, of the 8th of June 1819, I learnt that a magnificent chapel, built after the Grecian model, was to contain the monument to be erected to her memory. Her funeral was attended by six hundred students from Tubingen, by torch light.
22For the sake of juxta-position, I will here mention the SEQUEL, as briefly as may be. The "affair" was far from being at that time "settled." But, on reaching Manheim, about to recross the Rhine, on my return to Paris--I found a long and circumstantial letter from my bibliographical correspondent at Stuttgart, which seemed to bring the matter to a final and desirable issue. "So many thousand francs had been agreed upon--there only wanted a well bound copy of theBibliographical Decameronto boot:--and the Virgils were to be considered as his Lordship's property." Mr. Hamilton, our Chargé d'Affaires, had authority to pay the money--and I ... walked instantly toArtaria's--purchased a copy of the work in question, (which happened to be there, in blue morocco binding,) and desired my valet to get ready to start the next morning, by three or four o'clock, to travel post to Stuttgart: from whence he was not to returnwithoutbringing the VIRGILS, in the same carriage which would convey him and the Decameronic volumes. Charles Rohfritsch immediately prepared to set out on his journey. He left Manheim at three in the morning; travelled without intermission to Stuttgart,--perhaps fourscore or ninety miles from Manheim--put up at his old quarterszum Waldhorn(see p. 17, ante.) waited upon M. Le Bret with a letter, and the morocco tomes--RECEIVED THE VIRGILS--and prepared for his return to Manheim--which place he reached by two on the following morning. I had told him that, at whatever hour he arrived, he was to make his way to my chamber. He did as he was desired. "LES VOILA!"-- exclaimed he, on placing the two volumes hastily upon the table.--"Ma foi, Monsieur, c'est ceci une drôle d'affaire; il y a je ne sçai pas combien de lieues que j'ai traversé pour deux anciens livres qui ne valent pas à mes yeux le tiers d'un Napoleon!" I readily forgave him all this saucy heresy--and almost hugged the volumes ... on finding them upon my table. They were my constant travelling companions through France to Calais; and when I shewed theAdam Virgilto M. Van Praet, at Paris--"Enfin (remarked he, as he turned over the broad-margined and loud-crackling leaves) voilà un livre dont j'ai beaucoup entendu parler, mais que je n'ai jamais vu!" These words sounded as sweet melody to mine ears. But I will unfeignedly declare, that the joy which crowned the whole, was, when I deliveredboththe books ... into the hands of their present NOBLE OWNER: with whom they will doubtless find their FINAL RESTING PLACE. [Such was my bibliographical history--eleven years ago. Since that period NO copy of EITHER edition has found its way into England. "Terque quaterque beatus!"]
23[Several years have elapsed since I have received a letter from Mons. Le Bret. Is he alive? If he be living, let him be assured of my unalterable and respectful attachment: and that I have unfeigned pleasure in annexing a fac-simile of his AUTOGRAPH--from a letter to me of the date of June 8th 1819: a letter, which I received on the 17th of the same month following--the very day of ourRoxburghe Anniversary Dinner. Singularly enough, this letter begins in the following strain of bibliographical jocoseness: "Monsieur, et très reverend Frère de Boocace l'Immortel!"]
Signature--f.c. Lebret
24The predominant religion is the Protestant. Indeed I may say that the number of Catholics is exceedingly limited: perhaps, not an eighth part of the population of the town.
25I presume this to be the earliest date which any of his books exhibit. His brother GUNTHER, or GINTHER (for the name is spelt both ways in his colophons) began to print in 1468. Lord Spencer possesses a beautiful copy (which I obtained from the library of St. Peter's Monastery, at Salzbourg) ofBonaventure's Meditations upon the Life of Christ, of the date of 1468, printed by G. Zainer, or (Zeiner) at Augsbourg; and considered to be the first effort of his press.
26The note, above mentioned, was written in Latin: the Professor telling me that he preferred that language to the French, as he thought he could write it more grammatically. ALatin notemust be rather a curiosity to my readers: which, as it is purely bibliographical, and in other respects highly characteristic of thebon-hommieof the writer, shall receive a place here. After mentioning the books above specified, the Professor goes on thus:
"Haec paucula e pluribus notare libuit, quæ reliqua temporis angustia ostendere non permisit. Habeo enim alias, quas vocant, editiones principes, e.g. Diogenis Laertii, Bas. 1533-4. Josephi, Bas. 1544. fol. Jo. Chrysostomiπερι προνοιασ 1526-8. Ej.περι 'ιερωσυνησ , ib 1525-8. Aliorum Græcorum et Patrum. Calpurnii et Nemesiani Eclogarum editionem, ab. do. Alex. Brassicano curatam editionem ad MS. antiquum factam et Argent. 1519-4. impressam. Præterea aliquot Aldinas et Juntinas editiones, aliquot a Mich. Vascosano, Paris. factas, in quibus Thucydidis Libri III. priores, Paris. 1548. 4. cujus margini Lectt. Varr. e MSto adscriptæ sunt, non memoratæ in editione Bipontina. Æschylus, ex edit. Franc. Robortelli, Venet. 1552. 8. Idem ex ed. Henr. Stephani, ex offic. Henr. Stephani, 1557. 4. Dionysii Halic. Opera Rhet. ex. ed. Rob. Stephani, Par. 1547. Fol. Diodor. Sicul. ex edit. Henr. Stephani, 1559. Fol.
"Pauculos Codd. MSS. e. gr. Ciceronis de Officiis, Aratoris in Acta App. Fragmenta Liuii et Terentii ostendere tempus non concessit: præter eos habeo aliquot Ciceronis Orationes, Excerpta ex Liuio, duos Historiæ Griseldis, et alios minoris pretii.
"Maximam collectionis, Bibliothecam appellare non fas est, meæ partem efficit magnus librorum et libellorum numerus ab Ao. 1500. usque ad 1550. editorum a Reformatoribus eorumque aduersariis, qui numerum sex millium superant, in quibus adsunt Serueti de Trinitatis erroribus, eiusdemque Dialogi, Tomi Pasquillorum, Henr. Corn. Agrippæ aliquot opera, Lemnii Epigrammata, aliquot libelli, Lutheri et Melancthonis manu ornati; præterea alia Collectio Documentorum, quorum antiquissimum est ab. A. 1181 et Epistolarumαυτογραφων , a viris doctis Sæculorum XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. conscriptarum, in quibus Henr. Steinhoevvelii, Raym. Peraudi, Lutheri, Melancthonis, Zwinglii, Gruteri, Casauboni, Ludolfi, Camerarii, Patris, Rittershusiorum, Piccarti, aliorumque.
"Sed nolo longiore enarratione molestus esse, ne vanus esse uidear, a quo vitio nemo me alienior est. Vt divina providentia iter prosperum esse iubeat, est, quod ex animo TIBI, VIR--precatur
Vlmæ,Aug.MDCCCXVIII.
Signature
P.S. Et TIBI præsenti, et superiora heri nocte et somno ingruente scribens referre omiseram, esse mihi ex XXII. librisab Academia Veneta, della Fama dicta, editis XV. Omnes adeo sunt rari, ut vel instructissimæ bibliothecae vix aliquot eorum habeant. Addogermanicam Sixti Papæ Bullæ datæ 1474 versionem,sine dubio Vlmæ eodem anno impressam, et quinque foliis constantem; quam apud me vidisti."
The Professor, with the above note, was also so obliging as to present me with a copy of his "Specimen Historico-Litterarium de Academia Veneta. Qua Scholarchæ et Vniversum Gymnasii quod Ulmæ floret Consilium Mæcenates Patronos Fautores ejusdem Gymnasii ad Orationem aditialem A.D. XXIV. Febr. A. 1794, habendam officiose atque decenter invitant."--A Latin brochure of twelve pages: "Ulmæ ex Officina Wagneri, Patris."
27[There is an excellent lithographic print of this Rath Haus, which I possess.]
28The postboys in the Duchy of Baden, and in the territories of Würtemberg, have also horns; but I never could get any thing, in the character of a tune, performed by either of them. The moment you enter BAVARIA, you observe a greater elasticity of character. [The ARMS of Bavaria head the first page of this third volume of my Tour.]
29The reader may try the effect of perusing the following articles (taken from this printed catalogue) upon his own muscles. The performance, as I suspect, is by a native of Augsbourg.
75.Portrait of Justus Lipsius by Rembrand. This head of a singulary verity shews of draughts of a man of science: the treatement of Clothing is most perfectful, the respiring of life, the hands all wunder-worthy to be admired. 208.A hunting- pieceof great beauty by Schneyders, the dogs seem to be alife, the wild-fowls, a hare, toils, just as in nature. 341.Queen Marie Christine of Swedenrepresented in a very noble situation of body and tranquility of mind, of a fine verity and a high effect of clair-obscure. By Rembrand. 376.Cromwell Olivier, kit-cat the size of life, a Portrait of the finest carnation, who shews of a perfect likeness and verity, school of Vandyk, perhaps by himself. 398. Portrait ofCharles the first king of England(so many Portraits of famous persons by Classick painters will very seldom be found into a privat collection) good picture by Janson van Miereveld. 399. A large and precious battle piece representing a scene of the famousvictory by Blindheim wonen by Marleboroughover the frensh 1704. We see here the portrait of this hero very resembling, he in a graceful attitude on horsebak, is just to order a movement: a many generals and attendance are arround him. The leaguer, the landscape, the groups, the fighting all with the greatest thruth, there is nothing that does not contribute to embellish this very remarcable picture, painted by a contemporary of the evenement and famous artist in battle pieces, George Philipp Rugendas.
30This was no uncommon representation in the early period of art. "In the church of St. Peter the Younger, at Strasbourg, about the year 1515, there was a kind of large printed placard, with figures on each side of it, suspended near a confessional. On one side, was a naked Christ, removing the fire of purgatory with his cross, and sending all those, who came out of the fire, to the Pope--who was seated in his pontifical robes, having letters of indulgence before him. Before him, also, knelt emperors, kings, cardinals, bishops and others: behind him was a sack of silver, with many captives delivered from Mahometan slavery--thanking the supreme Pontiff, and followed by clergymen paying the ransom money to the Turks. There might also be seen captives, at the bottom of a deep well, shut down by bars of iron; and men, women, and children, making all manner of horrible contortions. "Those, says the chronicler Wencker, "who saw such a piteous sight, wept, and gave money liberally--for the possession of indulgences;--of which the money, raised by the sale, was supposed to be applied towards the ransom of Christian captives." HERMANN;Notices Historiques, &c. de Strasbourg: vol. ii. p. 434.
31His account of the PRINTED BOOKS in the XVth century, in the monastery above mentioned, was published in 1786, in 2 vols. 4to. That of the MANUSCRIPTS, in the same monastic library, was published in 1791, in 2 vols. or rather perhaps, six parts, 4to.
32Among the books in this monastery was an uncut copy of the famous edition of theMeditationes J. de Turrecremata, of the date of 1467, which is now in the Library of Earl Spencer. In Hartmann Schedel'sChronicon Norimbergense, 1493, fol. CLXII, are portraits of the Founders of the Town and Monastery of Eichstadt, or EISTETT; together with a large wood-cut view of the town. This monastery appears to have been situated on a commanding eminence.
33[This Abbey was questionless one of the most celebrated and wealthy in Europe. The antiquarian reader will be pleased with the OPPOSITE PLATE--presenting a bird's eye view of it, in the year 1619--(when it stood in its pristine splendour) from theMonasteriologia, attached to theImagines Sanctorum.]
34In the BAVARIA SANCTA of RADERUS, 1615-27, 3 vols. folio, will be found a succession of martyrological details--adorned by a series of beautiful engravings byRalph Sadeler. The text is in Latin, and the author has apparently availed himself of all the accessible authorities, in manuscript and print, which were likely to give interest and weight to his narrative. But it seems to have been composed rather for the sake of the ENGRAVINGS--which are generally most admirably executed. Great delicacy and truth of drawing, as well as elegance of grouping, are frequently discernible in them; and throughout the whole of the compositions there is much of the air ofParmegiano'spencil; especially in the females. Sadeler makes his monks and abbots quitegentlemenin their figures and deportment; and some of his miracles are described with great singularity and force of effect.
35Such is ZAPF'S work, entitledAnnales Typographiæ Augustanæ, 1778; 4to. republished with copious additions in 1786, two volumes, 4to. The text of the latter is (unfortunately, for the unlearned) printed in the German language.
36[This Latin Bible came from the Eichstadt Monastery.]
37Bibliographical Decameron, vol. iii. p. 115.
38See theBibliographical Decameron, vol. ii. p. 170. &c.
39[The first Horace, the Cicero Epist. ad Familiares, 1469, the Latin Bible by Frisner and Sensenschmidt, 1475 and the Polish Bible of 1563, (all so warmly and so justly eulogised in the above pages) have been reposing these last ten years in the library of Earl Spencer: and magnificent and matchless as is that library, it contains no FINER volumes than the four preceding. I conclude this detail by subjoining the Autographs of the two BIBLIOGRAPHICAL WORTHIES who have cut such a conspicuous figure in the scene above described. The latter is now NO MORE.]
Autographs
40Both the nave and towers appear in Hartmann Schedel's view of Munich, in theNuremberg Chronicleof 1493: see fol. ccxxvi. The "pepper-box" terminations are, I conceive, of a later date.
41I take this to be the famous Albert who died in 1500; and who, in Schedel's time, kept lions for his disport--at Munich: "qui sua magnificentia plures nutrit leones"Chron. Norimb.1493.Ibid.
42The steeple fell down in the year 1599, and has never been rebuilt.
43See p. 87 ante.
44See p. 66 ante.
45[Sir J. Reynolds criticised these pictures when they were in theDusseldorf Gallery: but I cannot just now lay my hand upon his remarks.]
46[It has made, and is yet making, great strides towards the accomplishment of the above-mentioned objects--since the above passage was written.]
47[With the exception of the first, (although I do not make this exception withconfidence) all the above-named gentlemen have CEASED TO EXIST. Mr. Bernhard I believe died before the publication of the preceding edition of this work: and I add, with perfect sincerity, thathisdecease, and that ofM. Adam Bartsch(vide post) were, to me, among the bitterest regrets which I ever experienced in my intercourse with foreign literati.
48The able editor of the Romance of Sir TRISTREAM, ascribed to Thomas of Ercildoune, appears to have been entirely ignorant of the existence of this highly curious and coeval German version. I regret that I am unable to give the reader a complete analysis of the whole.
From this account, I select the following very small portion--of fidelity of version--with a fac-simile of one of the Embellishments.
So all his thoughts were wavering:
Wilen abe vn wilent an--One while above, and one while down,Er tet wol an im selben schinHe truly on himself made shew,Daz der minnende motThat an amorous mind behavesReht als der vrie fogel totEven as the bird in the open air,Der durch die friheit dier hatWho, by the liberty he enjoys,Vf daz gelimde twi gestatSlightly sits on the lime-twig down;Als er des limes danne entsebetAs soon as he the lime descrys,Vnd er sieh vf ze fluhte hebetAnd rises up to fly in haste,So chlebet er mit den fossen an.His feet are clinging to the twig.
This simile of the bird seems expressed in the illumination, of which the outline has been faithfully copied by Mr. Lewis:
Illustration by Mr. Lewis
49See page 33 ante.
50It appeared in the year 1808, and was sold for 2l. 12s. 6d. But a blank space was left in the middle--which, in the original, is occupied by a heavy gothic text. The publication of the continuation by Lucas Cranach appeared in 1818.
51Now in the Collection of Henry Perkins, Esq.
52SeeBibl. Spenceriana, vol. i. p. xv-xxiii. where fac-similes of some of the cuts will be found.
53Where it is fully described, in vol. ii. p. 188, &c. with fac-similes of the type and ornaments. An entire page of it is given at p. 189.
54SeeBibl. Spenceriana, vol. i. p. xxxi.
55A copy in the public library at Stuttgart has a ms. memorandum in which the same dominical date is entered. See note, at page 21 ante.
56It must be mentioned, however, that a fine copy of theGerman edition of Breydenbach's Travels, of 1486, was given into the bargain.
57In theBibl. Spencer, vol. i. p. 38-9--where a fac-simile of the type of this edition is given--the impression is supposed to have been executed in "the year 1468 at latest." The inscription of 1468 in the Strasbourg copy (see vol. ii. p. 404.) should seem at least to justify the caution of this conclusion. But, from the above, we are as justified in assigning to it a date of at least two years earlier.
58Lord Spencer possesses a copy ofSt. Austin de Civitate Dei, with the Commentary of Trivetus, printed by Mentelin, which was also illuminated by Bamler in the same year as above--1468. The memorandum to this effect, by Bamler, is given in theÆdes Althorpianæ; vol. ii. p. 20.
59I will not saypositivelythat the VIRGIL isnotthere; but I am pretty sure of the absence of the two preceding works. My authority was, of course, the obliging and well informed M. Bernhard.
60See page 115 ante.
61The inscription is this: "Anno dni Millesimo ccccolxviijo. Conparatus est iste Katholicon tpe Iohis Hachinger h9ccclie p tunc imeriti pptti. p. xlviij Aureis R flor9taxatus p. H xxi faciunt in moneta Vsuali xlvj t d." So that it seems a copy of this work, upon vellum, was worth at the time of its publication,forty-six golden florins.
62Indicis characterum diversarum manerieru impressioni parataru: Finis. Erhardi Ratdolt Augustensis viri solertissimi: preclaro ingenio & mirifica arte: qua olim Venetijs excelluit celebratissimus. In imperiali nunc vrbe Auguste vindelicorum laudatissime impressioni dedit. Annoq; salutisM.CCCC.LXXXXVI.Cale Aprilis Sidere felici compleuit.
63An admirably executed fac-simile of the above curious document appears in the work here referred to: vol. ii. p. 131--where the subject of its probable printer is gone into at considerable length.
64The reader, if he have leisure and inclination, may consult a long note in theBibliographical Decameron, vol. i. p. 201, respecting the best authorities to be consulted upon the above very splendid and distinguished performance. Camus is included in the list of authorities referred to.
65Seven years have elapsed since the above was written, but no CLASSED CATALOGUE of any portion of the Public Library of Munich has appeared in this country. Speaking ofduplicates, not printed in the fifteenth century, it may be worth observing that they have at Munich not fewer than six copies (double the number of those at Strasbourg;) of the ACTA SANCTORUM; good handsome copies in vellum binding.
[Since the first edition of this Tour was published, several copies of this stupendous, but unfortunately imperfect work, have been imported into England: among which, however, none, to my recollection, have found their way from MUNICH. Indeed, the heavy expense of carriage is almost an interdiction: unless the copies were obtained at very moderate prices.]
66[See vol. ii. p. 147. Renouard,L'Imprim. des Alde, vol. i. 36- 7. There are however, NOW, I believe, in this country, FIVE copies of this very rare book; of which four are perfect.]
67The copy in question had, in 1595, been the property of F. Gregorius, prior of the monastery of Sts. Ulric and Afra at Augsbourg: as that possessor's autograph denotes.
68The principal of these "tempting articles" were a fine firstStatiusof 1502,Asconius Pedianus, 1522.Cicero de Officiis, 1517, andLeonicerus de Morbo Gallico--with the leaf of errata: wanting in the copy in St. James's Place. But perhaps rarer than either, theLaurentius MaoliandAverrois, each of 1497--intended forpresents. But Mr. Stoeger had forgotten these intended presents--andchargedthem at a good round sum. I considered his word as his bond--and told him that honest Englishmen were always in the habit of so considering the words of honest Germans. I threatened him with the return of the whole cargo, including even the belovedGreek Hours. Mr. Stoeger seemed amazed: hesitated: relented: and adhered to his original position. Had he done otherwise, I should doubtless have erased the epithet "honestissimus," in all the copies of the sale catalogue above alluded to, which might come within my notice, and placed a marginal emendation of "avidissimus."
69It may be a novel, and perhaps gratifying, sight to the reader to throw his eye over a list (of a few out of the fifty articles) like the following:
The florin, at the time of my residence at Munich, was about 1s. 9d.
70[However severely I may have expressed myself in a preceding page (105) of the general condition of this huge Inn, yet I cannot but gaze upon the subjoined view of it with no ordinary sensation of delight when I remember that the three-windowed room, on the first floor, to the right--close to the corner--was the room destined to be graced by the BOOK TREASURES above mentioned. This view may also serve as a general specimen of the frontage of the larger Inns in Bavaria.]
Bavarian Inn
71[All thebook-worldhas heard mention of THE LINCOLNE NOSEGAY, --a small handful of flowers, of choice hues, and vigorous stems, culled within the precincts of one of the noblest cathedrals in Europe. Neither Covent Garden at home, nor the Marché aux Fleurs at Paris, could boast of such a posey. I learn, however, with something approaching to horror, that the Nosegay in question has been counterfeited. Aspuriousedition (got up by some unprincipled speculator, and, I must add, bungling hand--for the typographical discrepancy is obvious) is abroad. Roxburghers, look well to your book-armouries! The foe may have crept into them, and exchanged your steel for painted wood.]
72There is something so hearty and characteristic in the Director's last letter to me, that I hope to be pardoned if I here subjoin a brief extract from it. "M. Schérer vient me quitter, et m'annoncer que votre départ est fixé pour demain. Jamais maladie--auxquelles, heureusement, je suis très rarement exposé--m'est survenu aussi mal-à-propos qu'à cette fois-ci. J'avois compté de jouir encore au moins quelques jours, après mon rétablissement, de votre entretien, et jetter les fondemens d'une amitié collegiale pour la future. La nouvelle, que M. Schérer m'apporte, me désole. J'avois formé le plan de vous accompagner pour voir quelqu'uns de nos Institutions rémarquables, principalementLa Lithographie, "Vana Somnia!" Votre résolution de quitter Munich plutôt que je n'avois pensé, détruit mes esperances. N'est-ce-pas possible que vous passiez par Munich à votre retour de Vienne? Utinam! Combien de choses restent, sur lesquelles j'esperais de causer et de traiter avec vous! "I bono alite: pede fausto."
Autograph
[The author of this Letter is NO MORE!]
73See the note, p. 157 ante.
74This Engraving appears in theÆdes Althorpianæ, vol. i. p. 246. On my return to England, it was necessary to keep up a correspondence with the amiable and intelligent character in question. I make no apology, either to the reader, or to the author of the Epistle, for subjoining a copy of one of these letters--premising, that it relates to fac-similes of several old copper cuts in the Public Library at Munich, as well as to his own engraving of the above-mentioned portrait. There is something throughout the whole of this letter so hearty, and so thoroughly original, that I am persuaded it will be perused with extreme gratification:
Munich, 17 May, 1819.
Dear and Reverend Sir;
I am a good old fellow, and a passable engraver; but a very bad Correspondent. You are a ... and minister of a religion which forgive all faults of mankind; and so I hope that you will still pardon me the retardation of mine answer. I am now 65 years old, and have never had any sickness in mine life, but I have such an averseness against writing, that only thesightof an ink-horn, pen and paper, make me feeling all sort of fevers of the whole medicinal faculty;-- and so I pray that you would forgive me the brevity of mine letters. Following your order, I send you jointly the first proof prints of those plates still (already) finished. The plate of that beautiful head of an English artist, is not yet so far advanced; but in about six weeks you will have it--and during this time, I expect your answer and direction to whom I shall deliver the whole. I wish and hope heartily that the fac-similes and portraits would be correspondent with your expectation.
I hold it for necessary and interesting, to give you a true copy of that old print--"Christ in the lap of God the Father." You'll see that this print is cutten round, and carefully pasted upon another paper on a wooden band of a book: which proves not only a high respect for a precious antiquity, but likewise that this print is much older than the date of 1462--which is written in red ink, over the cutten outlines, of that antique print. You may be entirely assured of the fidelity of both fac-similes. Now I pray you heartily to remember my name to our dear Mr. Lewis, with my friendliest compliments, and told him that the work onLithographyis now finished, and that he shall have it by the first occasion. In expectation of your honorable answer, I assure you of the highest consideration and respect of
Your most obedient humble Servant,
Autograph
75[This GRAPHIC WORTHY nowceases to exist. He died in his seventy-first year--leaving behind, the remembrance of virtues to be reverenced and of talents to be imitated.]
76[Another OBITUARY presses closely upon the preceding--but an Obituary which rends one's heart to dwell upon:--for a kinder, a more diligent, and more faithful Correspondent than was Mr. Nockher, it has never been my good fortune to be engaged with. Almost while writing theabovepassage, this unfortunate gentleman ... DESTROYED himself:--from embarrassment of circumstances!]
77See vol. i. p. 199.
78It is thus entitled:Bibliothecæ Ingolstadiensis Incunabula Typographica, 1787, 4to.: containing four parts. A carefully executed, and indispensably necessary, volume in every bibliographical collection.
79[I rejoice to add, in this edition of my Tour, that the LOST SHEEP has been FOUND. It had not straggled from the fold when I was at Landshut; but had gotpennedso snugly in some unfrequented corner, as not to be perceived.]
80[A vision, however, which AGAIN haunts me!]
81This copy has since reached England, and has been arrayed in a goodly coat of blue morocco binding. Whether it remain in Cornhill at this precise moment, I cannot take upon me to state; but I can confidently state that there isnot a finer copyof the edition in question in his Britannic Majesty's united dominions. [This copy now--1829-- ceases to exist... in Cornhill.]
82On consulting theTypog. Antiquities, vol. ii. p. 510, I found my conjectures confirmed. The reader will there see the full title of the work--beginning thus: "Eruditissimi Viri Guilelmi Rossei opus elegans, doctum, festiuum, pium, quo pulcherrime retegit, ac refellit, insanas Lutheri calumnias," &c.It is a volume of considerable rarity.
83The charges were moderate. A bottle of the best red ordinary wine (usually--the best in every respect) was somewhere about 1s. 6d. Our lodgings, two good rooms, including the charge of three wax candles, were about four shillings per day. The bread was excellent, and thecuisinefar from despicable.
84We learn from Pez (Austriacar. Rer.vol. ii. col. 185, taken from the Chronicle of the famousAdmont Monastery,) that, in the year 1128, the cathedral and the whole city of Salzburg were destroyed by fire." So, that the antiquity of this, and of other relics, must not be pushed to too remote a period.
85Before the reader commences the above account of a visit to this monastery, he may as well be informed that the SUBJOINED bird's-eye view of it, together with an abridged history (compiled from Trithemius, and previous chroniclers) appears in theMonasteriologia of Stengelius, published in 1619, folio.