[91]See the opening the fourth book of "The Task;" a picture perfectly original and unrivalled in its manner.[92]It is not less true, than surprising, that the ridiculous squabbles, which disgraced both this theatre and the metropolis, have been deemed deserving of a regular series of publications in the shape of numbers—1, 2, 3, &c. As if the subject had not been sufficiently well handled in the lively sallies and brilliant touches of satire which had before appeared upon it in theMonthly Mirror!
[91]See the opening the fourth book of "The Task;" a picture perfectly original and unrivalled in its manner.
[92]It is not less true, than surprising, that the ridiculous squabbles, which disgraced both this theatre and the metropolis, have been deemed deserving of a regular series of publications in the shape of numbers—1, 2, 3, &c. As if the subject had not been sufficiently well handled in the lively sallies and brilliant touches of satire which had before appeared upon it in theMonthly Mirror!
Philemon was about to reply, with his usual warmth and quickness, to the latter part of these remarks—as bearing too severely upon the eminent public seminaries within seventy miles of the metropolis—but Lysander, guessing his intentions from his manner and attitude, cut the dialogue short by observing that we did not meet to discuss subjects of a personal and irritable nature, and which had already exercised the wits of two redoubted champions of the church—but that our object, and the object of all rational and manly discussion, was to state opinions with frankness, without intending to wound the feelings, or call forth the animadversions, of well-meaning and respectable characters. "I know," continued he, "that you, Philemon, have been bred in one of these establishments, under a man as venerable for his years as he is eminent for his talents and worth; who employs the leisure of dignified retirement in giving to the world the result of his careful and profound researches; who, drinking largely at the fountain head of classical learning, and hence feeling the renovated vigour of youth (without having recourse to the black art of a CorneliusAgrippa[93]), circumnavigates 'the Erythrean sea'—then, ascending the vessel of Nearchus, he coasts 'from Indus to the Euphrates'—and explores with an ardent eye what is curious and what is precious, and treasures in his sagacious mind what is most likely to gratify and improve his fellow-countrymen. A rare and eminent instance this of the judicious application of acquired knowledge!—and how much more likely is it to produce good, and to secure solid fame, than to fritter away one's strength, and undermine one's health, in perpetual pugilistic contests with snarling critics, dull commentators, and foul-mouthed philologists."
[93]Let him who wishes to be regaled in a dull dreary night—when the snow is heavily falling, and the wind whistles hollowly—open those leaves of Bayle'sHistorical and Biographical Dictionarywhich relate to this extraordinary character; and see there how adroitly Agrippa is defended against the accusation of "having two devils attending him in the shape of two little dogs—one of them being called Monsieur, and the other Mademoiselle"—"whereas Paulus Jovius, Thevet, &c., speak only ofonedog, and never mention his name." Vol. i. 357, 361; edit. 1736, 10 vols. folio.The bibliographer, who wishes to be master of the most curious and rare editions of his works, may go from Bayle to Clement, and from Clement to Vogt. He must beware of the castrated Lyons' editions "per Beringos fratres"—against one of which Bayle declaims, and produces a specimen (quite to his own liking) of the passage suppressed:—another, of a similar kind, is adduced by Vogt (edit. 1793, pp. 19, 20); who tells us, however, that an edition of 1544, 8vo., without mention of place or printer—and especially a Cologne edition of 1598, by Hierat, in 12mo.—exhibits the like castrations; p. 20. This has escaped Clement, learned as he is upon the Lyons' editions, vol. i. 94, 95, 96. Bauer (Bibl. Libr. Rarior.) is here hardly worth consulting; and the compilers of the celebratedNouveau Dict. Historique(Caen edit. 1789, vol. i. p. 7. Art. Agrippa) deserve censure for the recommendation of these Lyons' editions only.Agrippa's "Vanity of Sciences" was first published at Antwerp in 4to. 1530; a book, upon the rarity of which bibliographers delight to expatiate. His "Occult Philosophy"—according to Bayle, in 1531 (at least, the Elector of Cologne had seen several printed leaves of it in this year), but according to Vogt and Bauer, in 1533.—There is no question about the edition of 1533; of which Vogt tells us, "An Englishman, residing at Frankfort, anxiously sought for a copy of it, offering fifty crowns (imperiales) and more, without success." All the editions in Agrippa's life-time (before 1536) are considered uncastrated, and the best. It should not be forgotten that Brucker, in hisHist. Crit. Phil., has given a masterly account of Agrippa, and an analysis of his works.
[93]Let him who wishes to be regaled in a dull dreary night—when the snow is heavily falling, and the wind whistles hollowly—open those leaves of Bayle'sHistorical and Biographical Dictionarywhich relate to this extraordinary character; and see there how adroitly Agrippa is defended against the accusation of "having two devils attending him in the shape of two little dogs—one of them being called Monsieur, and the other Mademoiselle"—"whereas Paulus Jovius, Thevet, &c., speak only ofonedog, and never mention his name." Vol. i. 357, 361; edit. 1736, 10 vols. folio.
The bibliographer, who wishes to be master of the most curious and rare editions of his works, may go from Bayle to Clement, and from Clement to Vogt. He must beware of the castrated Lyons' editions "per Beringos fratres"—against one of which Bayle declaims, and produces a specimen (quite to his own liking) of the passage suppressed:—another, of a similar kind, is adduced by Vogt (edit. 1793, pp. 19, 20); who tells us, however, that an edition of 1544, 8vo., without mention of place or printer—and especially a Cologne edition of 1598, by Hierat, in 12mo.—exhibits the like castrations; p. 20. This has escaped Clement, learned as he is upon the Lyons' editions, vol. i. 94, 95, 96. Bauer (Bibl. Libr. Rarior.) is here hardly worth consulting; and the compilers of the celebratedNouveau Dict. Historique(Caen edit. 1789, vol. i. p. 7. Art. Agrippa) deserve censure for the recommendation of these Lyons' editions only.
Agrippa's "Vanity of Sciences" was first published at Antwerp in 4to. 1530; a book, upon the rarity of which bibliographers delight to expatiate. His "Occult Philosophy"—according to Bayle, in 1531 (at least, the Elector of Cologne had seen several printed leaves of it in this year), but according to Vogt and Bauer, in 1533.—There is no question about the edition of 1533; of which Vogt tells us, "An Englishman, residing at Frankfort, anxiously sought for a copy of it, offering fifty crowns (imperiales) and more, without success." All the editions in Agrippa's life-time (before 1536) are considered uncastrated, and the best. It should not be forgotten that Brucker, in hisHist. Crit. Phil., has given a masterly account of Agrippa, and an analysis of his works.
Philemon heartily assented to the truth of these remarks; and, more than once, interrupted Lysander inhis panegyrical peroration by his cheerings:[94]for he had, in his youth (as was before observed), been instructed by the distinguished character upon whom the eulogy had been pronounced.
[94]This word is almost peculiar to our own country, and means a vehement degree of applause. It is generally used previous to, and during, a contest of any kind—whether by men in red coats, or blue coats, or black coats—upon land, upon water, or within doors. Even the walls of St. Stephen's chapel frequently echo to the "loud cheerings" of some kind or other. See every newspaper on every important debate.
[94]This word is almost peculiar to our own country, and means a vehement degree of applause. It is generally used previous to, and during, a contest of any kind—whether by men in red coats, or blue coats, or black coats—upon land, upon water, or within doors. Even the walls of St. Stephen's chapel frequently echo to the "loud cheerings" of some kind or other. See every newspaper on every important debate.
The effort occasioned by the warmth in discussing such interesting subjects nearly exhausted Lysander—when it was judged prudent to retire to rest. Each had his chamber assigned to him; and while the chequered moon-beam played upon the curtains and the wall, through the half-opened shutter, the minds of Lysander and Philemon felt a correspondent tranquillity; and sweet were their slumbers till the morning shone full upon them.
statue
The Cabinet
[Enlarge]
SUCH is the lively description of a spring morning, in the opening of Alain Chartier's "Livre des quatre dames;" and, excepting the violets, such description conveyed a pretty accurate idea of the scenery which presented itself, from the cabinet window, to the eyes of Lysander and Philemon.
Phil.How delightful, my dear friend, are the objects which we have before our eyes, within and without doors! The freshness of the morning air, of which we have just been partaking in yonder field, was hardly more reviving to my senses than is the sight of this exquisite cabinet of bibliographical works, adorned with small busts and whole-length figures from the antique! You see these precious books are bound chiefly in Morocco, or Russia leather: and the greater part of them appear to be printed uponlarge paper.
Lysand.Our friend makes these books a sort of hobby-horse, and perhaps indulges his vanity in them to excess. They are undoubtedly useful in their way.
Phil.You are averse then to the study of bibliography?
Lysand.By no means. I have already told you of my passion for books, and cannot, therefore, dislike bibliography. I think, with Lambinet, that the greater part of bibliographical works are sufficiently dry and soporific:[95]but I am not insensible to the utility, and even entertainment, which may result from a proper cultivation of it—although both De Bure and Peignot appear to me to have gone greatly beyond the mark, in lauding this study as "one of the most attractive and vast pursuits in which the human mind can be engaged."[96]
[95]Recherches, &c., sur l'Origine de l'Imprimerie: Introd. p. x. Lambinet adds very justly, "L'art consiste à les rendre supportables par des objets variés de littérature, de critique, d'anecdotes," &c.[96]See the "Discours sur la Science Bibliographique," &c., in the eighth volume of De Bure'sBibl. Instruct.and Peignot'sDictionnaire Raisonné deBiblilolgie, vol. i. p. 50. The passage, in the former authority, beginning "Sans cesse"—p. xvj.—would almost warm the benumbed heart of a thorough-bred mathematician, and induce him to exchange his Euclid for De Bure!!
[95]Recherches, &c., sur l'Origine de l'Imprimerie: Introd. p. x. Lambinet adds very justly, "L'art consiste à les rendre supportables par des objets variés de littérature, de critique, d'anecdotes," &c.
[96]See the "Discours sur la Science Bibliographique," &c., in the eighth volume of De Bure'sBibl. Instruct.and Peignot'sDictionnaire Raisonné deBiblilolgie, vol. i. p. 50. The passage, in the former authority, beginning "Sans cesse"—p. xvj.—would almost warm the benumbed heart of a thorough-bred mathematician, and induce him to exchange his Euclid for De Bure!!
Phil.But to know what books are valuable and what are worthless; their intrinsic and extrinsic merits; their rarity, beauty, and particularities of various kinds; and the estimation in which they are consequently held by knowing men—these things add a zest to the gratification we feel in even looking upon and handling certain volumes.
Lysand.It is true, my good Philemon; because knowledge upon any subject, however trivial, is more gratifying than total ignorance; and even if we could cut and string cherry-stones, like Cowper's rustic boy, it would be better than brushing them aside, without knowing that they could be converted to such a purpose. Hence I am always pleased with Le Long's reply to the caustic question of Father Malebranche, when the latter asked him, "how he could be so foolish as to take such pains about settling the date of a book, or making himself master of trivial points of philosophy!"—"Truth is so delightful," replied Le Long, "even in the mosttrivial matters, that we must neglect nothing to discover her." This reply, to a man who was writing, or had written, an essay upon truth was admirable. Mons. A.G.Camus, a good scholar, and an elegant bibliographer, [of whom you will see some account in "Les Siecles Litteraires de la France,"] has, I think, placed the study of bibliography in a just point of view; and to his observations, in the first volume of the "Memoires de l'Institut National," I must refer you.[97]
[97]Lysander had probably the following passage more particularly in recollection; which, it must be confessed, bears sufficiently hard upon fanciful and ostentatious collectors of books. "[Il y a] deux sortes de connoissance des livres: l'une qui se renferme presque uniquement dans les dehors et la forme du livre, pour apprécier, d'après sa date, d'après la caractère de l'impression, d'après certaines notes, quelquefois seulement d'après une erreur typographique, les qualités qui le font ranger dans la classe des livres rares où curieux, et qui fixent sa valeur pecuniaire: l'autre genre de connoissance consiste à savoir quels sont les livres les plus propres à instruire, ceux où les sujets sont le plus clairement présentés et le plus profondement discutés; les ouvrages à l'aide desquels il est possible de saisir l'origine de la science, de la suivre dans ses développemens, d'atteindre le point actuel de la perfection. Sans doute il seroit avantageux que ces deux genres de connoisances fussent toujours réunis: l'expérience montre qu'ils le sont rairement; l'expérience montre encore que le premier des deux genres a été plus cultivé que le second. Nous possédons, sur l'indication des livres curieux et rares, sur les antiquités et les bijoux litteraires, si l'on me permet d'employer cette expression, des instructions meilleures que nous n'en avons sur les livres propres à instruire foncièrement des sciences. En recherchant la cause de cette difference, on la trouvera peut-être dans la passion que des hommes riches et vains ont montrée pour posséder des livres sans être en état de les lire. Il a fallu créer pour eux une sorte de bibliotheque composée d'objets qui, sous la forme exterieure de livres, ne fussent réellement que des raretés, des objets de curiosité, qu'on ne lit pas, mais que tantôt on regarde avec complaisance, tantôt en montre avec ostentation; et comme après cela c'est presque toujours le goût des personnes en état de récompenser qui dirige le but des travailleurs, on ne doit pas être surpris qu'on se soit plus occupé d'indiquer aux hommes riches dont je parle, des raretés à acquérir, ou de vanter celles qu'ils avoient rassemblées, que de faciliter, par des indications utiles, les travaux des hommes studieux dont on n'attendoit aucune récompense."Memoires de l'Institut, vol. i. 664. See also the similar remarks of Jardé, in the "Précis sur les Bibliotheques," prefixed to Fournier'sDict. portatif de Bibliographie, edit. 1809.Something like the same animadversions may be found in a useful book printed nearly two centuries before: "Non enim cogitant quales ipsi, sed qualibus induti vestibus sint, et quanta pompa rerum fortunæque præfulgeant—sunt enim omnino ridiculi, qui in nuda librorum quantumvis selectissimorum multitudine gloriantur, et inde doctos sese atque admirandos esse persuadent." Draudius:Bibliotheca Classica, ed. 1611. Epist. ad. Lect. Spizelius has also a good passage upon the subject, in his description of Book-Gluttons ("Helluones Librorum"): "cum immensa pené librorum sit multitudo et varietas, fieri non potest, quin eorum opibus ditescere desiderans (hæres), non assiduam longamque lectionem adhibeat."Infelix Literatus, p. 296, edit. 1680, 8vo.
[97]Lysander had probably the following passage more particularly in recollection; which, it must be confessed, bears sufficiently hard upon fanciful and ostentatious collectors of books. "[Il y a] deux sortes de connoissance des livres: l'une qui se renferme presque uniquement dans les dehors et la forme du livre, pour apprécier, d'après sa date, d'après la caractère de l'impression, d'après certaines notes, quelquefois seulement d'après une erreur typographique, les qualités qui le font ranger dans la classe des livres rares où curieux, et qui fixent sa valeur pecuniaire: l'autre genre de connoissance consiste à savoir quels sont les livres les plus propres à instruire, ceux où les sujets sont le plus clairement présentés et le plus profondement discutés; les ouvrages à l'aide desquels il est possible de saisir l'origine de la science, de la suivre dans ses développemens, d'atteindre le point actuel de la perfection. Sans doute il seroit avantageux que ces deux genres de connoisances fussent toujours réunis: l'expérience montre qu'ils le sont rairement; l'expérience montre encore que le premier des deux genres a été plus cultivé que le second. Nous possédons, sur l'indication des livres curieux et rares, sur les antiquités et les bijoux litteraires, si l'on me permet d'employer cette expression, des instructions meilleures que nous n'en avons sur les livres propres à instruire foncièrement des sciences. En recherchant la cause de cette difference, on la trouvera peut-être dans la passion que des hommes riches et vains ont montrée pour posséder des livres sans être en état de les lire. Il a fallu créer pour eux une sorte de bibliotheque composée d'objets qui, sous la forme exterieure de livres, ne fussent réellement que des raretés, des objets de curiosité, qu'on ne lit pas, mais que tantôt on regarde avec complaisance, tantôt en montre avec ostentation; et comme après cela c'est presque toujours le goût des personnes en état de récompenser qui dirige le but des travailleurs, on ne doit pas être surpris qu'on se soit plus occupé d'indiquer aux hommes riches dont je parle, des raretés à acquérir, ou de vanter celles qu'ils avoient rassemblées, que de faciliter, par des indications utiles, les travaux des hommes studieux dont on n'attendoit aucune récompense."Memoires de l'Institut, vol. i. 664. See also the similar remarks of Jardé, in the "Précis sur les Bibliotheques," prefixed to Fournier'sDict. portatif de Bibliographie, edit. 1809.
Something like the same animadversions may be found in a useful book printed nearly two centuries before: "Non enim cogitant quales ipsi, sed qualibus induti vestibus sint, et quanta pompa rerum fortunæque præfulgeant—sunt enim omnino ridiculi, qui in nuda librorum quantumvis selectissimorum multitudine gloriantur, et inde doctos sese atque admirandos esse persuadent." Draudius:Bibliotheca Classica, ed. 1611. Epist. ad. Lect. Spizelius has also a good passage upon the subject, in his description of Book-Gluttons ("Helluones Librorum"): "cum immensa pené librorum sit multitudo et varietas, fieri non potest, quin eorum opibus ditescere desiderans (hæres), non assiduam longamque lectionem adhibeat."Infelix Literatus, p. 296, edit. 1680, 8vo.
Phil.I may want time, and probably inclination, to read these observations: and, at any rate, I should be better pleased with your analysis of them.
Lysand.That would lead me into a wide field indeed; and, besides, our friend—who I see walking hastily up the garden—is impatient for his breakfast; 'tis better, therefore, that we satisfy just now an appetite of a different kind.
Phil.But you promise to renew the subject afterwards?
Lysand.I will make no such promise. If our facetious friendLisardo, who is expected shortly to join us, should happen to direct our attention and the discourse to the sale ofMalvolio'sbusts and statues, what favourable opportunity do you suppose could present itself for handling so unpromising a subject as bibliography?
Phil.Well, well, let us hope he will not come: or, if he does, let us take care to carry the point by a majority of votes. I hear the gate bell ring: 'tis Lisardo, surely!
Three minutes afterwards, Lisardo and myself, who met in the passage from opposite doors, entered the Cabinet. Mutual greetings succeeded: and, after a hearty breakfast, the conversation was more systematically renewed.
Lis.I am quite anxious to give you a description of the fine things which were sold at Malvolio's mansion yesterday! Amongst colossal Minervas, and pigmy fauns and satyrs, a magnificent set of books, in ten or twelve folio volumes (I forget the precise number) in Morocco binding, was to be disposed of.
Lysand.The Clementine and Florentine museums?
Lis.No indeed—a much less interesting work. A catalogue of the manuscripts and printed books in the library of the French king, Louis the fifteenth. It was odd enough to see such a work in such a sale!
Phil.You did not probably bid ten guineas for it, Lisardo?
Lis.Not ten shillings. What should I do with such books? You know I have a mortal aversion to them, and to every thing connected with bibliographical learning.
Phil.That arises, I presume, from your profound knowledge of the subject; and, hence, finding it, as Solomon found most pursuits, "vanity of vanities, and vexation of spirit."
Lis.Not so, truly! I have taken an aversion to it from mere whim and fancy: or rather from downright ignorance.
Phil.But I suppose you would not object to be set right upon any subject of which you are ignorant or misinformed? You don't mean to sporthereditaryaversions, or hereditary attachments?
Lis.Why, perhaps, something of the kind. My father, who was the best creature upon earth, happened to come into the possession of a huge heap of catalogues of private collections, as well as of booksellers' books—and I remember, on a certain fifth of November, when my little hands could scarcely grasp the lamplighter's link that he bade me set fire to them, and shout forth—"Long live the King!"—ever since I have held them in sovereign contempt.
Phil.I love the king too well to suppose that his life could have been lengthened by any such barbarous act. You were absolutely a little Chi Ho-am-ti, or Omar![98]Perhaps you were not aware that his majesty is in possession of many valuable books, which are described with great care and accuracy in some of these very catalogues.
[98]Pope, in his Dunciad, has treated the conflagration of the two great ancient libraries, with his usual poetical skill:"Far eastward cast thine eye, from whence the sunAnd orient Science their bright course begun:One god-like monarch all that pride confounds,He, whose long wall the wandering Tartar bounds;Heavens! what a pile! whole ages perish there,And one bright blaze turns Learning into air.Thence to the south extend thy gladden'd eyes;There rival flames with equal glory rise,From shelves to shelves see greedy Vulcan roll,And lick up all theirPhysic of the Soul.""Chi Ho-am-ti, Emperor of China, the same who built the great wall between China and Tartary, destroyed all the books and learned men of that empire.""The caliph, Omar I. having conquered Egypt, caused his general to burn the Ptolemean library, on the gates of which was this inscription: 'ΨΥΧΗΣ ΙΑΤΡΕΙΟΝ:' 'The Physic of the Soul.'" Warburton's note. The last editor of Pope's works, (vol. v. 214.) might have referred us to the very ingenious observations of Gibbon, upon the probability of this latter event: see his "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," vol. ix. 440, &c.
[98]Pope, in his Dunciad, has treated the conflagration of the two great ancient libraries, with his usual poetical skill:
"Chi Ho-am-ti, Emperor of China, the same who built the great wall between China and Tartary, destroyed all the books and learned men of that empire."
"The caliph, Omar I. having conquered Egypt, caused his general to burn the Ptolemean library, on the gates of which was this inscription: 'ΨΥΧΗΣ ΙΑΤΡΕΙΟΝ:' 'The Physic of the Soul.'" Warburton's note. The last editor of Pope's works, (vol. v. 214.) might have referred us to the very ingenious observations of Gibbon, upon the probability of this latter event: see his "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," vol. ix. 440, &c.
Lis.The act, upon reflection, was no doubt sufficiently foolish. But why so warm upon the subject?
Lysand.Let me defend Philemon; or at least account for his zeal. Just before you came in, he was leading me to give him some account of therise and progress of Bibliography; and was fearful that, from your noted aversion to the subject, you would soon cut asunder the thread of our conversation.
Lis.If you can convert me to be an admirer of such a subject, or even to endure it, you will work wonders; and, unless you promise to do so, I know not whether I shall suffer you to begin.
Phil.Begin, my dear Lysander. A mind disposed to listen attentively is sometimes half converted. O, how I shall rejoice to see this bibliographical incendiary going about to buy up copies of the very works which he has destroyed! Listen, I entreat you, Lisardo.
Lis.I am all attention; for I see the clouds gathering in the south, and a gloomy, if not a showery, mid-day, promises to darken this beauteous morning. 'Twill not be possible to attend the antiques at Malvolio's sale.
Lysand.Whether the sun shine, or the showers fall, I will make an attempt—not to convert, but to state simple truths: provided you "lend me your ears."
Phil.And our hearts too. Begin: for the birds drop their notes, and the outlines of the distant landscape are already dimmed by the drizzling rain.
Lysand.You call upon me as formally as the shepherds call upon one another to sing in Virgil's eclogues. But I will do my best.
It is gratifying to the English nation—whatever mayhave been the strictures of foreigners[99]upon the paucity of their bibliographico-literary works in the 16th century—that the earliest printed volume upon the love and advantages of book-collecting was thePhilobiblion[100]ofRichard De Bury; who was bishop of Durham at the close of the 14th century, and tutor to Edward III. I will at present say nothing about the merits and demerits of this short treatise; only I may be permitted to observe, with satisfaction, that the head of the same see, at the present day, has given many proofs of his attachment to those studies, and of his reward of such merit as attracted the notice of his illustrious predecessor. It is with pain that I am compelled to avow the paucity of publications, in our own country, of a nature similar to thePhilobiblionof De Bury, even for two centuries after it was composed; but while Leland was making his library-tour, under the auspices of that capricious tyrant Henry VIII., many works were plannedabroad, which greatly facilitated the researches of the learned.
[99]"Anglica gens longe fuit negligentior in consignandis ingeniorum monumentis; nihil enim ab illis prodiit, quod mereatur nominari, cum tamen sint extentque pene innumera ingeniossimæ gentis in omnibus doctrinis scripta, prodeantque quotidie, tam Latina, quam vernacula lingua, plura," Morhof:Polyhist. Literar.vol. i. 205, edit. 1747.Reimmannus carries his strictures, upon the jealousy of foreigners at the success of the Germans in bibliography, with a high hand: "Ringantur Itali, nasum incurvent Galli, supercilium adducant Hispani, scita cavilla serant Britanni, frendeant, spument, bacchentur ii omnes, qui præstantiamMusarum Germanicarumlimis oculis aspiciunt," &c.—"hoc tamen certum, firmum, ratum, et inconcussum est,Germanosprimos fuisse in Rep. Literaria, qui Indices Librorum Generales, Speciales et Specialissimos conficere, &c. annisi sunt."—A little further, however, he speaks respectfully of our James, Hyde, and Bernhard. See his ably-writtenBibl. Acroamatica, pp. 1, 6.[100]"Sive de Amore Librorum." The first edition, hitherto so acknowledged, of this entertaining work, was printed at Spires, by John and Conrad Hist, in 1483, 4to., a book of great rarity—according to Clement, vol. v. 435; Bauer (Suppl. Bibl. Libr. Rarior, pt. i. 276); Maichelius, p. 127; and Morhof, vol. i. 187. Mons. De La Serna Santander has assigned the date of 1473 to this edition: see hisDict. Bibliog. Chois.vol. ii. 257,—but, above all, consult Clement—to whom Panzer, vol. iii. p. 22, very properly refers his readers. And yet some of Clement's authorities do not exactly bear him out in the identification of this impression. Mattaire, vol. i. 449, does not appear to have ever seen a copy of it: but, what is rather extraordinary, Count Macarty has a copy of a Cologne edition in 4to., of the date of 1473. No other edition of it is known to have been printed till the year 1500; when two impressions of this date were published at Paris, in 4to.: the one by Philip for Petit, of which both Clement and Fabricius (Bibl. Med. et Inf. Ætat.vol. i. 842, &c.) were ignorant; but of which, a copy, according to Panzer, vol. ii. 336, should seem to be in the public library at Gottingen; the other, by Badius Ascensius, is somewhat more commonly known. A century elapsed before this work was deemed deserving of republication; when the country that had given birth to, and the university that had directed the studies of, its illustrious author, put forth an inelegant reprint of it in 4to. 1599—from which some excerpts will be found in the ensuing pages—but in the meantime the reader may consult the title-page account of Herbert, vol. iii. p. 1408. Of none of these latter editions were the sharp eyes of Clement ever blessed with a sight of a copy! See hisBibl. Curcuse, &c. vol. v. 438.The 17th century made some atonement for the negligence of the past, in regard toRichard De Bury. At Frankfort hisPhilobiblionwas reprinted, with "a Century of Philological Letters," collected by Goldastus, in 1610, 8vo—and this same work appeared again, at Leipsic, in 1674, 8vo. At length the famous Schmidt put forth an edition, with some new pieces, "typis et sumtibus Georgii Wolffgangii Hammii, Acad. Typog. 1703," 4to. Of this latter edition, neither Maichelius nor the last editor of Morhof take notice. It may be worth while adding that the subscription in red ink, which Fabricius (ibid.) notices as being subjoined to a vellum MS. of this work, in his own possession—and which states that it was finished at Auckland, in the year 1343, in the 58th of its author, and at the close of the 11th year of his episcopacy—may be found, in substance, in Hearne's edition of Leland'sCollectanea, vol. ii. 385, edit. 1774.
[99]"Anglica gens longe fuit negligentior in consignandis ingeniorum monumentis; nihil enim ab illis prodiit, quod mereatur nominari, cum tamen sint extentque pene innumera ingeniossimæ gentis in omnibus doctrinis scripta, prodeantque quotidie, tam Latina, quam vernacula lingua, plura," Morhof:Polyhist. Literar.vol. i. 205, edit. 1747.
Reimmannus carries his strictures, upon the jealousy of foreigners at the success of the Germans in bibliography, with a high hand: "Ringantur Itali, nasum incurvent Galli, supercilium adducant Hispani, scita cavilla serant Britanni, frendeant, spument, bacchentur ii omnes, qui præstantiamMusarum Germanicarumlimis oculis aspiciunt," &c.—"hoc tamen certum, firmum, ratum, et inconcussum est,Germanosprimos fuisse in Rep. Literaria, qui Indices Librorum Generales, Speciales et Specialissimos conficere, &c. annisi sunt."—A little further, however, he speaks respectfully of our James, Hyde, and Bernhard. See his ably-writtenBibl. Acroamatica, pp. 1, 6.
[100]"Sive de Amore Librorum." The first edition, hitherto so acknowledged, of this entertaining work, was printed at Spires, by John and Conrad Hist, in 1483, 4to., a book of great rarity—according to Clement, vol. v. 435; Bauer (Suppl. Bibl. Libr. Rarior, pt. i. 276); Maichelius, p. 127; and Morhof, vol. i. 187. Mons. De La Serna Santander has assigned the date of 1473 to this edition: see hisDict. Bibliog. Chois.vol. ii. 257,—but, above all, consult Clement—to whom Panzer, vol. iii. p. 22, very properly refers his readers. And yet some of Clement's authorities do not exactly bear him out in the identification of this impression. Mattaire, vol. i. 449, does not appear to have ever seen a copy of it: but, what is rather extraordinary, Count Macarty has a copy of a Cologne edition in 4to., of the date of 1473. No other edition of it is known to have been printed till the year 1500; when two impressions of this date were published at Paris, in 4to.: the one by Philip for Petit, of which both Clement and Fabricius (Bibl. Med. et Inf. Ætat.vol. i. 842, &c.) were ignorant; but of which, a copy, according to Panzer, vol. ii. 336, should seem to be in the public library at Gottingen; the other, by Badius Ascensius, is somewhat more commonly known. A century elapsed before this work was deemed deserving of republication; when the country that had given birth to, and the university that had directed the studies of, its illustrious author, put forth an inelegant reprint of it in 4to. 1599—from which some excerpts will be found in the ensuing pages—but in the meantime the reader may consult the title-page account of Herbert, vol. iii. p. 1408. Of none of these latter editions were the sharp eyes of Clement ever blessed with a sight of a copy! See hisBibl. Curcuse, &c. vol. v. 438.
The 17th century made some atonement for the negligence of the past, in regard toRichard De Bury. At Frankfort hisPhilobiblionwas reprinted, with "a Century of Philological Letters," collected by Goldastus, in 1610, 8vo—and this same work appeared again, at Leipsic, in 1674, 8vo. At length the famous Schmidt put forth an edition, with some new pieces, "typis et sumtibus Georgii Wolffgangii Hammii, Acad. Typog. 1703," 4to. Of this latter edition, neither Maichelius nor the last editor of Morhof take notice. It may be worth while adding that the subscription in red ink, which Fabricius (ibid.) notices as being subjoined to a vellum MS. of this work, in his own possession—and which states that it was finished at Auckland, in the year 1343, in the 58th of its author, and at the close of the 11th year of his episcopacy—may be found, in substance, in Hearne's edition of Leland'sCollectanea, vol. ii. 385, edit. 1774.
Among the men who first helped to clear away the rubbish that impeded the progress of the student, was the learned and modestConrad Gesner; at once a scholar, a philosopher, and a bibliographer: and upon whom Julius Scaliger, Theodore Beza, and De Thou, have pronounced noble eulogiums.[101]HisBibliothecaUniversaliswas the first thing, since the discovery of the art of printing, which enabled the curious to become acquainted with the works of preceding authors: thus kindling, by the light of such a lamp, the fire of emulation among his contemporaries and successors. I do not pretend to say that theBibliothecaof Gesner is any thing like perfect, even as far as it goes: but, considering that the author had to work with his own materials alone, and that the degree of fame and profit attached to such a publication was purely speculative, he undoubtedly merits the thanks of posterity for having completed it even in the manner in which it has come down to us. Consider Gesner as the father of bibliography; and if, at the sale of Malvolio's busts, there be one of this great man, purchase it, good Lisardo, and place it over the portico of your library.
[101]HisBibliotheca, orCatalogus Universalis, &c., was first printed in a handsome folio volume at Zurich, 1545. Lycosthyne put forth a wretched abridgement of this work, which was printed by the learned Oporinus, in 4to., 1551. Robert Constantine, the lexicographer, also abridged and published it in 1555, Paris, 8vo.; and William Canter is said by Labbe to have written notes upon Simler's edition, which Baillet took for granted to be in existence, and laments not to have seen them; but he is properly corrected by De La Monnoye, who reminds us that it was a mere report, which Labbe gave as he found it. I never saw Simler's own editions of his excellent abridgement and enlargement of it in 1555 and 1574; but Frisius published it, with great improvements, in 1583, fol., adding many articles, and abridging and omitting many others. Although this latter edition be called theedit. opt.it will be evident that theeditio originalisis yet a desideratum in every bibliographical collection. Nor indeed does Frisius's edition take away the necessity of consulting a supplement to Gesner, which appeared at the end of theBibliothéque Françoiseof Du Verdier, 1584. It may be worth stating that Hallevordius'sBibliotheca Curiòsa, 1656, 1687, 4to., is little better than a supplement to the preceding work.ThePandectsof Gesner, 1548, fol. are also well worth the bibliographer's notice. Each of the 20 books, of which the volume is composed, is preceded by an interesting dedicatory epistle to some eminent printer of day. Consult Baillet'sJugemens des Savans, vol. ii. p. 11.Bibl. Creven.vol. v. p. 278; upon this latter work more particularly; and Morhof'sPolyhistor. Literar.vol. i. 197, and Vogt'sCatalog. Libr. Rarior., p. 164: upon the former. Although theDictionnaire Historique, published at Caen, in 1789, notices the botanical and lexicographical works of Gesner, it has omitted to mention these Pandects: which however, are uncommon.
[101]HisBibliotheca, orCatalogus Universalis, &c., was first printed in a handsome folio volume at Zurich, 1545. Lycosthyne put forth a wretched abridgement of this work, which was printed by the learned Oporinus, in 4to., 1551. Robert Constantine, the lexicographer, also abridged and published it in 1555, Paris, 8vo.; and William Canter is said by Labbe to have written notes upon Simler's edition, which Baillet took for granted to be in existence, and laments not to have seen them; but he is properly corrected by De La Monnoye, who reminds us that it was a mere report, which Labbe gave as he found it. I never saw Simler's own editions of his excellent abridgement and enlargement of it in 1555 and 1574; but Frisius published it, with great improvements, in 1583, fol., adding many articles, and abridging and omitting many others. Although this latter edition be called theedit. opt.it will be evident that theeditio originalisis yet a desideratum in every bibliographical collection. Nor indeed does Frisius's edition take away the necessity of consulting a supplement to Gesner, which appeared at the end of theBibliothéque Françoiseof Du Verdier, 1584. It may be worth stating that Hallevordius'sBibliotheca Curiòsa, 1656, 1687, 4to., is little better than a supplement to the preceding work.
ThePandectsof Gesner, 1548, fol. are also well worth the bibliographer's notice. Each of the 20 books, of which the volume is composed, is preceded by an interesting dedicatory epistle to some eminent printer of day. Consult Baillet'sJugemens des Savans, vol. ii. p. 11.Bibl. Creven.vol. v. p. 278; upon this latter work more particularly; and Morhof'sPolyhistor. Literar.vol. i. 197, and Vogt'sCatalog. Libr. Rarior., p. 164: upon the former. Although theDictionnaire Historique, published at Caen, in 1789, notices the botanical and lexicographical works of Gesner, it has omitted to mention these Pandects: which however, are uncommon.
Lis.All this is very well. Proceed with the patriarchal age of your beloved bibliography.
Lysand.I was about resuming, with observing that ourBalespeedily imitated the example of Gesner, in putting forth hisBritanniæ Scriptores;[102]the materials of the greater part of which were supplied by Leland. This work is undoubtedly necessary to every Englishman,but its errors are manifold. Let me now introduce to your notice the little work ofFlorian Trefler, published in 1560;[103]also the first thing in its kind, and intimately connected with our present subject. The learned, it is true, were not much pleased with it; but it afforded a rough outline upon which Naudæus afterwards worked, and produced, as you will find, a more pleasing and perfect picture. A few years after this, appeared theErotemataofMichael Neander;[104]in the long and learned preface to which, and in the catalogue of his and of Melancthon's works subjoined, some brilliant hints of a bibliographical nature were thrown out, quite sufficient to inflame the lover of book-anecdotes with a desire of seeing a work perfected according to such a plan: but Neander was unwilling, or unable, to put his design into execution. Bibliography, however, now began to make rather a rapid progress; and, in France, the ancient writers of history and poetry seemed to live again in theBibliotheque FrançoiseofLa Croix du MaineandDu Verdier.[105]Nor werethe contemporaneous similar efforts ofCardonato be despised: a man, indeed, skilled in various erudition, and distinguished for his unabating perseverance in examining all themss.and printed books that came in his way. The manner, slight as it was, in which Cardona[106]mentioned the Vatican library, aroused the patriotic ardor ofPansa; who published hisBibliotheca Vaticana, in the Italian language, in the year 1590; and in the subsequent year appeared the rival production ofAngelus Roccha, written in Latin, under the same title.[107]The magnificent establishment of theVatican press, under the auspices of Pope Sixtus V. and Clement VIII. and under the typographical direction of the grandson of Aldus,[108]called forth these publications—which might, however, have been executed with more splendour and credit.
[102]The first edition of this work, under the title of "Illustrium maioris Britanniæ Scriptorum, hoc est, Anglæ, Cambriæ, ac Scotiæ summarium, in quasnam centurias divisum, &c.," was printed at Ipswich, in 1548, 4to., containing three supposed portraits of Bale, and a spurious one of Wicliffe. Of the half length portrait of Bale, upon a single leaf, as noticed by Herbert, vol. iii. 1457, I have doubts about its appearance in all the copies. The above work was again published at Basil, by Opornius, in 1559, fol., greatly enlarged and corrected, with a magnificent half length portrait of Bale, from which the one in a subsequent part of this work was either copied on a reduced scale, or of which it was the prototype. His majesty has perhaps the finest copy of this last edition of Bale'sScriptores Britanniæ, in existence.[103]"Les Savans n'ont nullemont été satisfaits des règles prescrites parFlorian Treffer(Trefler) le premièr dont on connoisse un écrit sur ce sujet [de la disposition des livres dans une bibliothèque]. Sa méthode de classer les livres fut imprimée à Augsbourg en 1560." Camus:Memoires de l'Institut. vol. i. 646. The title is "Methodus Ordinandi Bibliothecam," Augustæ, 1560. The extreme rarity of this book does not appear to have arisen from its utility—if the authority quoted by Vogt, p. 857, edit. 1793, may be credited. Bauer repeats Vogt's account; and Teisser, Morhof, and Baillet, overlook the work.[104]It would appear, from Morhof, thatNeandermeditated the publication of a work similar to thePandectsof Gesner; which would, in all probability, have greatly excelled it. The "Erotemata Græcæ Linguæ" was published at Basil in 1565, 8vo. ConsultPolyhist. Liter.vol. i. 199:Jugemens des Savans, vol. iii. art. 887, but more particularly Niceron'sMemoires des Hommes Illustres, vol. xxx. In regard to Neander, Vogt has given the title at length (a sufficiently tempting one!) calling the work "very rare," and the preface of Neander (which is twice the length of the work) "curious and erudite." See hisCatalog. Libror. Rarior., p. 614, edit. 1793.[105]La Croix Du Maine'sbook appeared toward the end of the year 1584; and that of his coadjutor,Anthony Verdier, in the beginning of the subsequent year. They are both in folio, and are usually bound in one volume. Of these works, the first is the rarest and best executed; but the very excellent edition of both of them, byDe La MonnoyeandJuvigny, in six volumes, 4to., 1772, which has realized the patriotic wishes of Baillet, leaves nothing to be desired in the old editions—and these are accordingly dropping fast into annihilation. It would appear from an advertisement of De Bure, subjoined to his catalogue of Count Macarty's books, 1779, 8vo., that there were then remaining only eleven copies of this new edition uponlarge paper, which were sold for one hundred and twenty livres. Claude Verdier, son of Antony, who published a supplement to Gesner's Bibliotheca, and a "Censio auctorum omnium veterum et recentiorum," affected to censure his father's work, and declared that nothing but parental respect could have induced him to consent to its publication—but consult theJugemens des Savans, vol. ii. 87-8, upon Claude's filial affection; and Morhof'sPolyhist. Literar., vol. i., 176, concerning the "Censio," &c.—"misere," exclaims Morhof, "ille corvos deludit hiantes: nam ubi censuram suam exercet, manifestum hominis phrenesin facile deprehendas!" The ancient editions are well described inBibl. Creven., vol. v., 277-8, edit. 1776—but more particularly by De Bure, nos. 6020-1. A copy of the ancient edition was sold at West's sale for 2l.15s.SeeBibl. West., No. 934.[106]John Baptist Cardona, a learned and industrious writer, and bishop of Tortosa, published a quarto volume at Tarracona, in 1537, 4to.—comprehending the following four pieces: 1.De regia Sancti Lamentii Bibliotheca: 2.De Bibliothecis(Ex Fulvio Ursino,) etDe Bibliotheca Vaticana (ex Omphrii Schedis): 3.De Expurgandis hæreticorum propriis nominibus: 4.De Dipthycis. Of these, the first, in which he treats of collecting all manner of useful books, and having able librarians, and in which he strongly exhorts Philip II. to put the Escurial library into good order, is the most valuable to the bibliographer. Vogt, p. 224, gives us two authorities to shew the rarity of this book; and Baillet refers us to theBibliotheca Hispanaof Antonio.[107]Mutius Panza'swork, under the title ofRagionamenti della Libraria Vaticana, Rome, 1590, 4to., andAngelus Roccha's, that ofBibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana, Rome, 1591, 4to., relate rather to the ornaments of architecture and painting, than to a useful and critical analysis, or a numbered catalogue, of the books within the Vatican library. The authors of both are accused by Morhof of introducing quite extraneous and uninteresting matter. Roccha's book, however, is worth possessing, as it is frequently quoted by bibliographers. How far it may be "Liber valde quidem rarus," as Vogt intimates, I will not pretend to determine. It has a plate of the Vatican Library, and another of St. Peter's Cathedral. The reader may consult, also, theJugemens des Savans, vol. ii., p. 141. My copy of this work, purchased at the sale of Dr. Heath's books, has a few pasted printed slips in the margins—some of them sufficiently curious.[108]Consult Renouard'sL'Imprimerie des Alde, vol. ii., 122, &c. One of the grandest works which ever issued from the Vatican press, under the superintendence of Aldus, was the vulgate bible of Pope Sixtus V., 1590, fol., the copies of which, uponlarge paper, are sufficiently well known and coveted. A very pleasing and satisfactory account of this publication will be found in theHoræ Biblicæof Mr. Charles Butler, a gentleman who has long and justly maintained the rare character of a profound lawyer, an elegant scholar, and a well-versed antiquary and philologist.
[102]The first edition of this work, under the title of "Illustrium maioris Britanniæ Scriptorum, hoc est, Anglæ, Cambriæ, ac Scotiæ summarium, in quasnam centurias divisum, &c.," was printed at Ipswich, in 1548, 4to., containing three supposed portraits of Bale, and a spurious one of Wicliffe. Of the half length portrait of Bale, upon a single leaf, as noticed by Herbert, vol. iii. 1457, I have doubts about its appearance in all the copies. The above work was again published at Basil, by Opornius, in 1559, fol., greatly enlarged and corrected, with a magnificent half length portrait of Bale, from which the one in a subsequent part of this work was either copied on a reduced scale, or of which it was the prototype. His majesty has perhaps the finest copy of this last edition of Bale'sScriptores Britanniæ, in existence.
[103]"Les Savans n'ont nullemont été satisfaits des règles prescrites parFlorian Treffer(Trefler) le premièr dont on connoisse un écrit sur ce sujet [de la disposition des livres dans une bibliothèque]. Sa méthode de classer les livres fut imprimée à Augsbourg en 1560." Camus:Memoires de l'Institut. vol. i. 646. The title is "Methodus Ordinandi Bibliothecam," Augustæ, 1560. The extreme rarity of this book does not appear to have arisen from its utility—if the authority quoted by Vogt, p. 857, edit. 1793, may be credited. Bauer repeats Vogt's account; and Teisser, Morhof, and Baillet, overlook the work.
[104]It would appear, from Morhof, thatNeandermeditated the publication of a work similar to thePandectsof Gesner; which would, in all probability, have greatly excelled it. The "Erotemata Græcæ Linguæ" was published at Basil in 1565, 8vo. ConsultPolyhist. Liter.vol. i. 199:Jugemens des Savans, vol. iii. art. 887, but more particularly Niceron'sMemoires des Hommes Illustres, vol. xxx. In regard to Neander, Vogt has given the title at length (a sufficiently tempting one!) calling the work "very rare," and the preface of Neander (which is twice the length of the work) "curious and erudite." See hisCatalog. Libror. Rarior., p. 614, edit. 1793.
[105]La Croix Du Maine'sbook appeared toward the end of the year 1584; and that of his coadjutor,Anthony Verdier, in the beginning of the subsequent year. They are both in folio, and are usually bound in one volume. Of these works, the first is the rarest and best executed; but the very excellent edition of both of them, byDe La MonnoyeandJuvigny, in six volumes, 4to., 1772, which has realized the patriotic wishes of Baillet, leaves nothing to be desired in the old editions—and these are accordingly dropping fast into annihilation. It would appear from an advertisement of De Bure, subjoined to his catalogue of Count Macarty's books, 1779, 8vo., that there were then remaining only eleven copies of this new edition uponlarge paper, which were sold for one hundred and twenty livres. Claude Verdier, son of Antony, who published a supplement to Gesner's Bibliotheca, and a "Censio auctorum omnium veterum et recentiorum," affected to censure his father's work, and declared that nothing but parental respect could have induced him to consent to its publication—but consult theJugemens des Savans, vol. ii. 87-8, upon Claude's filial affection; and Morhof'sPolyhist. Literar., vol. i., 176, concerning the "Censio," &c.—"misere," exclaims Morhof, "ille corvos deludit hiantes: nam ubi censuram suam exercet, manifestum hominis phrenesin facile deprehendas!" The ancient editions are well described inBibl. Creven., vol. v., 277-8, edit. 1776—but more particularly by De Bure, nos. 6020-1. A copy of the ancient edition was sold at West's sale for 2l.15s.SeeBibl. West., No. 934.
[106]John Baptist Cardona, a learned and industrious writer, and bishop of Tortosa, published a quarto volume at Tarracona, in 1537, 4to.—comprehending the following four pieces: 1.De regia Sancti Lamentii Bibliotheca: 2.De Bibliothecis(Ex Fulvio Ursino,) etDe Bibliotheca Vaticana (ex Omphrii Schedis): 3.De Expurgandis hæreticorum propriis nominibus: 4.De Dipthycis. Of these, the first, in which he treats of collecting all manner of useful books, and having able librarians, and in which he strongly exhorts Philip II. to put the Escurial library into good order, is the most valuable to the bibliographer. Vogt, p. 224, gives us two authorities to shew the rarity of this book; and Baillet refers us to theBibliotheca Hispanaof Antonio.
[107]Mutius Panza'swork, under the title ofRagionamenti della Libraria Vaticana, Rome, 1590, 4to., andAngelus Roccha's, that ofBibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana, Rome, 1591, 4to., relate rather to the ornaments of architecture and painting, than to a useful and critical analysis, or a numbered catalogue, of the books within the Vatican library. The authors of both are accused by Morhof of introducing quite extraneous and uninteresting matter. Roccha's book, however, is worth possessing, as it is frequently quoted by bibliographers. How far it may be "Liber valde quidem rarus," as Vogt intimates, I will not pretend to determine. It has a plate of the Vatican Library, and another of St. Peter's Cathedral. The reader may consult, also, theJugemens des Savans, vol. ii., p. 141. My copy of this work, purchased at the sale of Dr. Heath's books, has a few pasted printed slips in the margins—some of them sufficiently curious.
[108]Consult Renouard'sL'Imprimerie des Alde, vol. ii., 122, &c. One of the grandest works which ever issued from the Vatican press, under the superintendence of Aldus, was the vulgate bible of Pope Sixtus V., 1590, fol., the copies of which, uponlarge paper, are sufficiently well known and coveted. A very pleasing and satisfactory account of this publication will be found in theHoræ Biblicæof Mr. Charles Butler, a gentleman who has long and justly maintained the rare character of a profound lawyer, an elegant scholar, and a well-versed antiquary and philologist.
Let us here not forget that the celebratedLipsiuscondescended to direct his talents to the subject of libraries; and his very name, as Baillet justly remarks, "is sufficient to secure respect for his work," however slender it may be.[109]We now approach, with the mention of Lipsius, the opening of the 17th century; a period singularly fertile in bibliographical productions. I will not pretend to describe, minutely, even the leading authors in this department. The works ofPuteanuscan be only slightly alluded to, in order to notice the more copious and valuable ones ofPossevinusand ofSchottus;[110]men who were ornaments to their country,and whose literary and bibliographical publications have secured to them the gratitude of posterity. While the labours of these authors were enriching the republic of literature, and kindling all around a love of valuable and curious books, theBibliotheca HistoricaofBolduanus, and theBibliotheca ClassicaofDraudius[111]highly gratified the generality of readers, and enabled the student to select, with greater care and safety, such editions of authors as were deserving of a place in their libraries.