[4] The following story was told by St. André to an eminent bookseller, from whom I received it:
"Once when I was in Paris," says our hero, "I went to a sale of Missals, most of them bound in crimson velvet. Among these, and in the same binding, I discovered a fine impression of the Duke of Orleans's celebrated publication of Les Amours Pastorales de Daphnis et de Chloe, &c. which I purchased for a mere trifle. On taking off the velvet, I found the cover underneath was ornamented with as many jewels as I sold afterwards for five hundred pounds."——Who can believe a circumstance so utterly improbable?
[5] I am assured, on unquestionable authority, that Mr. St. André had a valuable library in the classes of Natural History and Medicine. A catalogue of it, drawn up by Mr. B. White, is now in the possession of Mr. St. André's executor, by whom it is reserved for the benefit of minors.
[N° II.]
[See p. [137].]
The kindness of a friend has enabled me to lay before the reader some extracts from the scarce pamphlet mentioned in p. 137. The following is the exact title of it: "A Letter from a Parishioner of St. Clement Danes, to the Right Reverend Father in God Edmund, Lord Bishop of London, occasioned by his Lordship's causing the Picture over the Altar to be taken down. With some Observations on the Use and Abuse of Church Paintings in General, and of that Picture in particular.
"Exodus, Chap. xxxii. Ver. 20. And he took the Calf which they had made, and burnt it in the Fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the Water, and made the Children of Israel drink of it.
"London, printed and sold by J. Roberts, in Warwick-Lane; A. Dod, without Temple-Bar-, and E. Nut, at the Royal-Exchange. 1725. Price 6d."
After some introductory compliments to Bishop Gibson, the Letter-writer thus proceeds: "Of all the abuses your Lordship has redressed, none more timely, none more acceptable to all true Protestants, than your last injunction to remove that ridiculous, superstitious piece of Popish foppery from over our communion-table; this has gained you the applause and good will of all honest men, who were scandalized to see that holy place defiled with so vile and impertinent a representation.