This comprehended a vast mass of information, under the following general title. Scarce Tracts: Old and New Testaments (including almost all the first English editions of the New Testament, which are now of the rarest occurrence): Commentators: Ecclesiastical History: Polemics: Devotions, Catholic and Calvinistical: Enthusiasm: Monastical History: Lives of Saints: Fathers: Missionaries: Martyrs: Modern Divines and Persons of eminent piety: Free Thinkers: Old English Primers: Meditations: Some of the earliest Popish and Puritanical Controversy: Sermons by old English Divines, &c. In the whole 560 articles: probably about 1200 volumes. These general heads are sufficient to satisfy the bibliographer that, with such an indefatigable collector as was Mr. West, the greater part of the theological books must have been extremely rare and curious. From so many Caxtons, Wynkyn de Wordes, Pynsons, &c., it would be difficult to select a few which should give a specimen of the value of the rest. Suffice it to observe that such a cluster of Black Letter Gems, in this department of English literature, has never since been seen in any sale catalogue.
3. Education, Languages, Criticism, Classics, Dictionaries, Catalogues of Libraries, &c.
There were about 700 volumes in these departments. The catalogues of English books, from that of Maunsell in 1595, to the latest before Mr. West's time, were nearly complete. The treatises on education, and translations of the ancient classics, comprehended a curious and uncommon collection. The Greek and Latin Classics were rather select than rare.
4. English Poetry, Romances, and Miscellanies.
This interesting part of the collection comprehended about 355 articles, or probably about 750 volumes: and, if the singularly rare and curious books which may be found under these heads alone were now to be concentrated in one library, the owner of them might safely demand 4000 guineas for such a treasure! I make no doubt but that his Majesty is the fortunate possessor of the greater number of articles under all the foregoing heads.
5. Philosophy, Mathematics, Inventions, Agriculture, and Horticulture, Medicine, Cookery, Surgery, &c.
Two hundred and forty articles, or about 560 volumes.
6. Chemistry, Natural History, Astrology, Sorcery, Gigantology.
Probably not more than 100 volumes. The word "Gigantology," first introduced by Mr. Paterson, I believe, into the English language, was used by the French more than two centuries ago. See no. 2198 in the catalogue.
7. History and Antiquities.