[401] The following is the title of the Bibliotheca Lortiana. "A Catalogue of the entire and valuable Library of the late Rev. Michael Lort, D.D., F.R.S. and A.S., which will be sold by auction by Leigh and Sotheby, &c., April 5, 1791," 8vo. The sale lasted twenty-five days; and the number of lots or articles was 6665. The ensuing specimens of a few of the book-treasures in this collection prove that Lysander's encomium upon the collector is not without foundation.
| NO. | £ | s. | d. | |
| 1738. | Gardiner's (Bishop) Detection of the Devil's Sophistry, MS. title: printed by John Hertford, in Aldersgate Street, at the cost and charges of Robert Toye, 1546, 12mo. Note in this book: "Though this book is imperfect, yet the remarkable part of it, viz. sheet E, printed in the Greek letter, and sheet F in Latin, with the Roman letter, are not wanting." | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1847. | Hale's (T.) Account of New Inventions, in a letter to the Earl of Marlborough, 8vo. Note in this book: "Many curious particulars in this book, more especially a prophetic passage relative to the Duke of Marlborough, p. xlvii." | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 1880. | Harrison's (Michael) four Sermons. "N.B. The author of this book cut the types himself, and printed it at St. Ives," 8vo. | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1930. | Festival (The) impressus Rothomage, 1499, 4to. In this book (which is in English) at the end of each Festival is a narration of the life of the Saint, or of the particular festival. | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 1931. | Festival (The) with wooden cuts, compleat: emprynted by Wynkyn de Worde, 1408, 4to. | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2156. | Johnson's (Dr. Sam.) Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland. "In this book is contained the cancelled part of page 48, relative to Litchfield Cathedral; likewise the cancelled part of page 296, respecting the cave at Egg, and the transaction there; also parts of reviews and newspapers, concerning Dr. Johnson; two plates, MS. copy of a letter of Dr. Johnson's: and Henderson's letter to Johnson on his journey to Scotland." 1776, 8vo. | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2558. | Muggleton's Acts of the Witnesses of the Spirit; with heads, MS. remarks, and notes, 1699. Ludowick Muggleton, born in Bishopgate Street, 1609; put apprentice to John Quick, a taylor. Married a virgin of 19, ætat. suæ 22. Another virgin of 19, ætat. 32. A third virgin wife of 25, ætat. 53. Chosen a prophet 1665, 4to. | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| 2559. | Muggleton's and Reeve's volume of Spiritual Epistles; elegantly bound, with a head of Muggleton underneath a MS. note, 1755, 4to. | 0 | 10 | 6 |
| 2579. | Lower's Voyage of Charles II. made into Holland, head and plates. Hague. 1660. Folio. N.B. "A very uncommon book, containing many curious particulars." | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2776. | Owen's (Dr. John) Divine Originall, &c. of the Scriptures, Oxford, 1659, 8vo. Note in this book: "One of the scarcest and best of Dr. Owen's works." | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3005. | Psalms (The whole Booke of) with Hymns, by Ravenscroft, with music, 8vo. "Note; in this book are some tunes by John Milton, the great poet's father. See page 242, 62." | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 3342. | Stubbes's Anatomie of Abuses, printed at London by Richard Jones, 16 August, 1583, 8vo. Note in this book: "I bought this rare book at the auction of Mr. Joseph Hart's books, in May 1772, where it cost me 8s. &c." M.L. [The reader may just run back to [page 279], ante; where he will find some account of this work.] | 1 | 14 | 0 |
| 4185. | Champ Fleury, auquel est contenu l'Art et Science de la deue et vraye Proportion de Lettres Antiques et Romaines selon le Corps et visage Humain, avec figures. Par. 1529. Folio. "This uncommon book was sold at an auction, 1722, for 2l. 15s." | 0 | 12 | 6 |
| 4437. | Alberti Descriptione di tutta Italia, Venez., 1568, 4to. Note in this book—"This is a very scarce and much valued account of Italy." With another curious note respecting the author. | 0 | 9 | 6 |
| 4438. | Aldrete Varias Antiguedales de Espana, Africa, y otras Provincias. Amberes, 1641, 4to. Note in this book: "One of the most valuable books of this kind in the Spanish language, and very rarely to be met with." | 0 | 9 | 6 |
| 5532. | Humfredi, Vita Episcop. Juelli, foliis deauratis, Lond. ap Dayum, 1573, 4to. Note in this book: "At the end of this book are probably some of the first Hebrew types used in England." | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6227. | Præsidis (Epistola R.A.P.) Generalis et Regiminis totius Congregationis Anglicanæ Ordinis St. Benedicti. Duaci, 1628. 8vo. | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| [Note in this book: "This is a very scarce book; it was intended only for the use of the order, and care taken that it should not get into improper hands. See the conclusion of the General's mandate, and of the book itself.">[ | ||||
| 6616. | Wakefeldi Oratio de Laudibus et Utilitate trium linguarum, Arabicæ, Chaldaicæ, & Hebraicæ; atque idiomatibus Hebraicis quæ in utroque Testamento inveniuntur. Lond. ap. Winandum de Worde.—Shirwode Liber Hebræorum concionatoris, seu Ecclesiasten. Antv. 1523. 4to. Note in this book: "These two pieces by Shirwood and Wakefield are exceedingly rare." | 0 | 4 | 0 |
For some particulars concerning the very respectable Dr. Lort, the reader may consult the Gentleman's Magazine; vol. lx. pt. ii. p. 1055, 1199.
Alman. I am glad to hear you notice such kind of collections; for utility and common sense have always appeared to me a great desideratum among the libraries of your professed bibliomaniacs.
Belin. Yes:—You pride yourselves upon your large paper, and clean, and matchless copies—but you do not dwell quite so satisfactorily upon your useful and profitable volumes—which, surely stand not in need of expensive embellishments. Lort's collection would be the library for my money—if I were disposed to become a female bibliomaniac!
Lis. You are even a more jejune student than myself in bibliography, or you would not talk in this strain, Belinda. Abuse fine copies of books! I hope you forgive her, Lysander?
Lysand. Most cordially. But have I not discoursed sufficiently? The ladies are, I fear, beginning to be wearied; and the night is "almost at odds with morning which is which."
Loren. Nay, nay, we must not yet terminate our conversation. Pursue, and completely accomplish, the noble task which you have begun. But a few more years to run down—a few more renowned bibliomaniacs to "kill off"—and then we retire to our pillows delighted and instructed by your——
Lysand. Halt! If you go on thus, there is an end to our "Table Talk." I now resume.
Loren. Yet a word to save your lungs, and slightly vary the discourse. Let me take you with me to Ireland, about this time; where, if you reremember, the library of Denis Daly[402] was disposed of by public auction. My father attended the sale; and purchased at it a great number of the Old English Chronicles, and volumes relating to English History, which Lisardo so much admired in the library. You remember the copy of Birch's Lives of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain!