Lis. He means "under the hammer."—Ladies are not supposed to know these cramp Latin phrases.—

Lysand. Well, "under the hammer:"—if, I say, such a collection were now to be disposed of by public auction, how eager and emulous would our notorious book-collectors be to run away with a few splendid spoils!

We will next notice a not less valuable collection, called the Bibliotheca Monroiana; or the library of Dr. John Monro;[405] the sale of which took place in the very year, and a little before, the preceding library was disposed of. Don't imagine that Monro's books were chiefly medical; on the contrary, besides exhibiting some of the rarest articles in Old English literature, they will convince posterity of the collector's accurate taste in Italian Belles Lettres: and here and there you will find, throughout the catalogue, some interesting bibliographical memoranda by the Doctor himself.

[405] "Bibliotheca Elegantissima Monroiana: A Catalogue of the elegant and valuable library of John Munro, M.D., Physician to Bethelem Hospital, lately deceased. Sold by auction by Leigh and Sotherby, &c. April 23d, 1792, 8vo." As usual I subjoin a few specimens of the collector's literary treasures in confirmation of the accuracy of Lysander's eulogy upon the collection——No. 709, Cowell's Interpreter; or, Booke containing the signification of words, first edition, ("rare to be met with.") Camb. by Legate, 1607, 4to.——No. 1951. Cent (Les) Nouvelles Nouvelles, ou pour mieux dire, Nouveaux Comptes à plaisance, par maniere de Joyeuseté.——Lettres Gothiques, fig. et bois et titre MSS. feuilles dorées, en maroquin, Paris, par Ant. Verard, 1475, fol.——No. 1963, Heide Beschryving der nieuevlyks uitgevonden en geoctrojeerde Slang-Brand-Spuiten, en Haare wijze van Brand-Blussen, Tegenwoordig binnen Amsterdam in gebruik zynde. Wyze figuurs Amst. 1690, fol. "Note in this book: Paris, 1736. Paid for this book for his Grace the Duke of Kingston, by Mr. Hickman, 24l." A great sum for a book about a "newly discovered fire engine!"——No. 2105, Vivre (Le livre intitulé l'art de bein) et de bien mourir, lettres gothiques, avec fig. en maroquin dorées sur tranches. Imprimé à Paris, 1543, 4to. Note by Dr. Munro: "It is a very scarce book, more so than generally thought." With a long account of the book on separate papers.——No. 2121, Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, con figure da Porro, foglio dorat. Venet. 1584, 4to. N.B. In this copy the true print is replaced with a fine head of Ariosto, and elegantly inlaid with morocco and calf.——No. 2147, Boccacio (Nimpale Fiesolano: composto par il Clarissimo Poeta Misser Joanni) Fiorentino, &c. rigato. Senza data, 4to. See in this book a long account of this poem from Dom. Maria Manni, in the Istoria del Decamerone, p. 55. "From what Manni says in the above account, I suppose this to be the first edition he makes mention of, as there is no place or date to be found. J.M."——No. 2194. Dante di Landino, con. fig. La prima Edizione di Landino, impf. Firenze per Nicholo di Lorenzo della Magna, 1481, folio. "In this book are several remarks by Dr. Munro, on separate papers. An old scarce print, separate. On the title-page the following initials CMDCR; upon which the Doctor remarks it might probably be the signature of Charles the First, whose property it might have been. The Doctor likewise observes this copy, though imperfect, is still very valuable, on account of its having eight plates, the generality having only the two first."——No. 2208, Molinet (Les Faictz et dictz de bone Memoire Maistre Jehan) Lettres gothiques, en maroquin Par. 1537, 8vo.——No. 2366, Peri Fiesole Distrutta, poema: with portrait and engraved title, Firenze, 1619, 4to. Note in this book: "This is the only copy I ever saw of this work, which I imagine is at present become extremely scarce. The title and portrait are engraved by Callott. The portrait is common enough, but the title, known by the name of the Bella Giardiniera, very seldom seen. J.M."——No. 2379. Ridolfi, Le Maraviglie dell'Arte, overo le vite di Pittori Veneti e dello stato, con. fig. 2 tom. 4to. N.B. On the blank leaf of this book is an etching by Carolus Rodolphus, with this MS. note: "I imagine this to be an etching of Cavaier Rodolphi, as I do not remember any other of the name."——No. 2865, Lazii in Genealogiam Austriacam, Basil. ap. Oporinum, 1564.—Lazii Vienna Austriæ Basil, 1546. Francolin Res Gestæ Viennensis, cum fig. Viennæ Austriæ excudebat Raphæl Hofhalter, 1563. Folio. Note in this book: "The last book in this volume is curious and uncommon."

We shall now run rapidly towards the close of the eighteenth century. But first, you may secure, for a shilling or two, the Southgate Collection;[406] and make up your minds to pay a few more shillings for good copies, especially upon large paper, of all the parts of the catalogues of the library of George Mason[407]. This collection was an exceedingly valuable one; rather select than extensive: exhibiting, in pretty nearly an equal degree, some of the rarest books in Greek, Latin, and English literature. The keimelion of the Masonian cabinet, in the estimation of the black-letter bibliomaniacs, was a perfect copy of the St. Albans' edition of Juliana Barnes's book of Hawking, Hunting, and Angling; which perfect copy is now reposing in a collection where there are keimelia of far greater value to dim its wonted lustre. But let Mason have our admiration and esteem. His library was elegant, judicious, and, in many respects, very precious: and the collector of such volumes was a man of worth and learning.

[406] "Museum Southgatianum; being a Catalogue of the valuable Collection of Books, Coins, Medals, and Natural History of the late Rev. Richard Southgate, A.B., F.A.S., &c. To which are prefixed Memoirs of his Life. London: printed for Leigh and Sotheby," &c. 1795, 8vo. The books were comprised in 2593 lots. The coins and medals extend, in the catalogue, to 68 pages. The shells and natural curiosities (sold in May, 1795) to 11 pages. This catalogue possesses, what every similar one should possess, a compendious and perspicuous account of the collector. My copy of it is upon large paper; but the typographical execution is sufficiently defective.

[407] Lysander is right in noticing "all the parts" of the Masonian Library. I will describe them particularly. Pt. i. A Catalogue of a considerable portion of the Greek and Latin Library of George Mason, Esq., with some articles in the Italian, French, English, and other languages, &c. Sold by auction by Leigh and Sotheby, on Wednesday, January 24, 1798, 8vo. 497 articles. Pt. ii. A Catalogue of most of the reserved portion of the Greek and Latin Library of G.M., &c., chiefly classical and bibliographical, with a few miscellaneous articles in French: sold as before, May 16, 1798, &c. 480 articles. Pt. iii. A Catalogue of a considerable portion of the remaining Library of G.M., Esq.—chiefly historical, with some curious theological, and some scientific, articles: sold as before; Nov. 27 to 30; 1798, &c. 547 articles. Pt iv. A Catalogue, &c., of the remaining library of G.M., Esq.—chiefly Belles Lettres, English, French, and Italian, &c., sold as before; April 25, 1799: 338 articles. These four parts, priced, especially the latter one—are uncommon. My copies of all of them are upon large paper. It must have been a little heart-breaking for the collector to have seen his beautiful library, the harvest of many a year's hard reaping, melting away piece-meal, like a snow-ball—before the warmth of some potent cause or other, which now perhaps cannot be rightly ascertained. See here, gentle reader, some of the fruits of this golden Masonian harvest!—gathered almost promiscuously from the several parts. They are thus presented to thy notice, in order, amongst other things, to stimulate thee to be equally choice and careful in the gathering of similar fruits.

PART I.

NO. £s.d.
150.Winstanley's Audley End, inscribed to James the Second, fol. Never published for sale27100
158.Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, C.T. F.D. Ald. 1499500
162.Aquinæ (Thomæ) Quartiscriptum, C.R. Moguntiæ Schoeffer, 1492, fol.600
295.Cicero de Officiis, C.T. F.D. Moguntiæ ap. Fust. 1465. 4to. In hoc exemplari Rubrica inter libros secundum ac tertium habet singularia errata, quæ in nullo alio exemplari adhuc innotuerunt; viz. primus ponitur pro secundus, secundus pro tertius, et secundum pro tertium2650
307.Chalcondylas, Moschopulus, et Corinthus, Gr. editio princeps. Vide notam ante Librum8186
308.Constantini Lexicon Græcum. Genevæ, 1592450
324.Ciceronis Orationes, C.T. viridi F.D. per Adamum de Ambergau, 1472, fol.550
468.Homerus, Gr., 2 vol., Editio princeps, C.R. Flor. 148811110
496.Xenophon, Gr., editio princeps, C.T. F.D. Flor. ap. Junt. 1516, fol.230

PART III.