8. Heraldry and Genealogy.

A great number of curious and scarce articles may be found under these heads.

9. Ancient Legends and Chronicles.

To the English antiquary, few departments of literature are more interesting that these. Mr. West seems to have paid particular attention to them, and to have enriched his library with many articles of this description, of the rarest occurrence. The lovers of Caxton, Fabian, Hardyng, Hall, Grafton, and Holinshed, may be highly gratified by inspecting the various editions of these old chroniclers. I entreat the diligent bibliographer to examine the first eight articles of page 209 of the catalogue. Alas, when will all these again come under the hammer at one sale?!

10. Topography.

Even to a veteran, like the late Mr. Gough, such a collection as may be found from p. 217 to p. 239 of this catalogue, would be considered a first-rate acquisition. I am aware that the gothic wainscot, and stained glass windows, of Enfield Study enshrined a still more exquisite topographical collection! But we are improved since the days of Mr. West; and every body knows to whom these improvements are, in a great measure, to be attributed. When I call to mind the author of 'British Topography' and 'Sepulchral Monuments,' I am not insensible to the taste, diligence, and erudition of the "par nobile fratrum," who have gratified us with the 'Environs of London,' 'Roman Remains,' and the first two volumes of 'Magna Britannia!'

The preceding is to be considered as a very general, and therefore superficial, analysis of the catalogue of Mr. West's library; copies of it, with the sums for which the books were sold, are now found with difficulty, and bring a considerable price. I never saw or heard of one on large paper!

[45] "A catalogue of rare books and tracts in various languages and faculties; including the Ancient Conventual Library of Missenden-Abbey, in Buckinghamshire; together with some choice remains of that of the late eminent Serjeant at law, William Fletewode, Esq., Recorder of London, in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth; among which are several specimens of the earliest Typography, foreign and English, including Caxton, Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, and others; a fine collection of English Poetry, some scarce old law-books, a great number of old English plays, several choice MSS. upon vellum, and other subjects of literary curiosity. Also several of the best editions of the Classics, and modern English and French books. To begin December 5, 1774, and the 17 following evenings, precisely at half an hour after five."

I am in possession of a priced Catalogue of this collection, which once belonged to Herbert, and which contains all the purchasers' names, as well as the sums given. The purchasers were principally Herbert, Garrick, Dodd, Elmsley, T. Payne, Richardson, Chapman, Wagstaff, Bindley, and Gough. The following is a specimen of some curious and interesting articles contained in this celebrated library, and of the prices for which they once sold!

NO. £s.d.
172.Bale's brefe Chronycle relating to Syr JohanOldecastell, 1544. The Life off the 70th Archbishopp offCanterbury presentleye sittinge, 1574, &c. Life of Hen.Hills, Printer to O. Cromwell, with the Relation of whatpassed between him and the Taylor's Wife in Black Friars,1688, &c.079
Purchased by Mores.
361 to 367.Upwards of thirty scarce TheologicalTracts, in Latin and English150
746 to 784.A fine collection of early EnglishTranslations, in black letter, with some good foreigneditions of the classics. Not exceeding, in the whole10100
837, 838.Two copies of the first edition of Bacon'sEssays, 1597!006
The reader will just glance at No. 970, in the catalogue,en passant, to
1082.(£1 2s.) and 1091 (12s.); but more particularly to
1173.Caxton's Boke of Tulle of olde age, &c. 1481.Purchased by the late Mr. T. Payne880
1174.Caxton's Boke which is sayd or called Cathon,&c. 1483.500
Purchased by Alchorn.
1256.Caxton's Doctrinal of Sapyence, 1489660
Purchased by Alchorn.
1257.Caxton's Cordyal, 14796126
1258.Wynkyn de Worde's Ocharde of Syon, &c. 15191130