I will, however, only add that there were upwards of 150 articles of Old Plays, mostly in quarto. See page 73. Of Antiquities, Chronicles, and Topography, it would be difficult to pitch upon the rarest volumes. The collection, including very few MSS., contained 3641 articles, or probably nearly 7000 volumes. The Catalogue is uncommon.

[46] I am now arrived, pursuing my chronological arrangement, at a very important period in the annals of book-sales. The name and collection of Dr. Askew are so well known in the bibliographical world that the reader need not be detained with laboured commendations on either: in the present place, however, it would be a cruel disappointment not to say a word or two by way of preface or prologue.

Dr. Anthony Askew had eminently distinguished himself by a refined taste, a sound knowledge, and an indefatigable research relating to every thing connected with Grecian and Roman literature. It was to be expected, even during his life, as he was possessed of sufficient means to gratify himself with what was rare, curious, and beautiful in literature and the fine arts, that the public would, one day, be benefited by such pursuits: especially as he had expressed a wish that his treasures might be unreservedly submitted to sale, after his decease. In this wish the Doctor was not singular. Many eminent collectors had indulged it before him: and, to my knowledge, many modern ones still indulge it. Accordingly on the death of Dr. Askew, in 1774, appeared, in the ensuing year, a catalogue of his books for sale, by Messrs. Baker and Leigh, under the following title:

"Bibliotheca Askeviana, sive Catalogus Librorum Rarissimorum Antonii Askew, M.D., quorum Auctio fiet apud S. Baker et G. Leigh, in Vico dicto York Street, Covent Garden, Londini. Die Lunæ, 13 Februarii, MDCCLXXV, et in undeviginti sequentes dies." A few copies were struck off on large paper.

We are told by the compiler of the catalogue that it was thought unnecessary to say much with respect to this Library of the late Dr. Anthony Askew, as the Collector and Collection were so well known in almost all parts of Europe. Afterwards it is observed that "The books in general are in very fine condition, many of them bound in morocco, and Russia leather, with gilt leaves." "To give a particular account," continues the Compiler, "of the many scarce editions of books in this Catalogue would be almost endless, therefore the first editions of the Classics, and some extremely rare books are chiefly noticed. The catalogue, without any doubt, contains the best, rarest, and most valuable collection of Greek and Latin Books that were ever sold in England." This account is not overcharged. The collection, in regard to Greek and Roman literature, was unique in its day.

The late worthy and learned Mr. M. Cracherode, whose library now forms one of the most splendid acquisitions of the British Museum, and whose bequest of it will immortalize his memory, was also among the "Emptores literarii" at this renowned sale. He had enriched his collection with many Exemplar Askevianum; and, in his latter days, used to elevate his hands and eyes, and exclaim against the prices now offered for Editiones Principes!

The fact is, Dr. Askew's sale has been considered a sort of æra in bibliography. Since that period, rare and curious books in Greek and Latin literature have been greedily sought after, and obtained at most extravagant prices. It is very well for a veteran in bibliography, as was Mr. Cracherode, or as are Mr. Wodhull and Dr. Gosset, whose collections were formed in the days of Gaignat, Askew, Duke de la Valliere, and Lamoignon—it is very well for such gentlemen to declaim against modern prices! But what is to be done? Books grow scarcer every day, and the love of literature, and of possessing rare and interesting works, increases in an equal ratio. Hungry bibliographers meet, at sales, with well furnished purses, and are resolved upon sumptuous fare. Thus the hammer vibrates, after a bidding of Forty pounds, where formerly it used regularly to fall at Four!

But we lose sight of Dr. Askew's rare editions, and large paper copies. The following, gentle Reader, is but an imperfect specimen!

NO. £s.d.
168.Chaucer's Works, by Pynson, no date7176
172.Cicero of Old Age, by Caxton, 148113130
518.Gilles' (Nicole) Annales, &c. de France. Paris, fol. 1520. 2 tom. sur velin31106
647.Æginetæ (Pauli) Præcepta Salubria. Paris, quarto, 1510. On vellum1100
666.Æsopi Fabulæ. Edit. Prin. circ. 1480660
684.Boccacio, la Teseide Ferar. 1475. Prima Edizione8500
1433.Catullus Tibullus, et Propertius, Aldi. 8vo. 1502. In Membrana17100
This copy was purchased by the late Mr. M.C. Cracherode, and is now, with his library, in the British Museum. It is a beautiful book, but cannot be compared with Lord Spencer's Aldine vellum Virgil, of the same size.
1576.Durandi Rationale, &c. 1459. In Membrana6100
The beginning of the 1st chapter was wanting. Lord Spencer has a perfect copy of this rare book on spotless vellum!
2656.Platonis Opera, apud Aldum. 2 vol. fol. 1513. Edit. Prin. On vellum55130
Purchased by the late Dr. W. Hunter; and is at this moment, in his Museum at Glasgow. The reader who has not seen them can have no idea of the beauty of these vellum leaves. The ink is of the finest lustre, and the whole typographical arrangement may be considered a master-piece of printing. Lord Oxford told Dr. Mead that he gave 100 guineas for this very copy.

After this melancholy event, one would have thought that future Virtuosi would have barricadoed their doors, and fumigated their chambers, to keep out such a pest;—but how few are they who profit by experience, even when dearly obtained! The subsequent history of the disease is a striking proof of the truth of this remark; for the madness of book-collecting rather increased—and the work of death still went on. In the year 1776 died John Ratcliffe[47] another, and a very singular, instance of the fatality of the Bibliomania. If he had contented himself with his former occupation, and frequented the butter and cheese, instead of the book, market—if he could have fancied himself in a brown peruke, and Russian apron, instead of an embroidered waistcoat, velvet breeches, and flowing perriwig, he might, perhaps, have enjoyed greater longevity; but, infatuated by the Caxtons and Wynkyn De Wordes of Fletewode and of West, he fell into the snare; and the more he struggled to disentangle himself, the more certainly did he become a prey to the disease.