[159] De la Serna Santander will always hold a distinguished place amongst bibliographers, not only from the care and attention with which he put forth the catalogue of his own books—the parting from which must have gone near to break his heart—but from his elegant and useful work entitled, "Dictionnaire Bibliographique choisi du quinzieme Siécle," 1805, &c., 8vo., in three parts or volumes. His summary of researches, upon the invention of printing, Mr. Edwards told me, he read "with complete satisfaction"—this occupies the first part or volume. The remaining volumes form a necessary, as well as brilliant, supplement to De Bure. Just at this moment, I believe that Mr. Beloe's, and my own, copy of the work, are the only ones in this country.——Cailleau has the credit of being author of the Dictionnaire Bibliographique, &c., in three volumes, octavo, 1790—of which there are a sufficient number of counterfeited and faulty re-impressions; but which, after all, in its original shape, edit. 1790, is not free from gross errors; however useful it is in many respects. I suspect, however, that the Abbé Duclos had the greater share in this publication: but, be this as it may, the fourth supplemental volume (by the younger Brunet) is, in every respect, a more accurate and valuable performance. Oberlin, librarian of the central school or college at Strasbourg, is author of a bibliographical treatise particularly deserving of the antiquary's attention: namely, Essai d'annales de la vie de Jean Gutenburg, &c., Stasb., an. ix., 8vo. His other numerous (belles-lettres) works are minutely specified by Peignot in his Dict. de Bibliologie, vol. iii., p. 230. His edition of Horace, Argent., 1788, 4to., is both elegant and correct.
[160] Let us go quietly through the modern French school of bibliography.——Mons. Joseph Van-Praet is principal librarian of the Imperial collection at Paris, and is justly called, by some of his fellow-labourers in the same career, "one of the first bibliographers in Europe." He is known to me, as a bibliographical writer, only by the part which he took, and so ably executed, in the Valliere catalogue of 1783. Peignot informs us that M. Van-Praet is now busy in composing a little work—which I am sure will rejoice the hearts of all true bibliomaniacs to be apprised of—called a Catalogue raisonné of books printed upon vellum; for which he has already prepared not fewer than 2000 articles! See the Curiosités Bibliogr., p. iij. Among these vellum articles, gentle reader, I assure thee that thine eyes will be blest with the description of "The Shyp of Fooles," printed by Pynson, 1509! The urbanity and politeness of this distinguished librarian are equal to his knowledge.——Gotthelf Fischer, a Saxon by birth, and librarian of the public collection at Mentz, has given us the following interesting treatises, of which, I believe, not five copies are to be found in this country: namely—Essai sur les Monumens Typographiques de Jean Gutenberg, &c., an. x. [1801], 4to.: and Descriptions de raretés typographiques et de Manuscrits remarquables, &c., Nuremb., 1801, 8vo.—the latter is in the German language, and has cuts—with a portrait of Fust. By this time, the work has most probably been translated into French, as it is frequently referred to and highly spoken of by foreigners. Peignot [Dict. de Bibliologie, vol. iii., p. 128] refers us to the fine eulogy pronounced upon Fisher (not yet 40 years of age) by Camus, in his "Voyage dans les departemens réunis," p. 12.——Lambinet will always be remembered and respected, as long as printing and bibliography shall be studied, by his "Recherches Historiques Littéraires et Critiques, sur l'Originè de L'Imprimerie; particulièrement sur les premiers établissemens au XVme siécle dans la Belgique," &c., Brux., an. vii. (1798), 8vo. It is, indeed, a very satisfactory performance: the result of judgment and taste—rare union!——In like manner, Renouard has procured for himself a bibliographical immortality by his Annales de l'Imprimerie des Aide, 1803, 8vo., two vols.: a work almost perfect of its kind, and by many degrees superior to Bandini's dry Annales Typog. Juntarum., Lucæ, 1761. In Renouard's taste, accuracy and interest are delightfully combined; and the work is printed with unrivalled beauty. There were only six copies of it printed upon large paper; one of which I saw in the fine collection of the Rt. Hon. T. Grenville.——Few modern bibliographers have displayed so much diligence as Gabriel Peignot: from whom we have, 1. Dictionnaire Raisonné de Bibliologie, Paris, 1802, 8vo., two vols., with a third, by way of supplement (1804). With necessary corrections and additions, this work would answer many useful purposes in an English translation. 2. Essai de Curiosités Bibliographiques, 1804, 8vo. This is a very amusing (but scarce and unconscionably dear) book. It contains elaborate descriptions of many curious and sumptuous works, which were sold for 1000 and more livres at public sales. 3. Dictionnaire, &c., des principaux livres condamnés au feu, supprimés ou censurés, Paris, 1806, 8vo., 2 vols. The very title of such a work must sharpen the edge of curiosity with those bibliomaniacs who have never seen it. 4. Bibliographie Curieuse, ou Notice Raisonnée des livres imprimés a cent exemplaires au plus, suivie d'une notice de quelques ouvrages tirés sur papier de couleur, Paris, 1808, 8vo. Only one hundred copies of this thin volume were struck off: of which I possess the 86th copy, according to Peignot's notification. Indeed I am fortunate in having all his preceding works. Let us wish long life and never-failing success to so brave a book-chevalier as Gabriel Peignot.——François Ignace Fournier, at 18 years of age, published an elegantly printed little volume, entitled Essai Portatif de Bibliographie, 1796, 8vo., of which only 26 copies were struck off. In the year 1805, this essay assumed the form of a Dictionary, and appeared under the title of Dictionnaire portatif de Bibliographie, &c., 8vo., comprising 17,000 articles, printed in a very small character. Last year, in the month of May, Fournier put forth a new edition of this Dictionnaire, considerably augmented; but in which (such is the fate of bibliographical studies) notwithstanding all the care of the author, Brunet tells us that he has discovered not fewer than five hundred errors! Let not Fournier, however be discouraged; in a few years he will achieve something yet more worthy of his laudable seal in bibliography.——Antoine-Alexandre Barbier, librarian of the Council of State, has favoured us with an admirably well executed work, entitled Dictionnaire des Ouvrages Anonymes et Pseudonymes, composés, traduits ou publiés en Français, &c., accompagneé de notes historiques et critiques, Paris, Imprimis Bibliogr., 1806, 8vo., two vols. See also art. "[Conseil d'Etat]," in the list of French Catalogues, post. From these the reader will judge of the warm thanks to which this eminent bibliographer is entitled for his very useful labours.——G. Boucher de la Richarderie has, in an especial manner, distinguished himself by his Bibliothéque Universelle des Voyages, Paris, 1808, 8vo., six vols.: a work executed with care, minuteness, and considerable interest. Some of its extracts are, perhaps, unnecessarily long. The index to the sixth volume will lead the reader to consult an account of some of the most ancient, rare, and curious publications of voyages which have ever appeared: and Boucher "has deserved well" of the book world by this truly valuable and almost indispensable performance.——Brunet Le Fils. This able writer, and enthusiastic devotee to bibliography, has recently published an excellent and copious work which would appear greatly to eclipse Fournier's; entitled "Manuel du Libraire et de l'Amateur de Livres, contenant, 1. Un Nouveau Dictionnaire Bibliographigue, 2. Une Table en forme de Catalogue Raisonnée," Paris, 1810, 8vo., 3 vols.: in which he tells us he has devoted at least thirty years to the examination of books. The first two volumes form a scientific arrangement: the latter is an alphabetical one, referring to one or the other of the preceding volumes for a more copious account of the work. It must be confessed that Brunet has, in this publication, executed a difficult task with great ability.
Lis. I am quite anxious to possess the publications of these moderns: but you say nothing of their comparative value with the ancients.
Lysand. Generally speaking, in regard to discoveries of rare books and typographical curiosities, the moderns have the advantage. They have made more rational conclusions, from data which had escaped their predecessors: and the sparkling and animated manner in which they dress out the particular objects that they describe renders the perusal of their works more pleasant and gratifying. I am not sure that they have the learning of the old school: but their works are, in general, less ponderous and repulsive. The ancient bibliographers were probably too anxious to describe every thing, however minute and unimportant: they thought it better to say too much than too little; and, finding the great mass of readers in former times, uninstructed in these particular pursuits, they thought they could never exhaust a subject by bringing to bear upon it every point, however remotely connected! They found the plain, it is true, parched and sandy; but they were not satisfied with pouring water upon it, 'till they had converted it into a deluge.[161]
[161] What Denis says, in the preface to his Catalog. Cod. MSS. Bibl. Palat. Vindob. (of which see [p. 65], ante) is very just; "media incedendum via; neque nudis codicum titulis, ut quibusdam bibliothecis placuit, in chartam conjectis provehi multum studia, neque doctis, quæ superioris seculi fuit intemperantia, ambagibus et excursibus."—This is certainly descriptive of the old school of bibliography.
Lis. Let me ask you, at this stage of our inquiries, what you mean by bibliographical publications?—and whether the works of those authors which you have enumerated are sufficient to enable a novice, like myself, to have pretty accurate notions about the rarity and intrinsic value of certain works?
Lysand. By bibliographical publications, I mean such works as give us some knowledge of the literary productions, as well as of the life, of certain learned men; which state the various and the best editions of their lucubrations; and which stimulate us to get possession of these editions. Every biographical narrative which is enriched with the mention of curious and rare editions of certain works is, to a great extent, a bibliographical publication. Those works which treat professedly upon books are, of course, immediately within the pale of bibliography.
Lis. But am I to be satisfied with the possession of those works already recommended?
Phil. I suppose Lisardo has heard of certain valuable catalogues, and he wishes to know how far the possession of these may be requisite in order to make him a bibliographer?
Lysand. At present I will say nothing about the catalogues of the collections of our own countrymen. As we have been travelling principally abroad, we may direct our attention to those which relate to foreign collections.