The extraordinary collection of the works of Daniel Defoe formed by Mr. Walter Wilson, his biographer, which at his sale realised the sum of 50l., and which had been rendered still further complete by the addition of upwards of forty pieces by the recent possessor, when sold by Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, on Wednesday, the 5th instant, produced no less than 71l. Mr. Toovey was the purchaser.
The Shakspeare Society have just issued a very interesting volume, the nature of which is well described by its ample title-page:—
"Inigo Jones. A Life of the Architect, by Peter Cunningham, Esq. Remarks on some of his Sketches for Masques and Dramas, by J.R. Planché, Esq.; and Five Court Masques. Edited from the original MSS. of Ben Jonson, John Marston, etc., by John Payne Collier, Esq.; accompanied by Facsimiles of Drawings by Inigo Jones; and by a Portrait from a Painting by Vandyck."
Many particulars in the memoir are new in the biography of the great architect. Mr. Planché's too brief Remarks on the Costume make us join with Mr. Collier in regretting that he did not extend to all the plates "the resources of his attainments and talents;" while the five masques and the general preface, contributed by Mr. Collier, form by no means the least valuable portion of a volume which cannot fail to give satisfaction to all the members of the society by which it is issued.
Mr. Kerslake, of Bristol, has just issued a small Catalogue of Books bought at Brockley Hall, and some which formerly belonged to Browne Willis, which contains some interesting articles, such as No. 222., M'Cormick's Memoirs of Burke, with numerous MS. notes throughout by J. Horne Tooke; the first edition of Wit's Recreation, 1640, with a MS. note by Sir F. Freeling:—"I have never seen another perfect copy of the first edition." That in Longman's Bib. Ang. Poetica, wanted frontispiece and 4 leaves, and was priced 7l. 7s.
Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, who have during the present week been selling the curious Dramatic Library, printed and manuscript, and the theatrical portraits of the late Mr. James Winston, will commence, on Monday, the sale of Mr. Mitchell's Collection of Autograph Letters. The most interesting portion of these are eight-and-forty unpublished letters by Garrick, among which is one written to his brother Peter, commenced on the day on which he made his appearance on the London boards and finished on the following. In it he communicates his change of occupation to his brother, premising that since he had been in business he had "run out four hundred pounds, and found trade not increasing," and had now begun to think of some way of redeeming his fortune. "My mind (as you know) has always been inclined to the stage; nay, so strongly so, that all my illness and lowness of spirits was owing to my want of resolution to tell you my thoughts when here.... Though I know you will be displeased with me, yet I hope when you shall find that I may have the genius of an actor without the vices, you will think less severe of me, and not be ashamed to own me for a brother." He makes an offer as to the transfer of his business, stock, &c. "Last night I played Richard the Third to the surprise of every body; and as I shall make very near 300l. per annum of it, and as it is really what I doat upon, I am resolved to pursue it." In a postscript, he adds, "I have a farce (The Lying Valet), coming out at Drury-lane." And his progress in his new profession is shown in another letter, addressed also to his brother Peter, on the 19th of April following, in which, after mentioning some affairs of business connected with their wine trade, he says:
"The favour I have met with from the greatest men has made me far from repenting of my choice. I am very intimate with Mr. Glover, who will bring out a Tragedy next winter on my account. I have supp'd with the great Mr. Murray, Counsellor, and shall with Mr. Pope by his introduction. I supp'd with Mr. Littleton, the prince's favourite, last Thursday night, and met with the highest civility and complaisance; he told me he never knew what acting was till I appeared, and said I was only born to act what Shakspeare writ.... I believe nobody as an Actor was ever more caressed, and my character as a private man makes 'em more desirous of my company (all this entre nous as one brother to another). I am not fixed for next year, but shall certainly be at the other end of the town. I am offered 500 guineas and a clear benefit, or part of the management," &c.
The whole collection forms, indeed, a curious and new contribution towards the biography of that distinguished actor.