2.

Osborne bought Lord Oxford's books with a view of disposing of them by
sale, and engaged Dr. Johnson and Oldys to compile a catalogue of them,
which was printed in four volumes octavo in the years 1743-44. A fifth
volume was issued in 1745, but this is nothing more than an enumeration
of Osborne's unsold stock. Osborne also published in eight volumes
quarto, '_The Harleian Miscellany: or, a Collection of Scarce, Curious,
and Entertaining Pamphlets and Tracts_, as well as in Manuscript as in
Print, found in the late Earl of Oxford's library, interspersed with
Historical, Political and Critical notes. London 1744-46.' This work,
which was edited by Oldys, was republished by Thomas Park in 1808-12,
with two supplemental volumes. A catalogue of the pamphlets contained in
the _Harleian Miscellany_ was also prepared by Oldys, and printed in a
quarto volume, which appeared in 1746; and a _Collection of Voyages and
Travels_, compiled from the _Miscellany_, was published in two volumes
folio in 1745.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 61: Lansdowne MSS. 771, 772.]

[Footnote 62: Add. MS. 23,093.]

JOHN BRIDGES, 1666-1724

John Bridges, the author of _The History and Antiquities of
Northamptonshire_, was born in 1666 at Barton Seagrave,
Northamptonshire. He was appointed Solicitor of the Customs in 1695, a
Commissioner of the Customs in 1711, and in 1715 a Cashier of the
Excise. He was a Bencher of Lincoln's Inn, and a Fellow of the Society
of Antiquaries. He died on the 16th of March 1724.

Bridges, who is mentioned with great respect by Hearne and other
antiquaries, was, says Dibdin, 'a gentleman, a scholar, and a notorious
book-collector.' His library, which consisted of 'above 4000 Books and
Manuscripts in all languages and faculties, particularly in Classics and
History, and especially the History and Antiquities of Great Britain and
Ireland,'[63] was sold at his chambers, No. 6 Lincoln's Inn, by Mr.
Cock, on the 7th of February 1726, and twenty-six following days. The
number of lots was four thousand three hundred and thirteen, and the
total proceeds of the sale were four thousand one hundred and sixty
pounds, twelve shillings. The books sold well, and Hearne, in his
_Diary_, under February 15th, 1726, writes: 'My late friend John Bridges
esqr.'s books being now selling by auction in London (they began to be
sold on Monday the 7th inst.). I hear they go very high, being fair
books, in good condition, and most of th