wo thousand two hundred and
sixty pounds. This copy, Edward Edwards tells us (_Libraries and
Founders of Libraries_), had been offered to Lord Sunderland for a
hundred guineas just a century before one of his great-grandsons offered
more than two thousand guineas for it, and was outbidden by another.
Among many other choice manuscripts and rare books the library contained
a beautiful Missal, said to have been executed for Diana of Poitiers; no
fewer than eighteen Caxtons; the _Bokys of Hawkyng and Huntyng_, printed
at St. Albans in 1486; a large number of very rare books from the
presses of Machlinia, Pynson, Wynkyn de Worde, and other early English
printers; a copy on vellum of the first edition of Luther's translation
of the Bible after his final revision; a collection of Churchyard's
Works in two volumes; many of the early editions of Shakespeare's plays,
together with the first edition of his _Sonnets_; and Ireland's account
of the Shakesperian Forgery, in his own handwriting. The collection was
especially rich in missals, books of emblems, and Italian, Spanish, and
French romances of chivalry, poetry, and facetiae.

The extravagance of the Duke compelled him to dispose of his magnificent
collection during his lifetime, and it was sold in two parts by Mr.
Evans at 26 Pall Mall. The sale, which consisted of four thousand seven
hundred and one lots, commenced on the 7th of June 1819 and lasted till
the 3rd of July following. It realised but fourteen thousand four
hundred and eighty-two pounds, ten shillings and sixpence, a much less
sum than that paid for the books by the Duke. The Valdarfer Boccaccio
sold for nine hundred and eighteen pounds, fifteen shillings, and the
Caxtons fetched one thousand three hundred and sixteen pounds, twelve
shillings and sixpence; the highest prices being obtained for Gower's
_Confessio Amantis_, and Chaucer's _Troylus and Creside_, which realised
two hundred and five pounds, sixteen shillings, and one hundred and
sixty-two pounds, fifteen shillings. The Book of St. Albans, which was
imperfect, fetched eighty-four pounds; Luther's translation of the
Bible, two hundred and twenty pounds, ten shillings; Churchyard's Works,
eighty-five pounds, one shilling; and Shakespeare's _Sonnets_,
thirty-seven pounds. The Missal said to have been written for Diana of
Poitiers sold for one hundred and ten pounds, five shillings.

ALEXANDER, TENTH DUKE OF HAMILTON, 1767-1852

A good library ha