The
title page then sets forth a specimen of these
black-lettered gems; among which our eyes are dazzled with a
galaxy of Caxtons, Wynkyn de Wordes, Pynsons, &c. &c. The
sale took place on March 27, 1776.

If ever there was a _unique_ collection, this was one--the
very essence of Old Divinity, Poetry, Romances, and
Chronicles! The articles were only 1675 in number, but their
intrinsic value amply compensated for their paucity.

The following is but an inadequate specimen.

No. 1315. Horace's Arte of Poetrie, Pistles and Satyres, by
Drant. 1567, _first English edition_ L0 16_s._ 6_d._

No. 1321. The Sheparde's Calender, 1579. Whetstone's Castle
of Delight, 1576 1 2 0

No. 1392. The Pastyme of the People, printed by Rastell.
Curious wood cuts. A copy of this book is not now to be
procured. I have known L40 offered for it, and rejected with
disdain 7 7 0

No. 1403. Barclay's Shyp of Folys, printed by Pynson, 1508,
_first edit._ fine copy 2 10 0

No. 1426. The Doctrinal of Sapyence, printed by CAXTON, 1489
8 8 0

No. 1427. The Boke, called Cathon, DITTO, 1483. _Purchased
by Dr. Hunter_, and now in his Museum 5 5 0

No. 1428. The Polytyque Boke, named Tullius de Senectute, in
Englishe, by CAXTON, 1481. _Purchased for his Majesty_ 14 0 0

No. 1429. The Game of Chesse Playe. 1474 16 0 0

No. 1665. The Boke of Jason, printed by CAXTON 5 10 0

No. 1669. The Polychronicon of Ranulph Higden, printed by
CAXTON, 1482. _Purchased by Dr. Hunter_ 5 15 6

No. 1670. Legenda Aurea, or the Golden Legende 1483 9 15 0

No. 1674. Mr. Ratcliffe's MS. Catalogues of the _rare old
black letter_, and other curious and uncommon books, 4 vols.
7 15 0

This would have been the most delicious article to _my_
palate. If the present owner of it were disposed to part
with it, I could not find it in my heart to refuse him
_compound interest_ for his money. As is the wooden
frame-work to the bricklayer in the construction of his
arch, so might Mr. Ratcliffe's MS. Catalogues be to me in
the compilation of a certain _magnum opus_!

The memory of such a man ought to be dear to the
"_black-lettered dogs_" of the present day; for he had
[mirabile dictu!] _upwards of_ THIRTY CAXTONS!

If I might hazard a comparison betwee