ies the opposite niches represents
characters of a more recent date. Let us begin with MERCIER;[151] a
man of extraordinary, and almost unequalled, knowledge in every thing
connected with bibliography and typography; of a quick apprehension,
tenacious memory, and correct judgment; who was more anxious to
detect errors in his own publications than in those of his fellow
labourers in the same pursuit; an enthusiast in typographical
researches--the Ulysses of bibliographers! Next to him stand the
interesting busts of SAXIUS and LAIRE;[152] the latter of whom has
frequently erred, but who merited not such a castigation as subsequent
bibliographers have attempted to bestow upon him: in the number of
which, one is sorry to rank the very respectable name of
AUDIFFREDI[153]--whose bust, you observe, immediately follows that of
Laire. Audiffredi has left behind him a most enviable reputation: that
of having examined libraries with a curious eye, and described the
various books which he saw with scrupulous fidelity. There are no
lively or interesting sallies, no highly-wrought, or tempting
descriptions--throughout his two quarto volumes: but, in lieu of this,
there is sober truth, and sound judgment. I have mentioned Audiffredi
a little out of order, merely because his name is closely connected
with that of Laire: but I should have first directed your attention to
the sagacious countenance of HEINECKEN;[154] whose work upon ancient
printing, and whose _Dictionary of Engravers_ (although with the
latter we have nothing just now to do) will never fail to be justly
appreciated by the collector. I regret, Lisardo, for your own sake--as
you are about to collect a few choice books upon typography--that you
will have so much to pay for the former work, owing to its extreme
rarity in this country, and to the injudicious phrenzy of a certain
class of buyers, who are resolved to purchase it at almost any price.
Let me not forget to notice, with the encomiums which they deserve,
the useful and carefully compiled works of SEEMILLER, BRAUN,
WURDTWEIN, DE MURR, ROSSI, and PANZER, whose busts are arranged in
progressive order. All these authors[155] are greatly eminent in the
several departments which they occupy; especially Panzer--whose
_Annales Typographici_, in regard to arrangement and fulness of
information, leaves the similar work of his precedessor, Maittaire,
far behind. It is unluckily printed upon wretched paper--but who
rejects the