bserved
in the preface, it was never equalled for the like number.
Happy is that noviciate in bibliography who can forget the
tedium of a rainy day in sitting by the side of a log-wood
fire, and in regaling his luxurious fancy, by perusing the
account of "fine, magnificent, matchless, large paper," and
"vellum" copies which are thickly studded from one end of
this volume to the other. Happier far the veteran, who can
remember how he braved the _perils of the sale_, in
encountering the noble and heavy metalled competitors who
flocked, from all parts of the realm, to partake of these
_Parisian_ spoils! Such a one casts an eye upon his
well-loaded shelves, and while he sees here and there a
yellow morocco Aldus, or a Russian leather Froben, he
remembers how bravely he fought for each, and with what
success his exertions were crowned! For my own part, gentle
reader, I frankly assure thee that--after having seen the
"HEURES DE NOTRE DAME," written by the famous Jarry, and
decorated with SEVEN small exquisite paintings of the Virgin
and Christ--and the _Aldine Petrarch_ and _Virgil_ of 1501,
all of them executed upon SNOW-WHITE VELLUM--after having
seen only these books out of the Paris collection, I hope to
descend to my obscure grave in perfect peace and
satisfaction! The reader may smile; but let him turn to
nos. 14, 201, 328, of the _Bibl. Paris_: no. 318 of
the _Cat. de la Valliere_; and _Curiosites
Bibliographiques_, p. 67. This strain of "etourderie
bibliographique," ought not to make me forget to observe
that we are indebted to the enterprising spirit and correct
taste of Mr. Edwards for these, as well as for many other,
beautiful books imported from the Continent. Nor is it yet
forgotten that some thorough-bred bibliomaniacs, in their
way to the sale, used to call for a glass of ice, to allay
the contagious inflammation which might rage in the
auction-room. And now take we leave of Monsieur Paris de
Meyzieux. Peace to the ashes of so renowned a
book-chevalier.----PETAU ET MANSART. _Bibliotheca Potavina
et Mansartiana; ou Catalogue des Bibliotheques de Messrs.
Alexander Petau, et Francois Mansart; auxquells on a ajoute
le Cabinet des MSS. de Justus Lipsius._ Haye, 1722, 8vo. A
catalogue not very common, and well worth