the Archbishop of
Armagh, Nov. 8, 1387, in Trevisa's works among the _Harleian
MSS._ No. 1900. Whether these Friars, thus affected with
the frensy of book-collecting, ever visited the "old
chapelle at the Est End of the church of S. Saink
[Berkshire], whither of late time resorted in pilgrimage
many folkes for the disease of _madness_," [see Leland's
_Itinerary_, vol. ii. 29, edit. 1770] I have not been able,
after the most diligent investigation, to ascertain.]

[Footnote 19: The British Museum contains a great number of
books which bear the royal stamp of Henry VII.'s arms. Some
of these printed by Verard, UPON VELLUM, are magnificent
memorials of a library, the dispersion of which is for ever
to be regretted. As Henry VIII. knew nothing of, and cared
less for, fine books, it is not very improbable that some of
the choicest volumes belonging to the late king were
presented to Cardinal Wolsey.]

During the reign of Henry VIII., I should suppose that the Earl of
Surrey[20] and Sir Thomas Wyatt were a little attached to
book-collecting; and that Dean Colet[21] and his friend Sir Thomas
More and Erasmus were downright Bibliomaniacs. There can be little
doubt but that neither the great LELAND[22] nor his Biographer
Bale,[23] were able to escape the contagion; and that, in the ensuing
period, Rogar [Transcriber's Note: Roger] Ascham became notorious for
the Book-disease. He purchased probably, during his travels
abroad[24] many a fine copy of the Greek and Latin Classics, from
which he read to his illustrious pupils, Lady Jane Grey, and Queen
Elizabeth: but whether he made use of an _Editio Princeps_, or a
_Large paper copy_, I have hitherto not been lucky enough to discover.
This learned character died in the vigour of life, and in the bloom
of reputation: and, as I suspect, in consequence of the
BIBLIOMANIA--for he was always collecting books, and always studying
them. His "Schoolmaster" is a work which can only perish with our
language.

[Footnote 20: The EARL of SURREY and SIR THOMAS WYATT were
among the first who taught their countrymen to be charmed
with the elegance and copiousness of their own language. How
effectually they accomplished this laudable object, will be
seen from the forthcoming beautiful and complete edition of
their works by the Rev. Dr. Nott.[B]]

[Footnote B: It fell to the lot o