Rabutin, (Bussy) Hist. Amoureuse des Gaules Relation de la Riviere des Amazones, par Gomberville, Simolachri Historia, &c. Lyon, 1549.. Smith's (Capt. J.) History of Virginia, folio, 1624 .... PAGE. 96 85 33 15 26 75 ... 77 Smollett's Adventures of an Atom (Key to the Characters 116 in) Spencer's Faerie Queene and other Works, 1590, &c.... 58 Spence's Polymetis, folio, 1747 ... Tonstallus de Arte Supputandi, Pynson, 1522 Towneley's Translation of Hudibras Virgilii Opera, 1469... 105 Waller's (Edmd.) Poems, 1711 104 Virgilii Opera. Folio. Printed by Sweynheim and Pannartz at Rome. 1469. Of this edition of the Mantuan Bard, which Beloe calls Editio Princeps, he, in his Anecdotes of Literature, vol. i. p. 85, tells the following amusing anecdote. "It seems that a copy was discovered in a Monastery in Suabia, whence it has found its way into the collection of a Noble Earl. The anecdote which belongs to it is rather ludicrous. The good Monks to whom this and other valuable books belonged were not, it seems, to be prevailed upon by money to part with them. It happened however that they were remarkably fond of OLD HOCK, and for as much of this same HỌCк as was worth seven guineas, they parted with this Virgil to a kind friend and acquaintance. This gentleman B sold it again to an English dealer in books for £50, and doubtless believed he had turned his Hock to very good account. I have nevertheless heard that the nobleman above alluded to did not obtain possession of this literary treasure for a less sum than £400." See the Vallicre Catalogue, No. 2432, where it sold for 4101 livres. Bury (Richardi de) Phylobiblion de querimoniis Librorum omnibus literarum amatoribus perutile. 4to. Spiræ. 1473. Ditto. (Said to be prior to the edition above cited.) 4to. Colen. 1473. The Editions of Paris, Frankfort, Leipsic, &c. are various. The Oxford Edition, 1599, is most known in this country, but is rare, like most of the other Editions. Copies of this curious book may be found in most of our Public Libraries. The learned and munificent Prelate, whose paternal name was Richard de Aungerville, but which he altered upon taking religious orders to that of De Bury, from the place of his nativity, founded a Public Library at Oxford,* for the benefit of the Students: having furnished it with the best collection of Books then in England, he wrote his Philobiblion, a Treatise containing Rules for the management of the Library, how the Books were to be preserved, and on what conditions lent out to the Scholars. It is written, according to Horne,t * Chalmers is in error when he says it was at Cambridge. in very indifferent Latin, in a declamatory style, and is divided into twenty Chapters. In chapter 1 the Author praises Wisdom, and the Books in which it is contained. 2. That Books are to be preferred to Riches and Pleasure. 3. That they ought always to be bought. 4. How much good arises from Books, and that they are only misused by ignorant people. 5. That good Monks write Books, whilst bad ones are differently employed. 6. The praise of the antient begging Friars, with a reproof of the modern ones. 7. He bewails the loss of Books by fires and wars. 8. He shews what fine opportunities he had of collecting Books while he was Chancellor and Treasurer, as well as during his Embassies. 9. That the antients surpassed the moderns in hard studying. 10. That learning arrives at perfection by degrees, and that he had procured a Greek and Hebrew Grammar. 11. That the Law and Law Books are not properly learning. 12. The usefulness and necessity of Grammar. 13. An Apology for Poetry, and the usefulness of it. 14. Who ought to love Books. 15. The manifold advantages of Learning. 16. Of writing new Books and mending old ones. 17. Of using Books well, and in what manner they should be placed. 18. An Answer to his Calumniators. 19. On what conditions Books are to be lent to strangers. 20. Conclusion, Our Author was appointed Bishop of Durham in 1333, and Lord Treasurer of England in 1344. His Book relates the measures he took to gratify his favourite passion, the love of books; whilst Treasurer and Chancellor of England he took his perquisites and new year's gifts in books; and by Edward the Third's favor rummaged the Libraries of the principal men, and brought to light many books which had been locked up for ages. At Avignon, in the year 1331, among the distinguished and learned men with whom Petrarch became acquainted, Richard de Bury is thus characterized by the Author of the life of Petrarch. "One of these was Richard of Bury or Aungerville, who came to Avignon this year. He was sent thither by Edward the Third, his Pupil and his King. Edward wrote a letter to the Pope, recommending to him in particular Richard of Bury, and Anthony of Besanges, whom he had sent with an embassy to his Court. Richard of Bury had a piercing wit, a cultivated understanding, and an eager desire after every kind of knowledge. Nothing could satisfy this ardour, no obstacle could stop its progress, He had given himself up to study from his youth. His genius threw light on the darkest, and his penetration fathomed the deepest, subjects. He was passionately fond of books; and laboured all his life to collect the largest library at that time in Europe. A man of such merit, and the Minister and favorite of the King of England, was received with every mark of distinction in the society of Cardinal Colonna." His stay at Avignon was short: Edward, who could not do without him, recalled him to England soon after. On his |