this department of English literature, has never since been seen in any sale catalogue. 3. Education, Languages, Criticism, Classics, Dictionaries, Catalogues of Libraries, &c. THERE were about 700 volumes in these departments. The catalogues of English books, from that of Maunsell, in 1595, to the latest before Mr. West's time, were very complete. The treatises on education, and translations of the ancient classics, comprehended a curious and uncommon collection. The Greek and Latin classics were rather select than rare. 4. English Poetry, Romances, and THIS interesting part of the collection comprehended about 355 articles, or probably about 750 volumes; and if the singularly rare and curious books which may be found under these heads alone, were now to be concentrated in one library, the owner of them might safely demand 4000 guineas for such a treasure. I make no doubt but that his MAJESTY is the fortunate possessor of almost every article under all the foregoing heads. 5. Philosophy, Mathematics, Inventions, Agriculture and Horticulture, Medicine, Cookery, Surgery, &c. Two hundred and forty articles, or about 560 volumes. 6. Chemistry, Natural History, Astrology, Sorcery, Gigantology. PROBABLY not more than 100 volumes. The word 'Gigantology,' first introduced by Mr. Paterson, I believe, into the English language, was used by the French more than two centuries ago. See No, 2198 in the catalogue. 7. History and Antiquities. This comprehended a great number of curious and valuable productions, relating both to foreign and domestic transactions. 8. Heraldry and Genealogy. A GREAT number of curious and scarce articles may be found under these heads. 9. Antient Legends and Chronicles. To the English antiquary, few departments of literature are more interesting than these. Mr. West seems to have paid particular attention to them, and to have enriched his library with many articles of this description, of the rarest occurrence. The lovers of Caxton, Fabian, Hardyng, Hall, Grafton, and Holinshed, may be highly gratified by inspecting the various editions of these old chroniclers. I entreat the diligent bibliographer to examine the first 8 articles of page 209 of the catalogue. Alas! when will all these be again united at a sale? The fortunate period for collectors is gone by; a knowledge of books almost every where prevails. At York, at Exeter, and in London, this knowledge may be found sometimes on the dusty stall, as well as in the splendid shop. The worth of books begins to be considered by a different standard to that of the quantity of gold on the exterior! We are now for drinking deep, as well as tasting!' What an enlightened posterity may we anticipate! But I crave pardon for this digression, and lose sight of Mr. West's uniques. 10. Topography. EVEN to a veteran like Mr. GOUGH, the present father of this pursuit, such a collection as may be found from p. 217 to p. 259 of the catalogue, would be considered a very first-rate acquisition. I am aware that the Gothic wainscot and stained glass windows of Enfield Study enshrine a still more exquisite topographical collection! But we are improved since the days of Mr. West; and every body knows to whom these im 4 provements are, in a great measure, to be attributed! When I call to mind the author of British Topography' and 'Sepulchral Monuments,' I am not insensible to the taste, diligence, and erudition of the 'par nobile fratrum,' who have gratified us with the Environs of London, and the first volume of 'Magna Britannia!' 6 THE preceding is to be considered as a very general, and therefore superficial, analysis of the catalogue of Mr. West's library: copies of it, with the sums for which the books sold, are now found with difficulty, and bring a considerable price. The number of articles, on the whole, was 4653: and of the volumes, probably about 8000. It now remains to submit a sketch of Mr. West's life and character. WELL known as must have been the character of so diligent and successful a collector, we find that his death was not noticed in the Gentleman's Magazine, (the then great channel of literary chit |