miration and imitation, from their earliest youth; and that they were highly delighted with the judicious change of fortune in the last scene, when the hero, instead of being hanged, was restored to the arms of his Lucy and Polly.

I FEAR, good Sir, these are not the only instances of the kind: and therefore address this letter to you, hoping that in your official character, you will lay this matter before the proper tribunal; and bring the question fairly under consideration, whether any theatrical performances which are of a criminal or questionable tendency, should be allowed to be represented on the stage.

I am, with great esteein,

Worthy Sir, your obedient
And respectful Servant,

JOHN JONES.

I CONSIDER this subject as of much importance; and shall therefore take an

early opportunity of visiting the Theatres, and of devising the most speedy and effectual remedy for the evils complained of. The Editor of the Beggar's Opera admits, "that the characters are low and vitious: that the good can de⚫rive from it no encouragement of virtue, 'the bad no discouragement of vice." This is true; but I wish it were the whole truth. The historical anecdote of the day, that the success of this Opera caused a distinguishable increase in highway robberies, appears to me both natural and probable. Thus the Author (as others have been since) became an accessary before the fact, to all the robberies and murders which have been suggested by the representation of it. The play is entirely composed of debauched and wicked characters. Every principle of civil and religious order is derided and ridiculed, in every part of it. Vice stalks in the front of the stage; and is applauded and encouraged; while virtue, industry, prudence, and honesty are made the objects of every idle jest, and

of every offensive ballad, inserted in the performance. The young apprentice is taught to admire the perverted spirit and courage, and to covet the vulgar and vicious indulgences, of MACHEATH; thus forming and habituating himself for the society of abandoned prostitutes, and atrocious thieves: while his sister delights in the tender and disinterested love of POLLY; and learns from the examples of her and Lucy, that where so fine à gentleman as the captain, deigns to make an attempt on a woman's virtue, resistance is vain and ridiculous.

BIBLIOGRAPHIANA *.

THE middle of the 18th century seems to have been a singularly favorable pe

*As I shall always reserve a niche, by way of note, in my Bibliographiana, for the insertion of such curious articles as may have been sold at the booksales, that are at present carrying on, I think

riod for bibliographical amusement. Between the years 1750 and 1760 were sold

the present niche cannot be better filled than by the following memoranda.

Ar Mr. Bryant's sale (which was not concluded when the last article of Bibliographiana went to press) the following works were thus liberally disposed of.

CAXTON'S Chronicle, by W. de Worde,

1495, the title wanting BARTHOLOMEUS de Proprietatibus Rerum, by W. de Worde. First book wanting, but in beautiful condition PRINCE'S Worthies of Devon, fol. 1701. A magnificent copy, in Russia MILNER'S Winchester, small paper MORANT'S Essex, small paper, 2 vol. Queen Elizabeth's Progress and Processions, 3 vol. 4to. elegant, in russia YVERY. A genealogical History of the House of Ivery, &c. portraits and plates, 2 vol. 4to. 1742, large paper

£. s. d.

- 17 6 6

16 16 0

18 18 0

I EMBRACE this opportunity of congratulating my bibliographical readers-not upon the general election-but, upon the delightful treat which they will all have, in the course of the next forty days, by the sale of the library of the

REV. JOHN BRAND,

Late Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries. EVERY body knows the avidity and diligence with

the fine collections of Dr. Mead, Martin Folkes, Dr. R. Rawlinson, and the cu

which that eminent antiquary collected the black letter those who have witnessed the manner in which his draws and shelves were crowded with the productions of such facetious gentlemen as CAXTON, WYNKYN DE WORDE, PINSON, RASTELL, MARSHE, &c. &c. will not be surprised on being informed that upwards of nine thousand articles, or more than double that number of volumes, are speedily to be disposed of by public auction. (To begin May 6.)

THIS Collection, more numerous and miscellaneous than Dr. Farmer's, with abundance of MS. notes by the collector, will, no doubt, afford materials for enriching the libraries of almost all the black lettered virtuosi in his Majesty's united realms. I select the following as a sort of bon bouche, or specimen of the treasures which the collection contains. 227 ARNOLD'S Chronicle of the Customs of London, elegant, in Russia, 1521.

242 THE DYALOGUE of Dives and Pauper, by Penson, 1493.

272 England's Parnassus, 1600.

282 A Boke of Fishing with, Hooke and Line. A Boke of Engines and Traps to take Polcats,

Buzzards, Rats, Mice, and all other Kinds of Vermine and Beasts whatsoever, with cuts, 1600.

454 A Quip for an upstart Courtier; or, a quaint Dispute between Velvet Breeches and Cloth Breeches, &c. 1620.