Sir John Sebright's, Bt. (duplicates) 3300

Bishop Horsley's

4400

* Messrs. King and Lochee open the book campaign next season (in November) with the sale of the curious and extensive library of the late ISAAC REED, Esq. editor of Shakspeare, the Biographia Dramatica, &c. So valuable a collection, in regard

Sold by Messrs. Leigh & Sotheby 55500 Messrs. King & Lochée 27100

Mr. Stewart

86600

119200

to English literature, has never yet appeared before the public. The catalogue will be revised by a very able hand.

SUCH has been the circulation of books, within these last seven months, by the hands of three auctioneers only; and the prices which a great number of curious* articles brought, is a sufficient demonstration that books are esteemed for their intrinsic value as well as for the adventitious circumstances which render them rare or curious. While there are purchasers for the ARCANO DEL MARE†, the commentary of EUSTATHIUS on HoMER, and Caxton's KNIGHT OF THE TOURE, we need not despair of the taste, erudition, and bibliographical spirit, of the age!

BUT posterity are not to judge of the prevalence of knowledge in these times,

* Vid. the preceding numbers of the Director: Art. Bibliographiana.'

+ For some account of this work consult vol. i. p. 330, of the Director.

'The Knight of the Toure,' printed by Caxton, in 1483, was purchased by a noble Earl, distinguished for his very fine collection, for the sum of one hundred and eleven pounds; the largest price ever offered for a single English book, unembellished with plates.

by the criterion of, what are technically called, booksales only. They should be told that, within the same seven months, thousands and tens of thousands of books of all sorts have been circulated by the London booksellers: and that, without travelling to know the number disposed of at Bristol, Liverpool, York, or Exeter, it may be only necessary to state that one distinguished House alone, established not quite a furlong beyond the railings of St. Paul's church, has sold not far short of two hundred thousand volumes within the foregoing period!!

Ir learning continue thus to thrive, and books to be considered as necessary furniture to an apartment; if wealthy merchants are resolved upon procuring large paper copies, as well as Indian spices and Russian furs; we may hail, in anticipation, that glorious period when the book-fairs of Leipsic shall be forgotten in the superior splendour of those in London.

I CONFESS that this train of ideas particularly consoles me at the conclusion

of these my bibliographical labours. I rejoice to think that, in spite of revolu tionary commotions abroad, and party bickerings at home, the love of knowledge still prevails--and the reputation of an author is considered as perfectly compatible with the character of a gentleman.

THOSE Who are instrumental to the collection or preservation of libraries, confer a lasting benefit on their successors. Carriages, horses, dogs, and all their riotous accompaniments, are objects which a fool sometimes collects for a knave to dissipate: such property is rich to-day, and poor to-morrow. But it is not so with those pursuits connected with the preservation of literature: it is not so with the cultivation of intellectual refinement. This latter has been a constant theme of admiration, even with those who have had no inclination to pursue it: this latter has extorted praises from princes and from heroes; it has sometimes stopped the progress of human slaughter, and prevented the total