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Title: Notes on the cathedral libraries of England
Author: Beriah Botfield
Release date: May 31, 2026 [eBook #78788]
Language: English
Original publication: Chiswick: Charles Whittingham, 1849
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/78788
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOTES ON THE CATHEDRAL LIBRARIES OF ENGLAND ***
NOTES ON THE
Cathedral Libraries
OF ENGLAND
❦
[Illustration]
NOTES ON THE
CATHEDRAL LIBRARIES
OF ENGLAND
BY BERIAH BOTFIELD
[Illustration]
LONDON
1849
TO
THE RIGHT REVEREND
CHARLES THOMAS,
LORD BISHOP OF RIPON,
THE INSTRUCTOR OF HIS EARLIER, AND THE
FRIEND OF HIS MATURER YEARS,
THESE NOTES ON THE
Cathedral Libraries of England
ARE RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY HIS
SINCERELY ATTACHED PUPIL
AND SERVANT,
BERIAH BOTFIELD.
[Illustration]
Preface.
The History and Antiquities of the Cathedral Churches of England have
been so often described, and so profusely illustrated that little remains
to be accomplished in that direction. But these descriptions are in many
instances ancillary to the illustrations, and while the minutest details
are given of the Church itself, little or no mention occurs of the
literary treasures contained within its precincts. The reason of this is
obvious. The Antiquarian would naturally dwell with complacency on those
stately fabrics which, thanks to the piety of earlier years, still adorn
the cities of our land. The Historian will recount with satisfaction
those venerable foundations by which the light of knowledge and the
blessings of religion were diffused in a less enlightened age than that
in which we have the happiness to live. Moreover these Collections,
though belonging to public bodies, are, strictly speaking, of a private
character, being of limited accessibility and restricted use.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter is chiefly available for the use of
the Clergy of the Cathedral Church, and under proper regulations becomes
a convenient place of study for the clerical student or the lettered
divine. The Libraries thus preserved have, as might be expected, great
similarity of character. They often combine in a peculiar manner the
learning of the middle ages, with the literature of a later date. Chiefly
embracing theological subjects, they contain no small amount of classical
lore, and a large proportion of historical research. Among much that is
obsolete there is more that is valuable, and amid much that is trifling
there is more that is important.
The contents of these Libraries have hitherto been known only to those
who have had access to their shelves, but thanks to the courtesy of those
entrusted with their custody, I have in every instance carefully perused
the Catalogue, and minutely examined every volume which I have ventured
to describe. This I have done at various times and different intervals,
occasionally revisiting the same Collection whenever the opportunity of
doing so occurred, but often hurried in my examination from unwillingness
to encroach upon the time or avocations of those to whose kindness I
have been indebted for the prosecution of these enquiries. No one can be
more sensible than myself of the imperfections and omissions of a work
compiled under such circumstances, and I shall feel deeply indebted to
any one who will undertake to correct the one or to supply the other.
None but those who have been accustomed to exact the most scrupulous
accuracy from themselves can rightly estimate the difficulty of its
attainment by others. Just as those who are most sensible of their own
deficiencies most readily make allowance for the failings of others.
“There is a philosophy in the aridity of Bibliography which few
bibliographers have discovered; there is a chronology of ideas as well as
facts, and the date of an opinion is far more interesting than any on the
Colophons.”[1]
This may be safely admitted, provided the date can be ascertained with
sufficient accuracy to render permanent the interest it may inspire.
But this it must be conceded is a point of no small difficulty, since
“opinions and feelings are long silently propagated before they can
assume the lasting form of published works.”
“Those revolutions in public opinion which are silently operating,
without yet manifesting any overt acts, can only be detected in those
histories of mankind which are furnished by themselves—Books! These are
the precursors or the recorders of whatever is passing in Europe.”[2]
Those who laudably endeavour to resuscitate the defunct literature of a
past age may best defend their pursuit in the language of the ingenious
and lamented Leyden. “However injudicious our ancient authors may be
reckoned in the selection of their materials, and the arrangement of
their topics; however defective in the arts of composition or polish of
style, they can never divest themselves of the manners and habits of
thinking familiar to the age in which they lived. It is this circumstance
which stamps a real value on the rudest compositions of an early period;
a value which continually increases with their antiquity.”
If the true test of the value of a book be, where can you learn what
it will teach you? and if the answer be nowhere, then we may safely
concede both merit and value. Such I am far from presuming to be the
characteristic of the present work; but assuredly no where else can be
found any collected account of the Ecclesiastical Libraries, attached to
the Cathedrals of England, and forming not the least interesting portion
of their several Capitular possessions.
The Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts in possession of the Dean and Chapter of
Rochester, Exeter, Wells, Lichfield, Durham, Worcester, Westminster,
are enumerated in the third volume of Hickes’ Thesaurus, entitled
Antiquæ Litteraturæ Septentrionalis liber alter, seu Humphredi Wanleii
Librorum Vett. Septentrionalium, qui in Angliæ Bibliothecis extant,
necnon multorum Vett. Codd. Septentrionalium alibi extantium Catalogus
Historico-Criticus, Oxonii, 1705, folio.
In the same author’s Catalogi Librorum Manuscriptorum Angliæ et Hiberniæ
in unum collecti, &c. Oxoniæ, 1698, folio, we find Catalogues of the
Manuscripts preserved in the Chapter Houses of York, Durham, Carlisle,
Worcester, Salisbury, Westminster, Winchester, Lichfield, Hereford,
Exeter, and Canterbury, affording abundant evidence of the diligence and
accuracy of Humphrey Wanley.
In Clarke’s Repertorium Bibliographicum there is some account of the
most celebrated British Libraries, London, 1819, 8vo. including Notices
of the Archiepiscopal Library, Lambeth Palace, the Cathedral Library of
Canterbury, the Christ Church Library at Oxford, and the Manuscripts in
the Chapter House at Westminster.
I have purposely omitted from this Work all mention of the Parochial
Libraries of England, such as those of Wimborne Minster in
Dorsetshire; Halifax in Yorkshire; Castleton in Derbyshire; Langley
in Buckinghamshire; Tong and Whitchurch in Shropshire. The latter in
particular is a beautiful Library, purchased by a former Countess of
Bridgewater from one of the Prestons, and left as an heirloom to the
living. The late Francis Henry, Earl of Bridgewater, left all his books
in augmentation of this Library, and also bequeathed several sums
of money for founding other Libraries of a similar kind at Middle,
Ellesmere, and other places. I have reluctantly excluded the Library
at Bamborough Castle, in Northumberland, so interesting as containing
a vellum copy of the Book of Troy, by Pynson; as well as the Libraries
of Sion College; Archbishop Tenison’s; the Dissenters, in Red Cross
Street; and the Baptist Museum, at Bristol. To go beyond these would be
to describe the Libraries of the British Museum; the London and Royal
Institutions, the London Library, and those of the different learned and
Scientific Societies, and of the Clubs of London. All these are foreign
to my purpose, which embraces only Libraries of a strictly ecclesiastical
character. I have introduced the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth as
belonging to the Primate, and the Library of the Dean and Chapter of
St. George’s, at Windsor, as appertaining to the Sovereign Head of the
English Church.
I have chosen to designate these Collections as Cathedral Libraries,
because with the above exception, the only Capitular Library described
in this volume which is not at present in connection with a See, is the
venerable foundation of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster. This from
its connection with the ancient Palace of Westminster must always be
regarded as classic ground in the History and Antiquities of England.
I have added no index to this book, because the work itself is little
more than an index to the contents of the Collections which it professes
to describe, and a mere repetition of proper names would have added to
the bulk without increasing the utility of the volume. Hasty as these
notes may have been, and confessedly imperfect as they are, they may
yet serve to excite if not to satisfy the awakened interest in the
Curiosities of English Literature.
“Without doubt,” says Richard de Bury in his Philobiblon, translated
by Inglis, quoting Seneca in his Epistles, “Leisure without letters is
death, and the Sepulture of the living man;” so we justly conclude from a
converse meaning, “that to be employed with Literature and Books is life.”
_Norton Hall_, 5 March, 1849.
CONTENTS.
Page
Library of Bristol 1
Library of Canterbury 5
Library of Carlisle 49
Library of Chester 55
Library of Chichester 74
Library of Durham 89
Library of Ely 124
Library of Exeter 132
Library of Gloucester 159
Library of Hereford 172
Library of Lambeth Palace 189
Library of Lichfield 259
Library of Lincoln 268
Library of London 297
Library of Manchester 328
Library of Norwich 330
Library of Christ Church, Oxford 348
Library of Peterborough 369
Library of Ripon Minster 384
Library of Rochester 390
Library of Salisbury 405
Library of Wells 417
Library of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster 430
Library of Winchester 465
Library of Windsor 484
Library of Worcester 491
Library of York Minster 502
CORRIGENDA.
Transcriber’s Note: These corrections have been applied to the text.
P. 3, l. 14, _for_ militare, _read_ militari.
12, 6, _for_ obtineti, _read_ obtinet.
43, 17, _for_ Attica, _read_ Attici.
58, 28, _for_ coronis, _read_ corona.
60, 21, _for_ Barrow; _read_ Barrow’s.
62, 19, _for_ Mircæ, _read_ Mireæ.
63, 10, _for_ Periphis, _read_ Periplus.
19, _for_ Liveliæ’s, _read_ Livelie’s.
64, 29, _for_ Aristidii, _read_ Aristidis.
32, _for_ Commeline, _read_ Commelini.
128, 23, _for_ Horologia, _read_ Heröologia.
138, 1, _for_ polist, _read_ philist.
263, 8, _after_ whereof, _insert_ the.
286, 1, _omit_ and.
286, 13, _after_ Church, _insert_ are.
317, 27, _after_ man’s _insert_ Villare.
319, 10, _for_ Anglia, _read_ Anglica.
322, 8, _for_ rum, _read_ rus.
324, 13, _for_ heorici, _read_ heroici.
352, ult. _for_ Rhetoris, _read_ Rhetores.
354, ult. _for_ Zonoras, _read_ Zonaras.
356, 7, _for_ du, _read_ des.
357, 11, _for_ Anglianæ, _read_ Anglicanæ.
360, 15, _for_ Varillais’, _read_ Varillas’.
361, 17, _for_ rum, _read_ rus.
380, 25, _for_ there formed, _read_ the reformed.
400, ult. _omit_ the.
[Illustration]
NOTES UPON THE CATHEDRAL LIBRARIES OF ENGLAND.
Bristol.
Had these unpretending memorials of the literary treasures of our
Cathedral Churches been written earlier, they might have given some idea
of the loss sustained by that of Bristol in the memorable riots of the
31st of October, 1831.
The Chapter-house, so much admired for the beauty of its Saxon
architecture, was at that time the receptacle of about six or seven
thousand volumes, constituting the Library of the Dean and Chapter.
The lawless ruffians, who fired the adjoining Palace, threw the greater
number of these volumes into the flames, and the Catalogue, of which,
unfortunately, no duplicate was kept, shared a similar fate.
The mob appeared most anxious to destroy the larger volumes, under the
idea that they were Bibles, “but,” added my informant, who visited the
delinquents in prison, “I found many of them reading the sacred volume,
which, in their madness, they would fain have extirpated.”
Other books of this Library were thrown into the river Avon, many into
ditches, and almost all were more or less dirtied and torn, having been
thrown about the streets, and otherwise defaced. Of these, however,
about eleven hundred were recovered from old clothes mops, and dealers
in “Marine stores,” that convenient designation, under which another
person’s property is so frequently misappropriated; and this wreck of the
Library, which is now deposited in the Vestry, must form the subject of
the present notice.
As the Chapter-house was completely cleared of every book before the
populace quitted the place, the volumes which have been recovered all
present the most deplorable signs of the rude treatment they received.
So complete was the work of destruction, that only a calf-bound copy of
Walton’s Polyglott, and a set of Doddridge’s Expositor were preserved
entire; together with a copy of Harris’s Voyages.
So that of all the sets of books which once adorned the Library, single
volumes alone remain to testify that such works as Rapin’s History of
England; Camden’s Britannia; the Commentaries of Patrick, Whitby, and
Nicolas de Lyra; the Works of S. Cyril, Eusebius, Bellarmine, Thomas
Aquinas, Cave, Puffendorf, and Gerard; with Newton’s Prophecies; Calmet’s
Dictionary; Conybeare’s Sermons; Whiston’s Sacred History; Hudson’s
Josephus; Spencer de Legibus Hebræorum; Leydekker de Statu Reipublicæ
Hebræorum; and some tracts against Popery, were once contained within its
walls.
Alas! it is not for the Bibliographer to imitate the genius of Cuvier,
and from the disjointed members of any body to discover what in its
integrity it must have been, and bid those dry bones live. From the
relics of a Library it is not possible to collect what it must have been
in its perfect state; and here we must drop the metaphor, “ex ungue
leonem.”
It may be interesting, however, to enumerate some of those single
volumes which have been recovered from the wreck, and we may begin with
the well-known Breeches Bible, bound in old calf, being that printed
at London by Christopher Barker, in 1599, in 4to. The Bible printed at
Oxford, in 1807, folio; Bacon’s Thesaurus, Butler’s Analogy, Pitt’s
Virgil, Ogilby’s Homer, Cary’s Account of Ancient Time, folio; Corpus
Juris Civilis Gothofredi, folio; Vegetius de Re Militari, Parisiis, 1535,
folio, in a vellum wrapper; Crellii Opera; Livii Opera Parisiis, 1552,
folio; Blackmore’s Prince Arthur, a Poem; and Camden’s Annals.
In closing this necessarily imperfect account of what remains of the
Bristol Cathedral Library, I am happy to say, that the beautiful
Chapter-house was not involved in the ruin of the adjacent Palace, but,
having suffered only trifling injury, has been subsequently restored to
its pristine appearance.
The books will henceforth be deposited in a small room adjoining the
Chapter-house, which is now building for their reception, in the hope
that their number may be increased by some future benefaction or bequest.
It is well known that the Library of the present Dean of Bristol,
Dr. Beke, who has now nearly reached the span of human life, is most
valuable and extensive, and were such a collection to be appropriated
to the Cathedral, then would the Bristol Cathedral Library rise again,
Phœnix-like, from the flames; and the venerable donor of so munificent
a bequest, would, by all true Bibliopolists, be in their flowing cups
freshly “remembered.”
I cannot shut the door of the Bristol Cathedral without noticing,
truncated though it be, the symmetry of its Gothic Architecture, and
feeling more than ordinary sensations of melancholy within its precincts.
For the mailed Barons of Berkeley, who here lie in grim repose, one
has little sympathy; but for the beautiful, the young, cut off in the
springtide of early enjoyment by that insidious and fatal malady,
Consumption, it is for these, whose monuments, thick as leaves in
Val’ombrosa, are strewed around, that the heart of an Englishman must
ever heave the sigh of unavailing regret; nor can the current of his
thoughts find a purer channel than that afforded by Mason’s beautiful
memorial of his “dear departed saint.”
“Take, holy Earth! all that my soul holds dear:
Take that blest gift which Heaven so lately gave:
To Bristol’s fount I bore with trembling care
Her faded form; she bowed to taste the wave,
And died. Does youth, does beauty read the line?
Does sympathetic fear their breasts alarm?
Speak, dead Maria! breathe a strain divine:
E’en from the grave thou shalt have power to charm.
Bid them be chaste, be virtuous like thee;
Bid them in duty’s sphere as meekly move,
And if so fair, from vanity as free,
As firm in friendship, and as fond in love.
Tell them, though ’tis an awful thing to die,
’Twas e’en to thee; yet the dread path once trod,
Heaven lifts its everlasting portals high,
And bids the pure in heart behold their God.”
[Illustration]
Library of Canterbury.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury is kept in a long and
lofty room adjoining the Cloisters, which in olden time was the Chapel
of the Prior. The books are arranged in classes upon open shelves, in
projecting cases, which are distinguished by letters of the alphabet, and
occupy the spaces between the windows; the end of the apartment nearest
the Baptistery, containing the manuscripts in closed cases; and the other
end of the room, having a light gallery, with open shelves above and
below for the reception of printed books.
The Dean and Chapter have it in contemplation to alter this arrangement
entirely, by placing the folios and quartos upon open shelves all round
the room, with a light gallery for the octavos above, and to light the
apartment by a skylight in the roof, instead of the present windows;
and to remove the damp, which at present pervades the Library to a very
injurious extent, by the addition of suitable fire-places.
This alteration, the expense of which is estimated at nearly £1000,
though tending to impair the venerable appearance of this “antique
oratory,” cannot fail to be beneficial to the books, many of which
have been recently rebound by Mr. Gough of London, and some of the
older volumes having been repaired and gilt. The whole collection has a
freshened aspect.
The books are chiefly bound in calf, and are generally in very good
condition, though only warmed occasionally by a stove. From a small fund
possessed by the Dean and Chapter, they are enabled to employ from five
to six hundred a year in the purchase and reparation of books. Their
Library is also continually augmented by the customary donation of each
Prebend upon his installation; and by a gift of forty pounds from the
Archbishop of Canterbury, who once in every four years holds a visitation
in his Cathedral, being sumptuously entertained at the Deanery, and
leaves that sum, according to ancient usage, for the use of the Library.
It is creditable to the Curators of this Library that two Catalogues
of its contents have already been printed, once in 1743, and again in
1802, and that another is in contemplation: so that I trust the Rev.
John Stratton, the present Librarian, upon whom the task devolves ex
officio, will render this new Catalogue more complete than either of its
precursors.
The Catalogue at present in use in the Library is that printed in 1802,
inlaid and interleaved in two volumes quarto, and bound in rough calf.
There is also a register kept, of books borrowed from the Library.
The Catalogue which was printed for the use of the members of the Church
in 1802, is an octavo volume of two hundred and thirty-nine pages,
entitled a “Catalogue of the Books, both Manuscript and Printed, which
are preserved in the Library of Christ Church, Canterbury, 1802.” It is
divided into two parts, of which the first is an alphabetical index of
the books both manuscript and printed, with reference to the shelves upon
which they were placed when the Catalogue was compiled. The second part
contains the Catalogue of the printed books only, being the contents
of the Cases from A I. to LL IV. specifying the titles, imprints, and
dates of each work. But as the present Librarian has entirely changed
the arrangement of the books in these cases, they having been formerly
arranged according to their size, but now according to their subjects,
the utility of this Catalogue, as affording facility of reference,
is entirely gone. The third portion of this Catalogue contains an
enumeration of the manuscripts in the order in which they occur in the
closed cases, A to E, in which they are kept.
I shall be excused for transcribing the introductory remarks to this
Catalogue, since the book itself is solely circulated among the members
of the establishment, and the matter is most pertinent to the subject of
the present notice; so here it is:—
“Of this Library, a Catalogue, as it was called, appeared in 1743; but
it is merely an alphabetical list of printed books only, without any
statements of the place or year in which the books are printed, and
without any guide to the shelves on which they had been placed. The
present Catalogue, by its two-fold arrangement, is intended to inform the
reader of most particulars relating to the books, to point out to him
their situation in the Library, and at the same time to preserve them in
their respective classes.
“The Dean and Chapter, desirous to promote the utility of their Library,
lately caused it to be carefully examined, as well as considerably
enlarged; and in consequence of the examination, several manuscripts
were found concealed under a heap of rubbish in a private closet. These
Manuscripts, having been investigated by some of the members of the
Church, are now deposited, (as the subjects of them required,) partly in
the Chapter-room, and partly in the Library. To the presses in the latter
an addition is thus made of twelve volumes since the publication of a
Catalogue of the Manuscripts in this Library, by a member of the Church,
in 1793. Other Manuscripts also, since that period, have been presented
to the Dean and Chapter. This Library, it may be observed, is rich in
Manuscript materials relating to the Civil and Ecclesiastical History of
the country, and to Saxon literature in general; as the articles under
Records, Registers, and Somner, will evince.”
I may add, that this Library suffered severely from fire in former ages,
and was despoiled of some of its fairest treasures during the Cromwellian
Usurpation. It cannot consequently boast of many tomes of the olden time,
but it contains many valuable and useful works, which will more plainly
appear when we come to analyze its contents. The books are marked by the
armorial bearings of the Dean and Chapter of “Christ Church Canterbury,”
engraved and pasted within the covers. This precaution, however, proved
ineffectual against the carelessness of so many persons to whom books had
been lent some years ago, that the Reverend Guardians of this collection
have of late years exercised draconic vigilance in the preservation of
their literary treasures.
Many indeed of the clergy of Canterbury, who are unusually numerous,
would gladly avail themselves of access to this Library; an indulgence
which methinks might be granted under such regulations as should ensure
the integrity, while extending the usefulness of the collection.
It is matter of great congratulation to the Dean and Chapter, that so
many valuable Manuscripts relating to Saxon literature in general, and
the County of Kent in particular, should be contained within the walls
of this Library. Whoever wishes rightly to estimate the labours of the
indefatigable Somner, should examine this collection, where will be
found two copies of his excellent Dictionarium Saxonico-Latinum, from
one of which, as appears by the signatures of the Compositors, his
valuable work was printed in 1659. The Title, Recommendatory Verses,
Dedication, Preface, List of Subscribers, and Errata, are here carefully
preserved. Here also are kept with equal care, his “Treatise of the
Roman Ports and Forts in Kent,” folio, a work which was published in
1693, his remarks upon the Goodwin Sands, and a life of the Author, by
White Kennet, afterwards Bishop of Peterborough. Somner’s “Discourse
of Portus Iccius, wherein the late conceipts of Chiffletius in his
topographicall discourse thereof are examined and refuted; the judgment
of Cluverius concerning the same port asserted and embraced; and the
true site thereof more clearly ascertained.” This work was translated
into Latin, and published at Oxford, in 1694, by Dr. Edmund Gibson,
afterwards Bishop of London. Somner argues for Boulogne, Chifflet for
Mardyke. His “Littus Saxonicum per Britanniam,” the design of which
treatise was, to overthrow the opinion of Selden in his Mare Clausum,
and to vindicate the opinions of Camden, Cluverius, Merula, and Ortelius,
concerning this shore. His emendation of the Concilium Berghamstedense,
A.D. 697, as given by Spelman, vol. 1, p. 194, exhibiting at one view the
textus Roffensis, ejusdem exemplaris correctio, D. H. Spelmanni versio
et versio nova. A specimen of the attentive correction which Somner was
accustomed to bestow; and of which his manuscript notes in several of the
printed books in this Library afford additional proof. His “observations
upon the Commissary of Canterbury’s Patent,” which Mr. Battely in his
Preface to “the Antiquities of Canterbury,” where a great part of this
discourse is printed, supposes to have been the first fruits of those
labours which Somner devoted to the study of Antiquity. To which I may
add, his “Scholia et Animadversiones in Leges Henrici Primi,” folio. “In
Dni Henrici Spelmanni Eq: Aurat. Glossarium Adversaria; Item, in Watsii
Glossarium; et in eximii viri Gerardi Johannis Vossii de vitiis sermonis
et Tractatum Adversaria.” and his Miscellanies; consisting chiefly of
Letters relating to the affairs of the Cathedral, and the Diocese of
Canterbury; and containing some curious remarks upon the characters,
residences, &c. of many Incumbents in the Diocese.
To the unwearied pen of Somner we are indebted for the transcription of
the following Works.
“Orosius, Saxonicè;” transcriptus è pervetusto Libro illo MS.
Bibl. Cottonianâ, in quo Chronologia Saxonica invenitur exarata.
“Cædmonis Paraphrasis Saxonica.” Transcriptus è pervetusto
Libro MS. in Bibl. Deuvesianâ charactere Saxonico exarato.
“Medicinalis Anglicus Saxonicè.” Transcriptus è pervetusto
Libro MS. in Bibliothecâ Regiâ apud S. Jacobum.
“Pentateuchus et Liber Josuæ Saxonicè.” Folio. Transcriptus è
pervetusto Libro MS. in Bibliothecâ Cottonianâ.
“Statuta Eccl. Christi Cantuar. ab Henrico octavo fundatore.”
“Chartæ Odonis Prioris, Eccl. Chr. Cant. anno 1167.”
“Chronica Gervasii de combustione et reparatione Eccl. Cantuar.
1174.” This Chronicle was published in the Decem Scriptores,
the joint labour of Twysden and Somner, in 1652, and was
translated into English, and published in the Historical
Description of Canterbury Cathedral in 1783.
But, besides the entire transcription of the above-mentioned Works,
which are carefully preserved in this Library, the diligence of Somner
has made copious extracts, which are also kept here:—“Ex Chronicis Will.
Thorne.”—Fol. “Ex Gotcelini libro de translatione S. Augustini Anglor:
Apost: et Sociorum ejus in Bibliothecâ Deuvesianâ.”[3] “Ex Registro
Manuscripto S. Augustini Monast: collect: à Thom: Thaneto.” “Ex veteri
Libro MS. olim Ecclesiæ Christi Cant: modo in Bibliothecâ Comitis
Arundell. cui titulus, ‘Registrum sive Martyrologium Ecclesiæ Christi
Cant:’”—“Ex veteri Libro MS. sc. Registro (ut inscribitur) temporalium
Ecclesiæ et Episcopatus Roffensis abbreviatio, et circa tempora (1319)
Haimonis de Slethe, 46. ejusdem Sedis Episc: (ut opinor) qui in
Episcoporum ibi memoratorum catalogo ultimum locum obtinet.” “Ex libro
Roffensi in 4to.”—& “E pervetusto libro MS. in Bibliothecâ Cottonianâ,
Orosii historiam continente, manu Saxonicâ, cui titulus, ‘Chronica
Saxonica Abingdoniæ ad annum 1066.’” Folio.
If to the above we add some Papers concerning Christ Church Yard,
and an Account of what was laid out on the Church from 1660 to 1662,
together with several Transcripts from ancient records, chronicles,
and registers, relating to Canterbury, Kent, and Saxon literature, we
shall have gathered a very fair idea of the contributions of Somner to
the literature of his country, and be disposed to assign the Cantian
Antiquary a place in the same temple with Dugdale and with Hearne.
I have already mentioned that Manuscripts in this Library relating to the
Cathedral and City of Canterbury are very numerous; so voluminous indeed
that I must request the reader to accept the following account rather as
exemplary than descriptive.
First then, among the Manuscripts relating to the county of Kent, we
have a Table or playne Particular of the whole Shyre; the Customs of
Sandwich and Lydd; some Particulars respecting the Monastery and Town of
Faversham; the Rentals of Godmersham and Chertham; the Rents of Assize
at Marden, and Milton; an Index to the Ledger-book of the Priory of
Dover, &c. De Monasterio et Prioribus S. Martini de Dovor. An Account
of Lands in the Manor of Wingham paying rents, &c. to the Archbishop
of Canterbury; and of the Lands of the Bishoprick of Rochester. To
which I may add the Registrum Monasterii S. Augustini, a large quarto
volume, upon vellum. This curious Manuscript was purchased by the late
Dr. Farmer, formerly a Prebend of Canterbury, at a book-stall in London,
and by him presented to the Cathedral Library, which contains also the
“Registrum Domini Willim̅ Sellyng, Præcentoris, a decimosexto die Aprilis
Anno Dn̅i millesimo quingentesimo vicesimo primo, tempore Thomæ Hampton
abbatis hujus loci, necnon anno regni regis Henrici octavi duo decimo.”
4to. This Manuscript, which is partly on vellum and partly on paper,
was the Register of St. Austin’s Monastery, and is believed to be the
last; the establishment having been dissolved 30 Henr. VIII. Its ancient
Library of course shared the fate of the Monastery, and was dispersed.
Some few, however, of its manuscript volumes were transferred to the
adjacent Cathedral, where are now preserved,
“S. Augustini Sermones de Verbis Domini, cum Indice præfixo,”
folio, inscripti super membranis.
“Evangelium Sancti Matthæi, Latinè, cum largâ expositione
cujusdam Anonymi,” folio, optime conservatum.
“Vetus Logica; Liber de Articulis Fidei; Priscianus de
Constructionibus; Liber de Accentibus; Donati Barbarismus,”
folio, in membranis; and a volume containing
“Correctorium totius Bibliæ Roberti Grosthead Episc: Lincoln.”
“Tabula secundùm ordinem alphabeti, in lib. exemplorum Sacræ
Scripturæ.” “Liber Exemplorum S. Scripturæ Fratris Nicol de
Hanapis;” & “De orbis situ.”
All of which originally formed a part of the library of the Monastery
of St. Augustine, the ruins of which still arrest the attention of the
passing stranger.
Those who feel an interest in what once composed Monastic Libraries, will
rejoice to peruse, in the account-book of some officer of the Monastery,
the “Reparationes circa Libros in Librariâ super Capellam Domini Priori,”
and to be informed that a list of books formerly in this Library is given
by Dart in the Appendix to his History of the Church of Canterbury.
To return from this digression to the Manuscripts relating to the Church,
See, and City of Canterbury; I may enumerate
1. Redditus Eccl: Christi Cantuar: in membranis.
2. Relevia recepta anno secundo et sequentibus post reversionem
Conventûs ab exilio, 1215, in membranis.[4]
3. Nomina Monachorum Eccl. Christi Cant: a tempore exilii eorum
1207, ad annum 1533.
4. Obituarium Monachorum Eccl. Chr. Cant. ab 1286 ad 1507.
5. Gablum de diversis terris.
6. A Receiver’s Book of Church Rents in the time of the
Monastery. Liber Redituum Locabilium Prioris Ecclesiæ Cant.
Episcoporum in Provinciâ Cant. Decimæ.
7. Spiritualium et Temporalium secundùm Registrum Papæ et Regis.
An account of certain Manors taken into Queen Elizabeth’s hands, from the
Archbishop of Canterbury, and what recompense she made out of Lands, of
Abbies, Rectories, impropriate Rents, Tithes, &c.
8. Part of a Register of the Archbishop’s Manors.
9. De Prærogativis Archiep. Cantuar. written upon vellum about
1334.
10. A list of Authors, with references to their Works, who
have written concerning the Archbishops of Canterbury; first,
of those who have treated of the Archbishops generally, and
secondly, of those who have composed single or particular
lives; by the late learned and celebrated antiquary, Dr. Samuel
Pegge. 4to.
These valuable papers were in the possession of John Nichols, Esq. F.A.S.
by whom they were given to the Rev. Mr. Todd, and by Mr. Todd have been
presented to this Library. To these may be added the
“Statuta Curiæ Cantuar. editæ per Rob. Winchelsea, Archiep.
Cant.” and the “Fasti Cantuarienses; or the History of the
renowned Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Christ in
Canterbury; a Poem in five Books; by John Boys of Hode Court.”
Folio, 104 pages.
This Poem appears by the Preface to have been intended for the press.
It is dedicated to Gilbert (Sheldon) Abp. of Canterbury. The Author,
it seems, was the intimate friend of Somner. At the end is a printed
“Panegyrick to his Sacred Majesty” Charles II. in verse, by the same
author, dated 1662. Other publications by Mr. Boys are there also
noticed. This volume was purchased at the sale of the late Dr. Osmund
Beauvoir, Master of the King’s School, Canterbury, by Thomas Park,
Esq. F.A.S.; by whom it was presented through the Rev. Mr. Todd to
this Library. Lastly, as relating to the City of Canterbury, I may add
to the Manuscripts already mentioned, the Charter of King Edward IV.
granted to the City of Canterbury in 1460. Nomina 161 Majorum Civitatis
Cantuariæ ab anno 1449. Fundatio et Statuta Hospitalis Sancti Laurentii
juxta Cantuariam, et Registrum Chartarum de terris ejusdem; folio, in
membranis; and the Answers to the Articles of Enquiry, made by the
Commissioners of Henry VIII. concerning the estates, goods, revenues, &c.
of certain Hospitals in and near Canterbury; the first and last of these
documents forming part of the valuable collections of Somner.
Of Manuscripts relating to the History and Antiquities of England, I
noticed a Catalogue of the Religious Houses within the realms of England
and Wales, with their orders, founders, and values; both such as were
suppressed by King Henry VIII. and such as were left standing, or have
been since erected. Several grants of Henry IV. V. and VI. and Edward IV.
to several monasteries, abbies, &c. Constitutiones Othonis et Othoboni
cum Glossâ Johanni de Acton. folio, in membranis. A Volume of Letters
concerning State Affairs in the time of Queen Elizabeth, from 1569 to
1596. A curious volume in folio, containing:—
1. “The Names and Armes (emblazoned) of the Principall Captains as well
of Noblemen as of Knights that were with the victorious Prince, King
Edward the Third, at the Siege of Callys. 1346.”
2. “An Account of how many Ships and Mariners every Port sent throughout
England to that Siege. Also the supply of Ships and Mariners from Bayon,
Spayne, Ireland, Flaunders, and Gelderland.”
3. “An Account of all the Princes and Noblemen, Foreigners, that served
at that Siege, with their pay, and of the whole charge of that Siege.”
4. “The Titles and Armes (emblazoned) of all the Noblemen that flourished
in each King and Queen’s Reign from William the Conqueror to Queen
Elizabeth.”
5. “An Account of the Precedency of the Nobility in several Processions
of Queen Elizabeth and King James.”
6. “The Order of Precedency of the Nobles, both Men and Women, by Jasper,
Duke of Bedford, (Uncle to Henry VII. and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland) at
the appointment of Henry VII.” “The Armes and Names of all the Nobilitie,
Privi-Councelers, and Chiefe Officers of England in 1588.” Certain
Disputations in point of Law concerning the Kings of England’s right to
their Succession in the Kingdom of France; from an ancient MS. copied by
Sir Peter Manwood in 1615, folio.[5] Fragmentum Historiæ Saxonicæ manu
recenti, 4to. which formerly belonged to Somner, who has written on the
first page “Florentius Wigorn. optimus hujus histor. interpres. W. S.”
Canuti Regis Leges Saxonicæ, 4to. Veterum Statutorum Regni Collectio, cum
Indice præfixo, 8vo.
To the above may be added Erdeswick’s Antiquities of Staffordshire,
folio, 84 pages; and a Rentall of all the lands, rents, and pencions
in the Cytie of Worcestre, and suburbes of the same, belongyng to the
Cathedrall Churche of Worcestre, &c. folio.
I come now to the mention of a very interesting Work, being no less than
“Isaaci Casauboni Ephemerides,” folio. This is the Diary of the Life
of that eminent scholar and critic, Isaac Casaubon, Prebendary of this
Church, written in Latin with his own hand, commencing in the 39th year
of his age and in the year of our Lord 1597. He died in 1614.
The curious and learned reader will be highly gratified by several
circumstances recorded in this volume respecting classical authors, in
the illustration of whom Casaubon had been engaged. Bentley, it has been
said, was indulged with the use of this volume. It was probably the gift
of Meric Casaubon, son of Isaac, and also a Prebendary of this Church.
From a passage in this Diary we learn that Isaac Casaubon, being a
layman, received the royal dispensation to hold this Prebend.
Of Classic Authors I may notice a beautifully written Manuscript of M. T.
Ciceronis Epistolæ, in folio, presented to the Library by Dr. Kingsley,
Archdeacon and Prebendary, in 1663. At the beginning of this MS. is the
following note:—“This Booke I Edmund Witherpoll found in the Lybrary off
owre Ladye’s Churche in Bulleyn the xxv day of Sept. Anno Domini 1544.”
Edmund Witherpoll probably accompanied Henry the Eighth in his expedition
against Boulogne, and brought away this literary treasure with him.
Of Theological Manuscripts I must content myself with enumerating the
Biblia Latina Thomæ de Banchester, cui præfigitur Tractatus
Moralium super Genesin, qui dicitur Solatium fidelis animæ,
folio, in membranis.
Stephani (Langton) Archiep. Cant. Moralia in Isaiam, Jeremiam,
et Ezechielem Prophetas, folio, in membranis.
Ejusdem Moralia in libros Josuæ, Judicum, Ruth, in quatuor
libros Regum, in Tobiam, Hester, Esdram, et duos libros
Maccabæorum, folio, in membranis.
Ejusdem Moralia in XII Prophetas Minores, folio, in membranis.
Joannis Duns Scoti Questiones Theologicæ, folio, in membranis.
Ejusdem, in quartum lib. Sententiarum, folio, in membranis.
Expositio sive Glossa Regulæ S. Beati Benedicti, 4to.
Ephrem Syri Preces, Græcè, 12mo. most beautifully written.
Testamenta duodecim Patriarcharum.
Narratio e libro qui Græcè vocatur Suda.[6]
Meditationes beati Bernardi, 8vo, in membranis. A Volume which
formerly belonged to the Monastery of St. Mary Overy, Southwark.
I may conclude this notice of the Canterbury Manuscripts with the mention
of the Chronicon ab origine Mundi, cui præfigitur Tabula subsequentis
operis secundùm ordinem Alphabeti, folio, which ends in 1338; and a
Chronographye of the most notable things from the beginning of the
world to the year 1592, by John Nettleton, gent. my Master, and writ
by me Wm. Byrche; together with the Stimulus Conscientiæ, or Pricke of
Conscience, an English Poem, by Richard Hampole,[7] an eremite of the
order of St. Augustine, who flourished in 1349, 4to.; and another curious
Volume of English Poetry in 4to., entitled Epigramma Satiron; or “The
times whistle, or a newe daunce of seven Satires, whereunto are annexed
divers other poems comprising things naturall, morall, and theologicall,
compiled by ______ gent.”
“Septem compacta cicutis
Fistula.”
The name of the compiler is in this first title erased. He announces the
design of those Seven Satires in a long Introduction.
“From the Rhamnusian goddesse am I sent,
On Sinne t’inflict deserved punishment:
All-seeing Sunne, lend me thy searching eye,
That I may finde, and scourge impietie;”
&c. &c. &c.
To these Satires are added “Certaine Poems, comprising things naturall,
morall, and theologicall. Written by R. C. gent.”[8]
In proceeding to give some account of the printed books contained in the
Library of the Cathedral Church of Canterbury, I will first notice the
impressions of the Holy Scriptures which are contained therein, namely,
the
Biblia Maxima, Joannis de la Haye. Lutet. Paris. 1660, in 19
vols. folio.
Biblia Polyglotta per Ariam Montanum. Antverpiæ, 1569, in 8
vols. folio.
Biblia Polyglotta per Brianum Waltonum. Londini, 1657, in 6
vols. folio, cui Castelli Lexicon Heptaglotton, Londini, 1669,
accedit.
Biblia Hebraica cum Commentariis Rabbinicis, per Danielem
Bombergum. Venetiis, 1515, in 4 vols. folio.
Biblia Hebraica, per Kennicott. Oxonii, 1776, in 2 vols. folio.
Biblia Sacra, cum Glossa ordinaria, Parisiis, 1590, in 6 vols.
folio.
Biblia Sacra Vulgatæ Editionis. Romæ, 1592, folio. Basileæ,
1591, 8vo. Lugduni, 1618, 8vo. and Antverpiæ, 1629, in 5 vols.
16mo.
Biblia Latina Tremellii et Junii. Hanoviæ, 1602, in 2 vols.
4to.—Hanoviæ, 1603, folio, and Genevæ, 1617, in 4 vols. folio.
Biblia Septuaginta, Romæ, 1587, folio; Londini, 1653, in 2
vols. 12mo.; et edita per Grabe, Oxonii, 1707, dupl. edit. in 2
vols. folio, and in 8 vols. 8vo.
Biblia Belgica. Leydæ, 1596, 4to.
Biblia Española. Amst. 1661, 8vo.
La Biblia Traslatata in lingua Italiana da Giov. Diodati, 1607,
4to.
The Great English Bible, published by order of Henry VIII.
London, November, 1540, folio.
English Bible. London, 1551, folio.
The Holy Bible of 1585, the Bishops’ Version, in fol.
The Bible printed at Doway in 1609, in 3 vols. 4to.
The Bible printed by Barker at London, in 1640, folio; by
Baskett at Oxford, in 1717, folio; and by Baskerville at
Cambridge, in 1763, folio.
To which I may add the Bible edited by D’Oyley and Mant, and the Welch
Bible printed at London in 1630, 8vo.
I may here notice the Psalter edited by Baber, and the Liturgia Anglicana
Octoglotta, printed by Bagster.
Of editions of the New Testament separately published, we find
The Nov. Test. Polyglottum Eliæ Hutteri. Norimbergæ, 1599, in 2
vols. folio.
The Nov. Test. Græcum, Rob. Stephani. Lutet. Paris. 1550, folio.
The Nov. Test. Græcum, Joannis Gregorii. Oxonii, 1703, folio.
The Nov. Test. Græcum, Joannis Millii. Oxonii, 1707, folio.
The Nov. Test. Græcum, Joannis Leusden. Amst. 1698, 12mo.
The Nov. Test. Græcum, J. J. Wetstenii. Amstel. 1751, in 2
vols. folio.
The Nov. Test. Græcum, Griesbachii. Oxonii, 8vo.
The Nov. Test. Arabicum. Londini, 1727, 4to.
The Nov. Test. Copticum a Dav. Wilkins. Oxonii, 1716, 4to.
The Nov. Test. Gallicum. Genevæ, 1618, 12mo.
The Rhemish New Testament. Rheims, 1582, 4to.
The Doway New Testament. Antwerp, 1600, 4to.
Evangelia Gothica et Anglo-Saxonica. Franc. Junii. Dordrechti,
1665, 4to.
The Saxon Gospels, by John Foxe. London, 1571, 4to. To this I
may add the
Psalterium Latino-Saxonicum Vetus Johannis Spelmanni. Londini,
1640, 4to. and
“The whole Psalter translated into English Metre, which
contayneth an hundredth and fifty Psalmes. Imprinted at London
by John Daye, dwelling over Aldersgate, beneath S. Martyns.”
“Cum Gratia et Privilegio
Regiæ Majestatis per
Decennium.”
4to. with the device of the Printers, whose Colophon I have transcribed
above, as it seems to militate against the supposition entertained by
Warton,[9] that the Work was never published, but that the Archbishop
permitted his wife to present the Book to some of the nobility.
“This copy, very curiously bound, was probably given by her to the Church
of Canterbury,” says the compiler of the Catalogue of its Library; but I
know not on what grounds beyond mere conjecture; and I regret to add that
the ancient binding has been replaced by a modern suit of morocco, the
colour of which has been so much impaired by damp that I could scarcely
believe it had once been purple.
These Psalms, translated into English Metre by Archbishop Parker,
were finished in 1557, and a few years afterwards printed. The Book
is extremely scarce, excepting in public libraries. Strype, the
ecclesiastical historian, relates that he could never obtain a sight of
it. At the sale of the Books belonging to the late Dr. Farmer in 1798,
a copy of this Work was sold for three pounds six shillings; and in Mr.
Bright’s sale, in 1845, for forty pounds ten shillings.
Of Works of Divinity in this Library, the number is so considerable that
I must content myself with noticing the
Magna Bibliotheca Veterum Patrum et antiq. Scriptorum
Ecclesiasticorum per Margarinum de la Bigné et alior. Colon.
Agrip. 1618-22, in 16 vols. folio.
Bibliothecæ Græcorum Patrum Auctarium per Franc. Combesis.
Paris. 1672, in 3 vols. folio.
SS. Patrum Barnabæ, Hermæ, Clementis, Ignatii, et Polycarpi
Opera, per Jo. Bapt. Cotelerium. Lutet. Paris. 1672, in 2 vols.
folio.
SS. Patrum Opera, Gregorii Neocæsariensis, Macarii Ægyptii, et
Basilii Seleuciæ Epistolæ, folio. Parisiis, 1622.
SS. Patrum Opera, Amphilochii Iconiensis, Methodii Patavensis,
et Andreæ Cretensis. Parisiis, 1644, folio.
Ambrosii Opera. Paris. 1586, in 2 vols. folio.
Athanasii Opera, Gr. et Lat., edita à Petro Nannio, 2 vols.
folio.
Augustini Opera. Basileæ, 1569, in 7 vols. folio; and Paris.
1679, in 8 vols. folio.
Basilii Opera. Parisiis, 1618, in 3 vols. folio.
Bernardi Opera. Basil. 1566, folio.
Bellarmini Opera. Colon. Agrip. 1620, in 5 vols. folio: et
Disputationes, Lutet. Paris. 1620, in 4 vols. folio.
Bonaventuræ Opera. Moguntiæ, 1609, in 4 vols. fol.
Calvini Opera. Genevæ, 1583, in 11 vols. folio.
Chamieri Panstratia Catholica. Genevæ, 1626, in 4 vols. folio.
Chrysostomi Opera, Gr. et Lat. Ducæi. Parisiis, 1636, in 11
vols. folio: and Græcè, per Henricum Savilium, Etonæ, 1613, in
8 vols. folio.
Clementis Alexandrini Opera; Sylburgii. Lutet. 1629, folio.
Cypriani Opera, per Fell. Oxonii, 1682, folio.
Cyrilli Alexandrini Opera. Paris. 1638, in 7 vols. fol.
Cyrilli Hierosolymitani et Synesii Cyrenensis Opera. Lutet.
Paris. 1640, folio.
Two 8vo. editions of the Rationale of Durandus of 1580 and 1592.
Epiphanii Opera per Petavium. Parisiis, 1622, in 2 vols. folio.
Episcopii Opera. Amstel. 1650, in 2 vols. folio.
Erasmi Opera. Lugd. Bat. 1703, in 11 vols. folio.
Eusebii Præparatio et Demonstratio Evangelica. Paris. 1628,
folio.
Gregorii Nazianzeni Opera. Lutet. Paris. 1609, in 2 vols. folio.
Gregorii Nysseni Opera. Paris. 1638, in 3 vols. fol.
Hieronymi Opera. Paris. 1609, in 3 vols., and Francos. 1684, in
4 vols. folio.
Hilarii Opera. Paris. 1652.
Hospinianus de origine ac progressu Monachatûs. Tiguri, 1588,
folio, and his other works.
Ignatii et Polycarpi Epistolæ, Jac. Usserii. Oxonii, 1644, 4to.
Ignatii et Barnabæ Epistolæ. Isa. Vossii. Amstel. 1646, 4to.
Ignatii Epistolæ, per Tho. Smith. Oxonii, 1709, 4to.
Irenæi Opera. Parisiis, 1710, folio.
Isidori Epistolæ. Lutet. 1638, folio.
Isidori Hispalensis Opera. Colon. Agrip. 1617, fol.
Justini Martyris Opera. Paris. 1551 and 1636, fol.
Lactantii Opera. Basileæ, 1563, folio, and Oxonii, 1684, 8vo.
Lanfranci, Archiep. Cantuar. Opera et Vita. Lutet. Paris. 1648,
folio.
Lutheri Opera. Witebergæ, 1582, in 7 vols. folio.
Melancthonis Opera. Basileæ, 1541, in 2 vols. fol.
Many pieces of Du Moulin’s.
Œcumenii Comment. Lut. Par. 1630, 2 vols. folio.
Origenis Commentaria. Rothom, 1668, in 2 vols. folio.
Petavii Dogmata Theologica. Lutet. Paris. 1644, in 5 vols.
folio; with his Doctrina Temporum, and other Works.
Philonis Judæi Opera, Basileæ, 1526, Paris. 1640, and Londini,
1742, à Mangey.
Procopii et Riberæ Commentaria.
Suarez Opuscula Theologica. Lugd. 1600, 4to.
Tertulliani Opera. Paris. 1634, folio.
Theodoreti Opera Sirmondi. Lutet. Paris. 1642, in 4 vols. folio.
Theophylacti Opera Varia.
Tostati Opera. Col. Agrip. 1613, in 12 vols. folio.
Vincentii Sermones. Antv. 1572, 3 vols. 8vo.
Whitakeri Opera Theologica. Genevæ, 1610, 2 vols. folio.
Zanchii Opera. Hanoviæ, 1507, in 2 vols. 4to.
To which I may add the Critici Sacri. Londini, 1660, in 9 vols.
folio.
Poli Synopsis. Londini, 1669, in 5 vols. folio.
Bibliotheca Polonorum Fratrum. 1656, in 8 vols. folio; and
Walchii Bibliotheca Theologica and Suiceri Thesaurus
Ecclesiasticus.
Those who have persevered in perusing this long Catalogue of early
Divinity, will have obtained a very good idea of the nucleus around which
most of our Cathedral Libraries have been formed, and may figure to
themselves a long array of ponderous folios, attired in the dusky calf of
the seventeenth century. Of the more recent theological writers, the list
being less copious, may also prove less fatiguing; including numerous
Sermons by Blair, Horne, Sherlock, Secker, South, and other writers;
the Hulsean Lectures, and the Works of Andrews, Barrow, Benson, Bull,
Beveridge, Bingham, Chillingworth, Samuel Clarke, Cosins, Hall, Hammond,
Hooper, Horsley, Jackson, Jones, Jewel, Lardner, Lightfoot, Leslie,
Lowth, Newcome, Paley, Pococke, Potter, Prideaux, Skelton, Shuckford,
Stanhope, Stillingfleet, Jeremy Taylor, Tillotson, Usher, Warburton, and
Waterland.
This department also embraces Butler’s Analogy; Campbell on the Gospels;
Sale’s Koran; Chappelow on Job; Daubeny’s Guide to the Church; Dwight’s
Theology; Faber on Pagan Idolatry; Hey’s Theological Lectures; Kett
on Prophecy; Horne’s Introduction to the Study of the Scriptures;
Macknight on the Epistles; Marsh’s Michaelis; Pearson on the Creed;
Porteus’s Lectures; and Stackhouse’s History of the Bible. To which I
may add, Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible; the Commentaries of Arnald,
Grotius, Hammond, Lowth, Patrick, Taylor, Wetstein, and Whitby; with the
Concordances of Buxtorf, Cruden, Kircher, Newman, Stephens, &c.
In Ecclesiastical History this collection is particularly rich;
both as relates to the affairs of the Church in general, and to the
Ecclesiastical History of England in particular. In proof of this
assertion I may adduce
Echard and Collier’s Ecclesiastical History.
Conciliorum Collectio Maxima, per Labbeum et Cossartium. Lutet.
Paris. 1672, in 18 vols. folio.
Concilia per Binium. Col. Agr. 1606, in 5 vols. and Lut. Par.
1636, in 10 vols. folio.
Concilia Galliæ Narbonensis. Paris. 1668, 8vo. and Spelmanni
Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ. Londini, 1639-64, 2 vols. folio.
Wilkins’s Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ. Londini, 1737, in 4 vols.
folio.
Le Cointe Annales Ecclesiastica Francorum. Paris. 1665, 8 vols.
folio; and his Ecclesiastical History of Great Britain.
Broughton’s Dictionary of all Religions. London, 1737, in 2
vols. folio.
Picart’s Religious Ceremonies of all Nations. London, 1733, in
6 vols. folio.
The Acta Sanctorum, per Dacherium et Mabillonium. Lutet. Paris.
1668-77, in 6 vols. folio.
Anastasii Hist. Eccl. et Vitæ Paparum. 1602, 4to. and 1649,
folio.
Balei Acta Romanor. Pontificum. Basileæ, 1558, 8vo.
Baronii Annales Ecclesiastici. Antv. 1612-29, in 12 vols. folio.
Bower’s History of the Popes. London, 1748, 5 vols. 4to.[10]
I. Casauboni Exercitationes ad Baronii Annales. Genevæ, 1654,
4to.
Pagi Critica in Annales Baronii. Lut. Par. 1689, fol.
Cave’s Scriptorum Eccles. Hist. Lit. London, 1688, in 2 vols.
folio.
Cave’s Antiquitates Apostolicæ. Lond. 1677, in 2 vols. folio;
and Primitive Christianity. Lond. 1675, 8vo.
Historia Ecclesiastica Centuriatorum Magdeburgensium. Basileæ,
1624, in 3 vols. folio.
Codex Theodosianus, 1665, 4 vols. folio.
Gibson’s Codex, in 2 vols. folio.
Corpus Juris Canonici. Taurini, 1620, 3 vols. folio.
Durandi Speculum Juris. Francof. 1592, folio.
Ecton’s Thesaurus. 1766, 4to.
Howell’s Synopsis Canonum.
Geddes’s Church History of Æthiopia and Malabar.
Hooker’s Ecclesiastical Polity.
The Legenda Aurea. Coloniæ, 1485, folio.
Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History.
Osiandri Epitome Hist. Eccles. Tubingæ, 1607, in 4 vols. 4to.
Spondani Annales Sacri. Lut. Par. 1660, 5 vols. fol.
Tornielli Annales Sacri. Antv. 1620, in 2 vols. folio.
Usserii Annales. Lond. 1650-54, 2 vols. folio.
Waddingi Annales Minorum. Lugd. 1625, in 4 vols. folio.
Warner’s Ecclesiastical History. London, 1756, 2 vols. folio.
The Annals of Scottish Episcopacy.
Alfordi Annales Eccles. Britan. Leodii, 1663, in 4 vols. folio.
Bedæ, Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica. Lovanii, 1566, 12mo.
Cantabrigiæ, 1644, folio.
Burnet’s History of the Reformation. London, 1679, in 3 vols.
folio.
Concertatio Ecclesiæ Catholicæ in Angliâ. Aug. Trev. 1588, 4to.
Cosins’ Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ Politeia. Oxonii, 1634, 4to.
Churton’s Life of Dean Nowell.
Fiddes’ Life of Wolsey.
Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum. Lond. 1655, &c. 3 vols. folio.
Fox’s Acts and Monuments of the Church. London, 1632, in 3
vols. folio.
Godwin, de Præsulibus Angliæ. Cantabrigiæ, 1743, folio.
Gough, Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ Threnodia. Londini, 1661, 8vo.
Harpsfeld, Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica. Duaci, 1622, folio.
Heylin’s History of the Reformation. London, 1661, folio.
Inett’s Origines Anglicanæ.
Lyndewode, Provinciale. Antv. 1525, and Oxon. 1679, folio.
Mac Crie’s Life of Knox.
Parker De Antiquitate Britannicæ Ecclesiæ. Hanoviæ, 1605, folio.
Parker De Archiep. Cantuar. Londini, 1729, folio.
Reyner’s Apostolatus Benedictinorum in Angliâ. Duaci, 1626,
folio.
Skinner’s Ecclesiastical History of Scotland.
Spotiswode’s History of the Church of Scotland. London, 1668,
folio.
Southey’s Life of Wesley, and Vindiciæ Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ.
Stillingfleet’s Origines Britannicæ. Lond. 1685, fol.
Strype’s Annals of the Reformation. London, 1709, 4 vols. folio.
Strype’s Ecclesiastical Memorials. London, 1721, 3 vols. folio.
Tanner’s Notitia Monastica. Londini, 1744, folio.
Usserii Eccles. Britan. Antiquitates. Eblanæ, 1639, 4to.
Walker’s History of Independency. London, 1661, 4to.
Whartoni Anglia Sacra. Londini, 1691, in 2 vols. fol.
Wordsworth’s Ecclesiastical Biography.
Of Foreign History in general this Library possesses few works of any
importance; the principal works being Bayle’s Dictionary; Banduri
Imperium Orientale; Brabantiæ Monumenta Sepulchralia; Historiæ
Byzantinæ Scriptores per Phil. Labbeum, Parisiis, 1648-50, in 21 vols.
folio; Cluverii Italia, Sicilia, et Germania Antiqua; Freheri Rerum
Germanicarum Scriptores, Francos. 1600, folio; Grimstone’s History of
the Netherlands; Du Halde’s History of China; Guicciardini, Belgicæ
Descriptio; Gyllii Constantinopoleos Topographia; Herreræ, Descriptio
Indiæ Occidentalis; Heylin’s Cosmography; The Universal History, in
7 vols. folio; Laurenbergii Græcia Antiqua; Grævii Antiquitates;
Montfaucon’s Antiquities, and other Works; Marsden’s Sumatra; Maurice’s
Indian Antiquities; Mitford’s History of Greece; Pocockii Specimen
Historiæ Arabum; Pontani Bohemia pia; Purchas’ Pilgrimes, London, 1625,
in 5 vols. folio, a very fine clean copy, bound in calf; Robertson’s
History of America, and Charles V.; Watson’s Philip II.; Hallam’s Middle
Ages; Robinsoni Annales Mundi; Rycaut’s Ottoman Empire; Sandys’ Travels,
and Europæ Speculum; Stuart’s Athens, incomplete; The Ionian Antiquities,
and Wood’s Ruins of Palmyra; Six volumes of De Bry’s Voyages; Simsoni
Chronicon Catholicum, & Wormii Monumenta Danica.
To the above may be added, Churchill’s collection of Voyages and Travels
in 6 vols. folio. Bruce’s Travels. Pinkerton’s, and other works of
Geography, and the Chronological researches of Beverigius, Bucherius,
Carion, Cary, Calvisius, Fulcius, Helvicus, Isaacson, Marsham, Petavius,
Pezron, Newton, Perizonius, Paludinus, Robinson, Scaliger, Simson,
Strauchius and Ussher; with Hale’s Analysis of Ancient Chronology; all
of them very material “helps to history.” To which I may add Chalmers’
Biographical Dictionary, and Brady’s Clavis Calendaria.
Of Works relating to the History and Antiquities of Great Britain, I have
much pleasure in being enabled to afford the reader a pretty copious
selection; commencing with the Records of the Kingdom published under the
authority of the Parliamentary Commission; and the Histories of England
by Brady, Echard, Hume, Macauley, and Rapin. To these may be added,
Polydori Vergilii Historia Anglicana. Basileæ, 1555, folio.
Rerum Anglicarum Scriptores post Bedam præcipui: edente Savile.
1596, folio.
Matthæi Westmonasteriensis Flores Historiarum. Francof. 1601,
folio; & Londini, 1570, folio.
Florentii Wigorniensis Chronicon. Francof. 1601, folio.
Anglica, Normannica, Hibernica, &c. à veteribus scripta, è
Bibliothecâ Gulielmi Camdeni. Francof. 1603, folio.
Eadmeri Historia Novorum. Londini, 1623, folio.
Matthæi Paris Historia Anglicana per Wats. Lond. 1640, folio.
Historiæ Anglicanæ Scriptores Decem per Rogerum Twysden.
Londini, 1652, folio.
Rerum Britannicarum Scriptores Vetustiores. Heidelb. 1587,
folio.
Rerum Anglicarum Scriptores Veteres, à Fell. Oxonii, 1684,
folio.
Historiæ Britannicæ Scriptores XX, à Tho. Gale. Oxonii, 1698,
in two vols. folio.
Buchanani Rerum Scoticarum Historia. Edinb. 1582, folio.
Camdeni Annales. Londini, 1615, folio.
Baker’s Chronicle of the Kings of England. London, 1674, folio.
Bates, Elenchus Motuum in Angliâ. Londini, 1663, 8vo.
Brand on Popular Antiquities. 2 vols. 4to.
Burnet’s History of his own Times. London, 1724, in 2 vols.
folio.
Burton’s Commentary on Antoninus’s Itinerary. London, 1658,
folio.
Camdeni Britannia, 1586 and 1607, with his Remains.
Campbell’s Survey of Great Britain. London, 1774, 2 vols. 4to.
Carte’s Life of Ormond. London, 1736, in 3 vols. folio.
Clarendon’s History of the Great Rebellion. Oxford, 1702, 4
vols. folio.
Coxe’s Life of Sir Robert Walpole. London, 1798, 3 vols. 4to.
Coxe’s Memoir of Marlborough.
De Lolme on the English Constitution. London, 1790, 8vo.
Desiderata Curiosa Hibernica. Dublin, 1772, in 2 vols. 8vo.
Drayton’s Polyolbion. London, 1622, folio.
Du Chesne’s Historiæ Normannorum Scriptores. Paris. 1619, folio.
Du Chesne’s Histoire d’Angleterre, &c. Paris. 1634, folio.
Dugdale’s Origines Judiciales. London, 1666, fol.
Dugdale’s History of the Troubles in England. Oxford, 1681,
folio.
Dugdale’s History of Imbanking, &c. London, 1662, folio.
Evelyn’s Memoirs.
Enderbie’s Cambria triumphans. London, 1661, folio.
Franklin’s Annals of James I. and Charles I. Lond. 1681, folio.
Granger’s Biographical History of England. Lond. 1769, 5 vols.
4to.
Gifford’s Life of Pitt.
Hardyng’s Chronicle. London, 1543, 4to.
Heylin’s Life of Laud. London, 1668, folio.
Holinshed’s Chronicles of England. London, no date, folio.
Ingram’s Saxon Chronicle. Oxford, 4to.
Kennett’s Register and Chronicle. London, 1728, folio.
Biographia Britannica. Lond. 1747, in 7 vols. fol.
Laud’s History of his Troubles. London, 1695, fol.
Atkyns’ History of Gloucestershire. London, 1712, folio.
Battely’s Antiquities of Canterbury. London, 1703, folio.
Bentham’s History of the Church of Ely. Cambridge, 1771, 4to.
Boys’ History of Sandwich. Canterbury, 1792, 4to.
Burton’s Leicestershire. London, 1622, folio.
Caius, de Antiquitate Acad. Cantabr. Lond. 1574, 4to.
Chiffletius de Portu Iccio. Antverpiæ, 1627, 4to.
Dart’s Church of Canterbury. London, 1726, fol.
Description of York and Canterbury Cathedrals. London, 1755,
folio.
Dugdale’s Warwickshire. London, 1656, folio.
Dugdale’s History of St. Paul’s. London, 1716, fol.
Fowler’s Mosaic Pavements.
Gostling’s Walks about Canterbury. Canterbury, 1777, 8vo.
Gough’s Sepulchral Monuments. London, 1786, &c. 5 vols. folio.
Gutch’s Collectanea Curiosa.
Halfpenny’s Fragmenta Vetusta.
Harris’s History of Kent. London, 1719, folio, with some
manuscript notes by M. Norris, formerly Auditor of this Church.
Hasted’s History of Kent. Canterbury, 1778, &c. in 4 vols.
folio.
Horsley’s Britannia Romana. London, 1732, folio.
Jacob’s History of Feversham. London, 1774, 8vo.
Kennett’s Parochial Antiquities. 4to.
Kilburne’s Survey of Kent. London, 1659, 4to.
Kilburne’s Brief Survey of Kent. London, 1657.
King’s Vale Royal. London, 1656, folio.
Lewis’s History of the Isle of Tenet. London, 1723, 4to.
Lewis’s History of Faversham, &c. London, 1727, 4to.
Loggan’s Oxonia et Cantabrigia illustrata, folio.
Magna Britannia. Lond. 1720, in 6 vols. 4to.
Maitland’s History of London. 1772, in 2 vols. fol.
Leland’s History of Ireland. London, 1773, in 3 vols. 4to.
Lloyd’s History of Wales, by Powell. London, 1584, 4to.
Lhuyd, Britannicæ Descriptionis Fragmentum. Col. Agr. 1572, 8vo.
Mc Crie’s Life of Knox.
Madox’s Firma Burgi. Lond. 1726, folio.
Madox’s History of the Exchequer. London, 1711, in 2 vols.
folio.
Nalson’s Collections. London, 1682, in 2 vols. fol.
Neubrigensis, Guil. Rerum Anglicarum Libri V. Antv. 1567, 8vo.
Nicholl’s Original Letters addressed to Oliver Cromwell.
London, 1743, folio.
North’s Life of the Lord Keeper North. London, 1742, 4to.
North’s Life of Sir Dudley North. Lond. 1744, 4to.
North’s Enquiry into Kennett’s History. London, 1740, 4to.
Parker, De Rebus sui Temporis. London, 1726, 8vo.
Pepys’ Memoirs, edited by Lord Braybrooke. 2 vols. 4to.
Robertson’s History of Scotland. Lond. 1762, 2 vols. 4to.
Ruding’s Annals of the Coinage. 3 vols. 4to.
Rushworth’s Historical Collections. London, 1682, &c. 8 vols.
folio.
Rymer’s Fœdera. Lond. 1727, in 20 vols. folio.
Sidney State Papers. London, 1746, 2 vols. folio.
Slayter’s Palæ-Albion. London, 1619, folio.
Somner’s Treatise of Gavelkind. London, 1726, 4to.
Speed’s History of Great Britain. London, 1623, folio.
Spelman’s Vita Ælfredi. Oxon. 1678, folio.
Spencer’s Life of Archbishop Chichele. London, 1783.
Strype’s Lives, Annals of the Reformation and Memorials.
Stuart’s History of Scotland.
Thurloe’s State Papers. London, 1742, in 7 vols. folio.
Twinus de Rebus Albionicis. Londini, 1590, 8vo.
Manning and Bray’s History of Surrey.
Miller’s Account of Ely Cathedral. 8vo.
Morton’s Northamptonshire. London, 1712, folio.
Newcourt’s Repertorium Londinense. Lond. 1728, in 2 vols. folio.
Packe’s Dissertation on his Chart of East Kent. London, 1737.
The Chart itself being also in the possession of the Dean and
Chapter. It is both curious and important.
Peck’s Desiderata Curiosa. Londini, 1732, in 2 vols. folio.
Peck’s Annals of Stamford. London, 1727, folio.
Philipot’s Villare Cantianum. Lond. 1659, folio.
Plot’s Nat. Hist. of Oxfordshire. Oxford, 1667, fol.
Somner’s Portus Iccius Cæsaris, per Edm. Gibson. Oxon. 1694,
8vo.
Somner’s Antiquities of Canterbury. London, 1640, 4to. This
copy contains the manuscript additions of Somner himself,
which Battely afterwards incorporated with his Antiquities of
Canterbury, published in 1703.
Speed’s Prospect of the most famous places in Great Britain.
London, 1631, folio.
Spelman’s Villare Anglicanum. London, 1656, 4to.
Stow’s Survey of London. London, 1633, folio.
Stukeley’s Itinerarium Curiosum. Lond. 1724, fol.
Tanner’s Notitia Monastica. London, 1744, folio.
Thorpe’s Registrum Roffensis. Lond. 1769, folio.
Turner’s History of the Anglo-Saxons.
Twinus de Antiquitate Academiæ Oxoniensis. Oxon. 1608, 4to.
Wright’s History of Rutland. London, 1684, fol.
Verstegan’s Restitution of decayed Intelligence. Antwerp, 1605,
4to.
Wallis’s History of Northumberland.
Weever’s Funeral Monuments. London, 1631, fol.
Wood’s Athenæ & Antiquitates Oxonienses. London. 1721, 2 vols.
folio.
Wild’s Description of Canterbury Cathedral.
Willement’s Heraldic Notices of Canterbury Cathedral.
White’s Natural History of Selborne.
Wilson’s History of Merchant Taylor’s School.
Walker’s History of Independency. London, 1661, 4to.
Viti Basinstochii Historia Britanniæ. 1602, 8vo.
Wilkins’s Leges Anglo-Saxonicæ. London, 1721, folio, and
Wood’s Institutes of the Laws of England. London, 1724, folio.
How tedious soever may be this long series of Works upon British History
and Antiquities to the general reader, the Bibliographical Antiquary will
thank me for the enumeration of many rare and valuable Illustrations
of English history, as well as for keeping as distinct as possible the
Historical and Topographical departments.
I forbear to mention the Tracts and other obsolete Works chiefly
polemical, which remain on the shelves of this Library; neither are the
Works on Natural History or Science deserving of a separate enumeration;
unless we may except the Aldine Galen of 1525, in 5 vols. folio; the
Abridgment of the Philosophical Transactions; Palladio’s Architecture;
the History of Plants, by Theophrastus, Gerard, and Ray; and Shaw’s
Zoology, in 17 volumes.
In English Literature and Poetry it will be sufficient to mention the
names of Addison, Burke, Bacon, Ben. Jonson, Boyle, Cowley, Chaucer,
Dryden, Locke, Milton, Newton, Sterne, Selden, Spenser, Shakespeare, and
Swift, to shew the general character of this department of the Library.
But, as usual in all Cathedral Libraries, the great mass of English works
are of a sacred character.
There is indeed a strong resemblance between the Collections which,
dating from the earliest dawn of literature in England, have been
augmented by successive additions, and now form the Libraries annexed to
the Ecclesiastical Establishments of our own time and country.
In addition to the voluminous and important works of the Fathers of the
Church, and of the earlier Divines of this country and of the Continent,
which have been already enumerated in their proper place, this Library
embraces other Theological Works of English writers, among whom it may
be sufficient to mention the names of Bramhall, Gisborne, Horne, Jortin,
Perkins and Wake. To these may be added Pierce on the Epistles; Prideaux
and Shuckford’s Connection; and Cudworth’s Intellectual System.
But the true character of these Collections will, in every case, be
most correctly understood by a particular enumeration of their several
contents.
In Classical Literature this Collection comprehends many of the principal
Authors, but few of the most important editions. In illustration of this
remark, I may adduce many works which have no other claim to a place in
this notice; such as
Æliani Variæ Historiæ. Lugd. Bat. 1701, in 2 vols. 8vo.
Æneæ Sylvii Opera. Basil. 1571, folio.
Æschylus Tragœdiæ, per Henr. Stephanum. 1557, 4to.
Sophocles Tragœdiæ, per Henr. Stephanum. 1568, 4to.
Euripides, Barnesii, Cantabr. 1694, et Canteri. 1602, 2 vols.
4to.
Euripides, Glasguæ, 1821, in 9 vols. 8vo. in green morocco.
Apollonii Argonautica, per H. Stephanum, 1574, 4to.
Arrianus de Expeditione Alexandri, per H. Stephanum. 1575,
folio.
Sidonii Apollinaris Opera. Paris. 1652 & 1609.
Ammianus Marcellinus, Du Vall. Paris. 1681, fol.
Aristotelis Opera. Paris. 1654, 4 vols. folio, & Venetiis,
1562, 10 vols. 8vo.
Archimedis Opera, Gr. et Lat. Basileæ, 1544, folio.
Aristophanes. Genevæ, 1607, folio, et Lugd. Bat. 1625, 12mo.
Aristophanes Kusteri. Amst. 1710, folio, in red morocco.
Athenæi Deipnosophistæ. Lugduni, 1612, folio.
Arrianus de Venatione, per Holstenium. Paris. 1644.
Aulus Gellius. Amstel. 1665, 12mo.
Cæsaris Commentarii per S. Clarke. Lond. 1712, folio.
Catullus, Tibullus, et Propertius. Lutet. 1604, fol.
Celsus de Medicinâ. Lugd. Bat. 1665, 12mo.
Ciceronis Opera, Lambini. Paris. 1566, 4 vols. folio, &
Gronovii, Lugd. Bat. 1692, 11 vols. 8vo.
Demosthenis et Æschinis Opera. Francof. 1640, folio.
Dio Cassius. Leunclavii. Hanov. 1606, folio.
Diodorus Siculus. Rhodomani. Hanoviæ, 1604, folio.
Dionysius Halicarnasseus. Sylburgii. Francof. 1586, folio.
Diogenes Laertius. Londini, 1664, folio.
Dionis Chrysostomi Orationes. Lutet. 1604, folio.
Epictetus. Cantabr. 1655, & Amst. 1683, with Carter’s
translation.
Horatius, edited by Bond, Baxter, and Bentley.
Homeri Ilias. 1689, 4to. et Odyssea, 1567, 12mo. cum.
Eustathii Commentariis. Basileæ, 1559, 3 vols. folio.
Herodotus, Francofurti, 1608, folio.
Herodotus Wesselingii. Amst. 1763, folio, Ch. max., in vellum.
Justini Historia. Lond. 1609, 12mo. & 1701, 8vo.
Juvenalis Lubini. Hanoviæ. 1603, 4to.
Livius, Gronovii. Lugd. Bat. 1634, 32mo. Clerici. Amst. 1710,
10 vols. 8vo. Coloniæ, 1525, folio, & Francof. 1628, folio.
Luciani Opera. Lutet. Paris. 1615, folio.
Luciani Opera. Hemsterhusii. Amst. 1743, 4 vols. 4to.
Livius Drakenborchii. Ludg. Bat. 1738-46, in 7 vols. 4to.
Longinus, à Pearce. Lond. 1624, et à Langbaine. Oxford, 1636.
Lucanus Oudendorpii. Ludg. Bat. 1728, 4to.
Lucretius Wakefieldii. Lond. 1796, 3 vols. folio.
Lycophron, Potteri. Oxonii, 1697, folio.
Martialis. Amst. 1670, & Genev. 1623.
Oratores Attici, Bekkeri. Berol. 1823, 5 vols. 8vo.
Ovidius, Burmanni. Amst. 1727, in 4 vols. 4to.
Persius Casauboni. 1647, 8vo. & Hanov. 1603, 4to.
Pindar, edited by Potter and Stephens.
Platonis Opera, Serrani. 1578, 3 vols. folio.
Platonis Opera, Bekkeri. Berol. 1815, 8 vols. 8vo.
Plautus, Lambini. Aurel. Allobr. 1605, 4to.
Plinii Historia Naturalis. Venet. 1571, Francof. 1599, &c.
Plinii Junioris Epistolæ. Genevæ, 1625.
Poetæ Græci Principes, Stephani. Paris. 1566, folio.
Plutarchi Opera. Stephani. Paris. 1572, 6 vols. 8vo.
Plutarchi Opera. Rualdi. Paris. 1624, 2 vols. folio.
Pausanias, Xylandri. Hanoviæ. 1613, folio.
Polybius Casauboni. Paris. 1609, folio.
Polybius Schweighaeuseri. Lipsiæ, 1789-95, 8 vols. in 8vo.
Ptolemæi Geographia. Basileæ, 1545, folio.
Quintiliani Opera. Coloniæ, 1521, folio.
Sallustius, à Wasse. Cantabr. 1710, 4to. Havercamp’s excellent
edition.
Seneca. Paris. 1626, folio. Lugd. Bat. 1640, 4 vols. 12mo.
Strabonis Geographia, Casauboni. 1587, folio.
Suetonius, Pitisci. Leovardiæ. 1714, 4to. 2 tom.
Suetonius. Paris. 1610, folio, Lugd. Bat. 1647, 8vo.
Tacitus Variorum. Paris. 1608, folio.
Terentius Variorum. Lugd. Bat. 1675, 8vo. & Bentleii. Cant.
1726, 4to.
Theocritus, Heinsii. 1604, 4to. Hudsoni.
Thucydides. Francof. 1694, & Oxonii, 1696, folio, et Dukeri,
Amst. 1731, folio.
Valerius Maximus. Lutet. 1517, folio.
Vegetius de Re Militari. Lugd. Bat. 1592, 8vo.
Virgilius, Servii. Paris. 1600, folio. Variorum. L. Bat. 1680,
3 vols. 8vo. with Heyne’s excellent edition.
Vitruvius de Architecturâ. Amstel. 1649, folio, and Xenophon
Leunclavii. Francof. 1596, folio. Oxonii, 1703, 5 vols. 8vo.
This Library is also endowed with various Works upon Etymology, deserving
of some mention in this place. Among which, the valuable addition of the
Saxon Tongue in Somner’s own handwriting, induces me to mention firstly,
Minsheu’s Guide into Tongues. London, 1627, folio; and next,
Somneri Dictionarium Saxonico-Latino-Anglicum. Oxon. 1659,
folio.
Spelmanni Glossarium Archaiologicum. Lond. 1664, folio.
Skinner, Etymologicum Linguæ Anglicanæ. Lond. 1671, folio.
Hickes’ Thesaurus Septentrionalis. Oxon. 1705, 2 vols. folio.
Davies’ Dictionarium Britannico-Latinum. Lond. 1632, folio.
Cotgrave’s French and English Dictionary. Lond. 1611, folio, and
C. Kiliani Dufflæi Etymologicum Teutonicæ Linguæ. Antv. 1599,
4to.
To which may be added the Greek and Latin Glossaries of Du Fresne,
the Lexica of Scapula, and Suidas. Stephani Thesaurus Linguæ Græcæ et
Latinæ, with Valpy’s recent edition of the former. Calepini Dictionarium
octolingue. Hoogeveen Doctrina Particularum. Vossii Etymologicum Linguæ
Latinæ. Sylburgii Etymologicum Magnum. Vigerus de Idiotismis Græcis; with
French, Italian, Spanish, English, Hebrew, and Æthiopic Dictionaries;
Hebrew, Greek, Samaritan, Æthiopic, Saxon, and Italian Grammars; from
which a very fair estimate may be formed of this important portion of the
Library.
In conclusion, I have ventured to enumerate some of the Works on
Bibliography, chiefly of an early date, which are found in this Library,
giving precedence to the Bibliotheca Græca, Hamburgi, 1705, 14 vols.
4to. and Latina, Hamburgi, 1708-12; with the Bibliographia Antiquaria of
Fabricius, Hamb. 1713, 4to.; to which I may add the following:
Balei Scriptorum Britanniæ Catalogus. Basil. 1559, folio.
Beughem, Bibliographia Critico-Curiosa. Amstel. 1689, 2 vols.
8vo.
Beughem, Bibliographia Historica, Chronologica et Geographica.
Amst. 1685, 8vo.
Beughem, Incunabula Typographiæ. Amst. 1688, 8vo.
Le Long, Bibliotheca Sacra. Paris. 1723, 2 vols. folio.
Joh. Lomeierus de Bibliothecis. Ultrajecti. 1680, 8vo.
Gabr. Naudæi Bibliographia Militaris. Jenæ. 1683, 8vo.
Nouvelle Bibliothèque choisie. Amst. 1714, 2 vols. 8vo.
Bibliothèque Curieuse et Instructive. Trevoux, 1704, 12mo.
List of the various Editions of the Bible. Lond. 1778, 8vo.
Frisii Bibliotheca Philosophorum Chronologica. Tiguri, 1592,
4to.?
Gesneri Bibliotheca. Tiguri, 1574, folio.
Marrier’s Bibliotheca Cluniacensis. Lutet. Paris. 1614, folio.
Photii Bibliotheca, curâ Hœschelii. Rothomagi. 1653, folio.
Pitseus, de Scriptoribus Angliæ. Paris. 1619, 4to.
Reading’s Catalogue of Sion College Library. London, 1724,
folio.
Tanner’s Bibliotheca Britannico Hibernica. Lond. 1748, folio.
Wormii Literatura Danica. Hasniæ, 1636, 4to.
Histoire de l’Imprimerie, et de la Librairie. Paris. 1689, 4to.
Bibliothèque des Auteurs de l’Histoire de France. Paris. 1618,
12mo.
The Catalogues of various Libraries come next in order. First, let us
take those of Manuscripts, among which we find
James’s Catalogus Librorum MSS. Oxon. et Cantabr. Lond. 1600,
4to.
Catalogus MSS. Angliæ, et Hiberniæ. Oxon. 1697, folio.
Catalogus Librorum MSS. à Matthæo Parker, Collegio C.C.C.
legatorum. Lond. 1722.
Catalogue des MSS. de la Bibliotheque du Sequier. Paris. 1686,
12mo.
Among the several Catalogues of printed books we find
James’s Catalogus Bibliothecæ Bodleianæ. Oxon. 1620, 4to.
Hyde’s Catalogus Bibliothecæ Bodleianæ. Oxon. 1674, folio.
Bibliothecæ Cordesianæ Catalogus. Paris. 1643, 4to.
Bibliothecæ Scarburghianæ Catalogus. 8vo. sine loco aut anno.
Bibliothecæ Colbertinæ Catalogus. Paris. 1708, 8vo.
Bibliothecæ Thuanæ Catalogus. Paris. 1679, 2 vols. 8vo.
Bibliothecæ Sequierianæ Catalogus. Paris, 1685, 8vo.
Bibliothecæ Bultellianæ Catalogus. Paris. 1711, 2 vols. 8vo.
Bibliothecæ Chethamensis Catalogus, à Radcliffe, 2 vols. 8vo.
Bibliotheca Telleriana. Paris. 1693, folio.
Bibliotheca Heinsiana. Lugd. Bat. 1682, 12mo.
Catalogus Librorum Joannis Giraud. Paris. 1707, 8vo.
Catalogus Librorum Joannis Galloys. Paris. 1710, 8vo.
Catalogue of Charles Bernard’s Library. Lond. 1710, 12mo.
Catalogus Librorum Bibliothecæ Joach. Faultrier. Paris. 1709.
8vo.
Roberti Scott Catalogus Librorum. Lond. 1674, 4to.
Dibdin’s Typographical Antiquities, in 4 vols. 4to.
Works of Bibliography are not abundant in the Cathedral Libraries of
England, and it is because in this collection they are unusually numerous
that I have mentioned many books now but seldom met with, and some
deservedly forgotten.
If to any of my readers this account appear unnecessarily prolix, I must
remind them that my object is to give them such full information as to
the contents of each Cathedral Library, as may enable them to judge for
themselves of its character.
If again this object can only be effected by a dry catalogue of books,
the enthusiasm of the genuine bibliographer will carry him through the
task, and in the present instance, it is hoped, may render him more
intimately acquainted with the literary treasures of the METROPOLITAN
Library contained within the walls of Christ Church, Canterbury.
[Illustration]
Library of Carlisle.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of this Cathedral is placed in a
small room immediately adjoining the Chapter-house, which stands in the
quiet close contiguous to the Cathedral.
The books are all arranged upon open shelves, and labelled at the back in
accordance with the several Manuscript Catalogues which have from time to
time been made of this collection.
Of these the first is a small folio, in the handwriting of one person,
entitled “Catalogus Librorum in Bibliothecâ Carliolensi repositorum
ordine alphabetico digestus. Georgius Fleming, _LL.D._ Decanus Carliol.”
The next consists of two larger folios, whereof the first is entitled,
“Catalogus Librorum in Bibliothecâ Carliol. ordine alphabetico digestus;”
and the second “Catalogus Librorum secundum Classes (Literis Capitalibus
signatas, numeris ordinalibus notatas) dispositorum.” The last Catalogue,
compiled in 1821, is also in folio, and arranged in alphabetical order,
the references to the books being copied from the preceding Catalogues;
but the imprints and dates of the books are not given in this last
enumeration of their titles.
The principal feature of this Library is theological, ponderous folios
of obsolete divinity in dark, unlettered calf, and smaller controversial
treatises, now deservedly forgotten, occupying a large space upon these
dusty shelves.
In all this mass of Divinity the works of St. Anselm, St. Chrysostom,
Tertullian, St. Athanasius, Justin, Origen, Lactantius, the Gregories,
and Theophylact, with Eusebii Præparatio and Demonstratio Evangelica,
printed at Paris in 1628, in 2 volumes folio, and other Fathers of the
Church, form prominent features. But perhaps the most correct idea of
this department may be formed by a cursory survey of its component
parts:—the Polyglott Bible of Walton, with a defective copy of Castell’s
Lexicon. Biblia Latina Castalionis, printed at Basle, in folio.
Coverdale’s English Bible of the date of 1553. (G. III. 1.) and the
Catalogue mentions another “old English Bible, temp. Henry VIII.” which
I could not find, though numbered A. VI. 18. a Spanish and an Italian,
and a small quarto Hebrew Bible. Bagster’s Latin Bible of 1824, in 12mo.
calf. Novum Testamentum Gr: Millii. Oxonii, 1707, in 2 vols. fol. Geddes’
Translation of the Scriptures, printed at London, in 2 vols. 4to. in
1792. Poli Synopsis and the Critici Sacri. Canones et Decreta Concilia
Tridentini. Concilia Generalia et Provincialia. Parisiis, 1636, in folio.
Quick’s Synodicon in Gallia Reformatâ. Bishop Overall’s Convocation Book.
London, 1690, in 4to.; and Grabe’s Septuaginta Interpretum. Oxonii, 1707,
in 2 vols. folio.
Turning from Chamieri Controversiæ, Genevæ, 1526, in four thick folios,
to Lutheri Opera, Jenæ, 1612, also in folio; and from the works of
Cardinal Bellarmine, and of Calvin, to the works of Grotius, Melancthon,
and Erasmus, it is refreshing to find the works of Jeremy Taylor, Barrow,
Hammond, and Tillotson, of Hooker, Mede, Hall, and Prideaux, preserved
on the same shelves with Lardner’s Testimonies, in 4 vols. 8vo. and his
Gospel History, the latter in 17 volumes 8vo.; Jewel’s Apology, Pearson
on the Creed, Campbell on the Gospels, Paley’s Moral Philosophy, and
Watson’s Theological Tracts, in 6 vols. 8vo.
To the above may be added, the Homilies of the Venerable Bede, the Works
of Andrews and Baxter, with the Preservative against Popery, and other
treatises of like nature, too insignificant for detail.
As connected with Ecclesiastical affairs, I may here notice, Usher’s
Antiquitates Ecclesiæ Britannicæ, Stillingfleet’s Origines Britannicæ,
and Inett’s Origines Anglicanæ, Spotswood’s History of the Church of
Scotland, and Bower’s History of the Popes, in 7 volumes 4to.
In Ecclesiastical History, we also find Wilkins’s Concilia, Ecton’s
Thesaurus, Spelman’s Concilia, Dugdale’s Monasticon, and Burton’s
Monasticon Eboracense.
In British History, we have the pleasure of recording:—Daniel’s History
of England; Kennett’s Register, or History of England; Buchanan’s History
of Scotland; Sanderson’s History of Mary Queen of Scots; a complete
set of Rymer’s Fœdera, 20 volumes, folio, in old calf, gilt; Matthæi
Westmonasteriensis Flores Historiarum; Gulielmi Neubrigensis Historia
Rerum Anglicanarum; Langhorne’s Chronica Regum Angliæ; Madox’s Formulare
Anglicanum, Firma Burgi, and Baronia Anglicana; Gwillim’s Heraldry, 1638;
Dugdale’s Baronage, and antient usage of bearing Arms; Mackenzie’s
Royal Line of Scotland; Rerum Anglicarum Annales; Jones’s History of
the Stuarts; Bates’ Elenchus Motuum nuperorum in Angliâ; Rushworth’s
Historical Collections; Hacket’s Scrinia Referata, or Defence of
Archbishop Williams; Laud’s Troubles, the Mercurius Rusticus, and a large
collection of Tracts relating to the troublesome times of the great civil
war, when the adjacent Cathedral suffered so severely.
As the best companion to the above Works, I may add a very nice Copy in
calf, in 4 vols. 8vo. of Bishop Nicolson’s English, Scotch, and Irish
Historical Libraries, printed at London, in 1696-7, &c.
I may add too, that this Library, like all others attached to Cathedral
foundations, possesses a complete set of the records, and other documents
published by authority of the Parliamentary Commissioners.
In British Topography, I remarked Camden’s Britannia, Annales, and
Remains; Somner’s History of Canterbury, of the Portus Iccius, and
of the Ports in Kent, with his Treatise on Gavelkind; Wood’s Athenæ
Oxonienses, in folio; Willis’s Cathedrals, in 2 vols. Ridpath’s Border
History; Burn’s Westmoreland; Leigh’s Lancashire and Cheshire; Dugdale’s
History of St. Paul’s, and of Warwickshire, and his Treatise on Imbanking
and Draining the Fens; Loggan’s Oxonia illustrata; Weever’s Funeral
Monuments; and Stowe’s London. To which may be added, Boate’s Natural
History of Ireland.
As a corollary to the History of England, Wilkins’ Leges Anglo-Saxonicæ
Ecclesiasticæ et Civiles, the Statutes at large, and several Law Reports,
including those of Vaughan and Noy, claim to be considered equally with
Kippis’s Biographia Britannica.
In Etymology, I am enabled to record, Cotgrave’s French Dictionary;
Spelman’s Glossary; Somner’s Dictionarium Saxonicum; Lluyd’s Archæologia;
Skinner’s Etymologicon Anglicanum; Hickes’ Thesaurus Septentrionalis;
Buxtorf’s Hebrew Lexicon, and Scapulæ et Schrevelii Lexica Græca.
As tending to elucidate the dark passages of antiquity, I may add Astle
on the Origin and Progress of Writing, and two important Works in very
fine condition, bound in old calf. Andersoni Diplomatum et Numismatum
Scotiæ Thesaurus, Edinburgi, 1739, folio, and I. L. Waltheri Lexicon
Diplomaticum. Ulmæ, 1756, also in folio.
In Geography, I noticed Bochart’s Geographia Sacra, Nicolson’s English
Atlas, in 2 large folio volumes, printed at Oxford in 1681, and Pitt’s
Atlas, of equal bulk.
In Foreign History, I only noticed, Davila’s Civil Wars of France, the
book which Hampden and Charles I. are both said to have studied. Thuani
Historia sui Temporis. Rycaut’s History of the Turks, &c. &c. Josephus
Hudsoni. Oxonii, 1720, 2 vols. folio.
Of Classic Authors, the editions which this Library contains are of
little or no consequence, though it cannot be deemed entirely deficient
in this class, possessing various editions of the works of Livy, Martial,
Lucan, Lucian, Æsop, Velleius Paterculus, and Aulus Gellius; with the
Variæ Historiæ of Ælian, Aristotelis Opera, Du Valli, Parisiis, 1654,
in 4 vols. folio; Farnaby’s Ovid; Hudson’s Thucydides; and Hobbes’
Translation of the latter author; and Dryden’s Virgil.
To these I may add Photii Bibliotheca, Rothomagi, 1653, and Galeni Opera,
Basileæ, 1533, both in folio.
In Natural History, I may mention Grews’ Anatomy of Plants, and the
Theatrum Insectorum of Wotton, Gesner, and Penn, printed at London in
1634, in folio.
I may class at once under the same category, Ralegh’s History of the
World; Heylin’s Cosmography; Grews’ Cosmologia Sacra; and Burnet’s
Theory of the Earth: and as connected with Science, 37 vols. of the
Philosophical Transactions, recently bound in calf.
In English Literature, we have the Works of the two Royal Authors, the
unhappy Charles, and the pedantic James, as originally published in a
collective form; and of the two great philosophers, Bacon and Boyle, as
originally published in detached pieces, or separate volumes. The Works
of Chaucer and of Hobbes, Brown’s Vulgar Errors, Stuart’s Political
Economy, and the Legend of St. Cuthbert, may also serve to afford some
idea of the miscellaneous contents of this ancient Library.
It only remains to notice, in Bibliography, the Catalogue of the Harleian
Manuscripts, and Hyde’s Catalogue of the Bodleian Library.
I may add, that in this Library, which is under the care of the
Treasurer of the Cathedral, a very salutary regulation exists, by which
all borrowers of books guarantee the safe return of all volumes lent
to themselves “in good plight and order;” and several declarations to
this effect, properly subscribed and attested, may be seen in the old
Register, commencing on November 23rd, 1703, which is still kept for that
purpose.
[Illustration]
Library of Chester.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Chester is kept in the
Chapter-house annexed to the Cathedral. This apartment is entered from
the cloisters, through an outer door and inner screen, over which, on
each side the doorway, hang the flags of the 22nd Regiment, raised in
Cheshire, presented to the Cathedral by General Finch. The sides of the
room are ornamented by elegant and slender pillars, rising between the
tall and narrow windows, up to the vaulted roof of stone.
The books are contained in oak presses with solid doors, which occupy
three sides of the Chapter-house, with the exception of the space
occupied by the two fire-places. The screen fills the fourth side
entirely.
In a thin folio volume of 53 leaves, entitled “A Catalogue of certain
Books belonging to Christ Church, at Chester. Folio. MDCCLXVIII.” we
find this satisfactory assurance:—“In the month of June, MDCCLXII. every
volume mentioned in this Catalogue, appeared to be in the Library, except
those volumes only which were duly entered in the note book as borrowed
books.
“T. C.”
The same authority proceeds to inform us that “There is a large folio
Bible (not mentioned in the Catalogue) printed by Baskerville, presented
to the Governors of the Cathedral, by the Rev. Mr. Henchman, Sacrist of
Chester Cathedral, and Vicar of St. Oswald’s, within the same.
“In the Chapter Library,” it is added, “the folios are ranged on the
lowest shelves in the several presses, the quartos on the shelves just
above them, the smaller sized books extend from the quartos to the top of
the press. Every press which contains books hath the letter initial of
the title, together with the size of every volume therein, written on the
inner side of the folding doors; moreover every letter is singly pasted
on each shelf where it begins. The back of every single book, and of the
first volume in every set, is marked with the letter, and number of that
letter to which it belongs. Blue paper is used for marks, not through
affectation of singularity, but because when it grows dusty through time
it has a less sordid appearance than white.” Then follows an explanation
of these marks, very useful to all frequenters of the Library, so long
as the excellent order above described was preserved. That is however no
longer the case, the labels having been removed from the books, and the
lists taken off from the doors.
The books nevertheless are readily to be found, as new lettering pieces
have been added to all which required such reparation. They still retain
the dark calf in which they were originally bound, and are described in
the Catalogue according to their sizes, from the folio downwards.
Under these heads the order is alphabetical, and titles are given
with sufficient fulness, and the names, places, and dates of each work
satisfactorily recorded in this Catalogue.
The books themselves are not numerous; in fact, I shall proceed to notice
all except a few of the most obscure.
I will first dispose of the few manuscripts which, having been preserved
from the wreck of the Monastic Library, are thus recorded:
“_Libri MSS._”
1. Cestria Sacra, etc.
2. De Cestriæ rebus antiquis.
These two volumes are bound in parchment in small 4to.
3. Prisca et Catholica Fides de reali presentiâ
Christi in Sacramento Eucharistiæ, unà cum refutatione
Transubstantiationis, 1655, per Dr. J. C. Dm. P——, large 4to.
sewed.
“Fr: Cholmondely ex dono Autoris.”
4. Four folio Books of writing paper, written in some parts, of
which two only now remain.
5. A short Account in the Latin language of a certain Roman
Altar, lately found by digging a cellar in the house of one
Tyrer, in Chester.
This interesting piece of antiquity is preserved in the cases of the
Library which are not filled by books, where I also observed a Roman
stone of the 20th legion, a stone inscribed with
+-------------+
|COHI ◇ OCRAII|
|MAXIMI Ω IMP |
+-------------+
Here is also most appropriately deposited the headstone of the coffin of
Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester.
I now turn to the printed books, which form this ancient collection, and
in so doing cannot but remark the absence of Walton’s Polyglott Bible.
The other editions of the sacred volume which I noticed were the
Biblia Græca. Francofurti, 1598, folio.
Montani Biblia Interlineari. Antverpiæ, 1584, folio.
The Bible in French, printed at London, 1688, 4to.
Biblia formâ minori, i. e. textus Hebraicus Veteris Testamenti
fine punctis Masoreticis, et Novum Testamentum Græcum versibus
in margine notatis, capitalibus autem literis Græcis notatis.
This small Hebrew Bible is bound up with an imperfect Greek Testament in
8vo. and Septuagint, according to the Vatican copy, Cambridge, 1665, 8vo.
Of the New Testament, printed separately, I noticed the Novum Testamentum
Bezæ, 1598, folio. Nov. Test. Græcum, Oxonii, 1700, 8vo.; and the Nov.
Test. Latinè et Italicè, printed at Lyons in 1558, 8vo.
I may here notice a recent addition to the collection, in the shape of
Waltoni Prolegomena, in Biblia Polyglotta, edente Wrangham, Cantabrigiæ,
1828, in 2 8vo. volumes, with this inscription:
“Bibliothecæ Eccles. Cathedr. Cestriens. hunc librum cui
quasi inter mœnia ejus corona est imposita, eâ quâ par est
observantiâ humillimè offert.” “Franciscus Wrangham, Ebor.
Orient. Archdiaconus.”
“Kal. Jan. 1829.”
Of Commentators I observed Ainsworth’s Annotations on the Pentateuch,
in folio; Erasmi Paraphrasis Novi Testamenti, 1541, folio; Hodius in
Bibl. S. S. Oxon. 1705, folio; Hammond on the New Testament, in folio;
Mayer’s Commentaries on the Bible, in folio; Whitby on the New Testament,
in folio; Le Clerc on the N. T. 4to.; Heinsius on Nov. Test. 4to.; Fell
on St. Paul, in 8vo.; Knatchbull on the New Testament; Patrick on the
Psalms, and Slade’s Annotations on the Epistles and Gospels, in 8vo. and
Usserii de LXX Gr. in 4to.
Of the Fathers of the Church this Library contains,
Augustini Opera. Parisiis, 1635, in 9 folio volumes.
Chrysostomi Opera. Græcè, Etonæ, 1612, in 8 vols. folio.
Cypriani Opera. Pamelii, 1593, folio.
The Works of Clement of Alexandria and S. Cyril, both in folio.
Epiphanii Opera, Petavii. Parisiis, 1622, folio.
Hieronymi Opera, Erasmi. Basileæ, in 9 folio volumes, much
injured by damp.
The Works of Irenæus, edited by Grabe, in folio.
Justinii Martyris Opera. Parisiis, 1615, folio.
Lactantii Opera, Sparke. Oxonii, 1684, 8vo.
Synesii Opera Petavii. Paris. 1631, in folio.
Theodoreti Opera, Sirmondi et Garnerii. Parisiis, 1642, in 5
folio volumes.
Tertulliani Opera, Rigaltii. Parisiis, 1675, folio.
The Works of Origen, Gregory Nazianzen, and Theophylact,
some Tracts of S. Chrysostom, Philo Judæus, the Epistles of
Ignatius, edited by Vossius in 1680, and by Smith in 1709: both
in 4to.
To these may be added Cotelerii Patres Apostolici, Amstelod.
1724, folio, and Grabe, Spicilegium Veterum Patrum. Oxon.
1700, in two 8vo. vols.
Of Concordances there is one in Latin printed at Hanover in 1618, and
another in English printed at Cambridge in 1672: both in folio.
I also noticed the Alcoran and a Life of Mahomet (not Sale’s) of the
date of 1688, in folio; Reeves’s Translations of the Apologies of the
Primitive Fathers, 1709, in 2 volumes 8vo.; Calmet’s Dictionary of the
Bible; Poli Synopsis; Limborch Theologia Christiana; Polani Syntagma
Theologiæ; and Willet’s Synopsis Papismi; all in folio, are found on
these shelves.
Among the various writers on Theology I may mention a few pieces by
Erasmus and Grotius, the works of Thomas Aquinas, Col. Agr. 1604, in
folio, Dallæus de Cultibus, in 4to.; the Works of Pope Gregory, in 4to.;
Outram de Sacrificiis, in 4to.; Arnobius adversus Gentes, Antverpiæ,
1582, 8vo.; Dodwell in Irenæum, and Joannes Sarisburiensis Policraticus,
sive de nugis Curialium. Lugd. Bat. 1595, 8vo.
The collection of English Divinity is very respectable, including
Barrow’s Works edited by Tillotson in 1683, in 2 folio volumes;
Chillingworth’s Religion of Protestants, and Hooker’s Ecclesiastical
Polity, both in folio; Bishop Hall’s Works, London, 1628, folio; Mede’s
Works; Nicholls on the Common Prayer, 1613, and Pearson on the Creed,
all in folio, with the Posthumous Works of the latter in 4to.; Perkins’s
Exposition, London, 1728, folio; Sherlock on the Trinity, on Death, and
other Works; Stillingfleet’s Origines, on the Protestant Religion, on the
Trinity, and the Antiquity of the British Churches; Tenison on Idolatry;
Thorndike on Religion; Waterland on the Creed; Wollaston’s Religion of
Nature delineated, and Wall on Infant Baptism: all in 4to.
Bennet on Schism; Bastwick’s Controversial Tracts; Barrow on the Trinity;
Clarke on the Attributes; Cockburn on the Christian Faith; Derham’s
Physico-Theology; Ditton on the Resurrection; Edwards on Providence,
London, 1696, 8vo.; Ellis on the XXXIX. Articles; Hartcliffe on Virtue;
Howel on the Pontificate; Jenkin on the Christian Religion; Kenn on the
Catechism; Lloyd on Church Government; Maurice on Episcopacy; Nicholls
on Contempt of the World; Prideaux’s Connection; Turner on the Messiah;
Thorndike on Religious Assemblies; Wake on Swearing; Whitby on Election
and Reprobation, and on the New Testament; A Vindication of Miracles
against Woolston by the Bishop of Lichfield, London, 1731, in 2 vols.
8vo.; and a Defence of Christianity from the Prophecies, by Edward,
Bishop of Lichfield, London, 1725; an imperfect copy of Tillotson’s
Works; Kenn’s Crown of Glory; Kettlewell’s Discourses; Calamy’s Sermons;
Bishop Cleaver’s Sermons, Oxford, 1808, presented to the Library by
Dr. Trevor; and several Miscellaneous Sermons and Tracts, mostly in
4to. including the Funeral Sermon of Margaret, mother of Henry VII.
and Foundress of Christ’s and St. John’s Colleges at Cambridge, 1768;
Bingham’s Scholastical History; Dupin’s Ecclesiastical History; Brent’s
History of the Council of Trent, 1676, folio.
The Works relating to Ecclesiastical affairs in this Collection are not
numerous. They include, Eusebii Historia Ecclesiastica, et Ecclesiasticæ
Historiæ Auctores à Froben. Basileæ, 1544, folio; Howel’s Synopsis
Canonum Rituale Græcar. Eccles. Orient. Paris. 1647, folio; Spencer de
Legibus Hebræorum, Cantab. 1685, folio; Usserii Annales, 1650, folio;
Platina’s Vitæ Pontificum, Col. Agr. 1610, 4to.; Reformatio Legum
Eccles. Regis Phil. Nat. Elzevir, 1661, 4to.; Cunæus de Republicâ
Hebræorum, Durandi Rationale divinorum officiorum, 1592, 8vo.; The Rights
of the English Convocation, 1700, 8vo.; Rycaut on the Greek and Armenian
Churches, 1679, 8vo.; Richerii Historia Concil. General. Col. 1683, in 3
8vo. volumes; and Lewis’s Hebrew Antiquities, London, 1724, in 2 vols.
8vo.
The Historical department of this Library embraces Bayle’s Historical
Dictionary, printed at Rotterdam in 1697, in 4 folio volumes; Cary’s
Palæologia Chronica; Collier’s Historical Dictionary, in folio; the
Chronicle of Eusebius, Europæ Speculum, Lond. 1637, 4to.; Josephus’s
History of the Jews, printed by Froben at Basle in 1540, folio, a copy
which is defective in the title; and the works of that author published
at Geneva in 1635, folio; Daniel and Larrey’s Histories of France; Mireæ
Chronica multorum Auctorum, Antv. 1608, folio; Montfaucon’s Antiquities,
translated by Humphreys, in 7 folio volumes; Thuani Historia sui
Temporis, curâ Buckleii, Lond. 1733, in 7 folio volumes; Seldeni Marmora
Arundeliana, Lond. 1728, 4to.; Bossuet Histoire Universelle; Fleetwood’s
Inscriptiones Antiquæ, Græcia Vetus illustrata à Frisio, Lugd. Bat. 1626,
8vo.; Manutii Antiquitates Romanæ, Col. Agr. 1570, 8vo.; Memoires du Duc
de Rohan et de Duc de Guise; Malalæ his. Chron. Chilmead, Oxon. 1691,
8vo.; Onuphrii Rep. Rom. Comm. Venet. 1558, 8vo.; Roma Sacra antica, e
moderna, figuratà, Romæ, 1687, 8vo.; Tursellini Epitome Hist. Col. Agr.
1629, 8vo.; and Zozimi Historia, Gr. and Lat. Oxon. 1679, 8vo.
I also noticed Doleman’s celebrated Conference with respect to the
Succession to the Crown of England, 1681, 8vo.; Burton’s Commentary upon
the Itinerary of Antoninus, 1658, folio; Camdeni Annales Elizabethæ, &c.
Lond. 1615, in two folio volumes, and his Epistles, London, 1691, 8vo.;
and Temple’s Introduction to the History of England, 1695, 8vo.
The Geographical Works in these Presses comprehend the Geographiæ Veterii
Scriptores Minores. Oxonii, 1698, in 2 vols. 8vo.; Ortelii Thesaurus
Geographicus et Sylacis Periplus Caryandensis, Vossii, 1639, 4to.;
Vareni Descriptio Japoniæ et Siam. Cant. 1673, and his Vet. Geographia
generalis, 8vo,; Well’s Geography, Oxford, 1701, 8vo.; and Wright’s
Travels, London, 1730, 4to.—“a present from the Author to the Library.”
The Chronological series includes Browne’s Fasciculus Temporum, Lond.
1690, folio; Beveregii Institutiones Chronologicæ; Dodwell de Vet.
Cyclis, Oxon. 1701, 4to.; Livelie’s Chronology, London, 1597, 8vo.;
Shickardi Horologium Hebraicum, Lond. 1639, 8vo.; Strauchius Chronology
in English, 1699, 8vo.; Scaliger de Emendatione temporum, in folio; and
Whiston’s Chronology of the Bible, in 4to.
I now approach the most copious and interesting department of this
Library, and proceed to enumerate the editions of the Greek and Roman
classics, commencing with
A large paper copy of Æsopus, Alsopii. Oxon. 1698, 8vo.
Andronicus Rhodius, Heinsii. Lugd. Bat. 1617, 8vo.
Apollonius Rhodius, Elzevir. Lugd. Bat. 1641, 8vo.
Æschylus, Tragœdiæ, Ed. Pr. Aldi. Venet. 1518, 8vo. a clean
and perfect copy, bound up with Oppiani Halieuticon, Phil.
Junta. Florentiæ, 1515, 8vo. Dionysii Orbis Descriptio, Arati
Astronomicon, and Procli Sphæra, cum Scholii Ceporini. Basileæ,
apud Joannem Bebelium, 1523, 8vo.; measuring six inches and
three-eights by four inches, in old calf binding. There is
another edition of Æschylus printed at Paris, in 1552, 8vo.
Æschinis et Demosthenis Orationes à Foulkes. Oxon. 1696, 8vo.
Ælianus Fabri. 1668, 8vo.
Anacreon, à Barnes. Cantab. 1705; and Faher, 1660, 8vo.
Aristophanis Comœdiæ. Aurel., 1607, in folio, and Lugd. Bat.
1625, 8vo.
Aristotelis Opera Sylburgis. Francof. Wechel, 1584-7, in 4 4to.
volumes.
Aristotelis Ethica, Victorii, 1584; Rhetorica, Gr. & Lat. Lond.
1619; Physica, Francof. 1596; De Historiâ Animalium, 1585;
Rhetorica & De Arte Poeticâ, 1584, all in 4to.; and another
edition of the latter Treatise, printed at Cambridge in 1696,
8vo.; Athenæus Dalecampii, Lugd. Bat. 1612, in folio; and
Arrianus Stephani, 1575, folio.
Appiani Historia, Gr. & Lat. Tollii. Amstel. 1670, 8vo.
Aurelius Victor. Lugd. Bat. 1670, 8vo.; and
Aulus Gellius, Gronovii. Lugd. Bat. 1687, 8vo.
Aristidis Orationes. Canteri. 1604, 12mo.
Aristæneti Epistolæ. Paris. 1639, 8vo.
Ausonii Opera, 1608, 8vo.
Apollodori Bibliotheca Commelini. 1599, 8vo.
Athenagoras, edited by Humphreys. 1714, 8vo.
Arati et Eratosthenis quædam, cum Dionysii Hymnis. Oxon. 1672,
8vo.
Antoninus, edited by Gataker, Dacier, and Stanhope, in 1697,
folio, and the Edition printed at Oxford, 1680, 12mo.
Cæsar. Amst. 1650, 8vo.
Ciceronis Opera, Lugd. Bat. 1642, in 8 volumes 8vo.; Ciceronis
Epistolæ, 1549, and Paris, 1557, both in folio; Cicero de
Oratore, Aldi, Venetiis, 1564, 8vo., a cropt copy, in the
original calf measuring five inches and three quarters by
three inches and five-eighths, with “10. R. A.” stamped on the
sides; Orationes, Delphini, Cant. 1692, 8vo.; Quintus Calaber,
Hanoviæ, 1604, 8vo., and Quintus Curtius, Wetstein. Amstel.
1687, 8vo.
Callimachus; Stephani, in folio.
Catullus, Vossii. Brunsvig. 1658, 8vo.
Diogenes Laertius. Stephani, 1570, 8vo., and Kuhnii. Amst.
1692, in two 4to. volumes.
Dionysius Halicarnasseus. Oxonii, 1704, in 2 vols. fol.
Dion Cassius, Leunclavii. Hanoviæ, 1606, folio.
Dionis Chrysostomi Orationes. Lutetiæ, 1604, fol.
Dionysii Alexandrini et Pomponii Melæ, Orbis Descriptio, 1557,
folio.
Demosthenis et Æschines Orationes, Wolfii. Francof. 1604,
folio, and by Foulkes. Oxonii, 1696, 8vo.
Ennii Fragmenta, Hesselii. Amst. 1707, 4to.
Euripidis Tragœdiæ à Barnes. Cantab. 1694, folio, & Canteri.
Amstel. 1571, 8vo.
Euclidis Elementa à Barrow. Lond. 1659, 8vo.
Epictetus & Cebes. Cantab. 1655, 8vo.
Eustathius de Ismenie Amoribus. Paris. 1618, 8vo.
Eutropius. Basileæ, 1546, 8vo.
Eratosthenes. 1590, 8vo.
Falisci Cynegeticon, Johnson. Lond. 1679, 8vo.
Florus. Amstel. 1664, 8vo.
Frontini Opera. Amstel. 1661, 8vo.
Galeni Opera. Basileæ, 1538, in 3 folio volumes, and the fifth
part only of the Aldine edition of 1525, in folio.
Herodotus, Aldi. Venet. 1502, folio. This copy of the first
edition of this History is much defaced by scribbling, and has
been cropt by the binder, measuring only eleven and a quarter
by seven and a half inches. There is another edition printed at
Frankfort in 1608, folio.
Herodiani Historia, Stephani. 1581, folio.
Hesiodus, Grævii. Amst. 1667, 8vo., and another edition of
1537, in 4to.
Hippocrates Opera. Basileæ, 1538, folio.
Horatius, Schrevelii. Lugd. Bat. 1663.
Homerus. Basileæ, 1535, Castalionis, 1567, and Lugd. Bat. 1656,
all in folio.
Heliodorus. Francof. 1631, 8vo.
Hierocles. Lond. 1654, in two 8vo. volumes.
Historiæ Augustæ Scriptores, Casauboni. Paris. 1620, folio.
Historiæ Poeticæ Scriptores Antiqui, Gr. & Lat. Paris. 1675,
8vo. in old red morocco with gilt leaves.
Iamblichus, Commelini, 1598, and Kusteri, 1707, both in 4to.
and by Gale 1678, in folio.
Isocrates, Wolfii. Basileæ, 1570, in folio.
Justinus Variorum. 1659, 8vo.
Juvenal, Hennini. Ultraj. 1685, 4to. and Schrevelii, Lugd. Bat.
1664, & Hanoviæ, 1619, both in 8vo.
Livii Historia. Francofurti, 1552, 8vo.
Longinus, Faber. Sal. 1663, 8vo.
Lucian, Vossii. Amst. 1687, in two 8vo. volumes.
Lycophron, Meursii. Lugd. Bat. 1599, 8vo. and Canteri, 1601, in
4to.
Manilius, Scaligeri. 1600, 4to.
Ammianus Marcellinus, Valesii. Paris. 1636, 4to.
Musæus, Moschus and Bion. Whitford. Lond. 1655, 4to.
Menandri et Philemonis Reliquiæ. Cantab. 1713, 8vo.
Macrobii Opera, in 8vo.
Martial. Lond. 1615, 8vo.
Nicander. Coloniæ, 1530, 4to.
Cornelius Nepos. Amst. 1665, 8vo.
Oppianus, Ritterhusii. Lugd. Bat. 1597, 8vo.
Ovidii Opera. Lond. 1656, 8vo.
Panegyrici Veteres. Antv. 1599, 8vo.
Persius, Casauboni. Lond. 1647, 8vo.
Pausanias, Xylandri. Hanoviæ, 1613, folio.
Platonis Opera Ficini. Francof. 1602, in 3 folio vols.
Plutarchi Opera. Francof. 1620, folio.
Plotini Opera. Basileæ, 1580, folio.
Phædrus, Forbes. Salmur. 1657, 4to.
Pompeius Festus, Dacier. 1699, 4to.
Petronius Arbiter. Lond. 1693, Paris. 1618, & Lipsiæ, 1666, all
in 8vo.
Plautus, Gronovii. Lugd. Bat. 1664.
Plinii Historia Naturalis, Gronovii. Lugd. Bat. 1669, in 3 8vo.
volumes.
Plinii Junioris Epistolæ et Panegyricus. Oxon. 1703, 8vo.
Porphyrius de Vitâ Pythagoræ. Romæ, 1630, 8vo.
Phalaris Epistolæ. 1614, 8vo.
Velleius Paterculus. Oxon. 1693, 8vo.
A Copy of the first Edition of Pindarus, Aldi, Venet.
1513, 8vo. with Callimachi Hymni, Dionysii Periegetes, and
Lycophronis Alexandra, in one volume, interleaved throughout,
measuring six inches by three inches and five-eighths, and
bound in old calf. There is also the Oxford edition of Pindar,
1697, in folio.
Quintilian. Francof. 1629, 8vo. and by Gibson, Oxon. 1693, 4to.
Rhetores selecti Græci et Latini, à Gale. Oxon. 1676, 8vo.
Senecarum Opera. Amst. 1659, 8vo.
Senecæ Tragœdiæ. Lugd. Bat. 1611, 8vo.
Sophoclis Tragœdiæ, Camerarii. Steph. 1603, 4to. & Lugd. Bat.
1593, 8vo.
Suetonius, Casauboni, Argent. 1497, 4to. and Erasmi. Paris.
1527, 8vo.
Stobæi Sententiæ. Aur. All. 1609, folio.
Stephanus de Urbibus. Basil. 1568, folio.
Strabonis Geographia, Casauboni. Paris. 1620, fol.
Suidæ Lexicon. Froben. Basil. 1545, folio.
Sallust, by Maittaire. Lond. 1713, 8vo.
Symmachi Epistolæ. Neapoli, 1617, 8vo.
Sidonii Apollinarii Opera, Plantin. Par. 1599, 8vo.
Tacitus & Paterculus. Lipsii, Amst. 1668, folio.
Tacitus. Amst. 1664, 8vo.
Terentius. Lugd. Bat. 1669, & Amst. 1641, both in 8vo. and by
Hare, Lond. 1724, 4to.
Thucydides. Francof. 1594, folio.
Themistoclis Epistolæ. Romæ, 1628, 4to.
Themistii Orationes, Petavii. Paris. 1618, 4to.
Themistii Opera, Aldus. Venet. 1534, folio; a clean and perfect
copy, measuring twelve and a quarter by eight and a half
inches, in half binding; the title mended.
Theocritus. Oxon. 1699, 8vo.
Theophrasti Characteres, Casauboni, 1631, and by Needham, 1712,
both in 8vo.
Theonis Mathematica. Paris. 1644, 4to.
Valerius Maximus. Delphini, 1679, 4to.
Virgilius, Servii. Paris. 1532, folio.
Xenophon, Leunclavii. Paris. 1625, folio.
I have been thus minute in detailing the editions of the Classics in this
Library, as of like nature are most of those works of antiquity which
I have in other collections omitted to notice. This tedious detail may
therefore have its use in shewing of what the great mass of classical
literature deposited in our Cathedrals consists, and saving needless
repetition of titles which have not sufficient interest to invite perusal.
I may here take occasion to notice
French Versions of Cæsar and Tacitus, by D’Ablancourt.
A Translation of Tacitus into English, by Richard Greenway.
London, 1622, folio, in calf.
Creech’s Translation of Lucretius, in 8vo.
Salmasii Exercitationes Plinianæ, in folio.
Artemidori et Achmetis Oneirocritica Rigaltii. Lutet. 1603, 4to.
Duport’s Homeri Gnomologia. Cantab. 1660, 4to.
Machiavelli’s Discorsi di sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio.
Maximi Tyrii Dissertationes. Oxon. 1667, 8vo.
Politiani Opera. Ant. 1565, 8vo.
Vossius de Sybillinis Oraculis.
Manuelis Moschopuli de ratione examinandæ Orationes libellus.
Lutetiæ, Stephanus, 1545, 4to. a fine clean copy, in old calf
binding.
The Etymological Works in this Collection embrace
Bellarmine’s Hebr. Gram. Antv. 1686, 8vo.
Beveregii Linguar. Orient. Gram. 1658, 8vo.
Bythneri Hebr. Gram. Lond. 1675, 8vo.
Buxtorf’s Lexicon Hebr. and Chald. Bas. 1615, 8vo.
Fauchon’s French Grammar.
Harpocrationis Dict. Maussæi. Par. 1614, 4to.
Hesychii Lexicon. Lugd. Bat. 1668, 4to. interleaved with
manuscript annotations.
Julii Pollucis Onomasticon. Francof. 1608, fol. & Basil. 1536,
8vo.
Linacre, de Emendatâ Structurâ Latini Sermonis. Lips. 1573, 8vo.
Miege’s French Dictionary, 1677, 4to.
Porti Dict. Doricum. Francof. 1603, 8vo.
Putschii Auctores Grammatici. Hanoviæ, 1695, 4to.
Phavorini Dict. Gr. Basil. 1538, folio.
Scapulæ Lexicon. Lond. 1652, folio.
Sylburgii Etymologicon. Commelini, 1594, folio.
Stephani Lexicon Ciceronianum, 1557, 8vo.
Torriano’s Italian Grammar, 1673, 8vo.
Vigerus de Idiotismis. Lond. 1678, 8vo.
I must here notice a monument of literary diligence of very rare
occurrence, which exists in a copy of Hesychii Lexicon, Aldi, Venetiis,
1524, folio, which is quite perfect, but defaced by writing on the first
leaf, among which I found this curious memorandum by an unknown hand:
“Hesychii integru̅ primo̅ perlegi. MDCLV. Oct. xv.” “Iterum MDCLXVII.
Mart. xxvi.”
The present copy measures twelve inches by eight and one-eighth, and is
in old calf binding.
The Works relating to Literary History and Bibliography in this Library
include
Bellarmine de Scriptor. Eccles. Col. Agr. 1631, fol.
Cave, Script. Eccles. Lond. 1688, folio.
Fabricii Bibliotheca Græca. Hamburg, 1705, 4to. & Bibliotheca
Latina. Lond. 1703, 8vo.
Jonson’s Script. Hist. Philos. Francof. 1659, 4to.
Labbe de Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis. Paris. 1660, 8vo.
Photii Bibliotheca. Genev. 1611, folio.
Raynaudus de bonis et malis libris. Lugd. 1653, 4to.
Vossius de Historicis Græcis, Philosophis, &c. and other Works
in 4to.
The Latin Miscellanies on the Shelves comprehend
Aschami Epistolæ. Oxon. 1703, 8vo.
Helvici Theatrum. Oxon. 1651, folio.
Juliani Imperatoris Opera, folio.
Dicta Septem Sapientium. 8vo.
Hemelarii Romanorum Imperatorum Numismata Aurea. Ant. 1627, 4to.
Dictionarium Medicum. 1564, 8vo.
Heinsii Orationes. Lugd. Bat. 1615, 8vo.
Meursii Elegantiæ. Lugd. Bat. 1628, 8vo.
Petrarcha de remediis Fortunæ. Gen. 1628, 8vo.
Miltoni Defensio pro Populo Anglicano.
Salmasii Responsio ad Miltonum.
Scioppii Gram. Philos. Amst. 1659, 8vo.
Sennerti Epistolæ Scient. Nat. Oxon. 1664, 8vo.
Sulpicii Severi Opera, Elzevir. Amst. 1665, 8vo.
Some Tracts by Casaubon.
Of Mathematical Works I only observed
Oughtred, Clavis Mathematica, in 8vo.
Galbruchii Mathematica. Cant. 1668, 8vo.
Of Law Books I noticed
Dalton’s Justice. Lond. 1677, folio.
Keble’s Statutes at large. Lond. 1676, in 2 folio vols.
Ridley on Civil Law, in 4to.
In English Literature this Collection is poor indeed. I only remarked
An incomplete Copy of Collier’s Essays, in 8vo.
Hobbes’s Leviathan. London, 1651, folio.
The Natural History of Animals. London, 1702, fol.
Bacon’s Essays.
The Poll for Yorkshire in 1807, 8vo.
Pemberton’s View of the Newtonian Philosophy. London, 1728, 4to.
The French and Italian Works include those of Boileau, Ariosto’s Orlando
Furioso, Venet. 1566, 8vo. Boccaccio’s Decameron, 1552, 8vo. Dante, 1551,
8vo. Tasso’s Gierusalem liberata, Ferrara, 1580, 8vo.
The Publications of the Record Commissioners are presented to the Chapter
Library as they appear, and are therein deposited with the Reports of
the Commissioners; the Acts of the Parliament of Scotland; the Catalogue
of the Harleian Manuscripts in the British Museum; and the Population
Returns.
There is a Copy of the Common Prayer in the Castilian language, in this
Collection, and a small 4to. volume, containing, “A Register of Books
borrowed from the Chapter Library, 1826,” is constantly kept there for
the use of those who frequent it.
These are not numerous, for the place wears the aspect of neglect, and
a beggarly account of empty cases disappoints the ardent enquirer for
intellectual food: he seeks for Books, and in some Presses finds only a
stone.
Bishop Keene, it appears, pitying the forlorn condition of the Chapter
Library, and having some tomes too ponderous for removal, upon his own
translation from Chester to Ely gave the following volumes to the Dean
and Chapter of Chester.
_Folio._
Brent’s Conc. Trent, 1676.
Bayle’s Dictionary. 4 vols.
Ciceronis Epistolæ. Par. 1557.
Life of the Duc d’Espernon. Par. 1655.
Homer, Castalionis. Bas. 1567.
Montfaucon, by Humphrys. Lond. 1721.
Poli Synopsis, 5 tom. Lond. 1673.
Cæsar, in French, by D’Ablancourt. Par. 1658.
Daniel, Hist. de la Milicie Française. Par. 1728.
Felibien’s Principles of Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting,
in French. Par. 1697.
_Quarto._
The History of France to the death of Louis XIVth, in French.
Par. 1749.
Leger’s Country House, in French. Amst. 1701, 2 tom. in 1 vol.
Miege’s French Dictionary. Lond. 1677.
Tacitus, in French, by D’Ablancourt. Par. 1665.
Wicquefort’s Ambassadour, in French. Col. 1715, 2 tom.
_In Formâ Minori._
Boileau’s Works in French. Amst. 1735, 4 tom.
Batteux, Les Beaux Arts. Par. 1747.
Daniel’s History of France, Fr. Par. 1724, 9 tom.
Fauchon’s French Grammar. Cam. 1751.
Larrey’s History of Lewis XIV. Rotter. 1718, 9 tom.
“Aprilis Mense, 1771, Libros hos
Reverendus admodùm Edmundus Keene, S.T.P.
Episcopus Cestriensis
Nunc Eliensis
D. D.”
[Illustration]
Library of Chichester.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Chichester is preserved in the
Chapter House, which forms the Eastern termination of the Cathedral.
This room, of very fair proportions, is lighted by several large windows,
and adorned with Portraits of George I. and the Dukes of Richmond and
Newcastle over the fire-place at the east end, and of William and Mary,
in one picture, over the doorway at the other.
Upon the desk lie some Episcopal relics which have been of late years
found in the Cathedral, and which have been engraved in one large plate
for the benefit of the curious.
The Books are placed upon open shelves in tall cases of stained wood,
with cornices, standing against the wall, three marked R. T. Y. being on
one side, and three marked S. W. Z. on the other side of the room.
The contents of these cases are alphabetically enumerated in a thin
folio volume in an old hand, the sizes of the Books being omitted, but
reference being made to their position on the shelves, whereby the eye
may be made to supply this deficiency. To this Catalogue, which bears
the title of “Librorum in Bibliothecâ Ecclesiæ Cicestrensis Catalogus
Alphabeticus,” interfoliary additions have from time to time been made.
In another Book are entered the Books which may be borrowed from the
Library.
This Collection is very respectably attired, being chiefly bound in
old calf, occasionally gilt, and consists chiefly of Theological and
Historical Works, in tolerably good preservation.
The impressions of the Sacred Volume comprehend
The Biblia Polyglotta Waltoni, 1657, with Castell’s Lexicon.
Biblia LXX, per Holmes & Parsons. Oxonii, v. a. 6 v. folio.
Biblia Græca, Basil. 1545, Sacra Biblia, Junii, 1593.
Biblia Latina Vulgata. Parisiis, 1691.
Biblia Latina. Hanoviæ, 1605, & Basileæ, 1579, 2 vols. folio.
Biblia Hebraica, per Kennicott. Oxon. 1776, 2 v. fol.
Biblia Hebraica & Chaldaica, per Buxtorf. Basileæ, 1618, 2
vols. folio.
Biblia LXX, per Grabe. Oxonii, 1707, in 4 v. fol.
Biblia LXX, per Bos. Francof. 1719, 2 vols. folio.
The Bible in English by Field. Cambridge, 1669.
The Bible in English, by Baskett. Oxford, 1715.
The Novum Testamentum Syriace, et Græce, apud Stephanum.
The Codex Bezæ. Cantab. 1793.
Evangelium Matthæi, per Barrett. Dublin, 1801, 4to. in blue
morocco.
The New Testament by Griesbach, Wetstein; and by Kuster,
Lipsiæ, 1723; Millii, Oxon. 1707, 2 vols. folio, Vratislaviæ,
1782.
In Divinity, the Works of S. Basil, Bernard, Bingham, Bochart,
Bramhall, Chrysostom, Clemens Alexandrinus, Le Clerc, S. Cyprian, S.
Cyril, Cudworth, Epiphanius, Episcopius, Gregory, Nyssen, and Nazianzen,
S. Hilary, Hospinianus, Horne, Jackson, Jewel, Justin Martyr, S.
Isidore, Justinian, Lightfoot, Limborch, More, Patrick, Pearse, Philo
Judæus, Paley, Pococke, Porteus, Stillingfleet, Sherlock, Tertullian,
Theophylact, Jeremy Taylor, Wake, Whitby, Wells, may be seen in
conjunction with
Ambrosii Opera. Basileæ, 1567, 3 vols. folio.
Anselmi Opera. Colon. Agrip. 1612.
Athanasii Opera, Colon. 1686, 2 vols. folio.
Augustini Opera. Parisiis, 1555, in 7 vols. folio.
Beverigii Pandectæ Canonum.
Boyle’s Theological Works.
Bulli Opera Theologica. Londini, 1703, folio.
Burkitt on the New Testament.
Burnet on the XXXIX Articles.
Calvini Opera. Genevæ, 1589, 10 vols. folio.
Calvin’s Institutes.
Cassiodori Opera. Venetiis, 1729.
Chamieri Controversiæ.
Chillingworth’s Works, 1684.
Here I may remark that in the Cloisters of this Cathedral, according to a
plain mural tablet,
“Hic reducem expectat animam
GULIELMUS CHILLINGWORTH, A.M.
Coll. Trin. Oxon. Socius, &c.
omni literarum genere celeberrimus,
Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ adversus Romanam
Propugnator invictissimus.”
To return, however, to the department immediately under review, I may
proceed to notice
Cave’s Primitive Christianity & Lives of the Fathers.
Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible.
Several Concordances, by various hands.
The Works of Samuel Clarke, in 4 vols. folio.
Collyer’s Sacred Interpreter.
Cotelerii Patres Apostolici. 1724.
Critici Sacri & Pole’s Synopsis.
Du Pin’s History of the Canon of the Old and New Testament.
Erasmus in Nov. Test. Basil. 1522, and other Works, with his
Life by Jortin.
Eusebii Præparatio et Demonstratio Evangelica.
Fabricii Codex Pseudigraphus Veteris Testamenti. 2 vols. 8vo.
Forbes on Religion.
Faber on Pagan Idolatry.
Irenæi Opera, per Grabe. Oxon. 1702, folio.
Grabe’s Spicilegium. Oxon. 1698, 8vo.
Gray’s Connection.
Grotii Opera Theologica. Londini, 1679, 4 v. fol.
Hammond’s Paraphrase and other Works. 1684, 4 vols. folio.
Heylin’s Theological Tracts.
Hieronymi Opera per Victorium. Parisiis, 1609, 3 vols. folio.
Howel’s Synopsis Canonum.
Hyde’s Religio Veterum Persarum.
Lactantius cura Sparke. Oxon. 1684.
Lardner’s Credibility.
Lowth’s Isaiah.
Maltby’s Works. 1803.
Melancthonis Opera. Witebergæ, 1580, 4 vols. fol.
Norris on the Beatitudes.
Page’s Harmonia Sacra.
Pearsoni Opera Posthuma.
Petavii Dogmata Theologica.
Prideaux’s Connection.
Schleusner’s Lexicon Novi Test.
Shuckford’s Connection.
Stockii Clavis Nov. Test.
Stradæ Prolusiones.
Suiceri Thesaurus Ecclesiasticus.
Tillotson’s Sermons. 1700, 14 vols. 8vo.
Wall’s Infant Baptism.
Zanchii Opera Theologica, together with the Sermons of Andrews, Barrow,
Conybeare, Fysher, Hoadly, Horsley, Sanderson, and Saurin.
As connected with the Church Service I may add to these Henry the VIII.’s
Primer, 1545; the Liturgia Anglicana Octoglotta, 1821; Baskett’s edition
of the Common Prayer, London, 1754; and a beautiful large paper copy
of the Common Prayer, printed by Bill and Barker at London in 1662,
folio, bound in green velvet and ruled with red lines; the gift of the
Rev. Thomas Baker to the Cathedral Library; also “the Sealed Copy”
of the Common Prayer of the same date, so called from its containing
the original Letter Patent of Charles II. upon vellum, “for lodging
a corrected and authentic copy of the Common Prayer Book in this
Cathedral.” “N.B. The great Seal attached to these Patents is preserved
in the Chapter House.” This interesting volume is unpretendingly attired
in dark calf.
To these I may add the
Breviarium Romanum. Antverpiæ, 1594, and the
Missale Romanum. Antverpiæ, 1614.
The principal Works relating to Ecclesiastical History in this
Collection are Allix’s Albigenses; Wharton’s Anglia Sacra; Baronii
Annales & Martyrologium Romanum; Brandt’s History of the Reformation
in the Low Countries; Bedæ Opera, Basileæ, 1583; Bedford’s Scripture
Chronology, 1730; Bower’s Lives of the Popes; Burnet’s Reformation;
Codex Theodosianus Gothofredi; Corpus Juris Civilis et Canonici, Lugd.
Bat. 1624-7; Cotelerii Ecclesiæ Græcæ Monumenta; Concilia Generalia,
Colon. Agr. 1567; Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ à Wilkins, Lond. folio;
Strype’s Annals, Lives, and Memorials; Du Pin’s Ecclesiastical History;
Cave’s Historia Literaria Scriptor. Eccles.; Echard’s Ecclesiastical
History; Ecton’s Thesaurus; Eusebii Historia Ecclesiastica; Le Neve’s
Fasti Anglicani; Fleury’s Ecclesiastical History, by Adams, 1727, 5
vols.; Fuller’s Holy War, and Church History of Britain; Gibson’s Codex
and Synodus Anglicana; Godwin de Præsulibus Angliæ, Cantabr. 1743, 2
vols. folio; Gratiani Compendium Juris Canonici et Civilis, Venetiis,
1580, 3 vols. folio; Heylin’s History of the Reformation; Lyndewode’s
Provinciale, Oxon. 1679; Inett’s Origines Anglicani; Mosheim’s
Ecclesiastical History; Reyneri Apostolatus Benedictinorum in Angliâ,
Duaci, 1626; Ribadeneira, Vitæ Sanctorum; Rycaut’s Lives of the Popes;
Sanderus de Origine et progressu Schismatis Anglicani, Parisiis, 1610;
Spelman’s Concilia; Spotswode’s Church of Scotland; Polano’s History of
the Council of Trent; Quick’s Synodicon in Galliâ Reformatâ; Tornielli
Annales; Usseri Annales & Antiq. Eccl. Britt.; Walker’s Sufferings of the
Clergy; Warner’s Ecclesiastical History; and Wordsworth’s Ecclesiastical
Biography.
Of Works connected with English History and Antiquities, the shelves of
this Library may supply the curious enquirer with Adams’s Index Villaris,
and sixty volumes of the Acts of Parliament, the gift of Bishop Buckner
to the Chichester Cathedral Library; Ashmole’s Order of the Garter, 1672;
the English Baronetage, 1741, in 5 vols. 4to.; Barwick’s Life; Battely’s
Antiquities of Canterbury; Crawfurd’s Memoirs of Scotch Affairs,
Edinburgh, 1726; Dart’s Westminster Abbey; Echard’s History of England;
Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum, 1655, 3 vols. folio; Warwickshire,
Coventry, 1675; Baronage, and View of the Troubles; Kippis’s Biographia
Britannica; Borlase’s Cornwall and Scilly Islands; Buck’s History of
Richard III.; Buchanani Historia Scotorum, Edinburgi, 1583; Crawfurd’s
Peerage of Scotland; Burnet’s History of his own Times; Carte’s History
of England; Davies’s Celtic Researches; Dallaway’s Western Sussex, and
Cartwright’s Rape of Bramber; Winston Churchill’s Divi Britannici, 1675;
Clarendon’s Rebellion, Oxford, 1702, 3 vols. folio; Fabian’s Chronicle,
1542; Fiddes’ Life of Wolsey; Fuller’s Worthies; Holinshed’s Chronicle,
1586, with Giraldus Cambrensis’s History of Ireland, and Hector Boethius’
Historia Scotorum; Grafton’s Chronicle, wanting the Title; Harding’s
Chronicle, 1543; Hacket’s Life of Archbishop Williams; Grew’s Rarities of
Gresham College; Hanway’s Travels; Lord Herbert’s Life of Henry VIII.;
Journals of the Lords and Commons; Johnston on the English Monarchy,
1636; Icon Basilike, 1649; Kennet’s Parochial Antiquities, with his
History of England and other Works, and North’s Examination of Kennet’s
History of England; Laud’s Life; Leland’s Itinerary, edited by Hearne,
Oxford, 1745, 8vo.; Lyttelton’s Henry II.; Lloyd’s State Worthies;
Mackenzie’s Scottish Writers, Edinburgh, 1708; Madox’s Formulare
Anglicanum, Baronia Anglica, and History of the Exchequer; Maitland’s
London; Maurice’s Richmond Hill; Monasticon Hibernicum, 1723; Nicolson’s
Historical Library; North’s Lives of the Norths; Peck’s Memoirs of Oliver
Cromwell; Higden’s Polychronicon, printed by Wynkyn de Worde at London
in 1495, a perfect copy in old calf; Nalson’s Collections; Price’s
Salisbury Cathedral; Parker’s History of his own Times; Rapin’s History
of England; Thorpe’s Registrum and Custumale Roffense, both half-bound;
Robertson’s History of Scotland; Rossi Warvicensis Historia Regum Angliæ,
edente Hearne, 1745; Rushworth’s Historical Collections; Slayter’s
History of Great Britain, 1619; Speed’s Chronicle, History of Great
Britain, Theatre and Maps; Stow’s Chronicle, 1615; Stukeley’s Itinerarium
Curiosum; Tanner’s Bibliotheca Britannica; Pitseus Catalogus Scriptorum
Angliæ, Parisiis, 1619; Triveti Annales, et Adami Murithmensis Chronicon,
curâ Hall, Oxonii, 1722, 8vo.; Ward’s Gresham College; Weever’s Funeral
Monuments; Whitelocke’s Memorials, 1709; Willis’s Cathedrals; Wood’s
Athenæ Oxonienses; A few Political Tracts; Several Laudatory Verses from
both the Universities to several of the Stuarts, and the Records of the
Kingdom.
To the above I have pleasure in adding a few of the foundations upon
which the History of Britain is built.
Balæi Centuria Scriptorum Britanniæ, Basileæ, 1557; Historiæ Anglicanæ
Scriptores Decem à Somner & Twysden; Du Chesne’s Historiæ Normannorum
Scriptores; Eadmeri Historia sui Temporis, edente Selden, Londini,
1623; Matthæi Paris. Historia Anglicana, edente Wats, Londini, 1740,
folio; Matthæi Westmonasteriensis Flores Historiarum; Rerum Anglicanum
Scriptores post Bedam, edente Savile; Florentiæ Wigornensis Chronicon;
Polydore Vergilii Historia Anglicana, Basileæ, 1534, folio; Camdeni
Anglica, Normannica, &c. à veteribus Scripta.
Of Law, the only books which met my observation were: Ayliffe’s Canon
Law, London, 1734; Reports upon the Criminal Code, 1821, &c. in 7
vols. 4to.; Barrington on Ancient Statutes; Blackstone’s Commentaries;
Jacob’s Law Dictionary; Lambard de Priscis Anglorum Legibus; Wottoni
Leges Wallicæ, 1730; Leges Antiquiæ Francorum, per Lindenbrogium, 1614;
Wilkins’s Leges Saxonicæ, 1721; Viner’s Abridgment of Law and Equity, in
23 folios, new in calf, gilt.
Of Numismatic Works, I am happy to record a beautiful copy of the
Numismata Pembrochiana, 1746, upon large paper, bound in calf, richly
gilt, with the leaves gilt upon the marble, the donation of Dr. Jo.
Wickins, Rector of Petworth in 1763, to the Cathedral Library. The
appearance of this Work in the folio form is very far above the usual
dimensions of the ordinary 4to. To this I may add, Banduri Numismata,
Parisiis, 1718, in 2 vols. folio; Clarke’s Coins; Evelyn on Medals;
Folkes’s Coins; Harduini Nummi Antiqui, Parisiis, 1684; Landi Numismata
Selecta, Lugd. Bat. 1695; Wilde, Numismata Antiqua Selecta, 1682; Wise
Nummi Bodleiani, 1750; Nummophylacium Reginæ Christinæ, per Havercampium,
Hagæ, Com. 1742; Vaillant Numismata, Paris. 1695.
Of Publications relating to the History and Description of different
countries, and the world in general this Library cannot boast any
Collection more copious than that constituted by, Æmilii Historia
Francorum; Pighii Annales Romanæ Historiæ, Antverpiæ, 1598; Stuart and
Revett’s Antiquities of Athens; Anson’s Voyage, 1756; Astley’s Collection
of Voyages, 1745, 4 vols.; Atlas Geographicus, London, 1711, in 5 vols.
folio; Churchill’s Voyages; Robert’s Atlas; Birch’s Heads; Bezonii
Historia Indiæ Repertæ, Francofurti, 1694; Maffei Historia Indica,
Brixiæ, 1660; Blair’s Chronology; Collier’s Historical Dictionary; Du
Halde’s China; Byzantinæ Historiæ Scriptores, Venetiis, 1729, in 23 vols.
folio; Hales’s Analysis of Ancient Chronology; Chardin’s Travels; Flud
Historia utriusque Cosmi, Oppenheim, 1617; Freheri Rerum Bohemicarum
Scriptores, Hanov. 1602; Gualteri Tabula Chronologica; Coloniæ, 1616;
Geographici Minores Græci, curâ Hudsoni, Oxonii, 1698, 4 vols.; Grævii
Thesaurus Antiquitatum, 12 tom. folio; Gruteri Inscriptiones, 2 vols.
folio; Heylin’s Cosmography; Hughes’s Natural History of Barbadoes,
London, 1750, folio; Mariana and Molina’s Histories of Spain; Maundrell’s
Journey; Montfaucon’s Antiquities, with his Palæographia Græca; Moreri
Dictionnaire, 10 vols. folio, in French calf; Norden’s Egypt; Potter’s
Greece; Newton’s Chronology; Puffendorf’s Law of Nations; Raleigh’s
History of the World; Rerum Belgicarum Annales, Francof. 1583; Jovii
Rerum Turcicarum Historia, Lugd. Bat. 1569; Keysteri Antiquitates
Septentrionales, Hanoviæ, 1720; Rhenani Rerum Germanicarum Commentarii,
1551; Rycaut’s History of the Turks; Robertson’s Charles V.; Paruta’s
History of Venice; Shaw’s Travels; Perrault’s Hommes Illustres;
Pococke’s Description of the East; Postlethwayt’s Dictionary of Commerce;
Sully’s Memoirs; Thuani Historia sui Temporis, 6 vols. folio, in calf;
Watson’s Philip II. and it may be added Vossius de Historicis Græcis ac
Latinis.
Several Maps of North and South America, Egypt, Portugal, and the
Pyrenees are also placed within this Library.
Of Etymological Works, there are few indeed, at least I only remarked,
Calderini Lexicon Latinum et Italicum, Venetiis, 1587; Calepini
Dictionarium Latinum, Lugd. Bat. 1559, in 2 vols.; Cooper’s Dictionary;
Du Cange’s Glossary; Facciolati Lexicon; Hederici Lexicon; Hickes’s
Thesaurus Septentrionalis; Johnson’s English Dictionary; Junii Glossarium
edente Lye; Spelman’s Glossary; Julii Pollucis Onomasticon, Amstelod.
1706; Suidæ Lexicon; Kusteri Cantabrigiæ, 1705, in 3 vols. folio.
Of Works relating to Natural History or Science, the number is still
less. Aldrovandi Ornithologia; Franzii Historia Animalium, Wittebergæ,
1613; Gerard’s Herbal, by Johnson; Johnstoni Historia Quadrupedum,
&c.; Mantell’s Geology of Sussex; Newton’s Optics and Principia; and
some Tracts by Leibnitz, being the only works of this character which
attracted my observation.
Of Classic Authors, I have made a copious selection, that the reader may
judge for himself of the value of this department of the Library by a
cursory review of its contents. It is, in fact, only by thus descending
into particulars that the true character of any Collection can be
obtained. Hence it is that whenever in these pages a dry catalogue of
books appears to be extended to an unusual length, the candid reader
should look complacently upon the attempt to enable him to form his own
judgment even at the risk of exhausting his patience.
I may begin with the Anthologia Græca edited by Owen in 1612, and
continue in nearly alphabetical order, as the simplest and most
intelligible method of reference, the list of Classics in this Collection.
Antoninus, Gatakeri. Londini, 1697, 4to.
Appianus. Amstelodami, 1670.
Apuleius, Pricæi.
Athenæus, Casauboni. Lugd. Bat. 1657.
Aulus Gellius: Ausonius: Historia Augustæ Scriptores. Lugd.
Bat. 1671.
Corpus Poetarum Latinorum à Maittaire.
Cornelius Nepos. Oxonii, 1697.
Catullus Tibullus & Propertius, per Arthurum. Cantabrigiæ, 1702.
Ciceronis Opera Variorum, in 17 vols. 8vo.—Basileæ, 1534;
Parisiis, 1539, in 2 vols. and 1654.
Demosthenes. Cantabrigiæ, 1731.
Diodorus Siculus, by Wesseling. Amsterdam, 1746, folio.
Diogenes Laertius, by Menage. Amsterdam, 1692, 2 vols. folio.
Dio Cassius, Reimari. Hamburg. 1750, 2 vols. fol.
Dionysius Halicarnassensis, Hudsoni. Oxonii. 1704, in 2 vols.
folio.
Euripides, by Markland.
Eustathius in Homerum. Romæ. 1542, in 4 vols. fol.
Fabulæ Æsopicæ, per Camerarium. Lugd. Bat. 1564.
Pompeius Festus, Delphini. Amstelod. 1699, 4to.
Jamblichus, Galei. Oxonii, 1678, folio.
Galeni Opera, per Linacrum. Lugd. Bat. 1559.
Herodianus. Oxonii, 1699.
Herodotus, Wesselingii. Amstelod. 1763.
Hesiodus, Græcè. 1540.
The Horace of 1511, and that by Bentley, 1713, and among other
editions of lesser note,
Horatius, Lambini. Francofurti, 1596.
Homeri opera à Barnes. Cantabr. 1711, et ejusdem Ilias curâ
Clarke. Londini, 1729, 4 vols. 4to.
Josephus, Hudsoni. Oxonii, 1702, 2 vols. folio.
Justini Historia apud Stephanum. Parisiis, 1543, fol.
Longinus, Hudsoni. Oxonii. 1710.
Livius. Parisiis, 1735, & Gronovii, 1679.
Lucanus, Oudendorpii. Lugd. Bat. 1728, 4to.
Lucianus. Salm. 1619.
Maximi Tyrii Dissertationes. Oxonii, 1677.
Martialis, Schrevelii. Lugd. Bat. 1670.
Ovidius, Antverpiæ, 1587; Burmanni, Amstelod. 1727, 4 vols.
4to.; and Heinsii, Amstelod. 1661.
Pausanias, Kuhnii. Lipsiæ, 1696, folio.
Petronius, Burmanni. 1709, 4to.
Photii Bibliotheca Hœschelii. Rothomagi, 1563, fol.
Platonis Opera, Serrani. 1578, in 3 vols. folio.
Plautus, Lambini. 1576.
Plinii Senioris Historia Naturalis, Dalecampii; Aureliæ
Allobrogum, 1606; and Harduini, Parisiis, 1723, in 3 vols.
folio.
Plinii Junioris Epistolæ. Amstelodami, 1659.
Plutarchi Vitæ, edente Bryant. Londini, 1729, in 5 vols. 4to.
Plutarchi Opera, Xylandri. Francof. 1599.
Polybius, Casauboni. 1609, folio.
Quintus Curtius, Erasmi. Parisiis, 1543.
Quintilianus, Burmanni. Lugd. Bat. 1720, 4to.
Sallustius. Parisiis, 1504, and Cantabrigiæ, 1710.
Seneca, Gothofredi.
Seneca Lipsii.
Silius Italicus, Drakenborchii. Trajecti ad Rhenum, 1717, 4to.
Strabo, Almeloveeni. Amstelodami, 1707, 2 vols. folio.
Suetonius, Grævii.
Tacitus, Variorum.
Terentius, Delphini.
Terence, by Hare. 1724.
Thucydides, Hudsoni. Oxonii. 1696, folio.
Valerius Flaccus, Heinsii. Amstelodami, 1680.
Velleius Paterculus; Vegetius. Parisiis, 1535.
Virgilii opera, per Jacobum Zachon. Venetiis, 1499, folio; in
Roman Character, with a commentary.
Virgilius Delphini. 4to. and by Baskerville.
Xenophontis Opera, by Wells, with his Anabasis & Cyropædia, by
Hutchinson.
It will be seen from this rapid survey of the classical department of
this collection that none of the first, though several of the best
editions are here to be found. I may here mention the
Schola Salernitana. Parisiis, 1553.
Erasmi Adagia. Hanoviæ, 1617.
Gesneri Bibliotheca. Tiguri, 1545; and
Joannis Sarisburiensis Polycraticus seu de Nugis Curialium.
Lugd. Bat. 1495.
In English Literature, I have much pleasure in mentioning the Works of
Bacon, Locke, and Temple, in 4to., uniformly bound in old calf; Tonson’s
Shakespeare, London, 1725, in 6 vols. 4to. in old calf, gilt; Barclay’s
Argenis, London, 1622; Bryant’s Mythology, 1775; Spence’s Polymetis;
Cowley’s Works, 1684; Digges’ Compleat Ambassadour; Chamber’s Dictionary;
Blair’s Lectures; Buchanan’s Poems; Chaucer’s Works, in black letter, by
Robert Toye, London; Hayley’s Poems; Hutchinson’s Works, 1749, 12 vols.;
the Works of James I. and Samuel Johnson; Milton’s Works, by Baskerville
and by Newton; Prior’s Works; Selden’s Works, by Wilkins, London, 1726,
in 3 vols. folio; Shaftesbury’s Characteristics, in 3 vols. 8vo.;
Spenser’s Faery Queen; and I may add, Smith’s Catal. MSS. Cotton. et MSS.
Oxon. Oxonii, 1696-7, with 3 vols. of Osborne’s Catalogues.
In conclusion, I may notice the Works of Petrarch; Voltaire’s Henriade,
and Chamber’s Architecture, in 2 vols. folio; Bayle’s Dictionary, London,
1735; Macpherson’s Fingal, 1762; Thomæ Mori Opera Latina; Watson’s
History of Halifax; and Nott’s Odes of Hafiz.
The only two Manuscripts which occurred to me on inspecting this Library,
were the Statutes of Peterhouse College in Cambridge, and an Account of
the Foundation of Christ Church at Oxford.
It is right to notice, what all chartered or collegiate bodies who
possess Libraries, would do well to imitate, that all the volumes in this
Collection are distinguished by a book plate, representing the sacred
figure, above whose head is written “Decan. et Cap. Cicestr.” and below
whose feet is inscribed “Liber Monumenti coram eo.”
[Illustration]
Library of Durham.
The Library of this Chapter is preserved in a spacious and luminous
apartment more than one hundred feet in length, and of proportional
width, occupying one side of the space above the Cloisters. It was, in
former times, the Refectory of the Monastery, and the walls which once
resounded with the crash of monastic mastication, now echo the footsteps
of the casual visiter or cloistered student. A Portrait of Dean Sudbury,
the founder of the Library after the Restoration, is at the end of the
room; and on the floor are several Roman Altars, discovered in the
vicinity of Durham.
The Books are well arranged upon shelves of easy access, and appear
remarkably free from damp; the cases projecting from the wall on either
side into the room; with due intervals for study.
In the south alley of the Cloisters is a large hall, called the
Frater-house, finely wainscotted on the north and south side, by Thomas
Castell, Prior, A.D. 1518. Within the door on the left hand, at entering
is a strong Almery in the wall, wherein the Grace Cup, the Grace Major,
called the Judas’s Cup, and St. Bede’s Bowl, did stand. In that Almery
lay all the best plate that served the Convent in the Frater-house on
Festival Days; and there was a fine work of carved wainscot before, and a
strong lock on the door, so as none could perceive there was any Almery
at all, the key-hole being made under the carved work of the wainscot.
In this Frater-house the Prior, and the whole Convent of the Monks held
their great feast of St. Cuthbert, in Lent, having their meat served out
of the dresser-window of the great kitchen, into the Frater-house; and
their drink out of the great cellar.
At the east end of the Frater-house stood a fair table with a skreen of
wainscot over it, being kept all the rest of the year for the Master of
the Novices, the Elects, and the Novices, to dine and sup at, having
their meat served to them in the same manner.
At these times one of the Novices, appointed by the Master, read some
part of the Old and New Testament in Latin, during dinner, having a
convenient place at the south end of the high table, within a fair glass
window, encompassed with iron, and certain stone steps with iron rails to
go up to an iron desk, whereon lay the Holy Bible, which reading being
ended, the Master tolled a silver bell, hanging over his head, thereby
giving notice to one of the Novices to come to the high table and say
grace, and that ended, they departed to their books.
This fabric retained the name of the Petty Canons’ Hall, till Dr.
Sudbury, Dean of this Cathedral, generously erected a beautiful Library
in its place, which he, not living to finish completely, by the following
clause of his last will, binds his heir, Sir John Sudbury, to the due
execution thereof.
“Item, whereas I have lately contracted with several workmen for the
building of a Library in the place commonly called the Petty Canons Hall
in the College of Durham, for the use of the Dean and Prebendaries of the
said Cathedral Church. And if it should please God that I do not live
to finish the same, my will and pleasure is that my executor, hereafter
named, shall pay out of my personal estate all such sum or sums of money
as shall be necessary for the finishing thereof, according to such form
or modell, or in such manner as I shall leave directions for under my
hand, attested by two or more good and sufficient witnesses. This will is
dated Jan. 11, 1683.”[11]
The books were removed to their present situation by Dean Sudbury, in
the seventeenth century, up to whose time they had been kept in the room
adjoining the Chapter-house, and also over the Cloisters.
This Library contains from seven to eight thousand volumes, of which five
hundred and twenty are in Manuscript. The printed books amounting to
seven thousand two hundred and fifty-nine volumes, at the time of this
present writing.
Three Catalogues of the printed books remain in this collection; the
first compiled about the time of Charles II. in one folio volume, bears
the following title:
“Catalogus Librorum Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Dunelmensis dispositus exaratus,
adornatus à doctissimo ornatissimoque viro Joanne Milner, A. M. ejusdem
Ecclesiæ Precentore et Bibliothecario dignissimo.”
The second is a folio on vellum, compiled in the time of Bishop Cosin,
the title whereof runneth thus:
“Bibliotheca Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Dunelmensis à Decano et Capitulo
ejusdem Ecclesiæ instaurata anno dni MDCXXVIII. et ab eisdem exinde per
annuales eorum expensas aliaque benefactorum donaria ornata adaucta et
bonis libris instructa.”
The third is the Catalogue now in use, accurately arranged in
alphabetical order, by the Rev. James Raine, the present Librarian. It is
to be hoped that this gentleman may be enabled to steal a few hours from
his antiquarian researches, to prepare this Catalogue, with appropriate
notices of the rarer articles, for the press, to which I trust it will
ere long be committed by the liberality of the Dean and Chapter.
There is also a Catalogue of Glosses and Commentators in this collection,
compiled by Elias Smith, during the period of the Great Rebellion.
Thomas Rud has also left behind him a very curious Catalogue of the
Books bought in his time, with their prices, a work which has been very
properly continued by the succeeding Curator of this Library.
A book is also kept upon the table for the entry of all volumes borrowed
or taken away from the Library, with the name of the person so taking
them and the date when taken.
This precaution has happily been adopted in this as in other Cathedral
Libraries, but not until after much inconvenience, and in some instances
serious losses had been sustained from the want of this or a similar
regulation.
The latitude which so long prevailed in this respect, has of late years
been exchanged for rigorous custody, and none but prebendal keys can now
unlock the chamber wherein the literary treasures of the Dean and Chapter
are deposited.
Of the printed books in this collection I will proceed to give such an
account as the opportunities afforded me, enabled me to collect, during a
cursory survey of this ancient Library.
A great part of this, as of most ancient Libraries, consists of Glosses,
Decretals, and Pandects, with other early and almost forgotten Works of
Divinity, and the obscurer authors of the middle ages.
Passing by these, I first directed my attention to the earliest
impression of the Holy Scriptures in the English language, being that
printed by Christian Egenolff, at Franckfort, in 1535, folio, and known
as Coverdale’s Bible. The present copy wants the title, and two leaves
of the Prefatory matter, beginning with the last leaf of the Prologue.
It is also defective in all the leaves of the Revelations, which follow
signature T.T. iii. The three last leaves are much torn, but the book
is sound in the middle, and in very ordinary calf binding. By some
unaccountable error it has been lettered on the back “Grafton’s Bible.
1541.”
I also noticed an imperfect copy of Matthew’s Bible of 1549, reprinted
from the edition of 1537, in folio; the second edition of the Bishop’s
Bible, printed at London, by Richard Jugge, in 1572, folio, with a double
version of the Psalms; a copy of the Bible of 1641, in folio, and the
Bible printed at Cambridge in 1663, 4to.; the Bible printed at Oxford,
by J. Baskett, in 1717, in 2 volumes, folio, in forrel binding, with
clasps; Baskerville’s elegant folio edition of the Scriptures; the Bible,
with Notes by Bishop Wilson, printed by Cruttwell at Bath, in 1785, in 3
volumes, 4to.; the Manse Bible, printed at Whitehaven in 1775, 4to., in
calf binding; and the Bible, with Notes by D’Oyley and Mant, printed at
Oxford in 1817, in 3 vols. 4to.; and Reeves’ Bible, in nine 4to. volumes.
I also remarked fine copies of the Hebrew Bible, by Van der Hooght,
Houbigant, Buxtorf, and Kennicott, in calf binding; the Biblia Græca, of
Grabe; the Vetus Testamentum juxta LXX, edited by Holmes and Parsons,
at Oxford, in 5 volumes, folio; the Biblia Polyglotta complectentia
textus originales Hebraicum, cum pentateucho, Samaritanum, Chaldaicum,
Græcum, &c. cum apparatu appendicibus tabulis, &c. ex editione Briani
Waltoni, Londini, Thomas Roycroft, 1655-57, in 6 folio volumes, with the
indispensable and customary adjunct of Castelli Lexicon Heptaglotton,
Hebraicum, Chaldaicum, Syriacum, Samaritanum, &c. cui accessit brevis
grammaticæ delineatio, Londini, Th. Roycroft, 1669, in 2 folio volumes,
all uniformly bound in calf; the Biblia Polyglotta curâ Bened. Ariæ
Montani, Antverpiæ, Plantinus, 1569-72, wanting one volume, in folio.
I may here mention the Heptateuchus:—Liber Job, et Evangelium Nicodemi,
Anglo-Saxonicè; Historia Judith, Dana-Saxonicè, edited by Edward
Thwaites, at Oxford, in 8vo.; Codex Theodori Bezæ, Cantabrigiensis,
Evangelia et Acta Apostolorum complectens, quadratis literis,
Græco-Latinis, adumbravit, expressit, edidit, &c. Thomas Kipling, S.T.P.
Cantabrigiæ, 1793, in 2 volumes, folio; Wetstein’s Edition of the Greek
Testament; the Evangelia Gothica, edited by Junius; and Psalterium
Davidis Latino-Saxonicum Vetus, à Johanne Spelmanno editum è vetustissimo
Exemplari manuscripto, et tribus aliis collatum, Londini, 1640, 4to.
There are also Bibles in the Spanish and French languages; and many Latin
Bibles, the earliest of which appeared to be that printed at Venice in
1484, by Herbert de Selgenstat, a German, in double columns of small
Gothic letter, in a quarto form, bound in red morocco, with a cover,
originally appertaining unto John Cade, whose illustrative propensities
are displayed by a coloured representation of the Virgin, pasted on
the back of the first leaf of this book. The passion of this defunct
collector for illustrating books is said to have been so strong as to
have led to the expansion of his copy of Dugdale’s Works to no less than
one hundred volumes.
On viewing the literary remains of polemical controversy, and the
dust-covered rows of obsolete divinity, one is tempted involuntarily to
exclaim—
“Hi motus animorum atque hæc certamina tanta
Pulveris exigui jactu compressa quiescant.”
Of these writers, over whose voluminous works the modern eye so coldly
glances, some occupied no small share of the public attention in their
time, and of a few might be said,
“He knew what’s what, and that’s as high
As metaphysic wit can fly;
In school Divinity as able
As he that hight Irrefragable,
A second Thomas, or at once
To name them all, another Dunse;
Profound in all the Nominal
And Real ways above them all;
For he a rope of sand could twist
As tough as learned Sorbonist.”
_Butler’s Hudibras_, Part I. Canto I. v. 149.
It is remarkable that two-thirds of the eminent schoolmen were of
British birth, a circumstance which renders the preservation of
their labours in the Cathedral Libraries of England a matter of some
consequence to those who love to trace the scintillations of the English
mind through the Cimmerian gloom of the schools.
In these repositories we also find the marvellous legends of those great
and good men whom the Church delighted to honour.
The present collection offers several editions of the once popular
Legenda Aurea, the first bearing the date 1475, in 4to.; the second
having been printed at Cologne in 1483, in folio; and the third by Wynkyn
de Worde at London, in 1516, in folio, in double columns of Gothic
character. Both the last are in excellent preservation.
Among the multitude of schoolmen and divines of the earlier ages, it
is difficult to select those which may convey an adequate impression
of the extent of this collection. Here the eye reposes on the Works of
Sermundus, in brilliant condition, on large paper. There it meets with
the Works of Pope Benedict the XIVth, and a long array of the Fathers and
other pillars of the Church.
Coleridge conceived Origen, Jerome, and Augustine to be the three fathers
in respect of theology, and Basil, Gregory Nazianzen, and Chrysostom in
respect of rhetoric.[12] Of the truth of this assertion the student may
here convince himself, for this Library contains these authors, forming
part of a good collection of the Fathers of the Church.
In this Library are deposited the Works of the Fathers of the Church,
including those of SS. Ambrose, Athanasius, Augustine, Basil, Bernard,
Chrysostom, Clemens Alexandrinus, Cyprian, Cyril, Episcopius, Epiphanius,
Eusebius, Gregory, Jerome, Hilary, Ignatius, Irenæus, Isidore, Justin
Martyr, Lactantius, Peter Martyr, Origen, Polycarp, Tertullian, and
Theophylact; with the Bibliotheca Maxima Patrum, &c.
Among the earlier Divines I noticed the Works of Anselm, Bellarmine,
Calvin, Erasmus, Grotius, Thomas à Kempis, Lanfranc, Socinus, and
Zanchius.
The Divines of the English Church, whose labours are found within these
walls, are Abbot, Allix, Andrews, Barrow, Beveridge, Chillingworth,
Samuel Clarke, Comber, Doddridge, Hall, Hammond, Hoadley, Hopkins,
Jackson, Jewel, Jortin, Kennicott, Lardner, Leighton, Lightfoot, Mede,
Ogden, Paley, Patrick, Pearce, Porteus, Reynolds, Sherlock, South,
Stillingfleet, Jeremy Taylor, Tenison, Tillotson, Usher, Warburton,
Waterland, and Whiston; with numerous publications of other theologians
of the olden time, the greater portion of which has been either presented
or bequeathed to the Library by the Prebendaries of Durham.
In the Divinity class are also found the Discourses of Bossuet and
Saurin; the Bampton Lectures; Elsley’s Annotations; Faber on Idolatry,
Prophecy, and other Works; Hey’s Lectures; Macknight’s Harmony of the
Gospels; Pearsoni Opera Posthuma; Prideaux and Shuckford’s Connection;
Routh’s Reliquiæ Sacræ; Slade on the Epistles; Stackhouse’s Body of
Divinity; Wake’s Genuine Epistles of the Apostolical Fathers; Wall on
Infant Baptism; and Whitby’s Paraphrase.
In this place I may enumerate the large assemblage of Canons,
Concordances, Councils, Synods, Glosses, and Commentators, collected
within these walls. Bingham’s Antiquities of the Christian Church;
Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible; Hooker’s Ecclesiastical Polity; Hyde’s
Religio Veterum Persarum; Howell’s Synopsis Canonum; Limborch Theologia
Christiana; Nicolai de Lyra Commentaria in S. Biblia; the Bibliotheca
Maxima Patrum; Spencer de legibus Hebræorum; Suiceri Thesaurus
Ecclesiasticus; Suarez de Legibus; and many other Works of Divinity too
numerous for particular mention in this cursory survey of this valuable
and extensive collection.
In Ecclesiastical History, this Library contains many valuable Works,
including Alfordi Annales Ecclesiæ Britannicæ, in 4 vols. folio; Baronii
Annales Ecclesiastici; Bedæ Venerabilis Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica,
cura Smithii, Cantabrigiæ, folio; a beautiful copy upon large paper in
blue morocco, a most appropriate ornament to this Collection.
Brandt’s History of the Reformation in the Low Countries.
Burnet’s History of the Reformation in England.
Davies’ Ancient Rites of the Cathedral of Durham.
Dod’s Church History.
Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum.
Ecton’s Thesaurus.
Gibson’s Codex Juris Ecclesiastici et Civilis.
Harpsfeld’s Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica.
Inett’s Origines Anglicanæ.
Parker de Antiquitate Ecclesiæ Britannicæ. Hanoviæ, 1605, folio.
Reyner de Apostolatu Ordinis Benedictinorum in Anglia, Duaci.
1626, folio.
Soame’s History of the Reformation.
Spotiswood’s History of the Church of Scotland.
Strype’s Ecclesiastical Memorials, and Annals of the
Reformation, both in folio.
Wharton’s Anglia Sacra.
Wordsworth’s Ecclesiastical Biography.
The latter Work leads me to mention Fiddes’s Life of Wolsey; McCrie’s
Life of Knox; Laud’s Troubles; Southey’s Life of Wesley; Strype’s Lives
of Cranmer, Grindall, Parker, and Whitgift.
I may here add the Histories of the Jews by Basnage and Josephus; and
the entire series of the valuable Acta Sanctorum, compiled by the
Bollandists, in 52 folio volumes.
Connected with the above, I may here notice Foxe’s Acts and Monuments of
the Church, in 3 volumes, folio; the Concilia of Spelman, in folio; and
Collier’s Ecclesiastical History.
The Historical department of this Library embraces the long series of the
Byzantine Historians; the valuable Collections of Grævius and Gronovius,
relating to the History and Antiquities of Greece and Italy, with the
supplementary Lexicon of Pitiscus, and the Inscriptions of Gruter; the
Rerum Italicarum Scriptores, edited by the indefatigable Muratori;
the antiquarian labours of Montfaucon relating to France; and Freheri
Theatrum Virorum Clarorum.
It also contains Banduri Antiquitates Constantinopolitanæ; Burgess’
Antiquities of Rome; Collier’s Historical Dictionary; Coxe’s Memoirs
of the Kings of Spain, of the House of Bourbon, London, 1813, in 3
volumes 4to.; Kæmpfer’s History of Japan; Knolles’s General History of
the Turks; Marsden’s History of Sumatra; Maurice’s Indian Antiquities,
or Dissertations relative to the Geography, Theology, Laws, &c. of
Hindostan, London, 1793-1800, in 7 octavo volumes; Mitford’s History of
Greece; Niebuhr’s History of Rome; Ockley’s Conquest of Syria, Persia,
and Egypt, by the Saracens; Orme’s History of the Military Transactions
of the British Nation in Indostan; Pococke’s Description of the East;
Pontoppidan’s Natural History of Norway; Russell’s Modern Europe; Sandy’s
Europæ Speculum; De Thou’s History of his own Time; Southey’s History
of Brazil; Watson’s History of Philip II. of Spain; and Robertson’s
Historical Works; and some old Latin Chronicles.
This Library is also adorned by the Antichita d’Ercolano; the Museum
Florentinum; Hamilton’s Vases; Gell’s Pompeiana; Stuart’s Antiquities of
Athens; and Young on the Hieroglyphics of Egypt.
The Travels of Clarke, Chandler, Shaw, and others; Coxe’s Account of the
Russian Discoveries between Asia and America; the Conquest of Siberia,
and Russian Commerce with China; Maundrell’s Journey from Aleppo to
Jerusalem; the Voyages of Cook, Parry, Perouse, Taverner, and other
Navigators, with the Petits Voyages of De Bry, are found on these
well-stored shelves, accompanied by the requisite addition of Janson’s
Atlas.
The History of the Peninsular War, by Southey and the Marquis of
Londonderry, are also found in this Collection.
The books relating to the History of Great Britain in this Library,
include the collection of fifteen Historians, by Gale and Fell, and of
ten by Twysden, Camdeni Anglica Normannica à veteribus scripta; Asser
Menevensis, edited by Wise; Simeon of Worcester, edited by Nasmyth, 1778,
8vo.; Matthew Paris’ Historia Anglicana, edited by Wats, London, 1684,
folio, upon large paper, in calf binding; Matthew of Westminster’s Flores
Historiarum, folio; and William of Malmesbury, 1596, folio.
The Histories of England, by Brady, Carte, Daniel, Echard, Hallam,
Lingard, Mac Pherson, Rapin, Tindal, and Sharon Turner.
The Chronicles of Grafton, Holinshed, and Froissart; the latter
translated and printed by Mr. Johnes at Hafod; Duchesne’s Histoire
d’Angleterre; Polydori Vergilii Historia Anglicana, Basileæ, 1526, folio;
Forduni Scoti-Chronicon; Chaloner de Republicâ Anglorum restauranda;
Sheringham de Anglorum Gentis origine; Robert de Avesbury’s Historia
Edvardi III. edente Tho. Hearnio, Oxon. 1729, 8vo.; Gildas de excidio et
conquestu Britanniæ; Gibson’s Chronicon Saxonicum; & Eadmeri Historia
Novorum.
The Historical Collections of Rushworth and Nalson; the State Papers
of Clarendon and Thurloe; the Sidney Papers; the State Trials, edited
by Hargrave and others; Somers’ Collection of Tracts; the Harleian
Miscellany; Lodge’s Illustrations of British History; the Journals of the
House of Commons; and all the publications issued under the authority of
the Record Commission.
Burton’s Diary of the Cromwellian Parliaments; Clarendon’s Diary
and History of the Great Rebellion; Coxe’s Memoirs of John Duke of
Marlborough; Ellis’ Letters, illustrative of English History; Evelyn’s
Memoirs; Fenn’s Letters of the Paston Family; Lyttelton’s History of
Henry the Second; North’s Examen of Kennet’s History; Pepys’ Memoirs;
Ridpath’s Border History, and Nicolson’s Border Laws; with Temple’s
History of the Rebellion in Ireland, and Thoresby’s Diary.
Illustrative of Scottish History, I remarked Abercrombie’s Martial
Achievements of the Scots’ Nation; the Histories of Scotland, by Keith,
Robertson, and Stuart; Sanderson’s Life of Queen Mary; Johnstone’s
Antiquitates Celto-Scandicæ.
This Library is peculiarly rich in Works relating to the Topography and
Antiquities of Great Britain, embracing the entire Works of Pennant,
all the Antiquities of Grose; Gough’s Sepulchral Monuments; Britton’s
Architectural Antiquities, and Picturesque Illustrations of the English
Cathedrals; Horsley’s Britannia Romana; Lysons’ Magna Britannia;
Buck’s Views of Cities, Castles, &c. in Great Britain; Camden’s
Britannia, edited by Gough, in 3 vols. folio; Speed’s Theatre of Great
Britain; Strutt’s Horda, and his Regal and Ecclesiastical Antiquities;
and Leland’s Itinerary, edited by Hearne, Oxford, 1768; and Lewis’
Topographical Dictionary of England.
The County Histories which enrich this Collection are, a large paper copy
of Aubrey’s History of Surrey, in old calf binding; Ashmole’s Berkshire;
Atkyns’s Gloucestershire, London, 1712, folio; Bridge’s Northamptonshire;
Burton’s Leicestershire; Borlase’s Cornwall; Chauncey’s Hertfordshire;
Collinson’s Somersetshire; Dugdale’s Warwickshire, edited by Thomas;
Hasted’s Kent, in 4 volumes, folio; Hutchinson’s Northumberland and
Durham; Jones’ Brecknockshire; Leicester’s Cheshire; Leigh’s Natural
History of Lancashire; Morton’s Natural History of Northamptonshire;
Nash’s History of Worcestershire; Pole’s Collections for the History of
Devonshire; Plot’s Natural History of Oxfordshire and Staffordshire;
Raine’s North Durham; Surtees’ Durham; Thoroton’s Nottinghamshire; and
Wright’s Rutland.
The Local Histories which I also noticed, were Bentham’s Ely; Battely’s
Antiquitates Rutupinæ, apparently on large paper; Charlton’s Whitby;
Dart’s History of Canterbury Cathedral, and of Westminster Abbey,
both in folio; Drake’s York; Halfpenny’s Gothic Ornaments in York
Cathedral; Izaacke’s Exeter; the original edition of Kennett’s Parochial
Antiquities; Loggan’s Oxonia and Cantabrigia Illustrata; Lyson’s Environs
of London; Newcourt’s Repertorium Ecclesiasticum Londinense, upon large
paper; Maitland’s Edinburgh; Milner’s History of Winchester; Peck’s
Annals of Stamford; Shaw’s Account of Hartlepool; Stow’s London; Somner’s
Canterbury; Thoresby’s Leeds; Whitaker’s Loidis and Elmete; White’s
Natural History of Selborne; Widmore’s Westminster Abbey; Wood’s History
of the University of Oxford; and Willis’s Cathedrals.
Allan’s Collections relating to Sherburn Hospital, and other places in
the County of Durham; and Raine’s Account of the Remains of St. Cuthbert
are most appropriately placed upon these shelves.
In this Collection I also remarked Carter’s Specimens of Gothic
Architecture; Ducarel’s Anglo-Norman Antiquities; Madox’s Formulare
Anglicanum, and History of the Exchequer; and Archdall’s Monasticon
Hibernicanum; the Archælogia, or Miscellaneous Tracts relating to
Antiquity, published by the Antiquarian Society of London, at various
times, in 4to.; Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum, Origines Judiciales;
Summons of the Nobility to Parliament; and his Baronage of England, in
folio, are also deposited within these walls.
The Heraldic Works which adorn these shelves are, Ashmole’s Order of the
Garter; Collins’s Peerage and Baronage; Gwillim’s Heraldry; Sandford’s
Genealogical History of the Kings of England, &c.; and others of less
note.
The Chronological Works which met my eye, were, Bedford’s Scripture
Chronology; Blair’s Chronology and History of the World; Petavii
Rationale Temporum; and Hale’s valuable Analysis of Chronology; “in
which an attempt is made to explain the history and antiquities of the
primitive nations of the world, and the prophecies relating to them,
on principles tending to remove the imperfection and discordance of
preceding systems.”
The Numismatic Works I noticed, were, Folkes’ Coins; Vaillant’s
Numismata; and Ruding’s valuable Annals of the Coinage.
There are several Mythological Treatises, of which Spence’s Polymetis is
the chief.
In Works of Natural History, this Collection is enriched by the Works of
Bacon and Evelyn, and the quarto series of Buffon’s Natural History, in
old French calf binding.
In Geology, Buckland’s Reliquiæ Diluvianæ; Conybeare’s Geology; and the
Transactions of the Geological Society are found on these shelves.
The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London; Watson’s
Chemical Essays; Albin’s Natural History of Birds and Insects; and Wood’s
Index Testacealogicus, also enrich this department of the Library.
In Botany, I observed Miller’s Gardener’s Dictionary and Figures of
Plants; Morison’s Historia Plantarum; Raii Historia Plantarum; and the
Transactions of the Linnæan Society.
In Medicine, the Works of Hippocrates and Dioscorides may be mentioned.
Of Works relating to the Arts and Sciences, I noticed Horsley’s valuable
edition of Newton’s Works; Wallis’s Mathematical Works; Burney’s History
of Music; Chamber’s Dictionary; the Marmora Oxoniensia; Vitruvius de
Architectura, Venetiis, 1497, folio; Walpole on Painting; and others of
less note.
The Bibliographical department of this Library includes Astle on Writing;
Catalogues of the Bodleian Library, of the Harleian Collections of the
Manuscripts bequeathed by Archbishop Parker to Corpus Christi College at
Cambridge; and the general Catalogue of Manuscripts in England, Scotland,
and Ireland; Chevillier’s Origine de l’Imprimerie à Paris; Dibdin’s
Bibliographical Decameron, and Introduction to the Classics; Dupin’s
Ecclesiastical Authors; Fabricii Bibliotheca, &c.; Herbert’s edition of
Ames’ Typographical Antiquities of Great Britain; Todd’s Catalogue of
the Manuscripts at Lambeth Palace; Maittaire’s Annales Typographici,
Stephanorum Historia, and Historia Typographiæ Parisiensis; Memoirs of
Literature; Maderus de Bibliothecis, &c.; Nicolson’s English Historical
Library; Stanley’s History of Philosophy; Thuani Bibliotheca, and the
Bibliotheca MS. Stowensis, edited by Dr. O’Conor; Watt’s Bibliotheca
Britannica; and Wood’s Athenæ Oxonienses.
The Etymological Works which enrich this Library are, Cotgrave’s French
and English Dictionary; Davies Dictionary of the Welsh Language; the
Etymologicum Magnum, Calliergi, Venetiis, 1499, folio; Facciolati
Lexicon; Gebelin’s Monde Primitif, in 4to.; Hesychii Lexicon; Hickes’s
Thesaurus Septentrionalis; Jamieson’s Scottish Dictionary; Johnson’s
English Dictionary, edited and enlarged by Todd; Lhuyd’s Archæologia
Britannica; Morel’s Dictionarium Prosodiacum; Moreri Dictionarium;
Nares’s Glossary; Scapulæ Lexicon; Skinner’s Etymologicum; Somner’s
Glossary and Saxon Dictionary; Spelman’s Glossary; Stephani Thesaurus
Linguæ Græcæ; Suidæ Lexicon apud Frobenium, 1544, folio; Wolfii Curæ
Philologicæ et Criticæ; and the Glossary of Du Fresne.
In English Literature this Collection contains so much that is valuable
as to preclude minute enumeration of each separate Work.
In it the labours of Addison, Bacon, Hobbes, Locke, Selden and Swift are
blended with the lays of Pope, and Dryden, the latter edited by Scott;
the Philosophical Works of Harris, the Historical Works of Raleigh, the
Plays of Beaumont and Fletcher, and of William Shakespeare, form one
instructive and harmonious whole.
The Memoirs of the ancient Earls of Surrey, Boswell’s ever-amusing
Life of Johnson, Evelyn’s Memoirs, Pepys’s Memoirs, Thoresby’s Diary,
Spelman’s Alfred, Kippis’s Biographia Britannica, Birch’s Heads of
Illustrious Personages, and Chalmers’s Biographical Dictionary, form one
of the most popular branches of this ancient Library.
Scott’s Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, and his delightful Lay of the
Last Minstrel, and Walpole’s Works, are also found on these shelves.
This Library contains the Koran or Mahommedan rule of Faith, several
forms of Prayer and Liturgies of the Romish and Reformed Churches,
including the Pontificale Romanum of 1664, Durandi Rationale Divinorum
Officiorum, and Picart’s valuable Account of the Religious Ceremonies of
all Nations.
The Statutes at large, and Viner’s Abridgment, Wilkins’s Leges
Anglo-Saxonicæ, Gibson’s Codex Juris Ecclesiastici et Civilis, Nicolson’s
Border Laws, and Coke’s Institutes of the Laws of England, were the only
legal works that arrested my attention.
In General Literature I can only particularise Bayle’s Dictionary, and
Lowth de Sacrâ Poesi Hebræorum.
The literary remains of Casaubon, Cave, Le Clerc, Dodwell, Fabricius,
Gataker, Gesner, Jahn, Meursius, Orosius, Parkhurst, Petrarch, Rollin,
Scaliger, and Vossius.
Of learned Bodies, the Transactions contained in this Library, in
addition to the Philosophical, Linnæan, and Geological Transactions,
include the Memoirs of the Manchester Society and of the Irish Academy,
the Memoires de l’Academie Française, and the Academie des Inscriptions,
both in 4to. the latter retaining its original binding of red morocco,
mellowed by the hand of time.
The Classical department of this Library is both valuable and extensive,
containing editions of the Works of Ælian, Æschylus, Anacreon,
Apollodorus, Appian, Apuleius, Aristotle, Arrian, Aristides, Athenæus,
Ausonius, Cæsar, Catullus, Demosthenes, Dioscorides, Diodorus Siculus,
Dion Cassius, Dion Chrysostomos, Ennius, Epictetus, Euripides, Eutropius,
Aulus Gellius, Herodian, and Herodotus.
Of Horace, Iamblichus, Isocrates, Justin, Juvenal, Lucan, Lucian,
Lucretius, Lycophron, Manilius, Martial, Pomponius Mela, Orpheus, Ovid,
Vellius Paterculus, Petronius Arbiter, Phædrus, and Plato.
Of the elder and the younger Pliny, Plutarch, Polybius, Procopius,
Propertius, Prudentius, Pythagoras, Quintilian, Sedulius, Seneca,
Sidonius Apollinaris, Solinus, Statius, Suetonius, Symmachus, Terence,
Theocritus, Tibullus, Virgil, and Xenophon.
This brief enumeration may suffice to shew the extent of this class;
while in proof of its value I may adduce many of the best editions of the
Classics, including Alciphron, Bergleri, Ammianus Marcellinus, Gronovii,
1693, folio; Aristophanes Kusteri, Ciceronis Opera, Minutiani, Mediolani,
1498, folio, and Oliveti, Parisiis, 1748, 4to.; Claudianus, Barthii,
Butler’s Æschylus, Beck’s Euripides, Homer by Clarke and Heyne, Plato by
Serranus and Bekker, Dionysius Halicarnassensis by Hudson, Pausanias,
Kühnii, Silius Italicus, Drakenborchii, Sophocles, by Brunck, and many
others too numerous for particular notice.
I may here, however, notice Flaxman’s elegant Illustrations of Homer and
of Æschylus, the sumptuous folio containing Maii Fragmenta Homeri, and
Middleton’s Life of Cicero.
Of the earlier Impressions of the Classics it is now high time to speak,
lest the impatient reader should imagine so important a branch of every
collection had escaped attention in this instance. I hasten then to
present to his notice three valuable specimens of the Spira Press.
First, then, in rarity as in worth, we have a perfect Copy of the First
Edition of Tacitus, with the well-known Colophon of Vindelin de Spira,
but without date. It is supposed, however, to have been printed in the
year 1470. The present copy is sound and fair, measuring eleven and
a half inches by seven and a half, and is bound in old Russia. Then
follows the First Edition of Livy, with a date, it having been printed by
Vindelin de Spira in 1470. This noble folio is apparently in its original
binding, and having several rough leaves, we may conclude it never to
have been shorn of its fair dimensions. It measures, in fact, sixteen
inches by ten and a quarter, but it has been mournfully stained in the
beginning, where is written “D. D. Joannes Tempest. Arm:” The interior
is, however, remarkably sound and fine.
Next we have, from the same printer, a Latin version of Strabo, a very
sound copy with some illuminated capitals. It bears the date of 1472,
with an intimation at its close, in Latin verse, that its characters
were “Impressos digitis Vindelianis.” It measures fifteen inches by ten
and a half, and is bound in old calf. By the side of the foregoing is
appropriately placed a Latin Version of Herodotus, having the Preface at
the end: according to the Colophon it was printed Venetiis, per Jacobum
Rubeum, 1474, folio. It measures eleven inches and three fifths by eight,
and is bound in calf. We may next notice a very fine and sound copy of
the Etymologicum Magnum, from the Press of Calliergus at Venice, of the
date of 1499. This noble folio measures fifteen inches and a quarter
by ten and seven eighths, and is bound in dark calf. A beautiful copy
of the Aldine Plutarch of 1509, in two volumes folio, measuring eleven
inches and three fifths by seven and a half, bound in light calf; and a
copy of Boethius de Consolatione Philosophiæ, printed by John Koelhof of
Lubeck at Cologne in 1482, folio, as fresh as if it had just issued from
the press, next demand our attention. The latter Work is bound with an
old Manuscript of some portion of Thomas Aquinas, but there is another
edition of 1481, in 4to. from the same press, also in this Collection,
though not in such “crackling” condition as that I have just mentioned. I
proceed to notice a Latin translation of Aristotle’s Ethics, printed by
Conrad Braen in the University of Louvain, in 1476, folio. This volume is
in very fine condition, but is unfortunately imperfect at the end. Also a
thick folio volume, containing the following pieces:—
1. Diodori Siculi Historiarum Libri VII. Latinè Poggio Florentino
Interprete, per Bartholomæum Merula Venetiis, per Joannem de Tridino,
1496.
2. Ovidius de arte amandi, et de remedio amoris. Venetiis, per Barthol.
Merula, 1516.
3. Horatius cum Commentariis Acronis, &c. Venetiis, 1494. Imperfect at
the end.
4. Persius cum Commentariis, &c. Brixiæ, per Johannem Britannicum, 1486.
5. Francisci Philelphi Epistolæ. XVII. Venetiis, per Joannem de Tridino,
1498.
Having thus surveyed the earlier efforts of the Italian press, it remains
to notice the productions of the first English printers, preserved in
this Collection.
These rude and curious pieces are all contained in one small thick 4to.
volume, bound in old calf, and lettered merely “CAXTON.” The bookbinder
seems in this instance to have misled the accurate Thomas Rud, who
from his manuscript notes contained in the volumes, evidently seems
to consider all its contents as the work of the Father of the English
Press; a mistake which the adoption of Caxton’s typographical insignia
by his immediate successor, Wynkyn de Worde, would naturally induce in
one unacquainted with all those mysteries of black letter which the
nineteenth century has developed. The Author of the Bibliographical
Decameron has not failed to remark, III. 422, the difference of the type,
and has correctly recorded its contents; his only inaccuracy consisting
in the assertion that the second piece from the press of Caxton is
perfect.
The Volume itself contains five Treatises; three from the press of
Caxton, originally published together, and two from that of Wynkyn de
Worde, formerly printed separately. The Caxtonian morceaux occupy the
first portion, whereof:
1. “The first treatyse is named Orologium Sapientiæ;” consisting of seven
chapters, and concluding thus: “Thus endeth the Treatyse of vii poyntes
of true love, and everlasting wisdom drawen of the boke that is wryten
in Laten named Orologium Sapiencie.” “Emprynted at Westmynster.” “Qui
legit emendet, i̅pressorem non reprehendat.” “Wyllelmum Caxton cui Deus
alta tradat.” This first Treatise wants three sheets out of twelve; viz.
K J (they are so misplaced, and J wants three leaves) and M. In the place
of L there is put A, the first sheet of the second Treatise. This first
Treatise begins upon sign. J iii, all the preceding pages having perished.
2. The second Tract commences with these words: “Here beginneth a little
short treatise, &c.,” and concluding with, “Thus endeth the treatise
shewing the vii Proffites of tribulacyon.” On the reverse of the last
leaf is the large device of Caxton. This Treatise contains XII. Chapters,
but it wants two leaves in D, and sheet A is bound up with the preceding
Treatise of the Orologium Sapientiæ.
3. “The thyrde treatise sheweth the holy rule of Saynt Benet which
is right necessary to be knowen to al men and wymen of religion that
understonde no laten which sheweth XXXIII poyntes to be observed.”
“Emprinted at Westmynstre by desiring of certeyn worshipfull persones.”
The first two leaves of this third Treatise are wanting.
All these three Tracts of “divers fruitful and ghostly matters,” are in
the same rude Gothic type which was frequently used by Caxton.
The two following Tracts are printed from a fount of black letter quite
dissimilar to the preceding, but corresponding with that which is seen in
the earliest productions of Wynkyn de Worde.
The first Treatise, reprinted verbatim from Caxton’s edition, is:
1. Of the four last things, Death, Judgment, Hell, Heaven, translated
from the French by Antony, Earl Rivers, &c.
“Registrum quaterno ℞
a b c d e f g h i k l m.”
Below the subscription just quoted is the small device of Caxton as used
by Wynkyn de Worde; and on the following leaf is the wood-cut subscribed
“Memorare Novissima,” by which name this Tract is commonly known. The
Work itself consists of eighty-eight leaves, numbered i to lxxxviii.
exclusive of the two containing the table and the Prologue, and of the
title and last leaf. It is printed in double columns of black letter, and
the present copy is defective only in the title.
2. The second Treatise in the Gothic character of Wynkyn de Worde is “The
Rote or Myrrour of Consolation and Comforte,” commencing with a Wood-cut
of the elevation of the Host on sign. A i.
This Book unfortunately lacks its latter half; “for whereas the author
proposes to speak of twenty fruits or Consolations of Tribulation, the
last ten, with part of the eleventh, are wanting,” remarks Thomas Rud in
his most neat and legible Manuscript Notes, and it is with a sigh that
succeeding librarians concur in the accuracy of his observations, seeing
that this Tract is one of the most uncommon productions of De Worde’s
Press.
Of other early printed English Books I remarked a copy of Lydgate’s
Bocace, printed by Richard Tottel, without date, bound up with Gower’s
Confessio Amantis, printed by Berthelet in 1554, both in folio, and in
their pristine state, albeit a little scribbled on.
Apropos of scribbling, this Library contains Tonstall’s own copy of
Budæus de Asse, printed at Paris in 1508, folio, with his autographic
mark of ownership, “Sum Tonstalli,” being the very book he used in
composing his Treatise, De arte Supputandi, and containing the manuscript
notes made by him on its perusal. This interesting copy is, however,
unfortunately, imperfect at the end. There is also another edition of the
Works of Budæus, with the Commentaries of Ascensius, bearing date 1529,
also in folio; and Tonstall’s own Work, De Arte Supputandi, 1522, 4to.
In this Collection is a copy of the celebrated French Testament by the
Theologians of Louvain, in which “The Mass” is interpolated in Acts xiii.
and “Purgatory,” in 1 Cor. iii: printed at Bordeaux, 1686.
I remarked a fine old folio, Lyndewode’s Provinciale, with the date of
M.CCCCXXXIII, instead of 1483, the numeral L having evidently lapsed
through the carelessness of the printer, as in the famous Decor Puellarum
of Nicolas Jenson. By the side of this stands another copy of the
Provinciale, with the date of 1501, also in folio.
In General Literature, I can only particularise Bayle’s Dictionary,
Gruter’s Inscriptions, Picart’s Religious Ceremonies, Chandler’s Marmora
Oxoniensia, and Vaillant’s Numismata, recommending to those who wish for
further information, ocular inspection of the books themselves.
The 520 Manuscripts in this Collection are all which remain of that
ancient Library, whose foundation is coeval with that of the Cathedral
itself, and whose treasures were augmented with the power and influence
of the Church of Durham. The monotonous existence of the monk was
enlivened by the diligence of the scribe, whose marginal drolleries and
quaint devices relieve the weary eye, and remind us of the recreations
of the Cloister.
The volumes thus accumulated must have been of essential service in
diffusing over the wide district of Northumbria the light of knowledge
and the blessings of religion. The seven Cells of Durham, at Holy Island,
Wearmouth, Jarrow, and the Farn Islands, at Litham in Lancashire, and
Stamford in Northamptonshire, appear to have partaken largely of these
advantages.
Upon the suppression of the Monasteries whose revenues were under 200_l._
a-year, by the 27th of Henry the Eighth, many of the books which belonged
to the Church of Durham were removed by royal command, and are now to be
found in the British Museum. The most valuable of these spolia “opima”
appears to have been St. Cuthbert’s Copy of the Gospels, now in that vast
repository.
Of the Manuscripts which remain at Durham, Thomas Rud, sometime Librarian
of that Cathedral, compiled a most accurate Catalogue, which has been
ably edited by the Rev. James Raine, the present Librarian. This
Impression was taken off for the use of the ecclesiastical body to whom
the Manuscripts belong, only fifty copies being exposed for public sale.
As the volume is not in everybody’s hands, although easily attainable, I
have given its title, as it runneth, thus:
“Codicum Manuscriptorum Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Dunelmensis Catalogus
Classicus, descriptus à Thoma Rud, ejusdem ecclesiæ bibliothecario; cum
Appendice eos Codices continente qui post Catalogum confectum diversis
temporibus comparati sunt. Dunelmiæ, excudebat F. Humble, prostat venalis
apud G. Andrews, venit etiam Londini apud Payne and Foss, 1825.”
The Appendix of Manuscripts purchased by the Dean and Chapter of Durham
at different periods since Mr. Rud compiled his Catalogue is entirely
from the pen of Mr. James Raine, and renders this workmanlike folio a
most useful companion to the Library.
There are two ancient Catalogues of the Manuscripts preserved in this
Library; the one entitled, “Vetus Catalogus Librorum qui in Armariolo
Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Dunelmensis olim habebantur.”[13] The other was
compiled in 1391, continued in 1395, and concluded in 1416, with a note
at the end of a few books sent in 1422 to Stamford for the use of the
Cell there. This volume is written upon vellum, in folio, and is bound in
calf. Its title is as follows:—
“Le Spendement.”
“Isti libri infrascripti inventi fuerunt in com̅uni Armariolo Dunelm.
infra Spendimentum in recessu ffratris dn̅i Roberti de Langscheff’ ab
officio librarie ad offic’ fferetrarie. Et liberati ffatri Will’mo de
Appelby circa festum purific’ beate Virginis Marie Anno dn̅i Milessimo.
ccc. nonagesimo primo.”[14]
Of this volume seventeen leaves appear to have been written in 1391,
sixteen in 1395, and the remaining eleven in 1416. Its contents are
extremely interesting, as shewing in what the literature of that
period consisted, and affording abundant evidence of the interchange
of information which then subsisted not only between Durham and its
dependant Cells, but also between that place and Oxford, and other seats
of learning.
These considerations induced the author of the present work to
superintend the publication of this document by the Surtees Society,
whose object is to throw light upon the literary history of Northumbria,
and to facilitate the study of antiquity from the Humber to the Tweed.
In this Catalogue the first word of the second leaf are specified
as certain indicia by which different transcripts of the same Codex
may be distinguished from each other; and it is pleasant to find at
this distance of time, a Membranaceous Evangelistarium, seu “Quatuor
Evangelia de manu Bede ii fo. Baptizatus,” answering with the first
word of its second leaf “Baptizatus” to the indication in this ancient
Catalogue. Partly in the same handwriting also appears, “Cassiodorus
super Psalterium de manu Bedæ,” whereof the best account I can give will
be in the ipsissima verba of the sagacious Thomas Rud: “Pulchrè scriptus
est hic Codex lineis divisis, literis mediocribus Saxonicis; et quidem
ipsius Venerabilis Bedæ manu, si fides habenda est huic notæ in fronte
libri positæ: ‘Cassiodorus sup. Psalterium de manu bede.’ Est quidem hæc
nota libro ipso multo recentior; neque scripta, ut videtur, ante annos
400: Sed indicat saltem quodnam fuerit Monachorum Dunelmensium eo tempore
de hoc Codice judicium: quidquid illis de eâ re traditum fuit. Neque
sanè temerè rejicienda est hujusmodi traditio. Dunelmenses enim Monachi,
qui Girvensium (e quorum numero Beda fuit) propago fuere, quique summâ
veneratione illius memoriam colebant, melius quam ulli alii Vitæ ejus
historiam rescire poterant.
“Et quidem ipsa Codicis Scriptura ad eam ætatem assurgere videtur.”
And after giving his reasons for this opinion, adds, “Si autem a Beda
descriptus sit, fecit id ille proculdubio Juvenis adhuc; priusquam
accingeret se ad libros (quos plurimos scripsit) suo Marte componendos.
Itaque assurgere videtur hic Codex ad initium sæculi octavi; mortuus
est enim Beda, sexagenario major, A.D. 735. Habet itaque minimum mille
annos.”[15]
It may be imagined that, under the impression that the handwriting of the
Venerable Bede was actually before my eyes, I turned over the leaves of
these ancient volumes with little less veneration than that with which I
handled the Codex Bezæ in the Public Library at Cambridge.
Among the other ancient Manuscripts of this Monastic Library, are
found several Latin Bibles, particularly one by St. Jerome in four
large volumes, many portions of the Holy Scriptures, several Psalters,
Kalendars, and a Missal, together with numerous Glosses, Concordances,
Commentaries, and Homilies, by various authors.
It may be here remarked that the oldest Manuscript in the Library is a
Latin Ritual, A. iv. 19,[16] written, according to Wanley,[17] by the
same hand which penned St. Cuthbert’s Copy of the Gospels, now in the
British Museum.[18] There is also a copy of John, Luke and Mark, A. II.
17,[19] of nearly equal antiquity, which doubtless formed a part of the
original Monastic Library of Lindisfarne.
The mass of Theological Literature is necessarily great, but a few of the
leading names will suffice to indicate its importance, finding as we do
in this truly venerable Collection, the Works of St. Ambrose, St. Anselm,
Thomas Aquinas, St. Athanasius, St. Augustine, Bede, St. Chrysostom, St.
Cyprian, Eusebius, St. Jerome, Gregory, Isidore, Origen, Tertullian, and
of many other Heads and Fathers of the Church.
A Copy of so much of Lyra’s Commentary as refers to the Pentateuch,
and other historical books of the Old Testament, from Genesis to the
beginning of Job, written by William de Stiphel in the year 1386,[20]
affords decidedly the best specimen of what could be done in Durham in
the way of Illumination at that period. The remaining part of Lyra’s
Commentary forms a separate volume, A. I. 4, and was written by a Monk of
the name of Borrowby.
Of Classical Literature the list is not so copious. It can, however,
boast of the names of Aristotle and Plato, the former accompanied by the
Commentaries of Averrois, also of Boethius and Prudentius, of Galen and
Hippocrates, together with all the Epigrams of Martial, the Proverbs of
Seneca, Suetonius de Vita Cæsarum, C. III. 18, which has been collated
by Mr. Rud in the Classical Journal, Vol. ix. pp. 143 and 386; and a few
pieces of Cicero.
There is of course much interesting matter relating to English History,
and especially to that of the Palatinate and Church of Durham, in those
Manuscripts, to say nothing of original Charters, and other valuable
documents. There are also some Ecclesiastical and Scholastic Histories.
To a particular account of the Benedictine order may be added the
Lives of Gildas and St. Oswald, and among other illustrations of early
English History, may be mentioned Nennii Historia Britonum; Genealogiæ
Regum Saxonicorum in Britanniâ; Series Chronologica cum brevi Historiâ
Episcoporum Angliæ and the Cronica Britannie à Bruto ad annum 1347.
The Works of Josephus are the last of these ancient Manuscripts I now
propose to notice, and proceed to consider the additions made by the
Dean and Chapter to this their most ancient Library, especially as these
happen to include a work of singular interest with relation to the
Church of Durham. The title of this Manuscript runneth thus, “Reginaldi
Monachi Dunelmensis Libellus Autograph. de admirandis Beati Cuthberti
Virtutibus quæ novellis patratæ sunt temporibus, scilicet post Bedam;
scriptus ad Ætheldredum Abbatum Rhievallensem.” circa annum 1170.
The entire Work contains 140 Chapters, a complete abstract of which
may be seen in Appendix to the Catalogue of the MSS. of the Dean and
Chapter, p. 399-411. “The publication of Reginald,” observes Mr. Raine,
“notwithstanding his absurdities, would throw much light upon the history
of the northern counties, connected with a period, relative to which the
sources of information are so few.” It has been with great propriety
selected as one of the earliest publications of the Surtees Society.
The Manuscripts purchased by the Dean and Chapter consists chiefly of
Transcripts by Dr. Hunter, of Records relating to the See of Durham, and
of Collections relating to the Churches of Northumberland, by the same
hand.
These, together with Dr. Basire’s Letters, and other original and
miscellaneous documents, chiefly relating to Durham, collected and
indexed by Dr. Hunter,[21] as well as the copy of Reginald already
mentioned; and some other papers of lesser note were purchased of the
Executors of Dr. Hunter, in 1756, for 40 guineas. To these were added in
1823, the Historical, Heraldic, and Topographical Collections relating to
Durham, formed by the late Mr. Allan, of Grange, which were sold by his
son to the Dean and Chapter for £150, together with the “Collectanea ad
Statum Civilem et Ecclesiasticum Comitatus Dunelmensis, &c. spectantia,”
formed by the Rev. Thomas Randall, and by him bequeathed to the late Mr.
Allan, of Grange.[22]
If to the above be added a Collection of the Statutes of several Colleges
and Cathedrals, a tolerably correct idea may be formed of all the
additions made to the ancient Manuscripts belonging to the Church of
Durham.
The curious reader will learn with pleasure, that in the private Library
attached to the Episcopal Palace will be found a valuable Manuscript of
the Poems of Chaucer.
In conclusion, I may be forgiven for mentioning another book, though not
immediately connected with the Library. I mean, “Saint Cuthbert, with an
account of the state in which his remains were found upon the opening of
his Tomb in Durham Cathedral, in the year 1827, by the Rev. James Raine,
_M.A._ Rector of Meldon, Principal Surrogate of the Consistory Courts
of Durham, and Librarian of Durham Cathedral. Durham, printed by F.
Humble, 1828,” 4to. Of this Work fifty copies were taken off upon large
paper, some of which Mr. Thomson, an ingenious upholsterer of Durham, is
now engaged in illuminating after the original Lawson MS. Life of St.
Cuthbert, by Bede, and the relics of that Saint now preserved in the
Library.
Much of the preliminary matter of this Work might have been spared, being
already incorporated in the History of North Durham, upon which Mr. Raine
has been for some time engaged, and of which the first portion is already
before the public.
Undoubtedly Mr. Raine has given to the world the most rational account of
Saint Cuthbert which has hitherto appeared, and has completely exploded
the superstitious tale of the incorruptibility of his body.
In an age remarkable for credulity, it was not surprising that a story,
however contrary to experience, should be generally believed; but the
present admirable illustration of the writings of Reginald and Bede has
traced the mortal remains of the Patron Saint of Durham through all their
several stages, and thrown the clearest light upon all the doubtful
points connected with the history of Saint Cuthbert.
It is much to be regretted that the interesting investigation Mr. Raine
has so minutely detailed, was conducted with so much precipitancy, and
without previous information obtained from the Manuscript of Reginald.
This most valuable document, of which Mr. Raine has subsequently made
such good use, is, I think, in his narrative rather too far separated
from the corroboration which the actual examination so happily affords
it; for the ordinary reader, bearing in his mind the interesting passages
in italics, looks forward so impatiently for the opening of the tomb as
to wish the accumulation of relics at St. Cuthbert’s shrine had been
somewhat less, and be tempted to skip at once from page 117 to 171.
Valuable to the local antiquary as are the details furnished by these
pages, I cannot help so far concurring with the ignorant impatience
manifested above, as to suggest that a very considerable portion of
the records relative to the shrine of St. Cuthbert might have been
transferred to the Appendix, without any chance of diminishing the
popularity of the Work itself.
[Illustration]
Library of Ely.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Ely is contained in a commodious
and well lighted apartment, formed by the enclosure of the east aisle of
the Cathedral for that purpose in 1814.
The books are all placed upon open shelves, and are chiefly attired in
the dusky garb of former years, with paper labels on their backs, and are
protected from damp by the heat of a stove.
This Collection is placed under the care of the Rev. George Millers, one
of the Minor Canons of the Cathedral, whose diligence is attested by a
printed Catalogue, under the following title: “Catalogus Librorum qui in
Bibliothecâ Cathedralis Eliensis adservantur. 1815.”
In this volume the books are briefly, yet correctly enumerated under
the several departments of knowledge to which they relate. That of
Theology is, as might naturally be expected, the most copious, occupying
69 pages, out of the 138 of which the entire volume is composed. With
this important feature in the Library, I will commence my account of its
contents, giving precedence to the impressions of the Sacred Volume, the
most remarkable of which are
Walton’s Polyglott, with Castell’s Lexicon.
Kennicott’s Hebrew Bible.
Vetus Testamentum Gr. è Codice Alexandrino, curâ Grabe. Oxonii,
1707-19, 2 vols. folio.
Vetus Testamentum Gr. LXX, ed. Holmes, &c. Oxon. 1804, &c. 6
vols. folio.
Novum Testamentum, è Th. Beza. Cantab. 1642, folio.
Novum Testamentum, Millii. Oxonii, 1707, folio.
Novum Testamentum, Westeinii. Amst. 1751, 2 vols. folio.
Novum Testamentum, è Codice Alexandrino, curâ Woide. Lond.
1786, folio.
Biblia Latina, Castalionis. Basil. 1551, folio.
Biblia Latina, Tremellii & Junii. Hanov. 1624, fol.
with several English versions of the Bible, of little note, and none
earlier than 1607.
I must not however omit to mention the Acta Apostolorum Gr. et Lat.
literis majusculis è Codice Laudiano, edente Thoma Hearne, Oxonii, 1715,
roy. 8vo. Of Biblical Commentators, the number is very great; but the
names of Le Clerc, Erasmus, Prideaux, Kidder, Patrick, Lowth, Whitby,
Pococke, Michaelis, Pearce, Stanhope, and Macknight, may be selected
as fit representations of the crowd from which they have been taken.
The Critici Sacri and Pole’s Synopsis are of course included in this
department.
Of Concordances it may be sufficient to mention those of Buxtorf,
Stephens, and Taylor; and of Liturgies there are several examples, from
the Romish Ritual to the English Common Prayer.
Of the Fathers of the Church, this Library may boast of a copious and
valuable selection, including the Works of SS. Ambrose, Athanasius,
Augustine, Basil, Benedict, Bernard, Chrysostom, Clement, Cyprian, Cyril,
Epiphanius, Eusebius, the Gregories, Jerome, Irenæus, Isidore, and
Justin Martyr, together with those of Lactantius, Origen, Philo Judæus,
Tertullian, and Theodoret. To which may be added,
Cotelerii, SS. Patrum Apostolicorum Opera, edente Clerico.
Amst. 1724, 2 vols. folio.
Grabii Spicilegium, SS. Patrum, &c. Oxon. 1699, 8vo.
Wake’s Epistles of the Apostolical Fathers. Lond. 1710, 8vo.
Cave’s Lives of the Primitive Fathers, &c. Lond. 1683-4, in 3
vols. folio.
Of Theological Writers during the later ages, the Works contained in this
Library are so numerous, and many of the names of so little note, that I
will not fatigue the reader by attempting to recount them.
Among the Latin Authors, I may mention Thomas Aquinas, Bellarmine,
Bochart, Bull, Calvin, Grotius, Limborch, and Pearson; and among the
Works of English Divines, may give precedence to those of Barrow,
Bingham, Bramhall, Chillingworth, Clarke, Fleetwood, Hall, Hammond,
Jackson, Jewell, Leslie, Lightfoot, Mede, Jeremy Taylor, and Tillotson.
Of the other Theological Works, I may adduce those of Addison, Allix,
Balguy, Bentley, Boyle, Burnet, Butler, Conybeare, Hervey, Hoadley,
Hooker, Hooper, Jewel, Kettlewell, Leland, Lowth, Patrick, Sherlock,
Stillingfleet, Usher, and Warburton, as a fair specimen of the whole.
In conclusion, a few French Works on Divinity, and a formidable phalanx
of Sermons by various authors, bring up the rear of this section of the
Library.
In this place it may be right to mention the Synopsis Canonum of Howel,
and Beveregii Pandectæ Canonum, together with the Concilia Generalia of
Labbe, &c. the Concilia Britannica of Spelman, and the Concilia Magnæ
Britanniæ et Hiberniæ of Wilkins. These three last-mentioned Works
naturally lead us to the Works connected with Ecclesiastical History,
which are found in this Collection. Among these I may enumerate
Baronii Annales Ecclesiastici. Paris. 1609-59, 12 vols. folio.
Bedæ Historia Ecclesiastica Anglicana. Cantab. 1722, folio.
Eusebii Historia Ecclesiastica. Paris. 1678, folio.
Gibson’s Codex Juris Ecclesiastici. Lond. 1713, 2 vols. folio.
Godwin de Præsulibus Angliæ. Cantab. 1743, fol.
Josephi Opera Omnia. Genevæ, 1611, folio.
Le Neve, Fasti Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ. Lond. 1716, fol.
Parker de Antiquitate Ecclesiæ Britannicæ. Lond. 1729, folio.
Usserii Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates. Lond. 1687,
folio.
Whartoni Anglia Sacra. Lond. 1691, 2 vols. folio.
Stillingfleet, Origines Britannicæ. Lond. 1685, fol.
Burnet’s History of the Reformation. Lond. 1679-1715, 3 vols.
folio.
Strype’s Annals of the Reformation. Lond. 1709-25, 2 vols.
folio. And
Fox’s Acts and Monuments of the Church. Lond. 1684, 3 vols.
folio. Which with
The Church History of Britain by Cressy, Collier, Fuller, Inett, and
Lloyd; the Ecclesiastical Histories of Du Pin, Echard, Milner, and
Mosheim, together with Spotiswood’s History of the Church of Scotland,
form the principal features of this department.
In Works of General History this Collection is not rich. It possesses,
however, Heylyn’s Cosmography, the History of the World by Howell, and
Raleigh, the Ancient and Modern Universal History, Mitford’s History of
Greece, the Roman Histories of Hooke and Ferguson, Maurice’s Hindostan,
and Indian Antiquities, Du Halde’s China, and the Turkish History by
Knolles and Rycaut.
As helps to History, I may notice the Chronology of Newton, and Playfair,
and the Geography of Cellarius, Cluverius, Strabo, and Wells, together
with the travels of Chandler, Pennant, Ray, and Spon.
As important adjuncts to History, I may also mention several works of
Antiquities, but none of sufficient importance to merit particular
enumeration, and a few Numismatic Works, including Arbuthnot’s Tables
of Coins, and Fleetwood’s Chronicon Preciosum; also the following
Biographical Works:—Strype’s Lives; Kippis’s Biographia Britannica;
Walton’s Lives; Fuller’s Worthies; Holland’s Heröologia Anglica; Wood’s
Athenæ Oxoniensis; Wordsworth’s Ecclesiastical Biography; Bowers’s Lives
of the Popes; and the General Biographical Dictionary.
In Works relating to the History and Antiquities of England, this
Library is fortunate in possessing the Histories of England by Milton,
Kennett, Rapin, Hume, Smollett, and Adolphus, Rushworth’s Historical
Collections; Whitelocke’s Memorials; Clarendon’s Rebellion; Baker’s
Chronicle; Lyttelton’s Henry II.; Herbert’s Henry VIII.; Carleton’s
Letters; Davies’s Celtic Researches; Triveti Annales Sex, curâ Hall,
Oxon. 1719, 8vo.; Matthæi Westmonasteriensis Flores Historiarum, Francof.
1601, folio.; Matthæi Paris Historia Anglicana, edente Wats, Lond. 1684;
Gale and Fell, Historiæ Anglicanæ Scriptores XV. Oxon. 1684-91, 3 vols.
folio; Sheringham de Anglorum gentis origine, Cantabr. 1670, 8vo.;
Bates, Elenchus Motuum, Lond. 1663, 8vo.; and the Fructus Temporum, with
the Chronycles of Englonde, Imprynted at London by Wynkyn de Worde,
1520, folio; together with the following valuable Pieces, edited by the
indefatigable Thomas Hearne:—
Gulielmi Neubrigensis Chronica Rerum Anglicarum. Oxon. 1719, 3
vols. 8vo.
Hearne’s Textus Roffensis. Oxonii, 1720, 8vo.
Roberti de Avesbury, Historia Edvardi III. Oxon. 1720, 8vo.
Thomæ Sprotti Chronica. Oxonii, 1719, 8vo.
Joannis de Fordun. Scoti Chronicon. Oxonii, 1722, in 5 vols.
8vo. upon large paper.
Titi Livii Foro-Judiensis Vita Henrici V. Oxon. 1726, 8vo.
To which may be added all the works published under the authority of the
Record Commission, which are presented as they appear to every Cathedral
Library.
Among the Works relating to British Antiquities, those most deserving
of notice are, Verstegan’s Restitution of decayed Intelligence;
Hearne’s Discourses, Oxford, 1720, 8vo.; Willis’s Mitred Abbies and
Cathedral Churches; Tanner’s Notitia Monastica by Nasmith, 1744;
Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum, Lond. 1755-61-73, in 3 vols. folio;
Camdeni Britannica by Gibson; Sammes’s Antiquities of Ancient Britain;
Stukeley’s Palæographia Britannica; Battely’s Antiquitates Rutupinæ;
Stow’s London; Morton’s Northamptonshire; Gunton’s Peterborough
Cathedral; Dart’s Canterbury Cathedral; Bentham’s Ely, both editions:
Millers’ Ely Cathedral, both editions; Masters’s Corpus Christi College,
Cambridge; Lewis’s Isle of Tenet; and Borlase’s Cornwall.
In English Literature this Collection does not present anything worthy
of notice. It contains, however, the Works of Pope, Swift, Addison,
and Goldsmith, the series of British Essayists in 12mo. the Plays of
Shakespeare, Beaumont and Fletcher, Congreve and Dryden, the Poems of
Chaucer, Cowley, Milton, Prior, Spenser and Waller, and Butler’s Hudibras.
Of Classical Literature, however, the Collection is much more copious,
embracing all the most esteemed authors, though it can boast none of
the first, and few of the best editions, unless Hierocles, Gr. & Lat.
Curterii, Plinii Historia Naturalis Harduini, Athenæus Casauboni,
Demosthenes Taylori, Stanley’s Æschylus, Barnes’s Euripides, & Potter’s
Lycophron, be considered as exceptions to the latter part of the above
remark.
Of the principal Works in Classic Literature, the following seem to me
chiefly deserving of notice.
Antoninus, Gatakeri. Cant. 1652, 4to.
Aristotelis Opera, Du Valli. Paris. 1629, 2 vols. fol.
Ciceronis Opera, Lambini. Lutet. 1572-8, 8 v. 8vo.
Ammianus Marcellinus, Gronovii. Lugd. Bat. 1693, 4to.
Homeri Opera, cum Comment. Eustathii. Basil. 1559, 3 vols. fol.
Demosthenes, Æschines et Isocrates, Wolfii. Francof. 1604, &
1593, folio.
Longinus, Toupii & Ruhnkenii. Oxonii, 1778, 4to.
Platonis Opera, Serrani. Paris. 1578, 3 vols. folio.
Thucydides, Hudsoni. Oxonii, 1696, folio.
Sallustius Historiæ à Waffe. Cantab. 1710, 4to.
Poetæ Græci Principes à Stephano. Paris. 1566, fol.
Corpus Poetarum Latinorum à Maittaire. Lond. 1713, 2 vols.
folio; and a considerable number of the Delphin Classics.
Of Etymological Works, so closely connected with the preceding
department, this Collection contains Buxtorf’s Hebrew Lexicon, the Greek
Lexica of Scapula, Hederic, Hesychius and Suidas, Stephani Thesaurus
utriusque Linguæ, Hickes’s Thesaurus Septentrionalis, the Glossary of Du
Fresne, Cotgrave’s French and English Dictionary, Lluyd’s Archæologia
Britannica. Oxon. 1707, folio; Spelmanni Glossarium Archæologium, Lond.
1664, folio; Skinneri, Etymologicum Anglicanum, Lond. 1671, folio; with
several Grammars of various languages.
In conclusion, I may remark that a few Works on Mathematical Science,
and Moral Philosophy, several Works of Jurisprudence, including the
Statutes at large, with a few Works on Bibliography, including Fabricii
Bibliotheca Græca et Latina, and a fair proportion of miscellaneous
authors, make up the complement of the Library attached to the Cathedral
of Ely.
It will be seen, therefore, from the foregoing remarks, that this
Collection is chiefly of a Theological character, and that it also
contains many valuable Historical Works, particularly such as relate to
English History, and a fair proportion of Classics; though the fastidious
Bibliomaniacs will here look in vain for any Editiones Principes, or for
any other of the earlier efforts of the Press.
[Illustration]
Library of Exeter.
This venerable Collection was formerly suffered to remain in the Lady
Chapel, exposed to the inroads of idle curiosity, and subject to the
chilling influence of damp and neglect. The Dean and Chapter however at
length became sensible of the duty of affording due protection to the
literary property committed to their care for the benefit of posterity,
and with commendable discretion consigned their Manuscripts to the
care of their Chapter Clerk, and deposited their printed books in the
Chapter-house.
Of these Manuscripts it will be my province first to speak, both on
account of their curiosity and high antiquity; and for the gratification
of the curious reader have much satisfaction in presenting to him a
literal copy of “A Catalogue of the Manuscripts in the Library of the
Cathedral Church of Exeter. Taken from Dean Lyttelton’s and Mr. White’s
Memoranda, examined with the books. September, 1811.
“RALPH BARNES.”
1. Miscellanea Leofrici, &c. Charactere Saxonico.
2. Rabanus Maurus de Computo, de variis rebus astronomicis.
Charactere Saxonico. Isidorus Hispalensis de rerum natura.
3. Legenda Joan. Grandison. Ep. Exon. in usum Eccl. Cath. Exon.
vol. i.
4. Legenda Joan. Grandison. 1328 to 1370, vol. ii.
5. Euclidis eleganter scriptus, continens Elementorum Libri xv.
Latinè cum figuris Gordani. 1235, Arith. Libri X.
Boetii de Musica Lib. v. desinit Lib. v. Cap. 19.
6. Missale Vetus, literis illuminatis.
7. Historia Polychronica.
8. Sermones Dominicales, et Fest’ sup’ Evang’, p. circul’ an’
per Jac.’ archiep’ Januensem.
9. Epistolæ Decret’ Roman’ Pontificum à Clemento Iᵐᵒ. ad
Gregorium Iᵐᵘᵐ.
10. Psalterium Vetus Romanum, cum Calendario, et rerum
memorabilium Cronicio.
11. Collectanea (Lib. Gallicus) anonyma, Boccaccio de Geneal’
Deorum. Lib. XIII.
12. Pontificale Edmundi Lacy, Ep. Exon. 1420.
13. Ricardi Ullerstoni Defensorium.
14. Missale Vetus. 4to.
15. Miscellanea, Methodius Martyr de fine seculi Genealogia ab
Adamo ad Edw. fil. Hen. Reg. De Adventu Anglorum in Britanniam,
cum genealogia Regum. De Sancto Oswaldo. De Geneal’ Reg’
Franc’. De Transitu Ven’ Bedæ Speculum Mundi Geneal’ ab Adamo
ad Brutum et ad Cadwalled. ultim’ Reg’ Britan’. Et Geneal’
ascendens a Grifforio ad Adam, Et a Cyprio ad Brutum. Et Anglo’
et Normannos. De Longitudine et Latitudine. De Reg’ à Bruto ad
Cadwalled. De Concordia Maris et Lunæ.
16. Anselmi Tractatus de Veritate et de libro Arbitrio. De
Casu Diaboli et Epist’ de Incarnatione. Cur Deus Homo? Lib. 2.
De Conceptu Virginali et originali Peccato. De Sacrificio Arymi
et Termentati. Quomodo Grammaticus sit substanter et qualiter.
Abbatis cujusdam Epist’ ad Sanctum sub cujus nomine regit
Ecclesiam. Oratio Monachorum ad S. Benedictum. S. Abrosias
de mysteriis Lanfranci. Dial’ cum Bercagario Lib. Guimundi
de corpore et sang’ Domini. Explicatio fidei Xtianæ. 4to.
imperfect.
17. Joannis Scogardi ludicra poemata, cum Epist. ac univers.
Oxon. De Eccles’ B. Mar’ Ottery facta Collegiata. Statuta Eccl.
S. Crucis Crediton, per Tho’ Button, Jo. Grandison, Ed. Lacy.
Exon. Expos. adjut quædam de re medicâ.
18. Anonymus de re medicâ.
19. Liber Obitualis Custodis et Collegii Vicariorum Eccles’
Cath’ Exon. Temp. Hen. VI.
20. Quæstiones Theologicæ, cum Responsis.
21. Liber Obitualis Eccles’ Cath’ Exon. Martyrologium Romanum.
Imperfect.
22. Anonymus de Pharmacis, et re medicâ. Breve Compendium xip.
8 Lib. Physicᵐ. Aristotelis.
23. Liber Chartarum et formarum Indent’ adjecta quædam de re
Heraldicâ.
24. Treatise of the Power of Godliness, &c. by Joseph Lee, of
Antigua. 1654.
25. Leicester’s Commonwealth. (This has been printed.)
26. Sermons in Italian, Latin, and Spanish.
27. A Brief Collection of Armory, especially of Cornwall and
Devon.
28. Calendarium Hispanicum.
29. Paraphrasa sopra lo’ Ecclesiastes de Salomoni par Giovan.
Antonio Thenice.
30. Statuta Collegii Baliolens’ Oxon.
31. A Moderate Examination of the Hugonots’ Doctrine. Caen.
1590, Translation.
32. Miscellanea. Speech delivered to the King by Sheriffs
of London; the Poor Man’s Petition to the King, 1604; the
Catholics’ Supplication to the King; a Speech in French, by
Mons. Fontaine, in behalf of foreigners, with the King’s
answer; Certain Objections answered by Ho. of Com. in behalf
of Francis Godwin; Outlin’d Copy of the King’s Letter to the
Parliament; Objections against changing the style of England
to Great Britain; Sir W. Raleigh’s Letter to the King; Letter
to the King, by Burgess, Prisoner in yᵉ Fleet; Letter from
Inhabitants of yᵉ Citye; Petition of Northamptonshire Gentry;
Petition of Twenty-two Preachers in London, 1605; King’s
Letter to Archbishop of Canterbury; Lord Keeper Ellesmere to
Essex; Earl Marshall’s Answer; King’s Speech in Parliament,
1605; Advertisements; Paper set up at Warwick, by Papists, on
Execution of Everard Digby; Articles of Peace between England
and Spain, 1605.
So far numbered by Mr. White.
33. Constitutiones Synodales facto anno 1287, per Petrum de
Quivil Exon’ Episcopum, cum Instrumento confirmationis per
Archiepiscopum.
N. B. This book in Dean Lyttelton’s time was missing, and was
_restored_ to the Church (not given as said in the first leaf
thereof) by Chanter Snow. There is a duplicate in the Exchequer
Chamber.
34. Pii Secundi Bulla, cum MSS. additions. }
35. Quintilianus de Oratore. } MSS.
36. Geographia. } of
37. Quæstiones Theologicæ cum Responsis. } little
38. Tyrocinium logico Aristotelium. } value.
39. Geometrical Notes on Euclid, &c. }
40. Liber Tristram Risdon, being some account of the chief
families in Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and Cornwall, with their
Coats of Arms, &c.
Books mentioned in Dean Lyttelton’s Catalogue taken from that printed at
Oxford, of the MSS. in the kingdom, p. 55, seq. and which Lyttelton says
were missing at the time he made the Catalogue, circa 1752, one only of
them, Quivil’s Constitutions, was restored in 176- by Chanter Snow.
3. Dictionar. seu Glossarium Latinum, mutilum.
5. Ciceronis Rhetorica Liber elegantissime scriptus.
7. Cicero de fato. somnium Scipionis; Macrobius in somnium
Scipionis; Timæus Platonis adjicitur; Tract.’ de mort. apostol’
ceu de Pomo.
10. G. G. Biblioru’ Lat’ ex vers’ B. Hyeronimi. eheu! Volumina
mutilata.
16. Genealogia Reg’ Angl’ et de Gul’ Bastardo et cet’ Regibus
Angl’ succedentibus.
17. Dares Phrygius de Historia Trojanorum.
18. Historia Britonum translata è Britannicâ linguâ in Latinam.
19. Henrici Archidiaconi de Huntingdon Historia Anglorum.
20. Historia Ricardi dicti sine timore ducis Normannie, et cet
duc’ succ’.
44. Judge Hales’ Speech concerning the Succession of the Crown
in Parliament, on behalf of the Line of Suffolk. Temp. R. Eliz.
45. Willielmus Wydford contra conclusiones Joannis Wycklyff.
35. Concessio de Stoke Jf. Reg. Adelstano Charact.’ Saxon.’ et
Latino. Membrane.
MSS. books removed from the Library into the Exchequer Chamber by
Lyttelton, not in the printed Catalogue above referred to.
14. Johannes Grandison. Ep. Exon. Ordinale, a Decano et Capillo
approbat.’ 1337, fol.
36. Ordinationes Walteri Exon. Episc. super statum Scholarium
de Stapeldon Hall in univers.’ Oxon. per eundem Epiu̅m facta,
et per eosdem Scholarios approbata, 1316.
This is contained in the end of the book called Ordinations and Statutes,
fo. 178 to 182.
37. Statuta et Consuetudines Eccles’ Exon. cum Calendario
Veteri. fol.
39. A Transcript of Domesday for Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset.
2 vols. 4to.
40. Inventarium Jocalium omnium Bonorum Librorum Eccles. Cath.
Exon. anno 1506.
MSS. books removed from the Library to the Exchequer Chamber by R.
Barnes, 1811.
1. Miscellanea Leofrici, &c. Charactere Saxonico.
2. Saxon MSS.
3, 4. Legenda. Grandison. 2 volumes.
19. Liber Obitualis Vicariorum Eccl. Cath. Exon.
21. Liber Obitualis Eccl’ Cath’ Exon.
6. Missale Vetus Literis illuminatis.
I need scarcely remind any reader at all conversant with matters of
high antiquity, that the principal portion of these Manuscripts are
written upon vellum; but I may add for the information of the curious
bibliophilist that many of them retain their pristine covertures,
whether of parchment or of wood, and that some are adorned with elegant
illuminations.
Much as I regretted to notice how much these valuable documents have been
injured by previous neglect, and are still suffering from the dampness of
the chamber in which they are kept; it afforded me abundant consolation
to discover that of the Manuscripts mentioned by Lyttelton, as missing in
his time, the most interesting and most valuable were still extant. These
are in the order of the Catalogue.
16. Genealogia Reg’ Angl’ et de Gul’ Bastardo, et cet’ Regibus
Angl’ succedentibus.
17. Dares Phrygius de Historia Trojanorum.
18. Historia Britonum translata è Britannicâ linguâ in Latinam.
19. Henrici Archdiaconi de Huntingdon Historia Anglorum.
20. Historia Ricardi dicti sine timore ducis Normanniæ, et cet
duc’ succ’.
All which are contained in a single volume, which Mr. Petrie esteemed
among the most important in the Collection.
Exceeding these documents both in antiquity and importance, the
venerable, and undoubtedly original transcript of the Domesday Book
relating to the counties of Cornwall, Somerset, and Devon, demands
the peculiar attention of the literary antiquary and of the professed
historian.
This General Survey was taken locally, and of the original inquisitions
so made, no copies are believed to exist. In the Exeter Domesday,
the lands of each person, wherever situate are entered, occasionally
in different hands, under his name, and where the possessions of
an individual were large he appears to have had a libellus wholly
allotted to himself. Three scribes appear to have been employed in the
transcription of this ancient record, in which it is very remarkable,
entries are invariably made of the stock of deer, sheep, oxen, &c.
upon the lands described. Now as these particulars are omitted in the
Exchequer Domesday, probably as much for the sake of brevity as on
account of the perishable nature of the animals themselves, and as this
minute enumeration could only have resulted from an actual survey, it
appears to me that this portion of the Domesday Book may boast of at
least as high antiquity as the entire record deposited in the archives of
the Exchequer at London.
In arranging the fasciculi of the Exon Domesday in their proper order,
Mr. Barnes had the mortification of observing that at p. 233, a single
leaf had been abstracted, which he recorded in 1810. Subsequent to this
period Mr. Trevelyan called to see the Domesday, and upon the book
being opened, produced from his pocket a leaf, which exactly supplied
the previous hiatus in the record. This leaf it appeared came into
the possession of Mr. Trevelyan, by descent from his ancestor, Dean
Willoughby, who in the time of Henry the Eighth was the Dean of Exeter,
and doubtless he it was who abstracted this identical leaf, either from
curiosity, or a less venial motive. That must however be esteemed a most
fortunate accident, whereby a leaf lost in the time of the Reformation,
has thus been restored in our own, having the effect moreover of
rendering perfect one of the most interesting historical documents in
existence.
To preserve this volume in its primitive integrity, it has been clad in
a rough coat of red russia, confined by a leather strap. The book thus
bound is excessively thick, but measuring ten inches and a half by six
and a half, it wears the aspect of a small folio tome.
It only remains for me to add that the whole of this ancient volume was
faithfully transcribed by Mr. Ralph Barnes, and subsequently published
under the authority of the Commissioners of the Public Records.
Of the Saxon Manuscripts which may claim the highest antiquity, I would
mention a volume of Saxon Poetry, distinctly written upon vellum, and in
excellent preservation, the gift of Leofric, the first Bishop of Exeter,
to his Church. Another Saxon Manuscript, equally well preserved in its
original coverture, contains the Etymological and other Works of Rabanus
Maurus.
Among the other Manuscripts it may suffice to distinguish the Rosa
Medicinæ of John Gadsden, commended by Geoffery Chaucer; and referring to
the Catalogue for the remainder, to notice that all these Manuscripts are
kept in deal presses, under lock and key, in an upper chamber attached to
the Cathedral.
The Library of printed books in the possession of the Dean and Chapter
of Exeter, is now deposited in their Chapter-house, a well proportioned
and well lighted room, with a fire-place at one end, and gallery at the
other, over the entrance door. The chimney-piece is handsomely carved in
stone, and the painted ceiling harmonises well with the antique aspect of
the room, which is also adorned with a view of the adjacent Cathedral.
The books are all well arranged upon open shelves around the room in the
following order, viz. A and B. English Theology, 1600-1700, two cases; C
and D. Bibles and Commentators, two cases; E. Fathers, and Ecclesiastical
History, one case; F. Miscellaneous Theology; G and H. Classics; I and
J. History and Biography; K. Poetry and Oratory; and L. Miscellaneous
Theology. The gallery is also appropriated to books placed upon open
shelves, the entire Collection probably amounting to between five and
six thousand volumes. The books are chiefly bound in old calf, and the
volumes have been relettered, so as to inform the stranger of their
contents, and relieve the sombre uniformity of their attire.
The most ancient Catalogue in this Library, is a tall folio, containing
a brief enumeration of the books in the Library, specifying their titles
and sizes, as well as the place and dates, with reference to the shelves
on which they were then placed. This volume is entitled “Catalogus
Librorum in Bibliothecâ Ecclesiæ Sti Petri Exon.” is lettered on the
binding, “Catalogus Librorum, 1683.”
From a later hand we have also a Catalogue of several duplicates in the
Library of the Cathedral Church of St. Peter’s, Exon.
Some indolent Librarian has subsequently interleaved Hyde’s Catalogue of
the Bodleian Library, in two volumes, folio, and has inserted therein
such books of the Chapter Library as are not already contained in its
printed pages, with references from the latter to the shelves.
The only complete Catalogue extant of this Library is that written by
order of Dean Lyttelton, but compiled in the most careless manner, all
mention of the places, dates, or names of the printers, or sizes of each
Work, being uniformly omitted, and their titles given in the most summary
and unsatisfactory manner. This volume—a tall and narrow folio, in coarse
clothing, bears the title of “A Catalogue of the Books in the Library of
St. Peter’s, Exon, taken as they now stand on the shelves, under each
Alphabet, 1752.”
To remedy the want of a more perfect Catalogue, seven Fasciculi,
embracing the Theological Department of the Collection, have been written
in enumeration of the titles, dates, and imprints of the several Works
therein contained, but without any specification of the sizes of the
books. But of the remaining portion of the Library, no other Catalogue
whatever, except a rough Index to the shelves, has been made. A complete
Catalogue, therefore, of this Library, is, even in manuscript, greatly
to be desired; but, for facility of reference, its arrangement should be
alphabetical, as a separate Index to the different cases might easily
be added. It would be also desirable that each Work should be described
with that attention to bibliographical minuteness which may ensure the
accuracy of the Catalogue, and render it worthy of being perpetuated by
the power of the press.
The book plate whereby the volumes of the Dean and Chapter are marked as
their own, is an engraving of an Ecclesiastical Seal, representing the
Bishop on his throne, having a model of the Cathedral in his left hand,
and holding a key in his right hand, the motto being: “The Cathedral
Library at Exeter, Anno Domⁿⁱ, 1749.” This plate has been re-engraved
with the date “An. Dom. 1822.”
The character of this Library is principally Theological, rather more
than one-half of its entire contents being composed of Works of Divinity.
It has also some respectable Classics, and some curious volumes relating
to the History of England.
The Typographical antiquary will find little to interest him in this
Collection; for if religious, he may sigh in vain for “The Seuen
Penetencyall Psalmes,” or if only curious, will fruitlessly seek “The
Merry Geste of how the Plowman learned his Pater Noster.”
Works of Divinity occupy so large a space upon these shelves, and so
many of them have long ago fallen into merited oblivion, that, without
attempting “to drag reluctant dulness into day,” I will proceed at once
to the succinct enumeration of the principal features of this department.
Among the Impressions of the Sacred Text, I noticed a very fine copy
in calf of Plantin’s Polyglott, published at Antwerp by that excellent
printer between the years 1568 and 1572, and one of the usual copies of
Walton’s Polyglott, with Castell’s Lexicon. I also remarked copies of the
Biblia Hebraica, Vander Hooght. Amst. 1705, fol.
Biblia Hebraica, Houbigant. Lutet. Par. 1753, 4 vols. folio.
Biblia Hebraica, Kennicott. Oxonii, 1776, 2 v. fol.
Biblia Græca. Francofurti, 1597, folio.
Biblia Latina. Lutetiæ, 1545.
Biblia Latina, Tremellii et Junii. Londini, 1685.
Biblia Latina Castalionis. Basileæ, 1573.
Biblia Sacra Pagnini. Londini, 1541.
Biblia Vulgata. Antverpiæ, 1599.
Biblia Sacra Diodati. Genevæ, 1641.
Biblia Virginiana. Cantabr. Nov. Angl. 1661.
The Bible in English, printed at Oxford in 1680, folio, uniformly bound
with the Common Prayer of the same date in coeval red morocco, and the
Bible with Notes by D’Oyly and Mant, in 3 vols. 4to.
Of detached portions of the Scripture, I may mention the Oxford
Septuagint, superintended by Messrs. Holmes and Parsons, and that edited
by Breitenger at Zurich.
Novum Testamentum Græcum. Amst. 1735.
Novum Testamentum Græcum, Bezæ. Cantab. 1642.
Novum Testamentum Græcum Millii. Oxonii, 1707, folio. And the
Impressions of Wetstein and Stephens.
The New Testament of Bowyer. London, 1783, with his
“Conjectures,” in 3 volumes 4to.
Fulke’s Rhemish Testament. London, 1633.
The Psalms by Thomas Ravenscroft. London, 1633.
The Psalms in Metre. Edinburgh, 1635.
Psalterium Latino-Saxonicum.
An imperfect Copy of the Pentateuchus Hebraicus. Ulyssip. 1491,
folio, from the collection of De Rossi at Parma, recently
attired in the plainest calf.
The Heptateuchus Saxonicus, edente Thwaites. Oxonii.
I may here also notice the Common Prayer Book of Edward the Sixth, 1552,
folio, and the authorised Version of Common Prayer, 14 Car. II. 1662, to
which the original Seal is still appended. These two Volumes are kept
with the Manuscripts in the upper chamber already described.
I may also add
Missale Romanum. Antverpiæ, 1657.
Breviarium Romanum. Lutet. 1688.
Durandi Rationale Divinorum Officiorum.
L’Alcorano di Machometto. 1547.
Passing by a cloud of obscure Commentators on the Psalms, and other
portions of the Sacred Volume, it may suffice to mention the Critici
Sacri, and Pole’s Synopsis, Leigh’s Critica Sacra, Kidder on the
Pentateuch, Bythneri Lyra Prophetica, Newcome’s Minor Prophets, Campbell
on the Gospels, Blayney on Jeremiah, and the Commentaries of Whitby,
Patrick, &c. of Calvin and Beza, of Pococke and Lowth.
Among the Fathers of the Church, I may particularise the Works of
St. Jerome, Ambrose, Cyprian, Athanasius, Cyril, and Chrysostom, the
Gregories, S. Hilary, Augustine, Basil, Origen, and Justin Martyr, of
Athenagoras, Theophylact, Lactantius, Tertullian, Epiphanius, Isidore,
and Theodoret. Irenæi Opera cura Grabe, folio; Eusebii Præparatio
et Demonstratio Evangelica, in 2 folio volumes; Suiceri Thesaurus
Ecclesiasticus; the Bibliotheca Patrum; Cotelerii Patres Apostolici, 2
copies; Grabe’s Spicilegium Patrum, and Wake’s Genuine Epistles of the
Apostolical Fathers, with Cave’s Primitive Christianity, and Lives of the
Fathers.
This last Work naturally leads us to the consideration of Ecclesiastical
History, in which branch of learning the following Works occur in this
Collection: Eusebii Historia Ecclesiastica, folio; Eutychii Annales;
Tornielli Annales Sacri; Usserii Annales; Spondani Epitome Baronii;
Baronii Annales Ecclesiastici, and Martyrologium Romanum; Cotelerii
Ecclesiæ Græcæ Monumenta, folio; Bower, Rycaut and Platina’s Lives
of the Roman Pontiffs; Binii Concilia Generalia et Provincialia; The
Centuriatores Magdeburgenses; Natalis Historia Ecclesiastica, in 8 vols.
folio; Canones Concilii Tridentini. Duaci, 1618, folio; and Polani
Historia Concilii Tridentini; Geddes’s Church History of Æthiopia; and
Allix’s History of the Churches in Piedmont.
Of Books relating to the Ecclesiastical affairs of Great Britain, we find
the following:
Wilkins’s Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ, in 4 vols. fol.
Bedæ Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica. Parisiis, 1681, and
Londini, 1714.
Whartoni Anglia Sacra, 2 vols. folio.
Parker de Antiquitate Ecclesiæ Britannicæ. Hanoviæ, 1605, and
edited by Drake, London, 1729, fol.
Usserii Antiquitates Ecclesiæ Britannicæ. Londini, 1687.
Harpsfeld, Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica.
Godwin’s Præsules Anglicani, and Catalogue of Bishops.
Le Neve’s Fasti Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ.
Inett’s Origines Anglicanæ.
Fuller’s Church History.
Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum. London, 1655-73, 3 vols. folio.
Tanner’s Notitia Monastica, by Nasmyth. London, 1744.
Spotswode’s History of the Church of Scotland.
Burnet’s, Heylin’s and Strype’s Histories of the Reformation,
with the Lives and Memorials of the latter.
Fox’s Martyrs. London, 1684, in 3 volumes, folio.
Walker’s Sufferings of the Clergy.
Twysden’s Vindication of the Church of England. 4to.
Wordsworth’s Ecclesiastical Biography. London, 1818, 6 vols.
8vo.
Newcourt’s Repertorium, or Survey of the Diocese of London.
Thesaurus Ecclesiasticus Provincialis; or Survey of the Diocese
of Exeter. Exeter, 1782, 4to.
Ecton’s Thesaurus Ecclesiasticus, 4to.
Gough, Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ Threnodia. Londini, 1661.
Symeon, Historia Dunelmensis Ecclesiæ. Londini, 1732, 8vo.
Calderwood’s Church of Scotland.
The earlier Theologians in this Library are represented by the Works of
Grotius and Erasmus, the Controversial Writings of Le Clerc, Leusden,
and Bellarmine, Chamieri Controversiarum Corpus, Limborch, Theologia
Christiana, the Works of Episcopius, Peter Martyr, Melancthon, Zanchius,
and Bochart, to which may be added, the once popular Treatise ascribed to
Thomas à Kempis, the present copy having been printed at Antwerp in 1607.
Of the earlier Divines of England, the Works of Lightfoot, Bramhall,
Barrow, Mede, Hoadley, Jewel, and Chillingworth; Hooker’s Ecclesiastical
Polity, Cudworth’s Intellectual System, and Lloyd on Church Government,
are familiar as household words to every educated Briton.
Among the Theological Writers of the seventeenth century, we find
the Works of Allix, Baxter, Barrow, Atterbury, Comber, Claggett,
Dodwell, Gastrell, Andrews, Sanderson, Hall, Hammond, Hopkins, Hody,
Bull, Leslie, Peirce, Edwards, Long, Pearson, Reynolds, Rutherford,
Stillingfleet, Sherlock, Tillotson, Jeremy Taylor, Wake, Wilkins,
Whiston, and Weston; Norris on the Beatitudes, Pearson on the Creed,
Burnet on the Articles, and Gale’s Court of the Gentiles, Oxford, 1672.
I should be wanting in attention to the English Theology of this
Collection were I to pass over the Works of Boyle, Hoadley, Lardner,
Jortin, Horsley, Beattie, and Farmer, or Burton’s Testimonies of the
Anti-Nicene Fathers to the Divinity of Christ.
Connected with the Theological department, I may here mention Calmet’s
Dictionary of the Bible; Hyde’s Religio Veterum Persarum, Oxonii, 1700;
Davy’s System of Divinity, Lustleigh, Devon, 1795, 1807, “printed by
himself, 14 copies only.” In these 26 volumes the corrections have all
been made by the insertion of slips of printed paper in the places
requiring emendation. Davy on Divinity, with Portrait, Exeter, 1825, in
3 vols. 8vo. “Presented by the Author to the Dean and Chapter of Exeter,
20th August, 1825.” And Isaac de la Peyreyre’s Men before Adam, which
was rigidly suppressed on its first publication; Harmer’s Observations
on Scripture; the Preservative against Popery, published by order of
Dr. Gibson, in 3 volumes, folio; and some French Works of Divinity,
including, however, no author of sufficient note to require distinct
enumeration.
The Works illustrative of History in general, contained in this Library,
are: Bayle’s Historical Dictionary; Chalmers’s Biographical Dictionary,
in 32 vols. 8vo.; Collier’s Historical Dictionary, in 2 vols. folio;
Simsoni Chronicon; Heylin’s Cosmography; Raleigh’s History of the World:
Isaacson’s Chronological Tables; Baudrand, Lexicon Geographicum; Speculum
Historiale Vincentii; Bossuet, Histoire Universelle, 8vo.; Thuani
Historia sui temporis; Carionis Chronicon, and Pitt’s English Atlas,
Oxford, 1680, in 4 gigantic folio tomes.
Of particular Histories of various countries, the list is rather more
copious, comprehending Freheri Scriptores Rerum Germanicarum, folio;
Hottingeri Historia Orientalis; Basnage’s History of the Jews; Rycaut and
Knolles’s History of the Turks; Ogilby’s China and Japan; Bembi Historia
Veneta; China Illustrata; Verona Illustrata; Echard’s History of Rome;
Mezeray’s History of France; Serres, Histoire de la France; Davila’s
Civil Wars of France; Meterani Historia Belgica; Puffendorf de rebus
Suecicis; Bonfinius de rebus Hungaricis; Molesworth’s Denmark; Crantz’s
Greenland, Scheffer’s Lapland, and Fowler’s Poland.
As valuable helps to History, I may here mention, Montfaucon’s
Antiquities, translated by Humphreys; Montfaucon’s Palæographia Græca;
Mabillon, Iter Italicum; Ciampini Monumenta Vetusta; Fleetwood’s
Inscriptiones Antiquæ; Reinesii Inscriptiones; Liceti et Pierii
Hieroglyphica; Bianchini, Inscrizioni Sepulcrali; Noris’ Cenotaphia
Pisana; Bertoli’s Antichita d’Aquileia; Arlinghi’s Roma Subterranea;
Rosini’s Antiquitates Romanæ; Prideaux’s Marmora Arundeliana; Spanheim’s
and le Vaillant’s Numismata; Occonis Numismata; Patini Numismata
Familiarum Romanarum; Pitisci Lexicon; and Dodwell’s Tracts relating to
Antiquity.
To the above may be added, Churchill’s Voyages; the Travels of Pococke,
Thevenot, Sandys, and others; Freheri Theatrum Virorum Clarorum, & Jovii
Elogia Virorum Illustrium.
Of Works on Heraldry, which may most properly be termed “the Key of
History,” this Library contains Favine’s Theatre of Honour; Hopingius de
Jure Insignium; Milles’s Catalogue of Honor; Gwillim’s Heraldry; Selden’s
Titles of Honor; Dugdale’s Baronage; and Ashmole’s History of the Order
of the Garter.
Of Works relating to the History and Antiquities of Great Britain, this
Collection embraces many Tracts of great curiosity, and some Works of
great importance.
Among the latter may be mentioned Eadmeri Historia Novorum; Twinus
de rebus Albionicis; the valuable Collection of Francorum Scriptores
Coetanei, edited by Duchesne, in 5 volumes, folio, a copy in old vellum,
which has suffered severely from damp; Matthæi Paris, Historia Anglicana;
Gale and Fell’s important Collection of early English Historians; Camdeni
Anglica, Normanica, &c. à veteribus scripta; Polidori Vergilii Historia
Anglicana; Matthæi Westmonasteriensis Flores Historiarum; Florentii
Wigornensis Chronicon; Sheringham de Anglorum Gentis Origine; Triveti
Annales sex Regum Angliæ, 1 vol. 8vo.; Rossi Warvicensis Historia Regum
Angliæ, edente Hearnio, Oxonii, 1716, 8vo.; Gibson’s Saxon Chronicle;
Musgrave’s Antiquitates Britanno-Belgicæ, 4 vols. 8vo. very neat in calf;
Prynne’s Records of John, Henry III. and Edw. I. London, 1670, folio;
and the Records of the Kingdom, published under the authority of the
Parliamentary Commission.
The remaining Works of English History will be found to embrace many
Tracts, interesting as connected with the great Rebellion. This Library
contains the General Histories of England, by Daniel, Carte, Speed,
and Kennett; Baker’s Chronicle; Clarendon’s History of the Rebellion,
with his State Papers; Rushworth’s and Nalson’s Collections of State
Papers; Whitelocke’s Memorials; Welwood’s Memoirs; Godwin’s Annals;
Herbert’s Henry VIII.; Lloyd’s Memoirs; Fuller’s Worthies; Winstanley’s
English Worthies; Lyttelton’s Henry the Second; Heylin’s Life of Laud;
Walton’s Lives; Camden’s Elizabeth, with his Remains; Darcie’s Annals
of Queen Elizabeth; Chamberlayne’s Angliæ Notitiæ; Winston Churchill’s
Divi Britannici, Salmasii Defensio Regia; Bond’s Scutum Regale;
Mackenzie’s Jus Regium; Bates’ Elenchus Motuum nuperorum in Angliâ,
a work which Warburton thought worth reading; Warwick’s Charles I.;
Vie de Cromwell, in 2 vols. 12mo.; Ludlow’s Memoirs, in 2 vols. 8vo.;
D’Orleans, Revolution d’Angleterre, Paris. 1695, 3 vols. 12mo.; Dugdale’s
View of the Troubles; Gregorio Leti Teatro Britannico, Amst. 1684, in
5 vols. 12mo.; Εικων Βασιλικη: Memoires du Marechal Berwick; Mercurius
Britannicus Josephi Hall; and Fuller’s Ephemeral Parliament.
In addition to 27 volumes of Political Tracts, and 20 volumes of
Puritanical Sermons, the overflowings of men’s minds under the high
excitement of the Rebellion, I observed an octavo volume, which never
before occurred to me, being “I. G. de rebus Caroli I. Commentarius
sub imperio; Jacobi Marchionis Montisrosarum, anno 1644, et duobus
sequentibus præclarè gestis.” Interprete A. S. Paris. (Johan. Bessin.)
1648. This volume is upon large paper, and is bound in red morocco, its
sides covered with fleurs de lis, whence it might be conjectured to have
belonged to the Queen Henrietta, then resident in France, at all events
as a contemporary record of the exploits of the Chivalric Montrose, its
historical interest is far from inconsiderable.
Among the other Works relating to English History may be noticed Annales
de la Grande Bretagne; Parkerus de rebus sui temporis; Dugdale’s Origines
Judiciales; Pepys on the Navy; Mainwaring’s Defence of Amicia; Wood’s
Athenæ Oxoniensis; Kippis’ Biographia Britannica; Heylin’s Help to
English History, a work still held in estimation; and a copy of Speed’s
Maps, 1627, in an oblong duodecimo form.
Among the books of Scottish History I remarked the History of Scotland
by Drummond and Buchanan, with the latter’s pretended “Detectioun of the
duinges of Mary Queen of Scots;” Major de Gestis Scotorum; and Hume’s
House of Douglas; Cox’s History of Ireland, and Ware’s Historical Works
concerning Ireland, Dublin, 1739, in 2 vols. folio, deserve brief mention
in this place before we proceed to enumerate the Works illustrative of
the Topographical Antiquities of England.
The Archæologia, or Collection of Miscellaneous Tracts relating to
Antiquity, in an annually increasing series of quarto volumes, published
by the Society of Antiquaries, forms a prominent feature in this
department of the Library, the present series being respectably clad in
modern calf.
To the Antiquarian Society we are also indebted for Plans, Elevations,
and Descriptions of the Cathedral Churches of Durham, Exeter, and
Gloucester, the Abbey Church at Bath, and St. Stephen’s, Westminster; the
present copy being handsomely bound, in one volume, folio, in russia, and
bearing the following autographic inscription:
“This book was presented to the Dean and Chapter of Exeter,
the 22nd of December, 1813, as a token of gratitude for their
kind patronage, and as a mark of affection for their Cathedral
Church, by their obliged and faithful Servant,
“RALPH BARNES, _Chapter Clerk_.”
To such a dedication as this, the student who turns the ample pages of
this noble folio tome, can only respond, ex imo corde,
“Grati Memorisque animi hocce volumen monumentum esto!”
No works of instruction are more calculated to please the eye than
Topographical researches, embellished like Britton’s Account of Exeter
Cathedral, of which a copy is very properly deposited in this Library.
The remaining Works of English Topography, which deserve particular
notice, are Verstegan’s Restitution of decayed Intelligence respecting
English Antiquities; Anthony à Wood’s Historia Universitatis Oxoniensis,
Oxonii, 1674, in one volume, folio; Savage’s Balliofergus, or some
Account of Baliol College, at Oxford, Oxonii, 1668, 4to.; Caii de
Antiquitate Academiæ Cantabrigiensis; Howel’s History of London and
Westminster; Roll’s Account of the Rebuilding of London after the Great
Fire, of which some accounts are also contained in this Collection;
Stow’s Description of London; Lambarde’s Perambulation of Kent, 1656;
Dugdale’s History of Warwickshire; Borlase’s Natural History and
Antiquities of Cornwall; Milner’s Winchester; Polwhele’s Devonshire;
Prince’s Worthies of Devon, “the gift of the author;” Plot’s Natural
Histories of Oxfordshire and Staffordshire; Kennet’s Parochial
Antiquities; Webbe and Inigo Jones’s Descriptions of Stonehenge;
Carlisle’s Endowed Grammar Schools; Leycester’s Cheshire; Bentham’s Ely;
Oliver’s History of Exeter; Camden’s Britannia, edited by Gibson, London,
1772, 2 vols. folio; and some Account of St. Neot’s Church in Cornwall,
with plates of the stained glass Windows therein, by Messrs. Hedgeland
and Davies Gilbert, London, 1830, folio, presented by the former to the
Cathedral Library of Exeter.
To the above I may add the Geological Transactions of Cornwall, presented
by the Rev. John Rogers, one of the Canons of the adjacent Cathedral.
Though Geology has not yet attained the full stature of a science, yet
the mention of these interesting volumes recalls to my mind those older
treatises on the more exact Sciences which are contained in this Library.
Among these, Newton’s Principia holds the first place, to which I may
add Kepler’s Optics; Boyle’s and Bacon’s Works on Natural Philosophy;
Hobbes’ Opera Philosophica; Hevelii Selenographia; Hooke’s Micrographia;
Wallis’s Algebra; Maseres’ Scriptores Logarithmici; a few volumes of
the Encyclopædia Britannica and of the Philosophical Transactions, with
Sprat’s History of the Royal Society.
Of Botanical Works it may be sufficient to particularise Ruellius de
Naturâ Stirpium; Raii Historia Plantarum; Grew’s Anatomy of Plants;
and Gerarde’s Herbal, to which I may add the singular Collection of
Aldrovandus, and Gesner de Animalibus.
I may here also mention Vitruvii Architectura, and Kendall on
Architecture; together with Culpepper’s English Physician; Cardani
Medicinæ; and other sanatory treatises now obsolete, which form the
companions of the Museum Wormianum.
The Law Books contained in this room may be very soon enumerated, as
there is no interest whatever attached to the Codex Theodosianus; Corpus
Juris Civilis Gothofredi; Oughton’s Ordo Judiciarum, in 2 vols. 4to.;
Burns’ Ecclesiastical Law; Blount and Jacob’s Law Dictionaries; Lambard
de Priscis Anglorum Legibus; Durandi Speculum Juris; Spencer de Legibus
Hebræorum, Cantab. 1685; Gibson Codex Juris Civilis, &c. in 2 vols.
folio; and an old edition of Blackstone’s Commentaries.
It is refreshing to turn from so uninviting a topic to those great
authors of antiquity, the dread of our earliest, and the delight of our
latest years, especially when we can look upon some of the most valuable
editions of their Works.
In proof of this assertion, those shelves furnish me with the Oratores
Græci, and the Plutarch of Reiske, Isocrates, and Lysias of Auger;
the Pindar of Heyne; Plinius Harduini; Pausanias Kuhnii; Livius
Drakenborchii; the Horace of Bentley; Duker’s Thucydides; the Herodotus
and Diodorus Siculus of Wesseling; Reimar’s Dion Cassius; Josephus
Havercampi; Xenophon, by Wells; Brunck’s Sophocles; and Barnes’
Euripides; Longinus, Toupii, and Athenæus Casauboni.
Among the other editions of the Classics, I noticed Platonis Opera
Serrani; Quintus Curtius Pitisci; Lucretius Havercampi; Spanheim’s
Callimachus; Aristotelis Opera Du Valli; and several of the Delphin
editions, including those of Prudentius, Plautus, Eutropius, Cornelius
Nepos, Velleius Paterculus, Quintus Curtius, Manilius, Juvenal, and
Lucretius.
I also noticed some pieces of Cicero, and various editions of Æschines,
Boethius, Florus, Macrobius, Martial, Aristophanes, Quintilian, Petronius
Arbiter, Seneca, Sallust, Suetonius, Statius, Phædrus, Tacitus, Valerius
Maximus, Terence, Homer, Demosthenes, Cæsar, Xenophon, and the Historiæ
Augustæ Scriptores, whose importance would scarcely justify more
particular specification.
The earliest editions of the Classics comprised within these walls, are
indifferent copies of Cæsar, printed by Jenson, at Venice, in 1471,
folio, measuring twelve inches by eight and a quarter, and bound in calf;
and Virgilius Servii, 1475, folio, where the Commentary ends with the
Æneid, and the Minor Pieces, with vacant margins, follow.
Of Translations of the Classics, I observed Dryden’s Virgil and Juvenal;
Hobbes’s Thucydides; Ross’s Silius Italicus; Ogilby’s Æsop; and Dacier’s
Horace.
Of Lexicons and Dictionaries, and other Etymological Works, the essential
accompaniments of the Classic page, to every youthful student, I have the
pleasure of enumerating several, which will be found very useful in the
study either of Classic or of Gothic Literature.
For the first, it may suffice to mention Suidæ, Hesychii, et Scapulæ
Lexica, Hoffmanni, et Phavorini Lexica, Stephani Thesaurus, Calepini
Dictionarium, Julii Pollucis Onomasticon, Vossii Etymologicon, Cooper’s
Thesaurus, and Du Fresne’s Glossary.
For the latter, the Saxon Dictionary of Hickes; Skinner’s Lexicon;
Junii Etymologicum Anglicanum; Somneri Dictionarium Saxonicum; Lye’s
Saxon Dictionary; Cotgrave’s French Dictionary; and Menage Dictionnaire
Etymologique. To which may be added, the English Dictionaries of Cole,
Howel, and Johnson, with Buxtorf’s Chaldaic and Hebrew Lexicon.
In English Literature this Library is manifestly deficient. We do indeed
meet with the Works of Locke and Bacon; of Addison and Swift; Spenser’s
Faerie Queen; the Poems of Chaucer, Milton, and Cowley; Shakespeare’s
Works too, with the Portrait coloured, may be after the Stratford
Monument, London, 1632, folio, in a volume, which being quite perfect,
richly deserves rebinding, as it is now in a very insecure and tattered
condition. But I can only add to these, Sir Thomas More’s Works, 1559;
Warton’s English Poetry; Conybeare’s Anglo-Saxon Poetry; Burton’s Anatomy
of Melancholy; Smith’s Wealth of Nations; Wootton’s Remains; and other
Works of much less reputation.
Of Italian Works there are editions of Tasso, Petrarch, and Ariosto,
with a copy of Boccaccio, Genealogia di Gli Dei, Venet. 1588, which
the compiler of the unfinished Catalogue has classed under the head of
“Miscellaneous Theology.”
It only remains for me to notice Photii Bibliotheca et Epistolæ, and
Stuckii Antiquitates Conviviales, a work whence much curious information
may be obtained respecting the “noctes cœnæque” of the olden time.
As “Book openeth Book,” I cannot conclude this brief notice of the
Exeter Cathedral Library more appropriately than by adding to it, the
Bibliographical Works contained within its precincts.
Among these I particularly noticed, Maittaire, Annales Typographici;
Wolfii Monumenta Typographica; Watts’ Bibliotheca Britannica; Blount’s
Censura Literaria; Balei Scriptores Britanniæ; Nicolson’s English, Irish,
and Scotch Historical Libraries, in 4 volumes, 8vo.; Cooper on the Public
Records; Le Long’s Bibliotheca Sacra, Halæ, 1778; Dupin’s Bibliotheque
des Auteurs Ecclesiastiques; De Rossi’s Annales Hebræo-Topographici,
Parmæ, 1795; Fabricii Bibliotheca Græca, and Bibliographia Antiquaria, in
4to.; Cave’s Scriptores Ecclesiastici; Baillet’s Jugemens des Scavans;
La Bibliothéque Choisie, 1703; and Le Clerc’s Bibliothéque Universelle,
in 12mo.; a Catalogue of English Writers on the Old and New Testaments;
Clarke’s Bibliographical Dictionary and Miscellany; Marchand’s
Dictionnaire Historique; Gesneri Bibliotheca, and several volumes of the
Acta Eruditorum, in quarto.
Upon the table in the Chapter-house is very properly kept a book “For
the entry of books taken out of, and returned to the Chapter Library;” a
regulation which ought to be religiously observed by all persons having
access to any corporate Library.
[Illustration]
Library of Gloucester.
The spacious and airy Chapter-house, warmed by a stove, is the meet
receptacle of the Library of the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester. The
books are arranged upon open shelves, in dwarf cases of oak, which
skirt the walls of the room, and form two lines down the centre. They
are briefly enumerated in an old alphabetical Catalogue, but are placed
on the shelves according to a new Catalogue which is now preparing by
Mr. Hough, the bookseller of Gloucester. There are also a list of books
borrowed, and “a List of Benefactors to the Library of the Cathedral
Church of Gloucester.” Folio.
This Collection contains much obsolete Law and Divinity; but the latter
department possesses also many valuable Works, which I will proceed to
show, commencing with the impressions of the Sacred Volume.
Biblia Polyglotta. Waltoni. cum Castelli Lexicon.
Biblia Hebraica. Montani. 1619, folio.
Biblia Hebraica, Kennicott. Oxonii, 1776, 2 vols. folio.
Biblia Latina, S. Hieronymi. Norimbergæ, 1478, folio.
Biblia Latina, R. Stephani. Parisiis, 1532 and 1557.
Biblia Germanica, Lutheri. Magdeburg, 1560, fol.
Biblia Italica, Diodati. 1807, folio.
The Bible in Welsh. London, 1769, 4to.
The Bible in English, dedicated to Henry VIII. London, 1536,
folio.
The Bible in English, Tyndale’s. London, Jo. Taverner, 1549,
folio.
The Bible in English, Field’s. Cambridge, 1680, 2 vols. folio.
The Bible in English, dedicated to James II. Oxford, 1685,
folio.
The Bible in English, Baskett. Oxford, 1717, 2 vols. folio.
The Bible in English, Geddes. London, 1792, 3 vols. 4to.
Fulke’s Rhemish Testament, dedicated to Queen Elizabeth.
The Novum Testamentum Hutteri, 2 vols. folio.
To which I may add the Codex Bezæ, by Kipling, in old calf; the Novum
Testamentum Græcum, Kusteri. Lipsiæ. 1723, folio.
I may here also mention the Book of Common Prayer, by R. Barker, London,
1634, 4to.; the Breviarium Romanum; and Missale Romanum. Antv. 1631,
folio; and proceed to enumerate the Fathers of the Church, whose Works
are found in this Collection.
Ambrosii Opera. Parisiis, 1603, 2 vols. folio.
Augustini Opera. Parisiis, 1637, 11 vols. folio.
Anselmi Opera. Parisiis, 1559, folio.
Basilii Opera. Parisiis, 1618, 3 vols. folio.
Chrysostomi Opera. Etonæ, 1612, 8 vols. folio.
Clementis Alexandrini Opera. Oxonii, 1725, folio.
Cypriani Opera. Coloniæ, 1617, folio.
Eusebii Præparatio et Demonstratio Evangelica. Coloniæ, 1688, 2
vols. folio.
Eusebii Thesaurus temporum. Amstelodami, 1658, folio.
Eusebii Historia Ecclesiastica. Cantabrigiæ, 1720, 3 vols.
folio.
Hieronymus in Evangelia. Antverpiæ, 1579.
Lactantius. Venetiis, 1472, folio.
Origenis Commentarii. Rothomagi, 1668.
Origenis Opera. Parisiis, 1733, 2 vols. folio.
Philonis Judæi, Opera. Londini, 1742, 2 vols. fol.
Tertulliani Opera. Parisiis, 1664, folio.
Tertulliani Opera. Basileæ, 1528, folio.
Theophylact. Comment. Parisiis, 1635, 2 vols. folio; with
the Works of S. Cyril, Episcopius, Epiphanius, of S. Gregory
Nysseni, et Nazianzen, and the Bibliotheca Patrum. Paris, 1644,
in 15 vols. folio.
In a later æra of the Church we find the Works of Bede, Thomas Aquinas,
Calvin, Cranmer, Barrow, and Beveridge.
Bernardi Opera. Antverpiæ, 1609, folio.
Bingham’s Works. London, 1729, 2 vols. folio.
Bulli Opera. Londini, 1703, folio.
Bellarmini Controversiæ. Coloniæ, 1628, folio.
Archbishop Bramhall’s Works. Dublin, 1677, folio.
Bishop Blackhall’s Works. London, 1723, 2 vols. folio.
Bochart, Hierozoicon. Londini, 1663, folio.
Buchanani Psalmorum Paraphrasis. 1624.
Bythneri Lyra Prophetica.
Clarke’s Works. London, 1738, 4 vols. folio.
Hodius de Textibus Bibliorum. Oxonii, 1705, fol.
Hospiniani Opera. Genevæ, 1678, 4 vols. folio, calf.
Joanes de Imola Opera. Venetiis, 1480, duplicate.
Leland on the Christian Revelation. 1764, 2 vols. 4to.
Lutheri Opera. Jenæ, 1612, 4 vols. 4to.
Leusden Comp. Bibl. Lugd. Bat. 1685, 12mo.
Melancthonis Opera. Witebergæ, 1580, 4 vols. folio.
Mori Opera Theologica, 1675, et Opera Philosophica, 1679, 3
vols. folio.
Nicolai de Lyra Comment. Basileæ, 1507, 6 vols. folio.
Orton’s Exposition of the Old Testament. Salop. 1788, 6 vols.
8vo.
Raynaudi Opera. Lugd. Bat. 1665, 19 vols. folio.
Rosenmuller Scholia in Nov. Test. Norimbergæ, 1785, 5 vols. 8vo.
Suiceri Thesaurus Ecclesiasticus. Antverpiæ, 1682, 2 vols.
folio.
Spanheim Opera. Lugd. Bat. 1702, 3 vols. folio.
Synge’s Works. 1740, 4 vols. 12mo.
Taylor and Cave’s Antiquitates Christianæ. Londini, 1685, folio.
Venn’s Tracts. London, 1740, 8vo.
Zanchii Opera Theologica. 1613, 3 vols. folio.
To which may be added, the Preservative against Popery, in 3 vols. folio;
Baxter’s Saints’ Rest; Alciphron, or the Minute Philosopher, by Bishop
Berkeley; Burnet on the Articles; Blayney’s Jeremiah; Butler’s Analogy;
Balguy’s Tracts; Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible, London, 1708, 3 vols.
folio; Concordantiæ Bibliorum, Hanoviæ, 1618, 4 vols. folio; Cave’s
Scriptor. Eccles. Historia literaria; Cudworth’s Intellectual System; the
Works of Chillingworth and Conybeare; Campbell on the Gospels, and on
Miracles; Dupin Bibliothèque des Auteurs Ecclesiastiques, Paris. 1693,
10 vols. 8vo.; Derham’s Astro Theology, Bibliotheca Fratrum Polonorum,
Irenop. 1639, 6 vols. folio; Tracts on the Bangorian Controversy, London,
1739; Critici Sacri, Londini, 1660, 10 vols. folio; Poli Synopsis,
Londini, 1669, 5 vols. folio; Cruttwell’s Concordance; Fleetwood’s Works,
1737; Bishop Fell on the Epistles; Faber on Pagan Idolatry and on the
Prophecies; several Tracts by Grotius; Graves on the Pentateuch, 1807,
2 vols. 8vo.; the Works of Hammond, Hopkins, Hooker, Hurd, and Hoadley;
Horsley on the Psalms, and other Works; Hey’s Lectures; Hutcheson’s Moral
Philosophy, and Essay on the Passions; Hales on the Trinity; Jackson’s
Works; Jones’s Canon of the New Testament, 1726; the Works of Lightfoot;
Marsh’s Michaelis on the New Test. 1802, 6 vols. 8vo.; Newton’s
Prophecies and Sermons; Newcome’s Sermons; Ostervald’s Arguments; Pearson
on the Creed; Prideaux’s Connection; Patrick and Lowth’s Commentaries;
Lowth’s Isaiah; Leighton’s Works; Mede’s Works, 1664, 2 vols. folio;
Macknight’s Harmony; Pyle’s Paraphrase; the Works of Paley, Porteus,
Secker, and Stillingfleet; Stackhouse’s History of the Bible, London,
1742, 2 vols. folio; Sanderson’s Sermons; Sale’s Koran; Saurin’s Sermons;
the Works of Sherlock, Stanhope, Seed, and Tillotson; Jeremy Taylor’s
Ductor Dubitantium; the Works of Warburton, Wake, Whiston, and Waterland;
Watson’s Apology, and Theological Tracts; West on the Resurrection;
several volumes of the Bampton Lectures; the Bibliotheca Maxima
Versionum, &c. Parisiis, 1666, 19 vols. folio; and Bibliotheca Magna
Comment. Parisiis, 1644, 5 vols. folio, in calf.
In Ecclesiastical History, I may mention Lyndewode’s Provinciale, Paris.
1502, folio, & Oxonii, 1699, folio; the Centuriatores Magdeburgenses,
Basileæ, 1624, 3 vols. folio; Baronii Annales, Antverpiæ, 1610, 12
vols. folio, in vellum covers, with the Epitome of Spondanus, in calf;
Wilkins’ Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ, Lond. 1737, 4 vols. folio; Gratiani
Decretum, Codex Theodosianus, cum Comment. Gothofredi, in 6 vols. folio;
Justiniani Pandectæ, Parisiis, 1504; Durandi Speculum Juris, folio, in
old black letter, imperfect; Basnage’s History of the Jews, London,
1708, fol.; Burnet’s History of the Reformation; Bower’s History of the
Popes, London, 1748, 8 vols. 4to.; Collier’s Ecclesiastical History,
London, 1708, 2 vols. folio; Cressy’s Church History of Brittany; Ecton’s
Thesaurus; Gibson’s Codex; Josephus, Havercamp, Amst. 1726, 2 vols.
folio; Whiston’s Josephus, 1745, 8vo. 6 vols.; Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical
History; Strype’s Annals and Memorials; Quick’s Synodicum in Galliâ
Reformatâ, Londini, 1692, folio; Rycaut’s History of the Popes; Laval’s
History of the Reformation in France, London, 1737, 7 vols. 8vo.; Sleidan
Histoire de la Reformation à la Haye, 1767, 3 vols. 4to.; Usseri Annales,
et Antiq. Eccl. Britt.; Wharton’s Anglia Sacra; Walker’s Sufferings of
the Clergy; and Fox’s Martyrs, London, 1632, 3 vols. folio.
Of English History, I remarked Brady’s Introduction thereto, London,
1685, folio, as well as his History of England, London, 1720, folio;
Baker’s Chronicle, London, 1674, folio; Camden’s Britannia; Campbell’s
Survey of Great Britain, London, 1774, 2 vols. 4to.; Colquhoun on the
Resources of the British Empire; Dugdale’s Monasticon, and View of the
Troubles; Fosbroke’s British Monachism; Henry’s History of England;
History of the Wars in Ireland, London, 1653, folio; Harris’s Life
of Cromwell, London, 1772, 8vo.; Baker’s Hereditary Right, London,
1713, folio, for which he was imprisoned; Martin’s History of England,
London, 1615, folio; Matthæi Westmonasteriensis Flores Historiarum
Rer. Angl.; Norden’s Britanniæ Speculum; Scriptores post Bedam edente
Savile; Sprigge’s Anglia Rediviva, folio; Stow’s Chronicle, London,
1631, folio; Drayton’s Polyolbion, folio; Webb’s Metrical History of
Richard II. originally published in the Archæologia, 4to.; Rapin’s
History of England; several Diurnalls of Passages in the Great Civil
War, 4to.; Stafford’s Pacata Hibernia, 1633; Rushworth’s Historical
Collections; Sawyer’s Memorials of Affairs of State, London, 1725, 2
vols. folio; Wallace’s Peerage of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1785, 8vo.;
Yarranton’s England’s Improvement, London, 1677, 4to.; Twini Commentarii
de rebus Albionicis, Londini, 1590, 12mo.; the Parliamentary History of
England, London, 1751, &c. 23 vols. 8vo.; the Publications of the Record
Commission, and the Statutes at large.
Of English Topography, I remarked Verstegan’s Restitution of decayed
Intelligence, 4to.; an Act for the Incorporation of the Gloucester
Workhouse in 1703; Bigland’s Gloucestershire, London, 1791, folio;
Fosbroke’s Gloucestershire, 4to.; Britton’s Gloucester Cathedral;
Rudder’s Gloucestershire; Bentham’s Ely; Drake’s York; Pennant’s Tour;
Rastall’s Southwell, 1787; Plot’s Oxfordshire; Stow’s London, imperfect;
and Speed’s Great Britain, also imperfect; Sammes’s Britannia; Lysons’
Magna Britannia, in 9 vols. 4to.; Wood’s Antiquitates Oxonienses;
and Willis’ Cathedrals, London, 1727, 3 vols. 4to.; with the Welsh
Cathedrals, viz. those of St. Asaph, Bangor, St. David’s, and Llandaff.
Of General History, the Works are mostly obsolete, being Bossuet Histoire
Universelle; Churchill’s Voyages; Delices des Pays Bas; Eustace’s Italy;
Fuller’s Palestine, 1650, folio; Gillies’ History of the World, 2 vols.
4to.; Davila’s Civil Wars of France, folio; Harris’s Voyages; Hughes’
Barbadoes; Hooke’s Roman History; Hakluyt’s Voyages, London, 1600,
folio; Knolles’s History of the Turks; Rycaut’s Ottoman Empire; Knox’s
Campaigns in North America, 1769, 2 vols. 4to.; Norden’s Egypt, London,
1757, folio; Potter’s Greece; Moryson’s Itinerary, London, 1617, folio;
together with Purchas’ Pilgrimes, London, 1625, 5 vols. folio; Ralegh’s
History of the World; Heylin’s Cosmography, folio; Robertson’s Works;
Symson’s Chronicon Catholicon, Oxonii, 1652, folio; Thuani Hist. sui
temporis; Tournefort’s Voyages; Grimstone’s France; Shute’s Venice;
Warcup’s History of Italy, London, 1660, folio; and the Universal History.
It is pleasant to be able to add to these, a very fine copy of the
valuable Collections of Grævius and Gronovius upon large paper, in old
calf binding, with a border of gold on the sides; the Inscriptions of
Gruter; Pitisci Lexicon; Montfaucon, l’Antiquité Expliquée, Paris,
1719, in 15 vols. folio, a fine copy in old calf, gilt; with Humphrey’s
Translation of Montfaucon, London, 1722, 7 vols. folio; to which I may
add D’Anville’s Atlas, London, 1797, folio; and Buckingham’s Travels in
Palestine, London, 1821, 4to.
Of Law Books, besides the Statutes at large, and Pickering’s Statutes,
I noticed, among much obsolete matter, Ayliffe’s Roman, Civil and Canon
Law, London, 1734, 2 vols. folio; Corpus Juris Civilis Justiniani;
Seldeni Opera, Londini, 1726, 3 vols. folio; Selden’s Mare Clausum,
edited by Needham; Spencer de legibus Hebræorum, Cantabr. 1727, 2 vols.
folio.
Of Etymological Works the list is not much more copious, consisting of
Johnson’s English Dictionary; Ainsworth’s Latin Dictionary; Buxtorf’s
Hebrew Lexicon; Calepini Dictionarium Octolingue, Lugd. Bat. 1663, folio;
Cooper’s Dictionary, London, 1573, folio; Cotgrave’s French and English
Dictionary, London, 1611, folio; a Welch Grammar, printed at Caermarthen
in 1727, 12mo.; Dictionarium Linguæ Japonicæ, Romæ, 1632, 4to.; Golii
Lexicon Arabico Latinum, Lugd. Bat. 1653, folio; Hickesii Thesaurus
Linguarum Septentrionalium, Oxonii, 1705, 2 vols. folio; Hoffmanni
Lexicon; Stephani Thesaurus, 1527, 5 vols. folio; Spelman’s Glossary;
Tooke’s Diversions of Purley, 1798, 2 vols. 4to.; and Vossii Opera,
Amstelod. 1701, folio.
Of Classical authors, the editions contained in this Library are neither
the first nor the best; the most correct idea, however, of their true
character may be obtained by perusing the following brief enumeration of
them:
Æginetæ, Pauli, Medici, Opera, Gr. Basileæ, 1538, 4to.
Aristotelis Opera. Parisiis, 1561, 2 vols. 4to.
Aratus et Sigonius. Parisiis, 1561, 4to.
Athenæus, Casauboni. Lugd. Bat. 1612, folio.
Arriani Expeditio Alexandri. Lugd. Bat. 1704, fol.
Æschyli Tragœdiæ. Londini, 1664, folio.
Ciceronis Opera, Oliveti. Parisiis, 1740, 9 vols. 4to. bound in
old French calf.
Callimachus. Lugd. Bat. 1761, 2 vols. 8vo.
Cæsaris Commentaria. Lugd. Bat. 1713, 8vo.
Catullus, Tibullus, & Propertius. Francof. 1621, 8vo.
Diodorus Siculus. Hanoviæ, 1604, folio.
Demosthenis Orationes. Parisiis, 1570, folio.
Dionysius Halicarnass. Francof. 1586, folio.
Aulus Gellius. Lugd. Bat. 1706, 4to.
Herodotus. Francof. 1608, duplum.
Homeri Opera. Clarkii, 1729-40, 4 vols. 4to.
Homeri Ilias. Heynii, 1802, 8 vols. 8vo.; with Translations by
Chapman and Ogilby, folio.
Hesiodus. Amstelodami, 1701 et 1757.
Justini Opera. Parisiis, 1615.
Iamblicus a Gale. Oxonii, 1778, folio, calf.
Juvenalis. Amstelodami, 1684, 8vo.
Isocratis Orationes. Rothomagi, 1662.
Lucianus Oudendorpii. Lugd. Bat. 1728, 4to.
Lucretius. Parisiis, 1625 et 1560.
Libanii Orationes. Genevæ, 1631-4, 2 vols. 4to.
Livius Variorum. Amstelod. 1679, 3 vols. 8vo.
Manilii Astronomicon, apud Plantin. 1610, 4to.
Oratores Græci Veteres. 1575, folio.
Ovidius, Burmanni. Amstelod. 1727, 4 vols. 4to.
Photii Bibliotheca Hœschelii. Rothomagi, 1563, fol.
Pomponius Mela. Venetiis, 1482, 4to.
Plutarchi Opera. Francof. 1620, 2 vols. folio.
Plutarchi Vitæ. Londini, 1729, 5 vols. 4to.
Plinii Historia Naturalis. Lugd. Bat. 1563, folio.
Ptolomæi Geographia. Amstelod. 1618, folio.
Pausanias. Hanoviæ, 1613, folio, duplum.
Pausanias. Lipsiæ, 1696, folio.
Pindarus, West & Welsted. Oxonii, 1697, folio.
Phædrus, Burmanni. Lugd. Bat. 1728, 2 vols. 8vo.
Poetæ Minores Græci. Londini, 1728, 8vo.
Quintilianus. Parisiis, 1542, 4to. & 1725, folio.
Strabonis Geographia. Amstelod. 1707, 2 vols. fol.
Senecæ Tragœdiæ, Delphini. Paris. 1728, 4to.
Senecæ Opera. Amstelodami, 1672, 3 vols. 8vo.
Sallustius, Havercampi. Amstelod. 1742, 2 vols. 4to.
Suetonius, Grævii. Traject. ad Rhen. 1703.
Stobæus, Gr. et Lat. Genevæ, 1609, folio.
Tacitus, Gronovii. Traject. 1722, 2 vols. 4to.
Thucydides. Genevæ, 1609, folio.
Terentius. Amstelod. 1686, 8vo.
Theocritus. 1804, 4to.
Virgilius Variorum. Lugd. Bat. 1680, 3 vols. 8vo. with Ogilby’s
Translation. London, 1660, folio.
Xenophontis Opera, Gr. et Lat. Parisiis, 1625, fol.
To which may be added, the Works of Dioscorides; Petrus de Crescentiis;
Euclid, Plautus, and Plato; Melmoth’s Letters of Pliny; Vigerus
de Idiotismis Græcis, Londini, 1678, 12mo.; Barthelemy’s Voyage
d’Anacharsis, Paris, 1790-7, 8vo. atlas; Falconer’s Voyage of Hanno,
London, 1797, 8vo.; and Vincent’s Voyage of Nearchus, London, 1797, 4to.
Of British Classics, this Library contains the Works of Bacon and Locke;
Newton’s Works, edited by Horsley, London, 1779, in 5 vols. 4to.; Du
Bartas’ Divine Works and Weeks; Brown’s Vulgar Errors; Burney’s History
of Music; Chaucer’s Works, by Urry, London, 1602, folio; Charles the
First’s Works; Dryden’s Works, London, 1693, 4 vols. 4to.; Harrington’s
Works, London, 1747, folio; Heywood’s Fall of Lucifer, a Poem, London,
1635, 8vo.; Johnson’s Works; Phillips’ Poems, 1609, folio; Shakespeare’s
Works, printed at London, 1685, folio, and at Oxford, 1744, in 6 vols.
4to.; Spenser’s Works, 1589, 4to.; Shaftesbury’s Characteristicks,
and Temple’s Works; to which I may add Tomline’s Life of Pitt, and
Monk’s Life of Bentley; Markham on War; Spence’s Polymetis; Webb on the
Beauties of Painting, 1760; Bentham’s Fragment on Government; Nicholson’s
Encyclopædia, 1809, 6 vols. 8vo.; a large paper copy of Whitcombe’s
Letter to the Prince Regent; the Edinburgh Review; and Literary History.
Of Works relating to Bibliography, I observed only
Bruckeri Hist. Crit. Philos. 4to.
D’Herbelot, Bibliothèque Orientale. Paris. 1697, folio.
Bibliothèque Universelle. Amst. 1687, 7 vols. 12mo.
Bibliothèque Choisie. Amst. 1703, 14 vols. 12mo.
Bibliothèque Ancienne et Moderne. Amst. 1716, 6 vols. 12mo.
Fabricii Bibliotheca Græca. Hamburg. 1708, 14 vols. 4to.
Journal des Sçavans. Bruxelles, 1681, 18 vols. 12mo.
Montfaucon’s Palæographia Græca. Paris. 1708, fol.
Stanley’s History of Philosophers, folio.
Thuani Monumenta Literaria. 1640, 8vo.
In Natural History, I noticed only
Aldrovandi Opera, Romæ. 1638, 12 vols. folio.
Burnet’s Theory of the Earth.
Ruellius de Naturâ Stirpium.
With the following miscellaneous articles I will close my account of the
Gloucester Cathedral Library.
Bartholomæus de Proprietatibus Rerum. Parisiis, 1480, folio.
Bayle’s Dictionary.
Chambers’ Dictionary.
Campbell on Rhetoric.
Corneilles’ Works.
Libavii Alchymia. Francof. 1611, 2 vols. folio.
Maseres Scriptores Logarithmici. Lond. 1791, 5 vols. 4to.
Puffendorf’s Law of Nations. London, 1729, folio.
Studio di Architectura, folio.
Tonstall de Arte Supputandi; and some portions of the Works of
Rousseau;
only remarking that the greater portion of the Divinity is arranged in
old calf, whose sombre appearance has been relieved by the addition of
new lettering pieces; and that all the books appear remarkably free from
damp, being all in open cases, except a few which are in the locked cases
at the upper end of the Chapter-house, where stand the Busts of Edward
the First, and of Handel.
[Illustration]
Library of Hereford.
The Library of this ancient Cathedral has been happily preserved in its
original state, affording a most excellent specimen of a genuine Monastic
Library.
The Chapel of our Lady too, in which this interesting Collection is
deposited, deserves in itself the tribute of a passing remark for its
fretted roof and tesselated floor, its beautiful windows, and its sacred
character. The adjacent oratory of Bishop Audley, translated from this
See to Salisbury, whose gilt and painted roof faintly indicates its
pristine splendour, as well as the tomb of Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of
Hereford, 1330, must also attract the notice even of the most incurious
stranger.
Such a one will not pass unheeded the shrine of Saint Ethelbert, and
the effigy of the Juvenile Martyr; or the Head of the Crosier, the
Papal Seal, or the Episcopal Rings, the relics of John Trillich, the
forty-eighth Bishop of Hereford, A.D. 1360, found in the Choir in 1813.
The books are placed in projecting cases upon open shelves, to which they
are attached by chains, more monachorum, which chains are fastened to a
bar coextensive with each shelf, and confined by a lock at the end of
each case. Of these the Canons in residence possess the keys; even the
Catalogue of the Library is rivetted to the desk on which it stands,
and all additions made to the Collection are chained beside their elder
brethren.
These fetters are very injurious to the binding of the books, when that
is of any consequence; and by causing all the volumes to have their fore
edges turned outwards, are by no means calculated to invite the beholder;
indeed it would appear that these manacles were in use long before
lettering pieces came into fashion, and of these helps to the enquirer
few indeed are to be found in this ancient Library.
The books are chiefly attired in the original calf, though some retain
their wooden bindings, and are arranged in classes in the several cases,
which are numbered in the following manner:
I. S. Biblia. Concord. Lex. S. Patres.
II. S. Patres. Concil. Eccl. Hist. Comment. in S. Biblia.
III. Hist. Eccl. Lexicogr.
IV. Hist. Civil. & Lib. Classic. Lib. Reformator. & Theolog.
V. Lib. Scholastic. & Artium. Lib. Jur. Canon. & Civil. &
Statut.
VI. Lib. Antiquar. & Miscell. Liber Pontificior.
VII. and VIII. Codd. MSS.
These projecting cases are placed on each side of the Chapel, in a series
descending from what was once the altar to the wooden screen, which
divides the part appropriated to the Library from the lower portion of
the Chapel.
On entering the Library, the Manuscripts consequently are the first to
attract attention, and, being both curious and valuable, shall be here
described in the first place.
One of the most important is a manuscript copy of Wickliffe’s Bible,
folio, imperfect at the beginning of Genesis, and the end of the
Apocalypse, written upon vellum, and recently bound in calf. There are
also very beautiful Manuscripts, upon vellum, of the Biblia Latina, S.
Hieronymi, in folio, with illuminations, the gift of Stephen Boughton,
afterwards Canon of Worcester; and of the Decreta Gratiani, cum apparatu,
also illuminated, and in its pristine coverture of oak, bearing on the
side under horn, the following inscription in Gothic characters:
“Decreta. Ex dono i̅n̅ Olkeym Lloid legum doctoris.”
There is also a very ancient Manuscript upon vellum, in the Roman
character, of the “Eꝑlæ S. Pauli,” in quarto, bearing this Inscription,
indicative at once of its antiquity and its worth:
“Liber sã Guthlaci de prioratu Herefordie.”
I will next proceed to specify the most remarkable of these Manuscripts
without stopping to indicate the substance upon which each has been
written, it being unnecessary to premise that the more ancient, and in
this case the greater number, are upon vellum.
Besides the S. Biblia Veteris et Novi Testamenti per Hieronymum, Latine,
folio, and, Evangelia Quatuor Latinè versa, quarto, there are manuscripts
of various portions of the Bible, and Homilies by several of the Fathers.
I also noticed folios, containing the Works of Saints Augustine,
Chrysostom, Bernard, Eusebius, and Jerome, together with many Glosses and
Postillæ, Decretals and Pandects.
I also observed the Historia Scholastica of Comestor, and Sermones Petri
Comestoris in folio. A curious volume in quarto, containing—
“Vita Christi per Bonaventuram; Vita S. Francisci, et Vitæ Inclusarum
Anglicè per Ricardum de Hampul. Item, The Way of Perfection by Henry
Chambernon,” and Guilielmi de Sancto Amore Collectio, &c. quarto, more
interesting from the tradition connected with it, than from its contents,
as every one will readily admit, who reads within it:—“Hic liber
pertinuisse videtur ad Hugonem Latimerum. Episc. et Martyrem.”
As connected with the early History and Ordinances of the Church, we
have the well known Constitutiones Clementinæ glossatæ à Joanne Andrea,
folio; the Institutiones et Codex Justiniani-Chronica Martini Papæ, &c.
folio; Sylloge Conciliorum Ecclesiarum Orientalium et Occidentalium,
à Martino Bracarensi Episcopo facta, folio; Acta et Statuta quædam
de Fratribus Mendicantibus, &c. folio; Eusebii Cæsariensis Historia
Ecclesiastica, Latinè per Rufinum, cum Supplemento ad obitum Theodosii
Magni, folio; Ludovici de Padua, Tabula in Jus Canon, et Civil. folio;
Joannes de Bromyard Tractatus Juris Civilis et Canonici, folio; and the
Constitutiones Provinciales et Legatinæ, cum Commentariis in easdem.
Independently of Augustini de Civitate Dei, Sermones et Epistolæ, and
Hieronymi Epistolæ, et Tractatus varii, there are the Works of Saints
Anselm and Gregory; Joannis Damasceni Opera; Cassianus de Collationibus
Patrum; and Nicolai de Lyra super V. Libros Moysis, &c. folio; together
with Petri de Capua Dictionum Biblicarum Explanatio ordine Alphabetico,
folio.
In the Theology of the middle ages we meet with the subtleties of Thomas
Aquinas, and Joannes Duns Scotus super IV Sentent. folio, as well as
with Adhelmus de Virginitate, &c. 4to.; Nicolai de Gorram Distinctiones
Rerum Theologicarum, A.D. 1400, folio; Roberti Crickladensis, Cognomine
Canuti, (Knight) de Connubio Jacobi Patriarchæ, 4to.; Josephi De
Burgo, Cancellarii Cantabrigiensis, Liber qui dicitur Pupilla Oculi,
folio; Alcwini Diaconi Speculum Morale, 4to.; Ægidii Romani, Eremitæ
Augustiniani, Liber de Regimine Principum, folio; and Hugonis de Sancto
Victore Liber de Claustro animæ, folio.
As connected with British History, I may mention the following
interesting volume:
Bedæ, Venerabilis, Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica Libris V. cum
Epilogio de Obitu Bedæ; et Chronologia Archiepiscoporum Cantuariensium ab
Augustino ad præsens tempus; i. e. Thomæ de Arundel. Archiep. Cantuar.
folio.
Of Classical Authors, the Manuscripts are few, yet amid such a mass of
obsolete divinity, it is pleasant to recognise the following:
Ciceronis liber de Inventione Rhetoricâ cum Glossâ, et Fulberti Episcopi
de Differentiâ Rhetoricæ & Dialecticæ. Item, Liber de Officio Oratoris
ad Herennium, 4to.; Boethii de Consolatione Philosophiæ cum Comm. 4to.;
and Petri de Crescentiis, Civis Bononiensis, de Ruralibus Commodis,
folio; to which I may add the celebrated Catholicon Januense, folio;
Isidori Hispalensis Etymologiarum Liber, folio; and Osberni Monachi
Gloucestrensis, Panormia; seu Linguæ Latinæ Dictionarium; scilicet,
Vocabula, Derivationes, &c. folio.
With these and the mention of the once popular Bartholomæus de
Proprietatibus Rerum, 4to.; and Jacobi Januensis Aurea Legenda, folio; I
shall conclude my account of the Manuscripts, which form the most ancient
portion of the Hereford Cathedral Library, the contents of which are
briefly enumerated in the order in which the volumes themselves stand
upon the shelves, for being all chained, this order cannot be materially
disturbed.
This list occupies nine leaves at the end of the folio volume, which
contains the Catalogue of the printed books, and bears the following
title: “Catalogus omnium Codicum Manuscriptorum in Bibliothecâ
Herefordensi.”
I observed, lying upon the table 93 pages of a printed Catalogue of the
Manuscripts in the possession of Sir Thomas Phillipps, at Middle Hill in
Worcestershire, arranged according to the Collections, or under the names
of the booksellers from which they had been purchased, with this general
title: Catalogus Librorum MSS. in Bibliothecâ Philippicâ, folio; which
I regarded as a temporary expedient to assist the recollection of their
owner, for a Collection so valuable and extensive ought to receive such
a detailed description as that given by the accurate and indefatigable
O’Conor of the invaluable Manuscripts at Stowe. Let us therefore hope
that the “Bibliotheca Philippica” may one day be rightly set forth juxta
exemplar “Bibliothecæ MS. Stowensis.”
We come now to the remaining and most extensive department of this
venerable Library, which includes the printed books, which are briefly
enumerated in a thin folio volume, entitled “Catalogus omnium impressorum
Librorum Bibliothecæ Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Herefordensis juxta ordinem
alphabeticum digestus.”
The true bibliographer, (Spirit of envy, say not bibliomaniac), will
imagine with what pleasure I turned from the vague indication of ‘Legenda
Aurea’ in this Catalogue, to its corresponding number on the shelves, and
found it to be the veritable Golden Legende of William Caxton.
To those who in Dibdinian phraseology are familiar with this “thumping
folio,” I need say no more than that it is very sound in the middle,
though much stained at the end; and that it is preserved in its original
binding of stamped calf, with the brass knobs and clasps. This copy is
however unfortunately defective at the end, wanting all the leaves after
“folio cccc.xxxix.” It also wants the Prologue and Table, five leaves,
beginning with folio i. and continuing entire to folio cccc.xxxix.
inclusive.
As a meet companion to this noble specimen of the early English press,
I may cite a very fine early Terence, in a rude Roman type, without
any distinction of verses, or name of printer, place, or date. This
interesting volume consists of 246 leaves, and has 35 lines in a full
page. It commences with the life of Publius Terentius Afer, having the
first letter illuminated, and ends with these verses:
“Qui cupit obtrusam frugem gustasse Terenti
Donatum querat noscere grammaticum.”
It is bound up with a Manuscript of Terence, entitled, “Pars Comœd.
P. Terentii, partim MS. cum Expos. Florii,” &c. apparently in an old
English hand; and at the end of the volume, in Gothic character, is this
inscription: “Liber est sui Olkeym Lloid.” The book retains its original
wooden binding, covered with calf, and confined by clasps. On the centre
of its right side, under a plate of horn is the following inscription
upon paper, in the Gothic character:
“Terenciᵘˢ cu̅ donato. Ex dono m̅. Olkeym Lloyd, qu̅dam Canonum
huj’ Ecclie.—”
Whilst on the subject of early printed books, I may mention Higden’s
Polychronicon, printed by Wynkyn de Worde in 1495; Lyndewode,
Provinciale, in double columns, of Gothic letter, with the date of
1433, doubtless by a lapse of the numeral and intended for 1483, folio;
Bartholomæus de Proprietatibus Rerum, Argentorati, 1485, folio; and
the Commentaries of Nicholas de Lyra, printed at Venice in 1485, in
5 volumes, folio; Breydenbach, Peregrinationes in terram sanctam,
Antverpiæ, 1490, fol.; Ptolomæi Geographia, Ulmæ, 1486, fol.; and
though last, not least, a very fine and found copy of Nonius Marcellus
de Proprietate Latini Sermonis, printed at Venice by the unrivalled
Nicolas Jenson in 1476, folio. This beautiful copy has the first letter
illuminated, and the arms of some former, probably its earliest,
possessor, printed at the foot of the first page. It is preserved in its
pristine coverture of wood, and is quite perfect, having the table at the
end.
Of impressions of the Holy Bible, the student of the Scriptures will
peruse with satisfaction the following succinct enumeration thereof:
Biblia Polyglotta, Montani. Antverpiæ, 1568, folio, 8 vols.
Biblia Polyglotta, Waltoni. Londini, 1657, folio, 6 vols. cum
Castelli Lexicon. 2 vols. fol.
Biblia Hebræa, cum Rabbinorum Comment. Basil. 4 vols. folio.
Biblia Hebræa, per Munster. Basileæ. 1543, 2 vols. folio.
Biblia Hebræa, per Kimchi. Parisiis, 1543, 5 vols. 4to.
Biblia Græca, per Wechel. Francofurti, 1597.
Biblia Græca, per Grabe. Oxonii, 1707, 2 vols. fol.
Biblia Latina, per S. Hieronymum, Norimbergæ. 1501, folio.
Biblia Latina, per Jo. Castalionem. Basileæ, 1556, folio.
Biblia Latina, per Pagninum. Parisiis, Stephani, 1557, folio.
Biblia Latina, per Lovanium. Antverpiæ, 1570, fol.
Biblia Latina, per Junium et Tremellium. Hanoviæ, 1596 et 1624,
folio.
{ Barker. London, 1611, folio.
{ Norton and Bill. London, 1629, folio.
The Bible in English, { John Cousturier, “permissu superiorum
printed by { at the College of Doway.” 1635, 4to.
{ Field. Cambridge, 1660, folio.
Novum Testamentum Gr. Millii. Oxonii, 1707, folio.
Novum Testamentum Gr. Erasmi. Basileæ, 1527, 1555 & 1570, folio.
Psalterium Hebr. Gr. Arab. et Chald. 1516, folio.
As connected with the Church Service, I may mention—
Breviarium ad usum Sarum. Londini, 1556, 4to.
Manuale ad usum Sarum. Londini, 1554, 4to.
Missale ad usum Sarum. 1531, folio.
Missale Romanum a Concilio Tridentino institutum. Lugd. Bat.
1685, folio.
Durandi Rationale divinorum officiorum. Lugduni, 1592, 8vo.
Of the Fathers of the Church, in addition to the Works of Saints Ambrose,
Cyprian, Cyril, and Epiphanius, and of Lactantius, Clemens Alexandrinus,
Origen, Philo Judæus, Peter and Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Theophylact,
Tostatus and Theodoret; I remarked the Works of
Saint Anselm, printed at Cologne in 1573, folio.
Athanasii Opera Gr. et Lat. Coloniæ, 1686, 2 vols. folio.
Augustini Opera per Erasmum. Basileæ, 1529, 10 vols. folio.
Basilii Magni Opera. Parisiis, 1618, 3 vols. folio.
Chrysostomi Opera per Erasmum. Basileæ, 1530, 5 vols. folio.
Eusebii Historia Ecclesiastica. Moguntiæ, 1672, folio.
Eusebii Præparatio Evangelica. Parisiis, 1628, folio.
Hieronymi Opera per Erasmum. Basileæ, 1524, 5 vols. folio.
Irenæi Opera per Erasmum. Basileæ, 1548, folio, and
The Bibliotheca Sanctorum Patrum.
Descending to a later period, besides the Works of Thomas Aquinas, Jewel,
Calvin, Lowth, Lightfoot, Hammond, Pearson, Prideaux, Stillingfleet, and
Jeremy Taylor, Chillingworth, Patrick, Knight, and Tillotson; I noticed
The Syntagma Opinionum. Lugd. 1608, 3 vols. folio.
Lutheri Opera Omnia. Witebergæ, 1582, 7 vols. folio.
Grotii Comment. in Vet. & Nov. Test. Parisiis, 1644, 5 vols.
folio.
Suiceri Thesaurus Ecclesiasticis. Amstelod. 1682, 2 vols. folio.
Zanchii Opera Theologica. Genevæ, 1619, 3 vols. folio.
Zuingeri Theatrum Vitæ Humanæ. Basileæ, 1571, 3 vols. folio.
To which I may without impropriety, add
Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible. London, 1732, 3 vols. folio.
Broughton’s Dictionary of all Religions. London, 1742, folio.
Bibliotheca Polonorum Fratrum.
Bibliotheca Hebræa per Wolfium.
Bochart, Geographia Sacra. Cadomi, 1651.
Bochart, Hierozoicon. Londini, 1663.
Suarez Theological Tracts, and several of the Controversial
Writings of Bellarmine.
In Ecclesiastical History, I observed many valuable Works upon the
shelves, of which I may select the
Conciliorum Collectio Maxima per Labbeum, &c. Paris, 1672, in
18 vols. folio.
Harduini Conciliorum Actorum Collectio. Parisiis, 1715, in 12
vols. folio.
Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ per Wilkins. London, 1726, 4 vols.
folio.
Bingham’s Antiquities of the Christian Church.
Picart’s Religious Ceremonies. London, 1733.
Godwyn’s Præsules Anglicani. Londini, 1616, 2 vols. folio.
Godwyn’s English Prelates. London, 1601.
Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History.
Wharton’s Anglia Sacra.
Hooker’s Ecclesiastical Polity.
Burnet’s Reformation.
Walker’s Sufferings of the Clergy.
Baronii Annales Eccles.
Parker’s Antiq. Eccl. Brit. Hanoviæ, 1605, folio.
Sanderi Vera Historia Schismatis Anglicanæ. Colon. 1628, 8vo.
Brandt’s History of the Reformation in the Low Countries.
London, 1720, 4 vols. folio.
Bedæ Historia Ecclesiastica. Antverpiæ, 1550.
Bedæ Historia per Smith. Cantabrigiæ, 1722, folio.
Fox’s Book of Martyrs. London, 1610, 2 vols. fol.
Strype’s Annals and Memorials.
Justiniani Codex, and the Decreta Gratiani, are the most worthy
of commemoration.
Before quitting entirely the subject of Divinity, I may add that this
Library contains several old concordances.
Gesneri Bibliotheca per Simlerum. Tiguri, 1574, folio.
Fleetwood’s Sermons and Tract.
The Critici Sacri.
Leigh’s Critica Sacra. Lond. 1646, 4to.
Erasmi Opera Omnia. Lugd. Bat. 1703, 10 vols. folio.
Gibson’s Codex Juris Canon. et Civil., in 2 vols. fol.
Martin Bucer de scriptis Anglicanis, &c.
Of which Cave’s Scriptor. Eccles. Hist. Liter. Londini, 1688, folio; and
Dupin’s History of Ecclesiastical Writers, London, 1697, 7 vols. folio,
may very properly conclude the notice.
Of General History it may suffice to specify, the Dictionary of Bayle,
the valuable Collections of Grævius and Gronovius, with the Lexicon of
Pitiscus and the Inscriptions of Gruter.
Guicciardini Historia sui temporis. Basileæ, 1556, folio.
Krantzii Saxonicæ Gentis Origo. Francof. 1580, folio.
Krantzii Regnorum Aquilon. Chronica. Francof. 1583, folio.
Olai Magni, Historia Gentium Septentrion. Basileæ, 1567, folio.
Marianæ Historia de rebus Hispanicis. Toleti, 1592, folio.
Montfaucon’s Antiquities, translated by Humphreys.
Blair’s Chronological Tables. London, 1756, folio.
Collier’s Historical Dictionary and the Atlas de Lisle.
Of English History, it is pleasant to record such valuable Illustrations
as Dugdale’s Monasticon, by Stevens, and Tanner’s Notitia by Nasmith;
Dugdale’s Baronage; the Publications of the Record Commissioners.
Scriptores Rerum Anglicarum post Bedam, edente Savile.
Britannicarum Rerum Scriptores vetustiores ac præcipui.
Heidelbergæ, 1587, folio.
Camdeni Anglica, Normannica etc. a veteribus scripta.
Francofurti, 1603, folio.
Camden’s Britannia, edited by Gibson. London, 1753, folio.
Brooke’s Discovery of Camden’s Errors. London, 1660, 4to.
Polydore Vergil, Historia Anglicana.
Ricardi Viti Basinstochii Historia Britanniæ. 1611, 8vo.
Matthæi Westmonasteriensis Flores Historiarum. Francof. 1601,
folio.
Matthæi Paris Historia Anglicana. Londini, 1571, folio.
The Chronicles of Harding. London, 1543.
The Chronicles of Fabian. London, 1559.
The Chronicles of Cooper. London, 1560.
The Chronicles of Holinshed. London, 1574, 2 vols. folio.
Rushworth’s Historical Collections. London, 1721, 6 vols. folio.
Clarendon’s History of the Rebellion. Oxford, 1707, 2 vols.
folio.
Thurloe’s State Papers.
Kippis’s Biographia Britannica.
Gibson’s Home Lacy, &c. Oxon. 1674.
Borlase’s Cornwall.
Wood’s Antiquitates Oxonienses. 1674.
Wood’s Athenæ. Oxon. 1691.
Sandford’s Genealogical History of the Kings of England.
To which I may add, as the most proper sequel,
Balæi Scriptores Britannici. Wesaliæ, 1548, 4to. and
Nicolson’s valuable Historical Library.
Of Law, it will be enough to mention the Statutes at large; Blackstone’s
Commentaries; Cunningham’s Law Dictionary; Spencer de legibus Hebræorum,
Cantabrigiæ, 1685; Durandi Speculum Juris, Basileæ, 1574, folio.
Of Classical Authors, in addition to the Works of Aristotle, I may
enumerate,
Aristophanes, Stephani. Basileæ, 1547.
Ciceronis Opera, Lambini. Genevæ, 1584.
Demosthenes, Taylori. Cantabrigiæ, 1748, 4to.
Euripides, Barnesii. Cantabrigiæ, 1694.
Horatius. Basileæ, 1580, folio.
Livii Historia. Parisiis, 1573, folio.
Pausanias. Basileæ, 1550.
Plato, Ficini. Francof. 1602, folio.
Plinii Sen. Nat. Hist. Selestadii, 1531, folio.
Plutarchus. Basileæ, 1535, folio.
Polybius, Casauboni. Parisiis, 1609, folio.
Strabonis Geographia. Basileæ, 1523, folio.
Thucydides, Hudsoni. Oxonii, 1696, folio; with Nycoll’s
Translation of Thucydides. London, 1560, folio.
Valerius Maximus. Parisiis, 1517, folio.
Virgilius. Parisiis, 1532, folio; with Trapp’s Translation, and
Xenophontis Opera, Stephani. Parisiis, 1581, folio.
To which may be added, the
Josephus of Hudson.
Poetæ Græci Heroici. Aurel. Allob. 1606, folio, and
Maittaire Corpus Poetarum Latinorum. Londini, 1713, 2 vols.
folio.
I may here also most properly introduce the Acta Eruditorum cum Suppl.
Lipsiæ, 1683, et seq. 4to.; the Bibliographia Antiquaria; Bibliotheca
Græca, Latina, and Ecclesiastica of the learned Fabricius; Photii
Bibliotheca, curâ Hœschelii, Rothomagi, 1563; and Bibliothecæ Bodleianæ
Catalogus, Oxonii, 1574, folio; Bibliothecæ Thuani Catalogus, Hamburg, 2
vols. 12mo.; Thuani Monumenta Literaria, Lut. Par. 1639, 4to.
With Etymological Works this Library is well furnished, as the following
specimens may serve to show.
Cooper’s Thesaurus. London, 1584, folio.
Davies’ Dictionarium. Coloniæ, 1624, 4to.
Hesychii Lexicon.
Hoffmanni Lexicon.
Hickes’ Thesaurus Septentrionalis. Oxonii, 1705, folio; cui
accedit Wanleii Antiq. Litt. Septentr. Oxon. 1705, folio.
Johnson’s English Dictionary.
Lexicon Arabicum per Erpenium. Leidæ, 1613.
Lexicon Chaldaicum per Eliam Levitam. Colon. 1560.
Lexicon Hebraicum per Mercerum, &c. Lugd. 1575.
Lluyd’s Archælogia.
Lye’s Saxon and Gothic Dictionary.
Perotti Cornucopia. Basileæ, 1526, folio.
Phavorini Lexicon Græcum.
Suidæ Lexicon. Venetiis, 1514, folio.
In English Literature this Collection is remarkably deficient, for the
Works of Bacon and Locke, of the Royal Authors, James and Charles;
Merlin’s Prophecies, printed at Frankfort in 1608; and Chambers’
Cyclopædia, alone arrested my attention.
I must not however omit Hawkins’s History of Music, and a complete
Collection of Handel’s Music, the munificent donation of his late Majesty
George IV. to the Cathedral of Hereford.
Though not connected with the Library, I may be pardoned for introducing
to the reader’s notice an old Saxon Map of the World, preserved in
the Treasury. Jerusalem is its centre, and the names of the places
are indicated in black letter, which appears to have been inserted
subsequently to the original Saxon characters. At the corner of the Map
is this inscription: “Exiit edictu̅ ab Augusto Cæsare ut describeretur
hic universus orbis”—signed by “Richard de Haldingham,” and “e de
lafford.”
The Antiquary will learn with pleasure that a copy of this Map has been
made by the direction of the Royal Society, and that consequently this
interesting relic of antiquity will become much better known than any
observations of mine could possibly make it.
[Illustration]
Library of Lambeth Palace.
In the princely habitation of the head of the English Church, no place
could have been found more suitable for the reception of the valuable
Library of printed books, attached to the See of Canterbury, than the
ancient Juxonian Hall, rife with historic recollections, and now replete
with comfort.
This noble room has been so beautifully restored under the tasteful
superintendance of Blore, that all its furniture is in perfect accordance
with the ancient vaulted roof, which hangs above it.
The modern oaken bookcases entirely surround the room, and projecting at
stated intervals from the walls, make as it were a little book-room in
each recess; so vast are the dimensions of this antique hall, which is
however completely warmed at pleasure by two grand fire-places, one at
each end of the room.
The books, thus carefully protected from damp, amount in number to nearly
five and twenty thousand volumes, arranged in symmetrical order upon the
open shelves of the oaken cases.
Some of the choicer articles however are kept in the adjacent muniment
room, of which the Librarian religiously keeps the key.
The two Coverdale’s, and other early English Bibles, some of the
Caxton’s, and Cicero’s offices, with the Neapolitan Pentateuch, both
upon vellum, will be found reposing in this chamber, of whose principal
contents I have already spoken.
Previous to the judicious adaptation of the Juxonian Hall to the
Archiepiscopal Library, that Collection was deposited in four galleries
over the cloisters, where it had probably remained ever since the
Restoration.
Its previous history is however worthy of notice, as a remarkable
instance of the mutations to which literary property is subject in times
of popular commotion.
This Library is believed to have been founded by Archbishop Bancroft, in
the reign of James the First, but during the civil wars, these printed
books were all seized by the Parliament, and by it subsequently bestowed
upon the puritanical establishment of Sion College.
In times of great political excitement, men it would seem have no
leisure to attend to nice distinctions between meum and tuum: many of
those volumes consequently got into private hands; and the Library was
in danger of being dispersed, when the learned Selden suggested to the
University of Cambridge their right to the Collection under Archbishop
Bancroft’s will.
This demand, it appears, was no sooner made than complied with; for in
February, 1647, we find, that pursuant to an order of Parliament, this
Collection was delivered into the possession of that University.
The Archiepiscopal Library however was not long suffered to remain
separate from its parent See, for upon the Restoration it was demanded by
Archbishop Juxon, and was accordingly restored to his successor.
Since the period of its foundation, though the Library may have sustained
some losses, yet these I suspect have been more than counterbalanced by
the numerous benefactions of successive Prelates.
Archbishops Abbot, Laud, Sheldon, and Tennison were distinguished
benefactors. Archbishop Secker enriched it by the bequest of his entire
Collection; and the late Archbishop Manners Sutton considerably augmented
the theological class.
The first Catalogue of the printed books was compiled by Bishop Gibson,
in two small folio volumes, each containing a full alphabet, and bearing
the following title:—“Catalogus librorum quos summâ curâ propriisque
sumptibus Richardus et Georgius nuper Cantuariæ Archi-Epi. Bibliothecæ
Lambethanæ, compârunt: eosq. successoribus suis Cantuarien Archi-Epis.
supremis Tabulis in Perpetuum relinquendos statuerunt.” The title of the
books, with their dates and references to their places on the shelves are
in this Catalogue correctly given. These two volumes are bound in what
Dr. Dibdin would call “a kiver of parchmente.”
This Catalogue was afterwards transcribed in a fair hand by Dr. Wilkins,
and continued by his successors to the present time. The arrangement
of this Work is alphabetical, and the titles, dates, and places are
correctly given to each book, with references to their places upon the
shelves, or rather to a corresponding numeral and letter pasted on each
volume.
This Catalogue is comprised in three folio volumes, each having a
separate title page, which is superscribed with “Catalogus Bibliothecæ
Lambethanæ.”
The first volume bears the date of 1718, and contains 725 pages
regularly numbered from the beginning, comprising letters A to F. The
second volume, bearing the title and date, contains pages 729 to 1393,
and letters E to O. The third volume, bearing the same date and title,
contains pages 1397 to 2068, and letters P to Z. All these volumes are in
calf binding; but they do not contain all the treasures of this extensive
Collection; for in another folio volume, also bound in calf, we find “A
Catalogue of the Books bequeathed by the late Archbishop Secker to the
Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, A.D. 1768.”
This Catalogue, compiled in alphabetical order, contains 244 pages,
exclusive of seven leaves at the end, containing “an Index of the
Names of the Authors, whose Works are scientifically placed in this
Catalogue.” In both these Catalogues, though the arrangement is strictly
alphabetical, yet Works relating to different subjects, countries, or
sects, &c. are enumerated under those heads as well as under the names of
their respective authors.
There are yet three other calf-bound volumes in folio, descriptive of the
contents of this Library. Two of these contain “A Catalogue of the Tracts
and Pamphlets in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, drawn up by Dr.
Ducarel, F. R. and A. S. Lambeth Librarian.”
The first volume, dated 1773, contains 285 leaves, and letters A to
N, preceded by the foregoing title, and a dedication to Frederick,
Archbishop of Canterbury, by the compiler. The second volume, bearing the
same date and title, contains letters O to Z, and has leaves, numbered
from 286 to 596, after which the pages are numbered, so that the final
number is 618, although the actual number of leaves in the Work be only
609. It also bears the date of 1773. The third volume comprehends an
“Index to the Catalogue of Pamphlets and Tracts in the Lambeth Library,
drawn up by Dr. Ducarel, 1773,” being an alphabetical index of the names
contained in the two preceding volumes. To all these three volumes a
portrait of Dr. Ducarel, the historian of Lambeth Palace, as well as the
keeper of its Library, is prefixed.
In attempting to convey to the reader some notion of the multifarious
contents of this extensive Collection, I would first beg to direct his
attention to sacred subjects, for Biblical Literature forms one of the
most important features of this valuable Library.
Here are two copies of the first English Bible, being that translated
by Coverdale, and printed in all probability by Christian Egenolph at
Francfort in 1535, folio.
The first of these copies, with the dedication to Queen Anne Boleyn,
wants the title, but is perfect, though damaged at the end. It does not
possess the Map, which is so often wanting. This volume measures twelve
inches and a half by seven inches and seven-eighths, and is in old
calf-binding.
The second of these copies, has the dedication to Queen Jane Seymour,
belonging to the edition 1536, wants not only the title, but the whole of
the New Testament. It possesses however a gratuitous addition at the end,
of thirteen leaves, being “a table of the principal Matters conteyned
in the whole Bible,” printed in the ordinary black letter of the early
part of the sixteenth century. This volume measures twelve inches and a
quarter by eight inches, and is also in calf-binding.
In pursuing the other editions of the English Bible, I will observe as
closely as I can the order of time, beginning with the joint labour of
Coverdale and Tyndale;
The Bible, by Thomas Matthew, at the expense of R. Grafton
and E. Whitchurch, without indication of place, but printed
at London in 1537, folio.[23] The present copy retains its
original binding of calf.
Cranmer’s, or the Great Bible. London, by Richard Grafton and
Edward Whitchurch, finished in April, 1539, folio.
Cranmer’s Bible. London, by Edward Whitchurch, Apryll, 1540,
folio.
The Bible, oversene by Cuthbert, Bishop of Duresm, and Nicolas,
Bishop of Rochester. London, by Edward Whitchurche, 1541, folio.
The Bible, by Thomas Matthew, reprinted from the edition of
1537, with some alterations, and published by Edmund Becke.
London, by Thomas Raynaldes and William Hyll, 1549, folio.
Taverner’s Bible. London, by J. Daye and W. Seres, 1549, folio.
Coverdale’s Bible. London, for Andrew Hester, 1550, 4to.; the
body of this book is in Zurich type, but the preliminary pieces
were printed at London.
The Bible, by Thomas Matthew, with some variation, and an
addition of the third book of the Maccabees by Edmond Becke.
London, by John Daye, 1551, folio.
The Bible. Printed at London by Nicholas Hyll, for Robert Toye,
1551, folio.
The Genevan Bible. At Geneva, printed by Rouland Hall, 1560,
4to.[24]
Cranmer’s Bible. Lond. by John Cawood, 1561, 4to.
Cranmer’s Bible. Rouen, by C. Hamillon, at the cost and charges
of Richard Carmarden, 1566, folio.[25]
The Bible. Printed at London, with Cawood’s Mark, in 1569, 4to.
The Bishop’s Bible. London, by Richard Jugge, 1572, folio. This
is the second edition of the well-known Bishop’s Bible, and the
last in which the three copper plates of Elizabeth, Leicester,
and Cecil are found. It has a double version of the Psalms.
Cranmer’s Bible. London, by Richard Jugge, 1573, 4to. The
present is the presentation copy of this book, painted and
richly bound in five volumes.
The Genevan Bible. London, by Christopher Barker, 1578, 4to.
This edition has two versions of the Psalms; the Genevan,
printed in Roman letter, and that of the Great Bible, printed
in Gothic, similar to the rest of the volume.
The Genevan Bible. London, by Christopher Barker, 1583, folio.
The Bishop’s Bible. London, by Christopher Barker, 1585, folio.
The Bible, the Bishop’s, except the Psalms, which are according
to Cranmer’s Bible. London, by the deputies of C. Barker, 1595,
folio.
The Genevan Bible. London, by the deputies of C. Barker, 1595,
folio.
The Genevan Bible. London, by the deputies of C. Barker, 1599,
4to. Dr. Cotton remarks that probably this impression was a
very large one, as it appears to be the most common of all the
Genevan editions.[26]
The Genevan Bible. London, by R. Barker, 1611, folio; also in
4to. by R. Barker, 1611.
The Bible, translated by Royal Authority. London, by R. Barker,
1611, folio.[27]
The Bible. Printed at London by R. Barker, 1612, 4to.
The Bible. Printed at London in 1617, folio.
The Bible. Printed at Cambridge, 1629, folio.
The Bible. Printed by Buck and Daniel, at Cambridge, in 1638,
folio.
The Holy Bible. Printed at Cambridge in 1657, fol.
The Bible. Printed at London in 1660, 8vo.
The Bible, printed by Field at Cambridge, in 1663, folio.
The Bible, with Notes, and a Preface by John Canne. London, by
C. Bill, and the executrix of T. Newcomb, 1700, 4to.
The Bible, commonly called Bishop Lloyd’s, containing
additional marginal references. London, by C. Bill, and the
executrix of T. Newcomb, 1701, folio.
The Royal Bible, with Genevan Notes. London, without name of
printer, 1708, folio.
The Bible, translated by Anthony Purver, with Notes. London, by
Richardson, 1764, in two folio volumes.
Having thus briefly enumerated the English Bibles in this Collection,
I proceed to notice, in chronological order, those copies of detached
portions of the Scriptures which have been separately published,
commencing with the
New Testament, by William Tyndale, 1536, 12mo. being his third
and last revision.
The Pystles and Gospelles for every Sonday and holydaye in the
yere. Paris, no name, 1538, 8vo.
The same. Printed at Rouen, without name of printer, 1538, 8vo.
St. Matthew, chapters v. vi. vii. with an exposition by William
Tyndale, printed abroad, 1538, 16mo.
The New Testament, in Latin and English, after the Vulgate, by
John Hollybushe [Myles Coverdale.] Southwark, by J. Nicolson,
1538, 4to. This copy is of the second edition, which is less
rare than the first.
The Epistles and Gospels of every Sunday and holiday. London,
by Robert Redman, 1539, 4to.
The Epistles and Gospels, with Postills by divers learned men,
recognized and augmented by Richard Taverner, 1540, 12mo. very
narrow page. The present copy is imperfect.
The New Testament, translated from the Latin of Erasmus.
London, by R. Grafton and E. Whitchurch, 1540, 4to.
The New Testament. London, by William Powell, 1548, 4to.
Apocrypha. London, by J. Day and W. Seres, 1549, 12mo.
The Canticles, or Balades of Solomon, in Englysh metre by
William Baldwin. London, 1549, 4to.
The New Testament in Latin and English, the Latin by Erasmus.
London, by Thomas Gualtier, for J. C. 1550, 8vo.[28]
The New Testament, by Myles Coverdale. London, by Reynold
Wolfe, 1549, 12mo.[29]
The New Testament. London, by Richard Jugge, 1552, 4to.
The first fourteen chapters of the Acts of the Apostles,
translated into English metre by Christopher Tye: with Musical
Notes. London, by William Seres, 1553, 12mo.[30] The present
copy was presented to the Lambeth Library, by Sir John
Hawkins, on June 21st, 1777.
The New Testament. London, by Richard Jugge, 1553, 4to.
The Epistles and Gospels, &c. Rouen, by John Prest, 1555, 16mo.
The Genevan New Testament, translated by W. Whittingham.
Printed at Geneva, by Conrade Badius, 1557, 12mo.[31]
The Genevan New Testament. Printed at Geneva, but without name
of printer, 1560, 16mo.
The New Testament. London, by Richard Jugge, 1561, 12mo.
The Epistle to the Ephesians, with an Exposition of St.
Chrysostom. London, by H. Bynneman, 1581, 4to.
The New Testament, by William Allen and others. Rhemes, by John
Fogny, 1582, 4to. This is the first edition of the Rhemish or
Roman Catholic version.
The Proverbs of Solomon, with an Exposition by T. W.
(Wilcocke.) London, by T. Orwin, 1589, 4to.
The New Testament, London, by the deputies of Christopher
Barker, 1589, 12mo.
The New Testament, Beza’s, translated by L. Tomson. London, by
the deputies of Christopher Barker, 1596, 4to.
Jonah, with an Exposition by J. Abbott, S. T. P. London, by R.
Field, 1600, 4to.
The New Testament, by the Rhemish-Douay College. Printed at
Antwerp by Daniel Veruliek, 1600, 4to.
The Old Testament, by the Roman Catholic College of Douay.
Printed at Douay by L. Kellam, in 1609 and 1610, in two quarto
volumes.
The Rhemish New Testament, with Annotations. Antwerp, by James
Seldenslach, 1621, 12mo.
The Design of part of the Book of Ecclesiastes in verse, by
W. W. London, by J. Knapton, 1691, 8vo. This book is the
production of William Woollaston, author of “the Religion of
Nature delineated;” but not being altogether satisfied with his
Work, he used his endeavours to suppress it, with such effect,
that copies are now with difficulty to be found.
The New Testament, translated from the Latin Vulgate by
Cornelius Nary, without name of place or printer, but supposed
by Dr. Geddes in his Prospectus, p. 110, to have been printed
at Dublin, 1718, 8vo.
The Rhemish New Testament, without place or name of printer,
1752, 8vo.
Divers parts of the Holy Scriptures done into English, chiefly
from Dr. Mill’s Greek copy, with Notes. London, for T. Piety,
1761, 8vo.
The New Testament, by Dr. Doddridge’s translation revised.
London, for Rivington, 1765, in two volumes, 12mo.
The New Testament, and a liberal translation by E. Harwood.
London, for T. Becket and others, 1768, in two octavo volumes.
Among the different versions of the Psalms, this Library possesses
The Psalter in Metre, with an Argument and Collect to each
Psalm, printed at London by John Daye, without date, but
referred to the year 1561, by Dr. Cotton, in 4to.[32]
The Psalms in Metre, by T. Sterneholde, &c. London, by John
Daye, 1573, 4to.
The Psalms in Metre, by Sterneholde, &c. London, by T.
Vautrollier, 1587, 12mo.
An Exposition of the Psalmes, by Thomas Wilcocke. London, by
T. Orwin, 1591, 4to.; the title whereof is wanting.
The Psalms in Metre, with prose in the margin, for the use of
the Church of Scotland. Middleburgh, by Richard Schilders,
1602, 12mo.
The Psalter, after the Great Bible. London, for the Company,
1606, 32mo.
The Psalms, by Sterneholde, with the Tunes. London, for the
Company, 1607, 4to.
The Psalms, in Prose and Metre, by Henry Ainsworth. Amsterdam,
by Giles Thorp, 1612, 4to.
The Psalms in verse and prose; with the Songs of Moses,
Deborah, &c. translated by H. Dod, without place or printer’s
name, 1620, 8vo.[33]
Psalms and Hymns, with the music, in four parts, by Thomas
Ravenscroft. London, for the Company, 1621, 8vo.
Certaine Psalmes in Verse by Francis, Lord Verulam. London,
for Hannah Barrett, and R. Whittaker, 1625, 4to. The Psalms
contained in this rare volume are the i. xii. xc. civ. cxxvi.
cxxxvii. and cxlix.
The Psalmes by Sterneholde, &c. London, for the Company, 1626,
8vo.
The Psalms, translated by king James, with the prose. Oxford,
by William Turner, 1631, 12mo.
The Psalms, in Prose and Metre, with the notes. Edinburgh, by
the heirs of Andro Hart, 1635, 8vo.
The Psalmes by Sterneholde, &c. London, by G. M. for the
Company, 1638, folio.
The Psalms in Metre and Prose, with Annotations by H.
Ainsworth. Amsterdam, by Thomas Stafford, 1644, 8vo.
The Psalmes by Sterneholde, &c. London, by A. M. for the
Company, 1655, 8vo.
The Psalmes by Sterneholde, &c. Cambridge, by John Field, 1657,
8vo.
An Essay towards a metrical version of the Psalms, by Samuel
Leigh. London, by Thomas Milbourne, 1661, 8vo.
The Psalms paraphrased. London, by Thomas Garthwaite, 1664, 8vo.
The Psalms in Metre by Bishop King. Second edition. London, for
S. and B. Griffin, 1671, 8vo.
A Paraphrase on the Psalms, by G. Sandys, set to new tunes.
London, by W. Godbid for A. Roper, 1676, 8vo.
The Psalms in Metre, by S. Woodford. Second edition. London,
for J. Martyn and others, 1678, 8vo.
The Psalmes, by Sterneholde, &c. London, by J. Macock, for the
Company, 1682, 8vo.
A Century of Select Psalms, by J. Patrick. Third edition.
London, for R. Royston, 1686, 8vo.
Psalms, or Psalm-hymns in Metre, by William Barton. London, by
J. Heptinstall, 1688, 12mo.
Psalms in Metre, by William Barton. London, by F. Collins,
1691, 12mo.
The Psalms by Sterneholde, &c. London, by John Leake, 1693, 4to.
The first Twenty Psalms in Verse, by N. Brady and N. Tate.
London, for the Company, 1695, 8vo.[34]
The Psalms by Brady and Tate, the first edition of this
authorized version. London, by M. Clark, 1696, 8vo.
The Psalms in Metre, by Brady and Tate. The second edition of
this version. London, by T. Hodgkin, 1698, 8vo.
The Psalms, newly translated, in Metre. London, by Thomas
Parkhurste, 1700, 12mo.
The first Fifteen Psalms, in Lyric Verse, by Dr. J. Gibbs.
London, by J. Matthews, 1701, 4to.
The Psalms, with the Argument of each Psalm, by Dr. Allix.
London, by John Taylor, 1701, 8vo.
Holy David, and his English Translators cleared, being the
Psalms explained by J. Johnson. London, by R. Knaplock, 1707,
8vo. The second edition: the first having been published
anonymously in the preceding year.
The Psalms in Metre, by King James. Edinburgh, by J. Watson,
1712, 8vo.
The Psalms in Metre, by Sir R. Blackmore. London, by J. March,
1721, 8vo.
Ruddiman’s Vindication of Buchanan’s Psalms. Edinburgh, 1745,
8vo.
The Psalter in its original form, by G. Fenwick, containing
also a translation of “the last words of David.” London, by T.
Longman, 1759, 8vo.
The first Book of David’s Psalms in heroic Verse, by Robson.
London, for W. Sanby, 1761, 8vo.
The Psalms, translated from the Hebrew, in measured Prose, with
critical Notes by W. Green, _M.A._ Cambridge, by J. Bentham,
1762, 8vo.
Psalms and Hymns in Metre, by C. Bradbury. London, by M. Lewis,
1763, 12mo.
Psalms in Verse, by James Merrick, _M.A._ The first edition.
Reading, by J. Carnan, 1765, 4to.; and many other editions of
the English Psalter of more recent date.
To this copious Collection of Psalmody I am enabled to add “A List of
Psalters, Psalms, &c. presented to the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth
by the Right Reverend Dr. Thomas Percy, Lord Bishop of Dromore, April
29th 1782,” wherein the Books are arranged according to their sizes.
_Folio._
The Psalms in Prose, translated by Alexander Top. Amsterdam, by
Jan Fred. Stam. 1629.
The Ascents of the Soul on David’s Mount towards God’s House;
being paraphrases in verse on the fifteen Psalms of Degrees,
from the Italian of Loredano, by Henry, Lord Coleraine. London,
printed by A. G. and J. P. for Robert Harford, at the Angel in
Cornhill, 1681.
_Quarto._
Sacred Hymns, being Fifty Select Psalms, paraphrastically
turned into English Verse by Sir Edwin Sandys;[35] and by
Robert Tailour set to be sung in five parts. London, printed by
Thomas Snodham, 1615.
Psalm cxix. paraphrased in Verse by George Atwood, B. D.
London, for W. Innys, 1730.
_Octavo._
The Book of Psalms, in Prose and Metre, with annotations by
Henry Ainsworth. Amsterdam, by Thomas Stafford, 1644.
The Psalms of David, paraphrased by Miles Smyth. London, for
Thomas Garthwaite, 1668.
Davideos, or a Specimen of some of David’s Psalms in Metre,
with remarks on the Latin translators by Mr. John Phillips.
London, for W. Keblewhite, with the date of 1798 erroneously
put for 1698.
An Essay towards a paraphrase on the Psalms, in English Verse;
with a paraphrase on Proverbs, chap. xxxi. and Revelations,
chap. iii. by Basil Kennet. London, for B. Aylmer, 1706.
The Psalms in Metre, by the Hon. Sir John Denham. London, for
J. Bowyer and others, 1714.
The whole Book of Psalms, with Hymns, and all the ancient and
proper tunes composed, &c. by John Playford. London, for the
Company, 1715.
Select Psalms, paraphrased in Metre by Dr. Richard Daniel, Dean
of Armagh. London, for Bernard Lintot, 1722.
Hymns for Christian Worship, by Robert Seagrave. London, 1742.
A Poetical translation of the Psalms of David, from Buchanan’s
Latin into English Verse, by the Rev. Thomas Cradock, of
Maryland. London, for Mrs. A. Cradock, of Wells, 1754.
The Psalms of David, translated into heroic Verse, by Stephen
Wheatland and Tipping Sylvester. London, for S. Bink, 1754.
_Duodecimo._
The Psalms of David, by Sterneholde and Hopkins, with Notes.
London, in black letter by John Daye, 1570.
The Psalms of David and other Holy Prophets, by R. B. (query
Brathwaite). London, for Francis Constable, 1638. This book has
two titles, one of which is engraved, and contains a portrait.
The Psalms of David in four languages, namely Hebrew, Greek,
Latin and English; set to tunes by W. S. (William Slatyer).
London, by Thomas Harper, 1643. The whole book is engraved on
copper.
Some of the Psalms of David in Metre, by I. Patrick, N. Brady
and N. Tate. Cambridge, for the use of the University, 1699. In
which is a table relating to Prince Arthur, and a Paraphrase of
Job.
Samuelis Primitiæ, or an Essay towards a metrical version of
the Psalms, by Samuel Leigh. London, by Thomas Milbourne, 1661.
A Century of Select Psalms, by J. Patrick. Third edition.
London, for R. Royston, 1686.
A new Version of the Psalms, with Hymns, in Metre, by Simon
Ford, D.D. London, for Brab. Aylmer, 1688.
The Psalmes of David in Prose, translated from the Vulgate by
Mr. Carryll, created Lord Dartford by the pretended Prince of
Wales, since James the Second’s death. Without place or name of
printer, but printed at Paris in 1700.[36] This copy formerly
belonged to Bishop Kennet.
The Book of Psalms in Metre, by William Barton, as left
finished in his lifetime. London, for the Company, 1705.
Psalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, by the late Rev. Daniel
Burgess. London, for John Clarke, 1714.
The Psalms in Metre, by J. Patrick, D.D. London, for John
Churchill, 1715. This is the whole Psalter.
Psalterium Americanum; the Psalms in blank verse yet printed
as prose, with illustrations, and an appendix. Boston, in New
England, by S. Kneeland, 1718.
The Psalms of David, imitated in the language of the New
Testament, by J. Watts. London, for John Clarke and others,
1719.
A new Version of the Psalms of David, by Sir Richard
Blackmore, knt. _M.D._ London, by J. March, 1721.
A new Version of the Psalms of David, by N. Brady and N. Tate.
London, for the Company, 1728.
Psalms and Hymns, a Moravian Collection, by the Rev. John
Gambold. London, no name, 1738.
The Book of Psalms in Metre, that is, in lyric measure without
rhyme, by Mr. Pike. London, by H. Kent, 1751.
A Select Collection of the Psalms in Verse from the most
eminent Poets, published, with some originals by Henry Dell,
bookseller. London, for the editor, 1756.
The Psalms in Metre, the common Scottish version, with
annotations by Mr. David Dickson. Glasgow, for John Tait and
James Brown, 1769.
_24mo._
The Psalms of David, truly opened by paraphrases in prose
from the Latin of Beza, by Anthonie Gilbie. London, by Henrie
Denham, 1581.
All the French Psalm tunes, with English Words, according to
the verses and tunes used in the reformed Churches, &c. London,
printed by Thomas Harper, 1632.
The Psalms of David, in lyrick verse, with an argument to each
Psalm by George Withers. Imprinted in the Netherlands by C.
Gerrits Van Breughel, 1632.
The Book of Psalms in English Metre. Anonymous. Printed for
Henry Tutill, bookseller at Rotterdam, 1638.
A Book of Psalms, in English Metre, close and proper to the
Hebrew, with musical notes by William Barton. London, by
Matthew Simmons, 1644.[37]
The Psalms in Metre, by William Barton, M.A. London, printed by
Roger Daniel and William du Gard, 1654.
The Psalms in Metre, translated by Luke Milbourne. London,
printed for W. Rogers and others, 1698.
The Psalms in Metre, allowed by authority of the Kirk of
Scotland. Edinburgh, by James Watson, 1712.
The Psalms in Metre, allowed by the Kirk of Scotland. Glasgow,
by W. Duncan, 1734.
The last article in the List of Books presented by that accomplished
Prelate Dr. Percy is a List of Bibles and Psalters from 1526 to 1776.
London, 1778, 8vo.
Of portions of the Sacred Scriptures in the original tongue, this Library
contains two very interesting specimens, printed upon vellum, which
are kept in the record room with the manuscripts. The first of these
is the Pentateuchus, Hebraicè, Neapoli, 1491, folio; a perfect, though
stained, copy, measuring nine and a half by seven and a half inches,
and bound in blue Morocco, in the same volume with an Account of the
Naples Pentateuch, printed at Rome in 1780. This volume has also been
described by De Rossi, A. H. T. p. 52. The second is that portion of the
Bible, in Hebrew, denominated the Prophetæ Priores, scilicet, Josue,
Judices, libri Samuelis ac Regum, cum Commentario Kimchi, folio. Soncini,
anno ab orbe condito V̅. CCXLVI. Christi 1485. This volume is quite
perfect, though in half binding, and richly deserves a more appropriate
garment. Its dimensions are thirteen inches by nine inches and a
quarter. It is copiously described by De Rossi at p. 60 of his Annales
Hebræo-Typographicæ.
To these rare and precious tomes may be added the Biblia Hebraica
Stephani. Parisiis, 1543, in 6 vols. 4to. and the Biblia Hebraica,
Hutteri. Hamburgi, 1587.
The versions of the Scriptures in various languages, next invite
our attention to the truly magnificent volumes of the Biblia Sacra
Polyglotta complectentia textus originales Hebraicum Chaldaicum et
Græcum, Pentateuchum Samaritanum, cum apparatu appendicibus tabulis, &c.,
studio et opera Briani Waltoni; Londini, Roycroft, 1657, folio; with the
dedication to King Charles the Second. The present copy is upon large
paper, measuring nineteen and a half by twelve inches and three eighths,
and is bound in 12 volumes in the original calf.
In the estimation of the fastidious bibliomaniac, it may detract from
the value of these volumes to be told that they are not uniform either
in size or appearance with their indispensable adjunct, Castelli Lexicon
Heptaglotton, Hebraicum, Chaldaicum, Syriacum, Samaritanum, &c. Londini,
1669, folio. This work is also upon large paper, measuring twenty inches
by fourteen, and bound in three volumes, in calf.
In this place may be recorded the Biblia Sacra Polyglotta, curâ Ariæ
Montani. Antverpiæ, apud Plantin, 1569-72, folio.; and the Biblia
Hebraica, Græca, et Latina, Vatabli, Heidelbergæ, 1599, folio.
I will next proceed briefly to enumerate the different versions of the
Bible in this Collection, beginning with the
Biblia Græca. Argentorati, 1526, folio, and another edition of
the same place and year, in 3 vols. 8vo.
Biblia Græca, Romæ, 1587.
Biblia Græca, Grabii. Oxonii, 1707, folio.
Kennicott’s Hebrew Bible, in 2 folio vols.
omitting other Greek versions too numerous for minute specification.
The Latin Bible of 1550, in 6 quarto volumes.
The Biblia Latina. Tiguri, 1563, folio, Francofurti, 1579, and
Londini, 1585.
The Biblia Latina Tremellii et Junii. Londini, 1593, and
Hanoviæ, 1596.
form only a few specimens of a numerous series, embracing also
The Biblia Latina Castalionis. Francofurti, 1697, fol.
The Biblia Vulgata. Parisiis, 1534; Londini, 1535; Francofurti,
1585; Basileæ, 1591; Venetiis, 1583; Romæ, 1598; Antverpiæ,
1631, 4to.
and many other editions of the Vulgate.
To these may be added two editions of
The Biblia Gallicè, printed at Geneva in 1588, and at Amsterdam
in 1700.
The Biblia Italicè. Diodati, 1607, 4to.
The Biblia Hispanicè. Amstelodami, 1602, folio.
The Biblia Moscoviticè. Ostrobiæ, 1581, folio.
The Biblia Wallicè. Londini, 1620, folio.
Of detailed portions of the Bible in various languages it may suffice to
mention
The Pentateuchus Arabicus, Erpenii. Lugduno-Batavorum, 1622,
8vo.
The Pentateuchus, Latine, Stephani. Parisiis, 1541, 4to.
Cædmon, Paraphrasis Poetica Genesios Anglo-Saxonicè. Amst.
1655, 4to.
Among different versions of the Psalter we find
The Psalterium Hebraicum of Plantin.
The Psalterium Quintuplex. Parisiis, 1513, fol.
The Psalterium, Hebraicum, Græcum, Arabicum & Chaldaicum.
Genua, 1516, folio; also that of Tremellius et Junius, and the
Welsh Psalter of 1588 in 4to; and Buchanan’s Psalms.
Of the New Testament, Editions in the Syriac, Arabic and Armenian
tongues, in the French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese languages, are
contained in this Library, where we also find
Novum Testamentum XII. Linguis, Hutteri. Norimbergæ, 1599.
Novum Testamentum Græcum, Stephani, Parisiis, 1550; Erasmi,
Basileæ, 1535; Millii, Oxonii, 1707, folio, and Edinburgi,
1740, 12mo.
Novum Testamentum Arabicè. Leydæ, 1616, 4to. and Gallicè, 1567;
at Lyons, 1682, 8vo. and at Rochelle, 1623, 12mo.[38]
In this place it may not be irrelevant to mention
Comestoris Historia Scholastica. Arg. 1500, folio.
Bibliorum utriusque Testamenti Icones. Francofurti, 1751, 8vo.
Elenchus Theologorum in S. Biblia. Coloniæ, 1558, 4to.
Vigerii Decacordon Christianum.
Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible.
The Critici Sacri, and Pole’s Synopsis.
The Rituals of the English Church in this Collection are very numerous,
including the Books of Common Prayer, published in London, of the dates
of 1549, 1552, 1603, 1613, 1636, 1637, 1662, 1664, 1680, 1683, 1686,
1692, 1704, 1705, 1706, 1707, and 1768, with many other of more recent
date.
Also the Book of Common Prayer, printed at Edinburgh in 1637.
The Irish Versions of 1608 and 1712.
The Welsh Prayer Books of 1586, 4to. 1599, 1621, 1664 and 1709.
The Greek Prayer Books, printed at Cambridge in 1675, 8vo.
The Latin Versions of London in 1574 and 1669.
The Prayer Book in English and Low Dutch, printed at Amsterdam
in 1711.
The Prayer Book in Italian, London, 1685; in Dutch, London,
1704; and in Portuguese, Oxford, 1693.
To these may be added
Christennlich ordnung und bruch der Kilchen. Zurich, 1535, 4to.
The Christian Common Prayer Book, or Universal Liturgy. London,
1761, 8vo.
and various other Forms of Prayer, used in the Reformed Churches at
Geneva and elsewhere, as well as Manuals and Prayers suited to different
occasions.
Rituals of the Church of Rome also occur plentifully in this Collection,
many Romish Breviaries of early date, and several Missals; but none so
early as the fifteenth century. Some editions of the Pontificale Romanum,
several books of Hours and Offices, and various Forms both of Private and
Public Prayer being contained therein.
I may here also notice Durandi Rationale Divinorum officiorum; the Talmud
Babylonicum, Francofurti, 1721, in 12 folio vols., the bequest of Sir
Gilbert Dolben, in 1724; and two editions of the Koran, of 1543 and 1550.
The Theological department of the Archiepiscopal Library is so extensive,
that were I to enter into minute detail I should weary the patience of
the reader; but were I to notice its general features superficially, I
should fail to convey a just idea of its contents.
The best editions of the Works of the Fathers of the Church form a
prominent feature in this Collection, including those of S.S. Ambrose,
Athanasius, Augustine, Basil, Bernard, Chrysostom, Cyprian, Cyril,
Epiphanius, Episcopius, Eusebius, Fulgentius, Gregorius, Nazianzenus,
Nyssenus and Neocæsariensis; S.S. Jerome, Hilary, Ignatius, Irenæus,
Isidore, Justin Martyr, Origen, Philo Judæus, Theophylact, Theodoret,
Polycarp, and Tertullian by de la Bigne, Paris, 1575, in 9 vols. folio.
To which I may add the Bibliotheca Patrum, Cotelerii Patres Apostolici,
Dodwell, Dissertationes Cyprianicæ, Wake’s Epistles of the Apostolical
Fathers, &c.
Among the multitudinous Works of the earlier Divines, the Authors
most deserving of mention appear to be, Anselm, S. Barnabas, Basilius
Magnus, Bellarmine, Theodore Beza, Thomas Aquinas, Petrus Blesensis,
Bonaventura, Martin Bucer, Bullinger, Calvin, Cassiodorus, Camerarius,
Clemens Romanus, Alexandrinus, Joannes Damascenus, Drexelius, Drusius,
Erasmus, Ficinus, Joannes Gerson, Grelserus, and the Popes Gregory I.
XIII. and XIV. Cornelius Jansen, Grotius, Hemingius, Hospinianus, Junius,
Thomas à Kempis, Lanfranc, Lactantius, Ludovicus Vives Maimonides,
Peter Martyr, Procopius, Prudentius, Savanarola, Duns Scotus, Socinus,
Spanheim, Stapleton, Suarez, Joannes de Turrecremata, Whitakerus contra
Bellarminum, Udalricus Zuinglius, and many other more or less obscure
writers on Controversial Divinity.
It may suffice to mention Chamieri Controversiæ, Zanchii Opera
Theologica, Vitalis Speculum Morale, Venetiis, 1513, 4to. and to notice
separately the two great lights of the Reformation, Lutheri Opera,
Wittebergæ, 1550, &c. folio, 2 vols.; and Melancthonis Opera, Wittebergæ,
1601, in 5 vols. folio, with some other Tracts by that illustrious
Scholar and Divine.
Of the Works of English Divines, I have much pleasure in enumerating
those of Abbot, Allix, Lancelot Andrews, Atterbury, Bancroft, Barlow,
Barrow, Beveridge, Bramhall, Bull, Calamy, Charnock, Chillingworth,
Claggett, Samuel Clarke, Comber, Cranmer, Drelincourt, Hall, Hammond,
Hoadly, Hody, Hooper, Henry More, Kettlewell, Leslie, Lightfoot,
Lowth, Joseph Mede, Perkins, Prideaux, Reynolds, Sanderson, Sherlock,
Stillingfleet, Jeremy Taylor, Tenison, Tillotson, Whiston, Whitgift, and
Roger Widdrington.
In this place I may most opportunely notice copies of Henrici VIII.
Assertio VII. adversus M. Lutherum, Romæ, 1543, 4to.; Fisheri Episcopi
Roffensis, Opera, Wittebergæ, 1597, folio; with some other tracts by
that eminent divine; and Juelli Opera, Genevæ, 1585, and his Works,
London, 1609, folio; to which may be added, Bedæ Venerabilis Opera Omnia,
Basileæ, 1563, in 8 folio volumes; Barclay’s celebrated Apology for the
Quakers; and Hyde’s Religio Veterum Persarum.
I may also notice Bowyer’s Conjectures on the New Testament; Tyndall,
Frith, and Barnes’ Works, London, John Daye, 1573, folio; La Trobe’s
Unitas Fratrum, Lond. 1780, 8vo.; Bythneri Lyra Prophetica; Cosin’s Canon
of Scripture; Derham’s Physico- and Astro-Theology; Fell’s Paraphrase;
Field of the Church; Gastrell’s Christian Institutes; Soame Jenyns on the
Evidences of the Christian Religion; Kiddes on the Pentateuch; Limborch,
Theologia Christiana; Nelson’s Festivals; Norris on the Beatitudes;
Osterwald’s Arguments; Outram de Sacrificiis; Pearce and Patrick’s
Commentaries; Pearson on the Creed; Pococke on Joel; Scott’s Christian
Life; Watson’s Apology; Whitby’s Paraphrase; Wilkins on Natural Religion,
and other Tracts of his; the Muggletonian Controversy respecting
the Quakers, and various Tracts relating to the Jesuits and Popery,
Protestantism and Puritans.
Of French Divines, this Collection embraces the Works of Bourdaloue,
Fenelon, Fontenelle, Malebranche, and Du Moulin, to which may be added,
Basnage, Histoire des Juifs.
Of Sermons, these shelves bear an enormous load, among which are found
those of Donne, Latimer, Leighton, and Porteus, with his Lectures and
other Tracts; and of South and Wake, with many single sermons on various
occasions, and the collected discourses of other divines too numerous to
mention.
The Liturgical Works in this Library may be represented by the Liturgia
Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ, Latine, 1594 and 1703.
The Homilies are also numerous, including Elstob’s Anglo-Saxon Homily,
London, 1709, 8vo.; and the theological treatises of obscure writers
which have rarely survived the events which called them forth, are here
found preserved, like insects in amber.
I may close this brief and imperfect notice by the mention of De Rossi,
Variæ Lectiones Veteris Testamenti, 1784, in 4 volumes; some Tracts by
the celebrated Laud; Davenant’s Prælectiones Theologicæ; and Alexandri de
Ales Summa, &c. Norimbergæ, 1482, in 4 volumes, folio.
I may here also notice the copious Collection of Catechisms, of Forms of
Confession, of divers Ceremonials of the Church, various Concordances,
numberless Tracts upon Church Discipline and Ecclesiastical Affairs, and
some curious publications of, and concerning Martin Mar-Prelate.
In Works connected with Ecclesiastical History in general, this
Collection abounds; and of these I would select for especial notice,
Baronii Annales Ecclesiastici, and Martyrologium Romanum; Socratis
Historia Ecclesiastica, per Vorlesium, folio; the Lombardica Historia,
Basileæ, 1486, folio; Voragine Legenda Aurea, Lond. 1501, and 1507,
folio; the Codex Theodosianus; Raderi Bavaria Pia; Ribedeneira, Vita
Ign. Loyola; Platina, Vitæ Pontificum Romanorum; Bingham’s Antiquities
of the Christian Church; Collier’s Ecclesiastical History; Echard’s
Ecclesiastical History; Geddes’ Church History of Malabar and
Æthiopia; Rycaut’s Armenian and Greek Churches; Hooker’s Ecclesiastical
Polity; Orosius; Cotelerii Ecclesiæ Græcæ Monumenta; the Centuriatores
Magdeburgenses; and Cressy’s Church History of Brittany.
Of Works relating more particularly to the Ecclesiastical Affairs of
Great Britain, we find in this Library,
Alfordi, Annales Ecclesiastici, in 4 vols. folio.
Bale’s English Votaries, Vita Thomæ à Becket. Parisiis, 1495,
4to.
Bedæ, Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum.
Burnet’s History of the Reformation.
Capgrave’s Nova Legenda Angliæ. Londini, Wynkyn de Worde, 1516,
folio.
Ecton’s Thesaurus.
Foxe’s Martyrologie. London, 1596-1632, folio; with an
Abridgment of the same, 1589, 8vo.
Fuller’s Church History.
Godwin’s Præsules Anglicani, and Catalogue of English Bishops.
Harpsfeld, Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica. Duaci, 1622, folio.
Inett’s History of the English Church.
Lyndewode Provinciale.
S.S. Martyrum in Angliâ Passiones. Romæ, 1584, folio.
Martyrologium Protestantium. Hanoviæ, 8vo.
Parsons’s Three Conversions. 1603-4, 3 vols. 12mo.
Card. Poli, Reformatio Angliæ. Romæ, 1562, 4to.
Reyneri Apostolatus Ordinis Benedictinorum in Anglia.
Spotswode’s Church of Scotland.
Sanderi, de Origine ac progressu Schismatis Anglicani.
Spelman’s Concilia Britannica.
Strype’s Annals of the Reformation. 1709, folio; and Life of
Archbishop Parker, &c. and the History of the Convocation of
Canterbury, 1702, 8vo.
Twysden’s Vindication of the Church of England.
Usserii Antiquitates Ecclesiæ Britannicæ, with his Annals and
other Works.
Wharton’s Anglia Sacra, in 2 folio volumes.
A copious Collection of Councils relating to the affairs of the Church,
forms a valuable supplement to this class of books, embracing as it does
the
Concilia Generalia, Surii. Col. Agrip. 1567, in 4 volumes,
folio.
Concilia Generalia Nicolini. Venetiis, 1585, in 5 volumes,
folio.
Concilia Generalia Binii. Coloniæ, 1606, in 4 volumes, folio.
Canones et Decreta Concilii Tridentini.
Gibson’s Synodus Anglicana, and Codex Juris Ecclesiastici et
Civilis.
Gothofredi Codex Theodosianus, and
Articuli Synodi Londinensis, &c.
Of Works relating to History in general, I am enabled to notice the
series of Byzantine Historians; the Speculum Europæ of Sandys; Freheri,
Rerum Bohemicarum Scriptores; the Historia Belgica; Chronicon Regum
Francorum; Freculphi, Chronicon; Leunclavii, Annales Turcici; Rycaut’s
Turks, the series of Respublicæ Variæ; Reuberi, Pistorii, et Lindenbrogii
Rerum Germanicarum Scriptores; Emmius, Rerum Friscianorum Historia;
Herrera, Description des Indes; Ligon’s Barbadoes; Sloane’s Jamaica;
Smith’s Virginia; Rerum Hispanicarum Scriptores, Francofurti, 1579-81,
in 3 vols. folio; Ornhielms, Historia Sueonum, 1589; Krantzii, Chronica
Danica, Norvegica, &c. Aug. 1546; Loniceri, de rebus Turcicis, 1578,
folio; Knolles’ Turks; Olaus Magnus Historia Gentium Septentrionalium,
Romæ, 1555; Mezeray, Historie de France, abregé, Amstel. 1673-96, in 7
vols. 8vo.; Molesworth’s Denmark, Rerum Moscoviticarum Auctores, &c.
Francof. 1600, folio; Poloniæ Historiæ Corpus edente Pistorio, Basileæ,
1582; and Vulcanii Scriptores Rerum Gothicorum.
The books which relate to the History of Great Britain are deserving of
particular notice, as well for their number as for their value, since
we here find copies of the Historiæ Anglicanæ Scriptores, XV. edited
by Gale and Fell at Oxford, in 1684, and the X. Scriptores, edited by
Twysden, in 1652, both in folio; Rerum Anglicanarum Scriptores post
Bedam edente Savile, Londini, 1596, and Francof. 1602, folio; Commelini,
Rerum Britannicarum Scriptores vetustiores, Heidelbergæ, 1587, folio;
Commentarioli Britannicæ Descriptionis Fragmentum à H. Lhuyd, Col.
Agr. 1572; Duchesne, Historiæ Normannorum Scriptores, and the Historiæ
Francorum Scriptores Coetanei, edente B. Pithæo; Camdeni, Anglica,
Normannica, &c. à veteribus scripta; Asserii Vita Ælfredi; Baker’s
Chronicle, 1670; Bale’s Chronicle of Sir John Oldcastle; Brady’s History
of England; Majoris Historia Britannica, 1521, 8vo.; the History of Great
Britain, 1606, 4to.; Birch’s Elizabeth; Camdeni Annales Elizabethæ;
Carleton’s Letters, 1757-75-80, 4to.; Chaloner de Rêpublicâ Anglorum;
Chamberlayne’s Angliæ Notitia; Churchill’s Divi Britannici; Oclandi
Anglorum Prælia, 1377-1558, Lond. 1580, 4to. and his Elizabetheïs,
London, 1589, 4to.; Duchesne Historie d’Angleterre, &c. Paris. 1604,
folio; Clarendon’s History of the Great Rebellion; Cooper’s Chronicle,
London, 1560, 4to.; Daniel’s History of England; Doleman’s Conference
respecting the Succession to the Crown of England, 1594, 8vo.; Danyel’s
Battle of Agincourt, 1631, 8vo.; Dugdale’s View of the Troubles, and of
the Office of Lord Chancellor; Eadmeri Historia Novorum edente Selden;
Echard’s History of England; Barnes’ Edward III.; Fabian’s Chronicle,
London, 1533, folio; Fleetwode, Elenchus Annalium Edvardi V. &c. 1597,
folio; Florentii, Wigornensis Chronicon, Francofurti, 1611, folio;
Froissart’s Chronicle, Paris, 1505; Galfredi, Monumetensis de Gestis
Regum Britanniæ, Parisiis, 1508, 4to.; Gildas, de excidio ac conquestu
Britanniæ, Lond. 1568, 8vo.; Godwini, Annales Henrici VIII. and Charta
Regia, 1616, &c. Gulielmi Neubrigensis, Historia Rerum Angl. Parisiis,
1610, 8vo.; Hall’s Chronicle, London, 1550, folio; Hayward’s Historie
of Edward the Sext; Hearne’s Textus Roffensis, Oxon. 1720, 8vo.; Lord
Herbert’s Henry VIII.; Sir Thomas Herbert’s Memoirs of Charles I.; Sir
Philip Warwick’s Memoirs; Holinshed’s Chronicle, London, 1587, in 2 vols.
folio; Denzil Hollis’ Memoirs; Howel’s Epistolæ Ho-Elianæ; Langhorne’s
Elenchus Antiquitatum Albionensium, 1673, 8vo.; Laud’s Troubles; the
Life of Sir Henry Vane; Lilii, Chronicon Regum Angliæ, Francof. 1565,
4to.; the Custumary of London; Ludlow’s Memoirs, in 3 octavo volumes;
Martin’s History of the Kings of England, 1615; Matthæi Paris, Historia
Anglicana, Londini, 1571 and 1686, folio; Matthæi Westmonasteriensis,
Flores Historiarum, Londini, 1570, folio; Sir Walter Raleigh’s History
of William the Conqueror; Sir E. Walker’s Historical Discourse, London,
1705, folio; Rushworth’s Historical Collections; Rymer’s Fœdera; the
Records of the Kingdom; Sammes’ Britannia Antiqua; Prisei, Historiæ
Britannicæ Defensio, Londini, 1573, 4to.; State Tryals, 1776-9, in 5
vols. folio; those by Hargrave, 1776-81, in 6 vols. folio; Smith, de
Republicâ Anglorum, 12mo.; Sancroft’s and Sacheverell’s Tryals; Speed’s
Theatre and History of Great Britain, in red morocco; Stow’s Annales,
1592, and his Annals edited by Howes, 1615; Toland’s Anglia Libera, Lond.
1701, 8vo.; Twyne, de rebus Albionicis; Tyrrell’s History of England;
Polydori Vergilii Historia Anglicana, Duaci, 1603, 8vo.; Pontici Virunnii
Historia Britannica, Lond. 1585, 8vo.; Whitelocke’s Memorials, 1682 and
1709, folio, and a Catalogue of the Reges, Reginæ ac Nobiles alii sepulti
in Ecclesiâ Westmonasteriensi, Londoni, 1603, 4to., and the Population
Returns; Wake’s Rex Platonicus; Walsingham, Historia Anglorum ab Edv.
I. ad Henr. V. Londini, folio; Warner’s Albion’s England, London, 1612,
4to.; Weldon’s Memoirs of James I. and Welwood’s Memoirs, 1700, 8vo.
Among the books relating to Scottish History, I noticed Buchanan’s
History of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1593, folio; and the rare Tract, entitled
Maria Scotorum Regina Vindice, Oberto Barnestapolio, Ingoldstadii, 1588,
8vo.; Brand’s Description of Orkney and Zetland, Edinburgh, 1703, 8vo.;
Wallace’s Account of the Orkney Islands, London, 1700; Drummond’s History
of Scotland from 1423 to 1542, London, 1655, folio; Historia Orcadensis,
1780; Johnstone’s Antiquitates Celto-Scandicæ et Normannicæ; Patten’s
Expedition of the Duke of Somerset into Scotland, London, 1548, 12mo.;
Rochette, Histoire de Marie Stuart; Martin’s Western Islands of Scotland,
London, 1703, 8vo.; Sir James Melvil’s Memoirs; the Life of Wallace,
Edinburgh, 1620; Pezron’s Antiquities of the Celtic Nations; and Torfæi
Orcadum Historia, Havniæ, 1697, folio.
Of Welsh Histories it may suffice to mention Caradoc’s History of Wales,
edited by Wynne, London, 1696, 8vo.; and Powell’s History of Wales,
London, 1584, 4to.
I may here notice, Merlin’s Prophetia Anglicana Latine, a Galfredo
Monumetensi, Francof. 1608, 8vo.
Of Works relating to the History and Antiquities of Great Britain, the
most remarkable are, Abingdon’s Worcester Cathedral; Burleigh’s State
Papers, by Murdin, London, 1759, folio; Battely, Antiquitates Rutupinæ;
Birch’s Lives of Bacon, Tillotson, and Raleigh; Memoirs of Queen
Elizabeth, and other Works; Bearcroft’s History of the Charter House;
Bertrami, Britannicarum Gentium Historiæ Scriptores tres, Hauniæ, 1757,
8vo.; Borlase’s Cornwall; Carleton’s Letters, 1757, 4to.; Carte’s History
of England, with his Life of Ormonde; Chamberlayne’s Angliæ Notitia;
Clarendon’s Life, State Papers, and Miscellaneous Works; Ducarel’s
Anglo-Norman Antiquities, Anglo-Gallic Coins, and Tour through Normandy;
Deering’s Nottingham; Green’s Worcester, 1764, 8vo.; Dugdale’s St.
Paul’s, 1716; Doddridge’s Life of Gardiner; Burnet’s Life of Rochester;
Harris’ Lives of Charles I. and II. and of Cromwell; Harris’ Kent;
Rossi Warvicensis Historia Regum Angliæ, edente Hearne. Oxon. 1745,
8vo.; Leland’s Itinerary, edited by Hearne, Oxford, 1745, in 9 octavo
volumes; the Life of Lord Herbert of Cherbury; Philipot’s Villare
Cantianum, London, 1659, folio; Lewis’ History of Faversham, 1727, and
of the Isle of Tenet, 1736; Echard’s History of England, and of the
Revolution of 1688; Macaulay’s St. Kilda, and Macqueen’s Observations
thereon; Mallet’s Life of Bacon; Hume’s History of England, London,
1756, 8vo.; Morant’s History of Colchester, 1748, and of Essex, 1763,
folio; the Parliamentary History of England, 1762, in 24 octavo volumes;
and the Debates of Parliament, 1739, in 16 vols. 8vo.; Plot’s Natural
History of Oxfordshire; some of Prynne’s pieces; Rapin’s History of
England, by Tindall; Robertson’s History of Scotland; Stukeley’s Account
of Richard of Cirencester, London, 1757, 4to.; and Thorpe’s Registrum
Roffense; Walpole’s Life of Richard III.; Ward’s Gresham College; Willis’
Cathedrals, 1737, in 3 vols.; his History of Buckingham, 1755, 4to.; and
his Notitia Parliamentaria, 1750, in 3 vols. 8vo.; and Wren’s Parentalia,
1750, folio; Wood’s Athenæ Oxonienses, Lond. 1721, in 2 vols. folio; the
Stemmata Chicheleana, Oxford, 1765, 4to.; the Lettres Historiques, Edin.
1759, 12mo.; and Sir William Temple’s Introduction to the History of
England, London, 1695, 8vo.
The Works relating to the Topography and Antiquities of England, embrace,
Adams’ Index Villaris; the complete series of the Archæologia; Atkyn’s
Gloucestershire, 1712, folio; Ayliffe’s Oxford; Battely’s Antiquitates
Rutupinæ; Bentham’s Ely; Blount’s Fragmenta Antiquitatis; Bray’s
Bibliotheca Parochialis; Britannia Illustrata, Lond. 1707, folio;
Camden’s Britannia, London, 1607, and edited by Gibson, London, 1695,
folio; Brooke’s Discovery of Errors in Camden’s Britannia; Camden’s
Remaines concerning Britaine; Charleton’s Stonehenge; Chauncey’s
Hertfordshire; Ducarel’s Account of St. Catherine’s Church, London, 1782,
4to., and of Lambeth Palace, London, 1785, 4to.; Dugdale’s Monasticon
Anglicanum, 1655, in 3 vols. folio; Hasted’s Kent; Howel’s History
of London; Lambarde’s Perambulation of Kent; Leigh’s Natural History
of Lincolnshire, 1700, folio; Kennett’s Parochial Antiquities, 1695,
on large paper; Loggan’s Oxonia et Cantabrigia Illustrata, 2 vols.
folio; Madox’s Formulare Anglicanum, and History of the Exchequer;
Morgan’s Roads, 1689, 8vo.; Newcourt’s Diocese of London, 2 vols.
folio; Paterson’s Pietas Londinensis, 1714; Somner’s Antiquities of
Canterbury, 1703, folio, and his Account of the Roman Ports and Forts
in Kent; Gibson’s Portus Iccius, Oxon. 1694, folio; Spelman’s Villare
Anglicanum; Stow’s London, 1603, 4to.; Tanner’s Notitia Monastica, 1695;
Webbe’s Stonehenge restored, 1665; Verstegan’s Restitution of decayed
Intelligence; Wittie’s Scarborough Spaw, 1660; Whitworth’s Register of
the Trade of the Port of London, 1777, 8vo.; and Wood’s History and
Antiquities of the University of Oxford, 1674, folio, and the Statuta
Universitatis Oxoniensis, 1638, 8vo.
Numerous are the Historical Tracts relating to some of the most eventful
periods of English History contained within these walls. Under this head
may be classed the famous Εικων Βασιλικη; the Defensio Regia; the Royal
Martyr, 1684, 8vo.; Carolus Redux, Oxon. 1629, 8vo.; Douglas’s Account
of the Coronation of Charles II. London, 1660, 4to.; and the complete
series of the London Gazettes from November 7, 1665, to December 31,
1768, in 50 folio volumes, which have been continued from September,
1769 to the year 1783, by Archbishop Cornwallis, whose successors will
doubtless continue to preserve the chain of these ephemeral productions
unbroken to the present day.
The legal Works relating to the History of England which I noticed, are
the Magna Charta, edited by Blackstone, with some Legal Tracts by that
great lawyer; the Acts of Parliament, from the 8th to the 30th of George
II. in 23 vols. folio, and from the 31st of George II. to the 10th of
George III. in 12 vols. folio; the Acta Regia, London, 1726, in 3 vols.
8vo.; Dalrymple on Feudal Property, London, 1758, 12mo.; the Trial of
Lord George Sackville, 1760, 8vo.; the Trial of James Annesley, and
Richard, Earl of Anglesey, 1744, folio; and Wood’s Institutes of the Laws
of England.
There are also several Tracts of a Miscellaneous Nature, chiefly relating
to Political Events from 1697 to 1721, contained in 22 octavo, 16 quarto,
5 12mo. and 2 folio volumes; the Gazetteer, from 1714 to 1760, in 28
quarto volumes; Political Pamphlets, from 1702 to 1766, in 38 volumes
8vo.; the State of Great Britain, from 1711 to 1740, in 59 volumes, 8vo.;
and the Old Whig, London, 1739, in 2 vols. 8vo., all tending to elucidate
an anxious and eventful period in England’s History.
Of Works relating to the History of Ireland, I noticed Cox’s Ireland;
Pauli Jovii Descriptio Magnæ Britanniæ et Hiberniæ, Venetiis, 1549, 4to.;
a Geographical Description of Ireland, 1642, 8vo.; Historical Memoirs of
the Irish Rebellion of 1641, London, 1767, 8vo.; Mac Geoghegan, Histoire
d’Irlande, Paris, 1758, 4to.; Sir William Petty’s Political Anatomy of
Ireland, London, 1691, 8vo.; Stanihurst, de Rebus Hibernicis, Antv. 1584,
4to.; Temple’s History of the Irish Rebellion of 1646; Waræi Disquisitio
de Hiberniâ, Lond. 1654, 8vo.; Ware’s History of Ireland, London, 1705,
folio; and Warner’s History of the Rebellion in Ireland.
The Historical Works in this Collection comprehend several Pamphlets, and
Works relating to America, together with
Anderson’s Greenland. Paris, 1750, in 2 vols. 12mo.
Campbell’s Balearic Isles.
Crantz’s Greenland.
Hughes’ Barbadoes.
Froelichii Annales Regum Syriæ. Viennæ, 1744.
Hooke’s Roman History.
Kennett’s Antiquities of Rome.
Lewis’ Parthian Empire, 1728, 8vo.
Ockley’s Saracens.
Shaw’s Travels.
Raymond’s History of Gustavus, 1761, 8vo.
Townsend’s Conquest of Mexico, and
The Universal History, Ancient, 1745-54, in 21 vols., and
Modern, 1759, in 13 vols. 8vo.
I cannot quit the Historical department of this Library without a
brief and passing notice of those Works which, however remotely, bear
upon the subject. These are, the Illustrations of America, by De Bry,
printed at Franckfort in 1591, in 8 folio volumes, and the Icones Ducum,
published at the same place in the preceding year, in 4to. by the same
indefatigable compiler; the Effigies Theologorum, by Verheiden, Hagæ-Com.
1602, folio; Thuani Historia sui temporis, Aurel. 1620, in 5 folio
volumes; Annales Caroli Mag. per Anon. Helmst. 1594, 4to.; Dempster’s
Antiquities of Rome; Davila’s History of the Civil Wars of France; the
Works of Guicciardini; Josephi Opera Omnia, and Antiquitates Judæorum;
Pauli Jovii Opera Omnia; the Mercure François, from 1605 to 1644, in
25 octavo volumes; Overbeke, Reliquiæ; Urbis Romæ; Italia Illustrata,
Francofurti, 1600; Justiniani Institutiones, folio; Du Fresnoy’s Methode
d’etudier Histoire; the valuable Illustrations of Grecian and Roman
Antiquities, by Gravius and Gronovius, with the Inscriptions of Gruter,
and Supplementary Lexicon of Pitiscus; Potter’s Antiquities of Greece;
Heylin’s Cosmography; Puffendorf’s Law of Nations, &c.; Micylli Icones
Imperatorum, 1544, 8vo.; Montfaucon, Diarium Italicum and Palæographia
Græca; Munsteri Cosmographia; Palladio’s Antiquities of Rome, Oxford,
1709, 8vo.; Raleigh’s History of the World; Wheari Methodus legendi
Historiam; a Collection of Royal Wills, London, 1780, 4to.; and Vincentii
Speculum Majus, Venet. 1591, in 4 folio volumes.
In Sacred Philology this Library is peculiarly rich, the collection
of Critical and Philological Writers on the New Testament alone,
occupying in alphabetical order, the space in the Catalogue of this
Collection included between pages 210 and 216. It also embraces Wolfii
Curæ Philologicæ et Criticæ in Quatuor Evangelia et Acta Apostolorum,
Hamburgi, 1739, in 5 quarto volumes; and Wall’s Critical Notes on the
New Testament, 1730, in 3 vols. 8vo.; Leigh’s Critica Sacra; Leusden’s
Philologia Hebraica; Lowth, de Sacrâ Poesi Hebræorum; Schultens’ Origines
Linguæ Hebraicæ; Wetstein’s Canones Critici in Novum Testamentum, Amstel.
1711, 12mo.; and Wernsdorff de Fide historicâ Libror. Maccabæorum,
Uratislaviæ, 1737, 4to.; and Beausobre on the New Testament.
Of Impressions of the Holy Bible in this Collection, the most remarkable
are
The Hebrew Bibles of 1630 and 1705, printed at Amsterdam in 8vo.
The Hebrew Bible, printed at Oxford in 1730, in 2 quarto vols.
The Biblia Græca. Wechelii. Francof. 1597, folio.
The LXX Millii. Amstelodami, 1735, in 3 vols. 12mo.
The Biblia Latina. Rennis, 1743, and Sabatier, in 3 vols. folio.
The English authorized Version of 1612, in quarto, wanting the
title.
Another Old English folio, without date, and the folio
Impression of 1540.
Dr. Samuel Clarke’s Family Bible. London, 1760, folio.
I may here introduce the best edition of Sale’s Koran. London, 1734, 4to.
The Versions of the Psalms, by Barton, in 1688; by Simon Ford, in 1688;
by J. Johnson, in 1707; by Bishop King, in 1707; by Will. Green, in 1762;
and by Bradbury, in 1763; together with Sandys Paraphrase of 1676; and
some French Versions, are found in this Collection.
Of the New Testament, the editions most worthy of notice appear to be
those by Beausobre and L’Enfant, at Amsterdam, in 1741, in 2 vols.
4to.; by Doddridge, London, in 1765, in 2 vols. 8vo.; and by Harwood, in
1768; also the Manks Testament, of 1763, 8vo.; together with the Novum
Testamentum Græcum, Bengelii, Tubingæ, 1734, 4to.; Clerici, Francof.
1714, folio; and Stephani, Francof. 1601, folio; and Wetstenii, Amstelod.
1751, in 2 folio volumes; Evangeliarium Quadruplex Latinè a Josepho
Blanchino, Romæ, 1749, in 4 folio volumes; and Æthiopicè, Persicè, et
Latinè à Ch. Aug. Bode. Halæ Magdeb. 1749, 4to.; Junii Evangelia Gothica,
and Maittaire’s edition of the Greek Testament, London, 1728, 8vo.; and
the New Testament, by the College of Rhemes, Antwerp, 1621, 12mo.
I may here properly introduce, Jones on the Canon of the New Testament;
Walchii Historia Ecclesiastica Novi Testamenti. Jenæ, 1744, 4to.; Wells
on the Old and New Testament; Taylor’s Hebrew Concordance; Cruden’s and
Pilkington’s Concordances; Doddridge’s Family Expositor; Calovii Biblia
Illustrata. Dresdæ, 1719, in 3 vols. folio; and Calmet’s Commentaries.
Paris, 1724, in 9 folio volumes.
Of Common Prayer Books, I remarked those printed at Cambridge, in 1663,
4to.; at Edinburgh, in 1712; at Oxford, in 1739; and at London, in 1768,
8vo.; the Manx Prayer Book, London, 1765, 8vo.; and the Christian Common
Prayer Book, 1761, 8vo.; the Missale Ecclesiæ Sarisburiensis, Duaci,
1604, 4to.; together with Nichols on the Common Prayer; several Tracts
upon the Liturgy, and a Copious Preparation for the Sacrament; and of
Collections of Catechisms and Forms of Prayer for Fasts, &c. from 1740 to
1796, inclusive, in 4to.
I may here take occasion to notice, Hume’s Natural History of Religion;
Adams’ Answer to Hume’s Essay on Miracles; Wollaston’s Religion of
Nature delineated, London, 1724, 4to.; Rutherforth’s System of Natural
Philosophy, and Institutes of Natural Laws; Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral
Sentiments; Bishop Taylor’s Antiquitates Christianæ, London, 1703, folio;
Price on Morals; Priestley on Education; Reid on the Human Mind; Edwards
on the Will; and Jones on Natural Philosophy.
In Ecclesiastical History, the Works most worthy of notice appear to be,
Barwick’s Life of Dean Barwick; Bower’s Lives of the Popes; Bull’s Life;
Brandt’s History of the Reformation in the Low Countries.
Dodd’s Catholick History of the Church. Brussels, 1737, in 3
folio volumes.
Echard’s Ecclesiastical History.
Eusebii Historia Ecclesiastica a Reading. Cantab. 1720, in 3
vols. folio.
Laval’s History of the Reformation in France, 1737, in 6 vols.
8vo.
Gibson’s Synodus Anglicana.
Godwin’s Præsules Anglicani.
Heylin’s Historical Tracts.
The History of the Presbyterians. Oxford, 1670, fol.
Hooker’s Ecclesiastical Polity.
Jenning’s Jewish Antiquities, and
Lyndewode’s Provinciale.
Jortin’s Ecclesiastical History, and his valuable Life of
Erasmus.
Knight’s Life of Colet.
Laud’s Labyrinth. Paris, 1658, folio.
Lowth’s Life of Wykeham.
Miller’s History of the Church. Edinburgh, 1730, folio.
Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History, by Maclaine.
Neal’s History of the Puritans, London, 1732, in 4 vols. 8vo.;
with Grey’s Examination of that Work, London, 1736, in 3 octavo
volumes.
Le Neve’s Fasti Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ.
Oughton’s Ordo Judiciorum.
Ecton’s Thesaurus.
Parker, de Antiquitate Ecclesiæ Britannicæ, edente Drake. Lond.
1725, folio.
The Life and Letters of Cardinal Pole.
Sleidan, Histoire de la Reformation par le Courayer, a la Haye,
1767, in 3 quarto volumes.
Suiceri Thesaurus Ecclesiasticus.
Symeonis Dunelm. Historia Ecclesiæ Dunelmensis à Bedford.
Strype’s Ecclesiastical Memorials.
Tanner’s Notitia Monastica à Nasmith. London, 1744, folio.
Warner’s Ecclesiastical History of England.
Wilkins’ Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ. Lond. 1737, in 4 folio
volumes.
Willis’ Thesaurus Rerum Eccles. 1744, 4to. and
Wodrow’s Church of Scotland.
In this place I may conveniently record
Calderwood’s Altare Damascenum, seu Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ
Politeia. Lugd. Bat. 1708, 4to.
Oertilii Theologia Æthiopum. Wittebergæ, 1746, 12mo.
Relandi Antiquitates Sacræ Hebræorum, 1741, 4to.
Reynolds on English Church Government, 1743, 8vo.
Richardson’s Prælectiones Ecclesiasticæ. Schoettgenii Horæ
Hebraicæ. Dresdæ, 1733, in 2 vols. 4to.
Vitringa, Commentaria in Esaiam, and his Archisynagogus.
Francqueræ, 1685, in 3 quarto volumes, with some other of his
pieces, and
Wyttenbach, Tentamen Theologiæ Dogmaticæ. Francof. 1747, in 3
vols. 12mo.
I may here also notice Saurin’s Discourses, Amst. 1720, in 11 octavo
volumes; and the Sermons delivered at the Boyle Lecture, London, 1739,
in 3 folio volumes; Bossuet’s Discourses, Jeremy Taylor’s Sermons,
and Cooper’s Sermons on Predestination, and those of South, Skeeler,
Smalridge, Smith, Stebbing, Stevens, Straight, Tebeck, Wake, Walker,
Warburton, Warren, Weston, Waterland, Whichcote, Wishart, Whitby, and
Zirlzendorff.
Also Miscellaneous Sermons from 1690 to 1713, in 13 volumes, from 1709 to
1714, in 9 volumes, from 1708 to 1763, in 26 volumes, all in octavo, and
another Collection of Occasional, Funeral, and Miscellaneous Sermons, in
23 quarto volumes.
To these may be added a copious Collection of Theological Tracts in 72
octavo volumes, of which the 19th appears to be missing; and a Series
of Tracts on the Bangorian Controversy from 1717 to 1723, in 12 volumes
octavo.
Before quitting the subject of Ecclesiastical History, it affords me
great satisfaction to notice three editions of Parker, de Antiquitate
Ecclesiæ Britannicæ, the first printed at Lambeth by John Daye, in 1572,
the second at Hanover, in 1605, and the third, augmented by Dr. Drake and
printed at London in 1729, all in folio. Of these, the first edition,
published under the Archbishop’s own eye, is on every account highly
valuable. The present copy is filled with notes in the hand writing of
John Parker, son of the Archbishop, and contains several ancient deeds,
described in a letter from Dr. Ducarel to Archbishop Secker, dated July
15, 1758. At the end of the Life of Archbishop Parker a fine portrait of
him by Hogenberg, is pasted at the end of the volume. According to Dr.
Ducarel this book was missing from the MS. Library at Lambeth, from 1720
until 1757; when Trevor, Bishop of Durham, having had the good fortune to
recover it, restored it to its original and proper repository.
To this I may add the translation from this edition of the Lives of LXX
Archbishops of Canterbury, 1572, 12mo., made, according to Hearne, by
John Josselin, with marginal notes by some Puritan. “It is a very great
rarity,” adds the indefatigable Antiquary of Oxford.
Of Works relating to Civil and Canon Law, I may here notice merely
Montesquieu, Esprit des Lois; Gothofredi Corpus Juris Civilis; Gibson’s
Codex; Justitiani Institutiones; Spencer de legibus Hebræorum;
Puffendorf’s Laws of Nature and Nations; Cay’s Statutes at large, London,
1758, in 5 vols. folio, with Observations on the Statutes, by Daines
Barrington, 1766, 4to.; and the Corpus Juris Canonici, Boehmeri, 1747, in
3 vols. 4to.; and Watson’s Clergyman’s Law.
Of Works relating to Antiquity in general, this Collection embraces
Sallengre, Novus Thesaurus Antiquitatum Romanarum; the Marmora
Arundeliana, edited by Selden, London, 1628, 4to.; the Marmora
Oxoniensia, 1763, folio; Arbuthnot on Coins; Clarke’s Coins, 1767, 4to.;
Wise, Catalogus Nummorum in Bibliothecâ Bodleianâ, 1750, folio; Jameson’s
Spicilegium Antiquitatum Egyptiacarum, Glasguæ, 1720, octavo.
The Works of Science and Natural History include, Celsius de Plant. S. S.
1748; Ray’s Synopsis; Stirpium Britanniæ; Emerson’s Mathematical Works;
Euclid’s Elements; Keill’s Astronomical Works; Maclaurin’s Account of his
Discoveries; the Philosophical Transactions abridged, London, 1749, in 9
vols. 4to.; Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences at Paris, London, 1742,
in 5 octavo volumes; Ronayne and Simpson’s Algebra; Sprat’s History of
the Royal Society; Well’s Elementa Arithmetica; Watts’ Logic, and other
works; Whiston’s Elements of Euclid, and Theory of the Earth, with his
Life, &c.; Lettres sur l’Histoire Naturelle de Buffon, &c. Hamburgh,
1751, in 5 volumes, 12mo.; and Woodward’s Theory of the Earth, 1723, 8vo.
In Works of Natural History, this Collection, though not rich, possesses
the Works of Aldrovandus and Kepler; Evelyn’s Sylva; Gesneri Historia
Animalium; Grew’s Anatomy of Plants, and Museum of the Royal Society;
Hooke’s Micrographia; Martin Lister’s Historiæ Animalium Angliæ tres
Tractatus, Londini, 1678, 4to.; Eduardi Luidii Lithophylacii Britannici
Iconographia, Londini, 1699, 8vo.; Newton, Optics and Principia; Raii
Catalogus Plantarum Angliæ, and his Methodus Plantarum, &c.; Van Rheede,
Hortus Malabaricus; Scheuchzer, Itinera Alpina, and Herbarium Diluvianum;
the Museum Wormianum, 1655, folio; Warren, Geologia, Lond. 1690, 8vo.;
Sprat’s History of the Royal Society, and the Philosophical Transactions
from 1665 to 1774, completed by Archbishop Cornwallis, and continued to
the present day.
The Medical Works which occurred to me were those of Boerhaave, and
Dr. R. Mead; Collins’ Anatomy, London, 1685, in 2 folio volumes; the
Pharmacopœias of Amsterdam and London; and Sydenham Opera Medica
Universa; Culpepper’s English Physician; Flud, Opera Medica varia;
Harvey, de Motu Sanguinis, Lond. 1628, 4to.; Pharmacopœia Londinensis,
and the Works of Galen.
Among the Foreign Miscellanies I would merely mention the Works of
Bochart; some Philosophical Tracts by Buxtorf, and Kuster; the Works of
Le Clerc; Rousseau’s Letters; some Pieces by Voltaire; and Zimmermanni
Opuscula, Tiguri, 1751, in three quarto volumes.
Among the Geographical Works, I found those of Ptolemy, Baudrand, and
Cluvier; Ortelii Thesaurus Geographicus, and Wells’ Geography.
Of Voyages and Travels I observed Maundrell’s Journey, Dampier and
Frobisher’s Voyages; Hakluyt’s Voyages, 1598, in 3 volumes folio;
Lithgow’s Travels, London, 1632, 4to.; Breydenbach, Peregrinationes in
Terram Sanctam, Moguntiæ, 1486, folio; Marco Polo, Travels, 1579, 4to.;
Purchas’ Pilgrimes, 1625-6, in 5 volumes, folio; and Wheler’s Greece,
London, 1682, folio.
The Heraldic Works in this Collection embrace Ashmole’s Order of the
Garter; Collins’s Peerage; Dugdale’s Baronage, folio; and his Usage of
Arms, in 8vo.; Favine’s Theatre of Honor, London, 1623, folio; Gwillim’s
Heraldry, London, 1632 and 1660, both in folio; Hemminges’ Theatrum
Genealogicum; Milles’s Catalogue of Honor, London, 1610, folio, a noble
copy upon large paper, in calf binding; Norden’s Mirrour of Honour,
London, 1597, 4to.; Philipot on Heraldry, London, 1672, 8vo.; Sandford’s
Genealogical History of the Kings of England, by Stebbing, London, 1707,
folio, upon large paper; and the Genealogy of the Kings of Scotland,
Edinburgh, 1603, 4to.; Douglas’ Peerage of Scotland, and the English
Baronetage, London, 1741, in 5 octavo volumes.
In this place I may briefly mention Lelandi Genethliacon, Lond. 1543,
4to. and his Assertio Arturii, Lond. 1544, 4to.
The Chronological Works in this Collection comprehend Blair’s Chronology;
Beveridge’s Institutiones Chronologicæ; Jackson’s Chronological
Antiquities; Kennedy’s Astronomical Chronology, London, 1762, 4to.;
Newton’s Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms, amended; Bishop Squire’s Essay
on Greek Chronology; Wise’s History and Chronology of the Fabulous
Ages; and a Collection of Almanacks from 1695 to 1714; the Chronicon
Alexandrinum, 1615, 4to.; the Persian Chronology, by Livelie, London,
1597, 8vo.; the English Chronology, Oxford, 1696, 12mo.; Chronologia
Sacra, Parisiis, 1652; the Fasciculus Temporum, Lovaniæ, 1476, folio,
and Norimbergæ, 1481, folio; Petavii Doctrina Temporum; and Jackson’s
Chronological Antiquities.
The consideration of ancient time leads the mind naturally back to the
great authors of Greece and Rome, of whose immortal Works many grace the
shelves of this great Collection.
The Archiepiscopal Library includes various editions of the Works of
Aristotle, Arrian, Aulus Gellius, Bion, and Moschus, Cicero, Columella,
Cornelius Nepos, Dion Cassius, Dionysius Halicarnassensis, Florus,
Horace, Plato, Plautus, Pindar, Quintilian, Seneca, and Thucydides.
The scholar will here find editions of the Works of Ælian, Æsop,
Arrian, Athenagoras, Æmilius Probus, Ausonius, Boethius, Cæsar, Quintus
Calaber, Celsus, Catullus, Claudian, Quintus Curtius, Dictys Cretensis,
Diodorus Siculus, Diogenes Laertius, Dionysius Areopagita, Dionysius
Periegetes, Ennius, Eutropius, Pompeius Festus, Valerius Flaccus,
Florus, Herodotus, Hesiod, Hierocles, Hippocrates, Homer, Iamblichus,
Isocrates, Silius Italicus, Justin, Lucan, Lucretius, Macrobius, Martial,
Ammianus Marcellinus, Valerius Maximus, Menander, Moschus, Musæus,
Cornelius Nepos, Oppian, Orpheus, Ovid, Pausanias, Persius, Petronius
Arbiter, Phædrus, Philostratus, Pliny the Younger, Plautus, Propertius,
Quintilian, Sallust, Seneca, Solinus, Stobæus, Strabo, Suetonius,
Symmachus, Tacitus & Terence, Tibullus, Terentius Varro, Vegetius, and
Virgil.
We also find on these shelves, Burton, Tragœdiarum Græcarum Delectus;
Carter’s Epictetus; Creech’s Lucretius; Fawkes’ Theocritus; Whiston’s
Josephus; Veteris Geographiæ Scriptores Minores, à Wells. Oxonii,
1698, in 4 octavo volumes; Cellarii, Geographia; Gally’s Characters of
Theophrastus; Gale’s Opuscula Mythologica; and Melmoth’s Cicero.
Among the editions of the Classics, I observed Aristotle, by Du Val;
Anacreon, Stephani, Lutet. Par. 1556, 4to.; Antoninus, Gatakeri; Apicius,
1541, 4to.; Appian, Par. 1592, folio; Apuleius, 1610; Aristides, 1593;
Aristophanes, Kusteri, Amst. 1710, folio; Aristotelis et Theophrasti
Opera, Venetiis apud Aldum, 1495-8, in 5 volumes, folio, with numerous
editions of detached pieces by the Stagyrite; Athenæus Casauboni,
Aurelius Victor, 1596, 12mo.; Callimachus, Spanheim; Cæsar, by Clarke,
on large paper, in red morocco, folio; Ciceronis Opera Lambini, with
various editions of his Works separately published; Dares, Phrygius,
Xylandri; Demosthenes, Wolfii; Dio Cassius, Xylandri; Dionysius
Halicarnassensis, Hudsoni, Epictetus, Coloniæ, 1594; Euripides,
Barnesii; Frontini Stratagemata, Lugd. Bat. 1633, folio; Herodian,
Gr. Basileæ, 8vo.; Horatius Bentleii, et in usum Delphini; Libanii
Orationes; Livius, Gruteri, et Clerici; Lucianus, Basileæ, 1563, in
4 octavo volumes; Lycophron Potteri; Phalaris Epistolæ; Philemonis
Reliquiæ; Photii Bibliotheca Hœschelii, et ejusdem Epistolæ; Panegyrici
Veteres, Duaci, 1585, 8vo.; Pindarus Westii, Oxonii, 1697, folio; Plato,
Ficini, et Serrani; Plinii Historia Naturalis, Dalecampii; Plotini Opera
Philosophica; Plutarchus, Xylandri & Rualdi; Sappho, 1568; Polybius,
Casauboni, including the Treatise De Tolerandâ Obsidione of Æneas
Tacticus; Statius, Calderini, 1600; Stephanus de Urbibus; Theophrasti
Characteres à Needham, Lond. 1712, 8vo.; Thucydides, Hudsoni; Tyrtæus,
Antv. 1568; and Xenophontis Opera, Leunclavii.
The editions of the Classics which fell more particularly under my
observation, were Æliani, Historia Animalium; Gronovii, Anacreon,
Glasguæ, 1744, 12mo. Aristophanes, Bergleri; Aurelius Victor, Pitisci;
Callimachus, Ernesti; Cæsar, Delphini; Claudianus, Barthii; Diogenes
Laertius, Casauboni; Diodorus Siculus, Wesselingii; Epictetus, Uptoni;
Euripides, Marklandi, cum Exercitationibus, Musgravii; Herodotus,
Wesselingii; Herodiani Historia, Oxonii, 1678, 8vo.; Hesiodus, Robinsoni;
Homerus, Clarkei & Ernesti; Josephus, Havercampi; Isocrates, Battie;
Justini Historia, Delphini; Juvenalis, Delphini; Livius, Drakenborchii;
Libanii Epistolæ, Wolfii Longinus à Pearce, & Lucanus, Burmanni;
Demosthenes & Lysias, Taylori; Lucianus, Hemsterhusii; Lucretius,
Delphini & Havercampi; Manilius, Bentleii; Martialis, Delphini; Maximus
Tyrius, Marklandi; Orpheus, Gesneri; Ovidius, Burmanni; Plutarchi Opera,
Stephani; Plutarchi Vitæ, Bryani; Plinii Junioris Epistolæ, Longolii;
Sallustius, Gronovii; Sophocles, Johnsoni, Oxon, 1705, in 3 octavo
volumes; Stobæus, Aurel. Allob. 1609, folio; Tacitus, Ernesti; Terentius,
Gronovii & Delphini; Theocritus, Martini; Theocritus, Chr. Porzchbergeri,
Dresdæ, 1744, 12mo.; and Xenophontis Anabasis, &c. Hutchinsoni.
I may here notice the critical labours of Bentley, Theodore Gaza,
Hensius, Meursius, Scaliger, and Gerard Vossius; the Anti-Lucretius
of Card. Melchior de Polignac; Dawes, Miscellanea Critica; Dodwell,
Prælectiones Academicæ; Gatakeri Opera Critica; Stradæ, Prolusiones
Academicæ; Toupii Emendationes in Suidam; and Sulpitii Severi Opera,
Elzeviri, 1643, 12mo.
I have reserved for the close of this cursory review of the Classics,
some account of a little tome upon which I put my hand very unexpectedly
among the Manuscripts in the Record Chamber.
“Then felt I like some watcher of the skies,
When a new planet swims into his ken,
Or like stout Cortez, when with eagle eyes
He stared at the Pacific—and all his men
Look’d at each other with a wild surmise,
Silent, upon a peak in Darien.”
These fine lines occurred to John Keats, “on first looking into Chapman’s
Homer,” and surely the enthusiastic Bibliophilist may be allowed to
participate in the feeling they so eloquently pourtray, when he first
beholds Cicero’s Offices, printed upon vellum by Fust and Schoeffer,
those famous typographers. The present volume bears the date of 1466, and
is consequently the second edition printed at Mayence. This small but
precious folio, measures eight inches and three quarters by six inches
and a quarter, and is in calf binding. It contains 87 leaves, of which
the 1st and 58th are much stained.
This volume which appears to have been classed among the Manuscripts
from the resemblance of its type to the handwriting of the middle
ages, derives additional interest from a manuscript notice of Joannes
Temporarius in 1460, respecting the origin of the truly divine Art of
Printing.
“Chronogr. lib. I. ad an. 1460.”
“Typographia donu̅ Dei præstantissimu̅ Quo Deus extremis
temporibꝰ no̅ solum Antichristi potentia̅ evertit, sed et
universu̅ orbem inexcusabilem reddit. Quia jam non ex reru̅
creataru̅ consideratione sed suo ipsius verbo in omnes terrarum
partes, in oe̅s familias, omniumq; populoru̅ linguis transfuso
se patefecit.
“JOAN. TEMPORARIUS.”
I have transcribed this curious entry at the end of the volume, with
literal accuracy, as it shews the high estimation in which the infant
press was held, and the direction sought to be given to its gigantic
power by the learned of that day.
Animated by the same feeling to which I have already alluded, I pursued
my search for the tomes of early time in the archives above, and in the
hall below, with unabated ardour. Great was my satisfaction at finding
the following productions of the legitimate father of the English press.
The Dictes and Sayinges of Philosophers, translated out of
Frenshe, by Antoine Erle of Ryvyers. Westmestre, 1477, folio.
This edition bears Caxton’s large mark on the first page, and has 31
lines in a full page, with signatures. On the recto of the last leaf we
are informed that
“Caxton me fieri fecit.”
The present copy of this rare volume is apparently perfect, and is
preceded by the Book of Good Manners, from the French of Le Grand,
printed the xi of Maye, 1487, in folio, which wants all the leaves
preceding the signature B 1. Three leaves of the book called Cathon have
also been inserted in this volume, which measures ten inches and a half
by seven inches, is bound in calf, and lettered, simply “Caxton.”
The Cronycles of Englond. Westmynstre, 1480, folio.
The present is a sound and perfect copy, measuring ten inches and three
quarters, by eight inches, and bound in calf. It unfortunately wants the
Descripcion of Britayne, which 29 leaves were printed, though now but
seldom found, with the Chronicle of Caxton.[39]
Liber Festivalis, or Directions for keeping Feasts all the
Year. Westmynster, by Wyllyam Caxton, 1483, folio.
The present copy is perfect, having the Quatuor Sermones of 30 leaves
at the end; but the first, and some other leaves are pieced, and much
scribbled over. The volume measures eleven inches and one-eighth by
seven inches and three quarters, and is in calf binding. It is the first
edition of the work.
Gower, John, Confessio Amantis, the Confessyon of the Louer.
Westmestre, by Willyam Caxton, with the date of 1483, for 1493,
folio.
This first edition of one of the most popular works of the middle ages,
is of extreme rarity in a state so perfect and so desirable as the
present. This copy is in fact quite perfect, sound, and clean, measuring
twelve inches by eight inches and a half, and bound in calf.
Speculum Vitæ Christi, or the Myrroure of the blessed Lyf of
Jhesu Christ. Folio, no date.
This singular volume, ornamented with grotesque wood-cuts, commences with
the words—
“Incipit Speculum Vite Cristi.”
concluding with the similar line of
“Explycit Speculum Vite Cristi.”
and having Caxton’s large mark on the reverse of the last leaf.
The present copy is quite perfect and in sound condition. It is also very
large, measuring eleven inches by eight inches and a quarter. It retains
its original boards, covered with stamped calf, affording a beautiful and
unsophisticated example of the Caxtonian press.
While on the subject of early English Literature, I may remark that here
are to be found the Works of Roger Ascham, Boyle, Cowley, Hobbes, Milton,
Locke, Addison, James the First, Dryden, Bacon, Selden; Swift’s Tale of
a Tub; Spenser’s Faery Queen, London, 1611; the Shepherd’s Kalendar,
London, 1556, B. L. 4to.; Barclay’s Argenis; Beaumont’s Psyche, or
Love’s Mystery; Butler’s Hudibras, and Chaucer’s Works of 1542 and 1598,
in folio, both printed in London; Dives et Pauper, London, by Richarde
Pynson, 1493, folio. This compendious exposition of the Commandments is
the first book known to have been printed by Pynson with a date. The
present copy is unfortunately imperfect at the beginning.
In the department of English Literature I noticed some Pieces by
Bolingbroke; Burke’s celebrated Essay on the Sublime and Beautiful;
some Political Tracts, by Jonas Hanway; Hartley on the Millenium;
Home’s Elements of Criticism; Middleton’s Life of Cicero, and other
works; Locke on the Human Understanding, and other works; an Essay on
the Writings of Pope, 1756, 8vo.; Dodsley’s Preceptor; Richardson’s Sir
Charles Grandison; Savage’s Letters of the Ancients, London, 1703, 8vo.;
Shaftesbury’s Characteristicks; Shakespeare, edited by Hanmer, Oxford,
1744, in 6 quarto volumes; Sir Henry Spelman’s Posthumous Works; some
Pieces by Swift, with his Life by Lord Orrery; Thyer’s Remains of Samuel
Butler; Tucker’s Commercial Tracts; Milton’s Paradise Lost, edited by
Newton; Spenser’s Faery Queen, edited by Upton, London, 1758, 4to.;
Sir Henry Wootton’s Remains, 1685; and Sir John Davies’ Poem on the
Immortality of the Soul, 1714, 8vo.
I may here also mention,
Miltoni Opera Omnia Latinè. Amst. 1698, folio.
Seldeni Opera, edente Wilkins. Londini, 1726, in 3 folio
volumes, upon large paper.
Maittaire’s Senilia. Lond. 1742, 4to.
Coryat’s Crudities, London, 1611, 4to.
Digges’ Compleat Ambassador.
Donne’s Poems, Letters, and Sermons.
Glanvil, de Proprietatibus Rerum. London, by Thomas East, 1582,
folio.
Gower, de Confessione Amantis. London, by Thomas Berthelette,
1554, folio.
Harrington’s Works. London, 1770, folio.
Ben Jonson’s Works. London, 1692, folio.
Thomæ Mori Opera Latina. Lovaniæ, 1566, folio.
Sir Thomas More’s English Works. London, 1557, folio.
Pierce Plowman’s Vision. London, 1505, 4to.
Shaftesbury’s Characteristicks.
Algernon Sidney’s Discourse on Government.
Sir William Temple’s Memoirs.
Waller’s Poems. London, 1668.
and many pieces of fugitive poetry, both in Latin and English, of an
early date.
Among the English Miscellanies it may suffice to notice some Gratulatory
and Funebrial Verses from Universities; Epicedia and Epithalamia, from
Cambridge; several Tracts relating to the University of Oxford; Spence’s
Polymetis; Dr. Thomas Blackwell’s Letters concerning Mythology, 1746;
Wesley’s Hymns; Observations on the New Testament, and on the Doctrine
of Original Sin; some Tracts relating to Witches in Devon, 1682, &c. to
Dissenters, and to Divinity.
The Etymological Works in this Library, most deserving of notice, appear
to be various Grammars of the Hebrew, Arabic, and other Oriental tongues,
of Latin, French and English, with the Port Royal Greek Grammar; Baxter’s
Glossary; Buxtorf’s Hebrew and Chaldaic Lexicon; Du Fresne’s Glossary;
Hederici Lexicon Græcum; Hesychii Lexicon; Johnson’s Dictionary, 1755,
in 2 vols. folio; Junii Etymologicum Anglicanum; Littleton’s Latin and
English Dictionary; Lye, Dictionarium Saxonico et Gothico Latinum;
Morelli Lexicon Græcum; Parkhurst’s Lexicon; Pike’s Hebrew Lexicon;
Schrevelii Lexicon Græcum; Stephani Thesaurus Linguæ Græcæ; and Vigeris
de Idiotismis; Budæi Lexicon Græco-Latinum; Buxtorf, Hebrew Lexicon;
Calepini Dictionarium; Cotgrave, French Dictionary; Davies, Dictionarium
Linguæ Wallicæ et Latinæ, and his Linguæ Cambro-Britannicæ Institutiones;
Du Cange’s Glossary; Hesychii Lexicon; Hickes’ Thesaurus Septentrionalis,
with Wootton’s Conspectus of that invaluable work; Hoffmanni Lexicon;
Hoogeveen, Doctrina Particulorum, and the Catholicon Januense, Rothomagi,
1511, 8vo.; the Dictionarium Pauperum, Parisiis, 1498, 4to.; Samuel
Johnson’s English Dictionary, edited by Todd, London, 1818, in 4
volumes, 4to.; Lhuyd’s Archæologia Britannica, Oxon. 1707, folio;
Lilii Lexicon Græco-Latinum, Londini, 1540, 4to.; Linacer, de emendatâ
Structurâ Latini Sermonis, Lutetiæ, 1550, 8vo.; Lye, Dictionarium
Saxonico et Gothico Latinum, à Manning, Lond. 1772, in 2 volumes,
folio; Menage, Dictionnaire Etymologique de la Langue Française, 1694,
folio; Minsheu, Ductor. in Linguas XI. Lond. 1617; and his Vocabularium
Hispanico-Latinum et Anglicum, 1617, folio; Pagnini Lexicon Hebraicum;
Julii Pollucis Onomasticon; Putschii Grammaticorum Corpus; Scapula
Lexicon; Skinner’s Etymologicon Linguæ Anglicanæ; Somner, Dictionarium
Anglo-Saxonicum, with his Vocabularium Anglo-Saxonicum; Spelmanni
Glossarium Archæologicum; Stephani Thesaurus Linguæ Græcæ; Suidæ Lexicon,
Kusteri, &c.; Woide, Lexicon Egyptiaco-Latinum, Oxonii, 1775, 4to.;
and his Grammatica Egyptiaca, Oxonii, 1778, 4to.; Elfrici, Grammatica
Latino-Saxonica; Elstob’s Saxon Grammar, and other Grammars of different
languages.
The Bibliographical Works in this Collection, although not numerous,
embrace the Scriptorum Historiæ Britannicæ Catalogus à Pitseo; the
voluminous Acta Eruditorum of Leipsic; Antonio, Bibliotheca Hispana Vetus
et Nova; Beughem’s Incunabula Typographica; the Bibliotheca Thevenothana,
Lutet. Par. 1694, 8vo.; Mongitori Bibliotheca Sicula; the Catalogus
Universalis Librorum, Lond. 1699, in 2 octavo volumes; Catalogus MSS.
Angliæ et Hiberniæ, Oxonii, 1697, folio; Catalogus Librorum MSS. in
Bibliothecâ Cottonianâ, Oxon. 1696, folio; Catalogus Bibliothecæ
Trajectinæ, 1607, 4to.; Catalogus Librorum Francofurti, 1564-92; Cave,
Historia Literaria; Altamura, Bibliotheca Dominicana, 1677; Catalogus
Librorum MSS. in Bibliothecâ Tenisonianâ, et Dugdalianâ, Oxonii,
1692, 4to.; Dupin, Bibliothèque des Auteurs Ecclesiastiques; Le Long,
Bibliotheca Sacra; Fabricii Bibliotheca Græca, et Latina; Bibliographia
Antiquaria, and other smaller pieces; Gesneri Bibliotheca; Hallervordii
Bibliotheca Curiosa; D’Herbelot, Bibliothèque Orientale; Three Indices
Expurgatorii; Kuster, Bibliotheca Librorum Novorum, Traj. ad Rhen. 1691,
in 5 duodecimo volumes; Labbe, Bibliotheca Librorum MSS. Paris, 1657, in
2 volumes, folio; Llewellyn’s Welsh Version of the Bible, 1768, 8vo.;
Mabillon de Rê diplomaticâ; Maittaire, Stephanorum Historia; Memoirs of
Literature for 1712 and 1713, folio; Morhof’s Polyhistor Literarius,
Lubecæ, 4to.; Nesselii Catalogus MSS. Vindobonensium, folio; Nicholson’s
English, Irish, and Scotch Historical Libraries; Sixti Senensis
Bibliotheca Sancta; Stanley’s History of Philosophy; the Journals des
Scavans, &c.; and a List of Bibles and Psalters from 1526 to 1776,
London, 1778, 8vo.
Of Works relating to Literary History and Bibliography, I observed the
Acta Eruditorum; Ames’ Typographical Antiquities; Bayle’s Dictionary;
Catalogus Codd. MSS. in Bibliothecâ Taurinensi, 1749, folio; Bibliotheca
Librorum novorum à Neocoro, Utrecht, 1697, in 5 vols. 8vo.; Catalogus
Bibliothecæ Coll. Reg. Medicorum, Londini, 1757, 8vo.; Bruckeri Historia
Critica Philosophiæ; Catalogus Bibliothecæ Bodleianæ; a Fysher, Oxonii,
1738, in 2 vols. folio; the Harleian Catalogue; Cave’s Historia
Literaria; Fabricii Bibliotheca Græca and Latina, with his Bibliographia
Antiquaria; Le Clerc, Bibliotheque Ancienne et Moderne, Haye, 1730, in 29
vols. 12mo.; De Bure, Bibliotheque Instructive; the Journal des Scavans,
from 1742 to Dec. 1768, in 149 vols. 12mo. and from January 1769 to March
1770, in 17 vols. 12mo.; Lewis’ Account of the English Translations
of the Bible, 1739, 8vo.; and the Memoirs of Literature, London,
1722, in 8 vols. 8vo.; Casimir-Oudin de Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis;
Tanner’s Bibliotheca Britannico-Hibernica, 1748; the Nouveau Traité
de Diplomatique, Paris, 1750, in 6 vols. 4to.; Reading’s Catalogus
Bibliothecæ Collegii Sionensis, London, 1724, folio; Prosper Marchand
Dictionnaire Historique; Schelhorn, Amœnitates Literariæ; Waltheri
Lexicon Diplomaticum, and the Description of the Ratcliffe Library at
Oxford, 1747, folio.
The Law Books are few and unimportant, comprehending Durandi Speculum
Juris; Sir Edward Coke’s Institutes; Fitzherbert, Natura Brevium;
Littleton’s Tenures; Manwood’s Forest Laws; Nicholson’s Border Laws;
various Law Reports, and Statutes, with other works on Civil and Canon
Law.
Of Works relating to the Arts, I observed only Evelyn on Medals; the
Medailles de Louis XIV. 1691; Vaillant, Nummi Antiqui. Rom. Amst. 1703,
in 2 vols. folio; Wallisii Opera Mathematica, Oxonii, 1699, in 3 vols.
folio; Wootton’s Elements of Architecture; and Barrow’s Euclid.
In French and Italian Literature, the Works of Bayle, Boileau, Fontaine,
Machiavelli, Petrarch, and Tasso, are among the most important; to which
I may add copies of Don Quixote and Telemachus.
Among the Miscellaneous Volumes may be noticed the Reliquiæ Bodleianæ,
Lond. 1703, 8vo.; the Reliquiæ Spelmannianæ; Camden Insignia, à Whear,
Oxon. 1624, 4to.; Camdeni Epistolæ, et Vita à Smith, Lond. 1691, 8vo.;
Bryant’s Mythology; many gratulatory as well as funebrial Verses from
Cambridge and Oxford; Joannis Sarisburiensis Polycraticus, 1513, 4to.;
two pieces by Cuthbert Tonstall; Jones’s Journey to Paris, 1777, 12mo.;
Phillips on the Navy, 1775; Sir Walter Raleigh’s Life of Mahomet, Lond.
1637, 12mo.; Juliani Imperatoris Opera; Spinosa Opera Posthuma; and Capt.
Siden’s History of the Levarites, Lond. 1675, 12mo.
I will conclude my notice of this ancient Library, by the mention of
Macaber, Speculum Marticinium, 1613, 4to.; and a French Translation of
La Dance Macabre, printed upon vellum, in the Gothic types of A. Verard,
or Guyot Marchand, at Paris. The Illustrations, thirty-five in number,
descriptive of each dialogue between Death and the character he addresses
are highly finished, and very curious. This volume is kept in the
Manuscript Library.
I may here also notice two volumes preserved in the same repository,
as of peculiar interest, being the Booke of Christian Prayers, printed
at London by John Daye, in 1569, 4to. containing a portrait of Queen
Elizabeth at the back of the Title, and ornamented with wood-cuts, from
designs of the best masters, having the Dance of Death, after Holbein,
coloured. The present was Queen Elizabeth’s own copy, and was afterwards
in the possession of Queen Anne. This interesting volume has been rebound
in blue morocco, gilt and tooled in the antique style. Also,
The Works of King Charles the First, 1672, folio, containing, in a
curious manuscript note in the beginning, its own singular history,
attested by one who apparently was a competent witness.
“This being seized on board an English ship was delivered by
order of the Inquisition of Lisbon to some of the English
priests to be perused and corrected according to the rules
of the Index Expurgatorius. Thus corrected, it was given to
Barnaby Crafford, English merchant there, and by him it was
given to me, the English preacher resident there in 1670; and
by me, as I then received it, to the Library at Lambeth to be
there preserved.”
“Ita testor, ZACH. CRADOCK.
“November 1, 1678.”
The volume itself fully corroborates this interesting account, being
disfigured throughout by rapid strokes of the pen through the Monarch’s
prayers, and every expression relating to the advancement of the
Protestant religion, displaying Inquisitorial criticism in its full
vigour, to the enquiring eyes of the nineteenth century.
I may also mention here, some Tracts collected by Bowyer on the Kalendar,
and a Collection of Political Tracts from 1682 to 1733, in 3 folio
volumes; the donation of Mr. J. Nichols, printer in Fleet Street, Dec.
7, 1776, which afford me an excellent opportunity of alluding to the
contents of that voluminous series of Tracts, thus described by Dr.
Ducarel in the Memorandum prefixed to his accurate and copious Catalogue
of their Contents:—
“This is a Catalogue of a great number of very scarce and valuable
Tracts, and Pamphlets, from the time of Henry VIII. to that of Queen
Anne, which having for many years lain undigested in this Library were
by order of his Grace Archbishop Cornwallis, methodized and bound in the
year 1773.”
These Tracts are both historical, and theological, political, and
miscellaneous, and in number so great that I only advert to the principal
subjects to which they refer.
These are Church affairs in general. The Clergy, Penal Laws, and Tests,
&c., Tithes, &c. The 39 Articles, Baptism, Catechism, Christianity,
English Divinity, Jews, Liturgy, Marriage, Methodists, Miracles,
Prayers, French and English Protestants, including some against Popery,
Quakers, Sacheverell, Sacraments, Trinity, the Bangorian, Socinian, and
Anti-Socinian, Popish and Whistonian Controversies, Warburton, Waterland,
and both the Universities. Also numerous Sermons.
There are also Politics in general, including American Transactions,
Irish Affairs, Laws, London, Oxfordshire, Parliamentary Affairs, the
Pretender, Scotland, Shakespeare, State Tryals, and others, Wales,
Pamphlets of 1611-44-49, 1696-1716, 1646-58, 1705-26, 1700-17, and
1637-1707.
There are moreover of miscellaneous nature, embracing Almanacks, the
Kalendar, Biography, Botany, and Physic, Trade, English Poetry, and many
other subjects, in Latin, English, and French.
This Catalogue also includes an account of the Pamphlets and Tracts
bequeathed to this Library by Archbishop Secker, which begin in 1715 and
end in 1768, and refer principally to the events of that period.
This circumstance leads me to notice in detail the component parts of
that munificent bequest, his entire Library, which Archbishop Secker
bequeathed to the See, whose highest honours he had enjoyed.
I have deemed it expedient to give a separate account of this portion
of the Lambeth Library, distinct from that of the original Collection,
being of opinion that the impress of the owner’s mind is in some degree
stamped upon his Library, and that, viewed by this reflected light, the
Prelate’s industry and judgment as a collector, enhance the sense of his
munificence as Archbishop.
A Library of such extent and importance, bequeathed entire, amply
deserves separate and particular description.
As might naturally be expected the Theological department of this
Collection is that which has received the most attention from its pious
founder.
It contains among the earlier Divines, the Works of Anselm, Arnobius,
Basilius, Cyprian, Epiphanius, Gregory, Irenæus, Grotius, Polycarp,
Justin Martyr, Philo Judæus, and other pillars of the Church.
It also embraces,
Chrysostomi Opera, à Montfaucon. Parisiis, 1718, in 13 folio
volumes.
Hieronymi Opera, Vallarsii. Veronæ, 1734, in 11 vols. folio.
Origenis Opera, de la Rue. Paris, 1733, in 4 vols. folio.
Tertulliani Opera, Rigaltii. Parisiis, 1675, folio.
Lactantii Opera, Du Fresnoy, 2 vols. 4to.
Reeves’ Apologies of Tertullian, &c. London, 1709, in 2 vols.
8vo.
Wake’s Epistles of the Apostolical Fathers.
Among the Works of the English Divines I particularly noticed those of
Andrews, Bingham, Blackhall, S. Clarke, Chillingworth, Cosin, Farmer,
Forbes, Fordyce, Hooper, Kennicott, Kettlewell, Joseph Mede, Pococke,
Prideaux, Secker, Seed, Thomas Sharp, Squire, Sherlock, Stebbing, Joseph
Stennett, Stillingfleet, Sykes, Synge, Taylor, Warburton, Waterland, and
Whitby.
Here also are found, Addison’s Evidences of the Christian Religion;
Barclay’s Apology for the Quakers; Butler’s Analogy; Campbell on
Miracles; Chappelow on Job; Durrell’s Remarks on Job, Oxford, 1772;
Dodwell on Marriage, with some other Tracts relating to the same
subjects; Fiddes’ Body of Divinity; Hutcheson’s Moral Philosophy;
Jones on the Trinity; Lardner’s Testimonies; Lavington’s Enthusiasm of
Methodists and Papists, 1749; Lowman’s Paraphrase; Lowth’s Commentaries
on the Prophets; Macknight’s Harmony; Ostervald’s Arguments; Parker on
the Scriptures; Patrick’s Commentaries; Peters on Job; Phillips on Sacred
Literature; Poole’s Annotations on the Bible, and Tracts against Popery;
Pyle’s Paraphrase, &c.; Le Chevalier Ramsay’s Philosophical Principles
of Religion, Glasgow, 1749, in 2 quarto volumes; Universal Restitution,
a Scripture Doctrine, London, 1761, 8vo.; Stevenson on the Gospel
Miracles, with other Tracts on the same subject; Dr. Gregory Sharp on
the Prophecies; Shuckford’s Connection; Smalbroke and Sykes on Miracles;
Tennison’s Guide of a Christian; Trapp on the Gospels, and on the Church
of England; Turnbull’s Christian Philosophy; Venn’s Whole Duty of Man;
Wall’s Infant Baptism; Webster on Prayer; Welchman on the Thirty-nine
Articles; West on the Resurrection; Weston on Miracles; Whitby’s
Paraphrase; Witherspoon’s Essays; Whiston’s various Works; White, Bishop
of Ely, on the Sabbath Day, 1635, 4to.; Stackhouse’s Exposition of the
Apostles’ Creed, and his Body of Divinity, London, 1729, folio, a book
which was lost, but replaced by Archbishop Manners Sutton, in March 1798.
Of Pulpit Eloquence, the Archbishop seems to have been a warm admirer,
since we here find the Sermons of Abernethy, Atterbury, Blair, Balguy,
Bull, Butler, Bedford, Bellamy, Bennet, Bentley, Berriman, Biscoe,
Brown, Brakenridge, Bundy, Burton, Calamy, Chandler, Carter, Conant,
Crowe, Dalton, Dawson, Delany, Dodd, Dorman, Duchal, Elliott, Emlyn,
Felton, Fleetwood, Forster, Franklin, and Free. Of Gough, Green, Harvest,
Herring, Hickes, Hoadly, Hopkins, Jeffrey, Jennings, Jephson, Jones,
Kennicott, Knowles, Lardner, Mangey, Morris, Moss, Mudge, Newcombe,
Newton, Reay, Ridley, Rogers, Romaine, Rotheram, Secker, Sacheverell,
Seed, Shepherd, and Sherlock.
Since the foregoing pages were written, a List of some of the early
printed Books, in the Lambeth Library, by the Rev. S. R. Maitland,
London, 1843, pp. 464, has been privately printed, and been followed by
the publication of an Index of such English Books, printed before the
year MDC as are now in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, by the Rev.
S. R. Maitland, F.R.S. London, 1845, pp. 120. 8vo.
[Illustration]
Library of Lichfield.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield is preserved with great
care in an upper Chamber of the Chapter House adjoining the Cathedral.
The Manuscripts are kept under lock and key in brass-wired cases at the
one end of the room. The Printed Books are arranged in classes upon open
shelves, and have in many instances been rebound or rebacked, though the
greater portion of them retain their original binding of calf.
This Library retaining but few of its monastic treasures, was
munificently endowed by Frances, Countess of Somerset, whose portrait
very well painted in the costume of that period adorns the upper end of
the room. In a case beneath was formerly deposited the famous Gospel
book of St. Chad; the doors of this receptacle bearing the following
Inscription:—
“Sanctiss. Liber
qui intus reconditur
sicut in arca est collocatus
Thesaurus fuit olim et deliciæ
Illustrissimæ Dominæ
Domicæ Franciscæ Devereux
Ducissæ Somersetensis
Cujus pulcherrimam Imaginem
Auspice Lector
et Venerare.
Hoc Immerito
Clarissimi enim heroici
“Gemmam hanc cui aurum est vile”
Unà cum prope mille aliis Volumen
Dilectæ suæ et semper memo:
Ecclesiæ Cathedral: de Lichfield
Majorem Dei Gloriam et
bonarum Literarum ubertatem
D. D. F.”
This precious volume has, however, been transferred to the glazed case
in which the other Manuscripts are kept. Its scription is undoubtedly
of very high antiquity, and the uncial letters and other ornaments of
the volume alike attest this fact. This volume is written in Latin upon
vellum, and is bound in russia, lettered “Evangelia Sancti Ceaddæ.
DCCXX.”[40] It contains 236 pages, according to the numeration of some
modern hand. The date of the year 720, though conjectural, is probably
near the mark; and the following remarks of Mr. Nares in his Manuscript
Catalogue may serve to elucidate the literary history of this ancient
volume.
“Tradition reports it to have been the hand writing of St. Gildas, but
when it is observed that it abounds with gross errors both in orthography
and grammar, it becomes impossible to believe it the work of any learned
scribe. The characters are round and fair, having a strong affinity to
the Saxon letters, and the Saxon words and names occurring in the margins
plainly show that the book had been in much use for administering oaths
under the Government of that people.” The size of the volume is large
quarto apparently, though truly I think it is in folio.
A beautiful and valuable Manuscript of the Poems of Chaucer, written upon
vellum in a noble folio volume, contains 292 leaves, but unfortunately
wants that which ought to intervene between the 209th and the 210th of
Mr. Nares’ enumeration. It would be a curious task to compare the text
of this venerable Manuscript with the first printed editions of the
Canterbury Tales, &c. from the press of Caxton. This book has also been
protected by a russia surtout, and it contains some elegant illuminations.
I also remarked the Manuscript Poems of William Kingsmyle, Knight;
Archdeacon Smalbrooke’s Common Place Book; the Codex Justiniani; Taxatio
Papæ Nicolai; Scire Mori; A Pricke of Conscience; A Tract of St. Anselm,
and several volumes of Adversaria Theologica, bound in calf.
This Catalogue, given in vol. II. p. 32 of the Catalogus MSS. Angliæ et
Hiberniæ, Oxon, 1672, folio, attributed to Humphry Wanley, contains all
the books at present in the Library, with the exception of Nos. 1389,
1396, 1399, 1404, 1406.
Many of the Manuscripts were in the old Monastic Library, but others were
part of the bequest of the Countess of Somerset in 1672. A Catalogue of
the entire Collection bequeathed to the Cathedral by that noble lady is
preserved among the Manuscripts. An old borrowing book too, used by
Samuel Johnson in 1774, is there also preserved.
In this case is preserved the most brilliant Gem of this Collection,
being no less than Caxton’s History of King Arthur, folio, whose well
known colophon runneth thus:
“Thus endeth this noble and joyous book entitled LA MORTE
DARTHUR; notwithstanding, it treateth of the birth, life, and
acts of the said King Arthur, of his noble Knights of the
Round Table, their marvellous conquests and adventures, the
atchieving of the Sangreal, and in the end the dolorous death
and departing out of this world of them all. Which book was
reduced in to English by Sir Thomas Malory, Knight, as afore
is said, and by me divided in to XXI books, chaptered and
imprinted, and finished in the Abbey Westminster the last day
of July, the year of our Lord M.CCCCLXXXV.
“Caxton me fieri fecit.”
This is one of the rarest of Caxton’s productions, a perfect Copy is
in the Library of Lord Jersey at Osterley, formerly in the Harleian
Collection, which I believe is the only other copy known. The present
copy is elegantly bound in olive coloured Venetian morocco with gilt
leaves.
This volume which I had a subsequent opportunity of examining, I found
to be an imperfect copy of the Life and Actes of King Arthur, folio,
bound in Venetian Morocco with gilt leaves. It is printed in double
columns of black letter, entwined by some barbarous wood-cuts, with the
chapter-numbers on the head line in italic character. It is imperfect
both at the beginning and the end, commencing with the “Prologus” on
sign. Ψ. ii. and ending with a leaf of “The xxist booke,” having the
catchword “now.” on the recto, and “were” on the reverse. This volume
measures ten inches and a half by seven inches and three quarters.
The oldest English Bible in this Library is the Bible by Cranmer, printed
at London by Edward Whytchurche in 1540, whereof the title, which is
encadred in wood cuts, runneth thus:
¶ The Byble in Englyshe, that is to saye the conte̅t of al the holy
scrypture, both of yᵉ olde, and newe testam̅et, with a prologe therinto,
made by the reuerende father in God, Thomas archbysshop of Cantorbury.
¶ This is the Byble apoynted to the vse of the churches.
The present Copy has the title inlaid, and is bound in the original calf
with plain brass clasps.
Next to this stood the two stately folios of Ogilvie’s Bible of 1660 in
red morocco.
Buck and Daniel’s Bible of 1638, divided into five thin folio
volumes, bound in old blue morocco.
Field’s Bible, printed at Cambridge in 1660, in 2 volumes,
folio, attired in crimson velvet, with silver clasps.
Buxtorf’s Hebrew Bible, printed at Basle in 1618, in folio.
Novum Testamentum è Codice Alexandrino curâ Woide. Lond. 1786.
Novum Testamentum Stephani. Lutet. Paris. 1500, folio, and
The Oxford Septuagint, under the editorial care of Holmes and
Parsons, recently bound in 5 vols. folio, in calf.
To which may be added
Walton’s Polyglott of 1657, with Castell’s Lexicon.
The Biblia Polyglotta Montani, printed by Plantin, at Antwerp,
in 1569, in 5 volumes folio.
the three last named articles being bound in calf; and a pretty correct
estimate may be formed of the Biblical treasures of the Lichfield
Cathedral Library.
In Divinity there are numerous Works, many of which are too
insignificant, and others of too common occurrence to mention; but to
give some idea of the value of the Library in this its most important
department, it may suffice to enumerate,
The Bibliotheca Maxima and Bibliotheca Patrum, printed at Paris
in 1624, in 5 vols. folio, all in calf.
Bingham’s Works, in 2 vols. folio. London, 1726, a fine copy in
old calf.
To which may be added the Works of Eusebius, Newton, Usher, Erasmus,
Mosheim, Grotius, Warburton, and Calvin; Pole’s Synopsis, and the Critici
Sacri.
In Ecclesiastical History we find the valuable Works of Echard and Dupin;
Basnage’s History of the Jews; Cressy’s Church History of Brittany;
Wilkins’ Concilia; Strype’s Annals; Walker’s Sufferings of the Clergy;
the Ecclesiastical Annals of Baronius; Fuller’s Church History; the
Historia Martyrum of Fox, Basileæ, 1559, folio; and Fox’s History of
Martyrs, London, 1641, folio; and Bedæ Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica,
Antverpiæ, 1550, folio.
In relation to the History of England, we find the following valuable
and interesting Works, Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum; History of
St. Paul’s, and of Warwickshire, and View of the Troubles; Camden’s
Britannia; Clarendon’s History of the Rebellion; Burnet’s History
of his own time; Daniel’s History of England; Rushworth’s Historical
Collections; Speed’s Chronicle; Baker’s Chronicle, London, 1679,
folio; Holinshed’s Chronicles, in folio; Gul. Neubrigensis Historia
Rerum Anglicarum curante Thoma Hearne, 3 vols. 8vo.; Virunnii Historia
Britonum; Bracton de Legibus Angliæ; Lyndewode’s Provinciale; Kennet’s
History of England, together with the Domesday Book, and the whole Series
of Records and other Documents published under the authority of the
Parliamentary Commission. Add to these Buchanan and Drummond’s Histories
of Scotland; Wynne’s History of Wales; and in British Topography, Stow’s
London; Willis’ Cathedrals; Plot’s Oxfordshire; Dart’s Canterbury
Cathedral; Grew’s Rarities; and Bentham’s Ely.
In General History the valuable collections of Grævius and Gronovius,
with the indispensable Supplements of Poleno and Sallengre; Thuani
Historia sui Temporis; Puffendorff’s Works; the English version of
Montfaucon, by Humphries; the Chronicles of Froissart and Monstrelet, and
Bayle’s Dictionary, are the most conspicuous features of this Collection.
Kæmpfer’s Japan, and Norden’s Egypt, also adorn this department of the
Library.
In Heraldry, a few valuable Works may be here enumerated, Guillim’s
Heraldry, 1660; Milles’ Catalogue of Honor; and Ashmole’s History of the
Garter, London, 1672, all in folio.
In Philology, it is a pleasure to recount such Works as Ducange’s
Glossarium; Photii Bibliotheca; Hickes’ Thesaurus; Spelman’s Works;
Stephani Thesaurus, and Junii Etymologicum Anglicanum.
In Geography, Cluvierii Geographia Antiqua, in folio, and Cook’s Voyages,
in 4to. alone met my observation.
In Poetry, I merely noticed the Works of Spenser, of 1679, and Du Bartas’
Divine Works and Weeks, whence Milton is said to have borrowed sundry
ideas of his immortal Work.
Of Classic Authors, the editions contained within these walls are
generally speaking neither the first nor the best, with the exception of
the Editio Princeps of Appian, printed by Stephens at Paris, in 1551,
folio; and Butler’s Æschylus, in 4to.
In Miscellaneous Literature, I may notice the Works of Addison and Bacon,
of Swift and Fielding, with divers other modern authors of lesser note,
including the long series of the Gentleman’s Magazine, the veritable “Old
Parr of Periodicals.”
I may also mention Selden’s famous Treatise of the Mare Clausum, written
in reply to the Mare Liberum of the justly celebrated Grotius; and
Drelincourt on Death, a book which, if I recollect rightly, was often
mentioned with respect by Samuel Johnson, the first edition of whole
Life, by Boswell, in 2 volumes, 4to. is appropriately placed in the
Capitular Library of his native town.
I also noticed Digges’ Compleat Ambassador; Pluvinel’s Horsemanship, both
in folio; and Burney and Hawkins’ History of Music, both in 4to; together
with Reading’s Catalogue of Sion College Library, London, 1724, as books
not often to be found within the precincts of any Cathedral.
The Catalogue of this Library is a manuscript volume, written apparently
some time ago, wherein the Books are enumerated in alphabetical order,
the subsequent additions to the Library being entered on the opposite
pages which have been left blank for this purpose.
A Classed Catalogue appears to have been in contemplation, but never to
have been continued beyond a few pages.
A Book of the names of the Books taken out of the Library by the Dean
and Chapter, who alone have the right to use it, the Canon in residence
always keeping the key, is very properly laid upon the same table with
the Catalogue itself.
[Illustration]
Library of Lincoln.
This ancient Library, which suffered much from conflagration about the
middle of the seventeenth century, was munificently restored to more than
its pristine splendour by Michael Honeywood, then Dean of Lincoln.
The portrait of this eminent divine, by Cornelius Jansen, with that of
his grandmother, adorns the room which contains what remains of his once
extensive Collection, which the ruthless hand of the unlettered spoiler
has deprived of some of its brightest ornaments.
The Manuscripts are now carefully lettered and admirably arranged,
though, as formerly a few shillings were sufficient to induce the verger
to allow the excision by any “curious stranger” of the illuminated
capitals, many of the volumes are lamentably mutilated and defective.
Latin Bibles, Psalters, Glosses & Postillæ, upon vellum and on paper,
form the principal features of the Manuscript Library, which is deposited
in the ante-room over the Cloisters adjoining the Cathedral.
On these shelves I also observed a Manuscript of Comestor’s Historia
Scholastica; and of Bartholomeus de Proprietatibus Rerum; together with
an interesting Diurnall of Proceedings in Parliament kept in 1640.
But the most curious and valuable Manuscript in this Collection, is
a volume upon paper of Old English Romances, of the date of 1430-40,
collected by Robert de Thornton, who was Archdeacon of Bedford in 1450,
and lies buried in Lincoln Cathedral. This interesting volume has been
enriched by a table of contents, and some elucidatory notes by Sir F.
Madden, of the British Museum, and adorned with a coating of red russia,
which may bid defiance to decay.
The Library of Printed Books, all of which are labelled on the back, is
contained in a spacious Gallery one hundred and four feet by seventeen,
being the whole length of one side of the Cathedral Cloisters, and having
the books on open shelves on the right hand, and a range of windows on
the left; but no convenience for producing artificial heat.
The Manuscript Catalogue, which lies on the table, appears to have been
copied verbatim from another of older date, and to have been continued by
the entry of successive additions.
On turning to the father of the English Press, I found a Poesy of most
pungent odour, the true ‘Lincolne Nosegay,’ which any Roxburgher might
be proud to wear in his button-hole at the yearly festival of those true
lovers of black letter. I give the entry exactly as I found it in the
Catalogue; but, grievous to relate, neither high nor low were these gems
seen to sparkle on the shelves of this sadly bereaved Repository.
“Caxton, Chronicle & Description of Britaine, 1480, folio.
“Scala Perfectionis, 1494, fol.
“Chesse Play, 1474, fol.
“Cato, 1483, fol.
“Quære. Dictes & Sayinges of Philosophers, 1500.
“Reynard the Fox, 4to.
“Trans. of Hist. of Jason, 1481, 4to.”
I own this last article puzzled me considerably; for could it be the
true Jason with this recent date? but the well known initials ‘T. F. D.’
attached in pencil to the Cato, and the queried Dictes and Sayinges led
me to hope that they at least might yet be in existence; and imagining
that they might be preserved among the Curiosities which the Dean and
Chapter had taken, as I was informed, under their especial protection,
I addressed a note of enquiry to the Librarian, stating my reasons for
believing that, as some of the Caxtons appeared to have been inspected
by Dr. Dibdin so late as 1816, they must still exist, though I could not
find them.
The obliging answer which I in consequence received from the present
Librarian of Lincoln I give exactly as I received it, that those who are
anxious for the integrity of those great Collections which the wise and
the good of former ages have handed down to us, may learn from hence
the necessity of devising means whereby such treasures may be preserved
unimpaired and intact for posterity, more effectual than those which the
venerable consort of Michael Honeywood, happily in no wise prescient of
the future fate of these literary treasures, devised. But let us have the
fact from the pen of Mr. Garvey.
Lincoln, June 17, 1833.
SIR,
I am sorry it is not in my power to give you any information
that you will deem pleasing, on the subject of the early prints
which you seem to delight in. The fact is, since Dr. Dibdin’s
visit to this Library, the Dean and Chapter thought it
expedient to sell all the Caxtons and other early prints, and
to replace them with more modern works of which they stood in
need; and this is the reason that we had nothing of that sort
to offer to your notice more than what my son shewed you.
If it were in my power I should be happy to gratify every
intelligent stranger; and I am sorry I have no better
information to give you on your favourite pursuit.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
R. GARVEY.
This candid statement is fully confirmed by the following entry in the
Library Catalogue of the books sold, namely,
“Amores Troili et Cresseidæ. Oxonii, 1635.
“The Works of Heiwood. London, 1598.
“Virgidemiarum. London, 1602.
“Brome’s Songs. London, 1664.
“Several pieces of Poetry bound together.
“Sternhold’s Psalms. London, 1553.
“Sir W. Raleigh’s Letters to his Son. London, 1632.
“De Afflictione Captivorum sub Turcis.
“Poetical Works of James VI. Edinburgh, 1591.
“Six Treatises on Cookery.
“Bishop Earl’s Characters.
“Seven different Poetical Pieces bound together.
“Psalms set to Music, in 4 books. London, 1563.
“Poetica Stromata, by R. C. [Ric. Corbet, Bp. Norwich.] 1648,
12mo.
“Poems by Michael Drayton. London, 16—.
“Martial’s Epigrams by Fletcher. London, 1656, 8vo.
“Ten Different Pieces bound in one volume.
“Vita et Obitus Henrici VIII. & Caroli Brandon, &c.
“Visions of Peirce Plowman, by R. Crowley. Lond. 1550.
“Besides the above, some books were purchased by the Rev. T. F.
Dibdin.”
The books thus omitted to be more particularly mentioned were among
the choicest treasures of the Honeywoodian Collection. The practised
hand of Rosicrusius, extracted the ore from the dross, and converted it
into gold. The guardians of the temple slept, and Mammon prevailed. The
flowers thus culled were wreathed into a garland, quaintly denominated
the Lincoln Nosegay, which I have transferred entire to these pages,
as, although surreptitiously reprinted, its circulation was originally
limited to the author’s immediate circle.
“_The Lincolne Nosegay._”
“London. Printed by W. Bulmer & Co. Cleveland
Row. St. James’s.”
“Here begyneth a Littel Tome and hathe to name
The Lincolne Nosegay:”
“beynge a brefe table of certaine Bokes in the posession
Maister Thomas Frognall Dibdin Clerk, which bookes be to
be sold to him who shal gyue the moste for yᵉ same.”
“The Lincolne Nosegay.”
I. The Dictes and Sayinges of Philosophres. Enprynted by me William
Caxton at Westmestre the yere of our lord. M CCCC LXXVjj. Folio.
Ye shal peruse a full accounte of this boke in yᵉ new imprint of our
Typographical Antiquities, vol. i. p. 60, 72. This exemplar apereth to
be yᵉ Fyrste Edition: and hath at yᵉ end “Et sic est Finis.”
II. The Cronicles of Englond; (wherunto is joined) The Discripcion of
Britayne. Fynysshed by me William Caxton, the xviii day of August the
yere of our god M.CCCC lxxx. &c. Folio.
See yᵉ aforementioned werk: vol. i. pp. 85-100.
These be perfait and meruelouslye clene copies of these moste rare bokes,
and are bounde in one tome.
III. The Booke called Cathon. Translated oute of French into Englyssh
by William Caxton in thabbay of Westmystre the yere of our lorde
MCCCCLXXIII. &c. Folio. A parfaite and beauteous exemplar.
IV. The Newe Cronycles of Englonde and of Fraunce. Emprynted by Richarde
Pynson, prynter unto the kyngȝ noble grace. The yere of our Lord God a.
M. cccccxvi. The vii daye of the moneth of February. Folio.
Ye shal gader yᵉ aboue from ye imprynte of the boke, inasmuch as there
be no title to yᵉ same in the fyrst page or frontispiece: whyche page
containeth only the cote armor of the then kynge, and hath sign. H i
beneath it. In my werke, begunne by Maisters Ames and Herbert, at vol.
ii. p. 466, &c. ye shal finde a full and trust-worthye accounte of this
present boke; the exemplar of whiche, here offered, is of grete bulke and
beautie. It is, moreouer perfait—with some of the leauves stained—but the
cunning skil of Maister Lewis, our knowinge binder of bokes, shal quickly
clense the same. I maruel where another suche exemplar of this rare werke
shall be founde for yᵉ purchasinge?
V. The Bible and Holy Scriptures conteined in the Olde and Newe
Testament. Translated according to the Ebrue and Greke, and conferred
with the beste translations in divers languages, &c.
Printed in Edinburgh. By Alexander Arbuthnet, Printer to the Kingis
Maiestie, dwelling at yᵉ kirk of feild. 1579. Folio.
This moche-to-be-coueted boke is perfaite, sauinge two leaves in the
O. Testamente and three leaves in the N. Test.: whiche be wanting. The
begynninge and end therof are true and perfait. Ye shall perceiue, on
looking at Maister Herbert’s labors, vol. iii. p. 1501. that he had no
knowledge of the same: ne Maister Lewis, in his werke upon Translations
of the Bible.
Hereafter folowethe sundry final werkes in metre moost rare and of
especiel note: whiche be bounde in a kiuer of parchmente.
Sundrie Smal Werkes in Metre.
VI. The title thus:
Here begynneth a treatyse how yᵉ hye fader of heven sendeth dethe to
somon every creature to come and gyve a counte of theyr lyuves and this
worlde, and is in maner of a morall playe.
The imprint thus:
Thus endeth this moral playe of every man.
Imprynted at London in Poules Churche yarde, by me John Skot. 4to. In
Rhymes.
Sixteen leaves. Ye shal perceaue how Maister Herbert maketh mention of
this very exemplar: but which, it apeareth manifest, he had never sene.
The colophon thus:
Thus endeth the co̅munycacyon bytwene god and man.
Emprynted at London in Flete-strete at yᵉ sygne of yᵉ Sonne by me Wynkyn
de Worde. 4to.
This lytyle piece of rhymes lacketh the title: but the text therof
begynneth right truely on yᵉ signature A. ij. thus: “Deus.”
“Our gracyous god moost in magnyfygyce̅ce
His mercyful eyen casteth fro̅ heun̅ on hi
Seynge his creatures in deedly vyolence
Hym selfe complayneth by pyte full ruefully,”
&c. &c. &c.
Ye shal finde no account of this lytel tome in my editing of Maister
Herbert’s werke upon Ye Hystorye of oure Pryntinge. It hath 12 leaves if
you include the title.
VIII. The title as foloweth:
Here is a mery jest of the mylner of Abyn̅gdon, with his wyfe and his
doughter, and two poore scholers of Cambridge. 4to. In Rhymes.
A fragment of 7 leaves whiche semeth to be imprynted by W. de Worde. Unto
this fragment is joined
IX. A Romaunce, in verse, ycleped Ipomydon; Emprynted at London in the
Flete strete, at the sygne of the Sonne, by wynkyn de worde, 4to.
This lacketh yᵉ 3 fyrste leaues of texte, and the title; but it
is parfaite from thence (sign. B. i.) to yᵉ ending therof, and is
meruelouslye scarce and curious; no mention beynge made of it in the
aforesaid werke. This exemplar hath 33 leaves: sign. 1 having 5, the rest
4 leaves.
X. The title thus:
A Dyalogue defensyue for women agaynst malycyous detractoures. 4to.
Colophon: Thus endeth the Faucon and the Pye. Anno dn̅i. 1542. Imprynted
by me Robert Wyer, for Richard Bancker. Cum privilegio regali ad
imprimendu solu̅ per septem annum. Beneath is the device of Robert Wyer,
the Prynter. 4to.
Ye shal fynde a briefe notice of this curious Dyalogue, in metre, uttered
by a Falcon and a Pie, in Herbert’s Werke, vol. iii. p. 273.
XI. [A Romaunce, in metre, entytled Syr Bevis of Hampton] Colophon:
Imprynted at london in the vinetre upon the thre Crane wharfe, by William
Coplande. 4to.
Herbert hathe no knowlege of this moste precious boke.
This copy lacketh only the title page; the text begynnynge on A ii. thus:
“Lysten lordinges I holde you styl
Of doughty men tell you I wyl.”
&c. &c. &c.
XII. The Title as foloweth:
_Elynor Rummin_, The famous Ale-wife of England. Written by Mr. Skelton,
Poet Laureat to King Henry the egiht.[41]
Beneath a portraiture of yᵉ said Eleanour:
“When Skelton wone the laurel crowne
My Ale put all the Ale-wives downe.”
4to. The same portraicture on the back-side of this Title. Nine leaves:
containing also the _Tunning of Eleanour of Rumming_.
Grete will be thy joy, O Reader, when thou knowest that thou mayst here
beholde the _original_ and _only_ exemplar of this cunning and especial
werke; for a sight wherof, men do report, that Maisters Stevens and
Ritson, with painful travail, left their peacefull homes in London.
Greter still will be thy contentment, gentle reader, if thou possess this
cunning tresure. Ye shal see something appertaining hereunto in my werke
ycleped Bibliomania at p. 585.
XIII. The Title commenceth thus:
Here begynneth the Egloges of Alexander Barclay, Priest, &c. &c. Colophon
as foloweth: Thus endeth the thyrde and last Eglogue of the Misery of
Courte and Courtes, Composed by Alexander Barclay, Preest, in his youth.
Imprinted at London by Humfrey Powell. 4to. Fifty-eight leaves.
Mention is made of this fyrste Imprint of the Eglogues of Alexander
Barclay in Maister Herbert’s werke on Pryntinge, in vol. ii. p. 751.
It appereth from the same authority that the yere of the imprint could
not be later than yᵉ yere of our Lorde 1551.
XIV. The Title is after this fashion:
An Interlude, called Lusty Juventus. Lively describyng the frailtie of
youth: of nature prone to vyce: by grace and good councell traynable to
vertue. The imprint thus:
Imprinted at London in Paules Churche yeard, by Abraham Vele, at the
sygne of the Lambe. 4to. Eighteen leaves.
Ye shal perceive a slight damage in the 7th leaf of thys scarce and
curious tome, which seemeth to differ from the edition noticed in Maister
Beloe’s Anecdotes, &c. pp. 349, 350.
XV. The title appereth thus:
The Churle and the Byrde. The imprint is as folows: Imprented at London
in Lothburi over against Sainct Margarytes church by me Wyllam Copland.
4to. Eight leaves.
The cunning reder shal easily mete out yᵉ mesure of yᵉ worth of this
precyouse lytel boke. Maister Ritson maketh no mention of it. A rude
image of the Churl and the Byrde is graved upon the title.
XVI. The title runneth thus:
A treatyse, shewing and declaring the pryde and abuse of women now a
dayes. It beginneth in this wise:
“Bo pepe what have I spyed,
a bug I trow, devysing of proud knacks
For wanton lasses and galant women,
and other lewde noughty Jackes.”
&c. &c. &c.
The imprint thus:
Imprinted at London in Paules Church yearde, at thee[42] Sygne of the
Starre. By Thomas Raynalde. 4to. This curious and moost rare werke is
parfait in four leaves.
XVII. Hereafter followeth the title:
A Myrrour for man where in he shall see the myserable state of thys
worlde.
It concludeth thus:
Finis quod Thomas Churschard.[43] God save the Kyng. Imprynted at London
by Roberte Toye, dwellynge in Paules Church yarde at the sygne of the
Bell. Cum priv. &c. 4to. This brefe morall tractate of only three leaves,
adviseth thus towards the ende therof:
“Here have set forth, after a playne sorte
The state of thys worlde, in sentens ryght shorte
For the thou blynde man, that goeth astraye
I lyghten thys lampe, to learne thee thy waye.”
Ye may number this lytel piece of metre among the tomes of especial
rarity.
XVIII. The title thus informeth us:
The Flyting betwixt Montgomery and Polwart. Edinburgh, Printed by the
Heires of Andro Hart. 1629, 4to. There be here 13 leaves of mervelously
barbarous metre: the whiche Maister Allan Ramsay, of especiale fame,
caused to be reimprinted in his werke entitled The Euergreen. This tome
containeth the original text, and is gretely desyred by the lerned in
Scotish poesie. It concludeth thus:
“Blind brock, loose dock, bord block, banished townes,
Alace, thiefes face, na grace, for that grunzie,
Beld bisset, marmissed, lansprezed to the lownes,
Deid dring, dry’d sting, thou wilt hing but a sunzie,
Lick butter, throat cutter, fish gutter, fill the fetter,
Come bleitand, and grietand, fast citand, thy laidley letter.
Finis.”
XIX. The title:
A briefe Description of the Toune of Tottenham Highcrosse in Middlesex:
&c. The Turnament of Tottenham, &c. 1631.
The latter written long since in verse, by Mr. Gilbert Pilkington, at
that time as some have thought Parson of the Parish. 4to.
These pieces ye shall finde to contain 21 leaves; of the whiche, 4 leaves
belong to the “Turnament.”
A boke moche to be desired.
London; printed by W. Bulmer and Co. Cleveland
Row, St. James’s.
The loss thus sustained by the ancient Library of Lincoln Cathedral
by the sale of the volumes thus inconsiderately, and in my opinion
unjustifiably, detached, was compensated in some degree by the purchase
of other books with the proceeds, and the addition to the original
Collection of the books thus purchased. Many people will of course think
the exchange was advisable, and that useful volumes were judiciously
substituted for the antiquated lumber, to which the Roxburghe mania at
that time gave a fictitious value. Certainly if any proof were wanting of
the advantageous terms offered to effect the dismemberment of the Chapter
Library, it will be found in the nature and extent of that Collection
which was formed from the proceeds of that sale.
Much as I am inclined to disallow the right of any corporate body
to alienate the property bequeathed to it by any such process of
commutation, I think it right to annex a full account of the books
purchased, that the reader may be enabled to form his own judgment upon
the literary discretion of the Dean and Chapter.
The books thus permanently added to the Lincoln Library, are Chalmers’
Biographical Dictionary, in 32 octavo volumes; Warton’s History of
English Poetry; the Biblia Hebraica by Boothroyd, in 2 volumes, 4to.;
Bacon’s Liber Regis; the reprints of the Chronicles of Monstrelet,
Grafton, Fabyan, Arnold, Harding, and Rastall, in 4to.; Sharpe’s William
of Malmesbury, on large paper; Tyrwhitt’s Chaucer; Baker’s Chronicles;
Sparke’s Historiæ Anglicanæ Scriptores; Camdeni Annales; Wilkins’
Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ; Du Cange, Lexicon Græcum; Forcellini Lexicon
Latinum; Rymer’s Fœdera, in 20 folio volumes; the Art de verifier
les dates, in 3 folio volumes; the Antiquities, &c. of Montfaucon, in
15 folio volumes; Lyson’s Magna Britannia; Peck’s Stamford; Kennet on
Impropriations; Peck’s Desiderata Curiosa; Morelli Thesaurus; Fuller’s
Worthies; Gough’s British Topography; Madox’s Firma Burgi, Baronia
Anglicana, and History of the Exchequer; Cave’s Historia Literaria;
Bedæ Historia Ecclesiastica, edited by Smith; Dupin’s Ecclesiastical
History; Strype’s Annals, and Lives of Cranmer, Parker, Grindall, and
Whitgift; and his Ecclesiastical Memorials; Rapin’s History of England,
by Tindal; Gale and Fell, Historiæ Anglicanæ Scriptores; Herbert’s
Henry VIII.; Stukeley’s Itinerarium Curiosum; the Gentleman’s Magazine
from its commencement in 1731 to 1817, the time when this commutation
was effected; Hickes’s Thesaurus Linguarum Septentrionalium; Stow’s
Chronicle by Howes; Somner’s Canterbury; Forduni Scoti-Chronicon, in
2 volumes, folio; Collyer’s Historical Dictionary; Wren’s Parentalia;
May’s History of the Long Parliament; the Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores,
in 4to.; Walker’s History of Independency; Inquiry as to Charles the
First; Collins’s Peerage; Locke’s Works; Rennet’s Register; Whitelocke’s
Memorials; Burnet’s Reformation; Drake’s York; Echard’s England; Willis’
Cathedrals; Harmer’s Errors of Burnet’s Reformation; Roper’s Life of
Sir Thomas More; Theriaque; Holinshed’s Chronicles; Hall’s Chronicle;
Froissart’s Chronicles; Gough’s Sepulchral Monuments; Dickinson’s
Southwell; Beausobre, Hist. du Manichéisme; Dugdale on Imbanking;
Fiddes’ Life of Wolsey; Jamieson’s Scottish Dictionary; Historia Veterum
Persarum; Lingard’s England; Walker’s Sufferings of the Clergy;
Spelman’s English Works; Cotton’s Abridgment of the Records in the Tower;
Heylin’s Life of Laud; Callis on the Laws of Sewers; Sir Philip Warwick’s
Memoirs; Du Cange’s Lexicon mediæ et infimæ Latinitatis, cum Supplemento
Carpentierii; La Bible par le Cene, folio; and the Beauties of England
and Wales.
Such is the rough entry in the Catalogue of the additions, made by the
Dean and Chapter to this Library, but obtained only by the sacrifice of
books which it is nearly impossible to replace.
Of the books above mentioned, many would do honour to any library, and if
a certain fund were appropriated to the augmentation of this Collection
from the ample revenues of the Dean and Chapter, many more such might be
yearly added.
From the same source I have the satisfaction of adding a list of “Books
presented to this Library by Dr. Bayley, late Subdean. September 23,
1828.”
“Ciceronis Opera, Oliveti, Oxon. 1783, in 10 volumes, 4to.;
Parthenissa, a Romance, by Lord Orrery; Abernethy’s Discourses,
2 vols.; Sermons, 2 vols. and Tracts, 1 volume; Biblia Sacra
Junii & Tremellii, in 1 volume; Treatises on the Sabbath
Day, in 1 volume; Chillingworth’s Religion of Protestants,
in 1 volume; Stillingfleet’s Sermons, in 1 volume; Pemble’s
Works, in 1 volume; Whiston’s Primitive Christianity, in 2
volumes; Cunæus de Republica Hebræorum, 1 volume; Kennicott’s
Collections, 1 volume; and Reflections upon Learning, in 1
volume. In all 28 volumes.
“RD. GARVEY, _Librarian_.”
This donation, however small, from one of the ecclesiastical body who
violated the literary remains of Michael Honeywood, may be looked upon as
an expiatory sacrifice to the manes of that worthy divine, and may I hope
serve as an example to others who may be desirous of seeing the Lincoln
Library restored to its pristine magnitude and worth.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln consists of four thousand
four hundred and fifty-one volumes, relating to theological, classical,
and historical subjects, carefully enumerated in a folio volume,
containing the names, dates, and sizes of the books in alphabetical
order, with reference to the shelves on which they are placed.
The English versions of the Bible in this Collection, include
Coverdale’s Bible. Southwark, by James Nicolson, 1537, folio.
The Bible, of Tyndale and Coverdale, by Thomas Matthew, at the
expense of R. Grafton and E. Whitchurch, 1537, folio.
Cranmer’s Bible. London, by Edward Whitchurch, 1540, folio.
Cranmer’s Bible, reprinted from the edition of 1541. London, by
Edward Whitchurch, 1549, folio.
Matthew’s Bible, reprinted by the order of Edward VI. from the
edition of 1537. London, by Thomas Raynaldes and William Hyll,
1549, folio.
Tyndale’s Bible. London, by J. Day and W. Seres, 1549, 12mo.
The Bishop’s Bible, commonly called Queen Elizabeth’s. London,
by assignement of Chr. Barker, 1578, folio.
The Genevan Bible. London, by the deputies of Christopher
Barker, 1597, folio.
The Five Books of Moses, the Psalms, and Canticles, translated
by H. Ainsworth. London, by M. Parsons, 1639, folio.
The Bible, with Chorographical cuts by John Ogilby. Cambridge,
by John Field, 1660, folio.
The Bible, with vignettes by Vander Gucht, vulgarly styled the
Vinegar Bible. Oxford, by J. Barker, 1717, in 2 vols. folio.
Of the Scriptures in various languages, I noticed the
Biblia Polyglotta, Briani Waltoni. Londini, 1657, in 6 folio
volumes, with Castelli Lexicon Heptaglotton.
The Biblia Polyglotta Eliæ Hutteri.
The Biblia Hebraica, Græca, et Latina. 1587, in 2 vols. folio.
The Biblia Hebraica Pagnini, and of Plantin.
The Biblia Hebraica, by B. Boothroyd. Pontefract, 1810-16, in 2
quarto volumes.
The Vetus Testamentum, curâ B. Kennicottii. Oxonii, 1776-80, in
2 vols. folio.
The Biblia Sacra Tremellii et Junii. Londini, 1581, 8vo.
The Biblia Latina Castalionis. Basileæ, 1554.
The Biblia Sacra. Basileæ, 1514, and the Codex Theodori Bezæ.
Luther’s German Bible, printed at Strasburgh in 1630.
The Welsh Bible, printed at London in 1620, folio.
The Dutch Bible, printed at Amsterdam in 1643, and
The Indian Bible, by Elliott. Cambridge, 1663.
Vetus Testamentum Græcum, ed. Holmes et Parsons. Oxonii,
1798-1827, in 5 folio volumes.
Versions of the New Testament by Beza, Fulke, Mill, and others,
too numerous to mention.
I may here notice the
Psalterium Sarisburiense. Londini, 1555.
The Psalter by Whitchurch, 1535.
The Seven Penytencyall Psalms of Bishop Fysher. London, by
Wynkyn de Worde, 4to. and
The Psalterium Saxonico-Latinum Spelmanni. Londini, 1640, 4to.
Connected with the service of the Church, are the Book of Common Prayer
of Edward VI. London, 1552, folio; and of Charles II. London, 1662,
folio; the latter having the broad seal of England appended to it. Copies
of this first edition of the Common Prayer now in use, thus certified
to be correct, appeared to have been distributed by authority to every
Cathedral in England, though few copies now retain the official seal
annexed. This “sealed book” is the last form of Prayer in which any
alteration was made by public authority. A similar copy of this book,
with corrections in manuscript, and the great seal of England appendant,
certified to be a correct copy, is preserved in the Tower of London.
Several Works relating to the Liturgy are also deposited upon these
shelves.
In the Ritual of the Romish Church I noticed the Missale Eboracense,
Rothomagi, 1517, folio, and the Missale Sarisburiense, Parisiis, 1533,
with Durandi Rationale Divinorum Officiorum.
In early Divinity there are many scarce tracts, among which the most
captivating to my eye were a genuine crackling copy of Turrecremata,
Expositio in Psalmos, printed in the gothic letter, by Schoyffer, at
Mayence in 1476, folio.
The Fathers of the Church, whose Works adorn this venerable Library,
are, S.S. Ambrose, Anselm, Athanasius, Augustine, Basil, Bernard,
Chrysostom, Cyprian, Eusebius, Gregory, Jerome, Hilary, Isidore, Irenæus,
Justin, Origen, Tertullian, Theodoret, and Theophylact, to which I may
add Cotelerii Patres Apostolici, the Bibliotheca Maxima Patrum, Pole’s
Synopsis; the Critici Sacri; and Wilkins’ Concilia.
Among the Works of the earlier Divines of the Christian Church, are some
Tracts by Thomas Aquinas, Bellarmine, and Bonaventura; Petri Blesensis
Opera, Moguntiæ, 1680, folio; the Works of Martin Bucer, Calvin, Erasmus,
Grotius, Hospinianus, Luther, Melancthon, Salmasius, Duns Scotus,
Tostatus, and Thomas à Kempis. To these may be added Lactantii Opera by
Sparke, Limborch, Theologia Christiana; Lyra Commentaria in S. Biblia,
Basileæ, 1598, folios.
I may here notice some well preserved copies of Vincentii Speculum
Historiale, Colon. Agrip. 1494; Morale, Colon. 1493; Doctrinale, Venet.
1494; and Naturale, Coloniæ, 1494, in folio; some Tracts by Gerson,
Scaliger, and Vossius, and Zanchii Opera Theologica, Basileæ, 1569, folio.
The English Divines, whose Works are found in this Collection, are,
Andrews, Bancroft, Bramhall, Chillingworth, Hall, Hammond, Hooper,
Jackson, Jewel, Lardner, Macknight, Mede, Paley, Pemble, Perkins,
Prideaux, Reynolds, Ridley, Stillingfleet, Jeremy Taylor, Tonstall,
Whitgift, and Wickliffe.
In the Theological department I also remarked Bale’s Ymage of both
Churches, the Mystery of Iniquitie, and Actes of English Votaries;
Bingham’s Antiquities of the Christian Church; Calmet’s Dictionary of the
Bible; Campbell on the Gospels; and Coverdale’s Letters of the Martyrs,
London, 1564, 4to.
Field of the Church; Kett on the Prophecies; Turner’s Huntynge of the
Romish Wolfe; Twysden’s Vindication of the Church of England; Watson’s
Theological Tracts; and many other Pamphlets, Religious, Political, and
Miscellaneous.
Of Sermons, this Library contains several preached at St. Paul’s Crosse,
and many others by different authors, and upon various occasions. Among
these it may suffice to notice the Thirty-six by Robert Sanderson, Bishop
of Lincoln, than whom Anthony à Wood remarks, “the Church of England
could not lose a greater pillar, a better man, and more accomplished
divine;” and the Sermons of Latimer, remarkable for the quaint expression
of forcible truths.
The Theological department also embraces some pieces by Theodore Beza;
Outram de Sacrificiis, Londini, 1677, 4to.; and Whitby’s Paraphrase; with
other Works of the Divines of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,
too numerous for minute enumeration in this place.
A copy of the Koran of Mahomet, and of the Russian Prayer Book are also
found upon these shelves.
The Collections relating to English History comprise those of Clarendon,
Rushworth, Nalson, Echard, Sparke, Rapin, and Tindal, with the valuable
labours of Strype, and an extensive collection of Tracts relating to the
eventful period of the great Rebellion.
In this class are also found Winwood’s Memorials; Stow’s London; Sammes’
Britannia; and Prynne’s Records, 1657, in one vol. folio.
Connected with these occur Tanner’s Notitia Monastica; Camden’s
Britannia; Ogilby’s Topographical Works; and Dugdale’s Imbanking; all, it
may be remarked, upon small paper.
In Heraldry I remarked Guillim’s Heraldry; Yorke’s Union of Honour;
Sandford’s Coronation of Charles II.; Ashmole’s Order of the Garter; and
Dugdale’s Baronage.
Of County Histories, a fine copy of Thoroton’s Nottinghamshire; and
Surtees’ Durham, apparently on large paper, were the most remarkable.
Among the Miscellaneous volumes, a fair copy of Hudson’s Josephus;
Lye’s Saxon Dictionary; Thuanus, Historia sui Temporis, in 6 vols.
folio; Bayle’s Dictionary; the Gentleman’s Magazine; the Philosophical
Transactions; and the Works of Spelman; most forcibly arrested my
attention.
In hunting ‘Reynard the Fox’ I stumbled upon a dusty folio in the Gothic
letter, adorned with rude wood cuts, but sadly mutilated by excision in
the middle, containing the Dialogus Creaturarum, printed by Gerard de
Leeu at Gouda, in August 1480. The types of this little volume avowedly
published “in opido goudensi,” seems to my eye so much to resemble those
of the hitherto unknown Recueil des Histoires des Troyes deposited
in the Library at Norton Hall that I feel myself strengthened in the
original supposition that that Work also was the production of Gerard
de Leeu before he removed his press from Gouda to Antwerp, though the
resemblance of the wood cuts is not so striking as that of the type; but
here be it remembered I am speaking only from recollection. This edition
of Dialogus Creaturarum has been fully described in the Bibliotheca
Spenceriana in vol. VI. p. 120.
The Classical department of this Library is enriched by the Works of
Æsop, Anacreon, Apuleius, Athenagoras, Aristænetus, Aristophanes, Aulus
Gellius, Cæsar, Epictetus, Ennius, Euclid, Euripides, Florus, Hierocles,
Hippocrates, Horace, Isocrates, Juvenal, Livy, Lucan, Lucian, Lucretius,
Macrobius, Martial, Ovid, Velleius Paterculus, Persius, Plautus,
Plutarch, Procopius, Quintilian, Sallust, Seneca, Suetonius, Sidonius
Apollinaris, Sophocles, Symmachus, Terence, Tacitus, Vegetius, and Virgil.
It also contains Apicius de arte Coquinariâ, of 1542, Aristotle’s Works,
edited by Erasmus, and several editions of the Stagyrite’s detached
pieces; Ciceronis Opera, Oliveti, Oxonii, 1783, in ten 4to. volumes;
Quintus Curtius, Pitisci; Longinus, by Pearce; Phædrus, Burmanni;
Platonis Opera, Serrani; Plinii Historia Naturalis; Plinii Junioris
Epistolæ; Silius Italicus, Drakenborchii; Theophrasti Characteres, by
Needham; Valerius Flaccus, Burmanni; Xenophontis Opera, Leunclavii; and
Cyropædia, by Hutchinson.
Of Translations, I remarked Ogilby’s Æsop, Homer, and Virgil—heard
Chapman speak out loud and bold in deep-browed Homer’s Iliad—and rested
my eyes on Ross’s sumptuous folio version of Silius Italicus.
The Etymological department includes various Dictionaries of different
languages, Buxtorf’s Lexicon Hebraicum; Calepini Lexicon Octolingue;
Davies’s Linguæ Britannicæ Rudimenta; Du Cange’s Glossarium; Catholicon
Januense, Lugd. 1520, folio; Junii Glossarium Archæologicum; Forcellini
Lexicon Latinum; Morelli Thesaurus; Linacre, de emendatâ Structurâ
Latini Sermonis; Littleton’s Latin and English Dictionary; Jamieson’s
Scottish Dictionary; Hickes’s Thesaurus Linguarum Septentrionalium; Lye’s
Dictionarium Saxonico et Gothico-Latinum, à Manning, Londini, 1722, in
two folio volumes; Pagnini Thesaurus Linguæ Sanctæ; Scapulæ Lexicon;
Skinner, Etymologicum Anglicanum; Somner’s Saxon Dictionary; Stephani
Thesaurus; and Suidæ Lexicon Græcum.
The Bibliographical section of this Library includes Andreæ Bibliotheca
Belgica; the Bibliotheca Laurentiana; Gough’s British Topography;
Catalogue of the Library of Sion College in London; Cave’s Historia
Literaria; the Bodleian Library Catalogue; Holmes’s Catalogue of his
own Library, presented by himself; Gesneri Bibliotheca; the Index
Expurgatorius; and Maunsell’s Catalogue of English Books, London, 1595,
folio, which Thomas Hearne styles “a very scarce and yet a very useful
Book.” In it are certainly recorded the names of various authors, and the
titles of many books, long since defunct and forgotten.
In the branch of English Literature, this tree of knowledge, though
lopped by rude hands, still bears delectable fruit.
The Mons Pefectionis, or Hyll of Perfection by Gallicantus
Alcock. London, 1501.
Barclay’s Shippe of Fooles. London, 1508.
The Boke of Wysdome. London, 1532.
The Mirrour of Good Manners, by Pynson, 4to. quite perfect, and Hylton’s
contented and active life, may content the lover of black letter.
The Workes of our ancient and learned English Poet Geffrey Chaucer, newly
printed, London, 1602, folio; Gower de Confessione Amantis, London, by
Thomas Berthelet, 1554, folio; Hales’ Remains; Hawkins’s Origin of the
English Drama, Oxford, 1773, in three 8vo. volumes; the Philosophical
Writings of Bacon, Hobbes, and Locke; Butler’s Hudibras; Ben Jonson’s
Works; the Works of Milton; Sir Thomas More’s Works, London, 1517, folio;
Spenser’s Faery Queen, London, 1596-7, folio; Spelman’s English Works;
Suckling’s Poems; and Warton’s History of English Poetry, may give to the
general reader some foretaste of the intellectual banquet continually
presented in the cloistered retirement of Lincoln.
The Historical department of this Collection embraces Bayle’s Dictionary;
Chalmers’s Biographical Dictionary, in 32 vols. 8vo.; the Memoirs of
Philip de Comines; Collier’s Historical Dictionary; Heylin’s Cosmography;
Maurice’s Indostan; Montfaucon’s Works on the Antiquities of France;
The Polychronicon of Ranulph Higden; Southwerke, by me, Peter Treveris,
1527, folio; Robinsoni Annales Mundi; Rycaut’s Ottoman Empire; Simson’s
Chronicon Catholicum; Thuani Historia sui Temporis; and other Works of
less note.
Of Works relating to Ecclesiastical affairs, this Library contains
various collections of Councils, Canons, and Decretals; Pandectæ Canonum,
SS. Apostolorum et Conciliorum ab Ecclesiâ Græcâ receptorum, &c. per Gul.
Beveregium, Oxonii, 1672, in two folio volumes; Cotelerii Ecclesiæ Græcæ
Monumenta; Collier’s Ecclesiastical History; Cressy’s Church History of
Brittany; Dupin’s Ecclesiastical Writers; Hooker’s Ecclesiastical Polity;
the Ecclesiastical Annals of Baronius; Josephus’s History of the Jews;
Spelmanni Concilia; and Wilkins’s Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ.
The Books relating more particularly to the Ecclesiastical History
of England are, Bacon’s Liber Regis; Bedæ Historia Ecclesiastica,
curâ Smithii; Barwick’s Life of Dean Barwick; Burnet’s History of the
Reformation, with Harmer’s Remarks on the Errors therein; Capgrave’s Nova
Legenda Angliæ, Londini, in domo Winandi de Worde, 1516, 4to.; the Legend
of St. Cuthbert; Dempsteri Menologium Scotorum, Bononiæ, 1622, 4to.;
Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum, folio; Fiddes’s Life of Wolsey; Fuller’s
Church History of Britain, 1655, folio; Godwini Præsules Anglicani, in
two folio volumes; Harpsfeld, Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica; Heylin’s
Life of Laud; Kennet on Impropriations; Knox’s History of the Church of
Scotland; Lyndewode, Provinciale; Reyneri Apostolatus Benedictinorum in
Angliâ, Duaci, 1626, folio; Parker de Antiquitate Ecclesiæ Britannicæ;
Spottiswode’s History of the Church of Scotland; Strype’s Ecclesiastical
Memorials, Annals of the Reformation, and Lives of Parker, Grindal,
Whitgift, and Cranmer; Tanner’s Notitia Monastica, 1744, folio; Usserii
Antiquitates Ecclesiæ Britannicæ; Walker’s History of Independency; and
Wharton’s Anglia Sacra, in two folio volumes.
This Library is peculiarly fortunate in possessing many valuable Works
relating to the History and Antiquities of Great Britain and Ireland.
Of these I will proceed to enumerate the Scriptores post Bedam, edente
Savile; the Scriptores Decem, edited by Twysden; the Scriptores XVI.
edited by Gale and Fell; Camdeni Anglica Normannica à veteribus Scripta;
Du Chesne, Historiæ Normannorum Scriptores coetanei; Sparke’s Scriptores;
and the Rerum Anglicanarum Annales of 1635, and of 1616, folio; the Rerum
Hibernicarum Scriptores of O’Conor, in 4to.; Blount’s Jocular Tenures;
Bates’s Elenchus Motuum nuperorum in Angliâ; Camden’s Britannia by
Holland, 1637, Gibson, 1772, and Gough, with his Annals of Elizabeth, and
Remains concerning Britain; Cooper’s Chronicle; Daniel’s History of the
Civil Wars; Daniel’s History of England; Dickenson’s Southwell; Doleman’s
Conference about the next Succession to the Crowne of England, the joint
production of Cardinal Allen, Robert Parsons, and Sir Francis Englefield,
in support of the title of the Infanta against that of James the Sixth,
after the death of Elizabeth, a Work which was so rigorously suppressed,
that to possess a copy was, in the merry days of good Queen Bess, high
treason. The Chronicles of Arnold, Fabyan, Froissart, Grafton, Hall,
Harding, Monstrelet, and Rastall, all in 4to. Dugdale’s History of St.
Paul’s, and of Warwickshire; Drake’s York; Echard’s History of England;
Eadmeri Historia Novorum, edente Selden; Fuller’s Worthies; Forduni
Scoti-chronicon, in folio; Fleetwood’s Elenchus Annalium Edvardi V.
Richardi III. and Henrici VII. and VIII.; Galfredi Monumetensis Chronicon
Rerum Angliæ; Godwin’s Annales of England; Gough’s Sepulchral Monuments;
Habington’s Historie of Edward IV. London, 1640, folio; Haywarde’s Lives
of the three Norman Kings, London, 1613, 4to.; Holland’s Heroologia
Anglica, folio; Lord Herbert’s Life and Reign of Henry VIII.; and
Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, London, 1577,
in two vols. and 1586-7, in three vols. folio, being the first and second
editions of that work; Illingworth’s Topographical Account of Scampton in
Lincolnshire; Jovii Descriptio Britanniæ, Scotiæ, Hiberniæ et Orcadum,
Venetiis, 1548, 4to.; Lambarde’s Perambulation of Kent; Lysons’ Magna
Britannia; Lingard’s History of England; Lhuyd’s Commentarioli Britannicæ
Descriptionis Fragmentum; May’s History of the Long Parliament; Madox’s
Firma Burgi, and History of the Exchequer; Gul. Neubrigensis Historia
Regum Anglorum, Parisiis, 1610; Ogilby’s Coronation of King Charles
II.; Oclandi Anglorum Prælia; Matthæi Paris Historia Anglicana, edente
Wats, Londini, 1640, folio; the Historical Collections of Nalson and
Rushworth, and Patten’s Expedition into Scotlande of Edward, Duke of
Somerset, London, by Richarde Grafton, 1548, 8vo.; Rymer’s Fœdera, in 20
vols. folio; Peck’s Desiderata Curiosa, and his Antiquities of Stamford;
Philipot’s Villare-Cantianum; Prynne’s Records, 1657; Sanderson’s History
of Mary Queen of Scots, London, 1656, folio; Sheringham de Origine Gentis
Anglorum; Sharpe’s William of Malmesbury; Rapin’s History of England,
with the Continuation by Tindal; Skenæi Regia Majestas Scotorum, Edin.
1609, folio; Smith de Republicâ Anglorum; Somner’s Antiquities of
Canterbury; Slater’s History of Great Britain; Spelman’s Life of Alfred;
Spelman’s Villare Anglicanum; Speed’s Chronicle; Stanihurst de rebus
Hibernicis; Stow’s Chronicle, by Howes; Stukeley’s Itinerarium Curiosum;
Surtees’ History of Durham; Thomas’ History of Worcester; Thoroton’s
History of Nottinghamshire; Turnor’s History of Grantham; and Twinus de
Rebus Albionicis; Udall’s History of Mary Queen of Scots; Verstegan’s
Restitution of decayed Intelligence relating to English Antiquities;
Waræus Scriptores de rebus Hibernicis; Warwick’s Memoirs of Charles I.;
Wake’s Rex Platonicus; Winwood’s Historical Collections relating to
Scotland, London, 1637, folio; Weever’s Funeral Monuments, London, 1631,
folio; Whitelocke’s Memorials; Wren’s Parentalia; the Beauties of England
and Wales, London, 1802-16, in 25 octavo volumes; and Willis’s Cathedrals.
This Library also contains several Acts of Parliament, and of Legal
Works; the most remarkable are Blackstone’s Commentaries; Burn’s
Ecclesiastical Law; Coke’s Institutes; Fortescue de Laudibus Legum
Angliæ; Gibson’s Codex Juris Ecclesiastici & Civilis; Callis on the Laws
of Sewers; and some State Trials.
The Records of the Kingdom, published by the authority of Parliament, are
placed upon these shelves as soon as they appear. They are accompanied,
in the present instance, by Cooper’s Account of the Public Records, and
Cotton’s Abridgment of the Records in the Tower.
The Heraldic Works in this Collection are unusually numerous, including
Leigh’s Accidence of Armoury, London, 1591, 4to.; Ashmole’s Order of
the Garter; Brooke’s Heraldry; Collins’s Peerage; Dugdale’s Baronage;
Fern’s Blazon of Gentry, London, 1586, 4to.; Guillim’s Heraldry; Carter’s
Analysis of Honour; Jones’ Heraldry, 1590, 4to.; Madox’s Baronia
Anglicana; Milles’ Catalogue of Honor, London, 1610, folio; Selden’s
Titles of Honour; and Yorke’s Union of Honour.
The Geographical section of this Library embraces, Bruce’s Travels;
Hakluyt’s Voyages; and Purchas’ Pilgrimes, London, 1625-6, in 5 folio
volumes.
I may here notice Petavii Doctrina temporum; the Art de verifier les
Dates; and Green’s Numismatic Atlas, 1829, as the sole representations
of what ought to be the Chronological and Numismatic portion of this
Library. A deficiency but poorly supplied by Agrippa de occultâ
Philosophiâ, and the lucubrations of Albertus Magnus.
Among the Foreign Miscellanies, I noticed the works of Ariosto, Casaubon,
Petrarch, and Tasso; Bembo Lettere, 1502; Barthelemy’s Travels of
Anacharsis; the Decameron of Boccaccio; Photii Bibliotheca, 1611; and his
Epistolæ Montacutii.
Among the English Miscellanies, I remarked the Works of Donne; James
the First; and Inigo Jones; Ascham’s Toxophilus; Roper’s Life of
Sir Thomas More; Lord Orrery’s Romance of Parthenissa; the Reliquiæ
Wottonianæ; and the long series of the Gentleman’s Magazine; Dugdale on
Imbanking and Draining the Fens and Marshes; and several gratulatory and
funebrial Verses from the classic fountains of Oxford and Cambridge; the
Philosophical Transactions from 1797 to 1807, from 1808 to 1826, and from
1828 to 1831; and Sprat’s History of the Royal Society.
[Illustration]
Library of London.
When the Metropolitan Cathedral rose like the fabled Phœnix from its
ashes, and its beauteous dome, rising in unrivalled grandeur over the
smoky city, indicated the renovated altar of the living God, it contained
but a few isolated Works of human learning.
Among those books which in all probability survived the great
conflagration, I may here notice a very curious manuscript volume,
containing the Rules and Ceremonies of the Monastery of Syon at
Isleworth, founded by Henry V. in 1414. The book commences with a
Table of four leaves, followed by a blank. Then follow the Rules and
Ceremonies of the Monastery of Syon, and the Additions to the Rule
in fifty chapters, occupying fifty leaves. A blank leaf precedes the
ceremonial Calendar, which ends on the recto of the thirteenth leaf from
its commencement. A Table of Signs used by Sisters during the hours of
enjoined silence commences on the reverse of the thirteenth leaf, and is
continued as far as the sixteenth. (Two blank leaves succeed.) The Rule
of our Saviour occupies the ten following leaves, ending on the recto of
the last, the reverse being blank. The Rule of St. Austyne contained in
four leaves closes the volume, which is a membranaceous folio, recently
rebound in olive morocco. It was originally presented to the Library by
Richard Hare.
A curious relic of the old Monastic Library, is a small folio upon
vellum in the original stamped calf, with the chain, whereby it was
secured to the shelf, still attached to it. It is entitled “Liber vocatus
Remediarium,” and is written in double columns of gothic letters, very
fairly rubricated. A Missal in its original binding, an imperfect
manuscript; and a Medical Work of Avicenna, in folio, written in double
columns of gothic letter upon vellum which has been rebound in calf, may
also be noticed as having escaped the flames.
The Library of printed books attached to the Cathedral Church of St.
Paul, was the munificent endowment of Henry Compton, Bishop of London,
whose portrait adorns the walls of the apartment in which they are
preserved.
This noble room is placed on the south side of the stupendous fabric of
the Cathedral, and has a gallery all round it, the books being placed
on open shelves in oaken cases both above and below. The pilasters on
the walls are most exquisitely carved in stone, by Grinling Gibbons. The
floor is beautifully inlaid with polished oak, and the room is warmed by
a spacious fire place, over which hangs a small print of John Egerton,
Bishop of Durham.
The books amounting in number to between five and six thousand, are all
attired in the vituline integuments of their founder’s time; but many
have had their joints as well as their leaves loosened through the united
influence of time and neglect. They are symmetrically arranged in open
cases, numbered consecutively from 1 to 54, and placed all around this
large and lofty apartment.
The aspect of this Library, and a closer inspection of its contents both
impress upon the mind its cotemporaneous formation. The distinguishing
feature is the impressions of the Sacred Scriptures, and its general
character is theological, with a considerable admixture of classical and
historical lore. The additions to the collection of the founder are by
no means numerous, so that it appears as the faithful indication of his
literary habits, and bearing the stamp of individuality, possesses, in my
humble estimation, the greater interest.
The chief ornament of this Collection is the noble monument of Biblical
learning and typographic skill, afforded by the large paper copy of
Walton’s Polyglott Bible, and Castell’s Lexicon Heptaglotton. Of these
gigantic volumes, measuring nearly twenty inches by fourteen, twelve
comprehend the Bible, with the Dedication to King Charles the Second, and
two the Lexicon.
They are all uniformly bound in old red morocco; but the first volume
of the Bible having been formerly shewn as the largest book in the
Library has sustained considerable damage, from the idle curiosity of its
numerous visitors. Upon large paper this work is of the greatest rarity,
especially when comprising the valuable addition of Castell’s Lexicon.[44]
Concerning this latter work I may be allowed to extract the following
manuscript note by Mr. Barham. “This Work is extremely rare being a L.
P. Copy. I know but of one other, which is in the Library at Salisbury,
it is said however that there is a third at Lambeth. Its very existence
has been doubted from its rarity, and Van Praet when in England would not
believe there was one till he saw it. Both Charles X. and George IV. were
anxious to obtain a copy, but never could succeed.
“R. H. B. July 22. 1830.”
To this I am enabled to add, that in addition to the large paper copy
of this Lexicon attached to Walton’s Polyglott, in the Archiepiscopal
Library at Lambeth, the Presentation Copy to King Charles the Second is
deposited in the British Museum at London, and another large paper copy
divided into three volumes, and bound in morocco, is contained in the
Library of St. John’s College, Cambridge, both being attached to similar
copies of the Bible.
The affecting circumstances detailed in the previous note will
sufficiently account for the greater rarity of the Lexicon than of the
Bible, though it is reasonable to suppose that as twelve copies of the
Polyglott are said to have been taken off on large paper, the same number
of copies of the accompanying Lexicon were executed in a similar manner.
This Library also contains a small paper copy of Walton’s Polyglott, and
Castell’s Lexicon.
Rivalling the British Polyglott in size and splendour we find also in
this collection the “Biblia Hebraica, Samaritana, Chaldaica, Græca,
Syriaca, Latina, Arabica, quibus textus originales totius Sacræ Scripturæ
quorum pars in editione Complutensi, deinde in Antverpiensi regiis
sumptibus exstant, nunc integri ex Manuscriptis toto ferè orbe quæsitis
exemplaribus exhibentur. Lutetiæ Parisiorum, excudebat Antonius Vitré
Regis Reginæ Regis et Cleri Gallicani Typographus, 1645,” folio, in ten
magnificent volumes on large paper, bound in old calf, having the book
plate of “Thomas Mangey, Canon. Dunelm. S. T. P.” pasted within the
covers. These volumes are in equally fine preservation with the beautiful
Lexicon of Castell.
To the above may be added the Polyglott Bible, mentioned in the title of
the preceding article, being that printed at the expense of Philip of
Spain by Plantin at Antwerp, in six volumes, folio, in the years 1569-72,
under the editorial care of Arius Montanus.
I now approach the English versions of the sacred writings, and first
in point of time and of importance, have much pleasure in recording the
first edition of the New Testament, translated by William Tyndale, and
printed at Antwerp in 1526,[45] 12mo. The present copy of this little
volume is unhappily imperfect both at the beginning and at the end,
but its leaves have been placed in their proper order, and it has been
recently rebound in russia. It begins with folio iiii. on sign. A. v.
and continues perfect up to folio cccx. Then follows a hiatus of three
leaves, succeeded by folios cccxiiii. and cccxv. which latter has the
signature of pp. v. the last which is observable in this copy, the end
being unluckily deficient. But the Dean and Chapter have very properly
determined to adopt the judicious advice of the Rev. Henry Cotton, given
in the note below, and if this transcript be executed in facsimile by the
skilful hand of Harris, this little tome will be rendered as complete as
circumstances will allow.
By the side of the preceding volume is rightly placed the second edition
of the New Testament, translated by William Tyndale, with a Preface
against George Joye,[46] dated November, 1534. Printed at Antwerp by
Martin Emperour in 12mo.[47] The present copy is imperfect, but it has
the autograph of Humphrey Wanley, librarian to the book-loving Earl of
Oxford.
Next in order we find Tyndale’s third and last edition of the
New Testament in English, 12mo.[48] of which the present copy is
unfortunately imperfect both at the beginning and the end.
To the three preceding editions may be added another edition of Tyndale’s
New Testament, printed at Antwerp by Matthew Crom, 1538, 12mo.
I cannot dismiss this brief notice of the labours of one of the earliest
and most efficient of our Reformers, without recording the second edition
of the Pentateuch, translated by William Tyndale, revised and corrected
by himself, without name of place or printer, but in all probability
printed at the same place with the former edition, namely, Marlborow,
that is, Marpurg in Hessia, in 1534, 12mo. The title of this little
volume runneth thus: “The firste boke of Moses, called Genesis, newly
correctyd and amendyd by W.T. MD.XXXIIII.” and is placed between four
wood cuts. Next followeth, “Unto the Reader. W.T. xi pages.” The Book
of Genesis begins on the last leaf of the Preface, and the next leaf is
paged i. It ends on fol. lxxxi. b. At the end is, “The end of the first
boke off Moses, called Genesis.” The other four books are identical with
the edition of 1530. There are a few marginal notes. It is printed in the
Roman character.
It is fitting that I should here mention the joint labour of Tyndale and
Coverdale, being the Bible, by Thomas Matthew, at the expense of Richard
Grafton and Edward Whitchurch, without name of place, but printed at
London in 1537, folio,[49] in calf.
This Library also contains the second edition of the New Testament in
Latin and English, after the Vulgate, by Myles Coverdale. Southwark,
by J. Nicolson, 1538, 4to. Copies of this edition are also contained
in the Libraries of Christ Church and All Souls at Oxford, and in the
Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth.
It appears that Coverdale was much dissatisfied with the former edition
of the same year, printed by Nicolson of Southwark, and set this forth
as being more correct; endeavouring at the same time to call in the
copies of the other; in this he seems to have amply succeeded, as one is
now scarcely to be found. Lewis had never seen it, and Herbert describes
it as being very scarce. A copy however is deposited in the Bodleian
Library, though it is unfortunately imperfect.
In the same year also the New Testament, in Latin and English, was
printed in Paris by Fraunces Regnault for Grafton and Whitchurche, 1538,
12mo. of which a perfect copy in calf is contained in this Collection. In
this edition the Latin is after the Vulgate, and the English Coverdale’s.
Next in order of time occurs a copy of Cranmer’s, or the Great Bible,
London, by Richard Grafton and Edward Whitchurch, finished in April,
1539, folio.
The numerous editions of the Bible in English which enrich this
repository, I will enumerate as briefly as possible in chronological
order:
Cranmer’s Bible. London, by Thomas Petyt and Robert Redman, for
Thomas Berthelet, 1540, folio.
Bible, oversene by Cuthbert, Bishop of Duresm, and Nicholas,
Bishop of Rochester. London, by Richard Grafton, 1541, folio.
The Bible, by Matthew, reprinted from the edition of 1537.
London, by Thomas Raynaldes and William Hyll, 1549, folio.
Bible. London, by Edward Whitchurch, 1550, 4to.
The Bible, Coverdale’s. London, for Andrew Hester, 1550, 4to.
The body of this work is unquestionably of foreign typography,
and was probably executed at Zurich. The preliminary pieces
in ordinary black letter, were probably printed in London. The
present copy however is very imperfect.
The Bible, Matthew’s, with some variation, and an addition of
the third book of the Macabees, by Edmond Becke. London, by
John Daye, 1551, folio.
The Bible. London, by Nicolas Hyll for Robert Toy, 1551, folio.
The Bible in English, that is to say, the contente of the holy
Scriptures, &c. revised by Cranmer. Imprynted at London by
Edwarde Whitchurche. Cum Privilegio ad imprimendum solum. 1553,
folio. This edition Dr. Cotton conjectures to have been copied
from the first edition of 1539, since here as in that, the
Apocryphal Books are entitled Hagiographa. A full page has 58,
sometimes 59 lines. The date of 1553 occurs at the beginning of
the New Testament. The present is a sound and perfect copy in
old calf binding.
Coverdale’s Bible. London, by Richard Jugge, 1553, 4to. This
is in fact the Zurich edition of 1550, with a new title page,
almanack, &c. The preliminary pieces, being in the usual black
letter of that period, were probably added after the arrival in
London, of the body of the work, whose typographical aspect is
of the house of Froschover. The present copy being defective at
the end, has been made up by 3 leaves from Barker’s Bible of
1580.
Cranmer’s Bible. London, by Richard Grafton and Edward
Whitchurch, 1553, 4to.
The Bible, Cranmer’s. London, by John Cawood, 1561, 4to.
Imperfect.
The Bible, Cranmer’s. London, by Richard Harrison, 1562, folio.
Cranmer’s Bible, printed at Rouen by C. Hamillon, at the cost
and charges of Richard Carmarden, 1566, folio.
The Bible. London, by W. Seres, 1567, 4to.[50]
The Bible, Parker’s, or the Bishops’ Bible. London, by Richard
Jugge, 1568, folio.[51]
The Bible, Bishops’. London, by Richard Jugge, 1573, 4to.
The Bishops’ Bible. London, by Richard Jugge, 1577, 4to.
Bible, Genevan. London, by the deputies of Christopher Barker,
1589, 4to.
The Bible. London, by the deputies of Chr. Barker, 1596, 4to.
The Bible, by Buck and Daniel. London, 1637, folio.
The Bible, by Field. Cambridge, 1660, folio. All mention of
this and the preceding edition is unaccountably omitted in Dr.
Cotton’s List.
The Whole Bible, with Notes, published by John Canne. London,
by C. Bill, and the executrix of T. Newcomb, 1698, 12mo. closes
this copious Collection of early English Bibles, which cannot
fail to be duly appreciated by every true lover of the biblical
literature of this country.
Next in order of time occurs a copy of
The New Testament, by Taverner. London, by Thomas Petyt for
Thomas Berthelet, 1539, 4to.
The New Testament, in Latin and English from Erasmus. London,
by William Powell, 1547, 4to.
New Testament. London, by Richard Jugge, 1552, 4to. Imperfect.
New Testament, by Jugge, in 12mo. Imperfect.
The New Testament, Beza’s, translated by L. Tomson. London, by
the deputies of Christopher Barker, 1596, 4to.
The New Testament, with notes. London, by the assigns of R.
Barker, 1605, 12mo.
Of detached portions of the sacred writings in English, this Library
contains the following pieces, which may be interesting to the curious:
The fruytful sayinges of Davide, in the seven penitential
Psalms, by Bishop Fysher. London, by Wynkyn de Worde, 1508, 4to.
The five books of Solomon. Southwark, by J. Nicolson, 1537,
12mo., and an imperfect copy of the same in 12mo. London,
printed by R. Redman, 1540.
St. Jude, with an exposition. London, John Gowghe, 1538, 8vo.
The Epistles of St. John, with an exposition. Printed at
Southwark by J. Nicolson, 1538, 16mo.
The Psalter in Latin and English, the English translated from
the Vulgate. London, by Richard Grafton, 1540, 8vo.
The Epistle to the Ephesians, with a Commentary by Lancelot
Ridley. London, by R. Redman, 1540, 16to.
Psalms li. and xxx. with an exposition, &c. London, by W.
Bonham, 1542, 4to.
St. Matthew, chap. v. vi. vii. with Tyndale’s exposition.
London, by W. Hyll, without date, but ascribed by Dr. Cotton to
the year 1546, 12mo.
The Psalter, translated from the Latin Version of Feline, that
is Martin Bucer. Printed by Edward Whitchurch, without place
or date, but placed by the same authority under the year 1549,
12mo.
St. Jude, with an exposition. London, by William Copland for R.
Kele, without date, but referred to the same year by the same
author, 1549, 12mo.
The Epistles and Gospels. London, by Thomas Raynalde, 1550,
12mo.
Jonas, with an exposition by Bishop Hooper. London, by John
Tisdale, no date (1550), 12mo.
The Seven Penitential Psalms by Bishop Fisher. London, by
Thomas Marshe, 1555, 16to.
Psalmes or Prayers taken out of holy Scripture. London, without
name of printer, 1556, 16to. The present copy is prefixed to
Cuthbert Tonstall’s Prayers in Latin and English.
Psalmes, in Metre, with Notes. Geneva, by Zacharie Durand,
1561, 16to.
The whole book of Psalms, by Sterneholde, &c. conferred with
the Hebrew, with Notes. London, by John Daye, 1579, 4to.
The same. London, by John Daye, 1580, 4to.
The same. London, by John Daye, 1582, 4to.
The Psalter, according to the Great Bible. London, the
assignees of W. Seres (1583), 4to.
The third Part of the Bible. London, by Christopher Barker,
1583.
The Song of Solomon, in Metre, with a Comment by Dudley Fenner.
Middleburg, by R. Schilders, 1587, 8vo.
The Epistle of St. James, with an exposition by R. Turnbull.
London, by John Windet, 1591, 8vo.
The Psalms by Sterneholde, &c. London, for the Company of
Stationers, 1605, 12mo.
The same, for the same. London, 1608, 12mo.
The same, for the same. London, 1614, 4to.
The same, for the same. London, 1622, 12mo.
The same, for the same. London, 1629, 4to.
The same. London, by E. G. for the Company, 1639, 4to.
Psalms in Prose and Metre, with Notes. London, by R. C. for the
Company, 1643, 16to.
Psalms and Hymns, by William Barton. London, by T. Parkhurst,
1668, 12mo. and the
Psalms in Metre, by Brady and Tate, the second edition. London,
by T. Hodgkin.
In conclusion of this department, I may notice the Common Places of
Scripture, printed by Johan Byddell, 1538, 12mo., and Sparrow’s Rationale
of Common Prayer, 1657, 12mo.
There also deserves to be recorded an interleaved copy, with copious
annotations throughout of the Novum Testamentum Græcum, cum Notis
Manuscriptis, et Lectionibus Variantibus collectis à A. T. Mangey, in 3
volumes, folio, inscribed with the following MS. note:
“These valuable Collections of the Reverend and learned Dr.
Mangey, in three volumes, folio, were presented to the Library
of St. Paul’s by his worthy son, the Rev. Mr. Mangey, one of
the Prebendaries of the Church. Nov. 10, 1780.
“THOS. BRISTOL, D.”
The mention of this valuable monument of clerical labour leads us
naturally to the consideration of the other impressions of the sacred
writings contained in these cases.
Among these, the first in order of time, is
The Biblia Hebraica. Parisiis, 1645, folio; Vatabli, 1599,
folio; Houbigant, 1753, folio; and Kennicott. Oxonii, 1776, in
2 vols. folio.
Biblia Latina Cratandri. Basileæ, 1526, 8vo.
Biblia Belgica. 1616.
Biblia Espanola. 1553, 4to.
Biblia Germanica, Lutheri. 1586, 4to.
Of editions of the New Testament, I may mention the
Novum Testamentum Græcum: Erasmi, Stephani, Scaligeri,
Casauboni, Millii, Wetstein, Grabe, Tremellii, Theodori Bezæ.
Novum Testamentum è Codice Alexandrino curâ Woide. Londini,
1786, 4to.
Evangelia Gothica, Junii, Dordraci, 1665, 4to.
To which may be added various editions of the Psalter in Latin, Syriac,
and Saxon.
From these, we pass by easy gradations, to the theological department of
the Library.
Among the Fathers of the Church, we find S. Ambrose, S. Athanasius, S.
Augustine, S. Basilius, Chrysostom, S. Cyprian, Cyril, S. Ignatius,
Epiphanius, Episcopius, Eusebius, Fulgentius, Gregory Nazianzenus,
Neocæsariensis, and Nyssenus, S. Jerome, Hilary, Hospinianus, Irenæus,
S. Isidore, Peter and Justin Martyr, Lactantius, Nicephorus, S. Origen,
Philo Judæus, Polycarp, Tertullian, Theodoret, Theophylact, represented
by their Works in this Library.
Of English Divines, this Collection embraces the Works of Allen, Allix,
Andrews, Atterbury, Bancroft, Barrow, Bennet, Baxter, Beveridge,
Bramhall, Bull, Calamy, Chillingworth, Claggett, Samuel Clarke, Comber,
Cosin, Cranmer, Davenant, Goodman, Hall, Hammond, Hoadley, Hody, Hooper,
Jackson, Lardner, Leslie, Lightfoot, Lowth, Mede, Bishop Morley,
Montague, Nelson, Nye, Norris, Pierce, Pococke, Prideaux, Archbishop
Sharpe, Sanderson, Sherlock, Stillingfleet, Jeremy Taylor, Tenison,
Tillotson, Toland, Waterland, Watson, Wake, Whitby, White, Whitgift, and
Wilkins.
To these names may be added Bingham’s Antiquities of the Christian
Church; Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible; Cave’s Primitive Christianity;
Cudworth’s Intellectual System; Derham’s Physico-Theology; Dodwell’s
Theological Dissertations; Fell on St. Paul’s Epistles; Henrici VIII.
Assertio Septem adversus M. Lutherum, 1562, 8vo.; Field of the Church;
Seven Sermons on the VII. Penitential Psalms, by Fisher, Bishop of
Rochester; Nicolas Fuller’s Theological Miscellanies; Gastrell’s
Christian Institutes; Hey’s Lectures on Divinity; Hackett’s Sermons;
Hooker’s Ecclesiastical Polity; Wake’s Genuine Epistles of the
Apostolical Fathers; Jones on the Trinity; Jewell’s Works, 1609, folio;
Kidder on the Pentateuch; Latimer’s Sermons; Muggleton’s Writings against
the Quakers; Ostervald’s Arguments in French; Pearson on the Creed, and
his Posthumous Works; Twysden’s Vindication of the Church of England;
Wheatley on the Common Prayer; Wall on Infant Baptism; and Usser’s Annals.
The Foreign Works on Divinity, which are found upon these shelves, are
far more numerous than important. It may suffice therefore to mention
the Works of Thomas Aquinas and Theodore Beza; Petri Blesensis Opera
Omnia; the Works of Bochart and Bossuet; Buxtorf and Calvin; Chamieri
Controversiæ; Dallæus’ Theological Works; Durandi Rationale Divinorum
Officiorum; the Works of John Gerson; and of Desiderius Erasmus;
Cotelerii Patres Apostolici; Grabe’s Spicilegium Veterum Patrum; the
Works of Popes Gregory I. II. and IX.; Howell’s Synopsis Canonum;
Limborch, Theologia Christiana; the Works of Lanfranc, Luther, and
Melancthon; Methodii Opera; Riveti Opera Theologica; Saurin’s Sermons;
Sirmondi Opus Patrum et Opera reliquaria; Socini Opera; Spencer de
legibus Hebræorum; Suiceri Thesaurus Ecclesiasticus; Vitringa in Jesaiam;
Zanchii Opera Theologica; and the Bibliotheca Veterum Patrum, cum
Auctario.
Of Commentators the number is considerable, including those of Patrick,
Whitby, &c.; Bythneri Lyra Prophetica, and Pyle’s Paraphrase.
Of Confessions there are also divers forms.
Of Concordances there are several in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and English,
of which it may be enough to mention that of Downame; and Schmidii
Concordantia Novi Testamenti Græcè, Wittebergæ, 1638, folio.
Canons and Decretals, including those of Gratian’s Synods of the Catholic
Church; Tracts relating to the Liturgy, Church Discipline, and to the
Dissenters, and Jesuits, occupy a considerable space upon these shelves.
Among the Works of Devotion I noticed several Offices of the Virgin, a
small volume of Hours, printed by Robert Wyer, in 12mo.; and the Horæ ad
usum Ecclesiæ Sarum, 1524, 4to.; a large folio, Graduale Romanum, with
Musical Notes, lying in a very tattered condition upon the table; several
Breviaries and Missals, with the Pontificale Romanum, but none of early
date; the Book of Prayer for Scotland, 1637; the Directory for the Public
Worship of God, London, 1644, 4to.; and English Prayer Books, of 1566,
1577, 1608, 1679, and other years.
There are also books of Homilies and Sermons by Seed, Secker, and others
of minor reputation, including a very curious volume of “Sermones
discipuli de tempore et de Sanctis, Argentorati, 1495,” folio, in which
the following remarkable entry has been made by an ancient hand:—“Orate
charitativè pro ai̅ma Ths Tyndalle qui dedit hunc librum co̅ventui de
Grenewych fra̅ minoru̅ de Obsu̅anciæ die professionis sui filii fri̅s
Willm̅i. Anno dni. 1508.”
In this Collection, the Critici Sacri; the Bibliotheca Polonorum fratrum;
the Bibliotheca Sacra of Le Long; Leigh’s Critica Sacra; Pole’s Synopsis;
Du Pin’s Bibliotheque des Auteurs Ecclesiastique; Trithemii Catalogus
Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum and Nicolas de Lyra, Commentarii in Bibliâ,
Lugd. Bat. 1629, in six volumes folio, bring up the rear of the heavy
division of the theological array, we have just passed under review.
Turning our attention to Ecclesiastical History we find a voluminous
mass of Councils; the Concilia Generalia compiled by Labbe, Cossartius,
Delaland, and Baluzius; the Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ by Wilkins
and Spelman; the famous Council of Trent; Lyndwode’s Provinciale;
Constitutiones Legatinæ Angliæ, Paris, 1504, folio; Baronii et Saliani
Annales Ecclesiastici; and Tornielli Annales Sacri.
Independently of many tracts relating to Ecclesiastical affairs, this
Library contains within its walls the Acta Sanctorum of the Bollandists
in 53 volumes, folio; the Martyrologium Romanum of Baronius; Codex
Theodosianus; Collier’s Ecclesiastical History; Cotelerii Ecclesiæ Græcæ
Monumenta; Eusebii Historia Ecclesiastica; Echard’s Ecclesiastical
History; Geddes’ Church History of Malabar; Haymonis Historia
Ecclesiastica per Maderum, Helmstadii, 1671, 4to.; Centuriatores
Magdeburgenses; Neustria Pia Rothomagi, 1663, folio; Platina, Vitæ
Pontificum; Rycaut on the Greek Churches; Gallia Christiana Roberti
Claudii; and Sleidan’s History of the Reformation, translated by Bohun;
with Lloyd, Potter, and Reynolds on Church Government.
Of Works more immediately relating to the Church History of England, I
may here notice the well-known Work of Thomas Fuller; Barwick’s Life of
Dean Barwick; Bacon’s Liber Regis; Bede’s Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum; the Legend of St. Cuthbert, 1663, 12mo.; The Life of John
Egerton, Bishop of Durham, 1798; Davies on the Church of Durham, London,
1672; Godwyn’s Præsules Anglicani, and his Catalogue of Bishops; Gough’s
Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ Threnodia, 1661, 8vo.; Harpsfeld, Historia Anglicana
Ecclesiastica, Duaci, 1621, folio; Heylin’s History of the Reformation in
England; Knox’s Church of Scotland; Nichols, Defensio Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ;
Parker, de Antiquitate Ecclesiæ Britannicæ, 1605, folio; Parr’s Life of
Usher; Sanderus de Schismate Anglicano; Spotswode’s Church History of
Scotland; Usserii Britannicæ Ecclesiæ Antiquitates; Wharton’s Anglia
Sacra; Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum; and Tanner’s Notitia Monastica,
London, 1744, folio.
The familiar names of the two last-mentioned Works, lead us to the
consideration of English Topography and Antiquities, in which department
we meet with Battely’s Antiquitates Rutupinæ, the Britannia Romana, of
the learned Horsley, printed at London in 1732, folio; Adam’s Index
Villaris; Camden’s Britannia; Charleton’s Stonehenge, London, 1663,
4to.; Isaacke’s Exeter, London, 1677, 8vo.; Kilburne’s Survey of Kent,
London, 1659, 8vo.; Lambarde’s Perambulation of Kent, London 1596, 4to.;
Lysons’ Environs of London; Peck’s Stamford; Pennant’s London; Plot’s
Natural Histories of Oxfordshire and Staffordshire; Somner’s Canterbury,
and his account of the Roman Ports and Forts in Kent; Spelman’s Villare
Anglicanum; Stow’s London; Thoresby’s Leeds; Verstegan’s Restitution
of Decayed Intelligence relating to English Antiquities; and Weever’s
Funeral Monuments, London, 1631, folio.
Of County Histories, I noticed only Burton’s Leicestershire; Dugdale’s
Warwickshire; Morant’s Essex; Thoroton’s Nottinghamshire; and Wright’s
Rutland.
Of Works illustrative of the adjacent Cathedral, we find the original
edition of Dugdale’s Account of St. Paul’s Cathedral, together with “An
Historical, Descriptive, and Critical Account of the Cathedral Church of
St. Paul, London, by John Gwilt, Architect: Read at the Architects’ and
Artists’ Club, March 4, 1823, and ordered to be printed by the Committee.
Not Published. 8vo.” Of this volume, the gift of Richard Harris Barham,
5th of April, 1827, to the Chapter Library, only 25 copies were printed.
It has a few illustrative plates.
Of Historical Works relating to Great Britain, this Collection embraces
the Rerum Anglicanarum Scriptores XV. à Gale and Fell; Camdeni Anglica,
Normannica, &c. à veteribus scripta; Matthæi Westmonasteriensis Flores
Historiarum, Francofurti, 1601, folio; Rerum Anglicanarum Scriptores post
Bedam; Matthæi Paris, Historia Anglicana, edente Wats, Londini, 1640,
folio, bound in three volumes; Polydori Vergilii Historia Anglicana,
Duaci, 1603, folio; and Gibson’s Saxon Chronicle.
It also contains Ponticus Virunnius Historia Britonum, 1587, and Brady’s
History of England; Burnet’s valuable labours; Bates’ Elenchus Motuum
nuperorum in Angliâ; Asser’s Life of Alfred the Great; Camden’s Annales
Rerum Anglicanarum, with his Remains concerning Britain, and his Memoirs
of Elizabeth; Chamberlayne’s Notitia Magnæ Britanniæ, 1729; Heath’s
Chronicle of the Civil Wars; Danyel’s History of England; Dugdale’s
Summons; Eadmeri Historia Novorum, edited by the learned Selden; Gulielmi
Neubrigensis Historia Anglicanà, Antverpià, 1567, 8vo. and Lugd. Bat.
1587, folio; Medulla Historiæ Anglicanæ, Londini, 1694, 8vo.; Fuller’s
Worthies of England; Galfredi Monumetensis De Gestis Regum Britanniæ,
Lugd. Bat. 1587, folio; Gildas de excidio et conquestu Britanniæ, Lugd.
1587, et Oxonii, 1691; Godwyn’s Annales Rerum Anglicanarum Henrico VIII.
Edvardo VI. et Mariâ regnantibus; Herbert’s Life of Henry VIII. folio;
History of the Rebellion, London, 1647, 8vo.; Historia Anglicana, 1653,
folio; Holland’s Heroologia Anglica, London, 1620, folio; Langhorne’s
Chronicon Regum Angliæ, Londini, 1679, 8vo. and his Elenchus Antiquitatum
Albionensium, 1675, 8vo. with his Introduction to the History of
England, 1676, 8vo.; Leland’s Genethliacon Edvardi VI. 1543; Leslæus de
Successionis Jure Regum Anglicanorum in causâ Mariæ Scotorum Reginæ,
Rheims, 1580, 4to.; Gulielmus Malmsburiensis de gestis Regum Anglorum,
Londini, 1596, folio; Sir Roger Manley’s History of the Rebellions from
1640 to 1685, London, 1691, 8vo.; Nalson’s Historical Collections;
Nevyllus de furoribus Norfolcensium, Ketto duce, 1575; Parker, de rebus
sui temporis, Londini, 1726, 8vo.; Skynner’s Elenchi Motuum in Angliâ
Pars tertia; Smith, de Republicâ Anglorum; Speed’s History of Great
Britain; Spelman’s Life of Alfred, and his Reliquiæ; Stow’s Annals
by Howes; Apologiâ pro Twyne Antiquitatæ Academiæ, Oxoniensis, 1608;
Whitelocke’s Memorials, and the Historia Numismatis Oxoniensis with
the Athenæ Oxonienses of Anthony à Wood, a name dear to every lover of
Britain’s Worthies. To the above may be added the Records of the kingdom
published by the Parliamentary Commission, and the Population Returns;
various Political and Polemical Tracts, too unimportant to deserve
minute specification, are found on these shelves, which also bear Waræi
Scriptores Hibernicani et Rerum Hibernicarum Annales; Cartè’s Life of
Ormonde; as well as Lloyd’s History of Wales, edited by Powel, London,
1584, 4to.; Boethius’s Historia Scotorum, Parisiis, 1575, folio; and
Falle’s Jersey, London, 1694, 12mo.
Of Works relating to the Laws of England, so intimately interwoven with
its History, we find, Coke’s Institutes; Fortescue de laudibus legum
Angliæ; Glanville, de legibus Angliæ, 1673; and Sir George Mackenzie
on the Law of Scotland. To which may be added Gothofredi Corpus Juris
Civilis; Heineccii Jur. Civile, & Justiniani Institutiones.
Of English Historical Writers, the Catalogues compiled by Bale, and Pits,
and Nicolson’s English Historical Library, are found in this collection.
I may here also notice as introductory to the larger department of
Foreign History, the well-known Works of Puffendorf & Du Fresnoy;
Whear’s Method of reading History, and Rawlinson on the Study of
History; Beughem, Bibliotheca Historica; Bayle’s Dictionary; and Moreri,
Dictionnaire Historique.
Of the Historical Works themselves, I noticed the body of Byzantine
Historians, collected by Labbe and Du Fresne; Freheri Rerum Bohemicarum
et Germanicarum Scriptores; and his Theatrum Virorum clarorum;
Froissart’s Chronicle, Lyons, 1559; Guicciardini, Historia Italiæ;
Heliodorus, Æthiopicorum Historia; the Nuremberg Chronicle of 1497,
folio; Hermoldus, Chronicon Sclavorum; Chronicon Freculphi, Heidelbergæ,
1597, 8vo.; the Chronicon Orientale Beccense, & Paschale, Helvici
Theatrum Historicum et Chronologicum; Eutychii Annales, edited by
Selden and Pococke; Meibomei et Reuberi Scriptores Rerum Germanicarum;
Godefredi Annales; Jovii Elogia Virorum illustrium; Olaus Magnus,
Historia Gentium Septentrionalium; Mariana de Rebus Hispanicis, Francof.
1603, folio; Ludolphi Historia Æthiopica; Mariani Scoti Chronicon;
Naucleri Chronicon Universale; Pistorii Historicorum Corpus Polonorum;
Robinsoni Annales Mundi; Sigismundi Rerum Muscovitarum Commentarii; Saxo
Grammaticus Historia Danica, Basileæ, 1534, & Soræ, 1644, folio; and his
Commentarii Regnorum Aquilonum, Lug. Bat. 1622, 12mo.; the Historical
Works of Reineccius and Sigonius; Thuani Historia sui temporis; Flavii
Vopisci Romanorum Imperatorum Historia; Rerum Sicularum Scriptores;
Zonaræ Annales & Zosimi Historia à Leunclavio edita; Historia Francorum,
Francof. 1596; the Effigies Regum Francorum, 1622, 4to.; Josephus,
Hudsoni & Basnage, History of the Jews.
Among the helps to History may be mentioned, Cluvierii Geographia;
Ortelii Geographia; Hudsoni Geographiæ Veteris Scriptores Minores,
Oxonii, 1698-1703; Marsham’s Chronological Works; Petavii Opera
Chronologica; Heylin’s Cosmography; and Tournefort, Voyage de Levant.
Of Heraldry, which has with the strictest propriety been styled the
key of History, this Library contains, Gore’s Catalogus Auctorum de re
Heraldicâ, Oxonii, 1674, 4to.; Milles’ Nobilitas Politica et Civilis,
Londini, 1608, folio; Philipot’s Heraldry, 1672; and Selden’s Titles of
Honour, London, 1631, folio.
The study of Antiquities, whereby so many dark passages of History have
been elucidated for the benefit of posterity, follows naturally in this
place. Among the Works of this description we find Dempster and Kennet’s
Antiquities of Rome; Fleetwood’s Sylloge Antiquarum Inscriptionum;
Major’s Ruins of Pæstum, London, 1768, folio; Gorlæi Dactyliotheca; De
Wild’s Numismata Antiqua; Grævius, Thesaurus Antiquitatum Romanorum;
Gronovii Thesaurus Antiquitatum Græcarum; Gruteri Thesaurus Criticus;
Mabillon, Musæum Italicum, &c.; Montfaucon, Diarium Italicum, &
Palæographia Græca; Prideaux, Marmora Oxoniensia; & Selden, Marmora
Arundeliana.
The mention of these enduring monuments of the bravest, the wisest, and
the politest nation of the ancient world, recalls the mind to Classical
Literature, the dread of our earliest, and the delight of our maturer
years.
Within the walls of this Library repose the Works of Ælian, Æschines,
Appian, & Apuleius; Antoninus Gatakeri, with Dacier’s Translation;
and the Works of Apollonius Rhodius; Aristides, Aristophanes, Arrian,
Ausonius, Athenagoras, Athenæus & Aristenætus. Here too is the Æschylus
of Stanley and the Anacreon of Barnes.
Here also are Spanheim’s editions of Callimachus; the Works of
Quintus Curtius; Demosthenes; Dictys Cretensis; & Diogenes Laertius;
Aristotelis Opera Sylburgi, with many of his separate Pieces; Diodorus
Siculus, 1604, folio; Dio Cassius, Reimari; Dionysius Halicarnassensis,
Francofurti, 1586, and Oxonii, 1704, folio; Dionysius Periegetes, by
Hill, Lond. 1658; & Ennii Fragmenta, Lugd. Bat. 1620, 4to.; Ciceronis
Opera, Lambini, et Davisii, with various detached pieces of his Works;
Claudianus Barthii; Epictetus Uptoni; Euripides, by Barnes; Euclid, by
Barrow; and the Noctes of Aulus Gellius; with the Works of Herodian,
Herodotus, Hesiod, Hippocrates, and Galen, form integral parts of this
collection.
Here also are Homerus Didymi, Amstelodami, 1656; and by Barnes,
Cantabrigiæ, 1711; Homeri Ilias, Clarkei; Eustathius in Homerum, Basileæ,
1560, folio, 4 vols.; Hierocles, Casauboni; Horatius, Delphini, et
Bentleii, with the Translation of Francis; Isocrates, Wolfii; Justinus,
Oxonii, 1674, 8vo.; Libanii Orationes; Livius, Freinsheimii; Lucanus,
Oudendorpii; Lucanus, Hemsterhusii; Lycophron, Potteri; Lysias, Taylori;
Manilius, Scaligeri; Ammianus Marcellinus, Gronovii; Menander, Clerici,
1709, 8vo.; Pomponius Mela, Gronovii; Cornelius Nepos, Delphini; &
Orapollinis Hieroglyphica, Merceri; Persius, Casauboni; Phocylides,
Cantabrigiæ, 1652, 8vo.; Platonis Opera, Serrani, folio; Plauti Comœdiæ,
Lambini; Plotinus, Ficini; Plutarchus, Rualdi, with Bryant’s edition of
Plutarch’s Lives; Plinius, Harduini, in 3 volumes, folio; Julii Pollucis
Onomasticon, Hemsterhusii; Polybius, Casauboni; Pythagoræ Aurea Carmina;
Sallustius, Delphini; Seneca, Farnabii; Sidonius, Apollinaris, Sirmondi;
Solinus, Salmasii; Statius, Barthii; Stobæus, Grotii; Tacitus, Gronovii;
Terentius, Delphini; Thucydides, Dukeri; Virgilius, Burmanni; and
Xenophon, Hutchinsoni; form no inconsiderable features in this department
of the Library.
If to these we add different editions of the Works of Iamblichus,
Juvenal, Rutilius Lupus, Macrobius, Martial, Musæus; Mythographi Latini
per Munckerum; the Works of Nicander, Orpheus, Ovid, Velleius Paterculus,
Pausanias, Petronius Arbiter, Pliny the Younger; Pindar, Priscian,
Procopius, and Prudentius; of Eutropius, and the Historiæ Augustæ
Scriptores; Ptolemy, Quintilian, Silius Italicus, Sophocles, Ælius
Spartianus, Suetonius, Strabo, Æneas Sylvius, Achilles Tatius, Symmachi
Epistolæ; Theocritus’ Idylls; the Characters of Theophrastus; Vegetius de
rê militari; Zenobius, Epitome Proverbiorum Tarrhæi, &c. Haganoæ, 1535,
8vo.; and the Poëtæ Græci Veteres heroici et minores, we must confess
that Classic lore occupies an important position within these walls,
albeit the earliest editions of these great authors of antiquity may be
there sought for in vain.
Etymology, whereby the stores of ancient literature are opened, next
invites our attention to the Lexica of Hederic and Scapula in Greek;
Stephani Thesaurus Linguæ Græcæ; Cooper’s Thesaurus Linguæ Latinæ; and
Buxtorf’s Hebrew Lexicon; Suidæ Lexicon Kusteri, in 3 volumes folio;
Hesychii Lexicon Græcum; Du Fresne’s Glossary; Etymologicon Magnum,
Sylburgii; Martinii Lexicon; Parkhurst’s Lexicon to the New Testament;
Phavorini Lexicon Græcum; Skinner, Etymologicum Linguæ Anglicanæ;
Benson’s Lexicon Anglo-Saxonicum, Oxonii, 1701, 8vo.; and Littleton’s
Dictionary, 1678, 4to. make up the complement of this useful division.
I may here also notice some Philological Tracts by Vossius, Robortellus,
Scaliger, Labbe, and Casaubon; Wolfii Curæ Philologicæ et Criticæ;
Putschii Auctores Grammatici, 4to.; Gatakeri Adversaria; Salmasii
Exercitationes Plinianæ; and Perotti Cornucopia.
In English Literature, I noticed upon the shelves of this Library
Burton’s Anatomy of Melancholy; the Works of the Royal Martyr, with
the Life of Charles I. and the ‘Εικων Βασιλικη;’ Sir Dudley Carleton’s
Letters; Chaucer’s Works, 1561, folio; Cowley’s Works; Cudworth’s
Intellectual System; Drayton’s Polyolbion; Doddridge’s Life of Colonel
Gardiner; Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel, 1682, 4to.; Gower’s
Confessio Amantis, 1554, folio; Hales’ Remains; Hervey’s Meditations;
Langbaine’s English Dramatic Poets; Locke on the Human Understanding;
Milton’s Controversial Pieces; Matthew Parker’s Works and Life; Upton’s
Observations on Shakespeare; Waller’s Poems; Walton’s Lives; and Sir
Philip Warwick’s Discourse of Government.
Of Scientific Works, this Collection cannot boast of more than Stanley’s
History of Philosophy; Sprat’s History of the Royal Society; Maseres’
Scriptores Logarithmici; Whiston’s Prælectiones Astronomicæ; Gerarde’s
Herbal, 1636, folio; Raii Historia Plantarum; Grew’s Rarities of Gresham
College; a few volumes of the Philosophical Transactions; Watts’ Logick;
and Winman de Arte Natandi, Lugd. Bat. 1638, 12mo. may be noted here.
Of Bibliographical Works, this Library embraces Antonio, Bibliotheca
Hispana, Vetus et Nova, folio; D’Herbelôt, Bibliothèque Orientale,
4to.; Clavel’s Catalogue of English Books from 1666 to 1674, London,
1775; Catalogus Manuscriptorum Angliæ et Hiberniæ, Oxonii, 1697, folio;
Catalogue of English Writers on the Old and New Testament, London, 1668;
Catalogus Librorum, R. Smith, Londini, 1682, 4to.; Spencer, Catalogus
universalis Librorum in Bibliothecâ Collegii Sionii apud Londinensis,
Londini, 1601, folio; Bibliothecæ Cleri Londinensis in Collegio Sionensi
Catalogus à Gulielmo Reading, Londini, 1724, folio; Catalogus Bibliothecæ
Publicæ Lugduni Batavorum; Catalogus Bibliothecæ Academiæ Lipsiensis;
Catalogus Bibliothecæ Ducis Norfolciæ, 1681, 4to.; Catalogus Bibliothecæ
Thuanæ; Catalogus Bibliothecæ Barberinæ; Catalogus Bibliothecæ Cottonianæ
à Smith; Catalogus Librorum venales apud Elzeveros; Cave’s Catalogus
Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum; Draudii Bibliotheca Classica; Du Pin,
Bibliotheca Historica; Fabricii Bibliotheca Græca, Latina, & Mediæ et
Infimæ Ætatis, with his Bibliotheca Ecclesiastica, and Bibliographia
Antiquaria; Hallervordii Bibliotheca Curiosa; Index Librorum
Expurgatorum; Mabillon de Rê Diplomaticâ; Morhof, Polyhistor Literarius,
&c.; Naudæi Bibliographia Politica; Photii Bibliotheca curâ Hœschelii;
Scott, Catalogus Librorum ex variis Europæ partibus advectorum, London,
1674, 4to.; Toppi, Bibliotheca Napoletana, Neap. 1678, folio; and the
Bibliothecæ Regiæ, Georgii III. Catalogus, with the Supplementary volume
of Maps and Prints, 6 vols. folio, the gift of George IV.
Of general literature, the Works contained in this Collection are not
important. I may here enumerate however a copy of Joannis Sarisburiensis
Polycraticus, Lugd. Bat. 1595; the Koran; the Work of Agapetus; Epistolæ
Variorum Auctorum; Hobbes’ Opera Philosophica; Fenelon, Télémaque;
Voltaire, Henriade; the Works of Grotius and Heinsius, of Julian the
Apostate, Thomas Magister, Thomas à Kempis, Meursius, Meibomius, and
Muretus; the Works of Petrarch and Machiavelli; Picus of Mirandula,
edited by Pierce; of Moliere, Porphyry, Rabelais, Ruinart, & Rufinus;
Photii Epistolæ Montacutii; Relandi Palestina illustrata; Annales
Rabbinorum, et de Religione Muhammetensi; Stapletoni Opera; Synesii
Opera; Maximus Tyrius, Dissertationes, Davisii; and Boethius, de
Consolatione Philosophiæ, 1656.
But if the curiosity of the reader extend to the productions of such
names as Albertus Magnus, Alyaco, Lucas Holstenius, Hottingerus Launovis,
Maimonides, Jonas Shlichlingius, and Fridericus Schererzius, Duns Scotus,
Suarez, Stuchius, Paulus Vindingius, and Ludovicus Vives, Granville
Sharp, or Seth Ward, and Eustratius, Zialowski; together with numerous
other obscure writers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; for all
these he may be safely referred to the Manuscript Catalogue preserved
in the Library, a thick folio volume, very carefully compiled, and
containing a very sufficient and correct enumeration of all the books
contained in the Library, in regular alphabetical order, with reference
to the shelves on which they stand.
Each volume of this Collection has the book plate of the Chapter pasted
within its cover. This engraving, in the form of an ecclesiastical seal,
represents St. Paul seated, with a glory around his head, having in his
right hand a sword, and in his left the sacred volume. The following
motto encircles the whole—“Liber Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Sancti Pauli.”
[Illustration]
Library of Manchester.
The See of Manchester having been created during the compilation of these
Notes would naturally occasion me to notice any Library which might
have existed in connection with that establishment. There is however
no Library attached to the Collegiate Church, now the Cathedral of
Manchester. There were a few books sold about twenty or five and twenty
years ago by the Churchwardens of that time, which consisted chiefly of
Divinity; Jewel’s Apology; Hooker’s Works; Fox’s Book of Martyrs, &c.;
many of them in a dilapidated state, and very few perfect among them.
They appear to have been books placed in the Church for the use of the
congregation at large, rather than a Capitular Library.
It is probable that Humphrey Chetham, when he founded his Hospital,
in what was formerly the College or Capitular buildings belonging to
the Collegiate Church of Manchester, intended the Library which he
established there to supply the deficiency of a Chapter Library. This
Collection is remarkable as the most easily accessible in the United
Kingdom. Any person, however humble in station, or homely in appearance,
whencesoever he may come, has a right to demand a sight of any book
in the Library. This rare facility of access has not been without its
abuses, since some volumes have been mutilated, and in severe weather, as
in the National Gallery of London, many persons come and ask for a book
of light reading for the sake of a warm and comfortable apartment.
A well arranged Catalogue of this Collection under the title of
Bibliotheca Chethamensis seu Bibliothecæ Publicæ Mancuniensis ab Humph.
Chetham Arm. fundatæ Catalogus, was edited by John Radcliffe in 1791, in
2 vols. 8vo. to which a third volume edited by William Parr Gresswell was
added in 1826, with a copious index to the whole Collection.
[Illustration]
Library of Norwich.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Norwich is deposited in the small
yet commodious apartment which adjoins one of the Prebendal houses in the
close, and is placed under the care of the Rev. W. F. Drake, one of the
minor Canons of the Cathedral.
The collection comprises three thousand volumes, labelled and arranged
upon open shelves, which are briefly enumerated in alphabetical order, in
a privately printed octavo volume, entitled “The Catalogue of the Norwich
Cathedral Library, 1819,” London, printed by G. Auld, Greville Street,
pp. 120, chiefly compiled by its present Curator.
The books principally relate to Divinity, English History, and Classical
Literature, and are chiefly of recent donation, the greater portion of
the existing Collection having been presented to the Library by Frank
Sayers, _M. D._ It is pleasant also to notice the judicious additions of
standard Theological and Historical Works, by purchase from time to time
as the funds of the establishment permit.
Among the desirable additions to the ancient foundation, I remarked
the Works of Strype and Bull, with other valuable productions of the
Collegiate Press at Oxford.
The Publications issued under authority of the Record Commission are here
seen in long and increasing array, for by a liberal and comprehensive
policy, a copy of these public Records is deposited in every Cathedral
Library of Great Britain.
Among the more ancient volumes, the typographical antiquary will seek
in vain for any vestige of a Caxton, or of early English printers; but
he may recognize with pleasure, Boetii viri celeberrimi de Consolatione
Philosophiæ liber cum optimo commento beati Thome, which hath the
following colophon:—
“Libri quinque de consolatione phie̅ Boetii Rhomani consulis ac oratoris
splendidissimi una cum commentaria editione per me Jacobum de Breda
in Daventria diligenter elaborati finiunt anno gratiæ Millesimo,
quadragintesimo, nonagesimo primo, die sabbati ante Judica.”
Then follows a new title page, at the top of which is,
Boetii de disciplina scholarium cum notabili commento.
Then the colophon thus:—
¶ Finit Boetius de disciplina scholarium cum commento. optime bene necnon
diligenter Impressus Daventria per me Jacobum de Breda. Anno Domini
M.CCCC. nonagesimo sexto. XV. mensis Maii.
This volume which is in old strong binding, with wooden boards, contains
“Aristotelis Ethica, Latinè reddita à Leonardo Arretino—printed 1479
at Oxford,” which begins Incipit preffacio leonardi arretini in libros
ethicorum. Ending with the colophon,
Explicit textus ethicorum Aristotelis per leonardum aretinum lucidissime
translatus correctissimeque. Impressus oxoniis anno dm̅. M.CCCC.lxxix.
This book formerly belonged to Dr. Sayers.
Also the second edition of Statius, printed at Paris, by Jehan
Petit, 1499, 4to.
The general reader will find much both of interest and instruction in the
several departments to which I shall briefly direct his attention.
I only pause to remark that the only manuscript in this Library is one of
the Psychomachia of Prudentius with delicate illuminations, probably of
no greater antiquity than the middle of the fifteenth century.
The body of Divinity deposited in this place, is composed of the Works
of Thomas Aquinas, Arminius, Athanasius, Augustine, Bernard, Bellarmine,
Calvin, Chamier, Cyprian, Episcopus, Erasmus, Justin Martyr, S. Jerome,
Ignatius, Irenæus, Lactantius, Melancthon, Origen, Rivetus, Tertullian,
Theodoret, & Zanchii Opera Theologica, Genev. 1619, in 3 vols. folio;
Suarez, Disputationes Theologicæ, Moguntiæ, 1629, folio; and Surius de
Vitis Sanctorum, Venetiis, 1581, in 8 vols. folio. Of Barrow, Beveridge,
Bennet, Boys, Bramhall, Chillingworth, Clarke, Conybeare, Edwards,
Hammond, Hall, Hody, Hoadley, Horsley, Howe, Jackson, Jewel, Lightfoot,
Locke, Lowth, Lowman, Patrick, Paley, Prideaux, Reynolds, Rogers,
Sherlock, Stillingfleet, Tillotson, and Jeremy Taylor, various works are
here found.
I also noticed Abbot’s Defence of the Reformed Churches, 1611, in 2 vols.
4to.; Ainsworth on the Pentateuch; Allix on the Old Testament; Barclay’s
Apology; Browne’s Religio Medici; Brightman on the Revelations; Butler’s
Analogy; Burnet on the Articles; Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible;
Campbell on the Gospels; Cave’s Primitive Christianity; Antiquitates
Apostolicæ, and Lives of the Fathers; Clarkson’s Primitive Episcopacy;
Cosin’s Canon of Scripture; Cudworth’s Intellectual System; Derham’s
Astro-Theology; Evans’ Sketch of all Religions; Faulkner on the Liturgy;
Fell and St. Paul’s Epistles; Field of the Church; Fleetwood on Miracles;
Forster on the Christian Revelation; Fulke on the New Testament;
Gastrell’s Christian Institutes; Gale’s Court of the Gentiles; Gregorii
de Valentia Opera Theologica, Ingoldst. 1592, in 4 volumes, folio; and
Gregory’s Observations on Scripture; Gray’s Key to the Old Testament;
Gurnall’s Christian in Armour; Grabe, Spicilegium Veterum Patrum; Harmer
on the Scriptures; Heylin’s Christian Theology; Hey’s Lectures; Hooker’s
Ecclesiastical Polity; Kennicott’s Dissertations; King’s Lectures on
Jonas; Kidder on the Pentateuch; Knatchbull’s Annotations; Lardner’s
Gospel History; Leigh’s Critica Sacra; Lewis’ Origines Hebreæ; Le Clerc
on the Pentateuch; Marsh’s Michaelis, and his Lectures; and Magee on
the Atonement; Macknight on the Epistles and Gospels; Newton on the
Prophecies and Apocalypse; Newcome on Ezekiel, &c.; Newman’s Concordance;
Nisbet on the Epistles; Outram de Sacrificiis; Owen on the Trinity;
Pearson on the Creed; Pierce on the Epistles; Poli Synopsis; Ross’ View
of all Religions; Shuckford’s Connection; Trapp on the New Testament;
Wake’s Epistles of the Apostolical Fathers; Waterland’s Vindication;
Warburton’s Divine Legation; Usher’s Body of Divinity; Watson’s
Apologies; Welchman on the Articles; Whitby on the New Testament;
Wilkins’ Natural Religion; Wollaston’s Religion of Nature; and the Works
of the author of the Whole Duty of Man, Oxford, 1704, folio.
The impressions of the Sacred Volume found upon these shelves are,
The Bishops’ Bible, in folio.
The Biblia Hebraica, Montani, 1571, folio.
Walton’s Polyglott, with Castelli Lexicon, 1657, in 8 vols.
folio.
But the most sumptuous volumes of Holy Writ are those printed by Field,
at Cambridge, in 1666, folio, which, richly embellished with engravings
of that period, and bound in 2 volumes covered with purple velvet, and
protected by silver clasps, usually adorn the Sacramental table of the
Cathedral itself.
The impressions of the New Testament are more numerous than those
of the Bible, including those edited by Beza, Castalio, Hammond,
Maittaire, Stephens, and Tremellius. To which I may add the Heptateuchus
Anglo-Saxonicè à Thwaites, 1798; and the Pentateuchus Copticus of
Wilkins, 1731, 4to.
There are also imperfect copies of the Book of Common Prayer of 1634; and
of Kennicott’s Hebrew Bible; Wickliffe’s Testament, by Lewis, London,
1731, folio; Henry the Eighth’s Primer, 1546, 4to.; the Common Prayer
Book of 1619, in folio, with Prayers in Latin, Spanish, and Greek, and
the Liturgia in usum Eccl. Angl. 12mo. may here find appropriate mention.
This Library also contains Pole’s Synopsis, and Howel’s Synopsis Canonum;
several Theological Tracts and Sermons, by Allestree, Berriman, Clarke,
Fleetwood, Goodman, Horton, Hickman, Houghton, Horsley, Jeffery, Knight,
Leightenhouse, Newcome, Needham, Parr, Rogers, Saurin, Sanderson,
Sherlock, South, Stoughton, Jeremy Taylor, Waterland, and Whaley;
Bourse’s Discourses; Secker’s Charges; and a small collection of Sermons
by different authors.
The Historical department of this Library includes the Ancient and
Modern Universal History, Abdollatiphi Hist. Egypt, à Pococke, Oxon.
1800, 4to.; Butler’s Revolutions of the Germanic Empires; Chroniques de
Nicole Gilles, Paris, 1536, folio; Chronicon Chronicorum, 1493, folio;
Cumberland’s Phœnician History; Davila’s History of the Civil Wars of
France; Echard’s Roman History, 1699, in 4 vols. 4to.; Gast’s History of
Greece, 1782, 4to.; Gillies’ History of the World, 1807, in 2 vols. 4to.;
Gothicarum Rerum Scriptores, 1618, 12mo.; Heylin’s Cosmography; Helvici
Theatrum Historicum; the History of Modern Europe, 1731, in 4 vols. 8vo.;
Historia Gentium Septentrionalium Olai Magni, Romæ, 1555, 4to.; Howell’s
History of the World; Le Compte’s Memoirs of China, 1697, 8vo.; Matthiæ
Theatrum Historicum; Mariana’s History of Spain; Mitford’s History of
Greece; Ockley’s Saracens; Ouseley’s Epitome of Persian History; Potter’s
Antiquities of Greece; Pococke’s Description of the East; Pounall’s
Roman Antiquities; Raleigh’s History of the World, 1614, fol.; Rycaut’s
Ottoman Empire; Sketches of the Hindoos, 1792, in 2 vols. 8vo.; Thuani
Historia sui temporis, 1733, in 7 vols. folio; Vertot’s Revolutions in
Portugal and Sweden; Whitaker’s Course of Hannibal over the Alps; and the
abridgment of Rollin’s Ancient History, published at Berne in 1763, in 5
duodecimo volumes.
The books relating to Ecclesiastical affairs in this Collection are,
an imperfect copy of Alford’s Annals; Auctores Hist. Eccles. Basil.
1535, folio; Butler’s Lives of the Saints, Edinburgh, 1798, in 12 vols.
8vo.; Baronii Annales, Antv. 1589, in 12 vols. folio; Bedæ Historia
Ecclesiastica, curâ Smithii, 1665, folio; Binii Concilia, Colon. 1618,
in 5 vols. folio; Bower’s Lives of the Popes, 1748, in 7 vols. 4to.;
Brent’s Council of Trent; Burnet on the Reformation, with his Vindication
of the Church of Scotland; Ecton’s Liber Valorum; Eusebii Historia
Ecclesiastica, Moguntiæ, 1677, in 3 vols. folio; Fox’s Martyrology, 1684,
in 3 vols. folio; Fosbroke’s British Monachism; Fuller’s Church History,
1565, folio; Hist. Eccles. Script. Gr. Colon. 1612, folio; Howell’s
Synopsis Canonum; Josephus, Hudsoni; Jennings’ Jewish Antiquities;
Jortin’s Ecclesiastical History; Lardner’s Gospel History; Labbei
Concilia, Par. 1672, in 18 folio volumes; Lewis’ Life of Pococke; Lewis’
Origines Hebreæ; Le Neve’s Fasti Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ; Lingard’s History
of the Anglo-Saxon Church; Lucius, Historia Eccles. Magdeb. Bas. 1624,
in 3 vols. folio; Masoni Vindiciæ Eccles. Angl. 1625, folio; Mosheim’s
Ecclesiastical History; Nicephori Historia Ecclesiastica; Oughton’s Ordo
Judiciorum; Platina de Vitis Pontificum; Reyneri, de Ant. Ord. Benedict.
Douay, 1626, folio; Saliani Annales Ecclesiastici, Par. 1641, in 3 vols.
folio; Stillingfleet’s Origines; Strype’s Lives of Cranmer, Grindal,
Parker, and Whitgift; Steele’s Account of the Roman Catholic Religion;
Sympson’s History of the Church; Usher’s Annals and Antiquities; Walker’s
History of Independency, and Wilkins’ Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ, 1737, in
4 vols. folio; the Neustria Pia of Du Monstier, Rothom. 1663, folio;
Lyndewode, Provinciale, Oxonii, 1679, folio; Gibson’s Codex, and the
Codex Theodosianus, 1665, in 4 folio volumes.
The Works illustrative of British History in this Library, are the
Annales Ælfredi Magni, à Wise, Oxon. 1722, 8vo.; Anglorum Prœlia,
Nevyllus de furoribus Norfolcensium, 1582, 12mo.; Andrews’ History of
England; Bacon’s Henry VII.; Baker’s Chronicle, 1665, folio; Barnes’
Edward III.; Blome’s Britannia, 1673, folio; Burnett’s History of his
own Time; Brady’s History of England, with his Introduction to English
History; Camden’s Britannia, by Gibson, with his Elizabeth, and Remains;
Clarendon’s Rebellion, and his Life; Daniel’s History of England,
1685, folio; Eadmeri Historia Novorum, 1623, folio; Fuller’s Worthies,
1662, folio; Gibson’s Chronicon Saxonicum, Oxon. 1692, 4to.; Granger’s
Biographical History of England; Habington’s Edward IV.; Hayward’s Regal
Biographies; Lord Herbert’s Life of Henry VIII.; Henry’s History of
Great Britain; Holinshed’s Chronicles, 1577, folio; Howell’s History of
England, 1712, 8vo.; Horsley’s Britannia Romana, 1732, folio; Jeffrey’s
British History, Edin. 1719, 2 vols. 8vo.; Kelham’s Doomsday Book, 1788,
8vo.; Leicester’s Commonwealth, 1641, 4to.; Ludlow’s Memoirs, Vevay,
1698, in 2 vols. 8vo.; Madox’s Formulare Anglicanum; History of the
Exchequer, and Firma Burga; Milton’s History of Britain, 1670, 4to.;
Noble’s Biographical History of England and House of Cromwell; Oldmixon’s
History of England; Parker, de rebus sui temporis, 1726, 8vo.; Matthæi
Paris Historia Anglicana, 1684, folio; Rapin’s History of England, in 28
octavo volumes, two copies; Rushworth’s Historical Collections, 1721,
in 8 vols. folio; Sammes’s Antiquities of Ancient Britain, 1676, folio;
Speed’s History of Great Britain, 1632, folio; Stowe’s Annals, by Howes,
1631, folio; Temple’s Introduction to the History of England, 1699, 8vo.
with his Memoirs, 1705, 3 vols. in 2, octavo; Turner’s History of the
Anglo-Saxons, Lond. 1807, in 2 vols. 4to.; Sir Philip Warwick’s Memoirs
of Charles I. 1701, 8vo.; Walpole’s Historic Doubts, 1768, 4to.; and
Polydore Vergilii Historia Anglicana, Basileæ, 1570, folio.
The Works relating to the Topography and Antiquities of England in
this Collection embrace Battely’s Antiquitates Rutupinæ, and his
Antiquities of Canterbury; Beatniffe’s Norfolk Tour, 1808, 12mo.;
Bentham’s Ely, by Stevenson, Norwich, 1812, 4to.; Blomefield’s Norwich
illustrated, 1745, 2 vols. folio; Browne’s Norwich Cathedral, 1807,
8vo.; Brand’s Popular Antiquities; Richard of Cirencester’s Description
of Britain; Burton’s Leicestershire; Carew’s Survey of Cornwall; Dart’s
Canterbury; Darell’s Dover Castle; Degges’ Staffordshire, Lond. 1723,
8vo.; Dickinson’s Nottinghamshire, 1801, 4to.; Ducarel’s Anglo-Norman
Antiquities; Dugdale’s History of St. Paul’s; Fitzstephen’s Survey of
London; Gardiner’s History of Dunwich; Herne’s Charter House; Kennett’s
Parochial Antiquities; King’s Munimenta Antiqua; Kirby’s Suffolk
Traveller; Lambarde’s Perambulation of Kent; Lewis’ Antiquities of
Faversham, and History of the Isle of Thanet; Masters’ History of Corpus
Christi College, Cambridge; Millers’ Ely Cathedral; Mallett’s Northern
Antiquities; Malden’s King’s College Chapel; Norden’s Middlesex and
Hertfordshire; Plot’s Staffordshire and Oxfordshire; Salmon’s Surrey;
Seymour’s Survey of London; Stukeley’s Itinerarium Curiosum; Stowe’s
Survey of London; Strutt’s Antiquities; and Verstegan’s Restitution.
The lover of British Antiquity will readily join to these, Britton’s
Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain, and some of his beautiful
Illustrations of the Cathedral Churches of England; Ladbrooke’s
Lithographic Views of Churches in Norfolk, oblong quarto, in numbers;
Mr. Nassau’s carefully illustrated copy of Blomefield’s Norfolk, bound
in russia; Ives’s Garianonum, 1774; Taylor’s Harwich and Dovercourt;
Wood’s History and Antiquities of Oxford, 1674, folio; the Antiquitates
Oxonienses, 1726, folio; and Weever’s Funeral Monuments, 1631, folio.
The principal works connected with Scottish and Irish affairs, are
Boswell’s Journey to the Hebrides; Chalmer’s Caledonia; Dalrymple’s
Scotland; Monipenny’s Abridgment of the Scottish Chronicles, 1612, 4to.;
Spotiswode’s History of Scotland; and Ware’s Antiquities of Ireland,
1705, folio.
The Classical department of this Library includes,
Æschylus. Glasguæ, 1794, in 2 vols. 8vo.
Æsopus, 1684, 12mo.
Anacreon à Barnes. Cantab. 1705, 12mo. and Fischeri, Lipsiæ,
1776, 8vo.
Antoninus, Gatakeri, 1697, 4to.
Appianus, Stephani. Paris. 1572, folio.
Aristophanes, Burmanni. Lugd. 1760, in 2 vols. 4to.
Aristotelis Opera, Du Valli. Par. 1654, folio, in 4 vols.
Athenæus, Casauboni. Lugd. 1597, in 2 vols. folio.
Aulus Gellius, Elz. Amst. 1665, 12mo.
Ausonius, Scaligeri. Heidel. 1588, 12mo.
Boethius, Char. Goth. Oxon. 1479, 4to.
Catullus, Tibullus, and Propertius. Cantabr. 1702, 4to.
Cæsar, Aldi. Venet. 1519, 8vo.
Ciceronis Opera Omnia, Verburgii. Amst. 1724, in 16 octavo
volumes, and the Oxford edition of 1783, in 10 quarto volumes.
Claudiani Opera, Gesneri. Lipsiæ, 1759, 8vo.
Epicteti Enchiridion. 1554, and Oxon. 1702, 12mo.
Euripides à Barnes. Lipsiæ, 1778, in 3 quarto volumes.
Eutropius, Delphini. 1716.
Florus, Grævii. 1680, 8vo.
Horatius, Bentleii. Cantab. 1711, 4to. and 1713, 8vo.
Homeri Opera, Barnesii. Cantab. 1711, 2 vols. 4to.
Homeri Ilias, Didymi, Cant. 1689, 4to.; Heynii, Lips. 1812, 8
vols. 8vo.
Josephus, Hudsoni. Oxon. 1721, in 2 vols. folio.
Isocrates à Battie. Cantab. 1729, 8vo.
Juvenalis et Persius, Farnabii. 1631, 12mo.
Juvenalis, Ruperti. Oxon. 1808, 8vo.
Justinus, Variorum. Amst. 1669, 8vo.
Livius, Aldi. Venetiis, 1521, folio.
Longinus à Pearce. Lond. 1725, 8vo.
Lucan. Elz. 1591, 12mo.
Lucretius, Lambini. 1583, 8vo.
Lucian. 1619, 2 vols. 8vo.
Lycophronis Fragmenti, Hermanni. 1788, 8vo.
Macrobius. 1694, 8vo.
Orpheus. 1689, 12mo.
Orphica, Hermanni. 1805.
Ovidius, Delphini. Lond. 1778, 12mo.
Pausanias, Facii. Lipsiæ, 1794, in 4 vols. 8vo.
Plutarchii Moralia. Francof. 1620, 2 vols. folio.
Plinii Historia Naturalis. Colon. 1615, folio.
Plinii Epistola, Gesneri. 1770, 8vo.
Plato, Ficini. 1602, folio.
Pomponius Mela, Gronovii. 1685, 12mo.
Polybius, Wechelii. 1609, folio, and Ernesti, 1764, in 3 vols.
8vo.
Propertius. 1702, 4to.
Quintus Curtius, Gryphii. 1551, 12mo.
Quintilian. Oxon. 1693, 4to.
Sallust. Lugd. 1665, 8vo. and Cantab. 1679, 12mo.
Senecæ Opera. Par. 1607, in 2 vols. folio.
Sophocles, Brunckii. 1808.
Statius. Par. 1618, in 2 vols. 4to.
Tacitus, Ryckii. Dublin, 1730, in 3 vols. 4to.
Terentius, Erasmi. Par. 1541, 4to. and Bentleii, Cantab. 1726,
4to.
Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus. Lugd. 1781, 4to.
Thucydides, Hudsoni. Oxonii, 1696, folio, and Glasguæ, 1759, 8
vols. in 4, quarto.
Tibullus. Amst. 1708, 4to.
Valerius Maximus. Plantin, 1574, 12mo.
Valerius Flaccus. Amst. 1680, 12mo.
Velleius Paterculus. Oxon. 1693, 8vo.
Vegetius de rê Militari. 1592, 4to.
Virgilius. Delphini, 1695, and Heynii, 1767, in 4 octavo
volumes.
Xenophontis Cyropædia, 1765, 8vo. and Anabasis Hutchinsoni.
Cantab. 1785, 8vo.
The Etymological Works which met my observation were, the English and
Welsh Dictionary, printed at Shrewsbury in 1737, 12mo.; Bailey’s
Etymological Dictionary; Buxtorf’s Chaldaic Lexicon; Calvin’s Lexicon;
Elstob’s English and Saxon Grammar; Ernesti Lexicon; Fabri Thesaurus;
Grant’s Lexicon; Harris’ Hermes, and Philological Enquiries; Hesychii
Lexicon; Hederici Lexicon; Hickes’ Linguarum Septentrionalium
Thesaurus, with Wotton’s Conspectus; Hoogeveen de Particulis Græcis;
Junii Etymologicum Anglicanum, à Lye, 1743, folio; Chappelow’s Arabic
Grammar; Lamberti Bos Ellipses; Johnson’s English Dictionary; Dammii
Lexicon Homericum et Pindaricum; Minshew’s Dictionary; Parkhurst’s
Hebrew Lexicon; Robertson’s Thesaurus Linguæ Græcæ, and Hebrew Grammar;
Ruddiman’s Latin Grammar; Schrevelii Lexicon, by Hill; Spelman’s
Glossarium Archæologicum; Suidæ Lexicon Græcum, Basileæ, 1544, folio;
and Græcè et Latinè, Kusteri, Cantab. 1705, in 3 volumes, folio; Somneri
Dictionarium Saxonico-Latinum, 1659, folio; Valpy’s and the Port Royal
Greek Grammar; Vigerus de Idiotismis and Laurentius Valla de Linguâ
Latina, Cantab. 1688, 12mo.
The Heraldic Works in this Collection consist of
The Baronetage of England, by Kimber.
Betham’s Genealogies, 1795, folio.
Blome’s Heraldry, 1684, 12mo.
Clarke’s Heraldry, 1794, 12mo.
Collins’ Peerage, 1768, in 7 vols. 8vo.
Dugdale’s Usage of Arms, 1682, 12mo.
Edmondson’s Heraldry, 1780, in 2 folio volumes.
Guillim’s Heraldry, 1660, folio.
Sandford’s Genealogical History, 1677, folio.
Selden’s Titles of Honour, 1672, folio.
Porney’s Heraldry, 1795, 8vo.
The Bibliographical department includes fifty-three volumes of the Acta
Eruditorum; the Bibliographical Dictionary; the Bibliotheca Britannica of
Watts; the Bibliotheca Reediana; the History of Philosophy, by Stanley,
1656, folio; the Bibliothèque Ancienne et Moderne, Amst. 1714, in 28
vols. 12mo.; the History of English Poetry, by Warton, 1775, 3 vols.
4to.; Blount’s Censura Literaria; Bruckeri Historia Critica Philosophiæ;
the Royal and Noble Authors of Walpole; Catalogus MSS. CC.C. Cant.
1722, folio; Catalogus Bibliothecæ Bodleianæ, Oxon. 1674, folio; Cave’s
Historia Literaria; Dibdin’s Introduction to the Classics; Fabricii
Bibliotheca Græca et Latina; Hartshorne’s Book Rarities of Cambridge;
Lewis’ Translations of the Bible, 1739, 8vo., and Life of Caxton; Leland,
de Scriptoribus Britannicis, 1709, 2 vols. 8vo.; Memoirs of Literature,
1722, in 8 vols. 8vo.; Nicholson’s English Historical Library; Hearne’s
Ductor Historicus; Renouard’s Historie de l’Imprimerie des Aides; and
Wood’s Athenæ Oxonienses, 1721, in two volumes, folio.
The Chronological Works in this Library include Baker’s Chronology,
1726, folio; Brady’s Clavis Calendaria; Marshall’s Chronological Tables,
Oxford, 1712, folio; Newton’s Chronology; Scaliger de emendatione
temporum, Genevæ, 1594 & 1620, in 2 vols. folio; Trusler’s Chronology;
and Usserii Chronologia Sacra, Oxon. 1660, 4to.
The Geographical Works consist of the Atlas Geographicus, 1711, in 4
vols. 4to.; The Thesaurus Geographicus, 1695, folio; Brookes’s Gazetteer;
Cellarii et Cluvierii Geographia Antiqua; D’Anville’s Ancient Geography;
Dionysius de situ Orbis; Guthrie’s Geographical Grammar; Hexham’s Atlas;
Michaelis Geograph. Hebr. Gotten. 1769, 4to.; Michel’s Geography of
France; Morse’s American Geography; Adams’ Geographical and Historical
Summary, 1797, 8vo.; Mercator’s Atlas, Amst. 1638, in 2 folio volumes;
Wells’ Geography; and Falconer’s Strabo, 1807, 2 vols. folio.
I may here also mention the Voyages and Travels, consisting of Browne’s
Travels in Africa, Egypt, and Syria, 1779, 4to.; Chandler’s Travels,
1779, 4to.; Chardin’s Travels, 1686, folio; Keysler’s Travels; Denon’s
Egypt, 1803, 4to.; Montfaucon’s Travels through Italy; Moritz’s Travels
in England; Niebuhr’s Travels in Arabia; Sparmann’s Cape of Good Hope,
Perth, 1789, in 2 octavo volumes; Maundrell’s Journey to Jerusalem, 1707,
8vo.; Sharpe’s Voyage to the South Sea, 1684, 8vo.; Shaw’s Travels, 1757,
4to.; Tavernier’s Travels in Turkey, 1684, folio; and Wheler’s Journey
into Greece, 1682, folio.
The Scientific Works in this Collection embrace many subjects, but
few Works of importance. Those I noticed were Bacon’s Novum Organum;
Bartholini Anatomia; Philosophia Naturalis; Blumenbach Institutiones
Physiologicæ, &c.; Boerhaave’s Virtue of Medicine; Boyle’s Experiments
on Air; Burnet and Whiston’s Theories of the Earth; Clare’s Motion of
Fluids; Cullen’s Physic; Euclid, by Simpson; Ferguson’s, Gordon’s, and
Keil’s Treatises upon Astronomy; Fourcroy and Freind’s Chemical Works;
Gassendi Institutiones Astronomicæ, &c.; Harris’s Astronomical Dialogues;
Haller’s Physiology; Keil’s Anatomy; Kersey’s Algebra; Kirby and Spence’s
Introduction to Entomology; Haggitt, Milner, and Whittington on Gothic
Architecture; Ozanam’s Mathematics; Quincey and Salmon’s Pharmacopeia;
Reeve on the Torpidity of Animals; Riolani Anatomia; Rickman on
Architecture; Rion’s Grecian Architecture; Smith’s Introduction to
Botany; Tauvry’s Anatomy; Verlingii Anatomia; Wilkins’s Vitruvius;
Willis’s Anatomia Cerebri; and Withering on the Fox Glove.
Among the Miscellaneous Volumes deposited upon these shelves, I observed
the Antiquarian Discourses; the Voyage of Anacharsis; Arbuthnot on
Ancient Coins; Nummi Britannici Historia, 1626, 8vo.; Fleetwood’s
Chronicon Preciosum; Numismata Imperatorum Romanorum, Milan, 1683, folio;
Pinkerton on Medals; Atkinson on Navigation; Blackwall’s Classics;
Bochart’s Hierozoicon; Boswell’s Life of Johnson; Sir Thomas Browne’s
Posthumous Works, 1712, 8vo.; Bryant’s Plagues of Egypt; Buchanani
Poemata; Calligraphia Græca, Lond. 1807, folio; Charles the First’s
Works, London, 1662, in two volumes, folio; Clarke’s Greek Marbles,
and Tomb of Alexander; Dawes, Miscellanea Critica; De Pauw, Recherches
Philosophiques; Desgarde’s Buildings of Rome; Diderot’s Theatre; Digges’
Compleat Ambassador; Gildæ Epistolæ; Godfrey of Boulogne, by Fairfax,
1624, folio; Gunn’s Manner of Military Array; Holmes’s Art of Rhetoric;
Landmann on Fortification; Matthias, Canzone Toscane; Montaigne’s
Essays; Monboddo’s Ancient Metaphysics; Montesquieu’s Works; the
Musæ Cantabrigienses; Opie’s Lectures on Painting; Ossian’s Poems by
Macpherson; Parival’s Iron Age; Palmerin of England, 1807, in four vols.
12mo.; Pinkerton on the Goths; Porson’s Letter to Travis; Rawlinson
on History; the Republic of Letters, Glasgow, 1728, in 17 vols. 12mo.;
Rousseau’s Works; the Spectator; Suckling’s Works; Sydenhami Opera;
Temple’s Letters, &c.; Vossii Opera; Wilson’s Ornaments of Churches;
Windham’s Speeches; and Wright’s Help to History.
The Law Books in this Library comprehend Blount’s, Cowell’s and Jacob’s
Law Dictionary; Burn’s Justice of the Peace, and Ecclesiastical Laws;
Burlamaqui’s Principles of Natural Laws; Coke’s Institutes, London, 1684,
in three folio volumes; Corpus Juris Civilis, 1663, folio; Corpus Juris
Canonici, 1618, in three folio volumes; Fitzherbert’s Natura Brevium;
Fortescue de Laudibus Legum Angliæ; Ryley’s Placita Parliamentaria;
Shaw’s Justice, and Parish Laws; Spencer de Legibus Hebræorum, Cantab.
1727, in two folio volumes; and Wilkins’ Saxon Laws, 1721, folio.
In English Literature this Library may boast of the portion relating to
the Arms and Blazon of the Reprint of the Book of St. Albans, published
by Wynkyn de Worde at London in 1496, 4to.; of the Workes of our ancient
and lerned English Poet, Geffrey Chaucer, newly-printed, Londini,
impensis Georgii Bishop, anno 1597-8, folio, in the rude black letter of
Adam Islip; and of the Pylgrimage of Perfection, London, 1526, 8vo. also
in the Gothic character.
This Library contains the works of Armstrong, Beattie, Bloomfield,
Bowles, Dryden, Gay, Addison, Bacon, Berkeley, Bolingbroke, Boyle,
Browne, Butler, Burke, Collins, Cowley, Evelyn, Gray, Harris, Hobbes,
Johnson, Locke, Marvel, Mason, Milton, Newton, Pope, Priestley, Prior,
Scott, Sterne, Temple, Thomson, Young, and Warton.
I also remarked Gifford’s Baviad and Maviad; Hales’ Golden Remains;
Herbert’s Temple; Johnson’s Lives of the Poets; Glover’s Leonidas; the
Rolliad; Harington’s Musæ Antiquæ; the Asiatic Researches; Hartley on
Man; Headley’s Beauties of Ancient English Poetry; Heron’s Letters of
Literature; Hearne’s Ductor Historicus; Ben Jonson’s Works, 1640, in
two folio volumes; Thomæ Mori Opera Omnia, Lond. 1675, in three vols.
folio; the Pursuits of Literature, with a translation of the Quotations,
1799, 8vo.; Relics of Ancient Poetry, 1794, in three volumes, 8vo.;
Richardson’s Analysis of Shakespeare, 1739, in three vols. 8vo.;
Thurlow’s Poems, 1811, 4to.; Tooke’s Diversions of Purley; Walton’s
Lives; and Spenser’s Faerie Queen, London, 1751, in three vols. 4to.
In this unpretending yet useful Collection, which the mere bibliomaniac
may pass by with disdain, the general reader will find much both of
interest and instruction in the several departments to which I have
endeavoured to direct his attention.
I ought not indeed to close this cursory review of the Norwich Cathedral
Library without bestowing the tribute so justly due to the instance it
affords of laudable attention to the preservation of conventual volumes,
neither distinguished by excessive rarity nor remarkable for uncommon
worth.
[Illustration]
Library of Christ Church, Oxford.
This Collection consists of an ancient Theological Library in the
Cloisters, under the peculiar care of the Regius Professor of Divinity,
and of a more extensive and miscellaneous Library deposited in a suitable
building in Peckwater, and accessible, under certain regulations, to the
members of the College. The chief features of this Library will be best
understood by the following detail of its contents.
The department of Theology is of considerable value, containing the
Works of Athanasius, Augustine, Ambrose, Anselm, Basil, Clement of
Alexandria, Chrysostom, Cyprian, Cyril, Jerome, Irenæus, Thomas Aquinas,
and other Schoolmen: the Works of Allix, Andrewes, Atterbury, Baxter,
Benson, Bentley, Balguy, Ball, Barlow, Bellarmine, Bernard, Beveridge,
Beausobre, Bancroft, Barnes, Blondell, Bossuet, Bragge, Bramhall,
Brett, Bucer, Bull, Barrow, Bates, Bennet, Bisse, Calamy, Calasius,
Calixtus, Calvin, Camerarius, Campanella, Capellin, Carleton, Cartwright,
Casaubon, Cassander, Cassianus, Cassiodorus, Chillingworth, Clarke,
Claggett, Cockburn, Comber, Conybeare, Corbet, Cheney, Chandler, Cosin,
Cranmer, Cudworth, Cumberland, Chiffletius, Chytræus, Corderius, Claude,
Coverdale, Crosset, Dallæus, Damascenus, Damasus Papa, Damiavius,
D’artis, Delany, Dodwell, Doddridge, Donne, Dorington, Drelincourt,
Du Moulin, Davison, Dawson, Durell, Edwards, Epiphanius, Erasmus,
Eusebius, Eutychus, Faber, Fenelon, Ferguson, Fiddes, Field, Fisher,
Fleetwood, Fleury, Fletcher, Fontenelle, Ford, Gardiner, Gastrell,
Gataker, Gregory Nazianzen, Gregory Nyssen, Gregory the Great, Geddes,
Gerson, Fulgentius, Franck, Gualther, Hale, Hall, Hammond, Hare,
Harmer, Hay, Herbert, Heylin, Hickes, Hickman, Hill, Hoadley, Hody,
Hospinianus, Hoornbeek, Hopkins, Horne, Horsley, Hottinger, Houbigant,
Huet, Hulsius, Hunt, Hurd, Hutchinson, Hyperius, Ignatius, Innocent IV.,
Jackson, Jansenius, Jenkins, Soame Jenyns, Jewel, Jortin, Jurien, Justin
Martyr, Thomas a Kempis, White Kennett, Ken, Kennicott, Kettlewell,
King, Knatchbull, Knight, Labbe, Lactantius, Lake, Lanfranc, Lardner,
Larroque, Latimer, Laud, Launoyier, Laurentius, Law, Lawson, Leighton,
Leigh, Leland, Leslie, L’Estrange, Leusden, Lewis, Lightfoot, Long,
Lorimer, Lowth, Lubinus, Lucas, Luther, Mabillon, Macarius, Macknight,
Mackenzie, Magee, Maimbourg, Maimonides, Malebranche, Marshall, Martin,
Mede, Melancthon, Merrick, Mesue, Methodius, Michaelis, Miller, More,
Morinus, Mornay, Nares, Nelson, Newcome, Nolan, Norris, Newell, Nye,
Œcolampadius, Optatus, Origen, Orosius, Osborn, Osorius, Ostervald,
Owen, Outram, Paley, Pallavicinus, Parker, Pascal, Patrick, Pearson,
Peirce, Penn, Peter Martyr, Philo Judæus, Pictet, Pierce, Pococke,
Cardinal Pole, Porteus, Potter, Powell, Prideaux, Procopius, Randolph,
Relandus, Reynolds, Ridley, Rivetus, Richelieu, Rogers, Rollocus,
Rufinus, Sacheverell, St. Evremond, St. Real, St. Victor, Salmasius,
Sanchez, Sancroft, Sanctius, Sanderus, Sanderson, Sandius, Sandys,
Saunders, Saurin, Shickard, Schultens, Scultetus, Scott, Secker, Sharp,
Sheringham, Sherlock, Shipley, Simon, Smalridge, Smith, South, Spanheim,
Stackhouse, Stafforde, Stanhope, Stapleton, Stebbing, Stillingfleet,
Sykes, Sulpicius, Synesius, Jeremy Taylor, Tertullian, Themistius,
Theodoret, Theophylact, Thomasius, Thorndike, Tillotson, Toland, Tomline,
Toplady, Tostatus, Toulmin, Townson, Trapp, Tucker, Turner, Turretinus,
Twisden, Tyndall, Ugo, Usher, Vandale, Vitringa, Vossius, Vorstius,
Wake, Wakefield, Walker, Wall, Warburton, Ward, Waterland, Watson,
Wells, Whiston, Whitaker, Whitby, White, Whitfield, Whitgift, Wilkins,
Willet, Williams, Wilson, Wise, Wollaston, Wolseley, Woodford, Woodhouse,
Woodward, Zanchius, Ziegler, Zimmerman, Zuinglius, and Zwinger.
I also noticed Cave’s edition of the Fathers; Hooker’s Ecclesiastical
Polity; Limborch, Theologia Christiana; Isidori Hispalensis; and Leonis
Magni Opera; the Works of Bede, Julian, and Josephus.
The English Versions of the Bible comprise those by Field, Whitchurch,
Jugge, Barker, and Wilson; Walton’s Polyglott; several Hebrew, Greek,
and Latin Bibles; Luther’s German Bible, printed at Wittenberg in
1557; Biblia Polonica of 1563; the Bohemian, Spanish, Italian, French,
Hungarian, and Arabic Translations; the Doway Bible; Pentateuchus
Hebraicus; Grave’s Pentateuch; Grabe’s Septuagint; Codex Bezæ; Wiclif’s
New Testament; and Evangelia Gothica. There are several Books of Common
Prayer, Rituals, and Offices of the Church, Greek and Latin Testaments of
Edward VI. 1552, &c., Psalms, Catechisms, Decretals, Breviaries, Missale
in usum Sarum, Liturgies, and Homilies, also Durandi Rationale Divinorum
Officiorum; Thesaurus Sacrorum Rituum; Sparrow’s Rationale of Common
Prayer; and Wheatley on Common Prayer.
The Works relating to Ecclesiastical History include Bede’s Historia
Ecclesiastica; Baronii Annales Ecclesiastici; Bingham’s Origines &
Antiquitates; Brandt, Burnet, and Soames’ Reformation; Calderwood and
Cook’s Church of Scotland; Carwithen’s Church of England; Echard and
Collier’s Ecclesiastical History; Rolandus and Benedict, Acta Sanctorum;
Concilia Generalia Trident.; Dupin’s History of the Church; Dod’s
Church History; Fox’s Acts and Martyrs; Godwin’s Bishops; Harpsfeld’s
Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica; Inett’s Origines Anglicanæ; L’Enfant
Concilia, Constance; Leti’s Lives of the Popes; Cressy’s Church History
of Brittany; Gallia Christiana; Monasticon Anglicanum & Hibernicanum;
Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History; Schotani Bibl. Hist. Sacræ; Sixti
Bibl. Sanctorum; Socrates, Historia Ecclesiastica; Southey’s Book of the
Church; Spondani Annales Eccles.; Strype’s Memorials, Annals, and Lives;
Neustria Pia; Le Cointe, Annales Ecclesiastici Francorum; Symson’s Church
History; Sarpi, Council of Trent; Tillemont, Historia Ecclesiastica;
Parker and Usher’s Ecclesiæ Britannicæ Antiquitates, and other Works;
Capgrave’s Legenda Angliæ; Wharton’s Anglia Sacra; Knox, Wodrow, and
Spottiswoode’s Church of Scotland; Le Neve Fasti Anglicani; Sleidan’s
Reformation of Scotland; Short’s Church of England; Saliani Annales
Ecclesiastici; Saussay’s Martyrum Galliæ; Wordsworth’s Ecclesiastical
Biography; Ecton’s Thesaurus; Liber Valorum; and Warner’s Ecclesiastical
History of England.
In connection with Theology may be mentioned the Bampton Lectures;
Basnage’s History of the Jews; Bibliotheca Patrum and Fratrum Polonorum;
Ugolini Thesaurus Antiquitatum Sacrarum; Blair’s Sermons; Ciaconi, Vitæ
Pontificum Romanorum, 1677, 4 vols. folio; Cotelerii Patres Apostolici;
Crantz’ Moravians; Dupin Bibliothéque des Auteurs Ecclesiastiques;
Pole’s Council of Trent; Anastasii Vitæ Romanorum Pontificum; Reyneri
Apostolatus Benedictinorum in Angliâ; Elstob’s Homilies; Hyde, Religio
Veterum Persarum; Kircher, Œdipus Egyptiacus; the Legenda Aurea;
Lyndewoode, Provinciale; Newman, Cruden, and Schmid’s Concordances;
Schœnmann Bibliotheca Patrum Latinorum; Pole’s Synopsis; Brooke and
Neal’s Puritans; Sewell’s Quakers; Suiceri Thesaurus Ecclesiasticus;
Synge’s Gentleman’s Religion; Mason on Self-knowledge; Walchii
Bibliotheca Theologica; and the Whole Duty of Man.
The Classical department of this Library embraces various editions of
Greek and Latin authors, more remarkable for usefulness than for rarity.
Among the earlier editions may be noticed Plinii Historia Naturalis,
Parmæ, 1476, folio; and the Aldine editions of Aristophanes, 1498,
folio; Aristotle, 1498, folio; Cicero, 1512-54, in 10 volumes, 8vo.;
Demosthenes, 1504, folio; Euripides, 1503; Homer, 1521; Horace,
Isocrates, 1534; Rhetores Græci, 1513; Sophocles, 1502; Strabo
Geographia, 1516, folio; and Lascaris Grammatica Græca.
To these may be added the Junta Cicero of 1537; the Xenophon of 1516,
folio; and the Aristides of 1517, folio; the Roman edition of Eustathius
of 1549; the Appian of 1551; the Basle editions of Diodorus Siculus,
and of Diogenes Laertius, 1533; Dioscorides, 1529; Hippocrates, 1538,
and Plutarch, 1533; the Poetæ Græci Principes of Stephens; Dionysius
Halicarnassensis of 1546; Dionysius Alexandrinus, 1547; Dion Cassius,
1548; Herodian, 1544; and Horace from the Parisian press.
There are also various editions of the Works of Achilles Tatius, Ægidius
Romanus, Ælian, Æmilius Paulus, Æschenes, Demosthenes, Agapetus,
Æschylus, Æsop, Alciatus, Anacreon, M. Antoninus, Apicius, Apollodorus,
Apollonius Rhodius Alexandrinus, Apuleius, Aratus, Aristenetus,
Arrian, Athenæus, Aulus Gellius, Archimedes, Ausonius, Aurelius, Bion
and Moschus, Cæsar, Callimachus, Catullus, Cebes, Cellarius, Celsus,
Censorinus, Caussinus, Cicero Oliveti, and the separate Works of the
latter author.
Add to these, editions of Claudian, Cornelius Nepos, Quintus Curtius,
Dictys Cretensis, Dares Phrygius, Epictetus, Florus, Galen, Harpocration,
Hierocles, Horace, Iamblichus, Justin, Lysias, Juvenal, Persius, Lysias,
Longinus, Lycophron, Lucan, Lucian, Lucretius, Macrobius, Martial,
Manilius, Nonius Marcellus, Maximus Tyrius, Pomponius Mela, Minucius
Felix, Cornelius Nepos, Ovid, Oppian, Velleius Paterculus, Pausanias,
Petronius Arbiter, Phædrus, Pindar, Plato, Plautus, Plotinus, Politian,
Polybius, Pomponius Mela, Priscian, Prudentius, Quintilian, Sallust,
Sidonius, Silius Italicus, Statius, Suetonius Æneas Sylvius, Tacitus,
Terence, Theocritus, Theophrastus, Thucydides, Tibullus, Valerius
Flaccus, Virgil, and Valerius Maximus.
I may here notice the valuable editions of the Lexicon of Suidas; the
Enchiridion of Hephæstion; the Poetæ Minores Græci; and of Stobæus,
by Dr. Gaisford, the present Dean of Christ Church; the Rei Rusticæ
Scriptores, 1529; Oratores Attici; Seneca’s Tragedies of 1563, and
his Works by Lipsius, 1573; the Commentaries of Alexander, Ammonius,
Simplicius, and Porphyrius upon Aristotle; Cato de Re Rustica; Euclid,
Venet. 1508; Heliodorus, 1534; Wesseling’s Herodotus; Hesiod, Ven. 1537,
and by Robinson; Clarke’s Homer; Galeni Opera, Paris. 1679, in 9 folio
volumes; Historiæ Augustæ Scriptores; Julius Pollux; Drakenborch’s Livy;
Libanii Orationes; Panegyrici Veteres; Photii Bibliotheca & Epistolæ;
Ptolomæi Geographia; Sapphus Wolfii; Stephanus Byzantinus de Urbibus;
Stradæ Prolusiones; and Solini Polyhistor.
The Grammatical Works include those of Aldus Manutius, Clenard, Vossius,
and Tursellinus; Laur. Valla de Linguâ Latinâ; Stephani Thesaurus;
Lumsden’s Persian Grammar; Lennep, Etymologicum Græcum; the Etymologicum
Magnum of 1549; Carpentier’s Glossary; Du Fresne’s Glossary; Skinner’s
Etymologicum Anglicanum.
The Dictionaries include those of Calepinus, Castell, Johnson,
Littleton, and various Greek, Latin, German, French, Gaelic, Spanish,
Italian, Persian, and Russian Dictionaries; the Lexicons of Buxtorf,
Facciolatus, Hesychius, Pagninus, Scapula, and Zonaras; Boyer’s French
Dictionary; Dymot’s Tartar Dictionary; Bullet’s Celtic Dictionary; Casiri
Bibliotheca Arabico-Hispana; Canes’ Dictionarium Espano-Arabicum; De
Castro Bibliotheca Espanola; D’Herbelot Bibliothéque Orientale; Hickes’
Thesaurus and Saxon Grammar; Ihre Glossarium Saxonicum; Jamieson’s
Scottish Dictionary; Lye’s Saxon Dictionary; Meninski Lexicon Orientale;
O’Reilly’s Irish Dictionary; Richardson’s Persian Dictionary; Russian
Dictionary, in 6 vols. 4to. 1789; Schaaf Lexicon Syriacum; Schroeder
Bibliotheca Armenica; Schneider’s German Dictionary; Scholtz Lexicon
Egyptiacum; Somner’s Dictionarium Anglo-Saxonicum; Spelman’s Glossary;
Walter’s Welsh Dictionary; Wachter’s German Glossary; Schleusner’s
Lexicon of the Old and New Testaments.
The Works illustrative of English History are both numerous and
important, comprising the Domesday Book; Gale and Fell’s Collection
of English Historians; Fosbroke’s British Monachism; Gibson’s Saxon
Chronicle; a fine set of Hearne’s Works, on large paper; Ethelwerdi
Chronicon; Anderson’s Mary Queen of Scots; Rerum Anglicanarum Scriptores
post Bedam; Adolphus’ History of England; Baker’s English Chronicle;
Bale, Scriptores Britannici, 1559; Bale’s Chronycle; Brady’s English
History; Buck’s Richard III.; Boetii Historia Scotorum; Burleigh’s State
Papers; Burnet’s Own Time; Carte’s History of England; Chamberlayne’s
Great Britain; Churchill’s Divi Britannici; Clanricarde’s Memoirs;
Clarendon’s Rebellion and State Papers; Cobbett’s Parliamentary History
and Debates; Cox’s Historical Works, Life of Marlborough, &c.; Cox’s
Ireland; Cooper’s Chronicle; Daniel’s Histories of England and France;
Delolme’s English Constitution; Dodridge’s Wales; Drayton’s Polyolbion;
Dalrymple’s Scotland; a set of Dugdale’s Works; Eadmer, Historia Novorum;
Echard’s History of England; Enderbie’s Cambria Triumphans; Oldmixon’s
England; Evelyn’s Memoirs; Fox’s James I.; Bouquet and Brial Recueil
des Historiens des Gaules; Godwin’s Commonwealth; Cavendish, Fiddes’,
and Grove’s Lives of Wolsey; Grafton’s Chronicle; Guthrey’s Charles I.;
Habington’s Edward IV.; Hacket’s Life of Archbishop Williams; Hall’s
Chronicle; Hallam’s Constitutional History; the Harleian Miscellany;
Hayward’s Lives; Heath’s Chronicle of the Civil Wars; Henry’s History of
Great Britain; Holland’s Heroologia; Higden’s Polychronicon; Holinshed’s
Chronicle; Horsley’s Britannia Romana; Hoveden’s Annales; Howell’s
State Trials; Hume’s History of England; Life of Colonel Hutchinson;
Innes’ Scotland; Jeffrey of Monmouth’s History; Keating’s Ireland;
King’s Munimenta Antiqua; Kippis’ Biographia Britannica; Jeffrey of
Monmouth, and Richard of Cirencester; Leslæus de Origine Scotorum;
Lhuyd, Archæologia Britannica; Lingard’s History of England; Ludlow’s
Memoirs; Madox’s Formulare Anglicanum; History of the Exchequer and
Baronia Anglicana; Macpherson’s Original Papers; Chronicon de Mailros;
Major Historia Britonum, Jebb, de Vita et Gestis Mariæ Reginæ Scotorum;
Martin’s Chronicles; May’s History of the Long Parliament; Nalson’s
Collections; Nauntons’ Fragmenta Regalia; Nennius, Historia Britonum;
Nicolson’s English, Irish, and Scotch Historical Libraries; Oclandi,
Anglorum Prælia; O’Conor, Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores; Ogilby’s
Britannia; Orford’s Memoirs; Memoirs of the Duke of Ormonde; Pepys’
Memoirs; Polydori Virgilii Historia Anglicana; Powel’s Wales; Prynne’s
Records, 3 vols.; Ralph, Rapin, and Tindal’s History of England;
Rushworth’s Historical Collections; Rymer’s Fœdera, 20 vols. folio;
State Trials and Papers; Sammes’ Britannia Illustrata; Sanderson’s
Lives; Sandford’s Genealogical History of England; Slezer, Theatrum
Scotiæ; Scott’s History of Scotland, 1727; Sheringham, de Origine Gentis
Anglorum; Sibbald, Scotia Illustrata; Smith, de Republica Anglicana;
Somers’ Tracts; Sparke’s Historiæ Anglicanæ Scriptores; Speed’s Chronicle
and History of Great Britain; Spelman’s Concilia and Life of Alfred;
Sprigge’s England’s Recovery; Stoddart’s Scotland; Stowe’s Chronicle;
Strafforde’s Letters and Hibernia Pacata; Stuart’s Scotland; Stukeley’s
Itinerarium Curiosum; Tanner’s Bibliotheca Britannico Hibernica;
Thoresby’s Diary; Thurloe’s State Papers; Triveti Annales; Turner’s
History of England; Twysden’s Historiæ Anglicanæ Scriptores; Verstegan’s
Restitution of decayed Intelligence respecting English Antiquities;
White, of Basingstoke, History of Britain; Walpole and Waldegrave’s
Memoirs; Ware’s Ireland and Scriptores Hibernicanæ; Warwick’s Charles
I.; Wilson’s James I.; Wynne’s Life of Sir Leoline Jenkins; William of
Malmesbury’s History; and Winwood’s Memorials.
The Topographical Works most deserving of enumeration are, Adams’
Index Villaris; the Archæologia; Ayliffe’s Oxford; Baker’s and
Bridge’s Northamptonshire; Battely’s Antiquitates Rutupinæ; Bentham’s
Ely; Borlase’s Cornwall; Bray and Manning’s Surrey; Britton’s Oxford
Cathedral; Burton’s Leicestershire; Camden’s Britannia; Campbell’s
Vitruvius Britannicus; Carew and Gilbert’s Cornwall; Carlisle’s
endowed Grammar Schools; Chalmers’ Caledonia; Charleton and Jones’s
Stonehenge; Chauncey’s Hertfordshire; Clarke’s Hundred of Wanting;
Coates’ Reading; Cokers’ Dorset; Collinson’s Somersetshire; Cordiners’
Views in Scotland; Dalrymple’s Scotland; Dart’s Canterbury Cathedral
and Westminster Abbey; Drake’s York; Duncombe’s Hereford; Gunton’s
Peterborough; Halfpenny’s Fragmenta Vetusta; Harris and Hasted’s Kent;
Hoare’s Wiltshire; Howel’s Londinopolis; Izaackes and Oliver’s Exeter;
P. Jovii Descriptio Britanniæ; Kennett’s Parochial Antiquities and
Roman Remains; King’s Vale Royal; Lewis’ Isle of Thanet; Leycester’s
Cheshire; Lodge’s Illustrations; Loggan, Oxonia et Cantabrigia
Illustrata; Lysons’ Magna Britannia, and Environs of London; Master’s
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge; Milner’s Winchester; Morant’s
Essex; Morton’s Northamptonshire; Nash’s Worcestershire; Newcourt’s
Repertorium; Ormerod’s Cheshire; Pennant’s Works; Plot’s Oxfordshire
and Staffordshire; Rastall’s Southwell; Rocque’s Survey of London;
Salmon’s Hertfordshire; Seymour’s London; Shaw’s Staffordshire; Smeaton’s
Eddystone Lighthouse; Somner’s Canterbury and Roman Ports; Surtees’
Durham; Tanner’s Notitia Monastica; Thoroton’s Nottinghamshire; Wallace’s
Orkney; Ædes Walpoliana; Warner’s Glastonbury; Whitaker’s Leeds;
Williams’ Oxonia Depicta; Willis’ Mitred Abbies and Cathedral Churches;
and Wood’s Antiquities of Oxford.
Of the Works on General History it may suffice to mention Bayle and
Chaufepie’s Dictionary; the Ancient and Modern Universal History; Ellis
and Du Halde’s China; D’Ohsson’s Empire Othman; Byzantine Historians;
Cramer’s Greece, Italy, and Asia Minor; Biographie Universelle; Connor’s
Poland; Cox’s Austria; Craven’s Naples; Crevier’s Roman Empire; De Bry,
India Occident et Orient; De la Vega, Historia Espanola; Du Chesne,
Historia Francorum; Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire;
Gillies’s Greece; Giannoni’s History of Naples; Gratian, Historia
Veneta; Grimstone’s Netherlands; Gualteri Chronicon; Guicciardini
Storia d’Italia; Guizot’s History of France; Hallam’s Middle Ages, and
Literature of Europe; Hooke’s Roman History; Hugo’s Siege of Breda;
Muratori Rerum Italicarum Scriptores; Hungaricarum Rerum Scriptores;
Ginguene, Historie Litteraire d’Italie; Hispanarum Rerum Scriptores;
Historical Register; P. Jovii Leonis X. Vita; Kæmpfer’s Japan; Koch’s
Revolutions of Europe; Kollarii Monumenta Vindobonensia; Lindenbrogii
Scriptores Germanici; Leake’s Athens, Asia Minor, and the Morea;
Inghirami Monumenta Etrusca; Hughes’ Barbadoes; Maffei’s Verona
Illustrata; Malcolm’s Persia; Malta Illustrated; Mariana’s Spain; Mayer’s
Ottoman Empire; Meibomii Rerum Germanicarum Scriptores; Mezeray’s History
of France; Memoirs of the History of France; Mitford’s Greece; Moreri,
Dictionnaire Historique; Muratori, Annales Rerum Italicarum; Niebuhr’s
Rome; Norden’s Egypt; Ockley’s Saracens; Orme’s Indostan; Pashley’s
Crete; Percival’s Ceylon; Planta’s Helvetic Confederacy; Poggio, Historia
Fiorentina; Poloni Chronicon; Putter’s Germanic Empire; Ralegh’s History
of the World; Rankes’ Lives of the Popes; Robertson’s Works; Rollin’s
Roman History; Rossini Antiquitates Romanæ; Roscoe’s Lorenzo di
Medici; Rycaut’s Ottoman Empire, and Lives of the Popes; Salisburiensis
Monasterii Chronicon; Sallengre, Thesaurus Antiquitatum Romanorum;
Sandoval’s Wars of Spain; Sarpi, Historia Veneta; Savage’s Germany;
Savary’s Egypt; Saxonis Historia Danica; Scheffer’s Lapland; Schilter,
Thesaurus Antiquitatum Teutonicarum; Scriverii Antiquitates Germanicæ;
Shaw’s Barbary; Shirley’s Persia; Sigonii Historia Italica; Memoires
de St. Simon; Sismondi’s Italian Republics, and Literature of Europe;
Staunton’s China; Stevens’ Spain and Bavaria; Sully’s Memoirs; De Thou’s
Memoirs; Tornielli Annales; Trithemii Opera Historica; Triveti Annales,
the Ancient and Modern Universal History; Varillas’ Historical Works;
Vertot’s Revolutions of Europe; Wanley’s Wonders of the Little World;
Warcup’s Italy; Warren’s Surinam; Wentworth’s Australasia; Wilkinson’s
Egypt; Wilson’s Egypt; Wood’s Palmyra; and Wormii Monumenta Danica.
While on this subject, I may notice the Voyage d’Anarcharse; Harris’
Voyages; Churchill’s Voyages; the Voyages of Anson, Cooke, Dampier,
Drake, Hakluyt, Hacke, Pallas, Parry, Perouse, Ross, Spon and Wheler,
Tavernier, Thevenot, Tournefort, and Vancouver; the Travels of Bruce,
Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sandys, Sonnini, Volney, Weld, Chardin, and
Maundrell; Belzoni’s Egypt; Bembo, Rerum Venetarum Historia; Crantz’
Moravians; Burton’s Rome; Grævius and Gronovius, Thesaurus Antiquitatum
Græcarum et Romanarum; Flinders’ Australia; Foppens’ Bibliotheca Belgica;
Freher’s Historical Works; Gell’s Greece, Pompeiana and Rome; Gruteri
Inscriptiones; Hall’s Loo Choo; Hamilton’s Asia Minor; Houel et Saint
Non; Voyage Pittoresque en Sicile; Ludolf’s Æthiopia; Major’s Pæstum;
Norton’s Germany; the Countess of Sutherland’s Views in Orkney; Purchas’
Pilgrims; Roy’s Roman Antiquities; Rous, Archæologia Attica; Salt’s
Abyssinia; Santos’ Escuriale; Stanhope’s Olympia; Stuart’s Athens; Symes’
Ava; Vyse’s Pyramids; and La Borde’s Voyage Pittoresque en Suisse.
The Works on Heraldry include the History of the Earldom of Sutherland;
Archdall’s Irish Peerage; Carter’s Analysis of Honor; the Stemmata
Chicheleana; Collins’ Peerage; Crawford’s Scottish Peerage; Edmondson’s
Heraldry; Guillims’ Heraldry; Holmes’ Academy of Armory; Leigh’s Armory;
Madox’s Baronia Anglica; Morgan’s Sphere of Gentry; Ashmole’s Order of
the Garter; and Selden’s Titles of Honor.
The Geographical Works comprise Cluverii Geographia Antiqua; Ortelii
Thesaurus Geographicus; Peutingeri Tabula; Rennell’s Geography of
Herodotus; Sanson’s Geographical Works; Wells’s Geography; Wilde’s
General Atlas; and D’Anville and Pinkerton’s Geography.
The Works on Astronomy include those of Blundeville, Delambre, Galileo,
Copernicus, Bonatus, Bonnycastle, Lalande, Laplace, Leibnitz, Maskelyne,
Newton, Tycho Brahe and Bailey; Herschel’s Catalogue of Stars; Hevelii
Machina Cœlestis; Vince’s Astronomy; and the Histoire de l’Astronomie
Ancienne et Moderne of Bailly.
The Mathematical department includes the Works of Archimedes, Kepler,
Lacroix, Laplace, Lanoy, Leybourn, Maclaurin, Oughtred, Schooten, Schott,
Saunderson, Simson, Wells, Wallis, and Ward; Waring’s Algebra; and
Hutton’s Mathematical Dictionary.
The Numismatic Publications comprise Hirsch, Bibliotheca Numismatica;
Numismata Pembrochiana, & Imperatorum & Pontificum Romanorum of Bonanni;
Arbuthnot’s Coins; Budæus de Asse; Palin, Eckhel, and Gesner, Numismata;
Harduini Numismata; Ducarel’s Anglo-Norman Coins; Ruding’s Coinage; Lord
Liverpool on Coins; Snelling’s Coinage; Vaillant, Numismata; Pinkerton’s
Medals; Stukeley’s Medallic History of Carausius; and the Medallic
History of England.
This Library was greatly enriched by Dean Aldrich, especially in works
of Architecture, and Archæology, including the Fine Arts. Of these it
may suffice to mention Bartoli, Antiquitates Romanæ; Hamilton’s Vases;
Galeria Farnese, Museum Florentinum; the Marlborough Gems; Herculanensium
Voluminum, Neapoli, 1793-1809, folio; Chandler’s Ionian Antiquities;
Marmora Arundeliana; Montfaucon’s Antiquities; Gorii Museum Etruscum;
Visconti, Museo Pio-Clementino; Museo Fiorentino, & Pisano; Palladio’s
Architecture; Cesio, Palazzi di Roma, folio; Antiquities of Palmyra;
Rubens, Palazzi di Genova, folio; the Architectural Works of Scamozzi and
Vitruvius, and those of Winckelmann; Caylus’s Egyptian Antiquities, and
the Antiquitate d’Ercolano.
The works on Natural History and Philosophy comprehend those of
Aldrovandus, Borellus, Gesner, Keill’s Natural History; Aiton’s Hortus
Kewensis; Clusii Plantæ Rariores; Bocconis Plantæ Siciliæ; Gerard’s
Herball; Grew’s Anatomy of Plants; Dillenii Historia Muscorum; Dodonæi
Historia Stirpium; Haller, Bibliotheca Britannica; Hortus’ Eystettensis,
1640, folio; Houston, Plantæ Americanæ; Hudson’s Flora Anglica; Loudon’s
Arboretum; Morisoni Historia Plantarum; Parkinson’s Herbal; Ray’s
Catalogus Plantarum, and other works; Rousseau’s Botany; Withering’s
Botanical Arrangement, 1796; Bewick’s Quadrupeds; Block’s Ichthyology;
Bochart’s Hierozoicon; Buffon’s Natural History; the Encyclopædie
des Sciences, 33 vols. folio, 1751; Gravesande’s Natural Philosophy;
Descartes, Du Hamel & Hobbes, Opera Philosophica; Donovan’s Birds,
Insects, Shells, Fishes, and Quadrupeds; Jonstoni Historia Naturalis;
Lacepede’s Natural History; Latham’s Birds; Markham’s Husbandry; Miller’s
Gardener’s Dictionary; Salvianus de Piscibus; Shaw’s Zoology; Thomson’s
Chemistry; Vesalii Opera Anatomica; Willoughby’s Ornithology; Shaw
and Nodder’s Naturalist’s Miscellany; Buckland’s Reliquiæ Diluvianæ;
Kidd’s and Kirwan’s Mineralogy; Rashleigh’s British Minerals; Waller’s
Mineralogy; Whiston and Woodward’s Theory of the Earth; and the
Transactions of the Linnæan Society.
Of Medical Works we find those of Avicenna, Baccius, Boerhaave, Cardanus,
Harvey, Hoffmann, Lister, Mead, Quincy, Schenck, Sydenham, Willis, and
Zahn; also Medicæ Artis Principes, by the Stephens.
The Law Books as might be expected are few in number, among which I
may notice Burn’s Ecclesiastical Law; Bracton de Legibus; the Corpus
Juris Civilis & Canonici; Corvinus de Jurisprudentâ Romanorum; Coke’s
Institutes; Comyn’s Digest; Blackstone’s Commentaries; Blount’s Law
Dictionary; Gesner’s Pandects; Sir Matthew Hale’s Works; Heineccius
de Legibus; Jacob’s Law Dictionary; Keble’s Statutes; Noy’s, Vesey’s,
and other Reports; Puffendorf’s Works; Reeves’ English Law; Spencer de
Legibus Hebræorum; the Statutes at large; Suarez de Legibus; Tomlin’s
Repertorium Juridicum; Vattel’s Law of Nations; Wottoni Leges Wallicæ,
and Zouch, de Jure Civili.
The Miscellaneous Literature of England is well represented in this
Collection; in proof of which I may enumerate the works of Addison,
Bacon, Boyle, Beattie, Buchanan, Burke, Burnet, Chaucer, Cowley, Darwin,
Harrington, Sir William Jones, Locke, Lord Lyttleton, Milton, Otway,
Pope, Sir Charles Sedley, Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham, Sir Philip
Sidney, Swift, Sir William Temple, Taylor the Water Poet, Walpole,
Sir Thomas Wyatt, Charles the First, Sir Simon D’Ewes, Du Bartas, Sir
Thomas More, and Lord Herbert of Cherbury; Gower’s Confessio Amantis, by
Berthelet, 1532, folio; Blount’s Censura; Berkeley’s Minute Philosopher;
Bochas’ Tragedies, by Lidgate; Boswell’s Johnson; Butler’s Analogy;
Butler’s Hudibras; Davies’ Celtic Researches; Doddington’s Diary;
Gladstone’s Church and State; Hales’ Remains; Heber’s Journals; Life of
Jeremy Taylor; Heywood’s Plays; Howard Earl of Surrey Works, by Nott;
Howel’s Letters; Ben Jonson and Massinger’s Plays, by Gifford; Lydgate’s
Poems; Mackenzie’s Scots Writers; Maurice’s Indian Antiquities; Malcolm’s
Life of Lord Clive; Napier and Southey’s Peninsular War; Nichols’
Literary Anecdotes; Northumberland Household Book; Nicolas’ Testamenta
Vetusta; Otter’s Life of Clarke; Parival’s Iron Age; Pegge’s Curialia;
Percy’s English Poetry; Prior’s Poems; Rowley’s Poems; Sanderson’s Lives;
Shaftesbury’s Characteristics; Shakespeare’s Plays, the fourth edition of
1685, folio, and Malone’s edition; Moore’s Life of Sheridan; Spenser’s
Works, 1679, folio; Sprat’s History of the Royal Society; Stanley’s
History of Philosophy; Dugald Stewart’s Philosophical Essays; Tooke’s
Diversions of Purley; Todd’s Life of Walton; Tomline’s Life of Pitt;
Twiss’ Life of Eldon; Walton’s Angler; Warton’s English Poetry; Willis’
Notitia Parliamentaria; Wood’s Athenæ Oxonienses; Wren’s Parentalia;
Yarranton’s England’s Improvement; Yorke’s Tribes of Wales; Young’s Night
Thoughts; Evelyn’s Sylva; and Harris’ Hermes.
In Foreign Literature the list is much less extensive, comprising the
Works of Aretus, Ariosto, Boileau, La Bruyere, Corneille, Grotius,
Quevedo, Rabelais, Racine, and Machiavelli, Brumoy, Theatre du Grecs;
Guarini, Pastor Fido; Heinsii Poemata; D’Herbelot, Bibliotheque
Orientale; Rollin, Belles Lettres; Sevigne’s Letters; Tasso by Fairfax;
Fénélon’s Telemaque; Voltaire’s Henriade; and Cervantes’ Don Quixote.
Of Bibliographical Works I noticed, Cotton’s Typographical Gazetteer; the
Blandford, Spencer, and Sion College, Cotton and Bodleian Catalogues,
and that of Heinsius; the Bibliothéque du Roi; Bibliothecæ Regiæ
Catalogus; Yalensis Collegii Catalogus; Renouard’s Annales des Aldes;
Barbier Dictionnaire des Anonymes; Bandinii Catalogus Codicum, &c.;
Baillet, Jugemens des Scavans; Assemanni Bibliothéque Orientale; Fabricii
Bibliotheca Ecclesiastica; Brucker, Historia Critica; Catalogue of
Manuscripts at Lambeth, and in the Vatican; and Ebert’s Bibliographical
Dictionary; De Rossi Annales Hebræo-Typographici; Orme’s Bibliotheca
Biblica; Audiffredi, Catalogus Romanarum Editionum; Brunet’s Manuel;
Debure, Bibliographie Instructive & Catalogue de la Valliere; Harles,
Notitia Litteraria; Maittaire and Panzer, Annales Typographici; Marsden’s
Catalogue of Dictionaries; Peignot’s Bibliographical Works; Bouterwek’s
Spanish Literature; Dunlop, Roman Literature; Dibdin’s Typographical
Antiquities, and Library Companion; and Vogt, Catalogus Librorum.
The Chronological Works include Bedford’s Scripture; L’Art de verifier
les Dates; Blair’s, Hales’ and Cary’s Chronology; Corsini, Fasti Attici;
Petavii Doctrina Temporum Funcii; and Strauchii Chronologia.
This Collection also contains Musicæ Antiquæ Auctores; the Asiatic
Researches; Burney’s History of Music; Hartley on Man; Hatsell’s
Precedents; Parliamentary History, 24 vols. 8vo.; Journals of the
Lords and Commons; Bartsch, Peintre Graveur; Bromley’s Catalogue
of Engraved Portraits; James’ Schools of Painting; Mabillon de Re
Diplomaticâ; Anderson’s Diplomata Scotiæ; Marten’s Traités de la
Paix; Morhof, Polyhistor; Ottley’s History of Engraving; Pilkington’s
Dictionary of Painters; Stosch, Peintre Graveur; Strutt’s Dictionary of
Engravers; Vasari Vite di Pittori; Musæ Etonenses; Carmina Oxoniensia
Quadragesimalia; Sannazarii Poemata; Anthologia Græca; and the Nugæ
Metricæ.
The Translations from the Classics are chiefly those of Dacier, Pope,
Chapman and Ogilby’s Homer; Ogilby, Gawin Douglas’s Virgil; Middleton’s
Cicero; and Flaxman’s Homer.
We also find on these Shelves Poliphili Hypnerotomyomachia, 1545, folio;
Schola Salernitana; Selden’s Works by Wilkins; Sirmondi, Concilia
Gallica; Spinosa Opera Posthuma; Sylloge Epistolarum; Vegetius de Re
Militari; Vincentii Speculum; Boethius de Consolatione Philosophiæ;
Critici Sacri; Bos Ellipses; Orphica, Orphei Argonautica; Justiniani
Institutiones; and Wolfii Bibliotheca Hebræa.
It only remains to notice the works of Abulfeda, Agricola, Agrippa,
Albertus, Aldrich, Alcuin, Bartolious, Bernaldus, Beddoes, Black,
Blaeu, Boissardus, Bonaventura, Brevint, Bridge, T. Brown, Buchanan,
Burscough, Bullinger, Cantarenus, De la Valle, Emerson, Allatius,
Apianus, Archimedes, Cleomedes, Philoponus, Theognis, Arian, Barnabas,
Davenant, Ferguson, Canisius, Ursinus, Turnebus, Aurelius Victor,
Victorius, Vigorius, Muretus, Gyraldus, Hornius, Hugenius, Mercator,
Meursius, Semler, Johannes Sarisburiensis, Pontanus, Puteanus, Procopius,
Ruhnken, Scarron, and Scudery, Catalogues of the Hunterian and British
Museums; Bohun’s Dictionary; Lettres Edifiantes et Curieuses; Bergier,
Grands Chemins Romains; Vitruvius Britannicus; Chandler’s Marmora
Oxoniensia; Chambers’ Cyclopædia; the Nuremberg Chronicle; Chronicon
Alexandrinum; Cresswell’s Geometry; the Letters of Junius; Lavater’s
Physiognomy; Zosimi Historia; Talmud Babylonicum; Sale’s Koran;
Scriptorum Veterum Collectio Vaticana, 4to.; Zabarella, Opera Logica;
Weever’s Funeral Monuments; the Annual Register; Barclay’s Argenis;
Barruel’s Memoirs of Jacobinism; Bryant’s Mythology; the Publications
of the Record Commission; Enchiridion Theologicum; Gale’s Court of the
Gentiles; Vavassoris Opera Critica; Mythographi Latini; the Historical
Works of Olaus Magnus; the Works of Ossian; Horapollonis Hieroglyphica;
Inman’s Navigation; Malleus Maleficarum; Struvii Bibliotheca Selecta;
Sanderi Bibliotheca Belgica; Saxii Onomasticon Litterarium; the Works of
Lipsius; Scaliger’s Critical Works; Porsoni Adversaria; Potter’s Grecian
Antiquities; Pezron, Antiquitates Celticæ; Pharmacopeia Londinensis;
the Quarterly Review; Reid on the Human Mind; the Historical Works of
Reineccius; Pole’s Synopsis; Scholtz, Lexicon Egyptiacum; and Helvici
Theatrum Historicum.
The Gift Book kept in this Library is dated 1614. The principal donors
appear to have been Aldrich, Morris, Nicholson, Orrery, Stratford, and
Wake, with many others who, by donations of books, have testified their
grateful remembrance of the place of their common education.
[Illustration]
Library of Peterborough.
A church having been dedicated to St. Peter by the first Christian
kings of Mercia at Medeshamstede, that place was thenceforward called
Peterborough. The Monastery there begun in 655-6, and completed in 664,
was utterly destroyed by the Danes in 870, but re-edified in 870 by S.
Adelwold, Bishop of Winchester. From this time the Abbey continued in
great magnificence till the general dissolution of the religious houses,
when, happily escaping, it was converted into a Cathedral Church, and all
its buildings were preserved. It is said that Henry VIII. was induced
to spare this church for the sake of his Queen Catherine, whose mortal
remains lie within its walls. By this means it continued entire till the
second havoc of religious structures in the Great Rebellion, when the
Cloisters, Chapter House, Library, Bishop’s Hall and Chapel, formerly
belonging to the Abbot were utterly demolished; and the Chapel of our
Lady adjoining to the Abbey, being much out of repair, was taken down
by the townsmen, who prevailed to have the rest of the building made
parochial, which for that end, they had repaired with great expense.[52]
John Chambers was the last Abbot of Peterborough. He surrendered the
Abbey to the king A.D. 1539, and had a pension of 266_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._
per annum assigned him. Soon after, king Henry VIII. made the Abbey an
Episcopal See, appointed by dotation dated 4 Sept. A.D. 1541: the said
John Chambers, the first Bishop, who was consecrated 23 Oct. A.D. 1541.
He died about the month of December A.D. 1556, and was buried in this
Cathedral.[53]
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Peterborough occupies a small
chapel, with a carved oaken ceiling, over which is a stone roof, and
around which are open shelves rising to the height of the room. This
little chapel is said to owe its erection to an endeavour on the part
of the architect of this elegant fabric, to conceal the defect of the
middle arch in the façade of the building being smaller than the lateral
ones. This expedient appears to satisfy the eye, while its situation in
the portico of the temple, makes it an appropriate repository for the
treasures of human learning. It appears, however, that the Library was
not always kept in this place, for in a Journal of a Tour through the
North of England and Scotland in 1704,[54] the author, speaking of this
Cathedral says, “In the east end beyond the altar is a good library.”
That our traveller’s epithet was not altogether misapplied it will be the
object of the following pages to show, though of course the theological
works of the fathers, and early controversialists must form a prominent
feature in this hasty sketch.
An interleaved copy of the Catalogue of the Bodleian Library of 1674, in
2 folio volumes, lettered on the sides “Catalogus Bibliothecæ Ecclesiæ,
Cathedralis Petroburgensis,” wherein the books of this Collection are
marked with reference to the shelves, and the additions thereto inserted
on the blank pages, is the only Catalogue at present extant of this
Library. At the end of the manuscript additions to this Catalogue is the
date of 1726. This clumsy expedient may probably be soon abandoned, as
several lists of the books compiled by the late Librarian indicate an
approach to a better method, though I regret to add this plan is still
pursued in the noble Library of Trinity College in Cambridge.
Among the Works of Divinity in this Collection, those of the Fathers of
the Church lay first claim to our notice. These are the works of S.S.
Ambrose, Augustine, Athanasius, Bernard, Chrysostom, Cyprian, Jerome,
Hilary, Isidore, Irenæus, Theodoret, and Theophylact.
Among the earlier Theologians, we may mention the Works of Anselm, Thomas
Aquinas, Martin Bucer, Bullinger, Calvin, Bellarmine, Theodore Beza, Le
Clerc, Erasmus, Gregory Nazianzen, Thomas à Kempis, and Pope Gregory; of
Grotius, Luther, Melancthon, Peter Martyr, Origen, Socinus, Philo Judæus,
Lactantius, Wolfius, and Zanchius, to which may be added, Arminii Opera
Theologica, and Bulli Opera Omnia.
Of English Divines this Library possesses the Works of Bishop Andrews,
Bilson, Boys, Bramhall, Barlow, Baxter, Samuel Clarke, Cranmer, Hall,
Hacket, Hammond, Hody, Hoadley, Hooper, Hopkins, Kettlewell, Jackson,
Pierce, Leslie, Reynolds, Stapleton, Sanderson, Jeremy Taylor, Tillotson,
Waterland, Whiston, Whitaker, White, and Whitgift. To which may be
added, Jewel’s Works of 1609 in folio; Burkitt’s Exposition of the New
Testament; Pearson on the Creed; Mede on Daniel, Scott’s Christian Life;
Nichols and Sparrow on the Common Prayer; Wake’s Catechism, and Epistles
of the Apostolical Fathers; Wilkins on Natural Religion; Warburton’s
Divine Legation; and the Whole Duty of Man.
The editions of the Sacred Scriptures in this Library comprise the
well-known Polyglott Bible of Walton, with the important adjunct of
Castell’s Lexicon; the English Versions of 1540, 1551, and 1578, all in
folio, together with the English Bible of 1599, interleaved, in three
folio volumes; the Oxford Edition of 1685, in folio, and the Cambridge
Edition of 1679, in 4to.
Of Latin Bibles I may here mention the
Biblia Latina, Castalionis. Basileæ, 1573.
Biblia Latina, Junii. 1596, 4to. and 1618, 4to. &
Biblia Latina. Antverpiæ, 1569, & Parisiis, 1528.
I also noticed the
Biblia Hebraica, Græca, et Latina. Heidelbergæ, 1599, folio.
The Biblia Hebraica. Venetiis, 1525. &
The Biblia Græca, juxta LXX, edente Grabe. Oxonii, 1707, in 2
volumes folio.
To which I may add, among other Editions of the New Testament, that
edited by Mill at Oxford in 1707.
In this place it is right to notice the various Concordances, Harmonies,
and Commentaries upon the Scriptures, as well as Confessions of Faith,
found in this Library; though to specify them minutely would fatigue the
reader.
It may suffice to mention more particularly Leigh’s Critica Sacra;
Limborch’s Theologia Christiana; the Commentaries of Lyra; Cave’s
Primitive Christianity; Cotelerii Patres Apostolici; Du Pin’s Bibliotheca
Veterum Patrum; the Works of Ramus, Raynaudus, and Rivetus, and Calmet’s
Dictionary of the Bible.
To Books of Homilies, and Catechisms, and various Rituals, may be added
the Graduale Romanum, Parisiis, 1640; Durandi Rationale Divinorum
Officiorum; Missale Romanum, Antverpiæ, 1686, cum figuris pulcherrimis,
in folio, being a noble volume from the Press of the illustrious Plantin;
and the Book of Common Prayer printed at Cambridge in 1669, in 4to.; to
which may be added various editions of the Psalter.
In Ecclesiastical History, Reports of the various Councils, including the
Acta Synodi, Dordracensis, and Brent’s History of the Council of Trent,
are here found in juxta-position with Gibson’s Codex Juris Ecclesiastici
et Civilis; the Codex Canonum of Beveridge; the Ecclesiastical History
of Eusebius by Hanmer; Brandt’s History of the Reformation in the Low
Countries; the Codex and Institutiones of Justinian; the Legenda Aurea;
and Hooker’s Ecclesiastical Polity.
Of Books relating to the Church affairs of Britain, this Library
embraces Parker’s Antiquitates Ecclesiæ Britannicæ, Hanoviæ, 1605,
folio; Bedæ Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum; Fox’s Acts and
Monuments, London, 1583, 4to.; Godwin, de Præsulibus Angliæ, and the
Catalogue of Bishops; Burnett’s History of the Reformation; Durell,
Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ Vindiciæ; Heylin’s History of the Reformation; Inett’s
Origines Anglicanæ; Stillingfleet’s Origines; Usser, Britannicæ Ecclesiæ
Antiquitates, Eblanæ, 1639, and Wharton’s Anglia Sacra.
Of General History there are but few volumes in this Collection: of these
the first in point of time and curiosity is the well-known Nuremberg
Chronicle of 1493, in folio; to which Dibdin has devoted sixteen pages of
the Spencer Catalogue. Next in point of interest as to time is the St.
Albans’ Chronicle, printed by Wynkyn de Worde in 1520. To these may be
added, Carionis Chronicon, and Robinsoni Annales Mundi.
Of Histories of different Countries we find on these shelves Asheton’s
Turkish Chronicle; Blount’s Portugal; Grimstone’s Netherlands; Howel’s
Germany; Mariana’s History of Spain; Scheffer’s Lapland; and Danett’s
History of the Low Countries.
Of Voyages and Travels we find only those of Sandys, Thevenot, and Drake;
Hakluyt’s Voyages, 1599, folio; Sir Thomas Herbert’s Travels in the East,
1630, folio; and Chardin’s Travels in Persia, 1686, and several Atlasses.
Chronological Works, which afford the most material aid to the historical
student, occur less sparingly in this Collection, since it is found
to contain only Cary’s Palæologia; Chronologia; Marshall and Lloyd’s
Chronological Tables; and Helvici Chronologia.
I may here mention Bayle’s Dictionary; Cluvierius, Geography; and
Prideaux’s Marmora Oxoniensia, as all affording helps to History.
Of Heraldry, whose language though limited is distinct, we find in this
Library, Leigh’s Accidence of Armoury, of 1597; Bolton’s Elements of
Armories, 1610, 4to.; and Boswell’s Accidence of Armory, 1672, 4to.;
works which were all written when the art of Blazon was extensively
cultivated as a science.
A large paper copy of Sparke’s Historia S. Cœnobii Burgensis Scriptores,
Londini, 1723, folio, and a copy of Gunton’s Peterborough Cathedral,
enriched with the Manuscript Notes of Bishop Kennett, are taken under the
especial protection of the dean and chapter of that see.
In the Library, however, is left a small paper copy of Sparke’s
Collection, which leads me to mention Twysden’s Historiæ Anglicanæ
Scriptores Decem, and other works relating to the History of England.
Among these we find the Chronicles of Baker and Cooper; Echard’s History
of England, and three editions of Camden’s Britannia, by the author in
1590, 8vo., by Holland in 1610, folio, and by Gibson in 1695, in folio;
Blome’s Britannia, 1673; Ogilby’s Britannia; Whitelock’s Memorials,
1709, folio; Clarendon’s History of the Great Rebellion; Weldon’s Life
of Charles I.; May’s History of the Parliament of 1647; Bates’ Elenchus
Motuum Nuperorum in Angliâ, edited by Skinner, referring to the same
period in Dugdale’s View of the late Troubles, 1681, and Leycester’s rare
Commonwealth, also deposited in this chamber.
To these may be added Daniell’s History of England, including his
graphic account of the Wars of the Roses; Wyat’s Rebellion, by Proctor;
Barnes’ History of Edward III.; Herbert’s Life of Henry VIII. 1649;
Cox’s History of Ireland; Lloyd’s History of Wales; Kennett’s History of
England, London, 1719, in 3 volumes folio, and his Historical Register of
1728, in folio;[55] Stafford’s Pacata Hibernica; Sheringham, de Origine
Gentis Anglorum; Polydori Vergilii Historia Anglicana; Tyrrell’s History
of England; and Sir William Temple’s Introduction to the History of
England.
I may here also notice Warner’s Albion’s England; Camden’s Remains
concerning Britain; and Yarranton’s England’s Improvement by Sea and
Land, &c.
Of Local Histories of England, this Collection comprehends, Bentham’s
Ely; Bridges’ Northamptonshire; Peck’s Stamford; Ayliffe’s Oxford;
Gunton’s Peterborough; Bentley’s Halifax; Hill’s Hereford Cathedral,
London, 1717, 8vo.; Lewis’ Isle of Thanet; Fitz Stephens’ Survey of
London; Lambarde’s Perambulation of Kent; Morton’s Natural History of
Northamptonshire; Somner’s Roman Ports and Forts in Kent; Some Account of
the Scarborough Spaw in 1667; Willis’ Cathedrals; and Wright’s Rutland.
Connected with English History, and therefore deserving of a passing
remark are, Barwick’s Life of Barwick; Knight’s Life of Colet; the Life
of Wallace; and Le Neve’s Monumenta; Fasti Anglicani, and Lives of P— Q—;
Nevyllus de furoribus Norfolcensium Ketto duce; Bernard’s Life of Usher;
Sacheverell’s Tryal; Sir Philip Warwick’s Discourse of Governments; and
the Records of the Kingdom published by the authority of Parliament.
Pursuing the path of English Literature we meet with the Philosophical
and Theological Works of Sir Thomas More, including the edition of his
English Works in 1557, and the folio tome of his Latin productions.
To these I may add Baconi Opera Omnia, Francofurti, 1660, folio; Boyle’s
Works, abridged by Boulton; Barclay’s Apology; the Remains of Parsons,
Bishop of Peterborough; the Works of Charles the First, together with the
famous Εικων Βασιλικη; and Coverdale’s Letters of the Martyrs, 1614.
Of English Poesy the chaplet to be woven is but small; the curious reader
may however cull such flowers as the Works of Chaucer and of Milton;
Heywood’s Spider and Flie, 1536; Churchyard’s Challenge; and the Vision
of Pierce Plowman, may yield.
He may also derive instruction from Puttenham’s Art of English Poetry,
published in 1589 in 4to. a work of which the original is still the most
esteemed edition.
Herbs, which savour of the Physic Garden next invite the hand of the
Collector, who may here behold Arnoldi Herbolarium, in 4to.; Ascham’s
Herbal of 1550, in 8vo.; Andrew Borde’s Breviary of Health, &c.;
Culpepper’s Physical Directory; Lite’s History of Plants; and Tusser’s
Husbandry, with that of Barnaby Googe.
I may here notice a copy of Bartholomæus de Proprietatibus Rerum,
printed at London in 1635, in folio.
The Classical authors contained in this Library are not remarkable either
for their rarity or value.
I remarked however a very fine copy of Casaubon’s Polybius; the Works of
Aristotle, edited by Du Val and Erasmus; Aristophanis Comœdiæ, printed at
Basle in 1542, and at Franckfort in 1544; Antoninus, Gatakeri; Athenæus,
Dalecampii; Epictetus, Uptoni; Barnes’ Euripides; Florus, Grævii; Galeni
Opera, Venetiis, apud Aldum, 1525; Geoponica, by Needham; Hesiodus,
Robinsoni, Oxonii, 1737, 4to.; Herodotus, edited by Stephens and by
Gale; Quintus Curtius, Basileæ, 1545; Diogenes Laertius, Meibomii; and
Dionysius Halicarnassensis, Hudsoni.
I also noticed Longinus, by Pearce; Homerus Spondani, Basileæ, 1583;
Horatius, Delphini; Iamblichus, edited by Gale; Isocratis Epistolæ,
Venetiis, 1499, folio; Juvenalis Satyræ, Venetiis, 1548, folio; and
Antverpiæ, 1552, 8vo.; Planti Comœdiæ, 1530; the Aldine Statius;
Thucydides Hudsoni; Xenophontis Opera Stephani; and the Corpus Poetarum
Latinorum, printed at London, in 1603.
If to the Works already enumerated, be added various editions of Cæsar,
Cicero, Æsop, Catullus, Tibullus, and Propertius, of Demosthenes,
Hippocrates, Josephus, Ovid, Persius, Philostratus, Plutarch, Lucian,
Lucretius, Lucan, Livy, Quintilian, Sallust, and Silius Italicus, of
Seneca, Sophocles, Suetonius, Tacitus, Terence, Virgil, and Valerius
Maximus; the classical scholar may form a tolerably correct notion of
the value of this department of the Library of the Dean and Chapter of
Peterborough.
In this place I may venture to insert the English versions of the
classics which also find a place on these shelves. Of these, Appian in
English, London, 1578, 4to.; Phaer’s Virgil; and Chapman’s Homer, are the
most remarkable.
I may here briefly enumerate Buxtorf’s Hebrew Lexicon; Du Fresne’s
Glossary; Eliot’s Bibliotheca, 1545; Hickes’ Thesaurus Septentrionalis;
the Lexica of Hoffmanni and Scapula; Littleton’s, Rider’s, and Stephens’
English Dictionary; with some other Works of like nature, as constituting
the Etymological riches of this Collection.
Here also it may be proper to notice Bentley’s Dissertation on the
Epistles of Phalaris; Whittinton’s Grammatical Tracts; some Pieces of the
learned Vossius, and the Works of Picus of Mirandula.
In Bibliography, the only works which fell under my observation were
the Acta Eruditorum; Balei Scriptores Rerum Britannicarum, Basileæ,
1559; Fabricii Bibliotheca Latina; Cave’s Historia Literaria; Catalogus
Librorum ab inventâ Typographiâ ad annum 1500, excusorum, Amstelodami,
1688, 4to.; Clavel’s Catalogue of English Books from 1660 to 1680; Sixti
Senensis Bibliotheca Sancta; and Stanley’s History of Philosophy.
In English Literature, this collection is lamentably deficient, though
it possesses the Works of Locke, Isaac Barrow’s Mathematical Works;
Cumberland’s Origines Gentium, &c.; Hale’s Remains; the Works of
Cartwright, Ridley, Hobbes, and Rogers; Sprat’s History of the Royal
Society; Numerous Sermons, and many political as well as polemical Tracts.
Of Law Books, I only remarked Bracton de Legibus Anglorum; Fortescue
de Laudibus Legum Angliæ; Suarez de Legibus; and a few of the Statutes
themselves.
Of Miscellaneous Literature, there only remains for me to notice the
Works of Agricola, Ariosto, Petrarch, Machiavel, and Tasso, of Buchanan,
Bossuet, and Puffendorf, together with Boezio, della Consolazione
Filosofie, Florence, 1584; Hyde, Religio Veterum Persarum; Jovii Vitæ
Virorum Illustrium; and Platina, Vitæ Pontificum.
In conclusion I would direct the attention of the bibliopolist to
a specimen of a printer but little known, being the Provinciale of
Lyndewode, printed at London by Andree Brocard, in 1597, folio, in double
columns of the gothic letter; though the fortuitous similarity of name
may serve only to remind the votary of fashion of the bright illusion of
the dance, while still before his mental eye
“Soft sparkling like a star
Floats on her silver wing Brocard.”—_May Fair._
The important changes effected at the Reformation, were by no means so
disastrous to existing interests as is now commonly imagined, since,
in many instances the abbot of the ancient hierarchy became the bishop
of the reformed church. At Peterborough, the beneficial effects of the
sweeping measures of ecclesiastical reform under our Eighth Henry, were
felt in so especial a manner, that the town was at once elevated to the
rank and importance of a city in consequence of the conversion of the
ancient monastery into the cathedral see.
The remains, however, of the Conventual Library probably suffered more
from the rude hands of Cromwell’s soldiery, than from the previous
transition from the desks of the monks to the shelves of the clergy.
The books are chiefly theological, consisting of the fathers and early
controversialists, and adorned by a folio Missal from the press of
Plantin.
On the shelves of the Library of this Cathedral, there still remain
some interesting memorials of the Monastic Collection. Among these I
particularly noticed the Bible in Manuscript, finely illuminated, and the
Four Gospels, by Clement of Lanthony in 4to.
To these may be added, Manuscripts of the Works of Saints Augustine, and
Bernard; some Books of Homilies; the Liber Sententiarum Latinè, in 4to.;
and the Constitutiones Provinciales, in 8vo.
The most valuable and interesting Record connected with the Church of
Peterborough is the Lieger Book of the Church, a Chronicle composed by
Hugo surnamed Candidus, a Monk of that Monastery, but usually ascribed to
Robert Swapham,[56] a Monk of the same Church. This book was rescued from
destruction by the soldiers of Cromwell’s army April 22, 1643, by Mr.
Humfrey Austin, then chaunter of the Church, who redeemed it by the help
of ten shillings “for that old Latine Bible,” as he called it, given to
the ruffian who was carrying it away.[57]
The Books which had survived the dissolution of the Monastery, perished
in the Great Rebellion, and but few of them have been preserved to our
own times. The Catalogue printed in Gunton’s History of the Church of
Peterburgh, London, 1686, in folio, under the title of “Matricularium
Librariæ Monasterii Burgi Sancti Petri, paucis libris non examinatis,”
is therefore of much importance, as shewing the nature and extent of the
monastic Library of Peterborough in its original state.
“I shall here present,” says our author, “an Ancient Catalogue of a
Library in this Monastery, which, having no date annexed to it, must be
left to conjecture when it might be taken. The marginal illustrations I
have taken out of Bellarmine Pitseus, and Trithemius, and affixed them
thereunto.”
This Catalogue occupies 26 leaves, extending from pp. 173 to 224 of the
Appendix. Its contents are chiefly the moral and devotional writings of
the fathers, commentators, and early schoolmen, the canon-law, the Latin
Classics, with some pieces of Aristotle, a few chronicles, and legends.
Leland’s Notice of the Library of this House, in his Collectanea,
is either very imperfect, or it must have lost many of its books
previous to his visitation. He enumerates only fifteen works, of which
the following only are historical; Passio Sanctorum Wolfadi et Rufini
filiorum Regis Wolpheri; Vita S. Eustachii carmine heroico; Liber
Epistolarum Gulielmi de Semperingham; Vita Gisleni Episcopi Græci; Vita
Felicis eleganti carmine scripta; and Freculphi Historia.
The last article in the Catalogue printed by Gunton, after an enumeration
of some works in the romance language, is a “Computatio annorum ab initio
mundi usque ad tempore Edwardi filii Regis Edwardi;” probably Edward the
Second; in which case the compilation of this Catalogue could not have
been earlier than 1317.
Dr. White Kennett, Dean and afterwards Bishop of Peterborough,
contributed fifteen hundred volumes to form an antiquarian and historical
Library for his Cathedral Church. The Catalogue of this Collection
is entitled “Index Librorum aliquot Vetustorum quos in commune bonum
congessit W. K. Decan. Petriburg. MDCCXII.”[58]
[Illustration]
Library of Ripon Minster.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Ripon affords a pleasing instance
of the proper appreciation of “the tomes of olden time;” for the Books,
which were long suffered to lie neglected in the Church, are now
preserved with commendable attention under the hospitable roof of the
Deanery.
Many volumes, indeed, were so much decayed, from the dampness of their
former repository, that their mouldering fragments were not worth
removal; but other volumes, including probably some classic authors, may
still remain in the Library, and upon some future investigation may be
restored, but little injured, to their companions, wherefore it is not
possible to ascertain the exact amount of its contents.
I may add, however, my best wishes that the laudable desire manifested
by the present Dean for the restoration of the ancient Library in the
Church, may be gratified at no distant period, seeing that this is all
that is wanted to render the restoration of that sacred edifice, under
his judicious direction, full and complete.
I may here also remark how much the skill of Mr. Blore has contributed
to adorn the screen and the choir of this ancient Minster, and it
only remains for him to give the world one of his own beautiful
representations of the scene to convince any one that I am not
exaggerating its renovated appearance.
But to return to the “dear bokes” now comfortably reposing in the Dean’s
own study.
The Collection was formed by Anthony Higgins, Dean of Ripon in 1608, and
consists chiefly of Works which in his time were new publications, and
as it happens to have been preserved entire with but little admixture
of any subsequent donations, it affords an interesting specimen of the
literature of that period.
That this Library was not large is no reproach to the worthy donor,
whose autograph, accompanied occasionally by the price of the volume,
frequently appears on the titles of his books, for he gave to his church
all the literary treasures he possessed, and, as Moore sings, “he could
no more.”
I shall proceed to give those specimens of the early English Printers
which most forcibly arrested my attention, and am most happy to begin
with the Father of the English Press. The first is of almost unparalleled
rarity, the only other copy of which I am at present cognisant being
that in the noble library of Earl Spencer. This is the famous “Book
for Travellers,” whose Eureka may be heard in the gossiping pages of
the Bibliographical Decameron. This Book for Travellers in Frensshe
and English, is printed in double columns of the smaller Gothic type
employed by Caxton, but without any indication of date, place, or name of
printer. It is complete in 25 leaves, in folio, as fresh and sound as
if they had but just issued from the press. It measures exactly eleven
inches and a quarter by eight inches and a quarter, and is appropriately
bound in olive Venetian morocco, with joints, apparently by that cunning
Bibliopegist Charles Lewis.
The second specimen from Caxton’s Press is the well-known and extremely
rare “Boecius de Consolatione Philosophie,” folio, in the same type as
the Dictes and Sayinges, and other Works of that Printer. It lacks,
however, all indication of place, date, or typographer, concluding
with the Latin verses written by Surigonus, the Poet Laureat of Milan,
entitled the “Epitaphium Galfridi Chaucer.” The Caxtonian peroration
is very interesting, and may be seen at large in the Typographical
Antiquities of Dibdin, vol. 1. p. 303. The present copy wants only the
75th leaf, which is at present clumsily supplied by manuscript. It
appears to contain about 90 leaves, and though not entirely free from
stain, is in very sound condition, measuring eleven inches and a quarter
by eight inches and a quarter. It is bound in dark blue morocco, with
gilt leaves.
Having failed in discovering any Work of Wynkyn de Worde, I proceed to
notice a small Volume by Richard Pynson, which I never saw before. It
is the Magna Charta, in a small Gothic letter, with an Index prefixed,
at the end of which is the Colophon,—“Londini per Ricardus Pynson, &c.,
1514.” It measures five inches and three-eighths by two inches and a
half, and is bound in smooth russia.
Reginald Wolfe is the next early English Printer to be noticed, on
account of a fine and perfect copy of “The Castle of Knowledge,
Imprinted at London by Reginalde Wolfe, A.D. 1556,” 4to. bound in plain
calf.
There are three specimens of the Press of Binnemann, the most beautiful
of which is the well-known Tract “Alexandri Nevylli Angli de furoribus
Norfolcensium, Ketto duce, &c.” “Londini, ex officinâ Henrici Binnemann,
1575,” bound in olive morocco. The next is “Crispini Lexicon. Londini
apud Binnemann, 1581,” 4to. whose title bears the autograph of its former
possessor, Anthony Higgins. The third is a “Defense of the Translations
of the Scriptures by W. Fulke, London, Henrie Bynnemann, 1583,” 4to.
bound in calf.
Richard Tottel next claims attention to a small 18mo. volume, entitled
“An Exposicion of the termes of the Lawes, London, Richard Tottel, 1567.”
I shall next mention the treatise of “Thomas Chaloner de Republicâ
Anglorum instaurandâ Londini, excudebat Thomas Vautrollerius,
Typographus, 1579,” 8vo. bound in russia; and the English Secretorie, by
Angel Day, London, 1592, 8vo. bound in calf; concluding my notices of
these old English Books with the French and English Dictionary, compiled
by Claudius Hollyband, and printed by Thomas Woodcock at London in 1593,
4to. The present is a very fine and perfect copy, bound in smooth russia.
Of the productions of Foreign Presses, the first which attracted my
observation was a very sound copy of “the Cronycles of the londe of
Englonde, printed by Gerard de Leeu at Antwerp, 1493,” folio, whereof a
full description will be found in the Bibliotheca Spenceriana, IV. p. 229.
It is certainly strange, as Dibdin has remarked that the compiler of
the Magliabecchian Catalogue should have regarded this as the first
book printed in the English language. But it must be remembered that
he spoke only from his own observation, and that book certainly is the
earliest English book in that Collection. Palpable however as the mistake
is, it may well serve to show how limited is the knowledge even of the
most accurate bibliographer; for the Catalogue, whose index this lapsus
deforms, is one of the most valuable hitherto given to the world, and is
in fact quite a model in its way. The Chronicles under notice have the
title pasted on another piece of paper, and the volume itself, measuring
eleven inches by seven and three quarters, is well bound in smooth russia.
The next book, whose bright coverture of red morocco caught my eye, was
a fine and perfect copy of Nicandri Theriaca, cum Scholiis, Coloniæ,
Joannes Soteris, 1530, 4to. To which I may add Tentacula Nov. Test. also
printed at Cologne in 1526.
I may next mention Saunders’ Supper of our Lord, printed at Louvain in
1566. Speculum Sapientiæ Cirilli, and Opuscula Theologica, in a small
volume of Gothic character, by Jaumar, at Paris, in the early part of the
sixteenth century.
In conclusion I may briefly advert to the Hebrew Grammar printed by
Froben at Basle in 1522, which is bound in the same volume with a
Compendium of the Greek Grammar, and the Opera et Dies of Hesiod, printed
by Christopher Froschover, at Zurich, in 1526.
I may add among the recent donations to this Library, the new edition of
Stephens’ Thesaurus.
This Library is also entitled, equally with the Cathedral Libraries,
to copies of all the Works published under the authority of the
Parliamentary Record Commission.
To several of the rarer articles mentioned above, are appended
bibliographical notices transcribed from the Spencer Catalogue and other
sources in the time of the late Dean, whom the opportune visit of Dr.
Dibdin in 1816, had apprised of the value of the treasures which till
then lay dormant in his custody.
[Illustration]
Library of Rochester.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of this Cathedral is kept in the
Chapter House, a well proportioned, and well lighted room, adjoining the
Choir of the Cathedral, and the remains of the ancient Chapter-house;
being placed immediately over part of the ancient crypt, and approached
by a most beautiful doorway, having some finely preserved statues in its
niches.
The books are arranged upon open shelves, in open cases placed against
the walls of the room, which is very dry, being warmed by a stove, which
“Buzaglo fecit. 1768.”
The walls of this apartment are hung with portraits of King James I.
and of Sprat Bishop of Rochester, a view of the Nave of St. Patrick’s
Cathedral in Dublin, and an engraved Plan of Jerusalem.
The Library is kept up by the donations of successive Prebends, who upon
their installation are expected to make the customary donation thereto.
The Manuscript portion of this Library is kept in closed cases, which are
kept locked, in the Chapter-house, and contains the original Registrum
and Custumale Roffense, edited by Thorp, together with several old
charters and other documents relating to the Church, many of which have
the original seals, some of which are very curious, appended thereto.
Among the Manuscripts I noticed, Bibliandri Lectiones, in 7 quarto
volumes, bound in old calf, and a folio volume, written upon vellum,
and lettered Quæstiones Theologicæ, upon a vellum cover, the first leaf
whereof exhibiteth these words: “Liber de Claustro Roffensi per Dominum
Johannem ejusdem loci Priorem,” so that this at least is a specimen of
the original Monastic Library.
Among the printed books is a considerable quantity of obsolete Divinity,
and some English as well as foreign Works which have deservedly fallen
into oblivion. Upon these the worms seem tacitly permitted to feed, for
I found no less than three of those small white grubs, so well known as
book-worms, and yet so seldom seen, greedily devouring a black letter
folio. It is really astonishing how so minute an animal, with no apparent
power of perforation, can drill holes through paper, wood, and leather,
subsisting at the same time upon the havoc which it makes, and it is
at least satisfactory to have caught them actually engaged in the full
gratification of their bibliophagistic propensities.
I cannot conceal the pleasure with which I discovered Coverdale’s Bible,
folio, “Prynted in the yeare of oure Lorde, MDXXXV. and fynished the
fourth day of October,” concealed between “the Booke of Common Prayer,
Imprinted at London by Bonham Norton and John Bill, 1629, folio, and the
Whole Booke of Psalmes. London, 1629,” folio, being also disguised by the
binder who has lettered the volume, “Holy Bible, 1629.”
This mistake appears to have misled the compiler of the Catalogue, who
being unacquainted with the mysteries of black letter has simply entered
this precious volume as “Holy Bible, with the booke of Common Prayer
prefixed, fol. Lond. 1629.”
The alphabetical enumeration of the books in this Collection was indeed
made before the study of bibliography was cultivated to any extent in
this country, being entitled the “Catalogue of the Library of the Dean
and Chapter of Rochester, 1776.” This thin folio volume is bound in calf,
lettered, “Libri Eccl. Roff.”
To revert however to the first English Bible, I was pleased to observe
that the present copy thus protected and concealed by its ancient binding
of calf, upon which the brass fastenings of the clasps still remain, was
perfect, with the sole exception of the title, and the map. It measures
nearly twelve inches, by seven inches and seven-eighths, and is in very
tender condition at the beginning and the end, the natural consequence of
the repeated thumbing it doubtless received from our pious forefathers.
Some one however has so determinedly erased the name of the Queen, in the
Dedication, that it cannot now be deciphered.
I have next the satisfaction of noticing a perfect copy, in double
columns, of black letter, bound in old calf, of “the Byble in Englyshe,
&c.” “Prynted by Rychard Grafton and Edward Whitchurch. Cum Privilegio ad
Imprimendum solum. 1539, Folio,” at the conclusion of which we read. “The
ende of the New Testament, and of the whole Byble fynished in Apryll,
Anno M CCCCCXXXIX.”
“A dn̅o factum est istud.”
This book was presented to the Library, “Eccl. Cath. Roffensis ex Dono E.
Barrell, 1745.”
There are some curious documents in the State Paper Office relating to
this Bible, which was printed in Paris, wherein the copies upon vellum,
taken off for Henry VIII. and now in the British Museum, (April 1540)
and for the Lord Keeper Cromwell, now at St. John’s College in Cambridge
(April 1539) are mentioned.
Next in order of time comes the Holie Bible, with Cranmer’s Preface,
“Imprinted at London in powles Church yarde, by Richarde Jugge,” (1568.)
Folio. In double columns of black letter. The present copy is perfect,
though torn at the end, and is bound in dark calf.
Then comes the Holy Bible, Imprinted at London by Christopher Barker,
1584, folio, which unfortunately lacks all the leaves subsequent to folio
572. It is bound in old calf, with brass knobs, &c. and red leaves.
I may here mention
The Bible in English, by John Cawood. Imperfect at the
beginning and the end.
The Holy Bible, printed by Robert Barker, and the Assignees of
John Bill, London, 1639, folio, ruled with red lines, and bound
in crimson velvet.
The Bible in English, printed at London in 1684.
The Bible, printed by Baskett, at Oxford in 1715, folio, bound
in calf, and two other impressions of the sacred volume,
published at the same place in 1717 and 1739.
The Bible, printed by Baskerville, at Cambridge, in 1763,
folio, bound in calf, gilt.
The Bible, edited by Bishop Wilson, and printed at Bath in
1785, in three volumes, 4to.
The Holy Bible, edited by D’Oyly and Mant, in three volumes,
4to.
Merely observing that these English versions of the Holy Scriptures may
safely be left to speak for themselves.
It was with feelings of no ordinary gratification that I found upon the
shelves of this Library the first Polyglott Bible, being that commonly
known as the Complutensian, published in Spain under the auspices of
Cardinal Ximenes in 1517. The present copy is very fine and sound,
measuring fourteen inches and a quarter by ten inches. It is bound in six
volumes folio, in old mottled calf, apparently of foreign extraction.
Few of our ecclesiastical foundations are endowed with a copy of this
most important work, though nearly all of them possess the Polyglott of
Walton, which in the present instance stands beside its elder brother.
Here we have also the Biblia Hebraica, Hutteri, Hamburgi, 1588, folio;
the Biblia Hebraica Montani, 1609, folio; the Biblia Hebraica, Forsteri,
Oxonii, 1750, in two vols. 4to.; and the Biblia Hebraica, Kennicottii,
Oxonii, 1776, in two vols. folio; also the Biblia Latina cum pleno
apparatu, &c. “Impressum Lugduni per magistrum Jacobum Sacon X die
Novem. 1509,” folio, in double columns of Gothic character. It has a
large wood-cut on the first leaf, and the title in red; with the device
of the printer at the end, followed by the “Interpretationes Nominum
Hebræaorum.” This volume is bound in calf.
The Vet. Test. LXX, curâ Grabe. Oxonii, 1707, folio.
The Biblia LXX, apud Holmes et Parsons. Oxonii, 1798, et seq.
in six vols. folio. And
The Codex Bezæ, edited by Kipling, in two vols. folio, bound in
calf.
Of separate editions of the New Testament, I observed
The Novum Testamentum Syriacum, Hebræum, Græcum, et Latinum,
per Eliam Hutterum. Norimbergæ, 1599, in three vols. folio.
Novum Testamentum Græcum, Millii. Oxonii, 1707, in 2 volumes,
folio.
Nov. Test. Gr. Wetstenii. Amstelodami, 1751, in 2 vols. folio.
Nov. Test. Græcum et Anglicum. Londini, 1729, in 2 vols. 8vo.
The New Testament in English, by Wiclif, printed at London in
1732, folio.
Benzelii Evangelia Gothica. Oxonii, 1750, 4to. &
Junii Evangelia. Dordraci, 1665.
I will proceed to notice the Church Service Books contained within
this Library, and cannot commence more appropriately than with
a bibliographical description of the “Missale ad usum Ecclesie
Sarisburiensis. MD.XXXIIII.” folio. Printed in double columns of black
and red letter. This interesting volume commences with the title as
given above, which occupies the first leaf, followed by six leaves of
Calendar, and one of Benedictio. The Missal then commences, occupying
folio i.–clvi. inclusive, numbered in regular succession. Then follow
the Ordinarium, Præfationes, and Canon, occupying fifteen leaves not
numbered. Of these however the 7th, 8th, and 9th, containing the “Prefa
de scta cruce,” et “de b. Maria,” the “Prefatio quotidiana,” and the
first part of the Canon, are all three upon vellum.
It may be noticed, that facing the large wood cut of the Crucifixion,
which occupies the whole reverse of the leaf containing the Præfatio
quotidiana, one leaf of manuscript in Gothic character, upon vellum,
has been inserted, apparently in the olden time. At the end of these
fifteen leaves last mentioned, commence the Prayers for the Saints,
Vigils, &c. occupying sixty leaves regularly numbered from fo. i. to fo.
lx. Then follows the “Accentuarium cum Prologo,” consisting of twelve
leaves, undistinguished by any numerals; but upon the recto of the last
leaf occurs the Colophon, informing us that this like many other of the
earlier Service books of the English Church was the production of a
foreign press:
Ҧ Explicit Missale ad usum ecclesie Sarum tam in cantu quam in litera
diligentissime recognitum. Marginalibus annotatiunculis ac literis
alphabeticis evangeliorum, epistolarum gradalium offertorium originem
indicantibus abunde locupletatum. _Impressum Parisiis_ in vico scti
Iacobi in edibus _Francisci Regnault_ librari jurati alme universitatis
Parisiensis.”
I may add to this several editions of the Common Prayer Book, besides
that of 1629, which I have already mentioned; the Common Prayer, London,
1662, folio, bound in crimson velvet; and that printed at Oxford in 1681;
with that edited by Bishop Mant.
I may here mention Wheatley on the Common Prayer; and the Psalmorum
Davidis, per Ioannem Campensem, Basileæ, 1553, 12mo.; and proceed at once
to enumerate the component parts of the theological department of this
Library, beginning with the
Bibliotheca Veterum Patrum per M. de la Bigne. Colon. Agrip.
1618, in 16 volumes, folio, bound in calf.
Cotelerii Patres Apostolici, in 2 volumes, folio, in calf.
Bibliotheca, S.S. Patrum, edente Clerico. Amstelod. 1724, in 2
vols. folio.
Russell’s Patrum Apostolicorum Opera. 1746, 8vo.
Basilii Opera. Parisiis, 1737-8, folio.
Cypriani Opera, edente Fell. Oxonii, 1700, folio.
S. Cyrilli Opera. Oxonii, 1703, folio.
Chrysostomi Opera. Etonæ, 1612, in 8 vols. folio.
Eusebii Præparatio et Demonstratio Evangelica. Paris, 1628.
Fulgentii Opera. Basileæ, 1621.
Irenæi Opera. Parisiis, 1710.
Lactantius. Cantabrigiæ, 1685, 8vo.
Origenis Opera. Parisiis, 1519, vols. 3 and 4 only.
Philonis Judæi Opera, à Mangey. Londini, 1742, in 2 volumes,
folio.
Tertulliani Opera, Colon. Agrip. 1617, folio. and
Episcopii Opera Theologica, with the Works of S.S. Augustine,
Ambrose, and Ignatius.
Of Concordances and Commentators I may mention,
Calasio Concordantiæ Hebraicæ in 4 vols. folio, and
Cruden’s Concordance.
Roberts’ Clavis Bibliorum. London, 1648, 8vo.
Hodius de Bibliorum textibus. Oxonii, 1705.
Leigh’s Critica Sacra. Londini, 1650, folio.
Pole’s Synopsis, in 5 vols. folio.
Pearce’s Commentary.
Caryl’s Exposition of Job, in 2 vols. folio.
Chappelow on Job.
Grey’s Version of Job. London, 1742, 8vo.
Horsley on Hosea.
Lyra, Commentarii in Biblia.
Lowth on Isaiah.
Vitringa in Iesaiam. Leovardiæ, 1724, folio.
Patrick’s Commentary.
Whitby’s Paraphrase.
Macknight’s Translation of the Apostolical Epistles with notes.
Edinburgh, 1795, in 4 vols. 4to.
Macknight’s Harmony of the Gospels. London, 1763, 4to.
Elsley’s Annotations on the Epistles.
Bishop Cosin’s History of the Canon of Scripture.
Dupin’s Canon of the Old and New Testament.
Hawkins on the Historical Scriptures of the Old Testament, and
Schleusneri Lexicon Novi Testamenti.
Among the works of Divinity I may mention those of Barrow and Beveridge;
Allix’s Reflections; Burton’s Testimonies of the Anti Nicene Fathers to
the Divinity of Christ; Butler’s Analogy; Baxter’s Christian Directory;
Bonaventuræ Opera Theologica; Bingham’s Works, in 2 vols. folio; Bulli
Opera, Londini, 1703, folio; Bochart, Opera Omnia; Bedæ Opera, Parisiis,
1520, folio; Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible, London, 1732, in 3 vols.
folio; Gill’s Philosophy of Scripture, London, 1635, folio; Coplestone on
Predestination; Chandler’s Life of David; Grotii Opera, Londini, 1679;
Erasmi Opera, Lugd. Bat. 1703; Horne’s Introduction to the Study of the
Holy Scriptures; Hickes’s History of Montanism, London, 1709, 8vo.;
Jewel’s Apology, 1570; Lightfoot’s Works, London, 1684, in 2 vols. folio;
Lardner’s Testimonies, 1764, in 2 vols. 4to.; and his Credibility, 1741,
in 17 volumes, 8vo.; Magee on the Atonement; Masoni Vindiciæ Ecclesiæ
Anglicanæ, Londini, 1625, folio; Prideaux’s Connection, 1720, folio;
Paley’s Works; Pearson on the Creed; Stackhouse on the Creed; Stebbing’s
Polemical Tracts; Rogers on the Thirty Nine Articles; Jeremy Taylor’s
Ductor dubitantium, 1696, folio; Wollaston’s Religion of Nature, 1722,
4to.; Wilkins on Natural Religion; and Wake’s Catechism; and lastly,
the Sylloge Confessionum, Oxonii, 1804, 8vo.; with Preservative against
Popery, London, 1738, in 3 volumes, folio.
Of Sermons I noticed those by Sherlock, Rogers and Conybeare; the
Discourses of Charnock; and the Sermons preached at Boyle’s Lecture, and
published in 1739, in 3 volumes, folio. This copy is in old calf.
I may here notice Cave’s Scriptorum Eccles. Historia literaria; Boëthii
Opera; and Beattie on Truth, with some pieces by Luther.
Of Ecclesiastical History the shelves of this Library are well filled
with Burnet’s History of the Reformation; Bacon’s Liber Regis; Ecton’s
Thesaurus; Bray’s Bibliotheca Parochialis, London, 1707; Burn’s
Ecclesiastical Law; Cave’s Lives of the Apostles; and his Primitive
Christianity; Fox’s Martyrs, London, 1684, in 3 vols. folio; Gibson’s
Codex; Godwyn, de Præsulibus Angliæ, Cantabrigiæ, 1743, folio; Hooker’s
Ecclesiastical Polity; Histoire de Concile de Trent, Londres, 1736,
in 2 vols. folio; Eusebii Historia Ecclesiastica, 1668; Du Pin’s
Ecclesiastical History of the Sixteenth Century; Josephus, Hudsoni;
Jortin’s Ecclesiastical History; Kaye’s Ecclesiastical History;
Lansbergii Chronologia Sacra; Middleburg, 1625, 4to; Knight’s Lives
of Erasmus and Colet; Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History; Nelson’s
Life of Bishop Bull; Spotswode’s Church of Scotland, 1677, folio;
Stillingfleet’s Origines; Spencer de Legibus Hebræorum, Cantabrigiæ,
1727, in 2 vols. folio; Spondani Epitome Annalium Eccles. Baronii, Lugd.
Bat. 1660, folio; Suiceri Thesaurus Ecclesiasticus, Amstelodami, 1728,
in 2 volumes, folio; Wharton’s Anglia Sacra, 1691, in 2 vols. folio;
Wilkins’ Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ, &c. in 4 vols. folio, in calf gilt; to
which I may add Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum, 1682, folio; and 1718,
folio; with Stevens’s Continuation, 1722-3; Tanner’s Notitia Monastica,
edited by Nasmith, 1787, folio; and Gwillim’s Tithe Cases.
Of Works tending to elucidate History in general I may enumerate,
Blair’s Chronology; Hales’ Analysis of Chronology; Helvici Theatrum
historicum et chronologicum, Oxonii, 1662, folio; Marshami Chron. Canon.
Egypt. Londini, 1672, folio; Marshall’s Chronological Tables; Newton’s
Chronology; and Bryant’s Enquiries into Ancient History, 4to. in calf.
Of Historical Works I noticed the Universal History, whereof the ancient
portion published in 1747-54, occupies 21 volumes, and the modern of
the date of 1759-66, 44 vols. in 8vo. uniformly bound in calf; the
General Dictionary, London, 1734-41, in 10 vols. folio; Puffendorf’s Law
of Nations, 1729, folio; Grævii Antiquitates & Gruteri Inscriptiones;
Ralegh’s History of the World, 1677, folio; Robertson’s History of
Charles V.; Harris’ Voyages; the History of the Saracens, by Prideaux and
Ockley; Norden’s Egypt, London, 1757, folio; Sandys’ Europæ Speculum;
Petri Kærii Germania inferior à Petro Montano, Amst. 1622, folio; and the
Biographical Dictionary, London, 1798, in 15 vols. 8vo.
Of Works relating to History and Antiquities, I may mention, in addition
to Dugdale’s Monasticon, and Tanner’s Notitia; Blackstone’s Commentaries;
Burn’s Justice of the Peace; Birch’s Life of Queen Elizabeth, 1754, in
2 vols. 4to.; Burnet’s History of his own time; Clarendon’s Rebellion,
Oxon, 1702, in 4 vols. folio; Cooper on the Public Records; Dalrymple’s
Memoirs of Great Britain and Ireland; Davies’ Celtic Researches; Hume’s
History of England; Holinshed’s Chronicles, the reprint; Kippis’
Biographia Britannica; Kennett’s Complete History of England, London,
1719, in 3 vols. folio, in calf; Lloyd’s State Worthies; Speed’s Theatre
of Great Britain, London, 1676, folio; Spelman’s Life of Alfred, 1678,
folio; Nalson’s Collections, 1682, folio; Rushworth’s Historical
Collections, 1659, folio, in 6 vols.; Robertson’s History of Scotland;
Population Returns; and the Records of the Kingdom, published under the
authority of the Parliamentary Commission.
Of Topographical Works I noticed, Hasted’s History of Kent, in calf gilt;
Harris’ History of Kent; Thorpe’s Custumale and Registrum Roffense;
Master’s History of Corpus Christi College in Cambridge, 1753, 4to.; some
Poll Books for the City of Rochester; Wood’s Antiquitates Oxonienses;
Twyne de Antiquitate Academiæ Oxoniensis, 1608, 4to.; and Young’s History
of Whitby.
I may add to these,
The Statutes at Large, by Keble, 1681, folio.
Balæi Scriptorum Britannicorum Catalogus, Basileæ, folio; and
Tanner, Bibliotheca Britannico Hibernica, 1748, folio.
The other Bibliographical Works which met my observation were,
The Catalogus Bibliothecæ Bodleianæ, 1738, in 2 vols. folio.
A Catalogue of the Books belonging to the King’s School at
Rochester.
Casley’s Catalogue of the Manuscripts in the King’s Library,
London, 1734, 4to.
Bibliographia Mathematica à Cornelis Beughem, Amstelodami, 1688.
Le Long, Bibliothèque Sacré; and
Warton’s History of English Poetry.
Of Scientific Works I noticed only,
Chambers’ Dictionary, in 4 vols. folio, with a separate volume
of plates.
Hill’s British Herbal, 1756, folio, in calf.
Miller’s Gardener’s Dictionary.
Newton’s Principia, Cantab. 1713, 4to.
Newton’s Optics, by Clarke, London, 1719, 8vo.
Oughtred, Clavis Mathematica, Oxonii, 1652, 8vo.
Wallis’s Mechanica, 1670, 4to. and
Several volumes of the Philosophical Transactions.
Of Etymological Works I observed merely Buxtorf’s Hebrew Lexicon; Hickes’
Thesaurus Septentrionalis, Oxonii, 1705, in 2 vols. folio; Du Cange’s
Glossary, Francof. 1710, in 3 vols. folio; Scapulæ Lexicon; Junii
Etymologicum Anglicanum, Oxonii, 1743, fol.; Calepini Dictionarium, Lugd.
Bat. 1681, folio; Hoffmanni Lexicon Universale; Samuel Johnson’s English
Dictionary; Stephani Thesaurus Linguæ Græcæ; and Nizolii Thesaurus Linguæ
Latinæ.
The editions of the Classics contained in this Collection are not
numerous; but of these I mention two volumes only of
Ciceronis Opera, Stephani. Parisiis, 1539, folio.
Ciceronis Opera, Oliveti. Oxonii, 1783, in 10 vols. 4to.
Euclidis Opera. Venetiis, 1505, folio.
Epictetus Uptoni. Londini, 1741, in 2 vols. 4to.
Homeri Opera. Basileæ, 1535, 4to.
Hesiodus, Robinsoni. Oxonii, 1737, 4to.
Livius, Drakenborchii, in 4 vols. 8vo.
Plutarchi Apophthegmata. Londini, 1741.
Pindarus. Romæ, 4to.
Quintilianus. Londini, 1641, 4to.
Tacitus, Brotierii, in 5 vols. 8vo.
Terentius, Bentleii. Cantabrigiæ, 1726, 4to.
Virgilii Opera, cum X. Comment. 1528, folio.
I may here mention, Bryant’s Mythology; Spence’s Polymetis; Coplestone’s
Prælectiones Academicæ; and Arbuthnot’s Tables of Ancient Coins, 1754,
4to.
Of English Literature this Library cannot boast a copious selection, the
principal Works which occurred to me, being only
Bacon’s Works, London, 1753, in 3 volumes, folio.
The Works of Locke and Mede.
Seldeni Opera per Wilkins, 1726, in 3 vols. folio.
Shakespeare, edited by Johnson, Stevens and Reid, London, 1803,
in 21 volumes, 8vo.
Butler’s Hudibras, edited by Grey.
Lastly, as a specimen of the lamentable prejudice which our forefathers
entertained against Witches, I may mention Glanvil’s Saducismus
triumphatus, 1681, 8vo.
From this cursory survey of the contents of the Rochester Cathedral
Library, it will appear that its character is chiefly theological, and
its interest centred in those impressions of the Sacred Scriptures, and
Church Service Books which I have already so carefully described.
It is also refreshing to think that from the prebendal donations, a
constant supply of fresh literature is provided for the support and
ornament of the Library of the Dean and Chapter of Rochester.
[Illustration]
Library of Salisbury.
This Library affords a pleasing instance of the proper appreciation of
the tomes of olden time, having been restored by the exertions, and
preserved by the care of its present Librarian.
The books it is true have suffered severely from past neglect, and some
valuable manuscripts have been mutilated or lost, but those which remain
are now treasured as they deserve, and to many of the printed books,
substantial coats of calf skin have been given, the manufacture of a
Salisbury Bibliopegist. The volumes themselves thus judiciously preserved
are kept upon open shelves, in cases which are placed against the walls
of a very dry and well lighted room, over the cloisters adjoining the
Cathedral. The volumes are from four to five thousand in number, and in
winter have the advantage of stove heat.
The Library itself was built by Bishop Jewel, whose portrait is
appropriately placed over the fire place, but the books which it contains
were principally given to the Dean and Chapter by Bishop Gheast.
The old Catalogue of this Collection had been mislaid at the time of
my visit, but the Librarian very properly keeps a duplicate, which he
compiled himself in alphabetical order.
The oldest portion of this Library of course consists of the Manuscripts,
which have suffered much from time, but more from neglect. They embrace
a great quantity of controversial divinity, with the usual proportion
of Decretals and Glosses, Homilies and Psalters, including some curious
illuminated Missals, among which the “Missale ad usum insignis et
præclaræ ecclesiæ Sarum,” is also found.
The most rare manuscripts in this Collection are, Justiniani
Institutiones Juris Civilis, cum Glossâ Accursianâ, which has been
recently collated by the German editors of that work. Galfridi
Monumetensis Historia, a very valuable inedited manuscript of the
eleventh century; and the Gregorian Liturgy in the Saxon tongue.
Among the other manuscripts I noticed the Works of Saints Ambrose,
Athanasius, Augustine, Jerome, Isidore, and Eusebius; Cassiodorus super
Psalterium; Rabbani Lyra Commentarii; Epistolæ Patrum et aliorum;
Gulielmi Monachi Meldunensis de Miraculis Beatæ Virginis Mariæ; Adhelm de
laude Virginitatis; Beda de ratione temporis, torn at the corners; and
some pieces by Thomas Aquinas.
To these I may add the Biblia Sacra; the Works of Boethius; Aristotle de
Animalibus; the Chronicon Freculfi; and the Legenda Sanctorum.
The mention of this last work calls to my mind the once popular
translation thereof, whose first appearance in the English language took
place under the auspices of William Caxton.
The copy of Caxton’s Golden Legend, in this Library, is unfortunately
imperfect both at the beginning and at the end, containing only the
text from folio ii to folio ccccxiiii, inclusive. It has been very much
cropt, measuring only ten inches and three quarters by seven and one
eighth. It has been recently bound in calf so as to resemble as nearly as
possible coeval binding.
This Collection also contains the “Lombardica historia quæ a plerisque
Aurea Legenda Sanctorum appellatur; impressa Argentine, 1496, folio,” in
double columns of Gothic letter, half bound.
I will proceed to notice the other early printed books in this Library,
beginning with the well known, but seldom seen Apollonius Rhodius,
printed in capital letters by Francis de Alopa, at Florence, about the
close of the fifteenth century, in 4to. This copy unfortunately wants the
greater portion of the last leaf, but is sound throughout, measuring very
nearly nine inches and a quarter by six and three quarters, and is bound
in old calf with red leaves.
Let us next take a specimen of the Milan Press: “Synonyma Simonis
Genuensis Opus Impressum Mediolani per Antonium Zarotum parmensem anno
dn̅i. M CCCC lxxiii. Die Martis III Augusti,” folio. This volume printed
in double columns of Roman character is bound in russia.
Continuing our researches into obsolete divinity, we meet with
Duns Scotus, Impressum per Ioannem de Colonia, et Nicolaum
Jenson, 1481, 4to. in double columns of gothic letter, half
bound.
Duns Scotus, Liber Reportatorum, folio, in double columns of
gothic letter, half bound.
“Summa que Destructorium viciorum appellat,” Norimbergæ, per
Koburger, 1496, folio, half bound, in double columns of gothic
letter.
“Thomas Aquinas super IV Sententiarum, impendio Ioannis de
Colonia, Nicolai Jenson, sociorumque, 1481,” folio, in double
columns of gothic letter, bound in calf.
Augustus de Ancona, de Ecclesiæ Potestate, folio, in double
columns of gothic character, in russia.
Catho Moralizatus, Lugduni per Ioannem de Vingle, 1497, folio,
in the Roman character.
Aureum Opus de Veritate contritionis, 8vo. Parisiis, per
Franciscum Regnault, in the gothic character, bound in calf.
Inventarium Generale, &c. Basileæ per Jacobum Pfortzen, folio,
in double columns of gothic character, half bound.
Speculum Moralis Vincentii, Norimbergæ per Koburger, 1485,
folio, in double columns of gothic letter, imperfect at the
end, and bound in calf.
In addition to the above I may mention, the Duytsche Psalter, printed
at Delfte in 1478, although the date by the lapse of the numeral L is
printed 1428, a manifest error. This 18mo volume is bound in vellum with
brass clasps. And two Church Service Books of Salisbury use, but of
uncommon occurrence; the first being
“Missale ad usum ac consuetudinem Sarum
Parisiis
Ex officinâ libraria spectabilis viri Nicolai
Prevost. Impensis vero fidelissimi
mercatoris Francisci Byrckman,
MDXXVII.”
folio. In the beginning is the Kalendar occupying vii leaves, followed
by the Missal containing folia cliiii, so numbered regularly, up to
this place, where two unnumbered leaves of vellum intervene, the first
of these is entitled Præfatio quotidiana, having the large wood cut of
the Crucifixion on the reverse; and the second which is distinguished
by the signature v. iiii, comprises the first portion of the “Canon.”
The following leaf is numbered fo. clvii, being upon paper, and at folio
clxx the Missal ends. The Sanctorale of 69 leaves then follows, and is
succeeded by the Commune Apostolorum, whose leaves are regularly numbered
fo. i-lxiii, with the following subscription at the conclusion:
“MDXXVII. tertio Calendas Martias.”
This noble folio is printed in double columns of bold gothic character,
in very black ink occasionally enlivened with red. The present copy
measures very nearly thirteen and a half by nine inches, and is bound in
calf.
The second Service Book is the “Graduale ad veram et integram preclare
ecclesie Sarum consuetudinem nuper Parisiis excusum. Venundatur Londonii
à Francisco Byrckman apud cimiterium divi Pauli, M.DXXVIII,” folio. This
volume is printed in double columns of the same bold black and red letter
as the preceding, and is half bound in calf.
To these I may with much propriety add a noble specimen of the famous
Junta Press, “Pontificale noviter impressum perpulchrisque characteribus
diligentissimè annotatum.” Florentiæ, Lucantonii de Giunta, 1510, folio.
This volume is printed in double columns of Roman character, in black
varied with red, and is bound in old calf; to which may be appended the
Breviarium Romanum & the Missale Romanum, 1670.
Let us now turn our attention to those impressions of the Sacred volume
which are found within these walls, including,
Walton’s Polyglott Bible, with two copies of Castell’s Lexicon,
one of which is very fine.
The Holy Bible in English, of the date of 1539, in folio, in
double columns of black letter, but wanting the title, and
bound in primitive calf.
Biblia Hebraica, Aureliæ Allobrogum, 1509, folio, bound up with
the New Testament of the same date, in calf.
Biblia Hebraica Munsteri, Basileæ, 1534.
Biblia Latina Castalionis, Basileæ per Oporinum, printed in
double columns of Roman character.
Biblia Latina, 1528, 4to. in double columns of Roman character,
bound in russia; and the
Biblia Latina, Hanoviæ, 1624, folio.
to which I may add
The New Testament, by Erasmus, and the
Novum Testamentum Bezæ, 1588, in 4to.
In the Theological department, this Library contains among much that is
valuable a great deal that is obsolete, a remark that may be extended to
the other ancient collections attached to our Cathedral Establishments.
In the Divinity of the earlier ages we find the Works of several Fathers
of the Church, namely, Athanasii Opera, Basileæ, 1514, folio, and
Parisiis, 1627, in 2 vols. folio; Augustini Opera, Basileæ, 1586, in 5
vols. folio; Basilii Magni Opera omnia, Parisiis, 1638, 3 vols. folio;
Chrysostomi Opera omnia, 1624, in 6 vols. folio, and edited by Savile,
Etonæ, 1612, 8 vols. folio; Eusebii Opera, Basileæ, 1559; the Works of
S.S. Ambrose, Cyprian, Cyril, Epiphanius, Jerome, and Origen, with his
Homilies; Tertulliani Opera, Basileæ apud Joannem Frobenium, 1521,
folio; and the Works of Philo Judæus, Gregory Nazianzen, and Justin
Martyr; Theodoret and Theophylact.
Descending to a later period we have the Works of Calvin and Melancthon,
of Grotius and Erasmus; Usserii Quæstiones de Ecclesiæ Christianæ,
Hanoviæ, 1658; Lutheri Opera omnia Jenæ, 1612, in 4 vols. folio;
Vossii Opera Sacra, Hagæ, Com. 1661; many early Commentators, and some
Controversial pieces by Chamier and Bellarmine.
To these may be added the Critici Sacri, and Pole’s Synopsis; the
Bibliotheca Polonorum Fratrum; Vitringa, Commentarius in Iesaiam; Leigh’s
Critica Sacra, London, 1650; the Commentaries of Nicolas de Lyra; Zanchii
Miscellanea Theologica, 1682; and Thomas Aquinas, Commentarii in Biblia,
Parisiis, 1657, in 3 vols. folio.
I may here also mention the Works of Bishop Andrews, Allix, and Alison;
Chillingworth’s Religion of Protestants; and a very fine copy of the
Works of Bishop Jewel, London, 1565, here most appropriately placed. Also
the Works of Barrow, Bishop Bramhall, Cudworth, Hall, Hammond, Jackson,
Lowth, Lightfoot, Mede, Paley, Stillingfleet, Sherlock, and Waterland.
To which may be added, Jortin’s Discourses; Watson’s Apology; Routh’s
Reliquiæ Sacræ; Archdeacon Daubeny’s Works; Twysden’s Vindication of the
Church of England; Bishop Douglas’s Works; Pearson on the Creed; Hey’s
Theological Lectures; Faber on Pagan Idolatry; and a “System of Divinity
by the Rev. W. Davy in a course of Sermons;” Lustleigh, Devon, printed
by himself, fourteen copies only, 1803, in 25 volumes 8vo. bound in calf.
The corrections of the press being made by pasting in slips of printed
paper between the leaves which require them. This singular and uncommon
performance was presented to the Library by Bishop Burgess.
I may here mention Stackhouse’s History of the Bible; Bochart’s
Geographia Sacra; Hales’ Chronology, in 4 vols. 4to.; and many Tracts
relating to the Popish Controversy.
In Ecclesiastical History this Collection is so fortunate as to contain
the Annals of Baronius, with the Supplement of Tornielli; the Concilia
omnia, Coloniæ, 1538, in 2 vols. folio; and the Concilia Maxima in
15 vols. folio; Spelman’s Concilia; Wharton’s Anglia Sacra; Suiceri
Thesaurus Ecclesiasticus; Bedæ, Historia Ecclesiastica, Colon. Agrip.;
Brandt’s History of the Reformation in the Low Countries; Burnet’s
History of the Reformation; Conibere’s Church History; Cressy’s Church
History of Brittany; Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum; Fuller’s Church
History; Field’s Book of the Church; Fox’s Martyrs; the Martyrologium
Romanum, Antverpiæ, 1613; Harpsfeld, Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica,
Duaci, 1622; Hooker’s Ecclesiastical Polity; Josephi Opera omnia, Genevæ,
1634, folio; Eusebii Historia Ecclesiastica, 1659; Gilpin’s Lives of the
Reformers; Parker, de Antiquitate Britanniæ Ecclesiæ, Hanoviæ, 1605,
folio; Reformatio Legum Ecclesiasticorum, 1640, 4to. in which no mention
is made of Queen Elizabeth’s reforms; Reyner, de Apostolatum Ordinis
Benedictinorum in Angliâ; Strype’s Memorials; Wordsworth’s Ecclesiastical
Biography; Historiæ Ecclesiasticæ Centuriatores Magdeburgenses; and the
Codex Theodosianus Gothofredi.
Of General History the list is exceedingly meagre, including Orosii
Historia, Martini Chronicon, 1638; Mezeray’s History of France; De la
Valle’s Voyage to Persia, 4to; Pococke’s Historia Arabum; Dousæ, Annales
Metricæ Hollandiæ; Lendener, Tabula Historica, Chronologica, &c.; Grotii
Annales de rebus Belgicis; Wheler’s Greece, 1682; Fuller’s Palestine; and
Pitt’s Atlas.
Of Works relating to the History and Antiquities of England the Catalogue
is much more copious, comprising, Viti de Antiquitate Britanniæ, 1597,
two parts only in calf; Brady’s English History; Baker’s Chronicle,
London, 1643, folio; Daniel’s History of England; Eadmeri Historia
Novorum, edente Selden, London, 1623, folio, in calf; Camden’s Britannia;
Matthæi Paris Historia Anglicana, edente Wats, Londini, 1740, folio;
Matthæi Westmonasteriensis Flores Historiarum; Bates’ Elenchus Motuum;
Clarendon’s Rebellion; Melvil’s Memoirs, 1683; Milles’ Catalogue of
Honour; Wake’s Rex Platonicus, 1663; Waræus de rebus Hibernicis; Wilson’s
Great Britain, 1653; Polydore Vergilii Historia Anglicana; Several Tracts
relating to the time of Charles the First; and the Parliamentary Records
of the Kingdom.
The Topographical Works include, Adam’s Index Villaris; Calthorpe’s
Usages of the City of London; Clarke’s Parochial Topography of the
Hundred of Wanting in the County of Berks, Oxford, 1824, 4to.; Marmora
Oxoniensia, Oxonii, folio; Dodsworth’s Salisbury Cathedral, 1814, 4to.;
and Somner’s Canterbury.
Of Law Books I found only the Corpus Juris Civilis, Lugd. Bat. 1652,
folio; Dalton’s Justice of the Peace; Coke upon Littleton; Coke’s
Institutes; Seldeni Fleta, seu Commentarius Juris Anglicani, 1647;
Blount’s Law Dictionary, 1670; and Selden’s Mare Clausum.
In Etymology this Collection embraces Buxtorf’s Hebrew Lexicon;
Cotgrave’s French Dictionary; Du Cange’s Glossary, 1678, in 3 vols.
folio; Golii Lexicon Arabicum; Hickes’ Thesaurus Septentrionalis;
Stephani Thesaurus, Scapulæ Lexicon; Vossii Etymologicum, Amstelodami,
1662; Wallis’ Grammatica, Oxonii, 1653; and Merceri Thesaurus Linguæ
Sanctæ.
I will now proceed to enumerate the editions of the Classic Authors
contained in this room, that the reader may be enabled to judge for
himself of the value of this portion of the Salisbury Cathedral Library.
Ammianus Marcellinus. Parisiis, 1687.
Apollonius Rhodius, Stephani. Parisiis, 1754.
Apthonii Progymnasmata. Lugd. Bat. 1526.
Aristotelis Opera Basileæ, per Joannem Bebelium, 1531, in 2
vols. folio, half bound.
Archimedes. Basileæ, 1544, folio.
Athenæus. Basileæ, 1535, folio.
Ciceronis Opera omnia, 1654.
Demosthenes. Basileæ, 1532.
Diodorus Siculus. Parisiis, 1644, folio.
Euclid, 1678.
Euripides. Basileæ, 1544.
Herodotus, 1524, folio, in the original binding.
Horatius cum Commentariis. Venetiis, 1495, in the Roman
character, folio.
Hippocratis Opera. Basileæ, 1501.
Lucretius. Francofurti, 1631.
Manilii Astronomicon, 1590.
Plinii Historia Naturalis. Genevæ, 1631.
Plutarchi Opera. Lutet. Paris. 1624, 2 vols. folio.
Photii Bibliotheca, Hœschelii. Rothomagi, 1563.
Photii Epistolæ. Londini, 1651.
Polybius Casauboni, 1610.
Prudentius. Hanoviæ, 1613.
Pindarus Stephani, 1599.
Plautus. Neapoli, 1519.
Quintilianus, 1548.
Quintus Curtius. Parisiis, 1668.
Seneca. Basileæ, 1595.
Suetonius. Basileæ, 1673.
Themistii Opera. Venetiis, 1533.
Theophrastus. Lugd. Bat. 1613.
Vitruvii Architectura. Antverpiæ, 1624.
To the above I may add, Scaligeri Opera, Parisiis, 1610; Draudii
Bibliotheca Classica, 1625, 4to.; Lipsii Opera; Avicennæ Canones Medici,
Venetiis, 1595, in 2 vols. folio; Pauli Æginetæ Medici Opera, Basileæ,
1551, 8vo.; and the Works of Galen and Epictetus.
Of English Literature, the shelves of this Library present us with
Bacon’s Novum Organum; King James’s Works; Isaac Barrow’s Optics and
other Works; Spenser’s Faery Queen, 1611; Cowley’s Works; Brown’s
Pastorals in two parts, with the third in Manuscript, as yet, I believe,
unpublished. The printed portion of this interesting folio tome is dated
at London in 1613. It is bound in calf. Donne’s Letters; Walton’s Lives;
Digges’ Complete Ambassador; Evelyn’s Sylva; Harris’s Works; Moryson’s
Works, 1617, folio; Nott’s edition of Howard and Wyatt’s Poems; and
Symmons’ edition of Milton’s Works.
Of Scientific Works I observed merely Tycho Brahe; and Kepler’s
Astronomy; Raii Historia Plantarum; and Napier on Logarithms.
And lastly of Bibliographical Works I noticed only Clavel’s General
Catalogue of English Books; the old Catalogue of the Bodleian Library;
and the Catalogus Librorum in Bibliothecâ Sionensi, 1650, folio.
Here are also many volumes which belonged to Izaak Walton, the father of
Anglers, and were probably presented to this Library by his son Canon
Walton. Twenty of the volumes bear his autograph, a list of which may be
seen in Nicolas’s Life of Walton, App. p. clv.
The reader will not have failed to perceive the absence of works printed
during the eighteenth century from this Library, and he may attribute the
circumstance to the long interval during which this ancient Cathedral was
suffered to remain in the most neglected state.
From this it has been rescued by the proper feeling of the existing
Dean and Chapter, aided by the unremitting exertions of their present
Librarian.
Many volumes, however, still remain buried in dust, and when the cobwebs
of the last century have been brushed away, some works may probably be
found not undeserving of notice.
[Illustration]
Library of Wells.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Wells is kept in a very dry and
sufficiently commodious apartment over that side of the cloisters which
immediately adjoins the Cathedral. For many years it was very much
neglected; and the office of Librarian remained in abeyance for the last
fifty years, when it was recently revived in the person of Mr. Aldrit,
the Master of the Collegiate Chapter Grammar School.
The books consisting of about 5000 volumes are arranged upon open shelves
in projecting cases, with ample desks below each for the convenience of
students. The chains they once wore are now thrown aside, though the
rings whereby they were attached still remain upon many of the volumes.
It cannot be denied that where the preservation of the binding is of any
consequence, these manacles must do mischief; and when a Collection is
kept under proper regulation, this injurious mode of protection may very
well be dispensed with.
There is only one Catalogue in manuscript of this Library, written
apparently about a century ago, in which the books are enumerated in
alphabetical order, with a tolerably particular description of each book,
and though the dates, imprints, and sizes of books are most unpardonably
omitted, occasionally the contents of such Collections as Wharton’s
Anglia Sacra are specified separately. This Catalogue is contained in
two folio volumes, in vellum covers, with this common title: Catalogus
Librorum in Bibliothecâ Wellensi.
The additions made to the Library since this Catalogue was written are
neither numerous nor important, consisting chiefly of the ponderous
volumes issued under the authority of the Record Commission. But a new
Catalogue is now preparing by Mr. Aldrit, who has recently cleansed all
the books from the accumulated dust of the last half century.
The first volumes which attracted my attention were a very fine set of
Walton’s Polyglott Bible, with the Republican Preface, ruled with red
lines, and bound in blue morocco, full charged with gilt tooling on
the back, and bearing this superscription, “E dono Thomæ Hole, Eccl.
Wellensis Cancellarii et Canonici.” The rings, by which the chains were
formerly fastened, remain attached to these portly volumes.
Beside these stood Castell’s Lexicon in calf, and the Biblia Polyglotta
Philippica per Ariam Montanum, in 8 volumes, folio, bound in calf; and
of the other impressions of the sacred volume I noticed the Biblia
Hebraica Wolfii, and per Joannem Leusden; Buxtorf’s Hebrew Bible, in a
vellum cover; the Septuagint Version issued under the authority of Pope
Sixtus V. and that printed at London, juxta exemplar Vaticanum, in 1543,
4to., together with that edited by Grabe in 4 volumes, folio, printed
at Oxford in 1720. Biblia Latina Vulgata, Parisiis, 1545 and 1552, both
in 4to.; the English Bible, London, by J. Bill, 1633, folio, with the
Common Prayer of 1569, uniform in red morocco; Evangelia Gothica et
Anglo-Saxonica; Novum Testamentum Græcum et Latinum Erasmi, Basil. 1539,
and Græcum Millii, Oxon. 2 vols. folio, and Græcum Cantabrigiæ, 1632;
Nov. Test. Hebr. Arab. et Syriac.; the Holie Bible, printed at Doway in
1609, in 2 vols. 4to; the New Testament, Antwerp, 1600, 4to.; to which
I may add the impressions of the Common Prayer, in English, of 1552 and
1669; and in Welch and in Scotch, with the Processionale ad usum Ecclesiæ
Sarum.
Works of Divinity form a large portion of this Library; the most
important of which are the Works of S. Ambrose, S. Anselm, S. Athanasius,
Thomas Aquinas, Atterbury, Allix, Allen, Andrewes, Abbot, S. Basil,
Barrow, Beveridge, Bingham, Bossuet, Boyle, Bramhall, Burnet, Martin
Bucer, Edmund Campion, Samuel Clarke, S. Cyril, 6 vols. folio; S.
Cyprian, edited by Fell; Erasmus, Duns Scotus, Grotius, Fleetwood,
Geddes, Gregory Nazianzen, Hooper, 1757; S. Hilary, Horne, Hammond, in
4 vols. folio; Irenæus, Lightfoot, Lactantius, Lowth, Patrick, Mede,
Melancthon, Newton, Origen, Paley, Philo Judæus, Prideaux, Sancroft,
Sherlock, Spanheim, South, Stillingfleet, Jeremy Taylor, Tillotson,
with his Life by Birch; Tertullian, and Tennison. I also remarked the
Commentaries of Abarbanal, Alexandri Alensis Universæ Theologiæ Summa,
in 4 tom. folio; Augustini Opera, per Erasmum, in 10 vols. folio;
Bellarmini Disputationum de Controversiis fidei Christianæ, tom. iv.
folio; Bochart’s Geographia Sacra, and Hierozoicon; Bulli Opera, per
Grabe; Bythneri Lyra Prophetica; Butler’s Analogy; Calvin’s Institutions;
Casaubon’s Annotations and Commentaries; Chillingworth’s Religion of
Protestants; Chrysostomi Opera, per Savile, 8 vols. folio; and in 13
vols. folio, in old calf; Clementis Alexandrini Opera, Gr. & Lat. per
Heinsium et Sylburgium; Comber on the Liturgy; Newman’s and various other
Concordances; Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible, in dark old calf; Critici
Sacri per Cornelium Bezam, in 9 vols. folio; Pole’s Synopsis; Jewel’s
Apology; Davenant, Prælectiones Theologicæ; Doleman’s Conversions,
Book the Third; Epiphanii Opera, per Petavium, 2 vols. folio; Farmer
on the Demoniacs of the New Testament; Southey’s Book of the Church;
Eusebii Hist. Ecclesiastica; Præparatio et Demonstratio Evangelica;
Jortin’s Sermons; Boyle’s Lecture Sermons, 3 vols. folio, in calf; Hey’s
Theological Lectures, 4 vols. 8vo. Justini Martyris Opera, Gr. & Lat.
Sylburgii; Justiniani Institutiones, curâ Harris; Kett on the Prophecies;
Bishop Ken’s Sermons and Tracts, with his Life; Lardner’s Testimonies
and other Works; Leslie’s Theological Works, in 2 vols. folio; Leland
on Deism and the Christian Revelation; Leigh’s Critica Sacra; Lloyd’s
Church Government; Sanderson’s Sermons, and other Works; Bartholomæi de
Saxoferrato Commentarii; Scott’s Christian Life and Sermons; Simon, Hist.
Crit. Vet. Test.; Sleidan, Commentarii de statu Religionis et Reipublicæ;
Bibliotheca Patrum, a fine set in calf; Calasio Concordantiæ Hebreæ, 4
vols. folio, in calf; Newcome’s Harmony and Minor Prophets; Tostati Opera
Theologica, Venetiis, 1596, 13 vols. folio; Petavii Opera Theologica,
Parisiis, 1550, 5 vols. folio, in old calf; Chamieri Controversiæ;
Petri Martyris Loci Communes; Pearson on the Creed; Hooper’s Works, in
old calf, gilt; Joannis Damasceni Opera, 2 vols. folio, in old calf;
Clerici Comm. in Hagiographa, et Prophetas, &c.; Vitringæ Comm. in
Iesaiam; Gale’s Court of the Gentiles; Bishop Kidder on the Pentateuch;
Pococke on Malachi, Micah, Joel, and Hosea, 4 vols. folio, old calf;
Cotelerii Patres Apostolici, curâ Joannis Clerici, Amstelod, 1724, 2
vols. folio, in calf; Petavii de doctrinâ temporum, Antverpiæ, 1703, in
3 vols. folio, in calf; Usher’s Annales Vet. Test. and other Tracts;
Twysden’s Vindication of the Church of England from Schism, &c.; Wall
on Infant Baptism; Warner’s Illustrations of Common Prayer; Warburton’s
Divine Legation, 1765, 5 vols.; Zanchii Miscellanea Theologica; Suiceri
Thesaurus Ecclesiasticus; and Hodius de Bibliorum Textibus, 4 vols. folio.
Of Ecclesiastical History, the principal Works which I noticed were the
Constitutiones Legatinæ; Regionis Anglicanæ; Scripture Atlas, 1812;
Othonis et Othoboni, cum annotationibus Joannis de Athona; Cave’s Lives
of the Primitive Fathers; Baronii Annalium tomus primus, et Martyrologium
Romanum, cum ejusdem Annalibus in Epitomen redactis, per Spondanum,
1639; Bedæ Historia Ecclesiastica; Bower’s History of the Popes; Usser
de Antiq. Eccl. Britt. with his Life by Parr and Smith; Burnet’s
Reformation; Concilia Generalia Ecclesiæ Catholicæ; Quick’s Synodicon in
Galliâ Reformatâ; Sacrosancta Concilia per Labbe et Cossard, in 17 vols.
folio, in old calf; Ecton’s Thesaurus; Fox’s Martyrs, in 3 vols. folio;
Godwin’s English Bishops; Gothofredi Comment. in Codicem Theodosianum,
in 4 vols. folio; Historia Ecclesiastica, per Magdeburgenses; Hooker’s
Ecclesiastical Polity; Howell’s Synopsis Canonum, in 2 vols. folio;
Jenning’s Jewish Antiquities; Josephus’ History of the Jews, translated
by Lodge; Josephus Havercampi, 2 vols. folio, and Hudsoni, 1720, in 2
vols. folio; Basnage, History of the Jews; Spencer de Legibus Hebræorum;
Jortin’s Ecclesiastical History; Corpus Juris Canonici, Paris, 1618;
Codex Justiniani; Lyndewode’s Provinciale seu Constitutiones Angliæ;
Annales Ordinis Benedictin. per Mabillon, Parisiis, 1703, 5 vols. folio,
in French calf; Strype’s Memorials, Lives, and Annals; Tornielli Annales;
Wharton’s Anglia Sacra; Wilkins’ Concilia Magnæ Britannicæ, in 4 vols.
folio; and Saliani Annal. Eccles. V. T. Paris. 1641, folio.
It will be seen from the foregoing enumeration, however brief, that a
very large portion of this Library is theological; indeed no less than
thirteen pages of the Catalogue are occupied by Tracts on the Popish
Controversy, four by the subject of Toleration, and three by that of
Transubstantiation. There are also many other Tracts relating to the
Reformation and the Revolution, and also to the Quakers.
This Collection also contains the Alcoranus Muhammedis, Arabicè, 1694,
and Sale’s Koran.
Of General History I noticed but few works, the chief of which were
Alstedii Thesaurus Chronologiæ; Baudrand, Lexicon Geographicum; Davila’s
Civil Wars of France; Dodwell’s Dissertations; D’Anville’s Geography,
1812; the Collections of Grævius, in old calf; Corpus Juris Civilis
Gothofredi; Lipsii Politicorum Libri VI.; Mezeray’s History of France;
Heylin’s Cosmography; Howell’s History of the World, in old calf;
Pococke’s Description of the East, 2 vols. folio; Potter’s Greece;
Puffendorf’s Law of Nations; Robertson’s America, and Charles V.;
Roscoe’s Lorenzo di Medici; Rycaut’s History of the Turks and of the
Ottoman Empire; Scaliger de Emendatione Temporum; & Chronicon, Amstel.
1758, fol. calf; Simpson’s Chronicon Catholicon; Thuani Historia sui
temporis, folio; the Universal History, in 21 vols. 8vo.; Wheler’s
Greece; Shaw and Pococke’s Travels; Foster’s, Cook’s, and Hawkesworth’s
Voyages; Browne’s Travels in Hungary and Germany; Park’s Travels;
Wilson’s Pelew Islands; Webb’s Historical Essay upon China; Ximenes,
Archiep. Tolet. Historia Arabum. Lugd. Bat. 1625; Zosimus, Historia
Novorum, libri duo; and Gillies’ Greece.
Of English History and Antiquities, the list is rather more copious,
as the following selection will testify: Adam’s Index Villaris; Rerum
Anglicarum Scriptores Decem à Twysden; and the first volume only of
Gale and Fell’s Collection; Bates’ Elenchus Motuum; Commentarii de
Rebellione Anglica, 1640-85, per R. Manilium, Eq. Aurat.; Sir Robert
Atkyns’s Historical Tracts; Baker’s Chronicle, folio; Chandler’s Life
of Bishop Beckington; Bentham’s Ely; Boswell’s Johnson; Brady’s English
History, and Introduction to the same; Britannia Rediviva; Epicedia
Acad. Oxon. in obitum Henrici ducis Gloucestrensis; Notitia Academiæ
Oxoniensis; Buchanan, Historia Scotorum; Camden’s Britannia, the first
edition as well as that by Gibson; Somner’s Canterbury; Charlton’s
Chorea Gigantum, 1663; Webb’s Vindication of Stonehenge restored; Inigo
Jones’s Stonehenge; Clarendon’s Rebellion, 3 vols. folio; Daniel’s
History of England; Drayton’s Polyolbion; Davies’ Celtic Researches;
Dugdale’s Baronage; Origines Judiciales, Summons; Catalogue of the
Lord Chancellors, and Troubles, Warwickshire, edited by Thomas, with
an Epitome of his Monasticon Anglicanum, edited by Stevens; Aikin’s
Elizabeth and James I.; Rymer’s Fœdera, a fine set of the original
edition in old calf; Gibson’s Codex, and Chronicon Saxonicum; Guillim’s
Heraldry; Kennett’s Parochial Antiquities; Langhorne, Elenchus
Antiquitatum Albionensium; Heylin’s Life of Laud; Lyttelton’s Henry II.;
Loggan, Oxonia et Cantabrigia Illustrata; Mackenzie’s Royal Line of
Scotland; Cox’s Memoirs of Marlborough, in 6 vols. 8vo. with the Atlas
in 4to.; Matthæi Paris Historia Anglicana; Matthæi Westmonasteriensis
Flores Historiarum; Milton’s Defensio pro Populo Anglicano; Musgrave,
Antiquitates Britanno-Belgicæ præcipuè Romanæ, 4 vols. 8vo.; the Harleian
Miscellany, 8vo. in calf; Lord Herbert’s Life of Henry VIII.; Holinshed’s
Chronicle, with Vowell’s Continuation; Hume’s History of England;
Hutchin’s Dorset, the first edition; Journals of the Lords and Commons;
Records, and Population Returns; Maitland’s London; Nalson’s Collections;
Guil. Neubrigensis de Rebus Anglicanis; Plott’s Oxfordshire; Prynne’s
Concordia Discors; Rushworth’s Historical Collections; Rerum nuper in
Scotiâ Gestarum Historia, 1641; Viscount Tarbet’s Acts of Scotland, from
1685 to 1702, 4 vols. with many other Tracts relating to the History
of the Scottish Nation and Church; Spotswode’s Church of Scotland;
Sheringham, Disceptatio de Gentis Anglorum origine; Spelman’s Concilia,
and Life of Alfred, with the Reliquiæ Spelmannianæ by Gibson; State
Trials, by Cobbett, 11 vols. 8vo.; the Statutes at large; Cromwell’s
Memoirs of Oliver Cromwell, 2 vols. 8vo.; Madox, Baronia Anglica, Firma
Burgi, Formulare Anglicanum, and History of the Exchequer; Scriptores
post Bedam, edente Savile; Tanner’s Notitia Monastica; Sir Wm. Temple’s
Memoirs; Speed’s History of Great Britain; Polydore Vergil; Urbinas,
Archidiaconus Wellensis, Historia Anglicana, Libris XXVII. with his
other Works; Verstegan’s Restitution of Decayed Intelligence relative to
English Antiquities; Cox’s Memoirs of Walpole; Walton’s Lives of Hooker
and Sanderson; Whitelocke’s Memorials; Vita Guil. de Wickham Episc.
Winton; Wood’s Athenæ, et Antiquitates Oxonienses; Maittaire, Marmora
Oxoniensia, Londini, 1732, folio, in calf; and Francisci Wise, Nummorum
Antiq. Bodl. Catalogus; to which may be added a Genealogical Chart of the
House of Stuart, 1779, which hangs upon the wall of this Library.
Of Law Books, the chief appeared to be Blackstone’s Commentaries; Coke’s
Reports in Law French; Dalton’s Country Justice; Durandi Speculum Juris;
Coke upon Littleton; Fitzherbert, Natura Brevium; Blackstone’s Magna
Charta, Oxford, 1759; Bracton de Legibus Angliæ, Londini, per Ricardum
Tottel, 1569, folio; and Robinson’s Admiralty Cases, 1806, &c. 6 vols.
8vo. with the Statutes at large.
Of Etymology, this Collection comprehends Baxter’s Account of Llhuyd’s
Archæologia; Du Cange, Glossary; Buxtorf’s Hebrew Lexicon; Cole’s
English Dictionary; Cooper’s Thesaurus; Cotgrave’s French and English
Dictionary; Harris’ Hermes; Hickes’ Thesaurus Septentrionalis, cum
Wanleii Hist. Lit. Septentr. Oxon. 1705, 2 vols. folio; Giggeus,
Thesaurus Arabicus; Golii Lexicon Arabicum; Hoffmanni Lexicon Universale;
Junii Glossarium Gothicum, Dordraci, 1665, and his Etymologicum
Anglicanum, 1743, folio; Llhuyd’s Archæologia; Scapulæ et Schrevelii
Lexica; Skinner’s Etymologicum Linguæ Anglicanæ; Somneri Dictionarium
Saxonico-Latino-Anglicanum, and his Glossary; Spelman’s Glossary;
Stephani Thesaurus, in 4 vols. folio; Suidæ Lexicon, Kusteri, Cantabr. in
3 vols. folio; Vossius, Etymol. Ling. Lat. to which may be added several
Greek, Latin, Italian, French, and English Dictionaries not requiring
particular specification.
I now come to the great Authors of Antiquity, and shall be as concise as
possible in my account of them, begging “the thorough-bred Bibliomaniac”
to imagine the pleasure I felt in discovering a beautiful copy of
the Aldine Aristotle, the first edition of the Works of that great
philosopher in his own tongue, as sound and immaculate as when it first
issued from the press at Venice. The five volumes have been rebound in
the dark calf of the preceding century, with red lettering pieces; and
within four of them is pasted the well known autograph of the celebrated
Erasmus, “Sum Erasmi Roterodami,” from which we may reasonably conclude
that this very set of books once appertained to that eminent scholar: a
supposition which is strengthened by the circumstance of the donor of
this Work having written in the third volume, immediately beneath the
autograph just quoted, the following commemorative distich:
“Hæc ego dona dedi Wellensi Bibliothecæ
Turnerus nomen cui gulielmus erat.”
the altitude of these volumes is rather more than twelve inches, by eight
inches and a quarter. “The ruler-carrying Bibliomaniacs” will thank me
for being thus particular.
The other editions of the Classics being of lesser note, the names
of the authors shall be succinctly given in alphabetical order: Æneas
Tacticus Gr. Casauboni; Alciati Paradox. Lib. VI.; Athenagoras, Historia
Augustæ Scriptores VI.; Aristophanes; Cæsar, Delphini, Catullus,
Cicero, Lambini, Geneva, 1624, 4 vols. folio; Dares, Phrygius et Dictys
Cretensis; Demosthenes, Dionysius Halicarnass. Ælius Lampridius Rom. Imp.
Hist.; Hierocles Facetiæ & Versus Aurei; Herodiani lib. VIII. per Angelum
Politianum; Homer, by Barnes; Horace, by Bond; Isocrates Stephani, 1604;
Juvenalis Farnabii; Livius Gelenii et Thomæ Hearne; Longinus, Manilii
Astronomicon; Macrobius Pontani; Martialis Raderi; Photius, Bibliotheca
Hœschelii, Rothomagi, 1563, et ejusdem Epistolæ per Ricardum Montacutium,
1651, folio, in a vellum wrapper; Plinii Hist. Nat. Dalecampii; Plautus
Lambini; Philostrati Opera Omnia, Lipsiæ, 1709, folio, in calf; Poetæ
Minores Græci; Julii Pollucis Onomasticon; Polybius Casauboni; Procopius
Hœschelii; Propertius; Quintilianus Gibsoni; Seneca Lipsii; Ælias,
Spartianus; Strabo Casauboni; Suetonius Casauboni; Tacitus Lipsii;
Tibullus, &c. Opera Cantabr., Theophrastus, Virgil, Minellii & Cantabr.
1701; & Baskerville’s edition; Flavii Vopisci Rom. Imp. & H. Boxhornii,
to which I may add the Cambridge editions of Horace, Catullus, Tibullus,
Propertius, Terence, & Virgil, 1701, 4to.; and Didymus in Homerum,
accurante Schrevelio, Amstelod. ap. Elzevir, 4to.
Here I may also mention Lloyd, Dictionarium Histor. Geograph. et Poeticum
à Stephano, Oxonii, 1671, folio; Allwood’s Literary Antiquities of
Greece, London, 1779, 4to.; Middleton’s Cicero, Melmoth’s Pliny; Gesneri
Bibliothecæ Epitome per Simlerum, Plutarch’s Lives, by North; Spence’s
Polymetis; Salmasii Exercitationes Plinianæ; Ovid’s Metamorphoses, by
Banier, illustrated by Picart, Amsterdam, 1732, folio, in old russia;
Vossius de Historicis Græcis et Latinis.
Of Bibliography indeed, the Works I found here are so few, that I am
almost ashamed to record merely the Acta Eruditorum, Lipsiæ, 1682;
Blount’s Censura Literaria; Cave’s Scriptor. Eccles. Hist. Literar.; Du
Pin’s Ecclesiastical Writers; Hyde’s Catalogue of the Bodleian Library;
Nicolson’s Historical Library; Catalogus Libror. MSS. Angl. et Hibern.
Oxonii, 1697; and “a Catalogue of such unlawful books as were found in
the study of John Stowe of London, 1568.”
It only remains for me to notice such miscellaneous works as met my eye,
in roving about the antique gallery in which they are deposited. To begin
with the most obsolete, I may mention Petrus de Albano Heptameron, seu
Elementa Magica; Agrippa de occultâ Philosophiâ; Blome’s Gentleman’s
Recreation; Thomæ Mori Opera Latina; Johnstoni Historia Naturalis de
Quadrupedibus, &c. 2 vols. folio; Jovii Illustrium Virorum Vitæ, in 2
vols. folio; Joannis Sarisburiensis Polycraticus et Metalogicus, and the
Theory of the Earth, by Woodward and Burnet; Thomæ Willis, M. D. Opera
Omnia, 2 vols. folio; and Wiseman’s Chirurgical Treatises.
In English Literature I remarked Chaucer’s Works, by Urry; Bacon’s Works,
1730, &c. in 4 vols. 4to.; Blacklock’s Poems; Beattie on Truth; Sir
Thomas Browne’s Works; Sir Robert Cotton’s Works; Chambers’ Dictionary;
Cowley’s Works; Evelyn on Medals; Grew’s Anatomy of Plants; Butler’s
Hudibras, edited by Grey; Locke’s Works; Maundrell’s Journey; Milton’s
Poems, edited by Newton; Harrington’s Oceana; Herbert’s Steps to the
Temple; Humboldt’s Works, 8vo. calf; Orrery’s Letters; the Philosophical
Transactions, in 4 volumes; Prior’s Poems; Pope’s Works, by Warburton,
in 9 vols. 8vo.; some Tracts by Selden; Algernon Sydney’s Discourse
concerning Government; Smollett’s Travels; Spenser’s Faery Queen;
Stewart’s Political Economy; the Asiatic Researches, 12 vols. 8vo. very
neatly bound in calf; Pennant’s British Zoology; Sullivan’s View of
Nature, 6 vols. 8vo.; and Hartley on Man.
I may add what is very deserving of imitation in other places, that a
tabular index of the contents of each case is hung at the end thereof,
the books being specified exactly in the order in which they are placed
on the shelves: a method which affords great facilities both to the
casual visitor and the professed students.
The books are generally in excellent preservation, and chiefly in the
sombre calf of the two last centuries, with some in vellum covers. And
there is very properly a small book for the names of books borrowed from
the Library, to be entered by those who have occasion for them.
Of the manuscripts formerly attached to this foundation I have made no
mention, because they have chiefly perished through the united agency of
time and neglect.
I may however cite, as an exception, an ancient Vulgate Bible, presented
to the Cathedral by one of its Bishops, and add that a Chinese Manuscript
is also extant, though the curiosity of strangers has greatly impaired
both its integrity and appearance.
[Illustration]
Library of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster.
This ancient and extensive Collection of Books is preserved in a room
over the cloisters adjoining the time-honoured fabric of Westminster
Abbey.
The true lover of the typographic art must here feel the full influence
of the “Religio Loci,” recollecting that within these sacred precincts,
William Caxton erected his Press, and bestowed on benighted England
the benefits of the Art of Printing. It may be remarked that the only
specimen of our earliest printer here preserved is a single leaf inserted
at the end of Pynson’s Dives and Pauper, 1493, whose authenticity has
been thus attested, “This appears to be a leaf from Caxton’s Chronicle,
1480. T. F. Dibdin.”
But to give the general reader some idea of the locale of this Library,
I must borrow the descriptive pages of a transatlantic pen. “There
are certain half-dreaming moods of mind, in which we naturally steal
away from noise, and glare, and seek some quiet haunt, where we may
indulge our reveries, and build our air-castles undisturbed. ‘In such a
mood,’ says Washington Irving,[59] ‘I was loitering about the old gray
cloisters of Westminster Abbey, enjoying that luxury of wandering thought
which we are apt to dignify by the name of reflection; when suddenly an
irruption of madcap boys from Westminster School, playing at foot-ball,
broke in upon the monastic stillness of the place, making the vaulted
passages, and mouldering tombs echo with their merriments. I sought
to take refuge from their noise by penetrating still deeper into the
solitudes of the pile, and applied to one of the vergers for admission
to the Library. He conducted me through a portal rich with the crumbling
sculpture of former ages, which opened upon a gloomy passage leading to
the Chapter House, and the chamber in which Doomsday Book is deposited.
Just within the passage is a small door on the left. To this the verger
applied a key; it was double locked, and opened with some difficulty as
if seldom used. We now ascended a dark narrow staircase, and passing
through a second door, entered the library.
“‘I found myself in a lofty antique hall, the roof supported by massive
joists of old English oak. It was soberly lighted by a row of gothic
windows at a considerable height from the floor, and which apparently
opened upon the roofs of the cloisters. An ancient picture of some
reverend dignitary of the Church in his robes hung over the fire place.
Around the hall, and in a small gallery were the books, arranged in
carved oaken cases. They consisted principally of old polemical writers,
and were much more worn by time than use. In the centre of the library
was a solitary table, with two or three books on it, an inkstand without
ink, and a few pens parched by long disuse. The place seemed fitted for
quiet study and profound meditation. It was buried deep among the massive
walls of the abbey, and shut up from the tumult of the world. I could
only hear now and then the shouts of the school boys faintly swelling
from the cloisters, and the sound of a bell tolling for prayers, that
echoed soberly along the roofs of the abbey. By degrees the shouts of
merriment grew fainter and fainter, and at length died away. The bell
ceased to toll, and a profound silence reigned through the dusky hall.’”
I will not follow the lively American in his day dream among the dusty
tomes, inasmuch as it is somewhat “lengthy,” and not sufficiently
entertaining to warrant its transcription.
I must here, too, venture a protest against the ungrateful sentiment of
our author, who “could not but consider the library a kind of literary
catacomb, where authors, like mummies, are piously entombed, and left to
blacken and moulder in dusty oblivion.”
Dropping the pencil of Geoffrey Crayon, I proceed with great satisfaction
to examine the venerable remains enshrined within the “literary catacomb”
of Westminster Abbey.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster at present consists of
eleven thousand volumes, but was formerly much more extensive, as many
works, which appear in the old Catalogue, and are not found in the new,
lamentably attests.
The old Catalogue of this Collection, arranged in alphabetical order,
with titles, places, and dates, and with references to the shelves,
bears the following title: “Catalogus Librorum in hac Bibliothecâ
Westmonasteriensi. Octob. 22mo. 1726,” folio. It is bound in vellum, and
has the armorial bearings of the Deanery stamped upon the cover. The new
Catalogue was compiled by Dr. Dakin, the precentor, and contains the
titles, places, dates, and sizes of the books, with reference to the
shelves on which they are placed, very carefully arranged in alphabetical
order, and clearly written by Mr. Marquet, in a large folio volume,
secured by clasps. For this labour, completed in the year 1798, the Dean
and Chapter, with a most commendable zeal for the preservation of their
treasures of ancient learning, paid the sum of one hundred pounds.
The Library was originally deposited in one of the chapels, within
the Abbey, but was removed to its present situation by the celebrated
Williams, Archbishop of York, in the time of James the First.
Within the deep recesses of this venerable pile, “where all the air a
solemn stillness holds,” the mind is naturally inclined to religious
contemplation, and turns instinctively to the Book of Life.
Here too the Bibliographer may point with satisfaction to a very fine
sound copy of the famous Complutensian Polyglott, 1515, in 6 volumes,
folio, which though slightly stained, retains its original binding of
stamped calf, and nearly its pristine dimensions, measuring fifteen and a
quarter by ten and a half inches.
Meet companions of the first Polyglott Bible are,
The Biblia Polyglotta, Montani. Antverpiæ, apud Plantin, 1572,
in 8 vols. folio, &
The Biblia Polyglotta, Waltoni. Londini, 1657, in 6 vols.
folio, accompanied by the indispensable adjunct of Castell’s
Lexicon, in 2 similar volumes.
To these may be added,
The Biblia Sacra Quadrilingue, Wolderi. Hamburgi, 1596, folio.
Biblia Hebraica et Latina, Munsteri. Basileæ, 1546, in 2
volumes, folio.
Biblia Hebraica, Leusdenii. Amstelod. 1667, folio.
Biblia Hebraica, Houbigantii. Paris. 1753, 4 vols. folio.
Biblia Hebraica, Stephani. Paris. 1565, 7 vols. 24to.
Biblia Hebraica, Kennicottii. Oxonii, 1776, 2 vols. folio.
The Bomberg Hebrew Bible, printed at Venice, but without date,
in 3 volumes, folio; and another Impression of the Scriptures
in the Hebrew tongue, in 10 volumes, folio.
This Library also contains,
The first edition of the Scripture, in the Greek language,
being the Biblia Græca, Venetiis, in ædibus Aldi, 1518, folio.
The Biblia Græca, Hervagii. Basileæ, 1545, folio, &
The Biblia Græca. Francofurti, 1597, folio.
Among the Latin Bibles, may be noticed the
Biblia Latina, Castalionis. Basileæ, 1556, folio.
Biblia Latina, Stephani. Parisiis, 1557, folio.
Biblia Latina, Vulgata. Parisiis, 1558, folio.
Biblia Latina, Vatabli. Parisiis, 1584, folio.
Biblia Latina, Vatabli. Romæ, 1592, folio.
Biblia Latina, Vatabli. Antverpiæ, 1605, folio.
Biblia Latina, Tremellii et Junii. Genevæ, 1630.
Biblia Latina. Antverpiæ, 1645, 8vo.
Biblia Latina. Londini, 1653, 12mo.
Biblia Latina, Theod. Bezæ. Amstelod. 1669, 12mo.
To which may be added,
Grabe’s Septuagint, printed at Oxford, 1707, fol. and the
Septuagint, edited by Holmes and Parsons at Oxford, 1798, &c.
in 10 vols. folio.
The Biblia Sacra, Diodati. Genevæ, 1641.
The Biblia Arabica. Romæ, 1593, 4to. &
The Biblia Francois. Amsterdam, 1516, folio.
Of English Bibles, I noticed more particularly
Cranmer’s Bible of 1540, in folio.
The first and second editions of Parker’s, or the Bishop’s
Bible. London, by Richard Jugge, 1568, and 1572, folio.
The Bible of 1551, folio.
The Bible of 1617, folio.
The Bible of 1706, 4to.; together with
King James’s Bible of 1640, folio.
The Welch Bible, printed at London in 1588, folio; and in 1600; at Oxford
in 1723; and at London in 1746, 8vo. here claim a passing notice.
Of editions of the New Testaments in English it may suffice to allude
to those printed at London in 1706, 1708, 1711, 8vo.; and at Oxford in
1770, 8vo.; The Novum Testamentum Arabicum, 4to; the Novum Testamentum
Syriacum, per Leusden. Lugd. Bat. 1717; the Novum Testamentum Græcum,
per Fell, Oxonii, 1675, 8vo.; et Millii, Oxonii, 1707, folio; together
with Kipling’s facsimile of the Codex Bezæ, Cambridge, 1793, folio; and
the editions of Beza, Erasmus, Wetstein, and Stephens, 1549; the Coptic
Version of Wilkins; and several French translations by Beausobre and
others; Fulke’s New Testament, London, by the deputies of Chr. Barker,
1589; and the same, printed at London, by Augustine Matthews, 1633, both
in folio.
I may add to the above the Evangelia IV. Græcè Theophylacti, Romæ, 1542;
Evangelia Gothica Junii, 4to.; Wilkins’ Pentateuchus Copticus, Lond.
1731, 4to.; Psalterium Monasticum, Samueli, 1616, folio; Psalterium
Quintuplex; Psalterium Antverpiæ, Plantin, 1608; Psalterium Hebraicum
Græcum et è Codice Alexandrina, Oxonii, 1678, 12mo.; and many other
editions of the Psalms of David.
Of Rituals and Forms of Prayers, I noticed the Welch Prayer Book of 1664,
in folio; the Scotch Prayer Books of 1637 and 1661; and the English
Prayer Books of 1549, 1552, 1616, 1661, 1683, and 1702; with Wheatley on
the Common Prayer; and the Offices of the Church of England, Cambridge,
1751, 8vo.; Liturgia Latina Anglicana, Londini, 1574, 1688, and 1727,
12mo.; Liturgia Græca per Pinellum, Venetiis, 1603-1628, in 14 volumes,
4to.; Missale Romanum, Lugd. Bat. 1625; and Antverpiæ, 1625, 8vo.;
several Roman Breviaries; a Parisian edition of the Horæ B. M. V. without
date; and the Pontificale Romanum, 1611, folio.
Among the earlier Theological writers may be enumerated the Works of S.S.
Ambrose, Anselm, Athanasius, Augustine, Basilius, Bernard, Chrysostom,
Cyprian, Cyril, Epiphanius, Episcopius, Gregorius Eusebius, Byzantinus
Nazianzenus, et Nyssenus, &c. Jerome, Hilary, Ignatius, Irenæus, Isidore,
Lactantius, Tertullian, Theodoret, Theophylact, and others too numerous
to mention.
It may be permitted me, however, to specify the Works of Alexander de
Ales, Arnobius, Bede, Bellarmine, Bessarion, Beausobre, Bonaventura,
Bossuet, Bourdaloue, Theodore Beza, Bochart, Bullinger, Calvin, Clemens
Alexandrinus, Chytræus, Dallæus, Drusius, Le Clerc, and Duns Scotus; of
Erasmus, Fulgentius, John Gerson, Grotius, Hospinianus, Justin Martyr,
Lanfranc, Luther, Melancthon, Peter Martyr, Origen, Socinus, Suarez,
Turretinus, Turrianus, and Zanchius.
To which may be properly added, Cassiodorus in Psalmos, Basileæ, 1491,
folio; Nicolai de Lyra Commentarii, editio antiqua, sine loco aut anno.
liber mancus, and another edition printed at Venice in 1603, folio;
Bythneri Lyra Prophetica; Damasceni Opera Theologica; Lactantii Opera,
Cantabrigiæ, 1686, 12mo.; Lutheri Opera, Wittebergæ, 1557-83, in 7 vols.
folio; and those of Melancthon.
Among the Works of English Divines, I think it right to record those of
Bishop Andrews, Atterbury, Barrow, Baxter, Bennet, Beveridge, Bingham,
Bickerstaff, Bramhall, Bull, Calamy, Chillingworth, Claggett, Clarke,
Conybeare, Bishop Cosin, Dodwell, Edwards, Fisher, Hall, Hammond, Hoadly,
Hooper, Hopkins, Jeremy Taylor, Jackson, Jebb, Jenkins, Jewel, Jortin,
Kennicott, Kennett, Lardner, Leslie, Lightfoot, Lowth, Bp. Ostervald,
Outram, Pearce, Pierce, Perkins, Pococke, Prideaux, Archbp. Potter,
Reynolds, J. Rogers, Secker, Sherlock, South, Stanhope, Stillingfleet,
Sykes, Venn, Waterland, Whiston, Whitaker, White, Wilson, and others of
minor note.
Here too may be noticed, Cave’s Primitive Christianity; and Lives of the
Apostolic Fathers; Bowyer on the New Testament; Butler’s Analogy; Burnet
on the thirty-nine Articles; Collier’s Sacred Interpreter; Conybeare on
Revealed Religion; Cudworth’s Intellectual System; Cruden’s Concordance;
Derham’s Astro- and Physico-Theology; Davenant on the Psalms; Drelincourt
on Death; Fiddes’ Body of Divinity; Field of the Church; Duncan Forbes on
Incredulity; Fulke on the New Testament; Gale’s Court of the Gentiles;
Edwards on the Old and New Testament; Gastrell’s Institutes; Hall’s
Meditations; Horne’s Introduction to the Scriptures; Jebb’s Theological
Lectures, Cambridge, 1772; Ireland’s Popery and Paganism compared,
London, 1809, and 1825; also his Nuptiæ Sacræ, 1821, 8vo.; Ken’s Manual;
Leland on Deism; Lloyd on Church Government; Macknight’s Harmony of the
Gospels; Mede on the Altar; Newman’s Concordance; Patrick’s, Pococke’s
and Whitby’s Commentaries; Pearson on the Creed; Prideaux and Shuckford’s
Connection; Scott’s Christian Life, and other Works; Secker’s Lectures,
Sermons, and Charges; Tenison on Idolatry; Tillotson’s Works, London,
1707-20, and 35, in folio; Woolston on Miracles; Trapp’s Theological
Works; Tyndale, Frith, and Barnes’ Works, London, 1573, fol.; Usher’s
Annals, 1658, folio; Wake’s Genuine Epistles of the Apostolical Fathers;
and his Work on the State of the Church; Wall on Infant Baptism;
Warburton’s Works by Hurd, 1788, 4to.; West and Littleton on the
Resurrection; Whiston’s Primitive Christianity, and other Works; Venn’s
Whole Duty of Man; Wilkins on Natural Religion.
This Collection also embraces a variety of Sermons by different authors;
among the most noticeable of whom are Bishops Gibson, Fleetwood, Hoadly,
Atterbury, and Sharpe; Waterland, Wilkins, Gataker, Vincents, Conybeare,
Stanhope, and Sanderson.
To the above I may add, Blackwall’s Sacred Classics; various Concordances
by Schmidius, Kircher, & Buxtorf; Barwick’s Life of Dean Barwick; Birch’s
Life of Tillotson; Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible; Stackhouse’s History
of the Bible, and his other Works; Barclay’s Apology; Osterwald’s
Arguments, in French; and Pyle on the Epistles; Ioannis de Turrecremata,
Summa Theologiæ, Lugduni, 1496, 8vo.; Limborch, Theologia Christiana;
Leigh’s Critica Sacra; Junii Opera Theologica; Vincentii Speculum
Doctrinale, Venetiis, 1494, folio; Sixti Senensis Bibliotheca Sancta;
Hulderici Zuinglii Opera; Zonaræ Canones et Annales; Petri Blesensis
Opera Omnia; Thomæ Aquinatis Opera, Antverpiæ, 1612, folio; Stapletoni
Opera, & Whitakeri Opera, Genevæ, 1610, folio; the Bibliotheca Veterum
Patrum, Colon. Agrip. 1618, in 14 volumes, folio; the Bibliotheca,
S.S. Patrum, Col. Agr. 1622, in 15 folio volumes; Cotelerii Patres
Apostolici; Dacherii Spicelegium; the Critici Sacri; Pole’s Synopsis;
Eusebii Præparatio et Demonstratio Evangelica; Boethii Opera, Basileæ,
1570, folio; Martin Bucer, Scriptores Anglicani; the Works of Buchanan;
Lyndewoode’s Provinciale of 1557, & Oxonii, 1679; Outram de Sacrificiis;
and other Works of the earlier ecclesiastics, of which the selection I
have made may serve as very fair specimens of the whole.
I may here notice Day’s Service Book, 1565, with music; the Tenor,
Morning and Evening Prayer, imperfect, but of which only three or four
copies are known; Barnard’s Cathedral Music, only found elsewhere at
Berlin; and several English Music Books of great rarity; Boyce and
Arnold’s Cathedral Music; also that of Arne, Bassani, Corelli, Fiocco,
Gasparini, Handel, Pergolesi, and Scarletti; Madrigals by Colonna,
Foggia, Gratiano, and Marenzio, forming a very valuable Collection of
Church Music; here also is preserved the Missal of Nicolas Litlington,
Abbot of Westminster in 1362; together with the Pupilla Oculi of John de
Burgh, a work of which every priest possessed a copy.
There are also in this Library a Collection of Tracts, formed about
the year 1760, so numerous that the brief enumeration of them occupies
ninety-one pages and a half of the great folio Catalogue, compiled in
1798. Of these fugitive pieces very many relate to the Controversial
Divinity of the early part of the last century; others treat of Popery,
the Muggletonians, the Test Acts, and the Miracles of the Gospel;
Warburton on the Alliance between Church and State; with his Remarks on
Pope’s Essay on Man; Whitfield’s Journals, 1740; Westley’s Appeal, 1745;
Bentley on the State of Trinity College, Cambridge, 1710; Addison’s Cato,
and the Publisher, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, 1745, 8vo. also form part of this
Series of Tracts.
Here also are many Political Pieces, especially some relating to the last
Rebellion, such as German Politicks, 1744; the Highlander delineated,
1745; the complicated Guilt of Rebellion, 1745; and the History of two
imposters, Lambert Linne and Perkin Warbeck, 1745; to which I may add
the Iter Surriense et Sussexiense, 1752, 8vo.; and other Tracts much too
insignificant for notice.
The mention of the preceding articles leads us at once into the
interesting region of History, and directs our observation to those works
which in this Collection are found to illustrate the History of England.
Among these the most remarkable are, Bacon’s History of King Henry VII,
London, 1622, folio; the Lives of William the Third, London, 1703,
8vo.; and of Queen Anne, London, 1707, 8vo.; Baker’s Chronicle; Bates’
Elenchus Motuum Nuperorum in Anglia, which Warburton thought deserving
of perusal; Bucks’ Richard the Third, London, 1647; Burnet’s History of
his own Time; Eadmeri Historia Novorum, 1623; Camden’s Britannia, Annals,
and Remains; Chamberlayne, Angliæ Notitiæ, 1716; Clarendon’s History
of the Great Rebellion; Daniel’s History of England; Davies’ Athenæ
Britannicæ; Echard’s History of England; Jovii Descriptio Britanniæ;
Madox’s Formulare Anglicanum; Gibson’s Saxon Chronicle; Grafton’s
Chronicle, 1569, folio; Gutch’s Collectanea Curiosa; Heylyn’s Help to
English History, and his Life of Laud; Histoire d’Angleterre, 1706,
12mo.; Holinshed’s Chronicles of 1587 and 1523, in folio; Hobbes on
the Civil Wars, 1679, 12mo.; Fabian’s Chronicle, London, 1559, folio;
a fine and perfect copy of Higden’s Polycronycon by Peter Treveris,
1527, folio; Martin’s History of England, from William the Conqueror to
Henry the Eighth, 1638, folio; May’s Historiæ Parliamentaris Breviarium,
1651, 12mo.; the Mercurius Politicus, published during the Civil Wars;
Oclandi Anglorum Prælia; Rushworth’s Historical Collections, London,
1659, in 6 volumes, folio; Rapin’s History of England, 1731, 8vo.; and
Tindal’s valuable edition of that Work, London, 1733, in 3 vols. folio;
the original edition of Rymer’s Fœdera, printed at London in 1704, &c.
in 20 folio volumes; Lediard’s Life of the Great Duke of Marlborough;
an Account of Sacheverell’s Tryal; Smith, de Rêpublicâ Anglorum, Lugd.
Bat. 1625, 12mo.; Speed’s History of Great Britain, London, 1623, folio;
Spelman’s Life of Alfred the Great, Oxford, 1678, folio; Stow’s Annals,
London, 1614, folio; Strutt’s Antiquities, 1773, &c. 4to.; Stukeley’s
Medallic History of Carausius, 1759, 4to.; Whitelocke’s Memorials of
English Affairs, London, 1682, 8vo.; State Trials, 1730, folio; The
Trial of the Earl of Strafford, 1680, folio; Thurloe’s State Papers, and
Welwood’s Memoirs, 1718, 12mo.; the Biographia Britannica, by Kippis,
London, 1747, folio; Holland’s Heroologia Anglica; and Wood’s Athenæ
Oxoniensis; together with Boethius Historia Scotorum, Paris, 1575, folio;
Stanihurst de Rebus Hibernicis; Stafforde’s Wars in Ireland; Sir James
Ware’s Works concerning Ireland, Dublin, 1739, in 2 volumes, folio;
Carte’s Life of Ormonde; Lhuyd’s Description of Cambria, London, 1584;
and Davies’ Celtic Researches; augment the stores of this department.
The Records of the Kingdom, published under the authority and
Superintendence of the Parliamentary Commissioners; and the Population
Returns; the Scriptores post Bedam, edited by Savile; the valuable
collection of the Historiæ Anglicanæ Scriptores, edited by Gale and
Fell at Oxford, in 3 volumes, folio; the Anglica Normannica, &c. à VI
Veteribus scripta, edita, à Camdeno, Francof. 1603, folio; Historiæ
Anglicanæ Scriptores Decem, edente Twysden, Londini, 1652, folio;
Rerum Britannicarum Scriptores VI Vetustiores, Heidelb. 1587, folio;
Matthæi Paris Historia Anglicana, edente Wats, Londini, 1640, folio;
Matthæi Westmonasteriensis Flores Historiarum, Francofurti, 1601, folio;
Nennii Historia Britonum, edente Bertramo, Hafniæ, 1757, 8vo.; Viti
Basinstochii Historia Britonum; Pontici Virunnii Historia Britonum,
Lond. 1585; Polydori Vergilii Historia Anglicana, Basileæ, 1555, folio,
and 1570, also in folio; and the Normannorum et Francorum Scriptores
Coetanei, edited by Duchesne, 1619; tend greatly to increase the value
of this Library. Tanner’s Bibliotheca Britannico-Hibernica, 1748; Balei
Scriptorum Illustrium Majoris Britanniæ Catalogus, Basileæ, 1559, folio;
Pitseus, Scriptores de Rebus Anglicis, 4to.; and Nicholson’s Historical
Libraries, in one volume, folio, here deserve to be recorded.
Of Works relating more particularly to the Ecclesiastical Affairs of
Britain, this Collection embraces the Legenda Nova Angliæ, Londini,
per Winandum de Worde, 1516, folio; Bedæ Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum; Bray’s Bibliotheca Parochialis; Brent’s Council of Trent;
Parker de Antiquitate Ecclesiæ Britannicæ, Londini, 1562, folio, being
the original edition of this scarce and valuable Work. The present copy
is happily complete, though it wants the Portrait of the Archbishop;
containing the Title, Preface, and Plate of Arms, with the index
preceded by three blank leaves. It is however in very tender condition,
and its leaves measure eleven inches and a quarter by seven inches and
five-eighths. It still retains its original binding of wood, covered with
stamped calf, to which clasps were originally attached.
This Library also contains two other editions of this Work, that printed
at Hanover in 1608, folio, and that edited by Drake, London, 1725,
folio; together with Burnet’s History of the Reformation; Ecton’s
Thesaurus; Fox’s Martyrs of 1596, 1641, and 1684, in folio; Godwyn,
Præsules Anglicani in 2 volumes, folio; Harpsfeld’s Historia Anglicana
Ecclesiastica, Duaci, 1622, folio; Inett’s Origines Anglicani; Le
Neve’s Fasti Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ; Newcourt’s Repertorium Ecclesiasticum
Londinense; Oughton, Ordo Judiciorum, 2 vols. 4to.; Reyneri Apostolatus
Ordinis Benedictinorum in Angliâ, Duaci, 1626, folio; Spelmanni Concilia,
Londini, 1639, folio; Spotswode’s Church of Scotland, 1677, folio;
Statuta Ecclesiæ Christi, Cantuariensis, Londini, 1703; Walker’s History
of Independency; the original editions of Strype’s valuable Lives,
Annals, and Ecclesiastical Memorials; Synodi Anglicani; Tovey’s Anglia
Judaica, Oxonii, 1738, 4to.; Usserii Britannicæ Ecclesiæ Antiquitates,
Dublin, 1639, 4to. and London, 1687, folio; Wharton’s Anglia Sacra; and
Wilkins’ Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ, Londini, 1733, in 4 volumes, folio.
Here also are deposited the editions of Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum
of 1655, and of 1693; and of Tanner’s Notitia Monastica of 1744, and that
edited by Nasmith, both in folio; works which form a connecting link
between the Ecclesiastical History and Antiquities of our country.
Of Works relating to, or illustrative of English Topography, this Library
contains several here deserving of notice.
These are, the Histories of Westminster Abbey, of the Colleges of
Oxford and Cambridge, and of the Public Schools of England, published
with abundant illustrations by the late Rudolph Ackermann, in 7 vols.
4to.; Battely, Antiquitates Rutupinæ; Blore’s Monumental Remains;
Carew’s Survey of Cornwall; Carter’s Cambridgeshire; Bray’s Bibliotheca
Parochialis; Britton’s Architectural Antiquities, one of the most
valuable and interesting Works of that enterprising archæologist;
Burton’s Leicestershire; Dodsworth’s Salisbury Cathedral, 1814, 4to.;
Hoare’s Giraldus Cambrensis’ Itinerary of Bishop Baldwin through Wales,
London, 1806, 4to.; Dugdale’s Warwickshire, and St. Paul’s; Dart’s
Antiquities of Canterbury Cathedral, 1703, folio; Gostling’s Walks
through Canterbury, 1777, 8vo.; Hasted’s History of Kent, 1788, folio, in
4 volumes; Heath’s Account of the Scilly Islands, 1750, 8vo.; the History
of Rochester, 1782, 12mo.; Hoare’s Ancient Wiltshire, folio; Howel’s
Perlustration of London, 1657, folio; Hutchins’s History of Dorset,
London, 1784, folio; Isaacke’s Exeter, 1724, 8vo.; A Journey through
England, 1724, 8vo.; Lambeth Palace Illustrated, London, 1806, 4to.; the
London Guide, 1752, 12mo.; Nash’s Worcestershire, in 2 volumes, folio;
Newcourt’s Repertorium Ecclesiasticum Londinense; Nicholson and Burn’s
Histories of Cumberland and Westmoreland, in 4to.; Ogilby’s Britannia,
1675, folio, with Maps of the roads; Parker de Antiquitate Universitatis
Cantabrigiensis, 1721; Paterson’s Pietas Londinensis, 1714, 12mo.;
Peck’s Annals of Stanford; Plott’s Natural Histories of Oxfordshire and
Staffordshire; Rawlinson’s English Topographer; the Roads of England
delineated, 1756, 12mo.; Salmon’s Natural History of Hertfordshire, 8vo.;
Stow’s London, 1633, folio; Thorpe’s Registrum Roffense; Thoroton’s
Nottinghamshire; Twyne de Antiquitate Academiæ Oxoniensis; Villare
Anglicanum, by Adams, London, 1736, folio; Willis’ Cathedrals, 1721-30,
with his Parochiale Anglicanum, 1733, 4to.; some Account of Winchester
Cathedral, in 12mo.; Verstegan’s Restitution of decayed Intelligence
relating to English Antiquities; and Wright’s History of Rutland, in
folio.
Of Works illustrative of the venerable fabric under whose roof these
books are sheltered, we here find Harding’s Westminster Abbey, London,
1825, folio; Dart’s Antiquities of the Abbey of Westminster, London,
1711, folio; Keepe’s Monuments of Westminster Abbey, London, 1683, 8vo.;
Widmore’s Westminster Abbey, London, 1751; and Smith’s Antiquities
of Westminster, London, 1807, 4to.; besides the Work of Ackermann
already mentioned. To which may be added the Portraits of the Deans
of Westminster, London, 1823, folio, and the various Ceremonials of
Coronation.
The Coronation Books of George III. in 1761, of George IV. in 1821,
and of William IV. in 1831, quarto, form a peculiar feature in this
Collection, which also contains Ogilby’s Coronation of Charles II. 1662,
with an Account of his Entertainment and Progress through the City of
London, to the place of that Ceremony; and Sandford’s Coronation of James
II. 1687, 8vo.
Maps of England, by Speed, folio, by Philip Lea, 1695, 4to. by Morden,
4to. with a Chart of St. George’s Channel, by Morris, 1748, may be here
noticed as natural accessories to the Topography of England.
Of Works upon the Civil and Ecclesiastical Laws of England, and of
other Nations, it may suffice to notice in this place, Bracton de
Legibus; Puffendorf’s Law of Nations; Burn’s Ecclesiastical Laws; Coke’s
Institutes; and Hammond’s Criminal Code, 1825-29; the Acta Generalia;
the Statutes at large; the Concilia Generalia et Hispanica; Bracton de
Legibus Angliæ; Gothofredi Corpus Juris Civilis; Gibson’s Codex Juris
Ecclesiastici et Civilis; Howel’s Synopsis Canonum; various editions of
the Codex and Institutiones Justiniani; the Codex Theodosianus, Parisiis,
1586; Law Cases, from 17th Edward III. to Henry VII. London, 1576;
Beverigii Pandectæ Canonum et Juris Civilis; Reformatio Legum ab Henrico
VIII. inchoata, Londini, 1641, 4to.; Woottoni Leges Wallicæ, 1730, folio;
Wilkins, Leges Anglo-Saxonicæ, 1721, folio; together with the Synodus
Dordracensis, Ephesina, Græca, Anglica, & Florentina.
The nature of the Historical department of this Collection will be best
understood by the following selection from its contents.
We may here notice Banduri Imperium Orientale; Bodini Historia
Universalis; Carionis Chronicon; Collier’s Historical Dictionary;
Cumberland de Origine Gentium; Dousæ Annales Hollandiæ; Froissardi
Historia, Hanoviæ, 1606; Historiæ Francorum Scriptores, Francof. 1596;
Eusebii Chronicon; Guicciardini’s History of Italy; Hearne’s Ductor
Historicus; Antonio de Herrera, Descriptio Indiæ Occidentalis, Amstelod.
1622, folio; Hooke’s Roman History; Josephus, Havercampi, and Basnage’s
History of the Jews; Davila’s Civil Wars of France, folio; Knolles’
History of the Turks; Krantzii Chronica Danica et Suecica; Annales
Belgici; Leunclavii Annales Sultanorum; Ligon’s Barbadoes; Maffei
Historia Indica; Mariana de Rebus Hispanicis; Memoires de Comines, de
Cardinal Rohan, de Retz, de Philip du Plessis, Mornay, et de Montmorency;
Mezeray Abrégé Chronologique de l’histoire de France; Moreri,
Dictionnaire Historique; and the second and third volumes of Monstrelet’s
Chronicles, printed at Paris in 1572.
We also find on these shelves several of Byzantine Historians, such
as Nicephorus, &c.; Nicetæ Annales, &c.; Naucleri Chronicon; Ockley’s
History of the Saracens; Olaus Magnus Historia Gentium Septentrionalium;
Orme’s Indostan; Pontoppidan’s Norway; Raleigh’s History of the World;
Reineccii Chronicon Sclavorum; and his Origines Brandenburgicæ; Reuberi
Rerum Germanicarum Scriptores; Sir Thomas Roe’s Embassy to Turkey,
1740; Sandys’ Europæ Speculum, with his Travels; Salmon’s Chronological
Historian; Scheffer’s Lapland; Shaw’s Travels in Barbary and the Levant;
Spon’s History of Geneva, 1687, folio; the Memoirs of Sully; Symson’s
Chronicon Catholicum; Saxonis Grammatici Historia Danica, Francofurti,
1576; Thuani Historia sui Temporis, Paris, 1606 and 1620; Tillet, Recueil
des Rois de France, leurs Couronnes, &c. Paris, 1586, folio; Vertot’s
Histoire de l’Ordre de Malte; Tursellini Epitome Historiæ Romanæ; and the
Universal History of 1736, in folio.
Of Works relating to Ecclesiastical affairs in general, independently
of the Councils, Synods, and Decretals of various periods, this Library
comprehends Baronii Annales Ecclesiastici; Tornielli Annales Sacri;
Baronii Martyrologium Romanum; Cedreni Annales; the Concilia Generalia,
compiled by Labbe and Kuster; Brent’s History of the Council of Trent;
Bower’s Lives of the Popes, in 4to.; Platina de Vitis Pontificum, in
folio; Brandt’s History of the Reformation; Collier’s Ecclesiastical
History; Cressy’s Church History of Brittany; Du Pin’s and Fleury’s
Ecclesiastical History; the Centuriatores Magdeburgenses; Historiæ
Ecclesiasticæ Scriptores Generales, Valerii, Parisiis, 1668-78, in 3
vols. folio, and Basileæ apud Oporinum, 1564-70, in 8 vols. folio;
Suiceri Thesaurus Ecclesiasticus; Echard’s Ecclesiastical History;
Hooker’s Ecclesiastical Polity; Hyde’s Religio Veterum Persarum; Jortin’s
Ecclesiastical History; Gratiani Decretalia; Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical
History; Nicephori Historia Ecclesiastica; Quick’s Synodicon in Galliâ
Reformatâ; Relandi Antiquitates Hebræorum; Sigonius de Republicâ
Hebræorum; two copies of Spencer de Legibus Hebræorum, Cantabrigiæ, 1685,
folio; Schlusselburgii Hæreticorum Catalogus, Francofurti, 1597, 8vo.;
Sleidan’s Reformation, à la Haye, 1767, 4to.; Tillemont, Ecclesiastical
Memorials; and Bingham’s Antiquities of the Christian Church.
Among the helps to History are Chronology and Geography, of which the
former presents us with Blair, Behm, Newton, Isaacson, and Jackson’s
Chronological labours; Helvici Chronologia; Marsham, Chronicon
Canon Egyptiacus; Petavii Rationale temporum; Straucii Breviarium
Chronologicum; Relandi Fasti Consulares; and Clinton’s Fasti Hellenici;
and the latter with Baudrand’s Lexicon Geographicum; the Geographical
Works of Cellarius and Cluvier; Spanheim’s Geographia Sacra; Heylyn’s
Cosmography; Ortelii Geographia; and Relandi Palestina Illustrata, which
is esteemed by Mr. Orme, as one of the most elaborate Works on Biblical
Geography ever published, together with the General Atlas, by Senex,
London, 1721, folio.
In this place I may appropriately introduce, Archbishop Williams’s own
copy of Purchas’ Pilgrimes, London, 1613-24, in 5 vols. folio; in the
original calf with his arms on the sides; Hakluyt’s Voyages, 1599, folio;
Harris’ Collection of Voyages and Travels; Pococke’s Description of the
East; Vincent’s Voyage of Nearchus, London, 1807, 4to.; with another
copy corrected by the author, with additions by that learned Dean of
Westminster.
Of Works relating to Antiquities, this Library can boast the valuable
Collections of Grævius and Gronovius, relating to those of Greece and
Rome; Gruteri Corpus Inscriptionum & Thesaurus Criticus; Montfaucon,
Palæographia Græca; Mabillon, Diarium Italicum; Prideaux’s Marmora
Oxoniensia; and Taylor’s Marmor Sandvicense, Cantabrigiæ, 1743, 4to.
Of the Antiquities of Rome, we here find Boissardi Urbis Romæ
Topographia, 1597-1602, with figures by De Bry; Rosini Antiquitates
Romanæ, Amstelodami, 1685, 4to.; and Rossi Teatro delle Fabriche di Roma,
1665, 4to.; to which I may add the History of Palmyra, 1696, 8vo.
The Heraldic Works in this Collection occupy very little space, being
only Brooke’s Heraldry; Gwillim’s Heraldry of 1632, and 1724, folio;
Edmondson’s Heraldry; Ashmole’s Order of the Garter, 1726, folio;
Selden’s Titles of Honor, London, 1672, folio.
The Numismatic Works occupy a space equally inconsiderable, being,
Arbuthnot’s Coins; Clarke’s Connection of Coins; Fleetwood’s Chronicon
Preciosum; Steuart’s Bengal Coins, 1772, 4to.; Bræi Numismata
Imperatorum Romanorum; and Stukeley’s Medallic History of Carausius.
From these minute monuments of ancient time, we pass to those equally
enduring Records of Antiquity, which are familiar to every one under the
common appellation of the Classic Authors.
In Classical Literature we meet in this Collection with different
editions of the Works of either Ælian, Anacreon, Antoninus, Appianus,
Apuleius, Catullus, Tibullus, and Propertius, Quintus Curtius, Sidonius
Apollinaris, Petronius Arbiter, Dictys Cretensis, Diodorus Siculus,
Diogenes Laertius, Dionysius Periegetes, Epictetus, Eutropius, Herodian,
Hierocles; Iamblichus, Juvenal and Persius, Macrobius, Nicander, Oppian,
Ovid, Sallust, Statius, Maximus Tyrius, Æneas Sylvius, Synesius, Valerius
Maximus, and Aurelius Victor, together with the Anthologia, and the
Historiæ Augustæ Scriptores.
This Library also comprehends various editions of the separate pieces
of Aristotle and Cicero, as well as of their collected works, but
none of the fifteenth century; Stanley’s Æschylus; Æsopus, Venetiis,
apud Aldum, 1505; Alciati Emblemata, Agathias, Paris, 1660; Aphthonii
Commentarii, Venetiis apud Aldum, 1509, folio; Archimedes, Basileæ,
1544, folio; Arrianus, Gronovii; Aristophanes, 1500; Athenæus, Basileæ,
1535; Ausonius, Burdiglæ, 1580, folio; Apicius, 1705; Cæsar, Delphini
& Clarkei; Callimachus, Grævii; Ciceronis Opera, Oliveti, and various
editions of 1639-59, 12mo.; Claudianus, Heinsii; Demosthenes Wolfii et
Taylori; Dion Chrysostomus, Lutetiæ, 1604, folio; Dioscorides, 1598;
Dionysius Halicarnassensis, 1546; Epictetus, Wolfii; Euclidis Elementa,
Basileæ, 1533; Arabicè, Romæ, 1594; Græcè, Parisiis, 1598; and his Opera
Omnia, Oxonii, 1703, folio.
Upon these shelves we also find Euripides Marklandi, Oxonii, 1756, 4to.;
and Barnesii, Cantabrigiæ, 1694, folio; Florus, Grævii; Aulus Gellius,
Gronovii, and apud Elzeviros; Grammatici Græci, Venetiis, 1495, folio,
and 1527, folio; Herodotus, Gronovii: Hesiodus, Robinsoni; Hippocratis
Opera Omnia, Venetiis, 1525, folio; Homerus, Clarkei; Eustathius,
Commentarii in Homerum, Romæ, 1542, in 4 volumes, folio; Maittaire’s
Reprint of the Batrachomyomachia of 1486, London, 1721, 8vo., in red and
black letters.
Here also are several editions of Horace, by Bentley, Bond, and the
Delphin editors; Iamblichus by Gale; Isocrates, Venetiis, 1513; and the
editions of Battie and Wolf; Silius Italicus, Venetiis, 1523; Justinus,
Grævii; Libanii Orationes, Paris, 1616; Livius, Aldi, 1555, folio; with
Crevier’s and other editions; Longinus by Pearce and Smith; Lucanus,
Oudendorpii, Lucian, 1517; Lucretius by Tonson, 1712; Lycophron,
Potteri; Manilius, Bentleii; Martialis, Venetiis, 1510; Moguntiæ,
1527; and Farnabii, &c.; Menander, Clerici & Orosius, Havercampi; the
Panegyrici Veteres de la Baume; Velleius Paterculus, Delphini; Pausanias,
Kuhnii; Phædrus, Burmanni, and Delphini; Pindarus, Stephani, 1586, and
Oxonii, 1697, folio; Plato, Ficini, 1602, folio; Plautus, Lambini,
Plinii, Hist. Nat. Dalecampii; Plinii Epistolæ; Plotinus, Basileæ,
1580, folio; Plutarchi Opera, Basileæ, 1573-4; Plutarchi Vitæ, Bryani,
Londini, 1729, 4to.; Poëtæ Græci Veteres heroici Carminis, Parisiis,
apud Stephanum, 1566, folio; Corpus Poetarum Latinorum à Maittaire,
Londini, 1725, folio; Polybius, Latinè, Basileæ, 1529; et Græcè,
Parisiis, 1609; Pomponius Mela, Venetiis, 1518; Proclus de Sphærâ,
Basileæ, 1585; Procopius, Græcè Hœschelii, 1607; Prudentius, Parisiis,
1562, et Amstelodami, 1625; Ptolemæi Geographia, Argentorati, 1622;
Quintilianus Burmanni, Sabellici Opera, Basileæ, 1538; Sapphus, Wolfii;
Seneca, Farnabii, and various editions besides, but none earlier than
1555; Solini Polyhistor; Sophocles, Stephani, 1603, folio; Cantabrigiæ,
1669; and Londini, 1722, 12mo.; Stephanus de Urbibus, Basileæ, 1568,
folio; Stobæus, Gesneri, Tiguri, 1543, folio, with other editions;
Strabonis Geographia, Xylandri, Basileæ, 1571, folio, and Casauboni,
Amstelod. 1707, folio; Suetonius, Casauboni, & Pitisci, 1714, 4to.;
Suidæ Lexicon Græcum, Aldi. 1514, folio; & Kusteri, 1705, in 3 vols.
folio; Symmachi Epistolæ, Lugd. Bat. 1653, 8vo.; Achilles Tatius, 1601,
8vo.; Tacitus, Gronovii; Terentius, Bentleii, with many other modern
editions; Themistii Opera, Aldi, Venetiis, 1534, folio; Theocritus, Romæ,
1518, and Oxonii, 1699, 8vo.; Theognis, Sylburgii, Heidelbergæ, 1597;
Theophrasti Characteres, Camerarii et Heinsii; Thucydides by Hudson and
Duker; Virgilii Opera, Venetiis, 1510, folio; Delphini, Parisiis, 1600,
4to.; and several other editions of little note, including the Elzevirian
Impression; and the Eclogues printed at Florence in 1504, 12mo.; to which
may be added Xenophon, Leunclavii, and Xenophon’s Anabasis by Hutchinson.
Such and so numerous are the classical volumes of this venerable
Collection, many of which it may be seen are of the best editions, and
several of which are from the press of Aldus.
To that eminent printer we are also indebted for the first edition
of the Works of Plato, printed at Venice in 1513, folio, of which the
present copy is upon vellum. This noble volume has been most cruelly
treated, all the leaves following the table and as far as the blank leaf
preceding “Platonis Dialogi” have been cut out, and though the concluding
part of the book is entire, its leaves have been most foully stained in
that part. Its dimensions are eleven and a quarter inches by seven and
three eighths; and its original binding of calf, upon whose sides Greek
characters were impressed, has been replaced by a covering of dark olive
morocco by that eminent bibliopegist Charles Lewis. A perfect copy of
this interesting book upon vellum forms one of the highest ornaments of
the Hunterian Museum at Glasgow.
I have here also the pleasure of recording the first editions of
Aristides, Florentiæ, 1517, folio; and of Lucian, printed at the same
place in the same year, and in the same form, by the same printer, Philip
Junta, of typographical renown.
Two Classic tomes of olden time next invite our notice; first, a
well-preserved copy of Suetonius cum Commento, folio. The Commentary here
occupies the margin. The preface of M. Ant. Sabellicus, with his Life of
Suetonius follow the title. At the end of the volume is the Register, and
this colophon:
“Venetiis per Baptistam de tortis
M. cccc lxxxx die
xv Februarii.”
beneath which are the initials “B. T.”
This volume measures eleven and three quarter inches by eight, and
retains its old vellum covering.
Secondly, the Lexicon of Suidas, in folio, preceded by the editorial
preface, and concluding with the verses of Joannes Salandus addressed to
D. Demetrius Chalcondylas. At the end of the volume appears the following
colophon:
“Anno ab incarnatione M.CCCC lxxxxviiii. die xv Novembris,
Impressum Mediolani impensa & dexteritate D. Demetrii
Chalcondyli Ioannis Bissoli Benedicti Mangii Carpensium.”
Succeeded by the printer’s mark, with the initials “I. B. B. M.” and the
motto, “Sudavit et Alsit.” The present is a very fine, sound and perfect
copy, measuring twelve and a quarter inches by eight and three quarters,
and bound in old calf.
Among the books printed in the fifteenth century, I also noticed the
Medical Works of Avicenna, Lugduni, 1498, folio; Campani Opera, Venetiis,
1495, folio; and Theapoli Academicæ Contemplationes, Venetiis, 1490, 12mo.
In concluding this extended notice of this interesting department of the
Library, I may allude to the Anthologia Græca, and Pontani Poemata, and
point out the Works of Paulus Egineta, Venetiis apud Aldum, 1528, folio;
and of Vitruvius de Architecturâ, printed at Venice in 1567; together
with the elegant edition in folio, which issued from the Elzevirian Press
at Amsterdam in 1649.
Of Etymological Works elucidating the structure of various languages,
this Collection affords, in addition to those already noticed, both
the old and the new editions of the inestimable Thesaurus of Stephens;
Gaisford’s Edition of Suidas’ Lexicon; Buxtorf, Lexicon Chaldaicum;
Castell’s Lexicon Heptaglotton; Pagnini Thesaurus Linguæ Sanctæ;
Kircheri Œdipus Egyptiacus; Baxter’s Glossarium Archaiologicum
Britannicum; Skinner’s Etymologicon Anglicanum, Londini, 1661, folio;
Somneri Dictionarium Saxonico-Latino-Anglicum, Oxonii, 1659, folio;
Spelman’s Glossary, London, 1626 and 1787, both in folio; Hickes’
Thesaurus Septentrionalis; Junii Etymologicum Anglicanum; Budæi Lexicon
Græco-Latinum; Calepini Dictionarium Octolingue; Cooper’s Thesaurus
Linguæ Latinæ; Curionis Thesaurus Linguæ Latinæ; Du Cange’s Glossary;
Julii Pollucis Onomasticon; Dufresne’s Hesychii Lexicon; Hoffmanni
Lexicon; Pagnini Thesaurus Linguæ Sanctæ; Porti Lexicon Ionicum; Scapulæ
Lexicon; Stephani Thesaurus; Sylburgii Etymologicum Magnum, Heidelbergæ,
1594; and Laurentius Valla de Linguâ Latinâ.
Of Grammatical Works we find one peculiar to this vicinity, the
Grammatica Busbeiana, Londini, 1754, and 1762, 8vo. an appropriate
memorial of the renowned pedagogue whose name it bears; Lascarii
Grammatica Græca, Venetiis, Aldus, 1557, 4to.; Hoogeveen de doctrinâ
Particularum; Ruddiman, Institutiones Gr. Lat. Edin. 1740, 8vo.; with
some critical pieces by Scaliger, Vossius and Casaubon.
As connected with Classical Literature I may here notice, Bentley’s
Phalaris, 1718, 8vo.; Photii Bibliothecâ; Toup, Emendationes in Suidam;
Salmasii Exercitationes Plinianæ; Gatakeri Adversaria; and Wolfii Curæ
Philologicæ et Criticæ.
Among the translations of the Classics, I may notice Carter’s Epictetus;
Creech’s Lucretius; Fawkes’ Anacreon, 1760; Melmoth’s Pliny; Ogilby’s
Homer; Rowe’s Lucan; and Trapp’s Virgil.
The Bibliographical Works contained in this Repository, are the Acta
Eruditorum of Leipsic; Apollodori Bibliotheca; Gesneri Bibliotheca;
Photii Bibliotheca, 1601, folio; Haym’s Notize di libri rari, 1726;
Brunet’s Manual; Baillet, Jugemens des Sçavans; Cave’s Historia
Literaria; Le Long, Bibliotheca Sacra; Lewis’ Editions of the Bible, and
Bibliotheque Historique; Du Pin, Catalogue des Auteurs Ecclesiastiques;
Draudii Bibliotheca Classica; Fabricii Bibliotheca Græcæ et Latina;
D’Herbélot, Bibliotheque Orientale; Sanderus Bibliotheca Belgica,
Insulis, 1641, 4to.; and Teisserii Catalogus Auctorum, qui Librorum
Catalogos, Indices, Bibliothecas, &c. scriptis consignarunt, Genevæ,
1705, folio; Morhof. Polyhistor Literarius, Lubecæ, 1689, 4to.; and
Watt’s Bibliotheca Britannica.
Of Catalogues of various Libraries these shelves bear several of much
interest, such as the Bibliothecæ Regiæ Georgii III. Catalogus, in
folio; the Catalogus Bibliothecæ Thuanæ; the Bibliotheca Heinsiana; the
Harleian Catalogue; the Catalogue of Dr. Mead’s Library; the Bibliotheca
Coisliniana, 1715; Hyde’s Catalogus Librorum Joannis Bridges; Catalogus
Bibliothecæ Bodleianæ; Catalogus Bibliothecæ Medii Templi, à Shower,
Londini, 1700, 8vo.; Reading’s Catalogue of the Sion College Library,
London, 1724, folio; Catalogus Librorum MSS. quos Collegio Christi
Cantabrigiæ legavit Matthæus Parker, 1722, 4to.; Bibliothecæ Cottonianæ
Librorum MSS. Catalogus à Smithio, Londini, 1696; Lambecii Commentarii de
Bibliothecâ Cæsareâ Vindobonensi, 1670, folio; Nesselii Catalogus Codicum
MSS. Bibliothecæ Vindobonensis, 1690, folio; Tanner, Catalogus MSS.
Angliæ et Hiberniæ; and Wolfii Bibliotheca Aprosiana, Hamburg. 1734, 8vo.
To these works may be added, Mabillon de Rê Diplomaticâ; the Memoirs
of Literature, 1722-25, folio; the Bibliotheca Cluniacensis, 1614; and
a Catalogue of Books printed in England subsequently to 1666, London,
1700, 12mo.; and Lewis’ History of the English Translations of the Bible,
London, 1732, 8vo.
Of Mathematical Works it may suffice to enumerate the Mathematici
Veteres, Parisiis, 1693, folio; Maseres’ Scriptores Logarithmici, London,
1796-1807, 4to.; Newton’s Principia; Wallis’ Opera Mathematica, Oxonii,
1699, folio.
Of Medical Works, in addition to the Works of Hippocrates and Dioscorides
already mentioned, I may add those of Celsus, 1657; and Galen, Basileæ,
1538; Sennerti Medica Practica; and Mead’s Medical Works.
Of Scientific Works, the number is so small that by mentioning Newton’s
Principia; Firmici, Astronomicon, Basileæ, 1551; Keill’s Astronomy; Ray’s
Ornithology; Raii Historia Plantarum; Willoughbeius de Piscibus edente
Raio, Oxon. 1686, folio; Willoughby’s Ornithology; Lee’s Botany; Dodonæi,
Historia Stirpium; Gesneri Historia Animalium; Grew’s Museum of the Royal
Society, 1681, folio; and several volumes of the Journaux des Scavans;
with the 10th, 13th, 14th, 30th, and 38th volumes of the Philosophical
Transactions, I shall convey to the reader the most correct idea of their
insignificant and miscellaneous character.
Under the head of Miscellaneous Literature, I may proceed to enumerate
the Works of Albertus Magnus, the Epistles of Abelard to Héloise; the
Poems of Tasso, Camoens; the Works of Dante and Petrarch, Fontaine and
Boileau; the Decameron of Boccaccio, Venice, 1552; Bayle’s Dictionary;
Bartholomæus de Proprietatibus Rerum, Argentorati, 1505; Gesneri
Bibliotheca Universalis; Gruteri Thesaurus Criticus; Fairfax, Godefroy of
Bulloigne, 1687; Fenelon’s Telemaque, and Hawkesworth’s Telemachus; the
Works of Fontenelle, Boccaccio, Machiavelli, Racine, Rabelais, Moliere,
Montaigne, and of Montesquieu by Nugent; Juliani Imperatoris Opera; the
Poems of Grotius; the Musæ Anglicanæ; Carmina Gratulatoria et Funebria
on various occasions; Prioris R. Lusus Westmonasterienses, Westm. 1730,
4to.; Rochefaucault’s Maxims; Sibyllinæ Oracula, Parisiis, 1607, 8vo.;
Cuthbert Tonstall de Arte Supputandi; and Vauban on Fortification.
In the department of English Literature, this Library comprehends the
Works of Addison, Ascham, Bacon, Boyle, Locke, Thomas Brown, Thomas
Fuller, Davenant, Cowley, Pope, Spenser, Swift, and Sir William Temple.
Here also we find Barclay’s Argenis; Beaumont’s Psyche; Baxter’s Works,
with his Reliquiæ; Cartwright’s Comedies; Bolingbroke’s Letters;
Chambers’ Dictionary; Chaucer’s Works by Thynne, 1521-47, folio; the
London editions of 1602, folio, and 1687; with that edited by Urry, 1721,
in folio; Cooper on the Public Records; Cumberland’s Origines Gentium;
Donne’s Poems; Hales’ Remains; Grey’s Memoria Technica; Harrington’s
Oceana; Helvetius’ History of Man; Hobbes’ Leviathan; Ireland on the
Plague of Athens, 1832, 8vo.; the Works of Samuel Johnson; Ben Jonson’s
Works, London, 1640, folio; with his Plays, 1611, 12mo.; the Works of
King James the First, 1616, folio; and of King Charles the First, 1662,
folio; with the Εικων Βασιλικη, 1649; Melmoth’s Life of Cicero, and
other Pieces; Milton’s Paradise Lost, 1669, 1674, 12mo.; 1688, folio;
and 1732, 4to.; Milton’s Works, edited by Newton, 1749, 4to.; and his
Treatise de Doctrinâ Christianâ, edited by Sumner, Cambridge, 1825, 4to.;
Sir Thomas More’s Works, London, 1557, folio; & Thomæ Mori Opera Latina,
Lovaniæ, 1566, folio; Mrs. Anne Killigrew’s Poems, 1686, 4to.; Prior’s
Poems; Randolph’s Poems; Selden’s Works, London, 1726, in 6 volumes,
folio; Shakespeare’s Works, edited by Rowe, and by Johnson; Shaftesbury’s
Characteristics; Somerville’s Chace; Sprat’s History of the Royal
Society, 1702, 4to.; to which may be added the Diplomata et Statuta Regiæ
Societatis, 1752, 8vo.; Stanley’s Lives of the Philosophers; Steele’s
Christian Hero; Tickell’s Miscellaneous Works, 1726; Toland’s Life of
Milton; Ridley’s Life of Ridley; Fitzherbert’s Book of Husbandry; and
Tusser’s Husbandry, 1744, 8vo.; together with the original editions of
the Tatler, 1710; and numbers 1 to 289 of the Spectator of 1711; and
the 8vo. edition of that Work, 1712; to which I may add Ray’s English
Proverbs; Richardson’s Pictures in Italy; and a Collection of Poetical
Tracts, printed at London, in 1722, folio.
Of the early Monastic Library I can only commemorate a single volume,
being a copy of the Works of St. Ambrose, written in a fair gothic hand,
in double columns, upon vellum. This venerable manuscript is quite
perfect, and retains its original binding of calf, folio.
Though this Library has suffered much from neglect, and many of its
choicest treasures have been carried away in troublesome times, it yet
retains a volume, which would do honour to any collection, however
curious or however vast. This precious book is one of those few printed
at Oxford during the fifteenth century, and to the typographical
antiquary, possesses the additional recommendation of being printed upon
vellum. It is the only copy which has been discovered of this nature, and
for a knowledge of its existence in its present situation I am indebted
to the excellent Typographical Gazetteer of the Rev. Henry Cotton; a
work which will be duly appreciated by every sincere enquirer into the
statistics of bibliography.
The Work under description is that of Johannes Latteburius In threnos
Jeremie, Capitulis cxv. folio, Oxonii, Anno dn̅i, 1482, ultimâ die mensis
Julii.
This book consists of 290 leaves, whereof two are blank. Each page
contains two columns, and each column 40 lines. The character is of a
rude semi-gothic form, and there are no catch-words or paginary numerals.
The signatures run in regular order from a. ii. to O. v. throughout
the volume. The numbers of the several chapters are placed on the head
line of each page. The commencement of each chapter is distinguished
by types larger than those of the body of the work, but spaces of the
initial letters are left blank, in order that they might be filled in by
the Rubricator, at the pleasure of the owner. In the present instance,
however, they remain blank. Some former possessor of this volume, which
in its time must have seen as well as suffered some strange mutations,
will find no favour in the eyes of the bibliomaniac, when he observes
that the margins have in several places been wantonly cut and disfigured.
But on the first leaf of the book, which has been left blank by the
printer, are some curious memoranda, illustrative of its early history.
From these we learn that this volume was formerly
“Liber dn̅s Thomæ Sackomb. 1563.”
“Ex emptione dn̅i Joannis Avyngton Monachi nec no̅ scholaris
et baccalaurei Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Sancti St. Wythum Wyntonie,
et nunc sacræ theologiæ professor.”
On the first column of the first page of the second leaf, the Work of
Lattebury commences thus:
“In nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti Amen. Mathei
ultimo.”
“Juxta moꝝ modernoꝝ necno̅ pat-
ru̅ antiquoꝝ ad emendationeꝫ
p̅m pn̅cipii et sacre scripture ac li-
bri legendi pe̅lega̅tur & p̅figant
ꝓ themate nostri exordii hec ver-
ba stupenda ip̅uis pm̅i pn̅cipii su-
ple dn̅i nostri ihu xpi: que sunt hec
In noie patris r filii r spu̅s san-
cti.”
At the foot of the second column of the second page of the 270th leaf, is
the following Colophon:—
“Explicit exposicio ac moralisacio
tercii capituli trenoru̅ Iheremie pro
phete. Anno dn̅i M.cccc.lxxxij. ulti-
ma die mensis Julii.”
A blank leaf follows the conclusion of the Work, which is succeeded by
an alphabetical index to the same, consisting of eighteen leaves. At the
foot of the second column of the second page of the 290th or last leaf
of the book, this table concludes with the following words:
“Explicit tabula sup opus trenoru̅
compilatu̅ per Johannem Lattebu-
riu̅ ordinis minorum.”
Another blank leaf, not necessarily belonging to it, closes the volume,
which measures twelve inches by eight inches and three quarters, and is
bound in the calf, which in all probability formed its original monastic
attire.
If this particular description of this hitherto imperfectly described and
rare volume be esteemed by the reader, as compensating for the dulness of
the preceding detail, I can assure him that its actual inspection amply
rewarded me for the labour of analysing the contents of this extensive
Collection.
In conclusion, I may add that the strict regulations under which access
is afforded to this venerable and interesting Library are such as to
ensure it from injury either of accident or design; while to ensure
the punctuality of return to all volumes taken out by the rightful
frequenters of the place, a book for the entry of all works borrowed, is
kept upon the Library table, a precaution which should always be taken
in every corporate library, since many persons, however unskilled in
accounts, may nevertheless become but too good bookkeepers.
St. Peter’s at Westminster was a Benedictine Abbey, founded by Sebert,
King of the East Saxons, about A.D. 610, and dedicated by Mellitus the
Bishop to St. Peter. It was re-edified by King Edward, A.D. 1066, and
endowed at the dissolution with 3471_l_ 2_s._ per an. Dugd. 3977_l._
6_s._ 4_d._ Speed. King Henry VIII. made it a Bishop’s See; but it
continued so only nine years, and then became a Collegiate Church for a
Dean and Secular Canons, who have continued ever since, except for three
years in Queen Mary’s reign, during which time there was an Abbot and
Benedictine Monks re-established.
The beautiful fabric of the Abbey Church was preserved from destruction
under Edward VI; and the Protector Somerset, by the sacrifice of some of
its revenues, which “pleaded its cause and purchased its ransome.”
William Benson, Abbot of Westminster at the dissolution, surrendered this
Abbey, with seventeen Monks, into Henry VIII’s hands, and was made the
first Dean of Westminster. He died in third year of Edward the Sixth.[60]
Independently of these historical claims upon our attention the value
and importance of the literary treasures of the Dean and Chapter of
Westminster richly deserve to be recorded among the Ecclesiastical
Libraries of England.
[Illustration]
Library of Winchester.
The Library of this Cathedral is placed in a long room, over the only
remaining portion of the Cloisters, attached to that noble building.
The Collection is one of those which interest us most forcibly, from
exhibiting those marks of undisturbed antiquity, which by any one who
has ever entered the Pepysian Library at Cambridge, will be readily
understood.
This Library was the munificent bequest of Bishop Morley, who caused the
books to be removed from his palace of Wolvesey, in the cases they then
occupied, to their present situation, where they now remain.
I do not mean to assert as a fact that of which no direct evidence
remains, but this supposition receives confirmation from the nature of
the bookcases themselves, which are of old oak, with cornices curiously
though rudely carved in the style of that æra, with slender pinnacles at
each end.
These open cases are arranged on both sides of the room, and at both
ends, leaving spaces only for the door and windows; and have been
numbered consecutively from No. I. to XXXV. whereby reference is made to
the situation of the books from the Catalogue now in use, which is in
fact the old Bodleian Catalogue, printed at Oxford in 1738, in 2 vols.
folio, with reference to the shelves annexed to those articles which
happen to be contained within these walls.
The books themselves are in perfect keeping with their cases, being
chiefly attired in sombre calf, or antique vellum. They are also
distinguished by a book plate, exhibiting a small view of Winchester
Cathedral, with this inscription: “Lib. Eccl. Cath. Winton.”
In order to insure the integrity of his Library under its new possessors,
Bishop Morley caused a Catalogue to be written upon vellum, in a folio
volume, classed according to the languages of the several authors. “Libri
Latini Gallici, &c.” and presented to the Dean and Chapter of Winchester,
as appears from the following entry upon the last leaf of the Catalogue
itself.
“Memorandum. That this Catalogue of Bookes was presented to the
Dean and Chapter of Winchester, from the Right Reverend Father
in God, George Lord Bishop of Winchester, upon the 28th day of
November, 1682, as being a Catalogue of all the Bookes in his
_Lordship’s_ Library, bequeathed by his _Lordship’s_ Will to
the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity of Winchester; and which the
longer his _Lordship_ lived, he declared by his letter should
be the more, and not the fewer: which Catalogue his _Lordship_
appointed to be kept by the Treasurer for the time being, and
the delivery of which is attested by us.
“WM. DOUTHWAITE.
“THO. CRANLEY, _Notary public_.”
By means of this interesting Catalogue which is bound in old calf,
with gilt leaves, the exact extent of the foundation of the Library may
be readily discovered, even if the eye did not assist the judgment in
pronouncing this to be a contemporaneous Collection.
A portrait of the founder is very properly placed over the door of this
Library.
There is another Catalogue of this Collection, wherein the books are
enumerated in the order in which they stand on the shelves from case I.
with its shelves A, B, C, D, E, in a descending series to case XXXV. with
its similar number of open shelves.
This quarto volume, bound in vellum, bears the following title:
“Catalogus Librorum in Bibliothecâ Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Wintonensis,”
with this note: “N.B. Singuli Libri in hoc Catalogo conscripti, et
Classico ordine dispositi in duobus Voluminibus Catalogi Bodleiani, et
Appendice ad finem utriusque, sub propriis Autorum Nominibus investigandi
sunt.”
I have already mentioned that the Bodleian Catalogue corresponds to
these particulars, though it is but a slovenly substitute for a regular
alphabetical Catalogue of any Collection. The great objection to a
Catalogue classed as this is belonging to this Library, is that its
usefulness must entirely depend upon the books being constantly kept in
their proper place upon the shelves; an object, which in a Library at all
frequented, it is rather difficult to attain.
At the end of this classed Catalogue is the following very satisfactory
note in the handwriting of the venerable Dean of Winchester, the writer
of Sesquipedalian Epitaphs, and the possessor of an extensive Library.
The note is this: “This Catalogue examined and compared with the actual
state of the Library, and a report in consequence delivered to the
Gentlemen at the Chapter this ninth day of February, by Thomas Rennell,
_A. M._ Prebendary of the Cathedral, and Rector of St. Magnus in the City
of London, in the year 1793.”
There is also a folio volume which appears to have been kept from the
year 1728 to the present time for the purpose of receiving the names of
books borrowed from this Library. It contains this suitable admonition:—
“Rev. Sir,—You are desired, when you have occasion to borrow any book out
of this place, to set down the name of the book, together with your own
name, and the day of the month in this book.”
I am happy to notice the timely rescue of the noble manuscript of the
Latin Vulgate Bible, in three imperial folio volumes, from the neglect by
which it was for a long time suffered to lie unprotected in the church.
It is written in the Roman character, apparently by an English hand, with
large and beautiful illuminations upon very pure vellum; and the three
volumes are now appropriately bound in olive morocco, with gilt leaves,
by the liberality of the late Dean?
Of the other ancient Manuscripts contained in this Library, I am enabled
to mention the Liber vocatus unum ex quatuor co̅positus per Zach.
Chrysopolitanum, folio, in calf. The foundation charters of several
Monasteries collected by Sir Nicolas Stuart, Bart. of Hartley Maldoit,
Co. Southampton, and an old rental of manors belonging to the Bishop
of Winton, &c.; Cassiodorus in Psalmos; Hyeronymi Expositio in Isaiam;
Augustini Sermones; Revelatio Wilfridi Episcopi Eboracensis; Bedæ
Historia Ecclesiastica; Catonis Disticha; and “Annales Sex Regum Angliæ
cum annotationibus per fratrem Nicolaum Triveth, Ord. Præd.”
Of the printed books from three to four thousand in number, I may
pronounce the character to be chiefly Theological, including an unusual
number of impressions of the Holy Scripture.
I will begin with the English versions, from a desire to give precedence
to the first English Bible, translated by Myles Coverdale, and printed
in the office of Christian Egenolph at Frankfort, in 1535, folio. The
copy in this Library is defective in the beginning, wanting the title,
and all the preliminary leaves, together with the first leaf of the text;
commencing with folio ii. it is very sound in the middle, and quite
perfect, though rather stained at the end. This volume measures twelve
inches and three-eighths by eight inches and a quarter, and is bound in
the original calf, with brass knobs, &c.
I may next notice a copy of
Cranmer’s Bible, folio, in double columns of black letter,
imperfect at the beginning and end, in a vellum wrapper.
The Holy Bible, with the Annotations of the College of Doway,
printed at Rouen in 1635, in 3 volumes, 4to.
The Bible, by Buck and Daniel, Cambridge, 1638, folio, bound in
blue morocco, with clasps, upon one of which is engraved the
puzzling question, “Τις εστιν αξιος ανοιξαι.” This volume was
presented by Nicolas Stanley, _M. D._ to the Cathedral Library
in 1661.
The Holy Bible, in double columns of Gothic character, by
Robert Barker and John Bill, London, 1640, folio. A perfect
copy in the original stamped calf, with brass plates on the
sides and corners.
The Holy Bible, translated by Geddes, London, 1797, in 2 vols.
4to. with his Critical Remarks on the Holy Scriptures, and his
Prospectus of the foregoing Translation. Glasgow, 1786, also in
4to.
I proceed to specify the remaining impressions in other tongues as
succinctly as possible, commencing with the
Biblia Polyglotta Waltoni. Londini, 1657, in 6 vols. folio.
with the Lexicon Heptaglotton Castelli, 1669, in 2 vols. folio.
Biblia Polyglotta, Hutteri. Norimbergæ, 1599, in 2 vols. folio.
Biblia, Hebraica et Chaldaica Buxtorfii. Basileæ, 1620, in 2
vols. folio.
Biblia Hebraica, Hutteri. Hamburgi, 1603, folio.
Biblia Hebraica, Kennicott. Oxonii, 1780, in 2 vols. folio.
Biblia Hebraica, Forsteri. Oxonii, 1750, in 2 vols. folio.
Biblia Hebraica, Plantin. Antverpiæ, folio.
Biblia Hebraica, Stephani. Parisiis, 1542, in 2 vols. 4to.
Biblia Septuaginta, per Holmes & Parsons. Oxonii, 1798, &c. 6
vols. folio.
Biblia Hispanica, per Cyprianum de Valera. Amstelod. 1602.
Biblia Latina, Vulgatâ Sixti V. Antverpiæ, 1624, folio.
Biblia Latina, Vulgatâ Castalionis. Basileæ, 1551.
Biblia Italica, Diodati. Genevæ, 1641.
Biblia Gallica, Diodati. Genevæ, 1644.
The Indian Bible, printed at Cambridge in 1663.
The Codex Bezæ, edited by Kipling. Cambridge, 2 vols. folio,
bound in russia.
Novum Testamentum Græcum, Millii. Oxonii, in 2 vols. folio.
Novum Testamentum è Codice Alexandrino curâ Woide. Londini,
1786, 4to.
Novum Testamentum. Oxonii, 1675.
Novum Testamentum, Stephani. Francof. 1590.
Novum Testamentum, Bezæ. Genevæ, 1598.
Novum Testamentum, Syriacum & Latinum, Tremellii. Parisiis,
1569.
Psalmorum Liber, curâ Hare. Londini, 1736, 2 vols.
To which, as connected with the Church Service, I may add two impressions
of the Common Prayer, printed in the year 1549 and 1661.
Breviarium Romanum. Antverpiæ, 1616, folio.
Missale Romanum. Antverpiæ, 1574, folio.
Missale ad usum Sarum. Parisiis, 1510.
Pontificale Romanum. Parisiis, 1664.
Processionale Romanæ Ecclesiæ. Parisiis, 1666, and
The Liturgia Anglicana, linguâ Lusitanicâ.
Of the Fathers of the Church I am enabled to record,
Athanasii Opera Gr. et Lat. Parisiis, 1627, in 2 vols. folio.
Ambrosii Opera. Basileæ, 1567.
Augustini Opera. Basileæ, 1569, 8 vols. folio.
Aurelii Opera. Parisiis, 1646.
Basilii Magni Opera. Parisiis, 1638.
Chrysostomi Opera, edente Savile. Etonæ, 1612, in 8 vols. folio.
Clementis Alexandrini Opera. Oxonii, 1715.
Cyrilli Opera. Parisiis, 1638 & 1640.
Cypriani Opera. Oxonii, 1682.
Damasceni Opera. Basileæ, 1575.
Epiphanii Opera. Parisiis, 1622, 2 vols. folio.
Episcopii Opera Theologica.
Gregorii Magni Opera. 1615.
Hieronymi Opera. Basileæ, 1565, in 4 vols. folio.
Irenæi Opera, per Grabe. Oxonii, 1702, folio.
Justini Martyris Opera. Parisiis, 1636.
Lactantii Opera. Romæ, 1650; and Oxonii, 1684.
Origenis Opera per Erasmum. Basileæ, 1571, in 2 vols. folio.
Philonis Judæi Opera. Parisiis, 1640.
Procopii Opera. Parisiis, 1662-3, in 2 vols. folio.
Theodoreti Opera Omnia. Parisiis, 1642, 4 vols. folio.
Theophili Opera, per Fell. Oxonii, 1684.
together with the Works of, Eusebius, Gregory Nyssen, S. Hilary,
Theophylact, Tertullian, and the Bibliotheca Magna Veterum Patrum.
Parisiis, 1654, in 13 vols. folio; Cave’s Lives of the Primitive Fathers;
The Critici Sacri; Pole’s Synopsis; and the Bibliotheca Polonorum Fratrum.
In Divinity, besides a great mass of what is now justly considered
obsolete, and many controversial pieces, including the celebrated
Bangorian Controversy, I may enumerate the component parts of this
leading class of the library, commencing with, Bedæ Opera Omnia, VIII
tomis. Colon. Agrip. 1612, in 3 vols. folio; the Works of Bishops
Bramhall and Jewel; Tillotson’s Sermons; Tyndal’s Works, 1573;
Justiniani Opera. Parisiis, 1628; Jeremy Taylor’s Ductor dubitantium;
Usher’s Body of Divinity; the Sermons of Bishops Andrews and Hacket;
Concordantiæ Latinæ per Robertum Stephanum; Hammond’s Paraphrase;
Cotton’s Concordance, 1635; the Commentaries of Pococke; Hugonis Postillæ
in Biblia, Basileæ, 1504-6, folio; Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible,
Paris, 1722, in 4 vols. folio; some Tracts by Bernard, Stapleton, and
Bellarmine; the Sermons of Richard Gardiner, 1659; Sanderson, Leslie, and
Donne’s Sermons, 1640; Hall’s Works; Field of the Church, Oxford, 1628;
Cave’s Primitive Christianity; Lightfoot’s Horæ Hebraicæ Cantabrigiæ,
1658; Drexelii Opera Omnia, Parisiis, 1647, in 2 vols. folio; Usserii
Annales Veteris et Novi Testamenti, Londini, 1650-4; Parson’s Three
Conversions, 1603, complete; the Preservative against Popery, in 3 vols.
folio, in old calf; some Tracts by Calvin; the Quæstiones subtilissimæ
of Duns Scotus; Erasmi Opera Omnia, Lovanii, 1640; Andrews’ Opuscula
Posthuma, Londini, 1629; Bulli Opera per Grabe, Londini, 1703; Pearsoni
Opera Posthuma, Londini, 1688; Twysden’s Vindication of the Church of
England; Brown’s Religio Medici, London, 1678; Barrow’s Works; Reginaldi
Poli pro defensione Ecclesiæ Unitatis ad Henricum VIII. Romæ apud Bladum,
in a vellum wrapper; Milner’s Letters to a Prebendary; Hey’s Theological
Lectures; Newcome’s Minor Prophets; Routh’s Reliquiæ Sacræ; Balguy’s
Discourses; the Works of Horsley, Beveridge, Stillingfleet, Middleton,
Heber, and James; Macknight on the Epistles; Cudworth’s Intellectual
System, 1678; Campbell on the Gospels; Blayney’s Jeremiah; Wollaston’s
Religion of Nature; Sherlock’s Discourses; Prideaux’s Connection; Samuel
Clarke’s Works, London, 1738, in 4 vols. folio; Hoadly’s Works, London,
1773, 3 vols. folio, a fine copy in old calf gilt; Joannis Gerson, Opera;
Petavii Dogmata Theologica, Antverpiæ, 1700, in 3 vols. folio. Bullingeri
Opera, Tiguri, 1577, in 8 vols. folio; Summa Cardinalis Hostiensis,
Lugduni, per Jacobum Sacon, 1512, folio, printed in double columns of
Gothic Character, and bound in old calf; Cranmer de Sacramento, Embdæ,
1557; Melancthonis Opera, Wittebergæ, 1601, 4 vols. folio; Grotii Opera,
Londini, 1679, in 4 vols. folio; Lutheri Opera Omnia Jenæ, 1556-8. In
conclusion of this long list let me add, Prudentii Opera, Hanoviæ, 1613;
and Sidonii Apollinaris Opera Sismondi, Parisiis, 1652.
In Ecclesiastical History the Collection is also rich, as may appear
from the books specified below, Baronii Annales Ecclesiastici,
Antverpiæ, 1610; Martyrologium Romanum, Colon. Agrip. 1603; Bollandi
Acta Sanctorum, in 8 vols. folio; Allix’s Ecclesiastical History,
and History of the Albigenses; the Concilia Generalia by Labbe and
others; Borromæi Acta Ecclesiæ Mediolanensis, Lugd. Bat. 1683, folio;
Usserii Ecclesiæ Britannicæ Antiquitates, Eblanæ, 1639; Stillingfleet’s
Origines; Bingham’s Origines Ecclesiasticæ; Cedreni Annales; Centuriæ
Magdeburgenses, Basileæ, 1624, in 3 vols. folio; Anastasii Historia
Ecclesiastica, Parisiis, 1649; Usser, Chronologia Sacra, edente Barlow,
Oxonii, 1660; Wilkins’ Concilia Magnæ Britanniæ, Londini, 1737, in 4
vols. folio; Spelmanni Concilia, 1639; Brent’s History of the Council
of Trent, London, 1676; Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History; Lyndewoode,
Provinciale per Badium Ascensium, Parisiis, 1506; Waræi de Præsulibus
Angliæ Commentarius, Eblanæ, 1665; Godwin de Præsulibus Angliæ, 2 vols.
folio, in calf; Ecton’s Thesaurus; Gough’s Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ Threnodia,
Londini, 1661; Reformatio Legum Eccles. ab Henr. VIII. ad Edw. VI.
Londini, 1661, in which no mention is made of the proceedings of Queen
Elizabeth; Burnet’s History of the Reformation, with the Supplement
thereto; Strype’s Memorials; Heylin’s History of the Reformation; Wiccami
Episcopi Winton. Vita, Oxonii, 1690; Laud’s Troubles and Tryal, 1695;
Spotswode’s History of the Church of Scotland; Dugdale’s Monasticon
Anglicanum; Tanner’s Notitia Monastica, Londini, 1744; Walker’s History
of Independency; Dupin’s Ecclesiastical History by Fenton, 1724, in 4
vols.; Messingham, Acta Sanctorum Hiberniæ, Parisiis, 1624; Rycaut’s
present state of the Greek and Armenian Churches, 1679; Gratiani Decreta,
printed at Nuremberg in 1494; Gibson’s Codex, in 2 vols. folio, calf;
Corpus Juris Canonici, Lugd. Bat. 1672, in 3 vols. folio; Cassan’s
Lives of the Bishops of Winchester; Upham’s History of Buddhism; Bedæ
Historia Ecclesiastica per Smith, Cantabrigiæ, folio; Eusebii Historia
Ecclesiastica, 1659; Josephus, Hudsoni; Nova legenda Angliæ per Winandum
de Worde, Londini, 1516, folio, a perfect copy, with the large wood
cut at the beginning and the end, but very much wormed throughout, and
bound in the original stamped calf, to which I may add, Cave’s Historia
Literaria Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum, Londini, 1688-98; and Dupin,
Nouvelle Bibliothèque des Auteurs Ecclesiastiques.
Of General History this Library contains the large body of the
Byzantine Historians; Manassii Annales, Parisiis, 1655; Nicetæ Historia,
Parisiis, 1647; Chalcondylas de rebus Turcicis, Parisiis, 1650; Eutychii
Annales Arabicè et Latinè per Pocockium, Oxonii, 1664; Raderi Chronicon
Alexandrinum, Monachii, 1615; Marshami Chronicon Canon. Egyptiacum,
Londini, 1672; Montfaucon Palæographia Græca; Rosini Antiquitates
Romanæ, cum commentariis Dempsteri, Lugduni, 1613; Meyeri Annales Rerum
Flandricarum, Antverpiæ, 1561; Junii, Bataviæ Historia, Dordraci, 1652;
Naucleri Chronicon Universale Tubingæ, 1516; Modern Universal History,
1759, in 16 vols. folio in calf; Gillies’ Greece, in 4to.; Cox’s Memoirs
of the Kings of Spain, and his Russian Discoveries, London, 1780;
Montfaucon, Antiquité avec le Supplement, 15 vols. folio, a fine set in
old calf; Pitisci Lexicon; Thuani, Historia sui temporis, Genevæ, 1626,
in 3 vols. folio; Moreri, Dictionnaire Historique, in 4 vols. folio;
Bayle, Dictionnaire Historique et Critique, Rotterdam, 1702, in 4 vols.
folio; the History of the World by Raleigh and Howell; Ligon’s Barbadoes,
1673; Wheler’s Greece, 1682; Mezeray’s History of France, Amsterdam,
1668-74; Rycaut’s Ottoman Empire; Blome’s Jamaica, 1678; Ogilby’s
Africa and America, with the Atlas Japanensis et Chinensis; Cary’s
Chronological account of Ancient Time; to which may be added, Baudrand,
Lexicon Geographicum; Bochart, Geographia Sacra, Cadomi, 1651; Clarke on
Coins, London, 1767; and a very fine copy in calf of Waltheri Lexicon
Diplomaticum Gottingæ, 1745, folio.
Of Works relating to the History of Great Britain this ancient
Collection embraces a very fair proportion, for I observed upon its
shelves, Heylin’s Help to English History, London, 1670; and Brady’s
Introduction to old English History; Matthæi Paris Historia Anglicana,
edente Wats, Londini, 1740, calf; Matthæi Westmonasteriensis Flores
Historiarum, Londini, 1570; Du Chesne, Historiæ Normannorum Scriptores,
1619; Anglica, Normannica, Hibernica, et Cambrica, à veteribus scripta,
ex Bibliothecâ Camdeni, Francofurti, 1603; Camdeni Annales, Londini,
1615-27; Camdeni Britannia, Londini, 1607; Annales Rerum Anglicarum,
1508-58, Hagæ-Com. 1653; Smith de Rêpublicâ Anglorum, per Buddenum,
Londini; Langhornii Chronicon Regum Angliæ, Londini, 1679; Rerum
Anglicanarum Scriptores post Bedam, edente Savile, Francofurti, 1601,
folio; Historiæ Anglicanæ Scriptores Decem, curâ Twysdeni, Londini,
1652, folio; Sammes’ Antiquities of Ancient Britain, London, 1676,
folio; Burton’s Itinerary of Antoninus, London, 1658; Baker’s Chronicle,
1679; Brady’s History of England; Danyel’s History of England, 1621;
the History of England by Rapin and Tindal; Sandford’s Genealogical
History of the Kings of England, London, 1677, folio; Ashmole’s
Order of the Garter, London, 1672, folio; Wilson’s History of Great
Britain, London, 1653; Dugdale’s Baronage and Origines Judiciales;
Barnes’ History of Edward III. Cambridge, 1688; Herbert’s Henry VIII.
1672; Burnet’s History of his own Time; Lloyd’s State Worthies, 1670;
Rushworth’s Historical Collections, and Report of Strafford’s Trial; the
State Tryals, 1669, folio; Whitelock’s Memorials of English Affairs;
Stafford’s Pacata Hibernia, 1633; Clanricarde’s Memoirs, 1757; Sir James
Melvil’s Memoirs, by George Scott, London, 1683; Burnet’s Memoirs of
the Dukes of Hamilton; Buchanani Historia Scotorum; Bates’ Elenchus
Motuum Nuperorum in Angliâ; Charles the First’s Declaration of Tumults
in Scotland, 1639, and the Icon Basilike, Hagæ Com. 1649; Symmons’
Vindication of King Charles I. 1648; Dugdale’s View of the late Troubles;
Prynne’s Life of Laud; Fuller’s Worthies; Kippis’ Biographia Britannica;
Camden’s Britannica, edited by Gough, London, 1789, 3 vols. folio,
in russia; Wood’s Athenæ Oxonienses, edited by Bliss; Loggan, Oxonia
Illustrata; Plot’s Oxfordshire, 1677, folio; Worsley’s Isle of Wight;
White’s Natural History of Selborne; Dugdale’s St. Paul’s; Hobbes de
Mirabilibus Pecci; Granger’s Biographical History of England; Monk’s Life
of Bentley; Nicholl’s Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century; the
Records published by the Parliamentary Commissioners, and the Population
Returns; to which I may add, Balæi Scriptorum Britannicorum Centuriæ V.
Gippeswici, 1548; Martin Bucer, Scriptores Anglicani ab Huberto collecti,
Basileæ, 1577; and the English Atlas, published at Oxford in 1680-1681,
in four large folio volumes.
Of Law Books, the number in this Library is but few, since we find only
of the Statutes at large, volumes 21 to 37; Croke’s Reports, 1669,
in 3 vols. folio; Suarez de Legibus; Spencer de Legibus Hebræorum,
Cantabrigiæ, 1727; Justiniani Institutiones; Durandi Speculum Juris,
Lugduni, 1556; Gothofredi Codex Theodosianus, 1665, in 4 vols. folio; and
some Tracts by Selden.
From this barren theme it is refreshing to turn to the Classic authors,
who are very well represented in this Library. The first thing which
arrested my attention in this department were the following Delphin
Classics.
Apuleius, 1688.
Boethius, 1680.
Catullus, Tibullus, and Propertius, 1685.
Cæsar, 1678.
Cicero.
Claudian, 1677.
Quintus Curtius.
Eutropius, 1683.
Florus, 1674.
Aulus Gellius, 1681.
Horatius, 1691.
Justinus, 1677.
Juvenalis, 1684.
Livius, 1679.
Lucretius, 1680.
Manilius, 1679.
Martialis, 1680.
Cornelius Nepos, 1675.
Ovidius, per Helvetium, 1689.
Phædrus, 1675.
Plautus, 1679.
Prudentius, 1687.
Sextus Pompeius, 1681.
Sallustius, per Crispinum, 1674.
Suetonius, 1684.
Tacitus, 1682.
Terentius, 1675.
Valerius Maximus, 1679.
Velleius Paterculus, 1675.
Aurelius Victor, 1681. &
The Panegyrici Veteres, per La Baume, 1676.
all bound in old dark calf, with red lettering pieces, except the Horace,
but not quite uniform.
Of the other editions of the Classics, the best idea will be formed by a
brief enumeration of such as occurred to me in examining this Collection.
Ælianus, Hist. Animal. Genevæ, 1616.
Arrianus. Parisiis, 1575.
Aristotelis Opera Du Valli. Parisiis, 1629, 2 tomis, folio.
Athenæus. Lugd. Bat. 1657.
Boethii Opera. Basileæ, 1546.
Catullus, Tibullus, & Propertius. Brageraci, 1640.
Ciceronis Opera collecta, per Frobenium. Hamburgi, 1618-19.
Demosthenes & Æschines, per Wolfium. Aurel. Allob. 1607.
Diodorus Siculus. Basileæ, 1578.
Diogenes Laertius. Romæ, Albrobrandini, 1594.
Dionysius Halicarnassensis. Francofurti, 1586.
Dioscorides. Coloniæ, 1529.
Euclidis Elementa, 1620.
Epicteti Enchiridion. Coloniæ, 1696.
Frontonis Epistolæ variæ. Parisiis, 1660.
Marsilii Ficini Opera. Parisiis, 1641.
Herodianis. Parisiis, 1681.
Herodotus. Parisiis, 1608.
Historiæ Augustæ Scriptores. Sylburgii, Francofurti, 1590.
Isocrates, Sylvani. Oxonii, 1677, & per Wolfium, Basileæ, 1567.
Iamblichus, per Galeum. Oxonii, 1678.
Juvenalis. Lugd. Bat. 1648.
Libanii Sophistæ Orationes. Parisiis, 1606-27.
Livius, Sigonii. Venetiis, 1555, and
Livius. Lugd. Bat. 1553.
Longinus, edente Pearce, 1743.
Martialis, Farnabii. Genevæ, 1623.
Pausanias, Xylandri. Francofurti, 1583.
Photii Bibliotheca Hœschelii. Parisiis, 1612.
Photii Epistolæ, per Montacutium. Londini, 1651.
Plinii Epistolæ. Basileæ, 1552.
Plinii Nat. Hist. Basileæ apud Frobenium, 1525.
Plutarchi Opera. Francofurti, 1599.
Polybius, Casauboni. 1619.
Plotini Opera, per Ficinum. Basileæ, 1615.
Plautus. Coloniæ, 1538.
Platonis Opera, Latinè. Francofurti, 1602.
Poetæ Græcæ Veteres. Genevæ, 1614.
Senecæ Opera. Antverpiæ. 1652.
Sibyllina Oracula, Obsopæi. Parisiis, 1599.
Æneæ Sylvii Opera Omnia. Basileæ, 1571.
Silius Italicus, translated by Ross. London, 1661, folio; a
large paper copy with rough leaves, in calf.
Strabonis Geographia Xylandri. Parisiis, 1620, and Casauboni.
Tacitus. Lipsii, Antverpiæ, 1627.
Thucydides, Stephani. Parisiis, 1588, and Hobbes’ Translation.
Theophrasti Characteres. Lugd. Bat. 1638.
Varro de re rusticâ, curâ Scaligeri, 1573.
Xenophontis Opera Stephani, 1581.
To which I may add the
Clavis Homerica, printed at Gouda.
Vossius de Historicis Græcis et Latinis.
Erasmi Adagia.
Bryant’s Ancient Mythology.
Draudii Bibliotheca Classica. Francofurti, 1625.
Pauli Manutii Epistolæ et Præfationes. Venetiis, 1556.
From this cursory survey it appears that the impressions of the Classics
in this Library are neither remarkable for their rarity, nor estimable
for their worth.
Connected with this subject are the Works of Etymology; of which the
following Catalogue will enable any one to form a tolerable notion of the
value of this portion of the Winchester Cathedral Library.
Buxtorf’s Chaldee and Syriac Lexicon; with his Hebrew Lexicon, printed
at Basle in 1651; Scapulæ Lexicon Græcum; Porti Lexicon Ionicum,
Heidelbergæ, 1602; Varro de Linguâ Latinâ; Suidæ Lexicon Kusteri,
Cantabrigiæ, 1705, folio; Ludolphi Lexicon Æthiopicum; Meursii Glossarium
Græco-barbarum; La Crose, Lexicon Ægyptiaco-Latinum; Du Cange, Glossary;
Hickes’ Thesaurus Septentrionalis; Spelman’s Glossary; Cotgrave’s
French and English Dictionary, London, 1632; Lye’s Saxon Dictionary;
Littleton’s Dictionary, 1678; Stephani Thesaurus, Parisiis, 1572;
Calepini Dictionarium Octolingue, 1647; Budæi Commentarius Linguæ Græcæ;
and Hesychii Dictionarium, Basileæ, 1530.
Of Bibliographical Works I found, as I have already mentioned, the old
Bodleian Library Catalogue, to which I may now add the Bibliothèque
Universelle et Choisie, Amsterdam, 1687-1703; the Index Librorum
Prohibitorum, Romæ, 1667; and the Index Expurgatorius, Matriti, 1612;
with Berington’s Literary History of the Middle Ages.
In Works of Science and Natural History this Collection is equally
deficient, for I noticed only Horsley’s valuable edition of Newton’s
Works, in 5 volumes, 4to. London, 1779; Barrow’s Lectiones Geometricæ et
Opticæ, Londini, 1669-70; Maseres Scriptores Logarithmici; Salusbury’s
Mathematical Collections; Chambers’ Dictionary, by Rees, 1786, in 4 vols.
folio; Cartesii Opera Philosophica, Amstelodami, 1650, 2 vols. folio;
Lord Bacon on Natural History; the Novum Organum; Boyle on Experimental
Philosophy, Oxford, 1663; Whitehurst’s Theory of the Earth; Willis’
Anatomical Works; Conradi Gesneri, Historia Animalium; Ruellius de naturâ
Stirpium; Fuchsii de Historiâ Stirpium Commentarii; Morison, Plantarum
Umbelliferarum Distributio; Latham’s Birds, with coloured plates, 10
vols. 4to. Winchester, 1824, in boards; and Bochart, Hierozoicon.
Of learned bodies and their transactions, the only works in this Library
are Sprat’s History of the Royal Society, London, 1667; the Philosophical
Transactions; Histoire de l’Academie, 1699-1754, in 105 volumes, 4to.;
the Acta Eruditorum, Lipsiæ, 1682-1701, 1702-1720, and 1721-1738; and the
Journal des Savans, 1689, in 12 vols. 8vo.
Of miscellaneous Works in Foreign Literature, I noticed Boccaccio,
Decameron, Venetiis, 1638; Gatakeri Adversaria Miscellanea, Londini,
1659; Pici Mirandulæ Opera, Basileæ, 1572; Juliani Imperatoris Opera,
Parisiis, 1630; Rogeri Aschami Epistolæ, Genevæ, 1611; and Gualtheri
Opera, Tiguri, 1595.
In English Literature it remains for me to notice the Works of King James
the First of England, and of his son Charles the First, the latter of the
date of 1662; Walpole’s Royal and Noble Authors; Chaucer’s Works, London,
1787; Spenser’s Works, London, 1679; Milton’s Paradise Lost, 1669; the
Works of the Earl of Surrey, and Sir Thomas Wyatt, edited by Nott, in 2
vols. 4to.; Sir Thomas More’s Works, 1557, folio; Donne’s Poems, 1633;
Herbert’s Country Parson, 1671; Butler’s Hudibras, 1663-4; and the
Memoirs of Bishop James of Calcutta.
But perhaps the most valuable and interesting treasure preserved in this
Library is the original Charter granted by Henry VIII. to the Cathedral
Church of Winchester, written upon vellum, and beautifully illuminated.
[Illustration]
Library of Windsor.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Windsor is deposited in a
commodious apartment, within the precincts of the Castle, overlooking the
silver Thames, and the graceful Chapel of Eton.
The Books are arranged in open cases, distinguished by letters of the
Alphabet round the room, which is divided into three compartments, and
is adorned with an old view of Windsor, and an early representation in
profile of our Saviour.
The Catalogue is arranged alphabetically, with an index to the shelves
on which the books are placed, and is entitled “Catalogus Librorum in
Bibliothecâ, S. Georgii Windsoriensi,” in folio, bearing date, 1786.
The book plate inserted in every book, bears round the armorial bearings
of the Dean and Chapter this legend: “Libera Capella Regia Sti̅ Georgii
infra Castrum de Windsor.”
There is a Manuscript Roll of Arms of the time of Bishop Sanderson,
and the Common Prayer Book and Psalms, in the handwriting of the same
prelate, 1578, 8vo.
Among the Typographical Antiquities of this Collection, I noticed the
Image or Mirrour of the World, printed by William Caxton, at Westminster,
in 1480, folio, a copy unfortunately wanting all after the 97th leaf,
which is torn. It measures eleven inches in height by eight inches in
width, and is in old calf binding. I also remarked a fine copy of Boetius
de Consolatione Philosophiæ, printed by Joannes de Westphalia in alma
civitate Lovaniensi, in 1487, folio, measuring eleven inches by eight
inches and a half, in calf binding; and another copy of Boetius, printed
by Iodocus Badius Ascensius in civitate Lugdunensi, 1498, folio, also in
calf. To this I may add a noble copy of the Aldine Plato of 1513, folio,
in calf, which measures eleven inches and three quarters by seven inches
and a half. There is an imperfect copy of Chaucer, in double columns
of black letter; a fine copy of Gower’s Confessio Amantis, printed by
Berthelet at London in 1554, folio; and the Legenda Aurea of 1496, folio.
The Versions of the Sacred Scriptures in this Library, include Walton’s
Polyglott; the Antwerp Polyglott of Plantin; the Bible of 1611; the Doway
Bible of 1609, with the sumptuous edition printed by Nicol, at London,
in 1802, in 9 volumes, 4to.; Biblia Hebraica Vatabli, & Kennicott; and
Grabe’s Septuagint.
There are also several editions of the New Testament, including the Vetus
Testamentum è Codice Alexandrino, and several Books of Common Prayer.
The patristic Works in this Collection, include those of SS. Ambrose,
Athanasius, Augustin, Basil, Chrysostom, Clemens Alexandrinus, Cyprian,
Cyril, Epiphanius, Gregory Nazianzen, Hilary, Jerome, skilled in the
treasures of the three languages of Scripture; Ignatius, Irenæus,
Isidore, Justin Martyr, Origen, and Tertullian.
Among the early Theologians may be found the Works of Anselm, Bellarmine,
Calvin, Cassiodorus, Damascenus, Erasmus, Eusebius, Grotius, Lactantius,
Lanfranc, Libanius, Limborch, Luther, Melancthon, Peter Martyr, Philo
Judæus, Prudentius, Theodoret, Theophilus, Thomas Aquinas, Zanchius, and
Zuinglius.
Among the Works of English Divines, I noticed those of Allix, Atterbury,
Bede, Beveridge, Bingham, Bramhall, Bull, Chillingworth, Clarke, Comber,
Dodwell, Donne, Hammond, Hooker, Heylin, Hoadley, Hooper, Jackson, Jewel,
Laud, Leland, Lightfoot, Lowth, Bishop Newton, Patrick, Pearson, Pococke,
Prideaux, Sherlock, Stapleton, Stillingfleet, Tillotson, Tomline, Usher,
Warburton, and Waterland.
I may here conveniently notice the Commentaries of Nicolas de Lyra;
Calmet’s Dictionary of the Bible; Cotelerii Patres Apostolici; the
Concilia Magna; and the Critici Sacri, with Pole’s Synopsis. Also
Cruden’s Concordance; Derham’s Physico-Theology; Ecton’s Thesaurus; Field
of the Church; Gratiani Decreta; Lyndewode Provinciale, and Wall on
Infant Baptism.
Of Works illustrative of Ecclesiastical History it may suffice to
enumerate the Ecclesiastical Annals of Baronius; Bower’s Lives of the
Popes; Burnet’s History of the Reformation; Cave’s Historiæ Ecclesiasticæ
Scriptores; Collier’s Ecclesiastical History; Cotelerii Ecclesiæ Græcæ
Monumenta; Dugdale’s Monasticon; Dupin’s Ecclesiastical Monuments;
Fox’s Acts and Monuments of the Church; Godwin, Præsules Anglicani;
Echard and Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History; Platina, Vitæ Pontificum;
Raderi Bavaria Sancta; Reyner, de Apostolatu Benedictinorum in Angliâ;
Spotiswode’s Church of Scotland; Strype’s Annals of the Reformation;
Memorials and Lives; Tornielli Annales Sacri; Tanner’s Notitia Monastica;
and Warton’s Anglia Sacra.
I may here also notice the Bibliotheca Patrum; Bray’s Bibliotheca
Parochialis; Cudworth’s Intellectual System; Derham’s Physico-Theology;
Josephus’ History of the Jews; and Le Long’s Bibliotheca Sacra.
The Historical department of this Library embraces the Universal History,
Ancient and Modern; Alison’s History of Europe; Bayle’s Dictionary;
Carionis Chronicon; Cary’s Chronicle; Coxe’s Historical Works; De Thou,
Historia sui temporis; Eadmer’s Historia Novorum; Hallam’s Middle Ages;
Gibbon’s Decline and Fall; the Collections of Grævius and Gronovius; the
Institutes of Justinian; Ockley’s History of the Saracens; Raleigh’s
History of the World; Ricaut’s History of the Turks; Robertson’s
Historical Works; and Watson’s Philip II.
The Works relating to the History and Antiquities of England, include
Adam’s Index Villaris; Baker’s Chronicle; Barnes’ Edward III.; Battely,
Antiquitates Rutupinæ; Bentham’s Ely; Kippis’ Biographia Britannica;
Borlase’s Cornwall; Burton’s Leicestershire; Camden’s Britannia;
Clarendon’s History of the Rebellion and State Papers; Dodsworth’s
Salisbury Cathedral; Dugdale’s Works; Gibson’s Chronicon Saxonicum;
Gunton’s Peterborough; Guthrie’s and Lingard’s History of England;
Henry’s History of Great Britain; Lhuyd, Archæologia Britannica; Kennet’s
Historical Register; Lyttelton’s Henry II.; Ogilby’s Britannia;
Pitseus de Rebus Anglicis; Plot’s Oxfordshire and Staffordshire; Pote’s
Windsor; Rushworth’s Historical Collections; Speed’s History of Great
Britain; Rymer’s Fœdera; Somner’s Roman Ports and Forts in Kent; Stow’s
London; Tod’s Ashridge; Verstegan’s Restitution of Decayed Intelligence
respecting English Antiquities; Warwick’s Charles I.; Matthæi
Westmonasteriensis Flores Historiarum; Weever’s Funeral Monuments;
Whitelock’s Memorials; and Wood’s Historia Oxoniensis.
I may also record Buchanan’s History of Scotland; the Wellington
Dispatches; Fuller’s Worthies; Southey’s Peninsular War; Tomline’s Life
of Pitt; Wake’s Rex Platonicus; Cox and Ware’s Ireland; and Warrington’s
Wales.
The Voyages and Travels include those of Anson, Barrow, Cook, Dampier,
and Vancouver, Harris’ Collection, Park’s Travels, and those of Bruce; to
which I may add Blome’s Jamaica; Kæmpfer’s Japan; Maurice’s Indostan; and
Sir Robert Wilson’s Campaign in Egypt.
The Classical department of this Collection comprehends various
editions of the Works of Achilles Tatius, Ælian, Ammianus Marcellinus,
Aristophanes, Aristotle, Arrian, Æschylus, Athenæus, Aulus Gellius,
Ausonius, Cæsar, Cicero, Quintus Curtius, Demosthenes, Diodorus Siculus,
Diogenes Laertius, Dio Cassius, Ennius, Epictetus, Euripides, Frontinus,
Herodotus, Herodian, Hesiod, Hippocrates, Homer, Horatius, Juvenal,
Livy, Lucretius, Lucan, Lucian, Macrobius, Pausanias, Petronius Arbiter,
Phalaris, Plautus, Pliny, Polybius, Quintilian, Seneca, Sophocles,
Strabo, Suidas, Tacitus, Terence, Thucydides, Virgil, and Xenophon.
To the above may be added, Stephanus de Urbibus, Photii Bibliotheca;
Fabricii Bibliotheca Græca; and Vegetius de Re Militari.
The Etymological Works include the Etymologicum Magnum; Buxtorf’s
Lexicon; Johnson’s Dictionary; Tooke’s Diversions of Purley; Du
Fresne’s Glossary; Hickes’ Thesaurus; Julii Pollucis Onomasticon; Lye’s
Dictionarium Saxonicum; Parkhurst’s Lexicon; and the Works of Vossius.
The Heraldic Works include Ashmole’s Order of the Garter; Guillim’s
Heraldry; Milles’ Catalogue of Honour; Willement’s Regal Heraldry, and
St. George’s Chapel.
In English Literature these shelves contain the Works of Bacon, Bale,
Bayle, Charles I., Brerewood, Ben Jonson, Samuel Johnson, Sir William
Jones, Spelman, Temple, and Locke; together with Burney’s History of
Music; Blount’s Censura Literaria; Bryant’s Mythology; Boswell’s Johnson;
Clarke’s Life of Nelson; Hartley on Man; Reid on the Intellectual Powers;
Roscoe’s Lorenzo; Smith’s Wealth of Nations; Warton’s History of English
Poetry; Du Bartas, Divine Works and Weeks; and Stanley’s Lives of the
Philosophers.
The miscellaneous Works in this Collection embrace Les Entretiens du
Sage, par Sebastian de Senlis, Paris, 4to.; the Encyclopædia Britannica;
the Archæologia, the Works of Casaubon, Euclid, Hobbes, Petrarch,
Selden, and Tiraboschi; the Bibliothecæ Regiæ Catalogus, and Catalogus
MSS. Angliæ & Hiberniæ, 1697, folio; Fleetwood’s Chronicon Preciosum;
D’Herbelot, Bibliotheque Orientale; Wolfii Bibliotheca Hebræa; Mabillon
de Re Diplomaticâ; Brucker, Historia Critica Philosophiæ; and Petavii
Doctrina Temporum.
The Legal Works include Blackstone’s Commentaries; Spencer de Legibus
Hebræorum; Gibson’s Codex Juris Ecclesiastici & Civilis; and Wilkins’
Leges Anglo-Saxonicæ.
The Works on Natural History, embrace Buffon, Histoire Naturelle; Raii
Historia Plantarum; and Tournefort’s Botany.
In the Musical Library I observed a large Collection of the Works of
Handel, whose solemn strains may frequently be heard pealing through the
lofty aisles of St. George’s Chapel, by the studious occupants of this
convenient chamber.
I may add with great satisfaction that every Dean and Canon of Windsor,
on his presentation, makes a donation of twenty pounds to the fund for
the augmentation of the Capitular Library.
[Illustration]
Library of Worcester.
In the Chapter House of this ancient Cathedral is deposited the Library
belonging to the Dean and Chapter; the books, amounting to nearly six
thousand volumes, being arranged upon open shelves around its ample area
against the walls, while the slender column which supports the roof rises
gracefully in the centre of the whole.
The books are extremely well arranged according to their sizes, with
proper attention to their subject matter, the work of the present
Librarian, Mr. Clarke, with references on their backs to a Catalogue
compiled by Mr. Griffin, and continued by his successors to the present
time.
This Manuscript Catalogue is divided into classes and sections, and bears
the following title; “Catalogus Librorum Impressorum in Bibliothecâ
Collegii Cathedralis Vigorniæ, Cal. Nov. 1780. Curâ J. Griffin
Bibliothecarius,” which is succeeded by a dedication to the then Dean.
At the conclusion of this Catalogue in the second folio volume, is a
supplementary Catalogue, the title whereof runneth thus: “Catalogus
Librorum Musicorum in Ecclesiâ Cathedrali Vigorniæ, 1781. Hunc fecit
vir Reverendus Edvardus Taylor Præcentor ejusdem Ecclesiæ et Musices
peritissimus.”
There is also a copy of the old Bodleian Catalogue interleaved, in 4
volumes, folio, which appears to have been formerly intended to supply
the place of a Catalogue of this Library, from the references and
insertions here and there apparent, but the plan having been found not
only slovenly but inconvenient, it was doubtless abandoned when the
labours of Mr. Griffin were completed. The general aspect of the books
is of that sombre character which old calf, whether English or foreign,
usually gives to the shelves upon which it reposes; but the judicious
addition of lettering pieces to almost every volume has greatly relieved
their sombre tint, and rendered their contents much more accessible to
the stranger. Some volumes however still retain their original vellum
wrappers, and a few are coated in morocco.
The only Manuscript which met my eye was a tattered folio Missal, whose
knobs had been judiciously replaced upon a binding imitating, as nearly
as possible, the original coverture, and on whose fly leaf some modern
hand had written, “Missale Vetus ad usum Sarum eleganter et admodum
descriptum et exornatum.” Probably however there may be in the archives
of so ancient a foundation other manuscripts more worthy of notice than
this.
The oldest printed books I could find were the Biblia Latina Vulgata,
Illuminata, Venetiis, 1478; and the Nuremberg Chronicle, without a title,
in modern calf binding. Let any one who wishes for a particular account
of this remarkable specimen of Koberger’s press, read the sixteen pages
relating to this book in the Spencer Catalogue, and I will only add
that the volume under description retains but little of its pristine
beauty. The earliest Classic Author I noticed was the Juvenal, with the
Commentaries of Calderinus, printed at Rome in 1474. With these three
exceptions the bibliographer will seek in vain for any productions of the
fifteenth century within these walls, without the consolation of finding
any books printed upon vellum.
Of Bibliographical Works however this Library contains a greater number
than usually falls to the lot of similar repositories. I may instance
the Bodleian, Cottonian, and Harleian Catalogues; Fabricii Bibliographia
Antiquaria, and Bibliotheca Græca; Antonii Bibliotheca Hispana, Barberini
Bibliotheca, Romæ, 1681; Lipenii Bibliotheca Philosophica; Juridica &
Medica; Nicolai Toppi, Bibliotheca Neapolitana, 1778; Mich. Hertzii
Bibliotheca Germanica, 1679; “Bibliothecæ Cleri Londinensis in Collegio
Sionensi Catalogus duplici formâ concinnatus, &c. a Guilielmo, Reading,
Bibliothecario, Londini, typis J. Watts, 1724,” folio; Watt’s Bibliotheca
Britannica; Dibdin’s Bibliotheca Spenceriana; Saxii Onomasticon
Literarium; and the Acta Eruditorum Lipsiæ; Berington’s Literary History
of the Middle Ages; Pitseus de Rebus Anglicis; and Maseres Scriptores
Logarithmici; in proof of the accuracy of this assertion.
In Biblical Literature the paucity of the Impressions of the Sacred
text is equally remarkable with the host of obscure commentators, and
multitude of forgotten theologians whose works encumber the shelves of
this ancient Library.
I remarked with satisfaction a copy of Walton’s Polyglott, with
Castell’s Lexicon, respectably clad in old calf, most properly placed on
the same shelves with the Biblia Polyglotta, Montani, Antverpiæ, Plantin,
1572, also in folio. There are also the Biblia Græca LXX. per Grabe,
Oxon. 1707, in 2 vols. folio; and the Biblia Latina Castalionis, Basileæ,
1554.
I also remarked Kennicott’s Hebrew Bible; and the Biblia Germanica;
Martini Lutheri, Francof. 1580; also an English Bible, by Blayney,
printed at Oxford in 1769; and Baskerville’s Bible, printed at Cambridge
in 1763, together with Purver’s Bible; but no early English Impressions
of the Sacred Text.
There was the Novum Testamentum Erasmi, Basileæ, apud Froben, 1538; Nov.
Test. Millii, Oxon. 1707, in 2 vols, folio; and Nov. Test. Wetstenii,
Amst. 1751, in 2 vols, folio, in calf; also Junii Evangelia Gothica et
Anglo-Saxonica, Amst. 1684; Heptateuchus Anglo-Saxonicus per Thwaites,
Oxonii, 1698; the Psalterium Arabicè et Latinè, Romæ, 1619; and Kipling’s
facsimile of the Codex Bezæ, printed at Cambridge in 1793, 2 vols, folio.
I also noticed two early editions of the Common Prayer, the one printed
by Barker at London in 1636, the other published at the same place in
1662; also the Pontificale Romanum, printed at Rome in 1645, folio;
Breviarium ad usum Sarum, Parisiis, 1519-25; Missale ad usum Sarum,
Parisiis, 1555; & Missale Romanum, apud Plantin, Antverpiæ, 1577, folio,
in old red morocco.
Of Commentators I have already intimated that the number is too
large for minute specification. It will suffice therefore to mention
the Critici Sacri; Poli Synopsis; Comestoris Scholastica Historia,
Argentorati, 1503; Canisii Lectiones Antiquæ, in 4 vols. folio; De Rossi
Variæ Lectiones Veteris Testamenti, in 4 vols. 4to.; the well-known
Commentaries of Patrick, Lowth, Arnald, and Whitby; Pearce on the
Evangelists; Pococke on Hosea; and Blayney on Jeremiah.
Proceed we therefore to the Fathers of the Church, who in common with
other early divines, were usually Commentators upon the Scriptures as
well as the teachers of its truth. Here we have the Works of Saints
Athanasius, Eusebius, Isidore, Cyprian, Augustine, Epiphanius, and
St. Jerome, with the writings of Tertullian, Justin Martyr, Clemens
Alexandrinus, Origen, & Lactantius; Philo Judæus, Parisiis, 1552;
Vincentii Speculum Majus; with the Bibliotheca Veterum Patrum, in 15
vols. folio, and 2 volumes of the Supplement; and Dacherii Spicilegium,
in 13 vols. 4to.
Among the earlier Divines of our own country, we may mention the Works
of Bede; Lanfranc Cantuar. Opera, Paris, 1648; and Anselm Cantuar.
Opera Theologica, Colon. 1573; and turning to those abroad may notice
the Works of Luther and Melancthon; Erasmus, Grotius, Vossius, Calvin,
and Bellarmine; and the Bibliotheca Fratrum Polonorum, Irenop. 1656;
with Limborch, Theologia Christiana, Amst. 1695; and returning to the
Divines of our own country, we find the Works of Cuthbert Tonstall, and
of Tyndale, Hooker; of Bishop Jewel, Jackson, Hall, Hammond, Horne,
Stillingfleet, Barrow, Chillingworth, Horsley, Cudworth, Prideaux,
Hoadley, and Conybeare; Waterland, edited by Van Mildert; Bishop
Berkeley’s Works, in 2 vols. 4to.; and those of Warburton, Macknight,
Paley, Wake, Lardner, and Bingham. To which may be added the Hulsean and
Bampton Lectures; and numerous Sermons by various authors.
In Ecclesiastical History, the valuable Annals of Baronius and Tornielli;
the invaluable Acta Sanctorum; Alfordi Annales Ecclesiastici Britanniæ,
in 4 vols. folio; Cressy’s Church History of Brittany; the Ecclesiastical
Histories of Cave, Collier, and Warner; Warton’s Anglia Sacra; Fuller’s
Church History; Du Monstier, Neustria Pia; Inett’s Church History;
Usher’s Annals; and Burnet’s History of the Reformation, occupy a
prominent place.
To these may be added, Neal’s History of the Puritans; Josephus’ History
of the Jews, edited by Hudson, in 2 vols. folio; Magdeburgensis Historia
Ecclesiastica, Basileæ, 1559, in 8 vols. 4to.; Gualteri Chronicon
Chronicorum Eccl. Politicum, in 4 vols. 4to.; the Concilia Generalia,
in 4 vols. folio; Wilkins’ Concilia, in 4 vols. folio; and the Concilia
Maxima, in 15 stout folios, with the Apparatus in 2.
Of General History, the most remarkable features are the Universal
History; Carionis Chronicon; Krantzii Chronicon Suecicum, &c.; Pighii
Annales Romanorum, in 2 vols. folio; Saken, Van Staet Netherlanden, in 4
vols. folio, in old red morocco; Freheri Bohemicarum Rerum Scriptores;
the Asiatic Researches; Kæmpfer’s Japan; Maurice’s Hindostan; Rudbeck’s
Atlantica; Thuani Historia sui temporis; Ralegh’s History of the World;
Heylin’s Cosmography; Roscoe’s Leo X. and History of the Medici;
Robertson’s Foreign Histories; Knolles’ History of the Turks; Shaw’s
Travels; with Chappe d’Auteroche, Voyage en Siberie; and as relates more
particularly to Antiquities, the valuable Collections of Grævius and
Gronovius; with the Supplement of Gruter; and the Works of Montfaucon,
including his Diarium Italicum; together with Aringhi Roma Subterranea;
and Wood’s Antiquities of Balbec and Palmyra.
With reference to those minute yet faithful monuments of former ages,
Coins, I noticed the Numismata of Spanheim; Folkes’s Coins; Ruding’s
Annals of the Coinage; and a most beautiful Copy of the Numismata
Pembrochiana upon large paper, bound in stout old russia, with an elegant
border of gold, the gift of Bishop Johnson to the Library of his own
Cathedral, about the middle of the last century.
As connected with Foreign lands, I may here notice the Voyages of Cook,
Forster, Hawkesworth, and Vancouver; the Collections of Voyages by Harris
and Churchill; to which may be annexed Pinkerton’s Geography; and the
Atlas of Sansom.
The earlier and more obscure portions of English History are admirably
elucidated by the Scriptores Francorum Coetanei collected by Du Chesne;
the Scriptores XV. edited by Gale and Fell; the Scriptores X. collected
by Twysden; the Scriptores post Bedam, edited by Savile; the Histories
of Mathew Paris, of Mathew of Westminster, and of Florence of Worcester;
the Fœdera of Rymer; Eadmeri Historia Novorum; Polydore Vergilii Hist.
Anglicana, &c.; Hemingii Chronicon Wigornense curâ Thomæ Hearne, 2 vols.
8vo.; and Guilielmi Neubrigensis Hist. Angl. Antverpiæ, 1567.
I also noticed Fosbroke’s British Monachism; the Histories of England,
by Rapin and Tindal, Echard and Carte, Henry and Lingard, Brady, Hume,
and Macauley; the Chronycles of Englonde, with the fruyte of tymes,
printed at London in 1528; Baker’s Chronicle; the valuable Works of Stow
and Speed; Birch’s Memoirs of Elizabeth; Asseri Alfredi Annales; Bates’s
Elenchus Motuum; Strype’s Memorials; Dugdale’s Troubles, Baronage, and
Origines Juridiciales; Spelman’s Alfred, Oxford, 1678; May’s History of
the Long Parliament; Brooke’s Heraldry; Thurloe’s State Papers; Kennett’s
Register; Clarendon’s Works; Clanricarde’s Memoirs; Lyttelton’s Henry
II.; Ashmole’s Order of the Garter; Nalson’s Collections; Sandford’s
Genealogical History of the Kings of England; and Coronation of James
II.; to which I may add Boethii Historia Scotorum; Macpherson’s Original
Papers; and Dalrymple’s Memoirs.
The Topography of England is here also illustrated by Camden’s Britannia,
edited by Gough; Twyne, Antiq. Oxon. Apologia; the Histories of
Oxford and Cambridge, published by Ackermann; Ducarel’s Anglo-Norman
Antiquities; Weever’s Funeral Monuments; Wood’s Athenæ et Antiquitates
Oxonienses; Loggan’s Oxonia Illustrata; the Marmora Oxoniensia; Dugdale’s
Monasticon Anglicanum, and History of Warwickshire; King’s Vale Royal
of Cheshire; Borlase’s Cornwall; Thoroton’s Nottinghamshire; Wright’s
Rutland; Nash’s Worcestershire; Atkyns’s Gloucestershire; Leycester’s
Cheshire; Bentham’s Ely; Gunton’s Peterborough; Green’s Worcester;
Thomas’ Worcester Cathedral; Antiquitates Prioratùs de Malvern, Londini,
1725, 8vo.; Kennett’s Parochial Antiquities; Willis’s Cathedrals; Ecton’s
Thesaurus; and Tanner’s Notitia Monastica.
As connected with English History; the Biographia Britannica of Kippis,
new, in calf; the General Biographical Dictionary of Chalmers; the
Memoirs of Evelyn and Pepys, of Walpole and Bishop Hough, who still lives
in marble in the adjacent Cathedral; Tomline’s Life of Pitt; and the
publications of the Record Commission deserve to be here recorded.
And lastly, as illustrative of History, the English Atlas and Pinkerton’s
Geography; Collier’s Historical Dictionary, and Postlewaite’s Dictionary
of Commerce; Mabillon de Rê Diplomaticâ; Anderson’s Diplomata Scotiæ; and
the Itinerary of Antoninus, may be mentioned.
Of works relating to the Laws of England, we find a Year Book of Edward
IV.; Coke’s Institutes; Blackstone’s Commentaries; Gibson’s Codex; Burn’s
Ecclesiastical Law; Lyndewode’s Provinciale; the Statutes at large; and
Selden’s Works.
In Etymology there are in this Collection the following valuable Works,
calculated to render more intelligible the earlier historians of England;
Somner’s Glossary; Hickes’ Thesaurus Septentrionalis; Lye’s Saxon
Dictionary; Skinner’s Etymologicum Anglicanum; Davies’ Celtic Dictionary;
Menage’s Gothic Lexicon; Cotgrave’s French and English Dictionary;
Spelman’s Glossary; as well as others more general in their nature,
such as Stephani Thesaurus; Hoffmanni Lexicon; Suidæ Lexicon, Cantabr.
1705, 3 vols. folio; Buxtorf’s Hebrew Lexicon; D’Herbelot, Bibliotheque
Orientale; Johnson’s English Dictionary; Du Cange, Glossary; and the
labours of the learned Vossius.
Of Classic Authors, though the list of names be copious, yet the editions
contained in this Library are neither remarkable for antiquity nor
covetable for their value. Of Homer, the Prince of Song, there is the
elegant impression of Foulis at Glasgow, the Iliad being on large, and
the Odyssey on small paper. To make amends for this however we have the
four volumes of the Commentaries of Eustathius, printed at Rome in 1550,
and Cowper’s Translation, in 2 vols. 4to. bound in red morocco.
Of Cicero’s Works there are the editions of Basle in 1576, and of London
in 1680, and the Lugduno-Batavian impressions of Cæsar, Tacitus, and
Suetonius, of Virgil, Lucan, and Plautus, as well as Pliny.
I also remarked Du Val’s editions of Aristotle’s Works; Athenæus,
Casauboni, 1657; Xenophontis Opera, Leunclavii; Plutarchi Opera, Francof.
1620; Horatius, Lambini, Francof. 1596; Seneca, Parisiis, 1627; Valerius
Maximus, Mediolani, 1505; Plinius Junior, Venetiis, 1519; Pindar, edited
by West and Welsted; Euripides, by Barnes; Isocrates, by Stephens; and
Arrian, by Gronovius; together with editions of Herodotus, Diodorus
Siculus, Livy, Dio Cassius, Thucydides, Polybius, and Strabo; of
Aristophanes, Ovid, Sophocles, and Terence; of Macrobius, Demosthenes,
Euclid, Plato, and Epictetus; Photii Bibliotheca et Epistolæ, and the
Corpus Poetarum Latinorum of Mattaire.
Of English Literature, the principal features are the Works of Boyle,
Newton, Mede, Bacon, Addison, and Hobbes; Monk’s Life of Bentley;
Robertson’s Works; Antiquitates Middletonianæ, Londini, 1795, 4to.;
Watson’s Philip II.; the Athenian Letters; the Encyclopædia Britannica
and the Quarterly Review; Bedford’s Scripture Chronology; Bryant’s
Heathen Mythology; and Spence’s Polymetis.
Of English Poetry, besides Warton’s admirable History thereof, I found
only Spenser’s Faerie Queen; Gower’s Confessio Amantis, 1509; Urry’s
edition of Chaucer’s Works; and Todd’s Milton.
In Natural History, the only Works which met my eye were Raii Historia
Plantarum; Bocharti Hierozoicon; and the various Works of Aldrovandus.
In Science I can only mention the Scriptores Logarithmici of Maseres,
with a hope that some portion of the fabric fund, hitherto so judiciously
applied to the restoration of the Cathedral of Worcester, may, when
this laudable object has been effected, be so applied as to augment the
literary treasures of the Dean and Chapter, now under the guardianship of
Mr. Clarke.
[Illustration]
Library of York Minster.
The spacious and luminous apartment wherein the valuable Library of
the Dean and Chapter of York is deposited, was formerly the private
Chapel annexed to the Archbishop’s Palace, long since destroyed, and was
restored to its pristine splendour, and appropriated to its present use
by Dean Markham in 1806. The beauty of the west window is only equalled
by the comfort of the interior, warmed by a fire-place, and surrounded by
a light gallery affording access to the upper ranges of books.
“Near the church is a very pretty Gothic Library, the arrangements of
which appeared to me very well contrived. Every book has three numbers on
the back. At the top, that of the shelf, then that of the compartment,
and below, its own number; so that it can be found in a moment. The
numbers are on pretty little labels, and do not at all deform the books.
In one corner is a very light and convenient staircase leading to the
gallery, which runs midway round the room. The alphabetical Catalogue is
arranged as follows:
Page 20
-------+------------+---------------+--------+--------------+-----------
Form. | Letter C. | Edition. | Shelf. | Compartment. | Number.
-------+------------+---------------+--------+--------------+-----------
8vo. | Cosmo, &c. | Verona, 1591. | II. | 7 | 189-192.
4to. | Cavendish. | London, 1802. | I. | 5 | 52-55.
Folio. | Colley. | London, 1760. | XI. | 3 | 1080-1082.
12mo. | Corneille. | Paris, 1820. | X. | 6 | 920-930.
-------+------------+---------------+--------+--------------+-----------
“This will suffice to make it clear to you; and as I know by experience
what a difficult matter the managing of a Library is, and how many are
the ways of doing it, I send you this scheme, as very well suited to a
small collection of books.
“I could not get a sight of any of the rare books or manuscripts kept
here, as the Librarian was absent. In a corner I found a very curious
drawing of the procession at the great Marlborough’s funeral. It is
almost incredible how totally the dresses and customs have altered
ever since that time. The aged clerk who conducted me about, said he
remembered, when a boy, to have seen soldiers with long bag wigs, like
those in the picture.”
This locality has been so minutely described by the lively pen of a
continental writer, that I have made the foregoing extract from a “Tour
in Germany, Holland, and France in the years 1826, 1827, and 1828, with
Remarks on the Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants, and Anecdotes of
distinguished Public Characters, in a series of letters, by a German
Prince” (Puckler Muskau). “In four volumes, London, Effingham Wilson,
Royal Exchange, 1832,” vol. iv. 169-170.
The Catalogue, though carelessly written, is alphabetically arranged, and
the books are not disfigured by printed labels on their backs, indeed
this Library has very much the aspect of a private collection, and may
vie with many in the value of its contents.
The valuable body of Manuscripts including those of Mr. Torre on
Ecclesiastical affairs; Bracton de legibus Angliæ; and two Manuscripts
of Cicero, collated by Hearne for the Oxford edition; the three latter,
attired in crimson velvet, are preserved with all the care which their
intrinsic worth demands.
The printed books are also adorned in many instances with russia and
morocco, indicating a becoming sense of the true value of these literary
treasures.
But the gem of this Collection is most assuredly the vellum copy of the
second edition of the New Testament, edited by Erasmus, and printed
by Froben, in 2 volumes, folio, at Bâsle in 1519. The beauty of the
press work, the lustre of the ink, and the purity of the vellum must
excite the admiration of every true lover of ancient typography. These
resplendent volumes retain their original coverture, and are protected
by loose cases, but have been rebacked; and as they are rather choked in
the binding should be attired in blue morocco with white silk insides,
whereon should be stamped in letters of gold, “YORK MINSTER LIBRARY,”
and enclosed in locked cases of russia, lined with velvet. Let us be
particular in describing the contents of these precious tomes.
The recto of the first leaf of the first volume presents us with the
Title of the New Testament, surrounded by a wood-cut border, and on the
reverse is the Pope’s license similarly encadred. Then immediately follow
the Preface, Paraclesis and Prolegomena occupying, together with the
title, 120 pages regularly numbered. The New Testament, printed in two
columns, the right of Latin, and the left of Greek text, in Greek and
Roman letter, follows this preliminary matter, having a separate title
prefixed, and occupies 566 pages exclusive of the last leaf, containing
the Errata, Index, Terminorum, and the following Colophon:
“BASILEAE IN AEDIBUS IOANNIS FROBENII”
ANNO SALVTIS HVMANAE M.D.XIX.
MENSE MARTIO.
On the reverse is the usual device of Froben.
The second volume contains the Annotations of Erasmus on the New
Testament, and are preceded by a title encadred as in the preceding
volume, and concluded by the “Index Terminorum” on the recto, the last
leaf numbered p. 579. The paginary figures are consecutive, and include
the title. On the reverse of the last leaf appears the well-known device
of Froben, and immediately beneath it the following Colophon:
“BASILEAE APVD IOHANNEM”
FROBENIVM MENSE
MARTIO. M.D.XIX.
The clear Roman character of both volumes is precisely similar, and the
Greek remarkably distinct. Marginal references occur throughout both
volumes, which are alike distinguished by signatures, catch-words, and
paging figures, and have many of the initial letters cut in wood.
Of equal interest with reference to English typography are the smaller
pieces of Caxtonian literature, which here exist in the shape of
two small works in metre, most rare and of especial note which were
discovered by Master Thomas Frognall Dibdin Clerk, in the year of our
Lord 1816, of which same marvellous discovery he pleasantly discourseth
in the Bibliographical Decameron, v. III. p. 416-19. The first of these
curious Metrical pieces consists of 9 leaves in 4to. concluding on the
reverse of sign. f. g. with these words:
“Explicit the Chorle and the birde.”
It has been reprinted by the Roxburghe Club, and a manuscript note by
Dr. Dibdin informs us that another copy exists in the Public Library
at Cambridge. The second of these Metrical pieces owns Lydgate for its
author, beginning with these words:
“The hors the shepe and the ghoos”
It is also in 4to. consisting of 15 leaves, and concluding with the word:
“Explicit.”
Both these little tomes are executed in the rude Gothic type usually
ascribed to Caxton, and are bound in blue morocco.
I next opened three translations from the Works of Cicero, all from the
press of Caxton. The first has a gratuitous MS. title of “Cicero on
Honour,” and consists of 7 leaves. It begins thus on the recto of the
first leaf:
“Here maketh the Argument of the declamacyon which laboureth to
shewe wherin honoure sholde reste.”
On the reverse of the seventh and last leaf, we read the conclusion thus:
“Thus endeth this lytil book.”
Beneath some one has added in red ink MS. capitals:
“EXPLICIT PER CAXTON
MCCCC LXXXI.”
This thin folio is very shabbily half bound.
The two next tractates of Cicero are bound in one volume in folio; the
first being entitled,
“Tullyus de Senectute.”
preceded by two leaves of table, and ending with the word “Explicit,”
immediately beneath which is this Colophon:
“Thus endeth the Book of Tully of Old Age, translated out of Latin
into French, by Laurence de Primo-Facto, at the commandment of the
noble prince Louis, Duke of Bourbon; and enprinted by me simple person
William Caxton, into English, at the pleasure, solace, and reverence of
men growing into old age, the xii day of August, the year of our Lord
M.CCCC.lxxxj.”
The second tractate commences with these words:
“Here followeth the said Tullius de Amicitia.”
and endeth thus,
“Explicit per Caxton.”
The signatures run from a 1. to f 4. and both pieces appear to be
perfect, though Dibdin who mentions only the first, affirms the contrary
in his Decameron, but probably opening the volume in his lucernal
examination, and turning to the end thereof, without remarking that it
contained two separate pieces, and missing the well-known colophon quoted
above, might have concluded the volume from thence imperfect.
The next and last Caxtonian production which occurred to me in this
Library was,
“The Booke of the Fayttes of Armes and of Chyvalrye, which Christine of
Pyse drew out of Vegetius de re militari.” This work written in French
under the title of “Le Livre des faits d’Armes et de Chevalrie par
Christine de Pisan,” was delivered to Caxton by king Henry the Seventh
“in his palais of Westmestre the xxiii day of Januyere the iiii year of
his regne, who desyred and wylled him to translate this said booke, and
reduce it into our english and natural tongue and to put it in prynte,
which Translacion was finished the viiith day of Juyll the sayd year and
emprynted the xiiith day of Juyll next following and full fynyshed” in
1489.
The present copy bound in sorry calf, and lettered “Christian of Pisa,”
is unfortunately imperfect at the end, wanting all from sign. S. i. to
the end. It has however the Table of two leaves which precedes the text.
Among the other early printed Books I noticed, “The Ordynary of Chrysten
men” printed by Wynkyn de Worde in 1506, 4to. which a manuscript note by
Dibdin says is “not quite perfect.” It is bound in blue morocco with gilt
leaves.
The Polychronicon of Ranulph Higden, translated out of Latin into English
by John Trevisa, and reprinted from Caxton’s edition by Peter Treveris at
London in 1527, folio. It is bound in pale russia, and is perfect. And
the Dives and Pauper, printed by Pynson at London in 1537, 4to.
Hitherto I have only skimmed over the surface of this valuable
Collection, selecting such relics of the olden time as fastidious
bibliomaniacs especially delight in.
The best editions of the Classics, and of the Fathers form a considerable
portion of this Collection, though I sought in vain for any first
editions of the Classic Authors.
The value of this Collection demands a particular account of its
component parts, and I commence accordingly with the Sacred Writings.
Of Impressions in the original Hebrew I remarked the Bomberg Hebrew
Bible, printed at Venice in 1618, in two folio volumes; and the Hebrew
Bibles edited by Kennicott and Vander Hooght; Walton’s Polyglott Bible
is also found here. In Greek the Aldine Psalter, the Alexandrine Codex,
edited by Woide; and the Codex Beza, edited by Kipling chiefly merit
notice. The Latin Versions are numerous, including that printed at Venice
in 1498; and the Biblia Latina Junii, Francofurti, 1589. The English
Versions are also numerous. Of these the Doway Bible of 1609; the Oxford
Bible of 1680; an imperfect copy of Matthews’ Bible of 1549; and another
London edition in 1602; the Cambridge Bible of 1682; Wilson’s Bible of
1783; a Bible printed at York in 1789; and D’Oyly and Mant’s Bible with
Notes, &c. are the most remarkable. I also noticed the German Bible
printed at Nuremberg in 1541; French and Indian Bibles; and the Rhemish
Testament by Fulke.
The Commentaries, Concordances, and other illustrations of Holy Writ in
this Library form a valuable part of this Collection.
This Library can also boast a very excellent collection of the best
editions of the Fathers of the Church. The labours of S.S. Ambrose,
Anselm, Athanasius, Augustine, Basil, Chrysostom, Clemens Alexandrinus,
Cyprian, Cyril, Epiphanius, Eusebius, Fulgentius, Gregory Nazianzen,
Hilary, Jerome, Irenæus, Isidore, Lactantius, Origen, Philo Judæus,
Tertullian, Theodoret, Theophylact, and other pillars of the Faith here
exist for the edification of the theological student.
The mass of Catholic Divinity is considerable, including the Works of the
Venerable Bede, Cardinal Bellarmine, Bernard, Theodore Beza, Bonaventura,
Cassiodorus, Gregory, Lanfranc, Duns Scotus, Hugo Victor, and Zanchius;
Zuinglii Opera Omnia; with many others of lesser note.
This Collection of Theology also embraces, Montfaucon, Collectio Nova
Patrum; the Bibliotheca Patrum; Cotelerii Patres Apostolici; the Critici
Sacri; and Pole’s Synopsis; Cruden’s Concordance; De Rossi Variæ
Lectiones in Vetus et Novum Testamentum; Limborch, Theologia Christiana;
Michaelis’ Introduction to the New Testament; Outram de Sacrificiis; the
Commentaries of Patrick, Pearce, &c.; Suiceri Thesaurus Ecclesiasticus;
Vincentii Speculum Majus; and Walchii Bibliotheca Theologica et
Patristica.
In this Library are found Casaubon’s Erasmus of 1514; the Works of
Calvin, Grotius, Luther, Melancthon, and other Divines of that age.
In English Divinity this Collection includes the Works of Lancelot
Andrews, Alison, Barrow, Bishop Berkeley, Archbishop Bramhall,
Chillingworth, Samuel Clarke, Hacket, Hammond, Hoadly, Jackson, Jewel,
Lardner, Lowth, Macknight, Mede, Ogden, Paley, Perkins, Porteus,
Prideaux, Sherlock, Stackhouse, Stillingfleet, Jeremy Taylor, Tillotson,
Warburton, Waterland, Watson, Whitaker, and Whitgift.
I also observed the series of Bampton Lectures; the Bridgewater
Treatises; Sermons by Blair, Saurin, Secker, and many others; Bingham’s
Antiquities of the Christian Church; Burnet on the Thirty-nine Articles;
Butler’s Analogy; Cudworth’s Intellectual System; Gale’s Court of the
Gentiles; Hey’s Lectures; Hooker’s Ecclesiastical Polity; Kett on
Prophecy; Pearson on the Creed; and the Works of Archbishop Usher.
I may here notice the Histories of the Jews by Basnage, and Josephus; and
Spencer de legibus Hebræorum.
In Ecclesiastical History this Library possesses the Ecclesiastical
Annals of Baronius; Tornielli Annales Sacri; Bacon’s Liber Regis;
Brandt’s History of the Reformation in the Low Countries; Burnet’s
History of the Reformation in England; Concertatio Ecclesiæ Catholicæ,
&c. 1588; the Acts of the Ecclesiastical Councils and Conferences, &c.;
Dupin’s Ecclesiastical History; Fuller’s Church History; Harpsfeld,
Historia Ecclesiastica; Jortin’s Ecclesiastical History; Lyndewode’s
Provinciale; Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History; Parker de Antiquitate
Ecclesiæ Britannicæ; Sanderus, de Schismate Anglicano; Spotswode’s
History of the Church of Scotland; Strype’s Ecclesiastical Memorials; and
Symeon Dunelmensis de exordio et procursu istius Ecclesiæ, edente Thomâ
Bedford, 1732, 8vo.
The Historical department of this Collection embraces the great body of
Byzantine Historians, edited by Labbe; Bouquet, Recueil des Historiens
des Gaules, of which the first 13 volumes are in red morocco, the
remaining 5 in boards. Muratori Thesaurus Antiquitatum, &c. Mediolani,
1723, in 22 folio volumes, with the Corpus Inscriptionum, by Gruter, in 5
volumes in folio; Pitisci Lexicon; and the ponderous folios of Bayle.
I also noticed Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire; Hooke’s
Roman History; Maurice’s Indostan; Mezeray, Histoire de France, Paris,
1643, in 3 folio volumes; Mitford’s History of Greece; Robertson’s
Historical Works; Thuani Historia sui Temporis; Wilkins’ Magna Græca; and
Zonaræ Annales.
This Library is embellished by Whitaker’s Illustrations of the Topography
of Yorkshire; Gough’s Sepulchral Monuments; and the Bibliothecæ Regiæ
Catalogus, all in folio.
Of books relating to British History, these shelves contain many, both
curious and important. I may mention the Scriptores post Bedam; Camdeni
Anglica, Normannica, &c. à veteribus Scripta; Annales Henrici VIII.;
Boetius and Buchanan Historia Scotorum; Brady’s History of England;
Burnet’s History of his own Time; Clarendon’s History of the Rebellion,
and his State Papers; Daniel’s History of England; Dalrymple’s Memoirs;
Eadmeri Historia Novorum; Fabian’s Chronicle; Fiddes’ Life of Wolsey;
Florentii Wigornensis Chronicon; Holinshed’s Chronicle of 1581; Grafton’s
Chronicle; Galfridi Monumetensis Historia Britonum; Matthæi Paris
Historia Anglicana; Matthæi Westmonasteriensis Flores Historiarum; the
Polychronicon of Ranulph Higden; Rapin and Tindal’s History of England;
Rymer’s Fœdera, 20 folio volumes; Smith de Rêpublicâ Anglorum; Speed’s
History of Britain; Strafford’s State Papers; Todd’s Lives of Walton and
Cranmer; Twine de Rebus Albionicis; Verstegan’s Restitution of decayed
Intelligence; Polydore Vergil, Historia Anglicana; Welwood’s Memoirs;
Whitelock’s Memorials; Winwood’s Memorials; the Parliamentary History
of England, in 24 octavo volumes; and the Records published by the
Parliamentary Commission.
The Topography and Antiquities of England are illustrated by the
valuable series of the Archæologia; Atkyns’ Gloucestershire; Britton’s
York Cathedral; Burton’s Monasticon Eboracense; Burton’s History of
Leicestershire; Camden’s Britannia, edited by Gough; the Descriptions of
the English Cathedrals, published by the Antiquarian Society; Davies’
Celtic Researches; Drake’s York; Gent’s Histories of York, Ripon, and
Hull, with some Account of the East Window of York Minster; Gough’s
Sepulchral Monuments, in 5 folio volumes; Grose’s Antiquities of England,
Wales, Ireland, and Scotland; Halfpenny’s Fragmenta Vetusta; Horsley’s
Britannia Romana; Kennett’s Parochial Antiquities; Leland’s Collectanea
de rebus Britannicis; Loggan’s Oxonia et Cantabrigia Illustrata;
Nash’s Views of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor; Nicolson’s Histories
of Cumberland and Westmoreland; Peck’s Desiderata Curiosa; Raine’s
North Durham; Sanderson’s Durham Abbey; Tanner’s Notitia Monastica; the
History and Antiquities of York, 1785, in 4 volumes, 8vo.; Torr’s York;
Whitaker’s History of Craven, and his Ducatus Lancastriæ; and Willis’
History of the Cathedrals.
I may here mention the long series of the Philosophical Transactions of
the Royal Society of London; the Memoirs of the Manchester Philosophical
Society; the Harleian Miscellany; Harris’ Life of Charles the First;
Nichols’ Progresses of Queen Elizabeth, and Collection of Royal Wills;
the Somers Tracts; and Kippis’ Biographia Britannica.
The Bibliographical Works I noticed, were Bale, de Scriptoribus
Britannicis; the Bibliotheca Matritensis; Bibliotheca Chethamensis;
Bibliothecæ Regiæ Catalogus; Catalogus MSS. Angliæ et Hiberniæ, &c.; De
Bure, Bibliographie Instructive; Dibdin’s Bibliographical Decameron,
Typographical Antiquities, and Introduction to the Classics; Fabricii,
Bibliotheca Græca Ecclesiastica et Latina; Gesner’s Bibliotheca; Gough’s
Account of Works on British Topography; Le Long, Bibliotheca Sacra;
Photii Bibliotheca; and the Roxburghe Library Catalogue.
To these may be added, Mabillon de re diplomaticâ; Waltheri, Lexicon
Diplomaticum; and Montfaucon’s Palæographia Græca.
The Classical department of this Library embraces the productions of
Ælian, Æschylus, Apuleius, Archimedes, Appian, Aristotle, Athenagoras,
Athenæus, Aristophanes, Ausonius, Catullus, Demosthenes, Dionysius
Halicarnassensis, Dioscorides, Epictetus, Euclid, Euripides, Aulus
Gellius, Hippocrates, Homer, Horace, Justin, Juvenal, Livy, Macrobius,
Ammianus Marcellinus, Ovid, Pausanias, Philostratus, Propertius,
Quintilian, Sallustius, Seneca, Silius Italicus, Sophocles, Suetonius,
Tacitus, Terence, Thucydides, Tibullus, Valerius Maximus, Vegetius,
Virgil, and Xenophon.
Of none of these authors did I observe the first editions, but many good
and some indifferent impressions occur throughout.
I noticed particularly Anacreon, Fischeri; Aristides, Jebbii; Aurelius
Victor, Delphini; Bion and Moschus, by Wakefield; Ciceronis Opera,
Aldi, Venetiis, 1592-3, and Lambini, and by Victorius, the Sospitator
Ciceronis, and others; Quintus Curtius, Snakenburgii; Diodorus Siculus,
Wetstenii; Herodotus, Gronovii; Hesiodus, Robinsoni; the Glasgow Homer,
printed by Foulis; Lucianus, Hemsterhusii; Lucanus, Oudendorpii;
Lucretius, Havercampi; Lycophron, Potteri; Martialis, Aldi, Venetiis,
1501, 8vo.; Mythographi Veteres, by Van Staveren; Orphica, edita ab
Hermanno; Velleius Paterculus, Ruhnkenii; Platonis Opera, Serrani;
Pindarus, Heynii; Plautus, Lambini; Plutarchus, Xylandri; Plotinus,
Ficini; Poetæ Græci, Stephani; Ptolomæi Geographia, Venetiis, 1562,
4to.; Prudentius, Arevali, Romæ, 1788-9, in 2 quarto volumes; Oratores
Græci, Aldi, Venetiis, 1513, 2 vols. folio; Rhetores Latini Antiqui,
Paris. 1599, 4to.; Rei Rusticæ Scriptores Gesneri; and the Characters of
Theophrastus.
The Etymological Works in this Collection are Cooper’s Thesaurus;
Facciolati Lexicon; Gesneri Thesaurus; Hederici Lexicon; Hickes’
Thesaurus Linguarum Septentrionalium; Jamieson’s Scottish Dictionary;
Johnson’s English Dictionary; Junii Etymologicum Anglicanum à Lye;
Linacre de emendatâ Structurâ Latini Sermonis, Londini, 1524, 4to.;
Pagnini, Thesaurus Linguæ Sanctæ; Schleusner’s Lexicon in Novum
Testamentum; Skinner’s Etymologicon Anglicanum; and Suidæ Lexicon.
In English Literature this Library contains the Works of Boyle, Evelyn,
Locke, Milton, Purchas’ Pilgrims; Shakespeare, 1685; Spelman, and others.
Also Hakluyt’s Voyages; James the First’s Book of Sports, London, 1618;
Lyndsay’s Poems in Scotch; Horsley’s edition of Newton’s Works; Quarles’
Emblems; Scott’s Life of Napoleon; and Tyrwhitt’s edition of Chaucer’s
Works.
In Italian Literature this Collection embraces the Works of Ariosto,
Aretino, Dante, Guicciardini, Machiavelli, and Ubaldino. Also Sannazaro’s
Arcadia, and Tasso, &c. Vinegia, 1581, &c.
In French Literature will be found the productions of Basnage, Bossuet,
Corneille, Dacier, Drelincourt, and others. As well as Dacier’s Horace;
the Romant de la Rose, Paris, 1531; Scudery, Les Femmes Illustres; and a
French Bible of 1535.
The Geographical Works which occurred to me were D’Anville’s Ancient
Geography; Heylin’s Cosmography; Pitt’s English Atlas; and Vincent’s
Periplus of the Erythræan Sea.
I also noticed Blair’s Chronology; Bryant’s Mythology; and Spence’s
Polymetis.
The Heraldic Works in this Collection include Boswell on Armorie;
Collins’ Peerage; and Dugdale’s Baronage.
The Works on Natural History which I noticed were Buffon’s Histoire
Naturelle in 45 vols. 4to.; Ellis’ Zoophytes; Gesneri Historia Animalium;
and Pennant’s British Zoology.
The Miscellaneous Books include many too obscure for notice; and others
such as Oughtred, Clavis Mathematica; Bartholomæus de Proprietatibus
Rerum; the Aurea Legenda of 1493 and 1516; Hawkins’ History of Music; a
copy of the Koran; the Marmora Arundeliana; Murphy’s Church of Batalha;
Rosini, Antiquitates Romanæ; Puffendorf and Saxo-Danicus; deserve
succinct enumeration.
Rituals of the Romish and Reformed Churches are here found in various
forms. Of the former I observed the Missale Romanum, printed at Antwerp
in 1577 and 1590, and at Paris in 1616. Of the latter the Common Prayer
published in 1605, 1625, and 1640, the last a plague year.
The Library of the Dean and Chapter of York derived its chief treasures
from the munificence of Bishop Matthews, whose Collection was formed in
the seventeenth century. It was still further enriched by the Library of
Dr. Fothergill, bequeathed by him to the Cathedral in the commencement
of the eighteenth century. Subsequent additions have been made to the
Collection, chiefly from the widow of the Rev. William Burge, D.D.
The number of printed books in this Library, when augmented by those of
Bishop Matthews, amounted to four thousand one hundred and sixty-two
volumes. Dr. Fothergill’s books, in number one thousand five hundred and
twenty, increased the sum to five thousand six hundred and eighty-two,
which subsequent donations and additions have augmented to nearly eight
thousand at the present time.
The Catalogues of this Library are both copious and accurate. The first
is a large folio volume, containing the Alphabetical Catalogue of Books,
and having at the end the following “Memorandum. The Books were new
classed, lettered and numbered by the Rev. Mr. William Richardson, one
of the Vicar’s Choral, and Minister of St. Michael Le Belfry, and this
Catalogue was transcribed by the Rev. Mr. John Coulthred Minister of
Hickleton in the West Riding of the County of York.”
“York, January 12th, 1775.”
“The Catalogue when transcribed contained about four thousand one hundred
and sixty-two volumes.” It is also added: “This Catalogue which is as
accurate as the nature of the thing will admit of, was begun in the year
of our Lord 1774, and finished in the year 1775.”
This volume is bound in calf, lettered on the sides, “Cat. Libr. in Bibl.
Eccles. Cath. Ebor. &c. 1774.”
The second Catalogue was compiled in alphabetical order by the Rev. James
Dallin, the present Librarian, with reference to the shelves on which the
books are placed. This work is comprised in 4 folio volumes with ample
interpaginary spaces for additions.
Vol. I. containing shelf I to XVII. A to H.
II. I to VIII. I to O.
III. IX to XV. P to Z.
IV. Dr. Burge’s Books on Divinity.
The third Catalogue is a small 4to. volume, containing the list of
Dr. Fothergill’s Books, whereby I have been enabled to preserve the
individuality of that Collection, although its component parts are now
merged in the greater Collection which they have contributed to enrich.
But as I wish the labours of each Collector, where possible, to speak for
themselves, I have reserved this portion of the York Minster Library for
a separate notice.
I will commence with the Theological department of the worthy Doctor’s
Collection. Here are the Works of Bishop Andrews, Beveridge, Bramhall,
Goodman, Hall, Hammond, Jackson, Kettlewell, Leslie, Lightfoot, Louth,
Ostervald, Pierce, Prideaux, Sanderson, Sherlock, Jeremy Taylor,
Tillotson, Usher, Wake, Waterland, Whitaker, and Whitgift.
Of the Fathers, we have S.S. Augustine, Cyprian, Cyril, Eusebius,
Isidore, Justin Martyr, Origen, Tertullian, Theodoret, and Clementis
Alexandrini Opera Græcè, Florentiæ, 1550, folio.
I also noticed Atterbury’s Sermons; Bingham’s Origines Ecclesiasticæ,
Londini, 1708, in 11 vols.; Burnet on the Thirty-nine Articles; Bythner
in Psalmos; Cave’s Primitive Christianity, and Lives of the Fathers;
Fiddes’ Body of Divinity; Field on the Church, Oxford, 1635; Hooker’s
Ecclesiastical Polity; Howel’s Synopsis Canonum; Jewel’s Apology; Leigh’s
Critica Sacra; Pearson on the Creed, and his Opera Posthuma; Pole’s
Synopsis Criticorum, &c.; Sparrow on the Common Prayer; Stanhope on the
Epistles and Gospels; Stillingfleet’s Origines and other Works; Tenison
on Idolatry; Twysden’s Vindication of the Church of England; and Wilkins
on Natural Religion.
To these may be added the Works of Bellarmine, Bernard, Erasmus, Heylin,
Thomas à Kempis, Laud, Melancthon, and Thomas Aquinas.
Of Bibles, the Polyglott of Walton, like some other duplicates in the
Fothergill Library has been since exchanged for other books which the
Minster Library did not previously contain. I noticed a copy of Cranmer’s
Bible; and the Bible printed at Cambridge in 1663; also a Latin Bible of
1527; I also noticed Hearne’s Acta Apostolorum, Oxonii, 1715, 8vo.
Of Rituals this Collection presents some of great interest with relation
to the Church to which they are now annexed. These are the Breviarium
Eboracense Hyemale, Paris. 1525; Horæ B. M. V. in usum Eboraci, and
Sarum, Paris. 1527; and the Pica Eboracensis in 4to. commencing with the
Prologue of “Thome Hanibal legis doctoris ac canonici Ebor. i̅ Pica Ebor.
nup a discreto viro dn̅o Thoma Hothyrsal Ecclesiæ Ebor Vicario Chorali
revisa et emendata pludium.” Then follows the “Tabula incipiens Anno M
DCCCC lxxxxvii.” succeeded by the “Pica seu directorium Sacerdotum ad
usum Eboracense,” a work which is unfortunately imperfect at the end.
This volume is bound in calf.
I also observed the Common Prayer Book of 1662; the Breviarium in usum
Sarum, Londini, 1555; the Manipulus Curatorum of 1495; the Martyrologium
Romanum; and the Pontificale Romanum, Antverpiæ, 1627; also Alcoran,
London, 1649; and Genevæ Catechesis, Genevæ, 1609.
As connected with Ecclesiastical affairs, I may here introduce Bedæ
Historia Ecclesiastica Anglicana, Lovanii, 1566; and Cantabrigiæ, 1722;
Burnet’s Reformation; Collier’s Ecclesiastical History; the History of
the Reformation in Scotland, London, 1646; Synodus Anglicana & Parochial
Visitations; Godwin’s Lives of the Bishops; Le Neve’s Fasti Ecclesiæ
Anglicanæ; Lyndewode’s Provinciale; Parker, de Antiquitate Ecclesiæ
Britannicæ, 1729, folio; Platina de Vitis Pontificum; Spencer de Legibus
Hebræorum; Strype’s Annals of the Reformation; Walker’s Sufferings of the
Clergy; and Warton’s Anglia Sacra, &c.
The Historical department of this Collection includes Carionis Chronicon;
Cluverius, Germania Antiqua; Josephus, Hudsoni, Oxonii, 1720, in 2 folio
volumes; Simpson’s Chronicon Catholicon; Thuani Historia sui temporis;
and Whear’s Methodus legendi Historiam; but is more particularly rich
in works relating to the History of England. Of these I feel pleasure
in recording Barnes’ Life of Edward the Third; Barwick’s Life of Dean
Barwick; Bates’ Elenchus Motuum nuperorum in Angliâ; Bedford’s Hereditary
Right to the Crown of England; Clarendon’s Rebellion; Daniel’s History of
England; Gale and Fell’s Scriptores XV Historiæ Britannicæ, in 3 vols.
folio; Gibson’s Chronicon Saxonicum; Godwin’s Annals; Madox’s Formulare
Anglicanum and History of the Exchequer; Polydore Vergil’s Historia
Anglicana; Prisei Defensio Historiæ Britanniæ; Oclandi Anglorum Prælia,
Londini, 1582; Rushworth’s Historical Collections; Sacheverell’s Tryal;
Sheringham de Origine Gentis Anglorum; Spelman’s Life of Alfred, and
his Reliquiæ; Rossi Warvicensis Historia Regum Angliæ, Oxonii, 1716,
8vo.; Hearne’s editions of T. Livii Vita Henrici V. printed at Oxford in
1716, 8vo.; Warner’s Albion’s England, London, 1612; and Wood’s Athenæ
Oxonienses.
The Works on English Topography and Antiquities which fell under
my notice were, Battely’s Antiquitates Rutupinæ; the Itinerary of
Antoninus, edited by Burton and by Gale; Camden’s Britannia and Remains
concerning Britain; Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum, Lond. 1655, in 3
vols. folio; the History and Antiquities of Hereford, London, 1717;
Kennet’s Parochial Antiquities; Risdon’s Devon; Ogilby’s Roads in
England; Gunton’s Peterborough Cathedral; Somner’s Canterbury; Thoresby’s
Leeds; Verstegan’s Restitution of decayed Intelligence relating to
English Antiquities; Willis’ Account of the Cathedrals of St. Asaph,
Bangor, Llandaff, and St. David’s, with his Notitia Parliamentaria; the
Antiquities of Westminster, London, 1711, and London, 1722; and the
Antiquities of Winchester Cathedral, London, 1715.
The Heraldic Works in this Library include Guillim’s Heraldry of 1660,
folio; Leigh’s Accidence of Armorie; Philipot’s Origin of Heraldry,
London, 1672; Segar’s Catalogue of Honour, Military and Civil, London,
1602; and Yorke’s Union of Honour.
In Etymology I was chiefly interested by Benson’s Vocabularium
Anglo-Saxonicum; Buxtorf’s Hebrew Lexicon; Calepini Dictionarium,
Basileæ, 1542; Castell’s Lexicon; Munster’s Dictionarium Trilingue;
Morel’s Latin Dictionary; Dufresne’s Glossary, Latin and Greek; Hickes’
Thesaurus and Anglo-Saxon Grammar; Lhuyd, Archæologia Britannica;
Montfaucon’s Palæographia Græca; Pagnini Thesaurus Linguæ Sanctæ; Scapulæ
Lexicon; Spelman’s Glossary; Stephani Lexicon; and Suidæ Lexicon,
Cantabrigiæ, 1705, in 3 folio volumes.
The Classical department includes the Works of Ælian, Æsop, Agapetus,
Appian, Aristotle, Aulus Gellius, Ausonius, Cæsar, Callimachus, Claudian,
Demosthenes, Eutropius, Herodian, Hesiod, Isocrates, Juvenal, Lucian,
Lucretius, Lycophron, Macrobius, Martial, Nicander, Ovid, Pausanias,
Persius, Plautus, Plutarch, Quintilian, Sallust, Sophocles, Suetonius,
Tacitus, Terence, Theocritus, Vegetius, Velleius Paterculus, Virgil, and
Vitruvius.
I also noticed Apollodori Bibliotheca, Romæ, 1555; Athenæus Casauboni;
Barnes’ Euripides; Ciceronis Opera Omnia, 1646; Diodorus Siculus, Ed.
Pr. Græcè, Basileæ, 1539, 4to.; Dionysius Halicarnasseus, Lond. 1658,
and Lipsiæ, 1691; Epicteti Enchiridion, Lugd. Bat. 1640; Herodotus,
Francofurti, 1608, folio; Homeri Opera, Venetiis, 1527; the Delphin
Horace, with the editions of Bond and Bentley; Ogilby’s Æsop; Plinii
Historia Naturalis, 1593, in 3 folio volumes; the Epistles of Pliny
the Younger; the Basil Editions of Pomponius Mela, and of Seneca;
the Geography of Ptolemy, Thucydides, Francofurti, 1594, folio; and
Xenophontis Opera, edente Wells, Oxonii, 1703, 8vo.
The Bibliographical books comprehend Blount’s Censura Literaria;
Catalogus MSS. Coll. CCC. Cantab. à Nasmith, in 4to.; Leland’s
Commentarii de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Oxonii, 1709; and Nicolson’s
Historical Libraries.
The Works on Natural History include Culpepper’s English Physician;
Evelyn’s Sylva of 1664; Grew’s Rarities; Morison’s Catalogue of Plants
in the Botanic Garden of Oxford, &c.; the Phytologia Britannica, London,
1650; Raii Historia Plantarum, Compendium Plantarum Angliæ; & Methodus
observandi Plantas.
Of Legal Works I noticed only the Corpus Juris Civilis; Gibson’s Codex
Juris Ecclesiastici, &c.; Fulwood’s Leges Angliæ; Fitzherbert’s Natura
Brevium; Wilkins’ Leges Anglo-Saxonicæ; and Wottoni Leges Wallicæ.
In Chronology and Geography I observed Isaacson’s Chronology & Petavii
Rationale Temporum; Ortelii Thesaurus Geographicus; and Wells’ Geography.
In Mathematics these shelves are equally deficient, having only the
London Euclid of 1666; and the Opera Mathematica of Wallis.
In English Literature this Collection contains the Works of Bacon, Boyle,
King Charles the First, Cowley, Locke, Milton, Mede, Speed, and other
authors of less reputation; Chaucer’s Tales, in black letter, by Pynson,
a copy which had formerly belonged to Thomas Pope Blount, the author of
the Censura Literaria; the Life of Dugdale, 1713; Butler’s Hudibras,
London, 1678; and Ben Jonson’s Works, London, 1640.
The Miscellaneous volumes afford some pieces of Dodwell and Selden; the
Works of Dante and Guicciardini & Machiavelli; Politian, Scaliger, and
Kennett’s Antiquities of Rome; Leland’s Collectanea de rebus Britannicis,
Oxonii, 1715, in 6 volumes 8vo. edited by Hearne; Lyrani Rep. Lugd. Bat.
1528, in 5 folio volumes; Polydore Vergil de Rerum Inventoribus; and some
pieces of the learned Vossius.
The Catalogue of this Collection, formed by Dr. Fothergill, was compiled
by the Rev. John Coulthred, of Hickleton, in a 4to. volume, which has
this memorandum at its close. “This Catalogue when transcribed (by the
Rev. John Coulthred) contained about one thousand five hundred and twenty
volumes.”
It will be perceived, in looking over the preceding pages, that the
addition of Dr. Fothergill’s books to the York Minster Library, caused
several duplicates in that Collection; but I have preferred incurring
tediousness by repetition, to impairing the integrity of the Library by
the omission of these volumes.
It only remains for me to notice the Manuscripts in the possession of
the Dean and Chapter of York. These interesting remains of the Monastic
Library of York include many copies of the Sacred Scriptures in the
Latin Vulgate then in use, one bearing date A.D. 692, and various
portions of the Sacred Writings. Of these I particularly noticed,
S.S. Bibliorum Pars. viz. Regum libri IV. Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Esekiel, Daniel, Osea, Joel, Amos, Abdia, Jonah, Micah, Nahum,
Abacoc, Zephaniah, Haggæ, Zacchariah, Malachi, Job, Psalmi,
folio.
Pars altera Bibliorum, viz. Proverb, Ecclesiastes, Cantica,
Sapientia, Ecclus. Paralipomena, Esdras, Esther, Tobias,
Maccabees.
S. Jerome’s Version of the Old and New Testament, Ezechiel, and
Paralipomena.
A Fragment of the Book of Ruth, and other portions of Holy Writ.
Of the Fathers I noticed Augustine and Origen.
Of Theological Writings I observed those of Bellarmine; Boetius de
Trinitate; Grosteste, Manuel de Pecheur; Fothergill on Liturgies, in 8
volumes; Jewel’s Tracts against Dissenters and Papists; and Grosthead’s
Sermons.
I also noticed the Legenda Sanctorum, and the Speculum Spiritualium,
formerly a Reliquary to the Priory of Mount Grace.
The Historical Manuscripts here preserved are a Collection of Passages
of State under Queen Elizabeth and King James; Sir John Harington on the
King of Scots’ Right of Succession; the Life of Cardinal Wolsey; Thomæ de
Eccleton de Adventu Minorum in Angliâ; and Fabian’s Chronicle.
Of the Manuscripts relating to the Antiquities of York, I observed a
Register of the Lands of St. Mary’s Abbey, York; Hutton’s Antiquities
of York; Drake’s History of York; and Torr’s Manuscripts on the same
subject, in 8 volumes, now deposited in the Record Room of the Dean and
Chapter of York.
The only Classical Manuscript which occurred to me was Cicero,
Rhetoricorum ad Herennium.
Of Rituals I noticed the Breviarium Eboracense; the Missale Eboracense;
the Rituale Eboracense; the Psalterium Eboracense; and the Manuale
Sacerdotum de Kirkstal.
Among the miscellaneous volumes I noticed the Methodus Nova Plantarum;
Bracton de Legibus; Nalson’s Heraldry; and some Manuscripts which
formerly belonged to Rievaulx Abbey, brought hither at its dissolution.
Four old Catalogues of the York Minster Library are preserved among the
manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of York.
These Manuscripts are all preserved with great care in cases under lock
and key.
In this room I also found a case of Sir Edward Thomason’s Series of
Medals illustrative of the Scriptures, of which the author has presented
a set to every crowned head in the world, and received suitable presents
in return from each of them.
The care and attention bestowed upon the Library is highly creditable to
the taste and liberality of the Dean and Chapter. I believe the credit
of converting the ancient Episcopal Chapel, which had for many years
been used as a stable below, and a hay-loft above, into the present
Gothic Library, is due, as I have already said, to Dean Markham, and
greatly must every tasteful antiquary rejoice in the restoration of this
elegant building. The large Gothic room is arranged with every attention
to comfort, and is adorned by portraits of Toby Matthews, and of Dr.
Fothergill. The ante-room is appropriated to the reception of Dr. Burge’s
Books of Divinity, and numerous political and polemical Tracts, chiefly
the scum thrown up by the troubled waters of the English mind during the
Great Rebellion.
THE END.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
PRINTED BY CHARLES WHITTINGHAM, CHISWICK. 1849.
FOOTNOTES
[1] D’Israeli’s Commentaries, II. 317, 318.
[2] D’Israeli’s Commentaries, II. 328.
[3] Vide Præf. ad partem secundam Whartoni Angliæ Sacræ, concerning this
tract.
[4] The Prior of Christ Church Canterbury, and his Monks, sixty-four in
number, were banished by King John, in 1207, on account of the opposition
which they made to his nomination of an Archbishop. Their places were
filled with Monks from the Monastery of St. Austin. After seven years’
banishment they were restored; £1000 was given them as a recompense for
all detriment, and they received a charter of Restitution.
[5] “Of the original,” says Sir Peter, “the fearmer weare partly
consumed, and the letters dimmed, and allmost worne out by time, the
devourer of all things. In which Booke I found contayned the principall
passages of affaires betweene the two kingdomes of England and
Fraunce under the reignes of King Edward the Third and King Henry the
ffifth.”... “Out of this I intreated a special friend to extract Certain
Disputations, &c.”... “It may be remarked that in the arguments employed
by the ambassadors of both countries, the circumstance of King of
England’s using the title and arms of France is particularly and minutely
discussed.”
[6] Suidas.
[7] See Warton’s History of English Poetry, vol. i. p. 256.
[8] From an address prefixed to the Satires, and from another prefixed
to the Certaine Poems, it is evident that they were intended for, if not
committed to, the Press. The former appear, from various allusions to
Marston’s Scourge of Villanie, published in 1598, to have been written
near that period. Probably they might be suppressed, in consequence
of the order towards the close of Elizabeth’s reign, signed by the
Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London, that Marston’s
Pigmalion’s Image and Certaine Satyres, Hall’s Satires, Snarlinge
Satires, &c., should be burnt, and “that no Satyres or Epigrams be
printed hereafter.”
[9] In his History of English Poetry, vol. iii. p. 182, &c.
[10] As connected with this subject, a foot note may not unappropriately
be devoted to “Alexandri VII. Papæ, et Cardinalium Effigies per Joan.
Jacob. de Rubeis. Romæ, 1658,” folio. This volume being one of the many
curious and valuable presents made to their Library by Dr. John Bargrave,
of the Cathedral. He had been a great traveller, and lived chiefly in
Italy during Cromwell’s usurpation. On the margins and backs of the
engravings he has written many curious remarks from printed books and
manuscripts, and has added several pleasant and interesting anecdotes,
the fruits of his own observation. On the margin of the Pope’s picture
he has remarked that “this picture, and all the rest following are
extraordinarily like the persons, drawn and cut by excellent hands; I
knowing them all by sight (and some by discourse) as well as I knowe any
of my brethren the Canons of Chr. Church, Canterbury.” Dr. Bargrave’s
Cabinet of Antiquities and other Curiosities, together with an Account
of his Benefactions to the Library, in manuscript, is preserved in the
Library with due care.
[11] “Durham Cathedral as it was before the dissolution of the
Monastery,” edited by Dr. Chr. Hunter, Durham, 1733, pp. 92-96.
[12] Table Talk, i. 84-5.
[13] Cat. Codd. MSS. Dunelm. p. 204, and 210-14.
[14] Appendix in Cat. p. 430-5.
[15] Cat. Codd. MSS. Dunelm. p. 128-9.
[16] Ibid. p. 71.
[17] Antiq. Litt. Septentrion. p. 295.
[18] Among the Cottonian MSS. marked “Nero, D. IV.” Consult Raine’s St.
Cuthbert, pp. 34, 35, 46, 47, 78, and 229.
[19] Cat. Codd. MSS. Dunelm. pp. 18, 19.
[20] Ibid, pp. 3, 4, A. I. 3, and Raine’s St. Cuthbert, p. 131, where a
facsimile of one of the Initial letters is given.
[21] For some account of this Dr. Hunter, see _Nichols’ Literary
Anecdotes_, and _Surtees’ History of Durham_, iii.
[22] Some amusing literary chit-chat concerning this gentleman, the
productions of whose private press are familiar to most topographical
collectors, will be found in Nichols’ Literary Anecdotes.
[23] The copy of this Bible, which successively belonged to Tutet and
Bindley, is remarkable as being the identical copy which one Thornton,
by an artful counterfeit, sold to the Duke of Lauderdale, for seventeen
guineas, pretending that the Epistle to the Romans began with “Paul an
Kneawe,” &c. which, as Mr. Wanley has informed us, was effected by the
erasure of the true words, “the servaunt”—and the insertion of the false
reading, effacing also Matthew’s Preface, and all the dates except one,
of which he erased the numerals xvii. at the end of M.DXXXVII. whereby
the date stood thus, M.DXX. which is earlier than that of any English
Bible. As it does not appear the above false reading was ever printed, it
is not of much consequence, though noticed by _Lewis_, p. 47; _Cotton_,
p. 4; and by _Clarke_, p. 30. See also the _Bibliotheca Harleiana_, 1.
No. 154.
[24] The first edition of this version, was for many years the most
popular one in England, as its numerous editions may testify. After the
appearance of King James’s translation, the use of it seems to have
declined: yet a fondness for its notes still lingered; and we have
several instances of their being attached to editions of the royal
translation, one of which kind was printed so lately as 1715, but without
place or name of printer.[25]
From the peculiar rendering of the text in Genesis iii. 7, the editions
of this translation have been commonly known by the name of Breeches
Bibles.
The copy at Balliol College is an exceedingly fine one, printed upon
large paper. See _Cotton’s List_, p. 14, and Appendix.
[25] A copy of this edition is in the All Souls’ Library at Oxford.
[26] This may be accounted for, as there are at least seven different
editions bearing this date; one in black letter, one in Roman type, with
black lines round each page, and five others printed in the usual Roman
type, without the lines.
[27] This is the first edition of the new translation by Royal Authority,
made in the reign of James the First, and commonly called King James’s
Bible. Its rarity in a perfect state is very great, the engraved title
prefixed to the Work, being frequently wanting. To settle the controversy
respecting the genuineness of the text of the authorised version now in
use, this edition of the Bible has been literally reprinted with the
greatest care at the Oxford University Press.
[28] “This edition has been commonly reported to be by Sir John Cheke,
but upon what authority I know not: certain it is that he did translate
the Gospel of St. Matthew into English, a few verses of which were
printed by Strype in his Life of Sir John: but that translation varies
considerably from the present. Strype, after mentioning this proceeds
to say, ‘Cheke also translated the New Testament into English, with
Annotations; which was printed both in octavo and decimosexto, but this
last without the Notes; which copy Christopher Barker, Queen Elizabeth’s
printer, gave to the Company of Stationers, anno 1583, with some others,
for the relief of the poor of the said Company, &c. &c.’ p. 172, of the
Oxford edition, 1821.
“N.B. This account is not contained in the former edition of
1705.”—_Cotton List._ p. 10.
[29] A portion of this edition, beginning with the Epistle to the
Galatians, in the Christ Church Library, Oxford.
[30] This little volume is so rare and so curious as to merit more
particular description. The title which is supplied by manuscript runneth
thus:
“The Actes of the Apostles, translated into English meter, and dedicated
to the Kynge’s most excellent Majestye by Christofer Tye, Doctor in
Musyke, and one of the Gentlemen of hys Graces moste honourable Chappell,
with notes to eche Chapter, to synge, and also to play upon the Lute,
very necessarye for studentes after theyr studye to fyle theyr wyttes,
and also for all Christians that cannot synge to read the good and godlye
storyes of the lyves of Christ hys Appostles. 1553.” Then followeth the
Dedication. “To the vertuous and godlye learned Prynce Edwarde the VI.
by the Grace of God, King of Englande, France and Irelande, the Supreme
head, your grace’s humble lovynge, and obedient servaunte Christofer Tye
wysheth the continuance of God hys feare to dwell in your grace’s heart,
longe to reygne in muche honoure, healthe, wealthe, and victorye.”
Then followeth a metrical Preface, consisting of 25 stanzas, and
beginning thus:—
“Consydrynge well, most godly kyng,
The zeale and perfect love
Your Grace doth beare to eche good thyng
That geven is from above.
&c. &c.”
The text, with music for four voices, meane, tenour, counter-tenour,
bassus: beginneth in this wise.
“In the former Treatyse to thee
Dere frend The o phi lus
I have written the verite
Of the Lord Christ Jesus.
“Whiche he to do and eke to teache
Began until the daye
In whiche the Sprite vp hym did feache
To dwell above for aye.”
The concluding stanza of chapter the fourteenth and last runneth thus:
“Howe he the doore of fayth untyde,
The Gentyls in to call,
And there longe tyme they dyd abyde
With the disciples all.”
Hereafter followeth the Colophon:
“Imprinted at London by Nycolas Hyll for Wyllyam Seres.” “Cum privilegio
ad imprimendum solum.” This rare volume is a small duodecimo, printed
in black letter; but the present copy has unfortunately several leaves
supplied by Manuscript. It is in old calf-binding.
[31] This rare and beautiful volume is the first edition of the Genevan
version of the New Testament. It is also the first in which the verses
are distinguished. It is to be observed, that the translation differs
from that which three years afterwards was printed at the same place,
together with the Old Testament. This book is in a small and beautiful
Roman character, with the marginal Notes in a smaller Roman letter;
but the heads of the chapters and scripture references are in italics.
The verses are divided by figures as at present; and this is the first
edition in which such a division occurs. A full page contains 37 lines.
The title, ornamented by a neat wood-cut representing Time drawing Truth
from a cave, runneth thus: “The newe Testament of our Lord Jesus Christ,
conferred diligently with the Greke, and best approved translations. With
the arguments, aswel before the chapters as for every Boke & Epistle,
also diversities of readings, and moste proffitable annotations of all
harde places: wherunto is added a copious table.” “AT GENEVA, Printed by
Conrad Badius, M.DLVII.” On the reverse of the title appears “The order
of the bookes of the New Testament.” Then follows “An Epistle declaring
that Christ is the end of the Lawe by John Calvin,” occupying eight
leaves. The address “To the reader,” which follows upon two leaves,
is succeeded by “The argument of the Gospel,” one leaf. St. Matthew
and the other Evangelists, &c. occupy the leaves numbered from i. to
ccccxxx. The table and supputation of the years from Adam to Christ, fol.
ccccxxxi.–ccccli. On the last leaf is the Colophon. “PRINTED BY CONRAD
BADIUS,” “M.D.LVII. THIS X OF JUNE.” On the reverse are the Errata.
[32] This volume is usually attributed to Archbishop Parker, and its
rarity is so great that it has been generally maintained that the book
was not printed for sale, but that the few copies of it which are now
found were presents from the Archbishop to his friends. Copies are in the
Bodleian and other College Libraries.
[33] This volume has much the appearance of having been printed in
Holland. At the end of this edition of the Psalms is found “An Act for
a publique Thanksgiving to Almighty God every yeare on the fift daye of
November, enacted 5 Nov. 1605, composed into easie meeter, a songe meete
for yong and old.” This metrical Act of Parliament is inserted at full
length in the Appendix to Cotton’s List of Editions of the Bible, pp.
151-156.
[34] Printed as a specimen of this new Translation. There was also
another specimen, containing only the first eight Psalms, probably
printed a little before the present. Of this several passages differ,
both from the second specimen and the adopted version. Copies of each
are in the Bodleian; the earlier, a sheet and a half, has no title. The
whole version was licensed to be sung in churches, and the first edition
of it printed in the next year. It is to be observed that the version of
the specimen above recorded differs in many places from that which was
afterwards adopted, as may be seen in the Appendix to Cotton’s List of
Editions of the Bible, pp. 150, 151.
[35] See Wood’s Athenæ Oxonienses. Edit. 1815, 4to. vol. II. p. 474.
[36] Dr. Cotton remarks that “The book was probably printed either at
Paris or St. Germains. By the approbations prefixed, it appears that this
version was intended to supersede that in the Douay Bible, which was now
considered to be too antiquated for general use. It should be observed
that there are two kinds of title pages to the volume; some copies have
a vignette, for which in others a blank space is left. Some also are
without the errata at the end.” List of Editions, &c. p. 74.
[37] This first edition was afterwards much altered by its author. See a
specimen of it in Cotton’s List of Editions of the Bible. Appendix, pp.
148-9.
[38] The Evangelia Gothica Junii. Dordraci, 1615, 4to. Evangelia IV.
Armenicè. Amstelodami, 1698, 4to.: and the Gospels in Saxon and English,
by John Fox. London, 1571, 4to. may here claim appropriate notice.
[39] The archives of Lambeth Palace contain a curious Manuscript of
Caxton’s Chronicle, from Brute to the beginning of the reign of Henry
VI. in folio, preceded by a portrait of that monarch, and bearing at the
end the date of 1460, followed by these words: “An after that ther bred
a raven at Charyng Crosse at Londen. And never was seen noon brede there
before. And after that came a gret dethe of pestilence that lasted iij
yer. And peple dyed myhtely in every place, man woman and chylde. On
whose soulys God have mercy. Amen.”
The text of this Manuscript differs greatly from the Chronicle of
England, printed by Caxton in 1480, and is much more diffuse, but it
appears never to have been completed.
[40] Vide Hickesii Thesaurus Septentrionalis. II. 289.
[41] Thus.
[42] Thus.
[43] Thus.
[44] “This grand work was attended with most injurious consequences to
the learned author; it cost him the assiduous labour of seventeen years,
and ruined both his health and fortune.
“Some passages in his dedication to Charles II. most affectingly
represent the calamities he had endured; and which he appears to have
borne with most exemplary resignation. His library, household furniture,
and three hundred copies of the Lexicon perished in the fire of London.
‘Magna pars Bibliothecæ meæ, cum multâ supellectile et trecenis
Lexici Heptaglotti exemplaribus, in flammis periit Londinensibus.’
To this misfortune were added several private accidents, ‘membrorum
confractiones, luxationes, contusiones;’ and from incessant study an
almost total blindness, ‘oculorum lumen, perpetuis atque indefessis
vigiliis tantum non ademptum.’ The publication of his work procured him
no compensation for his large expenses, and his indefatigable diligence.
At the time of his death, in 1685, about five hundred copies were unsold;
these were placed by Mrs. Crisp, his niece and executrix, in a room of
one of her tenants’ houses in Surrey; where for many years they lay at
the mercy of the rats, who made such havoc among them, that when they
came into the possession of this lady’s executors, scarcely one complete
volume could be found out of the remainder, and the whole load of learned
rags only fetched seven pounds.”—_Clarke_, _Rep. Bibl._ pp. 33, 34.
[45] Of this valuable and highly interesting volume, the first-fruits
of an attempt to print the Scriptures in the English tongue, and the
chief cause of the persecution and subsequent death of the translator,
a single copy only was supposed to exist. Of the manner in which this
found its way into the Harleian Library, and of the value set upon it by
Lord Oxford and Mr. Ames, a short but interesting account is given in the
following extract from a letter preserved in the Bodleian Library. It is
in the handwriting of Ames, is addressed to Mr. George Ballard, and dated
Wapping, June 30, 1743. “I cannot forbear telling you of my good success
in buying at Lord Oxford’s sale the Phœnix of the whole library; I mean
the first English Testament that ever was printed in the year 1526. It
has been thought no perfect one was left from the flames. My lord was
so well pleased in being the possessor of it, that he gave the person
(Mr. John Murrey) he had it of, ten guineas, and settled an annuity of
twenty pounds a year during the person’s life, which is yet paid him. The
particulars are too many to commit to a letter; the old historians, and
Fox, give a good account of it.”
Herbert’s account, given in a note at p. 1535, may form a sequel to this:
“This first edition was in the possession of Mr. Ames, who bought it
for fifteen shillings out of the Harleian Library, No. 420, sold by T.
Osborne, 1743. Mr. John White purchased it for 15_l._ 4_s._ 6_d._ at the
auction of Mr. Ames’s books, No. 1252, sold by Langford, 1760, and sold
it for 21_l._ to Dr. Gifford, who at his decease bequeathed it, with many
others, to the Baptist Museum, Bristol.” Unfortunately this otherwise
perfect copy wants the title page.
“But it has been my fortune, in examining the Library of St. Paul’s
Cathedral, to discover a second copy. Unluckily it is imperfect, both at
the beginning and end; and its former owner, as if afraid of a second
Bishop Tonstall, has contrived most ingeniously to disguise and disfigure
it, by intermixing the leaves of the Gospels and Epistles with each other
in the strangest manner. The volume is in half-binding, lettered (for
what reason I know not) ‘Lant’s Testament.’ Surely it well deserves to
be carefully taken to pieces and examined: the deficient parts should be
supplied by a transcript from the Bristol copy, and inserted in their
proper places, lest an unhappy accident should deprive us of either of
them; the volume should then be rebound, and placed under lock and key,
and under the special superintendence of the librarian.”—_Cotton’s List
of Editions of the Bible, &c._ Oxford, 1821, pp. 1, 2.
The present state of this precious little tome will show that some of
these recommendations have already been adopted, and the following
collation may be acceptable to the inquiring bibliographer:—Title
wanting. Text fol. i.-cccliii. Address to the Reader, 3 pages. Errata,
3 pages. St. Matthew begins on folio i. St. Mark on folio xliii. b.
St. Luke on fol. lxxi. b. St. John on fol. __. Acts on fol. cliii. b.
Romans, on fol. cxcix. Ephesians on fol. ccliii. b. St. James, on cccxv.
and the Revelations on cccxxi. b. A full page contains 33 lines. The
signatures run in eights, and the folios are consecutively numbered.
There are no marginal notes, and no wood-cuts, except the initial
letters. The following words are thus spelt: “Corrinthyans, Romayns,
Galathyans, Collossyans, Tessalonyans, Hebrues.”
[46] In this address Tyndale complains heavily of George Joye, for
having in his previous impression of the same year, altered Tyndale’s
translation in many important instances, particularly in rejecting the
word resurrection, and, concealing his own name, still uttering it as
Tyndale’s genuine translation. He also gives at length the Colophon of
Joye’s edition, in order that it might be distinguished from his own.
[47] A copy of this book was bequeathed by Dr. Gifford to the Baptist
Museum at Bristol, and another was in the possession of the late Mr.
Herbert. “The copy in Exeter College, at Oxford, a very fine one, is
printed on yellow-stained paper. The British Museum has three copies, one
on white paper, one on yellow, and a third most splendidly printed on
vellum with illuminations. This last, formerly belonging to Anna Boleyn,
was bequeathed to the Museum by Mr. Cracherode.”—_Cotton’s List_, p. 3.
[48] Copies of this last edition are in the Archiepiscopal Library at
Lambeth, and in the Baptist Museum at Bristol.
[49] The Bridgewater copy of this Bible is printed upon yellow-stained
paper, an occurrence which Dr. Cotton has shewn to be by no means so
uncommon, as it has usually been considered. There are copies of this
Bible in the Bodleian, and in the Libraries of Christ Church, All Souls,
and Baliol, at Oxford. Mr. Bindley’s copy, formerly in the Harleian
Library, contains a remarkable but self evident forgery mentioned by
Lewis in his list of Editions of the Bible, p. 47.
[50] The present copy is wrongly lettered, 1553, and no mention whatever
is made of this edition in Dr. Cotton’s List of Editions of the Bible.
[51] The first edition of this translation, rarely found in a perfect
state. Of the six copies at Oxford, the Bodleian only is perfect.
It contains portraits, engraved on copper, of Queen Elizabeth, Lord
Leicester, and Secretary Cecil. For the difference between this edition
and the reprint of 1572, see the _Appendix to Cotton’s List of the
Editions of the Bible in English_, pp. 123-126.
[52] Willis’ Mitred Abbies in Leland’s Collectanea, 1774. VI. 145, &c.
[53] Willis’ Mitred Abbies in Leland’s Collectanea, VI. 154, ed. 1774.
[54] This interesting though brief Journal, was written by an Englishman
unknown, and was first published from the original manuscript in the
Hafod Library, by Mr. Blackwood at Edinburgh in 1818.
[55] The remaining Works of this learned Prelate contained in this
Library are, History of Impropriations, 1704, 8vo.; and of Ecclesiastical
Synods, 1701, 8vo.; and the Bibliothecæ Americanæ Primordia, London,
1718, 8vo.; to which may be added the Synodus Anglicana, edited by Bishop
Gibson, in 1701, 8vo.
[56] See Selden’s Preface to the Decem Scriptores, p. 46.
[57] In the beginning of the Book Mr. Austin has entered the
acknowledgment given upon that occasion in these words:
“I pray let this Scripture Book alone for he hath paid me for it, and
therefore I would desire you to let it alone. By me Henry Topclyffe
Souldier under Captain Cromwell, Colonel Cromwell’s son, therefore I pray
let it alone.”
“Unto which godly Warrant for its Security,” adds Dean Patrick, “the
fellow signed his name.”
The soldiers also destroyed the Records in the Chapter House, mistaking
them for Papal Bulls. “A short and true narrative of the Rifling and
defacing of the Cathedral Church of Peterburgh in the year 1643,” which
occupies pp. 333 to 340 in the Appendix to Gunton’s History of that
Church will amply repay perusal. Dean Patrick, the editor of that Work,
has devoted his Preface to a particular Account of “the Book called
Swapham,” and its reputed Author.
[58] See Britton’s Cathedrals, v. 5.
[59] In his Essay on the Mutability of Literature, in the first volume of
the Sketch Book. London, 1823, pp. 227-9.
[60] See Willis’s Mitred Abbeys in Leland’s Collectanea, VI. 118, 127.
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