Note 53 — JOSEPH-MARIE QUÉRARD.

That this should be so is a reproach to the education of Englishmen; and yet so it is, and always has been. Important as is the science of books, there is not a man that can be pointed out who, after having devoted a life-time to its study, has been adequately rewarded. Let us simply take as an instance the last man who has been disappointed, who intended, no doubt, to contribute to English bibliography what should prove a useful literary addition, instead of which it is a useful commercial manual. He complains as each part of his work appears:—

“The labour required to make anything like a perfect Manual of Bibliography, is, both physically and mentally, far beyond what would be conceived by those who have not engaged in such duties, while the requital of even a successful achievement would be below what might be derived from the most ordinary pursuit.”

He then cites Dr. Watt, and “Lowndes, after years of unwearied exertion, died in distress.” (Part II.)

“The book does not pay at its present price.” (Part IV.) “Bibliographical knowledge alone is not sufficient for producing a satisfactory manual—it requires unremitting industry and perseverance.” (Appendix.)

But what would he have said if he had executed his work thoroughly, devoted twenty years to its compilation, aided scarcely by a single hand, instead of by numerous coadjutors? We candidly confess that we are disappointed in the new edition of Lowndes. What unveiling of pseudonyms, what anonymous books ascribed or given authoritatively to their real authors had we not a right to expect from one who had been all his life among books and literary men? And yet we ought to thank Mr. Bohn if only for making Lowndes cheaper.