Note 149 — The Cabinet.

We may first observe that "La Libraria del Doni Fiorentino;" Vinegia, 1558, 8vo., is yet coveted by collectors as the most complete and esteemed of all the editions of this work. It is ornamented with many portraits of authors, and is now rare. Consult Bibl. Crevenn., vol. v., p. 275. Numerous are the editions of Haym's Biblioteca Italiana; but those of Milan, of the date of 1771, 4to., 2 vols., and 1803, 8vo. 4 vols., are generally purchased by the skilful in Italian bibliography. The best edition of Fontanini's Biblioteca dell' Eloquenza Italiana is with the annotations of Zeno, which latter are distinguished for their judgment and accuracy. It was published at Venice in 1753, 4to., 2 vols.; but it must be remembered that this edition contains only the third book of Fontanini, which is a library of the principal Italian authors. All the three books (the first two being a disquisition upon the orgin and progress of the Italian language) will be found in the preceeding Venice edition of 1737, in one volume 4to. In the year 1753-63, came forth the incomparable but unfinished work of Count Mazzuchelli, in two folio volumes, [the latter vol. being divided into four thick parts] entittled: Gli Scrittori d'Italia, cioé Notizie Storiche e Critiche intorno alle Vite e agli Scritti dei Letterati Italiani. The death of the learned author prevented the publication of it beyond the first two letters of the alphabet. The Count, however, left behind ample materials for its execution according to the original plan, which lay shamefully neglected as late as the year 1776. See Bibl. Crevenn., vol. v., p. 274. This work is rare in our own country. If the lover of Italian philology wishes to increase his critico-literary stores, let him purchase the Biblioteca degli Autori Antichi Greci, e Latini volgarizzati, &c., of Paitoni, in five quarto volumes, 1766: the Notizie Istorico-Critiche &c., degli Scrittori Viniziani, of Agostini, Venez., 1752, 4to., 2 vols.: and the Letteratura Turchesca of Giambatista Toderini, Venez., 1787, 8vo., 3 vols.—works nearly perfect of their kind, and (especially the latter one) full of curious matter.