Note 385 — The Drawing Room. (continued 3)

With great submission to the "reminescential" talents of Lysander, he might have devoted one minute to the commendation of the very curious library of John Hutton, which was disposed of, by auction, in the same year (1764) in which Genl. Dormer's was sold. Hutton's library consisted almost entirely of English Literature: the rarest books in which are printed in the italic type. When the reader is informed that "Robinsons Life, Actes, and Death of Prince Arthur," and his "ancient order, societie, and unitie, laudable of the same," 1583, 4to. (see no. 2730; concerning which my worthy friend, Mr. Haslewood, has discoursed so accurately and copiously: British Bibliographer, vol. i., pp. 109; 125), when he is informed that this produced only 9s. 6d.—that "Hypnerotomachia," 1592, 4to. (no. 2755), was sold for only 2s.—the Myrrour of Knighthood, 1585, 4to. (no. 2759), only 5s.—Palmerin of England, 3 pts. in 3 vols. 1602, 1639, 4to. (no. 2767), 14s.—Painter's Palace of Pleasure, 2 vols. in 1, 1566-7, 4to. (no. 2770)—when, I say, the tender-hearted bibliomaniac thinks that all these rare and precious black letter gems were sold, collectively, for only 2l. 16s. 6d.!—what must be his reproaches upon the lack of spirit which was evinced at this sale! Especially must his heart melt within him, upon looking at the produce of some of these articles at the sale of George Steevens' books, only 36 years afterwards! No depreciation of money can account for this woful difference. I possess a wretchedly priced copy of the Bibl. Huttoniana, which I purchased, without title-page or a decent cover, at the sale of Mr. Gough's books, for 11s. Lysander ought also to have noticed in its chronological order, the extensive and truly valuable library of Robert Hoblyn; the catalogue of which was published in the year 1769, 8vo., in two parts: pp. 650. I know not who was the author of the arrangement of this collection; but I am pretty confident that the judicious observer will find it greatly superior to every thing of its kind, with hardly even the exception of the Bibliotheca Croftsiana. It is accurately and handsomely executed, and wants only an index to make it truly valuable. The collection, moreover, is a very sensible one. My copy is upon large paper; which is rather common.