Note 388 — The Drawing Room. (continued 3)

I am now to notice, in less romantic manner than Lysander, a collection of books, in English Literature, which, for rarity and value, in a proportionate number, have never been equalled; I mean the library of James West, Esq., President of the Royal Society. The sale commenced on March 29, 1773, and continued for the twenty-three following days. The catalogue was digested by Samuel Paterson, a man whose ability in such undertakings has been generally allowed. The title was as follows: "Bibliotheca Westiana; A Catalogue of the curious and truly valuable library of the late James West, Esq., President of the Royal Society, deceased; comprehending a choice collection of books in various languages, and upon most branches of polite literature: more especially such as relate to the history and antiquities of Great Britain and Ireland; their early navigators, discoverers, and improvers, and the ancient English literature: of which there are a great number of uncommon books and tracts, elucidated by MS. notes and original letters, and embellished with scarce portraits and devices, rarely to be found: including the works of Caxton, Lettou, Machlinia, the anonymous St. Albans school-master, Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, and the rest of the old English typographers. Digested by Samuel Paterson, and sold by Messrs. Langfords." The title-page is succeeded by the