Note 405 — The Drawing Room. (continued 4)

"Bibliotheca Elegantissima Monroiana: A Catalogue of the elegant and valuable library of John Munro, M.D., Physician to Bethelem Hospital, lately deceased. Sold by auction by Leigh and Sotherby, &c. April 23d, 1792, 8vo." As usual I subjoin a few specimens of the collector's literary treasures in confirmation of the accuracy of Lysander's eulogy upon the collection——No. 709, Cowell's Interpreter; or, Booke containing the signification of words, first edition, ("rare to be met with.") Camb. by Legate, 1607, 4to.——No. 1951. Cent (Les) Nouvelles Nouvelles, ou pour mieux dire, Nouveaux Comptes à plaisance, par maniere de Joyeuseté.——Lettres Gothiques, fig. et bois et titre MSS. feuilles dorées, en maroquin, Paris, par Ant. Verard, 1475, fol.——No. 1963, Heide Beschryving der nieuevlyks uitgevonden en geoctrojeerde Slang-Brand-Spuiten, en Haare wijze van Brand-Blussen, Tegenwoordig binnen Amsterdam in gebruik zynde. Wyze figuurs Amst. 1690, fol. "Note in this book: Paris, 1736. Paid for this book for his Grace the Duke of Kingston, by Mr. Hickman, 24l." A great sum for a book about a "newly discovered fire engine!"——No. 2105, Vivre (Le livre intitulé l'art de bein) et de bien mourir, lettres gothiques, avec fig. en maroquin dorées sur tranches. Imprimé à Paris, 1543, 4to. Note by Dr. Munro: "It is a very scarce book, more so than generally thought." With a long account of the book on separate papers.——No. 2121, Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, con figure da Porro, foglio dorat. Venet. 1584, 4to. N.B. In this copy the true print is replaced with a fine head of Ariosto, and elegantly inlaid with morocco and calf.——No. 2147, Boccacio (Nimpale Fiesolano: composto par il Clarissimo Poeta Misser Joanni) Fiorentino, &c. rigato. Senza data, 4to. See in this book a long account of this poem from Dom. Maria Manni, in the Istoria del Decamerone, p. 55. "From what Manni says in the above account, I suppose this to be the first edition he makes mention of, as there is no place or date to be found. J.M."——No. 2194. Dante di Landino, con. fig. La prima Edizione di Landino, impf. Firenze per Nicholo di Lorenzo della Magna, 1481, folio. "In this book are several remarks by Dr. Munro, on separate papers. An old scarce print, separate. On the title-page the following initials CMDCR; upon which the Doctor remarks it might probably be the signature of Charles the First, whose property it might have been. The Doctor likewise observes this copy, though imperfect, is still very valuable, on account of its having eight plates, the generality having only the two first."——No. 2208, Molinet (Les Faictz et dictz de bone Memoire Maistre Jehan) Lettres gothiques, en maroquin Par. 1537, 8vo.——No. 2366, Peri Fiesole Distrutta, poema: with portrait and engraved title, Firenze, 1619, 4to. Note in this book: "This is the only copy I ever saw of this work, which I imagine is at present become extremely scarce. The title and portrait are engraved by Callott. The portrait is common enough, but the title, known by the name of the Bella Giardiniera, very seldom seen. J.M."——No. 2379. Ridolfi, Le Maraviglie dell'Arte, overo le vite di Pittori Veneti e dello stato, con. fig. 2 tom. 4to. N.B. On the blank leaf of this book is an etching by Carolus Rodolphus, with this MS. note: "I imagine this to be an etching of Cavaier Rodolphi, as I do not remember any other of the name."——No. 2865, Lazii in Genealogiam Austriacam, Basil. ap. Oporinum, 1564.—Lazii Vienna Austriæ Basil, 1546. Francolin Res Gestæ Viennensis, cum fig. Viennæ Austriæ excudebat Raphæl Hofhalter, 1563. Folio. Note in this book: "The last book in this volume is curious and uncommon."