ing hills. We have from thence breathed almost the pure air of heaven, and surveyed a country equally beautified by art, and blessed by nature. Our hearts, from that same height, have wished all manner of health, wealth, and prosperity, to a land thus abounding in corn, and wine, and oil, and gladness. We have silently, but sincerely, prayed that swords may for ever be turned into plough-shares, and spears into pruning-hooks;—that all heart-burnings, antipathies, and animosities may be eternally extinguished; and that, from henceforth, there may be no national rivalries but such as tend to establish, upon a firmer footing, and upon a more comprehensive scale, the peace and happiness of fellow-creatures, of whatever persuasion they may be ;-of such who sedulously cultivate the arts of individual and of national improvement, and blend the duties of social order with the higher calls of morality and religion. Ah, my friend! these are neither foolish thoughts nor romantic wishes. They arise naturally in an honest heart, which, seeing that all creation is animated and upheld by ONE and the SAME POWER, cannot but ardently hope that ALL may be equally benefited by a reliance upon its goodness and bounty."

It is not our purpose to make copious extracts from these volumes. If it were, there are a multitude of passages we could select, which would exhibit Mr Dibdin's powers as a writer, where they derive no adventitious aid from his enthusiasm as a bibliomaniac. But we cannot resist transferring to our pages the following amusing anecdote from the new matter of this second edition:

"Those of my readers who have visited Paris, will have constantly observed on the outsides of houses the following letters painted in large capitals:

"He was thunderstruck. He had never heard it before; and to be told it by a stranger! Mais,' says he, smiling, and resuming his steps, voila une chose infiniment drôle !'

"Let it be remembered, that this he retical construction upon these initial capitals was put at a time when the Bonaparte fever was yet making some of the pulses of the Parisians beat 85 strokes to the minute. Now, his Majesty Charles X. will smile as readily at this anecdote as did the incomparable librarian of his regal predecessor."

Let our author next tell an amusing little auto-biographical anecdote, relating to his own early life, which also forms part of the new matter.

"Twenty-eight years have passed away since I kept my terms at Lincoln's Inn, with a view of being called to THE BAR; and at this moment I have a perfect recollection of the countenances and manner of Messr's Bearcroft, Erskine, and Mingay, the pitted champions of the court of King's Bench, when I was in the repeated habit of attending within that bustling and ever-agitated arena. Their wit-their repartee-the broad humour of Mingay, and the lightning-like quickness of Erskine, with the more caustic and authoritative dicta of Bearcroft, delighted and instructed me by turns. In the year 1797, I published in one large chart, an analysis of the first volume of Blackstone's Commentaries, called,' THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS.' It was dedicated published, as will be easily conceived, with to Mr (afterwards Lord) Erskine; and more zeal than discretion. I got out of the scrape by selling the copper-plate for fifty shillings, after having given forty guineas for the engraving of the analysis. Some fifty copies of the work were sold, and 250 were struck off. Where the surplus have lain and rotted, I cannot pretend to conjecture; but I know it to be a VERY RARE production."-Vol. I. p. 217.

We have expressed our opinions of the varied and eminent merits of these volumes, as a book of travels_ as a tour through some of the most interesting districts of France and Germany, where picturesque scenery and architectural antiquities present

X

ed themselves in rapid succession to the writer's notice. But what would be said of a critic who should write a dissertation upon Milton's works, and pass over Paradise Lost? And what would Mr Dibdin say of us, if we said nothing of his bibliographical researches? What could we say for ourselves, indeed, were we capable of such a heinous sin of omission? He may believe us when we affirm, that we think there are many who could write, even as well as he does, upon all the miscellaneous subjects of his tour; but few, if any, who could stand the comparison with him when he begins to discourse of " paper, ink, books, printingoffices," &c. It is then that he is all enthusiasm, full of enduring energy, ardent, indefatigable, profound, laborious, and magnificent. It is then that he shews that he is not a mere bookcollector-learned alone in titlepages and dates-but a book explorer; and we forgive all his little ebullitions of rapture (which would be black-letter foppery if excited only by title-pages and dates) as we would pardon the ecstasies of a lover at seeing his mistress attired in the dress he most approved, when we knew his love was founded upon the intrinsic qualities of her mind and heart. And what is there, we ask, soberly and deliberately, in this passion for rare and splendid literary memorials of past ages, for ridicule to fleer at? If it be thought meritorious in kings, princes, and nobles to collect and preserve them; if we speak with just veneration and gratitude of those by whose means noble libraries have been founded and enlarged; if we are eager to celebrate their praises, and acknowledge the benefits they have conferred upon mankind; if we approach them as hallowed treasures, and survey them with emotions kindled at the sacred shrine of learning; if these be the sentiments which such depositories inspire, can it be deemed frivolous or absurd to describe them? or, in describing them, to catch somewhat of that enthusiasm which led to their acquisition, and influenced their preservation? Such enthusiasm at least borrows dignity from its subject. It is not awakened by any of the ignobler pursuits or ignobler passions of men. Books are the living progeny of immortal minds, which have had

their sojourn upon earth, and have passed away, but with which we still hold communion; they are the legacies of the benefactors of mankind; the voice that speaks as from the tombs of the wise, the pious, the learned, and the ingenuous; and that zeal, call it by what name you will, which, in its effect, tends to their better conservation, to a larger estimate of their value, and an increased knowledge of their contents, may partake of the excess incident to all zeal, but can never be justly derided as insig nificant, or condemned as useless.

We are as ready as any one can be to admit what may be called the weak points of Bibliomania; but our admission involves none of the vul gar and ignorant ribaldry with which we occasionally see it bespattered by a class of railers, who claim it as their privilege to laugh at every thing they do not understand, and who are consequently never without In the bibsomething to laugh at. liographical portion of the work before us, however, there are few, very few, of those weak points. We will not say there are none; and we doubt exceedingly whether Mr Dibdin would consider it a compliment, if we did; for we shrewdly suspect, were we to produce our proofs, he would be at once convinced we called them so only because we lack that initiation into the more profound mysteries of Bibliomania, which would instantly convert us from our heresies. We shall, there fore, pursue the more agreeable task both to ourselves and our readers, of selecting one or two striking and interesting specimens of the manner in which our author prosecuted his researches amid the splendid collections he visited on the Continent.

Among the illuminated manuscripts in the Royal Library at Paris, Mr Dibdin found the following rare gem

"HOURS OF ANNE OF BRITTANY.The order of this little catalogue of a few of the more splendid and curious ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS in the Royal Library of France has at length, my worthy friend, brought me in contact with the magical and matchless volume usually designated by the foregoing title. are to know, in the first place, that of ALL the volumes in this most marvellous library, the present is deemed the MOST PRECIOUS. Not even the wishes and re

You

"Next ensue knights on horseback, heralds, &c., with a profusion of coatarmours-cach illumination occupying a full page. On the reverse of the ninth leaf is a most interesting illumination, in which is seen the figure of John Duke of Brittany. He is delivering a sword to a king-at-arms, to carry to his cousin, the Duke of Bourbon, as he learns, from general report, that the Duke is among the bravest champions in Christendom, and, in consequence, he wishes to break a lance with him.

"The illumination where the Duke thus appears is quite perfect and full of interest; and I make no doubt but the countenance of the herald who is kneeling to receive the sword is a faithful portrait; it is full of what may be called individuality of character. The next illumination represents the Duke of Bourbon accepting the challenge, by receiving the sword. His countenance is slightly injured. The group of figures behind him is very clear.

The ensuing illumination exhibits the herald offering the Duke de Bourbon the choice of eight coats of ar mour, to put on upon the occasion. A still greater injury is here observable in the countenance of the Duke. The pro

cess of conducting the tournay, up to the moment of the meeting of the combatants, is next detailed; and several illuminations of the respective armours of the knights

and their attendants next claim our attention. On the reverse of the thirtysecond, and on the recto of the thirtythird leaf, the combat of the two Dukes is represented. The seats and benches of the spectators are then displayed; next, a very large illumination of the procession of knights and their attendants to the place of contest. Then follows an interesting one of banners, coat-armours, &c. suspended from buildings-and another, yet larger, and equally interesting, of the entry of the judges.

"I am yet in the midst of the emblazoned throng. Look at yonder herald,

with four banners in his hand. It is a curious and imposing sight. Next succeeds a formal procession, preparing for the combat. It is exceedingly interesting, and many of the countenances are full of natural expression. This is followed by a still more magnificent cavalcade, with judges in the foreground; and the 'dames et demoiselles,' in fair array, to the right. We have next a grand rencontre of the knights attendant, carried on beneath a balcony of ladies,

"Whose bright eyes Rain influence, and decide the prize.'

"These ladies, thus comfortably seated in the raised balcony, wear what we

should now call the couchoise cap. group of grave judges is in another balcony, with sundry mottos spread below. In the rencontre which takes place, the mace seems to be the general instrument of attack and defence. Splendid as are these illuminations, they yield to those which follow, especially to that which immediately succeeds, and which displays the preparation for a tournament to be conducted upon a very large scale. We observe throngs of combatants, and of female spectators, in boxes above. These are rather more delicately touched. Now comes the mixed and stubborn fight of the combatants. They are desperately engaged with each other, while their martial spirit is raised to the highest pitch by the sharp and reverberating blasts of the trumpet. The trumpeters blow their instruments with all their might. Every thing is in animation, bustle, energy, and confusion. A man's head is cut off, and extended by an arm, to which, in the position and of the size we behold, it would be difficult to attach a body. Blood flows copiously on all sides. The reward of victory is seen in the next and last illumination. The ladies bring the white mantle to throw over the shoulders of

the conqueror. In the whole, there are only seventy-four leaves. This is unquestionably a volume of equal interest from the pencil of the illuminator, its and splendour; and when it was fresh effect must have been exquisite."

One more extract, and we have done-the description of a gem in the King of France's private library.

"Now that I am in this magical region, my good friend, allow me to inspect the famous PRAYER-Book of Charlemagne?' was my first solicitation to Mons. Barbier. Gently,' said my guide; you are almost asking to partake of forbidden fruit. But I suppose you must not be disappointed.' This was only sharpening the edge of my curiosity,for wherefore this mystery, good M. Barbier? That you may know another time. The book is here, and you shall immediately inspect it,' was his reply. M. Barbier unlocked the recess in which it is religiously preserved, took off the crimson velvet in which it is enveloped, and springing backward only two feet and a half, exclaimed on presenting it, Le voila-dans toute sa beauté pristine!' I own that I even forgot Charles the Bold, and eke his imperial brother, Lotharius, as I gazed upon the contents of it. With these contents it is now high time that you should be made acquainted.

"EVANGELISTARIUM OF PRAYER-BOOK, once belonging to CHARLEMAGNE-folio.

The subject-matter of this most precious book is thus arranged:-In the first place, there are five large illuminations of the entire size of the page, which are much discoloured. The first four represent the Evangelists, each sitting upon a cushion, not unlike a bolster. The fifth is the figure of our SAVIOUR. The back-ground is purple; the pillow-like seat upon which Christ sits is scarlet, relieved by white and gold. The upper garment of the figure is dark green; the lower purple, bordered in part with gold. The footstool is gold; the book, in the left hand, is red and gold; the arabesque ornaments in the border are blue, red, and gold. The hair of our Saviour is intended to be flaxen.

"The text is in double columns, upon a purple ground, within an arabesque border of red, purple, yellow, and bluish green. It is uniformly executed in letters of gold, of which the surface is occasionally rather splendid. It consists of a series of gospel extracts, for the whole year, amounting to about two hundred and forty-two. These extracts terminate with Et ego resuscitabo eum in novissimo die. Amen.'

"Next comes a Christian Calendar, from the dominical year DCCLXXV. to DCCXCVII. On casting the eye down these years, and resting it on that of DCCLXXXI., you observe in the columns of the opposite leaf, this very important entry or memorandum, in the undoubted writing of the time: In isto Anno ivit Dominus, REX KAROLUS, ad sem Petrum et baptistatus est filius eius PIPPINUS a Domino Apostolico;' from which, I think, it is evident, (as is observed in the account of this precious volume in the Annales Encyclopediques, vol. iii. p. 378,) that this very book was commanded to be written chiefly to perpetuate a notice of the baptism, by Pope Adrian, of the Emperor's son Pippin.* There is no appearance whatever of fabrication in this memorandum. The whole is coeval, and doubtless of the time when it is professed to have been executed. The last two pages are occupied by Latin verses, written in a lower-case cursive hand; but contemporaneous, and upon a purple ground. From these verses,

we learn that the last scribe, or copyist,

of the text of this splendid volume, was one GODESCALE or GODSCHALCUS, a GerThe verses are reprinted in the Decades Philosophiques.

man.

"This MS. was given to the Abbey of St Servin, at Thoulouse, and it was religiously preserved there, in a case of massive silver, richly embossed, till the year 1793; when the silver was stolen and the book carried off, with several precious relics of antiquity, by order of the President of the Administration (Le Sieur S****), and thrown into a magazine, in which were many other vellum MSS. destined To BE BURNED! One's blood curdles at the narrative. There it lay, expecting its melancholy fate, till a Monsieur de Puymanrin, then detained as a prisoner in the magazine, happened to throw his eye upon the precious volume; and, writing a certain letter about it, to a certain quarter, (which letter is preserved in the fly leaves, but of which I was denied the transcription, from motives of delicacy,) an order was issued by government for the conveyance of the MS. to the metropolis. This restoration was effected in May 1811. I think you must admit, that in every point of view, THIS MS. ranks among the most interesting and curious, as well as the most ancient, of those in the several libraries of Paris."

These, then, are among the treasures of past ages, which the spirit of Bibliomania leads us to preserve and value with an almost idolatrous veneration! Who is there bold enough to deny that they are worth preserving, or captious enough to quarrel with the veneration they inspire? No one, we will venture to affirm, who is susceptible of delight from any thing which does not relate to the selfish enjoyment of the im mediate present; and as these, fortunately, constitute a large class among the most enlightened of every country, Mr Dibdin may safely consider the whole of them as the competent admirers of his bibliographical labours. We shall only add, in conclusion, that the supplement to the first volume of this edition, contains an account of a curious old English poem on our fifth Henry's siege of Rouen, recently discovered in the ex

haustless treasures of the Bodleian Library, which, we regret, our limits will not permit us to extract.