Bibliomania; or Book-Madness: A Bibliographical RomanceDibdin, Thomas Frognall
History
Bibliomania; or Book-Madness: A Bibliographical Romance
Dibdin, Thomas Frognall
Bibliography; Bibliomania; Book collecting; Books -- Prices
[Footnote 127: It will not be necessary to notice _all_ the
multifarious productions, in MS. and in print, of this
indefatigable bibliographer; who had cut out work enough for
the lives of ten men, each succeeding the other, and well
employed from morn 'till even, to execute. This is
Marchand's round criticism: _Dict. Hist._ vol. i., p. 100.
Beughem's _Incunabula Typographica_, 1688, 12mo., is both
jejune and grossly erroneous. The "_Bibliographia Eruditorum
Critico-Curiosa_," 1689, 1701, 4 vols., 12mo., being an
alphabetical account of writers--extracts from whom are in
the public literary Journals of Europe from 1665 to
1700--with the title of their works--is Beughem's best
production, and if each volume had not had a separate
alphabet, and contained additions upon additions, the work
would have proved highly useful. His "_Gallia Euridita_,"
Amst., 1683, 12mo., is miserably perplexing. In addition to
Marchand, consult the _Polyhist. Literar._ of Morhof, vol.
i., p. 179; and the note therein subjoined. See also "_Bibl.
Creven._," vol. v., p. 298: _Cat. de Santander_, vol. iv.,
nos. 6273-4: 6281-2.]
PHIL. You have at length reached the close of the 17th century; but my
limited knowledge of bibliographical literature supplies me with the
recollection of two names which you have passed over: I mean, THOMAS
BLOUNT and ANTONY-A-WOOD. There is surely something in these authors
relating to editions of the works of the learned.
LYSAND. You have anticipated me in the mention of these names. I had
not forgotten them. With the former,[128] I have no very intimate
acquaintance; but of the latter I could talk in commendation till
dinner time. Be sure, my good Lisardo, that you obtain _both_ editions
of the _Athenae Oxoniensis_.[129]
[Footnote 128: Sir Thomas Pope Blount's "_Censura
Celebriorum Authorum_," Londini, 1690, folio, is
unquestionably a learned work--the production of a rural and
retired life--"Umbraticam enim vitam et ab omni strepitu
remotam semper in delitiis habui,"--says its author, in the
preface. It treats chiefly of the most learned men, and
sparingly of the English. His "_Remarks upon Poetry_,"
Lond., 1694, 4to. (in English) is more frequently read and
referred to. It is a pity that he had not left out the whole
of what relates to the Greek and Latin, and confined himself
entirely to the English, poets. A life of Sir Thomas Pope
Blount will be found in the new edition of the _Biographia
Britannica_.]
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