[Footnote 47: BIBLIOTHECA RATCLIFFIANA; or, "A Catalogue of the elegant and truly valuable Library of JOHN RATCLIFFE, Esq. late of Bermondsey, deceased. The whole collected with great judgment and expense, during the last thirty years of his life: comprehending a large and most choice collection of the rare old English _black-letter_, in fine preservation, and in elegant bindings, printed by CAXTON, LETTOU, MACHLINIA, the anonymous St. Albans Schoolmaster, Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, Berthelet, Grafton, Day, Newberie, Marshe, Jugge, Whytchurch, Wyer, Rastell, Coplande, and the rest of the _Old English Typographers_: several missals and MSS., and two Pedigrees on vellum, finely illuminated." The title page then sets forth a specimen of these black-lettered gems; among which our eyes are dazzled with a galaxy of Caxtons, Wynkyn de Wordes, Pynsons, &c. &c. The sale took place on March 27, 1776. If ever there was a _unique_ collection, this was one--the very essence of Old Divinity, Poetry, Romances, and Chronicles! The articles were only 1675 in number, but their intrinsic value amply compensated for their paucity. The following is but an inadequate specimen. No. 1315. Horace's Arte of Poetrie, Pistles and Satyres, by Drant. 1567, _first English edition_ L0 16_s._ 6_d._ No. 1321. The Sheparde's Calender, 1579. Whetstone's Castle of Delight, 1576 1 2 0 No. 1392. The Pastyme of the People, printed by Rastell. Curious wood cuts. A copy of this book is not now to be procured. I have known L40 offered for it, and rejected with disdain 7 7 0 No. 1403. Barclay's Shyp of Folys, printed by Pynson, 1508, _first edit._ fine copy 2 10 0 No. 1426. The Doctrinal of Sapyence, printed by CAXTON, 1489 8 8 0 No. 1427. The Boke, called Cathon, DITTO, 1483. _Purchased by Dr. Hunter_, and now in his Museum 5 5 0 No. 1428. The Polytyque Boke, named Tullius de Senectute, in Englishe, by CAXTON, 1481. _Purchased for his Majesty_ 14 0 0 No. 1429. The Game of Chesse Playe. 1474 16 0 0 No. 1665. The Boke of Jason, printed by CAXTON 5 10 0 No. 1669. The Polychronicon of Ranulph Higden, printed by CAXTON, 1482. _Purchased by Dr. Hunter_ 5 15 6 No. 1670. Legenda Aurea, or the Golden Legende 1483 9 15 0 No. 1674. Mr. Ratcliffe's MS. Catalogues of the _rare old black letter_, and other curious and uncommon books, 4 vols. 7 15 0 This would have been the most delicious article to _my_ palate. If the present owner of it were disposed to part with it, I could not find it in my heart to refuse him _compound interest_ for his money. As is the wooden frame-work to the bricklayer in the construction of his arch, so might Mr. Ratcliffe's MS. Catalogues be to me in the compilation of a certain _magnum opus_!