Chapter II: S. Patres. Concil. Eccl. Hist. Comment. in S. Biblia (3)

A beautiful and valuable Manuscript of the Poems of Chaucer, written upon vellum in a noble folio volume, contains 292 leaves, but unfortunately wants that which ought to intervene between the 209th and the 210th of Mr. Nares’ enumeration. It would be a curious task to compare the text of this venerable Manuscript with the first printed editions of the Canterbury Tales, &c. from the press of Caxton. This book has also been protected by a russia surtout, and it contains some elegant illuminations.

I also remarked the Manuscript Poems of William Kingsmyle, Knight; Archdeacon Smalbrooke’s Common Place Book; the Codex Justiniani; Taxatio Papæ Nicolai; Scire Mori; A Pricke of Conscience; A Tract of St. Anselm, and several volumes of Adversaria Theologica, bound in calf.

This Catalogue, given in vol. II. p. 32 of the Catalogus MSS. Angliæ et Hiberniæ, Oxon, 1672, folio, attributed to Humphry Wanley, contains all the books at present in the Library, with the exception of Nos. 1389, 1396, 1399, 1404, 1406.

Many of the Manuscripts were in the old Monastic Library, but others were part of the bequest of the Countess of Somerset in 1672. A Catalogue of the entire Collection bequeathed to the Cathedral by that noble lady is preserved among the Manuscripts. An old borrowing book too, used by Samuel Johnson in 1774, is there also preserved.

In this case is preserved the most brilliant Gem of this Collection, being no less than Caxton’s History of King Arthur, folio, whose well known colophon runneth thus:

“Thus endeth this noble and joyous book entitled LA MORTE
DARTHUR; notwithstanding, it treateth of the birth, life, and
acts of the said King Arthur, of his noble Knights of the
Round Table, their marvellous conquests and adventures, the
atchieving of the Sangreal, and in the end the dolorous death
and departing out of this world of them all. Which book was
reduced in to English by Sir Thomas Malory, Knight, as afore
is said, and by me divided in to XXI books, chaptered and
imprinted, and finished in the Abbey Westminster the last day
of July, the year of our Lord M.CCCCLXXXV.

“Caxton me fieri fecit.”

This is one of the rarest of Caxton’s productions, a perfect Copy is in the Library of Lord Jersey at Osterley, formerly in the Harleian Collection, which I believe is the only other copy known. The present copy is elegantly bound in olive coloured Venetian morocco with gilt leaves.

This volume which I had a subsequent opportunity of examining, I found to be an imperfect copy of the Life and Actes of King Arthur, folio, bound in Venetian Morocco with gilt leaves. It is printed in double columns of black letter, entwined by some barbarous wood-cuts, with the chapter-numbers on the head line in italic character. It is imperfect both at the beginning and the end, commencing with the “Prologus” on sign. Ψ. ii. and ending with a leaf of “The xxist booke,” having the catchword “now.” on the recto, and “were” on the reverse. This volume measures ten inches and a half by seven inches and three quarters.

The oldest English Bible in this Library is the Bible by Cranmer, printed at London by Edward Whytchurche in 1540, whereof the title, which is encadred in wood cuts, runneth thus:

¶ The Byble in Englyshe, that is to saye the conte̅t of al the holy scrypture, both of yᵉ olde, and newe testam̅et, with a prologe therinto, made by the reuerende father in God, Thomas archbysshop of Cantorbury. ¶ This is the Byble apoynted to the vse of the churches.

The present Copy has the title inlaid, and is bound in the original calf with plain brass clasps.

Next to this stood the two stately folios of Ogilvie’s Bible of 1660 in red morocco.

Buck and Daniel’s Bible of 1638, divided into five thin folio
volumes, bound in old blue morocco.

Field’s Bible, printed at Cambridge in 1660, in 2 volumes,
folio, attired in crimson velvet, with silver clasps.

Buxtorf’s Hebrew Bible, printed at Basle in 1618, in folio.

Novum Testamentum è Codice Alexandrino curâ Woide. Lond. 1786.

Novum Testamentum Stephani. Lutet. Paris. 1500, folio, and

The Oxford Septuagint, under the editorial care of Holmes and
Parsons, recently bound in 5 vols. folio, in calf.

To which may be added

Walton’s Polyglott of 1657, with Castell’s Lexicon.

The Biblia Polyglotta Montani, printed by Plantin, at Antwerp,
in 1569, in 5 volumes folio.

the three last named articles being bound in calf; and a pretty correct estimate may be formed of the Biblical treasures of the Lichfield Cathedral Library.

In Divinity there are numerous Works, many of which are too insignificant, and others of too common occurrence to mention; but to give some idea of the value of the Library in this its most important department, it may suffice to enumerate,

The Bibliotheca Maxima and Bibliotheca Patrum, printed at Paris
in 1624, in 5 vols. folio, all in calf.

Bingham’s Works, in 2 vols. folio. London, 1726, a fine copy in
old calf.

To which may be added the Works of Eusebius, Newton, Usher, Erasmus, Mosheim, Grotius, Warburton, and Calvin; Pole’s Synopsis, and the Critici Sacri.

In Ecclesiastical History we find the valuable Works of Echard and Dupin; Basnage’s History of the Jews; Cressy’s Church History of Brittany; Wilkins’ Concilia; Strype’s Annals; Walker’s Sufferings of the Clergy; the Ecclesiastical Annals of Baronius; Fuller’s Church History; the Historia Martyrum of Fox, Basileæ, 1559, folio; and Fox’s History of Martyrs, London, 1641, folio; and Bedæ Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica, Antverpiæ, 1550, folio.

In relation to the History of England, we find the following valuable and interesting Works, Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum; History of St. Paul’s, and of Warwickshire, and View of the Troubles; Camden’s Britannia; Clarendon’s History of the Rebellion; Burnet’s History of his own time; Daniel’s History of England; Rushworth’s Historical Collections; Speed’s Chronicle; Baker’s Chronicle, London, 1679, folio; Holinshed’s Chronicles, in folio; Gul. Neubrigensis Historia Rerum Anglicarum curante Thoma Hearne, 3 vols. 8vo.; Virunnii Historia Britonum; Bracton de Legibus Angliæ; Lyndewode’s Provinciale; Kennet’s History of England, together with the Domesday Book, and the whole Series of Records and other Documents published under the authority of the Parliamentary Commission. Add to these Buchanan and Drummond’s Histories of Scotland; Wynne’s History of Wales; and in British Topography, Stow’s London; Willis’ Cathedrals; Plot’s Oxfordshire; Dart’s Canterbury Cathedral; Grew’s Rarities; and Bentham’s Ely.

In General History the valuable collections of Grævius and Gronovius, with the indispensable Supplements of Poleno and Sallengre; Thuani Historia sui Temporis; Puffendorff’s Works; the English version of Montfaucon, by Humphries; the Chronicles of Froissart and Monstrelet, and Bayle’s Dictionary, are the most conspicuous features of this Collection.

Kæmpfer’s Japan, and Norden’s Egypt, also adorn this department of the Library.

In Heraldry, a few valuable Works may be here enumerated, Guillim’s Heraldry, 1660; Milles’ Catalogue of Honor; and Ashmole’s History of the Garter, London, 1672, all in folio.

In Philology, it is a pleasure to recount such Works as Ducange’s Glossarium; Photii Bibliotheca; Hickes’ Thesaurus; Spelman’s Works; Stephani Thesaurus, and Junii Etymologicum Anglicanum.

In Geography, Cluvierii Geographia Antiqua, in folio, and Cook’s Voyages, in 4to. alone met my observation.

In Poetry, I merely noticed the Works of Spenser, of 1679, and Du Bartas’ Divine Works and Weeks, whence Milton is said to have borrowed sundry ideas of his immortal Work.

Of Classic Authors, the editions contained within these walls are generally speaking neither the first nor the best, with the exception of the Editio Princeps of Appian, printed by Stephens at Paris, in 1551, folio; and Butler’s Æschylus, in 4to.

In Miscellaneous Literature, I may notice the Works of Addison and Bacon, of Swift and Fielding, with divers other modern authors of lesser note, including the long series of the Gentleman’s Magazine, the veritable “Old Parr of Periodicals.”

I may also mention Selden’s famous Treatise of the Mare Clausum, written in reply to the Mare Liberum of the justly celebrated Grotius; and Drelincourt on Death, a book which, if I recollect rightly, was often mentioned with respect by Samuel Johnson, the first edition of whole Life, by Boswell, in 2 volumes, 4to. is appropriately placed in the Capitular Library of his native town.

I also noticed Digges’ Compleat Ambassador; Pluvinel’s Horsemanship, both in folio; and Burney and Hawkins’ History of Music, both in 4to; together with Reading’s Catalogue of Sion College Library, London, 1724, as books not often to be found within the precincts of any Cathedral.

The Catalogue of this Library is a manuscript volume, written apparently some time ago, wherein the Books are enumerated in alphabetical order, the subsequent additions to the Library being entered on the opposite pages which have been left blank for this purpose.

A Classed Catalogue appears to have been in contemplation, but never to have been continued beyond a few pages.

A Book of the names of the Books taken out of the Library by the Dean and Chapter, who alone have the right to use it, the Canon in residence always keeping the key, is very properly laid upon the same table with the Catalogue itself.

Library of Lincoln.

This ancient Library, which suffered much from conflagration about the middle of the seventeenth century, was munificently restored to more than its pristine splendour by Michael Honeywood, then Dean of Lincoln.

The portrait of this eminent divine, by Cornelius Jansen, with that of his grandmother, adorns the room which contains what remains of his once extensive Collection, which the ruthless hand of the unlettered spoiler has deprived of some of its brightest ornaments.

The Manuscripts are now carefully lettered and admirably arranged, though, as formerly a few shillings were sufficient to induce the verger to allow the excision by any “curious stranger” of the illuminated capitals, many of the volumes are lamentably mutilated and defective.

Latin Bibles, Psalters, Glosses & Postillæ, upon vellum and on paper, form the principal features of the Manuscript Library, which is deposited in the ante-room over the Cloisters adjoining the Cathedral.

On these shelves I also observed a Manuscript of Comestor’s Historia Scholastica; and of Bartholomeus de Proprietatibus Rerum; together with an interesting Diurnall of Proceedings in Parliament kept in 1640.

But the most curious and valuable Manuscript in this Collection, is a volume upon paper of Old English Romances, of the date of 1430-40, collected by Robert de Thornton, who was Archdeacon of Bedford in 1450, and lies buried in Lincoln Cathedral. This interesting volume has been enriched by a table of contents, and some elucidatory notes by Sir F. Madden, of the British Museum, and adorned with a coating of red russia, which may bid defiance to decay.

The Library of Printed Books, all of which are labelled on the back, is contained in a spacious Gallery one hundred and four feet by seventeen, being the whole length of one side of the Cathedral Cloisters, and having the books on open shelves on the right hand, and a range of windows on the left; but no convenience for producing artificial heat.

The Manuscript Catalogue, which lies on the table, appears to have been copied verbatim from another of older date, and to have been continued by the entry of successive additions.

On turning to the father of the English Press, I found a Poesy of most pungent odour, the true ‘Lincolne Nosegay,’ which any Roxburgher might be proud to wear in his button-hole at the yearly festival of those true lovers of black letter. I give the entry exactly as I found it in the Catalogue; but, grievous to relate, neither high nor low were these gems seen to sparkle on the shelves of this sadly bereaved Repository.

“Caxton, Chronicle & Description of Britaine, 1480, folio.

“Scala Perfectionis, 1494, fol.

“Chesse Play, 1474, fol.

“Cato, 1483, fol.

“Quære. Dictes & Sayinges of Philosophers, 1500.

“Reynard the Fox, 4to.

“Trans. of Hist. of Jason, 1481, 4to.”

I own this last article puzzled me considerably; for could it be the true Jason with this recent date? but the well known initials ‘T. F. D.’ attached in pencil to the Cato, and the queried Dictes and Sayinges led me to hope that they at least might yet be in existence; and imagining that they might be preserved among the Curiosities which the Dean and Chapter had taken, as I was informed, under their especial protection, I addressed a note of enquiry to the Librarian, stating my reasons for believing that, as some of the Caxtons appeared to have been inspected by Dr. Dibdin so late as 1816, they must still exist, though I could not find them.

The obliging answer which I in consequence received from the present Librarian of Lincoln I give exactly as I received it, that those who are anxious for the integrity of those great Collections which the wise and the good of former ages have handed down to us, may learn from hence the necessity of devising means whereby such treasures may be preserved unimpaired and intact for posterity, more effectual than those which the venerable consort of Michael Honeywood, happily in no wise prescient of the future fate of these literary treasures, devised. But let us have the fact from the pen of Mr. Garvey.

Lincoln, June 17, 1833.

SIR,

I am sorry it is not in my power to give you any information
that you will deem pleasing, on the subject of the early prints
which you seem to delight in. The fact is, since Dr. Dibdin’s
visit to this Library, the Dean and Chapter thought it
expedient to sell all the Caxtons and other early prints, and
to replace them with more modern works of which they stood in
need; and this is the reason that we had nothing of that sort
to offer to your notice more than what my son shewed you.

If it were in my power I should be happy to gratify every
intelligent stranger; and I am sorry I have no better
information to give you on your favourite pursuit.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

R. GARVEY.

This candid statement is fully confirmed by the following entry in the Library Catalogue of the books sold, namely,

“Amores Troili et Cresseidæ. Oxonii, 1635.

“The Works of Heiwood. London, 1598.

“Virgidemiarum. London, 1602.

“Brome’s Songs. London, 1664.

“Several pieces of Poetry bound together.

“Sternhold’s Psalms. London, 1553.

“Sir W. Raleigh’s Letters to his Son. London, 1632.

“De Afflictione Captivorum sub Turcis.

“Poetical Works of James VI. Edinburgh, 1591.

“Six Treatises on Cookery.

“Bishop Earl’s Characters.

“Seven different Poetical Pieces bound together.

“Psalms set to Music, in 4 books. London, 1563.

“Poetica Stromata, by R. C. [Ric. Corbet, Bp. Norwich.] 1648,
12mo.

“Poems by Michael Drayton. London, 16—.

“Martial’s Epigrams by Fletcher. London, 1656, 8vo.

“Ten Different Pieces bound in one volume.

“Vita et Obitus Henrici VIII. & Caroli Brandon, &c.

“Visions of Peirce Plowman, by R. Crowley. Lond. 1550.

“Besides the above, some books were purchased by the Rev. T. F.
Dibdin.”

The books thus omitted to be more particularly mentioned were among the choicest treasures of the Honeywoodian Collection. The practised hand of Rosicrusius, extracted the ore from the dross, and converted it into gold. The guardians of the temple slept, and Mammon prevailed. The flowers thus culled were wreathed into a garland, quaintly denominated the Lincoln Nosegay, which I have transferred entire to these pages, as, although surreptitiously reprinted, its circulation was originally limited to the author’s immediate circle.

“_The Lincolne Nosegay._”

“London. Printed by W. Bulmer & Co. Cleveland
Row. St. James’s.”

“Here begyneth a Littel Tome and hathe to name
The Lincolne Nosegay:”

“beynge a brefe table of certaine Bokes in the posession
Maister Thomas Frognall Dibdin Clerk, which bookes be to
be sold to him who shal gyue the moste for yᵉ same.”

“The Lincolne Nosegay.”

I. The Dictes and Sayinges of Philosophres. Enprynted by me William Caxton at Westmestre the yere of our lord. M CCCC LXXVjj. Folio.

Ye shal peruse a full accounte of this boke in yᵉ new imprint of our Typographical Antiquities, vol. i. p. 60, 72. This exemplar apereth to be yᵉ Fyrste Edition: and hath at yᵉ end “Et sic est Finis.”

II. The Cronicles of Englond; (wherunto is joined) The Discripcion of Britayne. Fynysshed by me William Caxton, the xviii day of August the yere of our god M.CCCC lxxx. &c. Folio.

See yᵉ aforementioned werk: vol. i. pp. 85-100.

These be perfait and meruelouslye clene copies of these moste rare bokes, and are bounde in one tome.

III. The Booke called Cathon. Translated oute of French into Englyssh by William Caxton in thabbay of Westmystre the yere of our lorde MCCCCLXXIII. &c. Folio. A parfaite and beauteous exemplar.

IV. The Newe Cronycles of Englonde and of Fraunce. Emprynted by Richarde Pynson, prynter unto the kyngȝ noble grace. The yere of our Lord God a. M. cccccxvi. The vii daye of the moneth of February. Folio.

Ye shal gader yᵉ aboue from ye imprynte of the boke, inasmuch as there be no title to yᵉ same in the fyrst page or frontispiece: whyche page containeth only the cote armor of the then kynge, and hath sign. H i beneath it. In my werke, begunne by Maisters Ames and Herbert, at vol. ii. p. 466, &c. ye shal finde a full and trust-worthye accounte of this present boke; the exemplar of whiche, here offered, is of grete bulke and beautie. It is, moreouer perfait—with some of the leauves stained—but the cunning skil of Maister Lewis, our knowinge binder of bokes, shal quickly clense the same. I maruel where another suche exemplar of this rare werke shall be founde for yᵉ purchasinge?

V. The Bible and Holy Scriptures conteined in the Olde and Newe Testament. Translated according to the Ebrue and Greke, and conferred with the beste translations in divers languages, &c.

Printed in Edinburgh. By Alexander Arbuthnet, Printer to the Kingis Maiestie, dwelling at yᵉ kirk of feild. 1579. Folio.

This moche-to-be-coueted boke is perfaite, sauinge two leaves in the O. Testamente and three leaves in the N. Test.: whiche be wanting. The begynninge and end therof are true and perfait. Ye shall perceiue, on looking at Maister Herbert’s labors, vol. iii. p. 1501. that he had no knowledge of the same: ne Maister Lewis, in his werke upon Translations of the Bible.

Hereafter folowethe sundry final werkes in metre moost rare and of especiel note: whiche be bounde in a kiuer of parchmente.

Sundrie Smal Werkes in Metre.

VI. The title thus:

Here begynneth a treatyse how yᵉ hye fader of heven sendeth dethe to somon every creature to come and gyve a counte of theyr lyuves and this worlde, and is in maner of a morall playe.

The imprint thus:

Thus endeth this moral playe of every man.

Imprynted at London in Poules Churche yarde, by me John Skot. 4to. In Rhymes.

Sixteen leaves. Ye shal perceaue how Maister Herbert maketh mention of this very exemplar: but which, it apeareth manifest, he had never sene.

The colophon thus:

Thus endeth the co̅munycacyon bytwene god and man.

Emprynted at London in Flete-strete at yᵉ sygne of yᵉ Sonne by me Wynkyn de Worde. 4to.

This lytyle piece of rhymes lacketh the title: but the text therof begynneth right truely on yᵉ signature A. ij. thus: “Deus.”

“Our gracyous god moost in magnyfygyce̅ce
His mercyful eyen casteth fro̅ heun̅ on hi
Seynge his creatures in deedly vyolence
Hym selfe complayneth by pyte full ruefully,”
&c. &c. &c.

Ye shal finde no account of this lytel tome in my editing of Maister Herbert’s werke upon Ye Hystorye of oure Pryntinge. It hath 12 leaves if you include the title.

VIII. The title as foloweth:

Here is a mery jest of the mylner of Abyn̅gdon, with his wyfe and his doughter, and two poore scholers of Cambridge. 4to. In Rhymes.

A fragment of 7 leaves whiche semeth to be imprynted by W. de Worde. Unto this fragment is joined