time ago, relative to Henry Pargeter Lewis, whose welfare you, Sir, have largely promoted, by kindly inserting his unhappy case in your Magazine; and whose humane friends will gladly hear that he now enjoys every comfort of which his peculiar malady is susceptible. Indeed so much improved are his general habits, that, with a proper person to accompany him, he constantly attends divine service at Church, on the weekdays, not always on the Sabbath, on account of the strong emotions produced within him by the organ and united voices of a large congregation, which violently agitate, and sometimes overpower him. He therefore is prudently restrained from attending them, unless placed in some remote and retired pew; because such restraint frequently hurts him; although I suspect he is not capable of feeling any devotional sentiment. Yet the delight with which he visits the sanctuary, furnishes a striking proof of the abiding influence of early custom; his feet having been uniformly guided thither by his deceased parents, when a boy; and from those visits he now seems to derive more enjoyment than from any other source. Nearly the whole of the Church-service he can repeat by rote; and the Bible he takes much delight in: but, after he has done reading it, every trace of what he has perused instantly vanishes. Pictures in the books which I sometimes lend him, are imprinted more lastingly upon his mind. These, at almost any period afterwards, he will accurately remember, and say what they denote, notwithstanding their titles are concealed from him. Attended by an aged female, for whom he has a filial fondness, he regularly walks abroad, for exercise; and although his manner and gestures are very singular, such is the respect in which he is held, that even thoughtless children never offer him the least incivility or interruption. Well had it been, if the juvenile authors of his calamity had been swayed by similar considerate feelings! Who they are, remains still unknown to all except themselves, and that Being who was about the bed where the calamity happened, is still about the path of the poor sufferer, to raise up guardians among the good for his support, and spieth out the ways of those who caused him to be thus dependent

AS I have long known and loved the harmony of your spirit, and that although we are neither of us very able professors in the Science of Musick, yet we have sometimes, as the "Laborum dulce Lenimen," sought the concord of sweet sounds— you are therefore the fittest friend I have to sympathise with me in the following case: During the last recess I had the pleasure of being present at a celebrated annual festival of Musick, where the first Performers were met, the highest harmony preserved, and the most fashionable audience assembled. Indeed I had been informed that so convinced were every family for many miles round, that both taste and execution would surpass almost the Commemoration of Handel, that the most eager solicitation for tickets of admission had been manifested; and those who had applied early, and others who had not applied at all, were actually despised, as not worthy of being associated with or noticed by their neighbours, and they were in short become little less than nothing. Such was the Christian consolation of these friends. Animated by this ardent expectation, I esteemed every family I saw in this crowded assembly equal in musical skill to Cramer or to Beethoven themselves; and as I boast the taste of an Amateur, it was very gratifying to me, to anticipate the profound attention and the scientific observations of those near whom I had the honour to be placed.

When the Orchestra first opened, the silence with which the first part of the Grand Overture was heard, afforded me the most satisfactory hopes that equal attention would be paid to the whole; but no sooner was it closed, than a gentleman who appeared to understand it remarked it was very fine, but his lady thought it rather too long. The first Act proceeded, and was accompanied with remarks not more profound; the symphonies furnished rare opportunities for the gossip of the day to begin; and whenever there was a rest or an abrupt pause, the voices of

balf

half whisper were so distinct, as to raise a blush on the cheeks of those who were thus betrayed. In the second Act many fans were held up to hide a gape as long as when the thumb and forefinger are stretched wide apart; however, until this time I had been suffered to enjoy the concert in quiet; but a lady near me began now to grow very uneasy, and leant across me to her friend, and talked of a visit the day before, and most rapidly quizzed all the company while Milton's 'Sweet Echo' engaged the performers. I changed seats with her, which, as the lady was remarkably fat, occasioned a disturbance to the rows before and behind, for which of course I alone was blamed. The Orchestra lost no time, nor any credit, for their whole selection was the most judicious I had ever heard; but it did not secure them from the ungoverned propensity of the people to talk about any thing the most foreign to the purpose; and when the whole closed with the grand Chorus in the Messiah, the company rejoiced more at the close than the performance, which they nevertheless most candidly applauded. Now, Sir, all this led me to reflect whether the power of Musick is real or imaginary. If there were not something genteel in the entertainment, I doubt whether any assemblage would ever be collected to hear it. It moves the passions; but as soon as it ceases, nay, indeed, when but little of it has been given, ennui seems to prevail, and it leaves nothing for the mind. Like a steam-engine, it has all the effect, till the heat evaporates, or like a gaslight, it is extinguished. The want of a National Musick at a battle has been the known cause of the troops of that Nation failing. Orpheus and Pan, and Apollo himself, have done wonders amongst the brutes and the human animals of Heathen Mythology; but, Sir, such enlightened auditors are not reserved for modern times;—and every pastoral shepherd' that piped his lay to his flock while his Colinet was kind, left them to their animal recreations, and hung his lute upon some bending willow whenever she frowned- Musick then

authority, whose judgment is deserv edly ranked upon the highest of Moses seat.

Being in the country one day, said Vigneul Marville, Professor of Musick, I had a mind to see whether beasts, as it is commonly said of them, take pleasure in Musick. Whilst my companion was playing upon au instrument, I considered attentively a cat, a dog, a horse, an ass, an hind, some cows, some little birds, and a cock and hens, which were in the court below the window where we stood. The cat paid no regard to the Musick, and, to judge by his physiognomy, he would have given all the symphonies in the world for a mouse; he stretched himself out in the sun, and went to sleep. The horse stopped short before the window, and, as he was grazing, he raised his head from time to time. The dog sat him down like a monkey, fixing his eyes stedfastly on the Musician, and continued a long time in the same posture, with the air and attitude of a connoisseur. The ass took no notice of us at all, munching his thistles very demurely. The hind set up her large broad ears, and seemed to be extremely attentive. The cows gave us a look, and then marched off. The little birds in a cage and on the trees strained their throats and sang with the utmost eagerness; whilst the cock minded nothing but the hens, and the hens busied themselves in scratching the dunghill."

The late Dr. Jortin, who studied Musick for relaxation from his laborious writings, on reading this description, said, "Imagine these creatures to be human, and you will have no bad representation of any one of our politest assemblies at a musical performance."

I shall now leave you, dear Sir, to reflect upon all this; and you shall tell me the result of your thoughts after we have met at the next Concert of Antient Musick. A. H.

BIBLIOMANIA.

Ἰδὲ ὀλίγον πῦς ἡλίκην ὕλην ἀνάπλει Mr. URBAN,

ITTLE could your Readers in general, or your very humble servant in particular, have anticipated from the remarks of your friend Æs. Es. Ss. the overflowing fund of informa

tion and amusement which those remarks have been permitted to occasion. The lively jeu d'esprit of your goodhumoured Correspondent Museus, I consider no contradiction of the plain matter of fact, stated seriously and correctly by me: on the contrary, I beg leave to assure you that I apprehend whatever gentleman shall undertake a similar ramble in search of the three CANTERS, for some considerable time to come, will find cause to attest the truth of a statement thus ludicrously drawn up. I do know, Sir, upon the authority of some of our leading Booksellers, that (since the publication of my letter in your widely-circulated Magazine) orders for the small Plantin editions of Canter's SOPHOCLES, ESCHYLUS, and EuRIPIDES, have been expedited, not to the Universities of England, Ireland, and Scotland, merely, but also to France, Germany, and Holland, in the fond hope and expectation of obtaining some stray copies of these choice works, but hitherto without success. It is certain, indeed, that most of our great London Catalogues for 1817 tantalize us with fallacious appearances,-alas!

"They palter with us in a double sense; They keep the word of promise to our

eye,

And break it to our hope."

I wish here to be clearly understood, however, as by no means desirous to impugn the fair-dealing of their various proprietors. The trade, technically so denominated, are all on the alert just now they are fully aware (though some few individuals among

:

ness, trusting moreover to the chances of life with the frequent changes of literary wealth.

When I mentioned the scarcity of the Plantin tragedians, I was not ignorant that two other " gems of brightest water" demanded and deserved equal celebrity: I shall very briefly describe them both.

I. ΑΡΙΣΤΟΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΕΥΤΡΑΠΕ ΛΩΤΑΤΟΥ ΚΩΜΩΔΙΑΙ ΕΝΔΕΚΑ Aristophanis facetissimi Comœdiæ undecim. Ex officina Plantiniana, apud Christophorum Raphelengium, Academiæ Lugduno-Bat. Typographum, CIɔ. Jɔ, C. six hundred and twenty pages, small octodecimo.

TYPOGRAPHUS LECTORI.- Prodierant ex officinâ nostrâ, Lector amice, Aristophanis aliquot Comœdiæ, videlicet πλέτος, νεφέλαι, βάτραχοι, ἱππεῖς, quas Fr. Raphelengius pater meus pie memoriæ ante annos aliquot minutiori hâc formâ singulatim excuderat. Eas dum ob exiguae molis commoditatem studiosis valde gratas, nec non scholis perutiles prædicarent amici, ac cæterarum, quæ extarent, editionem efflagitarent: non potui non eorum efflagita tionibus ac expectationi satisfacere. En, igitur, omnes Comoedias conjunctim et uno quòd aiunt fasce, pari typorum elegantiâ, ac formæ concinnitate jam evulgamus. Auctor sane est optimus ac pervetustus, dictionis elegantia perspicuus, orationis festivitate ornatus, ac lectione quàm mea oratione magis persententiarum pondere gravis, quod ejus eipies. Tu interim hisce laboribus fruere, ac studium nostrum qualecumque est æqui bonique consulito. Hoc si feceris, ad majora nos incitabis. Vale.

There is not a single copy of the above book on sale in all London. Offor's excellent shop, in PosternI once procured one at Mr. George for another very diligently and “dogrow, Tower-hill; and have sought gedly *" since, in vain.

II. PINDARI Olympia, Pythia, Nemea, Isthmia. Cæterorum octo Lyricorum carmina, Alcæi, Sapphus, Stesichori, "Ityci, Anacreontis, Bacchylidis, Simonidis, Alemanis, nonnulla etiam aliorum. Ómnia Græcè et Latinè. Pin- \ dari interpretatio nova est, eaque ad verbum: cæteri partim ad verbum, partim carmine sunt redditi. Antverpiæ, Ex officina Christophori Plantini, Anno ciɔ. Hen. two hundred pages.

IC. LXVII.

Steph. seq.

Of this beautiful production it is hardly probable that a specimen will ever fairly come before the public eye in the way of sale. The edition is so remarkably good, the copies are so lamentably scarce, and the size is so luxuriously hundy, that, combined, they produce a fascinating attraction, altogether irresistible. In the process of my own short career from auction to auction, and from shop to shop, [materially assisted as I was for more than 20 years by my late indefatigable ferret, jackal, and friend, Dr. Isaac Gossett,] I have never seen more than four perfect copies: of which two, ruled throughout, are still im my possession; one is the property of a D. D. of the University of Cambridge; and the fourth and last was borne away from my grasp in triumph by the late venerable Dr. Dampier, of Ely, in the year 1793. I remember well that the said long-contested rarity was splendidly bound in red morocco, and was bought by the learned Doctor for a very few pounds and some odd shillings: I cannot accurately recollect the sum, but we all deemed it excessive, as literary stock then stood.

Your Chelsea Correspondent, whose signature I presume is enigmatical, pays no slight honour to the quotation made by me from Sebastian Brant, and expatiates with much allowable self-congratulation on the importance of his two editions of that sensible writer's performance. My editions of STULTIFERA NAVIS are, 1. that whence I made my quotation, and II. that of 1497, in laudatissimå Germaniæ urbe Basiliensi nuper operâ et promotione Johannis de Dlpe. This last is seldom to be found perfect, and is sure to be bought dear, aye, au poids de l'or. My copy has one hundred and eighteen plates, and consists of one hundred and fortyfive leaves of letter-press, with a copious Registrum, ending thus, 1497, Nihil sine causâ. Olpe.

Of Barclay's translation, at least two editions were printed.

I. BARCLAY'S (ALEXANDER) SHYP OF FOLYS OF THE WORLD, translated out of Laten, French, and Doche. Imprynted in London by Richarde Pynson, 1509. folio.

A fine copy of the above is in the possession of Messrs. Longman & Co. II.-STULTIFEra Navis, quâ omnium mortalium narratur stultitia, admodum utilis et necessaria ab omnibus ad suam

salutem perlegenda, è Latino sermone in nostrum vulgarem versa, et jam diligenter impressa.

An. Do. 1570. THE SHIP OF FOOLES, wherein is shewed the folly of all States, with divers other workes adjoyned unto the same, very profitable and fruitfull for all men. Translated out of Latin into Englishe by Alexander Barclay, Priest. folio.

and seventeen plates, and two hunThis edition contains one hundred hundred and forty-eight pages: it is dred and seventy-four leaves, or five printed by John Cawood. The original translation was completed in Chaplain 1508, at which time Barclay was "in the Colledge of St. Mary Otery, in the countie of Devon."

He dedicated the result of his labours to Dr. Thomas Cornish, in a wellwritten Latin Address.

Of the latter edition Mr. Barlace has a very good copy for sale: so, also, has the intelligent Mr. Triphook.

For the gratification of your English readers, I subjoin a correct transcript of Barclay's Paraphrase of Brant's admirable satire, quoted by me in your Magazine for November 1816, p. 420. & am, Æs. Es. Sε.

brought,

Done was his commaundement anone: These bokes he had, and in his studie [he thought, Which passed all earthly treasure as But neverthelesse he did him not apply Unto their doctrine, but lived unhappily. Lo in likewise of bookes I have store, But fewe I reade, and fewer understande,

I folowe not their doctrine nor their lore, It is enough to beare a booke in hande: It were to muche to be in suche a bande

For to be bound to loke within the booke, I am content on the fayre covering to looke.

Why should I studie to hurt my wit [cessive?

thereby,

Or trouble my minde with studie exSithe many are which studie right busely, And yet thereby shall they never thrive: [contrive, The fruite of wisdome can they not And many to studie so muche are inclinde, [minde. That utterly they fall out of their Eche is not lettred that nowe is made a lorde,

Nor eche a clerke that hath a benefice: They are not all lawyers that plees do [wise,

recorde,

All that are promoted are not fully On suche chaunce nowe fortune throwes her dice, [game, That though one knowe but the yrishe Yet would he have a gentleman's name. So in like wise I am in suche case, Though I nought can I woulde be

called wise:

Also I may set another in my place *, Which may for me my bookes exercise,

Or els I shall ensue the common guise,

And say concedo to every argument, Least by much speeche my Latin should be spent.

I am like other clerkes which so frowardly them gyde, [promotion:

That after they are once come unto They geve them to pleasure, their study set aside. [votion: Their avarice covering with fained deYet dayly they preache, and have great derision [vetise, Against the rude lay men, and all for co

*To wit: The ingenious author of "THE LINCOLNE NOSEGAY." Æs. Es, Ss.

But he that is in study ay firme and diligent, [Christe's lore, And without all favour preacheth Of all the cominaltie nowe a dayes is sore shent,

And by estates threatned oft therfore. Thus what avayle is it to us, to study inore, [dome or vertue, To knowe either Scripture, truth, wiseSince fewe or none without favour dare them shewe.

But, O noble Doctours, that worthy are of name, [their diligence: Consider our olde fathers, note well Ensue ye their steppes, obtayne ye suche fame, [prudence, As they did living, and that by true Within their heartes they planted their science, [to fewe such be, And not in pleasaunt bookes: but nowe Therfore in this SHIP come you and

Mr. URBAN,

Feb. 14. FIND in Messrs. Longman and Co's

Catalogue for the past year (art. 4395) a Work entitled "Dugdale's Calendar of the Years of our Lord God, and those of the Kings of England.-London, 1685." But am at a loss to know why the said work is classed as Dugdale's; for, on reference to a copy of this "Chronica Juridicialia," the Author (who is nameless) speaking of Dugdale, says,

"To the careful industry of this great. person am I chiefly obliged for most of this Chronological Table."

Who was the Compiler of the Work in question?

D. M.Y.

Mr.