are the commonest, and this observation holds true, saving a few isolated and exceptional cases, of the literature which possesses the highest claim to our attention-the literature which is intrinsically and directly important-important, not from associations which happen to have grown up round it, but in itself and for its own sake. Bookbinding is indirectly connected with bibliography, in so far as it exerts so vast an influence over the selling value of copies. But it rather belongs to the Fine Arts than to literature proper, and it is a subject which I have rarely approached. Old English books with early decorated bindings of conspicuous beauty are, in point of fact, of such rare occurrence, that a descriptive account of all known examples would fall far short of filling a volume like that of Libri. Perhaps it is virtually nothing to the purpose that bibliopegy is treated by severely practical book-fanciers as the mere upholstery of the question. A folio MS. in the library of Mr Henry Huth includes among its multifarious contents a catalogue of old plays, which becomes of curiosity, as it seems to supply the earliest record of the formation of a dramatic collection in England. It is to be presumed that the owner of it was Henry Oxenden of Barham, and it comprised one hundred and twenty-one separate pieces, bound in six volumes. Among them may be recognised some of the most extraordinary rarities in our language, such as Udall's Ralph Roister Doister, the Ilamlet of 1603, The Tide tarrieth no Man, Marlowe's Dido, and others, which are entitled from their scarcity to rank as MSS. The list is printed entire in Mr Huth's forthcoming Catalogue. In conclusion, I have extreme pleasure in recognising the assistance which has been rendered to me in the course of my nine years' additional labours by several friends, who allowed me to enrich myself at the expense of their information or stores to an extent beyond any claim I had on their kindness. I beg to mention especially my obligations to Mr Henry Huth; Mr Henry Bradshaw, who manifested the warmest interest in my imperfect labours, and opened to me freely the too-little-known stores of the Cambridge University Library; the Rev. H. O. Coxe, Bodley's Librarian; Mr Furnival, who sent me memoranda of everything he considered likely to be serviceable; Mr Henry Pyne, who afforded me constant access to his valuable collections, as well as the benefit of his still more valuable knowledge; Mr George Bullen, who greatly facilitated my supplementary researches at the British Museum; Mr Sketchley, with whose kind co-operation I supplied certain important deficiencies in my original work from the treasures of the Dyce Collection at South Kensington; and the Right Honourable the Earl Spencer (through the good offices of the Hon. and Rev. F. J. Ponsonby, Rector of Brington), by whose liberality I have been again enabled to profit, as was the case in 1867. Dr Ingleby also supplied me with the titles and collations of some curious books in his possession. Nor must I omit to record my gratitude to those well-known firms of auctioneers, Messrs Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge, and Messrs Puttick & Simpson; and to Mr Pearson, Mr Ellis, Mr Pickering, Mr Quaritch, Messrs Nattali & Bond, and other eminent booksellers, for the facilities which they always afforded to me in the course of my researches. KENSINGTON, January 1876. W. C. H. COLLECTIONS AND NOTES. ABBEY OF THE HOLY GHOST. The Abbaye of the Holy Ghost. [Col.] Imprynted at Westmestre by wynken de worde. [Circa 1500.] 4o, black letter, 20 leaves. Br. Museum (no title) and Public Library Cambridge. On A ij there is the following headline: "Here begynneth a matere spekynge of a place that is named the abbaye of the holy ghost (y shall be fouded or grouded in a clene conscyence/ in whiche abbaye shall dwelle. xxix. ladyes ghostly." The present is a short treatise in English in the form of a sermon. The work is printed in the same form, though with a different type, and is bound up in the British Museum copy with the Exhortatio facta Cartusientibus, said to be by Dean Alcock. The Abbey was most probably written by Richard Hampole, to whom it is ascribed in MS. Lambeth 432. But there is a much earlier copy in MS. Vernon, written about 1391. ABBOT, GEORGE, Archbp. of Canterbury. A Briefe Description of the Whole World ... London, Printed for William Sheares, at the signe of the Harrow in Britaines Bursse. 1635. 12o, A-P in twelves, including an engraved title by W. Marshall, dated 1634, in the upper centre of which is a portrait of the author. A. B. C. The A. B. C. Set forthe by the Kynges maiestie and his Clergye, and commaunded to be taught through out all his Realme. All other vtterly set a part: as the teachers thereof tender his graces fauour. [Col.] God save the Kynge, the Queene, and the Realme, and send vs peace in Christ. Amen. Imprinted at London by wyllyam Powell. [Circa 1545.] 80, 8 leaves. Br. Museum (Grenville). All the Letters of the A. B. C. . . . 1575. Reprinted in Halliwell's folio Shakespear. The Vnmasking of the Masse-Priest, with a Dve and Diligent examination of their holy Sacrifice. Shewing how they partake with all the ancient Heretiques, in their profane, impious, and idolatrous worship. London, Printed for Richard Whittaker, &c. 1624. 4o, Hh 2 in fours, last leaf having the Errata. The dedication and preface are signed by the Rev. John Lewis. ACADEMY OF COMPLIMENTS. The Academy of Complements. Wherein. Ladyes, Gentlewomen, Schollers, and Strangers may accommodate their Courtly Practice with most Curious Ceremonies, Complementall, Amorous, High expressions, and formes of speaking, or writing. A Work penned and most exactly perfected by the Author, with Additions of Witty Amorous Poems. And a Table expounding the hard English Words. London, Printed by T. B. for H. Mosley, and are to be sold at his Shop at the Princes Armes, in S. Pauls Churchyard. 1640. A ACADEMY. Sm. 8°, (M. 10), in twelves, title on A 2. With a frontispiece by W. Marshall. Br. Museum (frontispiece wanting). Dr Bliss was inclined to attribute this highly curious little volume to John Gough, author of the Strange Discovery, 1640. The Address to the Reader is signed Philomusus. Bliss, in 1858, £2. 2s. The Academy of Complements, &c. London, Printed by T. Badger for H. Mosley, &c. 1640. 12°, M in twelves, last leaf blank, and preceding one occupied only by the Imprimatur (different from that in The first leaf was also probably a a. blank. A different impression of the foregoing. Sothebys, Dec. 6, 1871, No. 8. The Academy of Complements... The sixt Edition, with two Tables... London, Printed by T. Badger, for H. Moseley 1645. 12o, A-N in twelves, including the frontispiece. The Academy of Complements. Wherein, Ladies, Gentlewomen, Schollers, and Strangers, may accommodate their Courtly practice with gentile ceremonies. . . The Last Edition, with two Tables. Lon don, Printed for Humphrey Moseley 1650. 12o, A-P in twelves, besides the frontispiece, by W. Marshall. Br. Museum (Jolley's copy). The Academy of Complements. Wherein, Ladies, Gentlewomen, Schollers, and Strangers, may accommodate their Courtly practice with gentile Ceremonies, complementall amorous high expressions, and Forms of Speaking or writing of Letters most in Fashion. A work perused, exactly perfected, every where corrected and enlarged, and inriched by the Author, with additions of many witty Poems and pleasant Songs. With an Addition of a new School of Love, and a Present of excellent Similitudes, Comparisons, Fancies, and Devices. The Last Edition, with two Tables . . . London, Printed for Humphrey Moseley at the Prince's Arms, in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1658. 8°, A-P -in twelves, and a, 4 leaves, between A and B. H. Huth, Esq. (Inglis's copy). The Academy of Complements: or, A new way of Wooing. Wherein is variety of Love-Letters, very fit to be read of all Young Men and Maids, that desire to learn the true way of Complements. London, Printed for Thomas Passinger at the Sign of the Three Bibles on London-Bridge, 1685. 8°, chiefly black letter, A-B 4 in eights. A chapbook. ACOSTA. The New Academy of Complements, erected for Ladies, Gentlewomen, Courtiers, Gentlemen, Scholars, Souldiers, Citizens, Country-men, and all persons, of what degree soever, of both Sexes. Stored with Variety of Courtly and Civil Complements, Eloquent Letters of Love and Friendship. With An Exact Collection of the Newest and Choicest Songs à la Mode, Both Amorous and Jovial, Compiled by the most refined Wits of this Age. London: Printed for Samuel Speed, near the Inner Temple-gate in Fleetstreet. 1669. 8°, with a frontispiece. N in twelves, except A, which has only the (printed) title. The New Academy of Compliments. London: Printed for John Churchill. 1713. 12o, with a frontispiece. The Delightful New Academy of Compliments. Being the rarest and most exact Art of wooing a Maid or Widow by way of Dialogue... to which is added a choice Collection of the newest Songs, &c. Newcastle. Printed in this present year [circâ 1780.] 8°, 12 leaves. Woodcut on title. In prose and verse. A chapbook. The Newest Academy of Complements. Containing Variety of Proper Letters and Answers, relating to Love and Business. Several Delightful Dialogues Loves Master-Piece . . . A Collection of the Newest and Choicest Songs ... London, Printed for J. Gwillim, against Crosby-square, in Bishopsgate-Street. 1701. 12o, A-H in twelves, besides the frontispiece. ACCIDENCE. Accidence. [Col.] Prynted in Caxtons hous by wynkyn de word at westmynstre. [Circa 1495.] 40°, A, 8 leaves; B, 6. Bodleian (Douce). This had probably been Herbert's copy. See his edition of Ames, p. 205. ACOSTA, JOSEPH. The Natvrall and Morall Historie of the East and West Indies. Intreating of the remarkeable things of Heaven, of the Elements, Metalls, Plants and Beasts which are proper to that Country: together with the Manners, Ceremonies. Lawes, Governements, and Warres of the Indians. Written in Spanish by Ioseph Acosta, and translated into English by Edward] G[rimeston.] London Printed by Val. Sims for Edward Blount and William Aspley. 1604. 4o, A, 4 leaves, first marked A, but otherwise blank: a-b in fours, b 4 blank; B-P p in eights. |