d missals, upon
vellum, finely illuminated." A glance upon the prices for
which most of these fine books were sold made Mr. Cuthell
exclaim, in my hearing, that "_they were given away_." On
these occasions, one cannot help now and then wishing, with
father Evander,

"O mihi praeteritos referat si Jupiter annos!"

On comparing Pasquali's, with the sale, catalogue, it will
be obvious that a great number of rare and valuable articles
was disposed of before the books came to public auction.
Indeed it is known that his present MAJESTY enriched his
magnificent collection with many of the Consul's _first
editions_, and _vellum copies_, during the life of the
latter. The sale continued thirteen days only; and on the
last day were sold all the English books in the
_black-letter_. Some of these are rather curious.

Of CONSUL SMITH I am unable to present the lover of VIRTU
with any particulars more acceptable than the following.
Pasquali (whose Latin preface is curious enough--abounding
with as many interrogatories as Hamlet's soliloquies) has
told us that "as the Consul himself was distinguished for
his politeness, talents, and prudence, so was his house for
splendid and elegant decorations. You might there view, says
he, the most beautifully painted pictures, and exquisite
ornaments, whether gems, vases, or engravings. In short, the
whole furniture was so brilliant and classical that you
admired at once the magnificence and judgment of the owner."
He tells us, a little further, that he had frequently
solicited the Consul to print a catalogue of his books;
which proposition his modesty at first induced him to
reject; but, afterwards, his liberality, to comply with. He
then observes that, "in the compilation of the catalogue, he
has studied brevity as much as it was consistent with
perspicuity; and that he was once desirous of stating the
_value_ and _price_ of the books, but was dissuaded from it
by the advice of the more experienced, and by the singular
modesty of the Collector."

It must be confessed that Pasquali has executed his task
well, and that the catalogue ranks among the most valuable,
as well as rare, books of the kind.]

[Footnote 44: "BIBLIOTHECA WESTIANA; A catalogue of the
curious and truly valuable