of, previous to the sale, to Dr. FARMER, who
gave not more than forty guineas for them. The Doctor was
also a determined purchaser at the sale, and I think the
ingenious Mr. Waldron aided the illustrious commentator of
Shakspeare with many a choice volume. It may be worth adding
that Wynne was the author of an elegant work, written in the
form of dialogues, entitled _Eunomus_, or _Discourses upon
the Laws of England_, 4 vols., 8vo. It happened to be
published at the time when Sir William Blackstone's
_Commentaries on the Laws of England_ made their appearance;
and, in consequence, has seen only three editions: the
latter being published in 1809, 2 vols., 8vo.]

Why have I delayed, to the present moment, the mention of that
illustrious bibliomaniac, EARL PEMBROKE? a patron of poor scholars,
and a connoisseur, as well as collector, of every thing the most
precious and rare in the book-way. Yet was his love of _Virtu_ not
confined to objects in the shape of volumes, whether printed or in
MS.: his knowledge of statues and coins was profound;[367] and his
collection of these, such as to have secured for him the admiration
of posterity.

[Footnote 367:

[Illustration]

The reader will find an animated eulogy on this great
nobleman in Walpole's _Anecdotes of Painters_, vol. iv.,
227; part of which was transcribed by Joseph Warton for his
variorum edition of Pope's works, and thence copied into the
recent edition of the same by the Rev. W.L. Bowles. But
PEMBROKE deserved a more particular notice. Exclusively of
his fine statues and architectural decorations, the Earl
contrived to procure a great number of curious and rare
books; and the testimonies of Maittaire (who speaks indeed
of him with a sort of rapture!) and Palmer show that the
productions of Jenson and Caxton were no strangers to his
library. _Annales Typographici_, vol. i., 13. edit. 1719.
_History of Printing_, p. 5. "There is nothing that so
surely proves the pre-eminence of virtue more than the
universal admiration of mankind, and the respect paid it by
persons in opposite interests; and, more than this, it is a
sparkling gem which even time does not destroy: it is hung
up in the Temple of Fame, and respected for ever."
_Continuation of Granger_, vol. i., 37, &c. "He raised
(continues Mr. Noble)