he day before yesterday.[380]

[Footnote 380: The reader will find some account of
MAITTAIRE'S bibliographical labours at p. 47, ante; and of
his editions of the ancient Classics, at p. 442, vol. ii.,
of my _Introduction to the Knowledge of rare and valuable
editions of the Greek and Latin Classics_. He need here only
be informed that Maittaire's books were sold by auction in
November, 1748, and January, 1749; the catalogue of them
forming _two parts_, with one of these dates affixed to
each. The collection must have been uncommonly numerous; and
of their intrinsic value the reader will best judge by the
following extract from the "Advertisement," by Cock the
auctioneer, at the back of the title-page: "tho' the books,
in their present condition, make not the most ostentatious
appearance, yet, like the late worthy possessor of them,
however plain their outside may be, they contain within an
invaluable treasure of ingenuity and learning. In fine, this
is (after fifty years' diligent search and labour in
collecting) THE ENTIRE LIBRARY OF MR. MAITTAIRE; whose
judgement in the choice of books, as it ever was confessed,
so are they, undoubtedly, far beyond whatever I can attempt
to say in their praise. In exhibiting them thus to the
public, I comply with the will of my deceased friend; and in
printing the catalogue from his OWN COPY just as he left it
(tho' by so doing it is the more voluminous) I had an
opportunity, not only of doing the justice I owe to his
memory, but also of gratifying the curious." I incline
strongly to think there were no copies of this catalogue
printed upon large paper. When priced, the usual copy brings
a fair round sum.]

BELIN. All this may be very learned and just. But of these gentlemen I
find no account in the fashionable necrologies.

LOREN. Only wait a little, and Lysander will break forth with the
mention of some transcendental bibliomaniac.

LYSAND. Yes, ever renowned RICHARD MEAD![381] thy _pharmacopaeal_
reputation is lost in the blaze of thy _bibliomaniacal_ glory!
Aesculapius may plant his herbal crown round thy brow, and Hygeia may
scatter her cornucopia of roses at thy feet--but what are these
things compared with the homage offered thee by the Gesners,
Baillets, and Le Longs, of old? What avail even the roseate blushes of
thousands, wh