of black-letter lore and
of Caxtonian typography--need I say JAMES WEST?[388]

[Footnote 387: The reader has had a sufficiently particular
account of the book-collections of CONSUL SMITH, at p. 95,
ante, to render any farther discussion superfluous. As these
libraries were collected _abroad_, the catalogues of them
were arranged in the place here referred to.]

[Footnote 388: I am now to notice, in less romantic manner
than Lysander, a collection of books, in _English
Literature_, which, for rarity and value, in a proportionate
number, have never been equalled; I mean the library of
JAMES WEST, Esq., _President of the Royal Society_. The sale
commenced on March 29, 1773, and continued for the
twenty-three following days. The catalogue was digested by
Samuel Paterson, a man whose ability in such undertakings
has been generally allowed. The title was as follows:
"BIBLIOTHECA WESTIANA; _A Catalogue of the curious and truly
valuable library of the late_ JAMES WEST, Esq., _President
of the Royal Society, deceased_; comprehending a choice
collection of books in various languages, and upon most
branches of polite literature: more especially such as
relate to the history and antiquities of Great Britain and
Ireland; their early navigators, discoverers, and improvers,
and the _ancient English literature_: of which there are a
great number of uncommon books and tracts, elucidated by MS.
notes and original letters, and embellished with scarce
portraits and devices, rarely to be found: including the
works of Caxton, Lettou, Machlinia, the anonymous St. Albans
school-master, Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, and the rest of the
old English typographers. Digested by Samuel Paterson, and
sold by Messrs. Langfords." The title-page is succeeded by
the

PREFACE.

"The following catalogue exhibits a very curious and
uncommon collection of printed books and tracts. Of British
History and Antiquities, and of _Rare Old English
Literature_, the most copious of any which has appeared for
several years past; formed with great taste, and a thorough
knowledge of authors and characters, by that judicious
critic and able antiquary the late JAMES WEST, Esq.,
President of the Royal Society. Several anonymous writers
are herein brought to light--many works