, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth;
among which are several specimens of the earliest
typography, foreign and English, including Caxton, Wynkyn de
Worde, Pynson, and others: a fine collection of English
history, some scarce old law books, a great number of old
English plays, several choice MSS. upon vellum, and other
subjects of literary curiosity. Also several of the best
editions of the classics, and modern English and French
books. Sold by auction by S. Paterson, December," 1774,
8vo., 3641 lots, or articles. I am in possession of a
_priced catalogue_ of this collection, with the names of the
purchasers. The latter were principally Herbert, Garrick,
Dodd, Elmsley, T. Payne, Richardson, Chapman, Wagstaff,
Bindley, and Gough. The following is a specimen of some
curious and interesting articles contained in this
celebrated library:

NO. 172. Bale's brefe Chronycle relating to Syr Johan
Oldecastell, 1544. The Life off the 70th Archbishop off
Canterbury, presentlye sittinge, 1574, &c. Life of Hen.
Hills, Printer to O. Cromwell, with the Relation of what
passed between him and the Taylor's Wife in Black Friars,
1688, 8vo., &c. L0 7_s._ 9_d._

Purchased by Mores.

361 to 367. Upwards of thirty _scarce Theological Tracts_,
in Latin and English. 1 5 0

746 to 784. A fine collection of early English Translations,
in black letter, with some good foreign editions of the
classics. Not exceeding, in the whole 10 10 0

837, 838. Two copies of the _first edition_ of Bacon's
Essays, 1597. MIRABILE DICTU! 0 0 6

The reader will just glance at no. 970, in the catalogue,
en passant, to

1082. (1_l._ 2_s._) and 1091 (12_s._) but more particularly
to

1173. The Boke of Tulle of Olde Age, &c. _Emprynted by
Caxton_, 1481, folio 8 0 0

1174. The Boke which is sayd or called Cathon, &c. _printed
by the same_, 1483, folio. Purchased by Alchorne 5 0 0

1256. The Doctrinal of Sapyence, _printed by the same_,
1489, folio. Purchased by Alchorne 6 6 0

1257. The Booke named the Cordyal, _printed by the same_,
1479, folio 6 12 6

But there is no end to these curious volumes. I will,
however, only add that there were upwards of 150 articles of
_Old Plays_, mostly in quarto. See page 73. Of
_Antiquities_, _Chron