uch pursuits: especially as
he had expressed a wish that his treasures might be
unreservedly submitted to sale, after his decease. In this
wish the doctor was not singular. Many eminent collectors
had indulged it before him: and, to my knowledge, many
modern ones still indulge it. Accordingly, on the death of
Dr. Askew, in 1774, appeared, in the ensuing year, a
catalogue of his books for sale, by Messrs. Baker and Leigh,
under the following title: "BIBLIOTHECA ASKEVIANA, _sive
Catalogus Librorum Rarissimorum Antonii Askew, M.D., quorum
Auctio fiet apud S. Baker et G. Leigh, in Vico dicto York
Street, Covent Garden, Londini, Die Lunae, 13 Februarii_,
MDCCLXXV, _et in undeviginti sequentes dies_." A few copies
were struck off on _large paper_, which are yet rather
common. My own copy is of this kind, with the prices, and
names of the purchasers. We are told, by the compiler of the
catalogue, that it was thought "unnecessary to say much with
respect to this library of the late Dr. Anthony Askew, as
the collector and the collection were so well known in
almost all parts of Europe." Afterwards it is observed that
"The books in general are in very fine condition, many of
them bound in morocco, and russia leather, with gilt
leaves." "To give a particular account," continues the
compiler, "of the _many scarce editions_ of books in this
catalogue would be almost endless, therefore the _first
editions_ of the classics, and some _extremely rare books_,
are chiefly noticed. The catalogue, without any doubt,
contains the best, rarest, and most valuable collection of
GREEK and LATIN BOOKS that was ever sold in England, and the
great time and trouble of forming it will, it is hoped, be a
sufficient excuse for the price put to it." (1_s._ 6_d._ the
small paper, and 4_s._ the large.) This account is not
overcharged. The collection in regard to Greek and Roman
literature was _unique_ in its day. Enriched with many a
tome from the Harleian, Dr. Mead's, Martin Folkes's, and Dr.
Rawlinson's library, as well as with numerous rare and
splendid articles from foreign collections (for few men
travelled with greater ardour, or had an acuter
discrimination than Dr. Askew), the books were sought after
by almost every one then eminent for bibliographical