would not have
obtained it!

* * * * *

Rare and magnificent as the preceding articles may be
considered, I can confidently assure the reader that they
form a very small part of the extraordinary books in Dr.
ASKEW'S library. Many a _ten_ and _twenty pounder_ has been
omitted--many a _prince_ of an edition passed by unregarded!
The articles were 3570 in number; probably comprehending
about 7000 volumes. They were sold for 4000_l._ It remains
only to add that Dr. ASKEW was a native of Kendal, in
Westmorland; that he practised as a physician there with
considerable success, and, on his establishment in London,
was visited by all who were distinguished for learning, and
curious in the fine arts. Dr. Mead supported him with a sort
of paternal zeal; nor did he find in his _protege_ an
ungrateful son. (See the Director, vol. i., p. 309.) Few
minds were probably more congenial than were those of MEAD
and ASKEW: the former had, if I may so speak, a magnificence
of sentiment which infused into the mind of the latter just
notions of a character aiming at _solid intellectual_ fame;
without the petty arts and dirty tricks which we now see too
frequently pursued to obtain it. Dr. ASKEW, with less
pecuniary means of gratifying it, evinced an equal ardour in
the pursuit of books, MSS., and inscriptions. I have heard
from a very worthy old gentleman, who used to revel 'midst
the luxury of ASKEW'S table, that few men exhibited their
books and pictures, or, as it is called, _shewed the Lions_,
better than did the Doctor. Of his attainments in Greek and
Roman literature it becomes not me to speak, when such a
scholar as Dr. PARR has been most eloquent in their praise.
I should observe that the MSS. of Dr. ASKEW were separately
sold in 1781, and produced a very considerable sum. The
Appendix to Scapula, published in an 8vo. volume, in 1789,
was compiied [Transcriber's Note: compiled] from one of
these MSS.]

After an event so striking and so melancholy, one would think that
future _Virtuosi_ would have barricadoed their doors, and fumigated
their chambers, in order to escape the ravages of the _Book-Pest_:--but
how few are they who profit by experience, even when dearly obtained!
The subsequent HISTORY OF THE BIBLIOMANIA is a striking p