d to your riches in English bibliography.
[Footnote 396: Lysander has not drawn too strong an outline
in his picture of the _Bibliotheca Wrightiana_. The
collection was elegant and select. Let us say a little more
about it. "_A Catalogue of the Library of_ RICHARD WRIGHT,
M.D. &c., consisting of an elegant and extensive collection
of books in every branch of learning, &c., many of the
scarcest editions of the Old English Poets, Novels, and
Romances; also a most singular assemblage of Theatrical
Writers, including the rarest productions of the English
Drama." Sold by auction by T. and J. Egerton, April 23rd,
1787, 8vo. The volume is neatly printed, and the books in
the collection are arranged in alphabetical order under
their respective departments. We will now fill up a little
of the aforementioned strong outline of the picture of
Wright's library: which contained 2824 articles.
917, 920, 921-4-5-6-7, 931-2-3, exhibit a glorious specimen
of the ancient English Chronicles--which, collectively, did
not produce a sum above L45 0_s._ 0_d._
1223. England's Parnassus, 1600, 8vo. 0 14 0
1333. Churchyarde's Choice, 1579, 4to. 2 14 0
1334. ---- first part of his Chippes, 1575, 4to. 3 13 6
1343. Robert Greene's Works, 2 vols., _elegantly bound_,
4to. (containing 17 pieces.) 5 19 0
1374. Shyp of Folys. _Printed by Pynson_, 1508, fol. 3 13 0
1384. Skelton's Works: 1568, 8vo. 0 14 0
1398. Turberville's epitaphs, epigrams, songs and sonnets,
1567, 8vo.
My copy has no price to this article.
1493. Thomas Nashe's Works, in three vols. 4to., containing
21 pieces 12 15 0
1567 to 2091, comprehends _The English Theatre_.
These numbers exhibit almost every thing that is rare,
curious, and valuable in this popular department. I know not
how to select stars from such a galaxy of black-letter
lustre--but the reader may follow me to the ensuing numbers,
which will at least convince him that I am not insensible to
the charms of _dramatic bijoux_, nos. 1567-9: 1570-6-8:
1580: 1595-6-8-9: 1606: 1626: 1636-7-8: 1712 (Dekker's
Pieces: 15 in number--sold for 3_l._ 3_s._ EHEU!) 1742:
1762. (Heywood's 26 plays, 3_l._ 4_s._) 1776.--1814:
(Marston's 9 pieces, 3_l._ 4_s._) 1843. (Tragedie of Dido,
1594, 16_l._ 16_s._ EU
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