orum
ruditas, ipsa illa atra crassaque literarum facies _belle
tangit sensus, &c._" Was ever the black letter more
eloquently described? See his _Amoenitates Literariae_,
vol. i., p. 5.]

[Footnote 67:

282. A Boke of Fishing with Hooke and Line, A Boke of
Engines and Traps to take Polcats, Buzzards, Rats, Mice, and
all other Kinds of Vermine and Beasts whatsoever, with cuts,
very rare, 1600 L3 3_s._ 0_d._

454. A Quip for an upstart Courtier; or, a quaint Dispute
between Velvet Breeches and Cloth Breeches, &c. 1620 2 16 0

475. A Checke, or Reproof of Mr. Howlet's untimely
screeching in her Majesty's Ear. _Black letter_ 1581 0 12 0

As a _striking conclusion_, I subjoin the following.

6479. Pappe with an Hatchett, _alias_, a Fig for my
Godsonne, or crake me this Nutt, or, a Countrie Cuffe, that
is a sound Box of the Eare for the Idiot Martin, to hold his
Peace: seeing the Patch will take no warning; written by one
that dares call a Dog a Dog. _Rare._ Printed by Anoke and
Astile 1 8 0]

A perusal of these articles may probably not impress the reader with
any lofty notions of the superiority of the black letter; but this
symptom of the Bibliomania is, nevertheless, not to be considered as
incurable, or wholly unproductive of good. Under a proper spirit of
modification it has done, and will continue to do, essential service
to the cause of English literature. It guided the taste, and
strengthened the judgment, of Tyrwhitt in his researches after
Chaucerian lore. It stimulated the studies of Farmer and of Steevens,
and enabled them to twine many a beauteous flower round the brow of
their beloved Shakespeare. It has since operated, to the same effect,
in the labours of Mr. Douce,[68] the _Porson_ of old English and
French literature; and in the editions of Milton and Spenser, by my
amiable and excellent friend Mr. Todd the public have had a specimen
of what the _Black Letter_ may perform, when temperately and skilfully
exercised.

[Footnote 68: In the criticisms on Mr. Douce's
_Illustrations of Shakspeare and Ancient Manners_, it has
not, I think, been generally noticed that this work is
distinguished; 1. For the singular diffidence and urbanity
of criticism, as well as depth of learning, which it
evinces: 2. For the happy illustrations, by means of wood
cuts: Let any one, for