assures me nothing
could exceed it. All these small richly-feathered birds were
once here, but have now taken their flight to a warmer
climate. Our modern books upon vellum are little short of
being downright wretched. I saw the _Life of Nelson_, in two
large quartos, printed in this manner; and it would have
been the first work which I should have recommended a
first-rate collector to have thrown out of his library.[G]
Many of the leaves were afflicted with the jaundice beyond
hope of cure. The censure which is here thrown out upon
others reaches my own doors: for I attempted to execute a
single copy of my _Typographical Antiquities_ upon vellum,
with every possible attention to printing and to the
material upon which it was to be executed. But I failed in
every point: and this single wretchedly-looking book, had I
presevered [Transcriber's Note: persevered] in executing my
design, would have cost me about _seventy-five_ guineas!]

[Footnote G: This book was printed at Bolt Court during the
apprenticeship of the printer of this edit. of Biblio., who
speaking from remembrance, ventures to suggest that the
above remark is rather too strong--although there was
confessedly a great deal of trouble in procuring good
vellum. He believes only _one_ copy was done; it was the
property of Alexander Davidson, Esq. Banker, and, being in
his library in Ireland, when the mansion was burned down, it
was destroyed. He had insured it for L600--the Insurance
office disputed his claim, and a trial at Dublin took place.
The late Mr. Bensley was subpoenaed to give evidence of
its value, but, being reluctant to go, he persuaded the
parties that Warwick, one of his pressmen, who worked it
off, was a better witness; he accordingly went, his evidence
succeeding in establishing Mr. Davidson's claim. This same
Warwick worked off many of the splendid specimens of
typography mentioned in _Bibliomania_, being one of the very
best workmen in the Printing business--particularly in
wood-cuts. He afterwards became private printer to the late
Sir Egerton Bridges, Bart., at Lee Priory--and is long since
dead.]

LIS. I could go on, 'till midnight, indulging my wishes of having
favourite books printed upon vellum leaves; and at the head of these I
would put _Crammer's Bi