of the Bibliomania. The Sweynheym and Pannartz Livy of 1469,
UPON VELLUM, was allowed to be knocked down for L262! Mr. Evans, who
had twice before sold that identical volume--first, in the sale of Mr.
Edwards's library (see _Bibliographical Decameron_, vol. iii. p.--)
and secondly in that of the late Sir M.M. Sykes, Bart, (who had
purchased the book for L782)--did all that human powers could do, to
obtain a higher bidding--but Messrs. Payne and Foss, with little more
than the _breathing_ of competition, became the purchasers at the very
moderate sum first mentioned. From them it seemed to glide naturally,
as well as necessarily, into the matchless collection of the Rt. Hon.
Thomas Grenville. I yet seem to hear the echo of the clapping of Sir
M.M. Sykes's hands, when I was the herald of the intelligence of his
having become the purchaser! These echoes have all died away _now_:
unless indeed they are likely to be revived by a HOLFORD or a
BOTTFIELD.

Hortensius was the late Sir WILLIAM BOLLAND, Knt.: and, a few years
before his death, one of the Barons of his Majesty's Exchequer. He
died in his 68th year. He was an admirable man in all respects. I
leave those who composed the domestic circle of which he was the
delightful focus, to expatiate upon that worth and excellence of which
they were the constant witnesses and participators--

"He best shall _paint_ them who shall _feel_ them most."

To me, the humbler task is assigned of recording what is only more
particularly connected with BOOKS and VIRTU. And yet I may, not very
inappositely, make a previous remark. On obtaining a seat upon the
bench, the first circuit assigned to him was that of "the Oxford." It
proved to be heavy in the criminal Calendar: and Mr. Baron Bolland had
to pass sentence of death upon three criminals. A maiden circuit is
rarely so marked; and I have reason to believe that the humane and
warm-hearted feelings of the Judge were never before, or afterwards,
subjected to so severe a trial. It was a bitter and severe struggle
with all the kindlier feelings of his heart. But our theme is BOOKS.
His library was sold by public auction, under Mr. Evans's hammer, in
the autumn of 1840. One anecdote, connected with his books, is worth
recording. In my Decameron, vol. iii. p. 267, mention will be found of
a bundle of poetical tracts, belonging to the Chapter-library at
Lincoln, round which, on my second visit to that library, I had, in
imitation of Ca