to the highest pitch of celebrity as a Sculptor, are too well known to the frequenters of the Annual Exhibition of the two last years at the Royal Academy, to require any notice on my part. The minute fidelity and admirable execution of this engraving, make it almost to be regretted that we are likely to have no other specimen of the same kind from the same hand, till it is recollected that Mr. Behnes has only laid down the pencil and the needle to take up the tool of Phidias; which, if as successfully used and as sedulously as heretofore, is likely to chisel him into rapid fame as well as fortune. Bruno Nolano, (Giordano) Spaccio della Bestia trionfante, or the Expulsion of the Triumphant Beast. 8vo. 1713. This famous Book, which in its original language, appeared, in 8vo. Parigi, 1584, and was supposed to inculcate atheistical principles, appears from a critique of the work in No. 389 of the Spectator to be a very harmless production: at M. Paris's Sale, 1791, it sold for 137. 10s. but, as I only purpose treating of the English Translation, 1713, I must stop here. It is well known that Bruno was burned alive at Rome, Feb. 17th, 1600.-For ample details see Peignot Dictionnaire des Livres Condamnés au Feu, tom. i. p. 48, &c. In a copy of the Translation sold at West's Sale, 1773, for the sum of 17. 6s. was the following note by S. Pater son: "This Translation is commonly attributed to Toland; but, upon the authority of the Translator himself, viz. the late William Morehead, Esq. I am warranted to say, that it was hastily made by him for the private use of Mr. Collins, nor ever intended to be printed, though shortly after taken out of Mr. Collins's Library by Toland, (as he believed) and sent to the press." Athena Britannica; or, a Critical History of the Oxford and Cambridge Writers and Writings, with those of the Dissenters and Romanists, as well as other Authors and Worthies, both Domestic and Foreign, both Antient and Modern. With Criticisms and Parallel Comparisons, &c. By M. D. 8vo. 1716. The author of this work was Myles Davies, of whom Mr. D'Israeli, in his Calamities of Authors, gives an account under the description of a Mendicant Author, "whose name has scarcely reached a few, and whose works are equally extraordinary and of the greatest rarity." Collectors (he observes) have sometimes met with a very curious volume, entitled Icon Libellorum,' and sometimes the same book, entitled a Critical History of Pamphlets, which rare book forms the first volume of the Athenæ Britannicæ, and from which much literary history may be extracted. The Preface to the Second Volume opens his plan; but, as he proceeded in forming these volumes, Mr. D'Israeli suspects, either that his mind became disordered, or that he discovered that mere literature found but penurious patrons. The copy in the British Museum is in seven volumes, Baker, the celebrated Bibliographer, never met with but three volumes, sent him as a great curiosity by the Earl of Oxford, and now deposited in St. John's College. At the sale of Joseph Gulston, Esq. in 1783, a copy of the Athenæ Britannica, 6 vols. 8vo. 1716, described as very scarce, sold for 21. 2s. and I know not of any other sale catalogue to which I can refer, for its increased value since that period. Collections concerning the Manor of Marden, in the County of Hereford. Folio. West, 1773, 2l. 8s.-Townley's Sale, 1814, 481. 6s.— Leigh and Sotheby's, 1813, (two sheets of the Index supplied by a reprint,) 487. 6s. Thomas Earl of Coningsby, who purchased the Manor of Marden in 1717, compiled this laborious and now rare History, and printed it at his own expence, with a view to support his right to the Lands of Amberley, &c. which he conceived ought to have passed into his hands with the said manor. He had served ejectments against the several families holding the lands; but, not meeting the success he expected, most of the copies of the History of Marden. were destroyed. The volume contains authentic extracts and copies of inquisitions, and other records, the originals of which are either scarce or not to be procured. The original copies have no title. The volume commences with signature B, page 1, and ends with 8 U 2, page 720, and an Index. The preceding account and description is extracted from Mr. W. Clarke's account of Mr. Towneley's copy, in the British Museum-to which he adds, that Mr. Dent's copy, after page 720, contains a supplement of 304 pages-eight leaves E and ** page 1 to 26-D. E. F. and ** five leaves and Index. Servetus de Trinitate. 4to. Lond. 1723. This Edition, which is without name of place or printer, and without date, was printed by Palmer for Osborne the bookseller; but, as soon as completed, was seized by John Kent, Messenger of the Press, and William Squire, Messenger in Ordinary, on the 27th. of May in the above year, at the instance of Dr. Gibson, Bishop of London, and burnt, with the exception of a very few copies. The first Edition, 1531-2, 2 vols. 8vo. is extremely rare. Mr. Heathcote's copy sold for 10l. 10s.-M. Paris 101. 15s. Gaignat 257. Valliere 291. Roxburghe 1812 57. Os. Od. It will be seen from the preceding prices that, Fournier rightly says, it is a book, the value of which is arbitrary. Servetus was led to the stake October 27, 1553, and remained two hours in the fire, on account of the wind driving the flames from the stake. While his torments were thus prolonged, it is said that, he exclaimed "Unfortunate wretch! Am I not to die? What! with the one hundred pieces of gold and the rich collar they have taken from me, could they not afford to purchase wood enough to consume me more quickly!! Knight's (S.) Life of Dr. J. Colet. 8vo. Lond. 1724. Should have the following plates: Johannes Colett.-By Vertue-facing the Title. Sepulchrun Henrici Colet, p. 7. Dr. Colet's House at Stepney, p. 9. St. Paul's School, p. 109. Dr. Colet, &c. from MS. in Public Library at Cam bridge, p. 256. Dr. Colet's Monument at St. Paul's, p. 261. Sir Roger Cote's Monument, p. 430. Dr. Colet's Bust, St. Paul's School, p. 435. A large paper copy of the above book, sold in Wood house's sale, for 5l. 10s. 1813, for 4l. Ditto, at sale of J. Hunter Esq. Knight's (S.) Life of Erasmus. 8vo. Cambridge. 1726. In addition to the plates enumerated in the printed list, this work should contain the following: Cenotaph of Th. More, p. 335. Inscription on Erasmus's Monument, p. 350. Woodhouse's sale L. P. 91. 9s.-Hodges 1814, 9l. 15s. -Bindley, 107. 10s.-Hunter 1813, 4l. 4s.-Small paper, 21. 8s. |