ing year by Baker and Leigh, on the 13th of February, and nineteen following days.

* of the many scarce editions of books in this Catalogue would be almost endless; therefore the first editions of the Classics, and some extremely rare books are chiefly noticed. The catalogue, without any doubt, contains the best, rarest, and most valuable collection of Greek and Latin Books that was ever sold in England, and the great time and trouble of forming it, will, it is hoped, be a sufficient excuse for the price put to it.' (1s. 6d. the small paper, and 4s. the large.) - This account is not overcharged. The collection, in regard to Greek and Roman literature, was unique in its day. Enriched with many a tome from the Harleian, Dr. Mead's, Martin Folkes's, and Dr. Rawlinson's, library, as well as with numerous rare and splendid articles from foreign collections (for few men travelled with greater ardour, or had an acuter discrimination than Dr. Askew), the books were sought after by almost every one then eminent for bibliographical research. His Majesty was a purchaser, says Mr. J. Nichols, to the amount of ahout 300l.; Dr. Hunter to the amount of 500l.; and De Bure (who had commissions from the King of France and many foreign collectors, to the amount of 1500l.) made purchases to the same amount; Dr. Maty was solicited by the Trustees of the British Museum not to be unmindful of that repository; and accordingly he became a purchaser to a considerable amount. The late worthy and learned Mr. M. Cracherode, whose library now forms one of the most splendid acquisitions of the British Museum, and whose bequest of it will immortalize his memory, was also among the 'Emptores literarii' at this renowned sale. He had enriched his collection with many an 'Exemplar Askevianuın; and, in his latter days, used to elevate his hands and eyes, and exclaim against the prices now offered for Editiones Principes. - Those who recollect the zeal and scholarship of this illustrious bibliomaniac, and the precious volumes with which his library was stored, from the choice collections of De Boze, Gaignat, Mead, and Folkes, cannot but sigh with grief of heart on reflecting upon such a victim! How ardently, and how kindly, (as I remember to have heard one of his intimate friends say) would Askew unlock the stores of his glittering book-treasures! -open the magnificent folio, or the shining duodecimo, printed upon vellum, and embossed with golden knobs, or held fast with silver elasps! How carefully would he unrol the curious manuscript, decipher the half effaced characters and then, casting an eye of ecstacy over the shelves upon which similar treasures were lodged, exult in the glorious prospect before him! But Death-who, as Horace tells us, equally exercises the knocker of the palace and cottage-door, made no scruple to rap at that of our renowned Doctor-when Askew, with all his skill in medicine and knowledge of books, yielded to the summons of the grim Tyrant-and died lamented, as he lived beloved!

Dr.

The MSS. of Dr. Askew were separately sold in 1781, and produced a very considerable aum. The Appendix to Scapula, published in an octavo volume in 1789, was compiled from one of these MSS.

A fine Portrait of Dr. Askew, engraved by Hodgetts, from the Original in Emanuel College, Cambridge, is given by Mr. Dibdin in the second volume of his "Typographical Antiquities."

XI. MATTHEW DUANE, ESQ. *

of Lincoln's-inn, F. R. S. and F. A. S. and a Trustee of the British Museum; a gentleman universally

Dr. Askew had eminently distinguished himself by a refined taste, a sound knowledge, and an indefatigable research, relating to every thing connected with Grecian and Roman literature. It was to be expected, even during his life, as he was possessed of sufficient means to gratify himself with what was rare, curious, and beautiful in literature and the fine arts, that the publick would, one day, be benefited by such pursuits: especially as he had expressed a wish that his treasures might be unreservedly submitted to sale after his decease. In this wish the Doctor was not singular. Many eminent collectors had indulged it before him: and, to my knowledge, many modern ones still indulge it. -Dr. Askew's sale has been considered a sort of era in Bibliography. Since that period, rare and curious books in Greek and Latin literature have been greedily sought after, and obtained [as a recent sale † abundantly testifies] at most extravagant prices. It is very well for a veteran in bibliographical literature, as was Mr. Cracherode, or as are Mr. Wodhull and Dr. Gosset-whose collections were, in part, formed in the days of De Bure, Gagniat, Askew, Duke de la Valliere, and Lamoignon-it is very well for such gentlemen to declaim against modern prices! But what is to be done? Classical books grow scarcer every day; and the love of literature, and of possessing rare and interesting works, increases in an equal ratio. Hungry Bibliographers meet, at sales, with well-furnished purses, and are resolved upon sumptuous fare! Thus the hammer vibrates, after a bidding of forty pounds, where formerly it used regularly to fall at four!"

Dibdin's Bibliomania, pp. 515, 516, 517.

* Mr. Macpherson, when he published the "Original Papers concerning the Secret History of Great Britain from the Restoration to the Accession of the House of Hanover, 1775," was greatly + The sale of Dr. Heath's library, 1810.

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esteemed for his profound knowledge, great abilities, and unsullied reputation in the profession of the Law; as well as for his extensive learning, happy taste, and critical discernment in polite literature and the fine arts; nor less distinguished for his many excellent qualities, and the practice of every virtue that adorns the character of an honest man and a good Christian. He died Feb. 7, 1785, aged 82*...

His death was occasioned by a paralytic stroke, with which he was attacked about six o'clock in the evening. Dr. Watson and other medical gentlemen attended, and administered their good offices towards his relief, immediately after he was taken ill, but without success. He expired in two hours. The principal part of his fortune, which was very considerable, he settled on his nephew, Michael Bray, Esq. of Lincoln's-inn, subject to the jointure of his widow, who survived till April 14, 1799.

Mr. Duane had employed Bartolozzi to engrave a fine series of Coins on XXIV Plates; which, after his death, were purchased by Mr. Gough, who communicated them to the publick, in 1805, under the title of "Coins of the Seleucidæ, Kings of Syria;

indebted to Mr. Duane; who, having discovered and purchased ten quarto volumes of the Brunswick Papers, placed them all in the hands of Mr. Macpherson.

* On a mural monument in St. Nicholas church, Newcastle: "In St. George's parish are interred the remains of Matthew Duane, of Lincoln's Inn, esq. Fellow of the Royal and Antiquarian Societies, and a Trustee of the British Museum.

"He was of great eminence in the knowledge of the Law, and of the strictest integrity and liberality in the practice of it; at the same time the Friend and Patron of the Polite and Fine Arts; and particularly distinguished by his singular skill, judgment, and taste, in chusing and collecting a most complete series of Syrian, Phoenician, Grecian, Roman, and other Coins, now deposited in the Museum of the late William Hunter, M. D. for the illustration and confirmation of History.

"The virtues of his heart were equal to the endowments of his mind. Justice, Benevolence, and Charity, dictated his sentiments in promoting the happiness of mankind.

"He died the 6th of February, 1785, aged 78... "In testimony of her affection and sincere esteem, his widow erected this monument to his memory."

from

from the Establishment of their Reign under Seleueus Nicator to the Determination of it under Antiochus Asiaticus, with Historical Memoirs of each Reign."

XII. ROBERT ORME, ESQ.

.

was a native of Tilly Cherry, in the East Indies, of which his father was governor; he was brought to England whilst an infant, and at an early age was sent to Harrow school, where he received his education. In 1744 or 1745, he went out as a writer to Calcutta; in 1755 he was appointed one of the members of the council at Madras. In 1757 he was appointed commissary-general; which office he held till 1759, when he returned to England. In 1763, he published the first volume of his valuable History of the Military Transactions of the British Nation in India. In or about 1770, the Court of Directors appointed him their historiographer, with a salary of 400l. per annum, and gave him free access to the records at the India-house, for the two succeeding volumes of his work. His last publica. tion, which came out in 1782, was, "Historical Fragments of the Mogul Empire during the reign of Aurengzebe." Mr. Orme came to reside at Ealing in 1792, and died there the 15th of January 1801. There is a monument to his memory on the North wall of the church, thus inscribed:

"Sacred to the memory of Robert Orme; a man endeared to his friends by the gentleness of his manners, and respected by the publick as the elegant historian of the Military Transactions of the British Nation in India.

Ob. 15 January 1801, ætat. 73."

Mr. Orme's valuable collection of printed books and MSS. relative to the affairs of India were, pursuant to his request, presented after his decease to the East India Company.

A medallion of him is prefixed to his book.

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XIII.

XIII. THE REV. JOSEPH ROBERTSON *

was descended from a respectable family, which from time immemorial possessed a considerable estate at Rutter, in the parish of Appleby, in Westmoreland. His father was an eminent maltster; and his mother, the only daughter of Mr. Edward Stevenson, of Knipe, in the same county, cousin to Edmund Gibson, Bishop of London. He was born at this latter place, August 28, 1726; but his father soon afterwards removing to Rutter, he was sent, at a proper age, to the free-school at Appleby, where he received the rudiments of classical learning under Mr. Richard Yates, a man of eminent abilities, and distinguished character in his profession. From thence, in 1746, he went to Queen's college, Oxford, where he took his degree in arts, with considerable reputation for ingenuity and learning.

On his receiving orders he was, for some time, curate to the celebrated Dr. Sykes, at Rayleigh in Essex, "with whom," says Archdeacon Blackburne, "his liberal principles, with respect to Religion and Government, would meet with ample encouragement †."

In 1758, he was instituted to the vicarage of Herriard in Hampshire; in 1770, to the rectory of 'Sutton in Essex; and in 1779, to the vicarage of

* These Memoirs were found among Mr. Robertson's papers, directed "To Mr. John Nichols, Fleet-street;" and evidently intended for the Gentleman's Magazine, to which Mr, Robertson was a frequent and valuable Correspondent, principally under the signature of Eusebius. The following prefatory note accompanied them: "This biographical sketch was written by Mr. Robertson, to ascertain his genuine publications, to prevent misrepresentations in some particular circumstances, and such false, injurious, and insignificant anecdotes, as are frequently introduced into the memoirs of literary men, who perhaps, like himself, had no ambition to obtain the notice of future Biographers, and,

"That second life in others breath, Th' estate which Wits inherit after death." † Memoirs of Thomas Hollis, esq. vol. I. p. 450.

Horn