The Hero's Invocation. "But Caulfield-like (j) who claims oblation, "Was vers'd in godlike Illustration, "Of Burnet, Clarendon, and Pennant (k), "Then Wisdom's mansion I should tenant; "And claim perhaps the envied thanks, "Of thrice renown'd Sir Joseph Banks. as at the sale of the M-sgr―ve effects by R-ch-rds—n, they produced the most enormous sums. (j) This personage, concerning whom more will be said in the progress of the poem, is very justly esteemed one of the best judges of old portraits now living. (k) As it is more than probable that this volume may fall into the hands of many individuals unconnected with Chalcographimanian pursuits, I think it necessary to state that the Mania has for many years existed among collectors of illustrating the four abovementioned works with portraits and views; the volumes in question being either interleaved with folio paper, or else inlaid upon sheets of the largest atlas size, in order to admit decorative prints of all dimensions, without being compelled to double them. The Hero's Invocation. "O! for a J-ff-ys' potent brain, "Of sly C-ln-ghi, or great D-dd ; "With Gr-v-s in cunning could keep pace, "And vie with S-m-co, Smith (1), or St―ce; (7) Few persons connected with the printselling trade are more deserving approbation than Mr. T. Sm-th, whose assiduous research into every thing connected with the antiquities of our metropolis, justly entitle him to the applause of every Topographical Collector, independent of which, as the father of a family, his conduct is deserving the warmest commendation. (m) This most respectable individual is allied to the niece of the late Ald-rm-n B-yd-ll, who is herself a great portrait collector; indeed, so universally is the integrity of Mr. Nehls > The Hero's Invocation. Of N—rf—k's B—t (0) claim'd the skill, "That gave poor St-w--rt bitter pill; established among the trade, that in case any variance occurs in affairs connected with bookselling, both parties are usually satisfied by nominating Mr. N. as umpire, whose fiat is deemed at all times conclusive. Far different however was the conduct of another bookseller named N-c-ll, who has long since been a bankrupt, and was indebted for his first rise in the world to the following circumstance: S--r J--bn Ing-lby, of R-pl-y castle, who was residing in Switzerland at the period alluded to, had a very extensive and valuable library of the choicest old literature, which the B- r-n-t's steward, not conceiving of any value, took upon himself without consulting his absent master, to dispose of to the last mentioned Mr. N. who, in exchange, furnished the library with modern works, to the no small discomfiture of S―r J-hn, who found upon his return to England that all the Black Letter Lore was NON EST INVENTUS. (n) This bookseller had the good fortune to purchase, by mere chance, a unique tract from the press of Caxton, not mentioned by Ames, or any other typographist. The subject of this curious specimen was a Latin oration of the Duke of Burgundy of that æra, upon his investiture with the Order of the Garter. Mr. Tr-ph-k caused fac-similes of the type to be cast, and then C The Hero's Invocation. "Or rank'd with D-rd-s (p) cutting blade, "That rarely trounc'd bookselling trade. had a few copies struck off, which he sold at good prices, after realizing a round sum by the original specimen. (0) The above man, whose butcher-like person is the precise type of his mental endowments, which rank upon a par with those of the b-e creation, was for a series of years the companion of and caterer for the D-ke of N-rf-lk, nor did his grace scruple to visit this dealer, when immured within the walls of the Fleet prison; there is however nothing very astonishing in this predilection, as he no less made a crony of the late St-n—y B—w—s, of Str―thm-re renown, who paraded the rules of the Bench for a series of years. This B--t procured a large sum of money. from St--wrt the Auctioneer, upon a collection of works, which when disposed of did not net the sum advanced by several hundreds, notwithstanding which the creditor has in vain sought to recover the amount, B-t putting off payment by the litigious expedient of removing the action from court to court, so that it is more than probable the Auctioneer at length harassed out, will relinquish his claim altogether. To this circumstance we may subjoin another illustrative of this man's character. He had bargained for a book with Fl---y---r of the Strand, who possessed two The Hero's Invocation. "Nor less renown'd among the Quorum, "Well vers'd in costume-T-mmy C-p—m. "Come and illume me J-chy Sc-tt; "Who cross'd the Tweed not worth a jot: "With scarce a kelt to shield poor breech, "Well arm'd with arrogance and itch. copies of the work in question, one being in much finer condition than the other. B---t however, not choosing to give the sum required for the best, paid for the inferior copy, but on conveying his purchases to the hackney-coach, took especial care to carry the highest prized volume in lieu of that which he had actually paid for; nor could the bookseller ever procure the smallest remuneration. (p) This Irish Catholic collector, whose relationship to a late M---rch--ness, procured him for a period the countenance of the M--rq---s of B---ck---ngh--m, after trafficking in pl---s, editing the Or--cle newspaper, in conjunction with P-t-r St-w-rt, buying and selling books and prints, and lastly, flying paper kites, that is to say, carrying on a promissory note traffic, was at length compelled to retire from the gay scenes of the metropolis, and assume a false appellation, leaving his name upon the ledgers |