1821.] REVIEW.-Dibdin's Tour in France and Germany. 49 this very thing wanted. We know fair specimen of his delineation of that it is thoroughly orthodox, and character: completely explanatory. Mr. Wilks mistakes those who wish comments to be annexed to the Bible. They only mean that a Bible or Testament with comments is better than one without them, as to good purposes. They never were so mad as to think of withholding the Scriptures. 5. DIBDIN'S BIBLIOGRAPHICAL TOUR. (Continued from Part i. p. 530.) WE resume our analytical labours upon Mr. Dibdin's splendid and popular Volumes. Our last account left the Author at Vire, where the first volume of his Tour terminates. The second vo lume opens with his arrival at Falaise -a spot apparently highly favourable to antiquarian research. Here stands the proud and lofty tower called Talbot's Tower, attached to one of the noblest castles in Normandy. Mr. Lewis's pencil was exercised upon it, as well as upon one of the capitals of a more antient column. The view of "Falaise Castle," facing page 10, is one of the most pleasing in the volume. "The moat (says Mr. D.) which encircles not only the castle, but the townand which must have been once formidable from its depth and breadth, when filled with water, is now most pleasingly me tamorphosed. Pasture lands, kitchen gardens, and orchards, occupy it entirely. Here the cattle quietly stray, and luxuriantly feed," A curious little view of the Castle, taken from one of Zeiler's prints-as it stood a century and a half agoshows, as Mr. Dibdin intimates, the havoc which political rather than physical causes have produced. At Falaise, our travellers seem to have been much amused with a variety of circumstances such as visiting printing offices, and literary society: among the latter, the names of the Comte de Fresnay and the Abbé Langevin, are especially introduced to the Reader's attention. The Count is a gay cheerful man; inhabiting a handsome house, with a pleasant family, and is much addicted to the study of our own antiquities. The Abbé is the historian of the place, about sixty, of the most guileless, simple, and interesting manners. Mr. Dibdin's account of him is, we think, a GENT, MAG. July, 1821. "It was after dinner, on one of the most industriously spent of our days here, and the very second of our arrival, that the waiter announced the arrival of the Abbé Langevin, in the passage, with a copy of his History beneath his arm. The door opened, and in walked the stranger, habited in his clerical garb, with a physiognomy so benign and expressive, and with manners so gentle and well-bred, that we instinctively rose from our seats, to give him the most cordial reception. He returned our civilities in a way which showed at once that he was a man of the most interesting simplicity of character. 'He was aware (he said) that he had intruded; but as he understood Monsieur was in pursuit of the antiquities of the place, he had presumed to offer for bis acceptance a copy of a work upon that subject, of which he was the humble author.' This work was a good-sized thick crown octavo, filling five hundred closely and well-printed pages; and of which the price was fifty sous! The worthy priest, seeing my surprise on his mentioning the price, supposed that I had considered it as rather extravagant. But this error was rectified in an instant. I ordered three copies of his historical labours, and told him my conscience would not allow me to pay him less than three francs per copy. He seemed to be electrified: rose from his seat and lifting up one of the most expressive of countenances, with eyes apparently suffused with tears-raised both his bands, and exclaimed, Que le bon Dieu vous bénisse-les Anglois sont vraiment généreux!' "For several seconds I sat stupidly motionless, riveted to my seat. Such an unfeigned and warm acknowledgment of what I had considered as a mere matter of-course proposition, perfectly astounded me the more so, as it was accompa nied by a gesture and articulation which could not fail to move any bosom, not absolutely composed of granite. We each rallied, and resumed the conversation. In few, but simple words, he told us his history. He had contrived to weather out the Revolution at Falaise. His former preferment had been wholly taken from him; and he was now a simple assistant in the church of Mons. Mouton. He had yielded without resistance, as even remon strance would have been probably followed in his afflictions, he had recourse to his up by the guillotine. To solace himself mer. old favourite studies of medicine and mu sic; and had in fact practised the forBut come, gentlemen (says he), come, and do me the honour of a call when it shall suit you,' We settled it for the 30 REVIEW.-Dibdin's Tour in France and Germany. [July, the ensuing day. In breaking up and taking leave, the amiable stranger modestly spoke of his History. It had cost him three years toil; and he seemed to mention, with an air of triumph, the frequent references in it to the Gallia Christiana, and to Chartularies and Family Records, never before examined. On the next day we carried our projected visit into execution, towards seven in the evening. The lodgings of M. Langevin are on the second floor of a house belonging to a carpenter. The worthy priest received us on the landing-place, in the most cheerful and chatty manner. He has three small rooms on the same floor. In the first, his library is deposited. On my asking him to let me see what old books he possessed, he turned gaily round, and replied,— Comment donc, Monsieur, vous aimez les vieux livres ? A qa, voyons! Whereupon he pulled away certain strips or pieces of wainscoat, and showed me his book-treasures within the recesses. Ou my recognizing a Colinous and Henry Stephen, ere he had read the title of the volumes, he seemed to marvel exceed ingly, and to gaze at me as a conjuror. He betrayed more than ordinary satisfaction on showing his Latin Galen and Hippocrates; and the former, to the best of my recollection, contained Latin notes in the margin, written by himself. These tomes were followed up by a few upon alchymy and astrology; from which, and the consequent conversation, I was led to infer that the amiable possessor entertained due respect for those studies which had ravished our DEES and ASHMOLES of old. "In the second room stood an upright piana forte, the manufacture as well as the property of Monsieur Langevin. It bore the date of 1806; and was considered as the first of the kind introduced into Normandy. It was impossible not to be struck with the various rational sources of amusement, by means of which this estimable character had contrived to beguile the hours of his misfortunes. There was a calm, collected serenity of manner about him a most unfeigned and unqualified resignation to the Divine Will, which marked him as an object at once of admiration and esteem. There was no boast, no cant, no formal sermonizing. You saw what Religion had done for him. Her effects spake in his discourse and in his life. Over his piano hung a portrait of himself, very indifferently executed, and strongly resembling the original. can do something more faithful than this, Sir, if you will allow it,' said I, pointing to Mr. Lewis and it was agreed that he should give the latter a sitting on the mor. row. The next day, M. Langevin came punctually to his appointment, for the purpose of having his portrait taken; not • We and how well the Artist has succeeded, need hardly be mentioned, when I inform you, that, in looking at this copy, you may form a perfect idea of the original." A portrait of the Abbé is immediately subjoined; and we think that his countenance justifies all that is said of his manners. At Falaise Mr. Dibdin routed out an old head, supposed to be that of William the Conqueror, and has had it engraved. His account of the process of the discovery of it is very amusing; but the head itself is, as the reverend Author intimates, "any thing but that of the character in question." Guibray is next visited; and a very curious and most barbarous bas-relief, of Christ bearing his cross, is presented to the reader. From Falaise, Mr. Dibdin sets off by the diligence, through Dreux, for PARIS. At Houdan, in the route thither, a beautiful vignette-plate of a curiously constructed old castle is given. The approach to Paris, through Versailles, is minutely described; and the first embellishment, devoted to the capital of France, is a view of the Boulevards Italiens, full of bustle, character, and picturesque truth. We consider this as one of Mr. Lewis's most successful performances. The Boulevards themselves are not less successfully described, as the following quotation may justify: "It is getting towards midnight; but the bustle and activity of the Boulevards have not yet much abated. Groups of musicians, ballad-singers, tumblers, actors, conjurors, slight-of-hand professors, and raree-showmen, have each their distinct audiences. You advance: a little girl with a raised turban (as usual, tastefully put on), seems to have no mercy either upon her own voice or upon the hurdy-gurdy on which she plays; her father shows his skill upon a violin, and the mother is equally active with the organ; after "a flourish," not of "trumpets," but of these instruments, the tumblers commence their operations. But a great crowd is collected to the right. What may this mean? All are silent; a ring is made, of which the boundaries are marked by small lighted candles stuck in pieces of clay. Within this circle stands a man, apparently strangled; both arms are extended, and his eyes are stretched to their utmost limits. You look more closely, and the hilt of a dagger is seen in his mouth, of which the blade is introduced into his stomach. He is almost breath 1 181.] Review. -Dibdin's Tour in France and Germany. 51 less, and ready to faint, but he approaches with the crown of a hat in one hand, into which he expects you should drop a sous. Having made his collection, he draws forth the dagger from its carnal sheath, and making his bow, seems to anticipate the plaudits which invariably follow. Or, he changes his plan of operations on the following evening. Instead of the dagger put down his throat, he introduces a piece of wire up one nostril, to descend by the other, and, thus self-tortured, demands the remuneration and the applause of his audience. In short, from one end of the Boulevards to the other, for nearly two English miles, there is nought but animation, good humour, and, it is right to add, good order ;-while, having strolled as far as the Boulevards de Bondy, and watched the moon-beams sparkling on the waters which play there within the beautiful fountain so called,-1 retread my steps, and seek the quiet quarters in which this epistle is penned." Then succeeds an account of strect scenery, churches, &c. till the Author sits himself fairly and comfortably down in the Royal Library. Here, as was to be expected, he finds him self "at home." After describing what Mr. Dibdin calls (perhaps not very accurately) the locale, and the librarians-among whom Messrs. Van Praet and Langlès make very distinguished figures-we are next supplied with about 200 pages exclusively devoted to an account of the treasures of the Library; that is, to the illuminated MSS. and early printed books. This valuable information, and for the most part entirely new, is doubtless most acceptable; but candour obliges us to confess that we wish Mr. Dibdin had somewhat compressed his descriptions, especially of the MSS. The account of the Hours of Anne of Brittany, illustrated by one of the most beautiful prints in the work-viz. a portrait of Anne herself,-is too much extended. But the reverend Author cannot resist the temptation of describing the "nuts," 66 pears," grapes," "cherries," and fruits of every description, with which the margins of this incomparable volume are loaded. Then again, when he concludes his xxvith Letter (p. 204), he flies up to the very third heaven in his preliminary address to his friend about books of chivalry, tournaments, and blazoning of arms! Mr. Dibdin seems to have nothing of the "cold medium” about him. He admires lustily, and as sturdily rejects. He is either the Titian, or the Michael Angelo Caravaggio, of catalogue-composers. He does not stop to weigh or measure out the quantum of his praise-but, with a brush overcharged from the exuberance of a warm imagination, be dashes it upon the canvas, and produces, at any rate, a very animated picture. But to proceed,-yet tarrying in the Royal Library. The portraits of Louisa of Savoy and Louis XII. are given to the publick for the first time, in a most perfect style of stippling, from the MSS. in question; and other minor embellishments (minor, on the score of size, rather than merit) accompany them. The chess play, from Les Echecs Amoureux, at page 210, is quite delicious to the eye of an Antiquary. The account of early printed books follows that of illuminated MSS. Here there are no plates, as none indeed seem to be required. As a specimen of Mr. Dibdin's manner of describing some of the vellum books, we subjoin the following: "BUDEUS. COMMENT. GR. LING, 1529, folio, Francis the First's own copy,-aud UPON VELLUM! You may remember that this book was slightly alluded to at the commencement of my last Letter but one. It is indeed a perfect gem, and does one's heart good to look at it. Budæus was the tutor of Francis, and I warrant that he selected the very leaves, of which this copy is composed, for his gallant pupil. Old Ascensius was the printer; which completes the illustrious trio. The illuminations upon the rectos of the first and second leaves, are as beautiful as they are sound. But one Bradel l'Ainé, a bookbinder, hath sadly crumpled the vellum in the binding. I should say that he had cropt it, did I not observe the red colour upon the edges of the leaves by a previous and perhaps the second binder. We have here, therefore, the third bibliopegistic attempt. What must the book have been in its original stamped-calf surtout! Upon the whole, this book may fairly rank with any volume in either of the vellum sets of the Aldine Aristotle. It is bound in red morocco; a little too gaudily." The second Volume is indeed almost entirely bibliographical; for, after the Royal Library, succeed the descriptions of those of the Arsenal, and Ste. Geneviève, and that devoted to the King's private use. The ac count of Charlemagne's Prayer Book, together 52 REVIEW.-Dibdin's Tour in France and Germany, [July, together with the plate of the figure of Christ, renders the latter library very interesting; more especially as it is accompanied by a strong likeness of Mons. Barbier, the librarian. We have next some curious details connected with Goujet and Mercier, with a portrait of each. Then follows an account of booksellers, book binders, printers, and literary men. In the account of the latter, Mr. Dibdin takes occasion to relate the circumstances attending a dinner which he gave on the anniversary of the meeting of the Roxburghe Club at London. Our readers do not often see such a banquet described in the papers of the day. "At length came the hour of dinner, and with the hour the guests. I requested Brother Van Praet to be deputy chairman, and taking my seat beneath the unfortunate John King of France, gave the signal for a general attack,-upon whatever was placed before the guests. Monsieur Denon, however, did not arrive till after the first course. He had been detained by a visit from the Duke of Bedford. M. Millin sat at my right hand, and M. Gail at my left. The first course consisted chiefly of fruit, and slices of anchovy, crossed. A large paper copy of a melon cut a magnificent appearance in the centre; but all this gaiety gave way to fish, flesh, and fowl, of a various but substantial description. Poor Millin had no appetite, and would only carve. He looked particularly ill. The rest ate, drank, and were merry. The dessert was of the very best quality; and this was succeeded by the introduction of a little of English fashion and manners. We drank toasts, connected with the object of the day's festival; and never were a set of guests more disposed to relish both the wine and the sentiment which accompanied each glass. They even insisted upon three times three' for Lord Spencer and the Club!' But if we were merry we were wise. Shortly after dinner, M. Gail rose, as if in a moment of inspiration, from his seat, and recited the Latin verses which are here inclosed. They will at least make you admire the good humour of the poet. He afterwards chanted a song; his own literal version of the xixth ode of Anacreon, beginning ‘H yn μíλawa wives. "The guests declared that they had never sat so long at table, or were more happy. I proposed a stroll, or a seat upon the lawn. Chairs and benches were at hand, and we requested that the coffee might be brought to us out of doors. It was now after sun-set; and a lurid sky was above our heads. Our conversation was desultory as to topics, but animated as to manner. I had never witnessed M. Van Praet more alive to social disquisi tion. We talked of books, of pictures, and antiquities; and I happened, with the same witless simplicity which had pinned the portrait of King John over my seat at dinner, to mention that volume, of almost unparalleled variety, ycleped the Fables of Pfister, printed at Bamberg, in 1461:— which they had recently RESTORED to the Wolfenbuttel Library. It was more than enough' for the acute feelings of the headlibrarian, M. Van Praet talked with legs and arms, as well as with tongue, in reply to my observations upon the extraordinary worth and rarity of that singular volume. Truly Here a smart flash of lightning Alas, Sir, nothing pained me more. came across us, which illumined our countenances with due effect; for it had been for some time past almost wholly dark, and we had been talking to each other without perceiving a feature in our respective faces. M. Langlès joined in M. Van Praet's lamentation; and the Baron Denon, who (as I learnt) had been the means of obtaining that identical precious volume, united his tones of commiseration to those of his brethren. The lightning now became more frequent, and in larger flashes-but neither sharp nor very dazzling. Meanwhile the notes of a skilfully touched harp were heard from one of the windows of a neighbouring house, with a mingled effect which it was difficult to describe. Pfister, books, busts, and music, now wholly engrossed our attention-and we were absolutely enveloped in blue lightning. We had continued our dis. course till towards midnight, had not the rain come down in a manner equally sudden and severe. It was one of the heaviest showers which I remember to have witnessed. The storm was directly in the centre of Paris, and over our heads. We retreated precipitately to the deserted banqueting-room; and had a reinforcement of coffee. After such a series of melting hot weather, I shall not easily forget the refreshing sweetness emitted from every shrub upon the lawn. About ten o'clock, we thought of our respective homes. I went into another room to pay the reckoning, liberated King John from his second confinement, shook hands very heartily with my guests-and returned to my lodgings by no means out of humour or out of heart with the day's entertainment. Whether they have been more ra tional or more economical, in the celebration of the same festival, AT HOME, is a point which I have some curiosity, but no right, to discuss. Certainly they could not have been happier. "Having come to the conclusion of my account of the ROXBURCHE BANQUET, and 1821.] REVIEW.-Dibdin's Tour.-Letters of Linnæus. it being just now hard upon the hour of midnight, I must relinquish my correspondent for my pillow. Good night." There is a very long note subjoined to this narrative, giving us an account of the establishment of a rival blackletter club, at Paris, under the title of Les Bibliophiles. : Our Author then visits the picture and statue collections of the Marquis de Sommariva, M. Q. Craufurd, and Denon and gives us a profusion of copper-plate embellishments under the running title of Miscellaneous Antiquities, from p. 491 to p. 502. Some of these have great interest. The head of Pisani the medallist, from Denon's collection, with the head of Denon himself, cannot fail to please both the reader and the collector of portraits. Our limits only allow us to take a rapid view of the remainder of this second volume; but, on turning our eyes to the pagination, we find that we have already travelled through 500 pages. What remains, will not Occupy much space. A portrait of the late M. Millin, executed by a Parisian artist, is very striking; and the account of his last moments equally 80. From Paris, Mr. Dibdin set off direct for Strasbourg, by the way of Nancy, where we have two more plates; one, a view of the Old Gate, the other of the New Gate of that 53 piercing sounds, as caused every inhabitant to gaze at us. I entreated him to desist; but in vain. The English always enter in this manner,' said he, and having reached the hotel, he gave one super emi nent flourish-which threw him off his ba lance, and nearly brought him to the ground. When I paid him, he pleaded hard for an extra five sous for this concluding flourish. "I am now, therefore, safely and comfortably lodged in this spacious hotel, by the side of the river Ill-of which it is pleasing to catch the lingering breezes as they stray into my chamber. God bless you." 6. Sir J. E. Smith's Selection of the Correspondence of Linnæus, and other Natu ralists. [Continued from part I. p. 538.] THE Second Volume of this interesting Selection opens with a neat biographical memoir of Dr. Solander. The correspondence of Solander with Ellis is succeeded by that of the eminent philosopher, Dr. Stephen Hales, addressed to the same learned naturalist. Of Dr. Hales, Sir James gives the following brief notice: "The celebrated vegetable physiologist, one of the eight foreign members of the French Academie des Sciences, and clerk of the closet to the late Princess Dowager of Wales, who held Dr. Hales in the highest esteem, and erected a monument to his memory in Westminster Abbey soon after his death, which happened at Ted 84th year. His experiments and enquiries, relative to the theory of vegetation, are the basis of all our subsequent information. The following letters evince his ardour in the prosecution of all kinds of useful knowledge, to the latest period of his life." elegantly built town. A strange little dington, Middlesex, Jan. 4, 1761, in his fellow, habited in red, very like a demon, strikes us at page 542; and the account of the passage, through the Alsatian passes, in the immediate vicinity of Strasbourg, is animatedly picturesque. On reaching Strasbourg, Mr. Dibdin concludes his letter thus with which we shall also conclude our present labours: "The fortifications about Strasbourg are said to afford one of the finest specimens of the skill of Vauban. They may do so; but they are very flat, tame, and unpicturesque. We now neared the barriers; delivered our passports; and darted under the first large brick arched-way. A devious paved route brought us to the second gate; and thus we entered the town; desiring the post-boy to drive to the Hôtel de l'Esprit. You judge wisely, Sir,' (replied be) for there is no hotel either in France or Germany like it.' So saying, he continued, without the least intermission, to make circular flourishes with his whip, accompanied with such ear From this good man's Letters, which are very curious, one extract shall be given: "I have sent 1000 of my book on Ventilators to all our colonies in America, purposely to rouse the nations, not to poison themselves with strong drams, but to make them weak, to the standard of Nature's cordial, wine. And I have sent a parcel of those books to Governor Ellis, to whom pray my best respects. I fear that climate will not agree with him. "I like your different contrivances for bringing seeds from India. As small ventilators are now put into all our transport ships, and into some India ships, and probably will be put into all, so it will be the better for your seeds to have a fresher, cooler air. "The |