Thomas Frognall Dibdin - A Bibliographical, Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany, Volume Two

T >> Thomas Frognall Dibdin >> A Bibliographical, Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany, Volume Two

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[121] _Bibliomania_; p. 79. _Bibliographical Decameron_; vol. i.
p. xxii.

[122] See the _Bibliographical Decameron_; vol. ii. p. 20.

[123] [Consistently with the plan intended to be pursued in this edition, I
annex a fac-simile of their autograph.]

[Illustration]

[124] [Madame Debure died a few years ago at an advanced age.]

[125] [Mr. Hibbert obtained this volume from me, which will be sold at the
sale of his Library in the course of this season.]

[126] [Nothing can be more perfectly ridiculous and absurd than the manner
in which M. Crapelet flies out at the above expression! He taunts us,
poor English, with always drawing comparisons against other nations,
in favour of the splendour and opulence of our own Hospitals and
Charitable Foundations--a thought, that never possessed me while
writing the above, and which would require the peculiar obliquity, or
perversity of talents, of my translator to detect. I once thought of
_dissecting_ his petulant and unprovoked note--but it is not worth
blunting the edge of one's pen in the attempt.]

[127] [In a few years afterwards, the body of the husband of Madame
Treuttel was consigned to _this_, its _last_ earthly resting-place. M.
JEAN-GEORGE TREUTTEL, died on the 14th Dec. 1825, not long after the
completion of his 82d year: full of years, full of reputation, and
credit, and of every sublunary comfort, to soothe those who survived
him. I have before me a printed Memoir of his Obsequies--graced by the
presence and by the orations of several excellent Ministers of the
Lutheran persuasion: by all the branches of his numerous family; and
by a great concourse of sympathising neighbours. Few citizens of the
world, in the largest sense of this expression, have so adorned the
particular line of life in which they have walked; and M. Treuttel was
equally, to his country and to his family, an ornament of a high cast
of character. "O bon et vertueux ami, que ne peut tu voir les regrets
de tous ceux qui t' accompagnent a ta derniere demeure, pour te dire
encore une fois a REVOIR!" _Discours_ de M. COMARTIN _Maire de
Groslai_: Dec. 17.]

[128] ["Delightful" as was this Library, the thought of the money for which
it might sell, seems to have been more delightful. The sale of it--
consisting of 1028 articles--took place in the spring of last year,
under the hammer of Mr. Evans; and a surprisingly prosperous sale it
was. I would venture to stake a good round sum, that no one individual
was _more_ surprized at this prosperous result than the OWNER of the
Library himself. The gross produce was L2704. 1s. The net produce was
such... as ought to make that said owner grateful for the spirit of
competition and high liberality which marked the biddings of the
purchasers. In what country but OLD ENGLAND could such a spirit have
been manifested! Will Mons. Renouard, in consequence, venture upon the
transportation of the _remaining_ portion of his Library hither? There
is a strong feeling that he _will_. With all my heart--but let him
beware of his MODERN VELLUMS!!]

[129] [I shall _now_ presume to say, that M. Renouard is a "VERY rich
man;" and has by this time added _another_ 500 bottles of
high-flavoured Burgundy to his previous stock. The mention of M.
Renouard's Burgundy has again chafed M. Crapelet: who remarks, that
"it is useless to observe how ridiculous such an observation is." Then
why _dwell_ upon it--and why quote three verses of Boileau to bolster
up your vapid prose, Mons. G.A. Crapelet.?]

[130] [The _second_ edition of this work, greatly enlarged and
corrected, appeared in 1825, in 3 volumes: printed very elegantly at
the son's (Paul Renouard's) office. Of this improved edition, the
father was so obliging as to present me with a copy, accompanied by a
letter, of which I am sure that its author will forgive the quotation
of its conclusion--to which is affixed his autograph. "Quoiqu'il en
soit, je vous prie de vouloir bien l'agreer comme un temoignage de nos
anciennes liaisons, et d'etre bien persuade du devouement sincere et
amical avec lequel je n'ai jamais cesse d'etre.

Votre tres humble Serviteur,

[Autograph: AulAug. Renouard]

[131] [Now completed in 60 volumes 8vo.: and the most copious and correct
of ALL the editions of the author. It is a monument, as splendid as
honourable, of the Publisher's spirit of enterprise. For particulars,
consult the _Library Companion_, p. 771, edit. 1824.]

[132] The year following the above description, the Catalogue, alluded to,
made its appearance under the title of "_Catalogue de la Bibliotheque
d'un Amateur_," in four not _very_ capacious octavo volumes: printed
by CRAPELET, who finds it impossible to print--_ill_. I am very glad
such a catalogue has been published; and I hope it will be at once a
stimulus and a model for other booksellers, with large and curious
stocks in hand, to do the same thing. But I think M. Renouard might
have conveniently got the essentials of his bibliographical gossipping
into _two_ volumes; particularly as, in reading such a work, one must
necessarily turn rapidly over many leaves which contain articles of
comparatively common occurrence, and of scarcely common interest. It
is more especially in regard to _modern_ French books, of which he
seems to rejoice and revel in the description--(see, among other
references, vol. iii. p. 286-310) that we may be allowed to regret
such dilated statements; the more so, as, to the fastidious taste of
the English, the engravings, in the different articles described, have
not the beauty and merit which are attached to them by the French. Yet
does M. Renouard narrate pleasantly, and write elegantly.

In regard to the "_brush_ at the Decameron," above alluded to, I read
it with surprise and pleasure--on the score of the moderate tone of
criticism which it displayed--and shall wear it in my hat with as much
triumph as a sportsman does a "brush" of a different description! Was
it _originally_ more _piquan?_ I have reason not only to suspect, but
to know, that it WAS. Be this as it may, I should never, in the first
place, have been backward in returning all home thrusts upon the
aggressor--and, in the second place, I am perfectly disposed that my
work may stand by the test of such criticism. It is, upon the whole,
fair and just; and _justice_ always implies the mention of _defects_
as well as of excellencies. It may, however, be material to remark,
that the _third_ volume of the Decameron is hardly amenable to the
tribunal of French criticism; inasmuch as the information which it
contains is almost entirely national--and therefore partial in its
application.

[133] [Not so. Messrs. Payne and Foss once shewed me a yet _larger_
copy of it upon vellum, than even M. Renouard's: but so many of the
leaves had imbibed an indelible stain, which no skill could eradicate,
that it was scarcely a saleable article. It was afterwards bought by
Mr. Bohn at a public auction.]

[134] [It was sold at the Sale of his Aldine Library for L68. 15s. 8d. and
is now, I believe, in the fine Collection of Sir John Thorold, Bart,
at Syston Park. The Cicero did not come over for sale.]

[135] [In the previous edition I had supposed, erroneously, that it was the
Father, M. Renouard himself, who had invoked his name on the occasion.
The verses are pretty enough, and may as well find a place _here_
as in M. Crapelet's performance.

Je l'ai vu ce fameux bouquin
Qui te fait un titre de gloire:
Tout Francois qui passe le Rhin
Doit remporter une Victoire.]

[136] [M. Renouard obtained it at a public sale in Paris, against a very
stiff commission left for it by myself. A copy of equal beauty is in
the Library of the Right Hon. T. Grenville.]

[137] [The Theophrastus was sold for L12 1s. 6d. and the Aristotle for L40.
The latter is in the Library of the Rt. Hon. T. Grenville, having been
subsequently coated in red morocco by C. Lewis.]

[138] [It seems that I have committed a very grave error, in the preceding
edition, by making Mons. Renouard "superintend the gathering in of his
VINTAGE," at his country-house (St. Valerie) whereas there are no
Vineyards in Picardy. France and Wine seemed such synonymes, that I
almost naturally attached a vineyard to every country villa.]

[139] [It was published in 1820.]

[140] "The luxurious English Bibliographer is astonished at the publication
of the "Manuel" without the accompaniment of Plates, Fac-similes,
Vignettes, and other graphic attractions. It is because _intrinsic
merit_ is preferable to form and ornament: _that_ at once establishes
its worth and its success." CRAPELET, vol. iv. p. 88. This amiable
Translator and sharp-sighted Critic never loses an opportunity of a
_fling_ at the "luxurious English Bibliographer!"

[141] [My translator again brandishes his pen in order to draw
_good-natured_ comparisons. "It would be lucky for him, if, to the
qualities he possesses, M. Dibdin would unite those which he praises
in M. Brunet: his work and the public would be considerable gainers by
it: his books would not be so costly, and would be more profitable.
The English Author describes nothing in a _sang-froid_ manner: he is
for ever _charging_: and, as he does not want originality in his
vivacity, he should seem to wish to be the CALLOT of Bibliography."
CRAPELET. _Ibid_. I accept the title with all my heart.]

[142] When he waited upon Lord Spencer at Paris, in 1819, and was shewn by
his Lordship the _Ulric Han Juvenal_ (in the smallest character of the
printer) and the _Horace_ of 1474, by _Arnoldus de Bruxella_, his
voice, eyes, arms, and entire action ... gave manifest proofs how he
FELT upon the occasion! [It only remains to dismiss this slight and
inadequate account of so amiable and well-versed a bibliographer, with
the ensuing-fac-simile of his autograph.]

[Autograph: Brunet, Libraire, rue Git-le-Couer, No 10.]

[143]

Chardin passe surtout parmi les amateurs
Pour le plus vetilleux de tous les connaisseurs;
Il fait naitre, encourage, anime l'industrie;
LES BEAUX LIVRES font seul le CHARME DE SA VIE.
LA RELIURE, _poeme didactique_.
Par LESNE'. 1820, 8vo. p. 31.

[144] [This curiosity is now in the limited, but choice and curious,
collection of my old and very worthy friend Mr. Joseph Haslewood. The
handle of the stick is decorated by a bird's head, in ivory, which I
conjectured to be that of an _Eagle_; but my friend insisted upon it
that it was the head of an _Hawk_. I knew what this _meant_--and what
it would _end_ in: especially when he grasped and brandished the Cane,
as if he were convinced that the sculptor had anticipated the
possession of it by the Editor of Juliana Barnes. It is whispered that
my friend intends to surprise the ROXBURGHE CLUB (of which he is, in
all respects a most efficient member) with proofs of an _Engraving_ of
this charming little piece of old French carving.]

[145] Mons. Chardin is since dead at a very advanced age. His mental
faculties had deserted him a good while before his decease: and his
decease was gentle and scarcely perceptible. The portrait of him, in
the preceding edition of this work, is literally the MAN HIMSELF. M.
Crapelet has appended one very silly, and one very rude, if not
insulting, note, to my account of the deceased, which I will not
gratify him by translating, or by quoting in its original words.

[146] [A copy of the Horace UPON VELLUM (and I believe, the _only_
one) with the original drawings of Percier, will be sold in the
library of Mr. Hibbert, during the present season.]

[147] ["And unquestionably the best Letter Founder. His son, M. Amb. Firmin
Didot; who has for a long time past cut the punches for his father,
exhibits proof of a talent worthy, of his instructor." CRAPELET.]

[148] [The translation of the above passage runs so smoothly and so evenly
upon "all fours," that the curious reader may be gratified by its
transcription: "On ne doit pas etre surpris que le meilleur vin de
Champagne et de Chambertin ait ete servi sur la table de celui qui, au
milieu des toasts de ses convives, avait pour accompagnement le bruit
agreable. des frisquettes et des tympans de vingt-deux presses.".Vol.
ii. 102.]

[149] ["Would one not suppose that I had told M. Dibdin that it was
impossible for the French to execute as fine plates as the English? If
so, I should stand alone in that opinion. I only expatiated on the
beauty of the wood-cut vignettes which adorn many volumes of the 4to.
Shakspeare by Bulmer. (N.B. Mr. Bulmer never printed a Shakspeare in
4to. or with wood cuts; but Mr. Bensley _did_--in an 8vo. form.) Their
execution is astonishing. Wood engraving, carried to such a pitch of
excellence in England, is, in fact, very little advanced in France:
and on this head I agree with M. Dibdin." CRAPELET, iv. 104.]

[150] ["How can M. Dibdin forget the respect due to his readers, to give
them a recital of dinners, partaken of at the houses of private
persons, as if he were describing those of a tavern? How comes it that
he was never conscious of the want of good taste and propriety of
conduct, to put the individuals, of whom he was speaking, into a sort
of dramatic form, and even the MISTTRESSES OF THE HOUSE! CRAPELET:
Vol. iv. 106. I have given as unsparing a version as I could (against
myself) in the preceding extract; but the _sting_ of the whole matter,
as affecting M. Crapelet, may be drawn from the concluding words. And
yet, where have I spoken ungraciously and uncourteously of Madame?]

[151] [_Bozerian undoubtedly had his merits_.]--Lesne has been
singularly lively in describing the character of Bozerian's binding.
In the verse ...

Il dit, et secouant le joug de la manie....

he appears to have been emulous of rivalling the strains, of the Epic
Muse; recalling, as it were, a sort of Homeric scene to our
recollection: as thus--of Achilles rushing to fight, after having
addressed his horses:

[Greek: E ra, kai en protois iachon eche monuchas hippos]

[152] Some account of French bookbinders may be also found in the
_Bibliographical Decameron_, vol. ii. p. 496-8.

[153] Cependant Thouvenin est un de ces hommes extraordinaires qui,
semblables a ces _corps lumineux_ que l'on est convenu d'appeler
_cometes_, paraissent une fois en un siecle. Si, plus ambitieux de
gloire que de fortune, il continue a, se surveiller; si, moins ouvrier
qu'artiste, il s'occupe sans relache du perfectionnement de la
reliure, il fera epoque dans son art comme ces grands hommes que nous
admirons font epoque dans la litterature. p. 117.

[154] [In the year 1819, Lord Spencer sent over to the Marquis de
Chateaugiron, a copy of the _Ovid De Tristilus, translated by
Churchyard_, 1578, 4to. (his contribution to the Roxburghe Club) as a
present from ONE President of Bibliophiles to ANOTHER. It was bound by
Lewis, in his very best style, in morocco, with vellum linings, within
a broad border of gold, and all other similar seductive adjuncts.
Lewis considered it as a CHALLENGE to the whole bibliopegistic
fraternity at Paris:--a sort of book-gauntlet;--thrown down for the
most resolute champion to pick up--if he dare! Thouvenin, Simier,
Bozerian (as has been intimated to me) were convened on the
occasion:--they looked at the gauntlet: admired and feared it: but no
man durst pick it up!

Obstupuere animi:----

Ante omnes stupet ipse Dares[D]....

In other words, the Marquis de Chateaugiron avowed to me that it was
considered to be the _ne plus ultra_ of the art. What say you to
this, Messrs. Lesne and Crapelet?

[D] _Thouvenin_.

[155] This poem appeared early in the year 1820, under the following title.
"_La Reliure, poeme didactique en six chants_; precede d'une idee
analytique de cet art, suivi de notes historiques et critiques, et
d'un Memoire soumis a la Societe d'Encouragement, ainsi qu'au Jury
d'exposition de 1819, relatif a des moyens de perfectionnement,
propres a retarder le renouvellement des reliures. PAR LESNE. Paris,
1820. 8vo. pp. 246. The motto is thus:

Hatez-vous lentement, et sans perdre courage,
Vingt fois sur le metier remettez votre ouvrage;
Polissez-le sans cesse et le repolissez.

_Boileau Art. Poet._ ch. 1.

This curious production is dedicated to the Author's Son: his first
workman; seventeen years of age; and "as knowing, in his business at
that early period of life as his father was at the age of
twenty-seven." The dedication is followed by a preface, and an
advertisement, or "Idee analytique de la Reliure." In the preface, the
author deprecates both precipitate and severe criticism; "He is himself
but a book-binder--and what can be expected from a muse so cultivated?"
He doubts whether it will be read all through; but his aim and object
have been to fix, upon a solid basis, the fundamental principles of
his art. The subject, as treated in the Dictionary of Arts and Trades
by the French Academy, is equally scanty and inaccurate. The author
wishes that all arts were described by artists, as the reader would
gain in information what he would lose in style. "I here repeat (says
he) what I have elsewhere said in bad verse. There are amateur
collectors who know more about book-binding, than even certain good
workmen; but there are also others, of a capricious taste, who are
rather likely to lead half-instructed workmen astray, than to put them
in the proper road." In the poetical epistle which concludes the
preface, he tells us that he had almost observed the Horatian precept:
his poem having cost eight years labour. The opening of it may
probably be quite sufficient to give the reader a proper notion of its
character and merits.

Je celebre mon art; je dirai dans mes vers,
Combien il eprouva de changemens divers;
Je dirai ce que fut cet art en sa naissance;
Je dirai ses progres, et, de sa decadence.
Je nommerai sans fard les ineptes auteurs:
Oui, je vais derouler aux yeux des amateurs:
Des mauvais procedes la deplorable liste.
Je nommerai le bon et le mauvais artiste;

_LETTER IX._

MEN OF LETTERS. DOM BRIAL. THE ABBE BETENCOURT. MESSRS. GAIL, MILLIN, AND
LANGES. A ROXBURGHE BANQUET.

_Paris, June 20, 1818_.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

We have had of late the hottest weather in the memory of the oldest
Parisian: but we have also had a few flying thunder showers, which have
helped to cool the air, and to refresh both the earth and its inhabitants.
In consequence, I have made more frequent visits; and have followed up my
morning occupations among BOOKS, by the evening society of those who are so
capable, from their talents, of adding successfully to their number. Among
the most eminent, as well as most venerable of historical antiquaries, is
the celebrated Dom BRIAL, an ex-Benedictin. He lives in the _Rue
Servandoni_, on the second-floor, in the very bosom, as it were, of his
library, and of city solitude. My first visit to him, about three weeks
ago, was fortified by an introductory letter from our friend * * *. The old
gentleman (for he is about seventy four) was busily occupied at his
dinner--about one o'clock; and wearing a silk night cap, and habited en
rocquelaure, had his back turned as his servant announced me. He is very
deaf; but on receiving the letter, and recognising the hand-writing of our
friend, he made me heartily welcome, and begged that I would partake of his
humble fare. This I declined; begging, on the other hand that he would
pursue his present occupation, and allow me to examine his library. "With
the greatest pleasure (replied he); but you will find it a very
common-place one."

His books occupy each of the four rooms which form the suite of his
dwelling. Of course I include the bed room. They are admirably selected:
chiefly historical, and including a very considerable number in the
ecclesiastical department. He has all the historians relating to our own
country. In short, it is with tools like these, and from original MSS. lent
him from the Royal Library--which his official situation authorizes--- that
he carries on the herculean labour of the _Recueil des Historiens des
Gaules, &c._ commenced by BOUQUET and other editors, and of which he shewed
me a great portion of the XVIIth volume--as well as the commencement of the
XVIIIth--already printed. Providence may be graciously pleased to prolong
the life of this learned and excellent old man till the _latter_ volume be
completed; but _beyond_ that period, it is hardly reasonable or desirable
to wish it; for if he die, he will then have been gathered to his fathers
in a good old age.[156] But the labours of Dom Brial are not confined to
the "Recueil," just mentioned. They shine conspicuous in the "_Histoire
Litteraire de la France_," of which fifteen goodly quarto volumes are
already printed; and they may be also traced in the famous work entitled
_L'Art de, Verifier les Dates_, in three large folio volumes, published in
1783, &c. "Quand il est mort, il n'a point son eleve"[157]--says his old
and intimate friend the ABBE BETENCOURT; an observation, which, when I
heard it, filled me with mingled regret and surprise--for why is this
valuable, and most _patriotic_ of all departments of literature, neglected
_abroad_ as well as _at home_? It is worth all the _digamma_ disquisitions
in the world; and France, as well as Italy, was once rich in historical
Literati.

Dom Brial is very little above the mean height. He stoops somewhat from
age; but, considering his years, and incessantly sedentary labours, it is
rather marvellous that he does not exhibit more striking proofs of
infirmity. His voice is full and strong; his memory is yet retentive, and
his judgment sound. His hand-writing is extremely firm and legible. No man
ever lived, or ever will, or can live, more completely devoted to his
labours. They are his meat and drink--as much as his "bouilli et petites
poies:"--of which I saw him partaking on repeated visits. Occupied from
morning till night in the prosecution of his studies--in a quarter of Paris
extremely secluded--he appears to be almost unconscious of passing
occurrences without;[158] except it be of the sittings of the _Institute_,
which he constantly attends, on Fridays, as one of the Secretaries. I have
twice dined with him; and, each time, in company with the Abbe Betencourt,
his brother Secretary at the Institute; and his old, long-tried, and most
intimate friend.

The Abbe BETENCOURT was not unknown to me during his late residence in
England, as an Emigre: but he is still-better known to our common friend
* * *, who gave me the letter of introduction to Dom Brial. That mutual
knowledge brought us quickly together, and made us as quickly intimate. The
Abbe is above the middle height; wears his own grey hair; has an expressive
countenance, talks much; and well, and at times drolly. Yet his wit or
mirth is well attempered to his years. His manner of _rallying_ his
venerable friend is very amusing; for Dom Brial, from his deafness, (like
most deaf men) drops at times into silence and abstraction. On each of my
dinner-visits, it was difficult to say which was the hotter day. But Dom
Brial's residence, at the hour of dinner, (which was four--for my own
accommodation) happened luckily to be in the _shade_. We sat down, three,
to a small circular table, (in the further or fourth room) on the tiled
floor of which was some very ancient wine, within the immediate grasp of
the right hand of the host. An elderly female servant attended in the
neighbouring room. The dinner was equally simple, relishing, and abundant;
and the virtues of the "old wine" were quickly put into circulation by the
Benedictin founder of the feast.

At six we rose from table, and walked in the Luxembourg gardens, hard by.
The air had become somewhat cooler. The sun was partially concealed by
thin, speckled clouds: a gentle wind was rising; and the fragrance of
innumerable flowers, from terraces crowded with rose-trees, was altogether
so genial and refreshing, that my venerable companions--between whom I
walked arm in arm--declared that "they hardly knew when the gardens had
smelt so sweetly." We went straight onward--towards the _Observatoire_, the
residence of the Astronomer Royal. In our way thither we could not avoid
crossing the _Rue d' Enfer_, where Marshal Ney was shot. The spot, which
had been stained with his blood, was at this moment covered by skittles,
and groups of stout lads were enjoying themselves in all directions. It
should seem that nothing but youthful sports and pastimes had ever
prevailed there: so insensibly do succeeding occupations wear away all
traces of the past. I paused for half a minute, casting a thoughtful eye
towards the spot. The Abbe Betencourt moralised aloud, and Dom Brial seemed
inwardly to meditate. We now reached the Observatory. The Sub-Principal was
at home, and was overjoyed to receive his venerable visitors. He was a
fellow-townsman of Dom Brial, and we were shewn every thing deserving of
notice. It was nearly night-fall, when, on reaching the Rue Servandoni, I
wished my amiable companions adieu, till we met again.

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