Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 5.djvu/253

Rh "Dramatic Poetry followed; what might be styled rare and early pieces connected with our ancient poetry ; but the combat now took a more tranquil turn: as after 'a smart brush' for an early Shakspeare or two, Atticus and Coriolanus, with a few well known dramatic aspirants, obtained almost unmolested possession of the field.

"At this period, to keep up our important metaphor, the great Roxburgh day of battle had been somewhere half gone through, or decided. There was no disposition, however, on either side to relax from former efforts; when (prepare for something terrific!) the Romances made their appearance; and just at this crisis it was that more blood was spilt, and more ferocity exhibited, than had ever been previously "witnessed."

We interrupt Mr Dibdin to mention, that the great blow of the day was struck for that volume which has been already alluded to, as purchased by the duke's father for a hundred guineas,—a volume of singular value, which Mr Nichol very properly intitles the most notorious in existence—the Decameron of Boccaccio, printed (folio) by Christopher Valdarfer at Venice in 1471, and supposed to be quite unique. "Mr Nichol, in his avant-courier of a preface," thus writes Mr Dibdin in a note, "had not a little provoked the bibliomaniacal appetites of his readers: telling them that 'in the class of Italian poets and novelists was the first edition of II Decamerone di Boccaccio, 1471. This was certainly one of the scarcest, if not the very scarcest book, that existed. It has now for upwards of 300 years preserved its uniquity, if that term be allowable.' It was also previously known that this very book had been a sort of bone of contention among the collectors in the reign of the two first Georges. Lord Sunderland had seen it, and lord Oxford had cast a longing eye thereupon; but it was reserved for an ancestor of the duke of Roxburgh to secure it—for the gallant price of 100 guineas! This purchase took place before the year 1740. * * I have a perfect recollection of this notorious volume, while in the library of the late duke. It had a faded yellow morocco binding, and was a sound rather than a fine copy. The expectations formed of the probable price for which it would be sold were excessive; yet not so excessive as the price itself turned out to be. The marked champions were pretty well known beforehand to be the earl Spencer, the marquis of Blandford (now duke of Marlborough), and the duke of Devonshire. Such a rencontre, such a 'shock of fight,' naturally begot uncommon curiosity. My friends, Sir Egerton Bridges, Mr Lang, and Mr G. H. Freeling, did me the kindness to breakfast with me on the morning of the sale and upon the conclusion of the repast, Sir Egerton's carriage conveyed us from Kensington to St James's Square.

In fact the rain fell in torrents, as we lighted from the carriage and rushed with a sort of impetuosity to gain seats to view the contest. The room was crowded to excess; and a sudden darkness which came across gave rather an additional interest to the scene. At length the moment of sale arrived. Evans prefaced the putting up of the article by an appropriate oration, in which he expatiated upon its excessive rarity, and concluded by informing the company of the regret and even 'anguish of heart' expressed by Mr Van Praet [librarian to the emperor Napoleon] that such a treasure was not to be found in the imperial collection at Paris. Silence followed the address of Mr Evans. On his right hand, leaning against the wall, stood earl Spencer: a little lower down, and standing at right angles with his lordship, appeared the marquis of Blandford. Lord Al-