DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.30698#0272
244
BOOKS PRINTED BY
\Jteynard
Our emotions of surprise and astonishment at the ignorance of former
periods, is heightened or modified by the satisfaction we derive on a con-
templation of the general improvement of the modern world, Divested
of the charm of a poetic fancy, and of the spirit of romantic fiction,
the grave recitals of monsters, giants, and praeternatural events,
are only subjects of cold and momentary gratification; but it is fit, in
researches into the lore of ‘ other times,’ tliat the antiquary should
select what is likely to interest equally the feelings of the philologist
and philosopher.
It remains only to observe that the edition before us concludes on
the reverse of the last leaf but one: (1 vij, in eights) having the same
date in the colophon with that of the preeeding impression. The
following is the imprint:
€ €&xtm me fieri fecit.
The large device of the printer is on the reverse of the following and
last leaf. The present is a short but sound copy, obtained at the sale
of the Merly Library, and formerly in the collection of J. Ratcliffe. It is
in old red morocco binding, with a broad border of gilt on the exterior.
849. The Historye of Reynard the Foxe.
1481. Folio.
First Edition. When an account of ‘this curious and exceedingly
scarce volume ’ was given to the public in the Typog. Antiq. vol. i. p.
114, I was impressed with an idea that no copy of it, besides the one
there described, (from His Majesty’s Library) was known to be in this
country. The existence of the present copy, formerly in the very
curious colleetion of Dean Honeywood, [Temp. W. III.] proves that
the Royal copy is not entitled to the distinction of being unique. It is
however very questionable whether a t.hird perfect copy be contained
in any Library, however ancient or unsearched. The work itself, which
is equally curious and interesting, must have been extremely popular
upon its appearance ; as is proved from the scarcity of the reimpression
of it, by Pynson; no copy of this reprint being at present known to
exist., except the one in the choice library of Mr. Douce; and that, in
an imperfect state. Hearne, in his Guil. Neubrig. vol. iii. p. 743-4,
tells us that this work is ‘ an admirable thing; and the design, being
political, and to represent a wise government, is equally good.’ But
it also appears to be a severe satire upon the Romish Church. In short.
BOOKS PRINTED BY
\Jteynard
Our emotions of surprise and astonishment at the ignorance of former
periods, is heightened or modified by the satisfaction we derive on a con-
templation of the general improvement of the modern world, Divested
of the charm of a poetic fancy, and of the spirit of romantic fiction,
the grave recitals of monsters, giants, and praeternatural events,
are only subjects of cold and momentary gratification; but it is fit, in
researches into the lore of ‘ other times,’ tliat the antiquary should
select what is likely to interest equally the feelings of the philologist
and philosopher.
It remains only to observe that the edition before us concludes on
the reverse of the last leaf but one: (1 vij, in eights) having the same
date in the colophon with that of the preeeding impression. The
following is the imprint:
€ €&xtm me fieri fecit.
The large device of the printer is on the reverse of the following and
last leaf. The present is a short but sound copy, obtained at the sale
of the Merly Library, and formerly in the collection of J. Ratcliffe. It is
in old red morocco binding, with a broad border of gilt on the exterior.
849. The Historye of Reynard the Foxe.
1481. Folio.
First Edition. When an account of ‘this curious and exceedingly
scarce volume ’ was given to the public in the Typog. Antiq. vol. i. p.
114, I was impressed with an idea that no copy of it, besides the one
there described, (from His Majesty’s Library) was known to be in this
country. The existence of the present copy, formerly in the very
curious colleetion of Dean Honeywood, [Temp. W. III.] proves that
the Royal copy is not entitled to the distinction of being unique. It is
however very questionable whether a t.hird perfect copy be contained
in any Library, however ancient or unsearched. The work itself, which
is equally curious and interesting, must have been extremely popular
upon its appearance ; as is proved from the scarcity of the reimpression
of it, by Pynson; no copy of this reprint being at present known to
exist., except the one in the choice library of Mr. Douce; and that, in
an imperfect state. Hearne, in his Guil. Neubrig. vol. iii. p. 743-4,
tells us that this work is ‘ an admirable thing; and the design, being
political, and to represent a wise government, is equally good.’ But
it also appears to be a severe satire upon the Romish Church. In short.