THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW Four Hundred and Fifty Copies Printed. LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW BY THOMAS MASON Librarian of the Stirling's and Glasgow Public Library, Glasgow ' O for a Booke and a shadie nooke, eyther in-a-doore or out. With the grene leaves whisp'ring overhede, or the streete cryes all about. Where I male Reade all at my ease, both of the Newe and Olde ; For a jollie goode Booke whereon to looke is better to me than Golde." GLASGOW printed for Subscribers and tor private Circulation THOMAS D. MORISON 1885 TO FRANCIS THORNTON BARRETT LIBRAKIAN OF THE MITCHELL LIBRARY, GLASGOW is BY HIS AFORETIME ASSISTANT, GLAD OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS INDEBTEDNESS FOR MUCH HELPFUL COUNSEL AND MANY OTHER KINDLY SERVICES. 1 807289 PREFACE. THE writer embraces the convenient opportunity which a Preface affords to render acknowledgment of services given, and to make several general remarks which would have been out of place elsewhere. When the work was projected, application was made for permission to in- clude in it an account of the University Library, but the request, for sufficient reasons, coukl not at the time be granted. The University Library being out of the volume, it was considered advisable to make a selection of the other public libraries, and to give full and few descriptions rather than many and meagre. But, should the present volume meet with sufficient appre- ciation, perhaps a second may see the light, and possibly by that time the authorities at the Univer- sity may have their catalogue so well forward as to allow of an accurate and adequate description of their treasures. It is almost needless to say that but for the kindness of the respective owners of the libraries described this volume could not have appeared. To these gentlemen the writer begs to tender his most cordial thanks. From each of them he has received assistance most willingly and pleasantly given. To Mr. Alexander Macdoriald he has further been in- debted for many valuable suggestions which have helped the accuracy and enhanced the value of the book. To the kindness of his former chief, Mr. F. T. Barrett, he owes the able, interesting, and suggestive 8 PREFACE. history of the Mitchell Library which appears in these pages, as well as much other help which he takes leave to acknowledge in another place. The writer would also express his indebtedness to a musical friend whose wide and accurate knowledge of musical literature is evident from the chapter on the Euing Musical Library, and while doing so it will not be out of place to express the hope that the account of that valuable library given in these pages may call attention to its unsatisfactory state and forward the provision of arrangements in consonance with the testator's wishes and the public service. In his researches into the life of the founder of Stirling's Library the writer has received willing assistance from the Town-Clerk of Glasgow, Dr. J. D. Marwick, and from W. H. Hill, Esq., Clerk to the Merchants' House, Glasgow. He would also express his indebtedness for kindly services in connection with the work to Messrs John Ingram, A. C. M'Intyre, William Hutton, and Robert Adams, the last of whom is mainly responsible for the excellent index given at the end of the volume. Free use has been made of bibliographical handbooks, all of which are acknow- ledged at various places throughout the book. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. Defence of the book collector Plan of the work Total number of books in the lib- raries described Manuscripts Fifteenth-century printing Bibles, psalm-books, and prayer-books Witchcraft Poetry and the drama Shakespeare, Byron, Shelley, Tennyson Scottish poetry First edition of Burns's works Scottish biography, history, and topography A bibliographical society for Scotland Glasgow books Boyd's "Last Battell of the Soule" Scottish Trials Chap- books Broadsides Jerusalem and the Holy Land General history Fine Art Angling Alchemy Philology Fiction , first editions Bibliography Proverbs and Ana, - 13-31 CHAPTER I. STIRLING'S AND GLASGOW PUBLIC LIBRARY. The founder, his ancestors, personal appearance, will and death Beginning of the library First board of directors, ... 31-44 CHAPTER II. The number of volumes left by Mr. Stirling Early catalogues Reprint of the first catalogue, ... . . 45-61 CHAPTER III. Inadequacy of the Bequest Books to be lent out Opening of library First lib- rarian- -Incidents of early years Mr. James Pate Library removed to Hutche- sons' Hospital Affairs in confusion: inquiry and report John Struthers Alterations on the constitution New buildings Amalgamation of Glasgow Public Library Scouler Bequest- Decline of the library, - - 61-74 CHAPTER IV. Appointment of new librarian Increase in membership and issue Stocktaking Arrangement of the books Difficulty of classifying the library while in use Want of room Scheme of classification Growth of the library Prominent directors Viue-presidents Bailie Bogle William Euing Michael Connal Treasurers Secretaries Robert Reid, " Senex " Interesting donation Present board of directors Donors Manuscripts, - - 75-86 CHAPTER V. Fifteenth-century printed books Valuable copy of the New Testament Dante's "Divina Commedia," rare 1481 edition Professor Julianus Guzzlemus Bibles and other rare and valuable books Summary, - - - 86-100 CHAPTER VI. THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. The founder Terms of the Bequest Constitution of the library First library com- mittee Leading principles followed in the formation and management of the library Purchase of the library of Professor Innes, of hooks from the library of Professor Stevenson, and of Euing duplicates in the library of the University of Glasgow Temporary premises secured, - - 101-112 CHAPTER VII. Appointment of Mr. F. T. Barrett as librarian Other officers Catholicity and com- prehensiveness aimed at in the purchase of books Gift of books from the Uni- versity of Glasgow Arrangement of the books The catalogue, - 112-117 CHAPTER VIII. Opening of the library First book issued Rapid increase of readers Magazine room Donations, Chalmers Bequest Exchanges Gift of early Glasgow print- ing from Mr. J. Wyllie Guild Moir Bequest Purchase of the Bums collection 10 CONTENTS. formed by Mr. James Gibson More donations Improvement in trade, decrease of attendance Further donations Valuable collection of Scottish poetry re- ceived from Mr. Alexander Gardyne Acquisition of the Gould collection of Burusiana Still further donations Growth of the library Use made of it by the public Progress probably without precedent, - - 118-133 CHAPTER IX. Description of the contents of the library Formation of the "Poets' Corner" Pur- chase of the Jervise collection of Scottish poetry Burns collection The Burns Centenary, unique memorials James Macfarlan Gardyne donation Descrip- tion of the "Corner" Collection of Glasgow literature "Noctes Sma' Weftiana " List of periodical publications The earliest West of Scotland newspaper Glasgow Courant -Glasgow Mercury, - - - - 133-140 CHAPTER X. Early Glasgow printing First printing in the city List of Glasgow printers The brothers Foulis "Works on Scotland The national covenant Knox's History of the Reformation in Scotland Scottish history, topography, and biography "The Black Acts" Miscellaneous Scottish books, - - 146-159 CHAPTKR XL The general contents of the library Theology and philosophy History, biography, voyages, and travels Law, politics, etc. Arts, sciences, and natural history Poetry and the drama Philology Fiction Miscellaneous works List of periodi- cals and serials taken Financial position of the library Conclusion, - 159-175 CHAPTER XII. THE EUING MUSICAL LIBRARY. Intentions of the founder The manner in which they have been carried out Inac- cessibility of the library Defects of the catalogue Service which the collection might render to musical art Extent of the library Historical and biographical works Great wealth of the library in didactic and theoretical works Sacred vocal music, individual composers ; collections ; rich in psalters Secular vocal music Instrumental music Miscellaneous works, - - 176-193 CHAPTER XIII. LIBRARY OF PROFESSOR FERGUSON. Character and growth of the collection Volumes from great libraries, by famous printers and binders, and with the autographs of great men Fifteenth-century books Volume from the press of Machliuia Vincent de Beauvais' Speculum, the largest book printed in the fifteenth century English literature Foreign litera- ture Gipsy books Scotland Darien tracts Scottish topography Scottish prose writers Works from the press of Raban, Aberdeen's first printer Scottish poets Copy of the first work printed in Glasgow Works of Glasgow men Boyd's "Last Battell of the Soule in Death " Early Scottish scientific writers- Fine art Chemistry, manuscripts, histories and bibliographies Alchemy and early chemistry Works on phosphorus, assaying and analysis, distillation, minerals and metals Demonology, witchcraft, magic, mysticism Bibliography Classics Conclusion, ... - ... 193-219 CHAPTER XIV. LIBRARY OF GEORGE GRAY, ESQ. Blairtum Park The library A rare catechism Witchcraft Poetry and the drama Scottish poetry The production of Home's "Douglas" on the Edinburgh stage First, second, and third editions of the works of Burns Splendid collec- tions of Scottish family history and Scottish topography Other works on Scot- land Proclamations, dying speeches, etc. Controversy regarding the election of Professor Leslie to the mathematical chair in the University of Edinburgh Chap- books Works relating to Glasgow Fleming v. the Magistrates of Glasgow Boyd's " Last Battell of the Soule in Death " Large collection of trials Burke and Hare, Dr. Pritchard Collection of indictments, informations, etc. Fine art Conclusion, - ..... 219-234 CONTENTS. 11 CHAPTER XV. LIBRARY OF JAMES WYLLIE GUILD, ESQ. Beauty of the library Its extent Books of hours Shakespeare Curious history of a copy of the second folio Shakespeariana Spenser's "Faerie Queen" First editions of Byron, Shelley, and Keats A book from the Queen's library Songs and ballads Scottish poetry, biography, and history Extensive and valuable collection of works on Marie Stuart Three hundred and fifteen portraits of the Queen of Scots Some of the rare works A volume which belonged to the Queen ; songs on her marriage with the Dauphin Vindication of Elizabeth Glasgow books Rare and highly- interesting copy of Boyd's " Last Battell of the Soule," printed before the hitherto supposed first edition Fine art : Ruskin, Bewick Bibliography Splendid collection of autograph letters, - - 235-262 CHAPTER XVI. LIBRARY OF GEORGE WINGATE HILL, ESQ. Character of Mr. Hill's library Poetry and the drama Scottish poetry Scottish biography, history, and topography Ruskin's works Other fine art books Fiction Bibliography, etc., .... - 263-268 CHAPTER XVII. LIBRARY OF ALEXANDER MACDONALD, ESQ. General remarks Psalters and Bibles Witchcraft, case of Christian Shaw Poetry Scottish poetry Forbes's Cantus, Watson's Scots poems Illiterate Glasgow printer Chap-books Symson's elegies Jean Adam, authoress of "There's Nae Luck About the House " David Laing's copy of his edition of Dunbar's poems First book printed in Stirling Robert Lekprevick the printer Gowrie Conspiracy Scottish topography Graham of Killern and Rob Roy Scottish biography Glasgow books Boyd's "Last Battell of the Soule "The first book printed in Glasgow First Glasgow directory, 1783 Maps of Glasgow Glasgow periodicals Children's books one hundred years ago King James's " Counterblaste to Tobacco " Broadsides and Proclamations Conclusion, - - 268-287 CHAPTER XVIII. LIBRARY OF BERNAKD B. MACGEORGE, ESQ. A library of fine art and first editions Fine collection of Blake's works Original letter and poem by Blake, never before printed Extensive and fine collection of the works of John Ruskin Magnificent collection of etchings by Meryon Other fine art books First editions Byron, Moore's copy of the rare volume of Poems, 1807 ; lines on the birth of a son to Mr. Hoppner Shelley, Beckford on Queen Mab Keats Tennyson Collier's works and reprints Gray's elegy Scott Rogers, Amusing notes on "Human Life," by Beckford Boccaccio's Decameron Swift, Tale of a Tub, Gulliver's Travels Defoe, Robinson Crusoe Johnson- Goldsmith Beckford's Vathek Lamb Dickens Thackeray Undine, illus- trated by Thackeray Scottish books Glasgow books Album containing letters by Dickens, Dumas, and Reade Poems in autograph of Longfellow and Swin- burne Conclusion,- - - 290-304 CHAPTER XIX. LIBRARY OF ALEXANDER BENNETT M'GRIGOR, ESQ., LL.D. Character of the library Arrangement and appearance Department of theology and philosophy Some rare works by Luther Bassandyne Bible Poetry Proof copy of Tennyson's "In Memoriam" Works on Scotland Glasgow almanacs Switzerland and the ^Alps Jerusalem and the Holy Land, list of eighty-four foreign works from 1502 to 1874 General history Biography Fine arts Fiction Classical writers Almanacs Bibliography Pamphlets, - 305-322 CHAPTER XX. LIBRARY OF THOMAS ADAM MATHIESON, ESQ. Mr. Mathieson's connection with Hutchesons' Hospital General remarks on his library Ruskin Poetry Scottish books Glasgow books Strang's Progress of Glasgow Glasgow Locking-Glass Herald to the Trades' Advocate Wynd Church case Interesting and amusing pamphlets Conclusion, - 323-332 12 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXI. LIBRARY OF JAMES BARCLAY MURDOCH, ESQ. Mr. Murdoch Similarity and dissimilarity of Scottish libraries Poetry and the drama The Muse's Welcome Scottish songs and ballads Works of Laing and Maidment Important copy of the poems of Burns Scottish history, topography, and biography Copy of Boyd's "Last Battell of the Soule," with rare 1628 title- page, once the property of Gabriel Neil, Boyd's biographer Glasgow books and periodicals Chap-books, two highly interesting volumes Works illustrated by Cruikshank George IV. pamphlets, extraordinary collection Hone's publica- tions Bewick Zoology, geology, and general science Legends and fairy tales Bibliography Conclusion,- - 333-348 CHAPTER XXII. LIBRARY OF THOMAS RUSSELL, ESQ., M.P. General remarks Printed catalogue of the collection "Ship of Fools" Chaucer's works " Rede me," etc., no other copy Spenser's Fairy Queen Douglas's trans- lation of Virgil Chapman's translation of the Iliad and Odyssey Shakespeare's poems, first edition, 1640 First edition of "Paradise Lost" Autograph of Milton Hannay's "Nightingale" "Vision of Piers Plowman" Lithgow's travels Southwell's "St. Peter's Complaint " Gascoigne, Churchyard, and other early writers Coleridge Life and acts of Bruce Burns Wallace Songs Collier's reprints Nugae Derelictae First edition of Hollinshed's Chronicle Boyd's "Last Battell of the Soule in Death," with rare 1628 title-page Boyd's "Four Letters of Comfort" Glasgow books Ruskin Con- clusion, - 349-362 CHAPTER XXIII. LIBRARY OF MATHEW SHIELDS, ESQ. Character of the collection Witchcraft Kirkcudbright case Bovet's "Panda.-- inonium" Scottish poetry Home's " Douglas "Burns Clark's version of the Song of Solomon Defoe's "Caledonia" The Pockmanty sermon Knox's "Historic of the Reformation," first edition Covenanting tracts "Terrible Newes from Scotland " Patrick Walker Letter from a blacksmith on the religious state of Scotland Biography Darien tracts Prince Charles's Account of the battle of Falkirk Scottish topography Glasgow books Glasgow periodi- cals Views of Glasgow Poems on Glasgow Paisley books Scottish trials Tinclarian Doctor Chap-books Conclusion, - - 363-386 CHAPTER XXIV. LIBRARY OF JOHN WORDIE, ESQ. Nature of the collection General collections of proverbs Anecdote illustrating the state of old Scottish inns Classical proverbs Eastern proverbs Proverbs of modern European nations English, Scottish, and Gaelic proverbs Ana Scottish books Works of T. S. Muir Orkney and Shetland Language John Grub Conclusion, .... - 386-402 CHAPTER XXV. LIBRARY OF ALEXANDER YOUNG, ESQ. Size and character of the collection New Testament, Psalms, Paraphrases, and Prayer-books Googe's "Popish Kingdome " Rogers's translation of "The Imita- tion of Christ" Witchcraft Early English popular literature Chaucer "Piers Plowman " "A Dicer's Opinion of the making of Dice and Cards " Spenser- Entry of James I. into London Decker Rowlands Greene Overbury Shake- speare Taylor, the water poet Anthony Munday Milton Beaumont and Fletcher Herrick Suckling Byron Scottish books Sir W. Alexander, Earl of Stirling Boyd's " Last Battell of the Soule " Barbour's "Bruce "First edi- tion of Burns's poems Hollinshed's chronicles M'Ure's View of Glasgow Glas- gow books Printing by Wynken de Worde, Pynson, and Treveris Hakluyt's voyages Robinson Crusoe Gulliver's Travels Classical writers Douglas's translation of Virgil's ^Eneid Chapman's Homer Dibdin's works, - 402-432 INDEX, - - - - - - 433-448 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIBEAEIES OF GLASGOW. INTRODUCTION. Defence of the Book-collector Plan of the Work Total number of Books in the Libraries described Manu- scripts Fifteenth Century Printing Bibles, Psalm- books, and Prayer-books Witchcraft Poetry and the Drama Shakespeare, Byron, Shelley, Tennyson Scottish Poetry First edition of Burns s Works Scottish Biography, History, and Topography A Bibliographical Society for Scotland Glasgow Books Boyds "Last Battellofthe Soule" Scottish Trials Chap Books Broadsides Jerusalem, and the Holy Land General history Fine A rt Angling Alchemy Philology Fiction, Jirst editions Biblio- graphy Proverbs and Ana. As an ambassador into a strange and unknown coun- try is usually granted an appreciative audience on his return home, so the present writer, who has made a pleasant voyage into some hitherto undescribed regions, trusts he may be pardoned for thinking he has a story to tell, and for hoping that he may be credited with more than the average veracity of story-tellers and travellers. Perhaps the plainness of his unvar- nished tale may be forgotten in the interest of the subject. No apology need surely be necessary for this offer- ing at the shrine of the bookhunter. Many a time 14 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. and oft have the praises of warriors strong in battle been sung in triumphant strains, the charms of beauty inspired the rapturous muse, great deeds of piety and worth been celebrated in enduring lines, and still the adulating strain rolls on. From sweet Izaak Walton onwards the pliers of the wand have told the world of their love for the gentle craft, and sports and pastimes are many times outnumbered by the books about them. Everything has now its faithful scribes, who differ widely, some having something to say and others nothing, but who agree unanimously in their desire to say it in print. And why, therefore, should the book- lover hide his head and have nothing to say for the faith that is in him ? That there may be only an old tale to retell should be no let, for it hinders not other devotees from worshipping at their favourite shrines. Few read old books, and therefore he who carries for- ward the knowledge of the past to the living generation does a service sometimes greater than his fellow who strives to give them original thought. The ardent love of books has been called madness, and a word invented to describe it, and indeed if every deviation from the beaten track be madness in degree, as has been said, then is the love of books truly mad- ness, for the ways of the bookhunter are eccentric, as the pursuit of his study is delightful. Of the genus book-collector there are many varieties. The popular conception is an unpractical, ill-dressed, somewhat rude being who is either prowling about old- book shops turning over untitled volumes in search of bar- gains or at home buried in his literary rubbish, utterly heedless of the ways and wants of the outside world. It need hardly be said that this is not the portrait of any of the gentlemen whose names adorn our table of contents. Book-collecting is compatible with any oc- cupation, and many of its closest followers have been connected with businesses having nothing in common with literature. Intelligent and wary critics explain INTRODUCTION. 15 away the contradiction of a bookhunter successfully prosecuting his ordinary avocation by declaring him sane on every other point. They deride his liking for rare editions, large paper, thick paper, and other pecu- liar copies. Very unfair and fallacious reasoning. A large-paper copy makes a handsome book. An ample margin sets off fine typography as a white mount or a frame does a picture. The miserly economy of paper evident in so many modern books is a gross violation of proportion which ought not to be tolerated by the true book-lover. Plenty of breadth and length give an air of luxury to a book which is delightful. Besides being a thing of beauty, a large-paper copy might prove useful to the utilitarian stickler, for the convenience of making com- ments on the margin. The scribblings would doubt- less detract from the immediate market worth of the book, but if the comments were of any moment future generations might think the book enhanced by the markings, and give a larger price for it as a peculiar copy, making the lover of cheap uniformity minister to the taste he had jeered and scoffed at. The purchaser of a rare edition invariably possesses other editions of the same w r ork, and is laudably desirous of making his collection as complete as may be, and also of tracing the textual variations which successive editors may have introduced. If a subse- quent edition of a work is of value, surely it is of the highest importance that the first edition should be preserved, that there may be some means for testing presumed inaccurate reprints. And the same reason will apply, in less degree certainly, to every edition, but particularly to those distinguished by editorial or typographical excellence. It has been said, and with some show of reason, that a book shut up in a private library is of little value to the world at large. This could only apply to the rare case of a unique book, or one of which all the copies 16 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. were in private libraries, and surely would not apply to even these. For ordinary purposes there would doubtless be ordinary editions, and the scholar who had need to consult a copy not in any public library would hardly have any difficulty in obtaining access to copies in private possession. And to whom do we owe the preservation of many most important books but to the owners of private libraries? There, touched only by reverential hands, have remained books of which scarcely a single clean and complete copy was in circulation. So long as the world lasts there will doubtless be collectors of books, and few of them will care to pause and defend their favourite pursuit ; but, secure in the enjoyment of their treasures, may even snap their fingers at their critics, and perchance dismiss them as rich men excusing their lack of culture by denying its existence in others, or poor men depreciating what they do not possess. It need hardly be said that the mystic number of thirteen does not exhaust the list of Glasgow private libraries. There are scores of libraries in the city worthy of description, and had the object been to com- pile a statistical report every private and public library would have found a place in the volume. But blue- books are seldom read, and rarely purchased, and an author may be excused if he desire for his labours a less inglorious end than that which befalls these publi- cations, whether at the hands of a discerning public or a tape-bound Comptroller-General. The libraries described (sixteen in all) are representative collec- tions, and fairly reflect the characteristics of the re- mainder. In each account prominence has been given to the leading features of the collection, but for uniformity of treatment the following rough classification has been followed throughout the entire work : INTRODUCTION. 17 Theology, Philosophy, and Ecclesiastical History. Witchcraft. Poetry and the Drama. (General.) Poetry and the Drama. (Scottish.) Theology, etc. (Scottish.) Biography. (Scottish.) History. (Scottish.) Travel. (Scottish.) Topography. (Scottish.) Edinburgh. Glasgow. Law and Trials. (Scottish.) Miscellaneous. (Scottish.) Travel. History. Biography. Art and Antiquities. Sports and Pastimes. Science (including Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Medicine, Zoology, Botany, and everything generally designated by the term). Law and Trials. Philology. Fiction. Classics. Miscellaneous. The number of the classes, and the elastic interpreta- tion given them, have made it easy to include every- thing in one or other of the divisions. They have been arranged in the order given, not on any scientific principle, but to afford easy transition from one sub- ject to another. The same classification may for the same reasons be followed in this summary view. The total number of books in the private libraries will not come far short of 70,000, and those in the public libraries may safely be put down at 100,000, giving an aggregate of 170,000 volumes. 170,000 2 18 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. would not be a large figure for so many libraries if the special character and high value of the individual books were left out of view ; as it is, it represents a choice and extensive selection of rare and interesting works in many departments of knowledge. Manuscripts of interest are in several of the libraries, notably in Stirling's Public Library and the Mitchell Library. Incunabula, or books printed in the fifteenth century, will be found in four of the libraries. Pro- fessor Ferguson has about 70 volumes, Mr. J. Wyllie Guild about 30, Stirling's Public Library 27, and the Mitchell Library a few. Early sixteenth century books are abundant, almost every library having some ex- amples, and those of Messrs. Ferguson, Guild, Russell, and Young containing many. There are some valuable Bibles and New Testaments in Stirling's Library; the Mitchell Library has versions in many languages; and Messrs. Guild, Macdonald, M'Grigor, and Young have copies possessing special interest. Highly interesting copies of the Psalms are in the possession of Messrs. Guild, Hill, Macdonald, and Young, each of whom have one or more copies of the Scottish Psalter, while Mr. Young has a copy which there seems no reason to doubt had belonged to Andro Hart, the Edinburgh printer. Catechisms, Paraphrases, Confes- sions of Faith, and Prayer Books are in most of the libraries, the Mitchell Library, Stirling's Library, and Mr. Young each possessing a copy of the Prayer Book associated inseparably with the name of Jenny Geddes. Dr. M'Grigor has a rare work of Martin Luther's, and several works by the Scottish Reformers are noticed in this volume. Coming to modern theo- logical works, it is worthy of special mention that Dr. M'Grigor has no less than 77 volumes and pamphlets written by, or relating to, Frederick Denison Maurice, and similarly thorough sets of the works of Dr. Norman Macleod, Rev. Charles Kingsley, Dr. Thomas Arnold, Dean Stanley, Rev. William Hanna, Dr. John Kitto, INTRODUCTION. 19 Dean Milman, and Baron Bunsen, and has also the series known as the Theological Translation Fund Library, and the Anti-Nicene Christian Library. The Mitchell Library is very thoroughly equipped in general theology, philosophy, and ecclesiastical history, and the same department in Stirling's Library is large, although not so modern. Books on witchcraft occupy a considerable place in Professor Ferguson's library, and numerous rare and curious tracts on the subject are in the collections of Messrs. Gray, Macdonald, Shields, and Young. The kindred subjects of magic and sorcery have also en- gaged the attention of Professor Ferguson, and he has a large number of works on them. Next to Scotland, poetry and the drama is the subject which has found most favour with the Glasgow collectors. Messrs. Hussell and Young have splendid collections of first and early editions of the English dramatists, and Messrs. Guild and Murdoch are strong in the same department. These are so fully described in their re- spective places that it is unnecessary to again notice them at length. Shakespeare fills a larger place in this volume than any other writer, not even excepting Burns. Mr. J. Wyllie Guild has forty-eight editions of his works, including two copies of the second folio, the fourth folio, Steevens's fine folio edition, with extra plates, J. Payne Collier's " purest text," and J. 0. Halli- welFs great edition in sixteen volumes folio. Of Shake- speariana he has fully a thousand items. Mr. Young has the second, third, and fourth folios, and a number of other editions. Stirling's Library possesses the Halliwell edition already mentioned, and Messrs. Gray, Hill, Mac- george, M'Grigor, and Russell have each notable editions. When Mr. J. Payne Collier issued his edition with the " purest text and the briefest notes " he found more than a third of his fifty-eight sub- scribers in this neighbourhood, and a copy is in nearly 20 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. all the thirteen private libraries described. He also found hearty support in Glasgow in connection with his valuable reprints of early dramatic literature, and full sets of the costly series are in the Guild, Mac- george, Murdoch, Russell, and Young libraries, and the same collections, increased by those of Messrs. Gray and Hill, contain the greater number of the other works edited or written by Mr. Collier, and those edited or written by Mr. J. O. Halliwell. A first edition of great value is Spenser's " Faerie Queene." David Laing's copy was sold for 120. Messrs. Guild and Young have fine copies. Another first edition which is prized as better than much fine gold is that of Milton's " Paradise Lost," an elegant copy of which finds an abiding-place with Mr. Russell, who has also first editions of some others of Milton's works. The various societies formed for the reprinting of old works of poetry and drama found many patrons in Glasgow, and sets of the publications of the Ballad Society, the Early English Text Society, the Percy Society, the Shakespeare Society, and the Spenser Society, are frequently mentioned in these pages, as are also Arber's English Reprints, and the works edited by Joseph Ritson. Coming nearer to our own time there is a plethora of riches. Mr. Young has the excessively rare volume published at New T ark in 1807 by Lord Byron and almost immediately suppressed. The first edition of his "Hours of Idleness," Newark, 1807, which is now very rare, is mentioned five times in these pages, Messrs. Guild, Macdonald, Macgeorge, Murdoch, and Young possessing copies. In addition, Messrs. Mac- george and Guild have all but complete sets of the first editions of everything published by Byron. Mr. Macgeorge's collection of separate Byronic productions is very large indeed. The same two gentlemen have first editions of nearly all Shelley's works. Mr. Macgeorge is strong in first editions, and, in INTRODUCTION. 21 addition to those mentioned, has the first editions of the separate works of Keats, Tennyson, and Swin- burne. He has the rare " Poems by Two Brothers," written by the Poet Laureate and his brother Charles, and published anonymously in 1827; the Cambridge Prize Poem, " Timbuctoo," and the "Poems Chiefly Lyrical," 1830, the first of Tennyson's works to which he put his name, besides other rare editions to the number of nearly forty. Messrs. Guild and M'Grigor have many editions of Tennyson and some first editions. Original editions of other modern poets are mentioned more than once. Dr. M'Grigor has fine sets of the works of Sir Theodore Martin, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Browning, Coleridge, Goethe, Schiller, and other lesser luminaries. Mr. Russell has the works of Coleridge in 47 volumes, many of them original editions, and a fine copy of the Aldine series of Poets. Mr. Mathieson has an elegant copy of the same fine series, and the same publisher's edition of Coleridge's works. Good edi- tions of the standard poets of Great Britain, France, and Germany are of course in most of the libraries, and Professor Ferguson has a not inconsiderable num- ber of volumes of Russian and Polish poetry. The subjects of ballads and songs have been very fully followed out in almost every one of the libraries. As might be expected, this volume has a strong Scottish flavour, and it would have been a pity had it been wanting. Every true lover of his country must rejoice to see the records of his native land put beyond danger of wilful destruction. The indefatigability of collectors is unearthing many hidden documents of value, and every trifle being invested with a money value, printed matter now runs less danger than formerly of an ignominious end. Future generations would have much to thank us for if in every place 22 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. in- the empire an effort was being made to collect the literature of that particular spot. This has been very thoroughly done in Glasgow, and in a less degree as regards the whole of Scotland. Some of the best Scottish collections existing are de- scribed in this work. It would be hard indeed to match the combined Scottish collections of the sixteen libraries by any other collection of printed books either in Edin- burgh, London, or elsewhere. They are especially rich in poetry. The gigantic gathering at the Mitchell Library overshadows all others, and Scottish poetry to be studied thoroughly must be studied in Glasgow. The " Poet's Corner," extensive though it is, is still but a recent creation. There are many choice Scottish poetical works which cross the path of the bookhunter but once in many years, and can be procured only at a ransom. What the "Corner" lacks in this respect is made up by the private collections. Rare original editions are in the Young, Guild, Gray, Macdonald, and Mur- doch libraries. Many editions of such works as Bar- bour's " Bruce," and Blind Harry's " Wallace " are noticed as being in some one or other of the following libraries: Guild, Gray, Hill, Macdonald, M'Grigor, Murdoch, Russell, Shields, and Young. First edi- tions of Ossian are numerous ; Dougal Graham's " Poetical History of the Rebellion " occurs fre- quently; some of the rare things printed by Sir William Stirling- Max well are mentioned ; and sets more or less approaching completeness of the works pro- duced under the editorship of David Laing, James Maidrnent, and W. B. D. Turnbull are in all of the libraries. The magnificent Burns collection at the Mitchell Library has but one important want a copy of the first edition of the poet's works. It is a blank not easily filled : copies are scarce, and when they do appear readily find purchasers at high prices. A good copy is worth from 60 to 70. Messrs. Young and Gray possess handsome copies. Both gentlemen INTRODUCTION. 23 have also a number of subsequent editions, including the first Edinburgh and the first London edition. Mr. Guild has many editions. Mr. Murdoch has, amongst a number of editions, a copy of the second, with the names of some of the persons referred to in the poems filled in in the poet's handwriting. Dr. M'Grigor has a copy of the same edition, presented to him by Sir Theodore Martin, which formerly belonged to Lord Dundrennan. Mr. Shields has some editions having special interest, and Messrs. Hill, Macdonald,M'Grigor, Macgeorge, and Russell have Burnsiana of value. The contemporaries of Burns, whose productions have risen in value because of their acquaintance with the bard, are in almost every library in the book. In Scottish family history all the libraries are more or less rich. The Mitchell has a very large section con- taining nothing but biographies of Scotsmen and Scot- tish families, including eleven of the thirteen costly works edited by William Fraser. Mr. Gray has about a hundred separate works on the subject. Mr. Young possesses the very scarce first editions of Boece's " History," and Holinshed's " Chronicle " and other rare histories of Scotland. Mr. Guild has many rare historical volumes and tracts. His collection on the life and reign of the hapless Marie Stuart is the largest and most valuable of its kind in existence. It contains over five hundred works, in many languages, with rare portraits and other enhancing peculiarities. It has been gathered from all quarters of the earth. The portraits of the Queen number 315. Mr. Shields and Mr. Macdonald have many very scarce and curious works bearing on the history of Scotland. Mr. Russell has some early histories, and Messrs. Gray, Hill, Murdoch, M'Grigor, and Mathie- son have many important Scottish historical works. Special attention has been paid to Scottish history in the Mitchell Library, and at Stirling's Library there is a considerable collection. 24 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Complete sets of the Bannatyne, Maitland, Abbots- ford, Spottiswood, Spalding, and other societies' pub- lications are in one or other of the libraries, that of Mr. Guild and the Mitchell containing nearly all. The ex- tensive gathering of topographical and historical works on the places of Scotland which are in the Mitchell Library and the libraries of Messrs. Gray, Macdonald, Guild, Shields, and Wordie are unequalled. They cover the entire country, and contain at least as many books that are not in the British Museum as are there on the subject. Mr. Anderson's admirable catalogue of the topographical books in the British Museum requires a companion volume of others that are not in the Museum to render it complete, and we venture to predict that as far as Scotland is concerned the supplement will be as bulky as the original book. Whoever may undertake the work, and consults the Glasgow libraries, will find here much material hardly to be found elsewhere, yea and whisper it softly not even in the Advocates' Library at Edinburgh. But might not the undertaking assume larger pro- portions, and the work be divided ? Might not the Scottish portion of the work at least form a raison d'etre for the establishment of a Society of Scottish Bibliographers ? The need for an exhaustive and authoritative account of the literature of Scotland is apparent to everyone having any acquaintance with the subject. The ordinary bibliographical dictionaries are woefully deficient in respect to Scottish books, and are frequently very inaccurate. Information on Scottish bibliography has to be sought for in many devious ways, and the searcher has not seldom to go away disappointed by failure, or but moderately satisfied with scanty and doubtful information. The work of forming a bibliographical guide to the whole of the literature of Scotland is too heavy and too unremunerative to be advantageously undertaken by INTRODUCTION. 25 one individual, and could better be carried out by the co-operation of everyone able to help. A society open to every student of Scottish literature would perhaps afford the best means of securing that co-operation. The object would be to give an account of everything printed relating to Scotland or Scots, written by Scots, or printed in Scotland. Such a work would be of inestimable value. The co-operation of the owners of private libraries would doubtless be cheerfully granted. Individual members of the society might undertake to compile bibliographies of villages, towns, counties, subjects, or persons, all of which could be incorporated in one grand dictionary. It may be worth mentioning that the idea of forming a Scottish Bibliographical So- ciety arose in the course of a conversation some time ago between Mr. Barrett, of the Mitchell Library, and the writer, on the feasibility of establishing a society for the study of Glasgow bibliography. Mr. Barrett doubted if the city would present a large enough field to justify the formation of a society. Grave difficulties doubtless attend the larger project, but these might be overcome. We think the suggestion worth recording, and commend it with all modesty to the notice of those interested in Scottish literature. Rich as are the Glasgow libraries in books relating to the whole of Scotland, still greater prizes have been carried off in the more limited arena of the city itself. It is no exaggeration to say that there can hardly be anything of importance relating to Glasgow which is not in one or more of the public or private libraries of the city. The industries of the city, its wonderful growth, its quarrels, and its merry meetings, its amuse- ments, its eminent men, its literature and art, and every phase of its life, are copiously illustrated by the literary stores of its citizens. The Mitchell Library contains a large local collection. At the end of 1884 it numbered about 2,400 volumes 26 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. and pamphlets. It contains many rare pamphlets and periodicals, and some costly volumes. The Glasgow division in Stirling's Library is not so large as that in the Mitchell, but is increasing rapidly. Mr. Macdonald has the first book printed in the city, Zachary Boyd's " Cleare forme of Catechising," printed by George Anderson, 1639, and of which no other copy is known, but the honour of having the very first thing printed in Glasgow is shared in this volume by the Mitchell Library and Professor Ferguson, who each possess a copy of a small tract printed the year before Mr. Macdonald 's treasure. Mr. Russell has a copy of Zachary Boyd's Four Letters of Comfort, printed in the city in 1640, just two years after the introduction of printing. The Mitchell Library contains 804 volumes of early Glas- gow printing, 338 of them from the press of the world- famed printers, the Brothers Foulis. Messrs. Murdoch and Shields have many examples of early Glasgow printing. The Zachary Boyd above mentioned wa& Minister of the Barony, and wrote, among other books, one entitled "The Last Battell of the Soule in Death," which was printed at Edinburgh by the heirs of Andro Hart. It usually appears in two volumes,, with the date, 1629, on each title-page. The pagina- tion is continued through both volumes. David Laing's copy in this form sold for 52 10s. Copies similar to Laing's, but of varying excellence as to condi- tion, are in the libraries of Messrs. Young, Gray, Russell, Murdoch, Macdonald, and Ferguson. Mr. Guild has a copy in one volume, dated a year earlier than the two-volume copies. The supposition is that the work was issued in 1628 in one volume, but being found too bulky, and probably meeting a tardy sale, it was made into two volumes in the course of the follow- ing year, and two new title-pages and some additional prefatory matter inserted. In the course of the present work it was discovered that Mr. Murdoch has a copy INTRODUCTION. 27 of the early edition, in addition to one of the later year, and also that Professor Ferguson's copy, although in two volumes, and bearing 1629 on the title-pages, had the 1628 title-page inserted a little farther on in the book. Mr. Macdonald's copy has the special merit of containing two leaves supposed to be in only one other copy. Of the first history of Glasgow, that by M'TJre, very few clean copies are in existence. Mr. Young has a perfectly clean one, uncut, and containing all the plates which should be in a perfect copy. Messrs. Russell and Macdonald have also good copies. Mr. Macdonald has a valuable series of early maps of the city, and is also the fortunate possessor of one of the three copies extant of the first Glasgow Directory, issued in 1783. When it was reprinted in 1871, the copy from which it was set up was believed to be unique. Mr. Guild has some early directories and many Glasgow books. The case of Fleming v. the Magistrates of Glasgow, a printed record of which is in Mr. Gray's library, con- tains the earliest plan of the city known. Mr. Shields has some scarce volumes of local poetry, all the usual histories of the city, many exceedingly rare Glasgow periodicals, pamphlets on the affairs of the city, and a number of views of old buildings in the neighbour- hood of the High Street and the Saltmarket, executed at his own expense. Mr. Macdonald has all the histor- ies and many of the fugitive periodicals of Glasgow. Mr. Mathieson has an interesting volume of pamph- lets relating to a notorious ecclesiastical dispute among the city fathers about 100 years ago, and other valu- able works relating to the city. Messrs. Gray, Young, Wordie, Ferguson, Macgeorge, M'Grigor, Hill, Mur- doch, and Russell have each many Glasgow books. The criminal history of Scotland is vividly lighted up by the very remarkable collection of trials, indict- ments, informations, etc., in the possession of Mr. Gray. In some respects it is unique. 28 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Chap-books, the favourite literature of a bygone time, have been assiduously collected by Mr. Gray, Mr. Macdonald, and Mr. Shields, each of them having a very large number of the very scarcest kind. Messrs. Russell and Wordie have each a considerable number of chaps. Messrs. Gray and Macdonald have huge collections of posters, proclamations, and similar bills, and Mr. Shields has a most extensive and highly interesting gathering of periodicals and other works relating to Paisley. Mr. Macdonald has the first book printed in Stirling, and Messrs. Ferguson, Guild, Young, and the Mitchell Library have specimens from the press of Raban, Aberdeen's first printer. Dr. M'Grigor has devoted much attention to works on Jerusalem and the Holy Land. His library con- tains nearly 300 separate works on that subject, and about 150 works on Switzerland and the Alps. Many of these are works of the first importance. Dr. M'Grigor has also over 100 maps bound separately. Mr. Young has the very rare and valuable first edition of " Hakluyt's Voyages." In General History the most remarkable things are the long and important series of works belonging to Mr. Russell on King Charles I. and Professor Ferguson's books on Iceland. Dr. M'Grigor has a considerable number of works on Charles I., and has fine copies of all the well-known histories. He has also " Notes and Queries" from the commencement. Fine copies of Grose's "Antiquities" of England and Wales, Scot- land, and Ireland, and his " Military Antiquities " are in most of the libraries. It is almost superfluous to say that all the libraries contain copies of the standard his- tories. The Mitchell Library and Stirling's Library both possess large collections on general and English history. Biography is well represented, particularly in the public libraries. Fine art makes a brilliant appear- ance. The Mitchell has a splendid collection, and INTRODUCTION. 29 there are some very important works at Stirling's Library. Every collector has some Bewicks, and Mr. Guild has a great many. Mr. Macgeorge has perhaps the most complete collection of Ruskin literature in existence ; and Messrs. Guild, Gray, Hill, M'Grigor, Mathieson, Russell, and Young have sets more or less full of the works of Buskin. The Mitchell Library has as many of his works as any other public library in the United Kingdom. The libraries strongest in examples of Cruikshank are those of Messrs. Mac- george and Murdoch. Every one of the others have, however, some of his work. Dr. M'Grigor has a considerable number of works illustrated by Turner. Mr. Russell and others have the costly works of Sir William Stirling-Maxwell, and Lacroix's fine works. Mrs. Jameson's books, the works of Philip Gilbert Hamerton, Shaw's "Dresses," Strutt's "Sports and Pastimes," Meyrick's "Ancient Armour," Lavater's " Physiognomy," and many other beautiful books are in one or more of the libraries. Mr. Macgeorge has a very large number of books illustrated by Blake, by Turner, and by John Leech. Angling would appear to be a favourite sport with the Glasgow collectors, many editions of Walton and Cotton's "Angler" being in most of their libraries, and Mr. Murdoch has about seventy volumes on the piscatorial art. Mr. Murdoch has also many fine books on fishes, shells, eggs, and birds. In alchemy, animal magnetism, and the occult sciences, very few collections, if any, can match that formed by Professor Ferguson. One of its leading points is the large number of English works it contains works not obtainable save at great cost and after long years of waiting. In music the noble but inaccessible Euing collection overshadows all the others. The only library in which books on lang- uage are unusually numerous is that of Mr. Wordie. He has many dictionaries, grammars, glossaries, and other works relating to European, Asiatic, and African 30 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. languages. Both public libraries have of course good scientific and philological sections. Fiction has found ample recognition. In addition to ordinary editions of the works of standard novelists, which are in all the libraries, first and fine editions are numerous. Mr. Young has the first editions of " Gulliver's Travels " and "Robinson Crusoe"; and the Mitchell has also the latter. Messrs. Ferguson, Macdonald, Macgeorge, M'Grigor, Murdoch, Young, and Wordie have first editions of most of the works of Dickens; and Messrs. Ferguson, Macdonald, Macgeorge, M'Grigor, Murdoch, and Russell of the works of Thackeray. Dr. M'Grigor and Mr. Macgeorge have the first edition of Vathek, the latter gentleman's copy being on thick paper. The Villon Society have found a number of subscribers in Glasgow for their edition of the Arabian Nights' ^j O Entertainment. Teubner's, Valpy's, and Bonn's edi- tions of the classics, and many other editions of separate writers, are in the Mitchell Library. Dr. Scouler's gift to Stirling's Library contains many editions of the works of Aristotle. Mr. Russell has first editions of Chapman's translations of " Homer," and Mr. Young has early editions of "Ovid," "Seneca," "Homer," and "Virgil." Dr. M'Grigor has several modern editions, text and translations, of most of the classics. As becomes judicious and sensible book-buyers, there is no lack of bibliographical works. The names of Brydges, Dibdin, Beloe, Allibone, Burton, Brunet, Watt, Lowndes, De Bure, Hain, Hazlitt and other famous bibliographers have : become as household words with them. Of autographs, Mr. Guild has a very large collection, and presentation copies of works with auto- graphs are frequently noted. Mr. Wordie has a very large number of books of proverbs in many languages, and also an extensive collection of anecdotal literature, and books of enigmas, epigrams, and facetiae. Mr. Macgeorge has many first editions of Lamb's works, som^i of them with notes in the author's hand- STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 31 writing. Professor Ferguson has a number of books on the Gipsies, and Dr. M'Grigor has many hundreds of most interesting pamphlets on various subjects. This finishes our general survey of the principal possessions of the sixteen libraries. They are in many respects remarkable, and of the highest interest to Scots and more especially to Glas- gowegians. Let us hope that the day of dispersion is far off from all of them, and that rather than face the unwelcome shadow of the auctioneer many of the owners may pre- fer to secure for their books permanent and honoured resting-places in the public libraries of the city. CHAPTER I. STIRLING'S AND GLASGOW PUBLIC LIBRARY. The Founder, his Ancestors, Personal Appearance, Will, and Death Beginning of the Library First Board of Directors. THIS library was founded in the year 1791 by Walter Stirling, and some account of him may very properly preface a description of the institution which owes its existence to his generosity. His father, William Stirling, was an eminent physi- cian in Glasgow early in the last century, and was a man of more than ordinary ability and sagacity. His place was in Dispensary Close, off the High Street. He took an active interest in other matters besides those pertaining to his profession, and is mentioned by M'Ure, the first historian of Glasgow, as one of the early promoters of linen manufacture in the city, hav- ing, with three others, erected a factory at Grahams ton, 32 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. then called Graham's Hall, "for weaving all sorts of Hollan-cloth, wonderful fine, performed by fine masters, expert in the curious Art of Weaving, as fine and as well done as at Harlem in Holland." He took into partnership that Dr. Gordon who, al- though a distinguished surgeon, is now only remem- bered as the master to whom the celebrated novelist, Tobias Smollett, was apprenticed. The versatile ap- prentice is supposed to have had the Doctor in mind when drawing the character of Potion in his " Roderick Random." Dr. Stirling was twice married, first to Janet Smith, and second to Elizabeth Murdoch, by the latter of whom he had one son, the subject of the pre- sent notice, born in Dispensary Close on 12th Decem- ber, 1723. He had also two daughters, one of whom married the Rev. Patrick Nisbet of Hatton, the other a merchant in Glasgow named Archibald Corbet. Walter Stirling could trace his ancestry back to Robert Stirling, of Bankier and Lettyr, who died in 1537. This Robert is said to have been the nearest collateral heir of Janet Stirling, commonly called Lady Gadder. This, however, is matter of disputation among the various branches of the Stirling family, and as it is outside the province of the present work to discuss knotty questions of family history, we pass on to the consideration of what we trust are undisputed facts. Robert Stirling of Bankier had a son named John, who married Beatrice, daughter of George Elphinstone of Blythswood. From this union there were eight sons and two daughters. The sixth son, Walter, was Dean of Guild in 1630, and his autograph is given in the " View of the Merchants' House," published in 1 866. Walter's grandson, John, had three sons named John, William, and Walter. John was Lord Provost of Glasgow in 1728, and his son William was the founder of the highly respected firm of William Stirling & Sons. After him Stirling Street and Stirling Square were named, these thoroughfares being made through STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 33 the garden and orchard attached to the family mansion in High Street. The second son, William, was Dr. Stirling, the founder's father. The third son, Walter, was proprietor of the lands of Shirva, near Kirkintil- loch. His only son distinguished himself in the navy, and was afterwards knighted. Of Walter Stirling, the founder of the library, not much is known. He spent a quiet, retired life, and but for his generous bequest would doubtless have sunk into that oblivion which has enshrouded many another eminently respectable citizen. He was a merchant in the city, and seems to have prospered in business. He entered into partnership with a Mr. Bell, and the firm appears in the first Glasgow Directory (1783) as Stir- ling, Bell & Co., Trongate. The exact location was No. 18. Mr. Stirling's name is also entered separately as of Miller Street, where he then resided. In 1 77.3 he was added to the Councillors of the Merchant rank in the Town Council, and was elected treasurer of the burgh for the year. In the following year he took the place of John Alson, jun., as an ordinary member of Council, and was elected and chosen to bear office as Bailie of Gorbals. In 1780 he was elected to the office of Second Bailie of the Merchant rank, which he held for one year. In 1782 he retired, being disqualified on account of his seniority as a Councillor. In addition to the offices named, Mr. Stirling was elected a director of the Town's Hospital in 1776, 1779, 1780, and 1781. He became a member of the Merchants' House in 1788, under the title of a "home trader." Previous to 1779 he resided in King Street, where he possessed consider- able property. On 4th August of that year he purchased from Mr. Robert Oliphant of Rossie the dwelling-house in Miller Street which afterwards formed part of the library be- quest. This house was built by Mr. James Jackson, for fifty years Postmaster of Glasgow, who sold it to Mr. Oliphant. Miller Street was formed in 1773. It 3 34 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. was cut through the garden of John Miller, a maltman, after whom it takes its name, who resided at what is now the south-east corner of the street. When it was first opened it had only an entry from Argyle Street. None but gentlemen's houses were allowed in it, and when fully built it presented a fine appearance, and was a very fashionable street. It is interesting to note that the lots were taken up very slowly, the principal objection to the site being its distance from the centre of the city. It was then on the outskirts, and in the vicinity of green fields. The population of Glasgow was 66,578. On 3rd January, 1785, Mr. Stirling executed a will bequeathing one thousand pounds, his house in Miller Street, his own collection of books, and a share in the Tontine Society, to the City of Glasgow for the pur- pose of forming and maintaining a public library for the use of the citizens. He made another will in 1789, but in nowise disturbed the library bequest. He left the bulk of his estate to Mary Nisbet, eldest daughter of his sister Janet, subject to several annuities. To discourage litigation he directed that should any of the legatees question Miss Nisbet's right, the chal- lenger's portion was to be suspended until the case was settled, and the defence expenses of Miss Nisbet were to be met out of the challenger's portion. Need- less to say there was no dispute. Mr. Stirling's personal appearance is thus described by " Senex," Robert Reid, who remembered him " He was a man of pleasing address, and of gentlemanly manners. I remember him with cocked hat, ear curls, and a respectable pigtail." Another authority says he dressed very plainly, but with neatness and precision. He was hunchbacked, and formed one of a party similarly deformed invited to dinner by an eccentric gentleman popularly called <: Jemmy Ward- rop." Mr. Stirling gave the would-be wit a sharp rebuke for his cruel jest, and the town taking Mr. STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 35 Stirling's part, Wardrop was long unpopular. . Mr. Stirling was never married. On 17th January, 1791, he passed quietly away, in his house in Miller Street, having attained the ripe age of sixty-eight. As will be seen from his will which is given below he directed the library to be managed by a board of directors chosen from the following four public bodies: The Town Council, the Merchants' House, the Presbytery of Glasgow, and the Faculty of Physicians and Sur- geons, three from each, which with the Lord Provost of Glasgow (President ex officio) made a directorate of thirteen, commonly supposed to be an unlucky number, the evil effects of which were doubtless averted by the difficulty shared in common with most other public institutions of getting a full meeting. He desired the library to consist of rare and curious books, rather than of the common and ordinary kinds, and it is said that he hated novels so heartily that he had not read one for forty years. The librarian was to allow all proper persons access to the books for at least three hours each lawful day, and no rule or regulation that mis^ht be made was to interfere with O O the chief or primary view of the donation, viz. " The constant and perpetual existence of a public library for the citizens of Glasgow." The high integrity of the man comes out strikingly in the stipulation that should any director become insolvent he shall at once cease to be a director. In choosing a librarian the directors were to prefer one of the name of Stirling " should he be equally qualified for the office with any other candidate." Either there has been no desire on the part of the Stirlings for the librarian ship, or having applied they have not been found equally qualified with other candidates, for no one bearing the name of Stirling has as yet filled the office. The time to be allowed for reading the books was to depend on the size of the work a very reasonable provision, if all books were equally well worth reading and equally digestible. 36 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Eight weeks were to be allowed for a folio, four for a quarto, and two for an octavo. DEED of MORTIFICATION by Mr. WALTER STIRLING, Merchant in Glasgow, of a Fund for establish- ing a PUBLIC LIBRARY for the benefit of the inhabitants of Glasgow. I, WALTER STIRLING, merchant in Glasgow, consider- ing that as a Public Library kept in a proper place in the City of Glasgow will be attended with considerable advantage to the Inhabitants ; Therefore, and in order to establish such a Library, and in exercise of the power which I reserved to myself by my deed of settlement, I hereby Dote and Mortify, to and in favour of the present Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow, and to his successors in office, the sum of one thousand pounds sterling money, and my tenement lying on the east side of Miller Street in the said city, and whole pertinents thereof, and my share, right, and interest in the Tontine Society of Glasgow, with the whole benefit, profit, and advantages which may arise therefrom, during the natural life of Elonora Lee, daughter of Robert Lee, merchant in Greenock, upon whose Life my subscription proceeded, for the sole and only purpose of purchasing a Library, and sup- porting a Librarian for taking charge of the books which may belong to me at my death, as well as those which may be purchased in future, from the fund above- mentioned, appropriated and set apart for that pur- pose : and which sum of one thousand pounds sterling money, I Bind and Oblige myself, and my heirs and successors, to pay, at the first term of Whitsunday or Martinmas after my death, to the then Lord Provost of Glasgow, or his successors in office, to be by him and the persons afternamed applied in the purchase of lands, or other proper security, the yearly rent and produce of which to be by them applied for the uses and purposes aftermentioned, and STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 37 for no other uses whatever, and in the Manner, and Subject to the regulations aftermentioned. And, First, The books of my present Library, and all those to be purchased in future out of, or from the fund hereby appropriated, shall, in all time coming, be vested in thirteen managers who are to be elected and chosen from among the following Corporations or Societies, viz.: From the Town Council of the City of Glasgow, three of their number (besides the Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow for the time, who is and always shall be a Director ex officio) ; from the Merchants' House of Glasgow, three of their number ; from the Presbytery of Glasgow, three of their num- ber; and from the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, three of their number ; the Provost to be constantly Preses at the meeting of the said Directors ; and in case of his absence, the Preses to be chosen by the majority present at each meeting. Second, Each Corporation or Society are to Elect their three Directors at their first meeting after Candlemas subsequent to my Death, and thereafter at their first meeting after Candlemas yearly ; and the persons so chosen may, if their constituents see proper, be elected for any period not exceeding five years, but they may be re-elected as oft as their constituents please, provided, at the time of their election, they are members of the Society electing them, not exceeding five years at once, without re-election. And in case any of the said Societies shall neglect, at their first meeting after the Candlemas subsequent to my Death, or at any subsequent Candlemas thereafter, or at least before the first Tuesday of May yearly (being the time when the Directors are to enter upon the execution of their office) to make choice of three Directors. Such Society so neglecting are to omit and lose their right of Election for that year. And the Directors from the other Societies shall, at the first meeting thereafter, intimate the same to their constituents 38 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. respectively, each of whom shall, at their first meeting- after said intimation, chuse their proportional number out of their own members to fill up the vacancy. And in case any of the said Societies shall neglect to chuse their quota for filling up the vacancy, the Directors chosen shall, at their next meeting, chuse any person or persons whom they think proper for completing the Directors to the number of thirteen as aforesaid. Third, In any case any Director shall become in- solvent, he shall, ipso facto, cease to be a Director, and the Society who chose him shall, at their first meeting after such insolvency, elect another in his place. Nor shall such Director so becoming insolvent be again eligible, unless he shall have paid all his debts. And in case the Society who chose him shall neglect to chuse one to succeed him, the other Directors shall, at their first periodical meeting there- after, chuse one instead of such insolvent Director. Fourth, The Directors are to meet the first Tuesday of every second month, beginning with the first Tues- day of May yearly ; and may meet at any 'other time or times which the majority at any former meetings shall judge proper, and the Preses is hereby em- powered to summon a meeting of the other Directors when he pleases, upon twenty-four hours' previous warning ; and five of said Directors to be a quorum. Fifth, The Directors at their meeting on the first Tuesday of July yearly, shall chuse a Librarian, pre- ferring one of the name of Stirling to any other of the candidates (provided he be equally qualified for the office with any other candidate), and the person so chosen may be elected for any number of years, not exceeding four years, and may be re-elected thereafter, if the Directors shall think fit, as oft as they please. Sixth, The Librarian so chosen shall be obliged to find sufficient security in a sum equal to the value of the books, to be ascertained by the Directors ; and he shall allow all proper persons to consult and read the books STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 39 three hours each lawful day. But no book shall be lent out of the Library to any person whatever with- out an order signed by two of the Directors ; the borrower, at same time, depositing a sum equal to the value of the book, which is to be forfeited, in case of his damaging or losing it, of which damage the Librarian is to be the judge ; but in case he shall value the damage too high, the same may be mitigated by the Directors, if they shall see cause, and the borrower shall be obliged to return the book borrowed within a certain time, not exceeding two weeks for an octavo, four for a quarto, and eight weeks for a folio. Seventh, The accounts respecting the fund shall be balanced yearly, and, after paying the salary to the Librarian and other necessary expenses, the remainder shall be applied in purchasing books, and which sum must never be less than twenty pounds sterling yearly, but as much more as possible. And in this remainder is meant to comprehend any donations of books or money below ten pounds ; arid any donation above that sum in money is to be lent out, and the interest arising therefrom, with the produce of the other funds, to be applied in the purchase of books yearly, except the Donors shall give other directions, whose directions respectively must be sacredly obeyed. Eighth, That the accounts to be kept relative to the funds shall be balanced yearly, on a day certain, and the free fund ascertained, which must not be less than twenty pounds. And the Directors shall, at their next periodical meeting thereafter, chuse the books to be purchased with the said free balance, either manu- script or printed, and which I would recommend should be rather rare and curious books, than of the common and ordinary kinds. And the majority of the Directors shall have a power of purchasing any books they please, but not of disposing of any without the consent of the whole Directors. 40 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Ninth, Every donor contributing to the extent of one hundred pounds sterling, or upwards, to this foundation, shall become an extraordinary Director during his life, and contributing twenty pounds sterling shall be one for five years, and so proportionally for what he shall give more. And in case any person shall incline to bequest a sum by way of legacy, such donor shall have power, by his deed containing the bequest, to name an extraordinary Director, who shall be continued in the management for such a number of years as shall correspond to the sum doted, agreeable to the rule above mentioned. Tenth, Each of the four incorporated bodies or societies above named are hereby empowered, when they shall judge proper, to chuse a committee to visit the library, and the books thereto belonging, and inspect the books of sederunt of the Directors, and the accounts and vouchers relative to the funds (which shall be made patent to them for that purpose), and to report their opinions of all the transactions to their constituents, who, upon receiving and considering such report, may give such orders to the Directors as they may judge necessary or proper, with which the Directors shall be obliged either to comply or to transmit such orders back to the Society or Incorporation from whom they issued, with the Directors' remarks thereupon, stating their reasons for not complying, and the Directors shall likewise be obliged, at the same time, to send just copies of the whole to each of the other Societies. And whatever the majority of the whole of these, who shall give their opinion upon the points in dispute, shall agree upon as fit, and right to be done, the same shall be binding upon the Directors, until it shall be altered in like manner. Eleventh, I reserve power to myself to name and appoint Extraordinary Directors, and also the Libra- rian, and to make such additional regulations as I may judge proper, by any writing under my hand. STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 41 But as the articles and rules before established, as well as those which in future I may see proper to make, may be improved upon, and others established which may be better calculated for rendering my Public Lib- rary of the greatest use possible ; so I declare that whatever regulations or alterations the four Societies or Incorporations above mentioned shall think proper to make for answering the purpose I have in view, if unanimous as Societies, or whatever the said Directors, with the consent of any three of the Societies, shall agree upon, shall be binding upon the Directors in the execution of the trust hereby created. It being under- stood, that no regulations or alterations, which may be made or agreed to, shall be inconsistent with, or strike against the chief or primary view of this Donation, viz. : the constant and perpetual existence of a Public Library for the citizens or inhabitants of Glasgow; and that none of the powers or rights hereby granted shall prescribe or go into desuetude by not using, but shall subsist and remain for ever. And in order that my tenement in Miller Street of Glasgow may be vested in perpetuity, in the person of the Provost of Glasgow for the time being, for himself, and in name of the other Directors of my said Library before described, to be holden of his Majesty in free burg- age, for service of burgh, used and wont, I hereby constitute and appoint [No names were ever fitted in} and each of them, jointly and severally, my lawful and irrevocable procurators, with my full power, warrant, and commission for me, and in my behalf, duly and lawfully to resign and surrender the foresaid tenement or steading lying on the east side of Miller Street, Number Seven, with the houses and buildings erected thereupon, as bounded and described in a Disposition thereof granted to me by Robert Oliphant, Esquire of Kossie, dated fourth day of August, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine years, in the hands of any one of the Bailies of Glasgow for the time being ; 42 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. and as in the hands of his Majesty, my immediate law- ful superior of the same in favour, and for new insert- ment thereof, to be granted to the Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow, at the time of resignation, as one of the Directors of my said Library, for himself and his successors in office, and in trust for, and in name arid behalf of the other Directors of said Library, to be chosen in the manner before mentioned, in legal and O proper form ; and to do and cause to be done every- thing which to the office of a procurator in such cases belongs. Ratifying hereby, and holding firm all and whatever my said procurators shall lawfully do, or cause to be done, in virtue thereof, and which lands before disponed, I oblige me, and my heirs and successors, to warrant to the said Lord Provost of Glasgow, and his successors in office, for himself, and in name of the other Directors foresaid, at all hands and against all deadly. And further, I hereby assign and dispone to the said Provost and his foresaids, not only the whole writs and evidents of and concerning the foresaid steading, and Tontine Society, made, granted, and con- ceived in favour of me and my authors, with the whole obligements and clauses therein contained, and all action and execution competent to me thereupon ; but also the rents, maills, and duties of the said lands, from and after my Death, and for ever thereafter. And I declare that these presents, though found lying by me at the time of my death, or in the hands of any other person undelivered, shall have the effect of a Delivered evident, with the not-delivery whereof I hereby dispense ; and consent to the registration thereof in the books of Council and Session, therein to remain for preservation, and constitute my procurators for that purpose. In witness whereof, this and the three preceding pages, all wrote upon stamped paper, by Patrick Robertson, son of Patrick Robertson, writer in Glas- gow, are subscribed by me at Glasgow, the third day STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 4& of February, Seventeen hundred and eighty-five years, before these witnesses, the saids Patrick Robertson, senior, and Patrick Robertson, junior, witnesses also to my subscribing the marginal note on the first page, which is also written by the said Patrick Robertson, junior. (Signed) WALTER STIRLING. (Signed) PATK. ROBERTSON, Witness. PAT. ROBERTSON, Witness. The four public bodies to whom the management of the library was delegated elected directors early in 1791. The following gentlemen composed the first board : From the Town Council Lord Provost James M'Dowall. Richard Marshall. John Campbell of Clathic. Alexander Brown. From the Merchants' House- Gilbert Hamilton. Robert Findlay. Archibald Grahame. From the Presbytery of Glasgow- Rev. John M'Caul. Rev. Robert Balfour. Rev. Alex. Ranken. From the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons Dr. Peter Wright. Robert Wallace. Alexander Dunlop. Lord Provost M'Dowall took much interest in the library, and was one of the earliest donors. He re- mained on the board until 1794, two years after he had vacated the chief magistrateship. He was again 44 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Lord Provost, 1796 to 1798, and consequently again President of the library. He was the chief pro- moter of the Royal Infirmary, which was established during his provostship. Richard Marshall was a director for two years, but rarely attended the meetings. He was afterwards appointed barrack- master. Alexander Brown was Dean of Guild in 1784-5. Gilbert Hamilton succeeded Mr. M'Dowall in the provostship, holding office for the usual term of two years. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the library, and was one of the representatives of the Merchants' House on the directorate from 1802 to 1810. Robert Findlay was a director to 1796, and again from 1799 to 1802. Archibald Grahaine retired in 1796. Rev. John M'Caul was minister of the Tron Church, and remained a director for four years. Rev. Alexander Balfour was minister of the Outer High Church ; he filled the office of director for eight years, being returned from the Presbytery from 1791 to 1795, and L808 to 1812. Dr. Alex. Ranken was of the Ramshorn Church, and represented the Presbytery at the library 1791 to 1795, 1804 to 1807, 1815 to 1818. He was the author of a History of France in nine volumes, regarding which a good story is told. Wish- ing to test the popularity of the work, he one day made the following inquiry of Mr. Pate, the second librarian of Stirling's Library: "Pray, Mr. Pate, is Ranken's History of France in f " " It never was out," was the prompt and sarcastic reply. Dr. Peter Wright was one of the most assiduous of the early managers of the library. He was on the board from its institution till 1800, again for a year in 1802-3, and for four years from 1804 to 1808. He attended almost every meet- ing, and took a large share of the work. He is mentioned by " Senex " as the last personage who con- tinued to walk the " plainstanes " (in front of the Tontine Buildings) " decked out with his scarlet cloak and cocked hat." STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 45 CHAPTER II. TJie number of Volumes left by Mr. Stirling Early Catalogues Reprint ofthejirst Catalogue. AT their first meeting the directors ordered an in- ventory to be made of the books left by the founder. They were found to number 804, and were valued at 160. A list of them is given in the first catalogue (issued in 1792). A copy of this catalogue is in the library, and is probably the only copy existing. It is a small quarto, printed in the " Courier " office, by William Reid & Company. The list occupies the first 29 pages; from that to page 73 is styled "Cata- logue Second," and contains the titles of the books added by the directors before opening the library. "Catalogue third," and appendix issued in 1795 continues the paging to page 98. The total number of volumes in the three catalogues is 3,705. Several supplementary catalogues were printed in the early years of the present century, and in 1805 it was found necessary to issue a new general catalogue. 1,000 copies of it were printed, not one of which now remains. Supplementary catalogues were printed in 1809, 1818, 1825, and 1828. Although Mr. Stirling's private library seems but small in these days, it would prob- ably have been impossible to match it in the houses of his neighbours. He formed his collection with care and judgment, and it may reasonably be taken to in- dicate very accurately his tastes and habits. The large preponderance of works of history, and the not incon- siderable number of books in Latin, quite support the received opinion that he was of an antiquarian and studious turn, which is perhaps confirmed by his dislike 46 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. to fiction, although there is of course no valid reason why an antiquary should not like a novel now and again, as indeed some of our best novelists have been erudite arid accomplished students of the past. Some of the books have risen much in price since Walter Stirling purchased them, and are now difficult to find, and for this reason it is perhaps a pity for the sake of the library that he did not in his buying subscribe for a copy of the first edition of Burns's poems, so easily got then, so scarce and so costly now. As a sample of the kind of books collected by a Glasgow gentleman of taste and culture in the last century, and as a reprint of a unique volume, the author begs leave to present here a reproduction of the list of books bequeathed by the founder to Stirling's Library. The catalogue is here reproduced exactly. A CATALOGUE of the BOOKS that were in the possession of the late Mr. Walter Stirling, the founder of STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY, at the time of his death, and which he bequeathed to that institu- tion. BOOKS IN FOLIO. No. Date. History of the World, by Sir Walter Raleigh Lon 1652 Matthaei Westmonasteriensis Historiarum Flores ib 1570 Stow's Chronicle of England, .continued by Howes black letter ib 1615 Fox's Martyrology, 3 vols. black letter ib 1641 5 Rushworth's Historical Collections, 8 vols. ib D Y Thuani Historia, 4 torn, in 3 Franc 1609 Tillemont's Ecclesiastical Memoirs, vol. 1 Lon 1733 History of Great Britain, by John Speed ib 1627 Sibbaldi Scotia Illustrata (Historia Naturalis] Edin 1684 10 Keith's History of the Church and State of Scotland ib 1734 Abercromby's Martial Achievements of the Scots Nation, 2 vol. ib 1711 Mackenzie's Lives of Scots Writers, 3 vol. ib 1708 Scots Acts of Parliament, bv Sir Tho. Murray of Glendook Edin 1681 Wodrow's History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland, 2 vol. Edin 1721 15 Buchanani Opera, 2 torn, in uno Edin 1715 STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 47 Date. Sidney's Arcadia Lon 1725 Barnes' History of Edward the Third Cam 1688 Wood's. Athenae Oxoniensis, 2 voL Lon 1721 Stow's Survey of London, 2 vol. ib 1720 20 Davila de bello civil i Gallico, 3 torn. Rome 1735 Knolles' History of the Turks, continued by Rycaut, 3 vol. Lon 1687 Brandt's History of the Reformation in the Low Countries, 4 vol. ib 1720 Tyrrell's History of England, 2 vol. ib 1697 Spelman's Posthumous Works Oxf 1698 25 Howel's Synopsis Canonum, 2 torn Lon 1708 Burnet's History of the Reformation, 3 vol. ib 1681 Memoirs of the Dukes of Hamilton ib 1677 Exposition of the 39 Articles of the Church of England ib 1700 Poole's Annotations on the Old and New Testament, 2 vol. ib 1688 -30 Sleidan's History of the Reformation ib 1689 Heylin's History of the Presbyterians Oxf 1670 History of the Union, by Daniel Defoe Edin 1709 Prince Cantemir's History of the Othman Empire Lon 1734 Harris' Collection of Voyages and Travels, 2 voL ib 1705 -35 Churchill's Collection of Voyages and Travels, 6 vol. ib 1744 Collection of Voyages and Travels from books in the Harleian Library ib 1745 Collier's Ecclesiastical History of Great Britain, 2 vol. ib 1708 Journals of the Parliaments of Queen Elizabeth, col- lected by Sir D. Ewes ib 1682 Maddox's History and Antiquities of the Exchequer of England Lon 1711 40 Hayne's Collection of State Papers (from 1542 to 1570) ib 1740 Chaucer's Works, llaclc letter ib 1598 Cowley's Works ib 1678 Venerabilis Bedae Historia Ecclesiastica (cum para- phrasi Saxonica) ib 1644 Matthaei Paris Angliae Historia ib 1684 45 Johnstoni Historia rerum Britannicarum Amst 1655 Forduni Scotichronicon, 2 torn. Edin 1775 Camdeni Annales, rerum Anglicarum, 2 torn. Lon 1615 Hooker's Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity ib Life of Richard Baxter, written by himself ib 1696 50 Hobbes' Leviathan ib 1651 Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy of the Church of England ib 1714 48 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. No. Date. Godwyn's Annals of England, during the reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI. and Mary ib 1630 Fuller's Worthies of England ib 1762 Church History of Britain, till the year 1 648, 2 vol. ib 1655 55 Knox's History of the Reformation Edin 1732 Petri Bembi Historiae Venetae Lug Bat Plinii Historia Naturalis Gen 1631 Titi Livii Historia, cura Fran. Modii, cum notis aliorum Franc 1588 Scapulae Lexicon Graecum Basil 1605 60 Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War, trans- lated by Hobbes Lon 1676 Translation of Virgil's ^Eaeid by G. Douglass Bishop of Dunkeld Edin 1710 Ammianus Marcellinus, translated by Holland ; an- nexed, the History of Scanderbeg, translated from the French of Lavordin Lon 1596 The Holy Bible ; black letter ; printed by Graf ton ib 1541 black letter ; printed by Barker, 2 vol. ib 1585 65 Horton's Exposition of 4 select Psalms (the 4, 42, 51, 63) ib 1675 The Book of Common Prayer for Scotland Edin 1637 Spottiswood's History of the Church of Scotland Lon 1655 Calderwood's History of the Church of Scotland, Lon 1678 Userii Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates ib 1687 70 Fuller's History of the Holy War and Holy State Cam 1640 Mather's History of New England Lon 1702 History of the Reign of Henry the 5th, by Goodwin ib 1704 The Life of Henry the 8th, by Lord Herbert of Cher- bury ib 1672 Polydori Virgilii Anglica Historia Basil 1655 75 Daniel's History of England, continued by Trussel, and annexed, Bacon's Life of Henry the 7th Lon v y Wilson's History of James the 1st ib 1653 The History of Philip de Commines ib 1614 The Lives of Pope Alex, the 6th, and of Caesar Borgia, by A. Gordon ib 1739 Memoirs of the Sieur de Pontis ib 1694 80 History of the Administration of Cardinal Richelieu ib 1657 Memoirs of France, by Michael de Castilnau ib 1724 Life of Will. Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle ib 1669 Life of Archbishop Usher, with his Letters, by R. Parr ib 1686 Hidden Works of Darkness, or an Introduction to the Trial &c. of Archbishop Laud, by Prynne ib 1645 85 Canterbury's Doom; the History of the Trial, Con- demn., &c. of Archbishop Laud, by Prynne ib 1646 STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 49 No. Date. The Troubles and Trial of Archbishop Laud, written by himself ib 1695 The Second Volume of the Remains of Archbishop Laud, written by himself, collected by H. Wharton (a sequel to the Troubles) ib 1700 Cyprianus Anglicus, or the Life and Death of Arch- bishop Laud, by Heylin Dub 1719 Pauli Jovii sui Temporis Historia, 2 torn. Lutet 1558 90 aliud Exemplar, in 1 tomo Basil 1578 Vitae & Elogia Illustrium Virorum, 2 torn. ib 1578 History of the Council of Trent, by P. Soave Polano (Father Paul) Lon 1640 De Vita & Rebus gestis Mariae Scotorum Reginse, quae scriptis tradidere Autores sedecim, a Sam. Jebb. 2 vol. [The contents of the two volumes are set out.] Lon 1725 Journal of the House of Commons from 1606 to 1609 ; a manuscript 95 History of the Troubles of Great Britain from 1633 to 1 650, by Robert Monteth of Salmonet ; added, The Causes of the Restoration of Charles the 2d, from the French of D. Riordan de Muscry Lon 1735 Collection of Papers, from authentic Records, in relation to the Troubles in England, Scotland, and Ireland, from 1639 to 1649, by J. Nelson, L.L.D. 2 vol. ib 1682 Lives of the Crown Officers of Scotland, by Geo. Craw- ford, Vol. I Edin 1726 Monro's Expedition with a Scots Regiment under the King of Denmark, and the King of Sweden, from 1626 to 1634 Lon 1637 History and Antiquities of Scotland, to the Death of James the 1st, by William Maitland, continued to James the sixths's accession to the Crown of Eng- land, by another hand ib 1757 100 Drummond of Hawthornden's History of Scotland, during the reign of the five first James's ; with Memorials of State, during the reigns of James the 6th, and Charles the 1st ; annexed, his Familiar Letters, and the Cypress Grove ib 1655 Sir Buls. Whitlocke's Memorials of English Affairs till the death of James 1st ib 1709 Memorials during the Reign of Charles 1st, &c. ib 1682 History of the Life and Reign of Richard the 3rd, by G. Buck ib 1647 History of the Civil Wars between the Houses of York and Lancaster, from the Italian of Biondi ib 1641 4 50 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. No. Date. 105 Chambei-lain's History and Survey of London ib 1769 Burrow's Book of Rates, Vol. I Glas 1774 Craigii Jus Feudale Lon 1655 Robert Barclay of Urie's Works ib 1692 Opera Joannis Forbesii a Corse ; Vita Interior, Theo- logia Moralis, Irenicum, cura Pastoralis, Instructi- ones Historico-Theologicae, 2 torn. Arnst 1703 110 Julii Solini Polyhistor. Fuller's Pisgah fight of Palestine Lon 1662 Thevenot's Travels into Turkey, Persia, and the East- Indies ib 1687 Sir John Chardin's Travels into Persia and the East- Indies ib 1686 Travels of the Ambassadors of the Duke of Holstein through Muscovy, Tartary, and Persia ; annexed, Mandelslo's Travels into the East-Indies. * ib 1662 115 Legatio Batavica ad magnum Tarteriae Chamum, per Joan. Nieuhovium ; Latinitatedonataper Hornium : (cum multis Tabulis aeneis). Amst 1668 Sandys' Travels through Greece, Egypt, Holy Land, &c. Lon 1670 History of Lapland, by Scheffer Oxf 1674 Conquest of Mexico, from the Spanish of Ant. de Solis Lon 1724 Royal Commentaries of Peru, from the Spanish of Inca Garcilasso de la Vega ib 1688 120 History of the City and State of Geneva, by If. Spon ib 1687 Chrorographical Description of the British Monarchy (engraved) ib 1748 Historia & Antiquitates TJniversitatis Oxoniensis (opera A. Wood) Oxon 1674 Sibbald's History of Fife and Kinross Edin 1710 Crawford's History of the shire of Renfrew, and of the Family of Stewart ; annexed, Acts of Sederunt of the Lords of Session, from 1661 to 1681, and Articles of Regulation 125 Scobell's collection of Acts of Parliament from 1648 to 1651 Lon 1653 Bacon's Natural History ; annexed, His New Atalantis ib 1639 Machiavel's Works ib 1680 Trial of Lord Stafford and others for High Treason ib 1681 Acts of the General Assembly of the Church of Scot- land from 1694 to 1717 inclusive, and from 1726 to 1782, inclusive, 5 vol. Edin VY 130 Virgilii Opera, 2 torn, (excudebat Foulis) Glas 1778 The Poetical Works of James Thomson, 2 vol. (Foulis) ib 1784 STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 51 BOOKS IN QUARTO. No. Date. Desiderata Curiosa, with cuts, by Francis Peck, 2 vol. in one Lon 1779 Leland's History of Ireland, 3 vol. ib 1773 Dalrymple's Memoirs of Great Britain and Ireland, 3 vol. Edin. 1771 135 Memoires de Sully, 3 torn. Lon 1747 Histoire d'Angleterre, par Rapin, 10 tom. Haye 1727 Hume's History of England, 6 vol. Lon 1762 Essays ib 1758 Spratt's History of the Royal Society ib 1702 140 Ainsworth's Dictionary, Latin and English, 2 vol. ib 1761 Howard's State of Prisons War 1777 Journal d'un Voyage au Nord en 1736 & 1737, par Outhier Paris 1744 Joannis Majoris Britanniae Historia Edin 1740 History of Virginia, by Sir William Keith Lon 1737 145 Travels of E. Ysbrants Ides from Moscow to China, with plates ib 1705 A collection of Tracts by Tho. Chubb ib 1730 History of the Military Transactions of the British in Indostan, from 1745 to 1755, by Orme ib 1763 Guiccardini's History of the Wars in Italy, translated by Fenton ib 1579 Marianae Historia de Rebus Hispaniae Bogin 1605 150 A Voyage to the South Sea, by Mons. Frezier Lon 1717 History of the Irish Rebellion begun 1641, by Sir John Temple ib 1646 Boyer's Royal French and English Dictionary Hague 1702 Strada de Bello Belgico, cumfiguris Franc 1651 Pomponius Mela de situ Orbis, cum tabulis Lon 1719 155 Seldeni Uxor Hebraica Franc 1673 Cinnamus de rebus gestis imperatorum Constanti- nopolitorum Traj 1652 Spanhemii Historia C. Religionis restitutae apud Genev. Genev 1672 Leslei Scotorum Historia Rom 1675 Index Nominum Proprioruin in Historiis Thuani Genev 1634 160 Bower's History of the Popes, 7 vol. with an Appendix, containing a View of the Controversy between the Papists and the Author Lon v Y Goodwin's Catalogue of the Bishops of England (black letter) Lon 1615 Tychonis Brahei Vita, authore P. Gassendo accessit, Copernici, Peurbachii, & Regiomontani vita (eodem Authore) Par 1654 52 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. No. Date. Account of the Royal Family of Scotland, and of the surname of Stewart, by Duncan Stewart Edin 1739 Collection of celebrated Criminal Trials, by H. Arnot ib 1785 165 Case of Will. Brereton Captain of the Duke, with an Appendix Lon 1779 A System of English Conveyancing, adapted to Scot- land, by J. M'Nayr Glas 1789 Principal Carstares' State Papers and Letters Edin 1774 Process of Declarator concerning the Revenue of Glas- gow College 1778 History of the Shire of Renfrew, by Crawford, con- tinued by W. Semple Pais 1782 1 70 History of the Province of Moray, by Lauchlan Shaw Edin 1775 Rae's History of the Rebellion in 1715 Bum 1718 Whitelock's Journal of the Swedish Embassy in 1653, 2 vol Lon 1772 Account of the Countries round Hudson's Bay, by Art. Dobbs ib 1744 Cook's Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, continued by King, 3 vol ' ib 1785 175 Consideration on India Affairs, by Will. Bolts ib 1772 Account of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich in 1789 ib 1789 Papers Relating to the Augmentation of the Stipends of the Established Clergy in Scotland Edin 1751 Chalmer's Estimate of the Strength of Great Britain annexed, An Essay on Population, by Judge Hale Lon 1782 The Holy Bible, with Annotations, printed by Barker ib 1606 180 The Holy Bible, printed by Barker ib 1630 The Holy Bible Edin 1712 The New Testament in English (black letter) with the Latin of Erasmus, printed by Gaultier Lon 1550 The Real Christian, by Firmin ib 1670 Flavel's Treatise on the Soul of Man ib 1698 185 Collection of the Writings of Lod. Mnggleton ib v Y Anderson's Defence of the Church Government, &c. of the Presbyterians Glas 1714 Selden's History of Tithes 1618 Alpinus de Medicina Egyptiorum, & Bontius de Medi- cina Indoruin Por 1645 Euclidis Elementa, editio Rob. Simson Glas 1756 190 Spens' Translation of the Republic of Plato ib 1763 The First Book of Milton's Paradise Lost, with Notes (by Callender of Craigfortfi) ib 1750 Pamphlets, 10 vol [The contents of these are set out,~\ STIRLING'S P UBLIC LIBRA RY. 53 BOOKS IN OCTAVO. No. Date. Present State of Europe (by Campbell) Lon 1757 The True Interest and Political Maxims of Holland, by De Witt ib 1746 The Works of Sir William Temple, 4 vol Ed in 1754 205 Clarendon's History of the Civil Wars in England, begun 1741, 6 vol Oxf 1632 Campbell's Lives of the Admirals of Great Britain, 4 vol Lon 1742 Moyle's Works, 2 vol ib 1726 Greaves' Miscellaneous Works, 2 vol ib 1737 Johnson's Lives of the English Poets, 4 vol ib 1783 210 Jenyns' Miscellanies ib 1770 Emlyn's Collection of Tracts, 2 vol ib 1731 Liber Niger Scaccarii, Editore Tho. Hearnio, 2 torn Oxon 1728 Neal's History of the Puritans, 4 vol Lon 1732 Calarny's Life of Baxter, with an Account of the Ministers ejected after the Restoration, and the History of Dissenters till 1711, 4 vol ib 1713 215 Prideaux's Connection of Sacred and Profane History, 2 vol ib 1718 Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, with cuts ib 1763 Pearson's Sermons ib 1718 Craig's Sermons, 3 vol Edin 1733 Echard's Ecclesiastical History, 2 vol Lon 1710 220 Burnet's Abridgement of his History of the Reformation ib 1 782 The Works of Flavius Josephus, 4 vol Glas 1762 History of the Translations of the Bible, by John Lewis Lon 1739 Vetus Testamentum Juxta Septuaginta Inter0etes, Edidit Jo. Er. Grabe, 8 torn Oxon 1707 Gillies' Historical Collections of the Success of the Gospel, 2 vol Glas 1754 225 The Trial of Dr. Henry Sacheverel Lon 1710 Dr. Echard's Works ib 1705 Father Paul on Ecclesiastical Benefices ib 1736 Sir Matthew Hale's Contemplations, in 3 parts, 2 vol ib 1689 An Essay on Witchcraft, by Francis Hutchinson ib 1720 230 Bayle's Philosophical Commentary on " Compel them," &c. 2 vol ib 1708 Euclidis Elementa, ex versione Commandini Ox 1732 Locke's Essay on the Human Understanding, 2 vol Lon 1721 Gordon's Geographical Grammar ib 1749 Nicolson's English Historical Library, 3 vol ib 1696 235 Collections on the Scottish History before 1153, by Sir James Dalrymple Edin 1705 54 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. No. Date. Negociations of Sir Ralph Sadler, Ambassador to Henry 8th ib 1720 Baillie's Letters and Journals, 2 vol ib 1775 Bishop Parker's History of His Own Time Lon 1727 History of the Church and State of Scotland, from the Accession of Charles 1st, to the Restoration of Charles 2d, by And. Stevenson, 3 vol Edin 176b 240 Macky's Memoirs during the reigns of King William, Queen Anne, and George 1st Lon 1733 Memoirs of the Affairs of Scotland, from 1702 to 1708, by Lockhart of Carnwath ib 1714 Historical Treatise of Cities and Burghs, by Dr. Brady ib 1777 Antiquities of Constantinople, by Gyllius, translated by Ball ib 1729 Puffendorf's Introduction to the History of Europe ib 1719 245 Complete History of Sweden ib 1702 History of the Revolutions of Spain, by Vairac, 5 vol ib 1724 Robertson's History of Scotland, 2 vol ib 1761 History of the Reign of Charles 5th, 3 vol Dub 1769 History of America 3 vol Lon 1777 250 Inquiry into the Evidence against Queen Mary (Tytier) Edin 1767 Ockley's History of the Saracens, 2 vol Cam 1757 Neal's History of New England, 2 vol Lon 1747 Gordon's History of the American War, 4 vol ib 1788 Hamilton's New Account of the East Indies, 2 vol ib 1 744 255 A Cruising Voyage round the World, by Captain Woodes Rogers ib 1726 Anson's Voyage Round the World ib 1747 Account q a Voyage Round the World, by W. Betagh ib 1728 Ulloa's Voyage to South America, 2 vol ib 1772 Collection of Voyages, Dampier's, Waser's, Cowley's. &c. 4 vol ib 1729 260 Hawkesworth's Account of the Voyages of Byron, Cook, &c. 2 vol. Dub 1774 Charlevoix's Voyage to North America, 2 vol Lon 1761 Smith's Voyage to Guinea ib 1 744 Stewart's Journey to Mequinez in 1721 ib 1725 History of the Balearick Islands, or the Kingdom of Majorca, translated from the Spanish ib 1719 265 History of the Island of Minorca, by Jo. Armstrong ib 1756 A Voyage to the North, from the French. Lon. 1706 Account of Denmark as it was in 1692 ib!694 Observations on Vesuvius, Etna, &c. by Sir W. Hamilton ib 1774 270 Account of Peru, and of the Earthquake at Lima in 1746 ib 1748 STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 55 No. Date. A General History of Stirlingshire, by Will. Nimino Edin 1777 The History of Glasgow, by John Gibson Glas 1777 Echard's Roman History, 5 vol Lon 1713 History of the Parthian Empire, by Tho. Lewis ib 1728 275 PerizoniiCommentarii Historic! de Seculo Sexto decimo Lug 1710 Hugonis Grotii Annales & Historiae de rebus Belgicis. Amst 1658 History of Peter the Great, by A. Gordon, of Auchin- (') T toul, 2 vol Aber 1755 History of Genghizcan the Great, by Petis de la Croix Lon 1722 Vita Caroli Magni per Eginhartum, & Annales Pipini, Caroli, " Senex " Interesting Donation Present Board of Directors Donors Manuscripts. IN April, 1881, 'Mr. Thomas Mason, senior assistant librarian in the Mitchell Library, was appointed in the place of Mr. Blair as librarian. The progress of the library since then may be briefly set forth. In 1880-81 the number of members was (including life and congregational members) 339 ; in 1881-82 these increased to 459, and further increased in the follow- ing year to 670. At the end of 1883-84 it was found that the number had reached 731. This shows an increase in three years of 392 members, the subscrip- tions of whom amounted to 157 15s. 3d. The number of new members enrolled was much larger (679), allow- ance having to be made in reckoning the increase for the members who have lapsed. Of members presently on the roll the oldest in membership is Mr. J. D. Bryce, 18 Buckingham Terrace, who was admitted as a life member on 8th February, 1836. The issue of books during the same period has increased in even a greater ratio than the members. The issue for 1880-81 was estimated at about 25,000 ; that for 1881-82 was 57,463 ; for 1882-83, 104,714 ; and for 1883-84, 132,239, Thus in three years the issue of books has been in- creased at least five-fold. 76 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. No arrangement of the books seems ever to have been made until that made by the present librarian. His first piece of work was to make an inventory of the books in the place, which labour was exceedingly dirty, and extended over a period of six months. That finished, he at once proceeded with the arrangement. With the |library in use, the process was a tedious and laborious one. The class first brought together in one place was Biography. The books composing it had to be sought for in every part of the building, and owing to the dim and sometimes titleless state of the backs of the books, the only thorough method was found to be that of opening every book and deter- mining whether it belonged to the class in formation. This had to be done for every class, the labour, of course, becoming easier as the number of books to go over decreased. The quickest and most satisfactory way would have been to have divided the books into their respective classes at once, and then to have arranged each class on the shelves where it was most convenient to have it. But this method would have necessitated the shutting of the library for a consider- able period, which was out of the question. The work was further increased by the want of room to turn in. When a class of books had been selected, a place had to be provided for them. The volumes had been gathered from every press, but there being no excess of space, the unarranged books had to be put into the vacancies caused by the abstractions, and as they might remain in their temporary places for months, their loca- tion had to be taken note of, else it would have been practically impossible to get them when wanted. This mere matter of locating occupied a considerable time, and did not directly forward the arrangement. Another piece of temporary work requires to be noted before an accurate idea can be had of the labour involved in arranging a large public library while it is being used. After a class was arranged it was necessary to provide STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 77 a key to the individual books from the old numbers. When a new catalogue is in use the books will be sought for by their new numbers, and will be readily found. But until the issue of this new catalogue the books are asked fqr by their old numbers, hence the necessity of a key or index from the old to the new numbers. The arrangement, we do not say re-arrangement, as the present is the first time the books have been arranged, is now concluded, and an account of it may therefore be given without danger of recording what might afterwards be altered had the plan of arrangement been only projected. The books are arranged in thirteen classes, as follows : A. Theology, Philosophy, and Ecclesiastical History. B. Biography. C. History, Travels, and Voyages. D. Science and Natural History. E. Fine Arts. F. La.w, Politics, Sociology, Commerce. G. Language. H. Poetry and the Drama. K. Fiction (Prose). M. Miscellaneous Literature. K. Rare and Curious Books. S. Books relating to Scotland. W. Scouler Donation. The first ten of these may be called ordinary classes ; the last three are special classes, composed entirely of books which naturally belong to the other classes, but which are separated for the purpose indicated in the titles the rare books for safety, the Scottish books for convenience, and the Scouler donation for the laud- able object of perpetuating in a visible manner the generosity of the donor. The publications of the Patent Office form a class, 78 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. but being a large and very distinct one, and, further, not belonging to the library, but kept in trust for the Corporation of Glasgow, it was not necessary to deal with it as with the rest of the contents of the library. Theology and Ecclesiastical ^istory are placed to- gether, and Philosophy by itself, the whole class tilling almost one side of the gallery. Biography is downstairs, and is divided into general biography, i.e., volumes containing two or more lives, and indi- vidual biography, consisting of books dealing with only one life. Individual biography is arranged on the shelves alphabetically by the names of the sub- jects of the memoirs. History and Travels are located in the gallery, and are arranged on the shelves in countries in the follow- ing order : World, Europe, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Russia (islands go with the adjacent countries), Africa, Canada, United States, other American States proceeding south- wards, Asia proceeding from east to west. Australasia, England and Ireland are kept downstairs, separately, of course, and are considerable sub-classes, and are again sub-divided into books on the whole of these countries and those on parts. Books on Scotland, it will be remembered, form a distinct class. Fiction is arranged alphabetically, irrespective of size, but this matters little, as works of fiction are much alike in dimensions. The class is kept down- stairs, near at hand. Rare and curious books are in the librarian's room. Books relating to Scotland are divided into those on the whole of Scotland, and those on parts, those on the ecclesiastical history, law, etc., of Scotland. Sets of magazines are shelved in parts of the library less accessible, or where an even row of uniform volumes adds to the appearance of the library without disturbing the class arrangement. The practical advantages of having books of a class STIRLING'S P UBLIG LIBRAE Y. 79 together are obvious, and to these may be added the neat, orderly appearance which results from a good arrangement. The growth of the library is set out in the table appended : Year. Volumes. Increase. 1791 - 804 1795 3,705 2,901 1816 5,899 2,194 1819 6,360 461 1842 11,000 4,640 1870 24,000 13,000 *1878 38,000 14,000 1885 42,000 4,000 In the course of this account of the library mention has been incidentally made of some of those who have taken a part in its management, but several other gentlemen have been prominently connected with the institution whom we have had no opportunity hitherto of introducing, but whose services to the library have been such as to render incomplete any account of it which omitted to speak of them. Mr. John Wardrop was on the board from 1807 to 1829, and during that long time was the most regular and hard working member of the directorate. The Rev. Dr. Lockhart was a director from 1795 to 1798, 1802 to 1803, 1808 to 1811, and 1819 to 1821. The Rev. Mr. Burns of the Barony filled a similar position from 1795 to 1803, and 1807 to 1810. The following gentle- men also held office : Rev. Mr. M'Lean, Gorbals, from 1795 to 1799, 1803 to 1804, 1811 to 1813, 1822 to 1824; Dr. Miller, from 1801 to 1802, 1803 to 1805, 1806 to 1812, 1817 to 1826 ; Bailie Laurence Craigie, from 1802 to 1803, 1820 to 1826; Rev. Dr. Stevenson Macgill, Professor of Divinity in Glasgow University, from 1798 to 1802, 1821 to 1823, * The Glasgow Public Library and the donation by Dr. Scouler were acquired between 1870 and 1878. 80 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. 1833 to 1835; Dr. Balmanno, from 1803 to 1805, 1814 to 1815; Mr. Hopkirk, 1807 to 1810; Dr. Nimmo, from 1810 to 1811, 1812 to 1824; Bailie James Lumsden, 1820 to 1826 ; Eev. Dr. Thomas Chalmers, from 1823 to 1824; Gilbert Watson, from 1824 to 1829 ; Dr. Alex. Panton, from 1826 to 1832 ; Walter Ferguson, from 1827 to 1832; Dr. George Hendrie, from 1827 to 1832; John Smith, youngest, from 1828 to 1834 ; Dr. Weir, from 1832 to 1847, 1852 to 1855 ; Dr. Perry, from 1832 to 1845, 1847 to 1848; Dr. Cowan, from 1832 to 1841; Henry Paul, from 1834 to 1839; Principal Macfarlan, from 1834 to 1837; John Leadbeater, from 1839 to 1844; Alex. Hastie (afterwards M.P. for the city), from 1839 to 1849; Dr. Alfred Hall, from 1848 to 1850 ; Dr. Joseph Fleming, from 1849 to 1858; Rev. Dr. Runciman, from 1851 to 1854 ; Rev. William Symington, from 1852 to 1858; Sheriff Skene, from 1852 to 1856 ; Rev. Dr. Jamieson, from 1856 to 1880; James Hedderwick, from 1851 to 1854. The office of vice-president was instituted in 1848, and, as has been noted, its first holder was Bailie James Playfair. He was succeeded in 1852 by Bailie James Bogle, who died in 1855. Mr. William Euing was next elected to the office, and held it until his death in 1874, when the Rev. Dr. Jamieson was ap- pointed. Mr. Michael Connal succeeded Dr. Jamie- son in 1879. Bailie Bogle was next to Mr. Euing the most munificent donor to the library. The latter gave many fine books, and in virtue of his gifts was elected, under a clause in the founder's will, an extraordinary director. To his generosity the library owes its most precious possessions. He gave thousands of volumes, all of them belonging to the class which Mr. Stirling most desiderated "rare and curious books." So thorough was his sympathy with the library that he lovingly hovered about it, dropping in ever and anon with a precious volume. His connection with the library was unique in point of duration. He was STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 81 elected a life member in 1795, four years after the foundation of the library, and therefore for his three guineas enjoyed the privileges of membership for 79 years. At his death he bequeathed the sum of 200 to the library. Of the present much-esteemed vice-president nothing but praise can be said. He was born next door to the library, some sixty-eight or so years ago, when Miller Street knew naught of shop or counting-house, and cherishes a loving regard for Walter Stirling's founda- tion. Twenty-eight years ago he joined the board of directors, and with his co-director, Mr. George W. Clark, battled with officialism, neglect, and mismanage- ment, and in every movement for the improvement of the library initiated since then he has taken an active share. Mr. Andrew Liddell discharged the duties of treasurer till his death in 1854. He was succeeded by Mr. Richard S. Cunliff, who held office until 1875, and was in turn succeeded by the present respected treasurer, Mr. David Sandeman. Mr. Liddell is men- tioned earlier in this notice as having taken a chief part in the resuscitation of the library in 1848. He also presented many books. Mr. Cunliff was the keeper of the purse during a period when the income rarely exceeded the expenditure, and he gave liberally both in service and in money. He died in 1879. Mr. Sandeman was a director of the Glasgow Public Library, and on its amalgamation with the Stirling Library was elected a director of the latter. He recently subscribed 50 to the fund for the extinction of the debt on the library. The office of secretary was ably filled by Mr. William Cockey from 1849 to 1864, when Mr. G. W. Clark took office. Mr. Clark had asso- ciated with him as joint secretaries the late Mr. Cun- ningham Monteath, and the present secretary, Mr. John Ferguson. Mr. Clark's long term of service has been greatly to the advantage of the library. When the new buildings were being put up, and latterly when 6 82 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. the funds were very low, he did yeoman service. One of the early directors yet remains to be noticed Robert Reid, better known as the " Senex" of " Glasgow Past and Present," and " Old Glasgow." He presented the library in 1865 with his own photograph, and the receipt given him by Mr. Pate when he became a life member, on 2nd March, 1799. On the photo and receipt is an inscription in the following terms : " To Stirling's Public Library, Glasgow, from Mr. Robert Reid (alias ' Senex'), in the 67th year of his subscrip- tion, and 93rd year of his age." He died the same year. His recollections of old Glasgow, first given in the " Glasgow Herald," and afterwards republished in " Glasgow Past and Present," are most valuable. He was born before the deepening of the Clyde, and before the erection of a greater part of the present city. He had many curious and entertaining stories to tell of old Glasgow and its ways, and gave a deal of topo- graphical information which it would have been hard to have collected otherwise. The present board is a good one. Its management is distinguished by enter- prise, and by that amount of reforming zeal necessary to keep abuses from creeping in, a zeal, however, which is judiciously tempered by that wholesome conservatism which becomes the guardians of a public institution, and under its sway the library is in a more flourishing con- dition than it ever has been before. The present directors are : Elected By George Buchanan, Professor of Clinical Surgery in the Uni- versity of Glasgow, 1853 Physicians and Surgeons. Michael Connal, Vice-President (Chairman of the School Board of Glasgow), 1856 Subscribers. w n , , f 1858-61 Town Council. George W. Clark, | Ig61 Subscr i bers . Dr. Robert Perry, 1861 Physicians and Surgeons. ( 1 8fi5 8 Preceptor William Wilson, < io 7 g Town Council. STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. S3 Elected David Sandeman (Treasurer), 1871 Rev. Matthew Cochrane, M.A., 1871 John Ferguson (Secretary), 1878 Bailie George Jackson (Con- vener of Managing Com- mittee), 1879 William M'Kim, 1880 Donald M'Corquodale, 1881 Robert Chrystal, 1881 George Smith, 1881 Rev. F. L. Robertson, D.D., 1881 Dr. Robert Renfrew, 1882 William Kerr, 1883 J. F. King, 1883 Lord Provost William M'Onie, 1883 Rev. David Miller, 1884 J. M. Cunningham, 1884 Councillor James Colquhoun, 1884 By Subscribers. Presbytery. Subscribers. Town Council. Subscribers. V Merchants' House. Presbytery. Physicians and Surgeons. Subscribers. > Town Council. Presbytery. Merchants' House. Town Council. Among the donors to the library have been some illustrious and many notable persons. Her Majesty the Queen sent a copy of her " Leaves from the Journal of our Life in the Highlands " with her autograph, in 1868, and again honoured the library in a similar way last year, with " More Leaves from the Journal of a Life in the Highlands." The names of Horace Greeley, James O. Halliwell, Lord Kin- loch, and nearly all our local historians, also appear in the list of donors. William Jameson, jun., Bailie Bogle, William Euing, Robert Reid, and Bailie Liddell have been mentioned already in these pages as liberal givers. There are fully a dozen of manuscripts in the lib- rary, two of them written on vellum. These two are described in the preface to the present catalogue as being of the thirteenth or fourteenth centuries, and they certainly appear to be quite as old as that. One is a treatise on the Canon Law (in Latin). It is a small book (4j inches long by 3 broad), and is strongly bound in vellum, with big brass nails on the sides. The staple of the clasp remains, but the clasp itself has dis- 84 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. appeared. The writing is beautifully done in red and brown, with illuminated borders and initial letters. Some of the initial letters contain portraits, and the borders are adorned with pictures of birds' heads and of the products of the fields. It contains about 300 pages. The other manuscript on vellum is a copy of the Psalms of David, a very beautiful piece of work. It is of the same size as the other manuscript, but the leaves are much thicker. The initial letters at the beginning of each psalm are in gold, those at the beginning of each verse in red and blue alternately. The writer had evidently quailed before the cxix. Psalm, as he only gives a selection from it. Both these manuscripts formed part of Mr. Stirling's be- quest. Of the manuscripts on paper thelargestand most impor- tant is a thick folio volume of about 760 pages, containing many papers on the History of Scotland, civil and eccle- siastical. The first 210 pages deal with Scottish affairs during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Then follows a " Perfect Inventore of the Pious Donations since the dayes of King James the I. to the reigne of King James the VI. inclusive ; " as also thereafter " Proceedings of the late General Assembly held at Glasgow, 1638;" "Proceedings of the late General Assembly held at Edinburgh, 1639;" "Articles of agreement condeshendit by the Council of Dort in favours of the Royal Burrows of Scotland, anent the holding of the Scottish staple at Dort;" " Ane accompt of the debate betwixt the Merchants and Trades of Edenborough, and of the Acts and other papers that passed thereupon in 1661, and theirafter;" "Table of the Statutes of Heriot's Hospital in Edinburgh, in July, 1627;" "Ane brieff Discourse concerning the trade of the Kingdome of Scotland, with some remedies proposed for ye relieff yerof, 1667;" "Division of Public Taxation, 1665, among the Counties and Royal Burghs of Scotland, showing the amount each paid ; " STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 85 " Roll of Parliament, 1669 ;" " Laws and Articles of War for the Government of his Majestie's forces within the Kingdom of Scotland." A number of other papers of less interest follow. The' book is written in more than one hand ; that in which the most of it is written is a fine hand old style, of course. Among the other manuscripts we may note the following: "The Hellenic Kingdom and the Greek Nation," by George Finlay, honorary major in the service of His Majesty the King of Greece. The preface is dated, from Athens, 25th July, 1836. We do not think that this treatise was ever printed, although Mr. Finlay subsequently pub- lished several books on Greece and the Greeks. " Subscription List for Building the Assembly Room, Glasgow, February, 1758, to April, 1763;' Robert Bogle's Account." Presented by Bailie Bogle. We should think this would be worth printing, as it con- tains a long list of the names of the leading local men of the time. " Memoranda regarding the present state of the principal Libraries in Glasgow, with notices respecting some other Scotch libraries, 1849." This is an interesting folio, compiled by Robert Reid (" Senex "). It and the next manuscript were presented by Mr. Reid. " Tables of superficial measure adapted for the ready calculation of the contents of timber and of various goods of freight, etc., by Robert Reid;" " Journal of the House of Commons, from 18th November, 1606, to 9th February, 1609;" a folio of 732 pages, written in a clear bold hand (it formed part of the Stirling bequest). The other manuscripts in- clude " Notes on Points of Law, by John M'Caul, writer in Glasgow ; " " A^fac-simile of Burns's Cottar's Satur- day Night," with a letter written byMotherwell the poet; " A highly curious Commonplace Book," from the library of the late J. F. Ferguson, of the Exchequer Record Office ; a small book giving the prices of yarns in 1784 and 1786 ; a work on Heraldry and Geometry, etc., with illustrations (by a note on the flyleaf this 86 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. book appears to have been the property of one James Gumming in 1705); " John Law's Demonstrationes Logica, written by William Stirling in 1700." An exercise book of this William Stirling's who is with- out doubt the founder's father bearing the following emphatic inscription, " Guilielmus Stirling aught this Book, 1705," concludes our list of the more important manuscripts belonging to the library. CHAPTER V. Fifteenth Century Printed Books Valuable copy of the New Testament Dante's " Divina Commedia," rare 1481 Edition Professor Julianus Guzzlemus Bibles and other rare and valuable Books Summary. OF incunabula, or books printed in the fifteenth century, there are twenty-five examples, and one of them is in three volumes. The library thus possesses twenty-seven volumes printed before the year 1500. The earliest are about 1470, and the others, where dated, are of the years 1474, 1475 (two), 1476, 1477 (two), 1479, 1480 (two), 1481 (two), 1483, 1485, 1488, 1489, 1490 (two), 1492 (two), 1493, 1494, 1496, 1499. Of those which bear an imprint, six were printed at Venice, three at Cologne, two at Florence, and one each at Eome, Basil, Nuremberg, and Ragusa. Of these we will notice the more interesting. First comes a well-printed folio entitled "Vitae Sanctorum Patrum," printed at Cologne about 1470 by Ulric Zell, the first Cologne printer. Like nearly all the books printed by him, it is undated and unsigned. Santander, in his " Dictionnaire Bibliographique," ascribes it to Zell, and fixes the date as about 1470. STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 87 It is a good copy. Bound up with it is a copy of the " Statuta Ecclesiae Coloniensis," printed at Cologne by Hoelshoff in 1492. The end papers of the volume are formed of part of a very neatly- written manuscript poem. With the introduction of printing the old manu- scripts fell in estimation, and many of them were used in binding the early products of the printing-press. Very rare and curious manuscripts have been discovered in this way. The other 1470 book is a copy of the Sermons of St. Chrysostom, supposed by bibliographers to have been printed at Rome about 1470. It is a very rare book and has neither place of imprint or date. The next in chronological order is the " Sermones aurei de Sanctis Fratris Leonardi de Utino," 1474. No place of imprint mentioned. It is a folio of about 850 pages, printed on strong white paper. It has been cut, but there still remains an ample margin. It is illuminated here and there, and blank spaces have been left for capital letters to be put in by hand. The printing is somewhat uneven, but clear. The book is bound in rough, light-coloured skin, with boards nearly half-an-inch thick. It contains about sixty sermons, most of them on the saints. Leonardi was a prominent Dominican of the fifteenth century. He died in 1470, and the first edition of his sermons was published in the following year. Our next book is the Wars of the Jews and Romans, by Joseph us, printed at Rome in 1475 by Arnold Pannartz. It is a fine illuminated copy of the first edition. Watt in his " Bibliotheca Britannica" says of this edition " An elegant work. This is one of the very few works which Pannartz published after the death of his partner, Sweynheym. Ex- ceedingly rare." The other 1475 work is the " Mar- garita Davidica," the Psalms of David, St. Jerome's version, supposed to have been printed by Ambrose 88 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Keller. It is a good copy, but has evidently been exhibited in some museum or similar institution, as at one place it is very dirty. Of the " Fasciculus Tem- porum " there are two copies in the library, one printed " per Conradum de Hcemburg" in 1476, and the other by an unknown printer in 1490. This work was originally written by Werner Rolewinck de Laer, a Carthusian monk. He brought it down to the year 1470, and afterwards continued it to 1480. The earliest edition extant is that of Cologne, 1474, and early editions of it are very rare. Both copies are il- lustrated, the 1490 one having one full-page illustration. The pedigree of the human race is given from Adam onwards, not in the usual hackneyed form in which genealogical trees are constructed, but right across, page after page, to the end of the book, rings with names inside, showing the position of our progenitors. When it reaches Christ a portrait is given ; accompany- ing the account of the flood are two pictures of the ark, a front view and a section. The next book in order of date is the "Conclusiones siue Decisiones antique Dominorum auditorum de Rota," printed in 1477 by Peter Schoeffer, partner with Gutemberg and Faust, and son-in-law of the latter. This is an illuminated black-letter folio of about 600 pages, very perfect, and of great typographical beauty. It contains decisions in the Rota, an ecclesiastical court of Rome, singularly composed of judges of different nations. The other 1477 book is a copy of the first edition of the " Historia Rerum ubicunque Gestarum," by Pope Pius II., printed at Venice. It is illuminated, and has been handsomely re-bound. The most valuable of the incunabula, and perhaps the most valuable book in the library, is a copy of the Vulgate edition of the New Testament, with a glossary, supposed to have been printed at Nuremberg in 1479. Bibliographers are divided in opinion as to the place and date of the printing of this rare edition. As, how- STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 89 ever, a copy of it was purchased for the celebrated Cistercian Abbey of Stratford-Langthorne in 1480, the supposition that it was printed in 1479 is very probably correct. It is a large folio, printed on strong paper, wonderfully clean, in double columns, the text in the centre and the commentary at the sides. The first page has been finely illuminated, but has been washed by some restorer, and partly spoiled. The initial letters are beautifully done in bright colours, and many in gold. All the capitals in the text and commentary are coloured. On the front edges are fixed about a score of red leather tags to facilitate the opening of the book at particular places. In this edition the sig- natures are not regular, and there is therefore no guide for the order of the books, which varies in different copies. In this copy the Epistles of St. Paul are placed at the end. It is strongly bound in stout oak boards, covered with leather bearing a number of devices. It is, indeed, a noble book. A work by Thomas Aquinas is the next book of importance an illuminated black-letter folio, in fine condition, printed at Cologne in 1480. Of printing in 1481 there are two specimens a copy of the " Questiones in Quartum Librum Sententiarum," by John Duns Scot, or Duns Scotus, printed at Venice by Nicolas Jenson ; and a copy of Dante's " Divina Commedia," printed at Florence by Nicolo di Lorenzo. Dibdin, in his " Library Companion," says of this edition " Of course the very curious in graphic lore will beat every bush and scale every acclivity to obtain as perfect a copy as may be of the famous commentary of Landino, with the plates of Baldini, after the designs of Boticelli. 'Tis of the date 1481, and is altogether a grand volume. Let all copies of this celebrated volume bow their heads before that in the Public Library at Munich, that in the Imperial Library at Vienna, and that at Spencer House for each of 90 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. these possess twenty copper plates ! As to the price of this book, that depends entirely on the number of the engravings found in the copy. Lord Spencer's duplicate, which contained nineteen plates, was sold for ,52 10s. This book is usually found with cuts to the first two cantos. It is usually a book of magnificent amplitude of margin, and it exists in the Magliabechi Library on vellum." The Stirling copy, unfortunately, wants all the plates, but has the two cuts referred to, and a duplicate of the second cut is prefixed to Canto III. The ample margin has, under the knife of the binder, suffered somewhat. The first twelve pages are not in so good condition as the rest, and have been cleaned and mended. There are several MS. notes in an old hand on the margin. Our next book is an excellent copy of the first edition of the " De He Aedificatoria " of Leon Baptista de Alberti, printed at Florence in 1485. 1488 is the date of a black-letter folio, printed disagreeably close, en- titled " Bartholomaeus de Proprietatibus Kerum." It is a general history of Nature, composed by Bartholo- mew Grenvil, an English Minorite or Franciscan, of the family of the Earls of Suffolk. He flourished about the year 1360, "and appears to have been the Pliny of his time." A magnificent edition of this work was printed by Wynken de Worde, Caxton's successor. A copy of Augustine's " Annotationes in Psalmos," printed at Basil in 1489, is our next specimen. This volume is a duplicate from the Royal Library at Stutt- gart, and had once been chained to its place, the staple still remaining. It is a very thick volume, printed on stout paper. Of books printed in the year 1490 there are two examples; one, the "Fasciculus Ternporum," we have already mentioned, the other is Seneca's Morals, printed at Venice by Bernardius Cremona and Simon de Luero. It is a small folio in Latin. According to a note on the fly-leaf by a former STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 91 owner (Robert Trail, 1818), this volume was once the property of the " celebrated Professor Julianus Guzzle- mus," and contains many notes in his handwriting. The Professor's autograph appears on the last page. That he was a doctor of law is all we have been able to find out about the "celebrated" professor with the fiercely suggestive name. Bound up with Seneca is a copy of the Lives of Laertius, printed at Venice in 1493. The first edition of Laertius was printed at Venice by Jenson in 1475. Two of Cicero's works, printed at Venice in 1492 and 1496 respectively, are in the library. They are bound up with a copy of Persius,. with the commentaries of Brixanius and Foncius,. 1494. The last of the fifteenth century books which we will notice is an Alphabetical Index, by John Bechenhaub, of Mayence, of the four books of opinions from the registered writings of Saint Bona- ventura, printed by Anthony Koburger, of Nuremberg, in 1499. It is in three volumes folio, illuminated, finely printed, and in a capital state of preservation. It is bound with strong wooden boards. Koburger was the printer of the well-known " Nuremberg Chronicle " (1493), a copy of which is in the Mitchell Library. Watt says of him " A very celebrated printer of the fifteenth century, who exercised his art at Nuremberg > where he died in 1513. The works of his printing are distinguished for the lustre and magnificence of their execution." This completes our survey of the fifteenth century printed books. Few non-collegiate provincial libraries possess so many, and fewer still so valuable specimens of the work of the early printers. To William Euing the library owes every one of them. Of books printed between the years 1500 and 1600 there are more in the library than we would care to count. We have noted the principal ones. They include books printed in England as well as. abroad, one or two of some rarity relating to Mary 92 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Queen of Scots, and a few early editions of foreign poets. The first on our list is the l{ Summa quae vocatus Catholicon, Grammaticalia quaedam et Lexicon com- plectens," by Joannes de Janua, printed in 1503 a good copy, with some very pretty initial letters. The binding is rather the worse for wear, and an indus- trious bookworm has penetrated a considerable way through board and book. Watt describes this book as containing many errors, but as having the singularity of being " the first Latin dictionary printed after the destruction of that language." Of two years' later date is the " Opus Aureum Musice Castigatissimum de Gregonana et figurativa atque Contrapundo," with music. It is one of the very early works published on the art. A copy of the Chronicori of Gusebius, printed at Paris in 1512 by Henry Stephens, need not detain us, nor need we do more than mention the first Polyglot Psalter (Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, Chaldean, and Latin) printed at Geneva in 1516, but pass on to a rather uncommon edition of Livy, printed at Basil in 1531 by Froben. The editor was Simon Grynseus, and he in this edition published for the first time the 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 44th, and 45th. books. These were copied from a manu- script (which latterly found its way to the Imperial Library at Vienna) written about the fifth century, and " esteemed," says Dibdin, " as one of the most valuable in the world." Of books printed in London we may note a fine black-letter copy of Chaucer, 1598; Matthew of Westminster's " Flowers of History," the first edition in Latin, printed in 1570; and a good copy of the second edition of Fabian's " Crony cle," 1533. Of books relating to the unfortunate Mary Queen of Scots there are three in the library which are not to be met with every day, one of which is not in the otherwise almost perfect collection of Marie STIRLING'S P UBL1C L1BRAR Y. 93 Stuart literature belonging to Mr. J. Wyllie Guild. The first and earliest of the three is the " De Titulo et Ivre Serenissimae Principis Mariae Scotorum Reginae quo Regni Angliae successionem sibi justi vendicat," printed in 1580 at Rheims. It is a treatise on the title of Mary to the crown of England. The second is entitled " Mariae Stuartae, Scotorum Reginae/' etc. Cologne, 1587 (the year of her execution). It was the first Catholic publication on her execution. A tiny book of only thirty-two leaves, it is so scarce as not to have yet come within purchasing reach of the owner of the greatest Marie Stuart collection in the world. The third book is the first edition of the " Corona Tragica" of Lopez de Vega, the celebrated Spanish poet, published at Madrid in 1627. It is bound in vellum, and contains a portrait of Marie. " It is intended to be a religious epic, but is, in fact, merely a specimen of intolerant controversy. Marie is repre- sented as a pure and glorious martyr to the Catholic faith, while Elizabeth is alternately called a Jezebel and an Athaliah." (Ticknor's Spanish Literature.) Of early editions of the works of foreign poets we may mention, besides the " Corona Tragica," Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso," published at Lyons in 1556, the "Rimas" of Camoens, published at Lisbon in 1598, and " Alciatis Emblemata," Lyons, 1564. Of the Bible and of the New Testament there are several early editions. The earliest edition of the Bible is that called Cranmer's, printed by Richard Grafton in 1541. It is a fine black-letter folio, with numerous curious illustrations. Seven copies of the Geneva version follow of the dates respectively, 1560, 1579, 1585, 1595, 1599, 1606, and 1616. One of these is the very scarce Edinburgh edition commonly known as "the Bassandyne Bible." It was the first edition of the Bible printed at the Scottish press. The Old Testament is dated 1579 and the New Testament 1576. The printing was superin- 94 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. tended by a Committee of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The only complete copy said to be known is that belonging to Earl Morton. The title-page of the Stirling copy is a reprint from Earl Morton's one. In addition to this defect, which it has in common 'with most other copies, the Stirling one wants a few leaves. The peculiar rendering of the seventh verse of the third chapter of Genesis has given the Geneva version a place amongst those Bibles which are valued for their verbal peculiarities. For the word " aprons " in our present Bible the Genevan version reads " breeches," by which name that version of the Bible has come to be known. " Breeches " Bibles are not by any means scarce, although a fine perfect copy like that in the library, printed by the deputies of Christopher Barker, in 1595, at London, will command a good price. It has many quaint illustrations, includ- ing a map of the Garden of Eden and a very wooden- looking picture of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit. A well-bound copy of the Bishop's Bible of the same date has the Psalms, with music. Of editions of the Bible and the Old Testament there are about fifty, all of more or less interest. Of the New Testament by itself the library contains about twenty-five editions, the rarest of which was noticed at length amongst the fifteenth century books. The next in order is that printed at London in 1550 by Thomas Gaultier, a somewhat rare edition copies have been known to sell at as high as 15. There are four other sixteenth century editions. Of the Book of Common Prayer there are several editions, the most interesting of which is that which occasioned the Jenny Geddes episode, if, despite Hill Burton, we can believe that that lady ever had any existence. It is entitled " The Booke of Common Prayer, for the use of the Church of Scotland. Edinburgh : Printed by Robert Young, 1637." This copy has the Psalms done into verse by King James, printed at London, 1636. In STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 95 general this volume ends with the word " certaine," it being originally intended to append " certaine prayers," but that leaf was cancelled in some copies and finishes properly. Leaf "Hh3" of the Psalms was cancelled owing to the printer having omitted nearly three lines of Psalm cix. (see Lowndes' Bib. Man.). The Stirling copy ends properly, and wants the leaf of the Psalms referred to. Both Psalms and Prayer Book are in black letter. The volume originally be- longed to Mr. Stirling. There is also a copy in the Mitchell Library. Of books relating to Scotland there is a fair general collection, including the Maitland Club publications, some of those of the Bannatyne and Spalding Clubs, Slezer's " Theatrum Scotise " (third edition, 1718), Gordon's Itinerarium Septentrionall (1727), Sibbald's "Fife and Kinross" (first edition, 1710), the first edition of Bishop Keith's "Catalogue of Scottish Bishops" (1755), a fine large-paper copy of the "Baronial Antiquities of Scotland," by Bill- ings; beautiful large paper copies of Captain Grose's works fat Captain Grose, immortalized by Burns Kay's " Edinburgh Portraits " (first edition}, and a copy of Pinkerton's " Vitae Antiquae Sanctorum," of which only 100 copies were published. Of pamphlets there are several thousands in the library, including many rare ones relating to British history, and an ex- haustive collection dealing with Scottish ecclesiastical matters. Among Glasgow books we may mention two copies of M'Ure's " History of Glasgow," many of the early newspapers, nearly all the histories, a long set of directories, beginning with 1818, going on to 1825, 1826, 1827, 1828 (first one issued by the Post Office), and continuing (with some blanks) to the present time, and the official statistics regarding the cholera epi- demic, 1832-33 ; 28 volumes in manuscript. The earliest of the Glasgow newspapers merits special mention. It is the " Glasgow Journal," for the period 96 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. from June, 1759, to January, 1763. The " Journal" was begun by Andrew Stalker in July, 1741. The editor of the " Notices and Documents illustrative of the Literary History of Glasgow" (Maitland Club) says that no copy of it earlier than 1745 has been pre- served, and adds that fortunately the numbers from 1745 to 1749 have been recovered. It is quite pos- sible, therefore, that there may be no other copy of the "Journal" for the years 1759 to 1763 than the one in this library. It is a folio, and well printed. This was the paper which favoured and doubtless amused its readers by its novel marriage announcements " On Monday last, James Dennistoun, junior, of Colgreine, Esq., was married to Miss Jenny Baird, a beautiful young lady." Another damsel is described as a beauti- ful young lady WITH A HANDSOME FORTUNE," and another as " an agreeable young lady, WITH 4,000." Before leaving the older books, we must not omit to note two volumes of old almanacs, beginning with one for 1620, a copy of Lily's " Six Court Comedies," 1632; and the first edition in English of Milton's " Defence of the People of England." Of specimens of fine modern printing there are Bowyer's great edition of Hume's "History of England," Busby's Lucretius, and a number of the works printed by the Foulises. A very large and splendidly executed work is Blaeu's gigantic Atlas of the World, in twelve imperial folio volumes. The volume containing Scotland is in several other Scottish libraries, but few possess the whole work. Of important modern works there are not a few. Chief amongst them are Sir William Dugdale's magnifi- cent work on English abbeys, "The Monasticon Angli- canum," 8 volumes folio, finely illustrated, presented by Bailie Bogle ; James O. Halli well's great edition of Shakespeare's works, in 16 volumes folio, with the plates on India paper, presented by William Euing (only 150 copies were printed, and one sold recently realized 67) ; Sir Austen Henry Layard's folio STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 97 on Nineveh; Lord Kingsborough's "Antiquities of Mexico," in nine handsomely printed and bound folio volumes; Nichol's folio Hogarth, Barrington's "Historic Memoirs of Ireland," Forbes's "Oriental Memoirs," Strutt's " Dress and Habits of the People of England," Britton's "Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain," and the larger and costlier Avorks of John Ruskin. Sets or portions of sets of the fol- lowing magazines, serial and society publications are also in the library : All the Year Round, Annual Register, Ante-Nicene Christian Library, Art Jour- nal, Athenaeum, Belgravia, Bentley, Bibliographer, Blackwood, British Association for Advancement of Science Reports, British and Foreign Evangelical Review, British Quarterly Review, Bulwark, Calvin Society, Camden Society (part), Catholic Presbyterian, Cavendish Society, Chambers's Journal, Classical Journal, Colonial Magazine, Contemporary Review, Cornhill, Craftsman, Critical Review, Douglas Jer- rold's Shilling Magazine, Dublin University, Eclectic Review, Edinburgh Almanac, Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, Edinburgh Review, European Magazine, Evan- gelical Magazine, Farmer's Magazine, Foreign Quar- terly, Fortnightly Review, Fraser, Gentleman's Maga- zine, Glasgow Archaeological, Philosophical, Geologi- cal, and Natural History Societies' publications, Good Words, Household Words, Intellectual Observer, Jour- nal of Sacred Literature, Leisure Hour, Literary Gazette, Literary Panorama, London Society, London Magazine, Macmillan, Macphail's Magazine, Maitland Club, Meliora, Metropolitan, Monthly Magazine, Na- tional Review, Naval Chronicle, New Monthly Maga- zine, Nineteenth Century, North American Review, North British Review, Notes and Queries, Once-a- Week, Parker Society, Philosophical Journal, Phonetic Journal, Political Review, Popular Science Review, Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, Quarterly Review. Quiver, Reformed Presbyterian Magazine, Repertory 7 98 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. of Arts, Retrospective Review, St. James's Magazine, St. Paul's Magazine, Scots Magazine, Sharpe's Maga- zine, Spalding Club, Social Science Reports. Student, Swedenborg Society publications, Sunday Magazine, Temple Bar, Titan, Tract Magazine, Warton Club, Westminster Review, Wodrow Society. The publications granted to the city by the Commis- sioners of Patents are kept in Stirling's Library. They consist of the "Specifications of Patents" from 1617 to the present time about 150,000 in number the " Abridgments" of the same, the "Commissioners of Patents' Journal," and about 100 volumes of Indexes. Before concluding this account of the rare and precious possessions of the library, we think it not out of place to mention that the massive table in the librarian's room was made out of a portion of the Bishop's Bridge which used to span the Clyde at the foot of Stock well Street. To recapitulate. The library has completed the ninety-fifth year of its existence it was begun with 804 volumes, valued at 160, and now contains about 42,000, the value of which is to be computed at thou- sands of pounds. About 1,200 life members and over 2,000 annual members have been enrolled, contributing nearly 6,000 to the revenue, and in return borrowing about 2,000,000 of volumes. For fifty-nine years after it was founded no one used it but the life members. During the last thirty-six years the public have been admitted free of charge, and have had issued to them 800,000 volumes. The house which Mr. Stirling left to the city has brought to the trustees in the shape of rent about 14,000. The interest received on the ,sum of 1,000 also bequeathed amounted to nearly 2,500, the dividend on the Tontine share to 342. The sum received from the sale of catalogues, from gift , and other sources, may be put down at 2,000, which .roughly gives an income of 25,000. Of this about 10,000 has been spent on books and binding, and STIRLING'S PUBLIC LIBRARY. 99 8,000 on salaries. In thirty-five Lord Provosts, four of whom were twice in office, and one thrice, the library has had as many presidents. There have been five vice-presidents, four secretaries, and three treasurers. About 450 different gentlemen have acted as directors, and the office of librarian has now its twelfth occupant. Of the dozen, five were clergymen, two were book- sellers, one was a shoemaker, one an ironmonger, one a bookbinder, one of occupation unknown, and one a lib- rarian. They held office as follows : Years. 17911795. Rev. William Taylor, 4 17951796. William Meikleham, - 1 1796 1808. Rev. James Pate, - 12 1808 1812. Rev. Alexander Gray, - 4 18121815. Rev. John Gumming, 3 18151832. Rev. Matthew Muir, - 17 18321833. John Wylie, 1 18331848. John Struthers, - 15 18481851. William Auld, 3 18511860. J. B. Simpson, 10 18611881. David Blair, 20 1881. Thomas Mason. In the career of Stirling's Library there are, without doubt, many disappointing features, but also some creditable and pleasing ones. Many of Glasgow's ablest citizens have spent much time and labour, and some of them money, to further its best interests. When Walter Stirling died, and for many a long day after, very old-fashioned notions prevailed in library administration. These were not the days of library associations, and every custodian dealt with his charge according to his own fancy and personal convenience. The library was established, the books were there, the terms were made public, and the institution was then left to live or die as accident or a capricious public might determine. Stirling's 100 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. library did not die, but it may truthfully be said to have slept very soundly. Managers can do much to make a library successful, but their efforts require to be backed up by an energetic librarian. A library especially one dependent on the patronage of the public for part of its living must be kept in the front. Its presence in the community must be pro- claimed as loudly and as often as opportunity offers. Every facility must be given to render access to the library easy. From the circumstances and nature of the appointments, there is every reason to believe that, with the exception of Mr. Pate and Mr. Auld, every librarian from the first to the tenth looked upon their situation as a quiet resting-place where they might spend their declining years or prepare sermons for prospective flocks. No wonder, then, that the library never occupied the place due to it among the educa- tional institutions of the city. What the future has in store for the library we know not, but there is strong ground for hoping that it may become the centre of a more powerful organiza- tion than it has ever been, or indeed than its founder perhaps ever expected for it. In its new position its operations might reasonably be wide enough to accom- plish as much work in ten years as stand to its credit for the last ninety-five. Whatever may be its part in the library system of the city, its individuality should be preserved ; it should not be turned into a collection of cheap editions suitable for lending out, but maintained as a reference as well as a lending library. The in- junction of the founder should ring in the ears of its guardians that his public library is to exist for ever, and that no power or right with which he invested them by his mil and deposition is to be relinquished. THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 101 CHAPTER VI. THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. The Founder Terms of the Bequest Constitution of the Library First Library Committee Leading Principles followed in the Formation and Manage- ment of the Library Purchase of the Library of Professor Innes, of Books from the Library of Professor Stevenson, and of Euing Duplicates in the Library of the University of Glasgow Tem- porary Premises secured. THE Mitchell Library had its origin in a trust dis- position and settlement by the late Stephen Mitchell, tobacco manufacturer, formerly of Linlithgow, but for many years in St. Andrew's Square, Glasgow, where the firm still carry on business. By this deed, which bears date 5th January, 1866, with codicil dated 4th May, 1870, Mr. Mitchell bequeathed the residue of his estate to the city of Glasgow, to " form the nucleus of a fund for the establishment and endow- ment of a large public library in Glasgow, with all the modern accessories connected therewith," and he pro- vided that the residue " should be allowed to accumulate until, by its own natural increase, or by contributions from others, the fund should amount to 70,000, or even a larger sum should that be considered necessary by the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Councillors for the time being, before the formation of the library is begun." The principal directions of Mr. Mitchell regarding the library will be found embodied in the constitution, a copy of which follows. Mr. Mitchell, who had for some time been resident 102 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. at Moffat, died on 21st April, 1874. His agents intimated the bequest, with its probable amount, to the Town Council on 6th May, and the Council on 16th July accepted the trust. After consultation with Mr. Mitchell's adviser, Mr. Boyd, who was thoroughly acquainted with his wishes, the following constitution was drawn up. The Town Council approved it on 30th October, and on 20th November the approval of Mr. Mitchell's agents was also intimated : CONSTITUTION OF THE MITCHELL LIBRARY, GLASGOW. 1. The residue of the Estate of the late Stephen Mitchell, with the interest and profits which may accrue thereon, shall hereafter be known and designated as "The Mitchell Library Ftlnd." The said fund shall, with any contributions or additions thereto that may be made by others, and subject to the expenses of management, form the nucleus of a fund for acquiring and altering existing premises, or for erecting new buildings suitable for a large Public Library in Glasgow, and for establishing, endowing, and maintaining such a Library, with all the modern accessories connected therewith. The said Library shall hereafter be known and designated as " The Mitchell Library." 2. Books on all subjects not immoral shall be freely admitted to, and form part of, the Library, and no book shall be regarded as immoral which simply controverts present opinions on political or religious questions. 3. The administration of "The Mitchell Library Fund" and of "The Mitchell Library " shall, subject to the direction and review of the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Councillors of the City of Glasgow, be entrusted to a Committee of their number, to be annually appointed by them, and the proceedings of the Committee, and of such Sub- Committees as it may from time to time appoint, shall be reported to the Town Council in such way and manner and at such times as the Town Council may from time to time direct. 4. The Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Councillors shall from time to time elect such officers as they may consider necessary for the management of " The Mitchell Libi-ary Fund " and of " The Mitchell Library," subject to such conditions as they may from time to time prescribe. 5. The Accounts of the Fund shall be annually balanced, audited, and submitted to the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council, at such time and in such way and manner as the said Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Councillors may from time to time prescribe. 6. The Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Councillors shall have THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 103 ]K)wer from time to time to add to, or incorporate with, " The Mitchell Library," such other libraries or collections of books, or collections of objects of vertu, or collections of objects of science and art, as in their opinion may add to the utility and value thereof, and they may designate the libraries or collections so to be added to, or incorporated with, the Mitchell Library, by such distinctive names as they think proper, provided always that, in the exercise of the power hereby conferred on them, they shall not contravene the essential conditions of Mr. Mitchell's Bequest. 7. The Mitchell Library shall be accessible to the public for pur- poses of reference and consultation, at such hours and subject to such conditions as the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council may from time to time prescribe ; and for the accommodation of the persons who may wish so to use the Library, a Librarian and staff of Assistants shall be provided, who shall give out such books as may be applied for, and see that the same are duly returned uninjured. The Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council may also authorize any of the books in the Library to be lent out under such conditions as they may from time to time pi'escribe. In pursuance of the testator's directions the Town Council appointed the following gentlemen a com- mittee to administer the fund and the library : The Lord Provost (James Bain), Knighted in 1877, left the Council in same year. Bailie William Collins, - Lord Provost from 1877 to 1880, knighted in 1880, left the Council in same year. Dean of Guild Patrick Playfair, Vacated office in 1875. Deacon-Convener "VVm. Smith, Vacated office in 1875. Treasurer Miller, - - Vacated Treasurership in 1875, left the Council in 1879. Councillor James Adams, - Elected Bailie in 1876, left the Council in 1880. Councillor William Clark, Elected Bailie in 1875, left the Council in 1879. Councillor Hugh Colquhoun, - Elected Bailie in 1879, left the Council in 1882. Councillor Wm. B. Garvie, Left the Council in 1879. Councillor Henry Grierson, Left the Council in 1883. Councillor Thos. A. Mathieson. Preceptor of Hutch esons' Hospital, 1878 to 1883, left the Council in 1884. Councillor Alex. Mackenzie, - Left the Council in 1875. Councillor A. G. Macdonald, - Left the Council in 1879. 104 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Councillor John Neil, - - Elected Depute River Bailie in 1883, elected Bailie in 1884. Councillor James Salmon, - Left the Council in 1878. Councillor Edward J. Scott, - Elected Bailie in 1875, left the , Council in 1880. Councillor W. E-. W. Smith, Still a member of Committee. Councillor John Ure, - - Elected Bailie in 1875, Lord Provost from 1880 to 1883, when he left the Council. Councillor William Wilson, - Elected Bailie in 1876, Preceptor of Hutchesons' Hospital in 1884, Convener of the Library Com- mittee from 1 878. Convener The Lord Provost ; Sub-Convener Councillor Salmon. The net sum paid over to the Town Council by the founder's representatives was 66,998 10s. 6d. In accordance with the directions of the will this re- mained at interest until 1876, when it had increased to 70,000. Before proceeding to the history of the library up to this point we have been dealing only with the fund the few changes in the committee which took place between 1874 and the opening of the library in 1877 may be noted. In November, 1875, Bailie Morrison and Councillor James Moir joined the com- mittee, and Councillor Mackenzie left it. Dean of Guild Play fair was succeeded by Dean of Guild James King, and Deacon-Convener Smith by Deacon-Con- vener Archibald Gilchrist. In November, 1876, Coun- cillor William Brown took the place of Bailie Morri- son. In 1876, the sum named by Mr. Mitchell having been reached, the Council determined on putting the testator's intentions into operation, and as a first step, Dr. Marwick, the Town Clerk, was desired to draw up a report on the subject. This report presents so well the general considerations which have deter- mined the policy of the Town Council in the develop- ment and management of the library, that the following extracts from it are given as the best method of indi- cating the lines on which it has been conducted. After rehearsing the principal provisions of the con- stitution, Dr. Marwick proceeds THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 105 " The testator's settlement, and the Constitution prepared in strict accordance with it, and with the views and feelings of Mr. Mitchell himself, as expressed to his agent, Mr. Boyd, thus define, to a con- siderable extent, what must be the character of the library. It must be one large Public Library, with all the modern accessories. All books not immoral, in the broad sense explained by the testator, must be freely admitted to and form part of it ; other libraries and collec- tions of books, and such collections of objects of vertu, or science and art, as in the opinion of the Town Council will increase the utility and value of the library, may also be added to it and form part of it. It must be accessible to the public for purposes of reference and con- sultation that is to say, its primaiy purpose must be that of refer- ence and consultation ; but the Town Council may authorize any of the books to be lent out under such conditions as they may prescribe. " To make the ' Mitchell Library ' a great public library primarily of reference worthy of Glasgow, must necessarily be the work of many years, during which it is to be hoped the liberality of public- spirited citizens will largely supplement the existing bequest, munifi- cent as it is. Such aid, however, it appears to the Committee, will be best secured by the distinct avowal on the part of the Magistrates and Council of their desire and aim to make it for Glasgow, though on a necessarily more limited scale, what the British Museum is for the nation. The Committee see no reason why, under proper manage- ment, the Mitchell Library may not become, as one of the highest authorities on such matters in England has said it should become, second only, as a public library, to that of the British Museum. But if it is to become this, every idea must be banished of limiting its scope or making it the library of any class. At first, no doubt, the object of those entrusted with the management must be to collect works of standard literature in every department, taking care that no branch is unduly represented. But in the subsequent additions the same harmony and universality must be observed ; and cave must specially be taken that no opportunities are lost of enriching the library, from time to time, with the rarer and more costly works which are ftoly to be found in great libraries. It will be for con- sideration whether, in view of the fact that the University Library, and other special libraries within the city, are in possession of many rare and costly works to which the student may, under suitable regu- lations, have access, the earlier pui'chases of that class of works for the Mitchell Library should not, in the first instance, be directed rather to providing for Glasgow, what none of these special libraries already contain, than to multiplying copies of the same work. This, however, is a matter of detail, the very mention of which may serve every neces- sary purpose at present ; and the Committee cannot doubt that in this, and indeed in every department of their work, they will receive the hearty co-operation and assistance of the Senatus, and of every citizen whose knowledge and taste qualify him for giving advice in such a matter. 106 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. " Meanwhile the Committee desire to express their concurrence in the following passages of the Report on ' Free Town Libraries and Museums,' prepared by Lord Provost Blackie, and adopted by the Magistrates and Council on 18th February, 1864 : " ' 3. A free public library implies two indispensable things. It must be, in the fullest sense, the property of the public, and it must be suited to the tastes and necessities of every i - ank and condition of the public. By many the institution of public libraries is regarded merely as a benevolent project for providing instructive reading to- the poor and the working classes. No idea, it may be confidently affirmed, was further from the minds of those who first directed public attention to our national deficiency in this matter ; or of the Committee of the House of Commons when they investigated into- the nature and extent of the want, and recommended the readiest and most efficient remedy ; or of the Legislature when it adopted and embodied the Committee's proposal of a small rate to be levied for the creation and support of town libraries. Established on any other piinciple than that of meeting a great social want by a great public effort, in a spirit of the most perfect catholicity and comprehensive- ness, the whole system would be false in principle and ei'roneous in policy ; and not even the advantage of a rate levied under legislative enactment would prevent it from hastening into inutility and decay. The working-classes, who, by reason of their superior numbers, would be the chief contributors to the foundation and support of a town library, would also share, the most largely in its benefits ; but as the library would be the property of no class in particular, and the books- would be chosen with a view to the requirements of a diversified population, so the professional man, the scholar, the merchant, the manufacturer, the mechanician, the chemist, the student of nature or of art, would each, in his own place and proportion, and according to his tastes and pursuits, share freely and of right in the literary trea- sures accumulated at the common expense. " ' 4. A public library, in order to its being adapted to a great com- munity, should be eminently distinguished by the character of gener- ality ; and its true and permanent value, apart from its fully meeting the demands of ordinary readers, will consist in its being in possession of all that is most useful and interesting in every branch of knowledge.. Not only should it embrace the best books in every department of hu- man inquiry, so as to be of value to men of every profession ; but the ornamental ought to blend with the useful, and as in the case of the free public libraries of Manchester and Liverpool, and of many libraries in the United States those works should be acquired which, owing to the cost of their production, the splendour of their illustra- tions, their sumptuous typography, their antiquity or rarity, are only to be found at present in possession of a few academic and other in- stitutions, and are virtually excluded from the inspection of the com- mon people.' THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 107 " A library thus formed, it is true, will not serve the purposes of District Libraries, the books in which may be lent out to the inhabi- tants and read in suitable reading-rooms attached to the libraries. The value of such libraries and reading-rooms can scarcely be over- estimated in a community like that of Glasgow. But, though district libraries may be provided by other means, which will be afterwards noticed, they cannot be procured under the Mitchell Bequest, the object and purpose of which are different. Let it not be said, how- ever, that the Mitchell Library so constituted would be a library for the rich.- To say so is to ignore the fact that many of those who have most distinguished themselves and benefited the world by their re- searches and discoveries, and by their contributions to literature in every department, have sprung from the humblest ranks. To such men, and to men of like spirit and sympathies, the command of such appliances of knowledge as the Mitchell Library will offer to every person in Glasgow, is a boon which cannot be regarded as in any sense limited to a class. " It will be observed that Mr. Mitchell's Bequest is appointed by himself to accumulate till it amounts to 70,000 at least before the formation of the library is begun. The net sum received from his Trustees was 66,998 10s. 6d. ; and the interest which has since accrued makes the sum now available about 70,360. This sum comprehends the value of books purchased, including the library of the late Professor Cosmo Innes, and purchases made at the sale of the valuable library of the late Professor Stevenson. In making these purchases, under the authority of Magistrates and Council, the Com- mittee mainly desired to secure many works which are not often to be met with. But it must not be assumed that the collection already made indicates in any way the composition of the future library, which, as has already been said, should be of the widest and most universal character. "Such a library, as it is to be hoped the Mitchell Library is destined to be, should, in the opinion of the Committee, be placed in a building constructed for the purpose on the most approved principles, and with all the requisites of a great library, including a consulting- room suit- ably furnished with reading desks, and with every facility for research. In preparing the plan of such a building, every advantage should be taken of the experience suggested by the British Museum and other important libraries in the country. Adequate provision should also be made at the first for indefinite future extension. The situation of such a building should be central, and the building itself worthy of Glasgow." It will be seen from a reference in the above report that a commencement had already been made in the acquisition of books to form the library. After the death of Professor Cosmo Innes, of Edinburgh Univer- 108 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGO W. ity, negotiations were entered into with a view to secure for the Mitchell Library his valuable collection of books. These were happily successful ; and it must ever be matter for congratulation that the first practical step towards giving effect to Mr. Mitchell's enlightened and benevolent intentions was the purchase of a library so rich in works of standard value ; and in particular that a public library which gives promise of becoming of national importance started with securing so many rare works in Scottish history, biography, genealogy, and antiquities. Professor Innes was the editor of many of the import- ant cartularies and other works issued by the Bannatyne, Maitland, and Spalding Clubs. He passed Advocate in 1822, was elected Sheriff of Morayshire, 1840, and appointed to the Chair of History in the University of Edinburgh, 1846. He was the author of several antiquarian works which are so widely known and appreciated as to render their separate mention un- necessary. He died at Killin on 31st July, 1874, aged seventy-six. His library was rich in all works relating to charter lore and the constitutional history of Scotland. It consisted of nearly 2,000 volumes and pamphlets. Some of the leadingworks may be named : Six of the important works edited by Dr. William Fraser The Chiefs of Colquhoun, History of the Carnegies, The Red Book of Orandtully, The Maxwells of Pollok, Memorials of the Mont- gomeries Earls of Eglinton, and the Stirlings of Keir; Baronial and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Scotland, by Billings ; Anderson's Scottish Nation ; Lindsay's Coinage of Ireland, of the Parthians, of the Heptarchy ; his Greek, Roman, and Anglo-Saxon Coins ; Remarkable Medieval Coins, and other of his works ; Drayton's Poly- Olbion, 1613; Camden's Britannia, 1695: Rotuli Scotiae in Turri Londinensi, &c., 1814-19 ; George Buchanan, Opera Omnia, Ruddi- man's fine edition, 1715 ; Anderson, Diplomata et Kumismata .Scotiae, 1739; Facsimiles of National Manuscripts, 7 volumes, folio ; Moreri, Dictionnaire Historique, 6 volumes, folio, Paris, 1732; Bayle, Dictionnaire Historique et Critique, 4 volumes, folio, Amsterdam, 1730; Stow's Survey of London, 1618; Delrio, Disquisitionum Magicarum, 1617 ; Raleigh's Historic of the World, 1628 ; Rush- worth's Historical Collections, 7 volumes, folio, 1659-1701 ; Boccaccio's THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 10<> Decameron, Florence, 1573 ; M'Pherson's Antiquities of Kertcli ; a large number of volumes of the publications of the Bannatyne Club, Abbotsford duty Spalding Club, Maitland Club, Roxburghe Club, and the Spottiswoode Society ; R. W. Cochran-Patrick's Scottish Coins ; some volumes of the Irish Archaeological Society's publica- tions ; Innes's Essay on the Inhabitants of Scotland ; Leslie, De Origine Moiibus et Rebus Gestis Scotorum, Rome, 1675; Skene's Memorialls for the Government of Royal Burghs, Aberdeen, 1685 ; Cameron, De Scotorum Fortitudine, Paris, 1631 ; Scott, Fasti Ecclesia Scoticanae ; The Arbuthnot Missal ; Scotorum Historiae a prima Gentis, Hector Boethius, Paris, 1526 or 1527, the rare first edition ; Smith's Iconographia Scotica ; The Bruces and the Comyns ; The Miscellanea Scotica ; Sinclair's Statistical Account of Scotland ; Jervise's Lands of the Lindsays, and his Antiquities of Angus and Mearns ; Lord Lindsay's Lives of the Lindsays ; Stuart's Records of the Priory of the Isle of May; Marwick's History of the High Constables of Edinburgh ; Lyon's History of St. Andrews ; Miller's Arbroath and its Abbey ; Dalzel's History of the Univer- sity of Edinburgh ; Seton's Heraldry in Scotland, Regiam Majes- tatera Scotiae, &c., folio, Edin., 1609 ; Sir George Mackenzie's Laws and Customs of Scotland, Edin., 1699; Chalmers's Caledonia ; many volumes relating to the Crawford and Lindsay Peerage case ; White's Archaeological Sketches in Kintyre; Wyntoun's Cronykil of Scotland, 2 volumes, 1795; several volumes relating to the Sutherland Peerage case; Shaw's History of Moray, 1775; Burnet's Memorials of the Dukes of Hamilton, 1677; Acts of the Parliaments of Scot- land, 10 volumes, folio; Hofman, Lexicon Universale, Basil, 1677-83. Under power of the sixth article of the constitution, which provides that collections may be placed apart from the general library and known by the name of the donor or possessor, the Innes books have been kept together. It may be of interest to mention that in the set of the reprinted Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland were placed loose the last sheets of the index of that great work, which he prepared for the press shortly before his death. The Committee also about this time secured a set of the publications of the Bannatyne Club, which they purchased from Mr. James Maidment, the well-known antiquary. Shortly afterwards the magnificent library of the late Rev. William Stevenson, Professor of Church History in Edinburgh University, was dispersed by 110 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. auction. This was one of the most important private libraries in Scotland rich in rare works, probably unrivalled in works concerning church controversies, admirable in condition, and containing many thousand volumes. From this source were obtained 2,350 volumes, including many of much value. Professor Stevenson was the author of " Legends and Com- memorative Celebrations of St. Kentigern." Amongst other important works secured were : Faber's Lives of the Saints, 43 volumes, 1847-56 ; Memorie of the Somervilles, 2 volumes ; Muir's Life of Mahomet, 4 volumes : Stry pe's Historical and Biographical Works, 27 volumes ; Histoire Literaire de la France, 15 volumes, Paris, 1865-9 ; Baines's History of the County Palatine. 2 volumes, London, 1868-70; Clinton's Fasti Hellenici ; the same writer's Fasti Romani ; Scott's Edition of Swift's Works, 19 volumes, Edinburgh, 1814; Lord Lindsay's History of Early Christian Art ; Smith's History of the World ; Wodrow Society publications, 28 volumes; Collected Works of Dugald Stewart, edited by Sir W. Hamilton, 1 1 volumes ; Histoire du Consulat et de 1'Empire, par Thiers, 21 volumes; Wharton, Anglia Sacra, 1691 ; Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe's Etchings; Scottish Burgli Record Society publications ; Hume's House of Douglas and Angus, 2 volumes; Laing's Early Metrical Tales; Works of Mrs. Hemans, 7 volumes ; Pinkerton's Scottish Poems, Ballads, &c. ; Notes and Queries, 1849-72 ; Dyce's edition of Beaumont and Fletcher : Calvin's Commentaries (Latin), 7 volumes, Berlin, 1833-4 ; Southey's Book of the Church, with Replies, &c., 12 volumes; Lane's edition of the Arabian Nights' Entertainment ; Smeaton's Historical and Biographical Tracts ; Sir J. Y. Simpson's Archaeological Essays : Pinkerton, Vitae Antiquae Sanctorum Scotiae ; Maidment and Gracie's Templaria ; Hook's Lives of the Archbishops of Canterbuiy ; Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1832-72 ; Lingard's History of England ; Series of 89 pamphlets on Papal Aggression, 1847-55; about 350 other pamphlets on various subjects; O'Dono- van's Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland, 7 volumes ; Universal History, 25 volumes; the Foulis edition of the Works of Cicero, 20 volumes ; Retrospective Review ; Richardson's Works ; Reformation Society publications ; Evans's Old Ballads ; Joseph Ritson's Works ; Palgrave's Histories of Normandy and England ; Parker Society publications, 55 volumes ; Lloyd's Historic of Cambria ; Theiner, Codex Diplomaticus Dominii Temporalis S. Sedis; Old Northern Runic Monuments, by Stephens ; Mabillon, De re Diplomatics, ; Petrie's Monumenta Historica Britannica ; Picart, Ceremonies et Coutumes Religieuses, &c., 12 volumes; Maitland's History of THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. Ill Edinburgh; Works of James I., 1616; Grose's Antiquities, 12 volumes; Platonis Opera Omnia (Bekker), 11 volumes, 1826; O'Halloran's History of Ireland ; Britannia Sancta ; Wilson's Vishnu Purana ; Crowe's History of France ; Bunsen's Christianity and Mankind, 7 volumes ; Celtic Society publications ; Registrum Monasterii de Cambuskenneth ; Archseologia Scotica ; Blackwood's Magazine, 1817-73; Dublin University Magazine, 1837-73 ; Brunei's Manuel du Libraire, 1860-5; Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1788-1872 ; Allibone's Dictionary of English and Ameri- can Authors; Acta Sanctorum, 61 volumes, folio, Paris, 1845-69; Richard et Giraud, Bibliotheque Sacree, 29 volumes ; and The Bee, edited by Anderson, 18 volumes, Edinburgh, 1791-93. Before this time the University of Glasgow had become possessed, by bequest, of the very important general library formed by the distinguished Glasgow collector, the late William Suing, one of the most generous donors to Stirling's Library, and founder of the Euing Musical Library in Anderson's University. Naturally many of the works in the extensive collection bequeathed to the University Library were duplicates of books already there ; and from these about 1,800 volumes were selected for the Mitchell Library, at a valuation. The more important of them may be mentioned Dibdin's Bibliotheca Spenceriana ; Biographia Britaunica; Smith's Dictionary of the Bible ; Archaeological Journal, 1845-58 ; Hoi-sley's Britannia Romana ; King's Munimenta Antiqua ; Gordon's History of the Earls of Sutherland; Lye's Dictionarium Saxonica; Sir Wm. Stirling-Maxwell's Annals of the Artists of Spain ; Waagen's Trea- sures of Art in Great Britain ; W'eale's Early Masters in Christian Decoration ; Humboldt et Bonpland's Voyage, ou Vues des Cor- dilleres ; Child's English and Scottish Ballads ; Beloe's Anecdotes of Literature and Scarce Books ; Hain's Repertorium Bibliographicum ; Crania Britannica, by Davis and Thurnam ; Halliwell's Account of New Place, Stratford-on-Avon ; Collier's History of English Dramatic Poetry ; Memorabilia of Glasgow, 1868 ; Early English Text Society's publications ; Transactions of the Social Science Association ; Biblio- theca Sacra, 1844-71 ; Reports of the British Association for the Advancement of Science ; Edinburgh Review ; Punch ; Dalyell's Powers of the Creator in the Creation, and Rare Animals of Scot- land ; Panzer, Annales Typographic! ; D'Orbigny, Dictionnaire Universel d'Histoire Naturelle, 1 6 volumes ; Restituta, by Brydges ; Morrison's Dictionary of the Chinese Language; Life and Typo- 112 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. graphy of Caxton, by Blades; Brulliot, Dictionnaire des Mono- grammes ; and MacGeorge's Armorial Insignia of Glasgow. These three purchases Innes, Stevenson, and Euing duplicates together with a few donations, comprised nearly 5,QOO volumes, and were temporarily stored in an upper room at the City Chambers. As there was no suitable public building available, the Town Council resolved to commence in temporary premises. A very liberal offer was received from Councillor (now Bailie) Neil to give for the purposes of the library the free use for five years of the second floor of a large building recently erected by him in Ingram Street for business purposes. The Council cordially accepted this offer. It was soon found that the space would be insufficient, and an arrangement was made with Mr. Neil to take for a similar period the floor below in addition, at a rent fixed by the official assessor. These two floors, each about 100 feet by 40, form the premises in which the library has up to the present time remained. The period of five years first arranged for expired 31st May, 1882 ; but Bailie Neil very generously intimated that he does not wish to alter the terms of occupancy for the present ; and the library thus continues to enjoy the free use of the upper floor. CHAPTER VII. Appointment of Mr. F. T. Barrett as Librarian Other Officers Catholicity and Comprehensiveness qimed at in the Purchase of Books Gift of Books from the University of Glasgow Arrangement of the Books The Catalogue. THE question of premises thus temporarily settled, the next step was the appointment of a librarian. THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 113 Advertisements were issued towards the end of 1876, and a large number of offers of service were received. After a patient examination of the credentials of the ap- plicants, and visits to a number of them in their respec- tive libraries, in different towns, by a sub-committee, the committee recommended the appointment of Mr. Francis Thornton Barrett, and the recommendation was approved by the Town Council in February, 1877. Mr. Barrett's claim on the consideration of the Commit- tee consisted of his ten years' service as sub-librarian in the Free Libraries of Birmingham, which, it is well known, are among the most successful in the kingdom. In addition to testimonials from the Committee at Birmingham, and from Mr. J. D. Mullins, the chief librarian, he had recommendations from the late Mr. George Dawson, Rev. R. W. Dale, D.D., the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, and others. Later in the year Mr. John Ingram, librarian of the Select Sub- scription Library at Edinburgh, was appointed sub- librarian, and Mr. Thomas Mason, who had had some previous experience in library work, was appointed senior assistant. Mr. Ingram still remains on the staff; but Mr. Mason left in 1881 to take the post of librarian to Stirling's and Glasgow Public Library, his place being filled by the promotion of Messrs. J. D. Brown and Robert Adams, who had been engaged as assistants for some years. On the appointment of the librarian the work was proceeded with. The books already acquired were registered and catalogued, and the principles of selec- tion for further purchases were defined with greater fulness. The views quoted by Dr. Marwick in the preceding report, from Lord Provost Blackie's report of 1864, were strongly approved, and particularly the great importance of catholicity and comprehensiveness was recognized. The following rules, which had been observed in the formation of the great Reference Library at Birmingham, and which, as will be seen, 8 114 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. are quite consistent with the previous decisions for the Mitchell Library, were noted with approval: I. That the library should, as far as practicable, represent every phase of human thought and every variety of human opinion. II. That books of permanent value and of standard interest should form the principal portion of the library, and that modern books of value and importance should be added from time to time, as they are published. III. That it should contain those rare and costly works which are generally out of the reach of individual students, and which are not usually found in provincial or private libraries. It was remarked that in such a city as Glasgow, with so great a population, with such variety of cir- cumstances and interests, with students of every branch of knowledge, with professors of every shade of opinion in politics, in philosophy, and in religion, the demands upon the library would be of the most various kinds, and that if it was to fulfil its founder's intentions, these demands should as far as possible be met. It was decided also that special attention should be given to securing books on Scottish subjects, and particularly those relating to the city. With these objects in view, lists of representative standard works were prepared, and distributed to most of the leading dealers in books in the kingdom, with a request that they would report such of the works as they had in stock. Nearly fifty sets of the lists were sent out, and a large proportion of them returned with offers. By this means the Committee were enabled to select a large number of books on very advantageous terms. In the meantime, the temporary rooms in Mr. Neil's building were furnished for the service of the library. The arrangement adopted was to devote the western portion of each of the rooms to readers, and the eastern portion of each was fitted with book-cases, the service- counter, the catalogues, and the staff being in the centre. The accommodation for readers consisted of chairs fitted with hat-rails, and tables furnished with umbrella rails. A hoist was provided to communicate THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 115 between the two floors. The books were removed from the City Chambers to the library rooms in July. During this month the library received a donation of great value from the Senate of the University of Glasgow, consisting of volumes selected from the dup- licates (other than those bequeathed by Mr. Euing, before referred to) in the University Library. The whole number of volumes in this important gift was fully 2,000, and they included many books of great worth; among them A large number of books printed by the Brothers Foulis ; Wieland's Werke, 40 volumes, Leipzig, 1794-1800; the rare first edition of the Works of Sir Thomas More, London, 1557, con- taining all the unnumbered leaves which are often absent from copies ; Tryal of Dr. Henry Sacheverell, London, 1710; Bacon's Novum Organum, London, 1620 ; Huttich, Imperatorum et Caesarum Vitae, 1534; Operae Horarum Subcisivarum, sive Meditationes Historicae, Philip Camerarius, 1606 ; Roma Restituta, Thomas Bell, Glas- gow, 1672 ; Grimeston's General! Historie of the Netherlands, London, 1609 ; De Roma Triumphante, Blondus, Basil, 1559 ; Camden's Annales Rerum Anglicarum, London, 1615; Arnot's Criminal Trials in Scotland, 1785 ; Selden's History of Tythes, 1618 ; Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles, 71 volumes, Strasbourg, 1816-30 ; Memoires du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, 20 volumes, Paris, 1815-32 ; Anthony it Wood, Antiquitates Universitatis Oxoniensis, Oxon., 1674 ; Bibliotheca Graeca, Fabricius, 8 volumes, Hamburg, 1790-1802 ; Homilae quinquaginta, Saint Macarius the elder, Paris, 1559 ; History of the Works of the Learned, 12 volumes, 1G99-1710, surely one of the earliest reviews; De Vitis Stephanorum, Amsterdam, 1683; Naph tali, etc., 1680; Sir William Moore's True Crucifixe for True Catholickes, Edinburgh, 1629 ; John Row, Hebrsea? Linguae Institutiones, Glasgow, 1644, a very early specimen of Glasgow printing; Ex- positio Analytica Omnium Apostolicarum Epistolarurn, David Dicson, Glasgow, 1645 ; Jansen, Paraphrasis in Psalmos Davidicos, Antwerp, 1614; Bacon's Sylva Sylvarum, 1651 ; Book of Common Prayer for the Use of the Church of Scotland. Edinburgh, 1637, the Jenny Geddes Prayer Book ; Psalms of King David, translated by King James, London, 1636, not perfect; Clarke's Mirror for Saints and Sinners, London, 1657 ; Symson's Historie of the Church, London, 1634; Ptolemy, Opera, Basil, 1551 ; Petrarch, Opera quae extant omnia, Basil, 1581 ; Commentarii Linguae Graecae, Budens, 1529; Cicero, Opera, Paris, 1539; Psalmorurn Davidis, Beza, London, 1580 ; Papisrnus Lucifugus, Menziesand Dempster, Aberdeen, 1668. 116 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. The books were next placed upon the shelves, an attempt being made to combine the advantages of an arrangement by subjects with those of an arrangement by size. As far as possible, all the books on a given subject were placed in the same press, while those of the same size were on the same shelf. For example, in the department of Foreign History and Topography, the works on Asia and Asiatic countries were placed together in one press the larger books on the lower, and the smaller on the upper shelves. On each shelf the books were arranged in geographical order, com- mencing with the western and ending with the eastern countries of Asia, the result being that all the works relating to Palestine, Syria, etc., were at the left hand, or first end of the shelves, while books on China, Japan, and the east coast, were at the right hand or last end, with the central parts of Asia between. The adjacency of books on the same subject was thus secured, but made vertical instead of, as is more usual, horizontal ; and the waste and unsightliness of varying sizes of books on the same shelf avoided. A similar plan of arrangement was attempted in other classes, though all subjects do not lend themselves to this treat- ment so readily as does topography. The alphabetical form of catalogue was adopted, from a strong conviction of its great superiority in libraries frequented by the general public. In this kind of catalogue each work is entered under the name of its author, when known, under its subject or subjects, and under its title, for example : Gilfillan's " Bards of the Bible " is under Gilfillan, Bible, and Bards ; Conder's " Tent-work in Palestine, " under Conder, Tent-work, and Palestine ; Davy's " Salmonia or Fly-fishing, " under Davy, Salmonia, and Angling. The result of this arrangement is that a reader, wishing to see a work by any given author, refers to his name, and sees at once if it is in the library ; while a reader who desires to see what the library THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 117 possesses on a given subject, finds under the name of that subject what books may be seen. To illustrate the manner in which these entries under subjects place the reader in command of the resources of the library in the subjects on which he is seeking information, the following may be named, the numbers following them showing how many works in each case are already in the catalogue : Africa, 55 ; Agriculture, 46 ; America, 64 ; Anatomy, 33 ; Ang- ling, 49 ; Architecture, 118; Arctic, 31; Art, 169 ; Astronomy, 91; Bible, 270; Bibliography, 94; Bio- graphy, 74 ; Botany, 97 ; Britain, 79 ; Canada, 39 ; Chemistry, 80; Christianity, 109; Church, 166; Dictionary, 167; Drama, 101; Drunkenness, 30; Edinburgh, 85; Education, 97; Egypt, 52; En- gineering, 49 ; England, 240 ; Entomology, 37 ; France, 116; Future State, 31; Gardening, 43; Geography, 54 ; Geology, 101 ; Geometry, 29 ; Glas- gow, 428 ; Grammar, 138 ; Greece, 67 ; Health, 44 ; History, 91; India, 142; Ireland, 111; Iron, 21; Italy, 56; Jesus, 63; Land, 42; Language, 162; Law, 72; Libraries, 94; Literature, 136; London, 67; Man, 54; Music, 97; Natural History, 102; Natural Philosophy, 55 ; Ornithology, 43 ; Painting, 41 ; Palestine, 45 ; Philosophy, 106 ; Political Econ- omy, 38 ; Physiology, '39 ; Poetry, 146 ; Religion, 75 ; Roman Catholicism, 48 ; Rome, 84 ; Russia, 48 ; Science, 99 ; Scotland, 714 ; Sermons, 136 ; Shake- speare, 111 ; Testament, Old and New, 108 ; Theology, 68 ; Trials, 30 ; United States, 128 ; Zoology, 30. Slips were printed as books were added, and mounted in order, in large guard books, which are laid on the counters for the use of readers. A catalogue of a more comprehensive description, in which the same general principles are to be carried out with more thoroughness, is in preparation. 118 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. CHAPTER VIII. Opening of the Library First Book Issued Rapid Increase of Readers Magazine Room Donations, Chalmers Bequest Exchanges Gift of Early Glasgow Printing from Mr. J. Wyllie Guild Moir Bequest Purchase of the Burns Collection formed by Mr. James Gibson More Donations Improve- ment in Trade, Decrease of Attendance Further Donations Valuable Collection of Scottish Poetry received from Mr. Alex. Gardyne Acquisition of the Gould Collection of Burnsiana Still Further Donations Growth of the Library Use made of it by the Public Progress probably without Precedent. THE library was formally opened on 1st November by the Hon. James Bain (now Sir James Bain), Lord Provost. Amongst those who supported his lordship were, in addition to the members of the committee, Professor W. P. Dickson, Professor Grant, Sir James Watson, Dr. Marshall Lang, Mr. Michael Connal, Sheriif Lees, Mr. J. Wyllie Guild, Mr. Wm. Mitchell, and others. Addresses appropriate to the occasion were delivered, and earnest wishes expressed that the library might prove to be a popular and useful insti- tution in the city. The issue of books was commenced on Monday, 5th November, 1877. The first book asked for was " Liber Officialis Sancti Andree . . . Sententiarum in Causis Consistorialibus que extant," edited by Cosmo Innes. The number of volumes issued during the day was 186, and a commencement was made in what has since become one of the marked characteristics in the use of the library, namely, the making of extracts for THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 119 future reference, and the copying designs for artistic purposes. It is not known what the first quotation extracted was ; but pencil sketches were made from Collins's picture, "Rustic Hospitality," and from a number of the illustrations in Lavater's " Physiog- nomy." The issue of books at once began to increase, and that at a rate the management were not prepared for. It is probable that in very few libraries is it true, as it is here, that the smallest day's issue was the first. The first printed report on the library was issued early in 1880, and embraced the period from the opening till the end of 1879. The Committee ex- pressed " no ordinary satisfaction " that they were enabled to issue so favourable a statement. The record was one of steady progress and of public use- fulness. The attendance of the public had continuously increased ; and in the first report it was found neces- sary to state that the temporary premises had already become insufficient for the requirements of the insti- tution. The number of volumes in the library had increased from 14,432 at the opening to 28,532; and the use of them had grown in even greater proportion. The following small table gives the average number of volumes issued daily during this period : November and December, 1877, 395 January to June, 1878,- 505 July to December, 1878,- 753 January to June, 1879, - - 1,179 July to December, 1879,- - 1,294 All statements of volumes issued exclude the use made of current periodicals in the magazine room now to be described. In addition to the supply of books for the use of the public, the committee had organized a magazine room, in which the current numbers of a large selection of periodical publications could be seen. The arrange- 120 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. ments in this room were of the most liberal character. No formality of any kind was necessary to procure access to the magazines. Each was secured in a strong reading cover, and all were placed openly on the tables in alphabetical order, so that frequenters of the room had only to walk in and find the journal of which they were in search. The number provided in this way was 150, and they had been selected with a wish to provide a thoroughly representative collection of the organs of current opinion and interest. This department of the library was from the first a most popular one. A gratifying section of the first, as of all subsequent reports, is the list of donations. In addition to the large and important gift from the University authori- ties already referred to, there were gifts announced from Mr. John Alexander (24 volumes of Scottish poets), Mr. Robert Anderson (Sotheby's Principia Typographia, 3 volumes, folio, and other works), Mr. A. B. Allan (a set of Engineering, 23 volumes), Sir James Bain, Messrs. Blackie & Son (110 volumes, chiefly of works published by them), Mr. J. Cleland Burns, Dr. Cameron, M.P., Mr. R W. Cochrau- Patrick, M.P., the Hon. William Collins, Lord Pro- vost (more than 200 volumes and pamphlets), Mr. A. G. Collins (selection of standard works of fiction, 155 volumes), the late Bailie Colquhoun (Virtue's Imperial edition of the Works of Shakspere, 5 volumes, folio), Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland (their transactions), Glasgow Natural History Society, Glasgow Philosophical Society, Mr Thomas Johnston (numerous contributions to the " Poets' Corner " and the Glasgow collection), Lord Mayor and Corporation of London, Mr. James MacLehose, Mr John Mann (Glasgow Herald, 1861 to 1876, bound; Glasgow Morning Journal, 1858-60), Mr. David Murray (112 volumes), the late Mr. J. R. Napier (120 volumes and pamphlets), Bailie Neil (Wyatt's Industrial Arts of THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 121 the Nineteenth Century, 2 volumes, folio), Councillor W. R. W. Smith, the Swedenborg Society (works of Emanuel Swedenborg, 44 volumes, and other books), the late Mr. W. West Watson, City Chamberlain (Hume's History of England, printed by Bensley for Bowyer, 5 volumes, folio, volumes of Scottish news- papers, etc.), Preceptor William Wilson (contributions to the " Poets' Corner " and Glasgow collection). In reporting on the year 1880 the committee were compelled to proceed very much on the lines of their first report. The history of the year was one of con- tinued progress, both in the growth of the library and in the appreciation of it by the community generally. They believed they were "justified in making the state- ment that its progress has been quite unprecedented." The details of the work of the year may perhaps be postponed for a general table or statement further on. This year was marked by the bequest by Mr. Richard Chalmers, for many years principal of the Ladies' Col- lege, No. 1 Claremont Terrace, who resided in Kirkin- tilloch, of his private library. The bequest comprised nearly 1,000 volumes, and consisted chiefly of works in general literature, with, however, a leaning to subjects of an educational and philological character. Among the works included were: A set of the publications of the Early English Text Society ; Goethe's Sammtliche Werke, 30 volumes, a fine copy ; Schiller's Sammtliche Werke, 12 volumes; Works of Henry Hallam, 6 vol- umes, of Richard Hooker, 3 volumes, of Archbishop Leighton, 2 volumes; of Thomas Carl yle, of Max Mtiller; Dyce's edition of Shakespeare, 9 volumes; Shakespeare's Dramatische Werke, Schlegel und Tieck, 12 volumes; Clarke's Concordance to Shakspere; Chambers's Life and Works of Burns, 4 volumes ; Scott's Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, 4 volumes; Wordsworth's Poetical Works, 6 volumes ; the Percy Folio Manuscript, 3 volumes ; Dictionnaire de la Langue Frangaise, par Littre, 5 volumes; Dictionnaire comparatif des 122 TEE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Langues Teuto-gothiques, par Meidinger ; Halliwell's Archaic Dictionary, 2 volumes; Histoire de la Lit- te'rature Anglaise, par Taine, 5 volumes; Dictionnaire des Sciences Philosophiques, par Franck ; Les Arts au Moyen Age, par Lacroix ; Les Moeurs, Usages, et Cos- tumes au Moyen Age, par Lacroix, fine copies ; Grun- driss der Kunstgeschichte, von Ltibke, 2 volumes ; Bos well's Life of Johnson, 10 volumes; a number of volumes of Bonn's series, of Arber's reprints, and of Pickering's reprints. A considerable portion of the books were duplicates of works previously acquired; but by Mr. Chalmers's forethought this was no burden, for by his will he empowered the committee to ex- change such books for others, or to sell them and apply the proceeds to the purchase of other books. This power as regards exchanging has on several occa- sions been made use of and the library thereby en- riched, while at the same time the exchanging library was also benefited. By far the greater portion of the exchanges so effected up to the present have been with Stirling's Library, with the result that both are ren- dered more complete. It should always be kept in mind that all books received in exchange for duplicates are registered as the gift of the donor who presented the duplicate volumes, and in this way full effect is given to the donor's desire to benefit the library. Another benefaction of interest during 1880 was the receipt from Mr. J. Wyllie Guild of a collection of books on various subjects, but all printed in Glasgow before the commencement of the present century. There were seventy-eight volumes in all, and among them were specimens from the presses of R. Sanders, sen., 1666 to 1690; R Sanders, jun., 1697 to 1725; A. Hepburn, 1689; A. M'Lean, 1706; H. Brown, 1713-14; D. Govan, 1715; J. & W. Duncan, 1720; A. Carmichael, 1732-8 ; A. Miller, 1738-41 ; J. Robert- son, 1739-69, and others. The other donations in- cluded From the Lords of the Admiralty, a collection THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 123 of the astronomical works issued from the Royal Observatory at Greenwich; the Bible Society of Scotland, a collection of Bibles in various languages, 27 volumes; Institution of Civil Engineers, 23 vol- umes of their Proceedings, to complete the library set; His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, the costly catalogue of the library at Chatsworth, 4 volumes ; Dr. A. B. M'Grigor, 131 volumes; Mr. Thomas Reid, the manuscript of an unpublished philological work by the late Dr. John Reid, a teacher of languages in Glasgow; Messrs. E. & F. N. Spon, publishers, some of their engineering and technical books, and some of the names in the previous report. The great event of the year 1881 was the bequest by the late Bailie Moir of his large and well-chosen library, together with the residue of his estate. This is announced in the report of that year in the following terms : " In the last report [it had been known early in the year that this bequest was made] reference was made to the important and valuable bequest made to the library by the esteemed and lamented Bailie Moir. Your committee have to report that, although the residue of the estate has not yet been transferred to the Town Council, it will, they have reason to believe, amount to about 12,000, which will, after providing for an annuity to the deceased's sister, be applicable to purchasing books, to be placed along with the books bequeathed by the testator in the Mitchell Library." .... The books left by Bailie Moir were described as a " large and excellent collection of standard works in general literature. , . . The books are in admirable con- dition, many of them being handsomely bound. Most classes of literature are represented, the classification showing 398 books and pamphlets in Theology and Philosophy, 899 in History and Biography, 1,241 in Political, Legal, and Social subjects ; 406 in Science, principally Natural History and Botany; 105 in Poetry, 19 in Linguistics, 40 in Prose Fiction, and 259 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. miscellaneous. The whole number added to the lib- rary by this bequest is 2,420 books and 947 pamphlets, besides which there are about 850 duplicates, by the sale or exchange of which the library will be still further enriched. The books will be kept together with such others as may be from time to time acquired from the fund left by Bailie Moir for that purpose, and in exchange for the duplicates, and will be known as the ' Moir Collection/ ' Although anticipating some- what in point of time, this appears a convenient place to record that in the report for 1883, after the estate had been wound up, the committee state that " under the bequest of the late Bailie Moir of the residue of his estate for the purchase of books, to be known as the ' Moir Collection ' in the Mitchell Library, a sum of 11,503 4s. 2d. has been received. In present cir- cumstances, and while the library is so much restricted in space, it has not appeared desirable to proceed im- mediately with the carrying out of the objects of Bailie Moir's bequest ; but when the library is provided with a larger and more adequate home the possession of this fund will enable the committee to secure for public use many of those great and costly works in Science, in Natural History, in Painting and. Engraving, in Architecture, in Antiquities, in History, in Philosophy, and other subjects, which are now beyond their reach. This collection will form a memorial of our late friend such as any citizen might look forward to with pleasure, and will go far to place the library on an equality with those of other cities." The Town Council, to show their appreciation of Bailie Moir's bequest, resolved to request Mr. Mossman to prepare a bust in marble of the bailie. This has been very suc- cessfully done. Owing to the want of accommodation in the library, the bust is meanwhile kept in the City Chambers. Another important acquisition during 1881 was the addition by purchase of the extensive and valuable THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 125 collection of editions of the works of Burns, and books illustrative of his life and writings, formed during many years by Mr. James Gibson, a native of Stirling long resident in Liverpool. The following are among the more noteworthy of the donations of the year: From the Secretary of State for India, more than 100 volumes relating to the antiquities, topography, statistics, industries, and natural products of India, including a number of costly illustrated works ; Trustees of the British Museum, 130 volumes of the works published by their order, including the volumes descriptive of remains of ancient art, of Oriental and other inscriptions, of various departments of the library and of the natural history collections, many of them finely illustrated ; Messrs. Blackie & Sons, 33 volumes; Commissioner Kerr, privately printed and manu- script materials for local biographies ; " Wellwisher," very numerous additions, principally in local and Scottish literature ; Preceptor Wilson, about 200 volumes and pamphlets, many relating to Glasgow. The public to this time had continued to make in* creasing use of the library, and the issue of books was again larger than in any previous year. The year 1882 saw the first diminution in the attend- ance of readers. This inevitable occurrence comes to most libraries in the second year ; here it was post- poned till the fifth. It is thus referred to in the report for the year : " The number of volumes issued to readers was 366,225 ... as compared with the previous year a decrease of 9.28 per cent. This comparatively slight falling oif cannot be considered surprising, and the fact that it was not, in the circumstances, much larger, affords a gratifying evi- dence of the hold on the appreciation of the citizens which the library has acquired. During the period of depression of trade and deficiency of occupation the attendance of readers at the library had increased at a very unusual rate. In the year 1879 the number 126 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. was almost double that of 1878, and during 1880 and 1881 was still further increased. In 1882 the improve- ment in trade had reduced very much the number of unemployed persons, and to this cause mainly is pro- bably due the lessened issue above recorded." The library had again received very substantial additions to its stock, the additions of the year num- bering very nearly 5,000 items ; but there had not been any single acquisition of equal importance to some in former years. By this time it had taken position as one of the more important libraries in Scotland, its position in point of number of volumes being now seventh, those larger being the libraries of the four universities, and the Advocates' and Signet libraries in Edinburgh. Of Scottish libraries to which the general public have a right of free access, the Mitchell Library was now the largest. During this year, 1882, it was endeavoured to ascertain more closely than hitherto what the relation was between the number of volumes issued (which from the commencement had been carefully tabulated and registered) and the number of persons coming in to the library. It was found that for every 100 volumes issued 90 readers entered the library, of whom 37 read only the current periodicals, while 53 consulted books, and no doubt in many cases periodi- cals also. Each reader of books handed in, on an average, 1*49 readers' tickets ; the number of volumes delivered to each being 1'89. The following were among the books contributed during 1882 by the kindness of friends of the library : From Mr. J. Wyllie Guild, a further collection of early Scottish printing, principally Glasgow, and in- cluding 21 volumes from the press of R. Urie, and 8 from that of W. Duncan with other books, about 100 volumes; from Mr. Guild, together with the late Mr. Moses Provan, a set of the Glasgow Courier news- paper, 1816 to 1859, 44 volumes; Mr. Wm. Neilson, THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 127 Glasgow Chronicle, 1812, 1813, 1816; and numerous other works from old and new donors. In 1883 the attendance of readers was larger than in the previous year, the number of volumes issued being 381,607. The additions of the year included a gift to the " Poets' Corner," in reference to which the committee state in their report that they " refer with very great pleasure to the gift by Mr. Alexander Gardyne, of London, of a large collection of Scottish literature, chiefly poetical. Mr. Gardyne has been for many years an assiduous collector of Scottish books in all departments of literature, and becoming much interested in the collection of Scottish poetry forming in the library under the name of the ' Poets' Corner/ decided to present to it the greater part of his gather- ings in that department, except such books as were already acquired. In this way the library has become possessed of a collection of books which it would have taken years of careful search and a liberal expendi- ture of money to purchase separately." This generous gentleman was a native of Arbroath, and had passed a large part of his life in mercantile pursuits in India and in the Mauritius. He returned to Britain more than thirty years ago, and settled in London. He had always been a lover of books, and particularly of Scottish books, and now followed his bent freely. For many years he was one of the most diligent of frequenters of book shops and stalls, and of readers of booksellers' catalogues, and by means of knowledge, patience, watchfulness, and a liberal expenditure, he gathered together a library of more than ten thousand volumes, exceptionally rich in rare and curious books. It is much to be regretted that there is a probability that this very interesting library will be dispersed. The portion of it presented to the Mitchell Library con- tained about 2,250 " books and booklets," the smaller being bound several in a volume. Another noteworthy addition made this year was 128 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. the remarkable collection of autographs and printed papers formed by Mr. James Gould, of Edinburgh, as a memorial of the centenary celebrations of the birth of Kobert Burns in 1859. Mr. Gould, with admirable patience and perseverance, procured the signatures of all the descendants and relatives of the poet who were living at the time, and was also successful in obtaining fragments of the handwriting of Burns's father, of David Sillar, and others more or less closely connected with the bard. He then asked for and got the auto- graphs of all the leading promoters of the celebrations in all parts of Scotland. These include the chairmen of all the meetings held throughout the land, and among them are many names famous in literature on their own account. The manuscript portions of the col- lection include further the signatures of the "authors of the three greatest essays on Burns," J. G. Lockhart, John Wilson, and Thomas Carlyle. There is also a copy in her own handwriting of the prize poem by Isa Craig Knox, read at the Sydenham Palace gathering. The printed matter consists mainly of the contempor- ary accounts of the meetings held in honour of the centenary not only in Scotland, England, and Ireland, but on the continent of Europe, in India, in Australia, in Canada, in the United States, and in fact wherever there were Scotsmen to do honour to their greatest name. These accounts are arranged in countries. The whole is arranged in four massive volumes ; and con- stitutes a most interesting and valuable contribution to the great Burns collection in the library. It was pur- chased by means of a subscription promoted by Mr. J. Wyllie Guild and Preceptor Wilson. As in former years there were received many dona- tions. The following were among the number: From Dr. W. G. Blackie, a manuscript copy of Lectures on Moral Philosophy, by Professor Arthur of Glasgow University; this is specially curious as being in the handwriting of John Wilson, schoolmaster, Tarbolton, THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 129 whose name is permanently fixed in literature as the original of " Doctor Hornbook " in Burns's satirical poem, " Death and Doctor Hornbook." Messrs. Blackie & Son, a further gift of publications of their firm, 20 volumes ; Mr. Duncan Brown, large collec- tion of programmes of meetings held in the City Hall, 1865 to 1882; Messrs. Bryce & Son, publications of the firm and other books, 30 volumes; ex-Lord Provost Clouston, El win's edition of the Works of Pope, 7 volumes; Yarrell's British Fishes, 2 volumes; Chabot and Twisleton on the Handwriting of Junius, and other w r orks ; Mr. A. Devlin, the rare first Irish Bible, by Bishop Bedell, 1685 ; the late Mr. W. N. Greig, about forty volumes, mostly philological, but including a Beckett's Comic Histories of England and of Rome, and other books not on language ; the Secretary of State for India, and the Trustees of the British Museum, further donations similar to the former in character, but including different works ; Commissioner Kerr, two unique works of the late Dr. John Strang, City Chamberlain of Glasgow, and other works ; Dr. A. B. M'Grigor, 18 volumes; Mr. Isaac Pitman of Bath, 80 volumes; Professor Dr. Geo. Stephens of Copenhagen, three early chapbooks of Dugald Graham, bellman of Glasgow ; Sir C. E. F. Stirling, Bart, the Stirlings of Craigbernard and Glorat. During 1884, the record of which brings our chron- icle of the library to a close, the attendance of readers was again larger than in any previous year, the vol- umes issued reaching the very large number of 435,142. As the reduced issue in 1882 was reasonably attributed, to some extent at least, to the fairly good state of trade and of the labour market, so must the large increase of 1884 be regarded as partially produced by the depres- sion and scarcity of employment which existed in some trades. The additions of the year did not include any speci- ally extensive acquisitions, and the increase was some- 9 130 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. what less than in most years. It amounted to nearly four thousand volumes and pamphlets, and raised the number contained in the library to 55,496. In the preceding narrative the statistics of the pro- gress of the library have been casually glanced at ; but it was thought convenient to postpone to this place a more particular account. At the date of opening, 5th November, 1877, the number of volumes was 14,432. At the latest date available for this page, it had increased to 57,100. The table on next page shows the classification and the total at the end of each year. The numbers stated are what remained after deduction of duplicates withdrawn and exchanged, and books lost by theft or otherwise. It is proper to state that the losses by theft and destructive mutilation number only 55 out of an issue of more than two and a half millions, or one volume for each 45,500 books consulted by readers. It is, of course, only in accordance with the fitness of things that a considerable number of the thieves were detected and punished. With regard to the use made of the library by the public an equally encouraging result is to be stated. We state first the total issue of each year, and then some statistics of the classification of the aggregate issue. During the months of November and Decem- ber, 1877, the volumes issued numbered 18,970; in 1878, 194,314; in 1879, 379,748; in 1880, 390,732; in 1881, 403,713 ; in 1882, 366,225 ; in 1883, 381,607 ; in 1884, 435,142. The whole number of volumes issued from the opening to the 31st December, 1884, was 2,570,451. Of these 240,960, or 9*37 per cent, of the whole, were of the class Theology, Philosophy, and Ecclesiastical History ; 542,953, or 21*12 per cent., were in History, Biography, Voyages, and Travel; 74,888, or 2'91 per cent., in Law, Politics, Sociology, and Commerce ; 519,606, or 20'22 per cent., in Arts, Sciences, and THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 131 O " ^^ OS O CO OS O ^H O ^+1 co *> 00 CO^ O_ i>- !>; S^CO "* O_ *_ OS 40 OS IO^ ft CO CO r-T CO~ OS" 00" O" O" co"i-T co"co" i 1 rH O * rH CO i 1 O CO t O GC ^ CO ^ ^5 *O 00 00 OS !-H r-To" ^ jt>> i-H rH >O CO rH *^* ^^ * ^^ ^^ ^f* ^^ CO o iO O CO OS CO rH COCOCOrHl>.J>. JS 00 ^ <2i CM CS^ rH 1^ CO i-H^ o CO CO O rH fi 2 co" os" o"l>rco" co" W5 !> !> i-Tco" "* CO CO rH - O O OS t CO CM O o I-H OS^ ^ O ft ^cT os" ^<~co"o" co" o" co"co" CO"I-H" * CO CM rH CO CO OrHOO5rHi-H (^ CO OS O 1^ u O OS CO *O "^ OS **f* CO t> f^t rH 00 1O 4O " 1 T o" co" co" CO CM CM fM I>- OrHTf((MOOl CO ^}H o 10 . . 1>- CO COCOrHOCOO O rH r^ os i "~ i S (5 (M 00 ^ CM lr~- IQ rH 00 cQe\ O OS fl ^" co" CM" 10" co" ^^ oo" co" ^^ Co"'*' CM CM (M CO O - O O O O "O 1 ^. co o CO CO " H S >o o WQ oo CO CO rH *}* CO CO co" O"CM" OS CO CM CM I-H o *? * os co os * co CO oo oo O . OS f^i ^^^ (5^1 *O CM J^ 1 *o oo co CO CM ^ H F^* ^N OS OS CO CM ^? JT"* I-H <^> ^^ !> * W S CM" ^T CO"rH" (N co" rH T-H CO"CM" rH OQ f^ Q . - O . eg o O r~) +? U _ ^-T ; .3 & ' > ' ^3 '33 . o3 , p3 . . . P O s-i c5 ^73 c H ^- SH oT _J* c3 ^> * p rt "O .c3^ "*^ r^ ^ ""^ H ^ 1 5 f ? "I -fi - -J l d CD CO ~ej ^ ^ ^3 2 ^>.2 ^ 5p O s- '3 c3 '-5 -i o g^ X\ ~^ ^>.i i pl^ ^l r/^ s^.rH '^ ""^ ^ rH ci 132 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Natural History; 187,134, or 7*28 per cent., Poetry and Drama; 69,859, or 2*72 per cent., Linguistics; 207,647, or 8'08 per cent., Prose Fiction; 727,404, or 28'30 per cent., Miscellaneous Literature. Taking what is known as light literature, namely Poetry, Fiction, and Miscellaneous, together, they show only 4 3 '6 6 per cent, of the reading, and even this includes a large number of books classed as miscellaneous, such as encyclopaedias, reviews, etc., which are consulted for purposes of study or information. The outcome of all these figures is to show that of the reading at the library a very large proportion is undertaken not merely as pastime or amusement, but with the definite object of acquiring knowledge and improving the education. The readers have been as various as the books they called for. The majority, as might have been expected, were of the working-classes ; many of them were apparently clerks, or warehousemen ; a good many students take advantage of the privileges offered ; and there is a, smaller number of professional and literary men. The attendance of ladies has been very small, only 15,325 volumes out of the 2,570,451 having been consulted by them. This is no doubt due to the fact that the committee have not yet been able to make any better provision for their accommo- dation than the screening off of a single table. The history of the library during its as yet brief existence is, we believe, without precedent, whether regard be had to the number and value of the books acquired, or to the benefit derived from them by those in whose interest it was founded. Of course there are not a few libraries in the provinces which are much richer, especially in the costlier books ; but these have been established for many more years. When the present position of the Mitchell Library is compared with that of other libraries at the same period in their history, it will be seen how exceptionally favourable it THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 133 is. If in some respects, such as the failure to secure suitable housing, the record is discouraging, the man- agers have abundant ground for satisfaction in seeing that the two great essentials of library success the acquirement of good books in large numbers and the free and appreciative use of them by the public have been to so great a degree present. CHAPTER IX. Description of the Contents of the Library Formation of the u Poets Corner" Purchase of the Jervise Col- lection of Scottish Poetry Burns Collection The Burns Centenary, unique Memorials James Mac- farlan Gardyne Donation Description of the "Cor- ner"- Collection of Glasgow Literature "Nodes Smd 1 Weftianae " List of Periodical Publications The Earliest West of Scotland Newspaper Glas- gow Courant Glasgow Mercury. IN attempting to give a general idea of the contents of the library at this date, we will, after premising that the main endeavour has been to make it as thoroughly representative as possible, draw attention to the special collections which have been formed. The " Poets' Corner " is the realization, so far, of one of the earliest suggestions made with regard to the library. It had come to the knowledge of some mem- bers of the committee and other friends that there had been formed in Birmingham a "Shakespeare Memorial Library " of a very comprehensive character, containing all obtainable editions of the works of that poet, to- gether with all works published in criticism or in illus- tration of his writings or his life. The idea naturally arose that it would be a most appropriate thing to col- 134 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. lect in Glasgow, which may be regarded as holding the same position in relation to Burns as Birmingham does to Shakespeare, namely, that it is the most important and accessible place in the part of the country with which the poet was associated, a library of the litera- ture of the national poet of Scotland, Robert Burns ; and this was soon extended so as to include the poetry of Scotland generally. The objects aimed at are thus defined : " The acquirement of (1) copies of the works of Burns and all Scottish poets and verse writers, and as far as possible of their differ- ent editions ; (2) selections or collections of Scottish poetry ; (3) historical and critical dissertations on the poetry of Scotland ; (4) biographies of Scottish poets. " The preparation of a catalogue, giving the names, birth and death dates, and localities of the various authors, the titles of their works, with particulars of editions, and such other information as may be obtainable." To forward the execution of this project it was pro- posed to secure one hundred subscribers, each to con- tribute one pound a year for five years. This number was not reached : but still much interest was taken in the idea, and it was so far successful that there has been collected in the library, as public property, what is confidently believed to be much the largest repre- sentation of this department of the national literature. The whole number of volumes, great and small, in the " Poets' Corner," is now very nearly five thousand, of which nearly one thousand relate directly to Robert Burns. While very many of these books have been acquired singly or in small numbers, the work was very greatly forwarded by the securing three large collec- tions, the gatherings of private gentlemen interested in the same subject. The earliest of these was the col- lection of the minor poets of Scotland formed by the THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 135 late Mr. Andrew Jervise, of Brechin, the well-known antiquary, author of " Epitaphs and Inscriptions in North-East Scotland," " Lives and Lands of the Lind- says," and " Memorials and Antiquities of Angus and Mearns." Mr. Jervise's collection, which added a thou- sand items to those previously acquired, was purchased at the sale of his library in Edinburgh, and was paid for from the subscribed fund. The second of the large collections secured was the Burns library of Mr. James Gibson, referred to already as one of the principal events of the year 1881. In extent this was believed to be not inferior to any other, while in point of the condition of the books it contained it left nothing to be desired, Mr. Gibson having always been careful to secure clean, sound, and perfect copies. Together with the Burns books otherwise secured, both before and since, it contains, as was said, nearly 1,000 titles. The most conspicuous want is the original edi- tion of 1786, of which no copy has as yet fallen in. It is, however, hoped that some friend of the library may by gift or bequest secure for himself the honour of supplying this important desideratum. With this exception, it is believed that the works of our national poet, and the literature which has grown up about him, are here represented with a fulness not found else- where. The number of different editions of his works is about 340, comprising about 520 volumes, and ex- tending from the second, 1787, to the most recent O ' issues. In Burnsiana, the library possesses the earliest known criticism of the first edition, in the " Edinburgh Magazine" of Oct., 1786, issued some six weeks before Henry Mackenzie, in the well-known number of his " Lounger," made the name of the ploughman bard known to the literary world ; and from that time on the growing appreciation of the greatness and per- manency of his fame will be found chronicled and preserved. In addition to the Gould collection on the centenary, 136 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. already described (p. 128), there has been quite re- cently received from Mr. Colin Rae-Brown, of London, another memorial of the same occasion. It consists of the original manuscript minute of the first meeting held on 12th July, 1858, to organize the celebration, and other papers relative, among which are letters of acceptance or apology from many distinguished men who were invited to take part. Among these auto- graphs are those of the sons and other relatives of Burns, of Sir Archibald Alison (the historian), Sir David Brewster, Lord Brougham, Thomas Carlyle, Charles Dickens, Earl of Eglinton, Judge Haliburton (" Sam Slick"), Lord Houghton (R. Monckton Milnes), Leigh Hunt, Mark Lemon (editor of " Punch "), Samuel Lover, Lord Lytton, Lord Macaulay, Lord Palmerston, Lord Panmure, Earl Russell, Earl Stanhope, Lord Tennyson, W. M. Thackeray. These papers have been carefully mounted and handsomely bound, with a special emblematic title-page written by Mr. Thomas Gildard. Mr. Colin Rae-Brown, who has given this interesting and valuable volume, was one of the first movers in the centenary, and was hon. secretary of the demonstration in the City Hall, Glasgow. There are several other matters of considerable interest, such as the " Doctor Hornbook" manuscript, referred to at p. 128. One of the most recent additions of this kind may be mentioned here, though it is not closely connected with the Burns portion of the " Poets' Corner." It is a memorial by that true, if unfortunate, poet, James Macfarlan, in his own handwriting, addressed to Lord Palmerston, and asking for the grant of a small allow- ance from the Civil List, in consideration of his writings and his melancholy circumstances. The memorial includes a copy of a very cordial letter from Charles Dickens, to whose magazine Macfarlan had contri- buted. Before any decision had been arrived at the poet's death occurred. The memorial was presented by Mrs. H. Buchanan MacPhail. THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 137 The third large contribution to the " Poets' Corner" was the gift, already mentioned, by Mr. Gardyne, of London. This was thus referred to in the circular of Preceptor Wilson, treasurer of the special fund : " By the generous kindness of Mr. Alexander Gardyne, the ' Poets' Corner ' has received the most important contribution ever made to it a contribution placing it in extent far before all other collections of Scottish poetry. No fewer than 1,300 books and booklets were received from this gentleman, who thus gave evidence that though he has been for the greater part of his life absent from his native country, he still in his old age retains his love for Scotland and Scottish litera- ture." The number of authors, named or anonymous, whose works are included in the " Poets' Corner " is about 2,000 of all degrees of greatness or smallness, from Burns himself to the most obscure and purely local of the " minor poets." These are in almost all cases represented by the best editions in which their writ- ings have been presented, and in many cases first editions have also been secured. In so large a number it is impossible to treat them individually, and thus only a general statement is here attempted. The collection of course includes the histories of Scottish poetry by Campbell (only ninety copies printed) ; Irving's History of Scottish Poetry ; Wilson's Poets and Poetry of Scotland, 2 volumes ; Mackenzie's Beauties of Gaelic Poetry ; ' Language, Poetry, and Music of the Highland Clans, by Campbell ; Lyric Poetry and Music of Scotland, by Stenhouse ; Sib- bald's Chronicle of Scottish Poetry; and Edwards's Modern Poets, 7 volumes; and the song and ballad books edited by Watson, Herd, Motherwell, Buchan, Jamie- son, Pinkerton, Rogers, Ritson, Chambers, Laing, Maidment, Sharpe, Whitelaw, Murray, Aytoun, Child, and others. Works on the music associated with the Scots ballads, by Dean Christie (2 volumes 4to.), 138 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Thomson, Mackay, Graham, Stewart, Brown, Mavor, Smith, and others. The copies of the separate writers which are in many respects worthy of mention are so numerous that we cannot attempt their description, and must therefore refer to the manuscript catalogue at the library. The managers are fully aware that large as the collection is, it is not by any means complete ; and that in particular much remains to be done in gathering the earlier editions of the older poets. But the foundations have been laid on wide lines, and the progress made fully warrants the justification and aspiration expressed by Preceptor Wilson, with whose name the " Poets' Corner " is inseparably associated, in his last issued statement on the subject : " I may be permitted to point out that the poetical literature of Scotland has long been recognized to be of quite exceptional extent and richness ; and that, in par- ticular, probably no country is more rich, possibly so rich, in local, or rural, or, as it is sometimes called, peasant poetry. The writings of these local poets over all the country, in addition to their literary value, preserve in many cases local dialects, local customs, and local memories which are fast passing away. It is surely w^orth while that in one public library in the country there should be set apart a storehouse for these treasures, where they will be carefully kept and pre- served for future generations of readers. The hope is cherished that in this section the Mitchell Library will render a real service to students of our national literature by placing within their reach means so ample for the study of what is perhaps its most distinctive and characteristic feature." The second of the large special collections forming in the library is that devoted to the city of Glasgow. The purpose of this collection is stated in the following resolution come to by the committee early in 1877 : That the library " ought to contain copies of all books, pamphlets, periodical publications, maps, plans, pic- THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 139 torial illustrations, and generally all papers which in any way illustrate the city's growth and life ; that with respect to past publications care should be taken to secure any which may from time to time be obtain- able ; that with respect to the future all the local newspapers and periodical publications should be filed for preservation, and that Glasgow books and pamph- lets should be purchased as issued, when not pre- sented ; that the heads of the several departments of the Corporation administration be requested to send to the library copies of official reports and documents (not being private and confidential), with as many of former years as may be in print." Proceeding on these lines, and interpreting them in a free and large sense, the committee have been able to form a very extensive and interesting representation of the litera- ture of the city. The number of items now contained, each being a separate volume or publication, is over 2,400, " varying in size from the huge volumes of the newspapers to the eight or twelve page tract on some local question of passing interest." The great appro- priateness, and indeed importance, of each public library collecting and preserving all matters relating to its own locality has in some places been long recognized, and this work has of late been generally regarded as a duty to be discharged wherever public libraries exist. The following remarks quoted from a notice of the library report for 1882 in the leading scientific weekly, " Nature," indicate well the value of this part of a library's work : " One of the best functions of a public library in any town is to become the centre to which will gravitate all publications of any local value or interest. For since every subject or author is naturally connected with some locality, if this were well carried out all over the kingdom, infor- mation would gradually be as well arranged and as readily accessible as in a cyclopaedia." As in the case of the " Poets' Corner," the extent of 140 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. the Glasgow collection precludes any attempt at par- ticularizing its contents. All the histories of the city are present, though not always in very good copies. The first edition of M'Ure, for instance, wants the two folding-plates. The successive statistical works relating to the growth of population and commerce are nearly complete. Many incidents of local history, such, for instance, as the struggle for the right-of-way on the river banks, are preserved in the pamphlet litera- ture they called forth. A unique book is worth a word of mention. It is called " Noctes Sma' Weftianae : the web whereof being woven by various hands, was afterwards cut, pieced, and again put together by that cunning workman, John Strang, the original pattern drawer and designer of the same. Glasgow : J. C. Malcolm, 1849." The following passages from the preface, which, together with the title-page, was printed specially for this, the only copy of the book existing, explain its nature and motive: "The fol- lowing jeux d'esprit had their origin in the party contentions that existed in Glasgow at a period of great political and social excitement. They were published in ... 'The Scots Times.' . . . The design of the Noctes originated with Mr. Strang. . . . Having written in 1828 . . . papers on the clubs of Glasgow ... it occurred to him . . . that the ideal colloquies of one of these fraternities . . . might be rendered a ... medium of satire against the system of rotten burgh and municipal self-election. ... The idea was accordingly adopted, and the first number of the 'Sma' Weftianae ' appeared on 3rd October, 1829." While Dr. Strang was the principal author, the follow- ing also contributed Mr. J. D. Carrick, Mr. John Kerr, Mr. Robert Malcolm, and others. In the volume Dr. Strang has subjoined in notes the names of the citizens and corporation officers referred to. The volume was presented by Commissioner R. M. Kerr, of London, son of the Mr. John Kerr named THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. as a contributor, and well known as an editor of Black- stone's Commentaries, and a writer on legal subjects. The Commissioner, as becomes a good though absent son of Saint Mungo, has presented other volumes of much interest to the Glasgow collection, among which should be specially named the compilations of materials, partly in print, partly in manuscript, for the bio- graphies of certain of the city worthies in former days, including Dr. John Strang, City Chamberlain ; Robert Chapman, publisher, successor to the Foulises ; Robert Malcolm, printer ; Alexander Malcolm, writer ; John Kerr, writer. It is much to be desired that this excellent example of Commissioner Kerr should be largely imitated, and that gentlemen who may be in possession of memoranda or papers bearing on the lives of former citizens of worth and note should arrange them in order, and place them, or at least copies of them, with the Glasgow collection. One of the divisions of the Glasgow collection, as stated in the original resolution, consists of periodical publica- tions newspapers, magazines, etc. published in Glasgow. To show at once the extraordinary num- ber and variety of these publications, and the success which has so far attended the effort to secure them, the following list is inserted. Of the serials mentioned therein the library possesses in many cases complete sets, in others, portions of sets of varying extent, and in others again only a single number to show that such a magazine once was. Many of them were very short- lived, some of them perishing with the issue of the second number. LIST OP PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS, INCLUDING NEWSPAPERS, PUBLISHED IN GLASGOW. Academic, 1826. Ant, 1826-7, 2 vols. Academician, 1883. Argus, 1833-36, 1840-43. JEon, 1884 Asylum, 1794-96, 3 vols. Amateur, 1856. Athenaeum, 1830. American and Continental Athenaeum and Clydesdale Week- Monthly, 1870. ly Miscellany, 3 vols., 1850, 142 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Attic Stories, 1817-18. Bailie, 1872 Banner of the Truth, and Scottish Calvinistic Magazine, 1848. Bee, 1873-74, 2 vols. Bennet's Glasgow Mag., 1832-33. Blythswood Holm Literary Maga- zine, 1875. British Educator, 1856. Bulletin, Daily (1 number), 1860. Chameleon, 1832-33, 3 vols. Chartist Circular, 1839-42, 2 vols. Chiel, 1883 Christian Herald, 1818-20, 1825- 31. Christian Journal, 1851-52, 2 vols. Christian Leader, 1882 Christian Pioneer, 1826-45. Christian Teacher, 1837-38. Chronicle, 1811-16, 1820. Church of Scotland Magazine, 1834-38, 5 vols. Citizen, Evening, 1859, 1862, and 1877 Citizen, Weekly, 1877 College Miscellany (Nos. 4-7), 1863. Constitutional, 1836-37, 1838-47. Courant, 1747-49. Courier, 1800-2, 1816-59. Culler, 1795. Daily Exhibitor, 1846-47. Daily News, 1855. Day, 1832, 2 vols. Drama (No. 2), 1847. Dramatic B.eview, 1844-46. Draughtplayers' Weekly Maga- zine, 1884. Emmet, 1824, 2 vols. Essayist and Literary Review, [1852-3]. Evening Post, 1866-67. Exile, 1884. Freeman, 1851. Free Press, 1823-25. Gazette (1 number), 1855. Gentleman (1 number), 1834. Germania, 1880. Gillies' Exhortation to the In- habitants of the South Par- ish of Glasgow. Sept. 26, 1750 Jan. 26, 1751. Gleaner, 1806. Good Songs, 1884. Gospel Communicator, or Philan- thropist's Journal, 1827. Gospel Temperance Advocate, 1882. Guide, 1880 Hedder wick's Miscellany, 1862- 63, 2 vols. Herald (daily), 1819-20, 1825-31, 1860 Herald (weekly), 1879 Herald of Friendship, Love, and Truth, 1842. Herald to the Trades' Advocate, 1830-31. Hygeian Journal, 1833-35. Infant School Magazine, 1834, 1854. "Jean Byde Papers," 1873. John Knox, or Religious Re- former, 1824. Journal of General Literature, 1835-36. Judy, or Glasgow Satirist, 1857. League Journal, 1877 Literary Coronal, 1825-26. Literary Museum, 1832. Literary Rambler, 1832. Literary Reporter, 1823. Looking Glass, 1825-26 (Heath). Afterwards Northern Look- ing Glass. Loyal Reformers' Gazette, 1831- 35. THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 143 Mace, 1879-83. Magazine and Clydesdale Monthly Register, 1811-12, v. 2 and 3. Mail (weekly), 1879 Mechanics' and Engineers' Maga- zine, 1844-47. Mechanics' Magazine, 1824-26, 5 vols. Medical Examiner, 1831-32, 1869-71. Medical Journal, 1828-30, 1854- 59, 1868 Mercantile Age, 1879 Mercantile Critique, 1879. Mercantile World, 1879. Mercury, 1778-96. Mercury's Missives, 1883. Military Record. Miscellany, 1789-92. Monthly Visitor, (?) Morning Journal, 1858-60. Museum, 1773, 2 vols. National Literary Journal, 1884. News (morning), 1873 News (evening), 1877 North British Daily Mail, 1877 Northern Notes and Queries, 1853 Opera Glass (3 numbers), 1848. Our Magazine, 1863. Partick Observer, 1877 Peel Club Papers, 1839-40. Penny Post, 1877. Phoenix, 1792-94. Poetry, Original and Selected, Brash and Reid, 4 vols. [imperfect]. Polyhymnia (18 numbers). Post-Office Guide, 1884 Progressionist, 1863. Protestant, 1819-22, 4 vols. (M'Gavin). Protestant Watchman, 1854. Punch, 1849. Queen's Park Magazine, 1877-78. Quiz, 1882 Radical Reformer (1 number), 1857. Sabbath School Magazine, 1883 Salt Water Gazette, 1835. Sanitary Journal, 1879 Satirist, 1848-49. Saturday Post (1 number), 1862. Scotland, 1882. Scots Times, 1835-36. Scottish Athletic Journal, 1882 Scottish Blue Bells, 1883. Scottish Celtic Review, 1881-82. Scottish Financier, 1883. Scottish Law Review, 1885 Scottish Leather Trader, 1880 Scottish Monthly Magazine, 1836. Scottish Nights, 1883 Scottish Novelist (now British Homes), 1884 Scottish Observer and Dramatic Review, 1856. Scottish Protestant, 1851-52. Scottish Pulpit, 1833 (1 number). Scottish Reader, 1883 Scottish Review, 1853. Scottish Standard, 1877. Scottish Umpire, 1884 Sentinel, 1822. Sentinel, 1877. Social Reformer, 1878 Special Constable (3 numbers), 1849. Sphinx, 1883. Star, 1870 (No. 2). " Steel Drops," 1874-79. Student, 1817. Summer Talk, 1883. Sunday Talk, 1883 Sunlight, 1883-84. Tatler, 1883-84. Temperance Society Record, 1834 (1 number). Textile Trade Review, 1883-84. Thauinaturgus, or Wonders of the Magic Lantern, 1816. 144 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Theatrical Review, 1846-47 (3 Wanderer, 1818. numbers). Weekly Miscellany, 1789-92, 6 Thistle, 1869 (1 number). vols. Tickler, 1883. West Country Intelligence, 1716. Times, 1858-59 (2 numbers). West of Scotland Magazine, 1855- Times (evening), 1877 57. Wizard, 1873. University Journal, 1832. Workman (1 number), 1858. University Magazine, 1882. University Review, 1884. Young Men's Journal, 1833. Young Men's Christian Magazine, Voice of the People, 1883. 1879 Voluntary Church Magazine, Young Misses' Magazine, 1800. 1833-39. While most of these possess points of interest, there are two or three we select for special mention. " The West Country Intelligence," 1716, is understood to be the earliest representative in the West of Scotland of the modern newspaper. It is a tiny sheet, measuring 7 -| by 5f inches, and is occupied mainly with copies of royal messages and speeches, and despatches from abroad, but there is a little home news, of which this, from the number for 16-21 January, 1716, may be taken as a sample: " 'Tis very dangerous Travelling in the Country by Reason of a great Fall of Snow : For on Monday last, one William Finlaysou Younger, Merchant in Paslay, an honest thriving man, of good Credit and Reputation, went from this Town for Paslay, he was found Yesterday about 4 a- Clock in the Afternoon, with a consider- able sum of Money on him, near Erkleston half a Mile off the Road, in a Writh of Snow, having some Life in him when found, and breath- ing about 5 Hours thereafter, and so dyed, being never able to speak, whose Death is very much regretted." The copy in the library is only a fragment, consisting of some three and a half numbers. It was formerly in the library of the late James Maidment. The next volume to mention is the " Glasgow Courant," for 1747 to 1749, beginning with No. 105 and continuing to 208, in very good condition, contain- ing as may be supposed many very interesting intima- tions concerning the Glasgow of those days. THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 145 One of the most valuable items in the list is the com- plete set of " The Glasgow Mercury," of which the first number was published Thursday, January 8, 1778, and the last on Tuesday, 27th September, 1796. To attempt to indicate the many elements of interest in this series would lead too far, but the introductory and valedictory addresses of the publisher are worth quot- ing, if only as marking the difference between the ideas of newspaper management then and now. In the first number he gives notice : "To thf Public. The curiosity of mankind has produced a number of periodical papers, many of them published daily, and conveying accounts of the transactions of the times. Of these the weekly paper [the ' Mercury ' was to be weekly] appears to be the most useful and satisfactory. In the daily paper you have the tale of the day without any certainty of its truth, but in the weekly paper you have articles mostly of authentic intelligence. The Editor, having leisure to distinguish truth from falsehood, imparts that information that seems to merit attention." The announcement of the cessation is in another way not less curious. It appeared, as stated above, on 27th September, 1796 : "On the 9th August and 13th instant, an advertisement was in- serted in this paper, announcing the proprietor's intention to dispose of it to any person who might consider it an object worthy attention. As he has failed in carrying his design into execution he must now inform the public, and particularly the subscribers to the Paper, that this Number is the LAST of a series which has been continued during a period of nearly twenty years. The proprietor's chief, or rather only, motive for discontinuing the publication of the MERCURY arises from the extensiveness of his printing business in general. Were this not the case, so far from having any thought of resigning the paper, he is enabled to declare that he would carry it on though the encourage- ment he has always experienced were considerably lessened." Large as the library collection of Glasgow periodicals is, it is well understood that it is by no means complete, and all available means are taken both to complete sets of such as are present only in part and to secure those of which no portion has yet been obtained. Other portions of the Glasgow collection have to do 10 146 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. with such questions as the public health, the water supply, the disposal of the sewage, and other matters of public importance. Glasgow trials form a group. The collection of programmes of meetings and enter- tainments held in the City Hall, from 1865 to the pre- sent time, which was preserved and presented by Mr. Duncan Brown, hall-keeper, and has been securely bound in ten substantial volumes, is a piece of local history to which very few libraries possess a parallel. But it is impossible here to name the many items of local interest personal, political, literary, ecclesiastical, or artistic which the collection contains, and we leave it with the remark that it promises to become one of the largest and most complete of the provincial gatherings of local literature. CHAPTER X. Early Glasgow Printing First Printing in the City List of Glasgow Printers The Brothers Foulis Works on Scotland The National Cove- nant Knoxs History of the Reformation in Scotland Scottish History, Topography, and Biography 11 The Black Acts" Miscellaneous Scottish Books. THERE remains for notice the third of the collections of a special kind which the Mitchell Library possesses. This is conveniently known by the name of " Early Glasgow Printing." By great good fortune a copy of what is believed to be the earliest piece of printing executed in the city was secured at a very early period of the library's existence. This is a tract of sixteen pages, bearing the following title : " The Protestation of the Generall Assemblie of the Church of Scotland, and of the Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, Borrowes, THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 147 Ministers and Commons ; Subscribers of the Covenant, lately renewed, made in the high Kirk, and at the Mercate Crosse of Glasgow, the 28, and 29, of November 1638. Printed at Glasgow by George Anderson, in the Yeare of Grace, 1638." The title-page is adorned by a rude cut, the naked figure of a man. It has no apparent relation to the subject of the tract, and may have been a portion of a larger design. The first introduction of printing into Glasgow is a matter of so much local interest, that the following record from " Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Glasgow, 1573-1642," may be permitted, although it is doubtless well known to many of our readers: 4 January, 1640. Ordaiues the thcsaurare to pay to George Andersone, printer, ane hundrethe pundis in satisfactioun to him of the superplus he debursit in transporting of his geir to this brnghe, by the ten dollouris he gave him of befor to that effect, and als in satisfactioun to him of his haill bygane fiallis fra Whitsonday in anno 1638 to Mertimes last. The distinction of being the first printing done in Glasgow has been claimed for a small book bearing date 1634, and with the following title: "True Christian Love to bee Sung with any of the Common Tunes of the Psalmes [Col. 3-16, Let the Word of God dwell in you]." Printed by I. W. for John Wilson, and are to be sould at his shop in Glasgow, 1634. The general opinion, however, is that this was printed at Edinburgh by John Wriettoun, or Wreittoun, for the Glasgow bookseller. The collection so appropriately and happily com- menced with the earliest Glasgow print has now grown into very considerable dimensions. The annual report for 1884 states that "the department of ' Early Glas- gow Printing ' has received additions bringing up the number of volumes contained to about 820." All books printed in Glasgow before the commencement of the present century are included. It is believed that 148 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. most of the printers who exercised their calling within the city are represented by at least one of their pro- ductions. Materials are not as yet available for a complete list of these predecessors of our present typo- graphers, but the following names are among them. The dates following the names are not intended to show either the beginning or the ending of the work of each respectively, but merely the date of the first book of each now in the library. A fe\v of the names are those of publishers, not printers : Anderson (George) . . 1638 Anderson (Andrew) . . 1658 Sanders (Robert) . . . 1664 Hepburn (Andrew) . . 1689 Sanders (Robert) 2n.i . . 1697 M'Lean (Archibald) . . 1706 Brown (Hugh) . . . . 1713 Govan (Donald) . . . 1715 Duncan (J. & W.) . . 1720 Crawford (Thomas) . . 1721 Duncan (William) . . 1726 Glasgow College (no name) 1 730 Carmichael (Al<>x.) . . 1731 Stalker (Andrew) . . . 1732 Carmichael & Millar . . 1736 Millar (Alex.) .... 1738 Robertson (John) . . . 1739 Robertson & M'Lean . . 1739 Urie (R. & Co. i . . . 1741 Paton (George) . . . 1741 Foulis (R. & A.) . . . 1742 Duncan (David) . . . 1743 Smith & Hutcheson . . 1745 Hall (John) 1748 M'Callum (John) . . . 1749 Orr(John) 1750 Bryce & Patersou . . . 1752 Knox (James) .... 1752 Newlands (J.) . . . . 1753 Duncan (Wm., junr.) . . 1753 Marshall (W.) .... 1755 Henderson (A. & J .) . . 1757 Bryce (John) . . . . 1760 Smith (Robert) .... 1762 Mair (Patrick) .... 1764 Walker (William) . . . 1767 Galbraith (Joseph) . . 1768 Hutcheson (Charles) . . 1768 Duncan & Co 1770 Tait (Andrew) . . . . 1770 Duncan (R. & T.) . . . 1771 Reid (Daniel) . . . . 1772 Smith (William) . . . 1772 Adam (Alex.) .... 1773 Chapman (Robert) . . . 1775 Robertson (J. & J.) . . 1777 Chapman & Duncan . . 1779 Bell (William) .... 1781 Robertson (J. &M.) . . 1783 Niven (David) .... 1785 Duncan (James) . . . 1788 Miller (Ebenezer) . . . 1790 Reid (John) .' . . . 1791 Turner (James) . . . 1791 Macaulay (Andrew) . . 1792 Miller (Wm.) .... 1792 Paton (W.) 1795 Gillies (James) .... 1796 Duncan (J. & A.) . . . 1796 Mundell (James) . . . 1797 Napier & Khull . . . 1798 Cameron (A.) .... 1798 The pre-eminent name, whether for the excellence, the. accuracy, or the quantity of the work, is that of THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 140 Robert & Andrew Foulis. The reputation of the brothers is more than local, more than Scottish, more even than British ; for their books are mentioned with respect by bibliographers the world over. Together with Baskerville of Birmingham, they most worthily upheld for many years the character and excellence of the provincial press. To whatever excellence of exe- cution their successors in the art may have attained, the older work still holds its own in correctness of composition, in evenness of inking, in accuracy of register, and, in short, in all the qualities which render a well-made book a delight to its possessor and an object of envy to his friends. The following note as to the Foulises may be acceptable : Robert Foulis was born in Glasgow, April 20th, 1707, and began his career as a barber's apprentice. On the suggestion of Professor Francis Hutcheson, whose lectures he had attended, he relinquished this occupation for that of publishing and bookselling, and in 1739 established a business of his own. In part- nership with his brother Andrew (born, Glasgow, November 23rd, 1712) he put forth from his press numerous important works, including many choice and accurate editions of the Greek and Latin classics. In addition to his eminence as a printer, Robert Foulis was famous for his efforts to establish in Glasgow an academy of the fine arts. This he instituted in 1753, and in 1776 an exhibition of the pictures and sculpture in connection with the academy was given in London. Many of the pictures had been purchased by Robert Foulis on the Continent, and were of considerable value. The most famous pupil taught in the academy, which proved on the whole unsuccessful, was David Allan, commonly called the Scottish Hogarth. Tassie, the medallist, also received the rudiments of his artistic education in the same school. Robert Foulis died on the 2nd of June, 1776, and Andrew in 1775. Andrew had been educated for the Church at Glasgow Uni- 150 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. versity, but is not known, apart from the famous co~ partnery, for any special achievement. The business was continued under the name of R. & A. Fouli& for a number of years after the decease of the original partners by Robert's son, Andrew. The number of volumes in the library bearing the Foulis imprint is about 350, of which the following may be named : Phsedri Fabulse, ex editions Burmanni. 12mo. 1741. Juvenal et Persius, Satyrce. 8vo. 1742. Demetrius Phalereus de Elocutione. 8vo. 1743 (said to be the first book printed in Greek in Glasgow). Pindar, Opera. 1744. Sophocles, Tragredise. 2 volumes. 1745. .^Eschylus, Tragcedise. 2 volumes. 1746. Relph (Josiah), A Miscellany of Poerns. Printed by Robert Foulis for Mr. Thomlinson in Wigton. 1747. Hamilton (William) of Bang our, Poems on Several Occasions. 1748, Cicero, Opera. 1749. 20 volumes, 18mo. Euripides, Orestes. 1753. 8vo. Simson (Robert), Elements of Euclid. 1756. 4to. Homer, Iliad. 1756. 2 volumes, sm. fo. Homer, Odyssey. 1758. 2 volumes, sm. fo. Pindar [Opera]. 1757. 4 very small, but neat volumes. Oatalogus Lihrorum, Archibald] C.[ampbell] D.[uke of] A.[rgyle]. 1758. Sm. 4to. Thucydides [Opera]. 1759. 8 volumes, 12mo. Herodotus, Opera. 1761. 9 volumes, 12 mo. Xenophon, Opera. 1762-67. 12 volumes, 12mo. Bell (John) of Antermony, Travels from St. Petersburg in Russia to divers parts of Asia. 1763. 2 volumes, 4to. Catalogue of Pictui'es, composed and painted chiefly by the most admired Masters ... by Robert Foulis. London: 1776. 3 volumes, 18mo. [printed in Glasgow]. Virgil, Opera, ex editione P. Burmanni. 1778. 2 volumes, sm. fo. The well-known folio editions of British Poets, including Pope,. Thomson, Parnell, Gray, etc. (Milton's Paradise Lost is alone wanted to complete this set). While the palm must be given to the Foulis house, the work of some others is but little inferior. Urie especially approaches closely the greater printers ; in- deed, so close is the resemblance between some of their books and his that it is difficult to avoid the idea THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 151 that some of the books bearing their name were from his office. In addition to the tract of 1638 already spoken of, there are three other books produced by George Ander- son. These are " Hebrsese Linguae Institutiones," 1644, and " Chilias Hebraica : seu, Vocabularium," 1644, both by John Row ; and " Expositio Analy- tica Omnium Apostolicarum Epistolaruni, David Dicson," 1645. It is not a little remarkable that Avithin so short a period of setting-up his press here, Anderson was already printing in Hebrew characters. The literature preserved in all these old Glasgow books would form a fruitful subject of consideration, as throwing light on the topics which occupied the minds of the people. It is very largely religious and eccle- siastical, occupied much with controversies which have long lost their interest for all except the few students of doctrinal antiquities. Old Light and New Light, Burgher and Anti-Burgher, Original Secession, Associate, Relief, and other synods arid churches here have their records. Other departments of litera- ture are, however, by no means unrepresented. The poets are printed and reprinted ; history and phil- osophy have some books. The requirements of the University caused a great printing of the Greek and Latin classics, and in this class are some of the most sumptuous of the productions of the local press. As in the case of the " Poets' Corner " and the Glasgow collection, constant attention is given to the securing books not yet obtained. In collections such as these it is of the utmost importance to attain the nearest practicable approach to completeness. Leaving now the departments relating more par- ticularly to the city, we glance briefly at the other Scottish sections of the library, and find that although there has not been the same effort at making- exhaust- ^3 ive collections, there has been much time and care given to securing good representations of the various 152 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. branches of the literature of the country. A press was at first set apart for the general civil history of Scotland, another for local histories or topography, a third for Scottish biography, a fourth was to contain works on Scottish religious history, on Scottish law, on the natural history of Scotland, on the Scottish language, and such other Scottish books as did not fall in any of the foregoing classes. These original allot- ments of space have all been long since filled up, and the overflow books have had to be placed in the upper room, often in inconvenient enough positions. Owing to this, and until the library is provided with much larger rooms, it is not possible to show together the whole possessions in any class. The religious and ecclesiastical history of Scotland is told in the writings of Knox (Laing's edition), Buchanan, Crookshank, Cunningham, Defoe, Grub, Hetherington, Lawson, Lee, Lyndsay, M'Crie, M'Ker- row, Skinner, Stanley, Spotswood, Struthers, Wodrow, Walcott, and others. A most interesting national relic which may be named in this place is an original manuscript copy on parchment of the National Covenant, the " bond of union or agreement drawn up at Edinburgh in 1638 by the leading Presbyterian ministers, and subscribed by vast numbers of persons of all ranks of life. It embodied the Confession of Faith of 1580 and 1581. . . . The subscribing of the National Covenant began 28th February, 1638, in Edinburgh. . . . Copies were circulated through the country for signature." The copy in the library is signed by Rothes, Montrose, Cassillis, Elcho, and many other peers and persons of other ranks. Many of the names attached are very much faded, and we are not able to state in what district of the country it was subscribed. Its deci- pherment and elucidation would appear to be a very desirable object for our local antiquarian society to undertake. It is enclosed in a morocco case, lettered THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 153 " The Confession of Faith and Solemn League and Covenant, 1638," but this title belongs rather to the later document drawn up and signed in 1643. In the same case is another copy on a larger parchment and much more legible, with elaborate decorative heading and border. It bears to have been prepared for signature after the General Assembly held at Glasgow in 1638 ; but at present it is not clear whether it is an original or a copy. No signatures .are appended. Perhaps the two books in this department of greatest individual interest are " The Booke of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments and other parts of Divine Service, for the use of the Church of Scotland " (Edinburgh : Robert Young, 1637) ; traditionally asso- ciated with Jenny Geddes's stool ; and " John Knox's Historic of the .Reformation of Religoun within the Realm of Scotland," the original edition, begun by Vautrollier in London, 1584, but stopped by order of Archbishop Whitgift and never completed. The copy in the library wants several leaves, which are supplied in manuscript. It is interesting as having belonged to Dr. Charles Stuart of Dunearn, father of James Stuart, the younger of Dunearn, who in 1822 killed Sir Alex. Bosw T ell in a duel. There is in it an autograph letter of Dr. Thomas M'Crie, the biographer of Knox and well-known writer on Scottish ecclesiastical history and biography, addressed to Dr. Charles Stuart, and ex- plaining the circumstances of the printing of the volume. The book is a very rare one. Mention should be made also of several large collec- tions of contemporary pamphlets relating to the different controversies which have from time to time arisen. These commence as early as the times of the Stuarts and the Revolution, and continue with greater or less completeness to matters so recent as the pro- ceedings in the case of Professor W. Robertson Smith. Naturally the agitation which resulted in the Disrup- 154 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. tion of 1843 is largely represented, there being one large set entitled " Non-Intrusion Pamphlets." Among the writers on the civil history of Scotland whose works will be found on the shelves are Abercromby, Anderson (Diplomata Scotiae, 1739), Balfour, Boece (Scotorum Historiae a Prima Gentis Origine, Paris, fo., 1526), Buchanan (Rerum Scotica- ruin Historia, fo., 1582), Cauiden, Dalzell, Fordun (Scotichronicon, edit. W. Goodall, 2 volumes, fo., 1759), Hailes, Historians of Scotland, edited by Skene and David Laing, 10 volumes; Hollinshead (Scottish Chronicle, 2 volumes, 4to), Cosmo Innes, T. Innes (Ancient Inhabitants of Scotland, 2 volumes, 1729), Jonston (Inscriptiones Historicae Regum Scotorum, 1602), Leslie (De Origine Moribus et Rebus Gestis Scotorum, 1675), Lindesay (History of Scotland, fo., 1728), Maitland (History of Scotland, 2 volumes, fo., 1757), Stuart (Caledonia Romana), Tytler, Wyntoun, Burton's, and other modern histories such as Taylor, Wright, Macintosh, etc. ; numerous histories of the Rebellions ; the National Manuscripts of Scotland, 3 volumes, fo. ; the various publications issued by authority from the General Register House, Edin- burgh, viz., Calendar of Documents relating to Scot- land, Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, Register of the Privy Council, and the Register of the Great Seal of Scot- land, complete as far as published ; also the Rolls Office publications referring to Scotland, the series of the Burgh Records Society, and the Records of the Con- vention of Royal Burghs. Scottish topography or local history has been assidu- ously gathered and garnered. Many of the books are scarce, and are becoming more so, in consequence of the greatly increased interest taken in this class of late years. In addition to the ordinary books the library has two or three specialties in this department, of which the most important is perhaps the collection, THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 155 made by Mr. Jarnes Maidruent, of papers relating to the county of Lanark. Mr. Maidnient preserved, arranged, and bound cuttings from newspapers and magazines, public notices, handbills, plans, pictures, and various other papers, relating to all parts of Scot- land. They were arranged in counties, and together filled about 100 large volumes. The library endea- voured to purchase the whole series, and offered what was thought a liberal sum. It was, however, sold for very much more, and broken up. It was some con- solation for the loss of the larger set to be enabled afterwards to secure the above portion, Lanarkshire, which is in six volumes. The fine works of the late James Drurnmond, U.S.A.; the very rare volume of Views on the Coasts of Suther- landshire, by the Countess of Sutherland ; Chalmers's Caledonia, 3 volumes; Nattes' Scotia Depicta; the Statistical Account, both editions; Slezer's Theatrurn Scotise (reprint) ; and numerous finely illustrated works- on the topography and antiquities of the country are present. In the department of Scottish biography, very much the same must be said as of the topography. It has been sought to bring together the most esteemed lives of eminent Scotsmen and Scotswomen. The books are so numerous that it is out of the question to attempt to name them. There is in this department another of the gatherings of that indefatigable collector and arranger, James Maidment. It consists of his cuttings regarding Scotsmen who, while not in the front rank of distinction, are yet noteworthy for some feature of their life or character, and who have been deemed worthy of obituary notice in the journals of the district where they were known. This is especially valuable as giving information concerning persons whose namea are not inserted in the standard works on national biography. It is in eight folio volumes, but is so much swollen by insertions since binding that it will 156 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. be necessary to divide it into at least double that number. The library has been fortunate in securing as many as eleven of the thirteen valuable and costly works on Scottish family history, etc., edited by Dr. William Fraser. It has The Stirlings of Keir. 4to. 1858. Memorials of the Montgomeries, Earls of Eglinton. 2 volumes, 4to. 1859. Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollok. 2 volumes, 4to. 1863. History of the Carnegies, Earls of Southesk. 2 volumes, 4 to. 1867. Red Book of Grandtully. 2 volumes, 4to. 1868. Chiefs of Colquhoun, and their Country. 2 volumes, 4to. 1869. The Lennox. 2 volumes, 4to. 1874. Earls of Cromartie. 2 volumes, 4to. 1876. Red Book of Menteith. 2 volumes, 4to. 1880. Chiefs of Grant. 3 volumes, 4to. 1883. Registrurn Monasterii S. Marie de Cambuskenrieth. 1147-1535. 4to. 1872. The two still wanting are "The Scotts of Buccleuch," and " The Book of Caerlaverock." Besides Dr. Eraser's works, the library has many of the other books in the same department, among which may be named Ander- son's Memoirs of the House of Hamilton, with supple- ments, 1825 ; Historical Records of the Eamily of Leslie, 3 volumes; Baronage of Angus and Mearns, by Peter, which was withdrawn from circulation ; Hume's Douglas and Angus ; Memorie of the Sorner- villes, 2 volumes ; Douglas's Peerage and Baronage, 3 volumes; Crawfurd's Peerage, 1716; Peerage Claims and Cases ; Clan Family Histories, etc. We may name too a superb copy of the original edition of Kay's Edinburgh Portraits, together with an octavo copy, to protect the quarto ; Crombie's Modern THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 157 Athenians is mentioned as a kind of complement to Kay; Pinkerton's Vitse Antiquse Scotorum Scotise, 1789, a considerable number of works on the life and history of Mary Queen of Scots, of which probably "Tracts Relating to the Funerals," is one of the rarest ; Anderson's Scotch Biography and Scottish Nation, 4 volumes ; Bruce's Eminent Men of Aber- deen ; Chambers's Biographical Dictionary, 3 editions ; Irving's Lives of Scottish Writers, 2 volumes; Irving's Eminent Scotsmen; Keith's Scottish Bishops; Lives of Scottish Poets, 3 volumes, 1821-22; Scots Worthies, by Howie, various editions ; Scottish Biographical Dic- tionary, 1822; Stark's Biographia Scotica, 1805; Mackenzie's Writers of the Scots Nation, 3 volumes folio, 1708 ; Brunton and Haig's Senators of the Col- lege of Justice, 1832 ; Conoll} 's Eminent Men of Fife ; and Scott's Fasti Ecclesise Scoticaiise, 3 volumes. In ,the department of Scottish Law, all that has been attempted is to provide a few books for the general reader. It was thought undesirable, even if possible with the means available, to attempt anything like the formation of a professional library on this subject. Among the books secured may be mentioned a set of Thomson's edition of the Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, with index, 12 volumes, folio. Perhaps it would have been more in keeping to name first one of the most recent, as it is one of the rarest, additions to the library. This is a copy of " The Black Acts," so called, presumably, from its being printed in black letter. The copy is not perfect, as some leaves are badly burned round the edges, and the title-page is away. These faults may, perhaps, be supplied in fac- simile. The body of the book is in good order, and happily the conclusion and colophon have lost no mere than some half-dozen letters. They are worth quoting : " Heir endis the actis and Constitutiounis of the Reahne of Scot- land maid in Parliamentis haldin be the rycht excellent, hie, and mychtie Princis Kingis James the First, Secund, Thrid, Feird, Fyft, 158 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. in the tyme of Marie now Quene of Scottis, viseit, and correctit by the Lordis depute be speciall commissioun thairto, and extractit furth of the Registers be the Clerkis of our souerane Ladyis Register respectiue. Cvm privilegio ad decennium. Imprentit at Edinburg[h] be Robert Lekpreuik the. xxviij. day of Nouember, the y[eir] of God ane thousand fine hundreth thre scoir sax [ye]ris." There are also some other editions of Acts of Parlia- ment of early date, in addition to the now current series of Public General Statutes relatinp* to Scotland. - Among the writers on Scottish Law are H. Bar- clay, G. J. Bell, J. H. Burton, Erskine, Lord Fount- ainhall, Lord Kames, J. Lorimer, Sir G. Mackenzie, J. D. Mar wick, J. Kiddell, Lord Stair, J. D. Wilson, and others. In the department of Scottish Antiquities and Scottish Art, we name the Archaeologia Scotia ; a complete set of the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland ; Drummond's Ancient Scottish Weapons ; Mr. Cochran-Patrick's works on the coinage and medals of Scotland, and on early Scottish mining ; Cardonnel's Numismata Scotise ; Anderson's Diplo- mata et Numismata Scotiae, 1739 ; Wingate's Coinage of Scotland ; Billing's Baronial Antiquities ; Scott's, Cordiner's, and Grose's Antiquities. The heraldic works include, besides Nisbet, Stodart's Scottish Arms, 2 volumes, folio, and Sir David Lyndsay's Heraldic Manuscript, 1878. The books on costume and tartans include Mclan's Clans, 2 volumes, folio; Sobieski Stuart on the Clans, folio ; the " authenti- cated" Tartans, issued at Mauchline. The Scottish Language is treated of by Beattie, Brown, Jamieson, Mackay, Michel, Mitchell, and others. There are further many Scottish books of a general or miscellaneous character, such as a set, nearly complete, of Oliver & Boyd's Edinburgh Almanac, files of Scottish newspapers "Scotsman," "Edinburgh Courant," " The Witness," with which Hugh Miller was connected. Sets of the Scottish Publishing Societies, Abbotsford, THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 159 Maitland, Spalding, Bannatyne (of which the library copy is unusually complete), Grampian, etc. With this we leave the Scottish section of the library. It has now become probably one of the largest and most important collections of the national literature ; and its further development will doubtless be one of the principal objects of the committee. CHAPTER XL The General Contents of the Library Theology and Philosophy History, Biography, Voyages and Travels Law, Politics, etc. Arts, Sciences, and Natural History Poetry and the Drama Phil- ology Fiction -Miscellaneous Works -- List of Periodicals and Serials taken Financial Position of the Library Conclusion. THE description, inadequate as it is, of the local and national sections of the library has taken up so much space, that it becomes necessary to limit our account of the general library to a rapid survey of its chief features, without attempting to particularize. Following the classification, we first come to The- ology, Ecclesiastical History, and Philosophy, 8,370 volumes. Here we find copies of representative editions of the Bible, including the Wycliffite ver- sions; the reprint of Coverdale's Bible, 1535; of the first edition of the authorized version, 1611 ; and others. The English Hexapla shows the six principal English versions of the New Testament. There are two polyglots, and translations of the Bible into many languages, one of the rarest books in this department being the first Irish Bible of 1685, Bishop Bedell's. The works in illustration of the Bible commentaries, ICO THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. annotations, histories, dictionaries, etc.- are very numerous, and represent all schools of opinion. They include many works worthy of separate mention. In doctrinal theology it has been endeavoured to secure the writings of the leaders in each of the principal forms of belief. Ecclesiastical history, both general, and as recorded in different countries, occupies a large space on the shelves. There is also a large number of works relating to classical and other mythologies, and religions other than Christian. In Mental and Moral Philosophy most of the greater names, ancient and modern, will be found in the catalogue. The large class, History (including Topography), Biography, Voyages and Travels, contains 11,012 volumes, very many of them being interesting from their rarity or from some circumstances of their pro- duction. The arrangement of the class is by country, universal or general history being a separate division. The space available here does not permit the mention of many works, and we must be content with the state- ment, which is of general application, that as far as possible the standard works have been acquired in good editions. As examples of the larger books we name a ver}>" fine cop}'' of O'Donovan's Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland, by the Four Masters (Dublin : 7 volumes, 1851); Les Peuples de la Russie, par Pauly, folio, with many splendid coloured plates ; the great work compiled by order of Napoleon Des- cription de 1'Egypte, publiee par Panckoucke (24 volumes, text, and 12 large volumes of plates, 1821-29); Espana Artistica y Monumental, Villa- Amil (3 volumes, folio) ; The Survey of Western Palestine (issued by the Exploration Fund, 7 volumes) ; The Itinerary of Fynes Morison, 1617 ; and some of the illustrated works relating to the archaeology of India. In Biography, there are the general works of Chalmers, Rose, and others ; classed biographies of different nationalities, and of different professions ; THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 161 of lives of the saints the library has a somewhat ex- tensive collection, including the great work " Acta Sanctorum/' Bollandus (Paris; 1845-1883), 62 volumes, folio. The individual biographies are very numerous, and include lives of persons of all ages, of all nations, and of all professions or positions. The next in order of classification is Law, Politics, Sociology, and Commerce, containing 6,700 volumes. It includes sets of the Public General Statutes, of Hansard's Parliamentary History and Parliamentary Debates (in 394 volumes), of Cobbett's Political Register, and a large number of Parliamentary papers on important subjects. The committee have recently resolved to procure a complete set of the latter, which will doubtless be of great service to persons interested in public questions. The principal writers on political economy are present. There are good collections on the subjects grouped as Sociology, such as education, the relations of capital and labour, the treatment of the poor, the marriage laws, and questions akin to these ; and many works bearing on statistics, including a good set oif the Journal of the Statistical Society. The class further contains a large number of pamphlets on political and social questions, which are frequently of great importance as containing the earliest indications of movements which ultimately take effect in legislation. The large class which follows Arts, Sciences, and Natural History, 9,721 volumes is one which has received great attention, and in which many fine works have been secured. Painting, design, and decoration are represented by such works as Racinet's Poly- chromatic Ornament, Carr's Drawings of the Italian Masters, Ottley's Italian School of Design and Floren- tine School, Owen Jones's Grammar of Ornament (folio and quarto), Audsley's Ornamental Arts of Japan, Les Chefs d'CEuvre de la Peinture Italienne, par Mantz, and many others ; Sculpture by the fine 162 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. engravings of the Ancient Marbles in the British Museum, and by the works of Cicognara, Canova, Flaxnian, the Museum Worsleyanum, etc. Archi- tecture is a strong section of this class, and includes the Architectural Publication Society's great diction- ary, and works by Adam, Carter, Sir W. Chambers, Coney, Fergusson, Goodwin, Hakewell, Hunt, King, Knight, Nash, Nicholson, Parker, Pugin, Street, Viollet-le-Duc, Wild, and Winkles. The application of art to industry is illustrated by the fine works of Wyatt and of Waring, which contain descriptions and coloured illustrations of the chief works in the exhibitions of 1851, 1857 (Manchester), and 1862 ; Histoire des Arts Industriels, par Labarte, (3 volumes). The arts of the Middle Ages are the sub- ject of the beautiful works of Louandre, Henry Shaw, and others. Paul Lacroix brings down similar subjects to a later date. The history of art is related in the works of Callcott, Crowe and Cavalcaselle, Eastlake, Jameson, Kugler, Lanzi, Lindsay, Liibke, Stirling- Maxwell, Waagen, Winckelmann, Woltmann. and Woerman, and many others of minor interest. A very nearly complete set of the works of Professor Ruskin may be mentioned here. There are the fol- lowing series of portraits, among others: Lodge, 12 volumes ; Knight's Gallery, 8 volumes ; Heads of Illustrious Persons, Houbraken and Vertue, with Lives by Birch ; and a number of more recent works, such as Cassell's National Portrait Gallery, etc. The chief representative of Palaeography is the great work of Silvestre. Music is as yet somewhat inade- quately shown, the following being the principal writers found here : Chappell, Cherubini, Crotch. Grove, Hawkins, Helmholtz, Hullah, Kircher, Mao- farren, Ouseley, Pauer, Hitter, and Stainer. The books on Natural History are arranged in four main divisions, those dealing with Nature generally, and those devoted respectively to zoology (including THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 163 comparative anatomy and physiology), to botany, and to geology. In Zoology, the strongest section is Ornithology, in which the important works of Gray (Genera of Birds), Sclater and Salvin, Temminck, Des Murs, Marquis of TVeeddale, and others have been obtained. Curtis, Drury, Harris, Kirby and Spence, Lubbock, Martyn, Newman, and Wood are the principal writers on En- tomology. In other branches of zoology are the works of Cuvier, Couch, Owen, Jardine, Harris, Yarrell, Low, and others, and the extensive series of reports of the " Challenger " scientific expedition. In con- nection with zoology, reference should be made to works on angling, and on sport generally, of which the library has a large number. In Botan}' will be found the writings, for the most part illustrated, of Balfour, Candolle, Cook, Don, Greville, Harvey, Hooker, Le Maout and Decaisne, Lindley, Loudon, Maund, Paxton, Pratt, Ray, Sachs, Seeman, and Watson. Two of the works may be named, Moore's " nature-printed " " Ferns of Great Britain and Ireland," folio ; and Cook's " Beautiful Seaweeds," illustrated by natural specimens, a work of which the credit belongs to Paisley, and of which only 50 copies were prepared. Geology is the subject of works by Chambers, Dana, Geikie, Lyell, Mantell, Miller, Murchison, Nichol, Page, and Smith. We find space to mention Sir Richard Owen's recently completed work, History of British Fossil Reptiles, 4 volumes, quarto, 170 copies printed. In Metallurgy we have Percy, Crookes and Rohrig, and others. In the great and important subject of Science we regret that all we can attempt is a statement of the principal divisions of it in the library arrangement. First come works of a general or encyclopaedic charac- ter, embracing the whole field of science, followed by a division on physics light, heat, sound, electricity, 164 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. and magnetism, etc. Chemistry is represented by a large number of books, of which the major part is concerned with the recent and present state of the science, while the remainder serve as materials for the history of its progress. Adjoining chemistry is a section in which are medical and surgical works. There has been no attempt to form anything like a professional library on these subjects, the books ac- quired being generally such as are suitable for the general reader. Connected with these are dietetics and cookery. Public health, sanitary science, treat- ment of sewage, and the like follow in order. Much attention has been paid to the subject of manufactures and the useful arts ; and the works in these are among the most appreciated in the library. There are important practical works on engineering and shipbuilding, among them sets of the more im- portant serials devoted to these professions. If space permitted it would be shown that there are few trader on which the library does not possess useful technical and practical books. Mathematics and astronony occupy the last of the scientific divisions. In the next class, that of Poetry and the Drama, which, exclusive of nearly 5,000 volumes in the " Poets' Corner," has more than 3,000 volumes, we find standard editions of the principal poets, British and other. The class contains some rare and many important works, and it is with regret that we are compelled to omit particular mention of them, and pass on to Linguistics or Philology, which forms the next class (879 volumes), and which again has been the subject of much attention. The science of language generally is present in the writings of Abel, Bopp, Farrar, Harris, Kavanagh, Latham, Monboddo, Mliller, Murray, Sayce, Schlegel, Tooke, Wedgwood, and Whitney. Of works on the languages severally, we note, among others In English, the dictionaries of Johnson (several editions, including the first, 1755), Ash, Bailey (1745), THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 165 Hunter, Latham, Ogilvie, Philips (1706), Richardson, Webster, Worcester, and Wright ; and the grammati- cal works of Bain, Cobbett, Crombie, Lowth, Maetzner, Morris, Murray, and Whitney. In Hebrew, Davidson, Gesenius, Gousset (1702), Kalisch, Marini (1593), and Tregelles; with many less important works. In Greek, the great Thesaurus of Stephanus, and works of Budeus (1529), Creiner, Crispini (1566), Curtius, Damm, Hoogeveen, Jelf, Liddell and Scott, Passow, Reiske, and Winer. In Latin, Adam, Andrews, Du Cange, Facciolatus, Holyoke (1677), Lewis and Short, Ruddiman, Smith, Stephanus (1734-5), and Zurnpt are the representative names ; but, in addition, the library possesses many modern text-books and dictionaries. In French, the dictionaries of Littre (5 volumes), Cotgrave (1650), F Academic Francaise, Fleming and Tibbins, Menage (1750), Miege (1688), l 'Trevoux" (8 volumes, 1771) ; and numerous grammatical books, chiefly modern. In German, dictionaries by Fliigel, Grieb, Grimm, and Hilpert ; grammatical works by Otto, Strauss, and Wendeborn ; with numerous class and reading books. In other languages, Lye's Dictionarium Saxonico t Gothico-Latinum (1772) ; Freytag's Lexicon Arabico- Latinuni, 4 volumes; Golius' Arabic Lexicon (1653); Morrison's Chinese Dictionary, 3 volumes ; Goldie's En'k Dictionary ; Ludolf s Lexicon Aethiopico-Latinum (1661); Gaelic Dictionaries by Armstrong, M'Alpine, and Macleod and Dewar ; Forbes' Hindustani Diction- ary ; Rask's Icelandic Dictionary (1814) ; O'Brien's Irish Dictionary ; Italian Dictionaries of Florio (1611), Millhouse, Petronj, Politi (Tuscan), 1640 ; Banks' Rus- sian Dictionary, 2 volumes; Spanish Dictionaries ; Sere- nius' Swedish-English Dictionary, 2 volumes (1741-57) ; Welsh Dictionaries of Jones, Richards, and Walters ; Schilter's Teutonic Thesaurus, 3 volumes (1727-8) ; and 166 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. many other linguistic publications, including vocabu- laries of the languages of savage nations, provincial dialects, and works on special departments of phil- ology. The position of the library with regard to prose fiction, which forms the next class, is a little ex- ceptional, and is thus stated in the annual report for 1874-79 : "When the selection of the books to form the library was in progress, the question of fiction came up, and the following recommendation on the subject was made : That, considering that at Stirling's Library, within a short distance, there is a supply of works of fiction, accessible to the public in the same way as the Mitchell Library is ; and further, that there are in the city numerous private circulating libraries, from which novels may be got for a penny a-w r eek ; and further, that there is practically no provision what- ever of useful modern books in other departments of literature; and further, that the means at the com- mittee's disposal, both as to accommodation of readers and the supply of books, is inadequate, that works of fiction be not purchased for the library in the meantime. This recommendation has been acted on, and hitherto no novels have been bought. In January, 1879, how- ever, Mr. A. Glen CoJlins generously offered to present a selection of novels, and on the offer being accepted,. he sent 155 volumes of standard novels, uniformly and handsomely bound. These, with one or two other gifts, form the library's stock of fiction." The only books we need name are, a good copy of the first edition of "Gulliver's Travels," with the maps; the Abbotsford edition of Scott ; and Haslewood's edition of Painter's Palace of Pleasure. The last class is Miscellaneous, 10,006 volumes, de- scribed in the report as consisting " chiefly of works which include two or more of the other classes, such a& encyclopaedias, collected works of general writers, essay- ists, sets of periodicals, etc." Among the encyclopaedias, THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 167 we name the extensive work of Zedler, 68 volumes, folio; the famous Encyclopedic of Diderot and D'Alem- bert, 33 volumes, folio ; Encyclopaedia Britannica, eighth and ninth editions ; Blackie's, Chambers's, and others. The collected works of general writers and the essayists are so numerous that we can only note their presence, for the most part in good editions. In bibli- ography we find excellent copies of the various works of T. F. Dibdin, Allibone, Brunet, Brydges, Clarke, Clement, Collier, De Bure, Ebert, Guild, Hain, Lalanne, Lowndes, Manne, Oldys, Querard, Richard, Watt, etc. ; and in connection with these we name Arber's Transcripts of the Registers of the Stationers' Company, 4 volumes, quarto, and a large collection of the catalogues of important libraries both in Britain and in America. It may further be stated that the library has many first editions and privately printed books. The library has sets of Professor Arber's other series, the English Reprints, the English Garner, and the English Scholar's Library ; and of Dr. Grosart's Fuller Worthies' Library, Chertsey Worthies' Library, Huth Library, etc. Among other series in the library may be named Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopsedia, Family Library, Oriental Series, and Sacred Books of the East. Most of the works issued by the more important publishing societies are in the library, including the Ballad, Camden (English history), Chaucer, Early English Text, Hakluyt (early travels), Harleian (gene- alogy, etc.), Folk Lore, Palseontographical, Percy (early poetry), Scottish Text, Spenser, Surtees (history of Northern England), and other societies of a kindred nature. The manuscripts in the library are few in number, and, except the National Covenant, not of great im- portance. A few of them have been already named. The periodicals placed currently on the tables in the magazine-room, and subsequently bound for preserva- tion, are numerous and representative. The following 168 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. list of " serials in progress," which omits such as have been already named, must close our notice of the con- tents of the library : LIST OF PERIODICALS, TRANSACTIONS, NEWSPAPERS, AND OTHER SERIALS ix PROGRESS IN THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. Academy. Academy Notes. Agricultural Society's Journal. Alliance News. All the Year Round. Almanacs ; General : Aim ana ch de Gotha. American Almanac. British Almanac and Com- panion. Glasgow Almanac. Illustrated London Almanac. Oliver & Boyd's, with Supple- ments. Orkney and Shetland Almanac. Thorn's Irish Almanac. Whitaker's Almanac. American Naturalist. Annalen der Physik und Chemie. Annual Register. Antiquarian Magazine and Biblio- grapher. Antiquaries of Scotland, Society of. Proceedings. Antiquary. Antiquary's Library. Anti-Slavery Reporter. Appleton's Annual Cyclopaedia. Archaeological Association. Brit- ish, Journal. Architect. Architect, British. Art Annuaire Illustre des Beaux Arts. Art Journal. Art Text- Books. Chronique des Arts. Courrier de i'Art. Decoration. Gazette des Beaux Arts. Grosvenor Gallery Notes. L'Art. Magazine of Art. Portfolio. South Kensington Museum Art Handbooks. Year's Art. Astronomical Observations, Edin. Astronomical Register. Athenaeum. Atlantic Monthly. Ayrshire and Wigtonshire Ar- chaeological Association Pub- lications. Baird Lectures. Bampton Lectures. Banner of Israel. Bible Standard. Bibliotheca Sacra. Black wood's Magazine. Book Lore. Bookseller. Botanical Magazine, Curtis. Bradshaw's Railway Guide. British and Colonial Printer. British Association for the Ad- vancement of Science. Re- ports. British Museum Library Cata- logue and other Museum Publications. British Quarterly Review. British Trade Journal. Broad Arrow-. Builder. Builder's Weekly Reporter. THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 169 Building News. Burgh Records Society Publica- tions. Caledonian Curling Club Annual. Canadian Gazette. Catalogue Illustre du Salon. Celtic Magazine. Century Magazine (formerly " Scribner's "). Chambers's Journal. Charity Organization Review. Chemical News. Chemical Industry Society, Jour- nal. Chemical Society, Journal. Chemist and Druggist. Chemist and Druggist's Diary. Chetham Society Publications. Christadelphian. Christian Advocate. Christian Socialist. Christian World. Church Almanac. Church Quarterly Review. Civil Engineers, Institute of. Proceedings. Civil Service Commissioners' Re- ports. Civil Service Year Book. Clarendon Historical Society. Clarks' Foreign Theological Lib- rary. Clerical Directory. Club Almanach. Colliery Guardian. Colonial Office List.* Colonies and India. Contemporary Review. Contract Journal. Co-operative News. Cornhill Magazine. Courrier de 1'Europe. Cunningham Lectures. Dial (Chicago). Dietetic Reformer. Directory of Directors. Dod's Parliamentary Companion. Dramatic Notes. Draper. Dublin Freeman's Journal. Dublin Review. Dublin Royal Society, Scientific Proceedings and Transac- tions. Early Chroniclers of Europe. Ecclesiastical Observer. Economist. Edinburgh Botanical Society. Edinburgh Directory. Edinburgh Gazette. Edinburgh Review. Educational News. Educational Times. Electrician. Eminent Women Series. Engineer. Engineering. Engineering Review. Engineers and Shipbuilders of Scotland. Transactions. Engineers, Society of. Transac- tions. English and Foreign Philosophi- cal Library. English Citizen Series. English Illustrated Magazine. English Men of Letters. English Political Leaders. Entomologist. Entomologist's Monthly Maga- zine. Era. Era Almanac. European Literature, Dawn of, Series. Expositor. Fabrics and Textile Industries, Journal. Farmer's Almanac, Morton's. Field. 170 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Financial Reform Almanac. Financial Reform Tracts. Financial Reformer. Folk Lore Journal. Folk Lore Society Publications. Football Annual. Football Annual, Scottish. Foreign Countries and British Colonies. Foreign Office List. Fortnightly Review. Garden. Gardeners' Chronicle. Gas and Water Companies Direc- tory (Gas Lighting, Journal of). Gegenwart. Gentleman's Magazine. Geographical Society, Proceed- ings. Geological Magazine. Geological Record. Glasgow Archaeological Society Transactions. Glasgow Criminal Returns. Glasgow Directory. Glasgow Fine Arts Institute, Catalogue. Glasgow Geological Society Tran- sactions. Glasgow Natural History Society Proceedings. Glasgow Parochial Boards, Re- ports. Glasgow Philosophical Society Proceedings. Glasgow Red Book. Glasgow School Board Reports. Glasgow Societies' Reports, vari- ous. Glasgow Town Council, Lists of. Glasgow Vital Statistics. Good Words. Grampian Club Publications. Graphic. Great Artists Series. Great Musicians Series. Greenwich Astronomical Observa- tions. Handbooks for Bible Classes. Hardware Circular. Harper's Monthly. Harper's Weekly (New York). Hart's Army List. Harvard University Library Bulletin. Health. Herald of Peace. Hibbert Lectures. Historical Society, Royal. Trans- actions. Home and Colonial Mail. Homilist. Homoeopathic World. Horological Journal. Household Library of Exposition. . Hulsean Lectures. Hunterian Club Publications. Illustrated London News. Illustration, L'. Index Society Publications. India List. Industrial Geogi-aphy Primers. Insurance Blue-Book. Insurance Gazette. Insurance Gazette, Ireland. Insurance Record. International Review. Investigator. Investor's Monthly Manual. Iron. Jewish Chronicle. Jewish Herald. Jewish Intelligence. Jewish World. Journal of Society of Arts. Jurisprudence, Journal of. Knowledge. THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. Lancet. Land and Water. Law List. Law Society (Incorporated) Cal- endar. Law Times and Reports. League Journal. Leisure Hour. Library Journal. Library Association Proceedings, and Chronicle. Literary World. Live Stock Journal. Live Stock Journal Almanac. Local Government Chronicle. London Directory. London Gazette. London Quarterly Review. Longmans' Magazine. Longmans' Notes on Books. Low's English Catalogueof Books. Machinery Market. Macmillan's Magazine. Manuals of Technology. Mechanic, English. Medical Journal, British. Medical Register. Medicine, Braithwaite's Retro- spect. Mercantile Age. Mercantile Navy List. Messenger. Metal Worker. Microscopical Science, Quarterly Journal. Miller. Mind. Mineral Statistics. Mining Journal. Modern Review. Music, Magazine of. Musical Directory. Musical Opinion. Musical Standard. Musical Times. Musical World. Nation (New York). National Review. Natural History, Annals of. Nature. Nature Series. Nautical Almanac. Naval Architects, Institute of, Transactions. New Church Magazine. New Club Series. New Plutarch Series. Newspaper Press Directory. Nineteenth Century. Non-Christian Religious Systems. North American Review. Notes and Queries. Oracle. Orkney and Shetland Almanac. Palestine Exploration Fund, State- ment. Paper and Printing Trades Jour- nal. Parliament House Book. Parliamentary Reports, Returns, Papers. Peerages, Various. People's Friend. Pharmaceutical Journal. Pharmaceutical Society Calendar, Pharmacy, Year Book of. Philosophers, English. Philosophical Classics. Philosophical Magazine. Philosophies, Ancient. Philosophy, Speculative, Journal of. Phonetic Journal. Phonographic Journal (Sloan- Duployan). Photographic News. Photography, British Journal of. Photography, British Journal Al- manac. Pictorial World. Postal Guide. 172 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Press News. Printer's Register. Printing Times. Psychical Research Society, Pro- ceedings. Publisher's Circular. Publisher's Weekly (New York). Punch. Quarterly Review. Railway Time Tables, Local. Presented by the Companies. Railway Times. Rainbow. Ray Society Publications. Reformed Presbyterian Witness. Registrar - General's Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Re- turns. Reliquary. Reporters' Journal. Revue des deux Mondes. Revue Internationale. Revue Politique et Litteraire. Rhind Lectures on Archaeology. Royal Society, Proceedings of. Sanitary Engineer. Sanitary Record. Saturday Review. School Board Chronicle. Schoolmaster. Science American Journal of Science. Annee Scientifique, L'. Comptes Rendus des Seances de 1' Academic des Sciences. Hardwicke's Science Gossip. International Scientific Series. Library of Contemporary Science. Monthly Journal of Science. Revue Scientifique. Scientific American, and Suppt. Scientific and Learned Societies' Year Book. Scientific Roll. Scotland Calendar of Documents. Exchequer Rolls. Register of Privy Council. Register of the Great Seal. Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer. Scotsman . Scottish Arboricultural Society. Transactions. Scottish Banking Magazine. Scottish Law Reporter. Scottish Naturalist. Scottish Review. Scottish School Board Directory. Scottish Text Society. Service Almanac. Shorthand Magazine. Smithsonian Institution Reports. Social Science Congress Trans. South Kensington Art Directory. South Kensington Science Direc- tory. Spectator. Star of Israel. Statesman's Year Book. Statist. Statutes, Public General. Statutes, Public General, Scotland. Steamship. Stock Exchange Year Book. Sunday Magazine. Sunday Review. Symons's British Rainfall. Tablet. Technological Handbooks (Bell). Technological Handbooks (Churchill). Telegraphic Journal. Temple Bar. Textile Manufacturer and Diary. Theatre. Theatre Annual. Theological and Philosophical Library. THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. 173 Theological Translation Fund Library. Times. Times Index (Palmer's). Times Eegister of Events. Tonic Sol-Fa Reporter. Tour du Monde. Trade and Navigation Accounts. Trade Marks Journal. Triibner's American and Oriental Literary Record. Triibner's Simplified Grammars. United States Government, Re- ports of Various Depart- ments. University Calendars Aberdeen. Cambridge. Dublin. Dundee. Durham. Edinburgh. Free Church Colleges. Glasgow. Glasgow, Andersonian. London, Preceptors' College. In addition to the serials now in progress the library contains sets of many completed periodicals. In the arrangements for the service of the public, the aim has been to render access to the books as easy and convenient as possible, and to interpose no restric- tions or regulations save such as appeared necessary for the safety of the books. On a counter near the door are placed copies of the catalogue, and readers' tickets. The reader, having found in the catalogue the book he wishes to see, writes on the readers' ticket its title and the library number, and adds his name and address and the date. The ticket is then handed to an assistant who brings the book or books, and the reader returns them to the counter before leaving. We have already noted the changes in the committee up to the date on which the library was opened. It London, Queen's College. London, Royal College of Sur- geons. London, Trinity College. London University. Owen's College and Victoria University, Manchester. Oxford. St. Andrews. University Magazine. Vaccination Inquirer. Vanity Fair. Victoria Institute. Transaction s- Vigilance Association Journal. Watchmaker. Weale's Series (as issued). West Coast Directory. Westminster Review. Who's Who. Woods and Forests. Zoological Record. Zoologist. Zoophilist. 174 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. now remains to add the few alterations which have taken place on the list since then. In 1878 Councillors Arch. Dunlop and George Jackson joined the committee; Councillor William Wilson was chosen convener, and Councillor T. A. Mathieson sub-convener. In 1 879 Councillors Peter Bertram, A. S. Bryce, Alexander M'Laren, Duncan M'Pherson, and John Ure replaced vacating members; and in 1880 Councillors Sir William O Collins, and W. M'Neil Stuart were elected. The new members in 1881 were Councillors James Gray and J. R Miller; in 1882, C. D. Rankin; in 1883, Councillors J. H. Martin, James Macfarlane, John Shearer, jun., Michael Simons, H. S. Thomson, and James Col- quhoun; and in 1884, Councillors Thomas Cuniming, Robt. Graham, David Logan, and Walter Paton. The committee has been reduced from its former dimensions to ten members. With respect to the financial position of the library it may be stated that all that has yet been done, the ac- quisition of a library of 57,100 volumes and the issue to readers of more than two and a half millions, together with the extensive use made of the current periodicals, has practically been accomplished by the interest of the fund, the capital sum now being only some 1,500 less than when handed over by Mr. Mitchell's agents. The full realization of the objects pointed to in Lord Pro- vost Blackie's report would require longer time and larger resources than have been at the disposal of the committee. After payment of rent, lighting and warm- ing, salaries and wages, insurance, annuities under the founder's will, and incidental expenses, the amount available for the purchase of books and periodicals and for binding has in recent years averaged about 800. Considerable as this appears, when it is compared with corresponding expenditures at Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham (not to speak of cities in the United States), it will be seen how far it is from enabling the committee to secure for public use the greater and rarer THE MITCHELLL IBRART. 175 works of our own and other times and countries, and otherwise giving full effect to the liberal policy they have adopted. The principal inconveniences to which readers have been subjected arise entirely from the fact that the business of the library has long outgrown the premises in which it is placed. The overcrowding has been very great, so much so as to deter many from taking advan- tage of the books provided. Literary men and stu- dents particularly, who require quiet and space for their work, have been at a great disadvantage. The ventilation, originally defective, has with greater num- bers present become much worse, and offers another serious hindrance to the use of the library. Notwithstanding all these disadvantages, however, it has to be recorded that the library has so far had a remarkable and unlooked-for measure of success, and has become one of the most popular of the city insti- tutions. As a recent observer has remarked, it has already " established a claim to be called a great library great in progress, great in usefulness, greater still in promise." 176 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. CHAPTER XII. THE EUING MUSICAL LIBRARY. Intentions of the Founder The manner in which they have been carried out Inaccessibility of the, Library Defects of the Catalogue Service which the Collection might render to Musical Art Extent of the Library Historical and Biographical Works Great Wealth of the Library in Didactic and Theoretical Works Sacred Vocal Music, Individual Composers ; Collections; Rich in Psalters Secular Vocal Music Instrumental Music Miscellaneous Works. THIS large and important collection of musical works was formed by the late William Euing, insurance broker in Glasgow, and was bequeathed by him to Anderson's University in 1874. The provisions of his will bear that the library of musical works is " to be the property of, and deposited and kept in Anderson's University in all time coming, and to be made avail- able for the use and instruction of the professor or lec- turer on music, and of the students in said Anderson's University, under such restrictions or regulations as the managers and trustees thereof may deem proper for their care and preservation." A sum of 500, subsequently increased by a codicil to 1,000, was left for the purpose of providing a fire-proof compartment for housing the library, and for providing a fund for the maintenance of a librarian or curator. A further sum of 200 was left to be applied to the compilation, publication, and gratuitous distribution of a catalogue of the library ; and in addition to all the foregoing, the THE SUING LIBRARY. 177 testator left his stock of musical instruments for the benefit of the same institution. Such, in brief, is the history of the origin of this library. Before proceeding to a description of the contents of the library, it may be useful and instructive to deter- mine how far the intentions of the founder have been fulfilled ; and to learn by the sequel that benevolence which is intended to have posthumous effect may often- times be robbed of its efficiency by a too jealous inter- pretation of the donor's dying testament. The library is certainly " deposited and kept " in Anderson's Uni- versity, but to such good purpose that the founder's intentions with regard to its being made available for the use and instruction of students are practically void. A building has been erected, on fire-proof principles no doubt, but which an actual test is quite liable to dis- prove ; while its damp-proof capabilities seem never to have received the distinction of a thought. Its fire- resisting qualities in this latter connection are undeni- able however, though the consolation arising from the fact will scarcely counterbalance the ultimate destruc- tion of the library. No funds seem to have survived the erection of the sepulchre in which the library is interred, and the want of a librarian accordingly forms an unfailing excuse and off-put to any inquiring spirit who may chance to desire the use of Mr. Euing's books. The 200 have been spent in printing a large handsome volume of 256 pages, bearing the title, " Catalogue of the Musical Library of the late William Euing, Esq.," etc., and having the date 1878. Its value as a cata- logue is open to some question on grounds afterwards to be stated, but its virtues as an irritant, to such per- sons as desire to consult the treasures it pretends to describe, and have experienced the hopelessness of the desire, are unmatched. The defects of the catalogue O are chiefly those of arrangement and transcription; but there are other faults no less heinous, though of less general consequence. In the first place, the catalogue 12 178 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. pretends to be on the classified model, though it is without a separate and sequential index of authors, in consequence of which it is often necessary to make ten or more different references in order to discover what works of any composer the library possesses. It is divided into eight principal parts, which are again sub- divided, the whole forming fifteen sections. One part calls for special notice, namely the " Addenda," in which are three sections arranged on the no-arrange- ment principle, and containing some of the most valu- able items in the library. It is neither alphabetical nor chronological, but a simple or compound hash ot titles without order or utility. It is not too much to say that this uncritical compilation is an insult to the valuable collection it professes to index. Here, then, is an extensive library, the most valu- able of its kind in Scotland, and one of the most valuable in the United Kingdom, shut up from public access, and almost wholly conserved from any use whatever by those musical students for whose benefit it was left. The policy of those responsible for this state of matters is highly injurious to the best interests and progress of the musical community in Glasgow, and will not fail to make the city be regarded as a place where enlightenment has been withheld by those whose office and obligation it is to further the advance- ment of universal knowledge. The advantages which a free and judicious use of the Euing Library would be to musicians in Glasgow are incalculable, and would not fail to foster the growing interest in music now apparent on every side. Musicians of every grade, whether professional or amateur, would find something of interest and value in the collection, and the educa- tional influence of the library would ultimately prove a powerful force in bringing about the higher cultivation of music now being aimed at all over the world. It has always been a matter of reproach that Scotland has never produced a composer of first-rate ability THE EUING LIBRARY. 179 until quite recently ; while it may be truly said of Glasgow that she has never produced a composer worthy of the name. Yet, when a valuable aid in the matter of attaining such a desirable honour is placed within measurable reach of the musical public, a body of persons otherwise pledged to the furtherance of educa- tion are the sole means of excluding them, and defeat- ing the attainment of the distinction in question. All credit is allowed the trustees of the Euing Library for their preservative efforts, but the praiseworthiness of their action becomes questionable when the measures taken to secure the safety of the books result in a complete defeat of the intentions of the founder of the library. The benefits of a library are seen only in its use, and the Euing Library will never be a great factor in musical education while its treasures lie in a condi- tion of inglorious and damp repose. We trust no officiousness will attach to the humble suggestion we have to make that the trustees should divest themselves of what is apparently a useless encumbrance, by placing the collection in some public institution where its value would be appreciated and its preservation secured by more rational means than seclusion in a burglar but not damp-proof tomb. To this end we may mention the facilities in the possession of the Town Council, whose members have some voice in the direction of at least two liberally-managed free public libraries, in which the late Mr. Euing's life-time collections would receive honourable attention and a use worthy of their value. Of the extent of the Euing Musical Library only an estimate can be obtained. Calculated different ways, a result is given showing the number of volumes and pamphlets to be not less than between 5,000 and 6,000, though it is probable that this number is within the mark. Of the nature of its contents a better notion can be given. It comprehends works on and in every department of musical literature and composition, to the description of which we may at once proceed, 180 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. adopting the following rough classification as a basis on which to work : 1. Historical and Biographical Works. 2. Didactic and Theoretical Works. 3. Sacred Vocal Music. 4. Secular Vocal Music. 5. Instrumental Music. G. Miscellaneous Works. The first division comprises the works collected by Mr. Euing himself, and a number of books from the library of the late Dr. E. F. Birnbault. It is par- ticularly rich in French and German authors, though also containing many valuable and important English writings. Among historical authors represented may be named Ambros, Arteaga, Blondeau, Brendel, Burney, Busby, Caffi, Castil-Blaze, Chorley, Chouquet, Clement, Coussemaker, Dalyell, Edgcumbe, Edwards, Engel, Fetis, Forkel, Hawkins, Hogarth, Hullah, Kiesewetter, Martini, North, Parke, Reissmann, Rim- bault, etc. Ambros is represented by his "Geschichte der Musik," 3 volumes, 1862-68, a well-known work, now completed, and maintaining a high renown for brilliancy and acumen, and with which may be classed the careful history of Franz Brendel. The English histories of Burney and Hawkins are both out of date, neither coming beyond the conclusion of the eighteenth century; but their interest is still fresh for those whose studies are of an antiquarian bent. The other Eng- lish works are interesting mainly as retrospects of musical history, for, except Hogarth and Hullah, none of them are of great critical value. Sir James Graham Dalyell's " Musical Memoirs of Scotland " is a purely antiquarian performance, dealing more with music as illustrated in works of art than throwing much light on the state of practical music in Scotland. It is never- theless a work of considerable interest, and is becoming scarce and highly valuable in a bibliographical sense. It is not necessary to do more than refer to the valu- THE EUING LIBRARY. 181 able works of Clement (" Histoire Gendrale de la Musique Religieuse," 1861; and " Dictionnaire Ly- rique ou Histoire des Operas"), Coussemaker, Forkel ("Musikalisch-Kritische Bibliothek," 3 volumes, 1778), Kiesewetter, Martini ("Storia della Musica," 1757-81), Reissmann, etc., which are of general renown, and the recognized working tools of the musical student. In the Biographical section the best known work is the " Biographic Universelle des Musiciens," by F6tis, of which the library possesses only the old and inaccurate edition of 1835-44, and without the valuable supplement of Pougin. Gerber's "Historisch- Biographisches Lexikon der Tonkiinstler " is repre- sented in the editions of 1790 and 1812, and may be named as the great authority of past times. Musicians interested in the musical biography of Poland will find much of interest in Albert Sowinski's " Musiciens Polonais et Slaves/' published at Paris in 1857. Bingley's second-rate "Musical Biography" of 1834 is present, as also is the worthless compilation in 2 volumes known as the " Dictionary of Musicians from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time," 1824, to which can be traced most of the errors and misrepre- sentations of foreign biographical writers in regard to British musicians and their works. Other collective biographical works are those of Choron and Fayolle, Clement, Escudier, Schilling, Schuberth, and others too numerous or unimportant for detailed notice. Among biographies of individual musicians we may name Bach, by Forkel ; Beethoven, by Lenz, Marx, Schindler, Thayer, Nohl, Ries, Oulibicheff, etc. ; Bellini, by Pougin ; Billington (the scandalous "Memoirs" of 1792); Boieldieu, by Hequet ; Cheru- bini, by Denne-Baron and Raoul-Kochette ; Chopin, by Barbedette ; Felicien David, by Azevedo ; Erard, by F6tis ; Gretry, by Spazier ; Halevy ; Handel, by Bray, Schcelcher, J. C. Smith, Mattheson, Mainwaring, etc. ; Haydn, by Carpani, Fetis, Karajan, Beyle, 182 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. etc. ; Jommelli, by Mattei ; Lassus, by Mathieu ; Lejeune, by Bouton ; Malibran ; Mendelssohn, by Polko, Barbedette, Reissmann, Selden, Wallace, etc. ; Meyerbeer, by Blaze de Bury, Pougin, etc. ; Moscheles; Mozart, by Holmes, Nissen, Nohl, Cramer, Schlosser, Jahn, Beyle, Oulibicheff, etc. ; Naumann, by Meissner; Onslow, by Halevy ; Paganini, by Fetis, Imbert, etc. ; Palestrina, by Baini, Blondeau, etc. ; Piccinni, by Gin- guene ; Rossini, by Carpani, Beyle, Edwards, Pougin ; Schubert, by Hellborn ; Schumann, by Reissmann ; Spohr, by Malibran : Stradivarius, by Fetis; Wagner, by Gasperini ; W. Y. Wallace, by Pougin ; Weber ; and many others too numerous for mention. Some of the foregoing are of extreme value to the musician, and most of them illustrate musical history in a forcible and pleasant style. The great wealth of the library lies in its valuable and extensive collection of didactic treatises and theoretical and technological writings and dictionaries. Of these it may be said to possess a stock scarcely equalled in London itself by any single library now existing ; while as regards the English provinces and Scotland it is simply beyond match. Nothing can be done in the course of this paper to describe in detail any of the contents of this section, but a list of some of the principal items may not come amiss to persons desirous of learning a little regarding the possessions of the library in this special department. Among the older writers represented are Martin Agricola, whose " Musica Instrumental Deudsch," 1545, is believed to be one of the earliest works on performing on instru- ments; Pietro Aron or Aaron, "Toscanello in Musica,'' 1539, an early work of some value; Boethius, "Arith- metica, Geometria et Musica," Venice, 1492; Butler. "Principles of Music, in singing and setting," 1636; Calvisius, "Melopceia," 1592; Cocleus, "Tetrachordum Musices," 1511; Dowland, the translator of the "Micro- logus " of Andreas Ornithoparcus, the original of THE EUING LIBRARY. 183 which is not, however, in the library ; Faber, " Ad Musicam Praticam," 1550; Gafurius, or Gafori, the learned author of " Theoricum Opus Musicse Disip- line," 1480, " Angelicum ac Divinum Opus Musice," 1508, " De Harmonia Musicorum Instrumentorum," 1518, "Theorica Musice," 1492, " Pratica Musice," 1496 ; Galilei, father of the famous astronomer, " II Fromino, dialogo sopra 1'arte del bene intavolare et rettamente sonare la musica," 1584 ; Glareanus, or Loris, whose " Dodekachordon," 1547, is one of the rarest of musical books ; Kircher, " Musurgia Uiiiver- salis," 1650 ; Listenius, " Rudimenta Musicse," 1538; Locke, ' 'Melothesia, or Certain General Rules for Playing upon a Continued Bass," 1673; Luscinius, "Musurgia," 1536; Meibomius, "Antiquse Musicae," 1652; Mer- senne, " Harmonie Universelle," 1636 ; Morley, " Plaine and Easie Introduction to Practicall Musicke," 1597; Playford, "Introduction to the Skill of Musick," seventh edition, 1674, and others; Praetorius, "Syn- tagma Musicum," 4 volumes, 1614-20, a scarce and costly work, of which this is one of the few complete copies known; Raselius, "Hexachordum," 1589; Rhau, "Enchiridion Musicaa Mensuralis," 1520; Salmon, " Essay to the Advancement of Musick, by casting away the perplexity of different cliffs," etc., 1672; Simpson, " Compendium of Practical Music," 1667, "The Division Viol," 1667; Tigrini, " II Compendio della Musica," 1588; Zacconi, "Pratica di Musica," 1596; Zarlino, Opera; " 1'Instituzioni Harmoniche," etc., 1589. Many of the works in the foregoing list are of great rarity, and have a value for musicians beyond the bookseller's estimate, in the light they throw on early musical speculation and theory. The whole history of the progress of musical theory can be traced in them, and when taken in conjunction with the modern writers, a view is obtained of the entire system of musical practice as at present constituted. It would be fruitless to notice the modern writers 184 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. represented more than by name, and the following list gives the majority of the famous writers whose works are contained more or less completely in the library : Adlung, Albrechtsberger, Asioli, Barbereau, Basevi, Catel, Cherubini, Cheve, Chladni, Choron, Crotch, Curvven, Czerny, Day, Fetis, Fink, Fux, Helmholtz, Hiller, Hullah, Kastner, Lobe, Logier, Macfarren, Marpurg, Marx, Mattheson, Rameau, Reicha, Rous- seau, Sabbatini, Robert Smith, Tan'sur, Turk, Vogler, and G. Weber. The department of sacred music is especially rich in psalters, hymnaries, and other collections of church music, and possesses in addition many interesting works by individual composers. These we will first notice, passing afterwards to an examination of the collections of psalmody, etc. An exceedingly rare work is William Byrd's " Psalm es, Sonets, and Songs of Sadnes and Pietie, made into musicke of five partes," London, 1588. This work contains some very quaint reasons why people should learn to sing, one being that " It doth strengthen all parts of the heart, and doth open the pipes." A second book of Byrd's Sacred Songs appeared in 1591. William Child's "First Set of Psalms of Three Voyces," 1639, is another quaint work. Kapsberger's " First Book of Motets," 1612, is an interesting but not rare volume. That giant of the sixteenth century, Orlando Lassus, is represented by a collection of sacred music, dated 1582, and con- tained in five volumes. His works are full of elaborate counterpoint, not always remarkable for perspicuity, and sounding wearisome and intricate to modern ears. O The " Psalms " of Henry and William Lawes, for three voices, are more interesting to unscientific musi- cians, and the volume contains some numbers which have been adapted to present - day requirements. Lejeune's Psalms and Lully's Motets represent respec- tively the sacred music of the sixteenth and seven- teenth centuries in France. Marcello's " Salmi" is THE EU1NG LIBRARY. 185 present in three editions, among which is Avison and Garth's scarce eight- volume English edition. A goodly show is made of the works of Praetorius or Schultz (1571 - 1621), whose " Musarum Sioniar," 1607 ; "Hymnodia Sionia," 1611; " Megalynodia Sionia," 1611, and some others, are among the most rare of musical publications. Their value in an artistic sense is open to question, but their popularity is shown by the use made of some of the shorter pieces in our modern collections of psalmody. This composer is also noticed above in connection with musical theory. Melchior Vulpius, a chorale composer of past and present fame, is well represented by his " Cantionum Sacra-rum," in eight volumes, published at Jena in 1602. The more modern composers are shown to best advantage among the oratorios and works of a simi- lar semi-sacred character. Arne's " Judith " and Arnold's " Redemption " are last-century productions of Handelian mould ; the former being in imitation, and the latter entirely a compilation. Bach is fairly represented by a German edition of his works (imper- fect), and the Passion Music in English. His church cantatas are not present in great force. Modern Englishmen are plentiful, as J. Barnby, J. F. Barnett, Sir W. S. Bennett, Bexfield, Chipp, Cusins, Dearie, Ellerton, W. B. Gilbert, Glover, Hiles, C. E. Horsley (whose " Gideon " was written for the Glasgow Choral Union), Jackson of Masharn, Leslie, Perry, Pierson, Russell, Stanley, Sullivan, Worgan, and other writers. The living men among those above named are very imperfectly represented by early works, while a few of the older writers like Crotch, Macfarren, and others, are not represented at all. Handel is complete ; as likewise are Mendelssohn and Spohr. Beethoven, Berlioz, Boyce, Costa, Graun, Hasse, Hiller, Molique, Neukomm, Ries, Rolle, Romberg, Rossini, Schneider, Silas, and Winter are each represented by one or more works, but none of them so adequately as seems 186 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. commensurate with their importance. In the depart ment of church music proper, the modern writers are well shown, and it need only be said that all the most important anthems, motets, masses, and services of all the great composers are present. The library of collections of Sacred Music (including psalmodies and hymnaries) is no doubt one of the most valuable ever formed in Britain by the work of a private individual. The earliest church collections and the most recent denominational hymn-books are found side by side with the large collections of sacred music made at various times by musicians of scholarship and ability. Arnold's monumental collection of " Cathedral Music" is present in the edition edited by Rimbault, in 3 volumes, 1843. " Corale Constantini," 1550-57, is an extremely rare collection of sacred music, of which the alto, tenor, and bass parts are alone supposed to exist. Boyce's collection of " Cathedral Music," in 5 volumes, is pre- sent in the original edition, as also is that of Dupuis in 3 volumes. The " Harmonia Sacra, or Divine Hymns and Dialogues," 1687-93, is an interesting collection, though of no special value. Bishop and Warren's " Repertorium Musicse Antiquse," 1848, and Hullah's " Library of Concerted Music," are modern collections, carefully edited and well- selected. Latrobe's once popular " Selection of Sacred Music from the Works of some of the most Eminent Composers of Germany and Italy," is a 6-volume work published in 1806. The Motet Society's 3-volume " Collection of Ancient Church Music " is a trustworthy work. Novello's Standard Collections, consisting of anthems, motets, and the " Fitzwilliam Music, being a collection of sacred pieces selected from manuscripts of Italian composers in the Fitzwilliam Museum," 5 volumes, did more to popularize the older composers than any other effort ever made in a similar direction. Ouseley's " Cathedral Music " is a scholarly and able compilation. Proske's " Musica Divina," a cheap and accurate collec- THE SUING LIBRARY. 187 tion of ancient church music, published at Ratisbon in 3 volumes, in 1853-59, is probably the most valuable publication of the kind issued in recent times. Rim- bault's " Cathedral Music " is useful more for learned musicians than for church use in general. Thomson's "Symphonia Angelica" is another useful book of anthems. The collections of Psalmody are without number, and represent every civilized nationality, while dating from the 16th to the 19th century. The value of this section cannot be estimated by ordinary methods, as many of the single works possess features which make them unique here, curious autographs, and there, notes by celebrities. As of local interest we first glance at the Glasgow collections. Earliest among these is William Brown's " Collection of Psalrn Tunes in Four Parts," a small duodecimo dated 1700. Next is Thomas Moore's "Psalm Singer's Pocket Companion," 1756, of which there are several other editions. Moore was an Englishman resident in Glas- gow as music teacher to Hutchesons' Hospital. " The Precentor," by Finlay and M'Lachlan, 1776, and " The Precentor," 1779, by M'Lachlan alone, are inferior works. Another early Glasgow collection is "The Psalms of David in Metre, newly translated," 1773. More recent compilations published in Glasgow are Andrew Duncan's "The Choir," 1 828 ; Steven's " Har- monia Sacra," n.d. ; the publications of Hamilton, Mitchison, Brown, and Robertson, and others, generally distinguished by much vulgarity and containing the weak effusions of local nobodies to the exclusion of many of the great names now found necessary in most modern collections. The early Scottish collections in- clude Knox's Liturgy, Edinburgh, 1635, and the Glasgow reprint of 1864. An early psalm-book is that printed in Edinburgh, 1595, and there are others of 1615, printed by Hart, and 1635, of much value. Raban's Aberdeen Psalter, 1625, is in the library, but is imperfect. There are other Scottish provincial 188 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. collections which are more curious than able perform- ances, and among them we can only name Robert Gilmour's "Psalm-Singer's Assistant," Paisley, 1793. The English collections are extremely numerous, and range from the 1569 edition of Sternhold arid Hopkins to the year of Mr. Euing's death. The editions of Sternhold and Hopkins are numerous, as also are those by Tate and Brady, Playford, Patrick, and Este. Other early dated collections are Barton's " Book of Psalms in Metre," 1644 and 1682; Sandys' "Para- phrase upon the Psalmes of David, set to New Tunes by Henry Lawes," 1648, 1776, etc. ; Ravenscroft's "Whole Book of Psalmes," in the editions of 1621 and 1633; Ainsworth's " Booke of Psalmes," 1644; and George Withers' " Hymns and Songs of the Church," 1623. The modern collections are sufficiently well known to call for no special mention, which would, indeed, be impossible without extending this chapter beyond due limit. It is enough to say that nearly every psalm-book, whether good or bad, large or small, from the quaint productions of William Tan'sur to the more recent works of Havergal, Hopkins, Stainer, Gauntlett, Parr, Dibdin, and others, is in the library. The American collections are only represented by the modern publications of Lowell Mason, Bradbury & Hastings, Hodges, Ives, Fillmore, Moore, Woodbury, Zeuner, etc. The early works of Billings, Cotton Mather, and others, are strangely enough not in the library at all. The foreign psalmodies date from 1538, when " Ein Hubsch neu Gesangbuch " was pub- lished at Ulm. This is the first Protestant hymn-book ever issued, and is on that account of extreme value. Luther's "Geistliche Lieder und Psalmen," Nuremberg, 1563, a beautiful work with curious engraved borders, is one of the gems of the collection. " Psalmen des Koniglichen Propheten Davids," Heidelberg, 1578, is another early and scarce work. Without entering upon any classification for this section we may name at ran- THE EUING LIBRARY. 18 curious collections on alchemy and allied subjects. This library is of quite exceptional character, and one which it is difficult to deal with adequately. Few are .sufficiently familiar with the subject of which the largest portion in it is so notable a feature as to be perfectl} 7 at ease in its treatment. But feeling that it would have been a misfortune if so remarkable a library had gone unmentioned, these pages have been written, and although the collection truly yet remains undescribed, *ome of its more prominent features have been roughly outlined. CHAPTER XIV. LIBRARY OF GEORGE GRAY, ESQ., CLERK OF THE PEACE FOR LANARKSHIRE AT GLASGOW, AND TOWN CLERK OF THE BURGH OF RUTHERGLEN. Blairtum Park The Library A Rare Catechism Witchcraft Poetry and the Drama Scottish Poetrij The Production of Home's "Douglas" on the Edin- burgh Stage First, Second, and Third Editions of the Works of Burns Splendid Collections of Scottish Family History and Scottish Topography Other Works on Scotland Proclamations, Dying Speeches, etc. Controversy regarding the Election of Professor Leslie to the Mathematical Chair in the University of Edinburgh Chap-books Works relating to Glasgow Fleming v. the Magistrates of Glasgow Boyd's ''Last Battell of the Soule in Death" Large Collec- tion of Trials Burke and Hare, Dr. Pritchard Collection of Indictments, Informations, etc. Fine Art Conclusion. < MR. GRAY lives at Blairtum Park, about a mile and a half to the south of the ancient royal burgh of 220 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Rutherglen, of which he is the Town Clerk. The house is picturesquely set upon a hill, and commands a, magnificent view of the country round about. To the west and north-west lie the great capital of the West, and its suburbs of Crosshill, Pollokshields, Strathbungo, Shawlands, and Pollokshaws, a vast sea of housetops; to the north, Rutherglen, with its wide Main Street and imposing Municipal Buildings ; to the ast, the rising and populous village of Canibuslang, and a long stretch of the valley of the Clyde ; and to the south, the Cathkin Hills, extending from the Hill of Dechmont westwards to Cathcart. Capping the summit of the height, almost directly opposite, is the dozen or so of handsome residences which form the modern suburb of Burnside, their cold grey aspect forming a striking contrast to the bright green of the richly-wooded hollow. Blairtum was built by Mr. Gray in 1878 on the lands of High Crosshill, and is in the Scottish baronial style of architecture. The library is situated in the square tower facing the south, and is a handsome, well- appointed room, but has grown too small for Mr. Gray's requirements. Its capacity has been strained to the utmost, almost every expedient known to librarians suffering from a want of shelf space having been resorted to, and supplementary bookcases erected in adjoining rooms to receive the overflow. The number of volumes may be set down at over five thousand. Reckoning by separate publications, the total would be much larger, as, for example, some of the volumes of chap-books contain as many as eighty different tractates, each published separately. The collection is richest in Scottish literature, although other de- partments of learning are well represented. For many years Mr. Gray has specially sought for works relating to Scotland, its history, its families and clans, its towns and counties, its famous trials and notable natives. Nearly five hundred topographical and historical works, MR. GHATS LIBRARY. 221 over one hundred family histories, several hundreds of articles pertaining to somewhat more than a hun- dred and fifty trials, a large collection of criminal in- dictments, informations, and similar documents, many pamphlets relating to the rebellions of 1715 and 1745, about fifteen hundred chap-books, and other works, testify to the success with which he has pursued his favourite subject. To proceed to details. A book of much rarity is " The Assembly's Shorter Catechism in Metre," by Mr. Robert Smith, schoolmaster at Glammis, printed at Edinburgh, 1727. A second edition was issued in 1729, and some years ago the work was reprinted by an Edinburgh antiquarian bookseller from this 1729 edition, which he described as the first. Other early catechisms in the library are several printed in Glas- gow% one in 1774, and one printed in Paisley, with a fine impression of the Paisley arms on the title-page. A copy of Dunlop's " Collection of Confessions of Faith, Catechisms, Directories, Books of Discipline, etc.," Edinburgh, 1719-22, 2 volumes, as also a large paper copy of the beautiful Bible issued at Edinburgh by His Majesty's printers for Scotland, Sir D. Hunter Blair and J. Bruce, in 1811, and known as the "Im- maculate Bible " from its typographical excellence and freedom from inaccuracies, deserve mention. The latter is now rare. Mr. Gray has many works on witchcraft, among which are tl Sadducismus Debellatus : or, a True Nar- rative of the Sorceries and Witchcrafts exercis'd by the Devil and his Instruments upon Mrs. Christian Shaw," London, 1698 ; and Kirk's "Secret Common- wealth : or, An Essay on the Invisible People going under the name of Elves, Faunes, and Fairies," 1815. The first edition is said to have been issued in 1691, but not a copy is known, and the reprint is scarce, as only 100 copies were printed. Poetry and the Drama are present in the form of 222 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. good editions of the works of Ben Jonson, Beaumont .and Fletcher, Buckingham, Congreve, Gibber, Farquhar, Ford, Garrick, Greene, Marlowe, Marston, Massinger, Peele, Howe, the Shad wells, Sheridan, Southerne, Web- ster, Lillo, Foote, Otway, Lee, Shirley, Dekker, Brome, Mrs. Centlivre, Suckling, Randolph, Glapthorne, Hey wood, D'Urfey, Chapman, Wycherley, Steele, Aaron Hill, etc., besides many collections. Shake- speare is represented, inter alia, by Mr. Payne Collier's edition, 8 volumes, " with the purest text and the briefest notes." Fifty-five copies were printed for sub- scribers, over twenty of whom resided in Glasgow and neighbourhood. First editions of several of Shelley's works, Rogers's Poems and " Italy," nearly all Joseph Ritson's works, and an almost complete set of the remarkable works issued under the editorship of W. B. D. D. Turnbull are in the collection. Of these latter, we may mention the very rare and interesting "Legende Catholica; a Lytle Boke of Seyntlie Gestes," Edin., 1840, 40 copies printed; " Owain Miles, and other inedited Fragments of Ancient English Poetry," illuminated title-page, Edin., 1837, 32 copies printed; "Vision of Tundale," Edin., 1843, 105 copies printed; " Fragmenta Scoto-Monasticon," Edin., 1842, 70 copies printed. In the domain of Scottish Poetry there is a plethora of riches. Most important are Sir William Alex- ander, Earl of Stirling's Tragedie of Darius, 1604; Aurora, 1604 (the only edition) ; a Paraenesis to the Prince, J604 (never reprinted) ; The Monarchicke Tragedies, 1607 ; The Alexandraean, 1616; Barbour's Bruce, Edinburgh, 1670, black-letter; another copy, Glasgow, 1737 ; another copy, black-letter, 1758 (the real date of this is supposed to be 1716); Blind Harry's Sir William Wallace, Edinburgh, 1705 and 1758 (this is uniform with the Bruce of the same date, and is supposed to be similarly misdated), Glasgow, 1736 and 1747 ; Sir David Lyndsay's works, Glas., MR. GRAY'S LIBRARY. 223 1683, black-letter, and other editions; Wyntoun's Chronicle of Scotland, edited by Macpherson, 2 volumes, large paper, 1795 (275 copies printed, 25 on large paper) ; Leyden's edition of the Complaynt of Scotland, large paper copy; Curious Poems written at the close of the seventeenth and the beginning of the eighteenth century, by Mr. James Macalpie, Sheriff- Substitute of Renfrewshire, 1694, and edited by William Motherwell, Paisley, 1828 (only 30 copies printed); Dougal Graham's Poetical History of the Rebellion, third, 1774, fifth, 1787, eighth, 1808, ninth, 1812, and subsequent editions; the first edition of Herd's Collection of Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs, Heroic Ballads, etc., the first edition of Fer- guson's Poems, and the Poems of the intimate con- temporaries of Burns, such as Lapraik, Sillar, Little, etc. The production of Home's play of " Douglas " on the stage of the Edinburgh playhouse was the beginning of a very fierce ecclesiastical war, in which the favourite method of the time, pamphleteering, played a principal part. Mr. Gray has many of these productions. Per- haps the most virulent of them was " The Player's Scourge ; or, a detection of the ranting prophanity and regnant impiety of stage plays, and their wicked en- couragers and frequenters ; and especially against the nine prophane pagan priests, falsely called ministers of the Gospel, who countenanced the thrice-cursed tragedy called Douglas." The writer was a Cameronian minis- ter in the Calton of Glasgow named Hugh Innes. He stigmatizes the merry company of players as " Imps of Satan and actors of his devices. . . . the most profligate wretches, and the vilest vermin that hell ever vomited out ; the filth and garbage of the earth, the scum and stain of human nature," with other similar uncompli- mentary metaphors, and proposes to mutilate them and send them " back to their native lands of England and Ireland whence," he fiercely adds, " most of our wicked- 224 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. ness proceeds." After inveighing against the nobility and gentry for their patronage of the theatre, his passion reaches a height when he comes to the nine prophane pagan priests, for whom he reserves vitupera- tion of the strongest and coarsest kind. Home is de- scribed as the ringleader in the black work, " remark- able for his lightness, madness, impudence, prophanity, impiety, swearing, Sabbath-breaking, contempt of his superiors, neglecting and oft deserting his poor people, and infecting them with the husks of error and pro- phanity, which has made most of them as wicked as himself .... dancing, gaming, drinking, wastery, and that, like his master Satan, he may involve others in the same misery with himself, he hath wrote and caused to be acted and published his cursed play called Douglas To excuse his wickedness, we have been told that this apostate play-hunter makes his boast that the Prince of Wales, the Dukes ol" Cumberland and A e, and Mr. Pitt, etc., take him by the hand ; but though this w T ere true, while others deny it, he may rest assured that, though all the rakes, great and small, in the three kingdoms were to take him by the hand, and let him likewise take in the assistance of the tyrant of France, the Tyger of Savoy,, the witch of Endor, with her daughters the bloody witches of Hungary and Lapland yet they will never be able to screen him from the least drop of the Mediator's vengeance, whose authority he hath con- temned; but that woe pronounced against the man by whom offence corneth will pursue him until his name be made a curse and an execration upon the face of the earth, for a beacon to all posterity, unless he speedily fly to God for mercy." The other eight ministers who witnessed the performance of " Douglas " are dealt with individually in the same vigorous manner. In another and later edition of this pamphlet, published in the same year, Innes falls foul of the presbyteries who acquitted Home and his friend Alex. Carlyle, and MR. GRAY'S LIBRARY. 225 regrets that the printer will not do him the justice of printing the full names of the persons mentioned in the pamphlet. " The Usefulness of the Edinburgh Theatre seriously considered," 1757 (price twopence), is written in a bantering tone, which must have proved highly divert- ing to some of the onlookers of this remarkable con- troversy. " An Argument to prove that the Tragedy of Douglas ought to be publickly burnt by the hands of the hangman " is a title which sufficiently indicates the purport of the pamphlet which it heads. Many un- sparing productions appeared on both sides, throwing a curious light on the habits and customs of the people of the Scottish capital a century ago, and marking emphatically the low estimation in which "His Majesty's Servants " and stage plays were held in the northern part of His Majesty's dominions. Of the works written or edited by James Maidment* there are not fewer than fifty. Here also are nearly all the publications of David Laing, John Pinkerton, and Peter Buchan ; a perfect set of Brash and Reid's original and selected poetry (in 4 volumes, each con- taining 24 tracts); " The Lennox Garland," on vellum; " Songs of the Holy Land," by Sir William Stirling- Maxwell, Edin., 1846 (only forty copies printed) it iras not published and the first, second, and third editions of the poems of Burns. The oft-repeated story of the life of Scotland's national poet is familiar enough to excuse any but the merest bibliographical statement here. Six hundred and fourteen copies were printed of the first edition of his poems, executed by John Wilson, Kilmarnock (Chambers, v. 1, p. 349). The volume went to press in the spring of 1786, and was issued in July. " Less than a month after the volume was ready, 599 had been disposed of, and there then remained on hand only fifteen." Previous to its publication, the poet con- templated emigration, but the fame which the volume 15 226 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. brought induced him to stay and visit Edinburgh. He states his share of the proceeds of the book to be 20. The enthusiasm of his Edinburgh admirers took practical shape in a second edition issued for his benefit. Creech, the celebrated Edinburgh publisher, brought it out in 1787. In all, Burns is supposed to have received about 500 from the sale of this edition. In the same year the first London edition appeared. Mr. Gray's copies of the three editions are in a fine state, and are uniformly bound in full morocco, red, by Riviere. Scottish family history is strongly represented, as the following list of names will show: Anderson's House of Hamilton (large paper copy), The Braces and Comyns, Hume's House of Douglas and Angus, Robertson's Ayrshire Families, with supplement, The Breadal- bane Succession, by Sinclair, also by Paterson, and memoirs of the families of Drummond, Seyton, Ken- nedy, Fleming, Lindsay, Somerville, Barclay of Urie, Baird, Forbes, Stewart, Mure, Leslie, Forbes of Granard, Argyle, Maclean, Monteith, Eglinton, Middleton, Stanley, Stewart of Appin, Birnie, Edgar, Knox, Christie, Robertson, Coutts, Rosslyn, T \veeddale, Athole, Mackay, Crawfurd, Salmond, Dalmahoy, Fraser, Montgomery, Row, Buchanan, Napier of Kilmahew, Sutherland, Keith, Ednem and Dun- treath, Thanes of Cawdor, Innes, Boyle, Shaw, Threip- land, Haliburton, Spottiswoode, Smollett, Dennistoun, Mackintosh and Clan Chattan, Oliphants of Gask, Aiton, Burness, Rogers, Playfair, Haldane, Stirling, Mar, Scott, Haig, Wishart, Macdonald, Alexander, Strachan, Wise, Halkerston, Iver Clan, Campbell Clan, Archer, Matheson, Mackinnon, Earldom of Garioch, Shand, Harley, Bruce of Kinloss, Stewart, Munro of Fowlis, and Fife. Mr. Gray's group of books on the districts and places of Scotland is so large as to have few rivals. They number 388, and refer to 128 cities, towns, and MR. GRAY'S LIBRARY. 227 -villages and 48 districts. Space will not permit giving the names of these works, which is to be regretted, as the most important catalogue of topographical books issued in recent times Anderson's " Book of British Topography," 1881 -does not mention many of them. A list of the towns and districts may, however, be given for the information of Scottish bibliographers who have engaged in this very rich and interesting field : -Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Aberdour, Airthrey, Alloa, Arbroath, Ardrossan, Argyleshire, Arran, Ayr, Ayrshire, Balmerino, Banff, Bass Bock, Beauly Priory, Berwick, Biggar, Birse, Blair Athole, The Border District, Braemar, Brechin, Bridge of Allan, Broughton, Buchan, Bucklyvie, Busby, Buteshire, Cairngorm Mountains, Caithness, Cambuskenneth, Cambuslang, Cambusuethan, Cardross, Carluke, Car- noustie, Castlecary, Cellardyke, Clydesdale, Coat- bridge, Cockpen, Coldingham, Coldstrearn, Colinton, Cornrie, Grail, Crieff, Cullen, Cunningham, Cupar, Deer, Deeside, Dollar, Drumlanrig, Dryburgh Abbey, Dumbarton, Dumbartonshire, Dumfries, Dumfries- shire, Dunbar, Dunblane, Dundee, Dundrennan, Dun- fermline, Dunkeld, Dunoon, Dysart, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Edzell, Elgin, Falkirk, Ferryden, Fife- shire, Fordoun, Forfarshire, Fowlis Easter, Galloway, Glasgow, Gourock, Grampians, Greenock, Haddington, Hawick, Helensburgh, Icolmkill, Inchcolui, Inchina- home, Innerleithen, Inveresk, Inverness, Inverurie, lona, Jedburgh, John o' Groats, Keith, Kelso, Kil- rnalcolm, Kilmarnock, Kilmaurs, Kinloss, Kinnord Loch, Kintore, Kintyre, Kippen, Kirkcudbright, Kirk- wall, Knapdale, Lanark, Lanarkshire, Laurencekirk, Leith, Earldom of Lennox, Lesmahagow, Lews, Liddesdale, Lindores Abbey, Linlithgow, Linlith- gowshire, Lochmaben, Lochwinnoch, Madderty, Mary- ton, Melrose, Milngavie, MofFat, Monteith, Montrose, Moray, Musselburgh, Newburgh, Oban, Orkney, Paisley, Partick, Peeblesshire, Perth, Perthshire, 228 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Peterhead; Pitcaithly, Pittenweein, Pluscardyn,. Queensferry, Renfrewshire, Kothesay, Roxburgh- shire, Rutherglen, St. Andrews, St. Kilda, St. Mon- ance, Sanquhar, Scone, Shetland, Shotts, Skye, Speyside, Spynie, Staffa, Stirling, Stirlingshire, Strathearn, Strathmore, Sutherland, Tain, Tay, Teviot- dale, Tillicoultry, Tranent, Troon, Tweeddale, Wemyss Bay, Wigton, Wigtonshire. Many of these volumes are of course small and hardly aspire to the dignity and permanency of histories, but such as they are, they are often the only printed accounts of the districts to which ; they refer. On the other hand, the list includes some very fine and important books, such as for instance " Lacunar Strevelinense," a collection of heads etched and engraved after the carved work which formerly decorated the roof of the King's room in Stirling Castle, 1817. The plates are fine. Books on the whole of Scotland have not been counted among these, nor have the Maidment collection of maps, pictures, pamphlets, tractates, leaflets, cuttings and scraps, relating to Perthshire and Stirlingshire, the former in seven and the latter in four volumes folio. These volumes contain the gatherings of an assiduous antiquary during a long lifetime. Their contents are hardly describable, they are so varied, and form a perfect mine and inexhaustible delight not only to the antiquary and the historian but to the lazy, purposeless reader. Mention requires to be made of the large collection of books on Scottish Peerage, Baronetage, and Heraldry, and the series of pamphlets, relating to the Civil War in Scotland in 1715 and 1745 before mentioned, and to the following Scottish works : Anderson's " Diplomata Scotiae," 1739; Slezer's " Views of Scotland," "Baronial Antiquities of Scot- land," by Billings; Kay's "Edinburgh Portraits" (first edition) ; Druminond's " Edinburgh in the Olden Times " ; " Scottish Weapons, and Monuments of MR. GRAY'S LIBRARY. 229 lona " ; Grose's " Antiquities of Scotland," with proof plates ; the national manuscripts of Scotland (also Ireland) ; many of the Bannatyne, Maitland, Abbots- ford and Spalding Club publications; the Burgh Record Society's publications ; all Sir Thomas Dick Lauder's works ; nearly all Sir John Graham Dalyell's works ; Jamieson's Culdees ; the " North of England and Scotland in 1704," Edin., 1818 (only 100 printed); Murray's "Scenes in Scotland," Perth; "Critical Account of the Inhabitants of Scotland," by Innes (large paper copy) ; Pitcairn's " Funerals of Queen Mary," (thick paper copy) ; " The Missal of Arbuth- not"; "Three Nights in Perthshire," Glas., 1821 (large paper) ; " Levern delineated by Charles Taylor," with illustrations, 1831 ; Chainbers's " Edinburgh Fires," 1824, and the " Black Dwarf," 1820 two very scarce specimens of the early printing and publishing of the brothers Chambers ; the brilliant and magnificent work on Scottish tartans, " Vestiarium Scoticum." There is another simitar and inferior work with which this is sometimes confounded : A Glass wherein Nobles, Priestes, etc., may see the Lord's Controversies against Britaine, by Robert Ker, Feuer in Gilmerton, 1719 ; Mr. Gray has also a number of the works issued from the Bos well press at Auchinleck, a set of the Hun- terian Society publications, several thousand proclama- tions, executions, dying speeches, and miscellaneous posters on all subjects, some of them referring to the Covenanting times prohibiting conventicles an im- portant series of prints. The catalogue of the Gray Library at Kinfauns Castle, by D. Morison, jun., is surely one of the finest catalogues ever produced. It was printed by the compiler, a member of the well- known Morison firm of Perth printers. Every page is adorned with a beautiful border, and initial letters done in colours, no two pages having the same design. Only one side of the page has been used. The volume is a small folio, and bears the date 1828. The instriu- 230 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. ment of " Falsing of Dooms," Edin., 1826, is a very rave tract; 10 copies were issued by James Hill. A number of pamphlets on the case of Professor Leslie recall a remarkable chapter in the ecclesiastical records of Scotland. On the death of Professor Robison in 1805, Professor Playfair, who then occu- pied the mathematical chair in the University of Edinburgh, was appointed to the vacant professorship of Natural Philosophy. For the mathematical chair there were many candidates. One of these was Dr. Macknight, an Edinburgh minister, who had occasion- all v assisted Professor Robison. He announced his v intention of retaining his parochial charge along with, if successful, the office to which he aspired. In this he was supported by a majority of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, but opposed by Dugald Stewart, Professor Playfair and others. Another candidate, and the suc- cessful, one, was Dr. John Leslie, author of a work on heat, who came highly recommended by some of the most competent philosophers of the time. His remark- able attainments commended him to the favour of the Senatus, and his election would have caused no more excitement than is usually occasioned by such proceed- ings but that a charge of atheism, based on a note in his treatise on heat, was made against him. This was the beginning of a voluminous pamphlet war. Dugald Stewart issued a lengthy vindication of his friend Leslie, in the body of which was inserted a letter from Professor Playfair to the Lord Provost strongly con- demning the plurality of offices proposed by friends of Dr. Macknight, and animadverting on the lack of mathematical ability among the clergy of the Church of Scotland. This brought out a reply from Rev. Dr. Chalmers, then a young man, who in a pamphlet published at Cupar made the remarkable statement, " that after the satisfactory discharge of his parish duties, a minister may enjoy five days a week of unin- terrupted leisure for the prosecution of any science in MR. GRAY'S LIBRARY. 231 which his taste may dispose him to engage." In this way he proceeded to prove that a clergyman was even better fitted for engaging in mathematical research than a professor of mathematics, who would be exhausted with his professional duties. Dr. Chalmers afterwards much regretted this publication and did his best to suppress it. Professor Leslie was appointed despite a protest lodged by the Presbytery of Edinburgh. The case was carried to the Assembly, where, after hearing speakers on both sides for two days, on a preliminary point, it was resolved by a majority not to consider the case. Of Chap-Books, Mr. Gray has as fine and as large a collection as there is in this chap-collecting neighbour- hood. On a rough estimate they number about 1,500. 1,200 of these are bound in volumes containing from 20 to 80 each. The rest are loose. The greater portion of the original editions of Dougal Graham's (the " Skellat Bellman " of Glasgow) are there, and also the chaps issued by Peter Buchan at Peterhead, and some early religious ones printed at Edinburgh. Among the imprints are Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Falkirk, Paisley, Airdrie, Greenock, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, Dunbar, Belfast, Newcastle, and London. As a matter of course, the works relating to Glasgow are very numerous, and some of them of great interest. Mr. Gray possesses a series of documents relating to the action instituted against the Corporation of Glasgow by William Fleming, wright, relative to the removal of his sawmill on the Molendinar Burn (1764 and subsequent years). They consist of (a) State of the Process. (b) Pursuer's Proof, with the evidence of 46 witnesses. (c) Defenders' Proof, with the evidence of 27 witnesses. (d) Memorial for the Pursuer. (e) Memorial for the Defenders. (f) Petition for Pursuer. 232 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. (y) Answers for Defenders. (h) Plan of the Course of the Molendinar Burn. (i) Elevation of North End of Arches, and Dam of Sawmill. The plan is of high local importance, as it is the first we have of Glasgow. It includes the greater part of the city, showing the College, High Street, Gallow- gate, Saltmarket, Trongate, King Street, Candleriggs, Princes Street, Goose Dubs, and the streets adjoining, and shows the course of the burn from its entry within the bounds of the city to where it emptied itself into the Clyde. The evidence led in the course of the case affords much valuable information regarding the domestic history of the city. Seventy-three persons, some of them leading citizens, testified, and necessarily gave a good deal of autobiographical matter which is now of exceeding great interest. A copy of the rare 1629 two-volume edition of Zachary Boyd's " Last Battell of the Soule in Death " is in the collection. This very valuable work is in several of the libraries described in this volume, and is treated of fully in the account of the library of Mr. Guild, who possesses an extremely rare and interesting copy. Mr. Gray's is clean and complete, and is beautifully bound in blue morocco, by Riviere. The gallery of Raphael called his Bible, being 52 prints after pictures by Raphael, has a Glasgow interest. It is in an oblong folio, issued in 1770, and was engraved in the Academy of Arts at Glasgow, and printed by the famous Glas- gow printers, Robert and Andrew Foulis. Fairbairn's " Relics of Ancient Architecture in Glasgow " is a beautiful volume, which increases in interest as year by year the scenes so gracefully and faithfully depicted are swept into the limbo of the things that were. It is about to be re-issued. " Glasgow Illustrated," bv /^ ' fc' Scott, with descriptive text by Cullan, 1834, is a fine series of views, and an uncommon book. Gibson's MR. GRAY'S LIBRARY. 233 " History of Glasgow " has not yet been included in the list of Glasgow rarities, although a copy possessing the map which should accompany the history will always command a good price. Mr. Gray's copy is worth special mention, however, as being a thick paper copy. The following tiny books are of high local in- terest : Halli well's " Glasgow Merriments " (30 copies printed), the List of Subscribers to the University, and a number of the miniature books published by Lumsden in the early part of this century, embellished with cuts by Bewick. Macgeorge's " Armorial In- signia of Glasgow," " Account of the Town's Hospital," 1737, and " Hutchesoniana," are worth mentioning. In addition to these Mr. Gray has a most extensive and highly interesting series of pamphlets, broadsides, handbills, and posters relating to Old Glasgow, and his collection of early Glasgow printing is not inconsiderable. His collection of trials is large and of great interest. The trials of Burke and Hare and of Dr. Pritchard and other Glasgow trials are illustrated most fully by 2k large number of documents of all kinds and sizes. Song-sheets, rudely illustrated, that were hawked about the street at the time, are here as clean as when they were issued, legal documents, pamphlets, etc., forming .a mass of important and varied information regarding these notorious trials. The subjects of this collection of trials take a wide range. They comprise murder, high treason, sedition, forgery, robbery, fraud, haine- sucken, assault, intimidation, rioting, housebreaking, mutiny, unlawful oaths, piracy, abduction, fire-raising, resetting, highway robbery, witchcraft, duelling, high crimes, libel, and civil actions. They relate to the whole of the United Kingdom, and include many of the most notable cases tried in these islands. Of a kindred nature is an extraordinary series of criminal indictments, informations, and similar documents refer- ring to a great number of cases from the year 1711 onwards. Nearly all of them relate to Scotland. 234 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. In Fine Art there are several notable books. Mr,. Gray has almost complete sets of the beautiful works of M. Lacroix, Philip Gilbert Hamerton, and John Ruskin. The Ruskinian books include not only nearly everything written by the great art critic, but also some of the works referred to by him. Hogarth's Works, atlas folio, London, 1822, containing 119 proof plates, all on India paper, with biographical essay and explanations by Nicholls, is a very valuable volume. The same may be said of Alex. Deuchar's British Crests, 2 volumes, 1817; David Deuchar's Etchings, 3 vols., 1803; and Strutt's Sports and Pastimes of the English People, with coloured illustrations. Other artistic books are Blake's works, Stirling-Maxwell's works, Meyrick's Ancient Armour, Mrs. Jameson's works, A Beckitt's comic histories, etc. Rare and curious, and possessing a Glasgow interest, is the Expert Swordsman's Companion, or, the true art of self-defence, with an account of the author's life, etc., by Donald M'Bane, published at Glasgow in 1728. It has some quaint cuts. Of books illustrated by Bewick, Mr. Gray has the Quadrupeds, ^Esop's and Select Fables, and Birds all first editions. Some of Dibdin's bibliographical works are also in the library. Enough has been written to show the prominent features of Mr. Gray's library, but many a page might be penned upon so fertile a text, and, indeed, nothing short of an entire catalogue would be necessary to adequately portray a collection where special subjects have been so successfully cultivated. MR. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 235 CHAPTER XV. LIBRARY OF JAMES WYLLIE GUILD, ESQ., PARK TERRACE, GLASGOW. Beauty of the Library Its Extent Books of Hours*-- Shakespeare Curious History of a Copy of the Second Folio Shakespeariana Spenser's "Faerie Queen " First Editions of Byron, Shelley, and Keats A Book from the Queen's Library Songs and Ballads Scottish Poetry, Biography, and History- Extensive and valuable Collection of Works on Marie Stuart Three Hundred and Fifteen Portraits of the Queen of Scots Some of the Rare Works A Volume which belonged to the Queen ; Songs on her Marriage with the Dauphin Vindication of Eliza- beth Glasgow Books Rare and highly -interesting Copy of Boyd's " Last Baltell of the Soule, " printed before the hitherto supposed First Edition Fine Art: Ruskin, Bewick Bibliography Splendid Collection of Autograph Letters. A FEELING of dismay was our first sensation on enter- ing Mr. Wyllie Guild's library. The sight was at once delightful and embarrassing. So large, so varied, so rich, and so beautiful, how was it possible to do justice to it in a necessarily brief sketch and from a few visits \ To treat it adequately one would require to own it, or live in it, and to have as large an interest in, and possess as wide a knowledge of, the many subjects which it specially illustrates, as the owner himself. Two beautiful and spacious rooms leading from the drawing-room contain the major portion of the col- lection. They are fitted with elegant open bookcases of 236 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. oak, curiously carved and richly ornamented. In exquisite carving on the doors beneath are scenes from sacred history. The subjects of some of these are David's Victory over Goliath, The Prodigal's Return, Thomas's Incredulity, The Widow's Mite, Nathan reproving David, Joseph Sold to the Ishmaelites, Boaz and Ruth, Joseph Entertaining his Brethren, Pharoah and his Host in the Red Sea, Elijah taken up into Heaven. Two of the panels contain very clever representations o Comedy and Tragedy. The most valuable, however, Are three in the inner room of sixteenth century French work, depicting the Adoration of the Magi, the Ascension, and the Angel appearing unto Mary, They are very fine examples of wood carving. The panels were procured from many places and at various times. Of varying dimensions, they have been skilfully set in their present places. The rooms are adorned with many beautiful things - - portraits, miniatures, medals, ivory carvings, enamels, and interesting and curious historical nick-nacks. Mr. Guild's enthusiasm for everything relating to Marie Stuart is well known, and his unrivalled col- lection of Stuart literature will be spoken of in its proper place. Meanwhile we may note a beautiful wrought ivory helmet and horn which belonged to Marie's first husband, the Dauphin of France ; a silver commemorative medal, struck in Paris on the occasion of the marriage of the Dauphin and Marie in 1558, and a bottle, which was presented to her, of old French glasswork, bearing the Scottish thistle and her mono- gram and portrait. These two rooms contain about two score of presses, and comprise about two-thirds of the entire library. Downstairs is a room which Mr. Guild terms his work- shop. There are his Shakespeares, his grandest folios, and his collection of autographs. Altogether, there will not be fewer than 12,000 volumes in the library. Mr. Guild has the good, or some may think it bad, MR. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 237 fortune to be afflicted with nearly every one of the ordinary varieties of bibliomania, and has even the honour of being the creator of some fresh forms of the o malady. He has not one hobby, but many, and he has striven to excel in each of them. In the press devoted to sacred literature are two beautiful Books of Hours. The earlier of the two, entitled " Les Heures a L' Usage de Tournay, avec le Calendrier et 1'Almanach," is printed on vellum, and is ascribed to the printing-press of the Parisian typo- grapher Simon Vostre, with the date of 1502. It has nineteen remarkably fine full-page woodcuts, represent- ing scenes in the life of our Saviour, the Last Judgment, and other sacred events ; and beautiful wood-cut borders round every page, containing as many as 650 scenes of a sacred, pastoral, and hunting nature. The volume is further decorated with several hundred small capital letters, illuminated in gold and colours. A note by a former owner, a member of the Society of Antiquaries, contains the suggestion that the book is a manuscript used to print from for ecclesiastical publi- cations at Paris, some few printed ones, evidently copies, being in the writer's possession. The other volume is also beautifully illuminated ; its date is 1518. In juxtaposition to these fine volumes is a manu- script on vellum, entitled "Gebert Buch," with title- page and initial letters, illuminated in colour. It is supposed to belong to the year 1460, about ten years after the invention of printing. Three Bibles stand by the " Immaculate," printed by Sir D. Hunter Blair & J. Bruce, Edin., 1811; Fittler's Illustrated Bible, 1798 ; and one printed at Basle, 1505, by Rapegolis. Two copies of the Confession of Faith, Glasgow, 1755, 1756, have some local interest ; and the imprint is also the most interesting thing to biblio- graphers about Dickson's Short Explanation of the Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews, which was printed at 238 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Aberdeen by Edward Raban, the first Aberdeen printer, in 1635. Side by side with Spiritual Songs, or Holy Poems, Edinburgh, 1685; The Religious Stoic by Sir George Mackenzie, Edinburgh, 1665, are The Psalrns in Prose and Meeter, with Godly Prayers, and Kalendar, Edin., 1635, known as Knox's Liturgy, or Knox's Psalter (Laing's copy brought 15 15s.) ; and Buchanan's Paraphrasis Psalmorum Davidis Poetica, 1572, profusely ornamented. Mr. Guild has a number of editions of the Pilgrim's Progress, and a copy of the Bible illustrated by Dore, published at Tours in 1866. In Poetry the collection is rich indeed. It contains 48 editions of Shakespeare's works. First comes the second folio, London, 1632. Mr. Guild has two copies. The better of the two is a perfect copy, bound in old crimson morocco, extra, with the autograph of Janet, Countess of Kincardine. It was purchased for Mr. Guild at the Williamson sale, Glasgow, 1865. The other copy is imperfect, but is gradually being com- pleted. It has a curious history. On the first blank page is the following note by Clara Reeve, the novelist, who was born at Ipswich in 1738, and died in 1803 : " This book has been in the Reeve family about one hundred years. My grandfather, the Rev. Thomas Reeve, of Ipswich, set a very high value upon it. My father, the Rev. William Reeve, was a great admirer of Shakespeare, but preferred the modern editions. The book remained in the hands of his sister, where it suffered by being lent about to those who abused it. ... In the year 1773, my aunt, Maria Reeve, gave it me, and I hope it will never go out of the family. Clara Reeve, 1773." Alas ! alas ! How futile are the strongest wishes when measured against time. The volume came into the possession of a nephew of Miss Reeve's who lived near Both well. He was accidentally killed on the rail- way, and his effects being sold, the precious volume MR. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 239 was bought by a Bothwell shopkeeper, who re-sold it to Mr. Guild for 2s. 6d. A copy of the fourth folio, 1685, which belonged- to Horatio Macculloch, is also here. Mr. Guild has also Mr. J. 0. Halliwell's great edition in 16 volumes, folio ; Paterson's sumptuous edition, with the plates in three states ; Virtue's illustrated edition, .a reprint of the first folio in 1807, and the facsimile issued in 1866. His copy of the handsome edition in. 10 volumes, folio, edited by Steevens, has many addi- tional plates inserted referring to plays and characters of the time, and contains the portrait of Jane Shore by Bartolozzi so often missing. He has also another edition edited by Steevens, in one enormous but noble volume, printed by Buhner in 1791. It is not mentioned in Lowndes' Bib. Man. Of Shakespeariana, Mr. Guild has fully 1,000 volumes and pamphlets. He has all the publications of the Shakespeare So- cieties, all Mr. J, Payne Collier's reprints, and also the whole of Mr. J. 0. Halliwell's publications. Spenser is present in the very rare first edition of the Faerie Queen. The collection also contains a good copy of Spenser's works which belonged to Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe. Good editions of the standard dramatists, and a large number of the well-nigh in- numerable collections of songs and ballads are pro- minent features of the library. The most important of a number of editions of Butler's " Hudibras " in the division is that edited by Dr. Nash, and illus- trated by Hogarth, 3 volumes, quarto. It appeared recently in a catalogue at 13 13s. The first edition of Pope's Essay on Man, London, 1733, is worth mentioning, as is also a fine copy of " The Anti- Jacobin," 1794. A noble edition is in the library of Thomson's " Seasons," with illustrations by Bartolozzi from drawings by Sir William Hamilton, 1797. Coming to modern poets, Mr. Guild is a strong ad- mirer of the trio whose genius lighted up so brilliantly the early decades of the present century. Of Lord 240 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Byron's works he has every first edition and many subsequent ones, together with a large collection of Byroniana. Shelley's works are here in the rare first editions, and Keats's in the same scarce form. One of the two copies of the first edition of " Queen Mab " has been the subject of a criminal prosecution, as appears by the testimony written across the pages of several witnesses as to its ownership. This rare volume, which is worth many pounds, was bought by Mr. Guild some years ago at an Edinburgh book- stall for eighteenpence. First editions of the works of Wordsworth, Southey, Chatterton, Philip James Bailey, and minor poets are numerous. There are some early volumes of Lord Tennyson's, including the Cambridge prize poem on Timbuctoo, the first pro- duction to which he put his name. Among the folios is " The Idylls of the King," illustrated by the great French artist, Dore. A pretty volume bound in vel- lum is the " Welcome to the Princess of Wales on her Marriage," a collection of original contributions in prose and verse, edited by Miss Emily Faithful. It is the identical copy presented by the authoress to Her Majesty the Queen, and bears an inscription to that effect. Mr. Guild picked it up in a London bookstall for half-a-crown. The Chiswick press, the Aldine series of poets, and the transactions of the Percy Society bring us to the end of a very large division, which we have really done little more than walk past. Of all the many objects which set men collecting books, surely none are so sweetly solacing as that of songs. It is but too common, we know, to speak of the good old days to the disparagement of the days that are with us ; and far be it from us to quarrel un- justly with the times, but is it not a patent fact that the very best and finest of our lyrics were written by other generations than ours ? We are induced to thus pause in our task as chronicler and lament, by a fine array of those little volumes of songs and ballads which MR. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 241 were the delight of our forefathers. They are of no great typographical beauty, but their intrinsic value more ,than counterbalances their homely appearance. Among the first we have Watson's Collection of Scots Songs, issued in three parts in 1706-9-11: and the Orpheus Caledonius; or, a Collection of Scots Songs set to Musick, by W. Thomson, 1733. How pleasant their titles ! The Charmer (1749), The Linnet (Glas., 1792 and 1800), The Goldfinch (1777), The Harp of Scotia (1825), The Nithsdale Minstrel (Dumfries, 1815). Thomson's Collection of the Songs of Scotland reminds us of his prolific contributor, Robert Burns, and sug- gests Johnston's Musical Museum, a publication some- what similar to Thomson's, for which the bard wrote many songs. If we desire to rightly estimate the purifying influence of Burns on Scottish song we have but to look into Herd's Collection of Scottish Songs and Ballads (1776), and mark the difference. Col- lections of songs and ballads were issued from minor towns, of which Caw's Poetical Museum, published, at Hawick in 1784, is an example. Many other lyrical collections more or less known look down upon us, the bare recital of whose titles would fill more space than we can well afford. Like a true son of St. Thomas, Mr. Guild subscribed for a copy of the magnificent edition de luxe of " Round about the Round O with its Poets," printed and published by the veteran printer, Mr. Thomas Buncle, of Arbroath, a most remarkable volume. Mr. Guild is the possessor of the original manuscript of MotherwelTs Minstrelsy, and several of his note-books containing numerous jottings and many songs taken down from the lips of the "singing- women of Paisley." Individual Scottish poets abound. We may mention a few of the leading ones, taking them in chronological order Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling's Doomes Day, Edin., 1614 ; the same writer's Recrea- tions with the Muses, London, 1637 ; Hamilton's Life 16 242 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. of Wallace, 1722 and 1812; several editions of Bar- bour's Bruce and Blind Harry's Wallace ; editions of Sir David Lyndsay, Robert Henryson, and Dunbar ; Fragments of Ancient Poetry, 1760 (first edition of Ossian) ; Lapraik's Poems, 1788 ; many editions of Burns's works ; Songs chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, by Sir Alexander Boswell, 1803; Certain Curious Poems, principally from the pen of Mr. James M'Alpie, Sheriff of Renfrewshire, edited by William Mother well, Paisley, 1828 (30 copies printed) this is supposed to have been Motherwell's own composition ; several first editions of Thomas Campbell's poems; Hugh Miller's Poems, by a Journeyman Mason ; Poems by Robert Chambers, 1835 ; and the poems of Alexander Scott, Glasgow, 1882 (one of six on vellum). The scarce reprints of rare works issued under the editorial care of David Laing, James Maidment, and W. B. D. D. Turnbull, occupy many pages in Mr. Guild's catalogue. Perhaps the rarest are TurnbuU's Owain Miles, and Legenda Catholica, Maidment's North Country Garland (30 copies printed for presenta- tion) ; his Book of Scottish Pasquils, 1827-8, large paper (15 large and 45 small paper copies were printed) ; and his Nugae Derelictae, a collection of tracts of which only six complete sets exist; Laing's Cock Lorelle's Bote (40 copies printed), and his Various Pieces of Fugitive Poetry. Among the miscellaneous volumes are The Paisley Repository ; the Proceedings of a Craw- Court held in the Woods of Pittencrief, Dumfermline, 1813 ; the Court of Session Garland, 3839; and the rare first edition of Legal Lyrics, by Outram. The department of Scottish Biography and Family History is well filled, and contains a few notable books, such as The Lennox, by William Frazer ; the Bruces and Comyns ; and Memorie of the Somervilles. Scottish History forms quite a large library in itself. The valuable publications of the Maitland, Bannatyne, MR. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 243 Abbotsford, and Spalding Clubs, many of those issued by the other Scottish Clubs, and a set of the Burgh Eecords Society's publications make an imposing appear- ance, which is heightened by the close proximity of a fine set of Grose's Antiquities, 12 volumes, folio, a large paper copy of Chalmers' Caledonia, and the magnificent work on Scottish Arms issued by Mr. Drummond the other year. Mr. Guild has all the well-known works necessary to make a good serviceable Scottish his- torical library ; but all his possessions in this depart- ment are as nothing contrasted with his incomparable Marie Stuart collection. The fame of it has gone out far and wide as a gathering princely in its wealth and unique in its extent. It is only hindered from contain- ing every work on the subject by the infrequent appear- ance of many of them in the market. It numbers fully 500 works, in many languages. The portraits of the Queen in the library are as many as 315 in separate form, exclusive of those in books. There is also a large miscellaneous collection of portraits and historical scenes connected with the reign of Queen Mary. A complete catalogue of the whole has been prepared by Mr. Guild, including all the works relating to the un- fortunate Queen of which he has found any trace either in this country or abroad. It is his intention to print this catalogue, the compilation of which has formed a pleasant recreation for more than thirty years, and bibliographers will welcome it as a valuable con- tribution on a very important subject. The tragic story of the beautiful Queen of Scots has attracted many minds, and her innocence has been pro- claimed in language only equalled in passion by the denunciations of her assailants. Many fiercely- written volumes remind us that the war which still continues around her personality was waged most valiantly in her lifetime. In Germany the subject excites even a livelier interest than in this country, and the collection is being continually augmented by books and magazines 244 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. from the German fatherland. We have extracted from Mr. Guild's catalogue the titles of some of what we have deemed the more interesting works, which we here present with such notes as we have been able to elicit. The chief treasure of the collection is a volume which once belonged to the Queen herself. It is entitled " Confessione della Fede Christiana," by Beza. The imprint is Appresso Fabio Todesco, 1560. ' It has Maria K. Scotorum in capital letters stamped in gold on each side of the cover, and on the title-page is the auto- graph of Sir James Melville of Hallhill. It was pro- bably a gift from the Queen to her devoted friend Sir James, whom she sent as ambassador to Queen Eliza- beth. This copy was sold at Dr. Laing's sale for 145, and after passing through several hands at gradually diminishing prices, it found a fitting resting-place in Mr. Guild's collection. On a table in the centre of the library are a dozen or so of the most precious volumes. We will first glance at a small quarto of four leaves, which is excessively rare, containing songs composed and sung in Paris on the occasion of Marie's nuptials with the Dauphin in 1558. It is entitled Nuptiale Carmen Renati Guillonii mercurium agentis, quo exhortatis Franciscum Valesium Galliarum Delphinum ad uxorem ducen- dam Mariam utpote Scotiae reginam, quam tandem duxit anno 1558, Aprilis die 24. Addita sunt ab eodem Autore aliquot Epi- grammata, quorum aliqua pertinent ad historian! nostri temporis. Paris, apud Andream Wechelim, 1558. Mr. Guild procured a copy at the sale of David Laing's library, but subsequently received from abroad another copy, much taller and broader. He has now therefore two copies of this most rare and interesting book. The next two works are also on the French mar- riage : Epithalamium Francisci Valesii Illustriss. Franciae Delphini et Mariae Stuartae Sereniss. Scotorum Reginae. Sm. 8vo, Paris, 1558. This was written by Andrianus Turbenus. It is extremely rare, and is not mentioned by either Lowndes or Brunet. MR. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 245 L'Hospital (Michel de) In Francisci illustriss. : Franciae Delphini et Mariae Sereniss. Scotorum Reginae Nuptias viri ejusdam Am- pliss. Carmen. 4to, Paris, Apud Federicum Morellum. Perlin (Estienne) Description des Royaulmes d'Angleterre et d'Escosse. 8vo, Paris, 1558. This work was probably occasioned by the same ceremony. Discours des Troubles nouvellement advenus au Royaurne d'Angleterre avec une declaration faicte par le Comte de Northumberland et autres grands seigneurs d'Angleterre. 12mo, a Paris, pour Laurent du Coudret, Imprimeur, jouxte la copie de Jacques Blochet. Avec privilege. A letter vindicating Queen Elizabeth in the case of the Duke of Nor- folk and Mary Queen of Scots. 12th October, 1571. This scarce little piece is attributed to the pen of Lord Burghley, Queen Elizabeth's secretary. There is no regular title to the tract, and it is evident it was not published in the usual way, but distributed privately. The text begins on A3, two blank leaves (often wanting) representing Al and A2. It is in black-letter, and is prettily bound in blue morocco. Buchanan (George) De Maria Scotorum Reginae totaque ejus contra Regem Conjuratione fcedo cum Bothuelio Adulterio nefaria in Maritum Crudelitate et Rabie, horrendo in super et deterrimo ejus- dem Parricidio : plena, et tragica plane Historia. [London, 1572.] " This tract, published anonymously, is confidently attributed to George Buchanan, and is supposed to have been printed by John Day." Lowndes. Belief orest (Francois de) L'innocence de la tresillustre, tres- chaste et debonnaire Princesse, Madame Marie Royne d'Escosse. Ou sont amplement refutees les calomnies faulces, et impositions iniques, publi^es par un livre secrettement divulgue en France, 1'an 1572 touchant tant la mort du Seigneur d'Arley son espoux que autres crimes dont elle est faulcement accused, etc. 8vo. Manolesso (Emilio Maria) Historia Nova, nella quale si contengono tutti i successi della guerra Turchesca, la Congiura del Duca de Nortfolch contra la Regina d'Inghilterra, etc. 4to, Padoua, Lorenzo Pasquati, 1572. Philadelphe (Euseb6) La Reveille Matin des Francois et de leurs Voissins. A Edimbourg, De I'imprimerie de Jacques James, avec permission, 1574. "A fictitious imprint." Loiwndes. Rare. 246 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Lesley (John) Bishop of Ross. De Origine Moribus et Rebus gestis Scotorum. 4to, Romae, 1578. Contains a map of Scotland and nine engraved heads, including Mary and her son. Republished in Holland, 1675. \ r aluable as containing the only portrait of Queen Mary published during her lifetime a lovely copy. Chambre (David) Histoire Abregee de Tous les Roys de France Angleterre et Ecosse, mise en ordre par forme d'Harmonie. 8vo, Paris, 1589. Mr. Guild has two editions printed in the same year and from the same types. Chambre was a follower of Queen Mary, and wrote his book to prove the legality of her title to the English throne. The two following tracts usually accompany this work. Mr. Guild has both: La Recherche des Singularitez plus remarquables concernant 1'Estat d'Escosse. Svo, Paris, 1759. Discours de la legitime Succession des Femmes aux Possessions de leurs Parens & du Gouernement des Princesses aux Empires & Royaumes. 8vo, Paris, 1579. Continuing our list : Throckmorton (Francis) A Discoverie of the Treasons practised and attempted against the Queenes Maiestie and the Realme. Sm. 4to, 1584. It was printed secretly without name or place. Reprinted in the ' ' Har- leian Miscellany." Whetstone (George) The Censure of a loyall Subject vpon certaine noted Speach and Behauiours of those fourteen notable traitors at the Place of their Executions the xx and xxi of September, last past. As also of the Scottish Queen, now (thanks be to God) cut off by Justice as the principal Roote of al their Trea- sons on Wednesday, the 8 of Februarie, 1586. London, 4to. 1586 is evidently an error, as her execution took place in 1587. Leycester. The copy of a letter to the Right Honourable the Earle of Leycester, Lieutenant-Generall of all Her Majestic 's forces in the united Provinces of the lowe countreys, written before but delivered at his returne from thence. With a report of certeine petitions and declarations made to the Queenes Majestic at two severall times from all the Lordes and Commons assembled in Parliament. And her Majesties answers thereunto by herself delivered, etc. Imprinted by Christopher Barker, 1586, 8vo. MR. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 247 " Though the name of the Queen of Scots is not mentioned in the title to this tract, she is entirely the subject of it ; and the whole work is most artfully framed to inflame the minds of the people against her and prepare them for her execution. The compiler of it was no doubt Robert Cecil, whose initials are at the end of the preface." Verstegan (Richard) Theatrum Crudelitatum Hsereticorum Nostri temporis. Antwerp, 1587, 4to. Frontispiece and 29 plates. The last plate is a representation of the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots. She is kneeling with her head upon the block, while the heads- man is swinging the axe preparatory to dealing the fatal blow. Other editions were published in 1592 and 1604, and a French translation ap- peared in 1588, all at Antwerp. It was reproduced at Lille in 1883 under the title of Theatre des Cruautes des Heretiques au Seizieme Siecle. Mr. Guild has it also. Vera e Compifca Relatione del successo della Morte della Christian- issima Regina di Scotia, con la dichiaratione dell' essequie fatte in Parigi da] Christianissimo'Re, suo cognato, e il nome de' personaggi intervenuti. 4to, Milan, 1587. Four leaves. An Italian account of her execution in which the names are given of those who attended the funeral honours paid to her memory in Paris. Orompton (Richard) A Short Declaration of the Ende of Traytors and false Conspirators against the State and of the Duetie of Subjectes to their Souveraigne Governour. . . . Wherein are also briefly touched sundry offences of the S(cottish) Queene committed against the Crowne of the Land. Sm. 4to, black letter. London, 1587. Written to vindicate the justice of the execution of Marie Stuart. Blackwood (Adam) Martyre de la Royne D'Escosse, Dovariere de France. A Edimbourg chez Jean Nafeld, 1587. From the Beckford Library. Kyffin (Maurice) A Defence of the Honorable Sentence and Execution of the Queene of Scots, exempled with analogies and diverse presidents of emperors, kings and popes ; with the opinions of learned men in the point, and diverse reasons gathered foorth out of both lawes, civill and canon ; together with the answere to certaine objections made by the favourites of the late Scottish Queene. "Juris executio nullam habet in- juriam." Sm. 4to. London : printed by John Windet (circa. 1587). This is one of the rarest volumes on Marie Stuart. On the accession of James I. all copies were carefully suppressed and destroyed or mutilated. Fiorentino (P. W. A.) Descriptione del Regno di Scotia et Delle Isole sue adjacenti. 4to, Anwersa, 1588. Very rare. Reprinted by the Bannatyne Club. 248 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Scotus, Romoaldus. Summarium rationum, quibus Cancellarius Angliae et Prolocutor Puckeringius Elizabethse Angliae Reginae persuaserunt occidenam esse serenissimam principern, Mariam Stuartam, Scotiae Reginam, & Jacob! sexti Scotorum Regis Matrem, una cum responsionibus Reginse Angliae, et sententia mortis. Sm. 4to, 1588. Barnestapolis (Robertus) Maria Stuarta, Reginae Scotiae Dotaria Franciae Haeres Angliae et Hyberniae Martyr Ecclesie Innocens a codi Darleana Vlndice oberto Barnestapolio. 12mo. Ingolstadii, 1588. Very rare. Reprinted by Jebb. Rosse (Thomae) Idaea, sive de Jacobi Magnae Britanniae Galliae et Hyberniae. London: J. Norton, 1608. 8vo, vellum. James the Sixth's copy. Udall (William) Historic of the Life and Death of Mary Stuart, Queene of Scotland. London, 1624. With portrait by Elstracke. This was published under the name of William Stranguage. Another edition, with portrait and engraved title by Marshall, 12mo, London, 1636. Oono3us (Georgius) Vitae Mariae Stuartae, Scotiae Reginae Dotaria Galliae, Angliae et Hiberniae Haeredis. 8vo, Romae, 1624. With portrait of Mary. De Vega (Lope) Corona Tragica: vida y muerte de la Serenissima Reyna de Escocia Maria Estuarda. Sm. 4to, Madrid, 1627. Described on page 93 " Ce poeme est recherche en Angleterre. " Brunei. This copy has the portrait of the Queen. It is often wanting in copies. Gatti (D. Bassianio) Maria Regina di Scotia. Poema Heroico 4to, Bologna, 1633. With frontispiece representing the execution. Regault (M.) Marie Stuard, Reyne d'Ecosse. 12mo, Paris, 1639. With engraved frontispiece of execution. Very rare. Hawkins (Sir Thomas) Knight. The Holy Court. Translated from the French of Nicholas Caussin. 2 vols. fo. London, 1650. The second volume contains a " History of the Incomparable Queen, Mary Stuart, with portrait by Marshall, from Udall's Historic, 1636." MR. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 249 Jones (David) The Tragical History of the Stuarts, from 1086 to the Death of her late Majesty Queen Mary. 8vo, 1697. Frontispiece, with 10 portraits. Drake (James) Historia Anglo-Scotica or an impartial History of all that happened between the Kings and Kingdoms of England and Scotland from the beginning of the reign of William the Conqueror to the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 8vo, London, 1703. " This work was burnt by the common hangman at the cross of Edin- burgh, 1st July, 1703." Chambers's Domestic Annals. Jebb (Samuel) De Vitae et rebus gestis serenissimae Piincipis Mariae Scotorum Reginae Franciae Dotariae quae Scriptis tra- didere Autores XVI., et ad optiuiae fidei codices recensita. 2 vols. fo. London, 1725. A beautiful uncut copy. Fry (John) Bristol. The Legend of Mary Queen of Scots and other Ancient Poems. Now first published from MSS. of the sixteenth century. 4to, London, 1810. One of six copies printed on large paper. Excepting the following, the topographical works on Scotland in the library do not call for special mention : Baronial Antiquities of Scotland, by Billings, large paper copy ; Biggar and the House of Fleming, large paper copy ; Ramsay's Views in Renfrewshire ; Craw- ford's History of Renfrewshire ; Hamilton's Sherif- doms of Lanark and Renfrew. Mr. Guild has the various histories of Glasgow and the numerous works bearing on the city issued during recent years, such as the Old Country Houses of the Glasgow Gentry, Macgeorge's Old Glasgow, and Glasgow Past and Present. Among the smaller books are the four volumes of Brash and Reid's poetry, a clean good copy of the curious work entitled Substance of Fourteen Letters written by Andrew Marshall while in confinement and under sentence of death in the Tol- booth of Glasgow, in the year 1769, also the second and third Glasgow directories, issued in 1787 and 1789 by 250 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGO W. Nathaniel Jones, keeper of a servants' register office in the Saltmarket. In respect of local directories, however, Mr. Guild's library is more remarkable for what it once contained than for what it now has. Mr. Guild pre- sented a great many volumes of Glasgow directories to the Institute of Accountants of Glasgow. He still preserves a volume which, in a paper on Glasgow directories read before the Archaeological Society of Glasgow in 1882, he brought forward as the earliest directory used in this district. It is Bailey's Northern Directory ; or, Merchants' and Tradesmen's Useful Companion for 1781. It contains, in addition to the towns in the north of England, a directory to Edin- burgh, Leith, Glasgow, Paisley, Greenock, and Port- Glasgow. It was printed at Warrington. The first Glasgow Directory was issued by John Tait in 1783 ; the second and third, as above stated, by Jones in 1787 and 1789. Jones also published a directory in 1790-2, and in 1792-3 a new directory was issued by his son after his father's death. Walter M'Feat begun in 1799 to publish a directory, and continued it an- nually until 1827, when the work was taken up by the letter-carriers. What has been said of Mr. Guild's directories is equally true of his collection of early Glasgow printing. He presented many volumes from the presses of early printers to the Mitchell Library, greatly enriching the city collection by making a clean sweep of his own. But the jewel of his Glasgow books, past, present, or even to come, is undoubtedly his copy of Zachary Boyd's " Last Battell of the Soule." Several copies of this work are mentioned in this volume, but as Mr. Guild's has some features of exceptional interest, this place has been chosen for a thorough examination of the facts connected with the several issues of the book. The Rev. Zachary Boyd was descended from the Boyds of Pinkill, and is supposed to have been born in Kilmarnock about 1585. He was cousin to Andrew ME. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 251 Boyd, Bishop of Argyle from 1613 to 1636, and to Robert Boyd, son of James Boyd, Archbishop of Glasgow, professor at Saumur in France, and suc- cessively principal of the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. He had probably received his earliest education at Kilmarnock. He attended the College of Glasgow, where he matriculated in 1601, and studied at St. Andrews University from 1603 to 1607, taking the degree of Master of Arts. At this time he appears to have gone to the Protestant college of Saumur, where his cousin, Robert Boyd, was a professor. In France he remained for the space of sixteen years. He was appointed one of the professors at Saumur, and was subsequently offered the high office of principal, which he declined. He returned to his native country in 1623, and in the same year was appointed minister of the Barony Parish of Glasgow. In 1631 he was elected Dean of Faculty in the university, and again in 1633 and 1636. In 1634 and 1635 he was chosen rector, and for a third time he filled the office in 1645. He was elected vice-chancellor in 1644, and continued in the office till his death, which is supposed to have happened in March or April, 1653. Mr. Gabriel Neil, from whose biographical notice of Boyd we have ex- tracted the foregoing particulars, was of opinion that Boyd's first work was " Zion's Flowers ; or, Christian Poems for Spiritual Edification," and had been written before 1626. No part of this work was ever published until Mr. Neil, in his reprint of the Last Battle of the Soul, 1831, gave some specimens, which he was en- couraged to follow up with a more extensive selection published in 1851 under the title of " Four Poems from Zion's Flowers." In 1626 Boyd began the composition of "The Last Battell of the Soule in Death." The date of the publication of the work has hitherto been accepted as 1629. Mr. Neil made his reprint from a copy of this date, and makes no mention of another edition in any of his notes. He at one time owned 252 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. the copy now in the possession of Mr. J. B. Murdoch, mentioned further on, but not until after the issue of his last Boyd publication. He tells how in early life he " possessed a fragment of the work which so fascinated him that he formed the determination, if ever he could obtain an entire copy, he would reprint it. After a fruitless search of more than twenty years in different towns, an imperfect copy was ultimately seen in Glas- gow and purchased at the price of two guineas, from which, along with two other imperfect copies, he was in every particular enabled to make up a complete copy, as published by him in 1831, in an edition of 300 copies, now long out of print " (Four Poems from Zioris Flowers, appendix ii.). Several complete copies have appeared since Mr. Neil wrote in 1851, and the price has risen from the comparatively modest sum of two guineas to fifty guineas. An earlier edition or issue has also appeared. Mr. Guild has a copy in one volume (the ordinary copies are in two volumes), dated 1628. Mr. J. B. Murdoch possesses a similar copy, and Professor Ferguson's, although in two volumes and having the 1629 title-pages, has also the 1628 title-page inserted in the first volume. The most reasonable explanation which has yet suggested it- self is that the work was issued in 1628 in one volume, and being found too bulky, and perhaps not meeting with a ready sale, it was in the following year divided into two volumes and two title-pages printed with the later date. This conjecture is borne out by the fact of the paging being continuous throughout the two volumes, pointing to a re-issue in two parts of a work originally published in one. If this be the true ex- planation it is of course incorrect to speak of different editions, the later dated copy being but a re-issue of the remainder of the original stock. Both issues or editions are alike in the wording of the title-page, and bear to be printed at Edinburgh by the heirs of Andro Hart. In the 1628 volume there is none of the pre- MR. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 253 fatory matter, dedications, etc., which were inserted in the issue of 1629. Boyd was proud of the city in which he spent so great a portion of his life, and was fond of dating his works from Glasgow. Had there been a printer in the city " The Battell of the Soule " would likely have been printed here. As it is, his works are inseparably associated with the first printing done in Glasgow. We take some pleasure in being the first to notice in print the existence of the earlier form of " The Last Battell of the Soule," which pleasure is increased by the further discovery that few were aware of more than one copy that belonging to Mr. Guild which was consequently generally regarded as unique. We cannot quit the Scottish division without men- tioning the learned and handsomely executed works by Mr. R. W. Cochran-Patrick on Mining in Scotland, Scottish Coins and Scottish Medals ; Motherwell's Paisley Magazine, 1828, and a number of volumes of chap-books, printed at Stirling and other Scottish towns. Mr. Guild has good editions, handsomely bound, of the standard histories and biographies. Of the latter we need only particularize Ireland's Memoirs of Jeanne d'Arc, 2 volumes, 1824 ; a large paper copy of the Life of David Roberts; Peter Cunningham's " Nell Gwyn," and the first edition of the Life of Richard Nash of Bath, 1762. Perhaps the most attractive portion of the library is that devoted to the Fine Arts. It has a brilliant ap- pearance, the material adornment corresponding very appropriately with the intrinsic worth and subject of the contents. On the ledge stands a handsome copy of Meyrick's Ancient Armour, 3 volumes ; next to it is a fine work, with seventy coloured illustrations of the costumes of the empire of Russia ; Sotheby's Ram- blings in the Elucidation of the Autograph of Milton, with many plates and also outline pictures on the covers ; 254 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Rome, by Francis Wey ; Memoirs of the Celebrated Persons composing the Kit-Kat Club, with 48 por- traits from original paintings, by Sir Godfrey Kneller ; the second edition of Nisbet's Heraldry ; two copies of Smith's Iconigraphia Scotica (1798) ; the book with the same title by John Pinkerton ; the splendid five- volume edition of Lavater's Essay on Physiognomy, 1789 ; Reid's Descriptive Catalogue of the Works of George Cruikshank, with 313 illustrations, 3 volumes, 1871 ; Westwood's Palaeographia Sacra Pictoria, illustrations of ancient versions of the Bible, Don Quixote, illustrated by Dord; the Adventures of Baron Munchausen, illustrated by the same artist ; the Orphan of Pimlico and other Sketches ; Fragments and Drawings, by "W. M. Thackeray, and Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe's Etchings, altogether a splendid series of volumes. The first shelf begins with a mag- nificent ten-volume edition of Lodge's Portraits of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain, which has for neighbours Hamerton's Etching and Etchers ; Sainte- Beauve's Nouvelle Galerie de Femmes Celebres ; the Maclise Portrait Gallery; Brulliot's Dictionnaire des Monogrammes, published at Munich ; the catalogue of the works illustrated by Thomas and John Bewick, with hundreds of beautiful cuts; Kay's Edinburgh Portraits, first edition ; Walton and Cotton's Com- plete Angler, edited by Sir Harris Nicolas, with two sets of plates (presentation copy to Sir Henry Ellis) ; Lubke's Histories of Art and Sculpture ; Ruskin's Modern Painters, and Stones of Venice; George Cruikshank's Omnibus, and Table-Book, and a volume of historical portraits selected from the National Portraits Exhibition of 1866. Speaking of portraits, we may here mention that Mr. Guild has, in addition to those of Queen Mary, separate portfolios of portraits of the Stuarts from James I. to the end of the line, including many of Charles I. and II., also many rare and fine portraits of Henry VIII. and fully sixty MR. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 255 of Queen Elizabeth. There are also about eighty portraits of Shakespeare and about sixty of Sir Walter Scott, and an extensive collection of fine engraved pictures of eminent persons, including many hundreds of historical portraits. The upper shelves are almost entirely devoted to the works illustrated by the Bewicks. There in the order of their dates are Choice Emblems, 1772; Youth's Instructor and Entertaining Story-Teller, Newcastle, 1778; Gay's Fables, Newcastle, 1779; Edinburgh, 1792; York, 1811; 'The Blackbird, 1783; Select Fables, Newcastle, 1784, and same place, 1820; Fox against Fox; or Political Blossoms of the Right Hon. Charles James Fox, 1788; Emblems of Mortality (known as "Bewick's Dance of Deaths,"), 1789, 1795, 1825; General History of British Quadrupeds, New- castle, 1790; Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith, Hereford, 1794; Gloucester, 1809, and with the works of Parnell, 1804; Cheap Repository (35 differ- ent tracts), 1795, etc.; Blossoms of Morality, 1796; Dublin, 1807, 1814; Dodsley's Economy of Life, Man- chester, 1797 ; Pity's Gift, 1798 ; Poems, by the Rev. Josiah Relph, Carlisle, 1798 ; Pilkington's Mirror for the Female Sex, 1799 ; Bloomfield's Farmer's Boy, 1800, 1802, 1815; Bloomfield's Rival Tales, 1802, 1815, 1820; Bloomfield's Wild Flowers, 1816 ; Bloomfield's May-Day, 1822 ; Thomas Love- child's only method to make Reading Easy, York, 1802 ; Looking-Glass for the Mind, 1803 ; Scenes of Youth, by William Holloway, 1803 ; British Birds, 2 vols., Newcastle, 1804, 1832, 1847 ; Effusions of Love from Chatelar to Mary, Queen of Scotland, 1805 ; Thomson's Seasons, 1805, 1809; Abridgement of Goldsmith's History of England, 1805, 1808; Percy's Hermit of Warkworth, 1806, another copy, Aln- wick, no date; Kay's New Preceptor, Newcastle, 1807; Lay of an Irish Harp, by Miss Owenson (Lady Morgan), 1807; A Spring Day, by Fisher, Edinburgh, 256 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. 1808; Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, and Insects, Aln- wick, 1809 ; Poems, chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, by Thomas Donaldson, weaver, Alnwick, 1809 ; Fables in Verse, by Rowe, 1810 ; Thornton's Family Herbal, 1810 ; Progress of Man and Society, by Dr. Trusler, 1810; Poetical Works, by Thomas Adams, Alnwick, 1811 ; Northumbrian Minstrel, Alnwick, 1811 (three numbers with coarse paper covers as issued) ; Charms of Literature, 1812; Fables of ^Esop and Others, with instructive application, by Samuel Croxall, 1813; Fables of JEsop, Newcastle, 1818; System of Natural History, 4 v., Alnwick, 1814; Oxford Sausage, 1815 ; Natural Triumphs, by Mrs. Cockle, 1814; Elegy to the Memory of Princess Charlotte of Wales, Newcastle, 1817 ; Elegy on the Death of George III., Newcastle, 1820 ; Lines to a Boy Pursuing a Butterfly, New- castle, 1826 ; Verses Written at Langleeford, New- castle, 1823 ; Reply to Lord Byron's " Fare Thee Well," Newcastle, 1817, and Lines to Lady Byron, Newcastle, 1817, all by the same authoress; The Way to be Happy, or the Family at Smiledale, Glasgow, 1819 ; Ducks and Green Peas, or the Newcastle Rider, Alnwick, 1827; The Collier's Wedding; a Poem, by Edward Chicken, Newcastle, 1829; Metrical Legends of Northumberland, by James Service, Alnwick, 1834 ; Hastie's only Method to make Reading Easy, Newcastle, 1839 ; Memoirs of- Thomas Bewick, by Himself, Newcastle, 1862 ; Proverbs in Verse ; The Youngster's Diary, Alnwick (coloured) ; Day, a Pastoral, Alnwick (coloured, coarse paper wrappers) ; The Enigmatist, Stockton ; Beattie's Poems ; Harrison's Amusing Picture and Poetry Book, Devizes ; Alnwick Picture-Book for the use of Children, Alnwick, 3 numbers, with original wrappers ; Tommy Trip's History of Beasts and Birds, 1867. These eighty-four Bewicks are uniformly bound in full calf, richly tooled, and present a brilliant appearance. After so long a list of Bewicks, it would be unfair to MR. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 257 particularize the works illustrated by George Cruik- shank. Alone, they would seem a fairly compre- hensive collection beside the Bewicks they are not worth mentioning. Under the ledge are some fine folios. The first is the Typographical Antiquities of Ames, edited by Dibdin, 4 volumes, large paper, un- cut. Sixty-five copies of this sumptuous work were printed, of which this is No. 11. Next to it stands Leigh Sotheby's Principia Typographia, 3 volumes, a splendidly-executed work. Caulfield's Portraits of Remarkable Persons, 4 volumes ; Lord Ronald Gower's two volumes of French Portraits ; and Roy's Military Antiquities, are near neighbours, and other works, costly and handsome, complete the shelf. In addition to the works of John Ruskin already named, Mr. Guild has the greater number of the smaller volumes, forming altogether a large collection of his works. Two little books and we will dismiss this division. They are The Compleat Gentleman, by Henry Peacham, London, 1661, notable for some coloured illustrations of the " Art of Blazonry," and a volume of Emblems by Giovio Vescoro di Nocera, Lyons, 1574. The department of Fiction is a considerable one. It contains the best modern editions of Dickens, Thacke- ray, Fielding, Smollett, and other leading novelists ; the first editions of Scott's Waverley Novels, and an extra tine copy of Paul and Virginia, Paris, 1838, with plates in three, and some in four, states. In classics the only notable volumes are Jacob Tonson's famous folio edition of Caesar, 1712, richly illustrated ; the first edition of Gawain Douglas's translation of Virgil, and Ovid's Metamorphosis, translated by Tuski, 1584. Bibliography is a prominent feature in the library. Three divisions are devoted to it, and glancing over them we see on their well-known works the names of Burton (Book-hunter, first edition), Sir Egerton Brydges (Restituta, on India paper, large, perhaps the only 17 258 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. copy on India paper), Censura Literari, 10 volumes, Archaica, Beloe (Anecdotes of Literature and Scarce Books), Allibone (Dictionary of English Literature), Brunet (Manuel du Libraire), Collier (Early Eng. Literature), De Bure (Bibliographic Instructive, etc)., Dibdin (Bibliomania, several editions ; Library Com- panion, Reminiscences, Director, Bibliotheca Sussexi- ana), Ebert (Bibliographical Dictionary), Hain (Repertorium Bibliographicum), Halkett and Laing (Dictionary of Anonymous and Pseudonymous Literature), Hartshorne (Book Rarities of Cambridge), Hindley (Old Book Collectors' Miscellany), Lowndes (Bibliographer's Manual), Nisard (Histoire des Livres Populaires), Oldys (British Librarian), Walpole (Cata- logue of Royal and Noble Authors), Watt (Bibli- otheca Britannka), and many others. The Libri Cata- logue, 5 volumes ; the Huth Catalogue, the Rox- burgh Catalogue, the Retrospective Review, and the Bibliotheca Anglo-Poetica have for company a goodly number of other catalogues of famous libraries. We reserve for the last the splendid collection of autograph letters, but before touching on them it may be as well to dismiss a few books which hardly come under any of the classes already described. These are an extremely small copy of Sir Thomas More's Utopia, published at Amsterdam in 1631 ; some of the works issued at the Strawberry, Lee Priory, and Auchinleck private presses ; the library edition of Carlyle's works ; and a complete set of the Oxford classics, full bound. The autograph letters are systematically arranged, each in a neat brown envelope, and the whole classified and securely preserved in 15 portfolios. The classes are royal, military, political, legal, literary, theatrical, clerical, artistic, and miscellaneous. Mr. Guild admits letters only to his collection, not mere autographs. The portfolios contain letters from nearly 400 persons more or less distinguished. MR. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 259 Among the .Royal writers are John Stewart, Duke of Albany, second son of James II. of Scotland ; James Fitz-James, Duke of Berwick, Marshal of France, and natural son of James II. of England; Marie Stuart, the ill-fated Queen of Scots ; her son, James I. of England; Charles II.; James III., the Pretender; his son, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, the young Pretender; George II., George III., George IV., Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the late Duke of Albany, Francis L, King of France, 1515-47 ; his son, Henry II., King, 1547-59; Louis XIV., "the most magnificent of the Bourbon Kings " ; Napoleon I. and Louis Phillippe, the Citizen King. Some of the soldiers are Colonel James Gardiner, killed at the battle of Prestonpans ; Sir Ralph Abercromby, George Washington, Marshal Ney, Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Lord Clyde, and Garibaldi. The letters of Lord Nelson include a number addressed to Lady Hamilton, with the replies, and there are beside two very extraordinary epistles from the Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry, to his dearest Emma, Lady Hamilton, showing the intimate relations which existed between them. Among the statesmen and politicians are William Pitt, Charles James Fox, Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville, John Wilkes, Henry Grattan, Daniel O'Con- nell, Lord Brougham, Joseph Hume, Earl Gray, Sir Robert Peel, Lord John Russell, Lord Lansdowne, Mr. Gladstone, Prince Talleyrand, Lafayette, Mazzini, and Louis Blanc. The portfolio Theatrical contains letters from many noted actors, actresses, and singers. John Philip Kemble and Mrs. Siddons are there, so are Charles Kean and Helen Tree, John Bannister, J. M. Bellew, Helen Faucit, Jenny Lind, Henry Irving, Ellen Terry, and Herman Vezin. Some distinguished divines have contributed to the collection. Among others, the famous com- 260 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. mentator, Matthew Henry ; Bishop Heber, Dr. Thomas Chalmers, Bishop Wilberforce, Bishop Colenzo, Dr. Ralph Wardlaw, Archbishop Trench, Dean Stanley, Frederick Denison Maurice, Principal Tulloch, and Principal Caird. Among the artists are Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir Thomas Lawrence, Sir Joseph Banks, Sir Francis Chantry, John Flaxman, Benjamin R. Hay don, David Roberts, and Daniel Maclise. The largest portfolio is that designated Literary. The principal writers of the last hundred years are numerously represented. One envelope contains a bond by David Hume for 130 in favour of his servant,. Margaret Irvine, on account of her byegone wages ; executed 2nd June, 1771. Some of the letters of Sir Walter Scott are exceedingly interesting. There is a series of letters which passed between him and Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe which in an odd way marks the progress of the intimacy between the two. Sir Walter begins his first letter with " Sir " ; this soon lengthened into " Dear Sir," and then into " My Dear Sir"; another step and it reaches "Dear Sharpe," and the limit of friendly address is attained in " My Dear Charles." Scott's letter to Hood accept- ing the dedication of " Whims and Oddities " is a very kindly one ; but full of a melancholy interest are his letters to the printers, Ballantyne and Constable, in whose commercial ruin he was so heavily involved. Quite a unique value attaches to a bundle of cashed cheques granted by Sir Walter on the bank of Gala- shiels in favour of his servants. A letter by Burns is always of great interest and is highly prized. The one in Mr. Guild's portfolio is accompanied by a poem which has never been published. We are sorry that the subject of the verses forbids their insertion here, as they are very witty. Within the same covers are letters written by Lord Byron, Shelley, Samuel Rogers, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Allan Cunning- ME. GUILD'S LIBRARY. 261 ham, Robert Blair, Sir Alexander Boswell, Joanna Baillie, The Ettrick Shepherd, Rev. John Home (author of "Douglas"), Allan Ramsay, Robert Southey, Thomas Campbell, James Macpherson (of " Ossian " fame), Thomas Moore, James Montgomery, William Wordsworth, Lord Tennyson, Robert Brown- ing, E. L. Landon, Lord Houghton, D. M. Moir ("Delta"), William Morris, Ebenezer Elliot, Sheridan Knowles, Mrs. Grant of Laggan, Robert Gilfillan, W. E. Aytoun, Victor Hugo, Beranger, Eliza Cook, William Thorn (of Inverurie), Sergeant Talfourd, Alaric A. Watts, William Motherwell, Barry Corn- wall, Rev. George Crabbe, and Isa Craig. Among the novelists are Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, Thackeray, W. Harrison Ainsworth, Theo- dore Hook, Thomas Hardy, William Black, Thomas Hughes, Mrs. Gore, John Gait, G. P. R. James, Charles Kingsley, Henry Kingsley, Charles James Lever, Samuel Lover, Charles Reade, Horace Smith, Maria Edgeworth, Alexander Dumas, Jane Porter, Amelia Opie, Mrs. Oliphant, Hon. Mrs. Norton, Henry Mackenzie, Captain Marryat, Lord Lytton, Charlotte M. Yonge, William Beckford ("Vathek"), and Mrs. Henry Wood. The writers on other subjects from whom epistles find a place here are many. Some of the best known are Tom Hood (father and son), Charles Lamb, Harriet Martineau, Mary Russell Mitford, Lady Morgan, Horace Mann, Lord Macaulay, Niebuhr, Macvey Napier, John Wilson Croker, Lord Cockburn, Lord Jeffrey, Charles Darwin, Thomas de Quincey, Hepworih Dixon, Isaac D'Israeli, James Anthony Froude, John Forster, Mary Somerville, Sir William Stirling Maxwell, Sydney Smith, Agues Strickland, St. Beuve, Baron Von Humboldt, John Ruskin, William Roscoe, John Gibson Lockhart, George Henry Lewis, Charles Knight, William Jesse, William Jerdan, William Henry Ireland (Shakespeare forger), 262 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Michael Faraday, Professor Huxley, William Godwin,, Francis Grose, Guizot, James O. Halliwell, J. Payne Collier, Sir Arthur Helps, William and Mary Howit, David Hume, Leigh Hunt, Sir Archibald Alison, Lucy Aikin, Sir John Bo wring, Dr. John Biown, Sir David Brewster, Thomas Carlyle, William Combe, Horace Walpole, Patrick Fraser Tytler, A. F. Tytler, William Cobbett, Sir John Lubbock, Professor Seeley, Henry Rogers, Captain Parry, Alexander Dyce r Thomas Frognall Dibdin, John Pinkerton, John Stuart Mill, Lord Holland, Lord Mahon, J. Herman Merivale, Chateaubriand, and Henry Home, Lord Kames. One of the portfolios contains a packet of very im- portant letters addressed by the beautiful Jane, Duchess of Gordon, to Francis Farquharson of Inve- ray and others in reference to her separation from her husband. Mr. Guild had these letters printed privately in a handsome quarto volume in 1864. Other autographs of interest are those of Sir John Soane, Duncan Forbes, President of the Court of Session ; Anna, Countess of Archibald, ninth Earl of Argyle, who was executed at Edinburgh ; Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire ; Simon, Lord Lovat, exe- cuted in 1746 for complicity in the rebellion ; John Sobieski Stuart, the Countess Guiccioli, Count d'Orsay, John Howard, Harry Erskine, Dr. Jenner, Sir Row- land Hill, Florence Nightingale, Father Mathew, Lord Chancellor Eldon, Miss Berry, and the Baroness Burdett-Coutts. It has given us no uncommon pleasure to visit and write of this magnificent collection of books, or rather collection of collections, tempered even though that pleasure was by the fear of being unable to give such an account of it as its size, wealth, and beauty de- manded at our hands. In appearance it is beautiful ; in literary treasure surpassing rich. MR. HILL'S LIBRARY. 263 CHAPTER XV. LIBRARY OF GEORGE WINGATE HILL, ESQ., CASHIER, UNION BANK OF SCOTLAND ; RESIDENCE, PRINCES TERRACE, DOWANHILL. Character of Mr. Hill's Library Poetry and the Drama Scottish Poetry Scottish Biography, His- tory, and Topography Ruskins Works Other Fine Art Books Fiction Bibliography, dc. THIS is an excellent library, leisurely and judiciously chosen. Mr. Hill has ranged over the whole field of literature, and culled with fine discrimination choice flowers here and there. His marked liking for the domain of the heather and the thistle has not dulled his appreciation of the products of other lands, and his library, while having strongly marked Scottish features, is well-balanced and comprehensive. It is a gathering of friends deliberately chosen, with whom there are none but the happiest associations. The dominant feeling with Mr. Hill being generally, we fancy, not so much to possess a rarity as a desirable book, there are few of extreme rarity to chronicle. In our first class, we will only mention a large paper copy of the " Immaculate " Bible, printed by Sir James Hunter Blair and Coy. ; Dunlop's Confession of Faith, etc. ; and the edition of the Psalms, with music, printed by the heirs of Andro Hart, at Edinburgh, in 1635, commonly known as Knox's Liturgy or Psalter. This was the edition from which the admirable reprint edited by the Rev. Neil Livingstone was taken. The leading editions of the Scottish Psalter are those of 1595, 1615, and 1635. Its first official appearance was 264 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. in 1564, and it was discarded for the present metrical version in 1650. Between these dates about forty editions appeared. David Laing's copy of the 1635 edition sold at 15 15s. Mr. Hill was a subscriber to Mr. J. Payne Collier's edition of Shakespeare with the "purest text and the briefest notes," and among other editions of the great dramatist's works has Pickering's beautiful diamond edition, that edited by Dyce, and that known as the Cambridge Shakespeare. The dates and publishers of the editions of the works of Spenser, Marlowe, Peele, Green, Webster, Beaumont and Fletcher, Ben Jonson, Chaucer, Otway, Middleton, Ford, Shirley, Foote, Butler, Dryden, Chatterton, Cowper, Shelley, Byron, Southey, Wordsworth, and other poets need not be detailed ; sufficient to say that they are all editions of high repute. Ritson's works, Dodsley's Old Plays, the Aldine series of Poets, Child's Ballads, Utterson's Early Popular Poetry, the publications of the Percy Society, with suppressed parts, the Percy Folio MS., Rogers' Poems and Italy (1830-34, beauti- ful copies), and an edition of Goethe's Faust, published at London in 1838, in 2 volumes (50 copies printed, 40 for sale), occupy places in this division, a division characterized by high all-round excellence. We might dismiss the sections containing Scottish poetry in a sentence, by saying that they contain the works of every Scottish poet whose fame has been more than national, and many more of lesser merit ; but such summary procedure would neither be fair to the authors or to Mr. Hill, nor respectful treatment of that failing for verse-making which moved some one to say that if a gun were fired at random in any of our streets it would be sure to bring down a poet. Of Burns, Mr. Hill has the second and third editions issued in Edinburgh and London respectively in 1787, an uncut copy of that published at Edinburgh in 1811, 2 volumes ; Hogg and Motherwell's edition, 5 volumes. MR HILL'S LIBRARY. 265 i Macpherson's edition of Wyntoun's Chronicle of Scot- land is bound in pigskin, a material not susceptible of a very fine polish. Mr. Hill's copy of Leyden's edition of the Complaynt of Scotland is a large paper one, and he has a large as well as a small paper copy of Ancient Scottish Poems from the MS. of George Bannatyne. The Tea-Table Miscellany, 3 volumes, 12mo, 1733, is worthy of notice as an edition not men- tioned by Lowndes, and one rarely seen for sale. Mr. Hill has the original edition of Herd's Ancient Scottish Ballads, Ramsay's Evergreen, Chambers's Songs of Scotland, Cunningham's Songs of Scotland, Peter Buchan's Ballads, Jamieson's Scottish Songs (with a portion of the manuscript), Kinloch's Scottish Ballads, Scotish Poems of the Sixteenth Century, Sib- bald's Chronicle of Ancient Scottish Poetry, Mother- well's Minstrelsy, Gilchrist's Scottish Ballads, the col- lection of songs and ballads edited by John Pinkerton, Finlay's Ballads, Johnson's Scots Musical Museum. He has also Chalmers's fine edition of Sir David Lynd- say's works, 3 volumes, 1806 ; Laing's Select Remains of Ancient Popular Poetry, uncut, 1822 ; his Fugitive Poetry, 2 volumes, uncut, first and second series, 1825- 1853 ; and Early Metrical Tales, 1826 ; his editions of Dunbar, Henryson, and Lyndsay, and many other of his publications, and likewise those of James Maid- ment; the well-known but scarce biographies of the families of Douglas and Angus, the Bruces and Comyns, the Somervilles, and other prominent houses are pre- sent, supplementing a capital array of the best and most authoritative works on the general history and topo- graphy of Scotland. Of these we need only single out for separate mention a beautiful large paper copy of Billings' Baronial Antiquities, a copy of similar ampli- tude of margin of Sir Walter Scott's Border Antiquities, .and fine copies of Innes's Critical Essay upon the In- habitants of Scotland, White's Kintyre, Bellenden's translation of Boece's Chronicle, Pennant's Tour in 266 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Scotland and Wales, and lire's History of Rutherglen and East Kilbride, with the life of Ure by Gray bound up with it. Mr. Hill is a member of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and possesses the Transactions of that body from the year 1851. He has many of the books on Glasgow which every Glasgow collector feels anxious to obtain, and has subscribed for the best of the many works brought out on the city within the last thirty years or so. He has Adam Sim's (Coulter) copy of the Memorabilia of Glasgow, 1835, the same gentle- man's copy of the Chronicle of the Isles, Glasgow, 1826, a very curious work, much of which was written by Gabriel Neil, the biographer and editor of Zachary Boyd ; a large paper copy of the reprint of M' lire's View of Glasgow, and very fine copies of Stuart's, Swan's, and other volumes of Glasgow views. Mr. Hill's copy of Henderson's Scottish Proverbs belonged to William Motherwell, the poet. It is in large paper, and uncut. The Paisley Magazine is of course present. Kay's Edinburgh Portraits, first edition, in spotless purity, is here ; Crombie's Modern Athenians, Burton's Scot Abroad, and St. John's Sport in Moray. Buckle the historian's copy of the first edition of Jamieson's Scottish Dictionary has found a present resting-place in Mr. Hill's library. The col- lection contains a complete set of the Oxford classics, and a series of general histories arid biographies so comprehensive as to leave out no great name or country. Few collectors will have more of Ruskin's works than Mr. Hill, and none, finer copies. The most valuable work, from a pecuniary point of view, after some of Ruskin's, among the fine-art books is probably Walpole's Anecdotes of Painting, large paper. A copy appeared not long ago in a bookseller's cata- logue at 23 10s. It is a handsome book. Of Hamer- ton's Etching and Etchers the three editions are here, MR. HILL'S LIBRARY. 267 and the other works of a kindred nature are Kirk- patrick Sharpe's Etchings, Dibdin's Typographical Antiquities, Shaw's Dresses and Decorations, large paper ; the same writer's Illuminated Ornaments, large paper; Strutt's Habits, Humphrey's Printing, La- croix's works on Mediaeval France, some of Bewick's illustrated volumes, Cruikshank's Comic Almanac, and many illustrated editions of Walton and Cotton's Angler. Science is better represented than in many larger libraries. The works are all modern, and not confined to any one department of scientific labour. So excellently-selected a library necessarily contains a well-filled press of fiction. Scott's novels are in 48 volumes, those of Fielding and Thackeray are editions de luxe, while Dickens, Lytton, Disraeli, Smollett, Defoe, and other writers are also in handsome form. Of Don Quixote and Robinson Crusoe there are several separate editions of high value on account of their illustrations. Of the Arabian Nights' Entertain- ments there are the first edition of Lane's version, and the luxurious and free translation issued by the Villon Society. Bibliography has due recognition. Besides the ordinary books of reference, there is a fine uncut copy of the Bibliotheca Anglo Poetica, Nicholl's Anecdotes Illustrative of the Eighteenth Century, Sir Egerton Brydges' Restituta and Censura Literaria, Dibdin's Decameron, Tour in France and Germany, uncut, Tour in England and Scotland, uncut, The Bibliomania, Burton's Bookhunter, and Collier's Decameron. Although good bindings do not always denote good books, good books should always be in good bindings. Given a book excellent in subject and treatment, well- printed on good paper, a beautiful coat is a natural complement. It is but a due recognition of the author, and skill and taste of the printer. Mr. Hill is not wanting in a proper appreciation of either. His 268 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. books are handsomely and appropriately bound. The seductive influence of charming books in equally charm- ing garb is powerful, and tempts one to linger over them, even after one has ceased to have anything to say, and the patience of the reader is exhausted. Few libraries contain so many works which no gentle- man's library should be without, and few so small a number of books the possession of which does not add to, nor their absence mar the importance of, a library as the collection of which we now take leave. CHAPTER XVI. LIBRARY OF ALEXANDER MACDONALD, ESQ., LYNEDOCH STREET. General Remarks Psalters and Bibles Witchcraft, Case of Christian Shaw Poetry Scottish Poetry, Forbes's Cantus, Watson's Scots Poems Illiterate Glasgow Printer Chap-books Symsons Elegies Jean Adam, Authoress of " There's Nae Luck About the House " David Laings Copy of his Edition of Dunbar's Poems First Book Printed in Stirling Robert Lekprevick, the Printer Gowrie Conspiracy Scottish Topography Graham, of Killern and Rob Hoy Scottish Biography Glasgow Books Boyd's " Last Battell of the Soule"The First Book Printed in Glasgow First Glasgow Directory, 1783 Maps of Glasgow Glasgow Periodicals Children's Books One Hundred Years Ago King James's " Counter- blaste to Tobacco " Broadsides and Proclamations Conclusion. THIS is a library of which very little has hitherto been known. With characteristic modesty, the owner per- MR. MACDONALUS LIBRARY. 269 sistently spoke of his collection in a depreciatory tone, and so far succeeded as to have got into the mysterious list who, for all the world knows, may have a fine collection or nothing at all. It is a common experience that much may be said on a matter about which little or nothing is known. And few things lend themselves to this kind of treatment so readily as collections, whether they be of books or pictures. It is so easy to shrug the shoulders and knowingly express the opinion that the collection contains some choice things, or to say that it is much overrated, and if everything was known, etc. Well, it is our pleasant lot to give some account of a library little known, and which contains some very curious, rare, and interesting things indeed. It is almost exclusively a Scottish library, and in this respect has much in common with the libraries of Messrs. Gray and Shields. It contains amongst other works a large number of rare first editions of Scottish poets (including some scarce editions of the works of Burns), a considerable collection of editions of Blind Harry's " Wallace " and Barbour's " Bruce," some rare books on witchcraft, a number of books bearing the authors' autographs, and a splendid collection of books, maps, periodicals, and pictures relating to Glasgow. Many of the books are well bound, and some hand- somely so. With these prefatory remarks, we may enter on a consideration of the library in detail. In Theology, the earliest work is John Knox's " Answer to a Great Nomber of Blasphemous Cauila- tions written by an Anabaptist " (printed at Geneva by John Crespin, in 1560, and noticed fully in the descrip- tion of Mr. Young's library). The next is entitled " An Harmony of the Confessions of the Faith of the Christian and Reform ed Churches, with verie short notes, translated out of Latin into English"; "The Con- fession of the Church of Scotland," Cambridge, 1586. A curious and erudite work is John Napier of Merchis- 270 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. ton's " Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St. John," Waldegrave, Edinburgh, 1593. It was the occasion of much discussion at the time of its publica- tion, and was translated into several Continental languages. The present is a good copy. A scarce and interesting book is Alex. Burnet the Archbishop of Glasgow's sermon on the death of the Marquis of Montrose, entitled " The Blessedness of the Dead," printed at Glasgow by Sanders, 1673. It has the City arms on the back of the title-page. The earliest of Mr. Macdonald's copies of the Shorter Catechism is one published at London in 1656. He has one of the three important editions of the Scottish Psalter, that printed by Andro Hart, Edin- burgh, 1615. Rev. Neil Livingstone, the editor of the reprint of the Scottish Psalter, speaks of it as a "handsome and well- printed edition," and again as " in the musical department one of the most correctly printed editions." The other two editions which with this one stand out as important were those of L595 and 1635. Of Bibles, Mr. Macdonald has the first edition of the authorized version in Scotland, Edinburgh, printed by the printers to the King's Most Excellent Majestic, 1633. It is very rare, and the value of this copy is enhanced by its having the Apocrypha many copies want it. Bound up with it are the Psalms (Cam- bridge, 1628), a concordance, and some religious tractates. It is in fine condition. Mr. Macdonald has also the first Gaelic version of the Bible, London, 1690; Kirk's Gaelic Psalms, 1684; the first Gaelic Confession of Faith, Edinburgh, 1725; and the first edition authorized by the Church of Scotland of the Paraphrases, Edinburgh, 1781. Cloud of Witnesses, 1720. This is the second edition; no copy could be found when the work was reprinted some years ago under the editorship of the Rev. J. H. Thomson. MR. MACDONALUS LIBRARY. 271 A very rare book on Witchcraft is the first edition of Richard Baxter's " Certainty of the World of Spirits," London, 1691. Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, in the " Introduction to Law's Memorials," terms it scarce. His own copy was imperfect. Other rare and curious books on the same subject are : " Memorable Providences relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions ; A Faithful Account of Many Wonderful and Surprising Things that have Befallen Several Bewitched and Possessed Persons in New England. Written by Cotton Mather, Minister of the Gospel ; printed at Boston, in New England, and re-printed in Edinburgh by the Heirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson, printer to His Most Excellent Majesty. Anno Dom., 1697;" Gayle's "Select Cases of Con- science, touching Witches and Witchcraft," London, 1646; a Collection of Modern Relations of Matters of Fact concerning Witches and Witchcraft, by Sir Mat- thew Hale, London, 1693;" "A Relation of the Diabolical Practices of above Twenty Wizards and Witches of the Sheriffdom of Renfrew, in Scotland/' London, 1697. This is extremely scarce, probably only a few copies being now extant. " Sadducisinus Debellatus, or a true Relation of Sorceries and Witch- crafts exercised by the Devil and his instruments on Mrs. Christian Shaw," London, 1698 ; another edition, Paisley, 1775. Christian Shaw was, at the time of the supposed bewitchings, a girl of eleven years of age. Her father, John Shaw, was laird of Bargarran, a small estate in the parish of Erskine, in Renfrewshire. "The child having informed her mother of a petty theft committed by a servant, the woman broke out upon her with frightful violence, wishing her soul might be harld [dragged] through hell, and thrice imprecating the curse of God upon her " (" Chambers's Domestic Annals," v. 3, p. 168). Eight days after- wards little Christian began to take violent fits, during which she screamed for help. She continued to take 272 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. these fits, to wrestle as if with an unseen enemy, and to vomit forth hair, straw, wool, cinders, hay, and feathers for months. She was taken to a Glasgow doctor, who succeeded in restoring her to health for a period of sixteen days, and would have completely cured her but for the "hairs, hay, straw, and other things wholly contrary to human nature." She de- nounced the servant as the cause of her trouble, and subsequently increased the number of her tormentors to six. An inquiry was held into the case by order of the Privy Council, and in the midst of it Christian resumed her usual health, and never was afflicted again in a like manner. The accused persons were tried at Paisley, the Lord Advocate, Sir James Stuart, prose- cuting, and were found guilty. On 10th June, 1697, five of them were hung, and afterwards burned on the gallow green of Paisley. Christian Shaw married the minister of Kilmaurs about 1718, and her husband dying, she returned in 1725 to Bargarran. To her belongs the credit of introducing the manufacture of thread into her native district, where it has since developed to so great dimensions. An extraordinary story of an evil spirit and its de- structive doings is that related by Rev. Alexander Telfair, minister of the parish of Rerrick, in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright. Stones were thrown into the house of Andrew Mackie, a mason, the inmates were dragged up and down the house by the clothes, and the house was set on fire. When any person was hit by a stone a voice was heard saying, " Take that till you get more ! " and another was sure to come immediately. The volume in which these surprising events are related is entitled, " A True Relation of an Apparition, Expressions and Actings of a Spirit which Infested the House of Andrew Mackie, in the Parish of Rerrick, in Scotland, 1695, by Alexander Telfair," Edinburgh, 1696. Another story of barbarous and inhuman treatment of reputed witches is told in a MR. MAGDONALUS LIBRARY. 273 small and scarce volume called "A True and Full Re- lation of the Witches at Pittenweem," Edinburgh, 1704. Of Mr. Macdonald's general poetry we will name but a few works. They are, " Seven Sobs of a Sorrowfull Soule for Sinne," by William Hunnis, London, 1597. This is the second edition ; the first was issued in 1585 both are very rare. " Byron's Hours of Idleness," Newark, 1807. This is a fine copy of the rare first edition. The very severe notice which it received in the " Edinburgh Review " roused Lord Byron to the production of the bitter satire, " English Bards and Scotch Reviewers," of which Mr. Macdonald has also the first edition. "The Chris- tian Year," by Keble, 2 volumes, Oxford, 1827 this is the rare first edition, a facsimile of which was issued some years ago. " Wordsworth's Poetical Works," 8 volumes, 1843-51, bears the autograph of the poet an autograph seldom seen written at the request of Charles Boner on his visit at Rydal Mount, 1st Febru- ary, 1845 ; it has also Boner's name on the last volume. Bailey's "Festus," first edition, 1839; later editions were altered. On the fly-leaf are eight lines from the poem over the fine signature of Bailey. Mr. Macdonald has also a copy of " Hazlitt's English Poets," with the signature and annotations of Alaric A. Watts, the accomplished editor of the " Literary Souvenir." In the domain of Scottish poetry, as might be expected, Mr. Macdonald is strong. We may begin with a beautiful copy of John Forbes's " Cantus, Songs, and Fancies, set to Music to Three, Four, or Five Parts, both haft for Voices and Viols, with a brief Introduction to Music/' by T. D.[avidson], Aberdeen, 1682. It is the third edition. Of the first edition, Aberdeen, 1662, the copy which belonged to George Chalmers was supposed to be the only one in existence. It is said to contain the original of the air of " God Save the Queen." 18 274 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. An extremely rare book, and, in the present case, having highly interesting associations of ownership, is " Watson's Collection of Scots Poems." This copy belonged to Bishop Percy, editor of the " Reliques of Ancient English Poetry/' and has the following note in his handwriting on the fly-leaf of one of the volumes: "It should seem that this publication is very scarce and rare, as Ritson, in his ' Scotish Songs,' 2 vols., London, 1794, 12mo, appears never to have seen or heard of it when he was raking into all the old collections of this sort, and making inquiries every- where on this subject. Had he seen the third part he might have given Montrose's song, p. 107, correctly, and others of this hero's, which are omitted by him entirely." It was issued in three parts in 1706, 1709, and 1711. The number of copies issued of the first part was very small. A second edition of it only was published in 1713, with some slight alterations, and sets are often made up with this second edition of the first part in place of the edition of 1706. The three parts were intended for binding in one volume, and it is usual to do so, but Mr, Macdonald has bound the four volumes (the first, second, and third parts, and the second edition of the first part) separately in a uniform and elegant style. It may be mentioned that, besides the note quoted above, the volumes bear many other emendations by their celebrated former possessor. The work was reprinted in Glasgow in 1869. The interest of the " Jacobite's Curse " is more acci- dental than intrinsic. It was printed by Hugh Brown, Glasgow, 1714, who spelled his Christian name thus Huhg, and subscribed himself " printer to the Univer- sity." The printing of the book is in keeping with the illiterateness of the imprint. Dr. Robert Chambers in a note on this volume says, " How highly it speaks for the literary status of the western university in 1714, that Huhg Brown was its printer." Dr. Chambers MR MACDONALD'S LIBRARY. 275 should have stated that the Senatus of the University repudiated Huhg Brown's claim to be their printer. (See appendix to M'Ure's " History of Glasgow," second edition, 1830.) Of Allan Ramsay's Poems, Mr. Macdonald has, amongst several other editions, that issued by Thomas Kuddiman, 2 volumes, Edinburgh, 1721-8, having both portraits, and bearing the autograph of Alexander Duncan, of Lundie, ancestor of the Earl of Camper- down. He has also the handsomely printed and illustrated edition of the " Gentle Shepherd," issued by the famous Glasgow printers, Foulis. The most popular books among the people of Scot- land during the three centuries succeeding the intro- duction of printing were undoubtedly (excluding the Bible and some other religious works) Barbour's "Bruce" and Blind Harry's "Wallace." Almost every Scottish poet, and notably Burns, speaks of them with affection as among the earliest books they read. The influence they exercised may be plainly traced in the writings of our national bard, and in those of other less gifted but as patriotic countrymen. The rugged narrative of the valiant deeds of the national heroes ministered to that spirit of almost aggressive independ- ence characteristic of the untravelled and untutored Scot, and especially to the hatred of England, which it has taken many generations of peaceful union and intercourse to subdue. No other books were more read, and consequently it is extremely difficult to get clean and perfect copies. Mr. Macdonald has a con- siderable number in fine condition. The " Tripatriarchichon, or the Lives of the Patri- archs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," in verse, Edinburgh, 1705 this is a volume by Andrew S} r mson, author of a " Large Description of Galloway." The present copy is from the library of the late David Laing. Bound up with it are the very rare elegies by the same writer respecting which Lord Dundrennan in his notice intro- 276 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. du>ctory to Symson's Galloway says, " Symson was also the author of several elegies. The editor is not aware of the precise period at which they were printed. They are of considerable rarity, and he has only seen one copy, which was most politely communicated to him by Sir Walter Scott. It is bound up with the ' Tripatri- archichon,' but has no title-page and bears no date." A rare volume, around the authoress of which con- siderable interest has gathered, is among Mr. Mac- donald's possessions. It is entitled " Miscellany Poems, by Mrs. Jane Adam, in Cartsdyke." It is a 12mo, published in Glasgow in 1734. To her is ascribed, and justly we think, the authorship of the fine ballad, " There's nae Luck about the House." The Rev. John Sim, finding a manuscript copy of the ballad amongst the papers of William Julius Mickle, the translator of the " Lusiad " of Camoens, when he was at work on a new edition of Mickle's works, eagerly seized it and incorporated it in his book. This as- sumption of authorship was disputed by Cromek in his " Select Scottish Poems," and a warm controversy ensued. Alexander Rodger, a Greenock gentleman, wrote a very conclusive vindication of Jean Adam's claim, which was published in Greenock in 1866. Her little book was issued by subscription, and not the least interesting thing about it is the list of subscribers' names. After supplying the 123 persons who had sub- scribed, Miss Adam shipped off a considerable number of copies to Boston, in America, for which she never received payment. It is sad to relate that she died friendless in the Town's Hospital at Glasgow, and was buried at its expense. The following works are now rare : Court of Session Garland, 1839, with supplementary tractates; Select Remains of the Ancient Popular Poetry of Scotland, edited by David Laing, Edinburgh, 1822 108 copies printed ; two new editions were published recently. Various Pieces of Fugitive Scottish Poetry, princi- MR. MACDONALD'S LIBRARY. 277 pally of the seventeenth century, Edinburgh, 1823-5 72 copies printed ; a second collection was issued in 1853, of which 70 copies were issued. The first con- tained 42 pieces, and the second 48 pieces. Mr. Mac- donald has both. Brash and Reid's Original Poetry this is a collection of separate pieces issued in penny numbers and collected into 4 volumes. A complete collection like the present is not easily formed. Of the works of Robert Burns Mr. Macdonald has a number of editions, some of them uncommon. He has the first edition of the " Letters to Clarinda," Glasgow, 1802 (suppressed), and the " Address to the Deil," with answer by Lauderdale, 1795. He has also the works of the contemporaries of Burns Janet Little, John Lapraik, David Sillar, etc., all of which have risen in value by reason of their connection with the poet. Mr. Macdonald's other poetical possessions include first editions of the following works : Poems of Michael Bruce (Edinburgh, 1770, 250 copies printed), Poems of Robert Ferguson (Edinburgh, 1773), Poems of Alexander Wilson (Paisley, 1790), Campbell's Pleasures of Hope (Edinburgh, 1799), the same writer's Pilgrims of Glencoe (London, 1842), a presen- tation copy to the Misses Gray, Glasgow, " from their affectionate cousin, the author," Hogg's Scottish Pas- toral (Edinburgh, 1801), the first printed of the productions of the Shepherd, his Mountain Bard (a presentation copy), Graharne's Sabbath (Edinburgh, 1804), Tannahill's Soldier's Return (Paisley, 1807), the earliest of Tannahill's works, his poems (1817, with autograph letter to his friend James Barr " Blythe Jamie Barr frae Kilbarchan's toun " dated Paisley, 1807), Tennant's Anster Fair (Edinburgh, 1812), Hugh Miller's Poems, by a Journeyman Mason (Inverness, 1827), Pollok's Course of Time (2 vols., Edinburgh, 1827), Robert Nicol's Poems and Lyrics (published at Edinburgh in 1835, but printed at the " Advertiser " Office, Dundee, a very rare volume), also 278 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. copies of the following works bearing autographs, having notes, or some other special feature investing them with an interest distinct from other copies of the same works : Dunbar's Poems (edited by David Laing, 2 volumes, Edinburgh, 1834). This is the editor's copy, and contains many notes and alterations in his hand- writing. It has also the supplement and the cancelled leaves referred to in the preface to the book. Cunning- ham's Songs of Scotland, 4 volumes, 1825. Inserted is Cunningham's poem, " The Thistle grew aboon the Rose " in his own handwriting, and above his signature. Peter Buchan's Gleanings of Scarce Ballads, Peter- head, 1825. This is William Motherwell's copy, and bears many notes by him. Mr. Macdonald has also Motherwell's copy of Scott's Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. He would be a bold man or a heretical one who would steal a book with so terribly significant a warning " William Motherwell says this^book is his Who shall gainsay him ? He that dares do it May the meikle deil flay him." A manuscript volume of some interest contains the letters of Captain Charles Gray, R.M., who published a volume of poetry entitled " Lays and Lyrics,'* etc. , the first edition of which appeared at Malta in 1836. It subsequently went through several editions. Another interesting manuscript volume contains unpublished songs by Wm. Glen, author of " A Wee Bird cam' to oor Ha' Door." The volume was written when Glen was residing in Aberfoyle. Not content with having the first book printed in Glasgow, Mr. Macdonald has also the first printed in Stirling. It is George Buchanan's "Admonition Direct to the Trew Lordis, Maintenaris of Justice and Obedience to the Kingis Grace," printed by Robert Lekprevick, King's printer, who also printed in Edinburgh and Saint Andrews. An account of Lekprevick, with a bibliographical list MR. MACDON AID'S LIBRARY. 279 of the productions of his press, was contributed to the " Stirling Observer " (April and May, 1881), by Mr. A. C. M'Intyre, and reprinted in pamphlet form. As only thirty copies of this interesting tractate were issued, it would be a service to bibliographers to re-issue it in a larger form and greater number of copies. A very rare black-letter volume is the Gowrie Con- spiracy, printed in London by Valentine Simmes, 1600. It is the earliest account of the plot. The attempt took place at St. Johnstoun on the 5th of August, 1600, and the account, it will be observed, was issued in the same year, and is further said to be the king's own narrative. The first edition, as we have said, is very rare, and so is the second edition, issued by the same printer in 1603, but not in black letter. The work was reprinted in the Harleian Miscellany. Of Topographical (Scottish) works, Mr. Macdonald has the very scarce first edition of Martin's St. Kilda, London, 1698 ; the equally scarce description of the same island by Buchan, first edition, Edinburgh, 1741; Dean Monro's Description of the Western Islands, first edition, Edinburgh, 1774; and some hundreds of county, town, and village histories. In this department of literature Mr. Macdonald is probably the only for- midable rival to Mr. Gray. It would be well if all rivalries were as friendly. In describing Mr. Gray's library we gave a list of places represented in his topo- graphical collection and we need not repeat the list. Enough to say that Mr. Macdonald has a very fine and extensive collection. The following books are all worthy of mention : Up and Down in the Lennox, by Peter Dun. This appeared in the "Stirling Observer" during 1879, 1880, and 1881, and has been nicely mounted into a quarto volume and a title page printed for it. Mr. Dun was station-master for some years at Port of Menteith, and published a volume entitled a Summer at the Lake of Menteith. History of the Family of Buchanan, by 280 THE. LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Buchanan of Auchmar, Glasgow, 1 723. This is the first edition of a work frequently reprinted. The present copy formerly belonged to John Graham of Killern, factor to the Duke of Montrose, who was captured by that bold marauder Rob Boy while collecting rents at Chapel- Aroch, near Gartmore. Rob Roy made him pen a letter to the Duke, demanding that his Grace should cancel any debt owing by Macgregor to him, and compensate Macgregor for the destruction of his house. After detaining his prisoner for about a week Rob Roy carried him to Kirkintilloch and set him at liberty. Graham's name appears in the list of subscribers, which list, by the way, was omitted in all subsequent editions, and the volume bears his book-plate. Mr. Macdonald has also a large-paper copy of the reprint published at Glasgow in 1820. It belonged to John Buchanan, the " J. B." of Glasgow Past and Present, and an accom- plished archaeologist, and has many notes in his hand- writing. A volume of very great value is the first edition of The Facsimile of an Ancient Heraldic Manuscript, emblazoned by Sir David Lyndsay, Lyon King of Arms, 1542. It was printed in 1822 in an edition of 100 copies, and was reprinted some years ago. Gordon's Family of Gordon, two volumes, 1726-7, a rare and valuable work. Memorie of the Somervilles a fine copy of this work. On the title- page, in Robert Southey's neat handwriting, is inscribed, " From Lord Somerville to Robert Southey." The two following works, edited by Charles Kirk- patrick Sharpe, are highly curious fifty copies were printed of each A Pairt of the Life of Lady Margaret Cunninghame, daughter of the Earl of Glencairn, Edinburgh, 1826. This is the editor's copy, and has his autograph and notes. Memorial of the Conversion of Jane Livingstone, Lady Warristoun, with an account of her Carriage at her Execution, July, 1600, Edin- burgh, 1827 ; a presentation copy to William Motherwell. Mr. Macdonald's copy of Sir Archibald Edmond- MR MACDONALD'S LIBRARY. 281 stone's Genealogical Account of the Family of Edmond- stone of Duntreath formerly belonged to Mark Napier, author of Montrose and the Covenanters ; his copy of the first edition of Hugh Miller's Old Red Sandstone was presented by the author to Robert Chambers, as was also his copy of the Footprints of the Creator. It is worth noting that the latter book was considered a reply to the Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation of which Robert Chambers was then the reputed and now the acknowledged author. Accompanying the volume is a long letter to Chambers from Miller. Mr. Macdonald has also Miller's Letters on the Herring Fishing in the Moray Frith, Inverness, 1829, being the reprint in book form of his first contribution to the " Inverness Courier." While speaking of presentation books we may note a copy of Chambers's Minor Antiquities of Edinburgh, presented by the author to Miss Agnes Strickland, a copy of the Auchinleck Tracts, presented by Sir Alex- ander Boswell to Dr. Jamieson, author of the Dictionary of the Scottish Language, and a copy of Dr. Living- stone's Missionary Travels, bearing his autograph, pre- sented to Captain Beecher, R.N. Books bearing the autographs of Charles Dickens, William Tennant, author of Anster Fair, Sir J. Y. Simpson, Dr. Thomas Chalmers, John Foster, and other less celebrated persons are also in the library. The Life and Adventures of the Black Dwarf, Edinburgh, 1820, is notable as one of the early pro- ductions of William Chambers ; it was both written and printed by him in his shop in Leith Walk. An- other early Chambers volume, but written by Robert, is Notices of the Most Remarkable Fires in Edinburgh, 1385 to 1824, Edinburgh, 1824. Mr. Macdonald has also sets more or less nearing completeness of the works of the brothers Chambers, Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, J. G. Dalyell, James Maidment, Sir Alexander Boswell, and Professor Cosmo Innes. 282 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Coining to the literature of Glasgow we find a very complete collection. From the press of Robert Sanders, the younger, there are nearly thirty rare and curious chap-books, some in black-letter, printed between 1696 and 1717, and bound in two volumes. These present us with the earliest form of the chap-book. The very temporary purpose which chap literature was intended to serve, the miserable paper on which they were invariably printed, and the entire absence of any desire to preserve them on the part of the class who purchased them, have all contributed to make these curious, ill- written, but highly interesting booklets very difficult to procure. Their preservation has been left very much to private effort. Mr. Macdonald's collection of chaps is very extensive. Of M'Ure's View of Glasgow, 1736, Mr. Macdonald has a complete and good copy. He has also a volume of tracts from M'Ure's library, with the inscription, " This booke belongs to John M'Ure, clerk to the Register of Seasins at Glasgow, 24 Aprile, 1713." The list of contents is written out in M'Ure's own hand. Amongst other interesting things this volume contains the first book-sale catalogue known to have been issued in Glasgow. It has been reprinted by the Archaeo- logical Society of Glasgow. A most remarkable trio of volumes bear the title of " Memorabilia chiefly relating to Glasgow and the Clyde, with manuscript notes by Peter Mackenzie of the "Reformers' Gazette," and John Buchanan LL.D., banker, Glasgow. They contain all sorts of newspaper and other cuttings, dealing with subjects connected with the city. To describe their contents is beyond us in the space to which we are necessarily limited. After looking through them the thought suggests itself that it would be much easier to enume- rate what is not in them than what is. Another remarkable volume in Mr. Macdonald's library is a very thick folio into which are mounted about 500 MR. MACDON 'AID'S LIBRARY. 283 broadsides. They are on all subjects royal proclama- tions, executions, last dying speeches, etc. and relate principally to Glasgow. Our attention was called to one entitled "Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland," signed " By order of the Com- mittee of Organization for forming a Provisional Government," and dated "Glasgow, 1st April, 1820." This copy was posted on the gate of the engineering works of Messrs. Claud Gird wood & Co., Commercial Road, Hutchesontown, late on Saturday night, and was taken down by Mr. Girdwood on Monday morning ; it was preserved in his family for half a century and then presented to Mr. Macdonald. Of exceptional value is Mr. Macdonald's copy of the first edition of Zachary Boyd's " Last Battell of the Soule in Death." It contains the Latin dedication to King Charles, which, from the following note which appeared in Messrs. Ellis & White's catalogue relating to David Laing's copy, would appear to be almost unique : " It is well known to collectors that old Scottish books are more difficult than any other to find in faultless condition ; and among old Scottish books there are perhaps few rarer in fine condition than this curious work by Zachary Boyd. The present is pro- bably the finest copy known, being six inches in height (with many rough leaves, and for the most part clean). . . . The possessor may congratulate himself on having the finest copy in existence. The Latin Dedi- cation to King Charles, of which only one copy exists, is inserted in facsimile at the end of the second volume." As Mr. Macdonald's is not the copy referred to in the above note, there are, therefore, two copies of the dedication in existence. The gem of the collection, how- ever, is a copy of the same Zachary Boyd's " Cleare Forme of Catechising before the giving of the Sacra- ment of the Lord's Supper." To this are subjoined two compends of the "Catechisme fit for Little Children, by M. Zacharie Boyd, preacher of God's Word, at 284 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Glasgow" printed by George Anderson, Glasgow, 1639. It is the first book printed in Glasgow (the first production of the Glasgow press was a pamphlet of eight leaves, see page 146) and no other copy is known. Gabriel Neil, the faithful biographer of Boyd, had never seen a copy, and it is probable had never heard of the work, unless the following entry in his list of Boyd's printed works be meant for it : " A small Catechism on the Principles of Religion, 18mo." It is a 12mo volume of 120 pages, and is dedicated " To the Most Religious and Noble Ladie the Countesse of Argyle, etc." In the course of the dedication, Boyd takes occasion to refer to her ladyship's husband, " the Noble and Potent Earle whose vertues have most Oriently shined in our Generall Assembly, which his Lordship did much honour with his presence, and help with his counsell." The compends are inscribed to the daughter of the " Noble and Potent Earle," Lady D. Anne Campbell, " of tender yeeres." The earl whose " vertues Oriently shined" was Archibald, eighth Earl, afterwards created first Marquis of Argyle, who was executed in 1661. The book is quite perfect, and undoubtedly unique. Mr. Macdonald is the pos- sessor of one of the three copies extant of the first Glasgow Directory. It was published by John Tait, stationer, in 1783. The title reads, "John Tait's Directory for the City of Glasgow, Villages of Ander- ston, Calton, and Gorbals ; also for the towns of Paisley, Greenock, Port-Glasgow, and Kilmarnock, from the 15th May, 1783, to the 15th May, 1784. Glasgow : Printed for John Tait, stationer, the pub- lisher, 1783." The Kilmarnock list arrived too late for insertion. The volume was reprinted in 1871, when it was stated that only one copy of the original was known to exist. It was in the library of the late Adam Sim of Cultermains, and was reproduced by permission of Mr. Sim's executors. The third copy was in the library of the late John Buchanan, MR. MACDONALD'S LIBRARY. 285 who, when the reprint was issued, wrote an interest- ing letter to the newspapers giving an account of the early Glasgow directories, and refuting the statement that Mr. Sim's copy was the only one in existence. Before Tait's Directory was reprinted, two other claimants to the honour of issuing the first Glasgow Directory made their appearance. First, Jones' Directory for 1789, which gave place to the same publisher's Directory for 1787, which in its turn was vanquished by the one we have been describing. In connection with this, we may mention Mr. Macdonald's valuable series of maps and plans of the city. They begin with Barry's plan of Glasgow, which appeared in Gibson's History of the City, 1777 ; the next is M 'Arthur's (1779) map a larger-sized one appeared the year previous; next follows Lumsden's map (1784), a very rare map ; then follows Richardson's map of Glas- gow and seven miles round (1795). This map is extremely interesting, because it gives the names of the proprietors of estates round Glasgow. The other maps are, that which appeared in the first edition of Denholm's History, 1797 ; that in Chapman's Picture of Glasgow, 1806 ; that in M'Feat's Guide to Glasgow, 1821; that in Wade's History, 1822; Dr. Cleland's Map of the Ten Parishes of Glasgow, 1822 ; Smith's Map of the City, 1828 ; and many more of later date. Views in Glasgow and Neighbourhood, lithographed by David Allan, with letterpress by J. M. Leighton, 1835 : Fairbairn's Relics of Ancient Architecture in Glasgow ; Nichol's (of Montrose) Views in Glasgow ; and other illustrated works on Glasgow are in the library. A rare little volume is that entitled "Glasgow Homer, yclept Blind Alick," Glasgow, 1830, with characteristic portrait of Alick, staff in hand and violin under his arm. Only 24 copies were printed. Another curiosity is the " Warning of the Eternal Spirit to the City of Glasgow," 1711. 286 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. An interesting Glasgow pamphlet is "A Sermon Preached at the Opening of the Synod of Glasgow and Air, at Glasgow, 9th October, 1792, by William Dunn, A.M., Minister of Kirkintilloch . Glasgow : Printed for and sold by Brash & Reid, 1792." The author in an advertisement says : " It is now offered to the public and dedicated to the friends of the Constitution in Church and State and of the people, that such as have thought proper to approve of it may be more satisfied that their approbation was not alto- gether misapplied ; and those of different principles may be convinced that their censures were not well founded." The publication and dedication of the sermon led to the author being tried and sentenced to imprisonment in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh for three months. Mr. Dunn was a good and worthy man, much be- loved in his parish, and his memory has scarcely yet died out. His requiem was sung by a local poet, Wm. Muir of Campsie, whose poems were published in Glas- gow in 1818, and are of much merit and little known. A volume of considerable local interest is the first Police Act for Glasgow, 1800 In this copy the names of the first Commissioners are written in, and a map is inserted showing the division of the city into wards. Mr. Macdonald has the numerous works of Dr. James Cleland on Glasgow, and also the spirited con- futations of Mrs. Agnes Baird. These latter, of which Mr. Macdonald has a complete set, are extremely scarce. Mr. Macdonald has devoted some attention to the collection of Glasgow periodicals. The following is a list of those in his possession dating before 1854 : 1750-1 Gillies' Exhortations to 1795? Poetry, Original and Se- the Inhabitants of the South lect. 4 vols. (circa 1795, Parish of Glasgow. 2 vols. Brash & Reid). 1770-2,3 The Glasgow Magazine, 1795 The Culler. one number issued in 1770 ; 1800 ? The Polyhymnia continued in 1772 as the (circa 1800). Glasgow Universal Mag- 1804 The Theatrical Register, azine, 1772-3. 2 vols. 1783 Glasgow Magazine. 1805 The Selector. 4 vols. MR. MACDONALD'S LIBRARY. 287 1806 The Gleaner. 181 1-2 The Glasgow Magazine. 3 vols. 1812? The Druid. 1813 The Monthly Eepository . The Student. The Wanderer. Attic Stories. The British Magazine. The Spirit of the Union. The Enquirer. Glasgow New Miscellany. The Literary Eeporter. 1817 1818 1818 1819 1819 1821 1822 1822 2 vols. 1822 The Literary Melange. 2 vols. 1824 Theatrical Observer. 1824 M'Phun's Glasgow Mag- azine. 1824 The Emmet. 2 vols. 1824 The John Knox. 1824 The Western Luminary. 1825 The Conjurer. 1825-6 Heath's Northern Look- ing Glass. 1826 Chronicles of the Isles. Edited by Gabriel Neil and Walter Duncan. 1826 The Academic. 1827 The Ant. Original and Selected. 2 vols. 1828 The College Stethoscope and Literary Index. 1829 Brownlie's Police Eeports. 1829 Au Teachdaire Gae'lach. 2 vols. 1829-32 The Thistle. 3 vols. 1830 Glasgow Athenaeum. 1830 The Camera Obscura. 1830 The Opera Glass. 1831 The Herald to the Trades' Advocate. 1831-7 The Reformers' Gazette. 7 vols. 8vo. 1832 The Quizzing Glass. 1832 The Literary Museum. 1832 The Literary Rambler. 1832 The Day. 1832-3 The Chameleon, by Thos. Atkinson. 3 vols. 1832 The Glasgow Punch. 1833 Bennett's Glasgow Mag- azine. 1835 The Salt Water Gazette. 1835 Glasgow Journal. 1836 Companion to the Ne- cropolis. 1839-40 Peel Club Papers. 1841 The Chartists' Circular. 1842 The Eclectic Miscellany. 1842 The Banner of the West and Oddfellows' Register. 1846 Paul Pry. 1847 The Daily Exhibitor. 1848-9 The Satirist and Glasgow Punch. 1848 The Dramatic Review. 1850 The Athenaeum and Clydesdale Miscellany. 1850 The Freeman. 1850-4 Northern Notes and Queries. The copy of The Chameleon, 1833, is of more than ordinary interest because of a letter attached, written by Thomas Atkinson, the editor about the last letter he wrote. Of a kindred interest is the catalogue of the sale of his furniture at his house, 1 1 Miller Street, and the preface to an intended work, to be called The Legacy. This preface was suppressed. Atkinson was a well-known Glasgow bookseller and wrote largely, 288 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. both in poetry and prose. Daniel Macmillan, the founder of the well-known London publishing house of that name, was apprentice with him for some time. Of somewhat peculiar interest is a pamphlet on Spiritualism, written by Sir James Bain, Lord Provost of Glasgow 1874-7. It was issued privately in 1864, and the author afterwards thought fit to withdraw it. Among the curiosities of the Glasgow division are the little books for children issued in Glasgow by the Lums- dens and other firms. The earliest is entitled The History of Master Jackey and Miss Harriot, to which is added a few maxims for the improvement of the mind, dedi- cated to the good children of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America; Glasgow, J. and M. Robertson and J. Duncan, 1785. It consists of thirty-one pages, and is embellished with 24 cuts. As showing the pabulum provided for child- ren in these days, and that illustrated books for children are not a nineteenth century idea altogether, we subjoin a list of books published by Messrs. Robertson & Dun- can, copied from the last page of Master Jackey. Tom Thumb's Play-Book - |d. New England Primer 2d. The London Cries - - Id. Gulliver's Voyage to Lilli- Entertaining Fables for put - - 2d. Children - - Id. The Lilliputian Masquerade 2d. Nurse True Love's Christ- The History of Little King mas-Box - - Id. Pippin 2d. The Puzzling Cap - - Id. Fairy Tales - 2d. Tom Thumb's Folio - - Id. The Fairing, or Golden Toy 3d. Jacky Dandy's Delight - Id. A Bag of Nuts Eeady Death and Burial of Cock Cracked - - 3d. Eobin - Id. The Eoyal Primer - - 3d. The Father's Gift - - Id. Sugar Plumb ; or, Sweet The Child's Guide to his Amusement - 4d. Letters ; or, The Horn- The Picture Exhibition - 4d. Book Improved - - 2d. The History of the Holy Tom Thumb's Exhibition - 2d. Bible - 6d. Some works of a miscellaneous character yet re- main to be noticed. Increase Mather's Kometogra- phia ; or, a Discourse concerning Comets, Boston, 1683, is an early specimen of New England printing. MR. MACDONALD'S LIBRARY. 289 The art was introduced into Boston in 1676. A Counterblaste to Tobacco, by King James, imprinted at London by R. B., 1604 ; a perfect copy of the first- edition. It consists of thirteen leaves. It is very seldom seen now, and Mr. Arber had recource to a copy in the Bodleian Library when he reprinted the work. Rules of Good Deportment or of Good Breeding, by Adam Petrie, Edinburgh, 1720 ; the first edition, now very rare. The work was reprinted in 1835, with a preface by Lord Dundrennan ; 45 copies printed. Another curious work by the same author, and bearing a similar title, is Rules of Good Deportment for Church Officers, Edinburgh, 1730. Scot's Fencing Master, by Sir William Hope, Edinburgh, 1687 ; the first edition. Monteath's Theatre of Mortality, 1704-13; the first edition, contains the scarce star leaves. A volume of broadsides and proclamations of a most remarkable description has recently been added to Mr. Macdonald's library. It begins with the murder of Archbishop Sharp, and continues to 1696. It contains the latest proclamations of James II. of England, and the earliest issued by William and Mary. A number of them relate to Covenanters, and one of them, printed three days after the event, gives an account of the taking of Argyle at Inchinnan Bridge. As we said at the commencement, this library is essentially a Scottish one, and we think our birds'-eye view will bear out our statement. But it is not to be supposed that it is entirely Scottish. The presence of important works chiefly relating to Scotland decided us to give attention to them in preference to other works, of perhaps greater value, but of less interest. These have occupied us so long as to leave only room to mention that the library also contains first editions of most of the works of Dickens and Thackeray, and the best editions of many other standard authors. 19 290 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. CHAPTER XVIII. LIBRARY OF BERNARD B. MACGEORGE, ESQ., WOODSIDE CRESCENT. A Library of Fine Art and First Editions Fine Collection of Blake s Works Original Letter and Poem by Blake, never before printed Extensive and fine Collection of the Works of John Ruskin Mag- nificent Collection of Etchings by Meryon Other Fine Art Books First Editions Byron, Moore's copy of the rare volume of Poems, 1807 ; Lines on the Birth of a Son to Mr. Hoppner Shelley, Beckford on Queen Mob Keats Tennyson Collier s Works and Reprints Grays Elegy Scott Rogers, Amusing Notes on Human Life, by Beckford Boccaccio's De- cameron Swift, Tale of a Tub, Gullivers Travels Defoe, Robinson Crusoe Johnson Goldsmith Beckford' s Vathek Lamb Dickens Thackeray Undine, illustrated by Thackeray Scottish Books- Glasgow Books Album containing Letters by Dickens, Dumas, and Reade Poems in autographs of Long- fellow and Swinburne Conclusion. THIS is a handsome library. All the books are in superb condition, beautifully bound and many enriched with valuable additions, rendering them unique. Were we inclined to be alliterative we would say that it is a library of fine art and first editions. Standard works in other branches of knowledge than art, and in other than first editions, are of course in the library, but high above every other these two features stand prominent. We need make no apology for devoting most of our space to what are the characteristics of the MR. MAGGEORGE'S LIBRARY. 291 library, and leaving the imagination of the reader to fill up the background of the picture with all the ac- cessories of a good general library, simply assuring him that if he be reasonable in his filling in he will not find the catalogue disappoint him. The library is in every respect a modern one. It does not range back farther than about one hundred and fifty years, and the poets, painters, and humorists of that period are most fully represented. Within these self-imposed limits Mr. Macgeorge has had the pleasure of making many con- quests, and his library can well rank with the best in its own special province. It is indeed a library for a bibliophile to revel in, abounding as it does in proof- plates and tall copies. Adopting a usage which has the sanction of good au- thority, we will divide our discourse into heads, a firstly and a secondly, and the first of these again into sub- heads, firstly, secondly, and thirdly. Our first main division is Art, and its sub-divisions are Blake, Ruskin, and Meryon. The collection of Blake's works in Mr. Macgeorge's possession is a large and very valuable one. All the volumes are in exquisite condition. The whole of the Blake collection formerly in the library of Lord Beacons- field, and which once belonged to the author of the Curiosities of Literature, is here, and also a few volumes from the Beckford library. We think it but just to name some of the finest of the Blakes. The Book of Job : large paper, and proof plates. This is perhaps the most powerful of Blake's works. Blair's Grave : plates in two states, prints and proofs before letters. Songs of Innocence : with original drawing of title-page inserted. Songs of Experience. These two volumes are lovely to look upon, with their firie harmony of colour and quaint caligraphy. Little Tom the Sailor : a speci- men of what Blake called wood-cut on pewter. The Gates of Paradise : this is earlier than the ordin- ary copies, including that in the British Museum. 292 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. The Vision of the Daughters of Albion : has extra title and plate added. Hayley's Triumphs of Temper : large paper, and his Ballads, also large paper. The First Book of Urizen, Marriage of Heaven and Hell, Mrs. Godwin's Original Stories, Burger's Leonora, and Young's Night Thoughts. Mr. Macgeorge is also the possessor of a precious memento of Blake in the form of a letter and poem in which the great poet-artist gratefully acknowledges his indebtedness to Flaxman. It is of distinct biographical and poetic worth, and as it has not to our knowledge been printed before, we do ourselves the high honour of publishing it. The letter is addressed on the out- side to Mr. Flaxman, Buckingham Street, Fitzroy Square, and the postal date is 12 o'clock, 12 Sept., 1800. It reads My Dearest Friend, It is to you I owe All my present Happiness. It is to you I owe perhaps the Principal Happiness of my life. I have presumed on your friendship in staying so long away and not calling to know of your welfare, but hope, now every thing is nearly completed for our removal to Felpham, that I shall see you on Sunday, as we have appointed Sunday afternoon to call on Mrs. Flaxman at Hampstead. I send you a few lines which I hope you will excuse. And as the time is now arrived when men shall again converse in Heaven and walk with angels I know you will be pleased with the intention, and hope you will forgive the poetry. To my Dearest Friend John Flaxman these lines. I bless thee, O Father of Heaven and Earth, that ever I saw Flax- man's face. Angels stand round my Spirit in Heaven, the blessed of Heaven are my friends upon Earth. When Flaxman was taken to Italy Fuseli was given to me for a season, And now Flaxman hath given me Hayley his friend to be mine, such my lot upon Earth. Now my lot in the Heavens is this, Milton lov'd me in childhood and shew'd me his face, Ezra came with Isaah the Prophet, but Shakespeare in riper years gave me his hand, Paracelsus and Behmen appeared to me, terrors appeared in the Heavens above, MR. MACGEORGKS LIBRARY. 293 And in Hell beneath, and a mighty and awful change threatened the Earth. The American "War began. All its dark horrors passed before my face Across the Atlantic to France. Then the French Revolution com- menc'd in thick clouds, And my Angels have told me that seeing such visions I could not subsist on the Earth, But by my conjunction with Flaxman who knows to forgive Nervous Fear. I remain, for ever yours, WILLIAM BLAKE. The collection of Ruskin's works is splendid in its extent and condition. One great folio contains a large number of original pencil drawings signed and dated, 3. Early editions require mention here of William Slaty er's Palae Albion, London, 1619; Mar- lowe's Troublesome raigne and Lamentable death of Edward the Second, London, 1622 ; Sir Philip Sidney's Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia, London, 1623 ; Whole Works of Samuel Daniel, Esquire, in Poetrie, London, 1623 ; Phineas Fletcher's Purple Island, Cambridge, 1633 (first edition) ; and the same writer's 420 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Locustes or Apollyonists, 1627 ; Hocus Pocus (an early book on legerdemain), London, 1635. Of the works of the greatest of England's poets Shakespeare- there is in this collection some rare volumes. Probably first in importance is the second folio edition, London, printed by Thomas Cotes for Robert Allot, and are to be sold at the signe of the Blacke Beare in Paul's Churchyard, 1632. It was a trade book, each book- seller putting his name on the copies he subscribed for. Next to the first folio (1623) it is the most important text, and although of much less money value than that now rare volume, a fine copy brings a considerable ;>um. This is a fine copy, bound by Cape. There is also a fine copy of the fourth folio edition, London, 1685, printed by Herringman, Brewster and Bentley, Amongst Mr. Young's numerous Shakespearian posses- sions, the "Poems." London, 1640, 17nio, with the fine portrait of Marshall ; " King John," London r 1622, 4to ; and " Sir John Oldcastle," London, 1600, 4to, require special mention. The Poems comprise many things which Shakespeare did not write, includ- ing pieces from Heywood's " History of Women," 1624. The " King John " is the third separate edition. With its two predecessors, it has been called spurious, " Sir John Oldcastle " was at first ascribed to Shake- speare, but it has long ago found a place amongst the numerous things possessing the negative Shakespearian interest of having attained notice through an unscru- pulous use of the poet's name, thus showing, his own dictum to the contrary, how much lies in a name. From Shakespeare to John Taylor, the Water Poet, is a considerable transition, for which the chronological sequence of Mr. Young's books and not the narrator is to blame. A fine copy is here of the whole works of Taylor, containing sixty-three pieces, corrected and revised by the author, London, 1630, folio. Separate editions of many of the pieces in this volume are not now known to exist. Of Donne's poems there are in MR YOUNG'S LIBRARY. 421 this collection the first and third editions, published in 1633 and 1639 respectively, the former containing the portrait by Lambert, and the latter the fine one by Marshall. The following early books can be but little more than mentioned : " The Byrth of Mankynde, otherwise named the Woman's booke," by Thomas Ray- nold, phisition, London, 1634, 4to. The author was John Jones, M.D., but one Thomas Raynolde, M.D., claimed and republished it as his own ; Quarles's " Emblems," London, 1635 (first edition). "There are many later editions of these Emblems, but the first and second are the only really valuable ones, more especially the former. Quarles, however, was merely a borrower from Herman Hugo, as the latter was from Alciatus " (Hazlitt's " Handbook to Pop. Lit."). " Miseries of Enforst Marriage," by George Wilkins, London, 1637 ; " The Excellency of Good Women," London, 1613 ; and "Opinion Diefied," London, 1613, both by Barnabe Rych, and the Blacke Booke, London, 1604, a very rare work ; " The Palmerin D'Oliva. Shewing the Mirrour of Nobilitie, the Map of Honour, Anatomie of rare Fortunes, Heroicall Presidents of Loue, Won- der of Chivalrie, and the most Accomplished Knight in all Perfection. Presenting to noble minds their courtly desire, to Gentiles their expectations, and to the inferiour sort how to imitate their vertues, handled with modestie to shun offence, yet delightfull for Recrea- tion. Written in Spanish, Italian, and French, and from them turned into English by A. M." [Anthony Munday], London, 1637. "The Palmerin of Eng- land, the no lesse rare than excellent and stately History of the Famous and Fortunate Prince Palmerin of England. Declaring the birth of him, and Prince Florian du Desent his brother, in the Forest of Great Britaine, the course of their lives afterward in pur- suing Knightly adventures and performing incompar- able deeds of chivalry. Wherein Gentlemen may find choise of sweet inventions, and Gentlewomen be satisfied 422 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. in courtly expectations. Translated out of French by A. M. [Anthony Munday]" London, 1639, black letter; " New Yeeres Gift, by Necrophile," 1638, with rare por- trait of Jeiferie Hudson, the dwarf, under which are the following lines : " Gaze on with wonder, and discerne in me The Abstract of the World's Epitome " ; Robert Farley's Kalendarium Hvmanae Vitae, Lon- don, 1638 ; the same writer's Lychnocavsia sive Moralia Facum Einblemata ; Lights Moral Emblems, London, 1638 ; Poems occasioned by a melancholy vision vpon divers Theames enlarged, which by seuerall arguments ensuinge is showed, by Humphrey Mill, 1639 ; Poems Sacred and Satyricall, by Nathaniel Richards, London, 1641 ; A Lytel Treatyse Of the Byrth and Prophecye Of Marlyn, London, 1641. This was first printed by Wynken de Worde in 1510. Milton is represented by the first and second editions of his Poems, London, 1645, 1673, the first edition of "Paradise Lost/' 1668, third title-page, and the second edition of " Paradise Regained," London, 1680, and a beautiful copy of Pickering's small 8vo edition of 1825, 5 volumes. Beaumont and Fletcher appear in the first folio edition of their works, 1647, which contains thirty- six plays appearing in that volume for the first time. Of Herrick there is the first edition of his " Hesperides," which is really his works, as is indicated by the sub- title, " The Works both Human and Divine of Robert Herrick, Esq.," London, 1648. The Divine Poems have a separate title, dated 1647, and are called " His Noble Numbers." A curious book is " Wit's Recrea- tions for Ingenious Head-pieces," London, 1645. Several editions of it exist with slightly varying titles. No dramatic library would be complete without some of the gay and amorous effusions of Sir John Suckling, and a fine copy of his " Fragmenta Aurea : a collection of all the Incomparable Peeces written by," him "and published by a Friend to perpetuate his MR. YOUNG'S LIBRARY. 423 Memory," London, 1648, removes that possible re- proach from this library. Brief mention will suffice for Emanuel Ford's " Parisimus, the Renowned Prince of Bohemia," London, 1649, 4to, and the first and only edition of Thomas Weaver's " Plantaganet's Tragicall Story ; or, the Death of King Edward the Fourth. With the unnaturall Voyage of Richard the Third, through the Red Sea of his nephew's innocent bloud, to his usurped Crowne," London, 1649. Regarding the next book, Thomas Stanley's " Poems," printed in the year 1651, Mr. Hazlitt gives the following interesting note " Scarcely two copies of those few remaining correspond exactly. . . . Some copies read : London, printed for Humphrey Moseley, etc., 1652 ; which title- page was probably set up when the author had ceased to present copies to friends and parted with the re- mainder of the stock to Moseley. There was only one impression." This copy does not bear Moseley's name. Hazlitt also pertinently observes respecting our next book, " Le Prince d' Amour, or, the Prince of Love ; with a collection of several Ingenious Poems and Songs by the wits of the age," London, 1660, that the poems and songs are chiefly not by the wits of the age. Other seven works will bring to a close this survey of early popular literature. The first of these is entitled " West- minster Drollery; or. a Choice Collection of the Newest Songs and Poems," London, 1672. Mr. Young has also Brome's "Covent Garden Drollery," London, 1672. The next book is the first collected edition of Sir William Davenant's "Works," folio, London, 1673. A portrait of the author which faces the title-page shows a singularly bull-dog looking face. Of the famous " History of Reynard the Fox," first translated into English and printed by Caxton, there is here the first part of a late edition, 1701, in black letter, with quaint engravings. There is also the second and third parts, 1681 and 1684, then first added, the latter bear- ing the title of " The Shifts of Reynardine the son of 424 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. Reynard the Fox," 4to, all in one volume. A remark- able feature of this copy is that all the parts are entirely uncut. Of another celebrated book also translated and printed by Caxton, Raoul le Fevre's " Destruction of Troy," the eleventh edition, Lon- don, 1684, black letter, is in this collection. The penultimate book is Robert Gould's " Poems, chiefly consisting of Satyrs and Satyrical Epistles," London, 1689, and the last is " Don Juan Lamberto ; or a Comi- cal History of our Late Times," in two parts, by Monte- lion, Knight of the Oracle, etc., London, 1695. It has been set down as the work of Thomas Flatman, and is also attributed to Milton's nephew, John Philips. There were several editions before this one, and it has been reprinted in Somers' " Collection of Tracts." Our notice of the early poetry has been so extensive that we must perforce be brief in dealing with the poetical productions of modern times. First, then, we have a fine copy of the first edition of Bishop Percy's " Reliques of Ancient Poetry," 3 volumes, 1764 ; Samuel Rogers's "Poems" and "Italy," illustrated by Stothard and Turner, 1830-34, two beautiful volumes; the very rare volume by Lord Byron "Poems on Various Occasions," privately printed at Newark in 1807, shortly before the publication of the "Hours of Idleness " in the same year ; Byron's Poetical Works, 8 volumes, and Life, 3 volumes, with illustrations by Finden, Turner, Stanfield, and others an edition difficult to get with the illustrations ; a facsimile of the manuscript of Keble's " Christian Year." It was pro- hibited before publication, and consequently no copies got into the market. Mr. Young owes his copy to an accidental source. Smith's "Led bury and Wassail Bowl," first edition, and illustrated by Leech ; many edi- tions of Tennyson's works, and the tract issued by Hotten in 1862 containing the lines omitted in editions of the poet's works issued subsequent to 1830. This, as has been mentioned before, was suppressed and the publisher fined. MR. YOUNG'S LIBRARY. 425 In this collection there is also a full set of Mr. Payne Collier's valuable reprints of Early English Poetry, including his 4to Shakespeare completed shortly before his death. In Scottish Poetry Mr. Young has some exceedingly interesting and choice things. Taking them chrono- logically, our earliest author is Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, of whose works Mr. Young has five volumes representing four works. The earliest is his " Aurora ; containing the first fancies of the author's youth," London, printed by Richard Field, 1604. It is the only edition. In the author's works, 1637, the " Aurora " is left out. The next work is " The Mon- archicke Tragedies ; Croesus, Darius, The Alex- andrcean, lulius Caesar," London, printed by Valentine Simmes for Ed. Blovnt, 1607 ; it is the second edition. Mr. Young has also the third, issued in 1616, 12mo. The third differs considerably from either of the previous editions. It is priced at 21 in the Bibl. Anglo-Poet. The next by date is " Doomesday ; or, the Great Day of the Lord's ludgement." Printed by Andro Hart, Edinburgh, 1614. In the same year an edition appeared at London, but it was only the Edin- burgh edition with a new title-page. A rare volume, and one full of interest to West Country book lovers, is the first edition of Zachary Boyd's " Last Battell of the Soule in Death," printed at Edinburgh by the heires of Andro Hart, 1629. This work has been mentioned several times in this volume already, and it will therefore be sufficient to say that Mr. Young's is a fine copy. Mr. Young has also Boyd's fulsome panegyric on Charles the First, the full title of which is " Rex Pater Patriae instar Pelicani liberos suos fovere debet, ad Carolum Regem Oratio Panegyrica, a Zaccharia Bodio ; Edinburgh!, Excudebat J. Wreit- toun, 1633." This is of great rarity. Drummond of Hawthornden is represented by his poems, London, 1659, and several modern editions. A very fine copy 426 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. of Bar-hour's "Bruce" is in the collection; it is from the press of Robert Sanders, Glasgow, printer to the City and University, 1672, 12 mo, black letter. Sanders was a good printer, and this edition of B.irbour is per- haps the best specimen of his work. It is not the earliest copy of Barbour in the library, as there is that printed by Andrew Anderson at Edinburgh in 1670. There is also the copy which previously belonged to George Chalmers of William Lithgow's edition of " Blind Harry's Actis and Deids of Sir William Wallace," Edinburgh, 1648, black letter. Two editions of Sir David Lyndsay's works, both printed at Glas- gow, the first in 1696 by Robert Sanders, senior, and the second by Robert Sanders, junior, in 1712, the former a black letter, enrich the collection. There is also an English edition of Sir David Lyndsay's " A Dialogue between Experience and a Courtier of the Miserable state of the Worlde ; Compiled in the Scot- tish tung by Sir David Lyndsay, Knight, a man of great learning and science. First turned and made perfect English, and now the second time corrected and amended according to the first copie. 1 mprinted at London in Newgat Market, within the New Rentes, by Thomas Purfoot, an. dom. 1581," black letter. An- other issue of the Sanders press is the " New Wife of Beath," 1705, black letter, eleven leaves, a localization of Chaucer's "Wife of Bath." We will but mention the following books, which, although to be found in many other libraries, are yet here inso fine a condition as to deserve notice : Thomson's Orpheus Caledonius, London, 1733, 2 volumes; Johnson's Scots Musical Museum, 4 volumes ; Ramsay's Gentle Shepherd, Glasgow, 1758; Tea-table Miscellany, 2 volumes, 1775; Evergreen, 2 volumes, Edin., 1761; Herd's Scottish Songs, etc., 1776 ; Poetical Museum, published by Caw at Hawick, 1784 ; Morison's edition of Scottish Ballads, Perth, 1790 ; Dalyell's Poems of the Six- teenth Century, 2 volumes, Edinburgh, 1801; Ley- MR. YOUNG'S LIBRARY. 427 den's edition of The Coinplaynt of Scotland, Edin- burgh, 1801, large paper copy; Macpherson's edition of Wyntoun's Chronykill of Scotland, 2 volumes, 1795 ; Sibbald's Chronicles of Scottish Poetry, 4 volumes, 1802, uncut; Gilchrist's Scottish Ballads, 2 volumes, and Songs, Edinburgh, 1815 ; Kinloch's Scottish Ballads, 1827, uncut ; Maidment's Scottish Pasquils, Edinburgh, 1827-8 ; Poems by a Journeyman Mason, Inverness, 1829; Court of Session Garland, 1839; bound with this is Edinburgh, a poem, and the Thistle, 1840, which is very rare, with the names of the persons mentioned in the poem filled in ; Alexander Scott's Poems, Glasgow, 1882, one of six on vellum, most beautifully bound in morocco by Ramage ; Pinkerton's Ancient Scottish Poems, Ballads, and Tragic Poems, 7 volumes. We have reserved for the last a plum a first edition of Burns's Poems. The circumstances of its publication are narrated in the chapter dealing with Mr. Gray's library, and it will be sufficient to say here that Mr. Young's copy is a beautiful one and in every way perfect. Fine uncut copies of the second and third editions are also in the collection. Leaving the realms of Poetry at last, we may now bestow a glance on History, which, however much imagination may occasionally enter into its composi- tion, has little to do with the divine art of Poesy. Of great value and interest is a very fine copy of the first edition of Holinshed's Chronicles of Englande, Scotlande, and Irelande, London, 1577, 2 volumes, folio. It contains numerous woodcuts, and is very much different from the second and several sub- sequent editions, which are castrated and otherwise altered. It is this book, and this edition of it, that Shakespeare is said to have used not a reliable guide, certainly and it has therefore obtained the name of " the Shakespeare edition." The other Scot- tish historical books may be grouped ; they are- Gordon's Itinerarium Septrionale, 1726, with Sup- 428 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. plements, 1732 ; several volumes of the Maitland Club publications ; the Cartulary of Cambuskenneth ; Chalmers's Caledonia, large paper copy ; Gregory's Highlands and Islands ; Lauder's Moray Floods, Ure's Rutherglen and East Kilbride ; the Pro- ceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and of the Ayr and Wigtonshire Archaeological Society; and the National Manuscripts of Scotland, 3 volumes, folio. The Biographical and miscel- laneous Scottish books include a fine uncut copy of Hume's House of Douglas and Angus, 2 volumes, 1748; Malcolm's Geneological Memoirs of the House of Drumrnond; Memorie of the Somervilles, uncut copy ; Anderson's History of the House of Hamilton, large paper ; Eraser's costly works on the families of Lennox, Colquhoun, the Booke of Cterlaverock, Max- well of Pollok, and The Montgomeries ; also the Bruces and the Comyns ; Kay's Edinburgh Portraits, both editions ; first edition of the Lives of the Lindsays, 4 volumes ; a large paper uncut copy of the Miscellanea Scotica, 4 volumes. We note also a copy of the first edition of M'Ure's View of the City of Glasgow, than which no finer copy exists. It is perfect, which means that it contains the portrait of M'Ure, the Arms of the City, and the two folding plates, which are rarely all to be found in copies, and the Dedication (not paged) to the Duke of Argyll, placed near the end of the volume ; a large thick paper copy of the reprint of M'Ure's View; an uncut copy of Gibson's History of Glasgow, with map ; uncut copies of the first, second, and third editions of Denholui's History of Glasgow ; Brown's History of Glasgow ; Stuart's Views and Notices of Glasgow ; first editions, uncut, of the Memorabilia of Glasgow ; and Strang's Glasgow and its Clubs ; a large paper copy of Mac- george's Old Glasgow ; the Old Country Houses of the Glasgow Gentry ; the Old College ; arid the Glas- gow Directory for the years 1811, 1815, 1816, 1817, MR. YOUNG'S LIBRARY. 429 1820, 1821. Before finally quitting Scottish literature three works of a miscellaneous description require mention Lawes and Acts of Scotland, printed by Waldgrave, Edinburgh, 1597 ; Jamieson's Scottish Dictionary, first edition, 4 volumes ; and a large paper uncut copy of Henderson's Scottish Proverbs, with addenda, in the original paper boards. Ritson's Spartan Manual, Glasgow, 1873, deserves mention as a fine piece of printing, and also because this copy is on vellum, the only one so printed. A fine copy of the " Chronicle of England," printed in 1528 by Wynken de Worde, is our first work in General History. Caxton was the printer of the first and De Worde of the second edition of Raunulph Higden's " Polychronycon ; conteynyng the Berynges and Dedes of many Tymes," translated into English by John de Trevisa, a Benedictine monk, of which the third edition is in this collection. It issued from the press of Peter Treueris, Southwerke, 1527, folio, black letter, and is a reprint page for page of De Worde's edition, but with the edition of some woodcuts. Of Hakluyt's "Account of the Principal Navigations, Voyages, and Discoveries made by the English Nation," we note the first edition, London, 1589, folio, a very rare book ; also the first edition of Grafton's " Chronicle at Large, and meere History of the Affayres of Eng- lande and Kinges of the same," London, 2 volumes bound in one, 1568, 1569, folio; first and only edition of Reynold's " Chronicle of all the noble Eiriperours of the Romaines from lulius Caesar to Maximilian, with the great Warres of lulius Caesar and Pompeius Magnus," London, 1571 ; Fynes Moryson's " Itinerary, containing his Ten Yeeres' Travel through Germany, Bohmerland, Switzerland, Netherland, Denmark, Poland, Italy, Turkey, France, England, Scotland, and Ireland," London, 1617, folio. Sir William Dugdale's " History of St. Paul's Cathedral," London, 1658. folio, first edition, " valued on account of contain- 430 THE LIBRARIES OF GLASGOW. ing better impressions of the plates, several of which (Nos. 5, 6, 9, 11) were lost and re-executed for the later edition by an inferior artist. Nos. 7 and 10 are omitted in the second edition." (Lowndes' Bib. Man., Bonn's Ed.). A very curious and interesting work is John Weever's "Ancient Fvneral Monvments within the Vnited Monarchie of Great Britaine, Ireland, and the Islands adiacent, etc.," London, 1631. A manuscript of the work containing matter not printed in the book is in Somerset House. The index is often wanting, but this copy has it. A second edition was published in 1661, and a third in 1767. A book of a similar kind is Robert Monteith's "Theater of Mortality; or, the Illustrious Inscriptions extant upon the Monuments in the Gray Friars Church Yard, etc., in Edinburgh and its suburbs," Edinburgh, 1704. A further " Collection of Funeral Inscriptions over Scotland," Edinburgh, 1713, 2 volumes in one. The next book is " The Most Notable Antiquity of Great Britain, vulgarly called Stone-Heng, on Salisbury Plain, restored by Inigo Jones, etc.," London, 1725, folio. Fine copies are in this collection of Nisbet's "Heraldry," 2 volumes, 1816; 11 Life and Typography of Caxton," by Blades, 2 volumes, 1861; Strutt's "Dresses and Habits of the People of England," 2 volumes, large paper, with illuminated edges; Hazlewood's reprint of "Painter's Palace of Pleasure " ; Lacroix's beautiful works on French Costume and Customs ; Stirling's "Artists of Spain " ; uncut copy of " Punch and Judy," illus- trated by Cruikshank, first impressions of the plates ; Pickering's fine edition of Walton's " Angler " ; Phaer's "Regiment of Life," 1553, and Dr. Peter Lowe's " Chirurgerie," London, 1612. A very earl}" work of a semi-medical nature is the " Judycyall of Uryne," supposed to be printed by Wynken de Worde about 1512 there are few copies of it extant. The department of Law includes the following early works : " Boke of the Justyces of Peas," printed by MR. YOUNG'S LIBRARY. 431 'Wynken de Worde in 1506; " Natura Brevium," printed by Pynson ; Abraham Fraunce's " Lawiers Logicke," London, 1588 ; "The Mirrour of Policie : a Worke no lesse profitable than necessary for all Magis- trates and Governors of Estates and Commonweals," London, 1594; and a fine copy of the "Letters of Juriius," printed by Bensley, with portraits and en- graved title-pages. Charles Johnson's " History of the Lives and Actions of the most famous Highway- men, Murderers, Street-Robbers, etc.," London, 1734, folio, may also be included in this class. I n Fiction we have Skelton's " The First English Trans- lation of Don Quixote," London, 1612-20, 2 volumes; the first edition of " Robinson Crusoe," London, 1719-20, 3 volumes, also an edition published in 1820, with plates by Stothard, 2 volumes, large 8vo ; the first edition of . INDEX. Baldwin's Canticles of 'Salomon, 355. Bale, John, English Votaryes, etc., 408. Balfour, Rev. Robert, dir. Stir. Liby., 43, 44. Ballad Society, 20, 167, 361. Ballads, collections of, 338, 359-60, 372. Balmanno, Dr., dir Stir. Liby., 80, 342 Bannatvne Club Publications, 24, 95, 109, 159, 229, 242, 311, 341. Bannatyne MS. ed. by Murdoch, 333. Barha, A., works, 214. Barbedette, H., Chopin, 181 ; Mendelssohn, 182. Barbereau, A., 184. Barbour's Bruce, 22, 202, 204, 222, 242, 269, 255, 367. 426. Barclay's translation of Ship of Fools, 350, 412. Barnby. Joseph, 185. Barnett, J. F., 185. Baronetage, Scottish, books on, 228. Barr, Jamie, 277. Barrett, F. T., lib. of Mit. Liby., 25, 113. Barry's Plan of Glasgow, 285. Basevi, A., 184. Baskerville, printer, Birmingham, 149, 196. Baxter, Nath., Sydney's Omania, 357. Baxter's World of Spirits, 216, 271. Beaconsfield, Earl of, 291. Beague's History of the Compagnes, 378. Beaumont's Treatise of Spirits, 216. Beaumont and Fletcher, Comedies, etc., 357, 422 ; works, Urie, 386. Beauvais, Vincent des, Speculum Quadruplex, (1473), 198. Bechenhaub's Index of St. Bonaventure, 91. Beckford's Vathek, 302, 320 ; Notes on Rogers's Human Life, 300-1 ; Shelley's Queen Mab, 298. Beecher, Capt., 281. Bee-Hive of the Romish Church, Gilpiii, 356. Beethoven, L.van, 181, 185, 191, 192. Be8, 249, 265, 303, 326, 400. Billington, Mrs., Memoirs, 181. Binders, some famous, 195. Binding, 267-8. Bingley, W., Musical Biography, 181. Biography, 28, 117, 151, 155-7, 160, 253, 266, 319-20, 341. Birch's lives, with port, by Houbraken, 162, 206, 295. Birds, books on, 29, 163, 346. Birmingham Free Libraries, 113. Bishop, John, Repertorium, 186. Bishop's Beautiful Blossoms, 432. Bishopric Garland, 337. Bisson Freres' Photographs of Mount Blanc, 313. Black Ac.ts, The, of Scot., 157-8. Blacke Book, The, 421. Black Dwarf (1820), 220, 281. Blackie's report on free libraries, 106-7, 113. Blacksmith, Letter from a, on the religious state of Scot., 375. Blackwood, Adam, works, 202, 247. Blades' Life of Caxton, 430. Blaeu's Atlas of the World, 96. Blair, David, lib. Stir. Liby., 73, 74, 99. Blair, Robert, Life of, 374. Blair's Grave, illust. by Blake. 291. Blake, books illustrated by, 29, 234, 291-2 ; poem and letter to Flaxman, 292-3. Eland's Proverbs from Erasmus, 391. Blaze de Bury, H., Mejerbeer, 182. Blennerhassett, Thomas, 413. Blind Harry, see Henry the Minstrel. Block's conversations with Millar, 3^3. Blondeau, A. L., ISO ; Palestrina, 182. blue-books, 16, 320. Boaden's Shakespeare portraits, 346. Boccaccio's Decameron, 301. Bochas, Fall of Princes, 412. Boccherini L., 192. Bodenham's Belvedere, 357. Boerhaave's Elementa Chemiae, 213. Boethius, Scotorum Historiae a prima Gentis (1526 or 1527, first ed.), 109, 154; Bellenden's trans., 265 ; Arithmetica, 182. Bogle, Bailie, don. to Stir. Liby., 72, 83, 96; vice- pres. Stir. Liby., 80. Bogle, Robt., subscription list for Glas. Assembly Rooms, MS., 86. Bogle, Wm., dir. Stir. Liby., 71. Bogup.t's Discours des Sorciers, 216. Bonn's Foreign Proverbs, 390 ; Handbook of Proverbs, 396. Boieldieu, F. A., 181, 191. Bollandus, Acta Sanctorum, 161. Boner, Chas., auto., 273. Book-collecting compatible with any occupation, 14-15. Book-collector, popular conception of, 14 ; indc- fatigability of, 21. Bookhunter, defence of the, 13-16, 387-8. Book -madness, 14. Book-sale catalogue first issued in Glasgow, 282. Books for children, list of, 288. Books, large-paper copies, 15. Books, most popular in Scotland (1500-1800), 275. Books, preservation of, service rendered by private libraries, 16. Books, rare editions, value of, 15. Book of Common Prayer (Jenny Geddes ed.), IS. 48, 94, 95, 115, 153, 368. Books of Hours, 237, 350. Borel's Bibliotheca Chemica, 207. Bornet's latro Chymicus, 205. Borrichius, O., alchemical works, 212. Sorrow's Luke's Gospel in Gipsy lang. , 200. Boston, early printing at, 289. Boswell, Sir Alex., 153, 242, 281, 3S5. Botany, books on, 163, 347. Bouton, E., Lejeuue, 182. Bovet's Pandsemonium, 216, 366-7. Boyce, W., 1S5 ; Catheral music, 186. Boyd, Mr. J., 102. Boyd, Robert, of Troehrig, 196, 251. INDEX. 435 Boyd, Rev. Zachary, 26; auto., 19<5; sketch of, 250-1 ; meeting with Cromwell, 361 ; Last Battell of the Soule, 1628 issue, 26-7, 195, 202, 204, 250-3, 342-3, 361, 1629 issue, 26-7, 232, 283, 342-3, 425 ; Cleare Form of Catechising, 26, 283-4 ; Four Letters of Comfort, 26, 361 ; Panegyric to Charles I., 195, 425 ; Zion's Flowers, 251 ; Two Communion Sermons, 361. Brady's Varieties of Literature, 397. Brand's Orkney, 379, 402. Brandt's Ship of Fools, 350, 412. Brash and Reid's poetry, 143, 225, 249, 277, 343. Brathwaite's works, 334, 357. Bray, Mrs., Handel, 181. Brendel, F., 180. British Museum, 24, 125, 129, 162, 291, 360, 385. British theatre, 311. Britten's Architectural Antiquities, 97. Broadsides, collections of, 28, 233, 2S2-3, 289. Brockett, J. T., 338. Brodie, Will., dir. Stir. Liby., 71. Brome's Covent Garden Drollery, 423. Bromhall's Treatise of Spectres, 216. Brown, Alex., dir. Stir. Liby., 43, 44. Brown, Hugh, Glas. printer, 122, 148 ; mis-spells his name, 274-5. Brown, James D., assist. Mit. Liby., 113. Brown, William, mem. com. Mit. Liby., 104. Brown, Wm., psalm tunes, 187. Brown's History of Glas., 428. Browning, Robert, works, 301, 310, 358. Braces and the Comyns, 109, 226, 242, 265, 428. Bruce, Michael, poems, 277, 340. Bruce, Michael, sermons, 374. Bruce, life and acts of, by Barbour and others, 22, 202, 204, 222, 242, 269, 275, 358, 367, 426. Brulliot's monogrammes, 254. Brunschwig on distillation, 213. Bryce, A. S., mem. com. Mit. Liby., 174. Bryce, John, Glas. printer, 148. Bryce, J. D., oldest mem. on roll of Stir. Liby. at 1885, 75. Bryce & Paterson, Glas. printers, 148. Bryskett, L., Mourning Muse, 415. Bryson, Robt., Edin. printer, 407. Bucaniers, history of the, 386. Buchan, Peter, chap-books, ballads, etc., 225, 231, 265, 278, 338, 340, 360. Buchan's St. Kilda, 279. Buchanan, George, various works, 108, 154, 203, 238, 245, 278, 368. Buchanan, George, dir. Stir. Liby., 82. Buchanan, James, Lanark carrier, murdered, 384. Buchanan, John, 280, 284. Buchanan, Robert, dir. Stir. Liby., 71. Buchanan's Family of Buchanan, 226, 279-80. Buckhurst, Lord, 412. Buckle, nnte of regarding Marion Laird, 375. Buncle, Thomas, printer and publisher, Ar- broath, 241. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, 23S, 386. Buoni Proverbii Italiana, 392. Burckhardt's Arabic Proverbs, 391. Burger's Leonara, Blake, 292. Burgh Records Society's publications, 154, 229, 243, 311. Burghs of Scotland, taxation, 1665, MS., 84. Burke and Hare, trial, 233, 385. Burke's Spanish Salt, 395. Burley"s De Vitae Philosophorum, 197. Burness, John, relative of Burns the poet, 369-70. Burnet's Blessedness of the Dead, 270. Burney, C., 180. Burns, Rev. Mr., dir. Stir. Liby., 79. Burns, Robert, 375 ; first edition of his poems, 22, 225-6, 427 ; other editions of his works, 23, 121, 203, 242, 264-5, 277, 300, 310, 339-40, 358, 369, 427 ; collection at Mitchell Library, 22, 124-5, 134-6; facsimile of Cottar's Saturday Night, 85 ; Letters to Clarinda, 277, 300, 369 ; influence of on Scottish song, 241 ; Address to the Deil, 277 ; collection of Burnsiana formed by J. Gould, 128 ; Burnsiana, 23, 340, 358 ; his contemporaries. 23, 223, 242, 277, 369 ; centen- ary meetings, 128 ; autograph, 260 ; his father's handwriting, 128; unpublished poem by, 260; Maxwell's attack, 383. Eurns's Rome, 313. Burton, J. H., works, 154, 257, 266, 303, 384. Burton, Richard, 378. Busby, T., ISO. Butler, C., Principles of Music, 182. Butler's Hudibras, various editions, 239, 326. Byrd, W., Psalmes, 184 ; Songs of Sundrie Natures, 189, 190. Byron, Lord, poems, Newark, 1807, 20, 296, 424 ; Hours of Idleness, 20, 273, 296, 336 ; Lines on Hoppner, 297 ; English Bards, etc., 273, 296-7 ; editions of his other works and collected edi- tions, 240, 297, 310, 358, 424 ; Byroniana, 240. Cabbala, Books on, 215. Csesar, Tonson's ed., 2/i7. Caffi, F.,180. Gainer's Proverbes et Aphorismes, 390. Callimachus, hymns of, Froben, 218. Calmet sur les Apparitions, 216. Calvin's Commentaries and other works, 110, 407- S. Calvisius, S., Melopoeia, 1>2. Cambuskenneth, cartulary of, 428. Camden's Remaines concerning Britain, 395. Camden Society publications, 319. Cameron, A , Glas. printer, 148. Cameron, John, works, 202. Cameron, Richard, sermons, 374. Cameronians, the, 375. Camoens' Rimas, 93 ; Lusiad, 357. Campanella, 215. Campbell, John, of Clathic, dir. Stir. Liby., 43. Campbell, Thomas, works, 242, 277, 295, 300, 368. Canon Law, treatise on, SIS., 83-4. Capital and Labour, books on, 161. Cardan, Jerome, works, 215. Cardonnel's Numismata Scotite, 15S, 326 ; Anti- quities, 326, 341. Carew's poems, 357. Carey, H., Musical Century, 190. Cargill, Donald, 374. Carleton's Thankfull Remembrance, 409-10. Carlyle,Alex., connection with Home's" Douglas," 224, 369. Carlyle, Thos., auto., 128, 136, 362 ; works, 303. Carmichael, A., Glas. printer, 122, 148. Carmichael, Jas., Carminium Proverbial urn, 391. Carmichael & Millar, Glas. printers, 14S. Caroline, Queen, trial of, 345. Carpani, G., Haydn, 181 ; Rossini, 182. ^arrick, J. D., Sma' Weftianae, 140. Carson's pieces concerning Scot., 371-2. Dasaubon on spirits and witches, 216. 3ase, Dr. J., Angelical Guide, 215. Cassiodorus, Historia Ecclesiastica (1472), 197. ^astalionis, jEnigmata, 388. astil-Blaze, F. H., 180. 'atalogues, first of Stirling's Liby., 45, 46-61; form adopted in Mitchell Liby., 116, 117. Catechisms, 18, 204, 221, 270. "iatel, C. S., 184. !ato, D., Disticha, 390-1. Caulfield's portraits, 257. Caw's Poetical Museum, 241, 338, 372, 426. Caxton, 198, 410. 411, 416, 423, 430. Celsus, works, 218. Cervantes, Don Quixote, 254, 267, 431. ihallenger scientific expedition, 163. Chalmers' Caledonia, 243, 311, 326, 341, 361, 426. Chalmers, Richard, bequest to Mit. Liby., 121-2. 436 INDEX. Chalmers, Rev. Dr. T., dir. Stir. Liby., SO, pam- phlet on Leslie controversy, 280-1 . Chambers Brothers, various works and publica- tions of, 229, 24-J, -JCo, 2S1, 3~-2, 386. Chameleon, 287. Chap-books, collections of, 28, 220-1, 231, 253, 282, 344, 3(32, 3*5. Chapman, George, 352, 431. Chapman, Robert, Glas. printer and publisher, 141, 14$, 203 ; Picture of Glas.. 285, 379. Chapman & Duncan, Glas. printers, 148, M43. Charles I., works on, 28, 319, 362. Charles, Prince, the young Pretender, books re- lating to, 370-7 ; his'journal, 376-7. Charmer, The, 241, 338. Chatsworth Library, catalogue, 123. Chatterton's works, 240. Chaucer's works, early editions, 92, 334, 350, 411. Chemistry, books on,'l64, 194, 206-13. Chepman & Myllar, first printers in Scot., 339. Cherry, John, poems, 371. Cherubini, M., 181, 184, 191. Chesterfield's Maxims, 383. Chevi*, E., 184. Chevreul on chemistry, 207. Child's ballads, 264, 338. Child, W., Psalms, 184. Children, books for, list of, 288. Chipp, E. T., 185. Chiromancy, books on, 215. Chiswick press poets, 240. Choice songs and ayres, 190. Chladni, E., 184. Cholera epidemic, 1832-33, statistics relating to, in Glas., MS., 95. Chopin, F., 181. Chorley, H. F., 180. Choron and Fayolle, 181, 184. Chouquet, G., 180. Christ's Kirk on the Green, 367. Christian, duty of a, 410. Chrysostom's sermons, 87. Chrystal, Robert, dir. Stir. Liby., 83. Churchyard's Chippes, and other works, 356. Cicero's works (1492, 1496), 81 ; (1529), 115 ; Foulis, 110, 150. Cities, famous, works on, 313. Clans, feuds and conflicts, 378. Clarindd, see Burns. Clark, George \V., secy, and dir. Stir. Liby., 81, 82. Clark, Rev. John, Song of Solomon in metre, 370. Clark, R., random rhymes, 383. Clark, Wm., mem. com. Mit. Liby., 103. Classical writers, works of, SO, 151, 218, 321, 431-2 ; printed by Brothers Foulis, 149. Classification of the books in the libraries, 16-17. Classification of books in Stir. Liby., 77 ; in Mit. Liby., 116. Cleland's works on Glas., 286, 326, 379 ; map of Glas., 285. Clelaud, Wm., poems, 368. Cllment, F., 180 ; Musique Religieuce, Diction- naire Lyrique, 181. Cleveland's works, 357. Clio and Euterpe, 190. Cloud of Witnesses, 270, 374. Clyde, dispute concerning banks of, 380. Co'bbett's Political Register, 161. Cochrane, Rev. Matthew, dir. Stir. Liby., 83. Cochrane correspondence, MS. letters, 341. Cockey, Wm., secy. Stir. Liby., 71, 81. Cocleus, Tetrachordum, 182. Codrington, R., 356. Coleman's Snow Fields, 313. Coleridge's, S. T., works, 21, 301, 326, 358. Collier s reprints, and original works, 19, 20, 258, 300, 310, 335, 360, 425. Collins, John, Spanish proverbs, 394. Collins, Sir Wm., mem. com. Mit. Liby., 103, 174. Colquhoun, Bailie, mem. com. Mit. Liby., 103. Colquhoun, James, dir. of Stir. Liby., 83 ; mem. of Mit. Liby., 174. Colvil's Whigg's Supplication, 203, 367. Comes Anioris, 190. Comet, steamer, loss of, 379. Commerce, books on, 161. Commons, House, MS. jnl. of, 85. Commonwealth, works on the, 362. Complaynt of Scotland, 203, 223, 265, 358, 427. Couchology, works on, 346-7. Confession of Faith, 18, 153, 237, 269, 407. Conington's Analysis (chemistry), 213. Connal, Michael, vice-pres. and dir. Stir. Liby., 80, 81. 82 ; at opening Mit. Liby., 118. Constable, David, 338. Cookery, books on, 164. Cook's Beautiful Seaweeds, 163. Cooper, catalogue, chemistry, 207. Corale Constantmi, 186. Cordiner's Antiquities of Scot., 158. Corelli, A., Concertos, 192. Costa, Sir M., 185. Councillors in their cups, 383. Couperin, P., 192. Court of Session Garland, 242, 276, 427. Cousse maker, C., 180. Covenanters, posters, broadsides, etc. on, 229, 289 ; books, 364, 373-4 ; sermons by, 374. Cowan, Dr., dir. Stir. Liby., 80. Cowper's works, 35S. Craigie. Bailie, dir. Stir. Liby., 79. Cramer, C. F., Mozart, 182. Crapelet's proverbes, 394. Crawford, Arch., Paisley publisher, 384. Crawford, Thomas, Glas. printer, 148. Crawford, W., Fates of Alceus, 383. Crawford's Renfrewshire, 341, 379. Crawturd's Peerage, 156. Crawshaw's Steps to the Temple, 335. Creech, John, publisher of Burns' poems, 226 ; letters on Edin., 378. Creighton, Capt. John, memoirs of, 376. Crichton, The Admirable, 203. Crombie's Modern Athenians, 266, 400. Cromwell and Z. Boyd, 361. Crossley, James, 411. Crotch, W., 184, 185. Cruikshank, George, works illustrated by, 29, 254, 257, 267, 295, 345, 430. Crusades, works on, 319. Cuckoo, Ode to, 340. Culloden, Battle of, account of, 377. Cumberland's British Drama, 336. Cumberland, Duke of, journey of the army of, 377. Gumming, Rev. John, lib. of Stir. Liby., 64-5, 86, 99. dimming, Thomas, poems, 383. Gumming, Thomas, mem. com. Mit. Liby., 174. CunlilT, R. S., dir. and tieas. of Stir. Liby., 71,81. Cunningham's Songs of Scot., 265; with auto., 277 ; works, 360. Cunningham's Nell Gwyn, 253, 335. Cunningham, J. M., dir. Stir. Liby., 83. Curll's Magick, etc., 367. Curwen, John, 184. Cusins, W. G., 185. Czeruy, C., 184. Dalgarno, G., Ars Siguorum, 202. Dalyell, J. G., works, 180, 229, 281, 358, 426. Dancing master, The (1716), 348. Dauiell, Samuel, works, 334, 357, 419. Dante's Divina Commedia (1481), 89-90, other eds., 311. Darien Expedition, tracts on, 201, 376 ; A. Shields at, 373. Darwin, Chas., works, 347. INDEX. 437 Davenant, Sir W., works, 357, 423. David, Felicien, 181. Davies, Sir John, works, 357. Davisson's Oblatio Salis, and other works, -205. Davison's Poetical Rapsodie, 334. Day, John, 184. Dearie, E., 185. Decoration, books on, 161. Dee, D., Monas Hieroglyphica, 211 ; on Spirits, 210. Defoe's novels, 267; Robinson Crusoe, 30, 302, 386, 431 ; Scottish Church history, 151 ; works on witchcraft, 366 ; Caledonia, 371. Dekker's works, 357, 417. Deliciae musicae, 190. Delrio, Disquisitiones, 108, 210. Demonology. books on, 215-16, 410. Demosthenes, orations, 431. Deuhara's antiquarian tracts, 344-5. Denholm's Glas., 285, 428. Denne-Baron, D., Cherubini, 181. Design, books on, 161. Deuchar, Alex., British Crests, 234. Deuchar, David, etchings, 234, 295. D'Urfey, T., works, 357. Dibdin, H. E., 188. Dibdin, T. F., works, 167, 234, 257, 258, 267, 304, 403, 432. Dickens, C., works, first and other editions, 30, 257, 267, 289, 302, 321, 347, 403 ; auto., 136, 201 ; letters, 304. Dickson, Rev. David, explanation of Hebrews, 202, 237-8, other works, 115, 151, 370. Directories. See Glasgow. Disraeli, B., 291 ; novels, 267 ; Isaac, 291. Distillation, books on, 213. Dodsley's Old Plays, 264, 311. Doune, J., works, 357, 420-1. Dort, council of, articles of agreement, MS., a4. Douglas, Gawain, trans, of Homer, 351-2, 403. Douglas and Angus, Hume's house of, 110, 156, 226, 265, 376, 401, 428. Douglas, a play. See Home. Dowland, J., Micrologus, 182. Doyle, Rich., artist, 295. Dramatic works, collections of, 19, 164, 221-2, 239, 264, 300, 387. Drayton, Michael, poems, etc., 334-5, 357, 418. Drebbel's De Quinta Essentia, MS. 207. Drummond of Hawthornden, poems, 340, 425 ; History of Scot., 400. Dmmmond's Scottish weapons, 158, 228, 243, 400 ; Edinburgh, 228, 400 ; monuments of lona, 228-9, 400. Du Cange's Glossarium, etc., 321. Dugdale's Monasticon Anglicanum, 72, 9C ; St. Paul, 429. Dufresnoy's Traite sur les Apparitions, etc., 21ii. Dumas, Alex., pere, 304. Dun, Peter, Up and Down in the Lennox, 279. Dunbar's poems, 242, 278, 359. Duncan, A., choir, 187. Duncan, A., of Lundie, auto., 275. Duncan, David, Glas. printer, 148. Duncan, James, Glas. printer, 148. Duncan, J. yon and M6ryon's Paris, 294. Weever's Funeral Monuments, 430. Weftianae, Noctes Sma", Strong, 140. Weir, Dr., dir. Stir. Liby., 80. Weir, Major, trial, 374. Weir, W., letter to Dr. Strang, 328. Weir's history of Greenock, 379. Welch, John, life, 374. Weldon, Sir A., Terrible Newes from Scotland, etc., 373, 386. Wenham, Jane, case of, 216. Wesley's Maggots, 387. Westminster drollery, 423. Westwood's Palaeographia, etc., 254. Wey's Rome, 254, 313. Whetstone's Mirror of Magistrates, etc., 413. Whitgift, Archbp., stops Knox's Historic, 153, 372. Whitney's Emblems, 356, 414. Wierus, De Praestigiis, etc., 216. Wigton martyrs, 374. Wilkins, G., Miseries of Enforst Marriage, 421. William's Greece, 320. Williamson, David, 374. Williamson, Stephen, Glas. book collector, 343. Wilson, Alex., poems, 277, 383. Wilson, John, publisher of Burns' poems, 225. Wilson, John, Doctor Hornbook, 128-9. Wilson, John, publisher, Glas., 147. Wilson, John, sermons, 374. Wilson, Thomas, Rule of Reason, etc., 409. Wilson, Preceptor Wm., convener of com. Mit. Liby., 104, 128, 137-8, 174; don. to Mit. Liby., 121, 125 ; dir. Stir. Liby., 82. Wilson, Wm., Battle of Bothwell Brig, and other works, 368. Wingate's Coinage of Scotland, 158. Winter, P. von, 185, 191. Winter Nighfs Vision, 355. Witchcraft, books on, 19, 215-17, 221, 269, 271-3, 364-7, 401, 410. Wit's Recreations, 422. Withers, George, hymns, 188 ; works, 358. Wodrow's biographia, 341. Wodrow Society publications, 98, 110. Worde, Wynken de, printer, 90, 410, 422, 429, 430. Wordie, John, liby., 387-404. Wordsworth's works, 121, 240, 300; auto., 273. Worgan, J., 185. Wright, Dr. Peter, dir. Stir. Liby.. 43, 44. Wright's Criticism on Ker's Popular Phrases, 397. Wylie, John, lib. Stir. Liby., 68, 99. Wynd Church case, Glas., 329-31. Wyntoun'a, Cronykil of Scot., 109, 203, 223, 265, 427. Xenophon, works. 56, 150, 218. Yarns in 1784-86, prices of, MS., 85. Yarrell's British Pishes, 129, 163, 346. Young, Alex., 349 ; liby., 404-432. Young, Robert, Glas. printer, 203. 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THE BOOK OF SCOTTISH STORY : Historical, Traditional, Legendary, Imaginative, and Humorous. Crown 8vo., pp. 768. Cheaper edition. Price 3s. A most interesting and varied collection by Leading Scottish Authors. THE BOOK OF SCOTTISH POEMS: Ancient and Modern. Edited by J. Ross. Crown 8vo., pp. 768. Cheaper edition. Price 3s. Comprising a History of Scottish Poetry and Poets from the earliest times. With lives of the Poets and Selections from their Writings. * * These three works are uniform. A DESCRIPTION OF THE WESTERN ISLES OF SCOTLAND, CALLED HYBRIDES. With the Genealogies of the Chief Clans of the Isles. By SIR DONALD MONRO, High Dean of the Isles, who travelled through most of them in the year 1549. Impression limited to 250 copies. Demy 8vo. Price 5s. This is the earliest written description of the Western Islands, and is exceedingly quaint and interesting. In this edition all the old curious spellings are strictly retained. A DESCRIPTION OF THE WESTERN ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND CIRCA 1695. By MARTIN MARTIN. Impression limited to 250 copies. Demy 8vo. Price 12s. 6d. With thf exception of Dtan Monroes smaller work 150 years previous, it it tfu: earliest description of the Western Islands we have, aiid is tlui only lengthy work on the subject before the era of modern innovations. Martin very interestingly describes the people and their ways as hffoxnd them about 200 years ago. AND NEW EDITIONS. 1 THE SCOTTISH POETS, RECENT AND LIVING. By ALEXANDER G. MURDOCH. With Portraits, Post 8vo. Price 6s. A most interesting resume of Scottish Poetry in recent times. Contains a biogmphical sketch, choice pieces, and portraits of the recent and living Scottish Poets. THE HUMOROUS CHAP-BOOKS OF SCOTLAND. By JOHN ERASER. 2 Vols., Thin Crown 8vo (all published). Price 5s. An interesting and racy description of the chap-book literature of Scotland, and biographical sketches of the writers. THE HISTOR T OF STIRLINGSHIRE. By WILLIAM NIMMO. 2 Vols., Demy 8vo. 3rd Edition. Price 25s. A new edition of this standard county history, handsomely printed, and with detailed map giving the parish boundaries and other matters of interest. This county has been termed the battlefield of Scotland, and in addition to t/ie many and important military engagements that have taken place in this district, of all which a full account is given, this part of Scotland is of especial moment in many other notable respects, among which particular reference may be made to the Jtoman Wall, the greater part of this most interesting object being situated within the boundaries of the county. A POPULAR SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF GLASGO W: From the Earliest Period to the Present Time. By ANDREW WALLACE. Crown 8vo. Price 3s. 6d. T?ie only attempt to write a History of Glasgow suitable for popular use. THE HISTORY OF THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS AND ISLES OF SCOTLAND, from A.D. 1493 to A.D. 1625. With a brief introductory sketch from A.D. 80 to A.D. 1493. By DONALD GREGORY. Demy 8vo. Price 12s. 6d. Incomparably the best hittory of the Scottish Highlands, and icrittrn purely from original investigation. A Iso contains parti- cularly full and lengthened Contents and Index, respectively at beginning and end of the rohimf. 8 NEW BOOKS AND NEW EDITIONS. THE HISTOR Y OF A YRSHIRE. By JAMES PATERSON. . 5 Vols., Crown 8vo. Price 28s. net. The most recent and the fullest history of this exceedingly interesting county. The work is particularly rich in the de- partment of Family History. MARTYRLAND: a Historical Tale of the Covenanters. By the Eev. ROBERT SIMPSON, D.D. Crown 8vo. Cheaper Edition. Price 2s. 6d. A tale, illustrative of the history of the Covenanters in the South of Scotland. TALES OF THE COVENANTERS. By E. J. GUTHRIE. Crown 8vo. Cheaper Edition. Price 2s. 6d. A number of tales illustrative of leading incidents and char- acters connected with the Covenanters. PERSONAL AND FAMILY NAMES. A Popular Monograph on the Origin and History of the Nomen- clature of the Present and Former Times. By HARRY ALFRED LONG. Demy 8vo. Price 5s. Interesting investigations as to the origin, history, and meaning of about 9,000 personal and family names. THE SCOTTISH GALLOVID1AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA of the Original, Antiquated, and Natural Curiosities of the South of Scotland. By JOHN MACTAGGART. Demy 8vo. Price raised to 25s. Impression limited to 250 copies. Contains a large amount of extremely interesting and curious matter relating to the South of Scotland. THE COMPLETE TALES OF THE ETTR1CK SHEPHERD (JAMES HOGG). 2 vols., Demy 8vo. An entirely new and complete edition of the tales of this popular Scottish un-iter. GLASGOW: THOMAS D. MORISON. LONDON : HAMILTON, ADAMS & CO, lil 1 ll'i' '' - rv Q "7 O Q