nuscripts. His collection of autographs numbered about twenty-five thousand, and was one of the most valuable and extensive in the world. He had, likewise, a very large number of first editions of fifteenth century books, and a splendid collection of manuscripts bearing upon the French Revolution. The late Mr. Thacher was the author of several works, among them "The Continent of America, " Christopher Columbus, and "Outlines of the French Revolution. "

2.

Bostonians are fortunate in having a series of Thursday conferences under the auspices of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts at which various recognized American authorities on matters of interest to the bibliophile discourse at length. Recently Emil H. Richter, Curator of the Print Department, delivered an excellent lecture on Early German Prints," which lecture was fully illustrated by prints from the Museum's extensive collection.

It is interesting to note some of the prices fetched at the sale of the fourth portion of the library of Mr. Henry W. Poor, at Anderson's, February 26th.

The unique copy of Izaak Walton's "Compleat Angler, " 1655, which brought $300 at one of the McKee sales in 1901 was resold yesterday in the Anderson auction rooms for only $140 (George D. Smith.) The record price for this second edition, $ 780, paid on Feb. 17, for John Gerard Heckscher's copy, a fine one, bound in crushed levant and with none of the leaves or plates cut into. The McKee-Poor copy, in olive morocco by Bedford, is not a fine as a number of leaves and the music are cut into and other leaves are re-margined and mended. It contains manuscript notes in Walton's autograph (two of them dated 1656) which are written on three of the four original fly-leaves, and is known to collectors as "Walton's own copy." Among the notes is a quotation from St. John: "There is a lad here who hath five barley loaves and two small fishes."

This interesting item was the most important lot in the fifth and final session of the fourth Poor sale. The total for this part of the banker's library was $11,000, and for the four parts about $100,000.

A series of Wilde first editions included an elaborately rebound copy of " Salome, 1894, which brought $116 (Drake). It was in red crushee levant, inlaid, by Riviere, the original purple wrappers preserved. An a. 1. s. of the author was inserted. 'Lady Windermere's Fan. " 1893, presentation copy of the small paper edition, which Mr. Smith gave $50, was inscribed; "To my friend Byron Webber in recognition and with thanks. Oscar Wilde, '93. "Salome," 1894, on Japanese vellum, brought $ 22 (Smith); "The Sphinx, 1894, large paper, $45 (Smith); "The Chameleon, " first number, 1894, $ 20 (Quinn). Wilde's "Poems, 1881, the scarce first edition in the original vellum, fetched $ 30 (Smith); "A House of Pomegranites, " 1891, in three-quarters brown crushed levant, tooled with pomegranites, by Bradstreet's, $19.50 (Chatt); and "De Profundis, n. d., on Japanese vellum, $ 23 (Smith).

Whittier's "Mog Megone," 1836, bound by Samblancx-Weckesser, a long and interesting a. 1. s. of the poet laid in, sold for $ 66 ("order"). It brought $61 at the Pyser sale, 1906; the record price $ 90, was given for the Chamberlain copy, in original cloth. Dinsmoor's "Incidental Poems, " 1828, uncut, bound by Bradstreet's, a. 1. s. of Whittier to Lucy Larcom, three pages, inserted, brought $ 37 (Smith). Kettell's " Specimens of American Poems,,, 1829, three volumes, with twenty-five portraits inserted, fetched $ 34 (same buyer). The Abolition "Poems" of 1837, chocolate crushed levant, realized $ 29 ("order "); and "Moll Pitcher and the Minstrel Girl, 1840, original green paper covers, the McKee-Arnold copy, $45, 50 (“order "). Twentyeight quarto and octavo leaves of nature notes in Thoreau's autograph, a number of the sheets written on both sides of the paper, fetched $37 (G. D. Smith).

An almost complete set of Humphrey's reprints of classic authors realized $246, the highest priced item being Walpole's "Letters to the Countess of Ossory," 1903, $22.

The following communication from Mr. Frederick Lewis Gay to one of our journals will have an interest for the collector of works on the early drama in America. Mr Gay says: "The writing and acting of the first play in what is now English-speaking America may be assigned to a date at least thirty-four years earlier than 1640, the date given by William J. Neidig, in your issue of January 28. In 1606, two years before Quebec was founded, and when Shakespeare was still alive, the Sieur de Poutrincourt brought a band of Frenchmen to settle at Port Royal in Acadie. Among them was Marc Lescarbot, who wrote a history of New France, in which he tells what happened there under his own eyes. His chief, de Poutrincourt, coming back after a cruise along the New England coast, "arrived at Port Royal the fourteenth of November, where we received him joyfully and with a solemnity quite unknown in those parts. The account continues:

For just as we were looking for his return (with great longing, for had ill befallen him we should have been in danger of confusion). I bethought myself of setting forth some piece of merriment, which we did. And, as it was written hurriedly in French rhymes, I have put it in "Les Muses de la Nouvelle-France, "under the title of "Théâtre de Neptune, to which the reader is referred. ("Histoire de la Nouvelle-France," Book iv, Chap. 16).

The third piece in “Les Muses de la Nouvelle-France," Paris, 1609, is the masque, “Le Théâtre de Neptune en la Nouvelle-France," containing 242 rhymed lines. The characters are Neptune, six Tritons, four Indians and a jovial attendant. Neptune appears clad in a blue robe and socks, hair and beard long and hoary, holding in hand his trident, seated on his charlot decked out with his colors. The chariot is drawn on the wawes by six Tritons to board the launch wherein De Poutrincourt and his followers took their places on leaving their ship to go ashore. When the chariot is made fast the launch Neptune addresses De Poutrincourt in fifty-eight lines, calling him "Sagamos. " Neptune tells who he is, how great his power on the sea, and how he has often protected De Poutrincourt; Neptune further promises to favor De Poutrincourt's undertaking because he foresees destiny is preparing a flourishing empire for France in the New World. A trumpet then strikes up and encourages the Tritons lo speak; one after another they deliver their parts covoring eighty-four lines. They praise Neptune, implore the help of France and commend De Poutrincourt's bravery. The Indian word "adesquides," friend, is used. Strangely enough, the part of the fifth Triton was taken by a Gascon, who pronunced his verses" à peu près en sa langue." Next Neptune draws aside to make room for four Indians in a canoe bringing gifts. In seventy-eight lines they offer moose meat, beaver skins, and shell ornaments, but do not forget to beg for "caraconas bread. Neptune and the Indians are thanked for their good will by De Poutrincourt, who invites them to the fort. Forthwith Neptune's troop sing a four-part song of four lines. This ended, the trumpet again sounds and they go their several ways. Cannons roar for a full quarter hour. On reaching the fort, De Poutrincourt is met by the merry attendant, who speaks the last eighteen lines of the piece greeting the returning chief and bidding the cooks to make ready every kind of good cheer. We have Lescarbot's word that this masque was actually "représentée sur les flots du Port-Royal le quatorzième de Novembre mille six cens six, au retour du Sieur de Poutrincourt du pais des Armouchiquois. "

Here, then, is a play both written and acted in North America iu 1606. As a masque it fulfils all conditions required by the definition of the word, if it is agreed that a masque was a dramatic performance in which the actors, properly disguised represented mythical or allegorical characters. "

༡༠

Without question the most surprisingly successful sale of genealogies ever held in America was that of the late Samuel S. Purple at Messrs. Libbie & C., Boston, which sale was announced in my previous notes, The sale's total for the 2807 lots was above $10,000,

The recently organized Essex Book and Print Club of Salem, Massachusetts has just issued its first publication, a reprint of « New England's Plantation », this being the first book on Salem, three editions of which, all exceedingly rare and much sought by collectors of Americana, appeared in 1630.

The Lenox branch of the New York Public Library had on view for the winter and spring months a little selection of books remarkable in the progress of printing. The earliest known book printed with movable metal types is represented by a beautiful copy of the Gutenberg, or Mazarin, Bible, supposed to have been printed by Gutenberg, assisted by Fust at Mentz, 1453-55. There are two leaves from the « Recuyell of the Histories of Troye », printed by William Caxton, and the Coverdale Bible, 1535. No perfect copy is extant, but the exhibition contains one of the library's two excellent copies, both of which have been supplied with facsimile leaves for those missing. Then there was a copy of the first book printed in America in the English language, the « Bay Psalm Book », 1640. The first book in Roman type, printed by Nicholas Jenson (Venice, 1470), « De Præparatione Evangelica », written by Pamphilius Eusebius was shown, also the first book in Italic type, an imitation of Petrarch's manuscripts, the Virgil by Aldus, Venice, 1501. The inventor of stereotyping was William Ged, and the book in which he first employed the new method, « C. Crispi Sallusti Belli Catilinarii et Jugurthini Historiæ », Edinburgh, 1739 was exhibited and the first monthly magazine published in England the Gentleman's Journal: or the Monthly Miscellany, London, January, 169 1. Benjamin Franklin established the first monthly magazine in English America, the General Magazine and Historical Chronicle, Philadelphia, January, 1741 a copy of which was contained in the collection.

The following note recently appeared in one of our journals:

A historical document of extraordinary interest and value is to be sold shortly at Anderson's. It is, so it is said, the genuine articles of surrender of the British Gen. John Burgoyne to Gen. Horatio Gates at Saratoga, Oct. 17, 1777.

The document is a folio sheet, both sides of which are covered by the thirteen divisions comprising the articles of surrender. It is signed by « J. Burgoyne », but all the rest of the document seems to be in the handwriting of Gen Gates.

It is indorsed « Articles of Convention », to soften the humiliation which Burgoyne suffered in having to surrender to the American forces. There is also an autograph statement of the number of the soldiers who surrendered, viz: << 2,442 British, 2,108 foreign, and 1,200 Tories >>.

The statement is made by some writers that Burgoyne started from Three Rivers on his ill-fated expedition whith 9,000 men, but H. M. Stephens, an English authority, who had access to all the matter relating to Burgoyne's march, defeat, and surrender, states that the British General left Three Rivers with only 6,400 soldiers and 649 Indians, which force was reduced to 5,000 men when the Battle of Saratoga was fought.

The indorsement on the document gives also the number of British and allies killed, wounded, and deserted. The articles read that Burgoyne's troops are to march out of their camps with the honors of war; that the artillery and arms are to be left, the latter to be piled by word of command from their own officers; that a free passage to Great Britain is to be granted to Burgoyne's army upon condition of the men not serving again in America during the war.

The document ends as follows:

These articles are to be mutually signed and exchanged to-morrow morning at 9 o'clk. sic) and the troops under Lit. G. B. are to march out of their entrenchments at 3 o'clk. P. M. In camp at Saratoga, Oct'r 16th. 1777.

The signature « J. Burgoyne » is slightly blotted, the document is somewhat time stained, its edges have been strengthened, and a few words are missing.

It seems as if this most important historical document ought to be in the United States Government Library, but whoever gets it will undoubtedly have to pay a very big price, as very seldom indeed is such a chance offered to the autograph collectors of this country to secure so valuable an autograph.

J

The second part of the Heckscher library recently referred to herein was sold in New York at the Merwin-Clayton auction rooms February 19th.

The second part of the library brought $ 15,326,70, the third day, on which the first six editions of Walton's « Compleat Angler » were offered, contributing $8300 to this total. The first part, sold on Feb. 2-5, realized $8628. The total for the two parts, containing 2321 lots, all angling and fishing books, is therefore nearly $ 24,000.

New York, U. S. A., March 10, 1909.

GARDNER C. TEALL.

NOTIZIE

La Biblioteca dello Scià di Persia. L'Accademia delle Scienze di Pietroburgo ebbe dalla Persia la notizia che la Biblioteca dello Scià, nella quale si trovano moltissimi manoscritti assai preziosi e rari, sta per essere venduta. C'è anche l'intenzione di alienare in pari tempo quadri di sommo pregio dalle scuole persiane ed indiane.

Scoperta di manoscritti autografi di Martino Lutero. Da Dessau ci viene la notizia che nella casa del parroco di Ostrau furono trovate, oltre un gran numero di documenti storici, di notizie autografe di Gasparo Bruziger (1542), di Filippo Melantone (senza data), di Paolo Lutero (1582), di Giovanni Ernesto Lutero (1582) e di Giovanni Federico Lutero (1582), copie di alcune lettere di Martino Lutero. Più importante di tutto però è il manoscritto autografo di quest' ultimo della traduzione della Bibbia di sedici pagine intere con parti del libro del profeta Geremia. Tutti questi autografi si trovano ora in custodia presso il parroco del piccolo paese di Ostrau.

In Europa le Università, secondo una statistica pubblicata dal giornale Science, sono 125, e nello scorso anno furono frequentate da 228.732 studenti. Il più alto numero di studenti toccò all' Università di Berlino, che ne ebbe 13.884; seguono: Parigi con 12.985, Budapest con 6551 e Vienna con 6205.

Quanto a numero di studenti, la Germania occupa il primo posto con 49.000 studenti, in cifra tonda, distribuiti in 21 università; seguono: la Francia con 16 università e 32.000 studenti, l'Austria-Ungheria con II e 30.000, l'Inghilterra con 15 e 25,000, l'Italia con 21 e 24.000, la Russia con 9 e 23.000, la Spagna con 9 e 12.000, la Svizzera con 7 e 6500, il Belgio con 4 e 5000, la Svezia con 3 e 5000, la Rumenia con 2 e 5000, e l'Olanda con 3 e 4000. La Grecia, la Norvegia, la Danimarca, la Bulgaria, il Portogallo e la Serbia non hanno che una università. Un papiro assai interessante. Solo ora, mercé gli studi del francese Bouché Leclerg sopra un papiro scoperto qualche anno fa nel sarcofago d'una mummia, dissepolto presso Fayoun, si è potuto ricostruire il rapporto che correva nell'antichissimo Egitto fra chi dirigeva i lavori e chi concedeva la mano d'opera. Quello strano papiro contiene la corrispondenza di un ingegnere del III secolo avanti Cristo, a nome Cleone, coi committenti, i capi squadra e gli operai,

nonché con quei proprietarî ai quali derivava danno o fastidio dai lavori da lui diretti. Cleone era stato incaricato dal Governo del suo tempo di scavare dei canali di scarico per prosciugare una vasta regione inondata, ed aveva sotto di sé un vero esercito di terraioli, facchini, muratori, fornaciai, carpentieri ed altri. Il salario corrispondeva per gli scavatori a 20 centesimi di nostra moneta al giorno, con l'obbligo di scavare due metri cubi di terra. Come adesso gli operai ricorrevano alla minaccia di sciopero per liberarsi dei capi troppo duri o ingiusti, e spesso ottenevano cosí i miglioramenti richiesti. Anche, in quei tempi lontanissimi, come in pieno secolo ventesimo, erano generali i lagni contro le lentezze dell'amministrazione finanziaria nel vistare i mandati di pagamento; ed abbastanza comune era il fatto di subordinati che si ribellassero contro i superiori immediati, fino a batterli, né a ciò si limitano le somiglianze fra i lati meno brillanti di quella vita antichissima e della nostra, poiché taluni ingegneri percepivano percentuali illecite sull'aggiudicazione dei lavori e delle forniture, e certi imprenditori frodavano alla loro volta nell'esecuzione dei contratti. Tanto è vero che lo stesso Cleone terminò la sua carriera accusato e imprigionato per quanto si ignori se a torto o a ragione.

Per le nostre Biblioteche. Col titolo << Nuove proposte in tema di ordinamento interno e di uso pubblico delle maggiori Biblioteche italiane » Demetrio Picozzi, della Biblioteca di Brera di Milano, pubblica alcune note assai interessanti per il pubblico degli studiosi, e che perciò volentieri riferiamo. Le proposte del Picozzi riguardano l'ordinamento dei libri e l'uso pubblico delle Biblioteche. Per la prima parte si espone un nuovo metodo, basato sull'opportunità di indicare l'ubicazione delle opere, non già dal numero della sala in cui vengono collocate, ma dall'anno nel quale entrano in Biblioteca, e cioè secondo un criterio cronologico. E secondo questo criterio i libri più recenti verrebbero ordinati nelle sale più vicine a quelle destinate al pubblico uso, mentre quelli meno recenti e perciò meno richiesti, verrebbero a trovarsi di volta in volta (ogni ventennio) in località o sezioni sempre meno centrali, sarebbe per tal modo eliminata una della cause maggiori di ritardo nella distribuzione dei libri. Il Picozzi propone sulla stessa materia altre innovazioni d'indole tecnica e dirette allo stesso scopo, assai efficaci.

Sull'uso pubblico delle Biblioteche l'autore dell'opuscolo propone la stampa dei cataloghi alfabetici e per materie, i quali faciliterebbero agli studiosi la ricerca delle opere nella Biblioteca nella quale si trovano, non solo, ma permetterebbero loro di conoscere quali opere si troverebbero in altre Biblioteche. Pratica ed opportuna anche la proposta dei supplementi ventennali al catalogo fondamentale.

Il Picozzi si occupa anche del problema di proporzionare il numero degli impiegati ai bisogni effettivi del servizio.

Addivenendo alla sua proposta e ricambiando cioè di volta in volta il materiale vecchio col nuovo, si potrebbero costituire sezioni separate, per le quali si domanderebbero al Governo provvedimenti speciali, e nella sede effettiva nella Biblioteca non si conserverebbero che quei 300 0 400 mila volumi, pei quali si avesse spazio, scaffali e numero di impiegati sufficienti ad un regolare servizio.

Nelle sezioni separate dalla sede della Biblioteca, i libri devono conservarsi in ordine e colle piú vigili cautele; ma tali sezioni di deposito, non richiedono lavori speciali di riordinamento e di immediato uso pubblico, potrebbero affidarsi in custodia a quelli fra gli ordinatori, che a causa dell'età avanzata o di personale infermità, fossero ritenuti meno utili al servizio necessariamente più attivo e faticoso della sede centrale.

A proposito del prestito dei libri però il Picozzi vorrebbe ristretto questo importantissimo servizio delle Biblioteche. Egli propone che in luogo delle attuali malleverie si richiedano agli studiosi due ben diverse garanzie e cioè il deposito di una cauzione in danaro e l'esibizione di documenti che valgano a identificare la persona o provarne la onorabilità e la buona condotta.

L'autore dell'opuscolo non è d'accordo col prof. Ricchieri il quale in una bella prefazione combatte queste ultime proposte restrittive in nome della coltura generale. Certo però