A library in a large country house should contain a representative collection of English literature, and also a selection of books of reference from the previous list. Standard Authors, in their best editions, County Histories, Books of Travel, Books on Art, and a representative collection of good novels, will of course find a place upon the shelves. A book such as Stevens's My English Library will be a good guide to the foundation of the library, but each collector will have his special tastes, and he will need guidance from the more particular bibliographies which are ready to his hand, and a note of which will be found in Chapter V. Room will also be found for sets of Magazines, such as the Gentleman's, the Edinburgh, and the Quarterly, and for the Transactions of such Societies as the owner may be member of. The issues of Publishing Societies form quite a library of themselves, and an account of these will be found in Chapter VII.
We have seen on a previous page how Napoleon wished to form a convenient travelling library, in which everything necessary could be presented in a comparatively small number of handy volumes. Few men are like Napoleon in the wish to carry such a library about with them; but where space is scarce there are many who find it necessary to exercise a wise spirit of selection. This, however, each man must do for himself, as tastes differ so widely.
Auguste Comte succeeded in selecting a library in which all that it is necessary for a Positivist to know is included in 150 volumes, but this result is obtained by putting two or more books together to form one volume.
Positivist Library for the 19th Century
150 Volumes.
I. Poetry. (Thirty Volumes.)
The Iliad and the Odyssey, in 1 vol. without notes.
Æschylus, the King Œdipus of Sophocles, and Aristophanes, in 1 vol. without notes.
Pindar and Theocritus, with Daphnis and Chloe, in 1 vol. without notes.
Plautus and Terence, in 1 vol. without notes.
Virgil complete, Selections from Horace, and Lucan, in 1 vol. without notes.
Ovid, Tibullus, Juvenal, in 1 vol. without notes.
Fabliaux du Moyen Age, recueillies par Legrand D'Aussy.
Dante, Ariosto, Tasso, and Petrarch, in 1 vol. in Italian.
Select Plays of Metastasio and Alfieri, also in Italian.
I Promessi Sposi, by Manzoni, in 1 vol. in Italian.
Don Quixote, and the Exemplary Novels of Cervantes, in Spanish, in 1 vol.
Select Spanish Dramas, a collection edited by Don José Segundo Florez, in 1 vol. in Spanish.
The Romancero Espagnol, a selection, with the poem of the Cid, 1 vol. in Spanish.
Select Plays of P. Corneille.
Molière, complete.
Select Plays of Racine and Voltaire, in 1 vol.
La Fontaine's Fables, with some from Lamotte and Florian.
Gil Blas, by Lesage.
The Princess of Cleves, Paul and Virginia, and the Last of the Abencerrages, to be collected in 1 vol.
Les Martyres, par Chateaubriand.
Select Plays of Shakespeare.
Paradise Lost and Lyrical Poems of Milton.
Robinson Crusoe and the Vicar of Wakefield, in 1 vol.
Tom Jones, by Fielding, in English, or translated by Chéron.
The seven masterpieces of Walter Scott—Ivanhoe, Waverley, the Fair Maid of Perth, Quentin Durward, Woodstock (Les Puritains), the Heart of Midlothian, the Antiquary.
Select Works of Byron, Don Juan in particular to be suppressed.
Select Works of Goethe.
The Arabian Nights.
II. Science. (Thirty Volumes.)
Arithmetic of Condorcet, Algebra, and Geometry of Clairaut, the Trigonometry of Lacroix or Legendre, to form 1 vol.
Analytical Geometry of Auguste Comte, preceded by the Geometry of Descartes.
Statics, by Poinsot, with all his Memoirs on Mechanics.
Course of Analysis given by Navier at the Ecole Polytechnique, preceded by the Reflections on the Infinitesimal Calculus by Carnot.
Course of Mechanics given by Navier at the Ecole Polytechnique, followed by the Essay of Carnot on Equilibrum and Motion.
Theory of Functions, by Lagrange.
Popular Astronomy of Auguste Comte, followed by the Plurality of Worlds of Fontenelle.
Mechanical Physics of Fischer, translated and annotated by Biot.
Alphabetical Manual of Practical Philosophy, by John Carr.
The Chemistry of Lavoisier.
Chemical Statics, by Berthollet.
Elements of Chemistry, by James Graham.
Manual of Anatomy, by Meckel.
General Anatomy of Bichat, preceded by his Treatise on Life and Death.
The first volume of Blainville on the Organization of Animals.
Physiology of Richerand, with notes by Bérard.
Systematic Essay on Biology, by Segond, and his Treatise on General Anatomy.
Nouveaux Eléments de la Science de l'Homme, par Barthez (2nd édition, 1806).
La Philosophie Zoologique, par Lamarck.
Duméril's Natural History.
The Treatise of Guglielmini on the Nature of Rivers (in Italian).
Discourses on the Nature of Animals, by Buffon.
The Art of Prolonging Human Life, by Hufeland, preceded by Hippocrates on Air, Water, and Situation, and followed by Cornaro's book on a Sober and Temperate Life, to form 1 vol.
L'Histoire des Phlegmasies Chroniques, par Broussais, preceded by his Propositions de Médecine, and the Aphorisms of Hippocrates (in Latin), without commentary.
Les Eloges des Savans, par Fontenelle et Condorcet.
III. History. (Sixty Volumes.)
L'Abrégé de Géographie Universelle, par Malte Brun.
Geographical Dictionary of Rienzi.
Cook's Voyages, and those of Chardin.
History of the French Revolution, by Mignet.
Manual of Modern History, by Heeren.
Le Siècle de Louis XIV., par Voltaire.
Memoirs of Madame de Motteville.
The Political Testament of Richelieu, and the Life of Cromwell, to form 1 vol.
History of the Civil Wars of France, by Davila (in Italian).
Memoirs of Benvenuto Cellini (in Italian).
Memoirs of Commines.
L'Abrégé de l'Histoire de France, par Bossuet.
The Revolutions of Italy, by Denina.
The History of Spain, by Ascargorta.
History of Charles V., by Robertson.
History of England, by Hume.
Europe in the Middle Ages, by Hallam.
Ecclesiastical History, by Fleury.
Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Gibbon.
Manual of Ancient History, by Heeren.
Tacitus (Complete), the Translation of Dureau de la Malle.
Herodotus and Thucydides, in 1 vol.
Plutarch's Lives, translation of Dacier.
Cæsar's Commentaries, and Arrian's Alexander, in 1 vol.
Voyage of Anacharsis, by Barthelemy.
History of Art among the Ancients, by Winckelmann.
Treatise on Painting, by Leonardo da Vinci (in Italian).
Memoirs on Music, by Grétry.
IV. Synthesis. (Thirty Volumes.)
Aristotle's Politics and Ethics, in 1 vol.
The Bible.
The Koran.
The City of God, by St. Augustine.
The Confessions of St. Augustine, followed by St. Bernard on the Love of God.
The Imitation of Jesus Christ, the original, and the translation into verse, by Corneille.
The Catechism of Montpellier, preceded by the Exposition of Catholic Doctrine, by Bossuet, and followed by St. Augustine's Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount.
L'Histoire des Variations Protestantes, par Bossuet.
Discourse on Method, by Descartes, preceded by the Novum Organum of Bacon, and followed by the Interpretation of Nature, by Diderot.
Selected Thoughts of Cicero, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Pascal, and Vauvenargues, followed by Conseils d'une Mère, by Madame de Lambert, and Considérations sur les Mœurs, par Duclos.
Discourse on Universal History, by Bossuet, followed by the Esquisse Historique, by Condorcet.
Treatise on the Pope, by De Maistre, preceded by the Politique Sacrée, by Bousset.
Hume's Philosophical Essays, preceded by the two Dissertations on the Deaf, and the Blind, by Diderot, and followed by Adam Smith's Essay on the History of Astronomy.
Theory of the Beautiful, by Barthez, preceded by the Essay on the Beautiful, by Diderot.
Les Rapports du Physique et du Moral de l'Homme, par Cabanis.
Treatise on the Functions of the Brain, by Gall, preceded by Letters on Animals, by Georges Leroy.
Le Traité sur l'Irritation et la Folie, par Broussais (first edition).
The Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte (condensed by Miss Martineau), his Positive Politics, his Positivist Catechism, and his Subjective Synthesis.
Paris, 3 Dante 66 (Tuesday, 18th July, 1854).
Auguste Comte,(10 rue Monsieur le Prince).
This is an interesting list as having been compiled with special thought by a celebrated man, but in many of its details it is little likely to find acceptance with the general reader. It seems rather odd to an Englishman to find the Princess of Cleves included, while Shakespeare is only to be found in a selection of his plays. It is not Comte's fault that science has not stood still since 1854, and that his selection of books is rather out of date.
A list of a hundred good novels is likely to be useful to many, but few lists would be open to more criticism, for readers differ more as to what constitutes a good novel than upon any other branch of literature. The following list was contributed by Mr. F.B. Perkins to the Library Journal (vol. i. p. 166). The titles are very short, and they are put down in no particular order. Most of us will miss some favourite book, but two people, Mr. Perkins says, have agreed on this list within four or five items. He says he was tempted to add a few alternatives, as Amadis de Gaul, Morte d'Arthur, Paul and Virginia, Frankenstein, Rasselas, etc.
Don Quixote.
Gil Blas.
Pilgrim's Progress.
Tale of a Tub.
Gulliver.
Vicar of Wakefield.
Robinson Crusoe.
Arabian Nights.
Decameron.
Wilhelm Meister.
Vathek.
Corinne.
Minister's Wooing.
Undine.
Sintram.
Thisdolf.
Peter Schlemihl.
Sense and Sensibility.
Pride and Prejudice.
Anastasius.
Amber Witch.
Mary Powell.
Household of Sir T. More.
Cruise of the Midge.
Guy Mannering.
Antiquary.
Bride of Lammermoor.
Legend of Montrose.
Rob Roy.
Woodstock.
Ivanhoe.
Talisman.
Fortunes of Nigel.
Old Mortality.
Quentin Durward.
Heart of Midlothian.
Kenilworth.
Fair Maid of Perth.
Vanity Fair.
Pendennis.
Newcomes.
Esmond.
Adam Bede.
Mill on the Floss.
Romola.
Middlemarch.
Pickwick.
Chuzzlewit.
Nickleby.
Copperfield.
Tale of Two Cities.
Dombey.
Oliver Twist.
Tom Cringle's Log.
Japhet in Search of a Father.
Peter Simple.
Midshipman Easy.
Scarlet Letter.
House with the Seven Gables.
Wandering Jew.
Mysteries of Paris.
Humphry Clinker.
Eugénie Grandet.
Knickerbocker's New York.
Charles O'Malley.
Harry Lorrequer.
Handy Andy.
Elsie Venner.
Challenge of Barletta.
Betrothed (Manzoni's).
Jane Eyre.
Counterparts.
Charles Auchester.
Tom Brown's Schooldays.
Tom Brown at Oxford.
Lady Lee's Widowhood.
Horseshoe Robinson.
Pilot.
Spy.
Last of the Mohicans.
My Novel.
On the Heights.
Bleak House.
Tom Jones.
Three Guardsmen.
Monte Christo.
Les Miserables.
Notre Dame.
Consuelo.
Fadette (Fanchon).
Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Woman in White.
Love me little love me long.
Two Years Ago.
Yeast.
Coningsby.
Young Duke.
Hyperion.
Kavanagh.
Bachelor of the Albany.
CHAPTER V.
GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES
A good collection of bibliographies is indispensable for a public library, and will also be of great use in a private library when its possessor is a true lover of books. One of the most valuable catalogues of this class of books is the "Hand-List of Bibliographies, Classified Catalogues, and Indexes placed in the Reading Room of the British Museum for Reference" (1881). It is not intended to give in this chapter anything like a complete account of these books, as a separate volume would be required to do justice to them. Here it will be sufficient to indicate some of the foremost works in the class. The catalogues of some of our chief libraries are amongst the most valuable of bibliographies for reference. The Catalogue of the Library of the London Institution is one of the handsomest ever produced.19 Unfortunately the cost of production was too great for the funds of the Institution, and the elaborate Catalogue of Tracts was discontinued after the letter F.
The London Library being a specially well-selected one, the catalogue (which is a good example of a short-titled catalogue) is particularly useful for ready reference.20
The Royal Institution Library is very rich in British Topography, and the catalogue forms a convenient handbook.21
The Catalogue of the Patent Office Library is by no means a model, but the second volume forms a good book of reference.22 Many other catalogues might be mentioned, but these will be sufficient for our present purpose. There is great want of a good Handbook of Literature, with the prices of the different books. Until this want is supplied good booksellers' catalogues will be found the most trustworthy guides. Pre-eminent among these are the catalogues of Mr. Quaritch, and the "Catalogue of upwards of fifty thousand volumes of ancient and modern books," published by Messrs. Willis and Sotheran in 1862. Mr. Quaritch's catalogues are classified with an index of subjects and authors.23 A previous General Catalogue was issued in 1874, and a Supplement 1875-77 (pp. iv. 1672). Now Mr. Quaritch is issuing in sections a new Catalogue on a still larger scale, which is of the greatest value.
For the study of early printed books, Hain,24 Panzer,25 and Maittaire's26 books are indispensable.
For general literature Brunet's Manual27 stands pre-eminent in its popularity. It has held its own since 1810, when it was first published in three volumes, demy octavo. Graesse's Trésor28 is less known out of Germany, but it also is a work of very great value. Ebert's work29 is somewhat out of date now, but it still has its use. Watt's Bibliotheca30 is one of the most valuable bibliographies ever published, chiefly on account of the index of subjects which gives information that cannot be found elsewhere. The titles were largely taken from second-hand sources, and are in many instances marred by misprints. Every one who uses it must wish that it was brought down to date, but it is scarcely likely that any one will sacrifice a life to such labour as would be necessary. Moreover, the popular feeling is somewhat adverse to universal bibliographies, and it is thought that the literature of his own country is sufficiently large a subject for the bibliographer to devote his time to.
English literature has not been neglected by English bibliographers, although a full bibliography of our authors is still a crying want. Complete lists of the works of some of our greatest authors have still to be made, and it is to be hoped that all those who have the cause of bibliography at heart will join to remedy the great evil. It would be quite possible to compile a really national work by a system of co-operation such as was found workable in the case of the Philological Society's Dictionary of the English Language. Sub-editors of the different letters might be appointed, and to them all titles could be sent. When the question of printing arose, it would be well to commence with the chief authors. These bibliographies might be circulated, by which means many additions would be made to them, and then they could be incorporated in the general alphabet. In such a bibliography books in manuscript ought to be included, as well as printed books. Although there is little doubt that many books still remain unregistered, we are well supplied with catalogues of books made for trade purposes. Maunsell31 was the first to publish such a list, and in 1631 was published a catalogue of books issued between 1626 and 1631.32 William London33 published his Catalogue in 1658, and Clavell's his in 1696.34 Bent's Catalogue, published in 1786, went back to 1700,35 and this was continued annually as the London Catalogue. The British and English Catalogues36 followed, and the latter is also published annually.37
For early printed books, Ames and Herbert's great work38 is of much value, but information respecting our old literature has increased so much of late that a new history of typographical antiquities is sadly needed. Mr. Blades has done the necessary work for Caxton, but the first English printer's successors require similar treatment.
William Thomas Lowndes, the son of an eminent bookseller and publisher, and himself a bookseller, published in 1834 his Bibliographer's Manual39 which has remained the great authority for English Literature. It had become very scarce when Henry Bohn, in 1857, brought out a new edition with additions in a series of handy volumes, which is an indispensable book of reference, although it is far from being the complete work that is required.
Allibone's Dictionary40 contains much that is omitted in Lowndes's Manual, but it is more literary than bibliographical in its scope. The well-selected criticisms appended to the titles of the several books are of considerable interest and value to the reader. Mr. W.C. Hazlitt's Handbooks41 are exceedingly valuable as containing information respecting a class of books which has been much neglected in bibliographical works. The compiler has been indefatigable for some years past in registering the titles of rare books as they occurred at public sales.
Mr. Collier's account of rare books,42 founded on his Bridgewater Catalogue (1837), is of great use for information respecting out-of-the-way literature, as also is Mr. Corser's descriptive Catalogue of Old English Poetry.43
Accounts of books published in Gaelic,44 in Welsh,45 and in Irish,46 have been published. The works of American authors are included in Allibone's Dictionary, referred to under English literature, but special books have also been prepared, such as Trübner's Guide,47 Stevens's American Books in the British Museum,48 and Leypoldt's great book, the American Catalogue.49 Catalogues of Books on America, such as those of Obadiah Rich, have also been compiled, but these are more properly special bibliographies. France has always stood in a foremost position in respect to bibliography, and she alone has a national work on her literature, which stands in the very first rank—this is due to the enthusiastic bibliographer Querard.50 A better model as to what a national bibliography should be could not well be found. The catalogue of current literature, which bears the name of O. Lorenz, is also an excellent work.51
German literature has been, and is, well registered. Heyse,52 Maltzahn,53 Heinsius,54 and Kayser,55 have all produced valuable works. Heinsius published his original Lexicon in 1812, and Kayser his in 1834, and Supplements to both of these have been published about every ten years. A more condensed work was commenced by A. Kirchhoff in 1856, containing the catalogue of works published from 1851 to 1855; a second volume of the next five years appeared in 1861, and since Kirchhoff's death Hinrichs has published a volume every five years. The Leipzig Book-fairs have had their catalogues ever since 1594, and the half-yearly volumes now bearing the name of Hinrichs,56 which have been published regularly since 1798, and to which the Fair catalogues succumbed in 1855, may be considered as their legitimate successors.
The Literature of Holland is well recorded by Campbell57 and Abkoude,58 and for Belgium there is the Bibliographie de Belgique.59 Italy can boast of a Gamba60 and a Bertocci,61 and a public office publishes the Bibliografia Italiana.62
Spain is fortunate in possessing a splendid piece of bibliography in the great works of Antonio.63 Some years ago, when I was occupied in cataloguing one of the chief collections of Spanish books in this country, I was in the daily habit of consulting these Bibliothecas, and while comparing the books themselves with the printed titles, I seldom found a mistake. Hidalgo's64 work and the Boletin65 show that at the present time bibliography is not neglected in that country.
The works of Barbosa Machado66 and Silva67 show that Portugal is not behind the sister kingdom in the love for bibliography.
Bibliographies of other countries might be mentioned here, but space will not permit. There is one branch of general bibliography to which special attention has been paid for a long period of years. O. Placcius published his Theatrum Anonymorum et Pseudonymorum at Hamburgh in 1674 (2nd ed. 1708). Villani continued the record of pseudonymous literature by publishing at Parma, in 1689, a small volume entitled La Visiera alzata. J.C. Mylius published his Bibliotheca Anonymorum et Pseudonymorum at Hamburgh in 1740.
Barbier's great work on the Anonymous in French Literature was first published in 1806-8, the second edition appeared in 1822-27, and the third in 1872-78, as a continuation to the second edition of Querard's Les Supercheries Littéraires. Querard's work is more curious than useful, because the author has entered into minute questions of authorship which do not really belong to the domain of bibliography. Manne's volume (1834) is not of much value. Lancetti published an octavo volume on Pseudonyms in Italian (1836), but Barbier's work was not worthily imitated in any other country until Mr. Paterson commenced the publication of the very valuable work of the late Mr. Halkett.68