Lord Avebury "Lord Lubbock," but that is just precisely what Alford did in the case of Bacon, and if he were alive to-day I should not hesitate to tell the author of "The Queen's English " that he did not quite understand his business. The author of a book with such a title should have been the first to protest, by word and example, against such a gross misuse of terms. In this connexion it is interesting to recall the fact that the editor of The Maclise Portrait Gallery" 1883, says (page 361), with regard to "Lord Bacon,"

It is as erroneous as would be that of 'Lord Disraeli' applied to the Earl of Beaconsfield. Yet we laugh at Frenchmen who speak of Sir Peel' and such like!" Just so!

To change the subject let us have another chat about sale-cataloguing, for there are still bones to pick with the cataloguers. For instance, what is meant by "an original Henry VIII. binding"? It might be anything; paper, boards, vellum, calf, pigskin, morocco, or whatnot. Will the concocter of this expression explain? Then, in one catalogue this year "Thomas Ingoldsby" appears as the author of "The Ingoldsby Legends," ! Shade of Barham ! His ghost should haunt the perpetrator of the deed. To an ordinary person it would seem obvious that the works of an author should be placed under his surname, and not under his christian name. Thus, Paulus Jovius should go under "Jovius" and not under "Paulus," just as John Smith's works should be placed under "Smith" and not under " John." This particular fault was printed in a catalogue of Mar. 27, 1906. In another catalogue we find a book described as being "bound by Francis Bedford," but no statement as to how it was bound. Such terms as "full morocco" and "morocco gilt extra" are redundancies. "Morocco," alone, implies that the binding is a whole one, while "extra means that the cover is extra gilt, and to say morocco extra gilt " is the same as saying morocco gilt gilt," which, as Euclid would say, "is absurd." French terms still flourish in our English catalogues, and so we get such words as "fatiguée" instead of worn and "Grand Papier" instead of "Large Paper." It is just as easy, if not indeed a trifle easier, to use one's own language as to use a foreign one. Prolixity and tautology, too, are every-day evils. No one wishes to be informed first that a book is "in the original uncut condition" and afterwards to be told in a note that "the edges are entirely uncut." Or it will first be stated that a book is "fine, perfect and genuine throughout" and two lines later that it is "quite perfect." Whence, Oh! whence this thusness? Perchance the only remedy for such want of precision will be to start an institution somewhat upon the following lines:

ACADEMY FOR TEACHING AUCTION-CATALOGUING

Principal-Professor Instinct

Assistant Masters-Messrs. Brains; Care; Common-Sense; Experience; Observation; and Pride-in-Work.

Terms-Lessons gratis, provided that pupils are anxious to learn how not to make fools of themselves.

And there let us leave the matter.

Occasionally I hear growls such as references to our wretched trade." This happens with every calling, because those who are in

them see the inside, and the inside of a garment is always seamy. But the growlers are much mistaken. Bookselling is more of a profession than a trade, and if the growlers had been taught something else their growls would have been fiercer than they are. Fancy, for instance, beginning as a butcher at 20 years of age. Say you live to be 70. Then you are still cutting up joints, and going to market, just as you did at 20. You have learnt nothing. Or if you become a baker at 20, still at 70 years of age you are setting the sponge and handing loaves over the counter, just as you did at 20. You have learnt nothing. If one has to earn one's living it is impossible to do so in a pleasanter, a more elevating occupation than that of buying and selling books. So please don't growl. You may go further and fare much worse. Besides, as a subscriber said to me a day or two ago, "You never know your luck." An example of this was the case of another subscriber who one day made £350 through picking up a first edition of an English classic for a shilling or two, and sending it to Sotheby's. He wasn't a very big man, and the find was a blessing. In another case a subscriber in a small way of business bought a tiny 12mo. for a shilling, and learnt through B.A.R. that its value was £43. I don't call a trade a" wretched " one that possesses such chances as these.

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Even while this page has been passing through the press comes the following testimony to the value of works of reference to the dealer in books :- 'August 11, 1908. Herewith P.O.'s for £1 11s. 6d. for enclosed account. I must say that it is splendid value, and a work that ought to be in every antiquarian bookseller's possession. Another instance of what your work has done for me; I bought a scarce item and would have sold it for two or three shillings, but upon looking up records found that same had sold for £2 17s. 6d. ; a wide difference between that sum and two or three shillings. Shall be pleased to have the other 4 volumes of B.A.R. Trusting that you can so oblige me as your work is indeed most valuable to me."

Let us end the season's reminiscences on a note of humour. Once, for the fun of the thing, I advertised, week after week, something to the following effect :-" B.A.R. never advertises, but, if you want to know where to get it, write to 35 Pond Street, Hampstead." A subscriber asked me what I meant by advertising that I didn't advertise. He was much too good a fellow for me to tell him that he had not much sense of humour, so I merely said that I didn't know. He was much puzzled. Another persistently addresses his envelopes to " Frank Karslake, Esq., B.A.R." which appears to evince his belief in the advent of a new Order. It really makes one feel that one need not seek to have one's name decorated with any such mystic initials as A.B.C., S.P.Q.R., or X.V.Z. And, finally, another said, " Where did you dig up the Troglodytes?" I told him they were discovered at the Crystal Palace, among the prehistoric animals. "Oh," he said, "I see."

The circulation of B.A.R. has during the past year made greater progress than ever, so in the happiest possible of moods, Au revoir !

F. K.

September, 1908.

SOME NOTES ON SCOTTISH PRINTING

and the Libraries and Book Trade of
Edinburgh, by ADAM SMAIL, (author
of "Side Lights on the Forty-five," &c.),
John Knox's House, Edinburgh.

T

HE literary history of Scotland, so far as the output of printed books is concerned, may be definitely fixed as commencing in 1505. We are indebted to the Edinburgh Bibliographical Society for a very important contribution to Scottish literature in the monograph entitled "A List of Books printed in Scotland before 1700, including those printed furth of the Realm for Scottish Booksellers, with brief notes on the Printers and Stationers," by Harry G. Aldis (now of Cambridge University Library), 4to., pp. xvi., 153, 1904.

Their

・・・ An analysis of this noteworthy volume shows that from 1505 to 1569, 74 works are known to have been printed, chiefly in Edinburgh; 1570 to 1599, 250; 1600 to 1629, 397; 1630 to 1659, 898; 1660 to 1689, 1379; and from 1690 to 1699, 921. This brings out a total of 3,919 publications of all kinds, many of these being issued from the Edinburgh presses. The honour of being the earliest printers in Scotland is divided between Walter Chepman, a merchant burgess of Edinburgh, and Androw Myllar, also a burgess of that town. The first printing press in Scotland was set up by them under a patent granted by King James IV., 15th September, 1507, in the Southgait (now Cowgate), at the foot of Blackfriars Wynd. earliest dated imprint is 4th April, 1508, on "The maying or disport of Chaucer." The Edinburgh printers who succeeded were, up to 1602: J. Story, T. Davidson, J. Scot, R. Lekpreuik, T. Bassandyne, J. Ross, A. Arbuthnet, H. Charteris, T. Vautrollier, R. Waldegrave, R. Smyth, and R. Charteris. The subjects dealt with in their publications include religious works, poetry, acts of Parliament and proclamations, history, etc. From 1604 to 1647, the printers were: T. Finlason and his Heirs, A. Hart, his heirs and successors, E. Raban, J. Wreittoun, R. Young, G. Anderson and his heirs, J. Bryson, R. Bryson, and his heirs, R. and J. Bryson, Young and Tyler, E. Tyler, J. Lindesay, and G. Lithgow. Their publications resembled those of the earlier printers, with the addition of medical and scholastic works. From 1653 to 1695 the printers were: A. Anderson and his partners, heirs and successors, C. Higgins, Society of Stationers, I. H., G. & J. Swintoun, J. Glen, D. Trench, and T. Brown (together and alone), J. Cairns, W. Carron, J. Reid, J. S., Brown, Glen, and Weir, D. Lindsay and several partners, J. Watson, P. Bruce G. Mosman, and J. Watson, Jr. Military works and newspapers may be added to the subjects detailed above. It is most interesting to find Penn (Wm.) Some Fruits of Solitude" Second Edition, 12mo., Edin., 1694. Almanacs, Bibles, Catechisms, Confessions of Faith, Darien Company, Declarations, Henry the Minstrel's Life of Wallace, Letters, Sir D. Lindsay's Works, Psalms, and Theses, occupy a large portion of the copious and elaborate index. The most noteworthy printers are Andrew Anderson (1653-76), Alexander Arbuthnet (1574-1585), Thomas Bassandyne (1564-1577), Andro Hart (1610-21), Christopher Higgins (1652 (?)-60), David Lindsay and his partners (1681-85), Evan Tyler (1642-82), James Watson and his son (1686-1722) and Robert Young (1632-42).

After 1700, the notices of Edinburgh printers and publishers form too large a subject for adequate treatment here, but curious and unexpected details of no little interest can be found by seekers for knowledge. The following may serve as an example. The first Circulating library in Scotland was established by Allan Ramsay, the famous Scottish poet, author of "The Gentle Shepherd," a dramatic pastoral which is still popular, although published so long ago as 1725. His shop

was situated in the High Street, opposite Niddry's Wynd, and here the wits of the city met daily for information or amusement during the days of Ramsay and those who succeeded him. The plays of that day were viewed with suspicion by many good folk, and "honest Allan was blamed for lending these dramatic pieces to some whose morals were likely to be injured by their perusal. About 1736 he opened the first play-house erected in Scotland, in Carrubber's Close, not far from his shop, and a few doors above John Knox's house, but the Act for licensing the stage, 10 Geo. II., Cap. 28, passed June 24th, 1737, had the effect of closing the theatre after an existence of little more than six months. It is probable that Ramsay was a heavy loser by the failure of this speculation. He gave up his business in 1755, and died in 1757, in his 73rd year. His circulating library was purchased by James Sibbald, who began business in Parliament Square. Sir Walter Scott, when a boy, used to frequent this library, and made good use of his opportunity for acquiring the knowledge he was able to turn to such good account in later life. Sibbald was the author of "The Record of the Public Ministry of Jesus the Christ," 1798, and compiled a Chronicle of Scottish Poetry, with a Glossary," 4 vols., 1802. The circulating library of Allan Ramsay, already mentioned as acquired by Sibbald, is included in a volume bearing the following attractive title : A New Catalogue

of the Edinburgh Circulating Library: containing twenty thousand volumes, English, French, and Italian (of History, etc.), including all the Books that have been lately published in every Branch of Literature, likewise Music and Prints, which are lent by the year, half-year, or quarter, by J. Sibbald, Bookseller, Stationer, and Printseller, Parliament Square, Edinburgh, Price One Shilling." no date; but three Appendixes have been added for 1781-2-3. The terms of subscription are prefixed (4 vols. at a guinea a year, or 7s. 6d. a quarter, including Reviews, Magazines, and New Pamphlets of every sort, together with such prints (one at a time), as are allotted for that purpose; one book, or two vols. of the same book at half-a-guinea a year, or 3s. 6d. a quarter). This Catalogue of 206 pages, 8vo., has prices attached to most of the 4,687 items, which comprise various classes of literature, including Anatomy, Physic, etc. Nisbet's System of Heraldry, 2 vols., £4 4s., is to be seen in the Library, but not lent out; Pontoppidan's "Natural History of Norway," folio, £3, Burney's "General History of Music," 2 vols., 4to., £3 3s. ; Ware's "Complete Body of Architecture," folio, £2 2s.; and Harleian Miscellany," 8 vols., 4to., £88s.; give a good impression of the artistic and literary taste of Edinburgh readers. The Novels and Romances occupy more than 30 pages, and cost generally 3s. per volume. Some of the works of fiction are in 4 or 5 volumes, or even in 8, as in the case of "Sir Charles Grandison," Curious titles are not uncommon e. g. : "Mock Monarchs, or the benefits of high blood," 2 vols., 7s.; Scotchman, or the world as it goes,' 3 vols., 9s.; "Life and Imaginations of Sally Paul," 3s.; "Shandymonian, or an higgledy-piggledy of opinions," 2s. 6d. Sibbald died in 1803.

The publishers and booksellers of the Scottish metropolis during the last sixty years have been very ably dealt with by Mr. Robert Cochrane in an article entitled 44 Scotland for Ever! Edinburgh as the World's best Book-buying City," which appeared in The Book Monthly for August, 1907, No. 11, Vol. IV. (London, Simpkin). To that instructive and well-informed paper I may therefore be allowed to refer the readers of "B. A. R." The present writer's memories of the trade in Edinburgh go back more than forty years, and many changes and improvements in buildings, locomotion, and manners and customs have been effected. In former times, holidays were fewer and working hours rather longer. Eight o'clock closing and five on Saturdays were usual in the retail trade. Summer and Christmas Numbers were rare, and the magazines had to depend on wood-engraving in most cases for their illustrations. "Good Words," The Sunday Magazine,' The Argosy," All the Year Round,' Chambers's Journal," "The Leisure Hour," "Sunday at Home," and other periodicals supplied good and wholesome reading to an appreciative public. Many works appeared thus which subsequently in book form attained assured popularity. The discount system of twopence in the shilling was the rule, so that it surprised the present writer when this startling question was put: "Is it here you give 44d. off the shilling?"

Mr. James McIntosh, a veteran, carried on business in North College Street, long since swept away with many other old buildings for the formation of Chambers Street. His shop was small and crowded with books, but the back window overlooking the Cowgate was always scrupulously clean. One moruing a pane was

"

broken and in fear and trembling the assistant had it replaced in the hope of escaping the wrath of the irate master. His sharp eye detected something wrong, and he exclaimed "That window has not been like that since the Queen's Coronation ! !" Mr. McIntosh and his son have passed away, and also many other worthies of "the good old times." Among these may be named Mr. Duncan Maclachlan, of the firm of Maclachlan and Stewart; Messrs. E. and S. Livingstone, so graphically described by" R.L.S." in A College Magazine," Mr. Brown, College Street, who closed for a month in summer to enjoy a holiday; Mr. Lindsay and his son, Mr. T. G. Stevenson, editor and publisher, whose old-world shop had a character all its own (his catalogue issued in 1839 contained 1673 items and occupied 136 pages, 8vo.), Mr. James Stillie, who loved his books so much that he declared to a customer desiring to purchase a certain book, "It would grieve me to part with it, I'll rather keep it.' His stock was large and included many rare books. Mr. James Braidwood at the sign of the head of George Buchanan, 26, George Street, had a good business in second-hand books, and his catalogues were worthy of perusal. In the shop, 49, South Bridge, Messrs. Ogle and Murray carried on the business commenced by Mr. William Laing, who afterwards assumed as partner his notable son, David, the firm becoming W. and D. Laing. Lockhart, in his clever sketches bearing the title of "Peter's Letters to his Kinsfolk," published in 1819, depicts in a very happy manner his impression of this distinguished bookseller and librarian, when a very young man. The present writer distinctly remembers his first interview with Dr. Laing. By the way, he strongly objected to be addressed by this title. About 1870, while arranging the library of the Rev. Dr. Thomas McCrie (1772-1835), which had passed into the possession of his son, the younger McCrie (1797-1875), and afterwards into the hands of an Edinburgh bookseller, the writer was surprised by the visit of a staid old gentleman, ruddy-cheeked and benevolent in aspect. From some remarks made regarding the examination of this library thirty years earlier, he was evidently one able to speak with authority as to its character and value. Later acquaintance only deepened the admiration of his acumen and discernment as displayed in the extent and depth of his knowledge in literary matters. On one occasion a volume was submitted for his inspection, and it was stated to be unique. After a brief inspection the volume was handed back with the significant remark, 'facsimile title," thus proving that at least another copy must have existed. His vast library was in many respects one of the most remarkable that had ever been collected in Scotland, and its dispersal created much interest in literary and bibliographical circles at home and abroad. Three other book collectors whose libraries deserve mention were Messrs. Whitefoord Mackenzie, Maidment and Gibson Craig, all bibliophiles of the good, old-fashioned type.

The hereditary taste for literature receives a striking illustration in the following facts. Mr. Alexander Macredie commenced business with two partners as publishers and booksellers under the title of "Macredie, Skelly, and Mackersy," at No. 34, Princes Street, about 1820. This partnership was dissolved four years later and Mr. Macredie became the chief publisher and bookseller for the Church of Scotland. In 1846, his nephews Myles and William Macphail succeeded him, the former taking the publishing and the latter the printing portion of the business at Greenside place. Macphail's Edinburgh Ecclesiastical Journal" fought bravely for the Church of Scotland under William's editorship in the stormy years after the Disruption. Among its constant contributors, during its quarter of a century's existence, were eminent men who occupied high positions in theology and literature. Thomas De Quincey was a frequent writer in its columns. The firm was dissolved in 1854. Myles went abroad, and William began as bookseller, publisher and printer at 98, Princes Street, the printing works being removed to St. James's Square. After various changes of premises, he confined his attention to second-hand books, chiefly in antiquarian and Scottish literature. At his death in 1884 the business passed into the hands of his son, Alexander W. Macphail, grandnephew of Alexander Macredie. He deals in pictures and prints, as well as books, at 10, St. Giles Street, near St. Giles Cathedral and the Law Courts. From 1820 to 1862, the firm issued the chief works in theology of "the auld kirk," and long had a monopoly of the school books issued by a Society for use in all Parish Schools throughout Scotland.

The annals of Edinburgh in time past as now are intimately associated with books in libraries and shops. One of the most notable among the former is the Advocates' Library, which has a most interesting history. It was founded in 1682