This able writer and excellent man died at the Vicarage, Blackburn, Dec. 18, 1821, aged 63; and was buried in the family vault at Holme on the 24th; the attendance at his grave bearing ample testimony to the veneration his character had commanded where his influence was more immediately felt.

The titles and dates of Dr. Whitaker's principal Works are:

A Fast Sermon, Feb. 28, 1794. (See Gent. Mag. vol. LXIV. p. 834.)—" A Sermon on the Consecration of the Chapel of Holme, July 19, 1794." (LXIV. 1116.)—A second Fast Sermon, Feb. 22, 1795. (LXV. 761).—“A Sermon preached at Leeds, for the benefit of the General Infirmary," 1796, 8vo. (LXVII. 139.)" A History of the Original Parish of Whalley, and Honor of Clitheroe, in the Counties of Lancaster and York," 1801, 4to (LXXII. 44.) This Work has passed through three Editions; the second in 1806; the last, with very considerable additions, in 1818.-" History of the Deanery of Craven," 1805, royal 4to. Second Edition, 1812. (LXXV. 1129. LXXXVI. ii. 140)." A Sermon preached at the Consecration of the Chapel of Salesbury in Lancashire, 1807," 8vo. (LXXVII. 1133.)—“ De Motu per Britanniam Civico Annis 1745 et 1746," 1809, 12ino. (LXXIX. 335.)-" The Life and Original Correspondence of Sir George Radcliffe, Knt." 1810, 4to. (LXXX. ii. 151.)-An edition of "Piers Plowman," 4to.-" The Sermons of Dr. Edwin Sandys, formerly Archbishop of York, with a Life of the Author," 1812, 8vo." Sermon preached at the Primary Visitation of the Lord Bishop of Chester," 1814, 4to.-" A new Edition of Thoresby's "Ducatus Leodinensis; or, the Topograpy of Leeds," &c. fol. 1816.-" Loidis and Elmete; or an Attempt to illustrate the Districts described in those Works by Bede, and supposed to embrace the lower Portions of Aredale and Wharfdale; together with the entire Vale of Calder, co. York," fol. 1816. (LXXXIV. ii. 32.)—“Substance of a Speech at Blackburn, Feb. 20, 1817." (LXXXVII. i. 213.)—" The History of Yorkshire," fol. 1821. The MS. for "Richmondshire," and "Lunedale," was completed by Dr. Whitaker, previous to his death. These two Portions will be comprized in Twelve Numbers, forming two Volumes.

**The following Epitaph is at Bexford, Suffolk (see p. 265.) "Underneath are the remains of SUSAN CHURCH, the wife of JOHN CHURCH, Rector of this Parish, by whom she left a daughter named Elizabeth. She was daughter to Mr. Thomas Carew, of Little Waldingfield, by his 2d wife, Elizabeth Buddle, of Hadleigh. In her intercourse with the world, she was obliging and inoffensive; to the poor she was constantly good; and in great sincerity of heart was cheerfully religious. In her own family for above 24 years she was a continual blessing. But it pleased God that she died Aug. 13, 1769, aged 43 years.

"Here also lie the remains of the above-named JOHN CHURCH, who died Oct. 27, 1785, aged 80 years."

JAMES

JAMES EDWARDS, Esq.

This worthy and intelligent gentleman was the eldest son of Mr. William Edwards, Bookseller, of Halifax; who was for many years eminent in his profession, and of no common estitimation for the energies of his mind; and whose skill in collecting rare books, not less than his exquisite taste in rich and expensive bindings, will long be recollected in the annals of Bibliography. The Catalogues which he occasionally published abounded in rare and valuable books, many of them most ornamentally and superbly bound, in a manner peculiar to himself. He brought up four sons to his own profession, all of whom acquired high celebrity.

In 1794, when he was 64 years of age, he settled his son James, with a younger brother (John), in Pall Mall; where, under the firm of Edwards and Sons, they published a Catalogue which astonished, not only the purchasers of books, but the most experienced and intelligent Booksellers in the Metropolis. Never, perhaps, was a collection more splendid, or more truly valuable, presented to the curious; and its success was proportionate to its merits. It was formed principally from the Libraries of N. Wilson, Esq. of Pontefract; two eminent Antiquaries, deceased; and H. Bradshaw, Esq. of Maple Hall, Cheshire.

This was followed, in 1787, by the Library of Peter Mainwaring, M. D.; with that of an eminent Civilian, and others. Mr. John Edwards died in early life.

Mr. Richard Edwards, another brother, settled in Bond-street; but retired in a few years from trade, having obtained a respectable appointment under Government in the Island of Minorca, which after a short time he relinquished.

In 1788, Mr. James Edwards accompanied his friend James Robson, Esq. in a journey to Venice, on purpose to examine the far-famed Pinelli Library, the Catalogue of which filled six octavo volumes. This Library, by a bold and successful speculation, they secured, by offering a price for it which the executors and trustees found it their interest to accept; and, during the severe winter which followed, the books were, not without much hazard from the sea, brought safely to London; and sold by auction in the following year in Conduit-street.

In 1790 Mr. Edwards published a Catalogue of the Libraries of Salichelli of Rome, and Zanetti of Venice; and in 1793 he was the purchaser of that singular bibliographical treasure which Mr. Gough has so well described in his " Account of a rich illuminated Missal, executed for John Duke of Bedford, Regent of France under Henry VI.; and afterwards the Duchess of Portland's." This Missal executed under the eye, and for the immediate use of the famous John Duke of Bedford (Regent of France) and Jane (the daughter of the Duke of Burgundy) his wife, was, at the beginning of the 18th century, in the magnificent Library of Harley Earl of Oxford. It afterwards came into the possession of his daughter, the well-known Duchess of Portland, at whose VOL. IV. sale

3 L

sale, in 1786, it was purchased by Mr. Edwards for 215 guineas. Among the pictures in it, there are whole-length portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Bedford; the head of the former of which has been enlarged and engraved by Vertue, for his portraits to illustrate the History of England. The Missal frequently displays the arms of these noble personages; and also affords a pleasing testimony to the affectionate gallantry of the pair; the motto of the former being "A vous entier," that of the latter "J'en suis contente." There is a formal attestation in the volume, of its having been given by the Duke to his nephew, Henry VI. as a most suitable present. But the Reader should consult (if he can procure it) Mr. Gough's curious volume, written expressly upon the subject; or Mr. Dibdin's "Bibliographical Decameron," vol. 1. p. cxxxvi-cxxxix.

In this purchase the purse or the spirit of Mr. Edwards exceeded that even of Crowned Heads; and to him Mr. Gough's publication was thus addressed: "To whom, with greater propriety, can be inscribed an Illustration of the Bedford Missal, than to him, who, with the spirit to purchase it, unites the taste to possess it? Preserve, Sir, this splendid monument of the Arts in the Fifteenth Century, and precious memorial of one of the most illustrious in the Catalogue of English Worthies; to remain either as an heir-loom in your own family, or as a deposit in some of our National Collections. And may it survive to the latest posterity, secure from the ravages of time, or the far worse havock of political frenzy. Believe me, Sir, your obliged humble servant, R. GOUGH."

His fame as a Bibliographer was now completely established: and some fortunate purchases on the Continent soon filled up the measure of fortune which, his unambitious mind and strong natural sense informed him, was sufficient for all the rational enjoyments of polished life. He now began to enjoy the calm retirement of the country, in the neighbourhood of Ŏld Verulam; and, in 1805, on the 10th of September, completed his happiness, by a matrimonial union with Katharine, the accomplished and only daughter* of the Rev. Edward Bromhead, M. A. Rector of Reepham, Norfolk; and uncle to Sir George Bromhead, Bart.

About the same time he purchased the manor-house at Harrow, which had formerly been the residence of several Archbishops of Canterbury: a delightful residence, commanding the most extensive prospects †. There he continued, during the remainder of his life, in the exercise of elegant hospitality, in the full enjoyment of domestic felicity, and the social intercouse of many of his old literary friends. In this romantic, but classical retreat, is laid the scene of a very considerable part of Mr. Dibdin's "Bibliomania :" Mr. Edwards being the generous RINALDO of that justly-celebrated "Bibliographical Romance."

* Mr. Edwards was re-married, in November 1820, to the Rev. Thomas Butt, Rector of Kynnersley, Shropshire.

+ An Alcove in the garden is well described in "Bibliomania,” p. 246. Mr.

Mr. Dibdin, after describing an amiable and well-known Bookcollector, concludes the character by observing that, while Menalcas sees his oblong cabinet decorated with a tall, well-dressed, and perhaps matchless regiment of Variorum Classics, he has little or no occasion to regret his unavoidable absence from the field of battle in the Strand or Pall Mall. And yet, although he is environed with a body-guard, of which the great Frederick's father might have envied him the possession, he cannot help casting a wistful eye, now and then, upon still choicer and taller troops which he sees in the territories of his rivals. I do not know whether he would not sacrifice the right wing of his army, for the securing of some magnificent treasures in the empire of his neighbour Rinaldo; for there he sees and adores, with the rapture-speaking of a clas sical bibliomaniac, the tall, wide, thick, clean, brilliant, and illuminated copy of the first LIVY UPON VELLUM *, enshrined in an impenetrable oaken case, covered with choice Morocco ! "There he often witnesses the adoration paid to this glorious object by some bookish pilgrim, who, as the evening sun reposes softly upon the hill, pushes onward, through copse, wood, moor, heath, bramble, and thicket, to feast his eyes upon the mellow lustre of its leaves, and upon the nice execution of its typography. Menalcas sees all this, and yet has too noble a heart to envy Rinaldo his treasures! These Bibliomaniacs often meet, and view their respective forces; but never with hostile eyes. They know their relative strength; and wisely console themselves by being each eminent in his degree. Like Corregio, they are also Painters' in their way."

Mr. Dibdin has also enlarged on Mr. Edwards's character, in his "Bibliographical Decameron," vol. III. p. 14.

To return to the elder Mr. Edwards. Frugal and temperate in his ordinary habits, plain and unaffected in his manners, the even tenor of his life was extended to the age of 86; when he calmly resigned his breath, June 10, 1808, highly beloved and respected, having long before had the satisfaction of seeing two of his sons retired from business, to enjoy the comforts of wellearned competence; and a third, Mr. Thomas Edwards, established in his own respectable and extensive concerns at Halifax.

In the summer of 1814 Mr. James Edwards embraced the opportunity of visiting Paris; which he had frequently done in the earlier part of his life, and even during the reign of the late Emperor, who (with all his many failings) was not indifferent to literature, or literary men. Here, accompanied by Mrs. Edwards, and some select friends, he passed a few delightful weeks; but returned still more satisfied with his native country, and his mansion at Harrow. His health, however, having become precarious, and his constitution undermined by symptoms of paralysis; he was advised, by some medical friends, to forbear for the future any close application to study. He followed their advice; and adopted the heroic resolution of selling his valuable Library, *This magnificent article was purchased at Mr. Edwards's Sale by Sir Mark Sykes, for 9034. See Dibdin's" Decameron," III. 117.

which

which he actually accomplished in 1815*. This was indeed a prime treat to the amateurs of first editions and vellum copies. It consisted of only 830 articles, and produced 84321.; upwards of 10l. per article, a result unprecedented in the annals of booksales! At this sale the far-famed Bedford Missal passed, April 11, 1815, by the hammer of Mr. Evans, from his possession, to that of the Marquis of Blandford, for 6871. 15s. This important event was a very great relief to himself and his friends, who fondly hoped that some years might still be added to his life. But his disorder had taken too firm a root; and, though he lived several months after in great apparent tranquillity, the thread of life was fatally cut on the 2d of January, 1816, at the age of 59. His firm mind being wholly unappalled at the prospect of death, which he knew was fast approaching, he gave the necessary directions for his funeral, desiring that his coffin might be made out of some of the strong shelves of his Library; and breathed his last sigh with the true fortitude of a Christian, leaving a widow and five children, the eldest little more than six years old, to lament their irreparable loss. Three nights only before his death, he expressed a desire that his youngest boy (then only four years old) might be a Bookseller; and named Mr. Payne as the person and friend to whom he wished to confide him. His monument in Harrow Church is thus inscribed:

"In memory of JAMES EDWARDS, Esquire, of LONDON, well known to the learned and ingenious of the age in which he lived, as one of the most eminent Collectors and Booksellers in Europe. To his skilful research and liberal spirit of enterprise, his country is indebted for the rarest specimens, Biblical and Classical, of the Typographic Art. By his zealous activity in his profession, he exhausted the treasures of Foreign Cabinets to enrich the stores of the Scholar and the Man of Taste in his native Land. He was a most affectionate Husband and Father; a kind, sincere, and useful Friend; and in all the transactions and relations of life, a man of unblemished integrity. Happy in a temper always serene and cheerful, his manners were frank, courteous, and benevolent: His faith in the Gospel was firm: His piety ardent and uniform: His resignation perfect: His life was Praise, and his death Peace.-Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. Psalm xxxvii. verse xxxvii.”

* See a full account of this Sale in Mr. Dibdin's "Bibliographical Decameron," vol. III. pp. 111-126; also, Gent. Mag. vol. LXXXV. part. I. pp. 135, 254, 349.

In the Memoirs of the WOLLASTONS, "Illustrations," vol. I. pp. iv, and 169, r." Henry-John Wollaston." In the Plate, and p. 169, r. "Rev. W. Wollaston," not " Esq." P. 834. Col. William Wollaston's epitaph, and that of Dr. Frederick Wollaston's first wife, are at Finborough, not Shenton. Ibid. 1. 30, r." Peakirk with Glinton ;" and 1. 44, r. “ assiduos." P. 835. 1. 29, F. W. Wollaston was Colonel in the 22d Light Dragoons, not the 2d.-L. 38, r." Rector of Paston."