Volume II Part 16 (1/2)
[150] [”How can M. Dibdin forget the respect due to his readers, to give them a recital of dinners, partaken of at the houses of private persons, as if he were describing those of a tavern? How comes it that he was never conscious of the want of good taste and propriety of conduct, to put the individuals, of whom he was speaking, into a sort of dramatic form, and even the MISTTRESSES OF THE HOUSE! c.r.a.pELET: Vol. iv. 106. I have given as unsparing a version as I could (against myself) in the preceding extract; but the _sting_ of the whole matter, as affecting M. c.r.a.pelet, may be drawn from the concluding words. And yet, where have I spoken ungraciously and uncourteously of Madame?]
[151] [_Bozerian undoubtedly had his merits_.]--Lesne has been singularly lively in describing the character of Bozerian's binding.
In the verse ...
Il dit, et secouant le joug de la manie....
he appears to have been emulous of rivalling the strains, of the Epic Muse; recalling, as it were, a sort of Homeric scene to our recollection: as thus--of Achilles rus.h.i.+ng to fight, after having addressed his horses:
[Greek: E ra, kai en protois iachon eche monuchas hippos]
[152] Some account of French bookbinders may be also found in the _Bibliographical Decameron_, vol. ii. p. 496-8.
[153] Cependant Thouvenin est un de ces hommes extraordinaires qui, semblables a ces _corps lumineux_ que l'on est convenu d'appeler _cometes_, paraissent une fois en un siecle. Si, plus ambitieux de gloire que de fortune, il continue a, se surveiller; si, moins ouvrier qu'artiste, il s'occupe sans relache du perfectionnement de la reliure, il fera epoque dans son art comme ces grands hommes que nous admirons font epoque dans la litterature. p. 117.
[154] [In the year 1819, Lord Spencer sent over to the Marquis de Chateaugiron, a copy of the _Ovid De Tristilus, translated by Churchyard_, 1578, 4to. (his contribution to the Roxburghe Club) as a present from ONE President of Bibliophiles to ANOTHER. It was bound by Lewis, in his very best style, in morocco, with vellum linings, within a broad border of gold, and all other similar seductive adjuncts.
Lewis considered it as a CHALLENGE to the whole bibliopegistic fraternity at Paris:--a sort of book-gauntlet;--thrown down for the most resolute champion to pick up--if he dare! Thouvenin, Simier, Bozerian (as has been intimated to me) were convened on the occasion:--they looked at the gauntlet: admired and feared it: but no man durst pick it up!
Obstupuere animi:----
Ante omnes stupet ipse Dares[D]....
In other words, the Marquis de Chateaugiron avowed to me that it was considered to be the _ne plus ultra_ of the art. What say you to this, Messrs. Lesne and c.r.a.pelet?
[D] _Thouvenin_.
[155] This poem appeared early in the year 1820, under the following t.i.tle.
”_La Reliure, poeme didactique en six chants_; precede d'une idee a.n.a.lytique de cet art, suivi de notes historiques et critiques, et d'un Memoire soumis a la Societe d'Encouragement, ainsi qu'au Jury d'exposition de 1819, relatif a des moyens de perfectionnement, propres a r.e.t.a.r.der le renouvellement des reliures. PAR LESNe. Paris, 1820. 8vo. pp. 246. The motto is thus:
Hatez-vous lentement, et sans perdre courage, Vingt fois sur le metier remettez votre ouvrage; Polissez-le sans cesse et le repolissez.
_Boileau Art. Poet._ ch. 1.
This curious production is dedicated to the Author's Son: his first workman; seventeen years of age; and ”as knowing, in his business at that early period of life as his father was at the age of twenty-seven.” The dedication is followed by a preface, and an advertis.e.m.e.nt, or ”Idee a.n.a.lytique de la Reliure.” In the preface, the author deprecates both precipitate and severe criticism; ”He is himself but a book-binder--and what can be expected from a muse so cultivated?”
He doubts whether it will be read all through; but his aim and object have been to fix, upon a solid basis, the fundamental principles of his art. The subject, as treated in the Dictionary of Arts and Trades by the French Academy, is equally scanty and inaccurate. The author wishes that all arts were described by artists, as the reader would gain in information what he would lose in style. ”I here repeat (says he) what I have elsewhere said in bad verse. There are amateur collectors who know more about book-binding, than even certain good workmen; but there are also others, of a capricious taste, who are rather likely to lead half-instructed workmen astray, than to put them in the proper road.” In the poetical epistle which concludes the preface, he tells us that he had almost observed the Horatian precept: his poem having cost eight years labour. The opening of it may probably be quite sufficient to give the reader a proper notion of its character and merits.
Je celebre mon art; je dirai dans mes vers, Combien il eprouva de changemens divers; Je dirai ce que fut cet art en sa naissance; Je dirai ses progres, et, de sa decadence.
Je nommerai sans fard les ineptes auteurs: Oui, je vais derouler aux yeux des amateurs: Des mauvais procedes la deplorable liste.
Je nommerai le bon et le mauvais artiste;
_LETTER IX._
MEN OF LETTERS. DOM BRIAL. THE ABBe BeTENCOURT. MESSRS. GAIL, MILLIN, AND LANGeS. A ROXBURGHE BANQUET.
_Paris, June 20, 1818_.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
We have had of late the hottest weather in the memory of the oldest Parisian: but we have also had a few flying thunder showers, which have helped to cool the air, and to refresh both the earth and its inhabitants.
In consequence, I have made more frequent visits; and have followed up my morning occupations among BOOKS, by the evening society of those who are so capable, from their talents, of adding successfully to their number. Among the most eminent, as well as most venerable of historical antiquaries, is the celebrated Dom BRIAL, an ex-Benedictin. He lives in the _Rue Servandoni_, on the second-floor, in the very bosom, as it were, of his library, and of city solitude. My first visit to him, about three weeks ago, was fortified by an introductory letter from our friend * * *. The old gentleman (for he is about seventy four) was busily occupied at his dinner--about one o'clock; and wearing a silk night cap, and habited en rocquelaure, had his back turned as his servant announced me. He is very deaf; but on receiving the letter, and recognising the hand-writing of our friend, he made me heartily welcome, and begged that I would partake of his humble fare. This I declined; begging, on the other hand that he would pursue his present occupation, and allow me to examine his library. ”With the greatest pleasure (replied he); but you will find it a very common-place one.”