greatest politeness he exhibited his literary curiofities to my examination, afforded ine every affiftance in his power, and gave me much and important information. We differed, indeed, in one point, which, I truft, however, he will eafily forgive. It was part of my plan to trace and point out the progreffive changes of the value of rare books; of this he did not entirely approve, thinking it might increase to profelfed Collectors, the difficulty of acquiring them. I confefs, this did not appear to me an argument of fuffi cient weight to induce me to deviate from the plan I had adopted.

"Mr. Chalmers, of the Office of Trade, is allo entitled to my warmeft acknowledgements. The zeal, activity and kindness he has demonftrated towards me, the unreferved use of his valuable collection, the accuracy of his information, the frank and manly fympathy he has on all occafions avowed in my behalf, have made an impreffion upon my heart which can never be obliterated.

"I have alfo received from Sion College fame cutious articles, which how ever, as I am, from my local connection, entitled to the benefit of them, I fhould not have mentioned, except that it affords me an opportunity of expreffing my esteem for Mr. Watts, the worthy Librarian of the College, who, in every undertaking which has the benefit of Literature in view, is always prompt and kind in his affiftance.

Latily, I muft introduce the name of Mr. Nares. The intimate and affectionate connection which I have enjoyed with him for a long feries of years, has ever been my pride, and is fufficiently known to the world. I may prefume to add, that the literary labours, which at a moft perilous period we commenced in concert, and have long and fuccefsfully profecuted together, have been allowed, by thofe beft qualified to judge, to have rendered important benefit to our religious as well as our civil conftitution. It is, therefore, almost ufelefs to declare, that as I could not engage in any Literary purfus without the fanction of his approbation and the concurrence of his aid, the volumes now given to the publick have had their full fhare of both. I am indebted to him for fome curious articles, and I am cheered by the cons fidence, that what has received his ap

probation cannot entirely fail of fuccefs with the publick.

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Thus was I engaged, and with thefe refources and thefe aids, in an occupation, of all others, the most grateful to my tafie, and molt in conformity with my habits, when a dark and fudden tempeft arofe, which menaced my little bark with inevitable deftruction. While I was bafking in the funshine of a fair fame, with the fond hope, and ftrong expectation, that I had only to draw my veffel on fhore and fufpend my votive tablet in the Mufes' Temple, a whirlwind fwept me to a gulph, where all but integrity must have foundered.

'Animus meminiffe horret!' "A man was introduced at the Mufeum, with the fanction of the most refpectable recommendation. I mention not his name-the wounds of his own confcience must be fo fevere a punishment, that I shall not increase his fufferings.

"Satisfied with the credentials which he brought with him, and impofed upon by his frank, and feemingly honeft manner, I received him in the progrefs of many attendances with unfufpecting confidence. I believed, for why was I to diftruft, the artful tale of what he had in view, and thought that I did no more than difcharge my duty by promoting and facilitating its accomplishment.

He proved to be difhoneft; he purloined valuable property which was in my cuftody, and it was thought that the good government of the Institution required my difmittal.

I acquiefced in the decifion, and retired with no murmurs of resentment, with no querulous expoftulation; but with what anguifh of mind, I leave to thofe to determine who have experienced, or who can imagine what it is to have all their literary and domeftic plans, in one unexpected moment, overthrown, and to exchange peace, competence, and a fituation molt congenial to their feelings and purfuits, for lofs, anxiety, uncertainty, and, above all, the dread of unmerited ob loquy.

Such were, undoubtedly, my first fenfations, but they have been fince alleviated. Indeed, it was foon apparent, that not only my former friends and protectors fill adhered to me, but that fome of the most exalted, both in

rank

ank and character, among the Truftees themselves, demonfirated the kindeft fympathy, and expreffed a willingnefs to confirm their profeffions of regard by fubftantial acts of friendship.

While, therefore, I am able to enumerate among those who have flood forth as my protectors, individuals of the moft exalted rank; and not only exalted bytheir rank, but by their virtues; while I can reckon among my familiar friends, fome of the firft fcholars of my country, with a long lift of the most excellent and amiable characters in private life, I may, and indeed I do, with many a pang, regret what I have loft, yet I cannot be confidered as one who has no worldly confolation. The cup which was adminiftered to me had gall, indeed, at the top-I found hope, ferenity, and peace of mind at the

bottom.

"I pafs now to other things. Some will fay I have dwelt too long upon what precedes, and will accufe me, perhaps, of the indulgence of a puerile vanity, by the introduction of the above-recited names-I fhall only reply in the words of one of my old inafters 3

Οτῳ δε μη ταδ' εστιν εν γνώμη φιλα Κενος τ' εκείνα στεργετω, καγω ταδε. "But to come to the contents of thefe volumes. It is very poffible that the expectations of many may be dif appointed, and that looking for what they will not find, they may throw afide the book with difpleafure. But let it be remembered, what alone I have pledged my felf to do, namely, to give a defcription of fuch rare and curious books as might happen to fall in Iny way; with fuch occafional Anecdotes of Literature interfperfed, as might happen to occur to my recollection or reading. I pretended not to give elaborate obfervations or critical difquifitions, but merely to point out to collectors and curious ftudents, books known to be rare, and, as fuch, valuable. I have, however, endeavoured fo to diverfify the pofition, and the quality of my materials, that whilft I truft the fchoJar need not turn away in difguft, the mifcellaneous reader may find various fources of amusement.

"I with, therefore, thefe volumes to be confidered as introductory to others of the fame kind, to be periodically publifhed, if it fhall appear, by this fpecimen that I have not mittaken or ffended the tafte of the publick. I

am fill poffeffed of various and ample refources. Neither the kindness nor the curiofities of the friends above enumerated, are yet exhaufted. I have ftill accefs to fome of the most numerous and moft curious Libraries in the country; my ardour of refearch is undiminished, my circle of Literary friends is enlarged, and my own gratification is materially involved in the profecution of my undertaking. I have not yet troubled my connections in either Univerfity. I have Correfpondents on the Continent, and I may fafely engage to promile, that what I propofe to fucceed fhall not be inferior to this attempt in intereft or value.

"I take the liberty alfo to invite all thofe who poffefs rarities of the kind which will be found hereafter to he defcribed, to accommodate me with the loan of them for the public benefit and amufement.

Having nothing more to add, I here take my leave of the reader, with hearty good will, earnestly defiring that he may receive as much pleasure in the examination of my volumes as I had in compiling them.

"Eaft Sheen, Nov. 14, 1806."

CABESTAING.

PROVENCE

was the birth-place of this troubadour. His parents were of the nobleffe, but fo poor that he was forced to leave the paternal roof very early in life. In those times young perfons of condition, without fortunes, had conftant opportunities of getting an education in the houfes of the barons, either about the court, or at the feignorial manfious, in the provinces: they were there brought up as varlets or varletons, that is, pages.

Cabestaing came, with no other recommendation than that of being poor and of noble defcent, to Raymund de Rouffillon, praying to be admitted as varlet in his court. Raymund received him kindly, and took him into his fervice, An open countenance that hefpoke a generous mind, a good deportment, and an ingenuous temper prepoffeffed every one in favour of the young page, who had the art of conciliating the affection both of his fitperiors and inferiors without exciting the envy of his equals. Raymund himself foon vouchfafed him eminent tokens of his favour, and refolved to make him fquire to his wife, that he might fecure his attachment by con

nual

tinual inftances of his regard. Cabeftaing, raised to a flation that feemed to be the utmoft attainment to which a page could afpire, now thought of nothing but how he fhould render himself more and more agreeable to Raymund's confort, the lady Margaret. To a pleafing form the young fquire united all the charms which a cheerful difpofition, a lively imagination, and a ready wit could beftow. The duties of his poft gave him perpetual opportunities for exerting thofe fafcinating qualities, in the happy combination whereof the talent of pleafing undoubt edly confifis. Accordingly he became in reality pleafing to Margaret; and the dame was unfufpicious of the firft emotions of her heart, as the great difparity of their fituations feemed always a fufficient guard against any temptations to weakness. But there are feelings which reduce mankind to their primitive equality, and in this regard it may be truely affirmed that all lovers are upon an equal footing.

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pure

However, their love was no lefs than ardent, uo lefs refpectful than tender, and it could neither be confidered as a weaknefs in the youthful fquire or as a blemish in the lady. One day fhe took him afide: Tell me then," faid he, "art thou not convinced whether my countenance is fincere or falfe?" "By God!" anfwered Cabestaing, "froin the happy moment that I entered into your fervice I have ever looked upon you as the beft lady that ever lived, as the molt upright and fincere in word and deed. Upon my faith! I esteem you as fuch; and fhall efteem you as fuch as long as I live." "And I,” replied the dame, by God! I fay to thee, that thou thalt never be deceived in me; and that I will not give thee reafon to alter the fond opinion thou entertaineft of me." Saying this, fhe embraced him, and from that moment began their correfpondence.

But little time had paffed in this manner, before evil tongues began to fpeak loudly of it. It was fo much and fo variously talked of that at last it came to Raymund's ears, who by no means received the tidings with indifference. Cabestaing went one day out alone to take the diverfion of hawking. Ray

und asked where he was; his fervants

told him. He immediately took his weapon, concealed it under his robe, and ordered his horfe. Quite unat.

tended he rode the way that had been pointed out to him. He met Cabestaing, who was ftartled at feeing him, as he augured fomething of the fufpicions of his lord. After the ufual falutations, Raymund afked him whether he had not fome lady whom he made the fubject of his fongs, and whether he might not hear her name? Cabellaing at firft excufed himfelf under the pretext, that by the laws of gallantry no man could name his fair one without being falfe. "I know," added he, "that fidelity towards a lady confifis in faying every thing to her, but nothing of her." Raymund, however, was fo preffing, and feemingly without any finifter defign, that Cabestaing was at length forced to fubmit; but, in order to mislead him, declared that he loved Agnes, the confort of Robert de Tarafcon, dame Margaret's fifter, Raymund could not conceal the joy this confeffion gave him; and, preling his hand, affured the troubadour of his good offices, and propofed to go di rectly and make a vifit to dame Agnes; for his reflefs jealoufy had yet fome difficulties to get over concerning. Cabestaing's love. Agnes entirely dif pelled them, on being asked by Raymund, who her favourite was? She, by a momentary confufion in the air of the young fquire, perceiving the tend ency of this question, gayly anfwered, that it was him the loved; and her whole behaviour, during the time the two guefis ftayed in her cafile, feemed to corroborate her affertion,

Mean time this fuccefsful artifice produced an effect that would not readily have been expected, were there not fo many inftances where female vanity can impel to the commiffion of as many faults as love. Margaret thought that Cabeflaing was actually in love with her fifter, and, in agony of mind, loaded the poor fquire with the bittereft reproaches. Cabeftaing vindi cated himself as well as he could; but all to no purpofe. Margaret infifted upon his declaring in a fonnet that he loved none elfe but her. The fonnet was compofed; and that cordial tendernefs fo natural to Cabestaing, when he was the fubject, was but 100 well adapted to revive the fufpicions of the impetuous baron,

Raymund, into whofe hands it fell, had no great difficulty to guess the meaning. Jealoufy fo overpowered

him that he formed the black and

ho:nd

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horrid refolution of murdering Cabeftaing. Under fome fpecious pretence he took him out with him one day, and being now at fome diftance from the caftle, he rushed furiously upon him, and having brought him to the ground, he dispatched him, fevered his head from his body, cut out his heart, and brought them both home with him under his cloak. On his return to the cattle he ordered the cook to be called, and gave him the heart, as a piece of game, with directions to drefs it in a delicate manner. His commands were obeyed. Lady Margaret was a lover of venifon, and ate it as being that for which it was ferved up. After dinner, faid Raymund: "Knoweft thou what meat thou hast been eating with fo much relish ?" "No," returned fhe, "but I found it excellent." Truely that I believe," replied the barbarous lord, as it is a thing thou wert always fond of; and it is very natural for thee to love that dead, which while living thou walt perfectly enamoured of." Aftonished, the faid, with emotion, "How? what faidft thon?" At this inftant he prefented to her the bloody head of Cabestaing. "Look," faid he, look, this is he whole heart thou haft been eating." At this fight Margaret fell into a fwoon. "Yes," faid fhe, after flowly recovering, in a voice of tenderness piercing through defpair, "I found fo delicious the morfel I received from thee, inhuman montier, that I muft eat no more of any thing elfe, that I may not lofe the taste of it: thou justly gaveft me what was always mine." Raymund ran raging towards his wife, with the fword in his hand. She efcaped from him by running to the window, flung herfelf from it, and was dafhed to pieces by the fall,

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The news of this melancholy tranfaction was foon fpread over all the country round; and reached the territory of king Alfonfus of Arragon, where it excited univerfal horror. The relations of the lady and of the troubadour, all the counts, all the knights in the neighbourhood, all that had ever loved, met together and declared a bloody war againtt Raymund, Alfonfus, who came himfelf to the place to enquire more narrowly into the particular circunftances of the affair, ordered him to be put under a guard, demolished his cafile, and commanded the two bodies, after a magnificent funeral folemnity, to be de

pofited in the fame grave in the porch of the parish church. Their story, fays my author, was reprefented upon the tomb; but he leaves us uncertain whether it was by a painting, or by an infeription, or by the hand of the ftatuary. In thofe times it was an almoft univerfal custom, made facred by the fuperftition of our ancefiers, to inter in the fame grave the bodies of lovers who had died together as facrifices to their affection.

This ftory will appear furprising to none, at least in the leading features of it. The only wonder is, how we find, under the name of a poet of Provence, tranfactions to be met with every where, thongh attended by various circumftances; tranfactions that are attributeḍ to a Caftellan de Couci and a lady Fayel, who is known under the nanie of Gabrielle de Vergy, or rather le Vergies, and died in 1250. A queftion arifes, to which of these two does the tranfaction properly belong, whether to de Couci or to Cabestaing?

་

For, coming at the folution, we have only to try the credibility of the witnefles that declare for one or the other of thefe two opinions. The teftimo nies of the moderns are not to be admitted, fince they have all copied one another, and all follow Fauchet, p. 124, to whom they refer. Fauchet is then the only one whom we may cite. And he relates the fiory on the authority of a chronicle, which in his time, as he fays, might be about two hundred years old, under the name of a Caftellan de Couci, whom he calls Regnault, and the lady Fayel. We naft first, however, obferve, that, according to Duchefne, there was no one of the name of Regnault among the lords of Couci; therefore the name of the prin cipal character may in fome measure raise our diffidence. However, as it might eafily happen that the Chronicle Writer, from the want of accurate ac counts, finding in an old manufcript only the initial letters, took this for the initial of Regnault; as it may bkewife be that there was a perfon of this name: then this poffible mifieke alone proves nothing, and, if we chufe to read Raoul, it mult of courfe be Raoul who died at the fiege of Acron in 1171. The Chronicle then, as Fauchet fuppofes, was not compiled till two hundred years after the event, that is, about 1371. Mut not fo long an interval weaken the authority of the evidence?

Trac,