Mr. Cracherode began, in 1793, to buy
all the specimens that came into the market: and the library which he
bequeathed to the British Museum contains no less than eighteen fine
examples. Eight more were comprised in the magnificent bequest of Mr.
Thomas Grenville's library in 1846. There has been a demand for these
books in England for more than a century and a half. But when we look at
the catalogues of Gaignat or La Valliere they seem to have been
altogether disregarded. When Gaignat died in 1768 his collection was
regarded as perfect; it was said that 'no one in the commonwealth of
letters had ever brought together such a rich and admirable assembly.'
Yet he only had one 'Grolier book,' a magnificent copy of Paolo Giovio's
book on Roman Fishes, which passed to the Duc de la Valliere, and went
for a few _livres_ at his sale. There were only two other specimens in
the Duke's library; and they seem to have been treated with equal
indifference. M. de Lincy was of opinion that the memory of Grolier was
almost entirely forgotten, except in his native city of Lyons. The
appearance of his books might be admired by an antiquary here and there;
but the classics had gone out of fashion for a time, and the world gave
its attention to old poetry, to mediaeval romance, and even to 'books of
_facetiae_.'
Grolier's reputation had mainly depended on his generous patronage of
literature. Even the House of Aldus had rejoiced to be the clients of a
new Maecenas.
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