New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-11-26


aide of the ho.se 1. wss a feast to the eyes OF all
who love to see good books well dressed. As Mr..
DOwse knew no language but his own, there were
only two books in it that were not English. In
English literature ii could hardly have been more
complete. Like Pope's virtucso be was s. curions
in books" but in authors" as well. His copies
were of the very best editing and were all OF them
bound in the highest style Of the bookbnders art
He loved to see bis great or pleasant friends IN
sumptuous spparel-in shining raiment-when he
sat and talked with them after bis days work was
done. twas strictly library for the use OF man
who loved reading above all things. There was
nothing above his own mark. Excepting few
valuable works in natural history, 1t was strictly
collection of English bellies itres, together with the
best TRANSACTIONS Of all the Greek and Latin classics
and of the modern continental authors. Ii could
hardly have been improved in the range to which
his own taste confused it.
Az Mr. Dowse had gradually made this collection
for his own qualification, he did not spend much
money on matters merely curions and rare. He
was but moderately blbiomaniacal, though he was
skilled autobiography and could tell you the history
OF scarce books and copies fabulous OF prlce. Ills
collection Of photographed books was good though
be had made no speciality of it, and it was perhaps
not equal to one or two Others in his own Deighbor-
hood The rare books he had-such as the first
edition of Paradise Lot and of Spenser-were Of an
intrinsic value IN themselves, as well as curious for
their rarity With his books he was familiar, as
with his friends Having been collecting them for
so many years. he had an acquaintance with them,
through bis very gradual acquisition which few
men, turned into ready made library Of precisely
the same character, would be likely TO make. He
rose early. to give himself long day for his work,
and be sat up ~ that be might have long night
for bis pleasure As Mr. Everett, whose acquaiot-
ance with Mr.. Dowse and his books was OF more
than thirty years DURATION justly said there were
" few libraries well read as his" His books he
bought for his own use and though he chose that
they should be tall copies Of the best possible edi
tions, and marvels Of marbling gliding aud blind.
toOling in their binding it was from no spirit OF
OstentatOn, but because these circumstances of
luxury gave zest to the indulgence of his natural
appetite for reading and were constant gratlfca-
ton of his love OF the beautiful.
Mr.. DOwse's library consisted, a. nearly as pos
sible. Of 5000 volumes of the character, intrinsic
and external, which / have described 1t was lit
orally collection without any rubbish in it.
don't know whether this will be considered as
recommendation of it or not. For my own part I
like little rubbish, but Mr.. DOwse did not. His
catalogue, of which he had only twenty-five copies
printed, and which is a superb specimen of typog-
rapby (frOm the press of Mr.. John Wilson of this
city) contains ga pages. L am assured by the
very best authority that the first cost of this library
must have exceeded $40, 0OO-an investment,
apprebend, unparalleled in this country or any
other on the part of a man actually labOring with
his hands at q trade as Mr.. DOwse did TIL within
ten wears of his death. And here may as well say
that be was not only dilgent in business but emf
nenty sklill in bis craft. Messrs. Little &
Brown, whose editions of law books are well known
throughout the country, am told attribute no
small part of their success to the excellence OF the
sheep.skins furnished by Mr.. Dowse for the bind
ings. None like them came from the shop of any
other leather dresser.
When at last the term of his long life of useful
labOrs and refined ebjoyments approached, Mr..
DOwse cast about for somed disposition Ofhs library
which should save il from being knocked to pieces
by the mercless hammer of the auctiOneer. He
selected the Historical Society," and on the 30th of
August last conveyed it to that Corporation deliv-
eriDg to the President, Mr. Winthrop a magnif-
cent copy of Purchase Pilgrimes, by way of "liv-
cry of sezin," he being then too infrm to sign the
deed of gift. He thus Invested himself of these his
most cherished treasures, not by will, but by gift,
while he vet lived The Historical Society pro-
pose understand, to keep it in the building where
their Collections are deposited but distinct from
their other books. The Society attended his fu-
neral, and at their next meeting appointed Mr..
Everett to prepare a memoir of Mr.. DOwse, to be
included in their publications. That it will be
well done and con anOre no one can dOubt-cer-
tainly no one who has read the little speech Mr..
Everett made-full of exquisite felcites of thought
and phrase-On that occasion. Mr.. Dowse was
buried at Mount Auburn in tomb he had made
ready for himself, under the shadow of shaft
erected by him within few years to the memory
of his master, the great sef-taught handicraftsman
of New-EDgland and the most lustri0us OF her
sOns--BeDjamn Franklin.
But his library was not the only attractive cir
cumstance about Mr.. DOwse's house In the rooms
in the rear, answering to the library in front,
unique collection of Drawings in Water COlOrs, of
L..lkk nh .a%c Eun.o md
thirty years ago plan was set on foot IN London
of forming Collection of Engrayings from the best
pictures in England, to be called the British Gal
lery To this end the ablest artistk in Water
COlOrs were employed TO copy these pictures for
the use of the engravers. The speculation failed,
believe. At any rate, it did not proceed beyond
single volume and an act OF Parliament was OBJ
tanned authorizing the disposition of the drawings by
lottery In this lottery Mr.. Dowse adventured and
drew think the second prize, of half the drawings
to the number ofabOut twenty, if remember Alright
They are of the highest merit in their line, and of
great beauty and value, and are hung with the
greatest taste in rooms arranged for the purpose of
showing them TO the best advantage. This col
lection remains part of the assets of Mr.. DOwses
estate at the disposition of his executors. As he
was bachelor, with no very near relatives, he
made the following disposition of his property.
After leaving legaces to his nearest of blood to the
amount of $50, 600, he gave tie rest OF his estate
amounting to about as much more, to his Execu-
tors, Messrs. George Liyermore and EbeD Dale to
be disposed of at their discretion for Charitable o.
Literary uses. Thus fully empowered am given
to understand that it is probable that this valuable
collection Of drawings together with the oil paint
ngs spoken Of above may be kept together by these
gentlemen ard placed in the charge of some public
institution. where it eau be general pleasure and
benefit as well as another monument TO the munlt-
ceDce aud the taste of its late excellent owner.