The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-24
A MORNING. AMONG AUTOGRAPHS.
BY WILLIAM YOUNG.

graphs, then, set apart in groups, illustrated
by extremely choice portraits, and ohronolo
logically arranged, number one Thousand.
Two or three hundred besides-that may be
termed miscellaneous, though possessing in
some instances a rare interest-await the ac-
QUESTION OF the requisite engravings, and have
not yet fallen into their places. The col
lection, properly so Called is contained in
twelve large portfolios. Eight OF these
are devoted TO the British series; two to the
French, from the period of Louis XI to that
OF Louis XVIII; one to the German, between
the reigps OF MaXimilian aud Joseph III inclu-
sive; and one TO the Italian and spanish, the
latter OF which commences with Charles V
and comes down only to the era of Ferdinand
vi. This covers, however, the Spanish occu-
patton of the Low Countries and offers there
fore rich field for cleaning. The British
series, filling, as | have said, eight portfolios,
is thus subdivded and grouped; five
portfolios are given up to the sovereigns, states
men, military, and naval commanders, and
other personages usually designated as hi5to-
rical; two to celebrities in Literature Science,
and the Arts; one to priests and dvines,
numerous and important class. With very
few exceptions-and these generally of the
most remote date-the letters are hOograph,
that is to cay, written entirely by the hand of
the sigDer. One cannot expect, indeed, to
find manuscripts at length from the pen
of Henry VII, or Louis Xl, or Charles v; but
mere signatures, as rule, would be but
lightly esteemed by your genuine col
lector of autographs. Indeed, l came to
the conclusion that Mr. Old in exercising his
judgment, had been very much influenced by
the character, so to say, of the letter or dOcu-
ment that he acquired. Light is thrown in
some cases. upon doubtful points in history;
in others upon the motives that have infiu-
enced men OF mark in their doings at critical
moments, or on occasions that have been
veriously interpreted by commentators. This
will be shown, l cannot but think, in few
more citations; and to these | hasten back
for the readers entertainment, seeing that
generalites soon tend to be wearisome. A
bill OF fare is no criterion of the excellence
OF restaurant. You may be struck with the
brilliant air of an evening assembly: but how
soon does the eye settle down upon individual
attraction You care not to speculate on the
height or breadth of the saloons; you wonder
rather, or inquire, who may be the tall blonde
promenading round the roOm-who the hand
some little woman seated apart in a corner,
with lily complexion and expressive features
with classic head tautlessly posed on faultless
shoulders, wearing perfect costume as though
none other would tit her. and carrying wealth
OF ornament as though gems were made for
her, and not she for them.
But now comes in reality what the French
call the embarrassment of riches. The intel
lectual treat is of so high an order, that one is
fairly puzzled which way to turn. In compli-
ment, nevertheless, to the scholarly tone of
Pundm'S Magazine, let us turn at the outset to
Alexander Pope. Thus does he conclude
letter to Dr. Oliver, dated 2Sth August, 1743,
the year before his death-his courtly faith in
medical science not eXoneratpg him from the
common lot OF mortaity:-
Pray make my c4mpliments to DIR. Hartley
as | shall yours Ito DE- Mead. have had such
obligations TO the hest of your Faculty during
Pysnds %y ae e & aa Th we're s e He
which show well m friends
and not i'll to my eli emies. That every physical
and moral evil may be far from you is the
philosophical prayer VI,
Your very obliged and very ahectionate ser
Yant A. POPE.
Jonathan Swift's character has been extern
sively discussed, of late. Here is strong
testimonial i'll his favor, given in letter from
Sir William Temple to Sir Robert Southwell,
dated 18th March, 1890. 1t seems to have
served as an introduction and recommendation
of Swift to the care and patronage of Sir
Robert.
for me, and kept all accounts. as far as my small
occasions required. Hee has Latine and Greek,
honest and diligent, and has good friendU
though they have Tor the present lost their for
tune IN Ireland; and his whole family having
been long known to me, obliged NEE thus larI
10 take care of him If you please to accept
him into your service, either as q Gentleman TO
wait on you, or Clerk to write under you, and
either to use him so, If you like mis- service, ol
commend him to Fellowship there. which he
has just pretense TO, 1 shall acknowledge it as
great obligation.
Here is bit from David Garrick, that al
most rivals Edmund Kean's expression, "Tht
pit rose at me.' Writing to his brother
George Garrick, on the 18th April, l776, HI
says:-
"Last night I played 'Drugger' for the las
time. The Morning Post Will tell you the who'll
OF that night, thought the audience were mad
ana they almost TUNED my brain"
In an age when lordy patronage was con
sidered, by authors and artists, an essentia
passport to public favor, it is curious to fine
Hogarth thus satirizng the system that pre-
vailed. What follows is copy of an undated
paper in his handwriting, headed ''The NJ
Dedication'':-
Not dedicated to any Prince In Christendom
for fear 1t should be thought an idle piece G
arrogance.
1T might be thought too assuming.
Not dedicated TO any learned body of men, a
either of the Universities. or the Royal Society
fer fear ii might be thought an uncommon piec
OF vanity.
Not dedicated to any one particular friend 70
fear of offending another.
Therefore dedicated TO Nobody,
But II. for once, we may suppose Nobody to b
Every body, as Every body is often said to be Nc
body, then is this work dedicated To Everybody
by their most humble and devoted.
I might have made copies of holograpl
epistles from John Evelyn, Jeremy Taylor
Abraham COwley, Edmond Waller, Lad!
Dorothy Sunderland, known as Waller
"Sacharissa, i" John Dryden, John Locke, ST
Isaac Newton, Matthew Prior, Joseph Addison
Sir Richard Steele, Henry Fielding, Lawreno
Sterua Samuel Johnson. James Boswell OH