Page:Notes by the Way.djvu/350

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280

��NOTES BY THE WAY.

��pared with the appropriate brochure. He paid special attention to introducing to English readers the best and newest in American litera- ture ; and he was bold enough to become Swinburne's publisher when another house stopped the sale of his works."

Mr. Andrew Mr. Andrew Chatto, the present senior partner, is the son of the Chatto. great authority on wood engraving ; and associated with him are Mr. Percy Spalding, his son, and Mr. Philip H. Lee Warner.

��Henry George Bohn.

��Charles Edmonds.

��Bernard Quaritch.

��' Omar

Khayyam.'

��Three eminent booksellers have biographical notice in the Jubilee record. Henry George Bohn, whose father was a book- binder in 1795 in Soho, picked up in 1816 some book bargains on the Continent, and started as a bookseller. The business rapidly grew, and after being in Henrietta Street for a time, he went in 1831 to York Street, Covent Garden, where he remained until, on his retirement, the premises were taken by Messrs. George Bell & Sons. In 1845 he began his famous " Libraries." His stock of books was enormous, and his catalogue, published at a guinea, and compiled by Mr. Charles Edmonds, was regarded with wonder at the time of its issue. He was a frequent caller on my father at Wellington Street, and during the agitation for the repeal of the paper duties an agitation to which Bohn was strongly opposed they would be in the House of Commons at the same time, returning home in a cab together, my father chaffing him as to the success of his opposition. During my father's last illness Bohn showed much kindness, and often came to me to ask about him, all old differences being forgotten. Bohn died at Twickenham on the 22nd of August, 1884, aged eighty-eight.

Bernard Quaritch was an assistant of Bonn's. He set up for himself in a small way at 16, Castle Street, Leicester Square ; the tiny shop had a board in front for books. The house has recently been added to vanished London. In 1860 Quaritch removed to Piccadilly. He soon became known as the purchaser of rare and famous books. At the Hamilton Sale he bought to the extent of 40,OOOZ. The Bookseller article states that, although " some- times rough and uncourteous to outsiders, he was much liked by those who knew him better." I can testify as to his kindness in lending his treasures to those with whom he knew they would be safe. A friend of mine asked him about a scarce book he wanted for reference. Quaritch at once lent it to him, although its value was 400Z. As a publisher he did little, but he will be long remem- bered as having published the first edition of FitzGerald's ' Omar Khayyam.' He worked to the last, and died on the 17th of Decem- ber, 1900, being succeeded in the business by his son, who is as enterprising in his purchases as his father was. At the commence- ment of 1907 the business was removed to Graf ton Street, the fine premises looking down to St. James's Palace.

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