[1]

A Martyr to Bibliography:

A NOTICE OF THE

LIFE AND WORKS OF

JOSEPH-MARIE QUÉRARD,

Bibliographer.

PRINCIPALLY TAKEN FROM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
MAR. JOZON D’ERQUAR, (ANAGRAM);
WITH THE NOTICES OF GUSTAVE BRUNET, J. ASSEZAT, AND PAUL LACROIX,
(BIBLIOPHILE JACOB);
AND A LIST OF BIBLIOGRAPHICAL TERMS, AFTER PERQUIN.
WITH NOTES AND INDEX.

BY
OLPHAR HAMST, ESQ.
BIBLIOPHILE, M.O.T.I.L.S.O.T.U.K., T.S.B.A., AND A.O.A.F.W.O.S.

“Un bibliophile après tout n’est qu’un homme perfectionné.”

LONDON:
JOHN RUSSELL SMITH, 36, SOHO SQUARE.
EDMUND NETHERCLIFT, 9, NEWMAN STREET, OXFORD STREET.
PARIS: MAISON A. FRANCK, 67, RUE DE RICHELIEU.
1867.

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London:
Printed by Edmund Netherclift,
9, Newman Street, w.

[3]

“The Common World will judge, that it is much more of Reputation to be an Author, than to be a bare Collector: And this will be a standing Reason, why the Multitude of Writers shall aim at the more creditable Name, and why so few seem willing to submit to that lower Character. But however, to write for Praise and Popularity is one Thing, and to write for Publick Use and Service is a different Thing: The first is indeed more natural, the latter has somewhat of Self-Denial and Mortification in it.

The Author has not only the Pleasure of hunting after the Applause of others, but he enjoys a quicker Taste of pleasing himself, being at Liberty to indulge his Invention, his Judgment, his Fancy, Wit, Oratory, or any other prevailing Talent in him: While the dull Collector is confin’d to the sort of mechanick Drudgery, to the running, stooping, searching, poring, picking out, and putting together, a Mass of Authorities; and often revising, collating and transferring of them, without being able to bring them soon into any regular Form and Fashion. As inglorious, as for the Day-Labourer to be throwing up an Heap of Stones and Rubbish, while the noble Architect alone has the Satisfaction and Credit of raising and perfecting his own Model.

“And yet, in compiling any History fit to be read, the proper Materials are to be sought out with Diligence, and before they are compacted, they must be examin’d, compar’d, corrected, and adjusted in due Order, and mark’d out for the respective Use and Application of them.” White Kennet. Register and Chronicle. 1728. Fol. Preface.

“Our nation has been too inattentive to bibliographical criticisms and enquiries, for generally the English reader is obliged to resort to foreign writers to satisfy his mind as to the value of authors. It behoves us however to consider, that there is not a more useful or a more desirable branch of education than a knowledge of books, which being correctly attained, and judiciously exercised, will prove the touchstone of intrinsic merit, and have the effect of saving many a spotless page from prostitution.” Bridgman, Legal Bibliography. 1807. 8ᵛᵒ, p. v.

[4]

Only 250 copies printed. Price five shillings each.

Sir,

I dedicate this notice of the life and works of one of the greatest of bibliographers to you, without asking your permission, for different reasons: you might not care to have your name placed on a pamphlet thus; and I wish to place it side by side with that of J.-M. Quérard, to which you would, doubtless, not object, though you might, possibly, to the manner in which I do it. I dedicate this to you from a feeling of respect, not only for yourself, but for your departed brother bibliographer: respect for your great talents, which, spite of taunts, jeerings, and the most discourageing imputations, you perseveringly employed for the benefit and advantage of this country, even against itself; by which you have—amongst other things—raised a bibliographical monument that, I trust, will cause you to be remembered as long as the great French bibliographer himself, though his works are printed and yours are only written. From a feeling of respect for J.-M. Quérard, whose name could not be placed in conjunction with that of any other more appropriately than your own.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

THE AUTHOR.

May 1867.

[6]

If we were asked what made us attempt this notice of Quérard’s life, we should be at a loss to say; all we recollect is suddenly being immersed in manuscripts and proofs—of its beginning we know nothing. We recollect our indignation at the treatment Quérard received; we recollect devoutly studying all his works in search of bibliographic information, for method, for plans, for hints, and we recollect being rewarded by successfully ascertaining every point we desired. To read Quérard is to think, and thought produces ideas. Much of his arrangement he probably adopted from the Germans, with improvements. His own innovations—if we may so call them, for they are entirely new—are chiefly shown in that extraordinary book the Supercheries, a work that no one could possibly have written but he who had drudged, for twenty years, through the mass of French literature, expressed by the names of 32,000 authors, which La France Littéraire comprises; and by one who had the advantage of the numerous coadjutors who had confidence in him, and supplied him with information.

We have said indignation. Yes, but that word only expresses part of our feelings. Grief and sorrow for the manner in which poor unsuspicious Quérard was treated, and for the neglect which he suffered, simply because he was poor and of incorruptible honesty. He innocently applied for the Cross of the Legion of Honor: he, a poor man! how could a poor man support the dignity. He innocently applied for a librarianship, because he was qualified and talented—and he practised no intrigue! Here was desperate simplicity. Still, in the face of refusal and disappointment, he worked on. Still he persevered. Was one project nipped almost in the bud, another appeared, stronger, better planned, and more extensive. Beyond plans they sometimes never got, and it remains on record, that the man who was qualified and ready to carry out the undertaking in every way, was unable to obtain 1000 subscribers, for a work which was one of the grandest literary conceptions of modern times; which was to have been in a language understood throughout the world, and spoken by all civilized nations.

When bibliography occupies the position it assuredly will, when superior education shall make men generally appreciate its importance, [8]future generations will wonder at this. A greater reproach to the present we know not, and if there is one thing we now regret more than another, it is that the opportunity was never afforded us, of subscribing our names to the list printed on the prospectus of Quérard’s Encyclopédie du Bibliothécaire.

It must have been little satisfaction to him when at last, still in poverty and almost at death’s door, he was honored with a “decoration.”

We shall not dilate upon the errors we have made, or the disadvantages we have been under in writing, translating, and compiling this short life of Quérard. It has been a labour of love; though we had little idea of the application it has entailed to gather the materials, and to pass them through the press with even such completeness as we have been able to attain. Those who have had to correct copy in a foreign language, will appreciate this, and excuse those printer’s errors which have defied our vigilance. We have tried to our utmost to do our best, with the materials within reach, that is, at the British Museum, and we are glad of an opportunity of acknowledging that without that institution, it would have been impossible to have composed this life at all in England. The liberality of the management, the almost eager desire on the part of every person, to aid where in their power, deserves thanks and excites astonishment.

Some information, not given in the text, will be found in the index, many things having come to our knowledge before that was printed.

With regard to the abbreviations used throughout, they are so simple as scarcely to require explanation. J.-M. Q., for Joseph-Marie Quérard; he almost invariably signed his name J.-M. Quérard. All his works are in double columns, on a page the size of this, unless otherwise mentioned. L. F. L., i.e., La France Littéraire; L. L. F. C., La Litt. Franç. Contemp.; L. S. L. D., Les Supercheries, &c.

The title-page of every work is given in full when we were able to see the work itself, and for the correctness of these we vouch.

Joseph-Marie Quérard, was born at Rennes, (Ille-et-Vilaine,) the 25th December 1797, of parents whose sole fortune consisted of their honesty and three children to boot. The name “Quérard,” known only in the above village and its environs, is nevertheless that of a once distinguished though now extinct family, one branch of which, it would appear, Quérard humourously remarks, was reduced to poverty. Condemned from his birth to labor, Quérard, having arrived at a reasoning age, desired rather to make a name for himself, than attempt to trace one through his ancestors. From earliest infancy, he was sent to a school in his native village, and at the age of eleven he was removed, having doubtless in the eyes of his parents finished his education. He was thus deprived of the benefit of a classical education; but fortunately, a little later, his travels necessitated the acquisition of several foreign languages, which in the profession he created for himself were infinitely more useful to him than a knowledge of the classics would have been, which are learned with so much difficulty and time, and so easily forgotten.

In 1807, when only eleven, he was placed in the book-trade, and thenceforward he exhibited a liking for books, which developed itself into a passion. Being first an agent in his native village, he afterwards, in 1812, went to Paris, the ambition of every man in the provinces, Paris being more enticing even than London is to the English yokel,—for Paris is France. Lastly, he was employed in Austria, by an important Viennese firm. It was there, in the midst of men noted for their exact and persevering investigations, that it became manifest the science of [10]books was his vocation. Having labored with ardour for five years upon a work which he judged would be useful to his country, he quitted Vienna for Paris, in 1825, to publish it, disregarding all his brilliant prospects of future advancement, and the advantageous offers made him.

It is to this rare and disinterested devotion, of a man without fortune and without friends, that France, that England, aye, that the world owes the most important Bibliographical work which has seen the light, since the publication of Robert Watt’s Bibliotheca Britannica.⁠[1]

Quérard, who was an honest and hard working man, of almost primitive simplicity, so frank and open-hearted, as now and then to savor of the inexperienced countryman, made the great mistake of seriously believing all the magnificent but hollow promises so profusely made by the government and the official papers, of which the following is a sample:—“This country (“La France”) is never ungrateful, sooner or later she has a crown or a statue for those of her children, who sacrifice themselves to her prosperity, or glory.” He flattered himself that one day, his great work being completed, a librarianship would at least be his reward. His France Littéraire was a tolerable guarantee of capacity and qualification for such a post; but as a very learned bibliographer, who himself waited long before arriving at the post of chief Librarian, writes: “It is a settled ministerial rule, that bibliothecaries are not bibliographers.⁠[2] Things went much in the same way before the [11]Revolution, for when they wanted a good calculator a dancer was appointed.”⁠[3]

It has been said that this work is truly “a monument of bibliography, which would have been sufficient to make the renown and position of any man who knew how to combine a little intrigue with merit.”⁠[4]

The celebrated Van Praet, of revered memory, who knew well those who were good bibliographers, was much disposed to admit Quérard on the staff of the Bibliothèque Royale of Paris. But Van Praet was weak-minded, and when his turn came to fill up a vacancy, he allowed himself to be juggled by a colleague, whose peculiar talent was precisely that of knowing nothing about books. To have had Quérard under him, would never have suited Van Praet’s colleague, whose pride would have been continually mortified by having to consult from time to time the work of his subordinate in office. Not long after, Quérard himself was the cause of increasing the antipathy of this gentleman. It arose from the following amusing circumstance:—During the progress of his France Littéraire, Quérard, who made use of the catalogues of the “Bibliothèque Royale,” both printed and written, came across a recently written title in the latter which was in the handwriting of Van Praet’s colleague. The title of the work was “Memoirs of a young Lady, written by herself,” which was catalogued under “Herself.” Quérard, appreciating the absurdity of this blunder, burst into so loud a laugh, that he was heard by the committer.⁠[5] The next day the error was corrected; but offended [12]pride never pardons, and the result was that Quérard never got to the “Bibliothèque Royale.” Quérard having applied for the place on the first vacancy to this ill-disposed keeper, he replied:—“As keepers of the books, we are responsible for those whom we employ and admit into this establishment, and I do not know you.” He had been working day by day for four years, under his very eyes, and had the library books lent to him.

A fact generally ignored was the circulation which La France Littéraire attained. In 1825, when the first part was being printed, (see I.) the Congregation of the Index, a very powerful body, endeavoured to obtain from Charles X. a law to prohibit the reprint of any philosophical works of the XVIII. century; luckily they did not succeed, for La France Littéraire would have suffered numerous suppressions. This did not prevent the author having to fight against the ill-will of the post-office authorities, who hindered as much as they could his communications with writers in the provinces and abroad.

In 1830, M. Ch. Berriat-Saint-Prix son of the honorable and learned professor of that name, being aware of the precarious position Quérard was reduced to, by the expenses of printing his works, induced his relations and friends to obtain an indemnity for our bibliographer; this enabled him to continue his great work, which threatened to be discontinued. M. Guizot allowed 1000 francs (£40) a year, a minimum allowance for a work costing so much typographically, but which however enabled the author to continue and finish it.

Quérard’s first publication is entitled (on the half-title):—(I.) Bibliothèque du Libraire et de l’Amateur de livres Français Bibliographie Moderne de la France,—and the title page:—Bibliographie Moderne de la France contenant la nomenclature par ordre alphabétique de noms d’auteurs, des ouvrages de sciences, de littérature et d’histoire en toutes langues, publiés en France, aussi que des ouvrages Français imprimés à l’étranger, depuis le commencement du XVIIIᵉ siècle jusqu’à ce jour; accompagnée de notice Nécrologiques, et de Notes Bibliographiques Historiques et Littéraire, tirées de nos meilleurs Bibliographes. Par J.-M. Q. (Motto) “The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.”—Johnson. Tome premier. Paris. J.-M. Quérard, éditeur, Place St. André-des-Arts, No. 26; Dondey-Dupré, frère et fils, imp.—lib., Rue St. Louis, No. 46, au Marais, et Rue Richelieu, No. 67, 1826; 8ᵛᵒ; xx. 288; A-Bouyon. Dedicated to M. Schalbacher.

This is not noticed by Quérard himself in the list of his works. In the reprint of it, under the title of La France Littéraire, he much [13]enlarged it, as the name Bouyon does not occur till page 484. In the preface he says:—“Finding ourselves in Germany in 1819-1824, we observed the use the Germans made of their National bibliothecas, and how much such books were appreciated there; it was then we conceived the idea of doing that for France, which up to that date had remained either partially or incompletely done. We returned, hoping that our efforts would be seconded in our native country, and appreciated by foreigners who are often more curious than we are, upon the subject of our riches both literary and scientific. Six years of persevering labor at last enabled us to present to the public a library of French books, more complete and extended than any other, and which, if we had known how to attain the object of our efforts, might without ostentation take the title of ‘Bibliographie moderne de la France.’”

(II.)—La France Littéraire (half-title); La France Littéraire ou Dictionnaire Bibliographique des savants, historiens et gens de lettres de la France, ainsi que des Littérateurs étrangers qui ont écrit en Français, plus particulièrement pendant les XVIIIᵉ et XIXᵉ siècles. Ouvrage dans lequel on a inséré afin d’en former une Bibliographie nationale complète, l’indication 1ᵒ des réimpressions des ouvrages français de tous les âges; 2ᵒ des diverse traductions en notre langue de tous les auteurs étrangers, anciens et modernes; 3ᵒ celle des réimpressions faites en France des ouvrages originaux de ces mêmes auteurs étrangers, pendant cette époque. Par J.-M. Q. (Motto, the same.) Paris. Chez Firmin Didot, Père et fils, Libraires, Rue Jacob, No. 24. 1827; 8ᵛᵒ. Dedicated to M. Schalbacher. Oct. 1827; xxix., 582. 1828; 756. 1829; 562. 1830; 646. 1833; 668. 1834; iii. 647. 1835; 574. 1836; 606. 1838; 597. 1839; 575. Begins with AA, (Van der,) ends with Zygomala. Was published in parts, at 7 fr. 50 c. 30 L. P. copies 15 fr. each. Double columns. 10 volumes. See IV.

La France Littéraire. Tome onzième. (Half-title.) The same title as the above. (“arises” spelled “arise” in the motto.) Tome onzième. Corrections. Additions. Auteurs pseudonymes et anonymes dévoilés. Tome premier. Paris. L’éditeur rue Mazarine, 27, 1854-57. Second Title-page. Les Écrivains Pseudonymes et autres mystificateurs de la Littérature Française pendant les quatre derniers siècles, restitués à leurs véritables noms. Par J.-M. Q. auteur de la F. L., des Supercheries L. D. etc. avec des notes de M. M. Boissonade de L’Institute; F. Bovet, biblioth. de la ville de Neuchâtel (Suisse); U. Capitaine de Liége; de Courtière, biblioth. du ministère de la marine; Félix Delhasse, de Bruxelles; Edm. de Manne, conserv.-adjoint de la biblioth. impériale; Eug. de Froberville, de la Société de géographie; [14]Fr. Grille, ancien biblioth. d’Angers; Justin Lamoureux, l’un des rédacteurs du supplément à la Biographie universelle de Michaud; Georg. Mancel, biblioth. de la ville de Caen; feu Mercier, abbé de Saint-Léger (sur La France Littéraire de 1769); Serge Poltoratzky, membre honoraire de la biblioth. impériale publique de Saint-Pétersbourg; feu le baron de Reiffenberg et plusieurs autres bibliophiles. (Motto.) Sans haine, ni camaraderie, ni vénalité. Paris. L’Éditeur, rue de Seine, 36. 1854; viii.; 708. 1859-64; 751. Aborbonel to Rouguet. Another volume would doubtless have finished the work. The Preface has “Flabent sua fata libelli” at the head, and is signed C. P.

A work that no library of any pretensions should be without. The criticisms show long study and apparent familiarity with nearly every work he registers. The bibliographical matter is astonishing, and for reference invaluable. The biographical portion is excellent, and his remarks show that he was a shrewd observer. Its universality and accuracy must ever make it a work of high standing. If the author had lived to finish his design, it would have been without exception the most perfect and comprehensive work ever published. As it is, the Bibliotheca Britannica of Watt, for completeness, must still bear the palm. For the numerous critiques upon this work, we must refer the reader to Nos. XVII. and XXIV.

The early copies are different to the later ones, which have three articles cancelled, and others inserted, namely: Panckoucke, Pardessus, and Rousselin, and are very rare indeed.

Two monographs were taken from the last volumes. See XX. and XXIII.

(III.)—Le Bibliologue, journal du commerce et des intérêts de la typographie et de la libraire en France, 1833; 8ᵛᵒ. Only 19 Nos. appeared.

(IV.)—J. J. Rousseau. (A monograph extracted from II.) 1836; 8ᵛᵒ; 44. We do not know the correct titles of III. and IV.

(V.)—Revue Bibliographique. Journal de bibliologie d’histoire littéraire d’imprimerie et de libraire, publié par deux bibliophiles [J.-M. Q. et Serge Poltoratzky.] 1ʳᵉ Année, No. 1, 15 Mai, 1839. Paris, au bureau de la Revue Bibliographique, Rue de Sèvres, No. 13. Londres et Leipzig, 1839; r. 8ᵛᵒ; 408. The cover of No. 4 has “Rédigé par J.-M. Q. auteur de la France Littéraire, et par plusieurs bibliophiles.” Appeared every fortnight to the 30th June 1839, afterwards monthly, each part 2 francs, only 10 published.

(VI.)—Appendice aux éditions des œuvres de Voltaire. (Half-title.) Bibliographie Voltairienne. (allegorical cut.) Paris. Firmin Didot and Daguin frères. [1842] 8ᵛᵒ; xxxvi. 184. Dedicated to M. Poltoratzky. Double columns, small type. Only 250 copies printed. Reprint from [15]La France Littéraire, with additions and an introduction by Aubert de Vitry, on Voltaire’s influence on the XVIII. century. Quérard declares that though this occupied him a year, little of it is his own. He is indebted to Barbier, Peignot, &c., and to the editors of Voltaire’s works, Kehl, and particularly Beuchot. There are 1131 articles, and 4 Indexes (pp. 162-183).

(VII.)—La Littérature Française contemporaine. XIXᵉ siècle. Renferment: 1ᵒ Par ordre alphabétique de noms d’auteurs, l’indication chronologique des publications originales des écrivains français régnicoles et étrangers, et celle des éditions et traductions françaises des ouvrages des auteurs étrangers, vivants, imprimés en France pour la première fois depuis le commencement de ce siècle; 2ᵒ Une table des livres anonymes et polyonymes qui, par leurs publications appartiennent à cette époque; 3ᵒ Une tables des sujets. Le tout accompagné de notes Biographiques et Littéraires. Tome premier. Paris. Daguin Frères, éditeurs. Quai Malaquais, 7, 1842; 8ᵛᵒ; xiv. 631. Double columns. The second volume has the title-page somewhat altered. L. L. F. C. 1827-1844. Renfermant: 1ᵒ Par ordre alphabétique de noms d’auteurs l’indication des ouvrages français et étrangers publiés en France et celle des ouvrages française publiés à l’étranger; 2ᵒ une table des livres anonymes et polyonymes; 3ᵒ une table générale méthodique. Le tout accompagné de Biographies et de Notes historiques et littéraires. Par M. M. Charles Louandre et Félix Bourquelot. Paris, &c. 1846. And on the reverse of the title-page, “La Rédaction de ce volume appartient, jusqu’à la page 282 à M. Quérard.” (When about one-third of the article on Napoleon Bonaparte was written.) The volume contains 636 pages. The title-pages of the subsequent volumes are also altered, but with this we are not concerned. The author was deprived of all his right with regard to this book by the publisher, when the names of 600 subscribers had been obtained. The pretext being that the author was not supplying copy sufficiently fast, and that besides the length of the biographies would have enlarged the work beyond the 3 vols. promised in the prospectus.⁠[6]

An arbitration took place in June 1844, composed of M. F. Daguin and his cousin and creditor M. Audot, on the one side, and the estimable and much esteemed M. Aimé André, in the absence of the person principally interested on the other. The award was in favor of the publisher, that he had sole right in the work, and Quérard was condemned [16]in the costs of the arbitration. From the time of the deprivation of his rights of authorship, he never ceased to point out the negligence, the slips, the gross blunders, and the ignorance shewn by the men who had dared to continue his work. These gentlemen however considered him in the wrong, and bitterly complain of the continual attacks Quérard made on them. On the other hand, Quérard very justly complained that it was not the names of the gentlemen who continued his Littéraire Française contemporaine that mulcted the subscribers, nor was it the publishers; but it was his own unfortunate name which had originally inspired the subscribers with the confidence that caused them to subscribe, and ultimately to become compulsory victims of a purely mercantile speculation. We have carefully perused the correspondence in this quarrel, and we think there was not the least moral justification for depriving Quérard of his work. It was a fraud upon the subscribers: it was a fraud upon him, by putting his name to a publication which he entirely repudiated, which is incorrect, and has in fact all the characteristics of such undertakings, when they have degenerated as we have already said into purely mercantile speculations.⁠[7] Every word of M. Daguin’s defence only brings him deeper into the mire of literary dishonesty. The insolence of this publisher’s letters to a man of science and knowledge is beyond endurance. It is well to let our readers know that he was bankrupt in 1845, and the book went into other hands, though he continued his miserable efforts in endeavouring to answer Quérard’s stinging criticisms.

In the Preface to his Écrivains Pseudonymes, Quérard said that no one up to that time had ventured to praise the continuation of La Littérature Française contemporaine.⁠[8] This the publisher indignantly denied, and cited in proof two papers “much esteemed,” The Athenæum Français, and L’Illustration. M. Daguin could scarcely have taken a more unfortunate instance than that of the Athenæum Français,⁠[9] a trade publication, in which the articles on bibliography were written by the friends [17]of the compilers, and which shortly stopped publication.⁠[10] In the course of its existence it did not notice Quérard’s works, and when it did La Littérature Française contemporaine, it generally pointed out an error or omission, while it awarded its meed of vacuous praise according to the journalistic formula.

Certainly the French press did not overwhelm him with encouragement. The most notable instance of neglect is that of the Journal des Savants. How comes it that the “Savants” have not honored their pages with even the titles of Quérard’s works? when they notice that of M. Brunet. Have two hundred years of existence brought that journal to its dotage? Is it also a trade concern, or is it the property of a clique? If so, the sooner it assumes another title the better. We recommend “Journal du Savon,” as agreeable in sound, and suggestive in title.

Notwithstanding the disastrous result of the award against him, a ray of sunshine illuminated the darkness, and Quérard again hoped that he might continue his labors, when freed from his cares and troubles. A princely stranger from the far North presented himself: passionately fond of French literature, and a no less enthusiastic bibliographer than was the author of La France Littéraire himself—M. Serge Poltoratzky of Moscow. This excellent, noble, and generous man from that time became Quérard’s Mecænas, patronizing all the different publications he engaged in up to the year 1854. He made many sacrifices, which unfortunately did not bear the result, that in the fulness of his heart he wished, namely, the tranquillity of the laborious bibliographer; the works he patronized being only known or required by an exceedingly restricted number, cost so much, and Quérard’s own position was so precarious. The 40 francs a sheet that Messrs. F. Didot allowed him; the 1000 francs a year accorded by the Minister of public instruction; the remittances of M. Poltoratzky; all were absorbed in the preparation of the M.S., and besides all this he was constantly harassed by want. The Parisian booksellers, witnesses of his painful efforts, urged him to make an application direct to the Minister of Public Instruction for a Librarianship, and offered him their utmost support. A petition was accordingly drawn up and subscribed by sixty-six [18]of the principal and most influential publishers and booksellers in Paris. It was seconded by another, signed by five Academicians, who were also librarians, M. M. Naudet, Letronne, Ch. Lenormant, Charles Magnin, and L. Feuillet.

Quérard did not even receive a reply. This was in September 1842. M. Villemain was minister, with M. Désiré Nisard at the head of the division of science and literature. In an unfortunate moment of precipitation, Quérard was guilty of a lapsus calami, and this it appears was sufficient to wipe out, in the eyes of this pompous minister, twenty years zealous and laborious study. M. Villemain underlined the fatal word, and, with a superb air of disdain, threw the petition to his clerks, saying:—“That is my answer.”

About the year 1844, Quérard met Mr. Panizzi, (“honorable et savant,” as the former very justly observes.) His works had gained for him the good-will of Mr. Panizzi, who wishing to give him a proof of his respect, proposed him as a proper person for a post in the Library of the British Museum. However, in spite of the cordial feelings which then prevailed between France and England, Quérard was rejected because he was a Frenchman.⁠[11] Whether we, or he lost most by this, it is difficult to say. The men at the head of the only national institution an Englishman can be proud of, having, fortunately, been the right men in the right place, but it would have been an honorable and gracious act on our part, and one which would have reflected lasting credit on us, that the merit and talent of a son of France, disregarded by his own government, should have been appreciated by England. Our bibliographer bore this refusal in mind, who indeed would not have done so, and when in May and July the “Sydenham Society” made a proposal to him, to undertake the important catalogue of their medical works in the French language, flattering as it was, he did not accept it.

(VIII.)—Le Moniteur de la Librairie, mémorial universel des publications françaises et étrangères anciennes et modernes, rédacteur en chef. M. J.-M. Quérard. 1844; 8ᵛᵒ. Was published the 10th, 15th, and 20th, of each month. Founded on the plan of the Bibliologue. First edited by Paul Colomb. Nos. 5 and 6, February 1844, contain an excellent article by [19]S.-Marie Guichard, on La Littérature française contemporaine, and the Manuel du Libraire of Brunet. The immense labor of Quérard is praised as it merits. M. Brunet is also treated as a bibliographer of the first class, but it is justly remarked that the vice of his system is in the nature of all select bibliographies.⁠[12]

(IX.)—Le Bibliothécaire. Archives d’histoire littéraire de biographie, de bibliologie et de bibliographie redigée, par M. M. Mécène, [Serge Poltoratzky,] et Photius. [J.-M. Q.] No. 1, Juillet 1844. Paris, rue Jacob, No. 33. 1844; 8ᵛᵒ; 64. Only one number published, and an extract of the 2nd, a notice of J.-P.-J. Arcet. 1844; 8ᵛᵒ; 39. Very little known, as only 100 copies were printed.

The authors of this Journal wish to raise the literature of bibliography from its present debased condition in France.⁠[13]

(X.)—Les auteurs déguisés de la littérature française au XIXᵉ siècle. Essai bibliographique pour servir de Supplément aux recherches d’A. A. Barbier, sur les ouvrages pseudonymes. Par J.-M. Q. (allegorical cut.) Paris, au bureau du “Bibliothécaire.” 1845; 8ᵛᵒ; 84.

This was merely written as a specimen of the Supercheries. It is of little value at present.⁠[14] There is an excellent article upon it in the [20]“National” for 1844, by Old Nick.⁠[15] [Forgues] almost entirely reprinted in the introduction to the Supercheries; and one by the Marquess of Foudras, in the “Quotidienne” of August 1846. See No. XVII.

“Vanity, modesty, malice, mischievousness, cowardice, fear, cupidity, are the causes of these different disguises.”⁠[16]

Quérard also thought of publishing a continuation of the Bibliothèque Historique de la France of Lelong, but he never did,⁠[17] which is perhaps not to be regretted.

(XI.)—Plaidoyer par M. J.-M. Quérard contre M. M. Daguin frères prononcé par Mᵉ. Nibelle devant la cour royale de Paris, chambres des vacations, audience du mercredi 22 Octobre 1845, avec des pièces justificatives et des notes. Paris, rue Mazarine No. 60, 6 août. 1846.⁠[18] A pamphlet.

(XII.)—Dictionnaire des ouvrages Polyonymes et Anonymes de la Littérature Française, 1700-1845. Publié sous les auspices d’un Bibliophile étranger [M. Serge Poltoratzky]. Paris. L’Éditeur, rue Mazarine, Nos. 60-62, 1846; 240; 3 parts only published, pp. 80 each 2 fr. L. P. copies 4 fr. From A (Auguste Barbier) to Almanach Musicale, in all 2673 articles. The cover is the only title-page, and it is the same as La France Littéraire, with the above additions. “Arises” in the motto without the final “s.” Quérard’s very numerous coadjutors in this work, and criticisms, will be found in (XVII). The publication was suspended by the Revolution.

“M. Quérard is the most intrepid expositor of literary frauds and dodges known. We cannot understand that the life of one man would [21]be sufficient to arrange so many titles, to see through so many mysteries, to baffle so many precautions and artifices, and yet M. Quérard is still a young man.”⁠[19] This part is valuable for the articles Académie and Almanack, if for no others.

When are we to have a Dictionary of English anonyms, and Pseudonyms? We put the two together because those who have treated of one, have generally of the other. We have heard that Mr. Halkett is going to supply these desiderata, if so we trust he will be induced to hasten his labor. Such a work correctly executed—and corrected for the press, with the utmost precision—will be a boon, and make a lasting reputation for its author.⁠[20] We are confident however that it cannot possibly approach completeness without a search through the British Museum catalogues. No work of the kind could be, without going through this most stupendous bibliographical monument, which for correctness and knowledge, is quite beyond the comprehension of any but those who are well acquainted with it. We do not pretend that it has not defects; it has some very grave ones, both of general arrangement, and minute detail. In the former what we most complain of is the alphabetical order of the title-pages. This is a great deformity, which we hope will be remedied, if the catalogue is ever printed, no matter how great the labor. It is productive of the greatest anachronisms. Thus “Waverley” which is Sir Walter Scott’s earliest production, comes last in the list. The facility for reference that the old catalogue possesses over the new in this respect is very great. The eye runs down dates almost without effort, but if the title has to be followed it must be read. It is easier to remember the date of a book, than its alphabetical title. An understanding of the system of cataloguing would be greatly aided by the rules being printed on a card, after the manner of the “plan” of the Reading Room.

Notwithstanding its many shortcomings taken as a whole it is an extraordinary, and unprecedented work,⁠[21] but for which we should have to cede the palm of fine catalogues to the Americans, who are following in [22]the wake of the Germans, by whom it is justly considered that a man of talent is the most proper Librarian. At present the post of Librarian is so ridiculously remunerated in most of our Libraries, that no man of standing could think of accepting it, and indeed so little do English people as a rule consider this necessary that they would not think of employing a man of talent. The situations of organist and librarian, are most honorable posts for professional men; and paid much on the same principles.

In 1847 M. J.-C. Brunet was decorated with the cross of the Legion of Honor for his Manuel du Libraire. The subject of this biography considered that his work was of more importance to the history of French Literature than the Manuel, and at least merited the same reward. Englishmen are aware what store is set by our sprightly neighbours upon this cross, and though we laugh at the effect, we cannot but reverence the feelings which prompt the desire for its acquisition. He accordingly wrote to M. Salvandy with the recommendations of two influential persons to support his request. M. Salvandy was more polite than M. Villemain had been in the year 1842. More polite!—He answered, but what an answer:—

Monsieur,

J’ai reçu la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire pour m’exposer vos titres à la décoration de la Légion d’honneur. J’ai fait prendre note de votre demande, que j’examinerai lors du prochain travail des promotions avec tout l’intérêt qui s’attache aux honorables recommendations dont elle est appuyée.

24 Juin, 1847.

They could not spare this order of distinction for a work of twenty years, which is used as a guide to French Literature throughout the civilized world, but they would recollect the two honorable recommendations by which the request was supported.

The third great work Quérard published is entitled:—

(XIII.)—Les Supercheries Littéraires Dévoilées. Galerie des Auteurs apocryphes, supposés, déguisés, plagiaires et des éditeurs infidèles de la Littérature Française pendant les quatre derniers siècles; ensemble les industriels littéraires et des lettrés qui se sont anoblis à notre époque. Par M. J.-M. Q. Paris, L’Éditeur, Rue Mazarine, 60 et 62, 1847; cxlviii. 600; corrections 600-604. Vol. II. 639; corrections 639-650. Vol. III. Paris, L’Éditeur, Rue de Seine, 62. 1850; 614. Notice des travaux Bibliographiques de M. J.-M. Q. de Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine) (né le 25 Décembre 1797) avec les jugements portés par les critiques. 1850; 32; bound up at the end of this volume, also published separately. (See XVII.) Vol. IV. Paris, [23]L’Éditeur, Rue de Seine 36. 1852; 668. Vol. V. 1853-4; 410. The asterisms begin in this volume, and occupy 72 pages. Then the index of Authors’ names. There are 9430 articles in the work. The covers of the parts of all Quérard’s works should be bound up with them. Published in parts at 2 francs 25 cent. pp. 80 each. The dedication is “A. M. Wohlthætter, M. S. P. S. M.” ami éclairé des lettres et savant bibliographe; i.e. A M[on] Wohlthætter (German for “bienfaiteur”) M. S[erge] P[oltoratzky] S[eigneur] M[oscovite], to whom not only the publication of the work, but many of the articles were due.

Here is a title which promises some interesting revelations, and alone seems to contain the scandalous chronicle of French Literature, already a pamphlet on the same subject has been eagerly bought up. No. IX.⁠[22]

M. Quérard is a hunter, whose malice equals his courage, and who is served by talented and learned correspondents, well versed in all the little scandals of Literature. The result of this concatenation, is a book which makes a “bruit d’enfer,” in which all the celebrities of the pen are unmasked. Where all the dodges of pride or cupidity are exposed.⁠[23]

M. Quérard’s thirst for literary truth is inexhaustible, and if he could not speak to the public he would go like a certain mythological personage and reveal to the earth in default of auditors, that Midas had asses ears, or rather borrowed ears.⁠[24]

As a rule bibliography is a production of the mind too cold and dry to produce even a slight emotion, but this work was a rare exception: it was read, and praised, and abused. So many writers found their works handled rather roughly perhaps but truthfully as a rule. Their pride offended by the exposure of numerous literary frauds, some of little moment, others of magnitude. Their self esteem was touched, and where is an author more susceptible? The malevolence of some of his critics added to the success of the work, which though bibliographical was found interesting and racy, and a second edition was called for immediately, an unprecedented event in the annals of bibliography.

This work singular as it is, is far from being so well known as it should be, because the whole edition is in the libraries of amateurs of bibliographical propensities. It is now very rare and another edition is everywhere called for. Often are amusement and instruction looked for side by side, and on this score few books are so captivating as this fearless compendium of literary frauds discovered. And if this or that name is the object of an accumulation of pages, it is all the more deplorable, because they are true. We must refer the reader to the names of supposed authors. (Having given the titles of several works the critic proceeds to say:)—

This as is apparent is an assemblage of considerable works.

They have not made the fortune of their indefatiguable author; they have only given him renown, with a certain number who appreciate the difficulty and the range of such a work and who are astonished that one man, who has been able to execute them, [24]does not occupy a high position in our National Library. That which M. Quérard has experienced is the inevitable misfortune which attaches to all who attempt to disseminate truth. And in fact his numerous works demand from their merits, a kind of implacability, it was necessary to say all. He has made numerous and powerful enemies. It was for the public to compensate him, as it was to enlighten and instruct the public that this pitiless, and too precise bibliographer encountered the hatred which is the cause of his poverty. I nevertheless doubt, even if he could begin his career anew, with a fore-knowledge of all the dangers of truthfulness before him, whether a man of his stamp of integrity would be able to allow himself to make the least concession to pride, were it even to those men who vote at the “Palais Mazarin”! M. Quérard is of a family of incorrigibles and truth is his idol.⁠[25]

“The title alone of this book promises a great scandal: the most interesting revelations. What a bait for malignity! What attraction for legitimate curiosity! There are some articles in it which of themselves would make the reputation of any book, such as the long notice of Cagliostro where M. de Courchamp is so severely treated, and that on Catherine, the great Catherine, she whom Voltaire, Diderot and d’Alembert, whom the prince de Ligne called “Catherine the great,” and whom M. P. R. A.-S the coadjutor of M. Quérard successively strips of all the literary titles by which she was gratified; and even of the familiar letters leaving her nothing in French, but an incorrect and barbarous style devoid of talent, wit, or understanding.”⁠[26]

The original title of this work was Les Auteurs &c.⁠[27] Les Supercheries Littéraires Dévoilées was added on the cover to the third part and afterwards to the title-page.

“As will be seen M. Quérard has changed the title (during publication) and made it even a little more satirical than it was before.”⁠[28] But the principal articles from which a book might be composed is devoted to M. Alexandre Dumas. One of M. Quérard’s coadjutors⁠[29] has nurtured this article with affection or rather with ingenious and indefatigable hatred. We cannot but deplore that a talented writer should so often allow himself to overlook the dictates of delicacy, and be led away by the ardour of his unexampled industry. We ought to say that [25]the article in which M. Dumas is placed, as if upon his trial, breathes a tone that should render the most legitimate criticism suspicious. The articles of accusation begin at page 404, and end at 480. “This only embraces the dramatic pieces of the accused, or rather the condemned one. The novels come next, and heaven knows what that promises.⁠[30] In this part, the critic who has taken charge of M. Alexandre Dumas finishes with a furious and unparalleled slaughter; he gives the last blows with a sledge hammer. No doubt M. Dumas will not die of the effects; he will only come out bruised and scratched; but the knowing reader will have had his laugh, and that is a great point in this “vale of tears.” In running over the other articles, we do not recover from our surprise when we find M. Quérard well posted up in so many intrigues, initiated in so many mysteries and artifices. He is as terrible as remorse, and formidable as conscience. The preliminary discourse upon literary frauds ancient and modern is equally full of singular and curious incidents.”⁠[31]

It has lately been said, but we do not believe it, that the author of that terrible pamphlet against Alexandre Dumas in the Supercheries is chiefly the work of Signor Florentino, who is supposed to be one of the coadjutors of the celebrated dramatist-novelist, and who says he is author of the first part of Monte Christo. One thing which no one can explain astonishes us; that of all the writers who pretend to have so nobly sold their genius to Alexandre Dumas, there is not one who has been able to write a line for his own profit which anyone will buy.⁠[32]

In the notice on the death of Louis Philippe, King of the French, some observations will be found on Quérard’s in the Supercheries.⁠[33]

The name of Quérard, already of European reputation by his numerous writings, will one day be graven in letters of gold over the portals of every library in the French dominions, as that of the most faithful guide of the librarian devoted to the study of French Literature.⁠[34]

An article in La Silhouette for 30 January 1848, signed “Le Rat,” (Pseud. Auguste Vitu) imputed numerous errors to Quérard, and at the word “Rat,” in Les Supercheries, he reprints the article, and convicts the “Rat” of numerous errors and shows that he was right. We however cannot but consider that a work like this is not the place for a discussion, which certainly should not have occupied its pages, and doubtless in the second edition all such blemishes as these would have been removed. The Baron de Reiffenberg, though a great friend and coadjutor of Quérard, having contributed many articles to the Supercheries, is exposed like all the rest. Quérard says that he much regrets the task imposed upon him, but he should lose the good opinion of the shade of the Baron, [26]if he were not conscientiously to carry out the article. No doubt if the Baron had been alive this article would have been just the same, though at the risk of losing one of his best friends.

The article on Alexandre Dumas, occupying 170 octavo pages, contains the most extraordinary disclosures of literary frauds and peccadillos ever exposed in any nation or in any age. By this article it seems that M. Alexandre Dumas has committed every imaginable literary fraud, and a great many unimaginable ones. This is only a sample, the book from beginning to end is the same, only every one it exposes or discloses is not of such world-wide renown.

In a note at p. 483, we learn that Thackeray concerned himself about M. Dumas and the length of French novels, which he satirically wishes would never end. Almost as a fulfilment of his wish M. Dumas published Les Mémoires d’un Médecin, which the circulating libraries announced would be in 80 volumes.⁠[35]

Here we find that those extraordinary and popular works Les Trois Mousquetaires, Vingt ans après, &c., are not written by Alexandre Dumas, and much other interesting information relative to the works themselves. But disappointment borders on disgust when we learn that we have been cheated into thanking M. Dumas for Monte Christo.

An Index to the Article is given, and one of authors “whom M. Dumas has snatched from bad society to introduce into good;” in all 73.

Quérard began the second edition, under the following title:—Les Supercheries L. D. G. des E. F. de toute l’Europe qui se sont déguisés sous des anagrammes, des astéronymes, des boustrophédons, des criptonymes, des initialismes, des noms littéraires, des pseudonymes facétieux et bizarres, etc., découverts ou non; des auteurs apocryphes, etc. Précédé d’un introduction intitulée “Des Supercheries littéraire anciennes et moderne, plus particulièrement en France.” Par &c. avec le concours de bibliothécaires et bibliophile Français Belges, Suisses, etc. But death carried him off when the first part only was published. The articles instead of 9430 would have been about 30,000.⁠[36]

There is probably no necessity for a work on literary frauds in so caustic a style as Quérard’s, but that there is ample scope for such a work in English literature there cannot be the least doubt. Some of our [27]pseudonyms are the most grotesque, some are harmless, some absurd, and some infamous.⁠[37]

We trust that the second edition of the Supercheries will be taken up by one of France’s numerous talented bibliographers. But do not let it be an expurgated edition; if there are passages which the editor might think would be better softened down let him not touch it. Let Quérard speak. The editing should be confined to revision and correction. The reflections in the second cannot be more severe than in the first edition, and the worst complaint he had was only that of a second-rate writer, who said that Quérard had falsely ascribed a pseudonym to him, which was partly true. Quérard himself says:—“L’Auteur tenait beaucoup, et non sans raison, à publier lui-même ses matériaux si laborieusement rassemblés, et, qui pouvaient plus tard tomber en des mains étrangères à la science de toute sa vie qui n’hésiteraient pourtant point à les éditer, malgré la conviction de n’y rien entendre, si nous pouvons en juger par ce qui se passe journellement sous nos yeux.”⁠[38]

So entirely was he absorbed by his laborious studies that our learned bibliographer never gave his own interests present or future a passing thought, so that from the time when he first made known his talents to the world in 1827, up to the date of his death he was constantly in a most precarious position. The years 1845 and 1854 were worse than any others.

In 1845, the brothers Daguin, publishers of the Littérature Française contemporaine, bought a number of French classics, expurgated in favor of the methodist protestants, which swallowed up the capital their father had left them two years before. One of them seeing that the bankruptcy of the firm was imminent (it effectually disappeared the same year) put himself in a position to continue the Littérature contemp., though without the slightest knowledge or preparatory study, required for such a work, of which in fact he was only the publisher. The agreement Quérard had made with him in good faith, but which was only an extract of one Messrs. Didot had imposed upon him, received a most [28]perfidious interpretation, as we have seen above, for the author was unjustly though legally deprived of the result of his own labors: of the emanation of his brain. He appealed, but only made the case worse, the judges confirmed the award of the arbitrator, and mulcted him not only in damages and interest, but in the costs with a stipulation that he was to be arrested if he did not pay. M. F. Daguin desirous that every one should know the sort of man he was, pressed Quérard with unheard of severity, and pushed his barbarity so far as to get him condemned to five years imprisonment at Clichy. Luckily the information had been improperly laid; there was a flaw in the instructions, and Quérard was freed after only three months imprisonment. But he had to pay this man who had deprived him of his means of living, 1600 francs, more than he received for editing a volume and a half of his work. The cowardly indignities of the publisher, who in one of his letters has the impudent hypocrisy to say that he had been lenient with Quérard, and had not prosecuted him to the utmost rigor of the law, did not cease there. Knowing that he had effectually deprived our bibliographer of every means of establishing his rights, he put the finishing stroke to his perfidy. In the preface of Vol. VI. of La France Littéraire, Quérard promised a supplement to that work when finished, to include all additions and corrections, from 1700 to 1842. To deprive him of this resource, the publisher no sooner possessed himself of La Litt. Française Contemporaine than he altered its plan, and introduced additions which were totally out of place. Then the Supercheries and the XI. Vol. of La France Littéraire appeared, and as each new part was published, so was it pillaged to ameliorate and supply the defects of the publisher’s book. Thus nearly 1200 articles whether belonging to the original plan or not of La Littérature contemporaine were stolen from the former to enrich the latter. The only answer to the author’s complaints was that “Les Supercheries of Quérard belonged to everybody!”

Un Feuillet pour les Supercheries littéraires dévoilées de Quérard; par S. P. Y. de Moscou [Serge Poltoratzky] et J.-M. Quérard. In Bibliographie de la France, XXXVII. année. Paris. Pillet aîné, 1848. 8ᵛᵒ.

(XIV.)—Bibliographie la Mennaisienne. Notice Bibliographique des ouvrages de M. de la Mennais, de leurs réfutations, de leurs apologies, et des biographes de cet écrivain. Troisième édition augmenté. 1850; 2 fr. 50 c. (1st ed. 1849; 149.)

This pamphlet was extracted from the Supercheries, with additions.

The Biographie La Mennaisienne presents a lamentable spectacle. We have a Priest, first orthodox, then sincere, and anon gradually inclining towards apostacy [29]and impiety, choked with pride and spleen, up to the very day when the verse of Tartuffe could be applied to him:—

“Voilà je vous l’avoue, un abominable homme.”⁠[39]

(XV.)—Omissions et bévues du livre intitulé “La Littérature Française Contemporaine,” par M. M. Louandre et F. Bourquelot, ou Correctif de cet ouvrage, avec cette épigraphe: Male parta, male dilabuntur. (Première livraison). (Bon.-Chr.) 1848, 8ᵛᵒ.; xx. 33, 2 fr.; L. P. 4 fr. Double columns, with two lithographs.

Réponse aux calomnies que M. Quérard a dirigées contre moi dans son dernier pamphlet intitulé Omissions et bévues de la L. F. C. (signed F. Daguin.) Paris. 1848; 8ᵛᵒ.

M. Félix Daguin, after having agreed with M. Quérard for the continuation of his France Littéraire broke his agreement without any real (or rather avowable) motive and then obtained the services of M. M. Louandre, and Bourquelot, men of talent. M. Quérard’s absence however very soon became apparent. Everybody had not his intrepid capacity for exploration, nor his incessant desire for exactitude, qualities which no vices of editorship can obscure. M. Quérard attributes the errors in the continuation of his work to the publisher, rather than to the gentlemen who edit it. He takes up the work where he left it, and carries on his revision slowly but surely. The errata of the second volume is perfectly frightful. It is evidence to which there is no reply. To an argument of this kind there is no opposition but silence.⁠[40]

(XVI.)—Encyclopédie du Bibliothécaire. Prospectus 1850. Another under this title:—Encyclopédie du B. de l’homme d’études et du bibliophile Français. Dernier Prospectus—spécimen 1851; r. 8; 24. We then have 8 pages of the names of 382 subscribers; he had eventually 800, but had determined not to publish under 1000.

This is a work so vast that the life of one man would have been insufficient to execute it unaided. A long list of co-editors is given, comprising all the bibliographical talent of France.

This prospectus suggested M. M. Denis and Pinçon the idea of their very excellent Nouvel Manuel de Bibliographie Universelle. Paris. 1857; 8ᵛᵒ. A microscopical miniature of the one Quérard dreamt of, and one day would have published, we believe, had he lived. A comparison with the table of Brunet’s great work will generally prove to the advantage of the former. It was to have been in 15 royal octavo volumes, of about 800 pages each, double columns, with engravings; six specimen portraits are given in this prospectus; each volume 25 francs.

(XVII.)—Notice des travaux Bibliographiques de M. J.-M. Quérard, de Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine), (né le 25 Décembre 1797), avec les jugements [30]portés par les critiques. No title-page. Paris, 1850; 32. Includes Nos. II., VII., X., XII., XIII. There are thirteen pages of critiques on this work quoted. XIV., five pages of critiques quoted, and XVI.

(XVIII.)—Les Plagiats Reiffenbergiens dévoilés. Extrait du tome IV. des “Supercheries Littéraires.” Paris. 1851; 8ᵛᵒ. 39; 2 francs. Only 50 copies printed.

(XIX.)—Notice sur les études littéraires, historiques et bibliographiques, de M. Bajot. Paris. 1852; 8ᵛᵒ.; 16.

(XX.)—Notice sur M. Serge Poltoratzky bibliophile et bibliographe russe, membre honoraire de la Bibliothèque Impériale publique de Saint-Pétersbourg. Paris, imprimerie de W. Remquet et Cie. successeurs de P. Renouard, rue Garancière, No. 5, Novembre 1854; 20. Signed J.-M. Quérard. Only 100 copies printed. An extract from Vol. XI. of L. F. L. Not in double columns.

Moucherat de Longpré. Problème littéraire definitivement résolu en 1854, par M. Quérard.⁠[41] An article upon this subject by that noble-minded Russian, M. Serge Poltoratzky.

In 1854, the son of a man of ninety-three having disputed the right of the author of Les supercheries littéraires dévoilées, to extract from the Moniteur of the time a notice of his father, delayed judgment for two years, and prevented the completion of Quérard’s work, and finally imposed upon him the circulation of an extra sheet containing an historical falsehood. Not only was the printing suspended, but the printers who were pestered by the incessant demands of the son, wanted to be rid of so troublesome a customer as Quérard. They therefore required an authority to receive for three years the pension allowed the bibliographer by the minister of public instruction, to cover the expenses of printing which were then due. It was then, when deprived of every means of support, as he had been in 1845, always of course reckoning on the sympathy of his habitual readers, that he founded in 1855 a bibliographical Journal entitled after his own name:—

(XXI.)—Le Quérard. Archives d’histoire littéraire de biographie et de bibliographie française. Complément périodique de la France littéraire. Par l’auteur de La France Littéraire, des Supercheries Littéraires Dévoilées, etc. etc. (Mottoes:)—Arrière, camarades et ereinteurs; mais à nous les hommes de vrai savoir et de conscience.—Ceci est un livre de bonne foi.—Montaigne. Paris, au bureau du Journal, passage Dauphine, escalier H. 1855-6; 8ᵛᵒ; [31]587—II. 648. The index, pages 645 to 648, vol. II., is frequently wanting. This, unfortunately, turned out another bad speculation for its unlucky editor. An article of several pages is devoted to this journal, in the Bulletin du Bib. Belge, XI. 145; 246, XII., 151.

As this work is almost a supplement to his others, and contains some valuable articles not elsewhere, we give a summary:—

Les Bridel, I. 88. by Ph. Bridel.—La Bibliographie devant les Tribunaux M. de Saint-Albin v. Quérard p. 183.—Bibliothèque des frères Gébéodé.—Coup d’œil retrospectif sur le Zombi du Grand-Pérou, p. 187. II: 328. Livres intéressants pour la France dans la Bibliotheca Grenvillana, p. 189. Les Aventures de Faublas, 388. Sur les Mélanges publiés par la Philobiblion Society, London, 374. Remon Sebon, 447. Indiscrétions d’un vieux bibliographe. Additions aux Supercheries Littéraires Dévoilées, 451. Anagramme et Cryptonyme (Blocquel), 553. Du Catalogue Fortsas, 537, & II., 11. Pourquoi une souscription Quérard, 542. Vol. II. Sur la Famille d’Honoré Balzac, 7. Charles Dickens, Fautes d’impressions, 12. Ouvrages de Quérard 49, 643. Etat des livres et des Bibliothèques avant l’invention de l’imprimerie, 45. Recherches sur quelques écrivains ridicules, 1, Pierre le Loyer—2, Ch.-Joseph de Grave, 3, Le P. Maimbourg, 4, Les théologiens jésuites d’Ingolstadt du XVIe siècle, 49. Technologie Bibliographique, ou vocabulaire de la Bibliographie érudite, 154. Feuillets de l’Encyclopédie inédite du Bibliothécaire. Marguerite d’Autriche, Gœthe, 163. France. Academies, 317. Marie Antoinette d’Autriche, 401-479. Charlotte Corday, 440. De Stael, 507. Montaigne. 522. Biographie, Garneau, Historien de Canada, 172. Le Comte Falloux du Coudray, 241. Les contes de Perrault, 251. L. Curmer, 267. De Tribus Impostoribus, 270. “Le Portrait du Loquettes,” 275. H.-L. Wolff de Spa, 275. George de Tours, 301. Bibliothèque de Racine; de Grolier; de Napoleon, 394. Jean Paul Marat, 489. M. Jozon d’Erquar, 488. Les Clubs de Bibliophiles en Angleterre et les bibliothèques particulières de Londres, 550. La Roumanie, 567. La Famille Guizot, 601.⁠[42]

In Le Quérard, he seems first to have used the anagram “d’Erquar,” after a capital explanation of his reasons for publishing parts of the Encyclopédie. He uses it again (Vol. 2. 488) to supplement the monograph of Charlotte Corday. We fancy we trace Quérard’s style in other articles, and it is probable that he used other signatures; thus he quietly indulged sometimes in a little self-adulation, which did no harm, and was probably a source of considerable amusement and satisfaction to him.

[32]

Unfortunately from the first year it had not the success Quérard required to clear him of his embarrassments. This last reverse induced him to make another attempt with the minister of public instruction. M. H. Fortoul, who was fond of, and sympathised with the industrious, received the timid petitioner, who lived only in his study, and who was much disconcerted by his visit to the Minister, with great kindness. M. Fortoul spontaneously suggested to him that his right place was in one of the libraries of Paris, and promised to give it his serious consideration on the first vacancy. But M. H. Fortoul died:⁠[43] there was nobody to keep the promise he had made. Our unfortunate bibliographer had still to wait and still to suffer! And he did. He waited and suffered to the last.⁠[44]

M. Beriat-Saint-Prix had compassion on the unfortunate and precarious position of our bibliographer, and one of the most worthy [33]publishers of Paris, whose father of old had put fortune in Quérard’s way by sending him to Austria as an agent, M. Hector Bossange, took the initiative at the beginning of 1855 of a subscription in favor of him, who for upwards of thirty years rendered a service by his estimable labors, not only to literature, but to the literary establishments of every country, and who was yet left without reward. M. Bossange was fortunate enough to make Messrs. Didot brothers and J.-B Baillière join in his sympathy, and the announcement of the subscription was sent forth. M. Bossange, who from the year 1825 always gave Quérard proofs of his esteem and friendship, put his whole soul and prodigious activity to endeavor to make it a success. Truly never was bibliographer the subject of so flattering an ovation. In this subscription which was only got up with the view of asking the aid of French publishers, librarians joined with bibliophiles and foreign librarians; and in the list of those who gave Quérard evidence of their regard, we read the names of Germans, Americans, Spaniards, English, Belgians, Danes, Italians and Russians. The absence of several names is remarkable. For instance the library of the Bibliothèque Impériale of Paris is not represented by a single man, whilst in this list we read the names of three Librarians of the British Museum,⁠[45] one of the Astor Library of New York, one of Moscow, and several others; this was unpatriotic, and in flagrant bad taste, to a man whose works had frequently assisted their learning when at fault. The name of the author of the “Manuel du Libraire” is conspicuous by its absence.

Quérard now thought he was rid of his embarrassments, but he had not reckoned upon that fatality which seemed to attach to him. The subscription was not yet closed when another misfortune struck him. Under the insignificant pretext of a confusion of names, which neither affected his influence nor his interests, a pious writer who wished to occupy the public mind with himself, summoned our bibliographer before the court for this error, which offended his vanity. This devout man consecrated a fraud, of which he had been guilty, and obtained against our poor bibliographer a decree and costs which amounted to 2000 francs! to be deducted from the subscription already reduced one-half by the debts of the journal Le Quérard.

Have we now sufficiently justified the title, as applied to the national bibliograph of France, of “A Martyr to Bibliography?”

[34]

(XXII.)—M. le Baron Modeste de Korff, directeur en Chef de la Bibliothèque Impériale publique de Saint Petersbourg. 1856; 8ᵛᵒ; 8.

He sometimes spells Korff—Korf.

(XXIII.)—La Famille Guizot. Monographie bibliographique. Paris. L’auteur, rue Mazarine 27. 1857; 8ᵛᵒ; 32.

Notices extracted from Le Quérard, and signed by Quérard.

(XXIV.)—Un Martyr de la Bibliographie. Notice sur la vie et les travaux de J.-M. Quérard, auteur de la F. L., Supercheries L. D. etc., etc., suivie de la liste générale des personnes qui, en Europe et en Amérique, ont pris part à la souscription Quérard en 1855. (Extrait du tome XI. de la France Littéraire) Paris, l’éditeur, rue Mazarine, 27. 1857; 8ᵛᵒ; 15 + 8.

The “notice” begins on page 5, and ends at 15, and is subscribed:—Un compatriote et ami du Bibliographe Mar Jozon d’Erquar [anagram of Quérard]; then follows:—Pièces dans la souscription-Quérard lettre des Promoteurs.

It is signed Ambroise-Firmin Didot, J.-B. Baillière, Hector Bossange et fils. Dated, Paris, 15 Nov., 1855. From the Feuilleton de la Bibliographie, de la France, 23 Nov., 1855. Then follows:—Pourquoi une souscription Quérard? signed by the latter and extracted from Le Quérard of Dec. 1855. We then have:—Liste générale de M. M. les libraires, bibliophiles littérateurs et bibliothécaires de l’Europe et de l’Amérique qui ont pris part à la souscription proposée par M. M. F. Didot, J.-B. Baillière, et H. Bossange et fils, en faveur du Bibliographe Français J.-M. Q. pp. 8.

It is headed by the Emperor of the French 500 francs. The last name is “Watts (Thomas).” It amounts to nearly 4,500 francs.

(XXV.)—Une question d’histoire littéraire résolue. Réfutation du paradoxe bibliographique de M. R. Chantelauze: le comte Joseph de Maistre auteur de “L’antidote au congrès de Rastadt.” Par l’auteur des S. L. D. Paris, l’auteur, rue Mazarine, 27. Lyon: Marius Conchon, libraire, rue Impériale, 15. 16 Juillet. 1859; 42. Not in double columns.

Notice on La vie et ouvrages du P. N. Grose. Par le P. A. A. Cadrès. Paris, 1862, in the Bulletin du Bouquiniste of Aubry. Paris, 8ᵛᵒ. p. 202.

He continued the Feuillets de l’Encyclopédie (inédite) du Bibliothécaire (E. H. A. Gaullieur) in the Bulletin du Bouquiniste of Aubrey. Paris, 1863, p. 371, et seq.

(XXVI.)—Retouches au nouveau Dictionnaire des Ouvrages Anonymes et Pseudonymes de M. E. De Manne par l’auteur Des Supercheries Littéraires dévoilées. Paris, chez l’auteur, Quai Saint-Michel, 21. Juillet, 1862; 8ᵛᵒ; VIII. 46 double columns, 4 francs. De Manne’s came out in May.

[35]

We advise any one who wishes to get an idea of these corrections to go through the six pages of errata at the end. Well may Quérard call De Manne an amateur bibliograph, when he allows such errors and defects to appear.

Dr. Petzholdt praises these “Retouches” very highly.⁠[46]

“As for the Dictionary of M. de Manne, the “Retouches” comprises a table of authors, and a considerable errata of great ability, which will be precious for those who possess the work. This shows that M. Quérard does not consider the work of De Manne beneath his notice, as he takes the trouble to make it complete.”⁠[47]

(XXVII.)—Monographie Bibliographique. (Half-title). Les Robespierre. Monographie Bibliographique. Par J.-M. Q. Paris: L’Éditeur, Quai Saint-Michel, No. 21. Mars, 1863. 8ᵛᵒ; 44; 4 francs. Double columns. It has no index.

Extracted from Vol. XII. of La France Littéraire. 100 copies printed. Comprises 320 articles.

“A little masterpiece, the perusal of which will greatly interest amateurs of historical researches. M. Quérard does not limit himself to the titles of books, he considers it necessary to know the contents. Thus arise certain prejudices against him. If he had written in more measured terms of authors his superior merit as a bibliographer would, we doubt not, be generally appreciated; for to him we owe several works which are among the best published in France.”⁠[48]

(XXVIII.)—De la Bibliographie Générale au dix-neuvième siècle et plus particulièrement du Manuel du Libraire et de l’amateur de livres. Lettre à M. Jacques-Charles Brunet, Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, par J-M. Quérard, auteur de la France Littéraire, des Supercheries Dévoilées, du Quérard, etc., correspondant de la Société littéraire de Lyon. Paris: L’Éditeur, Quai Saint-Michel, 21. Avril, 1863; r. 8ᵛᵒ; 24.

Every one must regret the cause, and the unfortunate feelings, which prompted this bitterly written pamphlet, but which we, as biographers, must relate. At the same time no one can regret that the information contained in it was published. In 1844, Quérard inserted in his paper (see VIII.) a most severe, though just, criticism, by Joseph-Marie Guichard, on the 3rd edition of Brunet’s Manuel.⁠[49]

[36]

According to Quérard, the whole of Brunet’s ill-feeling arose from this article; and, indeed, no one can be surprised, for the criticism is most damaging, and all the more effective for being written by a bibliographer thoroughly cognizant of his subject. Quérard begins with a few observations, in which he tells Brunet that he was at a loss to account for his animosity until the fourth volume of his Manuel appeared. He then (2) gives a short life of Brunet, and a masterly summary of the different important bibliographical works published during the nineteenth century. (3) He reprints the learned criticism of Guichard, entitled Du Manuel du Libraire et de l’Amateur de Livres, par M. J.-C. Brunet, IVᵉ édition. Tomes I.-III., et de La Littérature Française Contemporaine par M. J.-M. Q. Tomes I. et II. Extrait du Moniteur de la Librairie numéros des 10 et 20 février, 1844. We then have (4) Notices des Travaux Bibliographiques de J.-M. Q. Par M. J.-C. Brunet Remaniée au point de vue de la vérité altérée, and Quérard’s observations upon Brunet’s notices in his Manuel. We are bound to say that Brunet scarcely gives even the titles of Quérard’s works correctly, whether on purpose or by accident we know not. Then (5) Calomnies de M. Brunet.

In his Manuel, Brunet remarks the disparity between the letters A to K, in his Écrivains Pseudonymes (see p. 13), which are unproportionately short. Quérard explains that this volume (XI.) was, originally, only the commencement of the index for the Supercheries. But the editing of the Littérature Contemporaine was so loose, so full of errors and omissions, that he felt sorry his name should be attached to it. He, however, enlarged his plan, so that he included in his book most of the omissions in the other. But as the work proceeded, he found that a great part of his matter was adopted by the editors of the last-mentioned work, and he then stopped his publication till the other was finished. He always intended to publish a second edition of this volume which would have then formed two or three, making it uniform with Vol XII., by which he wished his merits as a bio-bibliographer to be judged.⁠[50]

(XXX.)—Quelques mots sur M. Bossange père, doyen des imprimeurs et des libraires de Paris. Paris, 1864. 4ᵗᵒ; 7.

Quérard’s quarrel with M. S. P. is one of the things most to be regretted in his career, but he does not seem to have had that valuable quality of making friends, and such was the obstinacy of his character, that he would have sacrificed his dearest friendship to an idea. In fact [37]it is only from materials such as this that we ever obtain works of the nature of Quérard’s.

He has been called “the chief of French bibliographers,”⁠[51] “the Patriarch and Apostle of men devoted to bibliographical studies,”⁠[52] and many other equally flattering, though not unmerited, epithets. He was the first, and probably the last, person in France who attempted—with what success our readers have seen—to make a profession, and an honourable means of support out of the science of books. He must long have known the madness of the endeavour, yet such was his devotion to his darling art, he was totally unable to deviate from the path which inevitably led to failure, for one which might have brought success. Bibliography is an occupation that no one would follow with a fore-knowledge of the incessant sacrifices, the continuous labour, this introduction to all science claims at the hands of its votaries. But each one who comes fresh to the study, brings with him hopes and aspirations which are sufficient to buoy him up for many years in the struggle for knowledge; though ultimately to be, like all predecessors, disappointed by neglect, ignorance, and want of appreciation,⁠[53]

Quérard was pre-eminently endowed with all the qualities which form a bibliographer, the principal being indefatigable perseverance and the [38]strictest accuracy.⁠[54] Of his character little is said; he was of a retiring disposition, modest and unpretending, with a just idea of the magnitude and importance of his labours, and a full knowledge of the most unmerited neglect and of the cause of that neglect. He was indefatigable in his application and worked unremittingly, a necessity, in fact, for any one who wishes to execute any bibliographical undertaking. For himself, though not for the literature of his country, it is to be deplored that this love of research was not exercised in some other calling in which such constant labour would have ensured an ordinary competency, if not the highest position. The bibliography of his works is, in fact, almost his biography. A most interesting feature of the latter, however, as he himself remarks, would be his relations with authors and publishers, and others with whom his publications brought him in contact; whether he has left such, time will probably show.

It now only remains to record poor Quérard’s death, in torture of body and mind, in the very midst of his most useful labours, and in his most active moments. This we shall leave to men who were his personal friends. Their notices we give entire in the beautiful language of the originals; we had not sufficient hardihood to spoil them by a translation, so we give them as a second part, or appendix.

J. M. QUÉRARD.

La science des livres vient de faire une perte qu’on est en droit de regarder comme irréparable; un des bibliographes les plus actifs, les plus dévoués que l’Europe ait jamais produits, Quérard vient d’être enlevé par une mort inattendue.

Des voix plus autorisées que la nôtre se sont fait entendre et elles ont payé un juste tribut de regrets à la mémoire de cet infatigable travailleur. Qu’il nous soit permis, à nous qui le connaissions depuis bien des années, de consigner ici quelques impressions personnelles. La biographie de Quérard sera sans doute écrite plus tard; nous ne prétendons nullement la raconter aujourd’hui.

Toutes les personnes qui ont l’occasion de s’occuper de livres consultent sans cesse la France littéraire. Ce qu’il a fallu de patience et de dévouement pour accomplir un pareil labeur, on ne saurait le dire. Dresser l’inventaire de tout ce qui a été imprimé en langue française depuis 1700, accompagner de quelques détails les ouvrages importants, il y avait dans une pareille entreprise motif d’épouvante pour les plus intrépides Bénédictins. Quérard, seul, en vint à bout; dix volumes compactes, à deux colonnes, furent achevés en quinze ans; mais à peine avait-il écrit la dernière page de cet immense répertoire, qu’il le continuait sur un autre plan plus vaste encore. La Littérature française contemporaine, commencée en 1840, passée ensuite dans d’autres mains, n’a pu tenir ce qu’elle promettait. Renonçant à ce labeur, Quérard ajouta successivement [40]à la France littéraire trois volumes d’additions et de corrections qui, entrepris en 1854, n’ont pu arriver à la fin de l’alphabet; la mort l’a frappé lorsque des épreuves attendaient encore le bon à tirer.

Nous devons en convenir, l’ardent bibliographe s’était fait illusion sur ses forces; il s’était tracé un cadre que nulle vie humaine n’aurait été assez longue pour remplir. Les détails biographiques surabondaient sous sa plume; il reproduisait de longs extraits de journaux relatifs aux hommes et aux livres. Tout cela était utile, agréable pour les lecteurs, qui retrouvaient ainsi des morceaux piquants qu’ils auraient eu parfois beaucoup de peine à découvrir; mais la France littéraire acquérait une extension qui la condamnait forcément à demeurer inachevée.

Un sujet parfois délicat, mais fort piquant, très-instructif, fut abordé dans les Supercheries littéraires (1845-53, 5 vol. in-8); l’auteur voulut restituer chaque ouvrage anonyme ou pseudonyme à son véritable auteur; il prétendit également faire tomber ces masques si bigarrés dont s’affublent des écrivains qui métamorphosent leurs noms véritables et qui se décernent très-souvent des titres de noblesse parfaitement apocryphes. Il y avait là bien des révélations indiscrètes; bien des susceptibilités furent blessées; mais la curiosité des lecteurs y trouva son compte. Les Supercheries littéraires sont de tous les ouvrages de Quérard celui qui s’est le plus rapidement écoulé.

Une édition nouvelle et forte augmentée était entreprise; malheureusement il n’a paru que la première livraison. On assure que tous les matériaux de ce livre sont réunis et classés de façon qu’il serait facile d’en achever la publication. Tous les bibliophiles, tous les amis de l’étude doivent faire des vœux pour qu’un éditeur intelligent et zélé se charge de placer sous les yeux du public cette œuvre à laquelle le meilleur accueil est réservé d’avance.

On serait dans une complète erreur si l’on croyait pouvoir apprécier l’activité de M. Quérard d’après les publications qu’il a fait paraître. Quelque étendues qu’elles soient, elles ne constituent qu’une faible partie de ce qu’il avait écrit; sa main n’avait pas de repos, sa tête ne connaissait pas de relâche; le mot impossible n’existait point pour lui.

Il caressait le projet de l’Encyclopédie du bibliothécaire, répertoire très-étendu, trop développé peut-être, dont il fit paraître le prospectus il y a une dizaine d’années, et qui devait devenir le Manuel du travailleur; il préparait une bibliographie complète des Ana; il voulait continuer la série des monographies bibliographiques qu’il avait ouverte par ses excellents travaux sur Voltaire et sur Lamennais; George Sand, le comte [41]de Maistre, Victor Hugo, d’autres personnages célèbres devaient tour à tour figurer dans cette galerie. La suite de la France littéraire contient, en ce genre, une bibliographie relative à Robespierre qui ne laisse rien à désirer. Une autre, qui concerne Marie-Antoinette, se trouve aujourd’hui incomplète, mais elle renferme d’excellents matériaux.⁠[55]

La vie de Quérard, il faut le reconnaître, ne fut pas toujours prospère; il n’avait pas de fortune, et les travaux bibliographiques ne conduisent pas à la richesse. Il eut des procès avec des éditeurs, des querelles avec d’autres savants. Son humeur était assez belliqueuse, et la polémique avait des charmes pour lui. Il éprouva des accès d’humeur et de dépit; il se crut parfois victime de torts qu’il s’exagérait, des inimitiés que se créait son imagination. Il laissa trop souvent ses écrits devenir les organes de ses rancunes. Divers personnages, plus ou moins en renom, sont assez maltraités sous sa plume, et l’on prétend que le manuscrit qu’il destinait à l’impression était encore bien plus accentué, mais que les imprimeurs exigeaient des modifications et des suppressions. L’auteur se dédommageait dans ses conversations, où il laissait courir sa verve malicieuse, soutenue par une connaissance intime des hommes et des faits de la littérature contemporaine.

Ces critiques, souvent acerbes, et parfois sans doute dénuées de base réelle, avaient procuré à Quérard bien des inimitiés; il ne s’en affligeait pas, mais il se trouva exclu des faveurs de l’administration. Personne mieux que lui n’était désigné pour entrer dans une de ces bibliothèques où l’on a des loisirs. C’eût été, comme disent les Anglais: The right man in the right place; il n’obtint rien, fut laissé à l’écart, et peu de mois avant sa mort, une décoration seule vint lui prouver que ses longs et rudes travaux avaient enfin attiré l’attention d’un des ministres de l’instruction publique.

[42]

Quérard est mort comme il avait vécu, pauvre, mais indépendant, sachant se contenter de peu, n’existant que pour et par les livres. Une autre fois, nous pourrons chercher à dresser la liste de ses travaux trop souvent restés inachevés, l’auteur les interrompant pour les recommencer ou pour les continuer d’après de nouvelles idées. C’est ainsi que le Dictionnaire des auteurs déguisés, entrepris en 1845,⁠[56] fit place au Dictionnaire des auteurs anonymes et pseudonymes qui en est resté au mot Almanach, et qui, à partir de 1854, a reparu sous une forme différente, arrivant au public par livraisons que séparaient de longs intervalles et qui restent interrompues. Une publication périodique, à laquelle il avait donné son nom, le Quérard, Archives littéraires,⁠[57] n’a vécu que deux ans. D’autres périodiques vécurent moins encore, et nous laissons de côté divers opuscules qui ne furent pas toujours dictés par le sentiment du pardon des injures, injures quelquefois fort exagérées.

Nous ne croyons pas qu’on revoie de bien longtemps un bibliographe de la trempe de Quérard; ce dévouement exclusif, absolu à la connaissance des livres, cet amour de la science pour la science, sont des qualités qui ne se montrent qu’à de bien rares intervalles; il faut avoir foi dans la bibliographie, se résigner d’avance au martyre, et cette perspective ne séduit presque personne. Ce que nous pouvons du moins affirmer, c’est que les livres de Quérard, étant du nombre de ceux qu’on n’est pas tenté de refaire, deviendront de plus en plus recherchés, qu’ils resteront les témoignages les plus précieux, les plus irrécusables de la véritable histoire littéraire de la France pendant une période longue et brillante, et que les amis des bonnes et solides études prononceront toujours avec sympathie le nom d’un homme qui ne connut jamais d’autre loisir qu’un travail incessant et opiniâtre.

G. BRUNET.

Quelques amis accompagnaient samedi [2 Déc. 1865] à sa dernière demeure le corps de J.-M. Quérard, enlevé soudainement à sa famille et aux lettres dans le cours de sa soixante-huitième année. Homme modeste autant que savant distingué, l’auteur de la France littéraire avait su gagner pour son nom une gloire méritée; il n’avait pas su conquérir en même temps la fortune et l’indépendance. Il s’était fait du travail qu’il [43]s’était choisi un devoir, et ne lui demandait que la satisfaction que donne le devoir strictement accompli. Depuis le jour où, modeste commis libraire en Allemagne, il avait jeté les premières assises du monument bibliographique que son plus grand désir était de compléter et de rendre plus digne encore de sa critique exigeante, il n’avait cessé d’entasser les matériaux les mieux choisis et les plus variés en même temps que les plus exacts. La mort l’a surpris corrigeant les dernières feuilles de l’Introduction de la nouvelle édition de ses Supercheries littéraires, trompant ainsi le plus cher de ses vœux, celui qu’il émettait devant nous il y a peu de jours encore: faire de cette seconde édition une œuvre achevée, et surtout y confesser ingénument, en les rectifiant, les erreurs de la première. Ses désirs s’étendaient plus loin encore; on dirait qu’ils ne sont jamais plus vifs chez l’homme que lorsque vient le moment où il ne pourra plus les accomplir. Il rêvait une Encyclopédie du bibliothécaire, dont il laisse les matériaux à sa veuve pour tout héritage. Sous le titre de Greffes et Glanes, il comptait compléter le Dictionnaire des contemporains. Tout cela n’était pour lui que le besoin de chercher la vérité et de la dire. Il l’aimait trop, il la disait trop crûment peut-être. Il en a été bien cruellement puni par une sorte de silence qui se faisait autour de ses œuvres, et qui trompait le public sur leur véritable valeur.

Ceux que l’amour des livres rapprochait de lui savaient seuls ce qu’il valait, et c’est à eux qu’il a dû d’obtenir, il y a quelques mois à peine, une distinction qu’il avait moins souhaitée qu’il ne la méritait, et qu’il ne s’est décidé à solliciter que pressé par le ministre même qui devait la lui accorder. Ramené à confiance par cet acte de tardive justice, il reprenait avec une nouvelle ardeur ses travaux interrompus lorsque la mort est venue, mort cruelle accompagnée de souffrances terribles. Il l’a subie avec courage, c’est à nous de la déplorer. Il aura eu à peine, après quarante ans de dévouement à la science, quelques jours embellis par le mirage trompeur de l’espérance; ç’a été assez pour qu’il ne nous dit plus, dans ces derniers temps, avec la même amertume, ce mot qu’il nous répétait souvent: “Si la bibliographie n’est pas un métier de sot, c’est à coup sûr un sot métier.”

M. Paul Lacroix a payé sur la tombe de Joseph-Marie Quérard le juste tribut d’éloges qui était dû à sa mémoire. Ne resterait-il pas à ses amis quelques chose à faire pour qu’une sépulture digne de lui et des services qu’il a rendus à tous lui soit élevée?

J. ASSEZAT.

(Journal des Débats, 5 déc., 1865.)

[44]

Voici le discours de M. Paul Lacroix:

Messieurs,

Ne nous séparons pas sans dire un dernier adieu à notre ami, à notre émule, à notre modèle, à notre admirable bibliographe Joseph-Marie Quérard.

Il était né bibliographe, il a vécu, il est mort bibliographe, sans avoir eu jamais d’autre passion, d’autre but, d’autre avenir, dans son existence érudite et laborieuse, que contribuer le plus et le mieux possible, pour sa part, aux progrès de la bibliographie française. Parler de ses nombreux ouvrages, les apprécier, en faire l’éloge, c’est raconter sa vie.

La France littéraire, ce beau livre, ce livre si utile, si indispensable à ceux de nous qui s’occupent d’histoire littéraire, ce livre presque excellent, malgré quelques erreurs, quelques imperfections, qui, on peut le dire, étaient inévitables dans un ouvrages de ce genre, restera comme un monument de cette bibliographie française à laquelle Quérard s’était consacré corps et âme, avec toute l’ardeur d’un goût exclusif et d’un dévouement sans bornes. Je ne crains pas de dire que cet ouvrage serait devenu un chef-d’œuvre, en passant par plusieurs éditions où il se fût successivement complété et perfectionné. Tel qu’il est, nous pouvons l’opposer avec avantage aux meilleurs compilations bibliographiques publiées à l’étranger, et surtout dans cette savante Allemagne où Quérard avait appris en quelque sorte le métier de bibliographe.

La bibliographie, cette science magnifique que devrait être l’introduction magistrale de toutes les sciences, et qui n’a pourtant pas, comme celles-ci, des chaires à elle, des professeurs spéciaux, des places et des pensions attribuées à ses modestes et fidèles adeptes (je parle ici du passé, car le ministre actuel de l’instruction publique se prépare, dit-on, à réparer une vieille injustice à l’égard des bibliographes), la bibliographie n’a jamais fait la fortune de personne, et notre pauvre ami Quérard n’a que trop constaté, pour son propre compte, qu’elle ne conduisait pas même les plus dignes à un simple emploi de bibliothécaire.

Les bibliothèques publiques en France, à aucune époque, n’ont été un champ clos ouvert aux preux de la bibliographie. Gabriel Martin, l’illustre libraire de Paris, qui a toujours eu et qui a encore de si habiles, de si consciencieux imitateurs; Gabriel Martin, qui a créé chez nous l’art de rédiger des catalogues de livres, et qui possédait a fond la science du bibliographe, s’est vu constamment éloigné de la Bibliothèque du roi, où il y avait alors cependant des bibliographes, les abbés Sallier, Boudot, Capperonnier, etc., capables de comprendre la valeur de ses travaux. [45]Eh bien! Quérard n’a pas été plus heureux à cet égard que Gabriel Martin.

Il a donc fallu que ce bibliographe incorrigible demandât sa vie à un labeur assidu, permanent, inépuisable. Pendant quarante ans, il a fait de la bibliographie, à l’example de notre brave ami M. Merlin, le savant rédacteur du catalogue de la Bibliothèque de Silvestre de Sacy et d’une foule d’autres bons catalogues, à l’example de notre maître à tous, l’auteur du Dictionnaire des Anonymes et des Pseudonymes, Antoine-Alexandre Barbier, à l’exemple du maître des maîtres, le vénérable auteur du Manuel du Libraire, qu’on peut appeler à juste titre le chef-d’œuvre des chefs-d’œuvre bibliographiques. Le champ de la bibliographie est si vaste, si incommensurable, que c’est déjà beaucoup d’en défricher un petit coin.

Quérard avait choisi pour son domaine de prédilection l’étude bibliographique des œuvres de la littérature moderne, et nous aimons à reconnaître, que, dans cette partie de la bibliographie, il n’avait pas de rival.

Il était aussi biographe, et, le dirai-je, s’il avait obéi à ses instincts et suivi sa vocation, il eût été exclusivement biographe. Il ne se bornait pas à décrire et à classer les livres; il voulait classer et juger les hommes, j’entends les hommes de lettres, les écrivants, les savants. Il se préoccupait avant tout de cette exactitude rigoureuse et mathématique, pour ainsi dire, dans les faits, dans les dates, dans les noms, sans laquelle la biographie n’est qu’un portrait, un panégyrique, une satire. Il pensait d’ailleurs que la biographie était inséparable de la bibliographie, quand il avait à écrire une notice sur un de nos contemporains obscurs ou célèbres. De là ses Supercheries littéraires dévoilées, qui ne sont, dans la première édition, qu’une revue curieuse et piquante des grands et petits mystères de la littérature ancienne et moderne et qui, dans la seconde édition, allaient devenir un immense et nouveau Dictionnaire des Pseudonymes, riche en révélations imprévues, en particularités singulières, en indications utiles et vraiment précieuses.

La mort est venue, comme toujours, arrêter l’œuvre commencée. Quérard a succombé à la fatigue de ses longs et pénibles travaux; il a succombé peu de temps après avoir obtenu, bien tardivement, hélas! une récompense honorifique qu’il avait méritée depuis tant d’années; il a eu, en sortant de la lutte, comme un athlète épuisé, mais non vaincu, le regret de ne pouvoir achever ce qu’il avait entrepris, de laisser là, au début, la seconde édition de ses Supercheries littéraires dévoilées, et d’avoir la douloureuse certitude que personne, après lui, ne se sentira le courage de [46]continuer et de terminer son œuvre. Cette triste pensée, qui a dû le tourmenter à l’heure de la mort, avait été précédée de longue date par une déception non moins vive et non moins cruelle, qui avait mis un amer chagrin au fond de son cœur, quand il s’était vu forcé de renoncer à son rêve favori, à cette Encyclopédie du bibliothécaire dont les innombrables matériaux dorment accumulés dans ses cartons.

Il nous a du moins légué ses ouvrages, qui renferment des trésors de recherches et de documents; il nous a légué aussi son souvenir, celui d’un bibliographe actif, ingénieux, infatigable; celui d’un biographe minutieux, patient, intrépide; celui d’un homme de cœur, d’un homme de conviction, d’un honnête homme, d’un excellent homme. Bulletin du Bouquiniste, 15 Déc., 1865. Paris: Aubry, 1865; 8ᵛᵒ; p. 655 et seq.

A name as familiar to the lovers of literature in England as in France. With regard to the extent and utility of his biographic and bibliographic productions, I can scarcely point out his compeer; and it grieves me to reflect that so devoted a prompter to writers of all classes should leave the world with no other consolation than the certainty of future fame! Bolton Corney in Notes and Queries, 3rd S., VIII., 517.

• Abailard, a monograph ready for the press, 41
• Abbreviations, few used in this book, 8
• Académie, articles on, 21
• Accuracy, one of chief essentials of bibliography, 38
• Adulterism, 47
• A’Kempis, Thomas, 41
• Allemagne, Q. a clerk in Germany, 43, 44
• Allibone S. Austin, his Crit. Dict. of Eng. Lit., a splendid work, 20
• Allonym—ous, 47
• Alphabetism, 47
• Americans, The, good catalographs, 21
• —— —— join in Q. subscription, 33, and Note 45.
• Anagram, 31, 47
• Anagrammes, des, 46
• Ananym, 27
• Anas et leur similaires (les), 41
• André Aimé, 15
• Anonyms, Dict. of English, a desiratum, 21
• Anonym, 47
• Anonymes, dictionary of, 45
• Apoconym, 47
• Apocryphal, 47
• Arcet, J.-P.-J., 19
• Aristonym, 47
• Arouet de Voltaire, 24, 40, 41
• Artisans poètes, les, monograph ready for the press, 41
• Ascetonym, 47
• Assezat, J., 1, 43
• Astéronymes, des, 26
• Astor Library, New York, 33
• Athenæum, The, no general index to, great literary want, (and the Athenæum reproached the Edinburgh Review for remissness in not keeping up its indexes!), 16
• —— The, 21
• —— (l’) Français, a trade publication, organ of the Chartists, 16
• Aubry, M. the publisher, 46
• Audot, M., 15
• Austria, Q. sent to, 9, 33
• Auteurs apocryphes, les, the title of the first (four) parts of the Supercheries, 24
• —— déguisés, les, a pamphlet by Q., 19
• (Chiefly taken from his notes in the Moniteur (No. VIII.) & the Bibliothécaire (No. IX). He had collected upwards of 6000 articles for this work. 186 of the articles were first published in the Revue Bibliographique.)
• Autonym—ous, 27, 37, 47
• B. du B. B., an abbreviation for Bulletin du Bibliophile Belge.
• Babou, H., ignorance of, with regard to biographical arrangement, 17
• Baillière, J.-B., 33, 34
• Bajot, M., notice of, 30
• Balzac, H., on the family of, 31
• Barbier, A.-A., the celebrated author of the Dictionnaire des anonymes et pseudonymes, 19, 45
• Beaumarchais, 11
• Belgians, 33
• Bibliograph, indiscretions of an old, 31
• Bibliographical knowledge, 37
• Bibliographical studies, the English too inattentive to, 3
• Bibliographie de la France ou journal général de l’imprimerie et de la librairie, a journal or bookseller’s catalogue, published under different titles since 1810. (See L. F. L., xi., 285.), 28
• Bibliographie, Générale, de la, a rather caustic pamphlet addressed to J.-C. Brunet by Q., 35
• Bibliographie la Mennaisienne, a monograph by Q., 28
• [50]Bibliographie, moderne, 12
• —— its origin, 13
• —— universelle, nouvel manuel de, 29
• Bibliographiques, notice des travaux, de Q., 29
• Bibliography, generally uninteresting, an Exception, 23
• —— impossible to follow it as a profession profitably, 37
• —— technical terms in, 31
• —— will be raised from its present neglected condition, 7
• Bibliologue, le, a journal edited by Q., 14, 18
• (a specimen was issued in 1832.)
• Bibliophile Jacob (Pseud.) Lacroix. P., 1
• Bibliophiles, Clubs of English, 31
• Bibliotheca Bibliographica, 20
• —— —— full title, 31
• —— want of an English, 19
• Bibliothécaire, (See Encyclopédie).
• —— le, 19
• Bibliothécaires not Bibliographes, 11
• Bibliothèque du Libraire &c., 12
• —— Impériale, 11
• —— —— none of its librarians subscribed for Q.—very unpatriotic and mean, 33
• —— —— publique de Saint-Pétersbourg, 30
• —— Royale, ridiculous blunder in catalogue of, 11
• Bibliothèques, Publiques en France, 44
• Blocquel (Simon), 31
• Bohn, H. G. his new edition of Lowndes, 19, 37
• Boissonade M., de l’Institut, 13
• Bolingbroke, Lord, 19
• Books, state of, before printing, 31
• Bossange H., printer, 33, 34
• —— —— A few words about, 36
• Boudot, l’abbé, 44
• Bouquiniste, Bulletin du, 46
• Bourquelot, F., 15
• —— —— blunders of, 16, 29
• —— —— errors of (see Le Quérard l. 268.)
• Boustrophedon, 26, 47
• Q. also uses “Anastrophe.”
• See the Supercheries, Nos. [7479] and [7527].
• Bovet, F., 13
• Bridel, les, 31
• Bridgman, R. W., on Bibliography, 3
• British Museum, great knowledge possessed by its officers, 10
• British Museum, the library, of the greatest service to the author, desire of librarians to help students, 8
• [51]British Museum catalogues, an extraordinary work,—defects,—facility of references—the immense number of volumes (altogether about 2000), 21
• —— —— librarians, subscribed for Q., 33
• Brunet, G. of Bordeaux, incorrectly quotes the titles of Q’s. works, 42
• (In this gentleman’s work, entitled: “La France littéraire au XVe siècle, ou catalogue raisonné des ouvrages en tout genre, imprimés en langue française jusqu’à l’an 1500. Paris, 1865.” A curious error occurs. Having occasion to mention “White Knights” the seat of the Duke of Marlborough he translates it “Le Chevalier blanc” (see preface.)
• —— J.-C., 17, 19
• —— —— his “Manuel”, 22, 42
• —— ——, 29
• —— —— did not join in Q.’s, subscription, the latter alleges from spite, 33, 35
• —— —— a short life of, 36.
• Buckle, H. Introduction to the Hist. of Civilization in England, numerous notes in this great work, 32
• Bulletin du Bibliophile Belge, first published under the direction of the Baron de Reiffenberg, at Bruxelles, in 1845; and in 1855, under that of A. Scheler, 33
• Bulletin du Bouquiniste, 46
• Burke, Edmund, his literary deception with regard to Bolingbroke, 19
• Cagliostro, Joseph Balsamo, dit le comte Alexandre, de Palerme, 24
• Capitaine, U., 13
• Capperonnier, l’abbé, 44
• Catalogue, the great, of the British Museum, a splendid work, (see British Museum.), 5
• —— of the French dramatic agents, 24
• Catherine of Russia, 24
• Chambers, Robert, Biog. of Em.: Scotchmen, 10
• Chantelauze, R., refuted, 34
• Chasles, P., on English pseudonyms, 19
• Chatterton, Thomas, 19
• Cherbuliez, Joel, (note 47.), 48
• Christ, Jesus, nomenclature of 91 works on the question of the author of the imitation of, 41
• [52]Chronological arrangement of titles advocated, 21
• Colomb, Paul, 18
• Contemporains, Dictionnaire des, 43
• Coquettes, le portraits des, poem par d’Hérouard de Boisserain, Londres, 1775, 31
• Corday d’Armont, Marie-Anne-Charlotte, a monograph, 31, 41
• Corney, Bolton, Allibone’s Dict.: supplies a desideratum he pointed out, 20
• —— —— his critique on the New Gen. Biog. Dict., by Rose, 32
• —— —— his valuable estimation of Quérard, 46
• Coudray, le comte Falloux du, 31, 41
• Covers of the parts of Q.’s works should be preserved in binding, 23
• Cryptonym, 26, 31, 47
• Cryptonymes, des, 26
• Cronogram, 47
• Cross of the Legion of Honor, Quérard applied for, 7, 22, 35
• Curmer, L., 31
• Danes, the, 33
• Daguin, F., publisher, 15
• —— —— his defence—bankrupt, 16
• —— —— publisher of la Litt. Française C.—Bankrupt—dispute with Q., 27
• —— —— harshness and insolence, 28, 29
• D’Alembert, J. le Rond, 24, 47
• Débats, Journal des, quoted, 43
• De Bonald, les, 41
• De Courchamp, M., 24
• De Falloux, le vicomte, 31, 41
• De Courtière, biblioth., 13
• Defoe, D., 19, 47
• Delhasse, F., 13
• De Maistre, le comte, 41
• De Manne, E., 34
• —— —— a most careless bibliograph, 35
• Demonym, 47
• Demotique, le, 11
• Denis F., his “Bibliographie Universelle”, 29
• D’Erquar, M.-Jozon, anagram (Quérard.), 1, 47
• —— letter from, in Le Q., 31
• —— writes life of Q., 34
• De Grave, C.-J., 31
• De Sacy, Silvestre, 35, 45
• De Stacy (an error for Sacy), 35
• De Stael, Madame Anne-Louise-G. Necker, baronne de Stael-Holstein, 31
• De Vitry, Aubert, on Voltaire, 15
• Dickens, C., fautes d’impression (printers’ errors), 31
• [53]Dictionnaire, des auteurs anonymes, &c., 42
• —— des auteurs déguisés, 42
• —— des ouvrages Polyonymes, (Le Quérard II. 41. gives the price of the parts at 2 francs 25 cent. each. L. P. copies 4 francs 50 cent.), 20
• Diderot, Denis, 24
• Didot, F., 17
• —— Messrs., the celebrated publishers, 33, 34
• Dumas Davy, de la Pailleterie (Alexandre) the Elder, long article on this celebrated author in the Supercheries, 24, 25, 26
• —— ——, 41
• (See also Le Quérard I. 538. II. 399ⁿ 438.)
• Écrivains pseudonymes, Vol. XI of L. F. L. 13., the preface signed C. P., 14, 16, 27, 38
• Edwards, Edward, his pseudonym Memoirs of libraries, a laborious and very useful compilation, 31
• Encyclopédie, du Bibliothécaire, 7
• —— —— —— importance of, 11
• —— —— —— prospectus, 29
• —— —— —— extracts from, 31, 34, 40, 43, 46
• English bibliophiles, 31
• —— literature, a work like L. F. L. wanted on, one that will supply the requirements of students, irrespective of commercial interests, 26
• —— name, scarcely one in Q.’s subscription, 33
• —— pseudonyms, 19, 27
• Enigmatic pseudonym, 48
• Ensor, G., “The Independent Man,” 2 Vols. 1808, 32
• Falconer, E. (Scenonym) i. e. O’Rourke, 48
• Faublas, adventures of, 31
• Feuillet, L., 18
• Fiorentino, Signor. Author of Monte Christo, 25
• Forrest, G. (translationym i.e. Wood.) editor of “Every-Boy’s Book”, 48
• Fortoul, Hippolyte, promises Q. a librarianship, but dies, 32
• Fortsas, the catalogue, 31
• Foudras, Marquess of, 20
• France, La, 10
• [54]France Littéraire, La. First published under the title of “Bibliographie Moderne,” and when Q. was totally unknown. (To his great detriment, the publishers made the first edition 1600 copies, which have not been sold off in forty years, thus rendering a second edition impossible (see No. XXVIII., p. 17). After the publication of the above first part, so many alterations were suggested that Q. cancelled and republished it under the title of “La France Littéraire,” (see Biblio. de la France—Pillet Ainé—for 1827.) The large paper copies (p. 13) were not for sale. The parts of the work were published quarterly. The 10 vols. sell at 120 francs. Vols. xi. and xii. form a sort of index and revision of Quérard’s works, and a supplement up to their dates. With the prospectus of vol. xii. two pages for substitution were issued in 1857, which also contained several pages (4-6) of errors and omissions of L. L. F. C. These two vols. sell at 60 francs.)
• France Litt., La, number of authors it contains, 7
• —— —— —— Q.’s great work, tolerable guarantee of capacity, 10, 11
• —— —— —— circulation, 12
• —— —— —— the author of, and Poltoratzky, 17
• —— —— —— English work like it a desideratum, 19
• —— —— —— every literary student obliged to consult it, 39, 40, 42
• —— —— ——, 32
• —— —— —— “a Martyr,” &c. from, 34
• —— —— —— les Robespierre from, 35
• France, on the Academies of, 31
• Froberville, Eug. de, 13
• Gaellique, la, 11
• Garneau, F. X. biography of, 31
• Gaullier, E. H. A. a Monograph, 34
• Gébéodé, library of the brothers, (p. 63, Vol. 1 of Le Quérard), 31
• Geonym, as An Englishman. (If a Frenchman were to sign this it would be a Pseudo-geonym), 48
• George, (this is an error for Gregoire) de Tours, 31
• German bibliothecas, 13
• Germans, the, good catalographs, 22
• —— join in Q. subscription, 33
• [55]Glover, Mr., his collection for a work on anonyms and pseudonyms, 21
• Gœthe, J. W. von, 41
• Goodrich, S. G. (the celebrated American author, see Allibone’s critical Dictionary 1859), 47
• Greffes et Glanes, a title Q. intended for a dictionary of contemporary writers, 41
• Grenvilliana—the Grenville library, 31
• Grille, Fr., 14
• Grose, N. P., life of by Cadrès, criticised by Q., 34
• Guichard, J. M., 19
• —— —— his criticism on Brunet’s Manuel, 35, 36
• Guizot, F.-P.-G., la famille, 34
• —— —— monograph, 34, 41
• (Le Quérard 608 not 601.)
• Guizot, M., allows Q. 1000 francs a year, 12, 32
• Gulliver, Lem., Travels improperly catalogued, 16
• Hagionym, 48
• Halkett, S., of the Advocate’s Library, Edinburgh, 21
• Hazlitt, W. Carew, Bibliograph and Barrister-at-Law, condemns Lowndes’ Bibliographers’ Manuel, in his “Hand-book to the popular, poetical, and dramatic Litt. of Great Britain, from the invention of printing to the Restoration. 1867. 8ᵛᵒ.”, 20
• (Though the word does not occur on the title-page, this is a most accurate bibliographical work, done most conscientiously. The author, doubtless, had very good reasons for confining it to the dreadful dryness attaching to such works when uncombined with biography.)
• Hieronym, 48
• Hugo, V., 41
• Imperial Library, its officers inattentive. Open 10 to 3. Books not supplied after ½ past 2, 10
• —— —— inefficient keeper of, 11
• Impostors, the three, 31
• Indépendance, l’, Belge, a newspaper published in Bruxelles, 11
• Ingolstadt, Jesuits of, 31
• Initialism, 48
• Institut, l’, 41
• Ironym, 48
• Italiens, The, 33
• [56]Jacob, (bibliophile) Pseud. See Lacroix, P.
• Johnson, Dr. Samuel, Q. takes a motto from him, 12
• Jones, J. Winter, 33
• Journal des Débats, 35, 43
• Journal des Savants does not notice Q.’s works, (except once in a short article, in Oct., 1834.), 17
• Kader, Abd-el, a monograph ready for the press, 41
• Kennet, White. His “Register and Chronicle,” quoted, 3
• Korff, le Baron de, 34
• (Letter to Q. mentioned in No. XXVIII.)
• Lacroix, Paul, 1
• —— letter from, sympathising with Q. and promising his support, 11
• ——, 43, 44
• La Mennais, l’abbé de, character, monograph, 28, 40
• La Mennais, 41
• Lamoureux J., 14
• Landor, this is a misprint for Lauder, 19
• Lapsus calami, slip of the pen, 18
• Lauder, William, calumniator of Milton, 19
• Lelong, P., Bibliothèque Historique, 20
• Lenormant, Ch., 18
• Letronne, M., 18
• Librarians, and bibliographers, 10
• —— not bibliographs, 11
• —— badly remunerated, 22
• Librarianship, Q. applied for one, 7
• Libraries, memoirs of, or a hand-book of library economy, 2 vols. 1859, 8ᵛᵒ., by E. Edwards, 31
• —— of London, 31
• —— state of, before printing, 31
• Literary frauds, 19, 23
• —— deceits, a work on English wanted, 26
• Literature, Crit. Dict. of English, 20
• —— Curiosities of, illustrated, 20
• Littérature Française Contemporaine, la, a mercantile speculation, 16, 17, 27
• (Only the first vol. should bear Quérard’s name, when bound, he always repudiated the mass of errors and absurdities which the men who continued this work fell into. The first part was printed in 1840, but by the tardiness of the publishers it was not finished till 1842.)
• [57]—— —— —— —— arbitration about,—Q. loses, and is condemned in costs, &c., and to supply the publisher with materials under penalty of forfeiting 100 francs a day. The publisher to be at liberty to keep Q.’s name to it. (A report of the case will be found in Le Droit, 27 Sept. 1844), 15
• —— —— —— ——, 39
• (We observe that a French bookseller, O. Lorenz, is publishing a “Catalogue Général de la Lib. Franç. pendant 25 ans (1840 à 1865).” Paris, 1865; 8ᵛᵒ.)
• Longpré, Moucherat, de, 30
• Louandre, Ch., 15
• —— blunders of, exposed by Q., 16
• ——, 29
• Lowndes, W. T., Bibliographer’s Manual more of a commercial than a literary work. H. G. Bohn’s new edit. 1857, 37
• Loyer, P. le, 31
• Lyon, la société littéraire, de, 35
• Macpherson, J., 19
• Magnin, C., 18
• Maimbourg, le Père Louis, 31
• Mancel, George, 14
• Manne, E. de, 13
• Manuel du Libraire of Brunet, 33
• Marat, J.-P., 31
• —— le, 41
• Marguerite, d’Autriche, 31, 41
• Marie-Antoinette, d’Autriche, 31, 40, 41
• Martin, G., the great catalograph, 44, 45
• Martyr, a, to Bibliography, 33, 34
• Maskirte, literatur die, 31
• Mathias, T. J., his remarks upon a want of worldliness applied to Q., 32
• Mecænas, Q.’s name for S. Poltoratzky, 17
• Mécène, (pseud.) Poltoratzky, 19
• Mémoires d’un Médecin, Les, 26
• Memoirs of a Young Lady, written by herself; mentioned by Q. though he does not give the date, size, &c., 11
• Mercier, Abbé, 14
• Merlin, M., editor of the catalogue of Silvestre de Sacy, 45
• Midas, the fable of, alluded to, 23
• Montagu, Basil, his long notes, 32
• Montaigne, Michael de, 31
• Monte Christo, the novel, 25, 26
• Moscow librarian subscribes for Q., 33
• Mousquetaires, les trois, 26
• Moniteur, the, newspaper, 30
• Moniteur, le, de la Librairie, journal edited by Q., 18
• [58]Monographs, by Q., 14, 28, 30, 34, (Note 55.), 35, 36, 41
• Namur, Manuel du Bibliothécaire, 47
• Naudet, M., 18
• New Nobility, a novel. London. Newby, 1867. 8ᵛᵒ., 3 vols., 48
• Nisard, Désiré, 18
• Notes and Queries commended, pseudonyms in, 27, 31, 46
• Notes (foot), some writers very fond of, 32
• Old Nick, (ironym) Forgues, F. C., 20
• Omissions et bévues of L. L. F. C., 29
• (According to “Le Quérard,” this was published at 2 f. 50 c. Our title we believe not to be quite correct. This pamphlet points out no less than 788 errors or omissions for the second half of the 2nd vol.! There was no necessity for Q. to threaten to kill a book like this; it kills itself.)
• P., M. S., (initialism) Monsieur Serge Poltoratzky, Q.’s quarrel with, 36
• Panizzi, Antonio, late the principal librarian of the British Museum, this book dedicated to, without permission, 5
• —— —— his evidence on the unfitness of certain men for librarians, 10
• —— —— meets Q. Praiseworthy effort to retain him for the British Museum, 18
• —— —— insane prejudice against him. His efforts to perfect our library (note 11), 18
• —— ——, 33
• Panckoucke, article on the writers of this name cancelled In L. F. L., and a less severe one inserted, 14
• (Under Panckoucke, Q. reveals the kind of indignities that some authors have to encounter. It seems that when he was looking about for a publisher for L. F. L., Panckoucke was base enough to offer to publish it, but under his own name only. The feelings of Q., who was then a youthful enthusiast, at such a proposition can be imagined.)
• Paris, the capital of France, 9
• Parisian booksellers offer support, 17
• [59]Parley, Peter, (pseud.) S. G. Goodrich, English publishers availed themselves in the most dishonest manner of the popularity of this writer, 47
• P., C., (pseudo-initialism) the preface to vol xi. of La France Litt. signed, 14
• Peignot, E. Gabriel, Manuel du bibliophile ou traité du choix des livres, his description of qualifications of a bibliograph, 38
• (We might also refer the reader to De Bure’s Bib. Inst. X., p. xiv.)
• Pérou, le Zombi du Grand, 31
• Perquin, (Pierquin) C. C. de Gembloux, glossary of technical terms, 1, 47
• Perrault, Ch., his fairy tales, 31
• Petzholdt, Dr. Julius, on Allibone’s Dict., 20
• —— —— —— his excellent “Bibliotheca Bibliographica,” quoted, 20, 31, 35
• Pharmaconym, 48
• Philadelphians, many joined in Q.’s subscription, 33
• Philippe, Louis, King, 25
• Philobiblion Society, 31
• Photius (pseud.) Quérard, 19
• Phraseonym, 48
• Phrenonym, 48
• Pierquin [Perquin] de Gembloux, 1, 47
• Pinçon, P., 29
• Plagiats Reiffenbergiens, les, dévoilées, 30
• Plaidoyer, the case between Q. and his publishers (XI.), 20
• Poltoratzky, Serge, 14
• —— —— comes to Q.’s aid, edits “Le Bibliothécaire”, 17
• —— ——, 28
• —— —— notice of, 30
• Polyonymes, 20
• Polynym, 48
• Praet, Van, disposed to favor Q. character of, 11
• Pseudandry, 48
• Pseudo-initialism, 48
• Pseudojyn, 48
• (This is rather an awkward word, it would be better to coin some other we think.)
• Pseudonymes, see Écrivains, les
• ——, dictionary of, and the “Supercheries”, 45
• Pseudonyms, 19
• —— Dict. of, a desideratum, 21
• —— character of, 27
• Pseudo-titlonym, (titonym, an error), 48
• Quérard,—birth,—family education,—placed in trade—goes to Paris and Austria, 9
• [60]—— quits Vienna to publish his Biblio. Moderne,—expectations, 10
• —— character of La France Litt.—Van Praet,—“The memoirs,” by Herself, 11
• —— letter from Lacroix to Q., 11
• —— applies for librarianship, vulgarity of the librarian,—circulation of La France Littéraire,—the Congregation of the Index—Berriat Saint Prix gets Q. government aid, £40 a year, 12
• —— conceives the idea of La France Litt., 13
• Its character,—early copies should be sought after,—monographs, 14, 28, 30, 34, 35, 36, 41
• —— arbitration between himself and Daguin, 15
• —— award against him,—is deprived of La Litt. F. Contemp.,—afterwards a purely mercantile speculation,—the use of his name to the work allowed,—points out errors of, 16
• Little encouragement from the press,—Q.’s Mecænas in Poltoratzky,—patronises his publications,—the allowances insufficient,—petition to the Minister, 17
• —— petition,—makes an unfortunate error,—meets Mr. Panizzi of the British Museum,—fails to get a place there,—the Sydenham Society offer one,—refuses, 18
• —— critique on his great work,—his remarks on English pseudonyms, 19
• —— his intrepid character, 26
• —— writes for the Cross of the Legion of Honor,—refused, 22
• —— obtains it, 45
• —— his talent for discovering and exposing literary frauds, 23
• Article on Dumas, 24, 26
• He refutes A. Vitu,—his friend the Baron de Reiffenberg, 25
• 2nd edit. of the Supercheries, 26
• should be his own. Neglects his own affairs,—the publisher Daguin, 27
• The quarrel with, 28
• His project of a bibliographical Encyclopædia, 29
• —— his works. The “Supercheries” stopped for two years,—printers tired of him,—establishes “Le Quérard”, 30
• His anagram, 1, 31, 47
• [61]—— petitions again for government aid, which is promised, 32
• A subscription got up,—who subscribed. “The martyr”, 33
• His ire at what he considered the jealousy and malevolence of J.-O. Brunet in the last edit. of his “Manuel”, 35
• His unfortunate disagreement with Poltoratzky, 36
• The hopelessness of pursuing bibliography as a lucrative profession, 37
• —— his character,—his death, 39, 42
• Quérard, le, a journal which Q. called after his own name, and edited for two years, 2 vols., 20 francs, 30
• Rat, le, (pseud. A. Vitu), 25
• Reading Room of the British Museum, the printed rules of the catalogue wanted, 21
• Reiffenberg, le baron de, 14
• —— —— —— —— his literary deceits exposed, 25, 30
• Retouches au nouveau dictionnaire de E. de Manne, by Q., 34
• Rennes, (Ille-et-Vilaine) France, Q.’s birth-place, 9, 22, 29
• Revue bibliographique, a review edited by Q. and Poltoratzky, 14
• Revue Critique, 35
• Richelieu, Cardinal, 41
• Robespierre, les, a monograph, 35, 41
• Rogers, Henry, Vanity and Glory of Lit. in Edin. Rev., 32
• Roumanie, la, 31
• Rousseau, J. J., 14, 41
• Russians, the, 33
• Sand, G. (pseudandry) Dudevant, 41
• Saint-Albin, v. Q., 31
• Saint-Prix, Beriat, 32
• Sallier, l’abbé, 44
• Salvandy, M., his letter to Q., 22
• Savants, see Journal des.
• Scenonym, 48
• Schalbacher, M., La France Litt. dedicated to, 12
• Scheler, Aug., 37
• Scott, Sir W., 21
• Sebon, Remon, 31
• Servie la, a monograph, 41
• Sideronym, 48
• Silvestre de Sacy, 35, 45
• Spaniards, The, 33
• Stael-Holstein, les, 31, 41
• Stigmonym, 48
• Subscription for Q., 31, 33
• —— —— list, 34
• Supercheries, les Litt. Dévoilées, full title, 22
• [62](This work was published at the expense of M. Poltoratzky, 500 copies were printed, but only 250 of the last vol. A new edition is absolutely required, though the first can never be superseded. It was originally announced to be in one vol. only, Parts 9 and 10 contained the pages to be substituted as follows:—pp. 1-2, 15-16, 47-48, 91-92, 159-160, 291-292, of vol. i.)
• —— extraordinary character of the work, 23, 28
• —— first (four) parts bore a different title (note 27), 24
• —— second edit. begun by Q. under the title of “Les S. littéraires dévoilées, galerie des Écrivains Français,” etc., etc., 26, 43
• ——, 28
• —— additions to, 31
• ——, 40, 43, 45
• (For the word “l’honnête éditeur” referring to Daguin in the article “Florus,” p. 82, vol. ii., Q. was fined 30 francs by the tribunal at Daguin’s instance. Gustave Brunet has announced a supplement in 2 vols. from Q.’s MSS.)
• Sydenham Society wanted Q. to edit their catalogues, 18
• Syncopism, 48
• Thackeray, W. M., on the length of French novels, 26
• Technical vocabulary of bibliography, 47
• Telonism, 48
• Thinks I to myself, a phraseonym assumed by a writer in Notes and Queries, 27
• (It is by no means original as the following will show:—“Thinks-I-to-myself,” a Serio-Ludicro-Tragico-Comico tale, written by Thinks-I-to-myself, Who? Lond. 1811. 2 vols. 12mo.)
• [63]Title-pages given in full, 8
• Titlonym, 48
• Translationym, 48
• Trois Mousquetaires, les, 26
• Villemain, M., 18
• Vingt ans après, 26
• Vitu, A., ou the “Supercheries,” makes numerous errors, 25
• Voltaire, Arouet de, 14, 24, 40, 41
• Watt, Robert, comparison of his life with Quérard’s. Note (1), 10
• —— —— his Bibliotheca Britannica, a most complete work, 14
• (Q. calls it “Un Magnifique travail.” See No. XXVIII. p. 8.)
• —— —— does not cite any pseudonyms, 19
• Watts, Thomas, keeper of the printed books at the British Museum, subscribes for Q., 33, 34
• Waverley, a novel, 21
• Whately, R., Archbishop, phrenonym, used by, 48
• Weller, Emil, his work on German pseudonyms, (is little more than a list of names.) His English very correct, 31
• Wohlthætter, (phrenonym), Poltoratzky, 23
• Wood, Rev. J. G., 48
• Wolff, H.-L., 31
• Works of Q., 29
• (And see this index under the title of each work.)
• Writers, on some ridiculous, 31
• Zombi du Grand-Pérou, le, 31