Contents：
PREFATORYNOTE
ANAPOLOGYFORTHEBOOK-HUNTER
THELIBRARY
THEBOOKSOFTHECOLLECTOR
ILLUSTRATEDBOOKS
Books，booksagain，andbooksoncemore！
Theseareourtheme，whichsomemiscallMeremadness，settinglittlestoreBycopieseithershortortall。
Butyou，Oslavesofshelfandstall！
WeratherwriteforyouthatholdPatchedfoliosdear，andprize"thesmall，Rarevolume，blackwithtarnishedgold。"
A。D。
PREFATORYNOTE
ThepagesinthisvolumeonilluminatedandotherMSS。（withtheexceptionofsomeanecdotesaboutBussyRabutinandJuliedeRambouillet）havebeencontributedbytheRev。W。J。Loftie，whohasalsowrittenonearlyprintedbooks（pp。94-95）。ThepagesontheBiblioklept（pp。46-56）arereprinted，withtheEditor’skindpermission，fromtheSaturdayReview;andafewremarksonthemorallessonsofbookstallsaretakenfromanessayinthesamejournal。
Mr。IngramBywater，FellowofExeterCollege，andlatelysub-
LibrarianoftheBodleian，hasverykindlyreadthroughtheproofsofchaptersI。，II。，andIII。，andsuggestedsomealterations。
ThanksarealsoduetoMr。T。R。Buchanan，FellowofAllSoulsCollege，fortwoplatesfromhis"Book-bindingsinAllSoulsLibrary"（printedforprivatecirculation），whichhehasbeengoodenoughtolendme。TheplatesarebeautifullydrawnandcolouredbyDr。J。J。Wild。Messrs。GeorgeBell&Sons，Messrs。Bradbury，Agnew，&Co。，andMessrs。Chatto&Windus，mustbethankedfortheuseofsomeofthewoodcutswhichillustratetheconcludingchapter。
A。L。
ANAPOLOGYFORTHEBOOK-HUNTER
"Allmen，"saysDr。Dibdin，"liketobetheirownlibrarians。"A
writeronthelibraryhasnobusinesstolaydownthelawastothebooksthateventhemostinexperiencedamateursshouldtrytocollect。Therearebookswhichnoloverofliteraturecanaffordtobewithout;classics，ancientandmodern，onwhichtheworldhaspronounceditsverdict。Theseworks，inwhatevershapewemaybeabletopossessthem，arethenecessaryfoundationsofeventhesmallestcollections。Homer，DanteandMilton，ShakespeareandSophocles，AristophanesandMoliere，Thucydides，Tacitus，andGibbon，SwiftandScott，——theseeveryloverofletterswilldesiretopossessintheoriginallanguagesorintranslations。Thelistofsuchclassicsisshortindeed，andwhenwegobeyondit，thetastesofmenbegintodifferverywidely。Anassortmentofbroadsheetballadsandscrap-books，boughtinboyhood，wasthenucleusofScott’slibrary，richintheworksofpoetsandmagicians，ofalchemists，andanecdotists。Achildishlikingforcolouredprintsofstagecharacters，maybethegermofatheatricalcollectionlikethoseofDouce，andMalone，andCousin。Peoplewhoarestudyinganypastperiodofhumanhistory，oranyoldphaseorexpressionofhumangenius，willeagerlycollectlittlecontemporaryvolumeswhichseemtrashtootheramateurs。Forexample，toastudentofMoliere，itisahappychancetocomeacross"LaCarteduRoyaumedesPretieuses"——（Themapofthekingdomofthe"Precieuses"）——writtentheyearbeforethecomedianbroughtouthisfamousplay"LesPrecieusesRidicules。"Thisgeographicaltractappearedinthevery"RecueildesPiecesChoisies，"whoseauthorsMagdelon，intheplay，wasexpectingtoentertain，whenMascarillemadehisappearance。ThereisafacultywhichHoraceWalpolenamed"serendipity，"——theluckoffallingonjusttheliterarydocumentwhichonewantsatthemoment。Allcollectorsofoutofthewaybooksknowthepleasureoftheexerciseofserendipity，buttheyenjoyitindifferentways。Onemanwillgohomehuggingavolumeofsermons，anotherwithabulkycollectionofcatalogues，whichwouldhavedistendedthepocketsevenofthewidegreat-coatmadeforthepurpose，thatCharlesNodierusedtowearwhenhewentabook-hunting。Othersarecaptivatedbyblackletter，othersbytheplaysofsuchobscuritiesasNabbesandGlapthorne。Buthowevervariousthetastesofcollectorsofbooks，theyareallagreedononepoint，——theloveofprintedpaper。EvenanElzevirmancansympathisewithCharlesLamb’sattachmentto"thatfolioBeaumontandFletcherwhichhedraggedhomelateatnightfromBarker’sinCoventGarden。"ButitisanotherthingwhenLambsays，"IdonotcareforafirstfolioofShakespeare。"Abibliophilewhocouldsaythiscouldsayanything。
No，thereare，ineveryperiodoftaste，bookswhich，apartfromtheirliteraryvalue，allcollectorsadmittopossess，ifnotforthemselves，thenforothersofthebrotherhood，apeculiarpreciousness。Thesebooksareesteemedforcuriosity，forbeautyoftype，paper，binding，andillustrations，forsomeconnectiontheymayhavewithfamouspeopleofthepast，orfortheirrarity。Itisaboutthesebooks，themethodofpreservingthem，theirenemies，theplacesinwhichtohuntforthem，thatthefollowingpagesaretotreat。Itisasubjectmorecloselyconnectedwiththetasteforcuriositiesthanwithart，strictlysocalled。Wearetobeoccupied，notsomuchwithliteratureaswithbooks，notsomuchwithcriticismaswithbibliography，thequaintduennaofliterature，astudyapparentlydry，butnotwithoutitshumours。
AndhereanapologymustbemadeforthefrequentallusionsandanecdotesderivedfromFrenchwriters。Theseareasunavoidable，almost，astheuseofFrenchtermsofthesportintennisandinfencing。Inbibliography，inthecareforbooksASbooks，theFrencharestilltheteachersofEurope，astheywereintennisandareinfencing。Thus，RicharddeBury，ChancellorofEdwardIII。，writesinhis"Philobiblon：""OhGodofGodsinZion！whatarushingriverofjoygladdensmyheartasoftenasIhaveachanceofgoingtoParis！Therethedaysseemalwaysshort;therearethegoodlycollectionsonthedelicatefragrantbook-shelves。"SinceDantewroteof-
"L’onordiquell’arteCh’allumareechiamatainParisi，"
"theartthatiscalledilluminatinginParis，"andalltheotherartsofwriting，printing，bindingbooks，havebeenmostskilfullypractisedbyFrance。SheimprovedonthelessonsgivenbyGermanyandItalyinthesecrafts。TwentybooksaboutbooksarewritteninParisforonethatispublishedinEngland。InourcountryDibdinisoutofdate（thesecondeditionofhis"Bibliomania"waspublishedin1811），andMr。HillBurton’shumorous"Book-hunter"isoutofprint。Meanwhile，inFrance，writersgraveandgay，fromthegiganticindustryofBrunettoNodier’squaintfancy，andJanin’swit，andthealwaysentertainingbibliophileJacob（PaulLacroix），havewritten，orarewriting，onbooks，manuscripts，engravings，editions，andbindings。InEngland，therefore，rareFrenchbooksareeagerlysought，andmaybefoundinallthebooksellers’
catalogues。Onthecontinentthereisnosuchcareforourcuriousorbeautifuleditions，oldornew。Hereahintmaybegiventothecollector。Ifhe"picksup"arareFrenchbook，atalowprice，hewouldactprudentlyinhavingitboundinFrancebyagoodcraftsman。Itsvalue，when"thewickeddayofdestiny"comes，andthecollectionisbrokenup，willthusbemadesecure。FortheFrenchdonotsufferourEnglishbindingsgladly;whilewehavenonarrowprejudiceagainsttheworksofLorticandCape，butthereverse。Forthesereasonsthen，andalsobecauseeverywriterisobligedtomaketheclosestacquaintancewithbooksinthedirectionwherehisownstudieslie，thewritingsofFrenchauthoritiesarefrequentlycitedinthefollowingpages。
Thisapologymustbefollowedbyabriefdefenceofthetasteandpassionofbook-collecting，andoftheclassofmenknowninvidiouslyasbook-wormsandbook-hunters。Theyandtheirsimplepleasuresarethebuttsofacheapandshrewishsetofcritics，whocannotendureinothersatastewhichisabsentinthemselves。
Importantnewbookshaveactuallybeencondemnedoflateyearsbecausetheywereprintedongoodpaper，andavaluablehistoricaltreatisewasattackedbyreviewersquiteangrilybecauseitsoutwardarraywasnotmeanandforbidding。Ofcourse，criticswhotakethisviewofnewbookshavenopatiencewithpersonswhocarefor"margins，"and"condition，"andearlycopiesofoldbooks。Wecannothopetoconverttheadversary，butitisnotnecessarytobedisturbedbyhisclamour。Peoplearehappierforthepossessionofatasteaslongastheypossessit，anditdoesnot，likethedemonsofScripture，possessthem。Thewisecollectorgetsinstructionandpleasurefromhispursuit，anditmaywellbethat，inthelongrun，heandhisfamilydonotlosemoney。Theamusementmaychancetoproveaveryfairinvestment。
Astothisquestionofmakingmoneybycollecting，Mr。HillBurtonspeaksverydistinctlyin"TheBook-hunter：""Wheremoneyistheobjectletamanspeculateorbecomeamiser……Letnotthecollectorever，unlessinsomeurgentandnecessarycircumstances，partwithanyofhistreasures。Lethimnotevenhaverecoursetothatpracticecalledbarter，whichpoliticalphilosopherstellusistheuniversalresourceofmankindpreparatorytotheinventionofmoney。Lethimconfineallhistransactionsinthemarkettopurchasingonly。Nogoodcomesofgentlemen-amateursbuyingandselling。"Thereisroomfordifferenceofopinionhere，butthereseemstobemostreasononthesideofMr。HillBurton。Itisonethingforthecollectortobeabletoreflectthatthemoneyheexpendsonbooksisnotlost，andthathisfamilymayfindthemselvesricher，notpoorer，becauseheindulgedhistaste。Itisquiteanotherthingtobuybooksasaspeculatorbuysshares，meaningtosellagainataprofitassoonasoccasionoffers。Itisnecessaryalsotowarnthebeginneragainstindulgingextravaganthopes。Hemustbuyexperiencewithhisbooks，andmanyofhisfirstpurchasesarelikelytodisappointhim。Hewillpaydearlyforthewrong"Caesar"of1635，theoneWITHOUTerrorsinpagination;andthisisonlyacommonexampleofthebeginner’sblunders。
Collectingislikeotherformsofsport;theaimisnotcertainatfirst，theamateurisnervous，and，asinangling，isaptto"strike"（abargain）toohurriedly。
Ioftenthinkthatthepleasureofcollectingislikethatofsport。
Peopletalkof"book-hunting，"andtheoldLatinmottosaysthat"oneneverweariesofthechaseinthisforest。"Buttheanalogytoanglingseemsevenstronger。AcollectorwalksintheLondonorParisstreets，ashedoesbyTweedorSpey。Manyalordlymartofbookshepasses，likeMr。Quaritch’s，Mr。Toovey’s，orM。
Fontaine’s，ortheshiningstoreofM。M。MorgandetFatout，inthePassagedesPanoramas。HereIalwaysfeellikeBrassicanusinthekingofHungary’scollection，"noninBibliotheca，sedingremioJovis;""notinalibrary，butinparadise。"Itisnotgiventoeveryonetocastangleinthesepreserves。Theyarekeptfordukesandmillionaires。SurelytheoldDukeofRoxburghewasthehappiestofmortals，fortohimboththechiefbookshopsandauctionrooms，andthefamoussalmonstreamsofFloors，wereequallyopen，andherevelledintheprimeofbook-collectingandofangling。Buttherearelittletributarystreets，withhumblerstalls，shypools，asitwere，wherethehumblerfisherofbooksmayhopetoraiseanElzevir，oranoldFrenchplay，afirsteditionofShelley，oraRestorationcomedy。Itisusuallyacaseofhopeunfulfilled;butthemerestnibbleofararebook，sayMarston’spoemsintheoriginaledition，orBeddoes’s"Love’sArrowPoisoned，"orBankes’s"BayHorseinaTrance，"orthe"MelHeliconicum"ofAlexanderRoss，or"LesOeuvresdeClementMarot，deCahors，ValletdeChambreduRoy，AParis，ChesPierreGaultier，1551;"evenachanceatsomethingofthissortwillkindlethewaningexcitement，andaddapleasuretoaman’swalkinmuddyLondon。Then，supposeyoupurchaseforacoupleofshillingsthe"HistoiredesAmoursdeHenryIV，etautrespiecescurieuses，ALeyde，ChezJeanSambyx（Elzevir），1664，"itiscertainlynotunpleasant，onconsultingM。Fontaine’scatalogue，tofindthatheoffersthesameworkattheransomof10
pounds。Thebeginnerthinkshimselfinsingularluck，eventhoughhehasnoideaofvendinghiscollection，andheneverreflectsthatCONDITION——spotlesswhiteleavesandbroadmargins，makethemarketvalueofabook。
Settingasidesuchbareconsiderationsofprofit，thesportgivenbybookstallsisfullofvarietyandcharm。InLondonitmaybepursuedinmostofthecrossstreetsthatstretchadirtynetbetweentheBritishMuseumandtheStrand。Thereareothermoreshyandlessfrequentlypoachedresortswhichtheamateurmaybeallowedtofindoutforhimself。InParisthereisthelongsweepoftheQuais，wheresomeeightybouquinistessettheirboxesonthewallsoftheembankmentoftheSeine。Therearefewcountrytownssosmallbutthatbooks，occasionallyrareandvaluable，maybefoundlurkinginsecond-handfurniturewarehouses。Thisisoneoftheadvantagesoflivinginanoldcountry。TheColoniesarenotthehomeforacollector。IhaveseenanAustralianbibliophileenrapturedbytherarechanceofbuying，inMelbourne，anearlyworkon——thehistoryofPortJackson！Thisseemsbutpoorgame。ButinEuropeanamateurhasalwaysoccupationforhisoddmomentsintown，andisforeverluredonbytheradiantapparitionofHope。Allcollectorstelltheiranecdotesofwonderfulluck，andmagnificentdiscoveries。Thereisavolume"VoyagesLitterairessurlesQuaisdeParis"（Paris，Durand，1857），byM。deFontainedeResbecq，whichmightconvertthedullestsoultobook-hunting。M。deResbecqandhisfriendshadthemostamazinggoodfortune。AM。N-foundsixoriginalplaysofMoliere（worthperhapsasmanyhundredsofpounds），boundupwithGarth’s"Dispensary，"anEnglishpoemwhichhaslonglostitsvogue。Itisworthwhile，indeed，toexamineallvolumesmarked"Miscellanea，""Essays，"andthelike，andtreasuresmaypossiblylurk，asSnuffyDavyknew，withinthebatteredsheepskinofschoolbooks。Bookslieinoutofthewayplaces。
Poggiorescued"Quintilian"fromthecounterofawoodmerchant。
Thebesttimeforbook-huntinginParisistheearlymorning。"Thetake，"asanglerssay，is"on"fromhalf-pastseventohalf-pastninea。m。Atthesehoursthevendorsexhibittheirfreshwares，andtheagentsofthemorewealthybooksellerscomeandpickupeverythingworthhaving。Theseagentsquitespoilthesportoftheamateur。Theykeepastrictwatchoneverycountrydealer’scatalogue，snapupallhehasworthselling，andsellitoveragain，chargingpoundsinplaceofshillings。ButM。deResbecqvowsthatheoncepickedupacopyofthefirsteditionofLaRochefoucauld’s"Maxims"outofaboxwhichtwobooksellershadjustsearched。ThesamecollectorgottogetherverypromptlyalltheoriginaleditionsofLaBruyere，andheevenfoundacopyoftheElzevir"PastissierFrancais，"atthehumblepriceofsixsous。Nowthe"PastissierFrancais，"anill-printedlittlecookery-bookoftheElzevirs，haslatelyfetched600poundsatasale。TheAntiquary’sstoryofSnuffyDavyandthe"GameofChess，"isdwarfedbytheluckofM。deResbecq。Notoneamateurinathousandcanexpectsuchgoodfortune。Thereis，however，arecentinstanceofaRugbyboy，whopickedup，onastall，afewflutteringleaveshangingtogetheronaflimsythread。TheoldwomanwhokeptthestallcouldhardlybeinducedtoacceptthelargesumofashillingforanoriginalquartoofShakespeare’s"KingJohn。"Thesestoriesaretoldthatnonemaydespair。Thatnonemaybeoverconfident，anauthormayrecounthisownexperience。Theonlyoddtrouvaillethateverfelltomewasacleancopyof"LaJourneeChretienne，"withthenameofLeonGambetta，1844，onitscatholicfly-leaf。Rarebooksgrowrarereveryday，andoften’tisonlyHopethatremainsatthebottomofthefourpennyboxes。YettheParisbook-hunterscleavetothegame。
Augustistheirfavouriteseason;forinAugustthereisleastcompetition。Veryfewpeopleare，asarule，inParis，andthesearenottemptedtoloiter。Thebooksellerisdrowsy，andgladnottohavethetroubleofchaffering。TheEnglishgopast，anddonottarrybesidearowofdustyboxesofbooks。Theheatthreatenstheamateurwithsunstroke。Then，saysM。OctaveUzanne，inaproseballadeofbook-hunters——then，calm，glad，heroic，thebouquineursprowlforth，refreshedwithhope。Thebrownoldcalf-skinwrinklesinthesun，theleavescrackle，youcouldpoachaneggonthecoverofaquarto。ThedomeoftheInstituteglitters，thesicklytreesseemtowither，theirleaveswaxredandgrey，afaintwarmwindiswalkingthestreets。Underhisvastumbrellathebook-hunterissecureandcontent;heenjoysthepleasuresofthesportunvexedbypoachers，andthinkslessoftheheatthandoesthedeer-stalkeronthebarehill-side。
Thereisplentyofmorality，iftherearefewrarebooksinthestalls。Thedecayofaffection，thebreakingoffriendship，thedeclineofambition，areallillustratedinthesefourpennycollections。Thepresentationvolumesareherewhichtheauthorgaveintheprideofhishearttothepoetwhowashis"Master，"tothecriticwhomhefeared，tothefriendwithwhomhewasontermsofmutualadmiration。Thecritichasnotevencuttheleaves，thepoethasbrusquelytornthreeorfourapartwithhisfingerandthumb，thefriendhasgrowncold，andhasletthepoemsslipintosomecornerofhislibrary，whencetheywereremovedonsomedayofdoomandofgeneralclearingout。ThesaleofthelibraryofalatelearnedprelatewhohadBoileau’shatredofadullbookwasascenetobeavoidedbyhisliteraryfriends。TheBishopalwaysgavetheworkswhichwereofferedtohimafairchance。Hereadtillhecouldreadnolonger，cuttingthepagesashewent，andthushisprogresscouldbetracedlikethatofabackwoodsmanwho"blazes"
hiswaythroughaprimevalforest。Thepaper-knifegenerallyceasedtododutybeforethethirtiethpage。Themelancholyofthebook-
hunterisarousedbytwoquestions，"Whence？"and"Whither？"Thebibliophileasksabouthisbooksthequestionwhichthemetaphysicianasksabouthissoul。Whencecamethey？Theirvaluedependsagooddealontheanswer。Iftheyarestampedwitharms，thenthereisabook（"ArmorialduBibliophile，"byM。Guigard）
whichtellsyouwhowastheiroriginalowner。Anyoneoftwentycoats-of-armsontheleatherisworthahundredtimesthevalueofthevolumewhichitcovers。Ifthereisnosuchmark，thefancyislefttodevisearomanceaboutthefirstowner，andallthehandsthroughwhichthebookhaspassed。ThatVaninicamefromaJesuitcollege，whereitwaskeptunderlockandkey。ThatcopyofAgrippa"DeVanitateScientiarum"ismarked，inacrabbedhandandinfadedink，withcynicalLatinnotes。Whatpessimisttwohundredyearsagomadehisgrumblingsopermanent？Onecanonlyguess，butpartoftheimaginativejoysofthebook-hunterlies’inthefruitlessconjecture。Thatotherquestion"Whither？"isgraver。Whitherareourtreasurestobescattered？Willtheyfindkindmasters？or，worstfateofbooks，fallintothehandsofwomenwhowillsellthemtothetrunk-maker？Aretheleavestolineaboxortocurlamaiden’slocks？Aretheraritiestobecomemoreandmorerare，andatlastfetchprodigiousprices？Someunluckymenareablepartlytosolvetheseproblemsintheirownlifetime。Theyareconstrainedtoselltheirlibraries——anexperiencefullofbitterness，wrath，anddisappointment。
Sellingbooksisnearlyasbadaslosingfriends，thanwhichlifehasnoworsesorrow。Abookisafriendwhosefaceisconstantlychanging。Ifyoureaditwhenyouarerecoveringfromanillness，andreturntoityearsafter，itischangedsurely，withthechangeinyourself。Asaman’stastesandopinionsaredevelopedhisbooksputonadifferentaspect。Hehardlyknowsthe"PoemsandBallads"
heusedtodeclaim，andcannotrecovertheenigmaticcharmof"Sordello。"Bookschangelikefriends，likeourselves，likeeverything;buttheyaremostpiquantinthecontraststheyprovoke，whenthefriendwhogavethemandwrotethemisasuccess，thoughwelaughedathim;afailure，thoughwebelievedinhim;alteredinanycase，andestrangedfromhisoldselfandolddays。Thevanishedpastreturnswhenwelookatthepages。Thevicissitudesofyearsareprintedandpackedinathinoctavo，andtheshiveringghostsofdesireandhopereturntotheirforbiddenhomeintheheartandfancy。Itisaswelltohavethepowerofrecallingthemalwaysathand，andtobeabletotakeacomprehensiveglanceattheemotionswhichweresopowerfulandfulloflife，andnowaremorefadedandoflessaccountthanthememoryofthedreamsofchildhood。Itisbecauseourbooksarefriendsthatdochange，andremindusofchange，thatweshouldkeepthemwithus，evenatalittleinconvenience，andnotturnthemadriftintheworldtofindadustyasylumincheapbookstalls。Weareapartofallthatwehaveread，toparodythesayingofMr。Tennyson’sUlysses，andweowesomerespect，andhouse-roomatleast，totheearlyacquaintanceswhohavebeguntoboreus，andremindusofthevanityofambitionandtheweaknessofhumanpurpose。Oldschoolandcollegebooksevenhaveareproachfulandsalutarypowerofwhisperinghowmuchamanknew，andatthecostofhowmuchtrouble，thathehasabsolutelyforgotten，andisneitherthebetternortheworseforit。Itwillbethesameinthecaseofthebooksheiseageraboutnow;though，tobesure，hewillreadwithlesscare，andforgetwithaneaseandreadinessonlytobeacquiredbypractice。
Butwewereapologisingforbook-hunting，notbecauseitteachesmorallessons，as"dauncyng"alsodoes，accordingtoSirThomasElyot，inthe"BokecalledtheGouvernour，"butbecauseitaffordsakindofsportiveexcitement。Bookstallsarenottheonlyfieldofthechase。Bookcatalogues，whichreachthecollectorthroughthepost，givehimallthepleasuresofthesportathome。Hereadsthebooksellers’catalogueseagerly，hemarkshischosensportwithpencil，hewritesbyreturnofpost，orhetelegraphstothevendor。
Unfortunatelyhealmostalwaysfindsthathehasbeenforestalled，probablybysomebookseller’sagent。WhenthecatalogueisaFrenchone，itisobviousthatParisianshavethepickofthemarketbeforeourslowlettersreachM。Claudin，orM。Labitte。Stillthecataloguesthemselvesareakindoflessoninbibliography。Youseefromthemhowpricesareruling，andyoucangloat，infancy，overDeLuyne’seditionofMoliere，1673，twovolumesinredmorocco，double（"TrautzBauzonnet"），orsomeothervanityhopelesslyoutofreach。Intheircatalogues，MM。MorgandandFatoutprintafacsimileofthefrontispieceofthisveryrareedition。ThebustofMoliereoccupiesthecentre，andportraitsofthegreatactor，asSganarelleandMascarille（ofthe"PrecieusesRidicules"），standoneitherside。InthesecondvolumeareMoliere，andhiswifeArmande，crownedbythemuseThalia。Acataloguewhichcontainssuchexactreproductionsofrareandauthenticportraits，isitselfaworkofart，andserviceabletothestudent。Whentheshopofabookseller，withapromisingcataloguewhicharrivesovernight，isnottoofardistant，bibliophileshavebeenknowntorushtothespotinthegreymorning，beforethedoorsopen。Thereareamateurs，however，whoprefertostaycomfortablyathome，andpitythesepoorfanatics，shiveringintherainoutsideadoorinOxfordStreetorBooksellers’Row。Thereisalengthtowhichenthusiasmcannotgo，andmanycollectorsdrawthelineatrisingearlyinthemorning。But，whenwethinkofthesportofbook-hunting，itistosalesinauction-roomsthatthemindnaturallyturns。Heretherivalbuyersfeelthepassionofemulation，anditwasinanauction-roomthatGuibertdePixerecourt，beingoutbid，said，intonesofmortalhatred，"Iwillhavethebookwhenyourcollectionissoldafteryourdeath。"Andhekepthisword。Thefeverofgamblingisnotabsentfromtheauction-room，andpeople"bidjealous"astheysometimes"ridejealous"inthehunting-field。
Yet，theneophyte，ifhestrollsbychanceintoasale-room，willbesurprisedatthespectacle。Thechamberhasthelookofaratherseedy"hell。"Thecrowdroundtheauctioneer’sboxcontainsmanypersonssodingyandSemitic，thatatMonteCarlotheywouldberefusedadmittance;while，inGermany，theywouldbepersecutedbyHerrvonTreitschkewithChristianardour。Biddingislanguid，andvaluablebooksareknockeddownfortriflingsums。Lettheneophytetryhisluck，however，andpriceswillrisewonderfully。Thefactisthatthesaleisa"knockout。"Thebiddersareprofessionals，inaleaguetoletthevolumesgocheap，andtodistributethemafterwardsamongthemselves。Thusanamateurcanhaveagooddealofsportbybiddingforabooktillitreachesitspropervalue，andbythenleavinginthelurchtheprofessionalswhocombineto"runhimup。"Theamusementhasitsobviousperils，butthepresenceofgentlemeninanauction-roomisarelieftotheauctioneerandtotheownerofthebooks。Abiddermustbeabletocommandhistemper，boththathemaybeabletokeephisheadcoolwhentemptedtobidrecklessly，andthathemaydisregardthenotverycarefullyconcealedsneersoftheprofessionals。
Inbook-huntingthenatureofthequarryvarieswiththetasteofthecollector。Onemanisforbibles，anotherforballads。Somepursueplays，otherslookforplaybills。"Hewasnot，"saysMr。
HillBurton，speakingofKirkpatrickSharpe，"hewasnotablack-
letterman，oratallcopyist，oranuncutman，orarough-edgeman，oranearly-Englishdramatist，oranElzevirian，orabroadsider，orapasquinader，oranoldbrowncalfman，oraGrangerite，{1}oratawnymoroccoite，oragilttopper，oramarbledinsider，oraneditioprincepsman。"Thesenicknamesbrieflydisposeintocategoriesagoodmanyspeciesofcollectors。Butthereareplentyofothers。Youmaybeahistorical-bindingsman，andhuntforbooksthatwereboundbythegreatartistsofthepastandbelongedtoillustriouscollectors。OryoumaybeaJametist，andtrytogatherupthevolumesonwhichJamet，thefriendofLouisRacine，scribbledhiscynical"Marginalia。"Oryoumaycovettheearliesteditionsofmodernpoets——Shelley，Keats，orTennyson，orevenEbenezerJones。
OrtheobjectofyourdesiresmaybethebooksoftheFrenchromanticists，whoflourishedsofreelyin1830。Or，beingapersonoflargefortuneandlandedestate，youmaycollectcountryhistories。Again，yourheartmaybesetonthebooksillustratedbyEisen，Cochin，andGravelot，orStothardandBlake，inthelastcentury。Oryoumaybesoold-fashionedastocareforAldineclassics，andforthebooksoftheGiuntapress。Infact，asmanyasarethespeciesofrareandbeautifulbooks，somanyarethespeciesofcollectors。Thereisonesortofmen，modestbutnotunwiseintheirgenerations，whobuyuptheprettybookspublishedinverylimitededitionsbyFrenchbooksellers，likeMM。LemerreandJouaust。AlreadytheirreprintsofRochefoucauld’sfirstedition，ofBeaumarchais，ofLaFontaine，ofthelyricsattributedtoMoliere，andothervolumes，areexhausted，andfetchhighpricesinthemarket。Byasingularcaprice，thelittlevolumesofMr。
Thackeray’smiscellaneouswritings，inyellowpaperwrappers（whentheyarefirsteditions），havebecomeobjectsofdesire，andtheiroldmodestpriceisincreasedtwentyfold。Itisnotalwayseasytoaccountforthesefreaksoffashion;buteveninbook-collectingtherearecertaindefinitelaws。"Whydoyoupayalargepriceforadingy，oldbook，"outsidersask，"whenacleanmodernreprintcanbeprocuredfortwoorthreeshillings？"Tothisquestionthecollectorhasseveralreplies，whichhe，atleast，findssatisfactory。Inthefirstplace，earlyeditions，publishedduringagreatauthor’slifetime，andunderhissupervision，haveauthentictexts。ThechangesinthemarethechangesthatPriororLaBruyerethemselvesmadeandapproved。Youcanstudy，intheseoldeditions，thealterationsintheirtaste，thehistoryoftheirminds。Thecaseisthesameevenwithcontemporaryauthors。OnelikestohaveMr。Tennyson’s"Poems，chieflyLyrical"（London：EffinghamWilson，RoyalExchange，Cornhill，1830）。Itisfiftyyearsold，thislittlebookofonehundredandfifty-fourpages，thisfirstfruitofastatelytree。Inhalfacenturythepoethasalteredmuch，andwithdrawnmuch，butalready，in1830，hehadfoundhisdistinctivenote，andhis"Mariana"isamasterpiece。"Mariana"isinallthecollections，butpiecesofwhichtheexecutionislesscertainmustbesoughtonlyintheoldvolumeof1830。Inthesameway"TheStrayedReveller，andotherpoems，byA。"（London：B。Fellowes，LudgateStreet，1849）containsmuchthatMr。MatthewArnoldhasaltered，andthisvolume，likethesuppressed"EmpedoclesonEtna，andotherPoems，byA。"（1852），appealsmoretothecollectorthandotheneweditionswhichalltheworldmaypossess。Thereareverses，curiousintheirway，inMr。Clough’s"Ambarvalia"（1849），whichyouwillnotfindinhisposthumousedition，butwhich"repayperusal。"Theseminutiaeofliteraryhistorybecomeinfinitelymoreimportantintheearlyeditionsofthegreatclassicalwriters，andthebook-collectormayregardhistasteasakindofhandmaidofcriticalscience。Thepreservationofrarebooks，andthecollectionofmaterialsforcriticism，aretheusefulfunctions，then，ofbook-collecting。Butitisnottobedeniedthatthesentimentalsideofthepursuitgivesitmostofitscharm。Oldbooksareoftenliteraryrelics，andasdearandsacredtotheloverofliteratureasarerelicsofanothersorttothereligiousdevotee。Theamateurlikestoseethebookinitsformastheauthorknewit。Hetakesapiouspleasureinthefirsteditionof"LesPrecieusesRidicules，"（M。DC。LX。）justasMolieresawit，whenhewasfreshinthebusinessofauthorship，andwrote"MonDieu，qu’unAutheurestneuf，lapremierefoisqu’onl’imprime。"Alleditionspublishedduringagreatman’slifehavethisattraction，andseemtobringusclosertohisspirit。Othervolumesarerelics，asweshallseelater，ofsomefamedcollector，andthereisacertainpietyinthecarewegivetobooksoncedeartoLongepierre，orHarley，ord’Hoym，orBuckle，toMadamedeMaintenon，orWalpole，toGrolier，orAskew，orDeThou，orHeber。
Suchcopiesshouldbehandeddownfromworthyownerstoownersnotunworthy;suchservantsofliteratureshouldneverhavecarelessmasters。Amanmayprefertoreadforpleasureinagoodclearreprint。M。Charpentier’s"Montaigne"servestheturn，butitisnaturaltotreasuremore"LesEssaisdeMichelSeigneurdeMontaigne，"thatwereprintedbyFrancoiseleFebre，ofLyon，in1595。Itisnotabeautifulbook;thetypeissmall，andratherblunt，butWilliamDrummondofHawthorndenhaswrittenonthetitle-
pagehisnameandhisdevice，CipressoePalma。ThereareadozenmoderneditionsofMolieremoreeasilyreadthanthefourlittlevolumesofWetstein（Amsterdam，1698），butthesecontainreducedcopiesoftheoriginalillustrations，andhereyouseeArnolpheandAgnesintheirhabitsastheylived，MoliereandMdlle。deBrieasthepublicofParisbeheldthemmorethantwohundredyearsago。
Suckling’s"FragmentaAurea"containagooddealofdross，andmostofthegoldhasbeengatheredintoMiscellanies，buttheoriginaleditionof1646，"afterhisowncopies，"withtheportraitofthejollycavalierwhodiedaetatissuae28，hasitsownallurement。
Theocritusismoreeasilyread，perhaps，inWordsworth’sedition，orZiegler’s;butthatwhichZachariasCalliergiprintedinRome（1516），withanexcommunicationfromLeoX。againstinfringementofcopyright，willalwaysbeabeautifulanddesirablebook，especiallywhenboundbyDerome。ThegistofthepiousPrinceConti’sstricturesonthewickednessofcomedymaybereadinvariousliteraryhistories，butitisnaturaltolikehis"TraitedelaComedieselonlatraditiondel’Eglise，TireedesConcilesetdessaintsPeres，"publishedbyLovysBillainein1660，especiallywhenthetractisacleancopy，arrayedinadecorousblackmorocco。
Thesearebutafewcommonexamples，chosenfromameagrelittlelibrary，a"twopennytreasure-house，"buttheyillustrate，onaminutescale，thenatureofthecollector’spassion，——thecharacterofhisinnocentpleasures。Heoccasionallylightsonotherliteraryrelicsofamorepersonalcharacterthanmerefirsteditions。A
luckycollectorlatelyboughtShelley’scopyofOssian，withthepoet’ssignatureonthetitle-page，inBooksellers’Row。AnotherpossessesacopyofFoppens’srareeditionofPetrarch’s"LeSageResolucontrel’uneetl’autreFortune，"whichoncebelongedtoSirHudsonLowe，thegaolerofNapoleon，andmayhavefortified，byitsstoicalmaxims，thesoulofonewhoknewtheextremesofeitherfortune，thecaptiveofSt。Helena。Butthebestexampleofabook，whichisalsoarelic，isthe"ImitatioChristi，"whichbelongedtoJ。J。Rousseau。LetM。TenantdeLatour，latelythehappyownerofthispossession，tellhisownstoryofhistreasure：Itwasin1827
thatM。deLatourwaswalkingonthequaioftheLouvre。Amongthevolumesinashop，henoticedashabbylittlecopyofthe"ImitatioChristi。"M。deLatour，likeotherbibliophiles，wasnotinthehabitofexaminingstraycopiesofthiswork，exceptwhentheywereoftheElzevirsize，fortheElzevirspublishedafamousundatedcopyofthe"Imitatio，"abookwhichbringsconsiderableprices。
However，bysomeluckychance，someSocraticdaemonwhispering，maybe，inhisear，hepickedupthelittledingyvolumeofthelastcentury。ItwasofaParisedition，1751，butwhatwasthenameonthefly-leaf。M。deLatourreadaJ。J。Rousseau。Therewasnomistakeaboutit，thegoodbibliophileknewRousseau’shandwritingperfectlywell;tomakestillmoresurehepaidhisseventy-fivecentimesforthebook，andwalkedacrossthePontdesArts，tohisbookbinder’s，wherehehadacopyofRousseau’sworks，withafacsimileofhishandwriting。Ashewalked，M。deLatourreadinhisbook，andfoundnotesofRousseau’sonthemargin。Thefacsimileprovedthattheinscriptionwasgenuine。ThehappydeLatournowmadeforthepublicofficeinwhichhewasafunctionary，andrushedintothebureauofhisfriendtheMarquisdeV。TheMarquis，amanofgreatstrengthofcharacter，recognisedthesignatureofRousseauwithbutlittledisplayofemotion。M。deLatournownoticedsomewitheredflowersamongthesacredpages;butitwasreservedforafriendtodiscoverinthefadedpetalsRousseau’sfavouriteflower，theperiwinkle。LikeatrueFrenchman，likeRousseauhimselfinhisyoungerdays，M。deLatourhadnotrecognisedtheperiwinklewhenhesawit。Thatnight，soexcitedwasM。deLatour，heneverclosedaneye！Whatpuzzledhimwasthathecouldnotremember，inallRousseau’sworks，asingleallusiontothe"ImitatioChristi。"Timewenton，theoldbookwasnotrebound，butkeptpiouslyinacaseofRussialeather。M。deLatourdidnotsupposethat"danscebasmondeitfutpermisauxjoiesdubibliophiled’allerencoreplusloin。"Heimaginedthatthedelightsoftheamateurcouldonlygofurther，inheaven。Itchanced，however，onedaythathewasturningoverthe"OeuvresInedites"ofRousseau，whenhefoundaletter，inwhichJeanJacques，writingin1763，askedMotiers-Traverstosendhimthe"ImitatioChristi。"Nowthedate1764ismemorable，inRousseau’s"Confessions，"foraburstofsentimentoveraperiwinkle，thefirsthehadnoticedparticularlysincehisresidenceatLesCharmettes，wheretheflowerhadbeenremarkedbyMadamedeWarens。ThusM。
TenantdeLatourhadrecoveredtheveryidenticalperiwinkle，whichcausedthetearofsensibilitytomoistenthefineeyesofJeanJacquesRousseau。
WecannotallbeadorersofRousseau。ButM。deLatourwasanenthusiast，andthislittleanecdoteofhisexplainsthesentimentalsideofthebibliophile’spursuit。Yes，itisSENTIMENTthatmakesusfeelalivelyaffectionforthebooksthatseemtoconnectuswithgreatpoetsandstudentslongagodead。Theirhandsgraspoursacrosstheages。IneverseethefirsteditionofHomer，thatmonumentoftypographyandofenthusiasmforletters，printedatFlorence（1488）attheexpenseofyoungBernardoandNerioNerli，andoftheirfriendGiovanniAcciajuoli，butIfeelmovedtocrywithHeyne，"salvetejuvenes，nobilesetgenerosi;[Greektext]。"
Suchisourapologyforbook-collecting。Butthebestdefenceofthetastewouldbealistofthenamesofgreatcollectors，a"visionofmightybook-hunters。"LetussaynothingofSethandNoah，fortheirreputationasamateursisonlybasedontheauthorityofthetractDeBibliothecisAntediluvianis。ThelibraryofAssurbanipalIpassover，foritsvolumesweremade，asPlinysays，ofcoctileslaterculi，ofbakedtiles，whichhavebeendecipheredbythelateMr。GeorgeSmith。Philosophersaswellasimmemorialkings，PharaohsandPtolemys，areonourside。ItwasobjectedtoPlato，bypersonsansweringtothecheapscribblersofto-day，thathe，thoughasage，gaveahundredminae（360pounds）
forthreetreatisesofPhilolaus，whileAristotlepaidnearlythricethesumforafewbooksthathadbeeninthelibraryofSpeusippus。
DidnotaLatinphilosophergogreatlengthsinalaudableanxietytopurchaseanOdyssey"asoldasHomer，"andwhatwouldnotCicero，thatgreatcollector，havegivenfortheAscraeaneditioprincepsofHesiod，scratchedonmouldyoldplatesoflead？PerhapsDr。
Schliemannmayfindanoriginaleditionofthe"Iliad"atOrchomenos;butofallearlycopiesnoneseemssoattractiveasthatengravedontheleadenplateswhichPausaniassawatAscra。Then，inmoderntimes，what"greatallies"hasthecollector，whatbrethreninbook-hunting？ThenamesarelikethecataloguewithwhichVillonfillshis"BalladedesSeigneursduTempsJadis。"A
collectorwas"lepreuxCharlemaigne"andourEnglishAlfred。TheKingsofHungary，asMathiasCorvinus;theKingsofFrance，andtheirqueens，andtheirmistresses，andtheirlords，wereallamateurs。SowasourHenryVIII。，andJamesI。，who"wishedhecouldbechainedtoashelfintheBodleian。"ThemiddleagegivesusRicharddeBury，amongecclesiastics，andtheRenaissanceboastsSirThomasMore，withthat"prettyfardleofbooks，inthesmalltypeofAldus，"whichhecarriedforafreighttothepeopleofUtopia。Menoftheworld，likeBussyRabutin，queenslikeourElizabeth;popeslikeInnocentX。;financierslikeColbert（whomadetheGrandTurksendhimLevantmoroccoforbindings）;menofletterslikeScottandSouthey，JaninandNodier，andPaulLacroix;warriorslikeJunotandPrinceEugene;theseareonlyleadersofcompaniesinthegreatarmyofloversofbooks，inwhichitishonourableenoughtobeaprivatesoldier。
THELIBRARY
TheLibrarywhichistobespokenofinthesepages，isallunlikethehallswhichaSpenceroraHuthfillswithtreasurebeyondprice。Theageofgreatlibrarieshasgoneby，andwhereacollectoroftheoldschoolsurvives，heisusuallyamanofenormouswealth，whomight，ifhepleased，bedistinguishedinparliament，insociety，ontheturfitself，orinanyofthepursuitswhereunlimitedsuppliesofmoneyarestrictlynecessary。
Theoldamateurs，whomLaBruyerewaswonttosneerat，werenotsatisfiedunlesstheypossessedmanythousandsofbooks。ForacollectorlikeCardinalMazarin，Naudeboughtupthewholestockofmanyabookseller，andleftgreattownsasbareofprintedpaperasifatornadohadpassed，andblowntheleavesaway。Inourmoderntimes，astheindustriousBibliophileJacob，says，thefashionofbook-collectinghaschanged;"fromthevasthallthatitwas，thelibraryoftheamateurhasshrunktoacloset，toamerebook-case。
Nothingbutaneatarticleoffurnitureisneedednow，whereagreatgalleryoralongsuiteofroomswasoncerequired。Thebookhasbecome，asitwere，ajewel，andiskeptinakindofjewel-case。"
Itisnotquantityofpages，norloftypilesofordinarybinding，northeologicalfoliosandclassicquartos，thatthemodernamateurdesires。Heiscontentwithbutafewbooksofdistinctionandelegance，masterpiecesofprintingandbinding，orrelicsoffamousoldcollectors，ofstatesmen，philosophers，beautifuldeadladies;
or，again，hebuysillustratedbooks，orfirsteditionsofthemodernclassics。Noone，nottheDucd’Aumale，orM。JamesRothschildhimself，withhis100booksworth40，000pounds，canpossessverymanycopiesofbookswhichareinevitablyrare。Thustheadviserwhowouldoffersuggestionstotheamateur，needscarcelywrite，likeNaudeandtheoldauthorities，aboutthesizeandduepositionofthelibrary。Heneedhardlywarnthebuildertomakethesallefacetheeast，"becausetheeasternwinds，beingwarmanddryoftheirnature，greatlytempertheair，fortifythesenses，makesubtlethehumours，purifythespirits，preserveahealthydispositionofthewholebody，and，tosayallinoneword，aremostwholesomeandsalubrious。"Theeastwind，likethefashionofbook-
collecting，hasalteredincharacteragooddealsincethedayswhenNaudewaslibrariantoCardinalMazarin。OnemightaswellrepeatthelearnedIsidorushiscounselsaboutthepanelsofgreenmarble（thatrefreshestheeye），andBoethiushiscensuresonlibrarywallsofivoryandglass，asfallbackontheancientideasoflibrariansdeadandgone。
Theamateur，then，isthepersonwehaveinoureye，andespeciallythebibliophilewhohasbutlatelybeenbittenwiththispleasantmaniaofcollecting。Wewouldteachhimhowtoarrangeandkeephisbooksorderlyandingoodcase，andwouldtellhimwhattobuyandwhattoavoid。BytheLIBRARYwedonotunderstandastudywherenoonegoes，andwherethemasterofthehousekeepshisboots，anassortmentofwalking-sticks，the"WaverleyNovels，""PearsonontheCreed，""Hume’sEssays，"andacollectionofsermons。In，alas！toomanyEnglishhomes，theLibraryisnomorethanthis，andeachgenerationpasseswithoutaddingabook，exceptnowandthenaBradshaworarailwaynovel，tothecollectionontheshelves。Thesuccess，perhaps，ofcirculatinglibraries，or，itmaybe，theAryantendenciesofourrace，"whichdoesnotread，andlivesintheopenair，"havemadebookstherarestofpossessionsinmanyhouses。
Therearerelicsoftheagebeforecirculatinglibraries，therearefragmentsoftheletteredstoreofsomescholarlygreat-grandfather，andthese，withafewoddnumbersofmagazines，afewprimersandmanuals，somesermonsandnovels，makeuptheordinarylibraryofanEnglishhousehold。Buttheamateur，whomwehaveinourthoughts，canneverbesatisfiedwiththesecommonplacesupplies。Hehasatasteforbooksmoreorlessrare，andforbooksneatlybound;inshort，forbooks，inthefabricationofwhichARThasnotbeenabsent。Helovestohavehisstudy，likeMontaigne’s，remotefromtheinterruptionofservants，wife，andchildren;akindofshrine，wherehemaybeathomewithhimself，withtheillustriousdead，andwiththegeniusofliterature。Theroommaylookeast，west，orsouth，providedthatitbedry，warm，light，andairy。AmongthemanyenemiesofbooksthefirstgreatfoeisDAMP，andwemustdescribethenecessaryprecautionstobetakenagainstthisperil。
Wewillsupposethattheamateurkeepshisordinaryworkingbooks，moderntomes，andallthatservehimasliterarytools，onopenshelves。Thesemayreachtheroof，ifhehasbookstofillthem，anditisonlynecessarytoseethatthebackofthebookcasesareslightlyremovedfromcontactwiththewalls。Themorepreciousandbeautifullyboundtreasureswillnaturallybestoredinacasewithclosely-fittingglass-doors。{2}Theshelvesshouldbelinedwithvelvetorchamoisleather，thatthedelicateedgesofthebooksmaynotsufferfromcontactwiththewood。Aleatherlining，fittedtothebackofthecase，willalsohelptokeepouthumidity。Mostwritersrecommendthatthebookcasesshouldbemadeofwoodcloseinthegrain，suchaswell-seasonedoak;or，forsmallertabernaclesofliterature，ofmahogany，satin-woodlinedwithcedar，ebony，andsoforth。Theseclose-grainedwoodsarelesseasilypenetratedbyinsects，anditisfanciedthatbook-wormsdislikethearomaticscentsofcedar，sandalwood，andRussialeather。Therewasonceabibliophilewhosaidthatamancouldonlyloveonebookatatime，andthedarlingofthemomentheusedtocarryaboutinacharmingleathercase。Others，menoffewbooks，preservetheminlongboxeswithglassfronts，whichmayberemovedfromplacetoplaceasreadilyasthehouseholdgodsofLaban。Buttheamateurwhonotonlyworshipsbutreadsbooks，needslargerreceptacles;andintheopenoakcasesformodernauthors，andforbookswithcommonmodernpapersandbindings，intheclosedarmoireforbooksofrarityandprice，hewillfind，wethink，themostusefulmodeofarranginghistreasures。Hisshelveswilldeclineinheightfromthelowest，wherehugefoliosstandatcase，tothetopranges，whileElzevirsreposeonalevelwiththeeye。Itiswellthateachuppershelfshouldhavealeatherfringetokeepthedustaway。
Astotheshapeofthebookcases，andthefurniture，andornamentsofthelibrary，everyamateurwillpleasehimself。Perhapsthesatin-woodormahoganytabernaclesofrarebooksarebestmadeafterthemodelofwhatfurniture-dealersindifferentlycallthe"QueenAnne"orthe"Chippendale"style。Thereisapleasantquaintnessinthecarvedarchitecturalornamentsofthetop，andtheinlaidflowersofmarquetrygowellwiththeprettyflorideditionsofthelastcentury，thebooksthatwereillustratedbyStothardandGravelot。Ebonysuitstheologicaltomesverywell，especiallywhentheyareboundinwhitevellum。Astofurniture，peoplewhocanafforditwillimitatethearrangementsofLucullus，inMr。HillBurton’scharmingvolume"TheBook-hunter"（Blackwood，Edinburgh，1862）。——"Everythingisofperfectfinish，——themahogany-railedgallery，thetinyladders，thebroadwingedlecterns，withleatherncushionsontheedgestokeepthewoodfromgrazingtherichbindings，thebooksthemselves，eachshelfuniformwithitsfacings，orratherbackings，likewell-dressedlinesatareview。"ThelateSirWilliamStirling-Maxwell，afamousbibliophile，inventedaverynicelibrarychair。Itismostcomfortabletositon;and，asthetopofthebackisbroadandflat，itcanbeusedasaladderoftwohighsteps，whenonewantstoreachabookonaloftyshelf。Akindofsquarerevolvingbookcase，anAmericaninvention，manufacturedbyMessrs。Trubner，isusefultotheworkingmanofletters。Madeinoak，stainedgreen，itisnotunsightly。Astoornaments，everymantohistaste。Youmayhavea"pallidbustofPallas"aboveyourclassicalcollection，orfillthenichesinashrineofoldFrenchlightliterature，pastoralandcomedy，withdelicateshepherdessesinChelseachina。Onsuchmattersamodestwriter，likeMr。JinglewhenMr。Pickwickordereddinner，"willnotpresumetodictate。"
Nexttodamp，dustanddirtarethechiefenemiesofbooks。Atshortintervals，booksandshelvesoughttobedustedbytheamateurhimself。EvenDr。Johnson，whowascarelessofhisperson，andofvolumeslenttohim，wascarefulaboutthecleanlinessofhisownbooks。Boswellfoundhimonedaywithbigglovesonhishandsbeatingthedustoutofhislibrary，aswashiscustom。Thereisnothingsohideousasadirtythumb-markonawhitepage。Thesemarksarecommonlymade，notbecausethereaderhasunwashedhands，butbecausethedustwhichsettlesonthetopedgeofbooksfallsin，andissmudgedwhentheyareopened。Gilt-topedgesshouldbesmoothedwithahandkerchief，andasmallbrushshouldbekeptforbrushingthetopsofbookswithroughedges，beforetheyareopened。
Butitwerewellthatallbookshadthetopedgegilt。Thereisnobetterpreservativeagainstdust。Dustnotonlydirtiesbooks，itseemstosupplywhatMr。Spencerwouldcallafittingenvironmentforbook-worms。Theworksofbook-wormsspeakforthemselves，andaremanifesttoall。Howmanyarareandvaluablevolumeisspoiledbyneatroundholesdrilledthroughcoverandleaves！Butastothenatureofyourworm，authoritiesdiffergreatly。Theancientsknewthisplague，ofwhichLucianspeaks。Mr。Bladesmentionsawhitebook-worm，slainbythelibrarianoftheBodleian。InByzantiumtheblacksortprevailed。Evenus，thegrammarian，wroteanepigramagainsttheblackbook-worm（"Anthol。Pal。，"ix。251）：-
PestoftheMuses，devourerofpages，incranniesthatlurkest，FruitsoftheMusestotaint，labouroflearningtospoil;
Wherefore，ohblack-fleshedworm！wertthoubornfortheevilthouworkest？
Whereforethineownfoulformshap’stthouwithenvioustoil？
ThelearnedMentzeliussayshehathheardthebook-wormcrowlikeacockuntohismate，and"Iknewnot，"sayshe，"whethersomelocalfowlwasclamouringorwhethertherewasbutabeatinginmineears。
Evenatthatmoment，alluncertainasIwas，Iperceived，inthepaperwhereonIwaswriting，alittleinsectthatceasednottocarollikeverychanticleer，until，takingamagnifyingglass，I
assiduouslyobservedhim。Heisaboutthebignessofamite，andcarriesagreycrest，andtheheadlow，bowedoverthebosom;astohiscrowingnoise，itcomesofhisclashinghiswingsagainsteachotherwithanincessantdin。"ThusfarMentzelius，andmoretothesamepurpose，asmaybereadinthe"MemoirsoffamousForeignAcademies"（Dijon，1755-59，13vol。inquarto）。But，inourtimes，thelearnedMr。Bladeshavingadesiretoexhibitbook-wormsinthebodytotheCaxtoniansattheCaxtoncelebration，couldfindfewmenthathadsomuchasseenabook-worm，muchlessheardhimutterhisnativewood-noteswild。Yet，inhis"EnemiesofBooks，"hedescribessomerareencounterswiththeworm。Dirtybooks，dampbooks，dustybooks，andbooksthattheownerneveropens，aremostexposedtotheenemy;and"theworm，theproudworm，istheconquerorstill，"asadidacticpoetsings，inanodeonman’smortality。AswehavequotedMentzelius，itmaynotbeamisstogiveD’Alembert’stheoryofbook-worms："Ibelieve，"hesays，"thatalittlebeetlelayshereggsinbooksinAugust，thenceishatchedamite，likethecheese-mite，whichdevoursbooksmerelybecauseitiscompelledtognawitswayoutintotheair。"Book-wormslikethepastewhichbindersemploy，butD’Alembertaddsthattheycannotendureabsinthe。Mr。Bladesfindstoothattheydisdaintodevourouradulteratemodernpaper。
"Say，shallIsingofrats，"askedGrainger，whenreadingtoJohnsonhisepic，the"Sugar-cane。""No，"saidtheDoctor;andthoughratsarethefoeofthebibliophile，atleastasmuchasofthesugar-
planter，wedonotproposetosingofthem。M。Fertiaulthasdonesoalreadyin"LesSonnetsd’unBibliophile，"wherethereadermustbepleasedwiththebeautifuletchingsofratsdevouringanilluminatedMS。，andbatteningonmoroccobindingsstampedwiththebeesofDeThou。Itisunnecessaryanditwouldbeundignified，togivehintsonrat-catching，buttheamateurmustnotforgetthattheseanimalshaveapassionforbindings。
Thebook-collectormustavoidgas，whichdepositsafilthycoatofoilthatcatchesdust。Mr。Bladesfoundthatthreejetsofgasinasmallroomsoonreducedtheleatheronhisbook-shelvestoapowderoftheconsistencyofsnuff，andmadethebacksofbookscomeawayinhishand。Shadedlampsgivethebestandmostsuitablelightforthelibrary。Astotheriskswhichbooksrunatthehandsoftheownerhimself，wesurelyneednotrepeattheadviceofRicharddeBury。Livinginanagewhentubs（ifnotunknownasM。Micheletdeclares）werefarfrombeingcommon，theoldcollectorinveighedagainstthedirtyhandsofreaders，andagainsttheirhabitofmarkingtheirplaceinabookwithfilthystraws，orsettingdownabeerpotinthemiddleofthevolumetokeepthepagesopen。Buttheamateur，howeverrefinedhimself，mustbewareofmenwholovenotflyleavesneitherregardmargins，butwritenotesoverthelatter，andlighttheirpipeswiththeformer。Afterseeingthewreckofabookwhichthesepersonshavebeenbusywith，oneappreciatesthefineGreekhyperbole。TheGreeksdidnotspeakof"thumbing"butof"walkingupanddown"onavolume（[Greektext]）。
Tosuchfellowsitmattersnotthattheymakeabookdirtyandgreasy，cuttingthepageswiththeirfingers，andholdingtheboardsoverthefiretilltheycrack。Alltheseslatternlypractices，thoughtheydestroyabookassurelyastheflamesofCaesar’ssoldiersatAlexandria，seemfinemanlyactstothegrobianswhousethem。WhatsaysJulesJanin，whohaswritten"Contrel’indifferencedesPhilistins，""ilfautal’hommesageetstudieuxuntomehonorableetdignedesalouange。"Theamateur，andalldecentmen，willbewareoflendingbookstosuchrudeworkers;andthisconsiderationbringsustothesegreatfoesofbooks，theborrowersandrobbers。Thelendingofbooks，andofotherproperty，hasbeendefendedbysomegreatauthorities;thusPanurgehimselfsays，"itwouldprovemuchmoreeasyinnaturetohavefishentertainedintheair，andbullocksfedinthebottomoftheocean，thantosupportortoleratearascallyrabbleofpeoplethatwillnotlend。"
Pirckheimer，too，forwhomAlbertDurerdesignedabook-plate，wasalender，andtookforhisdeviceSibietAmicis;andJo。Grolieriietamicorum，wasthemottooftherenownedGrolier，whommistakenwritersvainlybutfrequentlyreporttohavebeenabookbinder。ButasMr。LeicesterWarrensays，inhis"StudyofBook-plates"
（Pearson，1880），"ChristianCharlesdeSavignyleavesalltherestbehind，exclaimingnonmihisedaliis。"Butthemajorityofamateurshavechosenwiser，thoughmorechurlishdevices，as"theungodlyborrowethandpayethnotagain，"or"gotothemthatsell，andbuyforyourselves。"DavidGarrickengravedonhisbook-plate，besideabustofShakspeare，thesewordsofMenage，"Lapremierechosequ’ondoitfaire，quandonaemprunte’unlivre，c’estdelelire，afindepouvoirlerendreplutot。"Buttheborrowerissomindedthatthelastthinghethinksofistoreadaborrowedbook，andthepenultimatesubjectofhisreflectionsisitsrestoration。
Menage（Menagiana，Paris，1729，vol。i。p。265），mentions，asifitwereanotablemisdeed，thisofAngeloPolitian’s，"heborroweda’Lucretius’fromPomponiusLaetus，andkeptitforfouryears。"
Fouryears！inthesightoftheborroweritisbutamoment。Menagereportsthatafriendkepthis"Pausanias"forthreeyears，whereasfourmonthswaslongenough。