Ruskin's。Hehadthe'OdetoDespair'ofSmith（nowacomicwriter），andthe'LoveLyrics'ofBrown，whoisnowapermanentunder-secretary，thanwhichnothingcanbelessgaynormorepermanent。HehadtheamatorysongswhichadignitaryoftheChurchpublishedandwithdrewfromcirculation。Blintonwaswonttosayheexpectedtocomeacross'TrioletsofaTribune，'byMr。JohnBright，and'OriginalHymnsforInfantMinds，'byMr。HenryLabouchere，ifheonlyhuntedlongenough。
OnthedayofwhichIspeakhehadsecuredavolumeoflove-poemswhichtheauthorhaddonehisbesttodestroy，andhehadgonetohisclubandreadallthefunniestpassagesaloudtofriendsoftheauthor，whowasontheclubcommittee。Ah，wasthisakindaction？
Inshort，Blintonhadfilledupthecupofhisiniquities，andnobodywillbesurprisedtohearthathemettheappropriatepunishmentofhisoffence。Blintonhadpassed，onthewhole，ahappyday，notwithstandingtheerrorabouttheElzevir。Hedinedwellathisclub，wenthome，sleptwell，andstartednextmorningforhisofficeintheCity，walking，asusual，andintendingtopursuethepleasuresofthechaseatallthebook-stalls。Attheveryfirst，intheBromptonRoad，hesawamanturningovertherubbishinthecheapbox。Blintonstaredathim，fanciedheknewhim，thoughthedidn't，andthenbecameapreytotheglitteringeyeoftheother。TheStranger，whoworetheconventionalcloakandslouchedsofthatofStrangers，wasapparentlyanaccomplishedmesmerist，orthought-reader，oradept，oresotericBuddhist。HeresembledMr。Isaacs，Zanoni（inthenovelofthatname），Mendoza（in'Codlingsby'），thesoul-lessmanin'AStrangeStory，'Mr。Home，Mr。IrvingBishop，aBuddhistadeptintheastralbody，andmostothermysteriouscharactersofhistoryandfiction。BeforehisAwfulWill，Blinton'smeremodernobstinacyshrankbacklikeachildabashed。TheStrangerglidedtohimandwhispered，"Buythese。"
"These"wereacompletesetofAuerbach'snovels，inEnglish，which，Ineednotsay，Blintonwouldneverhavedreamtofpurchasinghadhebeenlefttohisowndevices。
"Buythese！"repeatedtheAdept，orwhateverhewas，inacruelwhisper。Payingthesumdemanded，andtrailinghisvastloadofGermanromance，poorBlintonfollowedthefiend。
Theyreachedastallwhere，amongstmuchtrash，Glatigny's'Jourdel'And'unVagabond'wasexposed。
"Look，"saidBlinton，"thereisabookIhavewantedsometime。
Glatignysaregettingratherscarce，anditisanamusingtrifle。"
"Nay，buyTHAT，"saidtheimplacableStranger，pointingwithahookedforefingeratAlison's'HistoryofEurope'inanindefinitenumberofvolumes。Blintonshuddered。
"What，buyTHAT，andwhy？Inheaven'sname，whatcouldIdowithit？"
"Buyit，"repeatedthepersecutor，"andTHAT"（indicatingthe'Ilios'ofDr。Schliemann，abulkywork），"andTHESE"（pointingtoallMr。TheodoreAloisBuckley'stranslationsoftheClassics），"andTHESE"（glancingatthecollectedwritingsofthelateMr。HainFriswell，andata'Life，'inmorethanonevolume，ofMr。
Gladstone）。
ThemiserableBlintonpaid，andtrudgedalongcarryingthebargainsunderhisarm。Nowonebookfellout，nowanotherdroppedbytheway。SometimesaportionofAlisoncameponderouslytoearth；
sometimesthe'GentleLife'sunkresignedlytotheground。TheAdeptkeptpickingthemupagain，andpackingthemunderthearmsofthewearyBlinton。
Thevictimnowattemptedtoputonanairofgeniality，andtriedtoenterintoconversationwithhistormentor。
"HeDOESknowaboutbooks，"thoughtBlinton，"andhemusthaveaweakspotsomewhere。"
Sothewretchedamateurmadeplayinhisbestconversationalstyle。
Hetalkedofbindings，ofMaioli，ofGrolier，ofDeThou，ofDerome，ofClovisEve，ofRogerPayne，ofTrautz，andekeofBauzonnet。Hediscoursedoffirsteditions，ofblackletter，andevenofillustrationsandvignettes。HeapproachedthetopicofBibles，butherehistyrant，withafierceyettimidglance，interruptedhim。
"Buythose！"hehissedthroughhisteeth。
"Those"werethecompletepublicationsoftheFolkLoreSociety。
Blintondidnotcareforfolklore（verybadmenneverdo），buthehadtoactashewastold。
Then，withoutpauseorremorse，hewaschargedtoacquirethe'Ethics'ofAristotle，intheagreeableversionsofWilliamsandChase。Nexthesecured'Strathmore，''Chandos，''UnderTwoFlags，'
and'TwoLittleWoodenShoes，'andseveraldozensmoreofOuida'snovels。Thenextstallwasentirelyfilledwithschool-books，oldgeographies，Livys，Delectuses，Arnold's'GreekExercises，'
Ollendorffs，andwhatnot。
"Buythemall，"hissedthefiend。HeseizedwholeboxesandpiledthemonBlinton'shead。
HetiedupOuida'snovels，intwoparcels，withstring，andfastenedeachtooneofthebuttonsabovethetailsofBlinton'scoat。
"Youaretired？"askedthetormentor。"Nevermind，thesebookswillsoonbeoffyourhands。"
Sospeaking，theStranger，withamazingspeed，hurriedBlintonbackthroughHolywellStreet，alongtheStrand，anduptoPiccadilly，stoppingatlastatthedoorofBlinton'sfamousandveryexpensivebinder。
Thebinderopenedhiseyes，aswellhemight，atthevisionofBlinton'streasures。ThenthemiserableBlintonfoundhimself，asitwereautomaticallyandwithoutanyexerciseofhiswill，speakingthus：-
"HerearesomethingsIhavepickedup，——extremelyrare，——andyouwillobligemebybindingtheminyourbestmanner，regardlessofexpense。Morocco，ofcourse；crushedlevantmorocco，double，everybookofthem，petitsfers，mycrestandcoatofarms，plentyofgilding。Sparenocost。Don'tkeepmewaiting，asyougenerallydo；"forindeedbook-bindersarethemostdilatoryofthehumanspecies。
Beforetheastonishedbindercouldaskthemostnecessaryquestions，Blinton'stormentorhadhurriedthatamateuroutoftheroom。
"Comeontothesale，"hecried。
"Whatsale？"saidBlinton。
"Why，theBeckfordsale；itisthethirteenthday，aluckyday。"
"ButIhaveforgottenmycatalogue。"
"Whereisit？"
"Inthethirdshelffromthetop，ontheright-handsideoftheebonybook-caseathome。"
Thestrangerstretchedouthisarm，whichswiftlyelongateditselftillthehanddisappearedfromviewroundthecorner。Inamomentthehandreturnedwiththecatalogue。ThepairspedontoMessrs。
Sotheby'sauction-roomsinWellingtonStreet。Everyoneknowstheappearanceofagreatbook-sale。Thelongtable，surroundedbyeagerbidders，resemblesfromalittledistancearoulettetable，andcommunicatesthesamesortofexcitement。Theamateurisatalosstoknowhowtoconducthimself。Ifhebidsinhisownpersonsomebooksellerwilloutbidhim，partlybecausethebooksellerknows，afterall，heknowslittleaboutbooks，andsuspectsthattheamateurmay，inthiscase，knowmore。Besides，professionalsalwaysdislikeamateurs，and，inthisgame，theyhaveaverygreatadvantage。Blintonknewallthis，andwasinthehabitofgivinghiscommissionstoabroker。Butnowhefelt（andverynaturally）
asifademonhadenteredintohim。'TiranteilBiancoValorosissimoCavaliere'wasbeingcompetedfor，anexcessivelyrareromanceofchivalry，inmagnificentredVenetianmorocco，fromCanevari'slibrary。ThebookisoneoftherarestoftheVenetianPress，andbeautifullyadornedwithCanevari'sdevice，——asimpleandelegantaffairingoldandcolours。"Apolloisdrivinghischariotacrossthegreenwavestowardstherock，onwhichwingedPegasusispawingtheground，"thoughwhythisactionofahorseshouldbecalled"pawing"（theanimalnotoriouslynotpossessingpaws）itishardtosay。Roundthisgracefuldesignistheinscription[Greektext]（straightnotcrooked）。InhisordinarymoodBlintoncouldonlyhaveadmired'TiranteilBianco'fromadistance。Butnow，thedemoninspiringhim，herushedintothelists，andchallengedthegreatMr-，theNapoleonofbookselling。Thepricehadalreadyreachedfivehundredpounds。
"Sixhundred，"criedBlinton。
"Guineas，"saidthegreatMr。
"Sevenhundred，"screamedBlinton。
"Guineas，"repliedtheother。
ThisarithmeticaldialoguewentontillevenMr。——struckhisflag，withasigh，whenthemaddenedBlintonhadsaid"Sixthousand。"Thecheersoftheaudiencerewardedthelargestbidevermadeforanybook。Asifhehadnotdoneenough，theStrangernowimpelledBlintontocontendwithMr。——foreveryexpensiveworkthatappeared。TheaudiencenaturallyfanciedthatBlintonwasintheearlierstageofsofteningofthebrain，whenamanconceiveshimselftohaveinheritedboundlesswealth，andisdeterminedtoliveuptoit。Thehammerfellforthelasttime。Blintonowedsomefiftythousandpounds，andexclaimedaudibly，astheinfluenceofthefienddiedout，"Iamaruinedman。"
"Thenyourbooksmustbesold，"criedtheStranger，and，leapingonachair，headdressedtheaudience：-
"Gentlemen，IinviteyoutoMr。Blinton'ssale，whichwillimmediatelytakeplace。ThecollectioncontainssomeveryremarkableearlyEnglishpoets，manyfirsteditionsoftheFrenchclassics，mostoftherarerAldines，andasingularassortmentofAmericana。"
Inamoment，asifbymagic，theshelvesroundtheroomwerefilledwithBlinton'sbooks，alltiedupinbiglotsofsomethirtyvolumeseach。HisearlyMoliereswerefastenedtooldFrenchdictionariesandschool-books。HisShakespearequartoswereinthesamelotwithtatteredrailwaynovels。Hiscopy（almostunique）ofRichardBarnfield'smuchtoo'AffectionateShepheard'wascoupledwithoddvolumesof'ChipsfromaGermanWorkshop'andacheap，imperfectexampleof'TomBrown'sSchool-Days。'Hookes's'Amanda'wasatthebottomofalotofAmericandevotionalworks，whereitkeptcompanywithanElzevirTacitusandtheAldine'Hypnerotomachia。'Theauctioneerputuplotafterlot，andBlintonplainlysawthatthewholeaffairwasa"knock-out。"Hismosttreasuredspoilswerepartedwithatthepriceofwastepaper。Itisanawfulthingtobepresentatone'sownsale。Nomanwouldbidaboveafewshillings。
WelldidBlintonknowthataftertheknock-outtheplunderwouldbesharedamongthegrinningbidders。Atlasthis'Adonais，'uncut，boundbyLortic，went，incompanywithsomeold'Bradshaws，'the'CourtGuide'of1881，andanoddvolumeofthe'SundayatHome，'
forsixpence。TheStrangersmiledasmileofpeculiarmalignity。
Blintonleapeduptoprotest；theroomseemedtoshakearoundhim，butwordswouldnotcometohislips。
Thenheheardafamiliarvoiceobserve，asafamiliargraspshookhisshoulder，——
"Tom，Tom，whatanightmareyouareenjoying！"
Hewasinhisownarm-chair，wherehehadfallenasleepafterdinner，andMrs。Blintonwasdoingherbesttoarousehimfromhisawfulvision。Besidehimlay'L'EnferduBibliophile，vuetdecritparCharlesAsselineau。'（Paris：Tardieu，MDCCCLX。）
Ifthiswereanordinarytract，IshouldhavetotellhowBlinton'seyeswereopened，howhegaveupbook-collecting，andtooktogardening，orpolitics，orsomethingofthatsort。ButtruthcompelsmetoadmitthatBlinton'srepentancehadvanishedbytheendoftheweek，whenhewasdiscoveredmarkingM。Claudin'scatalogue，surreptitiously，beforebreakfast。Thus，indeed，endallourremorses。"Lancelotfallstohisownloveagain，"asintheromance。Much，andjustly，astheologiansdecryadeath-bedrepentance，itis，perhaps，theonlyrepentancethatwedonotrepentof。Allothersleaveusready，whenoccasioncomes，tofalltoouroldloveagain；andmaythatloveneverbeworsethanthetasteforoldbooks！Onceacollector，alwaysacollector。Moiquiparle，Ihavesinned，andstruggled，andfallen。Ihavethrowncatalogues，unopened，intothewaste-paperbasket。IhavewithheldmyfeetfromthepathsthatleadtoSotheby'sandtoPuttick's。I
havecrossedthestreettoavoidabook-stall。Infact，liketheprophetNicholas，"Ihavebeenknowntobesteadyforweeksatatime。"Andthenthefatalmomentoftemptationhasarrived，andI
havesuccumbedtothesoftseductionsofEisen，orCochin，oranoldbookonAngling。ProbablyGrolierwasthinkingofsuchweaknesseswhenhechosehisdevicesTanquamVentus，andquisquesuospatimurManes。Likethewindweareblownabout，and，likethepeopleintheAEneid，weareobligedtosuffertheconsequencesofourownextravagance。
BALLADEOFTHEUNATTAINABLE
TheBooksIcannothopetobuy，Theirphantomsroundmewaltzandwheel，Theypassbeforethedreamingeye，EreSleepthedreamingeyecanseal。
AkindofliteraryreelTheydance；howfairthebindingsshine！
ProsecannottellthemwhatIfeel，——
TheBooksthatnevercanbemine！
TherefriskEditionsrareandshy，Moroccocladfromheadtoheel；
Shakspearianquartos；ComedyAsfirstsheflashedfromRichardSteele；
AndquaintDeFoeonMrs。Veal；
And，lordoflandingnetandline，OldIzaakwithhisfishingcreel，——
TheBooksthatnevercanbemine！
Incunables！foryouIsigh，Blackletter，atthyfountsIkneel，OldtalesofPerrault'snursery，ForyouI'dgowithoutameal！
ForBookswhereindidAldusdealAndrareGalliotduPreIpine。
ThewatchesofthenightrevealTheBooksthatnevercanbemine！
ENVOY。
Prince，bearahopelessBard'sappeal；
ReversetherulesofMineandThine；
MakeitlegitimatetostealTheBooksthatnevercanbemine！
LADYBOOK-LOVERS
ThebiographerofMrs。AphraBehnrefutesthevulgarerrorthat"aDutchmancannotlove。"Whetherornotaladycanlovebooksisaquestionthatmaynotbesoreadilysettled。Mr。ErnestQuentinBaucharthascontributedtothediscussionofthisproblembypublishingabibliography，intwoquartovolumes，ofbookswhichhavebeeninthelibrariesoffamousbeautiesofold，queensandprincessesofFrance。Therecanbenodoubtthattheseladieswerepossessorsofexquisiteprintedbooksandmanuscriptswonderfullybound，butitremainsuncertainwhethertheowners，asarule，werebibliophiles；whethertheirheartswerewiththeirtreasures。
Incredibleasitmayseemtousnow，literaturewashighlyrespectedinthepast，andwasevenfashionable。Poetswereinfavouratcourt，andFashiondecidedthatthegreatmustpossessbooks，andnotonlybooks，butbooksproducedintheutmostperfectionofart，andboundwithalltheskillatthedisposalofClovisEve，andPadeloup，andDuseuil。Therefore，asFashiongavehercommands，wecannothastilyaffirmthattheladieswhoobeyedwerereallybook-
lovers。Inourmorepoliteage，Fashionhasdecreedthatladiesshallsmoke，andbet，andromp，butitwouldbeprematuretoassertthatallladieswhodotheirdutyinthesemattersarebornromps，orhaveanunaffectedlikingforcigarettes。History，however，maintainsthatmanyoftherenowneddameswhosebooksarenowthemosttreasuredofliteraryrelicswereactuallyinclinedtostudyaswellastopleasure，likeMargueritedeValoisandtheComtessedeVerrue，andevenMadamedePompadour。Probablybooksandartsweremoretothislady'slikingthanthediversionsbywhichshebeguiledthetediumofLouisXV。；andmanyatimeshewouldratherhavebeenquietwithherplaysandnovelsthanengagedinconscientiouslyconductedbutdistastefulrevels。
LikeatrueFrenchman，M。BaucharthasonlywrittenaboutFrenchladybook-lovers，oraboutwomenwho，likeMaryStuart，weremorethanhalfFrench。NorwoulditbeeasyforanEnglishauthortoname，outsidetheranksofcrownedheads，likeElizabeth，anyEnglishwomenofdistinctionwhohadapassionforthematerialsideofliterature，forbinding，andfirsteditions，andlargepaper，andengravingsinearly"states。"Thepracticalsex，whenstudious，islikethesamesexwhenfondofequestrianexercise。"Aladysays，'Myheyes，he'san'orse，andhemustgo，'"accordingtoLeech'sgroom。Inthesameway，astudiousgirlormatronsays，"Thisisabook，"andreadsit，ifreadshedoes，withoutcaringaboutthedate，orthestate，orthepublisher'sname，orevenveryoftenabouttheauthor's。Iremember，beforethepublicationofanovelnowcelebrated，seeingaprivatelyprintedvellum-boundcopyonlargepaperinthehandsofaliterarylady。Shewasholdingitoverthefire，andhadalreadymadethevellumcoverscurlwideopenliketheshellsofanafflictedoyster。
WhenIaskedwhatthevolumewas，sheexplainedthat"Itisabookwhichapoormanhaswritten，andhe'shaditprintedtoseewhethersomeonewon'tbekindenoughtopublishit。"Iventured，perhapspedantically，topointoutthatthepoormancouldnotbesoverypoor，orhewouldnothavemadesocostlyanexperimentonDutchpaper。Buttheladysaidshedidnotknowhowthatmightbe，andshewentontoastingtheexperiment。Inallthisthereisafinecontemptforeverythingbutthespiritualaspectofliterature；
thereisanaversiontothemerecoquetryanddisplayofmoroccoandredletters，andthetoyswhichamusethemindsofmen。Whereladieshavecaught"theBibliomania，"Ifancytheyhavetakenthisprettyfeverfromtheothersex。Butitmustbeownedthatthebookstheyhavepossessed，beingrarerandmoreromantic，areevenmorehighlyprizedbyamateursthanexamplesfromthelibrariesofGrolier，andLongepierre，andD'Hoym。M。Bauchart'sbookisacompleteguidetothecollectoroftheseexpensiverelics。HebeginshisdreamoffairwomenwhohaveownedbookswiththepearloftheValois，Marguerited'Angouleme，thesisterofFrancisI。Theremainsofherlibraryarechieflydevotionalmanuscripts。Indeed，itistobenotedthatalltheseladies，howeverfrivolous，possessedthemostdevoutandpiousbooks，andwholecollectionsofprayerscopiedoutbythepen，anddecoratedwithminiatures。
Marguerite'slibrarywasboundinmorocco，stampedwithacrownedM
ininterlacssownwithdaisies，or，atleast，withconventionalflowerswhichmayhavebeenmeantfordaisies。Ifonecouldchoose，perhapsthemostdesirableofthespecimensextantis'LePremierLivreduPrincedesPoetes，Homere，'inSalel'stranslation。ForthistranslationRonsardwritesaprologue，addressedtothemanesofSalel，inwhichhecomplainsthatheisridiculedforhispoetry。
HedrawsacharacteristicpictureofHomerandSalelinElysium，amongthelearnedlovers：
quiparmilesfleursdevisentAugirondeleurdame。
Marguerite'smanuscriptcopyoftheFirstBookoftheIliadisasmallquarto，adornedwithdaisies，fleursde-lis，andthecrownedM。ItisintheDucd'Aumale'scollectionatChantilly。ThebooksofDianedePoitiersaremorenumerousandmorefamous。Whenfirstawidowshestampedhervolumeswithalaurelspringingfromatomb，andthemotto，"Solavivitinillo。"ButwhensheconsoledherselfwithHenriII。shesuppressedthetomb，andmadethemottomeaningless。Hercrescentshonenotonlyonherbooks，butonthepalacewallsofFrance，intheLouvre，Fontainebleau，andAnet，andherinitialD。isinextricablyinterlacedwiththeH。ofherroyallover。Indeed，HenriaddedtheDtohisowncypher，andthismusthavebeensoembarrassingforhiswifeCatherine，thatpeoplehavegood-naturedlytriedtoreadthecurvesoftheD'sasC's。TheD's，andthecrescents，andthebowsofhisDianaareimpressedevenonthecoversofHenri'sBookofHours。Catherine'sowncypherisadoubleCenlacedwithanH，ordoubleK's（Katherine）combinedinthesamemanner。These，unliketheD。H。，aresurmountedwithacrown——theoneadvantagewhichthewifepossessedoverthefavourite。AmongDiane'sbooksarevarioustreatisesonmedicinesandonsurgery，andplentyofpoetryandItaliannovels。AmongthebooksexhibitedattheBritishMuseuminglasscasesisDiane'scopyofBembo's'HistoryofVenice。'AnAmericancollector，Mr。Barlow，ofNewYork，ishappyenoughtopossessher'SingularitezdelaFranceAntarctique'（Antwerp，1558）。
CatherinedeMedicisgotsplendidbooksonthesametermsasforeignpiratesprocureEnglishnovels——shestolethem。TheMarshalStrozzi，dyingintheFrenchservice，leftanoblecollection，onwhichCatherinelaidherhands。BrantomesaysthatStrozzi'ssonoftenexpressedtohimacandidopinionaboutthistransaction。
WhatwithherowncollectionandwhatwiththeMarshal's，Catherinepossessedaboutfourthousandvolumes。Onherdeaththeywereinperilofbeingseizedbyhercreditors，butheralmonercarriedthemtohisownhouse，andDeThouhadthemplacedintheroyallibrary。
UnluckilyitwasthoughtwisertostripthebooksofthecoatswithCatherine'scompromisingdevice，lesthercreditorsshouldsinglethemout，andtakethemawayintheirpockets。Hence，bookswithherarmsandcypherareexceedinglyrare。AtthesaleofthecollectionsoftheDuchessedeBerry，aBookofHoursofCatherine'swassoldfor2，400pounds。
MaryStuartofScotlandwasoneoftheladybook-loverswhosetastewasmorethanamerefollowingofthefashion。Someofherbooks，likeoneofMarieAntoinette's，werethecompanionsofhercaptivity，andstillbearthesadcomplaintswhichsheentrustedtotheselastfriendsoffallenroyalty。Hernote-book，inwhichshewroteherLatinproseexerciseswhenagirl，stillsurvives，boundinredmorocco，withthearmsofFrance。InaBookofHours，nowthepropertyoftheCzar，maybepartlydecipheredthequatrainswhichshecomposedinhersorrowfulyears，butmanyofthemaremutilatedbythebinder'sshears。TheQueenusedthevolumeasakindofalbum：itcontainsthesignaturesofthe"CountessofSchrewsbury"（asM。Baucharthasit），ofWalsingham，oftheEarlofSussex，andofCharlesHoward，EarlofNottingham。Thereisalsothesignature，"Yourmostinfortunat，ARBELLASEYMOUR；"and"Fr。
Bacon。"
ThisremarkablemanuscriptwaspurchasedinParis，duringtheRevolution，byPeterDubrowsky，whocarriedittoRussia。AnotherBookofHoursoftheQueen'sbearsthisinscription，inasixteenth-
centuryhand："CesontlesHeuresdeMarieSetuartRenne。
MargueritedeBlacuoddeRosay。"InDeBlacuoditisnotveryeasytorecognise"Blackwood。"MargueritewasprobablythedaughterofAdamBlackwood，whowroteavolumeonMaryStuart'ssufferings（Edinburgh，1587）。
ThefamousMargueritedeValois，thewifeofHenriIV。，hadcertainlyanoblelibrary，andmanybeautifullyboundbooksstampedwithdaisiesareattributedtohercollections。Theybearthemotto，"Expectatanoneludet，"whichappearstorefer，firsttothedaisy（"Margarita"），whichispunctualinthespring，orratheris"theconstellatedflowerthatneversets，"andnext，tothelady，whowill"keeptryst。"ButistheladyMargueritedeValois？
ThoughthebookshavebeensoldatveryhighpricesasrelicsofthelemanofLaMole，itseemsimpossibletodemonstratethattheywereeveronhershelves，thattheywereboundbyClovisEvefromherowndesign。"Nomentionismadeoftheminanycontemporarydocument，andthejudiciousarereducedtoconjectures。"Yettheyformamostimportantcollection，systematicallybound，scienceandphilosophyincitronmorocco，thepoetsingreen，andhistoryandtheologyinred。Inanycaseitisabsurdtoexplain"Expectatanoneludet"asareferencetothelilyoftheroyalarms，whichappearsonthecentreofthedaisy-piedvolumes。Themotto，inthatcase，wouldrun，"Expectata（lilia）noneludent。"Asitstands，thefeminineadjective，"expectata，"inthesingular，mustapplyeithertotheladywhoownedthevolumes，ortothe"Margarita，"heremblem，ortoboth。YettheungrammaticalrenderingisthatwhichM。Bauchartsuggests。Manyofthebooks，Marguerite'sornot，weresoldatpricesover100poundsinLondon，in1884and1883。TheMacrobius，andTheocritus，andHomerareintheCracherodecollectionattheBritishMuseum。ThedaisycrownedRonsardwentfor430poundsattheBeckfordsale。Thesepriceswillprobablyneverbereachedagain。
IfAnneofAustria，themotherofLouisXIV。，wasabibliophile，shemaybesuspectedofactingonthemotive，"Loveme，lovemybooks。"
AboutheraffectionforCardinalMazarinthereseemstobenodoubt：
theCardinalhadafamouslibrary，andhisroyalfriendprobablyimitatedhistastes。Inhertime，andonhervolumes，theoriginalityandtasteoftheskilledbinder，LeGascon，begintodeclarethemselves。Thefashionablepassionforlace，towhichLaFontainemadesuchsacrifices，affectedtheartofbookdecorations，andLeGascon'sbeautifulpatternsofgoldpointsanddotsarecopiesoftheproductionsofVenice。TheQueen-Mother'sbooksincludemanydevotionaltreatises，for，whateverotherfashionsmightcomeandgo，pietywasalwaysconstantbeforetheRevolution。
AnneofAustriaseemstohavebeenparticularlyfondofthelivesandworksofSaintTheresa，andSaintFrancoisdeSales，andJohnoftheCross。ButshewasnotunreadintheoldFrenchpoets，suchasCoquillart；shecondescendedtoAriosto；shehadthatdubiouscharacter，TheophiledeViaud，beautifullybound；sheownedtheRabelaisof1553；and，whatisparticularlyinteresting，M。deLignerollespossesseshercopyof'L'EscholedesFemmes，ComedieparJ。B。P。Moliere。Paris：GuillaumedeLuynes，1663。'In12
[degreesign]，redmorocco，giltedges，andtheQueen'sarmsonthecovers。Thisrelicisespeciallyvaluablewhenwerememberthat'L'EcoledesFemmes'andArnolphe'ssermontoAgnes，andhiscomicthreatsoffuturepunishmentfirstmadeenvytaketheformofreligiouspersecution。ThedevoutQueen-MotherwasoftenappealedtobytheenemiesofMoliere，yetAnneofAustriahadnotonlyseenhiscomedy，butpossessedthisbeautifulexampleofthefirstedition。M。PaulLacroixsupposesthatthiscopywasofferedtotheQueen-MotherbyMolierehimself。Thefrontispiece（ArnolphepreachingtoAgnes）isthoughttobeaportraitofMoliere，butinthereproductioninM。LouisLacour'seditionitisnoteasytoseeanyresemblance。ApparentlyAnnedidnotsharetheviews，eveninherlateryears，oftheconvertedPrincedeConty，forseveralcomediesandnovelsremainstampedwithherarmsanddevice。
ThelearnedMarquisedeRambouillet，theparentofallthe'Precieuses，'musthaveownedagoodlibrary，butnothingischronicledsavehercelebratedbookofprayersandmeditations，writtenoutanddecoratedbyJarry。Itisboundinredmorocco，doublewithgreen，andcoveredwithV'singold。TheMarquisecomposedtheprayersforherownuse，andJarrywassomuchstruckwiththeirbeautythatheaskedleavetointroducethemintotheBookofHourswhichhehadtocopy，"fortheprayersareoftensosilly，"saidhe，"thatIamashamedtowritethemout。"
HereisanexampleofthedevotionswhichJarryadmired，aprayertoSaintLouis。Itwaspublishedin'MiscellaniesBibliographiques'byM。ProsperBlanchemain。
PRIEREASAINT-LOUIS，ROYDEFRANCE。
GrandRoy，bienquevotrecouronneaytestedesplusesclatantesdelaTerre，cellequevousportezdanslecielestincomparablementplusprecieuse。L'uneestoitperissablel'autreestimmortelleetceslysdontlablancheursepouvoitternir，sontmaintenantincorruptibles。Vostreobeissanceenversvostremere；vostrejusticeenversvossujets；etvosguerrescontrelesinfideles，vousontacquislavenerationdetouslespeuples；etlaFrancedoitavostravauxetavostrepietel'inestimabletresordelasanglanteetglorieusecouronneduSauveurdumonde。Priez-leincomparableSaintqu'ildonneunepaixperpetuelleauRoyaumedontvousavezportelesceptre；qu'illepreserved'heresie；qu'ilyfacetoujoursregnersaintementvostreillustreSang；etquetousceuxquiontl'honneurd'endescendresoientpourjamaisfidelesasonEglise。
ThedaughteroftheMarquise，thefairJulie，heroineofthat"longcourting"byM。deMontausier，survivesinthoserecordsasthepossessorof'LaGuirlandedeJulie，'themanuscriptbookofpoemsbyeminenthands。ButthismanuscriptseemstohavebeenallthelibraryofJulie；thereinshecouldconstantlyreadofherownperfections。Tobesureshehadalso'L'HistoiredeGustaveAdolphe，'aheroforwhom，likeMajorDugaldDalgetty，shecherishedasupremedevotion。Inthe'Guirlande'Chapelain'sversesturnonthepleasingfancythattheProtestantLionoftheNorth，changedintoaflower（likePaulLimayracinM。Banville'sode），requestsJulietotakepityonhisalteredestate：
Soispitoyableamalangueur；
Etsijen'ayplaceentoncoeurQuejel'ayeaumoinssurtateste。
Theseverseswerereckonedconsummate。
The'Guirlande'isstill，withhappierfatethanattendsmostbooks，inthehandsofthesuccessorsoftheDucandDuchessedeMontausier。
LikeJulie，MadamedeMaintenonwasaprecieuse，butsheneverhadtimetoformaregularlibrary。Herbooks，however，wereboundbyDuseuil，abinderimmortalintheverseofPope；oritmightbemorecorrecttosaythatMadamedeMaintenon'sownbooksareseldomdistinguishablefromthoseofherfavouritefoundation，St。Cyr。
Themostinterestingisacopyofthefirsteditionof'Esther，'inquarto（1689），boundinredmorocco，andbearing，inRacine'shand，'AMadamelaMarquisedeMaintenon，offertavecrespect，——RACINE。"
DoubtlessRacinehadthebookboundbeforehepresentedit。"Peoplearediscontented，"writeshissonLouis，"ifyouofferthemabookinasimplemarbledpapercover。"Icouldwishthatthisworthycustomwererestored，forthesakeoftheartofbinding，andalsobecauseamateurpoetswouldbemorecharyoftheirpresentationcopies。Itis，nodoubt，wisetoturnthesegiftswiththeirsidesagainsttheinnerwallsofbookcases，tobebulwarksagainstthedamp，butthetroubleofacknowledgingworthlesspresentsfromstrangersisconsiderable。{20}
AnotherinterestingexampleofMadamedeMaintenon'scollectionsisDacier's'RemarquesCritiquessurlesOEuvresd'Horace，'bearingthearmsofLouisXIV。，butwithhiswife'ssignatureonthefly-leaf（1681）。
OfMadamedeMontespan，oustedfromtheroyalfavourbyMadamedeMaintenon，who"marriedintothefamilywhereshehadbeengoverness，"theresurvivesonebookishrelicofinterest。Thisis'OEuvresDiversesparunauteurdeseptans，'inquarto，redmorocco，printedonvellum，andwiththearmsofthemotherofthelittleDucduMaine（1678）。WhenMadamedeMaintenonwasstillplayingmothertothechildrenofthekingandofMadamedeMontespan，sheprintedthose"works"ofhereldestpupil。
Theseladieswereonlybibliophilesbyaccident，andweredevoted，inthefirstplace，topleasure，piety，orambition。WiththeComtessedeVerrue，whoseepitaphwillbefoundonanearlierpage，wecometoagenuineandevenfanaticalcollector。MadamedeVerrue（1670-1736）goteverykindofdiversionoutoflife，andwhensheceasedtobeyoungandfair，sheturnedtothejoysof"shopping。"
Inearlyyears，"pleinedecoeur，elleledonnasanscomptes。"Inlaterlife，shepurchased，orobtainedoncredit，everythingthatcaughtherfancy，alsosanscomptes。"Myaunt，"saystheDucdeLuynes，"wasalwaysbuying，andneverbaulkedherfancy。"Pictures，books，coins，jewels，engravings，gems（over8，000），tapestries，andfurniturewereallalikeprecioustoMadamedeVerrue。Hersnuff-
boxesdefiedcomputation；shehadthemingold，intortoise-shell，inporcelain，inlacquer，andinjasper，andsheenjoyedthedelicatefragranceofsixtydifferentsortsofsnuff。Withoutapplaudingthesmokingofcigarettesindrawing-rooms，wemayadmitthatitislessrepulsivethansteadyapplicationstotobaccoinMadamedeVerrue'sfavouritemanner。
TheCountesshadanoblelibrary，foroldtastessurvivedinhercommodiousheart，andnewtastessheanticipated。Shepossessed'TheRomanceoftheRose，'and'Villon，'ineditionsofGalliotduPre（1529-1533）undeterredbythesatireofBoileau。Shehadexamplesofthe'Pleiade，'thoughtheywerenotagainadmiredinFrancetill1830。Shewasalsointhemostmodernfashionofto-
day，forshehadthebeautifulquartoofLaFontaine's'Contes，'andBouchier'sillustratedMoliere（largepaper）。And，whatIenvyhermore，shehadPerrault's'FairyTales，'inbluemorocco——theblueroseofthefolkloristwhoisalsoabook-hunter。ItmustalsobeconfessedthatMadamedeVerruehadalargenumberofbookssuchasareusuallykeptunderlockandkey，bookswhichherheirsdidnotcaretoexposeatthesaleofherlibrary。OnceImyself（moichetif）ownedanovelinbluemorocco，whichhadbeeninthecollectionofMadamedeVerrue。Inheroldagethisexemplarywomaninventedapeculiarlycomfortablearm-chair，which，likehernovels，wascoveredwithcitronandvioletmorocco；thenailswereofsilver。IfMadamedeVerruehasmettheBaronessBernstein，theirconversationintheElysianFieldsmustbeofthemostgallantandinterestingdescription。
Anotherliteraryladyofpleasure，MadamedePompadour，canonlybespokenofwithmodifiedapproval。Hergreatfaultwasthatshedidnotcheckthedecadenceoftasteandsenseintheartofbookbinding。Inhertimecameinthehabitofbindingbooks（ifbindingitcanbecalled）withflatbacks，withoutthenervesandsinewsthatareoftheveryessenceofbook-covers。Withoutthesenobindingcanbepermanent，nonecansecurethelastingexistenceofavolume。ItisverydeeplytobedeploredthatbyfarthemostaccomplishedlivingEnglishartistinbookbindinghasrevertedtothisoldandmostdangerousheresy。Themostoriginalandgracefultoolingisofmuchlessrealvaluethanpermanence，andabookboundwithaflatback，withoutnerfs，mightpracticallyaswellnotbeboundatall。ThepracticewastheheraldoftheFrenchandmayopenthewayfortheEnglishRevolution。OfwhatavailweretheingeniousmosaicsofDerometostemthetideofchange，whenthebookswhosesidestheyadornedwerenotreallyBOUNDatall？MadamedePompadour'sbookswereofallsorts，fromtheinevitableworksofdevotionstodevotionsofanothersort，andthe'Hours'ofErycinaRidens。Oneofhertreasureshadsingularfortunes，acopyof'DaphnisandChloe，'withtheRegent'sillustrations，andthoseofCochinandEisen（Paris，quarto，1757，redmorocco）。Thecoversareadornedwithbillingandcooingdoves，withthearrowsofEros，withburninghearts，andsheepandshepherds。Eighteenyearsagothisvolumewasboughtfor10francsinavillageinHungary。A
booksellergave8poundsforitinParis。M。Bauchartpaidforit150pounds；andasithaslefthisshelves，probablyhetoomadenobadbargain。MadamedePompadour's'ApologyforHerodotus'（LaHaye，1735）hasalsoitslegend。ItbelongedtoM。Paillet，whocovetedaglorifiedcopyofthe'PastissierFrancois，'inM。
Bauchart'scollection。MPailletswoppedit，withanumberofothers，forthe'Pastissier：'
J'avais'L'ApologiePourHerodote，'enreliureancienne，amourDelivreprovenantdechezlaPompadourIlmelesoutira！{21}
OfMarieAntoinette，withwhomourladybook-loversoftheoldregimemustclose，theresurvivemanybooks。ShehadalibraryintheTuileries，aswellasatlepetitTrianon。Ofallhergreatandvariedcollections，noneisnowsovaluedasherlittlebookofprayers，whichwasherconsolationintheworstofallherevildays，intheTempleandtheConciergerie。Thebookis'OfficedelaDivineProvidence'（Paris，1757，greenmorocco）。Onthefly-leaftheQueenwrote，somehoursbeforeherdeath，thesetouchinglines：
"Ce16Octobre，a4h。0。5dumatin。MonDieu！ayezpitiedemoi！
Mesyeuxn'ontplusdelarmespourprierpourvous，mespauvresenfants。Adieu，adieu！——MARIEANTOINETTE。"
Therecanbenosadderrelicofagreatersorrow，andthelastconsolationoftheQueendidnotescapetheFrenchpopulargeniusforcrueltyandinsult。Thearmsonthecoversoftheprayer-bookhavebeencutoutbysomefanaticofEqualityandFraternity。
Footnotes：
{1}Seeillustrations，pp。114，115。——InthisProjectGutenbergeTextnoneoftheillustrationsareincluded。However，thereferencestothemareincluded。——DP
{2}"Slate"isaprofessionaltermforaseverecriticism。Clearlythewordisoriginally"slat，"anarrowboardofwood，withwhichapersonmightbebeaten。
{3}HistoiredesIntriguesAmoureusesdeMoliere，etdecellesdesafemme。（AlaSphere。）AFrancfort，chezFredericArnaud，MDCXCVII。ThisanonymoustracthasactuallybeenattributedtoRacine。ThecopyreferredtoismarkedwithalargeNinred，withaneagle'shead。
{4}TheLadyoftheLake，1810。
TheLayoftheLastMinstrel，1806。
"ToMrs。RobertLaidlaw，Peel。FromtheAuthor。"
{5}DictysCretensis。ApudLambertumRoulland。Lut。Paris。，1680。Inredmorocco，withthearmsofColbert。
{6}L。AnnaeiSenecaeOperaOmnia。Lug。Bat。，apudElzevirios。
1649。Withbook-plateoftheDukeofSussex。
{7}StratonisEpigrammata。Altenburgi，1764。StratonboundupinonevolumewithEpictetus！FromtheBeckfordlibrary。
{8}OperaHeliiEobaniHessi。Yellowmorocco，withthefirstarmsofDeThou。Includesapoemaddressed"LANGE，decusmeum。"
Quantityofpenultimate"Eobanus"takenforgranted，metrigratia。
{9}LaJourneeduChretien。Coutances，1831。Withinscription，"LeonGambetta。RueSt。Honore。Janvier1，1848。"
{10}Villoison'sHomer。Venice，1788。WithTessier'sticketandSchlegel'sbook-plate。
{11}LesEssaisdeMichel，SeigneurdeMontaigne。"PourFrancoisleFebvredeLyon，1695。"WithautographofGul。Drummond，andcipressoepalma。
{12}"ThelittleoldfoxedMoliere，"oncethepropertyofWilliamPott，unknowntofame。
{13}Thatthereeverweresucheditorsismuchdisputed。ThestorymaybeafictionoftheageofthePtolemies。
{14}Or，moreeasily，inMaury'sReligionsdelaGrece。
{15}SeeEssayon'LadyBook-Lovers。'
{16}SeeEssayon'LadyBook-Lovers。'
{17}ForaspecimenofMadamePompadour'sbindingseeoverleaf。
ShehadanotherRabelaisincalf，latelytobeseeninashopinPallMall。
{18}Mr。Paynedoesnotgivethedateoftheeditionfromwhichhecopiesthecut。Apparentlyitisofthefifteenthcentury。
{19}ReproducedinTheLibrary，p。94。
{20}Countrypapers，pleasecopy。Poetsatadistancewillkindlyacceptthisintimation。
{21}Bibliothequed'unBibliophile。Lille，1885。