' So that saint was summoned, and at sight of the friars and
their burden demanded who they were, and why they had brought so many
books with them. `We are Minorites,' they humbly replied, `and we have
brought these few books with us as a solatium in the new Jerusalem.'
`And you, when on earth, practised the good they teach?' sternly
demanded the saint, who read their characters at a glance. Their
faltering reply was sufficient, and the blessed saint at once passed
judgment as follows:--`Insomuch as, seduced by a foolish vanity, and
against your vows of poverty, you have amassed this multitude of books
and thereby and therefor have neglected the duties and broken the rules
of your Order, you are now sentenced to read your books for ever and ever
in the fires of Hell.' Immediately, a roaring noise filled the air, and
a flaming chasm opened in which friars, and asses and books were suddenly
engulphed."
CHAPTER IV.
DUST AND NEGLECT.
DUST upon Books to any extent points to neglect, and neglect
means more or less slow Decay.
A well-gilt top to a book is a great preventive against damage by dust,
while to leave books with rough tops and unprotected is sure to produce
stains and dirty margins.
In olden times, when few persons had private collections of books,
the collegiate and corporate libraries were of great use to students.
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