Little recked he how many rats and mice made their nests there;
he was bound to account some day for every single volume,
and he saw no way so safe as rigid imprisonment.
The late Sir Thomas Phillipps, of Middle Hill, was a remarkable instance
of a bibliotaph. He bought bibliographical treasures simply to bury them.
His mansion was crammed with books; he purchased whole libraries,
and never even saw what he had bought. Among some of his purchases
was the first book printed in the English language, "The Recuyell
of the Histories of Troye," translated and printed by William Caxton,
for the Duchess of Burgundy, sister to our Edward IV. It is true,
though almost incredible, that Sir Thomas could never find this volume,
although it is doubtless still in the collection, and no wonder,
when cases of books bought twenty years before his death were never opened,
and the only knowledge of their contents which he possessed was
the Sale Catalogue or the bookseller's invoice.
CHAPTER X.
SERVANTS AND CHILDREN.
READER! are you married? Have you offspring, boys especially
I mean, say between six and twelve years of age? Have you also
a literary workshop, supplied with choice tools, some for use,
some for ornament, where you pass pleasant hours? and is--
ah! there's the rub!--is there a special hand-maid, whose
special duty it is to keep your den daily dusted and in order?
Plead you guilty to these indictments? then am I sure of
a sympathetic co-sufferer.
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