Bibliomania. 99 



elegant in itself. Byron's " Childe Harold," Walton's "Complete 

 Angler," Grimm's " Life of Michael Angelo," are examples of proper 

 subjects of illustration. But common and prosaic books, like histories, 

 should not be adopted. 



What I have said in regard to books proper for illustration is .ap- 

 plicable to those which it is desirable to have in large paper. Only 

 books intrinsically valuable for their artistic execution, or somewhat 



form. To such the elegance of wide margins is a proper belonging. 

 The "slender rivulet of text, running between the wide meadows of 

 margin" is peculiarly grateful to the Bibliomaniac's senses. But the 

 issuing of common histories, speeches, biographies, and the like, on 

 large paper is ridiculous. A volume in large paper stands in the same 

 relation to the rest of the edition that a proof engraving occupies 

 toward the prints ; it should be the earliest impression, struck off 

 before the type and plates are worn. Otherwise it has no value and 

 issuing it is a mere trick of the trade. The most elegant books ever 

 issued in this country in large paper, to my recollection, are the Boston 

 editions of Walton's Angler and Ticknor's Life of Prescott. Such 

 issues are peculiarly fit for illustrations, as they accommodate prints 

 of all sizes better than the small paper copies. 



Is there any use in this hobby? — it maybe asked. In answer I 

 may say, it keeps one out of mischief and cultivates the taste. More- 

 over it gives an exact knowledge of the book itself, and unconsciously 

 teaches a great deal of biography, history, art, mythology, and the 

 like. I do not know why one is not as well justified in thus adorning 

 hia books as in adorning his house or his stables. 



