s, they furnish one side of a shop, which serves for the
sign of a bookseller, rather than a real one; but, instead
of selling, dealing as factors, and procure what the country
divines and gentry send for; of whom each hath his book
factor, and, when wanting any thing, writes to his
bookseller, and pays his bill. And it is wretched to
consider what pickpocket work, with help of the press, these
demi-booksellers make. They crack their brains to find out
selling subjects, and keep hirelings in garrets, at hard
meat, to write and correct by the great (qu. groat); and so
puff up an octavo to a sufficient thickness, and there's six
shillings current for an hour and a half's reading, and
perhaps never to be read or looked upon after. One that
would go higher must take his fortune at blank walls, and
corners of streets, or repair to the sign of Bateman, Innys,
and one or two more, where are best choice and better
pennyworth's. I might touch other abuses, as bad paper,
incorrect printing, and false advertising; all which, and
worse, is to be expected, if a careful author is not at the
heels of them." Life of the Hon. and Rev. Dr. John North.
_North's Lives_, edit. 1744, 4to., p. 240, &c. At page 244,
there is a curious account of the doctor's amusing himself
with keeping spiders in a glass case--feeding them with
bread and flies--and seeing these spiders afterwards quarrel
with, and destroy, each other--"parents and offspring!"]

LIS. "_De gustibus_--" you know the rest. But these Norths were brave
bibliomaniacs! Proceed, we are now advancing towards the threshold of
the eighteenth century; and the nearer you come to it, the greater is
the interest excited.

LYSAND. Take care that I don't conclude with the memorable
catalogue-burning deed of your father! But I spare your present
feelings.

All hail to the noble book-spirit by which the _Lives of
Oxford-Athenians_, and the _Antiquities of Oxford University_, are
recorded and preserved beyond the power of decay![361] All hail to
thee, OLD ANTHONY A-WOOD! May the remembrance of thy researches,
amidst thy paper and parchment documents, stored up in chests, pews,
and desks, and upon which, alas! the moth was "feeding sweetly," may
the remembrance of these thy laborious researches always excite
sensations of gratitude towards the spirit by which they were
dire