e, yet, upon the whole,
there has been a great deal more of novelty, and, in this novelty, of
solid instruction. Sincerely, therefore Lysander, I here offer you my
heart-felt thanks.

LYSAND. I receive them as cordially: from an assurance that my
digressions have been overlooked; or, if noticed, forgiven. It would
be gross vanity, and grosser falsehood, to affirm that the discourse
of this day, on my part, has given anything like a full and explicit
history of all the most eminent book-collectors and patrons of
Learning which have reflected such lustre upon the literary annals of
our country:--No, Lorenzo: a complete account, or a perfect
description, of these illustrious characters would engage a
conversation, not for one day--but one week. Yet I have made the most
of the transient hour, and, by my enthusiasm, have perhaps atoned for
my deficiency of information.

LIS. But cannot you resume this conversation on the morrow?

LYSAND. My stay with our friend is short, and I know not how he means
to dispose of me to-morrow. But I have done--certainly done--with
_Personal History_!

LOREN. That may be. Yet there are other departments of the Bibliomania
which may be successfully discussed. The weather will probably be
fine, and let us enjoy a morning _conversazione_ in THE ALCOVE?

BELIN. Surely, Lysander may find something in the fruitful
pigeon-holes of his imagination--as the Abbe Sieyes used to do--from
which he may draw forth some system or other?

ALMAN. You have all talked loudly and learnedly of the BOOK-DISEASE;
but I wish to know whether a _mere collector_ of books be a
bibliomaniac?

LYSAND. Certainly not. There are SYMPTOMS of this disease _within the
very books themselves_ of a bibliomaniac.

ALMAN. And pray what are these?

LYSAND. Alas, madam!--why are you so unreasonable? And how, after
knowing that I have harrangued for more than 'seven hours by
Westminster clock'--how can you have the conscience to call upon me to
protract the oration? The night has already melted into morning; and I
suppose grey twilight is discoverable upon the summit of the hills. I
am exhausted; and long for repose. Indeed, I must wish you all a good
night.

BELIN. But you promise to commence your _symptomatic_ harangue on the
morrow?

LYSAND. If my slumbers are sound, lady fair, and I rise tolerably
recruited in strength, I will surely make good my promise. Again, good
night!

BELIN. Sir, a very good night: and let ou