s wonted ardour?!
You cannot conceive how such a scene affects me: even to shedding
tears of pleasure--from the reflections to which it gives rise.

BELIN. How strangely and how cruelly has the character of a
bibliographer been aspersed! Last night you convinced me of the ardour
of your enthusiasm, and of the eloquence of your expression, in regard
to your favourite subject of discussion!--but, this morning, I find
that you can talk in an equally impassioned manner respecting garden
and woodland scenery?

LYSAND. Yes, Madam: and if I possessed such a domain as does your
brother, I think I could even improve it a little--especially the
interior of the Alcove! I don't know that I could attach to the house
a more appropriate library than he has done; even if I adopted the
octagonal form of the _Hafod Library_;[426] which, considered with
reference to its local situation, is, I think, almost unequalled:--but
it strikes me that the interior of this Alcove might be somewhat
improved.

[Footnote 426: Hafod, in Cardiganshire, South Wales, is the
residence of THOMAS JOHNES, Esq., M.P., and Lord Lieutenant
of the county. Mr. Malkin, in his _Scenery, Antiquities, and
Biography, of South Wales_, 1804, 4to., and Dr. Smith, in
his _Tour to Hafod_, 1810, folio, have made us pretty well
acquainted with the local scenery of Hafod:--yet can any pen
or pencil do this

--Paradise, open'd in the wild,

perfect justice! I have seen Mr. Stothard's numerous little
sketches of the pleasure-grounds and surrounding country,
which are at once faithful and picturesque. But what were
this "Paridise" of rocks, waterfalls, streams, woods,
copses, dells, grottos, and mountains, without the
hospitable spirit of the owner--which seems to preside in,
and to animate, every summer-house and alcove. The
book-loving world is well acquainted with the _Chronicles of
Froissart_, _Joinville_, _De Brocquiere_, and _Monstrelet_,
which have issued from the HAFOD PRESS; and have long
deplored the loss, from fire, which their author, Mr.
Johnes, experienced in the demolition of the greater part of
his house and library. The former has been rebuilt, and the
latter replenished: yet no Phoenix spirit can revivify the
ashes of those volumes which contained the romances notified
by the renowned Don Quixote! But I am rambling too wildly