_dwarfise_ a volume is a
'grievous fault' on the part of any binder; but more
particularly is it an unpardonable one on the part of him
who has had a long intercourse with professed bibliomaniacs!
To a person who knows anything of typographical arrangement,
the distinction between _tall_ and _large paper_ copies is
sufficiently obvious. For this reason, I am quite decided
that the supposed large paper copy of _Scapula's Lexicon_,
possessed by Mr. ----, of Caversham, near Reading, is only a
_tall_ copy of the work, as usually printed: nor is this
copy more stately than another which I have seen. The owner
of the volume will suppress all feelings which he may
entertain against my heretical opinions (as I fear he will
call them), when he considers that he may dispose of his
Scapula for a sum three times beyond what he gave for it.
Let him put it by the side of his neighbour Dr. Valpy's
numerous large paper copies of the old folio classics, and
he will in a moment be convinced of the accuracy of the
foregoing remark. FINE PAPER copies of a work should be here
noticed; as they are sought after with avidity. The most
beautiful work of this kind which I ever saw, was _Rapin's
History of England, in nine folio volumes, bound in red
morocco, and illustrated with Houbraken's_ Heads; which Sir
M.M. Sykes recently purchased of Mr. Evans, the
bookseller,--for a comparatively moderate sum. A similar
copy (exclusively of the illustrations) of Rapin's History
of England, which was once in the library of the Royal
Institution, was burnt in the fire that destroyed
Covent-Garden Theatre; it having been sent to Mr. Mackinlay,
the book-binder, who lived near the Theatre.]

LYSAND. I have little to add to what has been already said of this
symptom. That a volume, so published, has a more pleasing aspect,
cannot be denied. It is the oak, in its full growth, compared with
the same tree in its sapling state: or, if you please, it is the same
picture a little more brilliant in its colouring, and put into a
handsomer frame. My friend MARCUS is a very dragon in this department
of book-collecting: nothing being too formidable for his attack. Let
the volume assume what shape it may, and let the price be ever so
unconscionable--he hesitates not to become a purchaser. In
consequence, exclusively of all the