_Dugdales_ and _Montfaucons_, upon
large paper, and in the finest bindings, he possesses the _Grand Folio
Classics_, the _Benedictine Editions of the Fathers_, the _County
Histories_, and all works, of a recent date, upon _History_ and the
_Belles Lettres_. In short, nothing can be more magnificent than the
interior of his library; as nothing but giants, arrayed in the most
splendid attire, are seen to keep guard from one extremity of the room
to the other.

LIS. Who is this Marcus? I'll rival him in due time!--But proceed.

BELIN. Thus much, I presume, for the first symptom of the Bibliomania.
Now pray, Sir, inform us what is meant by that strange term, UNCUT
COPIES?

LYSAND. Of all the symptoms of the Bibliomania, this is probably the
most extraordinary.[431] It may be defined a passion to possess books
of which the edges have never been sheared by the binder's tools. And
here I find myself walking upon doubtful ground:--your friend [turning
towards me] Atticus's _uncut Hearnes_ rise up in "rough majesty"
before me, and almost "push me from my stool." Indeed, when I look
around in your book-lined tub, I cannot but acknowledge that this
symptom of the disorder has reached your own threshold; but when it is
known that a few of your bibliographical books are left with the edges
uncut _merely to please your friends_ (as one must sometimes study
their tastes as well as one's own), I trust that no very serious
conclusions will be drawn about the fatality of your own case.

[Footnote 431: As before, let us borrow the strains of 'An
Aspirant:'

SECOND MAXIM.

Who, with fantastic pruning-hook,
Dresses the borders of his book,
Merely to ornament its look--
Amongst philosophers a fop is:
What if, perchance, he thence discover
Facilities in turning over?
The Virtuoso is a Lover
Of coyer charms in "UNCUT COPIES."

_Bibliosophia_; p. v.

I have very little to add in illustration of Lysander's
well-pointed sarcasms relating to this _second symptom of_
BOOK-MADNESS. I think I once heard of an uncut _Cranmer's
Bible_; but have actually seen a similar conditioned copy of
_Purchas's Pilgrimes and Pilgrimage_, which is now in the
beautiful library of the Honourable T. Grenville.]

As to uncut copies, although their inconvenience [an uncut Lexicon to
wit!] and deformity must be ack