n; and, after a
pleasant stroll, we retreated again to THE ALCOVE, where we found a
cold collation prepared for our reception. The same day we all dined
at Lisardo's; and a discussion upon the pleasures and comparative
excellences of _Music_ and _Painting_ succeeded to the conversation
which the foregoing pages have detailed. A small concert in the
evening recreated the exhausted state of Lysander's mimd
[Transcriber's Note: mind].

The next day, my friends left me for their respective places of
destination. Lorenzo and his sisters were gathered round my outer
gate; and Lisardo leapt into the chaise with Lysander and Philemon;
resolved to equal, if not eclipse, his bibliographical tutor in the
ardour of book researches. "Adieu," said Lysander, putting his hand
out of the chaise--"remember, in defence of my bibliomaniacal
gossipping, that SIMILIS never knew happiness _till he became
acquainted with_ BOOKS."[471] The postillion smacked his whip; and the
chaise, following the direction of the road to the left, quickly
disappeared. The servant of Lysander followed gently after, with his
Master's and Philemon's horses: taking a near direction towards
Lysander's home.

[Footnote 471: 'It is reported that a certain man, of the
name of SIMILIS, who fought under the Emperor Hadrian,
became so wearied and disgusted with the number of
troublesome events which he met with in that mode of life,
that he retired and devoted himself wholly to leisure and
_reading_, and to meditations upon divine and human affairs,
after the manner of Pythagoras. In this retirement, Similis
was wont frequently to exclaim that '_now_ he began to
_live_:' at his death, he desired the following inscription
to be placed upon his tomb.

[Greek: SIMILIS
EN TAUTHA KEITAI
BIOUE MEN ETE EBDOMEKONTA
ZESAS DE ETE EPTA]

_Here lies Similis;
In the seventieth year of his age
But only the seventh of his Life._

This story is related by Dion Cassius; and from him told by
Spizelius in his _Infelix Literarius_; p. 167.]

Lorenzo and his sisters returned with me to the Cabinet. A gloom was
visible upon all our countenances; and the Ladies confessed that the
company and conversation of my departed guests, especially of
Lysander, were such as to leave a void which could not easily be
supplied. For my part, from some little warmth eac