espair_ from Spenser's Fairy Queen. The
figures were drawn on the blocks by the late J. Thurston, Esq.

=Illustrated Copies.=

Under the _Illustration_-Symptom of Bibliomania, a fund of amusing
anecdote, as well as of instructive detail, presents itself. We may
travel in a carriage and four--from morn 'till night--and sweep county
after county, in pursuit of all that is exquisite, and rare, and
precious, and unattainable in other quarters: but I doubt if our
horses' heads can be turned in a direction better calculated to answer
all the ends in view than in front of

[Illustration: RAVENSBURY LODGE, LOWER MITCHAM,]

the residence of the late proprietor of this work. There we once
beheld such a copy of the best of all existing _Encyclopaedias_--that
of the late Dr. REES--as is no where else to be found. It was upon
_large_ and _fine_ paper--bound in fourscore volumes--with separately
executed title pages, in a style of pure art--and _illustrated_ with
not fewer than TEN THOUSAND EXTRA PLATES. The reader may, and will,
naturally enough, judge of the wide, if not boundless, field for
illustration--comprehending in fact (as the title of the work
denounces) the circle of all knowledge, arts and sciences; but he can
have no idea of the _manner_ in which this fertile and illimitable
field is filled up, till he gazes upon the copy in question. Here then
was not only a _reading_, but a _graphic_, LIBRARY IN ITSELF. Whatever
other works _profusely_ dilate upon was here _concentrated_--and
deeply impressed upon the mind by the charm, as well as the
intelligence, of graphical ornament. You seemed to want nothing, as,
upon the turning over of every leaf, the prodigality of art ennobled,
while it adorned, the solidity of the text. You have kept your horses
already waiting three hours--and they are neighing and snorting for
food: and you must turn them into the stable for suitable
provender--for the owner of this production would tell you that you
had scarcely traversed through one-third of the contents of the
volumes. He orders an additional fowl to be placed on the spit, and an
extra flagon of Combe and Delafield's brightest ale to be
forth-coming: while his orchard supplies the requisite addenda of
mulberries, pears, and apples, to flank the veritable Lafitte. You
drink and are merry. Then comes the Argand Lamp; and down with the
Encyclopedistic volumes. The plates look brighter and more beautiful.
There is no end of th