therefore,
bibliomaniacs hunt after it. My copy of it, upon LARGE
PAPER, cost me 1_l._ 8_s._ It was formerly Paton's, of
Edinburgh, a knowing antiquary in Scottish printing. The
_History of Printing_, by PALMER, 1733, 4to., and Dr.
MIDDLETON'S _Dissertations upon the same_, 1735, 4to., have
been particularly treated by me, as well as the similar
works of AMES and HERBERT, in the first volume of my new
edition of Herbert's _British Typographical Antiquities_;
and the public is too well acquainted with the merits and
demerits of each to require their being pointed out in the
present place. I will close this note by observing that the
_Censuria Literaria_, in ten volumes octavo; and the
_British Bibliographer_ (now publishing) which grew out of
it; Mr. BELOE'S _Anecdotes of Literature and Scarce Books_,
six volumes, 8vo.; and Mr. Savage's continuation of _The
British Librarian_; are works which render the list of
English publications, relating to typography and curious
books, almost complete. I believe I may safely affirm that
the period is not very distant when some of these latter
publications, from the comparatively few copies which were
struck off, will become very rare.]

LIS. I am glad to hear such handsome things said of the performances
of our own countrymen. I was fearful, from your frequent sly
allusions, that we had nothing worth mentioning. But proceed with your
Germans, Italians, and Frenchmen.

LYSAND. You draw too severe a conclusion. I have made no sly
allusions. My invariable love of truth impels me to state facts as
they arise. That we have philosophers, poets, scholars, divines,
lovers and collectors of books, equal to those of any nation upon
earth is most readily admitted. But bibliography has never been, till
now, a popular (shall I say fashionable?) pursuit amongst the English.

LIS. Well, if what you call bibliography has produced such eminent
men, and so many useful works, as those which have been just
enumerated, I shall begin to have some little respect for this
department of literature; and, indeed, I already feel impatient to go
through the list of your bibliographical heroes.--Who is the next
champion deserving of notice?

LYSAND. This confession gives me sincere pleasure. Only indulge me in
my rambling manner of disquisition, and I will strive to satisfy you
in every reasonable part