the "_Civil
and Ecclesiastical_" is undoubtedly the most important to the
generality of readers. But one of these component parts was the _The
History of Learning and of Learned Men_; which its author probably
thought of subordinate consequence, or in the management of which, to
allow you the full force of your objection, he was not so well
skilled. Yet, still, never before having been thus connected with such
a building, it was undoubtedly a delightful acquisition; and I
question whether, if it had been more elaborately executed--if it had
exhibited all the fret-work and sparkling points which you seem to
conceive necessary to its completion; I question, whether the
popularity of the work would have been even so great as it is, and as
it unquestionably merits to be! A few passionately-smitten literary
antiquaries are not, perhaps, the fittest judges of such a production.
To be generally useful and profitable should be the object of every
author of a similar publication; and as far as candour and liberality
of sentiment, an unaffected and manly style, accompanied with weighty
matter, extensive research, and faithful quotation, render a work
nationally valuable--the work of Dr. Henry, on these grounds, is an
ornament and honour to his country.

PHIL. Yet I wish he had rambled (if you will permit me so to speak) a
little more into book-men and book-anecdotes.

LYSAND. You may indulge this wish very innocently; but, certainly, you
ought not to censure Dr. Henry for the omission of such minutiae.

LIS. Does he ever quote Clement, De Bure, or Panzer?

LYSAND. Away with such bibliomaniacal frenzy! He quotes solid, useful
and respectable authorities; chiefly our old and most valuable
historians. No writer before him ever did them so much justice, or
displayed a more familiar acquaintance with them.

LIS. Do pray give us, Lysander, some little sketches of
book-characters--which, I admit, did not enter into the plan of Dr.
Henry's excellent work. As I possess the original quarto edition of
this latter, bound in Russia, you will not censure me for a want of
respect towards the author.

PHIL. I second Lisardo's motion; although I fear the evening presses
too hard upon us to admit of much present discussion.

LYSAND. Nothing--(speaking most unaffectedly from my heart) nothing
affords me sincerer pleasure than to do any thing in my power which
may please such cordial friends as yourselves. My pretensions to that
sort of ant