r, you need
not hesitate to remove the desired leaves and consign the wreckage to the
waste-paper basket.

Perhaps nothing shows so clearly the change in manners and sentiments of
each age as do these ancient catalogues. Doubtless many of the works
therein described are to be found among the pages of any modern
bookseller's list. But there they are scattered among works of all times,
and strike the imagination as being merely the curiosities of a bygone
age. Here, gathered together in one list, they are exhibited in company
with their fellows, and there is little diversity of sentiment to
distract one's attention. Though they treat of the most diverse subjects
under the sun, yet there is a strange similitude about them which is
characteristic of their age. And this impression is not due to the
language in which their titles are couched; they are just the sort of
books which we should expect our forefathers of that period to read.
Whatever their subjects, whatever their titles, they are clearly all
birds of a feather.

Take the following, all of which occur in 'A Catalogue of some Books
Printed for Henry Brome, since the Dreadful Fire of London.'

The History of the Life of the Duke Espernon,
the great Favourite of France. . . .
Scarronides or Virgil Travesty . . by Charles Cotton, Esq.
Elvira, a Comedy, or The worst not alwaies true, by the Earl of Bristol.
Mr. Simpson's Division Viol, in folio, price 8s.
A Treatise wherein is demonstrated, that the Church and State of England
are in equal danger with the Trade, in quarto, by Roger Cook, Esq.
Erasmus Colloquies, in English.
The Fair One of Tuis, a new Piece of Gallantry.
Elton's Art Military, in folio.
Sir Kenelm Digby's two excellent Books of Receipts; one of Physick and
Chirurgery; the other of Cookery and Drinks, with other Curiosities.
The Exact Constable, price 8d., useful for all Gentlemen.
Toleration Discussed, by Mr. L'Estrange.
The Lord Coke's Institutes, in four parts.
Dr. Heylin on the Creed, in folio, price 15s.

Who could hesitate to assign a period to these? Is not 'The Civil War and
Restoration' writ big about them all? Plainer, indeed, would it be were
we to analyse each separate item; for the tastes of the age and trend of
men's thoughts as depicted in the pages of Master Pepys are amply
reflected here.

Beware, however, lest you come across a catalogue of some such rogue as
Edmund Cur