Curiosity, not cheapness, assuredly, betrayed me into another purchase.
If I want to read "The Pilgrim's Progress," of course I read it in John
Bunyan's good English. Then why must I ruin myself to acquire "Voyage
d'un Chrestien vers l'Eternite. Ecrit en Anglois, par Monsieur Bunjan,
F.M., en Bedtfort, et nouvellement traduit en Francois. Avec Figures. A
Amsterdam, chez Jean Boekholt Libraire pres de la Bourse, 1685"? I
suppose this is the oldest French version of the famed allegory. Do you
know an older? Bunyan was still living and, indeed, had just published
the second part of the book, about Christian's wife and children, and the
deplorable young woman whose name was Dull.

As the little volume, the Elzevir size, is bound in blue morocco, by
Cuzin, I hope it is not wholly a foolish bargain; but what do I want,
after all, with a French "Pilgrim's Progress"? These are the errors a
man is always making who does not collect books with system, with a
conscience and an aim.

Do have a specially. Make a collection of works on few subjects, well
chosen. And what subjects shall they be? That depends on taste.
Probably it is well to avoid the latest fashion. For example, the
illustrated French books of the eighteenth century are, at this moment,
_en hausse_. There is a "boom" in them. Fifty years ago Brunet, the
author of the great "Manuel," sneered at them. But, in his, "Library
Companion," Dr. Dibdin, admitted their merit. The illustrations by
Gravelot, Moreau, Marillier, and the rest, are certainly delicate,
graceful, full of character, stamped with style. But only the proofs
before letters are very much valued, and for these wild prices are given
by competitive millionaires. You cannot compete with them.

It is better wholly to turn the back on these books and on any others at