in the case of Mr. Matthew Arnold, Lord Tennyson, and a few others of the
moderns) are certain to become things of curious interest.

You can hardly ever get a novel of Jane Austen's in the first edition.
She is rarer than Fielding or Smollett. Some day it may be the same in
Miss Broughton's case. Cling to the fair and witty Jane, if you get a
chance. Beware of illustrated modern books in which "processes" are
employed. Amateurs will never really value mechanical reproductions,
which can be copied to any extent. The old French copper-plate
engravings and the best English mezzo-tints are so valuable because good
impressions are necessarily so rare.

One more piece of advice. Never (or "hardly ever") buy an imperfect
book. It is a constant source of regret, an eyesore. Here have I
Lovelace's "Lucasta," 1649, _without the engraving_. It is deplorable,
but I never had a chance of another "Lucasta." This is not a case of
_invenies aliam_. However you fare, you will have the pleasure of Hope
and the consolation of books _quietem inveniendam in abditis recessibus
et libellulis_.




ROCHEFOUCAULD


_To the Lady Violet Lebas_.

Dear Lady Violet,--I am not sure that I agree with you in your admiration
of Rochefoucauld--of the _Reflexions, ou Sentences et Maximes Morales_, I