concluding sentence--where he will see fac-similes of the
portraits just mentioned.]

[Footnote 184: See the recent very beautiful edition of Sir
Ralph Sadler's _State Papers_, vol. ii., p. 590.]

[Footnote 185: See the _Catalogue of R. Smith's Books_,
1682, 4to., p. 199 (falsely numbered 275), no. 94.]

[Footnote D: Since created a Knight.]

LIS. You allude to a late sale in Pall Mall, of one of the choicest
and most elegant libraries ever collected by a man of letters and
taste?

"I do, Lisardo--but see we are just entering the smoke and bustle of
London; and in ten minutes shall have reached the scene of action."

PHIL. How do you feel?

LIS. Why, tolerably calm. My pulse beats as leisurely as did my Lord
Strafford's at his trial--or (to borrow Hamlet's phrase)

--as yours, it doth temperately keep time,
And makes as healthful music.

PHIL. Ninety-five to the minute! You are just now in a fit frame of
mind to write a political pamphlet. Pray consider what will be the
issue of this madness?

LIS. No more! Now for my catalogue; and let me attend to my marks. But
our friend is not forgetful of his promise?

PHIL. I dare say he will assist us in regulating the prices we ought
to give--and more particularly in making us acquainted with the most
notable book-collectors.

Upon my readily acquiescing in their demand, we leapt from the chaise
(giving orders for it to attend by three o'clock) and hurried
immediately up stairs into THE AUCTION ROOM.

The clock had struck twelve, and in half an hour the sale was to
begin. Not more than nine or ten gentlemen were strolling about the
room: some examining the volumes which were to be sold, and making
hieroglyphical marks thereupon, in their catalogues: some giving
commissions to the clerk who entered their names, with the sums they
intended staking, in a manner equally hieroglyphical. Others, again,
seemed to be casting an eye of vacancy over the whole collection; or
waiting till a book friend arrived with whom they might enter into a
little chat. You observe, my friends, said I, softly, yonder active
and keen-visaged gentleman? 'Tis LEPIDUS. Like Magliabechi, content
with frugal fare and frugal clothing[186] and preferring the riches of
a library to those of house-furniture, he is insatiable in his
bibliomaniacal appetites. "Long experience has made him sage:" and it
is not therefore without just reason that his opinio