to attend in person, owing to distance, want of time, and
other similar causes. Hence, many a desperate bibliomaniac keeps in
the back-ground; while the public are wholly unacquainted with his
curious and rapidly-increasing treasures. Hence SIR TRISTRAM,
embosomed in his forest-retreat,

--down the steepy linn
That hems his little garden in,

is constantly increasing his stores of tales of genii, fairies, fays,
ghosts, hobgoblins, magicians, highwaymen, and desperadoes--and
equally acceptable to him is a copy of Castalio's elegant version of
Homer, and of St. Dunstan's book '_De Occulta Philosophia_;'
concerning which lattter [Transcriber's Note: latter], Elias Ashmole
is vehement in commendation.[208] From all these (after melting them
down in his own unparalleled poetical crucible--which hath charms as
potent as the witches' cauldron in Macbeth) he gives the world many a
wondrous-sweet song. Who that has read the exquisite poems, of the
fame of which all Britain 'rings from side to side,' shall deny to
such ancient legends a power to charm and instruct? Or who, that
possesses a copy of PROSPERO'S excellent volumes, although composed in
a different strain (yet still more fruitful in ancient matters), shall
not love the memory and exalt the renown of such transcendent
bibliomaniacs? The library of Prospero is indeed acknowledged to be
without a rival in its way. How pleasant it is, dear Philemon, only to
contemplate such a goodly prospect of elegantly bound volumes of old
English and French literature!--and to think of the matchless stores
which they contain, relating to our ancient popular tales and romantic
legends!

[Footnote 208: He who shall have the happiness to meet with
St. Dunstan's Worke "_De Occulta Philosophia_," may therein
reade such stories as will make him amaz'd, &c. Prolegom. to
his _Theatrum Chemicum_, sign A., 4. rev.]

"Allied to this library, in the general complexion of its literary
treasures, is that of MARCELLUS: while in the possession of numberless
rare and precious volumes relating to the drama, and especially to his
beloved Shakespeare, it must be acknowledged that Marcellus hath
somewhat the superiority. Meritorious as have been his labours in the
illustration of our immortal bard, he is yet as zealous, vigilant, and
anxious, as ever, to accumulate every thing which may tend to the
further illustration of him. Enter his book-cabinet; and with the
si