enson's works is satisfying. Here are more 'lines of
beauty' than in almost any other modern printed book. As we handle it we
feel _satisfied_ that it _is right_. Perhaps it was such a _format_ that
Mr. Ruskin had in mind when he shaped out a scheme of a Royal series of
books, which should be models of good work all round. And though it is
necessary that we have cheap editions, and that books should circulate
everywhere, we want to save the book trade from shoddy work by keeping
good models before us. That we produce the best thought in the best
form, and not in any mean, shabby dress, ought indeed to be a serious
aim of everybody engaged in the matter.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Stevens' _Who spoils our English Books?_

[2] Stevens' _Who spoils our English Books?_

_What is a Fine Copy?_

To judge of a fine copy requires some years' handling of books. To some,
the school prize, in light brown calf, represents an ideal of book
beauty; to others, a padded binding and round corners. But these are
neither beautiful nor in any way fine copies. The school prize book is
not a fine copy (1) Because it is bound in a very perishable leather;
(2) Because its margins have been trimmed away and ploughed into; (3)
Because it is received in a form which renders it impossible to stamp
one's own individuality upon it; (4) It has gaudy and meaningless
ornaments stamped down the back. The padded binding is impossible as a
fine copy because it has had applied to it a wholly incongruous method
of preservation. Books require to be clothed, but not to be upholstered.
The round corners usually adopted by the upholster binder can claim no
advantage, and they rob the book of its natural neatness and squareness
of edge. School prize bindings and padded bindings are sins against the
sanctity of common sense. What then is a fine copy? Almost, though not
entirely, essential is it that it be in the original binding as put out
by the publisher, whether it be a paper covering, or cloth, or boards.
The reason for this is that in securing a book in such a condition one
has the book _in full measure_, and there is no necessity to undo
anything which has already been done. Now, if a book be bought in a
leather binding, the chances are that it is a leather binding which in
no way suits its new owner, and he therefore has not only to sacrifice
the binding, but in rebinding it he must sacrifice some of the margins
too. The novels of Scott and Marryat in t