or sekke
For me he shall be hanged by the nekke,
(I am so well beknown of dyverse men)
But I be restored theder agen.'
(_Written in a breviary in the Library
of Gonville and Caius College._)

WHEREIN lies the charm of an old book? In its contents? Not altogether,
for then would the reprint be just as acceptable; perhaps more so, for it
would be possibly more legible, probably cleaner, certainly in a more
convenient shape. In its scarcity, then? Partly, perhaps; yet not
necessarily, for there are many 'old' books that are always eagerly
bought up by collectors, though quite frequent in occurrence. Then
wherein lies the old book's charm? It is chiefly in its appearance.

It is the spiritual appearance rather than the material aspect of a book,
however, that draws the book-lover to it. To the true bibliophile there
is an intangible _something_ about an old book which it is impossible to
describe. That this feeling is closely akin to the impressive influence
of antiquity there can be no doubt; for you may prove it by taking your
book-lover successively to a modern free library and to a collection of
ancient books, and noting carefully his expression in each. Though he be
surrounded by thousands of volumes issued from the press during the last
half-century, rich and luxurious works even, yet the probability is that
he will be merely bored. But watch him as he stands before the thick oak
shelves eagerly scrutinising the dim lettering on ancient calf and vellum
back! See how his eye flashes as he takes down an ancient quarto, gently
and reverently lest the headband be grown weak with age, and, carefully
blowing the dust from its top edge, turns eagerly to title-page and
colophon!

And this feeling is not influenced by the surroundings which one is
accustomed to associate with old books. Whether they be in a cathedral or
college library, in a bookshop or the most modern of cases, it is all one
to your true collector. It is the books and the books only about which he
cares. No sooner does he feel the ancient tome within his hands than his
soul is borne rapidly away upon the wings of fancy, far far back into the
dim ages, high above all worldly considerations; caring, understanding,
feeling, in tune with the magic so wondrously locked up in this ancient
volume, to which his love of books alone has provided the key.

It is no wonder that he is impressed, for the soul of the tr