Painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Engraved by John Jones. SAMUEL JOHNSON IN A TIE-WIG Painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Engraved by Zobel INSCRIPTION TO REV. WILLIAM J. TEMPLE, FROM JAMES BOSWELL TITLE OF MASON'S “ELFRIDA.” First Edition MS. OF BOSWELL'S AGREEMENT WITH MR. DILLY, RECITING THE TERMS AGREED ON FOR THE PUBLICATION OF "CORSICA' 159 . 163 . 167 MS. INDORSEMENT BY BOSWELL ON THE FIRST PAPER DRAWN 168 DR. JOHNSON IN TRAVELING DRESS, AS DESCRIBED IN 174 Engraved by Trotter. INSCRIPTION TO JAMES BOSWELL, JUNIOR, FROM JAMES SAMUEL JOHNSON Painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Engraved by Heath. INSCRIPTION TO EDMUND BURKE, BY JAMES BOSWELL. MRS. PIOZZI. Engraved by Ridley from a miniature. EXTRACT FROM MS. LETTER OF MRS. THRALE TITLE OF MISS BURNEY'S "EVELINA. First Edition . SAMUEL JOHNSON. THE "STREATHAM PORTRAIT" Painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Engraved by Doughty. TITLE OF "THE PRINCE OF ABISSINIA" ("RASSELAS"). . 207 MS. OF THE LAST PAGE OF MRS. THRALE'S "JOURNAL OF A WILLIAM GODWIN, THE RIDICULOUS PHILOSOPHER CHARLES LAMB'S PLAY-BILL OF GODWIN'S "ANTONIO " MS. LETTER FROM WILLIAM GODWIN . . 219 222 225 FIRST PAGE OF DR. JOHNSON'S PETITION TO THE KING ON 306 312 319 MR. ALLEN'S COPY OF THE LAST LETTER DR. DODD SENT CARICATURE OF OSCAR WILDE From an original drawing by Aubrey Beardsley. "OUR OSCAR" AS HE WAS WHEN WE LOANED HIM TO AMERICA From a contemporary English caricature. . 326 MS. INSCRIPTION TO J. E. DICKINSON, FROM OSCAR WILDE. 342 HARRY ELKINS WIDENER TITLE OF STEVENSON'S "MEMOIRS OF HIMSELF" Printed for private distribution only, by Mr. Widener. BEVERLY CHEW. HENRY E. HUNTINGTON AMONG HIS BOOKS Photographed by Genthe. HARRY ELKINS WIDENER'S BOOK-PLATE. THE AMENITIES OF BOOK-COLLECTING AND KINDRED AFFECTIONS I BOOK-COLLECTING ABROAD IF my early training has been correct, which I am much inclined to doubt, we were not designed to be happy in this world. We were simply placed here to be tried, and doubtless we are - it is a trying place. It is, however, the only world we are sure of; so, in spite of our training, we endeavor to make the best of it, and have invented a lot of little tricks with which to beguile the time. The approved time-killer is work, and we do a lot of it. When it is quite unnecessary, we say it is in the interest of civilization; and occasionally work is done on so high a plane that it becomes sport, and we call these sportsmen, "Captains of Industry." One of them once told me that making money was the finest sport in the world. This was before the rules of the game were changed. But for the relaxation of those whose life is spent in a persistent effort to make ends meet, games of skill, games of chance, and kissing games have been invented, and indoor and outdoor sports. These are all very well for those who can play them; but I am like the little boy who declined to play Old Maid because he was always "it." Having early discovered that I was always "it" in every game, I decided to take my recreation in another way. I read occasionally and have always been a collector. Many years ago, in an effort to make conversation on a train, - a foolish thing to do, I asked a man what he did with his leisure, and his reply was, "I play cards. I used to read a good deal but I wanted something to occupy my mind, so I took to cards." It was a disconcerting answer. It may be admitted that not all of us can read all the time. For those who cannot and for those to whom sport in any form is a burden not to be endured, there is one remaining form of exercise, the riding of a hobby-collecting, it is called; and the world is so full of such wonderful things that we collectors should be as happy as kings. Horace Greeley once said, "Young man, go West." I give advice as valuable and more easily followed: I say, Young man, get a hobby; preferably get two, one for indoors and one for out; get a pair of hobby-horses that can safely be ridden in opposite directions. We collectors strive to make converts; we want others to enjoy what we enjoy; and I may as well confess that the envy shown by our fellow collectors when we display our treasures is not annoying to us. But, speaking generally, we are a bearable lot, our hobbies are usually harmless, and if we loathe the |