Note post — The Alcove.

[445] William Horman, who was head master of Eton school at the opening of the sixteenth century, was, I apprehend, the earliest writer in this country who propagated those symptoms of the Bibliomania indicative of a passion for large paper and vellum copies; for thus writes the said Horman, in his Vulgaria, printed by Pynson, in folio, 1519: a book, curious and interesting upon every account. 'The greatest and highest of price, is paper imperial. (Herbert, vol i., p. 265.) Parchment leaves be wont to be ruled, that there may be a comely margent: also, strait lines of equal distance be draw[en] within, that the writing may shew fair,' fol. 82. From these two sentences (without quoting Horman's praise of the presses of Froben and Aldus; fol. 87) I think it may be fairly inferred that a love of large paper and vellum copies was beginning to display itself in the period just mentioned. That this love or passion is now eagerly and generally evinced, I shall proceed to give abundant proof; but first let me not forget our bibliomaniacal satirist: