Note 362 — The Drawing Room. (continued 2)

I do not know that I could produce a better recipe for the cure of those who are affected with the worst symptoms of the book-mania, in the present day, than by shewing them how the same symptoms, upwards of a century ago, were treated with ridicule and contempt by a collector of very distinguished fame, both on account of his literary talents and extensive library. The following copious extract is curious on many accounts; and I do heartily wish that foppish and tasteless collectors would give it a very serious perusal. At the same time, all collectors possessed of common sense and liberal sentiment will be pleased to see their own portraits so faithfully drawn therein. It is taken from the prefatory address,