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Very many years ago we became convinced Judge Methuen and I
did that there was nothing new in the world。 I think it was while we
were in London and while we were deep in the many fads of bibliomania
that we arrived at this important conclusion。
We had been pursuing with enthusiasm the exciting delights of extra…
illustration； a practice sometimes known as Grangerism； the friends of the
practice call it by the former name； the enemies by the latter。 We were
engaged at extra…illustrating Boswell's life of Johnson； and had already got
together somewhat more than eleven thousand prints when we ran against
a snag； an obstacle we never could surmount。 We agreed that our work
would be incomplete； and therefore vain； unless we secured a picture of
the book with which the great lexicographer knocked down Osborne； the
bookseller at Gray's Inn Gate。
Unhappily we were wholly in the dark as to what the title of that book
was； and； although we ransacked the British Museum and even appealed
to the learned Frognall Dibdin； we could not get a clew to the identity of
the volume。 To be wholly frank with you； I will say that both the Judge
and I had wearied of the occupation； moreover； it involved great expense；
since we were content with nothing but India proofs （those before letters
preferred）。 So we were glad of this excuse for abandoning the practice。
While we were contemplating a graceful retreat the Judge happened to
discover in the ‘‘Natural History'' of Pliny a passage which proved to our
satisfaction that； so far from being a new or a modern thing； the extra…
illustration of books was of exceptional antiquity。 It seems that Atticus；
the friend of Cicero； wrote a book on the subject of portraits and portrait…
painting； in the course of which treatise he mentions that Marcus Varro
‘‘conceived the very liberal idea of inserting； by some means or another；
in his numerous volumes； the portraits of several hundred individuals； as
he could not bear the idea that all traces of their features should be lost or
that the lapse of centuries should get the better of mankind。''
‘‘Thus；'' says Pliny； ‘‘was he the inventor of a benefit to his fellow…
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men that might have been envied by the gods themselves； for not only did
he confer immortality upon the originals of these portraits； but he
transmitted these portraits to all parts of the earth； so that everywhere it
might be possible for them to be present； and for each to occupy his
niche。''
Now； Pliny is not the only one who has contributed to the
immortalization of Marcus Varro。 I have had among； my papers for
thirty years the verses which Judge Methuen dashed off （for poets
invariably dash off their poetry）； and they are such pleasant verses that I
don't mind letting the world see them。
MARCUS VARRO
Marcus Varro went up and down The places where old
books were sold； He ransacked all the shops in town For
pictures new and pictures old。 He gave the folk of earth no peace；
Snooping around by day and night； He plied the trade in Rome and
Greece Of an insatiate Grangerite。
‘‘Pictures！'' was evermore his cry ‘‘Pictures of old or
recent date；'' And pictures only would he buy
Wherewith to ‘‘extra…illustrate。'' Full many a tome of ancient type
And many a manuscript he took； For nary purpose but to swipe
Their pictures for some other book。
While Marcus Varro plied his fad There was not in the
shops of Greece A book or pamphlet to be had That was not
minus frontispiece。 Nor did he hesitate to ply His baleful
practices at home； It was not possible to buy A perfect book in
all of Rome！
What must the other folk have done Who； glancing o'er
the books they bought； Came soon and suddenly upon The
vandalism Varro wrought！ How must their cheeks have flamed with
red How did their hearts with choler beat！ We can imagine
what they said We can imagine； not repeat！
Where are the books that Varro made The pride of
dilettante Rome With divers portraitures inlaid Swiped from
so many another tome？ The worms devoured them long ago
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O wretched worms！ ye should have fed Not on the books ‘‘extended''
so； But on old Varro's flesh instead！
Alas； that Marcus Varro lives And is a potent factor yet！
Alas； that still his practice gives Good men occasion for regret！
To yonder bookstall； pri'thee； go； And by the ‘‘missing'' prints and
plates And frontispieces you shall know He lives； and ‘‘extra…
illustrates''！
In justice to the Judge and to myself I should say that neither of us
wholly approves the sentiment which the poem I have quoted implies。
We regard Grangerism as one of the unfortunate stages in bibliomania； it
is a period which seldom covers more than five years； although Dr。 O'Rell
has met with one case in his practice that has lasted ten years and still
gives no symptom of abating in virulence。
Humanity invariably condones the pranks of youth on the broad and
charitable grounds that ‘‘boys will be boys''； so we bibliomaniacs are
prone to wink at the follies of the Grangerite； for we know that he will
know better by and by and will heartily repent of the mischief he has done。
We know the power of books so well that we know that no man can have
to do with books that presently he does not love them。 He may at first
endure them； then he may come only to pity them； anon； as surely as the
morrow's sun riseth； he shall embrace and love those precious things。
So we say that we would put no curb upon any man； it being better
that many books should be destroyed； if ultimately by that destruction a
penitent and loyal soul be added to the roster of bibliomaniacs。 There is
more joy over one Grangerite that repenteth than over ninety and nine just
men that need no repentance。
And we have a similar feeling toward such of our number as for the
nonce become imbued with a passion for any of the other little fads which
bibliomaniac flesh is heir to。 All the soldiers in an army cannot be foot；
or horse； or captains； or majors； or generals； or artillery； or ensigns； or
drummers； or buglers。 Each one has his place to fill and his part to do；
and the consequence is a concinnate whole。 Bibliomania is beautiful as
an entirety； as a symmetrical blending of a multitude of component parts；
and he is indeed disloyal to the cause who； through envy or
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shortsightedness or ignorance； argues to the discredit of angling； or
Napoleonana； or balladry； or Indians； or Burns； or Americana； or any other
branch or phase of bibliomania； for each of these things accomplishes a
noble purpose in that each contributes to the glory of the great common
cause of bibliomania； which is indeed the summum bonum of human life。
I have heard many decried who indulged their fancy for bookplates；
as if； forsooth； if a man loved his books； he should not lavish upon them
testimonials of his affection！ Who that loves his wife should hesitate to
buy adornments for her person？ I favor everything that tends to prove
that the human heart is swayed by the tenderer emotions。 Gratitude is
surely one