This precious book of love, this unbound lover, To beautify him, only lacks a cover: The fish lives in the sea, and 'tis much pride For fair without the fair within to hide: That book in many eyes doth share the glory, That in gold clasps locks in the golden story. W. SHAKESPEARE. _Romeo and Juliet._ NOBLER THAN CONTENTS A book? O rare one! Be not, as is our fangled world, a garment Nobler than that it covers: let thy effects So follow, to be most unlike our courtiers, As good as promise. W. SHAKESPEARE. _Cymbeline._ LINES HAVE THEIR LININGS, AND BOOTS THEIR BUCKRAM As in our clothes, so likewise he who looks Shall find much forcing buckram in our books. R. HERRICK. EYE-WORSHIP While the plodding votary of _meaning_ is anxiously inquiring out the sense of the oracle, his fellow-worshipper, remembering that our _eyes_ were not given us for nothing, is entranced in admiration of the stately form or gorgeous vestment of the priest that utters it:--in plainer terms, he stands exploring, without end, the type, of jetty black and dazzling cut, that seems to float amidst a satin sea of cream--(it is impossible to be watching after one's metaphors on such inspiring occasions)--roves, in gazing ecstasy, from page to page, till here and there arrested by the choice vignette or richly tinctured plate: at length, 'lassatus, necdum satiatus' with the beauties of the interior, he reverently closes the superbly-plated leaves; and, turning to the sumptuous, silk-lined cover, marvels as he views the verdant, red, or purple pride of Russia, Turkey, or Morocco, glittering, in every part, with the mazy flourishes of golden decoration!--'Miror, immo etiam stupeo!' is the language of his heart--if it cannot be of his tongue.--J. BERESFORD. _Bibliosophia._ BOOKBINDINGS