Ἔνϑα γαρ τι δεῖ ψεῦδος λεγεσϑαι λεγἐσϑω. HERODOTUS. INTERCHAPTER XIII.—p. 339. A PEEP FROM BEHIND THE CURTAIN. Ha, ha, ha, now ye will make me to smile, To see if I can all men beguile. Ha, my name, my name would ye so fain know? Yea, I wis, shall ye, and that with all speed. I have forgot it, therefore I cannot show. A, a, now I have it! I have it indeed! My name is Ambidexter, I signify one That with both hands finely can play. KING CAMBYSES. THE DOCTOR, &c. INTERCHAPTER VII. OBSOLETE ANTICIPATIONS; BEING A LEAF OUT OF AN OLD ALMANACK, WHICH LIKE OTHER OLD ALMANACKS THOUGH OUT OF DATE IS NOT OUT OF USE. If You play before me, I shall often look on you, I give you that warning before hand. Take it not ill, my masters, I shall laugh at you, And truly when I am least offended with you; It is my humour. MIDDLETON. When St. Thomas Aquinas was asked in what manner a man might best become learned, he answered, “by reading one book;” “meaning,” says Bishop Taylor, “that an understanding entertained with several objects is intent upon neither, and profits not.” Lord Holland's poet, the prolific Lope de Vega tells us to the same purport; _Que es estudiante notable El que lo es de un libro solo. Que quando no estavan llenos De tantos libros agenos, Como van dexando atras, Sabian los hombres mas Porque estudiavan en menos._ The _homo unius libri_ is indeed proverbially formidable to all conversational figurantes. Like your sharp shooter, he knows his piece perfectly, and is sure of his shot. I would therefore modestly insinuate to the reader what infinite advantages would be possessed by that fortunate person who shall be the _homo hujus libri_. According to the Lawyers the King's eldest son is for certain purposes of full age as soon as he is born,—great being the mysteries of Law! I will not assume that in like manner _hic liber_ is at once to acquire maturity of fame; for fame, like the oak, is not the product of a single generation; and a new book in its reputation is but as an acorn, the full growth of which can be known only by posterity. The Doctor will not make so great a sensation upon its first appearance as Mr. Southey's Wat Tyler, or the first two Cantos of Don Juan; still less will it be talked of so universally as the murder of Mr. Weire. Talked of however it will be, widely, largely, loudly and _lengthily_ talked of: lauded and vituperated, vilified and extolled, heartily abused, and no less heartily admired. Thus much is quite certain; that before it has been published a week, eight persons will be named as having written it: and these eight positive lies will be affirmed each as positive truths on positive knowledge.