To whatever order a collector may belong--exception being made for the ultra-modern type who, generally speaking, has in our opinion hardly any claim to the title of art collector or even simple curio-hunter--there generally exists a preparatory stage in his career. No matter how the mania or passion has been caught, there are three stages in its course that can very rarely be suppressed. The genesis of the passion is seldom spontaneous, there is generally an infective cause that helps the development of the fever for antiques and curios. [Illustration: _Photo_] [_Alinari_ ATHLETE. Imitation of Roman Work by an unknown artist of the 15th Century. It is attributed to Pollajolo.] “I believe,” says Major H. Bing Hall in his book _The Adventures of a Bric-à-brac Hunter_, “my friend Mrs. Haggleton’s taste for collecting the plate of Queen Anne’s era originated in the fact of her aunt having left her a teapot of that admirable period of the goldsmith’s art in England. The teapot inspired an ardent desire to possess other articles of the same style. The lady mildly commenced with salt-spoons, and became in due course the proud owner of mustard-pots, salt-cellars, and one large piece of sideboard plate, which from the day she purchased it to that of her death every night faithfully accompanied her to her bedroom. My old bachelor friend Croker, again, began collecting Wedgwood because some one had told him he possessed a very fine specimen; while to my certain knowledge he was as ignorant of its value and exquisite design as his own footman could have been.” There are naturally worthier causes, far higher and more pleasing motives to lead a man of refined taste to become a real practical collector--or dreamer according to circumstances--but the genesis above-quoted, to which might be added the having of a collector among friends or relations, is the most common. One thing is certain, when the passion is genuine and consequently gives proof of being of a character that promises success and satisfaction, there is no cure for it, it becomes chronic almost invariably. The first stage upon which the collector or simple bric-à-brac hunter is likely to enter might be called the rosy period of his career. He is generally inclined to optimism, he dreams of nothing but masterpieces and astonishing finds, to such an extent that he sees _chefs-d’œuvre_ everywhere. If he owns capital, this is of course his most perilous period; if he has no capital, everything depends upon his wisdom, his credit, or the possibility of borrowing money. Naturally we are only referring to the most acute cases, temperaments vary, and the infection may be more or less dangerous according to the disposition of the individual.