Confessions of a Book-Lover

How numerous are the men who have read widely and thought deeply, and yet hesitate before expressing an opinion upon the most trivial matters! Fortunate is the person who can induce such men to talk freely, to express their views, their secret thoughts, on this, that, and the other subject-their beloved books, their likes, their dislikes, their aspirations, their fears, their hopes.

Such confessions should make good reading. By dint of a little gentle persuasion I have managed to glean 'copy' of this description, which I shall hope to set down in these pages, carefully avoiding meanwhile any mention of names. The mere thought of publicity would bring a blush to the cheeks of the good gentlemen I have in mind. I must adopt the plan of those 'Knights of the Pen' of whom mention has been made. But here the process will be reversed. Here the rich thought of others will come forth in homely attire.