the love affairs of a bibliomaniac-第24章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
o separate the leaves of pamphlets； magazines； and volumes by running his finger between them； thereby invariably tearing the pages in shocking wise。
In the arrangement of his library Napoleon observed that exacting method which was characteristic of him in other employments and avocations。 Each book had its particular place in a special case； and Napoleon knew his library so well that he could at any moment place his hand upon any volume he desired。 The libraries at his palaces he had arranged exactly as the library at Malmaison was； and never was one book borrowed from one to serve in another。 It is narrated of him that if ever a volume was missing Napoleon would describe its size and the color of its binding to the librarian； and would point out the place where it might have been wrongly put and the case where it properly belonged。
If any one question the greatness of this man let him explain if he can why civilization's interest in Napoleon increases as time rolls on。 Why is it that we are curious to know all about himthat we have gratification in hearing tell of his minutest habits； his moods； his whims； his practices； his prejudices？ Why is it that even those who hated him and who denied his genius have felt called upon to record in ponderous tomes their reminiscences of him and his deeds？ Princes； generals； lords； courtiers； poets； painters； priests； plebeiansall have vied with one another in answering humanity's demand for more and more and ever more about Napoleon Bonaparte。
I think that the supply will； like the demand； never be exhausted。 The women of the court have supplied us with their memoirs； so have the diplomats of that period； so have the wives of his generals； so have the Tom…Dick…and…Harry spectators of those kaleidoscopic scenes； so have his keepers in exile； so has his barber。 The chambermaids will be heard from in good time； and the hostlers； and the scullions。 Already there are rumors that we are soon to be regaled with Memoirs of the Emperor Napoleon by the Lady who knew the Tailor who Once Sewed a Button on the Emperor's Coat； edited by her loving grandson； the Duc de Bunco。
Without doubt many of those who read these lines will live to see the time when memoirs of Napoleon will be offered by ‘‘a gentleman who purchased a collection of Napoleon spoons in 1899''； doubtless； too； the book will be hailed with satisfaction； for this Napoleonic enthusiasm increases as time wears on。
Curious； is it not； that no calm； judicial study of this man's character and exploits is received with favor？ He who treats of the subject must be either a hater or an adorer of Napoleon； his blood must be hot with the enthusiasm of rage or of love。
To the human eye there appears in space a luminous sphere that in its appointed path goes on unceasingly。 The wise men are not agreed whether this apparition is merely of gaseous composition or is a solid body supplied extraneously with heat and luminosity； inexhaustibly； some argue that its existence will be limited to the period of one thousand； or five hundred thousand； or one million years； others declare that it will roll on until the end of time。 Perhaps the nature of that luminous sphere will never be truly known to mankind； yet with calm dignity it moves in its appointed path among the planets and the stars of the universe； its fires unabated； its luminosity undimmed。
Even so the great Corsican； scrutinized of all human eyes； passes along the aisle of Time enveloped in the impenetrable mystery of enthusiasm； genius； and splendor。
XVIII
MY WORKSHOP AND OTHERS
The women…folk are few up there； For 't were not fair； you know； That they our heavenly bliss should share Who vex us here below！ The few are those who have been kind To husbands such as we： They knew our fads and didn't mind Says Dibdin's ghost to me。
It has never been explained to my satisfaction why women； as a class； are the enemies of books； and are particularly hostile to bibliomania。 The exceptions met with now and then simply prove the rule。 Judge Methuen declares that bibliophobia is but one phase of jealousy； that one's wife hates one's books because she fears that her husband is in love； or is going to be in love； with those companions of his student hours。 If； instead of being folios； quartos； octavos； and the like； the Judge's books were buxom； blithe maidens； his wife could hardly be more jealous of the Judge's attentions to them than she is under existing circumstances。 On one occasion； having found the Judge on two successive afternoons sitting alone in the library with Pliny in his lap； this spirited lady snatched the insidious volume from her husband's embraces and locked it up in one of the kitchen pantries； nor did she release the object of her displeasure until the Judge had promised solemnly to be more circumspect in the future； and had further mollified his wife's anger by bringing home a new silk dress and a bonnet of exceptional loveliness。
Other instances of a similar character have demonstrated that Mrs。 Methuen regards with implacable antipathy the volumes upon which my learned and ingenious friend would fain lavish the superabundance of his affection。 Many years ago the Judge was compelled to resort to every kind of artifice in order to sneak new books into his house； and had he not been imbued with the true afflatus of bibliomania he would long ago have broken down under the heartless tyranny of his vindictive spouse。
When I look around me and survey the persecution to which book…lovers are subjected by their wives； I thank the goddess Fortune that she has cast my lot among the celibates； indeed； it is still one of the few serious questions I have not yet solved； viz。： whether a man can at the same time be true to a wife and to bibliomania。 Both are exacting mistresses； and neither will tolerate a rival。
Dr。 O'Rell has a theory that the trouble with most wives is that they are not caught young enough； he quotes Dr。 Johnson's sage remark to the effect that ‘‘much can be made of a Scotchman if caught young；'' and he asserts that this is equally true of woman。 Mrs。 O'Rell was a mere girl when she wedded with the doctor； and the result of thirty years' experience and training is that this model woman sympathizes with her excellent husband's tastes； and actually has a feeling of contempt for other wives who have never heard of Father Prout and Kit North； and who object to their husbands' smoking in bed。
I recall with what enthusiasm I once heard this superior creature commend the doctor for having accepted in lieu of a fee a set of Calvin's ‘‘Institutes；'' with copious notes； in twelve octavo volumes； and a portfolio of colored fox…hunting prints。 My admiration for this model wife could find expression in no other way； I jumped from my chair； seized her in my arms； and imprinted upon her brow a fervent but respectful kiss。
It would be hard to imagine a prettier picture than that presented to my vision as I looked in from the porch of the doctor's residence upon the doctor's family gathered together in the library after dinner。 The doctor himself； snuggled down in a vast easy…chair； was dividing his attention between a brier pipe and the odes of Propertius； his wife； beside him in her rocker； smiled and smiled again over the quaint humor of Mrs。 Gaskell's ‘‘Cranford''； upon yonder settee； Francis Mahony Methuen； the oldest son； was deep in the perusal of Wilson's ‘‘Tales of the Border''； his brother； Russell Lowell； was equally absorbed in the pathetic tale of ‘‘The Man without a Country''； Letitia Landon Methuen； the daughter； was quietly sobbing over the tragedy of ‘‘Evangeline''； in his high chair sat the chubby baby boy； Beranger Methuen； crowing gleefully over an illustrated copy of that grand old classic； ‘‘Poems for Infant Minds by Two Young Persons。''
For several moments I stood spellbound； regarding with ineffable rapture this inspiring spectacle。 ‘‘How manifold are thy blessings； O Bibliomania；'' thought I； ‘‘and how graciously they are distributed in this joyous circle； wherein it is permitted to see not only the maturer members； but； alas； the youth and even the babes and suc
