I was not disappointed in my expectations.  The day was as beautiful without, as I found it profitable within doors.  The Professor was all kindness, and was pleased to claim a long and intimate acquaintance with me, through certain works which need not be here mentioned:  but it would be the height of affectation not to avow the satisfaction I felt in witnessing a thoroughly cut-open, and tolerably well-thumbed copy, of the Bibl.  Spenceriana lying upon his table.  I instantly commenced the examination of the library, while the Professor as readily offered his services of assistance.  “Where are your Aldine Greek Hours of 1497?” observed I.  “Alas, Sir, that book exists no longer here!”—­replied the Professor, in a melancholy tone of voice, and with an expression of countenance which indicated more than was meant by his words.  “Nevertheless, (rejoined I) Seemiller describes it as having been at Ingoldstadt.”  “He does so—­but in the conveyance of the books from thence hither, it has somehow disappeared."[79] Again the Professor looked more significantly than he spake.  “What is invisible cannot be seen”—­observed I—­“and therefore allow me to take notes of what is before my eyes.”  “Most willingly and cheerfully.  Here is every thing you wish.  The more you write, the greater will be my satisfaction; although, after Paris and Munich, there is scarcely any thing worthy of particular description.  But ere you begin your labours, allow me to introduce you to the several rooms in which the books are contained.”

I expressed great pleasure in complying with the Professor’s request, and followed him into every apartment.  This library, my dear friend, is placed in one of the prettiest situations imaginable.  Some meandering branches of the Iser intersect and fertilize considerable tracts of meadow land; equally rich in colour and (as I learnt) in produce:  and terminated by some gently swelling hills, quite in the vicinity of the town.  The whole had a perfectly English aspect.  The rooms were numerous, and commanded a variety of views.  They were well lighted by side windows, and the shelves and wainscots were coloured chiefly in white.  One small hexagonal closet, or cabinet, on the first floor—­(as is indeed the whole suite of apartments) caught my fancy exceedingly, and won my very heart.  The view before it, or rather from three of its six sides, was exhilirating in the extreme.  “Here Mr. Professor, quoth I, (gently laying hold of his left arm) here will I come, and, if in any spot, put together my materials for a third edition of the BIBLIOMANIA.”  The worthy Professor, for a little moment, thought me serious—­and quickly replied “By all means do so:  and you shall be accommodated with every thing necessary for carrying so laudable a design into execution.”  It was a mere bibliomaniacal vision:[80] dissipated the very moment I had quitted the apartment for another.