The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-05-11
Bibliomania Extraordinary.
From Paris IWlLstre.

The return of the Due dAumale has
given rise to good deal of talk about
books and book collectors. Witnin two
days the duke was present at dinner given
b ' the Society of Book-lovers (Societe des
Amis des Livre9 d at a fOrtnightly meet
ing of the S ciety of B.bli phlles.
To the public at large the word biblio-
phile suggests the haunter of book
stalls. something like Muryer's Colline,
wandering drea nily along the quays where
books are sold, picking up odd volumes
cheap, and stuffi7g tGem into the greasy
pockets of an antediluvlan overcoat. But
this race is the very opposite of the Pari ial
bibliophlle Of the society SO named. 1t is
actually harder to be enrolled member of
this society than to get ITO the jockey
club. Their number is extremely limited,
and is recruited almost exclusive y from tbs
highest aristocracy OF France. A candidates
name must be entered a long tine before
Ia d. and those who are anxious to be cleo
ted prepare the wa and bring the best in-
fde CO to bear, exactly IS for an election
to he academy. Ia snort, it is the high
est lnandarInship to which man OF the
world may hope to attain.
| heard characteristic story told by one
of the members above mentioned, showing
what the love # books can d. when 1t be-
comes bib BONANZA, or rather, bibliolatrv.
The incident had come within the narIa,or's
personal experience.
Some years ago one of his friends called
on him one day, and after wandering up
and down in front of the book-shelves, he
pointed to a missal, unique spe linen, and
said: You would be more than kind f you
would lend me that book for four-and-
twenty hours. | am altogether in love with
it, and want to look at it page by page at
nv leisure"
"Very well =" said the owner, repressing
the grudgiug impulse which every good
man /, els such a proposition. Here Is
the hook, but bring it back tomorrow with
out fail"
The tomorrow passed; week was gone;
the missal had not been retur red; the
owner, annoyed at the deay, made up his
mind to call on the borrower.
swell, what about my bookp
TIL criminal looked ais friend firmly In
the face aud said quite calmly:
"My dear fellow, | am eadtully sorry,
really desperately sorry; uuI l cannot re-
turn IT,"
You have lost it, destroyed it" cried NJ.
X. in fury.
''No, it is quito safe, but 1 cannot give it
back TO YOU"
''You cannot give IL backl Do YOU know
what you are sayingi 1t is stealing-a theft
pure and simpiew
"a theft, no, that l. a very course way Of
putting it, for will pay you any price you
choose to name. But as 70 ever parting
wit it agal D, do not hope for that. 1t Is
more than can bear"
All this was spoke in tone which be-
trayed utter deter ninatlon
The owner OF the volume, after relieving
his mind b little strong lang age, tnoust
the situation over. He codld not with any
decency bring man Of his ow circle and
rank up before the police, aud even 1t be
did would TINS re-tore i'm the booki He
thought it doubtful. Tho devoloe Il tie
uissal would of course continue 10 conceal
1t from tue ofiic II the law sent q re-
cover It.. he had then no choice but TO re-
sgu himself, aud discuss the terms with this
new kind Of hlef he bad inhe / ell ths
book. which was al heirloom. but tho
value was estimated at 1000 francs.
~ nv well,n sal tue Owner, since
must. Give me 2J,00J francs and the missal
is you're
Tne borrower gave his frie1d no time for
repentance: he pail the 10000 francs on the
80 quite delighted with tho bargain,
which Indeed WA benefit - othas be
sides himself for bali the sum was given 10
tho pour.