For there are copies of books which have a well-
known pedigree like famous jewels, and whose acquisition, a
matter of infinite tact, gives rise, I was told by Herr Dose, to
the most exquisite thrill known to man. He brought me on that
morose afternoon a copy of the "Synonima," in Italian and French,
of St. Fliscus, printed by Simon Magniagus of Milan in 1480, and
opened the vellum covers with careful fingers.
"In all the assemblage of human atoms that inhabit this vessel,"
said he, "there is but one who is imbued with reverence for the
past and a sense of the preciousness of the unique. I need not
tell you, Herr Baronet, who are a scholar, that of this book only
two copies exist in this ink-sodden universe. One is in the
University Library of Bologna; the other is before your eyes. It
is also the only book known to have been printed by Magniagus.
See the beautiful, small Roman type--a masterpiece. Ach, Herr
Baronet! to have accomplished one such work in a lifetime, and
then to sit among the blessed saints and look down on earth and
know that the two sole copies in existence are cherished by the
elect, what a reward, what eternal happiness!"
I turned over the pages.
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