Neither blemish this book, nor the leaves double down,
Nor lend it to each idle friend in the town:
Return it when read,—or if lost please supply
Another, as good to the mind and the eye.
With right and with reason you need but be friends
And each book in my study your pleasure attends.
If through respect or love I lend
This book unto my worthy friend,
He must not soil, abuse, nor tear,
But read with diligence and care;
And when its contents you have learned,
Remember, it must be Returned.
On the plate of Samuel W. Francis appear the following lines:—
Any one may borrow,
But a gentleman returns.
The property
of
Thomas C. Cowan.
Borrower,
read, mark, and Avoid
the former part
of
Psalm xxxvii. 21.
If you borrow, freely use it,
Take great care and don’t abuse it:
Read, but neither lose nor lend it,
Then unto the owner send it.