For fifty years his stock, in these twin departments, was copious and respectable; and notwithstanding total blindness, which afflicted him during the last six years of his life, he displayed uncommon cheerfulness, activity, and even skill in knowing where the different classes of books were arranged in his shop. Mr. Miller was a warm loyalist, and an enthusiastic admirer of Mr. Pitt. In 1795, when provincial copper coins were very prevalent, our bibliomaniac caused a die of himself to be struck; intending to strike some impressions of it upon gold and silver, as well as upon copper. He began with the latter; and the die breaking when only 23 impressions were struck off, Miller, in the true spirit of numismatical virtû, declined having a fresh one made. View here, gentle reader, a wood-cut taken from the same: "This coin, which is very finely engraved, and bears a strong profile likeness of himself, is known to collectors by the name of 'The Miller Halfpenny.' Mr. Miller was extremely careful into whose hands the impressions went; and they are now become so rare as to produce at sales from three to five guineas." Gentleman's Magazine; vol. lxxiv., p. 664.
Lis. Twenty, if you please.
Lysand. What are become of Malvolio's busts and statues, of which you were so solicitous to attend the sale, not long ago?
Lis. I care not a brass farthing for them:—only I do rather wish that I had purchased the Count de Neny's Catalogue of the Printed Books and Manscripts in the Royal Library of France. That golden opportunity is irrevocably lost!
Phil. You wished for these books, to set fire to them perhaps—keeping up the ancient custom so solemnly established by your father?[421]
[421] The reader may not object to turn for one moment to [p. 27], ante.
Lis. No more of this heart-rending subject! I thought I had made ample atonement.
Lysand. 'Tis true: and so we forgive and forget. Happy change!—and all hail this salubrious morning, which witnesses the complete and effectual conversion of Lisardo! Instead of laughing at our book-hobbies, and ridiculing all bibliographical studies—which, even by a bibliographer in the dry department of the law, have been rather eloquently defended and enforced[422]—behold this young bibliomaniacal chevalier, not daunted by the rough handling of a London Book-Auction, anxious to mount his courser, and scour the provincial fields of bibliography! Happy change! From my heart I congratulate you!
[422] "Our nation (says Mr. Bridgeman) has been too inattentive to bibliographical criticisms and enquiries; for, generally, the English reader is obliged to resort to foreign writers to satisfy his mind as to the value of authors. It behoves us, however, to consider that there is not a more useful, or a more desirable branch of education than a knowledge of books; which, being correctly attained, and judiciously exercised, will prove the touchstone of intrinsic merit, and have the effect of saving many a spotless page from prostitution." Legal Bibliography; 1807, 8vo. (To the reader.)