Chapter III

The _Handbook_ of 1867 and Its Fruits--Mr Henry Huth--His
Beneficial Influence on My Bibliographical Labours--He
invites Me to co-operate in the Formation of His Library--I
edit Books for Him--He declines to entertain the Notion of
a Librarian--My Advantages and Risks--A Few Heavy Plunges--
A _Barnaby's Journal_--A _Book of Hours of the Virgin_--The
Butler MSS.--Archbishop Laud--Montaigne--Mr Huth answerable
for My Conversion into a Speculator--The Immense Value of
the Departure to My Progress as a Bibliographer--A Caxton
from the Country--Why I had to pay so Much for It--Mr
Huth's Preferences--His _Americana_--Deficiencies of His
Library gradually supplied--His Dramatic Series--Beaumont
and Fletcher and Ben Jonson--Mr Huth a Linguist and a
Scholar--His First Important Purchase--Contrasted with
Heber--The Drawer at Mr Quaritch's kept for Mr Huth--His
Uncertainty or Caprice explained by Himself--His Failing
Health becomes an Obstacle--The Fancy a Personal One, 41