[The Anatomy of Bibliomania]
The postulates I would advance for the true book-hunter are few and simple: I. He must hunt the books himself and not by proxy, must actually undergo of anxiety, the fatigue, and, so far as purse is concerned, the risks of the chase. II. He must love his quarry, as the fox-hunter declares he loves the fox, but without his desire to destroy it. III. He must keep his books for useful studies, delightful reading, or the companionship of their presence: own all the books you can, use all the books you own, and as many more as you can get. IV. He must hunt the books he himself likes and not those approved by fashion, custom, etc. Never hunt the book you ought to hunt, only those you want. We should try to purchase the books which disenchant us least. The one best and sufficient reason for a man to buy a book is because he thinks he will be happier with it than without it. He that is animated by such motives is almost ravished with the pleasure of the game. Book-hunting will be his chief delight and he will judge all places by their capacity to provide him with the means of gratifying his taste.
Holbrook Jackson.
The Anantomy of Bibliomania
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