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