Thus much for the leading booksellers of Paris on the south side of the Seine:  or, indeed, I may say in the whole city.  But, because the south is a warm and genial aspect in the bringing forth of all species of productions, it does not necessarily follow that ... there should be no bibliopolistic vegetation on the north side of the Seine.  Prepare therefore to be introduced to MONS. CHARDIN, in the Rue St. Anne, no. 19; running nearly at right angles with the Rue St. Honore, not far from the Eglise St. Roq. M. Chardin is the last surviving remains of the OLD SCHOOL of booksellers in Paris; and as I love antiquities of almost all kinds, I love to have a little occasional gossip with M. Chardin.  A finer old man, with a more characteristic physiognomy, hath not appeared in France from the time of Gering downwards.  M. Chardin is above the mean height; is usually attired in a rocquelaure; and his fine flowing grey locks are usually surmounted by a small black silk cap.  His countenance is penetrating, but mild:  and he has a certain air of the “Old School” about him, which is always, to my old-fashioned taste, interesting and pleasing.

In his youth he must have been handsome, and his complexion is yet delicate.  But good old M. Chardin is an oddity in his way.  He physics “according to the book”—­that is, according to the Almanack; although I should think he had scarcely one spare ounce of blood in his veins.  Phlebotomy is his “dear delight.”  He is always complaining, and yet expects to be always free from complaint.  But Madame will have it so, and Monsieur is consenting.  He lives on the floor just above the entresol, and his two or three small apartments are gaily furnished with books.  The interior is very interesting; for his chief treasures are locked up within glazed cabinets, which display many a rich and rare article.  These cabinets are beautifully ornamented:  and I do assure you that it is but justice to their owner to say, that they contain many an article which does credit to his taste.

This taste consists principally in a love of ornamented MSS. and printed books UPON VELLUM, in general very richly bound.[143] It is scarcely seven years ago since M. Chardin published an octavo catalogue, of nearly two hundred pages, of MSS. and printed books ... all upon vellum.  He has been long noted for rarities of this kind.  “Il n’y a que des livres rares” is his constant exclamation—­as you open his glazed doors, and stretch forth your hand to take down his treasures.  He is the EDWARDS of France, but upon a smaller scale of action.  Nor does he push his wares, although he does his prices.  You may buy or not, but you must pay for what you do buy.  There is another oddity about this courteous and venerable bibliopolist.  He has a great passion for making his Alduses perfect by means of manuscript; and I must say, that, supposing this plan to be a good