My father’s collection was not great, but to make amends, it was curious; and consequently he was some time in making it; he had the great good fortune however, to set off well, in getting Bruscambille’s prologue upon long noses, almost for nothing⁠—for he gave no more for Bruscambille than three half-crowns; owing indeed to the strong fancy which the stall-man saw my father had for the book the moment he laid his hands upon it.⁠⸺⁠There are not three Bruscambilles in Christendom⁠—said the stall-man, except what are chain’d up in the libraries of the curious. My father flung down the money as quick as lightning⁠⸺⁠took Bruscambille into his bosom⁠⸺⁠hied home from Piccadilly to Coleman-street with it, as he would have hied home with a treasure, without taking his hand once off from Bruscambille all the way.

To those who do not yet know of which gender Bruscambille is⁠⸻inasmuch as a prologue upon long noses might easily be done by either⁠⸻’twill be no objection against the simile⁠—to say, That when my father got home, he solaced himself with Bruscambille after the manner in which, ’tis ten to one, your worship solaced yourself with your first mistress⁠⸻that is, from morning even unto night: which, by the by, how delightful soever it may prove to the inamorato⁠—is of little or no entertainment at all to bystanders.⁠⸺⁠Take notice, I go no farther with the simile⁠—my father’s eye was greater than his appetite⁠—his zeal greater than his knowledge⁠—he cool’d⁠—his affections became divided⁠⸺⁠he got hold of Prignitz⁠—purchased Scroderus, Andrea Paræus, Bouchet’s Evening Conferences, and above all, the great and learned Hafen Slawkenbergius; of which, as I shall have much to say by and by⁠—I will say nothing now.