CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH.
NEAR IT.
THE Library at Windygates was the largest and the handsomest room in the house.

The two grand divisions under which Literature is usually arranged in these days occupied the customary places in it.

On the shelves which ran round the walls were the books which humanity in general respects--and does not read.

On the tables distributed over the floor were the books which humanity in general reads--and does not respect.

In the first class, the works of the wise ancients; and the Histories, Biographies, and Essays of writers of more modern times--otherwise the Solid Literature, which is universally respected, and occasionally read.