“Too few people seem to realize that books have feelings. But if I know one thing better than another I know this, that my books know me and love me. When of a morning I awaken I cast my eyes about my room to see how fare my beloved treasures, and as I cry cheerily to them, “Good day to you, sweet friends!” how lovingly they beam upon me, and how glad they are that my repose has been unbroken”.

Eugene Field (1850–1895)

THE LOVE AFFAIRS OF A BIBLIOMANIAC

published (posthumously) in 1896 by Scribners

painting is an 1850

oil on canvas by

Carl Spitzweg (1808-1885)
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