"It would be difficult to explain the emotion of a writer when he stands in the presence of those great writers who have gone before and holds in his hands manuscripts over which they toiled or first editions of their books in which they wrote on publication day a dedication to some friend. At such times the unbroken heritage of a language becomes living and real [...]
Like the Newton collection, the Houghton books and manuscripts were dispersed at public auction, the difference being that Houghton disposed of his while very much alive; each man felt that continued circulation of his treasures through fresh hands would serve a good purpose. [...] These vanished libraries live on in memory, because each had been placed at my disposal at a time when I needed to be reminded of what a splendid contribution to life a book can be."
James A. Michener — Literary Reflections, pp. 62-63
ISBN: 0812550528
Publisher: Forge Books
Publication Date: 1994
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