There are bargain hunters other than the kind of one I have already referred to, and some of them delight to attend auction sales, and buy under the hammer. This is a very dangerous pastime, and, unless the amateur be unusually well armed by considerable experience, it is one that I should warn him against. Now and again some measure of success may attend the adventure, but it is a kind of experiment that brings more disappointment than satisfaction.

If the reader wishes to gain some knowledge of values, he cannot do better than watch carefully the sales at Christie's or any other respectable auctioneers, and if when he "views " the sale he should make a careful examination of a piece that he fancies, it is excellent practice to form an estimate of its value, and watch the result on the day of sale. I know of no better plan to gain valuable experience.

As to the actual purchase of the piece in question, I would advise him to seek the assistance of a dealer of repute, to act for him in the purchase; he will get the benefit of a valuable opinion, and moreover, if he does eventually purchase it, he will probably do so for a great deal less than if he endeavoured to save the commission.

As a matter of fact, in no case is a higher commission charged than five Per cent. on the amount, and where the sum is considerable an arrangement can be made for a smaller percentage. It is well worth the payment, if the commission be loyally and faithfully performed.

Another plan which I suggest as even better in many cases, is to attend the sale, watch quietly who is the buyer of the lot, and then, if he be in the trade, make a bargain with him for a fair profit on his purchase. Many of the best dealers are only too willing to take a small benefit for a quick sale such as this, in some cases ten or fifteen Per cent. on the auction price, and the amateur obtains for this very moderate advance not only the benefit of the dealer's experience and knowledge, but he has an opportunity of buying deliberately and in cold blood, instead of hastily and under the influence of excitement.

Many of the best collections of furniture and of other works of art, formed by amateurs, have been made by following out in practice some such rules as I have suggested. For instance, the famous Jones bequest in the Victoria and Albert Museum, was a collection formed chiefly on the advice and through the agency of a well-known dealer named King, who died some twenty or twenty-five years ago, and the value now of that collection is probably more than three times that which the late Mr. Jones paid for it. Other instances could be quoted, but as the dealers who have acted, and are still acting for their principals, are in business, one cannot name them for obvious reasons.

The hints and cautions given here are intended more for the average purchaser of quaint old furniture, than for collectors on such a scale as that of Mr. John Jones; but to some extent the same advice holds good. Establish such business relations with one or two dealers of repute, that they can be visited without expecting a purchase to be always effected; make use of their advice and services either for private buying or for their attendance at sales on your behalf, obtain a properly descriptive invoice of every purchase, and as experience and knowledge are gradually acquired, the collection of specimens of old furniture may be made not only a very fascinating hobby, but a judicious investment of capital.