Many readers judge of the power of a book by the shock it gives their feelings --as some savage tribes determine the power of muskets by their recoil; that being considered best which fairly prostrates the purchaser.

Summary

This quote suggests that some readers gauge the strength of a book based on its ability to evoke emotions, similar to how certain tribes judge the power of a musket by the force with which it knocks them back. In this context, a book is deemed most powerful when it deeply impacts the reader's emotions, leaving them profoundly affected or even overwhelmed. The quote highlights the idea that for some readers, the intensity of a book's emotional impact is an important measure of its effectiveness and quality.

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