"Now that Norrell and I have vanished, he's possibly the greatest authority on magic in the country," Strange explains, in a matter of fact tone of voice. Oh, there were other practical magicians: Segundus and Honeyfoot spring to mind. But neither of them had the knowledge that Childermass did. After all, there were very few books of magic and what books there were, Norrell owned them (and books that Strange is certain Childermass read when Norrell was asleep or ill or both.)

This made John Childermass one of the most learned men on magic in England. Childermass probably hated it.

"But you're right. England is about to enter a new age. It needs to change and flourish, not follow the whims of a madman or a book hoarder." Strange only hopes that people let it change and flourish.