and most attractive forms.  They also pretend that their large paper copy of the first edition of Huet’s Praeparatio Evangelica, in folio, is unique.  Probably it is, as the author presented it to the Library himself.  The Basil Eustathius of 1559, in 3 volumes folio, is as glorious a copy as is Mr. Grenville’s of the Roman edition of 1542.[131] It is in its pristine membranaceous attire—­the vellum lapping over the fore-edges, in the manner of Mr. Heber’s copy of the first Aldine Aristotle,—­most comfortable to behold!  There is a fine large paper copy of Montaigne’s Essays, 1635, folio, containing two titles and a portrait of the author.  It is bound in red morocco, and considered by M. Hebert a most rare and desirable book.  Indeed I was told that one Collector in particular was exceedingly anxious to obtain it.  I saw a fine copy of the folio edition of Ronsard, printed in 1584, which is considered rare.  There is also a copy of the well known Liber Nanceidos, from Bochart’s library, with a few ms. notes by Bochart himself.  Here I saw, for the first time, a French metrical version of the works of Virgil, by Robert and Anthony Chevaliers d’Agneaux freres, de Vire, en Normandie; published at Paris in 1582, in elegant italic type; considered rare.  The same translators published a version of Horace; but it is not here.  You may remember that I made mention of a certain work (in one of my late letters) called Les Vaudevires d’Olivier Basselin.  They preserve here a very choice copy of it, in 4to., large paper; and of which size only ten copies are said to be in existence.  The entire title is “Les Vaudevires Poesies du XVme. siecle, par Olivier Basselin, avec un Discours sur sa Vie et des Notes pour l’explication de quelques anciens Mots:  Vire, 1811.” 8vo.  There are copies upon pink paper, of which this is one—­and which was in fact presented to the Library by the Editors.  Prefixed to it, is an indifferent drawing, in india ink, representing the old castle of Vire, now nearly demolished, with Basselin seated at a table along with three of his boosing companions, chaunting his verses “a pleine gorge.”  This Basselin appears in short to have been the French DRUNKEN BARNABY of his day.

“What! (say you:) “not one single specimen from the library of your favourite DIANE DE POICTIERS?  Can this be possible?”—­No more of interrogatory, I beseech you:  but listen attentively and gratefully to the intelligence which you are about to receive—­and fancy not, if you have any respect for my taste, that I have forgotten my favourite Diane de Poictiers.  On looking sharply about you, within this library, there will be found a magnificent copy of the Commentaries of Chrysostom upon the Epistles of St. Paul, printed by Stephanus et Fratres a Sabio, at Verona, in 1529, in three folio volumes.  It is by much and by far the finest Greek work which I ever saw from the Sabii Press.[132] No wonder Colbert