jumped with avidity to obtain such a copy of it:  for, bating that it is “un peu rogne,” the condition and colour are quite enchanting.  And then for the binding!—­which either Colbert, or his librarian Baluze, had the good sense and good taste to leave untouched.  The first and second volumes are in reddish calf, with the royal arms in the centre, and the half moon (in tarnished silver) beneath:  the arabesque ornaments, or surrounding border is in gilt.  The edges are gilt, stamped; flush with the fore edges of the binding.  In the centre of the sides of the binding, is a large H, with a fleur de lis at top:  the top and bottom borders presenting the usual D and H, united, of which you may take a peep in the Bibliographical Decameron. The third volume is in dark blue leather, with the same side ornaments; and the title of the work, as with the preceding volumes, is lettered in Greek capitals.  The H and crown, and monogram, as before; but the edges of the leaves are, in this volume, stamped at bottom and top with an H, surmounted by a crown.  The sides of the binding are also fuller and richer than in the preceding volumes.  This magnificent copy was given to the Library by P. Le Jeune.  It is quite a treasure in its way.

Another specimen, if you please, from the library of our favourite Diana.  It is rather of a singular character:  consisting of a French version of that once extremely popular work (originally published in the Latin language) called the Cosmography of Sebastian Munster. The edition is of the date of 1556, in folio.  This copy must have been as splendid as it is yet curious.  It contains two portraits of Henry the Second ("HENRICVS II.  GALLIARVM REX INVICTISS.  PP.”) and four of Holofernes ("OLOFARNE.”) on each side of the binding.  In the centre of the sides we recognise the lunar ornaments of Diane de Poictiers; but on the back, are five portraits of her, in gilt, each within the bands—­and, like all the other ornaments, much rubbed.  Two of these five heads are facing a different head of Henry.  There are also on the sides two pretty medallions of a winged figure blowing a trumpet, and standing upon a chariot drawn by four horses:  there are also small fleur de lis scattered between the ornaments of the sides of the binding.  The date of the medallion seems to be 1553.  The copy is cruelly cropt, and the volume is sufficiently badly printed; which makes it the more surprising that such pains should have been taken with its bibliopegistic embellishments.  Upon the whole, this copy, for the sake of its ornaments, is vehemently desirable.