We were no sooner fairly within the library, than I requested my chief conductor to give me a brief outline of its history.  “Willingly” he replied.  “This library, the remains of a magnificent collection, of from 30, to 40,000 volumes, was originally placed in the Chapter-house, hard by.  Look through the window to your left, and you will observe the ruins of that building.  We have here about 5000 volumes:  but the original collection consisted of the united libraries of defunct, and even of living, clergymen—­for, during the revolution, the clergy, residing both in town and country, conveyed their libraries to the Chapter-house, as a protection against private pillage.  Well! in that same Chapter-house, the books, thus collected, were piled one upon another, in layers, flat upon the floor—­reaching absolutely, to the cieling ... and for ten long years not a creature ventured to introduce a key into the library door.  The windows also were rigidly kept shut.  At length the Revolutionists wanted lead for musket balls, and they unroofed the chapter-house with their usual dexterity.  Down came the rain upon the poor books, in consequence; and when M. Moysant received the orders of government to examine this library, and to take away as many books as he wanted for the public library at Caen... he was absolutely horror-struck by the obstacles which presented themselves.  From the close confinement of every door and window, for ten years, the rank and fetid odour which issued, was intolerable.  For a full fortnight every door and window was left open for ventilation, ere M. Moysant could begin his work of selection.  He selected about 5000 volumes only; but the infuriated Revolutionists, on his departure, wantonly plundered and destroyed a prodigious number of the remainder ... “et enfin (concluded he) vous voyez, Monsieur, ce qu’ils nous out laisse.”  You will give me credit for having listened to every word of such a tale.

The present library, which is on the first floor, is apparently about twenty-five feet square.  The Abbe made me observe the XIIIth. volume of the Gallia Christiana,[145] in boards, remarking that “it was of excessive rarity;” but I doubt this.  On shewing me the famous volume of Sanctius or Sanches de Matrimonio Sacramentario, 1607, folio, the Abbe observed—­“that the author wrote it, standing with his bare feet upon marble.”  I was well pleased with a pretty illuminated ms.  Missal, in a large thick quarto volume, with borders and pictures in good condition; but did not fail to commend right heartily the proper bibliomaniacal spirit of M. Fetit in having kept concealed the second volume of Gering’s Latin Bible—­being the first impression of the sacred text in France—­when M. Moysant came armed with full powers to carry off what treasures he pleased.  No one knows what has become of the first volume, but this second is cruelly imperfect—­it is otherwise a fair copy.  Upon the whole, although it is almost a matter of conscience, as well as of character, with me, to examine every thing in the shape of a library, and especially of a public one, yet it must be admitted that the collection under consideration is hardly worthy of a second visit:  and accordingly I took both a first and a final view of it.