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Few provincial towns have been more fertile in typographical productions; and the reputation of TALLEUR, GUALTIER, and VALENTIN, gave great respectability to the press of Rouen at the commencement of the sixteenth century.

Yet I am not able to ascertain whether these presses were very fruitful in Romances, Chronicles, and Old Poetry.  I rather think, however, that they were not deficient in this popular class of literature, if I am to judge from the specimens which are yet lingering, as it were, in the hands of the curious.  The gravity even of an archiepiscopal see could never repress the natural love of the French, from time immemorial, for light and fanciful reading.

You know with what pertinacity I grope about old alleys, old courts, by-lanes, and unfrequented corners—­in search of what is curious, or precious, or rare in the book way.  But ere we touch that enchanting chord, let us proceed according to the plan laid down.  First therefore for printing-offices.  Of these, the names of PERIAUX, (Imprimeur de l’Academie,) BAUDRY, (Imprimeur du Roi) MEGARD, (Rue Martainville) and LECRENE-LABBEY, (Imprimeur-Libraire et Marchand de Papiers) are masters of the principal presses; but such is the influence of Paris, or of metropolitan fashions, that a publisher will sometimes prefer getting his work printed at the capital.[72] Of the foregoing printers, it behoves me to make some mention; and yet I can speak personally but of two:  Messieurs Periaux and Megard.  M. Periaux is printer to the Academie des Sciences, Belles-Lettres et Arts de Rouen, of which academy, indeed, he is himself an accomplished member.  He is quick, intelligent, well-bred, and obliging to the last degree; and may be considered the Henry Stephen of the Rouen Printers.  He urged me to call often:  but I could visit him only twice.  Each time I found him in his counting house, with his cap on—­shading his eyes:  a pen in his right hand, and a proof sheet in his left.  Though he rejoiced at seeing me, I could discover (much to his praise) that, like Aldus, he wished me to “say my saying quickly,"[73] and to leave him to his deles and stets!  He has a great run of business, and lives in one of those strange, old-fashioned houses, in the form of a square, with an outside spiral staircase, so common in this extraordinary city.  He introduced me to his son, an intelligent young man—­well qualified to take the labouring oar, either upon the temporary or permanent retirement of his parent.[74]

Of Monsieur MEGARD, who may be called the ancient Jenson, or the modern Bulmer, of Rouen, I can speak only in terms of praise—­both as a civil gentleman and as a successful printer.  He is doubtless the most elegant printer in this city; and being also a publisher, his business is very considerable.  He makes his regular half yearly journeys among the neighbouring towns and villages, and as regularly brings