The specimens of Greek art, in coins, and other small productions, are equally precious and select.  Vases, shields, gems, and cameos—­the greater part of which are described in Caylus’s well-known work—­are perfectly enchanting.  But the famous AGAT of the STE. CHAPELLE—­supposed to be the largest in the world, and which has been engraved by Giradet in a manner perfectly unrivalled—­will not fail to rivet your attention, and claim your most unqualified commendation.  The sardonyx, called the VASE of PTOLEMY, is another of the great objects of attraction in the room where we are now tarrying—­and beautiful, and curious, and precious, it unquestionably is.  Doubtless, in such a chamber as this, the classical archaeologist will gaze with no ordinary emotions, and meditate with no ordinary satisfaction.  But I think I hear the wish escape him—­as he casts an attentive eye over the whole—­“why do they not imitate us in a publication relating to them?  Why do they not put forth something similar to what we have done for our Museum Marbles?  Or rather, speaking more correctly, why are not the Marlborough Gems considered as an object of rivalry, by the curators of this exquisite cabinet?  Paris is not wanting both in artists who design, and who engrave, in this department, with at least equal skill to our own."[19]

Let us now return to the Books.  In the fourth book-room there is an opening in the centre, to the left, nearly facing the bronze ornament—­through which, as you enter, and look to the left, appear the upper halves of two enormous GLOBES.  The effect is at first, inconceivably puzzling and even startling:  but you advance, and looking down the huge aperture occasioned by these gigantic globes, you observe their bases resting on the ground floor:  both the upper and ground floor having the wainscots entirely covered by books.  These globes are the performance of Vincent Coronelli, a Venetian; and were presented to Louis XIV. by the Cardinal d’Etrees, who had them made for his Majesty.  You return back into the fourth room—­pace on to its extremity, and then, at right angles, view the fifth room—­or, comprising the upper and lower globe rooms, a seventh room; the whole admirably well lighted up from large side windows.  Observe further—­the whole corresponding suite of rooms, on the ground floor, is also nearly filled with printed books, comprising the unbound copies—­and one chamber, occupied by the more exquisite specimens of the presses of the Alduses, the Giuntae, the Stephens, &c.  UPON VELLUM, or on large paper.  Another chamber is exclusively devoted to large paper copies of all descriptions, from the presses of all countries; and in one or the other of these chambers are deposited the volumes from the Library of Grolier and De Thou—­names, dear to Book-Collectors; as an indifferent copy has hardly ever yet been found which was once deposited on the shelves of either.  You should know that the public do not visit this lower suite of rooms, it being open only to the particular friends of the several Librarians.  The measurement of these rooms, from the entrance to the extremity of the fifth room, is upwards of 700 feet.