elevation of ceiling—­worthy in all respects of the glorious treasures which it contains.  Let me, however, be more explicit.  In the very first room you have an earnest of all the bibliomaniacal felicity which these MSS. hold out.  Look to the left—­upon entering—­and view, perhaps lost in a very ecstacy of admiration—­the Romances ... of all sizes and character, which at first strike you!  What Launcelot du Lacs, Tristans, Leonnois, Arturs, Ysaises, and feats of the Table Ronde, stand closely wedged within the brass-wired doors that incircle this and every other apartment! Bibles, Rituals, Moralities, ... next claim your attention.  You go on—­History, Philosophy, Arts and Sciences ... but it is useless to indulge in these rhapsodies.  The fourth apartment, of which I spake, exhibits specimens of what are seen more plentifully, but not of more curious workmanship, in the larger room to which it leads.  Here glitter, behind glazed doors, old volumes of devotion bound in ivory, or gilt, or brass, studded with cameos and precious stones; and covered with figures of all characters and ages—­some of the XIIth—­and more of the immediately following centuries.  Some of these bindings (among which I include Diptychs) may be as old as the eleventh—­and they have been even carried up to the tenth century.

Let us however return quickly back again; and begin at the beginning.  The first room, as I before observed, has some of the most exquisitely illuminated, as well as some of the most ancient MSS., in the whole library.  A phalanx of Romances meets the eye; which rather provokes the courage, than damps the ardor, of the bibliographical champion.  Nor are the illuminated Bibles of less interest to the graphic antiquary.  In my next letter you shall see what use I have made of the unrestrained liberty granted me, by the kind-hearted Curators, to open what doors, and examine what volumes, I pleased.  Meanwhile let me introduce you to the excellent MONSIEUR GAIL, who is sitting at yonder desk—­examining a beautiful Greek MS. of Polybius, which once belonged to Henry II. and his favourite Diane de Poictiers.  M. Gail is the chief Librarian presiding over the Greek and Latin MSS., and is himself Professor of the Greek language in the royal college of France.  Of this gentleman I shall speak more particularly anon.  At the present moment it may suffice only to observe that he is thoroughly frank, amiable, and communicative, and dexterous in his particular vocation:  and that he is, what we should both call, a hearty, good fellow—­ a natural character.  M. Gail is accompanied by the assistant librarians MM.  De. l’EPINE, and MEON:  gentlemen of equal ability in their particular department, and at all times willing to aid and abet the researches of those who come to examine and appreciate the treasures of which they are the joint Curators.  Indeed I cannot speak too highly of these gentlemen—­ nor can I too much admire the system and the silence which uniformly prevail.