Tres excellente illustre et magnificque Fleur de noblesse exquise et redolente Dame dhonneur princesse pacifique Salut a ta maieste precellente Tes seruiteurs par voye raisonnable Tant iusticiers que le peuple amyable.  De amyens cite dicte de amenite Recomandant sont par humilite Leur bien publicque en ta grace et puissance Toy confessant estre en realite Mere humble et franche au grant espoir de France.

The text is accompanied by the common-place flower Arabesques of the period.

HOURS OF ANNE OF BRITTANY.  The order of this little catalogue of a few of the more splendid and curious ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS, in the Royal Library of France, has at length, my worthy friend, brought me in contact with the magical and matchless volume usually designated by the foregoing title.  You are to know—­in the first place—­that, of ALL the volumes in this most marvellous Library, the present is deemed THE MOST PRECIOUS.  Not even the wishes and regulations of Royalty itself allow of its migration beyond the walls of the public library.  There it is kept:  there it is opened, and shewn, and extolled beyond any limits fixed to the admiration of the beholder.  It is a rare and bewitching piece of art, I do assure you:  and so, raising your expectations to their highest pitch, I will allow you to anticipate whatever is wonderful in FRANCESCO VERONESE and gorgeous in GIROLAMO DEI LIBRI.[35] Perhaps, however, this is not the most happy illustration of the art which it displays.

The first view of this magical volume is doubtless rather disheartening:  but the sight of the original silver clasps (luckily still preserved) will operate by way of a comforter.  Upon them you observe this ornament: 

[Illustration.]

denoting, by the letter and the ducal crown, that the book belonged to Anne, Duchess of Brittany.  On the reverse of the second leaf we observe the Dead Christ and the three Maries.  These figures are about six inches in height.  They are executed with great delicacy, but in a style somewhat too feeble for their size.  One or two of the heads, however, have rather a good expression.

Opposite to this illumination is the truly invaluable PORTRAIT OF ANNE herself:  attended by two females, each crowned with a glory; one is displaying a banner, the other holding a cross in her hand.  To the left of these attendants, is an old woman, hooded, with her head encircled by a glory.  They are all three sweetly and delicately touched; but there are many evident marks of injury and ill usage about the surface of the colouring.  Yet, as being ideal personages, my eye hastily glided off them to gaze upon the illustrious Lady, by whose orders, and at whose expense, these figures were executed.  It is upon the DUCHESS that I fix my eye, and lavish my commendations.  Look at her[36] as you here behold her.  Her gown is brown and gold, trimmed with dark brown fur.  Her hair is brown.  Her necklace is composed of coloured jewels.  Her cheek has a fresh tint; and the missal, upon which her eyes are bent, displays highly ornamented art.  The cloth upon the table is dark crimson.