Cardinals, and Bishops, with a King seated on his throne in the midst of them.  The figures in the fore-ground are from four to five inches high; and so in gradation upwards.  The colouring of some of the draperies is in a most delightful tone.  The countenances have also a soft and quiet expression.  The arms of Graville (Grauille?) are in the circular border.  Three leaves beyond, a still larger and more crowded illumination appears—­in a surprising state of freshness and beauty; measuring nearly a foot and a half in height.  It is prefixed to the First Book, and is divided into a group in the clouds, and various groups upon the earth below.  These latter are representations of human beings in all situations and occupations of life—­exhibiting the prevalence both of virtues and vices.  They are encircled at bottom by a group of Demons.  The figures do not exceed two inches in height.  Nothing can exceed the delicacy and brilliancy of this specimen of art about the middle of the fifteenth century:—–­a ms. date of 1469 shewing the precise period of its execution.  This latter is at the end of the first volume.  Each book, into which the work is divided, has a large illumination prefixed, of nearly equal beauty and splendor.

LES ECHECS AMOUREUX.  Folio.  No. 6808.  The title does not savour of any moral application to be derived from the perusal of the work.  Nevertheless, there are portions of it which were evidently written with that view.  It is so lovely, and I had almost said so matchless, a volume, that you ought to rejoice to have an account of it in any shape.  On the score of delicate, fresh, carefully-executed art, this folio may challenge comparison with any similar treasure in the Bibliotheque du Roi.  The subjects are not crowded, nor minute; nor of a very wonderful and intricate nature; but they are quietly composed, softly executed, and are, at this present moment, in a state of preservation perfectly beautiful and entire.

BOCCACE; DES CAS DES NOBLES HOMMES ET FEMMES:  No. 6878.  The present seems to be the fit place to notice this very beautiful folio volume of one of the most popular works of Boccaccio.  Copies of it, both in ms. and early print—­are indeed common in foreign libraries.  There is a date of 1409 at the very commencement of the volume:  but I take the liberty to question whether that be the date of its actual execution.  The illuminations in this manuscript exhibit a fine specimen of the commencement of that soft, and as some may think woolly, style of art, which appears to so much advantage in the Bedford Missal and Bedford Breviary; and of which, indeed, a choice specimen of circular ornaments is seen round the first large illumination of the creation and expulsion of Adam and Eve.  These illuminations are not of first rate merit, nor are they all by the same hand.