belonged to Henry II. and Diane de Poictiers, and the decorations of the pencil are worthy of the library to which it was attached.  The top ornament, and the initial letter,—­at the beginning of the text—­are each executed upon a blue ground, shaded in brown and gold, in the most exquisitely tasteful manner.  This initial letter has been copied “ad amussim” by old Robert Stephen.  Upon the whole, this is really an enchanting book, whether on the score of writing or of ornament.

Farewell, now, therefore—­to the Collection of MSS. in the Bibliotheque du Roi at Paris.  Months and years may be spent among them, and the vicissitudes of seasons (provided fires were occasionally introduced) hardly felt.  I seem, for the last fortnight, to have lived entirely in the “olden time;” in a succession of ages from that of Charles the Bald to that of Henri Quatre:  and my eyes have scarcely yet recovered from the dazzling effects of the illuminator’s pencil.  “II faut se reposer un peu.”

[38] Vol. i. p. ccxx-i.

[39] See Bibl.  Spenceriana, vol. iv p. 421.

[40] The fac-simile drawing of this portrait, by M. Coeure—­from which the
    print was taken, in the previous edition of this work—­is also in the
    possession of my friend Mr. Ponton.  See note, page 79 ante.

[41] The words “del lac” are in a later hand.

[42] What is rather singular, there is a duplicate of this book:  a copy of
    every illumination, done towards the beginning of the sixteenth
    century; but the text is copied in a smaller hand, so as to compress
    the volume into lxviij. leaves.  Unluckily, the copies of the
    illuminations are not only comparatively coarse, but are absolutely
    faithless as to resemblances.  There is a letter prefixed, from a
    person named Le Hay, of the date of 1707, in which the author
    tells some gentleman that he was in hopes to procure the volume for
    100 crowns; but afterwards, the owner obstinately asking 200, Le
    Hay tells his friend to split the difference, and offer 150.  This
    book once belonged to one “Hector Le Breton Sievr de la
    Doynetrie”—­as the lettering upon the exterior of the binding
    implies—­and as a letter to his son, of the date of 1660, within the
    volume, also shows.  This letter is signed by Le Breton.

LETTER V.

SOME ACCOUNT OF EARLY PRINTED AND RARE BOOKS IN THE ROYAL LIBRARY.

As the ART of PRINTING rather suddenly, than gradually, checked the progress of that of writing and illuminating—­and as the pressman in consequence pretty speedily tripped up the heels of the scribe—­it will be a natural and necessary result...that I take you with me to the collection of PRINTED BOOKS.  Accordingly, let us ascend the forementioned lofty flight of stone steps, and paying attention to the affiche of “wiping our shoes,” let us enter:  go straight forward:  make our obeisance to Monsieur Van Praet, and sit down doggedly but joyfully to the glorious volumes...many of them