Corresponding with the almost interminable suite of book-rooms above, is a similar suite below stairs:  but the general appearance of the latter is comparatively cold, desolate, and sombre.  The light comes in, to the right, less abundantly; and, in the first two rooms, the garniture of the volumes is less brilliant and attractive.  In short, these first two lower rooms may be considered rather as the depot for the cataloguing and forwarding of all modern books recently purchased.  Let me now conduct you to the third room in this lower suite, which may probably have a more decided claim upon your attention.  Here are deposited, as I just observed, the VELLUM ALDUSES and other curious and choice old printed volumes.  I will first mention nearly the whole of the former.

HOMERI OPERA.  Gr. Printed by Aldus.  Without Date. 8vo. 2 vols.  A white and beautiful copy—­with large, and genuine margins—­printed UPON VELLUM.  In its original binding, with the ornaments tolerably entire:—­and what binding should this be, but that of Henry the Second and Diane de Poictiers?  Let me just notice that this copy measures six inches and a half, by three inches and six eighths.

EURIPIDIS OPERA.  Gr. 1503. 8vo. 2 vols.  A fair and desirable copy UPON VELLUM; but a little objectionable, as being ruled with red lines rather unskilfully.  It is somewhat coarsely bound in red morocco, and preserved in a case.  This vellum treasure is among the desiderata of Earl Spencer’s library; and I sincerely wish his Lordship no worse luck than the possession of a copy like that before me.[81]

HECUBA, ET IPHIGENIA IN AULIDE.  Gr. and Lat. 1507. 8vo.  A very rare book, and quite perfect, as far as it goes.  This copy, also UPON VELLUM, is much taller than the preceding of the entire works of Euripides; but the vellum is not of so white a tint.

ANTHOLOGIA GRAECA.  Gr. 1503. 8vo.  A very fine genuine copy, upon excellent VELLUM.  I suspect this copy to be a little broader, but by no means taller, than a similar copy in Lord Spencer’s collection.

HORATIUS. 1501. 8vo.  UPON VELLUM:  a good, sound copy; although inferior to Lord Spencer’s.

MARTIALIS. 1502. 8vo.  Would you believe it?—­here are two copies UPON VELLUM, and both originally belonged to Grolier.  They are differently illuminated, but the tallest—­measuring six inches three eighths, by three inches six eighths—­is the whitest, and the preferable copy, notwithstanding one may discern the effects of the nibbling of a worm at the bottom corner.  It is, however, a beautiful book, in every respect.  The initial letters are gold.  In the other copy there are the arms of Grolier, with a pretty illumination in the first page of the text.  It is also a sound copy.

LUCRETIUS. 1515. 8vo.  This copy, UPON VELLUM, is considered to be unique.  It is fair, sound, and in all respects desirable.

CICERO DE OFFICIIS. Without Date. 8vo.  This is but a moderate specimen of the Aldine VELLUM, if it be not a counterfeit—­which I suspect.[82]