CICERONIS ORATIONES. 1519. 8vo.  UPON VELLUM.  Only the first volume, which however is quite perfect and desirable—­measuring six inches and a quarter, by very nearly four inches.  But prepare for an account of a perfect, and still more magnificent, vellum copy of the Orations of Cicero—­when I introduce you to the Library of St. Genevieve.

HIST. AUGUST. SCRIPTORES. 1521. 8vo. 2 vols.  A sound and fair copy—­of course UPON VELLUM—­but too much cropt in the binding.  The foregoing are all the Aldine, Greek and Latin Classics, printed UPON VELLUM, which the liberal kindness of M. Van Praet enabled me to lay my hands upon.  But here follows another membranaceous gem of the Aldine Family.

PETRARCHA. 1501. 8vo.  A beautiful, white copy, measuring six inches and a half, by three and three quarters.  It is, however, somewhat choked in the binding, (in blue morocco) as too many of Bozerian’s performances usually are.[83] Close to this book is the Giunta reprint of 1515—­ALSO UPON VELLUM:  but of a foxy and unpleasing tint.  Now for a few LARGE PAPER ALDUSES—­of a variety of forms and of characters.  But I must premise that the ensuing list of those upon vellum, is very far indeed from being complete.

HORAE.  Gr. 1497. 12mo.  A beautiful copy, among the very rarest of books which have issued from the Aldine press.  Here is also one volume of the Aldine ARISTOTLE, upon large paper:  and only one.  Did the remaining volumes ever so exist?  I should presume they did.

BIBLIA GRAECA. 1518.  Folio.  Upon thick paper.  Francis the First’s own copy.  A glorious and perhaps matchless copy.  Yet it is rebacked, in modern binding, in a manner ... almost shameful!

PLAUTUS. 1522.  Small quarto.  A very fine copy; in all appearance large paper, and formerly belonging to Grolier.

AUSONIUS. 1517. 8vo.  Large paper; very fine; and belonging to the same.

VALERIUS MAXIMUS. 1534. 8vo.  The same—­in all respects.

PRISCIANUS. 1527. 8vo.  Every characteristic before mentioned.

SANNAZARII ARCADIA. Ital. 1514. 8vo.  The same.

——­ De Partu Virginis. 1533. 8vo.  An oblong, large paper Grolier, like most of the preceding.

ISOCRATES.  Gr. 1534.  Folio.  EUSTRATIUS IN ARISTOT.  Gr. 1536.  Both upon large paper, of the largest possible dimensions, and in the finest possible condition; add to which—­rich and rare old binding!  Both these books, upon large paper, are wanting in Lord Spencer’s collection; but then, as a pretty stiff set-off, his Lordship has the THEMISTIUS of 1534—­ which, for size and condition, may challenge either of the preceding—­and which is here wanting.

GALENUS. 1525.  Gr.  Folio. 5 vols.  A matchless set, upon large paper.  The binding claims as much attention, before you open the volumes, as does a finely-proportioned Greek portico—­ere you enter the temple or the mansion.  The foregoing are all, doubtless, equally splendid and uncommon specimens of the beauty and magnificence of the press of the Alduses:  and they are also, with very few exceptions, as intrinsically valuable as they are fine.  I shall conclude my survey of these lower-book-regions by noticing a few more uncommon books of their kind.