I arrived here at a very unfortunate moment for bibliographical research.  The holidays of the librarians commence at the latter end of August, and continue ’till the end of September.  I had no sooner delivered my letter of introduction to the well known Mons. ADAM DE BARTSCH—­an Aulic Counsellor, and chief Director of the Library—­than he stepped backward with a thoughtful and even anxious brow.  “What is the matter, Sir, am I likely to be intrusive?” “My good friend”—­replied he—­taking my arm with as pleasant an air of familiarity as if I had been an old acquaintance—­“you have visited us at a most unlucky moment:  but let me turn the matter over in my mind, and you shall have my determination on the morrow.”

That “determination” was as agreeable as it was unexpected; and really on my part—­without the least affectation—­unmerited.  “I have been talking the matter over with my brethren and coadjutors in the library-department, (said M. Bartsch) and we have agreed—­considering the great distance and expense of your journey—­to give you an extra week’s research among our books.  We will postpone our regular trip to Baden,—­whither the court, the noblesse, and our principal citizens at present resort—­in order that you may have an opportunity of perfecting your enquiries.  You will of course make the most of your time.”  I thanked M. Bartsch heartily and unfeignedly for his extreme civility and kindness, and told him that he should not find me either slothful or ungrateful.  In person M. Bartsch is shorter than myself; but very much stouter.  He is known in the graphic world chiefly by his Le Peintre Graveur; a very skilful, and indeed an invaluable production, in sixteen or eighteen octavo volumes—­illustrated with some curious fac-similes.  He is himself an artist of no ordinary ability; and his engravings, especially after some of Rubens’s pictures, are quite admirable.  Few men have done so much at his time of life, and borne the effect of so much strenuous toil, so well as himself.  He is yet gay in spirit, vigorous in intellect, and sound in judgment; and the simplicity of his character and manners (for in truth we are become quite intimate) is most winning.[110] Messrs. PAYNE and KOPITAR are the Librarians who more immediately attend to the examination of the books.  The former is an Abbe—­somewhat stricken in years, and of the most pleasing and simple manners.  I saw little of him, as he was anxious for the breezes of Baden; but I saw enough to regret that he would not meet his brother librarians at the hotel of the Crown of Hungary, where I had prepared the best fare in my power to entertain them.[111]