I now proceed with an account of some other MSS. appertaining to Scripture; and hasten to introduce to your notice a magnificent folio volume, entitled EVANGELISTARIUM, with a lion’s head in the centre of the exterior binding, surrounded by golden rays, and having a lion’s head in each corner of the square.  The whole is within an arabesque border.  There can be no doubt of the binding being of the time of Frederick III. of the middle of the fourteenth century; and it is at once splendid and tasteful.  The book measures nearly fifteen inches by ten.  The inside almost surpasses any thing of the kind I have seen.  The vellum is smooth, thin, and white—­and the colours are managed so as to have almost a faery like effect.  Each page is surrounded with a light blue frame, having twisted flowers for corner ornaments:  the whole of a quiet, soft tint, not unlike what appears in the Bible of Wenceslaus.  Every line is written in a tall, broad gothic letter—­and every letter is gold.  But the illuminations merit every commendation.  They are of various kinds.  Some are divided into twelve compartments:  but the initial L, to the first page, L[iber Generationis] is the most tasteful, as well as elaborate thing I ever saw.[114] The figures of angels, on the side, and at bottom, have even the merit of Greek art.  A large illumination of our Saviour, with the Virgin and Joseph below, closes the volume:  which really can hardly be sufficiently admired.  The date of the text is 1368.

I shall now give you an account of a few MISSALS of a higher order on the score of art.  And first, let me begin with a beautiful FLEMISH MISSAL, in 8vo.:  in the most perfect state of preservation—­and with the costliest embellishments—­as well as with a good number of drollerries dotted about the margins.  The frame work, to the larger subjects, is composed of gothic architecture.  I am not sure that I have seen any thing which equals the drolleries—­for their variety, finish, and exquisite condition.  The vellum is not to be surpassed.  What gives this book an additional value is, that it was once the property of Charles V.:  for, on the reverse of fol. 157, at bottom, is the following memorandum in his hand writing:  Afin que Ie Ioye de vous recommande accepte bonne Dame cest mis sy en escript vostre vray bon mestre. CHARLES.  A lovely bird, in the margin, is the last illumination.  In the whole, there are 179 leaves.

The next article is a LARGE MISSAL, in letters of gold and silver, upon black paper:  a very extraordinary book—­and, to me, unique.  The first illumination shews the arms of Milan and Austria, quarterly, surrounded by an elaborate gold border.  The text is in letters of silver—­tall stout gothic letters—­with the initial letters of gold.  Some of the subjects are surrounded by gold borders, delightfully and gracefully disposed in circles and flowers.  At the bottom of the page, which faces the descent of the Holy Ghost, is a fool upon horseback—­very singular—­and very spiritedly touched.  The binding is of red velvet, with a representation of the cloven tongues at the day of Pentecost in silver-gilt.