There are two or three Missals deserving only of brief notice.  One, of the XIVth century, is executed in large gothic letter; having an exceedingly vivid and fresh illumination of a crucifixion, but in bad taste, opposite the well-known passage of “Te igitur clementissime,” &c.  It is bound in red satin.  Two missals of the xvth century—­of which one presents only a few interesting prints connected with art.  It is ornamented in a sort of bistre outline, preparatory to colouring—­of which numerous examples may be seen in the Breviary of the Duke of Bedford in the Royal Library at Paris.[13] I examined half a dozen more Missals, which the kind activity of M. Le Bret had placed before me, and among them found nothing deserving of particular observation,—­except a thick, short, octavo volume, in the German language, with characteristic and rather clever embellishments; especially in the borders.

There is a folio volume entitled “La Vie, Mort, et Miracles de St. Jerome.”  The first large illumination, which is prettily composed, is unluckily much injured in some parts.  It represents the author kneeling, with his cap in his right hand, and a book bound in black, with gold clasps and knobs, in the other.  A lady appears to receive this presentation-volume very graciously; but unfortunately her countenance is obliterated.  Two female attendants are behind her:  the whole, gracefully composed.  I take this MS. to be of the end of the xvth. century.  There is a most desirable MS. of the Roman de la Rose—­of the end of the xivth century; in double columns; with some of the illuminations, about two inches square, very sweet and interesting.  That, on the recto of folio xiiij, is quite charming.  The “testament” of the author, J. de Meun, follows; quietly decorated, within flowered borders.  The last illumination but one, of our Saviour, sitting upon a rainbow is very singular.  This MS. is in its old binding of wood.

A few miscellaneous articles may be here briefly noticed.  First:  a German metrical version of the Game of Chess, moralized, called Der Schachzabel. This is an extraordinary, and highly illuminated MS. upon paper; written in a sort of secretary gothic hand, in short rhyming verse, as I conceive about the year 1400, or 1450.  The embellishments are large and droll, and in several of them we distinguish that thick, and shining, but cracked coat of paint which is upon the old print of St. Bridget, in Lord Spencer’s collection.[14] Among the more striking illuminations is the Knight on horseback, in silver armour, about nine inches high—­a fine showy fellow!  His horse has silver plates over his head.  Many of the pieces in the game are represented in a highly interesting manner, and the whole is invaluable to the antiquary.  This MS. is in boards.  Second:  a German version of Maundeville, of the date of 1471, with curious, large, and grotesque illuminations, of the coarsest