When I dined with the Editor, the other day, I was shewn these superb volumes with all due form and solemnity:  and I must say that they do very great credit to the press of the Elder Didot.  Yet I fear that it will be a long time before the worthy M. Gail is remunerated for his enterprising and speculative spirit.  In all the duties attached to his situation in the Royal Library, this worthy character is equally correct and commendable.  He is never so fully occupied with old Greek and Latin MSS., but that he will immediately attend to your wants; and, as much as depends upon himself, will satisfy them most completely.  Anacreon has left behind some little deposit of good humour and urbanity, which has continued to nourish the heart of his Translator; for M. Gail is yet jocose, and mirth-loving; fond of a lively repartee, whether in conversation or in writing.  He may count some sixty-two years.

But it is high time to introduce you to another of these “Confreres” at the Bibliotheque du Roi; of whom indeed, hitherto, I have made but a slight mention.  You will readily guess that this must be the well-known AUBIN LOUIS MILLIN—­the Head of the department of Antiquities; or the principal Archaeologist of the establishment.  My friend Mr. Dawson Turner having furnished me with introductory credentials, I called upon M. Millin within twenty-four hours of my arrival at Paris.  In consequence, from that time to this, I have had frequent intercourse with him.  Indeed I am willing to hope that our acquaintance has well nigh mellowed into friendship.  He is a short, spare, man; with a countenance lighted up by intelligence rather than moulded by beauty.  But he is evidently just now (and indeed, as I learn, has been for some time past) labouring under severe indisposition.  He is the thorough Frenchman both in figure and manners:  light, cheerful, active, diligent, and exceedingly good natured and communicative.  His apartments are admirably furnished:  and his LIBRARY does him infinite honour—­considering the limited means by which it has been got together.  His abode is the constant resort of foreigners, from all countries, and of all denominations; and the library is the common property of his friends, and even of strangers—­when they are well recommended to him.

Millin has been a great traveller; but, if the reports which have reached me prove true, his second voyage to Italy, recently accomplished, have sown the seeds of incurable disease in his constitution.  Indeed:  when I look at him, at times, I fancy that I discover that in his countenance ... which I wish were not so palpable ... to my observation.  His collection of drawings, of fac-similes of all descriptions—­of prints and of atlasses—­is immense.  They are freely laid open to the inspection of any curious observer:  and I have already told you how heartily M. Millin begged that Mr. Lewis would consider his house as his home—­for the prosecution of his drawings from the illuminated