PRISCIANUS. Printed by V. de Spira. 1470.  Folio.  First Edition.  We have here a truly delicious copy—­UPON VELLUM—­and much superior to a similar copy in the Royal Library[95] I ought slightly to notice that a few of the leaves, following the date, are tawny, and others mended.  Upon the whole, however, this is a book which rejoices the eye and warms the heart of a classical bibliographer.  It is bound in pale calf, with gilt stamped edges, and once belonged to the Pontiff from whose library almost every previously-described volume was obtained.

DANTE. Printed by Petrus [Adam de Michaelibus.] Mantua. 1472.  Folio.  A large and fair copy of an exceedingly rare edition.  It appears to be quite perfect.

BOETIUS. Printed by Frater Iohannes 1474. 4to.  It is for the first time that I open the leaves of this scarce edition.  It is printed in a sharp and rather handsome roman type, and this copy has sixty-three numbered leaves.

ANTHOLOGIA GRAECA. 1498. 4to.  We have here a most desirable copy—­UPON VELLUM, which is equally soft and white.  It has been however peppered a little by a worm, at the beginning and end; especially at the end.  It is coated in a goodly sort ofGaignat binding.

CICERONIS OPERA OMNIA. Milan. 1498.  Folio. 4 vols.  This is the finest copy of this rare set of volumes which it has been my lot yet to examine; but the dedication of the printer, Minutianus, to I.I.  Trivulcius, on the reverse of the first leaf of the first volume, is unluckily wanting.  There are, who would call this a large paper copy.

MARSILIUS FICINUS:  IN DIONYSIUM AREOPAGITAM. Printed by Laurentius, the Son of Franciscus a Venetian; at Florence.  Without Date.  Folio.  This is certainly a very beautiful and genuine book, in this particular condition—­ UPON VELLUM—­but the small gothic type, in which it is printed, is a good deal blurred.  The binding is in its first state:  in a deep red-coloured leather, over boards.  I should apprehend this impression to be chiefly valuable on the score of rarity and high price, when it is found upon vellum.

The foregoing are what I selected from the Fifteeners; after running an attentive eye over the shelves upon which the books, of that description are placed.  In the same case or division where these Fifteeners are lodged, there happen to be a few Alduses, UPON VELLUM—­so beautiful, rare, and in such uncommon condition, that I question whether M. Van Praet doth not occasionally cast an envious eye upon these membranaceous treasures—­ secretly, and perhaps commendably, wishing that some of them may one day find their way into the Royal Collection!...  You shall judge for yourself.

HOMERI OPERA.  Gr. Printed by Aldus.  Without date. 12mo. 2 vols.  First Aldine impression; and this copy perhaps yields only to the one in the Royal Library.[96] These volumes are differently bound; but of the two, that containing the Iliad, gains in length what it loses in breadth.  The vellum is equally soft, white, and well-conditioned; and perhaps, altogether, the copy is only one little degree inferior to that in the Royal Library.  The Odyssey is bound in old red morocco, with stampt gilt edges.  This copy was purchased from the Salviati Library.