CICERONIS ORATIONES. Printed at the Aldine Press. 1519. 8vo. 3 vols.  Surely this copy is the ne plus ultra of a VELLUM ALDUS!  In size, condition, and colour, nothing can surpass it.  When I say this, I am not unmindful of the Royal copies here, and more particularly of the Pindar and Ovid in St. James’s Place.  But, in truth, there reigns throughout the rectos and reverses of each of these volumes, such a mellow, quiet, and genuine tone of colour, that the most knowing bibliographer and the most fastidious Collector cannot fail to express his astonishment on turning over the leaves.  They are bound in old red morocco, with the arms of a Cardinal on the exterior; and (with the exception of the first volume, which is some very little shorter) full six inches and a half, by four inches.  Shew me its like if you can!

I shall mention only three more volumes; but neither of them Aldine; and then take leave of the library of Ste. Genevieve.

MISSALE MOZARABICUM. 1500.  Folio.  A fine copy for size and colour; but unluckily much wormed at the beginning, though a little less so at the end.  It measures nearly thirteen inches one quarter, by nine three eighths.  From the stamped arms of three stars and three lizards, this copy appears to have belonged to the Cardinal Juigne, Archbishop of Paris; who had a fine taste for early printed books.

VITRUVIUS, Printed by the Giunti, 1513. 8vo.  A delicious copy; upon white, soft, spotless VELLUM.  I question if it be not superior to Mr. Dent’s;[97] as it measures six inches and three-quarters, by four.  A cruel worm, however, has perforated as far as folio 76; leaving one continued hole behind him.  The binding of this exquisite book is as gaudy as it is vulgar.

TEWERDANCKHS. Printed in 1517.  Folio.  First Edition.  This is doubtless a fine copy—­upon thick, but soft and white, VELLUM.  Fortunately the plates are uncoloured, and the copy is quite complete in the table.  It measures fifteen inches in length, by nine inches three quarters in width.

Such appeared to me, on a tolerably careful examination of the titles of the volumes, to be among the chief treasures in the early and more curious department of books belonging to the STE. GENEVIEVE LIBRARY.  Without doubt, many more may be added; but I greatly suspect that the learned in bibliography would have made pretty nearly a similar selection; Frequently, during the progress of my examinations, I looked out of window upon the square, or area, below—­which was covered at times by numerous little parties of youths (from the College of Henry IV.) who were partaking of all manner of amusements, characteristic of their ages and habits.  With, and without, coats—­walking, sitting, or running,—­there they were!  All gay, all occupied, all happy:—­unconscious of the alternate miseries and luxuries of the Bibliomania!—­unknowing in the nice distinctions of type from the presses of George Laver, Schurener de Bopardia, and Adam Rot:  uninitiated in the agonising mysteries of rough edges, large margins, and original bindings!  But ...