century; but the text is copied in a smaller hand, so as to compress
the volume into lxviij. leaves. Unluckily, the copies of the
illuminations are not only comparatively coarse, but are absolutely
faithless as to resemblances. There is a letter prefixed, from a
person named _Le Hay_, of the date of 1707, in which the author
tells some gentleman that he was in hopes to procure the volume for
100 crowns; but afterwards, the owner obstinately asking 200, _Le
Hay_ tells his friend to split the difference, and offer 150. This
book once belonged to one "_Hector Le Breton Sievr de la
Doynetrie_"--as the lettering upon the exterior of the binding
implies--and as a letter to his son, of the date of 1660, within the
volume, also shows. This letter is signed by Le Breton.




_LETTER V._

SOME ACCOUNT OF EARLY PRINTED AND RARE BOOKS IN THE ROYAL LIBRARY.


As the ART of PRINTING rather suddenly, than gradually, checked the
progress of that of writing and illuminating--and as the pressman in
consequence pretty speedily tripped up the heels of the scribe--it will be
a natural and necessary result...that I take you with me to the collection
of PRINTED BOOKS. Accordingly, let us ascend the forementioned lofty flight
of stone steps, and paying attention to the affiche of "wiping our shoes,"
let us enter: go straight forward: make our obeisance to Monsieur Van
Praet, and sit down doggedly but joyfully to the glorious volumes...many of
them