brother's mistress, whose qualities the poem extols. The Queen of
Navarre was on the best of terms with this favourite, to whom in one of
her letters she recommends certain servants.

Margaret was not only given to versifying, but was fond of' framing
devices, which she inscribed upon her books and furniture. At one time
she adopted as her device a marigold turning towards the sun's rays,
with the motto, "Non inferiora secutus," implying that she turned
"all her acts, thoughts, will, and affections towards the great Sun of
Justice, God Almighty." (2)

1 From the Queen's _Livre de Dépenses_, published by M. de
la Ferrière, we learn that this MS., with the miniatures and
binding, cost Margaret fifty golden crowns. It was formerly
in the possession of M. Jérôme Pichon, and was afterwards
acquired by M. Didot, at the sale of whose library it
realised £804. The MS. was recently in the possession of M.
de La Roche-la-Carelle.

2 Claude Paradin's _Dévises héroïques_, Lyons, 1557, p. 41.

In her _Miroir de l'Ame Pécheresse_, previously referred to, there
figures another device composed merely of the three words "Ung pour
tout;" and in the manuscript of "La Coche" presented to the Duchess of
Etampes, the motto "Plus vous que moys" is inscribed beneath each of the
miniatures. Margaret also composed a series of devices for some jewels
which her brother presented to his favourite, Madame de Châteaubriant.
Respecting these Brantôme tells the following curious anecdote:--

"I have heard say, and hold on good authority, that when King Francis I.