THE EDINBURGH 
 UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
VKi n 
 
THE EDINBURGH 
 UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF ITS ORIGIN 
 WITH A DESCRIPTION OF ITS 
 
 RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 BY 
 
 DAVID CUTHBERTSON 
 
 SUB-LIBRARIAN 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY FACSIMILES 
 WITH 22 ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 THE ARMS OP THE 
 UNIVERSITY OP EDINBURGH 
 
 OTTO SCHULZE & COMPANY 
 
 20 SOUTH FREDERICK STREET 
 EDINBURGH 
 
 1910 \ i ; 
 
^' 
 
TO 
 Sir WILLIAM TURNER, K.G.B., LL.D. 
 
 PRINCIPAL OF EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY 
 AND 
 
 Professor JULIUS EGGELING, Ph.D. 
 
 CURATOR OF THE LIBRARY 
 
 " Viri omni liberali doctrina politisstmi " 
 
 26083G 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The present contribution to Kterature has been drawn up, not 
 only as a memento of regard and love for the University Library, 
 where the author has spent nearly thirty years of the best of his life, 
 but also he might say — mihi cura futuri. The work answers in some 
 measure the irmumerable queries which come from many quarters 
 as to what the rarer treasures of the Library are. 
 While it may be true that it only gives, in many respects, a brief 
 glimpse of the Library and its rarities, it garners together a few not 
 altogether uninteresting facts which might have been lost sight of 
 altogether. 
 
 I am indebted to Messrs Longmans & Co. and Messrs Macmillan 
 & Co., London, for permission to use certain facsimiles — noted in the 
 List of Illustrations ; to Messrs J. MacLehose & Sons, Glasgow, for 
 their courtesy in making a special block, as noted ; and to Mr WiUiam 
 Saimders, author of ' Ancient Handwritings,' for the loan of the 
 block of King James's Charter — ^the original being in the possession 
 of the Edinburgh Town Council. 
 
 vu 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 LIBRARY HALL ..... 
 
 PRINCIPAL SIR WILLIAM TURNER, K.C.B., LL.D. 
 
 (Photo by Moffat) 
 
 CHARTER OF KING JAMES VI. (1582) 
 
 WILLIAM DRUMMOND, 1585-1649 . 
 
 (By permission of MacmiUan & Co.) 
 
 FACSIMILE OF DRUMMOND's HANDWRITING 
 
 PRINCIPAL ROLLOCK, 1586-1599 
 
 (By permission of Longmans & Co.) 
 
 INSCRIPTIONS FROM OLD COLLEGE STONES 
 ENGRAVING OF OLD COLLEGE 
 
 PROFESSOR J. EGGELING, PH.D., CURATOR 
 
 (Photo by Moffat) 
 
 FACSIMILE OF ELISHA MOCKED AND ELIJAH'S ASCENT 
 HEAVEN 
 
 „ MANNA FALLING FROM HEAVEN 
 
 „ NOAH BUILDING THE ARK . 
 
 „ MS. OF SERVETUS . 
 
 „ CHAINED BOOK 
 
 „ FRAGMENT OF SHAKESPEABE's ' BOOK 
 
 JESTS ' . . . 
 
 „ MS. shoemaker's account TO BURNS 
 
 „ MS. JOHN KNOX's HANDWRITING, ETC. 
 
 ix 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Frontispiece 
 facing page 1 
 
 4 
 
 i) n 8 
 
 . 9 
 facing page 12 
 
 . 16 
 facing page 16 
 
 TO 
 
 OF 
 
 20 
 21 
 24 
 28 
 29 
 
 32 
 36 
 37 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 PAGE 
 
 FACSIMILE OF ' THE INDIAN PRIMER ' (1669) . facing page 40 
 
 „ A COCK FIGHT IN ENGLAND . „ „ 41 
 
 „ LITHGOW ATTACKED BY SEX ROBBERS „ „ 44 
 
 {By permission of J. MacLehose <t Sons) 
 
 „ ENGRAVING OF JOHN WEEVEr's ' ANCIENT 
 
 FUNERALL MONUMENTS* . „ „ 45 
 
 ENGRAVING OF THE UNIVERSITY MACE . , , .45 
 
■msmmm^'^' 
 
 
The greater number of students who borrow books from the 
 Edinburgh University Library, and who spend hours in consulting 
 others in the Reading Room, have only a vague idea of the vast 
 stores of Hterature carefully housed in the noble pile of buildings 
 which attract so many thousands yearly, both of men and women, 
 from diverse quarters of the globe. 
 
 Student life has radically changed from that of the time when the 
 citizens of Edinburgh sent her children to King James's College. 
 Then it was pubHcly impressed upon the student that he was never 
 to attempt, or begin any study, ' until he had first implored or 
 begged for grace and divine aid in private.' Moreover, it is re- 
 corded that those who attended the Humanity Class had ' to learn 
 the Catechism on the Sabbath day. On the Saturdays some of 
 Buchanan's Psalms are taught, and an account of their prelections 
 is to be rendered on Monday mornings.' 
 
 This being so, no one will be astonished that strict orders were 
 given that the studies of each were not to be interfered with, while 
 ' neither must any of them at any time, go in to blind ale-houses, 
 cellars, or cook-houses.' 
 
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EDINBURC4H UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 Formerly books were not given out on loan. Comparing the privi- 
 leges of the Library mth what existed in 1638, the change is simply 
 marvellous. It was enacted that ' none shall be permitted to read 
 in the Library by candle light, or to carry a book near the fire ; 
 that none shall mark any book, either by ink, or by doubhng down 
 the leaves, and none be allowed to carry out a book.' 
 The founder of the original Library Collection, Mr Clement Little, 
 of whom more will be said later on, had a good intention when he 
 left his books, one which is apt to be forgotten by many readers. 
 His books were ' left mth ane luiffing heart and mynd . . . to his 
 native toun of Edinburgh, and to the Kirk of God therein, to the 
 effect and purpose, that sik personis knawin of honest conuersation 
 and guid lyfe (and na utheris) sail haif free access and ingress for 
 reading and collecting the fruitful knowledge of the saidis buikis, 
 as it sail plais God to distribute his graces to the reidaris.' 
 Much of ' the fruitful knowledge of the saidis buikis ' and others 
 in the University Library, is lying unknown. Doubtless many 
 graduates of the past, and students of the present day, would 
 be interested in a popular work giving a brief outKne of what it 
 contains. To such this contribution to their knowledge is offered 
 with the expectation that they will have a still greater appreciation 
 of their Alma Mater than they had even in the past. 
 Edinburgh, the home of the east winds, and a bracing intellectual 
 centre of ever-widening influence, so far as her University is con- 
 cerned, treats her benefactors with reverence, and certainly values 
 the gifts of her donors. A library which contains over 250,000 
 volumes, takes in 700 journals and periodicals yearly, adds to its 
 shelves some 6000 volumes in the same space of time, and to which 
 books were gifted before a stone of the University or Library was 
 
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RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 laid down, has surely an interesting history, and this we now propose 
 to set forth. 
 
 Outside the city walls of Edinburgh there stood, several hundred 
 years ago, and on a gentle eminence, what was known as the 
 ' Templum et Prsefectura Sanctse Marise in Campis.' This building 
 was surrounded by old-fashioned gardens and green pastui^es, in 
 which, in later years, Professors were wont to walk after their 
 prelections were over. It was a restful spot, and even yet it is 
 possible for any wayfarer, or citizen, to pass in a moment from the 
 noise of the busy street into an oasis of quiet inside the University 
 gates, albeit the gardens are things of the past. Where the 
 ' Templum ' stood, the University of Edinburgh has its various 
 halls of learning and its Library. 
 
 ' Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis.' But with the 
 changes Edinburgh has gained almost every day. Glancing back- 
 wards to the year 1558, we find that a legacy of a Httle over £700 
 had been bequeathed to the Edinburgh Town Council. With a 
 portion of this money, something Hke £100, they purchased the 
 right to a considerable part of the groimd and buildings wliich had 
 belonged to the owners of the Collegiate Kirk-of-Field, as a site 
 for a College. 
 
 The authorities of the Universities of St Andrews and Aberdeen 
 were, however, unwiUing that Edinburgh should have a share of 
 their own intellectual and educational privileges, and, accordingly, 
 the political ecclesiastics, faithful to their views, in the person of 
 the Archbishop of St Andrews and the Bishop of Aberdeen, strenu- 
 ously exerted themselves, in the year 1579, to set back the hands 
 on the dial of progress. The Town Council, aided by the abiUties 
 of one of their own commissaires, Mr Clement Little, or Littil, 
 
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EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 succeeded in thwarting this combination of hostile influences, and 
 two years later our ' Tounis Colledge ' was inaugurated. 
 It was in one of the houses thus acquired that the tragedy of Lord 
 Darnley's murder was enacted on February 10, 1567, a dweUing 
 which was afterwards repaired, and became the residence of the 
 Principal of the College. 
 
 The evolution of Edinburgh University and its Librar}^ went on 
 by varying stages. The Town Council reaUsed that they were 
 laying the foundations of success for future generations, and their 
 acts and dehberations were in proportion. They added to the 
 buildings acquired in the Kirk- of -Field, that of the town residence 
 of the Duke of Chatelherault adjoining. Others were gradually 
 added, but for many years the ' Academia Jacobi Sexti,' although 
 serving a useful purpose, never presented the dignified outhnes of 
 the building as we know it. ^ 
 
 We find from the Town Records that in 1566 Queen Mary granted 
 a very full Charter and infeftment of the Kirk-of -Field ; in 15b2 
 King James VI. ratified the town's Charter and rights to the Kirk- 
 of -field granted by Queen Mary, while a year later, in 1583, the town 
 resolved upon ' founding and building a College.' In 1616 King 
 James ' desires the Town that the College be called King James's 
 College, by a letter from his court at Paisley.' Queen Mary's 
 Charter has been lost, so that we have the ' Charter of James VI., 
 14th April 1582 ' as the earHest Charter now extant, relating to 
 the University. See Facsimile. 
 
 Printing was for some time carried on in a building on the lower 
 level of the College, a condition attached being that the printers 
 should present copies of all classical works issuing from their press 
 
 to the University, and the Library is richer in tliis respect by several 
 
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in 
 
 O 
 2^ 
 
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RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 Bibles printed therein. The appointment of the College printer 
 came to an end in 1765. 
 
 Scotchmen ' cherish and respect the intellectual powers : EngUsh- 
 men despise them. . . . An EngUshman may succeed, a Scotchman 
 is bound to succeed.' ^ It is refreshing to find a Southron speaking 
 thus, but as far as the building up of the Edinburgh University 
 and its Library is concerned, failure was never contemplated. The 
 authorities knew the truth of the Latin adage, ' Tandem fit surculus 
 arbor,' and made provision accordingly. 
 
 The author of ' The Looking Glasse of the Holy War,' and ' Zion's 
 Plea against Prelacy,' had his nose sHt, his ears cut off, and face 
 branded with a red-hot iron ' S.S.', that is, ' Sower of Sedition,' 
 being condemned thereafter to be imprisoned for Ufe by the Star 
 Chamber of London. But this Scotchman's son found himself 
 afterwards Principal of Edinburgh University (1653), and, travel- 
 ling to London, received from Cromwell a promise of £200 for the 
 furtherance of education, though, in consequence of the Protector's 
 death, the gift was never supplemented. 
 
 Coming now more particularly to the evolution of the Edinbm'gh Uni- 
 versity Library, a brief and rapid sketch is necessary before detailing 
 a few of the rarities which may be found therein by the visitor. 
 Mr Clement Little, who did such yeoman service in 1579, as has 
 been noted, died on the first of April 1580. His library was 
 bequeathed, ' with ane luiffing hart and mynd ... to the 
 richt honourable and his native toun of Edinburgh, and to the 
 Kirk of God thairin,' in order, as he states, that they might gather 
 fruitful knowledge from books — only, however, he is careful to 
 add, ' such as it sail pleis God to distribute his graces to the reidaris.' 
 
 ^ The Nineteenth Century— and After, March 1904^ pp. 468-G9. 
 
 5 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 These books, to the number of 300, formed the nucleus of the 
 University Library. Deposited first of all in a building — part of 
 the manse of St Giles' Church — where the Parhament House 
 was afterwards built, they were transferred, in 1584, to the care 
 of Professor, afterwards Principal, Rollock. Removed again, in 
 1626, to drier quarters, viz., to an upper hall of the College, they 
 at last found a longer resting-place in what was known as the 
 Drummond Room, in the year 1827, and are now located in a 
 fireproof apartment recently erected (1909). 
 
 All the books thus located were either bound, or thorouglily repaired. 
 As much as possible of the original binding was preserved, many 
 unique examples of the bookbinder's art being thus saved. 
 This was done in a binder's estabhshment on the north side of the 
 new quadrangle, between the years 1825-1827, under the super- 
 intendence of ]\Ir David Laing, the well-known bibHopliile. In 
 the two years 13,000 volumes were repaired and 3000 reboimd, 
 at a cost of £2060. Many of these are works of great rarity, and 
 good specimens of the binder's art. 
 
 Unfortunately a few have been ruthlessly pruned by the guillotine, 
 to the disfigurement and ruin of the book, which has thus lost the 
 greater part of its value. 
 
 Clement Little's Collection contains many books of great rarit)^ 
 One of these is of considerable interest at any rate to Scottish people. 
 This is the first book printed at St Andrews, and one of the rarest 
 and most valuable of the volumes produced during Reformation 
 times. One of the very few copies of tliis work was recently offered 
 for sale at £163. 
 
 The title runs thus, ' The Catechisme, That is to say, ane comone 
 and cathoUk instructioun of the christin people in materis of our 
 
 6 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 catholik faith and religioun, quhilk na gud christin man or woman 
 suld misknaw : set fm-th be ye maist reuerend father in God lohne 
 Archbischop of sanet Androus Legatnait and primat of ye kirk 
 of Scotland, in his prouincial coonsale haldin at Edinburgh the 
 xxvi. day of lanuarie, the zeir of our Lord 1551. with the aduise 
 and counsale of the bischoippis and vther prelatis with doctours 
 of Theologie and Canon law of the said realme of Scotland present 
 for the tyme.' The last page has the testimony that the work 
 was ' Prentit at sanct Androus, be the command and expesis of the 
 maist reuerend father in God, lohne Archbishop of sanct Androus, 
 the xxix. day of August, the zeir of om* Lord, M.D.lii.' 
 On the title-page, as on all Mr Clement Little's books, there ap- 
 pear these words : " I am gevin to Edinburgh & Kirk of God be 
 Maister Clement Litil thair to remain. 1580." This Catechism is 
 known as Archbishop Hamilton's. 
 
 Mr Clement Little's Deed of Gift is in vellum, beautifully written, 
 and contains the titles of the books gifted. The Edinbm"gh Town 
 Council were certainly not unappreciative of Mr Clement Little's 
 gift, for they have left their estimation of his donation on record, 
 wherein they trusted that ' his zealous deid may instigat utheris 
 of the lyke mynd to dote and gif their builds to the lyke use.' The 
 expectation also, as expressed by Little himself, through his brother 
 WiUiam, that his books ' suld nocht perische or be separatet,' has 
 not been lost sight of either, for they are carefully guarded from 
 any Philistine, although always accessible for consultation. 
 Tliis Mr Clement and Mr William Little, are buried beside their 
 father in Greyfriar's Churchyard. Their father is described as 
 being ' WilHam Little of Over-Libbertoun, sometime Provost of 
 Edinburgh.' 
 
 7 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 The following lines are a transcription of those on the tombstone : — 
 
 What Clement was, How great that Little were, 
 
 This Citizens, that Library declare. 
 
 This noble pair of Brethren did contend, 
 
 In Merits great, each other to transcend. 
 
 For both did Good : This to the Mother Town, 
 
 That, to the Muses, whence came their Renown. 
 
 Possibly instigated by a similar zeal, graduates and others have 
 added notably to this gift, among whom William Drummond of 
 Hawthornden, Midlothian (1585-1649), whose portrait adorns 
 the walls, holds an honourable place. The Library is indebted 
 to him for 500 volumes, many of them possessing passages 
 underlined as he had read them. His gift includes several 
 manuscripts. 
 
 Drummond's volumes were mainly of a hterary character, and 
 included several of Shakespeare's plays, e.g. ' Love's Labour's Lost ' 
 (1598), and ' Romeo and JuHet ' (1599). Principal Adamson di'ew 
 up a printed Latin catalogue of these works, entitled ' Auctarium 
 BibHothecss Edinburgenae, sive Catalogus Librorum quous Guilelmus 
 Drummond ab Hawthornden, BibUothecae, D.D.Q., Anno 1627.' 
 If we accept the testimony of Drummond, Shakespeare wrote at 
 least one of the plays generally attributed to him. 
 One of the volumes briefly noted above bears the fuller title : — 
 ' The Most Excellent and lamentable Tragedie, of Romeo and Juliet. 
 Newly corrected, augmented and amended : as it hath been sundry 
 times pubHquely acted, by the right Honourable the Lord Chamber- 
 liane his seurants, London, 1599.' In this copy many of the passages 
 are underHned. Across the title page appears the abbreviated 
 words in Drummond's handwriting ' Wil. Sha.'— implying that the 
 
^ mfff 
 
 WILLIAM DHLMMOND (LnS5-l6"M)) 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 anonymous author of ' Romeo and Juliet ' was known to him. This 
 forms the second small 4to edition, the first having been pubhshed 
 in 1597. 
 
 Among Drummond's donations to the University Library are 
 several copies of his own productions. Among these may be noted 
 ' Flowers of Sion, by WiUiam Drummond of Hauthorne-denne, 
 to which is adjoyned his Cypresse Grove, Printed 1623.' This 
 work bears these words in his own handwriting, ' Given to the 
 CoUedge of King James in Edenborough by the Author, 1624.' 
 Another copy, on large paper, states that it was printed at 
 ' Edenborough,' by John Hart in 1630. 
 
 It seems to have been a customary thing to vary the spelling of the 
 names of places, for in Drummond's handwriting we have the in- 
 scription written thus on this last-mentioned copy, ' Given to King 
 James His CoUedge in Edinburgh by the Author 1630." And again 
 as in Facsimile. 
 
 Another of his works, included in his Collection, is that entitled : 
 ' Lachrimae Lachrimarvm, or the Distillation of Teares shede for 
 the vntymely Death of The incomparable Prince Panaretvs, by 
 Josuah Syluester.' [Colophon] London, Printed for Humfrey 
 Lownes, 1612. 
 
 This is known as the First and Mourning edition. Tlie Title is 
 printed in white letters on a black ground. The Poem itself is 
 s 9 
 
EDINBURGH UNIYERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 printed on one side only within mourning borders, emblematical 
 figures, skeletons, and skulls. The verso of each leaf has been blacked 
 over. The arms of the Prince of Wales is sho^^^l in white reUef. 
 The Prince of Wales' Feathers appear in similar surroundings on 
 the last page. The work is a small quarto with sixteen illustrations, 
 and extends to thirty-two pages. This work of Drununond's is 
 entered at Stationers' Hall thus : ' 27 Novembris Humfreye Lowaies 
 Junior. Enterd for his copie. ... A Booke called Lacliryma 
 Domesticae. A viall of household teares shedd ouer prynce Henryes 
 hearse by his highnes fyrst worst Poett and pencioner Josua 
 Sylvester.' The entry is certainly not compKmentary to Drummond 
 as a poet. 
 
 Until the year 1737 books could only be consulted, for we find 
 that the Town Council ' considered that the promiscuous lending 
 of books may be of ill consequence to the Library,' and the keeper 
 of the Library was prohibited from lending books to any person 
 whomsoever. This was in 1708. Manuscripts were not to be lent 
 under any circumstances whatsoever. 
 
 This restriction led to a strange method of keeping the books from 
 being surreptitiously carried away. The method, which was used 
 for years in the Library, was a system of hnking the books on the 
 same shelf by a chain secured by a padlock. The ring through 
 which the chain went was fastened to the book in such a manner 
 that each could be easily consulted without being taken from the 
 shelf. The hbrarian's post was considered so momentous that the 
 oath de fideli administratione was rigorously administered by the 
 patroni, and ' caution ' was also required. 
 
 Later on, in some of the regulations enforced, we still trace the 
 regard entertained for Library books. No student was allowed 
 
 xo 
 
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 to read by candle-light, as grease drops would prove disastrous 
 to the volumes. And further, it was laid down 'none shall 
 touch any of the books but such as were dehvered to him by 
 the keeper, and none shall enter the Library, or go out, without 
 his permission.' Readers had thus to endure hardness as ' Attic ' 
 philosophers. 
 
 When in 1737 books began to be given out on loan. Professors had 
 to pay five pounds, and students two shillings and sixpence for the 
 privilege, as contrasted with the present day when the former 
 borrow without payment, and the latter make a deposit of one pound, 
 withdrawable when required on the return of the borrowed books. 
 The Librarians themselves were severely dealt with if books went 
 amissing. One of these Hbrarians was fined 100 merks by the 
 Town Council, which was spent on books, as volumes to that amount 
 had gone amissing during his tenure of ofi&ce. The Library was 
 to be kept open for six hours daily, from seven to nine, and ten to 
 twelve, and from four to six. 
 
 It is interesting to note that Scott, as a student, attended classes 
 in the old College. 
 
 The first Principal, or Regent, as he was then designated, was 
 Robert Rollock (1555-1599). By his personal character he obtained 
 a great influence over the students, and was a preacher of consider- 
 able power. He pubHshed numerous theological works. 
 On his appointment on the 14th September 1583, he was required 
 to ' exercise the office of the Regent of the said College, in instruction, 
 government, and correction of the youth and persons which shall 
 be committed to his charge.' It is interesting to note that Principal 
 Rollock was the first individual in Scotland to pubHsh a Commentary 
 on any portion of the Bible. This was his ' Commentary on St 
 
 11 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians ' 1590. A few sermons were 
 pubKshed in 1591 followed in 1593 by Napier of Merchiston's ex- 
 position of the Revelation of St John. 
 
 Numerous inscriptions cut in stone adorned several of the more 
 prominent apartments of the Old College. Several of these are, 
 happily, preserved for the present generation to read and digest, 
 but unfortunately a few have disappeared entirely, owing to the 
 vandalism of past builders. 
 
 We can learn, however, that at one of the entrances to the former 
 Library there was an inscription, reading thus. ' R. M. F. 
 Robertus Milne fundavit,' which may be interpreted that Robert 
 Milne laid the foundation. 
 Above, or near this, ' over the Back-entry ' could be observed this 
 
 other : 
 
 / / / / 
 ax t 9 
 
 AinAOTN OPnSlN OI 
 
 MA@ONTES rPAMMATA ^ 
 
 The student's mind was thus in the year of Shakespeare's death 
 (1616) to be impressed wdth the fact that ' Learned men see double.' 
 (See illustration p. 13.) After the student entered the precincts of 
 learning themselves, liis eyes were confronted still further with the 
 wisdom of the past. Above the doorway of what was known as 
 the Common Hall, a place where the students gathered together 
 before entering their various classes, he would observe the 
 following : — 
 
 Virtus Rectorem Ducemque desiderat : 
 
 Vitia sine Magistro discuntur. (Seneca) 1616. 
 
 ' Tills stone was placed over a different doorway from that noted on p. 13. 
 
 12 
 
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RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 The translation of this inscription may be rendered : 
 
 Virtue demands a Leader and Governor : Vices are learned without 
 
 a Master. 
 
 Possibly some of the city Fathers were learned in the Talmud, 
 
 one of the sayings in which is ' a word is Hke the bee : it has 
 
 honey and a sting.' 
 
 Deeply desirous of imparting a rehgious backbone to the students 
 
 (as will be noted from our reproduction), there appeared over the 
 
 principal entrance to the Common Hall, a noteworthy tablet. It 
 
 is a good piece of sculptured work, and owing to the position where 
 
 it is at present, sheltered from the wind and the weather, it is Ukely 
 
 still to draw the attention of the thoughtful to what is considered 
 
 a Hberal education. 
 
 On this tablet are inscribed these words : 
 
 SENATUS POPULUSQUE 
 EDINBURGENSIS HAS .EDES 
 CHRISTO ET MUSIS 
 EXTRUENDAS CURARUNT. 
 ANNO DOM. MDCXVn. 
 
 These words were worthy of the men of that time : 
 The Council and Citizens of Edinburgh caused this House to be 
 built for Christ and good Learning. 
 
 And thus, in the course of years, various worthy donors arose to assist 
 in the expansion of the College and of the Library, men who Hke 
 Clement Little were ready to do their part ' with ane luiffing hart 
 and mynd.' Of such was a certain Robert Johnston, whose bene- 
 factions were recorded on a sculptm-ed stone which was inserted 
 at the north-west corner of the College. Although what became 
 
 13 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 of it is still an unsolved mystery, we know that the inscription on 
 it read thus : 
 
 Robertus Johnstonus J. U. D. 12000 Libris octo Beneficiaries in Academia 
 fundavit ; Voluminibus multis Bibliothecam auxit ; quatuor hsec Cubicula ab 
 Joanno Jossio aedificari mandavit, ad pios in urbe usus 40000 Libras Testamento 
 legavit, aliisq ; multis Beneficentiae suae Officiis aeternam pietatis Monumentum 
 Posteris reliquit, Anno Dom. 1639- 
 
 Thus we understand that in 1639 ' Robert Johnston, Doctor of both 
 Laws, by an endowment of 12000 pounds laid a Fomidation for the 
 education and maintenance of eight Bursars in this College ; he 
 augmented the Library mth many volumes ; he instructed John 
 Jossius to build there four Chambers ; in his Will he bequeathed 
 40,000 poimds for worthy purposes in the city ; and by many other 
 instances of his beneficence left to Posterity an everlasting Memorial 
 of his affectionate Piety, in the year of our Lord 1639.' 
 It is pleasing to note that at this early date her learned sons did not 
 forget their Alma Mater. We still have the stone testimony, formerly 
 situated on the south side of the College, to recall such an instance. 
 It reads thus : 
 
 Musaea haec quatergemina, Academiae hujus Alumnus, Andreas Rutherfordiae 
 Regulus, Teviotiae Comes, Tangirae Praefectus, Belli Pacisq ; Artibus domi 
 fortisq; clarus, Testamento extrui jussit. May 30. Anno Domini l664. 
 
 Thus: 
 
 ' Andrew, Lord Rutherford, Earl of Teviot, Governor of Tangiers, famous 
 at home and abroad for the Arts of Peace and War, who had been educated at 
 this College, by his Will, May 30, l664, ordered these eight Chambers to be 
 built.' 
 
 A portion of this stone can be seen to the right in the illustration 
 on page 13. 
 
 In a pamphlet pubUshed anonymously in the year 1788 it is men- 
 ial 
 
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 tioned that ' several Presbyterian ministers in Edinburgh, and 
 Professors in the University, kept their own carriages, 'a circumstance,' 
 the writer goes on to remark, which ' is perhaps unequalled in any 
 former period of the church, or of the University.' These events 
 relate to the year 1783. 
 
 To show further the theological excellencies of the Edinburgh 
 divines of that period, the writer states that in sermon writing 
 the Scots have excelled, and confirms this statement by giving 
 the reason that Dr Blair obtained the highest price ever obtained 
 for a work of that kind, and in addition received a pension of 
 £200 per annum. 
 
 From 1763 to 1783 it is remarkable, and noteworthy, to observe 
 the names of Scottish writers who helped to make Scotland famous. 
 Hume, Robertson, Tytler, Kames, Reid, Beattie, Ferguson, 
 Monboddo, the Gregories (father and son), Cullen, Homes, the 
 Monros, Hunter, Stewart, Blair, and many others. 
 Education of a certain kind, however, was not permitted to be had, 
 by the fiat of the Town Council. For we are made aware that a 
 quack had what is termed ' the unpardonable impudence ' to give 
 two lectures in Edinburgh, without permission from the authorities. 
 For this he was imprisoned, and his lectures prohibited for the 
 future, yet the worthy chronicler adds : ' Strange to tell he had 
 lectured two years in London unchecked ! ' 
 
 As late as the year 1763, Edinburgh was almost confined within the 
 city walls ; the city itself was Ht with oil lamps ; the South Bridge, 
 a structure of twenty-two arches bridging the valley, had not 
 yet been begun ; the North Bridge was non-existent, while Henry 
 Mackenzie, author of ' The Man of FeeHng,' was contributing and 
 editing the Mirror and the Lounger. 
 
 15 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 These years represent, as in a mirror, the varying literary and social 
 aspects of Edinburgh people for a considerable period. Progress, 
 although slow at times, was always being made. Add to this state 
 of affairs the fact that the College, founded in 1581, had been 
 allowed to become too narrow for its requirements, several Pro- 
 fessors having to hire lecture-rooms for their numerous students, 
 and we see Edinburgh in miniature. 
 
 But yet in the midst of civic life, the books, provided by Hberal- 
 minded donors for the College Library, were carefully housed and 
 looked after, till better accommodation was provided. 
 One important and significant fact we observe, running, like a 
 gleam of hope and buoyancy, through the history of the College and 
 University Library. Founded by the benefaction of Clement Little 
 with three hundred volumes, the rarest volumes which the Library 
 now possesses were all the gifts of private donors, and but for these 
 
 16 
 
f 1'r .:t, < 
 
 ilPPIlfilpiiR^^^ 
 
 PROFESS OR J U L I US 1 
 
 CUKATOI^ 
 
 ■1 ii L i 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 individuals Edinburgh would have been indeed a poor literary 
 treasure house. 
 
 From a drawing we note how the Library remained inside the new 
 quadrangle. Standing across what is now the entrance, we perceive an 
 unattractive building of three stories, and gable attics with cracked 
 walls and small windows. It is shown in PI ayf air's drawing propped 
 with beams against the pillars of the new gateway ; while another, 
 of which a drawing is herewith given, is in a very dilapidated state. 
 Happily ' nous avons change tout cela.' This building it must, how- 
 ever, be remembered had seen service for some two hundred years. 
 The present University Library was erected between the years 
 1789 and 1827, from the designs of Adam and Playfair, and from 
 1709 until 1837 it had the right of receiving a copy of every book 
 entered at Stationers' Hall. No less than 30,000 spectators 
 assembled to witness the laying of the foundation-stone of the 
 new University by Lord Napier, an engraving commemorating the 
 circumstance being preserved in the Library. 
 In the foundation stone two crystal bottles, specially made in the 
 ' glass-house of Leith ' were deposited. Different coins ' enveloped 
 in crystal ' were deposited in one, while in the other were placed 
 seven rolls of vellum, whereon was written a short history of the 
 University, and its present state, together with certain newspapers 
 and a list of the Professors. These bottles, after being sealed, 
 were covered with a plate of copper wrapped in block tin, the 
 Arms of the City of Edinburgh, and those of Lord Napier, being 
 engraved on one side of the copper. 
 
 It may be mentioned here that the bell erected in the Bell House, 
 bears the inscription : 
 
 T. Mears of London, Fecit 1821. 
 c 17 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 The Library Hall is a beautiful conception of the architect, and 
 combines the practical with the aesthetic. It is 190 feet long, while 
 the fluted columns, against which the busts of past Professors and 
 others rest on pedestals, give it the desirable dignity and grace. 
 There are three rooms branching off from this main Hall, named 
 respectively the Drummond Room, the Laing Room, and the Muir 
 Room. Owing, however, to necessary improvements, with the 
 exception of the Muir Room, the valuable books contained therein 
 have been transferred elsewhere, viz., to the Fireproof apartment. 
 Besides the Clement Little Collection and that of Wilham Drummond, 
 there are several notable works which call for special attention. 
 Several valuable Bibles call for particular notice. One of these 
 ' La Saincte Bible, avec une Commentaire,' is a beautiful specimen 
 of artistic penmansliip, written on vellum, and bears the date of 
 1314. The initial letters of this work, more especially in the earlier 
 Books, are especially noteworthy. Very spirited are those repre- 
 senting The Creation of Eve, Adam and Eve in the Garden, and 
 Cain killing his brother, where an angel, apparently, is represented 
 as an onlooker. 
 
 The ' Biblia Sacra Germanica ' printed at Strassburg, in two quarto 
 volumes, in the year 1485, and illustrated with over 100 woodcuts 
 coloured by a contemporary hand and printed in handsome Gothic 
 type, is one of the most beautiful editions ever issued. It contains 
 the first woodcut of the Creation of Eve, a grapliic dra\\ang. It 
 is boimd in white vellum, with the original clasps on which appears 
 the engraved word ' Alleluia.' 
 
 The illustrations are all worthy of admiration. Two, however, 
 call for special notice. The first represents Elijah the prophet 
 ascending to heaven in a country waggon with four wheels, beneath 
 
 18 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 which flames can be observed. The prophet in his ascent is watched 
 by Ehsha, to whom is being thrown a cloak of exceedingly ample 
 proportions, as he stands by the side of a river in which are to 
 be seen several water fowl. 
 
 To the left is a companion pictm'e showing the prophet Ehsha in 
 the act of remonstrating with the wicked youths of his day, while 
 the wild beasts can also be seen coming forth to wreak vengeance 
 on them for their irreverence. Of these two scenes a facsimile is 
 herewith given. 
 
 The second illustration gives a representation of David, King of 
 Israel, standing on a balcony and watching Bathsheba engaged 
 in washing her feet. Underneath can be observed the Serpent 
 apparently instilhng into the King's ear thoughts of evil. 
 The Book of Genesis is headed by these words : ' Hie hebt sich an. 
 Genesis dass erst buch der fiinlf biicher moysi. Das erste Capital 
 ist von der schoppfung der werke und aller creaturen, und von den 
 wercken der sechs tag.' It has also the heading in Genesis xxxix. 
 attributing to Pharaoh's wife the incident in the life of Joseph, 
 usually attributed to the wife of Potiphar. 
 
 There is also a Manuscript Bible, beautifully written tliioughout. 
 It is a foho, and is ' believed to have been written in the eleventh 
 century, and is known to have been used as the conventual copy 
 in the Abbey of Dunfermhne.' 
 
 There is also a copy of the fhst Bible printed in Scotland, the 
 Bassandyne, or Breeches Bible (1579). It obtains its name from 
 the translation of the passage in Genesis iii. verse 7, which is made 
 to read thus : ' And they sewed fig-leaves together, and made 
 themselves breeches.' A feature of this Bible is that there are no 
 italics, as in our English version, but the words are placed within 
 brackets [ ]. -iq 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 The New Testament portion is of an earlier date (1576), and while 
 the Bible is printed by Thomas Alexander Arbuthnot, the New 
 Testament was done by Thomas Bassandyne. The former it was 
 with whom the idea originated of printing the Bible. 
 Bassandyne had printed, in 1568, a work entitled ' The Fall of the 
 Roman Kirk,' wherein the King was named as ' supreme Head of 
 the Primitive Kirk.' This brought upon him the censure of the 
 Church, and the books sold were ordered to be recalled, and the 
 title altered. Sanction was given in 1574 for the printing of the 
 Bible to be proceeded mth, and it is very creditable to those en- 
 gaged in the work that it was able to be issued in 1579, five years 
 after the commencement. 
 
 The General Assembly of the Church recommended that this Bible 
 ' shall be sold in albis for £4. 13. 4 pennies Scottis,' and that every 
 person ' be compelled to buy a Bible to their parish kirk, and to 
 advance therefore the price foresaid.' In addition to this the 
 Magistrates and Town Council of Edinburgh issued a proclamation 
 ordering all householders to obtain Bibles ' under the pains con- 
 tained in the Act of ParHament.' Bassandyne died in 1579, and 
 Arbuthnot in 1586. 
 
 Omission must not be made of ' The Holie Bible, contayning the 
 olde Testament and the Newe (with the Apocrypha),' pubHshed 
 by [Richard Jugge in 1568]. The frontispiece contains a portrait 
 of Queen Ehzabeth with the words : ' Elisabeth Dei Gratia, Anghae, 
 Franciae, et Hibernise Regina, Fidei Defensor, etc' The book has 
 numerous woodcuts. 
 
 This is the first edition of the ' Bishops' ' Bible, and is a revision of 
 the ' Great ' Bible. It derives its name from the fact that eight 
 Bishops took part in the revision. This edition is also knowai as 
 
#«^' 
 
 na^s^vs 
 
 
 
 
 
 ELISHA MOCKED | ELIJAH'S ASCENT TO HEAVEN 
 
 (liiBLiA Sacua Gkumanica, 1485) 
 

 ■ ^- •'" ^ O f^^^ r^ -^ p^ *-* ^ ^ r 
 
 ■<*^ ._ ^ ^* fTt <■> .»< *? .^ ■ 
 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 the ' Treacle ' Bible, from the reading in Jeremiah viii. 22 : 'Is 
 there no tryacle (instead of halm) in Gilead ? ' There is also a 
 spirited rendering of a passage in Judges ix. 53, which reads thus : 
 ' And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon his head, and 
 all to break his hrain fanne.'' The New Testament portion is im- 
 perfect after Revelation xix. 8, but it is otherwise a magnificent copy. 
 Then, very noteworthy is ' The Byble in Englyshe of the largest 
 and greatest volume, auctorysed and apoynted ... to be fre- 
 quented and used in every Church win this his sayd Realme. Over- 
 sene and perused by Cuthbert (Tunstall) Bysshop of Duresme and 
 Nicolas (Heath) Bisshop of Rochester.' This was printed by 
 Edward Wliitechurch, 1541. 
 
 This is the sixth, and one of the rarest editions, of the Great Bible, 
 ' The Newe Testament in Englyshe ' is of date November 1540. 
 The erroneous reading of Pharaoh's wife for Potiphar's occurs 
 here also in the heading to Genesis xxxix. It reads : ' Pharaos 
 wyfe tempteth hym.' 
 
 The Bible is in folio, and, what is somewhat pecuhar, the paper is 
 stained yellow throughout. The type used is 131 HC]^ iltttcr, with 
 many large woodcut titles, and curious woodcuts. Another feature 
 of this version is the fact that there is no division of verses as in 
 our present issue. The chapters are divided up into paragraphs, 
 each of these divisions being marked by a capital letter, running 
 alphabetically. Very few copies of this Bible are to be found, as 
 only a small number have survived the wear and tear of the daily 
 use of what was ' apoynted to be used in every Churche.' 
 There are various illustrations as has been stated. One of these, 
 a remarkable one, is here reproduced. It represents an important 
 and miraculous event in the history of the IsraeHtes as recorded in 
 
 21 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 Exodus xvi. 16-21. The Manna, as will be noticed, is of an extra- 
 ordinary nature, resembling an ordinary orange. Of special note 
 are the utensils used to catch the heavenly food. 
 Towards the end of this remarkable Bible, there is found ' A Table 
 to find the Epystles and Gospels usuallye red in the Churche, after 
 Salysbury use, whereof the fyrste lyne is the Epystle and the other 
 the Gospell, whose begynnyng thou shalt fynde in ye Boke marked 
 with a crosse X, and the ende wyth half a crosse < contayned 
 cAvin those letters ^, 35, (tf 13, etc' 
 
 Another early printed book calls for more than a mere passing notice. 
 This is the Nuremberg Chi'onicle, or rather the ' Clu-onicon Nurem- 
 bergense, auctore Hartmanno Schedel ' of date 1493. This is a 
 large folio, bound in full calf, mth Gothic Letter, and over 2250 
 exceedingly quaint and spirited woodcuts. Numerous BibHcal 
 characters are represented, including Adam, Cain, Abel, and others. 
 The contents indeed form mainly a History of the Christian Church, 
 and the book is full of biographies of saints and miraculous occur- 
 rences. Wliile tliis is so, it contains much origmal information 
 which has been incorporated into such historical Collections as the 
 ' Rerum Boicarum Scriptores,' and also into the ' Scriptores Rerum 
 Polonicarum.' The Nm^emberg Chronicle deserves to be better 
 known, as it has great typographical and historical interest. 
 Its woodcuts are of great excellence, and many of these were executed 
 by M. Wolgemut (master of Albert Dtirer) and W. Pleydenwurff. 
 The representations of the Creation of Eve, the Expulsion from 
 Paradise, and the Last Judgment are admirable in conception. 
 The numerous views of cities are very interesting as contemporary 
 views. A considerable number have been colom-ed by hand. 
 The University Library copy wants the title page, and the folio 
 
 22 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 ccxcvii, but otherwise is perfect, and states the donor's name thus : 
 ' Donum D. Andrea, Hay de Craignethy, a.d. 1672.' It begins 
 with ' TabuHs operis hui' de temporibus mundi,' all the initial letters 
 being hand- coloured red, and ends with the pious exclamation 
 ' Laus Deo.' The work was printed by A. Koberger, Norimbergse, 
 Xllma mensis Julii, 1493. Koberger, it may be added, was one of the 
 early printers, and produced several Bibles at his press. He was 
 a good craftsman, and at one time had twelve printing presses, 
 and employed over one hundred men. Our illustration shows 
 Noah at the building of the Ark. 
 
 A daintily bound and nicely printed copy of the Psalms of David 
 with Paraphrases, although of modern date (1779), is interesting, 
 more especially to Edinburgh citizens, as it was printed by Peter 
 Williamson, who, when a boy, had been captured at Aberdeen and 
 was afterwards sold as a slave. He afterwards returned to his 
 native land, and became a compositor. He was the first printer 
 of the Edinburgh Directory, of which the Library possesses some 
 early copies. 
 
 Indian students will be glad to learn that there is a copy of the 
 ' Gospels in the Tamil language,' beautifully written upon dried 
 leaves. A rare volume brings us into touch with the bitter theo- 
 logical controversies of bygone times. This is a work which has 
 no title-page, while the first sixteen pages are awanting, but suppUed 
 in manuscript. On the back of the volume the title reads, ' Michaelis 
 Reves Serveti ab Arragonia Hispania Opera. Viennae Allobrogum, 
 1553.' On the front panel these words occur, ' Donata Bibl. Edinb. 
 a domino D. Georgio Douglassi fiUo illustriis ducis de Queenberrie, 
 A.D. 1695.' Tliis is a notable volume, inasmuch as a portion of 
 its contents sealed the fate of Servetus when he ventured to return 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 to Geneva. Servetus, it will be remembered, denied that there 
 were three Persons in the Trinity, a doctrine which was not only 
 extremely distasteful to the Reformers, but especially so to Calvin, 
 who never concealed his abhorrence of it. On 28th October 1553 
 Servetus was condemned to death by fire, and suffered accordingly 
 next day, although it is stated Calvin made efforts to get this 
 mode of death altered. 
 
 Although it is certain that Calvin forwarded some documents be- 
 longing to Servetus to the authorities, there seems to be some doubt 
 as to whether he was the accuser, though, in any case, the death of 
 Servetus casts a terrible blot on the history of the Reformation. 
 Of this, the first edition of the works of Servetus, a copy of which 
 was sold in France for £170 in 1783, there are only two other known 
 copies extant. The special interest attaching to the University 
 copy is that it is supposed to have belonged to Calvin himself, and 
 to have been the very copy from which the incriminating pages 
 were taken to be forwarded to the judges of Servetus, and after- 
 wards replaced by a manuscript copy by an unknown wiiter. 
 For this theory we have the following groundwork to rest on. In 
 a letter from WiUiam Tyre to his cousin Arneys, of date 26th 
 February 1553, with the former of whom Calvin was acquainted, 
 there occurs this sentence concerning the heresy of Servetus : 
 ' That you may not think I speak of mere hearsay, I send you the 
 first four leaves as a sample for your assurance.' These leaves 
 referred to were those of the ' Christianismi Restitutio,' awanting 
 in the University copy, but suppHed in manuscript, as has been 
 stated, which it is supposed Calvin forwarded to Tyre, who made 
 use of them to secure the conviction and death of Servetus. 
 It is interesting to note that the National Library of Paris possesses 
 
^,r^> ^'(y-^ 
 
 
 4t,[ ,iiiiiiiiiiiinn >i'-'"«"«»MM*\ 
 
 
 
 
 
 . ■I-i.imW&i ^-^^ ■ 
 
 Sfcimdj etas nifuii p:incipu'i a iKoc b.ilimt port Oiluuiurqd fiut vnuicrUilc p rotii 3nno fcxcc 
 ' ufinio vitcitloc 3 ^ncipio jfit muiidi f'nt be. iKMllcfiniofcnuticntcfiniLiiiuintiiuscl'tmorcno. 
 ^id ftti.liT. mtiTptcs quos 3&cd j ct yfido. jppjobat :gn8 nullc ?ucctm t. xlt)."r fuat vfcg 
 adabzabjmfntibcipi.jnnis. •Saihti .U)L-.84i-inmf!.rrSntcbiluiuuvoB.ioo. annos 
 W ^....w..^ inn ivmr -*,•>.- 1,1 ri iiiim-.-fir.-rrtii.-i inm-) vifi' 'Itlii.- 
 
 NOAH BUILDING THE ARK 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 a complete copy of this edition which belonged to German Colladon, 
 the advocate who prosecuted Servetus, and this work again is 
 supposed to contain passages for the prosecution underHned by 
 Calvin. Thus in the Edinburgh University copy, and in that of 
 the National Library, Paris, there is at least a kinship of inferences 
 and allegations, which deepens the interest of all those who seek to 
 investigate this tragic drama. 
 
 There is another copy of this volume in the Library, in manuscript. 
 Written on the marginal leaf in Latin is an interesting statement, 
 of wliich a translation is herewith given. 
 
 ' This is a copy in manuscript of a very rare book, the author of 
 which was the famous Michael Servetus. It was printed at Vienna 
 of the AUobroges, 1553, in octavo, and, boimd to the thigh of the 
 author, was burned along with him. Moreover, it is so rare that 
 no one can be found to boast that he saw it in print. For the copy 
 which once existed in the Hessian Library of Prince Cassell (from 
 which a few manuscript copies were made) was totally destroyed. 
 See John Vogt in a * Catalogue of Rarer Books,' page 629 (edit. 1747), 
 ' This copy in truth has been transcribed from the printed book 
 with extreme care and accuracy, and, indeed, in such a way, that each 
 single page here corresponds to the pages of the printed volume.' 
 This statement as it happens is not strictly true. 
 Underneath this in pencil is the following : ' The above Note is in the 
 handwritingof Meerman,from whose Library thebook was purchased.' 
 This gentleman was Gerardus Meerman of Rotterdam, and author of 
 the ' Origines Typographicae ' 2 vols. (Hague Comitum, 1765). 
 Bound up with the volume is a manuscript Hfe of ' Michael 
 Reves, Arragon,' written by a Mr J. B. Inglis in the year 1829. The 
 penmanship is beautiful, and the author shows a wide knowledge 
 p 25 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 of his subject, but it is sadly marred, and rendered practically 
 untrustworthy by the bitter epithets he uses against Calvin and his 
 followers. There is a pen-and-ink portrait of Servetus finely executed. 
 With regard to the statement that the manuscript of tliis work 
 of Servetus had been transcribed from the ' printed book,' it is 
 interesting to notice that certain words have been omitted, whether 
 accidentally or otherwise, from the copy in the possession of the 
 University Library. 
 
 The portion taken from the Manuscript copy of the ' printed 
 book ' reads thus : — 
 
 De Trinitate Divina, quod in ea non fit invisibihum trium rerum 
 illusio, sed vera substantise Dei manifestatio in Verbo, et communi- 
 catio in Spiritu. Libri vii. 
 
 Procemium 
 
 Qui nobis hie ponitur scopus ut est maj estate subhmis, ita 
 perspicuitate faciUs et demons tratione certus : res omnium maxima, 
 Lector, Deum cognoscere substantialiter manifestatum, ac divinam 
 ipsam naturam vere communicatam. Manifestationem Dei ipsius 
 per Verbum et communicationem per spiritum, utramque in solo 
 Christo substantialem, in solo ipso plane discernimus, ut tota Verbi 
 et spiritus Deitas in homine dignoscatur. Manifestationem divinam a 
 secuUs expHcabimus, magnum citra controversiampietatis mysterium, 
 quod sit Deus ohm in Verbo, nunc in carne manifestatus, spiritu 
 communicatus, angehs et hominibus visus, visione ohm vetata, nunc 
 revelata. Modos veros aperte referemus, quibus se nobis exhibuit 
 Deus, externe visibilem Verbo, et interne perceptibilem spiritu, 
 mysterium utrumque magnum, ut Deum ipsum, nos nunc revelata 
 facie videbimus, et lucentem in nobis intuebimur, si ostium aperiamus 
 
 26 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 et viam ingrediamur. Aperire jam oportet ostium hoc, et viam 
 hanc lucis sine qua nihil potest videri, sine qua nemo potest sacras 
 scripturas legere, nee Deum intelhgere, nee Christianus fieri. Haec 
 veritatis via certa, faciHs et sincera divinam Christi in verbo genera- 
 tionem, spiritu sancto veram perfectionem, et eandem utriusque in 
 Deo substantiam, integre sola patefaciens, Deumque ipsum nobis 
 ob oculos ponens. Digessimus autem in V libros viam hanc 
 totam adjectis postea Dialogis, ut qua si per gradus quosdam ad 
 integram Christi cognitionem ascendamus. 
 
 In addition to the want of Title in the facsimile it begins with 
 these words ' proximiun,' and underneath, a portion of a word, 
 ' trinit.' Thereafter it begins " Manifestationem Dei . . ." The 
 handwriting is that of the sixteenth centm-y. 
 
 There are three fine specimens of what are known as ' Chained 
 Books ' in the Library. Of the three, the one represented in our 
 illustration is the most valuable. The chain consists of thirty- 
 one hnks and two staples — the one on which the book was sus- 
 pended being shghtly worn. It is not a Bible, but contains portions 
 in black letter of * Foxe's Book of Martyrs.' These are entitled : 
 ' A Treatise of Affhctions and Persecutions of the FaithfuU, pre- 
 paring them with patience to svffer Martyrdome.' This consists of 
 six folio pages. The second and larger portion is ' The Historic 
 of foure Martyrs burnt at Lile in Flanders, in the yeare, 1556, whose 
 names are Robert Ogvier and his wife, Baudicon & Martin their 
 two sonnes.' This consists of one hundred and five pages in double 
 colmnns, and is followed by a ' Table of all the principall persons 
 and things contained in the three volumes of the last edition of 
 the Book of Martyrs.' 
 
 We know that after Foxe had pubHshed his new edition in 1570 
 
 27 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 a Convocation meeting was held at Canterbury on the 3rd April, 
 when it was resolved that copies of the work, wliich was called in 
 the canon ' Monumenta Martyrum,' should be ' placed in cathedral 
 churches, and in the houses of archbishops, bishops, deacons, and 
 archdeacons.' ' '---'' 
 
 Four editions of • Foxe's ' Actes and Monuments ' were pubhshed 
 in his hfe-time, viz., in 1563, 1570, 1576, and 1583, no perfect copy 
 being known of the first edition. 
 
 A number of copies of the ' Actes ' were to be met with in parish 
 churches in England, while we find in the vestry minutes of St 
 Michael, Cornhill, that it was agreed, 11th January 1571-2, ' that 
 the booke of Martyrs of Mr Foxe . . . shall be bought for the 
 church and tyed with a chayne to the Egle bras.' 
 Many editions (and this is an important point to remember) are known 
 to exist in EngHsh churches, mostly mutilated, but still chained. 
 The copy in the University on which we comment, and recently 
 acquired at a pubHc sale, is in tliis condition. Its history is unknown. 
 The volume is bound in iron boards, studded with iron nails on the 
 edges, while on one side there are nails arranged in the form of a 
 Cross. On the uppermost face of the volume there is a good re- 
 presentation of a martyr, bound with a band to the stake ; under- 
 neath are seen the faggots, while on his head is the fool's cap, usually 
 painted with a number of ' devils,' which was supposed to be 
 emblematic of his future company. (See Facsimile.) 
 A copy of the work entitled ' M. J. Ciceroni Epistolarum 
 ad Atticum, ad Brutum, ad Quintum Fratrem Libri xx. Venice, 
 1521,' is a good specimen of that date. It was formerly in the 
 possession of J. Groher, Treasurer of France, who died 1565. 
 A very rare work is that entitled ' The Image of Ireland, with a 
 
 28 
 
^m 
 
 LM Ml 
 
 CRVE^ 
 

CHAIN" HI) HOOK 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 discourse of Woodkarne wherein is most liuely expressed, the 
 Nature, and qualitie of the said wild Irishe Woodkarne, their 
 notable aptnesse, celeritie, and pronesse to RebelHon. . . . Made 
 and deuised by Ihon Derricke Anno 1578, and now pubHshed and 
 set forthe by the said author this present yere of our Lorde 1581, 
 for pleasure and delight of the well disposed reader. Imprinted 
 by Ihon Dale 1581.' 
 
 The text itself in black letter is a very minute description of the 
 doings of these Irish outlaws, while the illustrations, twelve in 
 number, pourtray in a very vivid and sometimes truly reahstic 
 manner their everyday Hfe, at the same time showing the cruelty 
 of their forays. Few copies of tliis work exist. 
 This book bears on its title-page these words : ' Given to the 
 Colledge of Edinburgh. WiUiam Drummond.' 
 
 An edition of classical work brings us into touch with the tutor of 
 the Scottish monarch, James VI. This is a copy of the works of 
 Horace, pubHshed at Basle in 1545. It has the following note 
 appended : ' The marginal notes in the volume appear to be in the 
 handwriting of George Buchanan.' 
 
 At this point it is well to draw attention to the series of Enghsli 
 Historical Medals, presented by the Trustees of the British Museum. 
 They are beautiful articles of workmanship — history in miniature. 
 Several medals connected with Scottish events are among the number, 
 while those commemorating naval events are most interesting. 
 The Collection includes portraits of Henry VIII., Ohver Cromwell, 
 Charles I., Mary Queen of Scots, and many others. 
 In connection with what was known as ' A Solemn League and 
 Covenant for Reformation and Defence of ReHgion,' the Library 
 possesses several valuable copies (printed 1648) and also a large 
 
 29 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 number of original signatures of the ' Subscribers of the Solemn 
 League and Covenant.' 
 
 As a record of the progress of the University there is kept ' A List 
 of the Laureations and Degrees from 1585 to 1809,' a valuable 
 heirloom, as it has also the Sponsio which each student signed, a 
 printed copy of which, with others, may also be read in the ' Collec- 
 tion of Confessions of Faith,' vol. ii. (1722). 
 
 A manuscript volume contains the ' Virgil of Gavin Douglas ' (1563), 
 and the ' Monarchie of Sir David Lyndsay ' (1566). Like a few 
 other htterateurs. Sir David considered himself badly treated at 
 the hands of liis would-be friends, for he complains, as students of 
 his works well know, of the manner in which his writings were 
 produced in France, ' the quhilk is aU verray fals, and wants the 
 tane half, and all wrang speht, and left out heir ane line, and there 
 twa wordis. To conclude they are all fals.' This edition must 
 indeed have been mangled, and we thus see that books are the 
 windows through which we get a gHmpse into the tendencies and 
 temptations of those Hving at certain periods. 
 
 As a splendid specimen of early Scottish printing there is a beautiful 
 copy on vellum, of the ' History and Chronikles of Scotland, by 
 Maister Hector Boece, c. 1535,' who was Principal of the University 
 of Aberdeen. The title-page is almost entirely covered with a boldly 
 executed woodcut of the Royal Arms of Scotland, headed with the 
 words, in red ink, ' Heir beginnis the hystory and chroniklis of 
 Scotland, I.R.' It bears on the colophon the attestation that the 
 work was ' translatit laitly in our vulgar and commoun langage, 
 be maister John Bellenden, Archdene of Murray, and Imprentit in 
 Edinburgh, by me Thomas Dauidson, prenter to the Kyngis nobyll 
 grace.' The volume is massively bound with brass ornamental work. 
 
 30 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 This Thomas Davidson was the first Scottish printer to introduce 
 the Roman character, and was licensed, in 1541, to print the Acts 
 of ParUament. 
 
 Another Book possesses more than an ephemeral interest. It is 
 entitled : ' BibUotheca Universalis, or an Historical Accompt of 
 Books, and Transactions of the Learned World. Begun Anno. 
 Dom. M.D.C.LXXXVIII. Edinburgh, printed by John Reid, for 
 Alexander Ogston and William Johnston, Stationers.' 
 The author of this work was the Rev. John Cockburn, D.D., who 
 was a student at the College of Edinbxu-gh in 1666, entering when 
 he was fourteen years of age. Two years later he proceeded to 
 Aberdeen, where his after career was of a meteorite briUiancy. He 
 was banished from Scotland because he would not transfer his 
 allegiance to WiUiam of Orange. He was a cultured individual, 
 but this attempt to start a magazine to review books from various 
 countries met with disaster, on account of certain passages which 
 were found unpalatable by the Roman CathoHc Chin-ch. 
 One passage shows the mind of the author. He says, ' Tho' it must 
 not be said that Learning is totally a Stranger to this Nation ; yet 
 it were to be wisht, that it were more imiversally spread. And if 
 it get not as much footing here as it has done elsewhere through 
 the World, must not be imputed to the coldness of our CHmate, 
 the barrenness of the Soyl, or the want of Spirits for cultivating it, 
 but merely to the want of that General and PubHck Encouragement 
 which it meets with elsewhere. In former times this Kingdom 
 produced Scholars who were second to none of their Contemporaries, 
 and whose works are still admired by the learned world, and 'tis 
 not to be doubted, but that our Country could yet shew that they 
 have a share of that Reason and good Sense, which this Generation 
 
 31 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 pretends to, if there were occasion for Proving and Exercising it 
 . . . therefore Zeal for the Honour and Good (of this Nation) 
 has set us upon the present Design.' 
 
 In the Library Hall there is displayed in a glass frame the original 
 ' Bohemian protest against the Council of Constance, concerning 
 the burning of John Huss and Jerome of Prague' (1471). This 
 is in a good state of preservation. It contains attached to it the 
 seals of one hundred and five of the Bohemian and Moravian 
 nobles, with signatures. Formerly in the Library of Danzig, it 
 was borrowed by a Scottish gentleman from one of the keepers, 
 and that custodian dying suddenly, and apparently not having 
 taken a note of the borrower, it was carried off to Aberdeen, and 
 was ultimately bequeathed to the University Library by Dr Guild, 
 Principal of King's College there.^ A beautifully executed facsimile 
 (a photograph) is placed side by side. 
 
 One of the priceless treasures displayed in the Library Hall, gifted 
 by J. 0. HalHwell-PhilHpps, is of great interest to all students of 
 Shakespeare. It is not a book, or MS., but simply a small printed 
 fragment printed on both sides, of the only known portion in 
 existence of a ' Jest Book,' from which the great British dramatist 
 borrowed when ^vriting ' The Merry Wives of Windsor.' The 
 riddles are given, but no answers, and it is printed in black-letter ; 
 a facsimile of this fragment is given herewith. 
 
 In order that the student of Shakespeare may obtain a further 
 knowledge of some of the inestimable treasures of the world-wide 
 dramatist, he can read for himself such titles as these, ' The j\Ierry 
 Wives of Windsor. With the humours of Sir John Falstaffe, as 
 also the swaggering vaine of ancient Pistoll and Corporall Nym. 
 
 ' See Morer's ' Short Account of Scotland,' pp. 80-1. 
 
 32 
 
H 
 
 Co tt)^tpo;cm3ni'jg;mitamt^0aime0ls)o;t^be{h)l^i>j 
 
 ^Cni mcnnrs Icng^t 
 aiio ten mennps ftrcngl^ 
 anDteiimciicaimotfi^itonentie ^/ , 
 
 FRAGMENT OF SHAKESPEARE'S BOOK OF JESTS 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 Written by William Shake-Speare. Newly corrected. Lond. 
 1630.' Close beside this is ' The most excellent Historic of the 
 Merchant of Venice. With the extreame crueltie of Shylocke 
 the lewe towards the said Merchant, in cutting a just pound of his 
 flesh ; and the obtaining of Portia by the choice of three chests. 
 Written by WiUiam Shakespeare. Lond. 1637.' There are also 
 authentic specimens of Ireland's forgeries, showing the signatures 
 of Queen Elizabeth and Shakespeare, with a volume supposed to 
 have belonged to the great dramatist and purporting to contain 
 not only his signature, but considerable MS. notes by himself. 
 A parchment copy of the ' Confession of Faith and Covenant ' 
 (1638) is worthy of notice, containing, as it does, the autograph 
 signatures of Montrose and other noblemen. 
 
 Some of the Persian MSS. date as far back as the fourteenth century, 
 and are of considerable value, while they serve to show an interesting 
 style of caHgraphy and gilt illumination. 
 
 The ' Scotch Case ' is exceptionally interesting were it only for the 
 display of apposites which it contains. Apart from the letters and 
 poems of Burns, including his ' Jolly Beggars,' the University copy of 
 which has the earHer title, ' Love and Liberty,' and the letters of Sir 
 Walter Scott, including the last one he penned, with a portion of the 
 MS. of ' The Legend of Montrose,' there is the holograph ' Draft of 
 the Bequest of the Estate of Craigenputtock in Dumfriesshire, to the 
 University of Edinburgh,' by Thomas Carlyle, dated 12th May 1867. 
 Another acquisition is a letter from the Chelsea sage, written, while 
 Rector of the University, in answer to a request from the students 
 for a valedictory address, to which he states he cannot comply. 
 It is in the true CarlyHan style of writing and expression. Near 
 this, orthodox Scotsmen — of whom there are still a few — will 
 E 33 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 note mth pleasure the original ' Manuscript of the History of 
 the Reformation by John Knox ' (1566). Portions of it are 
 written by the Reformer himself. This manuscript was the 
 copy used by the printer in pubHshing the work, and as a 
 specimen of the writing the reader is referred to the accompanying 
 Facsimile. 
 
 The marginal note is in Knox's handwriting, while the Text, 
 which varies in the original MS., is by an amanuensis. 
 The Transhteration reads as follows : — 
 
 [So assembht at Linlythqw, the said Cardinall, the Erhs Ergyle,] 
 
 Huntely, Bothwell, the Bischoppis and thare bandis ; and thairefter 
 
 thei passed to Striveling, and took with thame baith the Quenis, 
 
 the Mother and the Dowghter, and threatned the depositioun of the 
 
 said Governour, as inobedient to thare Holy Mother the Kirk, (so 
 
 terme thei that harlott of Babilon, Rome). The inconstant man, 
 
 not throwgtlie grounded upoun God, left in his awin default destitut 
 
 of all good counsall, and having the wicked ever blawing in his earis, 
 
 ' what will ye do ! Ye will destroy yourself and your house for 
 
 ever ' : — The unhappy man, (we say) beaten with these tentations, 
 
 randered himself to the appetites of the wicked ; for he qwyethe 
 
 stall away from the Lordis that war wyth him in the Pahce of 
 
 Th Governour -^^^y^^^^^^^^^' P^'^^ ^^ StirUng, subjected himself to the Cardinall 
 
 violated liis faith, and to his counsall, receaved absolutioun, renunced the professioun 
 
 tookabso^ut1on"%^f J^sus Christ his holy Evangell, and violated his oath that befoir 
 
 the Deuill. he had maid, [for observatioun of the contract and league with 
 
 England.] 
 
 The above passage refers to the Earl of Arran (the Duke of 
 Chfitelherault). 
 Here, as in] everyday hfe, opposites meet. Thus those who favour 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 the Stuarts, will be interested in a document, one of the very few in 
 existence bearing the signatures of Queen Mary and Lord Darnley. 
 It consists of a single quarto sheet of paper. The seal, formerly 
 affixed, is now only traceable. 
 
 Again, we are brought into touch with a whilom opponent of 
 Darnley's. A volume, entitled ' Les Douze Livres de Robert 
 Valturin touchant la disciphne Militaire, translatez du langue 
 Latine en Francoyse, par Loys Meigret Lyonnois, Paris ' (1555), 
 we find was a former possession of Lord Bothwell's. The volume 
 has been handsomely rebound, but the side portion of the original 
 binding, with Bothwell's coat of arms, has been preserved, along 
 with a portion of the original toohng on the inner panels. Round 
 his coat of arms runs the printed title in gilt letters, ' Jacobus. 
 Hepburn . comes . Bothu . de . Hailles . Crithon . et . Liddes . Magn. 
 . Admiral . Scotise.' There is also the motto, ' Kiip Trest,' and we 
 know how Bothwell did so with Queen Mary. Another work of 
 great interest, as a specimen of the work of the Fathers of the 
 Scottish press, is Bishop Elphinstone's ' Scottish Service Book, or 
 the Breviarium Aberdonense,' the fii'st volume of which was printed 
 in 1509, and the second in 1510. It is printed in red and black ink, 
 in small double columns, many of the Hues and paragraphs being 
 red and black alternately. Mr David Laing states that ' the work 
 was prepared and completed under the personal superintendence 
 of WilHam Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen, a prelate who has 
 obtained a liigh character as an enlightened and Uberal patron of 
 learning.' 
 
 With reference to the national Scottish poet, Robert Burns, there 
 is an interesting document of what his boots and shoes cost, together 
 with those of Mrs Bm-ns. The summation, however, apart from the 
 
 35 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 spelling, is not what we might expect from a man of business, as can 
 be ascertained from om' Facsimile. 
 
 Although Edinburgh is very careful in conserving her treasures, 
 still there is an occasional leakage. The Silver Mace, fasliioned 
 about the year 1461 by a Paris artificer, disappeared in a mysterious 
 manner in October 1787. Sir Alexander Grant, in his work, ' The 
 Story of the Edinburgh University,' states that ' public opinion in 
 Edinburgh had come to attribute the theft committed in the College 
 to one of the Town Council themselves.' 
 
 This individual was the notorious Deacon Brodie, who was tried 
 and condemned to death for robbing the Excise Office on the 29th 
 August 1788. The Town Council felt the disgrace put upon them 
 by one who was of their number, and also a patron of the College. 
 The result was that they resolved to present a new Mace to the 
 University, which accordingly was done at a representative gathering 
 in the Library, on 2nd October 1789. 
 
 On the new Silver j\Iace itself the arms of the City and the University 
 are artistically enchased, besides being decorated with the Ensigns 
 of King James VI. It has the following inscription engraved 
 thereon : — 
 
 Nova Hac 
 
 Clava Argentea 
 
 Academiam Suam Donavit 
 
 Senatus Edinburgensis 
 
 Consul e Tho. Elder 
 
 Praetore Academico 
 
 Gul. Creech 
 
 A.D. 1789. 
 
 An illustration of the Silver Mace is given on page 45. 
 It is interesting to note that at this period the University became 
 
 36 
 
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 7; / /7,^</■ Jh/>fo 
 
 
 
 
 
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 SHOEMAKER'S ACCOUNT TO BURNS 
 
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 MS. JOHN KNOX'S HANDWRITING 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 possessed of a ' Common Seal,' a patent of which was issued. The 
 Device is famihar to all students and graduates, viz. : Argent 
 on a Saltire Azure between a Thistle in chief Prober and a Castle on 
 a Rock in base Sable a Booh expanded Or. 
 
 One of the most important donors to the University Library was 
 Mr David Laing (1793-1878), to whom we have already referred. 
 Trained as a Bookseller, he is referred to in ' Peter's Letters to his 
 Kinsfolk ' as ' Still a very young man, but ... he possesses a truly 
 wonderful degree of skill in all departments of Bibliography.' A 
 noted antiquary as well, he at a later period occupied the post of 
 Librarian in the Signet Library, Edinburgh. His most important 
 literary production was his ' Works of John Knox, now first 
 collected and edited, in six volumes ' (1846-1864). 
 To the University Library he bequeathed a most invaluable Collection 
 of Charters ranging over a period from 854 to 1837. The earHest 
 Charter is in Anglo-Saxon by King ^thelwulf ' in favour of Monks 
 of God and St Peter of Winchester.' Tliese Charters have been 
 edited by the Rev. John Anderson and were pubHshed in 1899. 
 Besides these he also bequeathed a no less important Collection of 
 Manuscripts and numerous other documents and volumes, bearing 
 on the History and Biography of Scotland, with Missals of exquisite 
 beauty and design. The Manuscripts, which have been in the 
 process of being collated for several years, are to be issued as one 
 of the Royal Historical Commission Reports, being the work of the 
 Rev. Henry Paton. 
 
 Mr Laing was an LL.D. of Edinburgh University. 
 There is also the valuable collection gifted by Mr. Halliwell-PhilHpps. 
 This collection contains, either in original or in facsimile, every 
 edition of Shakespeare issued before the Restoration. Tliere are 
 
 37 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 also ' Playhouse Copies ' of the first folio editions of ' The Comedie of 
 Errors'(1627), ' The Midsummer Night's Dreame' (1623), and 'Hamlet' 
 (1644). These contain bracketed portions of what the actor was to 
 omit on the stage, with various marginal notes of that period. 
 Some of the Mssals and Breviaries are worthy of more than a 
 passing notice. The ' Breviary of St Katherine of Siena,' written 
 on the finest vellum, is a unique specimen. Catherine, who was 
 born in 1347, and died as a saint in 1380, was one of thirteen 
 children. She became patron saint of the Dominicans, and ^v^ote 
 numerous letters and a number of prayers, and was, although 
 subject to attacks of catalepsy, a woman who has left her impress 
 on the Church to which she belonged. The ' Breviary ' is splendidly 
 illuminated with initial letters of exquisite beauty and grace, the 
 scenes being depicted with great feeUng. While this is so, the 
 artistic bordering must not be overlooked, not only as regards the 
 outline and colouring so clear and true, burnished with gold, but also 
 for the symmetry and faultless proportions of the drawings. It 
 belongs to the fourteenth century. 
 
 Another work, the ' Horse Beatae Virginis, secundum usum 
 Romanum, cum Calendario,' is an octavo Manuscript upon vellum. 
 This work is embelhshed with fifteen miniatures. On the first 
 of these is painted the Arms of the Duke of Anjou, surrounded with 
 richly painted borders of flowers. Other noticeable ones are Clirist 
 on the Cross, the Worship of the Magi, and the FHght into Egypt. 
 In ' The Last Supper ' there is a representation of Christ and the 
 eleven disciples, sitting around a table whereon are observable three 
 loaves of considerable size, and three steel knives \vith horn handles, 
 a jug filled with water, and two fowls cooked lying in a large basin. 
 The colouring of the dresses is very rich. 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 Another miniature represents three Shepherds listening to the 
 annunciation by the angels of the birth of Christ. They are repre- 
 sented in various attitudes. Two of the shepherds have staves in 
 their hands, while the third has apparently just ceased playing 
 what is nothing else than the Itahan bagpipes, to Hsten with his 
 comrades. In the background are the spires of several magnificent 
 cathedrals — probably meant for those at Bethlehem ! 
 This is a work belonging to the sixteenth century, bound in green 
 velvet, with richly chased silver-gilt clasps and gilt edges, stamped 
 with a rich design. There are numerous Initial and Capital letters 
 illuminated in gold and colours, of exquisite deUcacy of treatment. 
 On the fly leaf there is a MS. memorandum stating that ' on 7th 
 November, 1596, the Book in division fell to the ChevaHer Balthazar 
 Remiel, had belonged to Joan Bertrand his grandmother, and was 
 given as a remembrance of the defunct to his daughter, Barbe 
 Remiel.' Tliere are a few prayers in French at the end, written 
 in a later hand. 
 
 A Httle volume, some three inches by two, shows us the ' Indian 
 Primer, or the way of training up a youth in the good knowledge 
 of God, by J. E., printed at Cambridge ' (1669). Until 1903 this 
 was the only known copy in existence. From it, in 1880, there was 
 a reprint made. John EKot, the ' Indian apostle,' was the writer, 
 and was born in 1604. The translation of the ' Primer ' is made 
 into the tongue of the Indians of Massachusetts (Algonquin), and in 
 1903 a copy of this work was picked up by an American at a farm- 
 house in the States, for which he paid sixpence, and forwarding 
 it to a book mart, he reaHsed the sum of £500. (See Facsimile.) 
 A beautiful and interesting volume is that entitled ' Stam Boeck 
 van den SaHg. Heer Michiel van Mer geweesen Luytenant Hier 
 
 39 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 in Hamboro is gestorven A° 1653 don 13 Octob. en gte, St. 
 Catrinen Kerche begraven den 20 Oct.' 
 
 This Lieutenant has enriched the Library treasures indeed, and 
 those who deHght to view the past as mirrored in these pages, 
 will find therein a stimulus for their historical, genealogical, and 
 Uterary tastes. To such it will strongly appeal, containing as it 
 does a veritable armoury of beautifully executed crests, all coloured, 
 with mottoes and signatures of many notabiHties. Numerous 
 water-colour drawings depict various scenes in Britain and elsewhere, 
 and many customs are drawn with a reaUstic fidehty, such as cock- 
 fighting, where are seen a number of spectators eagerly watching 
 the two combatants in the ring ; types of dresses of nearly every 
 grade of society, from the courtier to the peasant ; marketing, 
 pilhon-riding, views of deer-hunting at Windsor Castle, with a 
 representation of the King and his suite proceeding to Parhament, 
 where is given a faithful rendering of the state garments worn, 
 in all their brilliancy of colouring, as well as numerous symboHc 
 pictures of graceful outHne. Such a book is worthy of reproduction, 
 containing as it does a panoramic view of scenes and customs of 
 a bygone age. Our illustration depicts a scene not uncommon 
 in Britain even in the last centm-y. In Edinburgh there were 
 many of these matches, or mains, as they were termed, a cock-pit 
 having been specially built for this species of gambling and cruelty. 
 Elsewhere we come across a very interesting and rare work deahng 
 with a certain aspect of rehgious hfe. This is ' A Battle-Door for 
 Teachers and Professors to learn Singular and Plural ; yo7i to many, 
 and thou to one ; Singular, one, thou ; Plural, many, you. Written 
 by George Fox, John Stubs, and Benjamin Fairley.' It is in a bound 
 case, ^\dth lock and key, and is a folio, pubHshed in London, 1660, 
 
 40 
 
th »?-. f^, rV »t> 
 
 ^S /;;^/^?? Trinm^- 
 
 ^evv O R, if^.^ 
 
 ,1^^ The ivay of naining up of our l^t 
 
 '^i^^ knoA ledge ..of God, in the ^fi» 
 i^' knnwlcilgeof ihe Sci ipriire 
 ^W-!, and in an ahilitv to Bcade. 
 
 **^ 
 
 -Ci^ - 
 
 
 Compofedl>iJ,E. 
 
 
 
 «'^4» 
 
 »-V!V 
 
 
 
 » .^, VJJ .s^, ^^ ^,^ ^^^ ^^ ^^J, ,^^^ 7^^ 
 
 i WiWiyiife :ii:z! i; i g ' ! ! g ! W' '' -L •• 
 
A (•()( K FICHT IN KN(il.ANl) 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 In addition to many other rare books and valuable manuscripts, 
 including a valuable Hebrew MS. of a portion of the Pentateuch 
 in a scroll of the tweKth century, an historic interest attaches to an 
 octagonal table used by the Emperor Napoleon while a prisoner at 
 St Helena. The place where he sat at table is marked by a ' cup ' 
 in the mahogany, showing the spot where he bm-ned a pastille at the 
 conclusion of his repast. 
 
 To those interested as to the manner in which such an article became 
 the property of the University, it may be stated that there is an 
 inscription thereon engraved on a small plate which reads as 
 follows : ' This table, which was used by the Emperor Napoleon 
 for breakfast, dinner, and supper, during his residence in Longwood, 
 at St Helena, was piKchased for Mr Robert Maine of the Hon. 
 East India Civil Service in 1822, by Mr A. DarHng, Merchant in the 
 Island, and Contractor for the Longwood EstabUshment. Presented 
 to the Library of the University of Edinburgh, by Mr R. Maine, 
 H.E.I.C.S., 3rd March 1844' 
 
 A case containing what is known as the Sir John Rae Collection of 
 Arctic curios shows also a portion of the articles found on the 
 bodies of the officers who perished in the Franklin Expedition, the 
 fate of which was discovered by Rae, who obtained the Government 
 award of £10,000. 
 
 It has generally been supposed that a certain John Foxe 
 wrote the notable work entitled ' Foxe's Book of Martyrs,' but an 
 edition in the University Library shows the falseness of such a 
 statement. This edition consists of three volumes, and was edited 
 in 1845 by Dr John Cumming. Those interested in Bibhography 
 will be able to read on the fly-leaf of the first volume, that 
 ' Foxe's Book of Martyrs ' was presented to the Library in 1845 
 
 F 4sl 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 by ' the Author,' whom every one supposes to have been only the 
 editor ! 
 
 Another book, haihng from the pen of a Persian, frankly informs 
 every reader — it is printed in EngHsh on the title-page — that all 
 copies of his work are forgeries imless those bearing his signature. 
 Which category this volume must be placed in — there is no author's 
 signature — needs an impulsive Baconian to decide. 
 An interesting book is that of WiUiam Lithgow, who was born in 
 Lanark in 1582, and after a most adventurous career returned to 
 his native place, and is buried in the churchyard of St Kentigern 
 there. His book of travels is entitled : ' The Totall Discoin-se of 
 the Rare Adventures and painefull Peregrinations of long nineteene 
 Yeares Trauayles, from Scotland, to the most Famous Kingdomes 
 in Europe, Asia, and Affrica, Perfited by three deare bought 
 Voyages, in Surueighing of Forty eight Kingdomes ancient and 
 Moderne. . . . Together with the grieuous Tortures he suffered, 
 by the Inquisition of Malaga in Spaine, his miraculous Discovery 
 and Deliuery thence.' Lond. 1629. 
 
 He visited every country in Europe, except Russia. His descrip- 
 tions of men and their customs are of great value and interest, 
 while the quaint illustrations add much to the value of the work. 
 Our picture represents the author attacked by six Robbers in 
 Moldavia where, Lithgow writes, ' they bound my naked body fast 
 about the middle to an Oaken tree, with wooden ropes, and my 
 armes backward so Ukewise.' See Facsimile. 
 
 Of ponderous tomes the Library possesses not a few, the most re- 
 markable being the elephant foHo edition of the Works of Audubon, 
 beautifully coloured. The books presented by Lady Meux are also 
 worthy of mention, these being the Ethiopic texts of several 
 
 42 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 important works, the texts of which were edited and translated 
 by E. A. Wallis Budge, of which only one hundred copies were 
 printed. 
 
 These include ' The Life of Hanna,' and ' The Magical Prayers of 
 Aheta Aukael.' The plates reproduced are in facsimile. 
 An invaluable book, more especially from the antiquary's standpoint, 
 is that written by John Weever and pubhshed in 1631 at London. 
 It is entitled : ' Ancient Fvneral Monvments within the United 
 Monarchic of Great Britaine, teland, and the islands adiacent, 
 with the dissolued Monasteries therein contained.' At the end of 
 the book and written above the general Index are these words : 
 ' For the much honoured Gentleman WilHam Elphinstone, Cup- 
 bearer to his Majestic of Great Britain.' The frontispiece, which 
 is here reproduced, is very quaint and interesting and of considerable 
 artistic merit. There are several illustrations, while the Manuscript 
 of the work itself is in the possession of the Society of Antiquaries, 
 London. Considerable importance attaches to this work of Weever's, 
 as the inscriptions mentioned therein are now non-existent, having 
 been obHterated by the ravages of time. Several editions of his 
 book have been pubhshed, but this Library copy is the most valuable. 
 The portrait attached to the work has inscribed round it, as on an 
 oval frame, these words ; ' lohannis Weever setatis suae 55. anno 
 1631. Vere effigies.' Underneath are the following Hues : — 
 
 ' Lancashire gave him birth, 
 And Cambridge education. 
 His Studies are of Death, 
 Of Heaven his meditation.' 
 
 Weever pubhshed two volumes of verse. He shows his acquaintance 
 with Shakespeare, and one Sonnet is addressed to the great dramatist. 
 
 43 
 
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 His ' Epigrammes in the oldest Cut and Newest Fashion ' is ex- 
 tremely rare. 
 
 Through the generosity of Dr Andrew Carnegie, and in order to meet 
 modern requirements, an American system of steel shelving has 
 been introduced into several of the more congested portions of the 
 Library, at an expense of over £7000. This solves, by its adapt- 
 ability, for many years to come, the vexed problem of space, which 
 has to be faced ever and anon by all large Libraries. The intro- 
 duction of the electric Ught has also been beneficial to the binding 
 of the books. 
 
 Another interesting benefactor to the utility of the Library was the 
 
 Rev. James Nairn, who entered the College as a student, graduating 
 
 in the year 1650. He was a clergyman at LesHe, and afterwards 
 
 at Wemyss in Fifeshire. He died at Edinburgh in 1678, aged 50. 
 
 By his Will, after bequeathing a few books to his friends and others, 
 
 he left his large Collection, as has been stated, to the CoUege of 
 
 Edinbm-gh. A Hst of these important works, a nmnber of the 15th 
 
 and the bulk of the 17th century, was pubHshed under the title of 
 
 ' Catalogus Librorum quibus BibHothecam Academise Jacobi Regis 
 
 Edinburgenae Adauxit R. D. Jacobus Narnius, Pastor Vcemiensis. 
 
 Edinburgi, Excudebat Thomas Brown, Anno Dom. 1678.' 
 
 This Catalogue is a small quarto, and consists of ninety-two pages, 
 
 with eight devoted to a Preface and title-page. There are nearly 
 
 2000 volumes thus bequeathed. It is somewhat strange in looking 
 
 over a Catalogue of such dimensions to find no copy of Shakespeare. 
 
 Our imagination can hardly take in such a fact as a blank of this 
 
 magnitude in a Library. But even at the present time it appears 
 
 as an almost astoimding statement that the University Library, 
 
 with its 250,000 volmnes, does not possess a printed Catalogue. 
 
 4A 
 
LITHGOW ATTACKED BY SIX ROBBERS 
 
RARER BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 
 
 The material is ready in Manuscript form, and if funds could be had 
 for such a praiseworthy object, then the value of the Library would 
 be exceedingly enhanced, because its treasures would be better 
 known. 
 
 Without this much-needed Catalogue research work is apt to be 
 hindered, and the Library itself is not fully utiHsed. Meanwhile 
 this brief outHne of ' The Rarer Books and Manuscripts of the 
 Edinburgh University Library ' may tend to further such a de- 
 sirable end. For books are as much a part of a man's nature as his 
 daily food, and to a few even more so. 
 
 ' . . . and books, we know, 
 Are a substantial world, both pure and good ; 
 Round these, with tendrils strong as flesh and blood, 
 Our pastime and our happiness will grow.' 
 
 45 
 
PRINTED BY 
 
 TURNBULL AND SPEARS, 
 
 BDINBURGH 
 
FOURTEEN DAY USE 
 
 RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED 
 
 LIBRAHT SCHOOL LIBRAE^ 
 
 This book is due on the last date stamped below, or 
 
 on the date to which renewed. 
 
 Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. 
 
 MOV -, 
 
 
 
 
 APR 2 6 1958 
 
 
 OCT 2 4 1966 
 
 
 DEC 14 1973 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 T T-» oi mn^o'KK General Library 
 
U.C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES 
 
 CDE7MEflblb 
 
 
 3e