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ULDEKICUS GUERNICH, rROTO-TYPOGRAPHLS, PAKISIIS, 1409. 
 
ANNALS 
 
 OS 
 
 CONTAHflNO 
 
 4N ACCOUNT 
 
 Of THE 
 
 EARLIEiS*r TYPOGRAPHICAL ESTABLISHMEI^TS 
 
 Of 
 AND 
 
 NOTICES AND ILLUSTBATIONS 
 
 MOST REMARKABLE PRODUCTIONS 
 
 OF THE 
 COMPILED PRINCIPALLY TO SHEW 
 
 ITS GENERAL CHARACTER; AND ITS PARTICULAR INFLUENCE 
 
 UPON 
 
 BY THE REV. WILLIAM PARR GRESWELL. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 PRINTED FOR CADELL AND DAVIES; LONGMAN AND CO.; LACKINGTON AND CO,; 
 R. H. EVANS ; AND J. AND W. LOWNDES, BOOKSELLERS. 
 
 MDCCCXVUI. 
 
R. & W. Deaj}, Pilntei.?, Manchester. 
 
XI 
 
 Uldericus Guernich Proto-Typosraphus Parisiis 1469. 
 Uldericus Guernich natione Germanus unus ex primis 
 Typograpkis^ qui adhuc vivus multas eleemosynas hujus dom'&s 
 pauperibus erogaverat, tandem suo Testamento legavit ipsi 
 Pauperum communitati, anno Domini 1510, mediam suorum 
 bonorum partem^ Sf debitorum tertiam ; ex qud pecunid empta 
 est villa Dannet sita juxta Jluvium Matronam, Emptce sunt 
 quoque domus de Veseley^ qu(B pars est hujus CoUegii profensa d 
 medid Areas parte ad Collegium Divi Michaelis usque, ^ 
 (Bdificatce sunt Grammaticorum Classes,"^ 
 
 It thus appears that Gering bequeathed to the College 
 DE MoNTAiGU* the half of his property, and the third part of 
 his debts, amounting together to upwards of 25000 livres — a 
 
 ♦ In the year 1496, Erasmus became a pensioner or scholar 
 of this college. "Km" (he facetiously says) ^^ LuteticB in 
 coUegio, cui cognomen ah aoeto:" and by his account, it was 
 then a miserable place of residence indeed I His wretched 
 apartment was in a most disgusting situation. He was fed on 
 rotten eggs and sour wine. The discipline was as cruel as the 
 diet was abominable — and he is said to have contracted there a 
 diseased habit of body, which continued during the remainder of 
 his life. See his Colloq, intitled " Icthyophagia," which 
 contains many strange particulars concerning this college, and 
 its tlien regent "Joannes Standoneus" — and more particularly 
 the elaborate ** Vie d'Erasme par M. Burigni,** (t torn. 12. 
 Par. 1757) a work probably of very rare occurrence: and 
 of which Dr. Jortin could not obtain a sight till he had nearly 
 finished the impression of his "Life of Erasmus.'* Fid. vol, 2, 
 p. 1 10, edition in 3 vols* Svo, Lond, 1808. 
 
xu 
 
 fum sufficient to purchase, not indeed a '•*' village^'* (see 
 Mr, Dibdin's ^^ Decameron ,'' vol, 1, p. 23) but the estate or 
 farm of Dannet or Annex ; and in addition to that, " la 
 maison de Veseley," adjoining the site of the college, where 
 they afterwards erected their " Grammaticorum classes,''^ 
 
 The engraved MARKS or devices with which this volume 
 is embellished, are sufficient in number and variety to shew 
 the general character of those ornaments — of which (as far as 
 concerns the French Qothic press) with few exceptions, may 
 be said ;— r 
 
 " Fades non omnibus una ; 
 Nee diversa tamen ;" 
 
 And they are perhaps almost the only specimens connected 
 with the earliest period of Parisian typography, which for 
 their rarity are worth the labour of imitation. The drawings 
 for the engraver were obligingly supplied by Miss Rebecca 
 Miller, of Liverpool; a young lady equally distinguished 
 by her exquisite taste and ingenuity, and by her constant 
 readiness to perform acts of kindness. 
 
 " Imprimeries" were established, according to Panzer, at 
 Abbeville anno 1486 — at Chablitz anno 1478 — at Cham- 
 ^ERY anno 1484— a* Lyons anno 1476 — at Nantes anno 
 1493— ae Rouen anno 1483 — and at Geneva anno 1478. 
 The early impressions of these places correspond closely in 
 character with those of Paris — and many of them are incidentally 
 noticed in the following pages. 
 
 Denton, near Manchester, 
 Adodst IStb, 1818. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 See page 32. 
 
 XT is expedient that I should lay before the reader an 
 ingenuous account of the origin and design of the present 
 work. Amongst those who are conversant with the History 
 OF Printing, and more particularly with that of early 
 Classical Typography, few can he unacquainted with the 
 illustrious family of the Estiennes of Paris — and those 
 who have remarked with due admiration, the number, mag- 
 nificence, and perfection of their impressions, would not fail to 
 peruse with great satisfaction, any rational account which can 
 be derived from authentic sources, of the personal history and 
 professional labours, at least of the most distinguished members 
 of that literary family. Upon such an interesting inquiry, much 
 of my own leisure has for a series of years been agreeably 
 
IV 
 
 employed: and 1 have at length found myself in possession of 
 materials which would at least suffice for a moderate volume : 
 especially as it might be desirable to combine with the lives of 
 the EsTlENNES, a succinct account of several other learned 
 PRINTERS of Paris who flourished in those remote times; and 
 of the origin and subsequent progress of the Parisian Greek 
 PRESS. 
 
 JVhilst I was occupied in digesting these materials, it 
 
 (Occurred to me that it might be useful to take a survey of the 
 
 Parisian press from the introduction of printing at Paris, to 
 
 that period when the first Greek press was established therez 
 
 in order to ascertain what advances had been made, during that 
 
 interval, in classical literature; as well as in the other 
 
 branches of rational and liberal science. The prevailing character 
 
 of early Parisian typography would I conceived, evince the 
 
 nature of those studies which were adtivated in the celebrated 
 
 University of Paris : and shew how far the revival of learning 
 
 in the more remote regions of Italy operated to iiifluence their 
 
 inquiries, and to ameliorate their views. As the press was under 
 
 the immediate jurisdiction of the superiors o/" the University, its 
 
 productions would actually furnish a correct criterion of their 
 
 literary pursuits: and by minutely remarking from year to year 
 
 the earlier classical impressions of Paris, it might be 
 
 fairly judged what improvements in this species of literature 
 
 had actually been effected before the age of Francis 1. aiid 
 
 thence might be better estimated the services which accrued to 
 
 polite learning, from the liberal patronage of that monarch, and 
 
 the exertions of his celebrated Impressores Regii. The 
 
 recently published volumes of Panzer rendered such an 
 
r 
 
 investigation more practicable and satisfactory, than it cmM 
 possibly have been heretofore. 
 
 With this view, I began to note down the classical 
 impressions of Paris, without designedly omitting the most 
 inconsiderable cf them, I noted also the biblical and ^nindpal 
 theological impressions : and of the rest, those which appeared 
 to me of most indigenous origin, most generally interesting, and 
 most characteristic of French genius, taste, and pursuits. I 
 soon discovered that their early press was by no means fertile 
 in classical productions. On the contrary the growth of them 
 seems rather to have degenerated than improved, for a con- 
 siderable period; even in that soil, where learning was 
 supposed to have so long before chosen her seat, and taken up 
 her abode. But whilst the inquiry was carried on with those 
 views which I have mentioned, I was ' agreeably amused by the 
 national and romantic character of that literature which 
 actually presented itself — and by degrees found myself still more 
 interested, by the comparison of our own early typography 
 with that of France. Hence accidentally originated a new 
 object for my pursuit : which was to trace more exactly than I 
 conceived had hitherto been done, the actual conformity and 
 connection of early English and French typography with 
 each other : and without losing sight of my original purpose, to 
 give to this little manual the additional recommendation of 
 exhibiting a kind of regular and methodical concordance of 
 the early literature of both nations. These distinct materials 
 having thus enlarged themselves to their present magnitude ; I 
 resolved not only upon publishing what I had collected, on the 
 subject of the Parisian early or Gothic press, in the present 
 
separate form, but even to make this newly adopted object a 
 leading and principal characteristic (as the title expresses it to 
 be) of the present volume, StUl however, its primitive one, of 
 being intended as an introduction to a future history of the 
 Parisun Greek press, remains intire. The preliminary 
 matter prefixed to this volume actually consists of a portion of 
 those materials which I had originally prepared, as introductory 
 to the lives of the Estiennes: though, I flatter myself, as 
 inserted here, it will not be found less appropriate. It certainly 
 contains many particulars respecting the jurisdiction claimed by 
 the University of Paris, over its early press, and the 
 intolerance with which that jurisdiction was exercised ; without 
 the knowledge of which, many incidents of the lives and 
 transactions of the Estiennes cannot be perfectly understood, 
 
 J trust then that the present volume will be found to 
 comprehend a tolerably complete enumeration of all the biblical 
 and classical works printed at Paris, during the period 
 which it embraces : and with that, a very copious one of those 
 other miscellaneous WORKS, which appear at present most 
 strongly to engage the attention of the curious,* Of this last 
 
 * It may be here observed, that a very large proportion 
 of those precious specimens of EARLY English and French 
 TYPOGRAPHY, for wMch such prodigious prices have been 
 recently paid, will occur to the reader's notice in the ensuing 
 pages. For such prices he may consult Mr. Horne's 
 " Introduction to the Study of Bibliography," (a work 
 replete with information both instructive and entertaining) j the 
 
Vll 
 
 mentioned description of works, it will be found, that by a 
 species of venial anticipation, I have characterised very numerous 
 IMPRESSIONS, which were executed long after the period which 
 I had prescribed to my inquiries. The biographical and 
 LITERARY NOTICES have been selected with great diligence and 
 fidelity from the most authentic sources; and they are annexed 
 in conformity with an opinion which I have conceived ; that 
 BIBLIOGRAPHY, whether to be useful or interesting as a study^ 
 should not content itself with the barren enumeration of TITLES, 
 pr with mere technical description only. 
 
 My obligations to the interesting pages of Warton* will 
 be apparent in many parts of this work : and on the subject of 
 early French romances, / have derived much information 
 from Mr. Dunlop's very curious and accurate volumes, -f which 
 all admirers of early literature will peruse with pleasure. In 
 exhibiting the conformity between early specimens of French 
 and English typography, I have cited freely from the pages of 
 Ames & Herbert ;$ but nothing from Mr. Dibdin's work 
 now in the course of publication ; both for other reasons which 
 are obvious, and because 1 consider the matter of those very 
 
 ninth day of Mr. Dibdin's " Decameron ;" and the priced 
 catalogues of the Roxburgh and other celebrated sales: from 
 which, those to whom the trouble would be a pleasure, may 
 transfer such prices to the margins of this volume. 
 
 * History of English Poetry, 3 vols. 4. 
 
 t History of Fiction, 3 vols. 12. 
 
 + Typographical Antiquities, 3 vols. i..Lond, 1785. 
 
diligent bibliographers sufficiently accurate for my purpose. 
 The specimens of early English, in which the ancient 
 orthography has been scrupulously observed, may afford amusing 
 examples of the state of our own language ; at a period barren 
 indeed in productions of native genius: when our early 
 PRESS could scarcely find any other matter to work upon, besides 
 that which was borrowed from our Gallic neighbours : and 
 when the renowned Caxton, and a few other very moderately 
 learned printers, were almost the only persons who undertook to 
 invest works of foreign composition with an English dress : and 
 thus gave as it were, the standard of those times, to our 
 wretchedly imperfect tongue ; and furnished books, not only to 
 initiate in the first elements of reading, but even to form the 
 minds and entertain the leisure of our young princes and 
 nobility. Those assuredly were not days of triumph to English 
 literature. But that polite nation, to which our early formation 
 and manners owe so much, which gave us lessons of gallantry, 
 and formularies of devotion, will not be averse to own, that in 
 after times we have nobly vied with them in learning, in arts, 
 and in every other attainment worthy of national or individual 
 emulation — and even evinced the truth of the ancient proverb, 
 
 IloXXoi /ao9n7(«i x.Su7lovis didccstcaXuv. 
 
 The impression of this volume (with the exception of the 
 preface only) was finished before the termination of the last 
 year. The work might therefore have appeared more early, 
 had not the execution of the wood cuts occasioned some 
 delay. Those specimens of the marks or devices adopted by 
 early Parisian printers, which are here given, have been 
 accurately copied from originals in my own possession, by 
 
IX 
 
 Mr. Abraham Mosses of Liverpool, a meritorious artist, and 
 formerly a pupil of Mr. Hole. On the appearance of 
 Mr, Dibdin's magnijicent and highly entertaining " De- 
 cameron," / was induced to relinquish the design of giving 
 more; having found my plan in this particular anticipated by 
 that author. Mr. Dibdin is indeed the coryph^us of 
 bibliomaniacs — if I may adopt a phrase in unison with his 
 own jocular language: and I would by no means have it 
 imagined, that my unassuming volume is in any respect intended 
 to rival his splendid productions. The present soarings of 
 bibliomania far transcend my humble flights. It will not 
 appear from the following sheets that I entertain so much as a 
 prSilection for the name of bibliomaniac — but if it must 
 adhere to all those who meddle with book lore — I would at 
 least presume, even in defiance of the lash of the Venusine 
 
 BARD, 
 
 Jnsanire ratione, modoque,* 
 
 The portrait of Ulric Gering, or as he appears to have 
 been otherwise denominated, UldericusGiternfch, is accurately 
 imitated from that which is met with in very few copies only 
 
 of " L'HiSTOIRE DE L'ImPRIMERIE ET DE LA LibRAIRIE" of 
 
 M. de la Caille. Par. 1689, 4. One of these singularly 
 rare copies, for the peculiarities of which see Brunei, is in 
 the possession of S. W. Singer, Esq. a gentleman conspicuous 
 in the literary circles for his very ingenious " Researches 
 into the History of Playing Cards," and for other 
 
 * Hor. Lib. II. Sat. 3, 271. 
 
publications of high estimation. By Mr. Singer's kindness 
 (through th0 intervention of Mr. Ford of Manchester) I have 
 been enabled to superintend a drawing of the abovementioned 
 portrait ; which has been engraved in wood by Mr. Mosses 
 for the present volume. To evince the genuineness of the 
 original portrait (which has been thus imitated with all possible 
 fidelity) I shall cite from the additional matter contained in the 
 before-mentioned rare volume what relates to Gering — his 
 donations to the College de Montaigu, and the original 
 PICTURE which was existing in M. de la Caille's time, " en 
 la haute Chapelle du dit College,'''* 
 
 " Ce mSme Ulric Gering (en Latin Uldericus Guernich*) 
 fit encore de son vivant quantite d^Aumones aux pauvres 
 Ecoliers, Sf particulierement a ceux du College de Montaigu ; 
 par son Testament de Vann^ 1504, il leur donna la moitie de 
 ses biens Sf la troisieme partie de ses dettes : ce qui montoit ci 
 plus de vignt-cinq mille livres, qui etoit une somme tres- 
 considerable en ce temps la : duquel legs on a achete la Terre ou 
 Metairie de Dannet, sise pres la Riviere de Mame, ^ la Maison 
 de Feseley, qui etoit entre le College de Montaigu, ^ le petit 
 College de Saint Michel, ou furent basties les Classes des 
 Grammairiens, dont ce College fut aggrandi consider ablement, ce 
 qui se voit au bas de son Portrait represents cy-dessous, Sf qui est 
 en la hoAite Chapelle dudit College de Montaigu, ou sont ces Mots : 
 
 * Chevillier, who also particularly notices this portrait, 
 and cites the words " qui sont peintes au bas," — writes 
 " Udelricus Guerincg." Probably his transcript is most 
 accurate. Vid. " VOrigine de VImpr,'''' p, 89. 
 
AN ACCOUNT 
 
 ov t6e barlibst 
 
 Typographical Establishments 
 
 ov 
 
 XT may probably be cqnsidered as a matter of surprise, 
 that the noble Art of Printing was not at a moro 
 early period the invention of human ingenuity. Some 
 learned men have imagined that the germ of this im- 
 portant discovery is to be found in a passage of Cicero, 
 wherein the Stoic Balbus, reasoning with Velleius, an 
 Epicurean, speaks thus : " Non mirer esse quemquam, 
 qui sibi persuadeat, corpora quaedam solida et individua 
 vi et gravitate ferri, mundumque ejffici ornatissimum et 
 pulcherrimum ex eorum concursione fortuita ? Hoc 
 qui existumat fieri potuisse, non intelligo cur non idem 
 putet, si innumerabiles unius et viginti formae literarum, 
 Vel aurese vel quales libet, aliquo conjiciantur, posse ex 
 his in terram excussis Ann ales Ennii, ut deinceps legi 
 pOssint,effici : quod nescioanne in uno quidem versu pos- 
 sit tantum valereFortuna." (a) It is clear that the Antients 
 understood and practised, at a very remote aera, the art 
 
 (a) De Ntftura Dcoi*. Lily. 11. cap. 37. 
 B 
 
of cutting or engraving, not only figures, but also sen- 
 tences and legends, in the reversed order necessary for 
 communicating them by impression to other substances ? 
 of which their medallic history alone may furnish a 
 sufficient testimony. Hence it seems but as it were 
 another step in the progress of discovery, to devise a 
 method of engraving and arranging words in such a 
 manner, as, that by the application of a suitable fluid, 
 those words might be impressed on paper, or any sub- 
 stance of a correspondent nature; and copies multiplied 
 at pleasure. Mr. Chevillier cites from the Apophthegms 
 of Plutarch, an anecdote of Agesilaus, king of Sparta, 
 which comprehends much of the secret of this Art. 
 Willing by a stratagem to animate his soldiers to battle, 
 he wrote upon his hand the word vmv) (or victory) ; and 
 thence by pressure imprinted the same word upon 
 the liver of the slain victim. eTV7Cco^vi(rau ol tuu 
 y^aij^li^ccTCCi/ %fl:£axTv!^f;, are the words qf Plutarch.(^) 
 And the letters thus impressed became in the eye and 
 imagination of the superstitious multitude, a sure 
 pledge of success. 
 
 Yet it was not till the year 1 440, or about that period, 
 according to the most authentic accounts, that the 
 celebrated John Guttemberg discovered and practised 
 the Art of Printing by WOODEN blocks : on which 
 were cut in a reversed order, and in relief, words, sen- 
 tences, or whole pages, at the pleasure of the inventor. 
 An author who is said to have written at a period not 
 very remote from that of Guttemberg's discovery, pre-' 
 tends that he received the first idea of the art from an' 
 impression taken in wax from the seal of his ring; in 
 
 (6) Plutarchi Apophth. Lacoa, 
 
3 
 
 which he accidentally observed some letters in relief. 
 Thus our author, who wrote in poetic numbers : 
 
 " Respicit archetypes auri vestigia lustrans, 
 " Et secum tacitus talia verba refert : 
 
 " Quam belle pandit certas haec orbita voces; 
 " Monstrat et exactis apta reperta libris." 
 He afterwards proceeds to remark, that the contem- 
 plation of a WINE PRESS suggested or assisted his first 
 crude conceptions of a machine proper for the exercise 
 of his newly discovered art : 
 
 " RoBORA prospexit dehinc torcularia Bacchi, 
 " Et dixit Preli forma sit ista novi." (c) 
 But so rude and imperfect was the Art of Printing 
 by wooden blocks only ; so much did it seem to resemble 
 the inventions of past ages, and especially the methods 
 practised in China and Japan long before ; that many 
 are unwilling to allow to Guttemberg's invention (if 
 indeed it was his exclusively) the honour of such a 
 name. The contrivance of moveable types, the fabri- 
 cation of punches and matrices, and the admirable 
 adaptation of all the other numerous and complicated 
 appendages which appertain to the modern Art of 
 Printing, were however, so speedily consequent to 
 those former rude and simple efforts, that it seems unjust 
 to separate them in our contemplation of the origin of 
 the Typographic Art. Experience shews that mankind 
 are generally slow in conceiving the first notions of 
 great and useful inventions : but when an idea has been 
 once conceived, or a hint however imperfect given, the 
 ardour for improvement being commonly proportionable 
 
 (c) Histoire de I'Origine et des premiers Progres de Tlm- 
 primerie, 4. Haye, 1740. 
 
to the usefulness of the discovery, arts of the greatest 
 value and importance to mankind advance most speedily 
 to perfectioft. 
 
 Whether the honour of compleating and perfecting 
 this great discovery, be due to the joint efforts of 
 GuTTEMBEEG, FusT, and ScHOEFFER, OF more espe- 
 cially as some pretend, to be attributed to the genius 
 of the latter ; or whether indeed some respect be due 
 to the clainis preferred by others, it is not necessary at 
 present to inquire. It may suffice to observe, on the 
 authority of Maittaire, that Printing was very probably 
 first attempted by types cut on blocks of wood, and 
 consequently not moveable : that moveable types were 
 subsequently used, first wooden, afterwards metallic or 
 fusile. Rude specimens of the art are mentioned to 
 have been produced probably so early as the year 1450. 
 But, as Maittaire observes, it does not appear that any 
 work printed \yith moveable types, and bearing an un- 
 equivocal mark of date, or year of impression, is to be 
 found of a more remote age than that of the year 1457: 
 but that Fust and Schoeffer printed at Mentz annis 
 1^51 ^nd 1459, is now an indisputable fact, (d) 
 
 Paris was the first city of France which received 
 tjiis noble art. In the year 1 470, which was the tenth 
 y^ar of the reign of Louis XI. the Art of Printing 
 
 t it. I — ' "-■■■■■ ■ " — ■ " '" ' 
 
 id) Probabile est Artem initio per typos in tabulis incisos et 
 immobiles tentatam; deinde typos mobiles usurpatos, ligneos 
 pr im^m denique fusiies ; et un^ tantum paging imprimi coeptuna, 
 do&ee utraque excudendi ratio intellecta fuerit. Non constat 
 librum ullum typis mobilibus impressum annique notation^ 
 signatum ante annum 1457 prodiisse; at liquet Faustum et 
 ScHOEFFERVM annis 1457 et 1459 MoGUNTiiB libros edidisse. 
 *' Annalea TypograpMci,'*^ Tom. I. p. 32. 
 
s 
 
 was begun there by Ulric Gering, a German, and a 
 native of Constance, and his two associates, Martin 
 Crantz and Michael Friburger. These Germans, 
 at the instance of Guillaume Fichet and Jean de la 
 Pierre, came to settle at Paris ; and had an establish- 
 ment assigned them in the college of the Sorbonne ; of 
 which society their two patrons were distinguished 
 members, {e) 
 
 Chevillier enumerates eleven distinct books printed 
 by Gering, Crantz, and Friburger, in the Sorbonne, 
 annis 1470, 14'71, and 1472. The list is increased by 
 Panzer to eighteen. These constitute what is called 
 the first series of Gering's impressions : of which Biblio- 
 graphers give the precedency to ^' Gasparini Perga- 
 mensis Epistolarum opus." At present I shall confine 
 my observations to the technical peculiarities of these 
 impressions. They are generally without date; though 
 Panzer exhibits some exceptions. What is more re- 
 markable, none of them are printed in the Gothic 
 character. On the contrary, they are in a handsome 
 Roman letter, formed in imitation of the characters of 
 the Augustan age, as exemplified in the medals and 
 other monuments of those classic times. They are all 
 printed in the same large and bold Roman character, 
 with types cast from the same matrices. Some letters 
 indeed appear imperfect ; and some words but half 
 printed, and afterwards finished by the pen. There 
 are no capitals. The initial letter of each book or 
 chapter is omitted, such omissions being intended to be 
 supplied by the ingenuity of the illuminator. They 
 
 («) *' L'Origine de L'lmprimerie de P^is, par le Sj^ur 
 A.iidr4 Chevillier;' 4. Par. 1694. 
 
6 
 
 abound in abbreviations ; which is the case with antient 
 impressions in general. The paper is not of a fine 
 whiteness, but strong, and well sized. The ink is of a 
 glossy blackness: and some instances of the 'Mettres 
 rouges" occur occasionally. Some of these works 
 commence on the ^^ folio verso,'''* 
 
 They are all without title, cyphers, and signatures. 
 Signatures, or alphabetical letters placed for the 
 binder's direction at the bottom of the page, according 
 to Chevillier, were first introduced anno 1476, by 
 Antonius Zarotus, a printer of Milan, in a work 
 intitled " Platea de Usuris. " He says titles and 
 CYPHERS began to be employed anno 1477, and are 
 found in the second series of Gering's impressions. 
 There are no LiTERiE reclamantes (reclames or catch- 
 words) in these early editions. The printers of Paris 
 did not adopt them till a period so late as 1520: though 
 they are found in the " Tacitus'''' printed at Venice by 
 Spira, circa 1468, and in a work intitled '^ Liliurti 
 MediciniB^'' fol. Ferrara^ 1486. 
 
 The REGISTRUM CHART ARUM, an invention also de- 
 vised for the convenience of the binder, is not found in 
 either of the two earliest series of Gering's impressions, 
 but was used by him towards the year 1499. This is 
 also of Italian origin. It is found in the " Summa 
 Alexandride Ales,''' printed by Giovanni de Colonna, 
 Ven. 1475. The Registrum was generally placed at 
 the end of the book, and consisted of an assemblage of 
 all the signatures, in the order in which the sheets or 
 smaller divisions of the work were submitted to the 
 press ; with the addition of such information as *' omnes 
 sunt quaterniones," or "terniones," praeter R.etZ.quae 
 sunt duerniones,'* &c. At present the Registrum is 
 disused : the signatures at the bottom of the pages, the 
 
cyphers at the top, and the reclamantes or catch-words, 
 being supposed to furnish ample direction to the careful 
 collator or binder. 
 
 Louis XL having thus witnessed the introduction 
 into his own capital of an art so important to literature, 
 had afterwards the gratification of seeing it carried to a 
 considerable degree of perfection, by several industrious 
 And skilful Typographers, whom he honoured with his 
 special favour. Whatever might be the political cha- 
 racter of this monarch, he appears to have been a friend 
 and protector of learning. For literary works he en- 
 tertained also a particular predilection. He caused 
 to be brought from Fontainebleau to Paris, all the 
 manuscripts which his predecessors Charles V. and VL 
 had been at great pains in collecting. He established 
 in the Louvre a spacious and noble library, the super- 
 intendance of which he gave to Robert Gaguin, 
 *' General de I'Ordre des Trinitaires.'* It became one 
 of the principal objects of his magnificence to augment 
 it as much as possible, both with manuscripts and printed 
 books. As a further proof of his zeal and earnestness 
 in such pursuits, it is recorded, that having been in- 
 formed that the gentlemen *' de la Faculte de Medicine" 
 of Paris, had in their possession an original manuscript 
 of Rasis, a celebrated Arabian physician of the tenth 
 century, he directed that part of his silver plate should 
 be pledged as a security, in order to obtain permission 
 of having it transcribed. 
 
 The early typographers we are told, met with 
 great opposition in the commencement of their labours 
 at Paris from the scribes or copyists, whose gains wore 
 likely to be diminished, or rather almost annihilated, 
 by the introduction of the new art. They encouraged 
 the most malignant and ridiculous charges against our 
 
artists, even that of sorcery or magic. They also con- 
 trived to institute against them a vexatious legal process. 
 The affair was brought before the parliament, and that 
 tribunal, little more enlightened and liberal than the 
 credulous multitude, ordered their books and impressions 
 to be seized and confiscated. But to the honour of 
 Louis XI. it is recorded, that upon this occasion he in- 
 terposed his royal authority in behalf of the printers. 
 He interdicted the parliament from taking further 
 cognisance of the affair, reserving it for his own special 
 decision and that of his privy council ; and it is scarcely 
 necessary to add, that the event was entirely favourable 
 to the typographers, and their books and copies were 
 ordered to be restored, (f) 
 
 Even at an earlier period than that of the introduction 
 of printing into Paris, it appears that Conrart Han* 
 NEQUJS and Pierre Schoeffer, printers and burgesses 
 of the city of Mentz, had established magazines for the 
 sale of books at Paris, Angers, and some other places 
 in France. Stratten their agent happened to die in 
 that country ; and as he had never obtained any legal 
 instrument of naturalization, he had not the power of 
 disposing of his effects by will. Every thing belonging 
 to this stranger, or entrusted to his hands, was seized 
 and confiscated ; and amongst the rest, the works which 
 Hannequis and Schoeffer had placed at his disposal 
 These we are told in the public document cited by 
 Lambinet, consisted of *^ plusieurs beaux livres singu* 
 liers et exquis, tant d'histoires, que de diverses beures, 
 &c/* The German printers prevailed upon Frederick 
 UL king of the Romans^ and the elector of Ment2^ to 
 
 (/> Luibiiiet^ Recherdi^ HJsforiqaes^ &c. p* 171* seqq* 
 
9 
 
 interest themselves in their behalf; and Louis XL 
 moved not only by the considerations due to their 
 recommendation, but also by his own favourable dis- 
 position for the encouragement of such artists, and the 
 diffusion of useful learning, ordered plenary restitution to 
 be made. The indemnification claimed by Hannequis 
 and Schoeffer amounted to 2425 ecus and 3 sols tour- 
 nois, or about 1 100 francs of the present day. The 
 finances of this monarch would not conveniently admit 
 of the payment of so large a sum at once. He therefore 
 gave directions to Jean Bri^onnft, his Receiver Ge- 
 neral, to pay to these printers annually the sum of 
 800 livres, till the whole claim should be discharged. (^) 
 
 It is generally asserted, that in the more immediate 
 infancy of the art, our ingenious artists did not scruple 
 to sell their impressions as manuscripts. (A) Fust in 
 particular, is said to have carried to Paris a considerable 
 number of coj)ies of his Bible printed in the year 1462. 
 These impressions being on parchment, and the initial 
 letters or capitals being splendidly decorated with 
 colours of blue, purple, and gold, the deception was 
 for some time successful. Naude had carefidly in- 
 spected a particular copy of this edition of the Bible, 
 anni 1462, printed ** sur membraney^ and found it 
 so closely resembling those which had been written 
 in the fifteenth century, that the most discerning might 
 fail to detect the imposition ; especially as in such copies 
 both the date and subscription had been designedly 
 omitted. For each of those copies which met with the 
 earliest sale, Fust obtained not less than sixty crowns, or 
 
 (!"> Xiambinet. nt fupra. (Jt) Naud^, Lambinet. &e. 
 c 
 
10 
 
 about 550 livres of modern French currency ; but some 
 assert that they were sold at a much higher rate. Hti 
 afterwards reduced the price to forty, and ultimately 
 to twenty crowns. In the mean time the purchasers 
 finding that a great number had been sold ; and by a 
 comparison of their respective copies, discovering 
 their resemblance, and conformity with each other in 
 every particular, were at length led to the complete 
 discovery of the fraud. Prosecutions were instituted 
 against the German artist. He absconded in conse- 
 quence with all speed, directing his course in the first 
 place to Mentz ; but suspecting himself still insecure, 
 he proceeded to Strasburg. At this city Fust remained 
 some time; and it is said, instructed John Mentelin 
 in the new art. Yet we find it asserted that he actuall}^ 
 died at Paris, of the plague, about the close of the 
 year 1466. (?). 
 
 (») Lambinet " Recherches, &c." p. 1 56. Chevillier relates 
 this adventure thus: — *' Elle est rapportee parWalchius dans son 
 lirre ' Decas fabularum generis humani'' imprime a Strasbourg 
 1609 in 4to. p. 181. O^ il dit que Jean Faust en apporta 
 plusieurs exemplaires k Paris, dont il vendit les premiers 
 sexaginta coronatis, c'^est k dire soixante ecus ; les autres, 
 cinquante; les derniers, quarante, et m^me k plus bas prix. 
 Que ceux qui les avoient achettez admirerent d'abord que toutes 
 cea copies etoient si fort semblables, qu'il n'y avoit pas un 
 point ni une virgule dans I'une, qui ne fussent de m^me dans 
 Tautre, Qu'aiant enfin reconnu que ces Bibles n'etoient point 
 ecrites k la main, mais fabriquees par une nouvelle maniere, 
 qui coiitoit moins de peine, moins de terns, et moins de dcpense, 
 et croiant que Faust les avoit vendues trop cher, lis lui fircnt 
 un procee, pour lequel il fut oblige de s'enfuir.'* Chev, p. 16. 
 
11 
 
 In the year 1473, Pierre C^saris and Jean Stol, 
 both also natives of Germany, and instructed by Gering, 
 estabhshed in the city of Paris the second press : and 
 with him became the instructors of many other artists, 
 who in succeeding years exercised there the same 
 profession. In the same y«ar, 1473, Gering and his 
 associates removed from the Sorbonne, and established 
 themselves in 'Ma rue S. Jaques," at the sign of the 
 GOLDEN SUN. Of the second series of their impressions, 
 those of 1473 are considered as the earliest ; and the 
 latest are those of 1483. Amongst this series we find 
 "BiBLiA Sacra," in folio; which was the earliest im- 
 pression of the sacred Scriptures printed in the whole 
 realm of France. Panzer, by conjecture from its sub- 
 scription, fixes the date about the commencement of 
 the year 1476. The characters used in the second 
 series of Gering's impressions are wholly different from 
 those employed in the first. Several of them exhibit 
 specimens of the Roman character, varying both in size 
 and degrees of elegance and beauty. Some of them are 
 in a character neither Roman nor Gothic, but which 
 exhibits a coarse imitation of the writing of those ages. 
 *' Cest comme line ecriture a la main, mais ' stanned 
 manu^ ainsi qv! Aide Manuce parle a la Jin de la Phy~ 
 sique Grecque d'^Aristote, Fen. 1497," says Chevillier. 
 The Bible is of a character of this kind, " mais phis 
 grosy {k) Some few of those works whi<jh are executed 
 in the Roman letter will compare in the same bibliogra- 
 pher's opinion, with the finest specimens of Jenson, the 
 Spiras, and other most celebrated of the early Italian 
 printers. 
 
 (fe) " L'Origine deriinpr. d« Paris" ut supra. 
 
12 
 
 In those works which came forth subsequently to the 
 year 1477, Gering's name appears alone. It is sup- 
 posed that Crantz and Friburger at this period returned 
 to Germany, as no mention is afterwards made of them. 
 But Gering passed the residue of his days at Paris; 
 formed new associations ; and published new works. 
 It is chiefly on this account that he has obtained the 
 appellation of the earliest Parisian printer ; for in the 
 impressions of the society, his name is not uniformly 
 found the first in order of mention ; but in some books 
 occupies the second place, and in others the third. 
 Gering is by some believed to have admitted his 
 scholars Cesar is and Stol into a participation of his 
 establishment. He afterwards associated himself with 
 Berthold Rembolt. 
 
 In 1483 Gering removed his insigne and establish- 
 ment, once more, to a part of the city more immediately 
 in the vicinity of the Sorbonne. With the doctors of 
 this literary institution he maintained the strictest inti- 
 macy ; and consulted with them on the subject of those 
 works which might prove most worthy of being submitted 
 to the press. The learned body accorded to him the 
 ^' Privilege of hospitality ;" that is, of possessing apart- 
 ments in the college, and of a seat at the table of the 
 doctors. For these honours Gering made ample re- 
 compence in his life time, by liberally opening his purse 
 to relieve the occasional necessities of the foundation, 
 and by numerous charitable donations to poor students ; 
 and at his death (awio 1510) he further testified, by 
 an ample bequest, his great regard for that literary 
 society. (/) 
 
 <0 Cbevillier ut supra. 
 
13 
 
 Thus, for a period of forty years, did GfiniNG exercise 
 the profession of a typographer in the city of Paris. 
 Of the third series of his impressions, as given bv 
 Chevillier, the earliest date is 1489, and the latest 1508. 
 In those which bear the date of 1 494, and the subsequent 
 ones, the name of Berth old Rem bolt is united with 
 his. In the year 1509 Rembolt began to print in his 
 own separate name ; and continued the establishment 
 till 1519, in which year he died. 
 
 In several of the impressions of his third series, Gering 
 tised the same bold and handsome Roman character 
 which was employed in the finer specimens of his second 
 series. But the greater part are printed in the Gothic 
 character, which Gering used more especially in works 
 of an ecclesiastical nature. It was not without reluc* 
 tance that this meritorious printer yielded so tar to the 
 prevailing fashion, as to exchange his fine Roman letter 
 for the clumsy and ill-favoured Gothic. The annals of 
 Maittaire and Panzer furnish a long enumeration of 
 early Parisian printers, the infancy of whose establish- 
 ments Grering had witnessed ; and who successively 
 were become the rivals of his art and industry. From 
 their presses various popular works were constantly 
 issuing, " en lettres Gothiquts^'' and on that account 
 actually acquired additional favour, and a preference 
 with the public. It is not surprising that Gering should 
 at length, on some occasions, be induced to sacrifice 
 taste to interest, and comply with the perverse inclina- 
 tions and prejudices of the age. 
 
 Chevillier pronounces the GoTHic character to be 
 of German extraction ; and says it was used so early as 
 1471 in that country. The oldest specimen which he 
 had seen was a large volume of the " Decretalia," 
 printed at Strasburg in that year. SchoefFer's im- 
 
14 
 
 pressions are not strictly of that kind, but a species of 
 Semigothic, exhibiting an imitation of manuscript. 
 But such was the rage for the Gothic character, that the 
 celebrated Venetian printers, Giovanni di Colonna 
 and Nicholas Jenson, after ennobling the art in its in- 
 fancy by their elegant Roman letter, found it equally 
 with Gering, a matter of necessity to adopt the Gothic 
 in various impressions of a theological and scholastic 
 description. The example was followed in most of the 
 various typographic establishments of Italy, Germany, 
 and France; and the Gothic was the prevailing character 
 every where for more than a century ; and indeed in 
 Germany and England for a much longer period. So 
 much beauty or dignity was supposed to be inherent in 
 this distortion of the alphabet, that a treatise of one of 
 the schoolmen, printed at Venice by Giov. di Colonna 
 and J, Manthen, bears with it this commendation, that 
 it is executed *' Sublimi liter arum effigie-^^ and the 
 *' Conciliator Medicinte,^ anni 1483, has this subscrip- 
 tion, " Characters jucu7idissimo M, Joannis Herhort 
 Alemanni, cujus vis et ingenium facile superemijiet 
 omnesy In a Gothic impression of the " Psalterium" 
 in fol. by Nicolas Prevost, at Paris, so late as anno 1525, 
 we read '' Opus pulchro liter arum charactere politissi^ 
 mum.^^ Chevillier is willing to subscribe to the epigram 
 in *' Sexto Decretalium,^^ Chevalon 1520, on the subject 
 of its fine *' rouge et noir: — 
 
 " Certante minio purpuras rubedine, 
 " Superante corvos nigriores sepia." 
 
 But he justly asks, who can say of " m» Livre 
 Goihique^'' that it is recommended 
 
 " PoLiTiORiBUS characterum typis." 
 
 Great however is the variety, which upon compari- 
 son, will be found to subsist between the " Lettres 
 
15 
 
 Gothiques" of one press and those of another ; and if 
 this character is to be denied all claims to grace and 
 beauty, many at least are its shades and gradations of 
 deformity. 
 
 Another inconvenience of the Gothic impressions of 
 early times, arises from the numerous and continual 
 ABBREVIATIONS in which a great part of them abound. 
 But this disadvantage is not chargeable exclusively on 
 Gothic, but is sometimes found in early editions of the 
 Roman character. Chevillier particularizes an edition 
 of the '' Logic of Ockham," Parisiis 1488,/o/. printed 
 as he observes, in a handsome letter; but in which 
 scarce a single word is found unabbreviated. He adduces 
 for instance two lines taken at hazard from fol. 121. 
 They are printed in the following manner : — *^ Sic hie 
 e fal sm qd ad simplr a e pducibile a Deo g 
 a e K silr hie a n e g a n e pdueibile 
 a Do." At length thus — '' Sicut hie est fallaeia se- 
 cundum quid ad simpliciter, A estprodueibile a Deo. 
 Ergo A est. Et similiter hie. A non est. Ergo A 
 non est producibile a Deo.'*'' (m) 
 
 Works on the civil and canon law, both printed and 
 manuscript, were peculiarly overcharged with abbre- 
 riations ; and that to such a degree, that a treatise 
 was printed to point out the method of reading such 
 perplexing works, intitled ^^ Modus legendi Abbrevia- 
 turas in lUroque Jurey" Parisiis, Jean Petit, 8. anno 
 1498, et variis annis. 
 
 To avoid Abbreviations, and at the same time not 
 too much to augment the size of the volume, Aldus 
 Manutius invented his characteres cursivi, or can- 
 
 (wi) Chevillier ut supra, p. 110. 
 
16 
 
 CELLARii, which are an imitation of manuscript ; and 
 as some say, of the writing of Petrarch in particular 
 They are now well known by the name of the Aldine 
 or Italic characters. Aldus obtained a brief from 
 Alexander VI. for their exclusive use ; and is supposed 
 to have employed them first about the year 1500. 
 
 Printing *' en Rouge et Noir" was more especially 
 appropriated to psalters, breviaries, and other works 
 relating to the ecclesiastical ritual. This mixture of 
 red and black, which gives a cheerful and pleasing^ 
 variety to the page, is found in the '' Psalterium" of 
 Mentz, 1457, and the *' Rationale Divinorum Officio- 
 rum " of 1 459 ; at the end of which we read this 
 subscription, ** Prasens Codex venustate Capitalium 
 decoratus^ Rubricationibusque sufficienter distinctiis, Sl^c" 
 Gering occasionally used the " lettres rouges" in other 
 works; but in his " Psalterium," 4. 1494 — his " Diur- 
 nale Ecclesiae," 8. 1496 — ^his " Breviarium Camera- 
 cense," 8. 1497 — his *' Missale," fol. 1497— and his 
 '« Horae B. Virginis," 8. 1498— and also in bis " Cor- 
 pus Juris Canonici cum Glossis," 3 torn. fol. and similar 
 works, he employed the *' Rouge et Noir" in every 
 page, in all its brilliancy. It is scarce necessary to 
 mention the use of these *' rubriques" in the rituals of 
 the church. The name of rubric is still given to those 
 director}^ sentences which are found in our Common 
 Prayer ; though the practice of distinguishing them by 
 the " lettres rouges" has been long discontinued. 
 Chevilher says that Antoine Zarot was the first who 
 printed missals furnished with these distinctions, for the 
 convenience of the clergy. He had seen a copy of the 
 " Missale Romanum," printed by him with Rubrics 
 (" rubriques rouges") at Milan, 1478, in fol. with this 
 subscription: — 
 
11 
 
 " AntoKI, Patria Parmexsis, gente ZAROTE, 
 
 " Primus Misales imprimis arte libros. 
 " Nemo repertorem nimium se jactet. In arte 
 
 " Addere plus tantum quam peperisse valet." 
 The most magnificent and voluniinous of all Gering's 
 impressions, and that which was executed at the most 
 considerable expence, was the " Corpus Juris Cano- 
 Nici cum Glossis" before-mentioned: viz. *' Decretum 
 Gratiani," 1 50 1 — * ^ Decretales," 1 504— and " Sextus 
 Decretalium," which has this subscription, *^ Anno 
 Gratite, 1500, Die 15 Octob. expensis Udalrici Gering 
 et Berchtoldi Rembolt, Sociorum, 6^6'." Each page is 
 filled with letter-press, arranged in five or six columns 
 of intermingled '' Rouge et Noir." This work was 
 undertaken at the urgent solicitation of the canonists 
 and ecclesiastics: for though Mentz, Rome, Padua, 
 Venice, and Strasburg had furnished editions of the 
 several component parts, in the infancy of printing, 
 all those editions had become scarce in France. Jean 
 Chappuis, a Parisian licentiate, had the principal 
 charge of this edition by Gering and Rembolt, and 
 each volume is furnished with commendatory epio-rams, 
 the labours of his barren and prosaic muse. He flattered 
 himself that the work would survive to immortality. 
 Of the Gratian in particular, he says — 
 
 " NoN POSSET Liber hie fulvo mercarier auro : 
 
 " Hoc perit, hic nunquam deperiturus erit." 
 But the copies which were at first bought up with 
 eagerness, have in succeeding times, been consigned to 
 the most obscure and dusty recesses of ancient libraries ; 
 and left in a great measure to perish, the victims of 
 accident, age, and neglect, (w) novoWor 
 
 \}\\\ ,rA'^,A. — ~ —• ^ "!'fjig -orirf 'iC> i i iU i H ,- 
 
 (n) Chevillier, |v HO. ■ > ^» ' 
 D 
 
18 
 
 To the CORRECTNESS of their impressioiis the earliest 
 printers in general, and those of Paris in particular, 
 appear to have been especially attentive. An impression 
 of " Virgil'' from the press of Gering and Rembolt, 
 anni 1498, in 4. is particularly specified as a work of 
 great accuracy. It is in reality admitted, says Chevillier, 
 to be " une tres belle edition," printed in the finest 
 Roman character, and agreeably to the testimony at 
 the end of the volume, '* Opus tersissime impressum." 
 fei an epigram, of which Jean Auber a friend of the 
 editor P. Maillet, was the author, it is asserted that the 
 work is absolutely faultless : — 
 
 " QiToDQUE sub innumeris erroribus ante latebat, 
 
 " Ingenuum priml, fronte refulget opus. 
 '^ Hoc eme, quisquis amas tersum sine labe volum^n t 
 " Nulla equidiem toto carpore menda latet." 
 
 Another '' Quadrain," or Epigram, makes a simiknr' 
 assertion respecting the '' Corpus Juris Canonici" from 
 the press of Rembolt : — 
 
 " Quod nusquam in puIcHro divrni Corpore Juris 
 ' r *' Foeda sedet menda, aut tubricus error obest, 
 
 ..^.t :^ Contulit hoc solers Bertholdi dextra sagacis, 
 ** Quae bene Pontificuin nobile pressit opus." 
 
 These, and similar assertions found at the close of 
 other works specified by Chevillier, he is disposed to 
 consider as " jeux des verses" and *' licenses Poetiques.'^ 
 It is entertaining to follow him through an ample 
 chapter, in which, by the united testimony of authors, 
 editors, and typograpliers, he undertakes to prove, that 
 a book absolutely without errors of the press, is indeed 
 a '^ vara wvis ;^* and next to an impossibifity. He 
 admits however, that to Gering, Rembolt, and several 
 others of the earliest Parisian typographers, the praise 
 is justly due of great correctness and accuracy in their 
 
19 
 
 publications. In works of the remotest dates, Tables 
 of Errata are seldom, perhaps never found : but the 
 faults of the impression were corrected with the pen 
 previously to the dispersion of the work. This, as 
 ChevilHer asserts, is exemplified in Gering's earliest 
 editions. A similar mode of correction appears to have 
 been adopted, so late as the y€ar 1534, by the editor 
 of the " Discourses of Clictou." In his address to the 
 reader, he says : '* Illos itaque (errores) potuissem qui- 
 dem, idque modico labore, hi unum congestos huic 
 extremes parti adjungere. Verilm existimavi multo 
 commodius ac expeditius unicuique vestrum fore, licet 
 nobis onerosius, impensiorisque operas, si singulis suis 
 locis calami cuspide transfodiantur : quod perfecimus." 
 This coincided with the sentiments of Erasmus, who in 
 one of his letters thus expresses himself: '' Neque hi 
 mihi libros amare videntur, qui eos intactos ac scriniis 
 abditos servant, sed qui nocturna juxta ac diurna 
 contrectatione sordidant, corrugant, conterunt : qui 
 margines passim notulis, bisque variis oblinunt : qui 
 mendi rasi vestigium, quam mendosam compositionem 
 malunt, .&c." (o) But the labour of manual correction 
 was of short duration. Through the ignorance of 
 sordid printers, errors of the press soon became very 
 numerous, and to correct them with the pen was but 
 in other words to disfigure the volume throughout, and 
 make a disgusting display of its imperfections. The 
 custom was consequently adopted of affixing the most 
 important corrections under the title of " Errata," at 
 the end of the volume. But this practice is also an 
 ancient one ; as an instance of it is found in an edition of 
 Juvenal with the Annotations of Merula, Venetiis, 1478. 
 
 (o) Chevillier, Chap. iv. p. 155 et seqq. 
 
20 
 
 If indeed the lapse of time had brought any alleviation 
 of this evil, the French bibhographer above cited would 
 not have found occasion of filling up a great part of a 
 chapter, with a kind of chronological enumeration of 
 quarrels which have taken place between scholars and 
 the contaminators of their lucubrations. He would not 
 have recorded the charge brought against the printers 
 of Geneva in particular, " execrable paper and in- 
 tolerable incorrectness," by which ** ils ont ete les 
 premiers a gaster une si belle invention de I'lmpri- 
 merie." Joseph Scaliger particularizes the celebrated 
 " Lexicon Graecum" of Robert Constantine, as a work 
 so much abounding in typographical errors, that he 
 says " Lorsque j'etois jeune, je gageois qu'a I'ouver- 
 ture du Livre, la ou je mettrois la main, a Toeil clos, 
 j'y trouverois faute, quod feci." (p) And, adds 
 Chevillier, it must be acknowledged that this work 
 has not fewer errors of the author, than of the printer. 
 Lastly, he relates that Cardinal Bellarmin was so much 
 offended by the inaccuracies which negligent printers 
 of his time had introduced into his controversial works, 
 that he determined to write out a copy of the whole, 
 so exactly, that not a single error should remain 
 uncorrected. This he performed, and transmitted to a 
 printer of Venice ; hoping at length to procure an 
 unperverted and perfect edition. But to his great 
 disappointment, he found this impression, when com- 
 pleated, more erroneous than any of the former, {q) 
 
 Typography having been thus introduced into the 
 city of Paris, was cultivated with so much zeal and 
 emulation, that in the opinion of Maittaire no other 
 
 (jp) Scaligerana, p. 174 et 144. (g) Chevillier, Chap. iv. 
 
21 
 
 city (Venice perhaps excepted) exhibited a more rapid, 
 and numerous increase of artists in that profession. 
 The SoRBONNE claimed the merit of introducing 
 and fostering the art in its infancy. The University 
 possessed by various royal '* diplomata" an extensive 
 JURISDICTION and control over every thing connected 
 with the profession : for indeed, from times very remote, 
 
 SCRIBES, BOOKSELLERS, BINDERS, and ILLUMINATORS 
 
 had been subservient to its regulations. It claimed, 
 and on many occasions rigidly exercised the privilege 
 of CENSURE : or of pronouncing upon the salutary or 
 dangerous tendency, whether religious or moral, of 
 every vrork ; of prohibiting and suppressing those which 
 were considered to be of an heretical, or otherwise 
 objectionable nature ; and of punishing by fines and 
 confiscations, those persons who were found in the act 
 of vending prohibited books ; or of carrying on the 
 trade in a manner not conformable to its regulations. 
 After the introduction of the art also, printers and book- 
 sellers, and even binders acknowledged the authority 
 of the University. They were not in general permitted 
 to exercise their several professions without first obliging 
 themselves, by a formal oath, to conform in all respects 
 to the statutes provided : and this oath they were bound 
 to renew as often as it was required. The University 
 also exercised the right of visiting ; of inspecting 
 books sent for sale from other countries ; and of 
 regulating the price of every work that was exposed 
 to sale. 
 
 This minute attention to the concerns of the profession 
 was generally delegated to four, or sometimes to two 
 individuals, selected out of the corporation or body ^t 
 large of " Libraires Jures." It was no less their 
 ojffice to attend to the characters, paper, and correctness 
 
22 
 
 of an impression, than to ordain the price at which it 
 should be distributed. Even the limits were defined, 
 beyond which no person was allowed to print or vend 
 books : and these limits were restricted to the vicinity 
 of the University, in order that any transgression of its 
 regulations might more easily be detected. It appears 
 however that a certain description of " Libraires non 
 Jures" were also tolerated, under particular restrictions. 
 These consisted in general of poor scribes, who no 
 longer able to procure a livelihood by the pen, were 
 permitted to buy and sell books under a defined value ; 
 and to expose them in *' Boutiques portatives" only, 
 near the public schools and churches, and other places 
 of general resort. Hence Chevillier takes occasion to 
 notice the great antiquity of book-stalls : adding, 
 that the University thus evinced itself at the same time 
 both rigorous and charitable. Its rigour was shewn in 
 the strict enforcement of its own salutary regulations : 
 its charity, in leaving to poor booksellers the means of 
 subsistence ; and to poor students, who were unable to 
 purchase from the booksellers of the University their 
 magnificent and richly ornamented works, a chance of 
 supplying their own literary wants, by a less specious 
 article, and at a humbler market. In process of time it 
 was found necessary to limit the number of ** Libraires 
 Jures " to twenty-four ; and the restrictions before- 
 mentioned were in part greatly relaxed, and in part 
 disused, if not formally abolished, (r) 
 
 Our mention of the scribe or stationarii, who 
 found their practice almost annihilated by the invention 
 of, Printing, leads me to observe with Maittaire,(^) that 
 
 <r) Chevillier, p. 334, seqq. (s) Anna!, torn. L p. 192. 
 
23 
 
 the persons known anciently by the denomination of 
 ILLUMINATORS, still for a long period at least, found 
 employment for their ingenuity. The early printers 
 did not consider their impressions as ready for sale, till 
 the INITIALS and other ornaments had been supplied 
 by their hands. But the eagerness of purchasers to 
 possess copies, or a desire to save additional expense, 
 soon occasioned an indiiference to these adventitious 
 ornaments. This speedily led to the introduction of 
 the LiTERiE Capitales or Majuscul^e, and those 
 known more particularly by the denomination of 
 *' Liters Florentes." M. Mentel says that capitals 
 were first used by the printers of Strasburg, about 
 thirty years subsequently to the invention of the Art.(/) 
 The '* Literae Florentes," so called '' a Florum Jiguris 
 quibus erant intermix t a ^"^ were invented by Erhardus 
 Ratdolt, at Venice, about the year 1477. Plain 
 capitals were used about the same period. 
 
 Of the RIGHT of CENSURE, this University seems to 
 have made a tenacious, and frequently a severe and 
 inquisitorial use. In the exacerbation produced more 
 especially by the Reformation, it became in the hands 
 of bigotry and ignorance, an engine of tyranny and of 
 persecution. In the year 1 521 the faculty of divines, 
 after many meetings held in the Sorbonne, drew up a 
 " CENSURE" of the heresies of Luther. It was solemnly 
 proclaimed, in a general assembly held on the 15th. of 
 April ; and loDOCUS Radius one of the sworn printers, 
 in virtue of his oath of obedience, was injoined to print 
 it with fidelity and exactness : all others of the profession 
 being interdicted from interfering with the impression 
 
 - - - - ■ - ■ - . . . . I . n . 
 
 (0 De verSl Typograph. origine, p. 64. Par. 1650. 
 
24 
 
 or sale, under pain of deprivation of their privileges. 
 When this censure was received in Germany, the 
 Lutherans were not sparing of their lampoons and 
 pasquinades. A production of this kind, attributed to 
 Philip Melancthou, *' Adversus fiiriosum Parisiensiiim 
 Theologastrorum Decretum^'' gave particular offence. 
 These libels were privately dispersed in the University; 
 and the ** Libraires" were consequently summoned to 
 give an account of such impressions and the distribution 
 of them. 
 
 About the year 1526 the Parisian divines published 
 also their ^^ Censurie" upon various passages of the 
 *' Paraphrasis" of Erasmus " in Novum Testamentum," 
 and other parts of his works. It availed that scholar 
 little to complain in his *' Declarationes" or answer to 
 these ^' Censurae," that they were the production of 
 persons who had been influenced partly by private 
 enmity, partly by a zeal for religion without know- 
 ledge ; that the more judicious part of the doctors had 
 sanctioned them from fear, and not from conviction : 
 and that his friends were deterred from defending him^ 
 lest they should be denominated by the opprobrious 
 name of Lutherans. He states also, that amongst other 
 dreadful charges of heterodoxy, they had accused him 
 of maintaining the Arian heresy, on account of a typo- 
 graphical error which had crept into a second edition 
 of his Paraphrase before-mentioned, (w) 
 
 The liberality of FRANCIS L was indeed happily, 
 for some time a counterpoise to the precipitate and 
 
 (c) Matt. Ch. xvi. " Tu es Christus Filius Dei vivi, &c.'' 
 On these words Erasmus thus expressed himself: " Non sus- 
 picionesn proferens, sed certi et indubitat^ Bcienti^ profitens, 
 
25 
 
 anatiicmatizing zeal of these bigotted divines. Francis, 
 though not wholly free from religious intolerance, was 
 a friend of letters and of learned men. Such was 
 the protection extended by him to Erasmus, that a 
 considerable period elapsed before the University dared 
 to publish their ** censur^e" of his works. Yetwheiv 
 Louis de Berquin, a gentleman of Artois, who was 
 probably attached to the reformed opinions, presumed to 
 avow himself by his conversation and writings the 
 defender of Erasmus ; and brave in his behalf the fury 
 of the Sorbonne, with more warmth indeed than pru- 
 dence; not even the royal protection, though powerfully ' 
 exerted in his favour, was sufficient to shield him from 
 their vengeance ; and this unfortunate man was at 
 length, after a tedious process, condemned to expiate 
 his offence in the flames : and actually burned at Paris, 
 anno 1529. {w) 
 
 To these instances of the rigid and inquisitorial 
 temper, with which the theologists of Paris exercised 
 their " Jus Censurae" others might be added. Nor is 
 the mention of them foreign from our present purpose^ 
 as they tend to elucidate the origin and motives of 
 those violent disputes which Robert Estienne, the 
 most meritorious perhaps of all the Parisian printers, 
 was compelled to maintain with them for a series 
 
 ilium esse M^ssiam a prophetis promissum, singulari more fHium 
 Dei." In Froben's edition, anni 1524, BasilecB, foL by an 
 error of the press, the word ''^ fimore'''' had been substituted for 
 " more^^ and this was the occasion of the heretical stigma, 
 which was affixed to the passage. Vide Chevillier : and more 
 particularly *' Erasmi Declarationes ad Censuras Lutetiay^, 
 Antverp. 1^32, p. 179. 
 (w) Chevillier, Chap. v. p, I69,se(iq. 
 B 
 
26 
 
 of years ; and on account of which he was at length 
 driven to the r'esolution of abandoning for ever bis 
 native city. Yet the following narrative will shew, 
 that in matters of mere morality, these zealous divines 
 exercised their censorial powers with more leniency. 
 Simon de Colin es, in expectation of a lucrative sale, 
 had printed in a small form for the use of young stu- 
 dents, twenty-four thousand copies of the " Colloquia** 
 of Erasmus. The University, offended by some parti- 
 cular passages, censured this work also ; and forbade 
 the sale and perusal of it within the precincts of their 
 jurisdiction. The offensive passages are enumerated in 
 their '^ Censiira,^'' which commence in these terms :^ — 
 *^ Subsequuntur nonnulla scandalosa et impia quae 
 continentur in libro qui dicitur Familiarium Colloquio- 
 rum opus, &c. — In quo tanquam ethnicus homo, autor 
 illius religionem Christianam, & sanctas ejus cseremonias 
 et observationes ridet, subsannat, carpit, lacerat, et 
 mutandas decernit."^^' Erasmus, in his defence, slyly 
 compliments the vigilance of this religious faculty, 
 wlio evinced so anxious a regard for the morals of 
 youth : and after vindicating the innocence of his own 
 intentions, in furnishing a diverting manual for the 
 acquisition of the Latin tongue, observes — " At mirum 
 est, illic lapidari Colloquia^ ubi impun^ leguntur et 
 eKcxidiMTitxir Facetia Poggiauie et 2uasti(mesJocoste,^\x) 
 With regard to the regulation of the prices of 
 BOOKS, from a very remote period the University of 
 Paris claimed such a right of estimation, that the 
 ** libraire" might have a reasonable profit, and that 
 
 Or) '< Declarationes D. £rasmi Rot. ad Ceosuraa Lutotiie 
 Tiflg^rtas, Ac" iU supra, p. 809, 
 
2T 
 
 the ptirchaser miglit not pay too dear. For this 
 purpose, before the introduction of printing, they had 
 their ^' Taxatores Librorum.'* But when this noble 
 art was newly estabhshed, their interference was for a 
 time, judged to be no longer necessary, on account of 
 the unlimited multiplication of literary works, and the 
 comparative cheapness of their prices. 
 
 In the course of the fourteenth and the commence- 
 ment of the fifteenth century, manuscripts were so 
 highly rated, as to be conveyed or pledged like an estate 
 for a very valuable consideration, by formal deeds and 
 instruments. The *' Speculum Historiale in Consue- 
 tudines Parisienses" was thus formally transferred, by 
 Geoffrey de S. Liger, to Gerard de Montagu, king's 
 advocate, for a sum equal to more than two hundred 
 francs of the present date, (y) Even at the period 
 when Gering commenced printing at Paris, a manuscript 
 Concordance to the Bible was estimated at a hundred 
 crowns. A printed Concordance in the time of Robert 
 Gaguin would not be sold for more than ten francs, (z), 
 On other occasions a few manuscript volumes were 
 deemed of sufficient value to form a considerable part 
 of a daughter's marriage portion. In 1447, a contract 
 in form had passed between a certain individual, and 
 the ProGureur de I'Hotel-Dieu at Paris. The former 
 transferred to the latter for the perpetual use of the 
 Hospital, a manuscript copy of " Le Pelerinage de la 
 vie humaine,^' in return for which, out of the spiritual 
 treasure conferred by the pope on the said hospital. 
 
 (i/) Naude Addition a L'Histoire du Roy Louia XI. Chap, 
 iv. & Lambinet, p. 173. 
 (z) Chevillier ut supra. 
 
28 
 
 the donor was to be intitled to " the pardon of his sins,^' 
 and his wife and children, his father, mother, friends, 
 benefactors, and especially «' Nicole Ducar, late surgeon 
 to king Charles," who had bequeathed to him this 
 manuscript, were all to be included ; and " participans 
 €s bons pardons, &c."(a) We find mention of a copy 
 of LiVY, valued in the time of Alphonsus of Arragon 
 at one hundred and twenty-five gold crowns. Poggio 
 sold a copy of the same historian for a sum sufficient to 
 purchase an estate in the vicinity of Florence, Tuscus, 
 one of the preceptors of Petrarch, provided for the 
 payment of his debts, by pledging two small manuscript 
 volumes of certain works of Cicero ; and Justus Lipsius 
 assures us, that Leo X. gave five hundred pieces of 
 gold for the first five books of Tacitus, to the monks 
 of a convent in Saxony. 
 
 The invention of Printing produced a wonderful 
 change in the valuation of these literary commodities. 
 Manuscripts had fallen in price so early as 1468, not 
 less than eighty per cent. And in proof of the moderate 
 prices assigned to printed works, writers on these sub- 
 jects are fond of citing the letter of Giovanni bishop 
 of Aleria, to pope Paul II. under whose patronage 
 the Art of Printing was commenced at Rome. In the 
 first volume of the " EpistoU Hieronymi;'' Romae, 
 1470, the aforesaid prelate thus addresses the pontiff 
 in a prefatory inscription : — ■ 
 
 - *' In your days, amongst other divine blessings which 
 the christian world enjoys, it may congratulate itself on 
 the facility with which books may be purchased, even 
 by the poorest student. It reflects no small glory on 
 
 (a) Naude et Lambinet. ut supra. 
 
29 
 
 th)B reign of your holiness, that a tolerably correct 
 copy of such a work as formerly cost more than a 
 hundred crowns, may now be purchased for twenty— 
 those which were heretofore worth twenty, for four at 
 most. It is a great thing, holy father, to say, that 
 in your times the most estimable authors are attainable, 
 at a price little exceeding that of blank parchment or 
 paper. Some monarchs hav^e gloried, not without 
 reason, that under their administration, the price of corn 
 hath scarcely exceeded that of the empty sack — of 
 wine, that of the cask. With equal exultation I record 
 it; for the admiration of posterity, that persons exquisitely 
 skilled in the typographic art, first began to exercise 
 their calling at Rome, under the auspices of Paul II. 
 the Venetian ; that by means of that super-eminent 
 pastor of the church, heaven gives us in these days, to 
 purchase books, for less than would formerly defray the 
 expence of the binding." (b) 
 
 (b) " Tui& certe temporibus ad reliquas Dei gratias hoc etiam 
 felicitatis orbi Christiano munus accessit, ut pauperrimi quique 
 parv^ pccuni^ bibliothccas poeeint redimere. An parva est 
 ha?c tuaB Sanctjtatis gloria, ut quae volumina vix centum aureis 
 eini poterant aliis temporibus, viginti hodie ac minoris, bene 
 exarata, et non mendosissime facta redimantur? Quae vix 
 viginti aureis lecturi mercabantur, quatuor et viliis etiam nunc 
 emantur?" Et infra. " Hoc quoque magnum est Pater 
 beatissime, quod tuo tempore non minus valet paene papyrus 
 vacua et nuda, pergamenave, quam hodie optatissimi libri eman- 
 tur. Gloriati non immerito sunt Principes nonnulli, quod saccus, 
 non multo pluris, ipsis principantibus emeretur, quam triticum, 
 aut quam vinum inanis vehes. £go posteris in his scriptis 
 constanter, semper admirationi futurum trado, praestantissimos 
 characterum imprimendorum auctorea sub Pauu Secundi 
 
30 
 
 In process of time however, when the booksdlers 
 began to overcharge their commodities, the University 
 of Paris thought proper to resume its power of Taxa- 
 tion. Focir " Libraires Jures " were employed to 
 determine the price of every printed volume : and the 
 list or CATALOG UE of books on sale, with their authorized 
 prices, was ordered to be printed, or legibly written, 
 and hung up to public view in some conspicuous 
 situation, by every individual "Libraire." Many of 
 those catalogues of early Parisian printers and book- 
 sellers are still extant ; and several of them may be 
 found in the " Annales" of Maittaire, which evince 
 the very moderate rates at which books of great merit 
 and utility were offered to the public. 
 
 From these facts it appears, that early printers were 
 justified in the insertion of those frequent epigrams 
 which bespoke their own moderation, and the cheapness 
 of their impressions. Ulric Gering, in his ''Corpus 
 Juris Canonici," 3 to7n, 1 500 — 
 
 " Ne fugite ob PRETIUM : dives pauperque venite : 
 " Hoc opus excellens venditur ^re brevi." 
 
 Veneti Pontificatu, Romas artem exercere coepisse, tantb 
 artificio et industrizl hominum, gratis nobis h^c caelitus per 
 divinum Pastorem importat^, ut minoris libri emi fere possint, 
 quam alias soleret redimi ligatura, &c." The earliest printers! 
 at Rome were Conradus Svveynheim and Arnoldus Pan 
 NARTZ, natives of Germany, who having first tried their typo- 
 graphic skill in " MoNASTERio Sdblacensi," began to practice 
 the art at Rome, circa 1467. Vid. Andiffredi, Cat, Roman, 
 Edit, A portion of the preceding epistle of the bishop of 
 Aleria is cited by Maittaire, suh anno 1468, with some varia- 
 tions, I have given the above from the " Museum Italicum^l 
 of MGhillon et Germain, Tom* 1, pag, 64. 
 
' 31 
 
 Berthold Rembolt subjoined to his edition of 
 " S. Bruno on the Psalms," 1509,>/.— 
 
 " ISTAS Bertholdus merces non claudit avarus: 
 " ExiGUis NUMMis has, studiose geres." 
 And to his *' Corpus Juris Canonici," fol, rouge et 
 noir, 1815 — 
 
 " Hoc TiBi praeclarum modico patet mre volumen: 
 " Abstersum mendis non sine Marte suis." 
 
 Thielman Kerver, Jean Petit, and various other 
 printers hold out invitations to purchasers of a similar 
 description. Sometimes editors, or scholars of known 
 eminence, address the public in the printer's behalf. 
 Thus in a work termed by Chevillier '' Les Opuscules 
 du Docteur Almain," printed by Chevalon and Gour- 
 MONT, anno 1518, in fol. a certain dignified member of 
 the University condescends to address the reader : — 
 " Gratias agant Claudio Chevalon, et ^gydio Gour- 
 MONT, qui pulchris typis et characteribus impressum 
 opus hoc, vili dant pretio. 
 
 In further proof of the deference and submission 
 which early printers and booksellers paid to the UNI- 
 VERSITY of Paris, it may be mentioned, that a great 
 part of them affected to add to their own names some 
 other epithets or designations, which might more 
 especially attest their close union and connexion with 
 that literary establishment. Gering denominated hin^ 
 self '* Imprimeur de Livres et Ecolier etudiant en 
 rUniversit^ de Paris." Rembolt termed himself 
 ** Maitre Libraire" of the same University. Pzerrb 
 Cesaris was one of its " Libraires Jurez" and " Ma.- 
 gister in Artibus." Pasquier Bonhomme was also a 
 ** Libraire Jur6," and one of the four appointed " pom 
 taxer le prix des Livres.*' Titles of a similar import 
 are almost as numerous as the names of printers oi 
 
g2 
 
 tTiose early times. Guillaume Eustace, hi ** leu 
 Grandes Chroniques de Franee/'/o/. 1514, terms him- 
 self " Libraire du Roi," and *' Relieur" (pr binder)^ 
 of the University. And Philippe le Noir has the 
 double title of " Libraire" and " Relieur Jure de 
 rUniversite" in his impression of a French translation 
 of '' Orosius" 1516,.fol. 
 
 In token of the above sanction and connexion, many 
 of these early printers exhibit the arms of the Univer- 
 sity in the title pages of their impressions. Wolfgang 
 HoPYL, Jean Petit, Guillaume le Rouge, and 
 especially the first Henri Estienne, placed these arms 
 at the head of their impressions. They are in reality 
 the Ecu or arms of France, with the addition of a 
 hand which appears to issue from a cloud, and present* 
 a closed book. Others prefixed to their impressions 
 both the royal arms and those of the University. Thus 
 Galiot Dupre and Johannes Cornicularius in their 
 *' Collection des Conciles," 2 torn. fol. 1520, placed the 
 royal arms on the right side of the title, and those of 
 the University on the left : Avith these words — " SicUT 
 LILIUM inter spinas sic AMIGA MEA INTER FILIAS." 
 
 Others again prefixed to their impressions the arms of 
 France in the middle of the title, accompanied by those 
 of the University and of the city of Paris. Thus did 
 Andre Brocard to the " Figurae Biblicae" of Antoine 
 de Rampengolis, 1497, in 8.; David Gerlier to the 
 *' Opuscula" of Robert Gaguin, which he printed in 
 connexion with Brocard, in 1498, 4. ; and to the 
 " Histoire de France" of the same author, printed 
 anno 1497, in fol. In the last mentioned work, 
 " Les trois EcussONs" occur *^ en rouge,'* with these 
 lihes— 
 
WOWW€m»7l\r>flflfl7;€T»2 
 
 j^*a(B[i(8ati*i&H^9HM*jwa(L 
 
 THE DEVICE OF ANDRe'bOCARD OR BROCARD. 
 
 Vide p. 32, 164, 179. 
 
33 
 
 HONNEUR AU ROI ET A LA CqUR^ 
 
 Salut a l' Universite, 
 dont notre bonheur progede et sourtj 
 
 DiEU GARDE DE PaRIS LA CiTE, 
 
 And many others, particularized by Chevillier, followed 
 the same example. 
 
 The custom of certifying the place of their residence, 
 common to the early printers of Paris, was a further 
 indication of their subordination to the jurisdiction of 
 the University. " Tous ont marqu6 1' Enseigne & la 
 RUE ou etoient leurs Boutiques" says Chevillier : and 
 they were generally, as before- mentioned, in the quarter 
 of the University, till more extended limits were allowed 
 from necessity. The IxNsigne or *' enseigne" gave 
 still further publicity to their conduct and transactions. 
 We have seen that G bring and Rem bolt adopted the 
 sicrn of le Soleil d'or : Antoine Vf.rard that of 
 S. Jean FEvangeliste : Michel le Noir, in his 
 edition of " le Jeu des Echecs moralise, "^ describes 
 himself as " demeurant a I'lmage Notre Dame:" 
 Geofroy Tory, a '' TEnseigne du Pot Casse:" 
 GuiLLAUME Merlin *'ad Insigne Hominis Sylvestris" 
 &c. Jean Carcain, or Carcagni, in an impression 
 of the date of 1487, thus pleasantly describes his 
 " Enseigne" and place of residence, or that of his 
 bookseller — 
 
 " Parish Saneti Pons est Mighaelis in urbe. 
 " Multa3 illic eedes ; notior una tainen. 
 I 1!;-**^ Hanc cano quae sacri Baptists fronte notata est ; 
 • " (Hic respondebit Bibliopola tibi. 
 " Vis Impressoris nomen quoque nosse; JoANNiS 
 L ;.5*,€argain nomen ei est. Ne pete plura. Vale." 
 
 But besides these designations of a corporate or 
 municipatl nature, early printers had alsa generally, 
 
 F 
 
34 
 
 their own private and peculiar marks, rebusses, or 
 DEVICES ; the precise origin of which is not perhaps so 
 obvious^ Even in the early stages of the art, great com- 
 plaints were made of the frequent falsification, pirating 
 and forgeries of literary works. This evil gave occasion 
 to those PRIVILEGES of IMPRESSION which were granted 
 by kings, princes, and supreme pontiffs, in order to 
 guarantee to the industrious artist, the due reward of 
 his labour and enterprise. But these *' Diplomata" 
 were often found a very inadequate remedy for the 
 injury. The case of Joannes Frobenius, as described 
 by Erasmus, may represent those of many other meri- 
 torious printers, whose liberality and public spirit were 
 thus made to enrich the ignorant and worthless. 
 '' Many are they who lie in wait for the man, and almost 
 have conspired for his ruin\ When any new work 
 appears which is likely to be saleable, one or other of 
 them surreptitiously procures a copy from his printing 
 house, prints, and sells it almost for nothing : whilst 
 Froben is at immense expense not only in remunera- 
 ting correctors but often in purchasing the original 
 manuscripts." (c) Such instances of the invasion of 
 literary property occurred even in those remote times. 
 Frequently whole works were clandestinely reprinted in 
 cities or countries remote from the place of their first 
 appearance ; and the author and original publisher were 
 thus defrauded of their just advantages. Sometimes 
 
 (c) " Plerique insidiantur homini, propemodum conjurati ut 
 ilium perdant. Ubi quid novi operi& prodit, quod putant fore 
 vendibile, mox unus atque alter suffuratus ex ipaus officin^ 
 exemplar, excudit atque venditat minimo. Interim Frobenius 
 immensam pecuniam impendit in castigatores, frequenter et in 
 exemplaria, &c.*' " Erasmi Adagicu^\ Art. " Festim Leni€.''\ 
 
35 
 
 books were reprinted in an abridged and mutilated 
 form : and often with little attention to accuracy, or to 
 the credit and feelings of those authors or annotators 
 whose names they bore. Sometimes the price of 
 obscure and worthless publications was enhanced by a 
 false date, place, or subscription: for, as the art was 
 cultivated with superior accuracy in some cities of Italy, 
 and at Venice more especially, the names of such 
 places appearing in the title, were found to give superior 
 sale and currency to the impression. 
 
 Whatever might be the original intention of such 
 particular marks and devices, adopted by early printers, 
 after these literary frauds began to prevail, they became 
 at least so far useful, as to render such frauds less 
 practicable. Benedict Hector, a considerable printer 
 of Bologna, in his impression of '* Justin" and " Florus" 
 anm\505,/ol. thus addresses the purchasers — ** Emptor 
 attende, quando vis emere libros formates in Officina 
 mea excussori^, Inspice Signum quod in liminari 
 pagina^st ; ita nunquam falleris. Nam quidam malevoli 
 Impressores libris suis inemendatis et maculosis appo- 
 nunt nomen meum, ut fiant vendibiliores; quo pacto & 
 mihi & nomini doctissimi Philippi Beroaidi derogant, 
 vel potius derogare intendunt." In like manner lODOCUS 
 Badius of Paris, in one of his impressions anni 1516 — 
 " Oratum facimus Lectorem ut Signum inspiciat, nam 
 sunt qui titulum nomenque Badianum mentiantur, et 
 laborem suffurentur." {d) It was however by no means 
 impracticable for one printer to counterfeit the device 
 of another, in addition to the fraudulent assumption of 
 his name and designation. A ludicrous instance is 
 
 (d) Chevillier ut supra. 
 
36 
 
 Upon record, of such an attempt ; whicli betrayed itself 
 like a counterfeit coin, by the clumsiness and inaccuracy 
 of its execution. Certain printers who were so disin- 
 genuous as to counterfeit a popular production of the 
 Aldine press, were thus. exposed to public ridicule in 
 the preface to the Aldine Livy, 1518, 8. " Extremum 
 est ut admoneamus studiosissimum quemque, Floren- 
 TINOS quosdam Impressores, cum viderint se diligentiam 
 nostram in castigando & imprimendo non posse assequi, 
 ad artes confugisse solitas ; hoc est Grammaticis Institu- 
 tibnibus Aldi in sua officina formatis, notam Delphini 
 ANCHORiE iNVOLUTi nostram apposuisse: sed ita egerunt 
 ut quivis mediocriter versatus in libris impressionis 
 nostras animadvertat illos impudenter fecisse. Nam 
 Rostrum Delphini in partem sinistram vergit; cum 
 tamen nostrum in dexteram totam demittatur." 
 
 Kenouard has also observed that many others of those 
 printers who were contemporary with the^/fi?? of Venice, 
 hoping by tthis mark of the anchor and dolphin to 
 recommend their own impressions, were eager to avail 
 themselves of such an advantage. Some fraudulently 
 counterfeited the mark itself, others invented something 
 analogous to it. Various Italian printers of considerable 
 eminence disgraced themselves by these disingenuous 
 artifices. But the printers of Lyons carried such 
 audacious forgeries to a far greater length than any 
 others, and Renouard has cited a particular memorial 
 drawn up by Aldus himself on the subject, and published 
 at Venice anno 1503. {e) 
 
 It can however be scarce pretended that this precau- 
 tionary use of the mark was actually in the contemplation 
 
 (e) " Annales de Tlmprimerie des Aide," torn. ii. pp. 63, 
 ^egfgf. <& pp. 207, seq^ 
 
31 
 
 of its original inventors. Some even of the impressions 
 of Fust and Schoeffer, and other printers of the 
 earliest periods, have such marks subjoined to their 
 subscriptions. Those of Fust and SchoefFer are two 
 "ecus" or shields, exhibiting the arms of these 
 respective artists; though as the author of *' L'Histoire 
 de rimprimerie" (/) has shewn, Fabricius and others 
 have misinterpreted them. As many early printers have 
 omitted to subjoin their names to certain works, such 
 marks have enabled bibliographers to ascertain with 
 certainty their place and origin. Where both mark, 
 note of place, date, and printer's name have been 
 omitted, a like use has sometimes been made even of 
 the PAPER MARKS J which appear to have been of an 
 usage perhaps almost as remote as the manufacture of 
 that article. Amongst other notices of this kind^ the 
 reader may consult the work last mentioned. 
 
 The marks used by learned printers, afterwards 
 became more miscellaneous and general, and exhibited 
 an amusing display of the ingenuity, erudition, piety, 
 or, as we may venture to add, sometimes of the fanciful 
 caprice of the inventor. Thus John the son of Peter 
 Schoeffer, who also printed at Mentz, adopted the 
 ARMS used by his father, but with a variety of whimsical 
 changes; for in the *' champ" or field of the device, 
 he introduced shepherds with their dog and sheep, in 
 allusion to the name " Schoeffer," which signifies 
 shepherd, (g) The classical origin of the anchor and 
 DOLPHIN of Aldus is woU. known. It was borrowed 
 from a medal of the emperor Titus ; and the hierogly- 
 phic is supposed to correspqpd with that Adage which 
 
 (/) " A la Haye'' 1740, p. 45. 
 ig) EkL de rimprim. ut supra* p. 49, 
 
is said to have been the favourite motto of Augustus's 
 ^' (TTrevBa fipccdecag,'*^ On the subject of this mark the 
 reader will find much entertainment in the *' Adagia" 
 of Erasmus, tinder the title " Festina lente;" and 
 that scholar embraces the same opportunity of explaining 
 the REBUS or device of his favourite printer Joannes 
 Frobenius, of Basil. ** If, says he, princes on this 
 side the Alps would encourage liberal studies with as 
 much zeal as those of Italy, the serpents of Froben 
 would not be so much less lucrative than the dolphin 
 of ALDUS. The latter ' lente festinans' has deservedly 
 gained for himself no less wealth than reputation. As to 
 Frobenius, whilst he constantly carries his ** baculus" 
 or staff erect, with no other view than the public 
 advantage ; whilst he departs not from the simplicity of 
 the DOVE ; whilst he exemplifies the prudence of the 
 serpent not more by his device than by his actions; he 
 is rich rather in reputation than in an estate." (h) The 
 device of Vindelinus Rihelius of Strasburg, which to 
 a superficia:! observer, might seem the offspring of mere 
 caprice, is in reality an emblematical representation of 
 Nemesis, and may be classically illustrated by a 
 reference to the Epigram of Xenocrates : — 
 
 Warn'd by the goddess, with her square and rein, 
 Measure thy actions, and thy tongue restrain. 
 
 (h) Quod si pari candore principes Cisalpini prosequerentur 
 honesta studia cum Italis, Frobeniani serpentes non tantum 
 abessent ab opibus Delphinis Aldini. Ille " lente festinans" 
 non minus auri sibi peperit, quara nominis, utroque dignus, 
 Frobenius dum Baculum semper erectum gerit, non alib 
 spectans, qukm ad publicam utilitatem ; dum a Columbina 
 SiMFLiciTATB non recedit ; dum Serpentum prudentiam non 
 
39 
 
 The HAND and compasses of Christopher Plantin, 
 with his motto *' Labor et Constantia," include a 
 moral not less useful. The same thing may be said of 
 the fine image of time, conspicuous in the impressions 
 of Simon Colinjeus ; and in Robert Estienne's choice 
 of the apostolic emblem of the OLiVE TREE, with its 
 broken and insititious branches, and his motto 
 '^ Noli altum sapere, sed time," Maittaire discerns 
 an evidence of the humility and christian piety which 
 characterized that distinguished typographer. 
 
 There is a work extant, by Orlandi, iutitled 
 " NoTiziA delle Marche degli Antichi e moderni 
 Impressori," which I have hitherto had no opportunity 
 of consulting, (z) But the author of " L'Histoire de 
 rimprimerie'* before cited, gives no favourable account 
 of it. He says these notices are very ill executed : that 
 even the names are given in a mutilated and unintel- 
 ligible manner; and that in the explanation of the 
 marks of printers, the author frequently falls into 
 ludicrous errors, of which the following instance is 
 given. In the two STORKS, the motto of Cramoisy, of 
 which the younger is represented bearing food to the 
 parent bird, which even children might understand to 
 be an appropriate emblem of filial piety and affection, 
 this author discovers a battle of cranes in the air, 
 without having paid the smallest attention to the motto; 
 *' HonoraPatrem tuum, & Matrem tuam, utlongajvus sis 
 
 magis exprimit insigniis suis quam factis ; fam^ potiiis dives est 
 quam re. Erasmi " Adagia.''^ Art " Festina Lente,^'* 
 
 (i) Renouard also speaks of a '' Recueil des Marqnes 
 typographiques" published by R. Scholtz, at Nuremberg, ann. 
 1130-32, foU '^ Annales, " id supra^ torn. ii. p, 63. 
 
m 
 
 super terrain;" and to other emblems of kindred signifi^ 
 cation, with which the angular points of the insignl 
 are furnished. He refers to pages 237 and 242 of thh 
 inaccurate work. 
 
 On the subject of marks I may presume to add, that 
 the earliest *' Relieurs" or binders, a race of men who 
 at these times probably considered their vocation of no 
 mean importance, affected also to distinguish themselves 
 by devices of a similar nature. Very rude and singular 
 designs cut on blocks of wood, and impressed upon the 
 exterior superficies of the volume, are sometimes found 
 on well preserved specimens of ancient binding; to 
 which the names or initials of the ingenious artist are 
 annexed ; whence it evidently appears that ornament 
 was not the sole motive for using them. For various 
 and singular specimens of this nature, it may suffice 
 to refer the .reader to those libraries which abound 
 in early printed books, and to the cabinets of diligent 
 and curious collectors. 
 
 Within the period of twenty years after the intro- 
 duction of PRINTING at Paris, we find the number of 
 those who practised the art in that city, including 
 Gering and his associates, increased to thirty-five: 
 and the comii^ncement of the succeeding century 
 witnessed the enlargement of this list in an almost triple 
 proportion. Of these artists, who varied greatly both 
 in the number and value of their impressions, several 
 distinguished themselves so eminently as to merit 
 our particular notice. Amongst these was Pasqujer 
 BonhomMe, whose earliest impression, " Les Grands 
 Clironiques deFrdnce^^mSvols,fol. bear* the date of 
 1476: he was one of the four principal "libraires^' 
 of the University : and assumed for his insigne the 
 
41 
 
 image of S. Christopher. The year 1 480 exhibits the 
 name and commencement of Antoine Verard, who 
 with respect both to the variety and curious description 
 pf his impressions, may justly be considered as one of 
 the most interesting of all the early typographers of 
 Paris. Very numerous indeed were the impressions 
 executed by this zealous printer, separately or in 
 conjunction with others. De la Caille renders the 
 same testimony. ^' Verard," says he, " was one of 
 those who gave to the public the greatest number of 
 works ; and particularly of romances : of which" he 
 adds, " there are extant more than a hundred volumes, 
 printed upon vellum, ornamented with beautiful 
 miniatures, and exhibiting the most studied and ejcact 
 imitations of the manuscripts from which they were 
 copied." {k) Such very magnificent, ingenious, and 
 costly ornaments bestowed upon these Gothic produc- 
 tions of the French press, give a characteristic peculiarity 
 to them, perhaps above those of most other countries. 
 The letter indeed chiefly employed in them, though 
 often denominated by the general term Gothic, is 
 rather a species of semi-Gothic -, and probably was cast 
 in imitation of the character usually met with in 
 exquisitely finished manuscripts which were of an 
 age not very remote from the invention of printing ; 
 at which period also, it is very probable that the art 
 of ILLUMINATING, and embellishing with miniatures in 
 gold and colours, was cultivated in its highest luxury. 
 The impressions of Antoine Verard and of several 
 of his cotemporaries, having often been taken off on the 
 finest vellum, for the gratification of the rich ; and at 
 
 ik) Hist, de rimpr. ut mpra, 
 G 
 
42 
 
 tfaeir iiberal expence thus superbly ornamented ; exhibit 
 a most agreeable union between the labours of the prin- 
 ter, and of the scribe and illuminator. And since 
 the art of the latter has long been lost through disuse, 
 they are treasured up with the greatest care as monu- 
 ments of former national magnificence, and the only 
 remains of a species of art which was once so extensively 
 and ingeniously practised. 
 
 Antoine Verard used for his device the arms of 
 France, under which in a compartment is a cypher, 
 probably intended to express the whole of his surname. 
 These with other minor ornaments are included in a 
 parallelogram, round the external margin of which we 
 read the following inscription in Gothic characters, 
 bounded also by double parallel lines :^— 
 J, H. S, 
 
 Pour, provocquer. ta. grant, misericorde. 
 
 De. tous. pecheurs. faire. grace, et. pardon. 
 
 Antoine. Verard. humblement. te. recorde. 
 
 Ge. quil. a. il tient. de toi. par. don. 
 Of the name Marnef, there were three brothers who 
 were associated together, at least on some occasions. 
 Their mark is thus rather confusedly described by la 
 Caille : " Des Grues qui font un nid en volant, un 
 Perroquet qui parle, un Pelican qui donne la vie a ses 
 petits, et trois hastens, sur lesquels sont les premieres 
 lettres de leurs noms, viz. Geoffroy or God.efroy, 
 Enguilbert, & Jean." Their earliest impression, 
 according to Panzer, bears the date anni 1481. 
 
 Jean Dupre or Joannes de Pratis or de Prato 
 commenced his zealous labours by the impression of 
 two *' Missals" anno 1481 : Nicolas de Pratis, 
 probably a brother of the former, by " P. Terentii 
 Comoedige" fol. 1483 : these were also distinguished 
 printers. 
 
43 
 
 AntoIne Caillaut began to exercise the professioo 
 anno 1483, and continued to print anno 1505. In 1483^ 
 also GuiDO Mercator or Guy Marchand is said to 
 have commenced his typographic labours. His impres- 
 sions were numerous; but Chevillier has assigned to 
 him a distinguished place amongst the most ignorant 
 printers of the day. In reality a book was printed by 
 him anno 1493 with this title — *' Elegantiarum viginta 
 Praecepta ;'' which title is reprinted on the second leaf; 
 and the volume thus concludes — " Elegantiarum viginta 
 Praecepta." A copy was preserved in the library of 
 the Sorbonne. Instead of this printer's name, his 
 impressions sometimes have merely this notice — " in 
 domo Campi Gaillardi." Some of them exhibit on 
 the reverse of the final page the representation of a 
 CORDW^ainer at work, with all the implements of his 
 profession al^out him ; which this printer may therefore 
 be supposed to have adopted as his whimsical device. 
 
 GeORGIUS MlTTELHUS, DeNIS JANOTy PHILIPPE 
 
 PiGOUCHET, Simon Vostre^ Jean Bonhomme the 
 brother of Pasquier, and Jean HrGMAN, a German, 
 began severally to print about the same period. The 
 motto of Janot was '* Amor dei omnia vincit. " 
 " Amour par tout, tout par amour, par tout 
 
 AMOUR." ROBINET MaCE, PieRRE LeVET and JeAN 
 
 Driard were somewhat later. Pierre le Rouge 
 (Rubeus) and Jean Carcagni commenced anno 1487 : 
 Felix Baligaut, Berthold Rembolt, probably a 
 son of the ancient printer of that name, Wol»fgang 
 HoPYL, George Wolff, Durani> Gerlier, and 
 Michel le Noir (Niger) all severally, with others, 
 in 1489. The last of these was a printer of very 
 considerable interest, whose impressions are held in 
 higi^ estimation by the admirers of early Parisian 
 
44 
 
 typography. His mark is thus described by M. de la 
 Caille— *' Une roze en face sur un fond de sable, 
 soCitenue par deux Mores & une autre pour timbre, 
 le tout faisant allusion a son nom,'* with these lines — 
 C'est mon desir de Dieu servir 
 Pour acquerir son doux plaisir. 
 He continued to a late period, and was succeeded by 
 his son Philippe, a printer also of considerable esti- 
 mation. 
 
 Of other names of Parisian printers, which occur 
 from 1490 to 1500 inclusively, I shall content myself 
 with mentioning some of the principal. Those were 
 Denis Roce, whose favourite motto was ** Alaven- 
 
 tURE. TOUT. VIENT. APOINT. QUI. PEUT. ATENDRE." 
 
 Jei^an Trepperel, who printed both in his own name, 
 and occasionally in conjunction with Jehan Jehannot : 
 but as Trefperel did not long survive to exercise the 
 art> the natrieVif his widow (Veuve Trepperel) is 
 far more conspicuous in the annals of the Parisian press : 
 Guillaume Eustace, many of whose impressions aore 
 curious and estimable : Pierre le Dru: Jean Petit or 
 Joannes Parvus, probably the father of a numerous 
 progeny of printers, and himself the most enterprising 
 typographer of his time. De la Caille assures us that he 
 found employment for the presses of more than fifteen 
 ** Imprimeurs " of his day. To his insiqne he sub- 
 joined the words Petit a petit, in allusion to his own 
 name. loDOCus Badius, surnamed AscENSius, and 
 Henri Estienne the elder, both belong to this period: 
 but as these distinguished artists stand so nesxlf 
 connected with Robert and Henri Estienne, I shaD 
 assign to them a distinct and more particular mentioii,^ 
 Not to extend then our present notice to less coii^ 
 spicuous individuals of this early series, ThieUHAN 
 
S3MJ2gt//\H«0AHMIOftm^ 
 
 THE DEVICE OF ANTHOINE VERARD. 
 From " Lts Croniqiies de Froissart." 1518, fol. 
 
45 
 
 Kerver must however be mentioned, as having distin- 
 guished himself much amongst cotemporary printers ; 
 especially by his beautiful impressions " en Rouge et 
 Noir," in which he was probably exceeded by none. 
 Under his direction, and at his charge, some of the 
 painted windows which ornament two of the finest 
 churches of Paris were designed and executed ; and 
 on them la Caille says his cypher was at the period 
 when he wrote still to be seen. Francois Regnault 
 was probably the last of the series whose commencement 
 was not later than the year 1500. He was also a most 
 industrious printer ; and his impressions are numerous. 
 The well known device of this artist is an elephant, 
 upon the back of which is placed a CASTLE, bearing 
 the initials of his name : which appears also in full on a 
 scroll beneath. 
 
NOTICES AND ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 OF THE MOST 
 
 Remarkable Productions 
 
 OP THK 
 
 BEFORE THE YEAR M.D.VIII. 
 
 JL HE Gothic Press of Paris, by which general 
 name we may be allowed to designate the infancy of 
 its TYPOGRAPHY, both on account of the prevailing 
 use made of that character by the earliest Parisian 
 typographers, and to distinguish it from the more 
 learned " imprimeries" established there in after times, 
 was by no means fruitful in valuable classical impres- 
 sions. France could probably boast at that period of 
 few or no manuscripts of the works of ancient Greek 
 or Roman authors. Those precious remains of antiquity 
 were chiefly confined to Italy ; or at least had been 
 conveyed to that fortunate country, when the revival of 
 learning excited the zeal of Italian scholars to every 
 possible exertion for the discovery and acquisition of 
 them. Their early proficiency in classical literature 
 enabled them to illustrate such works by ingenious 
 annotations ; and thus to give them with advantage to 
 the public by means of the newly discovered art of 
 
48 
 
 PRINTING, at a time when the Cisalpine schools and 
 seminaries of learning had scarcely emerged from the 
 barbarism of the middle ages. Gering therefore, and 
 the other earliest printers of Paris who evinced the 
 greatest zeal for the impression of classical works, could 
 do little more than attempt a reimpression of those 
 classical productions which had issued from the presses 
 of the most meritorious printers of Italy. Early books 
 of Parisian classical typography must consequently be 
 valued at present chiefly as specimens of the compara- 
 tive infancy of the art. After the exertions of Gering 
 and his associates, and of CiESARis and Stol, the 
 printers of Paris appear for a time to have declined 
 rather than increased in ardour for the diffusion of 
 classical literature. Yet on other accounts the GOTHIC 
 press of Paris will be found an interesting subject of 
 inquiry . Many of its prodjiictions are strojigly indicative 
 of the national manners and character. Those which 
 pertain to the ecclesiastical ritual, and devotional sub- 
 jects, possess, as I have before observed, a singularity 
 of embellishment, and magnificence of execution which 
 are almost peculiar to them. The early poetry of the 
 French, their chronicles, their romances of chivalry, 
 and the kindred fruits of their Gothic press are 
 equally characteristic : and to an English reader, the 
 connexion of their early literature with our own, or 
 rather the influence whicl^ it had upon the speculations 
 and manners of our own country, and the direction 
 and tone which it gave to our pristine habits and 
 pursuits, must render EiARLY FRENCH gpyppGRAPHY a 
 subject of particular curiosity. 
 
 PANZER has enumerated 1^1 titi^e^ of Parisiaa 
 impre^fiiion^ befojre the cloise f>f the fifjl^nth century, 
 i^livling thpse lyhiph occur ^* fine nata anni." A]t the 
 
49 
 
 end of the year 1507, in which the first GREEK press 
 was estabhshed at Paris, the foregoing number appears' 
 to have been increased by 241 additional impressions, 
 exclusive of a few more articles of Parisian typography" 
 which this diligent bibliographer has enumerated in the 
 supplementary volumes of his extensive work. From 
 Panzer'slist I propose to select those articles which appear 
 most curious and interesting ; and to illustrate them by 
 such notices as I have in the course of my own reading 
 or personal observation been enabled to collect. The 
 candid reader is intreated to accept this list or catalogue 
 as a specimen, not only of the *' Editiones Parisienses 
 saeeuli XV." but also of a method of annotation by 
 which detached parts of Panzer's elaborate work might 
 be agreeably illustrated. 
 
 M.CCCC.LXX, M.CCCC.LXXII. 
 
 Caspar IN I Pergamensih Epistolarum opus. 4. 
 
 This book and the nine following, though '^ Con- 
 suetis Typographia^ notis orbi" were certainly executed 
 *' in Sorbonae domo ab Ulrico Gering,* Martino 
 Crantz & Michael Friburger." Thus Panzer: wha 
 cites the rude Colophon of this impression : — 
 Ut sol lumen, sic doctrinam fundis in orbem, 
 
 Musarum nutrix regia Parisius. 
 Hinc prope divinam tu, quam Germania novit ^ 
 
 Artem scribendi, suscipe promerita. 
 Primos ecce libros, quos base industria finxit 
 
 Francorum in terris, aedibus atque tuis, 
 Michael, Udalricvs Martinvsque magistri 
 Hos impresserunt, ac facient alios. 
 The preceding volume derives additional interest from 
 the dedicatory epistle by Fichet prefixed j which 
 
,50 
 
 Ghevillier has cited as illustrative of the earliest efforts 
 of Parisian typography. (/) 
 
 Lvcii Annmi Flop.i de iota Historia Titi Livii 
 Epitome in quatuor libros divisa. 4. 
 
 Robert (Js Gag urn us Lucei Aniiei Flori lectoribus 
 salutem optat. 
 
 Quos NULLA in terris concluserat ora, Quirites, 
 
 Haec flori obstrictos parva tabella capit. 
 Et quaeque eximia produxit Livius arte, 
 
 Bella, duces, pompas, rite coacta tenet. 
 Quo vere exemplo vobis sperate futurum 
 
 Qui fama et quaestu fertis in astra gradum. 
 Post tumidos nisus, pest saeva pericula sorlisy 
 
 Ad manes raptos vos brevis urna teget. 
 
 (0 GuiLLERMUS FiCHETUS Parisiensis Theologus Doctori 
 JoANNi Lapidano Sorbonensis Sdiols PRIORI. Salutem. 
 
 MisiSTi nuper ad me suavissimas Gasparini Pergamensis 
 Epistolas, non a te modo diligenter emendatas : sed a tuis 
 quoque Geripanis Impressoribus nitide et terse transcriptas, 
 Magnam tibi gratiam Gasparinus debeat : quem pluribus tuis 
 vigiliis ex corrupt© integrum fecisti. Majorem vero coetus 
 doctoruBi hominum : quod non tantum sacris literis, quae tua pro- 
 vincia est, magnopere studes ; sed redintegrandis etiam Latinis 
 scriptoribus insignem operara navas. Res sane te viro doctis- 
 simotet optimo digna. Ut, qui cum laude et gloria Sorbonico cer- 
 tamini Dux prsefuisti, tum Latinis qtioque literis, quas aBtatis nos- 
 trae ignoratio tenebris obumbravit, tu^ lumen effundas industri^ 
 Nam praeter alias complures Literarum graviores jacturas banc 
 etiam acceperunt, ut librariorum vitiis effectae pene barbarae 
 videantur. At vero maxime laetor banc pestem tu^ providently 
 tandem eliminari procul a Parisiorum Lutetiii. Etenim quos 
 ad banc urbem e tu^ Germanic Libraries ascivisti, quam 
 
SI 
 
 C. Crispus Sallustws de conjuratione Catilina et 
 de hello Jugurthino. 4. In fine. 
 
 Nunc parat arma virosque simul (sibi) rex Maximus orbis 
 
 Hostibus antiquis exitium minitans. 
 Nunc igitur betlo studeas gens Pariseorum, 
 
 Cui Martis quondam gloria magna fuit. 
 Exemplo tibi sint nunc fortia facta Virorum, 
 
 QuaB digne memorat Crispus in hoc opere 
 Armigerisque tuis Alemannos annumeres, qui 
 
 Hos pressere Libros, arma futura tibi. 
 
 GviLLERMi FlCHETi Alnetani, artium et theologue 
 parisiensis Doctoris, Rhetoricorum libri ires, 5Cc. 4. 
 
 GuiLLAUME FiCHET was a Savoyard, but had his 
 education in the University of Paris. This was at a 
 period when the studies of humanity were disregarded, 
 and the purity of the Latin tongue was immersed and 
 almost extinguished in the barbarous phraseology of 
 the schoolmen. He is however represented as a person 
 of great enterprise, reading, and eloquence. 
 
 emendates libros ad exemplaria reddunt ! Idque tute macto 
 studio conaris, ut ne ulli\m quidem opus ab illis prius expri- 
 matur, quam sit h te coactis exemplaribus multis castigatum 
 litur^ mult^. Qnare tibi quae carminum Censori Quintilio 
 laus apud Flaccum Horatium meritb debeatur, cum a Gaspa- 
 rinae^ suavi facundi^, turn a plerisque nobilibus hujus civitatis 
 ingeniis, quas desputa barbaric lacteum fontem eloquentiag melle 
 dulciorem degustant, et in dies qnidem avidius. Ego verb, 
 quod in Aristotelis laudera dicebat Plato, tuum domicilium 
 Lectoris atudiosissimi sedem sine ull^ quidem assentatione dici 
 velim. Vale. Et me dilige te amantem. Scriptum apud 
 Sorbonam velocissim^ Fichete^ manu. 
 
 I 
 
52 
 
 In his official capacity he acted as a professor of 
 theology and philosophy ; and constantly spent the 
 morning hours in reading lectures on those subjects, in 
 the schools of tiie Sorbonne. His own zeal for the 
 re^establishment of the Belles Lettres led him to deliver 
 a lecture on rhetoric every afternoon ; and he is said to 
 have persevered in this practice eighteen years. If we 
 may believe Chevillier, such unwearied efforts were not 
 unsuccessful: and eloquence began to flourish again 
 in this literary establishment. Several of his scholars 
 made a distinguished proficiency. Robert Gaguin was 
 one of them. He became conspicuous both as a person 
 of superior learning, and as an author, at this barren 
 period ; and taught in the schools of the Mathurins the 
 art of rhetoric which he had learned from Fichet. 
 
 Fichet's reputation extending itself to Rome, he was 
 honoured with the peculiar notice and friendship of 
 Cardinal Bessarion. At length Sixtus IV. invited him 
 to Rome, and conferred on him several considerable 
 dignities. 
 
 His scholar Gaguin addressed an epigram to him, 
 jdescriptive of those services which he had rendered to 
 fetters : of which Chevillier has given a portion — 
 Quos luteos homines finxit natura deauras, 
 
 Et facis eloquio dare Fichetfe deos. 
 Te digne extulerit praBclara Lutetia casIo, 
 Cui tua rectiloquos lingua diserta parit. c&c. 
 
 Fhalaridis Agrigentini Epistol^y egriecoin latinum 
 translate a Francisco Aretino. 4. 
 
 Erhardi Vuindsberg Epigramma ad germanos 
 JUbrarios egregios, michaelem, martinum, atque udal- 
 ricum ; — 
 
53 
 
 Plura licet sumniae dederis alemannia laudi I 
 
 At reor hoc maius te genuisse nihil. 
 Quod prope diuinam summa ex industria fingis 
 
 Scribendi hanc artera, multiplicans studia. 
 Foelices igitur Michael, Martineque semper 
 
 Viuite, et Vlrice I hoc queis opus imprimitur. 
 Erhardum uestro et non dedignemini amore ! 
 
 Cui fido semper pectore clausi eritis. 
 
 Bessarionis Card.EpistolaadCFichetum, Ejvsdem 
 altera epistola ad Italia Principes, Tertia epistola 
 ad Bessarionem Monachum et Abbatem, Orationes^ 
 Kc. 4. 
 
 This impression is inscribed to Louis XI. in the 
 following rude *' Disticon fichaeteum:" — 
 Fausta futura tibi Rex accipe Bessarionis 
 Munera, quae prosint foris atque domo. 
 
 GuiLLELMi FiCHETl Doctor IS, SCc. Epistola^. 4. 
 
 Lavrentii Vallm Elegantiarum linguce latino libH 
 sear. Tractatus de reciprocatione sui et suus, Uc, foL 
 Iterum Par, 1476, /o/. Geringet RemboH, 1495. Ascens. 
 
 1497,/o/. 
 
 To this book is subjoined an " Epistola gratulatoria 
 Joannis de Lapide ad P. Paulum Senilem," at the end 
 of which are read these words — " iEdibus Sorbone 
 scriptum anno uno et septuagesimo quadringentesi- 
 moque supra rnillesimum." 
 
 John Heynlin de Lapierre, who shared with 
 FiCHET the honour of establishing the earliest press at 
 Paris, was a native of Germany, and a professoir of 
 languages in the University. Such was his reputation, 
 that persons of high rank are numbered amongst his 
 hearers ; but none of them perhaps reflect so much 
 
54 
 
 honour on his memory as the famous Jolm Reuchlin, 
 who was also a disciple of this doctor of the Sorbonne : 
 and at the special instance of his master composed his 
 work in three books, '' De verbo mirifico." By the 
 advice of Lapierre several works of great utility became 
 very early fruits of the newly established press. He 
 obtained the rank of rector of the University anno 1468 ; 
 and was twice prior of the Sorbonne, viz. anno 1467 
 and again anno 1 470. 
 
 Lapierre, in the famous controversy of the nomina- 
 lists and REALISTS, {vi) which still continued to divide 
 this University, became a strenuous advocate for the 
 
 (m) Amongst the various sects to which the scholastic phi- 
 losophy gave birth, these of the nominalists and realists 
 are not the least memorable. The particular doctrines of each 
 may be found at large in Brucker's " Historia Philosophise," 
 or in the abridgment of that work by Enfield, vol. 2, ch. iii. 
 Naude considers one Joannes Rosselinus or Rosceline 
 who lived in the eleventh century, as the founder of the party 
 of Nominalists : in confirmation of which he cites the following 
 ancient epigram : — 
 
 QuAS RuCELiNE doces, non vult Dialectica voces, 
 
 Jamque dolens de se non vult inVocibus esse. 
 
 Res amat, in Rebus cunctis vult esse diebus. 
 
 Voce retractetur res sit quod voce docetur. 
 
 Plorat Aristoteles nugas dicendo seniles 
 
 Res sibi subtractas per voces intitulatas. 
 
 Porphyriusque gemit quia res sibi lector ademit, 
 
 Qui res abrodit Ruceline Boetius odit. 
 
 Non argumentis nulloque sophismate sentis. 
 
 Res existentes in vocibus esse manentes. 
 Through the zeal and talents of Pierre Abailard this 
 sect gained many pajrtizans. The Realists found no less 
 
55 
 
 latter, and delivered repeated courses of lectures on 
 the philosophy of Aristotle, as that which he deemed 
 best adapted for elucidating the mysteries of religion. 
 But as the party of the nominalists at this time found 
 warm advocates, and was' gaining ground, Louis XL 
 assembled the four faculties to hold a dehberation on 
 the subject. On this occasioij the whole body of the 
 University, perhaps greatly influenced by the example 
 of Lapierre, declared themselves in favour of realism; 
 and the opposite doctrine was proscribed and banished 
 by a royal edict from the schools of the Universty. 
 
 Two new Universities were founded about this 
 period ; that of Basil anno 1460, and that of Tubingen 
 anno 1477. Lapierre was invited to deliver lectures 
 at the former, on his favourite system of philosophy. 
 He obtained a valuable benefice in the Cathedral of the 
 city ; but at length exchanged his preferment for 
 the self denial and austerities of the Chartreux, and 
 joined himself to a society of this order which had an 
 establishment at Basil. John Amerbach, an early 
 
 powerful support under the authority of Aquinas, Scotus, and 
 others. The whole University of Paris ranged themselves 
 under the banners of one or other of these contending parties. 
 Nothing could exceed the violence with which their disputes 
 were conducted. When the litigants had exhausted their stock 
 of abuse, they often came to blows ; engaging not only with 
 their fists, but with clubs and swords ; so that wounds and even 
 death sometimes ensued, Louis XL as abovementioned, at 
 length published an edict, which in the year 1474 silenced and 
 banished the Nominalists, and required the academics to renounce 
 their doctrines. The " Edictum Regium" issued for this 
 purpose is given at length by Naud^, in his " Addition a 
 VHistoire du Roy Louis XV\ Chap, vi. 
 
66 
 
 printer of that city who had been a pupil of Lapierre, 
 printed an edition of his philosophical works. To a 
 logical treatise of Lapierre, Sebastian Brant, a poet of 
 known celebrity, prefixed some elegiac stanzas, amongst 
 which ^re these which follow :' — 
 
 Hanc Lapidane Pater, dura feiix Parisiorum 
 Gymnasium incolereg, Doctor amate paras. 
 Tempera multa bonis illic studiisque probatis 
 
 Trivisti, insigni profuerasque Scholas. 
 Sed tibi plus placuit Christi Schola, dogma salutis 
 
 Sectatus, linquis dogmata vana Schol£e. 
 Sprevisti et pompas quas saspe Theologus alter 
 
 Quaerit, et in crassis pinguia raulla malis. 
 Quas tibi Praebendas plures fortuna secunda 
 Oblulit, has temnis et bona cuucta sob. &c. 
 
 Jacobi Magni Ord, Eremit, S. Jiigustini, Hopholo- 
 gium.fol. 
 
 *^ In tituli folio verso," is found this rude *^ Epigram- 
 ma ad bujus operis conspectorem ;" which illustrates 
 the nature of the work : — 
 
 ISTUC clarorum contendunt dogmata patrum ; 
 
 Doctos atque bonos ut faciant homines. 
 At qvom non leviter possit percurrere quisquam 
 
 Auctores cunctos ; multa neglecta manent. 
 Omnia doctorura quo ergo documenta legantur, 
 
 Hunc Jacobus Magni condidit ecce librum. 
 Tu quoque si bonus esse velis sapiensque videri 
 
 Quod manibus tractas disce Sophologium. 
 Quicquid enim veterum tetigit praeceptio digna 
 Mille voluminibus,cIauditur hoc opere. 
 
 The author of the '' Sophologium" was a native of 
 Toledo in Spain ; became confessor to Charles VIL \ 
 refused a bishopric \ aod died a member of the fraternity 
 
5t 
 
 of Augustine monks at Paris. His " Sopbologium" is 
 an acknowledged compilation from the writings of the 
 ancient philosophers, poets, and orators. The above 
 was the first impression. Gering gave a second anno 
 1475. It was afterwards reprinted Parisiis ''Lugduni,'* 
 et alibi; in early periods and on various occasions. 
 
 The same work became known in England under the 
 title of the '^ Book of Good Manners," printed by 
 Caxton anno 14S7 : which as Mr. Caxton himself 
 informs us was compiled *' by the venerable Frere 
 Jaques le Graunt, in Latin, Jacobus Magnus." 
 Caxton's impression was derived from a French transla- 
 tion of the work intitled *' Livre des bonnes moeurs," 
 printed at Chablitz or Chabiies by Pierre le Rouge, 
 1478, fol. and sine loco et anno, [n) 
 
 RoDERici Zamorensis Episcopi speculum humana 
 vita. fol. In line. 
 
 Edidit hoc lingue clarissiina norma latine I 
 
 Excels! ingenii uir rodoricus opus. 
 Qui norma angelica e custos bene fidus in arte ; 
 
 Sub pauli ueneti nomine pontificis. 
 Claret in italici Zamorensis episcopus ausis 
 Eloquii I it superos gloria parta uiri. 
 The *' Speculum Humane vit^e" was a favourite 
 work of those early times. The first impression had 
 issued from the press of Sweynheim and Pannartz, 
 Ronice 1468. Gering's impression was the second ; and 
 it was reprinted by him anno 1475,^ fol. and by Caesaris 
 and Stol anno 1473, and sine anno. It appeared also 
 " Gallice" under the title of '' La miroir de la vie 
 
 (n) Panzer, torn, 1 , p. 373. 
 I 
 
humaine," Lugdimi 1477, 1479, and 1482, fol. As 
 to the author Rodrigo Sancio he was born anno 1414, 
 and became successively bishop of Oviedo, Zamora, 
 Calahorta, and Placentia. 
 
 According td Naude the above impression of the 
 *^ Speculum" by Gering and his associates was inscribed 
 to Louis XL He considers it, perhaps erroneously, 
 as the earliest production of t,he Parisian press, {o) 
 
 JoHANms ScoTi in guar turn librum sententiarmi 
 Petri Lombardt. Friburger, Craniz, 3C Gmng, 
 fol. In fine. 
 
 Si te nosse juaat lector nunc oflSciose 
 
 Unde tibi tersa base littera pressa veuit : 
 Parisii manibus noscas haec ingeniosis 
 
 Conscripta et doctis ante relecta viris. 
 Is etenim Michael, Martinus (Gente Alemani) 
 
 Atque VdalriCUS multiplicant studia. 
 Felices formas illorum jure vocabis, 
 
 Quas nitidis formant optima quaeque libris. 
 Nee te paeniteat precium huic impendere dignmn, 
 
 Quem docta impressit regia Parisius. 
 
 M. T, CiCERoms Officia; Lalius ; Cato ; Somnmm 
 Scipionis ; et Paradoxa, fol. lidem, 
 
 Joanni Lapidano Tetrastichon fichaeteum. 
 Ut punch, cassi, pateant libri Ciceronis, 
 
 Guillermi suasu sis, Lapidane, vigil. 
 Sic facili cursu cum fruger turn decus ess^ 
 Tu poteris semper clara fichaetea spes. 
 The above barbarous lines are given agreeably to 
 Panzer's copy. " Sequitur Joannis Lapidani Epistola 
 
 (o) ** AdditioHy Sfc» Chap, vii. 
 
59 
 
 responsoria j" and " Ejusdem Tetrastichon ad GuiHer- 
 mum Fichaeteum." 
 
 AcciPE distinctos, Guillerme, libros Ciceronis, 
 
 Si laesi pateant, criminis author eris. 
 Sin fuerint frugi, maior tibi quam Lapidano 
 Xjlratia debetur, laus quoque maior eriU 
 
 «r^<x>/\^^<.«i/wr>yv/<^(/\^^ 
 
 A. D. M.CCCC.LXXIII. 
 
 JOHANNIS Nyder Manuale Confessorum, et Tractatus 
 de lepra moralL Friburger, Gering, and Grant z, 
 fol. goth. 
 
 Joannes Nyder, said to have been a German 
 Dominican, professed theology at Paris : but died at 
 Nuremberg circa 1 440. His treatises abovementioned — 
 his *' Opus super decern Praecepta Decalogi," Gering 
 1478, 1482, 4. — his " Aurei sermones" — " Consolato- 
 rium timoratae Conscientiae," Gering 1478, 4. — ** De 
 contractibus mercatorum" — " Dispositorium moriendi," 
 Gering (sine loco et anno) — " Formicarius" and *' De 
 Decalogo et Sacramentis," Bouhomme 1489, 4. must 
 have been in the highest estimation ; having exercised 
 so frequently the early presses not only of Paris but of 
 many other places. The *' Manuale, &c." was re- 
 printed by Gering annis 1477, 1479, ^/ sine anno ; and 
 by Jean Bonhomme anno 1489. 
 
 Guwoms DE Monte Rocherii Manipulm Curato- 
 rum, fol, goth, lidem. 
 
 The Manipulus Curator um was a work still more 
 universally popular than the preceding. It appeared 
 Savilliani anno 1470, again sine loco 1470. Aug Vin- 
 ddy 1 47 1 . Gering's was therefore the fourth impression. 
 It was reprinted " Parisiis^'* Gering et ^c?m 1478, 4, 
 
60 
 
 P. Ctesaris 1473, fol. Casaris &C Stol 1476, 4. P. 
 Level 1487, 4. Pigouchet 1489, 4. F. Balligaut 
 1493, 4. Pflir. 1488, e^ ^iW anno. 
 
 M. DE LA MoNNOYE has observed that the author's 
 name should not be translated Guy de Rocher as it 
 usually is, but Guy de Mont Rocher. Trithemius 
 supposes him to have flourished circa 1330. Two 
 French translations are mentioned : one of them intitled 
 '' Le Doctrinal de Sapience, " printed according to 
 Panzer only at Geneva 1493, fol. But our own 
 venerable Caxton communicated this work to his 
 country in an English dress so early as the year 1489. 
 He intitled it " The Doctrinal of Sapyence." He 
 probably translated it from a French manuscript. 
 ^' This present boke," says he, " is frenshe, &c. — the 
 ryght reuerent fader in god Guy de roye, by the 
 myseracion dyuine Archebysshop of Sence, hath doon it 
 to be wreton for the helthe of his soule, and of the 
 soules of alle hys peple, &c.'* Ames seems to have had 
 but a confused idea of the origin of this work. In fact 
 many of the earliest productions of our English press 
 can be satisfactorily illustrated only by a comparison 
 with the cotemporary history of French typography. 
 
 A priest of the province of Otranto, as it is said, 
 translated this work into Greek verse circa 1370. The 
 manuscript is in the Vatican. 
 
 UAmant rendu Cordelier en V observance d^amour, 
 en rime, Pierre Ctesaris 8( Jean Stol ut mdetur. 
 Chevillier believes this early specimen of French 
 typography to be from the press of C^esaris and Stoi,. 
 M. de la Monnoye had seen an edition ** in 8 Gothique," 
 without date : but with the device of Guillaume 
 Nyverd, first of that name, and consequently posterior 
 
61 
 
 to the former edition by forty or fifty years. He says 
 the poem consists of about nineteen hundred verses 
 *' En huitaines" comprehending the description of a 
 disconsolate lover's dream in a meadow, where he 
 chanced to be overtaken with sleep. He fancied that 
 despairing on account of the rigorous treatment of his 
 mistress, he determined to renounce the world and turn 
 cordelier. He applies to the superiour, who examines 
 him, and approves his design. The day of his admission 
 is appointed. A great crowd of both sexes attend to 
 witness the ceremony : amongst the rest the unfeeling 
 fair one whose rigour had driven him to this measure. 
 Affected by the most poignant repentance, she falls 
 senseless, at the instant when she sees him assume the 
 habit. The ceremony however proceeds ; the new 
 monk pronounces his vow, and the superiour instructs 
 him in all the particulars of the rule ; entering into a 
 long and amusing detail. After the sermon and mass 
 the spectators retire, the monks proceed to the refec- 
 tory ; and then it is that the lover awakes, and the poem 
 terminates with the dream. The work is thought by 
 Fauchet to savour of the style of the reign of Charles 
 VI. or VII. ; but M. de la Monnoye says the author is 
 unknown. This work was reprinted Farmi's, by Germ, 
 Bineaut anno 1490, 4. and again sine anno, 16, 
 
 A. D. M.CCCC.LXXIV. 
 
 Z. AiGUILLON de r Amour divine de S. Bonaventure 
 
 traduit per Jean Gerson. Pierre Caron^ 4. 
 
 This is from the '* Stimulus divini Amoris, sive 
 
 pharetra " of S. Bonaventura : first printed in the 
 
 original, Par. 1490, 1493, Geo. Mittdhus, 4. The 
 
Q2 
 
 numerons works of S. Bonaventura found employment 
 for many of the early printers of various countries. 
 
 It is remarkable that the name of Pierre Caron as 
 a Parisian printer does not occur, excepting in the 
 above single instance, till the year 1489. 
 
 I have found mention of no early English translation 
 of the " Stimulus Divini Amoris." S. Bonaventure 
 was however too popular a writer to be intirely over- 
 looked by our early printers. From the " Vita Christi" 
 of this author originated Caxton's " Speculum Vita 
 Cristi ; " or the " Myrroure of the Blossyd Lyf of 
 Jhesu Criste, compiled by Thomas Arundell, archbishop 
 of Canterbury;" first printed without a date: again 
 by Wynken de Worde 1527, 1530: by R. PiNSON 
 sine anno. His " Alphabetum Religiosorum, " was 
 " Englysshed by a brother of Sion, R. Whitfield or 
 Whytforde :" and under the title of " S. Bonaventure 
 his lessons," printed by Wynken de Worde anno 
 1582. The life of S. Francis composed also by S. 
 Bonaventure was given in English by Pinsok, sin^ 
 anno, 
 
 ViNCENTii Bellofacensjs Spcculum hisioriale, /qI. 
 Vincent surnamed of Beauvois was a Dominican. 
 He was '^ Lecteur et Predicateur de S. Louis," and in 
 high favour at court. His ** Speculum seu Bibliotheca 
 Mundi" was first printed Fenetussumo 1484,/(?/. 4 torn. 
 His works and especially this, by some denominated 
 "Speculum majus," gained him great reputation. It 
 consists of four parts, viz. "Speculum Naturale," 
 ** Speculum Doctrinale," " Speculum Historiale" 
 abovementioned, and " Speculum Morale." These 
 frequently appeared separately from various presses 
 in the bifancy of typography. The ^* Speculum 
 
63 
 
 Historiale " first appeared distinctly, Argentorati^ 
 Mentelinus, 1473, fol. It is said to be a kind of 
 abridgment of universal history, from the origin of the 
 world to the j^ear 1 244. It relates some circumstances 
 which extend as far as 1253. Various particulars are 
 found in it which Ao not elsewhere occur : but French 
 bibliographers say the first edition is to be preferred, 
 the subsequent being mutilated. They add that ex- 
 travagant praises have been lavished on this author, 
 who wrote in the reign of S. Louis, and by his command. 
 Consult also pope Blount, p. 289. 
 
 This author gives to the Papal Decretals the first 
 rank in authority : the next to the S. Scriptures. He 
 admits all the false Decretals cited by Gratian ; adopts 
 all the fables published under the name of Turpin, &c. 
 
 Another production of the press of Caxton, intitled 
 " The Ymage or Mirrour of the worlde," appears 
 to be a translation or abridgment of this '* Speculum 
 seu Bibliotheca Mundi," or rather perhaps of the 
 ** Speculum Naturale" of Vincent de Beauvais, which 
 Ames and Herbert have not observed. Our venerable 
 printer in his prologue, says that the book was translated 
 *' out of latyn into frensshe by the ordynaunce of the 
 noble duk, Johan of Berry and Auuergne the j^ear of 
 our Lord M.cc.xlv, and now (he adds) at this t3'me 
 rudely translated out of frensshe in to Englisshe by me 
 symple persone Wyllm Caxton, &c." 
 
 That Caxton translated from a French manuscript 
 steems evident from his account of his original, '* whiche" 
 says he, " was engrossed and in all poyntes ordeyned 
 by chapitres and fygures in frenshe in the toim of 
 ^^ggis the yere of thyncarnacion of our Lord 
 Mxccclxiiij, &c.** He says ** J haue to my power 
 
64 
 
 folowed my copye and as nygb as to me is possible I 
 haue made it so playn that euery man resonable may 
 vnderstonde it. Yf he aduysedly and ententyfly rede or 
 here it. And yf ther be faulte in mesuryng of the 
 firmament, Sonne, Mone, or of therthe. or in ony other 
 meruayiles herin conteyned J beseche you not tarette 
 the faulte in me but in hym that made my copye 
 whiche book J began first to translate the second day 
 of Janyuer the yer of our lord M.cccc.lxxx, and 
 fynysshed the viij day of Marche the same yere, &c. 
 Caxton printed two editions of ^* the Ymage or Mirrour 
 of the Worlde," but the precise dates of their impression 
 are uncertain. 
 
 As to the *' Speculum Historiale" which gave occa- 
 sion to our present inquiries, it appears that Caxton 
 was not unacquainted with, or unmindful of that 
 particular work. For Ames and Herbert observe that 
 " The Lyf of Charles the Great," another of his com- 
 pilations, printed an. 1485, was not only translated by 
 Mr. Caxton, but collected from two French books, 
 viz. ** The Myrrour Hy story al" and an old French 
 romance, according to the compiler of the Harleian 
 catalogue. , 
 
 <f^.f\r.*<r^*^.f^^\f^>*^r^ 
 
 M.CCCCLXXV. 
 
 Leonard! be Utino Sermones aurei de Sanctis, fol, 
 Gering, Kc, 
 
 Leonardus de Utino, of the order of " Fratri 
 predicanti," regent and professor in the miiversity of 
 Bologna, and held in special favour by pope Eueenius 
 IV. flourished circa 1444. 
 
 His *' Sermones Quadragesimales" appeared from the 
 same press anno 1478 ;> fol. Various other " Sermones" 
 
65 
 
 or discourses of his were frequently printed in different 
 places, and at very early periods. 
 
 GviLLELMi Durante Rationale dwhiorum OfficionmU 
 foL Friburger, Gering, ^ Crantz. 
 
 GuiLLELMUS DuRANTius (Guillaume Durant) de- 
 nominated *' Le Speculateur," supposed a native of 
 Gaule Narbonnoise, was the greatest Jurisconsult of 
 his time, and also a respectable Provengal poet. He 
 died at Rome an. 1296 at the age of 67. His epitaph 
 (a la Minerve) appears in thirty Hexameters. 
 
 His works most known are *^ Speculum Judiciale," 
 4 tom. : '^ Repertorium Juris :" both printed often and 
 very early; and his ** Rationale abovementioned ; 
 which first issued from the press of Fust and Schoeffer 
 an. 1 459, in fol. Some have thought it (but erroneously) 
 the actual first fruits of the art. 
 
 Jacobi de Foragine Januensis aurea Legenda alias 
 Historia Longobardica vocitata, foL goth, Gering 
 et socii, 
 
 A NATIVE of the Genoese territory ; born circa 1230. 
 Became Provincial of the order of Dominicans, and in 
 1292 Archbishop of Genoa. He has the character of a 
 virtuous and zealous prelate: but his '' Aurea Legen- 
 da" abounds so much with fictions and absurdities, that 
 perhaps from thence the term legendary became 
 synonimous with fabulous. The first edition is said to 
 be that of Cologne 1470. There is an Italian translation 
 Venet, 1476: a French translation Lyon 1471: all in 
 fol. and very rare. 
 
 Hence too, I presume " The Golden Legend" by 
 Caxton. " When I had perfourmed & accomplisshed 
 
 K 
 
66 
 
 tiyuers werkys' & hystoryes (saitlrhe) translated out of 
 frensshe in to englysshe at the requeste of certeyn 
 lordes, ladyes and gentylmen, as thystorie of the 
 recuyel' of Troye, the book of the chesse, the hystorye 
 of Jason, The hystorye of the myrrour of the world, 
 the XV bookes of Metamorphoseos, in whyche been 
 conteyned the fables of ouyde, and the hystorye of 
 godefroy of boloyn in the conqueste of Jherusalem, 
 wyth other dyuers werkys & bookes, I nyste what 
 werke to begynne & put forth after the said werkys to 
 fore made, — I have submysed my self to translate in to 
 englysshe the legend of sayntes, &c." An impression 
 of the '* Golden Legende" in English by Caxton anni 
 1483, is considerecj by the compiler of the Harleian 
 catalogue as one of the most superb productions of our 
 earliest press. It is adorned with many wooden cuts, 
 drtferent from those in subsequent editions, and the 
 initials are " en rouge." At the conclusion — " Thus 
 endeth the legende named in latyn legenda aurea, that 
 is to saye in englysshe the golden legende. For lyke as 
 golde passeth in valewe all other metalles, so thys 
 legende excedeth alle other bookes, wherein ben con- 
 teyned alle the hygh and grete festys of our lorde, the 
 festys of our blessyd lady, the lyves, passions and 
 myracles of many other sayntes, and other hystoryes 
 and actes as al allonge here afore is made mencyon. 
 Which werke I have accomplisshed, &c. and have 
 fynysshed it at westmestre the* twenty day of novembre, 
 the yere of our lorde M.cccc.lxxxiij, & the fyrst yere 
 of the reygne of kyng Rychard the thyrd,^ By me 
 wyllyam Caxton." 
 
 Mr. Herbert observes that as there were many editions 
 of the Golden Legend with Caxton's type, besides 
 others printed by Julian Notary, and W. de Worde^ it 
 
61 
 
 lias been thought that they were used in churches, or 
 at least placed tliere, as Fox's book of Martyrs was 
 before the reformation, (p. 97) 
 
 A French translation will be noticed sub anno 1496. 
 
 The Liber Festivalis or Festyvall, also printed an. 
 1486 by Caxton, is either partially or wholly compiled 
 from the preceding. A copy is described in the Har- 
 leian catalogue, N. 1541, as well printed in the English 
 language " in Urbe Parisiensi : " impensis Nicholai 
 Comitis, anno 1495. Another edition was printed by 
 Wynken de Worde anno 1496. Mr. Hearne (Rob. of 
 Gloucester's Chron. vol. 2nd.) observes that this book 
 consists of a course of homilies, in which are many odd 
 stories. This accords with a passage of the prologue 
 eked in the Harleian catalogue — ** Many excuse hem 
 for defaute of Bokys ; and also by symplyness of 
 connyng. Therfore in helpe of suche Clerkes, this 
 Tretis is drawen oute of Legenda Aurea, that he that 
 lyst to study e therein, he shall fynde redy therin, of all 
 the principall Festes of the Yere ; of eche one a short 
 sermon, nedeful for him to teche, and for other to 
 lerne, &c." 
 
 Valerii Maxwi dictorum factorumque memorabilium 
 Libri IX, ^c. foL Casaris &C StoL 
 
 Senecje Epistolos, 4. Iidem» In fine. 
 
 CuRA, labor, merituin sumpti pro munere honores 
 
 Ite, alias posthac sollicitate animas. 
 Me procul a vobis Deus evocat il licet astris. 
 
 Rebus terrenis hospita terra vale 
 Corpus avara tamen solemnibus accipe saxis 
 
 Namque animam celo reddimus ossa tibi. 
 
68 
 
 M.CCCC.LXXVI. 
 jBibua Latin a, Gering K sociL 2 tomis, fol. maj. 
 
 This, as I have elsewhere noticed, is the earliest 
 edition of the S. Scriptures printed in France. It is 
 placed here by Panzer, but appeared perhaps about the 
 latter end of the year 1475. The date is thus determined 
 by Chevillier, upon the evidence of the subscription, 
 pr verses found at the end of the work : — 
 
 Jam tribus undecimus lustris Francos Ludovicus 
 Rexerat; Ulricus, Martinus itemque Michaei. 
 Orti Teutonia banc mihi composu^re figuram 
 Parisii arte sua : me correctam vigilanter 
 VaBnalem in vico Jacobi Sol aureus offert, 
 Louis XI. began his reign July 25th, 1460: and the 
 |:hree lustres are understood to comprehend a period of 
 fifteen years. 
 
 Francisci de Plate a Tractatus de Usuris et de 
 ejccommumcatwnibus, &(c, fol. goth, Gering et socii. 
 The same work of this Bolognese friar had four 
 
 times before passed the press: Venet. 1472 and 1474 : 
 
 Fatav, 1473: Colon, 1474. This is the only Parisian 
 
 impression. 
 
 Angel J de Aretio Tractatus de criminibus seu dc 
 
 maleJiciiSy 4. goth. lidem. 
 
 Of all the works of this Jurisconsult this appears to 
 be the only Parisian impression. 
 
 GuiLLELMi OcKAM Dialogorum Libri VII. adversus 
 hareticos. EjusD. Tractatus dc dogmatibus Johannis 
 Papa XXII fol. Casaris 5C StoL 
 OcKAM flourished circa 1330. He was a native of 
 
 England : very cdebrated in the annals of scholastic 
 
69 
 
 theology. He was a disciple of ScOTUS, and had the 
 denomination of " Doctor Invineibilis." Having put 
 himself at the head of the nominalists, he maintained 
 the opinions of that party with great ingenuity. Some 
 consider him as the founder of a distinct sect ; whence 
 he was also denominated " Venerabilis Inceptor et 
 Doctor Singularis." Obiit an, 1 347. His " Quodlibeta" 
 was printed Parisiis P. Rubeus, 1487, 4. " Tractatus 
 Logicse" Par. 1488. 
 
 Liber Epistolarum familiarium JEnem Sylvii Ficco- 
 
 lomin^L P, Ctes, K Jean Stol. foL 
 
 The letters of ^neas Sylvius, who was advanced to 
 the papal chair under the name of Pius II. abound in 
 curious and interesting particulars. They are in num- 
 ber ccccxiv : many of them written before his elevation 
 to the pontificate. 
 
 He was a learned man, who before his exaltation 
 thought, spoke, and wrote with a degree of liberality 
 which excited great expectations. But these the pontiff 
 completely disappointed. Obiit 1464. HisEpistolae had 
 appeared before, sine loco et anno. The above was the 
 second edition. They were reprinted at least twelve 
 times before 1500. variis locis. 
 
 Some of the letters may be considered as distinct 
 tracts on various curious subjects ; and hare separately 
 appeared as such. There is a collection of his «« Epis- 
 tolae in Cardinalatu editae," printed Mediolani, Zarot, 
 1473: ^^ Epistolte in PontijicatUy'' Rom<e 1475, &c. 
 His tract " De Curialium Miseria" was printed by 
 Gering, but sine loco et anno : his " Historia de duobus 
 amantibus, &c." Parisiis 1493, et sapius alibi. Hence 
 " L'Histoke d'Eurialus et de Lucrece" Gallice, Par. 
 Ant. Verard, 1493, fol. et ibid, sine annofoL 
 
TO 
 
 CttRomciVES DE' France appellees chroniques de S. 
 Denys, depids les Troyens Jusgues a la mort de 
 Charles VII. in III VqU. foL Char. goth. partim 
 minori, partim majori. 
 
 Pasquier Bonhomme was the printer of this work. 
 His name now appears for the first time. His usual 
 subscription was " en lostel de pasquier bonhomme 
 lung des quatre principaulx libraires de luniversite de 
 paris ou pend pour enseigne limage saint xpofle." 
 
 This was distinguished from other early national 
 CHRONICLES by the title of " Chroniques de S. Denys:" 
 having been compiled by several of the " Religieux" 
 of that celebrated abbey. According to du Chesne, 
 it was begun by Jean Chartier a monk of this society, 
 and continued by others from the time of Charles VII. 
 to the decease of Louis XIL To the industry of the 
 same society, says De Bure, are owing the numerous 
 and exquisitely ornamented manuscripts of the work 
 whicli are existing both in public and private libraries. 
 It was reprinted by Verard 1493, 3 tom. fol. : again 
 by Eustace, with a continuation to the year 1514 ; 
 which edition being most ample is in the highest 
 request, and of rare occurrence. Of this fine edition 
 M. Gaignat possessed an impression, printed on vellum 
 and adorned with beautiful miniatures. M. de la 
 Monnoye says that it appeared also under the title of 
 *• Mer et Chronique des Histoires de France," Par. 
 GaliotduPre, 1515, fol. 
 
 Livre des Statvts et Ordonnances de vorbre de 
 S. Michel. Institution de I' Office de Prevost et 
 Maistre de Ceremonies^ 6^c. 
 
71 
 
 M.CCCC.LXXVII. 
 
 ExEMPLA Sacrje Scripturm secundum ordinem 
 
 liter arum collect a ^ 4. Gering et socii. 
 
 Reprinted Parisiis 1478, 4.; 1500, 12.; sine anno 
 8. and 4. 
 
 Alberti de Eyb Margarita Poetica de arte dictandi 
 ac practicandi Epistolas, fol. min. Casaris fiC Stol. 
 The Margarita Poetica appeared Norivibergat 
 
 1472, fol. ; Roma 1475 ; Parisiis, Gering 1478. Iterum 
 
 Caes. & Stol, sine anno ; et variis locis, 
 
 M. T, Cjceronis Officiay Paradoxa de Amicitta, Kc, 
 foL Casaris ^ Stol, 
 
 Ejusdem Rhetoricorum libri, foL lidem, 
 
 Ejusdem De Finibus ^ Tuscula^ia, fol. Iidem, 
 
 Ejusdem Epistolce ad Familiares, fol. lideyn. 
 
 NicoLAi Perotti erudimenta grammaticesy fol. goth, 
 
 lidem. 
 
 Iterum 1479, fol. lidem.— 1488 P. Level, 4.— 1493 Felix 
 Baligaut, 4.—1497, 4. 
 
 M.CCCCLXXVIII. 
 
 P. Fjrgilij Maronis opera, fol. min. Gering. 
 
 Heyne says that this impression is deformed with 
 errors: Chevillier that it was incorrectly counterfeite'd. 
 Vid. sub anno 1498. 
 
 Aristotelis opera quadam Logica, Lat. fol. Idem. 
 
 M. T. Ciceronis Rhetoricorum Libri ad Hirennium^ 
 fol. Casaris 6( Stol. 
 
12 
 
 M.CCCC.LXXIX. 
 
 C. Crispi Sallustii bellum Catilinarium. Ejvsd. 
 Bellum Jugurthmum. de saris K Stol. 4. 
 To the " Bellum Catilinarium'* are subjoined these 
 rude verses : 
 
 Si quisquam cupiat magnas res noscere gestas 
 
 Unde viris virtus maior inesse solet. 
 Nunc opus hoc crispi terse pressum sibi querat, 
 
 Quo nova vis lucet artis et ingenii. 
 Sistet enim priscis quae gloria, quanta potestas 
 
 RomuHdus (Romulidis) fuerit, dum probitate nilent. 
 Et contra (vitiis ipsa virtute subacta) 
 Itur ut in facinus, et labat omne decus. 
 
 Henrici de Hassia speculum aniyme peccatricis^ 4. 
 
 Cave and Wharton say this H. de Hassia was a 
 German, a licentiate in divinity of the university of 
 Paris, and a Carthusian monk : a writer of so prolix a 
 character, that having " pro cathedra" undertaken to 
 expound the book of '* Genesis," he scarce in a course 
 of many years reached the fourth chapter ; and com- 
 pleted as many volumes. Obiit an, 1428. Several of 
 his smaller tracts were printed at very early periods, 
 et variis locis, 
 
 Brevjarium Farisiense, 8. 
 
 This is the earliest impression pertaining to the 
 ecclesiastical ritual that occurs in the annals of the 
 Parisian press. Missals, Breviaries, Heures, &c. are 
 soon found amongst its most frequent productions. In 
 such worky the Gothic typography generally appears 
 in all the splendor of rude magnificence. The exquisite 
 glossiness of the inks, the striking contrast of the 
 *^ rouge et noir, " the boldness and magnitude of the 
 
n 
 
 letter, the ornamented capitals, the profusion of woodf 
 cuts which generally ornament the margins, and many- 
 quaint verses and devices, and wonderful notices of 
 pardons expressed in the rubricSj constitute such books 
 singular objects of modern curiosity. However nu- 
 merous the impressions of these Rituals and religious 
 Manuals were, well preserved printed specimens are not 
 very frequent at present. Many highly ornamented 
 Missals in manuscript are indeed extant, and often^ 
 present themselv^es to the notice of the curious, having 
 perhaps been preserved more carefully than printed 
 copies. 
 
 The *' Breviarium Parisiense " was reprinted 
 Parisiis, Joh. de Prato 1492, fol. Iterum 1492, fol. 
 Iterum, " rubricis nigrts^^ Gering, fol. and " rubricis 
 rubris''' idem. 8. Iterum Thiehnan KerueVy 1500, 12. 
 Two copies of the impression anni 1492 appear in the 
 Harleian catalogue, (vol. 1, num. 1617, 8.) the latter 
 printed " in membranis cum iconibus coloratis." 
 
 M.CCCC.LXXX. 
 
 HvGONis Cardinalis speculum Ecclesitv et Sacerdo-^ 
 
 turn. GuiLLELMi Saphonensis modus conficiendi 
 
 epistolas. Speculum aureum Animas peccatricis U 
 
 quodam CARTHUSiENSiy 4. Gering et socii. 
 
 The first-mentioned of these authors, Hugo de S. 
 
 Caro, was of the province of Dauphiny ; studied at 
 
 Paris; became one of the ^' Fratri Predicanti, " was 
 
 chosen their provincial, and at length, by Innocent IV. 
 
 was nominated cardinal, " titulo S, Sabinae." He is 
 
 most remarkable for his '* Postilla in totum Vet. et 
 
 Nov. Testam." 7 torn. Bas. 1498, 1502. In these 
 
 L 
 
u 
 
 commentaries k is pretended to expound tlie SSv 
 " Litteraliter" '* AUegorice" *' Mystice" and " Mo- 
 raliter.'* Under some of these meanings the most 
 extravagant perversions of common sense are found. 
 This cardinal died anno 1260. 
 
 The *' Speculum aureum animao peccatricis" appeared 
 again, Par. G. Mercator, 1499, 8. — Gering, sine anno; et 
 cdibi. GaUice *' Miroir de Pecheurs et Pecheresses/' 
 under which title it appeared sine loeo et anno, 
 
 *^ The mirroure of golde for the sinful! soule,'* 
 translated from a French translation (probably the last 
 mentioned) of *' Speculun\ Aureum Peccatorum," by 
 princess Margaret, mother to king Henry VII. was 
 printed by Wynken de Worde annis 1522 and 1-526. 
 
 SuMMA in virtutes Cardinales et vitia illis contraria^ ^c. 
 Gering and G. MaynyaL 
 
 This is not only the sole instance in which Gering's 
 name appears connected with MaynyaPs, but the only 
 one in which that of Maynyal himself occurs. 
 
 JosEPHUS de la batmlle Judaique, iranslatee de Latin 
 enfrancois. fol. Verard. 
 
 This, according to Panzer, was the earliest impression 
 by Antoine Verard, with a certain date. He gave a 
 second impression of the same work armo 1492, fol. 
 It is ornamented with wood cuts. Panzer says it was 
 translated '' par le traducteur de Paul Orose." The 
 Latin translation appeared first Aug, VindeL 1470, fol. 
 It was printed Parisiisy annis 1511, 1513, 1514, 151 9^ 
 in fol. The " Historia Josephi," sub nomine Hege- 
 sippi, ab Ambrosio Camald, latine facta," Parisiis 1516, 
 foL 
 
THE DEVICE OF GUTDO MERCATOR OR GUY MARCHAND. 
 
 Vide p 85. ' 
 
u 
 
 Le Pblerinage de VAme, fol. 
 
 This work is given by bibliographers with the 
 inscription "Paris par Antoine Gerard," which is 
 doubtless an error for Verard. 
 
 A translation into English was printed by Caxton, 
 under the title of " The Pylgremage of the Sowle, 
 translated oute of frensshe, &c." it conteyneth fyue 
 bookes. The first book treateth of the soul from its 
 departure out of the body to its being sentenced to 
 purgatory — ^the second^ of the soul being brought to 
 purgatory — the third, of an .angel shewing it hell, &c* 
 — the fourth, of the green tree and the dry^ &c. — the 
 fifth, of the soul's being led up through the heavenly 
 spheres, with a description thereof, and the kalendar of 
 heaven. " It was writ" say Ames and Herbert '* by Ant. 
 Gerard, and intitled Le Pelerinage, &c." How could 
 these bibliographers have been led into such a strange 
 mistake? They add '' the translator (Enghsh) is 
 uncertain." Probably the original author is so too. 
 It is a poetical work. Caxton's translation has the 
 addition of various curious songs. His colophon says 
 " Here endeth the dreme of pylgremage of the soule, 
 translated out of Frensche intoEnglisshe^with somewhat 
 of addicions, in the yere of oure Lorde M.cccc and 
 thyrteen, &c." Caxton's impression is of the year 1483. 
 
 HiSTOiRE de la Destruction de Troye la grande. Avec 
 figures, foL 
 
 This book was reprinted Parisiis, Jean Bonhomme 
 1484, fol.— Lugd. 1485, 1491— Par. 1498, Jean Driart 
 — and by Verard sine anno — ^by le Noir, 1508, 4. goth. 
 •^the widow Trepperel and Jean Jehannot, without 
 date, 4. goth. 
 
t6 
 
 GuiDO DE CoLUMNA, a Sicilian, composed a Latin 
 work intitled " HistoriaDestructionis Trojac," printed 
 Colon. 1477, Argentorat. 1486, 9, 94, et alibi. This 
 is considered as the original source of works of a similar 
 /title which appeared in various modern languages. 
 
 The French work is probably of a dramatized kind ; 
 f^ mise par personnaiges, et en rime fran5oise.** — 
 The alledged author Jaques Milet was a licentiate 
 iand poet of the XV century. But a piece bearing the 
 same title is by La Croix du Maine ascribed to Jean de 
 Meun, known for the share which he had in composing 
 the " Romance of the Rose.'* Vid. sub anno 1490, 
 " Le Mistere, ^c." 
 
 In 1513 our English printer Richard Pinson gave 
 an impression of " The hystory, sege, and dystruc- 
 CION of Troye.'* The translator was John Lydgate, 
 monke of Bery. This work which is in verse, is 
 curiously ornamented. The title on the obverse or 
 front, exhibits a large wood cut of the king's arms 
 /crowned : and on the reverse, a view of the city of 
 Troy; with soldiers firing from great guns. There 
 is also a fine cut of king Henry V. surrounded by 
 his officers of state, receiving the book from Lydgate, 
 who presents it kneeling. It was ** emprynted " at 
 jthe command of Henry VIIL Ames cites 
 " Lenuoye." 
 
 Go LYTELL boke, and put the in the grace 
 
 Of hym that is, moste of excellence 
 And be nat hardy, to appere in no place 
 
 Without supporle, of his magnyfypence 
 And who so euer, in the fynde offence 
 
 Be not to bolde, for no presumpcyon 
 Thy self enarme, aye in pacyence 
 
 And the submytte, theyr correpcyon. 
 
71 
 
 Verba translatoris ad librum suum. 
 " And for thou art, enlymued with no flovvres 
 
 Of Retoryke, but with whyte and blacke 
 Therfore thou muste, abyde all showres 
 Of them that lyste, set on the a lacke 
 And whan thou art, most lykely go to wracke 
 
 Agaynst them, thyne Errour not diflfende 
 But humbly, withdraw and go a backe 
 
 Requerynge them all that is amysse to amende." 
 Ames says tbat Lydgate professedly paraphrased this 
 book from Guido de Colonna. 
 
 i»vrv«V/s#\/vA^,«VA.«\#>4Vs/^ 
 
 M.CCCC.LXXXI. 
 
 L^Arbre des Batailles par HoNORE BoNNOR Pn'eur 
 de Salon, fol. Verard, 
 
 Printed Lugd, 1481 Verard, iterum^ 1493, du Pr6 
 1495. 
 
 Lewis (life of Caxton) mentions ** The Harbor of 
 Battailes of the Faites of Armes and Chivalry," fol. 
 Caxton, 1490. Whether Caxton really printed a 
 distinct translation of this work appeal's at present 
 uncertain. In his impression of " The Fayt of Armes 
 and Chyvalry," fol. (1489) is read subjoined *' Thus 
 endeth this boke whiche xpyne of pyse made and drewe 
 out of the boke named vegecius de re militari, and out 
 of tharbre of battaylles, &c." Vide '' VArt de Che^ 
 Valerie^ ^c." sub anno 1487. 
 
 Badvlfj de Montfiqjjet tractatus de existentia totius 
 Christi in sanctissimo altaris Sacramento. G. Mar-, 
 ncf.foL 
 This is probably the earliest specimen of the press of 
 
 Marnef* 
 
78 
 
 MiSSALE ad usum Ecclesite Romans, foL 
 
 This and the following, viz. " Miss ale Parisiense," 
 are the earliest specimens of the press of Jean du Pre 
 at present known to bibliographers. I have inspected 
 a copy of the '^ Missale ad usum ecclesiae Romanae" 
 which belongs to the library of T. W. Coke, Esq. of 
 Holkham, in Norfolk. This splendid book fully 
 justifies every thing that can be said of the magnificence 
 of the Parisian Gothic press. It is printed upon the 
 finest vellum, in a bold Gothic character, and double 
 columns : and with the aid of its splendid illuminations 
 and paintings exhibits the most exact resemblance of a 
 beautiful manuscript. After the " Calendarium, &c." 
 opposite the commencement ^' Ad Te levavi, &c." a 
 finely decorated frontispiece occupies the whole left 
 hand page. A second appropriate and beautiful 
 picture presents itself ** in die nativitatis"— " Puer natus 
 est, &c." In the " Ordo Missae" which commences 
 after fol, Ixviij " Domine labia mea, &e.'^ the fourth 
 folio exhibits musical notes on the obverse, and on the 
 reverse a fine painting of the crucifixion, which also 
 fills the page. On the obverse of the next folio is an 
 elaborate representation apparently of God the Father 
 as the '* Ancient of Days," under which character he 
 is described by the prophet Daniel : (ch. vii. v. 9, seqq.) 
 at the four corners the four evangelists with their 
 respective symbols. " In die sancto pasichas" a beauti- 
 ful miniature of the resurrection. Another singular 
 and curious miniature -* in die S. Trinitatis." On the 
 reverse of the following folio a beautiful miniature 
 representing the celebration of the mass. Another 
 miniature, fol. 128, ad Purificationem B. Marie. The 
 *^ Assumptio," a fine miniature. Another *^ in die 
 omnium Sanctorum;" ten figures of saints beneath; 
 
19 
 
 three figures above : Pater, Filius, et Virgo. At folio 163' 
 a miniature somewhat similar ; fifteen figures beneath ; 
 one above, viz. Pater. Lastly, the *' Missa pro de- 
 functis" " Requiem eternam dona iis" exhibits three 
 death figures, finely shaded with gold. The last 
 numbered folio is ccvj : after which follow ten leaves 
 unnumbered. The colophon thus — '' Ad Laudem Dei 
 omnipotentis ejusq intemeratc genetricis et omnium 
 sanctorum et sanctarum Ad usum ecclesie (curie 
 romane) instar exemplaris emendatissimi ritus dicte 
 ecclesie continentis, hoc insigne sacri missalis opus 
 Anno incarnationis dominice millessimo quadringente- 
 simo octuagesimo prime — quarto kalendas decembres 
 parisii arte impressoria per Johannem de Prato impres- 
 sorie artis peritissimum finem accepit." In this fine 
 volume the capitals are supplied by the illuminator in 
 inks of various colours : the rubrics or directory sentences 
 are not printed " en rouge" but are distinguished iit 
 the column merely by a smaller Gothic character. The 
 volume is splendidly bound in crimson velvet, and 
 decorated with the crest of the respectable proprietor ; 
 and its preservation so perfect that it might be supposed 
 but recently to have issued from the press. 
 
 The Holkham library abounds not only in books 
 which combine the perfection of early typography with 
 the superb embellishment usually bestowed upon the 
 most highly valued " Codices manu script! ," but also 
 in ancient manuscripts : many of which will probably 
 be found very valuable and highly interesting to 
 literature. Amongst such literary curiosities I observed 
 manuscripts of Livy : of Tacitus : of various parts of 
 the works of Cicero : of Ovid : a fine Codex of the IV 
 Evangelia, Graece : the "OraculaSibylHna" Graece : many 
 of the opuscula of the Greek fathers: besides numerous 
 
80 
 
 manuscripts of works of the most esteemed early 
 authors of Italy, &c. These are in general beautifully 
 illuminated and well preserved, and constitute a com- 
 paratively small part only of the Holkham collection : 
 which is said to possess almost six hundred '* Codices 
 manuscript!" of these singular and interesting descrip- 
 tions. 
 
 There were numerous early impressions of the 
 " Missale Romanum j" which was first printed Romiu 
 Udalr, Gallus 1475, fol. — Iteruniy Idem. 1476, fol. 
 Mediolani Zarotus 1478, 1479, ioi.—Venet. 1419.-— Med, 
 Rachel 1480, 4. &c. But besides the preceding im- 
 pression of Jean du Pre, I find no mention of any 
 Parisian impression ante 151G. 
 
 Miss ALE Parisiense, fol. Idem. 
 
 Reprinted Parisiis, Caron et alii 1489, fol. — Jekn 
 Belin 1490, fol. — Vostre et Gering 1492, fol.— Gering 
 et Rembolt 1497, fol. and 8. — Parisiis 1496, 4. 
 
 Le Livre de Belial (alias Processus Jiidiciarius 
 Sathance per Jacobum de TheramoJ translate par 
 Pierre Far get. Cumjiguris, fol. tnin. 
 Reprinted Lugduni annis 1482, 84, 85, 90, 94, fol. and 4. 
 The additions to Cave inform us that Jacobus de 
 Theramo was an Italian : a canon of Abruzzo and 
 archdeacon of Aversa : flourished circa 1 384. His works 
 were '' De Romani Pontificis Monarchia," which by 
 reformed writers is considered as a blasphemous pro- 
 duction ; and " De rederaptione generis Humani." 
 This work is subdivided into two parts; " Disputatio 
 inter Ecclesiam Christi et Synagogum Satanae, &c." 
 and " Tractatu;s judicialis sive actio Causidiea int«r 
 Deum et Diabolum," otherwise intitled <* Belial.** 
 
81 
 
 The abovementioned translation of tins latter tract may 
 be considered as an article of great curiosity, as well on 
 account of the wood cuts as the subject. 
 
 T, Livii Patav. Historiarum ab U. C, Libri qui 
 extant XXXV, foL 
 
 BoETHWs de Consolatione Philosophits cum ComW, 
 Thoma de Aquino, foL 
 
 GVILLIELMI JlENTIBERy SophlSTHata, 
 
 Bale (Scriptores Britan. p. 497) terms this writer 
 GviLHELMUS Heytusbury; and says he was of Oxford, 
 ^' dialecticus exercitatissimus," but turned his skill to a 
 most unprofitable account. " Contentiosus palpabiUum 
 tenebraruni artifex, syllogisando per demonstrationes 
 sojhisticas omnes alias scientias obscuriores atque 
 cognitu difficiliores multo reddidit. Tartarei putei 
 fumum his ille obscuritatibus nutrivit, &c." Thus 
 Bale : who adds ** Claruisse fertur anno 1380 sub 
 Ricardo secundo." 
 
 M.CCCC.LXXXII. 
 JoA^tflS NvDER Pneceptorium divina legis, 4. Gc^ 
 ring, — Sub anno 1478. 
 
 GREGoHn VE AntMifio Lectura primi Libri Sententia-^ 
 
 rum, char. goth. fol. min. 
 
 This Gregory of Rimini was in his time Prior of the 
 Augustine monks, to which dignity he was chosen anno 
 1357. He wrote commentaries on the first and second 
 of the sentenbes; and left also other works of a like 
 scholastic ^^baracter. Eeprmi44 Par, 1485, 7. 
 
82 
 
 M.CCCC.LXXXIII. 
 
 Regimen Sanitatis Magnini Mediolanensis Medici, 4. 
 
 Gering, 
 
 This work was reprinted with the title *' Sghola 
 Salernitana," Parisiis, by Felix Balligaut, 1493, 4. 
 and Mich, le Noir 1497, 4. The earliest impressions 
 appeared Fenetiis, Bern, de Vitalibus 1480, 4. — et sine 
 loco, 1480, 4. 
 
 The preceding work was composed in Leonine 
 verse by the physician Giovanni de Milano. The 
 ** Schola Salernitana" adopted and sent it in their own 
 name to Robert III. duke of Normandy; whom they 
 styled king of England, because he was after his 
 brother William Rufus, next heir to that crown. 
 
 There is a French translation intitled " Le Regime 
 de Sante, avec les Closes de M. Arnaud de Villeneistf," 
 Paris. Phil, le Noir, no date. This translation is said 
 ro be a very barbarous one. Geoffroy le Tellier gave 
 a new version under a different title, anno 1561 : and 
 iVI. de la Monnoye says that among other French 
 versions there is one *' en vers burlesques." 
 
 Anno 153>5 Thomas Rerthelet printed in English 
 " Regimen Sanitatis Salerni." " This boke teachinge 
 all people to gouerne them in helthe is translated out of 
 the Latyne tonge in to englyshe by Thomas Paynel : 
 whiche boke is amended, augmented, and diligently 
 imprinted," 4. He repeated t^e impression an, 1541, 4. 
 
 Postilla Nicola J de Lyra super Psalterium, Idem, 4. 
 
 Nicolas de Lyra of Normandy was as some pretend, 
 a converted Jew. He assumed the habit of "Lei 
 Freres Mineurs" anno 1291 : came to Paris, and for 
 a considerable time expounded the scripture* with 
 
83 
 
 applause in the convent of his order. He obtained the 
 patronage of Jeanne of Burgundy, wife of Phihp V. 
 surnamed the long. Obiit Parisiis anno 1 340. 
 
 The " PosTiLLs" of de Lyra are brief commentaries 
 which he carried through the whole bible. They were 
 formerly in great request. The rarest edition of the 
 intire original work is said to be that of Rome, 7 vols, 
 fol. aymo 1472; but the best that Antverpite 1634, 
 6 vols. fol. De Lyra is commended for having madd 
 the literal sense his primary object : but his writings 
 partake strongly of the scholastic character. He 
 obtained in the schools the appellation of " Doctor 
 utilis." 
 
 As to the term POSTILLS so often given to these early 
 annotations, Lomeier (de bibliothecUj says that Alcuin, 
 preceptor of Charlemagne who founded the university 
 of^Paris, by order of that monarch first collected the 
 homilies of the fathers upon those portions of tlie gospels 
 which are termed in the Breviary " Dominicalia :" and 
 as these homilies were to be read after the gospels, 
 respectively, hence the terms '' Post ilia," which the 
 ignorant monks in process of time joined together, and 
 converted into a noun " foeminini generis." 
 
 Jehan Boccace de Certald des Cas et Ruines des 
 nobles hommes etfemmes, fol, Jehan du Pr^. 
 This impression is adorned with wood cuts. The 
 same translation from " Boccaccius de casibus virorum 
 illustrium" appeared Ulmie 1473, Brugis 1476, Litgd. 
 1483, Par. ut supra^ and iterum by Verard 1494, et 
 sine anno. 
 
 *' John Boccace of the fall of princes and prin- 
 cesses" was also *' translated by John Lydgate, monk 
 of §• Edmund's-bury , at the commandment of Humphry 
 
84 
 
 duke of Glocester," and printed by Richard Pinson 
 Anno J 494. His edition has also cuts before each part 
 4one in out-lines, 
 
 P. Terentii aphri Comedie, foL Nic. de Pratis. 
 
 This impression, perhaps by a brother of Jean du Pr^, 
 has notes by Guido Juvenalis, and lodocus Badios 
 Ascensius ; whose name, now first appearing as a com- 
 mentator, will soon attract our special notice as that of 
 an early and zealous Parisian printer. 
 
 Iteruniy Philippus (Cruczenach) 1496, 4.--1499, 8. 
 
 A French translation, viz. " Les Comedies de Terence 
 en Frangois (prose & rime) avec les passages Latins," 
 was printed by Antoine Verard, fol. sine anno: a fine 
 copy of which is mentioned by De Bure, ornamented 
 with miniature paintings. 
 
 LoTHARius de mlitate conditionis humane. 4. goth. 
 Antoine Caillaut et Ludov. Martineau, 
 
 Antoine Cayllaut began to exercise the profession 
 this year, and continued to print anno 1505. Ludov. 
 Martineau exercised the art till 1497. 
 
 LoTHARius was ' Cardinalis Diaconus,' and afterwards 
 * Papa Innocentius IIL' His '* Liber de ViUtate, &c." 
 appeared first Norimbergae 1477 ; five times at other 
 places ; at Paris also, annis 1480, 83, 94, 95, &c. 
 
 Be mta Christi: Expositio Magistri PETm VE AhLYACO 
 super Cantica, 4. Ant. Caillaut. 
 
 JEjusdem Meditationes super septem Psalmos petmite^ 
 
 tialesy 4. Idem. 
 
 Pierre d'Ailly, Theol. Boct. and ChanceUor of the 
 University of Park^ wa» bom at Compiegne cf poor 
 
iPMWg.PlCOVCMI 
 
 Vide p. 87, 187. 
 
85 
 
 parents anno 1350. In 13^7, become a distinguished 
 preacher, he vindicated before the anti-pope Clement 
 the sentence of the university against a certain Arra- 
 gonese Jacobin, who denied the immaculate conception : 
 was nominated bishop " duPuy enVelay ;" afterwards of 
 Cambray. He distinguished himself at the councils of 
 Pisa and Constance ; and presided in the session when 
 John Huss was condemned to the fiames. He became 
 a cardinal anno 141 i. 
 
 Jean Gerson was his scholar. He had more science 
 and merit than his master, but by no means experienced 
 so splendid a fortune. Launoy terms d'Ailly " Aquila 
 Franciae atque aberrantium averitate malleus indefessus." 
 This man, infatuated by judicial astrology, maintained 
 that Christ's birth might be foreknown " Genethliacis 
 Observationibus :" and in his " Concordia Historiae et 
 Astrt)logiaB Divinatricis" asserts that the deluge, the 
 birth of Christ, the miracles, &c. the changes of states 
 and revolutions of kingdoms, were all predicted by the 
 planetary conjunctions. ( Vid. Biblioth, de la Croy du 
 Maine, et in earn varior. notas.J 
 
 Tractaius de Arte Bene Vivendi et moriendi, 
 
 Parisiis in domo Campi Gaillardi, 4. 
 
 ** Le Champ Gaillard " is the usual designation of 
 GuiDO Mercator or Guy March and, whose press gave 
 birth to various interesting Gothic impressions between 
 this period, and 1505 inclusive. Vide mb anno 1494. 
 
 Antonini (AeMepisc. Florent) Confessionale^ 4. 
 
 Impressioua of this *' Confessionale, or Summa Con- 
 fessionum, &c." commencing at Monte Heggio anxm 
 1472, are almost numberless in early periods.. Italian 
 translatiozi&umier the title ^< Confessionalie Tolgane^ ok 
 
S6 
 
 Specchio di Conscientia," early and frequently passed 
 the press. 
 
 Wharton says the author's name was Antonio, and 
 that he was called Antonino on account of his diminutive 
 stature. He makes him archbishop not of Florence but 
 of Naples ; he was however by birth a Florentine, ("nat. 
 anno 1 389. ) He lived in high consideration, discharged 
 great offices, and died at Rome in special odour of 
 sanctity. Wharton will not dispute his piety, but 
 considers him as a writer very defective in judgment: 
 *' qui aniles et putidissimas fabulas undequaque cpn- 
 vasare solet. Ftd. Cave, " SacuL Synodah'^ 
 
 t'^«^^#^#W>#s#^«W^^s^««^• 
 
 MXCCC.LXXXIV. 
 
 Pragmatic A Sanctio Caroli (VII,) Franeorum 
 
 Regis, (P, Casaris) 4. minort. 
 
 In the year 1438 the council of Basil sent an embassy 
 to Charles VII. desiring him to receive and to publish 
 in his kingdom certain regulations, which the fathers of 
 the council had made for the reformation of the church. 
 After the aifair had been duly debated before the king 
 in council, by the prelates and nobility of France, 
 Charles consented to receive and adopt these regulations, 
 under certain modifications, which the usage of the 
 Gallican church required. From these was composed 
 the " Pragmatica Sanctio." The "Pragmatic" 
 acknowledged the council to be superior to the pope, 
 established the ancient form of ordaining prelates, and 
 retrenched many usages which were profitable to the 
 holy see. The succeeding popes were very solicitous 
 to obtain the abolition of this decree; but it continued 
 in force till the reign of Francis L who by an arrange- 
 
81 
 
 ment with Leo X. substituted the " Concordat" in 
 its stead. Vid. Daniel. Hist, de France, 
 
 L'Enfant (Hist, du Concile de Basle, p. 84) observes 
 that " Sanction" veut dire Loi : & Pragmatique" 
 ce qui se doit pratiquer. 
 
 JoANNis Bachonis AjigHci Liber primus Senteniiarum. 
 Ludov. Martineau, 
 
 jEJjusdem Liber tertius super senientias, fol. Idem, 
 
 This Joan. Bacon us, otherwise denominated Bacon- 
 THORPius, from an obscure village of Norfolk where 
 he was born, was distinguished in the schools by the 
 name of " Doctor Resolutus." He studied first at 
 Oxford ; then visited Paris, where he obtained the 
 character of " Averroistarum Princeps." On his return 
 to London he became provincial of the Carmelites: 
 afterwards was invited to Rome, where he gave great 
 offence by arguing with too much subtilty and freedom 
 in defence of the pope's unlimited right of granting 
 matrimonial dispensations. The odium thus excited 
 induced him to recant his doctrines on this head : and 
 hence he was led to quarrel with the art itself in which 
 he had been so great a proficient. " Sophisticem 
 tanquam perniciosissimam fidei Christianae pestem 
 deinceps detestari ccepit." Ob. anno 1346. 
 
 Officium B. Virginis Marine secundum usum JRoma- 
 num. 4. Pour S, Vostre^ Phil. Pigouchet. 
 Iterum P£^r. Thielman Kerver 1 500, 4. and sine anno 8. 
 
 DoMiNici Mancini poema de guaiuor Jbntibus hones- 
 talis s cum aliis 7netris, 1384 joro 1484. Charactere 
 Momam, 4. 
 
8» 
 
 Ejusdem de quatuor virtutibus tt omnibus officiis. J. 
 Higman,fol, 
 Iterum Par. G. Mittelbuss 1488, 4.— Par. 1492, 4. 
 
 Naude cites this author as a poet of the reign of 
 Charles VIII. He says the feeble temperament of 
 Charles in his youth, and the consequent neglect of his 
 early education, might be accounted for from this con- 
 sideration, that Louis XI. became a father in his old age. 
 " Pronus in canos Ludovicus annos, 
 Cum daret vires animo senectus 
 Corpori auferret, meruit decoram 
 Gignere Prolem." 
 Thus sang Mancinus ; and Naud6 with his usual amtt^ 
 sing garrulity, writes a long comment on this text. '"• 
 
 The Harleian Catalogue vol. 3, number 3502, recitei 
 — A ryght frutefull Treaty se intituled *' the Myrrour 
 of good Maners: conteyning the four Vertues called 
 Cardynall compyled in Latyn by Domynike Mancyn, 
 and translate into Englysshe at the desyre of Sir Gyles 
 Alyngton, Kt. by Alexander Bercley, Prest, and Monke 
 of Ely." Imprynted by Bychard Fynson, and at 
 the Instance and Request of the ryght noble Rychard 
 Yerle of Kent, without date, 
 
 " Sir Giles Alington had requested Barclay to abridge, 
 and correct from its corrupt English, Gower's Book * De 
 Confessione Amantis.' But he thought it too tedious a 
 work, and the subject not grave enough in many places 
 for his age and profession — so undertook the translation 
 of this poem. There are many good moral precepts 
 elegantly delivered in it. It is composed in stanzas of 
 seven lines ; and the original latin is much quoted in the 
 margins. There is a wooden print in the title-page, 
 representing the said translator, Barclay, presenting the 
 book> on his knees^ to his said patron^ Sir Giles Alington, 
 
89 
 
 sitting ill a chair. Mr. Hearne's description of this* 
 scarce book may be seen in Robert of Gloucester's 
 Chronicle, 8. 1724, vol. II. p. 713. 
 
 .*^r./^/«.#^^l^s*^^^/^/'^^r^r,^^> 
 
 M.CCCCLXXXV. 
 
 Joan. Bachonis super III. et IV. Parte Sententiarum, 
 foL L. Martineau^ vid. an. 1484. 
 
 Le Prince Galliot ou Decameron de M. Jean de 
 BoccACE trad, par Laurent de Premier Faict. Char, 
 goth.fol. 
 
 Keprinted by Verard sine anno. A miserable ver- 
 sion in which Boccace cannot be recognised. The 
 pretended translator has even substituted some foreign 
 novels instead of those which appear in the original. 
 La Croix du Maine places the translator in the reign of 
 Charles VIII. circa 1483. M. de la Monnoye says he 
 was more ancient, and that he had seen a MS on vellunt 
 finished flw AW 1414. 
 
 La Mer des Histoires, le premia^ volume : avecfig. 
 
 de nombre 2^&,fol. No printers name. 
 
 Panzer specifies a chronicle with this title '^ La Mer 
 des Histoires" a Lyon 14S6, fol. Again sub anno 1488. 
 La Mer des Histoires ou Chronique et Histoire univer- 
 selle depuis le commencement du Monde traduit en 
 Francois (du latin de Jean Columna. ) In fine vol. i. '' Le 
 premier volume fut acheve a Paris par pier le Rouge 
 Imprimeur du Roy Pan Mil. cccc. iiiixx. & viii. au 
 moi du Juillet." In fine vol. ii. *' Le present volume fut 
 achev^ au mois de fevrier pour vincent commin — de 
 paris et imprime par maistre pierre le rouge libraire et 
 imprimeur du roy notre sire Pan Mil. cccc. iiiixx. & 
 
 N 
 
90 
 
 Viii. fol.'* Again, *^ La Mer des HiSTOiRES," said te be 
 translated from the Latin of Giovanni de Columna, and 
 continued by one Brochart, was printed by Jean Dupre, 
 a Lyon 1491, in 2 voll. cum fig. 4. Lastly, *' La Mer 
 des Histoires, a Paris, pour Antoine Verard, fol." sine 
 anno. Probably Verard's is in all respects a repetition 
 of that by Le Rouge. It is in two volumes fol. without 
 date as beforementioned, but supposed to have appeared 
 circa 1498. An impression upon vellum decorated with 
 beautiful figures in gold and colours by the hand of 
 some ingenious illuminator, was for some time preserved 
 in the library of M. Gaignat. 
 
 T. Lirii Historiaruin Lihri,foL dubious. 
 
 *^.*vr,/\/\*^<'.#^^yVJ^^./^^ 
 
 M.CCCC.LXXXVI. 
 
 La Fontaine de toutes sciences du philosophe Sydrack. 
 Jnt. Verardy foL 
 
 Le livre de Ruraulx compose per Pierre de Crescens, 
 fol. Idem. 
 Iterum, Jehan Bonhomme, 1486, foK. 
 
 From the '^ Opus ruralium commodorum, seu de Agri- 
 cultura" of Petrus Crescentius of Bologna, which first 
 appeared v^M^. Vindel. i4iliy iterum, Lovanii, 1474-78, 
 et alibi frequenter. 
 
 This work composed at a very early period belongs 
 to the class of barbarous Latinity. An Italian transla- 
 tion made so early as circa 1350, is however for its dic- 
 tion classed amongst productions " del buon secolo.'* 
 The French translation has no pretensions to the like 
 character. It appeared Italic^ Flor. 1478, 1481-* 
 Vicentia 1490. 
 
m 
 
 Les Politiques d^ Aristote avec les gloses par Nieoh 
 
 OresmeyfoL 
 
 Nicole Oresme " Doct. en Theol." dean of Rouen, 
 preceptor of Charles V. '*clit le Sage," translated the 
 Ethics of Aristotle also, and produced other works, vid. 
 la Croix du Maine, whose annotator says that he con- 
 tributed to diffuse a taste for useful learning ; which 
 began to prevail in the reign of Charles V. 
 
 Vies be SS. Peres des Deserts. Jean du Pre, fol. 
 
 Ornamented with zvood cuts. ■ ^f^V*^ ; 
 
 A work entitled " Vitas Patrum" is mentioned by 
 Ames and Herbert, vol. 1 , p. 106, translated by Caxton; 
 and the last labour of his life; but printed by Wynken 
 DE WoRDE anno 1495. '^^^ ''''' ^^ *"«^'' 
 
 The prologue begins thus — " Here foloweth the right 
 deuoute, moche lowable, and recommendable lyff of the 
 olde Auncient holy faders hermytes, late translated out 
 of latyn in to Frenshe, and dylygently corrected in the 
 tiyte of lyon, the yere of our lord. M. cccc. Ixxxvi. upon 
 that whiche hath be wryten and also translated out of 
 Greke in to Latyn, by the blessyd & holy saynt Saynt 
 Jerome right deuoute & approued doctour of the 
 chirche, & other solytarye relygyouse persones after 
 hym And after in the yere of our lorde M. ccce. Ixxxxi. 
 reduced into Englysshe folowynge the copye, alwaye 
 under correccyon of doctours of the chirche." 
 
 This book has several wood cuts, which are very rudely 
 executed; and concludes with a colophon by Wynken 
 de Worde — ^^ Thus endyth the moost vertuouse hysto- 
 rye of the deuoute & right renowmed lyues of holy 
 faders lyuynge in deserte &c. whiche hath be translated 
 out of Frensshe in to Englisshe by Wyllyam Caxton of 
 Westmynstre late deed, and fynysshed it atthelastc 
 daye of his lyff. Emprynted &c." 
 
92 
 
 It thus appears that our venerable printer Caxton 
 died anno 1491. Ames and Herbert cite from a copy 
 of the '^ Fructus Temporum^^ then in possession of M. 
 Ballard, the following note, written in a very old hand. 
 
 " Of your charitee pray for the soul of Mayster 
 Wyllyam Caxton that in hys tyme was a man of moche 
 ornate and moche renommed wysdome and connyng, 
 and decessed full crystenly the yere of our Lord 
 
 M.CCCC.LXXXXI. 
 
 *' Moder of Merci shyld hym from thorribul fynd, 
 And bryng hym to lyff eternall that neuyr hath ynd." 
 The first Lat. edition of the " Vitai Patrum" was 
 
 printed Ftcenti^ 1411, fol. the earliest impressions of the 
 
 French translation Lugduni 1486. It was reprinted by 
 
 Jean du Pre 1494, fol. 
 
 La grant Danse Macabre des hommes et desfcmmcs, 
 
 Le debat du corps et de Vame. Item La complainte 
 
 de Vame dampnee, Kcfol. goth. Guyot Marchand. 
 
 This '' Grant Danse" is represented by figures of 
 
 men and women cut in wood, and as I find it elsewhere 
 
 described, has the Latin text with a French version or 
 
 paraphrase, attributed to Michel Marot. I have found 
 
 mention of an imprjession executed a Lyon with some 
 
 variation of title, viz. *' La grand Danse Macabre des 
 
 hommes et des femmes historiee avec de beaux dits en 
 
 Latin & huitains en Francois, plus le debat," &c. 
 
 Naude enumerates amongst works " de basse Lati- 
 nite," a book entitled *' Chorea ab eximio Macabro 
 edita," which will occur to our notice ^m^ flwwo 1 490, 
 M. Monnoye believes that the design of this " Danse" 
 being apparently the invention of the said Macaber, 
 gallice ** Macabre" is consequently styled "la Danse 
 Macabree," denoting " la Danse des Morts." 
 
AN OCCASIONAL DEVICE OF FRANCOIS REGNAULT. 
 
93 
 
 It contains representations of persons of all ranks, with 
 figures of Death by the side of each. Originally at 
 the foot of the plates were German verses, shewing the 
 design to have been of German extraction. Latin and 
 French were afterwards substituted, which always af- 
 fected to terminate with some brief and moral reflexions. 
 
 Thus Erasmus (Lib. IIL de Rat, ConcionandiJ " Quin 
 et vulgares Rhetoristae senserunt hoc decus, qui inter- 
 dum versibus certo numero comprehensis, pro clausula 
 accinunt brevem et argutam seiiteutiam, velut in rhyth- 
 mis quos Gallus quispiam addidit in choream mortis." 
 M. de la Moniioye says that all the editions of the work 
 here alluded to by Erasmus, were **Gothiques:" — the 
 last Paris 8. Denys Janot 1533. 1 shall notice a work 
 of a kindred nature, sub anno 1491. 
 
 If ORE intemerate Virginis Marie secundum usum Ro^ 
 mane Curie, Phil Pigouchet pour Sim. Fostre. 
 This earliest Parisian impression of the HoRJE is 
 ornamented with figures in the margin ; and contains a 
 " Calendarium," some French verses, &c. Panzer no- 
 tices a very splendid copy on vellum extant. 
 
 These ''Horae (sermone Latino) in usum Curise Ro- 
 manae" were reprinted Parisiis, Pigouchet and Fostre 
 1496, cum figuris & marginibus figuratis, 8. — Jean 
 Philippe pour Thiel. Kerver 1497, cum figuris et margin 
 nibus figuratis, 8. — N. Higman, Sim. Yostrey sine anno, 
 cum ornamentis xylographicis, 8. — Thielman Kerver 
 produced impressions annis 1501 , 4. ; 1 507, 1 508 , 1509, 
 1515, 1517, in 8. all richly ornamented. — ^^Egidius Har- 
 douyn annis 1503, 1520, 1521, and sine anno,S. ; 1^26, 
 4.; 1531, 12. — Guilelm. Anabat 1505, 8. — An impre^- 
 sion Londini 1502, 4. bears the subscription of Wynken 
 de Worde, The Harleian Catalogue exhibits splendid 
 
94 
 
 specimens of several of these impressions " in membra- 
 nis, cum multis iconibus coloratis, lineis rubris, foliis 
 deauratis, &c. 
 
 Le DtALOCfUEdu Crucifix etdu PelerinyparGmtLAVME 
 Alexis. Robinet Mace, 4. 
 
 Frere Guilt, aumr Alexis^ called " Le Moyne de 
 Lyre," an abbey of Normandy, wrote ** Rondeaux," 
 ** Ballades," ''Chants Royaux," &c. in honour of the 
 Virgin. He is said to have composed his " Dialogue of 
 the Crucifix and Pilgrim" at Jerusalem, anno 1486. 
 Vid. sub anno 1493, 
 
 Le Mystere de la Passion de J, C. mis par pers(^- 
 naiges et en ryme francoise par M. Jehan MicheL 
 Jehan Driard. 
 
 This is the earliest production of the press of Jean 
 Driard of which I find mention. He printed W2/erl486 
 and 1498 inclusively. It also constitutes one of the 
 first printed specimens of those popular dramas termed 
 '' MYSTERIES," in which the French Gothic press was 
 afterwards so fruitful. I shall notice them more par- 
 ticularly sub anno 1490. 
 
 Of this drama so often reprinted, perhaps the 
 following impression of Wynken de Worde is a 
 paraphrase or translation : — *' Here foUoweth the pas- 
 sion of our Lord Jesu Cryst translated oute of French 
 into Englysch by Andrewe Chertesey gentylman, the 
 yere of our Lord m.cgccc.xx. 
 
 Amps gives part of the prologue written by RoBERT 
 Copland, one of our early printers: — 
 
 " The godly vse of prudent wytted men 
 Cannot absteya theyr auncient exercyse ; 
 
95 
 
 Recorde of late how besiley with his pen 
 
 The translator of the sayd treatyse *< 
 
 Hath him iudeaured, in most godly wyse 
 
 Bokes to translate, in volumes large and fayre, 
 
 From French, in prose of goostly examplayre. 
 
 As is the floure of God's commaundements, 
 
 A treatyse also called Lucydarye, 
 
 With two ether of the seuyn sacraments, 
 
 One of cristen men the ordinary, 
 
 The second the craft to lyue well and to dye. 
 
 With dyuers other to mannes lyfe profitable, 
 
 A vertuose vse and ryght commendable." 
 
 La premiere Decade de Tite Live tradiKte en Francois. 
 Par. 1486, 4. 
 
 M.GCCC.LXXXVII. 
 
 La Bible HvsTORiEEy foL cJiar. goth, 2 torn. Ant. 
 
 Ferard. 
 
 Anno 1294 Guiars des Moulins, " Chanoiiie de S. 
 Pierre d' Aire," translated the *' Historia Scholastica" 
 of P. Comestor, Gallice " Pierre le Mangeur.'' This 
 translation, revised by Jean de Rely, Ganon of Notre- 
 Dame, at the instance of Charles VIII. came forth as 
 above, under the title of " La Bible Hystoriee ou sont 
 les histoires Scholastiques, &c." Verard's impression 
 is without date, but generally referred to this year. 
 
 The work was several times reprinted in 4. for 
 instance annis 1515 and 1535 ; and by Antoine Bonne- 
 mere tfwwo 1538. 
 
 As to Pi eure le Mangeur (Comestor) he was a native 
 of France, flourished eirca 1 170 ; became Chancellor of 
 the University of Paris j but died in the retired charnctear 
 
96 
 
 of a Canon of S. Victor anno 1 198. ** Vir |3ro sicculo 
 non indoctus," says Cave. His " Historia Sacra" is 
 a compenclium of the SS. from the beginning of 
 Genesis to the end of the Acts ; but with the intermixture 
 of many dubious or fabulous circumstances, drawn from 
 unauthorised or profane sources. The " Editio Prin- 
 ceps" of the original is that Aug. VindeL 14^13, fol. 
 
 Catonjs Pracepta et Disticha cum Conimento, Petrus 
 
 Level, 4. 
 
 The '^ Disticha de moribus ad filium" of Dionysius 
 Cato were printed in the original Greek, Veneiiis^ ap, 
 Aldum, 1493, fol. The impressions of the Latin 
 version with commentaries, ante 1500, were very nume- 
 rous. *' Le Cathon en Frangois" appeared Lugduni 
 1492, 4. *' Catho Magnus" by Caxton anno 1483. 
 It contains Cato's " Disticha" or precepts in the Latin 
 language, with a version and comment in English, 
 ** Here begynneth the prologue or prohemye of the 
 booke callyd Caton, whiche booke hath been translated 
 out of Latin in to Englysshe by Mayster Benet Burgh, 
 late Archdeken of Colchestre, &c. which ful craftly 
 hath made it in balade ryal for the erudicion of my 
 lord Bousher, &c. — And by cause of late cam to my 
 hand a book of the said Caton in Frensshe, which 
 reherceth many a fayr lernynge and notable ensamples, 
 J have translated it out of Frensshe in to Englisshe, as 
 al along here after shalle appiere, whiche J presente 
 vnto the Cyte of london." 
 
 Next follows Caxton's very loyal address to the 
 " Cyte of london," of which he styles himself " Cyte- 
 zeyn, &c." Of " Catho," he says " in my Judgement 
 it is the beste boke for to be taught to yonge children 
 in scole.** Afterwards he relates the following story. 
 
91 
 
 " There was a noble clerke named pogius of Florence, 
 And was secretary to pope Eugenye, & also to pope 
 Nycholas which had in the cyte of Florence a noble and 
 well stuffed lybrarye, whiche all noble straungyers 
 corny nge to Florence desyred to see, And therin they 
 fonde many noble and rare bookes And whanne they 
 had axyd of hym which was the best booke of them 
 alle, and that he reputed for the best, He sayd, that he 
 helde Cathon glosed for the best book of his lyberarye, 
 &c." 
 
 JoHANNis BuRiDANi Summula de Dialecticd. Johan, 
 Cachagniy fol. a printer whose name does not again 
 occur, Vid, sub anno 1493. 
 
 MisSALE Ordinis Cisterciensiumy fol, 
 
 Iterum, Wolfgang Hopyl 1504, foL—Nicol, Prevost 1529, 
 fol 
 
 </\«V^k/''^\/W<«Nr<««#W«K«N«> 
 
 M.CCCC.LXXXVIIT. 
 
 L'^Art de Chevalerie selon Vegece, lequel triiite de la 
 
 maniere que les Princes doivent tenir autfait de leurs 
 
 guerres et hatailles. Antoine Ferard, fol. Fid. 
 
 UArhre de Batailles, sub anno 148 1. 
 
 Panzer, perhaps on no certain authority, ascribes 
 
 this translation to Jean de Meun. A very similar 
 
 production (if it be not the same, with a small variation 
 
 of title only) is attributed to Christine de Pist. This 
 
 lady so very learned in the ancient and French languages 
 
 was born anno 1364, married anno 1379, became a 
 
 widow with two sons and a daughter anno 1389. At 
 
 thirty-five she began to compose both in prose and 
 
 verse. Her works were numerous in both : *' Balades" 
 
 o 
 
&8 
 
 '' Virelais"— " Rondeaux, &c."— «^ L'Histoire du Roi 
 Charles le Sage" — *' La Vision de Christine" — "La 
 Cite des Dames" — " Les Epistres sur le Roman de la 
 Rose" — *' Le Livre des faits d'Armes et de Chevalerie" 
 — *' Le Livre des trois vertus ou L'Instruction des 
 Princesses" — " Lettres a la Reine Isabelie en 1405," 
 &c. (Vid. torn. xvii. p. 5\5, 3Iem. de l^Acad. des 
 Belles Lettres. J She was the mother of Castel the 
 French Historian. 
 
 Anno 1489 our venerable Caxton printed a translation 
 of this work intitled *' The Fayt of Armes and Chy- 
 VALRY, FROM Vegetius— whiche sayd boke is departyd 
 into four partyes, Thefyrst partye deuyseth the manere 
 that kynges and prynces oughten to holde in the faytes' 
 of theyr werres and bataylles after thordre of boke», 
 dictes, and examples of the most preu and noble con- 
 querours of the worlde, And how & what maner fay ttes 
 ought best to be chosen, & the maners that they ought 
 to kepe and holde in theyr offices of armes. % Item 
 The second partye speketh after Frontyn oi cawteles & 
 subtyltees of armes, which he calleth stratagenies of 
 thordre & manere to fyghte and dcfende castellis & 
 cytees, after vegece and other auctours, And to make 
 warre & gyve batayle in ryuers and in the See. ^ Item 
 The thyrde parte speketh of the droytes & rygtes of 
 armes after the lawes & droyt wretoH* ^ luem The iiij, 
 partye speketh of the droy tes of armes in the i^aytes of 
 saufconduytes, of the tryewes, of marke, & ^h^:^ of 
 champ of bataylle, that is of fyghtyng withyn lystes.— 
 Here begynneth &c. And the firsft chapytre, is the 
 prologue, in whiche xprystyne of pyse excuseth hir 
 self to haue dar enterprysa to speke of so hye matere, 
 &c." Caxton says this work was put into his hands by 
 Henry VU. and that he pa^J^ jjj^ translation into 
 
 ^^-t.i->^*^. 
 
Epglish hy that king's express command. See more 
 particularly, Ames & Herbert I. p. 66. 
 
 Le Chevaliere delibere, 4. Verard. vid. sub anjio 
 sequenti. 
 
 Les Ethiques d^ Aristote mises en Francois et com- 
 mentees, par Nicolas Oresme, fol. Antoine Ferard* 
 Ante sub anno 1486. 
 
 Tierce partie de Lancelot dv Lac, avec la queste du 
 Saint Graial et de la derniere partie de Table ronde^ 
 compile par Gaultie Map. Jehan du Pre, Mil. 
 cccc. iiiixx. (s viu.fol. Vid. sub anno 1494. 
 
 Heures a V usage de Rome. char. goth. xvith figures 
 and ornamented margins, 4. Sj/mon Vostre, 
 Of these '* Heures a l'usage de Rome," partly ia 
 Latin, partly in the vernacular tongue, this by VoSTRE 
 is probably the earliest specimen. Impressions were 
 afterwards executed in the usual style of ornament, 
 cum figuris et margin, figuratis, Pigouchet pour S. 
 Vostre 1491, 4.— Pigouchet 1494, 96, 8.— Thielman 
 Kerver 1498, 8.— 1499, 4.— Simon Yostre 1497, 93, 
 99, 8. 
 
 Early impressions of the succeeding century : Jean 
 Pychore 1503, 8.— Ant. Verard 1504, 4. 1507, 8.— r 
 T. Kerver 1507, 8.— G. Anabat 1507, 8.— G. Hardoyn 
 3509, 8. 1520, 12.— S. Vostre 1520, 8. 
 
 The '' Harlcian Catalogue" describes an impression 
 by GuiLfcAUME Anabat sine anno, thus — " The vast 
 number of pictures, most beautifully coloured and 
 illuminated, representing several of the actions, suffer- 
 ings, &c. of our B. Saviour, as well as many Scripture 
 
100 
 
 Histories, render this a real curiosity." Another sine 
 afino, (No. 10179) '' full of fine cuts, and with most of 
 ^ts initial letters illuminated." Again, of that by Anabat 
 1508-, '' Many Cuts adorn this Copy." The impression 
 by PiGOUCHET ** abounds with Cuts, some of which are 
 very well done." It speaks of an impression by Geof- 
 FROY DE Marnef anni 1493 not known to Panzer, 
 which is also adorned with very fine cuts. I have 
 examined a specimen of these *' Heures a Pusage de 
 Rome" from the press of Antoine Verard, which 
 ^' furent achevees le V. jour daust, Tan mil quatre 
 cens quatre vingtz dix huit," (1498) 4. It is printed 
 upon vellum, and adorned with fine wood cuts, profuse 
 marginal decorations, and illuminated capitals. An 
 impression also by Egidius hardouyn, 12. printed 
 '' en lettres rondes" upon vellum, with paintings and 
 decorations ; the calendar of which commences ab 
 anno 1515. 
 
 Textus Summularmn M, Petri Hispani, 8. goth, 
 
 Petrus Level. 
 
 The '' Summula" of Petrus Hispanus, afterwards 
 pope John XXI. seems to have been considered in the 
 schools as a kind of logical text book — " Dyalecticae 
 artis fundamentum." It appeared Colonia et MedioL 
 1 487, and underwent the press varus locis at least twelve 
 times besides, ante 1 500. 
 
 PSALTERIUM Latinum, 4. Petr. Levet. 
 
 Aurea expositio Hymnor um cum textu, 4. Idem. 
 
 La Mer des Histoires ou Chronique et Histoire 
 Universelle. Ante sub anno 14:^5. 
 
THE MARK OF FELIX BALLIGAUT, 
 
 From his " Ludolphi Vita Cliristi." Far. 1497. 
 
 ride 7). 220, 
 
101 
 
 XicoLAi BE Orbellis expositio in IV. Libros Senten- 
 
 tiarum. Felix Balliganty 4. 
 
 Iterum, 1498, 4. Idem.— 1499, fol. Joan. Richard. 
 
 N. DE Orbelijs a Frenchman, a native of Anjou, 
 joined the fraternity of Minorites ; was a professor at 
 Poictou, and a most zealous Scotist. This " Expositio" 
 is '' secundum doctrinam illuminati Doctoris." Claruit 
 circa 1436. 
 
 ROBERTI Gaguini de iniemerate virginis conceptu 
 adversiis vincentium quendam (de Castro Novo) 
 decertacio versibus latinis, 4. 
 I have already spoken of RoB. Gaguin; and may 
 
 mention him again sub anno 1495. This work iterum 
 
 Par. 1489, 93, 1500. 
 
 «r>»v>*'.»vr./sr./\r.*>^.*vr,/v»> 
 
 M.CCCC.LXXXIX. 
 
 Opus RoBERTi HoLKOT super sapientiam Salomonis. 
 
 4. Gering 5C Rembolt. 
 
 This seems to be the first impression which these 
 printers produced in concert. 
 
 Robert Holkot was an Englishman, born at North- 
 ampton : became a Dominican and professor of divinity 
 at Oxford. Ob. anno 1 349 '^ peste extinctus." He left 
 *' Lectiones & Commentaria" on various books of scrip- 
 ture; '^ Qusestiones in IV libros Sententiarum," and 
 other works. 
 
 Le Livre de Politiques ^ Oeconomiques d' Aristote 
 traduit en Francois, par Nicolas Oresme.fol. Verard. 
 sub anno 1486. 
 
102 
 
 GviLLERMi Farisiensis Episcopi liber super septem 
 
 sacrarneniis. Geo. Mittelhus, 4. 
 
 Eodem anno J. Boirhomme, 4, — 1494, Mittelhus, 8. — Par* 
 J 492, 8. 
 
 GuiLLAUME, a native of Auvergne, considered a no 
 less profound diviTiethan philosopher and mathematician, 
 became Bishop of Paris anno 1228. His piety and 
 probity were universally acknoudedged. In the 3'earof 
 his exaltation to the See of Paris, he is said to have 
 assembled some of the most distinguished doctors of the 
 time, for the purpose of discussing the lawfulness of 
 pluralities ; and their determination was, that none 
 without the forfeiture of his salvation could hold two 
 benefices above a defined value — *' duo ministeria sacra 
 quorum alterum annuo censu \5 libras Par. valeret." 
 Anno 1240 he condemned some '* dogmata" of certain 
 heterodox divines of Oxford. Cave has enumerated 
 his various works; but thinks the '' Liber de Septem 
 Sacramentis" though generally yet erroneously attri- 
 buted to him. He conceives it to be the work of 
 *' Gulielmus Parisiensis," a Dominican, who was living 
 A. D. 1308. The '^ llhetorica Divina," an undisputed 
 work of the elder '* Guillaume" of Paris, appeared 
 Parisiis 1500, 8. 
 
 Marcial be Paris dit cf Auvergne tres devotes louanges 
 de la glorieuse Fierge Marie, 8. Simon Vostre. 
 This is " en rime." It was reprinted 1492, Jean 
 
 du Pre, 8. See notice of this writer sub anno 1493. 
 
 JOHANNis Gerson de Imitatione ChristiLib. IV. et de 
 contemptu omnium vanitatum mundi et de meditatione 
 cordis, Roman characters. Higman. 
 
103 
 
 The book '* de Imitatione" had appeared Venetiis 
 14S3, 85, Brixice 1485, and at many other places before 
 this first Parisian impression. 
 
 It is by some attributed to S. Bernard ; by others to 
 Jean Gerson. But more recently it has been ascribed 
 by almost universal consent to Thomas a Kempis. 
 Yet M. I'Abb^ Vallart has undertaken to prove that it 
 is the production of Jean Gerson Abbe de Verceil. 
 See his learned dissertation subjoined to the fine edition 
 of the work printed by Barbou, Par, J 764. This 
 question has been frequently agitated; but perhaps 
 " adhue sub judice lis est." 
 
 Fontenelle terms the admirable work in question 
 " le plus beau qui soit sorti de la main d'un homme, 
 puisque I'Evangile n'en vient pas. Quel calme il 
 repand dans notre ame. De quelle douce esperance il 
 Ja remplit, comme il la console!" — Rash and haughty 
 philosophers of modern days, to this work of the XIII. 
 century, so pure, so simple, will you dare to oppose 
 '' vos ecrits tenebreux," the odious and gloomy doc- 
 trines of which breathe nothing but doubt, despair, and 
 annihilation ! This appears to be the remark of M. de 
 Juvigny. *' Biblioth. de la Croix da Maine, &(c." 
 
 As to the generally received author, his real name 
 was Thomas Hamercken. He had the name Kempis 
 from Kempen, his native place, a small village in the 
 electorate of Cologn. Born an7io 1380, died anno 1471. 
 Ibid, 
 
 In the same year, 1489, Philippe Pi^ouchet gave an 
 impression in 12. — Iteruin 1491, 8. 1498, 12. — G. 
 Mittelhus 1496, 8. all mider the name of Gerson. It 
 appeared Gallice as " Le Livre de I'lmitation, &c. 
 attribue a S. Bernard ou a Jean Gerson," 1500, le 
 Noir. 
 
104 
 
 Anno 1502 Wynken de Worde printed *^ John 
 Gerson's three books of the imitation of Christ," 
 translated into English by William Atkinson, D. D. It 
 was printed at the desire of the mother of king Henry 
 VII. Consult " Ames''' vol. i. p. 138. 
 
 Glosa Monachi, una cum textu Alexandri ; Maturini 
 de Barda in laudes Alexandri heroica versijicatio, 
 Petrus Level, fol. 
 
 Panzer says this is the " Doctrinale sen Gram- 
 matica Alexandri de Villa Dei." It appeared again 
 Parisiis 1492, Phil, le Noir, 4. with this title — '' Alex- 
 andri de Villa Dei Doctrinale cum brevi expositione." 
 It first appeard Tarvisii 1472, fol. and was printed at 
 least sixteen times before the date of the first Parisian 
 impression. 
 
 Of this work which was also popular in England, 
 Wynken de Worde gave an impression anno 1503, 
 which is ornamented with a wood cut of a master sitting 
 in a chair, and three scholars before him. He repeated 
 the impression 4. sine anno : Richard Pinson anno 
 1 505, with a wood cut of master and boys : and again 
 anno 1513. 
 
 The grand *' Doctrinale" was long in general use 
 as an elementary book for the acquisition of the Latin 
 language. Naude (Addition a VHistoire, ^c. chap. 3J 
 anxious to vindicate the literary character of Louis XL 
 affirms that he had been *' bien fueillete" into a 
 thorough acquaintance with this book : insomuch that 
 when Cardinal Bessarion, sent on an embassy to France 
 by Pope Sixtus IV. presented himself for an audience, 
 the French monarch, who had been offended by his 
 failure in a point of etiquette, laid his hand upon the 
 enormous beard of the orator ; and confounded him by 
 
10^ 
 
 a citation from the text of Alexander : — 
 
 " Barbara Graeca genus retinent quod habere solebant.*' 
 The verse called Leonine, was according to Naud6 
 (Additions, &(c. chap. vi.J in high estimation so early 
 as under the reign of the emperor Zeno, anno 480 : 
 when one Theodotus, an Italian priest, produced a work 
 '* de Contemptu Mundi," which commences thus: — 
 " tEthiopum terras jam fervida torruit aestas, 
 In cancro solis duin volvitur aureus axis. 
 And thus pursued the subject of his poem to the 
 extent of almost two thousand verses. Great eagerness 
 was speedily evinced in the composition of measures of 
 a similar kind. The '* Schola Salernitana, " the 
 *' Summa" of Raymundus, the Chronicle of Godfrey 
 of Viterbo, the Mystical Commentary of Willeramus 
 upon the '' Cantica Canticorum," and the " Disticha" 
 of Facetus, are instances of this perverted taste ; as well 
 as other works which might be enumerated. Incited 
 by such examples, Alexander de Villa Dei who was 
 a " Religieux" of the order of S. Francis, composed his 
 rhyming Grammar, A. D. 1240: which maintained an 
 undisturbed dominion in the Latin schools, till it was 
 superseded in Italy by the *' Rudimenta" of Aldus 
 Manutius, published Venetiis, ajino 1501 ; and perhaps 
 in France rather by the Grammar of Despauterius, 1514. 
 The *SDocti'inale" was itself (as Naud6 thinks) written 
 to supplant *' un certain Autheur Erotique surnomme 
 Maximianus." This he infers from the introductory 
 verses of the *' Doctrinale :" — 
 
 " ScRiBERE clericulis paro doctrinale novellis: 
 Jamque legent pueri pro nugis Maximiani, 
 Quae veteres sociis nolebant pandere charis." 
 Pasquier (Recherches de la France, a Paris 1 643, 
 lib. vii, ch, 2, p. 536,) does not carry back the antiquity 
 
 p 
 
106 
 
 of Leonine measures to so remote a period as Naud^: 
 but what he records on the subject is at least sufficiently 
 amusing to deserve citation. This lively author says 
 he finds that in the reign of Louis VIL circa 1054, 
 there existed a notable poet of Paris, who in his 
 manuscript productions is denominated sometimes 
 " Leoninus," sometimes *' Leon i us." He was first 
 ** Chanoine de S. Benoist ;" afterwards " Religieux de 
 S. Victor." He composed twelve books of heroic verse 
 ** sur la Bible," viz* from the creation to the book of 
 Ruth : commencing thus — 
 
 " Historic sacrae gestas ab origine mundi 
 Res canere, et versu facili describere conor." 
 Pasquier terms it ** Poeme certes plein de beaux 
 traicts, qui ne ressentent en rien de la Barbaric des 
 siecles precedens." 
 
 An elegy of the same Leoninus is partially cited : of 
 which the title is — " De annulo ei dato ab Henric* 
 Cardinali." It abounds in epigrammatic point, and 
 laboured antithesis : but the Latinity is respectable ; 
 and the numbers free and easy : — 
 
 '* Annule qui sacri datus es mihi pignus amoris, 
 " Qui modo parvus eras, tu modo magnus eris. 
 
 " Parvus es et magnus: nihil impedit hasc simul esse: 
 *' Hoc opifex, hoc te dat tuus esse dator." 
 
 He reserved his chiming measures for more important 
 occasions. Pasquier says that a certain English cardinal 
 passing through Paris, our poet preferred a petition to 
 him in behalf of his church of S. Bennet ; which the 
 cardinal promised to fulfil on his arrival at Rome. But 
 scarce had he reached that city when he found himself 
 exalted to the papal dignity. Such a prosperous change 
 of affairs very naturally banished from his recollection 
 both the poor canon and his petition. But to remind 
 
lOT 
 
 him of both, our bard addressed him in an epistle of 
 
 the following musical tenor : — 
 
 " Papa me as Adriane, preces si postulo digna, 
 Suscipe tarn vultu placido, quam mente benignft : 
 Non novitatis amor hue me tulit, aut levitatis 
 Impetus, aut etiam proprige spes utilitatis. 
 Non peto praebendas, nee honores Ecclesiarum, 
 Suntque modesta preeum, sunt et pia vota mearum. 
 Pauperis Ecelesiae, cujus pro jure laboro, 
 Justus ut es, memor esse veils: nihil amplius oro, Ac.*^ 
 
 The reader will acknowledge that these are polished 
 and harmonious lines : very different indeed from those 
 hobbling numbers, which being the production of much 
 later periods, have passed under the appellation of 
 " Leonine." Pasquier says the whole epistle contained 
 forty-two lines in the same strain. His readers would 
 doubtless have been gratified, if he had given them from 
 the manuscript intire. 
 
 But to proceed — our poet found another intercessor 
 in the cardinal of S. Mark, afterwards elevated also to 
 the pontificate under the name of Alexander IIL 
 Through his intercession the desired favour was g^ranted. 
 His benefactor had already reached his new elevation : 
 when Leoniuus addressed to him a letter of thanks, in 
 numbers certainly more arduous, but less natural than 
 the former : estimating perhaps the value of the tribute 
 chiefly by the labour employed upon its preparation. 
 
 SiTMME Parens Hominum I Christi devote Minister ! 
 Pastorum Pastor I Praeceptorumque Magister ! 
 Quem rigor et pietas, quem noti fama pudoris, 
 Et lucri calcatus amor, pars magna valoris, 
 Caeteraque ut taceam, dos maxima mentis et oris, 
 Invitum ad summum traxerunt cuhnen honoris ; 
 Quas tibi me Jaudes non ficto pectore noris, 
 Ncc male quaerendi studio oecinisse favoris* 
 
108 
 
 Nam nisi me justi cobiberent fraena timoris, 
 
 Ne qua verecundi fierent tibi caussa ruboris, 
 • Altius aggrederer opus, et limas gravioris, 
 Laudibus ire tui per singula membra nitoris, 
 Nee bene decerpti libamen sumere floris, 
 Sed sanare omnes gustu tarn suavis odoris, 
 Sit licet ingenium mihi venae pauperioris. 
 Pasquier contents himself with saying that there are 
 thirty more hexameters all ending with the same 
 termination '' om" which are followed by others of 
 a different cadence. The poet then concludes thus: — 
 Quod nequit ergo manus, indoctaque lingua veretur, 
 Mens pia persolvet, comes banc dum vita sequetur : 
 Nam prius aer aves, pisces mare non patietur, 
 Sydera subsident, tellus super astra feretur, 
 Peclore quam nostro tuus hie amor evacuetur, 
 Aut meritis ingrata luis oblivio detur. 
 
 Pasquier thinks it not improbable that a poet who 
 evinced such an eas)^, flowing vein in the above com- 
 positions might produce many other specimens : and 
 bj the consent of his age give his name to this new 
 species of rhyming versification. On this subject 
 however the reader may compare the remarks of the 
 learned Mr. Harris, in his '' Philological Inquiries," 
 vol. ii, chap, xu 
 
 In this long period says Naude when barbarous 
 systems of rhetoric, rhyming poetry, captious dialectics, 
 fabulous and marvellous history were alone held in 
 admiration, heroic poetry of a more classical description 
 was nevertheless cultivated by a few solitary individuals 
 of superior genius : who exhibited themselves, in the 
 midst of this barbarous age, as flowers in a rigorous 
 winter. During or soon after the reign of '' Philippes 
 Auguste," six or seven poets appeared, who scarce 
 
1 
 
 I 
 
 •9 
 
 i 
 
Fide p.im. 
 
I 
 
 I 
 
 109 
 
 yield to the moderns either in the felicity of their 
 language and conceptions, or the structure and compo- 
 sition of their works. The " Philippeis" of Guillaume 
 de Breton — the '^ Alexandreis" of Gautier — the ^' Ar- 
 chitrenius" of Joannes Hantivillensis — the " Carolinus** 
 of Gilles de Paris — the '' Anti-claudianus" of Alain des 
 Isles — and the '^ Dares Phrygius," falsely ascribed to 
 Cornelius Nepos, but m reality the production of 
 Josephus Iscanus, or Joseph of Exeter, are scarcely 
 inferior in beauty of metaphor, richness of description, 
 or elegance of diction, to the compositions of Pontanus, 
 Fracastorius, or Vida. 
 
 Le Chevalier delibere en la mort du Due de 
 Bourgogne, Mich, le Noir, 4. 
 
 Some of the articles of this year exhibit new names of 
 Parisian typographers. Michel le Noir in particular 
 was a printer to whose press we are indebted for many- 
 very remarkable and interesting works. He appears to 
 have survived till 1 520. As to this earliest specimen of 
 his press, *' Le Chevalier delib^r^ en la vie et la mort 
 de Charles Due de Bourgogne qui trepassa devant 
 Nancy, Jan. 1476," it is ascribed by la Croix du Maine 
 to the pen of Olivier de la Marche, a knight of Franche 
 Comte in Burgundy, and *^ Grand Maitre d'Hotel" 
 to the king of Castile. By some however the work has 
 been incorrectly attributed to George Chastelain. It 
 describes the travels and adventures of a knight errant, 
 who journeys armed at all points, and has sundry 
 combats with certain allegorical personages. It is in 
 short a species of romance made up of prose and verse, 
 and displays some imagination, and ingenuity gf 
 description. 
 
110 
 
 The earliest impression of this curious work was 
 executed Schedami 1483, 4. cum Jigg. — the second by 
 A, Verard anno 1488, 4. adorned with wood cuts. 
 There is also an impression Parisiis 1 500, et sine loco 
 et anno. 
 
 Les faits de Maistre Alain Char tier, Notaire et 
 Secretaire de feu Roi Charles VI. Pierre le Caron^ '*. 
 foL 5C Iterumy sine anno, 
 
 Oeuvres Morales d' Alain Chartier, 4. 
 
 Alain Chartier was of Normandy, secretary to 
 Charles V. VI. and VII. kings of France ; and the most 
 esteemed French poet, historian, and orator of his time. 
 According to Pasquier he was born anno 1386. His 
 talents procured him great esteem, both at court and 
 throughout the whole kingdom. 
 
 He is said to have been one of the ugliest persons of 
 his age. Yet Margaret of Scotland, wife of the dauphin 
 of France, afterwards Louis XL finding hirp asleep in 
 an apartment through which she chanced to pass, kissed 
 his lips : alledging, as Pasquier relates, that she did not 
 consider herself to have kissed the man who was so 
 ugly and deformed in his whole person ; but the mouth 
 from which had issued so many golden expressions. 
 " L'alla baiser," says Du Verdier, *' en la bouche, en 
 presence de sa compagnie. Et comme quelqu'un de 
 ceux qui la conduisoient lui eiit dit : Madame, cela est 
 trouve etrange que vous avez baise homme si laid : elle 
 repondit: Je n'ai pas baise T Homme, mais la bouche, 
 de laquelle sont issus tant d'excellens propos, matieres 
 graves, et paroles elegantes." Naude cites the following 
 poetical record of this circumstance from " Les Epistrcs 
 de Bouchet :'' — 
 
Ill 
 
 -L'espOuse au Roy Louys onziesme 
 
 Fille d'Escosse, eut telle estime et esme 
 De Charretier, qu'en dormant elle touche 
 D'un doux baiser son eloquente bouche, 
 Pour Ics bons mots qui en estoient issus, (p) 
 
 He contributed greatly by his works to the formation 
 of the French language, His '' Livre de quatre Dames" 
 is particularly admired. These ladies are introduced; 
 each of them lamenting the loss of her lover at the 
 battle of Azincourt, which took place in October 1415. 
 
 There is a rare and particularly valued edition of 
 *^ Les Oeuvres complettes de M. Alaine Chartier tant 
 en rime qu'en prose," Paris, Gallyot du Pre 1529, 8. 
 This edition is printed " en lettres rondes." But the 
 best and only complete edition is that of Paris 1617, 4. 
 with an historical preface by Andr6 Du Chesne the 
 editor. 
 
 Amongst the impressions of Caxton without date, I 
 find a work intitled—*' Curial of Maistre Alain 
 Chaiietier," 
 
 On signature j — " Here foloweth the copye of a 
 lettre whyche maistre Alayn Charetier wrote to his 
 brother, whyche desired to come dwelle in Court, in 
 whyche he reherseth many myseryes & wretchj^dnesses 
 therin used. For taduyse hym not to entre in to it, leste 
 he after repente, like as hier after folowe, and late 
 translated out of Frensshe in to englysshe, whyche 
 Copye was delyuerid to me by a noble and vertuous 
 Erie, At whose Jnstance & requeste J have reduced it 
 in to Englysshe." 
 
 It begins — '' Ryght welbelouyd brother & pei-sone 
 Eloquent, thou admonestest and exhortest me to prepare 
 
 (p) Addition a THist. de Louis XI. Ch. V. 
 
112 
 
 & make redy place and entree for the, vnto the lyf 
 Curiall, whych thou desirest, And that by my helpe and 
 requeste thou myghtest have therin ofFyce, &c.'* 
 
 And concludes—** Fynably J praye the, counselle 
 and warne the, that yf thou hast taken ony holy and 
 honeste lyf, that thou wyl not goo and lese it. And that 
 thou take away that thought And despyse alle thy wyl 
 for to come to courte. And be contente to wythdrawe 
 the wythin thenclose of thy pryue hous, And yf thou 
 have not in tyme passed knowen that thou hast ben 
 ewrous And happy, thenne lerne now to know it fro 
 hens forth. And to god comande the by thys wrytyng 
 whych gyve the hys grace. Amen. 
 
 Thus endeth the Curial • made by maystre Alain 
 Charretier. 
 
 Translated thus in Englysshe by Wylliam Caxton." 
 
 And on the last page are the following lines :• — 
 
 " Ther ne is dangyer, but of a vylayn 
 Ne pryde, but of a poure man enryched 
 Ne so sure a way, as is the playn 
 Ne socour, but of a trewe frende 
 Ne despayre, but of Jalousye 
 Ne bye corage, but of one Amorouse 
 Ne pestylence, but in grete seygnoryc 
 
 Ne cheyere, but of a man Joyous 
 Ne servyse, lyke to the kyng souerayn 
 Ne fowle name, but of a man shamed 
 Ne mete, but whan a man hath hungre 
 Ne entrepryse, but of a man hardy 
 Ne pouerte lyke unto maladye 
 Ne to haunte, but the good and wyse 
 Ne howse, but yf it be well garnysshed 
 
 Ne cheyere, but of a man Joyous 
 Ne ther is no ryches&he, but in helthe 
 
113 
 
 Ne loue, so good as mercy 
 
 Ne than the deth, nothyng more certayn 
 
 Ne none better chastysd, than of hym self 
 
 Ne tresour, lyke unto wysedym 
 
 Ne anguysshe, but of ay harte coueylous 
 
 Ne puyssaunce, but ther men haue envye 
 
 Ne chyere, but of a man Joyous 
 What wylle ye that I saye 
 Ther is no speche, but it be curtoys 
 Ne preysng of men, but after theyr lyf 
 
 Ne cheyr, but of a man Joyous Caxton. 
 
 Le Compost et Kalendrjeres de Bergeres^ 4. majori, 
 
 sine impressoris nomine. 
 
 Reprinted Par. Gui Marchand 1497, fol— Ibid. 1499, fol. 
 ^Ibid. Marchand 1500. 
 
 The *' Censura Literaria," vol. vii. pp. 26, 27, and 
 343, describes several impressions of an early English 
 translation of this work, which are ornamented with 
 wood cuts of singular design, and superior execution. 
 It was first printed in English at Paris anno 1503. 
 According to Herbert, the title of the French edition is 
 " The kalendayr of the Shyppars :" — the type very 
 rude, and the orthography equally so. Herbert gives 
 a specimen of the diction: and the following passage 
 seems to indicate the year of its translation. *^ The 
 zear of thys present compot & kalendar qwy ch as begown 
 tp haue cowrs the fy rst day of ianuer y s. M. cccc . iiiixx. 
 & VII. (1487) in the qwych rynnys for the golden 
 nombyr xvi." In fine — *' Heyr endysh the kalendar 
 of shyppars translatyt of franch in englysh to the lowyng 
 of almyghty god & of hys glory ows mother mary and 
 of the holy cowrt of hywyn prentyt in parys the xxiii 
 day of juyng oon thowsand. ccccc. & iii. 
 
 Q 
 
114 
 
 Another translation was printed by Wynken dk 
 WoRDE, again by Pynson, by Julyan Notary, and 
 by John Walley : the dates of all which are unknown. 
 The prologue commences thus: — *' Here before tyme 
 this boke was prynted in Paris into corrupte Englysshe 
 (and not by no Englyssheman) wherfore the bokes that 
 were brought in to England, the language of them was 
 greately corrupte, imparfyte of good reason, and un- 
 swete to parfye Englysshemen (and no meruaile) for 
 it is unlykely for a man of that cuntre, for to make it in 
 good and parfyte Englysshe, as it sholde be. Therfore 
 newly no we it is drawen out of Frenshe into Englysshe, 
 but lately composed, and truly correcked (after the 
 beforesayde laste, and beste translacyon at the cost of 
 wynkyn de worde.'* For a more particular description, 
 and specimens of the rude poems interspersed, the 
 reader may consult the *' Censura Literaria" tit supra, 
 
 JoHANNis DE Hesen sivc de Hees Itinerarium 
 
 Hierosolymitanum, 4. 
 
 The Itinerary of this ecclesiastic (*^ Presbyter Tra* 
 jectinus") of Maestricht or Utrecht, or possibly of 
 Franckfort, (" describens dispositiones terrarum, insu- 
 larum, &c.") appeared also Daventria 1499, 4. — and 
 iterum sine loeo et anno, 4. 
 
 / P, ViRGiLii Maronjs Operas in vico Sorbonko ?>/a- 
 pressuy 4. 
 
 RiCHARDi DE S. ViCTORE Beniamin minor ^ 4. 
 
 Richard, a prolific writer, was a native of Scotland, 
 Canon Regular of S, Victor's near Paris, and afterwards 
 prior of S. Bernard's. Claruit circa 1150, obiit 1173. 
 The above work is otherwise entitled ** De praeparatione 
 
115 
 
 aiiimi ad contemplationem liber." Prodiit sub titulo 
 '* Lihri de XII. Patriarchis vel da contemplatione 
 minori^'' sine loco 1494, 8. 
 
 M.CCCC.XC. 
 
 La Vie des Saints translatee de latin (de Jacques de 
 
 FoRAGiNEj en francois par frere Jehan de Vignay, 
 
 fol. goth. ornamented xvith figures, Antoine Ferard. 
 
 This monk translated by order of Jean de Bourgogne, 
 
 queen of France, '' Le Miroir Historial du Vincent 
 
 Eveque de Beauvois," Par. Couteau 1531, fol. His 
 
 translation of the Golden Legend abovementioned 
 
 appeared sine loco 1475, Lugd. 1476, Ferard 1490, 
 
 1496, and Par, sine anno. Fid. sub anno 1475. 
 
 LucAiN SuETONE 5C Salluste (enfrancois.) Imprime 
 a paris le XXII. jour de decembre mill. IIIL cc. iiiixx, 
 
 ct X. par P. le Rouge pour Anthoine Ferard, Kc, 
 Some think the Lucan here joined with the historians 
 must be an error, and rather mean Luc. An. &c. viz. 
 *' Lucius Annseus," sciL *' Florus." This is an ob- 
 servation of M. de Juvigny ! fap. Bib. de la Croix du 
 Maine, KcJ But I shall offer a confutation of tliis 
 conjecture sub anno 1500. 
 
 IIeures en Vhonneur de N. S. Jesus Christ et de la 
 glorieuse Vierge Marie, 4. Antoine Ferard. 
 Ornamented with wood engravings, *' dans toutes 
 
 les marges."" 
 
 Les Suffrages et oraisons des Saincts et Sainctes 
 escripts au kaliendrier de ces presens heures, 4, 
 Antoine Ferard, 
 
116 
 
 This manual, perhaps connected with the former, is 
 ornamented also with wood cuts. 
 
 Le Pelerinage de VAme, foL Ant, Verard. Vide 
 sub anno 1480. 
 
 Le MiSTERE de la Passion, Antoine Verard, fol. 
 
 This piece was performed at Paris an. 1 490. Though 
 the impression is without date, Panzer supposes it to 
 have appeared *' eodevi anno,''' Vid. sub anno I486. 
 
 This is one of those rude popular dramatic com- 
 positions known by the name of *' Mysteres" and 
 *^ MoRALiTES."— '* C'etoient," says Du Verdier, " des 
 Histoires et Jeux qu'on souloit representer et reciter 
 publiquement sur ^chaufant:" — Histories and Plays 
 which were acted in public upon a stage or scaffold* 
 And, he observes, so many were the publications which 
 appeared under these titles, that the labour of particu- 
 larising them would be endless. 
 
 The enthusiastic fondness of the populace for such 
 extravagant productions may be presumed, from the 
 multiplied impressions of them which distinguish the 
 annals of the Gothic presses. Amongst other countries, 
 Italy and England also, it is well known, had their 
 " Rappresentazioni," or their mysteries and moralities; 
 which were spectacles of no less interest and importance 
 to our own progenitors. For more than a century they 
 maintained the same influence over the vulgar mind. 
 An *' arret" for the abolition of these spectacles was 
 published in France on the 17th. Nov. 1548: which, 
 says De Bure, involved in a correspondent destruction 
 a very considerable portion of the printed copies of 
 these dramas. The general contempt', he adds, which 
 the licentiousness of many of them occasioned for 
 
11? 
 
 nearly a century afterwards, consigned them to disregard 
 and oblivion. The consequence of this and such 
 causes was, that notwithstanding the original multi- 
 plicity of impressions, copies of most of them became 
 so uncommon, that their present rarity is not exceeded 
 by that of any other description of works. 
 
 De Bure notices, from the press of Antoine 
 Verard, I. *' Le Mystere de la Passion de N. Seigneur 
 J. Christ," 1490, fol. goth. and 1499, fol. of which he 
 minutely describes a copy with forty beautiful paintino-s 
 representing the different subjects of this mystery. 2. 
 " Le Mystere de la Resurrection mis en rime francoise 
 par Jehan Michel," foL goth. sans date. 3. «« Le 
 Mystere de la Vengeance de Notre Seigneur J. C." 
 rime francoise 1491 and 1493, fol. goth. and Jean Petit 
 sans date. Du Vehdier mentions an impression of 
 this work thus — " Le mystere de la vengeance de la 
 mort de N. S. J. C. & destruction de Jerusalem faite 
 par reiiipereur Vespasien & Titus," Par. fol. Jean 
 Petit : and his annotators observe that it is a tragedy in 
 the same strain with that " de la Passion" of which it 
 may be considered as a kind of supplement. They add 
 this anecdote : — after the battle of Marignano, Francis 
 L writing to his mother Louise de Savoye concerning 
 the victory which he had just before gained over the 
 Swiss, made use of these or like terms — '* Us ont 
 eprouve (speaking of the Swiss) que s'ils jouerent bien 
 la Passion il y a deux ans, nous avons cette annee-ci 
 bien su jouer la Vengeance." Intimating, that if in 
 1513 the Swiss at Novarro had beaten the French, they 
 in 1515 had taken full revenge at Marignano. 
 
 La Croix du Maine speaks of a piece intitled 
 ** La petite Diablerie autrement appelee TEglise des 
 Mauvais dont Lucifer est le chef & Jes membres sont 
 
118 
 
 les Joueurs iniques pecheurs & reprouves," Lyon 16. 
 1541. On which occasion his annotator furnishes us 
 with the following information. When anciently the 
 populace was treated with those pious comedies, in 
 which some mystery of religion was represented, the 
 poet failed not to introduce devils upon the stage; 
 without which the piece would not have given satisfac- 
 tion. They were in fact the principal personnages. 
 Hence such representations were termed " Diableries." 
 The epithets *' grande or petite Diablerie" were applied, 
 accordingly as the number of " Diables" was greater 
 or less. *' Le Mystere de la Passion," first represented 
 at Angers before the middle of the xv. century, 
 exhibited six. Why this exhibition of devils has always 
 fallen in with the taste of the lower order of people, 
 Malebranche, he says, assigns a reason : " Recherche 
 de la V trite ;' torn. 1, p. 422. (q) 
 
 The mention of this particular mvstery leads me 
 also to observe, that in the *' Giornale de Letterati 
 d'ltalia," torn, i, p. 342, segq, there is an extraordinary 
 story of an Italian fanatic, denominated Brandano of 
 Sienna, or "II Pazzo di Cristo." This man's real 
 name was Bartolommeo Carosi. He was a husbandman ; 
 and a person of very loose morals, till a certain period 
 of his life : in which he is said to have been brought to 
 
 (9) Perhaps with a view to catch the popular taste Eloy 
 Damerlan de Bethune composed " Le Livre de la Dia- 
 blerie, en rime," Par. 1508, fol. Mich. le Noir. In that 
 work Lucifer and Satan are represented in consultation 
 together : and Satan relates " les abus & peches que font & 
 commettent les humains." This book has annotations in the 
 margin both from scripture and profane history; and M, de la 
 Monnoye says it is " bien ecrit," 
 
119 
 
 repentance in the following manner. In the " Castello" 
 to which he belonged, a " Rappresentazione" of the 
 Passion of J. Christ was prepared for exhibition in the 
 *' settimana santa" or holy wqck ; and Bartolommeo 
 was appointed to act the part of the penitent thief: 
 elevated upon, and bound to a cross for that purpose. 
 In personating this character, he found himself so 
 sensibly and deeply affected, that shedding a flood of 
 tears in detestation of his past life, he became from that 
 moment a changed man. For many years he practised 
 the severest mortifications : and after a certain time, 
 conceiving himself actuated by a divine impulse, he 
 assumed the character of a prophet: and frequently 
 pervading the diflferent Italian states, by his wretched 
 attire, strange gesticulations, and the peculiar boldness 
 and energy with which he denounced the impending 
 judgments of heaven, spread every where terror and 
 dismay : and proved excessively troublesome even to 
 the Roman court, and then reigning pontiff Clement 
 VII. The particulars of his history are related at large 
 by Girolamo Gigli, a native of Sienna, of whose work 
 the " Giornale" abovementioned furnishes an interesting 
 account. We may content ourselves with adding only, 
 that II Brandano died anno 1554, in the 67th. year of 
 his age, leaving behind him as we are informed *^ un 
 grande odore di santita, ed una somma venerazione a 
 suoi presagi." 
 
 Amongst works of the like description I find par- 
 ticular mention of — 
 
 '* Le Mystere du Bien-advis6 & Mal-advis6, mis 
 en rime fran^oise & par personnaiges," sans date, fol. 
 goth, which volume De Bure pronounces extraordinarily 
 rare, and always considered *' comme le plus pr^cieux 
 & le premier en rarete de la classe des Mysteres, &c." 
 
120 
 
 *' Le Mistere du vieil Testament, mis en rime fran- 
 ^oise & par personnaiges/' C circa 1507) fol, goth. 
 This is also described by De Bure, who says it is 
 beautifully executed, and the rarest impression of this 
 ancient drama. It was printed also by Jean Petit, s. a, 
 
 ** Le Mystere de la Conception & Nativite de la 
 glorieuse Vierge Marie, avec la Nativite, Passion, 
 Resurrection & Ascension de N. S. J. C. Geof. de 
 Marnefl." (1507) This comprehends three distinct 
 mysteries printed in a single volume. De Bure 
 minutely describes and terms it *^ Edition tres rare & 
 fort recherchee." '* Les Mysteres de la Resurrection," 
 " de la Conception," " de la Passion," and " de la 
 Vengeance," appeared from the press of Alain Lotrian, 
 so late as 1539, 4. goth. 
 
 *' La MoRALiTE de 1' Homme pecheur, mise en rime 
 fr. & jouee par personnaiges, &c." fol. goth. sans date: 
 considered as one of the rarest, and most curious of this 
 class. 
 
 " La MoRALiTE de THomme juste & de PHomme 
 niondain, avec le jugement de I'Ame devote & execution 
 de sa sentence," 1508, 4. considered equally rare and 
 curious with the former. 
 
 " La Nef de sante, &c. ecrit en prose & en vers, & 
 mis par personnaiges," small fol. goth. *' C'est pnc 
 Farce morale qui a de plaisans endroits," says the 
 annotator on Du Verdier. De Bure observes that it is 
 very rare and much prized, as being the original 
 edition. He mentions a copy preserved in the royal 
 library, printed on vellum, and decorated with beautiful 
 miniatures. 
 
 Lastly, the press of Trepperel was particularly 
 remarkable for a numerous progeny of these rude 
 dramatic pieces intitled '* Mysteres, &c." Many of 
 
121 
 
 them were re-impressions -of those which I have already 
 noticed. Besides such, the Veuve Trepperel printed 
 *' La Morahtd ou la vie de sainct Pierre & de sainct 
 Paul, mise en rime & par personnaiges au nombre de 
 cent," Par. 4. goth. sans date. Also '' La Moralite de 
 rinstitution de TOrdre des Freres Prescheurs, avec la 
 Vie de S. Dominique, &c. rime," 4. got/i. sans date, a 
 very rare volume. Alain Lotrian gave '' La Moralite 
 ou la Vie de Monseigneur sainct Laurent par person- 
 naiges, avec la Martyre de S. Yppolite rime," sans date, 
 4. goth. — " La Moralite de S. Catherine," 4. goth. — 
 de *' S. Marguerite," 4. goth. Other works of a similar 
 complexion are too numerous to be distinctly specified. 
 These " Moralites," together with " Comedies," 
 *' Sotties," " Farces," and other pieces of a dramatic 
 nature, were acted after the suppression of *' Mysteres," 
 by players calling themselves " Confreres de la Passion" 
 and others. See mention of various works of a like 
 character by De Bure, (Bibliogr, Instricvt. torn. 3. J 
 
 UsvARDi Marty rologium ad usum ecclesia Parisiensis, 
 foL Gitido Mercator, 
 
 Fausti Andreuni Livia sive quatuor libri amoriim, 
 4. GuiDO Mercator. 
 
 Iterum anno 1495, Felix Baligaut, 4. — 1496, Guido Mer- 
 cator^ 4. 
 
 He also composed " Epistolae adagiales," Par. 1496, 
 4. — *' De Neapolitana Fornoviensique Victoria Car- 
 minum" Libri II. Par. 1496, 4. — " De Gestis Legati 
 et de Captivitate Ludovici Sfortia?," Par. 1500, 4. — 
 " Defuga Balbi ex urbe Parisia," Pur. 1494, 4. 
 
 PuBLius Faustus Andrelinus was a native of Forli; 
 and is said to have obtained the honour of the laureate 
 
122 
 
 at Rome in his 22nd. year. Under Charles VlII. he 
 became a professor of humanity and mathematics at 
 Paris, and assumed the title of ** Poete du Roi et de la 
 Reine." However worthless his verses, he pretends 
 that Charles VIII. whom he denominates by the flatter- 
 ing title of Jupiter, took a pleasure in hearing them, 
 and paid him handsomely for them. 
 DuM STUPEO totus visii defixus in isto 
 Juppiter ecce venit magno stipatus honore. 
 Ipse olim vultus inter nutritus agrestes 
 Admiror primo aspectu : mox poplite flexo 
 Ante ipsum quaesita Jovem modulamina fundo, 
 Scilicet ut bello claram expugnavit aperto • 
 
 Parthenopem, patrios victorque redivit in agroS 
 Quamvis Hesperio vetitus foret orbe regressus< 
 
 "When we hear the poet thus expatiate on the con- 
 quests of the French monarch, shall we believe him 
 when he adds — 
 
 Nescio qua nostri captus dulcedine cantos 
 Ipse fuit, fulvi saccum donavit et aeris 
 Vix istis delatum humeris, cunctosque per annos 
 Pensio larga datur, qualem non lentus habebat 
 Tityrus umbrosis resonans sua gaudia sylvis. 
 
 Chorea ab eximio Macabro versibus Alemamcis cdiia 
 et a P. Desrey emendata, foL with figures. G, dc 
 Marnef, Fid, sub anno 1486. 
 
 Ci/ est la nouvelle Danse Macabre des Hommes dicfe 
 Miroer saluiaire de toutes gens. With figures, fol. 
 Idem, Fid. sub anno 1 48 6 , ^M 49 1 . 
 
 Expositio canonis missal ab OdonB Cameracensi, 4, 
 Giiido Mercator* 
 
123 
 
 This book is said to contain wood cuts. Mercator 
 repeated the impression annis 1494, 1496, 8. Steph. 
 Jehannot 1495, 8. It appeared Pa7\ 1492, 4. Odo 
 was first a scholar of Orleans, then abbot of " S. 
 Martin de Tours," and lastly archbishop of Cambray 
 circa 1105. Refusing to accept the investiture from 
 the emperor Henry IV. he was expelled from his see : 
 and retired to a monastery near Douay, where he died 
 anno 1113. 
 
 BoNAVENTURM Stimulus divini amoris, 12. G. MiU 
 telkus. 
 Iterum 1493, 8. Idem.— Sub anno 1474. 
 
 Martini cognomenio Magistri vel be Mjgistris 
 
 Quastionum vioralium P. ii. de temperantia, ^c. 
 
 Vtiolfgang Hopyll. 
 
 Martinus Magister, born at Turnon of humble 
 parents, gained great credit in the university by his 
 lectures on moral philosophy : became confessor to 
 Lewis XI. : died anno 1482. His *^ Qusestiones Morales 
 de Fortitudine" and '' de Temperantia" were perhaps 
 his most important productions. 
 
 Pathelin le grant et le petit, 4. goth. Ger. Beneaut. 
 
 De Bure notices the above, and also the following 
 impressions: — *' Le meme Pathelin grand & petit c'est 
 a-dire I'ancien & le nouveau ; avec le Testament a quatre 
 personnaiges, & en ryme frangoise." Paris, sans date, 
 edition goth. extremely rare. 
 
 " Le Meme Pierre Pathelin restituc a son naturel ; 
 avec le grand Blason des faulses amours compose en 
 vers par Guil. Alexis, Religieux de Lire ; & le Loycr 
 des folles amours, en rime." Par. Gall, du Pre, 1532, 16. 
 
 '' LeMeme," Lyon 1538, 12. 
 
124 
 
 ** La Farce du meme Pathelin, avec son Testament, 
 &c. & trois nouvelles Ballades tirees d'un MS. du XVI 
 siecle," Par. Coustelier 1723, S. impr. sur velin. 
 
 I find mention by Du Verdier of two other editions. 
 Par. S. Vostre, 8. and GrouUeau 1564, 16. This work 
 was translated also from the French into Latin, under 
 the following title: — ** Comcedia nova quae Veterator 
 inscribitur alias Pathelin us ex peculiari lingua in 
 Romanam versa," Par. Eustace 1512, 16. De Bute 
 notices an impression upon vellum. 
 
 Of this Latin translation Simon de Colines printed an 
 edition, with the following title : — '' Pathelinus Comoedia 
 alias Veterator e Gallica Lingua in Latinam traducta 
 per Alexandrum Connibertum," Par. 8. 1543. 
 
 Reuchlin (says M. de la Monnoye) was the author 
 of two very indifferent Latin comedies. One of these 
 iutitled " Progymnasmata" is imitated though in a 
 very disguised way from the before-mentioned French 
 work. Hence Melchior Adam says after Melancthon 
 " edidit fabulam Gallicam plenam candidi salis." But 
 M. de la Monnoye thinks the salt quite evaporated in 
 this imitation of Reuchlin, which was first performed in 
 the episcopal palace at Worms anno 1497. 
 
 The Latin translation bearing the name, whether real 
 or fictitious, of ^' Alexander Connibertus," appeared 
 first in the edition of Eustace anni 1512, before-men- 
 tioned. The style is very superior to Reuchlin's, and 
 the French exactly rendered ; excepting that the 
 translator has introduced a new character under the 
 name of '' Comicus"— " qui sans etre ni oui ni vu, se 
 trouve par tout, juge de tout, & fait avec tons les 
 autres acteurs un a parte perpetuel." The piece in the 
 edition of Colines contains 2500 verses, Reuchlin's 
 scarce 2000. 
 
125 
 
 M. de la Moimoye says he had written the substance 
 X)f the preceding remarks and many others in the blank 
 leaves of his own edition of the ancient work, Svo. sa7is 
 date. These were surreptitiously communicated to the 
 editor of the edition printed at Paris anno 1723, (vid. 
 ante) and wrought up into a preface without his 
 concurrence. He disclaims many expressions there 
 attributed to him, and also the notes. 
 
 We find also *' Le Nouveau Pathelin & le Testament, 
 &c." These he says are two other farces comprising 
 indifferent imitations of the former. A modern regular 
 comedy he adds, has better preserved the spirit of the 
 original, and met with a more favourable reception. 
 
 .^^^^.r^.r^^f^r^f^^f^.r'f' 
 
 M.CCCCXCI. 
 
 P, Pauli Apostoli EpistoliE. Epistolte ca^ionica Be ATI 
 Jacob J, ^c. 4. Gering ^ Rembolt. 
 
 Tractatus Ven. Doni. Alberti MAGNide Artevivendt, 
 loquendi ct tacendi, char. rom. 8. I idem, 
 Albert us was born at Lawingen in Suabia anno 
 1205. This great scholastic divine obtained the sur- 
 name of Magnus on account of his eminent talents ; 
 though some pretend it was from his family name 
 *' Groot" Germanice. He studied at Padua ; joined 
 the order of '' F^ratri Predicanti." and became general 
 of the Dominicans ; who relate many legendary stories 
 about his youthful dulness and miraculous illumination. 
 He was considered as the greatest divine, philosopher, 
 and mathematician of his age. In the last mentioned 
 science his expertness was such that the vulgar regarded 
 Ijim as a magician. In the latter part of his career he 
 
126 
 
 became public professor of theology at Cologn. Tho- 
 mas Aquinas, and many others of the most celebrated 
 schoolmen, were his hearers. Pope Alexander IV. 
 appointed him bishop of Ratisbon ; but he soon volun- 
 tarily renounced the episcopal charge, and retired to a 
 monastery of Cologn, to devote his old age to letters. 
 Obiit a?mo 1 280. His works are very numerous, but 
 I no where find the above treatise enumerated amongst 
 them. 
 
 Zes Histoires de Fail Orose iraduits en francois 
 
 Senecq,ue des mots dorez des quatre vertiis tnfraiu 
 
 cois, Ferard, fol. adorned with figures. 
 
 This History consists of VII books. It commences 
 
 with the beginning of the world and is brought down 
 
 to A. D. 316, which was within about a century of the 
 
 author's own period. It abounds with errors and 
 
 popular rumours ; but is not considered as a whojly 
 
 useless performance. The original appeared first Aug, 
 
 Findel. 1471. 
 
 Cy est la Danse Macabre desfemmes toute hystoriee 
 
 et augmentte de noiweaulx perso7inaiges , &(c. Sensui- 
 
 vent les trois mors et les trois vifz auec le debat du 
 
 corps et de lame. With figures, fol. Guiot Marchand. 
 
 I have noticed a larger work intitled '' La Grant 
 
 Danse Macabre des hommes & des femmes," &c. suh 
 
 anno I486. The "Danse Macabre desfemmes" is a 
 
 different work. A fine copy of it with the figures 
 
 illuminated, is mentioned in the " Cat. de la Valliere'* 
 
 (number 2805.) In the same Cat. (n. 2802) a small fol. 
 
 volume intitled *' Miroer salutaire pour toutes gens," 
 
 &c. printed by Marchand anno 1486, is said to contain 
 
 ** la danse macabre des femmes, le debat du corps et 
 
12t 
 
 de lame et la complainte dc lame dampnee." A like 
 volume intitled *' La nouvelle danse Macabre des 
 hommes diet Miroer salutaire," &c. Guyot Marchand 
 1490, fol. fig. enlnminees is noticed {ibid. n. 2S04) and 
 a copy of *' La Danse Macabre des hommes (en vers)" 
 Par.fol.goth. (n. 2803) printed on vellum, and orna- 
 mented witb 19 large miniatures. The first figure 
 exhibits an angel bearing " un rouleau deploy e" or 
 open scroll, on which are inscribed these words : 
 Hec pictura decus, pompani luxuinque relegat : 
 Inque choris nostris Ducere festa monet. 
 
 MisSALE Xjntonense, fol. Jolian, Higman, 
 
 Lihri Sapientiales, Latine, 4. Geo, Wolf. 
 
 Le SoNGE DV Vergier qui parle de la Disputation du 
 Clerc, et du Che-valier, par Jacques Maillet,foL 
 Iterum Parisiis bis sine anno, ante 1500 — Iterum, Jean de 
 Petit, foL 1500. 
 
 Le Vergier was an antient French author who chose 
 to be known by this name only, says Du Verdier. 
 But Mattaire terms the work *' Philippi Mazzerii Som- 
 nium Viridarii, Gallice." If the original work was 
 Latin, possibly Jacques Maillet might be the translator: 
 but French bibliographers say it was first composed in 
 French, and afterwards turned into Latin under the 
 above title. They add that the work was written in the 
 time of Charles V. The author of the fiction supposes 
 that sleeping in an orchard (un verger) he beheld two 
 queens, one denominated *' Puissance Spirituelle," the 
 other '* Puissance Temporelle," disputing for pre- 
 eminence in the king's presence. The former had 
 clxosen an ecclesiastic for her advocate : the latter a 
 
128 
 
 chevalier. The sleeper having heard the reasonings on 
 both sides urged with great ingenuity, evinced so correct 
 a memory as to commit them to writing, and produce 
 *' le Songe du Vergier." 
 
 La Danse des Avetjgles, avec le debat du Religieux 
 et de r Homme mondain, en rimefrancoise, char, goti; 
 4. par le petit Laurens. 
 
 "La Danse des Aveugles ! c'est a dire,'* says Du 
 Verdi ER, *' des humains dansans en ce monde sous la 
 conduite d' Amour, He Fortune, & de la Mort," in 
 rhyme : the argument in an edition an. 1 543 as follows : 
 Amour, Fortune & Mort, aveugles & handez, 
 Font danser les humains chacun par accordance: 
 Car aussitost qu' Amour a ses traicts desbandez, 
 li'homme veut commencer a danser basse danse, 
 Puis Fortune, qui sqait le tour de discordance, 
 Pour un simple d'Amour, fait un double bransler, 
 Pius inconstant beaucoup que feu'ille d'arbre en I'air: 
 Du dernier tourdion la Mort nous importune ; 
 JEt si nV a vivant qu' on ne voye esbranler 
 A Ja danse de Mort, d'AMOUR & de Fortune. 
 
 I find mention of another Gothic impression a Lyon, 
 4. also without date, which contains an account of a 
 dream, in form of a dialogue, prose and verse, between 
 ** L'Acteur" (i. e.) the author, and " son Entendement." 
 
 The edition a Lyon chez Ar mullet 1543, in 8. is- 
 supposed by M. de la Monnoye to differ in many 
 respects from the ancient work. " La Danse des Aveu- 
 gles" is by some attributed to Pierre Michault, who 
 flourished circa 1466. But Panzer mentions a Dutch 
 edition, Goudce, Gerh. Leeu 1482, intitled " Van den 
 drie blinden Dannsen''* which renders it probable that 
 the work ^s not originally of French extraction. 
 
129 
 
 Chroniques des JRoi's de France, Pa7\ 1491, 4* 
 
 Magistri Guillermi Hovppelande libellus de anime 
 hominis iw.mortalitate et statu post mortem, 12. 
 Iterum de Marnef, 1493, et Dion. Roce 1499, 8. 
 This author was a Frenchman who had his education 
 
 in the university of Paris, obtained several ecclesiastical 
 
 preferments there, and died *' Facultatis Theologicae 
 
 Decanus" anno 1492. 
 
 Martvrologium Romanvm, foL 
 
 </v\/<^.«N»v\«\yv/vrs«\r«vs«> 
 
 M.CCCC.XCII. 
 
 Les Paraboles de Maistre Alain, enfrancois. An- 
 
 toine VerardyfoL 
 
 This is a translation from the Latin. Alanus de 
 Insulis was of Flemish extraction ; but flourished as a 
 divine of the university of Paris : where he became 
 ** Moderator" or " Recteur," and obtained the title of 
 " Doctor Universalis." He at length became a Cister- 
 cian. He is supposed to have flourished circa 1215. 
 
 Of his *' Opus de ParaboHs sive doctrinale minus," 
 which appeared first Davcntrice 1492, K scepius alibi, 
 I find mention of no French impression in the original 
 Latin. The translation is in French rhyme, with a 
 commentary. Du Verdi er says an edition was also 
 printed by Pierre Sergent, Paris, without date. He 
 gives the following as a specimen of these parables. 
 " Apparet faiitasma viris, sed rursus ab illis 
 Vertitur in nihilum quod fuit ante nihil." 
 
 These two lines, unmeaning as they are, are amplified 
 into eight in the French translation. 
 
 s 
 
130 
 
 It was this author of whom that proverbial expression 
 was first spoken : 
 
 " Sufficiat vobis vidisse Alanum." 
 Upon a certain festival of the Holy Trinity, the auditory 
 of the said Alanus expected to hear a learned discourse 
 suitable to the occasion. He appeared indeed in the 
 pulpit, but spoke these words only — '^ Sufficiet vobis 
 vidisse Alanum," and presently retired. Signifying 
 that Alain, universal doctor as he was, could no other- 
 wise express the profundity of this mystery, than by a 
 solemn silence. This anecdote is related by M. de la 
 Monnoye, who thinks that Alanus flourished somewhat 
 later than I have before mentioned. 
 
 Our own venerable Wynken de Worde gave two 
 impressions of these parables, viz. anno 1308 and 1525. 
 The first impression is thus described, '* Parabola alani 
 cam commento." This title is over a wood cut of a 
 school-master on his throne, with a rod in his right 
 hand, and three scholars sitting on a form before 
 him. Vid, Ames, I, jO. 146. 
 
 Veguillon de crainte divine pour Men mourir, ou TraiU 
 des peines d'ENFER K de Purgatoire. Gilles 
 Cousteau et Jean Menard, pour Ant. Verard,foL 
 
 • Le Livre de Matheolus contrc le Marriage, le tout 
 compose en riynefrancoise. Ant. Verard,fol. 
 Panzer says this book is a translation from the Latin, 
 by Jean le Fevre de Terouane. It is considered as a 
 work of great rarity and curiosity, and has the following 
 whimsical subscription to determine its date : 
 Pour Tan que je fus mis en sens 
 R^tenez M et cinqcens 
 Je vous prie 6tez-en huit 
 
131 
 
 Mettez Oclobre le tiers jour 
 Et prenez plaisir et sejour 
 Tout ainsi comme il s'ensuyt.: 
 Explicit, 
 
 The same work in process of time gave rise to 
 another, in French rhyme, on the opposite argument ; 
 intitled ** Le Rebours de Matheolus ou le Resolu en 
 marriage," Paris, Mich, le Noir 1518, 4. goth. about 
 which period as De Bure conjectures '* Le Livre de 
 Matheolus" was reprinted in 4. goth. though the im- 
 pression preserves the subscription of the original before 
 given. 
 
 Traite de Vmenemeni de V Antichrist et des 1 5 signes 
 precedens le jugement et des joyes du Paradis, fol. 
 Verard. Fid, aw. 1494, " De arte bene vivendi, ^c." 
 De Bure says this is a curious and singular work ; 
 
 and the first that appeared on this subject. 
 
 Ze Livre de V Art de la Faflconner/e et des Chicns 
 
 de Chasse par Guillaume Tar dip, foL Antoine 
 
 Verard. Iter urn, Idem 1506, 4. 
 
 This is an uncommon work. Tardif was '' Liseur 
 
 du Roy Charles VIIL" He wrote also ** Anti Balbica 
 
 seii Recriminatio Tardiviana," Par. 1495, 4. '' Gram- 
 
 matica," and " Rhetoricae Compendium," Caesaris & 
 
 Stol. (sine loco et anno.) His treatise of Faulponry 
 
 consists of two parts: the first teaches '^ a connoitre 
 
 les oiseaux de proie, &c." the second ^' les maladies 
 
 desdits oiseaux, &g.'' 
 
 Le libre de bien vivre. fol. Verard. Vid. sub anna 
 1483, " Ars vivendi:"" etiam sub anno 1494, 
 
132 
 
 MissALE jtixta ritiis et constiUUiones Ecclesi<e Mel- 
 densis. Joh. de Prato, foL 
 
 Breviarivm magnum ad usum ecclesia Parmensis. 
 fol. Idem, 
 
 Breviarivm Ecclesia ParisiensisyfoL Pierre Caron. 
 Joh, Belin and Jo. Dupre, fol. Sub anno 1479. 
 
 Compendiosa Hymnorum expositio, 4. Ant, Cayllaut, 
 
 M, T. CiCERONis Orationes pro lege Maniltd, Archiay 
 Ligario, Marcello, 5C Deiotaro. 4. Idem. 
 
 Thomas a Kempis de imitatione Christi, PhiL 
 
 Pigouchet, 12. 
 
 The first impression of Paris, under the name of 
 ** Thomas a Kempis." Iterum^ Par. 1493, Jean Lam- 
 bert, Gallice, 4. Vid. sub anno 1489, *' Gerson,^^ 
 
 Terentius cum Comm, Guidoms Juvenalis. G, Wolff 
 pro Phil, Pigouchet, fol. 
 
 Breviarivm ecclesia Parisiensis, Ad solem aureum 
 mci Sorbonici (Gering) opera M, Georgii Wolff, 
 Rubricis nigris,fol, Rubricis rubris, 8. 
 
 Miss ALE Ecclesice Parisiensis. Ulric Gering pro Sim, 
 Vostre, Rubricis nigris et rubris, fol. Sub anno 
 1481. 
 
 JAeoBi Fabri Stapulensis in Aristotelis octo Physicos 
 Libros Paraphrasis. J, Higman,foL Sub an, 1496. 
 The following are the concluding lines of " Judoci 
 
 Clichtouei carmen decastichum regratiatorium eorum 
 
 qui hoc opus imprimi curaverunt :" — 
 
133 
 
 Debetis grates Alemano et ad usque Johanni 
 Higman : qui propriis sumptibus egit opus 
 
 Mendam corripui fido comitante Bohemo 
 (Ut potui) in plumbo si qua relicta fuit. 
 
 Histoire du vaillant Chevalier Pierre de Provence 
 et de la belle Maguelonne Jille du Roi de Naples, 
 Char. goth. 4. 
 
 De Bure ascribes this impression to Jebaa Trep- 
 perel. Cat, Due de la Falliere, torn. iL p. 642, 
 
 <^*^/^^rf\*.rwr./^*s#s/^.rvr^*^/l 
 
 M.CCCC.XCIII. 
 
 Metamorphose d^OvwE moralisee par Thomas IValeys 
 appellee la Bible des Poetes de ^netamorphoze* Ant<» 
 Verard. 
 
 This Thomas Waleis is said to have been a native 
 of Wales, a divine of the university of Oxford, and of 
 the society of preaching friars. At Avignon anno 1 332 
 preaching before the whole pontifical court, he i» said 
 boldly to have asserted the doctrine " de immediata 
 Dei visione," and to have accused John XXII. then 
 present of heresy. For this he was imprisoned ; but 
 released at the request of the king of France, and of 
 the university of Paris. 
 
 An impression of the above French translation was 
 executed Brugis 1484, Colard Manson, foL The 
 Spanish had also ^* Lo Libro de los Transformacions,'* 
 Barcellonce 1494. There was a translation into the 
 Italian printed ajino 1497. Caxton translated out of 
 the French and printed — 
 
 *^ The XV Books of Metamorphoses 
 In which ben contaynid the fables of Quid.'* 
 
134 
 
 There is reason to suppose that Caxton ** fynysshed" 
 and printed this work so early as in the year 1480. 
 Of this translation which was in prose, see his own 
 mention, sub anno 1475, article " Legenda,'''' 
 
 U'ORLOGE de Sapience. Ant, Verard, foL 
 
 This is a translation from the Latin, probably of 
 Henricus Suso, a native of Constance, who was born 
 circa 1300 — became a member of the order of " Fratri 
 Predicanti" — and died cfw/io 1365. His most esteemed 
 work was intitled *' Horologium aeternae Sapientiae," 
 Venet, 1492, 4. — Colon. 1496, 4. — Alostiy sine anno. — 
 A subsequent edition of the French translation appeared 
 from the press of Estienne Groulleau. 
 
 Caxton included a translation of this work into 
 English, in one of his impressions intitled — " A BoKE 
 COMPOSED OF Diverse Ghostly Maters. Of which 
 the fyrst treatise is named " Orologium Sapiencie" 
 shewing VII poyntes of true love of everlastynge wis- 
 dom." At Westmynstere. This name was g}' uen herto, 
 as hyt is seyde in the proheme of the boke, bycause 
 that the mater thereof was shewyn to hym that wrote 
 hit, as in a visioun, under the figure and likeness of. a 
 wonder fayre orologe setet and arayed wyth passynge 
 fayre roses and wyth symbales swete sownynge &q.'' 
 Qui legit emendet, pressorem non reprehendat 
 Wyllehnum Caxton, Cui Deus alta tradat. 
 Caxton is supposed to have printed this book circa 
 1496. The colophon informs us that it was lately 
 '^^ translated out of Frenshe by a right well disposed 
 person but unperfyght in such werke, who caused the 
 sayd book to be enprynted and humby besoughte the 
 readers of their charite to pray for the soule of the 
 translatipr." Vid, Ames S( Herbert, torn, 1, p. 9Q, 
 
135 
 
 Le Mystere de la Vengeance de N. S. J. C, par 
 
 personnages divise en quaire joumees. Char, goth, 
 foL Ant, Ferard. Vid. sub anno ] 490. 
 
 Le JovvENCEL.fol. goth. Ant, Verard. 
 
 Iterum 1497. Ferard, 
 
 De Bure says this is an allegorical romance, including 
 the most prudent maxims, by which a military man 
 should regulate his conduct in every stage of advance- 
 ment. The celebrated Jean du Beuil, admiral of France 
 under Charles VII, is the author and hero of the work. 
 He is supposed to have written it after Louis XI had 
 deprived him of his dignity of admiral in 146 1 . M. de 
 S. Palaye has given an interesting extract from this 
 romance, tom. XXVI, ** Mejn. de VAcad. des Inscr, 
 ^c," and says the manuscripts are infinitely preferable 
 to the printed copies, because the latter are full of errors. 
 
 A beautiful manuscript of this romance is described 
 in the Catalogue " de la Valliere," II, p. 643. It is 
 of the XV century: contains 136 leaves, is written 
 "enancienne batarde."^ The '' sommaires" are **en 
 rouge.'* Many of the capitals are painted in gold and 
 colours : and it is enriched with painted ornaments, 
 and sixteen elegant miniatures. The manuscript \s 
 upon vellum. 
 
 Le livre de Jean Boccace de la Louange et Vertu des 
 Nobles 5C Cleres Dames. Ant. Ferard, fol. goth, 
 with figures. 
 
 A translation from the Latin, vid. an. 1483. The 
 
 Catalogue " de la Valliere" particularly describes the 
 
 ^'editio princeps" of the Latin original, Ulmie 1413, 
 
 Jol. goth. That early impression is also ornaiQehted 
 
 with wood cuts, some of which are very singular. On 
 
136 
 
 the reverse of fol. 107 is found the representation of 
 " la Papesse Jeanne qui accouche au milieu d'une 
 Procession," to the great astonishment of the surround- 
 ing cardinals. Tom. in, p. 372. 
 
 A well preserved copy of the French translation, 
 printed by Verard, was in the collection of W. RoscoE, 
 Esq. Almost every chapter is decorated at the com- 
 mencement with a rude wood cut, so placed as to 
 represent an ornamented initial or capital letter. The 
 title of each chapter expresses the first words of the 
 Latin original, thus '^ Le XI Chapitre traitera de europa. 
 Et commance au texte Europam arbitrantur gmdamj** 
 The book is a moderately sized folio, printed in large 
 *^ characteres batards." 
 
 JUArt et Science de Ehetorique pour f aire rigmes et 
 ballades par Henry le Croy, fol. Ant. Verard, 
 
 Le livre intitule VArbre des BATAiLLESpar Honore 
 BONNOR, foL goih. 
 
 This work is ornamented with cuts. The Cat. de la 
 Valliere notices an impression upon vellum. Tom^ it\ 
 p. 602. Fid. sub. anno 14S1. 
 
 Les Grands Chroniques de France avecque la 
 Chroniqve de frere Robert Gagui?i contenue a la 
 Chronique Martinienne, 3 volL 
 
 The first volume has the subscription of Guillaume 
 Eustace, *' a Tenseigne de P Agnus Dei." The second 
 has this subscription, " Cy finissent les faits et gestes 
 du roi jehan, qui est a la fin du second volume 
 de Croniques de France im prime a Paris par Jehan 
 Maurand, pour Anthoine Verard, &c.'* The third 
 
137 
 
 concludes ^^ Cy finist le tiers volume contenant Charles 
 V. VI. & VII. Imprime a Paris pour Anthoine 
 Verard, &c. Pan M. cccc. quatre vingts et xui." fol. 
 (See Cat. de la Valiere, 5019. J 
 
 An impression of this work occurs in the *' Biblio- 
 theca Parisiana," No. 543, printed upon vellum. It 
 is described as a book of the greatest rarity; and of 
 astonishing magnificence, both for the equal beauty of 
 so large a work on vellum, the size of the margin, and 
 the immense labour of the illuminator. Every capital 
 letter is painted in gold; and it contains 953 miniatures, 
 of which 1 3 are the size of the page, and 940 about 4 
 inches by 3. It is in the original red velvet binding ; 
 and came from the library of Claude d'Urfe. It was 
 purchased by M. Laurent at the price of £l 51. 4s. 
 
 De Bure says that Verard's impression of the 
 before-mentioned Chronicles is somewhat less rare than 
 that of Pasquier Bonhomme ; but better executed. I 
 find notice of an impression bearing the name and 
 device of Francois Regnault, 3 voU. fol. sine anno, 
 
 I have mentioned sub anno 1476 " Les grands 
 Chroniques de France, dites de S. Denis," 3 voll. fol. 
 Having there stated the opinion of Du Chesne that the 
 Chronique de S. Denis was begun by Jean Chartier ; 
 I shall here observe that according to M. de Ste 
 Palaye, GuiLLAUME DE Nangis who flourished under 
 St. Louis and Philippe le Bel, was the earliest author; 
 that he carried it to the year 1275, and that it was 
 continued by others who borrowed their additions from 
 contemporary historians. The original Chronicle of 
 G. de Nangis appears to have been composed in Latin : 
 but is now lost. The '^ Cat. de la Valiere," No. 5021, 
 describes a fine manuscript of *^ La Chronique de 
 France" by this author, which commences thus : — 
 
 T 
 
138 
 
 " Pource que moult de gent et mesmement li hauls 
 homme et li noble qui souveut viennent en leglise de 
 monseigneur St. Denys de france ou grant partie des 
 vaillans Roys de france gist en sepulture desirent a 
 congnoistre et a sauoir la naissance et dessendue de 
 leur tres haulte generacion et les merueilleux faiz qui 
 sont raconte et public par uiaintes terres des deuant diz 
 roys de france je frere guille de nangis moine de la 
 deuant dicte eglise de saint denis ay translate de Latin 
 en francois a la requeste de bonnes gens ce que jauoye 
 autrefoiz fait en latin selon la forme dun arbre de la 
 generacion desdiz Roys pour ce que cil qui latin 
 nentendent puissent sauoir et congnoistre dont si noble 
 gent et si beneureuse lignee descendi et vint." 
 
 L'Histoirc d'EVRiALVS ei de LucRECE vrais Amou^ 
 reux. Ant, Verard, fol. 
 
 This is a translation into French rhyme from the 
 Latin of ^neas Sylvius, afterwards pope Pius IL 
 printed iterum sub hoc anno^ et sine loco et anno. Fid, 
 sub anno 1476. 
 
 Martial de Paris les Vigiles de la mart du Eoi 
 Charles VII, ou Chronique des Choses arrivces 
 durant la vie du dit feu Roi, mise en vers. Jean du 
 Fres, char, goth,fol. 
 
 The history of Charles VIL entitled' " Les Vigiles, 
 &c." is a work in French verse, composed by Martial 
 d'Auvergne, " procureur au Parliament de Paris" circa ^ 
 1480. It treats of the recovery of France ; and of the 
 duchies of Normandy and Guienne from the English. 
 The poem contains six or seven thousand verses of 
 different measures : and is wholly ia praise of the 
 
139 
 
 jabovementioned monarch. It was entitled ** Les Vi- 
 giles, &c." on account of the singular form under 
 which it is conceived : which is that " des Vigiles des 
 Morts." Instead of '^ psalms" are found historical 
 recitals ; in which the poet records the misfortunes and 
 exploits of Charles's reign. For the *' lessons," are 
 substituted compkints on account of his death, and 
 eulogies on his virtues. This work wa? thought worthy 
 of being reprinted so lately as in 1724, Paris, S. 
 
 The same author composed in French verse '^ Ciiir 
 quante Arrets d'Amours : " often printed, and last, 
 Ar7ist. 1731, with the addition of '' L'Amant rendu 
 Cordelier, &c." which by some has been attributed to 
 him. (^vicl. sub an.}4^13,) I have noticed his *' Devotes 
 Louanges" s,ud anno 1489. French bibliographers say 
 he was the best writer of his age ; and that all his 
 productions are marked with ingenuity, strength, pene- 
 tration, and an '' elegance naive" which still please; 
 and which evince too that he was frank, sincere, and a 
 declared enemy to vice. They cite his description of 
 a rural life, which say they ** est charmant." 
 
 MiRUX vaut Hesse 
 L' accueil & Tadresse 
 L' amour & simplesse 
 Des bergers pasteurs, 
 Qu avoir a large?5se 
 Or, argent, richesse 
 Ne la gentilesse 
 De ces grans seigneurs. 
 
 Car ils ont douleurs 
 Et des maux greigneurs ; 
 Mais pour nos labeurs 
 Nons avons sans cesse 
 
140 
 
 Les beaulx pres & fleurs. 
 Fruitages, odeurs, 
 Et joye a nous cueurs 
 Sans mal qui nous blesse. 
 
 Vid. Bib. de la Croix du Maine, 
 
 Elegantiarvm vigmtaproscepta, 8. Guido M creator , 
 On the subject of ignorant printers, and impudent 
 pretenders to literature, says Chevillier, Aldus Manutius 
 complains at much length in his preface to the 
 *' Cornucopiae" of Perottus, 1515, fol. Jacques Fon- 
 taine a professor of civil law at Paris, on composing 
 the eulogy of Rembolt after his decease, which is found 
 in '' Sexto Decretalium," Chevalon 1520, speaks in 
 terms equally indignant. I have noticed the preceding 
 volume in the introductory part of this work, page 43, 
 
 JoHANNis DE Tambaco Consolatorium theologicum. 
 Georg. Mittelhus, 4. goth. 
 
 Joannes Tambacus, a native of Strasburg, belonged 
 to the order of '' Fratri Predicanti :" after presiding at 
 the university of Prague, was created by Urban V. *' S. 
 Palatii Magister :'* and ^' claruit circa 1384." His 
 " Consolatorium," otherwise *' Speculum Patientiae seu 
 de Consolatione Theologise Libb. XV." appeared first 
 Basilcte, Amerbach. 1492. 
 
 Joan, Gerson Jlphabetum divini amoris,\2. got. Idem, 
 Early impressions of the various Opuscula of Gersou 
 are almost numberless. Vid. sub anno 1489. 
 
 Liber Meditationiim beati Bernardi, 8. Ideyn. 
 
 This is one of the numerous treatises of S. Bernard 
 " Abbas Clare vallensis," whose writings often employed 
 
141 
 
 the Gothic press. In 1 496 Wynken de Worde printed 
 in English ** The Medytatyons of Saynt Bernard 
 which for very favour and chary table loue of all such 
 persones as have not vnderstonding in Latyn hath be 
 translatyd fro Latyn into Englisshe by a deuout student 
 of the vniuersyte of Cambrydge and has been put to be 
 emprynted the IX of March at Westmesler, 4/' There 
 is a wood cut in the frontispiece, representing a religious 
 man in a hood, a cross in one hand, and a book in the 
 other. 
 
 De reformaiione mrium anime CGerardjJ de Zut- 
 
 PHANIA, 8. Idem. 
 
 Iterum, Par. 1493, 8. 
 
 Gerard de Zutphen, so called from the place of 
 his nativity, was one of the first ** e clericis regularibus 
 Ord. S. Hieronymi ;" and was remarkable for his piety 
 and learning. Claruit circa 1390. The above tract, 
 and another of his, ** Dc spiritualibus ascensionibus," 
 being of the ascetic character, are sometimes found 
 united with the works of Thomas a Kempis. 
 
 MisSALE £dvense, fol, Johan. Higman, 
 
 JusTjNiANt Imperator. Institutioniivi Libri IV, cum 
 glossis.foL Geor. Wolf. 
 
 Traite de V amour parfaite de Gvisardvs ^ SlGls^ 
 
 MUNDE, 4. goth. Pierre le Caron. 
 
 This is a rhyming translation of the «* Aureus 
 Libellus de Guiscardo et Sigismunda," a tale from 
 Boccace ; by Leonardo Aretino. There are seven early 
 editions of the original: scil. 1490 sine locoy and six 
 sine anno K loco. It appeared in English under the 
 
142 
 
 title of " The Stately Tragedy of Guiscard and 
 SiGiSMOND," in two books, 4. printed as Warton thinks 
 by Wynken de Worde. He also says that it was 
 written by one William Walter, an obscure writer 
 coeval with Stephen Hawes. There is an edition anni 
 1597, im})rinted for R. D. (Rob. Dexter.) Vid, 
 Herbert, vol. I, p. 216. 
 
 Le droit z nouveaiilx avec le deb at des Dames et des 
 
 amies, Venqueste entre la simple ^ rusee, Kp, 4. 
 
 Veuve de Jehan TreppereL 
 
 This is by Guillaume Coquillart, official of the 
 church of Rheims, anno 1478. He was author of other 
 similar tracts ; such as *' Le Monologue de la Botte de 
 foin"— -*Me Monologue de Puis"— "du Gendarme 
 Casse, &c." a Paris, Gal. du Pr^, anno 1532. 
 
 M. DE LA MoNNOYE thinks that he was contemporary 
 with Martial d*Auvergue, whom I have noticed under 
 the present year. Marot esteems him the honour of 
 Champagne ; and says in imitation of MartiaPs— 
 " Verona docti syllabas amat vatis ; 
 " De Coquillart s'ejoUit la Champagne." 
 
 Le grand Blason des fausses amours, 4. goth. Jehan 
 Lambert. 
 
 This is another of the productions of Frere Guillaume 
 Alexis surnamed " Le Moyne de Lyre," mentioned 
 sub anno i486. Guillaume Caron gave an impression 
 also, Par. sine armo 4. This early poet's works are 
 much esteemed. The ''Blason" in particular is said 
 to be worthy of revision and correction by some good 
 manuscript. The dialogue consists of twenty-six 
 stanzas, each of twelve verses, of agreeable but various 
 construction. La Fontaine admired the ease and 
 
14B 
 
 sprightliness of this monk's poetry ; and on some 
 occasions imitated his manner and versification. 
 
 Lc Martyrologue des/aulses langues tenu au temple 
 de Dangler. Idem^ 4. goth, 
 
 Du Verdi ER says this work is in couplets ; the latter 
 line of each couplet ending with a kind of proverbial 
 sentence ; such as, 
 
 " CoEUR pensif ne scait oil il va. 
 
 La crainte est tousiours aux approches. 
 
 De faux arbre mauvais syon. 
 
 Qui mal dit mal lui soit rendu, &c." 
 
 It was also printed a Rouen par Jaq. Forestier, 4. 
 
 LvDOVici MoNTALTi Tvactatus Reprobationis Sentejitia 
 
 Filati. 4. mill, 
 
 Iterum, 1496, 4. 
 
 The above, which Panzer mentions without a 
 printer's name, is said to be an impression of Michel le 
 Noir ; and the original edition of an uncommon and 
 very singular tract. 
 
 JUVENALIS Satyra^ gallice. 4. 
 
 SuMMULA Fauperum quam nominant plures jurisperi- 
 
 torurn versus Decretales, 4. 
 
 Iterum, G. Wolff, 1494. 
 
 Perhaps this " Summula" is the same which we find 
 subjoined to subsequent editions of the '' Decretalia" 
 of Gratian : under the title of '' Decretum abbreviatum 
 inyersibus;" commencing — 
 
 " Prima dabit cuique jus humanum dominiqAie, ^c.*' 
 
 «. 
 
 JoHANNis BuRJDANi Sophismata. 4. 
 
144 
 
 Jean Buridan, a native of Bethune, and 'Recteur' of 
 the university of Paris, was less famous for his commen- 
 taries on Aristotle, than for his " Sophism of the Ass/' 
 He supposed one of these animals, equally pressed by 
 hunger and thirst, placed between a bushel of oats and 
 a bucket of water. *^ Que fera cet ane?" said he to 
 his hearers. — " He will remain motionless." " What,'* 
 said the Doctor, "suffer himself to perish between 
 water and corn ? — No — he will turn to one side in pre- 
 ference to the other. Consequently he possesses the 
 faculty of deliberation and freedom of choice." It is 
 pretended that this sophism so perplexed the logicians 
 of the age, that the Ass of Buridanus became famous 
 in the schools. This Professor we are told, espoused 
 the party of the nominalists ; and was on that account 
 persecuted by the realists, and obliged to seek refuge 
 in Germany. His '* Quaestiones in Ethica Aristotelis' 
 were printed Par. 1 489, fol. W. Hopyll. "In Politica," 
 Par. 1500. His " Summulade Dialectica," Par. 14S75 
 fol, Charcagnus. CVid, sub anno 1487.y/ 
 
 M.CCCC.XCIV. 
 PSALTERIVM ad usum ecclesice Parisiensis, cumcantu, 
 4. Gering and Rembolt, 
 
 Dialogus beati Gregoru papce ejusque diaconi Petri 
 de vita et miraculis patrum Italicorum et de aternitate 
 animaruni. Gering et Rembolt^ 4. 
 
 Sermones Fr. Guillermi super epistolas de tempore et 
 
 Sanctis, 8. I idem. 
 
 This was Gulielmus Peraldus, sive " de Petra 
 alta," a French Dominican, who flourished circa 1272., 
 
145 
 
 and became archbishop, or perhaps suffragan of Lyons. 
 He left also " Summa aurea de Virtutibus & Vitiis." 
 Colonics 1479, ^ s<ppius alibi, and *' Tractatus de Pro- 
 fessione Monachorum," Par. Joan. Parvus, sine anno, 
 
 GuiLLELMi Carthusiensis Sermones super orationem 
 Dominicam. Gering and Rembolt, S. 
 
 Le mei-veilleux Faits et Gestes du noble 5C puissant 
 Chevalier Lancelot du Lac, Compaignon de la table 
 ronde, Hi, voll.fol. Ant. Ferard. Fid. sub anno 1488. 
 
 This is the most esteemed edition of a Romance 
 which De Bure terms the most amusing of all that 
 relate " a la Table Ronde." It is of Latin or as some 
 say Italian origin. The translator is generally reputed 
 to be Robert de Borron. But there is also a tradition 
 that Gautier Map or Walter de Mapes, our facetious 
 countryman, had some hand either in the original or the 
 translation. An old French manuscript says, that Walter 
 had translated from the Latin into French the *' Livre 
 de S. Graal" for the amusement of his sovereign Hen- 
 ry II. of England. The king having perused these 
 adventures of S. Graal, observed that it was not 
 sufficient to have recounted the acliievements of so 
 many brave knights, but that he ought also to add 
 the history of their deaths ; which induced Walter to 
 undertake a new work, viz. ** La Mort du Roi Artus, 
 derniere partie des Romans de la Table Ronde." (r) 
 
 (r)' In the Cat. de la Valiere (No. 3989) we find a par- 
 ticular description of a curious manuscript of the XIII century, 
 intitled " Recueil de Romans des Chevaliers de la Table- 
 ronde," SvolKfol. written upon vellum, containing 694 leaves, 
 
 u 
 
146 
 
 The Cat. de la Valiere also mentions *f Le seconde 
 volume du Roman de Lancelot," a Paris, Ant. Verard, 
 fol. goth. printed upon vellum, with xx miniatures ; 
 
 on each page three columns, and enriched with a great number 
 of miniatures. It contains — 1. " Le roman del san Graal," 
 which is the first '• de la Table-ronde." — 2. '• Histoire de 
 Merlin, &c." — 3. " Le roman de Lancelot du Lac," the 
 sequel of that " de S. Graal," and " dea Chevaliers de la 
 Table-ronde." On the subject of this ancient manuscript the 
 compiler of the catal. (De Bure) adds the following notice:— 
 
 " On y lit que les avantures del S. Graal, telles qu' elles 
 furent vues & raconlees par Boor, furent mises & gardees en 
 TAbbaye de Salesbieres .... 
 
 Dont Maistre Gautiers map les traist a faire son liare del S. 
 Graal por lamor del roi henri son signor qui fit lestoire trans- 
 later du latin en franchois. apres che que maistres gautiers map 
 ot traitie des auentures del S. Graal asses souffisament si 
 comme il fut auis al roi henri son signor que ce quil auoit fait 
 ne deuoit pas souffire sil ne racontoit la fin de chaus dont il 
 auoit deuant fait mention comment chil moururen^ de qui il 
 auoit les proeces ramenteus en son liure & porce commencha 
 il cest daaraine partie & quant il lot mise ensamble il lapala la 
 mort al roi artus." — Hence probably the same title, viz. " La 
 MORTE d'Arthur," came to be applied to " The lyfe of king 
 Arthur, and of his noble knyghtes of the round table, and in 
 thende the dolorous deth of them all," printed by Caxton anno 
 1485. Mr. Dunlop observes that the French " Roman de 
 Roi Artus" is merely a combination of the antecedent fabulous 
 stories of the knights of the round table, with some improve- 
 ment perhaps in the arrangement of the incidents : — that the 
 work comprehends the history of the round table, of which 
 Arthur was the founder, or at least the restorer ; and gives 
 an account of that monarch from his birth to the period of his 
 tragical death* 
 
14T 
 
 which volume is not of the edition of 1494. It has 
 this quatrain inserted in manuscript, in the writing of 
 the XVII century : — 
 
 Sir Thomas Malory, knight, is said to have invested this 
 interesting romance with an English dress before the year 
 1470. Concerning Malory little appears to be known; but 
 Leland and Hollingshed are said to have described him as a 
 native of Wales, it is observable that some are inclined to 
 consider Sir Thomas Malory partly as an original author; or 
 at least as a compiler of this romance ; and relying on the 
 veracity of Leland's and HoUingshed's tradition, imagine he 
 might gather largely for his work from the Wklsh romances 
 then extant, as well as from others in the French and Normaa 
 languages. True it is, that Caxton in his preface says; 
 *' Many noble volumes ben made of hyra (Arthur) and of his 
 noble knyghtes in Frensshe, whycb J haue seen and redde 
 beyond the see, which ben not had in our maternal tongue. 
 But in Walsh ben many, and also in Frensshe, and some in 
 Eng-lyssh, but no where nyghe alle. Wherefore suche as 
 haue ben late drawen oute bryefly into Englyssh J haue, after 
 my symple cunnynge that God hath sent to me, vnder the 
 faucur and correction of all noble lordes and gentylmen 
 enprysed to enprynt a boke of the noble hystoryes of the sayd 
 kynge Arthur and of certen of his knyghtes afier a copy vnto 
 me delyuered, whiche copi Syr Thomas Malory toke out of 
 certen bokes of Frensshe, and reducyd it into Englysshe." — 
 Thus by the testimony of Caxton himself, the sources of Sir 
 Thomas Malory's work appear to be limited to French 
 originals only. Whether he performed the pari of a compiler 
 as well as ^ translator, can only be ascertained by a minute 
 comparison of the English with the French romances: but 
 Caxton afterwards expressly characterises the work as a 
 *' tranelaciony Panzer certainly considers as the prototype 
 of this work some early manuscript of the book iu.titled " Le 
 
148 
 
 " QuicoNQUE dit que Lancelot est fable 
 C'est quelque sot qui n'est point amoureux 
 Car qui bien aime & a la cueur stable 
 Penetrera & renfer & les cieux." 
 
 The impression anni 1494 by Verard, is considered 
 as the best edition. It appeared also annis 1513 and 
 1533, in three parts. Du Verdier also mentions an 
 
 Roman du Roi Artus ou livre du Roi Artus et de COM- 
 PAGNONS de la Table ronde ou de Lancelot de Lac ; of 
 which the first and second parts were printed a Rouen, en 
 Vkostel de gaillard le bourgois Lan de grace mil CCCC. IIII. XX. 
 et huyt (1488) par jehan le bourgois: — and the third part in 
 the same year at Paris, by Jehan du Pre, under the title of 
 " Tierce partie de Lancelot du Lac, S(c,'^ foL (Vid, sub anno 
 1488.) The two first volumes occur " Cat. de la Valiere,'' 
 No. 3998, and De Bure says " C'est le Roman du Grand 
 Artus :" and the three vols, are noticed together in his " Bibl, 
 Instructive,'^^ No, 3786. This conjoint impression of Rouen 
 and Paris is doubtless a work of the greatest rarity, as I find 
 no indubitable specification of any other edition prior or 
 posterior. 
 
 Caxton's impression thus concludes — " And when J am 
 deed, J pray you all pray for my soule; for the translacion of 
 this boke was fynysshed the ix. yere of the regne of kyng 
 Edwarde the fourth, by syr Thomas Maleore knyght, as Jhesu 
 helpe hym for his grete myghte, as he is the servaunt of Jhesu 
 bothe day and nyghte." 
 
 " Thus endyth this noble and ioyous boke, entytled La morte 
 d*Arthur Notwythstondyng it treateth of the b^th, lyf and 
 actes of the sayd kynge Arthur, of his noble knyghts of the 
 rounde table, theyr merueylous enquestes and aduentures, 
 thacheuynge of the sancgreal, and in the ende the dolourous 
 deth and departynge out of this worlde of them al; whyche 
 
149 
 
 edition of the Romance of Lancelot, which his anno- 
 tators say was printed anno 1520, in 6 vols. 
 
 Pamphile en vers franco-is, on les fails cfJmour de 
 Pamphile et de Galatee : fol. got/i. Antoine Verard, 
 
 This is a paraphrase of a Latin poem by PAMPmLUS 
 Maurilianus, intitled *' Pamphilus de amore seu 
 
 boke was reduced into Englysshe by syr Thomas Malorj, 
 knight, as afore is sayd, and by me devyded into xxi. bokes, 
 chapitred and emprynted, and fynisshed in thabbey, Wesraestre, 
 the last day of Juyl, the yere of our Lord m.cccc.lxxxv," 
 Caxton me fieri fecit. — " To Malory says M. Dunlop, Spenser 
 was greatly indebted, as has been shown by M. Warton at 
 much length in his remarks on that poet's imitations of the old 
 romances; where he also attempts to prove that Ariosto bor- 
 rowed from Lancelot du Lac the notion of Orlando's madness, 
 of his enchanter Merlin, and of his magic cup." (Hist, of 
 Fiction, vol. i, p,2{\: also Warton on Spenser, passim.) 
 
 A second English impression of the beforementioned popular 
 romance was executed by Wynken de Worde anno 1498, 
 fol. with wood cuts: a third anno 1529. Another in double 
 columns by William Copland anno 1557: another by Thomas 
 East, who flourished under queen Elisabeth, sine anno: and as 
 it is said, another by W. Stansby for Jacob Blome anno 
 1634, 4. A copy of the first impression by Caxton, wanting 
 only eight leaves, was lately purcliased for Earl Spencer at the 
 sale of Mr. Lloyd's books, at Wygfair near St. Asaph, at the 
 price of £325. This circumstance, after a long interval, 
 has awakened the curiosity of the public with regard to this 
 amusing romance; and a reimpression of it has been announced, 
 under the superintendance of the ingenious Mr. Southey : and 
 two impressions in a small size and character, but with a 
 modernized text, &c. have also recently appeared. 
 
150 
 
 carmen de arte amandi." It has the original Latin 
 elegiacs in the margin. Pierre le Dru gave an impression 
 of the original separately amio 1499, Paris, 4. 
 
 Pamphile becomes enamoured of Galathee a neigh- 
 bouring beauty. She being of a more considerable and 
 wealthy family, he is apprehensive of a refusal. He 
 negotiates with " une Intriguante," who undertakes to 
 manage the affair. This artful female is well paid by 
 Pamphilus atid Galatea ; and the parents of the latter 
 at last consent to the desired marriage. French critics 
 observe that the stratagems of love are described in this 
 piece, with sufficient ** naivete." '* La souplesse de 
 rintriguante," the art which she employs to irritate the 
 passions of the two lovers, and her own avidity for gain, 
 are well expressed, '* en un style assez bon pour le 
 temps." 
 
 This book was in ** la Bibliotheque du Roi," small 
 fol. printed on vellum with illuminations : the first of 
 which represents the author on his knees, clad in a long 
 furred robe, presenting his work to Charles VIII, for 
 whose amusement it was composed. Jean de Marnef 
 gave an impression anno 1545. 
 
 BoECE de Consolation, en Francois, fol, Anthoine 
 
 Verard. 
 
 This French translation was also printed ^rw^w by 
 Colard Mansion 1477, fol. and Lugduni, Guil. le Roy 
 . 1483, fol. 
 
 The translator is said to be Jean de Meun, the 
 continuator of the ''Roman de la Rose." Our early poet 
 Chaucer also distinguished himself by a translation of 
 this author. He is supposed to have executed it in 
 early life — possibly during his residence at Paris. A 
 few Gallicisms interspersed may authorise the conjecture 
 
151 
 
 that he availed himself of the labours of Jean de Meun, 
 who was confessedly with him a favourite writer : but 
 this might be better iascertained by a comparison of both 
 versions. This translation by Chaucer, viz. " Boecius 
 de Consolatione Philosophic," was first printed by Cax- 
 TON at an early period, but without date. The book 
 is in Latin and English alternately ; and Caxton in the 
 epilogue says: " The worshipful fader & first foundeur 
 & embelissher of ornate eloquence in our english, Jmene, 
 Maister Geffrey Chaucer hath translated this sayd werke 
 oute of latyn in to our vsual and moder tonge. Folowing 
 the latyn as neygh as is possible to be vnderstande, &c. 
 TheBoke of Boecius called '' the comforte of philoso- 
 phye," in maner of a dialogue &c. was also translated 
 into the Englyshe toung by George Coluile, alias 
 Coldewel, and Imprynted by John Cawood, 1556," 4. 
 Vid. also Hearne's Rob, of Gloucester^ v. 2, p. 101. 
 
 BoccACE des nobles malheureux. Idem, fol. with wood 
 
 cuts* 
 
 This translation is by Laurent de Premier faict, 
 who flourished under Charles VIII, and probably 
 translated the Decameron; noticed siib anno 14^85, I 
 presume it is the same work, though under a different 
 title, with that already described sub anno 1483. 
 
 L" Ordinaire des Chretiens en 5 parties. Ant. Ve-- 
 
 rardjfol. — ornamented xvith wood cuts. 
 
 Iterum, Ferard, 1495. 
 
 Anno 1502 Wynken de Worde printed an English 
 translation of this singular work, intitled — 
 
 " The Ordinarye of crysten men." 
 
 At the head of the prologue is a wood cut of a monk 
 presenting a book to a bishop seated, with his mitre on, 
 
IS2 
 
 and his cross bearer standing by. In the prologue we 
 are informed that the book is divided into 5 parts. 
 " The fyrst is of the sacrament of baptem, and of the 
 xij artycles of the fayth — The seconde is of the x. 
 commaundementes of the lawe — The thyrde is of the 
 werkes of mercy — The fourthe is of the maner hym 
 well to confesse — The fyfth is of the paynes of helle, 
 and of the joys of paradyse.'* Also that it was *' fyrst 
 begonne to be wrytten the xiiij day of January the yere 
 of our lorde M.cccc.lxvij." 
 
 This book contains several forms of exorcisms and 
 conjurations, and has twelve very singular wood prints 
 interspersed. At ,the end *' Here endeth the booke 
 named the ordynarye of chrysten men nevvely hy story ed 
 and translated out of Frenshe in to Englysshe. Em- 
 prynted in the Cyte of London in the Flete-strete in the 
 syne of the sonne by Wynken de Worde, the yere of 
 our lorde M.ccccc.ij." Beneath is Caxton's cypher on 
 aJ)lack ground, with the name of *' Wynkyn de Worde." 
 On the last leaf a cut on each page. The first, of the 
 crucifixion, between the two thieves ; the other a cru- 
 cifix botone, erected on a tall pillar on steps in the high- 
 way, where three persons on horseback, and a dragon 
 in the air, are beholding it with astonishment, listenmg 
 to a group of ghosts and a begging friar sitting on the 
 ground near it, who may be supposed relating the 
 miracles done thereby. Ames and Herbert are equally 
 minute in describing the other wood cuts in this curious 
 volume which are stated to be 1 2 in number. ^ln7io 
 1506 Wynken de Worde repeated the impression of 
 this work : — and what is singular, the wood cuts in this 
 second edition, though equally extravagant in design, 
 are found to differ intirely from those of the former 
 edition. See a very particular description of this 
 volume, " Ames & Herbert," vol. 1, p. 142. 
 
153 
 
 iraciatiis de Arte bene vivendi beneque morjendi. 
 
 Speculum peccatoris, Bernardus de contemptu mundi. 
 
 12. Guido Mercator. 
 
 The foresroins: collection of tracts exhibits two wood 
 cuts on the last leaf. There is the work intitled *' Ars 
 MORiENDi" printed Argentoratiy ^ variis locis ; et sine 
 loco ^ anno, at very early period's. This book is cele- 
 brated in the history of early engraving : vid. Heinecken. 
 There is also *^ De Arte bene moriendi" ascribed 
 to Joh. de Capranica, Cardinal de Firmo ; whence 
 doubtless the book intitled " Arte del ben morire." 
 Floi\ J. de Ripoli, 1477, 4. Sf scepius alibi. Again, 
 " Ars bene vivendi & moriendi" which G. Mercator 
 printed not only in this year 1494, but also anno 1483, 
 4. and 1490, 4. and Joh. Parvus, 1497, 8. Hence 
 ptobably Gallice " L'art de bien vivre et de bien 
 MOURir.'* Par. Ant. Verard, 1496, 4. Herbert (Gen. 
 Hist. p. 1530) mentions a very rude English translation 
 of this last-mentioned work, viz. "The traytteofthe 
 art of good lyuing and good deying, translatytin Paris 
 the XIII day of May, of Franch in Englysh, oon thousand 
 V hondreth and iii zears : imprentyt in Parys xxx day 
 of the mowneth of May." With wooden cuts, 4. 
 preserved in the library of Emanuel College, Cambridge. 
 This singular book was printed by Antoine Verard. 
 (vid, sub. anno 1504). The diction seems to indicate 
 that the translator of the *' Kalendar of Shippars" (sub 
 anno 1489) was also the artificer of this translation. 
 
 Another translation intitled *' The crafte to lyve 
 well and to dye well," was executed by Andrew 
 Chertesey, and printed by Wyneen de Worde anno 
 1506 (see the verses of Copland cited 5w3 «w/2o 1486.) 
 The title of this impression exhibits a curious wood 
 cut of a funereal car, drawn by horses pompously 
 
 X 
 
154 
 
 caparisoned, &c. which is- repeated on the reverscy 
 with the addition of several: admonitory stanzas ; com- 
 mencing thus : — 
 
 " O MORTALL man, lifte up thyn eye 
 
 And put all vanyties out of thy mynde 
 
 For as thou seest this corse here lyei 
 
 Even so shalt thou, by nature and kynde. 
 
 A mannes Jyf is but a blast of wynde, 
 
 And in a thought departed and gone ; 
 
 Wyf childe and godes you must leve behynde ; 
 
 To day a man tomorrow none, &c," 
 
 It contains many other wood cuts, which are however 
 of a diminutive size, and very rude execution. M. 
 Dibdin, who describes this book at large, sajs it is 
 divided into five heads, viz. 1. *' The arte or crafte ta 
 die well." 2. *' The comynge of Antecryste." 3. " thfe 
 fyftene sygnes." 4. *' the grete Judgement." 5. " the 
 Joys of Paradyse." These will probably be found to 
 be translations from distinct French tracts incorporated 
 together in the English work. Thus " the comynge 
 of Antecryste"— *' The fyftene sygnes, &c." will pro- 
 bably prove to be '' Le Traitd de TAvenement de 
 r Antichrist, &c." noticed ^m3 anno 1492. — The colophon 
 of Wy nken de Worde's impression is as follows : '' Here 
 endeth the treatyse of the arte or crafte to liue well and 
 to die well. With the nedyll of the fere dy uyne. Of 
 the paynes of hell and of purgatorye, and of the joys 
 of paradyse. Of the vii sacramentes of the holy chirch. 
 Of the comynge of antecryst. And of the fyftene sygnes 
 comynge before the grete jugement generall of God. 
 XXI Jan. M.ccccc.v." 
 
 As to '* The Crafte to knowe well to dye," or 
 as it is termed in the colophon *' the tray ttye abreged 
 of the arte to lern^ well to deye translated out of 
 
I- 155 
 
 frenshe into eiiglisshe by Willm Caxton," and printed 
 by him a?mo 1490, I suppose it to be a translation or 
 abridgement of '* UArt de bien mourir ou trait^ de la 
 mort et de la maniere de s'y preparer." Brugis, Colai'd 
 Manson, fol. sine nota anni. It is worthy of remark, 
 that '^ La doctrine de bien vivre par J. Gerson" was 
 printed also Ibidem et ab eodem, fol. sine nota anni. 
 Panzer, torn, ix, p. 218, 
 
 Miss ALE Cenomanense. Joan, Higman, fol. 
 
 Sinonyma Magistri Johannis de Garljndia cum 
 expositicne Galfridi Anglici, de recent i tarn in 
 versibus qiiam in sententiis orthographia. Idem, 4. 
 
 Joan, de Sacrobusco Sphere mundi opuscidum. IVolJ. 
 
 gang Hopyl, fol. 
 
 Ilerum G. Mercator 1498, fol.— Wolfgang Hopyl 1500, fol. 
 
 This author is said to have been an Englishman, by 
 name John Holy wood. Some say he was of the 
 county, or at least the diocese of York. He studied at 
 Oxford ; and afterwards settled at Paris, where he 
 acquired great celebrity as a mathematician. He died 
 anno 1256. 
 
 Baptists Mantuani de suorum iemporum catamila-, 
 iibus, S(c. G. Wolff et Joh. de Criiczenach, 4. 
 
 JSjusdem opus divinuyn de puriss. Virg. Maria quod 
 Parthenice inscripsit ; item : Opusculum adversus 
 poetas impudice scribentes. lidem, 4. 
 
 Ejvsdem opus vitam ^ martyrium S. Catharince 
 iiomplectens sm Parthenice secunda. lidem, 4. 
 
156 
 
 These seem to be the earliest Parisian impressions of 
 the works of this prolific poet, whose numerous 
 productions gave frequent employment to the Gothic 
 presses of Paris and of many other places. Baptista 
 Spagnoli the author, was of Mantua, and therefore 
 denominated '* Mantuanus." He was a Carmelite, and 
 in his writings declaimed freely against the relaxed 
 discipline of his order, and the corruptions of the times. 
 His poetical vein was as feeble and prosaic as it was 
 fruitful. It seems difficult to assign a reason for that 
 excessive popularity in which his compositions appear 
 to have been held. Early impressions of his varioui^; 
 works are very numerous. Vid. sub anno 1499. 
 
 Croniques de France abregees avec la generation 
 d^Adam et d'Eve K de Noe et de leurs generations et 
 les villes et cites que fondirent ceulx qui ysserent 
 deuljc, Jehan Treperely 4. 
 
 " Cum tribus liliis" (perhaps used as the printer's 
 mark) ^' et hac sententia:" 
 
 " En pRoyoCANT ta grant misericorde 
 " Ottroye nous charite et concorde." 
 
 Senecje Epistola. Claudius Jammar, 4. 
 
 Joan, de Tvrrecremata expositio Beguile Monastic/e, 
 S, Benedict i, foL Vid, sub anno 1 500. 
 
 This author was a Spaniard ; but took his doctor'^ 
 degree in divinity and civil law at Paris, and taught 
 there many years. At length he was sent for to Rome, 
 and through various degrees of promotion arrived at 
 the cardinalship, '' titulo S. Sixti," anno 1439. At 
 the council of Basil he distinguished himself against the 
 Hussites, He presided successively over several epis- 
 
15t 
 
 jGopal sees; and died with great reputation for learning 
 and piety, anno 1468. 
 
 Phil, Beroaldj, A. Folitiani, IL Barbari, Jas. 
 
 Mayni Orationes, Prcelectiones, &(c. 4. 
 
 This amusing collection was reprinted Par. 1 505, 4. 
 J. Petit.— 1509, 4. Jehan Gaultier.— 1513 & 1515, 4. 
 Ascensius. The " Opuscula" and other works of 
 Beroaldus went through many editions, Parisiis et alibi. 
 
 JuvENALis Sati/r<p cum Mancinelli K Badii Commerh 
 tariis, 4. 
 
 ViRGiui Opera (forte Georgica tantum.J foL 
 
 M.CCCC.XCV, 
 
 Z^ Ordinaire des crestiens. Jot, min. Ant, Verard. 
 Vid, sub anno 1494. 
 
 Thomje Bradwardini Geometria Speculatiua, foL 
 
 Guido Mercaior. 
 
 Thomas Bradwardine an Enghshman, supposed a 
 native of Hartfield, in the diocese of Chichester, was of 
 Merton College, Oxon. circa 1325. He obtained the 
 appellation of *' Doctor Profundus." Afterwards be- 
 came confessor to Edward III. canon of Lichfield, and 
 chancellor of S. Paul's. He attended the king in his 
 victorious expedition to France. Anno 1348 he was 
 chosen to the see of Canterbury by the chapter, and 
 after some hesitation his election was confirmed by the 
 Jcing and the pope. Bradwardine was consecrated at 
 Avignon ; but survived his consecration scarce 40 days. 
 He died at London before his inthronization had taken 
 place. 
 
158 
 
 Libellus de verier abili Sacramento K valor e Miss arum. 
 8. Guido Mercator. 
 Iterum, 1497, 4. Idem, 
 
 Said to be curious and rare. Reprinted 1510, Le 
 Dru for D. Roce. 
 
 X'Cs Lunettes des Princes, auec aucunes balades ^ addt-' 
 tions composees par Jehan 3fESCHiN0T, Phil, 
 Pigouchet, 4. 
 
 Iterum, Idem^ 1499, 4. and Par, sine anno* 
 This book is sometimes mentioned as an impression 
 of Jean Mignart or Menart. De Bure terms it a very 
 rare work, and says it is much sought after. He men- 
 tions also an edition " in 4. Gothigue, sans date^'* 2 toyn, 
 1 vol. an impression of which on vellum was in tlie 
 collection of "Le Due de la Valiere." 
 
 MissALE seciind. usum insignis ecclesi^e Cameracensis, 
 fol. Johan. Hygman. 
 
 Libellus de modo poenitendi et conjitendi auctore GuiL 
 de Vuert. 4. (^ sine anno, 8.) 
 
 Vita et processus Sti Thomje Cantuar. Martyris super 
 libertate ecclesiastica. 4. Joan. Philippi, (Ci^iccze- 
 nachj 4. 
 
 N ICO LAI Saliceti Antidotarium anima. 8. P. PouiL 
 
 lac, pro D. Roce. 
 
 The author was " Abbas Monasterii B. MariiE de 
 Pomerio." The work is a collection of meditations and 
 prayers. The first edition appeared Argentorati, 1489. 
 It was printed 14 times ante 1500. Parisiis iter urn, P, 
 le Dru, 1496. 
 
 J 
 
159 
 
 Lis Verger cL* honneurpar Andre de la Figne, Jean 
 
 Trepperel, 
 
 This work is by some ascribed to Octavien de Saint 
 Gelais, bishop of Angoulesme. Du Verdier saj^s he 
 composed e?i rime " le Verger d' Honnem- contenant 
 le discours de Tenterprise & voyage de Naples a la 
 louange du Roi Charles VIII avec la complainte & 
 Epitaphe du dit Roy, &c." an edition of which was 
 primed "Par. Phil, le Noir, 1 505." But other accounts^ 
 say that the larger part of the work was written by 
 Andre de la Vigne. 
 
 MoBERTi Gaguini (le origine et gestis Francorum 
 Compendium, fol. min. Petr. le Dru. 4. 
 Ilerum D. Gerlier, U97, foL~Th. Kerver, 1500,/oi.— 
 
 Jean Parvus, 1504, foL 
 
 Robert Gaguin, " Ministre General de V ordre de 
 la Trinite," was a conspicuous poet, historian, and 
 divine of these times. He was supposed of obscure 
 origin; became general of his order anno 1473; and 
 was conspicuous in the court of Lous XI, and of Charles 
 VIII. Anno 1 469 he was sent on an embassy to London, 
 where he is said to have composed his poem intitled 
 " Le Passe-temps d'oisivetti ;" or the Pastime of Idle- 
 ness. Amongst his other minor works is a Latin 
 treatise on the immaculate conception, Par. 1488, 89, 
 98, and 1500, 4. The impression of 1498 by Ascensius 
 is said to be very rare : perhaps the others are equally 
 "so. The first edition of his Latin chronicle which is 
 that abovementioned is said to be scarce ; but comes 
 down only ad arm. 1491. Anno 1500 it was reprinted 
 in folio, with additions extending, to 1499. It was 
 afterwards continued by other editors, Pierre Desray 
 translated it into French, and published it with a 
 
160 
 
 supplement to 1514, Par. 1515, fol. Gaguin says in 
 his preface that he wrote " nulla principis munificentia 
 provocatus," though he has been supposed by some to 
 have been in the pay of Louis XI, He followed in his 
 history the taste of his age for fables and prodigies. 
 He was also conspicuous as a translator : and by order 
 of Charles VIII, translated in particular from the Latin 
 into French, the Chronicle or rather Romance of 
 Cliarlemagne, and of Roland, falsely attributed to 
 Turpin, archbishop of Rheims. 
 
 Les complaintes et enseignemens de Franc. Guerin 
 mar chant de Lyon envoy ees a sonjils pour soy scavoir 
 regir et gowverjier parmi le monde. 4. G, Mignart. 
 
 Angeli Politiani orationes qucsdam, 4. In adibus 
 Ascensianis. 
 
 This was perhaps the first fruit of the press of 
 Badius, or of the " Praelum Ascensianum." 
 
 BoETivs de consolattone, cum commeniar, Jod, Badii 
 Ascensil, 4. 
 
 OviDWS de remedio amor is cum commentar, jEgidii 
 Delphi, 4. 
 
 Oras de Nuesira Senora. 8. 
 
 Joannes de Turrecremata contra principales Ma* 
 huviedanorum errores. 8. Vid, sub anno 1494. 
 
 P. ViRGiLii Maron. Bucolica cum comm» /amiliari, 
 
 JEjusdem Georgica, 8. vel ^ minori. 
 
mi 
 
 M.CCCC.XCVI. 
 DiFRNALE Ecclesiie Parisiensis, 8. Gering K Rembolt. 
 
 La Legende Doree en Francois, fol. min< It xx.jour 
 de May Qccc. IIILXX, ^ xvi. pour Anthoine Verard, 
 
 This French translation of the *' Historia Longobar- 
 dica seu Legenda Aurea of jAeoBUS dr Voragine" 
 commences with the life of " Ste Genevieve" and ends 
 with the lives of St. Louis and St. Roche, as patrons of 
 France and of Paris. These are additions. There was 
 an edition of the original anno 1474 sine loco : Gering 
 and his associates gave another Par. 1475, which I have 
 particularly noticed under that year. Subsequent 
 impressions were very numerous and general ; Panzer 
 enumerates about 70 ante 1500, besides more than 
 thirty of translations into various languages. 
 
 Le Miroiier Historial de Vincent de Beavvois 
 traduict en Francois par Jean de Vignay. 5 volumes. 
 Ant. Verard, fol. Sub anno 1490. 
 
 Vol. 1. has the date M. cccc. quatre vingt et quinze. 
 Vol. 5. M. cccc. quatre vingt et seize. 
 
 The original work, viz. *' Speculum Vincentii 
 Bellovacensis," has been noticed sub anno 1474. Du 
 Verdier informs us also that Jean de Vignay, a monk, 
 translated by order of Jean de Bourgogne queen of 
 France, the *' Miroir Historial" of the bishop of 
 Beauvois; that it consists of '' 32 livres," and was 
 printed " 2/^rwm^w 5 tomes, fol. Par. par N. Couteau." 
 I conclude that these impressions by Verard and 
 CouTEAU may probably include all the four '* Specula" 
 or ** Miroirs" of this author. 
 
 Y 
 
162 
 
 L^-Irt de bieyi vivre et de bien viourir. 4. Verard, 
 Vid, sub annis 1483, 1490, 1494. 
 
 Mr. Dibdin says that a copy of this book printed at 
 Paris with the date of 1493, but without printer's name, 
 is preserved in the British Museum, and that it contains 
 small plates like the Shepherd's Calendar. A fine copy 
 of this impression by Verard anni 1496, printed on 
 vfcllum, which formerly, belonged to K. Henry VII, is 
 also preserved in the British Museum. 
 
 Faustus de neapolitana Fornoviensique victoria. Car^ 
 mi'num libri diio, Charactere romano. 4. Guido 
 Mercator ac Johannes Parvus. Insignia Joan Pai^i. 
 
 Ejusdem Elegit. 4. Guide Mercator. 
 
 Of P. Faustus Andrelinus some mention has been 
 made 5w3 drwTza 1490. I shall here add that this poet, 
 who was as beforesaid a native of Forli in Romagna, 
 died at Vms anno 1519. 
 
 M. DE LA MoNNOYE relates that Louis XII, in 
 pursuance of a vow made in a sickness under which he 
 laboured in 1505, having recovered his health, sent to 
 ** la Chapelle Roy ale" the identical crown with which 
 the ceremony of his coronation was performed at 
 Rheims, Faustus is said to have written on this 
 subject twelve elegiac verses ; in reward for which the 
 king gave him " un Canonical a Bayeux." 
 
 JoANNis CoNSOBRjm Portugalcnsis Carmelita Trac- 
 iatus de Justitia commutativa et arte Campsoria seu 
 Cambiis ac alearum ludo, 8. Guido Mercator. 
 
 Flores legum, 12. Idem. 
 
163 
 
 This little tract intitled " Flores legum aut Congeries 
 auctoritatum juris civilis," has on fol. 1 , a wood cut 
 ** Mosen adoraritem Deum exhibens." 
 
 (JoRDAm NemorariiJ Arithmetica decern lihris 
 demonstrata {per Jac. Fabr. StapuLj Musica libris 
 demonstrata quatuor (Jacobi Fabri Stapulensis,) 
 Epitome in libros arithmetices divi Severini Boetil 
 Rithmimachie ludus qui et pugna numerorum appeU 
 latur, fol. goth, Joannes Higmanus et Uolgangus 
 Hopilius. Anno Sal. Domini qui omnia in numero 
 atque harmoniaformavit 1496. 
 
 Jacobi Fabri Stapulensis (s) Artijicialis Introductio 
 
 moralis in decern libros Ethicornm Aristotelis. Ab- 
 
 soluta in alma Par hisiorum academiaper Wolffgangum 
 
 IJopilium et Jlenriciim Stephanum socios, 14^9 6, fol. 
 
 The two last mentioned articles are worthy of remark, 
 
 because they furnish the first mention in the annals of 
 
 Parisian typography of a distinguished printer, viz. 
 
 Henry Estienne the elder, father of Robert and 
 
 grandfather of Henry and others of that remarkable 
 
 family, who cultivated the art with so much renown. 
 
 (s) Jacques le Fevre, surnamed Estaples (Stapulensis) 
 from the place of his nativity, was born anno J 435 ; studied in 
 the university of Paris, and afterwards filled the chair of 
 humanity and philosophy there. Though this was the reign of 
 scholastic barbarism, Le Fevre displayed a taste, genius, and 
 skill in the ancient tongues superior to his time. He attached 
 himself to Bri9onnet bishop of Meaux, who was suspected of 
 partiality to the reformed opinions. Le Fevre became at 
 length tutor to the third son of Francis I : lived to a very 
 advanced age: and it is said died regretting with his last breath. 
 
iU 
 
 Synonynta Britosis nee non duodecim Decades JoH AN. 
 DE Gallandia, Icon cum nomine T^/pographiy 4. 
 Felix Baligaut. 
 
 Terentius sine commento: ap Joh. Philippum (Cruc- 
 zenachj Alemanuyn, 4. 
 
 P, Ovid II Nasonis Metamorphoseos Liber una cum 
 eiiarratione Raphaelis Regii. 4. Andreas Bocard. 
 
 Petri Tartareti Expositio in Sumynulas Petri 
 Hispani. 4. Johannes Bouyer K Gulielmus Boucher 
 pro E. de Marnef, 
 
 Iterum 1496, G, Boucher^ et sine loco 1500. 
 The printers Bouyer and Boucher used as a mark 
 two oxen feeding : with these words : — 
 En la par fin de Toeuvre loUer Dieu 
 Chacun de nous doit pour avoir sa grace 
 A luy done soit pour ce qu'il luy a plii 
 Nous donner temps de ce faire et espace. 
 The '^ Expositio" of Tartaretus " super text. Log. 
 Aristotelis," was printed by A. Bocard, 1494, fol. His 
 — — ■ • — ■ — "^ 
 
 that having known the truth and been the means of unfolding 
 it to many who did not hesitate to seal it with their blood, he 
 had himself been led through weakness to evade the crown of 
 martyrdom. 
 
 This author is said to have made a French translation of the 
 whole Bible, whici) was printed at Antwerp in 1530, 34, 41, 
 fol. and in 1 728, 4 vols. 8. The former edition which was 
 revised by the doctors of Louvain is the most correct, and the 
 most rare because it was suppressed. Some peculiarities in 
 this translation made the author the subject of persecution. 
 Fid. N. Diet, Historique, 
 
165 
 
 ** Quaestions super VI Libros Ethicor. Aristotelis," Par. 
 Joli. Lambert 1496, 4. His " Expositio philos. et 
 metaphys. Aristotelis," Par. Andr. Bocard 1494, foi. 
 
 DoNVSil Nestoris Novariensis Vocabulistce Opus, fol. 
 
 liiCHARDi Badulphi Archiepisc, Armachnani dejcn- 
 siones Curatorum contra eos qui se dicunt privilegiaios 
 seiifratres mendicantes. fol. 
 
 Panzer rather thinks this to have been printed 
 Lugduni 1496. 
 
 RictiARDUS FiTZ- Ralph is supposed to have been a 
 native of Ireland, though some say he was an Enghsh- 
 man. He was a scholar of Joannes Baconthorpius, 
 and professor of divinity at Oxford in the reign of 
 Edward III. ; by whom he was appointed dean of 
 Litchfield ; and anno 1333 chancellor of Oxford, Anno 
 1347 on the nomination of pope Clement VI, he 
 became archbishop of Armagh. He waged a vigorous 
 war against the friars mendicant, whom he frequently 
 attacked with great keenness of wit in his theological 
 lectures at Oxford : and after his advancement to the 
 primacy, assailed with his pen as abovementioned. 
 Anno 1356 having passed over into England, he 
 preached warmly against their pretensions in London : 
 *' habitis Londini concionibus novem contra eos con- 
 clusiones evulgavit." The monks in revenge accused 
 him of heresy before the supreme pontiff. Fitz-Ralph 
 was cited to appear at Avignon ; where he lingered 
 three years without seeing an end of the quarrel ; which 
 was terminated only by his decease there anno 1360. 
 
166 
 
 M.CCCC.XCVII. 
 
 Breviarium ad usuni ecclesice Cameracensis. 8. Gering 
 K Rembolt, 
 
 Li Tresor de la Cite des Dames contenant plusieurs 
 histoires et ensetg?iemens 7iotables aux jRois, selon 
 Dame Christine de Fisan, fol. Atit, Ferard, 
 I have already noticed this learned lady sub a7i7io 
 1488, *-^VArt de Chevalerie, ^c." See also ann. 1500. 
 . I shall here mention that amongst the early impressions 
 of her works, I find no account in Panzer of any edition 
 of her *' Proverbes moraux," notwithstanding that 
 amongst the earliest fruits of Caxton's press I find 
 mention of an English translation of " Les proverbes 
 moraux, et le livre de prudence par Christine de Pisan 
 fiUe de M. Thomas de Pisan autrement diet de 
 Bologne." Ames's observation is that '* This learned 
 lady was an Italian, born at Pisa, and styled herself *^ a 
 woman Ytalien :" but her father removing to Bologne 
 in France, she wrote her books in the language of that 
 country ; and flourished about the year 1400. The 
 piece which was printed by Caxton anno 1478 is a 
 small folio, comprizing a poem of 203 lines, beginning 
 thus : — 
 
 " The Morale Prouerbes of Cristyne." 
 
 *' The CRETE vertus of our elders notable 
 *' Ofte to remembre is thing profitable 
 " An happy hous is, where dwelleth prudence 
 " For where she is, raison is in presence, &c." 
 
 And concludes — 
 
 " Thende dooth shewe every work as hit is, 
 " Woo may he be, that to God endeth mys. 
 ExpHcit.""* 
 
16T 
 
 I am inclined to cite also the rest of Ames's 
 description : viz. '* Then follow two seven line stanzas 
 seemingly of Mr. Caxton's composing :" — 
 
 ** Of these sayynges Cristyne was the aucturesse, 
 
 Whiche in makyn badde suche intelligence 
 
 That thereof she was mireur and maistresse ; 
 
 Hire werkes testifie thexperience ; 
 
 In Frensshe languaige was writen this sentence. 
 
 And thus englished doth hit reherse 
 
 Antoin Wideuylle, therle Ryvers. 
 
 Go thou litil quayer and recommaund me 
 Unto the good grace of my special lorde 
 Therle Ryueris, for I haue emprinted the 
 At his commandement, following eury worde 
 His copye, as his secretarie can recorde, 
 At Westmestre, of Feuerer the xx daye, 
 And of kyng Edward the xvij yere vraye.'* 
 
 " Emprinted by Caxton 
 
 Jn Feuerer the colde season." 
 
 Le Gowoernement des Princes (Mgid, de Columna,J 
 le iresor de noblesse et les fleurs de Valere le grand* 
 (ex traductione Sj/monis de llesdin.J Ant. Ferard, 
 char. goth. 
 
 The first of these works is a translation of " De 
 Regimine Principum Libri III." of i^GiD. Columna or 
 ^GiDius DE Roma, an Augustine monk ; whose works 
 appear from Gesner to have been numerous. The 
 earliest edition of the original was printed August, 
 Vindel. anno 1473, fol. '* Le Tresor, &c." seems to 
 be the work of Octavien de S. Gelais. 
 
 Le JouvENCEL. Roman, avec figures. Verard, fol. 
 Noticed sub anno 1493. 
 
168 
 
 La Nef Des Folz du monde. composee enAllemandpar 
 Sebastien Brant, conseciitivement d'^Alkmand en 
 latin, redigee par maitre Jaques Locher, revue et 
 ornee de plusieurs belles concordances ^ additions par 
 ledit Brant et de noiwel translatee de Latin (en 
 vers) Francois par maistre JocE Bade. Impr. par 
 M. Jehan PhilippeSy Manstener K Geoffroij de Mar- 
 nef, char, goth.fol. with wood cuts. 
 
 This is a translation of the celebrated '' Navis 
 Stultifera" or *' Ship of Fools :" which satire on the 
 manners of the times was originally written in German 
 by Sebastien Brandt, an author who was born at 
 Strasburg anno 1458, and died anno 1521. The Ger- 
 man original is said to have been first printed- amio 
 1494. A Latin translation was executed by Jacobus 
 Locher cognomine " Philomusus," and if the French 
 bibliographers speak correctly the translation was 
 printed before the original, viz. (Lxigduni) per Jacob, 
 Zachoni de Romano, anno 1488, but Panzer considers 
 this date to have been falsified. The '' Navis Stultifera 
 interprete Jac. Locher Philomuso*' certainly appeared 
 Argentordti J. Gritninger 1497, 4. — Aug. VindelJoh, 
 Schonsperger 1497, 8. — Basilece Joh. Bergman de Olpe 
 1497, 8. 1497, 4. bis. 1498, 4. — Lugduni Jac. Zachoni 
 de Romano 1488, (which Panzer corrects 1498) 4. 
 Anno 1498 Godofrid. de Marnef produced at Paris a 
 reimpression of the original in 4, which I shall notice 
 in its place. 
 
 The French translation of Badius abovementioned, 
 fol. I, '' post figuram navis," exhibits the following 
 verses : — 
 
 *' HoMMES mortels, qui desirez savoir 
 Commenl on peut en ce monde biea vivre 
 
 i 
 
169 - 
 
 Et mal laisser ; approchez venez veoir 
 
 Et visiter ce present joyeux livre. 
 
 A tous estats bonne doctrine il livre 
 
 Notant les maux et vices des mondains 
 
 Venez y tous et ne faicles dedains 
 
 Du dit livre nomme Des Fols la Nef 
 
 Si vous voulez voiis en irouverez maints 
 
 Au Pellican cheux Geoffroy de Marnef^'' 
 De Bure mentions a copy of this curious work 
 printed on vellum and ornamented with miniatures ; 
 whicli was formerly in the library of M. le Comte de 
 Hoym. He notices also another but of a different 
 edition, on vellum, in the royal library. 
 
 Panzer specifies two impressions of what may be 
 considered as variations of this work, viz. *' Nef des 
 Fols du monde, translat^e de rime frangoise en prose 
 par Jehan Drouyn,'* with figures, fol. a Lyon. GuiL 
 Valsarin 1498, and " Le grand Nef des Fols du 
 Monde,'* cumfigg. 4. a Lyon 1499. 
 
 Translations of this book into English are among the 
 most interesting fruits of our early press. Anno 1517 
 Wynken de Worde printed the following ; which 
 (probably after that of Drouyn) is executed in prose : 
 
 " The Ship of fools of this world." 
 Ames says this book seems to have had no title page, 
 but begins abruptly :— " ^ Here after foloweth the 
 prologue of the translatoure of this present booke 
 Jntytled the grete shyppe of fooles of this worlde." 
 Wherein we are informed *' that this booke hathe ben 
 made in Almayne language, and out of Almayne it was 
 translated in to Latyn, by mayster Jacques Locher, and 
 out of Latyn in to rethoryke Frensshe. J have con- 
 sydered that the one delyteth hym in latyn, the other 
 in Frensshe, some in ryme, and the other in prose, 
 
 z 
 
ITO 
 
 for thci whiclie cause J have done this in prose.*' — 
 *' Consyderynge also that the prose is more famiUar 
 vnto euery man than the ryme J Henry Watson — haue 
 reduced this present boke in to our maternall tongue 
 of Englysshe out of Frensshe, at the re(j[uest of my 
 Worshypfull mayster wynken de worde, thrugh the 
 entysement and exhortacyon of the excellent prynces 
 Margarette, countesse of Rychemonde and Derby, and 
 grandame vnto our moost naturall souerayne lorde 
 kynge Henry the viii. whome Jhesu preserue from all 
 encombraunce. % By the shyppe we may vnderstande 
 ihi folyes and erroures that the mondoynes are in, by 
 the se this presente worlde, — Syth that it is so, we must 
 serche this booke the whiche may wel be called the 
 doctrynall of fooles." 
 
 He then concludes the prologue with this address >-* 
 *' You lectours humbly J requyre you for to pardon 
 me yf that J haue erred in ony thynge, for tlie 
 tenderness of my yeres hathe so affalked me that J 
 haue not applyed me vnto the letters as J ought to 
 have doone, the language is not autentyke, to the end& 
 that euery body may vnderstande some thynge, for 
 folkes unlyttered demaundeth not thynges obscure." 
 Then follows ** The Prelude," commencing — " Now 
 is the world ful of scyence — in suche wyse that the holy 
 scrypture is in gretter vygoure than euer it was, for in 
 her is all ryght." He then declares the follies and 
 vices of the time, the which are satirized in this book ; 
 whereby it appears that we are frail, and that as we 
 sa}^, every man and woman have their hobby. After 
 this is a table of chapters, &c. Though the work is 
 professedly written in prose, each chapter has a stanza 
 of seven lines prefixed, and for the most part a cut. 
 lyius Ames ^ Herb. voL i, p. 156-7. 
 
ITl 
 
 I shall also gratify the reader by the insertion of 
 Ames's description of an English poetical translation 
 of the " Navis Stultifera," printed by Pvnson aium 
 ]509, which may be considered as one of the rarest 
 of our early black letter impressions. 
 
 '* The Shyp of Folys of the Worlde.'* 
 
 The first page contains only the printer's largest 
 device. On the reverse the translator's dedication to 
 Thomas Cornisshe, bishop of Tine and sutfragan bishop 
 of Wells, which concludes — " Vale. Ex impressoria 
 ojfficina Richardi Pynson. iij. Idus Decembris." Under 
 the said dedication : — 
 
 *' ^ This present boke named the shyp of folys of 
 the worlde was translated in the College of saynt mary 
 otery in the counte of Deuonshyre : out of Laten, 
 Frenche, and Doche into Englysshe tonge by Alexander 
 Barclay Preste : and at that tyme Chaplen in the sayde 
 College, translated the yere of our Lorde god. M; 
 ccccc. viij. Jmprentj'd in the Cyte of London in 
 Fletestre at the signe of Saynt George by Rycharde 
 Pynson to his Coste and charge : Ended the yere of our 
 Sauiour M. d. ix. The xiiii. day of December," On 
 the next leaf begins the table of contents in F^nglisb ; 
 and after it another in Latin. Then on fol. 1, over ^ 
 wood cut representing several vessels loaded with 
 fools of various denominations, '^ ^ Stultifera Navis." 
 Beneath the said print is the following title in Latin, as 
 I apprehend from the Latin edition of 1497, ** Narra^ 
 gonice profectionis nunquam satis laudata Nauis : per 
 Sebastianum Brant : vernaculo vulgarique sermone h 
 rhythmo pro cunctorum mortalium fatuitatis semitas 
 cffugere cupientium directione, speculo commodoq; 
 & salute : proq; inertis ignaueq; stultitie perpetua, 
 infaniia, execratione, & confutatione, uupcr fabricata : 
 
112 
 
 Atq; jampridem per Jacobum Locher, cognomento 
 Philomusum : Suevum : in latinum traducta eloquium : 
 & per Sebastianum Brant: denuo seduloq; emendatione 
 elimata: atq; supperadditis quibusdam nouis, admiran- 
 disq ; fatuoruin generibus supleta : fajlici exorditur 
 principio." On the next page are five stanzas of 
 seven lines, the four first by A. B. *' excusynge the 
 rudeness of his translation ;" and the last his " exhor- 
 tacion." Then follow some epigrams, &c. which are 
 reprinted in J. Cawood's edition 1570, as also the 
 translator's preface in prose ; which concludes thus : — 
 " And sothely he hathe taken vpon hym the translacion 
 of this present Boke neyther for hope of rewarde nor 
 lawde of man : but onely for the holesome instruccion 
 commodyte and doctryne of wysdome, and to dense 
 the vanyte & madness of folysshe people of whom ouer 
 great ndmbre is in the Royalme of Englonde. There- 
 fore let euery man beholde and ouer rede this boke : 
 And than J doute not but he shal se the errours of his 
 lyfe of what condycyon that he be, in lykewyse as he 
 shal se in a Myrroure the fourme of his countenaunce 
 and vysage: And if he amende suche fautes as he 
 redeth here wherin he knoweth hymself gylty, and 
 passe forth the resydue of his lyfe in the order of 
 good maners than shall he haue the fruyte and 
 auantage wherto J haue translatyd this boke." The 
 word ** Folivm" is on the left hand page, and the 
 number, in Roman capitals throughout the; book; the 
 last ccLXXiiii. Tlie book concludes with a ballad in 
 honour of the virgin Mary ; at the end thereof a kind 
 of Colophon in a stanza of seven lines : — 
 
 ^ Our Shyp here leuyth the sees brode 
 By helpe of God almyght and quyetly 
 
 At Anker we lye within the rode 
 
I 
 
 113 
 
 Put who tiiat lysteth of them to bye 
 
 In Fletestrete shall them fynde truly 
 
 At the George : in Richarde Pynsones place 
 
 Prynter vnto the kyngis noble grace. 
 
 Deo gracias. 
 
 The '' Stultifera Navis, &c." which appeared 
 -also from the press of John Cawood r//z?2o 1570, fol. 
 ornamented with wood cuts, conformably as Herbert 
 thinks with the German edition anni 1494, contains the 
 Latin, as well as Barclay's English translation. PiNSON 
 in his edition anni 1509, printed the English only. 
 Cawood's impression has also various "prefixes" or 
 preliminary matter : — and to the same volume are 
 annexed — I. " The Mirrour of good manners," in 
 Barclay's translation, with the original text of Mancinus. 
 (vid, sub anno 1484.) II. '' Certayne Eglogues of 
 Alex. Barclay." fvid, Ames &C Herbert vol. 2, /;. 797.) 
 
 And now, to revert to the French translation, and to 
 ih& celebrated scholar and typographer Jo doc us Ba- 
 Dius AsCENSius, it is expedient to mention here, that 
 Sebastian Brant having composed **la Nef des Fols or 
 Fous," that is of *^ Male fools :" this gave occasion to 
 Badius to compose also in the Latin language his " Ship 
 of Female fools." *« Jodoci Badii Ascensii Stultiferae 
 nauiculae seu scaphae, Fatuarum mulierum : circa sensus 
 quinque exteriores fraude navigantium. Stultiferae 
 naues sensus animosque trahentes Mortis in exitium," 
 This was printed Argentorati per Joan. Priiss an. 1 502, 
 4. cumfiguris. 
 
 A French translation of this work, viz. ** La Nef des 
 FOLLES selon les cinq sens de nature composes selon 
 PEvangile de Monseigneur St. Mathieu, des cinq Vier- 
 ges qui ne prinrent point d' huile pour mettre en leurs 
 lampes," was printed a Paris, Marnef, sans date, 4. — and 
 
114 
 
 with the same title, par Jean Treperel, 1501, 4. Badius 
 says of this little work in the address to Marnef, to 
 whom he sent it, ** Haec ea intentione conscripsi ut in 
 vernaculam Gallis linguam verterentur." Of this De 
 BuRE remarks that it is a singular book, and ** de pure 
 curiosite," of which it is difficult to find well-preserved 
 copies. 
 
 Lastly, the editors of the " Biblioth. de la Croix du 
 Maine & of Du Verdier" inform us that Badius also 
 published a '' Navis stultifera," ** une Nef de Fous," 
 i. e. Male fools, in various kinds of Latin verse, very 
 different from that abovementioned, and which is not 
 as Bayle supposes, taken from the work of Seb. Brant, 
 but is an original composition of Badius. They refer us 
 to the *' Bib. Franc, de Goujet," torn, x, p. 191, 201, 
 Perhaps this is the work noticed by Panzer, (tom vii, 
 p. 323,) viz. *' Navis stultiferae collectanea ab Jodoco 
 Badio Ascensio vario carminum genere non sine eorun- 
 dem familiari explanatione conflata." Ex officina ipsius 
 Ascensii, Par, 1507, 4. 
 
 I have also examined a singular volume, which lately 
 belonged to the library of W. Roscoe, Esq. intitled as 
 follows — *' Navis stultifera, a domino Sebastiano Brant 
 primum edificata, & lepidissimis teutonice lingue rithmis 
 decorata : Deinde ab Jacobo Lochero philomuso Latini- 
 tate donata & demum ab Jodoco Badio Ascensio vario 
 carminum genere non sine eorundem familiari explana- 
 tione illustrata." Under this title, printed en rouge, is 
 a representation of *' Navis Stultorum," beneath are 
 the following lines v. — 
 
 " Navis stultifera ad lectorem." 
 
 >' QuANQUAM stultiferae mihi vox est indita navi 
 ^ana lamen tuto mens, mea vela leget 
 
lis 
 
 Non etenim Uoceo quenquam insanire : sed hortor 
 
 £t moneo insanum : naviget anticyram. 
 Multa probatorum porto docuraenta virorum 
 
 Et levibus presens mentibus antidothum 
 Nee quicquam obscenum, nee olenti fornice dignum 
 
 Nee fidei invisum nostra carina tenet : 
 Carmine sed vario mores indueo venustos 
 
 Expellens caste turpia verba modo." 
 
 ** In fine," occurs 
 
 ** Jodoci Badii Ascensii in operis hujus compositionem 
 ac finem Epigramma extemporaneum." 
 
 *' Remigio fragili pelagus dum metior ingens, 
 
 Auriculas vellens inquit Apollo meas : 
 Collige vela Badi : sat erat tibi sensa poetaa 
 
 Nosse : nee in tumidos carbasa ferre sinus 
 Pergere si mavis, tibi ne consortia desint ; 
 Stultiferam in classera fac comes insilias 
 Dixit & aspiciens instare pericula noui 
 
 Et lasso ad portum remige flecto viam. 
 
 At quisquis ridet faciles humilesq ; camenas 
 
 Ferto magis eultas aut tolerato meas." 
 
 *' Navis stultifere opusculum finit. Impressum Basilee 
 p. Nicolaum Lamparter, annOy &(c. m.cccccvh die vero 
 XV mensis martii, 4." 
 
 This book differs from the original '* Navis Stultifera,'* 
 Bas. J. B. de Olpe 1497, 4. entirely, both in the text 
 and prints. (Fid. Cat. of the Library 0/ W . Roscoe, Esq. 
 number 1485.) As it corresponds in the year of im- 
 pression with the Parisian edition last mentioned on 
 Panzer's authority, it may probably prove to be the 
 same work. 
 
 Olivarii Maillardi Ord. Minor. Ser^nonesde Adv€ntu, 
 
 Jnt, Caillaut K Lud. Martineau, 4. 
 
116 
 
 Expositio Epistolarum totiiis Quadragesiime (forte 
 
 ejusd. Oliv. Maillardi) lidem. 
 
 Ilerum 1498, 4.— Pigouchet, 1500, 8. 
 
 Oliver Maillard a " Doct. Theol." of the order 
 of '* Freres Mineurs" or Cordeliers, afterwards of the 
 *' Observantins of Narbonne," was, as some say, a 
 native of Bretagne ; according to others, of Paris. He 
 died65W?2o 1502. This preacher is often noticed and 
 cited by Henri Estienne in his "Apologie pour 
 Herodote." 
 
 Maillard was one of the three ntost celebrated 
 preachers in the style of his day. He is said fearlessly 
 to have told to kings '' leurs verites." A valet of 
 Louis XI. informed him that his master wotild order 
 him to be thrown into the rivet. " Go, and tell him,'^ 
 answered the monk, '' that I shall sooner reach heaven 
 by water than he with his ' Chevaux de poste.' " The 
 king had then newly established posts in France. 
 
 This reply of Oliver Maillard to the valet, is thus 
 expressed in four verses by JoDOCUS Badius in his 
 " Navis Stultifera," which we are told is a book far 
 more rare than that of Sebastian Brant. — 
 
 " QuiDAM notus Homo, cum propter libera verba 
 Submergendum undis censeret Rex meluendus, 
 Die ait hoc Regi, per aquas maturius altos 
 Advehar ad coelos, per equos ac ipse volantes." 
 
 Maillard is said to have written handsome French 
 verses. He was general of his order. It is asserted, 
 that being gained by the gold of Spain, he made it a 
 point of conscience with Charles VIII, whose confessor 
 he was, to restore to Ferdinand *' les Contes de 
 CerdagneBt de Roussillon." Vid. sub anno sequenti. 
 
in 
 
 GuiELERMi HERMANN! Goiideusis Sylua Odanmu 4. 
 Guido Mercator, 
 Iterum,Idem 1498,4. 
 
 *' Hendecasyllabum Herasmi ad studiosos." 
 " Hue si quern pia si pudica musa 
 Delectat: nihil hie vel inquinaturn 
 Vel quod melle nocens tegat venenum 
 Christum tota sonat chelis Guielmi.'' 
 
 FiTA SCHOLASTICA, 4. Jde77l. 
 
 Probably the same work intitled BONVINCINI DE 
 RiPA Vita Scholastica was printed Parisiis, pro Alex. 
 Alyate de Mediolano 1497, 4. This is more fully '' De 
 Discipulorum PraBceptorumque moribus, seu Vita 
 Scholastica, Carmen," first printed Mediolani 1490, 4. 
 
 Le Compost et le Kalendrier des Bergiers, 
 VArbre des Vices, Parbre des vertus et la Tour de 
 Sapience figur^e : la ,Physique et Regime de sante 
 desdits Bergiers, avec leur Astrologie etPhysionomie : 
 avec figures. Gui, Marchand, foL sub anno, 1489. 
 The nature of this ** Shepherd's Kalendar" is here 
 fully explained in the title. Thus the early English 
 edition by Wynken de Worde, as cited in the ^* Cen- 
 sura Literaria, vol. 7, p. 29. '^ This boke was made 
 for them that be no clerkes to brynge them to greet 
 understandynge, and this Kalender is devyded in v 
 parties ; the firste of our sygnes of the compost and 
 the kalender ; the seconde is the tre of A-yces with the 
 paynes of helle ; the thirde is the way of heithe of man, 
 the tre of vertues ; the fourthe is phesyke and govern- 
 ance of heithe ; the fyfte is astrologye and physnpmy, 
 for to understande many disceyvynges, and whiche 
 they be." 
 
 A A 
 
Its 
 
 This Kalendar appears to include a more singular 
 medley of matters grave, sententious, preceptive', and 
 ludicrous, than any kindred composition of modern 
 times. Of the serious and sentimental part the follow- 
 ing lines may be adduced as a specimen — 
 
 " No MERUAILE that manne's mynde be mutable, 
 
 And wyll ye knowe, wherfore and why 
 For he is made of thynges variable 
 As of bote, colde, moyste, and dry ; 
 The wyt is lyght, it passeth lightly, 
 And sythe we be made, of iiii chaungeable, 
 Howe shuld man be stedfast and stable." 
 
 Lastly, the '' Auctour's Balade" with which the 
 Kalendar concludes by no means omits honourable 
 mention of the French originals. 
 
 " Remember clarkes daily do their diligence 
 
 Into our corrupt speech matters to translate, 
 Yet between French and English is great difference, 
 Their language in reading is doulse, and delicate, &c." 
 
 " Thus endeth the Shepheard's Kalendere 
 Drawne into English by God's reuerence 
 
 And remember that the printer saith to you this. 
 He that liueth well may not die amisse." Finis, 
 
 Heures a Vusaige de Homme, 8. 
 
 Icon Adami & Evse scutum sustentantium cum 
 monogr. cui subscriptum Philippe Pigouchet : printed, 
 for Simon Vostre: char. got. wood cuts, and ornamented 
 margins. Ante sub anno \^SS, 
 
 Destructorium ViTioRUMy/ol. P, Levet, 
 
ROKOHOft<:>BO 
 
 
 OgO8 0y<>H\>MO Pv^ 
 
 THE MARK OF PIERRE LEVET. 
 
 FROM THE DESTKIICTORIUM VITIOBUM, ANNI 1497. 
 
 This Work, " in fine," is said to have been compiled " a quodam 
 AI.EXANDRO, nationis AngUe et cujusdam fabri lipnarii filio." Panzer^ 
 Tom. II. p. 315. But it was in reality written by ALEXANDER CARPENTER, 
 of Baliol Coll. Oxford, anno 1429. See " The Justification of the Church oj 
 England" by Anthony Cade, B. D. p. 64. Land. 1630, 4. 
 
 Videp, 179. 
 

It9 
 
 In fine—" Insignis notabiiisque compilatio baud mini^ 
 mum cuique statui conferens omne genus viciorum 
 eradicans ; ob id non immerito Destructorium Vitiormn 
 nuncupata, &c." 
 
 This book, said to have been compiled anno 1429 by 
 one Alexander, the son of an EngUsh joiner or car- 
 penter, was first printed Colonics anno 1475. Iterum 
 sine loco 1475. 
 
 MiSSALE Ecclesia Trajectemis^fol. Jean Higman. 
 
 Sallvstii Opera. foL min. Andreas Bocart, impensis 
 Johan. Alexandri, et Joan, Parvi, 
 
 Antonii de Rampigolis Figurce Bihlicee ; Bktiona- 
 
 rium Paupcrmn et Speculum humance Salvationis ab 
 
 Anonymo. Andreas Bocardus, S. 
 
 This Anton, de Rampigolis was a Genoese ; became 
 a monk of the order of S. Augustin at Naples ; distin- 
 guished himself against the Hussites at the council of 
 Constance anno 1418. His " Opusculum quod figuras 
 Biblicas inscripsit, rudi et trito eloquio scriptuni 
 refert Sixtus Senensis, in quo sacras Historias exponens 
 sinsfulas ad morales virtutes accommodavit." 
 
 The work was first printed Ulm<v 1475, see pins 
 alibi, under various titles, viz. ^' Liber Manualis ac 
 introductorius in biblie historias 6gurasque V. & N. 
 Test. Aurea Biblia vocatus.'' — Itein, ** llepertorium 
 aureum Bibliorum."' — Item, " Figurce Bibligrum." 
 All these, says Pander, are one and the same work. 
 7^he book stands prohibited in the " Index Expurga- 
 tori us." 
 
 The '^ Dictionarium Pauperum ad usum prcedican- 
 tium" (printed also by Brocapd anno 1498, 4.) appcare4 
 
180 
 
 now for the first time : as did the " Speculum Humante 
 Salvationis," of which there is an impression anni 1498, 
 D. Gerher, 8. ; and a French translation intitled 
 " Miroir de la redemption de I'humaine linage," 
 transl. par Fr. Julien Liigduni Mart. Husx.fol. 
 
 Manuale secund. usum ecclesia Parisiensis, Joan, 
 ^ Mourand. 4. 
 
 Les Postilles ^ Expositions des Epistres S( Evangiles 
 Dominicales, &(c. translatees, Uc. par Pierre 
 d'^EsRAY, 2 voll. fol, Jean Gerlier. 
 
 Pierre Desray, who styles himself *' simple Orateur 
 de Troye en Champagne," distinguished himself in the 
 department of gallantry and history, as well as in that 
 of theology. He revised, corrected, and improved the 
 work of Olivier de la Marche intitled " Le Parement 
 et triomphe des Dames d'honneur." He translated 
 from the Latin *' un Livre des gestes faits & conquetes 
 de Godefroy de Bouillon en Hierusalem," Par. J. Petit 
 circa 1500. We owe also to him a continuation of 
 Monstrelet ; viz. *^ Les Grandes Chroniques de tres 
 Chretien Roi de France, Charles VIII," which form the 
 second continuation of Monstrelet : (fol. 208, torn, 3, 
 edition 1572, et alibi. J Fid. eiiam sub anno 1498. 
 
 Modus legendi Abbreviaturas in utroque Jure, 
 
 I have noticed this book ante p. 15. It appeared 
 first Norimb. 1476, fol. Panzer specifies thirteen 
 impressions before this first Parisian edition. It was 
 reprinted Par. 1498, 8. J. Vetit. -—Iterum Par. 1500, 8. 
 
 Though early impressions were thus numerous, it is 
 characterised as a work of great rarity and estimation. 
 
i"'<it p. m. 
 
181 
 
 P, Pap. Statu Achilleidos Libri IL 4. Alexand 
 Alyate de Mediolano, 
 
 HoRM intern. Virginis secundum usum Romanum, 8. 
 char. goth. wood cuts and ornamented margins. 
 Thielman Kerver a Venseigne de la Licorne, 
 The earliest impression of Thielman Kerveh 
 
 known to Panzer 
 
 BiBLiA LATIN A ciim summaviis. Franciscus fradin ^ 
 Johan. pivardy fol. min. 
 
 M.CCCCXCVIII. 
 
 HoRM B. Maria ad mum Parisiens. 8. Gering &( 
 Rembolt. 
 
 P. ViRGiui Maronis opus per Paulum Malleolum 
 Andelacensem iterata diligentia plane recognitum. 4. 
 lidem. 
 This is a very correct reimpression of the edition 
 
 anni 1478. See the introductory part of this work, 
 
 page 18. 
 
 Liber curce Pastoralis divi Gregoril 4. lidem. 
 " Grates ergo dabis magnas Sculptoribus illis 
 Gregorii doctos qui poliere libros," 
 
 Jean Boccace de la Genealogie des JDieux. fol, 
 
 Antoine Vei^ard. 
 
 From the " Genealogise Deorum, Libb. XV." first 
 printed Fenet. Spira 1472. 
 
 Histoire de la Vie, miracles, enchantemens et propheties 
 de Merlin, VolL HI. foL Idem. 
 
182 
 
 French bibliographers describe this work thus :— ^ 
 ^* Merlin PEnchanteur, Roman." The three parts are 
 found in one volume 4. Par. Verard 1498, goth. The 
 author is said to be Robert Borron. 
 
 *' Les Propheties de Merlin" are comprehended in 
 this work. Galfridus Monumetensis, or Geoffrey of 
 Monmouth had translated them ^bout the niiddle of the 
 XII. century. i\lain de I'lsle gave afterwards an ample 
 explication of them in 7 books: printed an. 1608 in 8. 
 
 This Merlin, says M. de la Monnoye, *' tout Mar 
 gicien &- tout fils du Diable qu' on Pa cru," has by 
 the good Carmelite Baptista Mantuanus, been 
 metamorphosed into a saint. He thus mentions him at 
 the end of his *' Tolentinum :" which is a poem in 
 three books, in honour of S.Nicholas; printed separately 
 from the other works of Mantuanus at Milan, anm 
 1509, 4.— 
 
 « ViTijE venerabilis olim 
 
 Vir fuit & vales venturi praescius ajvi 
 MiRLiNius Laris infando de semine cretus 
 Hie satiis infami cbitu pietate refulsit 
 Eximia superilm factus post funera censors." 
 
 The prophecies of Merlin were translated from 
 French into Italian pm^ Zorzi, and printed a Veneziq, 
 1516, 4. This very rare book is intitled '' La Vita di 
 Merlino e le sue Profetie tratta, &c. Stampata in 
 J^enezia del 1516 a di xx Zenaro. 
 
 The annotators of Du Verdier say, it was pretended 
 that Merlin, by his enchantments, transported from 
 Ireland those huge stones which are found in Salisbury 
 plain. 
 
 f^es Croniques de France, d' Angleterre de Boiirgogney 
 ct auires pays circonvoisiris par UNGVEfiRAND J)E 
 
183 
 
 MoNSTRELET, additionees jusqiC en 1498. Toll. IL 
 
 fol. Ant. Ferard. 
 
 This very estimable production of the press of 
 Verard comprizes the Chroniques de France by 
 MoNSTRELET, from the year 1400 where FroissaRT . 
 concludes, to the year 1467 ; together with the *' Chro- 
 niques de Louis XI & de Charles VIII," continued to 
 the year 1498 by Pierre Desrey, respecting whom 
 some notices will be found under the preceding 
 year 1497. 
 
 I find this chronicle elsewhere described in three 
 volumes fol. goth. without date. It is the original 
 edition, of great value and rarity ; and has the 
 advantage of being the handsomest of all the Gothic 
 impressions. 
 
 Enguerrand de Monstrelet was a gentleman of 
 Cambray in Picardy. His chronicles contain an 
 account of the destructive civil wars between the houses 
 of Orleans and Burgundy ; of the occupation of Paris 
 and the duchy of Normandy by the English ; of their 
 expulsion thence, and of other memorable circumstances 
 which happened in the author's time, both in France 
 and in other countries. Du Verdier terms it ** His- 
 toire du bel exemple & grand fruit." Moi^strelet in 
 reality died in 1433 : consequently a great part of the 
 third book is falsel}^ attributed to him. Denis Sau vage 
 revised and corrected this chronicle as well as that of 
 Froissart, and his edition, printed like the rest of his 
 publications '^ en lettres rondesi^" appeared at Paris' 
 cnno 1572, in 3 vols. fol. De Bure says the two 
 editions above specified are most valued, each in their 
 respective character ; but that, as in the case of Frois- 
 sart, the Gothic have the preference because " qu' elles 
 sont plus exactes, & qu' dl^a u'ont point ete alter^es." 
 
184 
 
 But I shall contrast with his decision respecting the 
 best edition, that of M. Falconet, one of the annotators 
 of *' La Croix du Maine." According to the '' Duca- 
 tiana" (he says) there are four editions of Monstrelet : 
 ^' les deux premiers Gothiques, plus fidelles, mais pleins 
 des fautes d'impression." By these he obviously 
 means that of Verard just mentioned, and an impression 
 by Jean Petit and M. le Noir, Par. 1512. He pro- 
 ceeds — " Sauvage a gat6 la troisidme par des mauvaises 
 interpretations, (viz. that printed for PHuillier and 
 others, Par. 1572.) L' Edition la plus ample est celle 
 de 1603, 2 torn, fol." 
 
 As to Denis Sauvage, Sieur du Pare, he was a 
 native of " Fontenailles en Brie au Comte de Cham- 
 pagne," and was historiographer to Henry II. of 
 France. He translated into French the history of 
 Paulus Jovius, which was printed Par. H, Li^on anno 
 1552, fol. He revised Seyssel's history of Louis XII, 
 which has been printed in some editions with the 
 " Chronique de Louis XI," composed by Philip de 
 COMMINES. He published with annotations the Chro- 
 nicles of Froissart as beforementioned and '^ Les 
 Annales de France composees par Nicole Gilles." Add 
 to his labours also "La Chronique de France par un 
 anonyme, a laquelle il joignit une continuation qu' il tira 
 de Froissart & de Monstrelet," Lyon 1562, fol. He 
 published at the same period *' Les Memoiresd' Olivier 
 de la Marche," which form a continuation of the history 
 to the year 1500. He gave from the Italian of Pandul- 
 phus Collenutius '* Sommaire des Histoires de Royaume 
 de Naples," in 6 books, with annotations. Par. Cor^ 
 rozet 8. 1546. Also " Le Parachevement des Histoires 
 de Naples extrait de plusieurs bons Chroniqueurs," in 
 2 books, Par, Corrozet 1553, 8. Another publication 
 
185 
 
 of hisj was " La Chronique de Flandre par un auteur 
 incertain, illustr^e d' Annotations : avec une continuation 
 extraite de plusieurs auteurs," Lyon 1561, fol. 
 
 Besides the preceding historical works, this indefati- 
 gable writer translated from the Italian the *' Circe" of 
 Giov. Battista Gel lo, Par. 1572; and the *' Dialoghi" 
 of Leo the i^sff^ Lyon 1551,8. 
 
 I have noticed Pierre Desrey suh anno 1497, article 
 *' Les Postilles, &c." but it may be proper to speak of 
 him here more fully. He was a native of Troyes in 
 Champagne. Besides his theological and other com- 
 pilations, he drew up from Platina " Les Genealogies 
 faits & gestes des Papes," Par. fol. Gal. du Pre 1519 ; 
 and as a continuation of Monstrelet, " Les grands 
 Chroniques de tr6s Chretien Roi Charles VIII," which 
 are also found in the ** Recueil de Godefroy sur 
 PHistoire de Charles VIII," and are annexed to the end 
 of " La Chronique de Bretagne" par Alan Bouchard, 
 and to that ** de la Traduction de Chroniques Francoises 
 de Gaguin," avec une continuation Jz^^^z*' ew 1514, of 
 which there is an '* Edition Gothique" in fol. anni 
 1536, and another 4. Par. 1538; the first very rare. 
 Lastly, I find ascribed to Desray, by du Verdier, the 
 following, which I consider as a distinct work, " La 
 Mer des Chroniques & Miroir Historial de France 
 extrait des Chroniques de Robert Gaguin. ...de Jean 
 Froissard, d'Enguerrand," and ten or twelve other 
 Chroniclers and Historians intermediately mentioned. 
 Par. fol. 2 parties, par Gal. du Pre 1516, & par Jaques 
 Nyverd 1530; but it is proper to state, that Panzer 
 has no notice of either of these impressions under their 
 respective years. 
 
 B B 
 
186 
 
 ^TVLTIFERA NAVI8 per Se'BASTIANUM BrAMT Vutga7^Z 
 
 sermone ^ rythmo teutonico fabricata, nunc per 
 Jacobvm Locher latino carmine reddita et'ab eodern 
 Brant revisa, Gaufrid. de Marnef, 4. 
 
 I have already noticed the " editiones primariffi" of 
 this " Stultifera navis,'* sub aiino 1497, and that it 
 was printed by Jacobus Zachoni de Romano (whom 
 Panzer makes a printer of Lyons Lugduni) with the 
 date of M.ccce.LXXXViii, but he thinks the real date 
 should be 1498, and that a x was accidentally omitted 
 by a typographical error. De Bure deems the edition 
 of Marnef more beautiful, but less rare than the earlier 
 6nes. He says there is in the royal library a mag- 
 nificent copy printed on vellum, as well as an English 
 translation of the work executed at London anno 1509, 
 with wood cuts, and printed upon vellum also. Vide 
 sub anno 1497. 
 
 Oliverij Maillard Semtones Dominicales, 4. Ani. 
 Caillaut, 
 
 Ejvsdem 2uADRAGEsmALE, 4. Idem. 
 
 De Bure remarks that the sermons of some of the 
 early French preachers are nmeh sought after on 
 account of their singularity. The Latin-barbarous 
 jargon of the monks of this age gave the first idea of 
 the " Style Macaronique." Menot, Barelette, and 
 Maillard are the *' trio" of preachers who chiefly 
 distinguished themselves by the strangeness of their 
 expressions. A volume of Menot, intitled *' Michaelis 
 Monoti Sermones Quadragesimales olim Turonis decla- 
 mati," Par. 1525, 8. goth. is deemed the most curious 
 of all. Three sermons have been found to merit greater 
 notoriety than the rest : viz. those on the *^ Magdalen," 
 
18t 
 
 the " Rich Man in Torment," and the " Prodigal Son,'' 
 with the ** Miracle of the Five Loaves." The collection 
 was printed anno 1519 for the first time; which 
 impression, and that abovementioned, are equally 
 valued. There was an edition Par. Petit 1330, 8. 
 goth. less rare. 
 
 Thus the annotators on " la Croix du Maine" — 
 ^* Three preachers, Barelette, Maillard and Menot, 
 the tirst a jacobin, the other two cordeliers, raise a 
 Jaugh on subjects of the most serious nature, by their 
 strange mode of expression. Menot especially is 
 incomparable on certain occasions. It is supposed 
 that he died in the reign of Louis XII, or at the latest 
 circa 1518. 
 
 Oliver Maillard has already been introduced to the 
 reader's notice sub anno 1497. His *' Expositio Epis- 
 tolar. totius Quadragesimae" was printed Par. Martineau 
 1497, 4. Other impressions of his discourses mentioned 
 by De Bure are the following : — 
 
 ** Oliverii Maillardi Sermones Dominicales, quadra- 
 gttimales & aurei Parisiis et alibi declamati. Par. 1511, 
 1330, 7 parties," generally in 3 voll. 8. 
 
 " Sermon d'Oliver Maillard pi'ech6 le cinquieme 
 Dimanche de Careme en la ville de Bruges an. 1500, 
 4. goth." .^O 
 
 The last mentioned is the rarest and most singular 
 production of this preacher. Much of its singularity 
 consists in its having the words " Hem ! Hem ! " found 
 in the margin, at those parts of the discourse where 
 the preacher might with propriety pause to cough, &c. 
 De Bure mentions also " Gabrielis Barrelete Sermones, 
 Lugdiini I536y &. goth. 
 
 ffoBJE ad usum Sjrvm, Philips Ftgouchei, 8. 
 
188 
 
 This is the first manual of devotion which appears to 
 have been printed at Paris for the use of an English 
 Cathedral. Many such occur in the more advanced 
 periods of the Parisian gothic typography. 
 
 The ** HoR.^ ad usum Sarum" were reprinted Par. 
 Pigouchet 1 50 1, 4. — Ant. Verard 1503, 4. — Thielman 
 Kerver 1510, 1532, 8.— F. Regnault 1527, 1530, 4. 
 They are executed in the same style of embelhshment 
 with those heretofore noticed. Thus the Harleian Cat. 
 vol. 3, n. 10176, says of the impression by Verard, 
 1503, 4. — *• This piece is full of cuts most beautifully 
 coloured and illuminated. A finer book of the kind 
 can never be met with." — The most elaborate and 
 exquisite efforts of art were employed in the impression 
 and decoration of these and similar manuals of devotion, 
 and in finishing them in a style corresponding with the 
 magnificence of the papal worship. Yet, as amongst 
 the Gothic ornaments of our ancient cathedrals, we 
 find in many instances the ludicrous strangely inter- 
 mingled with the magnificent, so even in these books 
 of devotion we discover a frequent indulgence of the 
 like incongruous taste and character. 
 
 The marginal decorations are generally of a grotesque 
 description. Sometimes they exhibit the " Dance of 
 Death." The wood engravings frequently annexed to 
 the Calendars, in these rituals, and the verses inscribed 
 beneath, are of a mixed nature, between the grave and 
 ludicrous. Every month is compared to six years, or 
 a twelfth portion of the reputed term of human life. 
 The wood cuts represent the usual employment or 
 pursuits of the period described ; and the verses are 
 illustrative of the cuts. To shew how closely our 
 early English taste conformed itself to French authority, 
 I shall transcribe these calendar rhymes, (which occur 
 
189 
 
 also in much earlier specimens) from si copy of " Les 
 Heures a Tusaige de Cbartres," printed by Thielman 
 Kerver anno 1522; and the translation of them found 
 in the ** Primer of Salisbury," printed for the use of 
 our English cathedral, by Jean le Pre^t and Rob. 
 Valentin, at Rouen anno 1553, but also copied literally 
 from much earher specimens. 
 
 Les six premiers ans que vit Ihomme au moiide 
 Nous comparons a Januier droictement 
 Car en ce moys verlu ne force haboude 
 Non plus que quant six ans a ung enfant. 
 
 The fyrst vi yeres of mannes byrth and age, 
 May wel be compared to Janyere 
 For in this month is no strength ne courage 
 More than in a childe of the age of vi yerc. 
 
 Les six dapres ressemblent a Feurier 
 En fin du quel commence le printemps 
 Car lesperit se ouure prest est a enseigner 
 Et doulx devient Fenf^nt quant a douze ans. 
 
 The other vi yeres is lyke Februarii, 
 In the ende therof begynneth the springe. 
 That tyme chyldren is moost apt & redy 
 To receye chastysement nurture an^ lernynge. 
 
 Mars denote les six ans ensuivans 
 
 Que le temps change en produisant verdure 
 
 En celuy aage sadonnent les enfans 
 
 A maint esbat sans soucy, ne sans cure. 
 
 Marche betokeneth the vi yeres foiowynge 
 Arayeng erthe wt (with) pleasaunt verdure 
 That season youth careth for nothynge 
 And without thought dooth his sporte & pleasure. 
 
190 
 
 Six ana prochains vingt et quatrc en somme 
 Sont figurez par Auril gracieux 
 £t soubz cest aage est gay et joly Ihomme 
 Plaisaot aux dames courtoys dz amoureux. 
 
 The next vi yere raaketh four & twenty, 
 And figured is to joly aprill 
 That tyme of pleasures man hath moost ptenty 
 Fresche and louyng his lustes to fulfyll, 
 
 Au moys de may ou tout est en vigour 
 Austres six ans comparons par droicturc 
 Qui trente sont, lors est Ihomme en valeur 
 En sa fleur, force, et beaulte de nature. 
 As in the month of Maye all thing is in might 
 So at xxx yere man is in chief lyking, 
 Pleasaunt & lusty, to euery mannes sight. 
 In beaulte & strength, to women pleasyng, 
 
 £n iuing les b^ens commencent a meurir 
 Aussi fait Ihomme quant a trente six ans 
 Pource en tel temps doit il femme querir 
 Se luy viuant veult pourveoir ses enfans. 
 
 In June all thyng falleth to rypenesse 
 And so doth man at xxxvi yere olde. 
 And studieth for to acquiere richesse 
 And taketh a wyfe to kepe his housholde, 
 
 Saige doibt estre ou ne sera jamais 
 Lhomme quant il a quarante deux ans 
 Lors sa beaulte decline desormais 
 Comme en Juillet toutes fleurs sont passans. 
 
 At xl yere of aege or elles neuer 
 Is ony man endewed with wisdorae. 
 For than sorthon his myght fayleth ever 
 As in July dooth euery blossome. 
 
191 
 
 Les biens de terre commence len a cueiilir 
 £a aoust, aussi quant Ian quarante liuyt 
 Lhomme approche, il doibt biens acquerir 
 Pour soustenir viellesse qui le suyt. 
 The goodes of the ertbe is gadred evermore 
 In august BO at xlviij yere 
 Man ought to gather some goodes in store 
 To sosteyne aege that than draweth nere. 
 
 Avoir grans biens ne fault point que lhomme cuide 
 
 Sil ne les a, a cinquante quatre ans. 
 
 Noo plus que sil a sa granche vuide 
 
 £n septembre, plus de Ian naura riens. 
 
 Lete no man thinks for to gather plenty 
 
 If at liiii yere he have none. 
 
 No more than if his barne were empty 
 
 In septembre whan all the come is gone. 
 
 Au moys Doctobre figurant soixante ans 
 Se lhomme est riche, cela est a bonne heure 
 Des biens quil a, nourrist femme, et enfans 
 Plus na besoing quil travaille ou labeure. 
 By Octobre betokeneth Ix yere 
 That aege hastily dooth man assayle. 
 If he haue ought than it dooth appere 
 To lyue quietly after his trauayle. 
 
 Quant lhomme a soixante six ans vient 
 Represente par le moys de Nouembrc 
 Vieux, et caduc, et maladif deuient 
 Lors de bien faire est temps quil se remembre. 
 Whan man is at Ixvi yere olde, 
 Wiche likened is to barayne Nouembrc 
 He wex^th unweldy: sekely: and colde, 
 Than his soules helth is tyme to remembre. 
 
192 
 
 Lan par Decembre prent fin, ct se tcrmine 
 Aussi fait Ihomme, aux ans soixante douze 
 Le plus souvent, car viellesse le mine 
 libeure est venue, que pour partir se bouzre. 
 The yere by Decembre taketh his ende. 
 And so dooth man at thre score and twelae. 
 Nature with aege will hym on message sendc. 
 The tyme is come that he must go hym selve. 
 
 On the top of the pages in both the French and 
 English copies, we read above the wood ciits and 
 calendar, as a kind of running title, the following words: 
 
 Januarius. 
 
 Februarius. 
 
 Martius. 
 
 Poto. 
 
 Ligna cremo. 
 
 De vite superflua dema. 
 
 Aprilis. 
 Mayus. 
 Junius. 
 
 Do germen gratum. 
 Michi flos servit. 
 Michi pratum. 
 
 Julius. 
 
 Augustus. 
 
 September. 
 
 Spicas declino. 
 Messes meto. 
 Vina propino. 
 
 October. 
 
 November. 
 
 December. 
 
 Semen bumi jacto. 
 Michi pasco sues. 
 Michi macto. 
 
 In a copy of the HoR^ Virginis, 12. printed by 
 Egidius hardouyn. Par. sine anno, the following lines 
 appear at the commencement : — 
 
 Iesus soit en ma teste & en mon entendement. 
 lesus soit en mes yeulx et en mon regardement. 
 Iesus soit en ma bouche et en mon parlement. 
 Iesus soit en mon cueur et en mon pensement. 
 Iesus soit en ma vie et en mon trespassement. 
 
193 
 
 The compiler of the Harl. Cat. in his notice of the 
 *' Prymer of Salisbury," Par. 153 1 , a curious volume, 
 and full of wood cuts, observes that '^ At the bottom of 
 the title page there is the following prayer :" — 
 
 God be in my Bede (Hede) 
 
 And in myne Understandynge 
 
 God be in mine Eyen, 
 
 And in iny Lokynge 
 
 God be in my mouth 
 
 And in my spekynge 
 
 God be in my Herte 
 
 And in my Thynkynge 
 
 God he at rayn End 
 
 And at my Departynge. (0 
 
 (t) " The HoRiE or canonical hours of the V. Mary consist 
 chiefly of the seven services celebrated each day in the Romish 
 church, at certain hours prescribed by the canons, in com- 
 memoration of the several circumstances which occurred in our 
 Saviour's passion at those hours. They are named ' Matins,' 
 ' Prime,' ' Third,' ' Sixth,' ' Nones,' ' Vespers,' and 
 ' Compline.' The ' Prime' or first hour, according (o the 
 Jewish computation, was that which followed the rising sun ; 
 the sixth hour was always at noon. But although' the title 
 C'Horce'*) was denominated from these services, yet there were 
 annexed several other pieces not always (or uniformly) the 
 same." — Thus Ames ^ Herbert^ who mention by W. de 
 WoRDE, " HoraB beate Marie Virginis," 4. 1502:— by R, 
 PiNSON, " Horae secund. vsum Sarum," 4. sine anno, with cuts 
 and small scripture histories in the margins, printed upon 
 vellum.— Iterum Julian Notary, cuts, 4. on vellum, — Iterum 
 Wolff. Hopyl pro Willielm. Breton, 1506, 4 — Iterum 
 T. Kcrver pro W. Breton, 1510, 8. — Iterum, curious wood 
 cuts, N. Prcuost, impensis Francisci Byrkman, 1527, 4.— 
 
 c c 
 
194 
 
 Miss ALB E celesta Pictaviensis, foL Joan. Higfnan, 
 
 Fratris Joannis Caron opusculum tumultuarium ; Dt 
 coronatione regia, 4. Ftlix Baligaut, 
 
 NicoLAi DE Orbellis Ord. Min. Expesitio in Senten- 
 
 tiariim libros. 8. char, goth. Idem. 
 
 La Caille says this work was never reprinted ; but 
 Panzer specifies two other editions Par. anni 1488, 
 
 Again in English, but with the Latin title " Horaj, Ac." R. 
 Wyer, 12. 1533. This contains the English calendar rhymes 
 before cited, and other singular mattefj and is minutely described 
 by Ames <Sf Herbert, p, 370. — Iterurtiy 1 6. John Waylasd, 
 1 558. These bibliographers describe also many other Rituals, 
 some printed in England, others in France et alibi, not only 
 " SECUNDUM USUM Sarisburiensis EccLEsiiE, " but arso 
 
 " SECUNDUM USUM EBORACENSEM" and " SECUNDUM VSUM 
 
 HEREFORD." These consist of " Expositione» Hymnorum" — 
 " Portiforia'*—" Ordinalia"— " Missalia"—" Breviaria'*— 
 " Processionalia"— " Psalteria," &c. The Pica of the church 
 of York, or " Directorium Sacerdotum" anni 1509, 8.— 
 " Missale" ad vs. celeberrime ecclesie Eboracensis, 1516, 
 fol. — " Primer" or " Houres of our lady after the vse of the 
 «ame church," 1516. — " Breviarium," 8. 1526. — *'^ Pro- 
 CESSIONALE," 1 530, 8. were all printed as well at York by 
 early typographers there as alibi, (Ames Sf Herbert, 1438.) 
 Lastly, these bibliographers (in the additions, Sfc, to their 
 Typogn Antiq.) have added largely to thehr previous descriptions 
 of such works. Amongst many others they there notice 
 " HoRiE," Impresse Parisiis per NicoL hicqman allemanum 
 ImpensiSj Fr, Birckman civis Coloniensis, but with the REBUS 
 and name of Regnault, 1519, small fol. Every page of th«M 
 "Horae" is inclosed in borders, adorned with neat waod c«t» 
 
195 
 
 another anni 1499, and four Parisian impressions post 
 1 500. The inference of the abovementioned inaccurate 
 bibliographer that this book is '' tres-rare & tres 
 recherche des Scavans," may justly be questioned. 
 Vid. sub anno 1488. 
 
 La Vie des Trois Roys, Jaspar, Melchior, S( 
 Balthazar translatee de Latin en Francois, Jehan 
 ^Freperel, demourant sur le Pojit Nostre Dame a 
 V image S, Laurent, 
 
 ef the "Apocalypse," "Dance of Death,'* " JuHus Gsesar's 
 triumph,'* &c. On fol. Ixxxiiij is a suffrage, " De bto rege 
 HenricoV* with » cut of the king at full length ; thus — 
 Rex henricus sis amicus Pax in terra non sit guerra 
 
 nobis in augu^tia orbis per confinia 
 
 Cujus prece : nos a nece Virtus cr«scat et feruesctvt 
 
 saluemur perpetua caritas per omnia 
 
 Lampas morum spes egrorum Non sudore vel dolore 
 
 ferens medicamina moriamur subito 
 
 Sis tuorum famulorum Sed viuamus et plaudamus 
 
 ductor ad celestia celis sine termino. 
 
 " Ora pro nobis denote rex henrice, ^c.*" This " anthem or 
 leonine prayer" as it is called by Ames & Herbert, is found 
 also in a curious Manual " of Salisbury use," printed Par. by 
 Fr. Regnault anno 1531, and described by Ames Sf Herbert, 
 0?. 1828.) 
 
 I have also examined " Missale ad usum ac coneuetudinem 
 Sarum," printed Parisiis an. 1514, opera VVolffgangi Hopylii, 
 i^npensis vero Francisci byrckman^ fol. This fine volume, which 
 is in the possession of Thomas Hardman, Esq. Manchester, is 
 exquisitely printed " en rouge et noir^'' and abounds with 
 wood cuts and appropriate decorations which are beautifully 
 executed. The usual motto of Wolffgang Hopyll was — 
 " FORTUNA OPES AUFERRE NON ANIMUM POTEST," 
 
im 
 
 The original first appeared Colonize 1417, fol. undei* 
 the following title — " Trium regum historia." In fine : 
 ^' Liber de gestis ac trina beatissimorum trium regum 
 translacione, qui gencium primicie et exemplar salutis 
 omnium fuerunt christianorum, per me Johannem Gul- 
 denschafF de maguncia." 
 
 Devotes louanges a la Vierge Marie composees par M, 
 Marcial Dauvergne. 8. Idem. Fid. sub annis 
 1489, 1493. 
 
 Les Jnnales et Chroniques de France de Vorigine 
 des Frangois 3C de leur venue es GauieSy faites jadis 
 brievement par Nicole Gilles secretaire du Hoi 
 Charles VII. foL Idem. 
 This Chronicle was afterwards republished with 
 
 annotations by Denis Sauvage. Vid. sub anno 1498, 
 
 Art. *« Monstrelet:' . 
 
 La Mistere de la Passion de nostre Seigneur y en vers, 
 fol. goth. le Petit Laurens, pour Jehan Petit. 
 
 This MYSTERY with the additions and corrections of 
 ^* le tres eloqiient et scientifique docteur maistre Jean 
 Michel," was performed at Paris in the year of its^ 
 impression. Vid. sub anno 1490. 
 
 JuvENALis. 4. G. Wolff ^ Thielman Kerver. 
 
 M. T. CiCERONis officia, de Senectute, de Amicitia &C 
 
 Paradoxa cum notis. I idem, fol. 
 
 In initio baec leguntur ** Dieu gart le Roy et la noble 
 Citte Dangiers et Universite." It has the symbol of 
 Joannes Alexander a " Libraire" of Angiers. The 
 volume was revised by Paulas Malleolus. 
 
191 
 
 DiOMEDis de arte grammatica opus utilissimum, pro 
 Joan. Petit. Sequuntur Fhocas, Caper, Agraetius, 
 Donatus, Servius et Sergius, char. rom. 4<, T. Kerver, 
 
 Elegiarum liber de amoribus Chryseje et Philocrisii. 
 8. Idem. 
 
 PvNDARi hand indocti traductio Homeri de Bello 
 Trojano versibus hexametris. 4. Anthon. Denidel et 
 Robertus Gourmont, An. M. cccc. mi. XX. xviii.—xv. 
 kal. Martii. Vale cum bonafortuna etfeliciier. 
 This is the only instance in which Panzer cites the 
 
 name of Robert Gourmont. 
 
 HoRATii Odce cam argumentis et tabula legum car- 
 minis. 4. 
 
 Le grant Testament Francois Villon et le petit, son 
 codicille, le jargon U, ses ballades. 4. 
 
 This was reprinted anno 1532, 16. Par. Galliot du 
 Pre, " lettres rondes.^* — Iteruvi 1533, 16. 
 
 Seneca Tragoedies cum comm. Bernardini Marmitce 
 Hi Danielis Galetani Poet^ foL 
 
 Philelphi Epistola. 4. 
 Iterum 1500, 4 — 1503, 4. ^s.censiu*.— 1508, 4. J. Earlier. 
 
 Compendium de vita Antichristi. foL 
 
 Perhaps " La Vie de maijvais Antichrist," Lugd. 
 1499, is allied to this work. V^id. sub anno 1492. 
 
198 
 
 M.CCCC.XCIX. 
 
 D. Gregorii Papte IX Decretalium Compilatio, foL 
 Gering K Rembolt, 
 
 Institutiones Juris Jus tiniani Imperatoris, foL lidem, 
 
 Le Pelerinaige de VAvie, fol. Ant, Verard, Vid. 
 sub anno 1480. 
 
 Le Mystere de la Passion, fol. goth. Idem. Sub 
 anno 1490. 
 
 La Nef des Folz du Monde composee eyi Allemand par 
 Sebastien Brant traduit en prose, fol. Geofroy 
 de Marnef. Vid. sub anno 1497. 
 
 jRemundi (LulluJ Libri quatuor; primus, de laud. 
 B. V. Maria y que ars intentionum appellari potest : 
 secundus, de Natali pueri parvuli : tertius, Clericus : 
 quartus, Phantasticus. 4. Guido Mercator. 
 An interesting account of Raymundus Lullius may 
 be found in the " Appendix" to Cave. This extraor- 
 dinary person who was a native of Majorca, nat. anno 
 1236, formed schemes and encountered adventures of 
 the most romantic kind ; and was ahke an enthusiast in 
 philosophy and religion. In his various peregrinations 
 he visited a second time, and taught at Paris, where he 
 had received the rudiments of his education. Some 
 say he dwelt for a while in England ; practised chemistry 
 there, and found out the philosopher's stone. But the 
 reality of his journey to Britain has been questioned. 
 He at last became a voluntary Martyr ; and perished 
 by the hands of the Saracens, whom he sought to 
 convert to Christianity. Writers are much divided a^ 
 
 \ 
 
199 
 
 tb his real merits and character : some considering him 
 as little better than a strolling " charlatan;''^ others as 
 a person of great piety, zeal, and erudition ; and 
 deservinof to be enrolled in the list of saints. He is 
 said to have written more than 4000 volumes. His 
 book entitled *' Phantasticus " was composed anno 
 1211, "quo Phantastici nomen sibi vulgo impositum 
 amolitur, suique apologiam texit." H, Wharton up. 
 Cave, 
 
 Le Livret des Consolations contre toutes tribulacions 
 et la Passion de nostre Sauueur jesucrist auec plu- 
 sieures devotes oraisons. 8. Guy Marchant. 
 
 Ueures a P usage de Toul. 8. with wood cuts, pour 
 Simon Vostre. 
 
 Le Dialogue de Consolation enire Vame et la raison, 
 par un Religieux de la Reformation de Vordre de 
 Fontevrault, 8. Idem, 
 
 GuiLELMi Sti Martini Tornacensis Man, Benedictini 
 Bernardus, sive fiores ex S. Bemardi operibus. 
 Phil. Pigouchet 5C Durand Gerlier, 
 
 " Florida melliilui Bernardi prata peragrans 
 " Hinc tibi nectareas collige lector opes." 
 
 Sermones magistri Jacobi de Lenda, 4. Felix 
 
 Balligaut, 
 
 This was a friar of the order of Franciscans, and 
 a preacher at Paris. 
 
 Epistole auree Joannis Pici Mjrandulm viri omnium 
 mortalium doctissimi elof^ucntissimiqitc. 4. Mich» U 
 Noir. 
 
200 
 
 Of this prodigy of erudition I have endeavoured to 
 give the fullest account possible in a former work. 
 Vid, ^^ Memoirs of Angelus Politianus, Joannes Picus 
 of Mirajidida, &*c,'* 2nd. edition^ S. Lond. Cadell and 
 Davies, 1805. 
 
 M, T, CiCERONis Officia, Senecius, Amicitia, Para- 
 doxal cum Comment. foL G. Wolffs^ T. Kcrver. 
 
 Baptistm Mantuani Parthenice Mariaim. Ejvsd. 
 Parthenice Catharinaria. JSjusd. Aureum co7itra 
 impudice loquentes opusculum, Tliielm, Kerver^ 
 char. rom. 4. 
 
 De Calamitatibus temporum. char, rom. 
 
 Idem. 
 
 These volumes are as usual with the *'explanationes" 
 of Badius Ascensius. 
 
 I have noticed this author sub an. 1494. In addition 
 to the account already given, it may be observed, that 
 this poet was a natural son of Piero Spagnuoli. He 
 wrote *' Eclogse" and a multitude of poetical works, in 
 which little good poetry is to be found. M. de la 
 Monnoye remarks, that according to our great critic 
 Dr. Bentley, in his preface to Horace, the ancients 
 gave to every little poem the appellation of " Ecloga." 
 Baptista Mantuanus was born an, 1448 ; died "General 
 des Carmes" anno 1516. He is said to have declaimed 
 against the court of Rome in his poem " de Calami- 
 tatibus Temporum" with a warmth worthy of Luther. 
 
 Grammatica NicoLAi Perotti (et alia.) 4. per 
 Parvum Laurentiiim. Sub anno 1477. 
 Chacun soit content de sou bieii 
 Qui n^a sufficance n^a rien. 
 
201 
 
 Illustrmm virorum (xxxrii.J Epistole (ab Jngelo 
 FoLiTiANO collects. J char. rom,fol. Nicolaus Wolffs 
 
 " Meri sales, mersB facetiae : 
 
 Meri lepores : meras argutiae : 
 
 Meras vrbanitates : merce delitiae 
 
 Merse veneres : venerumq, gratiae 
 
 Quarum auctores hoc habentur ordine." <fec. 
 I have examined a fine copy of these "Epistoloe," 
 in the possession of Mr. Ford, Manchester. It is very 
 beautifully executed '' en lettres rondes," and is the 
 earliest Parisian impression of the '' Epistolae Politiani ;" 
 which were reprinted Par. sine anno, Thomas Kees ; 
 and afterwards frequently with and without his other 
 works, by Badius Ascensius. Vid. ^^ Memoirs of Politian, 
 Piciis, SCc:' 8. 1805. 
 
 2. HoRATii Flacci Sermones seu Satyr ^e; cum Comm, 
 ct Acronis interpretations 4. Idem. 
 
 pROPERTii elegiarum opus, 4. Opera Mich, Tolose et 
 Dionisii Roce, 4. 
 
 Terentius, Joan, Philip, 8. 
 
 Gesta Eomanorum cum applicationibus moralisatis et 
 
 viysticis, 4. 
 
 The Gesta Romanorum appeared first Lovanii 
 1473, fol. I find mention of an impression Par. J. 
 Petit, 1515, (Cat. Todd. York 1817) with the following 
 remark : — " This amusing collection was written by 
 Petrus Berchorius, a native of Poictiers, who died at 
 Paris in 1362. It is considered as one of the most 
 ancient story books extant ; and the outlines of some of 
 the best stories in Chaucer, Gower, Lydgate, Shakspeare j 
 
 D D 
 
302 
 
 and their most distant successors, even down to Parnell's 
 ' Hermit/ may be traced in it. Boccaccio is reported 
 to have laid it under ample contribution. Vid. Douce 
 mid Wharton, and the Stanley Catalogued — A French 
 translation, viz. " Les Gestes Rommaines, &c." ap- 
 peared Par. sine anno. In fine: — '^ Cy finist les gestes 
 rommaines & les Statuts et ordonnances des heraulx 
 Darmes, translatez de latin en Francois par maistre 
 Robert Guaguin General de lordre des Matliurins, pour 
 anthoine verard. 4. char, goth.^'' 
 
 '^ Le ViOLiER des Histoires Romaines moralisees sur 
 les gestes, faits vertueux & anciennes chroniques des 
 Romains," Par. 1520, fol. is said to be an inaccurate 
 translation of a Latin work inlitled '' Gesta Romanorum 
 moralizata.*' 
 
 Breviarium Virdunense, 8. 
 
 Minorica elucidatiua rationabilis sepa,ratioms fratrum 
 MINORUM DE OBSERVANTIA ab alUsfratribus eiusdem 
 or dims, 8. 
 In fine: — " Et sic est finis deo laus et gloria trinis," 
 
 JoAJ^Nis Janfensis Summa, qua Catholicon appellatur, 
 
 foL 
 
 This is the first Parisian impression of the Dictionary 
 of Johannes Balbus de Janua of Januensis, one of 
 the *' Fratri predicanti." The first edition was printed 
 Moguntia, (typogr, incert.J and was one of the earliest 
 fruits of the press. Joannes de Prato printed an 
 edition Lugduni, anno 1489, infoL 
 
 Phillip PI Beroaldi Opuscula mria, 4* 
 Iterum 1505, 4. — 1511, 4. — 1513, 4, ap v4«c«nfium. 
 
203 
 
 The ** Declamatio lepidissima Ebriosi, Scortatoris, 
 Aleatoris, &c." separately printed Par. 1505, 1508, 4. 
 is said to have given occasion to a work in French 
 rhyme intitled " Le Proces de trois peres," Lyon 1558, 
 S. The argument appears from the commencement: — 
 Ce petit livre en forme de proems 
 Mis en avant taxe les trois exc^s 
 Qui font des niaux au monde innumerables^ 
 Le Jeu, le boir, et les actes damnables 
 Di Cupidon, &c. 
 
 Th^s6 were vices, in all of which it is probable tliat 
 the Bolognese professor Bero Aldus had himself been 
 -expert. I have noticed him at some length *^ Memoirs 
 of Politiariy &(c, /?. 212, et alibi, 
 
 M.D. 
 
 NicoLAf Ferotti Cornucopia cura Zjodgviei Dda.vii, 
 Gering et Rembolt, foh 
 
 Sextvs Decretalium: Extravagantes Johan. xxh, 
 &(c. accurante Jo, Chappiiissio. foL lidem. 
 
 Jean Chappuis, a *' Licencie en Droit," corrected 
 for Gering and Kembolt as to what regarded the 
 impression of works pertaining to jm'isprudence. 
 
 Luc AN, SvETON, S( Salust en Francois, fol. Ant. 
 Verard. 
 
 The conjecture of M. de. Juvigny, that Lucan here 
 is a mistake of bibliographers for Luc. An. or Lucius 
 Ann^eus, (Florus) founded on the supposed improba- 
 bility of Lucan a poet, being joined with two historians, 
 is completely refuted by a fragment of this prose 
 
204 
 
 translation of Lucan from the interesting press of 
 Verard, now in my possession. It may indeed be more 
 properly termed a paraphrase, and reads much like one 
 of the romances of the day. 
 
 " Fueillet" 131 commences in the following manner: 
 
 " Comment pompee esmeut sa gent." 
 
 *' Ciceron parla lors a pompee pour tous, ce fut 
 cellui qui auoit deliure la cite de romme de la conjuroison 
 de cathiline quant il fut consule et moult auoit augmente 
 la chose publique. Si dist a pompee. Les roys, les 
 barons et autres peuples que tu as auec toy requierent 
 et prient que tu ne mettes plus la chose en delay, seuffre 
 a fortune faire ce quelle a en pensee, seuffre que cesar 
 soit mis au dessoubz, par quoy tout le monde a este en 
 grant triboil & longue discorde. Tout le monde que tu 
 as si assemble pent tourner a grant desdaing ce que tu 
 les surmontes en pou dheure et de temps & tu desclaires 
 tant a vaincre & surmonter ung nomme cesar a tout 
 ung peu de gens quil a. Quest deuenu le hardement 
 et la prosse que tu euz jadis. Te deffies tu des lieux 
 comme se tu ne leur sauois gre des victoires que tu as 
 eues. Tiens tu la querelle aux senateurs pour si foible 
 et pour cy mauuaise que tu ne toses abandonner a 
 fortune ne mettre toy & ta gent en aduenture. Se tu 
 ne ty donnes garde ta cheualerie prendra les banieres et 
 se ferra en lestour se tu ne te hastes. As tu honte de 
 ce quilz te veulent faire faire vaincre maul gre toy, de 
 ton gre deusses tu tendre a auoir lonneur de la victoire. 
 Veulx tu que len ty contraigne a force se les senateurs 
 ont point de commandement sur toy, & se ceste 
 bataille doit estre pour nostre commun preu nompas 
 pour le tien seulement. Ne nous detiens plus laisse 
 nous aler en champ. Et que detiens tu, tout le monde 
 
205 
 
 qui est prest a courre sur cesar & sur les siens. Chacun 
 encrolle son dart et son glaiue & leur est grief dattendr^ 
 ]es meuttes de tes aigles. Haste toy que tes chevaliers 
 ne te guerpissent tout seul en ta tente & sen ail lent sans 
 due a la bataille guier. Les senateurs veulent sauoir se 
 tu veulx estre leur compaignon pour le commun preu on 
 pour le tien seulement, & se tu detiens ta cheualerie si 
 leur deffens lassembler pour ton propre preu. Pompee 
 gemit a ses paroles, &c." 
 
 The size of this work is fol. the type a large semi- 
 gothic, the page is in double columns. Whether the 
 fragment forms part of the edition of 1490 or 1500 I 
 cannot determine. 
 
 That the reader may judge more accurately of the 
 nature of the foregoing translation, I subjoin the passage 
 of the original : Lucan, Lib, mi. v, 62. 
 
 " CuNCTORUM voces Romani raaximus auctor 
 Tullius eloquii, cuj us sub jure, togaque 
 Pacificas saevus tremuit Catilina secures, 
 Pertulit, iratus bell is, cum rostra forumque 
 Optaret, passus tarn longa silentia miles, 
 Addidit invalidae robur facundia causae. 
 
 Hoc pro tot meritis solum te, Magne, precatur, 
 Uti se Fortuna velis, proceresque tuorum 
 Castrorum, regesque tui cum supplice mundo 
 Affusi, vinci socerum patiare r ogam us. 
 Humani generis tarn longo tempore bellum 
 Caesar erit ? raeritb, Porapeium vincere lenfe, 
 Gentibus, indignum est, a transcurrente subactis. 
 Quo tibi fervor abit ? aut quo fiducia fati ? 
 De Superis ingrate times? causamque SenalAs 
 Credere Diis dubitas? ipsas sua signa revellent, 
 Prosilientque acies. pudeat vicisse coactum. 
 Si duce te jusso, si nobis bella geruntur, 
 
206 
 
 Sit juris quocunque velint concurrere campo. 
 Quid mundi gladios a sanguine Caesaris arces? 
 Vibrant tela manus : vix signa morantia quisquam 
 Expectat : propera, ne te tua classica linquant. 
 Scire Senatus avet, miles te, Magne, sequatur, 
 An comes." Ingemuit Rector, &c. 
 
 Le Second Volume de la Cronique Martinjenne gut 
 suit selon les dates des temps les Croniques de Finance 
 selon le Chronique Castel H, Robert Gaguin General des 
 Mathiirins, Kc. mis en Francois S( augmentees par 
 Sebastien Mamerot de Soissons chantre et chanoine de 
 Trojjes, avec la Chronique du Boy Loys XI. fol, 
 Antoine Verard. 
 
 I find amongst books ^^ sine nota anni,'''' {post 1500) 
 ** La Cronique Martiniane de tous les Papes qui furent 
 jamais, et finist iusques au Pape Alexander (VI.) 
 dernier decede mil cinq cens & trois ; (per Martin de 
 PoLOG N E, traduite en/rancois par ^^ba^tieii deMamerotJ 
 et avecques ce les additions de plusieurs Groniqueurs, 
 cest assavoir de messire Verneron chanoyne de Lyege, 
 monseigneurlechroniqueurCastel,monseigneurGuaguin 
 General des Mathurins et plusieurs autres croniqueurs." 
 This work which is in fol. from the subscription " cy 
 fine la derreniere pariie de la Cronique Martinienne 
 imprime a Paris pour Anthoyne Verard, 5Cc." appear^ 
 tp be in two or more volumes. La Croix du Maine 
 mentions " La Cronique Martinienne ayec les additions, 
 &c." printed by Verard, m 2 voU. fol. goth. sans date; 
 and his annotators say this chronicle is pow of rare 
 occurrence, and prized by the curious in such works. 
 
 Martin us Polonus was a Dominican, who composed 
 in the Latin language *' Chronica sea Chronicon 
 summorum Pontificum, Imperatorumque, ac de septen^ 
 
201 
 
 aetatibus mundi ex sancto Hieronymoj Eusebio, aliisque 
 eruditis excerpta a Martino." This book was printed 
 Taurhii 1477. In fine: — 
 
 Cronica martini finit : Divo philiberto : 
 ac subaudorum sub diice. magnanimo 
 Taurini: formis hanc pressit: et cere: Johannes 
 fabri : quern ciuem lingonis alta tulit, S^c* 
 
 So that the annotators on La Croix du Maine are 
 mistaken in asserting that the original Latin was never 
 published. The name *' Martinus^' is supposed to be 
 the origin of the term *' Martiniane" found annexed to 
 several of these early French historical compilation». 
 Sebastien Mamerot the translator was of Soissons. Of 
 Verneron I am in possession of no notices. Gaguin 
 has been -particularly noticed sub anno 1495. *' Le 
 croniqueurCASTEL" was a French historian and poet, son 
 of Christine de Pise already mentioned, sub annis 1488, 
 1497. The Earl of Salisbury, favourite of Richard II, 
 king of Eiigland, is said to have conveyed him in his 
 youth to England to be educated with his own son. 
 Richard being dethroned by Henry IV. of Lancaster 
 anno 1399, and Salisbury beheaded, Henry who had 
 seen some poems of Christine his mother, invited her 
 to his court. She signified her consent to this proposal, 
 provided her son might be sent to conduct her thither. 
 Having by this stratagem recovered her son after 
 three year's absence, she found means to evade her 
 engagement with the English monarch. Philippe le 
 Hardi, duke of Burgundy, received young Castel into 
 his service. In 14-04 he lost his new patron, being 
 then only 19 years of age. Some suppose Castel to 
 have been deformed. He and Froissart have been 
 denominated ^^ Dictatcurs de chroniqiies de Franee." 
 
205 
 
 JSlBLlA Latin A. fol. Simon Vostre. 
 
 RoBERTi Gaguini (Ord. S. Trin. Kc.) de Praticontm 
 Gestis Compendium. Thielman Kerver, fol. 
 This edition of the Latin original is augmented by 
 
 an additional book. It is termed by Mattaire " Editio 
 
 optima, auctiorque." {v) 
 
 Officium B. M, V. et alia ad usum Laodien ; latine, cum 
 variis orationibus latine S( gallice. Pracedit Calen- 
 darium. 8. with wood cuts. Idem. 
 
 (v) I have noticed {sub anno 1498 Art. Chroniques de 
 France, Ac.) several French translations of this Latin Chro- 
 nicle of Gaguin, particularly that anni 1 536, which French 
 bibliographers consider to be of the greatest rarity. It was 
 pubHshed under the title of La Mer des Chroniques et 
 Mirouer Hystorial de France, iadis compose en Latin par . . 
 frere Robert Gaguin . . . Et nouvellement traduict ... en 
 vulgaire francoys . . Lequel traicte de la source & origine des 
 Francoys & les faictz belliqueux de tous les Roys de France 
 & autres, aduenuz depuis la destruction de Troye la Grant 
 Tant es pays et royalme de France que Angleterre, Jrlande, 
 Espaigne, Gascongne, Flandres, et lieux circonuoisins . • . 
 Auec les Genealogies de France & Annalles de Gaulle, &c. 
 The title of this fine Chronicle is printed in alternate " rouge 
 €& noir," and the history is brought down to " le moys de 
 Mars" 1536, and comprehends upwards of 20 years of the 
 reign of Francis I. The book commences with a " Prologue 
 de Pierre Desray," the editor and continuator. On the 
 reverse of fuellet 6 a fine wood cut occupies the whole page. 
 This work is a large 4. goth. the printer Nicolas de la Barre, 
 for Jehan Foucher, Par. anno 1536. 
 
209 
 
 jEneis Firgiliana cum Servii Honor ati Gi^ammatici 
 Commentariis — Philippi Beroaldi annoiattonibus—' 
 Donati enodationibus — Jodoci Badii eliicidatione, SCr. 
 fol. Idem, 
 
 In this subscription Thielman Kerver denominates 
 himself '* Confluentinus," which shews him to have 
 been a native of Coblentz. 
 
 SUMMA A UREA in IV. libros Sententiarum a Guillermo 
 Altissiodorensl Phil. Pigouchet pour N. Faultier 
 U D. Gerlier, foL 
 
 After the Insigne Typographicum follows this Hex- 
 astichon :— 
 
 A0REA summa sacri Guilihelmi altissiodori 
 
 Presulis auricomis multiplicata notis: 
 Q,aam bona de quercu guilihelmi cura redemit 
 
 Mendis : et varia condecoravit ope. 
 Q,uaraque pigouchetus calamo descripsit aheno : 
 
 Patronis meritam poscit ob era stipem. 
 
 De la Caille says this '* Summa Aurea" is a singular 
 book on account of the peculiar sentiments which it 
 contains, was never reprinted, and is much sought 
 after. Durand Gerlier's device was *^ L'Estrille Fau- 
 veau, representee par une faux et un veau avec ces 
 mots: Deum time. Pauperes sustine. Memento 
 FINIS. Jesus." 
 
 Impressions of this year occur also with the name of 
 Francisc. Regnault, who probably contributed to the 
 cxpence of this edition. Of this William, bishop of 
 AuxERRE, I find littlo more recorded than that he wTote 
 ^' Stipima Theolo§'i{e,''^ De officiis divinis^ Si alia* Of 
 
 £ E 
 
^he, ff SummaAurea," this of Pigouchet was probably 
 the only impression. 
 
 Heures a r usage de Liege. 8. Idem, 
 Oliveru Majllaroi Sermones de Adventu. 
 
 Doyninicales 5C de stipendio peccatiy Kc, 
 
 — Quadragesimales, 8. Pigouchet. 
 
 See the notices sub an. 1497, 1498. 
 
 La MENDiciTE SPIRITUELLE, les meditations de Vame, 
 
 SfC. 4. Mich, le Noir. 
 
 The original treatise by Gerson, *' De mendicitate 
 spirituali," appeared in 4«^/?zc flr?z?w cS^ /ot'(7. . . 
 
 Le livre intitule Eternelle consolation. 4. Ide)7i, 
 
 P. ViRGiLii Maronis Bucolica U Georgica cum comm. 
 Servii 5C B. Ascensii.foL J. Petit. 
 
 JusTiNi Historia, Lucii Flori Epitomata. Sextj 
 RuFFi de Hist.^Rom. opus. 4. Idem, 
 
 EiCHARDi DE BvRY PhilobibUon. Gaspar Philippus^ 
 pro Joan. Parvo. 4. 
 
 An impression of the same year, Parisiis, has the 
 subscription, &c. of Jociocus Badius Ascensius. The 
 original edition is that Spir^ 1483. 
 
 JllCHARDUS BuRiENSiS was a native of St. Edmonds- 
 bury in Suffolk. He was son of Sir Richard Angerville, 
 whence he had the surname '' Angervillus." Having 
 distinguished himself greatly at Oxford, he became 
 tutor to Edward prince of Wales; by whom on his 
 
211 
 
 accession to the throne he was advanced to the highest 
 court dignities. He was anno 1333 appointed dean of 
 Wells and bishop of Durham; and the next year 
 became lord chancellor of England. Obiit a?ino 1345. 
 Petrarch terms him '^ ardentis ingenii virum." He was 
 much celebrated for his piety and munificence, but still 
 more for his remarkable love of learning, and patronage 
 of distinguished scholars, by whom he was hailed as the 
 Maecenas of those times. He founded an excellent 
 library at Oxford ; and a7ino 1344 composed his 
 '* Philobiblion seu librum de amore librorum et Biblio- 
 thecarum institutione,"- which besides the impressions 
 of it abovementioned was edited by Jamesius, O.r. 
 1599, 4. and '^ cum epistolis Philologicis a Goldasto 
 collectis," i^rawc^. 1610, 8. 
 
 Chevillier has observed that this prelate, in chap. 3, of 
 his " PhilobibHon,** says '* Books ought to be purchased 
 at any price. The wisdom which they contain renders 
 them invaluable. They cannot be bought too dear." 
 Such were in that day the sentiments of Richard de 
 Bury, and his own passion for forming a collection led 
 him to act upon them. He bought " a tout price" but 
 never sold again ; alledging the sentence, Prov. chap. 
 xxiij. " Feritatem erne et iioli 'vender e sapientiam.^^ 
 
 Richard de Bury, like other Englishmen of rank 
 and figure of these early periods, studied some time at 
 Paris. Nande (addition a I'Hist. du Roy Louis XI.) 
 informs us in what glowing terms the good bishop 
 speaks in his *' Philobiblion," cap. 8, of that university: 
 *' O beate Deus deorum in Syon ! quantus fluminis 
 impetus voluptatis Isetificavit cor nostrum, qaotiens 
 
 paradisum mundi Parisius visitare vacavimus Ibi 
 
 Bibliothecse jucundae super cellas aromatum redolentes ; 
 ibi virens viridarium universorum voluminnm : ibi 
 
212 
 
 Athsenarum, Petipateticoruin diverticula, Parnassi Pro- 
 montoria, & Porticus Stoicorum, &c." 
 
 The " Philobiblion" was reprinted at Oxford from 
 a collation of MSS. and with an appendix, anno 1599, 
 i*i 4. Hearne has undertaken to deprive R. de Bury of 
 the honour of composing this work; and says it was 
 written by Robert Holkot a Dominican, under his name. 
 See mention of Holkot sub anno 1489. 
 
 Regula Sancti Benedicti edita apud Jodocum Badiwnv 
 Ascensium. 8. 
 
 There is also *' La Regle de sainct Benoist 
 traduicte de Latin en Francois par Guy Juvenal." M. le 
 Noir, 8. sine anno. 
 
 The following was unknown to Panzer : " Regula 
 beatissimi patris benedicti e latino in gallicum sermonem 
 per rev. dom. Guidonem Juvenalem traducta," 1500. 
 Geoff roy de Marnef. It contains a beautiful wood cut 
 in the title; and at the end exhibits the device of "les 
 Freres Marnef." In this book the Latin original and 
 the French translation are printed alternately; the 
 former in gothic characters, the latter in the semigothic 
 or ^' lettres batards," common to early French printers. 
 
 Anno 1516 Richard Pinson also printed an English 
 translation of this work: — " Here begynneth the Rule 
 of seynt Benet." It was translated by ** Richard 
 Bishope of Winchester for the use of the Nouices and 
 religiouse women" of his diocese; and he adds — 
 '' specyally at thinstant requeste of our ryght dere 
 doughters in oure lorde Jhu, Thabbasses of the monas- 
 teris of Rumsay, wharwel, seynt Maries- >wi thin the citie 
 of Winchester, and the prioresse of witnaye : oure right 
 religious diocesans, we haue translated the sayde rule 
 into oure moders tonge, coiTimune, playne, rounde 
 
THE DEVICE OF ENGUILBERT, JEAN, & GODEFROY DE MARNEF. 
 From " La Reigle Monseigneur Sainct Benoist." 1600, 4. 
 
 Vide p. 212. 
 
213 
 
 engUsshe, easy, and redy to be undei-stande by the 
 (sayde deuoute religiouse women, &c." It contains in 
 the frontispiece a cut of four priests carrying the host, 
 and attendants with lighted torches ; beneath a pelican, 
 &c. and another on the reverse. An abstract of the 
 same rule in English forms also the " thyrde treatise 
 of the Boke composed of diverse Ghostly maters," 
 beginning with the " Orologium sapiencie," printed 
 by Caxton, 4. si?ie anno, 
 
 <2. UoRATii Flacci Satyr ce et Epistoliv cum comm, 
 Acronis et Badii Ascensii, 4, 
 
 Ejusdem Be Arte poetka. 4, Idem, 
 
 BiBLiA Latina, Joh. Pivard, 4. 
 
 Fersius cum comjnentario Britannici, 8. . 
 
 Periarchon de Principiis Disciplinarum Platonicarum 
 Symphoriani CHAMPERiifde Ratione Speculativa, de 
 Notitia rerum speculatwarum, S(c, 
 
 This is probably from the pen of Simphorien 
 Champier (Latine " Campegius") " Lyonnois,'* by 
 profession a physician. Other works of his are " His- 
 toire des faits & gestes du bon Chevalier sans peur & 
 sans reproche (Pierre duTerrail dit le Seigneur Bayard) 
 avec plusieurs histoires ad venues sous le regnes de 
 Charles VIII, Louis XII, & Frangois I, depuis Tan 
 1489,jusqu 'en 1524." Par. Gal. du Pre, 1527, 4. 
 got. — " Le fondement & origine desTitres de Noblesse." 
 Par. 1535. — *' La Nef des Dames verteueuses." Par. 
 1531, Phil, le Noir.— " La Nef des Princes." Par. 8. 
 le Noir, 1525.— «« La Nef de Sybiiles."— -" Les grandes 
 Chroniques des gestes, &e. des Dues & Princes de 
 
214 
 
 Saroye & Piedmont**' Par, Jean de la Gai^de, 1 5 16.— 
 " Les Chroniques de Lorraine." — ^' Le Triomphe de 
 France." Lat, K Fr. printed a Lyon ^ a Paris.— ^ 
 " Le Triomphe de Louis XII." Lyon, 1509, 4. got. — 
 " Le Miroir des Apotiquaires." Par. \5Z9, 
 
 La Croix du Maine mentions various other produc- 
 tions of this fruitful author, printed and MS. He was 
 physician to the " Due de Lorraine ;" attended him in 
 the wars of Italy, and behaved so well at the battle of 
 Marignano, that the duke knighted him. He espoused 
 Marguerite de Terrail, who was nearly related to the 
 famous Bayard beforementioned. Champier's life of 
 that '' Chevalier" is considered as a mere romance, 
 abounding with fables. The annotators on la Croix du 
 Maine say that nothing which Champier wrote on 
 historical subjects is deserving of any consideration. 
 He wanted judgment and discrimination : was very 
 ignorant of chronology, and greatly enamoured of the 
 marvellous. His medical works are better. Among 
 them are distinguished his '* Hortus Gallicus" and 
 *' Campus Elysius Gallioe," both printed a Lyon 1533, 
 8. Julius CaBsar Scaliger lampooned him in Latin 
 " Scazons." Rabelais also made him a subject of his 
 raillery. He is said to have called himself *' Campegius" 
 through a vain afiectation of appearing to belong to 
 the family of the cardinal of that name : — and even to 
 have assumed his arms. He died as it is supposed 
 ii«. 1539 or 1540. 
 
 Les Faits et Gestes de preux Godefroy de 
 BovJLLON, et de ses chevaleureux freres Batjdovin 
 K Eustace yssus de noble lignie du chevalier au 
 eigne, avec leur Genealogie, traduit du Latin. Par 
 ISOOy/ol. ^4. 
 
215 
 
 Anno 1481 the press of Caxton produced in English 
 *^ GoDEFROY OF BoLOYNE, or the laste siege and 
 conqueste of Jherusalem," fol. The amusing " pro- 
 heme" is given at length by Ames, vol. \,p.S5. Caxton 
 having first made honourable mention of the heroes of 
 the old Testament, " due Josue that noble prince,'* 
 *' Dauyd the Kynge and holy Prophete," and *' Judas 
 Machabeus ;" afterwards of some of the chief warriors 
 of Paganism, '* Hector of troye," " Alysaundre the 
 grete king of Macedone," and *' July us Cezar," 
 proceeds thus — *' Now lete us thenne remembre what 
 liystoryes ben wreton of Cristen men of whom ther be 
 many wreton. But in especial as for the best and 
 worthyest J find first, the gloryous, most excellent in 
 his tyme, and ffirst founder of the round ta|ile, kyng 
 Arthur kyng of the brytons that tyme regnyng in this 
 Royamnie, of whos retenue were many noble Kynges, 
 Prynces, lordes: and knyghtes. of which the noblest 
 were knyghtes of the round table, of whos actes and 
 hystoryes there be large volumes and bookes grete 
 plente and many, O blessyd Lord whan J remembre 
 the grete and many volumes of se3mt graal, ghalehot 
 and launcelotte de lake, Gawayne perceval, Lyonel, 
 and tristram and many other of whom were ouer long 
 to reherce, and also to me unknowen. But thystorye 
 of the sayd Arthur is so glorious and sh^myng that he 
 is stalled in the fyrst place of the mooste noble, beste 
 and worthyest of the cristen men. Secondly of 
 Charlemayn the grete Emperour of AUemayne and 
 kyng of ffraunce, whos noble actes and conquestes ben 
 wreton in large volumes with the noble faytes and actes 
 of his douze pieres that is to saye. Rowland and 
 Olyuer, with the other, whos name and renomme 
 abydeth also perpetuel. and is stalled in the second 
 
216 
 
 place cmong the most worthy of Cristen men. Of all 
 thyse hystoryes a for reherced the bookes and volumes 
 ben had in latyn ffrenssh and Englysshe & other 
 lansrage. 
 
 Thenne as for the thyrd of the Cristen prynces taken 
 reputed and renommed for to be egal emong thyse 
 worthy and best that euer wer. J mene the noble 
 Godefroy of Boloyne, whiche now but late not yet 
 four c. yere syth he flowred and was stalled in the 
 thyrd stalle of the moost worthy of Cristen men. whos 
 bystory is made & wreton in Latyn & ffrenshe in large 
 & grete volumes, And as not knowne emong us here, 
 which ben adiacent and neyghbours to the place of his 
 natyuyte, whos noble hystory J late fonde in a booke 
 of ffrensshe al a longe of his noble actes valyaunces 
 prowesses, and accomplysshement of his hye empryses, 
 &c.'* Lastly, our loyal printer ** considerynge the 
 grete puyssaunce of the Turke grete enemye of oure 
 Chrystene fayth, &c." and that he '' this sayd yere 
 ( 148 1 ) hath assay lied the Cyte and Castel in the Jsle of 
 rhodes . . & hath taken the Cyte of Ydronte in puylle. 
 By whiche he hath goten an entre to entre into the 
 Royamme of Naples And fro thens withoute he be 
 resisted vnto Rome & ytalye :" exhorts all christian 
 princes to make peace with each other, and unite to 
 resist this formidable invader: declares he has *'em- 
 prysed to translate this book of the conquest of 
 Jherusalem for their encouragement :" and more espe- 
 cially presents it to his " soueraygn lord" the *' moost 
 cristen kynge, Edward by the grace of god kynge of 
 englonde & of ffraunce and lorde of Yrlonde....that he 
 of his moost noble grace wold addresse styre. or com^ 
 maunde some noble capy tayn of his subgettes to empryso 
 this warre agayn the sayd turke & hethen peple." 
 
211 
 
 Senecje Tragoedue cum correctione BaldL 4. 
 
 Falerii Flacci Argonauticon. 4. 
 
 Francisci Fhilelphi Fpistol^. 4. 
 
 jdnnotationes sive reportationes Margaritarum omniufn 
 decretalium secundum Alphabetior^dinem. 8. (fortasse 
 Jehan Manstener.) 
 
 This book was unknown to Panzer. In fine, on the 
 obverse of the last leaf is a wood cut of the Virgin and 
 Child, &c. and on the reverse a full length crowned 
 portraitofpRESTRE Jehan. Robert Copland printed 
 sine anno (but as Hearne thinks in 1510) a Latin work 
 intitled '^ CoUectarium Mansuetudinum, &c." (Vid, 
 Ames 6f Herbert, vol. 1, p. 348) under the title of which 
 he gave a fac-simile of the above wood cut as a portrait 
 of king Henry VI. of England : omitting the name of 
 *' Prestke Jehan" w^ich is engraved in large Gothic 
 characters on the block of the original. ^' Beneath this 
 title," says Herbert, *' is the portrait of king Henry at 
 full length, also at the back of it, and again on the last 
 page." Mr. Dibdin has very accurately copied this 
 spurious portrait in his edition of Ames and Herbert. 
 (Vol. 3, page 131.) 
 
 M.D.T. 
 
 Les Homelies de Saint Grrgoire Pape, sur quarante 
 Evangiles. fol. Ant. Verard, 
 
 La Fleur des Batailles D'Oolin de Maience, Chevalier 
 preux SC hardi, fils die noble et chcvalereux Guy Comte 
 • de Maience. fol. Ant. Verard. 
 
 F F , 
 
218 
 
 Mr. DuNLOP (History of Fiction^ Vol l, p. %n%) 
 supposes this romance to have been written during the 
 reign of Charles VIII. There was a second impression 
 Par. 1549, 4. a third Lyons 1 604. The most important 
 atchievement of Doolin was the conquest of Denmark : 
 but the story is not considered as interesting. Doolin 
 was tl>€ ancestor of Ogier the Dane. 
 
 Opficwm B. Virginis Maria K alia, cum figurisy 4. 
 Sinion Fostre, 
 
 Iteruviy G. Hardouyn 1503, 8. and sine anno S. — G. 
 Anabat 1508, 8.— Th. Kerver 1311, 8. 1513, 8. 15175 
 8. 1520, 8.— ^gid. Couteau 1J13, 8.— P. Vidovc 
 1519. Copies of this " Officium," like the " Horae" 
 and other early ritual books, abound with wood cuts. 
 Several splendid specimens are described in the Harleian 
 Catalogue. Fid, Libb, sine noid anniy ante 1500. 
 
 Ze CoDiCiLE et Testament de Maistre Jehan de Meun. 
 4. Michel le Noir. Fid, inter Libros sine anno " Le 
 Roman de la Rose,''^ 
 
 This continuator of the " Romance of the Rose" 
 lived as Du Verdi er thinks, in the reign of Philippes 
 le Bel, or at the latest anno 1300. Other works of hii 
 were ** La plaisant Jeu dodechedron de Fortune non 
 moins recreatif qu' ingenieux," Par. 1560, Jean Longis 
 & R. le Mangnier. — " Les 7 Articles de la Foi & 
 Proverbes dores," (sometimes subjoined to " I^ Codi- 
 ciL") Par. 1503. — ** Remontrances a TAlchemiste 
 errant," G. Guillard 1561, and as some say ** Destruction 
 de Troye la Grande," a Lyon 1544. 
 
 La MeP de Folles selon les cinq sens de nature, eom^ 
 poses y selon VEvangile de Monseigneur S. Mat him, 
 
219 
 
 des cinq Vierges qui ne pr invent point d'huik pour 
 mettrc en leurs lampes, 4. Jean TrepereL Fid. sub 
 anno 1497. 
 
 GuLiELMi LvNDEfVODE Provinciate. foL Andreas 
 Bocard. (Infra sub aixno 1505.) 
 
 This is a v.ell known work of GULIELMUS Lynde^ 
 WOODE, who was an author of our own country, and 
 bishop of S. David's. He flourished at an early period, 
 and survived till the year 1446. Other impressions of 
 the *^ Provijpiciale" specified by Panzer, are those anni 
 1505,fol.Wo|f. Hop3^11— 1506,fol.Idem. De laCaille 
 specifies an impression bearing the name and insigne of 
 Badius anni 1501, foL 2 iomis, which is (he says) 
 executed *' en tres-beaux characteres ronds & parfaits," 
 and still esteemed in France as a very rare typographical 
 curiosity. But the edition of London anni 1679 is the 
 most ample and complete. 
 
 Impressions by our early English printers noticed by 
 Ames & Herbert, are *' Constitutiones provinciales 
 ecclesiae Anglicaniii sine commentariis," 24. Caxton, 
 sine anno.—Iterum, W. de Worde 1496, 8. the title 
 of which exhibits a wood cut of Lindewood at full 
 length, with the pastoral staff in his hand : this impres- 
 sion was repeated anno 1499, and again by Pinson sine 
 anno. Another copy of the " Provinciale sep Con- 
 stitutiones An G lie" una f^urti annotationibus, in fol. 
 ornamented vyith various figures and decorations, was 
 printed Parisiis per T. Kerver sumptibus WiUiELMi 
 Bretton. Copies bearing the names of other Parisian 
 typographers, are found to exhibit the devices of 
 several of our early English printers ; and evince the 
 copartnership which so frequently existed in particular 
 impressions of popular works. 
 
220 
 
 Robert Redman appesirs also to have printed tlic 
 *' Constitutiones provinciales ecclesiac AnglicaiisB" aniw 
 1534, 8. and in the same year the "Constitutions 
 pROUiNCiALLEs, and of Otho and Octhobone" in 
 EngUsh. Of this translation a very particular and 
 interesting description will be found in Ames and 
 Herbert, p. 392. A curious impression of the original 
 work was executed at Oxford in fol. (perhaps circa 
 annmn 1482, Ames K Herbert, p. 1394.) Another 
 by Thomas Marshe anno 1537, 8. flidem, p.SSO.) 
 See also the corrections and additions to the same 
 work. /^p. 1826.) 
 
 Bernh. Laurentii Casus in qidbus Judex- secularis 
 potest manus in personas Clericorum imponere, et 
 alia. 8. Jehan Petit. 
 
 BiBLiA cum Suynrnariisy Cojicordantiis, Sl^c, fel, min. 
 Idem. 
 
 P. ViRGiui Maronis Culex, Dine, K alia Opuscula. 
 foL Thielman Kerver. 
 
 LucjNi PJmrsalia cum argumentis J. S. Verulamiiet 
 annot. Chappusoti. fol. Joh. de Prato, 
 
 •**\^*^.r>*\r,f^.r\f.^^.f^ 
 
 M.D.II. 
 
 Omelie divi Gregorii super Ezechielem. 4. Gering 
 5C Rembolt. 
 
 LuDOLPHi DE Saxonia Vita J. Christi.fol. lidem. 
 
 This work was first printed Argentorati 1474, fol. and 
 Colonia 1474, fol. The first Parisian edition appeared 
 
221 
 
 an, 1 497, fol. A French translation par Guill. Lemenand, 
 intitled " Le tresbel et profitable livre des meditations 
 sur la vie de J. C." was printed Par, 1490. — Itemni 
 Verard, siiie anno, — Liigd. M, liusz \'^9^,fol, 
 
 Le preu^ &' vaillant Chevalier ARTVSde Bretatgnc, 4. 
 
 M. le Noir. 
 
 This ROMANCE is supposed to have been written in 
 the reign of Charles VIII. Panzer notices amongst 
 books '^ sine indicio loci et typographic^ *' Le Livre 
 d'ARTUS sen le petit Artus. In fine : cy finist le liure 
 du vallaint et preulx cheualier artus filz du due de 
 bretaigne," fol. adorned with wood cuts. This which 
 bears the date a?ini 1493 is probably the earliest 
 impression. Another adorned in like manner appeared 
 a Lyon 1496, 4. These, and the preceding by Le 
 NoiR, are all that Panzer enumerates. Mr. Dunlop 
 (Hist, of Fiction, vol. 1) says this romance of Arthur 
 of Britany possesses more unity of design than works 
 of the like nature by which it was preceded. He thinks 
 the leading incident of it suggested to Spenser the 
 plan and outline of his " Faery Queen." 
 
 I suppose this to be also the original of " Arthur of 
 Brytan," or *' The hystorye of the moost noble and 
 valyaunt knyght, Arthur of lytell Brytayne : translated 
 out of Frenshe in to Englysshe by the noble Johan 
 Bourghcher knyght, lorde Earners, newly imprynted," 
 (by Robert Copland.) This title is over a knight armed 
 on horseback, with a drawn sword in his hand. It has 
 wooden cuts, and contains 116 chapters and 69 leaves. 
 R. C.'s mark, fol. Another impression was executed 
 by Robert Redborne; having the title similarly 
 ornamented, and containing 174 leaves, with cuts. This 
 work has of late been magnificently reprinted. 
 
222 
 
 Expositio HvMNORUM ad usum Sarunt, i. CSub amio 
 1498.) 
 
 M.D.III. 
 
 Fratris Jacobi de Voraginb MariaUy sive Sertncnes 
 de beata Maria Virgine, 4. Jean Petit, (Sub anno 
 1475.) 
 
 Ode Ho RATH fideliteT emendate cum breviuscuUs 
 argumeniis. 4. Idem, 
 
 HoRATii Ode. Carmen Epodon et Secular e ; cum 
 . Mancinelli ^ Badii explmiaiione, Accedunt Sermcmc^f 
 Episiole,&[:c./oL D, Roce, 
 
 Ofpiciarium curaiorum, seu manuale Eduensis dioc€9, 
 4. Henricus Stephanus, 
 
 MisSALE ad usum Ecclesia Sarum. 4. Th. Kerver, 
 
 Ames and Herbert mention '* Missale secundum 
 vsum Sarum :" at the end ** per Julian Notari and J. 
 Berbier," Lond. 1498 : probably printed in France. Mr. 
 Bagstersays he had *' seen of Julian Notary's printing 
 in France ; and he is supposed to have been a native of 
 that country.'* Of the ** Missale" for the use of the 
 same English cathedral there were impressions, Par. Th. 
 Kerver 1503, 4.— Londini R. Pynson 1504, fol.— Par. 
 Fr. Regnault 1519, fol. 1529, 4.— Jean Petit 1519, fol. 
 — Nicol. Prevost 1527, fol.— Also Wolffgang Hopyll 
 1514, fol. unknown to Panzer. (Fid, Mt, sub anna 
 l^dS,Art.''IIor^,i>i:crj 
 
223 
 
 S^rf nones Dormi Secvre Doniinkales et de Sanctis, 8« 
 
 Geqffr, de Marnef, 
 
 These sermons were reprinted by G. Marnef, Par. 
 1514, 8» They appeared Coloji. 1503, 4. and perhaps 
 under the title ** Sermones Dominicales Dormi secure" 
 Hagenoee 1509, 1513, 4. — Lugduni 152^, 8. et (Norun- 
 bergaj sine loco et anno^ fol. 
 
 l>v Verdier in the preface to bis " Bibliotheque^'' 
 mentions amongst other works which operated as 
 soporific pillows to the lazy preachers of the day, the 
 ** Vade mecum** of friar John, the *' Dormi secure," 
 and *.* Panis Cotidianus." M. de j.a Monnoye says he 
 has seen *' un vieux bouquin" thus intitled — '* Incipit 
 Vade mecum Fratris Joannis Decretor. Doctoris & 
 Abbatis Uccellensis de CoUationibus Doniinicis et 
 festivis." These are not sermons, but plans or perhaps 
 skeletons of sermons, each divided ** en trois points 
 rim^s ; suivis des passages de PEcriture de quelques 
 p6res de TEglise, & de quelqiie citation du Droit canon 
 pour servir de preuve a chaque point." The book, 
 he says, is "d'une impression Gothique:" very ancient, 
 sine anno et loco : a moderately thick volume in 4. 
 *' Dormi secure" is probably a work of a similar 
 nature, said to be the production of a German cordelier 
 of the name of Matthew Hus. M. de la Monnoye 
 aays further, that '* en matiere de Sermonaires" he is 
 acquainted with the titles " Discipulus," " Dormi 
 secure," ** Vade mecum," and " Rapiamus totum :" 
 but never met with mention, any where but in Du 
 Verdier's preface, of the work intitled " Panis Coti- 
 dianus." 
 
 Le premier Volume des Clironiques de France dangle- 
 ttrrcy descoce, despaigne^ de bretaigne, degascogne, des 
 
224 
 
 flandres, ei lieux circonvoisins de Jehjn Froissjrd. 
 
 foL Michelle Noir, 
 
 The second vol. of this chronicle appeared anno 
 1505, M. Je Noir; the third and fourth anno 1518, 
 pour Anthoine Verard, fol. Panzer also mentions an 
 impression of vol. 1 Antoine Verard, sine anno. ■'---■'- 
 
 Though this work is now well known, I shall remark 
 after Du Verdier, that Froissart or Froissard lived 
 at the period of the battle of Poictiers, at which king 
 John was taken prisoner. His history or chronicle 
 commences anno 1326 with the great comte Philippe 
 first king of France of the line of Valois, and with the 
 wars between him and Edward III. of England, (" soi 
 disant," also says Du Verdier, " Roi de France, par sa 
 Mere, soeur de trois Rois precedens") and ending with 
 the death of king Richard of England, anno 1400. 
 
 Panzer considers the edition abovementioned as 
 the first of this interesting history : but De Bure seems 
 to indicate a prior impression by Antoine Verard, 
 4 vols. fol. goth. sine anno. Mr. Johnes the late worthy 
 translator of Froissart, was in possession of a Gothic 
 edition of great curiosity, printed upon vellum, and 
 bearing the subscription of ** Guill. Eustace" 1514, in 
 4 vols. fol. It originally belonged to the Soubise 
 library; but was purchased at the sale of the ^* Bib. 
 Parisiana ;" in the catalogue of which it is described as 
 one of the scarcest books existing; unknown to the best 
 bibliographers, and even to Denis Sauvage the latter 
 editor and reviser of Froissart. 
 
 But has Eustace really an exclusive claim to the 
 impression of this curious edition anni 1514? To shew 
 how indefinite these subscriptions are, and to point out 
 one among many instances of the connexion and 
 copartnership which took place amongst early Parisian 
 
ride p. 224. 
 
225 
 
 **Imprimeurs" and ^'Libraires," in impressions of these 
 very popular works, I cite from a late catalogue of Mr. 
 Lackington, a description of a copy, not on vellum but on 
 paper, of the same impression, viz. — *' Chroniques de 
 France & d'Angleterre, &c. par Froissart," black letter, 
 4 vols. fol. ruled with red lines, and bound in 3, 1314.'' 
 It is added that the two first volumes of this extremely 
 rare edition have *' Imprime pour Anthoyne Ferard,^"* 
 with his device on the title pages, but without date. 
 The third volume has *' Imprime pour FniTK^ois 
 Regnault^^ without date. Tlie fourth volume has 
 *^ Imprime a Paris mil cinq cens et quatorze pour 
 Guillaume Eustace''' Both the third and the fourth 
 volumes have the device of Eustace in their title pages. 
 This copy was from the library of Dr. French Lawrence^ 
 It is evident then that the three '' Libraires'' united in 
 the expence of the impression ; and that titles and 
 subscriptions were struck off to suit the purposes of 
 each ; which by some accident becoming thus intermixed, 
 have occasioned this uncertainty as to the real origin of 
 the impression. 
 
 It is worthy of further remark, that a very curious 
 and well preserved copy of these '' Chroniques de 
 Froissart," at present in my own possession, exhibits a 
 variation nearly of the same kind. It is in 4 vols. fol. 
 goth. but conveniently bound in 3. The first volume 
 has in the frontispiece or title the device of Francois 
 Regnault, and concludes indefinitely "cy finist, &c. — 
 impr. a Paris," without date. The second volume has 
 in the frontispiece the mark of Verard ; and concludes, 
 ** cy finist, &c. — impr. a Paris pour Anthoyne Verard, 
 &c." • without date. The third volume has the mark of 
 Verard, and concludes as the second, without date 
 also. The fourth volume bears in the title the mark of 
 
 G G 
 
226 
 
 Verard, and has at its conclusion *' cy finist le quart 
 volume de messire iehan froissart sur les croniques de 
 france, d'angleterre, &c. . . . Imprime a Paris Lan de 
 grace nniil cinq cens et dixhuyt (1518) le vii jour 
 doctobre pour Anthoine verard libraire deinourant 
 ike." It has also a fine impression of the device of 
 Verard on the verso of the last folio. The typography, 
 paper, and intire execution of these volumes shew them 
 to be of the same impression ; the subscription merely 
 being changed to suit existing circumstances. 
 
 " All the Gothic editions of this historian," says De 
 Bure, *'were for a long time little regarded; because it 
 was supposed that the edition edited by Denys Sauvage 
 a Lyon 1559 was correct and intire. But since it has 
 been found otherwise, they are become objects of greater 
 research : and it is very difficult to meet with a copy of 
 any of them in fine condition. The first by Verard, 
 which is the original edition of the work, has generally 
 the preference. M. Gaignat's copy was richly orna- 
 mented with figures in gold and colours." 
 
 M. de St. Palaye enumerates three *' Editions 
 Gothiques" of Froissart: the first by Anthoine Verard, 
 without a date: the second by Mich, le Noir, 1505, 
 2 vols. fol. : the third by Galliot du Pre, 1530, 3 vols, 
 fol. Thus he also, with De Bure, seems to attribute 
 to Anthoine Verard a distinct and prior impression. 
 The editions revised by Denis Sauvage are — 1. That 
 of the years 1559, 1560, 1561, 3 vols. fol. printed 
 at Lyons by Jean, de Tournes. 2. The same reprinted 
 exactly. Par. Gervais Maillet 1574, 3 vols. fol. It may 
 be observed that Mr. Johnes was possessed of two 
 several copies of Froissart as revised by D. Sauvage, 
 each in four volumes ; the one having the subscription 
 of Mich. Sonnius, Par. 1574 ; the other that of Mich, de 
 
227 
 
 Roigny, Par. 1574 also. It would be an extraordinary- 
 circumstance if three editions of the same work were 
 really printed at Paris in one year; but I conjecture 
 that these are all in reality of the same impression. The 
 variation of names may be accounted for, as in those of 
 the Gothic editions already mentioned. 
 
 John Pouch ier knyghte, lorde Berners, first 
 *' Translated oute of Frenche into oure maternall 
 Englysshe tongue" this interesting chronicle of '* Syr 
 John Froyssart," at the ^' commaundement of oure moste 
 highe redouted soueraynge lord kynge Henry the VIII, 
 kynge of P^nglande, &c." The first volume of this 
 translation was imprinted at London, by '' Richarde 
 Pynson" anno 1523. This volume commences with 
 the reign of Edward III, and ends 9. Richard II. The 
 second containing the '* thirde and fourthe boke, &c." 
 anno 1525, fol. This volume begins 9. Richard II. and 
 ends with the coronation of Henry IV. Ames and 
 Herbert (p. 516) say that William Middleton (one 
 of our early printers inter 1541 and 1548) printed also 
 both volumes of this translation, in a type much ruder 
 than Pinson's. Herbert (''^ Corrections and Additions^'' 
 p. 1790) says '* There appear to have been three early 
 (English) editions of " Froissart's Chronicle ;" one by 
 PlNSON himself, another with Pinson's name, but 
 supposed to be a pirated edition ; and a third by W, 
 Middleton : of which it has been queried whether he 
 ever printed any more than the first volume. 
 
 • It is scarcely necessary to observe, that to the late 
 truly respectable Thomas Johnes, Esq. of Hafod, who 
 employed the leisure afforded by an ample fortune, in 
 pursuits which become the scholar and the gentleman, 
 thq public is indebted for very recent and interesting 
 
228 
 
 translations of Froissart and Monstrelet, and of 
 other early French historians. Mr. Johnes's translations 
 are embellished with numerous and correct engravings, 
 after elaborate and splendid paintings and decorations 
 found in manuscripts and early printed copies of these 
 authors. A re-impression of the early English transla- 
 tion of Froissart appeared also at London, 1812, in 2 
 vols. 4. which is printed without any change of diction-, 
 agreeably to the ancient orthography, from Pinson's 
 edition ; but contains the necessary corrections of names 
 and places in the margin ; and a *' memoir of Lord 
 Berners" prefixed. The antiquated and simple yet 
 energetic language of Lord Berners will always 
 commend itself to our predilection, as exhibiting 
 a natural and almost coetaneous representation of Frois- 
 sart's sentiments and style. The matter of Froissart's 
 history, and the candid simplicity of his manner, must 
 please the reader of every age. Few ancient works 
 abound so much in individual character, and are so 
 trul}^ dramatic. It is a faithful record of the sentiments 
 and manners, the stately port^ and romantic honour, of 
 the nobility and gentry of both nations, at this remote 
 but highly interesting period : and an inexhaustible 
 source from which the poets of romance may deduce 
 themes for the muse, that loves — 
 
 " to sing achievements high 
 
 And circumstance of chivalry.'" (:p) 
 
 (jc) Chronicles and such like historical compilations, though 
 frequently abounding in fable and romance, are yet for various 
 reasons considered as amongst the most valuable and important 
 remains of early French literature. In addition therefore to 
 ■works, of this nature already described under their respective 
 years, it may not be improper to subjoin the tides and impressions 
 
229 
 
 SoLiNUS de memorabilibiis mundi, 4. Joan, Lam- 
 bertus. 
 
 of a few others, which do not regularly fall within the limits 
 prescribed to the present work. 
 
 The labours of Mr. Johnes have brought into modern 
 request, in conjunction with the names of Froissart and 
 MoNSTRELET, that aiso of " Jran, Sfre de Joinville. Knio-ht 
 & Senechal de Champagne." His work is intitled " Histoire 
 <& Chronique des faits & gestes vie & mort du tres Chretien 
 Roi S. Louis (Loys IX du nom,)" whose contemporary the 
 author was, and attendant in all his wars. He was in this 
 monarch's service anno 12T0, and continued in it 32 years. 
 This history which was found in manuscript at ^* Beaufort en 
 Vallee au pays d'Anjou," amongst some old registers of Rene 
 king of Sicily, contains at length, well arranged, many particular 
 circumstances of which Gaguin,PauliEmiIe, and other historians 
 have made no mention. It was brought to light by the care 
 and diligence of Antoine Pierre de llieux, who procured an 
 impression of it a Poictiers^ 4. Marnef 1547. 
 
 There are four ancient editions of " L'Histoire de S. Louis 
 par le Sire de Joinville," viz. — I. That of Poictiers anno 
 1547, just mentioned. The editor addresses this edition to 
 Francis I. but far from following faithfully the manuscripts of 
 Joinville, made the most unwarrantable changes; disfigured it, 
 and modelled it after his own caprice. 2. Tho edition published 
 in 1617 in 4. par Claude Mesnard of Angers, after a manuscript 
 which he met with, but which had also been chano-ed and 
 falsified. 3. Par. 1668, fol. This is the edition of " Du- 
 fresne, sieur du Cange." It is formed upon a collation of the 
 preceding ones, and enriched wilh many curious and interesting 
 
 observations. This edition was deemed far the best, till 4, 
 
 That of 1761 appeared, in fol. " a I'lmprimerie Royale," thus 
 intitled — " Histoire de S. Louis par Jehan Sire de Joinville 
 Je« annales de son regne par Guillaume de Nangis, &c. le tout 
 
230 
 
 Les sept Articles de Foi, 3C les Proverbes dores de 
 M ait re J EH an de Meusg, auec aulcunes Ilemon^ 
 trances du memCy addressees au Roi. 8. CSub anno 
 1501.) 
 
 public d'aprbs les MSS. de laBibliotheque du Roi, & accorapagn^ 
 d'un Glossaire." This fourth edition was confided principally 
 to M. Melot and M. TAbbe Sallier: but neither of them 
 surviving to the completion of the undertaking, M. Capperonier 
 was by royal mandate appointed to finish the edition, after an 
 authentic manuscript of Sire de Joinville, preserved in the 
 royal library; containing 391 pages written on vellum in double 
 columns, small 4. These particulars are from the annotators 
 on Du Verdier. 
 
 We may give a place in this enumeration to a work of 
 Alain Bouchard, a Parisian Avocat, intitled " Chroniques et 
 Annales des pays d'Angleterre & Bretagne, faits & gestes des 
 Rois, ^c, qui ont regne aux dits pays, &c. depuis Brutus jusqu' 
 au trepas du feu Due de Bretagne Fran9ois. II." This 
 chronicle of Bouchard appeared first anonymously, Par. 1514, 
 fol. Again annis 1518, 1531, 1532, fol. with a continuation. 
 It was reprinted Par. 1541, in 4. It contains all the fables 
 current in this author's time, taken from GeoflProy of Monmouth, 
 the history of king Arthur, and the romance ascribed to 
 Abp. Turpin. Matters of fact are passed over slightly. Du 
 Fresnoy classes this book amongst romances of chivalry, in his 
 " Bibliotheque de Romans," published under the name of 
 "Gordon de Percel," p. 176. Editions are rare, especially 
 the ancient ones. 
 
 I have mentioned Alain Charretier sub anno 1489. To 
 this author, who was secretary to Charles VII, some ascribe a 
 work intitled " Chroniques du Roi Charles VII." Par. Fr. 
 Regnard & Jean Longis, fol. 1 528:" but Mezeray says " Gilles 
 BouviER Roi d'Armes" was the real author of these " Faits & 
 Gestes" of Charles VII.. 
 
231 
 
 M.D.IV. 
 
 Corpus Juris Canonki glossatum, 1504, 1506, Foil. IfJ. 
 foL Gering 6C Remholt. 
 
 Jp:an de Bourdigne wrote " Annales & Chroniques 
 d'Anjou, contenant Torigine avec partie des chevaleureux gestes 
 des Princes, Consuls & Dues d'Anjou, <fe plusieurs fails dignes 
 de memoire advenus tant en France, Italie, Espagne, Angle- 
 terre, Jerusalem, que autres Royaumes depuis le temps du 
 Deluge," Par. 1529, 1536, fol. The work is very rare, but 
 full of fables. There are impressions bearing the names of 
 different '• Libraires" of the dates 1529 and 1531, wiiich are 
 supposed to be the same, with a change of title only. The 
 author was a priest and an Angevin : he died circa 1545. 
 
 " Le Rosier Historial de France contenant par maniere 
 de Chronique, &c. les faits & Gestes des Francois, des Anglois, 
 des Ecossois, des Espagnols, t& autres dignes de memoire depuis 
 Pharamond premier Roi de Fran9ois jusqu' en 1517," Par. 
 1522 and 1528, fol. A work bearing the date of 1522, and 
 printed at Paris, intitled " Le rosier historial de France," is 
 described No. 547 of the " Bibliotheca Parisiana:" but it would 
 appear from the explicatory part of the title, there given at great 
 length, to be different from the preceding. It is ornamented 
 with wooden cuts and printed on vellum, and brought the price 
 of £24. 3s. There is also " Le Rosier des guerres," compiled 
 (as some pretend) by Louis XI. Par. 1521, 4. Veuve M> le 
 Noir. 
 
 I find ascribed to Olivier de la Marche, knight of 
 " Franche Comte en Bourgogne," who held high official 
 situations under some of the dukes of Burgundy, &c. inter 1460 
 and 1500, a work intitled "Chronique des Choses faits et passes 
 de son temps," said to be necessary for the knowledge of the 
 history of the two last dukes of Burgundy. It describes the 
 manners and customs of that age ; the festivals /ind reiT\-:\rkable 
 
332 
 
 The *' Corpus Juris Canonici" by Gering, 
 mentioned on the authority of Chevillier, page 17 of 
 this work, seems to have been unknown to Panzer. 
 
 pomp of the courts of those princes under whom he flourished; 
 and o(her particulars not elsewhere met with. Of this chronicle 
 there is said to be an early Antwerp edition. It was printed 
 also a Lyon 1562. The completest edition is that de Bruxellesf 
 4. 1614. 
 
 Philippe de Commines, Chevalier, Seigneur d'Argenton, 
 born A, D, 1445, and esteemed the best and most faithful 
 historian of his age, wrote in French " La Chronique de Loys 
 XI. Roi de France son maitre." Montaigne (Essais, Liv. IL 
 ch. 10) speaks highly of Commines, whose memoirs (or chro- 
 nicle) contain the most interesting events of the reigns of 
 Louis XI. and Charles VIII. Panzer notices editions of this 
 " Chronique & Histoire," Par. annis 1523, 1524, 1525, fol. 
 ~^wie loco 1525, M,—Lugd. 1526, 1528, fol. but the seven 
 principal editions of these memoires are said to be more 
 especially — 1. Par. 1523, fol, the first edition. It is divided 
 into six books, and extends only from 1464 to the death of 
 Louis XL 2. Par. 1525, with two additional books containing 
 the history of Charles VIII. This is probably the edition 
 noticed by la Croix du Maine, as proceeding with the date of 
 1529, from the press of Fr. Regnault. 3. Ibid. 1552, 4. 
 corrected by Denis Sauvage, sur un Exemplaire original. 4. 
 Ibid. 1649, fol. au Louvre, edited by Godefroy, father and 
 son, and containing many ''^ jneces justijicatives.'''' 5. In 1706 
 Jean Godefroy republished Commines with notes and new 
 additional pieces, in 3 vols. 8. to which was afterwards added 
 a fourth volume, which includes new proofs and illustrations of 
 the history. 6. A Bruxelles 1723, 5 vol. 8. with a still greater 
 number of " pieces justificatives, &c." 7. The best edition in 
 that of Par. anni 1747, 4 vols, in 4. edited by Lenglet da 
 Fresnoy, with potee and many pieces heretofore unpublished. 
 
233 
 
 Probably the preceding was a repetition of that 
 impression. The following article may be considered 
 as supplementary to this collection^ 
 
 Commines died at Argenton anno 1509, at the age of 64. 
 Sleidan gave an abridged translation in Latin of his memoirs, 
 and prefixed a life of the author, Barthius gave a Latin 
 translation of the intire work, Franc, 1619. 
 
 The emperor Charles V. was so delighted with the memoirs 
 of Commines that he had it in the day time constantly in his 
 hands; and at night, as Alexander is said to have had the works 
 of Homer, underneath his pillow. 
 
 Ronsard wrote a curious epitaph in form of dialogue to his 
 memory, which is cited by Du Verdier. 
 
 Pierre Grosnet or Grognet was an author of the 15th. 
 century, and ranks also as a poet : but the principal use of his 
 poetical pieces consists in the historical facts of which he 
 preserves the memory. They are a kind of rhyming chronicles 
 which are still read with pleasure, especially that intitled 
 " Recollection des merveilleuses choses & nouvelles advenues 
 au noble Roiaume de France en notre temps depuis Pan de 
 Grace 1480;" this was finished anno 1530 and inscribed to 
 *' Jean de Dinteville, Maitre d'Hotel to Francis I." reprinted 
 in the Mercure of l^fov. 1740. Besides other works of inferior 
 note a very curious production of this author is also extant, 
 intitled " De la Ipange & excellence des bons Faiteurs qui bien 
 out compose en rime taut de 9a que de la les monts.'' This 
 contains notices of a great number of poets, from Alain Chartier 
 and Jean de Meun to the author's own period. 
 
 *' Les louenges du roy Louys XIL de ce nom. nouvelle- 
 ment composees en latin par Maistre Claude de Seyssel 
 docteur en tons droits et maistre des rcquestes, &c. et translatees 
 par luy de latin en francois." On the reverse of the title is a 
 
 H H 
 
234 
 
 Decretales Gregorh noni.fol, lidem, 
 
 Manuale Sacerdotum secundum usum Parisiensium. 4. 
 Simon Vostre. 
 
 large and curious wood cut, representing the author delivering 
 a voluminous book, bound and fastened with a clasp, into the 
 hands of the king ; various full length figures standing as 
 spectators. At the end " cy finist les louenges du roy Louis 
 XII. de ce nom, &c. imprime a Paris nouvellement par 
 Anthoine Verard le xxviiii. jour de decembre mil cinq cens et 
 huyt, cfec."" The usual device of Verard is affixed. This book 
 is of the 4. size, the folios not numbered, A copy in very 
 excellent preservation was in the possession of W. Roscoe, Esq. 
 As to the author Claude de Seyssel, who was a native of 
 Aix near Chamberry, and hence denominated Claude d'Aix or 
 de Aquis — he was a natural son : became bishop of Marseilles, 
 afterwards archbishop of Piedmont, and discharged high state 
 offices under Louis XII, &c. He was a translator of various 
 Greek and Latin historians printed by Colinaeus and others. 
 His versions of Thucydides, Xenophon, Appian, &c. into 
 French are bad ; having been taken from the erroneous latin 
 translations then current. His " Livre des Louanges, &c, was 
 afterwards revised " par le Seigneur du Pare," and printed a 
 Par. chez Gilles Corrozet anno 1 558. Other original works of 
 his are extant. He is commended for having been " le premier 
 qui a commence a ecrire en Fran9ois avec quelque nettetc." He 
 flourished under Francis I. also, and died anno 1520. 
 
 EuSTACHE DE Brye, a '* Libraire" of Paris, is said to have 
 procured an impression of " La Louange des Rois de 
 France," containing many particulars relating to the history of 
 Louis XI. 1505, 8. ; and " Les Triomphes de France, sous le 
 Roy Louis XII. trad, par Jean Dlvry," 8. 1508, probably 
 printed by Eustace. 
 
235 
 
 The first impression of this ritual was printed Par. 
 1497, 4. Jean Mourand. A *' Manuale Parochialium 
 Sacerdotum," Job. Parvus, 4. sine anno, 
 
 Les Begnards traversans les perilleuses voyes des 
 
 folks fiances du monde, composees par Sebastien 
 
 Brant, S( autre s plusieurs choses composees par autres 
 
 factures. fol. with figures, M, le Noir, (Fid, inter 
 
 libros sine anno. J 
 
 AuRELii FiCTORis Ubellus aureus de vitis et moribus 
 imperatoi^um Romanorum. 4. Ascensins, 
 
 BiBLiA cum pleno apparatu summarioriim concordan- 
 tiarum et quadruplicis repertorii.Jol, min. Thiehnan 
 Kerver, 
 
 " Le Registre des ans passes ou Fardeau des Temps qui 
 est un Epitome de Livre Chronica Chronicorum depuis le 
 Creation du monde jusques a Tan 1532," Par. fol. Gall, du 
 Pre 1552. This, probably an abridged translation of the 
 " Fasciculus Temporum," has many portraits and genealogical 
 tables; and at the end " La genealogie & descente des roys de 
 k grand bretaigne dicte angleterre, et de la bretaigne armorique, 
 puis Cassebellanus Lxvii. roy jusques au temps du roy henry 
 VIII. du nom roy dangleterre a present regnant. 
 
 Lastly, I may mention " Le recueil ou croniques des 
 hystoires des royaulmes d'austrasie, ou france orientale dite a 
 present lorayne — De hierusalem de Cicile — Et de la duche de bar, 
 &c." This chronicle vvhich is in alternate Latin and French 
 is one of the most singular productions of Symphorien 
 Champier, (of whom I have spoken sub anno 1500.) I 
 have seen a fine copy printed ap. Nanceium, circa 1510^ 4. 
 which is beautifully executed, and abounds with curious wood 
 engravings. 
 
236 
 
 Paradysus IIeraclidis. Epistola Clementis, Recog- 
 nit tones Petri Apostoll Complementum Episiole 
 Clementis, Epistola Anacletl foL impensis 
 Jmn» Parvi, 
 
 PREVIARIUM msignis ecclesie Leodiensis. 12. 
 
 This breviary was printed Antverp, Aiidr. Liesvelt 
 1494,8. 
 
 The Book intytulyd *' The Art of good lywing and 
 good deyng," translated in Paris xiii May 1504. 
 Imprentyt in Parys the xxx day of the Moxvneth of 
 May, foL 
 
 This appears to be the work which Herbert mentions 
 as preserved in the library of Emanuel College, Cam- 
 bridge. Vid, sub anno 14:9^, 
 
 .«vr«>/v/N/'./N«s/v^K^v^y\r.«v^ 
 
 M.D.V. 
 
 Decretum aureum GRATiANi.fol. Gering K Rem bolt. 
 
 Le Chateau de Virginite par George de Esclajonie, 
 8. Antoine Verard. 
 This is the only impression noticed by Panzer. 
 
 Sermones ingeniosissimi et sanctissimi patris Ephrem. 
 These discourses of *^ S. EphreM Syrus" were 
 translated from the Greek by *' Ambrosius Camaldu- 
 lensis." Reprinted Paris, Job. Parvus 1313, 4, — Guido 
 Mercator 1515, 4. 
 
 Manvale seu Officiarium Sacerdotum ad consuetudinem 
 eedesicB Romanensis, 4. -5*. Vostre, 
 
 The only impression noticed by Panzer. 
 
237 
 
 GviLLELMi Lyndejvode Provmciak cuyn notis, foL 
 
 Wolfgang Hopyl, impensis^ Kc. honesti mercatoris 
 
 London. Wilhelmi Bretton, (Ante sub anno 1 50 1 .) 
 
 This is one of the numerous copies of the '* PiioviN- 
 
 CIALe" printed for sale in England. It is finely executed 
 
 " en rouge et noir ;'* and contains several ornamented 
 
 titles, and other wood cuts. The first title exhibits the 
 
 arms and printer's monogram, and over them the 
 
 following lines by Jodocus Badius Ascensius : — 
 
 *' MoRiBUS ingenuis: doctrina: opibusq, potentes 
 Angloruiii proceres : cleri, patresque britanni : 
 Qui sanam colitis doctrinam : ijs moribus equara : 
 Eccum, quod totiens petiistis nobile do^a 
 Vestibus attalicis redimitum : omniq, redemptum 
 A vicio : et nulHs per cuncta notabile mendis 
 Exit : ut era suis referat condigna patronis." 
 
 On the reverse of the title to the " Constitutiones 
 legitime seu legatine," is found also a prefatory epistle 
 of Badius to William Warham, archbishop of Can- 
 terbury, dated from Paris, id. Septemb, 1506. 
 
 Le Second Volume de Froissart Des croniques de 
 France, dangleterre, descoce, despaigne, de hretaigne, 
 de gascongne, de flandres K lieux circonvoisins. fol. 
 Michel le Noir. Vid. sub anno 1503. 
 
 Le Jev des Echecs moralise trad, du Latin de Jacques 
 de Cessoles, par Jean de Vignay. 4. Idem. 
 
 The original work, viz. '* Fratris Jacobi dr Cessolis 
 opusculum de ludo Scaccorum, seu de moribus homi- 
 num, officiisque Nobilium," appeared first Mediolani 
 1479, 4. — Iterum 1497, fol. 5C sine loco ti anno ^ fol. K 
 4. An Italian translation was printed Florentice, A. 
 Mischomini 1593, 4. £( sine loco et anno. ^ 
 
238 
 
 It appeared Anglice from the press of Caxton, I474 
 and sine anno : as — 
 
 *' The Game and Playe of the Chesse, &c." 
 Caxton in his adddress to " George due of Clarence, 
 Erie of warwyck and of Sahsburye, &c." after other 
 introductory matter thus expresses himself: — ^' Therfore 
 J have put me in deuoyr to translate a htyll book late 
 comen into myn handes out of frensh in to englisshe. 
 In which J fynde thauctorites . dictes . and stories of 
 auncient Doctours Philosophes Poetes and of other 
 wyse men whiche been recounted & applied vnto the 
 moralitie of the publique wele as well of the nobles as 
 of the comyn peple after the game and playe of the 
 chesse, &c. — This booke contejmeth iiii. tray tees, The 
 first traytee is of the Jnuencion of this playe of the 
 chesse, &c. the seconde traytee treteth of the chesse 
 men. The thirde traytee is of the offices of the comyn 
 peple. The iiij traytee is of the meuyng and yssue of 
 them, &c." (Each treatise is divided into several 
 chapters. ) 
 
 " This book," says Ames, " has been compared with 
 * Recueil des histoires de Troyes,' 1464, as well as 
 with the translation thereof by Caxton, printed at 
 Cslogn 1 47 1 , and a perfect resemblance found between 
 them in the manner of printing. Not only the page 
 itself but the number of lines in a page, the length, 
 breadth, and the intervals between the lines are alike." 
 It is however generally supposed to have been printed 
 in England, and to be the earliest fruit of the English 
 press. (See the Harleian Catalogue , No. 4048.) 
 
 Le Lifore des saints Anges^ compose par F, Francois 
 FxiMiNES. 4. Michel le Noir. 
 Iterum 1518, 4. Jdem^ 
 
239 
 
 Franciscus Ximenius, a Spanish cordelier and 
 bishop, flourished circa 1400. Cave terms him '* Epis- 
 copus Elnensis & Pseudo-Patriarcho-Hierosolymitanus." 
 His *' Liber insignis de Natura Angelica" was printed 
 in the original, Compluti 1527. There is a translation 
 Genevce 1478, fol. The old French translator writes 
 "ExiMENEs'* for *' XiMENES." Oliver Maillard in his 
 ** Sermons de la Passion," where he cites him, writes 
 always *' Franciscus de Chimenis," in which he conforms 
 to the Spanish pronunciation of the name Ximenes. 
 Thus M. de la Monnoye, who says the treatise on 
 Angels has been mistakenly attributed to the celebrated 
 cardinal Ximenes. 
 
 Petri Reginaldeti Speculum finalis retributionis, 8. 
 P. le Dm. 
 
 Iterum 1509, 8. Caspar Philippe, 
 
 HoRATii Opera Asceiisianis aster iscis illustrata, 8. in 
 tedibus Ascens. 
 
 JuvENALis Jam. Commentum cum Ant, Mancinclli 
 explanatione, Kc. 4. Ibid, 
 
 Navis stultifera a Sebastiano Brant primujii (edifi- 
 cata: deinde ah Jacobo Lochero latinitate donata, ef 
 demum ab JoDOCO Badio Ascensio vario carmiiium 
 genere illustrata. 4. with figures, in jEdibus Ascen-r 
 sianis. (Ante sub anno 1497.) 
 
 P. Firgilii Mar, Bucolica K Georgica, cum opusculis, 
 fol. Ibid, 
 
 Laurentii Vallensis in latinarn Novi Tesiamenti 
 interpretationem ex collatione Gr^corum exemplarium 
 adnoiat iones feden te Erasmo Roterodamo . J fol, lb id. 
 
240 
 
 PoLYDORi FiRGiLii de Inventonbus rerum Libri 
 tres. 4. In Campo gaillardo. 
 Reprinted 1516, 4. Jean Petit.— \52S, 4. B. Steph, 
 The ** Proverbiorum Liber" of this author was 
 printed Parisiis 1508, 8. Jean Petit. Panzer notices 
 no impression of his " Anghcae Historiae Libri XXVI." 
 except that edited by S. GrynoBUs, Basilea, BebeUiis 
 1534, fol. PoLYDORE ViRGlL, a native of Urbino, came 
 into England in the reign of Louis XII. of France. He 
 continued there till 1530: when being of an advanced 
 age, Edward VI. permitted him to retire to his own 
 country, without forfeiture of his English benefices. He 
 wrote in elegant Latin ; but his history of England 
 is considered very inaccurate. His other most celebrated 
 work is the treatise " de Inventoribus Rerum." He is 
 accused of detailing inaccurately even the affairs of 
 Henry VIII, in whose reign he wrote. Hence the 
 following epigram : — 
 
 ViRGiLH duo sunt, alter Maro, tu Polydore 
 Alter; tu mendax, ille poeta fuit, 
 
 Whear says his inaccuracy was occasioned by his 
 ignorance of the English language. Vide Du Verdier 
 
 and Pope Blount. 
 
 Fasciculus Temporum en Francois. Les fleurs et 
 manievs de tenps passes : et des faitz merveilleux de 
 Dieu tant en Vancien testament, conime atmouveau. 
 Et des premiers Seigneurs Princes K Gouverneurs 
 temporelz en cestuy monde, De leurs gestes 5C define- 
 vietit jusques au present, fol. with wood cuts. Jehan 
 Petit. 
 
 A translation of the '* Fasciculus Temporum" 
 originally composed in the Latin language by the 
 
241 
 
 Chartreux " Wernerus Rolewinck de Laer, en 
 Westphalie." This author first terminated his chronicle 
 at the year 1470; afterwards continued it to 1484, aut 
 ultra. He died anno [ 502. The French translator was 
 Pierre Farget, an Augustine monk. It appeared 
 " Gallice" Genevce 1495, fol. 
 
 Platinm hystoria de vitis pontificum periucunda 
 diligenter recognita : et nunc tantum integre impressa, 
 8. Fr. Regnault, 
 
 De Continentia Sacerdotimi sub hac questione nova 
 Utrum papa possit cum sacerdote dispensare ut nubat, 
 par M, JV, BousSART, 4. Jiad. Laliseau. 
 De Bure terms this a very singular and uncommon 
 
 tract. 
 
 P, PviDii Nas. Fastorum Libri V. per F. Andrelinum 
 
 recogniti, 4. N, de Pratis. 
 
 La Louange des Roys de France. 8. Eiist. de Brie. 
 
 This work was reprinted Par. 1507, 8. Eustace de 
 Brie. It is ascribed to Andre de la Vigne, who is 
 said to have rendered himself equally conspicuous as a 
 soldier and an author. He was secretary of Anne de 
 Bretagne, the wife of Charles VII F. and assisted in 
 composing " une Histoire de Charles VIII." of which 
 there is a modern impression executed " au Louvre" in 
 fol. with notes, &c. by Denys Godefroy. See mention 
 of his " Verger d'honneur" also sub anno 1495. 
 
 Les folks enireprises par Pierre Gringore. 8. 
 
 goth* 
 
 De Bure notices a copy on vellum in the collection of 
 le Due de la Valliere. Perhaps other pieces of this 
 
 1 1 
 
242 
 
 Author which are numerous, and many of them without 
 date and printer's name, might issue from the same 
 press. For their titles the reader may consult De Bure. 
 I shall mention that '' Pierre Gringore dit Vaude- 
 inent" was herald at arms to the duke de Lorraine. His 
 first known work is of the date 1500, intitled '' Le 
 Chateau d^Aniour," Par. 8. goth. unknown to Panzer. 
 His principal occupation was that of *' Compositeur," 
 *' Historien," and '' Facteur de Mysteres ou Comedies" 
 in which he acted personally. His principal piece *' Le 
 Jeu du Prince de Sots & Mere Sotte," was acted at 
 Par. an. 1511. This morality and farce was represented 
 by express order of Louis XIL during his disputes with 
 Pope Julius IL The author played the part of **Mere 
 Sotte," which name Jie constantly bore. His device is 
 said to have been ** Tout par raison, raison par tout, 
 par tout raison." His name is frequently disguised 
 by an acrostic : his productions generally moral :" his 
 versification and style more clear and intelligible than 
 those of most writers of the same period, (j/) 
 
 (y) French bibliographers mention also " Settles en rime 
 fran9oise & a huit personnaiges, par Pierre Gringore," 8. 
 goth. sans date. " Le Nouveau Monde avec TEstrif mis en 
 rime fran9oise & par personnaiges," 8. goth. sans date. De 
 Bure says this also is by some attributed to P. Gringore, by 
 Others to Jean Bouchet. He adds that both the last mentioned 
 pieces are very rare, and much in request, and that he had seen 
 copies printed on vellum. The editors of Du Verdier say — 
 
 " Le Nouveau Monde avec Testrif 
 
 •* Du pourveu et de I'electif, Ac." 
 Is a lively piece of a dramatic kind, against the abrogation of 
 ^he Pragmatic Sanction, said in the N. Menagiana to have been 
 performed anno 1508, in the reign of Louis XI. some say in 
 
243 
 
 Les cent nouvelles nouvelles. 4. Nicolas despvez 
 pour Jehan petit. 
 
 Unknown to Panzer: who notices only an impression 
 Lugduni, 4. sine anno ; and Parisiis, Veuve Trepperel, 
 sine anno. Other bibhographers ascribe to Verard an 
 impression, fol. goth. without date, which is considered 
 as the earhest of this popular work. The last edition I 
 believe to be that in 8. Cologne (i. e.) Amsterdam 
 1701, 2 torn, avec figures. Of the abovementioned 
 impression anni 1505, a fine copy was in the collection 
 of Mr. Roscoe. The initial L in the title is singularly 
 ornamented with heads and figures, so as to occupy a 
 jarge space. On the reverse of the title is a large 
 wood cut, apparently representing the author dictating 
 to a scribe, and an angel or genius above, communicating 
 with the dictating figure. Each ^' Nouvelle" has also 
 a rude cut prefixed, probably relating to the subject of 
 the s4ory. 
 
 The ^^ Cent nouvelles nouvelles," many of which 
 are founded upon Italian invention, are " tales full of 
 imagination and gaiety ; and the style of them most 
 naive, and agreeable." Much of the pleasure derived 
 from their perusal Mr. Dunlop thinks owing to the 
 " wonderful charm of the old French language." They 
 have formed the models of '* Les Contes de la Reine 
 de Navarre," and many other French works of this 
 description. Fontaine in particular made them 
 the subjects of his frequent imitation. The '^ Cent 
 
 that of Louis XII. The dialogue is without order, consisting 
 more of declamation than reasoning. The pope, who is one 
 of the speakers, expresses himself always in bad Italian ; andi^ 
 indeed the French is scarce intelligible^ 
 
24t 
 
 Nouvelles" were translated, as Mr. Dunlop informs us, 
 into English, under the title of *' A Hundreth Mery 
 Tales," 1557. He says the version was a fashionable 
 work in its day, but is now lost. 
 
 ^/vr>/^^>^^r^./^*^^*^/^#•r*• 
 
 M.D.VI. 
 
 Les Regies de Men vivre selon Maitre Jehan J arson* 
 4. Antoine Verard. 
 
 Amongst the very numerous treatises of Gerson we 
 find '' De modo vivendi omnium fidelium," printed 
 his, sine loco et anno, 4. Hence probably " Les Regies, 
 &c." abovemeutioned : and ** La Doctrine de bien 
 vivre," Brugis, Colard Manson, sine anno. (Ante sub 
 anno 1494.) 
 
 VArt de Fauconnerie et des Chiens de Chasse par 
 GuiLLAUME Tardif. 4. Ant. Verard, (Ante sub 
 anno 1492.) 
 
 Uevres a V usage de P oilier e, (en latin) cum figuris^ 
 8. Simon Vostre. 
 
 Mjssale Coloniense. foL Wolfgang. Uopylius. 
 DiURNALE Ecclesue Traiectensis. 8. Idem. 
 
 Les Loups ravissans par Robert Gobjn. with figures, 
 
 4. Mich, le Noir. 
 
 Jterum, Ant, Verard, 4. sine anno. 
 
 Robert Gobin is styled *' Doyen de Chretiente 'de 
 Laigny sur Marne," Claruit circa 1505. His book, 
 viz. " Les Loups ravissans autrement Doctrinal moral," 
 
245 
 
 IS partly ** en prose" and partly " en rime.** The 
 impression of Verard contains fifty leaves. La Croix 
 du Maine says this work speaks with more freedom of 
 the ecclesiastics, than any other which he had ever seen 
 written by persons of that profession. 
 
 Le Pelerin de vie humaine compose en rime par 
 GuiLLAUME DE GuiLLEviLLE, et apres a He mis 
 dernierement en prose, en forme, qui s'ensuit. 4. 
 Mich, le Noir. 
 
 GuiLLAUME DE GuiLLEViLLE is denominated "moine 
 de Chaliz." The original work appears to have been 
 thus intitled — ** Le Romant des trois Pelerinaeges . le 
 premier est de I'homme durant qu'est en vie . le second 
 de Tame separ^e du corps, le tiers est de notre Seigneur 
 Jesus. Par. chez Maitre Barthole et Jehan Petit," 4. 
 There were two impressions Liigduni, Matth. Husz 
 1485, 4. 1494, fol. avec figures. The author was born 
 circa 1 295, and wrote his romance abovementioned circa 
 1330. This work was very favourably received at its 
 first appearance; and was turned into prose at the 
 request of Jeanne de Lavac, queen of Jerusalem and 
 Sicily, &c. Ant. Verard gave a new impression in 
 prose. Par. 1511, fol. 
 
 De Bure notices also an impression of this '* Romant" 
 Par. 4. goth. sans date, held in great request. There 
 was a magnificent copy on vellum in the collection of le 
 Due de la Valiere. I have mentioned " Le Pelerinase 
 de r^me" sub anno 1480; from which the spiritual 
 romance under our present consideration appears 
 essentially to differ. Not only in early ages, but in 
 later also, mankind have been found less willing to be 
 instructed by abstract reasoning, than by fabk^s or 
 similitudes. Hence the popularity of these old religious 
 
246 
 
 fictions. — The '* Pilgrim's Progress" of our days, 
 confessedly excels all other productions of its kind : and 
 though some have endeavoured to trace its prototype 
 in earlier works, it was probably, a perfectly sponta- 
 neous and original effort of the genius of its unlettered 
 author. 
 
 M. Ann. Lucani Pharsalia cum gemino Commentario 
 Jo. Sulpitii Verulani et Jod, Badii Ascensii, foL 
 Joan. Parvus, 
 
 Antonii de Rampegolis Figura Biblica, she mora- 
 litates in S. S. Scriptur. ordine alphabetico dispositte, 
 8. /v. Regnault, (Ante sub anno 1497.) 
 
 LvcANi Pharsalia cum notis Chapusoti et Thiboust, 4. 
 
 BiBLIA LJTINA./oL 
 
 JuSTiNi Historia. L. Flori Epithomata in X. T. 
 Livii Decades, A. Sexti Buffi de historia romana 
 opus. foL 
 
 ^#^;r■/'X,^^,^l^.*^ry^*^*#^/»• 
 
 M.D.VII. 
 
 Epistolce S, Paulj, gallice, cum glossis. foL Antoine 
 Verard, 
 
 Bjblja cum pleno apparatu summariorum, &(c, 4. P. 
 
 Pigouchet. 
 Histoire des nobles 8C vaillans Chevaliers nommez 
 
 MiLLES ET Amy. 4. Michel le Noir, a Venseigne 
 
 de la rose blanche couronnee. ( Inter Librqs sine nota 
 
 anniante 1500.) 
 
241 
 
 The " Cat. de la Valiere," vol. U, p. 622, notices 
 two impressions with the nanje of Verard : one of which, 
 printed on vellum, is most beautifully decorated with 
 52 miniatures. This was from the collection of Honore 
 d'Urfe. 
 
 Pragmatic A Sanctio ; cum commentario. 8. Andr, 
 Bocard. 
 
 Stet liber hie, donee fluetus formiea marinos 
 Ebibat, et totum testudo perambulet orbem, 
 
 M. T. Cicero de officiis, de amicitia. de sencctute. 
 Paradoxa, 8. Ex ojficina Ascensiana, 
 
 P, AuLi Persh familiaris explanatio cum Jo, Bri- 
 iannici interpretatione. 4. Ex eadem. 
 
 Opera Firgiliana docte et familiariUr exposiia. fol. 
 Ex eadem, , 
 
 Bed A de temporibus sen de sex atatibus, 4. in Bellovisu 
 pro Johanne Petit, 
 
 GuiLHELMUS fParisiens.JdeClaustroanime, HvGoms 
 de S. ViCTORE de Claustro anime libri IV, 4. Ex- 
 cudit Henricus Stephanus. 
 
 Epistolje Apostolorum et Apocalypsis. 8. Idem. 
 
 Corpus Juris Canonici. 4. Th, Kervcr, 
 
 PoMPONius Mela de totius Orbis descriptione, 4. 
 Egidius Gourmont. 
 
 M, T. Cjceronis Officia, Cato, L^lius, Paradoxa ab 
 Erasmo adnoiata, 8. Idem, 
 
24S 
 
 Le Triomphe de neuf Preux ^ de leurs Trioinphes.. 
 foL Michel le Noir. (unknown to Panzer.) 
 
 Favyn (p. 1686 de son Theatre d'Honneur et de 
 Chevalerie) gives the names of these '' neuf Preux" or 
 nine worthies : viz, Joshua, Gideon, Sampson, David, 
 Judas Maccabeus, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, 
 Charlemagne, and Godfrey de Bouillon. This is a 
 remark of M. de la Monnoye. 
 
 De Bure (Cat. de la Valiere) mentions an impression 
 of this work, to which is added " L'Histoire de Bertrand 
 du Guesclin," Abbeville 1487, fol. goth. the first edition 
 very rare. The life of the constable Du Guesclin, a 
 French hero of romantic valour, who lived inter 1311 
 and 1380, is very interesting, and includes many 
 particulars relating to our early wars with France. It 
 was composed first by Menard anno 1387 ; next by Du 
 Chastelet, Par. 1666, fol. ; lastly by de Berville, Pan 
 1767, 2 vols. 12. 
 
 l«\/'iA«VN^\«^VS^4VV/^'^ 
 
 SINE NOTA ANNI sed ante M.D. 
 
 Crispi Sallusth libri de conjuratione Catilinte, et de 
 belle Jugurthino, cum Ciceronis invectivis in Catilinam, 
 Per magistrum Udalricum cogiiomento Gering. 4. 
 
 M. T. Ciceronis Oraiianes contra Catilinam, S(c, 4. 
 Gering ut videtur. 
 
 jEneje SlLVii Poet a Laureati (Pii II. J disputatio de 
 Curialium miseria. 4. Gering, (Sub anno 1476, 
 1497, etiam 1489, Alain ChartierJ 
 
 Of the Egloges of Alexander Barclay, prest, 
 (mentioned sub anno 1497) the ** first thre conteineth 
 
249 
 
 the miseries of couriers and courtes, of all Princes in 
 generall. The mattier whereof was translated into 
 Englyshe by the saied Alexander in forme of dialogues, 
 out of a boke named in Latin, Miserie curialium, &c." 
 These "Egloges'* were printed by Humphrey Powel, 
 4. sine anno. For other early editions consult also 
 Ames and Herbert, pp. 579, 797, 1761, &c. 
 
 PoGGli Florentini, S(c, facetiarum liber, Facetice 
 morales Lavrentii Fallen sis y alias jEsopus Gra- 
 cusper dictum L. Fallam iranslatus. Et Francisci 
 Petrarchje de salibus virorum illustrium acfacetiis. 
 Far. CFerisimilitercircaanA^lly ISJ Gering, aut 
 Cernris &i: Stol, 4. 
 
 ROBERTi Gaguini Ars versijicatoria, 4. 
 
 In laudem petri Cesaris artium liberalium magistri. 
 Et Johannis Stol . Impressorie artis peritissimorum 
 auctorum . Roberti gaguini Epigramma. 
 
 " Hos QUOCIENS summes lector uenerande libellos : 
 
 Artificum tociens semper amabis opus 
 Quod cita uix poterat perscribere dextra quotannis ; 
 
 Mense dat ars, nee inest sordida menda libro. 
 Pluris erat nuper calarao ruganda papirus 
 
 Quam modo pregrandis ueniat ipse codex 
 Hoc tulit inuentura foelix germania terris, 
 
 Artis et ingenii nobile scema sibi." 
 
 There was another impression of the " Ars versiiica- 
 toria** of R. Gaguin, with his ** Epigrammata varia" 
 subjoined, char. goth. 4. It has the "Iconismus 3. 
 sGutorum," with the motto ** Honneur au Roy et a ia 
 Cour, ^c." 
 
 K K 
 
250 
 
 2^, Terentii Afrl Comoedite, Paris, in vico S. Jacobi 
 sub signo Follis Viridis. (circa an, 14^16.) foL 
 
 »■ 
 
 L. Crispi Sallustii libri de bello Catilinario et 
 Jugurtino, &(c. Jjifine^fol. 28, Versus octo legu?itur, 
 quorum ultimus " Itur ut iu facinus et labat omne 
 decus." char, P. Cesaris, 4. 
 
 FRANCisct Floru Florentini de amore Camilli et 
 
 Emilie Aretinorum. Accedit I^ibellus de duobus 
 
 amantibus Leonardi de Guischardo et Sigismunda 
 
 Tancredi filia, ex Boccacio transfiguratus in lat, 
 
 serm, per Leon, Aretinuni, (Cesaris &( Stoly ciixa 
 
 an. 14:15 J 4. , , •; »\:,. i.O 
 
 At the end of the former tract the 'words " Francisci 
 
 Florii Florentini de duobus Amantibus liber fehciter 
 
 expletus est Turonis : editus in domo Dom. Guillermi 
 
 Archiepiscopi Turonensis prid. Kal. Jan. A. D. millesimo 
 
 quadringentesimo sexJigesimo septimo," seem to have 
 
 occasioned some perplexity to Bibliographers. But 
 
 Panzer considers the word ^* editus''' here, to refer not 
 
 to the year when this tract *' ej; typographi ojfficina, sed 
 
 ex auctoris museo prodiit,''^ 
 
 2uaiuor notvissimorum liber ^ de morie videlicet, penis 
 inferni^ juditio et celesti gloria ^ quein plerique 
 i ordiale compellani, (desaris K Stol, circa an. 
 1473,) 4. 
 The first edition of the Cordiale was printed Colonize 
 
 by Petrus de Olpe, 1477, foL There were upn'ards of 
 
 twenty, ante 1500; but the preceding was the only. 
 
 Parisian impression. 
 
 Anno 1478 it was printed in English by CaXTONj . 
 
 under this title— " The Boke named Cordial; ©b 
 
251 
 
 MexMORARE NovissLMA :" which treateth of the four 
 last things, and begins with a short exhortation, thus — 
 *' Al Jngratitude vtterly settyng apart, we owe to calle 
 to our myndes the many folde gyftes of grace, with the 
 benefaittis that our lorde of his moost plentiueuse bonte 
 hath ymeu vs wretches in this present transitoire lif, 
 ^c.** Caxton's epilogue at the conclusion says—'* This 
 book is thus translated out of Frenshe into our maternal 
 tongue by the noble and vertuouse lord Anthoine Erie 
 Ryuiers, Lord Scales, &c. Vncle & gouernour to my 
 lord prince of wales.'* And after relating the divers 
 ** pilgremagis" of this nobleman, and the large indul- 
 gence and grace procured by him from the pope '* vnto 
 the Chapel of our lady of the piewe by seint stephehs 
 at Westmestre," he adds — *' Yet ouer that tenriche his 
 vertuous disposicion, he hath put him in deuoyr at all 
 tymes when he might have a leyser . whiche was but 
 startemele to translate diuerse bookes out of Frensh 
 into English. Emong other passid thurgh myn honde 
 the booke of the wise sayinges or dictes of philosophers, 
 & the wise & holsom prouerbis of xpristine of pyse set 
 in metre. Ouer that hath made diuers balades ayenst 
 the seuen dedely synnes. Furthermore it semeth that 
 he conceiueth wel the mutabilite and the vnstableness of 
 this present lyf. and that he desireth with a greet zele 
 and spirituell loue our goostly helpe and perpetuel 
 saluacion. And that we shal abhorre and vtterely 
 forsake thabhominable and dampnable synnes, whiche 
 comunely be vsed now a dayes, as Pride, periurye, 
 terrible swering, thefte, murdre, and many other. 
 Wherfore he took vpon hym the translating of this 
 present werke named Cordyale, &c." Another impres- 
 sion of the book named '' Cordyall," without date, was 
 executed by Wynken de Worde. It has two wooden 
 
252 
 
 prints at the beginning and end, representing the 
 horrors of deadly sin, and the story of Dives and 
 Lazarus. (Harl, Cat* No. 6916.^ 
 
 GvtLLERMi Tardivi Aniciensis Rhetorice Artis ac 
 Oraiorie Facultatp Compendium. 4. 
 The work is char, rom. Caesaris & Stol, ut putatur. 
 
 C. Julius Solinus de situ Orbis ac Mirabilibus 
 
 mundi. 4. charact. eorundem. 
 
 Some rude verses of the bishop of " Saintes" (Lodoici 
 xantonensis episcopi) are found annexed to this volume, 
 of which Tardif was the editor. Dv Verdi er and his 
 annotators consider it as one of the earHest fruits of 
 the French press. A copy of this edition of Solinus, 
 denominated "tres-belle & tres-rare," was preserved 
 in the library of M. de Bequigny. 
 
 Summa Rethorice condita per egregium P. DE la 
 Hazardiere nacionis normanie rothomagensium 
 canonicum. 4. char, corund. 
 
 BiBLiA gallica glossaia. Ant, Verard,foL 
 
 Iterum sine anno, M. le Noir, 4. 
 
 Of these two editions sine anno, Le Long seems to 
 give the priority to that of Le Noir. He considers 
 them both as re-impressions of the " Bible Hystoriale 
 or Historiee," translated by Guiars de Moulins from 
 the *' Historia Scholastica" of Pierre le Mangeur ; and 
 revised by Jean de Rely, as noticed sub anno 1487. 
 Verard's impression sine a?mo has a new preface, in 
 which it is asserted, that to this French translation 
 nothing has been added which is repugnant to the verity 
 of the Latin copies ; nothing omitted ** nisi ea qu$e 
 
253 
 
 transferri minimi debent ;" that the version is intended 
 not for the learned but the illiterate, *' pro laicis et 
 idiotis Regularibus ac Heremitio qui literas non 
 didicerunt." Le Long enumerates many subsequent 
 impressions by Verard and others. 
 
 PsALTERiUM gallice. Ant, Verard y 8. 
 
 PsALTERiUM GalUcum cum glossis N. de Lyra gallicti 
 reddita ab eo qui hanc editionem curavit cum eju^ 
 epistola ad Carolum VIII » Circa an, 1478, ty'pi^ 
 F, de Rouge, 4. 
 
 These are the only Parisian "Psalteria" mentioned by 
 Panzer, ante 1500. There is " Le Psautier Notre 
 Dame," (probably a ^VPsalter" titulo tenus only) said to 
 be translated from the Latin of Alain de la Roche, a 
 German jacobin, or rather a Breton, natus circa 1428^ 
 mort. circa 1475 ; printed Par. Jean Jehannot, 16. sine 
 anno, Tiiis translation is now very rarely, or rather 
 not at all to be met with. It was suppressed by the 
 jacobins, who were aware that the simplicity of the old 
 language augmented the ridiculousness of those narra- 
 tions with which the book abounds. They alledge that 
 these pious fables, originally invented with a good 
 intent, and calculated in remoter ages (''dans un temps 
 de simplicite") to edify "les bonnes ames," would at 
 present produce an effect quite opposite. Tiiey 
 moreover pretend that these fictions, softened down by 
 the name of parables, are to be understood mystically, 
 and not in a literal sense. Bibliotheque jde Jacobins, 
 Art. " Alanus de Rupe," fM, de la Monnoye.) 
 
 BoccACE des nobles nialheureujv^ Ant. Verard, av^ 
 figures, fol. fSiibanno i^S?j.J 
 
254 
 
 Le Livre de Decameron^ ou Boccace des cent nouvelles, 
 avecJigureSy/oL A. Verard, (Sub anno 1485J 
 These are the translations by Laurent du Premier- 
 FAlT; who also translated into French, '' Cicerp de 
 Senectute, et de Amicitia ;" whence the early English 
 versions of these treatises printed by Caxton in 1481. 
 *' Thus endeth the boke of Tulle of old age, trans- 
 lated out of latyn in to frenshe by laurence de primo 
 facto . . . and emprynted by me symple persone William 
 Caxton into Knglysshe, &c." (Ames, p. 32.J 
 
 L'* incarnation et nativite de nostre Seigneur, Laquelle 
 fut montree par personnaiges ainsi que cy apres est 
 isscripte fan mil cccc LXXiin. Lesfestes de Noel efi 
 la Ville de Rouen dedans la neuf M archie. (Char, ut 
 videtur Ant. Verard, JoL) Vid. sub anno 1490, 
 
 . Art.^^Mj^stere:' 
 
 Les Gestes Rommaines. 4. Verard. Sub anno 1499. 
 
 Of this translation by R. Gaguin, of the '* Gesta 
 RoMANORUM," Ant. Verard appears to have given more 
 than one impression, *' avec figures,^' 4. sine anno: — M. 
 le Noir another in fol. anno 1515. Of the Latin 
 original, some think there was an impression prior to 
 that anni 1473, which Panzer considers as the earliest. 
 Sixteen impressions ante 1500, evince the extreme 
 popularity of the work. Th^t an7^i 1488, fol. sine loco, 
 is said to be most esteemed. 
 
 Mr. Warton in an interesting dissertation prefixed 
 to vol. 3, of his " Hist, of Eng. Poetry^'' attributes the 
 '' Gesta Romanorum" (as I have elsewhere observed) 
 to the pen of Petrus Berchorius, (Pierre Bercheur 
 of Poictou) who died prior of the Benedictines at Paris, 
 anm 1362. This is reported by Glassius, in his 
 
255 
 
 " Philohgia Sacra ;" and Mr. Warton thinks that the 
 character of other works extant by the same Berchorius 
 confirms the tradition. These are— I. *' Reductorium" 
 MoiiALE super totam Bibliam. in xxiv. books." — IL 
 '' Repertorium Morale." — III. *' Dictionarium 
 Morale." 
 
 Warton asserts, that '* at the commencement of 
 typography Wynken de Worde pubhshed this book 
 (viz. Gesta Romanorum) in English" — that '* this trans- 
 lation was reprinted by one Robinson in 1557" — and 
 that *' afterwards of the same translation there were six 
 impressions before the year 1601." He adds too, that 
 there is an edition in black letter so late as the year 
 1689. f Dissertation, ut supra, J Mr. Dibdin; I observe, 
 seems to express a doubt whether these English Gesta 
 were ever printed. 
 
 LuDOLPHi Carihusiensis vita Christi gallicLfoL goth. 
 
 Verard. 
 
 This work, which was translated by '^ frere GuiL- 
 laume Semenaud," a Franciscan, is ornamented with 
 wood cuts. It appeared also Par. 1490, and Lugduni 
 1493. The original work of Ludolphus de Saxonia 
 (Argent.) 1474, Colon, 1474, Parisiis 1^91, fol. et 
 alibi, 
 
 Hecueil des Histoires Troyennes. fol, Anioine 
 Verard, avec figures , char,goth. circa 1498. 
 tterum, Verard, sine anno. 
 
 Panzer (Index, voL 5 J seems to confound thi^ work 
 with " L'Histoire de la Destruction de Troye la 
 Grand," noticed sub anno 1480. The '' recuyel" is 
 however distinguished from it both as being in prose 
 and comprehending a greater extent of subject. The 
 
256 
 
 title bespeaks ft to be the original of Caxton's 
 **'RECLrV£L OF tnt HiSTORYES OF Troy," which is the 
 first book known to have been printed by him in the 
 English language. This book, he says, was ** composed 
 and drawen out of diuerce bookes of latyn in to frensshe 
 by the ryght venerable persone and worshipfull man. 
 Kaoul le ffeure . preest and cbapelayn vnto the ryght 
 noble gloryous and myghty prynce in his time Phelip 
 due of Bourgoyne of Braband &c In the yere of the 
 Incarnacion of our Lord god a thousand foure honderd 
 sixty and foure. And translated and drawn out of 
 frenshe in to englisshe by Willyam Caxton mercer of 
 the cyte of London, at the comaundement of the ryght 
 hye myghty and vertuose Pryncesse hys redoubtyd 
 lady . Margarete by the grace of god Duchesse of 
 Bourgoyne of Lotryk of Braband &c, Whyche sayd 
 translacion and werke was begonne iu Brugis in the 
 Countee of. fflaundres the fyrst day of marche the yere 
 &c a thousand foure honderd sixty and eyghte, And 
 ended and fytiysshid in the holy cyte of Colen the .xix. 
 day of septembre the yere of our sayd lord god a 
 thousand foure honderd sixty and enleuen, &c." 
 
 The original work of Raoul le Feubure, who 
 flourished according to Du Verdier anno 1464, is said 
 also to have been first printed by Caxton, Cologne 
 1 47 L fFid. Ames^ P*^-) Of this circumstance Caxton 
 himself furnishes no notice. He says that " to eschewe 
 slouthe and ydlenes" he ^' toke a frenshe booke and 
 redde therin many straunge and meruellous historyes 
 where in (he adds) I had great pleasyr and delyte, as 
 well for the nouelte of the same as for the fayr langage 
 of the frenshe whyche was in prose so well and com- 
 pendiously sette and wreton whyche, me thought 1 
 vnderstood the sentence and substance of euery mater. 
 
25T 
 
 And for so moche as this booke was newe and late maad 
 and drawen in to frenshe and neuer had seen hit in 
 cure engUssh tonge, I thought in my self hit shold be a 
 good besynes to translate hyt into oure englissh, to 
 thende that hyt myght be had as well in the royame of 
 Englond as in other landes, and also for to passe 
 therewyth the tyine and thus concluded in my self to 
 begynne this sayd werke, and forthwith toke penne and 
 ynke and began boldly to renue forth as blynde bayard 
 in thys presente werke whyche is named the recuyel of 
 the troyan histor3'es And afterwarde whan I rememberyd 
 my self of my symplenes and vnperfightnes that I 
 had in bothe langages, that is to wete in frenshe and in 
 englisshe for in france was I neuer, and was born and 
 ierned myn englissb in kente in the weald where I 
 doubte not is spoken as brode and rude enghssh as in 
 ony place of Englond and have contynued by the 
 space of .XXX. yere for the most parte in the contres of 
 Braband . flandres holand and zeland &c . . . y fyll in 
 dispayr of thys werke and purposid no more to haue 
 contynuyd therein, &c." Caxton nevertheless at the 
 instance of the duchess of Burgoine, persevered in his 
 undertaking, and concludes the third and last book 
 by — '' Praying her said grace and all them that shall 
 rede this book not to desdaigne the symple and rude 
 werke. neither to replye against the sayyng of the maters 
 towchyd in this book, thauwh hyt acorde not vnto the 
 translacion of other which haue wreton hit, ffor dyuerce 
 men haue made dyuerce bookes, whiche in all poyntes 
 acorde not as Dictes . Dares . and Homerus for dictes 
 & homerus as grekes sayn and wryten fauorably for the 
 grekes, and gyue to them more worship than to the 
 troians, And Dares wryteth otherwyse than they doo. 
 And also as for the propre names, hit is no wonder that 
 
 L L 
 
258 
 
 they acorde not, ffor some oon neme in thyse dayes 
 haue dyuerce equyuocacions after the contrees that they 
 dwlle in, but alle acorde in conclusion the generale 
 destruccion of that noble cyte of Troye, And the deth 
 of so many noble prynces as kynges dukes erles borons, 
 knyghtes .... which may be ensample to all men 
 duryng the world how dredeful and Jeopardous it is to 
 begynne a war, &c. — Terfore thapostle saith all that is 
 wreton is wreton to our doctrine, whyche doctryne for 
 the comyn wele I beseche god may be taken in suche 
 place and tynie as shall be moste nedefull in encrecyng 
 of peas loue a|d chary te whyche graunte us he that 
 sufFryd for the same to be crucytied on the rood tree. 
 And saye we alle Amen for charyte." To the end of 
 this singular book are subjoined fourteen Leonine 
 verses, the most intelligible of which are these in the 
 commencement : — 
 
 Pergama flere volo . fata danais data solo 
 
 Solo capta dolo . capta redacta solo 
 
 Causa mali talis . meritrix fuit exicialis 
 
 ffemina lelalis . femina plena malis. &c. 
 " GuiDO DE CoLUMNA," saith Mr. Warton, "a native 
 of Messina in Sicily, engrafting on Dares and Dictys 
 many new romantic inventions which the taste of his 
 age dictated, and which the connection between Grecian 
 and Gothic fiction easily admitted ; — at the same time 
 comprehending in his plan'^the Theban and Argonautic 
 stories from OviD, Statius, and Valerius Flaccus, 
 compiled a grand prose romance in Latin, containing 
 XV. books, and intitled in most manuscripts '^ Historia 
 de Bello Trojano." . , . Dares Phrygius and Dictys 
 Cretensis 5eem to have been in some measure superseded 
 by this improved and comprehensive history of the 
 Grecian heroes: and from this period Achille;^, Jason, 
 
259 
 
 and Hercules were adopted in romance, artd celebrated 
 in common with Lancelot, Rowland, Gawain, 
 Oliveji, and other Christian champions whom they so 
 nearly resembled in the extravagance of their adven- 
 tures. This work abounds with oriental imagery ; of 
 which the subject was so extremely susceptible. It has 
 also some traits of Arabian literature. The Trojan 
 horse is a horse of brass : and Hercules is taught 
 astronomy, and the seven liberal sciences. Hence 
 Chaucer's Trojan horse, &c. It was professedly 
 paraphrased by Lydgate in the year 1420, in a prolix 
 Enghsh poem called *^ The Boke of Troye, &c." at 
 the command of king Henry V, and became the 
 groundwork of a new compilation on the same subject 
 written by Raoul le Feure, chaplain to the duke 6f 
 Burgundy, in the year 1464 : and partly translated into 
 English prose in the year 1471 by Caj^ton, under the 
 title of the ** Recueil, &g." (Hist, of Eng. Poetry , 
 vol. 2, p. 127.; 
 
 In the Cat. de la Valliere, No. 40S7, will be found 
 a particular description of a most superb manuscript of 
 *' Le Recueil des hystoires de Troyes." On this 
 occasion De Bure notices the early popularity of the 
 work, the preceding translation by Caxton, and '^ une 
 traduction Fiamende," which he says closely follows 
 that of Caxton. 
 
 Le RomctJi de Jason et Medee, conienant differentes 
 Avantures chevaler esque et amour eases, char, got.fol. 
 Panzer places this amongst the *' Libri indicio anyii, 
 loci, et typographi destituti?'' It is however very probably 
 from an early press of Paris, being certainly as the 
 Cat. de la Valliere (No. 4085) acknowledges, a work 
 of Raoul le Fevre, whom I h^ve inentioned in thq 
 
260 
 
 preceding article. It was reprinted Par. Phil, le Noir 
 J52S, 4. goth. with some variation of title, (Cat, dc la 
 Valliere, No. 4086) viz. " L'Histoire du preux et 
 vaillant Chevalier Jason, fils au noble Roy Eson, & de 
 sa mie Medee (par Raoul le Fevre.) 
 
 The Book of Jason printed by Caxton anno 1475, 
 is doubtless a translation of the beforementioned French 
 romance. *'For asmoche as late by the comaundement 
 &c. J translated a boke out of frenssh into Englissh 
 named Recuyel of the histories of Troye, in whiche is 
 comprehended how Troye was thries destroyed, and 
 also the labours & histories of Saturnus, Tytan, Jubyter 
 Perseus and Hercules, & other moo therin rehersed, but 
 as to the historic of Jason, towchyng the conquest of 
 the golden flese, myn auctor hath not sett it in his boke, 
 but breuely and the cause is for asmoche as he hadde 
 made before a boke of the hoole lyf of Jason, whiche 
 he presented vnto the noble Prynce in his dayes Philip 
 
 Due of bourgoyne, &c Therefore under the 
 
 proteccion & sufFraunce of the most hyghe puissant and 
 xpen king, my most dradde natural liege Lord Edward 
 by the grace of god kyng of englond and of Fraunce, 
 and lord of Jrland, J entende to translate the said boke 
 of thistories of Jason, followyng myn auctor as nygh as 
 J can or may not chaungyng the sentence, ne presumyng 
 to adde ne mynusshe ony thing otherwyse than myne 
 auctor hath made in Frensshe." Thus Caxton himself 
 has shewn us that the *' Bouk of Jason" is supplementary 
 to the [^ Recueil," and both translated from the French 
 original of the same author Raoul le Fevre. " Finally, 
 of this sayd litil boke," Caxton says '* not presumyng 
 to presente it vnto his (the king's) hyghnesse, for 
 asmoch as J doubte not his good grace hath it in 
 frensh, which be wel vnderstandetb, but not displesing 
 
261 
 
 his most noble grace J entende by his licence & congye . 
 & by the supportacon of our most redoubted liege lady, 
 most excellent princesse the Queen to presente this 
 sayd boke vnto the most fayr, and my moost redoubted 
 yong lorde, My lord Prynce of Wales our tocoiiiyng 
 sourayne lorde, whom J praye god saue, &.c. To 
 thentent he may begynne to lerne rede Knglisshe, &c." 
 
 Les Oeuvres de Senecque translatez par viaistre laiirens 
 deprcmierfait.foL Antoinc Verard, 
 
 Les XXI, Epitrts d''OviDE mis en rime Francoise par 
 Octauien de St, Gelaisy evesque d"* Angoulesme, 4. 
 Idem. 
 
 La Croix du Maine mentions also " Les Eneides dc 
 Virgile," translated by Octavien de S. Gelais, and 
 revised by Jehan d'lvry, fol. goth. 1509, and according 
 to Panzer Par. Nic. Couteau, 1529, fol. Of the 
 ** Heroides" of Ovid translated by him, there was also 
 an impression by la veuve Trepperel, 4. goth. sans 
 date; another 4. goth. avec figures, and ** le Latin en 
 marge ;" besides others of uncertain place and date. He 
 is said to have translated also some books of the 
 ^< Odyssey," made after bad Latin versions, and to 
 have intermingled his own crude thoughts in a style 
 obscure, prolix, and abounding with barbarisms. To 
 the same author is attributed *' Le Sejour d'Honneur,'* 
 a performance consisting of 26 feiiilles, and inscribed to 
 Pharles VIII. It treats f* de la Conduite de I'homme," 
 &c. Of ** La Verger d'Honneur" which some ascribe 
 in part at least to his pen, I have made mention sub 
 anno 1495. Other works attributed to this writer are 
 mentioned by Du Verdier, viz. " La Chasse & Depart 
 
262 
 
 d' Amours, ou il y a de toutes sortes de rimes, que Ton 
 pourroit trouver," Par. 4. Phil, le Noir; and '' Le six 
 Comedies de Terence partie en rime partie en prose," 
 impr. a Paris, fol. par Jean Petit 1539, and perhaps 
 also by Verard sine anno. He translated the ** Amours 
 of Eurialus and Lucretia," of which work he makes 
 mention in his '^ Sejour d'Honneur." {z) See also the 
 next article. Having thus far noticed the works of this 
 prelate, I shall subjoin what I further find recorded: 
 that he spent his youth in dissipation and debauchery ; 
 but after a dangerous illness he entered upon a new 
 career, viz. that of ambition, and procured an introduc- 
 tion at court ; where his talents and poetry recommended 
 Lim to Charles VIII, who obtained for him from pope 
 Alexander VI. the bishopric of Angoulesme anno 1494. 
 He died anno 1502, aged only 36 years. 
 
 (^) A copy of this work was lately in the library of W. 
 Roscoe, Esq. It is thus intitled — " Sensuyt le sejour Dhonneur 
 Compose par reverend pere en dieu messire Octavien de sainct 
 gelaiz Evesque d'angoulesme . Nouvellement imprime a Paris 
 xxyi." The title is " en rouge et noir " alternately : has a 
 large wood cut in the front, and another on the reverse. 
 " Sensuit le prologue de Lacteur," with another curious wood 
 cut. The work is in mingled verse and prose, and seems to be 
 a sort of dialogue in which " Lacteur," (the author) " fol 
 ABBVS," and " vaine esperance," &c. are the speakers. 
 The colophon thus: — " Cy finyst le sejour dhonneur qui traicte 
 de la conduicte humain Nouvellement imprime a Paris per la 
 veufue fere jehan trepperel. Et Jehan Jehannot imprimeur et 
 lihraire jure en luniversite de paris demourant en Id rue neufue 
 nostre dame a Venseigne de lescu de france.'^'* A wood cut 
 beneath, representing " L'acteur." This work is in Gothio. 
 characters, 4. 
 
263 
 
 Le Livre des persecutions des Chrestiens de messire 
 jSoniface Simonet, abbe du Moustier de Come 
 translate de latin en francois par Octavien de S. 
 Gelajs evesqiie d* Angoulesme par le commandement 
 du Roi Charles VIII. che% Antoine Gerard (Ve- 
 rard.J 4. 
 
 JESOPI Fabulee, circa an. 1487, 4. In fine : — 
 Egregium Esopi librum feliciter istum 
 Petrus Leuet parisea impressit in urbe. 
 
 Commentaria magistri Petri de Dsoma in sj/mbolum, 
 2uicunque vult salus esse. P. Level, fall. 18. 4. 
 
 Lesfaiz maistre Alain Ciiaretier. In fine : — Finis- 
 sent les Faicts, Dictes et Ballades de Maistre Alain 
 Chartier. With wood cuts, P, le Caron, f circa an. 
 1484)/o/. Vid. sub anno 1489. 
 
 Officium B, Marie Virginis cum Missa ejusdem et 
 septem Psalmis poenitentiaL — cum officio Defunc- 
 torum, sdncte Crucis et sancti Spiritus, &(c. wood cuts 
 and ornamented margins, S. Tielman Kerver. 
 
 ■ rr- 
 
 BiBLiA cum Concordantiis. 8. Idem, , .^u 
 
 Ovwius de remedio amoris cuin commentar. 8. Phil. 
 Pigouchet. 
 
 Senecje Tragoedice. J. higman wilhelmus pi^opositi 
 
 y Wolfgang us hopyl socii. 4. 
 ' " ^tas," says Panzer, " colligitur ex Disticho 
 Te balbi (Hier.) meminisse decetj qui codice multo 
 Collato, hec tribuit munera tanta tibi." 
 " Balbus enim anno 1485, Lutetiam accessit.'V 
 
264 
 
 Statu Papinjj Neapolitani Sylvarum Lihri V, 4. 
 Par, (ut putatur circa 1498.) 
 
 PavujEmilii Feronensis Canon. Eccl. Parisiensis 
 de rebus gcstis Francorum ad annum 1 1 \0 Libri IV, 
 Far.fol. 
 Iterum ad annum 1223, Libri FJ, Par. ap Badium 
 
 (circa J 500.) 
 
 This history cost the author the labour of thirty years, 
 and he so long employed himself in revision and cor- 
 rection ; though it is not considered after all, as intirely 
 correct, either as to the facts, sentiments, or diction. 
 See the opinions of the learned apiid Sir T. Pope Blount. 
 Other editions from the press of Ascensius appeared 
 nnno 1536 and sine anno. The author was in the reign 
 of Lous XII. a canon of the church of Paris. He died 
 anno 1529. 
 
 Perjucundus fjuuenum quoque mirum in modum de- 
 mulcens anifnos) libellus quern nugarum Maximiani 
 immitis Alexander (in doctrinali) intitulaU 4. 
 Steph. Johannot S( P. le Dru. 
 
 *' Hune si parvo nummismate comparare cupis, vena- 
 lem in vico sancti Jacobi reperies in domo quadam ante 
 Mathurinos sita iuxta carnificem sanissimas (humano 
 pro corpore) carnes vendentem." Sub anno 1489. 
 
 Heures de NvstreDame trad, en vers Francois. Par. 4. 
 
 Les jRegnards traversans les perilleuses wyes de folks 
 fiances du Monde, tire des vers Latins de Sebastien 
 Brant, en rime. Ibid. fol. Probably the impres- 
 sion of Verard. (see De Burt.) 
 There were other impressions of this work, viz. Paris, 
 
 iterum, sijie anwo— M. le Noir 1504, 4. — Denys Janot 
 
265 
 
 1530, 4. The earliest edition was published under the 
 name of Sebastien Brant, but the real author was 
 JeanBouchet. He was born circa 1475, and filled 
 the office of ^^ Procureur" at Poictiers. His very nu- 
 merous works frequently exercised the presses of this 
 age. Amongst those which were published, Panzer 
 enumerates *' Les anciennes & modernes Genealogies 
 des Rois de France," Poitiers 1527, 4. — 1531, 4. — 
 1535, 4.-1536, 12. and Par. 1541. '^ Histoire et 
 Chronique de Clotaire I, Roi de France," Poitiers 
 1517, 4.— -1524, 4.— 1527, 4. " Le Temple de bonne 
 renommee," Par, Gal. du Pre 1516,4. <« La deplo- 
 ration de Peglise militante," Par. Eustace 1512, 8. 
 " LTnstruction du jeune Prince," Par. Idem. 1517, 4. 
 *' Le Panegyrique du Chevalier sans reproche," Poi- 
 tiers 1527, 4. '^Labyrinthe de Fortune," Poitiers 
 1522, 1524, 4. — Par. Al. Lotrian, 8. siyie anjio. " Les 
 Triomphes de la noble et amoreuse Dame," Poitiers 
 1532., 1536, fol.— Par. Ambr. Girault 1536, fol. 
 *' Les exclamations et epitre de la noble Dame amou- 
 reuse," Par. Janot 1535,8. ^' Opuscules de Traver- 
 seur des voies perilleuses," Poitiers \526, 4. **Les 
 angoysses et remedes d'amour," Poitiers 1536, 12. 
 " Les elegantes epitres extraits de Panegyrique du 
 Louis de Tremouille," Par. Janot 1536, 8. **Ron- 
 deaux et XXV Ballades," Par. Idem 1536, 12. 
 
 Other works of this author were '' Les Ann ales d' 
 Aquitaine," Poitiers 1524, 1531, 1535, fol. which, 
 says Du Verdi er, is '' un oeuvre extremement labo- 
 rieux & plein de belles Histoires tres-memorables." 
 Amongst all the old historical works of the kind, this is 
 said to be most deserving of a Latin translation. There 
 have been various other editions of these ''Annales," 
 but they are all rare. The latest and most valuabfe is 
 
 M ^1 
 
266 
 
 that a Poictiers 164^4, fol. He composed at a late 
 period of his age '' Les Triomphes du Roi Francis I." 
 a Poitiers 1550. I shall lastly mention ''Les Epitres 
 morales & familieres" of this author, of which there is 
 an impression Poictiers 1545, fol. and which rude as 
 they are (say the editors of Du Verdier) well merit 
 perusal, for the particulars which they contain of con- 
 temporary authors, and those of the preceding century. 
 From '^ Les Regnards Traversans,'* the work first 
 mentioned, Bouchet obtained the appellation of *' Le 
 Traverseur." A passage in the work last particularized, 
 viz. ** Les Epitres &c." cited by M. Monnoye fap. Du 
 Verdier J shews not only the age at which '' Le Tra- 
 verseur" composed his *' Regnards" kc. but also 
 alludes to the quarrel which the publication of it occa- 
 sioned between the author and our printer Antoine 
 Verard. Of his works, meaning in the order of 
 composition rather than strictly of publication, he says 
 
 " Le premier fut les Renars traversans 
 
 L'an mil cinq cens qu' avois vingt & cinq ans, 
 
 Ou feu Verard, pour ma simple jeunesse 
 
 Changea le nom, ce fuit a lui finesse, 
 
 L'institulant au nom de Monsieur Brand, 
 
 Un Alemand en tout Savoir tres-grand. 
 
 Qui ne sut one parler langue Fran9oise 
 
 Dont je me tus sans pour ce prendre noise, 
 
 Fors que marri je fus, dont ce Verard 
 
 Y ajouta des choses d'un autre art, 
 
 Et qu'il laissa tres-grand part de ma prose, 
 
 Qui ra*est injure, & a ce je m'oppose 
 
 Au ch^telet o^ me pace fia 
 
 Pour un present lequel me dedia." 
 
 In explanation of Verard's publishing the *' Reg- 
 nards traversans" under the name of Sebastian Brand, 
 
261 
 
 and of the preceding lines, it must be observed that 
 amongst the Latin poems of that German, Argent, 4. 
 1498, there is an elegy of an hundred verses addressed 
 to Maximilian, king of the Romans, under the title of 
 ^' Alopekiomachia, de spectaculo, conflictuque vul- 
 pium :" and that on account of the circulation which 
 the piece obtained at that period, Verard thought the 
 ^' Renars traversans" of Bouchet would find a more 
 extensive sale, if given to the public under the name of 
 Sebastian Brand. The mortified author in conse- 
 quence of this treatment immediately instituted a 
 process at law against the printer ; whom he would not 
 have failed to prosecute, had not Verard found means 
 to appease him by a sum of money. 
 
 La Chronique ou Histoire faite par le Rev, Pere en 
 Dieu TuRPiN, Archevesque de Rhehns, Vun des 
 Pairs de France, contenant les proiiesses de Charle- 
 magne et de son 7ieveu Rolland, traduit de Latin e?i 
 Fi^ancais par Robert Gaguin, par ordre du Roy Charles 
 VIII, a Par. char, goth. 4. 
 
 TuRPiN or TiLPiN mort, an. 794. This chronicle is 
 thought to be a Spanish fiction. It was originally 
 written in Latin. The fables which it contains were 
 adopted by the early French historians, and they have 
 found their way into " Les Chroniques de S. Denis.'* 
 It was translated into French circa 1200 : Gaguin trans- 
 lated it anew. The French translations appeared in 
 print before the Latin original, which was first printed 
 /^ dans le Recueil des Historiens d'AUeniagne de Simon 
 Schardius," Franco/. 1566: afterwards by Jean Ruber- 
 tus 15S4. Gaguin's version had been published by 
 order of Charles VIII. Par. 4. goth. sans date: reprinted 
 in 1527. The old French translation before-mentioned 
 was not published till 1583 in 8. 
 
268 
 
 Gaguin has added *^ beaucoup de Moralit^s & de 
 Miracles que ne sont point dans le texte Latin." The 
 manuscripts generally differ from each other. (See M. 
 de St. Palaye's notice &c. Mem. de TAcad. de B. 
 Lettres : torn. vii. prem. part, p. 2Z0.J 
 
 La Legende Doree en Francois. Par. char. goth. 
 JoL Fid. sub ann. 1415, 1496. 
 
 Le Prop RIET AIRE en francois, xvith figures, fol. Ant. 
 Verarcl. (Panzer torn. 4. p. 400 J 
 
 This is a translation of the well known work *' De 
 PROPRIETATIBUS RERUM," originally composed by 
 Bartholom^eus de Glanville, otherwise quaintly 
 denominated " Barthelmew Glentuyle, descended 
 of the noble familye of the Earles of SuflPolke." He 
 was a Franciscan friar, and wrote this work in Edward 
 the third's time, about the year of our Lord 1366 (or 
 1 360.) Ames & Herbert, p. 7 1 , 72. 
 
 Of the Latin work there were many early editions, 
 but Panzer acknowledges none a7ite 1480. Of this 
 French translation, which Jehan Corbichon an Augus- 
 tine monk made by order of Charles V. there were 
 impressions Lugduni annis 1485, 1487, 1491, and 1500, 
 all in fol. Amongst the rarest curiosities of the English 
 press we may also place a translation by John Trevisa, 
 printed by Wynken de Worde in fol. sine anno. 
 It preserves the Latin title *' Bartholomeus de pro- 
 PRIETATIBUS RERUM." It is divided into 19 books, 
 each containing several chapters. At the head of every 
 book is a wood cut adapted to the ensuing subject. 
 At the end — ** Endlesse grace, blysse. thankyng & 
 praysyng vnto our lorde god Omnipotent be gyuen by 
 whoos ayde and helpe this translacion was endyd at 
 
269 
 
 Berkeleye the syxte daye of Feuerer . the yere of our 
 lorde. M. ccc.lxxxxviij . the yere of the reyne of kynge 
 Rycharde the second . ..xxij The yere of my lordes 
 aege syre Thomas lorde of Berkeleye that made me 
 to make this Translacion xlvij." Ames cites at full 
 length the ^' Prohemium" which is in verse. We may 
 content ourselves with a specimen — 
 
 Praysed be god whyche hath so well enduyd 
 The auctor wyth grace de proprietatibus 
 To se so many naturall thynges renewyd 
 Which in his boke he hath compyled thus 
 Where thrugh by redynge we may comfort vs 
 And wyth conceytes tlyuers fede our mynde 
 As bokes emprynted shewyth ryght as we fynde 
 
 By Wyken de Worde whyche thruh his dyligence 
 
 Emprentyd hath at prayer and desyre 
 
 Of Roger Thorney mercer and from thens 
 
 This mocion ^prange to sette the hertes on fyre 
 
 Of such as loue to rede in euery shire 
 
 Dyuers maters in voydinge ydylnesse 
 
 Lyke has this boke halli shewed to you expresse. 
 
 There appear to have been earlier impressions of this 
 English translation, viz. annis 1494, W. de Worde, 
 mentioned by Mr. Warton ; 1498, Idem, in the Har- 
 leian library; (questioned by Ames) — 1507, Idem; all 
 in folio — also a subsequent impression mini 1535, 
 Thomas Berthelet, fol. without cuts, but said to be 
 amended by the ^Matyne examplare;" and b^' Stephen 
 Batman either as a printer or editor, with additions, 
 anno 1582. V/hether Caxton gave any English im- 
 pression of this work seems very doubtful; but the 
 evidence is satisfactory that he printed the Latin origi- 
 nal at Cologn at a very early period. His impression 
 
210 
 
 may be considered as anterior to any known to Pander* 
 The ** prohemium" before cited says — 
 
 And also of your charyte call to remembraunce 
 
 The soule of William Caxton first prynter of this boke 
 
 Jn laten tonge at Coleyn hymself to auance 
 
 That euery well disposyd man may thereon ioke 
 
 And John Tate the yonger Joye mote he broke 
 
 Whiche late hathe in Englond doo make this paper thynne 
 
 That now in our englyssh this boke is prynted Jnne. 
 
 The above-mentioned John Tate, whose mill was 
 at Hartford, is considered by Ames as undoubtedly the 
 earliest manufacturer of '* linen paper" in England. 
 He thinks the preceding book was probably printed 
 about the same time with the Vitas Patrum; viz. circa 
 an. 1495. 
 
 Histoire du noble K vaillant Chevalier Regnavlt de 
 MoNTAUBANf ou V Histolrc des quatre fils Aymok 
 presentes a Charlemagne. Edition fort anciennCy 
 fol. grand pap. goth. 
 
 This very rare impression is supposed to be ante 
 1500. Panzer acknowledges only those Par. 1521, 4. 
 1525, fol. Anno 1504 Wynken de Worde printed 
 " The right plesaunt and goodly hystory of the 
 FOUR SONNES of Aymon the which for the excellent 
 endyting of it and for the notable prowes and great 
 vertues that were in them is no less plesaunt to rede 
 then worthy to be knowen of all estates both hyghe and 
 lowe." On the title a wooden cut (reversed from the 
 French original) of four men armed, sitting on one 
 horse, with their swords drawn: several other wood cuts 
 interspersed in the book. The translator, whosoever 
 he was, in his prologue commences thus : — ** As the 
 
2T1 
 
 Philosopher in the fyrst book of his methafysyqne sayth 
 that euery man naturally desireth to know and to con 
 newe thynges . . . Therefore late at the request &c. of 
 the ryght noble and vertus Erie John Erie of Oxeford. . 
 J reduced & translated oute of Frenche . . . the life of 
 one of his predecessoures named Robert Erie of Oxforde 
 &c. And also that my sayd Lorde desyreth to haue 
 other Hystories of olde tyme passed of vertues chyualry 
 reduced in lykewyse into our Englishe tongue : he late 
 sent to me a booke in Frenche conteynyng thactes and 
 faytes of warre doone and made agaynst the great 
 Emperour and king of Fraunce Charlemayne by the 
 iiii. sonnes of Aymon, otherwise named in Frenche. 'LeS 
 quatre fylz Aymon.' whych booke, &c." There wa's 
 another impression by William Copland 1554, fol. 
 from which Ames drew his description of the work, as 
 he had not seen that of 1504. It was also printed by 
 Thomas Petit 1554, fol. and by Robert Toy 1554, 
 fol. if these be not, as I rather suspect, all one and the 
 same impression. 
 
 La ^VENOILLE SPIRITUELLE, mise en rime frangoise^ 
 'par Jean de Laen Chajioine de Lille. Par. 16. got, 
 I know nothing of this work or its author. There is 
 extant a singular old work bearing some resemblance 
 in the title, but possibly none in the contents, viz. — 
 *' Les EvANGiLES DES QuENOUiLLES, faits & racontes 
 par piusieurs notables Dames assemblees pour filer 
 durant sixjournees," a L^yon 4. Jean Mareschal 1493. 
 This work Pierre de Bury Chanoine d'Amiens (Latine 
 Petrus Burrus) thus notices in his *' Poemaia^'' Par. 4. 
 1503: — 
 
 Quid ridenda et frivola texo ? 
 Mille alia extant codice multo 
 
212 
 
 Cui nomen muliebria conduiit 
 
 Arma, colus, teretes quoque fusi. 
 And Martin Eloi D'Amerlan de Bethune, Chap, 39, de 
 sa Diablerie : — 
 
 N'oNT ils pas le gentil libelle 
 
 Que je repute une oeuvre belle 
 
 I>es Evangiles des quenouilles^ 
 De Bure notices an edition of the same work with 
 this title — '' Les Evangiles des Conoilles faictes a I'hon- 
 neur & exaulcement des Dames en rime francoise," 12. 
 goih. sans date, Oliver Maillari> fSerm. 2, de 
 Stipendio peccati) says — ^* Et ce n'est pas conte, ne 
 fable escrit an Livre des Conoilles." fBibl. Franc, de Dii 
 Verdier,) We have also in English printed by Wynken 
 DE WoRDE, 4. sine anno, the '^ Gospelles of Dys- 
 TAVES," thus described by Ames and Herbert — " The 
 ordinaunce of this boke put in termes by dame 
 Ysengryne — The whiche chapytres shall contayne the 
 gospelles of dystaues with the glosses that some wyse 
 and discrete matrones haue added and yet shall in 
 multeplyeng the text. — The ordynaunce of the fyrst 
 daye and of the description of dame Ysengryne of 
 Glay and what she was." Then follows a wooden cut 
 of Isengryne, dame Abunde, and Gamborde. It 
 begins — *' J wold vndertake to put in scripture a lytell 
 volume that for the name of it should be called the 
 gospelles of dystaues." 
 
 La Vie des trois Roys, Jaspar, Melchior, S( 
 Balthasar, 4. Trepperel fsub anno 14-9SJ 
 The '' HiSTORiA Trium Regum, sen historia de gestis 
 ac trina trium regum translatione," from which the 
 preceding was translated, appeared first Colonize 1477, 
 fol. Anno 1526 Wynken i>e Worde printed *' The 
 
2T3 
 
 LIUES OF THE THREE KINGS OF COLEIN," 4. of which 
 
 Herbert sa3^s he repeated the impression, 4. si?ie anno. 
 His copy was imperfect, but he describes it as a history 
 or romance, continued to the depositing of the bodies 
 of the three kings at Colein, or Cologne. ^*'And 
 thus endeth the translacyon of these thre kynges Mel- 
 chior Balthazer and Jasper." The author then proceeds 
 to finish the account of some customs in use among the 
 Christians in Preter Johan's country which he here calls 
 Inde. — '*Now to speke of the vsages in Jnde that we 
 haue begon before as well of crysten as heretykes and 
 sysmatykes, eche of them bothe relygyous and seculers 
 fasten on Chrystmasse day vnto it be nyght, & eche 
 man spredeth his table & setteth on it as moche mete 
 and drynke as may suffyse for his lyuynge from 
 Chrystmas day tyl the . xij daye. And so of that 
 that is set on the borde they ete and drynke with 
 theyr wyues chyldren and meyny with all Joye & myrth 
 that they can in that time . Also they lyght a candell 
 or a lampe, & that shal brenne bothe nyght & daye 
 fro Crystmas nyght vnto the xij. nyght besyde the 
 same borde. And in the vygyl of the Epyphany at 
 nyght euery frende gooth to others hous, & whan 
 he Cometh to the dore he sayth (Bona dies) That is 
 to sayegood daye . For yf he sayd (Bona nox) That 
 is to saye, good nyght, than wolde he accuse him 
 to fore the Justyce of the lawe as he had done to hym a 
 grete trespace . And so they wake all that nyght and 
 go fro hous to hous, & ete, drynke, and daunce, and 
 bere candelles lyght in their handes, in tokenynge that 
 the sterre appeared whan Cryst was borne and ledde 
 these thre kinges in those dayes to Bedleem, and there 
 was no nyght in this tyme, but it was all one daye to 
 them, &c." f Herbert J 
 
 N N 
 
274 
 
 La Fontaine de toutes sciences du philosophe Sydrack. 
 Verard^foL ^Ante sub anno i486, J 
 
 The *^ Romance of Sydrack," says Mr. Warton, 
 *^ appears to have been very ''popular ; but is rather a 
 romance of Arabian philosophy than of chivalry. It is 
 a system of natural knowledge, and treats of the virtues 
 of plants. Sydrack the philosopher of this system, was 
 astronomer to an eastern king. He lived 847 years 
 after Noah, of whose book of astronomy he was 
 possessed. He converts Bocchus, art idolatrous king 
 of India, to the Christian faith ; by whom he is invited 
 to build a mighty tower against the invasions of a rival 
 king of India. But the history, no less than the subject 
 of this piece, displays the state, nature, and migrations 
 of literature in the dark ages.'^ Thus Warton, who 
 adds that it is a work of considerable length. An 
 English metrical translation of it was printed anjio 1510, 
 by Thomas Godfray; intitled "The History of Kyng 
 Bocchus and Sydrack how he confounded his lerned 
 men, and in the syght of them dronke strong venym 
 in the name of the Trinite and dyd him no hurt. Also 
 his dyuynyte that he lerned of the Boke of Noe. Also 
 his profycye that he had by Reuelacyon of the Aungell. 
 Also the aunsweris to the questions of wisdomeboth moral 
 and natural with much worldly wysdome contayned iit 
 number cccLxn. Translated by Hugo of Caumpedex 
 oute of Frenche in to Englisshe." This is printed over 
 a coarse wooden cut of Sidrack and king Bocchus. After 
 a table of contents, &c. the poem begins on sig. B. j. 
 
 " Men may fynde in olde bokys 
 
 Who so therein lokys 
 
 Actes worthy of memory 
 
 Fall of knowlege and mystery, Ac." 
 
21S 
 
 Tbe epilogue commences — 
 
 *' Pray we now with al our myg^t 
 Vnto God of heuen lyght 
 That he geue vs grace so to do 
 That we heuen my come vnto 
 * That we shal al to J wene 
 
 And that Hughe of caumpedene 
 That this boke hath throughe sought 
 And vnto Englysshe ryme brought, &jc.^ 
 
 Colophon : — *' Thus endeth the hystory and questyons 
 of kynge Boccus and Sydracke. Prynted at London 
 by Thomas Godfraye . At the coste and charge of 
 dan. Robert Saltwode monke of saynt Austens at 
 Canterbury." 4. f Herbert, p. 319.> 
 
 VHistoire de Josephvs de la bataille Judaique. fol. 
 
 withjigures, Verard. 
 
 This is the impression anni 1492, (ante sub anno 
 1480.) Mr. Warton says there is a very old prose 
 romance, both in French and Italian, on the subject of 
 the Destruction of Jerusalem, which is translated 
 from the Latin work (very popular in the middle ages) 
 intituled *^ Hegesippi de Bello Judaico et Excidio 
 Urbis Hierosolymitanae Libri V." This is a Hcentious 
 paraphrase of a part of the Jewish history of Josephus 
 made about the IV. century. The name of Hegesippus 
 is probably a corruption from Josephus, perhaps also 
 called Josippus. The paraphrast is supposed to have 
 been Ambrose of Milan, who flourished in the reign of 
 Theodosius, On the subject of Vespasian's siege of 
 Jerusalem, as related in this book, our poet Adam 
 Davie (who flourished circa 1512) has left a poem 
 intitled the *' Battell of Jerusalem," never printed. Du 
 Cange notices the old French play on this subject, 
 
216 
 
 (probably ** Mistere de la Vengeanco, &c.") «« The 
 Dystruccion of Jherusalem by Vaspazian and 
 Tytus," with cuts, was printed by Wynken de Worde 
 an. 1 528, 4. and the impression sev^eral times repeated by 
 our early printers. R. Pinion in particular gave '* The 
 destruccyon of Jerusalem, &c." a quarto tract, (sine 
 anno) consisting of 38 leaves, and containing 26 curious 
 wood cuts. The frontispiece represents Vespasian and 
 his camp, with cannon mounted on carriages by his 
 side. He has the Roman eagle on his surtout, and is 
 holding a parley with Pilate and Archelaus upon the 
 battlements of Jerusalem. On the reverse of the titlq 
 is an hermit, with a Palmer's staff in one hand, and a 
 string of beads in the other, &c." (Vid, Ames, p. 294.^ 
 Probably both these French and English dramas are 
 founded on the narrative of the spurious Josephus, or 
 Kegesippus. 
 
 Le Gouvernenient des Princes, (JEgid, de Column a,) 
 
 Ante sub anno 1497. 
 
 Probably the edition anni 1497, Verard, before- 
 mentioned. This Egidius, says Warton, was a native 
 of Rome, a scholar of Aquinas, called " Doctor 
 fundatissimus," and an archbishop, circa 1280. His 
 " De Regimine Principum, Libri III." was a work 
 highly esteemed in the middle ages ; and translated early 
 into Hebrew, French, and Italian. In those days he 
 adds, ecclesiastics and schoolmen presumed to dictate to 
 kings; and to give rules for administering states, drawn 
 from the narrow circle of speculation, and conceived 
 amidst the pedantries of a cloister. It was translate^ 
 into English by John Trevisa about the year 1390. 
 
 La Merchandise spjrjtuelle, divisee en IV. Rcr 
 gions, 4. 
 
211 
 
 La Caille mentions *^ La Marchandise spirituelle, 
 traite devote & salutaire a tons Chretiens," 4. This 
 mixture of religion and allegory has in all ages met with 
 its admirers. Perhaps the early French press does not 
 furnish a more complete specimen than the following. 
 '* Le Quadragesimal spirituel, ou la salade du 
 Careme, assavoir des feves frites, poix passes, la pur^e, 
 la lamproye, le safFran, les oranges, les pruneaux, les 
 figues, les amandes, le miel, le paix, les echaudes, le 
 yin blanc & rouge, Pypocras, les Invites au dtner, les 
 cuisiniers, les serviteurs a table, les chambrieres servant 
 de blanches nappes, serviettes, pots & vaiselle, les 
 graces apres diner, le lutb ou harpe, la drager, paques 
 flories, les grands paques," Par. 4. 1521. 
 
 Henri Estienne (Chap. 37 of his Apol. pour Hero^ 
 dote J cites several passages of this work for the diversion 
 of his readers. Thus he says the author speaks in the 
 commencement: — "Pour parler spirituellement, par 
 ceste salade qui est faicte de diuerses choses, & qui 
 met les gens en appetit, pouuons entendre la parole de 
 Dieu, qui nous doit donner appetit & courage." Vn 
 pen apres, " Par Thuile de douceur & le vinaigre 
 d'aigreur" (qu'on met par equipollent autant de P vne que 
 de I'autre, dedans la salade) " nous pouuons entendre 
 la misericorde de Dieu & la iustice." H. Estienne 
 remarks that this extravagant little work was actually 
 reprinted at Paris anno 1665, under the revision of two 
 venerable "docteurs en la faculte de theologie a Paris." 
 
 Valere le Grand, ou Valerius Maximvs translate 
 de Latin en Francois par Simon de Hesdin et Nicolas 
 de Gonesse. foL goth. Ant, Ferard. 
 Noticed sub an, 1 497. A fine copy of the first volume 
 
 only, printed on vellum, with four large miniatures and 
 
' ' 2t8 
 
 the initials decorated with gold and colours, occurs in 
 the Cat. of Longman K Co. Supplement for 1817. Also 
 an intire edition of the same work, Lugd, Husz, 1485, 
 Ibid. (No.9'^9\, 2.) The seven first books are by 
 S. de Hesdin, the remaining by N. de Gonesse. 
 
 Oreloge de Deuocion compose en Francoi/s par M. 
 
 J EH AN 2UENTIN docteur en TheoL penitencier de 
 
 Paris. 8. 
 
 A copy, with numerous engravings on wood, which 
 as well as the initials are illuminated with gold and 
 colours, may be found described in the catalogue 
 mentioned in the preceding article. (No. 10017.) This 
 volume is said to have escaped the notice of most 
 bibliographers. 
 
 Terentius Latine, translate en Fran^ois^ Prose SC 
 Vers. fol. Verard. (Sub anno I ^S3. J 
 This rare edition is ornamented with a very great 
 
 number of wood cuts; many of which are repeated. 
 
 (Fid. Brunei. <* Manuel, &(c.''J 
 
 Les Cent Histoires de Troves, auec VEpistre 
 d^Othea Deesse de prudence envoy ee a V esprit cheva- 
 lereux d^ Hector de Troyes viises en rime fr. par 
 Christine de Pis an. with zvood cuts, 4. goth. Ph, 
 Pigouchet. 
 
 Jterum, P. le Noir 1522, 4. wood cuts, and Lyon 1519, 4. 
 For an account of this work, termed by Brunet 
 
 " Anciennes poesies ;" we are referred to the *^ Mem. 
 
 de Tacad. des Belles Lettres, (torn. xvii. p. 5I8.'V 
 
 Robert le Diable (la vie du terrible J lequel apres 
 fut nomme homme Dieu. Par, J, Herouf, 4, goth. 
 
219 
 
 Brunet describes an edition Lyon P, Mareschall, 4, 
 goth. very rare; another Par. N. de la Barre 1497, 
 4. goth. almost equally so. A translation was printed 
 by '^ Wynken de Worde," 4. sine anno.- *' Here 
 begynneth the Lyfe of the most myscheuoust Robert 
 THE Deuyll, whiche was afterwards called the seruant 
 of God." Ames gives the several titles of the chapters 
 of this extraordinary book, such as '' How the Duke of 
 Normandye with grete Royaltie brought his Wife the 
 doughter of the Duke of Bourgon in to Roan in 
 Normandye after he had married her. ^ How vpon a 
 Tyme this Duke and Duchesse allone sore complayninge 
 the one to the other that they coude haue no chylde 
 togyther. ^ How Roberte the Deny 11 was conceyued 
 and how hys moder gaue hym to the Deuyll in his 
 Concepcyon. ^ How Robert the Deuyll was borne, 
 &c." At the end, '^ Here endeth the Lyfe of the moost 
 ferefullest and vnmercifullest and myscheuous Roberte 
 the Deuyll whiche was afterwarde ealled the Seruauante 
 of our Lorde Jhesu Cryst." At the back of the last leaf 
 is a wood print of the Virgin and the child Jesus, &c. 
 
 Le Mirouer Historial de Fincei^t be BeavvOis, 
 
 (Ante sub anno 1496.^ 
 
 Bibliographers point out no impression of this 
 translation of the *' Specula" sine anno. The only 
 re-impression, (Par. N. Couteau, 5 voll. fol. goth.) bears 
 the date of 1531. But in addition to my short notice 
 of this work, (sub anno 1496^/ I add on the authority 
 of Brunet, *' That Verard's rare impression anni 
 1496 was, at the period of its date, the most 
 voluminous which the press of Paris had produced. 
 Though the five large folio volumes of which it consists 
 had been finished in the short space* of eight months, 
 
280 
 
 yet in uniform beauty, and accuracy of execution, they 
 are scarce surpassed by any of the finest modern 
 specimens of the art." Brunet also expresses his surprize 
 that editions so fine as almost all those of Verard 
 are should be so little esteemed in France, and scarce 
 indeed be objects of special research any where but in 
 England, f' Manuel, Ucr J 
 
 •r^r./^«'^#^.^^^,«^/•./v^*»«^^ 
 
 I find no Parisian impressions of the following works 
 ante 1508, or sine anno, but shall mention them in this 
 place on account of their manifest connection with our 
 earliest English literature. Probably a few other works 
 of a similar description will present themselves also to 
 our notice sub fine librorum sine anno, post 1500. 
 
 Le Chevalier de la Tour (par Geoffroy be la 
 
 Tour-Landry.J 
 
 Of this work, which Brunet terms *' Ouvrage de 
 Morale," the only impressions which I have found 
 noticed, are Par. Eustace 1514, fol. goth. and M. le 
 Noir 1517,4. It is considered as the original of " The 
 Knyght of the Toure," an impression by Caxton 
 anfii 1483, fol. This is more particularly " The book 
 of thensignmentes and techinge of the Knight of the 
 Toure, made to his doughters . And speketh of many 
 fayr ensamples." Ames gives the description at length. 
 The author's prologue begins on signature a, j. ** In 
 the yere of our lorde a . M, thre honderd, Ixxj, as J was 
 in a gardyn vnder a shaddowe, as it were in thyssue of 
 Aprylle, all moornyng and pensyf, But a lytel J 
 rejoysed me in the sowne & songe of the fowies sauage, 
 whiche songe in theyr langage, as the Merle, the 
 mauys the thrustell, and the nyghtyngale, whiche were 
 
281 
 
 gay, and lusty, This swete sorige enlustyed me, and 
 made myn herte all tenjoye. So that thenne J wente 
 remembryng of the tyme passed in my youthe." And 
 concludes — " And by cause euery fader and moder 
 after god and nature ought to teche & enforme their 
 children .... J haue made two bookes, that one for my 
 sonnes, and that other for my doughters for to lerne to 
 rede &c." The colophon thus — *' Here fynysshed the 
 booke, which the knyght of the Towre made to then- 
 seygnement and techyng of his doughters translated out 
 of Frenssh in to our maternall Englysshe tongue by me 
 William Caxton, which book was ended and fynysshed 
 the first day of Juyn, the yere of our lord m. cccc. 
 Ixxxiij And enprynted at westmynstre the last day of 
 Janyuer the fyrst yere of the regne of kynge Rychard 
 the thyrd." 
 
 A copy of the French original, on vellum, with 
 miniatures, was sold at the sale of Gaignat for 200 
 francs ; at that of la Valiere for 300 francs. A copy 
 of Caxton's English translation, at the sale of Mr. Brand 
 anno 1807, was purchased for 105 guineas. 
 
 L'Ordre de Chevalerie, auquel est contenue la 
 maniere comment on doit f aire les Chevaliers, S[ de 
 rhonneur qui a eux appartient, S( de la dignite 
 d''iceux, compose par un chevalier, leqitel en sa 
 vieillesse Jut Hermite, 
 
 The only impression of which I have yet found 
 mention, is that a Lyon, Vine, de Porthunaris de Trine 
 \5\0,foL goth. Vid. Brunet, and Cat. Vahere. {No, 
 3982.) Hence I presume must be wholly or partially 
 derived, "The Book of the Ordre of Chyvalry, 
 OR Knighthode," a small 4. one of the scarcest 
 books now remaining of our first printer. 
 
 o o 
 
282 
 
 *' Here begynneth the Table of this present book« 
 Jntytled, &c. . . . And this book conteyneth viij. chapi- 
 tres. % The first chapytre sayth, how a knyght beyng 
 an Heremyte deuysed to the Squyer the rule and ordre 
 of chyualrye. ^ The second is of the begynnynge of 
 Chyuahy. % The thyrde is of thoffyce of chyualrye 
 The fouithe of thexamynacion, that ought to be made 
 to the esquyer whan he wylle entre in to the ordre of 
 chyualry ^ The fyfthe is in what manor thesquyer 
 ought to receiue chyualry ^ The syxthe is of the 
 sygnefyaunce of the armes longynge to a knyght al by 
 ordre % The seventh is of the custommes that apper- 
 teyne to a knyght % The eyglit is of the honour that 
 oughte to be done to a. knyght .... Here endeth the 
 book of thordre of chualry, whiche book is translated 
 oute of Frensshe in to Englysshe .... by me William 
 Caxton dwellyng in Westmynstre besyde London in 
 the most best wyse that god hath suffred me, and 
 accordynge to the copye that the sayd squyer delyuered 
 to me, whiche book is not requysyte to euery commyn 
 man to haue, but to noble gentylmen that by their 
 vertu entende to come & entre into the noble ordre of 
 chyualry, the whiche in these late dayes hath ben vsed 
 accordyng to this booke here to fore wreton but 
 forgeten, and thexersytees of chyualry, not vsed, 
 honoured, ne exercysed, as hit hath ben in auncyent 
 tyme, at whyche tyme the noble actes of the knyghtes 
 of Englonde that vsed chyualry were renomed thurgh 
 the vniuersal world, As for to speke to fore thyncarna- 
 cion of Jhesu Cryste, where were there euer ony lyke 
 to breiiius and belynus that from the grete Brytayne 
 now called Englonde vnto Rome & ferre beyond 
 conquered many Royammes and londes, whos noble 
 actes remayne in thold hystoryes of the Romayns, Aiid 
 
283 
 
 syth the Jiicarnacion of oure lord, byhold that noble 
 kyng of Brytayiie kyng Arthur with al the noble 
 knyzhts of the round table, whos noble actes & noble 
 chyualry of his knyghtes, occupye soo many large 
 volumes, that is a vvorlde, or as tliy ng incredyble 
 to byleue, O ye knyghtes of Englond where is the 
 custome and vsage of noble chyualry that was vsed in 
 tho dayes, what do ye now but go to the baynes & play 
 at dyse And some not wel aduysed vse not honest 
 and good rule ageyn all ordre of knyghthode, leue 
 this, leue it and rede the noble volumes of saynt graai 
 of lancelot, of galaad, of trystram, of perse forest, of 
 percyual, of gawayn, & many mo, Ther shalle ye 
 see manhode, curtosye & gentylnesse, And loke in 
 latter dayes of the noble actes sith the conquest, as in 
 kyng Ry chard dayes cuer de lyon, Edward the fyrste, 
 and the thyrd, and his noble sones, Syre Robert 
 knolles, Syr Johan hawkwode, Syr Johan chaundos, & 
 Syre gualtiere Manuy rede Frossart, And also behold 
 that victoryous and noble kynge harry the fyfthe, and 
 the capytaynes vnder hym his noble bretheren, Therle 
 of Salysbury Montagu, and many other whoos names 
 shyne gloryously by their vertuous noblesse & actes 
 that they did in thonour of thordre of chyualry. Alias 
 what doo ye, but sleep and take ease, and ar al 
 disordered fro chyualry, J would demaund a question 
 yf J shold not displease, how many knyghtes ben 
 ther now in Englond, that haue thuse and thexercyse 
 of a knyghtfi, that is to wete, that he knoweth his 
 hors, & his hors hym, that is to saye, he beynge redy 
 at a poynt to haue al thyng that longeth to a knyght, 
 an hors that is accordyng and broken after his hand, his 
 armures and harnoys mete and fyttynge, and so forth, 
 "Ct cetera, J suppose an a due serche sholde be made 
 
284 
 
 there sholde by many founden that lacke, the more 
 pyte is, J would it pleasyd oure souerayne lord that 
 twyes or thryes a yere, or at the lest ones he wold do 
 crye Justes of pees, to thende that euery knyght shold 
 haue hors and harneys, and also the vse and craft of 
 a knyght, and also to tornoye one ageynst one, or ij 
 against ij, And the best to haue a prys, a dy amend or 
 Jewel, suche as shold please the pry nee This shold 
 cause gentylmen to resort to thauncyent custommes 
 of chyualry to grete fame and renommee, And also 
 to be alwey redy to serue theyr prynce whan he shalle 
 calle them, or haue nede, Thenne late euery man that 
 is come of noble blood and entendeth to come to the 
 noble ordre of chyualry, rede this lytil book, and doo 
 therafter, in kepyng the lore and commaundements 
 therin comprysed. And thenne J double not he shall 
 atteyne to thordre of chyualry, et cetera .... Thys 
 Ij'^tyl book" Caxton presents *'to kyng Ry chard kyng 
 of Englond .... to thende, that he commaunde it to 
 be had and redde vnto other yong lordcs knyghtes 
 &c." It is without date : but '* from the short reign of 
 that pruice to whom it is inscribed," Ames is led to 
 consider it circa 1484. 
 
 Histoire du ires vaillant Chevalier Paris et de la belle 
 FiENNE Jille du Dauphin, iraduit du provengal par 
 Pierre de Sippade, 
 
 The earliest and rarest impression is that of Anvers, 
 Gerard Leen, 1487. There is another Lyon 1520, 4. 
 and Brunet mentions a third Lyon, Rigaud 1596, 8. 
 and says there were several others both a Paris, and 
 a Lyon, in 4. and 8. Hence " Thistory of the 
 Noble Knyght Paris," Caxton 1485, small folio, 
 f ' Here begynneth thystory of the noble and ryght 
 
285 
 
 valyaunt & worthy knyght Parys, and of the fayr 
 Vyenne the daulphyns doughter of vyennoys, the 
 whyche sufFred many aduersytees by cause of theyr 
 true loue or they coude enioye the effect tlierof of eche 
 other, Jn the tyme of kynge Charles of Fraunce, the 
 yere of our Lorde Mcclxxj, &c." Ames observes that 
 about the middle of the XVII. century was published 
 in 4. *' Vienna, wherein is storied the valorus 
 atchievements, &c. of the most valiant knight Sir Paris 
 of Viennse and the most admired amiable princess the 
 fair Vienna." The author or translator, M. M. (a) 
 (probably a native of Cheshire) seems to have intended 
 that this romance should appear before the public as an 
 original work ; and such it was evidently considered by 
 Heywood and others whose commendatory verses are 
 
 (a) Ames notices this writer's qualifications as a punster : to 
 illustrate which I shall present the reader with his punning 
 dedication of this romance : — 
 
 To his worthy brother-in-law Mr. Richard Minshvll all 
 health and happiness. 
 
 More Rich-art thou in mind then Mynes, 
 
 but Myn-shall be the joy of heart; 
 Since still thy love with mine combines, 
 
 and smels of Nature more then Art : 
 For bloud with bloud, and sacred writ, 
 Such knots of love in love hath knit. 
 
 To thee therefore J onely send, 
 
 this Spider's Web so vainely spunne. 
 
 Which my best thoughts to thee commend, 
 since what is done, for thee is done : 
 
 If any laxe my idle braine, 
 
 Say once a yeare fond fooles do raigne. M . M .. 
 
2S6 
 
 pretixed ; though it is doubtless taken either from the 
 French, or from Caxton's early translation. 
 
 ViRGiLLEy traduit en Prose Francoise, avec figures, foL 
 This translation, specified in the *' Bibliotheca 
 AsKEViANA," is from the press of Guillaume le Roy, 
 Lyon 1483, fol. goth. Panzer has also '*Livre des 
 Eneides compile par Virgiie translate de Latin en 
 Francois," annexed to *' Boece de Consolation, en 
 fr. translate par Jehan de Meun," Ibid. G. le Roy 
 1483, yb/. This translator of Virgil is considered as 
 anonymous: but it is probably the original of *' The 
 BoKE OF Eneydos, compyled by Vyrgyle," Caxton 
 1490, fol. Ames mistakes the original prose for a 
 metrical version, and the printer (Le Roy) for the 
 translator. He cites as usual, Caxton's loquacious and 
 amusing preface. *' After dyuerse werkes made, 
 translated and achieued, havyng noo werke in hand J 
 sittyng in my study e where as laye many dyuerse 
 paunflettis and bookys, happened that to my hande 
 cam a lytyl book in Frenshe, which late was translated 
 oute of latyn by some noble clerke of fraunce whiche 
 book is named Eneydos, made in latyn by that noble 
 poete & grete clerke Virgyle, &c." One of the chief 
 singularities of this preface consists in Caxton's 
 complaint of what Ames calls the ** fleeting fashions of 
 our English tongue.'* He says "Some gentylmen" had 
 '^ blamed me sayeng that in my translacyons J had 
 ouer curyous termes whiche coude not be vnderstande 
 of comyn peple, and desired me to vse olde and homely 
 termes . . . fayn wolde j satisfye euery man, and so to 
 doo toke an olde boke and redde therin, and certaynly 
 the englysshe was so rude and brood that J coude not 
 wele vnderstande it . , . And certaynly our langage 
 
28t 
 
 now vsed uaryeth ferre from that, which was vsed and 
 spoken whan J was borne. For we englyssh men, ben 
 borne vnder the domynacyon of the mone , which is 
 neuer stedfaste, but euer wauerynge, wexynge one 
 season, and waneth and dycreaseth another season, And 
 that comyne englysshe that is spoken in one shyre 
 varyeth from another . Jn so moche that in my dayes 
 happened that certayne marclmuntes were in a shipp in 
 tamyse for to haue sailed ouer the see into zeland, and 
 for lacke of wynde they taryed atte forland . and wente 
 to lande for to refreshe them And one of theym named 
 shefFelde a mercer cam into an hows and axed for mete , 
 and specyally he axyd after eggys And the goode wyf 
 answerde. that she coude speke no frenshe . And the 
 marchaunt was angry , for he also conde speke no 
 frenshe. but wolde haue hadde egges, and she vnderstode 
 hym not. And thenne at laste a nother sayd that he 
 wolde haue eyren, thenne the good wyf sayd that she 
 vnderstode hym well, Loo what sholde a man in thyse 
 days now wryte . egges or eyren, &c." Caxton after 
 some interval says — " J praye mayster John Skelton 
 late created poet laureate in the vnyversite of oxcnforde 
 to ouersee and correcte thys sayde booke, &c. For hym 
 J know for sufFycyent to expowne and Englysshe euery 
 dyffyculte that is therin. For Ke hath late translated the 
 epistles of Tulle, and the book of dyodorus syculus.. 
 and diuerse other werkes, oute of latyn into englysshe 
 not in rude and olde langage . but in polysslied and 
 ornate termes craftely . as he that hath recide vyrgyle, 
 ouyde . tullye . and all the otiier noble poetes and 
 oratours to me vnknowen. And also he iiath redde the 
 IX. muses and vnderstande tbeir musicalle scyences. 
 and to whom of them eche scyence is appropred . J 
 suppose he hath dronken of Elycons well." 
 
288 
 
 LVCWAIRE. 
 
 Ames says that Mr. Warton describes " A Lytel 
 Tretise, Jntytuled or named the Lucidarye," printed 
 by Caxton, 4. sine anno, as a translation from a favorite 
 old French poem called '* Li Lusidaire." Thus he 
 inaccurately. I find no early printed French work with 
 any such title, but French manuscript copies occur in 
 the " Bib. de la FaUiere.^^ The original is probably 
 an Italian tract which in early impressions is variously 
 intitled— " Lucidario," fFlor. 1490, 4J— '^ Lucidario, 
 Dialogo tra Maestro e Scolare," (BononA^2>2, 4.^ — and 
 *^ Qui comencia el Libro de Maestro et del Discipulo," 
 (Johannis Florentini, sec. Saxium) Mediolam 1496, 4. 
 In an impression Florent. sine loco ^ anno, it is said to 
 be the work '' Honorii Augustodunensis." The above 
 English translation appears from Ames's description to 
 be in the form of a theological dialogue ; and was 
 translated by Andrew Chertesey. Vide Copland's 
 verses cited sub anno 1486. 
 
 blanchardy^e. 
 
 " The Hystorve of Kynge Blanchardyne and 
 Queen Eglantyne his wyfe." Neither Panzer's 
 nor any other work which I have consulted acknowledges 
 any printed French original of this scarce translation 
 by Caxton ; only one imperfect copy of which is 
 known to be existing. Our venerable printer, in his 
 address to '' Margarete duchesse of Somercete," (mother 
 of Henry VII.) says he presents to her this little book 
 which he '' late receyued in frenshe from her good 
 grace and her commaundement wyth alle, ffor to reduce 
 and translate it in to our maternal and englysh tongue. . 
 whiche boke specyfyeth of the noble actes and fayttes 
 of warre achyeued by a noble and victorious prynce 
 
289 
 
 named Blancliardin sone vnto the kynge of ffryse, for 
 the loue of a noble pryncesse callyd Eglantyne other 
 wyse named in frensche lorguylleuse damours whiche 
 is as moche to say in englyshe . as the proude lady of 
 loue quene of tormaday : And of the grete aduentures . 
 laborous anguysshes, and many other great dyseases of 
 theym bothe to fore they myghte atteyne for to come to 
 the fynall conclusion of their desired loue, &c." The 
 book is divided into liiij. chapters. 
 
 Zi Fleur des commandemens de Diev, avec phi- 
 sieurs exemples &C auctorites extraites des sarnies 
 ecritures 5( des Peres, 
 
 The only impression of this work specified by Panzer 
 is Par. Ph. le Noir 1525, fol. Possibly there might be 
 earlier editions. We have in Enghsh *^ The floure of 
 THE CoMMAUNDEMENTES OF GoD, with many examples 
 and auctorytees extracte and drawen as well of holy 
 scry ptu res as of other doctours and good aunciente 
 faders, the whiche is moche vtile and prouffytable vnto 
 all people," Wynken de Worde 1509, 1510, and 
 1521, fol. Herbert minutely describes the last impres- 
 sion, of which he says the title is over a wood print of 
 Moses and Aaron supporting "The x commaundements 
 of the lawe." Under this title, *' The fyue com- 
 maundementes of the churche," is another cut of the 
 Pope sitting on a throne, a bishop and a friar on one 
 side, and on the other a group of laity ; emperor, king, 
 &c. all on their knees, as supplicants before him." 
 There are other like embellishments, some of them 
 concurring with those in *' Thordinary of Crysten 
 Men," 1506. Conclusion: — "By these examples of 
 this boke a man may knowe by experyence, &c." But 
 these examples, says Herbert, like the narrations in 
 
 p p 
 
290 
 
 the " Liber Festivalis," contain some of the most 
 incredible and ridiculous stories that can well be 
 imagined. The best that can be said of many of them 
 is that they are " cunningly devised fables" ... chiefly 
 taken from the " Legends," the " Lives of the Fathers," 
 the *' Dialogues of S. Gregory," the " Promptuary," 
 the '' Honey of Bees," &c. . . The only intimation 
 of the translator is enigmatically represented on the 
 back of the last leaf, by a covered waggon, having 
 OHERTESEY on the tilt, over which is a coat armour, 
 &e. See the verses of Copland cited sub anno 1486. 
 
 ^,ys/s/s/v/s^^ -^^ .r^»^\^.*\*« 
 
 SINE NOTA ANNI, post M.D. 
 
 Phebus de Dedidz de la chasse dea bestes sauvaiges &( 
 des oyseaux de proye, with figures, fol. Arit, Ferard* 
 "Gaston Comte de Foix," born circa 1331, was 
 surnamed Phoebus, as some think because he had "Le 
 Soleil" for his emblem or device. He is mentioned by 
 Froissard. Du Verdier and his editors say the above 
 work contains '' L'Art de Fauconnerie," and speak of 
 an impression by Phil, le Noir, 1520, 4. unknown to 
 Panzer. Brunet notices others, viz. Par. Jehan 
 Treperel, fol. goth. and Le Noir, 4. goth. both sine 
 anno. 
 
 Le tresor de Noblesse, fait et compose par OcTAVIEN t>E 
 Saint Gelaiz. fol. Ant. Verard. (Ante p. 26 1 J 
 
 La Nef de Sante, avec le Gouvernail du corps 
 humain et la Condemnation des Bancquets, a la 
 Louange de Diepte S( sobriete par Nicole de l4 
 Chesnaye. with figures. Ant. Verard. 
 
291 
 
 ** Cest une Farce-Morale qui a des pki^ns en- 
 ^roits," says the amiotator on Du Verdier. De Bure 
 says this impression by Verard is very rare, and much 
 prized, as being the original edition of this work. He 
 mentions a. copy preserved in the royal library ; which 
 is printed on vellum, and decorated with beautiful 
 miniatures. Brunet terms it ^'Moralite a 38 person- 
 nages," of which the reputed author is Nicolas de 
 Chesnay. Impressions noticed by him are 1507, 4. 
 Ant. Verard; 15 H, 4. Mich, le Noir ; and sine anno^ 
 4. goth. Jehan Jehannot, with wood cuts. 
 
 Le livre nomine le Tresor de VAme : extrait des 
 saintes ecritures, et la plus grande partie de latin en 
 francois. fol. Idem. 
 
 Mr. DuNLOP observes that ^* Le Tresor de l'Ame'' 
 is a work somewhat of the same description with the 
 *■* Legenda Aurea," and that it was composed or 
 compiled nearly 200 years before its first appearance 
 from the press. It consists of a collection of histories ; 
 but more frequently reports the miracles wrought by 
 the posthumous intercession of saints, than the prodigies 
 performed in the course of their lives. The longest 
 article contained in it is the account of S. Patrick's 
 purgatory ; which is mentioned in the " Legenda 
 aurea," but is here minutely described by a Spanish 
 knight, who had been sent thither to expiate his 
 crimes. (Hist, of Fiction ^ vol. 3, /?. 10.^ 
 
 I have noticed the '' Legenda Aurea,*' (sub annis 
 1475, 1490, and 1496^/ which does not consist solely 
 of the biography of saints, but is interspersed with 
 other strange relations probably extracted from the 
 ^' Gbsta Longobardorum," or other more obscure 
 sources. I was inclined, with Mr, Wartou iu one part 
 
292 
 
 of his <* History of English Poetry," to consider the 
 " Legenda Aurea" o( J. de Voragine as the onlj/ 
 source from which Caxton drew his *' Golden 
 Legende." But Mr. Warton afterwards says *' this i§ 
 not strictly true. Caxton informs us in his preface to 
 the first edition anni 14S7, that he had in his possession 
 a Legend in French, another jn Latin, and a third in 
 English, which varied from the other two in many 
 places ; and that many histories were contained in the 
 English collection which did not occur in the French 
 and Latin. ' Thercfore,Vsays he, 'J have wry ton one 
 oute of the sayd three bookes, which J have ordereyd 
 ptherwyse than in the sayd Englysshe Legende which 
 was so to fore made^' " I have a species of Latin 
 *' Legenda" from the press of Johait. de Westfalia^ 
 Lovanii l^SS^Jbl, unknown t* Panzer. It commences — 
 *' Jncipiunt historie plurimorum sanctorum nouiter 
 laboriose collecte." In fine — *' Expliciimt hystorie 
 plurivior . sanctor , &(c . . Nota quod omnes historie hie 
 collecte merito dicuntur nove . quia licet qiiedam de istis 
 etiam reperiantur apiid plures . non tameji ita emendate 
 K prolongate sicut in hoc libra, S(c,-'' The work consists 
 of 305 folios, or pages numbered on one side only j 
 and is finely printed. 
 
 Les Oeuvres de Seneque, iranslatees de latin en 
 francois, foL Idem. 
 
 This translation is ascribed to Laurens de Pre- 
 MIERFAICT. (Fid. sub awio 1494.^ '* Les mots dorez 
 des quatre Vertus en francois," Verard 1491, fol. is 
 considered also by Panzer as a translation of Seneca 
 '' De quatuor virtutibus Cardinaiibus." 
 
 Le Cueur de philosaphie, translate de latin enfrancoU* 
 4. Idem, 
 
293 
 
 This work which is generally adorned with wood 
 cuts, is said to have been reprinted Par. P. le Noir (or 
 p. Janot) 1520, 4. and J. Petit 1534, fol. Either as a 
 translation or as an original work it is ascribed to 
 Simon Greban, of Compiegne in Picardy, who with 
 his brother Arnoul flourished under Charles VIII, 
 These brothers also in conjunction turned into rhyme 
 (or dramatized) *' Les Actes des Apotres," to which 
 is added ^' Le Mystere de i/ Apocalypse," in three 
 parts, forming a large volume in folio : or rather, the 
 first edition was printed ** a Paris chez les Angeliers," 
 circa 1537, 2 voll. fol. {b) — the second anno 1540, 2 
 voll. 4. — the third, to which is added " L'Apocalypse," 
 (f.nno 1541, 3 voll. fol. but commonly bound together. 
 
 (6) Mr. Edwards's catalogue for 1794 has the impression 
 anni 1537, and also " Mystere des Actes des Apdtres, mis par 
 personnages en rime fr. &c." 2 voll. fol. Par. 1534. To this 
 is subjoined the following note. " These mysteries were 
 theatrical representations of subjects in the Old and New 
 Testament, which originated in the enthusiasm of Crusaders, 
 and fanaticism of Pilgrims. It was usual for the Pilgrims, on 
 their return, to travel in companies, and stop in the public 
 places of towns io recite the songs which they had composed in 
 their journey; in which gome parts of the life and passion of 
 Christ were generally introduced. A troop of these, fantasti- 
 cally dressed, with hats and cloaks covered with cockle shells, 
 excited the pity of some Citizens of Paris, to raise a fund 
 for the purchase of a theatre where they could have these 
 amusements on holy days; which soon produced a regular 
 theatrical society under the name of ' Confreres de la Passion 
 de J. C They sometimes gave public invitations to any who 
 chose to act a part in them. These and other theatres were 
 abolished by the state in the year 1548. 
 
294 
 
 Ail these editions are rare: the two first alike; the latter 
 most complete. This mystery was first represented 
 a Bourges, in 1536, and the representation continued 
 forty days. It was afterwards performed at other 
 places; and finally at Paris anno 1541, when the 
 proclamation of this spectacle, written in verse, was 
 published with great solemnity. It may be found 
 *' dans les Recherches sur les Theatres'* de Beauchamps, 
 p. 127, edition in ^. Pasquier speaks highly of the 
 two GiiEBANS, especially of Arnoul. " Le Mystere 
 des Actes des Apostres, translate fidelement a la verite 
 historiale, escripte par sainct Luc a Theophile, et 
 illustre des legendes autenticques et vies de Sainctz 
 revues par leglise, par Arnoul et Simon Greban," lettres 
 goth, 2 voU. 4. Par. 1540, (a fine copy, from the Prefond 
 collection) is rated (Sup. to the Cat. of Messrs, Longman 
 and Co. No. 9515 J at £24. 
 
 Le traite des Beie^, Oiseaiix, Poissons, pierres preci- 
 euses, et urines, dii Jardin de Sante. Ant/wine 
 Verard, fol. 
 
 This is a translation of the ^f Ortus Sanit^tis." 
 The original appeared Moguntia 1491, fol. and j/wj? 
 anno SC loco, fol. I find mention of no French impres- 
 sion of the latin work ;— in which the figures are generally 
 coloured. De Bure describes a copy of the translation 
 printed by Verard, taken off qpop vellum, and orna^ 
 mented with more than 60Q figures, painted jn gold 
 and colours. 
 
 Ije BoMANT DE LA BoSE, translate de B,ime en prose, 
 4. A. Verard. (Vid. infra ^^ Boinan de la Bose^^ ), 
 Jean Molinet or Moulinet, a native of Valen- 
 ciennes, ar poet and orator, turned 'f Le Roman dc la 
 
295 
 
 Rose" into French prose, and enriched it with ^* plusieurs 
 allegories de son invention." Panzer has '* Le Roman 
 de la Rose moralise cler et net, translate de riyne en 
 prose par Jean Molinet,^'' avec figures, M. le Noir, 1 521 , 
 fol. Brunet describes an impression a Lyon, Balsarin, 
 fol. goth. and the above by Verard, a copy of which, 
 on vellum, with miniatures, was sold for 490 francs at 
 the sale " de la Valliere." Other impressions are extant. 
 Brunet mentions '* Les faictz et dictz, de Jean Molinet,'' 
 Par. Longis 1531, fol. goth. — Jean Petit 1537, 8. goth. 
 and 1540, 8. lettres rondes. These are said to consist 
 of plusieurs beaulx Trait^s et Chants Royaux. He 
 was denonnnated " Le gentil Poete Molinet." Other 
 works are ascribed to him, viz. *' L'Histoire du ronde 
 et du carre," Ant. Blanchard, sine anno — ** Les Vigiles 
 des Morts par personnaiges" — " Creator omnium" — 
 '^ Vir fortissimus" — ** Homo natus de muliere" — - 
 *^ Paucitas dierum," Par. Janot, 16. sine anno. 
 
 Le Jardih de Plaisance &( fleur de Rhetorique, foL 
 
 Ant. Verard. 
 
 Of this anonymous work there were impressiohs also 
 Par. M. le Noir, 4. and Ibid, sine anno, fol.— an im- 
 pression also unknown to Panzer, a Lyon, par Oliv. 
 arnollet, pour Martin bouillo7i, 4. sine anno. The title 
 ^' Sensuyt le Jardin, &c." is in alternate " rouge & 
 noir." The first part consists of precepts and definitions 
 of grammar, rhetoric, (c) poetry, &c. all in rhyme. 
 
 (c) Mr. Warton speaking of this work, says " The 
 Thetoric is written in short French riiyme. The x chapter 
 consists of rules for composing " Moralities," '* Farces," 
 " Mysteries," ^nd other " Romans''\ The Latin rubrics are 
 
296 
 
 with specimens of the various kinds of poetry. After- 
 wards follows a very miscellaneous series of ballads, and 
 other poems, chiefly of the romantic and amatory 
 species. Rude wood cuts occur in various parts 
 of the book, viz. of '* V amant," *' La dame," ** V 
 acteur," " Esperance," '' Loyalte," " Bonadvis,'' &c. 
 A well preserv ed copy was lately in the collection of 
 W. Roscoe, Esq. 
 
 Le livre des loups ravissans, ou autrement doctrinal 
 vioral (en vers K en prose) par Robert Gobin. 4. 
 with figures. Ant, Verard. (sub anno 1 506. J 
 
 Panzer mentions also by this author *' Confession 
 generale," en rime, Par. M. le Noir, 4. sine anno. 
 
 Les Hymnes, enfrancois translatees nouvellement. 4. 
 Ant. Verard. 
 
 Gyron le CouRTOis, avec la devise des armes de tons 
 les Chevaliers de la Table-ronde. foL Ant. Verard, 
 Said to be translated from the latin of " RusTiciEN 
 DE Pise," whom however RiTSON considers as an 
 imaginary personage. The *' Cat. de la Valliere" 
 notices a copy on vellum, with 57 miniatures. An 
 impression by Verard of the date of 1494, fol. is men- 
 tioned by Mr. Dunlop, of which I find no notice in 
 Panzer ; who however points out another curious im- 
 pression by Verard, ornamented with wood cuts, sine 
 anno. (vol. 4, p. 401.^ This scarce romance is said 
 
 exceedingly curious. "Decimum Capitulum pro forma compi- 
 landi Moralitates, pro Comedio, pro misteriis compilandis." 
 Receipts to make poems have generally been thought dull, but 
 what shall we think of dull receipts for making dull poems.'' 
 
297 
 
 also tb have been reprinted anno 1519. It is remarkable 
 as beinsT one of the oldest romances of the class to which 
 it belono-s, and as the som-ce from which Luigi Ala- 
 ManjJI drew his Italian poem entitled *' Gyrone il 
 CORTES E.*' Mr. Dunlop observes that a great part of 
 the " Gyron le Covrtoys" is uncommonly interesting; 
 the narrative introduced with an art infinitely superiour 
 to that exhibited in other works of a like nature ; and 
 the language probably the finest of all the old fabulous 
 histories of Britain. (Rom. of Chivalri^ , vol. 1 , p. 264, 5. J 
 
 VHistoire du tres vaillant Chevalier Tristan, fils 
 du noble Rot Meliadus de Leonnoys. foL Antoine 
 Verard. 
 
 Brunet mentions an impression Rouen 1489, foL 
 very rare. The above by Verard is equally so, and 
 beautifully printed. There was a third, Par. D. Janot^ 
 fol. goth. Mr. Dunlop informs us that this has been 
 considered as the most popular of all the romances 
 of the '* Round Table," and the work which best 
 characterises the ancient spirit of French chivalry. 
 That the story of this knight,- current from very early 
 times, was versified by French minstrels, probably from 
 ancient British authorities; and that from the same 
 orio'inal documents was compiled the Sir Tristram, 
 attributed to Thomas of Erceldoune, and lately edited 
 by Mr. Scot. This romance he says was reprinted 
 at Paris annis 1522 and 1569. The adventures of 
 Tristram appear also to form the sequel of another 
 romance, that of ** Meliadus of Leonnoys," feigned 
 to be the work of Rusticien de Pise, printed Par. Galliot 
 du Pres anno 1528— Denys Janot \5Z2,foL goth. The 
 above impression by Verard brought at the Roxburg 
 sale £32. 0^. 6r/. 
 
 Q Q 
 
298 
 
 Le Rommant nomme Ogier le Banois, parlant des 
 
 belles victoires &( grands prouesses qu'il eut ; ensemble 
 pliisieurs nobles Princes Franqois contre les Sarrasins 
 8( Infideles (Trad, de rime du Roi Adenes, en 
 prose. foL Ant. Verard. 
 Iterum^ with figures, 4. Lotrian ^ Janet. 
 This is one of the series of romances relating to 
 Charlemagne, {d) The reputed author was Adenes, 
 
 (c?^ The earliest French Romances of Chivalry are 
 generally divided into two classes, viz. Those which relate to 
 Arthur and the Round Table, and Those which have 
 relation to Charlemagne. Of those which relate to the fabu- 
 lous monarch of Britain : — 
 
 1. Merlin is considered as the most ancient. Of this 
 romance I have noticed the earliest impression (by Verard) 
 5M& anno 1498. De Bure acknowledges ihis impression in 3 
 voU, petit infol, gotique, and an edition also in 4 goth. sine 
 anno. Gordon de Per^el seems to describe three early im- 
 pressions ; the last with some variation of title, Par. sine anno, 
 4. 3 tom. comprised in one vol. These are all of great rarity, 
 but the folio is most esteemed. The " Roman de Merlin" (says 
 Mr. Dunlop) comprehends all the events connected with the 
 life of this enchanter, from his supernatural birth to his magical 
 disappearance ; and embraces a longer period of interesting 
 fabulous history than most of the works of chivalry. De Per9el 
 says it is more ample in the manuscripts than in the printed 
 copies. 
 
 2. Sangreal or St. Graal, which De Bure ranks not as 
 the second but as the first of the Round Table, originally com- 
 posed according to De Per9el, "en t>e?\9," par Chrcst. de Troyes. 
 thence translated into Latin prose, and finally into French 
 prose, as some think by Gautier Map; according to others by 
 Robert Borron. This prose translation appeared first Par. 
 
299 
 
 herald to the duke of Brabant. Mr. Dunlop has given 
 an entertaining- analysis of it, and pronounces it one of 
 the most interesting of the class to which it belongs. 
 The hero of this romance has been the subject of two 
 well known Italian poems of a like character ; '^ II 
 Danese Uggjeiu," and '' La Morte del Danese." 
 He is also frequently celebrated by Ariosto and 
 Boiardo. Of the various editions of " Ogier le 
 
 2 torn. fol. gotli. 1 516, Gallyot du Pre : afterwards anno 1523, 
 2 torn. 1 vol. Idem: both impressions extremely rare, but said 
 to be far less ample than the manuscripts. The work itself is 
 considered as one of tiie least amusing of this class. The history 
 of the " Sangreal" or holy blood which flowed from the body 
 of our Saviour, is however the commencement of a series of 
 others in which the acquisition of that relic is a leading object. 
 fHist. of Fiction, vol. I. J 
 
 3. Perceval forms a continuance of the story of its quest 
 and attainment. It is thus intitled — " Le Roman du vaiilant 
 Perceval le Galloys Chev. de la Table Ronde, lequel 
 acheva les Adventures du sainct Greaal ; avec aulcuns faicts 
 belliqueux du Chevalier Gauvain & aulres," Par. Longis, 
 1530, fol. This is supposed lo be the only impression ; it is 
 consequently very rare. Copies of the ancient metrical romance 
 by "Chrestien de Troves, ou Menessier," from which this 
 is taken, are preserved in manuscript, and said to consist of 
 more than sixty thousand ver,ses. In this separate romance of 
 the Welch knight Percival, the incidents vaiy considerably 
 from those detailed nithe "•Recueii" or collection of Romances 
 of the Round TABfiE. The early part is said to be particularly 
 comic. 
 
 4. Lancelot du Lac, especially connected also with the 
 quest of the San Graal, repeats (but variously) many of the 
 incidents of the preceding. 1 have noticed an impression by 
 
300 
 
 Danois," the earliest is said to be this by Verard ; the 
 second that of Lyons 1525. There is also *' L'Histoire 
 du preux & vaillant Chevalier Meurvin, fils d'Ogier 
 
 Verard, intitled "Tierce Partie de Lancelot du Lac," suh 
 anno, 1488; and his impression of the entire work anni 1494, 
 3 vols. fol. which is most valued ; and other editions fsub anno 
 1494.) A copy of the latest impression, viz. Par. 1533, fol. 
 3 torn. 1 vol. was purchased at the Roxburgh sale for £21. 
 This is the last of the series especially relating to the matter of 
 the Sang real. 
 
 5. 6. Meliadus de Leonnoys, and Tristan. The latter 
 has been noticed inter libros sine anno post 1500, De Bure 
 recites the title of the former thus — " Le Roman de Meliadus 
 DE Leonnoys, Chev. de la Table-ronde ou sont contenues, 
 avec les fails d'armes. plusieurs prouesses deChevaierie faitespar 
 le bon Roi Artus, Palamedes, & autres Chevaliers estant au 
 terns dudit Roi Meliadus : translate du latin par Rusticien de 
 Pise, & remis depuis en nouveau langage," Par. Den. Janot, 
 fol. got. The Cat. de la Valiere has an impression *' Les 
 nobles Faits d'armes du vaillant Roi Meliadus de Leonnoys 
 translate Ac/' Par. Gal. du Pre 1528, fol. got. Mr. Dunlop 
 mentions an impression with other variations of title, Par. G. 
 du Pre, sine anno. Copies are rare. The country of Leon- 
 noys where Meliadus reigned, said to be once contiguous to 
 Cornwall, is feigned to have disappeared ; and to be more than 
 forty fathoms under water. Of the heroes relating to the 
 country thus overflowed, Meliadus is the first in order of 
 events, though not the earliest written. 
 
 7. IsAiE le Triste. '* L'Histoire de Ysaie le Triste, 
 fils de Tristan de Leonnois, jadis Chevalier de la Table, 
 ronde &de la Royne Iseulte dk Cuiinouaille," was printed 
 Par. Gal. du Pre 1522, fol. got. and Ph. le Noir, 4. got. 
 sine anno. De Bure says the scarcity of the folio edition gives 
 fit value to the re-impression in 4. which it would not othervvisie 
 
301 
 
 le Danois, lequel par ses prouesses conquist Hi^rusalem 
 & le Royaume de Babyione sur les infideles," Par. sans 
 date, 4. goth. ; reprinted a7ino 1539, 4. 1540, 8. goth. 
 
 possess. The chief merit of this romance consists in i(s exhi- 
 biting the variation of manners between the xii and the end 
 of the XIV centuries. 
 
 8. Arthur "-contains'* says Mr. Dunlop, "little more 
 than the events recorded in the preceding fabulous stories of 
 the knights of the Round Table ;" but " the incidents are 
 better arranged, and presented in one view." Of the edition* 
 of this romance sufficient mention has been made Cnote r) sui 
 anno 1494. 
 
 9. Gyron le Courtois, supposed to have been contempo- 
 rary with Uter the father of Arthur : — a romance of superiour 
 merit, first printed Par. Verard, sine anno, foL got, a rare 
 impression; which brought at the Roxburg sale £33. 12*. 
 Iterum, anno 1519, in a smaller form (but also in fol.) less 
 esteemed. Fid. inter libros sine nota anni post 1500. 
 
 10. Perceforest is a romance which, though it exhibit? 
 a different train of hefoes from those of the Round Table, is 
 enumerated amongst them, because it comprehends the fabulous 
 history of Britain before the age of Arthur. Mr. Dunlop 
 says it is a work from which Mr. deSt. Palaye and others have 
 selected largely for illustrating the manners of the times and 
 the institutions of chivalry. De Bure describes it thus — " La 
 tres elegante delicieuse, melliflue & tres plaisante Histoire du 
 noble Roi Perceforest Roi de la grande Bretaigne," Par. 
 Gal. du Pre 1528, 6 tom. (generally bound in S) fol. got. 
 Of all the romances of chivalry (he says) this is most esteemed, 
 having been compiled with great care ; but he adds, the copies 
 are not very scarce. An impression however anni 1528 pro- 
 duced at the Roxburg sale £30. There was another, Par. 
 anni 1531, Gilles Gourmont, which is also "en lettres Got." 
 but less beautiful than the former. A fine copy on vellum, 
 
302 
 
 De Bure says this last-mentioned romance is not easily 
 procured: but Mr. Dunlop considers the work as 
 totally uninteresting. fVid. sub anno \50iJ 
 
 superbly ornamented, was in the collection of " Le Due de la 
 Valliere." Some say this work was " une des lectures ordi- 
 naires qu' on faisbit a Charles IX," by order of Catherine de 
 Medicis. 
 
 11. 12. Artus de la Bretagne, and Cleriadus, are 
 generally the last of romances arranged under this class. Im- 
 pressions of the former have been noticed sub anno 1502. The 
 latter, according to De Bure thus intitled, *' Le Roman & 
 Cronique de Cleriadus, fils au Comte d' Esture & de Melia- 
 dice, fiHe au Roi d** Angleterre," was printed Par. Le Noir, 
 1514, 4. gotk. and Lyon, Oliv. Arnoullet, 1529, 4. goth. 
 Gordon de Per9el mentions an impression 4. sine anno. This 
 romance also has been enumerated wnth those of the Round 
 Table, merely because the scene of the adventures lies for <he 
 most part in England. To them also is sometimes added 
 " L' Histoire de Giglan fils de Messire Gauvaia qui fut Roi 
 de Galles & de Geoffroy de Mayence sou»Compaignon, 
 tous deux Chevaliers de la Table-ronde," Lyon. 4. got. This 
 romance is a translation from the Spanish. Though scarce, 
 it is held in no high estimation. 
 
 II. Amongst the French Romances of Chivalry relating 
 to Charlemagne and his peers, some give a place : — 
 
 1. To '-La Chronique de Turpin Archeveque de 
 Rheims, &c. contenant les prouesses & faits darmes du Roy 
 Charlemagne & de son neveu Rolland, traduite du Latin 
 en Fran9ois par Robert Gaguin," Par. Vidove, 1527, 4 goth. 
 and L^on, 1583, 8. of which also De Per^ei says there are 
 many other editions. fFid. Art.Gaguin, sub anno 1495.) 
 Mr. Dunlop says " this chronicle was not in fact written till 
 the end of the xi or beginning of the xii century ; that the 
 author is supposed to have been a canon of Barcelona, who 
 
303 
 
 Le Romant de Milles K Amys. fol. Ant. VerarcL 
 
 Of this romance, which is alhed to the same class as 
 the preceding, vide Mr. Dunlop's entertaining analysis. 
 
 attributed his work to Turpiii ; and that it turns upon the ex- 
 pedition of Charlemagne to Spain." 
 
 2. De Bure has '' La Conqueste du grand Roy Char- 
 LEMAIGNE, DES EsPAGNES, avec les faits & gestes de douze 
 Pairs de France, & du grand Fier-a-Bras," &c. Lyon 1501, 
 4. goth. avec figures; and Par. Bonfons, 4. goth. alike orna- 
 mented. What relation this work has to the preceding, I know- 
 not. " Le Roman de Fier-a-Bras le Geant" appeared also 
 Geneve 1478, fol. got, which De Bure terms " fort rare & 
 precieuse, par i'anciennete de son impression." 
 
 3. HuoN DE Bordeaux, a romance particularly noticed, 
 (supra, inter libros sine mmo, post 1500) of which La Veuve 
 Trepperel gave an impression sine anno, 4. Iterum Jean 
 Bonfons. avec figures, 4. — M, le Noir, 1516, fol. goth. Re- 
 printed also a Lyon 1586, 4. 
 
 4. La tres plaisante Histoire de preux & vaillant 
 GuKRiN DE MoNTGLAVE (trad.de rime en prose) Par. Lotrian, 
 4. goth. De Per9el notices an impression in fol. goth. 
 Par. sine anno. It appeared also in conjunction with Maugis 
 d'Aygrkment, Le Noir, 1518, foL goth. Guerin was the 
 son of the Duke of Aquitaine, and ruled in Montglave (Lyons) 
 4 city which he had acquired by his own prowess. {Hist, of 
 Fiction, vol. 1 .^ 
 
 5. " Galien Rhethore (or restaure) noble & puissant 
 Chevalier, fils du Comte Olivier de Vienne pair de France." 
 Of this romance de Percel enumerates impressions Par. 1 500, 
 1546, fol. and L?/on 1575, 1589, 4.— Troi/e* 1660, 4. De 
 Bure an impression Par. Serc;ent, 4. got. The hero of this, 
 romance was surnamed Rhetore or Restaure by the fairy who 
 presided at his birth, because by his means the spirit of chivalry 
 was to be revived in France; which was in danger of being 
 lost by the death of the peers of Charlemagne. (Ibid.J 
 
304 
 
 Miles was the son of Anceaume, count of Clermont ; 
 and Amys of his Seneschal. They are said to have 
 perished anno 774, in an expedition of Charlemagne 
 
 6. *'MiLLES ET Amys." Concerning this romance uic?. 
 supra f inter Lihh. sine anno^ post 1 500.) De Per9el notices 
 •nly the separate impression by Verard, sine anno ; but says it 
 occurs in a " Recueil" of romances of chivalry, Par. 1534, 4. 
 as do some of the preceding in a " Recueil," Par. 1514, 4. 
 
 7. " JoURDAiN DE Blaves," Par. M. le Noir, fol. 1520 
 ' — Lyon. fol. goth. sme anno— Par. also 4. sine anno. This 
 way be partly considered as a continuation of the preceding. 
 
 8. " DooLiN DE Mayence," already noticed sub anno 1501 ; 
 printed Par. 1501, fol. got. Ibid sineanno^ 4. got. in the 
 " Recueil" Par. 1584, 4. and Rotterdam for Lyons) 1604. 
 
 9. " Qgier le Danois," " Meurvin," &c. supra inter 
 Hbros sine anno, post 1 500. 
 
 10. Histoire du noble & vaillant Chevalier Regnault 
 de Montauban ou FHistoire des quatre fils Aymon, presentes 
 i Charlemagne, fol. goth. sine anno S( loco (noticed ante, page 
 270.) De Bure considers this as very rare, and describes it 
 More particularly " Cat. de la Valiere" num, 4036. There 
 were many re-impressions ; but the most esteemed of them is 
 that of " La meme Hist, des quatre fils Aymon & de leur 
 cousin le subtil Maugis, lequel fut Pape de Rome, ensemble la 
 Chronique de Mabrian Roi de Hierusalem," Par. 1525, foU 
 There is also " Le Marriage des quatre fils Aymon & des 
 FiLLES Dampsimon," Rouen, 8. and a sequel to, or "Le 
 reste des faits & gestes des quatre fils Aymon, semblablement 
 la Chronique de Mabrian, reduit de viel langage," Lyon 1581, 
 8. and the same perhaps under the title of " La Chronique de 
 Mabrian," Par. Nyverd, 1530, fol. goth. Thus Mr. Dunlop 
 observes that " there are different French romances, both in 
 prose and verse, concerning the adventures of the enchanter 
 MaGQIs (the Malagigi of Ariosto) and of the four sons of 
 
305 
 
 against the Lombards. In the " Speculum Historiale" 
 of Vincent de Beauvois, their story is related with some 
 variations. 
 
 Of the above-mentioned impression by Verard the 
 ** Cat. de la Vahere" notices a very curious copy, on 
 vellum, ornamented with 52 miniatures and other 
 splendid decorations. It was from the collection of 
 Claude d'Urfe. De Bure observes also that this 
 romance (like many others of those here enumerated) 
 was deduced, or as he says translated mto prose from 
 an ancient poetical romance. These compositions have 
 probably gained little besides dulness and verbosity 
 from such metamorphoses. It is to be regretted that 
 the early French press has in few or no instances been 
 the means of transmitting to us the ancient poetical 
 
 Aymon, in which however the same circumstances are fre- 
 quently repeated. The concluding scenes of the life of Maugis 
 are exhibited in the Chronicle of Mabrian. There is also 
 " La tres plaisant Histoire de Maugist d'Aygremont & de 
 Vivian son frere, en laquelle est contenue comment Maugis, 
 a L'aide deOriande la Face sa mye alia en L'isle de Boucalt,'* 
 &c. Par. Lotrian, 4. goth. The romances relating to Maugis 
 and his brother Vivian are said by Mr. Dunlop "to derive 
 considerable interest from the novelty of the character of the 
 hero, and the singular enchantments which he employs." This 
 History was reprinted Lyon 1551, 4. goth. 
 
 Lastly, De Bure (Cat. de la Valiere) seems to place in this 
 class " Les faits & gestes du noble & vaillant Chev. Theseus 
 DE CouLOGNE . . & de son tils Gadifer. Par. Bonfons, 4. 
 got. and Ant. Bonnemere, 2 tom. I vol fol. got. '^avecjigures,''^ 
 and even " L'Histoire des deux nobles el vaillants chevaliers 
 Valentin & Orson," Bonfons, 4. goth. and indeed several 
 others* 
 
 R R 
 
306 
 
 compositions of their *' Chansonniers'^ in their original 
 and genuine state. 
 
 Le Livres de Beufues de Hantonne, et de la belle 
 
 JosiENNE sa mye, foL Ant. Verard. 
 
 I have found mention of an impression by M, le 
 Noir, Par. 1502, fol. This is perhaps nearly alHed 
 to the old English poem or romance intitled '* Sir 
 Bevis of Southampton," from which Warton cites 
 largely in his observations on Spenser, vol. 1, p. 69. 
 Possibly in this instance the English might be the 
 parent work, and the French a translation or imitation. 
 Mr. Warton however (Hist, of Eng, Poetry) thinks 
 this romance was originally received from the French. 
 He sajs that it is of considerable antiquity ; and that 
 there was an impression Par. 1502, " Ascapart," he 
 adds, ** was one of its giants, a character found in very 
 old French romances. Bevis was a Saxon chieftain, 
 who seems to have extended his dominions along the 
 southern coast of England ; which he is said to have 
 defended against the Norman invaders. He lived at 
 Downton in Wiltshire. Near Southampton is an 
 artificial hill, called '^ Bevis mount," on which was 
 probably a fortress. It is pretended that he was earl of 
 Southampton. His sword is shewn in Arundel castle." 
 There is in English *' Sir Bevis of Southampton, 
 THE Son of Guy Erle of Southamton," 4. R. 
 Pinson, sine anno : — '' Bevys of Hampton," John 
 TisDALE 1562; also, Thomas Marshe 1558; and 
 again, Thomas East, 4. with cuts, no date. (Vide 
 Ames ^ Herbert.) 
 
 The French had another romance apparently 
 of English origin, viz. '^ Le Roman de Guy de 
 Warwick, Chevalier d'An^leterre, & de la belle Felix 
 
sot 
 
 ^a mye," Par. 1525, fol. goth. Brunet mentions as a 
 work of great rarity, *' Guy de Warwick Chev. 
 d'Angleterre, qui en son temps fit plusieurs prouesses 
 et conquestes en Angleterre, en Allemagne, Ytalie et 
 Dannemarche et aussi sur les infidelles, &e." Par. Fr. 
 Regnault, pet. in fol, goth. said to have been sold at the 
 Roxburgh sale for £33. 125. Mr. Warton remarks 
 that the English monasteries were full of romances. 
 Bevis of Southampton, in French, was in the library 
 of the abbey of Leicester, &c. (Hist. v. I, p. 88. J 
 
 La Mer des Histoires traduit du latin de Jean Column a 
 S( continue par un nomme Brochart. Foil. II. fol. 
 Ant. Verard. 
 
 I have mentioned this and other works with a similar 
 title sub anno 1485. This designation, " La Mer des 
 Histoires," seems as a popular one, to have been 
 given to French chronicles of various descriptions. 
 Two impressions thus intitled appeared Parisiis, post 
 1500, viz. **Mer des Histoires et Chroniques de 
 France: extrait en partis de tous les anciens Chroniquers 
 &c. jusqu* au temps de Francois L" 2 voll. fol. Galliot 
 du Pres 1514, 16: and more especially ^^ La Mer des 
 hystoires et CRONiQUES DE FRANCE : Extraict en 
 partie de tous les anciens croniquers," 4 voll.fol. — *' Le 
 PREMIER vollume," Galliot du pre 1517 ; '' Le Second 
 volume," M. le Noir 1517 ; '* Le Tiers Volume," sine 
 anno ^ impressoris nomine ; *' Le Q.uatriesme liure," 
 Par. 1518. Panzer says that both these chronicles, of 
 which the latter seems to be an improved edition of the 
 former, are said to have been compiled by Johannes 
 Descourtils, the French king's historiographer. 
 
 Le premier Volume de Frojssart des croniqucs, &(c, 
 /ol. (Sub anno 1503./ 
 
308 
 
 In addition to what has been before said of this 
 author, I here add Mr. Warton's interesting remarks. 
 *-* Caxton in his exhortation to Knights, &c. of his 
 age, ranks Froissart's History as a book of chivalry, 
 with the romances of Lancelot and Perceval. It 
 was an age when not only the courts of princes, but the 
 castles of barons vied with each other in the lustre of 
 their shews : when tournaments, coronations, royal 
 interviews, and solemn festivals were the grand objects 
 of mankind. Froissart was an eye witness of many of 
 the ceremonies which he describes. His passion seems 
 to have been that of seeing magnificent spectacles, and 
 of hearing reports concerning them. Although a canon 
 of two churches, he passed his life in travelling from 
 court to court, and from castle to castle; thus providing 
 materials for his history. He was familiarly known to 
 two kings of England, and one of Scotland. But the 
 court which he most admired was that of Gaston, Earl 
 of Foix, at Orlaix in Bearne : for as he himself informs 
 us, it was not only the most brilliant in Europe, but 
 the grand centre for tidings and adventures ; and 
 crowded with Knights of England and Arragon. 
 Froissart from his youth was strongly attached to 
 carousals, the music of minstrels, and the sports of 
 hawking and hunting. He cultivated the poetry of the 
 Troubadours ; and was a writer of romances. This 
 might have some share in communicating that romantic 
 cast to his history. During his abode at the court of 
 the Earl of Foix, where he was entertained twelve 
 weeks, he presented to the earl his collection of the 
 poems of the duke of Luxemburg, consisting of 
 ' sonnets,' ' ballades,' and ^ virelays.' Among these 
 was included a romance composed by himself, called 
 'Meliader, or the KNIGHT of the Sun of Gold.' 
 
309 
 
 Gaston's chief amusement was to hear Froissart read 
 this romance every evening after supper. He also 
 presented to Gaston four greyhounds, ' Tristran,' 
 ^ Hector/ ' Brut,' and ^ Roland :' and we are told 
 that this earl actually kept no less than six hundred 
 dogs in his castle." 
 
 " Froissart, at his introduction to Richard II, also 
 presented that monarch with a book beautifully 
 illuminated ; engrossed with his own hand, bound in 
 crimson velvet, and embellished with silver bosses, 
 clasps, and gold roses ; comprehending all the matters 
 of ^ Amours and Moralities,' which in the course of 
 twenty-four years he had composed-" Mr. Warton 
 thinks this was his romance of '* Meliader." This was 
 in the year 1396. When he left England the same 
 year, tlie king sent him a massy goblet of silver, filled 
 with one hundred nobles. 
 
 Mr. Warton records that there were in his time 
 existing in the British Museum two or three finely 
 illuminated manuscript copies of Froissart's chronicle ; 
 and that among the stores of Henry VIII, at his manor 
 of Bedington in Surrey, we find the fashionable reading 
 of those times exemplified in the following books : — 
 *' Item, a great book of parchmente written and 
 lymned with gold of graver's work *De Confessione 
 Amantis;' with xviii other books — ' Le premier 
 volume de Lancelot'—' Froissart' — ' Le grant voyage 
 de Jerusalem' {e) — ' Enguerain de Monstrelet,' ^.c." 
 
 (e) " Le grand Voyage de Jerusalem, lequel traite des 
 Peregrinations de la sainte Cite: du monte sainte Catherine 
 de Synai, et autres Lieux," Par. Regnauit 1517, fol. with 
 wood cuts. Panzer says this is a translation "par Frere 
 Nicole de Huen," Query, from whence? There is " Latine: 
 
310 
 
 He says Bayle was wrong in not searching for 
 particulars of Froissart^s life from bis own chronicles, 
 rather than in Moreri, Vossius, et alibi ; which would 
 have saved the trouble of reconciling contradictions. 
 
 La Complainte douloureuse de Vame dampnee, 4. 
 M, le Noir, 
 
 JLes Bits Moraux des Fhilosophes (traduit du 
 
 latin par Guillaume de Tignonville ; J et les Prouesses 
 
 du vaillant Roi Alexandre. 4. Idem, 
 
 " Les DiTS, &c." is wholly or in part derived (through 
 
 a Latin translation) from the very rare Greek collection 
 
 *' Arsenii (Arch. Monembasiensis) Pr^eclara Dicta 
 
 Philosophorum," 8. Romce sine anno. The translator 
 
 oi these '' Dits Moraux," Guillaume Tignonville, 
 
 is understood to be the same person who is otherwise 
 
 Itinerarius a terra Angliae in partes Jherosolimitanas," Zwollis 
 1483, 4. ^ sine loco Sf anno: but this Panzer considers as 
 derived from the English work of Sir John Maundeville. 
 The French have also " Le Livre appelle Mandeville fait 
 &c. par M. Jehan Mandeville Chev. d'Angleterre, &c. et 
 parle de la terre de promission. c'est a scavoir de Jerusalem et 
 de plusieurs Isles de mer, & les diverses & etranges choses 
 qui sont esdites Isles, &c. In fine: — Cy finist ce tres playsant 
 liure nomrae Mandeville, &c." a Lyon 1480, pet» fol. gotk, 
 very rare. And again Par, Bonfons^ 4. sine anno. Sir John 
 Mandeville performed his voyage about the middle of the 
 XI V^ century : but the English text of his narrative was 
 printed for the first time, anjio 1499, by Winkyn de 
 WoRDE, 8. There was another impression anno 1503. 
 Others 1670 and 1696, 4. goth. but the most complete editio^^ 
 are those of Lond, 1725 and 1727, 8. 
 
311 
 
 «alled Jean de Teonuille, provost of Paris anm 
 1408. The work itself is considered as the original of 
 *' The Dictes and sayinges of the Philosophers," 
 printed by Caxton ajmo 1477. In the preface the 
 Enghsh translator, '* J. Antoine Wydeuille Erie Ry- 
 uyeres, lord Scales," says after other matter, "During 
 a certain season J vnderstode the Juby'ee & pardonn 
 to be at Seynt Janaes in Spayne whiche was the yere of 
 grace a thousand . cccc . Ixxiij . J determyning me to 
 take that voyage shipped at scutbampton in the moneth 
 of Juyll . . . And so sayled from thens till J come in to 
 the spaynyssh see there lackyng syght of alle londes, 
 the wynde beying good and the weder fayr Thenne for 
 a recreacion & a passyng of tyme J had delyte & axed 
 to, rede some good historye And among other ther was 
 that season in my companye a worshipful gentylman 
 callid lowys de Bretaylles whiche gretly delited hym in 
 alle vertuouse and honste thynges, that sayd to me he 
 hadde there a booke, that he trusted J shuld lyke it right 
 wele, and brought it to me, whiche book J had neuer 
 seen before, and is called the saynges or dictis of the 
 Philosophers And as J vnderstande it was translated 
 oute of latyn into frenshe by a worshipful man called 
 messire Jehan de Teonuille sometyme prouost of parys. 
 Whan J had heeded and well looked vpon it as J had 
 tyme and space J gaaf ther to a veray affection, &c.". . 
 insomuch that after his return to England he says, *' J 
 concluded in my self to translate it in to thenglyssh 
 tonge." Ames has given the preface and Caxton's 
 conclusion or epilogue at very full length ; and ends his 
 description by saying that the book contains 75 leaves 
 not numbered, without catchwords, signatures, or 
 capital initials ; and is in the royal library. 
 
312 
 
 As to the work accidentally connected with the ** Dit!5, 
 &c." I presume it is the same with " L'Histoire du Roi 
 Alexandre le grand jadis Roi & Seigneur de tout le 
 monde avec les grandes prouesses qu'il a faites en son 
 terns," Par. Bonfons, sans date, 4. (DeBure.) Panzer 
 specifies an impression Par. J^, Bonfons, 4. with 
 figures. Mr. Dunlop informs us that "the Macedonian 
 hero was chietly indebted for romantic embelhshment 
 to a fabulous life which appeared in Greek about the 
 XI century, compiled by Simeon Seth, an officer of 
 the palace of Constantinople, from eastern and par- 
 ticularly Persian romances, which are full of incredible 
 fictions concerning Alexander ; — that Simeon Seth's 
 work was early communicated to the west of Europe by 
 a Latin translation ; — that on this was founded the 
 Roman d'Alexandre, one of the oldest pieces of 
 French poetry; — which in its turn became the origin of 
 the above prose romance on the same subject." See 
 his analysis of it vol. 2, p. 112. Mr. Dunlop*s account 
 appears to accord in substance with what is said by 
 Mr. Warton, (Hist, of Eng, Poetry) who observes, 
 that Chaucer says — 
 
 " Alisaundres storie is so commune 
 That everie wight that hath discrecioune 
 Hath herde somewhat of or al his fortune." 
 It appears also that *' Adam Davie," an English poet 
 of the XIV century, wrote a poem on the life of 
 Alexander, chiefly founded on Simeon Seth's work, but 
 deriving many passages from the French *' Roman 
 d'Alexandre." This poem is still in manuscript ; but 
 Mr. Warton thinks it on many accounts deserving of 
 publication. 
 
 Philippe Gualther de Chatillon, a native of 
 Lille in Flanders, (say the annotators on Du Verdier) 
 
313 
 
 wrote at a ver}^ early period a Latin poem, intitled — 
 *• Alexandreis," in 10 books. It was inscribed to 
 William archbishop of Rheims, who did not survive the 
 year 1202. This poem was in those dark ages, in higb 
 esteem. Alexander de Villa Dei [m his early annotator) 
 in his '' Doctrinale," cites the poem of Gualther as a 
 work of classical authority. Thus on one occasion he 
 says " mussare est murmiirarey Galterus in Akx- 
 andreide, ^^ Mussat tola cohors i. e. murinurat?'' I have 
 somewhere seen it remarked that the line — 
 
 " Incidit in Scyllam cwpiens vitare Ckarybdin^'" 
 Which had become famihar and proverbial, though few 
 could point out its author, is in fact found in the 
 '* Alexandreid" only. On this romance, (for such the 
 French critics term it) and perhaps on other Latin 
 originals, Lambert le Court dit le Cors, of Chateau- 
 dun, founded one of the most ancient and esteemed 
 Provengal poems on the same subject ; which was 
 finished by Alexandre de Bernay, surnamed " de 
 Paris :" for as Paquier observes, at that period when a 
 work commenced by one person of genius was left 
 unfinished, it was continued by another. Alexandre 
 DE Bernay is by some supposed to have invented 
 that species of verse termed Alexandrine, and it is 
 thought to have been thus denominated from his name. 
 Others say the term originated from the circumstance 
 of four contemporary poets having in concert written 
 in that measure the life of Alexander the Great. These 
 four poets of the twelfth century were Lambert li Cors, 
 Alexandre de Paris, Pierre de S. Clost, and Jean li 
 Nivelois, all in the reign of Louis le Jeune. *' From 
 this Provencal romance, says Crescimbeni, was derived 
 an Italian poem on Alexander, called ' Trionfo 
 Magno,' presented to Leo X. by Dominico Faiugi 
 
 ss 
 
3:14 
 
 Anciseno anno 1521." The French have also *«^Lz5 
 Conqueste de Grece, faite par Philippe de Madien, 
 autrement dit le Chevaher a TEsparvier blanc,*' with 
 figures, Par. Jacques Nyverd 1527, fol. said to be- 
 written by Perrinet du Pin. 
 
 Ymago . Fig.ura . Seu Representatio . Antichristi . 
 Pesshm . en latin, et trad, en vers francois , with 
 figures, 4. Idem, 
 
 I have mentioned some works of a kindred nature 
 sub annis 1492 and 1494. A tract " De Nativitate et 
 moribus Antichristi," appeared Colon. 4. sine anno, 
 ** Antichristi vitae compendium," sine loco, 1475, 4.; 
 Par. 1498, fol. ; U sine loco &( anno. Thence perhaps 
 the *^Traite de I'Avenement de TAntichrist," Par. 
 Verard 1492, foL and "La Vie du mauvais Anti- 
 christ," Lugd, 1499, fol. There is also '' Genealogia 
 Antichristi," sine loco, 1513, 4. The work under our 
 consideration, ** Ymago, &c. " though in French 
 rhyme, appears to claim a Latin origin. Mr. Warton 
 mentions an old French ** Roman d'Antechrist," a 
 poem by HuON de Meri, written circa 1228. The 
 author of it supposes that Antichrist is on earth, that> 
 he visits every profession and order of life, and finds 
 innumerable partisans. The Vices arrange themselves 
 under the banner of Antichrist, and the Virtues under 
 that of Christ. These two armies at length come to an 
 engagement : and the battle ends to the honour of tho. 
 Virtues, and the total defeat of the Vices.. The title 
 however of Huon de Meri's poem is more strictly 
 *' TuRNOYEMENT DE l'Antechrist." The author was 
 a monk of S. Germain des Pres, near Paris. *' The 
 allegory," Mr. Warton says, " is much hke that which 
 we find in the old dramatic moralities. The theology 
 
315 
 
 t)f the middle ages abounded with conjectures and 
 controversies at a very early period concerning Anti- 
 christ, who was commonly believed to be the Koman 
 Pontiff." 
 
 In the early English compilation intitled the *' Crafte 
 TO KNOW WELL TO DYE," fsub anno 1494^ the 
 ** Coniynge of Antecryste" precedes "the fyftene 
 sygnes," *'the grete Judgement," &c. Warton says 
 that our early poet Adam Davie has also '' His Fifteen 
 Toknes before the day of Judgment." These seem to 
 bear some relation to the French tract 
 
 ^ The first signe thar ageins, as our lorde hymselfe sede, 
 Hungere schal on erthe be, treacherie and falshede 
 Batteles and litell love, sekenesse and haterede 
 And the erthe schal quaken that vche man schal ydrede 
 The mone shal tume to blood, the sunne to darkhede, &c." 
 
 PoGGii Florentini Facetia, 4. Idem. (Ante p. 2Q.) 
 
 VHistoire du noble Roy Fonthus, fils du Roy de Galice 
 
 et de la belle Sidovne, Jille 4u Roy de Bretaigne. 4. 
 
 Idem, 
 
 Iterum, N. Chrestien, sans date, 4. goth. 
 
 Brunet considers editions of this romance as of rare 
 occurrence. There is an Enghsh translation printed 
 by WvTNKEN DE WoRDE anno 1511, 4. intitled "The 
 noble history of the most excellent and myghty Prynce 
 renowned Knight Kynge Ponthus of Galyce and of 
 Lytell Brytayne:" — with many cuts: one of the 
 rarest productions of our early press. 
 
 Les Arrets d"^ amours de Martial d'Jvfergne, 4. 
 Idem, (Sub anno 1493.^/ 
 
316 
 
 La Sal AVE, laquelle fait mention de tous les pays du 
 7nonde par Anthoine de Salle, with figures, fol. 
 M. le Noir. 
 Iterum, Ph. le Noir 1527, fol, 
 
 Mk. Warton valso ascribes this work to Antoine de 
 LA Salf, a Biirgundian, and says it is a book of 
 ceremonies, which has been frequently cited by our 
 learned countryman Selden. It is quaintly denominated 
 *^ La Salade" from the author's own name. The 
 author, he adds, came into England to see the solemnity 
 of the queen's coronation a?ino 1445. 
 
 The same person is still more distinguished as author 
 of the romance intitled *' L'Histoire et plaisante 
 Chronique du PETIT Jean de Saintre, de la jeune 
 Dame des belles Cousines, sans autre nom nommer, avec 
 I'histoire de Floridan, & de la belle Ellinde, & 
 Textrait des Chroniques de Flandres," Nicol. le Noir 
 1517, fol. This famous romance of *^ Saintre," says 
 Mr. Warton, '' was evidently the performance of a 
 herald." Jean de Saintre, the knight of the piece, 
 was a real person ; and according to Froissart was 
 taken prisoner at the battle of Poictiers anno 1356. 
 But the compiler confounds chronology ; and ascribes 
 to his hero many pieces of true history' belonging to 
 others ; which was a common practice in such works. 
 Mr. Warton adds, that *' he has not seen any French 
 romance which has preserved the practices of chivalry 
 morq copiously than * Saintre.' It must have been 
 an absolute master-piece for the rules of tilting, martial 
 customs, and public ceremonies prevailing in its 
 author's age." De Percel (i. e. Du Fresnoy) in his 
 *' Bibl. des Romans," mentions the same w^ork as " La 
 Chronique du petit Jean de Saintre, &c." Par. 1517, 
 
31T 
 
 foL— 1523, 4.— 1528 and 1553, 4.— and lastly, Par. 
 1724, 3 voll. 12. 
 
 Le PuRGATOiRE Saint Patrice, 4. Jean TreppereL 
 I have already mentioned the ''Purgatory of St. 
 Patrick," (ante, page 29 1 , art. '' Tresor, ^c'^J There 
 is a celebrated history of *'Guerino Meschino," which 
 js described as an intermediate work between the 
 chivalrous and spiritual romances. It is supposed to 
 have been the production of a Florentine author in the 
 XIV century. Panzer notices several early impressions 
 of the original Italian work ; but no French translation. 
 Mr. Duniop however says there is a French translation 
 which was printed in 1490. In the multifarious 
 adventures of Guerino the purgatory of St. Patrick 
 makes a conspicuous figure. See Mr. Dunlop's 
 entertaining analysis of this romance. (Hist, of Fiction, 
 %iol. 3, p. 30 J 
 
 Za vie de Monseigneur Saint Avlzias de Sabran, 
 extraite par rev. M, J. Raphael. 4. Idem, 
 
 La Contenance de la Table. 4. Idem. 
 
 In the Cat. of Mr. Edwards for 1794, (No. 247U 
 the same title appears in a " Kecueil d'anciennes 
 Poesies," 4. goth. viz. — 
 
 Le Conge pris du siecle seculier 
 
 La belle Dame qui eut mercy (/) 
 
 Le Contenance de la Table 
 
 Le Testament de Taste Vin Roy de Pions 
 
 Les Ventes d'Amours. 
 
 (/) An early French poem of considerable length, but of an 
 opposite title, viz. "La bele Dame sauns mercy,'^ wat 
 
318 
 
 The compiler of the abovementioned catalogue 
 observes, that *^ These rare specimens of the early 
 minor French poetry for popular amusement, are 
 supposed to have been printed by Ant. Verard, ciixa 
 1500." 
 
 Le Mystere de la Conception, Nativite, Mariage^ 
 U Annonciation de la benoisie Vierge Mar IE avec 
 la Nativite de J. Christ et son enfance a 91 
 personnages par Jehan Michel. 4. Idem. 
 
 Le Mystere de la Passion de N. S. ^ R. J. Christ 
 avec les additions ^c. faites par M, Jehan Michel, 
 par personnages. 4. Idem, v 
 
 Le Mystere de la Resurrection par J, Michel. 4. 
 
 Idem, 
 
 To the first of the three preceding mysteries printed 
 by Trepperel, Brunet says those of the passion and 
 RESURRECTION by the same author are generally found 
 annexed. An im^r%sion Par. pour Jehan Petit 1507, 
 petit in/ol. goth. aveii figures, is denominated '* Edition 
 precieuse." Of the *' Mystere de la conception, 
 &c." as above, there are impressions Alain Lotrian, 4. 
 goth. and P. Sergent, 4. goth. Of " Le Mystere de la 
 
 translated " out of Frenche in to Englysshe by Geffray 
 Chaucer, flour of poetes in our mother long :" — printed with 
 other minor poems of Chaucer by Richard Pinson, anno 
 1527. (Ames and Herbert, p. 277.) Colophon:— "f Thus 
 endeth the boke, called * La "belle dame sauns mercy.' " In 
 Urry's Chaucer the French original of this " poetical 
 dialogue*' is ascribed to M. Aleyn, secretary to the king of 
 France. (Possibly Alain Chartier,) 
 
319 
 
 JPASSION," (as acted triumphantly at Angers) Par. 
 Dryard i4S6, fol. goth. i Verard ]490; and 1499, /oL 
 Another 1490, without name of place or printer. 
 Another N. Desprez, foL goth. sine anno. Several of 
 these have been before noticed. Later impressions, 
 Lotrian, 4. goth. sine anno ; Ph. le Noir 1532 or 1537^ 
 4. goth.; and lastly, Par. Al. Lotrian 1339, 4. 
 
 Mystere de Vinstitucion des freres prescheurs, et 
 commence S. Dominique, lid estant a Rome, vestu en 
 r habit de chanoyne regulier, a xxxvi personnaiges* 
 4. goth. Jehan Trepperel. 
 Very r^re. Vid. Brunet. 
 
 Mystere de monseigneur S. Pierre et S. Paul, con^ 
 tenant plusieurs aultres vies, martires et consversions 
 de saints, ^c. 4. goth. Veuve Trepperel ct Jehan 
 Jehannot. 
 
 Mystere de Notre-Dame a la louenge de sa tres-digne 
 nativite, d\me jeumie Jille, laquelle se voulut haban- 
 donner a peche pour nourrir son pere et sa mere 
 en leur extreme pouvretCj et est a 18 personnages, 
 8. goth. 
 ^« Tres-rare,*' Brunet. 
 
 Mystere du chevalier qui donna safemmc au diable, d, 
 dix personnages, represente en 1505. 8. 
 
 " Fort rare," Brunet. 
 
 Mistere du tres glorieux sainct Ciiristofle par 
 personnages S(c. (11 est a xxxiiii personnages.J 4. 
 goth. Veufve Jehan Trepperel, 6(" Jehannot. 
 
32» 
 
 *^ MrsTERE dont les exemp. sont de la plus grand 
 rarete," B ninety who mentions another impression 
 Par. 4. sint noriL. impressoris. 
 
 The five articles last mentioned are given on the 
 authority of Bkunet. (Ante sub anno 1490.^ 
 
 Les Commandemens de DiEU et du D I able. 4. Jean 
 
 Trepperel. 
 
 Tliese, according to Brunet, are " anciennes poesies.'* 
 Les Menus Propos par Pierre Gringore. 4. Idem, 
 
 Mai/re Pierre Pathelin par P. Blanchet. 4. with 
 figures. Idem. (Sub anno 1490V 
 
 Les SouHAiTS des Hommes. 4. Idem, 
 
 La Patience Griselidis Marquise de Saluces (traduit 
 
 du latin de Petrarque.J 4. Idem, 
 
 Brunet places this amongst the class of mysteries. 
 He specifies at least, " Le Mystere de Griselidis 
 marquise de Saluces (a 35 person nages.") 4. goth. Jean 
 Bonfons, sine anno: a work of considerable rarity. 
 The term '* Mystere" in process of time appears no 
 longer to have been confined to religious dramas, but 
 to have been applied to several which are of a ludicrous, 
 and apparently even of a profane description, as we 
 have seen above. Or to speak more correctly, the 
 most serious of these pieces have a strange mixture 
 of the ludicrous ; and perhaps the profanest are not 
 without some extravagant compound of the religion, 
 or rather superstition of the times. 
 
 Les f aits merveilkux de Virgille, 4. Idem. 
 
321 
 
 Mr. Warton (Hist, of Eng. Poetry, ml 3, p. 229 J 
 
 says '' There is an old book (or as he elsewhere terms 
 
 it, an old English black lettered history) of the 
 
 necromancer Virgil, printed anno 1 5 1 0." " This boke 
 
 (intitled Virgilius) treateth of the lyfe of Virgilius, and 
 
 of his deth, and many marvayles that he did in Jiis lyfe 
 
 tyme, by whitchcraft and nigramansy, thorouhg the 
 
 help of the devylls of hell." The Colophon—'' Thus 
 
 endeth the lyfe of Virgilius, with many dyvers consaytes 
 
 that he dyd. Emprynted in the cytie of Andewarpe 
 
 by me John Doesborche dwelling at the Camer 
 
 Porte," with cuts, 8. Mr. Warton also says that this 
 
 enchanter Virgil is introduced in the Ivii cha[)ter of 
 
 the '' Gesta Romano rum," and that the story there 
 
 given is in the beforementioned black lettered book. 
 
 *' Virgil's life," he adds, " is mentioned by Laneham 
 
 among other romantic pieces." f^*- Killingxiwrth Castle^'' 
 
 p, 34, edit. 1575, \2.J *^ This fictitious personage 
 
 however seems to be formed of the genuine Virgil ; 
 
 because from the subject of his 8th. Eclogue he was 
 
 supposed to be an adept in the mysteries of magic and 
 
 incantation." 
 
 *' Vincent of Beauvais relates many wonderful 
 things done (^^ inii^abiliter actitata^'' ) by the poet 
 Virgil, whom he represents as a magician. Among 
 others, he says that Virgil fabricated those brazen 
 statues at Rome called " Salvacio Rom^e^'' which were 
 the gods of the provinces conquered by the Romans. 
 Every one of these statues held in its band a bell framed 
 by magic : and when any province was meditating a 
 revolt, the statue or^idol of that country struck a bell. 
 This fiction is mentioned by an anonymous author of 
 the '' Mirabilia Romae," written in the XIII century, 
 and printed by Montfaucon, (early impressions of 
 
 T T 
 
322 
 
 which are also specified by Panzer.) It occurs in 
 
 •Lydgate's *'BocHAsf'~- 
 
 *' Etery image had in his hands a bell 
 
 As appertayneth to every nacion 
 Which by crafte some token should tell 
 • When any kingdom fill in rebellion, &c." 
 
 Mr. Warton adds that " this fiction is not in 
 Boccace/' Lydgate's original. He believes Gower's 
 Virgil is from the same romance. (Hist, of Eng, P, 
 ut supra.) 
 
 La Fie de Madame Sainte Katharine de Sienne, 4. 
 
 Idem. 
 
 Caxton printed "The Lyf of St. Katherine of 
 Sene; with the Reuelacions of Saynt Elysabeth 
 the Kynges doughter of Hungarye," fol. without date. 
 *' This legende (of St. Katherine) compyled a wor- 
 shypfule clerke fryer Reymond of the ordre of saynt 
 
 domynik whiche compyled this boke in latyn, &c." 
 
 The translator is uncertain ; and it is perhaps equally 
 doubtful whether he translated from the Latin original, 
 or some early French translation. 
 
 La grant Dyablerie. 4. Veufve de Jehan. Trepperel, 
 (Ante sub anno 1490, not. p. 118.^ 
 
 Brunet denominates the author of this work Eloy 
 Damerval, and not Damerlan, as he is otherwise 
 termed. He mentions two impressions, viz. " Le Livre 
 de la DIABLERIE, en rimes et par personnages," Par. M. 
 le Noir 1508, fol. goth. and under the title of "La 
 Grant Diablerie," Alain Lotrian, 4. goth. sans date. 
 The cuts in this work are of a very extraordinary 
 description. (See also the Cat, de la Valliere.J 
 
323 
 
 Les Louanges des Benoist Saints 6C Saintes dc 
 Paradis. 4. Eadem. 
 
 Le Livre du resolu en manage: iraitant et demontrant 
 la grande provesse et restistance qiC ont' eu et ont 
 de present les femmes contre les hommes et prin^ 
 cipaleynent contre les puissans, fors 5C preux. par 
 Jehan le Fevre. 4. Eadem, (Ante, sub anno 
 1492.J 
 
 Le Parernent K triumphe des Dames (en vers et en 
 prose) par M. Olivier de la Marche. 8. Eadem. 
 (Vide sub anno 1489, 6( notam. p. 231. J 
 
 This very allegorical work furnishes an idea of the 
 gallantry of that age, especially among such as piqued 
 themselves on ancient manners. As to the author's 
 mistress, for whose sake it was composed, it provides 
 her with a complete toilette, which might serve as a 
 pattern for other ladies of rank and modesty. *' Les 
 Pantouffles d'humilite, les Soulliers de soing & 
 bonne diligence, les Chausses de perseverance, le 
 Jarretier de ferme propos, la Chemise d'honnetete, 
 le Corset ou la Cotte de chastete, la Piece de bonne 
 pensee, le Cordon ou Lacet de Loyalte &c. et enfin 
 le MiROER d'entendement par la mort." *^A grave 
 toilette for a fine woman," says the annotator on Du 
 Verdier, '' which (he ungallantly insinuates) the ladies 
 of the present age are willing in a great measure to 
 dispense with." These different heads serve as titles to 
 as many moralities written in verse, 26 in number. 
 Mention is made of an '' impression goth." Par. 1510. 
 The author, born circa 1422, died anno 1501. His 
 profession Arms, Gallantry and Letters. 
 
324 
 
 Le depart et renoncevient d' Amoves lequel est moult 
 utile et proujitable pour jeunes gens qui se veulent 
 garder defolle amour. 4. P^euve Trepperel. 
 
 La Conqiceste de V Empire de Trebisonde, faite par 
 Regnault de Montaubon, fils de Due de Dardayne. A. 
 Eadem. 
 
 Les Prouesses et Fails ynerveilleux du rwble HuoN de 
 Bordeaux, Pair de France, Due de Gui/enne, 4. 
 Eadem. 
 
 Warton (on Spenser) has observed that the famous 
 *^ Exploits of Syr Hugh of Bordeaux," was translated 
 from the French by John Bourchier, Lord Berners, 
 in the reign of Henry VIII. and that the book passed 
 through three editions : none of which I believe are 
 specified by Ames and Herbert. Mr. Dunlop considers 
 this romance as posterior to the invention of printing ; 
 but as a favorite work not only with the French but 
 other nations. He observes that it has lately formed 
 the subject of the finest poem in the German language ; 
 and that the incidents of the '' Oberon" of Wieland, 
 now well known through the beautiful translation of 
 Mr. Southey, are nearly the same with those in this old 
 French romance. 
 
 Les CRONiqvES de France abregies avec la generation 
 d''Adam et de j^ve: avec les iwms de tons les roys de 
 France K combien ils out regne et ou ils gisent. 4, 
 Eadem. 
 
 Le Roman de Melusine par Jean d"* Arras, with 
 figures, fol. P, le Caron, K Jean Petit, 
 
325 
 
 Labyrinth de fortune et Sejour des troys nobles 
 Dames, compose par Vacieur des Regnars traversans 
 &( Loups ravissans. 4. ^Jlahi Loiriayi. 
 
 Histoire romaine de la belle Cleriende, laquelle sauva 
 la vie a son ami Heginus le Romain, en habit de 
 char bonnier, avec la piteuse mort de Ciceron, trans- 
 latee de latin enfrancois. 8. Lotrian 8^ Janot, 
 
 Les Prouesses et Vaillances de preux et vaillant 
 Hercules. 4. Alain Lotrien. 
 
 Mr. DuNLOP observes that Raoul le FebuPcE, who 
 composed the romance of '* Jason and Medea," is also 
 the author of this of Hercules, which was written 
 anno 1463. Though it appears here in a separate 
 form, it originally formed a part of his more extensive 
 work, " Le Recueil d'Histoires Troyennes." The story 
 commences with the amour of Jupiter and Alcmena, of 
 which this hero's birth was the fruit. His labours are 
 described as spontaneously undertaken to gain the love 
 of the princess of Boeotia: Pluto is metari)orphosed 
 into a king, who resides in a gloomy castle ; the fates 
 become duennas, who watch over Proserpine ; and 
 Cerberus is a giant who guards the mansion. Much of 
 the romance turns upon this hero's conquest of Spain, 
 See more on the subject of this romance (ante pp. 255, 
 seqq. article '* Le Recueil, ^c.''J 
 
 Les Angoysses douloureuses qui procedent d^amours, 
 contenant trois parties, (par dame IIelisenne de 
 CrenneJ with figures, 4. Denys Janot. 
 
 Le Livre du Roi Modus &( de la Reine Racio, qui 
 park du Deduit de la Chasse a touies betes sauvages, 
 
326 
 
 comme cerfs, biches, claims, S(c. avec figures. 4. 
 
 Jehan Janot, 
 
 This singular work, on the subject of hunting and 
 the various sports of the field, was first printed at 
 Chamberry, par Anthoine Neyret, anno 1 486, under this 
 title, ** Le livre du Roy Modus et de la Royne 
 Racio, lequel fait mencion commant on doit deviser de 
 toutes manieres de chasses." This very rare book is in 
 fol. goth. and ornamented with wood cuts. Du Verdier 
 (or his annotator) considers the impression above- 
 mentioned by Janot to have been executed anno 1 503 ; 
 says there was also another, a Paris 1526, 4. gothique ; 
 and again, with the diction corrected, by Vincent 
 Sertenas anno 1560. 
 
 The book, they add, is divided into five parts, 
 which treat respectively of the several " especes de 
 Chasse." It consists of dialogues, in which *Me Roi 
 Modus explique a ses disciples Tart de la venerie. La 
 Roine debite, en quelques endroits, des Moralites 
 aliegoriques exprimees sou vent d'une maniere peu 
 ddcente." The edition of 1526 is remarkable for wood 
 cuts, some jof which are said to be *' assez bizarres." 
 ** II y en a une (says the annotator of Du Verdier) qui 
 represente un horn me assis & lisant, ay ant sur ses 
 
 epaules, une femme nue c'est sans doute le Roi 
 
 Modus & la Roine Racio dont I'attribute n'est pas 
 plus decente dans la gravure, que son langage dans 
 Touvrage meme." 
 
 Whether the celebrated '' Boke of St. Albans,'* 
 which was first printed in the year 1486, and of which 
 W. DE WoRDE appears to have given an impression 
 circa 1496, in fol, was partially compiled from the 
 preceding, and other French works of a similar descrip- 
 tion which have been previously noticed, I have no 
 
327 
 
 means at present of ascertaining. The " Book of St. 
 Albans," which is otherwise intitled *' A Treatise 
 OF Hawking, Hunting, Fishing, and of Coat 
 Armour," is attributed to Dame Julyana Berners. 
 This lady who was prioress of the nunnery of Sopewell, 
 was, according to Mr. Warton, sister of Lord Berners. 
 The *' Livre, &c. de la Faulconnerie et des Chiens de 
 chasse," par Guillaume Tardif, might possibly be 
 one source from whence the two former parts of this 
 English treatise was taken. As the *' Faulconry" of 
 Tardif teaches first, ** a connoitre les oiseaux de 
 proie, &c. " and secondly, *' les maladies desdits 
 oiseaux, &c." so the English work appears to consist in 
 the first place of like general description ; and especially 
 teaches in the second place to *' vnderstonde the 
 sykenesses and infyrmytees of these Birds," and also 
 *' to knowe medecynes for theym accordynge. " 
 Perhaps the conformity between Dame Juliana's book 
 and " Le Livre du Roi Modus," may be found to 
 consist chiefly in the miscellaneous maxims or *' mo- 
 ralites" in which each work abounds. These Dame 
 Juliana, like Queen Racio, scatters profusely; and 
 sometimes in a strain of coarseness alike incompatible 
 with modern notions of female delicacy. Some 
 however of the remarks of the lady prioress evince 
 strong sense and accurate observation. Witness her 
 celebrated poetical effusion which commences thus : — 
 " A Faythfull frende wolde J fayne fynde 
 To fynde hym there . he myghte be founde 
 But now is the worlde . wext so vnkynde 
 That frenship is fall . to the grounde 
 Now a frende J haue founde 
 That J woll nother . banne ne curse 
 But of all frendes . in felde or towne 
 Euer gramercy . myn own purse, &c." 
 
328 
 
 The " BOKE OF BLASYNG OF ARMYS," the last of the 
 treatises contained in the *' Boke of Seynt Albons," 
 which by some has been attributed to a different hand, 
 seems to be confessedly a translation or compilation : — 
 '* Here now endyth the boke of blasyng of armys 
 translatyt and compylyt togedyr at Seynt Albons the 
 yere, &c. M. cccc. lxxxvi." 
 
 Regula canon icortmi regular iuyn per hugonem de 
 SANCTO viCTORE commentario dedarata. 8. 
 This tract was printed by Gaspard philippe, but has 
 in the title the device ana motto of Denis Roce. Near 
 the conclusion the following lines occur : — 
 *' Vos QUI servitis christo : servire studete 
 Ut memores sitis : hos versus sepe videte 
 Psallite devote: distincte metra tenete 
 Vocibus estote Concordes : vana cavete 
 Nunquam posterior versus : prius incipiatur 
 Donee anterior omnino perficiatur." 
 
 Le RoMMANT DE LA RosE. In fine : — 
 " Cest la fin du rommant de la rose 
 Ou tout lart damours est enclose." {g) 
 
 Probably the earliest impression, but whether before 
 or after 1500, it appears uncertain. 
 
 ig) Editions of the " Romant de la Rose." 
 Le Rommant de la Rose, fol. goth. min, sine nota anni, loci 
 S( typogr, (PanzeA, torn. 4, p. 184. J In fine: — 
 " Cest la fin du rommant de la rose 
 Ou tout Tart damours est enclose." 
 
 Le Romant de la Rose, M, le Noir, 1509, 4. (Tom, 8, 
 
 p. 51.; 
 
329 
 
 Concerning our own early poet, who invested the 
 ** RoMMANT DE LA Rose" with an English dress, Mr. 
 Godwin has observed after Leland, that *' it was during 
 the years that Chaucer resided at the university of 
 Paris, that he imbibed all the beauties, elegance, 
 charms, wit, and grace of the French tongue to a 
 degree that is scarcely credible. Nothing indeed can be 
 
 C'est le Rommant de la Roze, Ou tout lart Damour est 
 enclose. Histoires et Auctorites, Et mainlz beaulx propos 
 usitez. Qui a este nouvellement corrige suffisament. Galliot 
 du Pre 1526, fol. avec figures, flhid. p. 99. J 
 
 Le Rommant de la Rose, nouvellement Reueu et corrige oultre 
 Jes precedens Impressions, P, Fidove pour G, du Pre, 8, 
 (Ibid. p. IZ6.J 
 
 Le RoMANT DE LA RosE. G. du Pre 1 53J ,fol. (Ibid. p. 147.J 
 
 Le ROMMANT DE LA ROSE. (Par. Verard) fol. gotk. figg* 
 
 (Brunet.) 
 
 Iterum, Verard, 4. sine anno — Jehan Petit ^ fol, sine anno — 
 M.leNoir, 1519,4. 
 
 Very fine, and difficult to be met with. 
 
 Le meme. Par. G. du Pre 1526,/o/. goth, 
 
 A copy of this, on vellum, decorated with a great number of 
 miniatures, was sold for 450 francs''^ (sale la Valliere.) 
 
 The edition of 1526 and all the subsequent ones of the xvi 
 century are formed on the corrections of Clement Marot, 
 which are so bold and frequent that they may be considered as 
 alterations of the text. Even the older impressions being 
 taken from manuscripts of the xv century, have been *' corriges 
 dans Torthbgraphe & dans les expressions qui avaient vielli ;'* 
 but at least they approach nearer to the original. 
 
 U U 
 
330 
 
 more indubitable than that Chaucer was a consummate 
 master of the language, and of all the literary pro- 
 ductions which had then appeared in France." (Life 
 of Chaucer, ml. 1, p, 354, 4 J The same author 
 observes, *' that the French have a just claim to priority 
 over all the European nations in the invention of 
 romances of chivalry, and the production of every 
 
 Jje ROMMjyT DE LA ROSE nouvellement reveit et corrige fut 
 supra. J P. Vidove pour G. da Pre, 8. 
 
 A beautiful edition, printed " en lettres rondes," and orna- 
 mented with little vignettes in wood. Perfect copies are much 
 esteemed. 
 
 Le ME31E, accompagne de plusieurs autres ouvrages, d^une 
 preface historique, S(c. (par Lenglet du Fresnoy) Par, 1735, 
 3 vols. 12. 
 To this edition must be added ''Supplement au glossaire du 
 
 roman de la rose, (par J. B. Lantin de Dameray.)" Dijon 
 
 1737, in 12. rare. These four volumes are become very 
 
 scarce. 
 
 Le meme, nouvelle edition^ avec des notes, un glossaire, Sfc, 
 
 Par, Foumier, ("1798^ 5 voll, large S,Jigg, 
 
 This edition is said to contain all the faults of the preceding, 
 with many additional ones. 
 
 Lb MEME, revu et corrige sur les meilleurs et plus anciens 
 
 AISS. par M. Meon, Par. P. Didot, 1813, 4 voll. S.fgg. 
 
 This edition, which was anno 1814 still in the press, was 
 
 expected to be preferable to all others. Copies had been 
 
 taken on all the various species of paper, and two on vellum. 
 
 te R9MAN DE LA RosE, en leltres goth. avec figures en bois.foL 
 Par. Eustace, {Edwards' Cat. 1197. J 
 
331 
 
 Species of offspring of the imagination. The * Roman 
 de la Rose' which was written during the thirteenth 
 century, placed their pre-eminence as to these early- 
 ages beyond the reach of rivalship. It may justly be 
 regarded as the predecessor and progenitor of ail that 
 is most admirable in the effusions of modern, in con- 
 tradistinction to the chivalrous poetry." (Vol. 2, p. I .) 
 Yet this poem is not without its blemishes. Mr. Godwin 
 again observes, " that the favorite measure in which 
 the old romances are usually written, and in which the 
 * Roman de la Rose' is composed, is nearly the measure 
 of the poem of Hudibras : and as this measure seems to 
 carry with it an irresistible temptation to lead on the 
 poet from verse to verse, and from page to page, we 
 may conceive in what manner it operated upon the 
 unformed taste of poetical writers of the middle ages. 
 There are many passages in the ^ Roman de la Rose' 
 extending themselves through successive pages, which 
 are distinguished by rhyme and measure alone from the 
 laxest and most flagging prose. But if we would 
 estimate truly any work of human intellect or genius, 
 we must compare it not with the more finished ideas 
 and art which may afterwards have arisen, but with the 
 degree of merit exhibited in preceding compositions ; 
 though there are passages in the * Roman de la Rose' 
 which do not need to be compared with inferior works 
 to enable them to command our admiration. The 
 ' Roman de la Rose' was principally preceded by tales 
 of chivalry : and though in these there are often 
 manifested brilliant imagination, wild and striking 
 inventions, grand sentiments of honour, and a noble 
 enthusiasm, yet the main topics of which they treat 
 are so remote from the simple and unsophisticated 
 sentiments of the human mind, and are so distended, 
 
332 
 
 colossal, and unnatural, as to exclude the writers who 
 narrate them from the most genuine and unfading 
 beauties of poetry. Compared then with the romances 
 of chivalry, the ' Romance of the Rose' oilers to us thp 
 most striking improvements. It commences with a rich 
 vein of allegory and personification ; and undoubtedly 
 nothing can be more precisely and emphatically 
 poetical, than a well sustained personification. It has 
 also by means of the discourses and episodes occasionally 
 inserted in it, a character of genuine humanness and 
 life, and presents us with a finished picture of the 
 manners, in many respects, of individuals in private 
 society, as they existed in the thirteenth century/* 
 (Ibid, vol. 2,/?. 8 J 
 
 The earliest impressions of the various works of 
 Chaucer by Caxton, Wynken de Worde, and 
 PiNSON, appear not to contain his translation of the 
 *' RoMAUNT OF THE RosE." If we may credit the 
 author of the preface to Urry's Chaucer, it is first found 
 printed in a large folio intitled ** The Workes of 
 Geffray Chaucer newly printed, with dyuers workes 
 whiche were neuer in print before,'' printed by Thomas 
 GoDFRAY anno 1332, see also Ames, vol. 1, p. 319. 
 Again by John Raynes 1542, fol. — Thomas Petit 
 and RoBF.RT Toy, sine anno, fol. — Wylliam Bonham, 
 sine anno, fol. and perhaps regularly afterwards. 
 
 I shall here subjoin some of the most remarkable 
 particulars which I have met with in the '' Bibliotheque 
 Francois" of Du Verdier, Par. 1772, 4. on the subject 
 of this interesting poem. 
 
 " Le Roman de la Rose" was commenced by 
 Guillaume de Lorrjz (hodit de Lorris.) He having 
 left it in an unfinished state, it was continued and 
 completed by Jean de Meun or Mehun, surnaiiie4 
 
333 
 
 Clopinel. Guillaume de Lorris lived in the time 
 of St. Louis, He was a poet iiiid jurisconsult o( the 
 littlci town of '* Lorris en Gatinois." Du Verdier says, 
 that having become enamoured of a certain lady, he 
 composed this celebrated romance in French rhyme, in 
 imitation of the little work of Ovid ^*de Arte Amandi." 
 La Croix du Maine observes ''en sommc" that it 
 contains the precepts of love in order to arrive at 
 enjoyment. The said Maitre Guillaume de Lorris, adds 
 the former of these bibliographers, does not acquaint us 
 either with the name of his mistress, or the place of her 
 birth. He says indeed : — 
 
 " C'est celle qui a tant de prix 
 
 Est tant est digne d'eslre amee 
 
 Qu'el doit estre Rose clamce." 
 
 It is agreed that he possessed most of those qualities 
 jvhich constitute a poet, viz. an agreeable wit, a lively 
 imagination, and great fruitfulness of invention. He 
 understood the charms of fiction ; of which contem- 
 porary poets knew little. His descriptions still please 
 by their simplicity and truth, and are very characteristic 
 of the times in which they were written. The curious 
 reader is particularly referred to his description of 
 SPRING, (^^) and that of time ; than which, it is pretended, 
 
 (g) I cite for 'the reader's amusement this celebrated de? 
 «cription of spring from the translation of Chaucer. 
 ** That it was May me thoughten tho, 
 It is five yere or more ago ; 
 That it was May, thus dreraed me, 
 In time of love and jolite, 
 That al thing ginneth waxen gay, 
 For UiQre is nether buske nor bay, 
 
334 
 
 none, ancient or modern, are more happy. Some 
 again are delighted with the perusal of the " Roman de 
 
 In May that it n'ill shrouded bene, 
 And it with newe leves wrene ; 
 These woddes eke recoveren grene, 
 * That drie in winter ben to sene, 
 
 \ And the erthe wexeth proude withall 
 
 For sote dewes tliat on it fall, 
 
 And the pover estate forgette, 
 
 In whiche that winter had it sette 
 
 And then becom'th the ground so proude, 
 
 That it wol have a newe shroude, 
 
 And mak'th so queint his robe and fayre, 
 
 That it had hewes an hundred payre 
 
 Of grasse and flours, Inde and Pers, 
 
 And many hewes full divers ; 
 
 That is the robe I mean iwis. 
 
 Through whiche the grounde to praisen is. 
 The birdes that han left her songe, 
 
 While thei han suffred cold ful stronge 
 
 In wethers grille, and derke to sight, 
 
 Ben in May, for the sunne bright, 
 
 So glad that they shewe in singing. 
 
 That in her hert is suche liking, 
 
 That thei mote singing and ben light j 
 
 Than dothe nightingale her might . 
 
 To maken noise and singen blithe ; 
 
 Than is blissfull many a sithe 
 
 The chelaundre' and the popingay ; 
 
 Than younge folke entenden aie, 
 
 For to ben gaie and amorous. 
 
 The time is than so savorous. 
 
 Harde is his herie that loveth nought, 
 
 Ja Mey, when al this mirth is wrought/*^ 
 
835 
 
 la Rose" on account of " la Philosophie cach^e" which 
 they think it contains ; others for the licentious passages 
 *' les Discours amoureux" which provoked Gerson to 
 take up his pen against it. Some moreover as P,asqujer 
 says, compare the authors of this romance to Dante. 
 Pasquier himself would challenge with them all the 
 poets of Italy. 
 
 On the subject of this romance, Jean Antoine de 
 Bayf composed the following sonnet, which he addressed 
 to Charles IX.— 
 
 " Sire, sous le discours d'un songe imagine 
 Dedans ce vieil Roman vous trouverez deduite 
 D'un Amant desireux la penible poursuite, 
 Contre mille travaux en sa flamme obstine. 
 Paravant que venir a son bien destine, 
 
 Faussemblant Tabuseur tache le mettre en fuite. 
 A la fin BEL AcuEiL en prenant la conduite, 
 Le loge, apres avoir longuement chemine. 
 L'amant dans le verger, pour loyer des traverses 
 Qu'il passe constamment, souffrant peines diverses, 
 
 Cueil da rosier fleuri le bouton precieux. 
 Sire, c'est le sujet du Roman de la Rose, 
 Ou d'araour epineux la poursuite est enclose. 
 La Rose, c'est d'Amour le guerdon gracieux." 
 
 GuiLLAUME DE LoRRis died circa 1260. Of the 
 before-mentioned romance he wrote only the first 4150 
 verses. Jean le Meun or Clopinel continued the 
 work [h) forty years after the death of de Lorris, in the 
 reign of Philippes le Bel ; or at the latest anno 1 300. 
 
 (A) Mr. Warton thinks " that there is a considerable 
 diflference in the merits of these two writers. William db 
 Lorris," he says, " who wrote not one quarter of the poem, 
 is remarkable for his elegance and luxuriance of description ; 
 
336 
 
 Du Verdier says *^ the first verses of Clopinel cora- 
 nience after tliese last of Guillaume de Lorris : — 
 
 Jamais n'^inrt riens qui me confort, 
 
 Si je perds vosti e bienveillance 
 
 Que je n'ay mes ailleurs liance, 
 Jean de Meun continues thus : — 
 
 Et si i'ay-je perdue espoir, &c. 
 Proceeding to the end where he says : — 
 
 Et sus ce point je me reveille. 
 For there is great probability that the last 30 or 40 
 verses, found afterwards in some copies, are not his." 
 
 Jean de Mkun (say the French critics) had more 
 learning than G. de Loiuus. Some think he was not 
 only contemporary with Dante, but the associate of his 
 studies. If the hcentiousness of his muse gave just 
 offence to some, the pungency of his satire did not fail 
 to enrage others. He found himself assailed by enemies 
 of every class. The court ladies were in particular 
 with great reason indignant at the perusal of such 
 passages as the following :— 
 
 " Toutfes estes, serez, ou fustes, 
 
 De Aiict ou de volonie, putes." 
 They determined, says Du Verdier, one day to 
 chastise him. The poet coming on some business to 
 court was stopped by the fair assembly in one of the 
 
 and is a beautiful painter of allegorical personnages. Jean db 
 Meqn is a writer of another cast. He possesses little of his 
 predecessor's inventive and poetical vein : and in that respect 
 was not properly qualified to finish a poem begun by W. de 
 Lorris. But he has strong satire ; and great liveliness. He 
 was one of the wits of Charles le Bel. Chaucer luckily 
 translated all that was written by William of Lorris: he givfe^ 
 a part only of the continuation of Jean de MeUn." 
 
83t 
 
 .apar,taients J in presence of many lords, who to please 
 them had ,engaged not to interrupt their purpose. Jean 
 If IS. M/iUN seeing them armed with rods, and hearing 
 .tfoqpi inaportunately urge the gentlemen to strip him, 
 implored one boon : swearing he would not ask a 
 remission of punishment from such as he had justly 
 offended, but rather its execution. At the earnest 
 instance of the lords present, his suit is with difficulty 
 granted. MaTtre Jean then began thus: — '^ Mes Dames 
 puisqu'il faut que je re^oive chatiment, ^e doit etre de 
 celles que j'ai offensees. Or n'ai-je parle que des 
 mechantcs, & non pas de vous, qui etes ici toutes belles, 
 sages & vertueuses : partant celle d'entre vous qui se 
 sentira la plus offens^e commence a me frapper, comme 
 la plus forte putain de toutes celles que j'ai blamees." 
 There was not one found who would accept the honour 
 of beginning the chastisement on such terms : and 
 Maitre Jean escaped, leaving the ladies covered with 
 blushes, and furnishing to the lords present a very 
 diverting occasion of laughter. 
 
 Passages in the '' Roman de la Rose" so derogatory 
 from the honour of the fair sex, excited other poets to 
 stand forward in their vindication. Martin Franc, (?) 
 
 (i) Martin Franc, or le Franc, of Arras, or Artois, 
 author of " Le Champion des Dames," was secretary to the 
 " Due de Savoye," and at length to pope Felix, and to pope 
 Niclwlas anno 1447. He flourished in the time of Philip of 
 Burgundy, and inscribed to him various works. Philelphus 
 .speaks honourably of him in his third elegy to his son Marius ; 
 but notwithstanding his eulogium, French critics assert that 
 few, pf their ancient poets were more ignorant than Martin le 
 rl^r^c; though they confess he has very pleasant passages in 
 his " Champion des Dames," especially on the subject of the 
 
 X X 
 
33^ 
 
 a native of Normandy, and an ecclesiastic of " Lauzane 
 en Savoie," is said to have written a book in opposition 
 to this romance, which he intitled '^ Le Champion des 
 Dames." It appeared long after the decease of Jean 
 de Meun, and was inscribed to Philip II, duke of 
 Burgund}^, surnamed the good. Dii Verdier also 
 
 *• Maid of Orleans," where one "Malebouche," always ready- 
 to contradict ''le Champion des Dames," relates strange things, 
 which may have suggested ideas to modern poets. This 
 Malebouche has a second named Vilain Penser, who still 
 aggravates all that is said against the fair sex. Malebouche 
 does not forget the story of the papesse Jean, to shew that 
 there is nothing of which women are not capable. 
 
 " O benoist Dieu ! comme oza famme 
 
 Vesilr chasable & chanter messe." 
 
 This poem is very little known, and " est plaisant par Pespece 
 de ridicule qui y regne." Two editions are mentioned : one 
 in fol. double columns, sans date Sf lieu; the other 8. Par. par 
 Jean Vidoue pour Galiot Dupre, 1530. 
 
 De Bure particularly notices '• Le Roman de la Rose," 
 1529, 8. (probably that of G. du Pre before-mentioned) which 
 edition he says is " la plus recherchee," because it is executed 
 " en lettres rondes." It is ornamented with small wood cuts, 
 which are very beautiful. Well preserved copies are extremely 
 rare. He notices also " Le Champion des Dames," Par, 1530, 
 8. which is, like the preceding, highly treasured by the curious 
 on account of the Roman character : being the only impression 
 of that description. It is also ornamented with handsome 
 wood cuts; and is sometimes found annexed to the last mentioned 
 edition of " Le Roman de la Rose." It is a very rare book. 
 Another work of Martin le Franc is " L'Estrif de Fortune & 
 de vertu," Par. M. le Noir 1505, 4.— Idem, 1519, 4. Panzer 
 •acknowledges the latter only. 
 
339 
 
 describes a work intitled **Le Chevalier aux Dames;" 
 a rhyming apology for the ladies, in answer to '' Le 
 Roman de la Rose." It was prhited a Mttz 1516, 4. 
 with wood cuts. He says the author is anonymous. 
 The writer of the '^ Roman de la Rose" is therein 
 designated by the name '* Vilain Cueur," who by his 
 injurious attacks had wished to degrade '' noblesse 
 fEiMiNlNfi" from the honours which she enjoyed. 
 *.' Noble Cueur ]e vengeur des dames" undertakes to 
 revenge them for all the unjust imputations charged 
 upon them. *' Nature" conducts and supports him 
 in this enterprize. He paraphrases the litanies of the 
 virgin to assert the prerogatives of women. At hist he 
 fights with *' ViLAiN CuEUii" and *' Maleboucme" 
 his brother, whom he covers with wounds and puts tp 
 flight. 
 
 The •^Chronique d'Aquitahie" furnishes *Vun t.rait de 
 risee que le bon Maitre Jean de Meun fit aux Freres 
 Precheurs ou Jacobins de Paris." He ordered in his 
 last will that his remains should be interred in their 
 church : and bequeathed to them a certain chest,, with 
 all that it contained, on condition that it should not be 
 .opened till after his interment. Maitre Jean died ; and 
 '*'son service mortuaire" was performed agreeably to 
 liis directions. T\iQ Jrercs hastened to take possession 
 .of the chest : but found it full of nothing but large 
 pieces of slate, (d'ardoisc) on which perhaps the 
 deceased had been accustomed to describe geometriccd 
 figures. Tlie indignant monks^ finding that both alive 
 and dead he selected them for a subject of ridicule, 
 disinterred his body : but the court of parliament 
 informed of this inhumanity, .obliged them to allow it a 
 decent sepulture in the cloister of their convent. From 
 -this anecdote Du Verdier concludes that he was not, as 
 
340 
 
 feome say, himself " Docteur en Theologie :" although 
 in these times the students of the university of Paris 
 were hostile to these mendicants, for their arn^gance, 
 and thrusting themselves as well into the high offices of 
 confessors to kings and princes, as also into the chairs 
 of public lecturers. Maitre Jean retaliates upon them 
 as far as lies in his power, both in his '* Roman de la 
 Rose" and other compositions : representing the vices 
 of certain of them, under the character of '* Faux- 
 
 SEMBLANT." 
 
 Lastly, noticing the indignation of Gerson against 
 this work, '' what would the good doctor," asks Du 
 Verdier, " have said of the productions of an Aretino 
 or a Rabelais." '* What would he have said," asks his 
 commentator, *' of the * soi-disant philosophes' of 
 modern times ; who assail at one and the same time both 
 religion and decency." 
 
 The preceding observations of Du Verdier and 
 his annotators strongly remind me of a passage of 
 Cheviluer (ch. ix, p. 221 ) applicable to this particular 
 subject. Speaking indeed primarily less of licentious 
 authors than of sordid '^ Imprimeurs" and '' Libraires," 
 he tells us that a learned jurisconsult, whom he terms 
 " Vital dr Thebes," so early as the year 1500 brings 
 against printers this heavy charge, " that to gi'atify 
 their own avarice, many of them were ready to prostitute 
 that fine art by the impression of infamous books, 
 * pleins de saletez & des abominations.' " It is in the 
 epistle dedicatory which he prefixed to the '^ Volumen 
 Decretalium," printed by Gering and Rembolt, that 
 Vitalis thus expresses himself: — " Est enim videre 
 nonnullos qui turpis lucri gratia non erubescunt 
 imprimere quosdam libellos tantae spurcitiae atque 
 obscaenitatis, ut ne quidem in foedorum numinum sacri^ 
 
341 
 
 admitterentur. Quorum impudica ingenia odio & 
 execratione digna sunt, quod coeleste Palladiumque 
 imprimendi munus, ad ornatum castarum mentium ab 
 immortali Deo bomiuibus concessum, ad lusus lioxios 
 atque obsca3nos, & quod aurium pace dixerim, ad 
 prostibula transferant." '' He is here speaking," says 
 Chevillier, " of certain romances, &o. * de quelqnes 
 Livres deshonnetes, & des comedies infames, qui furent 
 imprimez en ce terns la.' " 
 
 *« It is now," adds Chevillier, {k) " two hundred 
 years since Gerson wrote a treatise against a wicked 
 book current in his time, which is attributed to Jean de 
 Meun, autrement ' Clopinel,' who was living in 1 300." 
 Gerson exclaimed also from the pulpit against this 
 book. He says in his sermon for the 4th. Sunday in 
 advent, ^'Si esset mihi Liber Uomancii de Rosa (/) qui 
 esset unicus, & valeret mille pecuniarum libras" (which 
 Chevillier translates by ** mille francs") **comburerem 
 potiils quam venderem . . . . Et si scirem ipsum (Joan. 
 Meldun.) non egisse poenitentiam, non potiils rogarem 
 pro eo quam pro Juda. Et augmentant hi qui in malo 
 pum legunt poenam suam, si est damnatus, vel in 
 purgatorio." Gerson intends to say by this barbarous 
 Latin, '^that if he were in possession of the only copy of 
 the work, he would destroy it, though it were valued at 
 (__ 
 
 (k) L'Origine de rimpr. de Paris, chapt. ix, p. 221. 
 
 (/) On this subject Du Verdier or his annotator cites a 
 passage from the '* Opuscula" of Gerson to the like effect : — 
 ♦' Si mihi sit Romantius Rosas qui et unicus extet, & viginti 
 sestertiis, sive (ut apertius dicam) quingentis aureis esset, mihi 
 combureretur potius quam vaeniret in hoc, ut qualis est 
 publicaretur." And with equal resentment of the author aiihi 
 in eod, opusc. 
 
342 
 
 a thousand francs: — and that if he were assured the 
 author had not repented of the sin which he committed, 
 in composing such a work, he would no more think of 
 praying for him, than for Judas: — and that assuredly 
 his sufferings in purgatory (if he were yet there) were 
 augmented in proportion to the increasing wickedness 
 of those who please themselves in the perusal of his 
 work." — This sentiment, he says, is an imitation of that 
 of S. Basil, who says of Marcion and other heresiarques, 
 that the destruction of those souls who perish through 
 their doctrine, causes them to be tormented with severer 
 pains. 
 
 *' An excellent lecture this," Chevillier proceeds to 
 intimate, ^' which that great Chancellor of our Univer- 
 sity gave the printers of early days : and which, by 
 parity of reasoning, should have its effect on such as 
 continue to print or sell books still more abominable 
 than the 'Roman de la Rose.'" 'Mn our times," 
 says he, '* there are but too many of these infamous 
 works, which have no other tendency than to precipitate 
 to the pit of destruction both their readers, and those 
 who are concerned in their production. For (he adds) 
 if the ' Pastor Fido' of Baptista Guarini, has been to 
 many of the fair sex the occasion of the loss of their 
 honour; (as Janus Nicias Erythrseus observes in his 
 * Pinacotheca^ J3. 96,) what must be the effect of books 
 far more dangerous ; to which the combined wickedness 
 of authors and printers have since given currency." 
 
 Of the following works, borrowed also by our 
 EARLIEST PRESS from the French, some of the originals 
 do not appear in Panzer's list. Others by their date 
 or place of impression are excluded from our regular 
 
343 
 
 series, I shall give them a place here, foi* the reasons 
 before assigned, siib fine librorum sine annoj ante 
 M.D. 
 
 " The Boke named the Royall." Caxton 1484. 
 *' The ryal book, or book for a kyng, in which ben 
 comprysed the x commandemcnts, the xii artycles of 
 the fayth, the VH dedely synnes, the vii petycions of 
 the pater noster, the vn. yeftes of the holy ghoost, the 
 VII vertiies." At the end, " This boke was compyled 
 & made atte requeste of kyng Phelip (le Bele) of 
 Fraunce. Jn the yere &c. M. cc. ixxix. and translated 
 or reduced out of frensshe into englysshe by me 
 Wyllyam Caxton, &c." Panzer is certainly mistaken 
 when he names as the original of Caxton's *' Royal 
 book," *^ La somme rurale" of Jean Bovthillier, 
 (Brugis 1479, Abbat, Vill. 1481, Par. 1488, /o/J for 
 *' La somme, &c." is a work of ecclesiastical jurispru- 
 dence. *' The boke named the Royall" was reprinted 
 by W. de Worde anno 1507, 4. It has several curious 
 wood cuts. 
 
 " The Chastysing of Goddes Chyldren." Cax- 
 ton, sine anno. To this is generally annexed a 
 *' Treatise of love, &c." said to have been ** translated 
 out of Frenche into Englyshe the yere of our Lord 
 M. cccc. Lxxxxni. by a persone that is vnperfight in 
 suche werke." Herbert is inchned to consider *' the 
 treatise of love" as in reality the concluding part of 
 the first mentioned work. 
 
 *' The castell of Labolfr, wherein is Rjchesse, 
 Vertue and Honour." VV. DE Worde 1506;— an 
 allegorical poem in seven lines stanzas ; with many 
 wood cuts : translated from the French by Alexandeu 
 Barclay ; probably from '' Le Chateau de Labeur, 
 et les faintisesdu Monde," Par, Augereau. 1532, 12. 
 
344 
 
 " Kynge Appolyne of Thyre ; " — an ancient 
 romance translated from the French by Robert Cop- 
 land ; who in his prologue says, '^My vvorsbypfuH 
 mayster Wynken de Worde hauynge a Jytell boke of 
 an auncyent hystory of a kynge somtyme reygnynge 
 in the countree of Thyre called Appolyn, concernynge 
 his malfortunes and peryllous adnentures right espou- 
 uentables, biyefly compyled and pyteous for to here, 
 the which boke J Robert Copland e haue me applyed 
 for to translate out of the Frensshe language into our 
 maternal Englysshe tongue at the exhortacyon of my 
 forsayd mayster, accordynge dyrectly to my auctor, 
 :gladly follouinge the trace of my mayster Caxton, 
 begynnynge with small storyes and pamfletes and so to 
 ,other." See more of this favourite old romance, said 
 to have existed before the year 1190, in Mr.Warton's 
 -dissertation on the '' Gesta Romano rum." (Herbert^ 
 p. 149 J 
 
 Panzer has this work, Latine " Incipit hystoria 
 Apollonii regis," 8. sine loco K anno ; a Dutch trans- 
 lation, Delphis 1493, 4.— and Italice '* Istoria di 
 Appollonio di Tiro in ottava rima," Fenez. 1486, 4. 
 lierum, shie a?ino, 1489, 4. and reformata per P. de 
 Taegia, Mediolani 1492, 4. The earliest mention of 
 any printed French translation is the following : — " La 
 plaisante & agreable Histoire d'AppoLLONius Prince 
 du Tyr en Afrique et Roy d'Antioche," (trad, par 
 Guil. Corrozet)" Lotrian & Janot 1530, 8. 
 
 *'The knyght of the swanne." a copy of this 
 printed on vellum, with figures, 4. anno 1512, is noticed 
 by Ames. It was reprinted by William Copland, 4. 
 sine anno. '' Here begynneth the history of the noble 
 Helyas, knyght of the swanne, newly translated out of 
 Frensshe in to Englisshe at thynstygacyon of the 
 
us 
 
 puyssaunt and illustryous prynce, lorde Edwarde duke 
 of Buckyngham." Beneath this title is a cut of the 
 knight in a ship drawn by a swan. The preface states 
 that the above-mentioned duke of Buckingham "co- 
 horted Copland's mayster Wynken de Worde to put this 
 sayd vertuous hystorye in prynte....and for this purpose 
 hath soughte and founde a true approued copye 
 enprynted and corrected in the French language, &c.'* 
 Panzer (I believe) does not indicate a single French 
 impression of this romance. The book concludes, 
 *' Thus endeth the life &c of the moste noble and 
 illustryous Helyas, kn3^ght of the swanne, with the 
 byrth of the excellent knight Godfrey of Boulyon one 
 of the nine worthyes and the last of the three crysten. 
 Jm printed, &c." 
 
 " Hystorie of Olyuer of Castylle and of the 
 fayre Helayne daughter vnto the kyng of England :" 
 with many wooden cuts, 4. W. de Worde 1518. 
 Panzer notices only " Histoire d'OnviER de Castille et 
 d'ARTUS d'Algarbe et de Heleyne, fille au Roi 
 d'Angleterre & de Henri fils d' Olivier qui grands faits 
 d'armes firent en leur terns : translatee de latin en 
 francois par Philippe Camus." A Geneve 1482, char. 
 goth./oL 
 
 *' The orcharde of Syon, in the whiche is con- 
 teyned the reuelacyons of seynt Katheryne of Sene, with 
 ghostly fruytes &c." W. de Worde 1519, fol. The 
 title printed in red, over a wood cut of S. Katharine in 
 the habit of the order of S. Dominick. The volume 
 contains other wood cuts of singular design, described 
 by Ames, p. 158. At the end— ^' ^T Lenuoye of Dane 
 James the translator, &c." I have noticed *' The Lyf 
 of S. Katherin of Sene," by Caxton, and the probable 
 French original, ante, page 322 : but whether these 
 
 Y Y 
 
346 
 
 ^ reuelacyons, &c." are from the French, or from the 
 Latin or Italian, does not appear. ' • 
 
 ** Nychodemus gospell." W. de Worde 1532, 
 4. " Nye hod em us whiche was a worthy pry nee dyd 
 wryte this bles§>yd story in Ebrewe . And Theodosiu^ 
 the Emperour dyd it translate out of hebrewe into 
 latin . And bysshoppe Turpyn dydde translate it out 
 of latyn into frensehe . And here after ensueth this 
 blessyii story." This singular traet of 23 leav:e§ 
 contains several wood cuts. {Herbert, p. 184.^ The 
 '^ EvANGELiuM NicoDEMi" appeared early. Panzer 
 specifies three impressions ante 1500, sine loco &( anno^: 
 but mentions no French impression. "' 
 
<«t«V/\«>^N/V/\«>^\#i«>^^«A«\^^^^Wi 
 
 Th& Namea of English Printers are expressed in Capitals^ and thei^ 
 Impressions are subjoined to their respective Names, 
 
 -^BBREVIATURAS le- 
 gend! modus 180 
 Aemilius Paulus 264 
 iEsopus 263 
 
 Aiguillon de I' Amour divine 61 
 Alain (Maistre) 129 
 Albans (S.) Boke of 328 
 Albertus Magnus 125 
 Alexandre (Roman) 312 
 Alexander de Villa Dei 104, 
 
 264 
 Alexis Guillaume 94,142 
 Allyaco Petrus de 84 
 Amant rendu Cordelier 60 
 Amours depart de 324 
 Andrelinus Faustus 121, 162 
 Antichrist 131, 154, 197,314 
 Antoninus Arch. Flor. 85 
 Appollonius du Tyr 344 
 Aquitaine Annaies de 265 
 Aredo Angelus de 68 
 Arimino Gregorius de 81 
 Aristoteles (Aristote) 71, 91, 
 
 99, 101 
 Ars Vivendi et moriendi 85,153 
 
 Gallice 162 
 
 Art of good lywing and deyng 
 
 236 
 Artus or Arthur,Roman, or La 
 Morte d'Arthur I46n, 301n 
 de Bretagne, 221,302n 
 
 Arras Jean de 324 
 Aulzias de Sabran 317 
 Auvergne Marcial de 102, 
 
 138, 196,315 
 Aymon Quatre Fib de 270^ 
 
 304n 
 
 Baconthorpius Joannes 87, 89 
 
 Badius Jodocus 168, 1 74, 23^ 
 
 Barclay Alex. 171,173,248, 
 343 
 
 Barrelele 187 
 
 Bartholomaeus de Glanvillr 
 268 
 
 Bayf Jean Antoine de 335 
 
 Beda 247 
 
 Belial Livre de 80 
 
 Belle Dame sans mercy 317» 
 
 Benedicii Regula212 
 
 Berchorius Peirus 201, 254 
 
 Bernardns S. 140 
 
 Bernay Alexander de 313 
 
 Beroaldus Philippus 157,20!^ 
 
 Berthelet Thomas 
 Regimen Sanitatis 82 
 Barthol. de Proprietatibuf 
 269 
 
 Bessarion 53 
 
 Beufues de Hantonne 3Gff 
 
 Bevis of Southampton 306 
 
348 
 
 fiible Hystoriee 95 
 
 Biblia Latina 68, 181, 208, 
 
 213, 220, 246, 6ts. 263 
 Biblia Gallica 252 
 Bien Vivre (Le libre de) 131 
 Blanchardyne 288 
 Blason des fausses amours 1 42 
 Boccace 83, 89, 135, 181, 
 
 253, 254 
 Boece 151 
 Boelhius81, 160 
 Bonaventura 61, 123 
 BoNHAM William 
 
 Workes of Chaucer 332 
 Bonnor Honore 77, 136 
 Borron Robert 145, 298n 
 Bouchard Alain 230n 
 Bouchet Jean 242n, 265, 325 
 Bouchier J. Lord Berners 
 
 221.227,324 
 Bourdigne Jean de 231n 
 Boussart N- 241 
 Bradwardinus Thomas 157 
 Brandano di Sienna 1 1 8 
 Brandt Sebaslien 168, 186, 
 
 239, 264 
 Breviarium Cameracense 166 
 
 Eboracense 194n 
 
 " ■ Leodiense 236 
 
 - Parisiense 72, 73, 
 
 132 ter. 
 Brito 164 
 
 Buridanus Joannes 97, 143 
 'Bury Richardus de 210 
 
 Castel 207 
 
 Cato Dionysius 96 
 
 Caumpeden Hugo of 274 
 
 Cawood John 
 
 Stultifera Navis 173 
 
 Caxton William 
 
 Book of good manners 57 
 Doctrinal of Sapyence 60 
 
 Caxton continued 
 
 Speculum vite Christi 62 
 Ymage or Mirroure of thr 
 
 Worlde 63 
 Ly fe of Charles the great 64 
 Golden Legende 65,292 
 Festyvall 67 
 
 Pylgrimage of the Sowle 75 
 Harbor of Battailes 77 
 Fayt of Armes & Chivalry 
 
 77,98 
 Vitas Patrum 91 
 Catho 96 
 Curial of Alain Charetier 
 
 111 
 Books of Metamorphoses 
 
 133 
 Boke of diverse Ghostly 
 
 maters 1^34 
 LyfeofK. Arthur 146 
 Prouerbes of Cristyne 166 
 Godefroy of Boloyne 215 
 Game of the Chesse 238 
 Cordiale 260 
 Recueyl of Troye 256 
 Jason 260 
 Berthol. de Proprietatibut 
 
 269 
 Knyght of the Toure 280 
 Ordre of Chyualry 281 
 Noble Knyght Paris 284 
 Boke of Eneydos 286 
 Lucidarye 288 • 
 Blanchardyne 288 
 Dictes & Sayenges 311 
 Lyf of S. Katherine 322 
 Works of Chaucer 332 
 Boke named Royale 343 
 Cbastysing of Goddes Chil- 
 dren 343 
 Cessolis Jaques de 237 
 Champerius Symphorianus 
 
 213, 235n 
 Champion des Dames 33& 
 
U9 
 
 Charlemagne Romans de 302n 
 Chartier Alain 1 10, 230n, 263 
 Chastelain George 109 
 Chertesey Andrew 94 
 Che Valerie I'ordre de 281 
 Chevalier aux Dames 339 
 Chevaliere delibere 99, 109 
 Christine de Pise 97, 166 
 Chroniques de France (or S. 
 
 Denys) 70 
 • Grand Chroniques 
 
 136 
 
 abregees 156, 324 
 
 . et Annales de 
 
 France 196 
 
 ' des Rois de France 
 
 129 
 
 Martinienne 206 
 
 Chryseas et Philocrisius 197 
 Ciceronis M. T. Officia 58, 
 71, 196, 200, 247, 6{s. 
 
 Rhetorica 71 bis. 
 
 De Finibus et Tusculanas 71 
 
 Epist. ad Familiares 71 
 
 Oraliones 132,248 
 Clemens (S.) 236 
 Cleriende Histoire de 325 
 Cleriadus 302n 
 Columna iEgid. or Guido 76, 
 
 167, 258, 276 
 Comestor Petrus 95 
 Comines Philippe de 232n 
 Commandemens de Dieu, &c. 
 
 320 
 Compost et Kalendrieres 113, 
 
 177 
 Consobrinus Joannes 162 
 Consolation Dialogue de 199 
 
 Livrede210 
 
 Consolations Livret de 199 
 Contenanco de la Table 317 
 Copland Robert 
 
 Arthur of Brytan 221 
 
 AppolynQ of Tyrq 344 
 
 Copland William 
 
 Four Sonnes of Aymon 271 
 Knyght of the Swanne 344 
 
 Coquillart Guillaume 142^ 
 
 Corbichon Jean 268 
 
 Cordiale 250 
 
 Corpus Juris Canon. 231 , 24T 
 
 Court Lambert le 313 
 
 Crescens Pierre de 90 
 
 Croy Henry le 136 
 
 Cueur de Philosophie le 292 
 
 D 
 
 Damerlan (or Damerval) 117, 
 
 118n, 272, 322 
 Danese Uggieri 299 
 
 La Morte del 299 
 
 Danse Macabre 92, 122, ii>, 
 
 126 
 
 des Aveugles 128 
 
 Davie Adam 275, 312, 315 
 Decretales203, 217 
 Destructorium Vitiorum 178 
 Diablerie la petite 117 
 
 — Livre de 118« 
 
 Dicta Philosophor, or Ditr 
 
 Moraux, 310 
 Diomedes 197 
 Diurnale Parisiense 161 
 
 • Trajectense 244 
 
 Doolin (or Oolin) 217, 304n 
 Dormi Secure 223 
 Drouyn Jehan 169 
 Dsoma Petrus de 263 
 Durantius Gulielmus 65 
 
 E 
 
 East Thomas 
 
 Beuys of Hampton 306 
 Echecs moralises 237 
 Eguillon de crainte divine 130 
 Elegaiiiiarum Praecepta 140 
 Epistolae Apostolor, &c. 247 
 Esclavonie George de 236 
 
Uo 
 
 Esray Pierre del 80, 1 85 
 feienne Henri 277 
 Eurialus et Lucrece 138 
 Evangilles de Quenouiiles 271 
 Eximenes Franciscus 238 
 Eyb Albertus de 71 
 
 F 
 
 Faber Stapulensis 132, 163n 
 Fasciculus Temporum 240 
 Fausius Andrelinus 162 
 Festivalis (Liber) 67, 290 
 Feubure Raoul le, (or le 
 
 Fevre) 256, 259, 325 
 Feu re Jehan le 323 
 Fichetus Gulielm. 50, 51, 53 
 Fier-a-bras (Roman) 303n 
 FJeure des Commandemens Ja 
 
 289 
 Flores Legura 162 
 Florius Franciscus 250 
 FJorus L. A. 50, 246 
 Foix Gaston de 290 
 Franc Martin 337 
 Fratrum Min. et Observant, i 
 
 Separatio 202 
 Froissard Jehan 224, 237, 
 307, 308 
 
 G 
 
 Gaguinus Robertus 101, 159, 
 
 202, 206, 208, 249, 267 
 Galien Rhetore 303n 
 GariandiaJohannes del 55,1 64 
 Gelais (S.) Octavien 1 59, 261, 
 
 263, 290 
 Gerson Johannes 102, 140, 
 
 244, 341 
 Gesta Longobardorum 291 
 Romanorum 201,202, 
 
 254 
 Gestes Rommaines 202, 254 
 Giglan Roman de 302n 
 Gilles Nicole 196 
 Gobin Robert 244, 296 
 
 Godefroy de Bouillon 2H 
 GoDFRAY Thomas 
 
 Bocchus & Sydrack 274 
 Workes of Chaucer 332 
 Gratianus 236 
 Greban Simon 293, 294 
 
 ~- Arnoul 293, 294 
 
 Gregorius Papa 144, 181, 
 
 198,217,220 
 Gringore P. 241, 320 
 Griselidis Patience de 320 
 Grosnet Pierre 233n 
 Gualther Philippe 312 
 Guarini Baptista 342 
 Guerin Franc. 160 
 
 de Montglave 303i2 
 
 Guesclin Bertrand du 248^ 
 Guido de Monte 59 
 Guillelmus Carthusiensis 145 
 Guillermus Altissiodorensis 
 209 
 
 Parisiensis 102, 
 
 247 
 
 Guilleville Guillaume de 245 
 Guisardus & Sigismonda 14K 
 250 ' 
 
 Guy de Warwick 306 
 Gyron le Courtois 296, SOln- 
 
 H 
 
 Hassia Henricus de 72 
 Hazardiere P. de Ja 2521 
 Hegesippus 74, 275 
 Helisenne de Crenne 325 
 Hentiberry Gulielmus 81 
 HeraclJdes, &c. 236 
 Hercules Prouesses de 325 
 Hermannus Guielermus 177- 
 Hesdin Simon de 277 
 Hesen Johannes de 114 
 Heures 1 1 5, 264 
 -^ — de Liege 210 
 
 • de Poitiers (Lat.) 244 
 
 de Rome 99, 173 
 
351 
 
 Hpures de Toul 199 
 Hispanus Petrus 100 
 Histoires Troyennes 255 
 Holkot Robertus 101 
 Horae ad usura Eboracensem 
 
 194n 
 — — in usum Romanum 93. 
 ' 181, bis 
 
 — ad usum Saruni 187,1 9.3 
 Horatiusl97,201,213, 222, 
 
 239 
 Houppelande Guillermus 129 
 Hugo Cardiiialis 73, 247 
 Huon de Bordeaux 303, 324 
 Hymnorura Expositio lOO, 
 
 132, 222 
 
 Januensis JoaHnes 202 
 Jardin de Piaisance 295 
 
 deSante294 
 
 Jason & Medee 259 
 Insulis Alanus de 129 
 Johnes Thomas, Esq. 227, 
 
 229/1 
 Joinville Sire de 229n 
 Josephus 74 
 
 Gal lice 275 
 
 Jourdain de Blaves 3p4» 
 Jouvencel le 135, 167 
 Justinianus 198 
 Justinus 210, 246 
 Juvenalis 157. 196,239 
 
 Gallice 143 
 
 K 
 
 Kalendayr of the Shippars 113, 
 
 177 
 Katharine (S.)Vie de 322,345 
 Kempis 103, 132 
 
 Labyrinlhe de Fortune 325 
 .Laen Jean de 271 
 
 Lancelot du Lac 99,1 45,299» 
 Lapidanus, or Lapierre. J.H. 
 
 53 
 Laurentius Bernhard. 220 
 Legende Dor6e 161, 268, 
 
 291,292 
 Lenda Jhcobus de 199 
 Leoninus & Leonine Verse 
 
 105 
 Livius T. 81, 90, 95 
 Lorris Guillaume de 332, 335 
 Lotharius 84 
 
 Louenges de LouisX[I.233n 
 des Roys de France 
 
 234n, 241 
 Lucan 22i\ 246 
 Lucain, Suetone & Salluste 
 
 115,203 
 Lucidaire 288 
 Ludolphus de Saxonia 22(]^' 
 
 255 
 Lullius Raymundus 198 
 Lyndewode Gulielmus 219, 
 
 237 
 Lyra Nicolaus de 82 
 
 M 
 
 Magnus Jacobus 56 
 Maillard Oliver 175, 176, 
 
 186,210,272 
 Malory Sir Thomas 147» 
 Mamerot Sebasfien 207 
 Mancinus 87, 1 73 
 Mandeville Jehan 31 On 
 Manipulus Curatorura 59 
 Marche Olivier de la 109, 
 
 231n, 323 
 Mantuanus Bapiista 155, 20(1 
 Manuale Parisiense 180 
 
 Romanum 236 
 
 Map Gautier 298n 
 Marsh Thomas 
 
 Bevys of Hampton 306 
 Martin (S.) GuileJmus 199 
 
SS2 
 
 Marrinus Magister 123 
 Martyrologium Romanum 129 
 Martyrologue des faulses lan- 
 
 gues 143 
 Malheolus Livre de 130 - 
 Maugis 303n 
 Maugist & Vivian 305n 
 Maxim ianus 264 
 Mela Pomponius 247 
 Meliadus 297, WOn 
 Melusine Roman de 324 
 Mendicite Spirituelle 210 
 Menot 187 
 
 Mer de Chroniques 208n 
 — des Histoires 89,100,307 
 Merchandise spirituelle 276 
 Meri Huon de 314 
 Merlin 181, 298n 
 Meschinot Jean 158 
 Meun Jean de 97, 218, 332, 
 
 335 
 Michel (S.) Slatuts de 70 
 MiDDLETON William 
 
 Chronicle of Froissart 227 
 Milles & Amys246,303,304n 
 Minshull Richard 285n 
 Missale Cameracense 158 
 
 -. Cenomanense 155 
 
 . - Cisterciense 97 
 
 Coloniense 244 
 
 ■ Eboracense 194/i 
 
 ■ Edunense 141 
 
 Meldense 132 
 
 Parisiense 80, 132 
 
 — — Pictaviense 194 
 
 Romanum 78, 80 
 
 Saruml95n, 222 
 
 Trajectense 179 
 
 — Xantonense 127 
 
 Missarum Valor 158 
 Modus & Racio le Livre de 325 
 Molinet Jean 294 
 Montaltus Ludovicus 143 
 Montfiquet Radulphusde 77 
 
 Monstrelet Enguerrand 182 
 Moralite de S. Catherine 121 
 
 • de Freres Precheurs 
 
 121,319 
 
 de rhomme juste, 
 
 &c. 120 
 
 de I'homme pecheur 
 
 120 
 
 ou vie de S. Laurent 
 
 121 
 
 deS.Margueritel21 
 
 • • de S. Pierre & de 
 
 S.Paul 121,319 
 
 de S. Yppolite 121 
 
 119 
 
 Moulines Guiars de 95 
 Mystere des Actes 293, 294 
 
 de rAnnonciation 
 
 318 
 
 ^ de r Apocalypse 293 
 
 de bien advise, &c. 
 
 du Chevalier, &C.319 
 de S. Christofle 319 
 de la Conception 120, 
 
 de rincarnation 254 
 
 de laNativite 318 
 
 de Notre Dame 319 
 
 de la Passion 94, 116, 
 
 196,198,318 
 
 de la Resurrection 
 
 318 
 
 117,318 
 
 de la Vengeance 1 1 7, 
 
 135 
 
 de Viel Testament 
 
 120 
 Mysteries 116, 293n 
 
 N 
 NefdesFolz 168,173,198 
 
 — deFolles 173,218 
 
 — de Same 290 
 Nemorarius Jordanus 163 
 Nestor Dionysius 165 
 
353 
 
 Nicodemi Ejvangelium 346 
 Nominalists and Realists 54 
 Notary J ulian 
 
 Shepherd's Kalendar 114 
 NouvelJes Les Cent 243 
 Nyder Joannes 59, 81 
 
 O 
 
 Ockam Guilielmus 68 
 Odo Cameracensis 122 
 Officiarium Curatoruin 222 
 Officium B. Virginis 87,218, 
 
 263 
 
 Laodiense 208 
 
 Ogier le Danois 298, 304n 
 Olivier de Castille 345 
 Oolin de Mayence 217 
 Oras (Horoe Hispan.) 160 
 Orbellis Nicolaus de 101 
 Ordinaire des Chretiens) 151, 
 
 157 
 Oreloge de Devocion 278 
 Oresme Nicole 91 
 Orloge de Sapience 134 
 Orose Paul 126 
 Ortus Sanitatis 294 
 Ovidius 160. 164,241,263 
 
 — Moralise 133 
 
 Epitre8de261 
 
 Pamphile (Pamphilus Mau- 
 
 rilianus) 149 
 Paris & Vienne Hist, de 284 
 Pathelin (or Pathelinus) 123, 
 
 320 
 
 Nouveau 125 
 
 Pauli D. Epistols, &c. 125 
 
 Gailice 246 
 
 Pelerinage de PA me 75, 116, 
 
 198 
 Peraldus Gulielmus 144 
 Perceforest 30 In 
 Pefceval299 
 
 Peres(S. S.) Viesde91 
 Pergamensis Gasparin. 49 
 Perottus Nicolaus 71, 200, 
 
 203 
 Persius2l3, 247 
 Petit Thomas 
 
 Four Sonnes of Aymon 27 1 
 
 Works of Chaucer 332 
 Phalaris 52 
 Phebus 290 
 Philelphus 197,217 
 Philippe de Madien 314 
 Picus Mirandula Joann. 199 
 Pierre de Provence 133 
 Pilgrim's Progress 246 
 PiNSON Richard 
 
 Myrroure of the Life of 
 Christ 62 
 
 Life of S. Francis 62 
 
 Hist. Sege, & Dystr. of 
 Troye 76 
 
 Boccace fall of Princes 83 
 
 Mvrrour of good manners 
 88 ^ 
 
 Shepheard's Kalendar 1 1 4 
 
 Ship of Folys 1 7 1 
 
 Ruleof S. Benet212 
 
 Lindevvode 219 
 
 Chronicle of Froissart 227 
 
 Destruccion of Jerusalem 
 276 
 
 Bevys of Southampton 306 
 Pise Rusticien de 296 
 Platea Francisc. de 68 
 Platina241 
 Poggius 26,315 
 Po'iiianus Angelus 157, 160, 
 
 201 
 Polonus Mariinus 206 
 Ponthus & Sidoyne 315 
 Posiilis83 
 
 POWKL HlJMPHRKY 
 
 Egiogues of Barclay 249 
 Pragmatica Sanctio 86, 217 
 Z 
 
354 
 
 Premier Faict Laurent, de 1 5 1 , 
 
 261 
 Preux (Neuf) 248 
 Propertius 201 
 Proprietaire Le 268 
 Psalterium 100, 144 
 
 Gallice 253, <cr. 
 
 Purgatoire S. Patrice 317 
 Pyndarus 197 
 
 Q 
 
 Quadragesimal Spirituelle 277 
 Quenoille Spirituelle 271 
 
 R 
 
 Radulphus Richardus 165 
 RampigolisAnton.de 179,246 
 Raynes John 
 
 Workes of Chaucer 3.32 
 Redborne Robert 
 
 Arthur of Brytan 221 
 Redman Robert 
 
 Constitutions ProuincialJes 
 220 
 Reginaldetus Petrus 239 
 Registre des ans passes 235n 
 Regnault de Montauban 270, 
 
 304n, 324 
 Regula Canon. Regular. 328 
 Robert le Diable 278 
 Rois trois (la Vie de) 195,272 
 Rollewinck Wernerus 241 
 Romant de la Rose 294, 328, 
 
 Editions of 328n 
 Rosier Historial de France 
 
 231n 
 Ruffus 246 
 
 Sacrobusco Joan, de 155 
 Saintre (J. de) Chronique, &c. 
 
 316 
 Saints & Saintes. Louanges de 
 
 323 
 
 Salicetus Nicolaus 158 
 Salle (de la) Anthoine 316 
 Sallustius 51, 72, 179, 248, 
 
 250 
 Sancio Rodrigo 58 
 Sangreal 298n 
 Sapientiales Libri 127 
 Sauvage Denis 184, 224, 226 
 Schola Salernitana 82 
 Scotus Joannes 58 
 Scripturae (S.) Exerapla 71 
 Seneca 67, 156, 197,217, 263 
 Senecque 261,292 
 Seth Simeon 312 
 Simonet Boniface 263 
 Solinus 252 
 Songe du Vergier 127 
 Sophologium 56 
 Souhaits des hommes 320 
 Speculum Humane Vitae 57 
 Statins 181, 264 
 Suflfrages & Oraisons 1 1 5 
 Summa in Virt. Cardinal. 74 
 Summula Pauperum 143 
 Sydrack Roman de 90, 274 
 Sylvius iEneas 69, 248 
 
 T 
 
 Table Ronde Romans de 298n 
 Tambaco Johannes de 140 
 Tardif Guillaume 131, 244, 
 
 252 
 Tartaretus Petrus 164 
 Tate John 270 
 Terentius84,132,201,250, 
 
 278 
 
 en Fran9ois 84 
 
 Theramo Jacobus de 80 
 Theseus de Cologne 305n 
 Thomas (S.) Cantuar. 158 
 Thomas of Erceldoune 297 
 Tignonvilie Jean de 310 
 TiSDALE John 
 
 Bevys of Hampton 306 
 
355 
 
 Tour Chevalier de la 280 
 Toy Robert 
 
 Four Sonnes of Aymon 271 
 
 Workes of Chaucer 332 
 Tresor del'Ame291 
 Tristan 297, 300n 
 TroyeBokeof259 
 
 la grande 75 
 
 Cent Histoires de 278 
 
 Turpin Chronique &c. de 
 
 267, 302n 
 Turricremata Joan. de. 156, 
 
 160 
 
 Valentine & Orson 305n 
 Valerius Flaccus 21 7 
 
 Maximus 67 
 
 le Grand 167,277 
 
 Valla Laurentius 53, 239 
 Vegece 97 
 
 Vergier Le 127 
 
 Victore (S.) Hugo de 328 
 
 Richardus 114 
 
 Vie des Saints 1 1 5 
 Vienna (Romance) 285 
 Vigne Andre de la 159 
 Villon Francis 197 
 Vincent deBeauvais 161, 279, 
 
 321 
 Vincentius Bellovacensis 62 
 Violier des Histoires 202 
 Virgilius 71, 114, 157, 160, 
 
 181,209,210, 220, 239, 
 
 247 
 Virgilius Polydore 240 
 Virgille (prose Fran^.oise) 286 
 
 faits de 320 
 
 Virgin's life 321 
 Vita Scholastica 1 77 
 Voragine Jacobus de 65, 115, 
 
 161,222 
 Voyage de Jerusalem 309 
 Usuardus 121 
 
 Utino Leonardus de 64 
 VuertGuiI.de 158 
 
 W 
 
 Waleys Thomas 133 
 Walley John 
 
 Shepherd's Kalendar 114 
 Wynken de Worde 
 
 Myrroure of the life of J. 
 
 Criste 62 
 S. Bonaventure his lessons 
 
 62 
 Myrroure of golde, &c. 74 
 Passion of our Lord J. C. 
 
 94 
 Imitation of Christ 104 
 Doctrinale 104 
 SheppeardesKalendere 114 
 Parabola AJani 130 
 M edytatyons of S. Bernard 
 
 141 
 Guiscard & Sigismond 14^2 
 Ordinarye of Crysten Men 
 
 151 
 Crafte to lyve well, &c. 
 
 153,315 
 Ship of Fools 169 
 Provinciale 219 
 Gesta Romanor. Eng. 255 
 Bartholomaeus de Propr. 
 
 268 
 Four Sonnes of Aymon 270 
 Gospelles of Dystaues 272 
 Liues of the three Kings 
 
 273 
 Destruccion of Jerusalem 
 
 276 
 Robert the Deuyll 279 
 Floure of the Commande- 
 
 mentes 289 
 Kynge Ponthus of Galyce 
 
 315 
 Boke of S. Albons 326 
 Castell of Labour 343 
 
356 
 
 W. DE WoRDE continued 
 Olyuer of Castylle 345 
 Orcharde of Syon 345 
 Nychodemus Gospell 346 
 
 X 
 
 Ximenes Franciscus 238 
 
 Ysaie le Triste 300n 
 
 Z 
 
 Zaraorensis Rodericus 57 
 Zutphen Gerard de 141 
 
 Corrtgenba. 
 
 Preface, page viii, for x^uTlons read x^uTJont. 
 
 „ page ix, line 1, for Abraham, read Alexander. 
 Page 33, line 3, for bonheur read bien. 
 
 ,, 104, „ 13, „ appear d read appeared, 
 
 „ 106, „ 4, „ 1054 read 1154. 
 
 „ 190, „ 31, „ sorthon rea.6 forth on. 
 
 „ 324, „ 22, „ Mr. Southey read Mr. Sotheby. 
 
 „ 333, „ 14, „ Est redid Et. 
 
 Directions for placing the Plates* 
 
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 Device of Bocard, or Brocard 
 
 RtrfiVAnT.T 
 
 ..to fa 
 
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 45 
 
 74 
 
 85 
 
 93 
 
 „ 101 
 
 » 109 
 
 „ 1^8 
 
 181 
 
 „ 212 
 
 „ 224 
 
 
 Vbrard 
 
 
 ?) 
 
 G. Mercator, or G. Mabchand 
 
 PiGOnCHET 
 
 
 
 F. Balligadt 
 
 
 
 M. LE NOIR 
 
 
 
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 T. Kerver 
 
 
 
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