a-m, in twos; + A-Z; Aa-Zz; Aaa-Iii, in fours. Frontispiece, mezzotint Por trait by I. Smith after P.Lely. "W. Wycherley Etatis Suæ 28." Title, pp. i-ii; Preface iii-xxxiv; Contents, xxxv-xlvi; Errata, I leaf; The Poems, pp. 1-438 (63-4 repeated 135 for 315). Presentation inscription from the Author on first fly-leaf, "For his worthy Friend, Mr Pressland, from his oblidged servant Wm. Wycherley." Wycherley, according to Pope, was "a writer of infinite spirit, satire and wit." "Wycherley was in a bookseller's shop at Bath, or Tunbridge, when Lady Drogheda came in and happened to inquire for the 'Plain Dealer.' A friend of Wycherley, who stood by him, pushed him towards her, and said, 'There's the Plain Dealer, Madam, if you want him.' Wycherley made his excuses, and Lady Drogheda said that she loved plain dealing best.' He afterwards visited that lady, and in some time after married her."-JOHN DENNIS, Spence's Anec., sect. I. Evelyn says: "As long as Men are false, and Women vain, See Macaulay's criticism of our author, which is well merited. ILLUMINATED BOOKS. A Prophetie du Rouellond. 18 Vellum leaves, each with an inner illuminated border of gold. Title, I leaf; the MS. commences on 2nd leaf and terminates on verso of the 11th. It is written in black and red, 14 or 15 lines to a page (two have 16 lines, the last 4). 16th Century, said to have belonged to Catherine de Bourbon, Duchess de Bar, sister to Henry IV. of France. The work begins "Cy ensuict la prophecie de Rouellond de la Rouellondiere de Choller." "Au nom du Pere et du Fil et du benoist Sainct Esperit Amen Ja ne ay garde que de ma charge ne me acquite laylle je ay de la pt de Dieu de anoncer aulx Pueples les cas estrāges et espouvantables q me ont este revellees." "L'auteur de cet ouvrage est catolique; il voit la France partagee entre deux religions et annonce les malheurs qui fondront sur elle. On peut par là supposer qu'il ecrivait sous le règne de Charles IX."-[MS. note in book.] Citron Morocco, by Clovis Eve. The initial of Catherine, "," is repeated on both covers eighteen times, each in a circlet of interlaced laurel which forms the border, tooled in silver. A central garland contains the monogram of the Duchess—an arrangement of four C's to form two B's. The design is repeated for the inner linings-the first of which forms a secret pocket held by two minute slots. The clasps of silver are held by fastenings of the same pattern, as also silver attachment rings. Anything which is associated with the memory of Henry IV. of France is interesting. The following is a “billet doux” from Henry to Gabrielle D’Estrées, and another one to La belle Corisandre, both exquisite : "Cette lettre est bien courte, afin que vous vous rendormiez après l'avoir lue. "Passer le mois d'avril absent de sa maitresse, c'est ne vivre pas. "Je vous écris, mes chères amours, des pieds de votre peinture (de votre portrait) que j'adore seulement pour ce qu'elle est faite pour vous, non qu'elle vous ressemble. J'en puis être jugé compétent, vous ayant peinte en toute perfection dans mon âme,-dans mon âme, dans mon cœur, dans mes yeux. Mes chères amours, il faut dire vrai, nous nous aimons bien : certes, pour femme, il n'en est point de pareille à vous; pour homme, nul ne m'égale à savoir bien aimer." To La belle Corisandre: "J'arrivai hier soir de Marans. Ha! que je vous y souhaitai! c'est le lieu le plus selon votre humeur que j'aie jamais vu. Pour ce seul respect, suis-je après à l'échanger (à l'obtenir par échange). C'est une île renfermée de marais bocageux. . . . L'eau claire, peu courante, les canaux de toutes largeurs; les bateaux de toutes grandeurs. . . . Infinis moulins et métairies insulées; tant de sortes d'oiseaux qui chantent; de toute sorte de ceux de mer; je vous en envoye des plumes. De poissons, c'est une monstruosité que la quantité, la grandeur et le pris; une grande carpe trois sols, et cinq un brochet. . . . La terre trèspleine de blès et très-beaux. L'on y peut être plaisamment en paix, et sûrement en guerre. L'on s'y peut réjouir avec ce que l'on aime, et plaindre une absence. Ha! qu'il y fait bon 36 ILLUMINATED BOOKS. chanter! Je pars jeudi pour aller à Pons, où je serai plus près de vous; . . . Mon âme tenez-moi en votre bonne grâce; croyez ma fidélité être blanche et hors de tache : il n'en fut jamais sa pareille. Si cela vous apporte du contentement, vivez heureuse. esclave vous adore violemment. Je te baise, mon cœur, un million de fois les mains. "Ce xviie juin (1586]." Votre [The first of the Bourbons had a decided literary style and was the patron of men of letters. The erudite polyhistor Casaubon wrote his Journal at the King's Court, and Sully composed his Memoirs about the same time. At least he had them composed for him, for, curiously enough, Sully's Memoirs were compiled by his secretaries, who address him in the second person throughout the book—as to take an imaginary instance, “You now with your usual discrimination did so and so, and so and so."] Illuminated Book of Hours. Manuscript on Vellum. 127 leaves (2 blank), 4 by 3 in. Written in black letter, 17 lines on a page (2§ by 19 in., exclusive of margin), with 13 Miniatures, each 2§ by 13 in., and having borders of beautiful design. In addition to the series of Miniatures there are numerous illuminated small capitals. Old Calf, rich tooling in style of Grolier on sides; with strings attached. Illuminated Book of Hours. Manuscript on Vellum, 316 pages. 162 leaves (4 blank), 7 by 54 in. Written in black letter, 15 lines on a page, 4 by 2§ in., exclusive of margin. Embellished with 5 miniatures, each 3 by 2 in. within decorated borders interspersed with flowers, birds, etc. There are also 7 pages with ornamented borders of beautiful design. The text has many brilliant capital and other illuminated letters. The book contains a Calendar, The Cursus Evangelii, Offices of the Passion and of the Virgin, The seven penitential Psalms with Litanies and Prayers, Office for the Dead, and on the last 20 pages prayers and supplications in French to the Virgin and Holy Child. Ex-libris et biblioth: Renati Antonii Thoué. Calf, tooled with delicate gilt lines and foliage. of recto has "Guilleme T T E"; on verso "Bezard." Bands to back. The centre panel |