De Bure has minutely described the preliminary and detached pieces in these volumes: the succession of signatures in each vol. is as follows:

Vol. I. + seven: a to 3, in sixes: aa to 77 in sixes; then 3 in eight :

then a two.

II. Two leaves. a to 3 in sixes: aa to bb in sixes: bb, four leaves:

a two.

III. aaa to eee in sixes: eee four: Aaa to Bbb in sixes: Ccc four:
Dod to Jii in sixes. Ji in fours-recommencing with a
and extending to p in sixes; p having eight. Then A to
F in sixes. F only four.

IV. a to 3 in sixes: aa to pp in sixes: pp four: A to ff inclusively
in sixes. B four: a two.

V. a four: A to Z in sixes: A to D in sixes. eight:

a to g in sixes: g three.

VI. One leaf: A to Z in sixes: a to FF in sixes: FF four: a eight: A to D in sixes: E two: A B sixes: C three.

This collation is made from a copy in the collection of the late Bishop of Ely; as I had omitted to make so particular a one from that which belongs to the present library, and is at Althorp. Kollarius, in his truly valuable edition of Lambecius's Commentaries concerning the MSS. in the Imperial library at Vienna,* has given a long account of this work; noticing the copy of it, upon paper, which was procured by Count Petting, in the purchase of Melchior Gabrega's library in 1674, by order of the Emperor. A copy UPON VELLUM is in the collection of Count M'Carthy; another similar one is in the royal library at Madrid; and a third is in that of Turin. These are the only known vellum copies in existence. The present is undoubtedly among the most beautiful and perfect copies of it, upon paper, that can be seen.

Those who are unacquainted with the splendour and skill of ancient printing, can have little conception of the fine typographical execution of these volumes. The paper, although not equally bright with that of the Mozarabic Missal, is well manufactured for the reception of the ink the types are large and legible; and the Hebrew and Greek† in particular, cannot fail to please a lover and collector of ancient books printed in these languages. The capital initials are uniformly printed,

*Edit. 1779, fol. vol. ii. col. 959 to 965.

+ A fac-simile of the Greek Type is prefixed to my second and third editions of the Introduction to the knowledge of rare and valuable Editions of the Greek and Latin Classics, 1804 1808: 2 vols. 8vo.

and are decorated with figures chiefly of the clerical order. Upon the whole, this work is a magnificent monument of that best species of patriotism, among men of wealth and power, which consists in befriending the researches of the learned in the cause of elucidating the Holy Scriptures.

It may not be incurious to remark, that, of the Hebrew Type, while the above work affords such a copious and beautiful specimen, our own country, nearly an hundred years afterwards, was not able to print even three lines in the same language: from a deficiency of Hebrew types. This I learnt from a discovery of Lord Spencer; who, in a volume of miscellanies, which contained among other things Academiæ Oxoniensis Pietas erga Ser. et Pot. Jacob.Angl. &c. Oron. 1603, 4to, found the following observation, in a poem composed by Dr. Thorne, Regius Professor of the Hebrew language- Interserenda hoc in loco:

קיה ליזמיה: כהמה לוין: הפלה להזן:

Hebraicè pluribus explicata. Sed enim Typographo deerant Characteres.' p. 17.

Greek Bible.

34. BIBLIA GRECA. Printed by Andreas Asulanus. Venice. 1518.

Folio.

On the recto of the first leaf, printed in red, we read as follows:

ΠΑΝΤΑ ΤΑ ΚΑΤ' ΕΞΟΧΗΝ ΚΑΛΟΥΜΕΝΑ
ΒΙΒΛΙΑ ΘΕΙΑΣ ΔΗΛΑΔΗ
ΓΡΑΦΗΣ ΠΑΛΑΙΑΣ ΤΕ,
ΚΑΙ ΝΕΑΣ.

SACRAE SCRIPTVRAE VETERIS,
NOVAE QUE OMNIA.

Beneath, is the Aldine device of the anchor, in outline, printed in red; having ALDVS on one side, and M. R. on the other side of it. The reverse is blank. On the recto of the ensuing leaf is the address of Asulanus to Aegidius Viterbiensis: the reverse blank. On the recto of the third, is an index of the several books, from Genesis to the Psalter, referring to the leaves on which they respectively begin. On the reverse of the same leaf, the index is continued to Maccabees. On the recto of the following leaf, we have a similar list of the books of the N. Testament; from which we find that the Apocalypse commences on fol. 436: the reverse of this leaf is blank.

Then begins, on sign. a a recto, the first chapter of Genesis, with an ornamental border at top, and a capital initial, both printed in red. These ornaments and capitals are generally printed in red; and, with one or two exceptions, are very inferior to the similar embellishments in

Calliergus's Greek books printed at Venice. On the termination of Job, and between this and the Psalms, there is a blank leaf. In the Psalter, fol. 196 or 197 is erroneously numbered 199; and the ensuing leaf is marked 202 for 200: 205 is erroneously numbered 185. There may be other irregularities of numbering, not uncommon in the more early books of the Aldine press. On sign. xxpp. is a table of the books in the third part of the volume, or of the New Testament. This is followed by the address of Franciscus Asulanus to Erasmus. Brief lives of the Evangelists are on the reverse of this summary, or table. On fol. 353, rect. the N. Testament begins. On the rev. of fol. 434, the notice of the three heavenly witnesses (1. John, v. 7.) is thus: ὅτι τρεῖς εἰσὶν ὁι μαρτυροῦντες το πνεύμα, και το ὕδωρ και το αἷμα . και οἱ τρεῖς εις το εν εἰσιν.

The three leaves following, are inaccurately numbered 245, 246, 207, for 434, 435, 436. After fol. 451, are three leaves: on the recto of the first of these is the Register with the imprint, thus:

VENETIIS IN AEDIB.

ALDI ET ANDREAE

SOCERI. MDXVIII

MENSE FEBRVA

RIO.

The second of these three leaves is entirely blank. On the reverse of the third and last, is the Aldine anchor as before, but printed in black.

This description will be found more ample, and perhaps more satisfactory, than the one which Renouard has given in his l'Imprim. des Alde; vol. i. p. 140. In regard to the intrinsic value of this edition, the reader will be pleased to consult the authorities cited in my Introd. to the Classics; vol. i. p. 36. There are copies upon thick paper, of which the Duke of Devonshire possesses one; and formerly in the Vatican, perhaps now in the Imperial library at Paris, there was a copy UPON vellum. The present is an exceedingly fine copy. It is bound in blue morocco; and is so large, that many of the leaves have rough edges, at bottom.

English Bible.

35. THE BIBLE: faithfully and truly translated out of Dutch and Latin into English. [By MILES COVERDALE.] 1535. Folio.

WE E may commence the account of this precious volume by giving a tolerably minute bibliographical description of its contents: somewhat more succinct than is to be found in Lewis or Herbert. And first of the title, which is as follows:

Biblia the Bible that is the holy Scripture of the Olde and New Testament, faithfully and truly translated out of Douche and Latyn into Englishe. M.D.XXXV. S. Paul. II. Thessa. III. Praie for vs, that the worde of God maie haue free passage, and be glorified. ect. S. Paul. Col. III. Let the worde of Christ dwell in you plenteously in all wysdome ect. ect. Josue 1. Let not the boke of this lawe depart out of thy mouth, but exercyse thyselfe therin daye and nighte. ect.'

This title is in the centre of the page, surrounded by six compartments; the top and bottom ones being of the whole width of the page: the former representing original sin, and Christ's resurrection-the latter, the delivery of the sacred volume, by some bishops and lords kneeling, to Henry VIII. on his throne. To the right, is a whole length figure of St. Paul, very admirably executed: to the left, of David playing on the harp. The intermediate four compartments relate to