belonged to Henry VIII., Edward VI., Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth are to be found in these Cases. James I. possessed a large number of superbly bound books, resplendent with gold tooling, the sides being generally ornamented with his arms and initials, and thickly studded with heraldic thistles, fleurs-de-lis, etc. Henry Prince of Wales inherited from his father the love of fine bindings, and several which belonged to him are exhibited in Cases XXVII. and XXXII. When the library of Lord Lumley was purchased by this accomplished young prince, he appears to have had most of the books rebound in calf, with his arms in the centre of the covers, and crowned roses, fleurs-de-lis, Prince of Wales' feathers, or crowned lions rampant in the corners. During the troubled reign of Charles I., comparatively few books were added to the royal collection, but his son Charles II. increased it very considerably. His books are generally plainly but handsomely bound in red morocco, the sides and backs being stamped with his cypher. Some of the bindings executed for this monarch, however, are most elaborately tooled; one of singular beauty is exhibited in Case XXVIII. Samuel Mearne was his bookbinder. Many other English bindings worthy of special notice will be found in this exhibition.

I.

1. Henry VIII. and Anne Boleyn.-Centre portion of an old binding inlaid in modern work. With initials H. A. on either side of crowned Tudor rose, and legends: La loy a este donnee par Moyse. La Grace et la verite est faicte par Iesu Christ. Probably bound for presentation to the Queen. Ascribed to Thomas Berthelet, the King's binder. Brown calf. (Old Royal Library.)

'La Saincte Bible.' Antwerp, 1534.

2. Henry VIII.—Royal arms with supporters and Tudor badges, including a crowned rose, and initials K. H. Ascribed to Berthelet. Brown calf. (Old Royal Library.)

'Opus eximium de vera differentia regiae potestatis et ecclesiasticae.' London, 1534.

3. Henry VIII.--With motto 'Dieu et mon Droit,' and initials H. R.

The edges of the leaves are inscribed: 'Rex in aeternum vive.' Ascribed to

Berthelet. White deerskin. (Old Royal Library.)

Elyot. The Image of Governance.' London, 1541.

Initials H. R. (Old Royal

4. Henry VIII.-Orange velvet binding, embroidered with gold cord. Ascribed to Berthelet. Library.)

Latin Bible. Zurich, 1543.

5. Katharine Parr.-Purple velvet, embroidered with the Queen's arms. (Old Royal Library.)

Petrarch. Opere volgari.' Venice, 1544.

6. Henry VIII.-Red satin, embroidered with gold cord. The edges of the leaves are inscribed: 'Rex in aeternum vive.' Ascribed to Berthelet. (Old Royal

Library.)

Bede. 'De Natura Rerum. Basel, 1529.

XXVII. 3. ENGLISH. A BINDING BY THOMAS BERTHELET FOR

HENRY VIII.

7. Edward VI.—Each side bears the royal arms, crowned initials E. R., the motto 'Dieu et mon Droyt' and date MDLII. Ascribed to Berthelet. Brown calf.

(Old Royal Library.)

'Petri Bembi Historia Veneta.' Venice, 1551.

8. Queen Mary.-Each side bears the royal arms and initials M. R. Ascribed to Berthelet. Brown calf. (Old Royal Library.)

'Epitome operum divi Augustini.' Cologne, 1549.

9. Queen Elizabeth.-Green velvet binding (restored), with gold enamelled plaques. On one side are the royal arms of England, on the other a crowned Tudor rose. (Old Royal Library.)

'Novum Testamentum Graece.' Paris, 1550.