New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-26

of Latin Psalter may be assigned to the fourth
century, q period beyond which it Is doubtful
whether any manuscript whatever is extant.
there be no single manuscript OF Dante to rival the
famous Hamilton codex illustrated by Botticelh,
now at Berlin, there is at least such series as
might be sought in vain in any other private library
including nearly thirty of the fourteenth and Ill
teenth centuries.
The Barrois collection is perhaps not less rich IN
French rantes than the LIbri IN Italian, ara there
is a fourth portion, called by Lord Ashburnham tne
Appendix, consisting of marvels he had hlniseli
brought together one by one. To one or the other
of these three divisions nearly all tho specimens oi
early Examinations are to be assigned Ihe
schools of England, France. Italy Germany ant.
Flanders are all here. Some of their greatest mas
tiers have signed some of these delicious miniatures;
Others unsigned are worthy to rank with them.
These are Flemish Psaters, probably the work of
Van Eyck. A Book of Hours. written in 14S0'
was adorned by the most delicate spirits OF that
great ace for Lorenzo de Medic exquisite IN dec
Grafton. consunlhate in workmanship" More Won
derful still is the Abaui Missa executed Tor Loren
zo's brother-in law, AlemaunO Salviati, gonfa-
lonere of Florence crowded with medallOns, INITIALS
and borders and above all renowned for Its hve
full-page miniatures, the work of AMIGO Aspertn'
of Bologna, of Lorenzo da Credi, OF two Other
artists unnamed, and finally OF no less man IMAM
Perugino, with his signature "Petrus PruHnus
pnxt." This MIssal was bought in Rome Tor @'o
qy Mr. Denmstoun, of whom tho Earl obtained IL
for a sum not named, but certainly Tar below Ihe
$50 600 which is now thou ght too little for such
gem. Let me not omit TO add that there are even
fine examples of Irish work among the Others. An
Irish nissal is one, dating from the eleventh cen
tury, with massive silver cross on the side OF the
case. "1he artist" if dare quote the sentence
evidently meant TO adorn the terminals and centre
with bosses of crystal; at top and bottom ana CEN
tire he has carried out his design, but, apparently
finding crystal scarce he has inserted green stone
in the extremity Of one of the remaining arms and
finished off the other with common button!
And there are bindings. Not many things in
these DAYS can be named for which the amateur has
a deeper passion than for bindings of intrinsic
beauty or of historical importance But think on
the whole will abstain from saying much about
bindings till more trustworthy guide can be found
than a chroncler who talks of "a grOlleT." IL is
difficult to guess who or what he supposes - gro
lerD to be, but il is tolerably clear he can never
have heard of that Grolier dear to the hearts OF
bOok-lovers who was TreasuTer-General to Francis
L. who collected the finest library of his time In
Italy and France, who died leaving an honored
name and volumes of unique beauty. and whom the
photographed pundlt of The Ddig lc,cJrdW uImly
believes to have been a binder.
The whole number of volumes in this division OF
the Ashburnham Library-thc manuscrIpts-ls
nearly 1000. Mr. Maundc Thompson, chief of the
Department Of Manuscripts in the British Museum,
has 900 of them in his keeping for the inspection of
the trustees and the latter shortly 10 hold
meeting to say whether they will make an applca-
ton to the Treasury Tor money TO buy the whole.
The Treasury is the final authority IN
such matters and 1t is tolerdbly certain
that the officials who keep watch and ward over the
public purse will refuse the grant should It be asked
for unless the very strongest pressure Is brought 10
bear on them. Pressure accordingly is already be-
ing used The language of the leading Journal OF
the most energetic kind" the loss OF such treac-
ure will Oe national calamity and almost a
tonal disgrace" is but OF many emphatic Gecla-
rations. Some of the other papers show themselves
ready to follow suit, but, oddly enough, the organ
OF Conservatism is queruous and sccptcal, and
thinks the sum asked great deal Of money and
hints that the Museum people not skilled IN tho
fine art of making good bargain. If the Treasury
saysno, there remains the Cabinet who may lOr NAV
mott recommend to Parliament gran; OF tho requi
site funds. Meantime, Imay be permitted TO sug-
gest that Chicago, or even New-York. might do
worse than keep an eye the negotiations, even
take part III Them ! do not believe the AsEbum-
ham Library will be allowed to leave England. bat,
if 1t does it ought 10 find its future home IN Amer
lea. q. W. B.