THE
CARE OF BOOKS

THE
CARE OF BOOKS

FRANCISCO AIDANO GASQUET
MONACHO BENEDICTINO
D.D.
MAGISTRO DISCIPULUS

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PREFACE.

When engaged in editing and completing The Architectural History of the University and Colleges of Cambridge, I devoted much time and attention to the essay called The Library. The subject was entirely new; and the more I looked into it, the more convinced did I become that it would well repay fuller investigation than was then possible. For instance, I felt certain that the Customs affecting monastic libraries would, if one could only discover them, throw considerable light on collegiate statutes relating to the same subject.

The Architectural History having been published, I had leisure to study libraries from my new point of view; and, while thus engaged, I fortunately met with the admirable paper by Dom Gasquet which he modestly calls Some Notes on Medieval Monastic Libraries. This brief essay—it occupies only 20 pages—opened my eyes to the possibilities that lay before me, and I gladly place on record here the debt I owe to the historian to whom I have dedicated this book.

When I had the honour of delivering the Rede Lecture before the University of Cambridge in June 1894, I attempted a reconstruction of the monastic library, shewing its relationship, through its fittings, to the collegiate libraries of Oxford and Cambridge; and I was also able, following the example set by Dom Gasquet in the above-mentioned essay, to indicate the value of illuminated manuscripts as illustrating the life of a medieval student or scribe. In my lectures as Sandars Reader in Bibliography, delivered before the University of Cambridge in 1900, I developed the subject still further, extending the scope of my enquiries so as to include the libraries of Greece and Rome.

In writing my present book I have availed myself freely of the three works above mentioned. At the same time I have incorporated much fresh material; and I am glad to take this opportunity of stating, that, with the single exception of the Escõrial, I have personally examined and measured every building which I have had occasion to describe; and many of the illustrations are from my own sketches.

I call my book an Essay, because I wish to indicate that it is only an attempt to deal, in a summary fashion, with an extremely wide and interesting subject—a subject, too, which might easily be subdivided into separate heads each capable of more elaborate treatment. For instance, with regard to libraries in Religious Houses, I hope to see a book written, dealing not merely with the way in which the books were cared for, but with the subjects most generally studied, as indicated to us by the catalogues which have survived.

A research such as I have had to undertake has naturally involved the co-operation of numerous librarians and others both in England and on the Continent. From all these officials I have experienced unfailing courtesy and kindness, and I beg them to accept this collective expression of my gratitude. To some, however, I am under such particular obligations, that I wish to mention them by name.

In the first place I have to thank my friends Dr Jackson of Trinity College, Dr Sandys of S. John's College, Dr James of King's College, and F. J. H. Jenkinson, M.A., University Librarian, for their kind help in reading proofs and making suggestions. Dr Sandys devoted much time to the revision of the first chapter. As my work deals largely with monastic institutions it is almost needless to say that I have consulted and received efficient help from my old friend W. H. St John Hope, M.A., Assistant Secretary to the Society of Antiquaries.

My researches in Rome were made easy to me by the unfailing kindness and ready help accorded on every occasion by Father C. J. Ehrle, S.J., Prefect of the Vatican Library. My best thanks are also due to Signor Rodolfo Lanciani, to Professor Petersen of the German Archeological Institute, Rome, and to Signor Guido Biagi of the Biblioteca Laurenziana, Florence. At Milan Monsignor Ceriani of the Ambrosian Library was so kind as to have the library photographed for my use.

The courteous officials who administer the great libraries of Paris with so much ability, have assisted me in all my researches. I wish specially to thank in this place M. Léopold Delisle and M. Léon Dorez of the Bibliothèque Nationale; M. A. Franklin of the Bibliothèque Mazarine; M. H. Martin of the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal; and M. A. Peraté, Sous-Conservateur du Château de Versailles.

I have also to thank Señor Ricardo Velasquez for his beautiful elevation of the bookcases in the Escõrial Library; Father J. van den Gheyn, S.J., of the Royal Library, Brussels, for his trouble in shewing me, and allowing me to have photographed, several MSS. from the library under his charge; my friends Mr T. G. Jackson, R.A., Architect, for lending me his section of Bishop Cobham's library at Oxford; E. W. B. Nicholson, M.A., Librarian, and Falconer Madan, M.A., Sub-Librarian, in the Bodleian Library, for information respecting the building and its contents; Mr F. E. Bickley of the British Museum for much help in finding and examining MSS.; and Lionel Cust, M.A., Director of the National Portrait Gallery, for general direction and encouragement.

Messrs Macmillan have allowed me to use three illustrations which appear in the first chapter; Mr Murray has given the same permission for the woodcut of the carrells at Gloucester; and Messrs Blades for the representation of James Leaver's book-press.

Lastly I wish to thank the staff of the University Press for using their best efforts to produce the work rapidly and well, and for many acts of personal kindness to myself.

JOHN WILLIS CLARK.

    Scroope House,
        Cambridge,
            September 23rd, 1901.

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CONTENTS.

Introduction. Assyrian Record-Rooms. Libraries in Greece, Alexandria, Pergamon, Rome. Their size, use, contents, and fittings. Armaria or presses. The Vatican Library of Sixtus V. a type of an ancient Roman library

1 CHAPTER II.

Christian libraries connected with churches. Use of the apse. Monastic communities. S. Pachomius. S. Benedict and his successors. Each House had a library. Annual audit of books. Loan on security. Modes of protection. Curses. Prayers for donors. Endowment of libraries. Use of the cloister. Development of Cistercian book-room. Common press. Carrells

61 CHAPTER III.

Increase of monastic collections. S. Riquier, Bobbio, Durham, Canterbury. Books kept in other places than the cloister. Expedients for housing them at Durham, Citeaux, and elsewhere. Separate libraries built in fifteenth century at Durham, S. Albans, Citeaux, Clairvaux, etc. Gradual extension of library at S. Germain des Près. Libraries attached to Cathedrals. Lincoln, Salisbury, Wells, Noyon, Rouen, etc.

101 CHAPTER IV.

The fittings of monastic libraries and of collegiate libraries probably identical. Analysis of some library-statutes. Monastic influence at the Universities. Number of books owned by Colleges. The collegiate library. Bishop Cobham's library at Oxford. Library at Queens' College, Cambridge. At Zutphen. The lectern-system. Chaining of books. Further examples and illustrations

131 CHAPTER V.

Recapitulation. Invention of the stall-system. Library of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, taken as a type. System of chaining in Hereford Cathedral. Libraries of Merton College, Oxford, and Clare College, Cambridge. The stall-system copied at Westminster Abbey, Wells, and Durham Cathedrals. This system possibly monastic. Libraries at Canterbury, Dover Priory, Clairvaux

171 CHAPTER VI.

The lectern-system in Italy. Libraries at Cesena, at the Convent of S. Mark, Florence, and at Monte Oliveto. Vatican Library of Sixtus IV. Ducal Library at Urbino. Medicean Library, Florence. System of chaining there used. Characteristics of medieval libraries

199 CHAPTER VII.

Contrast between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Suppression of the Monasteries. Commissioners of Edward VI. Subsequent changes in library fittings. S. John's College, and University Library, Cambridge. Queen's College, Oxford. Libraries attached to churches and schools. Chaining in recent times. Chains taken off

245 CHAPTER VIII.

The wall-system. This began on the Continent. Library of the Escõrial. Ambrosian Library at Milan. Library of Cardinal Mazarin. Bodleian Library at Oxford. Works and influence of Wren. French conventual libraries of the seventeenth century

267 CHAPTER IX.

Private libraries. Abbat Simon and his book-chest. Library of Charles V. of France. Illustrations of this library from illuminated manuscripts. Book-lectern used in private houses. Book-desks revolving round a central screw. Desks attached to chairs. Wall-cupboards. A scholar's room in the fifteenth century. Study of the Duke of Urbino. Library of Margaret of Austria. Library of Montaigne. Conclusion

291

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

href="@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@26378@[email protected]#fig8" class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">8. Part of the internal wall of the Record-House of Vespasian. Reduced from a sketch taken in the 16th century by Pirro Ligorio. From Commissione Archeologica Comunale di Roma 26 9. A reader with a roll: from a fresco at Pompeii 28 10. Book-box or capsa 30 11. A Roman taking down a roll from its place in a Library 35 12. Desk to support a roll while it is being read 36 13. A Roman reading a roll in front of a press (armarium). From a photograph of a sarcophagus in the garden of the Villa Balestra, Rome To face 38 14. Press containing the four Gospels. From a mosaic above the tomb of the Empress Galla Placidia at Ravenna 39 15. Ezra writing the Law. Frontispiece to the Codex Amiatinus. In the background is a press with open doors. The picture was probably drawn in the middle of the sixth century a.d. Frontispiece 16. Great Hall of the Vatican Library, looking west To face 47 17. A single press in the Vatican Library, open. From a photograph To face 48 18. Rough ground-plan of the Great Hall of the Vatican Library, to illustrate the account of the decoration To face 60 19. Press in the cloister at the Cistercian Abbey of Fossa Nuova 83 20. Ground-plan and elevation of the book-recesses in the cloister of Worcester Cathedral 84 21. Ground-plan of part of the Abbey of Fossa Nuova. To shew the book-room and book-press, and their relations to adjoining structures: partly from Enlart's Origines Françaises de l'Architecture Gothique en Italie, partly from my own measurements 85 22. Ground-plan of part of Kirkstall Abbey, Yorkshire 86 23. Ground-plan of part of Furness Abbey. From Mr W. H. St J. Hope's plan 88 24. Arches in south wall of Church at Beaulieu Abbey, Hampshire, once possibly used as book-presses To face 89 25. The cloister, Westminster Abbey. From Mr Micklethwaite's plan of the buildings 91 26. Part of the ancient press in Bayeux Cathedral, called Le Chartrier de Bayeux. From a photograph To face 94 27. Press in the church at Obazine, Central France. From a photograph To face 95 28. Ground-plan of one of the windows in the cloister of Durham Cathedral 96 29. Range of carrells in the south cloister at Gloucester Cathedral. From Mr Murray's Handbook to the Western Cathedrals 97 30. A single carrell, Gloucester Cathedral To face 98 31. Library at Durham, built by Prior Wessyngton about 1446 107 32. Library of the Grey Friars House, London, commonly called Christ's

Hospital. From Trollope's History of Christ's Hospital To face 109 33. Bird's-eye view of part of the Monastery of Citeaux. From a drawing dated 1718 110 34. Ground-plan of part of the Monastery of Citeaux. From a plan dated 1718 111 35. Ground-plan of the Library at Citeaux 111 36. Part of the Abbey of S. Germain des Près, Paris. From a print dated 1687; reproduced in Les Anciennes Bibliothèques de Paris, par Alf. Franklin, Vol. i. p. 126 115 37. Part of the Abbey of S. Germain des Près, Paris. From a print in Histoire de l'Abbaye Royale de Saint Germain des Prez, par Dom Jacques Bouillart, fol. Paris, 1724, lettered "l'Abbaye ... telle qu'elle est présentement" 116 38. Plan of the Old Library, Lincoln Cathedral 119 39. Interior of the Old Library, Lincoln Cathedral To face 118 40. Plan of the Cloister, etc., Lincoln Cathedral 120 41. Exterior of the Library at Salisbury Cathedral, looking north-east To face 122 42. Plan of the Library in Wells Cathedral 122 43. Plan of the Library at Lichfield Cathedral. From History and Antiquities of Staffordshire, by Stebbing Shaw, fol. Lond. 1798, Vol. II. P. 244 123 44. Chapter-Library at Noyon, France To face 124 45. A single pillar of the cloister beneath the Chapter-Library at Noyon. 125 46. Plan of the Library at the south-east angle of the south transept of the Cathedral at Troyes 126 47. Interior of the Cour des Libraires, Rouen, shewing the gate of entrance from the street, and the Library To face 130 48. Pembroke College, Cambridge, reduced from Loggan's print, taken about 1688 149 49. Long Section of Old Congregation House and Library, Oxford, looking south. From The Church of S. Mary the Virgin, Oxford, by T. G. Jackson, Architect 150 50. Ground-plan of the Library at Queens' College, Cambridge 152 51. Elevation of book-desk in Library of Queens' College, Cambridge 152 52. Ground-plan of the Library at Zutphen 154 53. General view of the north side of the Library attached to the church of S. Walburga at Zutphen To face 155 54. Desk and reader on the south side of the Library at Zutphen. From a photograph 155 55. Elevations of (A) one of the bookcases in the Library at Zutphen; (B) one of those in the Library at Queens' College, Cambridge 156 56. End of iron bar: Zutphen 156 57. End of one of the desks on the north side of the Library: Zutphen.

align="right">157 58. Piece of chain, shewing the ring attached to the bar, the swivel, and one of the links, actual size: Guildford 158 59. Piece of the iron bar, with chain: Zutphen 159 60. Chained book, from a Dominican House at Bamberg, South Germany 159 61. Single desk in the Old Library: Lincoln Cathedral 161 62. Elevations of (A) one of the bookcases in the Library at Zutphen; (B) one of those in the Library at Queens' College, Cambridge; (C) one of those in the Library of Lincoln Cathedral 163 63. Interior of a Library. From a MS. of a French translation of the first book of the Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius, written in Flanders towards the end of the fifteenth century 164 64. Library of the College de Navarre, Paris, now destroyed To face 165 65. General view of the Library at Trinity Hall, Cambridge To face 169 66. Elevation of a book-desk and seat in the Library of Trinity Hall, Cambridge 168 67. Lock at end of book-desk: Trinity Hall 169 68. A French Library of 1480. From MS. 164 in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge To face 169 69. The interior of the Library of the University of Leyden. From a print by Jan Cornelis Woudanus, dated 1610 To follow 170 70. Bookcases and seat in the Library at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. From a photograph taken in 1894 To face 173 71. Elevation of one bookcase in the Library of Corpus Christi College, Oxford 173 72. Bookcase in the Chapter Library, Hereford Cathedral. From a sketch taken in 1876 175 73. Part of a bookcase in the Chapter Library, Hereford To face 175 74. Part of a single volume, shewing the clasp, the ring for the chain, and the mode of attaching it: Hereford 175 75. A single volume, standing on the shelf, with the chain attached to the iron bar: Hereford 176 76. Iron bar and socket, closed to prevent removal of the bar: Hereford 176 77. Iron bar, with part of the iron plate or hasp which is secured by the lock and keeps the bar in place: Hereford 177 78. Piece of chain, shewing the swivel: Hereford 178 79. Hook to hold up the desk: Bodleian Library, Oxford 179 80. Exterior of the Library at Merton College, Oxford, as seen from 'Mob Quadrangle.' From a photograph by H. W. Taunt, 1899 To face 179 81. Ground-plan of the Library at Merton College, Oxford 180 82. Interior of the West Library at Merton College, Oxford. From a photograph by H. W. Taunt, 1899 To face 181

align="left">83. Bookcase in the West Library of Merton College, Oxford. From a photograph by H. W. Taunt, 1899 To face 181 84. Elevation of a bookcase and seat in the West Library at Merton College, Oxford. Measured and drawn by T. D. Atkinson, Architect 182 85. Stall-end in the Library of Clare College, Cambridge 187 86. Ring for attachment of chain, Wells 189 87. Bookcases in the Library of Durham Cathedral. From a photograph To face 189 88. Conjectural plan of the Library over the Prior's Chapel at Christ Church, Canterbury 191 89. Sketch of the probable appearance of a bookcase, and a reader's seat, in the Library at Christ Church, Canterbury 193 90, 91. Ground-plan and section of Library at Cesena 200 92. General view of the Library at Cesena. From a photograph To face 201 93. Bookcases at west end of south side of Library, Cesena 201 94. Part of a bookcase, at Cesena to shew the system of chaining 202 95. Piece of a chain, Cesena 203 96. Chained book at Ghent 204 97. Ground-plan of part of the Vatican Palace, shewing the building of Nicholas V., as arranged for library purposes by Sixtus IV., and its relation to the surrounding structures. From Letarouilly, Le Vatican, fol. Paris, 1882, as reproduced by M. Fabre 210 98. Ground-plan of the rooms in the Vatican Palace fitted up for library-purpose by Sixtus IV To  follow 208 99. Interior of the Library of Sixtus IV., as shewn in a fresco in the Ospedale di Santo Spirito, Rome. From a photograph taken by Danesi To face 225 100. The library-settles (spalliere) once used in the Vatican Library of Sixtus IV., and now in the Appartamento Borgia. From a photograph To face 228 101. Bookcases in the Medicean Library, Florence 235 102. Copy, slightly reduced, of a sketch by Michelangelo for one of the bookcases in the Medicean Library, Florence 236 103. Elevation of desks at Cesena 237 104. Elevation of desks in the Medicean Library: Florence 237 105. A book in the Medicean Library, to shew attachment of chain 238 106. Piece of chain in the Medicean Library, of the actual size 238 107. Diagram to explain the ironwork at the Medicean Library 239 108. Outline of bolt forming part of ironwork 239

href="@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@26378@[email protected]#fig109" class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">109. West oriel of the Library at S. John's College, Cambridge 249 110. Bookcases in the Library of S. John's College, Cambridge 250 111. Bookcases in the Library of Peterhouse, Cambridge 252 112. Bookcases in the south room of the University Library, Cambridge. To face 253 113. Bookcase in the old Library of King's College, Cambridge, made with the bequest of Nicholas Hobart, 1659 255 114. Ground-plan of Library, Grantham, Lincolnshire 257 115. Ring and link of chain: Wimborne Minster 261 116. Bookpress in the school at Bolton, Lancashire. From Bibliographical Miscellanies by William Blades To face 264 117. General view of the Library of the Escõrial, looking north To face 269 118. Bookcases in the Library of the Escõrial on an enlarged scale 268 119. Elevation of a bookcase, and section of a desk, in the Library of the Escõrial 270 120. Ground-plan of the Ambrosian Library at Milan 271 121. Interior of the Ambrosian Library at Milan. From a photograph taken in 1899 To face 271 122. Bookcases, in the Bibliothèque Mazarine, Paris. From a photograph by Dujardin, 1898 To face 273 123. Elevation of a bookcase and section of a desk in the Bibliothèque Mazarine, Paris 274 124. A portion of the bookcases set up in the eastern wing of the Bodleian Library, Oxford, built 1610-1612. From Loggan's Oxonia Illustrata, 1675 275 125. Entrance to Wren's Library at Lincoln Cathedral, with part of the bookcase which lines the north wall To face 277 126. Part of Wren's elevation of the east side of the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge, with a section of the north range of Nevile's Court, shewing the door to the Library from the first floor 278 127. Elevation of one bay on the east side of the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge, drawn to scale from the existing building 279 128. Interior of the north-east corner of the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge, shewing the bookcases, table, desk and stools, as designed by Sir Christopher Wren 281 129. Ground-plan of Library and adjacent parts of S. Paul's Cathedral, London. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren 283 130. Sir Christopher Wren's Library at S. Paul's Cathedral, London, looking north-east To face 282 131. Bookcase in the north room of the University Library, Cambridge, designed by James Essex, 1731-1734 286 132. Interior of the Library of the Jesuits at Rheims, now the Lingerie de l'Hôpital General To face 287 133. Ground-plan of the Library of the Jesuits at Rheims 288

134. Simon, Abbat of S. Albans (1167-1183), seated at his book-chest. From MSS. Cotton 293 135. Two men in a library. From a MS. of Les cas des malheureux nobles hommes et femmes in the British Museum 295 136. A Carmelite in his study. From a MS. of Le Miroir Historial in the British Museum To face 296 137. Three musicians in a Library. From a MS. of a French translation of Valerius Maximus, in the British Museum 297 138. A bibliomaniac at his desk. From the Ship of Fools 298 139. S. John writing his Gospel. From a MS. Hours in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge 303 140. S. Jerome writing. From an oil painting by Benedetto Bonfigli, in the Church of S. Peter at Perugia To face 304 141. Circular book-desk. From a MS. of Fais et Gestes du Roi Alexandre, in the British Museum 304 142. S. Luke writing his Gospel. From the Dunois Horæ, a MS. in the possession of H. Y. Thompson, Esq. 305 143. A lady seated in her chair reading. From a MS. written in France, early in the fifteenth century 306 144. Screw-desk. From a fifteenth century MS. in the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal, Paris 307 145. Hexagonal desk, with central spike, probably for a candle. From a French MS. of Le Miroir Historial 307 146. A lecturer addressing an audience. From a MS. of Livre des cas des malheureux nobles hommes et femmes, written in France at end of fifteenth century To face 308 147. S. Mark writing his Gospel. From a MS. Hours written in France in the fifteenth century 309 148. The author of The Chronicles of Hainault in his study (1446) To face 309 149. S. Jerome in his study. From Les Miracles de Nostre Dame, written at the Hague in 1456 To face 310 150. A writer with his desk and table. From a MS. of Le Livre des Propriétès des Choses in the British Museum To face 309 151. S. Luke writing his Gospel. MSS. Douce, Bodl. Lib. Oxf., No. 381 311 152. S. Augustine at his desk. From a painting by Fra Filippo Lippi at Florence 312 153. S. Jerome reading. From an oil painting by Catena, in the National Gallery, London To face 313 154. A writer at work. From a French translation of Valerius Maximus, written and illuminated in Flanders in 1479, for King Edward IV. To face 313 155. A scholar's room in the fifteenth century. From a MS. in the Royal Library at Brussels To face 314 156. Dean Boys in his Library, 1622 317

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THE CARE OF BOOKS.

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CHAPTER I.