Versus qui scripti sunt in armaria sua ab ipso [Isidoro] compositi.
_Cod. Vat. Pal._ 1877, a MS. which came from Lorch in Germany. De Rossi,
_ut supra_. Chap. VII.

[112] _Isidori Opera Omnia_, 410. Rome, 1803. Vol. VII. p. 179.

[113] See Hen. Stevenson, _Topografia e Monumenti di Roma nelle Pitture a
fresco di Sisto V. della Biblioteca Vaticana_, p. 7; in _Al Sommo
Pontefice Leone XIII. Omaggio Giubilare della Biblioteca Vaticana_, Fol.
Rome, 1881.

[114] Signor Lanciani (_Ancient Rome_, p. 195) was the first to suggest a
comparison between the Vatican Library and those of ancient Rome.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER I.

DECORATION OF THE VATICAN LIBRARY.

The system of decoration carried out in this Library, of which I have just
given a summary description, is so interesting, and bears evidence of so
much care and thought, that I subjoin a detailed account of it, which, by
the kindness of Father Ehrle, prefect of the Library, I was enabled to
draw up during my late visits to Rome. The diagrammatic ground-plan (fig.
18) which accompanies this description, if studied in conjunction with the
general view (fig. 16), will make the relation of the subjects to each
other perfectly clear. The visitor is supposed to enter the Library from
the vestibule at the east end; and the notation of the piers, windows,
wall-frescoes, etc., begins from the same end. Further, the visitor is
supposed to examine the east face of each pier first, and then to turn to
the left.

I will begin with the figures on the central piers and half-piers. These
figures are painted in fresco, of heroic size: and over their heads are
the letters which they are supposed to have invented.

1. PILASTER AGAINST EAST WALL.

ADAM.

A tall stalwart figure dressed in short chiton. He holds an apple in his
left hand, and a mattock in his right.

Adam divinitus edoctus primus scientiarum et litterarum inventor.

2. FIRST PIER.

(_a_) ABRAHAM.

Abraham Syras et Chaldaicas litteras invenit.

(_b_) THE SONS OF SETH.

Filii Seth columnis duabus rerum coelestium disciplinam inscribunt.

(_c_) ESDRAS.

Esdras novas Hebraeorum litteras invenit.

(_d_) MOSES.

Moyses antiquas Hebraicas litteras invenit.

On the cornice of the presses round this pier are the following
inscriptions:

(_a_) Doctrina bona dabit gratiam. Prov. xiii. 15.
(_b_) Volo vos sapientes esse in bono. Rom. xvi. 19.
(_c_) Impius ignorat scientiam. P