ust have been well acquainted with the room and its
contents.

La stanza destinata a questi libri e alia mano sinistra
di chi entra nel Palazzo contigua al vestibolo, o andito
... le fenestre ha volte a Tramontana, le quali per
esser alte dal pavimento, ed in testa della stanza, e
volte a parte di cielo che non ha sole, fanno un certo
lume rimesso, il quale pare col non distraer la vista
con la soverchia abbondanza della luce, che inviti ed
inciti coloro rhe v'entrano a studiare. La state e
freschissima, l' inverno temperatamente calda. Le
scanzie de' libri sono accostate alle mura, e disposte
con molto bell' ordine.

In questa fra gli altri libri sono due Bibbie, una
latina scritta a penna e miniata per mano di
eccellentissimi artefici, e l' altra Ebrea antichissima
scritta pure a mano ... Questa si posa sopra un gran
leggivo d' ottone, e s' appoggia all' ale d' una grande
aquila pur d' ottone che aprendole la sostiene. Intorno
alle cornici che circondano la libreria si leggono
scritti nel fregio questi versi[420].

In the preface to the catalogue of the library published at Rome in 1895,
the author, after quoting the above passage, adds "There were eight
presses each containing seven shelves"[421]. The architectural decorations
have all disappeared, with the exception of a fragment of a pediment at
the south end of the room, on which F. E. DVX is still visible. The
lectern is in the choir of the cathedral.

The Biblioteca Laurenziana, or Medicean Library, at Florence, is the last
Italian library which I intend to describe.

After the death of Pope Leo X. in 1521, his executor Cardinal Giulio dei
Medici, afterwards Pope Clement VII., restored to Florence the books which
their ancestors had got together, and commissioned Michelangelo to build a
room for their reception. The work was frequently interrupted, and it was
not until 1571 (11 June) that the library was formally opened.

The great architect, supported by the generosity of the Pope, constructed
an apartment which for convenience and for appropriate decoration stands
alone among libraries. It is raised high above the ground in order to
secure an ample supply of light and air, and is approached by a double
staircase of marble. It is 151 ft. 9 in. long, by 34 ft. 4 in. broad, and
was originally lighted by 15 windows in each of the side-walls at a height
of about 7 ft. 6 in. from th