repast, I lay day-dreaming in bed, and twisting
the wheels of my memory round: I thought of a thousand little fancies
both grave and gay, and then there came before my mind those antique
letters that I used to make for my lord, Master Jean Grolier, the King's
councillor, and a friend of the _Belles Lettres_ and of all men of
learning, by whom he is loved and esteemed on both sides of the Alps.'

Another testimony comes from Dr. Sambucus, who knew Grolier well when he
was living in Paris, and used to be fond of inspecting his cabinet of
coins. In the last year of Grolier's life he received a book on the
subject with a dedication to himself by the worthy Doctor. Grolier was
reminded in the preface of their long talks on antiquarian subjects, and
of the kindness which Sambucus had received from the treasurer and the
treasurer's father at Milan. 'During the last three years,' says
Sambucus, 'I have been enriching my library, and I have added some very
scarce coins to the cabinet that you used to admire.' He adds a few
complaints about dealers and the tricks of the trade, which we need not
repeat. 'And now farewell!' he ends, 'noble ornament of a noble race, by
whose mouth nothing has ever been uttered that came not from the heart!'

Some account of Grolier's career is to be found in De Thou's great
history. He praised the 'incredible love of learning' that had earned for
a mere youth the intimate friendship of Budaeus. He showed with what
administrative ability the Milanese territories were governed, and with
what dignity Grolier filled the high office of Treasurer at home.

Grolier, he says, built a magnificent mansion in the Rue de Bussy, which
was known as the Hotel de Lyon; in one of its halls he arranged the
multitude of books 'so carefully, and with such a fine effect, that the
library might have been compared to that which Pollio established in
Rome'; and so great was the supply that, notwithstanding his many gifts
to friends and various misfortunes which befell his collection, every
important library in France was able after his death to show some of his
grand bindings as its principal ornament. Grolier's old age was
disturbed by imputations against his official conduct, and it seemed at
one time as if his fortune were in considerable danger. 'He was so
confident in his innocence,' said the historian,'that he would not seek
help from his friends; but he might have fallen at last, if he had not
been protected by my