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c«ss of dme, by others for the Latin, both Roman and Italic, tof^ether with the necessary imple- ments for their multiplication. M. Foumier, spealdng of the Fonderie du Rot as that of the greatest antiquity, which was in his time existing in Fiance, says it is the same which thus had its commencement under the auspices of Francis.
M. de Goignes, in his historical Essay on the Greek characters of Francis I., pronounces them to hare been engraven with so much elegance, that it would be difficult, eren at present, to farm any equally beautiful. That king, he says, (after Belon,) who lored the arts, and was an especial admirer of grand designs, haring col- lected around him able artists of every de- scription, had projected a colossal statue of Hercules, of the height of fifty-two feet and upwards ; which from having had cast, he was prevented by death only: the model still remain- ing at I^uis. But M. de Guignes thinks that Francis erected a monument, if less gigantic, yet better calculated to record his name to pos- terity, in these beautiful Greek characters, which he caused to be engraved by Garamond.
By the liberal provision of such an apparatus, and ibr the discreet example which Francis I. gave, in the selection and appointment of the most learned and skilful typographers, as hislm- presBores Regii, the honours annexed to the office, and the remunerations assigned them, he made every reasonable provision both for the tedmical beauty of the intended impressions, and the accuracT of their texts; anxious that they diould in all respects prove worthy of his RoyiJ Institution. With the like view, as we have already intimated, and as many writers attest, be omitted no possible means of procuring authentic manuscripts of classical, and more espcdally of Greek authors: having caused them to be diligently sought after in Greece and Ana; purchased such as could be bought, and procured transcripts of others. The distinction of " Regius in Grtecis Typographus" was first conferred on Neobarins, who received in con- sideration of it an annual stipend of one hun- dred gold Clowns. But, as during the short official career of that printer the arrangements of the king's typographical establishment were not completed, we shul find that the advantage of appearing with genuine brilliance in that charac- ter was reserved for Robert Stephens.
To have laid the groundwork of the College Royal, says M. Gaillard, is sufficient to estab- lish the giory of Francis I. though he had not the happinessof perfecting his extensive projects. He leu indeed, much for his successors to per- form ; but had the credit of indicating to them what they ought to do. Francis having con- structed no edifices for the royal professors, they gave their lectures in different college of the university. Henry II. asdgned them those de Treguier and de Cambray. Henry IV. a little before his decease, had resolved upon proceeding with the intended erections, and named com- missioneiB for that purpose. Louis XIII. in 1810, executed the design; and it is to him,
says tlie same author, that we owe the edifice, ' which now exists under the name of the Col- lege Royal.
The services rendered by Francis I. to the cause of elegant literature may here be added. Several times during his reign he confirmed and renewed the privileges of the imprimeurs and libraires of the university. He instituted the office of superintendent of the royal library of Fontainebleau ; which, under the title of Bibliothecaire du Roy, was first conferred upon Budsus, and afterwards upon Peter du Chastel. He is said to have taken a remarkable pleasure in inspecting the process of printing: and one day having visited the office of Robert Stephens, who happened to be employed in correcting a proof, would not interrupt him; but waited till he had finished.
In this reign also, the taste seems to have been introduced for gilding the edges of the leaves of works of importance, binding them ornament- ally, and sometimes distinguishing them with the arms, devices, mottos, and names of the owners. Sometimes they were covered with vel- vet, as may be seen from specimens still remain- ing in the cabinets of the ctirious. As the im- pressions of books were now greatly multiplied, and private individuals began to form libraries, the practice became also prevalent of decorating books, by gilding them in compartments, on the outside of the bindings, upon the tide. On the same part were formed scrolls or labels, on which were mscribed the titles of the respective works, because they were then arranged upon the sides, and not after the manner usual at present One of the most zealous collectors of those times was Monsieur G*lrallier, who had been honoured-with the character of ambassador of Francis I. at the court of Rome. He was at great expense in binding and gilding. His library consisted of about three thousand volumes, variously deco- rated and ornamented, and inscribed —
"JoANNis Ghollieri et Amicoeum,"
showing that he wished his books to be used by his friends as well as himself. Of the care his friends took of them, the still perfect state of the bindings amply testifies. Grolier is con- sidered to be the introducer of lettering pieces between the bands of the back.
His library was preserved at the Hotel de Vic. till the year 1675, and then publicly sold. Many of Grolier's books are to be found in Mr. Cracherode's collection in the British Museum. They are well and firmly bound. A succession of plain lines, forming divers compartments, exe- cuted with much precision, and attention to pro- portion, appears nearly on the whole.
Cotemporary with Grolier, another patron of the name of Maioli, is well known, from his bindings, though of his personal history no traces are left. The decoration of his bindings also consists of designs in compartments, and bear his name like Grolier's, thus —
Tho Maioli et Amicorum.
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