Another gift in this year, presented by Thomas Nevile, K.B., eldest son of Sir H. Nevile, Knt., is thus described in the Register: 'Elegantissimum libellum diversa scripturæ genera continentem, manu Esteris Anglicæ, characteribus exquisitis conscriptum.' This is, doubtless, the MS. of the Book of Proverbs, dated 1599, in which every chapter, as well as the dedication to the Earl of Essex, is written in a different style of caligraphy,
which is now exhibited in the glass case nearest the entrance to the Library. It is an extremely beautiful specimen of the handiwork of Mrs. Esther Inglis, of whose skill the Library possesses another and smaller specimen (Bodl. 987), consisting of some French verses by Guy de Faur, Sieur de Pybrac, written for Dr. Joseph Hall (afterwards the Bishop of Norwich), in 1617. These are described in the account of Mrs. Inglis, in Ballard's Memoirs of British Ladies. A third specimen of her work is in the Library of Ch. Ch.: it is a Psalter in French, presented to Queen Elizabeth in 1599, bound in embroidered crimson velvet, set with pearls[76].
The Douay Bible of 1609 was presented by Sir Rich. Anderson, and a Persian MS. of the Liturgy of the Greek Church by Sir Thos. Roe. The first architectural model also was given in this year; but unfortunately it is not now extant. Its description is as follows: 'Clemens Edmonds, eques auratus, consilio Regis ab epistolis, donavit egregium [a]παραδειγμα] quinque columnarum, nunc primum inventum, secundum formam rusticam, ex alabastrite singulari artificio confectum.'
[69] One fact to his credit is indeed mentioned by Wood in the Fasti, under the year 1648, viz. that he prevented the then Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Reynolds, and the Proctors from breaking open Bodley's chest in search of money, by assuring them that there was nothing in it. Hearne (MS. Diary, vol. xii. p. 13) says that Rouse inserted a portrait of Sir Thos. Bodley, done at his own charge, in the window of the room which he occupied on the west side of Oriel College.
[70] Cowley followed Milton's example by inserting an Ode, in this case in English, in a folio copy of his Poems (numbered C. 2. 21. Art.), which he gave June 26, 1656. It is printed exactly from the original in Reliquiæ Hearn. ii. 921-3.
[72] At this time there were only two other public libraries in Europe, both later in date than the Bodleian, viz. that of Angelo Rocca at Rome, opened in 1604, and the Ambrosian at Milan, opened in 1609. The fourth public library was that of Card. Mazarin at Paris, opened in 1643. Evidence of the consequent appreciation by foreigners of the advantages of the Bodleian Library is given under the year 1641.
[73] An Appendix to James' Catalogue was printed in 1635, q. v.
[74] Nichols' Progresses of James I, vol. iii. p. 1105. Rouse's speech (with the letter) is printed in Hearne's Titus Liv. Forojul. p. 198.
[75] Letter from J. Chamberlain to Sir D. Carleton, June 28, 1620: Calendar of State Papers, 1619-23, p. 157.