The Care of Books Part 10

Moyses librum legis Levitis in tabernaculo reponendum tradit.

Moses hands a large folio to a Levite, behind whom more Levites are standing. Soldiers, etc., stand behind Moses. Tents in background.

III. BIBLIOTHECA HEBRaeA.

(On first wall-s.p.a.ce south side.)

Esdras sacerdos et scriba Bibliothecam sacram rest.i.tuit.

Ezra, attired in a costume that is almost Roman, stands in the centre of the picture, his back half turned to the spectator. An official is pointing to a press full of books. Porters are bringing in others.

IV. BIBLIOTHECA BABYLONICA.

(Two pictures.)

(_a_) _The education of Daniel in Babylon._

Daniel et socii linguam scientiamque Chaldaeorum edisc.u.n.t.

Daniel and other young men are writing and reading at a table on the right of the picture. A group of elderly men in front of them to the left.

Behind these is a lofty chair and desk, beneath which is a table at which a group of boys are reading and writing. In the background a set of book-shelves with a desk, quite modern in style.

(_b_) _The search for the decree of Cyrus._

Cyri decretum de templi restauratione Darii iussu perquiritur.

Darius, crowned, his back half turned to the spectator, is giving orders to several young men, who are taking books out of an _armarium_--evidently copied from one of the Vatican book-cupboards.

V. BIBLIOTHECA ATHENIENSIS.

(Two pictures.)

(_a_) _Pisistratus arranges a library at Athens._

Pisistratus primus apud Graecos publicam bibliothecam inst.i.tuit.

Pisistratus, in armour, over which is a blue mantle, is giving orders to an old man who kneels before him, holding an open book. Behind the old man attendants are placing books on desks--others are reading. Behind Pisistratus is a group of officers, and behind them again a book-press without doors, and a row of open books on the top.

(_b_) _Restoration of the library by Seleucus._

Seleucus bibliothecam a Xerxe asportatam referendam curat.

Servants are bringing in books which are being hastily packed into cases.

In the background is seen the sea, with a s.h.i.+p; and the door of the palace. A picture full of life and movement.

VI. BIBLIOTHECA ALEXANDRINA.

(Two pictures.)

(_a_) _Ptolemy organises the library at Alexandria._

Ptolemaeus ingenti bibliotheca instructa Hebreorum libros concupiscit.

Ptolemy, a dignified figure in a royal habit, stands in the centre. He is addressing an elderly man who stands on his right. Behind him are three porches, within which are seen desks and readers. In the central porch are closed presses, with rows of folios on the top. Below are desks, at which readers are seated, their backs turned to the presses.

(_b_) _The Seventy Translators bring their work to Ptolemy._

LXXII interpretes ab Eleazaro missi sacros libros Ptolemaeo reddunt.

Ptolemy is seated on a throne to right of spectator with courtiers on his right and left. The messengers kneel before him, and hand him volumes.

VII. BIBLIOTHECA ROMANORUM.

(_a_) _Tarquin receives the Sibylline Books._

Tarquinius Superbus libros Sibyllinos tres aliis a muliere incensis tantidem emit.

Tarquin, seated in the centre of the picture, receives three volumes from an aged and dignified woman. In front a lighted brazier in which the other books are burning.

(_b_) _Augustus opens the Palatine library._

Augustus Caes. Palatina Bibliotheca magnifice ornata viros litteratos fovet.

Augustus, in armour, with imperial mantle, crown and sceptre, stands left of centre. An old man seated at his feet is writing from his dictation.

Left of the Emperor are five desks; with five closed books lying on the top of each. These desks are very probably intended to represent those of the Vatican Library as arranged by Sixtus IV. Two men, crowned with laurel, are standing behind the last desk, conversing. Behind them again is a book-case of three shelves between a pair of columns. Books are lying on their sides on these shelves. Beneath the shelves is a desk, with books open upon it, and others on their sides beneath it.

VIII. BIBLIOTHECA HIEROSOLIMITANA.

_Alexander, Bishop and Martyr, collects a library at Jerusalem._

S. Alexander Episc. et Mart. Decio Imp. in magna temporum acerbitate sacrorum scriptorum libros Hierosolymis congregat.

A picture full of movement, occupying the whole s.p.a.ce between two windows.

The saint is in the centre of the picture, seated. Young men are bringing in the books, and placing them on shelves.

IX. BIBLIOTHECA CaeSARIENSIS.

_Pamphilus, Priest and Martyr, collects a library at Caesarea._

S. Pamphilus Presb. et Mart. admirandae sanct.i.tatis et doctrinae Caesareae sacram bibliothecam conficit multos libros sua manu describit.