morning until the end of the third hour ...
and, in these days of Lent, let them receive a book
apiece from the library, and read it straight through.
These books are to be given out at the beginning of
Lent[128].

In this passage the _library_--by which a book-press is probably to be
understood--is specially mentioned. In other words, at that early date the
formation of a collection of books was contemplated, large enough to
supply the community with a volume apiece, without counting the
service-books required for use in the church.

The Benedictine Order flourished and increased abundantly for more than
four centuries, until, about A.D. 912, the order of Cluni was established.
It was so called from the celebrated abbey near Macon in Burgundy, which,
though not the first house of the Order in point of date, became
subsequently the first in extent, wealth, and reputation. As a stricter
observance of the Rule of S. Benedict was the main object which the
founder of this Order had in view, the Benedictine directions respecting
study are maintained and developed. The Customs prescribe the following
regulations for books:

On the second day of Lent the only passage of the Rule
to be read in Chapter is that concerning the observance
of Lent.

Then shall be read aloud a note (_brevis_) of the books
which a year before had been given out to brethren for
their reading. When a brother's name is called, he
rises, and returns the book that had been given to him;
and if it should happen that he has not read it through,
he is to ask forgiveness for his want of diligence.

A carpet on which those books are to be laid out is to
be put down in the Chapter-House; and the titles of
those which are distributed to brethren afresh are to be
noted, for which purpose a tablet is to be made of
somewhat larger size than usual[129].

In a subsequent chapter it is directed that the books are to be entrusted
to the official "who is called Precentor and _Armarius_, because he
usually has charge of the library, which is also called the _armarium_
(press)[130]. This arrangement shews that up to this date all the books,
whether service-books or not, were regarded as belonging to the church.

I come next to the decrees given to the English Benedictines by Archbishop
Lanfranc in or about 1070. "We send you" he says "the Customs of our Order
in writing, selected from the Cu