ring of fesses and chevrons lightens the sombre tone of the
mahogany cases. The shields are chosen for their distinctive features,
and, once learnt, it would be impossible in seeking 'Warr. C, 21' to
mistake the scarlet chevrons of Clare for the blue and white chess-board
coat of Warren.

On the matter of cases with glass doors we need not touch here; it has
been thoroughly debated by such masters as Blades and Lang. For the
storing of valuable books and bindings such cases are excellent, provided
always that there is a free circulation of air about the volumes, or that
the doors are opened every day. But for one who is at work continually in
his library, and is referring constantly to his books, the repeated
opening and closing of glass doors would be something more than
irritating. Charles V. of France had grilles of brass wire put in the
windows of his library in the Louvre, to preserve the books from the
attacks of 'birds and other beasts.' The document recording the payment
for this work makes the sinister remark that the books were in the tower
'devers la Fauconnerie.' Precisely what the clerk of the works thought we
shall never know; possibly he pictured a goshawk pouncing upon the
'veluyau ynde' in which some chubby duodecimo was clothed. In the end,
however, the 'oyseaux et autres bestes' had to make room for the books;
and the Tour de la Fauconnerie, known thenceforth as the Tour de la
Librairie, was panelled throughout with 'bois d'Irlande,' carved and
inlaid (as it seems) with cypress wood. However, this was so long ago as
1368.

We must now turn to another important matter--perhaps the most important
subject to the collector after the housing of his volumes--namely, the
binding of his books. It is a subject that is naturally of the greatest
moment to the bibliophile, for it is as essentially a part of his
volumes as are their leaves and print. It is constantly before him, and
will continue to occupy his thoughts to the end of his book-collecting
career. So often, however, has it been treated, so many are the books
upon it by skilled craftsmen, that it were needless (and, indeed,
presumptuous for the writer) to enter into any details here concerning
its methods. I would strongly urge every young collector, however, to
make himself thoroughly acquainted with the craft so far as can be done
without actually becoming apprentice to a bookbinder. Bookbinding is
taught nowadays at most of the County Council Schoo