Dibdin, Thomas Frognall; Spencer, George John [Oth.]: Bibliotheca Spenceriana: or a descriptive catalogue of the books printed in the fifteenth century, and of many valuable first editions, in the library of George John Earl Spencer (Band 2) (London, 1814) [Cicognara, 4650-2]

392

ANCIENT CLASSICS. [IVithout Date.

same reason, J. de Spira himself was not the printer of the work, as
catchwords are not to be found in those productions to which his
name is subjoined. This argument, therefore, applies equally to both
parties. We proceed to the book itself.

On the recto of the first leaf (in this copy superbly illuminated) we
read the following, without prefix :

AM Valerium Asiaticu bis consulem : fuisse
quonda adulteru eius credidit: pariterq; ortis
inhians quos ille a lucullo captos insigni ma^

On the recto of fol. 151, the last of the Six Books of the Annals ends
at bottom, thus:

nauium magnitudine potiorem.

The reverse is blank. On the recto of the following leaf, tlie History
of the Manners and Customs of the Germans commences as follows :

Cornelii Taciti illustrissimi historici de situ morib 9
8c populis Germanip libellus aureus.

g Ermania omnis a Gallis rhptiisq; 8c pannoniis:
Rheno: 8cDanubio flumlbus: asarmatis: dacisq;

A full page has 36 lines. On the reverse of the 8th leaf, this history
concludes with the word FINIS. Then a blank leaf. On the recto
of the ensuing one we read

Cornelii taciti equitis Romani dialogus de oratorib 9 claris.

Thistreatise contains 15 leaves. On the recto of the last leaf, we read
this memorable colophon :

Finis Deo laus

Cpsareos mores scribit Cornelius. esto
Iste tibi codex : historip pater est.

Insigni quem laude feret gens postera : pressit
Spira premens : artis gloria prima sup.