The main characteristic of the finer bindings made for James I. is the form of ornamentation known as a semis, that is to say, a powdering all over the field of small stamps arranged symmetrically near together. The commonest of these small stamps show stars, flaming hearts, ermine spots, roses, thistles, pineapples, tridents, fleurs-de-lys, and lions, but there are several others. Another characteristic is the presence of large corner stamps. These are cut in arabesque designs, and many of them are very handsome. The idea of corner ornamentation of this sort began late in Queen Elizabeth's reign, but it did not reach its highest excellence in stamp form until well into the reign of James I. James I. was the first sovereign to have his books mainly bound in morocco, and this leather is found in most quiet colours--greens and browns and blues, but not red. Several beautiful volumes are also bound in vellum, and others in velvet and satin. The Jacobean period was a decorative one, but not one of the highest level of the art of bookbinding. The greater number of James I.'s books came to the British Museum by gift of George II. in 1757, with the rest of the Old Royal Library of England. [Illustration] JAMES II., KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, AND IRELAND _Arms._--Within the Garter. Quartered. 1st and 4th grand quarters, quarterly, France and England. 2nd grand quarter, Scotland. 3rd grand quarter, Ireland. As used by James I. (q.v.). _Crest._--A Royal crown ppr., thereon a lion statant guardant or, crowned ppr. _Helmet._--Royal. _Supporters._--A lion and a unicorn as used by James I. (q.v.). _Motto._--DIEV ET MON DROIT. Used from 1685 until 1689, when James II. was deposed. [_Ordnance Rules._ 1683-1685. Stowe MS. 442.] [Illustration] _Variety._--Used in France from 1689 until 1701. _Arms._--Quarterly. 1st and 4th, England. 2nd, Scotland. 3rd, Ireland. Colours as used by James I. (q.v.). Ensigned with the Royal Crown, and between two palm branches. In this coat James has left out the coat of France, probably out of courtesy to the French King, Louis XIV., who had given him asylum at St. Germains. It is remarkable that this coat-of-arms subsequently became that used by Queen Victoria in 1837. [_La Renommée qui publie le Bonheur de l'Europe sous le regne de Jacques ... Roy de la Grande Bretagne._ 1688.] [E. Almack, Esq., F.S.A., Brighton.] [Illustration] _Variety._--Within the Garter. Used in France from 1689 until 1701. The same curious coat-of-arms as in the preceding plate. [_Traité des obligations des Chrétiens._ Paris, 1699.] [E. Almack, Esq., F.S.A., Brighton.] [Illustration] Used as Duke of York. _Initials._--J. D. (Jacobus Dux). Ensigned with a princely coronet, and within two palm branches.