When the time came, the number of volumes of the Royal Collection which remained to be incorporated with the Museum of SLOANE and with the Library of Sir Robert COTTON was somewhat more than twelve thousand. The number of separate works—printed and manuscript together—probably exceeded fifteen thousand. Amongst the acquisitions so gained by the nation the first place of honour belongs to the _Codex Alexandrinus_. It stands, by the common consent of biblical palæographers, in a class of manuscripts of the Holy Scriptures into which only two or three other codices in the world can claim to be admitted. Of early English chronicles there is a long series which to their intrinsic interest as primary materials of our history add the ancillary interest of having been transcribed—sometimes of having been composed—expressly for presentation to the reigning Monarch. Here also, among a host of other literary curiosities, is the group of romances which John TALBOT, Earl of Shrewsbury, caused to be compiled for MARGARET of Anjou; and the autograph _Basilicon_, written for Prince HENRY. Among the innumerable printed treasures are choice books which accrued as presentation copies to the sovereigns of the House of TUDOR, beginning with a superb series of illuminated books on vellum, from the press of Anthony VERARD of Paris, given to HENRY THE SEVENTH. For large as had been the losses sustained by the original royal library, and truly as it may be said that Prince HENRY’S acquisitions amounted virtually to its re-foundation, many of the finest books of long anterior date had survived their varied perils. And some others have rejoined, from time to time, their old companions, after long absence. The royal collection has also an adventitious interest—in addition to the main one—from another point of view. It includes results of the strong-handed confiscations of our kings, as well as of the purchases they made, and the gifts they received. Both the royal manuscripts and the royal printed books contain many memorials of careers in which our poets no less than our historians have found, and are likely to find, an undying charm. CHAPTER IV. THE COLLECTOR OF THE ARUNDELIAN MSS.