In some examples of these book-desks the pedestal is utilized as a book-cupboard (fig. 146). The picture which I have selected as shewing a desk of this peculiarity is singularly beautiful, and finished in the highest style of art available at the end of the fifteenth century in France. It forms half of the frontispiece to a fine manuscript of Boccacio's _Livre des cas des malheureux nobles hommes et femmes_[536]. The central figure is apparently lecturing on that moving theme, for in front of him, in the other half of the picture, is a crowd of men exhibiting their interest by the violence of their gestures. On his left is the desk I mentioned; it stands on an unusually firm base, and one side of the vertical portion is pierced by an arch, so as to make the central cavity available for putting books in. From the centre of the table rises a tall spike, apparently of iron, to which is attached a horizontal arm, bearing a lighted lantern. On the table, in addition to three books, is an inkstand and pen-case. In front of the lecturer is a carved chest, probably one of those book-coffers which I have already mentioned. The chair and canopy are richly carved, and the back of the seat is partially covered by a piece of tapestry. Further, the lecturer is allowed the unusual luxury of a cushion. I will next deal with the appliances for reading and writing directly connected with the chairs in which scholars sat, and I will begin with the desk. [Illustration: Fig. 146. A lecturer addressing an audience. From a MS. of _Livre des cas des malheureux nobles hommes et femmes_, written in France at end of fifteenth century.] [Illustration: Fig. 148. The author of _The Chronicles of Hainault_ in his study (1446).] [Illustration: Fig. 150. A writer with his desk and table. From a MS. of _Le Livre des Proprietes des Choses_ in the British Museum.] The simplest form of desk is a plain board, set at a suitable angle by means of a chain or cord extending from one of its corners to the back of the chair, while the opposite corner rests against a peg driven into the arm of the chair. This arrangement, variously modified, occurs very frequently; sometimes there are two pegs and two chains, but what I may term the normal form is shewn in my illustration (fig. 147)[537]. It is difficult to understand how the desk was kept steady. [Illustration: Fig. 147. S. Mark writing his Gospel. From a MS. _Hours_ written in France in the fifteenth century.]