No. XLVII.

nomical tables and one diagram, for finding the cycles of the sun APPENDIX, and moon, the day of the month, and also for finding Easter and the Jewish Passover. Both this and the preceding part are contained Library of in what is now called the 'Ωρολόγιον.

It was probably written about the thirteenth century.

From some writing on the first three pages, it appears that this volume was once the property of Michael Kantakuzenos, a very rich nobleman, who resided in Anchialos, on the Black Sea, and was, in his own house, first strangled and then beheaded, on suspicion, by order of the Sultan, in the year 1578, March the 3d, O. S. His property was confiscated, according to Turkish law. He is mentioned by Martin Crusius, in his "Turco-Græcia." On the second of these pages, there is an Elegy on Michael Kantakuzenos.

VI. A fragment of an Evangelistary, containing twelve pages, large 4to.

The first page begins with Matthew v. 36, [μή] τε ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ It is written in uncial letters, which authorizes us to refer it to the ninth century.

σου.

It is undoubtedly the oldest manuscript in the collection.
VII. Michaelis Glycæ Chronicon, small 4to.

It has a large number of abbreviations. We observe, also, that
and u, when not parts of diphthongs, are invariably written

ϋ, as νῦν, ἀρχιερεύς.

and

The first two and the last two leaves, fragments of some martyrology, are written by a different hand.

It may be referred to the latter part of the thirteenth century. On the last page, we find the following sentence in Modern Greek: Ετοῦτο τὸ βιβλίον ὑπάρχει τοῦ τιμίου Προδρόμου πλησίον Βομποκούς, καὶ ὅποιος τὸ ἀποξενώσῃ ἔστω ἀφωρισμένος, This book belongs to the church of the honored Forerunner [that is, John the Baptist] near Bompokous; and whoever takes it away, let him be excommunicated.*

Among the Latin manuscripts may be mentioned,

J. A Latin translation of "the Politics, Rhetoric, and Larger Morals" of Aristotle, well written, in black letter, on parchment of

the University.

*The above account of Greek manuscripts has been furnished by Mr. Evangelinus A. Sophocles, a native Greek scholar, whose familiarity with manuscripts of different ages, and thorough acquaintance with Greek learning, give authority to his opinions on such subjects.

APPENDIX, the folio size. This was procured by Professor Everett, at Florence, No. XLVII. and formerly belonged to Petrus Victorius, an editor and commenLibrary of tator of Aristotle; and the translation is by him commended, as the University. having been made many ages before his time, when the Greek copies of Aristotle were more perfect, and as being very faithfully executed.

II. A fair manuscript of Ovid's Epistles, written on parchment, of the 8vo size. Its date is uncertain, but it is to be referred to a period long before the origin of printing.

III. A splendid copy of the Vulgate version of the whole Bible, very richly illuminated, on parchment, folio size.

IV. A beautifully illuminated Roman Catholic missal, of the fourteenth century, on parchment, 8vo size.

V. A treatise of Thomas Aquinas, written on thick paper; a good specimen of manuscript books written not long before the discovery of the art of printing. It is of the folio size, curiously bound..

Three of them are

The other is a copy

Of Oriental manuscripts, there are four. Persian, of great beauty, written on silk paper. of the Book of Esther, in Hebrew. It is in the form of the ancient volumen, or roll, being about a foot in breadth, and is mounted in the ancient manner.

Besides the above, the library contains manuscript works of dif ferent learned men of modern times; a great part of which, however, have been printed. The papers of Professor Sewall, of Arthur Lee, and of Professor Ebeling have a permanent literary or historical value; and the various Prize Dissertations written in the University during the present century, contain essays which in future times may be interesting to the writer of the literary history of the country.

It is hoped, that it will hereafter be an object with the friends of learning and of the University, to collect and deposit in the library, not only ancient manuscripts, but the papers of modern scholars, and especially of distinguished sons of the University.

LETTER OF ANDREW RITCHIE, ACCOMPANYING HIS DONA-
TION OF MINERALS.

APPENDIX,

No. XLVIII.

"Paris, 20 October, 1820.

Letter of
Andrew

"Reverend Sir,

"I have lately, with the assistance of my friend Mr. Cogswell, purchased the collection of minerals, which formed the cabinet of a distinguished mineralogist in Dresden. I beg leave to present it to Harvard College. In doing this, my wish is to increase the means of studying a science very interesting to our country, and to express in some degree my attachment and veneration for the University. "I am, Sir, very respectfully,

Ritchie.

"Your obedient servant,

"ANDREW RITCHIE.

"Rev. John T. Kirkland, D. D.,

"President of Harvard University."

In February, 1821, the Corporation received this donation, and, at the same time, a relinquishment by Mr. Cogswell, then Professor of Mineralogy in the seminary, of his interest in the abovementioned cabinet. In accepting it, the Corporation expressed their "lively satisfaction at this munificent donation, which supplies one of the pressing wants of the institution, and is an addition to its scientific apparatus of great importance, and which cannot but contribute in a high degree to the advancement of mineralogical knowledge in the University and throughout the country;" and voted, "that the grateful acknowledgments of this Corporation and of the University be presented to Mr. Ritchie, for this distinguished proof of his regard to the place of his education and to the interests of science."