Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/389

The Vatican Library. 377 Ottomans" in I453- 1 But this is given on the authority of Assemani. De Rossi declares the statement to be without foundation. Although Pius II., better known as ^Eneas Sylvius, succeeded Calixtus III., this celebrated humanist seems to have done nothing for the Vatican Library. 2 The work of Nicolas V., which had been thus neglected after his death, was carried on by Sixtus IV., who also built the Sistine Chapel in 1473. In the very first year of his pontificate (1471), we know from a brief, the construction of the library was commenced. 3 It was built beneath the Stanze of Nicolas V. 4 By 1475 the walls were ready for decoration. The names of the artists employed on this have come down to us, including those of Melozzo da Forli and Ghirlandajo. The whole was most gorgeously finished, and the windows filled with stained glass. 5 In it was put the fresco representing Platina at the feet of Sixtus IV. Of all this magnificence, this fresco is the only part that has survived. 6 He divided the library into four parts, Greek, Latin, Secret (the archives), and Papal (the private library of the pope). The books were all arranged and catalogued by Platina ; and amounted to about 2,500 volumes. 7 As an example of the mild regulations of the Vatican Library in the ifth century, that respecting the loan of MSS. may be quoted. During the whole pontificate of Sixtus IV. (1471-1484), thirteen years, all the functionaries of the curia, all the litterati of any distinction, and even simple strangers passing through Rome, obtained with the greatest facility leave to carry off MSS. to their lodgings for a period more or less long Ad arbitrium Plating* We have still the list of borrowers. Besides many well- known names we find that of the Queen of Cyprus. 9 My learned authorities justly remark that some mean may yet be discovered between the liberality of Calixtus III., who lent to a Russian 1 E. Edwards, Memoirs of Libraries, vol. ii., p. 353, Lond., 1859. 2 E. Miintz, Les arts a la cour despafes, pte. 3, p. 67. Where see reference to Archivio storico italiano. For the private library of Pius II. see infra, p. 384 n. I. 3 Miintz, op. cit., p. 66. * Ib:~., p. 119-120. 5 Well known from the fine reproduction executed by the Arundel Society. ' For epigrams in its praise, see ibid., pp. 135-6. 7 Miintz and Fabre, La BibL Vat., ati XVe Siecle, p. 135. Miintz and Fabre, La BibL Vat., p. vii. 'The Queen of Cyprus presented a copy of the Acts of the Apostles in the succeeding reign (ibid., p. 307 n.).