POEMS OF HOMER. 43 



HENRIETTA. 



Is this still to be seen, aunt? 



MRS. F. 



No: it was deposited in the Philadelphian Library, and 

 afterwards taken to Constantinople, where it was destroyed 

 by fire in the sixth century. 



HENRIETTA. 



Did they often write in gold letters 1 



MRS. F. 



Yes, many MSS. so written are scattered in the various 

 libraries of Europe. There is a Gospel in the Laurentian 

 Library at Florence in letters of gold,* and at Monza, I saw 

 a most interesting manuscript the Gradual (or choir book) 

 given by St. Gregory to the Cathedral of Monza. It is of 

 purple leather, and the letters are in gold and silver. In this 

 collection, is also a precious papyrus inventory of the relics 

 presented by that great pope to Queen Theolinda, the founder 

 of the cathedral. 



ESTHER. 



I think, mamma, that parchment and paper are the only 

 two materials which you have not alluded to. 



MRS. F. 



Papyrus paper was used before parchment was known ; 

 the invention of the latter being attributed to a quarrel be- 

 tween Eumenes, King of Pergamus, j and the King of Egypt, 

 in consequence of which the latter prohibited the exportation 

 of papyrus, and Eumenes invented parchment as a substitute. 

 But this story is now considered to be destitute of foundation, 

 for parchment is mentioned as having been known long be- 

 fore the age of the Ptolemies, and it is therefore probable 

 that Eumenes only improved its manufacture. 



* Valery, vol. iii. p. 48. St. Boniface brought from England into 

 Germany the Epistles of St. Peter written in letters of gold, 

 f The second of that name died B. C. 159. 



