[3] I have made personal enquiry at the National Libraries of Naples and
Palermo, at the Communal Library in the latter city, and at the
Benedictine Libraries of Monte Cassino, Monreale, S. Martino, and
Catania.
In the 15th century, when Polo's book had become more generally
diffused we find three copies of it in the Catalogue of the Library of
Charles VI. of France, made at the Louvre in 1423, by order of the
Duke of Bedford.
The estimates of value are curious. They are in sols parisis, which
we shall not estimate very wrongly at a shilling each: -
"No. 295. Item. Marcus Paulus; en ung cahier escript de lettre
formee en francois, a deux coulombes. Commt. ou ii'e fo. 'deux freres
prescheurs,' et ou derrenier 'que sa arrieres.' X. s. p.
"No. 334. Item. Marcus Paulus. Couvert de drap d'or, bien escript &
enlumine, de lettre de forme en francois, a deux coulombes. Commt. ou
ii'e fol.; 'il fut Roys,' & ou derrenier 'propremen,' a deux
fermouers de laton. XV. s. p.
"No. 336. Item. Marcus Paulus; non enlumine, escript en francois,
de lettre de forme. Commt. ou ii'e fo. 'vocata moult grant,' & ou
derrenier 'ilec dist il.' Couvert de cuir blanc, a deux fermouers de
laton. XII. s. p."
(Inventaire de la Bibliotheque du Roi Charles VI., etc.
Paris, Societe des Bibliophiles, 1867.)
[4] See Del Reggimento e de' Costumi delle donne di Messer Francesco da
Barberino, Roma, 1815, pp.
