Page:Municipal Handbook of Auckland 1922.djvu/77

 Grey's library. From 1887 to 1898 Sir George continued to add to his collection, enriching it with such treasures that the Auckland Public Library has attained what is perhaps a unique position among municipal libraries throughout the world. The manuscripts in the collection represent specimens of illumination of various schools and books written in Greek, Latin, Coptic, Arabic, Ethiopic and Persian, Italian, French, German, English and Bohemian, and the languages of the Polynesians, including Maori, and of the Aboriginals of Australia. Worthy of special mention are: Lectionarum Graecum (Lessons from the Gospels), a Greek MS. of the 10th or 11th Century (the oldest book in the Library); the Codex Evangelarium (The Four Gospels), bearing the date 1128, also a Greek MS.; the Biblia Sacra Latina, belonging to the 12th Century, considered to be the earliest copy of the Scriptures in Australasia. The finest specimen of caligraphy contained in the collection, and perhaps the finest example of manuscript work in these parts, is the Biblia Sacra Latina Vulgata, 15th Century. The finest illuminated manuscript is the Missale Romanum. Alike for the perfect formation of the letters and capitals, the regularity of the lines, the quality and richness of the red and black inks, the colouring and design of the miniatures and borders, and the brilliant gilding, it justifies the claim.

Of original documents, the Treaty signed by Richard Cromwell confirming the Treaty entered into between Oliver Cromwell and the Protestant Powers, and the Letters and Papers relating to Captain Cook and Sir