Part 7 (2/2)

Helmet, wreath, and mantling disappear, whilst the s.h.i.+eld and coronet no longer face one boldly and squarely, but appear in fantastic perspective; the supporters a.s.sume att.i.tudes never before contemplated in heraldry--under or over the s.h.i.+eld, or playing at hide and seek behind the s.h.i.+eld. Cupids, angels, cherubim, and mythological deities lend their aid, and a background of clouds, with or without rainbows, completes the curious fas.h.i.+on in vogue about 1750, which lasted, with some modifications, down to the time of the Revolution.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BOOK-PLATE OF N. R. FRIZON DE BLAMONT, 1704.]

As time creeps slowly forward dated plates become more fas.h.i.+onable, and the owners' names are more generally inserted. Indeed, French vanity begins to a.s.sert itself in lengthy inscriptions setting forth the high-sounding t.i.tles, distinctions, and offices held by the owners of these elaborate armorial book-plates.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BOOK-PLATE OF CLARET DELATOURRETTE, 1719.]

The plate of the Abbe de Gricourt shows us that he considered the terrestrial globe unworthy to bear his coat-of-arms, which is therefore being carried away to its home in paradise by a swarm of little angels singing psalms in his praise, and weaving garlands of flowers to crown his achievement. This ambitious plate is signed by A. T. Cys (Adrien Thery, a Cisoing), who was a brother of the Abbe de Gricourt.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BOOK-PLATE OF MICHEL, COMTE DE FAULTRIERES, 1730.]

The plates of this later period are, for the most part, affected, pompous, and even ridiculous in their a.s.sumptions. s.h.i.+elds in impossible att.i.tudes, either resting on nothing, or falling over the supporters.

These, in their turn, no longer perform their ancient duties seriously, but lounge about, lie asleep at their posts, or yawn with _ennui_ at having to take a part in such a farce as heraldry in France had now become. As for the few plates of this period which preserve the ancient regularity of form and correct heraldic drawing, these usually belong to the families most ent.i.tled to bear arms, yet they look archaic and formal beside their more ornate brethren.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BOOK-PLATE OF FRAN. MOUCHARD, ECUYER, 1732.]

The plates which have been reproduced to ill.u.s.trate this period, 1700 to 1789, have been selected princ.i.p.ally to show the varying styles in fas.h.i.+on in each decade, until we reach a date when French society is rudely convulsed by political events.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BOOK-PLATE OF F. G. LECUYER.]

Three scarce plates are those of Louis XV., of Madame Victoire de France, and of the Bastille. That of Louis XV. is a fine plate for folio size, designed by A. Dieu and engraved by L. Audran. It has a monogram of double L on a s.h.i.+eld, which is surrounded by trophies, and surmounted by the royal crown.

The plates for Madame Victoire de France (daughter of Louis XV.) and for the Chateau de la Bastille bear the French royal arms--azure, three fleurs-de-lys or.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BOOK-PLATE OF R. JEHANNOT DE BEAUMONT, 1742.]

Apart from heraldry, we have now reached the period when purely artistic and decorative ex-libris commence to show themselves, and when artists such as Ferrand, Beaumont, F. Montulay, L. Monnier, Nicole and Collin, both of Nancy, J. Traiteur, de la Gardette, Berthault, L. Choffard, Le Roy, Cochin, Gravelot, Marillier, Moreau le jeune, Pierre St.-Aubin, and Gaucher, put some of their best work into these little copper plates.

Even Boucher condescended to engrave a few plates, of which, however, but three are known, and one only is signed.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BOOK-PLATE OF DELALEU, 1754.]

With the multiplication of books in the eighteenth century came a proportionate decrease in their intrinsic value. With the exception of an occasional _edition de luxe_, or of books scarce only because they ought never to have existed at all, lovers of artistic bookbinding found their hobby almost useless.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BOOK-PLATE OF P. A. CONVERS, 1762.]

Why spend pounds to bind a book which cost but a few s.h.i.+llings? Why put costly clothing on a child having 999 brothers, all so exactly similar that the father and mother, author and printer, could not discriminate between them? As the book was bought so it generally remained, or, as an especial honour, it might perhaps be put into half calf.

_Exit_ whole morocco, with arms elaborately emblazoned on the sides, and monograms in dainty tooling on the back.

_Enter_ modern book-plate.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BOOK-PLATE OF THE CHEVALIER DE BELLEHACHE, 1771.]

Under the Bourbon Kings the government of France was an absolute monarchy tempered by epigrams, and regulated chiefly by priests, soldiers, and the ladies of the Court. The system was vicious and corrupt, but very simple, and eminently satisfactory to the privileged cla.s.ses. It ruined France, but, whilst it lasted, the kings and their mistresses, the n.o.bility, and the clergy, enjoyed most of the pleasures, and all the vices, this life could afford.

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