This manuscript is enriched with eleven
curious miniatures, the last of which represents the Queen handing
the volume bound in white velvet (1) to the Duchess of Etampes, her
brother's mistress, whose qualities the poem extols. The Queen of
Navarre was on the best of terms with this favourite, to whom in one of
her letters she recommends certain servants.
Margaret was not only given to versifying, but was fond of' framing
devices, which she inscribed upon her books and furniture. At one time
she adopted as her device a marigold turning towards the sun's rays,
with the motto, "Non inferiora secutus," implying that she turned
"all her acts, thoughts, will, and affections towards the great Sun of
Justice, God Almighty." (2)
1 From the Queen's _Livre de Depenses_, published by M. de
la Ferriere, we learn that this MS., with the miniatures and
binding, cost Margaret fifty golden crowns. It was formerly
in the possession of M. Jerome Pichon, and was afterwards
acquired by M. Didot, at the sale of whose library it
realised L804.
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