24 BOOKBINDING IN THE TIMES OP

marks on a disputed passage of the Bible , he ob-serves that it referred to the title written on thewrapper, which signified “ The Messiah cometh.”And Aquilla, who flourished one hundred yearsearlier, gives the same interpretation.* This suggestsa more distinct idea of the passage; as when referredto the case in which the roll was enclosed, the im-pression becomes clear and energetic, implying thatthe subject of the book is that “ the Messiah cometh,”which title might with great propriety be wrote orembroidered on the wrapper or case in which it waskept. b

The title consisted of a square piece of fine vellumor parchment, glued on the cover in such mannerthat, when rolled up, it appeared near the top, some-thing similar to the titles of the books of the presentday. For this purpose the finest description wasselected. Cicero begs his friend to send him two ofhis workmen, and wishes them to bring some fineparchment, for making the titles of the books. * Thesetitle pieces were generally of a darker colour than thecover, and the letters formed of gold.

Recent discoveries have confirmed these views.The collection of James Burton, Esq., formed duringhis travels in Egypt , contained some specimens ofpapyrus rolls, discovered in the tombs at Thebes ,which fully illustrates the subject, and also prove a

a Calmet’s Dictionary , vol. iii. p. 129, ed. 1836.—— b Har-

mer’s Observations on Scripture, vol. iv. p. 10.-~ c Letters

to Atticus, iv. 4.