The more ancient of the two Vergils referred to, No. 3225, which Labarte
(2nd ed., ii. 158) thinks to be a century older than the other, Sir M.D.
Wyatt considered as containing "some of the best and most interesting
specimens of ancient painting which have come down to us. The design is
free and the colours applied with good effect, the whole presenting
classical art in the period of decline, but before its final
debasement." Whereas in the second MS., No. 3867, the style, though
still classical, is greatly debased, and probably, in addition to this,
by no means among the best work of its time. It is described as rough,
inaccurate, and harsh. The method is of the kind called _gouache_,
_i.e._ the colours are applied thickly in successive couches or layers,
probably by means of white of egg diluted with fig-tree sap, and
finished in the high lights with touches of gold (Pal?ograph. Soc., pl.
114, 117). This finishing with touches of gold brings the work within
the range of illumination. There is, indeed, wanting the additional
ornamentation of the initial letter which would bring it fully into the
class of medi?val work; but, such as it is, it may fairly claim to be
suggestive of the future art. Indeed, certain points in the MS.
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