An engraving at the top of the page features the Apostles Peter and Paul seated on a decorative pedestal. St. Peter, on the left, holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven and a book; St. Paul, on the right, holds a sword, symbolizing his martyrdom, and a book. Between them is the papal coat of arms of Benedict XIV (born Prospero Lambertini), surmounted by the papal tiara and the crossed keys of St. Peter. A dove, representing the Holy Spirit, descends above the scene. Below the image is the name of the dedicatee.

TO OUR MOST HOLY LORD

BENEDICT XIV.

ANGELO MARIA QUIRINI

CARDINAL OF THE TITLE OF SAINT MARK

Librarian of the Holy Roman Church, and Bishop of Brescia.

original: "S. R. E. [Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae] Bibliothecarius." Cardinal Quirini was a famous scholar and bibliophile who significantly expanded the Vatican Library's reach.

A large historiated initial 'A' depicting a religious scene with figures, signed 'Bragheri' in the bottom left corner.

THIS second volume of the Syriac Works of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, which I now offer to You, MOST BLESSED FATHER, no one would hesitate to call most auspicious original: "auspicatissimum." Meaning a favorable omen or a fortunate beginning. in its appearance, for it is found to be issued in these very days in which YOUR HOLINESS has ascended to the height of the Roman Chair original: "Cathedræ fastigium." This refers to the Chair of Saint Peter, the papal throne., by the will of God, the Best and Greatest, whose...

original: "est." This is the first word of the next page, intended to ensure the binder placed the pages in the correct order.