rican history. Its founder was Dr. Isaiah Thomas, the historian of printing, who gave as its ground-work his own collection of about 3000 bound volumes, a large number of pamphlets, and the best series of newspapers existing in America. This last-named collection begins with the first number of the first paper printed in the United States. By his instrumentality a precious remnant, perhaps the greater portion, of the oldest library which had been formed in Massachusetts-that of Increase and Cotton Mather-was presented by their descendant, Mrs. Hannah Mather Crocker. It amounted to 900 volumes, and included MS. papers, diaries, and correspondence of considerable value, as well those of the two John Cottons, as of the Mather family. Dr. William Bentley, of Salem, Mr. Thomas Wallcut of Boston, and Mr. Thomas L. Winthrop, its present President, have all been liberal donors to the Society's Collection. The founder made the aggrandizement of this Library the main object of his latter years. Although he was sixty-three years old when it began its useful career, he was permitted to preside over it for nearly twenty years more, and marked every one of them by some valuable gift. At the time of his decease he had, on the whole, presented about 9000 volumes, and he left the Society a perpetual endowment towards the expenses of maintenance. Amongst the Society's MSS., other than those already mentioned, there are many possessing considerable importance for the early history of New England. There is also a curious series of old prints, maps, and charts. [11.] Library of the American Academy of Natural Sciences. The AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES was originated at Philadelphia, in 1812, and incorporated in 1817. The Library is especially rich in works of Natural History. Of books relating to Ornithology-a most costly department-it was said, in 1850, to possess a complete series. It also possesses-what would not there be looked for a curious collection of the revolutionary literature of France. This formed part of a liberal present of books from Mr. William Maclure, amounting in the whole to 5233 volumes. The Zoological collections of this Academy are the best in the United States, and the Ornithological section of them is one of the largest in the world. It was stated to contain, six years ago, about 25,000 specimens.† [12.] Mercantile Library of Boston. Of all those Subscription Libraries which bear the name Mercantile," that of New York is foremost, though not quite earliest in point of date. The first meeting for its establishment was held in November, 1820, about six months after the commencement of that at Boston. Bóth began on a very humble scale; but the former has grown until it possesses 48,000 volumes. The latter counted, in 1854, but 15,247 volumes ‡ Both, however, can look back on a long career of usefulness, and forward to one of indefinite progress. [13.] Mercantile Library of The name "Mercantile Library Association" scarcely describes the original scope of the Society of New York, or of the others, having a like designation. But it seems to become less inapplicable with every passing year, from the widening process which Jewett, Notices, &c., ut supra, p. 124. New York. + Ibid. time has brought to bear on the first plan. Originally, it was an association of merchants' clerks, to the exclusion as well of merchants as of all others. Within seven years the collection had grown sufficiently to need better accommodation than seemed attainable without the erection of a new building. In 1828, a meeting of prominent merchants was convened with a view to the provision of a suitable structure by a joint-stock. It was to be named "Clinton Hall," and the shareholders the "Clinton Hall Association." The members of the latter became, ipso facto, members of the library society.* The building thus erected-at a cost of about £11,000-was opened in 1830. At that date the Library possessed but 6000 volumes. During the next thirty years 37,000 volumes were added, at a cost of £13,071 sterling (45,356 dollars), from which number must be deducted about 6000 volumes (of the more ephemeral sort) worn out during the same period. So that the increment, since 1820, would pretty accurately represent the actual contents of the Library in 1850, as respects mere numbers. During the same period 14,616 members were admitted. In 1853 it was found to be desirable that a more capacious building should be procured. A joint-stock fund was again resorted to, with such success as led to the obtainment and thorough adaptation to its new purpose, of a very suitable building, at a cost, including furniture, of £49,200, nearly the whole of which has been defrayed. When the small remainder of debt shall have been paid off, the entire income of the "Clinton Hall Association" will be applied to the increase and improvement of the Library. The total number of volumes in the Library on the 1st of May, 1856, was 46,383, of which 3588 had been added during the preceding sixteen months. Of these 3004 were purchased, and 584 presented. The sum expended in books and periodicals was about £900, and in binding about £300. Of the presented books, the greater part were publie documents, including the "Annals of Congress." + The Reading Rooms are amongst the finest in America, and are probably better supplied with periodicals in all departments of literature, both English and foreign, than any other. The New York Mercantile Association owes the perfection of this department, as it does the general efficiency of the institution, to the talents and energy of its Librarian, Mr. S. Hastings Grant. The " Mercantile Library Association of Cincinnati" was formed in 1835, and incorporated in the following year. It now (1856) contains 16,423 volumes, and its annual aggregate circulation is about 30,000 volumes. That of St. Louis dates but from 1846.§ It now contains about 13,000 volumes, the money value of which, with the other property of the Association, is estimated at upwards of £9000. The annual circulation, during 1855, was 15,219 volumes. [14.] Mercantile Library of Cincinnati; and of [15.] St. Louis. *Thirty-fourth Annual Report (1854), p. 5. Twenty-first Annual Report (1856), p. 6. † Annual Reports, passim. § Homes, Inaugural Address at the Opening of the Mercantile Library Hall of St. Louis (1855), p. 26. Tenth Annual Report (1856) p. 15. CHAPTER III. OF CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE LIBRARIES. THE first Library of Congress was founded in April, 1800. [1] Congress It was collected under the superintendence of Mr. Gallatin, Dr. Library. Mitchell, of New York, and others. Though small, it was [1800.] valuable, and is said to have been much resorted to in the early days of Washington City. On the 24th of August, 1814, it was totally destroyed by the British Army. The loss induced Mr. Jefferson to offer to Congress his well-selected library of 7000 volumes. It was purchased in 1815 (for £4600 sterling), and became the nucleus of the fine collection which, on the was partially destroyed by fire. Both books and catalogue were arranged in subjects, according to Bacon's Classification of Human Knowledge, of which Mr. Jewett has said very appropriately: "It was not intended by its author as a bibliographical system. Nor has any improvement which it has received rendered it convenient or useful for that purpose. The system was introduced by Mr. Jefferson, and, unfortunately, has been continued here long after its abandonment in most other Libraries." * At the time of this second calamity, the Library contained upwards of 50,000 volumes of printed books. The MSS. were but few. The then yearly appropriation for the purchase of miscellaneous books was £1000, and for that of law-books £200. About 20,000 volumes were saved from the fire; including the greater portion of Jefferson's valuable collections on the History and Political Affairs of America, and nearly all the books of the law department.. At the beginning of 1854, at least an equal number of volumes had been added to the salvage. With a liberality worthy of the occasion, Congress had appropriated to this purpose 85,000 dollars (£17,000). The purchases are controlled by a joint committee of the two Houses. In the course of 1855, the number of volumes had grown to upwards of 60,000, including many extensive and costly sets, such as the Archæological and Scientific Works of Rosellini, Champollion, Humboldt, and Lord Kingsborough; complete sets, or sets as nearly complete as were procurable, of The London Gazette (for one hundred and ninety years); of the History, Debates, Journals, and Papers of the British Parliament (an entire series of which now considerably exceeds 3000 volumes); of The Times, and of The Boston Centinel; with many works on American History, both valuable and rare. Of this most important Library, a thoroughly good catalogue might well be looked for. The plan of such a catalogue has been elaborately prepared by Professor Jewett, and has been published under the following title: "Smithsonian Report, on the construction of Catalogues of Libraries, and their publication by means of separate stereotyped titles. By Charles C. Jewett, Washington, 1853." *Notices, &c., p. 139. In the preparation of the Catalogue thus indicated, a considerable advance appears to have been made, although circumstances have recently occurred which have delayed its progress. That all difficulties may be completely overcome, and a problem be solved, the solution of which will ultimately improve the working of every great library in the world, must be hoped for ardently. [2.] Other National Libraries at Washington. In addition to the Library of Congress, the capital of the Union possesses a 'House of Representatives' Library," with about 35,000 volumes; a "Department of State Public Library," which comprised, in 1853, about 10,000 volumes;* another collection-accruing from the legal exaction of copies of new books-which, in 1850, contained about the same number of volumes; † in addition to the special collections (Military, Technological, and Astronomical) of the War Office, the Patent Office, and the National Observatory. In 1854 these special libraries contained, in the aggregate, upwards of 15,000 volumes. [3.] State Library of NEW HA AMPSHIRE, at Concord. [1770.] The earliest State Library was that of New Hampshire, founded at Concord, about 1770. The best furnished is that of New York, which was not commenced until 1818, but is rapidly taking rank amongst the most important of American libraries. During the long interval which elapsed between the establishment of these two libraries, only two others of the same kind were formed-that of Pennsylvania, at Harrisburg, in 1816, and that of Ohio, at Columbus, in the following year. Now, such libraries are to be found in a majority of the States. As the name implies, these libraries are maintained at the public charge, and primarily for the use of the respective legislatures and public functionaries; virtually they are accessible to all persons having any studious or serious purpose. The Library at Concord contains about 5500 volumes, of which about [4.] Of PENN- two-thirds relate to legal and political subjects. That at HarrisSYLVANIA, at burg contains upwards of 10,000 volumes, occupying two rooms Harrisburg. [1813.] in the State House. That at Columbus contains about 16,000 volumes, and is extensively used. About 3000 persons annually [5.] Of OHIO, at Columbus. consult the Library, and about 1800 volumes are annually lent [1817.] out. Part of the expenses of maintenance are defrayed by the profits which accrue from the sale of the State Reports and Documents. The Library occupies a room 118 feet by 22 feet, and is open for eleven hours daily (Sundays excepted) in summer, and for thirteen hours daily in winter.' [6.] Of NEW The State of New York is unrivalled both for the liberality YORK, at Al- with which its Public Library has been supported from public bany. [1818.] funds, and for the care and energy with which it has carried out the system of domestic and international exchanges. It is a sufficient proof of the former assertion to state that there has been expended on its account (chiefly during the last 12 or 14 years) upwards of £20,000, in addition to the contributions of individuals, and of public institutions; whilst of the successful results, as respects New York, of the plan of library exchanges, the distinguished writer (Mr George Livermore, of Boston) of an article * Norton's Literary Register (1854), p 103. + Jewett's Notices, p. 140. Jewett, ut supra, p. 171 entitled "Public Libraries," in the North American Review of July, 1850, has said: "No one can look over the printed list of donations to the New York State Library, procured through M. Vattemare's agency, without feeling that that State, at least, has good cause to speak well of his scheme, and its results;" although he adds, "but our conviction is strong that the system does not possess the elements of permanent or long-continued vitality." In 1845 the Library contained but about 10,000 vols. It was then placed under the management of the Regents of the University of New York, as Trustees ex-officio. In 1850 the number of volumes had already grown to 23,274, of which 9870 related directly to legislation. Three years afterwards the number had increased to 34,279. It now exceeds 41,000, exclusive of MSS., of which mention will be made hereafter. Thus, under the vigorous management of the Trustees of the University, the Library has been quadrupled within about ten years. Nor is its merely numerical increase the chief thing that merits notice. In 1849 a Select Committee of the New York Assembly reported on the results of the increased appropriation, and on the general progress of the Library. After various details the committee proceed thus: "An examination will convince all that it has become a worthy object of state pride. Already the law department is considered the most perfect of any similar collection in the States. It is believed, also, that nowhere can be found so many useful works on America and American affairs. The most unwearied pains have been taken; Europe and this country have been ransacked to procure everything valuable in this department. The value of these books cannot be estimated in money, for money could not replace many of them. There are also valuable scientific, statistical, documentary, and miscellaneous works, otherwise inaccessible to Americans generally.* * What is termed the "Warden Collection," is especially rich in the materials of American history, and was acquired in 1845, at a cost of £800.† Amongst the MSS. of the State Library are included an important series of Charters, Commissions, Letters Patent, and other similar documents of the highest interest for the American historian, from Charles the Second's grant to the Duke of York, of March, 1664, down to the period of independence. In 1853 the legislature authorized the purchase of the correspondence and other papers of George Clinton, first Governor of the State of New York. They have since been admirably arranged and indexed, and a portion of them, relating to the celebrated case of Major André, has been placed in frames under glass for more ready examination and secure preservation.‡ The Library is accessible for reading and consultation to every citizen. Members of the Legislature, only, are of right permitted to borrow books, and that only during the session of the Legislature. By a law of May, 1844, it is enacted that "the State Library" shall be kept open every day in the year, Sundays excepted, during such hours in each day as the Trustees may direct. This period has been fixed at twelve hours daily. The illustrated works * Report printed in Assembly Documents of 1819, as quoted by Jewett, Notices, &c., p. 75. + Ibid. p. 74; Annual Report of Trustees, 15th Jan., 1849, p. 6. Annual Report of the Trustees, 22nd Jan., 1856, p. 8. |