including the collection bequeathed by Sir George Grey, comprising, besides MSS. and early printed books, an unrivaled collection of works in the native languages of Africa, Australia, etc. The library is open to any respectable person. • The largest library in the Australian colonies is the Public Library of Victoria at Melbourne, which was established in 1853. In 1881 it numbered 89,387 volumes with 22,257 pamphlets; it posseses a collection of works on Australasia. The library has a printed catalogue (1880). It is supported by an annual parliamentary vote, which amounted in 1881 to 5,495. Readers are admitted without any formality, and have free access to the shelves. Although books are not lent out of the library individually, there is a system by which parcels of from 100 to 400 books are lent to libraries, mechanics' institutes, etc., in the inland towns of Victoria. There are several other not inconsiderable libraries in Melbourne. Next in importance to the Melbourne Library is the Sydney Free Public Library, which is said to contain the largest collection of works on Australasia anywhere to be found. It has a lending as well as a reference department, and is much used. United States.-The libraries of the United States, as we should expect to find in a country where intelligence and education are so widely diffused, are exceedingly numerous. It is, of course, true that the great majority of these libraries are not numerically important. On the other hand, many of them are very rapidly growing, and their very youth implies that their shelves are not burdened with much obsolete literature. The recent development of American libraries is indeed very striking. Of the libraries reported in 1875, about sixty-four appear to have been established before 1800, and thirty of these between 1775 and 1800. Between 1800 and 1825 there were established 179 libraries, between 1825 and 1850 as many as 551, and finally between 1850 and 1875 no less than 2,240, which in the latter year contained as many as 5,481,068 volumes. Up to 1890 the rate of increase has been fully kept up. It will be convenient to deal with these libraries in groups according to the historical order of their development. The earliest libraries formed were in connection with educational institutions, and the oldest is that of Harvard (1638). It was destroyed by fire in 1764. but active steps were at once taken for its restoration. From that time to the present, private donations have been the great resource of the library. In 1840 the collection was removed to Gore Hall, which was erected for the purpose with a noble bequest from Christopher Gore, formerly governor of Massachusetts. There are also nine special libraries connected with the different departments of the university. The total number of volumes in all these collections is 304,753, exclusive of over 200,000 pamphlets. The annual increase is about 7,000 volumes, and the library has an endowment fund of over $200,000. There is a MS. card-catalogue in two parts, by authors and subjects, which is accessible to the readers. The only condition of admission to use the books in Gore Hall is respectabilty; but only members of the university and privileged persons may borrow books. The library of Yale College, New Haven, was founded in 1700, but grew so slowly that, even with the 1,000 volumes received from Bishop Berkeley in 1733, it had only increased to 4,000 volumes in 1766, and some of these were lost in the revolutionary war. During the present century the collection has grown more speedily, and now the main library numbers 102,ooo volumes, while the special libraries in the control of the college bring up the total to 175,000 volumes. The yearly increase is about 4,500 volumes, and the library has a book fund of $100,000. Among the other important university libraries are those of the college of New Jersey (Princeton), Dartmouth College (Hanover), Amherst College, Cornell University, and Brown University, (Providence, R. I.) * The establishment of proprietary or subscription libraries runs back into the first half of the eighteenth century, and is connected with the name of Benjamin Franklin. It was at Philadelphia, in the year 1731, that he set on foot what he calls "his first project of a public nature, that for a subscription library. * The institution soon manifested its ability, was imitated by other towns and in other provinces." The Library Company of Philadelphia was soon regularly incorporated, and gradually drew to itself other collections of books, including the Loganian Library, which was vested in the company by the State legislature in 1792 in trust for public use. Hence the collection combines the character of a public and of a proprietary library, being freely open for reference purposes, while the books circulate only among the subscribing members. It numbers at present 145,000 volumes, of which 11,000 belong to the Loganian Library, and may be freely lent. The printed classed catalogue of the library has been praised by Brunet and Allibone. In 1869 Dr. James Rush left a bequest of over $1,000,000 for the purpose of erecting a building to be called the Ridgeway branch of the library. The building is very handsome, and has been very highly spoken of as a library structure. Philadelphia has another large proprietary library-that of the Mercantile Library Company, which was established in 1821. It possesses 152,-* 135 volumes, and its members have always enjoyed direct access to the shelves. The library of the Boston Athenæum was established in 1807, and numbers 149,000 volumes. It has published an admirable dictionary catalogue. The collection is especially rich in art and in history, and possesses a part of the library of Washington. The Mercantile Library Association of New York, which was founded in 1810, has the largest of all the subscription libraries, counting over 208,000 volNew York possesses two other large proprietary libraries, one of which claims to have been formed as early as 1700 as the "public" library of New York. It was organized as the New York Society Library in 1754, and has been especially the library of the old Knickerbocker families and their descendants, its contents bearing witness to its history. It contains about 100,000 volumes. The Apprentices' Library has about 63,000 volumes, and makes a special feature of works on trades and useful arts. It is maintained by the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen. Finally, the Brooklyn Library deserves mention, if only for its very useful and admirable catalogue, the printing of which was completed in December, 1880, and which embraces 83,800 volumes. umes. Although the state libraries of Pennsylvania and New Hampshire are known to have been established as early as 1777, it was not until some time after the Revolution that any general tendency was shown to form official libraries in connection with the state system. It is especially within the last thirty years that the num ber of these libraries has so increased that now every State and Territory possesses a collection of books and documents for official and public purposes. These collections depend for their increase upon annual appropriations by the several States, and upon a systematic exchange of the official publications of the general government and of the several States and Territories. largest is that of the State of New York at Albany, which contains 128,000 volumes, and is composed of a general and a law library, of which a printed catalogue has been published with full subject-indexes. The state The LIB In addition to the libraries maintained by the several States, there are the collections belonging to the general government, most of which are at Washington. The most important of them is, of course, the library of congress, but there are also considerable libraries attached to the house of representatives, the senate, the department of state, the patent office, and the office of the surgeon-general. nent." libraries are libraries of reference, and only members of | Ticknor. Since the library has been opened to the pubthe official classes are allowed to borrow books, lic there has thus been gathered "the largest collection although any well-behaved person is admitted to read of books, under one administration, upon this conti in the libraries. 1889, was 453,967, and the annual accessions are over The number of volumes in the library on July 1, from trust funds the annual appropriation by the city is $115,000. Besides the Central Library, with the Bates 17,000 volumes. In addition to the income available Hall and Lower Hall, there are ten branches, and the total circulation is considerably over 1,000,000 volumes per annum. Any inhabitant of Boston over fourteen years The principal catalogue of the library is upon cards, in of age is admitted to read in the library and borrow books. collections and a perfect multitude of useful class cataaddition to which there are printed catalogues of special logues and bibliographical helps of various kinds. The the year. library is open to readers from 9 A. M. to 6 P. M. from October to March, and until 7 P.M. during the rest of Books are delivered for home use until A new building is in contemplation. the evening. The periodical room is 9 in to 9 P.M. on week days, and on Sundays from 2 to 9. open from 9 A.M. The library of congress was first established in 1800 at Washington, and was burned together with the capitol by the British army in 1814. President Jefferson's books were purchased to form the foundation of a new library, which continued to increase slowly until 1851, when all but 20,000 volumes were destroyed by fire. From this time the collection has grown rapidly, and now consists of 396,000 volumes with 130,000 pamphlets. In 1866 the library of the Smithsonian institution, consisting of 40,000 volumes, chiefly in natural science, was transferred to the library of congress. The library is specially well provided in history, jurisprudence, the political sciences and Americana. Since 1832 the law collections have been constituted into a special department. This is the national library. In 1870 the registry of copyrights was transferred to it under the charge of the librarian of congress. copies of every publication which claims copyright are required to be deposited in the library, the receipts under this head are over 25,000 articles per annum. The sum annually appropriated by congress for the management and increase of the library is $52,840. The present accommodation is inadequate, and a separate building is to be erected of size to contain 2,000,000 volumes. There is an alaphabetical cardcatalogue kept constantly up to date, and a printed catalogue of subject-matters. The library is open every day in the year, except on four legal holidays, from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M., and admission is granted to all persons over sixteen years of age without formality or introduction, but books are only lent to members of the official classes. As two Since the organization of the government, in 1789, no less than 160 historical societies have been formed in the United States, most of which still continue to exist. Many of them have formed considerable libraries, and possess extensive and valuable manuscript collections. The oldest of them is the Massachusetts Historical Society, which dates from 1791. The earliest of the scientific societies owes its origin to Franklin, and dates from 1743. The most extensive collection is that of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, which consists of 35,000 volumes and 40,000 pamphlets. For information as to the numer ous professional libraries of the United States-theological, legal, and medical-the reader may be referred to the tables appended. Of all the libraries of the United States none have achieved a greater fame, and none are more zealously and admirably conducted, than those which are supported from the public funds of some of the great cities. Legislation on the subject of free public libraries was almost synchronous in England and America. town libraries of America much the largest and most Of the free successful is the Boston Public Library, which was established in 1852. Besides the liberal appropriations made by the city for its support, it has been the object of a long series of splendid gifts in money and books. Among the more conspicuous of its benefactors have been Joshua Bates, Theodore Parker, and George tant are those of Cincinnati and Chicago. The public library of Cincinnati, which was established on its presOf the remaining free town libraries the most imporphlets. The reading-rooms are open every day in the year from 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. ent footing in 1867, has 158,930 volumes, besides pamChicago Public Library was established in 1872, and were completed in 1873 at a cost of about $400,000, The library buildings and are among the handsomest in the world." land after the great fire of 1871. The number of volThe owed its origin to the sympathy felt for Chicago in Engfull and minute card-catalogue, in one alphabet, of auumes now in the library is 155,238. There is a very reading-room is open 365 days in the thors and subjects; the contents of collections, volumes of essays, etc., are analyzed under their subjects. The ing stock or cleaning. The library has not yet an appropriate building. In addition to this library Chicago to 9 P.M., and is not even closed for the purpose of takfrom year the Crerar, founded by bequests from two gentlemen will soon have two other libraries, the Newberry and libraries there is a considerable number, especially in Massachusetts. bearing the names given above. Of smaller free town 9 A. M. tioning some notable illustrations of that public-spirited We cannot conclude this brief sketch without menmunificence which is nowhere perhaps so frequently found as in the United States. Astor, whose example was followed successively by his son New York was founded by a bequest of John Jacob The Astor Library in 1854, and at the end of 1889 the collection due to their joint benefaction contained 225,000 volumes. It conand grandson. The library was opened to the public in upon all subjects. It is a library of reference, for which sists of a careful selection of the most valuable books persons on a proper introduction are allowed to pursue purpose it is freely open, and books are not lent out. It is a working library for studious persons," and such their studies in the alcoves. The total endowment is half the library, with a printed index of subjects, and a similar catalogue for the rest is in preparation. over $1,100,000. There is a printed catalogue for about 1870, when a body of trustees was incorporated by an Lenox Library was established by Mr. James Lenox in for the library building and endowment, amounting to $1,247,000, the private collection of books which Mr. act of the legislature. In addition to the funds intended Though it does not rank high in point of mere numbers, it is exceedingly rich in early books on America, in Bibles, Lenox had long been accumulating is extremely valuable. The in Shakesperiana, and in Elizabethan poetry. The Peabody Institute at Baltimore was established by Mr. George Peabody in 1857, and contains a reference library open to all comers, numbering about 84,000 volumes. The Institute has an endowment of $1,000,ooo, which, however, has to support, besides the library, a conservatory of music, an art gallery, and courses of popular lectures. The largest legacies yet made for public libraries have recently fallen to the citizens of Chicago in the Newberry bequest of over $2,000,000 for the founding of a free public library in the north division of Chicago, and in the latter part of 1889, John Crerar, a prominent manufacturer of Chicago, died, leaving by will almost all his fortune in trust for library purposes. It is believed that the amount to be realized | under this bequest will suffice for the construction and furnishing of a library equaling or excelling that provided for by the Newberry legacy. Plans for carrying out the will are now (1890) being prepared, and in a few years Chicago will excel all cities of the Union in the number and completeness of its public libraries. TABLES OF THE PRINCIPAL LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. 1.-LIST OF LIBRARIES IN THE UNITED STATES HAVING OVER 20,000 VOLUMES. 3880 I.-LIST OF LIBRARIES IN THE UNITED STATES HAVING OVER 20,000 VOLUMES-Continued. Location. Name. Fund'd Character and Remarks. Volumes. Princeton, N. J.... Providence.. Presbyterian Theo. Sem. Library.... 1812 Reference; Theology.. 1768 Rich in hist., fine rts, clas., and patr. lit.. Providence Athenæum Library.. 1836 Books lent.. 44,502 Sub. ($6). Public Library. 31,650 Open. Raleigh, N. C... North Carolina State Library. 42,000 Open. Richmond, Va... Virginia State Library. 1822 General reference. 44,000 Open. Sacramento... California State Library 1850 General reference.. 53,000 Open. Public School Library. 1865 Books borrow.. 56,192 46 St. Louis Mercantile Library. 1846 General American History.. 62,264 Salem, Mass.. Essex Institute Library.. 1848 Reference, History.... 34,800 Subscription. Members (350). Free Public Library... 1879 Books lent 45,004 Open. Mercantile Library Association... L. P. Linderman Mem. Library... Books lent.. 1881 General reference.. 1864 Books lent..... 50,960 Open. 1825 College course. 48,000 Open. 1868 Education and libraries. 16,500 Use of dept. 1789 Reference, Law, History. 360,000 Use of dept. House of Representatives Lib.. 1789 Public Document. 131,000 Library of Congress....... 1800 National... 396,000 Open (over 16.) Patent Office Library. 1839 Technical, Patents.. 47,040 Open. Surgeon-General's Office Library. 1865 Medical, Science.. 72,219 Open. U. S. Senate Library.. 1852 Public Document.... 30,000 Senators. Silas Bronson Library... 1870 General, Fine and Ind. Arts 36,500 Open. Williamstown, Mass. U. S. Military Academy Library.. 1812 Military and scientific.... 30,000 Members. 1793 General reference.. 30,000 Members. Worcester, Mass.... Amer. Antiquarian Society Lib. 1812 Reference, American Hist... 85,000 Open. 1859 Books lent to residents... 61,204 Open (over 16). |