Delaware journal., 1827-11-20

lively Intellectual for purposes of the public nation
al; and gratuitous education, if the books and works
necessary to the study and thorough understanding
of the subjects upon which the lectures are deilv
cred were not also provided. But this want is not
felt in France the Government, muniliclent in all
that appertains to education have also provided for
this want. The finest library, at the present day,
in the world, is the Royal Library in Paris (Bibli-
otheqne du Roi) The building is Of immense eN-
tent-an obong square, with courtyard IN the
centre 1t consists OF two floors, divided ino suites
of spacious apartments, which the books are clas-
sitied according to the different branches OF Lera
lure or Science to which they belong. The prlnci
pal divisions are--1st, the Printed Books; Cd. the
Manuscripts Sd, Engrayings 4lh, the Medals aud
Antuuessof different ages, and from all nations. In
this library to be found the hest works that have
ever appeared, upon every possible subject, and II
every known language, living and dead, ancient aud
modern. 1t has been the work of ages--one upon
which the French Nation justly prdes itself, and
upon which the Kings of France for generations,
have spared expense in procuring the richest and
most valuable collections from every part of the
world. The history of its origin progress, and
rise to its present enormous magnitude, Is palcu-
larly interesting, and should serve an encouraged
ment to those who may be engaged in originating a
similar institutions even upon ever so small OF SO -
tied SCALE 1t was commenced under the reign OF
King John of France, and, during his life, did no
ture, and four on religion. His son, Charles V in
creased it to upwards of nine hundred volumes,
which at thaiime (when printing was not yet known,
and books, OF course, very scarce,) was consider
ed most extensive library. After the death Of
Charles VI, about the year 1880, the books were
taken away, and dispersed through different conn-
tries the greatest part of them were bought by the
then Duke of Bedford. and brought to England
Louis XI., however, collected many ofthe book.
as he could, and brought them back to Paris. Abou
this period the art of printing was discovered which
enabled the King OF France to increase rapidly thi
favorte national institution. decree was the
published, obliging every bookseller who shou
publish any work. in any part OF the Kingdom Q
France, to send copy OF it on vellum TO be depos
tied in the Royal Library" Charles WILL, ate
the conquest ofNapes, transferred TO Paris the II
brary Of that city. Louis Xl added the library
Petrarch. Francis |. procured many valuable Gree
manuscripts The celebrated Cardual Flcnry sen
several learned men into Greece and Asia to collect
at any expense, every thing valuable in the way {
literature In the reign ut Louis Kill, it consistot
iii printed books and manuscripts, OF sixteen thou
and eight hundrea volumes. Under Louis XIV
(i684) it amounted TO fifty thousand three hundre
volumes, and SO rapid has been the increase sine
that 1t now RANKS, beyond all comparison, the fir
and greatest library III the world, consisting oi Il
following prodigous number of volumes
Five Thousand ,olumes of eugravings
Scventy-two Thousand volumes CT ranuscr 1
and
Eight hundred thousand volumes ofprntcd book
Besides the richest collections Of Medals and A
tiquities in existence.
lthas been Justly observed, that onlooking tfrou
this great depot Of literature, one cannot help te,
ing astonlshed at the fertility Of the human min
which has been able to produce such multitude
ideas A. are contained in the piles OF pondcrous VI
umes which the eye surveys, without being able
reach to the end.
The saloons in succession, and open wide
to each other In the centre Of one of these salot
Is a mnlature OF tie classic mount g Parnassus
beautifully executed by the artist Fmton 1t +,
Tesants round rugged mountain shaded with
emhlematic myrtle and laurel trees. Oa this mot
tain are numerous small figures in bronze, of
most celebrated poets and eminent learned n
who have adorned France, placed al various hcigt
according TO the estimated literary rank OF the III
yidual whom each figure meant to represent.
another end OF the building is seen representa-
ofthe sandy deserts Of Atrca-the PYRAMIDS
OF palm lrees-and caravans of trayeers-aIl e
cutedin the most exact proportion, according I,
s,aie which is given. Adjoining this is SAIGON d
,cate5 to works on geography and astronomy. HI
are 10 be seen the two largest globes in tie woTIt
celestial and terrestrial. Their size is 50 grt
that, in order to place them, il was necessary 10
two large circular openings in the upper floor
frame work rests on the ground floor and the eIo
arc situated in the ceEtre, halfin the upper
hall IN the lower rooms-so that, by merely III
ns them,hhey can be seen From either they
both the same size. measuring <eaeh1 twelve
in Diameter and about thrty-liye feet ID clrcum
ence.
In the Cabinet Of Antiquities arc shown the ir
collection in existence, o. gold. silver, ;r. bro
medals, fall ages ard nations a large silver shi
supposed to be that used by Scpio; the bra
chair Of King Dagober; the armour Of iFrancs |
NeantitMl WISE. In the shanp OF a ch.lico pn.I.