Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-10
= Ratio Of decrease $3.50.
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.


The loss of the Library of Congress is every day
more deeply felt and deplored. There is now no
Public Library in the city which to any good de-
gree supply its place The collections belonging to
the War and State Departments, the Patent Office,
and the Smithsonian Institution are comparatively
small, the largest not exceeding ten thousand
volumes. They do not contain the class of books
most needed in such an emergency, nor can they be
conveniently used. Accuracy of statement and cor
rect judgment in matters requiring investigation of
authorities are for the time rendered almost i'm
possible
Such being the case, it is to be regretted that
measures have not yet been taken by Congress for
restoring the Library The best months of the year
for European purchases are now nearly past. There
are few sales of importance later than May. The
Libraries of Cardinal Mezzofanti at Rome, of the late
King Louis Philippe, and of Peignot at Paris, the
remainder of the immense stock of Verbeyst at
Brussels, and many others OF almost equal import
ance, have been brought under the hammer within
the last few weeks. The books have, to consider
able extent, most probably fallen at low prices into
bought up at from three to six times the auction
price to fill orders for the Library of Congress
The appropriation which has been made of ten
thousand dollars for the purchase of books un-
derstood to be merely for the purchase of such books
of reference as are most Immediately important.
Every body anticipates much larger grant before
this session closes one more worthy of intelli-
gent, rich, and liberal nation. That this will in
time be made is not to be doubted But we regret
the delay for many reasons first, and principally,
because we need the books now and every day. Had
Congress moved in the matter at once, and sent a
suitable agent with proper instructions to Europe in
order to take advantage of the auctions of this year,
very large collection of books might have been re-
L balo
before known at the Capitol Now it is too late for
the present season. Books cannot be bought ex-
cept from the dealers at secondhand and at prices
much in advance of what were really necessary.
Again, we regret the delay because many of the
orders cannot at any reasonable price be filed as
soon as given. Time is an important element, even
when funds are unlimited in gathering books which
have become rare. We regret the delay further,
because the longer it lasts the greater is the throng
of competitors eager to serve their country by shar
ing in the job and hence, most obviously, the less
the probability of judcious selection of books or
the best arrangements for purchasing. If Congress
be not even now prepared to vote appropriations,
why may il not take means to ensure proper Sc
lection Of books judicious choice is of far more
importance than economy in purchasing. The latter
under Government direction is hardly to be expect
ed at any rate In the interest Of learning Of sci
ence, of enlightened craftsmanship, we say, give us
good and we-selected library, whatever be its
cost, wherever and by whomsoever purchased.
1t was proposed several years ago. by one Of the
most accomplished scholars that has ever graced the
Senate that Congress should order catalogue to be
prepared by competent photographers, under the d.
rection of the Library Committee containing the IT,
ties of books, to the number of one hundred thou
sand, such as are held to be most important for the
Library Of Congress, the whole to be arranged in
FIVE OF more classes according to their rconre i'm
portance 1t is much to be regretted that this sug
gestion was not adopted. It was universally sp-
proved but delayed, neglected. and at last forgotten
The Library of Congress was not as whole, 50
we'll selected as if more system, science, and unity
of plan had been regarded in its composition True,
it was one of the best Libraries in the country. 1t
was one of the four largest and cost proportonatcy
very much more than either of the others at all
events enough to have made it far better than it
The new library should be a systematic collection
Of books, chosen with competent photographed
learning for specific and well-defned purpose.