New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-10


IS subject Of 10 small importance when We consider
cur rapidly growing relltions with that part Of the
vord.
Practical philosophy including al its subdivisions Of
tie exact sciences las been the object Of special care
ard attention, and forms nearly half OF. the Il
brsry This harmonizes with the tendencies Oceapl-
tons AMI the practical necessities Of the community
The means Of studying the physical world are here
fully laid open Mathematics that trunk Of all other
sciences, is comprehensvely collected Astronomy
can here be fully examined in its successive steps as
science down to its most recent results Navigation
and Railroads are not omitted. The extensive do
main Of P1lytechncs, embracing Chemistry, Physics,
Mechanics and their applications to the useful arts.
have their scientific representatives Natural History
completes this division. far as IS necessary for
general information. Manufactures and Agriculture
rank next. good and cosby selection Of Glen
tfc voyages and explorations in all parts of the world
ia backed by an excellent collection of maps and stand
ard geographical works.
Political Economy if not forgotten, is however, not
treated as prominent department It may be tia.
in the dscordant struggle of its various systems and
schools, there was found difficulty in aIlotng to it
distinct department in the Library.
always form the most expensive part of any library,
and any attempt to have a complete collection Of them
is wholly beyond the means Vi private donation.
Beautiful copies of the LOggis of Raphael from the
Vatican drawings from the Muse BOurbonico ia Ma
Pies and some other costly works in this branch as
well as in architecture viii contribute to develop the
indwelliDg faculty Of the artist Time will complete
this collection with classical works on archaeology,
esthetcs and the theoretical exhibition of art in ts
several details.
Modem literature in general, beyond the range Of
the English language, finds but modest place. This
accessory part of the library is made mp with good
taste In this it is far different from the Congressional
library at Washington where, for example, one may
search yanly for a complete collection of Martins and
sckals diplomatic treaties, but will find instead the
illustrated romances of Pigault Lebrun and Paul de
Kock two Of tie most obscene French writer's Nstu-
rally English history and literature have some prOni
nence over others.
Tie general historical department begins with
chronology. uumismatics and then branches Of Into
the history Of various nations. No narrow spirit
.of exclusiyeness has directed here. France is the
most completely represented, as she has made the
greater part of European history for these ten
turtles and likewise possesses the best and most
ous historians Other nations not forgotten and
if partial omissions exist, they can easily be made
good II may be that Italy has right in this as
well as in other branches of science aud literature to
claim larger appreciation. Her modern intellectual
labors deserve attention Her philosophers, Ike
Gio5erti Rosmni and above ALL her special historians,
must be Chased among the best From Sicily to LON
hardy good writer's have appeared since the beginning
n, ~
there are Cantu, Balbo, To,ti. Borgh and several
others. The historical archives published in Florence
by society Of Swans deserve place in any library.
We trust that the erudite works OF Carlo Troya, which
already amount TO twelve Volumes Of which there
Tut two, viii be procured for the Library. beautiful
edition Of Murator that supreme historical authority,
concerning the medieval epoch, and the Italian States
must be counted among the ornaments OF the cOllec
ton
Bearing in mind that the object OF this Library is
in part to complete collections already made in others
We have found here with pleasure the laborious and
splendid assembage Of chronicles annals and old doc
uments relating to general German history published
by Pertz well as the very complete Of Eyerts.
Among the historical specialities Austria aud its
House Of Hapsburg occupies perhaps too large a
space. compared with the rest Of Germany But,
after ALL it is not the fault of the photographer if
Austria and the Hapsburgs have to a certain extent
absorbed German historical life. EthnOlOgy and Eth
biography those two powerful props of general and
special history, will are confident. be more amply
represented in due course Of time than they may ep
per to be at present
We stop for the present general sketch OF this
new public treasure The mine in itself is extensive
and requires close and repeated examination IA yet
no special printed catalogue has been made and we
do not see absolute necessity for No public Ii
brary has a really complete and full printed catalogue
The expense Occasioned by the printing may be more
usefully applied in purchasing books. The internal
wants of the library and Of those who frequent it will
be satis ed with written catalOgue-not alphabetical
but according to the division of the subjects. Slch
informs and directs those who appeal 70 it, If
the intelligent mind that has presided in classify
ing and distributing the books will form their cata
logues real student will have any reason TO COM
plain For those requiring show, or merely the salts
faction u curiosity neither libraries nor their eata-
logues intended
In casting our eyes around the library yesterday we
observe thing with regret This is, that sufficient
care has not been taken TO guard il against FIRE. 1t
vast pity that 80 great and valuable colec
ton OF books appropriated to such large and benefcen
uses, should be unnecessarily exposed to sudden de-
struction. This danger arises from the fact that the
foor' and shelves of the library are constructed
rey Of wood 1t this defect Of construction that
oeeasoned the loss of the valuable Congressional Libra
~ at Washington two years ago. 1t seems strange
that in these days Of light and elegant iron structures
Of all vrifh +ha Of tboW osbi