Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-07


To care, bright hours,
And dreams OF flowers,
And that balm To the weary-rest!
Literary Curiosities at the Royal Library
Of Berlin.
A correspondent of the Boston Traveller wr-
ting from Berlin, Prussia, July I'd, 1855, says of
the Royal Library and its literary curiosities
wish to speak in this letter somewhat at
ength Of this splendid library, and there are three
things to which will call the readers attention
the arrangement and extent Of the rooms which
contain H. the collection of curiosities and the ad
mirable regulations which govern the taking out of
books.
1t Is unquesonably one of the finest libraries in
Europe. Ten years ago il contained over 500, 900
volumes, and the present number is not thought to
be much, il any, under 100000 The building
itself Is one Of the two prominent ones which date
from tho time Of Frederick the Great. The other
is the University. Frederick seems not to have
bseu prince Of great taste. He took a chest Of
drawers as his model in building this library. The
front Ia deliberately ornamented with pillars of
the Corinthian order but the RI semblance to the
object of Frederck's within is only too obvious.
The books are not contained in one hall, but in
an extensive suite Of rooms. These rooms are
filed with racks for the books, and the general
Subject is placed in conspicuous letters at the top
Of every case of shelves. Books of all languages
thus brought into the closest contact, and the
holar Of particular science has but to resort to
tat part of the library where his avorite branch
is represented, and he is certain to find the best
works, in whatever language published 1t is
eat misfortune that so fine a library has no pub
Il; catalogue. 1t is supposed to be unneeded, but
oie who has been accustomed to select from
well-arranged catalogue, and to refresh his men,
DRY by consulting its pages instead Of endeavor-
ing to call up from his own mind the books of
which he Is in need, soon misses this valuable
auxiliary.
I stood some time at the place where the pla-
card America showed the particular representation
which the United States make to this great colec-
ton. There were many familiar names there, but
must say it, in state Of the utmost confusion as
to subject-matter. The general ignorance of the
English language which prevails here accounts for
it. scientific treatise finds its proper place with
rtainty, because title containing words of Latin
o ign is readily understood, but works of more
)pular character are thrown together without much
d scrimnation. In library, one Of the chief ex-
c,llencies is the generally systematic arrangement
o. its books; Lorng's Hundred Orators finds itself
next to the Lamplghter, and Major Downing's
Letters and the Boston School Reports are in an
agreeable contiguity
The literary curiosities are contained in sepa-
tie room. l remarked about fifteen of special in
terest these were contained In about five cases.
Huu arc uuibuhuiy dFTuhBcu iOT lurpcCtiOu Will
give brief summary Of the contents: The first
c 'ntaned collection Of manuscript writings from
s,me of the most distinguished men whom Ger
many has produced; from Goethe, Lebnitz, Fred
G.ick the Great, Klopstock, Leasing, Wilhelm Won
Humboldt, Frederick Schlege, and few Others
There were three specimens from Gethe's pen
very indistinct but yet written, i should judge,
with some care. Corrections were frequent in
one place the word had been twice corrected
Frederick apparently wrote in great haste; the
signature, however, was more carefully executed.
Humboldt wrote fine, neat hand, perfectly free
from blots, and without corrections. Lessing's
was much the same, but corrected In many places.
Klopstock wrote with trembling hand, and his
manuscript Is read with great difficulty.
In another CAGE are curiosties of very different
nature. Here are the Bible and the Prayer-book
Of Charles the First; the former was placed to his
lips at the moment before his execution. How il
came into the possession Of the Prussian govern
Inrnt do not know. The Bible Is Of very unpre.
tending appearance, but tho Prayer-book Is very
beautifully boundits Is Of tortoise SHELL Sc
cured by massive gold clasps. Luther's Hebrew
Bible, and his own German translation, are here,
TOO, and close by sheet from the reformers PEN
The writing Is bold and free. In the next case
TO make strong contrast, Is one OF Tetzeps IA
nous indulgence, and a letter from that great
man, Ignatus Loyola, the founder of the order Of
Jesus, Other objects Of interest are, Zwinghs
Bible, specimen of Mesncthons handwriting,
very old copy Of the Koran, and beautiful series
orportrsits Of the leading reormers from the PEN
cl Of Louis Cranach. For Luther's own copy Of
the Old Testament the English government has
offered 100000.
In another room are 10 be seen two phiosophi-
cal curiosties which usually excite great interest
They are the first air-pump and the Magdeburg
h.mispheres, both invented by Otto Guerke. The
air-pump is an odd-looking continuance with not
'he slightest resemblance 10 the elegant double.
birrelled ones of these days. Its single barrel is
perpendicular, and Is supported by tripod. The
indie Is long and ungninly, but il must have been
a effective machine, from the account which is
gwen of the results Of It's action The famous hem
i'pheres stand close by the pump. Every person
who has studied natural philosophy in our schools
will remember that II required twenty horses TO
daw them apart The sphere which they together
firm Ia about two feet in diameter.
This Is the only public library in Berlin. All
persons are allowed 70 avail themselves freely Of
l.: simply by obtaining the signature Of professor
Of the University, or Of any prominent citizen who
Il willing TO be surety for the good usage and
prompt return Of the books.
The method of registering the books which are
taken out has pleased me much, and IL seems to be
capable Of general application. On slip of paper,
about four inches long and two broad, are written
a. the top the title Of the book desired, and the
authors name at the bottom, the borrowers sd.
dress at the left oftbe date.
This Is handed to the librarian the book is sought
and delivered, and the slip Is deposited In com.
partment like those which are devoted TO letters in
the general delivery Of our Boston post Office OF
course the compartment Is determined by the
owners name, When the book Is returned the
librarian merely draws the slip from its place. tears
IL, and the thing is over. There is no need of
set of books, the whole is done very quickly the