Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-01-08
For the Delaware Republican


Books 1T is interesting and profitable to look
back upon tho past, to see with what avidity the
productions of the mind have been sought. This
passion if such we may term it, Is as old as book
making, aud has existed in every age OF human
curiosity. Wherever literature and science have
found an admirer, there industry and benevolenoe
have devised means for their attainment; and it Is
to these we direct our thoughts at this time
Books have been as carefully gathered as the pre-
cioua metals and library making has been no less
an object Of pride than Of personal benefit, The
first national library Of Egypt was placed in
temple which was dedicated at once to religion aud
literature. Over this library was tho inscription,
" The nourishment of the soul" Ptoleniy Softer
founded the celebrated library ut Alexandria which
at the Roman conquest contained seven hundred
| thousand volumes Plelemy was so anxious in the
acquisition Of boeks that he refused to supply the
furnished Athenians with wheat, until they presents
ed him with the works Of Aesehuyus, Sophoules and
Euripides. Sylla, at the seige Of Athens, found
library in the temple Of Apollo, with which he
founded the first Roman public library. Afr the
taking of Carthage, tho Romans rewarded Regulus
with the books found in tho city PlutaTch says Of
Lueullas library; " 1t was a library whose walks
galleries and cabinets, were open to all visitors
and the ingenious Greeks, when at LEISURE resorted
to this abode of the MUSES. to hold literary oonver
sations, in which Lucullus himself loved to jein y"
This library, with some additions, Julius Cesar in
tended 10 open to the public, but he fell by the
dagger Of Brutus, before his plans were oensum.
muted Augustus founded magnificent library at
, Rome, which became the haunt Of Horace Juyenal
and Persius Tho first public library in Italy was
founded by Nicholas Nicoll a merchant, who left
that pursuit, and devoted his mind to study, aud
his fortune to the assistance of students. Nichola;
laid the foundation of the Vatican. Richard de
Bury is supposed to have founded the first publit
/ library in England in 134l 10 1884 the Roya
Library of France did not exceed twenty volumes
Charles v increased it to nine hundred volumes
In the reign Of Charles VI. this library trans
! ferred to England. 1t is pleasing to us 70 know
that our sires took early and efficient measures Il
gain the treasures of ages, and to give to literaL,
merit the reward due its exertions.
The hrst library formed in our country was tina
i At Harvard College. In 1864, 5000 volumes, tn
! collections Of ono hundred and twenty six year
i | were destroyed by fire. The library at William an
! Mary College was probably the next formed. i
| Loo Yale College was founded. At meetin
during the year the founders brought books, sayin
We give these books for the founding of COileg
/ in this Colony" The next library in our eouptr
was founded in 1882 at Philadelphia. The Librar
, Company, and the Loganian LIBRARY, is one of III
largest in the United States In l74l the Ebrar
, OF the four monthly meetings Of Friends of PhilH
delphia was founded
In 1862, the American Philosophical Society wa
formed At Phil ,delphia. 1t would be interesting
extend this article, but We must close with mentio
Of noble tribute to the literature Of our countrs
The nobest Offering to literature, probably, in thi
or any other country, was that paid by JohE Jaco
Ast0r, who left 400 900 dollars for public librar
in New York, W.