Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-09-07

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cravings, in ten folio volumes Hogarth's pic
lures, engraved by himself; the French Col
lection OF Hereulanean and Pompeian he
mains, and other works of value.
Next comes natural science, Il collection.
choice and costly, including some books on
the application of science 10 the mechanic
arts. Here are Cuviers Animal Kingdom,
and the great Report on the Natural History
of New York, each in many quarto volumes
The collection of books on natural history, and
more especially on botany, has received warm
praise from eminent naturalists'
On the west side are books Of geography
and travels, including, of course, the United
States expeditions and also various collections
of VOYAGES Besides more modern works,
there are many of those pleasant old quarto
and folio books of travel, more attractive than
the recent ones, because they exhibit remote
nations in a more primitive state.
Up stairs, the north side of the first gallery
is devoted to sets of periodical works, which
are of very great value, and scarcely ever to
be found but in large library. Here, for
instance, is the London Philosophical Maya
zine, containing the complete record of English
science from 1898 down to 1852 the Critical
Review from 1867 to 1903; the Monthly
Magazine from 1896 to 1920; the Annual
Register from 1853 to 1923. OF more recent
periodicals there are partial sets only, though
there is an uncommonly complete series of the
North American, presented formerly to the
hui A
There are also complete bound series of Har-
per's Magazine and the Atlantic.
The east gallery contains biography, very
literally filled, and theology, containing many
good editions of the fathers, and modern
theology to suit all customers. Just round
the corner comes, in accidental neighborhood,
handsome set of Voltaire, in "A volumes,
with Rousseau, in &c, and the vouminous
history of the French Academy. Then come,
in the south gallery, various smaller depart
ments-classical literature for which good
foundation has been lad-law and jur.spru
dence, rather scanty, so that the owners of
some of our valuable private law libraries must
look to it,-medcine and physiology, wonder
fully small for doctors library, but judicious.
ly so, as it is hoped that the admirable
library of our medical society will come into
the building also, and be accessible to the
public. The mathematical department is very
good so far ii goes, with the great work of
Laplace for basis, translated by DR.. Bowdltch,
and presented by his sons to the Young Mems
Library-and many minor works worthy of
fl,a of liSl,a oti
clans, such as Mr. Starr and Miss Hazeltine.
In the corner is a complete sets OF Bohn's
Libraries, and the west gallery is devoted to
general literature, including Little & Browns
British Poets, and many smaller collections,
with remarkably fine dramatic library, one
OF DR.. Green's specialities
The upper gallery is as yet occupied only
BY the voluminous series OF public documents,
state and national, which it is the laborious
duty of every library to preserve, and which
are now first made really accessible by the
admirable index provided in the Boston Public
Library catalogue. A complete series of the
Congressong! Gabe is f 4Yeassaa e VUtGnPes,a 81
earlier date than 1854, will confer favor by
bestowing them on the library. Patent Office
Reports before 1847 lnot later) are also de-
! sired.
There exists, as yet, no catalogue of this
library. With even a manuscript catalogue,
as careful and thorough as that just prepared
by Miss Halves for the circulating department,
its usefulness will be greatly increased. The
force now employed in the library is too small,
however, to admit of such an extra labor and
the funds now placed in the directors hands
will barely cover the running expenses.
1t is desirable, before closing, to allude to
the impression still entertained by many per-
sons, that the Green library is of little use be.
cause its books are withheld from circulation
1t is Que to DIR. Green, on the contrary, tc
say, that actual experience has on this po;nt
indicated his judgment, and that some OF
those originally most opposed to this restric
tion,-the writer for one,-have been more
and more convinced of its wisdom. This is
chiefly in consequence of fact which could
not have been anticipated, but which has the
most important bearing on the use of the Ii.
brary.
The fact is this. In three cases out of four,
inquiries for books come in groaps-that is, il
one person comes in 10 ask for books on a GER
tain subject, the chance is that half dozen
other persons will apply for precisely the same
books within twenty.four hours. The reason
is plain. Some event has occurred-some nat
ural phenomenon, comet or storm, some
scientific invention,-some political excite
ment,-some article in a newspaper, some
lecture Or sermon, about which every body is
talking, some discussion in a church. or a
debating society, or a school. The consequence
is that the next day several different per.
sons come successfully into the library, all
eager for the same book or books on glue or
geology, moonbeams Or the millennium. Now
it is obvious that if the first person takes the
book or books, all the rest are disappointed ;
while If the volumes remain in the library the
whole town may use them in turn And this
is The history of three quarters of the books
asked for.
So striking is this fact, even in the larger
Public Library of Boston, that one OF the Ii.
brarians gave it to me as his deliberate opin.
ion that the total usefulness of the books in
their upper hall, . answering to our Green
library,) would be greater If the books were
entirely confined to the building, provided
the building were opened as ours will ba and