The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-11
A Note for Book Collectors.


The trhing Of adults IL called business--Ngjo rum
hugo neecta cNantr-says old g. Augustine, and the
fact s as patent in our day II was In his. And why
nota Every one OF us has bis hobby, whether Il DO
making money meddling with politics. Az children
change their sports with the changing seasons OF the
year. children OF larger growth vary the fashions
Of our hobbies.
The fashion now most evidently the Increase ID
that Of book collecting It's development during the last
ten or fifteen years Is surprising Those afflicted with
this pla may be classed 10 various species and genera
. recapituation OF which would DO dry technical
botanical catalogue.
As class. 1t may perhaps be repeated with truth,
That unicarnd men Of books assume tho care,
As eunachs are The guardians OF the fair;
but then they have . certain use; they collect
and preserve the materials which 10 illustrate the
history OF the race They like the famous Brooklyn
enthusiast who spent the last years Of his life In noting
every hour OF the day and night tho changes OF the
wind and the thermometer. Some time other his
labors may philosopher aids in the deduc
ton Of theory Of storma few years ago there was
discovered Ia France the hourly record kept by the
physician Of tho health Of his Majesty Louis XVI
Properly usod a. historical document u might prove
valuable In tho hands philosophical historian
In deducing effects from reconcile causes.
But the world Of books delightful retreat that
oven such foolish collectors whose delight Is In
possession whose last conception Of book that IL 10
thing 70 be read can BE- tolerated and encouraged
since although worthless In themselves they may DO Of
use 70 others Even with those churis who go s fur
her and like jealous eunuchs refuse all access 10 the
beauties they have bought and imprisoned the philoso
pher may be patient because they will serve at least TO
teach the value 81 death In tbs economy OF life They
cannot reach immortality, and paliida will kick
open their library doors when with seven feet" he
comes in turn 10 them. Then in all probability will
come sale and II a sale catalogue, and then the time
for revenge.
Balze the French collector and author LEFT directions
that his library should be Sold giving bis that
be had been fortunate enough collect many and
scarce books and he desired that Ia their turn other
scholars curious In such matters should have their op
porunity 70 do the same. On the other hand, Huet
also French author and collector being afraid tina. his
books would be dispersed after his death by his hers
gave them during his lifetime 10 the Josus' College In
Paris But soon afterwards the building fell down and
many Of them we're destroyed and subsequently. whom
the Josus were suppressed In France, Tho entire coec
ton dispersed.
The Increase In The number Of book collectors in this
country h promising sign Of ia increasing civilization
There enough FOR il si but lot us be thankful
for even such sign 70 break the spell OF the dreadful
monotony and dunsss OF too commercial society.
n becomes q fsshion 20 have IN svery ''frst class
house . collection or books albeit such - every gen
usman's library should be without IL would 10 some
what gained The children would learn more readily
and better AZ those born IN this country OF lrish
parents have already lost the brogae Thus, perhaps
even our profesed literary men would At last discover
the yaluc OF study a preliminary 10 writing well
Eventually there might arise class o. scholars who
should love study for ne sake 'In the good time
coming there might be library 10 New YORK, ancess
bio 10 all At convenient hours and blessed With attend
ants n intelligent, weliniorned ana Ich'ei q
tnxs Afuaent would not be forced 70 u Europe IL
order " find library which he can use, Will iibrsi u
who "a eheerigliy AID him 10 pssns .