The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-06-09


TIE CHARLESTON LIBRARY SoCEU.-This
society Is one Of the oldest In the Union, and owed
its origin to seventeen young gentlemen who in the
year 174s, formed association for the purpose Of
raising fund to ''collect such new pamphlets" as
should be published In Great Britain. As the so.
ciety grew in prosperity, the views Of the members
became more extensive, and after several efforts
charter was obtained from the General Assembly on
the oath Of june, 1755. The funds Of the society
were invested In bonds, and many donations Of
money and books were received. On the LIST jan
uary, 1T7s, the funds amounted to $4,000 and the
library contained between FIVE and six thousand vol
,umes. On thel5th January, 177s. the library was
destroyed by FIRE, only one hundred and eighty.Hve
books being saved besides about two-thirds of the
McKensie donation, which was designed for college
library.
The Revolutionary war. and the subsequent occu-
patton of the city by the Britsh, prevented any
organization until tho close Of hosiHHes. At that
time the society was In ruined condition, its mem-
bers were scattered, and It's funds destroyed. Not
withstandiug these drawbacks, the few remaining
members wero called together snd officers chosen.
In catalogue dated November Sd, 17so. there are
the names Of but three hundred and forty.two vol.
umes and the Mckenzie collection Of four hundred
and three volumes. From the year 1792, the In
crease Of the Library was regular, and the number
Of books was so augmented that In 1928 the collec-
ton numbered about twelve thousand volumes.
During this period the location of the Library
was frequently changed. and it is interesting
to notice the various movements, and trace its
progress It first kept at the house or store of
Mr. Jno. Sinclair, the first librarian. Mr.. VIII Hen
derson, his successor also keptit at his house. Mr.
VIM. Carwethen In 1885, kept 1t OF his residence in
E1Hott-stree, Gas central point Of town very con.
venent to members" From 1765 to 1778 1t was kept
in Kinloch Court, when the fire compelleda removal
changes to different houses in Broad.street, 1t was
in November 1892 placed in the upper story Of the
courthouse where it remained until 1885, when the
Society having purchased the old bank Of South Co.
rolina at the corner of Broad and Church.streets,
the Library was removed to that building its pres
ent location.
Until the late war the current Of the Charleston
Library flowed smoothly onward. The commence
ment of hostlties. and the probabilities Of an attack
upon the city, induced the society to remove the
most valuable portion Of the books to Columbia tor
safe keeping. Two separate shipments were made,
and the books being deposited in the college build
ing, fortunately escaped both the flames and sher.
mans bummers The remainder Of the books, about
four thousand in number, mostly odd volumes, but
including valuable collection Of law books, were
removed to the Charleston College Library Building
where the library was kept open for the use of the
society," until October, 1874, when It was closed, and
was not reopened until October, 1866, when the
present incumbent, Mr.. William g.. Mazyck, son Of
his predecessor, was appointed librarian. ButIttle
change has taken place In the library for many years
past with the exception of new and beautiful ar
ran cement of the books, made in 1858 and 81 by
Professor F. A. Porcher, which, however, was 80
completely destroyed by the removal Of the books
and their return to the city-many of the labels de-
signatng the positions having been rubbed off in the
course of transportahon-as to render another clas
sifcation necessary This has been accomplished by
the present librarian, and the books, about thirty.
two thousand in number, are now with very few e1-
cephons, thoroughly arranged upon the best plan
consistent with the present system Of shelving.
There are few collections Of books that present
greater array OF literary curiosities, offer more
inviting aed for the antiquarian and bfbliopole, than
the Charleston Library It would be impossible to
enumerate its list Of treasures but it contains not
only rare printed books, but many illuminated manu-
scripts. Among the modern works is splendid col
lection Of colored engravings by Audubon, bezdes
number of valuable works on every conceivable sub
ject. The Society to-day win celebrate its one hun
dred ana twentieth anniversary, and though some
Whist shattered by adversely It is In green old age,
nd will soon restore the losses caused by the war.