The Portland daily press., 1868-11-18
The Portland 1Mstitute aud Public La
brarv.

brary.
Since the last report on the Library, the Dt-
rectors have the pleasure of announcing add
tional donations, as follows, viz; From Rev.
George w. Richardson of Eastport, 10 I'M
bound volumes of the New York Weekly Tri-
bune; Parmenio W. Neal of Portland, II un-
bound volnmes of the Portland Transcript:
John Muzzey, Esq, 230 bound volumes of val
liable books; Joseph NJ. Kellogg, II volumes
bound, and pamphlets; Hon. VIM. P. Fes-
sender, 628 bound volumes of Public Docu-
ments, in addition to former donation; John
Rand, Esq, IL volumes; Estate of the late Hon.
Geo. Evans, by Miss Anna Evans, 1853 vol
umes; The Portland Dramatic Club, 116, vol
umes of Dramatic Literature, choice collec-
ton; Mrs. NJ. j. NJ. Sweat, volume; Hon.
Edward Fox, 4; Rev. VIM II. Fem, 2; Samu-
ell Z. Drake of Boston, IA; J. G. Holland of
Springfield, Mass, 9; Mrs. Charles Jones, IA;
E. A. Noyes, 6; D. c. Colesworthy of Boston,
1O3; Abner Lowell, z; G. f. Cory, 4; Frank
Noyes, 3; The Essex Institute, Salem, Mass.
their Historical Colections Rev. E. G. Bodies,
6 volumes; Henry Merrill, 49, Joseph Sabin,
New York, GA volumes; S. T. Pickard, Port
land, 81; Charles Akers medallion bust of
Rev. +. rockingham, and bust of Edward
Everett, with pedestal; f. w. Moody, vol
ume of newspapers, 1769-tax book of Fall
mouth for 1866; c. NJ. Rice, a quantity of COW
ering paper.
In addition to these liberal donations, the
Directors have added to- the library by pur-
chase as many valuable and popular books of
the dev as their limited means have allowed
There many innorra,,t daGo in
equipment of even so small library as ours,
which ought to be supplied. Each religious
denomination ought to be represented by its
leading publications; no one person among us,
can be supposed to be furnished with such a
collection; and there should be some place to
which every enquirer might resort to relieve
his doubts or satisfy his mind, on these most
interesting subjects. Why will not each de-
nomination place their principal publications
upon our shelves? The Swedenborgians and
the Unitarians promptly responded to our call
for that purpose. Are not the Baptists, the
Congregatonalists, the Methodists, and the
Universaists equally interested in making
their systems generally known? Another
want is money; we must furnish the most pop
ular magazines, and the best of the numer-
GUS books which are scattered, like the Sybil
leaves, from our presses. We can not obtain
these without money; but with that we can
buy them at cheaper rate than individuals
can. Will not then our philanthroplsts, our
lovers of learning, and all friends to the wild
est diffusion of knowledge give us relief from
this embarrassment? We observe that the
Alumni of Harvard College have just started
fnr fxun dro1
| thousand dollars for the wants of that already
very large library and other college purposes,
| of which $4,000 was at once guaranteed. The
| number of books now in the library is esti-
| mated to exceed 1000 volumes besides numer-
| GUS pamphlets-a wonderful growth for the
| short period OF its existence. And its use by
| young persons, and all other classes of our
| community has far exceeded the sanguine ex-
| pectations of its most sanguine friends.
We have quite full sets of the National Pub
| lie Documents since 1888, including some of
rare value, but we are deficient in those prior
| to that time-the 23d Congress. Any persons
] possessing those, even scattering volumes, will
| confer a favor upon the Institution and the
| community by presenting them to the library.
| In the fine arts we are making some progress
we have already added to the antique busts
formerly mentioned, viz: Socrates, Plato, De-
| mosthenes, Cicero, &C., Milton and Shake
| speare, DR.. Charming, r. w. Emerson, Miss
Bremen, Edward Everett, George Evans, John
| Neal, also some valuable paintings. 1t is a
| peculiarly appropriate place for the deposit of
| the Counterfeit presentment' of the repre-
| sentative men, who all along the centuries
| have adorned and illuminated by their works,
the ages in which they lived. Portraits, busts
cient and modern, will be treasured by the In
| stitute with peculiar satisfaction
WIN. WILLIS, PRESIDENT.
Portland, NoU. IL, 1868.
The following letter from respected towns
man who resided some time in Sweden and is
about publishing a book upon that country, is
Just received with his very valuable deposit,
and will be read with pleasure:
PORTLAND, Nov. 16, 1868.
Hon. VIM. Wills President of Portland Iiasti-
t,.te and Public Library:
DEAR SIR: Allow me to place in your hands
bust of the genial Swedish Authoress, Fred
erika Bremen. have just received it from a
mutual friend in Sweden, from whom 1 learn
that it is one of few casts taken for relatives
and friends, and the only one that has been
sent to America. 1 think it will be an orna
ment to our Institute, and that our citizens
will like to look at the kindly features of the
good little lady who wiote so charmingly of
"Homes in the New World" and who dearly
loved our country.
With great respect,
Your humble servant,
w. w. THOMAS"