The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-01
CITY HNTELLIGENCE.
THE PHILADELPHIA LIBRARY.
So"'e Ricsiy Endowed By Dr. Rush. ~


lbraries which is sometimes very impressive. They
peem 10 partake OF the intellectual peculiarities OF
fhe people conducting or frequenting them There
n for instance, an atmosphere OF perfect repose
about the Philadelphia Library which is in harmony
with the Wel-baanced characteristics OF the quiet
citizens who thread its galleries with decorous mien
Once within its walls, your foot falls lightly on the
clean wooden floor, and your voice instinctively
sfrops 10 a whisper which cannot drown the solemn
ticking Of the Protectors clock WHO'S whose areless
OF time and the progress OF humanity from Crom-
wells day 10 ours The hereditary librarian , sits
Penn but rises with the perfect courtesy of gen.
fleman of the Olden school to answer the inquiries
which such surroundings naturally suggest
In me latter part OF the last century il happened
that Benjamin West was visiting his friend, the Rev.
samuel Preston, an English clergyman residing at
Cheyening i'm Kent, who possessed a fine collection
of works. While examining the choice editions in
mis- friends library on one ,s morning Id West said in
ted:-"By the way Preston, you have no children;
what s to be done with these volumes when you are
gone y
'1t mas never occurred to me TO make any disposi-
ton of them,' was the reply.
'Thcn, my friend, leave them to our library in
Philadelphia for, strange as 1t may appear to you,
we have there a respectable array OF authors, and
Your gift would be highly priced
The suggestion was adopted, and upon the reve-
rend gentlemans deccase his rare and costly books
were forwarded to the library company.
We must not forget TO pay our tribute OF respect,
passing, to the genius and virtues Of James Logan.
AS founder OF the Loganian Library he is intimately
associated with cur present theme. Distinguished
~ a scholar not less than a statesman, he the
friend and patron Of ingenious men, and constantly
exerted himself TO procure for merit its deserved ap-
plause. DR.. Franklin experienced his protection
and friendship In his early career.
OF the many interesting relics scattered about the
Philadelphia Library we can only select q 1ew
Among the pictures we must call attention to a
curiously prophetic one, painted in 1892, by S. Jen-
nings, a. pupil of Benjamin West which represents
the Genius of American Liberty Teaching the Blacks.
The writng-desk of William Penn, within the
CLOSURE, was at his manor Of Pennsbury, on the
Delaware From its secret drawer the Librarian
takes a variety OF interesting memorials; among
others an original pitcher portrait OF Washington On
the wall near at hand hangs an accurate copy Of the
cast taken by HOudon from Washngton's face in
life. The original was formerly in the possession Of
DR.. John Redmond Coke. From where we now
stand may be seen above in the gallery colossal
bxst OF Minerva, six feet in height which was be-
hind the Speakers chair when the first Congress
was held in Philadelphia. foreigner, a man of
letters who was in Philadelphia IN the fall OF the
year l74S-thus speaks Of the condition OF the library
which was then according to the O6icidL minutes,
in the upper room of the westernmost office of the
state House the use of which had been lately
granted to the company by the Assembly,
"On one side Of this building-the State House
stands the Library which was first begun in the year
1I42 dt was founded in 1T3D on public-sprited
plan formed and put in execution by the learned
Mr. Franklin For he persuaded first the more sub
stantal people in town to pay forty shilngs at the
outset and afterwards annually ten shillings, all in
Pennsyyanla currency towards purchasng al KINDS
collection of excellent works most Of them English
many French and Latin butfew in any other language
The subscribers were so kind to me as to order the
Librarian during my stay here, TO lend me any book
which should want without requiring any payment
Besides the books several mathematical
and physical instruments, and large collection of
natural curostes, were to be seen in it, Several
little libraries were founded in the town on the
footing, or nearly, with this"
An Examination OF the list Of shareholders OF the
library Company discloses the fact that the corpora
lien embraced large majority of those who were
or high social position. At the death of James Logan
in 1867, he bequeahed to the city of Philadelphia,
with liberal endowment, the classical library,
worth at that time 900 in gold, which still bears
his name, and has greatly increased in value: In
1892 at the instance OF James Logan, son OF the
preceding, the Legislature of this State passed an
act vestng the property OF the Loganian Library in
the Library Company OF Phl!adelphla. AT present
the L0ganian collection embraces between ten and
eleven thousand volumes, many Of them very rare
some, in fact, unique.
The following facts concerning the history OF the
Philadelphia LIBRARY nave been Cleaned from the
original minutes of the company
In 1862 "a noble present OF antient medals" was
receive l. through Mr.. Peters from Mr.. Grey, mem
Der of Parliament from Colchester. In 1868 the
celebrated John Dickinson, author OF the Farmers
Letters" was elected a member OF the Board
OF Trustees. In 1863 the Union Library
Company was united TO the Philadelphia
Library Company, and in 1IIl another junction was
formed with the Association Library In 1913 the
books were removed to Carpenters Hall: Two un-
successful efforts We're made in May and June, l776,
to convene the members to authorize the directors
f'tO remove the books out OF town should the
British army approach a. It," IL does not
sustained any loss from those composing that force.
On the contrary it sa pleasure 10 be able TO say that
the English officers without exception, left deposits
and paid hire for the books borrowed by them. In
1777 the braryroom was occupied by sick soldiery.
BY the VIII Of the Hon. William Logan, the Library
received the same year very handsome bequest OF
works of ancient authors. At a general meeting
held June l. 1889, which Bishop White presided,
It determined to erect suitable building soon
as one hundred new members could be procured.
The list having been completed, the cornerstone OF
lne present edince now standing on the corner OF
Fifth and Library streets was laid with appropriate
ceremonies. BY the 90th of December 1890, the
books were all removed to their new home. In 1892
an additional building Immediately in the rear, was
erected by the Philadelphia Library Company for the
accommodation OF the Logahian collection. The
inscription on the cornerstone OF the present build
ing declares that the library was instituted Eat the
instance OF Benjamin Franklin" The total number
of volumes is about $4,000 and in this enumeration
each volume OF pamphlets is counted as one book
only II the system PURSUED in some famous cOec-
ions was resorted TO, the figures would have to be
largely increased
The present Board OF Directors is composed Of the
following gentemen:-
George w. Norris Peter Mccall,
Henry j. Williams, Alexander Biddle,
Charles Wiling, Henry Wharton
David Lewis, Henry Cramond,
j, l. Clark Hare, s. Morris VAIN
In addition TO the Directors Of the Library Com
pany there are three hereditary Trustees Of the
Loganan Library to be succeeded for all time, or as
long as any of LQgans descendants eXist) namely,
GGstayas George Logan, John Dickinson Logan and
John Jay Smith.
DROWNED MAN-This morning, an unknown man,
apparently forty years OF age was found drowned IN
the Delaware at Almond street wharf. Deceased
is five feet eight inches in height with brown hair
and large black goatee. He was dressed in dark
cOth suit check shirt, and laced shoes. The CorO-
ner took charge OF the body
ASSAULT AND BATTERY.-Chares Brown has been
held in t70O bail by Alderman Dallas, to the
charge Of assault and battery on Bernard Duffy
residing at Twenty-second and Pemberton streets
Duffy, while seated on his steps, was accosted by
Brown, ana war OF words ensued, which resulted
in the accused striking Duny in the face
Frrr. MISREPRESENTATION Ellis aged sxteer
wears residing at TWenty-fOurth and South streets
while fishing on the banks OF the Schuylkill, al