New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-28
TIE LEyox LTBRARY-yAmES FISK, JR.
LErrER FROM RICHARD GRANT WHITE.

LETTER FROM RICHARD GRANT WHITE.
TO thr razor Of The Tribune
SIR Your article on the Lenox Library in
no way the value OF that collection or the high
purpose genuine good will OF him who "a about CIV
ing such noble gift 10 scholars and students Of his
place Valuable the Astor Library is to those
who are engaged in literary scientific researches for
Whose suppose II intended by us founder and
ts collector. and not. people seem TO suppose
for the benefit OF those who would like TO have IL free
circulating library Of popular literature open day and
nigh lacks, and probably always will lack, certain
rare and costly volumes in various departments Of tera
ture. without the opportunity 81 consulting which
thorough research ia impossible. This deficiency the
LeuoX Library Will in great supply in the very
important departments OF early American history Bbli
cal photography, and Shakespearian. rather Eliza
behan literature and thus relieve students who wish 10
make original Investigations these subjects Of the
cesty OF going Europe for that purpose trusting
to the reprints Of such books have been
printed.
But led to write tins letter by your reference to
the jealousy and rigor with which the collector OF this
library has guarded his and Che vigorous de-
nuneiation with which he visited by those whose
curiosity bafled. You right IN saying that this
jealousy was fruit neither seshness egotism
have good reason know the contrary and at the
present time and under the present circumstances OF
this library hope may say with proprety and entire
acceptabty TO It's owner that far has he been from
stinguess regard TO his books that he has been dis
tngushed among collectors for the generous freedom
with which be placed his literary at the
OF those who wished and not merely 10 in
spect them During the preparation Of my edition Of
Shakespeare. he not only TO all the books
he had that could be OF any service to but actually
allowed to take TO my house, two several
casions all Of his rich and collection OF the early
quarto editions Of SDakespeare's plays, that
might collate the text thoroughly at my
books,
each worth from $3.50 to $50 gold. and
that even at such prices they can be gotten only at long
intervals by watcbful buyers and ut the breaking mp OF
welkuOwn collections The little packages OF books
that carried under nv arm and had Tor DAYS in my own
library, worth thousands OF dollars and II lost
destroyed were quite unrepiaceahe. Sueh an act OF
generosity the part Of book collector H. quite
sure unknown ia the annals OF photography unless per-
GrOcr, whose generosity historical,
Mr. Lenox's predecessor in a trusting kindness which
approached the verge OF imprUdeuce. have be
mentioned the full extent Of my obligations to Mr.
Lenoxs desire to serve the literature although
have been often tempted to do so when have heard
the remarks OF those who disappointed in making
sure even now that he will quite forgive for betray
inc the absOuteness OF ms good nature.
While writing, let me say something about
another man mentioned the number OF THE TRB-
UNE, Mr.. James Fisk ir IN commenting on the report
that had been shot, you speak OF him whose
hand is against every mans one whom nobody cared FOR
living or mourued when he was supposed to be dead
Now DO not know Mr.. FISK, never held any cOnnuni-
cation with him. never saw him. Of the nature or
justiiabllity OF his operations can say nothing be-
cause know nothing But was sorry TO see these re-
marks because do know Of ut least one person whom
lie cared for. ana who should remember him gratefully
living dead In the hight OF the gold panic, When II
might be reasonably supposed that any man who was
but moderately interested in the issue would be entirely
and neryously absorbed IN ms own aHalrs MT FISK ouha
time and had the and the inclDaon To write let
friend OF mine for the sole purpose OF serving
wOmaI-a old and poor. The fact Impressed me
when learned II at the time Of It's occurrence, and
refer to because 1t seems to me that man who
under such could do such act cannot be
quite the shmael Of his kind or quite deserve TO be he
mp as one whom no one should care Tor AN!ng' or WIN
mourn when dead Your o0edient servant K. G. W
Act7l OrE, Jan. p, 1870.