New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-24
lections, until the possessor himself has taken

lections, until the pOssessor himself has taken
the initiative in making IL known.
1t is because Of the inGcceSsibility OF this
library and gallery that 80 little has been
known of them. During the long period OF
their collection, the owner has guarded them
with jealousy and rigor which have effectually
discouraged all attempts of outsiders to enter
the sacred precincts. In former years, we be-
lievc, he was accustomed to invite, from time
to time, small and select bodies of scholars to
view his new acquisitions; but we understand
that this has been an extremely rare occur
renee in recent times. He had reasons for this
course that could only be appreciated by a
scholar; but it was always known, to those who
knew anything of the man himself, that they
were based on neither selfshDess nor egotism.
Persons who were discounted in their attempts
to penetrate the arcanum often INDUCED them
selves in vigorous denunciation of its watchful
guardian. We have heard artists and authors
deny the right of any man to keep such treas
ures from the public gaze; and we remember
that, some years ago, well-known popular
preacher dashed the walls of his wrath against
the determined millionaire who had positively
refused him admittance to the treasurc-house.
who had his own idea and feeling about the
matter, and his own purpose in regard to 1t.
In now coming forward to offer this superb
library and gallery as gift to the people OF
this city, the collector and owner Mr.. James
LenOx, has won the gratitude of the public
and especially of American scholars. We could
make no attempt to indicate or estimate the
value of the offering, for, as we have said, 1t
is inestimable; but certain we are that the act
of the donor will be appreciated by the classes
who have occasion to know its worth. we
will not make any comparison between this
gift and that of the Astors, or those OF any
other public benefactors in this direction; but
We are quite sure that, when Opcaed to the
public, Mr.. Lenox's offering will be found to
possess q valne Of its own, unequaled by that
of any other collection in the country.
The act Incorporating the Trustees of the
Lenox Library passed both branches OF the
State Legislature last week. 1t appears by this
act that not only has Mr.. LenOx offered his
collections as q free public gift but that IN
addition he has offered such real estate in the
vicinity of the Central Park as may be required
for site, and, still further, the sum of S3OOOOO
in money Of this sum two-thrds are to be
expended in the erection of building suitable
for the collection, and the remainder is to be
used in defraying the necessary expenses OF
keeping, and in such other ways as may accord
with the donors design-the delivering OF
public lectures, for example, being expressly
specified. We understand that the work OF
erecting the building will be begun within a
reasonable time, and we may expect, before
three years have passed away, to have the long
hidden treasures of the LenOx collection publicly
opened to the view and for the service OF
American scholars and students.