The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1872-04-26

brary, the King smiled approvingly upon
him and surveyed the vast collection
with undisguised pleasure.
as there no other work Of importance
in the world" he asked.
"None save the sacred books of the
Hebrews" said Dcmetrius.
To obtain this work 100000 jews
we're set at liberty in one day. The vol
ume was translated into Greek and
placed upon the shelves. But all this
vast accreation of literature was locked
up from the masses. The royal master
gloated over it. A few hierophants and
literati CLEANED the gold from the store
house. A free public library is the insti-
tuition of modern growth. The feeble ef-
forts at the dissemination Of knowledge
in the past seem to have blossomed sud
denly out like the leaves and flowers
from bleak hill side, under the infu-
ence of some sudden, fructifying sunlight.
The reign of literary darkness is over, and
the world of literature is suddenly thrown
open to the people. Weak moralizers
have spoken of the danger of giving peo-
pie access to all shades of thought and
doctrine.
They have argued that minds will be
contaminated; that tastes will be Initiated.
But such has not proved to be the case.
The mind acts for itself, and chooses its
own food. In literature there is an an
tidote for every poison, just as the miner
al world. Reading is the great educator,
and the readers among the people are the
least vicious, nay, are the most virtuous
An era in the history Ct Louisville will
be inaugurated on the 9th of this
month.
A free, absolutely free, library will be
thrown open to the public at that time,
which will prove one of the most power
full means for the suppression Of vice ever
known in the city. Hitherto the vast
number of young men employed in our
stores and factories have had no door
open to them save thedoor of the saloon,
gambling hell, and house of shame. All
honor, of course, to the churches which
-hz,N strctcheu-o,;s-a helping hand; but
what many have needed is proper place
to pass the evening and sufficient health
full attraction to bias them to virtue.
The Public Library will show at the
opening more than 30, 900 volumes of care
fully selected books, adapted to all tastes.
Mr.. Ben. Casseday, the Librarian, has
classified and arranged them with careful
judgement. His long experience in lit
erary matters and intimate acquaintance
with books and literary antiquities and
curiosities gives him remarkable adap-
ton for the position, and we believe all
our citizens will be glad to see him in
charge of this Literary world" The ar
rangement of the library is most admira-
bic. The books are arranged in small
alphabetical sections, and easy reference
can be made to them from the cata-
logne.
The collection is rich in encyclopedias
of every branch of learning, in standard
historical works, histories Of Kentucky,
and other States. The religious works
are very numerous, and there already ex-
lists the nucleus OF a very valuble theo-
logical library. The theological student
can find standard commentaries and
works of Hall, Dwight, Prideau, Thro-
luck, Grieseler, Milford, Hagenbach,
Hooker, Milman Sturgeon, Beecher,
Pearson, Reith, &c.
The department of works on travel is
quite extensive. The manners, customs,
scenery, &c, of almost every nation, are
represented in the works Of the latest
travellers.
We have before referred TO the Chill
drcn's Library, and other important feat
ures. Some rare and valuable works are
upon theshelves, rs Boydell's Shakespeare
Finden's British Art Gallery, Catlin''
Indian Gallery, in rich water colors, put
, ON my hand.
We have frequently referred to DIR,
Graham's valuable minera land fossil col
lection. Here one can see remains from
the first vertebrate existence Of the Palez
. ole age, 10 the later and more perfect de
, velopments; the minerals CT the spheres
foliated earboniferous specimens, and (
multitude Of rare relics Of the ages.
1t is proposed to formally open TIN
Library on next saturday evening, witt
appropriate exercises, in Weisigcr Hall
Hon. j. Proctor Knott will deliver Al
address, and Ben Cassoday, Esq, will de
, liver a poem. A band of music will b
in attendance. After the exercises in III,
Hall the library rooms will he thrown
open, and thepubliccan then enter and SCI
for themselves what has been done by tn,
trustees to carry out their promise 0
giving free library to Louisville.
An interesting feature Of the exercise
: in Weisger Hall will be the presence o
the survivors of the great epidemic o
; 1922. Seats will be reserved for then
in front These persons will appear a
? the "Old Settler" of Louisville. All GU
, citizens should be at the Inauguration 0
! this enterprise, which gives such prom
ises for our future moral and intellectual