The New York herald., 1874-08-03
THE ASTOR LIBRARY.

Vacation mt the Institution-Large
Additions OF New Works-Provision
for the Intellectual Development of
the People-Interestiny Partic ulars.
This is the season when the puolic libraries
OF the city close for few weeks In order to allow
employees to enjoy vacation and also to permit
necessary repairs to the buildings. The warm
weather has the effect OF sending many thousands
TO the watering places. and there ia besides con-
sideraI emigration to Europe. Visitors consa.
qaently diminish In numbers and the fact OF the
institutions being closed is not felt TO be- by
haoituai readers, as great an inconvenience as 1t
would earlier or later in the year. very large
portion oil the knowledge we possess is derived
from books, and It must be stated that, as far as
New YORK is concerned, citizens take full
advantage OF the privileges so freely accorded
IN our puohc libraries The Astor LIBRARY, La
iayette place. Is justly reckoned as one OF the
most important m the country, and 1t has been
valued more and more sa its benefits have become
widely known and enjoyed. This institution Will
close IN day or two and will reopen on the 1st OF
September, as has been the custom in the past.
1t Is ireausn,ed by a class of readers principally
composed Of
STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONAL MEN,
but 1t is also Tree to all, without exception who
desire TO consult the rare and valuable works TO
be found In Its alcoves in every department OF
science and literature. The library continues
steadily to lncr aase. Particular attention is paid
to technology American history is very full, and
In linguistic works 1t is unsurpassed by any In the
country. Natural science Is fully represented,
aud, In short, in magnificent provision for the IN
teHectual development Of the great public it Is
doubtful whether II is second to any the Con-
tinent. During the past few months there have
been extensive additions to the library. Rare and
valuable classical works. works on history,
travel archaeology, and recent publications
In French. English and Latin have been
purchased. The accessions to the scientific
department. consisting OF mathematics, astron-
omy, mechanics, agriculture, engineering, botany
and architecture, have been selected with much
discrimination; and the departments embracing
works OF reference In medicine, geology, natural
history, theology, chemistry, &c, are now valu-
ably supplied. There is also large collection OF
magazines. bound newspapers (foreign and do
mestlc), maps, charts, ancient Illuminated books,
historical ANIMALS and American anu European
which show the variety of sources which have
oeen drawa upon by the trustees since the estab-
lshmenr OF the library.
The income OF the institution during the past few
years has been limited which is the only drawback
80 making it more perfect 1t is true that there
some deficiencies to be noted in regard to recent
puDihica tlons; These can only be remedied by
1urther outlay, and there may be some dill
hculty in raising the necessary funds. However,
Mr.. William b. Astor has just contributed
considerable sum, which has been invested IN the
purchase of desirable works. Donations to the
library during the past twelve months have been
any preceding year. An old work in German, en-.
titled "Argonautca Gustiviana," published In
81 lately S Mr.
OF the swedish commercial company who carried
on business In Pennsylvania and Delaware over
tnat duplicate OF 1t Is IN the royal library OF
Wurtemburg. Some time, before
OF Russia. IL consisted OF FAC stmte copy OF the
Sinaltic manuscript OF the Bible. 1t was dis
tingulshed scholar TischendorI The manuscript
Is considered to be the oldest in Greek extant of |
the Scriptures 1t has excited much attention
among the learned throughout the world.
VALUE OF THE LIBRARY.
The value OF such an institution as the Astor
Library cannot be well overestimated. In this
place the lawyer can gather such know ledge as he
needs to prepare himself or the trial OF difficult
cases; the minister OF religion can consult writings
not to De easily found elsewhere; the artist the
mechanic and the manufacturer can here obtain
Is hardly any profession that cannot be benefited
through the lnstrumentaity OF this library, The |
interior OF the building is roomy. cool and remark
ACCORDED to visitors are on liberal scale. The |
number of books that the ordinary reader is per-
nltted to examine Is not limited while a certain
class or readers have the courtesy extended Of
being allowed to occupy retired places in the al
works IN which they are specially Interested. This
privilege vastly augments the usefulness of the
plaiy anu IL Is very rare lnOeeQ tnaG any one |
favored acts contrary to the established rules.
STATISTICS OF READERS.
The use OF the Astor Library, not only in the
number OF volumes given out, but also in the
number OF readers steadily increases. In the year
mat has expired 1l6,694 books were delivered TO
~ 43S readers against Ill 3l7 books to 70 664 per-
sons In 1872 In addition to this there were 6,5lS
ADMISSIONS TO !,lS3 persons IN the acoves against
rsl5 admissions to l543 persons In 1872. The COM
pling catalogue OF such an immense number of
BOOKS, including WORKS IN ancient and modern
languages, as well as pamphlets requires great
haf a ahaP
las been ably performed by the librarian and his
= N nus Inc Importance OF good catalogue
nav almnst aon na, uy nen OF ieIteIs. IL
nose whose duties obiige them to be confined so
puch OF the year IN the AstOr Library should be
nlowed reasonable time for relaxation. On the
st OF September. as stated above. the tnStitution