New-York tribune., 1878-12-18
THE LITERARY LIFE OF CHICAGO.

GROWTH AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC IL
BRARY-THE LITERARY CLUB.
TFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBUNEl
CHICAGO, Dec. 1.-Adjectives of magnitude
attach themselves readily to any description of Chicago
Everything seems superlative. One who has merely
heard Of city is almost burdened with the weight OF
words which have told OF Its greatness Its fame takes
on proportions quite fatguing the gnation when
it has fairly reached the remote East II man were
asked to give brief account Of city, he would find
himself talking Of the greatest fire, the biggest hotels
the finest blocks the most marvellous courage OF bus
ness men, the uDequaed facilities for railroad centre
-t at length he would almost be ready to believe him.
self turned into OF the alteraye headlines OF the
city papers which lure him away from coffee in the
morning aud charm his evening fancies. he Is bold
who dares critcise Chicago unfavoraby within the
city limits. This exaggerated tone, said TO be West
ern is growing fainter am told and the older people
claim that it Is only tradition. Visitors hear so much
Of wheat and pork and cattle, OF grain corners OF
railroads, whose breathessly abbreviated to
capital letters that there is danger OF forgetting the
culture and vigorous intellectual Life which are evi
denced by signs unmstakable. Amid oil the hurry and
din and confusion of tongues there ia the sweet
ity OF books at hand and the finer nature is not
forgotten The literary life Of the Western metropolis
would afford material for ample comment. Elevators
and freight cars lumber docks and warehouses may
be the foreground but schools and students studies
and the array Of literary implements must Ind room in
the picture OF the city which lately sat solitary and
sackcloth
Tie most unimpassoned sojourner in Chicago cannot
resist the impulse TO excGaim the Free Public IL
brary which has grown with immense rapidty since the
nre In October 1871. Within three months after that
calamity the citizens met and devised plan for esab-
fishing library and now, only sir years later the vol
umes number 10000, while the circulation OF books
exceeds that of any other library in the country,
that of Boston, with its quarter Of million Of volumes
1t will be recalled to the memory OF those familiar with
the story OF the fire that speedily movement was
begun in England for Offering to Chicago what would
serve as the foundation of a library for the
stricken people Thomas Hughes was foremost In this
sympathetic eDdeavor and the circular urging the do
nation Of books signed by Carlyle, Disraeh and
others prominent in literature, and gracously indOrsed
by the Queen The Master OF the English Rolls sent the
British Calendar Of State Papers, comprising 1S2 vol
umes these included the early correspondence Of
the English Court with foreign countries. The British
Museum is represented among the donors oxford Uni
versity sent $50 volumes. Many authors contributed
editions Of their works. with their autographs attached
pleasant reminder OF their personal interest From
Germany likewise came donation OF standard works.
These European offerings have amounted to several
volumes The issue OF books sttests the fact
that classic Boston reads more novels than crude Chi
cago II is matter OF record that the Boston Library in
its fifth year had only onefourth many books In cir
culaton as the Chicago Library In its afth month Mr.
Poole the mighty among Librarians, is In charge Of
this collection Of books, and the masters hand is
seen in the disposition Of the alcoyes and in
those features which experienced eye readily
notes the visible token of librarsn's genius. The
light falls the books and not on the behOders face
as many ilordered Libraries The highest shelves are
within easy reach that there is need for that eab
crate system ladders which is necessary appendage
TO many collections Even in England, IL is said there
still that heapng up OF books against the walls, tier
nlarfu fhndin
many years since Its suggestive circumstance that
Onr American librarians able TO give their English
associates the profession some points" at the
conference IN London.
The Chicago Literary Cnb is another witness TO the
literary activity OF the people. Its membership includes
the choice OF the city-professona aud business
contributing alert minds to the club life The
citation make It's boast that collation. night Is not the
most popular OF the SERIES This is proof positive Of the
stern regard for literary principle against the bva
vuar and other attractions which, Ia alleged assa
such places not ipfrequently Not very long
the MoroseoDieal Society OF Chicago had a sort
hundred instruments ain lineb This was large
representation for Western cityoniy generation old
when counts the substantial progress Of hs metrop