Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-07-24

'oliowlng year the Hon. r. c. Winthrop
gave the hrst books to begin the collec.
ion During the next two years gifts
We're made by Edward Everett and others.
md in 1852 board of trustees was Or
sanized Of which Everett was president
'nd Edward Capen, librarian. The same
year Joshua Bates of London gave S5O.-
Uo w. The upper hall of the new and
elegant building was subsequently named
liter him. In 1854 library and reading
room was opened on Mason street, and in
1908 the present library building on
Boyiston street, the cost of which with
land was S365,OO0O0, was dedicated
Addresses were made by R. Z. Win
throp, Edward Everett and A. II. Rice.
mayor. This is one of the finest
buildings in the city and is complete in
every respect Instead of the old cum
ofous catalogues the trustees have adopt
ed the card-catalogue system. being at the
same time much more convenient and ex-
pedlious.
large corps of officers and assistants
is constantly employed, and everything is
done to facilitate the drawing of books
and the pleasures of the patrons. In he
rear are several splendidly fitted up
studies, where authors and others pursuing
Especial course Of investigation may be
accommodated. A large reading room,
containing over four hundred current
periodicals, is open to all and is well pat
ronized.
lhe library is rich in having secured the
valuable mathematical and pathological
library Of the late Nathaniel Bowditch:
the Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish and
Portuguese collection of George Tickuor;
the Fosti engravings, over six hundred in
number, and formerly in The possession of
Cardinal Fosti, treasurer of the Pontticial
government of Rome; the Prince and
Barton libraries containing about fourteen
choice volumes; the theologic and gen.
eral library of Theodore Parker, eleven
thousand in number, and containing some
Fare copies of early editions of the Bible
and standard religious works dating back
as far as l46S. and the Shakespearian col
lection, numbering about three thousand
volumes and embracing both ancient
quartos and folios, together with modern
editions, portraits, autograph. etc.
The walls and alcoves are decorated
with several sculptures and paintings,
among which are TWO choice portraits ofI
Franklin, one each of Edward Everett
and Charles Sumner, busts of Joshua
Bates, George Ticknor, Burke. Irving, DR..
Kane, Motley, the historian, and Other s, |
an historical painting by Copley of " King
Charles the First demanding in the house
of commons the five impeached mem
bers;" also other celebrated groups in
staluary and painting.
Besides this general library on Boylston
street, there are branch offices at Charles
town. Brighton, East Boston, South Bos-
ton, Dorchester, Lower Mills and jamaica
Plain. These have been opened from
time 10 time, and now residents in those
places can draw books from the central
library by applying at their respective
branches.
In l853-54 there were 16 22l volumes
and the daily average of circulation was
$50; in lS63-64, whole number, 1864;
daily circulation, 664; in lS73-74, whole
number, 260, $50; daily average, 2.O3l; in
1867, whole number, 3I2.OlO; daily
average, 1927; largest number drawn in
any one day, S,34S. Thus it will be seen
that it is not, like the Astor library of New |
York, library exclusively for profession
al men, and difficult of access even for
them, but one for the masses, open at all
reasonable times and with all reasonable !
aids. Who can tell the good which it has
done and yet may do'
w. Il. ID.