The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-03-17
THE ASTOR LIBRARY.

RECENT ACCESSION OF WORKS TO TIE LARoI
NUMDEr ALREADY on HAND-PREcAurIoN.
AIRY MEASURES AGAINST ANY MurILArIoN
OF BOOKS.
The Astor Library has been recently enriched by
the accession OF a largo number Of rare and costly
works. which fnct had tho effect OF increasing the
number students and readers who visit the instt
tuition The trustees havo mado purchases OF books
during the past year amount exceeding $50 0o0
Tho additions, though embracing many branches,
have been moro particularly marked In the
departments OF art, architecture, archaeology, nu-
mismatics general history and American history.
natural science and iincuiscs In several Of these
art, architecture ana natural scicnccsho additions
have required heavy outlay They consts. OF books
OF plates and euRravngs, generally largo and cxpcn-
sivo foios Among them arc "LArt AraDe au Cairc,"
by Prisso d. Avenues; Grove and Cavaicasec's .His-
tory OF Paintng,n Liita's "Italian Families" Block
er's Fish OF India, Goulds "Birds Of Asin New
Guinea" Key aud Retzln's ANATOMY OF the Nervous
sS Is ans
"Museo Epanoi dc Antiquetades In tho
us, may also ns 1ognd; sa.s0.nl xoron.s Quad
dams pEgliscn Mcycr's "Commeu taries on the Now
Testament, !" FaIrhan's "Imper',i D,os Dictionary"
Daloxs 'Jursprudcncc Gcneralc," vaucl's "Droit
dcs Gems" "Rcvue dc Drolt INTERNATIONAL" Gnol's
''God In Human Thought" vBaltics Of America by
Lilo in the Middle Ages Rawiason,s s'Engaud and
Russia in tho East, History OF Japan Educattoni
ana Laroussc's "Grand Dictionnaire Universal du
XIX Steele
The recent additions were selected by Mr.. Brevoort
the superintendent, VITA the view to acquiring such
works seemed to DO most urgently needed IN Ger.
tam branches OF knowledge. AS there arc several
libraries in tho city devoted 10 mo departments Of
theology, Jurisprudence, medicine. natural history
ana geography, was found advisable to
direct the choi expenditures toward tho
patonts--Amcricau. french and Eugiish--togethor
with works relating 10 arts and manu-
have also been inrgcly Increased and this de-
partmc mt Is much consulted Under the direction Of
the librarian, Mr. Sanders, the card catalogue Of
ccssons 1866 has In constant Tor about
year 1t satisfies all applicants, since thcy con
ascertain what Is IN the library aud ask for the
precise work and cdition volume thcy dcsire TO
consult thus saving much time spent In searching for
titles by the former method.
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST VANDALISM
II Appeals by the last annual report that the 0nan
cal condition vi tho library IL excellent Tho total
endowment iuud Is over 81 200. 0O0 and the annual
Of revenue over expenses $40 900. The total
number OF books Is 10000 which there 10 an IN
surancc OF 100000 Tho library has suffered recently
several occasions by the dcpredatons oil readers,
who mutated valuable books placed IN their hands
Tor per usal examinations, some OF thom being im.
possible TO replace at any price. Tho trustees
iound IL necessary to prosecute tho detected parties
under law passed by tho Legislature lew years
since. They have also doomed u requisite to have Q
closer supervision exercised over tho delivery and
turn oil books order 10 prevent repetition OF the
offence Beyond necessary measures TO protect from
destruction rare and expensive books which, how.
ever are not Intended DO annoying or TO interfere
with The usefulness VI the institution, the vandalism
complained Of has had no other elect.
The new purchases have all boon classified, arranged
on tho shelves aud arc accessible without delay.