Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-10-06
A NOBLE GsTT TO uUL ,NsYEn-
SlIh.


Vermont.
We are rcjolccd to find the report OF the
purchase of the Library of the late lion.
George p. Marsh, by Hon. Frederick Bill
lings, for presentation to the University,
confirmed by the Woodstock Stdaddrd.
The Standard says.
The library of Hon. George =. Marsh
was last week purchased by lion,
Frederick Billings and will be presented
by him to the University OF vermont
at Burlington. 1t contains about l?,OOO
volumes and is said 10 he one of the most
remarkable collections of books in the world.
Most of the books are in Rome and Florence,
Italy, completely cltalogucd by Mr Marsh
himself and will he shipped at once. Mr.
Billings began negotiations for the purchase
of the library as soon as he learned that II
was TO be sold, but came very near losing II
lthc desire to possess the treasure being ac-
tive among the colleges of this country by
an unfortunate mischauCc in reaching the
executor in charge, who was ON his way
from Europe while II communication was go
ing on to him at Rome. There is u striking
appropriateness in the purchase OF TINS IT.
brary by Mr.. Billings for the University lie
| is an allmnus of the college and his home in
this village was the birthplace OF George T..
Marsh, greatly enlarged and cnliched, II Is
true, hut the walls of the old Marsh home
stead are preserved intact in the new ana
Mr.. Marsl's American home was IN Bur
| lngton he wac once n trustee OF the col
| cre and at one time, when hopeful regarding
the amount of property he should leave,
made Il will giving his library to the institu-
ton. So it will be seen that the right man
has bought the library and will make the
proper disposition of il. The published estl-
mate of the value of the library is S25, 900.
Arbitrary collected by scholar of Mr..
Marsh's BREADTH and man ol such Amos,
uneuuallcd acquaintance with books in many
languages, could not fail TO he one of the
choicest and in point OF fact, us we have
been assured by Prof. II. w. Haynes of Bos-
| ton, aud other good Judges it ahuunds in
rare and valuable literary treasures. Prob
ably in some features il Is almost unique. II
is library known to and famous among
scholars on both sides OF the Atlantic. Add
ed to the already exceedingly choice Library
of the University it will give the institution
Il library of over $4,000 volumes largely Sc
lcctcd by such scholars as Prof. JOSEPH
Torrcy and George =. Marsh, and one
which no amount of money. probably
could duplicate. Handsome as ia this gift
the source from which it comes add
TO its value Mr.. Biings's muniii
Cence has taken peculiarly graceful and fit
ting form. He hnf recently felt obliged 10y
the condition of his health and the demands
on his time and energies, to drclineihc mem
bcrship of the board of trustees of The mi
vrrsiy. fOr which he was dies Emlicl 10y thu
large majority of the alumni. Bu this zen
crous gift-wc treat it rs already made iu
the public announcement of the destination
of the library is clearly authorized 10y MIR
Billings shows thu, his alma mater has hi
lively interest and affection, and that he r.
cprocates the esteem in which hr is held 10y
its alumni and hy all connected with IL Tn
disposition of the Marsh library will hr graft
flying To Mrs Marsh and to Mr.. Marsl's rcla
tiyes, for i, is true rs intimatcl 10y the stan
da1d, that Mr.. Marsh himself desired au,
contemplated the transfer Of lis books to The
, University, either hy gifl or purchase; an,
this generous deed will link the same OF MIR
Billings with fiat of Mr.. MARSH, ami m lh
other benciuctors of the University, in tn
= grateful memory of all friends OF the college
= by bond as lasting as the value ui large
choice and thoroughly selected library, nj
permanent ccn,rc of education aud learning