New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-22
ONE LIBR4RY NOT APPRECIATED.

George III. Moore, the superintendent OF
Che Lenox Library, in conversation with TRIBUNE re-
porter recently said The library Is not yet In cond
ton TO be opened 10 the general public for reading pur
poses In time | have no doubt but that some system
viii be introduced possibly that Of reading cards as
I'm use at b British Museum by which those who esre
IT, and whose intelligence and information warrant IT,
may be allowed to consult the books in the collection"
Then the library is to become a popular
onei"
"No the collection is one OF works upon special SUD
jecs and the great mass of the people OF are
not oaed to appreciate the treasures here ana could
not with safety be allowed TO handle then'
ia any one allowed to consult books in the library
nowl"
AS # was the custom of Mr. Lenox in his lifetime to
allow gentlemen OF scholarly requirements TO consult
books which they could not obtain elsewhere so no"
access is occasionally allowed to the library"
Would not the opening OF the library to the public
aid in making New-YOrk "A literary centreF
New York cannot be literary centre such as Boston
IS, at least for many years The people are not educated
Nh TO IT, They DO not appreciate the treasures wheL
they have How long would public library conducted
on the plan OF the Boston Free Public Library exist In
Eew-York Why the system OF acove reading IN use
at the Astor Library has entaed great loss on that IN
sitution. Hundreds of dollars worth OF books arc ruined
by being INITIATED there every year 10 save copy Ing
page, obtain some engraving whieh sIiikes inc
IN the acoves viii cnt out or tear OUT wae ,ney WS
In Boston very little difficulty OF ths Knu seNpc
enced Bost0n Is Gegdasd Sred by its brares
What is better the people OF Boston appreciate their adj
yantsges The Aston Library enables New ork TO say
that she mas free library The Astor family nave
received more abuse than thanks for founding IT, $500
Are not the libraries of this city richly endowedP
They are Tor private enterprises but tho Public Il
brary OF Boston the city treasury 10 draw on ana no
endoyment, however munhcent, can hope to compete.
with That This LenOx Library, for instance is con
sidcriDg that it Is the gift of single individual sple,
didly endowed. il Is the gift OF single man, ana
The hooks In IL ere simply his private coectiOna very
fine collection true but not that Is adapted ever
ha he he
ably no such collection OF Americana In the world as In
this library IL is doubtful II is appreciated by the
people OF York They do not know or properly use
the treasures among them There Is the splendid coec
ton of antiques and the library of the Historical society
The people generally know little or nothing about Them
From the first Boston has had Harvard College AT lts
doors and that has given tone to the whole city, Ont
a coinparatiyely recent date Commencement Day AZ
Harvard was a general holiday in Boston. banks and
stores henp close Imagine the Stock Exchange clos
sng s doors and the banks sspending business IN this
cify because there q commencement at Columbia
College or the College ofthe City Of New-fork"