Middletown transcript., 1883-03-09
Written for the Afiddleto,0n Transcript
THE PHILADELPHIA LIBRARY.


Although Benjamin Franklin had the
most sanguine hopes of the success OF
the Philadelphia Library, yet if he
could but see the flourishing condition
of that institution at the presnt day he
would find his fondest hopes more than
realized. From the hundred volumes
deposited by the "Junto Club in
Robert Grace's house, as nucleus,
there has sprung a collection of two
hundred thousand two-thirds of which
are in the Philadelphia Library proper,
and the remainder are in the Ridgway
branch. Not only does the library pos
sess many rare and valuable books, but
it owns many interesting relics OF the
old Colonial and Revolutionary periods.
After having been located in Robert
Grace's house, in the State House,
Carpenters Hall, and at Fifth and
Library streets, the company took pos
session of the commodious building at
the corner of Locust and Juniper
streets. The building is of brick with
brown stone trimmings the rooms are
high and well lighted, and are in every
way well adapted to the wants of the
many visitors and readers.
In a niche on the Locust street front
is marble statue of Franklin, and as
the visitor ascends the steps he can
almost imagine that the spirit of the
printer, philosopher and patriot skeep-
ing watch over his pet project.
Inside the doorway of the reading
room is an old lantern bearing the date
1871, and I have been Informed that it
was first used in that year. Beside the
librarians desk is another old relic in
the shape of a request box, with lions
head on it, and contains the following
inscription "Gentlemen are requested
to drop into the lions mouth the titles
Of such books as they wish to have i'm
ported y This box has been in use for
over a century and half, and looks
able to stand the wear and tear of
another century.
The main room, or reading-room, is a
most delightful resort for the literati.
Here can be found many of the human
race who are designated by the igno-
minious title of " book-Worms. Chairs
and tables are in various places, so as
to enable readers to copy notes and ex-
tracts from such books as they desire.
Seated at one of these was diligent
school teacher hunting an answer to
perplexing question that had been asked
her by some inquisitive scholar, and
not wishing to betray her ignorance,
she has kindly promised to answer the
question tomorrow. Meanwhile she
CLOCKS it up" and thus benefits herself
and pupil. At another was an old man
well advanced on life's journey and
who was looking over old almanacs and
records in order to find the date of
some event over which he and his crony
have been arguing. Here also can be
found the newspaper men and book
makers doing precisely what Washing
ton Irving saw them doing in the
library of the British Museum. They
were catching up'' the beauties and
fine thoughts of ancient and obsolete
authors, and casting them forth again
to flourish and bear fruit in a remote
and distant tract of time. Many of
the works undergo a kind of metem-
psychosis and spring up under new
forms. What was ponderous history
revives in the shape of romanee-an
old legend changes into a modern play
and sober philosophical treatise
furnishes the body for whole series Of
bouncing and sparkling essays.
Among the many relics distributed
about the building there may be men
toned a clock which belonged to Oliver
Cromwell and which was presented to
the library by Mr.. Hudson, an ances-
tor of whom purchased it in England,
where the seller vouched that it had
belonged to the stern Lord Protector
of the Commonwealth of England
There is also a clock that belonged to
William Penn and one which belonged
to Benjamin Franklin. Distributed in
various parts of the building are busts
and portraits of many of the persons
who have distinguished themselves in
the world of letters and arts. Conspic-
uous among these is bust of Franklin.
The Philadelphia Library cannot do too
much to cherish the memory of that
indefatigable worker and thinker whose
sagacity founded the library and placed
it upon that sound basis which it has
maintained for over a century and
half.
The Ridgway branch of the Philadel-
phia Library is situated at Broad and
Christian streets. 1t is built of granite
and in a style Of architecture modelled
after the Parthenon. Its remoteness
from the center of the city is great
disadvantage, and there are frequently
days when only three or four persons
visit it. Its situation was designated
by Doctor James Rush, who married
Miss Phoebe Ann Ridgway, a daughter
of Jacob Ridgway, at one time consul
at Antwerp. 1t is related that Stephen
Girard and Ridgway were competitors
in the same line of business. One day
they were quarreling about the lone
trampling on the others toes'' in a
business transaction, and old Ridgway
passionately cried "Girard can
buy thee and sell thee. "Ahl'' re-
tortedthe benevolent Stephen; "Friend
Ridgway, 1 can buy thee and keep
thee"
After the death of his wife, Doctor
Rush wished to erect some noble mon
ument to her memory, SO he bequeathed
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