The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-08

datlon from any householder of London or its
suburbs. No distinction is made between appl-
cants, and the veriest characterization may have
his name inscribed upon the books after that of
tho proudest aristocrat, provided he is qualified
IN the manner described. Possessing, perhaps,
the most unique collection of any public library
IN the world of rare obsolete and obscure works,
1t Is not surprising that foreigners should be at
tracted from all corners of the globe by the facil
tiles 1t affords for the compilation of abstruse
learned works; but it is, nevertheless, startling
TO learn that as many as 80 per cent Of the read
efs are, rule, foreigners These come, am
informed, mainly from Germany and America.
A few years ago the famous Dulep Singh was
among the most habtual readers, and was daily
to be seen in his picturesque semi oriental cos
tune, porting over the old Hindostan tones.
Here Grimm, the great German philologist, filled
IN the deeper and abstruSer chapters of more
than one of his most celebrated works. Renouf
was for many long months together almost the
first to enter the reading-room of a morning and
among the last to leave it in the evening, He
was in his day one of the celebrities of the
room, and was as frequently pointed out for his
industry and intense application as for his per-
sonality and fame. To cite instances of
English celebrities, it was here that Macaulay
composed his popular history, almost from first
page to last. Few were more constant in their
attendance at that time than he, and he was
remarkable among readers for the large guam
tity of books and manuscripts that he would
have plledI up simultaneously around him. In
similar manner Lecky, the more modern his
torian, has received the inspiration of some of
his finest pages beneath the dome of the reading
room in the British Museum.
Leslie Stephens is an habitue of the room.
Miss Cobb, the valiant champion of womans
rights, comes hither to fortify herself with argu
nents and facts against the attack or indiffer
ence of hostile man. Swnburne, the poet often
approaches the superintendent desk and in the
prosaic manner of less gifted mortals deposits
his ticket in the wicker basket. Members of
Parliament are often to be seen during the SEES
sion scattered about the room, busily thumbing
large foos of state papers, statistical tables and
political reports, in feverish preparation of the
speech that few hours later is to make such
impression on the House. Peers of the realm
wend their way hither and are not uncommonly
to be deep buried in historical and scientific
works; ofttimes in books on heradry and an
Gent families. few years ago, two of the
most familiar figures in the room were those of
the self styled Counts of Albany, the asserted
descendants Of Charles Edward, who spent their
weary days in anxious and laborious research
among old court papers and books on genealogy,
endeavorlng ever to strengthen their claims to
the title and the pedigree they claimed More
perhaps, than one-half of the regular habitues
are associated to some degree with the press.
and the underwriters or every paper are well
known here.
1t is impossible, Of course in so large library,
with so large constant attendance, to keep any
classification of the nature of the works de-
manded. 1t has been ascertained, however, by
special investigation, that works of fiction form
barely 10 per cent of the whole. It might be
feared that, with the freedom allowed the pub
lie, and with the large number of reference
books within the reach of every readers hands,
works might frequently be stolen, but this is not
the case. Within the last fifteen or twenty years
not move than two or three prosecutions have
been undertaken against readers. The last Of
these revealed somewhat humorous state of
affairs. The accused was nonconformist di-
vine who, at his trial, was proved to have been
In the habit Of regularly visiting the room each
Saturday, and celebrating his visit by q charac-
teristic raid upon the theological works
of the reference shelves Either wishing
for some memento of his visit or a
little doubtful of his own power to edify his con-
gregation, he would appropriate some book of
slip it into his pocket replace the book and walk
away, ready for his duty on the morrow. This
course he seems to have practised until the grow
ing thinness of certain books on the theological
shelves attracted the attention of an attendant
and led to the divines detection.
AS indicative Of the extent Of this wonderful
library, it is curious fact that as many as
twenty-five men spend their entire day, from
A. NJ to P. NJ, in nothing else but walking
about busting the various shelves and cases. Be-
sides these twenty-five men there are some
eighty or ninety engaged to fetch and replace
the books and otherwise assist in the conduct of
the ordinary business. Above these are thirty
assistant librarians, who bring books to the
readers and discharge other functions, four as
slstant keepers, one keeper q superintendent OF
the reading room and principal librarian, the
salary of which various officials ranges from E120
to fl, 200 per annum The approximate yearly
cost of the maintenance of the library and read
ing room is estimated at ELS O00