The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-09
LITERARY NEW YORK.
How Visitors to the Astor Library Are
Treated.


The Astor Library is constructed
and managed on the principle that all
persons shall be considered as thieves
until they have proved themselves
honest. and its fundamental presump-
ton IS that all persons who seek libra
ry privileges are especially to be re-
garded as suspicious characters. ANY
one who has ever run gauntlet of in
suits offered In this extraordinary in
sltutlon viii be quite prepared to ap-
preciate the felicity of Mr.. w. NJ. F.
Round OF this city. who in a letter to
the 1rdceter year or two ago, alluded
to visit he had made in Boston and
the exhliaration he experienced on be-
ing able to visit a library without being
searched before he was allowed to de-
part! 1t was state of things that he
appeared to believe was indigenous to
Boston. L was reminded of all this
yesterday. Let me premise that |
never cross the portals of the Astor
library without an inward protest
against the meanness and the stupidi-
ty of its conduct. That it is allowed to
stand argues that either New Workers
are an amiable race or else that they
never go near it. Not book can be
taken away from it 1t is only open
between nine and four. Its accomoda-
tious OF tables etc. are on disgrace
fully niggardly scale. The chairs are
enough to give one lifelong cisloca-
ton of the spine. The heating arrange
ments are one of the worst features.
1t is needless to pursue details. but in
every possible respect, of particular
and general management, the Astor
Library is 4 disgrace to civilization.
All the same, | went in on SATURDAY..
There are always a set of absurd rules
pIacarded about, and it seems the last
one is to the effect that no printed book
can be carried with one into the libra
ry, or, if absolutely needed for refer
ence, its contents must be examined
and noted by the umbrella-check man,
who haunts the lower corridor, and
compared with his certified notes of it,
as one comes out, Q know this sounds
incredible, but it is true However,
tripped up stairs without reading his
ridiculous mandate, and it chanced
that l held in my right hand a little
art catalogue in pamphlet form. As
L came down the pamphlet caught
the eye of the umbrella-man. Like
true employe of the Astor, he knew at
once that in all probability had felon-
ously distracted that pamphlet from
the Astor archives.
"Have you printed book in your
handsP" he questioned severely.
Il have, !" Ireplied. with an intona-
ton intended to convey my recogni-
ton of an impertinence and due con-
tempt for it.
did you carry that book into the
ibraryP" resumed the umbrella man.
Il did, and | moved toward the
door, ignoring him further. This con-
firmed his foreshadowing that he had
before him suspicious character.
did you read that rule?" he voci-
ferated, pointing to the absurd placard.
l gave it my attention. Evidently this
was serious business. | read the rule,
and | walked out of the Astor Library.
1t was then that l recalled Mr.. Rounds
felicity when he discovered that in
Boston people could 90 in and out of
the libraries without being searched,
or even detained by an umbrella man
on strong suspicion of being thief
and disreputable character in general.
New York is strangely poor in library
facilities. The LenoX is merely a high
ly ornamental institution which opens
its doors to a restricted list of wealthy
patrons two mornings each week. The
Mercantile library is in an unpleasant
location, and its rooms are very badly
kept, and the Astor is constructed on
the strict basis of offering as many
tacit insults as possible in a given time
to the persons who enter it-M. Y.
Cor. of the Boston IraUeler.