Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-07-03

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nnADaHG R@R FHE sAHLoRk.
The Library Provided for Jack when
AnOat.
BOOKS SERVED OUT BIZ THE NAvIGArrN0
oFFICER-RECENf ADDITIONS no THE SHE
LIBRARY-THR KIND OF BOOKS WHICH UNCLE
sAx THINKS SAILORS SHOULD HEAD.
No one has ever questioned the wisdom OF
providing our naval vessels with plenty OF
hehding matter for the beneft OF both officers
and men. 1t has only been within the past few
years, however, that ship libraries consisted OF
more than . Bible, prayer book, encyclopedias,
French and Spanish dictionary, and a few
standard professional works. Fifty years ago
officials who were anxious tn improve the PER
sonnet OF tho service recognized the advantages
TO be obtained by providing both officers and
men With facilities Tor reading standard works,
particularly connected with their profession,
put no active steps in this direction were taken.
Then the war came and all literary ideas were
soand0ned. A. time progressed after the war,
irregular and desultnry manner, but 1t was NOT
until 1882 that complete libraries were estab-
ha9s sh aaG since then
every naval vessel that goes to sea 10 supplied
with library such ~ any one might envy.
THE BOOKS
contained In this library have been very care
mily selected, with view OF furnishing both
entertaining and instructive reading. There
ara no works Of pure fiction, but there are very
INTERESTING books Of ttsvel, biographies, pax,ia-
Siariy OF military and naval heroes, histories,
object In view IL to keep the men informed
about countries to which they are apt to go and
20 ialnlliarixe them with the deeds and records
tary service; but above all, To give them OppOr-
tunities Tor improving themselves profession.
line ernsy y selected by the
OF the Navy. 1t consists OF three hundred and
sixty-thrse handsomely bound books. The
from which place the ships are supplied.
AT the other yards and stations however there
can Gu, generally be found u sample Of the naval
library. When ship is prepared tor sea she is
supplied with library just as she is with the
other nscessaries for sea service. The books are
generally kept in the captains cabin. In
storing them advantage u taken OF every
available space, but usually Shelves are erected
over the doorway OF the captains cabin and
are also arranged on the walls, SO that they will
not be In the way.
THE LIBRARIAN.
The captain Of the ship is, OF course, in charge
OF the library, as he is of everything on board,
but the navigating officer is.thc librarian and
Issues the books Us they are desired to officers
anq men, Each vessel ie supplied with ten or
= dozen catalogues, neat little blue-bound
books, SO thai selections can be readily made.
The books are issued In the same manner as is
usually the case in libraries. The .one who
anu II 1t disappears he has to make good ti.e
amount necessary to replace it. There is no
liked time for The retention OF u book, but if
there are requests for book that is out Only a
reasonable length OF time for keeping IL Is al
loved. When IL vessel is at sea the men can
only snatch time for reuuing occasionally, De-
tween their watches, but while u vessel is in
port, as she ID great deal OF the time, there are
ample opportunities Tor sitting down and
Saturday and Sunday, almost entirely, AS we'll
The evenings. They have supper early and
have plenty OF time generally, particularly in
the summer, to read before ii grows dark. The
officers naturally have more leisure and can
devote the whole evening when OFT duty to
reading.
AROUND THE WARD ROOM LAMP.
When cadets are graduated at the Naval
academy now after their four years course they
cannot drop their studies, Eut are compelled to
keep them up on their two-year .cruise in order
that they may be able TO puss the. final eyaini-
nation ON their nc turn. In this way habits of
profitable reading are incuicated which
usually lasting, and the facilities afforded for
obtaining access 10 books that are well worth
reading are fully appreciated BY the Officers
aboard ship. The number of the men Oh the
crews on the ships VINO take pleas
r r.e,a in reading reading during spare hours is
show an appreciation OF the literary ;dvant-
ages afforded him. The habit OF reading ip-
structlve books naturally benefits the men
uSDtdilS anu dllofuS tncin IL PHEASANT method
of spending their spare time. Every effort is
now being made To elevate the sailor The adj
vanced training school at the Washington navy
yard and at Newport are turning out grad,l-
ates thoroughly equipped in knoWled se and
experience regarding modern ships, MACHINERY
and guns and they are beng distributed amolk
the vessels OF the navy, aud will act us instruc-
tors 10 their less fortunate shipmates This ad-
Vanced training, together with the facilities
afforded aboard ships for extending their
knowledge In every direction, will, il Is ex-
pected, have u wooderIui elect upon lhc navy,
and will elevate its intellectual aid moral
standing.
The chief Of the bureau OF navigation has
just made quite an addition to tue ship libr airy
by purchasing thirty-thlee new books for the
already we'll equipped library. BY gancing
over the titles OF these books one can readily
see the character OF the reading matter that il
supplied TO the ships These books are: EXpo-
siVe Materials (Bertheiotl; Explosives, (Eisser);
surveying sur. Mydrosr.phic, !Whar'onl; Mont
History of England, (knight, l; Galeng.,, Epi-
sodes OF my "a Lille; bismarck in Eranco-Ger-
msn mn bqssh y" Xviii Nice, nnjch
Memoirs; Mcttern!ch, Memoirs, = vois.; Ocea ma
lFroude); The English in Irel:ind, (FIoudeC Two
Years in the jungle, (Hornadayj; Early Ham
American Diploln.cies, (5chyleG Greek Is
lands and Turkey. ltield); The Fight for Mis-
Issas, Cumming, :; k RISE Of H b. que in
France, (Eaird); Ancient Empires OF East,
lSayce); Infantry Fire Tactics, ,Mayne); Sir
Edward Codrington, Memoirs; Operations OF
Mar, (Hanlcy); Future Naval battles, (Eliiott)
Robt. Blake; Grants Memoirs, y vs.); History
OF United States, Bryant l VS.. Lie OF Cen.
Geo. ii. Thomas; Consular "Reminiscences,
(HOrstmann.)
These books were selected from very large
number submitted, after good deal OF thought
The remainder OF THIS wel-equpped library
consists Vi the Bible and prayer book, standard
law books, copies of the Revised Statutes, diplo-
matte publications, naval and military stand
works, naval intelligence publications and OTHER
professional works, dictionaries vi various Ian.
yuages, very complete collection OF American
historical and biographical works, many works
OF general history and biology, atiasses and geo.
graphical works, and a long list OF books Ot q
miscellaneous character.