Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-09

British Museum, which has been the growth Of
ages almost, and which stands unrivaled in
many departments OF learning. It's collection
Is largely over q milton and half volumes
printed books and fifty thousand manuscripts,
and - many ancient and valuable miseelhne-
Gus documents, and the facilities. though
somewhat hampered, affords students ample
access to its collection.
TEE vAsrIsr COLLECTION OF BOOKS.
The Bibliotheque Rationale Of Paris is, how
ever, the vastest collection In the world. II
contains over three millions Of volumes. 1t
surpssses the British Museum library in that
respect but for usefulness, accessibility and
the privileges accorded " readers 10 Ii by far
inferior. This great collection il in An almost
chaotic state. Partially 20 it certainly Is.
Founded by st. Louis in the twelfth century,
Its principal accessions were made at the time
stormy period confscated the property Of the
old aristocracy and the bishops and religious
houses and declared them national property.
From the surrounding provinces these libraries
were carted to Paris and, as some one writing
at the period says, they were dumped in the
national library, greatly augmenting it. These
rapidly acquired additions created q chaos
from which 1t has never recovered. There is
no completed catalogue Of this vast collection.
One has been made Of the additions since 1870,
and there is an incomplete catalogue of the
historical works The books not catalogued
of course take hours to find. Therefore, while
the Rbliotheque Rationale leads the whole
world in bulk, il has nothing else to recommend
it.
FREE MUNICIPAL LIBRARIES OF PARIS.
Tho free municipal libraries Of Paris are ad-
mirable; indeed. superior to any and all others.
They number fifty, at least, and are situated in
all parts OF the city and adapted by their col
lections to the localities they occupy. They
are principally leaning libraries, and not only
are books supplied, but music and drawings
are loaned. l was led to this depression while
speaking Of the space ana accommodations be-
ing provided in the new national library or
library of Congress- Within the period pro-
vided for in this beautiful homo OF books the
collection vail be swollen to five millions of
volumes, estimated upon the yearly natural in
crease OF today. When completed it will COM
mand universal admiration for its beautiful de-
sign. The ornate Embellishments will charm
the eye aud instruct those who study them.
The thirty-three keystOnes over the thirty
three arched windows will bear specimens of
ethnology. Every race Of mankind will be
represented by busts, instead of meaningless
masks or other fancy ornamentation. The
growth of Libraries in this country has kept
pace with the extension of the country itself.
Vast sums have been donated for the
purpose Of founding them in nearly all
the large cities. Private endowments for such
tho first being in l745 by James Logan, who
erected the first building for o library ''for the
use of the public hoping 70 prevail upon them
to acqua,nt themselves h literature" The
Redwood" library at Export was founded by
Bishop Berkeley in 1880. The recent endow-
msnts for the establishment of libraries
amount to the enormous sum of S24, O0O, 900
when added to those already established, Mr..
Nowberry Of Chicago giving $4,000 600. Gov.
Iiiden nearly 5000, 600. The Astors, Enoch
frstt OF baltimore, George Peabody, James
Lenox and others swell this sum even be-
You'd that estimate
BARRY SULLIVAN IN WASHINGTON.
The death of Barry Sullivan, which has been
recently announced, will awaken very agreeable
remembrances of him here, where he PLAYED
two very successful engagements in 1s57-8 He
was most admirable actor, ranking with Mac
ready. Phelps and Keen. As a Shakespcarian
actor he exhibited the most thorough study
and An intellectual appreciation of the works of
the great master. His Ho,aiet was one of the
best remember and his Lear was a most ex-
csllent performance not comparing with For
rests. OF course, for that was pre-eminent. The
nigh: he appeared here as Lear the
support was not very effective, and in
the female characters, except Cordoba,
atrocious. Jack savage. who was then
writing for the National IrteiligeNcer.
said after commenting Mr.. Sullivans Lear and
the other leading characters Of Regain and
G0nerA, that two such daughters o. those
would drive any old man crazy.
N.Sanders was here with large delegation from
the rival sections of the democratic party Of
New YORK, demanding from tho administration
recognition and office. George Sanders had
been for some years the thorn in the side of
Mr.. Buchanan. While Mr. Buchanan WAS min
lister at the court of st. James George Sanders
was United States consul at London; the con-
su!ate under him became the rendezvous of all
the red republicans who were then congre-
gated in London. Louis Blanc, having been
or mr. deIv frNv Al
the American consul, and the legation dispatch
bags were loaded with republican manifestos
and other incendiary Documents The Ostend
conference was engineered by Mr.. Sanders,
who bye the bye was very able man, and Mr..
Buchanan's share in it gave him a good deal of
trouble. Whom he became President, George
sanders had returned TO America and was a
frequent visitor to the Executive Mansion. The
wing OF the party he led was of course the
most aggressive one, and he gave the President
but little rest.
DINNER TO BE REMEMBERED.
On this occasion Mr.. Sanders gave a supper
or entertainment at the National Hotel where
Senators, members Of Congress, foreign minis
ters judges Of the Supreme Court. cabinet Of
hcers and the most conglomerats gathering
met to hobnob with the crowd of New York
politicians who were here seeking Office Not
much difference in those days from what we
see and hear now. Then Billy Miner was the
ictutux spirit anu the guest OF honor, with Can't.
Rynders and the rest There was no man the
equal Of George Sanders in getting the most
antagOnistic elements together and fusiny them
Tor the time being. Here was Lord Sapier.
then British minister, cheek and jowl with Billy
Miner and Senators mixing greetings and grog,
il tho rosy could be SO called with the rouphs
OF New York. The entainment was lavish and
elegant and George Was in his glory.
introduced Barry Sullivan to this conereya-
ton and he was greatly surprised. do not re-
member what WIS the special patronage these
New York representatives wore demanding
but they were, think, successful It was ONLY
temporary relief for Mr. Buchanan however.
for soon another branch of the tribe descended
upon him. He was kept in hot water all the
time by these rival fac tons, and chief among
his tormentors was George Sanders. The cui.
mination of this cloaked hostility came when. at
the Charleston convention, Sanders sent ..the
old pub. func.," as he STYLED him. a long
telegram G. o. D., which the President received
and paid for to fine one Of George Sanders
most bitter arraignments of him. and which,
by the by, he gave to the press as soon as he
had sent 1t to the President. George N. Sanders
was . very remarkable man. The last time /
saw him bid him goodbye at the Aston
House, with an engagement to meet him the
next morning at II o'clock. when an arrange
ment was to be completed for the sale of his
patent of railroad spike he had invented, and
which was approved by the various roads and
the rights secured here and in Europe. was
on time the next morning and learned he was
dead. His family, believe, realized hand