The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-09-16
The British Museum.


The British Museum has often been
called the first study in the world--and
it well deserves its name. There is no
place where the student can so easily
and so comfortably avail himselfof the
worlds best literature, says writer in
the Million. He sits at welI-furn-
ished writing desk and, without saying
! word, summons tones and treasurers
from the vast stores of books with
which the institution is filed.
The temple of the intellect Is large
circular room, lined from floor to roof
with books. The central space is filed
with desks for the accommodation of
readers and shelves on which the cata-
logues OF the museum are placed. On
entering this room the student is en-
titled to take possession of any vacant
seat he may find except the two rows
of seats allotted to the ladies. The
seats radiate from the center of the
room in double rows. A comfortable,
stuff bottomed chair. hat-rack aud
foot bars are provided for each reader.
| together with two pads. an ink bottle
aud wiper On the thick, patent
leather covered desk is a blotting book
and close at hand a paper knife for the
readers use.
On his right hand shelf falls down
for the purpose of holding his surplus
volumes, and on his left an ingenius
book-holder opens up at an angle most
convenient to his posture in the chair.
The floor of the room is carpeted with
noiseless material, and as conversation
lie not allowed it would be difficult to
study under more favorable conditions.
When the student requires new book
he oonsults the catalogue, writes the
name OF the book required on a slip.
deposits the slip in basket and re-
snmes his seat. Ten or fifteen minutes
afterward an attendant places the book
on bis desk.
And what vast store of books are
ut his disposal! People often ask how
many books there are in the British
Museum, but nobody seems to know.
In fact there are SO many that it Is inn
possible to count them Some years
ago it was estimated that there were
1000, 900 books there. Since that es-
innate was made the number has con-
sidsrably increased.
Under the copyright act publishers
are bound to send to the museum
every book, pamphlet. periodical or
newspaper that is offered for sale in
the British Isles. Every week an enor-
nous shoal OF literature is poured into
the vaults of the museum, and, strange
to say, it never comes out again.
Books good and bad, newspapers
worthy and worthless, pamphlets poor
and paltry. all hurry along in cease
less stream to the museum, to be most
religiously preserved in its cayernous
depths.
In addition large NUMBER Of books
are added each year. Parliament
grants sum of money each year for
the purchase of desirable books that
are not already in stock. Then extern
sive gifts of books are often made by
enterprising collectors. The Green
vile library, containing upward of 20,-
900 volumes. Is q notable example. It |
was built up by Right Honorable |
Thomas Greenville and consisted |
chiefly Of the rarest editions and the |
finest examples Of binding which money
could buy.
The magnificent library OF George
I'll is another instance Of the way in |
which the museum library has been
sfockod nv ranorotta dnnors Tho