Evening journal., 1898-09-09
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In paper on the Libraries OF the
Middle Ages" recently read by T. G.
Jackson before the Royal Institute Of
British Architects, the lecturer said
that buildings specially to hoM their
libraries were first erected by the uni
versities and colleges. Khe Oldest
structure Of the kind in England, per-
haps in Europe, is the old library OF the
University of Oxford, which stin re-
tains many features OF its original
form. This structure, rarely seen by
visitors. and even unknown to the ma
jorlty OF Oxford men, is a two-storied
building situated on the north side OF
the choir of ST. Mary's Church, adjoin-
ing the tower at one end, and separated
from the body Of the church by a mar
row courtyard. Having glanced at the
way books were kept, used and lent at
Oxford prior to the erection of this
building. the lecturer gave a sketch OF
It's foundation by Cobham. bishop or
Worcester, about 1920, AID some incl
dents in its early history, following
with a description OF tine interior, FUR
niture and general arrange ements Long
desks were placed at regular intervals
at right angles to the wallis, on which
the volumes lay on their sides. A
bench was fixed in front for the reader,
and n window came between each paar
Of desks to eight That pew or cell
Every volume had metal clip riveted
to the front edge Of the board forming
one cover, to which was attached O
light iron chain Of the requisite length
having at the other end a ring This
ring ran up-n an iron rod which was
carried along the top of the desk, and
was secured at the end by hasp ana
paddock to prevent the ring being
drawn Off The foundation OF Bishop
CObham's library was succeeded short
ly afteIward by that of the library Of
Durham College, oxford, by Richard
de Bury, bishop OF Durahm C1335-l5l
The books bcQueathed by De Bury 10
the college were kept for many years in
chests. under the custody OF scholars
deputed for The purpose. At the be-
ginning of the fifteenth century H.
brary was built, and regularly furnish
ed with bookcases or stiles inclosing
pews or studies between them where
the books were chained. when Dur
ham College came to an end at thl
Dissolution. its old buildings were util-
lied by its successor, the present Trim
ity. and the Old library of Durham
College sti9 serves as the library Of
Trinity William OF Wykeham's New
College at oxford set the Fashion for
all future collegiate buildings at either
university in provision being made for
every department, and thenceforwa-d
every college had its library as an es-
sontial part OF Its plan. Thsugh lbooh'
were few, the rooms devoted to them
had to be very large, the claiming a
the books to the desks making It possi
bic to have only very few on each desk
Soon, as books increased, shelves wer,
formed behind The desks, tier by tier
until at last, in the seventeenth OF
eighteenth century, they yeached the
ceiling. The appearance of the fittings
before that time could be well seen
in the Old library Of Merton College.
OF chained libraries there were at least
three extant in England, that belong
ing to Hereford Cathedral being the
most ancient and perfect. Gld chains
hasps and staples belonging to Here
ford-spe cimens of the actual fittings
Of a medieval chained llbrary-werC
exhibited by Mr.. jackson, and The
method OF fxation explained. Al.
Saints Church, Hereford, and Win
born Minister also possess chained ID.
braries. But the nest in the world j.
that of San Lorenzo, Florence, the
great hail Of which was designed by
Michael Ang 10, in 1924, SAID to contain
the collection fcrmed by several gen.
erations Of the Medici. The lecturer
then touched on the difhiculties OF con.
sulting books in the old chained l
brarles. Shelves for the eyer-increas
ing number Of books had been pro
vided, but desk accommodation re-
mained as before. Ono student occu
pied on a vo.ume prevented three ol
four others getting access to tn,
books. This led to the library rooms
being enlarged. Chains were bough
for the Bcdleian Library as late a.
l75l; It was not tin 1851 that thu
method CT securing the books was aboI
ished.-Scientific American.
BRUIN AS "A CAN OPENER.
The zoo Uncle Sam maintains a