Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-11-23
PLENTY OF BOOKS.
Libraries of Four Nations with Millions
of Volumes.

Libraries of Four Nations with Millions
of Volumes.
The British Museum, situated on
Great Russell street, in London, was
founded in 1883. 1t contains collec-
tons of antiquities, drawings, prints
and library of about two million
volumes, $1,000 MSS and $4,000 char
teTs. The Harleian MSS, purchased
. in 1855, and the Royal Library, largely
taken from the monasteries by Henry
VIII, and $1,000 volumes given by
library to position of great import
ance. The first great Egyptian acqui>
sition consists of the objects taken
with the French army in 1901. The
Assyrian, Babylonian and Greek coll
lections are undoubtedly the best in
any contemporary museum. The pres-
ent building, finished in 1S47, is enc
of the best structures of the classic
revival" 1t was designed by Sir Rob-
ert Smirke, completed by his brother,
Sidney Smirke, and was commenced
very early in the nineteenth century.
About $4,000 volumes are added annu-
ally. Modern publications in Britain
are added free of expense by receiving
gratis a copy of every book entered at
Stationer's Hall. La Bibliotheque Ma
tionale, the great French library, is
the largest in the world. 1t has been
called successfully La Bibliotheque du
Roi, Royale, Rationale and Imperiale.
The BibliotheQue du Roi was original
ly in the Palais de la Cite, consisting
of the library of King John. He be-
queathed it to Charles ", who re-
moved it and collected library Of SO
volumes in the Louvre. This was sold
to the Duke of Bedford. Louis XI.
partly repaired this loss and added the
first results of the new invention Of
printing. Louis XII. established it at
Blois, Incorporating it with the Or
leans library. The Gruthuyse collec-
tion was next added to it. Francis I.
transferred the library to Fontaine-
bleau, and placed it in charge OF John
Budie. Henry II. made obligatory the
deposit of one copy of every book pub.
lished in the kingdom Henry Nv,
brought it back to Paris. where it
changed in location frequently, before
resting in its present quarters in the
Palais MaZarin. Rue Richelieu. Ma
poleon l. increased the government
grant, and under his care the library
was much enlarged. 1t contains aboup
three million volumes and about a
hundred thousand MSS, besides COLI
lections of prints and medals. 1t is
especially rich in Oriental manu-
scripts. The Royal library of Berlin
was founded by the Great Elector,
Frederick William, and opened in 1861.
The University Of Berlin it is not too
much to say, is the leading university
in the world. 1t is attended annually
by about 5000 students, and has a fac
ulty of about 500 professors and teach
ers. 1t has most magnificent library.
The two libraries combined contain
about 100000 volumes and nearly
$4,000 MSS. The Library of Congress,
as the National library of the United
States is called. was founded in 1900.
and is supported by the national gov
ernment. It contains upwards Of a
million volumes (250000 pamphlets).
Liberal provisions are made for the
yearly addition of volumes through
purchase, and in addition, the COPY
right law requires that every new pub
lication shall be deposited in the Ii
brary without charge. Although the
library of Congress is not as rich in
manuscripts and rare books as its
great European rivals, on account Of
its more recent beginning, it is never
theless richly stocked with the books
that can be obtained by purchase in
these later days, and its purchasing
committee are always alert to pick up
treasures from such private collections
as are from time 10 time thrown on
the market.
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