The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1901-01-01
PLENTY OF BOOKS
Libraries of -Four Nations with @a1''n'
of Volumes.

Libraries of Four Nations with "'''''n'
of Volumes
The British Museum. situated on
Great Russell street, in London was
founded in 1853. 1t contains coliec-
tons Of antiquities, drawings, prints
and a library of about two million
volumes, 5000 MSS. and $4,000 char,
ters The Harleian MSS. purchaser
in 1855, and the Royal Library, largely
taken from the monasteTies by henry
WIN and $4,000 volumes given ny
George III. and George w., raised the
library to a position OF great import
ance. The first great Egyptian acaui-
sition consists Of the objects TAKEN
with the French army in 1901. Inc
Assyrian, Babyionian and Greek col
lections are undoubtedly the pest III
any contemporary museum. The pres
ent building, finished in l8A1, Is oae
Of the best structures Of the classic
revival" It was designed by Sir ROD
ert Smirke, completed by his brothef'
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 asopy Of every beck entered at
stationers Hall. La Bibliotheque Ma
tionale, the great French library, Is
the largest in the world. 1t has been
called successfully La Bibliotheaue Gu
Roi, Royale, Rationale and lmper1aie.
The Bibliotheque du Roi was original
ly in the Palais de la Cite, consisting
of the library of King John. He be-
oueathed it to Charles ". who re-
moved it and collected library OF $40
volumes in the Louvre. This was sold
to the Duke of Bedford. Louis XII
partly repaired this loss and added the
first results OF the new invention CT
printing. Louis XII. established it at
Blois, incorporating it with the Or
leans library. The Gruthuyse collec-
ton was next added to it. Francis /.
transferred the library to Fontaine-
bleau, and placed it In charge of John
Budie. Henry H. made obligatory the
deposit of one copy of every book pub
lished in the kingdom. Henry w.
brought it back to Paris. where II
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 about
three million volumes and about
hundred thousand MSS, besides col
lections Of prints and medals. 1t II
especially rich in Oriental manu-
scripts. The Royal library Of Berli1
was founded by the Great Elector
Frederick William, and opened in 1861
The University Of Berlin, it Is not to'
much to say, is the leading universit'
!; in the world. It is attended annual.
by about 5000 students, and has fac
ulty of about 500 professors and teach
q ers. 1t has a most magnificent library
l. The two libraries combined contai
: about 100000 volumes and nearl
30 900 MSS. The Library Of Congress
e. e. as the National library of the Unite
States is called. was founded in $780,
n and is supported by the national gov
lie eminent. 1t contains upwards OF
e. e. million volumes (25o,o00 pamphlets
Liberal provisions are made for tn
yearly addition Of volumes throug
IS purchase, and in addition, the copy
=, 81 right law requires that every new put
lication shall be deposited in the !
ne brary without charge. Although ii
er library of Congress is not as rich
manuscripts and rare books as Il
= great European rivals, on account
its more recent beginning, 1t 10 nsve
theless richly stocked with the bool
= that can be obtained by purchase
D these later days, and It's purchaslr
: committee are always alert to pick
! treasures from such private COLLECTION
as are frem time to time thrown {
J the market.