Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-10-31
OF THE
CORNER STONE
Continued from page H.

adjustment, with it's appropriate in
cr1ptiOn-Psyches iatreiOn-the store
house of medicine for the mind-was
long regarded as fabulous, but modern
investigators have proved the fact OF
its existence. The books were scrolls
OF papyrus, such as are frequently
found with mummies or in the ancien,
tombs.
Strabo claims that Aristotle was the
first person who collected a library
and that he communicated the taste
for collecting to the sovereigns of Egg
ypt.
The Ptolemies gathered about their
capitol a society of scholars and men
of science. and accumulated collections
OF books for their benefit, which have
been generally designated the Alex
andrian library.
Ptolemy Philadelphus sent into ev
cry part of Greece and Asia to secure
the most valuable works and no exer
tiOns or expense were spared in en-
riching the collection.
Ptolemy Euergetes caused all books
brought into Egypt to be seized for
the benefit of the library. and their
owners had to be satisfied with cop.
les which We're given them in ex-
change.
The Alexandrian library is said to
have contained from 4Oo. 900 TO 700. 600
volumes.
Later the Greeks and Romans emu
lated the Egyptians in collecting books
and forming libraries, but their col
lections never approached in numbers
or importance that at Alexandria.
Mr.. Smith here gave a review of
the growth of the library idea from
the earliest recorded times, and re-
ferred to the famous collections of
antiquity. and continuing, said:
The revival of learning in the four
teenth and fifteenth centuries, follow
ed Immediately by the invention of
the art of printing, led naturally to
vast increase in the production of
books. and introduced a new era in
the history of public libraries.
In all of the principal cities OF Eu-
rope Libraries sprang into existence,
and many of the principal European
libraries of today had their inception
at that time. The character of the
literature also felt the change imme-
diately, and from an almost excxlu-
sively religious literature gradually
expanded until it covered every branch
of knowledge. Thus we see that the
public libraries Of today are the
growth of the ages. The library idea
had its inception thousands of years
ago and from that primitive form has
steadily expanded until it has become
one of the grandest institutions of our
modern civilization, one of the great
est factors in human progress.
OF modern libraries the greatest in
moi ,g TD,l 1.
Rationale at Paris. 1t has upon its
shelves about 100000 volumes. 80 600
manuscripts. the steady accumulation
OF the $40 years since its foundation
Next in grandeur looms the British
Museum with 100000 printed vol
umes and $4,000 manuscripts The
most important of American libraries
is that at Washington known as the
congressional library upon the
shelves of which are found about 100
600 volumes and 100000 pamphlets.
1t is housed in the most beautiful IL
brary building in the world, and its
home is sometimes said to be the most
beautiful building of any kind in the
world.
What the Library Does.
Throughout the length and breadth
of our land libraries hold leading
place in the estimation of the people,
and no progressive community of any
size is without some library conven-
fences. AS means of education to
the whole people no other institution
compares with it.
TO many a college education is in
accessible; the institutions of higher
education are beyond their reach.
But the public library is open to ALL
and through its volumes a sufficient
and sometimes a comprehensive edu-
cation is open to all who avail them
selves of its opportunities. AS an ele-
waiting influence its benefits ae wide
spread. AS means of diversion it
brings its vOtary into touch with ev-
cry aspect and condition of life. The
poor man may roam through it's pages
and become the companion of kings
poets, philosophers, statesmen and
warriors. He may enjoy the wealth
OF GOlconda, the treasures of Monte
CrlStO: he may in fancy quaff the
nectar known only to the book worm;
he may touch the main spring of sci
ence and cause nations to bow in
reverence; roam the sunlt fields and
beside the gurgling brooks and enjoy
the plethora of nature in her various
forms; he may whisper words of love
in the ear of the queen of beauty, and
on bloody fields prove the ardor of his
affection; he may join in the wedding
feast and rejoice in the peace that fol-
lows bloody war; he may enter the
cabin OF the lOwly and see there the
contentment which follows a virtuous
life; or may-hap drop the tear of pity
DER the couch of suffering and pain;
clasp the hand of misfortune, relieve
the begagrly and distressed; engage
in the shock of battle; battle the brow
of the dying soldier; he may exalt his
soul with the cOmpanionship of saints.
aye, walk with the very angels of
God, or, with Dante, descend into the
precincts of hideous hell.
All this, aye, more, is open to him
who seeks, through books, the compan-
ionship of those who have entertain
eu, instructed, raised up and enlight-
ened the human family through all
the ages.
The treasures acquired from deep
delving in our libraries are beyond
pice: they are treasures which Meth.
er moth nor rust doth corrupt. neither
thieves break through and steal"
Treasures which are a never ending
source of satisfaction and unaloyed
enjoyment.
We have laid the corner stone of an