The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-12-06

The report Of the Librarian OF Con-
gress. submitted yesterday, shows that
the library is now the third largest in
the world, containing 1,433.S4S volumes.
The net gain in miscellaneous books and
pamphlets during the year was "a, sO4.
The total expenditures OF the library
exclusive of printing and binding
$2O5,OO0) amounted TO $4,000, of which
Sl2i,oo0 went for the maintenance of the
building and grounds. and $500 of the
remainder was offset by receipts Copy
right. fees, &c.) covered into the Treas
ury.
The resignation Of David Hutchinson
from the post of superintendent of the
reading room is noted with regret, and
high tribute is paid to his efficient and
devoted service Of thrity-three years in
the library. There were several other
losses TO the service. principally with
drawals from the catalogue division.
Valuable Work on Russia.
The library's most notable single acqui-
sition (not included in the COUNT was the
celebrated Yudin Library Of works on
Russia and Siberia Though nominally a
purchase, this collection Of over 5000
volumes is practically a gift, since the
owner parted with it for little more than
one-third the sum expended IN gathering
it, This purchase is noteworthy as an
indication of the broadening scope Of the
library and it's increasing value 10
scholars. There is no other collection on
Russia and Siberia Of such size in Amer
lea, and perhaps none so valuable in
Europe outside OF Russia II is rich IN
local history. ethnography. and institu-
tional history. The material includes GER
tain manuscript records OF the early Rus
sian settlements in Alaska
Another valuable acquisition is a col
lection of some 5000 works on Japan.
mainly in the japanese language The
books and manuscripts were selected in
Japan by Prof. AsakaWa, OF Yale. whose
purpose was 10 secure a good working
collection for the student Of Japanese
literature. history. and institutions. In
this connection the report gives a short
summary of the possessions Of the library
in the field Of Orientalia. showing that 1t
is particularly rich in Chinese works.
Gifts of Rare Books.
Among the important gifts were the
Shoemaker and the Kaufman collec-
tons, and valuable manuscripts and
papers Of the period Of Washington.
Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe by re-
quest from Mr.. J. Henley Smith. Other
gifts and purchases of especial value.
including a collection OF forty-six rare
books and 113 prints, presented by Mrs.
Ridgely Hunt, are also listed
Among the notable additions in the
manuscript division by gift were the
letters of Justice John Mclean, OF the
Supreme Court; the papers Of Chaplain
JOSEPH c. Thomas. Of the Christian Com
mission in the civil war: two revolution
airy orderly books; a series OF twenty-five
papers relating 10 the trial OF Col.
Thomas Butler, and thirty-two letters ad-
dressed 10 Cyrus w. Field. The pur-
chases include the letters Of Judge Joseph
Holt, of Washington, and of Gov. VIII
lam Plumer. of New Hampshire; the
papers of Edward Mcpherson: 800 let
tiers Of Thaddeus Stevens. and many
other items Of interest Under the law
OF 1903 the Pickett Papers diplomatic
records Of the Confederate States were
transferred 20 the library from the Treas
ury Department, and interesting Confed-
crate and other records from the Post
Office Department