The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
LETTER BY COLUMBUS
IN IT HE TELLS or THE DIsCov-
 ERY OF AMERICA.
IL is One of the Interesting Historical Relies Which VIII Be Viewed by Historians in the Lf-
 brary of Columbia Uni-
 q

The coming meeting of the Ameri- can Historical Association, December 27 to sI. Is to be the occasion of a loan exhibition in the iibrary of Columbia University. the like of which it Is be- iieved. the city has never seen before. It will include early manuscripts of historical writers first editions of Greek and Roman historians, mediaeval chronicles in manuscript and in print autograph manuscripts of modern his- torians, valuable and rare works and documents relating to European and American history. Only a few of the treasures to be exhibited may be men, toned. tf
 The American historian will find here the famous Columbus letter announc- ing the discovery of America in 1892. the first dated edition of Americus Vespucius (1504).' Corlear's journal of 1884, describing the Mohawk Indians. the earliest historical manuscripts in existence of the Dutch period of New York. the original manuscript rolls of the Concord Minute Men. and many notable items relating to the colonial and revolutionary periods.
 English historians are represented by the original manuscripts of Macaulay's History of England" David Hume's History of England" Gibbons notes for his history of Rome. English history IS lAuStIhteQ py DOCKS begin ming with the first printed Caxton-- the only perfect copy of the chronicle in existence--and documents like the original proclamation of the common wealth of England, dated May 1S, 164s.
 Ancient history is represented by the first editions of the leading classical historians. For Medieval history a large number of manuscripts. chron- icles and annals. some os which are I zzrH4l 4lEr 4a4s sDe ea1 #
 The transition from the manuscript to the printed bok is fttingly repre- scented by the first printed book-Gut-i tenberg.s Bible, printed on parchment. Another historical Bible is exhibited which cannot fail to attract attention and admiration. This Is the famous Golden Gospels of Henry VIII The manuscript of the Gospels. was writ ten In gold on purple veilum about the year 700. It was perhaps the property Of Charlemagne. It became the prop erty of the popes and was presented by Leo K. to Henry VIII. upon the occasion of this ruler being given the title "Fidei Defensor." It bears Henry the Eighth's crest and Latin inscrip- tion which translated into English \ 1 would read:
 By fate. thrice greatest prince. have been saved for thee.
 And thee the golden fates
 Have likewise saved for me. The holy rules of Faith
 By thee restrengthened shine And all the world knows Christ As golden author mine" Needless to say this precious manu- script comes from the Morgan coiiec- ton. s
 The period of reformation, both in Germany and England, and the begin nings of Puritanism are worthily illus trated by the original edition of the famous tracts and books of the time.
 The exhibition will be open Decem'e,'r 27 to 31, from 10 to 5: and from. January to l4. from to 5. in Room 3o7 Co., iumbia University Library. The rooms will undoubtedly be crowded by. visit ing historians during the holiday sea- son, but residents of Now York will have ample opportunity during the first two weeks of January to examine the treasures on exhibition.