The Newark journal., 1919-05-29

library, but originally suen restrictions were imposed as 10 make it's use al- most inaccessible. In the first place, II was announced that the library would be open except Saturday and Sunday of each week, except Christ mas day and one week after except the week after Easter Sunday and the week after Whitsantide. and except Good Friday, and all days which now or shall hereafter be specially ap- pointed for Thanksgiyings or feasts by public authorityo
 If prospective student were able fo master the ma <f~natfes of these re strietions, he then presented himself at thc porter.s lodge, where he was obliged t0 give his name. condition and address, to be entered in the register. This accomplished. the volume was laid before the librarian to decide whether the person so applying was entitled to admission. If the question were settled in the affirmative, on second visit the applicant might re ee.Ye his ticket. Having secured the precious card, he would then present himself for admission, but. as there was I restriction that not more than l ten persons should be admitted for each hour the museum was open, it was still problematical whether he would be successful. If so fortunate xs to be il member Of one of these groups of ten he was then escorted around the library by a guide, with limit placed upon the time, and with every element created 10 destroy the pleasure of literary communion with the volumes.
 Later, important additions to the CottoniaH. Harleian. aud Sloane col- lections include the Royal library of l2,0o0 volumes, which was eventually turned over 10 the British museum by George II the Thomson collection of Kings Pamphlets" the da Costa coi- lection of Hebrew books and manu- scripts: the Birch collection of biog- raphy David Garrlcks library of Eng fish plays; Musgrave's collection of biography and manuscripts: the Craeherode collections of books and prints.
 m Some Great Acquisitions.
 All these collections were acquired previous to the year 1907 with no ex- penSe whatever 10 the government. but at this time grant of approximately t50D0 was made for the purchase of the LansdoVue manuscripts. In 1913 another fS.09o was appropriated for the Hargfave Legal library and. in 1891. some f13.500 was granted to secure the classical library of pr. Charles Burney Two years later the splendid Royal library acquired by George III became part of the British museum. This HecesSitated larger quarters. and was the beginning of the reconstructed museum George IFS library contained no less than S4.O0O volumes. George " tried to dispose of the collection to the emperor of Russia to enrich his own private cof- fers, but this plan was frustrated, and the voldmcs were saved to the British nation
 Francis EgertOn was a later bene- factor of the Museum library. He be- queathed to il the famous Egerton manuscripts, together with f12,O00. the interest on which to be devoted to in- creasing the collection and maintain ing a custodian. Three years later, in 1882, the autograph collection of the museum was enriched by the acquisi- tion Of the Arundel manuscripts; and, in 1S47, the Rt Hon. Thomas Gren- vile presented to the museum his mag nilicent library. which is still preserved as q unit under the donors name.
 No library is geographically situ- ated more favorably 10 be available to the world than the British museum. A famous American collector some years ago bequeathed to if an extraordinary collection he himself had made, which 1t seemed from patriotic motives should have been turned over to some American institution. After having worked in the British museum, how ever, and after seeing the cosmopoli- tau nature of those who visit and make use of it's treasures, one is forced to ndmit that this collection will accom- plish it's highest good by being where if is rather than consigned to the geo. graphical limitation of any one of the American libraries. In this case the American donor considered his loyalty to letters beyond the demand of ar nationality.