The labor standard., 1919-06-01

library, but originally sucn restrictions were imposed as to make it's use al- most inaccessible. In the first place, it 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 Whitsuntide, and except Good Friday, and all days which now or shall hereafter be specially ap- pointed for Thanksgivings or feasts by public authority"
 If a prospective student were able to master the mathematics of these re- strictions, he then presented himself at the pOrter's lodge, where he was obliged to give his name, condition and address, to be entered in the register. This accomplished, the volume was laid before the librarian to decide entitled to admission. If the question were settled in the affirmative, on a second visit the applicant might re- ceive his ticket. Having secured the precious card, he would then present himself for admission, but, as there was restriction that not more than ten persons should be admitted for each hour the museum was open, it was still problematical whether he would be successful. If so fortunate as to be a member of one of these groups of ten he was then escorted around the library by a guide, with a limit placed upon the time, and with every element created to destroy the pleasure of literary communion with the volumes. " F: .,. B.
 Later, important additions to the Cottonian, Harleian, and Sloane col lections include the Royal library of 12,OOO volumes, which was eventually turned over to the British museum by George II; the Thomson collection of Kings Pamphlets" the da Costa col lection of Hebrew books and manu- scripts; the Birch collection of biog- raphy David Garrick's library of Eng fish plays; Musgrave's collection of biography and manuscripts; the Cracherode collections of books and prints. .->--
 Some Great Acquisitions.
 All these collections were acquired previous to the year 1907 with no ex- pense whatever to the government, but at this time a grant of approximately f5,OOO was made for the purchase of the Lansdowne manuscripts. In 1913 another f8,OOO was appropriated for the Hargrave Legal library, and, in 1921, some f13,5OO 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 necessitated a larger quarters, and was the beginning of the reconstructed museum. George HTS library contained no less than S4.OOO 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 volumes were saved to the British nation.
 Francis Egerton was later bene- factor of the Museum library. He be- manuscripts, together with f12,OOO. 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. nificent library. which is still preserved as a unit under the donors name.
 No library is geographically situ- ated more favorably to be available to the world than the British museum. A famous American collector some years ago bequeathedsto it 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- tan nature of those who visit and make use of its treasures, one is forced to admit that this collection will accom- plish it's highest good by being where it 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 any nationality.