American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-05-23

library. but originally sucn restrictions
were imposed as to make its 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 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
whether the person so applying was
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 a restriction that not more than
ten persons should be admitted for
each hour the museum was open, 1t
was still problematical whether he
would be successful. If so fortunate
as 70 be q member of n of these
groups of ten he was then escorted
around the library by Il guide. with a
limit placed upon the time, and with
every element created &c destroy the
pleasure of literary communion with
the volumes.
later, important additions to the
COttonian, Harleian, and Sloane col
lections include the Royal library Of
$1,000 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
lish plays; Musgrave's collection Of
biography and manuscripts; the
tTuClltIuut SOllcClluhS VI bOOhS anu
prints.
Some Great Acquisitions.
All these collections were acquired
previous to the year 1907 with no ex-
pense whatever TO the government, hut
at this time a grant of approximately
$4,000 was made for the purchase of
the L~ansdowne manuscripts. In 1913
another $4,000 was appropriated for
the Hargrave Legal library, and, In
1921. some fl3.5OO was granted to
secure the classical library of DIR.
Charles Burney. Two years later the
splendid Royal library acquired by
George III hrcnme part of the British
museum. This ucCessitated larger
quarters, and Nus the beginning Of the
reconstructed museum. George HIS
library contained no less than S4,OOO
volumes. George Nv 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 n later heHp-
factor Of the Museum library. He he
queathed 10 II the famous Egerton
manuscripts. together with fl2.OOO. the
interest on which 20 he devoted TO In
creaslng the collection and maintain
ing n custodian. Three years rHter, IN
1892, the autograph collection of the
museum was enriched by the acuuisi
tion of the Arundel manuscripts; and
in 1917; the RI. Hon. Thomas Grcn
VILE presented Co the Museum his mat
n,tccut library, which Is still preserved
us n unit under the donors name.
No library is geographically stu
ated more favornhly to he available t.
the world than the British museum. 4
famous American collector some YEAR
ago heQueathed to II an eNtruOrdinar,
collection he himself had made. which
Il seemed from patriotic motives
should have been turned over TO som
American institution. After havin!
worked In the British museum, how
ever. and after seeing the coSmopoli
tan nature OF those who visit and max,
use of its treasures, one is forced {,
admit that this collection will accom-
plish its highest good by being wher,
Il is rather than consigned To the geo
graphical limitation OF any n OF tn,
American libraries. In this case tn
American donor considered his loyalt,
to letters beyond the demand Of an,
nationality.