LIBRARIES. The term library is applied indifferently to buildings, etc., destined to contain books, and to the books themselves deposited in these buildings. In the present article, it is used chiefly, if not exclusively, in the latter sense.
Passing over the "libraries of clay," as the collections of inscribed bricks and tiles of the Assyrians and Babylonians have been aptly designated, the first library, properly so called, of which we have any knowledge, is that which, according to Diodorus his, was formed by the Egyptian king Osymandyas. The existence of this establish ment, with its appropriate inscription, Psyches storehouse of medicine for the mind—was long regarded as fabulous; but the researches of Champollion, Wilkin son, and other modern investigators, go far to prove that the account of Diodorus, though perhaps exaggerated, is at least based upon truth. A more celebrated Egyptian library was that founded at Alexandria by Ptolemy Soter, for an account of which see ALEX ANDRIAN LIBRARY. The library of Pergamus, a formidable rival to that of Alexandria, was founded probably by Attains I., and was largely increased by the fostering care of his successors. As stated iu the article just referred to, it was ultimately removed to Alexandria, being sent by Antony as a gift to Cleopatra. At the time that this trans ference took place, it contained, according to Plutarch, 200,000 volumes.
The first public library established at Athens is said to have been founded by Pisis tratus; but the information we possess regarding this and other Grecian libraries is meager and unsatisfactory. The earliest Roman libraries were those collected by Lucid ins and by Asinius Pollio. The latter was a public library, in the fullest sense; and the former, though private property, was administered with so much liberality as to place it nearly on the same footing. Various other libraries were founded at Rome by A.ugns tus and his successors; the most important, perhaps, being the Ulpian library of the emperor Trajam The private collections of Dililius Paulus, Sulla. Lucullus (already mentioned), and Cicero, are well known to every student of,,tha classics.
The downfall first of the western, and subsequently of the eastern empire, involved the destruction or dispersion of these ancient libraries. The warlike hordes by whom these once mighty monarchies were overthrown had neither time nor inclination for the cultivation of letters; but even in the darkest of the dark ages, the lamp of learning continued to shine, if with a feeble, yet still with a steady light. Within the sheltering walls of the monasteries, the books which bad escaped destruction, the salvage, if we may so express it., of the general wreck, found a safe asylum; and not only were they s carefully preserved, but so multiplied by the industry of the transcriber, as to be placed beyond all risk of loss for the future. Amongst the conventual libraries of the middle ages specially worthy of notice are those of Christ 'church, and of the monastery of St. Augustine, Canterbury; of the abbeys of Fleury and Clugni, in France; of Monte Cas sino, in Italy; and of St. Gall, in Switzerland. Private collectors, too, existed then as now, though, of course, their number was small. Amongst these, Richard de Bury, bishop of Durham, holds a distinguished place, The revival of learning in the 14th and 15th centuries, followed immediately by the invention of the art of printing, led naturally to a vast increase in the production of books, and introduced a new era in the history of public libraries. The number of these establishments which have since sprung into existence is immense, and is constantly increasing; so much so that a bare list of them would far exceed the limits of an article like the present. All, therefore, that we propose to do is to give a short account of the
most important and amongst them.
First among the libraries of Great Britain, and second to few, if to any abroad. is that of the British museum, For an account of this magnificent collection, see BIUTISII MUSEUM. Next in rank is the Bodleian library at Oxford, which has also been already described. See BODLEYAN or BODLEIAN LIBRARY. The third and fourth places are occupied by the public, or university, library of Cambridge, and the library of the fac ulty of advocates at Edinburgh, which are nearly on a par as regards extent and value. A more particular notice of the latter will be found under the heading ADVOCATES' LIBRARY; the number of volumes which it contains at present may be stated as not less than 250,000. The library of Trinity college, Dublin, with about 170,000 vols., is the largest and most valuable in Ireland. These five libraries have long been, and still are, entitled by statute to a copy of every book published in the empire: the act of parlia ment by which the privilege is at present regulated is the 5 and 6 Viet. c. 45. Besides the above, six other libraries had been in the enjoyment of the same privilege up to the year 1836. By the act 6 and 7 Will. IV. c. 110, which was then passed, the number was reduced from eleven to five; compensation for the loss of the privilege being allowed, in the form of an annual grant of money charged on the consolidated fund. The amount of this grant was, in each case, determined bY a computation of the average annual value of the books received during the three years immediately preceding the passing of the act. The names of the libraries referred to, with the number of volumes they at present contain, and the annual sum received in lieu of the privilege, are as follows: Edinburgh University ... 130,000 £575 Glasgow c• 100.000 707St. Andrews " 70,000 630 Aberdeen • " 50,000* 320 King's Inn's, Dublin 60,000 433 Sion College, London, 55,000 363 The minor libraries of Great Britain are so numerous that a mere list of their names would exceed the limits within which an article like the present must be confined. Amongst those deserving special notice are the library of the society of writers to the signet, Edinburgh. containing upv ands of 55,000 vols. ; the Hunterian library, Glasgow, with about 13,000 vols., including many choice specimens of early printing; the Chet ham library, Manchester, upwards of 18,000 vols.; Dr. Williams's library, Red Cross street, London, with more 20,000 vols., freely opened to the public; the archiepis copal library at Lambeth, containing at least 27,000 vols.; Marsh's library, Dublin, with about 18,000 vols.; the library of the Dublin royal society; and the libraries belonging to the different colleges at Oxford anti Cambridge, some of which arc of considerable extent and value. 'I he public libraries' acts have been adopted by several of the large towns in Britain—Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Glasgow being the most important. The free libraries established in the'se places under the provisions of the acts just named are in a flourishing condition. Of private libraries in England. it will be sufficient to name that of earl Spencer, at Althorn, containing upwards of 50,000 vols., many of extreme rarity and value, and all in admirable condition.