FRANCE.
The greater part of the French libraries originated in the collections of religious orders and the medieval universities. These collections, many of which date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, remained relatively intact until the Revolution, during which the libraries suffered in common with all of the institutions of the nation. Yet its effect on library development in France, on the whole, was beneficial, for while many valuable manuscripts and books were lost, yet their loss was more than com pensated by the foundation of the public library system of France, which was for many years superior to any. When the monasteries and other religious foundations were disestab lished, their libraries were made the property of the state and placed in the care of the com munes, thereby forming the nuclei of the present bibliotheques municipales, or free public libraries. This transfer was made under the Decrees of the Constituent Assembly, 1789 and 1790, and of the Legislative Assembly, 1792 and 1793. The Decree of 1793 fixed the distinction between libraries and archives and laid the foundation for the provincial libraries. The provisions of these enactments were strength ened by the Orders of Napoleon, 1803 and 1809, which provided for the organization and ad ministration of these libraries.
Municipal The majority of the municipal libraries, therefore, as now con stituted, were established during the early por tion of the 19th century, yet, as has been indi cated, their original collections are vastly older. The earliest existent collection, if the German guns have spared any of it, is the Bibliotheque Municipale of Rheims founded in 1146, while that of Angers was established by Alain de la Rue in 1376. Michel Anglici began the collection now the library of Charpentras in 1452. This still retains many of the manu script rarities of the original collection. The Bibliotheque Municipale of Bourges was estab lished in 1466, and that of Clement-Ferrand by Mathieu de la Porte in 1490. Francis I founded the library of Lyons in 1527, which was originally a part of the College de la Trinite, established at the same time. The col lection later passed into the hands of the Jesuits, and suffered considerable losses when the order was suppressed. Its collections have been largely increased by private benefactions. A library, free to the public, was established at Aix-en-Provence in 1409. This was partially scattered, but restored in 1705 with the gift by Andre Tournon of his private collection and 7,000 francs for the establishment of a free public library. The Bibliotheque Municipale of Tours originated in the collections of the abbey of Marmoutiers and other religious foundations of the region. Its earlier collec tions have suffered losses, but is now one of the largest public libraries in France. Another ancient library of France is that of Caen, Wil liam the Conqueror's town, which was founded in 1431. In spite of the vicissitudes of many wars, particularly the religious ones, it has de veloped into its present collection of 128,000 volumes. It was suppressed in 1701, but re
opened in 1736. Cardinal Fleury was one of its most liberal benefactors. The Bibliotheque Municipale of Lille is based like the others upon church collections and must have been established prior to the 14th century as a catalogue of that period is still in existence. It likewise suffered losses during the Revolu tion, but at the same time was augmented by additions from other monastic collections. Just what it has suffered from the German occupa tion is yet to be determined. One of the largest municipal libraries to develop from ecclesiastical origins is that of Rouen, which has steadily grown to its present size of 150, 000 volun It ?\ as largely in 1855 by the accession of the splendid collection of M. Leber, containing 50,000 choice books and manuscripts. The Bibliotheque funicipale of Troyes was founded in lo.51, by the gift of the library of Jacques Hennequin, to the Cordeliers of Troyes, on the condition that the library be opened to the public (135,550 vols.). When the religious orders were surrressed this collection, with that of the Oratorians and the remnants of the collection of the famous abbey of Clairvaux, were united to form the municipal library. Many of its treasures have been lost, but rare and precious items still remain, some antedating the death of Charle magne. Among its collections of particular in terest are the autograph works and correspond ence of the Port Royal fraternity. The library of Besancon (103,830 vols.), founded by the Abbe Boisot in 1696, contains many manu scripts from the famous library of Cardinal Granvelle which had passed into the hands of the abbey of Saint Vincent and turned over to the city during the Revolution. Douai library (96,186 vols.), founded in 1767 under the aus pices of the university, received in 1791 the splendid collection of the Benedictine Com munity of Marchiennes, which contained 1,718 rare manuscripts. The Bibliotheque Munic ipale of Bordeaux (200,000 vols.) owes its origin to the bequests of MM. Bel and Cardoze to the Bordeaux Academie des Sciences in 1738. This collection has been generously added to by the city. Among. other French libraries of interest may be noted: Rochelle, originating in the collection of the Consistoire Ref orme de la Rochelle, 1604 (109,712 vols.); Dijon (125,000 vols.), founded by P. Fevret in 1701; Nancy (142,018 vols.), founded by Stanislas in 1750; Nantes (220,000 vols.), 1753; Nice (60,000 vols.), founded by Abbe Massa in 1786; Nimes (110,000 vols.), founded by Jean de Dieu and R. Bion in 1778; Perpig nan (35,000 vols.), founded by Marechal de Mailly in 1759; Rennes (120,000 vols.), 1733; Toulouse (213,000 vols.), founded by the archbishop of Brienne in 1782; Marseilles (124,039 vols.), 1799. • Paris, of course, is richest in libraries of all types. The principal institution is the Bibliotheque Nationale, one of the world's greatest libraries, the importance of which calls for a detailed description. (See special article