Worcester County, Massachusetts - Chapter 182, 1889 (part 1 of 2)

Public Libraeies By Samuel Swett Green, A.M.

The Military Library Society in the Seventh Dlvi.siON. - The preamble to the agreement signed by the gentlemen who became members of the society recites the fact that " military science is essential to the military character," and states that the Legislature had passed a law which provided for the " creation and encouragement" of a library such as that of which the formation was contemplated, with the purpose of making "adequate provision" for "the advancement of the object of military inquiry, . . . the general ditl'usion of military knowledge" and "the formation and instruction of military men," to the accomplishment of which objects " the establishment of a military library would greatly conduce."

The subscribers agreed " to associate in the procurement of a library,'' which was "always to be kept in the town of Worcester, as the most central place." Their first meeting was held April 3, 1811. Major Levi Lincoln, .Ir., Lieutenant Gardner Burbank and Dr. John Green were appointed a committee for the " procurement of books."

" John W. Lincoln was " at the same meeting "elected clerk" . . . and "chosen librarian." On June 13, 1811, rules and regulations were adopted by the society. One of those provided that " There shall be chosen annually a clerk and librarian, both which offices shall be vested in one and the same member." On June 24, 1812, John W. Lincoln was chosen clerk and librarian, and Dr. .John Green, Lieutenant John W. Lincoln and Major Isaac Sturtevant were constituted a committee for the procurement of books.

These few facts have been taken from a manuscript volume in the library of the American Antiquarian Society, which contains records of meetings of the military society and documents relating to its organization. The only other fact not yielded by that volume which I have found out respecting the library of the society is that in 1824, Dr. John Green deposited in the library of "The Odd Fellows," an organization to be spoken of presently, thirty-three volumes, which had belonged to the "late military library."'

The Library of the Fraternity of Odd Fellows belonged to a society which was formed in 1820 or 1821. The date of formation is inferred from a statement made in a manuscript volume in the possession of the American Antiquarian Society, which is, that rules adopted in regard to the management of the library of the society at a meeting of the organization held October 20, 1824, had been agreed upon by the members, at that date, in " the fourth year of their oddity and the second session." Among the rules is the following: "The fine for detention shall be six per centum on the first cost of the work per day." At the end of the year 1827 the library appears to have contained one hundred and sixtythree volumes, which were owned by it, and other books which had been deposited in the collection, but did not belong to it, such, for example, as the thirtythree volumes mentioned above, which had been the property of the military library.

The brotherhood consisted of well-known citizens, whose names are familiar to the student of the annals of Worcester. William Lincoln was at one time its librarian, and Isaac Davis served in the same capacity at a later date.

It should be added that the Fraternity of Odd Fellows appears to have had no connection with the organization known as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a chapter of which was established in Worcester a number of years after t'ue formation of the Fraternity. The only sources of information regarding the library of the organization which I know of, are three manuscript volumes, which belong to the American Antiquarian Society. One of these, namely, that which contains a list of the books belonging to the library, has just been referred to. The others are : "Rules of the Library of the Fraternity of Odd Fellows " and " List of Books delivered by the Librarian."

' See '* List of Books belouging to the Library of the Otiii Fellows" for the titles of the books deposited iu that library by I)r. (iroen. The volume containing the "Lists, &c.," is in the library of the American Atiti'iuarian Society.

Library of the American Antiquarian Society. - The gentlemen who wished to be incorporated as the American Antiquarian Society, in the petition which they caused to be presented to the General Court of Massachusetts, stated that one of their number was " in possession of a valuable collection of books, obtained with great labor and expense, the value of which may be fairly estimated at about five thousand dollars, some of them more ancient than are to be found in any other part of our country, and all of which he intends to transfer to the proposed society, should their project receive the sanction and encouragement of the Legislature."

The gentleman referred to in the petition was Isaiah Thomas, who, as editor, publisher and author, had brought together a large amount of valuable literary matter of the kind most suitable for an antiquarian and historical library. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, and the American Antiquarian Society was incorporated October 24, 1812. It was organized November 19th of the same year, and at a meeting of the society held in February, 1813, the president, Isaiah Thomas, carried out his intentions by presenting to it his private library. Thus the founder of the society became also the founder of its library. As before remarked, Mr. Thomas' library was valued at five thousand dollars. It should be stated in this connection, however, that a collection of books of the kind which constituted his library, if sold to-day, would bring a sum of money many times larger than that which represented its market value at the time of its gift to the Antiquarian Society.

Many books were given to the society for its library during the earlier years of the existence of the latter, and in October, 1819, it contained nearly six thousand volumes.

It is interesting to note the fact that in the beginning of the activity of the Antiquarian Society it appointed gentlemen of experience and learning in different States of the Union, to act as agents or receivers in collecting books and manuscripts for the library and articles for the cabinet, and that, as a result of this policy, contributions of books, pamphlets and relics of various kinds were forwarded to it from all parts of the country.

Mr. Thomas was unwilling to have the library and cabinet of the Antiquarian Society placed in a large city, fearing that, if so situated, their safety would be endangered by the presence of large fires. Guided also by fears that it was natural for a man to entertain who lived here at the time of the organization of the Antiquarian Society, he would not have them placed on the seaboard, because, in time of war, they would be subjected to more peril there from the ravages of enemies than in an interior town, where, with the modes of locomotion then available, they were much less likely to be disturbed. At his death, in 1831, Mr. Thomas bequeathed to the society such of his books, engravings, coins, etc., as he had not already given to it, and left to it money to constitute the librarian's and the collection and research funds.

In October, 1872, Mr. Nathaniel Paine counted the number of volumes in a large portion of the library, and made careful estimates regarding the number in the remaining portions. Reckoning ten pamphlets as constituting a volume, he made up his mind that there were about fifty-three thousand volumes in the library at the date mentioned. Taking this calculation as a basis, and adding to the number obtained subsequent acquisitions, and subtracting from the tola! the number of volumes which have been taken out of the library for purposes of exchange or for other reasons, it appears, according to a statement given to me by the librarian, that at the time of the annual meeting of the society in October, 1888, there were about ninety thousand volumes in the library, calling ten pamphlets a volume, as in the reckoning of Mr. Paine.

The library is very valuable, but in many respects cannot be compared in importance to the antiquary, with such magnificent collections as the Lenox Library in New York City, and the rich private library brought together by the late John Carter Brown, of Providence, and still owned by his family. Certain classes of books, however, are repre.sented here by numerous and noteworthy examples. Thus, for instance, the library contains a large and exceedingly interesting collection of early volumes of the oldest newspapers of the United States. It also possesses many rare works which were printed in this country in the days of its infiincy and a number of valuable manuscripts.

The feature which best distinguishes it from other libraries and museums is its unique collection of memorials of the Mather family. There are from three thousand five hundred to four thousand volumes of newspajiers in the library. Among these are sixteeil of the Boston News Letter, the first established newspaper published on this continent. These volumes are not wholly complete, however. The News Letter was first issued in 1704. The library also contains several volumes, bearing dates between 1719 and 1753, of the Boston Gazette, the second newspaper established in Boston, and specimen volumes of the Boston Post Boy, a paper which was first issued in 1734. It has, too, seven early volumes of the Nete Hampshire Gazette, started in 1756, and several of the Newport Mercury, established in 1758, the Connecticut Gazette and the Connecticut Courant, first printed in 1764. Of these the New Hampshire Gazette is said to be the oldest newspaper in the United States, still in existence, that has been issued without interruption or change of name since its establishment.

The file of the Massachuaetta Spy, the first number of which was issued in Boston, July 17, 1770, and the first number of which printed in Worcester bears

The library also possesses volumes of Eivington's Jioyal Gazette and of Gaine's Gazette, published in New York while that city was occupied by British troops. The files of the Polar Star or Boston Daily Advertiser, the first daily paper started in Boston, are nearly complete. That paper was begun in October, 17'JG, but was discontinued after it had been published for a few months. The present Boston Daily Advertiser did not begin its life until March 3, 1813. That is the first daily paper that was permanently established in Boston. There is in the library a large proportion of the books printed in the United States before the year 1700. For example, it contains a copy of the "Bay Psalm-Book," which was issued from the press in Cambridge in 1640, and was the first volume printed in British America, and one of the first edition of Eliot's Indian Bible, the printing of which was finished at Cambridge in 1663.

The library also has a handsome and beautifullybound copy of the second edition of that Biljle, the printing of which ended in 1685, and several rare tracts in the Indian language prevalent in this vicinity. It possesses a large collection of Bibles. Among these there is a fine copy of the folio Bible printed by Isaiah Thomas at Worcester, Mass., in 1791. This was the first folio Bible in the English language ever published in America. Mr. Thomas had a great printing and publishing establishment in this town, and such was the excellence of the work which came from his presses that he won for himself the name of the American Baskerville. The library contains a collection of psalmody and church music which is large enough to deserve mention, and has a good collection of books which were printed in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Mr. James Carson Breevoort gave to it, a few years ago, a number of early books relating to Japan which he had been engaged for tweoty-five years in bringing together. It also possesses accounts of many early voyages and travels, a large collection of almanacs, a valuable and extensive collection of biographical and genealogical works, a noticeably large accumulation of American school-books and of literary matter relating to slavery in this country and to the Civil War.

Among the manuscripts in the library are forty or fifty orderly-books and volumes containing records similar to those in books of that kind. The entries in these works bear various dates between the years 1758 aud 1812. The matter in them relating to the period of the Revolution is of especial interest. The library also possesses a large collection of musterrolls, army-orders and other military papers, with dates extending from 1745 to 1787. It has, also, two diaries of John Hull, mint-master, - one relating to private, and the other to public matters, - his letterbook for the years 1670-1680, and a manuscript narrative by him of a voyage to Spitzbergen in the year 1613, and an interesting, interleaved Edinburgh almanac of the year 1768, with manuscript notes by Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon, who in that year was inducted into the office of president of the college at Princeton, N. J., and who became a member of the Provincial Congress of that State and of the Congress at Philadelphia which promulgated the Declaration of Independence, of which document he is one of the signers.

Dr. Witherspoon came to America in 1768, and a portion of the notes in the almanac were written in Scotland and Ireland and another portion in America. The library has a manuscript copy of the original Connecticut laws of 1650, the Curwen papers of the Salem family of that name; the Cragie manuscripts, written in the last half of the eighteenth century, several bound volumes of letters addressed to Isaiah Thomas, and of copies of letters of his own ; William Lincoln's manuscripts, relating to Worcester, an interleaved copy of his history of the town, containing corrections and additions to that work, and Christopher C. Baldwin's papers concerning Sutton.

Among the more elegant manuscripts in the library are an illuminated missal on vellum, written perhaps as early as 1304, a Persian tale or romance which has gilt borders and is illustrated by highly-colored pictures, and a folio copy of the Koran which ii adorned by illuminated borders.

The manuscripts in the library have lately been put in order, income from the recently received Alden Fund having been expended in doing the work.

Two large gifts of books have been made to the library within a few years - one in 1879, by the heirs of the late George Brinley, of Hartford, the other under the provisions of the will of the late Joseph J. Cooke, of Providence. In both instances permission was granted to the Antiquarian Society to bid off books to the value of five thousand dollars at the sales by auction of the collections of the benefactors. The books obtained at those sales form a very noteworthy addition to the library of the society.

At an earlier period in its history the library was the recipient of a valuable bequest of books and manuscripts from Rev. Dr. William Bentley, of Salem, (1759-1819). He gave to it, by will, all his German books, such volumes belonging to him as had been printed in New England, the manuscripts which he left that were not written in his own hand, a cabinet with its contents and all of his paintings and engravings.

Mr. William Bentley Fowle, his nephew and sole executor, bequeathed to the Antiquarian Society other portions of the library and literary remains of Dr. Bentley. In the collection obtained from these two sources are nineteen bound volumes of notes containing memoranda on various subjects, thirteen diaries, letters addressed to its owner by prominent corre- spondents, besides books and other objects of interest. An alcove in the library contains works on Spanish Central and South America ; and another alcove, books which belong to the department of Local History. These collections are added to by purchases made respectively from the income of funds provided by the late Isaac Davis and the late Benjamin F. Thomas. The Haven alcove contains books which were bequeathed to the Antiquarian Society by its former librarian and which have been given to it by his widow. The income of the Haven Fund is expended for works which are placed in this alcove.

The library is dependent for its growth and improvement in quality mainly upon gifts, sales of duplicates and exchanges, as the Antiquarian Society has but little money that it can spend in buying books. The work of making exchanges has been carried on very vigorously since Mr. Barton became connected with the library. The fact that the library contained a very valuable and extensive collection of duplicates has rendered this work of great service in securing desirable additions to it. It may be noted as an interesting fact that at least one-half of the gifts come from persons who are not members of the Antiquarian Society.

The average yearly additions to the library for the eight and a half years from October, 1879, to April, 1888, were, I am informed by Mr. Barton, 3622 books, 10,552 pamphlets and 237 volumes of unbound newspapers. Collected in the manner in which this library has been brought together, it naturally lacks completeness in its various departments, and is very much in need of a generous gift of monej', the income of which may be spent for books. For instance, while it has an excellent collection of newspapers to illustrate considerable periods in the history of the United States, it needs to procure files, additional to such as it po8ses.ses, covering the years between 1830 and 1835 and those of the existence of the Civil War.

The library was much used by George Bancroft in former years in preparing the earlier volumes of his "History of the United States,'' and has occasionally been consulted by him recently. Mr. McMaster has availed himself largely, and Mr. Justin Winsor to a certain extent, of its privileges, the former in getting ready some of the volumes of his history for publication, and the latter in hunting up illustrations for his narrative and " Critical History of America.'' It is constantly used by members of the Antiquarian Society and other persons in making historical investigations and for other purposes.

As stated before, the library contains a very valuable collection of memorials of the life and work of the Mather family. It possesses, for example, a large number of important manuscripts in the handwriting of members of that family of distinguished early New England divines. Thus from the pen of Richard Mather, who came to America in 1635, it has the original draft of the celebrated Cambridge Platform, the text of the platform which was finally adopted and printed in 1648, and other writings which relate to the early ecclesiastical history of the Massachusetts Colony. Of manuscripts written by Increase Mather, who will be remembered as having been president of Harvard College, it owns his autobiography, written for his children ; his journal, kept in sixteen interleaved almanacs, of dates varying from 1660 to 1721, and many sermons, essays and letters. The library has a large number of manuscripts which were written by Cotton Mather, the son of Increase, and grandson of Richard Mather. Among them are " The Observations and Reflections of the Rev. Dr. Cotton Mather respecting Witchcraft," 1692 ; " A Brand Plucked out of the Burning," which is an account of Mercy Short, and is supposed to have never been printed, although another " Brand Pluckt Out," etc., has been printed ; " Triparadisus," a work on a theological subject ; "The Angel of Bethesda," an essay on the common maladies of mankind. This is a thick quarto volume which treats of diseases and their remedies, and contains, under the names of diseases, religious sentiments and specifications of simple and easy remedies ; valuable diaries, covering different years between 1692 and 1717 ; many letters written by Cotton Mather and received by him ; ecclesiastical manuscripts; notes of sermons and volumes containing quotations. There are in the library manuscripts of other members of the Mather family besides those some of whose writings have just been spoken of The library possesses a very fine collection of the printed works of the Mathers. It has several hundred volumes and pamphlets published by them. Many tracts, and among them some of the rarest, written by seven different members of the family, were secured at the sales of Mr. Brinley's collection of books. Another interesting memorial of the Mather family in the library of the Antiquarian Society is the greater portion of the working library of the celebrated members of that family. Their library (writes Mr. C. C. Baldwin) was distributed as their decease, with other portions of their property, among their heirs. The bulk of it, however, was secured by Isaiah Thomas and Mrs. Hannah Mather Crocker and presented to the Antiquarian Society by them in 1814. The society thus came into possession of about nine hundred volumes which had belonged to Increase and Cotton Mather; and some other books, containing their autographs and those of other members of the family, have in later years been given to it or bought by it. For example, a number of books containing, in their own handwriting, the names of Richard, Increase, Samuel and Cotton Mather were purchased by the society at the sale of the Brinley library.

Hanging on the walls of the library of the Antiquarian Society are the following portraits : Richard Mather (1596-1669), painted from life ; Samuel Mather (1626-1671); Increase Mather (1639-1723), painted from life; Cotton Mather (1663-1728), painted by

There is an interesting collection of historical relics in the rooms of the library. Many of these were presented by Isaiah Thomas and other early members of the society, or procured by its agents in the first years of its existence. Among the objects of interest are numerous curiosities which illustrate the life formerly led by North American Indians, and a small cabinet of valuable coins and tokens, as well as some medals, and a considerable number of specimens of Colonial, Revolutionary and other kinds of paper money.

The exsiccated Indian from Kentucky, familiarly known as " the mummy," which at one time formed a conspicuous feature in the museum, was sent to the Smithsonian Institution several years ago.

Mr. Stephen Salisbury has deposited in the rooms of the library a valuable collection of historical relics relating to Yucatan, and has also placed on exhibition there many photographs of scenes and ruins in that State. Through his liberality there has been recently added to the treasures of the society a beautiful plaster cast of the portal of a ruined building at Labna, made from moulds obtained by the personal labors of Mr. Edward H. Thompson, our townsman, who is the United States consul at Merida.

The income of the library is mainly derived from the interest paid on the securities which constitute several of the funds belonging to the Antiquarian Society. In the statement made by the treasurer at the annual meeting held in October, 1888, the total amount of the investments of the society, reckoned at their par value, and cash on hand, the first day of that month, was $105,410.11. The income of the whole of that amount, excepting about twenty-four thousand dollars, is available for use in the care of the building of the library and society, in the management of the library, and in binding, cataloguing and buying books. The annual sum receivable is, however, as before stated, inadequate and so small as to render it impossible for the library to add more than a very few books to its collection by purchases during the year or to pay its current expenses without aid. It awaits and deserves a liberal gift of money. The accomodations in the rooms of the library for persons wishing to make investigations are excellent. The building is well-heated, its study-rooms are bright and pleasant, an air of comfort pervades them and the student is waited upon by attentive librarians. The building, moreover, is substantial and a safe depository of the treasures of the society.

The rooms are adorned by numerous works of art. Among these are portraits of many men who have been prominent residents of Xew England. Mention has already been made of those of the Mather family. The society has also two portraits of Governor John Endicott (1588-1665), one painted from an original by Southland, of Salem, and another, which is quite old, although a small and poorlypainted picture. It has, besides, portraits of Governor John Leverett (1616-79), Rev. Thomas Prince (1687-1758), Governor William Burnett (1688-1729), Charles Paxton (1704-88), Loyalist, supposed to have been painted by Copley; Rev. Ellis Gray (1717-53), minister of the New Brick Church in Boston ; John Chandler (1720-1800), the "honest refugee," judge of Probate, etc., in Worcester County ; Colonel John May, Boston (1748-1812), painted by GuUag ; Hannah Adams (1755-1831), author of "History of New England," painted by Alexander; Rev. Dr. Aaron Bancroft (1755-1839), minister in Worcester 1785-1839, vice-president of the Antiquarian Society 1816-31, painted by Chester Hardiug ; Rev. Dr. William Bentley (1759-1819), minister in Salem 1783, councilor of the Antiquarian Society 1813-20 ; Robert B. Thomas (1766-1846), editor of the "Old Farmer's Almanac;" Edward D. Bangs, Worcester (1790-1838), secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1824-36. The society owns a portrait of one of the Higginsons. It was at first supposed to be the likeness of Rev. Francis Higginson, minister in Salem in 1629, but is now considered a portrait of some other member of the family, perhaps, of Rev. Jotin Higginson, Rev. Francis Higginson's son. It has a portrait of John Rogers. This is said to represent the martyr, or if not him, a cousin of the same name. The society has added to its collection within a few years a fine portrait, by Moses Wight, of Boston, of Alexander von Humboldt. It also has a miniature, moulded in wax, of James Sullivan, one of the Governors of Massachusetts.

The society has several interesting memorials of the Winthrop family, members of which have always had a conspicuous place in the annals of New England. Among these are a small wooden bust, a medallion and a portrait of John Winthrop, the first governor of the colony of Massachusetts Bay.

The society has also a stone drinking-pot, with a "silver lydd," which belonged to Governor Winthrop. In 1888 a sword came into its possession which had been worn by John (known as Fitz John) Winthrop, a grandson of the first John. A greatgreat-grandson of the latter, Lieutenant-Governor Thomas Lindall Winthrop, was the successor of Isaiah Thomas in the presidency of the Antiquarian Society and held the position for ten years. The society owns a portrait of him, painted by Thomas SuUj'. Lieutenant-Governor Winthrop was the father of Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, the eminent and venerable head of the family to day, who joined the Antiquarian Society more than fifty years ago and wliose name, with that of the distinguished historian, George Bancroft, stands at the head of the printed list of its living members.

tion, in 1812, to 1831. This was painted from life by E. A. GrecDwood. It also possesses a marble bust of Mr. Thomas, which was the work of the late B. H. Kinney.

Of its second president, - 1831 - il, - asstated above, it has a portrait by Thomas Sully. It has no portrait of Edward Everett, its third president (1841- 53), only a framed engraving of Wight's fulllength portrait. The absence of a suitable likeness of Governor Everett is much to be regretted. Of Governor John Davis, its fourth president (1853- 54), the society has a portrait, by E. T. Billings, taken from a daguerreotype, a bust by Henry Dexter, a representation of his head on a medallion and a life-size photograph finished by the use of crayon. It has a fine portrait, by Daniel Huntington, of New York, of the fifth president, the late Stephen Salisbury, who occupied that position for thirty years, from 1854^84. Of its living presidents. Senator George F. Hoar (1884-87) and Mr. Stephen Salisbury (1887), it has as yet no portraits.

The librarians of the Antiquarian Society have been Samuel Jenuisou (1814-25), William Lincoln (1825-27), Christopher Columbus Baldwin (1827-30 and 1831-35), Samuel M. Burnside (1830-31), Maturin Lewis Fisher (1835-38), Samuel Foster Haven (1838-March 31, 1881 ; Librarian Emeritus April 1, 1881, until his death, September 5, 1881) and Edmund M. Barton (1883). Of these gentlemen, the society has portraits of C. C. Baldwin and Samuel F. Haven. They were painted respectively by Chester Harding and Edward L. Custer. It also has copies of portraits of Columbus and Vespucius, made by Antonio Scardino from originals of Francesco Mazzola (Parmigianino) at Naples. Of Columbus it possesses likewise a full-length engraved portrait and a likeness by Salviati in the form of a modern Venetian mosaic. It has also a collection of engraved portraits and pictures of other kinds, and busts in marble or plaster of Washington, Franklin, Hamilton, John Adams, Jackson, Clay, Webster, Jared Sparks and others. Its halls are adorned with copies in plaster of two of the statues of Michael Angelo; one from his Christ in the church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva at Rome and the other from the colossal statue of Moses in the church of S. Pietro in Vincoli, in the same city.

When Mr. Thomas gave his private library to the Antiquarian Society in the spring of 1813 he was requested to retain it in his possession until a suitable place could be prepared for its reception. Early in the year 1819 Mr. Thomas offered to put up a building at his own expense for the accommodation of the society and its library, and in August of that year a committee was ajjpointed, at his request, to superintend its erection. The work was attended to at once and the central portion of the old Antiquarian Hall on Summer Street was dedicated to the uses of the society August 24, 1820. The two wings were added to the main structure in 1832. The building, however, which still stands, although now (January, 1889) used for private purposes, proved too small to house the growing library and was also found to be damp. A new hall was therefore built ou the site now occupied after a time. This was completed in 1853. But the rapidly increasing collection of books demanded still ampler accommodations and an addition to the present building was determined upon. That was finished in 1877. In putting up the existing building and adding to it the society was assisted by very generous contributions of money from the late Stephen Salisbury, who, as before stated, was its president for thirty years.

The executive oflicers of the society are appointed by the council of the society and perform their duties under the supervision of a sub-committee of that body.

The present librarian, as before stated, is Edmund Mills Barton. He had been assistant librarian for seventeen years before he was appointed librarian. Reuben Colton was assistant librarian from April, 1878, to February 1, 1889. At the latter date he resigned the position for the purpose of going into business. Miss Mary Robinson became connected with the library as cataloguer iu the autumn of 1881. February 1, 1889, she was promoted to the position of assistant to the librarian.

A catalogue of the books in the library (pp. 571), was printed in 1837 by Henry J. Howland. A card catalogue has been in preparation for several years, and nearly all of the bound volumes in the collection have already been indexed. The society also has in its possession a manuscript catalogue of the books presented to it by Isaiah Thomas. The library is kept open from nine o'clock a.m. to five p.m. every secular day, excepting Saturday, when it is closed at one p.m.

This account of the library of the American Antiquarian Society has been gathered largely from the proceedings of the society. Particular indebtedness should be acknowledged to the recorded researches of Mr. Nathaniel Paine, as they appear in the volumes of the society's publications or in periodicals or separate pamphlets. The history of the Antiquarian Society, as distinguished from that of its library, is given under the head of societies, in another portion of the present work. That is also the case in regard to the other associations whose libraries are described and their histories given in the monograph which I am writing.

The Worcester County Atheneum. - It is stated in the Spy of November 4, 1829, that " After the aiijournment of the Lyceum on Wednesday last, pursuant to notice given at the close of the address in the meeting-house, a public meeting was held to consider the expediency of adopting measures to establish a public library for the County of Worcester." An association was formed to found a library. The subscribers agreed to unite " for the purpose of establishing a Public Library in the Town of Worcester, to consist principally of such rare works in Science and Literature as are not usually found in private Libraries." The property of (he society was divided into shares of twenty-five dollars each. At a meeting of the members of the organization, held December 16, 1829, it was voted to call the new association the Worcester County Atheneum, and January 6, 1830, Otis C. Wheeler was chosen lil)rarian. At a meeting of directors, held the 2d of February, " William Lincoln and Isaac Goodwin reported that they had leased of Dr. John Green the room in the second story of the new brick building on Main Street, opposite Central Street, for the use of the Atheneum, and recommended that one share of the stock of the Atheneum be conveyed to him in payment of the rent for one year, which report was accepted.''

March 4th the directors voted " that the Atheneum will receive the deposit of the books, minerals and property of the Worcester Lyceum of Natural History and pay the expenses of making the cases and cabinets belonging to that association," &c. Some of the property of the last-named society was afterwards stored in the rooms of the American Antifpiarian Society, and remained there until, by a vote of surviving members, it was given to the organization now known as the Natural History Society, of whose collections it to-day forms a part. The Atheneum was incorporated in March, 1830, and chose officers, under the act of incorporation, on the 14th of the following month.

It seems to have been, in the main, a circulating library, but that it was not wholly so appears from the following regulations : " The Directors shall cause books to be procured for the library - and as certain books, from their value and beauty, may be liable to injur)', or their use may be prevented by circulation, they may require such works to be retained in the apartments of the Atheneum." The librarian was appointed by the directors.

On the 10th of June, 1830, it was " voted that Alfred D. Foster, Frederick W. Paine and William Lincoln be a committee to make a catalogue of the books of the Atheneum," &c., and "that Otis C. Wheeler be Librarian, subject to the direction of this committee." On the 8th of the following December it was voted to execute a lease of Dr. Green's rooms, and on the same day the directors appointed William S. Lincoln librarian " for the ensuing year." January 5, 1832, the directors reported that the library then "contaiued 2109 volumes, exclusive of the Cyclopedias and unbound pamphlets."

Owners of shares (proprietors), life subscribers and annual subscribers could take out books from the library. William Lincoln, writing in 1830, stated that about three thousand volumes of what he denominates "general literature" had been collected by the Atheneum when he wrote. The library at that time was 94:

The Atheneum has for a long time ceased to exist. Most of its l)ooks were given to the Antiquarian Society. This was a natural proceeding, as a large proportion of the members of the former society were interested in the latter organization. I find that a book was taken out from the library of the Atheneum at as late a date :is 1S51.

Nearly all of the information relating to the Atheneum given here has been obtained by me from the following manuscript volumes in the library of the Antiquarian Society: "Rules and regulations, stock and property " and records of meetings ; " Waste book" - this is a list, under the names of givers and depositors, of books placed in the library, - a volume in which charges of books taken out from the library were made.

Worcester Social Libr.\ry. - In the library of the Antiquarian Society there is a manuscript which is headed " Alphabetical List of the Proprietors of the Worcester Social Library." It is dated May, 1830. I find no evidence that this library was actually established. No mention of such an organization is made by William Lincoln in the "History of Worcester," which he wrote a few years after the date of the manuscript. There were several movements in Worcester about the year 1830 looking towards the formation of libraries. Thus, as we have seen, the Worcester County Atheneum was started late in the year 1829 and incorporated in March, 1830. The Worcester Lyceum, of which I am now about to write, was organized in November, 1829.

Worcester Lyceuje. - Anthony Chase, the first secretary of the Worcester Lyceum, in a rough draft of a letter written to the secretary of the Lyceum in Medway, now in the possession of his son, Mr. Charles A. Chase, writes : " Our Lyceum was organized the 5th of November, 1829, though many of the preliminaries were settled previous to that time.'' This letter was written in 1831. Linc(dn, writing a few years later, gives the date of its formation as November 4th. He adds: " The Lyceum " (about 1830) '' is possessed of a good chemical apparatus and a well-selected library of about five hundred volumes, beneficially and extensively used by the young artisans and operatives of the village." Persons who have resided in Worcester for forty or fifty years remember that in their younger days the Lyceum was the main dependence of the people of the town for a circulating library, and that it was kept for many years at the residence of Mrs. Sarah B. Wood, on the south corner of Main and School Streets. The entrance to the house was on School Street. Mrs. Wood had a private school for children. The books of the Lyceum were in cases in the school-room, and Mrs. Wood served .is librarian on one or two holiday afternoons every week. " By a provision of the constitution " of the Lyceum, writes Mr. Lincoln, " no alienation of the property is to be made ; to secure its preservation fluring any suspension of the society, the selectmen are authorized to deposit the collections with some incorporated literary institution of the town, to be held in trust and transferred to some new association for similar purposes."

In 1854 or early in 1855 the books belonging to the Lyceum were deposited in the rooms of the Young Men's Library Association, and a union of the Lyceum and the latter society was effected April 12, 1856. Thus the libraries of these two organizations were consolidated.

Library OF the Young Men's Library Association. - That society was formed in August, 1852, and fully organized in December of the same year. The act incorporating it was signed by the Governor, March 26, 1853, and accepted by the association on the IGth of the following month. Principal purposes of the organization were the establishment and maintenance of a reading-room and library. A reading-room was opened December 31, 1852, and in the following month steps were taken to obtain subscriptions in money and gifts of books to be used in forming a library ; $1300 was secured in cash, and contributions of books to the number of about eight hundred and fifty volumes were received. The library was thrown open to members June 18, 1853. It then numbered seventeen hundred volumes. Persons who were not members of the society were allowed to take books out of the library on the payment of an annual fee of one dollar. It appears from a report made in April, 1854, that during the first nine months of the existence of the library, 8620 volumes were taken out from it by 430 persons. At the date of the report the library contained 1762 volumes. John Gray was the first librarian. His services to the library became of great value at once, and continued to be so till the date of his deatli.

1855, the Young Men's Rhetorical Society was temporarily merged in the former organization, and its library of about one hundred volumes came into the custody and soon into the full possession of the association. In April, 1855, the library of the association numbered 2126 volumes; 11,000 volumes had been taken out of it during the year preceding that date, which was the first complete year of its life. In December, 1855, the late Dr. John Green placed his large and valuable private library of 4500 volumes in the charge of the association, to be used for purposes of consultation and reference. The arrangements in regard to its care and use were consummated in April,

1856. According to these it was to remain in the custody of the association for five years or for a longer period, should such an arrangement be desired by both of the parties in interest.

April 12, 1856, the library of the Young Men's Library Association, consisted of two thousand six hundred and ten volumes. On that date the act approved by the Governor, March 15th, of the same year, providing for a union of that association and of the Worcester Lyceum, was accepted by both organizations and the name of the united societies became

The Worcester Lyceum and Library Association. - One year later, April 11, 1857, we find that the circulating library of this organization contained three thousand eight hundred volumes and the reference or Green Library six thousand volumes. April 12, 1858, the circulating department had about fortyone hundred volumes and the Green Library sixtyfive hundred volumes. During the year ending with that date the valuable and rapidly increasing library of the Worcester District Medical Association, comprising about twenty-four hundred volumes, was placed in a room in Worcester Bank block, adjoining the rooms of the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association, and put under the care of the librarian of the latter organization. April 9, 1859, the circulating department of the library under consideration contained four thousand three hundred and fifty volumes, and the Green library seven thousand five hundred volumes.

John Gray, the esteemed librarian of the Lyceum and Library Association, died suddenly in the latter part of 1859, and at a special meeting of the Board of Directors held November 25th of that year, the first regular business was to choose a committee to confer with Dr. Green in reference to the selection of a librarian. Dr. Chandler, Albert Tolman and T. W. Higginson were appointed the committee. At an adjournment of the meeting held the next day, that committee reported : " That an interview had been held with Dr. Green, in which he expressed a readiness and desire to present the Green Library to the city, as the foundation of a Free Public Library. That subsequently the committee had visited the Mayor," Honorable Alexander H. Bullock, " who expressed much gratification at Dr. Green's liberality and cordially entered into the plans. The following preamble and resolution were then adopted :

' " Whereas, Dr. John Green has indicated to a committee of the directors of the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association, a desire to give his library to the city, on such liberal conditions that the directors believe it best the public should receive the gilt:

' " Brwlved, That the Directors recommend that the library of the Association be also transferred to the city, provided suitable appropriations and arrangements are made for its reception.' " (Seventh annual rejiort of the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association, signed by Edward Earle, president.)

The action of Dr. Green and of the Board of Directors was regarded gratefully by the city government, and after conferences between the representatives of the city and the other parties interested, " On December 16th, at a special meeting of the

Association, called for that purpose, it was voted, on motion of Mr. N. Paine, that the Association accept and adopt the resolutions passed by the Board of Directors, at their meeting held November 25th, and that the Board of Directors have full power to carry out any arrangements that may be necessary under the resolves, including the transfer of the library."

The proposition endorsed in this vote was accepted by the city government December 23, 1859, and the library of the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association became almost immediately the property of the city of Worcester and a portion of the Free Public Library, which was established by an ordinance bearing the same date as the resolves of the City Council in which tlie gift of the association was accepted.

The manuscript records which contain an account of the organization and early meetings of the Young Men's Library Association are in the possession of the American Antiquarian Society. Other manuscript volumes which belonged to the association and its successor, the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association, are owned by the Free Public Library, which also has a bound volume containing all the printed reports of the two organizations and two catalogues - one issued in 1853 and the other in 1859.

Feee Public Library. - This institution, as stated above, came into existence December 23, 1859. The library was opened to the public April 30, 1860, in the rooms in Worce.ster Bank Block, which had been occupied by the two libraries out of which it was formed. Those quarters were regarded as temporary, however, since it had been stipulated by Dr. Green in the deed by which he transferred his collection of books to the city that the latter should put up a library building. This stipulation was early complied with, although it is understood that the vote jiroviding for the erection of a building failed at first to pass in the Board of Aldermen. The Mayor, Hon. William W. Rice, exerted himself, however, to secure its passage, and by arguments addressed to one of the members of the board, who had opposed the measure, convinced him that it would be well to favor it, and in this way obtained the support needed for its ado()tion.

In the first annual report of the directors of the Free Public Library it is stated that prior to its foundation " the want of such an institution had for a long period been felt by the people of the city, and had repeatedly been made the subject of remark in the inaugural addresses of its chief magistrates. So great, however, would necessarily be the expenditure for its establishment, that no mayor of the city had felt authorized to treat the matter with any other language than that of desire and hope."

It had been the wish of some of the gentlemen who formed the Young Men's Library Association that the library which they were bringing together should be eventually merged in a free public library. Thus, for example, Mr. Thomas WenUvorth Higginson devoutly desired such a consummation. Mr. Gray, the librarian of the organization, entertained from the beginning of the library of the association the hope that such a plan would some time be carried out, and clung to it as a cherished wish until his death. The late Mr. Stephen Salisbury, in a letter written to the Council of the American Antiquarian Society January 21, 1852, a date which is earlier by a few months than that of the formation of the Young Men's Library Association, stated that the establishment of a Public Library was then regarded with much favor by the citizens of Worcester and would [irobably be accomplished with readiness and on a liberal and useful scheme, if suitable apartments for its accommodation were offered. He then went on to say that he would give to the society five thousand dollars, to be used in defraying the cost of a new building for its occupation, on condition that it would grant without rent and under such regulations as might be necessary, until the Ist day of January, 1875, for a Public Library for the citizens of Worcester, the use of the large hall.in the lower story of the proposed building, with suitable finish and shelves for books and a room on the same floor suflicient for the office of the librarian. Mr. Salisbury's gift was accepted by the Antiquarian Society with the conditions imposed, but nothing further appears to have been done regarding so much of the subject-matter ot his communication as related to the use of rooms in the lower story of Antiquarian Hall for the purposes of a public library. It is an interesting fact, stated by Mr. Barton in a report as librarian of the Antiquarian Society, in which Mr. Salisbury's letter may be found, that the latter gentleman and Doctor Green, when the communication was addressed to the council of the society, were both of them members of that body, and a rational curiosity would be gratified could it be found out whether Mr. Salisbury had Doctor Green's library in mind when he made the proposition just mentioned and reserved to himself, as he did, the right to designate the Public Library that should have the contemplated accommodation.

Whatever the fact respecting this matter may have been, however, the library of the Young Men's Library Association was formed a few months later, Dr. Green's library was soon after placed in its rooms, and both libraries were before long given to the city and formed the nucleus of the present Free Public Library, for the accommodation of which an especial building was put up.

On the 27th day of December, aak 1859, Dr. John Green gave to the city of Worcester, by a deed of gift bearing date of that day, a library of about seven thousand volumes "in trust for the free use of the citizeTis and the public forever, as a library of consultation and reference, but to be used only in the library building." This library had been collected from time to time, during a long professional career, at a cost of not less than ten thousand dollars, with the purpose

" First; The management of the Library, the custody of the books, and the regulations under wliich they may be used shall be vested in a Board of Directol-s, ulio shall be citizens of Worcester, to be chosen by the City Council in a convention of the two branches thereof, two of whom shall, after the first election, be chosen annually and shall hold their ofiices six years each.

" Third : The City of Worcester shall forever pay the salary of a competent Librarian, to be chosen by the Directors, and shall furnish a suitable Library building for the books to be secure against fire, and to be constructed with reference to the future increase of tlie Library, and this building shall be kept warmed and lighted at the expense of the city and sliall be provided witli suitable accommodations for the convenience of those using the books and shall be kejit open at all proper hours, according to the regulations of the Directors, f»r tlie use of the public.

"Fifth : The foregoing provisions may, during my life, be changed by the joint action of myself and the Directors in any manner which shall not impair the value and public utility of the Library, but they shall not be altered after my decease, nor shall any books, once added to the department established by me, ever be transferred to any other.''

The Worcester Lyceum and Library Association gave its library to the city of Worcester in December, 1859, as has been already stated. That library consisted of about forty-five hundred volumes. Dr. Green gave his books to be used as a reference library. The Library Association contemplated the use of most of its books as the nucleus of a circulating library.

' * The city of Worcester hereby accepts the donations of Dr. Job n Green and of the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association, and establish the Free Public Library of the City of Worcester."

The ordinance, as originally adopted and in its subsequent revisions, carries out, in provisions for the whole institution, the spirit of the conditions which Dr. Green imposed in regard to the library given by him.

In the first annual report of the directors of the library, presented to the city government in January, 1861, it is stated that "the building is now far advanced in the stages of erection."

It will be noticed that, by the terms in the deed of Dr. Green's gift, the spirit of which was embodied in the city ordinance also, the whole management of the library is placed in the hands of a Board of Directors, and not interfered with by the city government. This will be regarded as a wise provision, as the members of the board are chosen with reference to their fitness for the especial work to be performed. Suflicient supervision of the City Council is implied in the facts that it choo.ses the directors, and that it has wholly within its control the regulation of the amount of money it will appropriate yearly for the use of the library.

The conditions in the deed of gift require, also, it will be seen, the city to put up a building secure against fire, to keep the rooms frequented by users comfortable, and to pay the salary of the lilirarian and other running expenses. In inducing the city to make heavy expenditures in carrying out the object he had in view in giving his library to the city, Dr. Green greatly added to the value of his gift. He may properly be regarded, not only as a public benefactor, but also what he is called in the fourth section of the original ordinance, by which he is made an honorary life director, as the "principal founder" of the library.

The Board of Directors, as constituted by the deed of gift and the city ordinance, is a conservative body. A custom, however, was observed for several years (and that has since been embodied in an ordinance), that no person should be eligible to fill a vacancy in the Board of Directors arising from the expiration of hia term of office. The observance of this rule, while aiding to secure a progressive administration of the library, has also been useful in widening the interest of citizens in the institution, by introducing into its board of direction, representatives of various occupations and tastes prevailing in the community for which it was established. The year 18(55 is memorable in the history of the library for the foundation of the reading-rooms. A fund of between $10,000 and $11,000 was raised for their endowment by subscription among the citizens of Worcester, chiefly through the e.xertions of Hon. George F. Hoar, at that time an influential member of the Board of Directors. The subscription paper was headed by the late Mr. Salisbury with a gift of $4000; Mr. Hoar, Dr. Green, and forty other persons contributed $100 apiece ; twenty-five, $50 each ; thirty-eight, $25 each ; and other givers smaller sums. It is interesting to notice that the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association gave $300 to the Reading-room Fund of its succe.ssor. The money raised was carefully invested, and the income of the fund has since been spent in furnishing the rooms with American and foreign papers and periodicals. This income, a few gifts, and $400 taken annually from the city approi^riation, now enable the library to place in its rooms current numbers of two hundred and eighty-nine journals, magazines and reviews.

With the foundation of the reading-rooms the library came substantially into its |>resent form. The Green or reference library, the departments from which books may be taken out for use in homes or elsewhere, and the reading-rooms, constitute the Free Public Library of the City of Worcester.

Dr. Green died in the fall of 18G5. According to the si.xth annual report of the directors, he, from time to time, between the date of the deed of his original gift and that of his death, gave to the library 49(18 volumes, in addition to the seven thousand contributed at the start. He also remembered the library generously in his will. The main provision of that instrument, for the benefit of the library, is described concisely and clearly in the report to which reference has just been made. That report was writ-

'* The probate of the last Will and Testament of Dr. Green, ha.* made known his bequest to this City of Thirty thousand dollars, to be paid within one year after his decease, to the oflicer of the City authorized lo receive it, and to he held with its future accumulations as a separate fund, desiguated in the Books of this City as the 'Green Library Fund;' and the Testator states that he 'aims not to gratify any personal teeling of bis own, but to set apart and designate the Fund in a manner which shall forever keep it distinct from all others,' 'and which shall enable the people of Worcester at all times clearly to perceive its amount and condition.' He requires that the fund shall be kept, and that the income shall be collected by the antliorized officer of the city; and he provides that the investment and nianagenieiit of said Fund shall be under the direction of a Financial Committee of three directors of this Library, annually to be chosen by ballot, and that said Committee shall annually report trt the Board of Directors, and their report shall make a part of the annual Report of this Uoaril to the City Council. It is required that three-fourths of the investments shall be made in 'real estate mortgage securities,' and one-fourth in Bank stock; and in taking lauded securities, it is the ' desire and request' of the Testator, ' that in every instance first mortgages shall be taken for no larger loan than one-lbird of the value, of the security ; and as to the use and expenditure of the income of said fund, it is directed that one-fourth part of stiid income shall be added annually to said fund, and that the remaining three-fourths of s.aid income, after repairing any accidental loss that jnay happen to the principal, shall be expended by said Directors in the purchase of books, to be added to that department of sjiid Free Public Library which was instituted by the Testator, and in repairing and re-binding the books of that department. Provided that when the invested fund shall reach the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars, one-fourth part of the income thereof, shall continue lobe forever annually added to the principal, and three-fourths of the income of S10o,OuO, after replacing any losses of the principal, and neither more nor less, shall be applied to theincrease and support of the liepartment of said Library instituted by the Testator ; and the remaining part of the income of said fund, shall be applied and expended by said Directors for the benetit of the whole of said Free Public Library, as well for that Jiart which is kept for circulating or lending, as for that part which was instituted by the testator."

The principal of the Green Library Fund lias met with no loss. It has been increased by the addition of a quarter of every year's income. Five hundred and fifty dollars and eighty-five cents, the proceeds of a trust instituted by Dr. Green during his life, has also been added to the fund. That amounted December 1, 1888, to $43,117.91. Fifty shares of bank stock, now held by trustees, will eventually come into the possession of the city, to be applied, besides his other bequests, in accordance with the testator's will, for the benefit of the library.

Hon. George F. Hoar, president of the Board of Directors in 18G7, in writing the annual report for that year, after reciting provisions of Dr. Green's will, in regard to the library, remarks that, " Upon tliese provisions a grave, and until within a few years what would have been deemed a quite doubtful question of law arose, growing out of the policy of the law, which prohibits perpetuities." He then proceeds in an able argument to (|uiet fears which might be entertained. He speaks of the hesitation of the executors of the will of Dr. Green to pass over his bequest to the city, and narrrates the action of the city and board of directors of the library. He compliments the family of Dr. Green for just and honorable conduct in facilitating the cairyiiig of his wishes into ett'ect, and states that the Supreme Judicial Court, upon application, rendered a judgment, so far establishing the validity of the will as to order the fund to be paid over to the city. Mr. Hoar then cites two recent decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, and, after a discussion of the points at issue, announces his belief, " that the city may rightfully and lawfully obey the direction of the will, until a fund is accumulated, ample enough to defray all the expenses of the library, and so fulfil the beneficent purpose of the donor." It is well understood that when Mr. Hoar speaks of an ample provision for a library like the Free Public Library, he does not mean a paltry few hundred thousand dollars, but a much larger .sum. It is worthy of remark, before leaving the consideration of Dr. Green's will, that he is careful to reiterate in it the terms and conditions contained in the original deed of his gift to the city, executed in 1859,

Here, then, there is in the City of Worcester a reference library, founded and endowed by Dr. Green. It is important to inquire whether the citizens of Worcester use the library which has been provided for them. Re]iorts of the directors show that it was but little used for several years. They express regret that this was so, and it appears from their fifth annual report that the establishment of the reading-room resulted from a movement to increase tlie usefulness of the Green Library. It was thought that a readingroom would add to and bring out its value. Many of the newspapers and periodicals taken are bound, and the volumes placed on the shelves of the reference library. They thus add to its value. Readers of magazines and papers have curiosity awakened which they seek to satisfy by the use of atlases, encycloptedias and other works of reference. A taste for reading and the habit of reading are promoted by a reading-room; a desire to study often follows. A reading-room in this way brings out the value of a reference library. At the start the Green Library reading-room was not properly heateil; this defect was remedied by the introduction of a steam-heating apparatus.

A step in the right direction was made by the directors in ]>rocuring a large collection of the best dictionaries, encyclopu'dias, etc. It was impossible for them to do all that they wished, for they could uot get money enough, in the eatlier days of the library, to enable them to carry out their plans. They did what they could with the means at their ilisposal. Still, the reference library was not much used. In 1871 there came a sudden growth in it,s use. This use increased rapidly in succeeding years. It is now very large. How has this increase been eftected? It has been brought about by the use of very simple means. It was thought that the reason why people did not use the library was that they needed assistance in using it. A new librarian was appointed, and he was allowed to render such aid as was desired by frequenters of the library. Then, all persons in the city who had questions to ask to which they might hope to find answers in books were cordially invited to come to the library and propound them. It was made a rule that everybody should be received with courtesy and made to feel that he is an owner of the library, and that its officers are bound to give a reasonable amounc of time to finding answers to his questions. The youngest school-children, the humblest citizens, were to be received cordially, and an impartial courtesy extended to all. The plan worked admirably. It has beeu a cardinal principle that the officers should manifest a persistent determination not to allow an inquirer to leave the building without getting - if a possible thing to find it - an answer to his question. When books needed in answering questions are not found in the library, eftbrts are at once made to buy them. li their purchase cannot be affijrded, or if they cannot be bought in time for present uses, pains are taken to find out whether they do not belong to some other library or to some individual accessible to the questioner, or they are borrowed by the librarian from some institution within the city or in some other place. Time is spent in doing such work as this, - the time, too, of persons whose service is somewhat costly. But this time is well spent. The personal relations of an accomplished librarian with users of a library are productive of great advantage. Few users of a reference library know what books to go to, to get answers to questions which they have to ask. iVIany need help in finding out and stating the exact question which they wish to have answered. The librarian or an assistant steps forward and helps them to give a definite shape to their inquiries, and then refers them to some master of the subject to which their inquiries relate. He gives them the best books, and keeps them from the productions ol dabblers in knowledge.

P'ormerly, when the reading-room of the reference library was not filled with persons who had come to it for instruction, entertainment was sometimes offered to such as desired it in the form of stories and bound volumes of illustrated papers. That custom has long been discontinued, however, the legitimate uses of the library for study and serious reading having grown so large that there is no room for mere pleasure-seekers. That the eftbrts to build up a large use of the reference department were successful was evidenced at once by the statistics given in annual reports. From those it appeared that 7321, 12,408, 15,072,20,550 and 22,833 persons, respectively! had books given them during the first five years oi the new order of things, or helped themselves to books to be used in answering their inquiries, or to give them enjoyment. A very large proportion of these recipients of information and enjoyment received answers to serious inquiries. While, too, care has been taken to supply the wants of humble inquirers, the officers of the library have been equally solicitous not to neglect the demands of more advanced students. While a half-hour has been readily spent in finding out for a curious boy how dates can be plucked from the top of the tall palm-tree, whatever time was needed has been cheerfully given to the scholar whose questions required reference to philosophical transactions or a Greek anthology, or to the public instructor in preparation for a lecture or review article. A reference library that is not used becomes very unpopular. Where such a library is so administered that a large con.stituency gets advantage from it, all will recognize it as a public benefit, and citizens unskilled in the niceties of scholarship will, in consideration of the benefit they themselves derive from the institution, be willing that money should be spent in supplying the wants of scholars. During the last ten years 51,674 volumes have been used annually on the average in the Green Library for purposes of reference, study and serious reading ; 61,424 volumes were given to users for those purposes in the library year just closed, namely, that from December 1, 1887, to November 30, 1888.

The Free Public Library has become distinguished for the aid which it has rendered to schools. Every effort has been made there to help teachers to do their work, and especial facilities have been afforded them in pursuing studies. They have also been assisted constantly in their exertions to add to the pleasantness and profitableness of study by the children under their charge. Many of the teachers in Worcester have been very successful in awakening an interest in reading among their pupils and in raising the standard of reading among them. They have done this mainly by starting an interest in subjects, and then supplying books from the library to satisfy the curiosity aroused.

Immense numbers of books have been used in this way by the teachers, for their own benefit and that of their scholars. Space cannot be afforded here to describe the methods in use in the Public Library. They have been set forth from time to time in the pages of the Library Jovrrud and in pamphlets containing papers and addresses of the present librarian.

It is enough to say in this place that the plans adopted in that library have led to results such as have approved themselves to the managers of libraries in other communities, and have been copied or adapted to local emergencies by a very large number of institutions in the cities and larger and smaller towns of the United States, and have attracted attention in foreign countries, aud to a certain extent been introduced into Elngland.

It will be remembered that among the " terms and conditions " imposed by Dr. Green in the deed by which he transferred his library to the city, is one which provides that the books shall " be used only in the library building." This provision was extended in his will to the use of all books bought with money left by him and placed in the department , the library, to $4006.89 i which bears his name. It has sometimes been J ""^ ''" "-"* """ thought that the reference library would be more i useful if the books in it could be taken to the homes of users. Now, however, the restrictive provision is, I think, generally believed to be a wise one by persons who have thought much about the matter. There was more reason formerly than e.xists now for anxiety (in the part of citizens to have the books put in circulation. In the earlier days of the library the additions of books made to the , dogs among sheep and other domestic animals, circulating department were wholly inadequate to , must be appropriated by the towns to the support, supply reasonable demands of users. The directors either of public libraries or of the conimon schools.

n the last library year, 1887- In that year the municipal appropriation was *!14,-500. The dog-law may be found in the public statutes, chapter 102. Examine especially sections 84, 98 and lu7. Under the provisions of that law, in al! th3 counties of the State, except Suttblk County, the money raised in towns by payments for licenses issued to owners of dogs, after a portion has been retained by the city for general purposes, and deductions have been made to cover the <lepredations of knew that this was so, and bought as many books as they could with the money at their command. Now the circulating department is generously cared for, and it is very seldom that a citizen feels it a hardship not to be able to take home books belongin<r to the (xreen Library. There are two weighty

With appropriations now enjoyed $6-500 a year can be spent for books and periodicals. For the purchase of books the library has also available, it will be remembered, the income of the Green Library fund. The income of the reading-room fund, likewise, swells its resources and gives it means of buying periodicals reasons why those books should not be taken away I and papers. A considerable sum, on the average over from the library building,-first, it is desirable that $500 a year, is received from the collection of fines, Qvestigators should always find them at hand for consultation ; second, books which are put in cir culation become dirty and mutilated. Mr. Salis bury speaks forcibly on this head in the fifth annual report of the directors. He says of the measure of allowing books in the Green Library to be taken to the homes of users, that it "would be like killing the goose that laid the golden egg. For a time the use of the books would be stimulated and increased, but when they should become defaced and worn out by use, it -would require to keep the library interesting and attractive, a larger expenditure than the majority of citizens would approve, and the most liberal givers might hesitate to place valuable books in a heap of rubbish."

The Free Public Library is mainly dependent for its support upon an annual appropriation made by the City Council from money raised by taxation. This appropriation was very small at first. It continued small for several years. The directors saw that it was very important that more money should be placed at their disposal, and persistently urged the claims of the library for liberal support. Their efforts gradually bore fruit. The city began to grow also, and a greater readiness to spend money on improvements to manifest itself. With increased expenditures ill other departments of the government, the annual appropriation of the library began to

The sum of money given to it the first year of its existence was $4000. The library had, besides that amount, $88.26, which had been collected for fines and obtained in other ways. For the last ten years (1878-79, to 1887-88), the average annual municipal appropriation has been $11,729, and so much of the money paid for dog-licenses as is applicable to library purposes. The amount received in that way has increased from $1931.0-5 in 1870, the first year in which it came to the s..ile of catalogues and other miscellaneous sources. The average yearly receipts of the library from all sources during the last ten years have been $17,0:^0. During the library year just closed the receipts were $21,305.87. These were received in the following amounts from the several sources of income: municipal appropriations, $14,500 ; Green Library fund, $1772.87 ; reading-room fund, $462.48 ; dog-licenses, $4006.89 : fines, etc., $563.63.

At the date of its foundation the lilirary had 11,-500 volumes in its two departments. A third department, known as Intermediate, has since been established. At the date of the last annual report, December 1, 1888, the number of books in the library was 73,669, divided as follows among its three divisions : Green Library, 22,255; Intermediate Department, 17,520 ; Circulating Department, 33,894. The average home use of the library for the last ten years has been 128,123 volumes. The use during the last library year was 142,449 volumes.

The average annual use of books for home purposes, for reference, study and serious reading in the library building and for use on Sunday during the last ten years has been 182,009. That use during the library year just closed was 206,290. The average daily use of books on secular days last year was 665. This number does not include, of course, the immense use of magazines, reviews and papers in the readingrooms.

During the last complete year of the existence of the library of the Worcester Lyceum and Library Association, the precursor of the Circulating Department of the Free Public Library, 9,742 volumes were given out for home use. During the eight months spoken of in the first annual report of the latter organization, 31,4-54 volumes, or a daily average of 153, were delivered lo users for the same purpose. Thus a great increase of use followed the change of the library from a private to a public institution in which privileges were made free. The increase is also indicated by the fact that 3,200 applicants for cards to be used in taking out books received them during the first eight months of the library's existence. If we place side by side, however, the number 31,454 and that representing the use of books in the Free Public Library last year, namely, 206,290, a great growth is shown in this respect in the twenty-nine years of the library's life. The number of books lost and not paid for during the last library year was Ki. The average annual loss for the past ten years has been 12. On the average, 254 volumes have been yearly withdrawn from the library because worn-out . or for other reasons during the .same decade.

The library of the Free Public Library has been selected with careful reference to the actual wants of its users. The standard of works placed in its circulating department has always been high and for many years has been raised gradually every year. The aim of the officers of the library has been to give to it a certain completeness in all branches of knowledge thac the citizens oi Worcester take an interest in. In a community such as Worcester is it has proven useful to bring together a large collection of books relating to chemical and physical science and their applications, and the library has therefore secured many valuable sets of periodicals representing progress in those fields and of the transactions and jiroceedings of learned scientific societies and a large number of important works on mechanical and other applications of science. It has also 'bought numerous sets of periodicals and individual publications relating to the fine arts and their applications to industrial pursuits. While then the library has aimed to supply existing wants, it has been led in doing this to make a specialty of procuring works of the classes just enumerated.

At the start the library used for its circulating department copies of the catalogue of the Lyceum and Library Association. In 18(il a catalogue of the circulating department of the Free Public Library was issued. A list of additions was printed in 1867. Another catalogue of all the books in the same department was issued in 1870, and a supplement to that in 1874. In 1884 the present printed catalogue was published. It contains all the books which readily circulate that belonged to the library September 1, 1883, and consists of one thousand three hundred and ninety-two pages. It is intended to print a supplement to that catalogue during the present library year (1888-89). The library issues from time to time lists of additions to all departments of the library in sheets of four pages.

The library has outgrown its present quarters, and the city has bought a lot adjoining the one which is occupied by the existing building, and will, it is anticipated, begin the current year to put up on it a new buildiue to be used in connection with the edifice now standing.

of the founder of the reference library, which was painted by direction of the city government after Dr. Green's death, by the lute William H. Furniss, of Boston, and a statue of Dr. Green, in plaster, by the late B. H. Kinney, of Worcester.

The librarians of the Free Public Library have been Zephaniah Baker (from February 17, 1860, to .lanuary 14, 1871), and Samuel Swett Green (from January 15, 1871).

The Free Public Library was the first i)ublic library in New England to open its doors to visitons on Sunday. On that day the reading-rooms of the library are open from 2 to 9 p.m. No books are given out in the circulating department to be taken home. The periodicals and papers can be freely used. Books are procurable also for use within the building from either dejjartment of the library. This experiment began in 1872. It appears from the yearly reports of the librarian that the number of persons who used the reading-rooms Sundays in the year 1872-73, for one Sunday less than the whole year, and yet for fifty-two Sundays, is 5,706; for 1873-74, 7,179; and for 1874-75, 10,142. The average annual use for the last ten years is 13,867. The librarian is present for two hours on Sunday afternoon to render assistance to inquirers seeking information from books. Two attendants remain in the rooms during the hours they are open, to see that they are kept comlbrtable, to preserve quiet and to aid readers. Those attendants are persons who do not serve the library on secular days, but who come to it only on Sundays. In regard to the character of the reading done on Sundays, it may be stated that it is mainly of magazines and papers. Some persons, however, engage in study every Sunday. The average number of volumes given yearly to readers on Sundays during the ten years just passed is 2,211. The number given to them during the last library year is 2,417. Since P;im Park has been opened and Lake Quinsigamond has become readily accessible, while the number of readers has remained about the same as before, the proportion of serious reading has greatly increased, as mere pleasure-seekers have lately to a large extent sought recreation at those pojiular resorts.

Library of the Worcester District Medical Society. - It has been stated that books given by Dr. Elijah Dix to the County Medical Society, the immediate predecessor of the existing medical association, formed the nucleus of the library now belonging to the Worcester District Medical Society. The statement seems to be incorrect, however. Dr. Dix promised to give to the earlier society books of the value of fifty pounds. Its thanks were voted to him, a librarian was chosen, a list of books was made out and forwarded to him, and committees visited him three times to confer regarding the matter, but no books appear to have been received by the society. The Worcester District Medical Society was founded in 1804, but does not seem to have collected many books for a considerable number of years. Dr. Thomas H. Gage, in an address to the society delivered iu 18(52, states that " the first movement of which any fruit now remains, which may, indeed, be considered the beginning of the library, was the appointment of Drs. Oliver Fiske and John Green, in 1813, to obtain subscriptions and solicit books from profession and from laity to found a medical library." The junior member of the committee, who had been in practice four years when appointed to serve in that position, afterwards became the founder of the Free Public Library. Dr. Gage remarks that the c.)mmittee met with success in its efforts. That could not have been great, however. Dr. Leonard Wheeler states that the librarian seems to have been " merely a personified hope of books until 1822." In 1822 that oflicer was authorized to receive from the Massachusetts Medical Society the quota of books which it was willing to lend to this district. The ; loan appears to have been practically a gift, for the 1 general society never had any intention of reclaim- | ing the books. In 1823 the District Society passed an order for printing its by-laws and a catalogue of \ its library. It began at that time also to have a committee for purchasing books. Few works could have been bought, however, in those early years, for, as Dr. Wheeler remarks, the whole amount of money received by the treasurer for the four years ending in 1828 was less than ninety dollars, and out of that sum refreshments had to be procured for the members of the society and some printing paid for.

In 182.5 Daniel Waldo is thanked for " his very splendid and liberal donation of books." At that time the library contained, perhaps, one hundred volumes. The first recorded enumeration of books does not appear until 18.3(3, when the number of books in the library was stated to be one hundred and twenty-eight. Many of those, the librarian reports, were " very valuable works." He adds, however, that the volumes were but little used, and Dr. Wheeler states that " most of them would seem to have remained unmolested for years excepting by worms." In 1843 Dr. Joseph Sargent reported that the library contained over two hundred volumes and that he found it in a room over Mr. Harris' bookstore, where it was little used.

A very important event in the history of the library was now impending. In 184.5 a bequest of six thousand dollars was made to the society by Daniel Waldo, the income of which was to be used in buying books for the library. In 1851 Dr. Charles W. Wilder, of Leominster, left five hundred dollars, by will, to the society. The income of that bequest and of another of one thousand dollars, made by the late Harrison Bliss, of Worcester, in 1882, for library purposes, as well as that of asmallinveitment known as the Available Reserve Fund, is spent for the benefit of the library. The amount which the library committee has at its disposal annually is about four hundred and fifty dollars. As the society has no rent to pay for its rooms and the other expenses of the library are very small, most of that sum is used in buying books.

In 1861 the library contained two thousand two hundred and thirty volumes. It is estimated that in 1878 it possessed about four thousand five hundred volumes, and in January, 1886, it is stated to have had five thousand eight hundred and twenty-six bound books. One hundred and eighty-two duplicate volumes were included in that number. The value of the library at the last-mentioned date was estimated as eight thousand dollars. The library is in rooms in the building of the Free Public Library. Books may be taken from it for home use by members of the Worcester District Medical Society and by other members of the Massachusetts Medical Society resident in Worcester County. Its books may be used for purposes of reference within the building of the Free Public Library by all persons who are entitled to use the reference books of that institution, subject to the discretion, however, of the librarian of the Free Public Library. The medical library is an excellent working collection of books published in the English language and has undoubtedly done much to raise the standard of medical practice in Worcester and its vicinity. It is somewhat deficient in periodical literature, although much has been done during the last ten years in supplying that deficiency. It still lacks and much needs a large collection of pamphlet literature.

The library has been carefully rearranged within a few years and a card catalogue, which is kept up to date, has been prepared. About five hundred volumes are taken home by physicians annually, and the library is consulted for purposes of reference, it is estimated, about one thousand times in a year. The present librarian is Dr. A. C. Getchell. The library is prosperous and well managed.

Most of the information used in preparing the sketch of the District Medical Library was found in a manus':ript address by Dr. Leonard Wheeler, delivered in May, 1878, and now owned by the library. An earlier address by Dr. Thomas H. Gage, delivered, as stated above, in 1862, has also been consulted to advantage. That address, in manuscript likewise, belongs to the library of the District Medical Society. Library of the Worcester Cocxty Mechanics Association. - The first public meeting which took into consideration the subject of the formation of the Worcester County Mechanics Association was held November 27, 1841. A constitution for the new organization was adopted December 11th of the same year, and on the 5th of February, 1842, its first board of officers was elected. July 2d, of the latter year, a committee was appointed " to confer with the trustees as to the expediency of establishing a library, and also to report some plan to the association for effecting that object." That committee reported the 20th of the following December. The report was accepted, and it was voted "That the association do adopt the report and circular made by the Committee on the Library, and that the sum of two hundred dollars be expended in the purchase of books for the commencement of a library for the association, and that a committee of three be chosen to be associated with the committee of the trustees on the library and to carry into eflfect the suggestions contained in the report." February 7th, in the following year, a further sum of one hundred dollars was appropriated for the benefit of the library, and seven days later, the 14th of the month, a room and book-cases were provided for its use. April 13, 1847, it was reported that the library contained six hundred and seventy volumes. At the present time, January, 1889, it possesses more than nine thousand volumes. Most of these have been bought ; a few hundred, however, have been presented to the society for iis library.

The library has been selected with the purposes of supplying popular needs and a variety of tastes, and has a large collection of scientific books and of works relating to the applications of science to the industrial and particularly the mechanic arts.

The library and reading-room can be used only by members of the Mechanics Association and their families. Both are extensively used. They are maintained by an annual appropriation by the trustees of the association. The amount of that tlie present year is .lil.SOO.

This sketch embodies information furnished from the records and reports of the Mechanics Association by its treasurer, William A. Smith, Esq.

Library of the Worcester County Law Library Association. - The association organized June 21, 1842, uuder the provisions contained in Chapter 94 of the Massachusetts Statutes of 1842. For a history of the laws which have been made by the Commonwealth respecting law library associations, further references may be made to the General Statutes of 1860, Chapter 33, and to the Public Stat- I utes of 1882, Chapter 40. See also the Statutes for 1882, Chapter 246, and those for 1885, Chapter 345.

Before the establishment of the present library there appears to have been somewhere in Worcester a meagre collection of law books, which the court and bar were at liberty to consult. Little is known, however, regarding the earlier library.

The existing collection is one of the best working law libraries in the country. The books in it are nearly all recent purchases, and they have been carefully selected with reference to the actual needs of occupants of the bench and members of the bar. The library contains complete sets of all the reports of the United States Courts and of the courts in the different States and Territories of the country and in England and Ireland, aud a very full collection of books which treat of English and American law in all its branches. It is also rich in English and American periodical law literature. Additions are continually made to the library. It has been of great advantage to the institution, that for thirty years it has been zealously cared for by Hon. Thomas L. Nelson, who is now the judge of the United States Court for the district of Massachusetts. It is well known that for twenty years Judge Nelson has been almost alone instrumental in securing means for building up the library and in selecting books to be added to it.

Fees paid by clerks of courts into the county treasury up to the amount of two thousand dollars are payable to the treasurer of the Worcester County Law Library Association. To this source of income must be added fees received by the county treasurer from clerks of courts, which have been collected by the latter, in the processes of naturalizing fureign-born men, and occasional special grants from the county commissioners. That board is allowed by law to make such grants, in its discretion, to the Law Library Association from moneys in the treasury of the county. The cost of the services of an assistant librarian and minor running expenses of the library amount to about six hundred dollars annually. The remainder of the income, which is a somewhat variable amount, but always a handsome sum of money, is available ibrthe purchase of books. The library has received one gift which deserves mention. It consisted of eight hundred volumes, which were given to it by the will of the late Charles D. Bowman, Esquire, of Oxford, in 1858. There are now more than eleven thousand volumes in the library. When an addition was made to the South Court-House, in 1878, a large room was provided in it for the use of the library. That room is now occupied by it. The library is open the secular days of the week between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 P.M. and from 2 to 5 p.m. Every inhabitant of the county is entitled to use the books of the Law Library, subject to such regulations as may be prescribed by the association which manages it, with the approval of the Supreme Court. The pre.-ent librarian is T. S. Johnson, Esquire.

Several portraits of eminent, past and present, members of the Worcester County bar adorn the library room. Of those which have been given to the association and accepted by it, the portraits of the following judges, all deceased, hang in that room; Pliny Merrick, Benjamin F. Thomas, Charles AUenj Dwight Foster, the first two and the last having occupied seats on the bench of the Supreme Judicial Court and the third having been chief justice of the Superior Court. Beside these portraits are others of the late Peter C. Bacon, and of United States Senator George F. Hoar. In the library room there is also a photograph from a portrait of Charles Devens, one of the judges of the Supreme Judicial Court. Portraits of Levi Lincoln, Attorney-General of the United States under Thomas Jeiferson, and of his son, Governor Levi Lincoln, and of Governor Emory Washburn have been placed on the walls of the courtroom in the stone court-house, and a portrait of Ira M. Barton, formerly a judge of Probate, hangs in the Probate Court-room, in the same building. These belong to the Law Library Association.