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HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 OF THE 
 
 LIBRARY OF BROWN UNIVERSITY, 
 
 WITH 
 
 REGULATIONS. 
 
 BY R. A. GUILD, A.M., Librarian. 
 
 [FROM THE UNIVERSITY QUARTERLY. APRIL, 1861.] 
 
 NEW HAVEN. 
 
 TUTTLK, MOREHOUSE A TAYLOR, PRINTERS. 
 
 1861. 
 
UBRAM 
 
 SCHOOL 
 
Z733 
 
 THE 
 
 LIBRARY OF BROWN UNIVERSITY. 
 
 [From The University Quarterly for April, 1861.] 
 
 
 [Note. — The following brief sketch has been in part compiled from Prof. Jewett's 
 "History of the Library of Brown University," which was published in 1843. 
 Free use has been made of this, and also of its continuation in his " Notices 
 of Public Libraries in the United States of America," published at Washington in 
 1850. Mr. Jewett was the Librarian of Brown University from 1841 to 1848, and 
 thus had access to the College Records and other trustworthy sources of informa- 
 tion. The Papers of President Manning, to which the present author has had ac- 
 cess, furnish in addition many interesting facts in regard to the early history of the 
 Library.] 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
 
 In the year 1770, Khode Island College, now called Brown 
 University, was removed from Warren where it was first es- 
 tablished, to Providence, a town containing at that time less 
 than four thousand inhabitants. Here the first College edifice, , q 
 (University Hall,) was erected, at an expense of about £4500, \£y- * / N") 
 the principal part of which was raised in the town itself, " an 
 instance of beneficence," says President Manning, " on the 
 part of a few Baptists, which, their fortunes considered, is 
 almost unparalleled." 
 
 With the exception of a few books procured in England in 
 1768-9, through the agency of the Kev. Morgan Edwards of 
 Philadelphia, the College at the period of its removal from 
 Warren was destitute of a Library. To supply, as far as pos- 
 sible, this deficiency, the Providence Library Company, (now 
 merged in the Providence Athenaeum,) tendered the free use 
 of its books to the Officers and Students — a privilege which 
 was continued several years. 
 
 The following extract from a letter addressed by the Presi- 
 dent to Dr. Thomas Llewellyn, a wealthy Baptist gentleman 
 of London, shows the character and the extent of the Library, 
 two years later. The letter is dated at Providence, Feb. 21, 
 1772. "The College edifice is erected on a most beautiful em- 
 inence in the neighborhood of Providence, commanding a 
 charming and variegated prospect ; — a large, neat, brick build- 
 ing, and so far completed as to receive the Students who now 
 
 vol. xiv. — no. I. 22 
 
 €76 
 
254 The Library of Brown University. [April, 
 
 reside there, the whole number of whom is twenty-two. To 
 this number we have the prospect of some further addition, 
 although our increase will not probably be large until we are 
 better furnished with a Library. At present we have but 
 about 250 volumes, and these not well chosen, being such as 
 our friends could best spare." Mr. Manning, who was distin- 
 guished in those early days for his scholar-like attainments 
 and liberal views, did not overestimate the value and import- 
 ance of a Librar in connection with an institution of learning. 
 
 In the latter part of this year, perhaps through the agency 
 of Dr. Llewellyn, the College received from the executors of 
 the Kev. Dr. John Gill, of London, the distinguished Commen- 
 tator, all his published works, together with 52 folio volumes 
 of the Fathers, &c. This, in the days of " small things," was 
 a noble gift, and greatly augmented the treasures of the Li- 
 brary. 
 
 The following year, the Rev. Benjamin Wallin, of London, 
 presented to the Library his published works in 10 vols, " neat- 
 ly bound and gilt," together with Bunyan's Works, 6 vols., 
 Booth's Reign of Grace, and Wilson's Sermons. Donations 
 were also received from the Rev. Dr. Stennett and others. 
 
 In 1774 we find upon the Records of the Corporation, a 
 vote of thanks to the Rev. Simon Williams, " for his generous 
 donation to the College Library, of Cudworth's Intellectual 
 System, in 2 Vols., quarto." 
 
 On the 6th of December, 1776, immediately after the occu- 
 pation of Newport by the British troops, the College was dis- 
 banded, and the College building, from that time until June, 
 1782, was occupied as a barrack and hospital for the American 
 militia and the French troops under Count Rochambeau. 
 During this confused period, the books were removed to the 
 country for safe keeping, in the care of the Rev. William Wil- 
 liams, of Wrentham, Massachusetts, one of the class of seven 
 that graduated at Warren in 1769, a Baptist Clergyman of 
 high repute, and for many years a Fellow of the College. 
 
 At the reorganization of the College in the Autumn of 1782, 
 the Hon. Asher Bobbins, LL. D., late of Newport, was ap- 
 pointed to the office of Tutor, and took charge of the Library 
 
1861.] Brown University. 255 
 
 as Librarian. It was then kept in the fast chamber on the 
 second floor of the College building. An addition was made 
 to the Library soon after his connection with it. At a meeting 
 of the Corporation in September, 1783, it was proposed by 
 Mr. John Brown,* to raise a fund by subscription, for the pur- 
 
 *The Hon. John Brown was one of the "four brothers," as they are familiarly- 
 designated in Providence historj-, (Nicholas, Joseph, John and Moses,) whose com- 
 prehensive views and mercantile integrity contributed greatly to the prosperity of 
 their native town. He was a merchant of large wealth, and the first in Rhode 
 Island who traded to the East Indies and China, — "a man of magnificent projects, 
 of extraordinary enterprise, and of great public spirit." He was the leader of the 
 party which, in 1772, destroyed the British armed schooner Gaspee, in Narragan- 
 sett Bay. It was owing in a great measure to his patriotic exertions that Rhode 
 Island was finally led to adopt the Federal Constitution. From 1799 to 1801, he 
 was a member of Congress. In common with his brothers he was ever a munifi- 
 cent patron of learning. He subscribed £300 towards the erection of University 
 Hall, the corner-stone of which (in May 1770,) he laid. From 1775 till 1797 he 
 was the Treasurer of the College, and to the end of life his efforts to promote its 
 welfare were unceasing. He died in 1803, at the age of 67. Nicholas, the oldest 
 of the "four brothers," and the father of him from whom the University derives 
 its name, was also an early, persevering and zealous patron of the College. He 
 was a Trustee from its commencement in 1764 until his decease. He was a man 
 of sincere and unaffected piety, and his death, which occurred on the 29th of May, 
 1701, at the age of 62, was universally regarded as a public loss. Joseph, the 
 second of the brothers, was a Trustee from 1769 until Dec. 3, 1785, when he died, 
 at the age of 52. Although engaged in business and entirely self-educated, he 
 was distinguished for his superior intellectual attainments, and especially for his 
 skill in mechanical science. At the time of his death he was Professor of Experi- 
 mental Philosophy in the College. The spacious and beautiful house of worship 
 erected by the First Baptist Church, (of which he and his oldest brother were 
 members,) in 1775, has remained for nearly a century as a conspicuous monument 
 to his taste and genius as an architect. Moses, the youngest of the brothers, died 
 Sept. 6, 1836, at the advanced age of 97. In 1773 he retired from business, and 
 at the same time joined the Society of Friends, of which he remained throughout 
 his long and useful life an influential member. He was a munificent patron of the 
 Yearly Meeting Boarding School in Providence, and was continually engaged in 
 the various benevolent enterprises of the day. We have extended this note in or- 
 der to correct certain mistakes which biographers of these brothers have some- 
 times made, and especially on account of the great influence which they exerted in 
 favor of this and other similar institutions. " Ever honored," says Prof. Jewett, 
 "be the Merchants, who in the early days of the College, brought the spoils of 
 Commerce and laid them upon the altar of Learning 1 Though self-educated men, 
 they fully appreciated the advantages of liberal culture, and determined to secure 
 them for their children and the children of their contemporaries. The sons of these 
 men have nobly emulated the example of their fathers." 
 
256 The Library of Brown University. [April, 
 
 chase of books. To encourage liberality, he told the members 
 to subscribe what they would, procuring by subscription else- 
 where what they could, and that whatever the amount was, he 
 would 'subscribe an equal sum. How well he redeemed his 
 pledge, is seen by the following extract from a letter of Pres- 
 ident Manning to the Kev. Caleb Evans, dated September 13, 
 1784. " We have ordered out from London this Fall about 
 1400 Vols., being a donation from our Treasurer, John Brown, 
 Esq. £200 was also subscribed by other members of the Cor- 
 poration, for Apparatus." The list of the above, it may be 
 added, was made out chiefly by Mr. Manning and the Chan- 
 cellor, Governor Hopkins, both of whom were well versed in 
 English literature, and excellent judges of good books. 
 
 In the year 1785, a donation consisting of Walton's Biblia 
 Sacra Polyglotta, with Castell's Lexicon, 8 Vols., folio, Bayle's 
 Dictionary, 5 Vols., folio, Chambers' Cyclopedia, 2 Vols., 
 folio, several Fathers of the Church, &c. &c, was received 
 from the Bristol Education Society in England. 
 
 This Society was founded in the year 1780, in aid of the 
 Baptist Academy, at Bristol, "to the end that Dissenting 
 Congregations, especially of the Baptist Denomination, in any 
 part of the British Dominions may be more effectually sup- 
 plied with a succession of able and evangelical ministers." 
 The Society has been eminently useful. It is now in posses- 
 sion of a very valuable Library, containing the collection of 
 books, paintings, etc., of the Eev. Andrew Gifford, D. D., for 
 many years, sub-librarian of the British Museum, and the Li- 
 brary of Thomas Llewellyn, LL. D., the distinguished Cambro- 
 British scholar, to whom we have before referred, as the friend 
 and correspondent of Manning. Concerning this donation the 
 Kev. Dr. Caleb Evans, of Bristol, also a friend and correspond- 
 ent of President Manning, thus writes. " At our last annual 
 meeting, (August 24, 1785,) I obtained a vote in favor of 
 your College respecting the many valuable books we have to 
 dispose of, and am empowered to send you such as may meet 
 with my approval." Such evidences of kind feeling on the 
 part of those with whom this country had so recently been at 
 war, are certainly gratifying, even at the present day. 
 
1861.] Brown University. 257 
 
 During this same year, Granville Sharp, Esq., presented 
 several of his own publications, together with a set of the works 
 of his grandfather, Dr. John Sharp, Archbishop of York. He 
 subsequently sent other valuable presents to the Library. In 
 1787, the thanks of the Corporation were presented to Mr. 
 John Francis, (son-in-law of John Brown and father of John 
 Brown Francis, late Governor of Khode-Island,) for a valuable 
 donation of books. 
 
 In the year 1792, Nicholas Brown, then a recent graduate of 
 the Institution, and a young and enterprising merchant, 
 commenced his benefactions towards the College, by the 
 gift of a Law Library, containing about 350 Vols., of val- 
 uable books, which he had imported from England for that 
 purpose. 
 
 The Rev. Isaac Backus, of Middleborough, Mass., author 
 of the Church History of New England, who died in 1806, in 
 the 85d year of his age and the 60th of his ministry, be- 
 queathed to the College a part of his Library. The extent or 
 value of this bequest' it is now impossible to determine, as no 
 record was made of it at the •time. Among the books thus 
 presented, however, there is one which deserves particular men- 
 tion. It is a copy of Roger Williams' " Bloody Tenent yet 
 more Bloody," being the copy originally presented by Williams 
 to his friend and fellow laborer, Dr. John Clarke. On a blank 
 leaf it contains the following words in Roger Williams' hand 
 writing: "For his honored and beloved Mr. John Clark, an 
 eminent Witnes of Christ Jesus, ag'st ye bloodie Doctrine of 
 persecution, etc." 
 
 In 1815, Mr. Nicholas Brown gave $500 for the purchase of 
 books, and his sister, Mrs. Hope Ives, presented a copy of 
 Dobson's edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Mr. Brown 
 had ten years previous given a similar sum for the same 
 purpose. 
 
 The next, and the most valuable of all the donations to the 
 Library, which we have thus far recorded, is the legacy of the 
 Rev. William Richards, LL.D., of Lynn, Eng. Mr. Richards* 
 
 * See Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Kev. William Richards, LL.D., by 
 John Evans, LL.D., of Islington. 12mo., Chiswick, 1819. 
 
 vol. in. 22* 
 
258 The Library of Brown University. [April, 
 
 was a native of South Wales. At the age of twelve he had 
 been at school only one year. From this time till the 24th 
 year of his age, when he entered the Academy at Bristol, he 
 received no instruction. But his application to study was 
 vigorous and persevering. He remained at the Academy in 
 Bristol two years. After preaching for a short time as an 
 assistant to Dr. John Ash, of Pershore, he accepted an invita- 
 tion from the Baptist Church at Lynn, to become their pastor, 
 and entered upon his public ministry in that town, July 7, 
 1776, where he continued to reside — more than half of the 
 time as pastor of the Church — till his death, which occurred 
 in 1818, in the 69th year of his age. 
 
 Mr. Richards seems to have been a man of considerable 
 learning, particularly in English and Welsh history, and in the 
 Welsh language and literature. His writings are historical, 
 political and controversial.* His most important work is the 
 History of Lynn, in 2 vols., 8vo. Dr. Evans says of it : " It 
 is not only well written, the style perspicuous and manly, but 
 it is replete with information as well as entertainment." His 
 Review of Noble's Memoirs of fhe Protectoral House of Crom- 
 well, is characterized by Lowndesf as " severe, but at the same 
 time just." " His Dictionary of Welsh and English," says 
 Dr. Evans, " a work of minute and wearisome labor, is in high 
 repute." Mr. Richards was of the General Baptist denomina- 
 tion, and a strong advocate of religious liberty. It was his 
 love of the liberal character of this Institution, which induced 
 him to bestow upon it his library, as appears from the follow- 
 ing passage in his Memoirs : " Mr. Richards had corresponded 
 with Dr. James Manning, once President of the Baptist Col- 
 lege in Rhode Island. From this gentleman he learned the 
 liberal constitution of that respectable Seminary, and for some 
 years previous to his death meant to bequeath to it his library. 
 He accordingly made inquiry of Dr. Rogers, (of Philadelphia,) 
 whether it was still conducted on the same liberal footing, in 
 which case he should cherish the same generous intentions 
 
 * For a list of his writings — comprising nearly the whole — see under his name 
 in the Catalogue. 
 f Bibliographer's Manual. 
 
186J.] Brown University. 259 
 
 towards it." This inquiry was answered by Dr. Messer, then 
 President of the College, in a letter from which it may be well 
 to extract the following passage : " Though the Charter re- 
 quires that the President shall forever be a Baptist, it allows 
 neither him^ in his official character, nor any other officer of 
 Instruction, to inculcate any sectarian doctrine ; it forbids all 
 religious tests ; and it requires that all denominations of 
 Christians, behaving alike, shall be treated alike. The Charter 
 is congenial with the whole of the civil government established 
 here by the venerable Roger Williams, who allowed no relig- 
 ious Tests, and no pre-eminence of one denomination over 
 another ; and none has ever been allowed unto this day. This 
 Charter is also congenial with the present spirit of this State 
 and of this town." 
 
 Gratified with this letter, Mr. Eichards bequeathed his li- 
 brary, consisting of about 1300 Vols., to Brown University. 
 The original manuscript catalogue of this library, written in a 
 large round hand, has recently been deposited in the College 
 archives. It is a singular fact that the will of the donor was 
 made on the very day on which the honorary degree of Doctor 
 of Laws was conferred upon him by this College. Mr. Eich- 
 ards had received no intimation that the honor was intended 
 for him, nor did he live to hear that it had been bestowed. 
 
 The library which he bequeathed to the College is in many 
 respects valuable. It contains a considerable number of Welsh 
 books, a large collection of valuable works, illustrating the 
 history and antiquities of England and Wales ; besides two or 
 three hundred bound volumes of pamphlets, some of them very 
 ancient, xare and curious. 
 
 About the year 1820 a splendid donation, consisting of 103 
 Vols., comprising the best editions, mostly in quarto, of the 
 works of the celebrated French mathematicians, Euler, La- 
 croix, Lagrange, La Place, etc., besides many valuable theo- 
 logical works, was made by the Eev. Thomas Carlile, a gradu- 
 ate of the College in the Class of 1809, and for several years 
 Eector of St. Peter's Church in Salem, Massachusetts. 
 
 About the year 1824, 54 Vols, of valuable scientific works, 
 including Cloquet's Anatomie, Lamarck's and De Candolle's 
 
260 The Library of Brown University. [April, 
 
 Flore Francaise, Cuvier's Regne Animal, and Wilkin's Vitru- 
 vius, were presented by Mr. John Carter Brown and Mr. Rob- 
 ert Hale Ives. Often, since that time, the names of these 
 gentlemen appear among the benefactors of the Library. 
 
 For the next valuable accession to the Library— designated 
 " the subscription of 1825" — the College is indebted to the 
 efforts of Mr. Horatio Gates Bowen, who was Librarian of the 
 Institution from 1824 to 1841. At his request several of the 
 friends of the College subscribed eight hundred and forty dol- 
 lars, which sum was expended in the purchase of books. 
 
 On the return of Professor Elton from Europe, in 1827, do- 
 nations were received through him, from several distinguished 
 gentlemen in England, in all 283 Vols. ; besides 85 Vols, of 
 classical and miscellaneous works purchased by him at the 
 order of Messrs. Brown & Ives. 
 
 The Libraries of the Philophysian and Franklin Societies, 
 composed of undergraduates, when these Societies became ex- 
 tinct, were, by provisions of their constitutions, incorporated 
 with the College Library. They together contained 300 or 
 400 Vols. 
 
 The Government of Great Britain presented in 1835, 110 
 Vols, of the publications of the Record Commission. 
 
 In 1838, Mrs. Elizabeth H. Bartol, wife of Rev. Cyrus A. 
 Bartol, of Boston, and Mrs. Hepsy S. Wayland, wife of Presi- 
 dent Wayland, presented 356 Vols, of standard works in 
 French and Italian literature. 
 
 The late Rev. Jonathan Homer, D.D., of Newton, Mass., at 
 various times made valuable donations of rare and costly theo- 
 logical books, including some valuable editions of the Bible. 
 Many of these contain copious and useful manuscript annota- 
 tions by the learned donor. 
 
 About the year 1850, the Hon. Theron Metcalf, LL.D., of 
 Boston, a graduate of the College in the Class of 1805, pre- 
 sented to the Library a collection of 38 Vols, of Ordination 
 Sermons. To this he has since added from year to year, until 
 it now numbers 61 Vols. These bound volumes contain up- 
 wards of 1400 discourses preached in the United States, and 
 mostly in New England, at ordinations, installations and in- 
 
1861.] Brown University. 261 
 
 augurations, constituting without doubt the largest collection 
 of the kind that has ever been made. He has also presented at 
 various times during the past twenty years, 80 Vols, of Funeral 
 Sermons arranged in classes as follows, viz. : Ministers, Boston 
 Ministers, Ministers' Wives, Women, Presidents of the United 
 States, Judges, Miscellaneous ; 22 Vols, of Century and Half- 
 Century Discourses ; 20 Vols, of Dedication Discourses ; 12 
 Vols, of Missionary Sermons ; 12 Vols, of Fourth of July 
 Orations, including all delivered before the municipal authori- 
 ties of Boston from 1800 to 1860 ; 5 Vols, of Discourses on 
 Washington ; 5 Vols, of Phi Beta Kappa Addresses ; 27 Vols, 
 of Miscellaneous Pamphlets, Plymouth Discourses, Addresses 
 to Alumni, Fast and Thanksgiving Sermons, &c, &c. The 
 entire collection presented by Mr. Metcalf now numbers 306 
 Vols., containing about 8000 separate pamphlets. They have 
 recently been indexed and catalogued in a most thorough 
 manner. The importance of making, preserving, and render- 
 ing available for use collections of this kind, in connection with 
 the ecclesiastical, civil and literary history of the country, can 
 hardly be over estimated. 
 
 The donations which have thus far been mentioned were for 
 the most part unsolicited. Some of them at the present day 
 seem of trifling value. They are not placed on record as pos- 
 sessed of great interest in themselves, but as a just tribute to 
 friends in the mother country, and to men, who, in times of 
 less prosperity than that which the College now enjoys, con- 
 tributed liberally towards laying the foundations of an honored 
 and useful Institution. 
 
 The Library Fund next claims our attention. 
 
 LIBRARY FUND. 
 
 Soon after the accession of the Rev. Dr. Wayland to the 
 presidency of the College, efforts were made to increase the 
 efficiency of the Library, and thus provide enlarged means of 
 liberal and generous intellectual culture, by raising a Fund for 
 the purchase of books. At a meeting of the Standing Com- 
 mittee of the Corporation, held Jan. 10, 1831, it was unani- 
 mously resolved : 
 
 1. That immediate measures be taken to raise by subscrip- 
 
262 The Library of Brown University. [April, 
 
 tion, the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, to be appropria- 
 ted to the purchase of books for the Library, and apparatus 
 for the philosophical and chemical departments of Brown 
 University. 
 
 2. That the Chairman and Thomas P. Ives, be a Committee 
 to carry the foregoing Resolution into effect. 
 
 Soon afterwards, a meeting of the friends of the Institution 
 was called for the purpose of seconding this effort. At this 
 meeting the wants of the Library and the importance of sup- 
 plying them, were presented and urged by Francis Wayland, 
 D.D., President of the University, Alexis Caswell, D.D., Pro- 
 fessor of Mathematics, etc., and John Pittman, LL.D., Judge 
 of the United States District Court and a member of the 
 Board of Fellows. Previously to this, however, the Hon. 
 Nicholas Brown had, with his wonted munificence, subscribed 
 ten thousand dollars towards the Fund. The subscription was 
 opened with the following conditions : 
 
 1. The whole amount shall be invested in a permanent fund, 
 of which the interest shall be, from time to time, appropriated 
 exclusively to the objects stated in the Besolution. 
 
 2. The selection of books and apparatus shall be made by 
 joint committee of the Corporation and Government of the 
 University. 
 
 3. One third of the amount subscribed shall become due on 
 the first day Of October, 1832, another third on the first day 
 of October, 1833, and the remainder on the first day of Octo- 
 ber, 1834. 
 
 4. A copy of the subscribers' names, and of the sums sub- 
 scribed by each, shall be deposited in the Library, and another 
 among the archives of the University. 
 
 The following are the names of the largest subscribers. 
 Most of the subscriptions were obtained through the exertions 
 of Dr. Wayland and Dr. Caswell : 
 
 Nicholas Brown, Providence, $10,000 
 
 Thomas Poynton Ives, Providence, 1,000 
 
 John Bowen, New York, 1,000 
 
 James Arnold, New Bedford, 300 
 
1861.] Brown University. 263 
 
 Nathaniel K. Cobb, Boston, $250 
 
 Francis Wayland, Providence, _ 200 
 
 Moses Brown Ives, Providenc s, _. 200 
 
 Bobert Hale Ives, Providence, 200 
 
 Samuel Ward, New York, 200 
 
 John B. J ones, Boston, _ 150 
 
 Richard Fletcher, Boston, — 150 
 
 Thomas Burgess, Providence, 150 
 
 Amasa Mason, Providence, __ 150 
 
 William Baylies, Bridgewater, Mass., 150 
 
 Richard James Arnold, Providence, 150 
 
 William Taylor Grinnell, Providence, 150 
 
 William Giles Goddard, Providence,. 125 
 
 Alexis Caswell, Providence, 125 
 
 The whole number of subscribers was 99, the smallest sub- 
 scription being ten dollars. The sum thus obtained, amounting 
 to $19,437,50, was placed at interest until it had accumulated 
 to twenty-five thousand dollars, and was then invested in a 
 permanent fund, in the stock of the Blackstone Canal Bank, 
 in Providence, according to the provisions of the subscription, 
 as already specified. The first dividend became due in July, 
 1839. Since that time the proceeds have been regularly ap- 
 propriated according to the design of the donors. 
 
 LIBRARY BUILDING. 
 
 The room used for the Library, at the time when the Li- 
 brary Fund was raised, "was an apartment in University 
 Hall, crowded to excess, unsightly and wholly unfitted for the 
 purpose to which from necessity it was devoted." To remedy 
 this defect, the Hon. Nicholas Brown* erected at his own ex- 
 
 * This is the last benefaction of Mr. Brown that we shall have to record in this 
 historical Sketch of the Library. He died Sept. 27, 1841, at the age of 72. For 
 an account of his Life and Character , see a Commemorative Discourse delivered by 
 Dr. Wayland, in the Chapel of Brown University, November 3, 1841. The entire 
 sum of his recorded benefactions to the University, amounts to one hundred and 
 sixty thousand dollars. From a sketch prepared by Professor Gammell in 1857, for 
 the June Number of the "American Journal of Education," we make the following 
 extracts: "A series of benefactions, so large in amount, bestowed on a single in- 
 stitution of learning, forms a brilliant example of private and unostentatious munifi- 
 
264 The Library of Brown University. [April, 
 
 pense a beautiful edifice for a Library and Chapel ; to which, 
 in testimony of veneration for his former Instructor, he gave 
 the name of Manning Hall. At the dedication, February 4, 
 1835, Dr. Wayland delivered a Discourse on the " Dependence 
 of Science upon Eevealed Religion," which was published. 
 
 This Hall, the third College Building which has been erected, 
 is of the Dorick order, built of rubble stone, and covered with 
 cement. Including the portico, it is about 90 feet in length, 
 by 42 feet in width. Its height, from the top of the basement, 
 is 40 feet. The Library occupies the whole of the first floor, 
 and is a beautiful room, ornamented in the centre with a double 
 row of fluted columns, from which the shelves extend to the 
 walls, forming twelve alcoves. Its dimensions are 64 feet by 
 38, and 13 feet high. Extra shelves for the accommodation of 
 the books have been constructed in every available place 
 throughout, and already they are completely filled. This, to- 
 gether with the fact, that the building is not fire-proof, and, 
 like most library edifices in this country, is constructed with 
 reference to beauty of outward proportion and architectural 
 effect, rather than to convenience of interior arrangements, ab- 
 solutely essential to the efficient working of a good public 
 library, points to the necessity of a more capacious, convenient, 
 and substantial building. 
 
 In 1843, the Library, which, on the 1st of January con- 
 tained 10,235 bound volumes, was newly arranged, and a 
 full catalogue of its contents, prepared by Professor C. C. 
 Jewett, now Superintendent of the Free Public Library of 
 Boston, was printed. This Catalogue was favorably noticed 
 in the North American Review, and in other leading pe- 
 riodicals, and drew especial attention to this important de- 
 partment of the Institution. It is alphabetical, according 
 to the names of Authors, and has a copious and analytical in- 
 
 cence, which at that time had seldom if ever been paralleled in the history of 
 American Colleges. His example shone almost alone in the generation to which 
 he belonged. At a later period, in the altered circumstances of New England 
 society, this sum has in several instances been surpassed in the magnificent foun- 
 dations which bear the honored names of other benefactors of humanity." * * * * 
 "He therefore deserves a most honorable and conspicuous place among those who 
 have stood forth as leaders and pioneers of their age, in the true appreciation of 
 Seminaries of learning, and in liberal donations for their foundation and support." 
 
1861.] Brown University. 265 
 
 dex of subjects. A supplement, on cards, has been prepared, 
 but it will not probably be printed. 
 
 Soon after the publication of the Catalogue, a Chair of Mod- 
 ern Languages was established at the College, and Mr. Jewett 
 was appointed the Professor elect. During his absence in Eu- 
 rope, whither he had gone for the purposes of professional 
 study, and to enable the friends of the Institution to carry out 
 more effectually their wishes for the increase of the Library, 
 he was authorized by Mr. John Carter Brown, to purchase at 
 his own expense, such books in the German, French and Ital- 
 ian languages, as might be thought most useful for the College. 
 The Collection thus obtained, numbering 2,921 volumes, well 
 bound in half calf, was selected with great pains and excellent 
 judgment. It includes a set of the French, German and Ital- 
 ian classics, in the best Library editions ; the principal philo- 
 sophical, scientific and historical works of late continental 
 scholars ; a complete set of the Moniteur Universel, from its 
 commencement to 1826, — a clean, beautiful, well-bound copy 
 of the original edition, in 77 Vols, folio ; a set of the Memoirs 
 of the French Institute since its reorganization, 61 Vols. 4to. ; 
 the collection of memoirs relative to the history of France, by 
 Guizot and Petitot, 162 Vols. 8vo. ; Biographie Universelle, 
 52 Vols., full calf, 8vo. ; a complete set of the Allgemeine 
 Literatur-Zeitung, 134 Vols. 4to. ; and of the Allgemeine 
 Deutsche Bibliothek, 133 Vols. 8vo. ; II Vaticano, 8 Vols, 
 folio, elegantly illustrated ; II Campidoglio, 2 Vols, folio, ; the 
 Museo Borbonico, 13 Vols. 4to. ; — the original Naples edi- 
 tion ; the works of Canova and Thorwaldsen ; the Musee 
 Francais and Musee Royal, in 6 Vols, folio ; the " Description 
 de l'Egypte ;" Canina's Architecture, and many more illus- 
 trated works of great beauty and value, besides rare and costly 
 maps and prints. These books were mostly purchased at 
 auctions in Paris, Eome, Leipsic, Frankfort-on-the-Main, and 
 Berlin. Mr. Brown* has since continued the Moniteur, Me- 
 
 * In addition to his donations to the Library, Mr. Brown has given, at different 
 times, Fifty Thousand Dollars to the College, thus evincing a noble emulation of 
 the deeds and benefactions of his honored father, Nicholas Brown, to whom we 
 have so freely referred. 
 
 vol. in. 23 
 
266 The Library of Brown University. [April, 
 
 moirs of the French Institute, Museo Borbonico, &c., down to 
 the present time. He has, also, from year to } r ear, made valu- 
 able donations to the Library, chiefly of rare and costly books. 
 Among them may be mentioned, in illustration, the follow- 
 ing, viz : " Justiniani Institutiones," folio, Venetiis, N. Jen- 
 son, 1477, — a splendid copy of one of the old illuminated 
 books, bound in full Kussia ; Babylonian Talmud, 12 Vols, 
 folio, bound in full goat, gilt, — a sumptuous copy ; Barnard's 
 " Catalogus Bibliothecae Regise," large paper, 6 Vols, folio ; 
 Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, 
 from its commencement, in 1665, to the present time, 78 Vols, 
 quarto ; Muratori's " Rerum Italicarum Scriptores," with Tar- 
 tini's continuation, 30 Vols, folio; "Journal des Debats," 
 1800-36, 74 Vols, folio ; Panzer's " Annales Typographici," 
 11 Vols, quarto ; Livy's "Decades a Lucca Porro Recognita," 
 folio ; Tarvisi, J. Vercellius, 1482, — an uncommonly fine spe- 
 cimen of ancient typography ; Year Books, 1596-1640, black 
 letter, 10 Vols, small folio, very rare and important, bound in 
 full Russia ; Aringhi's " Roma Subterranea post Bosium, &c, 
 2 Vols, folio, 1659 ; " Collection de Documents Inedits sur 
 l'Histoire de France," 92 Vols, quarto. 
 
 To supply the deficiencies of the Library in standard Eng- 
 lish works, a subscription was opened among the friends of the 
 College, amounting to about $5,000, and Mr. Jewett was ap- 
 pointed to select and purchase the books. This collection was 
 received in the Library in 1845, and raised the whole number 
 of volumes to nearly 19,000. 
 
 Among the English books added to the Library at this time, 
 is a Skakspeariana, in 196 Vols., bound in full calf, gilt. It 
 was collected by Thos. Rood, Esq., bookseller in London, 
 and it contains Ireland's own copy of his Confessions, inlaid, 
 as the book-binders term it, with marginal notes in his own 
 hand-wi iting, and many original and curious documents. The 
 collection was purchased and presented to the Library by the 
 late Moses B. Ives,* Esq., a graduate of the College in 1812, 
 
 * Mr. Ives died on the 7th of August, l&T, at the age of 63. A discourse, in 
 commemoration of his life and character, was delivered by the Rev Dr. Wayland, 
 from which we cannot forbear making the following extract. " Aa Treasurer of 
 the University, he was brought into more intimate relations with the officers of in- 
 
1861.] Brown University. 267 
 
 and for nearly thirty-two years its Treasurer. Mr. Brown has 
 since added to this collection 150 Vols., purchased at the recent 
 sale of Burton's Shakspeariana, in New York. 
 
 Philip Allen, Esq., of Providence, also presented to the 
 Library at this time, a fine copy of the General Atlas of the 
 Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, together with 
 the military works of General Jomini, in 24 octavo Vols., with 
 plates and atlases. 
 
 The Class which graduated in 1821, held a meeting in Prov- 
 idence, a quarter of a century from the time of their gradua- 
 tion, at which a considerable sum of money was subscribed for 
 the benefit of the Library, in token of their grateful interest 
 in the Institution at which they were educated. The money 
 thus obtained was placed in the hands of Dr. Thomas H. Webb, 
 of Boston, who purchased, with excellent judgment, about 500 
 Vols., mostly from the Library of the Hon. John Pickering. 
 Among them are 50 Vols, of the " Histoire de 1' Academie 
 Koyal des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres," "Fabricii Bibliotheca 
 Gracea," 14 Vols, quarto, and a large thick vol. of Plutarch's 
 Lives, in Latin, published at Rome, in 1471. This last vol. is 
 one of the oldest books in the Library. 
 
 The next year, 1847, the Rev. Samuel Osgood, D. D., of 
 New York, at that time a Clergyman in Providence, proposed 
 to several of the religious Societies of the city, a subscription 
 for the purpose of supplying the deficiencies of the Library in 
 the best editions of the Fathers of the Church, and the stand- 
 ard theological writers of the Reformation. About $ 2,000 
 was raised, and a fine collection was purchased of the Benedic- 
 
 struction. No one of them will, I am sure, forget the fraternal care with which he 
 watched over their interests. Was any of them sick, — he was the first person to 
 visit him, with offers of assistance. Was any one borne down with labor, and in 
 need of relaxation, — he was the first to suggest the remedy, and the most active in 
 providing the means for its accomplishment. In all the efforts made, for the last 
 thirty years, to increase the Library, and improve the facilities for education, he 
 ever bore a prominent part. His interest never flagged, when anything could be 
 suggested to improve the condition of the Institution which he loved so well. If. 
 in any respect, Brown University has gained in favor with the public ; if it has 
 taken a more honorable rank among the Colleges of New England ; if its means of 
 education have been rendered, in any respect, ample, and its Board of Instruction 
 such as would adorn any similar Institution in our country ; to no one are we more 
 indebted for all this, than to the late Treasurer of the University." 
 
268 The Library of Brown University. [April, 
 
 tine editions of several of the Fathers ; the " Bibliotheca 
 Maxima Veterum Patrum," 30 Vols, folio ; Harduin's Collec- 
 tio Conciliorum," 12 Vols, folio ; besides the choicest editions 
 of many of the Fathers not edited by the Benedictines, and a 
 large collection of works connected with Patristic Literature 
 and the History of the Keformation. To this collection of the 
 Fathers, valuable additions were made at the recent sale in 
 New York of the Library of the late Dr. Jarvis. 
 
 In 1854, the Hon. James Tallmadge, of New York, a grad- 
 uate of the Class of 1798, bequeathed to the University the 
 sum of $1,000 to improve its Library. This amount was, ac- 
 cordingly, through the kindness and courtesy of Dr. Cogswell, 
 appropriated to the purchase of some of the Astor Library dupli- 
 cates. These now occupy a separate part of one of the alcoves. 
 
 Valuable donations have recently been made to the Library 
 by Don Geronimo Urmeneta, an Alumnus of the University, 
 and late Minister of Finance of the Republic of Chili ; — and also 
 by others. But our limits will not admit of further details. 
 
 From this imperfect sketch it will be seen, that the Library 
 of Brown University, although not large, is unusually choice 
 and valuable. A large proportion of the books have been se- 
 lected with special reference to the wants of Students, and gen- 
 tlemen engaged in literary and scientific research. The depart- 
 ments of Bibliography, the Classics, English History and Lite- 
 rature, Ecclesiastical History, Patristics, Mathematics, the Mod- 
 ern Languages, and the Fine Arts, are quite full, and compara- 
 tively complete. There are but few duplicates. In addition to 
 the Metcalf collection already described, the Library has a large 
 number of bound pamphlets, "those leaves of an hour, and vol- 
 umes of a season, and even of a week/' which, says D'Israeli, 
 "slight and evanescent things as they appear, and scorned at by 
 opposite parties, while each cherishes its own, are in truth the 
 records of the public mind, the secret history of a people, which 
 does not always appear in the more open narrative." 
 
 PRESENT NUMBER OF VOLUMES. 
 
 The present number of volumes, as nearly as can be ascer- 
 tained by the ordinary methods of estimating Libraries, is 
 
1861.] Brown University. 269 
 
 30,000. To this enumeration, may be added 6,000 Vols, be- 
 longing to the Philermenian and United Brothers' Societies, 
 making a total of 36,000. 
 
 Several of the College Professors* have good Libraries in 
 the specialities to which they are devoted. That of Dr. Sears 
 is deserving of special mention. It contains upwards of 7,000 
 
 * In this connection it may not be improper to refer to the magnificent private 
 collection of Mr. J. C. Brown, a member of the Board of Fellows, to whose liberal- 
 ity the College Library is so greatly indebted. It contains upwards of 10,000 vol- 
 umes, selected with excellent judgment and skill, and purchased without regard to 
 cost. The following works may be mentioned as an illustration of the character 
 and great value of the Library. The " Complutensian Polyglot Bible," in 6 large 
 folio volumes. This great work was published by Cardinal Ximines, in 1552, and 
 at an expense of 50,000 ducats. It is scarce at the present day, only 600 copies 
 having been printed. The "Royal Polyglot," 8 Yols. folio; published at Antwerp, 
 in 1569-72, at the expense of Philip II., of Spain; exceedingly rare and expensive, 
 only 500 copies having been printed, many of which were afterwards lost at sea. 
 The " Parisian Polyglot of Le Jay," 10 immense folio Vols.; published at Paris in 
 1628—45 ; large paper copy, and sumptuously printed. "Walton's Polyglot, 6 Vols, 
 folio. " The first books," says Dibdin, "ever published in England by subscription." 
 Hutter's Polyglot, published at Nuremberg in 1599. "Among the scarcest books 
 in Bibliography." A set of the bibliographical works of Dibdin, (on large paper,) 
 so much sought for by all book collectors. "Relations des Jesuites," supposed to 
 be the most complete set of these valuable reports in existence. A collection of 
 about 500 Vols, of the celebrated " Aldine Editions." Mr. Brown's Library, how- 
 ever, consists principally of books relating to America. "We cannot better describe 
 it further, than by quoting from the "Librarian's Manual," a work published by 
 Norton, of New York, in 1858. " These two Caffclogues, (Bibliotheca and Supple- 
 ment.) although they contain 2,523 Articles, are far from being complete. A Mer- 
 chant, of Providence, (Mr. Brown,) well known to the amateurs of this class of books, 
 has in his own private collection 3231 early works upon America, published between 
 the years 1700 and 1800, of which 1512 are not mentioned by Rich. He has also 1174 
 works published previous to the year 1700, of which 509 are not mentioned by Ter- 
 naux; thus making 4,405 separate works relating to America and published previ- 
 ous to the year 1800, of which 2,021 were unknown to the eminent American Bib- 
 liographers, whose Catalogues are described in this fist." The most costly of all 
 collections of books is the one of which Hariot's Virginia forms a part, and which 
 is known as De Bry's Voyages. This is a collection of voyages and travels in Asia 
 Africa, and America. Its publication was commenced in the year 1690, by De Bry, 
 an eminent printer at Frankfort-on-the-Main, and continued by himself and his sons 
 for forty years. It is copiously illustrated with maps and the finest engravings ex- 
 ecuted at that period. The series make 25 folio Vols., 13 of which relate to Amer- 
 ica. It was published entire in Latin and German, and in French and English in 
 part. It also underwent many changes and variations. The finest and most com- 
 plete set of this exceedingly rare work, including every edition and variation known 
 making nearly a hundred volumes, forms a part of Mr. Brown's private collection. 
 
 vol. in. 23* 
 
270 The Library of Brown University [April, 
 
 Vols., the greater part of which are in the German and Latin 
 languages. The most valuable part of it consists of special 
 histories and biographies, particularly those relating to the pe- 
 riod of the Keformation, and what preceded and followed it. 
 
 LIBRARIANS. 
 
 Previous to the year 1824, the duties of the Librarian were 
 performed by one of the College Tutors. The following are 
 the names of those who have filled this office, viz : Hon. Asher 
 Bobbins, LL. D., William "Wilkinson, Kev. Jonathan Maxcy, 
 T>. D., Kev. Asa Messer, D. D., LL. D., Kev. Otis Thompson, 
 Professor Calvin Park, D. D., William Emmons, Hon. John 
 Bailey, Caleb H. Snow, M. D., Peter Pratt, Aaron Brooks, 
 Hon. Horace Mann, LL. D., and C. Sumner Smith. From 
 1824 till 1841, the office was filled by Professor Horatio G. 
 Bo wen. He was succeeded by Professor C. C. Jewett, who 
 held the office seven years. The present incumbent entered 
 upon his duties in March, 1848. 
 
 REGULATIONS. 
 
 The Library is open during Term-time, daily, from 9 till 1 ; 
 during Vacations, weekly, on Saturdays, from 10 till 1. The 
 members of the Corporation and Faculty ; all resident Grad- 
 uates ; all donors to the Library Fund ; all donors to the Fund 
 for building Khode Island Hall ; and all donors to the Library 
 to the amount of $40, residing in Providence, are entitled to 
 the use of the Library without expense. Undergraduates are 
 entitled to the use of the Library, and are charged therefor the 
 sum of $3 per annum. 
 
 The privilege of consulting the Library is extended, under 
 ordinary restrictions, to all Graduates of the University ; to 
 all settled Clergymen, of every denomination, residing in the 
 city of Providence and the vicinity ; and to all other persons 
 on whom, for the purpose of advancing the arts, science or lit- 
 erature, the Corporation or Library Committe may, from time 
 to time, confer it. Books are occasionally loaned, to persons at 
 a distance, by special permission. 
 
 The following are some of the general regulations of the Li- 
 
1861.] Brown University. 271 
 
 brary, established by a vote of the Corporation of Brown Uni- 
 versity, at their Annual Meeting, Sept. 2, 1841. 
 
 No book shall be borrowed from the Library or returned to 
 it, without the knowledge and presence of the Librarian or his 
 Assistant, who shall take particular notice of the state of each 
 book, when delivered out, and when returned. And every book, 
 when lent, shall, if the Librarian so direct, have a proper cover 
 on it, which shall be returned undefaced, with the book. And 
 the Librarian shall require of the borrower a receipt for every 
 book, if he be present ; otherwise the book may be delivered 
 on his written application. In no case, however, shall books 
 be lent to Undergraduates, unless they are present to sign a 
 receipt for the same. 
 
 No person except officers of instruction shall borrow from 
 the Library more than one folio, which he may keep four weeks ; 
 or one quarto, which he may keep three weeks ; or two octavos 
 or two duodecimos, which he may keep two weeks. 
 
 For every book not returned at the time specified, the per- 
 son borrowing it shall pay for each folio or quarto, three cents ; 
 and for each octavo or duodecimo, two cents, for every day, 
 until it shall be returned. 
 
 All the books, whether in possession of undergraduates, res- 
 ident graduates, officers of instruction, members of the corpo- 
 ration, or others, shall be returned to the Library, on or before 
 the Friday preceding the close of each collegiate term. Any 
 person who may fail to comply with this requirement, shall pay 
 twenty-five cents for each volume of which he retains possession. 
 
 If any book borrowed from the Library be injured or defaced 
 by writing in it or otherwise, or be lost, the Librarian shall 
 make immediate report of it to the Library Committee. And 
 if the borrower be a Graduate or Undergraduate, the Library 
 Committee shall oblige him to replace it as soon as possible, 
 with one of equal value ; or they may punish him by fine or 
 otherwise ; and if such volume be part of a set, the borrower 
 shall be obliged to replace the whole set, or be punished, as 
 above ; and until this be done, he shall not be allowed to bor- 
 row any other book. 
 
 No book can be renewed to any Undergraduate or resident 
 Graduate, unless it be brought to the Library. 
 
272 The Library of Brown University. [April? 
 
 No Undergraduate, while receiving books, shall take down 
 any book from the shelves without special permission from the 
 Librarian. 
 
 No person shall lend to any other a book which he has bor- 
 rowed from the Library, nor let it go from under his personal 
 custody. And no book shall, by any person, be carried out of 
 the city of Providence, without the special permission of the 
 Corporation or of the Library Committee. 
 
 Inasmuch as the Librarian is held specially responsible for 
 the safe keeping of the books, etc., belonging to the Library, 
 no person shall be allowed to enter the Library, unaccompanied 
 by him or by his authorized agent. 
 
 If any Undergraduate desires to borrow a book, which is 
 lent out of the Library, he may leave his name and the title of 
 the book with the Librarian, and when the book shall be re- 
 turned, the Librarian shall reserve it for the person so apply- 
 ing ; provided he call for it at his next time of receiving books 
 from the Library. 
 
 Such books, maps, charts, etc., as have been, or which may 
 be presented, with the intention or request that they shall not 
 be lent from the Library, shall in no case be lent therefrom. 
 Books which are valuable for their plates, or for their rarity or 
 antiquity, and all others which the Library Committee may 
 designate as works of reference, shall not be lent ; but may be 
 freely consulted in the Library. 
 
 The privileges of the Library shall be withdrawn from all 
 such persons as may incur fines under the preceding Kegula- 
 tions, until such fines shall have been paid. And the Libra- 
 rian is authorized to suspend or withdraw the privilege of bor- 
 rowing books from the Library, or of reading books therein, 
 from any person who may wilfully violate any of its regula- 
 tions. 
 
 The Joint Library Committee are authorized to establish, 
 from time to time, such additional regulations, not incompat- 
 ible with the Laws of the University, as shall be found proper 
 and necessary, for the safety of the Library and the due admin- 
 istration of its concerns. All such additional regulations shall, 
 however, be reported to the Corporation. 
 
OV 1 1956 
 
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