ADVERTISEMENT. A CATALOGUE of the books belonging to the Library Company of Philadelphia, was published in the year 1789. Since that period, a considerable number of books has been added by donations and purchases, and also, a great and valuable addition of more than twentyfive hundred volumes of scarce and costly works, made to the Library, by the liberal bequest of the late Reverend Samuel Preston, Rector of Chevening in the county of Kent, Great-Britain. The list was thus rendered in a great degree useless, and a desire having been expressed, by many of the members, that another should be published; the Directors have therefore prepared a com. plete Catalogue of the Books now belonging to the Institution. To obviate objections often made to the plan of the former Catalogue, they have been induced to publish the present one, comprehending books of all sizes, in an alphabetical form so far as the names of Authors and Editors could be used. The anonymous books constitute by themselves an Appendix, and are classed scientifically, each under its proper size. The numerous pamphlets and small tracts, which it was not thought expedient to include in the alphabetical arrangement, appear by themselves, and form a second appendix. A copious Index is subjoined, to facilitate the inquiry after any book belonging to the Library. The present Catalogue may perhaps be liable to some objections, but the Directors apprehend it will be easily understood by every class of Readers, and prove on the whole useful and convenient. EXPLANATION. The Italic capitals which immediately follow the num. ber of the books, refer to the size, thus: L. At the end of the title indicates that the work belongs to the donation of the late William Logan. P. In a similar situation, that the work forms of the bequest of the late Rev. Samuel Preston. part Annexed to the Catalogue of Books is a description of the Coins and Medals belonging to the Library Company; the gift of individuals at different periods. Their number, however, being too small to form a collection of any great importance, it has been thought sufficient, in order to give the classical or historical student the best aid they can furnish, to arrange them as they are now done, inserting the inscriptions of the ancient coins only, or of such modern medals or coins as claim particular attention. These medals and coins will be shewn on application to the Librarian.` A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE TH LIBRARY. HE foundation of the prefent library was laid in the year 1731; a period when Philadelphia afforded little affiftance to the inquiries of the ftudious. A number of gentlemen having raised the fum of one hundred pounds by fubfcription a small library was formed upon principles the best calculated to diffeminate knowledge: the books were not, as in many of the public libraries of Europe, confined to the apartments, but the fubfcribers were allowed to carry them home for a reasonable space of time. The plan foon became popular; acceffions to the number of members took place, and the stock of books was annually increased by purchases at the company's expenfe, and liberal donations from persons both at home and abroad. The then proprietaries of Pennsylvania appear to have taken a patriotic pleasure in the encouragement of the plan. Befides several valuable donations, they granted a charter of incorporation in the year 1742. A spirit of literary improvement made its way among all claffes of peo ple, and the philanthropy of the great and amiable character* who suggested the plan, was gratified by tracing the books as well into the hands of the opulent, with whom literature is fometimes no more than one of the ornaments of civil life, as among those to whom it renders a more subftantial benefit. Letters, while they employ the leisure of the artist, reconcile him to his labour; by removing groffer relaxations they promote his health, while they enlarge his mind; and prolong his life, while they teach him to enjoy it. Doctor Franklin. The refpectable and intelligent character of the latter class of people in Philadelphia and its environs, cannot be referred to a more probable cause, than the habits of reading promoted by this institution. The great utility and fuccefs of this measure, occafioned the formation of other libraries upon fimilar principles. But as it appeared more conducive to the interefts of literature, to be poffeffed of one large, than of feveral smaller collections of books, coalitions gradually took place among them, till the Amicable, the Affociation and the Union Companies were blended with the Library Company of Philadelphia, the title conferred by the charter, Since this event, which took place in the year 1769, the members and the property of the company have continued to increase : the former being nearly feven hundred in number. The number of volumes, exclufive of nearly four thousand, in the Loganian Library, now annexed to this institution; at present, amounts to about fourteen thousand five hundred; the selection of which, has in general been calculated to promote the more important interests of society. And the stock of books is continually increased by occafional donations, annual importations and purchases of most of the American productions of merit. Some valuable machines and apparatus for the purposes of natural philosophy, &c. and a variety of curious artificial and natural productions also belong to the company, and are depofited in their apartments. Befides the collection, the perfonal property, confifts in fome public, ftock; the fale of shares, which fince the year 1793 have been fixed at forty dollars, and the annual payments which since the year 1795, have been fixed at two dollars from each member. The real estate of the inftitution, confists of the lot and buildings, where the Philadelphia and Loganian libraries are kept. The members hold the property as tenants in common, and difpofe of their fhares by will or deed; but the affent of the Directors, as well in fuch cases as in cafe of an original purchase, is previously neceffary -a restriction early adopted, in order, as much as poffible, to prevent improper perfons from having accefs to a collection of a nature fo liable to injury. Ten Directors and a Treasurer are annually elected by the members: the Directors appoint a Secretary and a Librarian,-for the réfpective® powers and duties of whom, the reader is referred to the charter and the fubfequent laws and regulations. THE CHARTER. OHN PENN, THOMAS PENN, and RICHARD PENN, Pennsylvania, and counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Suffex, upon Delaware To all to whom these presents fhall come, greeting, Whereas Benjamin Franklin, Robert Grace, Anthony Nicholas, Preamble. Thomas Cadwalader, William Coleman, Thomas Godfrey, Henry Pratt, Benjamin Pafchall, Jofeph Breintnall, John Jones, jun, Samuel Hale, William Parfons, Nicholas Caffel, Francis Richardfon, William Maugridge, David Bufh, Thomas Hopkinfon, Philip Syng, Jacob Duché, Evan Morgan, Jofeph Stretch, John Pafchall, Nicholas Scull, Thomas Green, Hugh Roberts, Rees Lloyd, John Roberts, Richard Standley, John Nicholas, John Sober, Charles Read, Daniel Harrison, James Morris, Thomas Shaw, John Read, Joshua Richey, James Hamilton, William Plumfted, John Bard, Samuel Morris, John Stamper, Samuel Norris, John Mifflin, John Langdale, Samuel Coates, Samuel Rhoads, Jofeph King, Alexander Graydon, James Merrywether, Anthony Morris, jun. Tobias Griscom, Charles Willing, Ifaac Williams, William Allen, Jofeph Peters, Richard Peters, Thomas Clay, Phineas Bond, Ifrael Pemberton, jun. Robert Greenway, William Crofthwaite, William Callender, George Emlen, jun. Isaiah Warner, Tench Francis, James Bingham, Charles Meredith, Samuel M'Call, Hugh Davy, Amos Strettell, Benjamin Shoemaker, Jofeph Hatton, Andrew Hamilton, Thomas Bond, and William Peters, have, at a great expense, purchased a large and valuable collection of ufeful books, in order to erect a library for the advancement of knowledge and literature, in the city of Philadelphia; Now know ye, That we Motives to being truly fenfible of the advantage that may accrue to the people of this province, by fo useful an undertaking, and being willing to encourage the fame, Have given and granted, and by grant. |