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 part of the bequest of the late Rev. Samuel Preston. 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. THE foundation of the prefent library was laid in the year 1731; a period when Philadelphia afforded little affiftance to the inqui ries of the ftudious. A number of gentlemen having raised the sum 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 ftock 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 feveral valuable donations, they granted a charter of incorporation in the year 1742. A fpirit of literary improvement made its way among all claffes of people, and the philanthropy of the great and amiable character* who fuggefted 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 thofe to whom it renders a more fubftantial 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. b 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 interests 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 seven hundred in number. The number of volumes, exclufive of nearly four thousand, in the Loganian Library, now annexed to this inftitution; at prefent, amounts to about fourteen thousand five hundred; the felection of which, has in general been calculated to promote the more important interests of fociety. 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 philofophy, &c. and a variety of curious artificial and natural productions alfo belong to the company, and are depofited in their apartments. Befides the collection, the personal property, confifts in some public, ftock; the fale of shares, which fince the year 1793 have been fixed at forty dollars, and the annual payments which fince the year 1795, have been fixed at two dollars from each member. The real estate of the inftitution, confifts of the lot and buildings, where the Philadelphia and Loganian libraries are kept. The members hold the property as tenants in common, and dispose of their fhares by will or deed; but the affent of the Directors, as well in such cases as in cafe of an original purchase, is previously neceffary -a reftriction early adopted, in order, as much as poffible, to prevent improper perfons from having accefs to a collection of a nature so liable to injury. Ten Directors and a Treasurer are annually elected by the members: the Directors appoint a Secretary and a Librarian,-for the respective powers and duties of whom, the reader is referred to the charter and the subsequent laws and regulations. |