The Evening Star TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 3024, 29 October 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1872.

We need say nothing in those (.lavs respecting the advantage of libraries. Their utility has been acknowledged in all ages, but at no period of the world’s history have they been so absolutely necessary as now. There was a time when access to books was only needed by a few in every country ; but even in those ages extensive collections of books were made, and not a few what were termed public libraries were established. To the men of those days, the term “public” must have conveyed a different signification from what it now bears. It may have had included in it the “ sharp-witted youth, grave, thoughtful, and reserved among his

mates ; turning the hours of sport and food to labor ; starving his body to inform his mind.” But even to him, no little patronage was needed before he could have access to those stores of knowledge treasured up in the few volumes that recorded the observations and results of the studies of men of genius, Jiving or dead. The “public library” was, however, a necessity in those‘days for the rich, “for,” as is well observed by a recent writer, “the hndi price of books, while all books were manuscripts, only made it the more necessary that public libraries should be provided for the purposes of study, seeing that the purenase of books was in most cases beyond the reach of private study.” The price of books is reduced, but the necessity for public libraries has increased rather than diminished, for it is just as true of this ago as of times gone by that few private students can afford to buy books necessary to a thorough acquaintance with the science or literature of the present day. There are many reasons for this, a few of which it will be well to glance at. That which lies at the foundation is the universality of education, and the growing necessity that it shall be thorough. When he only was deemed a scholar who had acquainted himself with the languages, science, and arts of the ancients, the total inapplicability of such knowledge to the requirements of everv day life, rendered it merely a mental ornament, which, like a mysterious charm about the person, gave its possessor power over the rude people amongst whom he lived. The student of letters was esteemed great: the student of nature was proscribed, and denounced very commonly as in league with Satan, and was shunned and despised, even if he escaped being burnt as a wizard. But times are changed. Nature must be studied, its powers known, measured, and bent to minister to human necessities. Man’s

combativeness is gradually becoming diverted from conflict with each otlicr to achieving victories over physical obstacles ; and instead of the few possessing the means of knowing the ground already gained, the conviction has been arrived at that every child should have it in its power to acquire that knowledge. In consequence of this changed condition of learning, new necessities have arisen. Although there is so intimate a connection between one science and another as to give rise to the expression the “circle of sciences,” it has become necessary that there shall be a division of labor, so that those who devote themselves to the investigation of a special branch may be able to add their own observations and inductions to the labors of those that have gone before them. To this division of labor is in great part owing the rapid strides achieved during the last century; but it has multiplied the number of expensive books. And so intimately intertwined is the present with the past, that the works of the men who have laid the foundations on which each science is constructed cannot he dispensed with. The men of each succeeding ago are engaged in reviewing the labors of their forefathers, correcting that which was erroneous and developing that which was true, but yet in embryo. The records of the past, therefore, are as essential to advancement as the discoveries of the present age, especially as erroneous inferences may be drawn by existing writers which need to be examined, criticised, and corrected. Since in our day more than a partial acquaintance with these matters is becoming a necessity to every man, because everyone must in time to come be either educated or despised, it follows that society, which pects so much, should provide the means of education. No person in humble life can better afford to expend so much money in purchase of the necessary works now, than even the wealthy could in ages past: and if they could, so rapid is the advance of science since legions of thinkers have devoted attention to it, that the standard authority of to-day may become only the connecting link between past and present to-morrow — a record to be kept, though needed only as a work of reference. Much might be added to show that a Libiary of Reference is needed in every community. To a (j niversity it is an absolute necessity. As well might a carpenter attempt to construct a house without tools, as a professor to teach science or literature without the means of directing students to the best authorities. And when the vast range of human knowledge is consideied : when not only physical but mental science has to be investigated : when law, medicine, politics, commerce, mamifac lures, agriculture, and social comfort, depend for successful practice upon accuracy of knowledge, and accuracy of knowledge on the means of thorough investigation, it is plain that a Library of Reference is one ol the best investments a man can make, for at the smallest possible cost it gives him the best available help. The constitution

of the Reference Library attached to our Otago University is as liberal as is consistent with its utility. None practically will be excluded, so long as their social status is recognised by a subscriber ; so that, although it is not to be absolutely a free library, it may be considered to be practically so to all those who are really students. We do not think it needs any recommendation to public support, for every one who values the blessings of order, morality, and social and intellectual advancement (and in these days and in this city we know none who do not), will gladly contribute towards its support. It is, however, necessary at times to press upon attention that such institutions exist, as the old proverb is very true, “out of sight, out of mind.” In the phraseology of the pulpit, “A collection will now be made.”