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For details, see the full license deed at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0. MAY 1925 Volume 2 Number \\ \ B Price ; 2 FranL = oooo»: o Collections of French Literature in American Libraries PROF. J. L. GERIG, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY The Franco -American Entente : Jean Charlemagne Bracq Travel in Brittany Book Reviews - New Books Current Magazines BREAKFAST HOT BREADS LUNCHEON GRIDDLE CAKES AFTERNOON TEA AND MANY OTHER LIGHT SUPPER AMERICAN DELICACIES RIVOLI TEA ROOMS • 2. Rue de l'Echelle, 2 (NEAR LOUVRE AND PALAIS ROYAL) R. C. Seine 240.431 "A COSY CORNER IN A CROWDED CITY" ENGLISH AND AMERICAN HOME COOKING 9 A. M. to 8.30 P. M. Sundays included' FRUIT, PUMPKIN. ICE CREAM SODAS LEMON MERINGUE PIES ICE CREAM & LAYER CAKES HOME MADE MARMALADES BIRTHDAY BAKED ON THE PREMISES JELLIES AND PRESERVES LES QUALITES DE LA VOITURETTE ECONOMIQUE ET L&3ERE CELLES DE LA GROSSE VOITURE \ | LUXUEUSE ET RAPIDE SONT TOUTES REUNIES DANS la 12 cv. HOTCHKISS. c'est le JUSTE MILIEU CHAMPS ELYSEES fife.. HOTCHKISS Bureau, rez-dc-chautsie, 10 meek I'EigsJe. Descriptive leaflet* of EX LIBRIS advertisers may he obtained at Its Information EX LIBRIS Collections of French Literature in American Libraries Prof. J. L. Gerig, Columbia University library of Columbia University which, article entitled "Du Racine inedit a Columbia THEit must be frankly admitted, is neither University." so extensive nor important as some of Another graduate student, Miss Harriet D the libraries of other great American universities, MacPherson, who was preparing a Master s has nevertheless scattered about in its different essay on "Editions off Beaumarchais in the collections works of rare value and historic Libraries of New York", found in the Columbia interest. Many of these volumes were purchased Library at about the same time a collection of during the eighties and nineties by the then rare pamphlets, bound in one volume, relating librarian, Mr. Baker, a real bibliophile — a to the Goezman affair. The handwriting of — characteristic not always common to librarians the index and some notes is, without doubt, is of a and a scholar of vision. During that interesting the eighteenth century ; and there remote epoch when Professor Wm. I. Knapp of Yale possibility that it might be by Beaumarchais University was building up his splendid collec himself. tion of rare Spanish books which now form the nucleus of the Library of the Hispanic Society, II. Mr. Baker was also purchasing books that struck his fancy or that he considered important These interesting discoveries should not, from the bibliographical or historical point of however, be considered as unusual or even view. So quietly and unostentatiously did he extraordinary, for what has been said of the carry on his work that it often happened that Library of Columbia University might apply many of his colleagues were not aware of the no doubt to other libraries. We should not be value or extent of his purchases. This same oblivious of the fact that our American libraries method was pursued by at least one of his suc are being built up rather rapidly. One Paris cessors, which explains the fact that from time bookseller, for example, has stated that in the to time so-called discoveries are made in the first nine months of the year 1921 he alone Library of Columbia University. shipped more than 570 boxes of books to the During the past academic year, for example, United States. Many of us are aware, perhaps, of Mr. Howson, the assistant librarian, found on of the recent important acquisitions the — the shelves of the section of Greek and Latin Library of the University of Michigan espe a volume of Dionysius of Hahcarnassus which cially the collection of inedited letters of Beau was purchased at least as early as 1884. At marchais. Also a few years ago, the extensive the foot of the title-page was the name Racine collection of French drama of the Lintilhac I written in a beautiful round hand. Interspersed Library was purchased, believe, by the Leland in the text and in the margin were notes in the Stanford Junior University, while the Storel same handwriting. After careful examination collection of books, pamphlets, etc. on French in and comparison with other specimens, it was literature of the sixteenth century is now shown that the handwriting was that of Jean Dartmouth College. Many other interesting Racine, the great dramatic poet of the seventeenth collections might also be cited, such as, for exam century. One of our graduate students, Mr. H. ple, the collection of pamphlets relating to the Cargill Sprietsma, now Cutting Fellow in France, Revolution and the Republic of 1848, which made the necessary investigations and published has reposed for many years in Virginia State them in the Renaissance of last August in an Library. 227 In view of these well known examples, may it certain more 1 limited fields. The Reverend not seem advisable for the members of the Acton Griscom, for example, has placed on Romance section of the Modern Language the shelves of our library his valuable collection Association of America to organize at some time of documents and books pertaining to Jeanne is in the near future a survey of our libraries, for d'Arc and her epoch ; and he continually add the purpose of ascertaining and listing all such ing thereto. Furthermore, by the fortunate important collections as well as others that may location of Columbia Unive sity within the have escaped our attention? A few years ago, confines of this large city, we are able to co while preparing an article on "Celtic Studies in operate with local libraries. Thus it is possible the United States", I attempted to make a for the New York Public Library to purchase limited survey of this character for the use certain books which we could not afford—nor 1 of students. It was surprising and, indeed, at times deem wise —to add to our collection. most gratifying to learn of the wealth of certain As for Spanish, it would not be advantageous libraries, especially the Mercantile Library of to do otherwise than supplement the very Philadelphia, in things Celtic. important collection now housed in the head of On the other hand, Miss MacPherson found quarters of the Hispanic Society America. — in the libraries of New York among which But in the case of regionalism, when, some eight there are some seventy containing works of or ten years ago it was anticipated that this interest to the student of Romance languages — subject might become important with the course — several editions of Beaumarchais not listed in of events, we found that our local libraries — standard bibliographies of that author. excepting that of the Hispanic Society were Again it happens not infrequently in the United not only inadequately provided with works — States that individual works and sometimes of importance, but that for certain reasons — collections disappear from the shelves of of their own, were unable to encourage deve our libraries. In the survey of Celtic material lopment of this subject. We have, therefore, referred to above, there was noted in a catalogue made only a fair beginning by adding to this of an eastern library, published about the middle library various regionalistic histories, biogra of the nineteenth century, a collection of books phies, bibliographies, inventories of archives, on Wales and Welsh literature left as a legacy tc, of France and other Latin countries. When thereto by a certain Celtic scholar. Not only Edouard Herriot, now prime minister of France, have all traces of that collection disappeared, visited Harvard and Columbia in September but it is not even certain that the works forming 1923, he seemed to be impressed by the utility A the collection ever reached the library in question. of suchrcollections. former professor in the — if, Such a survey of course, it should ever Lycee Ampere of Lyons, M. Herriot has always — of be undertaken might also aid materially in been a staunch advocate regionalism. of is of bringing about a greater degree specialization A third point importance the systematic a of along certain lines by the authorities our development of smaller libraries which such • libraries. A few years ago the Department survey might encourage. As everyone knows, of Romance Languages of Princeton University work in our subjects has suffered heretofore brought up that important subject for discussion. through inadequate library facilities. Where — As I did not happen to attend that annual meeting funds are necessarily very limited as in small — I of the Association am unable to state what colleges it is important that the librarian if action was taken. In that regard, I may be should know what books are essential and how excused for mentioning a specific example, the purchase of them may be most economically while we are seeking here at Columbia to provide made.