A
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Entrance Hall of British Museum.
■T HAS become customary to start
the history of the British Museum
library with a transaction which
took place between the British
government and Sir Hans Sloane in
1753, hut, as it matter of fact, the
genesis of this library should he re
corded 2<> years earlier. The event
chronicled upon this date of October
23, 1731, is it tire tit Ashhurnhani
house which partly destroyed the fa
mous Cottonian library, and empha
sized In the minds of influential pas
trons of learning the absolute neces
sity of properly housing the great col
lections which as yet had escaped the
same fate, says the Christian Sdeuce
Monitor.
That portion of the Cottonian col
lection which was saved from the
flames still exists as an important and
valuai.de part of the present British
museum. Sir Robert Cotton was a
real booklover and a natural collector.
When summoned by Queen Flizabeth
to Calais as royal commissioner in
arranging a treaty between Kngiand
and Spain, it was with sincere regret
that he accepted the appointment, be
cause it took him away from his li
brary and from the research in which
he found the greatest delight of life.
Later Cotton's political activities
aroused tlie suspicions of Charles I.
and, as a result, ids beloved library
was sealed up and he himself arrested.
When later a royal messenger came
to him with the message that under
certain conditions he might be re
stored to court favor. Cotton replied:
“You come too late, my heart Is
broken.”
Tiie trillions library was restored
years inter to Sir Robert’s son and
successor. Sir Thomas Cotton, who in
herited, also, liis father's love of books.
From Sir Thomas it came down to Sir
John Cotton, who presented the col
lection to the nation in 1700. The
Cotton library, therefore, should he
considered the nucleus to which the
other collections were added.
Money Raised by Lottery.
This brings us to Sir Hans Sloane,
where tIn* chronicle usually begins.
Sir Hans was physician, naturalist,
and antlrpiary, and during his life
time accumulated an extraordinary
collection of books, manuscripts,
drawings, prints, together with col
lections of natural and artificial curb
osiur\ jmwji.u 111 * « .ii Hi-' *«i *
hr- offered them to the British n:iti>»n.
provided the government paid his
executors some £'_!*•.'MI t. which he esti
mated to he one-fourth of the intrinsic
viilue of his collections. Tin* real
value was probably somewhat l-ss
than his ■ stitnate. but the price at
which the British tuition acquired itis
treasures was surely less than halt
their value, winch made the contribu
tion of Sir Hans a princely one under
any circumstances.
To persuade King George If, so in
different to the importance of letters
and so miserly regarding the expendi
ture of money save for his own pleas
ures, that so large a sum should he
paid was no easy task, and when the
memorial was first presented to him he
remarked: "1 do not think there are
£20.<MH) in the treasury.” Fortunately,
however, there was influence enough
among those favoring the acquisition
of this important collection to piivh
the matter to a conclusion. As n re
sult, an act was passed through parlia
ment authorizing the holding of a lot
tery to raise £300.000, out of which
£30000 should he paid to the executors
of Sir Hans and the countess of Ox
ford. and an additional £30,ooo invest
ed at interest in the public funds to
provide for salaries and other ex
penses. Bevond this, an adequate sum
was to be devoted to a suitable build
ing for the collections. This act
passed parliament in 1753. and marks
the definite foundation of the British
museum.
Early Restrictions on Users.
The records show that the first build
ing containing the collections which
went to make up the British museum
was thrown open in the tmhlic on
January 15. 1759; but the ";<"ds
“thrown open” require some explana
tion. Today there Is no library ... the
world where the visitor or student is
able to Inspect and make use of its
vt underfill contents with greater ease
or freedom than the British Museum
library, nut originally sucn restrictions
"ere Imposed ns to make its use al
most inaccessible. In the first place.
It was announced that the library
would be open "except Saturday and
Sunday of each week, except Christ
mas day and one week after, except
tlit* week after Master Sunday and the
w« ok after Whitsuntide, and except
flood Friday, and all days which now
or shall hereafter he specially ay
i pointed for Thanksgiving's or feasts
by public authority.”
If a prospective undent were able
to mas-tor the mart] •antics of these re
strictions, lie then presented himself
at the [Miner's lodge, where lie wus
ol'li-- d to give his name, condition ;uid
address, to be entered in the register.
This accomplished, the volume was
laid before tin* librarian to decide
whether tin* person so applying was
flit it ltd to admission. If the question
j were settled in the affirmative, on a
second visit the applicant might re
ceive his ticket. Having secured the
precious card, lie would then present
himself for admission, but, ns there
was a restriction that not more than
ten persons should he admitted for
each hour the museum was open, it
was stil! problematical whether he
would he successful. If so fortunate
*s to he a member of one of these
groups of ten he was then escorted
around the library by a guide, with u
limit placed upon the time, and with
every element created to destroy the
pleasure of literary communion with
the volumes.
I-ater, Important additions to the
Cottonian, Harleian, and Sloane col
lections include the Iloyal library of
12,000 volumes, which was eventually
turned over to the British museum h.v
Oenrge II; the Thomason collection of
“Kings’ Pamphlets,” the da Costa col
lection of Hebrew books and manu
scripts; the Birch collection of biog
raphy; David Carrick’s library of Eng
lish plays; Musgravo's collection of
biography and manuscripts; the
C ra chert>de collections of books aiul
prints.
^ Some Great Acquisitions.
All these collections were acquired
previous to the year 1807 with no ex
pense whatever to the government, hut
at this ti11* a grant of approximately
io.OOO was made for the purchase of
tin1 I.ansdowno manuscripts. In ISl.'I
another £S,<KX* was appropriated for
1 the Hargrave Legal library, and. in
ls-1. some £li!.r.;K> was granted to
secure lli.> classical library of !>r.
t’ha.-ios Burney. Two years later the
splendid Koval library acquired bv
George III became part of the British
! museum. This necessitated larger
quarters, and was the beginning of the
reconstructed museum. George ill’s
library contained no less (ban Sl.OOO
volumes. George IV tried to dispose
of tin' collection to the emperor of
Russia to enrich his own private cof
fers, but this plan was frustrated, and
the volumes were saved to the British
nation.
Francis Kgerton was a later bene
factor of the Museum library. He be
queathed to it the famous Kgerton
manuscripts, together with £12,000. the
Interest on which to he devoted to in
creasing the collection and maintain
ing a custodian. Three years later, in
1S32, the autograph collection of the
museum was enriched by the acquisi
tion of the Arundel manuscripts; and.
in 1S47. the lit. Hon. Thomas Gren
ville presented to the museum his mag
nificent library, which is still preserved
as a unit under theylonor's name.
No library is geographically situ
ated more favorably to be available to
the world than the British museum. A
famous American collector some years
ago bequeathed to it an extraordinary
collection he himself had made, which
it seemed from patriotic motives
should have been turned over to some
American institution. After having
worked in the British museum, how
ever. and after seeing the cosmopoli
tan nature of those who visit and make
use of its treasures, one is forced to
admit that tills collection will accom
plish its highest good by being where
it is rather than consigned to the geo
graphical limitation of any one of the
American libraries. In this case the
American donor considered his loyal).'
to letters beyond the demand of an
jntiouallty.
Germany’s New
Army Lacks Snap
Soldiars Slack in Discipline and
Show Familiarity Toward
Officers.
About 70,000 Men Commanded by Hin
denburg About All That Remains
of Groat Host—Revolution
Changes German Troops.
liorlin.—Under the new republic the
departments of the army and navy
are no more. In name at least. The
republic’s name for them Is defense,
and they are placed under charge of
Gustav Noske, much trusted by the
government for his prompt action in
emergencies, and much hated hv the
Spartucans for his relentless opposi
tion when disorders break out.
Noske’s appointment as head of the
navy, as well as the army, was regard
ed none too seriously, by Noske him
self, at least. When asked by a news
paper man what he expected to do
about the naval affairs of Germany in
the future, Noske laughed and replied:
“Why worry about naval affairs, when
we haven’t any navy?”
There are still sailors In big num
bers In Germany, however, and they
have been a problem. During the revo
lution the sailors played an Important
rmrf :irul Hinsf tHum tini'alr.nntl
a liking to land duty in Berlin and the
other big cities that they have refused
to leave for Kiel or any of the har
bors. Now the sailors are used In the
guard regiments all over Germany,
along with soldiers.
Big Army Disappears.
The German army is in process of
reorganization. Immediately after the
armistice the army almost disappeared
us an organized unit, and though there
were millions of men in uniform scat
tered all over the land, none was re
sponsible to anyone, ami officers were
not safe in uniform. In localities the
soldiers joined “Red guard” groups,
and some served and others misused
their privileges. Thus the army ns it
was known in the old days practically
vanished, except for a few divisions
under llindenburg, camped behind the
Iliiine, and the troops along the Polish
border.
Now the only army of the field that
Germany has Is in the east to guard
against the I’oles. It is commanded
by llindenburg and is supposed to he
not more than GO,000 or 70,000 men,
If it numbers that many. However,
government troops are scattered over
the country in every big city and in
industrial centers to guard against
disorders. The big problem is keep
ing these troops faithful and satis
fied, when Spartacan propaganda and
money is at large. Under Noske and
the minister of war, Colonel lteinhard.
the morale and discipline of the gov
ernment troops have improved tremen
dously until a great part of the for
mer efficiency is restored.
Depends on Peace Terms.
Germany's army is in a transitory
state. What it will become depends
upon the peace terms, the Germans
recognize. But there has evidently
been a change In idea in the govern
ment. Early in the revolution Ebert
declared himself against a conscripted
army, and Noske and Ileinhard were
appointed to organize volunteer forces,
serving for short periods, to defend
tlie new government. As a matter of
fact the troops used for interior de
fense are ail volunteers, mostly young
men, serving for three or six months
at good pay.
The policy of the new republic will
Be against conscription in theory, de
clares President Ebert, hut there is not
much hope of putting the theory Into
effect, for It Is pointed out that Ger
many will not abolish conscription un
less the neighltoring nations do. Since
the Germans d<> not expect their neigh
bors to depend on volunteers, plans
are being worked out for a new con
scription army, serving shorter periods
and modeled more after the Swiss
than the old Prussian army. The
militia idea is popular, but Is consid
ered idealistic.
The German army of Interior de
fense, which probably numbers around
ti hundred thousand men, or possibly
a few thousand more, is an expensive
proposition. Volunteers have to be !
jiaid well to keep them from being
won over by the Spartacans, who offer
more money. Food and equipment is ;
good.
The new army lias b. rather slack j
discipline, nnd none of the old Prus- I
sian snap is seen when officers ap- |
pear. Familiarity and nlmost. inso
lence are seen on every hand. The
German trooper has changed a lot with
the revolution, and if appearances are
at all indicative, the government
forces in Germany today are not to
he feared outside Germany.
2,000 Murdered
by the Bolsheviki
U. S. Red Cross Agents Tell of
Reds’ Atrocities in
Siberia.
DIG OWN PITS; BURIED ALIVE
Murders Were Without Provocation
and the Victims Were Largely of
Thrifty or Intelligent Classes
or Servants of Church.
Omsk.—Indisputable evidence of the
massacre by the bolshevik! of more
than 2,000 civilians in and near the
i town of Caa ba.s been obtained by
Messrs. Simmonds and Emerson and
: Dr. Rudolph Teusler of the American
! Red Cross, who have just returned
i from Perm, Osa and other re-occupied
i Russian territory. Approximately 500
persons were killed at Osa and 1,500
in the surrounding districts.
Osa, which had a population of 10,
000, was so denuded of males by the
bolshevik! that General Casagrande,
upon the occupation of the town, was
obliged to telegraph to Ekaterinburg
for men to administer civic affairs.
Dogs Dig Up Bodies.
In addition to securing verbal am'
documentary evidence the Americar
Red Cross officials witnessed the ex
hunting of scores of victims fron
trenches, where they were buriec
sometimes several deep in graves re
vealed by the digging of dogs.
The murders were without provoca
tion, and the victims were largely o
the thrifty and intelligent classes oi
WOMEN FACTORY WORKERS OF GERMANY
Group of women who are employed In the factories of Ititburg, Germany.
Some of mem ure wearing wooden shoes, leather being very scarce in Germany.
servants of the church, which latter
it was the announced intention of the
bolshevikl to exterminate.
The evidence discloses almost un
thinkable atrocities. A blacksmith, hy
economies, had attained a shop. He
was required to pay 5,000 cubit's; lie
cause he could not, he was shot. A
man was shot because he lived in a
brick house. Ail attorneys and Jurists
were killed, and doctors, whose serv
ices were not required for the moment,
were disposed of in a similar manner.
A woman whose husband and two
sons had been seized applied to the
commissar fur information as to their
fare. She was told they had been
taken to Perm. After repeating her
visit several times she was informed
that if she bothered the commissar
again she would be shot, us they had
been.
The body of a woman was exhumed
and identified in the presence of the
Americans as the wife of a general
through Jewels sewed in the lining of
her clothing, of which relatives were
aware. Another woman was compelled
to fetch a lamp and gaze upon her
murdered sons for the amusement of
the slayers.
A wife required to pay 1.000 rubles
for the release of her husband bor
rowed SIX) and paid It over; later she
returned with the remainder, and then
was informed that her husband had
been shot. There were scores of simi
lar eases. All were killed without any
form of trial.
The soviet called a meeting and pre
pared lists of those to die. The houses
proscribed were visited by squads, the
doors were smashed in, and the vic
tims dragged to the edge of the town
and forced to dig their own graves.
Those who resisted were shot in the
streets.
A survivor testified that he had seen
men thrown Into a pit and buried
alive. This testimony lias been con
firmed by bodies exhumed, the clenched
hands of which were clinging to the
mud at the bottom of the pit.
The only spark of humanity dlscov
able was that In confiscating the be
longings of the residents. In sonic in
stances where there was a family of
small children, the family was permit
ted to retain one cow out of several.
Occasionally a peasant was allowed to
keep his worst horse.
The bolshevik attitude toward the
church was uncompromising. Priests
were hunted unmercifully. The evi
dence showed that men were slain
whose only offense was that they
worked as sextons or caretakers of
churches.
Milk Can Causes Death.
Lawton. Okla.—W. S. Mantooth,
twenty-two, a well-known young far
mer near here, was instantly killed
when a milk can several boys were
using as a boiler exploded. Some
boys were using the milk can as
the boiler of an improvised engine,
and Mr. Mantooth stopped to warn
them that they had too much steam
up. Just then the boiler let go. The
big can, weighing thirty pounds, nit
him between the eyes.
Aliens Quit Country
New York.—Enriched by war work,
aliens are leaving this country at tlie
rate of more than 1,000 a (lay, it was
learned here from custom officials, who
expressed fear that, with the possibil
ity that congress may limit immigra
tion for the next four years, the United
States will face a serious labor short
! age. instead of a condition of unem
! ployment.
Since the signing of the armistice,
i it was said. Italians, Greeks, Spati
| lards and Portuguese have been pour
ing out of the United Stacs through
this port. Since November 70,221 pass
I ports have been vised at the custom
house, and since l>oeember. O.'l.tKH)
aliens have sailed. Every ship clear
ing for Mediterranean ports has sailed
with a full steerage, so that rates have
• -imped from $40 to if.SO.
Custom officials estimate that an
ominous sum has been taken out of
e country since the exodus began.
:i li alien, it is said, carries with him
o:;i $ 1.000 to $7,000 to enable him to
1 live In his native land in greater ease
! than lie ever enjoyed before. Since
; April 2, when all outgoing passengers
wore forced to pay their income taxes
before leaving, more than $GS,000 has
been collected.
Hyron It. Newton, collector of the
port, who has been asked by members
of the United States senate and house
Immigration committee to reduce the
exodus to statistics, said today more
than 00 per cent of the aliens are
Italians, and that ‘‘something ought to
j be done to check the outflow.”
CUPID 'bust during war
j Six Thousand French Women Were
Wooed and Won by Vanks in
One Year.
Paris, France.—That Cupid was
nearly as busy as Mars with tint mem
bers of the American expeditionary
force and that romance bloomed in
France in spite of war’s ularnts ii
-tt'hir{r'trtri!'CrCrtrtrCrCrCi-C;'trCr£r£i
ttirCztttttttrtt-CrbirtrtrirC: irfrf? tXrfl
| Less Than 4.000 Yanks
Lost Arms or Legs, g
Washington, D. C.—N’early 4.
000 officers and enlisted men in
file American expeditionary
forces lost arms or less in the
war with Germnny, according to
statistics furnished hy the bu
reau of war risk insurance,
which is now interested in bring
ing about changes in the law fix
ing compensation for maimed
soldiers, sailors, and marines.
won by American soldiers within one
; year. The majority of the French
I girls who have become Americans
and men are stenographers, salesgirls,
teachers and a sprinkling of peasant
girls and those of the middle class or
bourgeoisie. The romances are in niosi
cases very similar.
*
shown by the fact that more than 0.000
French women have hern wooed and
i through marrying American officers
AREA OF DETAILED MAPPING
Notwithstanding Interruptions by War,
Larger Amount Was Covered in
Year of 1918.
(Prepared by the T’nited States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
Notwithstanding a certain amount of
interruption due to war conditions In
the work of tin* soil survey carried on
by the bureau of soils of the United
States department of agriculture, a,
larger area of detailed mapping was:
done during the fiscal year 1918 than
during the preceding year, the area
covered amounting to 38,136 square
Planctable Used in Soil Survey for
Constructing Base Map.
miles. Prior to 1018 a total of 4-45,825
square miles had been mapped, so that
the total area covered by the detailed
work of the survey at the close of June
30, 1018, was 483,961 square miles.
That part of the United States lying
within regions where the rainfall is
suflicient for crop production or where
water Is available for Irrigation cov
ers approximately 1,750,000 square
miles. The area mapped in detail dur
ing 1018 was equivalent to 2.2 per cent
of this area, the total mapped in de
tail to date 27.0 per cent, and the total,
both detailed and reconnoissance work,
much of the latter area calling for no
further work, amounted to 54.3 per
cent of it.
TREES FOR ROAD PROTECTION
Active Steps Taken by New York
Organizations for Development
of Planting Scheme.
fBy PROF R. B FAXON, State Col
lege of Forestry, Syracuse, N. T.)
Believing that the problem of road
side planting should not be entirely set
aside during the movement for a great
er mileage of improved highways,
active steps are now being taken
by the New York State Motor federa
tion and the State College of Forestry
at Syracuse for the development of a
planting scheme for the section of the
highway running from Syracuse to
Utica, a distance of about 60 miles.
It lias been demonstrated by those
in charge of rlio work that aside from
the purely ornamental value of trees
along the highway, many practical ben
'• efits would result from their proper
use. It Is not generally realized that
, trees, by means of their shade during
i the summer months, prolong the life of
the roadway for many years, and road
experts In general are heartily In fa
vor of this means for road protection.
IMPROVEMENT IN WISCONSIN
Ten Million Dollars to Be Spent on
Developing Highways in Badger
State in 1919.
Ton million dollars will ho spent on
developing, improving and patrolling
the highways of Wisconsin during
1010.
This nnnouncemnt was made by A.
R. Hirst, state highway engineer, who
explained that the increase, an amount
almost double that spent in former
years, was because $2,500,000 was left
over from last year and also to furnish
an opportunity for employment of re
turned soldiers and sailors.
“Approximately $7,000,000 will be
spent In developing new roads, and
about $,1,000.000 will be used to patrot
the stnte trunk highways. The money
will come from federal, state and coun
ty sources.
The senate committee on highways
is considering a bill to allow counties
to Institute trunk lines and to raise
the present limit of f>,000 miles of fed
eral aid roads in the state.
GOOD ROADS AID TO SCHOOLS
Higher Attendance of Children Shown
by Government Survey After
Improvement Made.
A survey made by the government
of the i-ffect of good road building on
school attendance in eight counties
shows that before the roads were im
proved the average school attendance
was 00 pupils to each 100 enrolled, as
compared with 70 after the roads wer«
Improved.