Page images
PDF
EPUB

3. Codices Graeci et Latini Canoniciani: a catalogue of part of the Canonici collection. The catalogue of the Italian MSS. of the same collection is mentioned below. No catalogue of the Liturgical MSS. has yet been made.

4. Codices T. Tanneri: a catalogue of the series of papers relating to the civil war and to the ecclesiastical history of the seventeenth century which was bequeathed to the Library by Bishop Tanner.

5. Codicum R. Rawlinson classes duae priores: a catalogue of (1) the Thurloe State Papers, the Miscellaneous Papers of Samuel Pepys, the Bridgeman MSS., with some others, (2) MSS. relating to heraldry, genealogy, English and Irish history, and topography. Of a considerable portion of the other MSS. which were bequeathed to the Library by Dr. Rawlinson a catalogue exists in MS.; they chiefly relate to the literary history of the seventeenth century.

6. Codices Syriaci :
7. Codices Aethiopici :

8. Codices Sanscritici:

Complete catalogues of all the Syriac,
Æthiopic, and Sanskrit MSS. in the Library.

The special catalogues are as follows: some of them have been wholly or partially incorporated in the general catalogue :

1. Catalogus Codd. MSS. Orientalium Bibl. Bodl. This catalogue was published in three parts, in the years 1788, 1821, and 1835 respectively. The two latter parts, which contain the catalogue of the Arabic MSS., are complete; but the Syriac, Æthiopic, and Sanskrit MSS. have since been separately and more completely catalogued (see above), and separate catalogues of the Hebrew and Persian MSS. are in preparation.

2. Catalogus MSS. qui ab E. D. Clarke comparati in Bibl. Bodl. adservantur. In two parts: (1) containing descriptions of the Latin, Greek, and French MSS.; (2) containing the Arabic, Persian, and Æthiopic MSS.

3. Catalogus Codd. MSS. et Impressorum cum notis MSS. olim D'Orvillianorum. The D'Orville collection consists (1) of annotated copies of Greek and Latin Classics, (2) of letters and adversaria of scholars of the eighteenth century, (3) of Greek, Latin, and a few Turkish and Arabic MSS.

4. Catalogus MSS. Borealium praecipue Islandicae Originis. A list of the MSS. which were purchased from Finn Magnusen.

5. Catalogo di Codici MSS. Canoniciani Italici.

6. Catalogues of the Ashmolean MSS. (1) A catalogue of the manuscripts bequeathed to the University by Elias Ashmole. These MSS. are chiefly on heraldry, genealogy, and astrology. An Index to the catalogue has been separately published. (2) A catalogue of the MSS. of Anthony à Wood, which consist chiefly of documents relating to the history and topography of Oxfordshire, and of Anthony à Wood's correspondence.

7. Catalogue of the Clarendon State Papers. Of this Vols. I. and II. have been published.

[ocr errors]

8. The MSS. of the Douce Collection are included in the catalogue of that collection which is mentioned above.

9. A chronological Catalogue of Pamphlets from 1603-1740, which had been transferred from the Radcliffe to the Bodleian Library, was published in 1794.

10. Of the Carte, Dodsworth, and other MSS. no catalogue exists, except the lists of contents which were drawn up by the collectors.

II. The Music has not been fully catalogued; but there is a MS. catalogue of the Wight collection, which forms the most important part of the whole, and the modern music is arranged in alphabetical order.

§ 2. The Taylor Institution.

The Taylor Institution was established for the promotion of the study of Modern European Languages. This object is effected by the following means :

(1) Instruction is given, either gratuitously or, in the case of such persons as require more advanced teaching, on payment of a small fee, to all members of the University who choose to avail themselves of it, in the French, German, Spanish, and Italian Languages.

(2) Lectures on subjects connected with foreign literature are given from time to time by persons of eminence. There is a special bequest, which is administered by the Curators of the same Institution, for lectures on the Slavonic languages and literature.

(3) A Scholarship and an Exhibition are annually awarded for proficiency in some one or more of the languages taught in the Institution. (See below, p. 72.)

(4) A Library which contains a large collection of foreign literature is accessible both to members of the University and to other persons.

The Library consists of (1) the large Reading-room, (2) a Reading-room for Masters of Arts, (3) a smaller Reading-room for Undergraduates, which is supplied with many standard works of reference on the leading subjects of University study: the Undergraduates' Room is also provided with lockers in which a student who wishes to continue his reading of the same books on consecutive days may lock them up together with his own papers and note-books.

The Library is open on week-days from II A.M. to 5 P.M. throughout the year, except (1) from 5 P.M. on the last week-day before August 16 to 11 A.M. on the first week-day after September 14, (2) from 5 P.M. on the week-day next before Christmas-day to II A.M. on the week-day next after January 1.

The Reading-rooms are open to all members of the University alike, subject to the Curators' regulations. But the use of books out of the Library is a privilege, and is subject to the following principal conditions:

1. All Graduates of the University, all Students of Civil Law or Medicine, the Taylorian Scholars and Teachers, are considered privileged persons, and during residence are allowed the use of books out of the Library.

2. A Master of Arts or Graduate of an equivalent or superior Degree, or a Taylorian Teacher, may have in his possession six volumes belonging to the Institution, and no more at any one time. A Graduate of any lower Degree, a Student of Civil Law or Medicine, or a Taylorian Scholar, not more than four volumes. For larger numbers applications must be made on special grounds, and permission in writing obtained from the Library Committee.

3. No person can be allowed more than one new work at a time. Books will be considered new during the year of their publication.

4. Every person borrowing a book shall authenticate the Librarian's voucher by the signature of his name and College or Hall, or such other address as the Librarian may deem requisite. On returning a book the borrower shall demand this voucher, which will then be separated from its counterfoil and given him as his acquittance. Every borrower not applying in person must send a written request, which shall be treated in all respects as a voucher.

5. All books shall be brought back to the Library at or before the end of each Term, but may be taken out again by privileged persons intending to continue residence, on condition of returning the same before they quit Oxford. Unbound numbers of Periodicals and Reviews must be returned at the end of one week from the time of borrowing.

6. If application be made to the Librarian for a book which has been taken out, he shall issue notice to the borrower, who must return it within a week from the delivery of such notice. The Library Committee may also direct the issuing of such notices at their discretion.

7. The following classes of books are subject to special restrictions. Lists are kept by the Librarian.

(1) Atlases, Grammars, and Dictionaries, in common use, several Manuscripts, volumes remarkable for scarcity or condition, and some Bibliographical and other books, are restrained from circulation.

(2) Certain Catalogues, works on Bibliography, Collections of various kinds, some illustrated and other books, can be borrowed only by written permission of the Library Committee.

are

(3) Certain Encyclopædias and Biographical Dictionaries allowed to circulate, one volume at a time, but must be returned within a week or upon twenty-four hours' notice. (4) The last received number of each Periodical work or Review may be taken out at or after 4.45 P.M., and not earlier, on condition of being returned at or before 11.30 A.M. next morning. 8. No book shall be taken out of Oxford without permission in writing obtained from the Library Committee. Such permission can be conceded on special grounds to privileged persons only, and under no circumstances shall any book be taken over sea.

9. Undergraduate Members of the University, not being privileged as Taylorian Scholars, may obtain a limited privilege of using books out of the Library, subject to its Regulations, upon presenting to the Librarian a paper (copies of which may be obtained from him) in which the Head, the Vicegerent, or a Tutor of the applicant's College or Hall not only recommends the applicant to the Curators, but also undertakes to be personally responsible for any loss which may occur to the Library by default of the person whom he recommends.

Books can be borrowed under this rule during Term-time only; every book must be returned at or before the end of Term; and no person thus borrowing shall have in his possession more than two volumes at any one time. For any special extension of privilege application must be made to the Library Committee.

Attached to the Library is also a room containing the Finch Collection, which consists chiefly of classical works, modern Italian literature, and illustrated works.

The Catalogue both of the Library proper and of the Finch Collection is at present chiefly in MS. A new Catalogue is in preparation. The Bibliographical works and Dictionaries will be found near the Librarian's desk, and may be consulted by all readers.

§ 3. The Radcliffe Library.

The Radcliffe Library was founded under the will of Dr. Radcliffe, early in the eighteenth century, and the building now used as the Camera Radcliviana was in the first instance built to receive it. At present it is placed in the University Museum, and is wholly confined to scientific literature. Most of the

leading works in the several departments of Physical Science, and almost all scientific periodicals, will be found on its shelves.

The Library is arranged in two parts: (1) the Principal Bookroom; (2) the Reading-room.

In the Principal Book-room, the books are arranged in subjects, viz. 1. Philosophy; 2. Mathematics; 3. Astronomy; 4. Physics; 5. Chemistry; 6. Mineralogy; 7. Geology; 8. Voyages and Travels; 9. Biological Science; 10. Medicine; II. Biographies, &c.; 12. Miscellaneous.

The many large illustrated works, such as those of Audubon, Gould, and Mascagni, or the Voyage de l'Astrolabe, have places conveniently allotted to them apart from the general classification. They are for the most part in cases, standing in the body of the room, and constructed for folios of any size. The works on Medicine, and the older and less used volumes, are in the galleries.

The Reading-room has wall-cases, floor-cases, and an eastern gallery. In the presses No. 179 to No. 187 are placed General Transactions of Academies, and Journals: those of the British Empire commence the series; they are followed in alphabetical order by those of other countries, America (U.S.), Denmark, France, &c.

In other wall-cases, from No. 154 to No. 178 inclusive, are journals relating to special subjects, in the order of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Biology, Medicine. On a shelf before each window is placed the current number, weekly or monthly, of the serials belonging to the adjoining case. A special catalogue of the serials has been printed, and may be purchased of the Sub-Librarian in attendance.

In the south-eastern corner of the room, presses No. 188 to No. 190, is a collection of standard books, for the most part elementary, called 'The Students' Library.' It contains also books of reference, and monographs, having reference to the subjects which are the special study of the Museum.

A catalogue of the works in the Students' Library may be had from the Sub-Librarian.

Then follow in an adjoining case, No. 191, Dictionaries, and Encyclopædias of the subjects just named.

On several stands in the centre of the room, are, 1st, Maps

« PreviousContinue »