THE RECONSTRUCTION OF 'I llb LIBRARY OF LOUVAIN UNIVERSITY.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.")
Sni,—Nearly two years ago attention was called in the Spectator to the question of reconstructing the Library at Louvain, which was destroyed by the Germans in August, 1914. Already important steps have been taken with this object, and the time has come for giving greater publicity to the movement, which has excited interest in America and in France as well as in this country. The recently published Bulletin of the Rylands Library, Man- chester, contains an interesting article by Mr. Guppy, the Librarian, stating that " upwards of eight thousand volumes "— the list appended to the article shows the valuable character of the books given—" have been accumulated already, and each day brings with it fresh offers of assistance." The destruction of the Library was complete. Many of its treasures can never be replaced, but it is possible by gifts from learned bodies and private persons to collect a suitable Library which would be of immense value to the University when the time of its restoration arrives. The books thus obtained are not a fortuitous collection; intending donors send lists of books they are willing to give; those which are suitable are accepted and housed in the Rylands Library. " A register of the names and addresses of the contributors, together with an exact record of their gifts for presentation to the Library," has been prepared, and also " a catalogue of the collection, so that when the time comes for its transference to its new home it may be placed upon the shelves prepared for its reception and ready forthwith for use." What has been done, however, is only a beginning, and it was felt that the movement must ba extended. A representative meeting, at which Lord Bryce presided, was held in London early in this year, and a Committee with Lord Muir Mackenzie as Chairman was appointed with a view to rouse more general interest and obtain further contributions. This Committee will have the very valuable assistance of the Librarian of the House of Lords. It will work in co-operation with the Rylands Library, and the efforts will be co-ordinated. The preparation of a University Library requires time and care, and whether the period of waiting be long or short it can all be usefully employed. The scheme is not only an expression of practical sympathy from scholars and book-lovers in other lands with the teachers and students of Belgium in their overwhelming calamity, but also of a sure hope and firm determination that Belgium is to be restored. As one of the Professors of Louvain has said, it is a " preparation for
[Splendid! But we must contrive that the kindliness and the generosity of British and American scholars and book-lovers shall net act in such a way as to relieve the German Government from the obligation of making reparation for their crime. We want to help Louvain, not relieve the Hun from the consequences of his evil deeds.—En. Spectator.]
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