THE LIBRAIIT OF LOUVAIN.
[To THE Entree or THE " SPECTATOR."7 SIR,—Many months have passed and the position has greatly changed since attention wes called in the Spectator to the steps then being taken to reconstitute the Library of Louvain, which was utterly destroyed by the Germans in August, 1914. Since the winter 1914-15 when this work started it has goes steadily forward, and a full Report of it, with an interesting account of the University and its famous library, is given in the Bulletin of the Rylands Library, which has just been published. Fourteen thousand volumes suitable for a University library have already been collected and duly- arranged and catalogued, and "each day brings fresh promises of help." Among the donors are great Universities—the University of Aberdeen, for example, has given 633 volumes—and also "struggling students" who have given single -volumes—the tokens of their interest and sympathy—while Belgium was still in the power of the invaders, and the teachers and scholars of its most famous University were exiled from their hotnes. Now the invader has been driven out and the University has just been reopened. " It is confidently anticipated that by the end of the year the whole of the departments will be in.full working, with their usual complement of 3,000 students." A most generous offer has recently come from America, and been gladly accepted by the University, to rebuild the library according to designs embodying the results of the best modern experience. The need, however, for a working library, ready for immediate use, is urgent. Whatever is done in this country, or in others, towards restoring the library will not affect In the slightest degree the liability of the {Semmes to make com- pensation for the damage they did. The University at Louvain will require-every penny that can be obtained from that source whether others make voluntary gifts in addition or not. The work of complete restoration may take years; meanwhile, it 4 advantage to the University to receive god library representative specially of aiming. As an expression of sympathy; have suffered coming from those who such a gift inside now would he invalu- neon there is -for such an expression we think of the case of a distinguished who returned to his home to find the utient research had been utterly and He died in England among friends ic verdict of one- who knew him well— Is i-c ''—shows what such a loss meant
ie words of the Bulletin itself to show use by those who desire to join in this and to aid now in a really practical Flo are again restoring their University
shy needless duplication of gifts, and of those which are suitable for the y he made, would-be contributors are the books they are willing to offer to Iola. Rylands Library, Manchester,' or se House of Lords, London, S.W.,' who ith the register of books already pre- eceptance of the volumes, and ask them ` John 1WHIIIIS Library, Manchester,' in process of formation."
that by the generosity of Universities ?t,, of publishers, and of private donors, roted will within the next few months t he fifth anniversary of the destruction — Sugust 25th, 1919—it no doubt com-
dly useful library, duly arranged and eatartigtied.—riffiTrilire-sented to the authorities of the reconsti- tuted University at Louvain, with a list of the donors who have thus shown their practical sympathy, and that the smelens of a new library may be formed? By the help of others it will be afterwards extended and ultimately housed in the fine buildings which will be provided by the magnificent gift from the United States. Though many of the treasures which have been -burned can never be replaced, the new library may become in time a worthy successor of the great library which was destroyed so wantonly, and be of invaluable assistance to the University in renewing its work.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Asserts ithezissos.
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