THE NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS AT BERLIN 143 



modern cosmopolitan character of the "post" is represented by natural 

 models of all peoples and countries. Everything is represented, from 

 the most primitive row-boat to the highly elegant steamer, from the 

 "dog post" to the six-horse postal carriage, railway post, pigeon post, 

 tield post, etc. Numerous illustrations of the homes of the post in all 

 zones, and models of the stately buildings of modern times, complete 

 the panorama. 



IX.— THE ROYAL LIBRARY. 



The establishment of a public library dates back to the year 1661, and 

 is owing to the Grand Elector who ordered the collection of the frag- 

 ments of the monasterial libraries and had them combined with the 

 library of the castle, forming a collection comprising 1,618 European 

 and Oriental manuscripts and 20,600 printed works, representing about 

 90,000 volumes. Frederick I added to it the purchased Spanheim col- 

 lection of books, and Frederick II the library and collection of charts of 

 Colonel Quintus Icilius and other valuable purchases. The present 

 building was erected in the years 1774-1780 by order of Frederick the 

 Great ; the books were transferred to it in 1782, and the reading-room 

 was opened in 1784. 



According to the report of the director, in 1836, the library contained 

 about 200,000 i)rinted volumes, and 4,611 manuscripts. The growth of 

 the library was such, that toward the end of the reign of Frederick 

 William III, the lower tloor of the building — used for the storage of 

 books, had to be applied to the use of exposition. Et was re-modelled 

 during the years 1840 to 1842, and divided into two stories. The burn- 

 ing in 1843, of the Eoyal Opera House, immediately opposite the library, 

 called attention to the importance of fire-prooting the building, the 

 provision of iron stairways, doors, etc., and of suitable water reservoirs. 



The extraordinary increase of the collections — amounting at present 

 (1886) to 800,000 volumes, and 20,000 manuscripts, rendered it necessary 

 to divide the elevation of the stories by.means of iron ceilings, and to 

 use a portion of the attic for the storage of books. 



The budget for 1886-'87 allowed 96,000 mark ($24,000) for the pur- 

 chase of books, manuscripts, journals, music, charts, and illustrations, 

 and for the necessary expense for the binding of books. 



X.— THE ROYAL BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING. 



In 1850, when the Finance Department had under advisement the best 

 method for preventing the manufacture of counterfeit money, a propo- 

 sition was made to have all paper money and securities made at some 

 central establishment. On April 30, 1851, a royal decree authorized 

 the establishment of a bureau for the manufacture of paper money, 

 bonds, and other securities, and a building was purchased for the pur- 

 pose at a cost of 5,380 thaler ($4,135). 



