18 
the idea of a National Library. There are three large Reading Rooms, 
one for the working classes, where 20,000 popular volumes may be con- 
sulted ; the great ‘Salle de travail,” where in the year 1890, 99,112 
readers consulted 398,166 books; and an inner manuscript room, where we 
saw some forty or fifty students reading and copying manuscripts, many of 
which were so precious that they were only issued in carefully locked cases 
with glass fronts. ‘The Library is not yet fully catalogued, but the work is 
being rapidly proceeded with. The annual State grant is £31,000, which 
covers all expenses. 
Friday was devoted to miscellaneous sight seeing, and I renewed my 
acquaintance with s veral of the churches and picture galleries, and saw the 
new galleries of the Luxembourg for the first time. On Saturday, a pleasant 
visit was brought to a pleasant close, by a journey to Chantilly. The Duc 
d’Aumale had kindly invited the Association to visit his splendid palace, and 
inspect his art treasures. Ile himself did us the honour of personally point- 
ing out the principal objects in his magnificent collection, and very hand- 
somely entertained us. 
The visit on the whole, was a very successful one, and must be pro7 
ductive of good to those who used their eyes and ears. We were treated 
throughout with utmost courtesy and consideration ; a representative of the 
French Government, and also one fr »m the National Lib-ary being present 
at all our meetings, while Hs Excellency the British Ambasssdor, Lord 
Dufferin, was twice present, although very unwell, and made a charming 
little speech. On all hands, the greatest cordiality was manifested, and 
everything was done to make our visit pleasant. The many “receptions” 
differed considerably from similar functions as understocd in England ; to 
put it plainly, there was more speechmaking, and less bodily refreshment. 
But “other lands, other manners,” and the genuine heartiness of the wel- 
come we everywhere received, could not possibly be disputed. I am per- 
suaded that the visit will be productive of much good to all those who took 
part in it ; and one result will be to draw more closely together, those who, 
although belonging to different nationalities, are alike striving, by means cf 
the institulions under thir charge, to spread instruction and refinement 
among the people. 
I remain, Gentlemen, 
Yours obediently, 
WILLIAM CROWTHER, 
September 26th, 1892. LIBRARIAN. 
