A SXETCH OF EDUCATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA. 479 



ORDINANCE OF SECESSION 



was passed, December 20th, 1861. The great conflagration swept the 

 'lall away. The society still exists, with reduced endowment. 



THE CHARLESTOJSr LIBRARY SOCIETY. 



In 1748, seventeen yovmg gentlemen of Charleston united in sending 

 ten pounds sterling to London for the purchase of pamphlets and maga- 

 zines. Some months later they organized a library society, and elected 

 officers. By 1750 the society had increased to 160 members. After two 

 unsuccessful efforts, owing to the hostility of Governor Glenn, a charter 

 was secured in 1754, and ratified by the crown the following year. After 

 this the society rapidly increased in numbers, and its library received 

 constant additions. The governor of the Province was regularly elected 

 president ; and membership was regarded as a mark of social distinction. 



For many years it was desired to establish a high school or college in 

 connection with the library ; but estimates made in 1762, showing that 

 an immediate outlay of $15,000, and increased annual revenue of $2,000 

 would be required, caused a reluctant abandonment of the scheme. 



A disastrous conflagration, in 1778, swept away almost the entire library 

 of five thousand volumes ; only one hundred and eighty-five escaping the 

 flames. Many curious pamphlets were irreparably lost. 



The Legislature, in 1790, refunded eleven thousand dollars that had 

 been placed in the treasury at the beginning of the Revolution. Six 

 thousand four hundred dollars were deposited in bank as a permanent 

 fund, and the rest used to purchase books, in 1792. 



In 1808 the catalogue showed 4,500 volumes; in 1811, 7,000; in 1826, 

 nearly 12,000 ; in 1876, 15,500, and in 1882, 17,130. During that year 

 over seven thousand volumes were taken out by subscribers, The library 

 has been carefully selected, and many of the books are of great merit. 



The society owns a substantial building. The receipts for 1882 were 

 $2,102.54, of which $925 were derived from membership fees. 



The annual membership fee is four dollars, A number of members, 

 who paid $100 each in 1835, for the purchase of the building, are absolved 

 from dues. 



In 1770, Benjamin Smith left a legacy of six hundred dollars. Ex- 

 Governor Aiken has presented the society with about $3,000 in securities, 

 and the late William Lebby bequeathed a legacy of $1,000. General W. 

 G. DeSaussure is president ; Colonel C. H. Simonton, vice-president, and 

 Rene R. Jervey, Esq., librarian, of the society. 



The Apprentices' Library, formed in 1824, for the benefit of appren- 



