Henry Augustus Homes. 



13 



vigorously in extending these exchanges. Many of the most import- 

 ant of the gifts from foreign governments, like the description of 

 patents from the government of great Britain, were obtained by the 

 personal exertions of Mr. Pruyn. Dr. Homes appreciated fully this 

 important source of increase and from the beginning exerted himself 

 to place it upon a firm and permanent footing. 



I think it is due to Dr. Homes to make mention at this point of his 

 services in reducing to system the principles which ought to govern the 

 growth of such a library as that of the State. It is plain that libraries 

 must be conducted in accordance with the purposes for which they exist. 

 Only a few libraries of the world can afford to attempt to collect all 

 printed books. Most libraries must lay down certain limitations within 

 which they propose to keep their efforts. The State library was founded 

 for the purpose of furnishing aid to the Legislature, the State officers, 

 the courts of law, and the profession which practices before these 

 courts. In these respects this library differs widely from the large and 

 miscellaneous collections of books which compose such libraries as the 

 Boston Public Library or the Chicago Library. In any case the pur- 

 chases must be made with reference to the uses to which the library 

 is to be put and the amount of money which may be expected each 

 year to be expended upon it. The limited amount of the annual 

 appropriation for the purchase of books has made it necessary to 

 select certain appropriate lines in which the increase should be made. 

 Dr. Homes gave to this problem his earnest attention, and the direc- 

 tions in which the library has been growing are chiefly such as he has 

 indicated. 



My personal relations with Dr. Homes were such that I am sure 

 you will allow me to make reference to them. In addition to his 

 scholarly and professional characteristics, to which I have adverted, 

 he was a charming and entertaining friend. He was exceptionally 

 well informed on a great variety of topics. His extended and intimate 

 knowledge of foreign countries, his thoughtful and careful intelli- 

 gence in relation to the events transpiring in our own country, 

 rendered him a most interesting companion. It was impossible to 

 encounter him even in the most casual way and for the briefest time 

 without gleaning from him something worth remembering. He was 

 fond of a friendly chat, and was what may be called a most com- 

 panionable man. 



I shall miss him greatly ; and you, Mr. Chairman, and you, mem- 

 bers of the Institute, will all miss him greatly. He was one of those 

 few men on whom you could implicitly rely, and faith in whom would 

 never be betrayed. 



